Every successful project starts with a framework. A vision statement. A blueprint. The staff of Engineered Systems is proud to present The Blueprint — a monthly Q&A interview with HVACR engineering’s leading voices. These one-on-one discussions examine the trade’s history, current industry trends, the factors shaping the sector’s future, and more.

Richard Theron, product line manager, MSA Safety, recently conducted a webinar in conjunction with Engineered Systems. In this webinar, titled “How to Capitalize on Edge Computing,” and this month’s Blueprint Q&A, he defines edge computing, discusses its cost and usefulness, explores applicable applications, and more.

Engineered Systems: How do we determine what cloud data is meaningful?

Theron: To determine what data is meaningful, we need meta data. If a temperature holds a value of 78°, what does that mean? Is it Fahrenheit or Centigrade? What room is it in? What building? There’s a lot of meta data attached to that one reading. We then have to ensure the end user can quickly and easily understand the data that is presented.

Engineered Systems: Can you give an example of an application that would be a great use of edge devices?

Theron: A generator set is a perfect example. They can be monitored to ensure they’re meeting market demands for high-value assets. These items are expensive, and they need to be maintained. Because, when they’re needed, they need to kick in, and we need to ensure they’re available when required. But, to ensure they’re running appropriately, they need to be maintained.

Another example could be boilers or chillers. When it comes to critical assets, these are great examples. It could be in factories, production lines, critical operations, etc. Think of a boiler in a hospital. If that boiler goes down, what are the repercussions? So, how do we prevent that? We need industry specialists looking after these items, ensuring they're running efficiently. Air filtration is another great application. We must ensure the air is moving, and filtration is adequate. Especially with people returning to offices and campuses, they want to know that these establishments are safe. Filtration systems can be connected to edge device so they can be closely monitored by the relevant personnel.

Engineered Systems: How do we ensure edge devices do not pose a cybersecurity threat to the network?

Theron: One of the best ways to avoid a cybersecurity threat is to ensure you meet and follow standards, like ISO 27001. It’s also important to execute penetration testing periodically.

Read the entire interview on Engineered Systems’ website.

ON THE INTERNET