Connecting Industrial Devices

Author photo: Craig Resnick
ByCraig Resnick
Category:
Industry Trends
Connected Device Management (CDM) Platforms are important components of the Internet of Things (IoT) architecture. These software platforms, used to manage intelligent connected products, devices, machines, and other assets, reside between intelligent devices and Big Data, analytics, IT cloud platforms, and other higher levels of the architecture. CDM platforms act as the “glue” that links devices to these higher layers. Their value-added functionality beyond just device connectivity gives connected product suppliers significant opportunity for competitive differentiation. Big Data, analytics, and other cloud and server-based applications increasingly rely on CDM platforms to provide not only connectivity to intelligent devices, but also a buffer that insulates them from the potentially overwhelming “fire hose” of direct device connections.

IIoT enables intelligent communication and operations support between remotely located machines and devices. Advances in embedded systems, small-footprint operating systems, cloud computing, networking, wireless and cellular technologies all help drive the decentralization of intelligence in machine architectures. As remote devices become smarter, intra-device communications increase at a rapid rate. The industrial world is taking notice of the potential of IIoT. Remote maintenance, which optimizes machine uptime and minimizes on-site visits, can reduce or eliminate a manufacturer’s biggest nightmare, unscheduled downtime.

One of the pioneers of device connectivity management (M2M) is ILS Technology, a Telit company. ILS Technology is the creator of an application enablement platform, known as deviceWISE, that enables direct links to be established between intelligent devices in factories and enterprise networks. The platform functions as a software bridge between the two environments and enables the creation and deployment of end-to-end solutions. One side of the software bridge captures machine data. The other side has a set of transports that enable connectivity to enterprise systems. In addition, deviceWISE is compatible with mainstream database, message queuing and application server systems, including those of IBM, SAP, ORACLE and Microsoft.

ILS created the deviceWISE M2M Application Platform for remote operations visualization and support. The company offers its solution in a both a standalone or a hosted cloud based subscription service that helps simplify deployment costs and to deliver services without an upfront investment in operations center hardware, back-end application/license costs, and ongoing infrastructure maintenance. The ILS platform can help simplify deployment by eliminating the need for custom development.

The ILS platform provides its M2M or IIoT connectivity via virtual networks over wired, wireless, and cellular infrastructures. Data and information are transported securely for monitoring and remote access between the service provider and the end user’s network. The ILS virtual network can provide bidirectional interaction with existing service provider applications or enable expedited service delivery for managed applications, such as ERP, CRM, databases, and proprietary applications without disrupting existing service processes and procedures. In addition to integrating these back office applications, data from existing IP-enabled equipment that support industry-standard protocols can be integrated without requiring software agents to be installed. The technology used to implement the virtual network requires no firewall modifications and works with standards-based network equipment.

Manufacturers who recognize that IIoT connectivity of their industrial machines can lead to improved asset performance and operating performance may want to consider a CDM platform as a means to connect their assets.

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