Minnesota-based Digi has introduced the XBeeIEC intelligent edge controller to close the gap between field devices and the cloud and provide asset monitoring and control.

The XBee IEC provides a deployment-ready upgrade to existing industrial sensors with innovations in wireless and cloud technologies. In combination with the Digi X-On cloud, the XBee IEC can help companies monitor sensors or remote-control assets over long-range, low-power networks, including LoRaWan, Cat-M1 and NB-IoT. Industrial devices can be monitored with sub-second latency with alarms and data wirelessly delivered through the Digi X-On cloud.

The device is compatible with 90% of existing industrial sensors and controls, providing scada systems with an IoT alternative. It is suitable for enterprises across numerous industry verticals such as energy and utilities, oil and gas, water and wastewater, logistics, and agriculture. With the X-On cloud platform, users leverage a single way to convert complex protocols for industrial IoT into simplified data APIs, to integrate data with other tools and systems.

“Two of the biggest challenges companies face in industrial IoT projects are money and time,” said Nik Kitson, director of OEM business development for Digi. “Traditional scada systems are very expensive and can take months to deploy and configure for a company’s specific needs. A new system or software package often involves a substantial learning curve and employee training time. But remaining with a non-secure or outdated system can cost far more in the long run. Unlike legacy systems that could only leverage the tools available at the time, Digi developed the IEC using today’s most advanced technologies to create more intelligent, secure and cost-effective solutions.”

Traditional scada systems have typically relied on extensive middleware – including gateways, software and licences – raising the risk of unauthorised data accessibility and other security breaches. Industrial IoT protocols add security as an afterthought and require users to enable those features. The combination of complex technology infrastructures, communications interoperability challenges and immature IoT standards creates enormous hurdles for automation engineers. Additionally, standard scada and PLCs often require high network bandwidth and cloud capacity to provide sub-second monitoring.

The XBee IEC is being deployed for electrical smart-grid asset monitoring, smart city water management, logistics warehouse operations and more.

“Digi enables Valmont to offer a proactive condition monitoring experience that complements our scheduled maintenance and operations,” said Trevor Mecham, vice president of Valmont Industries. “The ability to detect infrastructure anomalies in real time using remote wireless technology unlocks huge potential, enabling our customers to operate tower infrastructure without over-taxing remote operations workers.”

The XBee IEC not only provides a faster time to market for IIoT OEMs and enterprises, it is also a value-added tool set for systems integrators and value-added resellers to address complex IIoT deployments. The IEC can be easily deployed for a range of use cases, all through the X-On device management portal.