The Industrial Internet of Things has been experiencing - media - hype for years. "In reality, however, potential users were not in enough pain to invest in the corresponding OT hardware and IT software," Christoph Müller analyzes the situation and adds: "Even without IoT, sales continued to rise and so did profits! What's more, the vaunted disruptive business models that other digitalization projects - such as Uber, AirBnB and Spotify - have achieved failed to materialize."

But the tide is turning. This is because the IIoT can play a decisive role in the context of sustainability. Müller: "Today, sustainability is the Holy Grail of politics and corporate investment. Investments are only made where sustainability is exceptionally good, where it can be proven to be sustainable."

His experience in recent months shows that the IIoT is particularly crucial in promoting six sustainable practices: increasing general efficiency, preventive maintenance and the sustainability of supply chains. The same applies to energy efficiency, reducing waste and the necessary data-supported decision-making for sustainability processes.

Record data efficiently

But how do users obtain the necessary production data if it has not yet been recorded? One unpromising way is to try to read the data from the existing control systems. With over 350 different communication drivers to countless PLC systems, this is only possible with a great deal of effort and good employees; the time required can hardly be justified.

"A more pragmatic approach is to retrofit the sensors that provide precisely the information that brings the user closer to their goal. These are often condition sensors for temperature, humidity, vibrations, pressure or electrical values such as voltage, current and efficiency," says Müller.

Edge controller from NXTGN Solutions

For all these cases, Müller promotes solutions such as the edge controller from NXTGN Solutions, which can connect such sensors, pre-process the data and forward it to corresponding IT solutions via an integrated IoT interface. An IO-Link wireless interface for over 21,000 different sensors is available for this purpose. There are also 2 × RS485 for Modbus RTU and local I/Os. Southbound communication is realized via Ethernet/4G or WLAN. Thanks to the performance of the I.MX8MAX.PLUS and up to 64GByte RAM, Docker from Logiccloud - a virtual IEC1131 PLC, Coligo - an embedded AI - or Grafana or Nodered can also be installed on the CM007 HLK. The integrated 4G modem not only transmits the process data, but also enables remote maintenance of the controller, HMI or camera system connected to the Ethernet port.

Such recorded data can then be visualized in the NXTGN Cloud or made available to other IT solutions via REST API / OPC-UA or MQTT Sparkplug.