Smart Grid: Overcoming the Challenges to Increase Efficiency
Recent research estimates that the Smart Grid will be a $120 Billion industry by 2020. As Industrial IoT (IIoT) drives digital transformation for utilities, there are a fair share of challenges and opportunities facing the Smart Grid industry today. To keep up with rapid growth and new technology that is shaping the utility markets in particular, Smart Grid decision makers must continue to improve efficiency. This allows the organization to leverage better data and make smart business decisions that align with an increasingly connected infrastructure. The Convergence Challenge In utilities markets, the IT/OT divide is rapidly shrinking, revealing significant challenges between the two groups. OT and IT each come to the convergence line with functional and operational differences, yet the changing technology landscape makes it impossible to avoid the inevitable meshing of the two formerly disparate organizations. As Smart Grid decision makers adjust to this shift, strong communication between teams will be essential – as well as careful selection of technology. For example, if utilities can work to integrate their legacy systems on the OT side with the more modern IT systems through a carefully selected communication solution, the Smart Grid will become more efficient, leading to better business decisions, as well as improved system operations and overall visibility. Going Digital IT/OT convergence, coupled with the new digital landscape has also driven Smart Grid organizations to reorganize under IT and address new technology challenges from a jobs perspective. Utilities are facing an ageing, traditional workforce on the OT side coming head-to-head with a new digital-centric workforce on the IT side. For Smart Grid organizations, it is essential to find the balance between hiring new technology savvy talent and nurturing existing staff. IoT will continue to drive automation, as Smart Grid decision makers either upgrade their legacy systems or figure out how to connect existing ones. We may see an increase in privately funded secondary education programs designed to create a more skilled workforce. If decision makers embrace the inevitable shift to digital, they will not only see the impact on efficiency, but they will stay competitive in an IoT driven market. Smart Sensor Boom IoT sparked a digital technology shift that resulted in the proliferation of Smart Sensors. Now utilities are able to monitor and transfer critical data from any asset – from the network Edge back to the central office. The demand for sensors hasn’t slowed – research is pointing towards continued and substantial growth in the Smart Sensor market between now and 2021. As sensors bring connectivity to more endpoints than ever before, utility decision makers are able to obtain detailed data for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) networks. With rugged wireless solutions, the sensor data is readily available in real-time for IT decision makers. The unrestricted access to data from all network endpoints forces decision makers to shift their focus from Big Data to Smart Data – the data that matters most to the business. It also drives the need for real-time analytics in order to streamline operations. This not only simplifies the convergence issue, but it drives Smart Grid efficiency. There are many factors contributing to the efficiency of the Smart Grid. While some initially present themselves as challenges, increasing connectivity and digital transformation give decision makers better data, connect more field assets and enable more opportunities to benefit the business.
Is Sensor-2-Server Technology the Next Big Wave for Oceanic Monitoring?
The National Geographic Society defines oceanography as, “an interdisciplinary science integrating the fields of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering to explore the ocean.” A brief history of oceanography, laid out by the National Geographic Society, begins with the first oceanographic studies completed by the H.M.S. Challenger Expedition from 1872-1876, which was the first voyage that collected data related to the oceanic environment. The more advanced forms of oceanography did not begin until World War II when the U.S. Navy studied the oceans to gain communication advantages across the Atlantic for submarine warfare. In the 1950s and 1960s, submersibles were introduced and ultimately became the technology that revolutionized oceanographic exploration. Modern technology has enabled more in depth exploration of the ocean. It offers tools to observe the environment, study the living beings living within it, and explore the unexplored. With the increasing adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is safe to say that more innovation will continue to drive oceanic research and exploration as we are able to connect more sensors and devices to the equipment that helps us learn more about the vast and expansive oceans. IoT technology allows researchers to take a scientific approach to the examination of the ocean through recorded and analyzed data. Some of the technologies already in use today include, vessels and submersibles, observing systems and sensors, communication technologies, and diving technology. Sensor-2-Server Technology for Oceanic Monitoring As IoT adoption rapidly expands, and in many ways changes the way things work – researchers continue to find new and innovative ways to explore the ocean. Some technology manufacturers are offering Sensor-2-Server solutions (S2S) for monitoring and data collection. S2S is defined as intelligent communication that begins at the sensor level and targets servers for specific reasons. The concept of S2S is about creating intelligent transmission from a specific location back to the appropriate server with the appropriate intelligence to drive action for change. For oceanographic purposes, this type of technology unlocks the opportunity to incorporate more data points than ever before. Some Sensor-2-Server solutions offer platforms to host third-party applications in addition to creating the communication links for devices. This new class of wireless IoT communication solutions is starting to be adapted for oceanographic research today. Below are some real-life applications that leverage modern Sensor-2-Server technology: Communication with an ROV on the ocean over a distance of about two miles Vessel telemetry for units that operate in a variety of changing environments from quayside to middle of ocean Remote access to GPS stations in Alaska over approximately 13 miles to optimize the quality of data transfer for ocean mapping. Connecting remote coastal radar systems measuring ocean surface currents around Coral reefs during an upcoming experiment along the very remote NW Australian Coast. S2S technology will continue to lead to new and exciting ways for researchers to uncover some of the ocean’s mysteries, understand how it works, and learn the behavior of its creatures.
