In this episode, Vlad and Dave unpack the evolution many engineers and technical leaders have already felt in real time, from early prompt engineering, to agent based workflows, to MCP servers, skills, context management, and the growing cost of tokens and infrastructure. The conversation moves beyond generic AI commentary and into the reality of plant floor environments, where success depends on process knowledge, data architecture, OT constraints, cybersecurity, governance, and clear business value. One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is that manufacturers cannot skip the hard work of structuring data, understanding workflows, and defining use cases simply because AI tools are moving quickly.

Vlad brings a very practical industrial lens to the discussion. Drawing on years of hands on experience across controls, manufacturing systems, plant modernization, and digital transformation, he explains why industrial AI has to start with operational context. A maintenance team, an engineering team, and a quality team do not need the same data, do not ask the same questions, and should not be handed the same AI workflows. That distinction matters. This conversation also highlights why the best industrial AI implementations will likely come from teams that combine domain expertise with strong technical execution, rather than generic AI shops trying to force a solution into environments they do not fully understand.

Dave adds an important systems and adoption perspective, especially around cost, scaling, management expectations, and the danger of trying to prompt your way past foundational architecture work. Together, Vlad and Dave explore why manufacturers are interested in AI, why many are afraid of being left behind, and why so many projects still stall once they hit the realities of obsolete equipment, weak data models, fragmented systems, and unclear ownership of information. They also discuss deterministic logic versus LLM behavior, reporting workflows, industrial dashboards, PLC code generation concerns, and the practical question every manufacturer should ask before investing: what problem are we solving, for whom, and what is the measurable return?

For those new to Vlad, he is an electrical engineer and manufacturing leader with deep experience across industrial automation, controls, data systems, OT architecture, modernization strategy, and plant operations. Through Joltek, Vlad works with manufacturers on digital transformation, IT OT architecture and integration, modernization planning, operational improvement, and technical workforce enablement. Learn more here:
Joltek: https://www.joltek.com IT OT Architecture and Integration: https://www.joltek.com/services/service-details-it-ot-architecture-integration

If you are a plant leader, controls engineer, systems integrator, OT architect, SCADA or MES practitioner, or simply someone trying to separate useful AI workflows from noise, this episode will give you a much more realistic framework for thinking about industrial AI adoption.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome back and why this episode matters
01:00 Setting up the industrial AI theme for the coming weeks
03:10 From prompt engineering to structured AI workflows
05:30 AI agents, parallel workflows, tokens, and context windows
09:00 MCP tools, Playwright, and what new integrations unlock
16:20 How Vlad researches AI and where useful information actually lives
22:00 Real manufacturing problems versus AI in search of a problem
29:40 Why industrial data architecture is harder than most people think
37:00 OT expertise, workforce enablement, and who should build solutions
45:40 Practical advice for manufacturers starting the AI journey
50:30 Data governance, hallucinations, infrastructure, and cybersecurity
57:20 What looks promising today in reporting, dashboards, and industrial applications

Travis and Kevin walk through their ProveIt Enterprise B build and the thinking behind it. The core idea is simple but powerful: treat the factory like a system that needs a shared digital infrastructure, built on open standards, where data is contextualized and reusable. They break down how they used Ignition Edge close to PLCs for resiliency, local HMIs, and disciplined data modeling, then moved data through MQTT into a Unified Namespace so multiple applications can consume the same trusted signals and context. This is the difference between “we can connect to anything” and “we can scale without rewriting everything every time the business changes.” Open standards show up repeatedly in the conversation because ProveIt is specifically designed to force interoperability and practical implementation tradeoffs. Inductive Automation has also written about ProveIt as a place where MQTT, OPC UA, and SQL show up as real foundations rather than slogans.

From there, the episode gets into the part that should make both OT and IT teams pay attention: modern deployment practices applied to industrial applications. Kevin outlines a clear maturity path from a single designer workflow to version control, then to containerized deployments, and finally to full GitOps style promotion across dev, staging, and production using tools like Argo CD, Helm, Kubernetes, and release promotion concepts that look like what the software world has used for years. Argo CD is explicitly built around Git repositories as the source of truth for desired state, which is exactly why it fits this style of deployment. The live portion of the conversation demonstrates how fast this can get when the infrastructure is treated as code: they spin up a brand new “site four” by submitting a form, generating a pull request, merging it, and letting the pipeline do the rest.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome back and why this ProveIt recap matters
01:35 Meet Travis Cox and Kevin McCluskey from Inductive Automation
03:10 What ProveIt is and the key vendor questions it forces
05:20 Enterprise B architecture overview from PLC to Edge to site to enterprise
07:30 HMI walkthrough across liquid processing, filling, packaging, palletizing
09:05 Why deploy Ignition Edge instead of only a centralized site gateway
12:05 Design once, reuse everywhere and what that means for scaling quickly
14:35 On prem realities versus cloud infrastructure in the ProveIt environment
17:10 MCP, n8n workflows, and bringing live operational context into AI
20:40 i3X style API access to models, history, and alarms for interoperability
23:15 GitHub, Docker Compose, Helm, Kubernetes, Argo CD, Cargo and GitOps promotion
36:55 Spinning up a new site live and what it changes for multi site rollouts

About the hosts
Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer and MBA who has spent over a decade building and modernizing manufacturing systems across industrial automation, controls, and plant operations. Through Joltek, Vlad works with manufacturers to assess current state OT foundations, reduce modernization risk, improve reliability, and build internal capability through practical training and standards that stick.

Dave Griffith co hosts Manufacturing Hub and brings a practitioner lens focused on what works on the plant floor, how architectures survive real constraints, and how industrial teams can modernize without breaking production.

About the guests
Travis Cox is Chief Technology Evangelist at Inductive Automation and has spent over two decades helping customers and partners design scalable architectures, apply best practices, and deliver real solutions with Ignition.
Kevin McCluskey is Chief Technology Architect at Inductive Automation and works with organizations on architecture decisions, platform direction, and enabling the next generation of industrial applications.

Learn more about Joltek

• https://www.joltek.com/services
• https://www.joltek.com/book-a-modernization-consultation

A big thread in this conversation is that modern manufacturing is not blocked by ambition, it is blocked by readiness. Everyone wants faster decisions, fewer surprises, and higher uptime, but the path there usually starts with boring work that is not optional. Data transparency across machine, plant, MES, and cloud layers. A clear definition of what real time actually needs to mean for a given use case. And a plan to contextualize and orchestrate data so that AI does not get fed junk inputs. Brian and Louis explain how they approach those early customer conversations, how workshops turn vision into prioritized use cases, and why trust, pilots, and repeatability matter more than flashy demos when you are working in regulated or high consequence environments.

If you have been hearing nonstop AI buzz but you are still wrestling with legacy controls, inconsistent tags, documentation that no one can find, and seven layers of security constraints, this episode is for you. We get into practical use cases like AI vision and anomaly detection, LLMs for tribal knowledge and troubleshooting workflows, and the idea of fast versus slow AI, meaning AI that must act during production versus AI that can analyze after the fact.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and why this episode closes the modernization theme
02:10 Meet Brian Albrecht and Louis Hughes from the Siemens XD team
05:25 Vertical differences across oil and gas, discrete, and process manufacturing
07:50 What executives ask for right now beyond AI, factory of the future and data transparency
10:50 Brownfield reality and why most modernization work starts with legacy systems
12:30 The AI conversation when foundations are missing, meeting customers where they are
15:10 Current AI use cases in manufacturing, downtime, throughput, LLMs, and vision
18:10 What it means to be AI ready, data silos, contextualization, and orchestration
23:50 Fast versus slow AI and why production time decisions are different from analytics
25:30 Edge versus cloud architecture, latency, and where the data should live
33:40 Cybersecurity, trust, and why perception can lag behind the technology
36:50 Hallucinations, guardrails, and why recommendations usually come before automation
51:10 Book recommendations, career advice, and future predictions for industrial AI

About the hosts
Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer with an MBA from McGill University and over a decade of experience in manufacturing and industrial automation. He has worked across large scale environments including Procter and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, and Post Holdings, and he now leads Joltek, helping manufacturers modernize systems, improve reliability, strengthen IT and OT architecture, and upskill technical teams through practical training and on site enablement.

Dave Griffith is the cohost of Manufacturing Hub and an industrial automation practitioner who focuses on how modern technologies translate into real factory outcomes, from controls and data foundations to scalable implementation strategies.

About the guests
Brian Albrecht started in electrical engineering and spent about a decade in systems integration in Oklahoma City focused on oil and gas, building SCADA, networking, and automation solutions and leading teams delivering real world projects. He now works with Siemens customers on building relationships and delivering solutions that create measurable value.
Louis Hughes has roughly 20 years of manufacturing experience, starting in software development for manufacturing and engineering applications, then moving into solution architecture, services delivery, and experience center leadership. He now leads a smart manufacturing team, bringing a software and systems view into automation conversations focused on solving customer problems, not just deploying tools.

Joltek Services - https://www.joltek.com/services
Contact Joltek - https://www.joltek.com/contact

Referenced in the episode
ProveIt Conference - https://www.proveitconference.com/
Siemens - https://www.siemens.com/

Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A Moore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Chasm

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_Ownership

Amy has spent years working exclusively in life sciences manufacturing, starting deep in DeltaV automation for batch pharma and moving into digital transformation projects that focus on open architectures, modern data pipelines, and real operational outcomes. In this episode, she explains what Enterprise C is simulating, why it was designed as an Industry 3.0 style biotech startup, and what kind of data and documentation a vendor would have to wrestle with in the real world. The factory is producing a fictional enzyme using a fed batch fermentation process, and the UNS publishes realistic one second resolution batch data across four pieces of single use equipment including a mixer, a bioreactor, a chromatography skid, and a TFF skid.

One of the most valuable parts of this episode is the reminder that data sitting in an MQTT broker is not inherently valuable. The value comes when the data is contextualized enough that different teams can use it without tribal knowledge, and when the resulting traceability helps you answer the questions that matter in life sciences. What happened during the batch, what changed compared to previous runs, what went out of spec, what documentation proves compliance, and what you should do next time to avoid losing a batch that can cost millions. Amy also explains why Enterprise C intentionally includes uncontextualized tags and paper files, because that is exactly where many facilities still are. The hard part is not connecting a sensor, the hard part is governance, agreement, and building a model that humans actually follow.

You will also hear the crew dig into Smart Manufacturing Profiles and why standardizing information models is one of the clearest paths toward true interoperability. If you are tired of every site, every integrator, and every project reinventing the same pump, valve, and equipment model from scratch, this is the kind of conversation that helps frame why that problem keeps repeating and what might finally reduce it. The ProveIt format forces the questions that most conferences avoid, including what problem was solved, how it was done, how long it took, and what it cost. That is exactly why this conference has become a magnet for practitioners who care about the difference between a demo and a deployable solution.

About the hosts
Vlad Romanoff is an industrial automation and manufacturing systems expert and the founder of Joltek. He has over a decade of experience modernizing control systems, data infrastructure, and plant operations across regulated and high throughput manufacturing environments.
Dave Griffith is the cohost of Manufacturing Hub and a long time practitioner in industrial automation and manufacturing technology, focused on practical deployment and what actually works on the plant floor.

About the guest
Amy Williams works with Skellig Automation and has spent years in life sciences manufacturing, from DeltaV batch automation to digital transformation initiatives that focus on open architectures, data contextualization, and scalable modernization strategies.

Timestamps
 00:00 ProveIt edition intro and why this month is technology modernization
 01:40 Who is Amy Williams and why Enterprise C matters this year
 02:10 Amy’s background in life sciences, DeltaV, and digital transformation
 03:30 Unified Namespace explained in plain language for life sciences
 05:10 What Enterprise C publishes and what you will see in the MQTT broker
 07:10 Why UNS in life sciences is about use cases, not buzzwords
 10:10 Smart Manufacturing Profiles and reducing data model reinvention
 11:10 What outcomes to expect including compliance and golden batch analysis
 12:10 Enterprise C process overview from mixer to bioreactor to downstream
 14:10 Bioreactor instrumentation and what operators still do manually
 19:40 Why Enterprise C data is intentionally not contextualized
 22:10 The real work of mapping signals to compliance stories and governance
 25:10 What SM Profiles enable and why schema matters before data arrives
 31:30 Why cost and time questions change everything at ProveIt
 36:10 Cell counter files, batch records, and paper driven reality in many sites
 45:10 What life sciences attendees should ask during Q and A
 58:30 Vendors the team is excited to see and why non traditional players matter
 01:02:20 Where to find Skellig at the conference and what they are bringing

References and links mentioned
 Skellig Automation
 https://www.skellig.com/

ProveIt Conference
 https://www.proveitconference.com/

CESMII Smart Manufacturing Profiles and Marketplace
 https://www.cesmii.org/technology/sm-profiles/
https://marketplace.cesmii.net/

Joltek resources related to this episode

•  Mastering Unified Namespace https://www.joltek.com/blog/mastering-unified-namespace-uns-a-guide-to-data-driven-manufacturing-transformation
•  Ultimate Guide to MQTT in Manufacturing https://www.joltek.com/blog/ultimate-guide-mqtt-manufacturing

Subscribe and follow Manufacturing Hub for more conversations on technology modernization, UNS architecture, MQTT, industrial data systems, and how real factories actually evolve when the goal is uptime, compliance, and measurable outcomes.

A big theme here is that collecting data is not the same thing as creating information. As tooling has improved, connectivity, historians, SCADA, cloud storage, MQTT, and the modern ecosystem have made it easier to get signals out of machines. The hard part is deciding what matters, aligning stakeholders, and creating context that survives across teams and projects. David breaks down how real progress often starts with simple visibility, what is ruining your day, what is the biggest safety risk, what is the recurring quality miss, what is the downtime story you do not trust, then builds from there using workshops and iterative delivery instead of giant multi year “boil the ocean” programs.

We also get into Unified Namespace, why it resonates with people who have been burned by tightly coupled ISA style integrations, and why change management is the hidden cost. If you are exploring UNS, this episode highlights the difference between drawing the box on a whiteboard and getting a whole organization to actually adopt consistent naming, context, and ownership. Then we finish with a grounded take on industrial AI. No hype, no doom. Just a realistic view of where AI helps today, where it breaks, and why context windows, documentation quality, and domain expertise still decide whether results are useful or dangerous.

Timestamps
00:00:00 Welcome and the month theme on technology modernization
00:02:10 David’s background from automotive and the Tesla Fremont NUMMI era to data leadership
00:05:10 The moment data became “real” and why proactive visibility drives safety and outcomes
00:07:10 How Kaizen and Toyota Production System style problem solving creates demand for data
00:11:50 Why modern tooling makes collection easier and why budget and commitment still decide success
00:16:10 Starting points that work in the real world and the simplest visibility model that scales
00:18:20 Unified Namespace explained through decoupling, context, and why the first attempt often fails
00:23:50 Who really uses the data, operators, quality, engineering, and the “next factory” teams
00:29:10 Defining KPIs when nobody has answers and using workshops to force prioritization
00:34:20 What rollouts actually take, machine states, data structures, controls changes, and iteration
00:40:10 Industrial AI reality check, where it helps today and why it is not running your factory
00:51:10 Predicting the next few years, consolidation, pricing, and better integration with agents

About the hosts
Vlad Romanov is an industrial automation and manufacturing leader with over a decade of plant floor experience across major manufacturers. He is the founder of Joltek, where he helps teams modernize operations through IT and OT architecture, integration, reliability focused execution, and practical upskilling that actually sticks. Joltek works with manufacturers who need real outcomes, not buzzwords, and the work spans controls, data, networking, and operational performance.

Dave Griffith is the co host of Manufacturing Hub and works at the intersection of manufacturing operations, technology modernization, and practical delivery. He focuses on helping teams bridge the gap between “we want data” and “we can run this plant better next quarter.”

About the guest
David has 25 plus years of manufacturing experience spanning automotive, solar manufacturing, and EVs. He started in plant floor automation and conveyance projects, then moved deeper into industrial data, MES, and analytics leadership. His recent work includes leading data and analytics, defining KPI strategy, and building the layers required to turn raw plant signals into usable business information.

Links from Joltek

• https://www.joltek.com/blog/mastering-unified-namespace-uns-a-guide-to-data-driven-manufacturing-transformation
• https://www.joltek.com/blog/ultimate-guide-mqtt-manufacturing

Subscribe for more conversations on manufacturing modernization, industrial data architecture, MES realities, and what works on the plant floor when the budget, people, and legacy systems are all real.

A major thread in this discussion is the gap between “the machine runs” and “the business can learn from the machine.” Benson lays out why so many facilities still operate in a world of siloed equipment with minimal visibility, and why digital transformation stalls when the goal is vague or driven by trend chasing. The most actionable insight is simple: start with a real problem, win small, build trust in the data, and only then scale. That approach is how you avoid proof of concept purgatory, and it is also how you get leadership buy in without overpromising. If you are looking at industrial AI, it becomes even more critical, because manufacturing cannot tolerate hallucinated answers. Benson explains why industrial AI starts with sanctity of data, meaning clean, contextualized, trustworthy signals that an organization can actually act on.

You will also hear a grounded take on why hardware still matters in 2026. Not because everyone wants to rip and replace working PLCs, but because modern plants need layered edge strategies that can extract the right data, protect legacy assets, and integrate upward using open methods.

About the guest
Benson Hougland is a long time leader at Opto 22, a US based manufacturer of industrial controllers, edge devices, and IO. He focuses on customer and integrator feedback, product strategy, and the practical challenges teams face when modernizing systems while keeping operations running. Opto 22 is known for building and manufacturing in the United States and for leaning into open connectivity approaches that help reduce lock in and simplify integration.

About the hosts
Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer with an MBA from McGill University and over a decade of experience delivering automation and modernization work across high performing manufacturing environments. Through Joltek, Vlad supports manufacturers with plant floor assessments, controls and OT architecture, system modernization planning, integration execution, and technical upskilling so teams can own their systems long term. Vlad’s work consistently sits at the intersection of reliability, operational execution, and the realities of IT and OT convergence, with a focus on what is feasible in real facilities, not just what looks good in a slide deck.

Dave Griffith is a long time manufacturing and automation practitioner focused on bridging the gap between modern technology conversations and what is practical on the plant floor. Dave brings a systems mindset to modernization, with a strong emphasis on outcomes, maintainability, and the human factors that decide whether projects scale or stall.

If this episode resonates and you are navigating modernization decisions, especially around OT networking, data infrastructure, platform selection, or plant floor security, Joltek can help you evaluate your current state, define a realistic target architecture, and build a roadmap that your team can execute.

