Secure access to accurate and real-time data

By OEM Update Editorial June 9, 2023 2:33 pm IST

According to Sameer Mudhalwadkar, Sales Director Red Lion – Asia Pacific, data availability to optimise operational processes worldwide will be a leading topic in the coming years.

Please expand upon Red Lion’s focus on ‘Connecting you to your data’.

For over 50 years, Red Lion has strived to be The Industrial Data Company™. The company empowers industrial companies globally to unlock the potential of data by creating and producing inventive solutions that facilitate access, connectivity, and visualisation of their information. Red Lion products allow companies to gain real-time data visibility that drives productivity. Red Lion is part of Spectris plc: the experts in providing insight through precision measurement.

In the industrial sector, companies’ primary obstacle is ensuring secure access to precise and up-to-date data. To maintain competitiveness, businesses are making substantial investments in cutting-edge manufacturing software solutions to enhance the performance of their industrial assets and overall operations. Red Lion’s primary focus is – ‘connecting you to your data.’ It enables this objective by connecting companies and their valuable data.

 Red Lion products remove the barriers to your industrial data in three ways allowing you to: 

Access data: Red Lion’s data access products provide secure, scalable solutions for cloud connectivity, edge intelligence and asset management.

Connect data: Red Lion’s industrial Ethernet switches provide ease of use, security, and reliability to meet IT/OT needs for dependable communication.

Visualise data: Red Lion’s industry-leading panel meters and operator panels allow you to acquire, manage, and interact with your data on-site or virtually.

How have IIoT-enabled automation products contributed to enhancing manufacturers’ performance?

IIoT-enabled automation products provide endless opportunities to access industrial data and optimise production through immediate action. As a result, production downtime and idle time can be prevented, and improvements are implemented immediately after planning. Machines can be remotely accessed; data is forwarded to corporate headquarters overseas via the cloud. In general, IIoT-enabled automation products offer more data visibility in real-time, allowing a lot of untapped operational potential to be exploited in the long term.

What latest features are incorporated in your product, and in what ways this solution provides security to industrial networking?

Cyber security is a big important point in automation. Unfortunately, the cases of cyberattacks that paralyze entire productions or even ruin companies are increasing. Global IIoT-enabled networking and automation also harbour risks; you become vulnerable. With the acquisition of the German market leader for IT security solutions, MB Connect line, now Red Lion Europe GmbH, we offer excellent solutions for the security of industrial networking and automation worldwide. In addition, our latest product, the NT5000 Ethernet Switches with multi-level security features, was introduced to the market. Besides a virtual user interface, they offer –

• Password Encryption
• MAC security
• Configurable password length and multi-level user access
• Ability to turn off unused protocols

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Event log / syslog
• Ability to automatically disable 
• user or port credentials after “x” failed attempts
• IEEE 802.1X RADIUS.

And this at Gigabit speed with certifications from extreme environments such, including Product Safety: (UL/CUL) Ordinary and Hazardous locations, Emissions/Immunity: FCC/ICES/CE, ATEX/IECEx, Marine: ABS, Rail: EN 50155, EN 50121, EN 61373, UKCA.

How can technology aid in optimizing resource utilization and reducing environmental impact?

All automation products with real-time data monitoring help manufacturing units reduce waste and energy consumption. And in this way, only the consumption of resources can be precisely controlled and optimized. Remote monitoring of all resources in real-time reduces waste and energy consumption.

Our FlexEdge® automation platform provides data access and monitoring in one device. Depending on the environment, data can be sent as cloud, Wi-Fi (5G ready), or M2M. With the HDMI port connection, operational data is also displayed simultaneously as KPI or OEE indicators on-site; immediate action in production can also be done remotely.

How can modernization lead to sustainable success?

Thorough consideration is essential for designing a smart factory, and a strategic specification sheet is crucial for planning its modernization and development. Professionals specialising in operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) must communicate and clarify their specific requirements openly. The opportunity to familiarize themselves with other departments and acquire knowledge contributes to long-lasting, sustainable success.

What is your approach to sustainable manufacturing?

Red Lion has actively engaged in the Kaizen program for a considerable period, improving its production process to minimize waste and resource consumption. The key priorities are optimization and sustainability. In addition to monitoring production, we also monitor resource usage across all our global office locations.

How does your company prioritise and support employees in light of the challenges posed by global connectivity and the fast-paced nature of the industry?

In addition to our various optimisation initiatives, we strongly emphasise prioritising our employees. We recognise that the challenges of global connectivity and its fast pace should not overwhelm them. Our corporate philosophy places great importance on the resource “human being”. We sustainably support human resources.

Furthermore, we reposition ourselves as “THE Industrial Data Company™” to access, connect and visualise industrial data. Data availability to optimise operational processes worldwide will be a leading topic in the coming years. Red Lion is connecting you to your data.