Edge gateways act as an intelligent filter for IoT data, allowing both real-time processing and forwarding to the cloud for storage. (Image courtesy of Dell.)
As part of the alliance, Dell will be able to utilize Kepware’s KEPServerEX connectivity platform to feed industrial IoT (IIoT) data to its Edge Gateway 5000 series of Edge computing hardware. The 5000 series has been tested with KEPServerEX and verified to be interoperable, thus earning the Edge Gateway 5000 the status of Kepware Certified for IoT.
A Prime Time for IoT Partnerships
This joining of forces is the latest in a very common IoT theme: collaboration is key. In just the last month, we’ve written about partnerships to handle big data, improve aviation safety and enhance IoT security. We’ve also written about other IoT coalitions, including the Z-Wave Alliance and Eclipse IoT Working Group. The message for engineers is clear: work together and have your IoT designs play nicely with others or risk falling behind.
“Our collaboration allows customers to get their industrial IoT projects up and running quickly for faster solution deployment to the field,” explained Dell IoT strategy director Jason Shepherd, praising its new partner. “Kepware is the lynchpin for providing industrial connectivity to an IoT partner ecosystem.”
The aim of most, if not all, IoT collaborations echoes the stated goal of Kepware’s IoT Alliance: “The collaboration between Kepware and Alliance members reduces risk, decreases time to market and enables the release of proven, interoperable solutions for our mutual customers.” Partnering with proven IoT solutions won’t just enhance your own IoT applications, but will also provide peace of mind to consumers wanting to avoid navigating multiple and isolated ecosystems.
Forging relationships with established IoT companies is also a good way to appeal to security-minded customers, as Experian recently advised in a list of IoT security tips. Piggybacking on the trust of more experienced brands is a proven shortcut for winning customers, as well as an opportunity to utilize bigger and better resources. In fact, Kepware itself offers a good example of how merging brands offers mutual benefit: at the end of last year, Kepware was acquired by PTC for over $100 million. This means increased resources for Kepware and an enhanced portfolio for PTC.
To learn more about PTC as well as Edge analytics, read “What Are Edge Analytics and What Do You Need to Leverage Them?”