Icetruck

5 Ideas for Fun Custom Bobbleheads

A doll with a head that bobbles: that is the classic bobblehead doll. And that could very well be the end of the story.

But it’s not.

The fun begins when bobblehead dolls are customized to represent something or someone in particular. A custom bobblehead doll is the perfect blend of art and laughter.

But before the fun begins, you have to decide what or who your custom bobblehead doll is supposed to represent. You will never run out of ideas for custom bobbleheads.

Here are 5 to get you started:

1. Your Favorite Pet

Who says bobbleheads have to be modeled after humans. Pets are people too. If not, at least they are great subjects for custom bobbleheads.

Make this gift card out to yourself.

You likely can’t take your favorite pet with you to the office. But you could put a bobblehead of her on your desk.

It will be like she’s right there with you, except without all the barking, territory marking, and… You get the idea.

2. Bobblehead Selfie

All of the power, science, chemistry and engineering that goes into smartphones these days has been reduced to one thing by the masses, taking selfies.

If you are going to take selfies, why not take them to the next level?

A custom bobblehead selfie is a great gift that reminds friends, family, spouses and other domestic partners that you are always there for them. So don’t hesitate to give the gift of yourself.

3. Confidence Boosters

If you think self-esteem is tough for adults, try being a kid again. It is harder than ever to navigate the grade school social highway with your ego intact.

Parents can give the gift of self-confidence by presenting a child with a bobblehead of themselves as their favorite superhero. It can be a reward for good grades on an exam, or politeness, or neatness, or any good thing that can be called out in a special way.

Because it is a custom bobblehead, your child’s likeness could be them ripping open their shirt to reveal a superhero emblem underneath.

Just know that some places charge extra to customize the body. There will also likely be a separate charge for glasses, masks, and head gear. When pricing your custom bobblehead, be very specific about what you want.

4. Sales Incentives

Sales rooms are powered by egos and incentives. Custom Bobbleheads of your sales team can help you tap into both.

The winner of your weekly contests can be represented by their triumphant bobblehead prominently displayed.

5. Bobblehead Family

As the old saying goes, the family that bobbles together… Well, you get the idea.

Next time, instead of a family portrait, why not try something a little different?

Why not do family bobbleheads every few years. The kids will love them, the grandkids will adore them. And for the first time, the Joneses will want to keep up with you.

There is no end to the creative ways to customize and utilize bobblehead dolls. If you are an out of the box thinker, give one firm bobble for “yes!”

How to Lose Weight (Without Going on a Diet!)

Did you know losing weight is the #1 new year’s resolution for 2017?

Yes, 21.4 percent of Americans can’t help but resolve to shed some pounds gained over the festive season.

But, losing weight the healthy way is easier said than done. A simple how to lose weight search on Google pulls up several methods to cut those pounds, including going on a diet.

Truth be told, dieting sucks. And, it really isn’t the best way to get weight off. Today, we’re revealing tips on how to lose weight without going on a diet.

Let’s dig in!

Eat Less

If you want to lose weight without staying away from your favorite meals, you’ve got to eat less. This prevents you from taking in more calories than your body can burn.

So, how do you eat less?

Use smaller plates for your meals. It’s hard to serve small portions on large plates because we naturally love our plates full.

Drinking one or two glasses of water before eating also helps. This tricks your tummy into feeling full.

You can also try eating using your non-dominant hand. If you’re left-handed, for instance, use your right hand. This way, you will eat more slowly and remain mindful of your meal.

Slow eating can help you feel fuller faster. The faster you feel full, the higher your chances of kicking that plate away (with some food on it).

How About Eating with a Partner?

Our partners can influence our eating habits.

But, the biggest beneficiaries of this weight loss hack are ladies.

Well, if you’re a lady, you want to cut the image of a delicate and soft person, especially when you’re in the company of men. Can we agree smashing a plateful of food in their presence isn’t good for your image? Right, you get it!

