Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered

Developing an MES and Industrial Internet of Things Data Platform Strategy

In this episode we connect with Critical Manufacturing's CEO Francisco Almada Lobo to understand how MES and industrial data platforms enable legacy equipment connectivity to drive real-time analytics, proactive maintenance and operational excellence.

How Digital Twins and Cybersecurity Impact Safety Risk Assessments

Andrew Harris with system integrator ACS explains how cybersecurity fits in with equipment safety as part of a risk assessment, and the use of digital twin tech and safety PLCs as part of the safety risk assessment process.

What IT Developments Are Having the Most Impact on Operations?

Kevin McClusky, chief technology architect at Inductive Automation, explains why and how IT technologies such as containers, DevOps, application management and MQTT are impacting industrial operations technologies.

Agentic AI Use in Industry

Tim Gaus, smart manufacturing business leader at Deloitte Consulting, explains agentic AI and how it differs from AI data analytics and AI chatbots, how manufacturers can use AI agents and where they will likely have the most impact in industry.

What Should Manufacturers Understand About Open Control Systems?

We connect with Ken Crawford, senior director of automation at Weidmuller, to explore the differences between open control systems and proprietary control systems, the security and reliability of open control technologies, and the process of adopting open systems for manufacturers who are using either proprietary control system technologies or those that are part of a vendor/partner ecosystem.

Inside PLZ Corp.'s Digital Transformation

We connect with Brett Finley, CEO of PLZ Corp., to get first-hand insights into PLZ’s digital transformation efforts that range from the plant floor to the enterprise and into the company's supply chain operations.

How Does PLC Data Polling via Ethernet Impact PLC Cycle Time?

Evan Novakowski with system integrator Actemium Avanceon explains the primary factors that influence how data polling over Ethernet impacts PLC cycle time, if specific Ethernet protocols are more efficient for PLC data polling, strategies to optimize PLC cycle time and more.

How Are Robotics and AI Impacting Manufacturing Workforce Issues?

Lisa Masciantonio, chief workforce officer at the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute, shares her insights into how robotics and AI have changed the U.S. manufacturing landscape in the past decade, as well as the key workforce challenges manufacturers face as they implement robotics and/or AI.

Are Enclosures Adapting to Manufacturing’s Digital Transformation?

As the manufacturing industries advance, and control technologies are increasingly built to withstand harsh industrial environments for direct placement on or nearby production operations, are enclosures still as vital to automation today as they’ve been in the past? Check out these insights from Jody Kinney at AutomationDirect.

Automation Tech Trends to Watch

This episode features input from several industrial technology experts about the automation technologies they expect to be of primary interest to manufacturers this year. From AI, robots and sustainability to preventative maintenance, inventory and workforce training, find out what industry experts from Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing, Cognizant, Fluke Reliability, Glassdome, Honeywell and Snowflake think will be the biggest automation tech factors in 2025.