Cross-site connectivity via cloud and edge solutions | Topics
At the Automatisierungstreff, taking place from 19–21 February 2019 in Böblingen, we will be presenting our joint project with ELCO Industrie Automation: the globally networked sweet factory. This brings together our sysWORXX CTR-700 edge controller with ELCO’s cloud solution. The result is the visualisation of relevant data across all production sites.
A confectionery manufacturer’s sites, spread across the globe, are networked via a central cloud. The aim was to provide various stakeholders from senior management and corporate control with information on production capacity utilisation at the individual sweet factories, product quality, the processing status of orders, etc.
This project is being implemented using our sysWORXX CTR-700 edge controller and ELCO’s cloud solutions.
The bulk of the data remains at the edge – that is, in the data centres at the respective sites. Only the raw data actually required for calculating key parameters, or information derived from the raw data, is transferred to the cloud. This approach was analysed and defined in great detail with a view to protecting data and know-how. At the same time, the quality of the information obtained was improved by adding further sensors. For remote and, where applicable, self-sufficient facilities such as pumping stations, IoT solutions based on mobile networks are suitable for making the sensor data available in the IoT cloud. In the production facilities themselves, sensors were retrofitted using mesh networks.
This information is accessible via a custom-designed industrial app. The app is distributed via the company’s own app store and is available for Android and iOS devices. Furthermore, all staff members can create their own personalised views of the database, tailored to their specific tasks and assignments, using user-specific dashboards and with just a few clicks. One view today, another tomorrow – every staff member has full control over this themselves.
This project is being implemented as a joint venture with Elco Industrie Automation and is being made available as a demonstrator within the framework of the Marktplatz I4.0 e.V. association. This demonstrator allows users to experience the potential of IIoT, the cloud and apps. It is bound to inspire new business models.
