eWON launches Flexy modular industrial M2M router

The new eWON Flexy, which will be available in the UK from December 2013, is designed to cater for ongoing trends in communications technologies, without having to re-design the eWON product. The eWON Flexy modular concept is based on standard base units, which can be extended by up to four modular expansion cards, offering users an almost unlimited number of connection permutations, from a single serial gateway (MPI or Profibus to Ethernet) to a sophisticated LAN WiFi router with 3G modem redundancy.

In 2001, eWON broke new grounds by launching what was claimed to be the first industrial internet router. Serge Bassem, founder and CEO of eWON, explains: "In 2001, the industrial world commonly used modem technology to connect to remote machines and sites. Speaking about the use of the Internet in industrial applications was a challenge at that time." However, while the internet solved many problems with respect to the high cost of communications, reliability of communications and bandwidth, it also introduced greater complexity in terms of implementation and new security challenges.

Bassem adds: "In 2006, eWON launched Talk2M, the very first completely cloud-based connectivity service. Due to this solution, which satisfies the requirements for security and ease of installation, we blew away the last remaining obstacles to the large-scale adoption of the Internet for remote access in industry, particularly in the world of automation."

The multiple award-winning Talk2M resolves the issues of security, configuration and implementation, while still working with the existing firewalls that are installed to protect the company's networks from outside attacks. This provides a secure communication route via the internet between the user and the remote machine, without altering the computer network at either end. The technician making the remote connection can only access 'his own machine' and is therefore unable to enter the customer's local network.

Evolving communications technologies

Today, industry must cope with the constant, rapid development of communications technologies. Barely two years ago, the latest thing was 2G (GPRS), but now everybody is talking about 3G or even 4G (LTE). WiFi wireless technology is also now widespread throughout industry. This non-stop evolution of technologies goes against the grain in a cautious, conservative industrial world.

Bassem adds: "When a manufacturer approves and deploys a solution, it demands a continuity period of at least 10 years. The concept of flexibility is not new in industry. It is already widespread for PLCs, but this is a first for the router itself."

Universal communication

eWON Flexy provides a response both to the challenge of connecting remote sites in an environment where communications technologies are constantly changing, and the need for universal communication with diverse field devices such as PLCs, HMIs, IP cameras, energy meters and sensors, irrespective of the protocol they use.

The eWON Flexy router provides flexibility on several levels. First, the Flexy WAN expansion cards offer the user a great deal of flexibility in the choice of methods of connection to the Internet: LAN, RTC, WiFi, CDMA, 2G and 3G. In addition, the Flexy FIELD offers the user a wide range of cards to connect to site-based equipment; for example, a switch card with four Ethernet ports, a serial card with RS232/422/485 serial ports, and an MPI/ Profibus card. Finally, the eWON Flexy offers apps to enable users to create added-value services for Talk2M, such as data logging, notification of alarms, web HMI and Basic or Java programming.

Bassem concludes: "This flexibility highlights our great strength: compatibility. eWON works with many partners, each of which is developing its own type of PLC. This is why the connectivity of our routers to these API uses standard, open protocols, which already make connecting easier. Now, with Flexy, it will be easier than ever before."

Dave Hammond, Product Manager for Ethernet and Communications at MAC Solutions, comments: "The eWON Flexy router is the most flexible and most powerful industrial-grade VPN router in the world, offering users a very wide range of features and functions in a modular, expandable solution. In the UK, we expect the Flexy to further cement the market-leading position that is already enjoyed by the current range of eWON VPN Routers."

The eWON Flexy will be officially launched at the SPS IPC Drives 2013 trade exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 November 2013. Serge Bassem, CEO of eWON, will officially unveil the eWON Flexy at a presentation on the eWON stand (Hall 6, Stand 337) at 17:20 on both days.

In the UK, the eWON Flexy will be unveiled by MAC Solutions at an official launch event in Bury in February 2014. MAC Solutions will also be holding regional technical seminars in early 2014. Follow this link for more information about the eWON Flexy.