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Remote temperature monitoring

Written by Ivo Frank on . Posted in Allgemein, IoT.

Monitoring the temperature of goods requiring refrigeration is crucial for their safety and quality. Traditional methods of temperature monitoring are often inaccurate and do not provide real-time monitoring, causing problems in areas such as healthcare, catering and logistics. Remote temperature monitoring offers a solution by allowing organisations to monitor temperature in real time. Through the use of sensors, temperature data can be continuously collected and sent wirelessly to a central platform to immediately detect temperature fluctuations and trigger alarms. Remote temperature monitoring is therefore an efficient and reliable way to ensure the safety and quality of goods requiring refrigeration. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

SenseING products for remote temperature monitoring:

Why temperature monitoring is crucial

Dangers due to temperature fluctuations

Temperature fluctuations jeopardise the quality and safety of goods that require refrigeration, such as food and medicines. They can accelerate the growth of bacteria in food and impair the effectiveness of medicines.

Health risks for consumers and patients

Inadequately refrigerated products can lead to serious health problems such as food poisoning or the loss of effectiveness of medication. This can be life-threatening, especially for patients who are dependent on a constant supply.

Liability risks for companies

The improper storage of products can place a legal and financial burden on companies. They can be held liable for damage, which can lead to high losses, reputational damage and legal consequences. The implementation of a reliable monitoring system is therefore crucial.

Regulations and compliance requirements

In addition to health and financial risks, companies must also fulfil certain regulations and compliance requirements, particularly in the areas of food and drug safety. Temperature monitoring systems play a crucial role in fulfilling these requirements by providing complete recording and monitoring of temperature conditions. By complying with these regulations, companies can minimise the risk of fines, legal consequences and reputational damage.

The advantages of remote temperature monitoring

Real-time monitoring and alarm functions

Remote monitoring enables immediate alarm messages in the event of temperature deviations so that problems can be recognised and rectified at an early stage.

Remote access and data storage

Users can access the temperature data from anywhere and analyse trends to prevent future problems.

Automated reporting and compliance support

Automated reports facilitate compliance with legal regulations and industry standards. Reports can be accessed with one click.

Areas of application for remote monitoring systems

Care facilities and hospitals

In care facilities and hospitals temperature monitoring is crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines and the quality of supplies. Remote monitoring systems provide the ability to continuously monitor temperatures in storage rooms, refrigerators and freezers and receive alerts in the event of deviations, allowing timely intervention to protect patient health while relieving staff of manual documentation.

Food industry and catering

In the Gastronomy and the food industry proper food storage is crucial to ensure consumer safety and avoid food waste. Remote temperature monitoring systems allow restaurants, grocery shops and food manufacturers to monitor the temperature in cold storage and warehouses and ensure that food is stored in optimal conditions to guarantee its quality.

Logistics and supply chains

In the Logistics and in supply chains, temperature monitoring systems play an important role in ensuring product quality during the production process. transport. By monitoring the temperature in delivery vehicles, containers and warehouses, companies can ensure that sensitive products such as fresh food or medicines are not exposed to undesirable temperature fluctuations during transport. In addition, the strict transport regulations can be optimally fulfilled with the systems.

Technological aspects of remote temperature monitoring

Remote monitoring systems essentially consist of two components: Hardware and software. The hardware includes Sensors and measuring devices that continuously collect data at predefined measuring points. These sensors send the collected data via the internet to platforms or software solutions where it is analysed, visualised and stored. In cases where the sensors do not transmit via the mobile phone network, the data is typically transferred to the internet via gateways. Various technologies such as WLAN, LoRaWAN etc. are used. LoRaWAN in particular is proving to be especially suitable due to its long range and good penetration in buildings.

When selecting the right technology, it is important to ensure that the hardware complies with the applicable guidelines and standards of the respective industry. Professional advice and support from experts can be helpful to ensure that the remote monitoring system meets the specific requirements and fulfils all legal requirements.

Conclusion

Remote temperature monitoring plays a crucial role in the safety and quality of products in various industries. Through continuous temperature monitoring, potential risks can be detected and remedied at an early stage to ensure product integrity. Companies and institutions should therefore implement remote temperature monitoring systems to replace manual documentation and monitoring processes. As product safety and quality requirements increase, the importance of this technology will continue to grow.