Robotics & IoT Merging Together
The Internet of Things (IoT) has made its appearance in a substantial number of industries, most recently manifesting itself in the the realm of robotics. IoT technologies and standards open the door for new robotic capabilities that are powered by cloud computing, communication with other robotic systems and sensor input from the environment around them. Recent research has pointed to a new opportunity for robotics to operate beyond the scope of what was possible just a few years ago. As we look at a future of data and connectivity at every end point – from our cars, to our homes, to our businesses – it’s clear that we’ve just begun to scrape the surface of what is possible with the rapid expansion of IoT throughout the world. In a recent report, ABI research coined the, “Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT),” defining the concept, “where intelligent devices can monitor events, fuse sensor data from a variety of sources, use local and distributed ‘intelligence’ to determine a best course of action, and then act to control or manipulate objects in the physical world, and in some cases while physically moving through that world.” The research certainly backs recent claims that robotics are going to leave a significant mark on the IoT industry. Take a look at the key statistics that Forbes recently reported on Robotics: 4% of developers are building robotics apps today. 45% of developers say that Internet of Things (IoT) development is critical to their overall digital strategy. 4% of all developers are building apps in the cloud today. RF Technology in the IoRT World As the entire technology landscape changes it is more important than ever for RF technology to adapt in order to meet new industry demands. Manufacturers in the hardened, wireless communication industry have taken note and set their eyes on all things IoT by developing Sensor-to-Server (S2S) communication solutions. Some of these wireless IoT communication solutions providers are offering platforms to host third-party applications in addition to creating the communication links for devices. This is an entirely new class of wireless IoT communication solutions that has the staying power needed in the midst of technology evolution. Robotic IoT Future Some companies using wireless S2S solutions, have already begun to incorporate IoRT into their networks. Real-life use case examples of robotics for IoT networks that are in the works today include: Semi-autonomous robotic geophysical surveying platforms for detection of unexploded ordnance. With an S2S communication solution, this use case will provide real time kinematic base station GPS corrections and combined geophysical data to a mobile command and control vehicle for concurrent advanced data processing by rear support group linked by MiFi or Satellite communications. A ‘ship-to-shore’ link for an ocean going wave-powered autonomous robot. As robotics systems adapt to the new technology landscape, they will increasingly integrate with IoT networks. With these new advanced robotics capabilities, businesses will see new opportunities for automation and efficiency to further advance operations and will be able to leverage this new technology for competitive advantage.
All Aboard the IoT Railway
In many parts of the world, rail represents a major component of infrastructure – for the transportation of both humans and goods. In fact, railways are critical to some of the major industries like oil and gas, agriculture, and food refrigeration/transport. Much like those industries have, over the years, adopted automated, machine-to-machine (M2M) technology, railroads have similarly deployed more advanced technology over the years as well. Railways began the “automation” process by adding Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) tags back as early as 1989. These sensors track the specific item tagged, but they have no way of knowing how the train is operating as a whole. Companies also began deploying RFID tags to track goods being transported along the different lines. The AEI sensors could provide information on the rail car and would interact with the various readers along the route. The additional sensors were great for location awareness, but still lacked the ability to monitor all the moving parts on the train. Still, with these two initial steps, the early stages of Internet of Things (IoT) technology began to come into focus for the railroad industry. IoT Railway Solution The rail industry needed a way to develop a more intelligent infrastructure that enabled Sensor-2-Server (S2S) data transmission via a network of Wi-Fi and voice, video, data and sensor control systems. Due to the massive amount of data collection a system like this would develop, railways are now developing a fully digital service that is directed toward centralized facilities capable of aggregating data from different sources and streams and analyzing that data in real-time. For instance, today, railroad sensors monitor everything from rail car and locomotive health, to track conditions, air temperatures, stress gauges and component conditions. Having a centralized system allows operators to take that data being collected and use it to develop predictive maintenance practices; that is, the ability to predict when a section of rail or a specific component is in need of repair or near failure. Predictive maintenance is only one component of IoT integration for the rail industry, but it is one that can potentially transform practices across the board, ultimately saving companies time and money – valuable elements for an industry centered on logistics. Across the pond, the University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research has found that tracks can be monitored with inexpensive sensors set to operate by the vibrations of oncoming trains. According to the research, the sensors will still operate if one of the sensors is damaged, because of a built-in fail-safe. These sensors are projected to detect both approaching trains and the real-time conditions of the track. Adding an IoT network to trains can help improve safety and efficiency with traffic congestion, monitoring and control speed. Even the non-critical business operations have the ability to operate efficiently on the train with the help of modern sensors. Beyond rail sensor networks, there is also the consideration of the passengers as well. If railroads can implement Wi-Fi networks on passenger cars, passengers will be able to receive travel updates, railroad companies can develop specific apps for their travelers, and riders can enjoy the utility of internet in areas that previously lacked service. Although rail remains largely an industrial consideration in the United States, the growth of IoT technology available to the greater industry bodes well for the continued development of this infrastructure around the world.
