The landscape of industrial automation has undergone a seismic shift over the past few decades, and so has Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI). Once simple interfaces, allowing operators to control machinery through basic visual representations, industrial HMIs have evolved into advanced systems that allow the user to do so much more than push buttons to control processes.

Thanks to the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) making for more connected operations, the latest HMIs can now gather real-time business and operational data to produce instant analytics that can be easily accessed anywhere. By visualizing critical information (such as production capacity vs inventory levels) clearly and simply, the user can make faster, more well-informed decisions. Today, these important advances in HMIs are empowering our workforces and enhancing overall efficiency, safety, and productivity.

The HMI evolution: From simple display panels to edge computing powerhouses

Early HMIs were primarily simple display panels intended to replace physical dials, buttons, and gauges, and offered a more cost-effective approach to monitoring and controlling industrial processes. Although innovative at the time, these interfaces were limited by restricted functionality, lack of mobility, and inability to integrate with other systems.

As technology has advanced, the increasing complexity of industrial processes has required more sophisticated interfaces. HMIs have evolved to include user-friendly touchscreen graphical displays for enhanced user experience, and seamless integration with other industrial hardware, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. They also support remote monitoring and cloud connectivity, aligning with the latest smart manufacturing trends to boost workforce mobility and productivity, enhance data accessibility, and reduce downtime.

Now, arguably the biggest innovation in HMI has arrived, with the integration of edge computing capabilities.

Edge computing puts applications and insights as close as possible to the users or “things” that need them. By enabling real-time data processing and analytics at the edge, business-critical information can be monitored and accessed instantly rather than waiting for it to travel to and from the cloud. With this newfound speed, agility, and responsiveness, modern HMIs have become exceptionally powerful tools for optimizing industrial operations, supporting innovative approaches like predictive maintenance, and cementing their place as an essential part of any industrial digital transformation.

Schneider Electric’s industrial PCs: Harnessing the power of edge computing and real-time data analytics for digital transformation

Further strengthening our existing HMI portfolio in 2017, the merger of Japanese company Digital Electronics Corporation with Schneider Electric was completed. This resulted in leading HMI brand, Pro-face, being rebranded and marketed as Pro-face by Schneider Electric, and together we have been firmly at the forefront of the HMI evolution ever since.

This includes our latest industrial PCs (IPCs), which showcase the very best of our strong HMI expertise. Equipped with substantial computing capabilities and advanced connectivity, these sophisticated systems can handle large datasets, execute complex analyses, and deliver real-time insights, which is all vital in industries where quick decisions are critical.

Harmony P6, the newest high-performance offer in Schneider Electric’s industrial PC range, offers best-in-class visualization and control, and drives efficiency and productivity at the edge of our EcoStruxure platform. It’s designed for seamless integration with existing systems, with a unified platform for data management and visualization. By processing data at the edge, it can identify patterns, detect anomalies, and provide predictive maintenance recommendations, all in real-time. This capability not only enhances the reliability and performance of industrial equipment but also reduces downtime and maintenance costs.

Leveraging the smart design and engineering power of the EcoStruxure Automation Expert platform, the Harmony P6 set-up can be quickly and easily duplicated to other units, saving time and engineering costs. Even more time can be saved with kitting for repetitive business, allowing users to define and validate a personalised software configuration and place repetitive orders to our regional Flex Centres.

With security being a critical consideration in any connected operation, Harmony P6 has been designed to the IEC62443 Cybersecurity Standard for control systems. It also provides enhanced security with associated software, Achilles, and McAfee, and leverages the EcoStruxure Secure Connect remote access solution for more secure access, programming, and monitoring.

Cutting-edge industrial PCs: Make the most of industrial digital transformation

The evolution of industrial HMIs from simple interfaces to today’s edge computing powerhouses has been remarkable, and unlocks new possibilities for optimizing industrial operations, enhancing efficiency, and driving digital transformation.

Schneider Electric’s IPC solutions are at the forefront of this revolution, offering industrial companies an intelligent window to the critical real-time data they need from the control room to the plant floor and beyond, to make faster and better decisions, anytime and anywhere.

Industrial digital transformation leverages the latest IIoT technologies, like these new IPCs, to transform the way we work, allowing industrial companies and their workforces to become more connected, informed, productive, agile, and strategic. Adopting these technologies and starting the digital transformation journey enables them to stay ahead in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. It’s clear that technological evolutions like the one we have seen with HMIs are paving the way for a more efficient, effective, and sustainable industrial future for us all.

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