Sustainable technology: data logger with energy harvesting

Written by Sven Kruse on . Posted in Allgemein, IoT.

The omnipresent role of technology extends to all areas of life and plays a central role in industry in particular. However, the use of technology always goes hand in hand with the use of resources and has a significant influence on the shaping of our environment. Against this background, sustainable behaviour and environmental protection are rightly becoming increasingly important. As an innovative company, SenseING also contributes to the development of responsible and sustainable products.

What is sustainable technology?

Sustainable technology is an innovative approach to the development and use of technological solutions that aims to minimise the impact on the environment and promote social responsibility. This approach is reflected at various levels, which can have a positive impact in equally diverse areas.

Renewable energies, for example, are a central aspect of sustainable technologies and include the utilisation of environmentally friendly energy sources such as sun, wind, water and geothermal energy. This form of energy generation reduces dependence on non-renewable resources and at the same time reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The efficient use of energy and resources also plays a crucial role. Technologies to improve energy efficiency in buildings, means of transport and industrial processes help to minimise consumption and thus reduce environmental pollution.

Recycling is another level of sustainable technology. By developing advanced recycling processes and increasing the recyclability of products, resources can be reused more efficiently, reducing not only the amount of waste but also the need for primary raw materials.

Digital technologies also contribute to sustainability by offering innovative solutions for environmentally friendly processes, intelligent urban development and environmentally conscious data collection.

All in all, sustainable technology is a multi-layered approach that works at various levels to promote environmentally friendly, socially responsible and sustainable development.

How SenseING designs sustainable products

Disposable data loggers are frequently used in the transport sector in particular. Although these are practical, their short-term benefits are often at the expense of the environment. SenseING has set itself the goal of solving this problem by using reusable loggers. We develop and produce products that are designed for durability and reliability so that our customers can benefit from our solutions for a long time. In doing so, we actively consider the various levels of sustainable technology:

Energy harvesting: energy from the environment

In its products, SenseING SLC-PV and SNC-PV relies on the integration of indoor solar cells, which enable self-sufficient operation of the data loggers. The use of solar energy has not only ecological but also practical advantages. Thanks to the continuous energy supply, our data loggers can supply themselves with energy over very long periods of time. This not only saves the hassle of changing batteries or recharging, but also significantly reduces the total cost of ownership. Thanks to the intelligent utilisation of indoor lighting in buildings, the data loggers can also be operated in environments where no direct sunlight is available. At the same time, the problem of assigning data to objects is solved, as self-sufficient data loggers can be permanently attached to products such as insulated containers. Manual assignment processes, as required with disposable data loggers, are thus completely eliminated.

Ultra-Low Power

Even the interior lighting in buildings is sufficient to operate the data loggers autonomously.

The energy efficiency of our data loggers is a decisive factor. Thanks to our innovative ultra-low-power design, the loggers have extremely low energy consumption. This not only enables long-term operation of battery-operated loggers over several years, but also autonomous operation with the aid of Energy Harvesting modules - even in environments without direct daylight. The focus on ultra-low power opens up new perspectives for the sustainable and efficient use of energy sources in various application areas, particularly in the IoT area.

Recyclable design

SenseING's sustainable approach is also reflected in the hardware of its products. An integral part of the product design is the consistent focus on recyclability. Our products are designed so that they can be easily recycled at the end of their service life in order to minimise the environmental impact and make optimum use of resources. The modular design also allows components such as the housing to be replaced in the event of damage, so that the centrepiece of the hardware, the electronics, can continue to be used.

If you would like to find out more about how our Data loggers and sensors work or how they are used in your industry ,we are at your disposal. Contact us and discover how sustainable technology is revolutionising the way we collect and analyse data.

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Digitalisation in the health sector

Written by Sven Kruse on . Posted in Allgemein, IoT.

The healthcare sector today faces a multitude of challenges that require continuous development in order to meet increasing demands and the shortage of skilled workers. The digitalisation of processes is a promising answer to these challenges. In this article, you will learn how digitalisation can optimise processes in the healthcare sector and thus save costs and relieve staff.

What does digital healthcare mean?

Digitisation in healthcare refers to the integration of digital technologies and solutions to improve the efficiency, quality and accessibility of healthcare.