Emergency Response From Sensor-2-Server
Emergency response agencies are adding Sensor-2-Server (S2S) communication technologies to their tool belt, thus changing the way our local municipalities operate. As we head in the direction of a more connected world through the Internet of Things (IoT), we see increased efficiencies within our cities and local government operations. For example, municipalities can leverage S2S technology for monitoring and control of their traffic management systems to improve flow of traffic to support community growth or pain points within the local traffic infrastructure. These Smart City types of applications also extend into emergency response. Large scale emergency situations and natural disasters often lead to disabled or overloaded cell towers and disconnected Wi-Fi. When all forms of communication are severed, first responders face the challenge of conducting rescue efforts with extremely limited visibility into identifying which locations require immediate help and conditions of the affected locations. If local government or municipalities leverage Smart City applications to stay online during emergency and disaster recovery situations, response times increase, risk decreases and lives can be saved. A Sensor-2-Server (S2S) solution robust enough to maintain communications during worst case scenarios will provide a mission critical communication link that keeps responders connected. Further, solutions that support voice, video, data and sensor (VVDS) information can aid in complete, accurate assessment during the emergency as well as detailed follow-up after emergencies and disasters are over. Finding a New Solution for Emergency Response Secure wireless communications are a key component to successful emergency response and disaster recovery for Smart Cities. With technology specifically built for harsh outdoor, industrial locations and proven to perform under the most extreme environmental conditions, local governments and municipalities can create emergency response and disaster recovery protocols that would significantly reduce collateral damage. Wireless shorthaul communications solutions with robust Wi-Fi links support VVDS, giving responders a substantial advantage during emergency situations. In a situation where every moment counts, having that connection could make the difference in saving someone’s life. Benefits of Leveraging S2S Solutions with Emergency Response Agencies Functioning even when power outages are plaguing a city, there are a number of ways a Sensor-2-Server type of network can be leveraged by the local government: ⇒ Reduce Risks Significantly reduce the risk of injury for firefighters and first responders. By leveraging video, responders can examine and assess damage after a weather-related incident without having to enter unsafe buildings or areas. ⇒ Assess the Situation Streamline the post disaster assessment by first responders from all directions and relay critical information to headquarters. By leveraging voice and video capabilities responders get an accurate assessment of a situation from every angle and create a faster, safer evaluation than a manual process. ⇒ Increase Response Time When communication networks are down, emergency crews can leverage the secure wireless edge network. Emergency crews can respond faster because messages and instructions are relayed via VVDS rather than manually. ⇒ Protected Data Keep unwanted parties out of the network. Leverage secure encryption capabilities to prevent data hijacking and increase network security. Some solutions will offer a secure, dedicated channel for emergency communications that does not interfere with tactical plans. When a municipality becomes a Smart City, first responders can be highly effective and are better able to protect themselves from the dangerous situations they face. As S2S communications shape the future of municipal communication networks, voice and video can be incorporated into the network. With this new, rich data, emergency management teams can enhance their emergency response protocol and improve emergency planning.
