Basics & Fundamentals

In the world of NOA and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) you will encounter some specialized terms and concepts. This section aims to give you a better understanding of them.

What are Edge Devices?

An Edge Device is a device (embedded device, industrial PC, ...) that performs data processing and analysis directly at the edge of a network, close to the data source. Typical data sources are e.g. OPC UA servers. In IIoT, these data are machine data, e.g. process parameters (temperature, ...) of an injection molding machine. To be able to use NOA Portal effectively, you need at least one Edge Device that has NOA Core installed and is connected to the internet. As Edge Device, you can use KEB Hardware (C6 COMPACT 3, C6 X1 or C6 E22) or 3rd party hardware.

What are Assets?

An asset refers to any resource that a company uses in its operations. This can include machinery, equipment, vehicles, tools or production sites. IIoT enhances asset management by integrating intelligent devices, sensors, and advanced analytics to monitor and manage these assets in real-time. This integration allows for predictive maintenance, real-time performance monitoring, and improved operational efficiency. For example, sensors on machinery can detect potential issues before they lead to failures, helping to reduce downtime and maintenance costs. NOA gives you the tools to realize these use cases.

What are Tenants?

In the context of IIoT, a tenant refers to a customer within a multi-tenant system. This customer is usually a company, or an organization that uses the IIoT platform. Each tenant has its own isolated environment, ensuring that their data, Edge Devices, and Assets are securely separated from those of other tenants. This means that a different customer that also uses a tenant in NOA Portal have their own space and have no way to gain access to the contents of your tenant!