How to connect IT and OT systems in a future-proof manner

As automation continues, more and more physical devices are being integrated into networks. This requires IT and OT systems to come together. The new modular control systems u-control M3000 and M4000 point the way to the future. They allow automation solutions to be perfectly integrated into the IoT.

The powerful controls also serve as an edge device to provide local information in the network and can be expanded with additional function modules - ideal for implementing future-proof automation and IIoT applications.

Leverage the benefits of IoT

While IT systems have so far been used primarily for information and communication processes, OT systems are used more to control physical production processes and are usually not connected to the Internet for security reasons. However, as part of automation, more and more physical devices need to be integrated into networks. This promotes the trend towards bringing IT and OT systems closer together. Only the convergence of IT and OT makes it possible to benefit from the advantages of IoT. In addition to increasing efficiency, this also includes gaining new business insights, developing digital business opportunities and thus optimizing international competitiveness.

Control and edge system in one device

The new modular control systems u-control M3000 and M4000 point the way to the future because they are a control and edge system in one. This saves space and enables efficient data pre-processing and precise control directly on the machine. With the u-control M series, different runtime systems can be installed on different computer cores. This makes them significantly more powerful than pure PLC controls. They can provide local information in the network and can be expanded by connecting u-remote function modules. In addition, sophisticated automation solutions and IIoT applications can also be perfectly integrated. All of this makes u-control M3000 and M4000 future-proof systems for all automation and IIoT tasks.

Optimal connection of OT and IT

Thanks to their special properties, u-control M3000 and M4000 are the perfect connecting elements from the process level to the company level. Their high performance combined with the 2-core processor technology makes them very flexible to use under Linux. The real-time capable runtime system u-OS developed by Weidmüller is located on the two additional computing cores. This allows additional functions to be added to previously unused I/O channels. This also means that control systems can be expanded without extensive programming knowledge and without additional software.

Lots of performance – high flexibility

u-control M3000 and M4000 have a lot of computing power and, thanks to their extensive internal memory, provide a lot of security for future challenges in automation and digitalization. While u-control M3000 already meets all standard requirements with two CPU cores, u-control M4000 also offers two CPU cores, two Ethernet interfaces as well as more RAM, NV-RAM and flash memory for complex edge computing in automation. Optionally, the systems can be expanded to include additional interfaces – for example fieldbuses, WiFi and GSM. In this way, tailor-made solutions with a high level of future security can be implemented.