Tailor-made for industry
Industrial communication networks are much more complex than traditional office networks. Successfully planning, designing, and implementing them therefore requires a partner that has extensive experience in this area, as well as thorough knowledge of automation and the industry as a whole.
An industrial network needs to meet the demands of the respective application. It must be able to integrate into the enterprise IT. And perform under hostile conditions. Discover how we can work with you to implement reliable and future-proof industrial communication networks.
Digitalization starts with data communication
In the future Internet of Things, communications-capable machines will be by far the most common type of device. At the same time, the number of networked industrial robots in use every year will double. The volume of data will also enjoy substantial growth. This development highlights the fact that digitalization is possible only in combination with powerful data communications.Equipped for the Internet of Things
The trend toward digitalization is still far from peaking – that’s still a long way off. The result is huge pressure on industry: Companies have to prepare for the Internet of Things if they are to succeed in global competition for the long term. Something that’s often forgotten in this context, however, is that there can be no digital transformation without an appropriate communication network in place.
For the Digital Factory, powerful and future-proof networks form the core of this data communication. They are what enable all assets involved in the value-added process to be seamlessly integrated. They permit a seamless exchange of data both horizontally and vertically. And they can grow along with the increasing volumes of data. As a consequence, they are an indispensable prerequisite for all companies that want to share the journey into the digital future.
Powerful communication networks are an important precondition for the digitalization of industry.Herbert Wegmann, General Manager Industrial Communication and Identification, Siemens
Industrial Communication Networks – Basis of Digitalization
Experts estimate that there will be 15 billion connected smart machines by 2020. At the same time, the amount of data will increase dramatically. This shows: digitalization is only possible with high-performance data communication. Reliable communication networks the basis of every digitalization solution.
Our many years of experience in automation and communication technology mean that we can offer special network designs that are precisely tailored to applications in the different industries.Herbert Wegmann, General Manager Industrial Communication and Identification, Siemens
Continuous exchange of information in real time
Intelligent data analysis using digitalization is an effective way to improve competitiveness, whether the goal is predictive planning and optimization of manufacturing processes, improving resource and cost efficiency in the process industry, or implementing trail-blazing strategies for the energy supply system. For example, the virtual representation of reality, known as the “digital twin,” makes it possible to design, simulate, and optimize machines and plant, long before they are implemented in reality. The result is a significant improvement in efficiency and productivity.
Powerful industrial communication networks are an essential element in this process. They smooth the path toward the Digital Enterprise by enabling a reliable and continuous exchange of information: in real time, along the entire value chain, and at all company levels.
The Chicken or the Egg?
What came first – the Chicken or the Egg? When it comes to the digitalization of industry, a similar question arises with regard to new digital business models – is a business vision needed to start with, or are the technological innovations required first? A recipe for success can be the building of a digital infrastructure and a stepby-step, experimental strategy development.
Technical article: Industrial Communication as the Basis for new digital Business Models (pdf)
Network security in industry
IT security is growing in importance with the increase in Ethernet-based networking through to the field level. After all, the risks of potential cyber attacks in an automated system are much greater than attacks on office networks – and in the worst case, they can threaten both people and the environment. In response, we offer a solution – in the form of Defense in Depth – that provides end-to-end and multi-level protection against both external and internal attacks. Network security includes checking all interfaces, like those between office and plant networks, and checking remote accesses to the Internet. It may take the form of a firewall or the creation of a protected secure zone (a “demilitarized zone,” or DMZ).
Technical article: IT Security of Automation Systems (pdf)
