SUCCESS AT THE EDGE
11 CUSTOMER STORIES YOU CAN LEARN FROM
Customer Success Stories With Zero-touch Edge Computing
Digital transformation is imperative for all businesses, and Edge Computing plays a critical role to drive predictable, peak performance with minimal risk. This emergent technology is helping turn data into actionable insights where it matters most — at the edge.
For 40 years, Stratus has been developing edge solutions that simplify, protect, and automate our digitally transforming world. By delivering zero-touch Edge Computing platforms that are simple to deploy and maintain, protected from interruptions and threats, and operate autonomously, Stratus ensures continuous availability for our customers’ business-critical applications.
The following 11 customer success stories span industries ranging from Oil & Gas to Water & Wastewater, showcasing what organizations are capable of when they choose the right Edge Computing solution provider.
- Up to 5,000 I/Os
- Up to 4 virtual machines
- High availability or fault tolerant
- UL Class I Div 2 certi ed
- 100,000+ I/Os
- 30+ virtual machines
- Intelligent uptime layer
- Fault tolerant
Breton
Italy-based Breton is a leading manufacturer of equipment, machines, and plants that produce and process engineered stone, natural stone (marble, granite, and ornamental), and metals. The company needed to ready its machines for Industry 4.0 manufacturing environments, where unplanned downtime is not an option and OT useability is critical to unburden IT.
To address evolving customer requirements, Breton incorporated Stratus ztC Edge into their machines to add redundancy to machine operations and simplify engineering and setup time.
“Stratus’ unique box of available technology — virtualization, redundancy, protection, security, customizable availability, and industrial interoperability — is a leap forward over traditional IPCs and server configuration.” For the full story, check out Breton: Next-gen stone processing machines incorporate ztC Edge.
Michele Vario
OEM and Business Development Director Wonderware Italia
https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/breton/
Challenges
• Eliminate unplanned machine downtime to enable business continuity for customers
• Reduce engineering and setup time to speed delivery to customers
• Empower OT with a simple compute infrastructure right on the production floor
Solutions
• Stratus ztC Edge
• AVEVATM System Platform
• System integration by Wonderware Italia
Benefits
• Consolidated four AVEVA applications onto a single ztC Edge compute platform through virtualization
• Improved customer experience by reducing installation and preparation times by eight hours
• Load to add VM images and system upgrades in 20 minutes
Bradbury
The Bradbury Group of manufacturing companies is dedicated to producing high-quality, productivity enhancing metal processing equipment for customers around the world. They needed a solution that readied their customers as well as their own operations for digitalization and efficiency.
By adopting the Stratus ztC Edge platform for their rolling machines, Bradbury Group reduced costs, resolved downtime issues, and even discovered a new profit-driver for their business providing customer support services.
Challenges
• Increased efficiency and flexibility of machines by adding compute capability
• Reduce development, deployment, and revision update times
• Increase customer uptime with quick replacement hardware, redundancy, and automated system backup
Solutions
Craig Resnick Vice President ARC Advisory Group
To learn more, check out the Bradbury Group case study snapshot. https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/bradbury-group/
“ztC Edge is designed to provide remote application management, more rapid and efficient multi-site deployment, improved security, and high availability of critical business operations and applications.” https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/bradbury-group/
• Stratus ztC Edge
• Rockwell Automation ThinManagerTM
Benefits
• Eliminated unplanned downtime
• Used virtualization to consolidate workloads on a single ztC Edge computing platform
• Enabled support services as a new customer offering
• Reduced engineering and maintenance costs
• Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk® View Site Edition
Streamline Innovations
Streamline Innovations, based in San Antonio, Texas, develops and operates a proprietary process that removes toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, landfills, and biogas. To succeed in the competitive oilfield services market, the company continually innovates to operate equipment more efficiently, optimize performance, meet customer budgets, and enable a greener future.
