This month's issue of PROFINEWS places the focus squarely on the use of PROFINET in the process automation industry. From Ethernet-APL, to PROFIsafe, to Module Type Package (MTP), to the PA Profile, PI's technologies are making inroads like never before.

Between PROFINET, PROFIsafe, Modular Type Package (MTP), and omlox, it's no small wonder PI's technologies are poised to have a significant impact on the process industry. In my many years of work as a PI board member, it was often a matter of building bridges between technologies and people, i.e., creating many interfaces.

Supply bottlenecks, energy prices, staff shortages – the process industry is currently facing very significant challenges. This is where omlox can make a significant contribution, helping to locate objects in expansive and complex production facilities.

It is important to design the interaction between PROFINET and the OPC UA device integration models in such a way that it is easy for the user to get started. This makes it easier to implement data analytics and predictive maintenance scenarios or asset management in the plant, for example.

Many medium-sized companies, whether in the food+bev industry, the packaging industry or electronics suppliers, are increasingly turning to robot-assisted applications (pick & place). Here, the work to integrate robots from different manufacturers is overly tedious and time consuming. PI is looking to change all that.