Schneider Electric has signed a partnership with Marlink, which is an independent provider of satellite connectivity and ICT services, with the aim of extending access to the Internet of Things (IoT) for customers operating equipment and systems in remote and/or challenging locations.
To address the growing need for remote asset monitoring, both for environmental compliance and for the energy, mining, electric and industries’ offshore performance and safety, Schneider Electric has brought together its Modicon 221 logic controller and EcoStruxure platform with Marlink’s connectivity solutions.
Schneider Electric’s Modicon 221 logic controller remotely collects data on the state and condition of the infrastructure, which are then shared by satellite through the Marlink solution and finally retrieved by the Schneider Electric EcoStruxure solution. Users can connect via Marlink’s VSAT C-, Ku-, Ka- and L-band or cellular services to benefit from improved visibility on the activity and condition of their assets while programming their maintenance operations and updates, thus ensuring the critical systems reach their highest operating times possible. This allows users to extend their equipment’s and systems’ capabilities and efficiency from anywhere in the world, Schneider Electric said.
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure cloud-based solution allows users to make operations safer by providing access to dangerous or potentially dangerous areas, like supply cylinders or other enclosed spaces. While the EcoStruxure software suite enables users to connect operational technology (OT) with the latest IT solutions, Schneider Electric and Marlink also plan to offer this service worldwide through the Marlink network.
“We are very proud of this partnership showcasing innovation. Marlink and Schneider Electric share a common goal: to increase the uptime and operating time of assets belonging to our customers in the offshore, utilities, energy, and mining sectors. The current crisis clearly demonstrated the increased need to work remotely and safely. In this respect, this collaboration is a positive advantage that will help generate value for our customers while lowering their costs”, said Alexandre de Luca, president of Marlink Enterprise.
“We are happy to see Schneider Electric and Marlink join forces. Indeed, our customers require not only relevant equipment and sturdy applications to collect critical data, but also connectivity with the lowest lag time and greatest global scope. Through this partnership with Marlink, we are able to provide on our platform data linkage between Edge Control and our applications, thus extending digital coverage for our customers in the utilities, mining, and energy sectors to areas currently lacking reliable terrestrial networks”, said Emmanuel Pohyer, sales manager system France and North Africa, at Schneider Electric.
