February 5, 2021

The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC) has released The Practical Guide for Remote Access to Plant Equipment. Jacob Chapman, Grantek’s Director Industrial IT & Cybersecurity, contributed to the creation of this helpful resource for manufacturers which provides a guide to enable secure remote access and support.

Click Here to Get the Guide

Today, remote access is essential in many manufacturing environments for a variety of reasons. Physical access may be restricted to technicians or service personnel at times based on internal safety/security reasons or external factors such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Complicated machines require specialized service and maintenance staff that may not be available on-site. Sites may simply be at remote places that are difficult or expensive to access. Response time to a critical equipment failure may require immediate action from outside resources.

To help operators, vendors, and OEMs respond to access limitations during COVID-19, Grantek has released Engineer in a Box, a secure remote access device powered by Dispel’s Moving Target Defense technology. Engineer in a Box is a solution providing stability during the uncertainty of COVID-19. Grantek will ship you a small industrial PC (din-rail mount form factor) with cellular connection capabilities. Whenever it’s needed, the hardware then gets powered up, and connected to an ethernet switch anywhere on your OT network. It can be disconnected when the issue is resolved.

 

About Grantek
For over 40 years, top manufacturers in Food & Beverage, CPG and Pharmaceuticals have called upon Grantek to solve their most complex business and manufacturing challenges. Grantek automates Pharmaceutical and Food & Beverage manufacturing operations, including integration with business systems for seamless solutions. Grantek helps customers meet the stringent requirements and challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Grantek’s team of professionals located in 17 offices across the globe deliver solutions to complex problems in Smart Manufacturing, Industrial Networking, Automation and Industrial Safety.

About OMAC
In today’s global economy, manufacturers continue to strive for new ways to reduce delivery times, be more efficient with available resources, and increase profitability, all while maintaining their competitive advantage. When manufacturers come together and share best practices, the whole industry benefits. The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC) was formed to meet this purpose and help manufacturers work together to find new and innovative ways to be successful their production operations. OMAC brought together leading manufacturers representing End-User Manufacturers, OEM Machine Builders, System Integrators, Technology Providers, and Non-Profit / Government Agency organizations to address issues that confront global manufacturing today. OMAC’s two working groups, Packaging and Machine Tool, lead the way in producing industry consensus guidelines that help manufacturers reduce their delivery times, be more efficient with available resources, and increase profitability, all while maintaining their competitive advantage. OMAC is a charter member of the Automation Federation.