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Florida Atlantic U Collaborates with ILS Tech on Device Connectivity Research

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 02/06/09

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has partnered with ILS Technology, creators of the deviceWISE and secureWISE data connectivity and collaboration platforms, in the field of device connectivity. The company is opening its development and testing labs to FAU researchers working on technologies such as programmable logic controllers and radio-frequency identification (RFID) equipment. In addition, ILS will facilitate FAU's efforts to collaborate with the OPC Foundation, an industry consortium that develops and maintains standards for open connectivity of industrial automation devices and systems. The company will also provide work-study opportunities for FAU students and has donated 30 licenses for its enterprise tool to the university.

"Partnering with ILS Technology provides our students and faculty with access to real-world tools to improve device-to-enterprise connectivity development, validation, and research," said Karl Stevens, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. "We look forward to working together with ILS Technology and other private sector partners to drive forward OPC unified architecture and other important standards initiatives."

FAU researchers will have access to ILS Technology's multi-vendor device lab, deviceWISE software and driver development kits, as well as the company's secureWISE remote collaboration and access tools. In return, FAU will create device drivers, validate third-party drivers, and collaborate with other industry-developed solutions. FAU hopes that the access to ILS Technology's research facilities, combined with its collaboration with the OPC Foundation, will open the door for future government research grants.

The deviceWISE platform provides device connectivity on production floors of automated manufacturing facilities and in other data collection-and-control environments such as ports, smart homes, and energy management systems. secureWISE allows remote connectivity to factory systems to allow tool administration, e-diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and operation optimization. It also provides a means of collaboration among vendors, designers, and manufacturers, while protecting each organization's intellectual property.