A new Linux project, called ‘EdgeX’, seeks to create a free and open framework for companies to make easier use of the Internet of Things.
According to the Linux Foundation, EdgeX is an open-source project which enables many businesses, to work together. The aim is to create a free and open architecture for the Internet of Things (IoT), and to develop reusable components.
By creating standardised software, as opposed to various proprietary offerings, EdgeX hopes to make the implementation of IoT technology far easier and less daunting for hardware and component manufacturers, independent software providers and end-users.
IoT technologies are already helping companies to significantly reduce their costs and to increase productivity and business growth due to the possibilities offered by gathering and analysing data in real-time.
The current fragmentation and juxtaposition of different non-compatible software solutions hinders potential business growth. Solutions based on EdgeX aim to solve these technical barriers.
EdgeX will be, per EdgeX Foundry, an open framework, which can be extended and adapted by any company that participates in the project. And, the systems will be running on any hardware and software. The focus will be on interoperability, so the different developed and offered system components can be implemented easily into one system.
Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux foundation, commented: “The IoT success depends mainly on a healthy ecosystem, which enables interoperability and promotes the digital transformation.”
According to a Gartner study, there will be more than 20 billion connected devices worldwide by 2022, including computers, smart devices, control systems and sensors – all of which play an increasingly vital role in a manufacturer’s daily operations.
Through the EdgeX platform, the data will be collected, processed, and transferred to a stationary computing unit, where it will be analysed. In this way, obtained results can be used to optimise production processes.
The Manufacturer Smart Factory Expo
Nov 15-16, 2017 – Exhibition Centre Liverpool
The UK’s biggest showcase for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) – a revolution in manufacturng agility, innovation and thinking.
Highlighting the best solution providers and technology offerings, this unique FREE event is for manufacturing business leaders keen to adopt the relevant tools and knowledge to drive business growth.
New for 2017:
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- Mentor Clinics – find the answers to your questions
- Innovation Alley – growing the expo ecosystem with hardware start-ups
