Industrial IoT Gateway Design – Bridging the Technology Gap

Data is the lifeblood of modern business. But as technologies evolve to change the way we collect, process and act on data, what becomes of legacy devices that don’t have the capabilities or connectivity to interface with cloud infrastructure and emerging technologies? 

Cloud computing services like those offered by Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services are enabling businesses to access and react to data in new and exciting ways. But connecting existing, legacy technologies continues to be a challenge. Enter industrial IoT gateways that are specifically designed to bridge this technology gap. 

IoT Gateways are Increasingly Vital

IoT gateways, as their name indicates, act as the go-between for data collected by embedded sensors and the cloud. They serve an increasingly vital role in today’s IT infrastructure including the gathering, storing and even sometimes partially processing incoming data before it’s transmitted. When the “thing” in your system doesn’t possess the needed connectivity or capabilities to communicate with the cloud, IoT gateways serve as your communications hub. Now you can make those vital connections without the expensive undertaking of replacing legacy hardware. 

The Advantages of Industrial IoT Gateways

Industrial IoT gateways offer a wide range of benefits to businesses interested in leveraging the versatility of cloud connectivity by:

• Combining networking, embedded control and data security
• Allowing for remote operation and centralized management of IT systems
• Offering advanced component protection, far superior to traditional fanned systems
• Allowing for operation in extreme temperatures
• Eliminating the cost of upgrading legacy hardware
• Enabling users to take advantage of emerging IoT advancements

The Ideal Industrial IoT Gateway Design

The requirements of industrial IoT gateway design differs greatly depending on the specific application in which it’s being deployed. There is no one size fits all solution. Designing the ideal system for a given installation requires understanding the full scope of the project. That includes space constraints, environmental concerns, I/O needs, data processing capabilities, and mountability to name a few. 

Fortunately, fully customizable, small form factor, intelligent gateway solutions that leverage the latest in processing and enclosure technology, connectivity and networking functionality are available to be matched to the needs of your particular application. The breadth of configuration options is one reason we recommend working with a hardware expert when selecting your industrial IoT gateway platform. 

Industrial Grade Solutions for the Edge

Today, computing is needed well beyond the climate-controlled confines of office buildings and clean room manufacturing settings. Industrial grade gateway solutions must keep pace to ensure reliable communication between devices and the cloud wherever they’re being installed. Industrial IoT gateways are being deployed in the traditional and alternative energy sectors, for in-vehicle applications, in smart city installations, and for smart agriculture solutions. And those use cases only scratch the surface of the ever-expanding IoT edge. 

In addition, these gateway devices need expanded edge computing capabilities. More processing power means data vetting decisions can be made directly at the device, increasing operational efficiency and ensuring that valuable bandwidth isn’t wasted on unnecessary data transfer.

Industrial gateways allow for remote operation in any setting. They can connect to data sources, perform  analytics and deliver cloud access at the point of collection, no matter how remote. Modern gateway design includes features such as a hardshell chassis that is fanless and ventless with solid state components. These systems offer reliable and dependable operation to meet the demands of industrial applications.

Ready to Connect?

The rapid adoption of edge servers and cloud computing has made intelligent gateways an integral part of today’s connected world. If you’re struggling to interface legacy systems with the Internet of Things, or looking for the most efficient way to connect your embedded project to the cloud, we can help. Contact our knowledgeable team today.