Mobilizing secure, real-time remote operations for Industry 4.0

Today’s plant or factory operator has become a multi-faceted, data-empowered, critical facet of the manufacturing process who is able to leverage data from many sources, make objective decisions based on complex, real-time information, and understand the system to solve problems.

Mobility technology is transforming the smart manufacturing environment. This trend is accelerated by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 initiatives, whose goals include empowering an intelligent enterprise through a smart, connected automation ecosystem.

FDT Group continues to advance its open standard for enterprise-wide network and asset integration. The organization is dedicated to meeting the requirements for mobilizing real-time remote connectivity and operation on the industrial shop floor and in the field. Its goal is to enable automation end users to employ the functionality they appreciate in the FDT integration standard on all of the leading mobile platforms. This mobility integration will provide access to additional data with flexible deployment options.

The web user interface (UI) with FDT 3.0 allows device-type managers (DTMs) to be opened in any browser, including mobile devices carried by field personnel. Manufacturers can utilize the technology’s standardized mobility platform as part of their service functionality, helping site engineers solve problems with remote assistance.

At the same time, FDT web services provides a standardized mobile access approach utilizing browsers, apps, standalone applications, or anything else capable of interfacing via web sockets. Users can take advantage of standard browsers to gain access to FDT-enabled systems, or write custom apps and programs.

Courtesy: FDT Group[/caption]

The FDT standard maintains its core communication, lifecycle and diagnostic capabilities, but now offers secure, real-time remote access to data through mobile devices and web sockets so that other applications can take part in the exchange of information.

Glenn Schulz, managing director at FDT Group, a CFE Media content partner. Edited by Chris Vavra, web content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media and Technology, cvavra@cfemedia.com.

ONLINE extra

For more information, visit: www.fdtgroup.org/innovation

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.