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Maximizing Factory Operations: Key Design Essentials for Industrial Computers
Robotics and automated systems are revolutionizing factory operations by driving precision, speed, and efficiency improvements. Industrial computers serve as the backbone of these systems. Industrial computers serve several key functions in factory automation, including: Process and Control Monitoring Data Acquisition and Analysis Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Systems Automation and […]
Supply Chain Considerations to Reduce Industrial Computer Lead Times
Amidst product development, software development, sales, and marketing, supply chain can easily be overlooked. But in many ways, it’s the most important factor in bringing your product to market. It can make or break a project because it all comes down to one simple question: Can you deliver affordably and on time? Reduction of Lead […]
How BOM Freezes Fit into Long-Term Lifecycle Management Strategy for Medical Device Applications
A bill of materials (BOM) freeze, also known as a BOM lock or BOM lockdown, is just that: no changes to the system’s critical components once the design is finalized. Depending on the device, a freeze covers the motherboard, CPU, storage/SSD, RAM, expansion cards, and even custom BIOSes. On the component level, this involves monitoring […]
How Industrial PCs Are Different From Regular PCs
Industrial computers are categorized differently from regular PCs because they are specially developed to withstand harsh industrial environments. As well, they are designed to have a longer life-span compared to regular computers. Industrial computers do contain most of the basic components that regular PCs have. Such as CPUs, hard drives, graphic cards and memory. The […]
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Maximizing Factory Operations: Key Design Essentials for Industrial Computers
Robotics and automated systems are revolutionizing factory operations by driving precision, speed, and efficiency improvements. Industrial computers serve as the backbone of these systems. Industrial computers serve several key functions in factory automation, including: Process and Control Monitoring Data Acquisition and Analysis Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Systems Automation and […]
Supply Chain Considerations to Reduce Industrial Computer Lead Times
Amidst product development, software development, sales, and marketing, supply chain can easily be overlooked. But in many ways, it’s the most important factor in bringing your product to market. It can make or break a project because it all comes down to one simple question: Can you deliver affordably and on time? Reduction of Lead […]
How BOM Freezes Fit into Long-Term Lifecycle Management Strategy for Medical Device Applications
A bill of materials (BOM) freeze, also known as a BOM lock or BOM lockdown, is just that: no changes to the system’s critical components once the design is finalized. Depending on the device, a freeze covers the motherboard, CPU, storage/SSD, RAM, expansion cards, and even custom BIOSes. On the component level, this involves monitoring […]
How Industrial PCs Are Different From Regular PCs
Industrial computers are categorized differently from regular PCs because they are specially developed to withstand harsh industrial environments. As well, they are designed to have a longer life-span compared to regular computers. Industrial computers do contain most of the basic components that regular PCs have. Such as CPUs, hard drives, graphic cards and memory. The […]
An introduction to Fanless PC Cooling
Are you wondering if it is possible to keep your PC cool without a fan? Well, thanks to developments in technology and a clever application of physics, it is. Fans used to be an essential component for a computer to function properly, but they can fail at crucial times, forcing you to lose data and […]
Windows 11 IOT Enterprise LTSC vs Windows 11 Pro
A Quick Summary of Windows 11 Versions To fully understand how Windows 11 IOT LTSC differs from other versions, lets take a quick look at the different versions of Windows 11. Windows 11 was the next major operating system released to replace Windows 10. It was released at the tail end of 2021 in 2 […]
WHAT ARE AI COMPUTERS?
The field of artificial intelligence is one that has been around for a while, though most are acquainted with it through Sci Fi. It is typically described as some sort of robot or machine given human-like sentience and the stories center around all the repercussions of such a scenario. While that may be a possibility […]
Cincoze DS-1002 Improves Automated Process for Asparagus Sorting
Introduction The European food processing machine manufacturer is one of the market leaders in design and manufacture of sorting and packing machinery for fruits and vegetables. The company’s mission is to assist its customers to improve operational efficiency and productivity via innovative technologies. A project was initiated for an asparagus producer to use its specialized […]
Electronics Manufacturer Optimizes Production by Monitoring Equipment with DE-1000 PC-based Log Recorder
Introduction Electronics manufacturing today is increasingly complex. It requires abundant labor forces and high standard production and test verification. Inefficient production processes result in waste of labor, time, materials and machine costs. A consumer electronics manufacturer in Southeast Asia needed to upgrade its production line to collect data from production equipment for data visualization and […]
The Role Of Rugged Computers In Industrial Automation
Industrial automation is the use of control systems like robots and rugged computers to handle different processes and machinery with minimal human assistance. A rugged computer is a PC designed to function under harsh conditions and environments, e.g., extreme temperatures, vibrations, dusty and wet conditions. These two have led to the automation of monitoring, design, […]
Requirements That Rugged Industrial Computers Have To Meet
A rugged industrial computer is designed to operate reliably and efficiently in harsh conditions and environments. For instance, strong vibrations, dusty or wet conditions, and extreme temperatures. Rugged Embedded Computers are made to withstand rough conditions in their external housing, cooling arrangements, and internal components. All rugged industrial computers have to meet specific requirements to […]
OEM/ODM: Where does ROI come from?