The applications can be very versatile. In addition to electronic patient shares, telemedicine, robot-assisted surgery, IoT solutions such as wearables and smart buildings also ensure greater efficiency in the healthcare sector. As experts for the Internet of Things (IoT), we will go into more detail below on how IoT solutions can create added value in the healthcare sector.

Before we turn to the concrete applications of IoT solutions in healthcare, it is important to understand the concept of IoT. IoT means "Internet of Things" and refers to the networking of physical devices and objects via the internet. These devices and objects are equipped with sensors, actuators and communication technologies that enable them to collect data, exchange information and respond to commands without direct human interaction.

Digital infrastructure creates more overview

In the digitalisation of healthcare, IoT solutions have the potential to improve the efficiency, safety and quality of patient care. This is because by integrating smart sensors that capture data in real time and using the latest communication technologies, IoT solutions enable seamless networking of medical devices, facilities and medical staff. This intelligent networking creates a digital infrastructure that provides a comprehensive overview of the health status of patients, the operation of medical facilities and the use of resources. With this knowledge, decision-makers can make informed, data-driven decisions and optimise processes. The following practical applications show how the IoT optimises everyday processes by networking objects.

1.Precise temperature monitoring: protection for medicines, samples and foodstuffs

The temperature ranges of medicinal products specified by the manufacturer may not be exceeded or undercut during storage in pharmacies - this is stipulated by the Pharmacy Operating Regulations.ApBetrO §4, §29The situation is similar for foodstuffs. The EU Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on food hygiene, which came into force on 1 January 2006, makes it obligatory for everyone who handles food or puts it into circulation to establish a HACCP concept. HACCP concepts are internal self-control systems to guarantee food safety for the consumer and also provide for the documentation and control of temperatures.

Often, the checks are carried out and documented manually, which is time-consuming and labour-intensive, offers an increased risk of errors and makes evaluation difficult. This is where IoT-enabled sensors provide a remedy. Because they enable precise and automated Monitoring temperatures in medicine cabinets, laboratories and canteens. The intelligent sensors detect temperature and humidity and continuously send data to central platforms. Medical staff and administrators receive immediate notifications when temperatures are outside the specified range. This allows them to respond immediately to ensure the integrity of medicines, samples and food. The accuracy of temperature monitoring contributes to improved patient safety and optimised resource utilisation.

2. Patient Monitoring

Wearables in the form of wristwatches and sensors can monitor patients and collect important health data such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and activity level. This data can be transmitted in real time to medical staff to enable continuous monitoring and timely intervention in case of changes in health status or falls, etc.

3. Smart Buildings: Automated Buildings

In the building sector, there are numerous IoT applications that can optimise building efficiency, energy consumption, space utilisation and resource use. For example, lighting and air conditioning can be automatically adjusted to demand in order to save energy. In addition, IoT sensors can detect which rooms are currently being used and which are empty. In this way, the use of space can be optimised and it can be ensured that resources are used efficiently. Smart cameras and sensors can also help increase security in medical facilities. They can detect potential security risks such as unauthorised access and inform staff in time to react appropriately.

4. Networked Medical Devices

The networking of medical devices through IoT technologies is one of the most advanced applications in healthcare and offers numerous advantages. By integrating sensors and communication functions into medical devices, they can be connected to each other and to other IT systems in the facility. This creates a seamless network that captures, monitors and shares important medical data in real time. This enables a comprehensive picture of a patient's condition to be obtained and informed clinical decisions to be made. This in turn can increase patient safety and improve the quality of medical care.

5. Air Quality Monitoring

IoT sensors monitor the air quality in rooms. In doing so, they record the temperature, air humidity, CO2 and volatile organic compounds. In this way, infection risks can be detected at an early stage and appropriate measures can be initiated. Real-time warnings enable quick reactions or the automated control of air supply and exchange.

Conclusion

Digitalisation in healthcare and the integration of IoT solutions offer enormous potential to improve the efficiency, quality and safety of patient care. From precise temperature monitoring of medicines, samples and food in pharmacies to real-time monitoring of patients' vital signs through networked medical devices - the possibilities are many. Automating and networking buildings also makes for more efficient use of resources and increased safety. The monitoring of indoor air quality by IoT sensors helps to detect infection risks at an early stage and to take appropriate protective measures. Digitalisation and IoT solutions thus play an important role in the transformation of healthcare towards a connected, efficient and safe environment for patients and medical staff.

