Converting a 1998 cell to IIoT without ripping the PLC — what actually worked

TS ControlsThe answer

Keep the SLC on its VLAN. Put a small edge (Ignition Edge, or a hardware store-and-forward) as the only broker client. Read via Ethernet/IP, publish MQTT outbound, no subscribe back into the PLC. Document the tag list like a contract. The plants that failed gave the IT VLAN a write MSG.

TS ControlsOne more thing

If the cell is a robot + PLC pair, the cleaner path is the Industry 5.0 loop we run on TIA/KUKA and are expanding to Logix, FANUC, and ABB. Dashboard is a side effect. Email sales@ts-controls.com with the processor and we will tell you if an edge box is enough or if the PLC should stay lonely on purpose.