I can't believe how much information I've been collecting the past couple of weeks. Almost so much time on Zoom that there is no time to write. And the blurring of the so-called IT/OT line continues unabated.
1. Software PLC versus Traditional PLC.
A research firm from Denmark recently called me to pump my memory about control systems. The big topic of conversation in Europe--particularly Germany--has been "soft PLCs" or "PC-based control". The idea has been pushed by Beckhoff Automation and the baton recently picked up by Bosch Rexroth. People were thinking that their platforms were so disruptive that they'd displace the "traditional PLC" of companies such as Siemens.
I like what I see with the Beckhoff and Rexroth platforms, but I hardly think that they are revolutionary enough to displace Siemens. I say that not on technology grounds but on marketing. It is the same thing I have seen for 25 years in America. Companies start up with a good idea and think they can displace Rockwell Automation. But they have no way to out sell it. But the technology advances will push the big guys to continue to update.
A German analyst firm that I have worked with conducted one survey that indicated that the soft PLC would be disruptive to the market. Its latest research suggests not. I would agree with that later study.
2. Enterprise Companies Invade Industrial Software
Microsoft held its "Ignite" virtual conference last week. There had been a brief discussion on LinkedIn regarding the possibility of the enterprise giants absorbing the industrial software market. Microsoft demonstrated it manufacturing software. This software looks powerful. I wish I could have asked a dozen questions to go deeper, but this looked threatening to incumbent industrial software. Threatening, except for HMI/SCADA and IoT software at what I might call the "lower" level, that is closer to the sensor and operator. There are precious few independent suppliers of that software left. Keep an eye on Microsoft, Amazon (AWS), Google (Cloud), and even Oracle. Things will be interesting.
3. Metaverse?
We have no doubt already heard of the new company, Meta, the owner of the Facebook, Instagram, and others. The idea behind the new brand is the "metaverse" meaning a blend of VR, AR, XR, and whatever else R. The former Facebook has invested mega bucks in Virtual Reality, but VR has barely penetrated gaming, let alone, the world.
Augmented Reality seems more useful in industrial applications. I've had the glasses on for several demos, and there seems to be real potential applicability. AR in our area seems to add a little at the intersection of CAD, CAM, and manufacturing engineering. I just heard the first "metaverse" comment during a talk at the PTC recent conference. That company has also invested heavily in AR.
Expect to hear more.
4. Web 3.0?
Tim Ferriss released several important podcast interviews recently. Go to tim.blog and search. #541 is with Eric Schmidt partly promoting his latest book—which arrived at my door Monday—on Artificial Intelligence (AI). If you are puzzled about the subject, listen then read.
In the second, #542, Chris Dixon and Navel Ravikant discuss tokens, Web 3.0, and cryptocurrency. This episode will help you understand the progression of the Web from simply putting a magazine on a Web page to interactive Web with emphasis on selling to tokens and putting the user in charge. Are you planning for your next website?
John Doerr, legendary investor, discusses in episode #543, discusses his new book (always a way to get podcast guests) and the importance of us all working on the climate change issue.
5. Finally, a big thank you to my sponsor—Ignition from Inductive Automation (inductiveautomation.com).
1. Software PLC versus Traditional PLC.
A research firm from Denmark recently called me to pump my memory about control systems. The big topic of conversation in Europe--particularly Germany--has been "soft PLCs" or "PC-based control". The idea has been pushed by Beckhoff Automation and the baton recently picked up by Bosch Rexroth. People were thinking that their platforms were so disruptive that they'd displace the "traditional PLC" of companies such as Siemens.
I like what I see with the Beckhoff and Rexroth platforms, but I hardly think that they are revolutionary enough to displace Siemens. I say that not on technology grounds but on marketing. It is the same thing I have seen for 25 years in America. Companies start up with a good idea and think they can displace Rockwell Automation. But they have no way to out sell it. But the technology advances will push the big guys to continue to update.
A German analyst firm that I have worked with conducted one survey that indicated that the soft PLC would be disruptive to the market. Its latest research suggests not. I would agree with that later study.
2. Enterprise Companies Invade Industrial Software
Microsoft held its "Ignite" virtual conference last week. There had been a brief discussion on LinkedIn regarding the possibility of the enterprise giants absorbing the industrial software market. Microsoft demonstrated it manufacturing software. This software looks powerful. I wish I could have asked a dozen questions to go deeper, but this looked threatening to incumbent industrial software. Threatening, except for HMI/SCADA and IoT software at what I might call the "lower" level, that is closer to the sensor and operator. There are precious few independent suppliers of that software left. Keep an eye on Microsoft, Amazon (AWS), Google (Cloud), and even Oracle. Things will be interesting.
3. Metaverse?
We have no doubt already heard of the new company, Meta, the owner of the Facebook, Instagram, and others. The idea behind the new brand is the "metaverse" meaning a blend of VR, AR, XR, and whatever else R. The former Facebook has invested mega bucks in Virtual Reality, but VR has barely penetrated gaming, let alone, the world.
Augmented Reality seems more useful in industrial applications. I've had the glasses on for several demos, and there seems to be real potential applicability. AR in our area seems to add a little at the intersection of CAD, CAM, and manufacturing engineering. I just heard the first "metaverse" comment during a talk at the PTC recent conference. That company has also invested heavily in AR.
Expect to hear more.
4. Web 3.0?
Tim Ferriss released several important podcast interviews recently. Go to tim.blog and search. #541 is with Eric Schmidt partly promoting his latest book—which arrived at my door Monday—on Artificial Intelligence (AI). If you are puzzled about the subject, listen then read.
In the second, #542, Chris Dixon and Navel Ravikant discuss tokens, Web 3.0, and cryptocurrency. This episode will help you understand the progression of the Web from simply putting a magazine on a Web page to interactive Web with emphasis on selling to tokens and putting the user in charge. Are you planning for your next website?
John Doerr, legendary investor, discusses in episode #543, discusses his new book (always a way to get podcast guests) and the importance of us all working on the climate change issue.
5. Finally, a big thank you to my sponsor—Ignition from Inductive Automation (inductiveautomation.com).
Gary