Watlow, an industrial technology company and provider of thermal systems, is launching its Edge Process Management (EPM) platform, a new class of scalable architecture that combines data management, process control, and automation for temperature-driven operations in regulated industries
The first release on the platform, EPM Data, introduces a new approach to managing process records by capturing and structuring data at the point of measurement, creating secure, time-aligned digital records that support compliance, audit readiness, and evidence-based decision-making.
The platform is a modular, distributed system that unifies data, control, and automation in a single architecture, allowing manufacturers to move beyond fragmented systems and legacy chart recorders towards a consistent approach to process management across assets, sites, and regulatory environments.
Chris Mooney, Industrial Controls Segment director at Watlow, said, “The process record has effectively become part of the product. With EPM Data and the broader platform behind it, we are giving customers a trusted, time-stamped record created at the point of measurement, designed for daily operations and audit readiness, without adding system complexity.”
EPM Data is designed to deliver records that stand up to scrutiny, whether for a customer audit, internal review, or regulatory inspection. By creating a consistent, tamper-resistant source of truth, teams can defend process performance, resolve issues, and maintain confidence in data over time. This is designed for environments where process records must withstand audit scrutiny, support investigations and provide defensible evidence across sites and over time.
The solution is suitable for industries such as metals, heat treatment, life sciences, power generation, water and wastewater, environmental monitoring, and food and beverage.
Key capabilities include:
- High-precision inputs with field calibration accuracy suitable for demanding standards such as AMS2750 and CQI-9
- Secure, tamper-resistant records designed to support regulatory requirements, including FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11
- A consistent process record that can be used by operations, quality and audit teams for review, approval and long-term retention
The initial EPM Data release features panel-mounted devices and review software designed to fit into existing environments and scale from individual assets to enterprise deployments:
- EPM-07, a compact system suited to smaller furnaces, ovens, and skids
- EPM-15, designed for larger or multizone systems with higher channel requirements
- The Data Reviewer software environment allows users to visualise and interpret historical process data, supporting review, approval, and audit workflows, with optional audit-trail and electronic-signature functionality.
Mooney said, “It gives operations teams real-time visibility and provides quality teams with records they can rely on months or years later.”
Stan Breitlow, director of Control Product Solutions and Chief Systems designer at Watlow, said,
“EPM Data is built for customers whose process records must stand up to serious questions, whether in front of an auditor, during an investigation or when resolving a customer claim.”
EPM Data is the first step in a broader platform roadmap, with additional modular capabilities planned to extend the architecture to larger, more complex distributed systems.
EPM Data panel-mounted devices and Data Reviewer software are being introduced to selected customers, with broader availability planned through Watlow’s global sales and distribution network. Additional modular expansion options will follow.
