Enable communication between OT and IT on one device

Summarizing customer needs, Andreas Hoffmann said, “The more closely the IT and OT worlds converge, the more users want to break this dependency. With u-OS, WeidMuller now offers users an open, flexible and independent software platform for IIoT and automation.” Combining the stability of automation solutions with the potential of IIoT, u-OS offers automation engineers and IT programmers an open, flexible solution that facilitates the digital networking of a wide range of systems with just one device.

While methods for integrated automation platforms already exist, users must also adapt to vendor specifications; For example, it is very difficult to integrate solutions from third-party vendors. u-OS, on the other hand, relies on the use of open established standards such as Linux, container technology, and OPC UA, and supports integration of Weidmuller applications, proprietary applications, or third-party vendor applications. This makes users independent and prepares them for the future, as users can rely on third-party vendors who also provide automation platforms or applications.

Linux as an open standard is therefore a prerequisite because it combines the essential features used in an automated environment: excellent real-time capabilities, a large community of service providers and developers, and the ease of optimizing and adapting open source code when needed.

Containers: Rapid deployment of software solutions

Container technology is an open standard that enables users to bundle an application and all its dependencies in a single package. This means that even complex software releases can be delivered automatically and quickly. This eliminates many sources of error in the installation and update process, reducing the time required and saving costs. The application manager used by u-OS enables the system to be easily configured to suit the specific needs of the customer without the need for programming knowledge.

GHW12Z-13DF2N0-001

OPC UA (Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture) is an open industrial communication protocol that enables platform-independent, reliable, and secure information exchange between devices from different manufacturers.

Using these open standards, u-OS enables third-party runtime systems to run on software platforms. An example of this is CODESYS®, the larger manufacturer-independent ecosystem in industrial automation. CODESYS® is a hardware-independent programming system for controlling application creation, project planning, documentation, visualization, and configuration. In addition, the integrated runtime environment u-create web enables simple engineering without programming knowledge.

Customization through the app

Applications from Weidmuller, third-party vendors, or users themselves can be used to flexibly add new features and open up the entire world of industrial automation and iot. The u-OS operating system enables various industrial worlds to converge in this way in the future without introducing any complex problems: for example, PROCON-WEB, a high-performance visualization software, can simply be installed as an application on an open control system.

u-OS connects industrial iot with automation, partners with their users, cloud with data, and industrial ecosystems. Users who rely on open source automation rather than proprietary systems benefit in many ways. They can take advantage of open digital networks to increase their productivity, flexibility and efficiency. “This is also reflected in operating costs and ultimately competitiveness,” says Andreas Hoffmann, Vice President of Weidmuller’s Automation Business unit. “As a result, the new u-OS operating system will be the foundation for all future iot and automation components at Weidmuller. The software is installed on every device for easy access to the IT and OT world. This scaling capability allows our customers and their customers to assemble a customized and web-based system. Anything is possible, not certain.”