3 Mar 2021

Belden’s HiOS Software Upgrade Designed to Meet the Needs of Industry 4.0

New Embedded OPC UA Server Enables Open Platform Communications for Factory Automation

St. Louis, Missouri – March 03, 2021 - Belden Inc. (NYSE: BDC), a leading global supplier of specialty networking solutions, has released the latest version of its Hirschmann Operating System (HiOS). Complete with an embedded Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) server, the software provides a seamless, brand-agnostic solution as industrial automation moves towards Industry 4.0. Belden is the only manufacturer to offer switches that can natively run this communication protocol.

Now with universal communication capability, customers can reap the benefits of a more tightly integrated network within the factory automation system, including openness, interoperability and scalability. As the de-facto communications standard for Industry 4.0, OPC provides a communication bridge between all levels of the automation architecture, from embedded components on the factory floor to the enterprise.

“Industrial communication is extremely fragmented with various manufacturers or user groups promoting proprietary solutions,” said Mark Cooksley, product line manager at Belden. “We’ve embedded OPC UA directly into our HiOS software to promote interoperability between manufacturers. Now, our hardware speaks a common communication language and can be managed directly within existing industrial applications.”

Key benefits from the upgraded HiOS software include:

Industry 4.0 ready, providing a future-proof solution that ensures existing products will continue to support future technologies
Seamless integration into existing OPC UA-based applications
Less complexity and higher network availability since there is no requirement for SNMP to OPC gateways

HiOS is well-suited for any industrial setting that requires immediate, reliable communication between devices, especially for machine-to-machine communication and motion control applications. Comprehensive security features also make it ideal for high-risk industries, such as power transmission and distribution, oil and gas, general manufacturing, automotive, transportation and mass transit, rail-rolling stock, and aerospace markets.

Belden offers a comprehensive portfolio of interoperable products to ensure seamless, secure and future-proofed solutions that address the unique challenges of its industrial customers. This HiOS software upgrade, combined with trusted insights from Belden experts, furthers Belden’s alignment to customer KPIs that drive business impact.

For more information on the Hirschmann HiOS software, please visit https://www.belden.com/products/industrial-networking-cybersecurity/software-solutions/device-software/hios-switch-software#numberOfResults=25.

Reader enquiries

Belden
P.O. Box 9
5900 AA VENLO
Netherlands

Notes for editors

As an early innovator in industrial Ethernet, Belden knows industrial IT and delivers the next generation of industrial networking solutions, including wired, wireless and embedded products. With its global brands – Hirschmann, GarrettCom and Tofino Security – Belden helps companies minimize downtime and take advantage of the real-time data access and control made possible by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Through a seamless, secure and scalable industrial Ethernet infrastructure, companies are equipped to revolutionize their operations and achieve improved efficiency, productivity and agility. Visit www.belden.com/products/industrialnetworking/index.cfm to learn more.

About Belden

Belden Inc. delivers a comprehensive product portfolio designed to meet the mission-critical network infrastructure needs of industrial and enterprise markets. With innovative solutions targeted at reliable and secure transmission of rapidly growing amounts of data, audio and video needed for today's applications, Belden is at the center of the global transformation to a connected world. Founded in 1902, the company is headquartered in St. Louis and has manufacturing capabilities in North and South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit us at www.belden.com; follow us on Twitter: @BeldenIND.

Belden, Belden Sending All The Right Signals, Hirschmann, GarrettCom, Tofino Security and the Belden logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Belden Inc. or its affiliated companies in the United States and other jurisdictions. Belden and other parties may also have trademark rights in other terms used herein.