There is (still) no standardized approach when it comes to networking machines. Companies usually start their digitalization journey with a specific protocol or application to establish connectivity between multiple machines. Projects are launched, test setups are created and proofs of concept (PoCs) are carried out. This approach often seems to be the easiest way to start digitizing production. However, there are often undesirable side effects that have medium and long-term consequences.
The question of data usage in particular usually only arises when the machines are already communicating with each other and with the network and machine data can be collected. The use of data is decoupled from connectivity - it is about who has access to this data, who can use it and who stores it where, and no longer purely about the networking of systems. In most cases, data usage no longer refers only to an encapsulated use case, which was often at the start of the digitalization project.

An open IIoT platform must not only enable secure connectivity between machines and production sites, but also enable remote access and management of data, applications and software.

© TTTech Industrial

Connectivity opens up a huge portfolio of possibilities - machine operators can use it to optimize their own production, but also to offer or use services outside their company. If they share their machine data with the machine manufacturer, for example, the latter can also optimize their machines or offer better service packages or spare parts deliveries tailored to the wear and tear of machine parts. It is also possible that machine operators and machine manufacturers require different data or use collected data for completely different purposes. This increases the complexity and requirements for IIoT solutions.

Remote access - a challenge in the IIoT

In order for several companies to be able to share a data pool, firstly the aforementioned connectivity of the machines is required and secondly a secure basis must be created via which remote access can take place. If we stay with the example of machine operators and machine manufacturers - in very few cases are these companies located in the same city; they may even be located in different countries or on different continents. It is therefore not only necessary to ensure the transfer of data from the machine to a cloud solution, for example, but also to provide transparent access management. This is a basic prerequisite for the security of data, process expertise and IP.
Remote access and maintenance in the IIoT context offer many advantages, from the status of the machine to the possibility of predictive maintenance and increased cost efficiency. Support technicians can respond to alerts and take actions, such as remotely controlling valves, switches and machine settings, without being on site, using a PC. The main advantages of remote maintenance are

• Immediate access, even without on-site personnel
• Easy accessibility
• Increased security
• Management of multiple devices from one location
• 24-hour support
• Reduced travel costs for technical staff
• Ongoing development and updates easily possible

IIoT platforms can support remote access and maintenance. It is important that these platforms are open, i.e. enable the connection of machine software and applications from different manufacturers. Virtualization options such as virtual machines or Docker containers must also be supported. This is particularly important in the industrial environment, as it enables the integration of legacy applications in a secure environment.
These are often found in production, as a machine park is in operation for decades, but the machine software becomes outdated after a few years and is then either no longer available and/or cannot be updated. Using virtualization, legacy applications can run as encapsulated applications on IIoT platforms without having to connect directly to the internet. Other important components of an IIoT platform are security features and access management, especially if machine data is to be shared between several companies, for example for the purpose of remote maintenance.