Joltek links
https://www.joltek.com/services
https://www.joltek.com/education/ot-networking-fundamentals

Timestamps
00:00:00 Welcome back and the hardware focused modernization theme
00:01:40 Benson Hougland background, entrepreneur to controls to Opto 22
00:04:10 A garage manufacturing story and the lessons of building real product
00:09:00 The gap between cutting edge plants and manual, siloed operations
00:11:10 What actually blocks modernization, capital, planning, and alignment
00:13:10 Start small, solve a real problem, and build trust in outcomes
00:14:40 Proof of concept purgatory and why leadership buy in changes everything
00:17:50 Industrial AI needs data, and data integrity becomes the non negotiable
00:22:30 Obsolescence, cybersecurity, and simplifying the industrial tech stack
00:28:20 Cybersecurity is a process, not a product, and why defaults are deadly
00:37:10 Linux at the edge, containers, and why modern controllers are like smartphones
00:53:10 ProveIt and the virtual factories approach, real data, real integration paths

A core theme in this conversation is imperfect information. Leaders often believe the data already exists because reports exist. But a stack of paper, a few spreadsheets, or a single counter value is not the same as contextualized, trustworthy history that can drive decisions or support advanced analytics. Vlad and Dave walk through why foundational work matters, what teams usually miss during modernization, and how quickly the bill grows when you discover your architecture is outdated, undocumented, or full of dependencies you cannot see until you open panels and start tracing signals.

You will also hear a grounded debate on how to think about SCADA, MES, historians, dashboards, and what it would actually mean to “feed data into AI” in a manufacturing context. The takeaway is simple. If you want better outcomes, you need a better understanding of your current state, a clear business case, and a roadmap that prioritizes what matters operationally. Modernization is not one big upgrade. It is a series of decisions that either reduce friction or create it.

About the hosts
Vlad Romanov is an industrial automation and manufacturing expert focused on plant assessments, controls and data architecture, IT and OT integration, and workforce upskilling. Vlad has over 10 years of experience across large manufacturers and complex multi site environments, working from PLC and HMI layers up through SCADA, MES, and ERP integration programs. He is the founder of Joltek, where the mission is to help manufacturers modernize safely, build internal capability, and deliver results that actually survive handoff to operations.

Learn more about Joltek
https://www.joltek.com
https://www.joltek.com/services

Dave Griffith is an industrial automation practitioner and consultant who works closely with manufacturers to modernize legacy environments, improve reliability, and build practical systems that operators and maintenance teams can support. Dave brings a strong perspective on what is feasible in real plants, where uptime, risk, budget, and organizational readiness drive every decision.

Timestamps
00:00:00 Welcome and why this month is about technology modernization
00:02:10 The real problem with “just add AI” in manufacturing
00:04:15 Quick background on Vlad and Dave and the work they do
00:05:25 The disconnect between the perfect factory vision and the plant floor
00:06:25 Vlad on business cases, integration reality, and infrastructure gaps
00:09:05 Dave on imperfect information and why reports are not data
00:14:35 What executives actually want from AI and why it is often about people constraints
00:20:25 How to get there, hardware first, data normalization, and context
00:22:05 Vlad on assessments, legacy hardware, and why upgrades get complicated fast
00:39:00 New facility planning mistakes and why early decisions lock you in
00:45:10 You have the data, now what, OEE baselines, bottlenecks, and root causes
00:58:10 Final takeaways, inventory your architecture and treat data like an asset

References and links mentioned

Manufacturing Hub Podcast
https://www.manufacturinghub.live

ProveIt Conference
https://www.proveitconference.com

Automate Show
https://www.automateshow.com

Ignition Community Conference
https://icc.inductiveautomation.com

If you are watching on YouTube, subscribe so you do not miss the rest of this month’s deep dives on hardware, data teams, and practical applications that actually work on real plant floors.

A big thread throughout the conversation is what it takes to build systems that last. The group digs into hiring and mentoring for Ignition based teams, what backgrounds translate well, and why “hobbyist energy” can be a real superpower in interviews and on the job. The practical takeaway is simple: credentials help you get in the door, but projects help you stand out, especially when you can explain the problem, the architecture, and the tradeoffs you made. The conversation also gets real about legacy plants, where the constraint is often not ambition but risk, ROI, and operational disruption. The group frames modernization as a sequence of targeted moves that improve data availability, reduce cybersecurity exposure, and create a foundation for future applications without betting the entire facility on a massive rip and replace.

You will also hear a grounded take on AI in industrial settings. The panel separates what is useful today from what is still hype, and explains why industrial AI needs context, standards, and purpose built training data to be trusted. They connect that to the “data transparency” problem: companies want answers faster, but the hard part is making the data accessible, reliable, and safe in the first place. The episode closes with a discussion on EV and battery manufacturing trends, the reality of global standards and certification, and what the next few years could look like as edge devices, connectivity, and power systems evolve.

Hosts
Vlad Romanov is an industrial automation and manufacturing systems expert focused on SCADA, MES, OT data infrastructure, and modernization strategy. He combines electrical engineering depth with an MBA from McGill University to help manufacturers reduce risk, improve reliability, and turn plant data into decision ready information. He leads Joltek, where he delivers assessments, integration roadmaps, and practical upskilling for engineering and operations teams.

Dave Griffith
Manufacturing and automation leader focused on bridging business outcomes with engineering execution, change management, and scalable plant systems.

Guest
Amos Purdy
MBA and electrical engineering background with deep experience across industrial automation, SCADA, MES, and manufacturing intelligence, including leading teams and deployments in both legacy and greenfield environments.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Manufacturing Hub and why this episode sets up the upcoming modernization theme
02:20 Amos Purdy returns and reintroduces his background
03:00 From early programming to industrial automation, lab building, and MES leadership
09:40 Switching industries and why vertical experience is often overvalued
12:40 Hiring and mentoring for Ignition, web skills vs plant floor instincts
16:10 AI vs fundamentals, why legacy tech knowledge still matters
17:20 Growing teams and how managers should match work to strengths
20:10 How candidates stand out, hobby projects and real systems thinking
22:50 Technology modernization, data visibility, and cybersecurity as the forcing function
31:50 The real bottlenecks, selling ROI, scoping, and avoiding project blowouts
37:30 AI readiness in industry, what works today and what is not there yet
41:00 EV and battery manufacturing, investment, standards, and what changes on the shop floor
50:40 Predictions for the future, edge devices, connectivity, and more data everywhere
54:20 Book recommendation and why macro trends matter for engineers
56:00 Where to find Amos and what to reach out about

References and links mentioned
Ignition by Inductive Automation
https://inductiveautomation.com/ignition

Ignition SCADA overview
https://inductiveautomation.com/scada-software

Inductive University training
https://inductiveuniversity.com

ProveIt Conference 2026 details
https://www.proveitconference.com

Edison Motors
https://www.edisonmotors.ca

2030: How Today’s Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything by Mauro F. Guillén
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250772213/2030howtodaysbiggesttrendswillcollideandreshapethefutureofeverything/

https://www.joltek.com/services
https://www.joltek.com/education/ot-networking-fundamentals

From there, we get into the big question everyone is asking right now: what actually changes in 2026 for manufacturing and industrial automation. We talk about why AI stopped being a novelty and started becoming a permanent part of the landscape, and we separate the hype from the applications that are starting to look real. We discuss where AI helps today, where it still struggles, and why most teams will not get value until they build stronger fundamentals in data collection, context, and operational ownership. We also connect the dots between AI and the pressure it puts on infrastructure, security posture, and decision making, especially when the plant floor reality is still paper logs, tribal knowledge, and inconsistent system documentation.

We also cover what we expect to see across the core pillars of the industrial stack: plant floor data and operations, engineering and commissioning workflows, back office analytics, OT cybersecurity, industrial data platforms, and how the systems integration market is evolving as more work moves upward into analytics, architecture, and long term modernization programs. Finally, we zoom out into careers, acquisitions, private equity activity, and what these shifts mean for engineers, leaders, and teams trying to build durable capability instead of chasing the next shiny tool.

If you are planning your year, come meet us in person. We will be at ProveIt in Dallas, Texas February 16 to 20. We will also be at Automate in Chicago, Illinois June 22 to 26. And we are expecting to be back at the Ignition Community Conference in Sacramento, California September 22 to 26.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to 2026 and why we are back
 01:00 What Manufacturing Hub covers and how the show is structured
 02:35 Meet the hosts Dave Griffith and Vlad Romanov
 04:55 Where to meet us in 2026 ProveIt Automate ICC
 07:45 The state of manufacturing and what is changing this year
 08:35 AI in manufacturing from curiosity to permanence
 12:20 Plant floor data reality and why fundamentals still block progress
 18:10 AI in engineering and commissioning where it helps and where it can hurt
 24:30 Back office work and the real adoption patterns
 31:00 OT cybersecurity pressure and why posture work is accelerating
 38:10 Industrial data priorities and what to fix before you scale
 44:40 Systems integration shifts careers and the ripple effects of acquisitions
 1:03:00 Our plans for 2026
 1:10:45 Book recommendation and closing thoughts

Hosts

Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer and manufacturing consultant focused on industrial automation, modernization, OT data, and IT OT alignment. He runs Joltek and builds educational content for engineers and technical leaders.

Dave Griffith has 17 plus years in industrial automation and manufacturing and leads Kaplan Solutions, focused on operational excellence, data systems, and delivering projects that make plant performance visible and actionable.

References mentioned

How to tackle the AI skills gap, Boston Consulting Group
 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-tackle-ai-skills-gap-boston-consulting-group-ufzge

What’s Next for AI in 2026, MIT Technology Review
 https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/05/1130662/whats-next-for-ai-in-2026/

Getting Naked, Patrick Lencioni
 https://www.tablegroup.com/product/getting-naked/

Vlad begins by walking through his experience building MES and data collection systems for food and beverage facilities where each plant had different architectures, legacy systems, undocumented networks, and obsolete PLCs. These initiatives required deep assessments, phased modernization, server deployments, KPI development, and the long journey from data collection to actual operational use. The most important insight is that success rarely comes from the technology alone. It comes from the extent to which operators, supervisors, and CI teams are trained, empowered, and aligned to use what has been built.

Dave then shares a story from a multi year track and trace project that technically worked but failed at the operational handover stage because the one scheduler refused to schedule inside the system. The entire project was mothballed despite millions of dollars invested. The lesson is simple. Technology cannot compensate for missing stakeholder alignment and poor discovery. Human influence can halt even the most well engineered solution.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and episode setup
01:20 Host introductions and backgrounds
04:00 Vlad’s MES and data rollout projects across multiple plants
18:10 Biggest wins and failures from MES handovers
26:20 Dave’s chocolate factory MES and traceability project
29:30 The scheduler says no and a multi million project gets mothballed
36:40 Lessons learned about scope creep and realistic timelines
42:00 Vlad’s multimillion packaging line rollouts and OEE based handover
49:20 Internal versus external teams and who really owns change
58:50 Connected workforce at an orange juice plant and knowledge capture
01:15:00 Where project handovers are heading in the next three to five years
01:19:00 Career advice, books, and final thoughts

Hosts
Vladimir Romanov
Founder of Joltek. Electrical engineer with an MBA from McGill University. More than a decade of experience across Procter and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, Post Holdings, and multiple systems integration roles. Specializes in OT systems, industrial data architecture, MES, SCADA, modernization, and digital transformation. Works with manufacturers to unlock value through data and operational decision support.
https://www.joltek.com/team-members/vladimir-romanov

Dave Griffith
Founder of Kaplan Solutions. Seventeen plus years of experience across aerospace, automation, system integration, MES delivery, and enterprise manufacturing systems. Dave specializes in ignition development, operations consulting, and project delivery frameworks that reduce risk and increase adoption across manufacturing teams.

References Mentioned in the Episode
Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss
https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805
How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
Traction by Gino Wickman
https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837
The E Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280

• Understanding Plant Networks
• Manufacturing Execution Systems
• Manufacturing Digital Maturity and Assessments
• Control System Modernization
• Engineering Project Management Essentials
• Manufacturing Consulting and Change Management

The episode begins by grounding the definition of a systems integrator in the context of modern industrial environments. Vlad and Dave explore the many different shapes and levels of integrators across the ISA eighty five and ISA ninety five landscape, from controls and PLC programming to SCADA development, MES implementations, and specialized software delivery. They also explain why customers hire integrators, why the most valuable asset is always the people, and why the hardest part of the work is rarely technical. Vlad shares insights from his decade in engineering and operations roles at Procter and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, and Post Holdings, followed by senior engineering and management positions at multiple systems integration firms. Dave brings his experience from aerospace, OEM machine building, distribution, and running his own integration business focused on manufacturing execution systems and ignition development.

The conversation then shifts to the earliest stages of starting an integration company. Vlad and Dave describe the moment when most professionals decide to go out on their own, which usually begins with feeling constrained by corporate structures or wanting more autonomy over the projects they work on. They break down the difference between being a contractor and building a long term business and why many technical founders underestimate the reality of sales, marketing, legal administration, cashflow management, and relationship building. The discussion highlights how timing and relationships drive early opportunities far more than technical ability and why every contract carries its own risk profile that needs to be negotiated with care.

Listeners are then guided through the real startup requirements for a systems integration company. This includes liability insurance, business registration, accounting and bookkeeping tools, mileage and expense tracking, choosing an internal technology stack, managing licenses, and understanding when to invest in programming software or rely on customer owned licenses. Vlad and Dave explain the role of net thirty, net ninety, and even net one hundred eighty payment terms and why long payment cycles can destroy cashflow if not anticipated correctly. They also share practical frameworks for setting hourly rates, pricing time and materials versus fixed projects, and calculating the true cost of travel, administration, and sales time that erode billable hours.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to systems integration month
01:10 Vlad background and career in manufacturing and automation
03:00 Dave background and experience running an integration company
04:40 What a systems integrator actually is in modern manufacturing
07:50 The blurry line between integrators machine builders and software providers
08:50 Why people decide to start a systems integration company
12:40 Contractor mindset versus building a real business
16:50 Early startup requirements insurance registration tools licenses
22:00 Sales marketing and the challenge of finding early customers
27:00 How timing relationships and visibility drive new work
30:00 Referrals partnerships and brand building for technical founders
33:20 Understanding financials hourly rates project rates and risk
40:00 Negotiating payment terms net cycles and cashflow management
43:30 Technology choices internal tools external platforms and vendor ecosystems
51:10 Should you specialize or learn every platform
54:20 When to say no and how to evaluate incoming work
58:00 Hiring your first employee and the reality of scaling
01:03:20 The future of systems integration over the next three to five years
01:08:00 Final career advice for engineers considering integration
01:12:00 Resources and closing thoughts

Systems integrators article
https://www.joltek.com/blog/system-integrators

Manufacturing consulting insights
https://www.joltek.com/blog/manufacturing-consulting

Digital transformation in manufacturing
https://www.joltek.com/blog/digital-transformation-in-manufacturing

Industrial cybersecurity fundamentals
https://www.joltek.com/blog/industrial-cybersecurity-ics

The discussion goes far beyond the event itself. David explains how the industry’s needs for engineering talent have shifted, why many academic institutions struggle to keep pace with modern automation technologies, and how Inductive Automation is supporting both professors and students to meaningfully upgrade the curriculum. The episode also explores the importance of industry partnerships, the challenge of faculty bandwidth, the value of internships and academic co op programs, and the realities of teaching automation in an evolving landscape of legacy systems, modern platforms, and everything in between.

Listeners will gain insight into how universities can adopt Ignition, how integrators can help shape the workforce pipeline, how students can develop real industry skills before graduating, and how modern industrial technology can be taught effectively without overwhelming educators. Vlad and Dave also share their own perspectives from years of integration work and reflect on how different their own educational experiences would have been if programs like this had existed earlier. This episode is educational, practical, and inspiring for anyone working in automation, industrial education, system integration, or workforce development.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to the Ignition Community Conference and the Student Buildathon
01:25 How the Educational Engagement Program at Inductive Automation was created
03:22 The origin story behind the Student Buildathon concept
05:16 How the seventy two hour challenge works for student competitors
06:44 Requirements for student teams and how the selection process works
08:49 Why universities struggle to adopt new technology and how industry partnerships help
10:41 How integrator involvement accelerated program adoption across universities
12:28 The gap between academic theory and real industry practice
14:01 Building a complete lab curriculum for professors using Ignition
17:24 Why students should learn both modern and legacy industrial systems
18:20 Feedback from professors teaching Ignition for the first time
20:59 Understanding the different educator profiles and adoption journeys
23:15 How Inductive Automation built the five lab training series for schools
25:17 The future of the educational program including internships and co op models
27:39 Why academic co op programs are powerful for building real engineering experience
29:26 How to join the Student Buildathon or the Educational Engagement Program

Vlad Romanov
Vlad is the founder of Joltek, co host of the Manufacturing Hub podcast, and a long time controls and manufacturing systems engineer with deep experience in SCADA, MES, data architecture, and plant digital transformation. Vlad creates practical industrial education content across YouTube, LinkedIn, and SolisPLC, and works directly with manufacturers on modernization, integration, and performance improvement initiatives. Learn more at https://www.joltek.com/

Dave Griffith
Dave is a systems integration expert, strategist, and consultant with many years of hands on work in automation, SCADA, robotics, and digital manufacturing. Dave is the co host of Manufacturing Hub and advises companies on the intersection of technical systems, operational strategy, and workforce development.

David Grussenmeyer
David Grussenmeyer is the Educational Engagement Program Manager at Inductive Automation. He leads global initiatives to support universities, colleges, faculty members, and students in adopting Ignition for hands on learning. His work has expanded the program from zero to more than three hundred academic institutions worldwide. David also created the Student Buildathon, a seventy two hour Ignition competition designed to push students to think creatively, develop real industrial projects, and gain practical skills that prepare them for careers in controls, industrial software, and automation.
Learn more about the program at https://inductiveautomation.com

Educational inquiries can be sent to edengagement@inductiveautomation.com

Referenced Resources from the Episode

Inductive Automation Educational Engagement Program
https://inductiveautomation.com/community/education

Inductive University
https://inductiveuniversity.com

Davide shares his incredible journey from Italy’s oil and gas sector to leading one of Texas’s most promising automation firms. His story highlights the reality of moving from traditional controls work to full-scale robotics integration. Listeners will learn how his company evolved from small local projects into complex manufacturing solutions involving welding cells, painting robots, and palletizing systems used across multiple industries including food and beverage, fabrication, and renewables.

The discussion explores how system integrators can strategically position themselves in the modern automation ecosystem. Davide explains the importance of vendor relationships, revealing how open collaboration with companies like Fanuc and KUKA helped his firm grow while avoiding common pitfalls faced by new integrators. He provides practical insights into how to evaluate robot brands, manage the mechanical design and safety aspects of projects, and find the right balance between in-house engineering and subcontracting work.

