Who doesn't like Raspberry Pi??

For those who don't know, a Raspberry Pi is a brand of very small, very cheap and yet powerful computers.  These Pi computers come in a few flavors, from the $5 Pi Zero to the $40 Pi 3 Model B.

These little computers run Linux, and if you plug in a keyboard, a mouse, and an HD monitor, you have a full blown WIFI enabled PC that comes with LibreOffice, Python programming, and more.  The Arduino is a similar low cost computer that you may have heard of.  So, all of this sounds pretty much like hobby material and for sure these little computers are parts of a lot of hobby projects.  They even find their way into projects like the Union-Endicott Tigertronics FIRST Team 2053's competition robots (Find out more about Tigertronics here). 

So, what does that have to do with industrial automation?  In addition to running the sprinkler systems for engineers with too much spare time, they are also an excellent proving ground for the advancing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).  Powerful, cheap, and small is the perfect description of an "edge device".  An "edge device" in IoT can be a sensor mounted under a manhole somewhere, or a gateway that brings in a number of smart sensors, or something like the Pi that can perhaps bring in sensor data and preprocess it before transmitting it to the IoT system in the cloud.

North Point has a Pi computer in our lab (ours is a Pi 3 Model B), and we have successfully connected it to our Google cloud-hosted MQTT broker (Inductive Automation Ignition in this case).  The Pi is performing calculations and receiving user input via buttons, and the cloud hosted system is turning on outputs at the Pi.  This simple demo is powerful in what it implies- a $40 hobby computer that can run on batteries can connect with cloud SCADA without pre-configuration of the SCADA.  Shipped with the proper programming, hundreds or thousands of these devices could connect from anywhere in the world.  Hundreds or thousands of other edge devices or gateways at the same time, all feeding data to analytical programs and allowing two way communication and control.  That's the Internet of Things.  

The Raspberry Pi may not be the right edge device to deploy in industrial or critical IoT situations.  It is not industrially hardened in any way.  But, there are industrial versions of this same technology out there and we met many of them at the recent Inductive Automation ICC2016 conference.  But, the Pi proves it's point.

ICC 2016 Conclusion

Yesterday Inductive Automation's Ignition Community Conference (ICC) 2016 concluded at the Harris Center in Folsom.  The final day's programs included a presentation by the Inductive Automation lead developers, Colby Clegg and Carl Gould, about the planned future direction of Ignition, followed by a question and answer session on that topic.  They laid out the tentative plans for Ignition 8.0- the highlight being HTML5 page rendering for improved mobile experience- and a tentative schedule for the fall of 2017.  

Other programs attended included a technical seminar on the use of OPC-UA technology in the Internet of Things, cyber-security in control systems, and advanced python scripting.   It should also be mentioned that several vendors had tables at the conference for the entire week, showing some very interesting products that fit into the Ignition eco-sphere and work in the real IIoT world.  The vendors included Bedrock Automation, Moxa, Magnetrol, Advantech/B+B, Kepware, Opto-22, and Hilscher.

The conference was a success, especially in regard to the interactions with Inductive Automation staff and the networking opportunities provided.  This year, North Point Technology was recognized publicly for reaching the status of Premier Certified. We plan to return for ICC 2017 next year with a project to enter in the Showcase Gallery.

If you are interested in seeing what the Ignition platform can do for you, contact us!  We will set up a discussion and live demonstration, over the web or in your facility.

Ignition Conference Day 2

On Tuesday, September 20th, Bob Lee attended the second day of ICC 2016 in Folsom, CA.  Highlights of the day included the Keynote Speech on Ignition 7.9, information sessions on Ignition's extensive interconnection capabilities and MQTT technology, and then a tour of Inductive Automation's headquarters followed by a dinner outdoors.

The Keynote introduced Ignition 7.9, which brings some impressive new features to the platform, including greatly enhanced diagnostics and groundbreaking support for multi-gateway enterprise-level systems, as well as a bevy of smaller improvements.

The other sessions emphasized what we system integrators already know- Ignition is a platform not just a SCADA.  It is a communications hub for the new information economy.  It is impressive and gets more so with each release.

Inductive Automation's offices are located in the Palladio complex in Folsom- a beautiful, high end shopping complex complete with restaurants and a variety of stores.  Not a bad place to be for a lunch break!  Dinner was "Farm to Fork"- foods sourced from the surrounding counties- and was held outside in a fountain courtyard in the shopping complex.  It was very nicely done and proved to be a successful networking event.  Check out the pictures.

Tomorrow's agenda includes a session about the future direction of Ignition- what to expect for next year's version 8.0.

Ignition Conference Day 1

A successful first day at the ICC in Folsom, California.  The first day was primarily educational programs, focused on seminars and workshops.  Bob Lee, Principal of North Point Technology, attended three- one on Module Development and the use of the Ignition SDK, one about explaining the new features of Ignition 7.9, and one focusing on the consumption of RESTful and SOAP web services from within Ignition.  

 

 Bob is looking forward to tomorrow's keynote at 10AM, introducing the newly released Ignition 7.9.

North Point Technology participates in charity golf tournament

North Point Technology sponsored a team in the St. Francis Ministry charity golf tournament held Saturday, September 17th, 2016, at Endwell Greens Golf Club in Endwell, NY.  

The St. Francis Ministry, founded by Sister Anisia Muthoni with the support of the pastors and parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Endicott, NY, works to support children in Sister Anisia's native Kenya by providing them with a place to live, receive medical care, and obtain an education. The Ministry's Mission is as follows:

To give orphans and poor children of Africa the opportunity to receive quality education and other basic needs so that they may become productive members of their community and help to reduce or eliminate the cycle of poverty in which they live. “Education Creates Better Lives” 

The Ministry's work in the U.S. is carried out by a large group of volunteers and supporters, including a dedicated Board of Directors.  This group arranges for fundraisers, among other things, such as this weekend's golf tournament.  North Point personnel worked closely with the Board of Directors for the Ministry and were instrumental in soliciting prizes from local businesses as well as donations of various items, which they made into attractive baskets to be raffled off.  We are proud of our association with the St. Francis Ministry and pleased to be a supporter of this fundraiser.  We had a great time too!

More information about St. Francis Ministry is available on their website: http://www.savekenyakids.org/

North Point participates in United Way Day of Caring

Lisa W. Lee, Principal and CEO of North Point Technology, led several of the projects that made up the United Way Day of Caring in Endicott, NY on Friday September 9th, 2016. The teams worked on various activities to beautify the Washington Avenue and Union Shopping Districts as well as the Little Italy section of Endicott.

NPT attending 2016 ignition community Conference in California

Bob Lee will be traveling to Folsom, CA to attend this year's Ignition Community Conference (ICC) hosted by Inductive Automation.  The conference runs from Monday September 19th through Wednesday September 21st, and includes workshops, classes, demonstrations, and the opportunity to network and learn from other Ignition users.

Bob will be participating in advanced workshops on the use of Web Services in Ignition and in Module Development.

If you are also attending ICC, we hope to see you there!

Information about the ICC can be found here.

North Point Technology, LLC is a Premier Certified Integrator for Inductive Automation Ignition.