Using Stratus® ztCTM Edge, Streamline Innovations developed a visionary solution called the Valkyrie™ Intelligent Platform to bring AI-powered predictive maintenance, remote operation, and 99.5% uptime to remote oilfield equipment.
“Having seen what the Stratus Edge Computing platform is capable of in a complex solution such as the Super Valkyrie, it’s clear that edge technology has a lot to offer the Oil & Gas industry. I am talking about Smart Wellheads, Smart glycol units, Smart JT Skids, and more.”
Dr. Peter Photos
Chief Technology Officer Streamline Innovations
For the full story, check out How Streamline Innovations uses Stratus Edge Computing to bring AI-powered predictive maintenance, remote operation, and 99.5% uptime to remote oilfield equipment.
• Operate with limited data connectivity and limited
Alewijnse
Netherlands-based Alewijnse is a global leader in maritime technology, providing critical systems for vessels ranging from yachts and naval ships to increasingly complex dredging, offshore, and transport rigs. The company designs, delivers, and integrates on board electrical and automation systems, as well as advanced marine electronics.
Using Stratus® ftServer TM, Alewijnse developed the maritime industry’s first future-proof virtualization and visualization platform to manage critical ship systems. The new platform replaced 20 computer systems with one server, reducing the system footprint by 75% and doubling the lifespan to eight years.
Challenges
• Enable vessel-wide computing for critical ship systems with limited space in a harsh operating environment
• Eliminate unplanned downtime and provide redundancy for critical systems
• Reduce constant IT refresh cycles to reduce cost and maintenance
Solutions
• Alewijnse AlViVi (virtualization and visualization) platform
• Stratus ftServer
“Our customers now have one view of all critical systems that they can share anywhere on the ship. That visibility and access to information enables quicker response and better decision making for ship operations.”
Johan Van Rikxoort Product Manger Alewijnse
• Rockwell Automation ThinManager
Benefits
• Reduced total computing, cabling, and cabinet footprint 75% by replacing 20 distributed on-board computers with one ftServer
• Doubled the lifespan of the compute platform from four to eight years and reduced maintenance and service by 50%
For the full story, check out Alewijnse: Edge Computing in the Maritime Industry.
https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/alewijnse/
• Simplified IT capability and adapted for OT environment and systems
Dogfish Head
Dogfish Head is an award-winning microbrewery located in Milton, Delaware, that produces 262,000 barrels of beer in 12 varieties annually. The company had automated its unique hop-dosing process, but their solution became obsolete, resulting in unplanned shutdowns and cybersecurity risks.
Dogfish Head partnered with Stratus to ensure continuous availability for a new manufacturing execution system, fueling business growth and future-proofing the plant.
“With the solution that ProLeiT and Stratus have provided, we’re no longer limited by our automation system; we’re able to grow and the sky’s the limit.”
Liz Stairs
Process Improvement Specialist
Dogfish Head
For the full story, check out Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: International brewer makes downtime a thing of the past whilst preparing for the future.
Synthomer
London-based multinational Specialty Chemicals company Synthomer produces additives and raw materials for creating coatings, paper, textiles, and health and protection products. Previously, the company’s production facility in Piedmont, Italy was controlled by PLCs from different manufacturers operating independently like siloes. These islands of automation were difficult and expensive to maintain and operate.
In 2018, Synthomer modernized the plant’s disparate control system with an ftServer running Rockwell Automation PlantPAx® DCS. The project drove a considerable increase in production and revenue at the plant by creating a simple, standardized, and resilient system.
“Redundancy at the compute level matched with PlantPAx DCS redundancy at the control level is a formidable combination for downtime prevention for mission-critical applications. By partnering with Rockwell Automation to characterize this joint solution, we’re delivering a massive leap forward for operations.”
