Page 6 - Industrial Technology E XTRA 24th August 2020

that often sees legacy hardware sticking around for only tell you when they must be replaced but can be
a long time, Edge Computing can help push that changed by operators without IT support.
first step into digital transformation. By deploying Edge Computing is an essential part of the
Edge Computing, the communication protocols from digital transformation journey. End users understand
legacy devices are converted into language that the need for digitalisation to keep their production
modern smart devices can understand. Embracing process as efficient as possible. The opportunity
digital transformation without the need for complex that now exists for OEMs is to implement edge
retrofitting and redesign or investing in expensive computing at the machine level and sell solutions
new equipment will be a popular strategy for many that return the value of real-time analytics to
end users, and if supported by OEMs, can offer new machine builders and manufacturers alike. OEMs
business models that benefit them too. can now sell not just the capability of the machine,
but also the peace of mind of reduced unplanned
Simple, protected and autonomous downtime and the protection of a traditional IT
With the benefits of Edge Computing plain to see for network at the machine level. Importantly, OEMs
both OEM and end user, what should your Edge can sell this in new ways, with advanced service
Computing platform do? First, it has to be ready for models that help stabilise income for the whole
potentially harsh environments at machine level. product lifecycle and offer them a firmer footing for
From facing the elements on an offshore platform, ensuring their own continued competitive edge.
to hot, dusty, humid, or wet conditions on a factory Edge Computing can help by meeting the unique
floor, the edge platform must sit on more robust needs of both OEMs and end users, using data at
hardware than traditional IT technology. It must also the machine level to simultaneously improve
have inherent security features such as restricted efficiency for the end user and reduce maintenance
USB ports to help mitigate security threats and costs for OEMs using a service model. Contact
easily configured host-based firewalls for network Stratus Technologies for more information on how
protection. you can embrace Edge Computing within your
With an Edge Computing platform that is Digital Transformation.
physically and digitally capable, the next www.stratus.com
consideration is the implementation and
maintenance in an environment likely to have
reduced IT support. An effective Edge Computing Stratus Technologies enables Digital Transformation by
platform must complete complex tasks delivering Zero-Touch Edge Computing platforms.
autonomously and run virtual machines with fault Platforms that are simple to deploy and manage,
tolerance capabilities to eliminate unplanned protected from threats of interruption and autonomous
downtime. in operation, ensuring continuous availability of
To achieve this, the solution deployed needs to business-critical applications.
be simple. Simple to deploy and simple to manage
for on-site operators with limited IT know-how. The For more information on the differentiation and
best platforms should work out of the box and be as competitive advantages offered to the machine world by
simple to install as a games console, while the IIoT, access the Stratus Technologies white paper:
redundancy can be ensured with mirrored data www.stratus.com/smarter-machines
capture and hot swappable components that not

August 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p6