Need to Speed Up OPC UA Development? Use a Framework

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Developers who want to put OPC UA on an embedded device typically use an SDK (Sofware Development Kit) to speed up the project. Although an SDK can be helpful, using one to build an OPC UA server is still a big task, typically taking 12 to 18 months for an expert in OPC. Thankfully, there is another approach—use a framework. This article explains the three main advantages of using a framework:

  1. It resolves protocol blocking, a challenging obstacle to development .
  2. It can convert the OPC UA to the protocol the device may be using.
  3. You don’t need to learn OPC UA.

Using a framework (like the one provided by Skkynet’s ETK) allows a developer to bridge between the application logic and the OPC UA protocol and speed up development time.

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The Kaspersky Report: It’s Not Really About OPC UA

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Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, recently ran a commentary on a new report from Kaspersky Labs about OPC UA. The Kaspersky report identified 17 critical security flaws in OPC UA software. But although the Kaspersky methodology may be sound, the commentary in Automation.com suggested caution in drawing conclusions.

It turns out that the flaws noted by Kaspersky were simply because an OPC UA must listen for connections on a network, just like any other server on a TCP/IP network. The real problem is deeper, according to the commentary. Put simply, the standard approach to industrial data communications is not suitable for untrusted networks like the Internet. A better solution is not to allow any inbound connections at all.

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Pairing OPC UA with a Good IIoT Protocol

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Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, recently ran an article on the value of pairing OPC UA with a good IIoT protocol like DHTP. The article discusses how OPC UA was initially expected to serve as an IIoT protocol, but more recently the trend seems to be towards using OPC UA at the plant level only. Other protocols, such as MQTT and AMQP are being offered as candidates for connecting outside the plant, but they are not ideally suited to IIoT. This article explains why, and introduces 9 criteria for good IIoT data communication.

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Skkynet Embarks on Market Entry Program in East Asia

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Wavefront Global Market Entry Program helps bring Skkynet’s Industrial IoT and Industrie 4.0 solutions to industry leaders in Taiwan and Japan.

Mississauga, Ontario, December 12, 2017 – Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (“Skkynet” or “the Company”) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, is pleased to report that Skkynet was part of the Wavefront Global Market Entry Program, Taiwan & Japan 2017, from November 26 through December 1.  The trip included networking receptions and one-on-one meetings with high level decision makers in key Industrial IoT and Industrie 4.0 associations and industries in Taipei, Osaka, and Tokyo, as well as attending the System Control Fair & Measurement Control Show (SCF 2017) in Tokyo.

“Wavefront opened some valuable opportunities by connecting us to the right people at the appropriate level for each company we visited,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet.  “Both Japan and Taiwan are actively pursuing Industrie 4.0 and Industrial IoT initiatives, and these executives and leaders of thought expressed a keen interest in our end-to-end SaaS for real-time data that is secure by design.”

“Skkynet’s innovative technology and proven solutions for smart manufacturing, IoT, and embedded systems perfectly address the growing needs of industry in Taiwan and Japan,” said Geoff Ledingham, Manager, Global Services at Wavefront. “We were pleased to assist them in entering these markets at just the right time.”

Skkynet’s delegation demonstrated how their software-based solutions allow industrial and embedded systems to securely network live data in real time from any location. These solutions include enabling bidirectional supervisory control, integration and sharing of data with multiple users, and real-time access to selected data sets in a web browser, either on-site or remotely over insecure networks such as the Internet.

“In less than a week we met a wide range of people, and were able to share our vision of the most reliable way to implement Industrial IoT to solve real-world problems,” said Thomas.  “Pretty much everyone we talked to was open to considering new methods for high-speed data integration and secure remote access, to gain advantage in the coming era of Industrie 4.0 and Industrial IoT applications.”

Skkynet’s DataHub middleware, SkkyHub service, and ETK provide secure access to industrial data, allowing users to fully integrate OT (operations technology) with IT systems and other applications anywhere in the world. Secure by design, it requires no VPN, no open firewall ports, no special programming, and no additional hardware. Secure integration of embedded devices, on-premise systems, and remote locations through seamless, end-to-end connectivity in real time lets users derive maximum value from Industrial IoT and Industrie 4.0.

About Wavefront

Wavefront is Canada’s leader in transforming business through mobile and IoT innovation. It is a centre for commercialization for companies in the wireless and IoT technologies space. Wavefront’s vision is to build a globally relevant, nationally connected ecosystem that delivers digital capacity, competitiveness and prosperity for Canadians.

About Skkynet

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub™ service, DataHub®, WebView™, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynet’s platform is uniquely positioned for the “Internet of Things” and “Industry 4.0” because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design. For more information, see https://skkynet.com.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Skkynet Technology Soon Available in iBRESS Cloud by BellChild

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Japanese systems integration company, BellChild, will use Skkynet’s SkkyHub technology in its new iBRESS Cloud service, available next month.

