Belden launches new solution capabilities for discrete manufacturing

Belden, a global provider of network infrastructure and digitalisation solutions, has introduced revolutionary network and data capabilities tailored for the discrete manufacturing sector. These initial offerings – network resilience, edge computing, and data interoperability – are facilitated through Belden Horizon, a comprehensive platform integrating hardware, software, and services.

These capabilities serve as the foundational elements of Belden’s solution-oriented approach, addressing customers’ needs through insightful dialogue and delivering desired outcomes. For manufacturers in the consumer-packaged goods and automotive (discrete) sectors, this entails facilitating their digitisation endeavours to unlock the efficiency and insights promised by the shift to Industry 4.0.

In today’s manufacturing landscape, production lines generate substantial data from interconnected operational technology (OT) devices. By modernising their network infrastructures and data operations, discrete manufacturers can gather and interpret this valuable data, driving productivity enhancements and revenue growth.

Belden offers solutions to connect every aspect of the plant – from machines and personnel to processes and robots. By swiftly and securely collecting and analysing crucial performance data at the edge, Belden’s solutions transform data into actionable insights, enabling better operational decisions and improved financial performance.

Belden’s latest capabilities address common challenges faced by discrete manufacturers, allowing them to reduce unplanned downtime, implement real-time analytics, and overcome data silos:

• Network resilience: Belden’s solutions enhance network resilience and production uptime by connecting all machinery and assets to the network, eliminating blind spots and ensuring dedicated bandwidth – without necessitating the replacement of existing technology. Manufacturers can safeguard networks from traffic surges and cybersecurity threats, establish network redundancy to maintain reliable service, and prioritise critical applications
• Edge computing: By facilitating data processing in close proximity to the machinery, equipment, and devices generating it, Belden’s solutions empower personnel to access, analyse, and address local issues more swiftly, while minimising data transfer to the cloud. Edge computing enables manufacturers to retain sensitive data on-site while facilitating real-time data analysis and network performance monitoring to swiftly identify, prioritise, and resolve unexpected issues
• Data interoperability: Seamlessly convert and bring together data from various sources, formats, protocols, and locations to support applications and analytics for informed decision-making. Belden’s solutions translate previously incompatible proprietary protocols into a common language to unify OT data and derive deeper insights

“A long-recognised leader in the industrial space, Belden’s portfolio extends beyond our traditional cables, switches and routers to provide network and data solutions to our customers,” said Vinod Rana, Vice President Global Products and Solutions, Industrial Automation Solutions. “With the launch of our new capabilities for discrete manufacturers, we’re addressing the realities of digital transformation and Industry 4.0 – the need to connect and secure more devices and equipment, extract more data, and put data to meaningful use. By helping manufacturers build more resilient networks, harness the power of edge computing, and unify and convert data, we’re enabling them to create a robust network backbone that satisfies today’s requirements while scaling for tomorrow’s ambitions.”

There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.