Image Credit: Flickr/ EpicTop10.com In the past, we’ve talked about what OEM/ODM really means, and ways it can benefit your company–including a higher overall return on investment and the ability to design your hardware and software packages to your company’s particular specifications. But you might be wondering where exactly that higher ROI comes from. The […]
How Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) Save Lives
Image Credit: Pacific Southwest Forest Service According to a recent study done by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, there is a growing need to modernize 911 emergency call centers with cloud-based computing devices. Booming metropolitan populations and new safety and health risks, have created a demand for faster, more responsive Departments. This is a […]
What are the Benefits of Using OEM Technology?
OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) technology is a commonly used term in the field of industrial computers to refer to high-quality and cost-effective computer equipment available for purchase that is intended to be built into a larger product. The purchasing party is receiving these OEM parts and recombining them with other technology, to create an original […]
What are OEM/ODM computer services?
If you’ve been keeping up with industrial computers long enough, chances are you’ve heard the terms OEM and ODM at least once. However, understanding how these services differ and what they are used for is usually broader and more complicated than it seems. So what are the difference between OEM and ODM and the services […]
Why should your business use Industrial Computers?
Industrial computers are utilized in many different factories and industrial workforce tasks. One of the main advantages of using them is their ability to operate in the harshest environments with little to no effects on performance or productivity. There are some key reasons why many businesses prefer industrial PCs over standard retail computers and we’ll […]
4 Reasons Your Business Should Use Industrial Computers
An industrial computer is one that is designed for use in industry, which is to say the production of goods, manufacture of machinery, or processing of raw materials. As such, they have many unique benefits over the average consumer desktop. When designing for these applications, it is important to build the computers to be able […]
Tablets or Panel PCs for Industrial Use?
From the first industrial computer released by IBM in 1984 to today, the Panel PC has been one of the most important iterations of the computing movement. With a wide range of customizable options, a Panel PCs can meet and exceed your expectations and needs for industrial computing. But, is a Panel PC a good […]
Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy a Computer? Part 2
Last week, we went over the pros and cons of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computers and barebones computers. This week, I am going to go over a Custom Build from Parts computer and a Custom Designed Computer, and the reasons why someone would prefer these systems for their business. Why Do a Custom Computer […]
Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy a Computer? Part 1
As an engineer or project manager in charge of crafting a product to bring to market, there are multitudes of considerations to juggle. But in the process of New Product Introduction, and even when revamping an old product to bring it up to date, you are likely to come to one perennial fork in […]
Computer Assembly for Concierge Medical Practices
Physicians who decide to break away from traditional hospital-based relationships and establish concierge medical practices will need to outsource the products and services for their computer-based systems and devices. Setting up such a physician operated and patient-centered practice will require inventory and logistics, computer assembly, testing and burn-in and of course, extended service. Physicians […]
The Importance of SSD’s for Your Business
Hard drives may be more common, but solid-state drives are far more superior for business and commercial usage. In addition to providing much more computing power for new computers and web servers, solid-state drives can also improve the performance of existing computers and servers for only a fraction of the amount you would pay if […]
How OEM Branding Could Improve Your Business
How OEM branding could improve your business As an OEM company, you want to provide your customers with the best products and service possible. While purchasing generic or white box solutions may be a convenient way to bring your products to market quickly, you are limiting the potential of your company by not using branded […]
What Is a 3.5 inch Motherboard?
Most tech consumers are familiar with the ATX, Micro ATX and even Mini ITX form factors that proliferate the computer market. But once you step off the cozy platform of consumer computers and into the world of Industrial and OEM computers, you are bound to be hit by form factors and pieces of tech that […]
Does Your OEM Business Require Supply Chain Management Services?
For an OEM business, supply chain management, and logistics can be a hard matrix to navigate. From safely storing products to ensuring products reach your end-customers as quickly and efficiently as possible, effective supply chain management can be a time-consuming process that takes time away from developing and advancing your company. So, let’s look at […]
The Importance of OEM Computer Assembly
For a computer system to work to maximum efficiency and reliability, quality computer assembly is required. For instance, even if a computer is configured using the latest computer components, if they are not assembled in a proper ESD environment by experienced professionals, the MTBF can be decreased and the probability for failure in the field […]
Everything You Need To Know About Burn-In Computer Testing
The burn-in testing of a computer system can be a relatively simple or complex task depending on the nature of the computer. It is essential the burn-in of a computer is not avoided as it is an important step in determining the efficiency, reliability, and repeatability of a product. Below we look at the process […]
How Panel PCs Improve Workflow in an Industrial Environment
Experts from various industries have come to depend on electronic devices like PCs to complete an assortment of undertakings. The often unconventional and extreme conditions of industrial environments, however, generally require specially designed tools for the job. Panel PCs biggest benefits are several depending on your needs, but the most common ones are the following: […]
VR is Transforming Healthcare: Here’s How
Virtual reality (VR) is developing in leaps and bounds, but it’s not all about gaming. In fact, VR promises the medical industry a whole host of benefits. Planning Before completing a complicated operation, surgeons can now plan more carefully using VR. They’ll effectively be able to have a trial run, carrying out a pretend […]
Getting Up-to-Date With Industrial Computing Trends
At New Era Electronics, we like to keep up to date with the latest and emerging trends in industrial computing for manufacturers. Already nearly halfway through what has been an exciting technological year, it’s time to review a couple of the exciting industrial computing advancements that have occurred to date. It’s The Year […]
What is Lifecycle in the World of Industrial Computers?
