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Volume 1, Issue 11APPLICATION ARTICLE Learn about a revolutionary boat lift that uses Entertron's Smart-PAK ePLC as it's control. more > If you have an application that you would like to submit for consideration, email us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type in "application article" TECH TIPS This edition of the Entertron Intelligence combines Tech Tips with the Programmer's Corner and Tips and Tricks. Over the last several months, David has been working on a revised manual that will provide better instruction, compared to our existing manual. We have also incorporated the nine application notes. Our new manual provides step by step instruction with more screen captures. We have also been working on an updated version of Eware32 that will provide improved error checking and several bug fixes Version 2.14 is now available for download.
If there are any questions you would like answered, email us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type "tech tips question" THE ENTERTRON ADVANTAGE Why would you use an Entertron controller if we are not the least expensive? There are many options available on the market today. Many offer very reliable hardware and good software. As we have addressed in other newsletters, not every controller or manufacturer are created equal. To offer some numbers - Allen Bradley, a company that generates the majority of its revenue from Industrial control products generated a net profit of over a half billion dollars ($540,000,000.00). Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a company making a profit. That is what capitalism is all about. However, when you are charged $1500.00 for software (per license) and $400 yearly support contracts (per license) what are you truly getting from the manufacturer? When is enough enough? When you are controlled by the green monster known as Wall Street, customers rank third, at best, in terms of importance to a corporation. (1st = Wall Street analysts watching every breath the company takes and 2nd = company executives). If you are a customer, do you really want to be third? Other conglomerates such as Siemans, Koyo and Omron are comprised of many divisions, so pure information related to their control divisions are difficult to obtain. Just recently, Automation Direct (Koyo) introduced their new software that offered both an increase and decrease in price. The decrease in price was from $495 to $395 for their all inclusive package, supporting their entire range of PLCs. The price increase is due to the elimination of their $99 and $149 controller specific packages. Regardless, your minimum cost as a new customer for software is $395 - a nearly 300% increase. (Automation Direct is a wholly owned subsidiary of Koyo) What is my point? My point is, you really don't deal with the larger companies directly...customers being third on the list of importance. You are probably dealing with their sales channels, such as distributors. So, as a customer, your support comes from the distributor not the manufacturer. Some distributors offer very good support, some are merely order takers. If you do attempt to obtain support from the manufacturer, you will either be charged for their time, or they won't even talk with you unless you have a current support contract. As a customer of Entertron, you are dealing directly with the manufacturer, NO support contracts, NO hidden fees, NO software costs, NO voice mail during our regular business hours. We are not a public company, therefore, we are not at the beck and call of Wall Street analysts. We are not pressured to beat the quarterly expectations, in order to satisfy our shareholders. Our belief is in making a fair profit that will enable us to continually improve our product and service. We are not out to squeeze every nickel and dime from our customers. Our goal is to make you as competitive as possible. In some cases, it is financial. In some cases it is reliability. And still yet it is service. Whatever the situation, we try to meet your needs. This is one reason why our hardware may cost more than some of our competitors. Another is that every controller is manufactured by American hands. We are not creating factories in Asia where labor is a fraction of the cost. Our focus is staying right here and manufacturing every controller here. We don't want to contribute to the nearly one trillion dollar trade deficit that America is on the short end, by importing our own controller products that can be manufactured right here. Whether small OEM or large OEM, it doesn't matter your size. You will still receive the individual service we strive to provide. As an Entertron customer, you deal with a company that is focused on the customer first. If you have any comments you wish to share, email us at plcs@entertron.com PRODUCT NEWS Version 2.14 of Eware32 is now available for download. We have generated three new comparisons related to Entertron's controllers and marketed products. SPECIAL OFFERS To the many students that are currently learning about the incredible world of PLCs and programming, we are offering you a special student discount - Any controller, any configuration - 20% off (includes computer cable and programming software). Compare this to other offers and you will see the benefits. CLOSING NOTES If you have missed an issue of Entertron Intelligence, not to fear, you can view past issues on our web site. Any general questions, not related to one of our subjects can be emailed to us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type in "entertron intelligence question" If you decide that you do not want to receive our monthly newsletter, email us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type "please remove from list" and we will honor your request. |
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