Digitalization is providing a whole new range of possibilities for the manufacturing industry. In the past, a flashing red light was used to indicate a problem with a machine. Today, new communication possibilities allow for IT monitoring systems to integrate production machines and facilities into centralized monitoring environments, thereby expanding upon or replacing the flashing red light with modern tools such as SMSs, email, push notifications, or connections to ticketing and alerting systems. However, this integration is contingent upon two things:
Siemens Simatic S7 PLCs are among the most widely used controllers in industrial environments, where they are more or less considered a standard. S7 controllers collect a great deal of data directly from machines. Thanks to the collaboration between Paessler and Softing, it is now extremely easy to integrate Siemens S7 devices (and thus large parts of production) into a centralized condition monitoring system.
Softing provides the basis for data exchange and automation in OT environments with its gateways and OPC Suite. Siemens Simatic S7 controllers are easy to integrate via the interface of the Softing gateways. The data to be queried is simply selected via a graphical interface.
The Paessler PRTG monitoring tool is compatible with OPC UA, which means it can also be easily integrated with the Softing gateways. The data selected from the S7 controllers is transferred via secure OPC UA through firewalls from the Softing gateways (or OPC Suite) to PRTG, where it is displayed as sensors. Threshold values can be defined in PRTG which, when exceeded, trigger the sending of alerts and notifications (SMS, email, etc.) to the designated recipients. At the same time, the collected data is displayed in easy-to-read graphs or published as reports.
The PRTG Maps feature allows for the straightforward creation of HTML-based maps which, among other things, pinpoint the location of the monitored machines on a map of the building. With just one PRTG installation, it’s possible to monitor multiple locations and IT/OT environments, as well as building technology and environmental sensor systems. As a result, distributed production facilities, data centers, office buildings, and IT infrastructures and networks can be consolidated in a single overview.
Example: temperature and humidity sensors in production areas, as well as security cameras and door-locking systems, can be included in the centralized monitoring environment. When it comes to IT, data paths are also monitored such that transmission delays can be immediately attributed to the IT/OT network or the machine.
This facilitates troubleshooting in the event of malfunctions and is a basic prerequisite for successful digitalization.
Monitor Siemens Simatic PLCs with Paessler PRTG and Softing
Quick and easy setup of condition monitoring – ideal when retrofitting older production plants
Centralized overview of production, building technology, and IT
Significant reduction in response times to malfunctions in production
Since 1997, we offer monitoring solutions for businesses across all industries and all sizes, from SMB to large enterprises. Today, more than 500,000 users in over 170 countries rely on PRTG and other Paessler solutions to monitor their complex IT, OT and IoT infrastructures. We believe monitoring plays a vital part in reducing humankind's consumption of resources. Our products help our customers optimize their IT, OT and IoT infrastructures, and reduce their energy consumption or emissions – for our future and our environment.
Softing Industrial links automation components to collect data from the production environment for control tasks and further analysis both locally and in the cloud. Its products allow for the monitoring and diagnosis of technical communication networks and therefore ensure a reliable flow of data. In this way, they form the basis for production optimization.
