Link machine assets to the cloud

Industrial automation manufacturer and Internet of Things application toolset provider Opto 22 has launched the Node-RED development environment running on the groov Box industrial appliance, significantly decreasing IIoT application development time and complexity.

Opto 22’s groov is a zero-programming, Web-based way to build, deploy, and view effective, scalable operator interfaces and system dashboards to monitor and control systems and equipment using mobile devices and other computer-based systems. Node-RED makes it easier to prototype, develop, and deploy applications for connecting physical assets to cloud applications and IT systems.

With the addition of the Node-RED development environment, groov is a uniquely suitable toolset for IIoT application developers, says Matt Newton, Director of Technical Marketing at Opto 22. groov fuses together an industrially rugged hardware platform, data visualization for mobile and web clients, robust industrial automation protocol support including Modbus/TCP and OPC UA, and advanced data flow processing. Add these to its ability to connect multiple data sources including devices, databases, and third-party APIs (application program interfaces), and groov becomes a single, cohesive, cost-effective, and powerful platform for nearly any IIoT or edge computing application.

Linking technology assets and services together to build IIoT applications often requires layers of complex software development and long development cycles that quickly erode IIoT application ROI. Node-RED running on the groov appliance enables nearly anyone to rapidly prototype and develop IIoT applications to connect data streams from industrial assets to IT assets, bridging the gap between the worlds of physical equipment and digital computing systems.

Developers now have the ability to prototype applications on maker boards such as Raspberry Pi and then seamlessly deploy them to an industrial-grade suite of products capable of functioning in mission-critical and harsh industrial environments.

“The significance of this release is that it makes it easy to integrate automation systems, like those that automate packaging equipment, with back-end IT or cloud-based systems,” says Newton. “For example, you could connect your packaging equipment to a cloud-based predictive analytics system to help identify potential equipment failures before they occur. Or you could move production statistics directly into an SQL data base, MES, or ERP system—without having to write any software code.”

Node-RED is part of the JS Foundation which is a Linux Foundation Project. The JS Foundation is committed to help JavaScript application and server-side projects cultivate best practices and policies that promote high quality standards and broad, diverse contributions for long-term sustainability.

What is groov?

groov is a zero-programming, web-based way to build, deploy, and view effective, scalable operator interfaces and system dashboards to monitor and control systems and equipment using mobile devices and other computer-based systems. These operator interfaces can be viewed on almost any mobile device or computer regardless of its manufacturer, operating system, or screen size, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and even smart high-definition televisions.