...Over
other PLCs?
Compared
to Entertron's ePLCs, traditional PLCs lack the
flexibility that Entertron is able to offer.
- A
"brick" style unit offers no
flexibility. You have a few
configurations to choose from and that is
it. You have to fit your application
around their product.
- A
"modular" style unit offers the
flexibility but tends to be overkill for
many applications. The ability to mix and
match I/O is great, except you tend to
waste much of the I/O: Example: you need
one thermocouple input, but they only
offer a module of 4. In essence you waste
I/O and money.
Traditional
PLCs lack the real world I/O. Typical output
ratings for relays are 2 amps, transistors are
100 - 500 mA and triacs are 500 - 1000 mA.
Entertron's controllers far exceed our
competition...compare for yourself. output
comparision
Using a
traditional PLC opens the door to what we call
the "customer spec. nightmare". If you
have standardized on a specific controller, and
you state as such in your literature, potential
customers can then dictate to you, specifically
what controller to use, as a condition for a
sale. Not only do you have to support a product
that is not your standard, but you also have to
purchase the software as well. With Entertron's
ePLCs, you are able to offer a product that
doesn't look like a PLC, therefore you don't have
to call it a PLC. Some of our customers have used
the following terms to describe our controllers:
- microprocessor
based control
- custom
control designed specifically for our
company
In
essence, our controllers are designed
specifically for your company. Even though you
have not designed the hardware, you have
developed the program and ordered a controller
that is either off the shelf from stock or built
specifically for your application requirements.
Another
reason our customers choose us over traditional
PLCs is the level of protection and propriety we
offer. As an OEM, you have spent a great deal of
resources to develop your product. With other
PLCs, your information is not as safe as you
think. Of course they tell you that they offer
password protection for your program.
Unfortunately, the bad news is, passwords can be
cracked. With Entertron's controllers, you the
OEM have complete control over your intellectual
property. The only way a customer or competitor
can gain access to your program is if you give it
to them. With traditional PLCs, if you have the
software, you can upload the program and view it
with the software. You do not have this
capability with Entertron's controllers. Once a
program is downloaded or burned on EPROM, it
cannot be uploaded or decompiled. This is the
ultimate in protection
Believe it
or not, when you have standardized on a
traditional PLC, you lose control over a very
lucrative part of the business...replacement
parts. If you use a product that offers world
wide distribution, you can kiss any replacement
parts business goodbye. With Entertron, you have
total control. We serial number every controller
and know exactly when it was purchased and who it
was purchased by. If you are a current Entertron
OEM customer, we send all inquiries that we
receive, related to your product, back to you.
Our mission is to develop and maintain long
lasting relationships with our OEM customers.
...Over
other Embedded controllers?
As with a
traditional PLC, there are several reasons why
Entertron's ePLCs are chosen over other embedded
controllers:
- Many
of the embedded controller products on
the market today are programmed in a
higher level language, such as C. Even
though C is a very intuitive language, it
is also a programming language that
requires a substantial investment in time
to learn. Whereas ladder logic can be
learned in a rather brief period of time.
Ladder logic is a widely accepted method
for programming controllers, whereas C is
a language used primarily by software
developers.
- Typical
I/O offered by embedded controllers tends
to be TTL style with limited current
driving capabilities. In most cases when
incorporating an embedded controller, you
also have to design an I/O board for your
"real world" signals. Whereas
with Entertron's products, you have
"real world" current driving
capabilities
When you
have to add to an already developed product, how
much do you truly save? These other embedded
controller options are to be an alternative to
packaged PLCs and going the custom route, but
there may still be some hardware design,
depending on your application requirements.
...Over
a custom design?
There are
several reasons that companies investigate a
custom designed controller:
- Designed
to address specific requirements
- Costs
less than an off the shelf product
- They
want a proprietary looking product
Those
would be considered the benefits. What are the
drawbacks?
- When
a controller is designed for a specific
requirement, there is little, if no
consideration given to expansion of
capabilities.
- The
component cost may be less, but you must
also consider up front design costs,
multiple times to the drawing board,
considering the chances of a design
working the first time are very remote.
- Development
time from paper to reality can be very
time consuming (6 months minimum), not
even considering redesigns.
With
Entertron's ePLCs, you have the best of a custom
design without the drawbacks. A custom looking
product, with hardware that is already designed
and can be ordered as off the shelf or
configured, based on your application.
Programming software to make our hardware your
product. And best of all, if your requirements
change or a customer comes to you and asks for
something a little different, you don't have to
tell them "no, it is a custom board that
cannot be modified." You can now say
"not a problem, we can do that, is there
anything else you will need."
Conclusion:
Regardless
of the alternative, Entertron provides OEMs with
a comprehensive solution that includes hardware,
software and networking. Our embedded PLCs are a
superior alternative to traditional PLCs, other
embedded controller products or a custom
solution. Here's why:
- A
diverse and flexible range of I/O.
- Real
world I/O ratings - superior to other
embedded controllers.
- Free
support direct from the factory
- The
longest controller warranty in the
industry
- A
company that goes out of its way to
protect an OEM's intellectual property - Here's what
we can do and how!!!
- Over
25 years of dedicating its resources to
providing solutions to OEM's
We may not
always offer the perfect fit for your
application, but, when you factor everything
addressed, Entertron can provide you with the
best solution available.
Our
Guarantee!!!
As
a current OEM customer, Entertron will vow to
protect your intellectual property and
replacement parts business by not selling to your
customers. We will direct all inquiries related
to your serial numbered products directly back to
you.
No
other PLC manufacturer has or will put this in
writing. Entertron has.
|
