Edge computing sounds clean on a slide deck, but the factory floor is where the definition gets real fast. We talk with Zoie Rittling, an edge computing specialist at TEGUAR, about what “compute close to the data” actually means when you’re dealing with heat, dust, vibration, uptime pressure, and constant change. If you have ever wondered why a normal laptop dies on a production line, or what makes an industrial box PC, panel PC, or edge server the right fit for OT workloads, we break it down in plain language with concrete examples like machine vision and quality inspection.
From there, we shift into the human side of industrial automation: how consultative B2B hardware sales works when you cannot manufacture demand and budget cycles run the show. Zoie shares why cold outbound is really a relationship game, why patience pays dividends over nine to eighteen month deal cycles, and how trade shows succeed or fail based on the planning and the post-show follow-up. We also talk about building a collaborative inside sales culture that protects customer experience instead of letting reps compete over the same account.
We wrap by busting two expensive myths: industrial computers can be powerful, and edge AI does not automatically require a massive GPU. The goal is right-sizing hardware to the workload so performance is solid and ROI is real. Along the way we get into mentorship, imposter syndrome, and the value of being humble enough to ask questions, whether you are a new account executive or an engineer leaning on vendors and applications teams for expertise.
Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, edge computing, OT hardware, and the people who make it work, then share this episode with a coworker and leave a review with your biggest edge deployment lesson.
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🎙 About Automation Ladies
Automation Ladies is an industrial automation podcast spotlighting the engineers, integrators, innovators, and leaders shaping the future of manufacturing.
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🎤 Want to be a guest on the show?
https://www.automationladies.io/guests/intake/
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👩🏭 Connect with the Hosts
Nikki Gonzales (https://linkedin.com/in/nikki-gonzales)
Courtney Fernandez (https://linkedin.com/in/courtneydfernandez)
Ali G (https://linkedin.com/in/alicia-gilpin-ali-g-process-controls-engineering)
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🎟 The Automation Ladies Community Conference: https://otscada.com
Learn more about the hosts’ industrial automation conference OT SCADA CON attended by 100+ automation professionals, engineers, integrators, and technology leaders for hands-on learning, real-world case studies, and meaningful industry connections.
🎬 Credits
Produced by: Veronica Espinoza
Music by: Sam Janes
P.S. - Help our podcast grow with ... (https://www.podpage.com/automation-ladies/reviews/new/)
