Never Forget the Hardware! Before Software, there was Hardware

In today’s modern manufacturing and industrial environments, companies are turning their attention to mobile solutions to increase productivity without giving up security. ThinManager, by Rockwell Automation, offers centralized deployment and control of content, devices, users and more. Pepperl+Fuchs has released new mobile tablets that come ThinManager-Ready to offer a more secure and easily deployed mobile solution. Talon Petty and Ryan Brownlee join the show from P+F to talk with the guys about what makes their new tablets so different and groundbreaking.

Ever since manufacturing and industrial processes began at scale, we have had to create and use hardware to meet and grow with demand. As we have discussed the digital transformation of today’s industrial companies, the conversation has focused on software and data. Now we turn the focus to the hardware. How has it changed over time and what do we think the near future might hold as it continues to evolve?

No matter how you approach your digital transformation, it will eventually involve data and likely, a lot of data. That is when the real questions show themselves. What is the data telling me and what do I do with it? Nick Putman is ready to shine some light on the topic for us and get into the nitty gritty of the data conversation. Live from Automation Fair 2024 in California, let’s talk Data Mosaics and more about digital transformation.

For many, digital transformations start with digital design. The ability to emulate and simulate, before spending the time and the money to build machinery and industrial environments, just makes sense. Tyler Phillips, Global Business Development Manager for the Emulate3D team is ready to talk about the digital twin and just how it changes the design process in amazing ways.

The age of digital transformation is upon us. Should we be fighting it? As industrial organizations begin the process of shifting to a new phase of the digital age, questions arise. What do we mean by digital transformation? How long does it take? Does it hurt? Sue Burtch, Lead Commercial Portfolio Manager at Rockwell Automation, sheds some light on these questions and more as we dive into the broad topic of digital transformation.

It is at the front of all our minds, or at least it should be. Cyber security and data safety is such a hot topic in today’s world that you see it in the news, headlines and really… everywhere. Special guest Ahmik Hindman, Senior Solution Consultant of Networks & Cybersecurity for Rockwell Automation, joins The Plant to talk about what challenges industrial automation companies face in cyber security and how we defend against threats and attacks.

Whether your job is on a production line or in an office, safety at work is vital to industry and your livelihood. How is safety thought about in modern automation and how did we get here? Steve Ludwig, Strategic Marketing Manager for Rockwell Automation, brings his expertise as we explore safety in today’s industrial world. From project start to regular maintenance, safety makes long term profits possible.

The history of industrial automation and how it all fits together. This is the topic we aim to cover as we kick off the conversation with special guest Kris Dornan, Commercial Marketing Manager at Rockwell Automation. This episode focuses on the programmable logic controller and how it changed automation forever. Most modern industrial control systems rely on quality system integration that begins with the PLC. Listen in to find out how important these devices remain in today’s modern manufacturing environments.

Frank Hill from Stratus Technologies joins The Plant to talk about the success of the ztC Edge Server. The guys talk about how edge computing provides the perfect advantage for high availability, low latency plant floor applications and how ThinManager can fit seamlessly into the solution.

Todd Garmon joins The Plant as our guest. Todd has been a Commercial Engineer for the ThinManager team for a long time. He has helped to facilitate the integration and use of ThinManager in almost countless customer installs. He knows intimately the challenges faced from the System Integrator down to the end-user when using and learning ThinManager.