IT in Manufacturing


New family of fault-tolerant computing platforms

January 2024 IT in Manufacturing

Stratus Technologies, a global leader in simple, protected and autonomous edge computing platforms, has launched its Stratus ztC Endurance platform, a new family of fault-tolerant computing platforms for next-generation sustainable operations. The platform introduces intelligent, predictive fault tolerance that delivers seven nines (99.99999%) availability and performance gains through latest-generation technology components, including 4th generation Intel Xeon scalable processors. The ztC Endurance platform builds on Stratus’ unique combination of built-in software and hardware, proactive health monitoring, and serviceability to run mission-critical applications without downtime or data loss.

“This new ztC Endurance platform is the culmination of 42 years of innovation in fault tolerance by Stratus – it raises the bar for system availability for our customers across every industry,” said Dave Laurello, president of Intelligent Platform Solutions, SGH. “Our new family of compute platforms continues our unmatched availability and ease of use, with 99.99999% availability, a modernised system architecture, and the performance to support our customers’ growth. With the ztC Endurance platform, we’re delivering a new technology curve for reliability that will empower organisations to embark on their digital journeys well into the future.”

“The ztC Endurance platform is the result of years of planning, development and testing,” said Dara Ambrose, vice president of products and solutions for Intelligent Platform Solutions, SGH. “The platform design is based on the analysis of more than 100 million hours of computing runtime across thousands of customers. With this new

ztC Endurance platform, we’ve delivered a fault-tolerant solution that eliminates compromises in performance, cost, serviceability and manageability when deploying and maintaining application availability.”

In today’s digital-first, data-driven world, OT and IT teams require solutions that meet teams’ efforts to enhance operational efficiency, improve system security, and ultimately drive business growth. OT leaders are investing in automation to manage complex processes, while IT leaders are seeking modern technology that is easily serviceable and cost-efficient. OT and IT teams demand reliable and secure solutions designed for today and tomorrow. Industry research forecasts that edge IT workloads will grow up to 28% through 2026 as a result of this market demand.

Benefits

Stratus’ ztC Endurance portfolio furthers Stratus’ proven approach for eliminating system downtime and data loss (including in-flight data) through built-in fault tolerance that is transparent to standard operating systems and hosted applications. It does not require additional scripting or modification, and provides proactive health monitoring. This powerful combination enables OT and IT teams to run mission-critical applications and complex software stacks without needing to be server experts.

The new Stratus ztC Endurance platforms deliver innovation in five key areas of performance:

• Predictive: The ztC Endurance platform introduces intelligent, predictive fault tolerance through the Stratus Automated Uptime Layer with Smart Exchange process, which tracks and targets a wider range of failure points than other standalone hyperconverged solutions, and automatically takes corrective actions to address and resolve issues before they impact operations.

• Protected: The platform ensures data integrity and protects against loss of in-flight application data, with 99.99999% application system availability and embedded hardware and software security features, along with the ability to run third-party cybersecurity applications to protect IT and OT assets.

• Manageable: As an open system, the platform simplifies manageability, with remote monitoring capabilities and management APIs that are interoperable with existing IT tools and systems familiar to IT teams. Additionally, the ztC Endurance platform and its fault-tolerant architecture support standard, off-the-shelf operating systems, without requiring modifications.

• Serviceable: ztC Endurance architecture is redundant and modular, and features four pairs of customer replaceable units (CRUs): compute, I/O, power supply unit and storage. These are hot-swappable by OT or IT, without specialised expertise or tools required, to continuously deliver uptime and efficient operation.

• Performance: This release incorporates the latest technology, notably 4th generation Intel Xeon Scalable Sapphire Rapids processors, high speed NVMe, and resilient, high-performance DDR5 memory. This results in new levels of performance, matched with the fault tolerance required to consolidate mission-critical applications, while running complex software stacks and advanced applications.

Stratus’ ztC Endurance Platform is available in three models to meet customer needs, from shop floors and remote offices to regional and large data centres and plants:

• ztC Endurance Model 7100: designed for large data centres and larger plants.

• ztC Endurance Model 5100: designed for remote offices and medium plants.

• ztC Endurance Model 3100: designed for shop floor locations and smaller plants.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Even in autonomous systems, human insight is important
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
As AI, IIoT and digital twins reshape industrial operations, Schneider Electric’s Kobus Vermeulen and Bafana Msibi argue that the operator’s role is shifting from controlling equipment to interpreting intelligence, validating AI recommendations and making decisions that improve

Read more...
AI-based quality inspection scales across P&G operations
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens and Procter & Gamble are expanding an AI-based visual inspection system across P&G’s manufacturing operations worldwide, inspecting products in real time at full line speed, and reducing scrap rates by 10 to 20% depending on the product.

Read more...
How sustainability unlocks real business impact
Rockwell Automation IT in Manufacturing
Sustainability has moved from a compliance obligation to a strategic driver of resilience and value for manufacturers. Rockwell Automation explains how its Triple A framework and connected-data approach help producers cut energy, water and waste while improving productivity.

Read more...
Mining’s AI future will depend on people as well as technology
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa’s mining industry is embracing digitalisation and AI, but AvenirHoldings chief executive officer, Tshidi Mndzebele says the real test is whether the people behind the industry are equipped to move forward with it, and outlines five things mining needs to get right.

Read more...
How BIC overcame operational silos to integrate technology and people
Rockwell Automation IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturing giant BIC deployed Plex MES from Rockwell Automation at its Bizerte plant in Tunisia, replacing fragmented, partly in-house software with a single cloud-based execution system that broke operational silos and improved shop-floor visibility.

Read more...
AI in industry is an early warning system, not a guarantee
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s Paul Steyn argues that AI in industrial maintenance is only as good as the infrastructure and people behind it, and explains the three layers a facility needs before predictive maintenance can deliver on its promise.

Read more...
SA’s mining industry must put people at the heart of its digital future
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa’s mining industry employs around 470 000 people while its digital transition accelerates. Avenir’s chief executive officer, Tshidi Mndzebele argues that technology should enable and upskill the workforce rather than replace it, setting out five ways mining can make technology work for its people.

Read more...
Quality control supports efficient tissue production
Valmet South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Valmet’s advanced quality control technology is helping tissue producers improve product consistency while reducing energy and raw material consumption. Its latest installation at KORO Paper in Vietnam combines real-time measurement, process optimisation and non-contact, nuclear-free quality control.

Read more...
Patented algorithm maximises operator efficiency
Rockwell Automation IT in Manufacturing
Rockwell Automation piloted a patented anomaly detection algorithm and FactoryTalk DataMosaix at its Twinsburg electronics plant, giving operators 30 to 60 days’ advance warning of stencil failure, improving fail rates by 22% and achieving a 200% return on investment.

Read more...
Cybersecurity must become part of the next era of industrial automation
Adroit Technologies IT in Manufacturing
The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act is setting a global benchmark for connected products, making cybersecurity a core engineering requirement in industrial automation. Adroit Technologies and Mitsubishi Electric explain how building security into controllers, PLCs and drives from the outset helps South African manufacturers protect production and meet international expectations.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved