ASEM Industrial Computers and Monitors Webinar

Securing the OT Environment with ASEM Industrial Computers. 

Routeco Know How 

This webinar was delivered by two members of our automation and software product sales specialists, Chris Coe and Janakson Micheles. Together, they have over 40 years of experience so are perfectly placed to support purchasing decisions.

Bridging IT and OT in modern manufacturing

In industrial automation, computing strategies are broadly split into two environments:

• IT (Information Technology): Focused on the management and operation of business systems.
• OT (Operational Technology): Focused on the management and operation of production systems.

As part of the ongoing IT/OT convergence, the data collected from the factory floor is more critical than ever. Manufacturing data is fast becoming enterprise data, requiring robust infrastructure that can bridge the two worlds reliably.

The role and risks of Industrial PCs in OT

Industrial computers are critical assets on the plant floor. Because of the essential functions they perform, an industrial PC (IPC) failure can result in catastrophic production downtime.

Operating in an OT environment presents unique engineering challenges, including:

• Environmental hazards: Airborne particles, dust, and chemical contaminants.
• Thermal stress: Extreme and fluctuating operating temperatures.
• Physical stress: Continuous vibration and shock from heavy machinery.

To minimise downtime, industrial PCs must be exceptionally robust, resilient, and engineered specifically for harsh environments.

ASEM overview 

With over 30 years of experience building industrial PCs, annual sales of $6.7 billion across more than 80 countries, and as a part of Rockwell Automation, ASEM delivers heavy-duty computing solutions designed for the toughest industrial spaces.

Key highlights of the ASEM IPC portfolio include:

• Maintenance-Free Design: Fanless operation and solid-state storage minimize mechanical wear and tear.
• Rugged Reliability: High resistance to temperature extremes, shock, and vibration, alongside high Ingress Protection (IP) ratings.
• Comprehensive Support: Backed by a standard 3-year warranty.
• High Configurability: Highly customisable to specific use cases, with optional unbranded labelling available
• Component Shortage Resilience: Engineered with supply chain stability in mind.

The ASEM product portfolio 

ASEM offers a comprehensive, highly configurable family of hardware designed to fit any application architecture:

• Panel PCs & Monitors: Available in various sizes and frame styles, featuring single-touch (optimised for gloved operation) and multi-touch capabilities.
• Box PCs: Compact, powerful processing units built for heavy-duty industrial tasks.
• On-Machine & Thin Clients: Ideal for distributed architectures.
• Specialist Form Factors: Includes ATEX-rated machines for hazardous explosive atmospheres, plus power and mounting solutions tailored for food-grade environments.

Server, Edge Computing, and Software Integration

Modern industrial architectures deploy industrial computers in diverse ways to optimise data flow:

1. Edge Computing & FactoryTalk Optix

An edge device sits between the plant floor and higher-level servers (on-premises or cloud) to push data bidirectionally. Running software like FactoryTalk Optix, an edge solution allows data to be buffered locally. It collects data from multi-vendor control systems across multiple communication protocols, organising and timestamping it before sharing it with the wider enterprise.

2. Centralised Management with ThinManager

ThinManager transforms how operators interact with plant floor systems:

• Enables remote workstations to mirror various server instances securely.
• Restricts users to specific authorised programs rather than giving open access to the entire desktop.
• Integrates alternative sources, such as VNC streams from HMI terminals or live CCTV/camera feeds.

3. Power Protection with ASEM UPS

The Rockwell Automation Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) protects up to two connected devices, providing up to 240W of nominal power for roughly 5 minutes. In the event of a voltage drop or power failure, the UPS stabilizes power to keep operations running, or safely executes an automated, controlled shutdown of the PC to prevent data corruption.

4. Built-In Secure Remote Access

Every ASEM IPC includes a pre-installed license for FactoryTalk Remote Access Basic Runtime, allowing engineers to securely troubleshoot and maintain systems from anywhere.