Systems integrators are expected to be able to enable communication between disparate devices, ensure interoperability, and keep automation systems optimized and secure.

That’s a lot to ask. So, what happens when system integrators are asked to up the ante and deliver more control, more data granularity, and more communication capabilities?

They deliver, of course.

Even though more data than ever is being produced, system integrators know they must leverage data if they want to:

• Improve performance of building automation systems
• Reduce energy waste with smart energy metering
• Optimize operational efficiency within industrial automation settings
• Enhance awareness and improve life safety response

Fortunately, state-of-the-art solutions like MSA’s FieldServer™ protocol gateways can help bridge the gap between what’s expected and what system integrators can deliver. In fact, FieldServer gateway solutions can support increasing demand for data granularity, hyperautomation, and expanded automation capabilities.

The Rise of Data Granularity

Data output is at an all-time high—and growing. In fact, some experts estimate that new data production will grow to 181 zettabytes of data in 2025.¹

It’s hard to fathom that level of data, let alone understand how best to wrangle it into something useful.

Yet, with each evolution of data output, collection, synthesis, and storage, there are new ways of thinking about and using data. First, there was data. Then there was big data. Now there’s data granularity.

What is data granularity and why does it matter?

Data granularity is the act of breaking down complex data into smaller, more detailed bits of information. The purpose of highly granular data is to glean more targeted insights and make more precise decisions.

In the automation world, this is becoming increasingly important as organizations strive to take additional control over their data and their operations.

Building & Industrial Automation: 6 Special Applications

Industry-leading IIoT gateways like FieldServer play an essential role in meeting the demand for data granularity. Here are 6 not-so-typical applications to prove it.

1. Data Manipulation

Building managers and those responsible for the safety and comfort of building occupants might not think much about the importance of a protocol gateway for supporting data manipulation. But the ability to manipulate data is one of the gateway’s most powerful attributes.

For example, one of the ways building managers can use data manipulation is related to temperature control. Imagine being able to switch temperature degrees from Celsius to Fahrenheit. This could become especially important for multinational organizations needing to ensure compatibility across multiple regions. It also could be useful in instances where there’s a need to analyze and report data in both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales.

But even if these scales matter very little or not at all, the ability to enable different calculations might.

This might mean adding various data points together or averaging two or more data points to:

• Deliver more meaningful and actionable insights for improved monitoring of environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity
• Aggregate data to reduce the amount of data transmitted, thereby lowering bandwidth requirements
• Enable locally processed data for faster, near real-time response

2. Data Restriction

While restricting data might sound like a negative, the reality is that limiting data can be a good—and often necessary—thing.

System integrators can configure a protocol gateway to ensure that only certain data points flow from one network to another. In addition to the cybersecurity benefits of restricting data, filtering data based on specific parameters can yield other benefits, too, including:

• Allowing or prohibiting only certain requests or specific commands
• Promoting authorized communication between different systems
• Receiving specific outputs based on criteria, such as data type or source
• Preventing unauthorized access and operations
• Enabling only preprocessed data and summary points to be delivered rather than inundating stakeholders with overwhelming amounts of raw data

3. Complex Communication

When it comes to protocol communication, the term “master” refers to the initiation of communication, while the term “slave” refers to the response mechanism. Using a protocol gateway solution that enables more complex communication between two device masters and two device slaves can help reduce device conflict and ensure seamless communication.

In a typical network, masters won’t communicate to other network masters and network slaves won’t communicate to other network slaves. The FieldServer gateway can be configured to solve both configurations.

Afterall, the point of a protocol gateway solution is to enable communication between otherwise disparate devices. So, the ability to facilitate complex communication allows system integrators to create a more flexible, scalable system.

In addition, a powerful gateway like FieldServer can be a more affordable option for connecting new technologies and devices with existing legacy systems.

4. Interoperability

The ability to connect data from three or more networks, each with their own protocol, is essential in today’s connected environments. By enabling this type of interoperability, a protocol gateway can:

• Improve the flow of data
• Facilitate seamless data exchange
• Centralize data integration and management
• Speed deployment
• Convert data between different formats and message types

For example, the FieldServer protocol gateway can enable a connection between three or more different networks with each network having a different communication protocol and transforming it into a single system with centralized communication and control.

5. Real-Time Monitoring & Notifications

Protocol gateways can be configured to trigger immediate E-Mail or SMS alerts based on preset parameters.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of this type of real-time monitoring and alerts:

• Boosts reaction time, especially for lone worker safety issues or for unmanned locations
• Enhances reliability and helps ensure delivery of critical information at the right time to the right people
• Improves reporting and compliance of specific conditions and events
• Can act as a critical link between automated systems and human operators for increased efficiencies

6. Cloud-Enabled Data Visualization

The MSA FieldVEU solution interfaces with the MSA Grid platform to give users the ability to view data and receive notifications from cloud-registered FieldServer gateways.

For system integrators, this means having the ability to securely and remotely access and display up to 15 points of data per device. This at-a-glance look at a device’s function and status helps ensure that every device at every location is performing exactly as intended.

For OEMs, FieldVEU provides valuable operational data, allowing them to better analyze, troubleshoot, and improve their products.

Finally, FieldVEU enables more control by allowing subscribers to set only the event notifications they need to receive. With targeted notifications, users enjoy a more effective workflow and more efficient response time with no more information overload or unwanted notifications.

Conclusion

Of course, the right level of data granularity depends on your industry, application, and desired outcomes. Regardless of what your organization needs, however, FieldServer gateways support enhanced data collection, real-time monitoring and notifications, and improved automation. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a demo.

---

References:

¹ Wolf, G. (2024). Smart Grid’s Big Data and Granularity. T&D World.