Rockwell Automation has unveiled new capabilities in the latest release of its industrial IoT FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, including automated IT/OT integration, simplified edge-to-cloud analytics and machine learning, and scalable digital threads. Following the acquisition of Kalypso, the company has expanded its consultancy service offerings around FactoryTalk.

Launched in 2018, InnovationSuite has been implemented in automotive, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals companies across 21 countries.

The suite incorporates PTC technology, and the two companies recently announced they are expanding the scope of their alliance following ‘strong market momentum’.

FactoryTalk InnovationSuite is a digital transformation software suite that offers integrated industrial Internet of Things, edge-to-cloud analytics, manufacturing execution system (MES), and augmented reality (AR) capabilities. InnovationSuite is designed to simplify development and deployment of industrial IoT applications.

The recently announced FactoryTalk Edge Gateway enhances OT data fidelity with rich contextualisation using the Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Smart Object capability, and applies it to a configurable data model that can be mapped to IT applications for use with enterprise systems.

The company recently expanded its relationship with Microsoft, integrating Rockwell’s data model with PTC’s ThingWorx IIoT Solutions Platform and Microsoft Azure IoT Hub.

With the acquisition of ASEM by Rockwell Automation, the company is now offering a broader portfolio of industrial edge hardware and software options.

FactoryTalk Analytics now provides a more comprehensive array of simplified data science capabilities for multiple personas — process engineers, data scientists, and citizen data scientists — and reduces analytics data preparation effort by up to 70%. New capabilities include end-to-end data orchestration with visual data modelling, open-stack connectivity, pre-built analytical templates, and self-service model deployment.

“The need for digital transformation has increased significantly as our customers accelerate innovation, maximise workforce productivity, and optimise operations,” said Arvind Rao, director of product management at Rockwell Automation. “These new capabilities combined with our industry-leading partner ecosystem helps us extend our technology and solutions leadership, meeting our customers’ needs for simplicity, scale, and domain expertise.”

“We are pleased to be collaborating with the Rockwell Automation team on the next generation of our InnovationSuite offering,” said Don Busiek, senior vice president, strategic alliances, PTC. “As we help organisations realign their digital transformation goals to combat the current macroeconomic environment, we are confident that InnovationSuite offers the most comprehensive and effective way to optimise their people, products, and processes – empowering manufacturers to embrace their new normal.”