Category: News

System Integrator Uses ThinManager and Thin Clients to Increase Visualization, Cut Costs for National Operations Center

Bryan Harned

WachsField Technologies deployed ThinManager and thin client hardware to drive multiple 60” high-definition TVs in order to build a hypervisual national data operations center. Not only was the project a major success, but they also saved the customer a ton of money. Here’s how they did it.

The Setup

When Robert Maxfield first learned about his customer’s desire to create a modern national data operations center, the customer already had some idea of how they would want it to be built out. The original idea included a ton of expensive video hardware that would be able to drive video output cards capable of running several high-definition TVs. [...]

Stratus Technologies on the Cutting “Edge”

Bryan Harned

Stratus Technologies, a longtime partner of ThinManager, has developed and released a new server, the Stratus ztC Edge.  Stratus supported the ThinManager platform when it was produced by ACP and now as part of Rockwell Automation line of products.  We are pleased to share this release information and welcome an amazing new piece of technology to the industrial ecosphere.

https://www.cio.com.au/mediareleases/32706/new-zero-touch-edge-server-addresses-demand-for/

Congratulations to Panacea Technologies

Bryan Harned

In the course of providing solutions to customers, Panacea Technologies not only found a great technology to improve their customer’s computing, but they also found a way to create a new offering that has the potential to change the benchtop and small-scale reactor space for the better. That technology is ThinManager from Rockwell Automation.

Last week we posted about Panacea Technologies and all that they have achieved with the expansion of their OpenBio platform. We are pleased to follow up that post with the announcement that Panacea has been recognized and received the 2018 Pharma Innovation Award. [...]

System Integrator Uses ThinManager to Help Create a New Platform for Benchtop and Small-Scale Bioreactor Users

Tom Jordan

System Integrators work hard. Projects usually take longer than expected as the scope stretches to meet the customer’s expectations. Every project has unique challenges. Sometimes you put in long days and weekend work to make sure everything gets done.

Because of these things and much more, successful SIs learn how to work very efficiently. When a tool or system can be utilized to make projects more streamlined, SIs will seek to redeploy that tool or system on other projects to help overcome the obstacles mentioned above. [...]

Large International Food Manufacturer Makes Quantum Leap to Thin Client Technology

Tom Jordan

More and more industrial manufacturers are realizing the benefits of using thin client computing technology to run their modern facilities. We recently had the chance to speak with Thanh Phan from Quantum Solutions about how they used ThinManager to build out a new food production facility in the Midwest.

When one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies wanted to open a new processing plant in Davenport, Iowa, they called on their partners at Rockwell Automation to help them design and implement a modern, connected workspace. [...]

Mr. Demo Training Has Gone Global

Bryan Harned

ThinManager training has made great strides in the past year by adding what we call the “Mr. Demo” demonstration kit to the mix. Mr. Demo is a preconfigured server loaded with a ThinManager install and paired with some peripherals like a thin client, card reader and web camera to quickly illustrate some of the awesome functionality of ThinManager. This kit has made it easier and more consistent for partners and staff to demonstrate and train with ThinManager.

The Rockwell team in Southeast Asia Architecture & Software decided they wanted some training and went above and beyond to make it happen. Satish Basa and Anukoon Asawachatroj assembled a group of System Integrator trainees in Malaysia looking to become ThinManager certified. Satish took the initiative to procure enough Mr. Demo kits from Australia to facilitate the training. Over a two day span they successfully trained 10 attendees to become certified ThinManager integrators in Malaysia. Many people worked diligently to make this happen and in a remarkably efficient and effective way. [...]

VIDEO: ThinManager 10 » New Features

Kevin West

ThinManager 10 is full of new features to make life easier from the administrator to the end user. This version puts a focus on security and productivity and we are ready to tell about some of these exciting new features. Let’s take a look at what’s new.

Authentication Passthrough (productivity)
A successful login into a ThinManager terminal will now pass a security token into FactoryTalk Security, and any running session(s) of FactoryTalk View SE on that terminal will automatically take that security token to log in the associated user.  For instance, if you have multiple sessions being delivered to a terminal in a control room environment, this will dramatically simplify the login process. [...]

Happy Hour with the VersaView 5000

Kevin West

Rockwell Automation has just released its open-architecture industrial computers and it first line of thin client hardware (+ software) with the VersaView 5000 portfolio. Why is this important for you? Solutions Architect Vinod Anandarajah highlighs a few reasons in this episode:

1.) Flexible & Scalable Options – You can choose between Windows 7 and 10, screen sizes ranging from 12 to 21 inches, as well as integrated display and non-display computers.

2.) Improved Safety, Security, Productivity – With ThinManager’s content delivery management system, there is a software layer for these thin clients. You now have the ability to secure content based on the user, device, or location. [...]

Rockwell Automation acquired Automation Control Products (ACP)

Tom Jordan

Rockwell Automation Acquires Automation Control Products to Deliver Simple and Secure Centralized Visualization and Mobility Solutions

September 12, 2016

MILWAUKEE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) today acquired Automation Control Products (ACP), a leading provider in centralized thin client, remote desktop and server management software. ACP’s two core products, ThinManager® and Relevance®, provide manufacturing and industrial leaders with visual display and software solutions to manage information and streamline workflows for a more connected manufacturing environment.

This acquisition supports the Rockwell Automation growth strategy to help customers increase global competitiveness through The Connected Enterprise – a vision that connects information across the plant floor to the rest of the enterprise. It is accelerated by the Industrial Internet of Things and advances in technologies, such as data analytics, remote monitoring, and mobility. [...]

New Bluetooth Proximity Beacon

Tom Jordan

Please note that ACP is no longer able to order and or stock the GELO.01 Bluetooth beacons.

Effective immediately, we will inventory and endorse a Bluetooth proximity beacon from a company called Radius Networks. Their ‘RadBeacon X4’ is a rugged, weatherproof (NEMA 4X), and temperature resistant beacon powered by four AA batteries (not included). Battery life has been extended to over 5 years. Both the transmit and interval levels are adjustable.

The RadBeacon X4 is a fully stand-alone Bluetooth Smart™ proximity beacon that supports iBeacon™, AltBeacon™, and Eddystone™ technology. The RadBeacon X4 is a rugged, weatherproof, and temperature-resistant proximity beacon powered by four AA batteries. It can be installed in any location, regardless of available power and provides proximity advertisements for mobile applications that are compatible with iBeacon, AltBeacon, and Eddystone standards, including xthe Physical Web™. [...]