In a 2013 study, the Journal of Applied Social Psychology established that college women purchased fewer calories when in the company of male students!

So, if you’re a lady, eating with men more often can help you lose weight without dieting.

Dinners Out? Stay Away

An average restaurant meal contains about 1200 calories. Worse, 92 percent of restaurant meals are high-calorie meals.

This is bad news, especially when you’re trying to decrease your calorie intake in order to lose weight.

Perhaps you are thinking, “Well, I can go for a dinner out and have a small bite!”

Let’s be honest: Nobody goes out for dinner to have a small bite, particularly if you’re out with friends.

Can you afford sitting there as they sample chunks of exotic steak? My guess is you will start with a bite and before you know it, you’ve taken a whole plate.

However, you can still have occasional dinners out. Just be disciplined, and be sure to go out with people who’re also committed to losing weight.

Combine Your Diet Efforts with Physical Activity

To get the best out of your new dieting style, combine it with some physical activity.

No, you don’t have to hit the gym like a fitness maniac.

Start simple. Jog or bike around the neighborhood, walk to the park, join a dance class or go swimming.

In Conclusion…

Going on diet is challenging and it has its disadvantages.

If implemented incorrectly, it can cause a decrease in body metabolism, extreme hunger, loss of macronutrients and dehydration.

You don’t have to risk all that. With these weight loss secrets, you can shed those pounds without sticking to a diet plan.

What’s your take on losing weight without going on diet? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

How to Market Your Home to Luxury Buyers

Looking to sell your luxury home? Your marketing needs to be on point. Here’s everything you need to know about how to sell it quickly at a competitive price.

Luxury Homes for Sale – What’s Your Price?

It’s important to sell your luxury home at a competitive price.

A competitive price is found by your real estate agent through comparative market analysis.

This takes into account the value of your home while being cognizant of the other luxury homes for sale in your area. Your real estate agent will sift through data, tour comparable homes, and call on brokers for insight.

Buyers in your area have more to spend than most. This doesn’t mean they won’t deliberate and negotiate.

This is why listing your home at a competitive price is essential.

Marketing Materials

The price of your home is just one part of your marketing plan.

Luxury homes for sale are not commonplace. Your marketing plan should have a refined, compelling strategy to match.

Create a unique website for your home.

Ensure that your website is mobile friendly. Sites with intuitive navigation, which are gorgeous and clean will charm potential buyers.

Seek out the best, innovative marketing materials to post on your website and other venues your agent deems appropriate.

This means professional picture, video, and drone photography. Hire skilled writers for your ads and brochures.

Showcase your home’s amenities. This includes:

• Design (intricate details and open floor plan)
• New technology: control locks, heat, and AC from your phone
• Pool
• Home theater
• Spa bathroom
• In-home gym

Location

Luxury homes for sale should emphasize their exclusivity and the gorgeous landscape in the marketing materials.

When buyers see your marketing materials, the exclusivity and privacy of your luxury home should be apparent at first glance.

Showcase the land around your home with picture and drone photography. Whether the greenery around your home is beautiful but simple or lush and colorful, ensure that its design matches your home.

Time of Year

Selling at a certain time of year is important for anyone selling a home, however, luxury homes for sale raise the stakes.

Things to consider are school, terrain, and weather.

Being cognizant of schools in your area is important for anyone selling a home. If your luxury home is in a school area, it’s important to consider the children of potential buyers. Be prepared to give some information about the schools.

Many families with children will be looking for a new home in late Spring and Summer. Selling outside this window means that fewer families are shopping.

Fortunately, it doesn’t exclude all buyers.

Potential buyers look for luxury homes outside this window, but they still want an unforgettable viewing.

If you live near water or your luxury home is lake or oceanfront, extreme weather could mean unfriendly cold, wind or even hurricanes if your luxury home is on the Gulf.

Aim to show your home in the right season, when the weather is pleasant.

5 Ways Everyone Can Improve Their Restaurant Management

They say to work smarter rather than harder, and the restaurant industry is no exception to this rule.

