Kontron to offer Embedded Cloud from a Single Source

Augsburg, Germany, March 14, 2017 – Kontron, a leading global provider of Embedded Computing Technology (ECT), together with its partner companies S&T and Ennoconn will present a joint corporate strategy at embedded world trade show in Nuremberg, Germany. The goal of the partnership is to provide OEMs with an individual and coordinated product and service portfolio that enables them to offer their customers all tools necessary for future-proof Industry 4.0 and IIoT applications.

In IIOT and Industry 4.0 scenarios product and production data are aggregated creating relational insights. The challenge for companies here is combining data from very different sources such as CAD/product data, ERP systems and the shop floor in general. Under such circumstances, the applications of enterprise IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology/production environment) eventually merge. In Industry 4.0 application computers deployed on-premise form an embedded cloud. Real-time requirements and security considerations result in data storage processing on-site. Most computing tasks are therefore performed in an embedded cloud within the physical boundaries of the company.

An embedded cloud consists of devices with different performance levels interconnected via network:

• Industrial computer platforms for device control and gateway functions: systems such as the Kontron KBox A-202 or KBox A-103 with Intel Atom® class performance. They handle measurement and control tasks on-site. For these purposes, they typically use proprietary interfaces (analog and digital) to connect to on-site peripheral devices and sensors. These devices are connected to the embedded cloud via real-time data communication (e.g. via industrial Ethernet, TSN).
• High performance industrial computer platforms for edge and fog computing: with a typical performance of four to eight cores and a storage capacity of several terabytes (TB), systems such as the Kontron KBox C-102 series, ZINC19 family and, HPW 410 work station handle machine management including sophisticated vision systems with several GPUs.
• Cloud server: with a typical computing performance of 16+ cores and a storage capacity in the range of 100+ TB, systems such as the Kontron CC2800 High-density Cloud Storage Server handle supervisory data coordination for a whole site.

All equipment used outside the data center (i.e. somewhere on campus) must be suited for use in an industrial environment. In addition, the entire embedded cloud must have a thorough security concept.

Currently two types of companies are providing to the emerging field of embedded cloud applications: vendors of generic IT and automation technology providers. Both are only addressing part of the embedded cloud sphere.

Kontron in contrast, together with its partners Ennoconn and S&T, covers the whole range of products and requirements. From the embedded computer systems on the factory floor right up to the cloud servers of the IT world. It is an unique advantage because not only do customers benefit from an in-depth understanding of industrial requirements. This also helps overcome barriers between IT and OT departments that currently exist within many organizations. Now they have one single partner and supplier at hand who thoroughly understands the challenges and requirements of both sides, which can turn out to be a key success factor.

With its current product range, Kontron is already well equipped for the embedded cloud. When planning industrial 4.0 architectures, however, customers have expressed the clear need for an integrated, scalable and networked solution: the embedded server.

Kontron is working on an implementation of this concept that combines the computing and storage capacity of cloud servers (300+ cores and a storage capacity of 100+ TB) with the robustness of industrial servers (extended temperature range, shock and vibration resistance). At embedded world Kontron will showcase in Hall 1 / Booth 478 its first embedded server prototypes.

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Kontron at embedded world 2017:

Kontron will present numerous innovations at embedded world 2017 in Nuremberg. The Augsburg based Embedded expert will give visitors the opportunity to experience live its broad product portfolio at the Kontron stand in Hall 1, Booth 478. We are happy to arrange for individual meetings with Kontron experts on the current product portfolio and Embedded trends such as Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Embedded Security, and Embedded Computing in Industry 4.0 contexts. Please use kontron@vibrio.de or +49 89 32151 751 to schedule a meeting.

Kontron will host a press conference for media representatives with Kontron CEO Hannes Niederhauser in Room Lissabon (NCC Mitte, Level 1) at 5 p.m. on the first day of the event, March 14, 2017. Reserve your seat via kontron@vibrio.de or call us at +49 89 32151 751.

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• News about Kontron can also be found in the official Kontron blog

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About Kontron:

Kontron, a global leader in embedded computing technology and a pioneer in secure IoT platform solutions, provides a combined portfolio of hardware, middleware and services. With its leading-edge standard products and solution ready platforms, Kontron enables new technologies and applications across multiple industries. As a result, customers benefit from accelerated time-to-market, reduced total cost of ownership, product longevity and the best overall application with the highest reliability in embedded technology. Kontron is a listed company. Its shares are traded in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on other exchanges under the symbol “KBC”. For more information, please visit: www.kontron.com

For further information please contact:

Alexandra Habekost
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Kontron AG
Tel: +49 (0) 821 4086 114
alexandra.habekost@kontron.com

All rights reserved. Kontron is a trademark or registered trademark of Kontron AG. Intel Atom is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the US and other countries. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks or copyrights by their respective owners and are recognized.