The term Lifecycle carries different nuances, depending on the industry in which it is used. In general, it refers to the various stages of a project or product deployment within a company. Within the IT world, it can refer to the different stages within the lifespan of a specific piece of hardware or software that […]
Edge Analytics and Fast Data: The Core of IOT
IOT is a buzzword that has been thrown around for the past couple of years. Perhaps some people assumed it would be just that, a buzzword, and have dedicated no further attention to the subject. But much like the term “cloud computing” evolved from an interesting concept to a data infrastructure that we all rely […]
5 Ways Cloud Computing is Improving Industrial Business
With the emergence of new players in most industrial sectors of the market, many companies need to find ways to remain competitive. One of the logical ways to maintain an edge over the competition is to harness new technology. The cloud is seen as a cost effective way to manage data and run workflows that […]
How Cognitive Computing is Shaking Up the Healthcare Industry
The core concept of cognitive computing is to use computer modeling to process and simulate human thought, conversation and reasoning. That alone is exciting enough. But the growing combination of interactive computing, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing’s big data processing and storage capacity means several industries are set to be completely revolutionized by cognitive computing. […]
2017 New Trends in Industrial Computing
The predicted 2017 trends in industrial computing will see the emergence of amazing technology designed to improve efficiency across many market sectors. Get on board with this wave now. Cloud Computing Taking Off in New Ways Cloud computing is set to have a greater influence on how data is managed and distributed in 2017. There […]
How AI Voice Technology Can Impact Industrial Computing – Part 2
Industrial Applications for AI While research into artificial intelligence (AI) has been going on for a few decades and there have been several breakthroughs, now is the time that it will explode into industrial workplaces. Google’s and Amazon’s research facilities are humming along making great strides in the application of AI technology for lifestyle management […]
How AI Voice Technology Can Impact Industrial Computing – Part 1
AI in Lifestyle Management Apple introduced artificial intelligence (AI) voice technology in the form of its personal assistant, Siri, over five years ago. Apple has since incorporated Siri in all its devices including iPhones, smart watches and Mac devices. Since then competition has got hotter, with other providers upping their game to provide serious rivalry […]
What to Expect in 2017 for IoT Gateways
The Internet of Things (IoT) is experiencing exponential growth, a trend that will continue in 2017. The main stars of the show will undoubtedly be IoT gateways. They act as traffic controllers, directing the data flowing from connected automated devices to computing facilities. A fundamental requirement for IoT growth therefore is the necessity for reliable […]
Four Industries That Will Be Changed by Virtual Reality
Potential is no longer limited to the reality we live in. Virtual reality is the way ahead for so many industries and businesses. What started as a concept that many thought was clunky and gimmicky, or was limited to the realm of sci-fi, now stands side-by-side with the IoT as the most exciting modern advancement […]
What’s in the Future for Facial Recognition in Industrial Computing?
It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of a cellphone was hard to grasp; and then it wasn’t. The notion of video conferencing seemed like something out of Star Trek, and then it became how many of us operate our business and personal life. So what about facial recognition? Well, it’s already here and […]
Intelligent Video Analytics and IoT
Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA) is the use of specialized computer hardware and software to automatically analyze video for many purposes, including motion tracking, facial recognition, object recognition, even flame and smoke detection. While this technology has been present for several years, it has come to prominence recently due to several technological factors, including higher resolutions, […]
Top Five Uses for IoT Gateways in Industrial Computing
Application of the Internet of Things (IoT) is growing rapidly throughout industry and interacting with aspects of our daily lives. Gartner, one of the world’s leading IT research and advisory companies, predicts that the IoT will include 26 billion connected units by 2020. The spread of IoT technology has been made possible by cloud computing. […]
VR Has Arrived and It’s Here to Stay
VR (Virtual Reality) has arrived and it’s here to stay… or rather it’s been here for a while. Over the decades it’s tried to break out of the realm of mere concept and “sci-fi” several times, usually by a single company using the term “virtual reality” as a gimmick to sell some product. But that […]
Dell to Boost Its Status in Industrial Computing With New Embedded PCs
Dell has launched the Embedded Box PC 3000 and 5000 Series of industrial computers. There is no question this will enhance Dell’s position as a leading player and partner in the embedded PC market. As a bonus, Dell is offering these computers as unbranded PCs, allowing you to apply your own label. What’s the Big […]
Seven Reasons Why Your Industrial Computers Need to Be Fanless
If you work in heavy industry, mining, manufacturing, the military, transportation, even healthcare, you know that conventional computers are not robust enough to withstand harsh industrial environments and can sometimes spread debris and contaminants. Conventional computers have fans to cool parts and components. These fans bothdraw in hot and dusty air and blow air out […]
The Future of Flash Memory Storage in Industrial Computing
The future of flash memory storage looks phenomenal. So get the image of a flash thumb drive out of your mind because it’s gone way beyond that. Flash memory storage, in industrial computing as well as in the corporate world and the IoT, will be adopted by more and more enterprises.In the consumer market, currently […]
The Role of IoT in Industrial Computing
Great strides have been made in integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) into industrial automation over recent years. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is also referred to as Industry 4.0 because application of these technologies is seen as the fourth revolution in industry. The Fourth Industrial Revolution The three previous industrial revolutions were about […]
IoT Gateways – Your Simple Guide to the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a simple concept: literally everything that can accept and transmit data automatically. The IoT is the next evolutionary step toward fully integrated business operations and indeed daily living. We already see it growing all around us – online and mobile communications connect everyone and almost everything. Put even more […]
5 Industry Uses for a Mini-PC
The mini-PC continues to surge in popularity. Just watch and see the many mini-PC industry uses that will come about, as well as the ones already happening. Better Than Hard Disk Drives Whereas most traditional PCs use a hard disk drive (HDD), modern mini-PCs almost always use a solid state drive (SSD), MSATA or M.2 […]
How Adopting Digital Signage Can Boost Your Small Business
Do you feel like the big boys of business have the advantage in advertising and signage? Not any more. Digital signage is the way to go in promotional innovation and budget is no longer the dominating factor. Digital signage is all about consumer engagement. It levels the playing field, promotes the uniqueness of your business, […]
The Mini-PC: So Small, Yet So Many Uses
Over the past year, we’ve seen the rise of the mini-PC, a device with the processing power of a regular PC but far smaller in size. Many mini-PCs on the market can fit into the palm of your hand. And recent Quark processors from Intel are as small as an SD card. Remarkable. Revolutionary. The […]
The Coming Revolution of the Ultra-Compact Form Factor Computer
Ultra-compact form factor technology is starting a revolution. Humans have always loved technology that becomes more compact, yet smarter, more powerful and more flexible. This super-small technology is promising to make regular desktop computers, and even some laptops and portable devices, obsolete. For starters, ultra-compact form factor computers are drastically decreasing the space businesses and […]
Is There a Market for Wearable Technology in Industry?
