A guest blog by Eric Farrugia, VP Strategic Marketing, Industrial Controls & Drives
IIoT is blurring the boundaries between physical and virtual objects. This is giving way to more flexible models of accessing process and machine data – bypassing rigid automation architectures and accessing user-friendly, mobile systems based on Internet standards. While generating and collecting data is an important aspect of IIoT, this alone will not enable manufacturers to realize the full benefit of IIoT – there are other components to consider:
- Smart connected devices that are IIoT ready will deliver an “advanced sensing system” that generates information with the first level of data analysis completed by the device itself
- An edge gateway to aggregate data, display information and connect to the cloud for advanced analytics
- Applications and services to further analyse data and put it into context to help reach business goals
- An open and collaborative environment to allow partners to develop on a common platform
Delivering smart connected devices
that are IIoT ready means embedding Internet technologies like WIFI and web
services natively into those devices. For example, Variable Speed Drives are
essential to industrial processes by way of providing information on motor use
and other devices like sensors and relays provide information on the
device lifecycle.
Embedded digital
services also become critical to support process optimization. For
example the new series of Altivar Process drives with built in
web technology standards, Ethernet
connectivity, intelligence and asset
management or energy management
features deliver additional contextual information,
including real time events, alarms,
drifts, and historical data.
An edge
gateway will aggregate data collected from various sources and deliver
real-time business information to the right people at the right time. This
is the key interface between the
Internet world and the process (the things). It also facilitates
value-added services independent of the control system. Supporting this vision
is the new Magelis GTU HMI
which offers the flexibility of combining a CPU box with a choice of display, including a Wireless LAN enabled display. The edge gateway ensures a high
level of performance and connectivity to address the critical needs of
the IIoT platform.
Digital applications and services are
critical to end users achieving the business performance gains promised by
IIoT.
Simple data collection must be extended to include analytics that deliver
pertinent and valuable business information. Some examples of such applications
and services include installation optimisation, asset management and
protection, condition based monitoring, augmented reality applications and OEE
calculation, among others.
A platform
built on an open and collaborative environment will allow selected partners to develop specific applications that extend offerings and reach to help deliver the
promise of IIoT. A consistent
development environment with governance
and processes will enable easy integration of IIoT platforms.
This blog post is based on
”The Industrial Internet of Things: An Evolution to a Smart Manufacturing
Enterprise” white paper authored by John Conway is Schneider Electric’s VP for
Strategy & Partnerships.
The next blog post offer expert perspectives
on subjects such as SMART Machines and how they contribute
to the future of the industry.
Stay tuned.
Related posts:
- Top 3 barriers that the IIoT systems will need to be widely adopted across manufacturing industries
- 3 operational environments for smart manufacturing enterprise to emerge from the IIoT
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