PrismTech offers Vortex Edge Connect as a scalable and extensible framework for connecting different endpoint technologies together in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industrie 4.0 systems. The framework enables data interoperability and connectivity between industrial data sources and applications independent of whether they are deployed on local edge networks close to machines or in the cloud.
One of the key challenges facing the IIoT community is how to connect operational or field systems that use a broad and extensive catalog of communication technologies with higher level IIoT systems where the protocols are completely different. Vortex Edge Connect enables data from operational systems to be ingested by IIoT edge nodes (e.g. IoT Gateway or Fog Node), converted into a normalized in-memory data model which can then be shared with other communication endpoints via the framework. Data integration is achieved via a set of protocol specific connectors that interact and populate the data model with real-time data.
Industrial devices including PLCs, PAC, RTUs, DAQs or sensors/actuators using a range of OT protocols can share and receive data with industrial (e.g. MES, SCADA, Predictive Maintenance) and enterprise (e.g. ERP, Big Data Analytics, Storage) applications using a different set of communications standards and deployed at various levels within an end-to-end-IIoT system. Vortex Edge Connect provides a set of out-of-the-box connectors to common OT protocols such as Modbus (TCP/IP and RTU), CANopen, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP and core IoT data-backbone protocols such as MQTT, DDS™ and HTPP/REST. Each connector is purchased separately and additional protocol connectors will be added over time as the product is rolled out. To request connector support for a specific protocol, contact PrismTech.
Further information is available at http://www.prismtech.com