The consumer market is where wearable technology has had the most exposure so far. By now most of us have heard about the wearable technology available for personal use. Sports enthusiasts and fitness fanatics are using strap-on devices to measure blood pressure, heart rate, the number of steps taken and lap times, all while syncing […]
Common Mistakes DIY PC Builders Should Avoid
Building your own PC can be an exhilarating challenge. Putting together a machine that performs exactly the way you design is a process that takes time and perseverance, but should ultimately be rewarding. The journey of learning and innovating may even lead to a career in the specialist electronics field. However, many DIY PC builders […]
Five Software Development Considerations for Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are always unique and customized for the functions and services they perform. When designing and programming software for embedded systems, development teams must carefully consider all options to ensure the product meets exacting specifications. They need to comprehensively review development options and determine how best to optimize their embedded systems to meet functionality […]
A Custom Build Computer Hobby Could Kickstart Your Electronics Career
Some of the greatest innovations of our time have occurred because of people studying and customizing computers. The late Apple CEO Steve Jobs built his first personal computer from spare parts sent by William Hewlett of Hewlett & Packard. Or when creating the first Star Wars movie, the team at Industrial Light & Magic had […]
Features to Consider for Customized Embedded Boards
Industrial processes and applications continue to become more specialized and sophisticated. Furthermore, future technologies are rendering many off-the-shelf, stand-alone single board computers (SBC) expensive and/or unable to adapt. This is where customized embedded boards can be the simpler and more cost effective solution for large-scale operations. Embedded boards are widely in use in a wide […]
Optical Bonding of Touch Screens on Displays
Optical Bonding: ‘Preventing a Poke in the Eye with a Sharp Stick’ Optical Bonding of Touch Screens is the process used to attach a protective layer to the outer surface of a display. Touch screens are finding new uses in consumer, commercial and industrial settings and due to the capability of adding protection to the […]
Benefits of Sourcing Computer Parts from OEM Distributors
Continuous innovation in the electronics industry means businesses are constantly sourcing computer parts to upgrade or replace obsolete systems. Large industrial and small commercial companies rely on their electronic hardware for their day-to-day operations—every task, large and small, is essential for the quality of their products and services. Therefore, businesses benefit from using dedicated OEM […]
Liquid Crystal Display (Thin Film Transistor) TFT Technology
Liquid Crystal Display Thin Film Transistor – LCD TFT Technology Displays Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Displays or TFT LCD is an active matrix LCD as opposed to the non TFT variant which is passive. LCD came on the scene in the late sixties further to developments by RCA. Optel Corporation provided the first application […]
Benefits of Industrial Built Computers in Rugged Environments
Rugged Environments Need Rugged Computers Did you ever wonder how electronic devices you see in use everyday are made to work in Industrial settings? Unlike the environment in which you use your devices, the Industrial environment is harsh and damaging to these consumer devices. Investing in the ‘ruggedization’ of devices for use in an Industrial […]
The Importance of Having the Right Industrial Chassis
One Hous(ing) Many Solutions: The Industrial Chassis A major component of a solution required in an industrial environment is the Industrial Chassis. Companies with Industrial environments rely on unique solutions to be more competitive in their local and global environments and it is the incorporation of electronic systems into the business that drives this competitive […]
Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX: The Embedded Story
What are the pros and cons for Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX for embedded and industrial applications? For consumer desktop and enterprise applications, it’s almost a no brainer to go for a Micro-ATX or ATX. In embedded applications, things tend to lean more to the Mini-ITX side of things. Let’s take a look at why that may […]
What Makes Embedded Systems Different?
In a recent blog, we posed the question “What is the real difference between an embedded system and a regular consumer system?”. The most important difference that was highlighted in that blog was that embedded systems have long lifecycles ranging from 3-7 years. Explaining why that was necessary for many embedded applications. This isn’t the […]
Embedded Systems vs Consumer Systems: What’s the real difference?
