After attending PI North America annual general meeting, Gary discusses future of Profinet, Fieldbuses and Interoperability, and a teaser about a Wonderware announcement.

Gary Mintchell discusses the 2016 Ignition Customer Conference from Inductive Automation--and the pseudo competition between OPC UA and MQTT/Sparkplug. Mostly it's all about getting the right information into your Industrial Software (HMI/SCADA) application.

Following up on his popular podcast on "Why Big Companies Hate OPC UA Embedded", Gary reviews his recent writing on OPC UA, REST, MQTT and Sparkplug relative to needed interoperability. He focuses on watching how companies implement REST and MQTT--whether they are using an open transport to move proprietary data types, or whether they are truly embracing what end users want-true interoperability.

My 151st podcast dives into "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport. Newport differentiates the work that will lead you to success (deep work--thinking) from that work that just fills time (shallow work--answering email, reading Facebook, etc.). He provides tips on organizing your day to emphasize setting aside blocks of time for deep work.

Gary reviews Dr. Henry Cloud's new book, "The Power of the Other" how our connections and relationships can hurt or enhance us.

OK, it's a provocative title, but the recent ODVA announcement

Gary introduces Digital Manufacturing, previews the 2016 Hannover Fair, and speculates on Rockwell Automation and Digital Manufacturing.

Gary discusses why people seem to keep dropping the ball along with a solution. He also looks behind the news that few people follow a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Gary looks at the discussions around Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 likening them to strategies.

Gary reports from Orlando at the ARC Advisory Group 20th Annual Industry Forum. No surprises that Internet of Things and cyber security were headliners. The real surprise was the amount of Keynote space president Andy Chatha gave to an ExxonMobil initiative of engaging Lockheed Martin to essentially drive an open-specification DCS. Reception by technology suppliers was lukewarm at best. Reception by peers was difficult to gauge because so few were in attendance. But the conversations were intense.