by Gary Mintchell | Apr 24, 2024 | Business, Security
More and more companies are developing partnerships to serve customers rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. Hexagon had acquired PAS and its Cyber Integrity solution some years ago. This partnership announced with cybersecurity solution provider Dragos aims to do no less than “revolutionize OT cybersecurity at industrial facilities.”
The technical partnership focuses on integrating the complementary OT cybersecurity capabilities of the Dragos Platform and Hexagon’s PAS Cyber Integrity to provide customers with enhanced inventory data, comprehensive configuration management and superior intrusion detection and threat management to protect businesses operating in multiple critical infrastructure sectors. The collaboration is expected to harness the respective strengths, industry insights and innovative spirit of both Dragos and Hexagon.
“This relationship represents a significant step in forging the future of OT cybersecurity,” said Nick Cappi, vice president of OT Cybersecurity at Hexagon. “Through the integration of technologies, industrial facilities that use Hexagon and Dragos will be in a better position to achieve their security goals. We are excited to work together and collectively solve bigger security challenges for customers.”
The companies will integrate their specialized expertise and capabilities to tackle the unique challenges encountered by owner operators. Together, they aspire to enhance safety, efficiency and productivity, with a goal of revolutionizing how the cybersecurity industry protects industrial infrastructure and valuable assets.
“Hexagon is known for providing forward leaning technology that also prioritizes safety and security, and the partnership with Dragos brings additional value to industrial and critical infrastructure organizations using our technologies,” said Matt Cowell, Global VP of Business Development at Dragos. “The integration between Dragos and Hexagon will leverage our complementary capabilities and respective strengths to provide an integrated approach to managing security across the different layers of the operational environment.”
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 23, 2024 | Automation, Sensors, Wireless
Digi International PR has been working overtime sending news to me. This news regards remote monitoring and control.
Digi International introduced Digi Connect Sensor XRT-M designed to deliver reliable and seamless remote monitoring and management. It offers customers both edge and cloud-based control options, with a management platform equipped with an intuitive interface for streamlining data management and enhancing operational efficiency.
Infrastructure monitoring applications include:
- Critical infrastructure and civil engineering projects
- Water/wastewater monitoring and remote management
- Environmental monitoring
- Industrial automation and control
Key Features of Digi Connect Sensor XRT-M include:
- Extended battery life with lightweight cloud connection and dual 14.5 Ah batteries
- Rated for industrial environments with wide temperature range, C1D2 certification with NEMA enclosure
- Device health and sensor data stored in Digi Axess
- Configurable read and report intervals
- Connect to and power multiple sensors
- Compatible with a wide range of industry-standard sensors
- Modbus protocol support
- Global cellular coverage
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 19, 2024 | Automation, Sensors, Technology
Computer vision technology and application seemed to have been in a long lull until semiconductor advances of the past few years. Now companies are unleashing new products at an astonishing pace. This is an updated product from Digi International—a company I covered a long time ago who became less interesting to me and now has returned to my view.
Digi International introduced the wireless and highly power-efficient Digi ConnectCore MP25 system-on-module (SOM) at Embedded World 2024. Featuring AI and machine learning capabilities, with an integrated neural processing unit and image signal processor, Digi ConnectCore MP25 is designed for next-generation computer vision applications in critical sectors such as industrial, medical, energy and transportation. The module provides highly reliable wireless connectivity and time-sensitive networking (TSN) making it perfect for smart portable devices and Industry 4.0.
Based on STMicroelectronics’ STM32MP25 MPU processor, Digi ConnectCore MP25 is engineered to streamline application development under demanding requirements to improve efficiency, reduce costs, boost innovation and improve end-customer satisfaction.
With an innovative architecture, Digi ConnectCore MP25 features two Cortex-A35 cores operating at 1.5GHz supplemented by a Cortex-M33 core and a Cortex-M0+. Enhanced with an AI/ML neural processing unit (NPU) delivering 1.35 TOPS and an image signal processor (ISP), the SOM provides accelerated machine learning capabilities for advanced applications. Its comprehensive connectivity options include 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless technologies, along with seamless cellular integration for expanded possibilities. The ultra-compact Digi SMTplus form-factor (30 x 30 mm) and industrial temperature ranges (-40 to +85 °C), ensure reliability in the harshest environments, making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of IoT applications.
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 17, 2024 | Automation, News, Robots
All of the manufacturing automation and cybersecurity suppliers have been conducting market research that they are releasing for us all to get a sense of what customers are thinking. This one from ABB Robotics looks into the global automotive supply chain.
- Global ABB Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey confirms automation and robotics are crucial to the future of the industry
- New OEMs and start-ups lead the charge, while suppliers are lagging behind
- ABB’s flexible and smart solutions make automation viable for companies of all sizes
A new global survey commissioned by ABB Robotics and conducted by Automotive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) concludes that while automation is considered critical to the future of the automotive industry, many companies in the supply chain have yet to take advantage of the benefits offered by robotics and digitalization.
Almost all respondents (97%) believe that automation and robotics will transform the automotive industry over the next five years, with a similar number (96%) predicting that software, digitalization and data management will be equally significant. When asked about the pace of investment, most believed that new OEMs and start-ups were well ahead of the curve, investing either ‘very well’ (38%) or ‘quite well’ (28%), followed by legacy OEMs who were thought to be embracing automation ‘very well’ by 31%. However, only 7% believed that Tier 2 suppliers were making the necessary investment, with Tier 3 suppliers further behind with only 3%.
