Reposition Spares and Network Gear for Ethernet Migration

What happened

HMS Networks released its annual market study showing industrial Ethernet now accounts for most new automation node installs while fieldbus continues to decline. The study highlights protocol shifts (Profinet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT) and says component availability has normalised, which makes migration and interoperability the operational issues to watch next

Why the category manager should care

Treat the report as a concrete market-shift signal: plan to accelerate reclassification of spares to Ethernet-first and reduce legacy fieldbus exposure

Key facts

• Industrial Ethernet accounts for the majority of new node installations
• Fieldbus share falling and Profibus new-node installs declining
• Study underlines protocol concentration (Profinet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT)

What happened

A Process Online feature explains intrinsic safety (IS) as a method that limits electrical/thermal energy to prevent ignition, offering an alternative to heavy explosion‑proof equipment in hazardous zones. The piece highlights where IS is allowed and the practical advantages, which makes IS an operational option procurement teams should evaluate for device selection and spare compatibility

Why the category manager should care

Consider IS-capable devices as a way to reduce weight and cost of hazardous-area spares, but require documented approvals and labelling from suppliers

Key facts

• Intrinsic safety limits electrical/thermal energy below ignition thresholds
• Permits some safe-area devices to be used in IS circuits under standards
• Positioned as the preferred technique for the highest-risk (continuous presence) zones

What happened

Process Online product listings highlight new rugged edge PCs, fanless embedded computers and industrial tablets from multiple vendors, showing more local availability of higher-value edge compute hardware. The practical detail is that these devices increasingly target edge AI and industrial control, which makes firmware, calibration and service support relevant procurement levers

Why the category manager should care

Treat product availability as a prompt to lock down firmware, calibration and installer requirements in POs to avoid being bundled into unwanted services

Key facts

• Multiple new rugged edge and fanless industrial computers listed locally
• Devices aimed at edge AI, machine vision and automation workloads
• Vendors include established industrial suppliers active in APAC