Listeners will also hear a detailed perspective on the Texas manufacturing landscape, where oil and gas still dominate but are now accompanied by a new wave of innovation from defense, aerospace, semiconductor, and AI-driven industries. Davide explains how these shifts are creating a demand for flexible automation and robotics expertise across the region.

A large portion of the conversation focuses on the real-world challenges that come with integrating robots on the factory floor. Davide talks about dealing with customers who insist on collaborative robots when industrial robots are better suited for the job. He describes how simulation and digital twin tools can help demonstrate cycle times and prove system capabilities before implementation. His transparency about pricing, quoting, and project management makes this a must-listen episode for anyone looking to understand the business side of integration, not just the technical aspects.

The episode also explores how smaller robotics firms can collaborate with European and Asian OEMs that are entering the North American market. Davide shares the lessons he learned when working with foreign manufacturers, emphasizing that support, spare parts, and local presence are often more valuable than price alone. His advice is invaluable for early-stage integrators trying to evaluate new partnerships or decide which technologies to adopt.

As the conversation continues, Davide, Vlad, and Dave discuss what the future holds for robotics integration. Davide predicts an explosion of applications over the next few years, driven by manufacturing reshoring, labor shortages, and advancements in AI and simulation. He believes that companies who fail to automate will simply be left behind. His message to manufacturers is clear: whether you like it or not, automation will be necessary to stay competitive.

Listeners will also appreciate Davide’s insights into workforce development and training. He believes that plant operators and technicians must reskill to remain relevant in a world where machines are becoming smarter and more autonomous. He shares inspiring stories of training shop floor workers to operate robots with confidence and how empowering end users ultimately makes integration projects more successful and sustainable.

Toward the end of the episode, the group reflects on what it means to build a modern systems integration business. Davide shares lessons on quoting, scaling a team, developing repeatable processes, and thinking strategically about products versus projects. His perspective highlights the difference between being a contractor and building a true business that can scale and create long-term value.

Finally, the conversation closes with book recommendations that have shaped Davide’s thinking, including Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, and of course, the timeless lessons found in The Bible. These selections capture the mindset of a leader who believes in responsibility, efficiency, and personal growth.

If you are an engineer, systems integrator, plant manager, or decision-maker in manufacturing, this episode will give you a firsthand look into the future of robotics integration. It will help you understand how to evaluate partners, manage projects, and prepare your organization for the next generation of automation.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and overview of the Systems Integrator theme
 03:00 Davide’s journey from Italy to Texas and his shift from oil and gas to robotics
 06:00 How Automation Stars of Texas was created and what the event represents
 07:30 The Texas manufacturing ecosystem and opportunities in automation
 10:00 Transitioning from traditional controls work to robotics integration
 12:00 The learning curve of programming robots and managing motion systems
 16:00 Deciding when to specialize versus subcontracting mechanical and electrical work
 19:00 Lessons from growing Bright IA and balancing costs, scope, and risk
 21:00 Building strong relationships with robot manufacturers such as Fanuc and KUKA
 26:00 The importance of vendor support and collaboration for small integrators
 29:00 Managing CAD and mechanical design in robotics projects
 33:00 The reality of collaborative robots compared to industrial robots
 36:00 Evaluating low-cost robotic arms and the trade-offs of price versus support
 41:00 How simulation and digital twins improve quoting and validation
 48:00 Why some robotics projects fail and how to recover or redesign them
 52:00 Working with European and Asian OEMs and lessons in market adaptation
 58:00 Advice for new integrators on partnerships, quoting, and strategy
 01:04:00 Predicting the future of robotics and automation in the next three years
 01:07:00 Career advice for engineers looking to transition into robotics
 01:11:00 Book recommendations and leadership lessons
 01:13:00 Davide’s vision for new robotic product development and AI applications

Books Mentioned
Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Buy Back Your Time – Dan Martell
The Bible

Guest
Davide (David) Pascucci
Founder and President, Bright IA
Website: https://brightiatx.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidepascucci/

Bright IA is an automation and robotics integration firm based in Texas, providing complete engineering solutions for manufacturing environments, including welding systems, palletizing, safety integration, and industrial control design.

Hosts
Vladimir Romanov – Founder of Joltek (https://www.joltek.com), Electrical Engineer, Consultant, and Co-Host of Manufacturing Hub
Dave Griffith – Founder of Dave Griffith C...

In this conversation series, we uncover the evolution of hardware, software, and data-driven manufacturing with experts including Chris Stevens and Anna-Marie Breu on customer experience and digital twins, Bernd Raithel on software-defined automation and IT/OT convergence, Louis Narvaez on the next-generation S7-1200 G2 PLC, Kristen Sanderson on Industrial Copilot and AI agents, Sarah McGee on Sematic AX and modern PLC programming, Kevin Wu on Pick AI Pro, Ivan Hernandez on the G220 drives, and cybersecurity specialists Tilo and Gaurav on securing industrial networks.

Throughout the episode, Vlad and Dave discuss how Siemens is transforming plant operations through tools that connect the physical and digital worlds. Topics include co-pilots for engineering and operations, lifecycle management, virtual commissioning, edge computing, harmonics and clean power, and the convergence of IT and OT teams.

This conversation is a must-watch for engineers, integrators, plant managers, and decision-makers looking to understand how software-defined automation, AI, and digital twin technologies are merging to create resilient, data-driven factories.

Timestamps:
00:00 Siemens at Automate 2025 introduction
02:45 Defining manufacturing resilience and digital twins
09:32 Virtual commissioning and collaborative engineering environments
15:10 Adoption of digital twins in small and medium manufacturers
22:35 Co-pilots and natural language interaction in industrial systems
30:28 Automation lifecycle management and version control for PLCs
36:55 Virtual PLCs, software-defined automation, and IT/OT collaboration
46:40 The new Siemens S7-1200 G2 PLC and migration from G1
57:20 AI copilots, agents, and secure Siemens cloud infrastructure
1:08:05 Somatic AX and modern PLC programming for new engineers
1:17:25 Pick AI Pro and real-world robotic vision applications
1:29:10 G220 drives and clean power innovations
1:35:45 Industrial cybersecurity and vulnerability management
1:43:00 Cinemeric Run My Robot and CNC-robot collaboration
1:50:20 Final reflections on Siemens innovation and future trends

References Mentioned:

• Siemens Digital Industries
• Siemens Industrial Edge Developer Kit
• S7-1200 G2 Information
• Sematic AX
• Industrial Copilot
• Cinematic Run My Robot
• Pick AI Pro
• Siemens G220 Drives
• Cybersecurity Solutions
• Manufacturing Hub
• Modern Plant Network Requirements: Building Reliable and Connected OT Systems for Manufacturing

About the Hosts:
Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer and manufacturing systems consultant with over a decade of experience modernizing plants and integrating SCADA, MES, and automation systems. He is the founder of Joltek and co-founder of SolisPLC, creating content that educates professionals in industrial automation.

Dave Griffith is a manufacturing consultant and co-host of the Manufacturing Hub podcast, helping manufacturers navigate digital transformation, technology adoption, and operational excellence.

This episode also dives into digital thread and digital twin workflows using Siemens Process Simulate. These tools allow teams to test new products and layouts virtually before any hardware changes are made, helping reduce commissioning risk and shorten the path to production. The discussion highlights an on-booth demonstration that combines a robot with a secondary camera and a vision language model to identify products and read packaging details such as expiration dates. It is a clear example of how multimodal AI can complement traditional industrial vision systems.

A major theme throughout this conversation is resilience. In real operations, products are rarely placed perfectly. Pallets shift, orientations vary, and lighting changes throughout the day. Traditional rules-based vision systems often struggle when small variances accumulate. Kevin explains how model-free 3D picking localizes unknown objects in clutter, selects stable suction patterns based on measured dimensions, and keeps production moving without forcing operators to maintain perfect alignment.

For manufacturers in consumer packaged goods and medical devices, this is a meaningful advancement. It enables greater product variety and frequent SKU changes while maintaining engineering control. The difference is that the picking logic adapts to what the system sees rather than expecting the environment to remain static.

We also talk about practical evaluation and proof of concept. Siemens runs application testing at its Berkeley, California lab where customers can send sample parts for quick feasibility checks. A short video of their parts being picked can provide the confidence needed to move forward with a pilot project while minimizing cost and risk. For quality inspection and defect detection, Siemens also offers an Inspector station capable of learning from as few as twenty samples to identify defects in real time.

The discussion closes by looking at the future of digital manufacturing. Digital thread tools make it possible to simulate robots from multiple brands, test new configurations, and evaluate throughput virtually. Combined with edge AI and NVIDIA vision language technology, this creates faster experimentation cycles, improved reliability, and measurable gains in uptime and throughput.

Kevin’s key message is clear. Manufacturers do not need to replace existing automation to explore the benefits of AI. Start with one process, validate performance, and build from there.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and why real-world picking matters
00:40 Introduction to Pick AI Pro and new throughput capabilities
01:30 Multi suction patterns for stable handling of large items
02:20 Camera agnostic approach and transparent object handling
03:30 Selecting components for high-temperature environments
04:15 Use cases in consumer packaged goods and medical applications
06:45 Digital twin and digital thread with Siemens Process Simulate
08:30 Feasibility testing and customer demos at the Siemens lab
10:30 Vision language model for product identification and labeling
12:10 Evaluating with real parts and rapid testing cycles
14:20 Siemens Inspector for defect detection and visual inspection
15:40 Key takeaways and future outlook

References and Resources Mentioned
Siemens Simatic Robot Pick AI Overview
https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/tia/future-topics/simatic-robotics-ai.html

Siemens Press Release on Simatic Robot Pick AI Pro
 https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-presents-future-intralogistics-simatic-robot-pick-ai-pro-enables-machine

Siemens Simatic IPC BX 59 A Industrial Edge Device with NVIDIA GPU
 https://www.automationworld.com/products/data/product/55287446/siemens-ag-siemens-simatic-ipc-bx-59a-industrial-edge-device

Siemens IPC BX 59 A Operating Instructions
 https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109972660/ipcbx56a_and_ipcbx59a_operating_instructions_enUS_en-US.pdf

Universal Robots Example with Simatic Robot Pick AI
 https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/document/109822788/simatic-robot-pick-ai-with-universal-robots-ur5

Zivid Transparent Object Imaging Information
 https://www.zivid.com/zivid-omni-engine-transparency

https://blog.zivid.com/zivid-omni-engine

Siemens Digital Thread Overview and Tecnomatix Process Simulate
 https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/digital-thread/

https://plm.sw.siemens.com/en-US/tecnomatix/

NVIDIA Vision Language Model Resources
 https://docs.nvidia.com/nim/vision-language-models/latest/introduction.html

https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/vision-language-model-prompt-engineering-guide-for-image-and-video-understanding/

Hosts
Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer and manufacturing consultant who leads Joltek and co-hosts the Manufacturing Hub Podcast. He focuses on practical strategies for SCADA, MES, and data-driven operations.
Learn more at https://www.joltek.com
YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JpBeS_6JhUwfGF8RgLCIQ

Dave Griffith is a manufacturing consultant and long-time co-host of Manufacturing Hub. He helps teams align operations, engineering, and leadership around the projects that move the needle in real production environments.

Guest
Kevin Wu from Siemens discusses Robot Pick AI Pro and related digital thread workflows across robotics and vision. Learn more about Siemens automation and software at
https://www.siemens.com

https://www.sw.siemens.com

We discuss how 8.3’s configuration in the file system and the expanded REST API enable real version control and DevOps workflows in day to day projects. We explore practical AI opportunities through MCP servers that can safely expose context and operational data to large language models, with an emphasis on operator augmentation, faster troubleshooting, and responsible guardrails. We connect the dots between OT networking fundamentals and secure architectures by highlighting the growing need for segmentation, deterministic traffic, and resilient data movement. Throughout the episode we keep the focus on what matters in plants today clear outcomes for uptime, quality, and delivery rather than hype.

Whether you are an engineer, integrator, or an operations leader, this episode gives you an actionable snapshot of where Ignition and the broader ecosystem are heading. You will hear what the community is building, which 8.3 features are worth testing first, how ProveIt style showcases help end users evaluate technologies, and why investing in networking skills remains one of the highest ROI moves for manufacturers.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and ICC traditions with stickers and community shoutouts
01:25 What to expect today and why this episode includes a sit down with Travis
02:30 First impressions of ICC 2025 tracks vendor hall and ProveIt showcases
05:55 New Sacramento venue experience and why more space improved conversations
07:25 Walk up tickets record attendance and what that signals about growth
08:45 Why hands on ProveIt demos mattered for real integrations and learning
12:05 Ignition 8.3 launch and what we will cover in more depth later this month
13:25 AI themes across sessions and realistic use cases for builders and operators
16:20 Why OT networking education is now a must have skill set
18:05 DataOps and DevOps directions in Ignition 8.3 and what to trial first
23:10 Travis Cox joins with ICC takeaways and how community scale changes the game
28:35 Ignition 8.3 highlights configuration in files REST API and version control workflows

About the hosts
Vlad Romanov manufacturing modernization and data strategy consultant co host of Manufacturing Hub and founder of Joltek
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov
Joltek https://www.joltek.com
Dave Griffith operations and digital transformation consultant co host of Manufacturing Hub
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith23
Website https://dave-griffith.com

Guest
Travis Cox Chief Evangelist at Inductive Automation
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviscox-automation
Inductive Automation https://inductiveautomation.com

Episode references and resources
Ignition 8.3 What is new https://inductiveautomation.com/ignition/whatsnew
Ignition User Manual 8.3 docs and upgrade guidance https://www.docs.inductiveautomation.com
Download Ignition free trial https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads
Inductive University free Ignition training https://inductiveuniversity.com
ICC 2025 recap https://inductiveautomation.com/blog/icc-2025-recap-we-really-did-level-up-this-year

Control Global highlights from ICC 2025 https://www.controlglobal.com/industry-news/news/55321625/highlights-from-inductive-automations-2025-icc-build-a-thon-and-award-winners

ProveIt Conference official site https://www.proveitconference.com

ProveIt at ICC background https://inductiveautomation.com/blog/proveit-showcases-are-coming-to-icc-2025

Books and learning mentioned or implied in the discussion
Networking and cybersecurity training via Inductive University https://inductiveuniversity.com

Ignition 8.3 videos and feature overviews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qds7RI9-hxg

Connect with Manufacturing Hub
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manufacturing-hub/id1546805573

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1gE6glbxdYIfG6KUeOCz22

Call to action
If you attended ICC this year or tested Ignition 8.3 in your environment, share your lessons in the comments. Tell us which features you want us to deep dive next and what ProveIt demonstrations helped you make decisions in your own stack. Subscribe for weekly conversations with practitioners who build real systems in real factories.

Tom brings decades of experience building MES solutions for manufacturers around the globe. From his early days in the Midwest working with Rockwell Automation technology to launching Sepasoft’s Ignition MES modules and now leading the development of Sepa IQ, Tom has been at the forefront of data, analytics, and system integration. His insights bridge the gap between hype and practice, helping us understand where AI creates real ROI, where it still falls short, and how to build the foundations for success.

Throughout the conversation we dive into the challenges of quality improvement, predictive maintenance, scheduling optimization, and contextualizing plant data. We discuss the importance of trust in both data and AI-generated outputs, the economics of running LLMs and machine learning models, and why cybersecurity and data governance cannot be an afterthought. Drawing on the recent MIT study that revealed only 5 percent of AI projects make a measurable P&L impact, Tom helps us unpack what manufacturers need to do differently if they want to avoid being part of the 95 percent that fail.

We also get an update on Sepa IQ and how customers are using it to connect plant floor data, structure it for AI and analytics, and prepare for advanced scheduling and predictive tools. From lessons learned working with early adopters to practical advice on starting small, Tom makes it clear that manufacturing AI is a journey that requires technical expertise, domain knowledge, and cultural change.

Whether you are an executive evaluating AI investments, a controls engineer curious about new tools, or a plant manager wondering how to get real results, this episode delivers a balanced, practical, and in-depth perspective on the future of AI in manufacturing.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and AI in every manufacturing conversation
03:00 Tom Hechtman background and the origins of Sepasoft
05:00 MES modules, batch processing, and the evolution of Sepa IQ
08:00 Defining manufacturing AI and the role of plant floor data
13:00 Quality improvement and predictive analytics opportunities
20:00 Foundational challenges with legacy systems and data collection
24:00 Insights from the MIT study on AI adoption and ROI
32:00 Training data, context windows, and the economics of LLMs
44:00 Sepa IQ customer feedback and scheduling optimization
50:00 Trust, hallucinations, and cybersecurity considerations
59:00 ICC announcements, demos, and proof of concept program
1:03:00 Predictions for AI in manufacturing and career advice

References mentioned in the episode
MIT study on AI in business: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/how-to-get-ai-to-pay-off
Sepasoft Blog on AI and manufacturing: https://sepasoft.com/blog/
The One Thing by Gary Keller: https://www.the1thing.com/

About the guest
Tom Hechtman is the founder of Sepasoft, a leading provider of MES modules for the Ignition platform by Inductive Automation. With decades of experience in manufacturing, integration, and software development, Tom has helped companies worldwide improve efficiency, quality, and data visibility. Learn more at https://sepasoft.com/
and connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-hechtman-32b6b66/

About the hosts
Vlad Romanov is the founder of Joltek, a consulting and integration firm focused on helping manufacturers modernize systems, bridge IT and OT, and drive digital transformation. Learn more at https://www.joltek.com/
and connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/

Dave Griffith is an industrial automation consultant and co-host of Manufacturing Hub. He works with manufacturers and integrators to identify opportunities, manage digital projects, and build future-ready operations. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith/

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe to Manufacturing Hub for more weekly discussions with industry leaders about automation, digital transformation, and the evolving world of manufacturing.

Gavin brings decades of experience in automation engineering and cybersecurity, having worked across energy, oil and gas, water, and manufacturing. He shares his unique journey from being an operator and control systems engineer to becoming a specialist in OT cybersecurity. The conversation spans a wide range of issues, from asset inventory and managed switches to people, process, and technology frameworks that help organizations take the first step toward maturity.

We discuss why IT and OT teams often clash and what it takes to bridge the gap. Gavin explains the realities of budgets, the challenges of compliance, and why self-reporting frameworks often fail to reflect true maturity. He also highlights the role of legislation in Europe, rising insurance premiums, and how cybersecurity assessments can influence financial and strategic decisions at the executive level.

The episode provides clear insights into best practices such as building a proper asset inventory, structuring security awareness training for OT teams, and applying a risk-based approach to patch management. Gavin also outlines the importance of functional safety, process hazard analysis, and the role of frameworks like ISA/IEC 62443. For engineers, leaders, and decision makers, this conversation makes it clear that cybersecurity is not just a technology problem but a people and process challenge that requires long term discipline and investment.

