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CLOUD, SYSTEM INTEGRATORS, II O T Maryam Afshar and Brian Gallogly, Quantum Automation
Help for IIoT applications End users may find IIoT devices and connectivity technology to be intimidating. A system integrator can minimize risks and costs with proven methods.
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Figure 1: This cloud-based IIoT platform works in conjunction with several commercial off-the-shelf technologies to deliver proven connectivity solutions. Images courtesy: Quantum Automation
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y now, many commercial and industrial end users are well aware of Internet of Things (IoT) concepts, at least in general terms. They know smart devices and sensors can communicate with each other, the internet, and mobile devices. Many are interested in taking advantage of the easy and inexpensive data access promised by the IoT, but they don’t know where to start. Or, even if they have some good ideas, they are reluctant to dedicate personnel to the task with other pressing business priorities. Many good reasons causer trepidation. For example, common consumer-grade IoT gadgets may be fine for home entertainment systems, but most lack the robustness needed for business-grade users. Industrial IoT (IIoT) devices are available and offer improved reliability when they’re properly selected and implemented.
IIoT networking, software, services
IIoT projects encompass a range of field-located hardware devices, networking, software, communication protocols, cloud services, user devices and more. Just because any one device or software application claims to be IIoT-capable or -ready does not mean it will be plug-and-play.
November 2020
control engineering
Some automation hardware, software and service providers have embraced the uncertainty, researched the options, and developed proven means and methods for delivering robust IIoT solutions to end users. Multi-discipline knowledge of industrial automation hardware, electrical design, networking, software programming, and cloud systems are applied to create useful and reliable ways of deploying IIoT applications. End users can engage an IIoT solutions provider – either directly or via a system integrator (SI) – to create an economical and effective IIoT installation, sometimes by filling out a spreadsheet.
Why IIoT? Remote data access
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) machine builders and manufacturing/processing companies already have a lot to do when designing and operating equipment and systems to operate productively. Best performance is achieved when the machines and equipment can be monitored, optimized, and diagnosed. Even more efficiency is gained when users can remotely adjust operational system parameters. All these tasks require remote access to the system data. However, machines may be widely deployed throughout a facility, and at multiple locations worldwide. Operational processes may rely on many remote systems, such as pumping stations, renewable power generation sites, or tank farms. Getting data from distributed or remote sites has often proved problematic. Establishing remote connections has been possible, but has required expensive engineering and installation efforts, including radio or networking infrastructure. Cellular communications improved things somewhat, but it could become expensive depending on the data quantity. While connectivity in place problems could be detected, it was often necessary for employees to travel to site to perform additional diagnostics. This introduced delays, costs, and risks. IIoT implementations use hardware devices, software applications, and networking options to overcome these challenges by making it easy and cost-effective to achieve remote connectivity, data monitoring, and adjustment, but only if the end user can specify, design, integrate, install, and maintain the right combination of technologies. Some good news for potential IIoT adopters is www.controleng.com