If you’ve worked in the industrial computing industry for any length of time, there is one question that is bound to have come up at one point. “What is an embedded system?” And more importantly, “what is the difference between an embedded system and an ordinary consumer system?” It’s likely that you’ve even been in […]
Selecting a Mini-ITX board
The Typical Embedded Board When selecting an embedded board to fit a task, or when asked by a customer for an embedded board, 9 times out of 10 it is going to be a Mini-ITX board. There is plenty of reasoning as to why this is the case. First and foremost is the subject of […]
What are Pico – ITX Boards?
The Pico-ITX board is a small sized x86 embedded motherboard that is 10 cm by 7.2 cm. This board carries the processor, cache, memory, a variety of video interfaces and several different I/O. These boards were introduced by VIA Technologies in 2007. Developed by VIA to be up to 75% smaller than the previous mini-ITX […]
A Push toward the Future with Panel PCs for Industry
There’s a continuing push in the field of technology for smaller and more specialized computing. The personal computer has remained a constant platform for a few decades and will be around for some time to come, but users have started to understand that for particular use cases a more specialized type of machine should be […]
Handle It: Wide-Temperature Motherboards and Embedded Computing
The industrial computing world has to react to the needs of its customers, buyers who range from high level database creators to manufacturing designers. Such varying kinds of use-cases can mean wildly different environments that must be endured by devices that need to keep operating as long and as effectively as possible. Typical commercial products […]
The Hotbox: Heat Issues with Mini-ITX Cases
In the industrial computing world, the topic of heat output comes up with such regularity because of the challenges it can bring to a build. Unless a designer is willing to include expensive cooling systems, dissipation remains one of the main issues; plenty of factors come into play when considering the heating issue. Device size […]
Got the Shakes: Causes and Effects of Vibration in Embedded Computing
Picture this: a military company is trying to create a new system to put into the field. It will be used in a mobile communication platform operating in Afghanistan. Within these parameters, naturally there are a number of aspects that the designers need to take into account. Two of the highest ones on the list […]
Built Tough: Use Cases for Industrial RAM
Can you put your mind in the same space as an engineer? Not only do people in this profession have to complete many years of schooling, but they are constantly thrown into problematic situations requiring ingenuity to solve. It’s essentially a vocation filled with problem solvers; people who look at an issue and use their […]
How an Embedded CPU can use the ARM Architecture
Something that shouldn’t be underestimated when creating embedded machines is the need for a strong processor. There are a whole suite of components that a developer or OEM needs to concentrate on, but most are not as important as the CPU. Understanding what power demands are allotted for the overall product and what it has […]
AEC-6613 Fanless Embedded System Ideal For Demanding Environments
The AEC-6613 Fanless Embedded System is an all-around good product that is a suitable fit for the majority of applications. Its low power, fanless, design makes it especially ideal for more demanding environments where temperatures can pose an issue. The AEC-6613 can be optimally used in the following applications: In-vehicle, Multimedia Digital signage Tip: Pair […]
The Planar Solution for Digital Signage Computers
Advertising, as a business and culture, has changed drastically, especially over the last decade. New avenues to create different kinds of signage are being explored. This, along with a shift away from print, has altered the way companies spend their ad revenue. The digital age puts innovative technology at the forefront and creates new ad […]
From Old to New: The Need for Evolution in Single Board Computers
Military designers must hold one of the most frustrating vocations in the tech field. They may have a seemingly infinite number of resources and get to play with some of the latest and most interesting technology in the world, but they also have to deal with an inherent problem baked into the industry. Military technology […]
Using Linux to Help Build Your Own Computer
Previously, we looked at the importance of choosing a good OS. More specifically, that blog talked about the Windows Embedded platform, an operating system tailor-made for industrial systems, and one that provides a great deal of the functionality that these machines need. It works extremely well on the hardware and can be considered an industry […]
Call Me Haswell: The Newest CPU in Computer Components
If there is one thing you can bet on in the technology world, especially in computing, it’s that the upcoming best component is always on the horizon. The constant march of progress has very little chance of stopping, which means that hardware manufacturers are always going to be thinking of the next revolution and “flashpoint” […]
Connections: Network Attached Storage and Industrial Computing Needs
Storage is an interesting quandary within the computing community. There are two different ideas on the matter, which match up to the different use cases within the industrial field. There is always demand for a machine/PC with a single or multiple large hard drives that allow for lots of storage and quick access, depending on […]
Withstanding: NEMA Ratings and the Rugged System
A quick experiment: think about some of the industrial computers that a company uses for their everyday functions. Where is that electronic device being placed? Is it used indoors, on a dusty warehouse floor? Or is it exposed to the elements in challenging outdoor environments? The real poser is: how do you know that the […]
Discover a Great Supplier for Your Embedded System Projects
In the entire business world, networking is touted as one of the most important aspects of success. Knowing that right person who can provide your business with the best information or product at exactly the right time can be key to ensuring that your company progresses and reaches its next evolution. Networking can be a […]
The (Technological) Big Guns: Finding the Supreme Full Size CPU Card
In retrospect, power can be awe-inspiring. When charting the advancement of technology in the last thirty years, the industry has increased processing power, graphical capability, and storage space by at least thirty fold. Size requirements for supercomputers have shrunk to handheld devices, and the modern cellphone can handle just about every function of a full […]