If you want to understand what real world OT cybersecurity looks like, what mistakes to avoid, and how to set a path toward resilience, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and upcoming ICC event
02:20 Gavin’s career journey from operator to cybersecurity expert
06:00 What ICS and OT cybersecurity really mean
09:00 Managed switches, firewalls, and securing industrial devices
11:00 The importance of people, process, and technology in security programs
13:30 Asset inventories and the first practical steps in cybersecurity
17:00 Insurance, legislation, and financial implications of OT risk
23:00 The problem with self reporting and maturity frameworks
27:00 Risk based patching strategies and CVE management
31:00 Physical keys, tokens, and access control challenges
37:00 IT versus OT ownership of cybersecurity
45:00 Certifications, training, and resources for professionals
53:00 Unified Namespace and cybersecurity considerations
58:00 Predictions for the next five years in OT cybersecurity
01:02:00 Career advice for engineers and cybersecurity professionals

References mentioned in this episode
Industrial Network Security, Eric D. Knapp (Third Edition): https://www.isa.org/products/industrial-network-security-third-edition
Security PHA Review: https://www.isa.org/products/security-pha-review-for-consequence-based-cyberse
Managing Cybersecurity in the Process Industries, ISA: https://www.isa.org/products/managing-cybersecurity-in-the-process-indust
Industrial Cybersecurity: Efficiently secure critical infrastructure systems, Steve Mustard: https://www.isa.org/products/industrial-cybersecurity-efficiently-secure-criti
Assessment Plus: https://assessmentplus.co.nz
Ignition 8.3 by Inductive Automation: https://inductiveautomation.com

About the hosts
Vladimir Romanov is an electrical engineer and MBA with over a decade of experience in manufacturing and industrial automation. He has worked with Procter and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, Post Holdings, and now leads Joltek, a consulting and integration firm focused on digital transformation and modern manufacturing systems.

Dave Griffith is an experienced systems integrator, consultant, and advisor in the industrial automation space. He has worked with manufacturers across multiple sectors, helping organizations align technology with business strategy.

About the guest
Gavin Dilworth is the founder of Assessment Plus, based in New Zealand. With a background spanning automation, controls, and cybersecurity, he helps organizations design architectures, implement policies, and build resilience in OT environments. He also mentors professionals looking to enter or advance in the ICS cybersecurity field. Connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-dilworth/

We begin the conversation by unpacking what “architecture” actually means in manufacturing environments. Is it the hardware, switches, and cables? Is it the way new machines are integrated into existing plants? Or is it the broader strategy of ensuring that data, safety, and scalability are protected? The answer, as both Vlad and Dave explain, is that it is all of these at once.

Throughout the discussion, we explore real-world stories where poor architectural decisions led to unplanned downtime, cybersecurity risks, or expensive rework. Vlad shares an example of a palletizer brought online with unmanaged switches and insecure remote access hardware that nearly crippled production until it was properly segmented. Dave recalls his own field experiences, including unusual setups where integrators resorted to improvised remote troubleshooting, highlighting just how creative but fragile some solutions can be.

The episode also looks at the evolution of remote access. From the early days of Ewon boxes to modern expectations of secure VPNs, jump boxes, and approved engineering workstations, we discuss what role remote connectivity should play in today’s manufacturing environment. While these solutions can reduce travel time and speed up support, they can just as easily introduce vulnerabilities and trust issues if not carefully managed.

From there we move into the technical tradeoffs of device level ring versus star topologies. Vlad explains why he often prefers device level ring to save costs and simplify troubleshooting, while Dave weighs in on the importance of pre-molded cables, managed switches, and long-term maintainability. We also analyze example architectures from Rockwell white papers, pointing out where diagrams align with field best practices and where they differ from what engineers often see in real facilities.

Finally, we broaden the perspective by comparing greenfield and brownfield deployments. Greenfield projects allow prime contractors and consultants to design standards up front, but most facilities live in brownfield reality where years of technical debt, unmanaged switches, and ad hoc networks make improvements harder. We also touch on how architecture differs by industry, whether in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, or distributed environments such as trains or pipelines.

The conversation closes with predictions, career advice, and resource recommendations. Vlad stresses that CCNA is still one of the best starting points for engineers who want to understand industrial networking fundamentals, and Dave emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions and learning from experienced peers. Both agree that demand for data, combined with the rise of AI, will continue to stress legacy networks until companies recognize the need for robust, standards-driven architectures.

If you work in automation, engineering, IT, or plant management, this episode will give you perspective on why network architecture is not just a technical afterthought but a strategic enabler of digital transformation.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and community updates
02:30 Defining architecture in manufacturing
05:00 Why networks are the backbone of manufacturing systems
08:00 A real-world palletizer story and the risks of unmanaged switches
14:00 The rise and pitfalls of remote access devices
18:30 Field story of unconventional remote troubleshooting setups
23:00 Who is responsible for network design: end users, integrators, or OEMs
28:00 Analyzing Rockwell’s reference architecture diagrams
36:00 Device level ring versus star topologies in practice
49:00 Brownfield versus greenfield considerations
56:00 Industry-specific architectures from food and beverage to oil and gas
01:04:00 The role of standards and corporate versus local decision making
01:08:30 Predictions, career advice, and recommended resources

References Mentioned in this Episode
Ignition Community Conference: https://icc.inductiveautomation.com/

Siemens SPS Atlanta Event: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/fairs-events/sps.html

Rockwell Automation Architectures and Design White Papers: https://literature.rockwellautomation.com

CISSP Official Study Guide: https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CISSP

Winning by Tim Grover: https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Unforgiving-Race-Greatness/dp/1982168862

Cisco CCNA Certification: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/exams/current-list/ccna.html

About the Hosts

Vlad Romanov is an electrical engineer and consultant with over a decade of experience in manufacturing and industrial automation. His background spans global companies such as Procter & Gamble, Kraft Heinz, and Post Holdings, where he has led modernization projects, SCADA and MES deployments, and digital transformation initiatives. He is the founder of Joltek, a consulting firm helping manufacturers align people, process, and technology to improve operations, and he also leads SolisPLC, an education platform for automation professionals. Connect with Vlad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov

Dave Griffith is a manufacturing consultant and co-host of Manufacturing Hub. With extensive experience in controls, systems integration, and business development, Dave has helped manufacturers across industries adopt SCADA, MES, and digital transformation solutions. He frequently shares insights on IT-OT convergence, operational strategy, and leadership in the automation space. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith

Joltek is a consulting and integration firm that helps manufacturers modernize with clarity, strategy, and execution. Built on decades of hands-on experience in engineering, automation, and plant leadership, Joltek bridges the gap between technical complexity and business value. The team is known for uncovering hidden risks in outdated systems, designing scalable IT and OT architectures, and guiding digital transformation initiatives that actually deliver measurable results. Whether it is upgrading control systems, deploying SCADA and MES platforms, or advising on strategic investments, Joltek consistently brings deep expertise and practical solutions that make manufacturing operations more resilient, efficient, and future ready.

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The conversation takes a deep dive into the newly released Ignition 8.3 beta, exploring the core features that matter most for end users, system integrators, and manufacturers. Kevin discusses the new Siemens driver with symbolic addressing, the internal historian powered by QuestDB, the Kafka and Event Streams module, and the new DevOps capabilities with file system storage, Git integration, and automated deployments. These capabilities are set to change how manufacturers design, deploy, and scale automation systems in real-world production environments.

We also preview the Ignition Community Conference (ICC), which is moving to a larger venue this year. Kevin outlines new additions such as the Hub, the CoLab, community design challenges, and the continuation of Prove It sessions. The episode also covers the evolution of the Build-On competition, the growing integrator ecosystem, and Inductive Automation’s continued focus on empowering its community through transparency and collaboration.

This episode provides both a technical and strategic look at where Ignition is heading and why it matters for the future of industrial automation. If you are working on digital transformation, UNS, DevOps for OT, or enterprise-scale SCADA and MES, you will not want to miss this discussion.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and welcome with Dave, Vlad, and Kevin
02:00 Kevin’s background and entry into industrial software
05:00 Lessons from early HMI and integrator experiences
07:30 The importance of integrators in Inductive Automation’s go-to-market strategy
09:00 Transition into sales leadership and learnings from global customers
13:00 Ignition 8.3 beta release process and development challenges
18:00 Historian improvements and introduction of QuestDB
21:00 The new Siemens driver and why it matters globally
27:00 Use cases for multiple historians and large-scale data performance
31:00 Kafka integration, Event Streams, and IT-OT convergence
35:00 DevOps capabilities in Ignition including Git and deployment modes
41:00 Preview of the Ignition Community Conference and new venue
44:00 The Hub, CoLab, and community-driven sessions at ICC
50:00 Prove It sessions and exhibitor highlights
56:00 The Build-On competition and its evolution
01:01:00 Predicting the future of ICC and Ignition
01:03:00 Kevin’s career advice for engineers and integrators
01:05:00 How listeners can connect with Inductive Automation

References Mentioned in the Episode
Inductive Automation: https://inductiveautomation.com/

Ignition 8.3 Beta Release Notes: https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/release-notes

QuestDB: https://questdb.io/

Opto 22: https://opto22.com/

HiveMQ: https://www.hivemq.com/

Flow Software: https://flow-software.com/

Sepasoft MES: https://sepasoft.com/

Soba.ai: https://soba.ai/

About the Hosts
Vlad Romanov is an industrial automation consultant, electrical engineer, and founder of Joltek and SolisPLC. With more than a decade of experience in digital transformation and systems integration, Vlad has worked with Fortune 500 manufacturers including Procter and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, and Post Holdings. He is passionate about bridging the gap between IT and OT while helping manufacturers modernize their facilities.
Connect with Vlad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/

Dave Griffith is a manufacturing consultant and digital transformation strategist who helps organizations navigate technology adoption in automation, data, and operations. With a background in engineering and leadership across multiple industries, Dave focuses on helping manufacturers align technology initiatives with business outcomes.
Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith/

About the Guest
Kevin McClusky is the Chief Technology Architect at Inductive Automation, where he has played a key role in shaping the growth of Ignition software over more than a decade. Kevin has led professional services, sales engineering, and product strategy, and now focuses on long-term architecture and technology direction for Inductive Automation. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and is deeply involved in guiding the Ignition community.
Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmcclusky/

Manufacturing Hub is a weekly podcast hosted by Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith, covering digital transformation, automation, data, robotics, and the future of manufacturing. Subscribe to stay ahead in the industry.

This conversation dives into how manufacturers can prepare for disruptions, scale pilot projects into real business outcomes, and adopt technologies that make factories more flexible and robust. Chris highlights the importance of people and processes in delivering exceptional customer experiences, while Annemarie emphasizes how scaling technology deployments creates measurable business impact. Together, they outline how Siemens is helping manufacturers move from isolated pilots to large scale adoption, ultimately strengthening resilience and competitiveness in today’s uncertain environment.

We examine the meaning of manufacturing resilience in practice, including how to withstand supply chain shocks, tariffs, and workforce challenges. The discussion also covers workforce empowerment and the need to make manufacturing attractive again, not only by deploying advanced technologies but also by enabling teams to own solutions from the ground up.

A major theme is the role of the digital twin. Chris and Annemarie explain why starting in the virtual world is essential to validate designs, optimize processes, and minimize downtime risks. They address how digital twin adoption is becoming more accessible through as a service delivery models and collaborative environments where end users, system integrators, and technology providers all contribute.

We also look at the connection between copilot technologies and both operations and engineering. Natural language copilots are enabling operators to troubleshoot equipment quickly and engineers to interact with simulation environments more intuitively. This shift is accelerating adoption while reducing barriers to advanced tools.

Finally, the episode touches on automation lifecycle management, drawing parallels to product lifecycle management. By centralizing and version controlling automation artifacts such as PLC programs, HMI projects, and industrial edge applications, Siemens is paving the way for resilient and adaptable operations.

If you are curious about the future of resilient manufacturing, digital twins, and adaptive automation, this episode provides both strategic and practical insights.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction live from Automate 2025 at Siemens booth
01:00 Guest introductions and roles at Siemens
02:00 Defining manufacturing resilience in today’s environment
04:00 Workforce challenges and empowering teams to drive adoption
05:00 Why digital twin is the starting point for resilient operations
07:00 Digital twin adoption for small and medium manufacturers
09:00 Collaborative engineering environments and the metaverse
10:00 Challenges and opportunities at the cutting edge of automation
11:00 Copilot technologies for operators and engineers
12:30 Connecting digital twins with copilots across engineering and operations
13:30 Automation lifecycle management explained
14:30 Future deep dive preview on automation lifecycle management

References mentioned in this episode

Siemens Digital Industries: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation.html
Jeff Burnstein and Automate coverage: https://www.automateshow.com/

About the hosts

Vlad Romanov is an engineer, consultant, and co host of the Manufacturing Hub Podcast. With over a decade of experience in manufacturing and industrial automation, Vlad has worked with global companies such as Procter and Gamble and Kraft Heinz, focusing on digital transformation, SCADA and MES deployments, and operational excellence. He also leads Joltek, a consulting firm helping manufacturers modernize operations. Learn more at https://www.joltek.com/

Dave Griffith is a consultant and co host of the Manufacturing Hub Podcast. He has extensive experience helping manufacturers and technology companies bridge the gap between strategy and execution, with a focus on scaling digital transformation initiatives. Dave frequently speaks on topics including systems integration, leadership, and the evolving role of technology in industrial operations.

About the guests

Chris Stevens is responsible for customer experience at Siemens Digital Industries. His focus is on people and processes, ensuring that technology deployments deliver meaningful outcomes, adoption, and long term value for customers.

Annemarie Breu leads the Accelerator Deployment Team at Siemens Digital Industries. She specializes in implementing Siemens technologies beyond the pilot stage, scaling adoption, and ensuring that digital solutions create measurable business outcomes.

If you enjoy this conversation, make sure to subscribe to Manufacturing Hub for more interviews from Automate 2025 and beyond.

Vlad begins with an in-depth story from his time at Procter & Gamble, where he led an energy monitoring project with the ambitious goal of reducing power consumption by 20 percent. He explains the practical challenges of turning a corporate initiative into an actionable plant-level strategy, from limited baseline data to deciding between standalone meters and integrated monitoring solutions. Vlad shares the lessons learned in balancing cost, data ownership, and scalability, and why a more open solution can sometimes offer greater long-term value than proprietary systems.

Dave then takes us into the world of pet food manufacturing, where millions of dollars in raw materials can be lost each year due to inaccurate batching and poor measurement practices. He walks through the process of defining the problem, setting up data collection without overhauling legacy systems, and using that information to identify overages, improve tolerances, and design remediation strategies. The conversation dives into practical engineering decisions, such as when to invest in VFDs for precision dosing, when to redesign process equipment, and how to ensure data insights lead to lasting operational changes.

The discussion expands into organizational challenges, including why decision-makers often lack actionable visibility into losses, how to present findings in terms of tangible business impact, and the cultural shift required to actually use the data once it is available. Vlad and Dave also explore examples from discrete manufacturing, where OEE tracking and daily direction setting (DDS) meetings help guide capital allocation, continuous improvement initiatives, and team alignment. They share observations on why some facilities succeed with these systems while others fall back into old habits.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Episode 221 and monthly theme recap
02:00 Vlad’s background and approach to modernization projects
04:50 Dave’s background and focus on data-driven manufacturing solutions
06:30 Recap of previous episodes on data collection, historians, and MTP/MCP
07:30 Vlad’s Procter & Gamble energy monitoring project case study
13:40 Addressing power blips, capacitor banks, and ROI considerations
19:10 Choosing between proprietary and open monitoring solutions
23:40 Dave’s pet food manufacturing story and raw material variance
29:50 Methods for data collection without disrupting legacy systems
34:20 Improving accuracy, process changes, and remediation strategies
44:00 Organizational challenges in acting on data insights
52:00 OEE, DDS meetings, and capital allocation in discrete manufacturing
59:50 Predictions for the future of manufacturing intelligence and AI integration

References Mentioned
Ignition by Inductive Automation – https://inductiveautomation.com/
Ignition Community Conference (ICC) – https://icc.inductiveautomation.com/
Procter & Gamble – https://us.pg.com/
Rockwell Automation – https://www.rockwellautomation.com/
Mettler Toledo – https://www.mt.com/
Badwater Ultramarathon – https://www.badwater.com/
“Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins – https://davidgoggins.com/book/

About the Hosts

Vlad Romanov works with manufacturers to modernize operations by bridging the gap between legacy systems and today’s technology. He specializes in assessing current states, designing scalable architectures, and implementing solutions across control systems, SCADA, and MES infrastructures. His mission is to help plants run better from a technical and operational standpoint, whether through unlocking critical data from PLCs or leading full-scale digital transformation initiatives.
Connect with Vlad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/

Dave Griffith has over 16 years of experience in automation and manufacturing, with a technical foundation in aviation and aerospace. His work spans from OEM manufacturing to food and beverage production, with a strong focus on data-driven projects that deliver ROI. Dave leads teams at Kaplan to unlock operational data, design integration strategies, and deploy solutions that improve efficiencies and reduce waste.
Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith/

Throughout this deep-dive episode, we uncover how these emerging standards form the backbone of adaptive plants: facilities capable of safely orchestrating decisions between humans, machines, and AI models. From OPC UA and AutomationML to edge computing and LLM-driven control systems, Caleb explains the architecture, mindset shifts, and implementation considerations that make this vision a reality.

Key topics covered include:

• Why traditional SCADA and MES architectures are not AI-ready
• The real-world value of MTP in legacy Brownfield plants
• How Siemens’ Machine Proxy App and OPC UA servers act as translators between AI models and legacy PLCs
• Differences between machine states, control interfaces, and orchestrated services in modular manufacturing
• Why CLI skills and edge computing are foundational for the modern control engineer
• How to pitch digital transformation and AI investments to hesitant executives

We also touch on organizational psychology, how internal champions get ignored without executive alignment, and the grim future for manufacturers still betting on ice cube relays.

Whether you’re a plant engineer, systems integrator, or digital transformation leader, this conversation offers a bold but practical look at how to safely integrate AI into manufacturing control environments: starting with protocols and principles, not just hype.

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

• Siemens Industrial Edge: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/industrial-edge.html
• Machine Context Protocol (MCP): https://www.anthropic.com/news/introducing-the-machine-context-protocol
• VDI MTP Standard: https://www.vdi.de/
• Book Recommendation: How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil

👤 Guest: Caleb Eastman, Siemens
📌 Theme: Data Foundations and Intelligent Manufacturing
🎙️ Hosts: Vlad Romanov & Dave Griffith

✅ Key Timestamps

We cover critical trends shaping the next generation of manufacturing, including the rise of virtual PLCs (vPLCs), integration of AI into control systems, the shift from hardware to software-defined automation, and the challenges of IT and OT convergence. Bernd also highlights the importance of version control, DevOps pipelines, and open edge development in making industrial systems more agile.