Clinging to outdated management processes while the competition continues to innovate will only put you one step behind in the long run.

As a manager, you’ll know that customer experiences hinge on both the food and the service. Recent studies of Yelp customer reviews have even shown that customers react to bad restaurant experiences with signs of mild trauma!

No one wants to be responsible for that, so here are five ways you can help improve your restaurant management.

Gather customer feedback

Collecting customer feedback is, and always will be, the best place to start when you’re looking to improve.

By asking them to fill out a short survey, leave a review online or fill out a comment card, you can see the areas you’re excelling in and areas that might need improvement.

Remember to stay impartial when reading your feedback–hard as that may be! Some things may be more useful than others, but it’s crucial not to discard feedback because you don’t like it.

Bookkeeping software

Is your outdated restaurant bookkeeping software holding you back?

Time is money and efficiency is always key, so you need to look to save time wherever you can.

New, more up-to-date software will allow you to manage your inventory, look at the cost of your menu, digitize your invoices and expenses.

You can even send checks to vendors in just a few clicks, bringing management admin time right down while maintaining the high level of transparency and efficiency.

Give your team the tools they need

This seems simple but really can make all the difference.

Being fully stocked with linens, trays, cutlery, glasses and pads means your team will have all they need to do a good job.

Making sure you’re properly fitted out isn’t just helpful for the team, it also helps to maintain a high level of quality and consistency for customers.

Ratty old linens and mismatched cutlery won’t do your reputation any favors.

Incentivise your team

Even if you’re lucky enough to have a team filled with compassionate, enthusiastic individuals with a natural tendency towards hospitality, incentivisation goes a long way to maintaining high service standards.

Set goals based on your KPIs and customer service targets and reward the staff members that hit those markers.

You can even make it into a competition to help stoke the fires of participation!

Hold a monthly team meeting

It’s not just the customers who have important business insights to share.

Try holding a team meeting every month or every quarter and collect the feedback that the whole team has to offer–chefs, kitchen porters, waiting staff, and hosts.

There could be processes that are causing friction across the teams or slowing down service, so bring the issue out into the open and try new ways of doing things.

It’s important for staff to feel like they have a voice, so let them speak!

Try implementing a few of these ideas and see the difference they can bring to your restaurant efficiency.

How to Travel Like a Local in the Dominican Republic

We know what kind of traveler you are.

You bring the same appetite to street food as you’d bring to an upscale restaurant.

You’d rather find your way to the beach (or museum, shop, restaurant, etc.) yourself than go with a tour.

You’ll take a local’s advice over a guidebook’s every time.

Bottom line: You embrace local flavor. You want to travel like a local.

And you’ve picked the right place. The Dominican Republic offers some of the friendliest people, best food, most beautiful beaches, widest choice of accommodations and the most diverse range of activities in the Caribbean.

Here’s what you need to know to enjoy it all.

When to Go

There are no bad times.

June through December, roughly, is hurricane season, and some resorts close in October. But assuming no hurricanes, temperatures are steady, rooms are discounted and crowds are smaller.

March through July is shoulder season.

Santo Domingo on the southern coast will likely see frequent, brief rain that may continue into October. And days can get breezy. But temperatures are balmy. May and June will see partly cloudy days with an occasional afternoon shower.

Mid-December through February and the week before Easter constitute the high season, meaning higher prices and bigger beach crowds.

(Note that water sports are prohibited throughout the country during the week before Easter.)

What to Pay and Where to Stay

You’ll find accommodations in virtually every price range and category, from all-inclusive resorts and the Dominican Republic villas to hostels and budget hotels.

In the budget range, you can get by on about US$60 per person per day, including a hotel room or hostel for one person, meals, and transportation via local motorcycle taxis (motoconchos) and minibusses (guaguas).

In the mid-range, figure an average daily cost of US$110-$150, including first class bus transportation between cities and entertainment including guided tours.

