Webinar Series
Are you looking for machine connectivity for your shop floor application? Do you have architectural decisions to make for an innovative IoT solution? Or have you already selected an IoT platform and need complementary components to access data from automation networks? In our webinar series, we will address these issues. You will get an overview of:
- OPC UA and other technology standards at the interface of OT and IT
- Standard products available today (hardware, Windows applications, containers)
- Secure, efficient and scalable implementation of machine connectivity using application and solution examples
Register for free on the topics that are relevant to you or watch one of the on-demand webinars via the links below. All webinars are self-contained and can be attended independently.
Machine Connectivity and Edge Computing
Industrial edge computing, i.e., the processing of process and machine data close to devices in automation networks, is becoming increasingly important for plant operators as part of innovative IoT solutions that extend across multiple locations.
The joint webinar by Softing Industrial and WAGO informs about suitable software and hardware solutions that enable the easy integration of machine connectivity and edge computing.
In the first part of the webinar, Softing Industrial will:
- give an overview of connectivity products suitable for integration with edge computing.
- provide an insight into specific projects, in which these products are already being used in production environments today.
In the second part of the webinar, WAGO will show:
- which hardware products for edge computing and comprehensive data integration are available today.
- how containerized software modules can be operated with these products for easy connection of controllers and CNC machines.
- how data (e.g., energy or temperature) not (yet) located in the controllers and CNC machines can be captured via separate interfaces.
Finally, you will learn how the combination of Softing and WAGO products helps to efficiently implement and manage IoT solutions throughout their lifecycle.
Speakers:
Dr. Christopher Anhalt, Vice President Product Marketing, Softing Industrial 
Jürgen Pfeifer, IoT & Cloud Partnermanager, WAGO
Machine data storage with InfluxDB and other databases
The storage of production data is a key component within a comprehensive Industrie 4.0 solution. After all, the availability of data provides the basis for documentation, analysis, or verification and allows improved production control as well as steps for optimization. In the webinar we will inform you about the ways of secure and efficient data storage in modern database solutions.
In the webinar you will learn about:
- the possibilities of storing process data in modern database solutions - for data from new and old control systems.
- the functionality of caching when the connection is lost and automatic forwarding when the connection to the database is restored.
- in a LIVE demo:
how to read data from a Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 using Softing's dataFEED OPC Suite and storing it in an InfluxDB.
Speaker:
Andreas Röck, Head of Product Management Softing Industrial Nürnberg
OPC UA Server Aggregation for modern IoT Solutions
An increasing number of devices in automation networks support the OPC UA interoperability standard to provide data. At the same time, OPC UA is supported by more and more IT applications on the client side. To ensure that the transition between OT and IT is successful, several prerequisites must be met. This includes, e.g., the integration of different data sources and the provision of standardized interfaces. In the webinar, we will show you solutions for secure data integration and efficient use of the available data.
The webinar will inform you about:
- How to connect a large number of OPC UA data sources with various OPC UA client applications efficiently and with manageable configuration effort.
- How to provide a uniform interface in the direction of IT for a multi-site IIoT solution with different automation networks.
- Ways for efficient use of the semantic information offered in the OT interfaces in IT or within a central platform - for example for the automated construction of asset models.
- How to use Softing's Secure Integration Server to efficiently and securely deploy the OPC UA standard at the interface between OT and IT.
Speaker:
Andreas Röck, Head of Product Management Softing Industrial Nürnberg
On-Demand Webinars
Innovative IoT applications for CNC machines - machine data acquisition at its best
There are many advantages for operators of CNC machines when they are integrated into innovative IoT solutions. These include increasing machine productivity, determining OEE key figures for optimization purposes, or evaluating machine data for predictive maintenance.
In most cases, the prerequisite for implementation is direct access by the IoT applications to the CNC machine data.
In the joint webinar by Softing Industrial and EVOMECS, you will learn how a fast integration succeeds and how CNC machines can be operated efficiently.
In part one of the webinar, Softing Industrial will demonstrate:
- how CNC machines can be easily and flexibly connected to innovative IoT solutions.
- in a LIVE demo: how to access data from Siemens SINUMERIK machines with edgeConnector 840D.
In part two of the webinar, you'll learn from EVOMECS:
- which applications for the efficient operation of CNC machines are already available today.
- in a LIVE demo: how you can easily display the machine status via a cloud-enabled and user-configurable application.
