Seven Remote Access Problems That You Can Solve with Omron’s New IoT Gateway

PBUS-42-Omron-SevenSolvedProblems-400.jpg

August 8, 2022

As machines become more connected, the need to service equipment remotely is escalating. Production is often running 24/7 and manufacturers expect immediate action from machine specialists. Not having a remote solution creates challenges like high travel costs, whereas some remote solutions cause a loss of data control and increase vulnerability.

Omron’s secure remote access IoT gateway is one of the most advanced, turnkey solutions you’ll find on the market currently, and it addresses multiple weak spots in competing solutions. Let’s take a look at some of the concerns that this technology can help.

1. Security is essential for PLCs, controllers, and other remote network devices.

Having secure communications is paramount, but many remote access solutions available to manufacturers do not support the latest safeguards.

Omron’s solution offers an AES 256 bit-encrypted tunnel based on TLS that’s audited by ProtectEM based on JIST SP800, ISECOM OSSTAM, BSI, ISA99, and IEC62443. This ensures secure remote access to the PLC, controllers, and other network devices.

2. Covering travel and lodging for technical support personnel gets expensive.

Even in the best of times, flying an experienced technical support person out to work on your machine is costly, and these days it’s even harder due to pandemic-induced travel restrictions.

By using remote access, you can minimize your expenses while still maintaining a high level of support. Omron’s remote access solution provides secure, VPN-like access to devices that’s almost no different from a local device connection.

3. Support personnel often need access to your equipment to execute warranty or contracted service agreements.

In many cases, warranty and contracted service agreements can get in the way of the smooth handling of remote troubleshooting needs.

Fortunately, Omron’s secure remote access gateway makes it possible to manage these agreements without limiting service. This is because the solution’s VPN-like access makes it unnecessary for the customer to be present at the local machine, as is typically the case with other remote solutions.

4. Third-party agreements can result in a loss of data control.

For many manufacturers, having complete control over their data is extremely important.

Omron’s remote access solution assuages these concerns because they own the server that’s managed by a secure third party. This server provides LDAP/AD integration, a custom look, advanced parameters, and a custom DNS.

5. Programming and configuration software often needs to be loaded onto the local machine for remote access.

In addition to warranty and contracted service agreements, another thing that often stands in the way of seamless remote troubleshooting is the need to install programming and configuration software.

Again, Omron’s VPN-like remote access solution comes to the rescue here. All programing and configuration software is on the remote terminal, so support personnel can employ custom software tools that aren’t available to the customer.

6. Mobile access to devices isn’t always an option in remote access.

Some remote access solutions don’t have the built-in option to use the program on the types of mobile devices that are becoming increasingly prevalent on the factory floor.

Omron’s Mobile tool lets mobile devices log into local machines to view machine status. This solution simplifies remote troubleshooting needs with the option to use RDP, VNC, Web, or in-browser VNC.

7. There might not be a LAN available for remote equipment.

If there’s no LAN available in your facility, you’ll need another way to get remote access. Fortunately, Omron’s remote access solution provides 4G cellular and WiFi-based units that enable remote access wherever there’s cellular or WiFi service.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Converting Waves into Electricity with Automation Solutions by ifm

    Converting Waves into Electricity with Automation Solutions by ifm

    By developing wave energy converters, CorPower pursues the idea of converting waves into electricity. The challenge with wave energy is to design devices that are not only robust enough to survive the harshest ocean storms, but also capable of producing enough electricity compared to their size and cost. CorPower masters this difficulty with devices that are naturally transparent and protected in storms, and which produce about five times more energy per tonne of device than state-of-the-art solutions in the ocean. Read More…

  • ABB Completes Acquisition of Siemens Low Voltage NEMA Motor Business Q2

    ABB Completes Acquisition of Siemens Low Voltage NEMA Motor Business Q2

    ABB has recently announced it has completed its acquisition of the Siemens low voltage NEMA motor business. The transaction was originally announced August 11, 2022, and financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The business employs around 600 people and generated revenues of approximately $63 million in 2021. The acquisition of this business is part of the Motion business area’s profitable growth strategy. It strengthens ABB’s position as an industrial NEMA motor manufacturer, and it provides an even stronger platform from which ABB can better serve its global customers. Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


For a Multiplied Value Unified

PB-62-Excelpro-MultipliedValue-400.jpg

During the last few years, the Excelpro Group has welcomed AIA Automation, Envitech Automation and Conrad Lavoie Electrical, all of which have become ‘Member of the Excelpro Group’.

It was with great excitement that in November of 2022, Excelpro announced that these three companies officially became Excelpro. This decision is part of a strategy to enhance the Excelpro Group’s brand in its market.

These companies already collaborate on various client projects. This merger brings together the complementary strengths of the employees and ensures a global synergy of the activities throughout the Group.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    In the search for a suitable power supply, the costs play a major role, alongside the technical requirements. The focus is often on the initial purchase price, while other potential costs that may be incurred during the operation of the power supply are not taken into consideration. In this blog post, we demonstrate why the decision to purchase a high-quality power supply is a profitable investment for your company, by taking a close look at all the costs involved. Read More…

  • Q&A with HELU: Oil & Gas Instrumentation Cables

    Q&A with HELU: Oil & Gas Instrumentation Cables

    Reliable data transmission is a must, even under the most extreme mechanical and environmental conditions such as those found in the oil and gas industry. Cables must be versatile to perform whether it is on a ship at sea or in a refining plant on land. Instrumentation cables are the backbone to keeping the industry’s sophisticated machines online and operating at peak performance. Regional Sales Manager Andrew Gill answers some of the questions he hears in the field regarding these low-voltage cables. Read More…