Edge gateway ‘revolutionises’ data processing, saving time and costs
9 June 2025 
Rockwell Automation has launched an edge gateway that, it says, will revolutionise data processing for industrial users. The OptixEdge gateway processes information where it’s created – at the machine, in real time. It connects to the user’s control system via Rockwell’s FactoryTalk Optix software to collect, analyse, and send data to the cloud, allowing them to monitor and analyse machine or system data from multiple locations, resulting in faster insights, lower costs and smarter decision-making.
The gateway’s capabilities include:
- A built-in wizard app A pre-installed application simplifies data collection and allows easy configuration via a Web browser, thus cutting down on engineering time. It also allows users to build and deploy custom applications.
- Efficiency The gateway allows lightweight applications to run in tandem with included software.
- Secure remote access and troubleshooting Remote assistance is available via FactoryTalk Remote Access, allowing engineers and maintenance teams located remotely to program, configure and troubleshoot systems over a secure VPN connection.
- Openness and flexibility The gateway can be used with a plant or machine’s existing Rockwell hardware, or third-party graphics terminals and controllers.
- Cost savings and improved network performance The gateway allows users to send less data to the cloud, helping to save money on storage, and improve network performance.
“OptixEdge empowers customers to take control of their data like never before, providing powerful edge computing capabilities with flexibility, security and ease of use,” says Rockwell Automation software product manager, Jessica Morell. “By processing data at its source, OptixEdge enables customers to unlock valuable insights, improve efficiency, and drive innovation across their operations.”
According to Rockwell’s latest State of Smart Manufacturing Report, only 44% of the data generated by today’s smart machines is used effectively. Many companies face challenges that prevent them from using much of their data – such as network limitations, security concerns or storage costs. Usually, they send data to remote cloud servers to be processed, but this can be costly and inefficient. Rockwell says that its new gateway addresses these issues by processing data at a machine in real time.