With a luxury budget, average daily costs are typically north of US$200 for a luxury hotel or all-inclusive resort and upscale dining.

The local currency is the Dominican Republic peso, so don’t forget your currency conversion calculator.

And don’t be alarmed at the 28% service charge typically tacked onto your restaurant bill; it includes a 10% tip (though you can add more).

By the same token, hotels build in a service charge, although a couple of U.S. dollars per night for housekeeping will always be appreciated.

Where to Go and What to Do

Beaches

Most resorts have beaches. But in a country noted for its beaches, you can do a lot better with a bit of traveling.

The calmest waters are those on the south side of the island. The beaches at Punta Cana, La Samana, and Puerto Plata are on the Atlantic and the water is likely to be a bit rougher, especially between December and February.

Specifically, Boca Chica is a gorgeous, white sand beach just a few miles east of Santo Domingo. But its proximity to the city is also its biggest deficit, as Boca Chica tends to be very crowded with families from the city.

Juan Dolio beach a few minutes further east is quieter. And there are plenty of alternatives, including the beach at the small town of Las Terrenas, Cayo Levantado near the Bay of Samana (only accessible by boat), El Rincon beach and – for a gorgeous coral reef and great diving – Playa Cofresi.

Wherever you go, remember that on Sundays, accessible beaches are likely to be more crowded with locals.

But the Dominican Republic is about a lot more than just beaches.

The Capital

Santo Domingo is the country’s capital and cultural center. It features museums, parks, upscale restaurants and street food, music and nightlife.

The Colonial City is a particularly fascinating historic area.

And Malecon, the seafront promenade, is a great place for a drink at sunset at one of the many hotels, casinos, and restaurants facing the Caribbean.

Inland

Unlike some Caribbean destinations noted for their beaches, the Dominican Republic also features mountains and lush jungle.

Mount Isabel de Torres is notable for its spectacular city views and the cable car ride to the summit. There are also steep hiking trails if you’re feeling adventurous.

The Cascades of Damajagua feature a series of pools and waterfalls. The climb to the top is strenuous and you may require assistance. But the payoff is an exhilarating slide back down to the bottom.

Sportfishing is also a major pastime in the Dominican Republic, and multiple operators operate zipline adventures and canopy tours in the jungle.

Other popular activities include diving with whales, swimming with dolphins, kiteboarding, mountain biking and dune buggies.

Finally, if you really want to travel the Dominican Republic like a local, take some time to brush up on your Spanish, the national language.

And whatever you do, don’t forget to send us a postcard.

2017’s Hottest Hawaiian Real Estate Trends

Did you know that Hawaii has the lowest real property tax in the United States?

Compared to New Jersey, the state with the highest property taxes at $4,189, Hawaii’s annual taxes on a $178,600 home is $487!The average American household spends $2,149 on property taxes for their homes annually according to the US Census Bureau.

Yet, the average American household spends $2,149 on property taxes for their homes annually, according to the US Census Bureau.

Are you now interested in real estate in Hawaii? Read on to know the hottest Hawaiian real estate trends for this year.

Read on to know the hottest Hawaiian real estate trends for this year.

2017 Real estate in Hawaii trends

1. The market is heating up

Hawaii is leading the way in terms of home sales and maturing values.

Hawaii natives are moving to new cities, upgrading or downsizing, while buyers from the mainland are moving to the island full-time or securing a seasonal vacation home.

Thanks to a more robust economy, demand is going to continue to increase. Experts believe that more people will gravitate towards the Big Island and Maui in particular.

Maui is said to be perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as those looking for laid-back, family-friendly place to live.

2. Single-family home and condo sales will continue to surge

In 2016, the median sales price of single-family homes on Oahu hit a record high, reaching $760,000 in June. Meanwhile, condo sales jumped 8.4 percent to 5,449 units sold compared to 5,028 units in 2015.

On Kauai, there were 568 single-family home sales in 2016, while there was a 1 percent increase in the sales of condominiums compared to units sold in 2015.

