The world of industrial automation has experienced a dramatic transformation since the debut of I/O systems over half a century ago. I/O systems play a significant role in industrial automation solutions, and with Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) redefining the limits of what is possible in the industrial landscape, I/O systems must also evolve.
Gone are the days when I/O systems simply safeguard sensitive industrial controllers from noisy electrical signals. The next generation of I/O systems needs to be powerful collectors of industrial process data, delivering critical operational insights from the field to facilitate faster business decision-making. These new I/O systems will also play a key supporting role in today’s industrial digital transformation, helping to digitalize and optimize operations, in turn, boosting overall profitability, sustainability, and agility.
Embracing emerging technologies to tackle modern-day challenges
Today, the industrial sector faces increasing challenges such as ever-changing customer expectations, mass customization demands, supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and stricter environmental regulations. Digital transformation can help businesses tackle these challenges by harnessing the power of connected infrastructure to capture real-time operational data.
The digitalization of industrial operations begins with gathering raw process data. Ethernet-based I/O systems can play a crucial role here, but they must also offer the right level of secure access to the signals needed to evaluate process performance across IT/OT environments and the cloud – all while still carrying out their traditional role of protecting sensitive electronics.
“The market for distributed I/O is being driven by digital transformation, which is rapidly increasing demand for additional manufacturing data to support analytics, AI, virtualization, asset management and predictive maintenance, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), digital twins and simulation, augmented and virtual reality, and IT and OT convergence”, according to Craig Resnick, Vice President, ARC Advisory Group.
Designed with the future in mind – Modicon Edge I/O NTS
Modicon Edge I/O NTS, Schneider Electric’s latest distributed IP20 I/O system, uses modern technologies to meet the needs of the digital future. It caters to a variety of applications from simple to complex within a single I/O family and is integrated into EcoStruxure Machine, Control, and Automation Expert.
Machine builders, system integrators, and industrial end users can deploy Modicon Edge I/O NTS across diverse sectors including machinery, packaging, food & beverage, life sciences, water/wastewater, mining, critical infrastructure, data centers, transportation, and energy & chemicals.
Flexibility is at the core of Modicon Edge I/O NTS, securely addressing current industrial I/O requirements whilst being equipped for future challenges. With customizable I/O Islands and a compact design, it allows for more I/O modules and functionality in less space. For example, it’s possible to have one island composed of one module (only 75 mm wide), while larger systems can have up to 250 modules.
With open Ethernet protocols, OPC UA technology, and hardware-integrated cybersecurity Modicon Edge I/O NTS helps ensure connectivity, performance, availability, and improved network security. The system is fully compliant with cybersecurity regulations, ensuring the data required to optimize efficiency, agility, sustainability, and profitability can be securely accessed.
With Modicon Edge I/O NTS, customers can save time from initial design to plant operation, thanks to simpler design and wiring, quicker start-up of new machines and processes, and easier diagnostics to reduce unplanned downtime. It also helps cut costs by contributing to overall reliability with a robust design featuring environmentally hardened options, hot-swap capabilities, integrated diagnostics, and cybersecurity integrated into the hardware by design.
“Schneider Electric’s new Modicon Edge I/O NTS next generation distributed IP20 I/O system meets these market and design requirements and will provide its users with a solution that will help to accelerate their digital transformation journey.” – Craig Resnick, Vice President, ARC Advisory Group.
Are your operations future-ready?
The digital transformation journey can be a significant undertaking, particularly when trying to balance the incorporation of innovative new approaches with the need to maintain operational stability and security, whilst still tackling everyday challenges. But by adopting and integrating cutting-edge technologies like edge computing, predictive AI, and integrated robotics, for example, industrial businesses can start to digitalize their operations into autonomous, self-optimizing, and cybersecure smart operations that will give them a strong competitive edge, now, and well into the future.
Future-ready, next-generation I/O systems like Modicon Edge I/O NTS are an excellent way to begin integrating the latest technologies and lay strong foundations for a successful digital transformation!
Find out more:
- Watch the Modicon Edge I/O NTS video on YouTube
- Visit the Modicon Edge I/O NTS page on SE.com
- Access the Modicon Edge I/O NTS Catalog (Jan 2025)
- Read the Modicon Edge I/O NTS press release on SE.com
- View the ARC article on Modicon Edge I/O NTS
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