5 Steps for a Successful IoT Project

Written by Ivo Frank on . Posted in Allgemein, Fachartikel, IoT.

Whether in smart cities, Industry 4.0 or logistics - the Internet of Things (IoT) offers great potential for optimising processes in companies. At the same time, the integration of the IoT often presents companies with challenges due to its complexity. To save costs and ensure smooth implementation, it is advisable to consult an IoT specialist as early as the conception phase. After all, companies specialising in the Internet of Things, such as SenseING, have the necessary know-how and the corresponding overview to successfully implement projects.

In this blog post, we have summarised five important steps that will help you make your IoT project a success.

1. Definition of the Project Objective

Before starting an IoT project, it is important to define clear goals and carefully analyse the needs. Goals such as increasing efficiency, reducing costs or optimising the supply chain should be identified. It is also important that the goals are realistic and measurable. Distinguish between short-term, medium-term and long-term goals, whereby you should first focus on the short-term goals. This is the only way you can determine at the end of the project whether you have achieved your goals or not. The more precise your project goal is, the better you can align your resources and strategies to it. So all in all: take enough time to define your goals and implement them clearly and precisely - this will lay the foundation for project success.

2. Choosing the Right Technology

Once you have defined your goals, it is important to select the right IoT platform and the appropriate IoT devices and infrastructure. In doing so, you should ask yourself the following questions: What functionalities do we need? What are our security and data protection requirements? Do we need a scalable solution for future growth? Does the infrastructure already need to be suitable for a nationwide rollout? Which interfaces are needed?

There are many different platform and equipment providers on the market, so it is advisable to make a comparison and evaluate several options. Also look to see if the providers have experience in your industry or can meet specific industry requirements.

Note that the connectivity of the components plays an important role in the choice of technologies. Make sure that the different components of the IoT are compatible with each other. Creative workshops with your technicians are very helpful here.

Another important aspect in the selection of a IoT platform and infrastructure is the integration with your existing systems. Seamless integration not only enables better control over project management, but also saves time and costs.

In summary, it is crucial to carefully consider the choice of the right IoT platform and devices as they are essential to the success of the project.

3. Secure and Protect Your Network

Due to the large number of networked devices in the Internet of Things, it is especially important to protect your network from cyber attacks. Here are some measures you can take:

  • Check regularly that all devices and components in your network have the latest security updates. Manufacturers regularly release patches and updates to close known security gaps. Therefore, always keep your devices up to date.
  • Separate your network into different segments or VLANs to limit the spread of attacks. This prevents a compromised device from compromising the entire network.
  • Set up a firewall to prevent unauthorised access to your network. Configure the firewall to allow only the necessary traffic.
  • Set up monitoring tools to detect suspicious activity on your network. Regularly check logs and events to detect possible security breaches early.
  • Ensure that regular backups and data backups are automated

By implementing these security measures, you can effectively protect your network and reduce the risk of cyber attacks.

4. Implement and Test Your Application

Implement your project plan by testing and implementing the required IoT devices and infrastructure in a prototype setup. Work with your team or external experts to integrate the hardware, software and network components. Thoroughly test the system to ensure it runs smoothly and delivers the desired results.

Note that testing your applications is a continuous process. This means that you need to regularly update and improve your applications to ensure that they meet your requirements.

5. Roll-out, Optimisation & Scaling

After you have tested and validated your IoT applications, it is time to roll out your project to the. Analyse your data carefully and identify weaknesses or areas for improvement. Use these insights to optimise your applications and improve their performance.

Scalability is an important factor for the long-term success of your IoT project. Plan for scalability from the beginning to ensure that your applications can keep up with an increasing number of users. Make sure your IoT platform and network architecture are scalable enough to handle future growth.

Conclusion: How to Achieve a Successful IoT Project

A successful IoT project is not a simple undertaking. It requires careful planning, a clear vision and a deep understanding of the technical aspects. However, with the five steps in this article, you can ensure that your project is on the right track. First, define your goals and make sure they are realistic and measurable. Then select the appropriate IoT technology that meets your needs and gives you the flexibility you require. Protect your network from cyber threats and make sure your data is safe. Test your applications carefully and make sure they run smoothly. Continually optimise and scale your project to ensure it remains successful.

A person, photographed over the shoulder, holds a LoRa tracker in their hand. A laptop with a table and a map can be seen in the background.

