Industrial IoT & Edge Computing – Overview
Which use case do you want to implement? Smart machine services or IIoT Retrofitting?
Device Management for Smart Machine Services
Enhance your machines with smart services. We provide you with the edge infrastructure to run and manage your smart machine services. To implement your smart services at the edge, we offer you:
- netFIELD Cloud – our device management solution to manage your edge devices and software applications. Manage edge devices and centrally roll out your edge applications with low effort, high convenience, and CRA compliant.
- Industrial edge gateways – running with our secure, industry-hardened netFIELD OS.
Data Acquisition in Brownfield Plants and Machines
If you want to utilize the data from your plants and machines for improving productivity, quality and transparency, Hilscher offers the right products to get access to your shopfloor data:
- Industrial edge gateways – with several interface options from real-time ethernet (e.g. PROFINET or EtherCAT) to serial interfaces (e.g. Modbus) and standard Ethernet.
- Plug & play software applications for data acquisition (netFIELD Apps) – configure your data access instead of writing code yourself.
netFIELD Device Management
The netFIELD edge management platform is a reliable and scalable cloud platform for implementing your own Industrial IoT solution at the IT-OT edge or a hybrid: from remote maintenance of machines and predictive maintenance to new data-driven service business models. netFIELD supports both IIoT retrofitting and completely redesigned solutions.
When you rely on netFIELD, you’re profiting from Hilscher’s years of experience in industrial communication and automation solutions for the proven implementation of IT-OT convergence and Industry 4.0 solutions. Scaling Industrial IoT to larger numbers of machines, edge gateways, and edge software components is a challenge that is often underestimated.
Operating edge gateways and the edge computing applications that run on them requires regular maintenance of the operating system, distributed software, IIoT data streams and integration with automation networks. Further requirements arise from the cyber security regulation (CRA and NIS-2).
Secure Edge Gateways
Edge Gateways from Hilscher are intelligent data transmitters between the automation level and the information technology level. They aggregate, handle or transmit additional IoT information of your production process completely autonomously. This is done either locally or in combination with a cloud in order to monetize insights gained from it according to demand.
The Edge Gateways build on Docker technology and, together with the Hilscher Cloud platform, form a powerful tool for the optimal distribution and management of software for your device fleets or globally distributed machines. But also a combination with cloud solutions from other companies is possible.
For use cases that require a direct connection of sensors, a dedicated IO-Link master is also available. This combines sophisticated device management and computing power at the edge with the proven IO-Link technology. This means that brownfield plants, for example, can be equipped with modern sensor technology in no time at all.
Industrial Communication Apps
Our netFIELD IoT ecosystem is built on Docker container technology that lets you package software applications to run quickly and reliably in different environments.
You can rely on our turn-key Docker containers for your own IoT environment. Our focus is on providing you with gateway containers for your communications infrastructure. With netFIELD you can aggregate and transfer data transparently and in compliance with official standards.
We have the right app container for your edge solution—from public cloud platform connectors such as AWS or Microsoft Azure to local applications such as an MQTT data broker or monitoring applications. With our containers you can also collect and make use of machine data in brownfield applications.
Let's talk about how we can help you!
Related links
Markus Hoppe
Surface solution specialist Oerlikon Metco AG uses netFIELD to enable real-time data collection from industrial applications, such as thermal spray painting machines, from around the world.
Industrial systems specialist Güdel uses netFIELD to implement advanced IIoT solutions, ranging from monitoring specific wear points to a more holistic Industry 4.0 approach.
MULTIVAC, the leading manufacturer of integrated packaging solutions, develops customer-oriented services with netFIELD, enabling higher machine availability
Industrial IoT FAQ
Industrial IoT (IIoT) refers to the networking of machines, systems, and industrial devices with the internet. The goal is to collect production data in real time, analyze it, and use it for optimization. This goes beyond data acquisition to include increased efficiency, predictive maintenance, and the integration of production and IT systems.
Edge computing means that data is processed directly at its point of origin (at the machine or gateway) before being transferred to the cloud or IT systems. This reduces latency, minimizes data volume, and allows companies to retain control over sensitive production data.
- netFIELD platform: Open edge computing solution with cloud connectivity and container management
- netFIELD devices: Edge gateways for connecting machines and controllers
- Embedded modules and chips (netX): Integration of IIoT functionality directly into devices
- Communication gateways: Connecting fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet networks to IoT systems
- Real-time-capable data processing directly at the machine
- Support for numerous fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet protocols
- Container-based architecture for flexible software extensions
- Easy integration into existing IT/OT environments
- Centralized management and updates via the cloud
- Future-proof operation through support for OPC UA, MQTT, and TSN
- Predictive maintenance: Condition monitoring of machines and early fault detection
- Production optimization: Real-time analysis of process data
- Retrofit: Upgrading existing systems with IIoT capabilities
- Data preprocessing: Reducing big data volumes before cloud upload
- Remote maintenance & monitoring: Remote updates and centralized device management
Hilscher solutions are based on netX technology, which supports virtually all relevant industrial communication protocols. This enables seamless integration of machines using different networks (e.g., PROFINET, EtherCAT, Modbus, CC-Link). Via edge gateways and the netFIELD platform, data is forwarded to IT systems or cloud services.
Hilscher relies on modern IT and OT security standards, including:
- Encrypted communication (TLS, VPN)
- Role-based access control
- Secure container isolation in netFIELD
- Remote updates for security patches
- Industrial-grade hardware with long-term support
- Machinery and plant engineering
- Automotive industry
- Process industries (chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy)
- Logistics and material handling
- Robotics and motion control
- Strong OT expertise with decades of experience in industrial networks
- Broad protocol support enabled by netX technology
- Open platform (netFIELD) instead of proprietary systems
- Combination of hardware and software—from embedded chips to cloud solutions
- Industrial focus: Solutions designed specifically for harsh production environments
Without IIoT and edge computing, production data cannot be used efficiently. With the right solutions, companies gain transparency, flexibility, and efficiency in their processes. Hilscher supports this with scalable products that modernize existing systems and enable new Industry 4.0 projects.