For decades, PLCs and HMIs have been the backbone of industrial automation. They remain critical: HMIs still represent the trusted “face of the machine,” enabling operators to control processes with clarity and reliability. But the evolution of connected industry is creating new requirements.
Manufacturers need real-time analytics, secure connectivity, and flexible computing power directly at the machine level. This is where Industrial PCs (IPCs) are becoming essential.
Global demand for edge computing
The numbers confirm the shift.
- The industrial PC market was valued at USD 5.42 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 7.75 billion by 2033 (IMARC Group).
- The broader industrial edge market reached USD 21.29 billion in 2024 and is expected to nearly double by 2030, with a CAGR of 13.4% (Grand View Research).
This momentum shows that a cloud-only strategy is no longer sufficient. Latency, bandwidth costs, data sovereignty, and security requirements push decision-making closer to the machines. IPCs provide the computing foundation that makes the industrial edge both practical and scalable.
Why IPCs matter in edge architectures
The following are the main benefits of IPCs in edge architectures:- Real-time decision-making
- Rugged reliability
- Flexibility and scalability
- Security at the edge
- Bridging legacy and new systems
Unlike consumer-grade devices, Industrial PCs are purpose-built for automation environments. They combine the power of a server with the robustness of industrial hardware. That means they can process large volumes of data locally, in real time, while operating reliably in environments with vibration, dust, and temperature extremes.
Another key factor is flexibility. IPCs can be configured to support anything from lightweight monitoring to compute-intensive workloads like artificial intelligence or advanced visualization. They also act as bridges between legacy PLCs and modern platforms, translating protocols and ensuring seamless data flow. And as IT and OT converge, IPCs increasingly integrate features such as TPM chips, secure boot, and hardened operating systems, becoming a secure foundation for edge deployments.
IPCs and HMIs: complementary roles
At EXOR International , we do not see IPCs as a replacement for HMIs, but as a complement. The HMI continues to serve as the operator’s intuitive interface, optimized for clarity, responsiveness, and everyday use. The IPC, on the other hand, provides the computational power needed to run advanced applications, from SCADA and MES-light to machine learning at the edge.
In many cases, the two work side by side. And with Panel IPCs, which combine visualization and processing power in a single device, the boundary between HMI and IPC becomes even more fluid, offering the best of both worlds in one platform.
Introducing Xedge: Exor’s IPC series for the industrial edge
To meet this growing demand, Exor has developed the Xedge Series, a new series of Industrial PCs designed specifically for the edge of industrial operations.
Xedge combines rugged construction and long lifecycle support with modular configurations that allow customers to tailor CPU, memory, and I/O resources to their needs. It is built with security in mind, aligned to IEC 62443 practices, and designed to run complex workloads, from real-time analytics to containerized applications, directly on the shop floor. Most importantly, it integrates seamlessly with Exor’s broader ecosystem, from HMIs and controllers to the Corvina IIoT platform, providing a unified environment for control, visualization, and connectivity.
Final thought
The industrial edge is rapidly becoming the place where efficiency, resilience, and intelligence converge.
In this context, IPCs are no longer optional, they are essential.
With the Xedge Series, Exor International introduces a new generation of Industrial PCs that extend the value of our HMI portfolio, delivering ruggedness, scalability, and security right where they are needed most: at the edge.
