Industry 4.0 + IIoT: Products + services
Processing data at the Edge
Edge computing offers speed, efficiency and resilience in today’s industrial automation solutions.
Hennie Smith, Solution Architect, Industry Automation at Schneider Electric, sees industrial automation as one of the most exciting solution frameworks in industry today. With data volumes growing exponentially, developers are working to deliver technology that can keep pace with industry requirements. A key element of today’s solutions is Edge I/O NTS (input/output Network Terminal Slice) which represents an evolution of computing from centralised servers to localised, device- level input/output processing, oering improved speed, eiciency and resilience. However, Smith says Edge I/O NTS is based on years of industry development, with its roots going back to the 1980s when personal computers and local area networks (LANs) allowed some distributed processing. Fast-forward to the 2010s and billions of devices started generating data. Sending all of it to the cloud became impractical, and this led to edge computing architectures where processing happens locally. Today, Edge I/O NTS manages sensors, machines and IoT; moving intelligence closer to where value is created: on the shopfloor and at the machine level. Rather than sending vast amounts of raw data to distant control rooms or cloud platforms, computation can happen at the source. This oers the key benefit of enabling immediate, context-aware decisions without the latency associated with centralised systems. From centralised control to decentralised resilience The rapid growth of connected devices has exposed the weaknesses of monolithic control systems. Centralised systems create single points of failure, while decentralised architectures distribute intelligence and risk. Edge-enabled systems can continue operating even when connectivity to higher-level platforms is disrupted, ensuring continuity and stability. Furthermore, Edge I/O NTS allows for improved cybersecurity, as distributed intelligence means threats can be isolated and managed locally rather than compromising entire operations. With Edge I/O NTS, intelligence is embedded directly into I/O systems allowing for faster decision making. In practice, local processing allows operators and systems to respond to anomalies
instantly. Autonomous fault detection and self-correcting mechanisms improve uptime, and dynamic optimisation of energy use, throughput and quality enhances overall performance. Importantly, these capabilities are not dependent on constant connectivity to the cloud or central control rooms. Even in remote or challenging environments, edge-enabled devices maintain core functionality, ensuring safe and eicient operations irrespective of external conditions. While products may dier, Schneider Electric’s Modicon Edge I/O NTS solutions share a common set of characteristics: - Interoperability allows for seamless integration with legacy op- erational technology and modern IT platforms, which ensures continuity and enables innovation - Scalable architecture allows systems to grow in line with opera- tional needs, avoiding future constraints - AI-ready frameworks support predictive analytics and machine learning - Remote management capabilities reduce the need for on-site interventions and support more agile maintenance strategies. The IT/OT convergence An important development in the evolution of Edge I/O NTS is the convergence of IT and OT. For example, today, unified data models enable operational insights to flow seamlessly into enterprise systems, improving visibility across the entire value chain. Standardised protocols also reduce complexity and support plug-and- play integration, and aligned cybersecurity strategies ensure consistent protection across both domains. Looking ahead, edge-enabled systems will continue to reshape industrial performance. Plants will become more agile, adapting dynamically to operational and market changes and autonomous operations will handle routine decisions. Embedded cybersecurity and transparent data governance will set new standards for digital trust, and real-time optimisation of energy and resources will support sustainability and decarbonisation goals. Edge I/O NTS with its built-in intelligence supports industry advances where human creativity and machine autonomy co-exist to deliver resilient, eicient, and sustainable operations.
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MAY 2026 Electricity + Control
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