- Is the Oil and Gas Industry Rebounding? - A significant portion of Optimation's business over the past 10 years has come from the world's energy economy. The oil and gas industries in particular were a tremendous catalyst in our company's growth, and accounted for a large percentage of our total revenues especially the period from 2010 to 2015. During that time we also… Continue Reading
- Why You Should Share the Business Case for Your Project - In recent past articles, we have enjoyed blogging about some of the aspects of how to successfully undertake and deliver capital projects. We have noted that a sound methodology to accomplish this can be found in a process we dubbed “Phases and Gates,” where the project work that streams from the customer’s initial project request… Continue Reading
- Code Standardization - When Optimation started standardizing code in 1998 for PLC Programming for the Allen Bradley PLC5, not too many others were practicing code standardization in the controls world. Now it’s considered a best practice, but is it always followed? What happens when you work with a systems integrator who doesn’t use standardized code? As many who… Continue Reading
- For Manufacturing, Challenges Offer an Opportunity for Change - I took advantage of a recent business trip opportunity to not only rekindle my empathy for sardines, but to also read up on some of the goings-on in our high-technology manufacturing world. The rhetoric regarding protectionism, jobs, and our economy in general is ramping up in the face of the upcoming election season. If you… Continue Reading
- Staying on Top of Trends and Making Changes - First off let me acknowledge that I am not nor have I ever been a member of the economist class. I did not buy Apple at $8 per share, or Theranos at $4. So I make no claims to know what will happen next in our complex world of commerce. However, news that Intel is… Continue Reading
- Ready for Process Graphics with Responsive Design? - Control system specifications regularly involve deciding where operator interfaces will reside. More recently, a choice must also be made on whether or not to use mobile devices. Traditionally, if there were a small number of operators looking after a large process area, portable displays were an option to reduce the number of operator stations. Often,… Continue Reading
- Powder Handling – Blending Emerging Technology with Tried and True Methods - One of the challenges that technology driven startup businesses face is how to package their invention into a product platform that will be well received in the market, is operator-friendly, robust, and reliable (just to name a few of the desirable attributes that drive sales). Many times, these small companies are focused on staffing to… Continue Reading
- The Value of Feedback - Due to some changes in our organization I recently had a new responsibility added to my plate. Some of the words that describe it are “Voice of the Customer” or traditional terms like Customer Service or Customer Satisfaction. These things have always been high on my priority and values list, and something that I have… Continue Reading
- Lessons from the Boston Marathon - Countless articles and blogs have been written about the Boston Marathon, marathons in general and the lessons we can learn from comparing marathons to life. The clearest lesson of all is the lesson of Boston after 2013. Out of adversity came strength, commitment to service and a celebration of life. Boston is stronger because of… Continue Reading
- Happy Earth Day from Optimation! - Since the first "Earth Day" in 1970, American industry as well as the rest of the world has acknowledged ever stronger connections between our lifestyles and behaviors, and to a healthy future of our planet. Pure water, sustainable agriculture, watershed protections, clean manufacturing processes, and more are the business of Optimation. We recognize our connectivity… Continue Reading
