If your serial-based machines or devices have been running for decades and helped your business grow, you might worry about how long you can still hold on to these assets. Computers are no longer equipped with serial ports, and operating systems are getting updated more frequently and becoming more diversified. Also, more and more companies are managing assets online to get information immediately, thus minimising response time and generating more data for business insights so that operators can run businesses more efficiently. All of this relates to the ability to get connected. Regarding your connectivity journey, two questions arise. How can your serial devices connect to modern systems if serial ports are no longer the standard interface on computers anymore? How can your devices be managed remotely if they cannot connect to Ethernet interfaces?
To get data more effectively, production machines and monitoring sensors have been modernised with Ethernet interfaces so that connectivity and data collection are easier. It also means large sums of money need to be invested in connectivity to reap the benefits. However, it does not have to cost you a lot of money. Keeping your serial devices alive not only be for sentimental reasons, but also to protect your valuable investment by enhancing your devices’ capabilities. A variety of serial connectivity solutions allows for simple and affordable upgrades to bridge your serial device into future networking. In this article, we highlight three major challenges you will face when enabling serial connectivity between your legacy devices and modern systems. We also provide expert tips to make your upgrade easy.
Challenge 1: Fewer serial interfaces in today’s computer
Expert advice: Use serial connectivity solutions such as multiport serial boards and USB-to-serial converters to help you easily connect existing serial devices into modern systems.
Challenge 2: Difficult to achieve remote monitoring through serial communications
Expert advice: Choose converters that can easily enable serial-to-Ethernet communication, support the OS you use, and regularly update the latest OS version for future implementation.
Challenge 3: Uncertain availability of your serial connectivity components
Expert advice: When choosing your serial connectivity solutions, check if the supplier can commit to continuously providing you with the serial connectivity solution you need.
Your trusted partner in serial connectivity solutions
To overcome these serial communication challenges, Moxa’s serial connectivity solutions enable your serial device to connect effortlessly. The company’s serial connectivity product portfolio includes multiport serial boards, USB-to-serial converters, serial device servers, and serial-to-Ethernet protocol gateways that fulfill your different demands in connecting your serial devices into modern systems. Moxa’s serial connectivity solutions support a variety of operating systems with our latest versions, including Windows, macOS and Linux, making it easy to connect your serial devices into a wide range of operating systems.
Moxa has been providing serial connectivity solutions for over 30 years, and is committed to provide serial connectivity solutions that can meet your future networking requirements for the next decades. Get in touch to learn more about our commitment and investment in serial connectivity solutions.
Enhancing process efficiency Endress+Hauser South Africa
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In the ever-evolving landscape of industrial process automation, staying ahead of technological advancements is crucial. The Endress+Hauser FieldPort SWA50 is a game-changer, offering a seamless integration of Bluetooth and WirelessHART communication for HART field devices.
Read more...Providing visibility over critical infrastructure Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Sequence of event recorders or sequence of event monitors play a significant role in monitoring and maintaining critical infrastructure. Gary Bradshaw, director at remote monitoring equipment specialist, Omniflex, outlines the applicable industries and reasons for use.
Read more...AI-driven innovations with CCTV and cyber security RJ Connect
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The fast progress of artificial intelligence (AI) and video analytics is redefining the rail surveillance landscape. Advancements have bolstered proactive event detection, predictive maintenance and enhanced situational awareness.
Read more...Compact drive and control technology Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
When custom machine builder Lehnen Industrial Services introduced a filling machine for lip balm, the company was surprised by the amount of interest in this premium system. In order to meet this demand, they decided to standardise the machine. The necessary adaptability is provided by the scalable control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...Condition monitoring in three axes with smart IO-Link vibration sensor ifm - South Africa
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Machine vibrations are important indicators when it comes to assessing the current condition of a machine. Damage to rolling element bearings and other machine components can be detected at an early stage before costly machine downtime occurs.
Read more...EtherCAT interoperability removes industrial networking barriers
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Selecting the right communication technology is one of the most important decisions engineers make, and interoperability helps with that decision. Key development tools and standards ensure interoperability among many EtherCAT devices and manufacturers.
Read more...Boosting long-distance critical signal delivery in mining Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In mining applications globally, conveyor belts of up to 20 km are used to transport ore. Damage to conveyors often causes cargo spillage and creates major safety risks. Ian Loudon, international sales manager at remote monitoring specialist, Omniflex explains how these challenges can be combatted using bidirectional fibre optic modules.
Read more...Industrial PCs with new processor generations and increased performance Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
PC-based control technology from Beckhoff has always benefited from the convergence of automation and the IT world. Current examples include the use of the latest industry-standard processor generations, high-quality and demand-optimised flash memory, and the long-term availability version of Windows 11.
Read more...New EtherCAT digital input and output terminals Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The new EL14xx and EL24xx EtherCAT Terminals from Beckhoff complement the company’s existing broad portfolio in the area of digital input/output, and combine proven functions with an optimised circuit architecture.
printer friendly version