IoT Top News: Manufacturing Disruption
Industrial IoT continues to cause disruption; not just in manufacturing, but across many other industries as well. In the last few months we’ve been keeping a pulse on the state of digital transformation across the business landscape and have been discovering exciting new implementations of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). This week we’re highlighting the disruption Industrial IoT is instigating as product development and lifecycle management continues to evolve. Overcoming Three Key Barriers to Industrial IoT Industrial IoT has the potential to capture data in real-time, leverage big data analytics and streamline efficiency to name a few. So what’s hold back the industry? A major barrier has to do with culture of the operational technology (OT) organizations within the industry. The OT have a risk-averse way of thinking and see change as disruption, “Whereas IT is defined by constant change and innovation, that’s why it’s not unusual to see industrial automation systems in service for decades at a time with little or no change.” Bringing Smart Technology to Old Factories Can be an Industrial-Sized Disruption It sounds amazing to have robotic arms working together with the Industrial IoT. The reality is manufacturing is being disrupted by the implementation of IIoT. Mary Catherine O’Connor with the Wall Street Journal reminds us that, “Often plant managers can’t tell which sensor will most accurately collect the data they want from a machine without a series of test runs—a time-consuming process.” Product-Development Strategies in the IIoT Disruption The key to succeeding with IIoT disruption will be to focus on the new innovation of both product and software for the industry. Machine Design reminds us that, “IIoT is a disruptive force that will shape product-development trends over the next decade and beyond.” Relying on CMM to Keep IIoT’s Disruption Positive All the talk up to this point has been about the negative disruptive impacts IIoT is having on the industry. IIoT has the ability to drastically change manufacturing with a positive level of disruption introduced on the shop-floor. According the the American Machinist positive disruption can happen, “By using coordinate measuring machinery (CMM), machine shops or other manufacturers are able to capture the precise details of the geometry or surface conditions of a workplace. Working within IIoT, those manufacturers then are able to share such data between machines, exchange information between facilities, or with customers or suppliers.” Now we would like to leave you with this quick excerpt from Kevin Ashton, a British technology pioneer who co-founded the Auto-ID Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and inventor of the term “the Internet of Things.” How the Internet of Things Disruption Gains Traction – Extreme IoT We hope you have enjoyed this closer look at the disruption Industrial IoT is bringing to the table and what steps are being done to allow more implementation across the industry. Let’s us know what disruption you have seen with IIoT.
IoT Top News: M2M Propels Machines
Time and again, those keeping a pulse on the Internet of Things (IoT) space frequently hear about the “rise of the machines.” Humanity is not only discovering fascinating ways to integrate machines into our daily lives, but also finding new uses for machines as well. How? Machines are now “internet-connected” just like the smartphones we carry around in our pockets. And this isn’t just on the commercial side with the likes of smart thermostats or connected vehicles – even tractors and oil and gas machinery are industrial examples of where new “things” are now on the digital network. In fact, there are more M2M or “machine-to-machine” communication devices on this planet than humans. As GSMA Intelligence reported in 2014, there are 7.2bn M2M devices versus 7.19bn humans. Stuart Taylor from Cisco also wrote a prediction that “The Internet of Things (IoT) is a world where up to 50 billion things (or devices) will be connected to the Internet by 2020; or, the equivalent of 6 devices for every person on the planet.” Realizing the major role M2M devices continue to have in our connected world, specifically as it relates to the advent of machine learning, it’s only natural to highlight the impact of machines and M2M in the past, present and future. The Machines are Coming: How M2M Spawned the Internet of Things In the digital world, M2M wireless solutions will work for us quietly, in the background solving all our day-to-day needs. John Kennedy with Silicon Republic reports that, “M2M is at the heart of the industrial internet of things (IIoT), powering smart factories that can be run remotely from a tablet computer, and smart buildings that monitor their environment and feed data back to the cloud.” Is Machine Learning Over Hyped? In the now 24-hour news cycle, often the top news lingers around lighter topics. So how much hype should be given to machine learning (ML)? The Huffington Post respondent Scott Aaronson, theoretical computer scientist at MIT, seems to think that “There’s no doubt in my mind that people 30 years from now will agree with us about the central importance of ML, but which aspects of ML will they rage at us for ignoring, or laugh at us for obsessing about when we shouldn’t have? Machine Learning: Demystifying Linear Regression and Feature Selection Machine learning needs to integrate domain knowledge in order to improve the quality of data collected from analysts. Josh Lewis with Computerworld thinks that, “Business people need to demand more from machine learning so they can connect data scientists’ work to relevant action.” Machine Learning Examples Crop up for Data Center Management Data centers appear to be the perfect place for enterprises to implement machine learning to its fullest. Christopher Yetman, COO at Vantage Data said, “There are also sensors that generate data about air pressure, humidity, temperature and supply voltage and typically feed into a programmable logic controller.” M2M Technology Driving Agriculture’s Industrialization On a global front, M2M is driving agriculture’s industrialization in South Africa. IT News Africa informs us that, “Given the ability to automate many monitoring and control functions through intelligent devices, agriculture is a prime target for leveraging M2M capabilities.” We hope you have enjoyed this week’s roundup, and as M2M connections continue to pile-up, we urge you to consider the plethora of commercial and industrial use cases that can benefit from these innovations.
