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Ignited: Striking Industrial Automation Conversations

Inductive Automation

Ignition is the foundation. It connects data across the enterprise, enables you to rapidly build any industrial application, and scales without limits — making it the only truly universal industrial platform for enterprise integration. Ignited exists to show you what that foundation makes possible.

Each episode, Travis Cox, Chief Technology Evangelist, and Thomas Burke, Technology Evangelist, from Inductive Automation go deep with the people actually doing the work — end users, system integrators, ecosystem partners, and thought leaders — exploring how Ignition, open standards, and modern architectures are solving real problems across every vertical. No hype. No fluff. Just honest, informed conversations about how industry is moving forward.

Whether you're a seasoned integrator, an OT leader evaluating your next platform, or someone just beginning to explore what's possible — there's something here for you.

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18 episodes
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Avg 36 min
English

Episodes 18

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S1 · E18
Wednesday · 28 min
How 4IR Runs Cloud-First Industrial Infrastructure Across Hundreds of Sites
Deploying Ignition once is one thing. Deploying it across hundreds of sites around the world, keeping it running, pushing updates to every location simultaneously, and making it financially sustainable in the cloud is an entirely different challenge. In this episode, hosts Travis Cox and Thomas Burke sit down with James Burnand from 4IR Solutions to unpack what enterprise-scale Ignition architecture actually looks like in practice. James breaks down a real-world, cloud-first deployment 4IR manages for a major global manufacturer, exploring how to maintain agility, keep operations reliable, and innovate without creating enterprise-wide chaos. Guests: James Burnand from 4IR Solutions
S1 · E17
September 9 · 55 min
Built for the Operator: Julio Velasco on Design, Education, and a Career Shaped by Ignition
Great software isn't just about functionality, it's about how effectively a human can use it when it counts. In this episode, Travis and Tom catch up with Julio Velasco, founder of IO SCADA and former Inductive Automation design engineer who helped establish early visual standards for the platform. Julio shares his core philosophy on operator-first HMI design, the technical responsibility of building clean industrial interfaces, and how his work training the next generation at the Volt Institute is helping close the industrial skills gap. Guest: Julio Velasco (Founder, IO SCADA)
S1 · E16
September 2 · 40 min
Batch, Built Right: How Open Platforms Are Rewriting the Rules of Manufacturing Execution
For decades, batch processing in complex industries like pharma, chemical, and food production has been held back by rigid, locked-down systems. In this episode, Travis and Tom join Polaris Automation's CEO Scott Cooke and SVP of Product Development Mark Merino to discuss breaking free from legacy MES constraints. They explore how building flexible solutions on Ignition, like their Chordata framework, allows manufacturers to scale faster, modernize iteratively, and organize plant data so it's genuinely ready for AI. Plus, they dive into a real-world case study with PPG to show what this transition looks like on the factory floor. Guests: Scott Cooke (CEO) & Mark Merino (SVP of Product Development) — Polaris Automation
S1 · E15
August 26 · 52 min
From Namespace to Intelligence: Alex Marcy on Ignition, UNS, and MCP in the Real World
What happens when an integrator stops just using software and starts pushing it past its conventional limits? In this episode, Travis and Tom sit down with Alex Marcy, CEO of Corso Systems and long-time community trailblazer, to explore the cutting edge of industrial automation. Drawing on 15+ years of hands-on platform experience, Alex breaks down the reality of scaling a business around Ignition, the practical implementation of Unified Namespace (UNS), and how he’s leveraging the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to bring real-world AI applications to the plant floor today. Guests: Alex Marcy
S1 · E14
August 19 · 34 min
The Interoperability Imperative: How CESMII Is Building the Open Foundation for Smart Manufacturing
Raw data isn't the problem for modern factories, it's accessibility. When critical information stays buried inside closed, legacy systems, scaling AI and enterprise automation becomes nearly impossible. In this episode, Travis and Tom sit down with CESMII’s CEO John Dyck and Chief Technology Architect Jonathan Wise to tackle the push for open, interoperable manufacturing standards across the U.S. They discuss how pairing open frameworks like SM Profiles and the i3X API with Ignition gives plants full ownership of their data model; turning isolated metrics into enterprise-wide insights. Stick around to the end for a step-by-step roadmap on where your facility should actually begin. Guests: John Dyck (CEO) & Jonathan Wise (Chief Technology Architect) — CESMII
S1 · E13
August 12 · 37 min
Three Engineers, One Ignition Platform, Zero Ceilings