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Energy self-sufficient temperature data loggers for food logistics

Written by Ivo Frank on . Posted in Allgemein, IoT, Presse.

SenseING launches energy self-sufficient temperature data loggers with an integrated solar panel. The logger generates enough energy to operate autonomously simply from the lighting in vehicles and warehouses.

Logistics companies are obliged to check and record the temperature at regular intervals in order to ensure that the cold chain for temperature-sensitive goods is maintained without interruption and to minimise risks. Until now, this has often been done manually, which requires a lot of manpower and harbours sources of error.

The data logger charges itself via its solar panel.

Self-contained temperature data logger for seamless data acquisition

The new temperature logger called „SLC-PV“ from the Karlsruhe-based company documents the temperature and relative humidity on the loading area of vehicles. The special feature of the logger is its self-sufficient energy supply. Thanks to a solar module, the logger charges its energy storage unit independently, even without daylight. The logger only requires 250 lux for self-sufficient operation and can therefore get by with the lighting in halls or vehicles. Annoying battery changes are therefore a thing of the past and possible data loss is ruled out. Logistics companies can therefore rely on continuous data logging without manual intervention or reading the temperature values.

The logger's automated data acquisition system enables seamless transmission of the collected information. Once at the storage location, the data is automatically transmitted via the wireless standard LoRaWAN which transmits the data to the Cloud where they can be analysed, visualised and managed. This allows companies to monitor their temperature and humidity values easily and efficiently and create automated reports. „In addition, SenseING offers the transfer of recorded data to existing customer systems via standardised interfaces,“ explains Managing Director Sven Kruse.


Integration of the stand-alone temperature loggers is simple and straightforward. The loggers are supplied pre-configured and can be put into operation in just a few steps. The loggers can also be used for temperature documentation in warehouses without any problems.

Automated fulfilment of requirements

Automatic data transmission enables seamless documentation of temperature values throughout the entire transport and storage process. As a result, logistics companies can not only reduce labour costs and sources of error, but also improve the efficiency and reliability of their temperature monitoring. In addition, the permanent documentation supports logistics companies in their quality management audits.


„All in all, with our self-sufficient data logger, we offer companies the opportunity to increase their efficiency, reduce costs and optimise their operating processes,“ concludes Kruse.

The self-sufficient temperature data logger with integrated solar panel is now available. In addition, SenseING offers further Logging solutions along the supply chain. Companies wishing to optimise their logistics processes and reliably monitor their temperature and humidity values are cordially invited to request further information.

LPWAN technologies and their applications

Written by Ivo Frank on . Posted in Fachartikel, IoT.

Anyone who is concerned with the Internet of Things (IoT) has probably come across the term LPWAN. But what is it and what are its advantages? In this article you will learn everything you need to know about LPWAN and its use cases.

What is LPWAN?

LPWAN, Low Power Wide Area Network, refers to technologies and network protocols that are used to network wireless devices. The technologies enable the transmission of small amounts of data over long distances with extremely low energy consumption. They are divided into licensed and non-licensed technologies.

Advantages of LPWAN technologies

The main advantages of the technology are already contained in the name: Low Power and Wide Area. The low energy requirement significantly increases the battery life of the devices, meaning that they can generally be operated maintenance-free for several years. The long range enables devices to be connected over several kilometres, which is particularly advantageous in rural and remote areas. This is associated with a high penetration of objects and materials. Compared to higher-frequency radio technologies such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, LPWAN signals penetrate obstacles such as walls and buildings very well.

In addition to the low energy requirements and the high range, licence-free networks provide additional popularity. This is because they do not incur any licensing costs.

However, the advantages are offset by the low data rates, as these are usually in the range of a few 100 bit/s to a few 100 Kbit/s. The technologies are therefore mainly suitable for applications that require a low bandwidth.

What technologies and standards are there?

LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN stands for Long Range Wide Area Network and is a licence-free radio standard of the LoRa Alliance. The radio standard uses licence-free frequency bands, which can vary from country to country. In Europe and many other countries, the technology uses the 868 MHz or 433 MHz frequency bands, while in North America it uses the 915 MHz frequency band.

The networks can be built locally or globally and provide a secure and scalable infrastructure for IoT applications. The technology is supported by various manufacturers and service providers and is an important part of the growing IoT ecosystem.

