Network infrastructure provider Belden has integrated its CloudRail software functionality with AWS IoT SiteWise. The integration brings together AWS’ data services and Belden subsidiary CloudRail’s protocol management software for brownfield and greenfield data acquisition.

CloudRail, which Belden acquired in 2023, enables cloud-based device management that allows users to roll out, manage and update edge devices globally. Its managed solution pre-processes data locally before sending it to any cloud. The combined solution enables customers to connect their industrial assets and sensors to the AWS cloud using CloudRail software.

CloudRail is designed to streamline and standardise discovery, acquisition and normalisation of data from any industrial environments. The collected data is ingested into AWS IoT SiteWise Edge for local processing, monitoring and storage. At the same time, it is synchronised with AWS IoT SiteWise in the AWS cloud for enterprise-wide visibility and analytics.

CloudRail has plug-and-play access to over 12,000 sensor definitions which, combined with data normalisation capabilities, reduces the time and effort required to connect industrial assets to AWS IoT SiteWise. It simplifies Edge-to-Cloud Data Flow with a single, unified solution, while providing scalable and secure device management. Its cloud-based device management capabilities supports secure roll out, management and update of thousands of globally distributed edge devices from a centralised platform.

It provides compatibility with both modern and legacy industrial equipment. Modern machines can connect via standard protocols like OPC-UA, while brownfield scenarios benefit from retrofitting old assets with secondary sensors. It also supports Modbus for connectivity for devices such as energy meters.

“The integration of CloudRail with AWS IoT SiteWise Edge provides our customers with a powerful and streamlined solution for industrial data acquisition and analysis,” said Matthew Wopata, Global Product Line Management Leader for Data Software Applications at Belden. “This marks the latest way Belden and its brands are helping companies around the world gather data at the edge so they can leverage it to improve processes and increase efficiency.”