What does it actually take to grow as an Ignition engineer? In this episode, Travis and Tom sit down with three engineers from MartinCSI—Todd Ebright (10+ years of experience), Kierstyn Neumeier (custom components & energy challenges), and Matthew Excoffon (freshly Gold-Certified)—to trace the full arc of the career path. From surviving the early learning curve and leaning on the Inductive Automation forums to building award-winning, high-performance projects, they share what the craft of industrial software engineering really looks like on the front lines. Guests: Todd Ebright, Kierstyn Neumeier, and Matthew Excoffon (MartinCSI)
S1 · E12
August 5 · 42 min
Breaking the Gridlock: Redefining the Edge of Industrial Autonomy
The old excuses — fragile environments, siloed systems, vendor lock-in — don't hold up anymore. In this episode, we dive into the high-stakes world of industrial edge computing, interoperability, and system architecture built to survive (and thrive) at the edge. This one's for the rebels, architects, and visionaries reshaping heavy industry, logistics, and field operations. Operational technology should be seamless, indestructible, and fiercely intelligent — and these four real-world case studies prove it's possible. Guest: Dan White - Director of Technical Marketing, Opto 22
S1 · E11
July 29 · 43 min
Interoperable: The Journey to Open Process Automation with Don Bartusiak
For decades, industrial automation was dominated by proprietary, vendor-locked control systems — but that's changing. In this episode, we sit down with Don Bartusiak to explore the journey of Open Process Automation (OPA), from its origins as an industry response to vendor lock-in to its current state as a real, deployable standard reshaping process control. Guest: Don Bartusiak - President at Collaborative Systems Integration
S1 · E10
July 22 · 40 min
Empowering the Workforce of Tomorrow
The industrial automation industry has a talent challenge. The question is who is doing something about it — and how. Travis and Tom sit down with David Grussenmeyer, Director of Strategic Alliances, and Annabelle Haley, Educational Engagement Program Manager at Inductive Automation, to explore the company's commitment to building the next generation of industrial automation professionals. From donated Ignition licenses and free Inductive University training to a purpose-built OT curriculum and the beloved Build-a-Thon at ICC, Inductive Automation has built one of the most comprehensive academic engagement programs in the industry. David and Annabelle share how the program evolved — including a pivot away from direct university outreach toward a more effective model built through integrators and ecosystem partners — how institutions like Clemson are doing remarkable things with the platform, and what it means to certify not just students but faculty. The call to action here is not passive: whether you are an end user, integrator, or vendor, you have a role to play in connecting students to this industry, and this episode will show you where to start. Guests: David Grussenmeyer — Director of Strategic Alliances, Inductive Automation Annabelle Haley — Educational Engagement Program Manager, Inductive Automation
S1 · E9
July 15 · 42 min
Where Passion Meets Production: The Taylor Guitars Manufacturing Story
What happens when a small automation team at a legendary guitar manufacturer decides to build something extraordinary? You get a story that will inspire every engineer in industrial automation. Travis and Tom welcome Tyler Robertson, Automation Manager at Taylor Guitars, for one of the most unique and compelling conversations in Ignited's first season. Taylor Guitars is not just a manufacturer — it is an ESOP, a sustainability leader, and an organization deeply committed to the craft behind every instrument. Tyler walks through how a lean engineering team used Ignition to say yes to nearly every production request that came their way, from automating neck pressing and quality scanning to enabling smarter, data-driven decision making across the factory floor. The conversation also explores how Taylor is navigating the very real challenges of an aging workforce and the preservation of institutional knowledge, and what their builders-first mentality means for how they approach enterprise technology. Travis had the privilege of visiting Taylor's facility in January as part of Inductive Automation's Industry Immersion program — and the story he found there was too good not to share. Guest: Tyler Robertson — Automation Manager, Taylor Guitars
S1 · E8
July 8 · 33 min
How AI and a Smarter OT Stack Are Orchestrating the Industrial Digital Transformation
AI in industrial automation has generated more hype than almost any technology in recent memory. But what is actually happening on the plant floor — and what does it take to move from data collection to genuine intelligence? Travis and Tom welcome Jeff Winter, VP of Commercial Strategy at Belden and one of the most recognized voices in smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Jeff serves on the boards of ISA and MESA and as an advisor to CESMII, bringing an unusually clear-eyed perspective on where the industry actually stands versus where the conversation says it is. The discussion covers the real state of AI adoption in OT, why so many organizations are sitting on mountains of data they still cannot act on, and what data contextualization actually unlocks. The conversation also gets into the security implications of a more connected plant floor, the human side of automation and what AI means for the operators and technicians who have built careers around these systems, and how Belden's own journey from a cable company to a digital infrastructure powerhouse mirrors the transformation the broader industry is navigating. Guest: Jeff Winter — VP Commercial Strategy, Belden
