It used to be that a control system designer’s primary digitalization concerns revolved around basic automation and visualization. For a user, OEM or SI, the control system was acquired from one supplier and any other related technologies were separately integrated. Today, however, the requirements of control system designers are far greater and must meet current, and often future, needs for extensive industrial internet of things (IIoT) data connectivity by providing intelligent on-site devices, detailed analytics and cloud/remote accessibility, among other capabilities. Still, the instinct on the part of the user may be to try to meet this myriad of needs with the same time-honored “mix and match” approach. This, however, can be a big mistake.
For industrial use, reliability is always essential, followed closely by the right functional and performance capabilities. But as users progress from creating small, standalone equipment and instead find themselves developing much more integrated and IIoT-capable systems, improved connectivity and scalability become more important. Ultimately, the need for higher-level networking, computing and interaction with cloud resources drives the demand for comprehensive cybersecurity.
Combining some specialized products with individual capabilities may seem attractive, but this makes it difficult to ensure dependable interoperability. Specific hardware and software may work under certain conditions, but sometimes does not scale up for larger projects, and/or provide acceptable cybersecurity.
In this Processing article, Emerson’s Paolo Fiorani and Silvia Gonzalez take on this tricky subject and offer solid advice for achieving the maximum results with the best cost and accessibility.