On the Big Island, there were 2,297 single-family homes sold last year and sales of condos jumped 6.6 percent to 707 sales in 2016.

Local market experts have good reason to believe that this trend will continue to be strong for 2017.

3. Oahu luxury real estate sales are up

When it comes to real estate in Hawaii, it’s not just single-family homes and condos that are seeing strong sales.

On Oahu, a total of 35 luxury homes were sold last January 2017, which was twice the number sold in 2016. Of these, 16 luxury properties sold in the $1.5 million to $1.9 million price range, 12 were in the $2 million to $2.9 million price range, three were in the $3 million to $3.9 million price range, and four were in the $5 million and above price range.

With the number of luxury properties in escrow at the end of January, strong sales are expected to continue in the upcoming months of 2017.

4. Interest rates on mortgages are going up.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on mortgages by a quarter of a point last December 2016. From a low of 3.5 percent to 4.25 percent for a 30-year, fixed rate loan, mortgage rates have increased.

What does this mean? If you’re waiting to see if the prices will decrease, you may want to hurry up and lock in a low rate while you still can.

5. Downsizing or right-sizing?

In downtown Honolulu, more couples are opting for condos and selling their larger homes. Right-sizing is said to be a great option for couples whose children have grown up and flown the coop.

With the currently strong market, it’s a good time to sell. Plus, there are plenty of activities such as walking and biking in the downtown and Chinatown area, not to mention the booming food and arts scene.

Need more info on real estate in Hawaii?

We know where to look. Whether you are presently looking to snap up a hot property in Hawaii or just shopping around for something that could suit you in the future, you can count on BHHS to get you there.

Download the BHHS Hawaii Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or go to their Contact us page to see open house properties on sale now.

A Beginner’s Guide to Using Reddit

It’s been referred to as ‘the front page of the internet’, so wanting to get involved with the Reddit community is completely understandable.

But when you land on the homepage for the very first time, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. Reddit is a site with its own rules, structure, and even its own language.

If you’re keen to get in on the Reddit action, read this quick guide and learn the ropes before you plunge in.

So what is Reddit?

Reddit is a content democracy based on a system of voting. It’s a place to learn the latest news and find a sense of community.

Once you start using it, you’ll find that Reddit is a culture more than a site, which means it’ll be difficult to grasp on day one. Like turning up on the first day of school and expecting to be accepted into the clique right off the bat.

There are lots of in-jokes and community references, and although these might feel a little alienating at first, they’re the very same things that’ll make you feel like part of the family further down the line.

How does Reddit work?

Subreddits
These are the channels on Reddit. If you’re new, you’ll automatically be subscribed to the top subreddits, like Technology, Music, and Gaming. As you continue using Reddit, you’ll find more subreddits to subscribe to.

Multireddits
These are customizable groups that you can put your subreddits in. They’ll sit neatly in your side nagivation bar so you can easily get to where you want to be.

Upvoting
Help improve the rank of items by upvoting them. If they get enough upvotes, they’ll appear on the Reddit homepage.

Downvoting
If something wasn’t helpful or interesting, you can give it a downvote.

Score
The number of upvotes and downvotes on an item will affect its overall score. The score sits between the up arrows and down arrows. The number of upvotes minus the number of downvotes gives you that item’s score.

Karma
Karma is earned as you continue to use Reddit. It’s based on how many upvotes and downvotes your posts and comments have gathered since you opened your account.

Learn the Reddit Lingo

We weren’t kidding when we said that the Redditor’s have their own language. Here’s how to crack the code:

TL;DR – Too long, didn’t read
If someone has posted a wall of text, it’s not uncommon to see this in response.

HIFW – How I feel when…
Use this in tandem with a GIF that expresses your extreme emotional reaction to any given subject.

FTFY – Fixed that for you
Typically used when someone bests or outdoes a claim made by another Redditor.

OP – Original poster
This is used when referring to the person that originally started the thread or post in question.

