IndustrialPro Plus is the latest addition to Sixnet’s industrial cellular router product line. Sixnet (News - Alert), a company that provides innovative machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity to industrial customers and markets worldwide, will rely on the IndustrialPro Plus to bridge together Sixnet’s core automation, wireless and switch competencies to deliver to remote connectivity to Modbus-enabled devices in harsh environments.

With this technology, remote management and monitoring will be simplified. The control to drive the next generation of wireless automation will also be simplified. Multi-site organizations will be therefore able to lower costs and save time. Complexity is reduced by Sixnet’s IndustrialPro Plus routers when combined with external I/O modules and management software. Users can therefore instantly access remote assets without deploying, managing and configuring multiple devices at varying locations.

“Sixnet is driving thought leadership by combining its core automation, switch and wireless competencies into a powerful integrated wireless automation solution for remote monitoring,” Mahesh Patel, director of product management, wireless solutions at Sixnet said in a statement. “The IndustrialPro Plus makes it easy to connect a variety of Modbus-enabled devices using cellular technology, which proves easier and more affordable than traditional WAN solutions.”

The cellular routers feature native Modbus support and an optional built-in 5-port Ethernet switch. Multiple remote terminal units, programmable logic controllers, meters and sensors are connected to centrally-located SCADA server using the cellular routers’ features. A cellular WAN link is then used by the central server to directly poll the IndustrialPro Plus. The need for separate Modbus gateways is therefore eliminated. Equipment, space requirements and site visits are also reduced.

The routers support 2G, 2.5G and 3G cellular technologies. Mission critical sites or devices in industrial environments can therefore use the routers as primary WAN or landline backup connections. As compared to the traditional landlines, the routers provide reliable service at a lower monthly rate to the customers. The need to dispatch maintenance personnel is also reduced. Sixnet’s SixView Manager is used to manage the IndustrialPro Plus. Customers are able to remotely update firmware with SixView Manager. They are also allowed to make field changes to one or many routers.

Calvin Azuri is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Calvin’s articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Carrie Schmelkin