Most-Read Automation Blogs of 2024: Are You in the Loop?
To help you learn the latest about trends in automation solutions, we publish blogs every week that contain insight and advice directly from our in-house experts.
As 2024 comes to a close, we examined the topics and conversations that were most important to you over the past year, and we’re sharing your favorites here.
If you missed any, now’s your chance to get caught up.
Most-read automation blogs published in 2024
These blogs were written and published in 2024, and they top the list of most-read automation blogs this year.
1. IT Security vs. OT Security: What Are the Key Differences?
As IT-OT convergence continues, bridging the gap between the two technology disciplines is crucial to create a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that protects digital assets and safeguards critical infrastructure. This blog—which was the most popular blog we wrote in 2024—explores the differences and similarities between IT security and OT security.
Learn how IT security and OT security differ.
2. What You Need to Know About NAMUR Open Architecture
NAMUR, the User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries, is helping the process automation industry improve access to production data. As an organization made up of users and manufacturers in process automation, it’s also the creator of NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA), which promotes interoperable solutions in industrial automation and process control. This blog explores five reasons why process manufacturers are adopting NOA. This is a great primer if you want to get the basics down.
Learn how NOA makes access to production data easy.
3. From the Ground Up: Industrial Sensors and Single Pair Ethernet
Published in October, this blog topic gained major ground in just a few short months. Three of our Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) experts collaborated to weigh in on how SPE can complement Ethernet networks at the sensor/actuator level. It also outlines the obstacles that stand in the way of expanding SPE across industrial automation environments. Finally, it walks you through how to calculate total cost of ownership for SPE.
See how SPE is being adopted for sensors and actuators.
4. Industrial Switches Ensure Network Reliability in Offshore Oil & Gas
This is another blog topic that was published in October but quickly rose to the top of our most-popular blogs for 2024. Because offshore oil and gas platforms operate in harsh conditions, they also drive extremely high demand for network reliability and security to support complex production and automation. This blog explores how and why industrial switches are a critical component of oil and gas networks—and the specific application requirements the switches must meet.
Learn about switches in offshore environments.
5. Connecting AMRs and AGVs in Your Warehouse: Cellular or Wi-Fi?
As they deploy mobile technology like AMRs and AGVs, warehouses are running on more wireless. But should they choose cellular or Wi-Fi? This blog details the differences and explains which option is best for warehouses and distribution centers that want to maintain reliable network connectivity. It also explores cost considerations for both wireless options. So, which should you choose? Read the blog to find out.
Learn which wireless option is best for warehouses.
Most-read automation blog posts of all time
These blogs were written and published prior to 2024, and they top the list of most-read blogs since 2012, when Belden’s first blog was published.
1. How to Match Industrial Edge Applications to Your Business Goals
There’s been substantial growth of intelligent edge devices in today’s industrial environments—and these devices generate lots of data. As a result, industrial edge computing is being incorporated into plant operations. This blog—which was part of our industrial edge blog series in 2022—explains how to choose the right industrial edge applications, the role they play in industrial environments and their technical requirements. This is the first time this blog has made it onto our most-read list!
Learn more about industrial edge applications.
2. 10 Criteria to Consider for Your Industrial Edge Compute Devices
This blog is also part of the industrial edge blog series we developed in 2022—and it was No. 2 on last year’s list of most-read blogs, too. To make the selection of industrial edge compute devices faster and simpler, we outlined 10 key criteria to consider in this blog—from compute resources to security and beyond. If you’re not sure where to start when choosing edge compute devices for your industrial environment, start here.
Learn more about picking the right devices.
3. Challenges of Data Ingestion—and How Industrial Edge Solutions Help
Surprise! This blog is yet another in our industrial edge blog series from 2022—and it was No. 4 on last year’s list, moving up to No. 3 this year. In this blog, we explore how you can apply industrial edge solutions to your specific use cases. Then, we walk you through a three-step data ingestion process to help you calculate critical KPIs like overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Improvement starts with measuring and benchmarking—and this blog can show you where and how to begin.
Learn about the data ingestion process.
4. Material Handling Networks: Solutions for Poor Performance
This blog appears on our most-read list for the first time in 2024—and it’s the only blog here that’s not part of our industrial edge blog series. As material handling environments become more automated, they rely on technology like robotics and AGVs to improve productivity, speed and accuracy. While many warehouses have been able to get away with not having a dedicated network, this technology shift is changing the game.
Learn why networks are vital to material-handling operations.
5. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and the Value of Collecting Data
Rounding out our list of most-read blogs is yet another blog from our industrial edge blog series in 2022. This one sat at No. 5 last year as well, discussing the myriad types of data that can be exchanged in an IIoT installation. This blog explains how to determine whether your IIoT data is useful—and how to collect it. This is the place to start if you want to discover how to mine and apply your industrial data.
Learn about the value of IIoT data.