Speakers:
Stefan Gebele, Solution Engineer IIoT & Team Lead, Softing Industrial Automation
Edwin Staudacker, Head of Product Management, EVOMECS
Scalable IIoT Data Integration
Proof of concepts (PoCs) for innovative IoT solutions exist in large numbers. However, a broad roll-out of these solutions is still a major challenge for many. For users from shopfloor IT, automation technology and related areas, this raises the question of how they can implement and operate modern IoT solutions in a simple and scalable way.
The joint webinar by Softing Industrial and Portainer.io provides answers to this question and shows solution concepts.
In part 1 of the webinar, you will learn from Softing Industrial:
- Which connectivity products (hardware, Windows application, container) are available for the integration of machine data
- What the respective advantages and disadvantages are - depending on the user‘s operating concepts
- Why containerized products often provide significant advantages in the context of innovative IoT solutions
In part 2 of the webinar Portainer.io shows you
- What the features of the container management platform „Portainer“ are
- How Portainer can be used to efficiently manage software modules on the edge infrastructure, for example for machine connectivity - in a live demo using the Softing product „edgeConnector Siemens“ as an example
Machine connectivity in brown field projects: How to unlock Siemens S5 and S7-300 PLCs
Efficient access to machine and process data is of central importance for both traditional shopfloor applications and innovative IoT solutions. Plant manufacturers, operators, and maintenance personnel are therefore faced with the challenge of ensuring data availability.
However, especially in plants with old controllers, data acquisition can be very difficult. This is where the OPC UA standard has proven to be the best choice due to its independence from operating systems, protocols, and drivers. Using Siemens S5 and S7 controllers as examples, we will present solutions in the webinar that can be used to read data easily. We will also show you how this data can be made available for various applications via standardized interfaces such as OPC UA and MQTT.
In the webinar you will learn:
- How to connect Siemens SIMATIC S5 PLCs via Ethernet
- How to collect data from Siemens SIMATIC S5 and S7 PLCs and integrate them into modern Industry 4.0 solutions via OPC UA
- Using a practical example and a live demo: How to integrate data easily and securely with the help of dataFEED OPC Suite Extended from Softing Industrial - a software solution for OPC communication and IoT cloud connectivity
Industrial Edge Computing as a Driver for Digitalization on the Shopfloor
Industrial Edge Computing, i.e. the processing of process and machine data close to the source, close to devices in automation networks, is becoming increasingly important as part of innovative IoT solutions.
In the first part of the webinar, Siemens introduces the topic of Industrial Edge Computing and its basic concepts. You will learn how Industrial IoT solutions, for example for dashboarding or energy management, can be implemented with the Siemens Industrial Edge, why machine connectivity is relevant for this, and what benefits the open ecosystem of the Siemens Industrial Edge offers customers.
In the second part of the webinar, Softing explains how machine connectivity can be realized for Industrial IoT solutions. As a partner of Siemens, Softing Industrial develops connectivity products specifically for the Siemens Industrial Edge. Using a live demo of Softing‘s edgePlug Fanuc product, users will learn how machine data from third-party devices can be integrated into the Siemens Industrial Edge.
Effect on OPC Classic Communication in Connection with Microsoft DCOM Security Update KB 5004442
This webinar focuses on the impact of the Microsoft DCOM security patch on March 14, 2023, on OPC Classic communication. The following topics are covered:
- What impact can the Microsoft Windows security update KB 5004442 have on OPC Classic data connectivity?
- What to do if the OPC Classic communication based on DCOM does not work properly anymore?
- Which OPC products from Softing Industrial can be affected by the security update?
- What migration options are available to end the DCOM dependency?
Easy use of XML files for process data integration
Efficient access to machine and process data is of central importance for traditional shopfloor applications as well as for innovative IoT solutions. In existing plants, such data is often available in XML files. The latest version of the dataFEED OPC Suite Extended from Softing Industrial - a software solution for OPC communication and IoT cloud connectivity - supports access to data in XML files, making them available via standardized interfaces (including OPC UA and MQTT).
The webinar uses a practical example and a live demo to show:
- how to easily access data in XML files with the software solution dataFEED OPC Suite Extended
- how to use this data in IT applications
OPC UA - the communication standard for secure and efficient OT/IT Integration
The OPC UA communication standard plays an important role at the interface between OT and IT. Modern controllers and field devices now integrate an OPC UA server. Newer IoT applications usually include an OPC UA client to access data from automation networks. Moreover, OPC UA information models offer extensive possibilities to efficiently solve data integration across sites and manufacturers.
This webinar is intended for people, both with OT and IT backgrounds, who want to gain a basic technical understanding of the OPC UA standard.
In the webinar you will learn:
- The basic concepts and definitions of the OPC UA standard
- How OPC UA communication between applications and devices can be realized, based on a practical example
