German Edge Cloud (GEC) is collaborating with Red Hat to build innovative solutions to meet factories’ growing demands for transparency, track-and-trace, and energy monitoring. GEC’s software modules form part of the ONCITE Digital Production System (DPS) technology and digitisation platform based on Red Hat OpenShift, the industry’s leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes. This combination enables scalable hybrid cloud deployment and, specifically, a highly secure, fully isolated, on-premises solution for protecting sensitive data and processes.
Enhanced security standards for critical data and processes
Data and processes are becoming increasingly critical – especially in production – making it essential to protect them effectively. Robust solutions that meet the highest safety standards are therefore indispensable. The ONCITE DPS provides a cloud-native infrastructure for industrial environments operated in isolated networks on site. Organizations retain complete control and sovereignty over its sensitive data by eliminating direct connections to the public cloud or the public internet altogether.
Nowadays, scalability is just as crucial as security. Companies have to be able to respond quickly to changing demands without jeopardising their systems. ONCITE DPS allows a so-called “air-gapped” installation based on the flexible and scalable foundation of Red Hat OpenShift. This allows systems to be installed and operated in a strictly isolated and security-optimised environment, ideal for applications where data protection and process safety are the highest priorities.
GEC provides customers with a complete installation package (on a physical data carrier) with every configuration parameter, merely supplemented on site with customer-specific information such as IP addresses, host names or certificates. This cuts the required effort considerably and helps minimise complexity thanks to the straightforward documentation.
Successfully in use in the industry
The ONCITE DPS based on Red Hat OpenShift has proven to be a highly secure and flexible solution in multiple industrial use cases. Thanks to the locally processed data and the fully isolated on-premises solution, sensitive production data is better protected and contained to the client's premises.
“Red Hat OpenShift provides a robust, scalable platform for critical data and production processes. By enabling GEC’s ONCITE DPS solution on Red Hat OpenShift, we are providing manufacturers with greater transparency when deploying mission-critical workloads on the shop floor .”
Kelly Switt, senior director, Intelligent Edge Global Business Development Lead, Red Hat
One example: Within its Digital Suite, plant constructor Schuler offers a track-and-trace solution for press shops based on the technology from German Edge Cloud. This comprehensive solution is employed, among other places, in the Smart Press Shop, a joint venture between Schuler and Porsche. The result is more seamless traceability along the entire supply chain – and complete data sovereignty.
ONCITE DPS also offers companies invaluable insights into energy monitoring. Multiple manufacturing companies are already analysing and optimising their energy consumption. They use energy monitoring to visualise energy behaviour and reduce peak loads.
GEC also offers practical Industrial AI solutions. For example, the “Visual Inspection” function supports real-time quality assurance checks, with up to 40 per cent fewer rejects. GEC also offers an intuitive generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) assistant that guides assembly workers through their tasks, reducing their workload as they no longer have to laboriously leaf through assembly instructions, which can lead to errors and cost time. Now, core tasks can be given full attention.
These and other use cases enable the monitoring and optimising of production processes without needing sensitive data to leave the premises.
The benefits:
- Optimized security: Data is better protected within the company, thanks to fully air-gapped environments without any internet connection.
- Faster commissioning: Less effort is needed for integration and configuration, which saves time and resources and allows the company to focus on its core processes.
- Scalability and flexibility: Support for commercial off-the-shelf hardware and standardised installations. This means greater flexibility for businesses regarding their choice of infrastructure.
- Fewer risks: ONCITE DPS minimises potential security leaks by automating processes and minimising manual intervention.
With ONCITE DPS, based on Red Hat OpenShift, it is now more straightforward to implement and securely operate software solutions for critical data processing and process control. Less complex IT means faster project implementation and more efficient maintenance, an obvious advantage favouring companies’ future proof operations.
At the SPS, interested parties can visit the Red Hat booth in Hall 5, booth 138 to discover more about the benefits of ONCITE DPS. More details about Red Hat at SPS is available on the Red Hat website.