We wrap up by looking at Siemens' global R&D structure, freemium software models for engineers, and how manufacturers can take their first steps into digital transformation—without boiling the ocean.

This is a must-watch conversation for engineers, IT leaders, and decision-makers in the automation space looking to understand what the future of control and connectivity looks like.

🔗 Mentioned Tools and Technologies:

• Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500
• Siemens TIA Portal
• Siemens Sematic X
• Siemens Industrial Edge & Edge Developer Kit
• Siemens Unified
• vPLC (Virtual PLC)
• Codesys
• Git-style source control for automation
• AI Copilots for engineering and operations

📍 Timestamps:
 00:00 Welcome and intro to Bernd Raithel’s new role
 02:00 Siemens legacy in Johnson City and product milestones
 04:00 Why software-defined automation is gaining traction
 06:00 Edge computing, vPLCs, and building flexible architectures
 08:00 The real-world challenges of IT and OT integration
 10:30 Sematic X, version control, and agile OT tools
 13:00 How Siemens runs global R&D across multiple continents
 15:00 The future of manufacturing and PLC longevity
 17:00 Balancing modern tools with 30-year lifecycle expectations
 19:00 Starting points for digital transformation with Industrial Edge
 20:00 Siemens freemium strategy and access to tools for engineers

📚 Learn More:

• Siemens Industrial Edge: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/industrial-edge.html
• TIA Portal: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/tia-portal.html
• Sematic X: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/sematic-x.html
• Siemens Unified: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/unified.html
• Siemens vPLC: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/industry-software/virtual-plc.html
• Siemens Developer Trials: https://plcnext-community.net/

We unpack the critical role of historians in modern manufacturing environments. While traditional historians focused on archiving time-series data, today’s requirements go far beyond that. Jeroen outlines how a modern historian must fulfill three foundational roles:
Efficient high-volume time-series data acquisition
Contextual modeling across complex factory assets
Democratized access and self-service tools for operations teams

This episode covers:
The differences between SCADA, MES, and historians
The evolution from legacy platforms like OSIsoft PI to cloud-native historians
Architectures for on-prem, cloud, and hybrid historian deployments
Real-world use cases like wind turbine optimization for shadow flicker mitigation
Common challenges in digital transformation, including network modernization and change management
How manufacturers can scale from data collection to full analytics enablement

Jeroen also shares why point solutions often lead to fragmentation, and how building a robust data foundation opens the door to advanced tools like AI, unified namespace, and better decision-making.

📍 Guest: Jeroen Coussement, Founder and CEO at Factry
🌐 https://www.factry.io

📚 Resources Mentioned:
Factry Historian: https://www.factry.io/products/factry-historian
IT/OT Insider: https://insider.itot.io
Canary Historian: https://www.canarylabs.com/
AVEVA PI System: https://www.aveva.com/en/solutions/pi-system/
GE Proficy Historian: https://www.ge.com/digital/applications/historian
Joltek Consulting: https://www.joltek.com/

⏱️ YouTube Timestamps
00:00 Intro and welcome
02:00 Jeroen’s journey from bioscience engineer to founder of Factry
05:00 What is an industrial historian and why it matters
09:00 The relationship between SCADA, MES, and historians
12:00 Legacy historian vendors and what’s changing
15:00 The shift to cloud-native and open data systems
18:00 When and why manufacturers choose to implement a historian
21:00 Software cost vs implementation cost
23:00 Common historian architectures: on-prem, cloud, hybrid
27:00 Regional differences in adoption across US and Europe
30:00 Use case: Wind turbine shadow flicker mitigation via historian
35:00 Can historians ever feed data back into PLCs?
39:00 Change management and user training are key
42:00 Layering MES and quality tools on top of a historian
46:00 Why point solutions fail and unified platforms win
49:00 Empowering domain experts with self-service analytics
52:00 Predictions for the future of historians
54:00 Career advice for those entering the industrial data space
56:00 Who should reach out to Factry

Brian brings a frontline perspective to OT architecture and walks us through what it actually takes to connect legacy equipment, build scalable pipelines, and enable true real-time decision-making. We dive deep into Unified Namespace (UNS) principles, the evolution of MQTT and Kafka in industrial settings, and why so many manufacturers struggle to get ROI from new digital systems. From co-op student to founder of a systems integration firm, Brian shares how his early hands-on experience shaped his understanding of controls, business systems, and the gaps in between.

Topics include historian layers, challenges with SCADA-based centralization, how to scope a machine connectivity project, practical change management tips, and the path to flattened architectures using modern pub-sub tools. This is a must-watch for engineers, plant managers, and decision-makers looking to make sense of the data revolution inside their factories.

📌 Episode 217 is the first in our July theme focused on Data Collection for Manufacturing Intelligence.

🔗 Learn more about Manufacturing Hub: https://manufacturinghub.live
🔗 Explore Joltek consulting services: https://www.joltek.com/

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Overview of Data Collection Theme
02:00 Brian’s Journey into Controls Engineering and Integration
06:30 What Legacy Manufacturing Equipment Actually Looks Like
10:00 Why Data Collection is Often an Afterthought in Scope
13:50 The Disconnect Between Machines and Business Systems
17:00 Real-World Discovery Process for Machine Connectivity
22:00 Overcoming Internal Resistance to Data-Driven Projects
28:00 Strategies for Extracting Data from Obsolete PLCs
34:30 Direct Sensor to SCADA vs PLC-Driven Design Debate
41:00 Flattening the Architecture and Breaking the Purdue Model
55:00 What Unified Namespace Looks Like in Practice with UMH

We explore the hardware and software changes coming to Fanuc’s R-50iA cabinet, including multiple Ethernet ports, enhanced vision systems with built-in lighting, and a groundbreaking integration of Python for native robot programming. KUKA is also undergoing a major transformation with its KC5 slim cabinet and KUKA iiQ OS, a Linux-based control system with new UI, simulation environments, and plug-and-play capabilities. These updates signify a paradigm shift where robots become not only smarter and safer, but far easier to configure, maintain, and upgrade.

The conversation expands into one of the most talked-about frontiers in robotics: humanoid robots. Are they just hype or do they have a real role to play in industrial environments? We assess the business case for humanoids, especially in facilities where traditional automation has been financially unjustifiable. From handling tasks like herb sorting in food production to stepping into high-risk environments, humanoids may soon bridge the automation gap in low-throughput, labor-intensive workflows.

We also explore how AI is influencing robot deployment, from edge vision systems to cycle time optimization. Pawel outlines how drag-and-drop AI-powered tools are slashing development time for vision systems from hours to minutes, while also lowering the barrier to entry for those without years of machine vision experience. Vision systems that used to require complex calibration and scripting are now being trained on real-time images or CAD models, making robotic integration faster and more accessible than ever.

Finally, we close with actionable startup ideas and a bold look into the future of collaborative robots, AI, and hybrid ecosystems of humanoids and industrial arms working side-by-side. If you're in automation, manufacturing, or considering a robotics venture, this episode is packed with strategic insight, technical knowledge, and forward-thinking ideas you won’t want to miss.

🔗 Explore more from Pawel Krupa: https://www.youtube.com/@FutureRobotics
🎙 Manufacturing Hub Archives: https://www.manufacturinghub.live/
💡 Joltek Consulting Services: https://www.joltek.com/

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro and Overview of Robotics Coverage
03:00 – Pawel Krupa Introduction and Robotics Background
05:00 – Cybersecurity-Driven Changes to Industrial Robots
06:30 – Fanuc R-50iA Cabinet Updates and Python Integration
11:00 – KUKA KC5 and iiQ OS: New Hardware and Software Paradigm
15:00 – ISO Changes and Safety Implications for Cobots
17:00 – Industrial Applications and ROI for Humanoid Robots
30:00 – Practical AI Use Cases in Robotics and Vision Systems
40:00 – AI Vision System Setup: From Demo to Deployment
49:00 – Startup Idea: Optimizing Robot Motion via AI
57:00 – Future of Robotics: AI-Enabled Humanoids and Maintenance Bots

We explore:
What “material handling” really means in practice
The real-world complexity of end-of-arm tooling and vision systems
Why standardization is critical for both integrators and manufacturers
What robotics programming and automation roles will look like in the next five years
The practical limits of robots-as-a-service and humanoid hype
Using generative AI and GPTs to assist in controls programming
Career advice for engineers breaking into robotics and automation

Plus, Sean shares some incredible stories from the field, including building a machine for radioactive seed sorting and handling rocket-propelled grenade components safely with robots. 🔥

Whether you're an engineer, systems integrator, or a manufacturing leader, this episode offers tactical insights and thoughtful strategy.

🔗 Learn more about Sean’s company: https://eliterobotics.com
📫 Contact Sean directly: sean@eliterobotics.com
🔗 Connect with Vlad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov
🔗 Learn more about Joltek: https://www.joltek.com

Billy walks us through his journey from the military to advanced manufacturing and ultimately to becoming a leading voice in the AI and digital transformation space. We explore how large language models like ChatGPT are already changing how we write code, design solutions, and even train junior engineers. He offers real-world use cases of generative and agentic AI in industrial contexts and explains how tools like Cursor are already being used to automate everything from software development to curriculum generation.

We unpack the cultural barriers that prevent AI from being adopted on the plant floor and how forward-looking companies can implement AI safely and ethically. From internal teams building custom tools to small agile firms delivering big results, the conversation highlights the shift in power and opportunity across the ecosystem.

Billy also gives us a glimpse into the near future of AI-enhanced humanoid robots, local LLM deployments on the shop floor, and what might happen to traditional job roles as these technologies scale. Whether you are an engineer, developer, plant manager, or simply curious about how AI is impacting the real world, this episode will give you both insights and practical strategies to consider.

Stick around until the end to hear Billy’s predictions for the next five, ten, and twenty years in manufacturing. And if you’re wondering how to get started with AI tools, Billy offers concrete advice and resources you can begin exploring today.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome back Billy Albritton
02:00 Billy’s path into manufacturing and robotics
06:00 How ChatGPT shifted Billy’s perspective
10:00 What is agentic AI and why it matters
15:00 The changing role of junior developers
20:00 AI in traditional enterprise software vs the real factory floor
27:00 Challenges with industrial AI adoption
32:00 Internal vs external development strategies
37:00 Billy’s go-to AI tools and workflows
45:00 Real-time AI assistants and the new software paradigm
53:00 Is there a ceiling to generative AI?
59:00 The future of robotics and humanoids
1:03:00 What happens to work in a post-AI world?
1:06:00 Advice for anyone looking to start with AI today

Connect with Billy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/billyalbritton/

Follow us
Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/
Show: https://www.manufacturinghub.live/
Joltek: https://www.joltek.com/

Recommended Tools Mentioned
Cursor: https://www.cursor.so/
OpenAI ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/
Claude by Anthropic: https://claude.ai/
Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/
Hugging Face: https://huggingface.co/
Leonardo AI: https://leonardo.ai/

Subscribe for more conversations with the most innovative minds in manufacturing and industrial automation. New episodes every Thursday.

In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dave return to the whiteboard to explore practical and real-world applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing. From pre-operations to live production, this session covers how AI is being used today across CAD tools, BOM generation, predictive maintenance, system optimization, and machine vision. We also talk through the risks, the limitations, and what still requires human judgment.

We begin with design tools and programming before the machine even starts. Then we move through how AI is being used during operations for tasks like work order creation, failure detection, and PLC coding assistance. We explore real use cases for predictive maintenance and ask the tough question: what value are companies actually getting from this technology? Later in the episode we shift into optimization strategies. How can AI help increase throughput or reduce energy costs based on historical data? What does it take to apply these methods in mid-market factories, not just Fortune 100 environments?

We also dive into quality inspection and machine vision. These applications are among the most mature in manufacturing today, and we break down examples like barcode inspection, defect detection, and using AI to adapt based on customer complaints. Throughout the episode we share insights from the field and address audience questions about generative AI, simulation tools, and where human expertise still matters most.

Referenced in this episode
Phoenix Contact case study from Episode 173: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoQjowwDi2M
Siemens and Microsoft Copilot initiative
Emerson, Bentley Nevada, and GE predictive maintenance platforms
University of Tennessee Reliability and Maintainability Center: https://www.rmc.utk.edu
UR and Spectral vision systems seen at Automate 2025
Teledyne and Cognex AI-based machine vision tools
Cone GAVIN and Siemens Process Simulate
Joltek – consulting for manufacturing strategy, automation, and digital transformation: https://www.joltek.com/

This is Episode 212 of Manufacturing Hub, your go-to resource for conversations between real practitioners in industrial automation and manufacturing. Join us live every Wednesday at 4 PM Eastern and follow along on YouTube, LinkedIn, and all major podcast platforms.

Created by Walker Reynolds and the team at 4.0 Solutions, ProveIt brings together 36 vendors to solve real manufacturing problems inside a live virtual factory environment. Everything is connected through a Unified Namespace and powered by real-time MQTT infrastructure.

Unlike traditional expos, ProveIt is not about product demos. It's about execution. Vendors were given access to production data, a shared namespace, a deadline, and a challenge: prove your solution works—live, with full transparency around time, cost, and outcomes.

Featured Guests

We speak with industry leaders and innovators including:

• Walker Reynolds from 4.0 Solutions
• Travis Cox from Inductive Automation
• Benson Hougland from Opto 22
• Caleb and Sophia from Siemens (WinCC OA and Industrial Edge)
• Mark and Harry from Tatsoft Frameworks
• And many more voices from across the Manufacturing Hub community

What You'll Learn

• Why ProveIt is reshaping the way we evaluate industrial tech
• How Unified Namespace is implemented at scale
• Real examples of cost, delivery time, and performance data
• Building resilient MQTT architectures for edge-to-cloud
• AI and machine learning use cases that go beyond dashboards
• Why transparency and interoperability matter more than ever
• Lessons in vendor selection, technical strategy, and scalability
• How real manufacturers are architecting their next-gen stacks

Explore the Technologies Featured

ProveIt and 4.0 Solutions
https://www.40solutions.com
https://www.proveit.live

UNS and Industry 4.0 Learning
https://www.iiot.university
https://www.youtube.com/@4.0Solutions

MQTT Infrastructure
HiveMQ – https://www.hivemq.com
Tatsoft Frameworks – https://tatsoft.com

SCADA and Edge Platforms
Inductive Automation – https://inductiveautomation.com
Opto 22 – https://www.opto22.com
Siemens WinCC OA – https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/industry-software/automation-software/scada/wincc-open-architecture.html
Siemens Industrial Edge – https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/industrial-edge.html

Cloud and Data Services
Google Cloud for Manufacturing – https://cloud.google.com/solutions/manufacturing
Dell NativeEdge – https://www.dell.com/en-us/dt/solutions/edge-computing/nativeedge.htm
Snowflake Manufacturing Solutions – https://www.snowflake.com/solutions/industry/manufacturing
Litmus Edge AI – https://litmus.io
Tulip Interfaces – https://tulip.co

Community and Resources

Industry 4.0 Discord
https://discord.gg/industry40

IOT University Mastermind Program
https://iot.university

More Episodes of Manufacturing Hub
https://www.youtube.com/@ManufacturingHub

Final Thoughts

ProveIt is not just a conference. It is a full-scale test bed for what's possible in modern manufacturing. Real data. Real time. Real constraints. Real answers.

If you want to see how the best in the industry are building the next generation of manufacturing architecture, this is the episode to watch.

Let us know which vendors impressed you most. What technologies are you excited to explore? And what would you like to see proved next year?

Thank you for being part of the Manufacturing Hub community.

We break down what to expect at Automate next week in Detroit (May 12 to 15), booth highlights, technology trends, and hands-on insights into cutting-edge industrial solutions like Unified Namespace, Dockerized PLCs, AI applications in manufacturing, and more.

Topics discussed:
✅ What's new at Automate 2025
✅ The Mach Controls ProveIt demo
✅ Building practical data infrastructure for manufacturers
✅ Unified Namespace architecture and UMH
✅ Docker containers in industrial environments
✅ AI's real potential in manufacturing operations
✅ How small to mid-size manufacturers can advance digital maturity
✅ 4IR Solutions’ Factory Stack offerings
✅ Best practices for building scalable, future-proof architectures

Guest highlights:
🔹 Brian Priebe, President of Mach Controls
🔹 James Brown, CEO of 4IR Solutions

References

• Automate Show
• United Manufacturing Hub
• Inductive Automation Ignition
• Opto 22
• Phoenix Contact

Booth locations at Automate 2025:
Siemens Booth #3232
Phoenix Contact Booth #5232
Inductive Automation Booth #3452

If you’re attending Automate, be sure to stop by these booths to check out demos, meet the community, and explore how modern architectures are shaping the future of manufacturing!

Join the conversation:
Are you exploring AI, Unified Namespace, or modern data architectures in your plant? Drop your questions or comments below!

Follow us:
https://www.manufacturinghub.live
Joltek
FRAME

Dylan shares how his career evolved from service technician to systems integrator, detailing the learning curve involved in jumping between platforms like Ignition, FactoryTalk, Wonderware, and SQL databases. We dig into real-world project challenges, the importance of simulation and testing, and what it means to deliver systems that operators actually enjoy using. Along the way, Dylan offers valuable advice on how to learn faster, deal with unclear project scopes, and design better user interfaces by borrowing principles from modern UX and UI design.

We also examine:
Why ownership and internal technical teams are critical for end users

The importance of interoperability and avoiding vendor or integrator lock-in

How project creep really happens and what you can do about it

Visualization trends in SCADA and HMI systems, including practical opinions on high-performance design and AR/VR

Data strategies for manufacturing, from pipe-level decisions to planning for future use cases

Dylan’s new venture, Abelara, and how it helps manufacturers align executive vision with plant-floor execution

This episode is a must-listen for engineers, integrators, and manufacturing leaders looking to modernize their operations while keeping both usability and scalability in mind. Whether you’re early in your automation career or navigating complex transformation efforts, you’ll walk away with insights you can apply immediately.

⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:08 – What is Manufacturing Hub? Meet Dylan, our guest
02:00 – Dylan’s career path from tech school to SCADA systems
04:00 – Early project experience and rapid on-the-job learning
06:30 – Moving from PLCs to SCADA and MES development
08:20 – Learning without mentors: forums, support lines, and trial by fire
10:10 – Challenges and opportunities with modern control platforms
12:00 – Vendor openness, interoperability, and practical system limitations
15:00 – Scope creep and how to reduce it with better project planning
17:00 – The role of simulation and show-and-tell in successful startups
20:00 – Getting end user buy-in from operators to executives
22:15 – UI and UX in industrial systems: beyond standards and templates
26:00 – Why most HMI screens are outdated and how to improve them
30:00 – Using consumer design trends in industrial HMI development
33:00 – Ownership vs. partnership: the evolving role of integrators
36:00 – Visualization tools: what's working and what still needs to improve
40:00 – Data in manufacturing: planning, silos, and interoperability
45:00 – Why planning trumps tools and how to avoid duplicate systems
49:00 – Real talk on end user responsibility and integrator lock-in
54:00 – How local integrators can thrive in a reshoring environment
57:30 – Early signs and implications of reshoring in manufacturing
01:01:00 – Introducing Abelara: Dylan and Glenn’s new consulting venture
01:04:00 – Book recommendation: Silos, Politics and Turf Wars
01:06:00 – Career advice for new engineers: learn by doing
01:09:00 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Dylan and Abelara

📘 Book Mentioned:
Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni – A foundational read for breaking down barriers and aligning teams across departments.

🎙 Learn more about Dylan and his work at Abelara: https://abelara.com
Check out the manufacturing newsletter - https://www.framexl.com/

Subscribe for weekly conversations with experts pushing the boundaries in automation, controls, manufacturing systems, and digital transformation.

If you're a plant manager, controls engineer, systems integrator, or digital transformation leader, this episode delivers grounded, no-fluff advice you can apply right away.

🧠 Key Themes & Topics Covered:
🔐 Cybersecurity as a Financial Decision:
Vlad explains how cybersecurity initiatives often originate from IT and are directly influenced by rising insurance premiums, making cyber-risk quantifiable. Learn how assessments now inform insurance underwriting and why updating your legacy OT systems could lower your premiums and risk exposure.

🛠️ Obsolescence Assessments & Risk-Based Planning:
Explore the actual workflow of auditing plant-floor systems, from identifying unsupported PLCs (like PLC-5s or Data Highway+) to negotiating priorities between IT directors, engineering teams, and insurance firms. Vlad shares real examples of balancing modernization costs with production constraints and process uptime.

📊 Why Assessments Are Just the Beginning:
Understand how post-audit phases translate into strategic proposals that combine low-hanging fruit projects with long-term roadmaps. Learn how organizations build 3–5 year modernization strategies—without bringing operations to a halt.

🤖 AI Strategy in Manufacturing—Beyond the Hype:
Dave shares how enterprise leaders—from CEOs to HR and IT departments—are approaching AI with curiosity but confusion. He outlines a clear framework for structuring executive workshops, evaluating tools, and identifying high-impact use cases across functions (from maintenance to HR to accounting).

🧩 AI Agents, Co-Pilots, and the Future of Decision-Making:
Explore the evolving role of AI agents and LLM-based tools on the shop floor. Dave breaks down what AI agents are, how they might function in the future (e.g., executive dashboards that talk back), and what security hurdles still block widespread deployment in industrial settings.

⚠️ The Reality of Change Management:
Implementing new tech is hard. Dave discusses how real change happens only when frontline champions (not just executives) see personal value in new tools. Hear the story of how one skeptical veteran technician became a project’s biggest advocate—once it solved a pain point he had lived with for decades.

🔁 IT/OT Alignment & Organizational Silos:
The hosts discuss why most enterprise-scale modernization efforts stall—not due to technical complexity, but due to siloed budgets, conflicting incentives, and competing visions between digital transformation leads, IT VPs, and plant operations.

⏱️ Timing Is Everything:
Even with budget in hand, projects often face delays due to scheduling around critical uptime windows. Vlad explains how production planning often dictates digital progress, especially in lean operations like food & beverage and life sciences.

🎯 Who This Episode Is For:
Engineering & operations leaders navigating legacy infrastructure
Cybersecurity professionals responsible for OT risk mitigation
Plant managers balancing uptime with modernization goals
Digital transformation executives driving multi-year initiatives
System integrators and consultants supporting migration projects
Anyone curious about how AI is actually being evaluated in manufacturing

📢 Don’t forget to:
✅ Like this episode if you learned something
📝 Comment with your thoughts or questions
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes exploring the frontlines of manufacturing
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform

From her roots in biomolecular chemical engineering to her hands-on role in Operation Warp Speed, Amy walks us through what it's really like to build and validate manufacturing systems for pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications under FDA regulation. 💊🧪

We explore:
What exactly qualifies as "life sciences" in manufacturing
Why GMP compliance and validation are critical, and how they slow everything down
How Operation Warp Speed succeeded in compressing a 10-year process into months
The role of automation, MES, and DCS in life sciences
Why paper-based MES is still sometimes the fastest way forward (and why that needs to change)
How companies are moving toward digitization, better data exchange, and process analytical technology (PAT)

Amy also shares her thoughts on:
The importance of cross-functional collaboration in regulated environments
Tips for engineers looking to break into the life sciences space
Why owning your control code might be more valuable than you think

If you're in automation, MES, or engineering leadership, and especially if you work in or around FDA-regulated industries—this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Subscribe for more practical conversations at the intersection of manufacturing, automation, and strategy.

🔗 Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-williams-automation
📚 Book Recommendation: The Technology Fallacy

In this episode, Ryan joins Dave and Vlad to unpack the biggest real challenges manufacturers are facing today—not the buzzwords, not the hype, but the deep, persistent problems slowing progress across the industry.

We discuss:
Why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—and why misalignment is more common than we admit
The skill gap crisis: it’s not just about training, it’s about pay, experience, and opportunity
The AI distraction: why most companies aren’t ready, and how AI is best used today in manufacturing
The dangers of LinkedIn echo chambers and shiny object syndrome in tech selection
Why engineers struggle to move into consulting—and why they shouldn’t be afraid to try
The unique challenges (and hope) in mid-market manufacturing—and how nimble companies can still win
The need for a Sherpa, not a savior: how consultants should support, not dictate

Ryan’s story is filled with rich personal insights: from trading stocks and working at Deloitte, to recovering from a stroke and launching Axiom, he brings a grounded, field-tested perspective that connects strategy, operations, and technology in ways few others can.

If you're a plant manager, engineer, executive, or someone who helps manufacturers grow—this conversation will challenge your assumptions, validate your experiences, and probably make you laugh.

This isn’t just another talk about “digital transformation.” It’s a real look at what it takes to lead, adapt, and deliver in a manufacturing world that refuses to sit still.

🎥 We start by reflecting on the Prove It showcase, where Travis and Arlen demonstrated the power of Unified Namespace (UNS) and MQTT across every layer of the solution stack — from Edge devices, to the Ignition Gateway, to the Cloud.
➡️ Watch as we discuss their approach to scalability, ease of deployment, and why Ignition continues to lead the way in industrial digital infrastructure.

During the show, we cover:
✅ The real-world adoption of MQTT vs OPC UA in manufacturing environments, and why OPC UA is still dominant in many industries.
✅ Why naming conventions and early standardization are critical for successful UNS architectures.
✅ How to tackle data contextualization and overcome the "tech debt" so common in brownfield facilities.
✅ The importance of leadership-driven digital transformation and true IT/OT convergence.
✅ Why future-ready architectures require blending traditional technologies like OPC UA with MQTT and open standards.
✅ Insights into how small, medium, and enterprise manufacturers should approach digital transformation differently.

Travis shares incredible insights on:
🔹 The evolution of Ignition and its role as an IIoT platform
🔹 Why a common digital infrastructure is non-negotiable for scaling
🔹 How even small wins (like energy monitoring) can spark major cultural shifts in manufacturing organizations
🔹 The growing role of IT leaders in successful plant floor modernization efforts
🔹 How AI, ML, and advanced analytics will shape the future of real-time industrial operations

We also dive into broader industry trends seen at Prove It, including how other platforms like Frameworks (Tatsoft) and WinCC OA (Siemens) position themselves in the evolving digital manufacturing landscape.

Helpful Links: 🔗 Learn more about Inductive Automation: https://inductiveautomation.com
🔗 Manufacturing Hub Podcast Archives: https://manufacturinghub.live

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro and Prove It Recap
5:30 - First impressions of the Inductive Automation session
11:50 - MQTT vs OPC UA in real-world manufacturing
18:10 - Challenges of UNS deployment and the importance of standards
28:40 - IT/OT convergence and building unified teams
38:20 - What sparks digital transformation success?
47:10 - How Ignition fits into modern industrial architectures
55:00 - Closing thoughts on Prove It and the future of manufacturing

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, digital transformation, and manufacturing leadership every week!

🔹 What You’ll Learn:

• Glenn’s 3-part ERP mental model: Master Data, Transactions, Workflow
• The difference between push vs. pull supply chain systems (MRP vs. Lean)
• Why gross margin is the #1 financial metric you need to watch
• How MES and condition monitoring tools integrate with ERP
• Practical advice for engineers navigating digital transformation & MBAs

💡 Perfect for anyone struggling to make sense of their ERP, or looking to modernize their stack without losing their sanity.

📘 Recommended Reading:
 Lessons in Industrial Instrumentation by Tony Kuphaldt – Free online technical resource

👤 Guest:
 Glenn – Chief Product Officer at Waites and co-founder of a new digital transformation consultancy with Dylan Dufrene

🛠️ Sponsored by Talan
Experts in ERP integration across SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle
Learn more: https://www.talan.com
Catch Elvis from Talan in Episode 199

📌 Watch all ERP Month episodes: 199, 201, 203, 204
 🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe & Hit the Bell!

#ERP #Manufacturing #MES #DigitalTransformation #IndustrialAutomation #ManufacturingHub #EngineeringLeadership #SCADA #PlantOperations #Waites #Talan

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

Jay and RJ share their unique perspectives—Jay coming from 25 years in automation and becoming a Total ETO user-turned-employee, and RJ bringing three decades of software expertise focused specifically on this niche. Together, they break down:

The unique ERP needs of custom machine builders and SIs
Why project-based workflows don't fit traditional manufacturing ERPs
Common pitfalls like spreadsheet reliance and change order chaos
The difference between machine builders and system integrators (and how ERP can serve both)
How they approach implementation in 4–6 months, not 4–6 years
Why people who've used Total ETO often end up joining the company
Whether you're managing projects off scratch paper or already in the market for your first ERP, this episode is full of insights on how to bring structure and visibility to custom manufacturing.

💡 Key Topics
[00:02:00] Intro to Total ETO and backgrounds of Jay and RJ
[00:12:00] The life of a machine builder: high variability, custom BOMs, and the project-first mindset
[00:22:00] Why most ETO businesses still run on spreadsheets
[00:31:00] The emotional journey from ERP user to ERP evangelist
[00:39:00] System integrators vs. machine builders: similar goals, different workflows
[00:47:00] Why one-size-fits-all ERP fails for custom equipment manufacturing
[00:58:00] Getting buy-in for ERP: from small teams to company-wide rollouts
[01:07:00] Implementation: how Total ETO does it in under 6 months
[01:18:00] Integration with CAD tools like SolidWorks and Inventor
[01:26:00] The future: AI, web platforms, and the changing face of manufacturing software

🧠 Memorable Quotes
“Spreadsheets give me nightmares. That’s the main thing.” – Jay
“Nothing gets done accidentally. You have to make ERP implementation a priority.” – RJ
“We’re often a company’s first ERP—and we aim to be their last.” – RJ
“Everything in ETO is dynamic. It’s not static like mass production. And your ERP needs to reflect that.” – Jay

📚 Book & Content Recommendation
📰 Automation AMA – The Automation Navigator by Sean Dotson
Recommended by both Jay and RJ as an insightful, down-to-earth read for automation professionals.

🎉 Shoutouts
Thanks to TALAN for sponsoring this month’s ERP theme!

And a special mention to Taylor Dykstra for supporting Total ETO at ProMat this week!

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• Vlad Romanov
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• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

In this deep-dive episode of Manufacturing Hub, recorded live at the ProveIt Conference, we’re joined by Benson Hougland, Vice President at Opto 22—a company that has been quietly shaping the future of industrial automation for over 50 years.

Benson walks us through the journey of Opto 22: from its roots as the birthplace of the solid-state relay to becoming a leader in edge-native control platforms with the groov EPIC and groov RIO product lines. More importantly, he reveals how Opto 22 is tackling two of the most critical challenges in modern manufacturing: democratizing OT data and cybersecurity at the edge.

We cover:

✅ Who Opto 22 really is and what they set out to "prove" at the ProveIt Conference
✅ The role of the Unified Namespace (UNS) in enabling real-time industrial data architecture
✅ How Opto’s platforms help solve the "dark asset" problem in brownfield facilities
✅ Cybersecurity by design—not just bolted on later
✅ Why the controller of the future is more like a smartphone than a flip phone
✅ Running containers on the edge: what this unlocks for OT teams
✅ Long-term partnerships with companies like Inductive Automation and why that matters
✅ How Opto 22 systems remain IT-friendly, OT-usable, and fully made in the USA
✅ Their collaboration with the State of Indiana to bring energy-focused digital transformation to SMB manufacturers
✅ Lessons from past moonshots—like cellular control systems with Nokia that were ahead of their time
✅ What’s next: ML at the edge, scalable architectures, and more accessible solutions for plants without big digital teams

Throughout the conversation, Benson emphasizes a philosophy that will resonate with anyone trying to lead transformation in manufacturing: start small, solve a real problem, and scale with purpose. Whether you're tackling legacy infrastructure, looking to secure your OT layer, or just trying to make sense of the noise in the automation space, this episode will leave you with tangible ideas and a clear-eyed view of what's possible.

🎧 Plus: Why PLCs need to behave more like clients, why MQTT is so central to modern architectures, and how to get buy-in from leadership with energy wins.

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

We cover everything from:

What it was like managing ERP during Y2K

The critical difference between push vs. pull drivers for ERP change

How mergers and acquisitions shape ERP strategy

Why “people problems” derail ERP more than technology ever does

Real tactics for managing global rollouts (including Japan, France, Canada, and the U.S.)

His take on embedded AI in ERP platforms (and where it's really going)

Governance, risk, and how to actually drive adoption

Whether you’re an IT leader, plant manager, systems integrator, or just ERP-curious — this episode offers real-world lessons and practical guidance from someone who’s done it all.

🔹 Thank you to this month’s sponsor: TALAN
Helping manufacturers navigate ERP adoption, migration, and integration across SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, and more. Meet them at the American Manufacturing Summit in Chicago on March 19–20, or visit their site to learn more.

👇 Drop your questions or share your ERP war stories in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!

📌 Chapters 0:00 Intro
4:00 Tim’s Background & ERP Journey
9:00 Y2K & Early ERP Lessons
15:00 ERP Triggers: Push vs. Pull
22:00 M&A Integrations: How It Actually Happens
30:00 Roadblocks: People, Culture, and “We’re Special” Syndrome
40:00 Standardization vs. Flexibility in Rollouts
48:00 ERP Selection: Process, Partners, and Politics
58:00 Risk Mitigation & Change Management
1:05:00 MES, Data Ownership & Operational Autonomy
1:18:00 AI & the Future of ERP
1:25:00 Career Advice from Tim
1:30:00 Final Thoughts & Book Recommendation

🎧 Listen to Episode 199 with Elvis (Talen) for more on ERP selection
👉 https://youtu.be/YOUR-LINK-HERE

🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn
📬 Never miss an episode — subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform!

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• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
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Mark and Harry walk us through:

Their platform’s positioning as a SCADA, HMI, MES, and IIoT toolbox — all in one

How Frameworks handles real-time data, from connectivity (MQTT, OPC UA, SQL) to transformation and dynamic visualization

Why the “extra I in IIoT” matters when building for industrial environments

The challenges of IT/OT integration, people gaps, and legacy systems — and how Tatsoft tackles them head-on

A demo of their ProveIt solution, showing off auto-recognition of new assets, dynamic UI, and high-performance visualization across devices

Whether you’re an end user, system integrator, or OEM, this episode will help you understand how Tatsoft’s Frameworks V10 is enabling fast, scalable, and future-proof industrial applications — without compromise.

🔗 Learn more about Tatsoft: https://www.tatsoft.com
🎥 Live from the show floor at ProveIt 2025.
📅 Watch Manufacturing Hub live every Wednesday at 4PM ET.
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been a cornerstone of manufacturing operations for decades. They provide a centralized platform for managing finance, supply chain, inventory, production, logistics, and human resources. As digital transformation accelerates, ERP systems are evolving with advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and industrial data analytics. With an increasing number of manufacturers shifting from legacy on-premise systems to cloud-based ERP solutions, the landscape is rapidly changing.

Our guest, Elvis Burcul, brings over 30 years of experience in enterprise solutions, asset-intensive industries, and ERP deployments. In this episode, we explore:

✔️ His journey from electrical engineering to enterprise systems
✔️ ERP fundamentals – What it is, why it matters, and key challenges in implementation
✔️ Triggers for ERP investment – When should companies consider upgrading or migrating?
✔️ ERP vendor landscape – From industry giants (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft) to emerging, specialized solutions
✔️ The impact of AI, cloud computing, and data strategy on ERP decision-making
✔️ How to avoid implementation fatigue and ensure a smooth rollout
✔️ The importance of governance, integration, and aligning ERP with business goals

Why ERP Matters More Than Ever
ERP systems continue to play a fundamental role in manufacturing, with nearly half of all manufacturers actively using or considering ERP solutions. The ERP market has grown significantly in recent years and is expected to nearly double in size over the next decade. As companies look for ways to enhance efficiency and streamline operations, ERP adoption is increasingly seen as a competitive necessity rather than a luxury.

However, ERP implementations can be complex and costly, often taking years to fully integrate into a company’s workflow. Implementation fatigue, outdated data governance practices, and the struggle to extract meaningful insights from collected data remain significant barriers. A well-executed ERP strategy requires a clear roadmap, strong leadership support, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders to ensure long-term success.

AI, Cloud, and the Future of ERP
AI-powered ERP systems are now capable of predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and real-time decision-making, helping manufacturers optimize performance. Cloud-based ERP solutions are also reshaping the industry by providing greater scalability, accessibility, and security. The shift to cloud ERP allows companies to reduce infrastructure costs while improving data-driven decision-making through better integration with industrial IoT and other smart manufacturing technologies.

📢 Interested in ERP adoption or optimization? Connect with Elvis and the Talan team at Talan.com or visit them at the American Manufacturing Summit in Chicago (March 19-20, 2025).

🎧 Subscribe & Follow Us for more deep dives into manufacturing, automation, and digital transformation!

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This week, we’re diving into a full recap of the Prove It conference—one of the biggest and most talked-about industrial automation events, held last week in Dallas, Texas. If you've been anywhere near LinkedIn, you've probably seen the buzz!

What made Prove It different?

