FDT Group launches IIoT server

The FDT Group has announced the launch of the FDT/IIoT Server (FITS) for mobility, cloud and fog enterprise applications. The FITS solution protects industry investments in FDT through advanced business logic, well-defined interfaces and common components, and enables operating system agnostic implementation of the technology while supporting today’s integrated automation architecture.

The announcement of the new FDT/Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) server was made during a press conference at the SPS IPC Drives exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany. SPS IPC Drives is Europe’s leading event for electric automation.

FDT Technology was ahead of its time in terms of providing secure and reliable interoperability across automation systems, network and devices. Industrial facilities currently employing FDT-enabled systems are already benefitting from open access to the IIoT. The technology supports an IIoT-connected enterprise, creating a single system infrastructure that standardises the connection of disparate automation assets.

To facilitate its commitment to Connecting the Intelligent Enterprise, the FDT Group developed the new FDT architecture with FITS to be deployable as a cloud, fog, local server or standalone platform — allowing it to scale to suit the needs of a single manufacturing facility or an entire industrial enterprise. The server features robust layered security leveraging vetted industry standards and utilises encrypted communications with transport layer security (TLS).

FITS also takes advantage of an OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) annex enabling sensor-to-cloud, enterprise-wide connectivity in industrial control systems used in the process, hybrid and factory automation markets. Together, FDT and OPC UA allow sensor, network and topology information to permeate the enterprise, including mobile devices, distributed control systems (DCSs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, the cloud, and the IIoT and Industry 4.0.

According to Glenn Schulz, managing director of the FDT Group, the FITS solution represents the key architectural role that FDT plays in an intelligent enterprise. “The FDT Group is working with the various IIoT initiatives around the world to ensure that our new architecture meets their emerging requirements,” he said. “In addition, the FDT platform is being enhanced to include operating system agnostic support for standard browsers, fit-for-purpose apps and general web services for any potential expansion. These advancements underscore our support for the hundreds of thousands of installed FDT/FRAMES and tens of millions of FDT-enabled products in the global installed base.”

FDT Technology currently supports all common automation industry networks, and its open architecture allows users to add networks to meet changing industry demands. FDT’s ability to seamlessly nest or tunnel through a myriad of networks to transparently communicate with the end device demonstrates its pivotal position in today’s intelligent, connected enterprise. The standard is written such that the user has no awareness that routing through different networks is taking place. It’s as if they are directly connecting to the device and can access all of its intelligent features.