Build Better HMI/SCADA Solutions

with Edge Computing

Running the finest PLCs and software on a

conventional platform is no longer the best way
to protect monitoring and control operations.

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Build Better HMI/ SCADA Solutions with Edge Computing Whitepaper | 2

Introduction Visualizing the opportunity

Traditional human-machine interface (HMI) and Edge Computing is a distributed computing framework
supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) that collects, processes, and stores crucial information
architectures for mission-critical automation control have close to the edge — where it is produced or consumed —
served industry well, but there is always room for rather than in a centralized server or data center. But what
improvement. With digitalization comes an does that mean for an industrial control system
edge-computing-based approach that redefines what infrastructure?
“good” looks like in a monitoring and control system
architecture. Figure 1 reflects how Gartner’s representation of an Edge
Computing topology is essentially the edge version of the
Modern Edge Computing platforms solve many common Purdue Model for Industrial Control Systems. Figure 2
challenges faced by engineers when deploying or combines the two models to illustrate a complete edge
operating HMI and SCADA in their automation and control portfolio, from the device gateway to compute edge to the
systems. This paper describes what an improved and enterprise.
fortified industrial control system architecture looks like;
the inherent advantages of Edge Computing for resolving Adopting Edge Computing within your enterprise benefits
persistent challenges; and proof points from an oil & gas automation control, specifically HMI and SCADA design, by
industrial organization, materials manufacturer, and improving your ability to protect mission-critical
specialty chemical company whose control systems are operations. A single edge platform can bolster operational
benefitting from the transition to a single edge platform. excellence to deliver extensive engineering, operation, and
maintenance efficiencies as well as critical reliability,
You’ll also see how three different organizations safety, and security improvements.
implemented an Edge Computing control and automation
architecture along with a modern distributed control
system (DCS) and historian software for process
optimization.

The Gartner Topology vs. The Purdue Model

CORE Level 5
Centralized Cloud/Global Data Center Enterprise Network
Enterprise
Zone Level 4
CDN, Telecom DC, Colocation Site Business Planning & Logistics Network
Regional Data Center Edge
Provider (Multitenant)
Small DC, More Data Center Level 3
Local Data Center Edge Mfg. Zone Site Manufacturing Operations & Control
(Low/No Staff)
EDGE
Edge Server/Storage Level 2
COMPUTING Computer Edge Area Supervisory Control
(Not in Data Center)
Level 1
Intelligent Local/Field Gateway, Basic Control
Gateway Edge Cell/Area
Small Cell, Access Point (First Hop)
Zone Level 0
Embedded, PLC, Wearable Process
Device Edge
and Smartphone
EDGE
Physical Endpoint Safety Zone Safety-Critical

Figure 1. Gartner’s Edge Computing topology is essentially the edge version of the Purdue Model for Industrial Control Systems.
Source: Gartner.

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Edge to Enterprise Architecture

ftServer
Cloud
Command Center

Regional Data Center Edge

Global Data Center

ftServer ftServer everRun on

existing 3rd
Compute & Local party server
Data Center

Redundant Redundant Redundant Redundant Single node Single node

pair ztC Edge pair ztC Edge pair ztC Edge pair ztC Edge ztC Edge ztC Edge

Device Gateway,
Compute Edge

Equipment Equipment Machine Machine Line Line

Figure 2. Combining the Gartner Edge Topology with the Purdue Model produces this diagram of an
entire edge portfolio from device gateway and compute edge all the way up to the enterprise. It shows
how it is possible to use Edge Computing platforms at various levels of the Gartner Edge Topology.

Solving core challenges In addition to embracing digitalization, decreasing islands

One of the most pressing challenges with typical of automation, and facilitating workload consolidation,
automation and control architectures is turning the sheer edge platforms offer additional performance benefits such
volume of data generated by today’s industrial automation as mitigating delays from bandwidth and latency issues
systems into actionable information. Other significant and simplifying maintenance complexities common with
challenges include modernizing legacy infrastructure, an expanding pool of hardware and software assets. Edge
streamlining operations by reducing disparate islands of platforms that support remote and autonomous
automation, and eliminating unplanned downtime. The Edge operations enable OT users to manage systems, removing
Computing approach tackles these challenges by design. the need to rely on IT resources.

Edge Computing modernizes the infrastructure and As more critical applications reside in edge platforms,
streamlines operations by enabling the consolidation of built-in redundancy to protect against unplanned downtime
multiple software solutions running on multiple individual and enable operational resilience increases in importance.
computers into a single edge platform. Downsizing to a single redundant device where all the
valuable automation and control software are installed
A typical installation has HMI/SCADA software and actually increases reliability and simplifies security
advanced applications such as historians, manufacturing management, thus minimizing the risk of costly
execution systems (MESs), batch, asset performance, operational disruptions. Built-in redundancy and
engineering, and programming software installed in multiple preconfigured virtualization are especially important when
computers. Edge Computing platforms offering built-in the SCADA or HMI is installed in a remote or hazardous
virtualization avoid this complexity and cost. environment.

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Delivering additional capabilities

Some modern Edge Computing platforms are industrial
grade, such as those provided by Stratus. Ruggedized,
Class I Division 2 (CID2) certified platforms, such as
Stratus’ ztC™® Edge Computing platform (see Figure 3),
can be installed in hazardous locations, together with the
programmable logic controllers (PLCs), in the same control
panel without special accommodations for temperature,
humidity, or vibration protection.

