Streamlined CloudRail Connection to AWS IoT SiteWise Announced by Belden

Belden, a global supplier of network infrastructure and digitization solutions, announced integration of its CloudRail software functionality with AWS IoT SiteWise. CloudRail, which Belden acquired in 2023, enables cloud-based device management that allows users to roll out, manage and update edge devices globally. Its fully managed solution pre-processes data locally before sending it to any cloud. This integration brings together AWS’ data services and CloudRail’s protocol management software for brownfield and greenfield data acquisition.

The combined solution is designed to enable customers to effortlessly connect their industrial assets and sensors to the AWS cloud using CloudRail software. CloudRail is designed to streamline and standardize the discovery, acquisition, and normalization of data from any industrial environment, delivering it in a ready-to-use format. The collected data is then seamlessly ingested into AWS IoT SiteWise Edge for local processing, monitoring and storage, while also being synchronized with AWS IoT SiteWise in the AWS cloud for enterprise-wide visibility and advanced analytics.

Key benefits of the CloudRail and AWS IoT SiteWise Edge integration include:

• Accelerated Time-to-Value: CloudRail's plug-and-play access to over 12,000 sensor definitions, combined with data normalization capabilities, significantly reduces the time and effort required to connect industrial assets to AWS IoT SiteWise, enabling customers to start leveraging their data within hours instead of weeks.

• Simplified Edge-to-Cloud Data Flow: With a single, unified solution, customers can seamlessly acquire, process, and transfer data from the edge to the cloud, eliminating the need for complex integrations and ensuring data consistency throughout the journey.

• Scalable and Secure Device Management: CloudRail's cloud-based device management capabilities enable customers to securely roll out, manage, and update thousands of globally distributed edge devices from a centralized platform.

• Broad Asset and Protocol Support: CloudRail's extensive library ensures compatibility with both modern and legacy industrial equipment. Modern machines can seamlessly connect via standard protocols like OPC-UA, while brownfield scenarios benefit from retrofitting old assets with secondary sensors. Additionally, Modbus enables efficient connectivity for devices such as energy meters.

Setup of the CloudRail integration is streamlined for users: In a drop-down selection in the AWS Console, users can simply add CloudRail’s software as a data source for their IoT SiteWise Edge gateway. To set up the sensors, smart meters, and OPC UA servers as field devices, users are directed to the CloudRail Device Management Cloud (DMC). Everything else is automatically done within AWS. This allows end users to benefit from the simplicity of the CloudRail solution without the need to deploy physical edge gateways.

Further information on Digital Transformation at the Industrial IoT edge is available here.