Frank
Hill
Director Rockwell
Automation, Strategic Alliance at Stratus
To learn more, check out How Synthomer centralized and optimized operations with a Rockwell Automation DCS using Stratus ftServer.
https://blog.stratus.com/centralize-and-optimize-operations-with-a-distributed-control-system/
Challenges
• Centralize control of siloed PLC systems from different manufacturers
• Solve the expense and complexity of operating disparate PLCs
• Migrate to a distributed control system without shutting the plant down
Solutions
• Rockwell Automation PlantPAx DCS
• Stratus ftServer platform
• System integration by Progecta
Benefits
• 99.999% uptime with the fault-tolerant ftServer
• Vast availability of data empowers operators and fuels analytics
• 30% increase in production at the Piedmont facility
DC Water
DC Water treats Water & Wastewater for 1.6 million people in the District of Columbia, as well as neighboring counties in Maryland and Virginia. The company covers a service area of roughly 725 square miles with the centerpiece of those efforts the 150-acre Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest facility of its kind in the world.
To provide continuous service on a massive scale, DC Water deployed a novel fault-tolerant Edge Computing architecture built on four Stratus ftServers spread across multiple locations to run their sophisticated SCADA systems.
Challenges
• Deploy SCADA applications on resilient, fault-tolerant platform
• Provide reliable automated instrumentation for dozens of sites and facilities throughout the DC Water system
• Create real-time data for analysis and executive/ regulatory reporting
Solutions
• AVEVA System Platform, InTouch, and Historian
• Rockwell PLC
“In our line of work, we need responsive support, and Stratus’s engineers are right alongside us on every issue. Even if it’s a non-urgent issue, they will call me to follow up until the issue is resolved. They’re very responsive and diligent — and that’s just what we want.”
Karen Green SCADA Manager
DC Water
• Schneider Electric PLC
• Stratus ftServer
Benefits
• Reduced system failover time for entire network to two minutes (90% less)
• Enabled fast access to timely data for KPI analysis and regulatory reporting
To learn more, visit our Resource Center.
https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/
• No system downtime in six years, resulting in uninterrupted water supply to 1.6 million consumers
Columbia Pipeline Group
Columbia Pipeline Group operates 15,000 miles of pipeline extending from New York to the Gulf of Mexico and one of the largest underground natural gas storage systems in North America. The company transports natural gas across their pipelines, and supplies hospitals, industrial sites, and residential homes.
Columbia Pipeline deployed Stratus Edge Computing to meet industry requirements, simplify IT/OT infrastructure, consolidate software workloads by running virtualization, and detect and address operational problems before they occur. The company eliminated the prior cybersecurity risks and cost of managing multiple servers from disparate vendors.
“In the year that Stratus has been deployed at our facility, performance has been exactly what we expected; the support model has exceeded our expectations, and we foresee having Stratus for a long, long time.”
Steve Adams
Lead Automation Electrical Engineer
Columbia Pipeline Group
Challenges
• Upgrade systems in accordance with Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Control Room Management (CRM) regulations
Solutions
• Stratus ftServer
• Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk suite of software
Benefits
• Capture data effectively for advanced analytics that fuel predictive maintenance
• Protection against unplanned outages and catastrophic failures
• Virtualized applications run remotely and reduce the need for IT skills on site
To learn more, watch the exclusive video interview with Steve https://resource.stratus.com/video/columbia-pipeline-group/Adams.
https://resource.stratus.com/video/columbia-pipeline-group/
• Improve reliability, configurability, and sustainability
St. Louis Airport
As a major transportation hub for 30 years, St. Louis Lambert International Airport is pursuing digital transformation initiatives to bring Industry 4.0 to aviation. Such modernization projects are critical for consumer experience and stakes are high.
Previously, projects had been piecemeal and disconnected, and limited to improving one area of the facility at a time. The team selected Stratus Edge Computing to replace IT infrastructure for an aging and disparate management system, and accelerate digitalization at the airport.
“High availability is a big thing. When you're talking about moving an entire airport with multiple legacy siloed solutions over into one centralized system then you can't afford to have downtime.”
Jeremy Meahl
Regional Sales Engineer and Owner
Quantum Solutions
To learn more, check out Edge Computing 101: Practical industry insights for IT and Operations Leaders.
