Navigating the World of IIoT Gateways
Whether it’s a train line, factory, or a hospital, optimal efficiency is the standard all industries strive towards. Technological innovation has been the catalyst for unlocking productivity, with the Internet of Things (IoT) representing a means of establishing interconnectivity between devices to act on real time data insights and optimise processes.
However, a gap exists between industrial environments and consumer IoT devices, which is why IIoT Gateways are needed to establish connections and communicate data between them. Industrial IoT Gateways boost production efficiency by collecting and processing data from various devices and sensors to trigger improved business outcomes, and we are here to explain why your organisation needs to adopt this technology.
What is an Industrial IoT Gateway?
IIoT Gateways are specialist devices that serve as an intermediary between industrial equipment and the broader IoT infrastructure. The purpose of these devices is to collect, process, and transmit data, connecting smart edge devices like routers to operational networks and control centres.
Data is the driver of innovation, and it is integral that a consistent flow of data exists to help transform operations. In the context of a hospital, the performance of a HVAC system can be enhanced through the introduction of an Industrial IoT Gateway that can measure temperature conditions. If the temperature falls outside of predetermined criteria, the Industrial IoT Gateway device can transmit a message to the industrial unit to adjust the temperature settings, highlighting the in-built interconnectivity of the solution.
Key Features and Selection Criteria
When looking to introduce Industrial IoT Gateways into your infrastructure, you need to prepare a selection criteria that takes many factors into consideration. These include:
Flexible architecture – Industrial environments are subject to change, meaning the ability of your architecture to ha ndle new sensors, machines, and devices must be examined.
Cloud technology – The harvested data from an Industrial IoT Gateway needs to be stored in a centralised location, prompting the need for cloud compatibility.
Edge cloud computing capabilities – Edge computing optimises bandwidth by filtering relevant data from source, a huge advantage that should be considered when implementing Industrial IoT Gateways.
Cost effectiveness – Before introducing Industrial IoT Gateway devices, you must weigh up the cost saving benefits of the implementation and demonstrate to stakeholders that Industrial IoT Gateways can save money.
It all comes down to how Industrial IoT Gateway devices enhance your business. Once this objective has been defined, it will be easier to implement the solution.
Facilitating robust cybersecurity
Security is the number one concern of any digital transformation project. With the prevalence of cyberattacks, it is important that data is sufficiently protected. Efficiency cannot come at the expense of security, which is why Industrial IoT Gateway devices are designed to enhance cybersecurity through the following functionality:
Strict device authentication and access control – Capable of translating various industrial protocols, Industrial IoT Gateways can filter and encrypt formatted data to maintain security between edge devices and the cloud ecosystem.
Anomaly detection and threat monitoring – Industrial IoT Gateways can detect potential threats, meaning that any perceived danger on the network can be neutralised before it is allowed to move laterally.
Isolation of critical systems – Because some industries continue to use legacy equipment, Industrial IoT Gateways work to isolate vulnerable systems from the rest of the network to reduce the risk of data breaches.
An effective cybersecurity strategy is predicated on the seamless integration of best-in-class technologies, and because Industrial IoT Gateway devices are retrospective, they can be easily incorporated into your existing systems to continue secure data handling. This makes the lives of network security professionals easier, reducing the cost of complex and time intensive integrations.
Future Trends and Innovations
Industrial IoT Gateways maintain communication between legacy industrial equipment and state-of-the-art, intelligent IoT devices. Whilst its importance cannot be underestimated, Industrial IoT Gateways are not a standalone silver bullet that can single-handedly optimise your industrial processes. Therefore, you must consider integrating with other technologies like:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI technologies are so intuitive that they can predict when industrial equipment is likely to fail based on data processing, enhancing the performance of your Industrial IoT architecture.
Machine Learning (ML) – Because continuous learning algorithms are built into ML models, industrial processes can be optimised by adjusting parameters to improve efficiency and product quality.
Connectivity solutions – The more coverage the better, and by integrating with connectivity solutions that support multiple protocols, Industrial IoT Gateways stand a better chance of communicating with a wider array of legacy systems.
Industries need to operate as efficiently as possible, and the implementation of Industrial IoT Gateways can facilitate this transition. However, Industrial IoT Gateway adoption needs to be co-ordinated alongside other technologies to fulfil any cost-saving or process improvement benefit.
We offer a range of IIoT Gateways from Advantech, Red Lion and Nexcom. To find out more, click here.