09:45 – 10:15
Simpson Solutions
This plenary opening presentation explores the growing impact of IO-Link in industrial automation, where more than 71 million nodes have already been installed worldwide. The session asks a central question: how much of the technology's capability is actually being used?
While many applications rely only on basic process data, IO-Link offers far more through service data, event handling, diagnostics, parameterization and device identification. The presentation examines how these functions can improve machine transparency, commissioning and lifecycle management.
It will also show how modern IO-Link architectures enable data access beyond the PLC through OPC UA and MQTT, allowing machine builders and end users to connect operational and IT-level systems without major engineering effort.
In addition, the session highlights developments already entering the installed base today, including IO-Link Safety, cybersecurity integration and predictive maintenance at field level.
Finally, the presentation demonstrates the technical and commercial advantages of designing IO-Link into machines from the start, and what capabilities IO-Link-enabled machines can deliver that conventional architectures cannot.
Presenter: Chris Simpson (PI Consultant)