April 6, 2023 - FDT Group , an international, non-profit industry association supporting the evolution of FDT technology for industrial device management, today announced the release of FDT UE developer tool evaluation software expediting the ability to build FDT3-based system and device DTM solutions to meet user demands for modern intelligent device management and monitoring initiatives needed to scale next generation Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) architectures. Suppliers of industrial automation systems and devices want to provide interoperable solutions supporting IIoT architectures.
To meet their customers’ needs, it is vital for suppliers to enhance their system and device offerings with modern technology standards providing an agnostic approach to information-driven business models. The new FDT3 standard is accelerating the digital manufacturing journey by enabling an ecosystem of FDT-based solutions providing a unified environment for industrial device management with IT/OT data-driven operations. FDT Group provides vendors with developer toolkits:
- Supporting development of platform independent FDT UE-enabled host and device products while assuring compliance with the FDT3 standard, so vendors can focus on value-add capabilities.
- To jump start development, minimize engineering effort, simplify certification/registration shortening time to market for new product offerings.
- Enabling interoperability and seamless data exchange independent of system, device/type, data model, IT/OT (network/protocol) enterprise wide.
- Empowering OPC UA- and mobile- ready solutions without coding, allowing IT and OT teams authenticated client access for diagnostic monitoring optimization.
An evaluation version for each FDT UE developer tool will be made available to FDT Group members (Corporate–all classes and Affiliate - levels 1-3) to help jump-start their development activities. An FDT-License to productize and sell FDT UE products built with the toolkits is required during certification with the FDT Group before the product can be made for sale by the developer. Developer toolkits with an evaluation version include:
- FDT UE – DTM Common Component
- FDT UE – dtmINSPECTOR
- FDT UE – Server Common Component (Demo Server)
Members can request developer tools by going to the FDT Group website . “By making these toolkits freely available to members, we are reducing barriers for research and development of FDT UE-based products designed to meet industry demands for modern intelligent device management and monitoring initiatives for the process and factory markets. Our working groups and development partners have done a nice job making these tools a reality," said Steve Biegacki, FDT Group managing director. Companies looking to outsource development of FDT UE-based products can also connect with FDT Service Providers including: CodeWrights, M&M Software, Hilscher, NSD, Thorsis and Utthunga. Connect with our Service Providers here .
