The adoption of industrial edge technology is, without doubt, one of the most significant shifts we have seen in automation in recent years.
We are moving away from the traditional, centralized control system model, where everything depends on a central PLC or SCADA system, to something much more distributed, responsive, and intelligent.
With edge computing, we now have the ability to process data directly where it is generated, on the machine, at the edge of the network. It means we are no longer forced to send data up to the cloud, wait for it to be processed, and then send commands back down. Decisions can now be taken instantly, on-site, and in real time, and this has a huge impact on how control systems are set up.
We are seeing architectures become more decentralized: edge devices take on real decision-making roles, not just passive data collection. They can monitor performance, detect anomalies, trigger alarms, even optimize processes locally, without relying on a central system. That makes production setups more resilient and much faster to adapt.
Another important shift is that control logic is becoming software defined. With modern platforms, like for example our CEM – Corvina Edge Manager, you can push updates, deploy new features, or run machine learning models without touching the hardware. It is a move towards more flexible, modular automation systems, and that’s something we believe in strongly at our group.
In addition, we are seeing a growing convergence of IT and OT.
Edge devices now have the power to handle both real-time control and data analytics, which makes it much easier to integrate operations with business systems. That opens up new opportunities for efficiency, traceability, and smarter decision-making across the entire value chain.
At Exor International and Corvina, we have embraced this evolution by designing our edge solutions, like our eX700M Series and the CORVINA IIoT Platform, to unify control, connectivity, and visualization in a single environment. The idea is to simplify architectures while giving users the flexibility and power they need to innovate safely and securely.
In short, edge technology is not just a new layer in architecture, I see it as a new mindset. It is about enabling faster, smarter, and more adaptive control systems that are ready for the challenges of modern industry.