Necessary Features in an In-Vehicle PC
You have a vehicle application that requires an embedded computer and no computer to fill it. Where do you start? Well, looking in the embedded computing sector for a rugged PC is a step in the right direction but, as you know, there is a specific set of required features, such as unique I/O (input-output) […]
The Metallic Hand: Industrial Robotics and Embedded System Hardware
Industry has always pushed in two seemingly opposite, yet connected directions. The first is embracing the creative and logical side of the human element. A good worker, trained in his or her craft and knowledgeable about a product or process, will produce the best outcome and push a design further than it specifications. The other […]
Machine Behind the Reels: The Basics of Gaming Computers
Stepping into any casino these days, you will be confronted by the bright flashing lights and ringing, jingling sounds that constantly fill the entire space. Walking around the slot machine or video poker section offers an absolute ton of games to tantalize you and your wallet, ranging from traditional-style three reel slots to high end, […]
PCIe Mini Card for Industrial Applications
Getting an embedded system that is perfect for your specific application can be tough. You can have an industrial motherboard or system that perfectly suits every need for your specific application… except for one. Whatever that missing piece is, it may either be something that would be convenient to have for your application or, in […]
Small in all the Right Ways: The Mini-ITX Motherboard in Industrial Computing
When delving into the computing world, trying to develop an embedded system presents companies with a unique problem when considering which direction to go in with their design. What exactly does the device need to achieve? How can they balance the need for computing power with the machine’s overall cost? The answers to these questions […]
20,000 Leagues: The Necessity of Waterproof Industrial Computers
Embedded computers are prevalent across the industrial sector, which means that many different businesses and organizations use these products. Depending on what a particular industry needs, the embedded system may often find itself in less than optimum conditions. An example use case is water quality research; almost the entirety of the field researchers’ work is […]
Rugged Tablet PC for the Warehouse
Taking inventory, updating logs, receiving orders, shipping and receiving: the warehouse is a very busy place. Add onto this load moving forklifts and all of the necessary filing that takes place and you can see why efficiency is key in this type of environment. But at a certain point, you can only get so efficient […]
For the Uninitiated: What is an Industrial PC?
In the industrial sector, we sometimes neglect the larger questions that get us talking in the first place. How can we dissect the necessary components of a PC-104 board or the benefits of an SSD hard drive in an embedded system, without first addressing the larger question of an industrial PC? It may seem like […]
An Open & Shut Case: Explaining Ingress Protection for PC Cases
When approaching the subject of an embedded computer, every single component holds importance and can mean the difference between a proper functioning machine and a machine that either fails completely, or is rife with bugs. One such component that can be quite easy to overlook is the chassis or the pc case. Then again, this […]
Beat the Heat: Industrial RAM and Wide Temperature Standards
It’s hard to say what computer component can be called the “most necessary.” They all play their particular important roles in ensuring that the entire machine runs well. Processors compute and implement complicated code, hard drives send and retrieve necessary data and programs, motherboards house many of the key components and contain much of the […]
Substance of Life: How Water Quality Testing Interfaces with Embedded Computing
One of the most pressing matters within our world has to do with a substance that currently takes up more than half of our planet. We are surrounded by water, using it on a daily basis both for consumption and industry, and have a terrible track record when taking care of it. In the last […]
On Track: Industrial Pico-ITX Board and Locomotive Embedded Systems
Whether for functionality or entertainment, outfitting a space with embedded systems capable of video output necessitates a major investment. This is especially pertinent when considering the role of interactive displays, such as human machine interfaces. In the locomotive realm, for example, displays are in constant use, both inside and outside of the train. Embedded systems […]
Military mSATA: Ruggedization and Security Benefits
The mSATA SSD inherently is a shoe-in for military and any other rugged industrial applications. It is a small footprint computer storage device that uses NAND flash memory. So, in addition to being small enough to fit on a fully populated motherboard, it can deal with more stress than an HDD and still have that […]
The Camera Eye: Video Capture Card as Peripheral Device
Closed circuit television has spread throughout the business world. Any company that oversees a significant piece of property will likely need to install some sort of video surveillance system to ensure the security of their premises. This entails a multiple camera system, either all hard-wired or wirelessly connected to a main computer that outputs the […]
Obtaining a Fanless Panel PC
Obtaining a fanless panel PC poses an interesting situation. The reason for this is that there are actually two things that you need to worry about when you’re a manufacturer designing a fanless panel PC. There is the processor, which is the usual part that needs to be given attention in a fanless system. However, […]
Wide Temperature Motherboards: A Solution to Heating Issues
So you’ve built a system and placed it into your finished product. It looks good, it runs well, and is generally everything that you wanted in a system. Except now it’s acting really strange. It randomly reboots, or maybe it just shuts off completely. You shake your head because you and I both know what […]
What is a COM Express Module?
What is a COM Express Module? That is a very good question. On a survey of OEMs that work in the embedded computing industry by people that work in the field, only about 50% know what this module is, while the other half is left in the dark. With a statistic like that, and when […]
Helping Hand: Can a Distributor Aid in Building a PC?