S1 · E7
July 1 · 36 min
The Evolution of OT Architectures
Good software doesn't just solve today's problems — it anticipates tomorrow's. In this episode, we explore how the architectural decisions made in industrial automation today will determine how flexible, scalable, and resilient systems are for years to come. Hosts Travis and Tom sit down with Kevin McClusky, Chief Technology Architect at Inductive Automation, for a wide-ranging conversation about how OT architectures have shifted over the past decade and where they need to go next. Kevin draws on years of co-leading Inductive Automation's Sales Engineering division, helping create the iconic Build-a-Thon, and working closely with the Distributed Architecture Working Group (DAWG) to unpack what's driving the biggest changes in SCADA — and how Inductive Automation builds its product roadmap around the real challenges integrators and end users face. The conversation spans big-picture industry trends and ground-level practicality: What has caused the most significant architectural shifts in SCADA? What is the current state of industry standards, and why does DAWG matter? And what does Kevin see on the horizon that has him most excited about the future of industrial systems? Guest: Kevin McClusky — Chief Technology Architect, Inductive Automation
S1 · E6
June 24 · 28 min
How Ignition Empowers Humanity
Most people know Ignition as a powerful platform for manufacturing and infrastructure — but this episode reveals something far bigger. Travis and Tom sit down with David Grussenmeyer and the remarkable Liliya Valihun to explore how Inductive Automation's Community Impact program is enabling people to use Ignition as a tool for solving deeply human problems. The conversation covers how Inductive Automation is supporting mission-driven organizations creating real-world change — and how Hebron Soft has been at the forefront of that work. Liliya and her team built a comprehensive system to help manage homeless services, then made it open source — not as a business strategy, but as a moral decision. They also developed a prosthetic arm using the Ignition platform, a project that earned them the prestigious Firebrand Award at ICC. From there, the discussion turns to the Hebron IT Academy — a bold initiative training the next generation of technology builders in Liliya's community — and URI, a new and ambitious project from Hebron Soft that signals just how high the ceiling can go when purpose-driven people get access to the right tools. Guests: David Grussenmeyer – Director of Strategic Alliances, Inductive Automation Liliya Valihun – Director of Global Programs & AI Localization, Hebron Soft
S1 · E5
June 17 · 24 min
Data Center's Scale Drives A DevOps Approach
Data centers are no longer just IT infrastructure — they're becoming some of the most complex, process-controlled facilities in the world. In this episode, we explore how explosive growth in data center demand is reshaping what it means to be an OT engineer, and why the tools of modern software development are now essential on the plant floor. Hosts Travis and Tom sit down with Jason and Keith to unpack how the surging demand for data center capacity is driving a fundamental shift in OT architecture. What was once the exclusive domain of IT — DevOps practices, containerization, and Kubernetes — is rapidly becoming standard equipment for industrial software engineers. The conversation moves from big-picture trends to ground-level practicality: What does a DevOps approach actually look like in an OT context? Why is Kubernetes the natural evolution after virtualization? And how do these technologies apply even if you're not operating at hyperscale? BW Design Group is a premier Ignition integrator with deep expertise in the data center space. https://www.linkedin.com/company/barry-wehmiller-design-group/ https://github.com/design-group Guests: Jason Rhodewalt — Managing Partner, Control System Integration Keith Gamble — Director of Software Engineering, BW Design Group Subscribe to Ignited on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.
S1 · E4
June 10 · 49 min
Data in Motion — MQTT, Sparkplug B, and Why the Edge Changes Everything
Data in Motion — MQTT, Sparkplug B, and Why the Edge Changes Everything What happens when you need to move data across an entire enterprise — reliably, efficiently, and at scale — without drowning in network traffic or proprietary middleware? That's where MQTT and Sparkplug B come in. Travis and Tom sit down with Benson Houghland, VP of Products at Opto 22, and Arlen Nipper, co-inventor of MQTT, to trace the protocol's origins in satellite telemetry all the way to its role as the backbone of modern industrial data infrastructure. The conversation covers event-driven vs. polling architectures, what a real MQTT/Sparkplug deployment looks like, and why edge compute changes everything. IN THIS EPISODE MQTT + Sparkplug B is the architecture for scalable industrial data movement. Data moves when it changes, not on a timer — and Sparkplug B gives that data a standardized structure enterprise systems can actually use. The Unified Namespace becomes real with MQTT and Sparkplug B. Together they provide the event-driven backbone for a true single source of truth across your operation, with Ignition at the center. Edge compute is now an architectural requirement. Resilience, millisecond decisions, and offline operation — Ignition Edge, MQTT, and Sparkplug B make it all possible without vendor lock-in. GUESTS Arlen Nipper — Co-inventor of MQTT; Sparkplug B specification contributor Benson Houghland — VP of Products, Opto 22