Mississauga, Ontario, November 8, 2017 – Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (“Skkynet” or “the Company”) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, is pleased to announce that starting December 1, 2017, BellChild Ltd. of Osaka, Japan will be offering iBRESS Cloud service that will be powered by Skkynet’s SkkyHub technology. This service will provide secure, real-time, bidirectional communications for Industrie 4.0 and Industrial IoT applications without opening any firewall ports, and without using any VPN.

“The iBRESS Cloud is an ideal fit for Japan’s well-established industrial base, and for the rest of Asia,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet. “BellChild has a solid reputation for providing secure data communication services, and the iBRESS Cloud technology has been designed to provide the kind of secure, high-speed service that remote connections to industrial systems demand.”

Users of iBRESS Cloud will be able to securely connect industrial plants, machines, or individual sensors and actuators to a complete Industrie 4.0 or IIoT system.  BellChild customers will thus be able to monitor and control their industrial processes in real time, from a web page or mobile phone, as well as log data directly to any database or Big Data repository.  The service requires no programming, and allows users to seamlessly integrate existing systems using standard protocols, while incrementally adding Industrie 4.0 or IIoT capability as needed.

The basis for the iBRESS and SkkyHub services is Skkynet’s patented technology for secure, outbound-only connections, making it fully compatible with corporate IT policies, and ensuring no exposed attack surface – no open firewall ports, no VPN, and no extra hardware.  It provides Industrie 4.0 and IIoT connectivity at in-plant networking speeds of microseconds over network latency, and processes up to 50,000+ data changes per second.

About BellChild

BellChild is a system integration company focusing on secure system development, robust infrastructure development, and advanced operations capabilities.  The company develops and maintains secure servers used to support high-speed financial transactions, which is also used to provide a robust and secure platform to support industrial cloud-based systems in the form of iBRESS™ Cloud service.  For more information, see http://www.bell-c.co.jp/.

About Skkynet

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub™ service, DataHub®, WebView™, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynet’s platform is uniquely positioned for the “Internet of Things” and “Industry 4.0” because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design. For more information, see https://skkynet.com.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Skkynet Powers Industrial IoT Connectivity with Renesas RZ/N1D Microprocessor

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Multiple industrial protocols available on the RZ/N1D microprocessor from Renesas will link directly to the SkkyHub IIoT service.

Mississauga, Ontario, October 25, 2017 – Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (“Skkynet” or “the Company”) (OTCQB: SKKY), a global leader in real-time cloud information systems, is pleased to announce that Skkynet’s ETK (Embedded Toolkit) for the Renesas RZ/N1D Arm®-based microprocessor (MPU) will support the C2C Industrial Network Protocol Stack to provide a secure, real-time gateway for industrial protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, CANopen, and OPC UA to the Industrial IoT.  This hardware and software combination is being showcased at Arm® TechCon, October 25 – 26 in Santa Clara, CA.

“Plant engineers and system integrators can connect their mission-critical plant automation systems to the Industrial IoT with no loss of performance or security,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet. “Connecting the RZ/N1D to the Cogent DataHub running in the plant, or to SkkyHub running on the cloud, provides seamless and secure access to plant data from anywhere in the world.”

“The Renesas RZ/N1D real-time IIoT gateway shifts the focus from IT data models to the real-time requirements of dedicated machine control systems,” said Wil Florentino, Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Industrial Automation Segment at Renesas Electronics America.  “This demo shows secure, real-time, end-to-end connectivity from a factory floor system up to enterprise clients to provide real-time, on-premise and cloud connectivity.”

The RZ/N1D is a scalable and proven ARM®-based microprocessor that can be used in a variety of applications with the Cortex®-A7 Dual core and a high-speed, high-capacity memory interface.  A built-in, connected Cortex®-M3 processor will provide an Industrial Network Protocol Stack with support for Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet, and CANopen industrial protocols.  The RZ/N1D implements up to five Ethernet ports and the latest redundancy protocol, so it is optimized especially for industrial network equipment such as PLCs and network switches.

The Skkynet Embedded Toolkit (ETK) allows embedded devices to make a secure connection to OPC UA clients, the Cogent DataHub, or SkkyHub.  The Cogent DataHub fully integrates OPC UA and other industrial protocols to support OPC networking, OPC server-server bridging, aggregation, data logging, redundancy, and web-based HMI. Skkynet’s SkkyHub service connects to the ETK and the Cogent DataHub to securely network live data in real time from any location. It enables bidirectional IoT-based supervisory control, integration and sharing of data with multiple users. Secure by design, the service requires no VPN, no open firewall ports, no special programming, and no additional hardware.

About Skkynet

Skkynet Cloud Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: SKKY) is a global leader in real-time cloud information systems. The Skkynet Connected Systems platform includes the award-winning SkkyHub™ service, DataHub®, WebView™, and Embedded Toolkit (ETK) software. The platform enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required. Skkynet’s platform is uniquely positioned for the “Internet of Things” and “Industry 4.0” because unlike the traditional approach for networked systems, SkkyHub is secure-by-design. For more information, see https://skkynet.com.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, and results of new business opportunities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, such as the inherent uncertainties associated with new business opportunities and development stage companies. Skkynet assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements. Although Skkynet believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Skkynet’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.