ENTELEC 2016 Conference News Roundup
This past week many of you migrated to Houston, Texas for the annual Energy Telecommunications and Electrical Association Conference (ENTELEC). This user association had around 200 vendors, that mainly focus on control technologies that are used by petroleum, natural gas, pipeline and electric utility companies. In honor of this being the 88th year of ENTELEC, Richard Nation, a fellow board member with Copano Energy gives us a brief history on how this association formed and evolved over the years. Now take a moment and watch this video, its only a few minutes long, so get to watching! A brief history on ENTELEC https://youtu.be/OaSMd2__naQ In case you missed it, we have a full recap here to fill you in on all the happenings at this year’s conference! ENTELEC 2016 started off with a bang, with the keynote address from Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot with the Navy. Carey shared her winning experiences working aboard an aircraft carrier. These tools she explains, can be translated to everyday life in order to reduce error under pressure. Once the conference got under way, the ENTELEC team wanted to remind everyone, “they think you are kind of a big deal.” Inviting everyone to stop by their main booth throughout the conference. The Pipeline & Gas Journal snapped a picture of networking in action, as the communications and control technology experts got a chance to mingle during the opening day of ENTELEC. It was an action-packed conference, filled with speaking, networking, demonstrations and overall knowledge sharing. Hope you have enjoyed this week’s round up; as always tell us what we missed!
Sensor-2-Server: Benefits & Security for IIoT Communications
*This is part of a series of blogs examining Sensor-2-Server (S2S) communications, development, security and implementation. For the past two weeks, we’ve taken an in-depth look at what Sensor-2-Server communications are, how to implement these systems, and some of the specific aspects of communication that these systems facilitate. This week, for our final installment, we’ll examine some of the benefits, as well as security considerations, for S2S communications. Benefits of Sensor-2-Server Communications From a technology partnership perspective, Big Data vendors face the challenge of comparing data in motion versus data at rest. If the data has already moved through a SCADA system and has been aggregated, changed, stalled, or is not quite granular enough, it can be difficult to deliver high-value predictive analytics. The concept of predictive analytics is that an operator can make an accurate estimate that certain things can happen during operations. However, the operator needs to determine what the drivers are for the predicted actions to happen and must look at active data to determine if this is, in fact, happening. Without insight into the active data in motion, they are lacking an essential piece of the predictive analytics. This ability to compare data in motion at the access layer could benefit Big Data vendors when it comes to predictive analytics because it allows them to give higher value to their customers, which drives additional revenue. With S2S technology, they can deploy a tiered application infrastructure that allows data to intelligently move from one point to another. S2S also enables operators to go beyond a legacy SCADA data network. To operate a SCADA network, it requires a lot of institutional knowledge to truly understand, manage and work within the environment. S2S expands beyond moving the data into SCADA systems and allows operators to leverage more advanced technology, like predictive analytics. Essentially, S2S communications provide the opportunity to take advantage of new advanced tools, but the operator doesn’t necessarily have to sacrifice the institutional knowledge built into the SCADA data systems. As new generations enter the workforce, it’s likely that there will be a shift and some of that institutional knowledge will be replaced with technology that will allow operators to do more than they ever could before. The addition of new technology and IoT networks is where operators are starting to see the functional lines blur between the IT and production groups. As more technology is leveraged, these two disparate groups will have to work together more often. There is now a drive for a more holistic picture of what is going on in IT, what is going on in the field, and whether the technology used will be compatible with future needs. SCADA will likely always have value for industrial communications but, going forward, there will be an increase in the use other technologies as well. Additionally, with more technology physically in the field, there is always going to be a focus on data security. Security Sensors at the access layer present interesting security challenges. For example, consider a data concentrator sitting on an oil pad that is collecting data. This device is collecting data from a number of sensors and has data logging capabilities, which also means the other devices sitting at the remote site contain historical data. Technology providers need to insure that the technology used is taking advantage of all the security features that are available to make sure their data is protected through a variety of means including encryption, authentication, virus and intrusion protection, and by being physically tamperproof. With the growing interest in IIoT, the system is providing a communication path with highly valuable information. These sensors may be running an application on the edge of the network, and many of these devices are using IP. When there are Ethernet and IP devices going out to edge devices in the field, each one of those devices has the potential to become a threat to the entire corporate network if they’re