en.Wedoany.com Reported - Omron released the DX100 data stream edge device earlier this year, designed to simplify the deployment of industrial IoT infrastructure by supporting open protocols and a no-license-fee model, addressing the high costs of data quality and system integration challenges in traditional digital transformation.
Over the past decade, industrial IoT (IIoT) vendors have pushed manufacturers to replace traditional data management methods with fully digital networks, but building a Purdue model architecture faces high costs and complexity when connecting legacy systems. With the rise of artificial intelligence technology, many manufacturers aim to enter the AI application phase, but this goal still relies on achieving standardized, contextualized, and correctly transmitted clean industrial data. Omron Senior Field Application Engineer Rajitha Dissanayake stated that the company developed the DX100 based on the principles of "open protocols, open connectivity, and zero license fees," designing the edge device to work well with other equipment. As of the latest firmware update in May or June 2026, the DX100 includes drivers for most major PLCs and protocols, including support for Rockwell Automation's EtherNet/IP, Siemens' Profinet, and protocols from brands such as Omron and Mitsubishi.
In addition to brand-specific protocols, the DX100 supports Modbus TCP for connecting legacy devices, but since it does not include serial ports (such as RS-485, RS-232), connecting Modbus RTU sources requires an additional gateway for data conversion. The latest firmware update also adds OPC UA read/write functionality and supports IP camera video streams via Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP). The device features a DIN rail-mounted CPU unit with one USB 2.0 port, one 1 Gbps data collection Ethernet port, and one 100 Mbps data transmission port, internally equipped with 4.0 GB RAM and 64 GB storage, a built-in time-series database, and pre-installed software that cannot be deleted or supplemented with other applications.
To simplify the process of connecting, collecting, and routing data, the DX100 is equipped with SpeeDBee Synapse, a node-based visual editor developed by SALTYSTER (in which Omron acquired a 48% stake in 2023). This tool allows users to drag and drop to configure collector nodes (connecting to devices like PLCs), action nodes (triggering commands or sending emails), logic nodes (comparing data to trigger events), and serializer and emitter nodes (packaging and directing data to cloud services or internal databases). Developers can also customize nodes using C/C++ or Python. Dissanayake stated that choosing proprietary software over the popular NodeRed was to ensure code quality and network security, avoiding compatibility and maintenance issues that community-developed nodes might bring. Additionally, the device comes pre-installed with the open-source visualization software Grafana for converting data into charts and dashboards.
The DX100 deliberately excludes onboard data analytics capabilities and recurring license fees. Dissanayake noted that industrial AI is in a rapidly changing phase, and pre-installed analytics could lock users into easily outdated solutions. Omron does not charge software maintenance fees or technical support agreement fees; all software and updates are included in the hardware cost at once. This curated approach, similar to Apple, limits flexibility and expandability but allows users to deploy quickly and reduce integration risks. For users requiring more I/O ports or broader protocol support, alternatives such as Opto 22's Groov Rio series, Red Lion's FlexEdge series, or Advantech's industrial IoT I/O gateways may be better choices. Omron's all-in-one solution is more suitable for users who want to quickly run an industrial IoT infrastructure with minimal engineering costs and obtain long-term support. Omron's challenge is to rapidly update and expand the DX100's features to keep pace with evolving user needs.
