[BC] Re: Equipment scattered around

[Xmitters@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/31/05 7:50:11 PM Central Daylight Time, 
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:

<< >the
 >equipment that's my responsibility is scattered all around northern 
 >Illinois.
 >It is not at all uncommon that I have to drive 140 miles round trip to push 
 >a
 >button. Now to me, this is not fun and it happens more times than I would
 >prefer.
 
 Ok, so why don't we, the engineering community who maintains everything 
 everywhere, INSIST that manufacturers develop a TCP/IP - based standard 
 interface for EVERY single piece of gear made, so that we can operate and 
 troubleshoot EVERYTHING in ANY plant, ANYWHERE on Earth from our desks? >>

In my particular case, this solution would not help. I have to drive 140 
miles round trip to swap out a PA module in the QEI. Takes ten minutes to do the 
actual work. I would like to have internet access at all of my sites. I'm not 
going to rag at the manufacturers to make their stuff internet accessible, but 
I do have thoughts on using some of the cute little TCP/IP blobs that B&B 
electronics has to offer. I could have all the internet horns and whistles 
available and still have to spend half my day driving. We'll have to wait until 
robotics technology gets a little more advanced, I guess.

Jeff Glass