Oct 21 2013
To satisfy the growing need for multiple connections in industrial environments and to cope with rapidly-evolving technologies in modern communications, Belgian company eWON has launched the very first flexible, modular, industrial machine-to-machine (M2M) VPN router, which is set to revolutionise remote-access to remote industrial sites and machines.
The new eWON Flexy, which will be available in the UK from MAC Solutions from December 2013, is designed to cater for ongoing trends in communications technologies, without having to re-design the eWON product. The eWON Flexy modular concept is based on standard base units, which can be extended by up to four modular expansion cards, thus offering users an almost unlimited number of connection permutations: from a single serial gateway (MPI or Profibus to Ethernet) to a sophisticated LAN WiFi router with 3G modem redundancy.
In 2001, eWON broke new grounds by launching the very first industrial Internet router. “In 2001, the industrial world commonly used modem technology to connect to remote machines and sites. Speaking about the use of the Internet in industrial applications was a challenge at that time,” explains Serge Bassem, founder and CEO of eWON. However, whilst the Internet solved many problems with respect to the high cost of communications, reliability of communications and bandwidth, it also introduced greater complexity in terms of implementation and new security challenges.
“In 2006, eWON launched Talk2M, the very first completely cloud-based connectivity service,” adds Bassem. “Due to this solution, which satisfies the requirements for security and ease of installation, we blew away the last remaining obstacles to the large-scale adoption of the Internet for remote access in industry, particularly in the world of automation.”
The multiple award-winning Talk2M solution allows the issues of security, configuration and implementation to be resolved, while still working with the existing firewalls which are employed to protect the company’s networks from outside attacks. This solution provides a secure communication route via the Internet between the user and the remote machine, without altering the computer network at either end. The technician making the remote connection can only access 'his own' machine, and is therefore unable to enter the customer’s local network.
Constantly evolving communications technologies
Today, industry must cope with the constant, rapid development of communications technologies. Barely two years ago, the latest thing was 2G (GPRS), but now everybody is talking about 3G or even 4G (LTE). WiFi wireless technology is also now widespread throughout industry. This non-stop evolution of technologies goes against the grain in a cautious, conservative industrial world.
“When a manufacturer approves and deploys a solution, it demands a continuity period of at least ten years. The concept of flexibility is not new in industry. It is already widespread for PLCs, but this is a first for the router itself,” adds Bassem.
eWON Flexy provides a response both to the challenge of connecting remote sites in an environment where communications technologies are constantly changing, and the need for universal communication with diverse field devices such as PLCs, HMIs, IP cameras, energy meters and sensors, irrespective of the protocol they use.
The eWON Flexy router provides flexibility on several levels. First, the Flexy WAN expansion cards offer the user a great deal of flexibility in the choice of methods of connection to the Internet: LAN, RTC, WiFi, CDMA, 2G and 3G. In addition, the Flexy FIELD offers the user a wide range of cards to connect to site-based equipment. For example, a switch card with 4 Ethernet ports, a serial card with RS232/422/485 serial ports, and an MPI/ Profibus card. Finally, the eWON Flexy solution offers APPS to enable the user to create added-value services to the Talk2M solution, such as data logging, notification of alarms, Web HMI and BASIC or JAVA programming.
”This flexibility highlights our great strength: compatibility. eWON works with many partners, each of which is developing its own type of PLC. This is why the connectivity of our routers to these API uses standard, open protocols, which already make connecting easier. Now, with Flexy, it will be easier than ever before,” he concludes.
Dave Hammond, Product Manager Ethernet & Communications at MAC Solutions commented: “The eWON Flexy router is the most flexible and most powerful industrial-grade VPN router in the world, offering users a very wide range of features and functions in a modular, expandable solution. In the UK, we expect the Flexy to further cement the market-leading position that is already enjoyed by the current range of eWON VPN Routers.”
The eWON Flexy will be officially launched at the SPS IPC Drives 2013 trade exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November 2013. Serge Bassem, CEO of eWON, will officially unveil the eWON Flexy at a presentation on the eWON stand (Hall 6, Stand 337) at 5.20pm on both days.
In the UK, the eWON Flexy will be unveiled by MAC Solutions at an official launch event in Warwick in December 2013. MAC Solutions will also be holding regional technical seminars in January 2014 in the South and North of England. For up-to-date news on UK events, please visit: https://www.mac-solutions.net/ewon-flexy
For more information on the eWON Flexy, please visit the website at
www.mac-solutions.co.uk or telephone MAC Solutions on 01527 529774 or email [email protected]