S1 · E3
June 3 · 33 min
The Foundation Beneath the Foundation — OPC, OPC UA, and Why It All Starts Here
Before you can understand what makes Ignition powerful, you have to understand the standards it's built on. In this deep-dive fireside chat, Travis and Tom welcome Kevin Herron — one of the architects behind Ignition's OPC UA implementation — to decode the world of OPC and OPC UA from the ground up. This isn't a marketing conversation. It's a technical one. Kevin walks through what OPC actually is, why OPC UA represented such a fundamental leap forward, and how OPC UA Part 5 and the Companion Specification Architecture give industrial software a shared language for describing data, behavior, and meaning — not just raw values. The conversation explores how Ignition was built with OPC UA at its core, what that means for interoperability, and why it matters whether you're a system integrator trying to simplify a deployment or an end user trying to achieve real digital transformation. If you've ever heard "OPC UA" thrown around without a clear explanation of what it actually does — this is the episode that fills that gap. Download a free trial of Ignition at inductiveautomation.com and connect to an OPC UA device or server on your own network — you'll see the data model in action within minutes. Then head to the OPC Foundation's website to explore Companion Specifications for your industry. And tune in for Episode 4, where we go beyond OPC to explore MQTT, Sparkplug B, and the edge compute revolution with two of the people who helped build those standards.
S1 · E2
May 27 · 28 min
The Inductive Advantage — Training, Support, and the Community Behind Ignition
Great software only creates value when people know how to use it. And in industrial automation, where the stakes include uptime, safety, and production output, the difference between a successful deployment and a frustrating one often comes down to the resources behind the platform — not just the platform itself. In this episode, Travis and Tom welcome Dave Fogle to explore something that doesn't get talked about enough: the full ecosystem of enablement that Inductive Automation has built around Ignition. From Inductive University — one of the most comprehensive free technical training platforms in the industrial software space — to the Ignition community forum, the Ignition Exchange, and world-class support, this conversation is about what it actually takes to empower integrators and end users to do their best work. Dave brings a practitioner's perspective on how these resources are used in the real world: what new integrators lean on when they're getting started, what experienced engineers reach for when they hit a wall, and how organizations use Inductive University credentials to build team-wide Ignition competency. The conversation is honest about where the learning curve exists and how to navigate it — and genuinely excited about what becomes possible when an organization is fully invested in the Ignition ecosystem. Tune in for Episode 3, where we go beyond OPC to explore MQTT, Sparkplug B, and the edge compute revolution with two of the people who helped build those standards. Subscribe to Ignited for upcoming episodes featuring real-world case studies of digital transformations built on Ignition — the stories that show what's possible when great technology meets great enablement. In the next episode we're diving into OPC and OPC UA with a guest who helped build Ignition's standards foundation from the ground up.
S1 · E1
May 27 · 13 min
Lighting the Spark — Why Industrial Automation Needs This Conversation
Every great podcast starts with a question worth answering. For Travis Cox and Tom Burke, that question is simple: why does industrial automation need this conversation, right now? In this inaugural episode, your hosts set the stage for everything Ignited is about. Travis and Tom share why they felt compelled to launch the show — the inflection point the industry is at, the gap between what's possible with Ignition and open standards and what most organizations are actually doing, and the role thought leadership plays in closing that gap. They walk through who the show is for, what kinds of guests and topics are coming, and why they're committed to going deeper than the surface-level content the industry already has. This is a fireside chat — no guests, no slides, just two people who have spent their careers in this space being honest about where it's been, where it's going, and why they believe the next few years will define industrial automation for a generation. Subscribe to Ignited on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube so you never miss an episode. And if this conversation resonates with you, share it with a colleague who's on the front lines of industrial automation — the more voices in this conversation, the better. Episode 2 is already queued up: we're diving into OPC and OPC UA with a guest who helped build Ignition's standards foundation from the ground up.

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