by Gary Mintchell | Mar 24, 2010 | M2M
M2M, or machine-to-machine, markets have been poised for a takeoff for years. The concept was introduced to me as a way to automatically send information from device to client computing device using cellular technology as the broadband. Cell telephone operators saw this as a way to sell more bandwidth. Connectivity companies saw it as an opportunity to connect the “Internet of Things.” Only a few companies have persisted in this particular vision. One is Axeda, which has evolved from HMI/SCADA supplier to M2M platform supplier.
The company has been busy the past week, releasing three announcements–two about connections to the mobile broadband. The first is an agreement between Axeda and Sprint. I’ve read the press release four times, and can’t figure out exactly what they’ve agreed to. Evidently it’s a collaboration for Axeda customers to gain access to Sprint’s network.
The second release was similar to the first, announcing an agreement between Axeda and Telenor Connexion, said to be the world’s sixth largest mobile system operator. Once again, Axeda M2M customers can now take advantage of the Telenor network.
The last release announced an alliance between Axeda and Integron Inc.–a supplier of supply chain and logistics services.
Perhaps the sudden flurry of releases reflects a new growth spurt for the segment. The dream of connecting every device to the Internet via cellular broadband is far from reality, but practical advances are allowing a few companies to make a living–and that’s not all bad.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 23, 2010 | Organizations
As soon as ISA figures out what will comprise its Standard for Wireless in Process Manufacturing, ISA100, it will then complete work on figuring out how to test for compliance. You will be able to catch all the relevant information at the newly launched ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute Website.
“Our goal is to make www.isa100wci.org the first place to visit for suppliers and end users interested in building and using ISA100 technology based products. Suppliers need support for integrating ISA100 technology into their product lines and having them certified as ISA100 Compliant. The site helps end users by providing a single destination for getting the most up-to-date facts on marketplace programs supporting the standard, product availability and use-cases,” commented Andre Ristaino, WCI managing director.
The press release notes the approval of the standard, The ISA-100.11a-2009 Wireless Systems for Industrial Automation Standard, by ISA in September 2009, but a further note should be added that ANSI did not approve the stardard due to procedural issues and the standard is still in something of a limbo.
The WCI website will be updated on a weekly basis with new content relevant to the ISA100 Standard, conformance program support and, educational content about the technology. The site includes announcements about regional WCI events, webinars and industry events and provides a convenient registration portal for signups.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 19, 2010 | Operations Management
My how times have changed. In the 90s, I ran around western Ohio with a floppy disk (remember those?) with a program that could calculate electricity usage on pump and fan applications for motors and motors with variable frequency drives. Well, Baldor Electric Co. has an app for comparing standard and premium efficiency motors. Now it’s available for the iPhone. So if any of you have iPhones, here’s an app for work.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 19, 2010 | Automation, Operations Management
I have recorded a new podcast.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 19, 2010 | Commentary
Leo over at ZenHabits recently had two interesting posts.
How to be a Positive Person in 300 words is something we all need to take to heart when the temptation to be negative and critical overtakes us.
Do you ever wonder about the growing power of Google over us? It captures as much information about us as possible–more than the U.S. government is allowed to, by the way–supposedly to show us ads that will be relevant to us. Many, yea, probably most, of my searches are related to work–not to something I might want to buy. (Sorry, Jim, I’m not in the market for a Delta V 😉 Do I even need ads with everything I do–including email? There are places where they’re appropriate, but everywhere? Anyway, Leo who is the master of simplifying life, had these thoughts. So he tried to go Google-less in a day. This is a report of his efforts. I’m already switching from Google reader. But I haven’t been able to get the time to download Chromium.