not secure. Operators in IIoT environments need to be concerned with everything that could be introduced to the network at every single connection point. Data protection data is a fundamental and extremely important element in determining the effectiveness of S2S communication. Technology vendors must be mindful of security in every step of the design and installation process, and operators must require security features that will protect their data and networks. In addition to data security, the threat to physical infrastructures in very remote locations is driving the need for new security solutions such as intelligent video surveillance designed to maximize security and minimize cost. S2S solutions need to be physically capable of delivering the bandwidth to enable these new solutions. Where Do We Go From Here? Industrial communication is changing in the sense that IIoT enables the possibility for every device in a network to be connected – including those in the outer access layer. This has created a convergence of OT and IT operations in many instances or – at the very least – has brought the two departments to a closer working capacity. IoT and technology at the access layer enable the option for Sensor-2-Server, a form of intelligent communications that can move the sensor data to a specific server for detailed analysis. New data and technology are allowing operators to do things they’ve never done before, such as predictive analytics. As this shift continues, SCADA is not becoming an obsolete technology; rather it will become a piece in the bigger technology picture. Any operator choosing S2S technology, or any technology for that matter, must carefully consider the options and keep security as a top priority.
Sensor-2-Server (S2S): Implementing IIoT Communications
*This is part of a series of blogs examining Sensor-2-Server (S2S) communications, development and implementation. Last week, in part one of our series, we worked to define Sensor-2-Server (S2S) for IIoT communications, the access layer, and high-level applications. This week, we’re looking at the actual implementation of S2S communication systems. Implementing S2S Communications When implementing S2S networks, the operator needs to have a solid understanding of the following: What sensor data do I want to collect? What does the architecture look like? Where does the data need to come from and where does it need to go? For example, is it just going to SCADA or is it going to other data sources? These key details will drive the selection of the technology that best fits, in addition to the physical environment where it needs to transmit data. Carefully selecting the right pieces will help in architecting the network. In order to make S2S work, an operator needs to understand the physical environment needs. Everything is unique when it comes to RF in particular, and an operator must fully understand their environment if they want to be successful. The ability to collect the data is the first step in improving intelligence of Sensor-2-Server communication, which starts with technology selection. Four Tenets of Sensor-2-Server To establish the most effective S2S communications network, there are four core tenets that the technology must support: collecting the data, protecting the data, transmitting the data and controlling the data. Collect – The technology must allow the operator to collect data from any sensor – whether the sensors are analog or digital, wireless or wired. In some instances, the technology may need the extended ability to collect data at the access layer in a data logging fashion – allowing the operator to collect it, store it locally and make it available to SCADA systems. Protect- The intelligent communication must be able to protect the network against cyber-attacks. It must fix the boundary between the sensor and backbone network. Without ample security in the environment, many industries can be at risk for severe consequences such as compromised data or denial of service. Transport- The data must be transported to the appropriate location for analysis, no matter where the data is collected from. Operators should look for a system that offers seamless wireless data connectivity from Sensor-2-Server. Control- The Sensor-2-Server technology must add intelligenceto the access layer. Data logging is critical, and operators must have the capability to pull data in and control what happens with the data and where that data is stored. Users can leverage that data at the local level or back at the core network. S2S technology can be effectively deployed in the energy sector, whether it is oil and gas, electric power, solar, wind and or tide- based energy. Additionally, utilities, precision agriculture and irrigation can also benefit from intelligent S2S communication. With an intelligent communication system, operators can leverage new technology to improve the profitability of their businesses in ways previously considered impossible. For example, if an oil and gas company can use predictive analytics to estimate the price per barrel, the company can be more responsive – in real time – on its oil production levels. The data gathered from predictive analytics can help operators determine if production should be increased or decreased in certain areas, thus driving higher profitability. These technologies can also lead to cost reduction. For example, by deploying S2S technology at the oil well, the operator does not have to send as many workers out in the field to manually collect data. By enabling multiple benefits (profitability and cost reduction), S2S offers a value proposition that is getting the attention of many industrial operators. Next Week Next week, we’ll look at the benefits of intelligent Sensor-2-Server communications, as well as some of the important security considerations.
