Digi upgrades platform to improve IoT management

  • September 16, 2020
  • Steve Rogerson
Digi Remote Manager

Minnesota-based Digi has announced the latest release of Remote Manager, its device and network management cloud platform to simplify device deployment and maintenance.

The platform aims to ensure network uptime and security, and provide network management so the network team is not required to change their business processes to accommodate rigid network tools.

The cloud-based platform lets users manage IoT devices and networks in any environment from anywhere in the world. With the ability to support applications from industrial IoT to branch connectivity, intelligent traffic management and everything in between, Digi Remote Manager unlocks the potential of IoT deployments across the board. It can transform dispersed IoT devices into a holistic IoT network, deriving operational and business value and delivering a secure, resilient network.

ElectriCities of North Carolina – an organisation providing technical services to support power services throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia – uses Remote Manager to maintain a complex network that covers thousands of square kilometres and to collect data from an array of meters, generators and telemetry equipment.

“I was here before Digi Remote Manager, so I can speak directly to the difference that it has made in terms of both saving costs and providing new value,” said John Coates, lead systems coordinator for ElectriCities. “Our ability to remotely maintain our network, collect data, and optimise our systems with on-device intelligence has allowed us to grow and maximise our output to best serve our members.”

Device configuration, monitoring and maintenance are the core of any device management software, but Digi provides differentiators that simplify processes and provide additional value:

  • Device grouping lets users create groups of devices and remotely configure them by group identification rather than product type, so the same device types can be programmed in different ways without reverting to manual configurations on individual devices. The ability to configure device groups brings more control to the network manager, providing flexibility to assign configurations regardless of device type.
  • Custom scripts, such as Python, can be uploaded to geographically dispersed devices to add on-device intelligence.
  • Remote access to non-IP edge devices, such as sensors, via the routers that they’re connected to expands the array of devices users can manage through the platform.
  • Sub-account management isthe ability to create sub accounts that can be managed from the parent account. Sub accounts allow the parent account owner to restrict which devices sub-account users can access.

Complex task automation and task scheduling help users optimise their time and improve operational efficiency, albeit in different ways. With task automation, users can create a configuration for a group of devices that is then automatically pushed to all devices in that group, enabling pre-validation of configurations and reducing cost to maintain the deployment. Task Schedulingoffers the ability to pre-programme functions to run at a later time, easing the burden on network engineers and managers while still ensuring a high-functioning network.

API Explorer lets users browse and test hundreds of APIs in a live environment on the platform to validate that the code works before it is live throughout the network. APIs allow users to integrate and run third-party applications, both cloud based and on premises, to run data rules and batches, as well as import and export data and to execute reports providing deeper insight to device deployments.

Software-defined securityprovides more than 175 controls to protect data and devices and maintain compliance with ISO 27002’s ISMS, Nerc’s critical infrastructure protection guidance, the Cloud Security Alliance cloud controls matrix, and relevant HIPAA and Nist standards.

Reporting options and custom alerts give users a library of reports they can pull; alerts are customisable to ensure specific performance levels are maintained and the network is functioning properly.

Upgraded UI and UX offers simpler and more intuitive management via a smarter, customisable, widget-based dashboard. This build-what-you-need model allows users to create the views they want and easily access the data required to manage a dynamic network. Meanwhile, a dark mode option ensures field engineers operating from a tablet or phone in the field can easily see these dashboards on their physical screens no matter the lighting or conditions.

A notification centre delivers direct communications to users including notices of firmware updates, account renewal information and instant alerts of security threats. Pre-build reports help save time while providing the high demand data needed to manage an intelligent network as well as providing data to increase device uptime. Real-time diagnostics facilitate maintenance and troubleshooting.

“Businesses won’t be able to realise the full value of their IoT initiatives if they are not focused on maximising its entire network of devices,” said Brian Kirkendall, vice president of product management at Digi International. “Digi Remote Manager transforms the way that businesses are able to think about and deploy their projects. From industry-leading security software to maximised uptime and simplified operations, we help build a secure and valuable network that gives those businesses the peace of mind that operations are within compliance without the need for elaborate solutions.”

Remote Manager is available in multiple offerings, allowing users to select the services that best meet their needs.