Subject: The ISA Show and Hurricane Ivan

To Our Friends & Subscribers:

If you’re like me, you’re incredibly busy. Tight 
deadlines. Multiple conflicting priorities.  Demanding 
customers. Technology that feverishly, relentlessly
races forward. 

Five hours of sleep last night, more overtime finishing 
up an already-late project. This letter I’m writing to
you right now is on my late-night to-do list…

Certainly you’ve got no time to take 2-3 days out of an 
already overbooked schedule to go to a trade show.

(Unless, of course, those 2-3 days of exploration save 
you weeks of heartache and last minute fixes.)  As 
a matter of fact, wouldn’t it be well worth it, if it just
keeps a  Monday morning startup from taking 
until Tuesday?

I'm hoping you'll come and see me and my collection 
of networking aficionados at the ISA show in 
Houston, October 5-7. For more info, just click on 
the show icon on 
http://www.bb-elec.com/welcome.asp?s=e92304
 
If you come and see us, you can take our Ethernet 
quiz and get a pretty good shot at winning one of 
the 25 copies of Jim Pinto's "Automation Unplugged" 
book.  Automation Unplugged is a probing look at 
what makes our business tick in these fast-changing 
times.  If you work in the manufacturing business, 
this is a book you should read.  So come and take
the quiz and shake my hand - I'd like to meet 
you in person!

Hey, did you get our newest catalog yet?

The B&B catalog hit the streets last week and 
I'm hoping you got yours!  Cool stuff that's inside:

- Which wireless technology is right for your application?
There's a chart that maps your needs to 
various grades of wireless, from embedded 
sensors to digital video.  See Page 32.  
Or here it is online:

http://www.bb-elec.com/bb-elec/catalog/pg32to37.pdf?s=e92304

Now if you didn't get our catalog, go here to request
a copy for yourself:

http://www.bb-elec.com/catalog_request.asp?s=e92304

More cool stuff in the catalog:

- Guide to Ethernet Components & Terminology:  
Discover the meaning of all the acronyms, important 
terms and various grades of devices.  See page 8.  
Also, you can get our 5-page "Ethernet Basics" guide at

http://www.bb-elec.com/ethernetbasics/ethernetbasics_info.asp?s=e92304

- Ethernet for Legacy PLC's:  Proprietary protocols 
need not stop you from sending your data 
where it needs to go.  DF1, Hostlink, 
Allen-Bradley Ethernet and many more: 
See page 7 or visit

http://www.bb-elec.com/product_family.asp?familyid=6&s=e92304

- Protect your PLC:  Last I checked, the Allen-Bradley 
SLC500 was the most popular PLC on the planet.  
Protect your trusty SLC 500, 5/01, 5/02, or 5/03 
and your RS-485 network from ground loops, 
spikes and surges.  See page 17 or visit

http://www.bb-elec.com/product.asp?sku=485ABOIC&s=e92304

- Managed Ethernet Switches: If you've got a 
mission- or time-critical application, you can completely 
configure these switches "virtually" and even get 
status updates via email.  See page 11 or visit

http://www.bb-elec.com/bb-elec/catalog/pg4to13.pdf?s=e92304 

- Confused about fieldbuses?  You're not alone.  
Pete from engineering explains the various 
networks and protocols with a handy chart - 
see page 15 or visit

http://www.bb-elec.com/bb-elec/catalog/pg14to24.pdf?s=e92304

Are you a System Integrator?

I know how important SI's are in the success of 
projects all over the world, and frankly I realize 
that sometimes it's a thankless job.  You pull 
all-nighters, work miracles, turn water into wine, 
and the purchasing agent still wants to shave 
pennies on your invoice.  Well I can't solve all of
those problems for you, but B&B does have a 
System Integrator program that gives you 
front-line service and support and customized 
services. See page 25 or visit: 
http://www.bb-elec.com/partners.asp?s=e92304

To discuss an immediate SI application, and 
explore how we can help you get it done 
faster, call Dennis Flanagan at 
(815)433-5100 x224.

Do you need a custom wireless product?

We do that too.  Examples of late include a 
new platform that does wireless MESH 
networking with Zigbee technology; 
proprietary wireless radios that hackers
can't decode; and Wi-Fi extendors tailored 
to your product.  See page 30-31 or call
Dennis Flanagan at  (815)433-5100 x222.

Are You Digging Out from a Hurricane?

Sad to say, some of you folks are digging out 
from a huge mess, whether it's Florida, Alabama, 
Georgia - the hurricanes have made businesses 
in some places grind to a halt.  If that's you, 
we'd like to help.

When you call, let us know that you've been 
sacked by Ivan or one of Ivan's evil friends, 
and we'll pick up the shipping for you.  We can't 
stop storms in their tracks, but we can make 
your job a little easier.

As usual, we welcome your questions: 
mailto:support@bb-elec.com

Happy Connections,

Mike Fahrion
B&B Electronics