Interoperability is one of the most pressing issues for industrial IoT, and a new lab created by National Instruments is aimed directly at it. Here are the details from NI's announcement:
The NI Industrial IoT Lab focuses on intelligent systems that connect operational technology, information technology and the companies working on these systems. Designed with flexibility for the future, the lab’s operational focus includes areas such as microgrid control and communication, advanced control for manufacturing, and asset monitoring for heavy equipment.
Additionally, the NI Industrial IoT Lab fosters collaboration between different companies to improve interoperability. In this space, companies with expertise in communications protocols, controller hardware, I/O components, processing elements and software platforms come together to validate end-to-end solutions that can dramatically change the way businesses operate. Companies sponsoring the NI Industrial IoT Lab include: Analog Devices Inc, Avnu Alliance, Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Industrial Internet Consortium, Intel, Kalypso, OPC Foundation, OSIsoft, PTC, Real-Time Innovations, SparkCognition, Semikron, Viewpoint Systems and Xilinx.
NI makes automating testing equipment and instrumentation software. As a result, it sells products across many types of manufacturers and industries, putting it in a good position to bring together such a diverse list of sponsors.
The new lab represents the fact that IoT is maturing as a concept, says Constellation Research VP and principal analyst Andy Mulholland.
"In the early days of the Internet, connectivity labs and even large-scale events such as Interop were a major success factor in making a reality of interconnected solutions," he says. "The key word is 'solutions,' for then as now with IoT, the question is not simply whether you can connect, but what can you do across the connection that is of genuine value."
National Instruments is to be applauded for creating the lab, which will offer two important opportunities, Mulholland adds. "First, startups and smaller companies can test their products working with major vendors, and second, the focus on a specific business area of heavy machinery and assets will allow those planning deployments to have 'try before buy' testing of proposed solutions."
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