As someone who’s spent years in the industrial automation space, I’m constantly inspired by the innovations and conversations happening at the forefront of our industry. Recently, I had the opportunity to delve into some truly exciting developments with none other than Colby Clegg, CEO of Inductive Automation, at this year's Inductive Community Conference (ICC). Colby shared his insights on the release of Ignition 8.3, a major update that's set to transform industrial automation with new functionalities, improved scalability, and a long-term roadmap for success.
Here’s a breakdown of my conversation with Colby, along with some of the core features of Ignition 8.3 that I believe will resonate strongly with stakeholders and buyers looking to invest in advanced SCADA solutions.
Ignition 8.3: A Milestone for Modern Industrial Automation
Ignition 8.3 represents the culmination of years of strategic planning by the Inductive Automation team, aimed at achieving a unified, scalable, and fully modern industrial automation platform. As Colby mentioned, this version completes the vision that began with Ignition 8.0—a release that first introduced the Perspective Module, a native HTML5 tool for building mobile-responsive, web-based applications.
With 8.3, Inductive Automation has taken this vision even further by offering features that not only enhance usability but also facilitate integration with IT and OT systems. These updates are particularly significant for industries managing high volumes of data across diverse environments, such as food and beverage, oil and gas, and even emerging sectors like vertical farming.
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Key Features Driving IT-OT Convergence
A major theme throughout my conversation with Colby was the importance of IT-OT convergence. Ignition has always been a platform designed to bridge these two traditionally separate domains, making it easier for organizations to unlock new value from their data. With Ignition 8.3, Inductive Automation is bringing several critical advancements to this space:
- Enhanced Source Control: One of the most exciting updates is the full source control integration for all resources within the Ignition platform. This means that engineers can manage configurations directly on disk using JSON format, enabling compatibility with Git and other source control tools. For developers, this is a game-changer, offering a streamlined approach to project collaboration, versioning, and rollback.
- Event Streams: Colby and I also discussed the new event streaming capabilities in 8.3. This feature enables real-time data streaming from the plant floor to enterprise-level systems, making it easier to analyze data for quick decision-making and optimization. With support for Kafka and other message queues, Ignition is now poised to facilitate the kind of big data analytics that can drive operational excellence in high-data environments.
- Perspective Offline Mode: For integrators working in remote or connectivity-challenged environments, the new offline mode for Perspective applications opens up a world of possibilities. From tracking assets in the field to collecting operator data in low-signal environments, offline mode enables robust data collection that syncs seamlessly once connectivity is restored.
- Flexible Data Storage with Power Historian: Traditional SQL-based data storage is no longer the only option. With the Power Historian, Ignition now supports various storage methods, making it scalable across large enterprise implementations that require significant historical data storage and retrieval capabilities.
A Platform Built by Engineers, for Engineers
One thing I really appreciate about Inductive Automation is their engineer-first approach, something that Colby explained is rooted in the company’s origins as a small integrator-focused tool. Ignition was created to solve the frustrations that engineers face daily: costly licensing models, limited scalability, and vendor lock-in. By adopting an unlimited licensing model and open architecture, Inductive has managed to set itself apart as a truly flexible solution that allows engineers to do what they do best—innovate.
One of the unique aspects of Inductive Automation’s community support model is Inductive University. This free training platform offers comprehensive courses on Ignition, from the basics to advanced features, making it a valuable resource for both new users and seasoned integrators. In fact, Colby shared that the platform has been instrumental in helping Ignition users build up their skills, contributing to a strong, knowledgeable community.
Industry Agility and the Future of Ignition
Ignition 8.3 is designed to accommodate a wide range of industries and applications, and as Colby pointed out, this flexibility is both its strength and its challenge. Whether it’s batch processing in food and beverage or remote monitoring in oil and gas, Ignition has proven itself adaptable enough to handle diverse requirements. However, managing this variety requires constant communication and feedback from users—a task Inductive Automation has embraced by staying actively engaged with its community, collecting input through forums, and fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
Next year, Inductive Automation plans to take the annual ICC event to the Sacramento Convention Center, which speaks to the rapid growth and interest in the Ignition community. This expansion will allow for more attendees, a larger partner ecosystem, and more in-depth discussions on the technologies that are transforming our industry.
Why Ignition 8.3 Matters for Stakeholders and Decision-Makers
For stakeholders looking to modernize their manufacturing operations, Ignition 8.3 brings several compelling benefits. The enhancements in source control, data streaming, and offline capabilities translate into greater efficiency, reduced downtime, and the ability to respond to challenges quickly. More importantly, Ignition’s open architecture allows for smoother IT-OT integration, meaning manufacturers can break down data silos and enable a more data-driven approach across their operations.
If you’re considering investing in industrial automation, Ignition 8.3 provides a platform that not only addresses current needs but is also poised for future growth. Its robust features, coupled with an active, knowledgeable community, make it an ideal choice for companies looking to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.
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In conclusion, my conversation with Colby underscored the transformative potential of Ignition 8.3 for modern industrial environments. Whether you’re in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, or emerging sectors, the latest Ignition update offers the tools to drive productivity, ensure scalability, and foster innovation. I look forward to seeing how organizations leverage these new capabilities to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing challenges.
For those interested in learning more, I encourage you to explore Inductive University for hands-on Ignition training, or check out the latest Ignition 8.3 release notes on Inductive Automation’s website. This is an exciting time in industrial automation, and I’m thrilled to see where we go from here.