The ABB survey gathered opinions on a range of topics from a comprehensive mix of nearly 400 industry experts from vehicle manufacturers and suppliers at all levels of management and engineering as well as other key professionals throughout the automotive world.
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 15, 2024 | Automation, Business, Manufacturing IT, Process Control, Software, Technology
Emerson has gone through a process of divesting companies and adding others, such as NI (nee National Instruments) becoming overall more of an automation company. Much like years ago when Rockwell shed aerospace and trucks and other industries becoming Rockwell Automation.
Its tagline in press releases for some time has included software as an emphasis. Now, they’ve announced the new DeltaV Automation Platform adds SCADA, MES and operations management software technologies. The idea is to promote smarter, safer, optimized and more sustainable operations.
One of my more popular podcasts asked the question why industrial technology vendors are moving to software.
As part of its Boundless Automation vision for helping organizations deliver more seamless operations, global automation technology and software leader Emerson is evolving its DeltaV brand into the DeltaV Automation Platform. The newly expanded automation platform will include supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, manufacturing execution systems (MES) and operations management software alongside the distributed control (DCS) and safety systems (SIS) and other technologies that have been part of the brand for decades. The evolution builds a more comprehensive automation platform to make it easier for users to deliver smarter, safer, more optimized and more sustainable operations.
Organizations across nearly every industry including life sciences, specialty chemical, mining and extraction, food and beverage, energy and more are experiencing new complexities as they face the modern challenge of improving throughput, performance and quality while simultaneously increasing sustainability of operations. Navigating this increased complexity requires seamless mobility of data, reliable performance and advanced control strategies from the plant floor to the corporate boardroom. The comprehensive nature of the new DeltaV Automation Platform will empower users to move away from “plant-by-plant” strategies to “site-by-site” or even enterprise automation solutions—the more advanced, integrated automation strategies that are increasingly necessary to compete in a complex global marketplace.
This, of course, is an ideal way to perpetuate, and indeed increase, vendor lock-in of its customers. Why go anywhere else for all your hardware and software needs?
“In an era of increased demand and higher sustainability targets, today’s organizations are looking for ways to manage and contextualize data across the many software solutions they use to help unlock easier, faster and safer decisions,” said Nathan Pettus, president of Emerson’s process systems and solutions business. “The DeltaV Automation Platform will combine a flexible, fit-for-purpose portfolio of DCS, SIS, SCADA, MES and operations management software with unmatched application and cross-industry expertise to help cross-functional teams across the enterprise more easily achieve their goals.”
With an extensive portfolio unified under one brand, users will have access to a comprehensive technology ecosystem that provides a broader suite of solutions. Organizations will more quickly and easily find the right solutions to meet their specific needs and will gain easier access to service, training and support.
All solutions in the DeltaV Automation Platform will be seamlessly supported through the Guardian digital customer experience.
by Gary Mintchell | Apr 15, 2024 | Automation, Security
Honeywell has been known for cybersecurity solutions for a long time. With its Honeywell Connected Enterprise platform, it is supporting the corporations realigned portfolio around powerful megatrends, including automation and energy transition. I had a cybersecurity problem and solved it with this solution said no one anywhere. However, here is a story about a company who has implemented Honeywell’s cybersecurity solutions.
Honeywell announced that Petróleos del Perú S.A. (Petroperú), one of the largest hydrocarbon producers, refiners and distributors in Peru, will implement Honeywell cybersecurity solutions in order to help Petroperú strengthen the cyber resiliency of its refinery operations and accelerate its broader digital transformation.
Petroperú’s multi-year investment with Honeywell includes access to Honeywell’s cybersecurity consulting support, managed security services and world-class threat detection capabilities. Honeywell will help Petroperú further scale its operational technology (OT) cybersecurity efforts in order to improve visibility into potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats across its systems.
“Cybersecurity resiliency is a crucial capability that underpins our sustainable operations as we work toward the future in the energy transition,” said Fernando Villacorta Padilla, chief controls and advanced applications engineer, Petroperú. “Honeywell’s cybersecurity services complement the innovative software solutions that it previously developed to support our digitalization initiatives and our refinery modernization project.”
Petroperú’s implementation of Honeywell’s cybersecurity solutions builds upon its prior integration of Honeywell Forge Workforce Competency solutions, which the company currently uses to train its industrial workforce regarding safer and more efficient operations. The added integration of Honeywell cybersecurity solutions will help Petroperú to further improve its operational efficiency, safety and security programs across Petroperú’s plants and refineries.
“Without strong cybersecurity capabilities, energy companies that heavily rely on technology and information systems to operate can face serious consequences, including financial losses, operational disruptions, reputational damage and environmental risks,” said Sunil Pandita, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Cyber & Connected Industrials. “While Petroperú is already at forefront of the digital transformation within the energy sector, Honeywell’s cybersecurity solutions will help Petroperú to identify and minimize potential cyber risks in near real time in order to create safer, more efficient operations that benefit both customers and employees.”
Honeywell has been working with Petroperú for almost 50 years. Additionally, Honeywell provides engineering, licenses, services and technical support for three units currently in operation.
