The model is simple. Tons (quite literally) of steel have been rendered useless by ounces of failed silicon. The OEM's are unable or unwilling to provide replac

The model is simple. Tons (quite literally) of steel have been rendered useless by ounces of failed silicon. The OEM's are unable or unwilling to provide replacements insisting that all that steel must be torn out and replaced in order to get the "updated" program for which they demand 100's of $k's or even millions plus "integration costs" etc. Usually a $300 off the shelf PLC and a little patience will have them back up in no time. Sometimes it gets really hairy and I have to make little protocol converters with a custom PCB and a little code on a micro. Its almost all from the 80's and 90's. Its not rocket science by any stretch. Its more like plumbing (except in this case, the builder is telling you that when the sink clogs, you need a new house because they don't make that faucet anymore). I mostly do fixed assets (old production plants and such) but it works for tractors, boats, earthmovers, and other vehicles as well.