Articles

What's a controller? What's "edge I/O"?

From the basics of industrial control and monitoring to the latest concepts of Industry 4.0, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), data democratization, and more, these articles help you understand what's going on in automation. 

• Meet today's automation needs
• Learn basic automation concepts

Start learning here, then talk to an experienced Opto 22 engineer about your project and the best ways to get the results you need.

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Meet today's automation needs

Building Industrial Data Systems You Actually Own

Most automation systems were built for a specific purpose, not for integration or easy data migration. 

Is it possible to design a data architecture that scales cleanly, reduces vendor lock-in, and avoids repeated licensing costs?

Cybersecurity Design & Best Practices 

Can modern edge controllers and I/O help you create a more secure industrial system?

Learn best practices for setting up a secure system with field devices, legacy PLCs, SCADA systems, software, and services.

Your Legacy PLCs Were Never Built for This

Legacy PLCs were never designed to live on an untrusted network or be exposed to the internet. But you need their data.

See how network segmentation protects the devices that can't protect themselves.

Building Industrial IoT from Edge to Cloud 

Sharing process and device data is the IIoT goal. But traditional OT architectures are costly, complex, and don't scale well. 

Do next-generation edge I/O and control offer new possibilities for connected infrastructure?

Machine Monitoring with Edge Devices

Machine monitoring helps avoid unplanned downtime, giving real-time insights to catch problems early and keep equipment working.

But is it just for new, high-tech equipment? Can you monitor legacy, brownfield equipment? 

Industrial-strength MQTT/Sparkplug

Could MQTT help with your IIoT application? Learn how MQTT works and how Sparkplug B adapts it for industry. 

How can you create a secure, reliable foundation for a network that scales up smoothly and operates reliably for critical applications?

Meet the Future: Edge Programmable Industrial Controllers 

Controls engineers find three main challenges in sharing process and machine data: security, complexity, and expense. 

Can a new type of industrial controller help solve these problems? 

Learn basic automation concepts

Sinking or sourcing?

Confused about sinking and sourcing in discrete DC circuits?

Here are the basics: what's the difference, when does it matter, and how you choose and wire the right I/O module.