Industrial control and automation can be complex. At Maple Systems, we want to break the barrier between knowledge and know-how to make sure every engineer and operator is fully prepared for whatever task comes their way.
A Brief History of FactoryTalk Before FactoryTalk, Rockwell Software operated as a collection of separate products, such as RSView32, RSLink Classic, and RSSql and RSBizWare. Many of which were acquired or developed in isolation. In the early 2000’s, Rockwell recognized that customers needed different software…
In harsh environments such as military, public safety, and construction, device durability is essential. Rugged tablets and industrial computers used in these settings must stand up against drops, vibration, temperature extremes, moisture, and dust. The MIL-STD-810H is an environmental testing standard used to evaluate device…
Read More MIL-STD-810H: Ensuring Reliability in Harsh Industrial Environments
When space is tight and flexibility is key, mounting options can make or break your setup. That’s where the VESA-100 standard comes in. The VESA-100 standard provides a consistent, mechanical interface that allows any sort of display device, such as a panel PC, an HMI,…
Read More VESA Mounting Standards for Industrial Applications
What is a Rugged Tablet? In today’s fast-paced and increasingly technology-driven industries, mobile computing devices are essential for keeping operations running smoothly. While standard consumer tablets offer portability and convenience, they are not designed to survive the rigors of demanding work environments. This is where…
In the fast-moving world of industrial automation, staying connected to your machines and systems is no small task. Operators, technicians, and engineers are constantly on the move, scanning barcodes on one end of the plant, tweaking PLC logic on the other, and troubleshooting systems that…
Read More Rugged Laptops vs Rugged Tablets: Which Device is Better for You?
What is a Tablet? Tablet PCs are portable, touchscreen computers that combine laptop functionality with smartphone convenience. Slim and lightweight, many support stylus pens and detachable keyboards. They are used for web browsing, media, note-taking, and productivity, running Windows, iPadOS, or Android apps for both…
Tablet Operating System: Windows or Android? Selecting between Windows and Android for your industrial tablet depends on your specific workflow, software ecosystem, and long-term operational goals. Both platforms offer rugged durability and strong connectivity, but they differ in performance, integration, and cost considerations. Windows Tablets…
Read More Android Tablet vs Windows Tablet: Which Operating System is Better?
In industries where equipment is exposed to constant washdowns, high-pressure cleaning, corrosive chemicals, or outdoor weather conditions, a standard panel PC simply won’t survive. That’s why waterproof industrial PCs have become essential across any industries that do work in, or create these harsh environments. Choosing…
Introduction As industrial networks expand to support more devices, data sources, and connectivity to enterprise systems, network segmentation becomes critical. Without it, broadcast domains grow uncontrollably, traffic becomes congested, and troubleshooting turns into a nightmare. Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) provide an elegant solution. By…
Introduction Unlike unmanaged switches that simply forward Ethernet frames, managed industrial switches provide fine-grained control and monitoring capabilities to help engineers shape, prioritize, and protect traffic on control networks. Features like storm control, Quality of Service (QoS), VLANs, and redundancy protocols ensure that time-critical data…
Introduction In Industrial Ethernet networks, reliability is everything. PLCs, HMIs, drives, and I/O modules rely on timely and consistent communication to maintain process control and safety. One of the most common—but often overlooked—threats to this reliability is the broadcast storm. Broadcast storms occur when excessive…
Introduction In a modern industrial environment, Ethernet networks are the nervous system connecting every part of the operation—from PLCs and drives on the plant floor to SCADA and MES systems in the control room. As production lines grow more complex and connected, network visibility becomes…