Introducing the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC for Data Integration

Softing Industrial, an industrial communication solutions provider, has expanded its Docker-based edgeConnector product family with the introduction of the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC software module. The new container technology enables users to connect Allen-Bradley control systems to IIoT applications.

Softing has expanded its Docker-based edgeConnector product family to include access to Allen-Bradley PLC data. Image used courtesy of Softing Industrial

 

edgeConnector Data Exchange 

In the industrial automation industry, access to data from control systems is crucial for enhancing processes. With Softing’s new edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC container technology, users can now access data from widely-used Allen-Bradley PLCs. 

The edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC utilizes Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) to integrate and exchange PLC data, simplifying the process and offering standardized communication protocols. Using EtherNet/IP CIP, the edgeConnector ensures reliable and efficient communication, enabling real-time monitoring and control across industrial networks. Additionally, up to twenty Allen-Bradley PLCs can be connected with one container runtime.

 

Image portraying the functionality of the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC. Image used courtesy of Softing Industrial

 

Data Integration Into Management Systems

The edgeConnector links with data integration systems such as ERP, MES, or SCADA to share data with other Docker containers like Microsoft OPC Publisher or Amazon AWS IoT SiteWise.

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is a centralized hub for managing an organization's core business processes, including accounting, project management, risk management, compliance, and supply chain operations. It enables data flow between these functions, eliminating redundancy and ensuring data integrity. 
• A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a sophisticated software solution designed to oversee, monitor, document, and manage the entire manufacturing process, from raw materials to final products. Positioned between enterprise resource planning (ERP) and process control systems, an MES empowers decision-makers with crucial data to enhance efficiency and optimize production on the factory floor.
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) represents a class of software applications pivotal in regulating industrial operations. It actively collects real-time data from remote sites, enabling the management of equipment and environmental conditions. With SCADA, organizations can analyze data and execute decisions pertinent to their industrial workflows. Renowned for its versatility, SCADA is one of the most prevalent industrial control systems, capable of overseeing a broad spectrum of industrial processes.

The edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC can access data from any ControlLogix or CompactLogix controller. This image features CompactLogix 5380 controllers. Image used courtesy of Rockwell Automation

 

edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC Deployment 

The edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC offers various deployment options, providing solutions to both cloud-driven and local environments. Container images stored in repositories like Docker Hub, Azure Container Registry (ACR), or Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR) ensure easy accessibility and scalability. The new edgeConnector also provides MQTT publisher functionality for scenarios requiring MQTT integration, enabling smooth data transfer to MQTT brokers.

MQTT is a standardized protocol designed for machine-to-machine communication. It's beneficial for IoT devices, like smart sensors and wearables, that need to exchange data over networks with limited bandwidth. With MQTT, these devices can efficiently transmit and receive data. Additionally, MQTT supports bidirectional messaging, allowing devices to communicate with the cloud and each other.

The lightweight and flexible nature of the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, combined with support for deployment and configuration via management systems like Kubernetes, Azure IoT Edge, or AWS IoT Greengrass, is designed to empower organizations to adapt quickly to changes.

 

Industrial Edge Solutions

Softing’s Product Manager, Abel Jimenez, shared that the edgeConnector portfolio expansion meets growing customer needs. He stated that, with the addition of the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, "we [Softing] support users and system integrators in bridging the gap between OT and IT."

The release of the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC rounds out Softing’s edgeConnector portfolio of Docker-based technology for widely used control systems. The family also includes edgeConnector Siemens, edgeConnector 840D, edgeConnector Fanuc CNC, and edgeConnector Modbus.