ITT – In this thread
Use this when you want to generalize about the community within one specific thread.

Before you post…

Don’t forget to brush up on your Reddiquette. Don’t spam and never resort to asking others to upvote your content. Each subreddit has its own rules that must be followed, so don’t forget to check these out before you post.

Feeling Reddit ready? Head on over to the site and get involved with the global discussion.

Treats Can Be Good for You! 5 Health Benefits of Frozen Yogurt

If there’s one food people can agree on loving, it’s frozen yogurt.

Frozen yogurt (more affectionately known as froyo) is more than just delicious. It’s an easily customizable dessert that comes in a variety of flavors. Some people love it for its taste, but there are more that love it for its health benefits.

There’s no denying that if you’re looking for a healthy dessert that froyo beats out ice cream. But have you ever thought about why?

Once you read this post you’ll know about the variety of health benefits it has to offer.

Calcium

Tired of drinking milk to get calcium? Treat yourself with some frozen yogurt!

Froyo has an average of 178 milligrams of calcium per half-cup serving, it’s clearly an excellent source of calcium.

Calcium is well known for its positive effects on bones and teeth, but it does much more than keep them strong.

Calcium intake can help reduce the growth of excess cells in the colon, which in turn could help prevent cancer. Diets high in calcium can also aid in weight loss and help prevent obesity.

Low calories

If you’re counting calories it can seem like every day is a struggle to eat within your limits.

If you have a sweet tooth you’re limited to only so many options. Luckily dessert fans can rejoice, frozen yogurt is here to save the day.

Frozen yogurt itself is a very low-calorie food, even when it’s flavored. If you’re careful with your toppings and serving size, you can have a nice low-calorie dessert if you choose to eat frozen yogurt.

Improve digestive health

Do you feel like you’re sensitive to dairy? Do you miss enjoying frozen desserts?

Frozen yogurt could be the dessert option that you’re looking for.

Frozen yogurt is full of probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for the human body, and froyo is full of the two helpful organisms Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilous.

Those two probiotics can help break down lactose and be easier on the stomachs of people with dairy sensitivities. The helpful bacteria can also help balance the amount of microflora in the gut.

If you look for frozen yogurt that has the live and active culture’s seal, you’ll have a dessert that’s great for digestive health.

Froyo has tons of protein

Cookies, cake, and other desserts may be tasty but they don’t have much nutritional content. Traditional desserts are full of sugars and carbs, but frozen yogurt is full of protein.

Protein filled snacks can help you feel more satisfied. Frozen yogurt can be the perfect snack for people that need to feel full.

There’s a lot of protein in a half cup of frozen yogurt, more than enough to justify this sweet treat every once in awhile.

Low fat

Satisfying snacks that are also low in fat can be hard to come by.

On top of all the health benefits, froyo has to offer, its low-fat content may be the best.

Ice cream can be very fattening, but frozen yogurt has almost half the fat of ice cream. If you want to make sure that you’re keeping your fat content low, you can stick to non-fat flavors.

What health benefits of frozen yogurt do you like the best? Let us know about it in the comments section!

What it Means to Take Charge of Your Life

Our modern world can be a crazy, confusing and sometimes dangerous place.

It’s easy to get swept up in the chaos. But how do we avoid it?

Having to bring home the bacon, pursue or maintain a lasting intimate relationship, keep up a healthy lifestyle, build a successful career and lead a happy, fulfilled life seems like an impossible undertaking.

Does all this make you feel out of control? A victim of circumstance? Unable to take it all on and live the life you truly desire?

Do you look at other people who seemingly have it all and wish you could figure it out for yourself?

If it does, you are not alone.

Most people live their entire lives missing out on the vast wealth of joy available to us.

We get stuck in a job that just maintains us, but doesn’t fulfill us.

We “settle” for a relationship that at best feels safe and comfortable.

We eat unhealthy, “easy” food and don’t exercise because there “isn’t time” to do it right.

But don’t lose hope! It is possible to take charge of your life and have it all!

