NEEDHAM, MA, May 5, 2017 – PTC announced that its Kepware industrial connectivity software now integrates with Microsoft Azure. Utilizing open-source, standards-based communications, Kepware’s KEPServerEX software moves data between industrial controls devices and the Azure cloud platform – allowing organizations to more effectively connect, monitor, and manage Internet of Things (IoT) assets across complex industrial environments.
“A major hurdle in widespread Industrial IoT adoption is interoperability. With more than 20 billion devices expected to come online in the next five years, and a subsequent flood of complex industrial data, interoperability will become increasingly important,” said Erik Dellinger, strategic industrial partner manager, Kepware. “It is essential that industrial automation companies and device cloud vendors begin to speak the same language. By collaborating with Microsoft, we are addressing this challenge and strengthening our support for evolving industry standards.”
Acting as the hub for machine communication is Kepware’s IoT Gateway, an advanced plug-in capable of pushing information collected by KEPServerEX into big data and analytic software applications. Kepware and Microsoft’s industrial IoT solutions seamlessly integrate with the help of OPC UA. KEPServerEX can move industrial control data to the Azure cloud platform by utilizing both OPC UA and MQTT via the Azure IoT Gateway SDK and Azure IoT Hub.
“The integration of KEPServerEX and the Microsoft Azure cloud platform is a great way to support the needs of manufacturers, the OPC UA foundation, and standards that foster IoT innovation,” said Sam George, director, Microsoft Azure IoT at Microsoft Corp. “We’re proud to foster the advancement of the IoT ecosystem with Kepware and its deep domain experience.”
One example of how customers are using KEPServerEX and Azure is a use case from BMW Group. To address the team’s many requirements for industrial IoT and big data applications, especially in the area of predictive maintenance, an “IoT Sandbox Platform” has been created, enabling new applications with connectivity from any existing PLC in their factories to be easily connected to the Azure cloud platform for big data analysis.
In addition to integration with the Azure cloud platform, KEPServerEX supports Windows 10 in order to connect industrial data with business processes and analytics. KEPServerEX also provides industrial connectivity to a wide range of other client applications, including the ThingWorx Industrial IoT platform from PTC.
About Kepware
Kepware is a software development business of PTC Inc. located in Portland, Maine. Kepware provides a portfolio of software solutions to help businesses connect diverse automation devices and software applications and enable the Industrial Internet of Things. From plant floor to wellsite to windfarm, Kepware serves a wide range of customers in a variety of vertical markets including Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Building Automation, Power & Utilities, and more. Established in 1995 and now distributed in more than 100 countries, Kepware’s software solutions help thousands of businesses improve operations and decision making.
Learn more at www.kepware.com.
About PTC
PTC has the most robust Internet of Things technology in the world. In 1986 we revolutionized digital 3D design, and in 1998 were first to market with Internet-based PLM. Now our leading IoT and AR platform and field-proven solutions bring together the physical and digital worlds to reinvent the way you create, operate, and service products. With PTC, global manufacturers and an ecosystem of partners and developers can capitalize on the promise of the IoT today and drive the future of innovation.
Learn more at www.ptc.com.