Introducing the Automation Connection Network

The network introduces, in a formal way, custom sites “connected” via the Automation World brand. Content includes Webcasts, blog posts, videos, podcasts, White Papers and case studies on topics such as safety, process automation, discrete automation, control, asset management, energy efficiency, manufacturing operations management software and much more.The two newest sites include www.optimizedautomation.com and www.automationworld.com/mfgintelligence. The optimized automation site is built on our new custom Web-site platform, which allows Automation World to produce dynamic Web sites in less than eight weeks.Take some time and visit www.automationworld.com/connect to find new sources of automation content via the Automation Connect Network. Grant GerkeDigital Managing EditorThe TOP FIVE Automation Gear Posts on AutomationWorld.com in March, based on page views:1. Fingerprint-Recognition Switch Designed for Factories and Plants (www.automationworld.com/blog-6546)2. Easy-To-Install Wi-Fi(www.automationworld.com/blog-6649)3. Delta-Type Robot Released (www.automationworld.com/blog-6685)4. ABB Robots Rock - Literally(www.automationworld.com/blog-6645)5. Upgraded PLM Application(www.automationworld.com/blog-6688)New VIDEO: www.automationworld.com/videosMintchell Video Report: Automation Roundup. Gary Mintchell, Editor in Chief, talks leadership, rising stock prices of automation companies, turning high school students on to manufacturing, wireless control and the annual Packaging Automation Forum. Visit www.automationworld.com/video-6729.New VIDEO: www.automationworld.com/videosMintchell Video Report: Sustainable Manufacturing. Gary Mintchell, Editor in Chief, discusses power and energy in this update on sustainable manufacturing as a corporate strategy. Visit www.automationworld.com/video-6786.WEBCASTS: www.automationworld.com/webcasts2010 On-Demand Webcast: Industrial Protocols and Green Engineering. Learn as Irene Bearly and Brian MacCleery, both with National Instruments, explain the protocols used in Smart Grid technology, wireless environmental monitoring, and power monitor applications. Join Moderator Gary Mintchell, Automation World Editor in Chief, as he engages automation experts in this free one-hour Web seminar. Visit http://www.automationworld.com/wc/NAT1001/NEW! Podcast Bytes: Automatic Code Generation for Industrial Control The MathWorks, a Natick, Mass.-based developer of mathematical computing software, has teamed with controls supplier Rockwell Automation Inc., Milwaukee, to introduce a new approach to programming for industrial control systems. In this podcast interview, recorded on March 4, 2010, Automation World Managing Editor Wes Iversen talks with The MathWorks’ Tom Erkkinen and Rockwell’s Jason Weber about the introduction. Visit www.automationworld.com/podcast-6728.WEBCASTS: www.automationworld.com/webcasts2009 Webcast Series on Industrial Ethernet. Free On-Demand Webcast: Using Managed vs. Unmanaged Switches with Industrial Ethernet. Distributed control architectures and information availability have become so crucial for manufacturing that automation engineers often find themselves cast in the role of networking engineers. Originally ran on June 18, 2009. Visit www.automationworld.com/webcast-5549.Podcast: Protecting Against Arc Flash Arc flash can be a dangerous hazard for those working around electricity and electrically powered equipment. In this podcast interview, recorded on Feb. 4, 2010, Managing Editor Wes Iversen talks with Chris Davidson and David Clout of Siemens Energy Inc. about arc flash protection technology deployed in equipment sold to the power industry and others. Visit www.automationworld.com/podcast-6568.