A real-world factory simulation with imperfect data
40 vendors challenged to "prove" their solutions in real time
Hard-hitting questions: What problem did you solve? How long did it take? How much did it cost?
A no-fluff format with tough audience Q&A
Our Key Takeaways:
✅ What It Means to "Prove It" – Success stories and areas for improvement
✅ The Best (and Not-So-Great) Presentations – What set some companies apart?
✅ Innovative Solutions & New Product Announcements – Highlights from HiveMQ Pulse, Litmus AI, Flow’s Timebase, and more
✅ The Role of Integrators – How firms like MAC Controls, JPI Solutions, and Concept Reply demonstrated practical applications
✅ The Future of Prove It – What we'd like to see in 2026

Join us as we break down the most exciting presentations, the surprises, the challenges, and the opportunities ahead in industrial automation.

Next Month: We’re diving deep into ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) in manufacturing! We’ll bring in experts, consultants, and end-users to discuss ERP selection, implementation, and optimization.

💬 Did you attend Prove It? What were your key takeaways? Let us know in the comments!

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! 🚀

#ManufacturingHub #ProveIt #IndustrialAutomation #ERP #IIoT #DigitalTransformation

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

In this episode, Dave and Vlad from Manufacturing Hub go behind the scenes with Walker Reynolds, discussing:
✅ The vision behind ProveIt – What it takes to create a community-driven industry event
✅ How vendors were challenged to solve real-world problems using real factory data
✅ Key takeaways from top presentations – Tulip, Litmus, Concept Reply/Snowflake, Google Cloud, Dell Native Edge, and more
✅ Lessons learned from integrating 36 vendors into a single, fully functional UNS
✅ The future of ProveIt – What’s coming for 2026 and beyond

🎯 Who should watch?
If you’re a manufacturing professional, systems integrator, engineer, or IT/OT leader, this episode is for you. Learn what’s working right now in digital transformation and how companies are leveraging UNS, MQTT, AI, and industrial software solutions to drive real results.

🔗 Key Topics & Timestamps
⏳ 00:00 – Welcome to Day 2 of ProveIt
⏳ 02:15 – Special thanks to Walker Reynolds and the ProveIt team
⏳ 05:30 – What makes ProveIt unique in the industry
⏳ 10:45 – Unified Namespace (UNS) and why it matters
⏳ 15:20 – Behind the scenes of the ProveIt Virtual Factory
⏳ 20:00 – Standout vendor presentations: Tulip, Litmus, Snowflake, Google Cloud, Dell
⏳ 35:10 – Hardest-hitting audience questions and responses
⏳ 50:45 – How ProveIt is changing the game for vendors & integrators
⏳ 01:05:30 – The future of ProveIt: Scaling up for 2026
⏳ 01:15:10 – Final thoughts and next steps

💡 Featured Companies & Solutions
⭐ HiveMQ – Industrial MQTT broker & Pulse Data Management
⭐ Litmus – AI-driven industrial data and UNS integration
⭐ Tulip – No-code MES and operator-driven solutions
⭐ Concept Reply / Snowflake – Cloud analytics & AI-powered manufacturing intelligence
⭐ Google Cloud – AI-powered industrial solutions
⭐ Dell Native Edge – Enterprise-scale infrastructure management
⭐ Siemens WinCC OA – Advanced industrial SCADA solutions

👥 Join the Community
🔗 ProveIt Discord Server
🔗 Manufacturing Hub Podcast on LinkedIn
🔗 Walker Reynolds & 4.0 Solutions

🔥 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to stay updated with the latest in manufacturing, automation, and digital transformation! 🔥

#ManufacturingHub #ProveIt2025 #Industry40 #UnifiedNamespace #DigitalTransformation #MQTT #IndustrialAutomation #SmartManufacturing

What We Cover in This Episode:

• ProveIt Conference Overview: What to expect, key themes, and why this event is unique in the industrial automation space.
• Infrastructure & Cloud Providers: Dell and Google Cloud—how they are powering the event and their roles in modern manufacturing architectures.
• Legacy & Next-Gen Providers: Siemens, AVEVA, Inductive Automation, Tatsoft—what they bring to the table and how they compare.
• Industrial DataOps Players: Litmus Automation, HiveMQ, and HiByte—the backbone of data transformation and connectivity in modern factories.
• Systems Integrators & Real-World Applications: The unique opportunity for SIs to showcase full-stack solutions and how they help bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern architectures.
• Key Challenges & Questions: The complexity of multi-vendor integration, data normalization, and real-time orchestration—what are the biggest technical and strategic hurdles?

Why You Should Listen

• Get insider insights before the event kicks off.
• Understand the latest trends in industrial automation, MQTT, UNS, and edge computing.
• Discover what solutions and innovations will shape the future of manufacturing connectivity.
• Learn how end-users and systems integrators are approaching digital transformation in factories today.

Join the Conversation!

If you’re attending ProveIt, let us know! Reach out to Dave or Vlad to connect at the conference. Follow Manufacturing Hub on LinkedIn, YouTube, and all podcast platforms to stay updated with live event coverage and post-show insights.

🎙️ Subscribe & Follow for more expert discussions on manufacturing, automation, and industrial technology!

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

This conversation explores a range of topics, from Zach’s personal journey in industrial automation and SCADA integration to his pioneering work in digital transformation education. We discuss Unified Namespace (UNS)—a powerful framework for structuring and scaling industrial data—and its role in breaking down silos and creating scalable, interoperable architectures.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Zach Scriven’s Background: His journey from SCADA integration in the water industry to co-founding 4.0 Solutions and IoT University.
✅ Unified Namespace (UNS): What it is, why it matters, and how it enables scalable industrial data architectures.
✅ Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: The need for a clear strategy, the challenges of data silos, and the shift toward IT-OT convergence.
✅ Edge Computing & Industrial Data Platforms: How Ignition, MQTT, Litmus Edge, HighByte, and HiveMQ are changing the landscape of industrial automation.
✅ Challenges in Legacy Industrial Systems: How companies with aging infrastructure can begin their digital transformation journey.
✅ The Future of Industrial Conferences – Prove It: Why traditional conferences fail to deliver value and how Prove It is disrupting the model by requiring vendors to "prove" their solutions in a real-world simulated environment.

References & Companies Mentioned:

📌 Unified Namespace (UNS) – A key architectural framework in Industry 4.0.
📌 Ignition by Inductive Automation – A leading SCADA and industrial application platform.
📌 HiveMQ & EMQX – MQTT brokers enabling scalable industrial data strategies.
📌 HighByte – An industrial DataOps solution for modeling and structuring data.
📌 Litmus Edge – A platform for edge computing and industrial data management.
📌 Rockwell Automation & Siemens – Leading industrial automation providers.
📌 Prove It Conference (Feb 18-20, 2025) – The first event where vendors must prove their solutions in a real-time, virtual factory environment.

About the Prove It Conference:

The Prove It conference is set to redefine the way industrial automation conferences operate. Unlike traditional events where vendors showcase theoretical solutions, Prove It requires companies to integrate their technologies into a shared virtual factory to demonstrate real-world use cases. Vendors such as Inductive Automation, HiveMQ, Siemens, Opto 22, Dell, Google Cloud, and more will be participating, showcasing how their platforms interact in a live digital ecosystem.

This conference represents the shift from sales-driven to results-driven events, ensuring that attendees see tangible demonstrations rather than just slide decks and sales pitches.

Why This Episode Matters:

This episode is essential for engineers, IT/OT professionals, plant managers, and executives looking to understand how to modernize industrial operations using cutting-edge software, data-driven decision-making, and scalable architectures. Whether you are just starting your digital transformation journey or looking to optimize an existing system, Zach provides valuable insights into where the industry is heading and how you can stay ahead.

🔹 Want to learn more about UNS and industrial data strategies? Check out IoT University for in-depth training: https://iot.university
🔹 Interested in attending Prove It? Get your tickets now before they sell out: https://proveitconference.com

📢 Stay Connected:
🔹 Follow Manufacturing Hub: LinkedIn | YouTube
🔹 Follow Zach Scriven: LinkedIn | IoT University
🔹 Follow Dave & Vlad: LinkedIn | LinkedIn

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on the latest in industrial automation and digital transformation!

Episode Highlights
Getting Started in Automation:
Kyle recounts his transition from studying technology information management at UC Santa Cruz to diving headfirst into the world of SCADA, HMI design, and industrial automation with Inductive Automation. His early days involved a steep learning curve with hands-on training through Inductive University, showcasing the importance of real-world problem solving right from the start.

Training & Onboarding Best Practices:
Discover how the industry’s hallmark training—ranging from the foundational core class to advanced database, scripting, and Perspective modules—is structured. Kyle explains how the approach has evolved from a “trial by fire” to a more measured, project-based learning that emphasizes understanding not just the tool, but also the underlying processes and terminology.

Specialization & Career Growth:
The conversation delves into the importance of role definition in automation teams. Whether you’re focused solely on HMI development or handling the complexities of tag management and PLC integration, learn why narrowing your expertise can be a game changer for career advancement.

Troubleshooting Methodologies:
Kyle breaks down his company’s four-phase troubleshooting cycle—discovery, identification, isolation, and resolution—which not only streamlines problem-solving but also ensures effective communication among support teams. This systematic approach is vital for resolving issues quickly in high-stakes industrial environments.

The Future of Industrial Training:
Looking ahead, the discussion touches on emerging trends such as integrating AI (including ChatGPT) and augmented reality tools like Apple Vision Pro into training programs. The hope is that these advancements will democratize learning in automation—from high school workshops to specialized professional training—bridging the gap between theory and real-world application.

Real-World Advice & Recommendations:
Along with career tips—like taking full advantage of free trials and not shying away from challenging projects—the episode also offers cultural recommendations, including movie nods (think Netflix’s “Carry On” for a SCADA twist) and a must-read book, Businesses Don't Fail, They Commit Suicide by Larry Mandelberger, which dives into the human and organizational aspects of business success.

Tune in for a conversation that’s as much about technical mastery as it is about the evolving landscape of industrial automation education. Whether you’re a newcomer eager to learn or a seasoned pro looking for fresh insights, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you thrive in the rapidly changing world of manufacturing and automation.

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Connect with Us

• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

The conversation begins with an exploration of Hans’ journey from Belgium to Denmark and Austria, tracing the pivotal moments that led him to a career in PLC programming. He shares insights into his early experiences working for machine builders, where he first encountered Siemens automation technology, before later expanding into Rockwell systems. Over the years, he has developed expertise in both platforms, allowing him to provide a balanced perspective on their strengths, weaknesses, and industry adoption.

A key focus of the discussion is the ongoing challenge of standardization in PLC programming. Hans explains how standardization typically occurs at the machine builder level rather than the end-user level, highlighting the importance of structured programming and modular software development. The conversation also explores the differing approaches between European and North American markets, where Siemens dominates in Europe while Rockwell remains the dominant platform in North America.

Hans provides valuable insights into career growth in automation, emphasizing the importance of working on commissioning projects and gaining hands-on experience with industrial machinery. He discusses how exposure to different machine builders and standards accelerates learning and enables engineers to develop better programming structures.

Another major topic covered is the role of training and upskilling in the industry. Hans shares the story of how he transitioned from freelancing to launching PLC Skilltree, his online training platform that provides structured courses for learning TIA Portal programming. He discusses the importance of creating modular, maintainable PLC programs and the growing need for engineers to develop structured programming skills rather than focusing solely on specific programming languages.

The conversation also touches on industry trends, including the potential impact of AI on PLC programming, the growing interest in virtual PLCs, and the shift toward industrial PCs for data collection and processing. Hans provides his perspective on whether AI will become a useful tool for automation engineers and how it might change the way PLC programs are developed in the future.

For engineers and automation professionals looking to advance their careers, Hans provides actionable advice on how to gain experience, work with different companies to broaden expertise, and improve software structuring skills. His insights offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to transition into freelancing, specialize in PLC programming, or build a career in industrial automation.

For more information on Hans’ training courses, visit PLC Skilltree, where he offers structured training for TIA Portal and automation programming. He also shares free resources, including a PLC structuring guide, designed to help engineers improve their programming approach.

Listeners interested in PLC programming, industrial automation, or career development in the manufacturing sector will find this episode highly informative. Whether you are an engineer looking to upskill, a machine builder working on PLC standardization, or a professional considering a transition into freelancing, this conversation provides deep insights into the realities of automation careers and the evolving landscape of industrial control systems.

Follow Manufacturing Hub for weekly conversations on automation, controls, and digital transformation. Subscribe on YouTube or listen on your preferred podcast platform.

🎓 Interested in learning TIA Portal programming?
Check out Hans’ PLC Skilltree training courses at www.plcskilltree.com and grab his free PLC Structuring Guide!

🔗 Connect with Hans on LinkedIn: Hans Schrynemakers
📺 Follow his YouTube channel for tutorials: PLC Skilltree on YouTube

💡 Follow Manufacturing Hub for more insights on automation, controls, and digital transformation!

🔴 Subscribe on YouTube: Manufacturing Hub YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Podcast Platforms: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

#Manufacturing #Automation #PLCProgramming #TIAportal #RockwellAutomation #Siemens #IndustrialAutomation #Training #ControlsEngineering #ManufacturingHub

This episode kicks off with an overview of the podcast’s 2025 format, which continues to be structured around monthly themes. This year, topics such as ERP, modern maintenance strategies, workforce upskilling, and industrial data management will take center stage. While some recurring topics like robotics, systems integration, and manufacturing intelligence will return, the podcast will also explore new themes to address emerging challenges in the industry.

Beyond the podcast, Dave and Vlad discuss the state of manufacturing going into 2025, breaking it down by key business functions:

Finance & Capital Investments – Companies are resuming automation and technology investments after a period of budget constraints. However, challenges remain in securing funding for new initiatives, especially for mid-sized manufacturers looking to scale operations. With interest rates still relatively high and economic uncertainty lingering, capital expenditures will need strong justification, emphasizing ROI and long-term cost reductions.

Workforce & Hiring Challenges – The talent shortage remains one of the biggest obstacles for manufacturing organizations. While many companies are investing in workforce development and training, the gap between available talent and industry demand continues to widen. The increasing complexity of industrial automation systems, combined with the push toward IT-OT integration, is making it even harder to find individuals with the right mix of skills. This challenge is particularly evident in sectors that require highly specialized knowledge, such as SCADA, MES, and industrial cybersecurity.

IT & Digital Transformation – More manufacturers are accelerating their adoption of cloud computing, IIoT, and advanced analytics, yet IT departments are often understaffed and struggling to implement these technologies effectively. The ongoing debate over who owns industrial data—IT or OT—continues to create friction in many organizations. Additionally, IT teams are being tasked with addressing growing cybersecurity risks, particularly as legacy systems remain vulnerable and require modernization.

Sales & Marketing in Industrial Automation – As the industry becomes more competitive, companies selling hardware, software, and integration services must refine their messaging to better communicate value to specific audiences. Instead of broad, generic marketing efforts, more targeted, technical content and direct engagement with decision-makers will be key. The challenge lies in translating technical capabilities into business outcomes, ensuring that sales strategies align with the evolving priorities of manufacturing leaders.

Operations & Production Management – The pressures on operations teams remain as high as ever. Whether due to supply chain fluctuations, increased product customization demands, or workforce shortages, maintaining efficiency while improving uptime is becoming increasingly complex. The role of data-driven decision-making in operations is expanding, with more companies seeking to optimize production through real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance strategies. However, the challenge remains in ensuring that frontline workers and plant managers have access to actionable insights rather than overwhelming amounts of raw data.

Additionally, Dave and Vlad outline their plans for attending major industry events in 2025, including Automate, Hannover Messe, Ignition Community Conference, and the Prove It Conference. While their focus will be on attending key events rather than producing content at every trade show, they emphasize the importance of staying engaged with industry developments and fostering in-person conversations.

This episode serves as a comprehensive preview of what to expect in manufacturing, automation, and industrial technology in 2025. The year ahead promises to be one of both challenges and opportunities, with companies navigating economic pressures, workforce shortages, and the rapid evolution of digital manufacturing technologies.

Join us as we set the stage for 2025, explore what’s ahead, and continue the conversation on how manufacturers can adapt, innovate, and stay competitive in an increasingly complex landscape.

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

4IR Solutions and IT-OT Convergence
4IR Solutions is a Solutions Partner within the Ignition Community, focusing on OT as a Service to help manufacturers manage patching, security, and system monitoring—common pain points for system integrators. Ignition has evolved from a SCADA tool to a data-centric platform that facilitates enterprise-wide connectivity.

James explains that IT and OT have historically operated in silos, but the adoption of Docker and Kubernetes in industrial environments is breaking these barriers. Traditional OT systems prioritize stability and uptime, while IT is focused on scalability and security. The challenge is implementing modern IT principles in an OT-friendly way.

Key Features of Ignition 8.3
The Ignition 8.3 update introduces file-based gateway configurations, making automation and scaling more efficient for system integrators. New drawing tools and event streams enhance real-time data visualization and workflow automation. Additionally, Helm charts offer enterprises a better way to manage large-scale deployments.

Bridging the IT-OT Divide
James highlights the organizational challenges of IT-OT convergence, noting that many manufacturers lack dedicated IT-OT professionals. 4IR Solutions often serves as a mediator between IT and OT teams, helping ensure security, compliance, and operational stability while enabling modernization efforts.

Takeaways from ICC 2023
James praises ICC’s community-driven atmosphere, where integrators, end users, and Inductive Automation’s leadership openly share knowledge. The collaborative nature of the conference allows for real-time feedback, which directly influences Ignition’s ongoing development.

Looking Ahead
4IR Solutions is leveraging Ignition 8.3 to improve automation, reduce costs, and enhance scalability for its customers. As IT-OT integration continues to evolve, manufacturers must embrace flexibility, security, and data-driven decision-making to stay competitive.

References from the Episode
4IR Solutions (James Burnand, CEO)
Ignition by Inductive Automation (SCADA, MES, Unified Namespace)
Docker & Kubernetes in Industrial Automation
Helm Charts & Enterprise Deployment Strategies
IT-OT Convergence & Security in OT Environments
This version keeps the depth while making it easier to read. Let me know if you need further refinements.

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Connect with Us

• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

Topics include:
✅ Key takeaways from 2024 in manufacturing, automation, and consulting
✅ The reality of AI in industrial settings—hype vs. practical applications
✅ Joltek’s training and upskilling initiatives + Kaplan’s focus on Ignition & automation strategy
✅ 2025 predictions: The impact of automation, labor shortages, and investment shifts
✅ Upcoming podcast themes and trade shows for next year
✅ Tech deep dives: Servers, NAS, and 3D printing for industrial use

🔗 References & Mentions:
Books: Main Street Millionaire by Cody Sanchez
Podcast: My First Million by Sam Parr & Shaan Puri
3D Printing Tech: Bamboo Labs A1
Tech Infrastructure: Dell Rack Server, Synology NAS, Ignition 8.3
Upcoming Trade Shows: ICC, Automate, SPS, Hannover Messe, ProveIt, Realize Live
Podcast Themes for 2025: AI, Digital Transformation, Industrial Data, Robotics, Systems Architecture, Training & Upskilling

If you're in manufacturing, automation, or industrial technology and want to collaborate, reach out to Vlad or Dave. Stay tuned for an exciting 2025!

