Industrial Ethernet is now bigger than fieldbuses industrial network market shares, as per HMS study that included estimation for 2018 based on number of new installed nodes in 2017 within Factory Automation.

 

 

Industrial Ethernet has overtaken traditional fieldbuses in terms of new installed nodes (a node is defined as a machine or device connected to an industrial network) in factory automation, according to the HMS Industrial Networks’ annual study of the industrial network market. HMS Industrial Networks is the leading independent supplier of products for industrial communication including remote management. HMS develops and manufactures solutions for connecting automation devices and systems to industrial networks under the Anybus, IXXAT and eWON brands.

 

Industrial Ethernet now accounts for 52 per cent of new installed nodes (46 per cent last year), while fieldbuses are on 42 per cent (48 per cent last year). EtherNet/IP is now the most widely installed network at 15 per cent, followed by PROFINET and PROFIBUS, both at 12 per cent. Wireless technologies are also coming on strong with 6 per cent market share.

 

HMS Industrial Networks has presented its annual analysis of the industrial network market, which focuses on new installed nodes within factory automation globally. As an independent supplier of products and services for industrial communication and the Internet of Things (IoT), HMS has a substantial insight into the industrial network market. Given below are some of the trends it sees within industrial communication in 2018 and also looks back on the network market share evolution during the last 5 years.

 

Industrial Ethernet: Growth powered by IIoT

Industrial Ethernet has been growing faster than traditional fieldbuses for a number of years and has now overtaken fieldbuses. With a growth rate of 22 per cent, Industrial Ethernet now makes up for 52 per cent of the global market compared to 46 per cent last year. EtherNet/IP has emerged as the largest network with 15 per cent of the market. Ethernet runners-up globally are PROFINET, EtherCAT, Modbus-TCP and Ethernet POWERLINK.

 

“We have seen the transition to industrial Ethernet for a long time, but it isn’t until now that it has actually overtaken fieldbuses when it comes to number of new installed nodes. The transition to industrial Ethernet is driven by the need for high performance, integration between factory installations and IT/IoT-systems, as well as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in general,” said Anders Hansson, Chief Marketing Officer at HMS.

 

Fieldbuses still fighting, but expected to decline

Boosted by a strong industry and cyber-security concerns in the industry, fieldbuses are still growing slightly. However, despite an increased growth rate at 6 per cent (4 last year), the number of fieldbus installations are expected to decline steadily over the next few years. The dominant fieldbus is still PROFIBUS with 12 per cent of the total world market, followed by Modbus-RTU and CC-Link, both at 6 per cent.

 

Wireless is redefining the network picture

Wireless technologies are also growing by 32 per cent and accounts for 6 per cent of the total market. Within Wireless, WLAN is the most popular technology, followed by Bluetooth. “Wireless is increasingly being used by machine builders and system integrators to realise innovative automation architectures. Users can reduce cabling and create new solutions for connectivity and control, including Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solutions via tablets or smartphones,” said Anders Hansson.

 

Regional network variations

In Europe and the Middle East, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP are leading and PROFIBUS is still widely used. Other popular networks 

are EtherCAT, Modbus-TCP and Ethernet POWERLINK.

 

The US market is dominated by the CIP networks, with a clear movement towards EtherNet/IP. In Asia, no network stands out as truly market-leading, but PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, Modbus and CC-Link are widely used, with the Ethernet version CC-Link IE Field also gaining traction.

 

A flashback 

According to HMS, during 2017, industrial Ethernet finally passed fieldbuses in terms of market share. “The growth of industrial networks has been steady over the last 5 years, and it is interesting to see that industrial Ethernet now has passed fieldbus, currently accounting for 52 per cent of the market with EtherNet/IP as the leading network,” informed Anders Hansson.

 

He added, “Nevertheless, our study confirms that the network market remains fragmented – users continue to ask for connectivity to a wide variety of networks, depending on application. Looking ahead, it is clear that industrial devices will become increasingly connected, boosted by the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0.  From our point of view, we are well-suited to grow with these trends, since HMS is all about Connecting Devices.”