Challenges
• Deploy and scale compute infrastructure to optimize operations of more than 190,000 daily aircraft operations on four active runways, two terminals, and five concourses
• Support 15.6 million passengers and 74,000 tons of cargo per year
Solutions
• Stratus ftServer
• AVEVA System Platform
• System integration by Quantum Solutions
Benefits
• Enabled situational awareness and unified operations center backed by easy-to-use fault tolerant computing
• Continuous availability for critical business applications
• Open and scalable software architecture
• Modernize a decades-old operation, the largest and busiest airport in Missouri
Gurmat Electric
Gurmat Electric operates the largest geothermal plant in Turkey, providing power to a vast constituency. The company faced major performance issues with its existing data, control, and network infrastructure.
By partnering with Stratus and Rockwell, Gurmat Electric developed an OT solution to accelerate their digitalization efforts.
“One of the biggest advantages we are now seeing, in addition to the higher speeds and greater reliability is the exclusion of multiple brands across the control infrastructure and network. We now have a single vendor that is well equipped in both products and knowledge to cater to our precise needs.”
Mustafa Yalvaç Automation Chief Gurmat Electric
• Network and security issues
• Data-transfer hurdles over a large spread of geography
• Update hardware and software without shutting down the plant
• Stratus ftServer
• Rockwell Automation solutions
• Enabled more robust cybersecurity
• Increased availability of real-time data
• Delivered simpler and more effective diagnostics
To learn more, check out Rockwell Automation Performs Complete Digital Network Migration at Turkey's Largest Geothermal Power Plant.
https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/gurmat-electric/ https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/gurmat-electric/
Shanghai Disney Resort
Shanghai Disney Resort was the first Disney park in mainland China, delivering a world-class experience including themed hotel stays, a Broadway-style theatre, and rides. This 963-acre property requires a comprehensive water circulation and irrigation system, along with an integrated water treatment plant.
The complex infrastructure relies on four Stratus ftServer platforms that sit in the water treatment control room and run the park’s water control solution.
“Shanghai Disney Resort, which we jointly own, manage and operate with The Walt Disney Company, strives to offer a world-class experience of fantasy, imagination, creativity, and adventure. Our water circulation, treatment, and irrigation system enables us to provide a lush and welcoming park environment that exceeds national standards for surface water quality.
We can count on the Stratus ftServer solution to eliminate single points of technical failure so this critical system runs continuously without unscheduled interruptions for smooth, reliable operations.”
Mr. Pang Chief Engineer Shanghai Disney
Challenges
• Eliminate even brief downtime that poses a risk to maintaining water quality standards
• Manage Water & Wastewater for the vast size of a luxury resort including a central lake
• Deploy complex solution in time for the park to welcome visitors
Solutions
• Stratus ftServer
Benefits
• Provide continuous availability for critical infrastructure
• Eliminate platform downtime and allow peace of mind for operators
• Meet consistent compliance with water quality standards
https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/shanghai-disney-resort/ https://resource.stratus.com/case-study/shanghai-disney-resort/
To learn more, check out World-Class Family Resort Destination Prevents Scenic Water Treatment System Downtime With the Stratus ftServer Platform.
Based in Massachusetts, Stratus develops Edge Computing platforms that allow teams to capture critical data from edge locations and deploy multiple software applications in a single, purpose-built compute device with redundancy for reliability.
For leaders digitally transforming their operations to drive predictable, peak performance with minimal risk, Stratus ensures the continuous availability of business-critical applications by delivering zero-touch Edge Computing platforms that are simple to deploy and maintain, protected from interruptions and threats, and autonomous.
For 40 years, we have provided reliable and redundant zero-touch computing, enabling global Fortune 500 companies and small-to-medium sized businesses to securely and remotely turn data into actionable intelligence at the Edge, cloud, and data center – driving uptime and efficiency.
https://lp.stratus.com/contact-us/
