In many industries across the UK and globally, serial devices remain at the core of critical operations. From manufacturing and industrial automation to healthcare and retail environments, legacy equipment continues to play a vital role. The challenge is not replacing these systems, but integrating them into modern, secure and scalable network infrastructures. This is where the Digi Connect EZ TS range provides a powerful and future ready solution.
The Digi Connect EZ TS family has been engineered to bridge the gap between traditional serial communication and today’s IP based networks. It is also the recommended upgrade path for legacy Digi ConnectPort TS and PortServer TS serial servers, allowing organisations to modernise without disrupting existing workflows or applications.
Why Serial Connectivity Still Matters
Despite advances in networking technology, serial communication remains widely used due to its reliability, simplicity and long lifecycle. Many critical systems such as PLCs, barcode scanners, medical devices and POS terminals still rely on serial interfaces.
Replacing these systems is often expensive and unnecessary. Instead, organisations are focusing on extending their lifespan while integrating them into modern infrastructure. Serial device servers like the Digi Connect EZ TS make this possible by converting serial communication into IP based networking.
Introducing the Digi Connect EZ TS Range
The Digi Connect EZ TS series is designed to simplify and secure serial connectivity. Built on Digi’s latest platform, these devices are fast to deploy, easy to manage and highly scalable.
Two key models within the range include:
The EZ04-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 4 TS – 4 port version for smaller or distributed deployments
The EZ08-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 8 TS – 8 port version for higher density or centralised installations
Both models deliver the same core capabilities, ensuring consistent performance regardless of deployment size.
Designed as a Direct Upgrade for Legacy Digi Serial Servers
One of the key advantages of the Digi Connect EZ TS range is its role as a direct and recommended upgrade for legacy Digi ConnectPort TS and PortServer TS devices.
It maintains the same mechanical footprint, similar port configurations and familiar RealPort workflows. This allows organisations to replace older units without redesigning installations or retraining teams. Existing systems can continue operating with minimal disruption while benefiting from modern performance, security and management features.
Flexible Serial Connectivity for Any Environment
The Digi Connect EZ TS supports software selectable RS232, RS422 and RS485 communication, allowing a single device to work across multiple serial standards. This flexibility reduces the need for additional converters and simplifies deployments.
It is particularly useful in environments where different types of equipment are used, such as manufacturing, transportation, utilities and healthcare.
Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
Compatibility is critical when upgrading infrastructure. The Digi Connect EZ TS includes Digi RealPort technology, which allows remote serial devices to appear as native COM ports on a host system.
This ensures that existing applications can continue to operate without modification. In addition, support for serial tunnelling, TCP and UDP communication provides multiple integration options depending on system requirements.
Built for Security in Critical Environments
Security is embedded into the core of the Digi Connect EZ TS through Digi TrustFence. This framework includes secure boot, encrypted communications and authentication controls to protect devices and data.
These features help safeguard operations against modern cyber threats while supporting compliance in regulated industries.
Fast Deployment and Simple Configuration
The Digi Connect EZ TS is designed for rapid deployment. Devices can be discovered, configured and brought online within minutes using intuitive tools.
This reduces installation time and minimises the need for specialised technical expertise. For larger deployments, batch configuration and remote setup capabilities further streamline the process.
Centralised Management and Scalability
Managing multiple devices across different locations can be complex. The Digi Connect EZ TS supports centralised management through cloud based and on premise solutions.
This allows organisations to monitor performance, update firmware, configure devices and troubleshoot issues from a single interface. As your network grows, the platform scales with your requirements.
Edge Intelligence with Built In Python
The inclusion of a built in Python environment allows for advanced customisation and automation at the device level. Users can develop scripts to process data, trigger actions or manage workflows directly on the device.
This reduces reliance on external systems and enhances overall efficiency.
A Proven Platform with Expanding Success
The success of the Digi Connect EZ platform extends beyond serial connectivity. A strong example is the Digi Connect® EZ WS, launched last year and already gaining significant traction, particularly among system integrators and NHS Trusts.
The EZ WS has been widely adopted due to its secure wireless connectivity, ease of deployment and suitability for healthcare environments where reliability and compliance are critical. Its success highlights the strength of the wider Connect EZ ecosystem and reinforces confidence in the EZ TS range as part of the same proven platform.
For organisations operating in regulated sectors such as healthcare, this shared platform approach provides consistency in deployment, management and security across both wired and wireless connectivity solutions.
Real World Applications
The Digi Connect EZ TS is used across a wide range of industries.
In manufacturing, it connects machinery and control systems to central monitoring platforms. In healthcare, it integrates medical devices into secure networks. Retail businesses use it to connect POS systems and peripherals, while logistics operations rely on it for tracking and communication systems.
In each case, the goal is to modernise connectivity without replacing proven equipment.
Industry Insight from Rugged
As a long standing supplier of industrial connectivity solutions, Rugged works closely with customers across a range of sectors. Commenting on the Digi Connect EZ TS range, Sat Bhatti from Rugged notes:
“It’s a strong offering from Digi and a very welcome upgrade to their existing serial connectivity range. You can see the engineering that has gone into this platform, particularly around security, flexibility and ease of deployment. It has been designed with real world applications in mind and aligns closely with the demands we see from customers operating in industrial and mission critical environments. For businesses still relying on legacy serial infrastructure, this provides a clear and reliable path forward.”
Choosing the Right Model
Selecting the right model depends on your specific requirements.
For smaller deployments or distributed environments, the 4 port version is a compact and efficient solution
The EZ04-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 4 TS – 4 port version for smaller or distributed deployments
For larger or centralised systems, the 8 port version provides greater capacity and scalability
The EZ08-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 8 TS – 8 port version for higher density or centralised installations
Both options deliver the same high level of performance, security and reliability.
Future-Proof Your Infrastructure
The Digi Connect® EZ TS range is built to support evolving connectivity demands. As organisations adopt IoT and data-driven workflows, efficient device integration and centralised management become critical.
Upgrading to the EZ TS platform allows you to extend the life of existing equipment while aligning your infrastructure with future operational requirements.
Take the Next Step
Upgrading your serial infrastructure doesn’t need to be complex. With the right guidance, you can implement a solution that is secure, scalable, and tailored to your environment.
Explore the Digi Connect® EZ TS Range — Speak to an Expert
In a short consultation with the Rugged team, you can:
- Identify the most suitable Digi Connect® EZ TS model
- Plan a structured migration from legacy serial servers
- Align connectivity with your operational and security requirements
- Understand deployment, management, and expansion options
Make informed decisions with expert support at every stage.
Start the Conversation Today
Contact Rugged Limited
Phone: +44 (0) 1474 240 120
Email: [email protected]
Product details & quote requests: EZ08-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 8 TS or EZ04-TS00 Digi Connect EZ 4 TS
Final Thoughts
The Digi Connect® EZ TS series delivers a high-performance, reliable platform for serial connectivity. It simplifies integration, strengthens security, and provides the control needed to manage devices at scale.
Whether deploying the EZ04 TS00 or EZ08 TS00, you gain a solution designed for stability today and flexibility tomorrow.
