Industrial IoT

Cloud

Remote
Corporate
Outbound
connection
Two-way
data flow
Plant

Source: Skkynet

Device

FIGURE 5. A cloud-based server will likely be the center of the industrial Internet of Things

way, the vEIOC is self-contained and

does not need an external controller to
process the data. Values can be read
from another controllers control strategy via external references. Access to
interface graphics, as well as alarming
and history collection, is the same as
any other module in the DeltaV DCS.
In addition to making it easier to
get data from the devices into the
system, the devices themselves are
becoming easier to integrate. The
ability to easily integrate is especially

important when it comes to safety

integrity level (SIL)-rated equipment.
Easy connection helps ensure
that everything is working properly
and meeting the safety regulations,
as well as safety-related business
goals, says Zachary Stank, product marketing specialist with Phoenix Contact (Harrisburg, Pa; www.
phoenixcontact.com). Processors
dont need or want to spend a lot of
time putting safety products into the
DCS, so they want something that

THE INTERNET OF THINGS MEETS PROCESS CONTROL

he Internet of Things (IoT) is defined as the interconnection of devices within the existing
Internet infrastructure. It is suggested that it will offer connectivity of devices, systems
and services operating on a multitude of protocols. How this may translate into the
future of process control is still up in the air. However, experts in control and computing have
some ideas.
Automation will look different in the future because we can push the intelligence of devices
further into the process, because smart devices are getting smaller and cheaper, says Donald Clark with Schneider Electric. In the past, automation was stuck on, like an appendage
outside of the process, but with wireless and smart devices becoming smaller, we are able to
take a sensor or controller and put it inside a reactor, pipe or pump and allow the equipment
to not only report on temperature or pressure, but also provide diagnostics on itself, too. This
means a pump could report on and control the process, but also administrate itself and send
this information where someone can see it and act upon it.
Putting automation directly inside pieces of equipment and collecting those data is where
the Internet of Things is taking us, says Clark.
Already, some companies are taking steps that they say may redefine the future of process
control. Skkynet Cloud Systems (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; skkynet.com) has partnered
with B+B SmartWorx (Ottawa, Ill.; www.bb-smartworx.com) to create intelligent networks that
can collect, manage and analyze data generated by billions of sensors, transforming those
data into actionable intelligence that lets companies make predictions and prescribe actions
to cut costs, increase productivity or increase revenue.
The partnership is being launched with a focus on the IoT. B+B SmartWorx will provide a
cellular router that collects raw data from devices and protocols and emits the data to Skkynets Secure Cloud Service via the cellular network. From the Cloud, users from operators
to plant engineers to managers, analysts and customers can access the information in a
secure manner (Figure 5). This is a more secure option than a VPN because the central plant
is not attached, so theres no opportunity to attack, says Andrew Thomas, CEO with Skkynet.
The service is capable of handling over 50,000 data changes per second per client, at speeds
just a few milliseconds over Internet latency. Secure by design, it requires no VPN, no open
firewall ports, no special programming, and no additional hardware.
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