Edge Management Helps Streamline Factory Automation

July 7, 2023

Rockwell Automation’s suite of edge-management solutions support intelligent factory automation.

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Software as a service (SaaS) works for many applications, including factory automation and manufacturing execution systems (MES). Rockwell Automation’s edge offerings–FactoryTalk Edge Gateway and ASEM industrial computers for FactoryTalk Edge—comprise a SaaS solution for intelligent, centralized edge management and orchestration. The mix is designed to support zero-trust security and open industry standards.

FactoryTalk Edge can be deployed on ASEM industrial computers like the pre-certified ASEM VersaView 6300B edge compute nodes (Fig. 1). The 6300B supports Intel Apollo Lake Atom processors, providing a platform for human machine interface (HMI), IIoT gateway, and data-logging applications.

1. Rockwell Automation’s ASEM 6300B Box PC and Thin Client support FactoryTalk Edge.

FactoryTalk Edge Manager is the web component that works with FactoryTalk Edge on factory automation nodes (Fig. 2). The Manager provides centralized edge management and orchestration from the cloud. The system can handle transient connectivity, allowing the edge devices to operate without the cloud but providing details once the connection is restored.

2. FactoryTalk Edge Manager can manage and provision remote edge nodes.

Zero-trust support is provided by hardware root of trust in platforms like the 6300B. Edge software is also part of Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk Hub.

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William G. Wong | Senior Content Director - Electronic Design and Microwaves & RF

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