[Focus] The key driver of the Internet of Things wave: industrial computers

With the networking technology, the nodes of the network are no longer just desktop computers or mobile devices in the home. Every machine, every object we contact, may become "conscious" in the future. Our life will be It has become more networked, and we will be closer to the world through smart devices, and a new era of the Internet of Things has arrived. In this concept, the hidden industrial computer (IndustrialPC) is an important driving force for the realization of the future of the Internet of Things. What is an industrial computer?

Industrial computers can be thought of as controllers in industrial automation machines. In addition to mechanical parts, a machine and equipment, from data input, signal input to the entire machine action, to produce the most critical components of "automation" capability, is the controller. In fact, automation is the process of automatically executing the "program" of the machine parts. Each instruction in the program is analyzed and released by the controller, so as to achieve the goal of automatic work of all parts of the machine.

Differences between industrial computers and personal computers

When it comes to industrial computers, what most people want to ask is: What is the difference between them and the computers we use every day? In fact, if we go back to the origins of computers, there is no such classification at the beginning. During the Second World War, in order to cope with the military's huge and complicated calculations, the computer began to appear as a "super calculator". As the war ended, the computer originally used for military use was turned into civilian use, and gradually developed different uses. Numerous evolutions have led to the emergence of a personal computer (PC) that combines multiple functions. In recent decades, the development of science and technology has been changing with each passing day. Personal computer functions have become increasingly powerful and gradually popularized. Smart humans have used their brains to apply PCs to the upgrade of automation equipment. However, the original PC is highly efficient but not stable enough. For industries with strict process and environmental requirements, it is not enough. Industrial computers suitable for different professional fields were born.

Personal computers focus on providing diverse needs that can be used by people to report, watch movies, play online games, and handle a wide variety of things. Industrial computers, because they are used in industrial processes, do not need to be configured with so many functions, but rather emphasize the need to meet specific needs, and need to maintain consistent performance in a certain environment for a long time, and cannot often have small problems like personal computers. Otherwise, it will suffer huge losses. In addition, the industrial computer is the core device of the system, and it needs to cooperate with other peripherals to function, unlike the PC, which is presented as the final product. If there is no high compatibility and scalability for adding equipment, it is not easy for customers to adopt.

Because the demand in each industry is different, industrial computers in some high-temperature environments may need better heat dissipation, and in some industries may have higher requirements for dust prevention, such as ATM for the financial industry. The system is especially focused on meeting the needs of security protection. When developing the system, it is necessary to spend more effort on this feature, and it will be tailored according to different characteristics. Its value lies in the ability to provide customized system integration for different customers and different needs, so a small amount of supply is a major feature of the industrial computer industry. Because the expected life of industrial computers is 5-7 years, and the product cycle is longer than personal computers, the selection criteria for purchasing industrial computers will not focus on functional diversity, appearance, price, etc., like personal computers. Look at the brand's technical advantages and after-sales service.