At IndustrialEnet, our journey began with Tom Halpin, an engineer who graduated in 1985. Starting in robotics, automation, and control systems, Tom’s expertise eventually led him to become our CTO. Over the years, we’ve evolved significantly, from our humble beginnings to our current role as a key player in various industries through advanced networking and security solutions.

Early Days and Transformation

In our early days, we were deeply rooted in automation and controls, dealing with distributed control systems, PLC controls, and various instrumentation essential for process control in industries like paper manufacturing and utilities. Our pivotal transformation occurred in 1996 when Tom and a few colleagues, who were adept in automation and control projects, decided to form our consultancy. Our goal was to provide innovative solutions to complex industrial problems.

Introducing Ethernet to Industrial Systems

The first big feather in our cap came with a project for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Instead of using the traditional proprietary serial buses, we introduced Ethernet as a static system component. This shift resulted in highly efficient data availability and better control operation times, proving the superiority of Ethernet over serial systems. This project marked the beginning of our journey into networking solutions.

Venturing into Wind Farms

The success with Ethernet led to an invitation to architect a wind farm for a customer in Tehachapi, California, around 1999. Despite initial resistance from those accustomed to serial systems, we pioneered the use of fiber optics and Ethernet in wind farms. This innovation enabled seamless communication between turbines and systems, solidifying our reputation in the industry. We passionately designed and deployed several wind farms, earning recognition for building robust industrial networks.

### Responding to Post-9/11 Security Needs

The events of 9/11 in 2001 brought new challenges and opportunities. With heightened threats to critical infrastructure, the military guarded Bay Area bridges and tunnels. The Chief of Telecom sought a more sustainable security solution, leading to a grant from Congress to build a security system. Referred by a satisfied customer, we were tasked with providing the network for this project. We supplied the central nervous system for the security infrastructure, using our expertise from wind farms to protect bridges and tunnels. This project marked the beginning of our involvement in critical infrastructure security.

### Expansion into Intelligent Traffic Systems and Beyond

As our reputation grew, we expanded into Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) applications. We were instrumental in managing traffic flow between cities and took on significant projects like the Corridor Management Project in Coachella Valley. Our approach of integrating network architecture with various devices for security and traffic management positioned us as leaders in the field.

Collaboration with Vendors and Further Growth

Our journey continued with collaborations with notable vendors like Bosch. These partnerships allowed us to integrate advanced cameras and other security devices into our projects. Our expertise in building networks for critical infrastructure and ITS was further demonstrated in the new East Span of the Oakland Bay Bridge project in 2010, where we architected a comprehensive security and network system.

Embracing New Technologies

Our culture of staying on the bleeding edge of technology has been a cornerstone of our success. We continuously explore new technologies and solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. This drive has led us to work on projects involving drone detection, intrusion detection, and data center security, always aiming to provide the most advanced and reliable systems.