Integrated Software Development Kits
Another critical element of an effective cellular automation solution is an integrated software development kit (SDK). Today’s highly efficient environments demand product flexibility that allows users to customize for the site’s needs and provide software that enables customer-specific applications to run on the same integrated product. An example of this would be custom software code, which is designed to extract specific types of data and formatting for special reports. In the absence of having the ability to custom-program, a lot of time and resources will be used in trying to support the application.
In order to most efficiently address the challenges of remotely monitoring and controlling today’s industrial networks – which require support of legacy serial-based equipment (MODBUS RTU) plus the need to add next-generation IP based (MODBUS TCP) – an integrated and cost-effective solution that supports both environments within a single hardened platform is required. The additional complexities of managing multiple remote locations require that smart sites have easy-to-configure software that can be remotely configured and managed.
The goal is to allow users to locally do everything that they can do remotely. This means that robust device management software that provides everything from health statics and connectivity information to remote configuration and mass device configuration is required. A smart remote site connected via a cellular automation solution provides the ability to reboot and control the equipment without requiring a technician being sent to the site.
Smart remote connected sites protect RTUs, PLCs, HMIs and process control equipment using a secure, easy-to-configure solution that is integrated into one cellular automation device.
refer to:http://pipelineandgasjournal.com/using-cellular-automation-monitor-and-control-assets
