Edge Computing: A Foundation for Faster Industry 4.

0
Machine Design, Development, and Delivery

Engineering teams are turning to Edge Computing

platforms to build resilient smart machines that
meet a wide range of current and future end user
requirements.

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Edge Computing: A Foundation for Faster Industry 4.0 White Paper | 2
Machine Design, Development, and Delivery

Introduction OEMs also contend with increasingly complex compute

requirements on the factory floor, where machines are
Business as usual was upended for all industries due to the
running control software (HMI SCADA) as well as connected
pandemic. For OEMs, Machine Builders, and Solution
applications like historians, MES, APM, and condition-based
Builders, it has accelerated the requirement to design
monitoring. Traditional machine architectures can fall short in
equipment with a new set of capabilities. They must not only
managing all of this, limiting engineers to simple designs and
match the ongoing backdrop of digital transformation, but
fixed functionalities.
also address the new operational needs of a pandemic world.
These recent challenges have pressured OEMs to reimagine
The Traditional Machine Builder Architecture
machine design. Leading engineering teams are able to
EWS 3rd Party Apps Panel Displays
outpace their competition in the current environment, while
preparing for the future, by incorporating innovative solutions
that accelerate the design cycle, ensure resilient operation,
and offer future-proof capability backed by cybersecurity.
Control Network
This approach further provides the foundation for advanced
The key characteristics of this architecture include:
capabilities like analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine
1. Stand-alone devices for visualization and control.
learning (ML), and Machine-as-a-Service (MaaS) options that 2. Separate Engineering Workstation for engineering,
further improve performance and generate revenue. programming and configuration.
3. Additional hardware for special functions.
PLC 4. Simple design and fixed functionality.
The digitalization of machines is enabling Industry 4.0 across
sectors such as Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, and Life OEMs using older automation architectures are facing
Sciences, while reducing TCO. Edge Computing is providing challenges on the journey to the connected enterprise.
the foundation to enable engineering teams to build these
resilient, smart machines and get to market faster.

With the introduction of artificial intelligence

and autonomy, machines need to support an
increasingly greater variety and number of
sensors that allow for interrogation, fault
detection, failure prediction, and more
performance analysis.
ARC Advisory Group
Automation Expenditures for Production Machinery Report

Edge Computing is an essential Industry 4.0 technology to

enable Machine Builders to deliver these key characteristics
The Challenges Facing OEMs and Machine Builders
of smart machines such as fault detection, failure prediction,
Today performance analysis, greater autonomy, artificial intelligence
From Machine Builders to skid manufacturers and Solution and develop the most competitive offerings. Doing so is a
Builders, OEMs face acute pressures to design, develop, and differentiator for engineering teams facing pandemic-related
deliver machines that are reliable and profitable; unplanned challenges.
equipment downtime is unacceptable for customers.

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Edge Computing: A Foundation for Faster Industry 4.0 White Paper | 3
Machine Design, Development, and Delivery

What Is Edge Computing? Modern Edge Computing architectures, of which smart

machines are a key part of the network, enable
Edge Computing provides the answer to today’s edge-to-enterprise connectivity and data management. The
machine-building challenges. An Edge Computing platform availability of Edge Computing platforms with smart machines
should offer scalable, modular technology that supports the further includes the ability to add functionality down the road,
development of standardized, compartmentalized software re-task equipment with software, and extend the equipment
components and applications. The right edge solution should lifecycle. Edge Computing presents OEMs with multiple
also allow OEMs to consolidate existing control and cost-savings and fast payback in addition to avoiding having
automation applications within a single, fault-tolerant to rip and replace legacy equipment to implement upgrades.
platform. With the ability to consolidate tasks done on multiple
platforms into an Edge Computing-powered machine, OEMs
Edge Computing broadly refers to any computing done can save hardware costs and speed commissioning time.
outside the data center at the edge of corporate networks.
Importantly, this data acquisition and processing occurs in
The digitalization of factories and production environments
close proximity to where the data is generated from critical
requires data from the edge where machines are the
equipment and processes.
foundation of operations. OEM equipment holds a wealth of
critical operational data, and the availability of Edge
Smart Machines using Edge Computing Platforms Computing is essential for the difficult challenges of
organizing, analyzing, and protecting that data.
Thin Clients

To effectively capture and process data from machines and

skids to gain insight from edge locations, Machine Builders
require Edge Computing platforms that are purpose-built for
Plant Network
the rigors of the operational edge. They must provide simple,
Thin Client Manager protected, and autonomous operation while allowing OEMs to
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Control Network Edge Computing-enabled machine solutions also eliminate

PLC concerns with data loss, networking, and information or
access not being available when required. Edge Computing
helps eliminate bandwidth and latency issues at the device
Key architecture features:
and gateway edge and reliably transmits information from the
field to the enterprise and the cloud. For OEMs responsible
1. Edge Platform configured as a pair for redundancy. for supporting mission-critical industries where downtime is
2. Inherent Virtual Machines: thin client, engineering and expensive and unacceptable, Edge Computing offers not only
configuration, custom applications. peace of mind, but also competitive advantages.
3. Flexible functionality accommodates extra features.

