Sometimes these are part of a major area of focus, but are typically not well-explored. Other times, the topic may be something that is rarely discussed in depth but plays a role in nearly everything we cover.
It is for these topics that we began creating the Automation World Deep Dive series of videos. These videos allow us to focus on a niche topic with subject matter experts, and deliver insights that might not always get the coverage they deserve.
For example, judging by traffic to recent articles focusing on manufacturing databases, we see that databases are a popular topic with the Automation World audience. So why not explore the topic in more depth by gathering a few database experts to offer tips on how you can better understand your database and the information contained in it?
After all, since your critical manufacturing data is housed in those databases, learning how to better leverage raw data into usable information is critical. We explored this very topic in an Editorial Deep Dive on Databases that you can access at: http://bit.ly/deepdivedb.
Another topic that’s been extremely popular over the past couple of years is wireless. It’s commonly accepted that the 802.15 wireless protocol is the protocol of choice for industrial applications for a number of reasons. But the question then becomes: Is 802.11, the Wi-Fi protocol used everywhere outside of industry, of no use in an industrial setting?
To find out, we video interviewed an expert source knowledgeable about both protocols to offer his opinion. You can view that Editorial Deep Dive on Industrial Wi-Fi at: http://bit.ly/industrialwifi.
The best thing about these Deep Dive videos, in my opinion, is that they are not meant to be the “be-all-end-all” treatment of a topic. They are presented as a means of providing insight into topics not frequently discussed, and about which numerous opinions likely exist. The Wi-Fi video and accompanying article is a great example, as it created a lively debate about the potential, or lack thereof, for Wi-Fi use in industry.
If you haven’t yet seen either of these videos, I encourage you take a look and offer your opinion. And if there’s a topic you’d like to see covered in a Deep Dive video, send me a message at [email protected].
Blog Beats:
The Factory/Process Automation Blog: Investing in the Manufacturing Resurgence. Visit http://bit.ly/AWblog1
The Batch Processing Blog: Contaminant-Free Food Processing Starts at the Dock Door. Visit http://bit.ly/AWblog2
Ethernet Deep Dive on Databased: Visit http://bit.ly/deepdivedb
Editorial Deep Dive on Industrial Wi-Fi: Visit http://Visit http://bit.ly/industrialwifi
