Getting data from the field

Data acquisition is one of the most challenging aspects of any solution. The validity and usefulness of all applications depend on the timeliness, accuracy, and authenticity of the data that fuels them. Given both brownfield and greenfield scenarios, lack of standardization, multiple system integrators, and the heavy usage of OEM-specific proprietary protocols, there have been many complex additions to the data acquisition problem.

OEMs have been reluctant to open data ports, beginning with the guarded ecosystems, sighting security, and warranty issues. This can prove to be a bottleneck for accessing critical operational data. Usually, production lines are revamped one at a time over the years, implying that there might be multiple generations of machines from one or multiple vendors working on evolved and legacy protocols. This results in a completely heterogeneous ecosystem. So, there cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution in many of these cases.

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