4. Edge to Enterprise: Big Data, Historians, Enterprise to

Enterprise and Cloud, Digital Twin, AI, Analytics.

5. Extends control and monitoring into newer devices.

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Edge Computing: A Foundation for Faster Industry 4.0 White Paper | 4
Machine Design, Development, and Delivery

The Benefits of Edge Computing for Machine Builders Machine Builders can develop their software applications with
solutions from familiar partners like AVEVA, Schneider
Reliability: It is expensive to maintain solutions that require
Electric, or Rockwell Automation. Once the applications are
frequent maintenance, not to mention exhausting. No
tested, characterized, and validated, they can easily be added
supplier wants to get a phone call in the middle of the night
to an Edge Computing server’s virtual machine, repeating this
from an angry customer asking to come over to the plant and
standardized process for any and all customers.
troubleshoot their equipment. Machine Builders want
solutions that they can embed into their machines, knowing
everything will run smoothly. Edge Computing provides engineers the
flexibility to build machines that meet a
That’s where Edge Computing comes in. Modern Edge
Computing platforms operate in extreme conditions, while
variety of requirements in a manner that is
offering downtime prevention and numerous other benefits for reliable, repeatable, scalable, flexible,
both OEMs and their clients. secure, and most importantly—profitable.
Repeatability and Scalability: It is important for Machine
Builders to remove complexity and frequently replicate their Flexibility of Zero-touch Remote Operation and Management:
designs as they scale their sales and business. Part of a good Edge Computing facilitates a design strategy that readily
solution includes ease of duplicating software, solutions, and enables mix and match applications on one system based on
applications. Edge Computing does not require an OT the requirements of end customers. Machine Builders can
professional to become a software programmer — any create solutions from basic HMI SCADA, to historian, MES,
Machine Builder technician can leverage these modern AI/ML, APM, and other advanced applications. They can then
computers with ease to create repeatable solutions for offer these to customers as options ready for Industry 4.0.
multiple clients.
To implement one or an infinite number of applications,
With Edge Computing solutions that offer built-in OEMs can host the software in multiple Edge Computing
virtualization, users can simply drop pre-tested, virtual machines.
characterized, and validated software applications into a
virtual machine (VM). Machine Builders need solutions that are designed to allow
for the addition of new capabilities or functionality for
Edge Computing allows Machine Builders to scale their example, empowering customers by giving them the ability to
solutions based on the requirements of their customers, so use mobile devices for monitoring and control, in addition to
they can grow their business without reinventing the wheel. the normal panel and control room computer displays.
Implementing analytics and Industry 4.0 is transformational
and is not daunting when using the right technology. Remote monitoring alerts have recently become increasingly
important. Operators don’t have to be in front of their
Machine Builders can start with Edge Computing machines to be able to see what’s happening—they’re able to
deployments that simplify implementation starting small and remotely perform actions to address alarms and events.
increasing features and capabilities over time to fuel
advanced applications with VMs and this can be done without Remote desktop services managers are easily deployed as a
requiring a complete tech refresh in order to expand. virtual machine, which in turn enables customers to monitor
and control their machines from remote locations using
To improve their competitive edge in the crowded OEM
mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets, and laptops.
space, engineers must mass produce machines in a way that
is easy to repeat. They should be able to create, test,
characterize, validate, and deploy applications many times
over.

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Machine Design, Development, and Delivery

Security: Machine Builders need to address the cybersecurity

concerns of their customers by creating solutions that contain
security features inherent to equipment and hardware and
that are compatible with requisite third-party security
solutions. Edge platforms provide these features, and help
secure machines from cyber-threats in several critical ways:

Host-based firewall blacklist and whitelist IP addresses or

domain names

Restricted USB ports help prevent spread of malware

Role-based access controls authorize specific users and

groups

Secure communications protocols and trusted boot helps

prevent cyber-attacks

Ability to run cybersecurity software from third parties

Three Critical Edge Computing Capabilities for OEMs to
As cybersecurity regulatory requirements become more
Pursue
stringent in Power, Water & Wastewater, and Oil & Gas,
Machine Builders will need to keep these considerations top While the potential capabilities that Edge Computing unlocks
of mind during the product design process through to are endless, a few specific applications are leading the way
deployment and support. for OEMs on their digital transformation journeys today. These
include advanced analytics and predictive maintenance
driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning, remote
Profitability: Organizations that modernize their compute
monitoring applications, and emerging revenue models
infrastructure can reap competitive advantages. On a high
around service and support.
level, the capabilities discussed in this whitepaper translate
into increased profitability in several ways: Advanced Analytics: To stay competitive, it’s essential to
connect and leverage operational data from the edge. With
Time-savings in design, engineering, testing, deployment,
emerging technologies like AI and ML, OEMs are improving
and maintenance
operational efficiency and resilience with real-time data
Less personnel needed to implement projects insights and advanced analytics.

