Primary IIoT Platform Selection Criteria—Industrial Computers vs. Development Boards

The current market is saturated with embedded solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things. There is a wide array of RISC-based embedded computers, single-board computers, and development boards available for implementing IIoT solutions. What are the crucial factors you need to ponder when picking an embedded computing solution for your IIoT projects? Should you opt for a single-board solution or select a platform provider who can collaborate with you to create a customized industrial computing solution? Can the development boards manage the intricate demands of IIoT applications and provide reliable performance for your essential industrial operations?

The IIoT development boards present a secure and cost-effective method for prototyping your automation concepts. Nonetheless, when it pertains to executing real-world industrial situations like the IIoT, a proven and tested industrial-grade embedded computing solution emerges as the ideal choice. It offers a high-performing, stable, and secure system that can fulfill most automation requirements.

This article highlights certain principal hardware and software benefits of industrial computing platforms over development-board based solutions and elaborates on the questions you ought to consider when evaluating a computing solution for your IIoT.

The Hardware Outlook

Engineers commonly prefer development boards over industrial computers due to their economical price points. As an industrial operator, below are some critical considerations you must mull over before finalizing a hardware platform for IIoT.

Is the solution a plug-and-play platform?

Industrial computers usually serve as plug-and-play platforms that can address the majority of your industrial computing demands, as opposed to development boards, which are basic components necessitating substantial time and effort for assembly before operational use.

Does it endorse multiple IOs of diverse kinds, particularly serial ports?

Industrial computing solutions typically incorporate multiple communication interfaces like Ethernet, serial, and cellular interfaces to offer maximum flexibility in large-scale industrial deployments. Conversely, development boards feature single Ethernet ports, a couple of USB ports, and lack serial ports.

Is the solution certified as per the obligatory industrial safety standards?

Crucial UL and CE certifications for equipment deployed in industrial settings are conspicuously absent in most development boards. Conversely, industrial computing solutions undergo rigorous testing to meet various certification requirements and are optimized for different industrial sectors.

Does it feature ingress protection?

Ingress protection stands as a fundamental requirement for all industrial equipment to endure the rigorous industrial ambiance. Depending on the application, the majority of industrial computers comply with diverse levels of the ingress protection (IP) standard to provide shield against dust and water ingress.

What is the product guarantee period?

Industrial-grade equipment is anticipated to possess an extended lifetime and a warranty period of at least 5 years, which is industry-standard for most industrial computers. Conversely, development boards typically carry a 1-year guarantee or none at all.

The Software Perspective

In an IIoT system, software components are utilized to expand the functionalities of industrial hardware including the operating system, data acquisition tools, device monitoring and control, and data conversion applications. Here are some factors that could reduce your software development expenses and time-to-market.

What is the extent of software services and support available for the solution?

Software consultation and services stand as pivotal resources that developers rely on for assistance. Moreover, developing an embedded computing platform necessitates profound knowledge about these systems. Most industrial computing solution providers offer a variety of software service and support levels for you to select from. Some vendors maintain specialized teams that collaborate with you to tailor their solutions. On the contrary, when planning a complex deployment with development boards, you are largely reliant on your capabilities and the user community for solutions.

Is the platform tailored to your industrial requirements?

Industrial computing platforms are fine-tuned for deployment in various industrial sectors. You can select a solution that perfectly aligns with your computing necessities. With development boards, any optimization, similar to deployment, remains solely the user’s responsibility.

How rich are the utilities and libraries included with the solution?

The crux of any hardware platform’s success lies in an extensive array of libraries and utilities to customize the platform and enhance user-friendliness. Apart from just providing these utilities and libraries, the key is to offer constant updates and support. A reputable platform provider will allocate resources to enhance their hardware platform by crafting software utilities and libraries.

What is the nature of the prolonged support available?

The typical lifespan of an industrial platform extends to 5 years or more. Consequently, industrial-platform vendors should allocate resources for extended maintenance of their software environment.

The nature of the cybersecurity mechanisms integrated into the solution

The recent surge in cyber assaults on industrial equipment, notably IIoT endpoints, has accentuated the importance of industrial equipment security. Various industrial solution vendors are engaged in enhancing security measures and implementing multifaceted security mechanisms in their solutions. This trend allows you to opt for a solution offering maximum security for your industrial equipment.

The open-platform benefit

Open-source software and an open-source OS impart maximum flexibility to developers. Make sure that the chosen open platform fulfills your system requirements and empowers you to develop libraries or utilities around it, either in-house or with the aid of external consulting firms.

Moxa’s Industrial Computers

Moxa’s industrial computers are meticulously crafted to deliver robust rugged systems ensuring optimal user experience across diverse vertical markets including smart grid, marine, oil and gas, and rail automation.

The computing platform UC-8100 is purpose-built for embedded data acquisition applications. The system is equipped with one to two RS-232/422/485 serial ports and dual 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN ports alongside a Mini PCIe socket to facilitate cellular module support. These versatile communication capabilities empower users to efficiently adapt the UC-8100 for various intricate communication solutions. For further details, explore the UC-8100 product page.

Access our white paper to delve deeper into selecting the ideal computing platform for Your IIoT.