Schneider Electric has launched its next-generation EcoStruxure architecture and platform to deliver IoT-enabled solutions at scale for building, grid, industry and data center customers.
EcoStruxure provides a comprehensive portfolio of interoperable and cloud-connected and/or on-premise technologies organized around its three layers of technology innovation.
The first layer builds on Schneider Electric’s core competency in developing connected products with embedded intelligence, such as sensors, medium and low voltage breakers, drives and actuators.
The Edge Control layer gives organizations the critical capability to manage their operations on-premise as well as from the cloud depending on their needs. This includes connected control platforms with remote access, advanced automation and operator override capabilities. Local control and firewall protection is included to maximize the benefits especially for mission-critical applications.
Schneider Electric’s focused investment in R&D and product development in the critical areas of software, analytics and services, coupled with the integration of recent acquisitions such as Invensys, Telvent and Summit Energy forms the third layer of the stack – a portfolio of apps, analytics and services. EcoStruxure enables the most extensive breadth of vendor-agnostic apps, analytics and services on open IP protocols in order to work with any hardware, system, or control.
New community
As part of this launch, the company also announced that is establishing a new community with technology and consortium leaders to maximize the benefits its customers receive of an IoT-enabled operation.
Flagship technology companies enabling the next generation of EcoStruxure include Microsoft and Intel.
Schneider Electric leverages the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to deliver its digital services, apps and analytics. Azure is the cloud backbone for EcoStruxure, easing technology development on the platform.
“Schneider Electric depends on Microsoft Azure IoT technology to rapidly scale public, private and hybrid cloud solutions,” said Sam George, Director, Microsoft Azure IoT at Microsoft Corp.
“We’re committed to working together to deliver new digital services that leverage their vast domain expertise in targeted end markets.” One such digital service, Conext 2 Advisor, is a secure monitoring and control solution for managing and optimizing the performance of solar power plants, and is delivered as an Azure cloud-based service, accessible on computers or mobile devices.
Schneider Electric leverages Intel’s smart Field Programmable Gateway Arrays (FPGA) devices to power its sensors and devices, networks and the cloud. Intel’s FPGAs enhance the performance, power and flexibility of the EcoStruxure architecture to enable smarter operations.
New partnerships are also continually emerging with specialized technology providers like Zuora and global industry leaders like the company’s recently announced partnership with Panasonic, both of which further enable the delivery of new technology, new services, new business models, and more service-oriented value for customers.
Schneider Electric also serves on the board of the Industrial Internet Consortium and Thread Group, where it is working with other leading organizations to accelerate the growth and development of IoT solution architectures and standards for the industrial and home automation industries.