******
Connect with Us

• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

Kent shares his fascinating journey, starting as a computer science graduate with a background in web development, ERP systems, and industrial automation before making his way into Inductive Automation. He takes us through the challenges and opportunities he encountered as he transitioned from technical roles into sales engineering, growing from one of the first hires in his division to leading a 30-plus-person team today.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Kent explains the role of a sales engineer and how it differs from traditional technical sales. He breaks down how sales engineers bridge technical expertise and customer engagement, ensuring that solutions meet real-world manufacturing challenges. He also discusses the growth of Inductive Automation, the company culture that has fueled his success, and how the Ignition platform has shaped the industrial automation industry.

Another key topic in this discussion is the Ignition Community Conference (ICC), which has become a central event for the Ignition ecosystem. Kent shares how the Build-a-Thon, a live competition where integrators showcase their automation skills, became a major attraction and why it highlights the true power of rapid development with Ignition.

Insights on Future Industry Trends
Kent provides his perspective on where the industry is heading, especially in terms of IT-OT convergence. He discusses how containerization and DevOps principles are making their way into manufacturing and why version control and structured deployments will become the norm. He also shares insights on how Ignition’s flexibility enables organizations to modernize their operations and prepare for the future.

Career Lessons and Key Takeaways
This episode is filled with valuable career advice for engineers and professionals looking to move into sales or leadership roles. Kent emphasizes the importance of working for a company that aligns with your goals rather than constantly chasing small pay increases. He discusses the need for clear communication, initiative, and the ability to adapt to different work styles.

For those considering a transition from technical roles to sales engineering, Kent breaks down the key skills required, the training process, and how Inductive Automation prepares its team members for success. He also highlights the importance of building a reputation within an organization, taking on new challenges, and creating opportunities through proactive engagement.

Behind-the-Scenes Stories and Fun Moments
Beyond the technical and career discussions, Kent shares some of the most entertaining moments from his time at Inductive Automation. He talks about how an impromptu on-stage rap performance during an Ignition product launch unexpectedly boosted his visibility within the company. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Inductive Automation uses its own software for internal processes, from CRM and training to office automation.

Who Should Watch This Episode?
This conversation is ideal for industrial professionals looking to understand the role of sales engineering, engineers considering a move into customer-facing roles, and manufacturing leaders exploring Ignition’s capabilities. It also offers practical career insights for anyone looking to grow within their organization and stand out in the industry.

If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments. Make sure to like, subscribe, and follow Manufacturing Hub for weekly conversations on manufacturing, automation, and technology.

******
Connect with Us

• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

References
1. Inductive Automation & Ignition SCADA

• Inductive Automation - Official Website
  https://inductiveautomation.com/
• Ignition SCADA - Overview & Features
  https://inductiveautomation.com/scada/
• Download Ignition (Free Trial & Maker Edition for Personal Use)
  https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/
• Ignition Exchange (Free Industrial Automation Templates & Modules)
  https://inductiveautomation.com/exchange/
• Ignition Community Conference (ICC) – Annual Conference
  https://inductiveautomation.com/resources/icc/
• Inductive Automation’s YouTube Channel (Webinars, Case Studies, Training)
  https://www.youtube.com/@InductiveAutomation

2. Sales Engineering & Career Development

• The Sales Engineer Handbook: A Guide to Sales Engineering & Technical Sales (Patrick Pissang)
  https://www.amazon.com/Sales-Engineer-Handbook-Technical-Engineering/dp/3982171402
• Mastering Technical Sales: The Sales Engineer’s Handbook (John Care, Aron Bohlig)
  https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Technical-Sales-Engineers-Handbook/dp/1608324262
• Harvard Business Review - What Makes a Great Sales Engineer?
  https://hbr.org/2019/04/what-makes-a-great-sales-engineer
• LinkedIn Sales Engineering Community – Discussions, Networking, and Career Advice
  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8948750/

3. IT-OT Convergence & Industrial Automation Trends

• ISA (International Society of Automation) – IT-OT Convergence Resources
  https://www.isa.org/topics/it-ot-convergence
• Industrial DevOps and Containerization in Manufacturing (Inductive Automation Blog)
  https://inductiveautomation.com/resources/article/modernizing-scada-with-devops/
• Understanding Unified Namespace (UNS) and MQTT for Industrial Automation
  https://cirrus-link.com/what-is-unified-namespace/
• ISA-95 Standard – Best Practices for IT and OT Integration
  https://www.isa.org/standards-and-publications/isa-standards/isa-95

4. Home Automation & Ignition for Personal Use

• Ignition Maker Edition (Free Version for Personal & Home Automation Projects)
  https://inductiveautomation.com/ignition/maker-edition/
• Home Automation with Ignition - Community Projects & Discussions
  https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/tags/home-automation
• Travis Cox on Using Ignition for Smart Home Automation (Podcast)
  https://www.theautomatorpodcast.com/episodes/travis-cox-home-automation-ignition

5. Kent Melville & Inductive Automation Socials

• Kent Melville on LinkedIn
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentmelville/
• Inductive Automation on LinkedIn
  

In this episode of The Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dave share career stories, key lessons, and valuable advice from their years of experience in manufacturing and industrial automation. They’ll discuss what it takes to grow in the industry, the skills that have been most valuable in their careers, and the challenges they’ve faced along the way.

Topics covered in this episode:
How to transition from an entry-level role to an advanced technical position
The key skills manufacturing professionals need to stay relevant
What engineers should consider when moving into management
Lessons learned from real-world manufacturing projects
Common pitfalls to avoid in career development
The importance of networking, continuous learning, and adaptability
Vlad and Dave will also be answering live questions from the audience. If you’re listening to this as a podcast, remember that you can join the conversation live every Wednesday at 4 PM Eastern / 1 PM Pacific on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Beyond career advice, this episode will also provide a sneak peek into The Manufacturing Hub’s 2025 plans. The podcast has long focused on monthly themes covering a wide range of manufacturing topics, from automation and digital transformation to industrial cybersecurity and AI in production. Vlad and Dave have been working on new themes for the upcoming year, and they’re excited to hear your thoughts.

If you have suggestions for future topics, guest recommendations, or are interested in sponsorship opportunities, don’t hesitate to reach out. This community is built around shared knowledge and open discussions, and every contribution helps shape the conversation.

Why This Episode Matters
For anyone in the manufacturing space, career growth is not just about mastering technical skills—it’s about understanding industry trends, learning from others' experiences, and positioning yourself for future opportunities. As automation continues to reshape the industry and new technologies emerge, professionals who can adapt, lead, and problem-solve will be in high demand.

Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. Join Vlad and Dave live each week to engage with the community and stay up to date on the latest trends in manufacturing, automation, industrial software, and technology.

About Manufacturing Hub:

Manufacturing Hub Network is an educational show hosted by two longtime industrial practitioners Dave Griffith and Vladimir Romanov. Together they try to answer big questions in the industry while having fun conversations with other interesting people. Come join us weekly!

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

We dive into Jim’s experiences transitioning from OT to IT, the challenges of balancing technical work with sales as a business owner, and his thoughts on the value of certifications versus hands-on learning. Jim also provides a behind-the-scenes look at the world of data historians, including his expertise with OSIsoft PI, Tableau, and Power BI, while offering advice for manufacturers looking to optimize their data.

One of the highlights of this episode is Jim’s unforgettable story about his senior project—a tale of problem-solving under pressure that shaped his approach to engineering and business. It’s a testament to the power of determination, creativity, and the willingness to learn.

Whether you're passionate about data-driven manufacturing, exploring career growth, or just looking for some inspiration, this episode has something for everyone. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with more insights from industry experts!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel to stay updated on the latest conversations with industry leaders. Hit the bell 🔔 to never miss an episode!

Thank you for tuning in to Manufacturing Hub. See you next week!

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• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

In this episode, Alicia opens up about her transition from process engineering to controls engineering and the lessons learned while navigating these fields. She explains how mentors shaped her career, how she tackled the steep learning curves of PLC programming, and why curiosity and emotional intelligence are essential for success in automation. Alicia also talks about her experience building high-performing technical teams, hiring engineers from diverse backgrounds, and fostering a culture of mentorship and growth.

We take a deep dive into the complexities of choosing the right control platforms, including Alicia’s candid comparison of Siemens and Rockwell, and her decision-making process when leading automation strategy for a startup. She also discusses the importance of data collection, MES systems, and predictive maintenance, emphasizing how organizations can start small and scale their digital transformation efforts over time.

Alicia shares her thoughts on the convergence of IT and OT, the future of automation, and how collaboration between controls engineers, software developers, and IT professionals will shape the industry. Her optimism for the future is inspiring, as she envisions a world where technology, processes, and people come together to solve complex manufacturing challenges.

Whether you’re an automation veteran, a newcomer to the industry, or simply curious about the future of manufacturing, this episode is packed with actionable insights, career advice, and thought-provoking discussions.

📖 Book Recommendation:
Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up by Jerry Colonna – A must-read for anyone looking to lead with empathy, integrity, and self-awareness in today’s fast-paced world.

💬 Join the Conversation:
We’d love to hear from you! What trends are you seeing in the automation industry? How do you see IT/OT convergence playing a role in the factories of the future? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

👉 Connect with Alicia on LinkedIn: Alicia Lomas

👉 Follow Manufacturing Hub for more episodes and insights!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel to stay updated on the latest conversations with industry leaders. Hit the bell 🔔 to never miss an episode!

Thank you for tuning in to Manufacturing Hub. See you next week!

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• Alicia Lomas
• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC
• Joltek

The discussion begins with an overview of what makes ICS cybersecurity distinct from traditional IT security. Jason explains how OT systems prioritize availability and safety, presenting unique challenges compared to the confidentiality-driven focus of IT. The conversation highlights key vulnerabilities in ICS environments, such as legacy systems that lack modern security features, poorly designed protocols without encryption, and the risks posed by IT/OT convergence.

Jason dives into common attack vectors, including social engineering (phishing), lateral movement from IT to OT networks, and physical access breaches. He explores real-world case studies like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, the Oldsmar water treatment plant hack, and the Stuxnet worm, illustrating how these vulnerabilities have been exploited and the lessons they offer for building stronger defenses.

The video also emphasizes the critical role of compliance and standards, such as ISA/IEC 62443, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and CIS Controls. Jason underscores the difference between compliance and real security, advocating for a "security first, compliance second" philosophy to ensure that organizations focus on mitigating actual risks rather than merely checking regulatory boxes.

As the conversation unfolds, Jason discusses the role of vendors and OEMs in securing ICS environments, detailing how Inductive Automation uses proactive measures like Pwn2Own competitions, bug bounty programs, and detailed security hardening guides to improve the security of their products. He highlights the importance of collaboration between vendors and customers to address challenges like long equipment lifecycles and the growing adoption of cloud services.

Emerging technologies also take center stage, with Jason exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming threat detection and response, while also enabling more sophisticated attacks like personalized phishing and adaptive malware. He addresses the implications of IT/OT convergence, emphasizing the need for collaboration between traditionally siloed teams and the importance of building shared security frameworks.

For organizations looking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, Jason offers practical steps, starting with foundational measures like asset management and configuration baselines. He explains how leveraging free resources, such as CIS Benchmarks, and creating a roadmap for cybersecurity maturity can help organizations of all sizes navigate these challenges, even with limited budgets.

Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction and Overview of ICS Cybersecurity
3:15 – Meet Jason Waits: Background and Journey to CISO
6:45 – What Is ICS Cybersecurity? Key Differences Between IT and OT
10:30 – The Importance of Availability and Safety in OT Systems
13:50 – Challenges of Legacy Systems and Long Equipment Lifecycles
17:20 – Attack Vectors: Social Engineering, Lateral Movement, and Physical Access
20:10 – Case Studies: Colonial Pipeline, Oldsmar Water Treatment Plant, and Stuxnet
25:35 – Compliance vs. Security: Jason’s “Security First, Compliance Second” Philosophy
30:00 – The Role of Vendors and OEMs in Cybersecurity
34:45 – Inductive Automation’s Approach: Pwn2Own, Bug Bounties, and Security Hardening Guides
40:00 – Emerging Technologies: AI in Threat Detection and the Risks of Sophisticated Phishing
45:10 – The Growing Adoption of Cloud in ICS and Its Implications
50:00 – IT/OT Convergence: Opportunities and Challenges
55:15 – Practical Steps for Organizations: Asset Management and Roadmaps
1:00:10 – Building a Security Culture: Collaboration Between IT and OT Teams
1:05:30 – Future Outlook: Increasing Regulations, Ransomware Risks, and Innovation
1:10:00 – Using Cybersecurity as a Competitive Advantage
1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts: The Need for Continuous Learning and Proactive Action

About Manufacturing Hub:
Manufacturing Hub Network is an educational show hosted by two longtime industrial practitioners Dave Griffith and Vladimir Romanov. Together they try to answer big questions in the industry while having fun conversations with other interesting people. Come join us weekly!

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We start by exploring Justin’s early career, where his unexpected leap from studying art to pursuing electrical engineering set the stage for his passion for problem-solving. From designing complex control systems for downhole pumps to leading automation projects across six continents, Justin’s career highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. He delves into his transition from engineering roles to business leadership, recounting his decision to start his own company, Sohoma, and how his 13 years of diverse experience and strong industry network enabled him to quickly scale his business.

Justin explains the challenges and rewards of balancing the technical and business sides of running a company. He reflects on the need for engineers to develop a business mindset while staying true to their technical expertise. Sharing his philosophy on leadership, he emphasizes the value of building teams, identifying strengths, and mentoring employees to grow both individually and collectively. Justin also discusses the importance of structuring businesses thoughtfully, including creating complementary entities to address specific market needs.

The conversation broadens into Justin’s experience in private equity, where he helps companies grow by providing mentorship, capital, and strategic direction. He offers advice for engineers interested in moving into private equity or starting their own businesses, encouraging them to focus on solving problems they know best. Justin also touches on the potential for engineers to add value to due diligence processes by leveraging their technical knowledge to evaluate opportunities.

Finally, we explore Justin’s thoughts on the role of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and its potential to optimize processes, enhance worker efficiency, and improve decision-making. He shares his perspective on the evolving dynamics of AI integration, highlighting the importance of empowering employees with these technologies rather than replacing them.

Whether you’re an engineer looking to explore the business side of manufacturing, a decision-maker seeking insights on digital transformation, or simply curious about the journey from technical expert to business leader, this episode is packed with actionable advice, inspiring stories, and valuable takeaways. Tune in to learn how to navigate the exciting intersection of engineering, entrepreneurship, and industry innovation.

About Manufacturing Hub:
Manufacturing Hub Network is an educational show hosted by two longtime industrial practitioners Dave Griffith and Vladimir Romanov. Together they try to answer big questions in the industry while having fun conversations with other interesting people. Come join us weekly!

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Seekers Technical originally focused on recruiting, but Derek and Sy have recently transitioned back to hands-on technical work, providing systems integration solutions for smaller businesses. They’re passionate about filling a niche market by offering customized, cost-effective automation solutions that large integrators might overlook. This pivot allows them to focus on small to medium-sized businesses that don’t have the budget for extensive automation systems. While recruiting helped them connect with top industry talent, their focus now lies in creating practical, efficient integration solutions that cater to the unique needs of smaller facilities.

On the technology front, Derek and Sy shared their insights into some exciting developments in automation, particularly with robotics, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). They highlighted the potential of ASRS technology, which allows manufacturers to optimize limited space by utilizing vertical storage. The increasing application of AMRs in manufacturing and warehousing is another trend they noted, as these robots handle repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency on the shop floor. Both Derek and Sy continue to work extensively with robotic arms, especially FANUC and five-axis models, which they believe are crucial to delivering flexible automation solutions.

AI’s role in industrial automation was another key topic. Derek and Sy view AI as a powerful tool for improving efficiency, especially in programming and repetitive tasks, but they caution against seeing it as a standalone solution. Sy described using AI to tackle complex calculations and SQL queries, while Derek shared how it has enhanced their recruiting processes by automating application screenings and interview preparations. They emphasized that while AI is useful, it’s not a silver bullet; instead, it should be seen as a complement to technical expertise, capable of streamlining routine tasks but not replacing human insight in critical decision-making.

Overall, Derek and Sy's approach combines practical technology solutions with a strong emphasis on the importance of hands-on experience, customization, and leveraging the right tools for each unique project. Their insights reveal a thoughtful, adaptable approach to systems integration, focusing on delivering value through both technological expertise and deep industry understanding.

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• Derrick Harrison
• Cy Sprouse
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Colby delves into the origins of Inductive Automation, highlighting the journey from a small integration tool to a global, open-platform solution that enables seamless IT-OT integration across diverse industries. He addresses the challenges of creating a platform flexible enough for applications in food & beverage, oil & gas, data centers, and even emerging fields like vertical farming—all while maintaining ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

We also cover the unique culture at Inductive Automation, the importance of Inductive University and its open, collaborative approach, as well as the dynamic community surrounding the annual ICC event. If you're an integrator, engineer, or simply curious about the future of industrial technology, this episode offers a rare look inside the innovations shaping our connected world.

Keywords:
Ignition 8.3, Inductive Automation, Industrial Automation, SCADA, IT-OT Convergence, Industrial IoT, Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Perspective Module, Colby Clegg, Ignition Platform, Data Integration

References:
Inductive University: https://inductiveuniversity.com/
Ignition 8.3 Release Notes: https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/releasenotes/8.1.33-SNAPSHOT
Perspective Drawing Editor Discussion: https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/perspective-drawing-editor-in-8-3-not-in-8-1/64911
Version Control and Future Versions of Ignition: https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/version-control-and-future-versions-of-ignition-8-3/74578
Inductive Automation Blog on Ignition 8.1.38: https://inductiveautomation.com/blog/ignition-8138-gateway-network-diagram-updates-leased-license-session-flexibility-gateway-encryption-keys
Inductive Automation Training Resources: https://training.inductiveautomation.com/
Inductive Automation Training Classes & Certification: https://inductiveautomation.com/training/classes-and-certification
Inductive Automation Previews Upcoming Ignition 8.3 Release: https://inductiveautomation.com/news/inductive-automation-previews-upcoming-ignition-83-release-announces-2024-ignition-firebrand-award-w

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