Many Edge Computing devices have built-in protection

from cyberattacks, such as:
Figure 4. Advanced edge platforms, such as the Stratus ftServer platform,
Host-based firewalls for blacklisting or whitelisting IP provide scalability, extensibility and standardization. The best Edge
Computing platforms scale well as new nodes and locations are added.
addresses or domain names

Restricted USB ports to help prevent the spread of

malware The best Edge Computing platforms scale well as new
nodes and locations are added. They are extendable to
Role-based access controls to authorize specific users
accommodate new operations and control capabilities
and groups
without a significant investment, and flexible to extend
Secure communications protocols and Trusted Boot to monitoring and control of the plant to mobile devices.
thwart cyberattacks

Scalability, extensibility, and standardization also are Some of the most pressing challenges with
associated with advanced edge platforms, such as the typical automation and control
smaller-capacity Stratus ztC Edge and large-capacity architectures include demand for
Stratus ftServer® platforms (see Figure 4).
digitalization, disparate islands of
automation, and downtime. The Edge
Computing approach tackles these
challenges by design.

They also support standardization of all control into a

single architecture and can meet non-redundant, high
availability, or fault-tolerant needs. And the best edge
platform can be easily installed, operated, and maintained
Figure 3. Some modern Edge Computing platforms are industrial grade, by non-IT personnel.
such as the ruggedized, Class I Division 2 (CID2) certified Stratus ztC
Edge Computing platform, which can be installed in hazardous locations,
with the PLCs, in the same control panel without special
accommodations for temperature, humidity or vibration protection.

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Optimization in action 2. Rubberlite

The following three companies, each with unique needs, A West Virginia-based materials manufacturer chose
found their solution in an Edge Computing control and Stratus Edge Computing platforms to simplify and
automation architecture. See how they optimized their consolidate IT infrastructure, standardize data collection,
operations. and ensure continuous availability of applications and
reliability of data. This included:
1. Streamline Innovations
Stratus ftServer to run application virtualization and fault
A Texas-based solution provider that focuses on tolerance eliminating downtime, centralizing data, and
eliminating hazardous emissions through technology, improving reliability
selected Stratus to bring AI-powered predictive
AVEVA™ System Platform DCS and data historian
maintenance, remote operation, and 99.5% uptime to
remote oil field equipment. This included:
By improving data reliability and automation, Rubberlite
Stratus ztC Edge to develop, host, and protect proprietary drove significant improvement in efficiency and product
hydrogen sulfide gas treating process quality, translating to business growth and customer
satisfaction. The team reduced non-sellable material by
Inductive Automation Ignition HMI/SCADA Software 80% while increasing sales and production by 25%. Most
PostgreSQL Database and Python dramatically, Rubberlite has experienced zero downtime
since implementing a Stratus solution in 2016.
Seeq AI Software

Streamline Innovations created solutions for their “Our partnership with Stratus has helped
customers that enabled real-time analysis, HMI, and Rubberlite evolve to where we are now, and
tracking of 50 KPIs from 350 miles away. The company
it’s put us in the position to continue to
also reduced onsite staffing requirements by 66% and
surpassed 95% customer SLA by achieving 99.5% uptime.
grow and improve.”
Former Process Automation Engineer
Rubberlite
“Using Stratus, we have built smart plants
that are managed remotely by Artificial
Read the full case study to learn how Stratus Edge
Intelligence and visible from any location Computing enabled Rubberlite to eliminate downtime,
24/7.” lower IT costs by 50%, and reduce non-sellable material by
80%.
Dr. Peter Photos
Chief Technology Officer, Streamline Innovations
3. Synthomer

A London-based specialty chemical company embraced a

Read the full case study to learn how by using Stratus fault-tolerant Edge Computing platform to centralize and
Edge Computing, the company brought intelligence and optimize operations at a production plant in Italy and
remote operations to complex process skids, enabled protect against failures and downtime. Standardizing the
continuous operation, and surpassed customer entire facility on the same system eliminated islands of
expectations. automation and improved operational safety, resilience,
and analytics. This included:

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Stratus ftServer to protect the modernized operation and About Stratus Technologies
house all the software used to engineer, program,
operate, and maintain the DCS For leaders digitally transforming their operations in order
to drive predictable, peak performance with minimal risk,
Rockwell Automation PlantPAx DCS Stratus ensures the continuous availability of
business-critical applications by delivering zero-touch
Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PACs
Edge Computing platforms that are simple to deploy and
System integration by Progecta maintain, protected from interruptions and threats, and
autonomous. For 40 years, we have provided reliable and
Upgrading the plant to run on a single Stratus edge redundant zero-touch computing, enabling global Fortune
platform and centralized PlantPAx DCS, in addition to 500 companies and small-to-medium sized businesses to
replacing the plant’s previous disparate, securely and remotely turn data into actionable intelligence
multi-branded PLCs with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PACs at the Edge, cloud and data center – driving uptime and
resulted in a 30% increase in production and millions of efficiency.
Euros of additional revenue. Throughout the three-year
digital transformation project, production never stopped. For more information, please visit www.stratus.com or
follow Stratus on Twitter @StratusAlwaysOn and LinkedIn
Read the Synthomer case study to see how the company @StratusTechnologies.
implemented a fault-tolerant Edge Computing platform to
centralize and optimize operations.

Summary
The breadth and depth of proven Edge Computing
advantages underscore the reasons it is time to turn the
page on traditional automation control architectures. For
mission-critical operations, leveraging benefits such as
work consolidation, operational resilience, downtime
protection, and standardization ensures a more powerful,
efficient, and secure HMI/SCADA solution.

Specifications and descriptions are summary in nature and subject to change without notice.

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