Where We Fail

How we manage the cornucopia of stress and responsibility of daily life is key.

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get wrapped up and rely on bad habits and quick fixes to ease our restless minds, hearts, and bodies.

You’ve made the decision you want to eat healthier. But you had a long day at work, and it’s just easier to turn off into that drive-through and start eating healthier tomorrow. Have you done this recently?

Maybe you determined you’d do some meditation to alleviate that daily stress. But a long day of taking care of the kids leads you to just have that cocktail or two before passing out to do it again the next day. Sound familiar?

An exciting new job opportunity arises in a field you’ve been wanting to explore. But the safety and comfort of your “survival job” pays the bills. So, you decide you just aren’t prepared, it’s too risky, and let the interview slide. Are you guilty?

All of these things are just a “flinch,” a way we push our true selves down and allow life to live us, rather than live life.

It doesn’t have to be this way!

Reclaim Your Power

“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask yourself if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.” – Deepak Chopra

All too often we allow our habits to control us. It’s time to reclaim your personal power and make a change.

Here are a few things that you can and will discover when you reclaim your power and take charge of your life:

• Fear is not your enemy
• Personal responsibility is more powerful than victimhood
• Focus on what you want, not what you think you need
• Forgiveness, of yourself and others, will lead you to freedom
• Nothing lasts forever

I know you have the ability to take charge of your life and reshape it into that sparkling vision of happiness you deserve.

If you are ready to take the next step, Craig Beck’s Personal Power Coaching Club is the perfect place to start.

Get on the right track and become a part of Craig Beck’s Personal Power Coaching Club now.

What is Modbus and How Can You Benefit From it

If you’re looking for an easy to use, open serial communication protocol to implement with your electronic industrial devices, then you must have stumbled upon Modbus, at least once or twice.

Curious about what it is and how you and/or your company can benefit from it? Many companies and developers have grown to love this open serial communication protocol, and use it extensively in programming the electronic industrial devices they work on.

Let’s take a look at what Modbus is, and how you can benefit from it.

What exactly is Modbus?

Modbus was developed in 1979 by Modicon, the company behind the first programmable logic controller. In tech terms, it is a serial communication protocol.

In other words, Modbus is a way for electronic industrial devices communicate with each other. It allows information to be transmitted over serial lines between electronic devices. Devices can request information, as well as supply it.

Devices that request information using Modbus are called Modbus Masters, while those that supply information using Modbus are called Modbus Slaves. Modbus Masters can even write information to the Modbus Slaves.

It should be noted that there can only be one Master per Modbus network, but there can be up to 247 Slaves. Each Slave has their own unique address.

How much does Modbus cost and how is it used?

When Modbus was created, it was released to the public, making it an open protocol. This means that companies and developers are allowed to implement it within their networks and build into their equipment without paying royalties.

This fact has made Modbus the most commonly used way electronic industrial devices are connected. Regardless of the industry, your organization is in, Modbus can be used to help automate network communication.

There are also various versions available of Modbus that are used to address specific needs an organization. For example, Modbus TCP is used for Ethernet, and Modbus RTU and Modbus ASCII for serial lines.

How can Modbus help my company?

Modbus is great for any company within the manufacturing industry – regardless of what you manufacture. Your organization can benefit from Modbus, because it allows quick and efficient communication between devices in a network.

A scenario in which Modbus could be used is in transmitting signals from instruments and/or control devices and sending them back to a main control device.

A practical application of this would be an electronic industrial system that measures air pressure and transmits them back to a computer for analysis. Another way that it can be used is connecting a supervisory system to remote terminal units in a supervisory control and data acquisition system.

If your company has a real need for data collection and transmission to a main computer, or if it actively uses a supervisory control and data acquisition system then Modbus is definitely a serial transmission protocol worth exploring.

Those two scenarios are just a fraction of the possibilities that exist when Modbus is used in your company’s network. With Modbus, the possibilities for innovation and simplification are endless.