A look at how edge devices and interoperability standards are paving the way for the fourth industrial revolution.

As we enter the so-called fourth industrial revolution, which aims to finally close the gap between distributed automation systems and business systems, let’s take a quick look back at some of the developments that got us here and where they point for the future. 

Part 2 of our interview with Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse addresses edge communications and reducing network complexity.

Last week in the OptoBlog, we shared a recent interview where Josh Eastburn had a discussion with ICS Pulse's Gary Cohen about using industrial devices on the edge of your networks and their effect on cybersecurity.

Their conversation continues in Part 2 of this Expert Interview series and covers: 

• OT data risks
• Different OT communication protocol models
• How MQTT addresses security threats
• Reducing network complexity

Hear from John Harrington, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at HighByte, as our guest series on the open automation ecosystem continues.

Many companies are looking to improve their business by collecting and making better use of industrial data. Whether you are performing AI/ML-based predictive analytics, setting up quality dashboards, measuring lean projects, or simply logging for traceability, you require consistent, reliable, and secure data. At HighByte, an industrial software company, we’re focused on providing the infrastructure to reliably manage data delivery at scale. 

A discussion with Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse about edge devices and cybersecurity

Industry 4.0 and edge computing concepts are becoming more commonplace in a variety of industries. Data democratization is key for companies taking on their digital transformations. But along with these advancements come extra security risks. 

How can you address cybersecurity threats for these devices on the edge of your networks? We have some thoughts on that, and Josh Eastburn shared some insights when he recently sat down with Gary Cohen, senior editor at Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse.

Watch the recorded Ignition Community Live event featuring the groov RIO MM2 module with Ignition Edge onboard.

Did you miss last week's Ignition Community Live event featuring Opto 22's groov RIO? Or maybe you'd like to see some of those cool product demos again? You're in luck because a recording of this webcast is now available, so you can watch it on-demand.

Check out this recent episode of the Fourth Generation Podcast for an in-depth discussion on the realities of IIoT.

Are you overwhelmed with information on how to best approach your company's digital transformation? Are you turned off by all the hype? In this interview with Opto 22's Benson Hougland, Kudzai Manditereza, creator of the Industry40.tv YouTube series and host of the Fourth Generation Podcast, cuts through the hype to help listeners put these new concepts and terminology into perspective.

Pressure testing validation of well control and BOP

In this OptoPartner video see Jeff Hilpert, President of Engenuity Inc., talk about the benefits of controls and data in a single solution.

Industrial edge computing enables cutting-edge indoor agricultural control and business intelligence.

Indoor agriculture is more than just greenhouses now, and for good reason. As populations grow and food demand increases, supply chains become stressed. By moving agriculture indoors, food production can happen even in the middle of dense towns and cities where many food products are ultimately bound. And unlike Mother Nature, indoor environments can be controlled for consistent, efficient, year-round production.

But as you know, not all automation is alike. Traditional control systems designed for large-scale environments aren’t well-suited to the skillset or budget of many small, indoor grow operations, but on the other hand, more affordable solutions lack centralized integration. Solutions big and small also fail to provide the security, storage, and communication features that could support useful data collection for developing business intelligence (BI).

So when MicroClimates set out to design a scalable automation and BI solution to support the growing indoor ag industry, "we went out to look for the best of breed hardware to put our software onto and that's why we ended up with groov RIO", says Loren West, MicroClimates’s CTO.

See how next-generation edge-based distributed I/O and controllers open new possibilities for connected infrastructure.

In the field of industrial automation, terms like digital transformation, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), or edge computing have become common topics of discussion. Today's businesses have IoT goals. End users need devices and applications to share data seamlessly across machines, sites, and the enterprise so they can optimize production and reduce costs. How do we achieve these goals?

Opto 22 will be participating in a Smart Industry webinar, part of the Base Camp digital online series that introduces you to the latest edge technology.

Before COVID-19 changed the way the world does business, Opto 22 was scheduled to exhibit and sponsor the 2020 Smart Industry Base Camp conference. Although the event was cancelled, our Smart Industry hosts remain committed to sharing the important IIoT and Industry 4.0 related content that was part of the conference agenda. Therefore, the show must go on (line)!