We can collect this data, but are we able to get to it? This is key to using equipment information to make informed business decisions that can help lower maintenance costs, optimise production, and reduce support and travel expenses.
Two of ProSoft’s solutions released this year show users how to access the data they need to add value.
Making data-driven decisions
The gateway brings together three major industrial automation protocols – OPC UA, EtherNet/IP, and Modbus TCP/IP. This gateway to the IIoT sends production information to the MES or ERP. From there, it can be acted upon to make the changes necessary to achieve corporate goals. The benefits of analysing equipment information include reduced maintenance, energy and overall operating costs.
The gateway works by enabling fast data transfers from EtherNet/IP and Modbus devices to OPC UA clients, thanks to an OPC UA server connection. The EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP equipment can also communicate with each other. The gateway enables 10 simultaneous OPC UA sessions, which is ideal for larger applications.
By connecting equipment that use these two protocols to the MES, one takes the first step to streamlined access and analysis of data that can help to optimise resources.
Access historical data
You’re at your desk, it’s almost time to go home, and you find out you need to go on-site for an issue with a piece of equipment. You’re not quite sure what the problem is, and now you’re looking at a later end to the day and hoping you can troubleshoot the issue quickly.
For applications that involve remote access equipment, the data logger avoids costly network enhancements, storing 16 million time-stamped records.
OEMs can also benefit from using the data logger. The module’s records can indicate whether equipment was tampered with or if the maintenance schedule was followed, helping to determine if a warranty claim is valid. Knowledge gleaned from devices can help to improve a company’s Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Studying how equipment performed in real-time applications can help determine if a design can be tweaked.
Transforming pulp and paper with automation and digitalisation ABB South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The pulp and paper industry in South Africa is undergoing a significant transformation from traditional manual processes to embracing automation technologies. Automation in pulp and paper mills aims to improve various production stages, from raw material preparation to final product creation.
Read more...Protecting industrial networks with resilient defence RJ Connect
IT in Manufacturing
Network security is no longer just about preventing hacking or data breaches. For operational technology networks, resilient defence and consistent uptime are crucial. They are the core tenets that underpin Moxa’s guarded uptime and resilient defence (GUARD).
Read more...The metaverse is now: are you ready to reimagine your business?
IT in Manufacturing
The convergence of the digital and physical worlds, driven by spatial computing and the metaverse, is rapidly reshaping business landscapes. This transformation extends beyond the mere novelty of virtual reality headsets and augmented reality filters, signalling a fundamental shift in how organisations operate, collaborate and innovate.
Read more...AI and cyber security: South Africa’s next battleground
IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a double-edged sword in the world of cybersecurity. In South Africa, where cybercrime is on the rise, AI presents both an opportunity and a threat.Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a double-edged sword in the world of cybersecurity. In South Africa, where cybercrime is on the rise, AI presents both an opportunity and a threat.
Read more...Addressing the cooling needs of the modern data centre Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The rise in hardware density in data centres is gaining speed and is largely driven by the demands of artificial intelligence and machine learning, requiring more powerful servers and specialised hardware.
Read more...South Africa’s next cyber security frontier
IT in Manufacturing
AI-powered agents are rapidly transforming how South African businesses operate, from chatbots managing customer inquiries to automated systems processing financial transactions. While these AI-driven assistants increase efficiency and reduce operational costs, they also present a new, and often underestimated, cybersecurity challenge: identity management.
Read more...The DeepSeek effect: navigating AI’s new frontier
IT in Manufacturing
DeepSeek has emerged as a game-changer in artificial intelligence, offering a robust platform redefining how businesses approach AI integration. This change is especially important since it opens up AI to a wider range of organisations, including small and medium-sized enterprises that could have previously been priced out of the market.
printer friendly version