NEXCOM and Hilscher Collaborate to Create a Seamless Connection between PLCs and the Cloud
Fremont, CA (PRWEB) December 03, 2015 -- NEXCOM has co-developed with Hilscher on an IoT gateway solution to build seamless end-to-end connection for Industry 4.0. Aimed to address the last mile challenge in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the dual-branded NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway solution supports five communication standards and is pre-installed with NEXCOM IoT Studio software for simplified network configuration. By connecting PLC control systems to cloud platforms, NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway solution epitomizes an interoperable network architecture for transferring operational field data to the cloud to deliver the benefits of big data analysis and remote management.
The NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway solution provides cross-platform interoperable connectivity for connecting factories to the cloud. On the field and control level, Modbus® TCP/IP and Modbus® RTU, PROFINET®, PROFIBUS®, EtherNet/IP™, and OPC UA links are pre-validated on the gateway to ensure reliable communication with different-branded systems; while an IIoT version of NEXCOM IoT Studio software with built-in fieldbus configuration tool is pre-integrated in the NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway to enable easy configuration within a single interface operation and immediate transfer of field data. For applications where real-time responses are crucial, NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway solution offers scalable performance options for controller and gateway 2-in-1 applications.
“Cross-platform interoperable connectivity is long overdue in the industrial automation and control industry. NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway can bring about change to today’s fragmented control network architecture by interoperating with different branded control systems that typically use different protocols and run independently. More importantly, the co-developed gateway enables manufacturers to establish two-way communication channels among factories and cloud services, realizing Industry 4.0 visions, including remote monitoring of factory operations, timely adjustment throughout manufacturing and sales processes, and improved supply chain management,” said Joe Lin, General Manager of NEXCOM’s IoT Automation Solutions Business Group.
“Industrial communication is one of Hilscher’s core competences. Working in collaboration with NEXCOM extends Hilscher’s fieldbus strengths and expertise to the gateway product category. The seamless integration of five communication connections and cloud connectivity can help manufacturers regain speed, efficiency, and agility, making a meaningful difference in industries” said Armin Pühringer, Business Development Manager of Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH.
The live demonstration of NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway is featured at the SPS IPC Drives 2015 in Nuremberg, Germany, showing how field data can be harnessed from Siemens PLC control systems and be sent to IBM Bluemix™ cloud platform through NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway solution. Under the collaboration, more industrial communication standards will be added to NEXCOM NIO/Hilscher netIOT IoT gateway, benefiting users of world-class branded PLCs with reduced engineering efforts at the upfront configuration stage and accelerating the IIoT and Industry 4.0 proliferation.
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About NEXCOM: Founded in 1992, NEXCOM integrates its capabilities and operates six global businesses, which are Multi-Media Solutions, Mobile Computing Solutions, IoT Automation Solutions, Network and Communication Solutions, Intelligent Digital Security, and Medical and Healthcare Informatics. NEXCOM serves its customers worldwide through its subsidiaries in five major industrial countries. Under the IoT megatrend, NEXCOM expands its offerings with solutions in emerging applications including IoT, robotics, connected cars, Industry 4.0, and industrial security.
About Hilscher: Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH specializes in products, technologies and services at the leading edge of industrial communications. Core products include gateways, PC cards, embedded modules, chips, controllers and supporting software stacks. Hilscher's netX system-on-a-chip solution is a highly integrated network controller optimized for communication and maximum data throughput. netX provides support for more than 20 different master and slave stacks for industrial protocols, including DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, CANopen, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP and EtherCAT, among others. With universal network connectivity, netX is the backbone of the company's extensive family of network interface products and custom solutions.
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Khang Pham, NEXCOM, http://www.nexcom.com, +1 510-656-2248 Ext: 8340, [email protected]
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