Emerson’s Updated Edge Tech Boosts Batch Process Integration
Emerson, a leading provider of industrial technology, has unveiled the latest version of its edge technology platform, the DeltaV™ Edge Environment 2.0. This update significantly enhances the ability to deliver operational technology (OT) applications and contextualized control data to any part of the enterprise, supporting critical industries like life sciences, chemical processing, and other batch processing sectors. DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 offers seamless integration of batch data, empowering businesses to leverage vital insights through analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and IT enterprise systems—whether these systems are on-premises or cloud-based.
The Challenge of Batch Data Integration
In batch processing operations, data reconciliation, aggregation, and validation are ongoing requirements. The need for seamless data mobility becomes increasingly urgent, as critical data must be brought to various technologies across the enterprise to support better decision-making. Despite its importance, integrating control system data—essential for informed business decisions—has traditionally been an arduous, expensive, and risky endeavor with older technologies. These legacy methods often fail to provide the real-time, reliable data needed to optimize operations.
The DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 addresses this challenge head-on by offering a robust solution for batch data integration. By providing secure, read-only replicas of contextualized DeltaV distributed control system (DCS) data, the platform enables companies to streamline how they manage and use operational data. The integration of control system data into analytics and AI-driven applications facilitates improved decision-making, better production quality, and enhanced operational efficiency.
Seamless Integration with Control Systems
DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 serves as a crucial bridge between operational technology (OT) control systems and information technology (IT) systems, enabling a smooth transfer of control system data without interrupting critical processes. Through a secure, one-way egress of control system data, the platform creates a read-only replica of the DCS data, which is then made available to various business tools, whether at the edge or within the cloud. This data integration empowers teams to make data-driven decisions based on accurate, real-time insights, ensuring higher operational certainty.
The platform allows organizations to Emerson overlay batch data with process values, which is essential for identifying performance deviations during batch runs. The ability to track and analyze batch health leads to increased visibility, which, in turn, enables teams to intervene more quickly when issues arise. By intervening earlier in the process, businesses can avoid costly, off-specification batches that could otherwise harm production outcomes or lead to resource wastage.
Enhancing Process Visibility and Decision-Making
Emerson With DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0, teams gain comprehensive access to control data, which can be utilized for more than just monitoring and analysis. The platform enhances process visibility by allowing OT teams to easily correlate batch-related alarms and events with other system events. This added context is crucial for identifying the root causes of production issues, allowing operators to make more effective decisions and resolve problems faster.
Furthermore, the integration of batch data with other operational data helps to provide a clearer understanding of how configuration changes within the control system impact batch execution. By making this information accessible, DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 supports smarter decision-making processes and greater control over production timelines.
Empowering Teams with Better Insights
The Emerson DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 is designed to facilitate the democratization of data, a key factor in improving collaboration and decision-making across departments. Life sciences operations, for example, rely heavily on data to optimize and validate their production processes. With this platform, teams are empowered to access and use critical data regardless of location or technology stack, promoting cross-functional collaboration and a more data-driven approach to business strategy.
As Emerson companies continue to embrace digital transformation, the ability to break down data silos becomes increasingly important. Emerson’s vision of Boundless Automation, where data silos are eliminated, is brought to life through the DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0. By enabling the free flow of information and insights, the platform not only helps teams collaborate more effectively but also supports businesses in making informed decisions that drive competitive advantage.
“Emerson Data democratization is key to the success of modern manufacturing operations, especially in industries like life sciences, where precision and optimization are paramount,” said Claudio Fayad, vice president of technology for Emerson’s process systems and solutions business. “Emerson’s Boundless Automation vision, where data silos are eliminated, will empower cross-functional teams to make the necessary business decisions that lead to a Emerson competitive advantage. DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 makes this level of data mobility possible, all while preserving the batch and process context required to improve operational certainty.”
Benefits for Batch Processing Industries
The life sciences, Emerson chemical processing, and other batch-processing industries stand to benefit significantly from the integration capabilities offered by DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0. By enabling easy access to contextualized control data, businesses can improve their ability to monitor and control batch processes in real-time. This is particularly crucial for industries where quality and consistency are essential, such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals, where the smallest deviation from the desired process parameters can result in costly mistakes.
DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 also supports IT and OT convergence, which is vital for modern enterprises. By providing an integrated solution that facilitates the seamless flow of data between OT and IT systems, businesses can achieve greater efficiency, reduced downtime, and improved productivity. The platform’s ability to aggregate data from various sources and integrate it into advanced analytics systems ensures that decision-makers have all the information they need at their fingertips, leading to better-informed and faster decisions.
Emerson’s DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 represents a significant leap forward in the management and integration of batch data for industries that rely on precise, data-driven operations. By bridging the gap between OT control systems and IT applications, the platform enables businesses to fully leverage their control system data for advanced analytics, machine learning, and more. The ability to access contextualized data, correlate it with other system events, and identify deviations during batch processes helps organizations optimize operations, improve batch quality, and enhance decision-making.
Through its focus on data mobility and integration, the DeltaV Edge Environment 2.0 empowers businesses to create a more agile, efficient, and data-driven operational environment. With its ability to break down data silos and enable real-time insights, this platform is a crucial tool for any organization looking to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced, data-centric manufacturing landscape.
