Siemens Edge

Overview

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Industrial Edge

Increases the openness and flexibility of industrial automation systems to allow for the straightforward processing, analysis, and storage of production data.

Gives high-level programming language-based Edge applications (built on the Docker IT standard) an integrated and safe runtime environment to execute in order to analyse and analyse data locally and powerfully at the automation level.

Unlike traditional PC-based systems, Industrial Edge provides the ability to manage Edge devices and software globally with a single central administration system and allows an integrated link to automation and cloud systems without additional programming effort. This allows for new potential applications like centralised software administration and versioning, for example for worldwide recipe management, and renders data processing solutions as future-proof as feasible.

Products from Industrial Edge include the following:

̣Industrial Edge devices that support Edge applications at the automation level with the use of Industrial Edge Runtime

̣Applications of the Industrial Edge

̣Industrial Edge Management: a centralised approach to managing Edge applications and devices

̣The Industrial Edge Hub serves as the main resource for Edge-related software downloads and other materials like user manuals.

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Benefits

̣Novel ideas for data processing are made possible by the automation systems' increased openness and flexibility, both old and new.

̣Innovative data processing software solutions' long-term security and scalability across hundreds of devices based on open application standards like Docker

̣Time savings in industrial settings while developing software solutions based on high-level programming languages are made possible by:

- Security by default: Open PC systems no longer require manual security hardening.
- Integrated cloud or field connection It is no longer required to manually programme and establish connectivity, like OPC UA or SIMATIC S7.

̣Convenient central administration and diagnostics of Edge devices and Edge apps result in time savings and decreased workload.

- Decrease in on-site maintenance expenses as a result of Edge devices' software's central remote update capability
- One-click bulk app downloads for software upgrades save time and minimise workload.
- Reduction of mistake causes by employing integrated version management to standardise software (apps)

̣Reduced reliance on cloud services and improved field data processing intelligence thanks to native Edge application integration in automation systems

- Integration of Edge Runtime with automation systems enables the realisation of latency-critical and soft real-time applications for data processing.
- Native integration in network components (SCALANCE) and control and visualisation systems (SIMATIC) reduces the need for additional hardware.

̣Pre-made Edge applications offer a straightforward introduction to intelligent data processing and utilisation.

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Application

Apps created by Siemens or other companies, or proprietary Edge apps, enable a multitude of uses:

̣Artificial intelligence and high-level programming languages can be utilised locally to analyse and analyse production data in a way that has no negative effects on the workflow.

̣Local data gathering, logging, and archiving for error localization with hitlists at the process level utilising object-oriented and relational databases

̣Production data harmonisation and Industry 4.0 protocol conversion (from outdated protocols like Modbus TCP to OPC UA) for data sharing with MES/IT systems

̣Applications for IoT gateways: Data transfer from automation systems to cloud/business IT infrastructure, using local intelligence to choose and process data

̣Local production data visualisation with an HTML5 web server, for example

̣Coordinated action in closed-loop automation systems based on the findings of local, computed analysis, such as a 2D behaviour simulation of machine parts.

Industrial Edge might be helpful in situations when there are several PC systems being utilised, ideally in a large distribution. These systems now require manual maintenance and updates that take a considerable amount of time.

̣Automation of production and processes

̣Constructing automation

̣Distribution and engineering of power