OEMs chose their automation technologies for their ultimate reliability. That’s what industrial applications demand. But while industrial automation has been based on proven industry standards through PLCs and dedicated controller technology, consumer-grade technologies have advanced by leaps and bounds due to the use of open source code to enhance connectivity, databases, visualization and more. To date industrial platforms have lagged behind, but now, industrial automation users will find there are dynamic new options for adding open source to their industrial platforms to achieve a broad range of new functionality without compromising reliability. In a recent article in Machine Design, Kyle Hable discusses the benefits of open source in industrial applications.
Kyle says, “Today’s industrial users are incorporating IT-capable open source technology with their OT-based machine automation systems. To a great extent, this is driven by the desire to incorporate Industrial IoT (IIoT) communication with machine automation, which had typically been mostly standalone.” To learn more about the extensive benefits of open source in your application, read this interesting article here.
Are you already employing source in your industrial projects?