The multi-tiered process an OEM goes through when creating a new product creates a number of challenges for the engineering team. There may be an overarching idea that guides the design, but many of the minute specifications can hold up development, not to mention the hurdles that follow, such as the acquisition of materials and […]
Build: Environment and Process for Successful Computer Assembly
The golden rule for real estate is “location, location, location.” Understanding the inherent benefits to a space that can be utilized for a particular gain could mean the difference between success and failure. Moving from real estate to industrial computing, knowing the type of space in which your computer will be put together and the […]
One in a Million: The What, How and Why of Custom Built Computers
OEM designers work hard to figure out the specifications necessary to realize their products through months of planning. The next step is to try and create this new machine by looking for a manufacturer that offers an embedded system that fits their precise needs, a process that is sometime almost as challenging as designing the […]
Equipment to Fit Environments: Uses and Needs for a Solid State Flash Disk
It’s common knowledge that computers are no longer confined to the office space. Or, more accurately, perhaps, the office is no longer confined to the prototypical cubicle or workstation. The industrial sectors have carved out their own specific niches in the world of electronics, ones that demand specific factors. These needs range greatly, depending on […]
COMplementing the System: Applications of a COM Express Starter Kit
The time spent designing and implementing a motherboard for a product can be painstaking at best. Troubleshooting and deciding the exact specifications that an OEM’s product will require can be the lynch pins for development, and in some cases, provide the most challenges for designers. Many of the questions surrounding this process pertain to determining […]
A Closer Look at the EPIC Motherboard Standard
Industrial computing is a constantly growing market and one that doesn’t seem to slow down for anything, and this means that there is always a growing need for new innovations within the sector. The mantra of “small, cool running and powerful” seems to be driving some of the options behind creating new standards for embedded […]
Go Your Own Way: Rugged Embedded Systems and GPS Software
Good electronics need two things: great hardware that fully complements the user’s needs and a top notch piece of software that utilizes that hardware to the complete specifications. Both are vital in creating a great industrial device; one can’t function without the other. Most designers will look to their hardware specifications to know exactly how […]
Data Storage in a Flash: Similarities and Differences between SSD Hard Drive and Disk On Module SATA
When it comes to hard drives, information is only as powerful as our ability to access it. In a sense, a stockpile of data has its uses, but it is the correlation and aggregation of statistics or files that create its true worth. Getting information quickly is only half the equation. The other side of […]
We Are Watching: Display Monitors in Military Avionics
Information gathering is one of the most important aspects of the modern military. Gaining as much data as possible before making a decision needs to be standard operating procedure for all departments. Collecting information means having eyes and ears on targets, often without detection. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, have become the metaphorical name of […]
Bedside Manner: The Industrial Panel PC in the Medical Sector
Technology has a tendency to propagate across different user bases. Ten or even fifteen years ago, the idea of a touch-based interface was strictly in the realm of industrial or high end enterprise. Now, most modern consumer devices have a tactile sensitive screen and users have become accustomed to the future of touch screen gadgets. […]
The Power of Touch: Ins and Outs of Flat Panel PC Kiosks
The way we interact with technology has changed drastically in the last decade. The idea of having tactile buttons means that a special keyboard or input device needs to be connected to a PC, which increases the cost of manufacturing. Furthermore, adding a bulky input device increases the size of the kiosk that houses the […]
Cutting Costs with Creative Embedded System Design
Creativity is not only necessary for innovation in the technological field, but it also helps greatly when growing a company. A truly successful business will look at an opportunity or problem with the same analytical eye to best spin the situation into a gain. This approach applies to OEMs, as well; these companies make deals […]
Qseven vs. COM Express: Battle of the Small but Powerful Embedded Boards
Companies involved in creating industrial computer systems move in one of two directions. Depending on the use case of the buyer, computers will push for the cutting edge of power, which necessitates considerable power and space demands. A range of motherboards fulfill these demands; ranging from Pico-ITX to the almost gargantuan EATX, they utilize the […]
The Secrets to Shipping with Computer Distributors
The goal of almost every business is to maximize profits through smart product acquisition and to sell merchandise for a higher cost. An intelligently run company will always look for practical ways to reduce costs at every stage. The industrial computing world has many of the same economic concerns, as well as some of its […]
Commercial Motherboards in an Industrial Market
When it comes to motherboards, the industrial and commercial sectors do a pretty good job at keeping themselves separate. Even to the point where commercial manufacturers don’t sell industrial motherboards and, conversely, where industrial manufacturers don’t sell commercial motherboards. Industrial motherboard manufacturers just aren’t set up to compete with the likes of ASUS, MSI and […]
Going to Be the Future Soon: End of Life Services for Industrial OEM Systems
The technological world always tends to face toward the future. New components, systems and software are released yearly, and there is always a skunkworks team working on the “next big thing.” Much like the automotive industry, support for consumer electronics seems to last just long enough for the newest model to come out. The manufactures’ […]
The Battle Inside the War: ATX vs. Micro ATX in the Industrial Sector
The “golden egg” for most of technology runs along a very particular line of thought: make your device smaller without sacrificing its ability to process and render the necessary information for the user. The consumer side of technology grasped this mantra and ran with it. The processes that needed a standard sized computer five years […]
Labour Divided: Four Reasons to Consider OEM Computer Assembly
When managing a electronics OEM project, many different factors come into play. It’s like watching a master juggler handling a group of different objects that each present their own unique difficulties, but it doesn’t matter because they all seem to stay up in the air. There is always something that can cause problems, however, no […]
Evolving Military Computing through COM Express
There is a quotation about warfare that says “War never changes.” The philosophical idea behind that statement may be correct, but in the realm of technology, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Military computing is constantly undergoing change. Technological breakthroughs and research into innovative solutions are always on the verge of becoming a reality. […]
