A unified edge platform combines industrial control, real-time processing and secure applications, helping organisations manage data-intensive operations across distributed industrial environments more efficiently.
Emerson has introduced PACEdge software, designed to combine industrial control, real-time data processing and containerised applications within a unified edge-computing environment. The platform integrates with Emerson’s industrial PCs and PACSystems CPE400-Series controllers, creating intelligent edge nodes for data-intensive industrial applications.
The approach is intended to connect operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) environments while supporting scalable Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) deployments. By bringing control and computing together, the platform aims to reduce the need for separate gateways and simplify the management of industrial data.
PACEdge provides a unified environment for processing information closer to where it is generated. This can support real-time intelligence, application deployment and analysis while addressing requirements around cybersecurity and communications. The platform is also designed to scale as industrial requirements evolve.
Its features include a unified interface for the IIoT application lifecycle, drag-and-drop programming, visualisation and analysis tools, application examples and curated standard node sets in Node-RED. It also supports secure interaction with IT and cloud applications and can be integrated with Emerson’s industrial PCs and programmable logic controllers.
A group-management function allows updates to as many as 100 projects from a single device, according to the supplied material. The platform also supports a range of industrial computing hardware, including the CPE400 and CPL410 edge controllers and several industrial PC series.
The listed operating system is Linux Server 20.04 LTS, while supported programming technologies include Python, Node.js and Node-RED. Configured applications include Node-RED, Grafana, InfluxDB, Timescale, MariaDB and Portainer.io.
Overall, the platform is positioned as a way to consolidate industrial control and computing, enabling organisations to process data closer to the edge while supporting scalable, secure and distributed operations.