OT-friendly products that meet IT requirements but don’t Increased Automation and Remote Monitoring: Organizations
require IT professionals or programmers to leverage their seeking to scale edge automation increasingly turn to OEMs
capability and Solution Builders to provide monitoring and support for
sustained value. Modern Edge Computing platforms allow
Ability to consolidate applications into a single edge device
OEMs to easily deliver this support for fielded customer units
New or enhanced revenue streams from support and by enabling 24/7 system support, proactive health monitoring,
services and service.

Some edge solutions help Machine Builders reap these Such remote support combined with on-premises service
benefits as well as augment support offerings that OEMs can adds value for end users while creating new recurring
in turn provide to their customers. revenue opportunity for Machine Builders in deploying and
supporting Edge Computing-powered solutions.

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Edge Computing: A Foundation for Faster Industry 4.0 White Paper | 6
Machine Design, Development, and Delivery

Machine-as-a-Service: Many OEMs look to Autonomous: Edge Computing solutions must operate
Machine-as-a-Service models to generate predictable, autonomously in industrial environments, without the need for
subscription-based revenue including service and/or dedicated IT staff on site. OEMs should expect global services
consumables. This model is increasingly appealing to end and support teams are always on demand 24/7 to
users, as preference continues to grow to rely on OEMs for troubleshoot any issues before they occur.
equipment expertise and technical service. Edge Computing
with zero-touch operation and industry-leading availability Summary
aligns well with OEMs’ ability to deliver this as-a-service The pace of digitalization in the OEM market is accelerating
business model. rapidly as new challenges force out old ways of doing
business and spur engineers to reimagine machine building
Choosing an Edge Computing Solution Provider
from the design stage. As Industry 4.0 unfolds, engineering
The digital transformation of machine building will accelerate teams are being asked to provide capabilities like analytics,
globally, but will become particularly critical for OEMs serving artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), and
Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, and Life Sciences. To build equipment that can meet Machine-as-a-Service (MaaS)
solutions that meet the needs of today while remaining requirements. In order to outpace their competition in the
flexible for the future, OEMs should select a partner who is in current environment, while preparing for the future,
it for the long run. best-in-class OEMs are adopting Edge Computing platforms
to simplify, protect, and automate their digital transformation
With robust services and support that accommodate Machine journeys.
Builders’ growing needs, while allowing them to focus on what
they’re good at. More information
For more equipment and machine manufacturer information,
Edge Computing Platforms Must Be Simple, Protected, visit: https://www.stratus.com/oem/
and Autonomous
For more information on the Stratus ztC Edge product line
While Edge Computing presents transformative potential for
visit: https://www.stratus.com/solutions/platforms/ztc-edge/
Machine Builders, it is imperative to get the implementation
right, and include ground-level considerations around
Explore Stratus Edge Computing use cases and environment
installation and support from the get-go. Engineers building
visit: https://www.stratus.com/ecx/
smart machines and skids at the edge should consider the
following tenets of Edge Computing solutions: They must be
simple, protected, and autonomous.

Simple: Edge Computing solutions provide simplicity for OT

and IT staff alike, unburdening Machine Builders from
demands that detract from their core skillsets. With an Edge
Computing server, mechanical engineers are not charged
with becoming IT software coders. Edge-based solutions are
easy to set up, easy to maintain, and easy to support.

Protected: Designing a modern Machine Builder architecture

is a low-risk proposition with a high probability of success.
Owner-operators can enter and exit a pilot program with
Stratus to explore the needs and potential of their plant’s
specific compute environment.

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 Edge Computing: A Foundation for Faster Industry 4.0 White Paper | 7
Machine Design, Development, and Delivery

Stratus ztC™ Edge platform for machine builders

The Stratus ztC Edge product line is a range of Edge Computing platforms specifically designed to meet the requirements of
industrial plants and remote locations. As such, ztC Edge platforms are ideal for machine and equipment builders as they
upgrade their capabilities in traditional control and automation applications and move towards Smart Machines that support
Digital Transformation initiatives such as Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and IIoT.

ztC Edge is ready to use in 30 minutes

The ztC Edge product line is unique in the About Stratus Technologies
way it addresses fundamental challenges Stratus takes the complexity out of keeping business critical
faced by machine and equipment builders. applications running 24/7. Stratus’ technologies proactively
Each ztC Edge comes with a pre-integrated prevent instances of unplanned downtime both in the data
center and at the edge, and our services ensure any issues
virtualization layer and is pre-configured so
are addressed before customers need to. Global Fortune 500
that it can be up and running in under 30 companies and small to medium-sized businesses in a wide
minutes. range of industries across the globe have been relying on
Stratus for operationally simple, continuous availability for
The ztC Edge platform is unlike IPCs which do not support a more than 35 years.
wide range of applications concurrently—virtualization
enables it to support multiple diverse applications which Learn more at stratus.com today.
include more capable Edge gateways that focus on providing
data access with limited functionality. ztC Edge platforms also
differ from IT-class servers that are not designed for harsh
environments, as they are rugged to withstand extended
temperature ranges and have no moving parts.

Specifications and descriptions are summary in nature and subject to change without notice.

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