Digital Signage and Benefits of Off-The-Shelf Embedded Systems
An important question to ask when dealing with computer components is “How much control do I want when building embedded systems?” Regardless of the computer’s determined sector, assemblers have to weigh the option of putting together individual components of the greater whole, or purchasing a finished machine. Both have their uses, depending on the type […]
Size Matters When Saving Lives: Pico-ITX Motherboards and Medical Usage
If there is one industry that deserves the most powerful, accurate, and efficient computer systems available, it is the medical field. The systems used by hospitals and specialist clinics vary from imaging products all the way to handheld blood analyzers. These kinds of products are essential in running medical facilities, and need to be built […]
Understanding Various Computer Touch Screens
Undeniably, more and more devices are now requiring the use of touch screen technology. Bear in mind, however, that not all computer touch screens are created equal, as they say. From tablets to panel PCs and beyond, there are currently a variety of uses for touch screens in the industry. Read on to learn about […]
Advantages of a Rugged Tablet Computer
Tablets are now a sought after commodity in the electronics trade, with features and functions that can typically replace those of other devices, such as laptops, desktop PCs, MP3 players and, for some models, even a mobile phone. In general, there are three kinds of tablets available on the market: the convertible, the slate, and […]
Benefits of an Embedded Industrial Computer
The embedded industrial computer plays a crucial role in the fields of pharmaceutical, medical, food and service industries, and the military, to name only a few. Here’s a closer look at some of the superior advantages that embedded industrial computers have over their general purpose counterparts. Low Power Functionality – High-grade industrial computers are equipped […]
Building an Embedded Computer
To build, or not to build, that is the question. A trite little play on words, but where the embedded computing industry is concerned that little ad lib really is a question of some interest. So we find ourselves in a situation where we need an embedded computer. We know what the product has to […]
Embedded Computers and Linux
This might come off as a little much, but where OS is concerned, I like to think of Linux as the people’s champion. It’s free, hardly crashes, and it’s completely open source. It was literally born on the internet, made by the people, for the people and it’s still that way today. It’s not my […]
CCFL vs. LED: Which is the Better Choice?
There has been a lot of debate regarding the movement to newer technology with regards to electronics. One of the most talked about topics is the shift from the age-old cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) to the newer light-emitting diode (LED) type of display. Essentially, LCD monitors need a backlight to illuminate the images onscreen. […]
Benefits of Obsolete Product Sourcing
There is an extremely fast-paced turnover with the innovation of electronic products. With consumer parts, it’s hard to ensure that the latest device you are currently operating will still have available replacement computer parts after a few months, let alone an entire year or more. For the industrial OEM, obsolete products pose many problems. One […]
Trends in Embedded Military Systems
Technology is rapidly and undeniably changing the capabilities and various applied uses of equipment and electronic systems. Trends are shaping the future of the embedded system, which is in ever increasing use in the areas of the military and defense, as well as aerospace. Electronic components are a factor on battlefields and in other military […]
Data and Storage: The Importance of Backing Up Files
There is no denying that today’s world has fully embraced the digital age, and that countless data and storage files are primarily kept in computers. However, in the event that a computer crashes or malfunctions, the possibility of the data being wiped out and never recovered again poses a huge threat in data preservation and […]
Barebone Systems: About the Basics
An economical way to acquire a working PC is to buy a barebone computer system. Simply put, barebone systems are partially-built computers with only basic components and parts included. Barebone computer systems come with varying components, on top of the chassis, depending on the distributor and the level of customization desired. Generally, barebone systems will […]
Benefits of Custom Computer Design for the OEM
For most people, there isn’t much discernible difference when it comes to computers, aside from some of the more obvious features, such as storage space, screen size, and the ergonomic capabilities of the keyboard. This is why most branded computers, which have been directly assembled by the companies that make them, come ready to do […]
Computex 2012 Award Winning RTC-700R Tablet Computer
Tablet computers are becoming all the rage, given that they cover some convenient middle ground for those who on occasion do not want to bring a laptop, but would like a bigger electronic companion than a smart phone. Even further, people at construction sites, and other industrial settings are finding the need for just such […]
Providing Distributor Value for the Industrial OEM
In many industries, such as consumer computer software, there are regular channels for the business market, which more or less match an accepted standard that you’d find in most other industries. You have a company that makes the product; they sell it to distributors, who sell it to resellers, who in turn sell it to […]
Commercial and Industrial Boards: Choosing the Right Model
Today’s market offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to the computers that can be used for OEM computing. The most important criteria when it comes to purchasing your own computer would be the efficiency and power to work within the needs of the OEM and industrial applications. Let’s look at some of […]
SLC or MLC: Which Flash Drive Memory is Best for You?
Finding a good SSD flash drive memory is dependent on the particular use that you have in mind for the memory storage. These days there are two types of storage spaces: the SLC and the MLC. For consumers who aren’t familiar with the technicalities of certain storage disks, cost is the most obvious and easiest […]
Understanding the Different Industrial Motherboards
With the need to cope with demands for advances in industrial motherboard computing systems, a wide variety of industrial motherboards are now available in today’s market. For use in desktop and rack mount computers the general choices are ATX system boards and micro ATX motherboards, depending on your computing needs. Advantages of Industrial Motherboards over […]
Factors to Consider for Computer on Modules
Small form factor PC solutions within an integrated single-board computer fall under the category of computer-on-modules. As an embedded computer that is based on a single circuit board, the computer-on-module allows for core functionality on a customized setting. This allows engineers to design features that would cater to different applications, all embedded into the carrier […]
Understanding the System of EPIC Boards
Single board computers have multiple uses and continue to evolve to better serve today’s fascination with and dependence upon technology. With the current developments and modifications of single board computers, many options are available. Remarkably, we can now find single board computers that will fit in a device as small as a coin. From a […]