IIoT For All: KEB Brings Software to Builders to Speed Development

Known globally in the automation industry for its drive technology, KEB has recently announced the release of Next Open Automation (NOA), its IIoT software platform. The NOA software is hardware-independent; it doesn’t have to be installed on specific hardware. However, it does require a Linux operating system with a Docker installation. The software is being sold as an automation platform as a service (APaaS), resulting in a scheduled subscription to be determined. The NOA software is geared toward equipment manufacturers who want to provide their customers with predictive maintenance, machine learning, and data collection/analysis software tools but may not have the infrastructure to create them from scratch.

The NOA software platform equips builders with the tools they need to sell their own custom software. Image used courtesy of KEB

Collecting Data in the 21st Century

Data collection on equipment is paramount; almost all of a factory's end automation equipment will collect data on machine efficiency, alarms, production counts, and even motor power consumption. This data can now be easily analyzed using edge computers on the factory floor. Creating software capable of predictive maintenance and machine learning can take years of development. For smaller to medium-sized automation companies, this is a capital investment they might not be able to afford. With the NOA software from KEB, these companies can offer their customers similar data collection and analysis that bigger more established companies offer.

A modern automated factory, likely using data analysis software. Image used courtesy of Unsplash

Open Software Platform

With some applications, there is one fee and you get all the options–whether you use them or not. The NOA software is built in two components: The NOA Core is the infrastructure that operates, updates apps, and provides a communication layer, while the App Management allows for installing and updating services. This software management style enables users to tailor their solutions to their needs while allowing them to upgrade or add functionality later.

An example of data analysis software to visualize trends and statistics. Image used courtesy of Unsplash

Software Customization

The functionality is not the only part of the software that can be customized. Data is often displayed with the use of dashboards. With KEB’s NOA software, the dashboards can be customized per user for a unique look and feel. NOA also includes device and fleet management features, providing a single location to manage all of the data-producing devices within the plant.

Supported Hardware

The NOA platform is not hardware dependent but does require a Linux operating system with Docker installed. Because the NOA software is an open architecture, containers house the installed apps. Even though NOA is not hardware-specific, KEB does offer the C6 Compact 3, which is a compact, low-cost Linux edge device that can also be used as an HMI server or gateway.

Another example data analysis dashboard to track performance metrics. Image used courtesy of Unsplash

Not Just For Machine Automation

The NOA platform is built to be size efficient, which makes it great for small applications such as retrieving tester data. Factories often use temperature testing, flow measuring, and leak testing devices to test their products before they are sold on the market. With a software platform like NOA a machine builder could create an app for the NOA software that retrieves data from the tester for analysis and provides dashboards to display the data in real time. This provides machine builders and factories better access to the data they are producing.