Use-cases
Use-cases
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Rapid, Zero-Touch Fleet Provisioning and Deployment
Setting up a traditional industrial client machine or HMI usually requires significant time investment to install the operating system, manually configure network settings, install communication protocols, and deploy launcher applications. This burden increases exponentially when scaling across a factory floor.
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The Use Case: New FactoryClient HMI devices can be unpackaged, mounted, and brought entirely online in under 3 to 5 minutes using a simple graphical setup assistant*. By utilizing hardcoded networking configurations or centralized settings, operators plug in power and an Ethernet connection to immediately launch their target industrial applications without manual on-site configuration.
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*: Takes longer than factoryTouch since you need to provide display, keyboard, mouse, and connect all of this.
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High-Availability Operator Panels for Mission-Critical Machinery
In continuous manufacturing environments, updating a machine's operator panel typically requires scheduling expensive downtime, as standard operating system updates can take hours to apply and risk leaving the device in an unbootable state if a patch fails.
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The Use Case: FactoryClient utilizes an A/B firmware architecture coupled with background downloading to completely eliminate update-related production bottlenecks. New firmware patches are downloaded silently while the machine remains fully operational; the update is then cleanly staged and force-applied upon the next operator-led reboot, limiting total operational downtime to under two minutes. Furthermore, a built-in automatic rollback mechanism instantly kicks in to restore the last known stable state if an update encounters any failure, ensuring critical machine interfaces never stay offline.
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Centralized Management and Hands-Free Updates
Maintaining an active network of industrial HMIs often results in production downtime and significant IT headaches caused by disruptive operating system patches, security vulnerabilities, or mismatched client-server software versions.
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The Use Case: Through a dedicated Ignition Management Module installed in the centralized Ignition gateway, administrators can remotely monitor, configure, and push firmware updates to the entire HMI fleet completely hands-free. Operating system updates, Ignition launcher upgrades, and project links deploy automatically in the background with near-zero manual maintenance or site support.
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Hardened Perimeter Security and Immutable Compliance
Standard plant-floor computer setups are susceptible to unauthorized software modifications, operating system drift, malware infections, and regulatory non-compliance.
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The Use Case: FactoryClient operates on a locked-down, immutable Linux firmware base that actively blocks unauthorized software installations and privilege escalations. The system features an automated self-healing core; if an offline or online firmware update ever hits an error, the system performs an immediate automatic rollback to the last known stable state upon a reboot, ensuring operational continuity and strict adherence to NIS2 and NIST standards.
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