Connecting Automation Systems to the IoT via HMIs

Machine builders are connecting their automation systems to the Internet of Things (IoT), and many Human Machine Interface (HMI) software solutions enable IoT connectivity in a variety of ways. Whether IoT implementations are via a local network or a private, hybrid, or public cloud, proper security is critical, as is the selection of the right HMI software.

HMI software has evolved in form, capabilities, characteristics, expectations, and purpose. While providing a graphical interface for local operators and the process are the leading HMI requirements, modern HMI software based on open standards goes way beyond this basic functionality to provide many other features.

Smart HMI Features

A modern HMI can be either embedded or PC-based. An embedded HMI runs on a dedicated platform powered by an operating system such as Windows Embedded or Linux, while a PC-based typically HMI runs on a full-featured Windows operating system. PC-based HMIs are more powerful and more expensive, while embedded HMIs often provide sufficient capability, and are always lower in cost and simpler to setup and maintain. With either type of HMI, functionality beyond simple operator interface can transform it into a smart HMI.

Smart HMIs have open architectures enabling use of a variety of off-the-shelf hardware and software. They work with a variety of operating systems, and allow use of open technologies, such as ActiveX, Extensible Markup Language (XML), and .NET to visualize documentation and videos, and to listen to audio messages. The ability to open, edit, and save spreadsheets, documents and Adobe files is another feature of open architecture HMIs.