Remote Access Made Easy With Turnkey Cellular Solutions
3G cellular services offer a high speed and reliable alternative for remote access and SCADA communications. But one of the challenges of deploying these systems is coordinating service activation with cellular carriers. Now ProSoft Technology makes it even easier to utilize 3G services by offering pre-activated Intelligent Cellular Radios designed for quick integration into PLC, PAC, DCS, SCADA and HMI networks.
This turnkey solution provides OEMs, system integrators, utilities and other industrial customers with an out-of-the-box cellular data solution. Activation and deployment times are significantly reduced.
Features & Benefits
- Secure access to remote field devices over 3G cellular services
- Does not require installation of legacy phone lines
- Much faster upload/download times compared to traditional
dial-up modems
- No DSL or VPN service required at remote sites
- No carrier contracts to maintain, no monthly fees
- Includes 2-year data service activation (renewable)
- Support for serial and Ethernet devices
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Cellular for Remote Access
Using a PC to access a machine or control system provides quicker updates, troubleshooting and problem resolution. The engineer may be able to resolve the problem much quicker and avoid a costly trip to the site.
Traditional methods of remote access include communicating over dial-up modems. But it is becoming more difficult for end users to install dial-up phone lines due to the popularity of digital telephony (VOIP), and even if phone lines are available the quality of the connection may suspect, especially in emerging countries. Upload/download times can be very long over dial-up even with clean lines. And if a call is dropped, the program needs to be uploaded again. 3G cellular is an excellent alternative to dial-up because the end user does not have to install a phone line and upload/download times are significantly faster.
Another method of remote access is setting up a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN gives the engineering firm the ability to access their system over the customer's IT network. However, the customer may be hesitant to permit this for security reasons and the time it takes to get the VPN set-up may be extensive. Again 3G cellular may be a better option as it avoids the need for the IT department to set-up and maintain a VPN.
The engineering firm/machine builder may access their system securely over an Internet connection (see diagram). This provides convenient connectivity from the office, home or while traveling.
Cellular for SCADA
There are many communication options for connecting remote sites (such as pump stations and pipelines) to a SCADA system. Popular methods include leased telephone lines, dial-up modems, licensed RF systems, spread spectrum wireless and satellite. 3G cellular has emerged as another option to consider because of the broad coverage area, speed of data communications and attractive costs.
Factors impacting the choice of using 3G cellular for SCADA are location of the sites, 3G data service coverage, amount of data and availability/practicality/cost of other methods. 3G cellular pricing is based on data byte per month usage, so understanding the amount of data a system will communicate is critical in determining the actual cost.
How ProSoft Technology Can Help
Because of our 20 years experience with industrial communications, ProSoft offers sound advice on choosing the best communication method for remote access and SCADA systems. ProSoft Technology's team of experienced Wireless Support Engineers ensure a properly designed communication system and can help estimate the amount of data required to match up the best 3G data plan.
By selecting the pre-activated 3G cellular plans from ProSoft Technology, the customer does not need to contact the carrier for support. Configuration of the Intelligent Cellular Radio is made easy by the use of commonly used application templates. Installation, activation and communication to the remote system is quick and easy. Call our experts today for more information.
Getting Started
Step 1: Choose AT&T or Verizon Wireless as your data network.