NB-IoT

NB-IoT stands for Narrowband Internet of Things and is a radio standard for the Internet of Things (IoT). The standard uses existing mobile networks and has a very narrow bandwidth, which makes it very energy-efficient.

NB-IoT networks use existing LTE masts and antennas that are well developed. So, unlike LoRaWAN and Sigfox, using NB-IoT requires no investment in network infrastructure, regardless of where the devices are located in the world. This, in turn, allows manufacturers to develop internet-enabled devices that can connect right out of the box.

LTE-M (Cat-M2)

LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for Machines), also known as Cat-M2, is a licenced variant of the 4G LTE network, which is also used for the fast transmission of data and the use of mobile broadband services for smartphones and tablets. Compared to other LPWAN technologies, LTE-M has a significantly better data rate. In addition, IoT devices that use LTE-M find a good connection almost everywhere, as 4G is the most widespread mobile network.

Sigfox

Sigfox is a French company that offers an eponymous licensed LPWAN network for the Internet of Things (IoT). Like other LPWAN technologies, Sigfox is specifically designed for the transmission of small amounts of data from IoT devices. For this purpose, the network uses the radio frequencies 868 MHz in Europe and 902 MHz in the USA. Sigfox is only approved by a few network operators per country. Thus, network coverage of Sigfox varies regionally and depends on the availability of Sigfox base stations. In addition, the transmission capacity of Sigfox is very limited. Only 140 messages with up to 12 bytes each can be sent or 8 bytes received per day.

Areas of application

LPWAN technologies are used almost everywhere where a wireless connection is needed, but the data transmission rate and data volume requirements are relatively small. In the area of smart cities, LPWAN networks can be used, for example, to monitor environmental conditions such as air quality and noise levels. The technologies are also suitable for monitoring car parks or waste containers.

Another area of application is Asset Tracking, This involves the localisation and monitoring of moving objects such as vehicles, devices or transport containers. With wireless technologies, these objects can be tracked in real time, enabling a more efficient supply chain.

In agriculture, LPWAN networks can be used to monitor soil moisture, temperature and other parameters. This increases crop yields and reduces water consumption.

Other use cases could be

  • Intelligent building and energy management
  • Monitoring of supply and disposal systems
  • System monitoring
  • Supply chain management
  • Intelligent traffic and transport management
  • Health and medical applications
  • Home automation and smart home solutions

Overall, LPWAN offers a cost-effective and practicable solution for networking devices and transmitting small amounts of data over longer distances. Although the data rates are limited compared to other technologies, they are sufficient for very many use cases and enable reliable and, above all, energy-saving networking.

IoT architecture: The layers of the Internet of Things

Written by Sven Kruse on . Posted in Allgemein, Fachartikel, IoT. 1 Comment on IoT-Architektur: Die Ebenen des Internet of Things

An introduction to the different layers of IoT architecture and how they work together to connect the physical world with the digital world.

The Internet of Things The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that makes it possible to connect objects in an unprecedented way. The data collected as a result enables us to make better decisions or automate processes. However, the IoT is not a single technology, but many technological layers that interact to form the Internet of Things. In this article you will learn more about the architecture of the IoT and its different layers.

The layers of the IoT architecture

The Internet of Things is multifaceted and comprises a number of components and technologies that work together to enable the networking of objects. We roughly distinguish between layers in the physical world and layers in the digital world. In between there is a connectivity layer that connects the two worlds. In the following, we will go into more detail about the levels and the associated components and technologies.

Physical world

In most cases, additional hardware is needed to network an object and thus integrate it into the Internet of Things. This hardware is attached to the object in order to network the physical world, i.e. all real objects.

Physical objects

At the beginning there is always an object to be networked. In the industrial context, this is usually vehicles, transport containers, devices and tools, production machines or conveyor belts. Networking these objects enables better monitoring and control of processes as well as optimised maintenance and servicing.

Sensors and actuators

In order to collect data from a physical object or its environment, sensors are required, which are either attached to the objects in the form of trackers, data loggers or beacons or are already in the electronics of an object. Depending on the requirements, the sensors can record various physical parameters, from temperature and humidity to movement and vibration.

Actuators are components that trigger actions, i.e. control objects, on the basis of recorded data. The actuators can take on different forms depending on requirements. For example, they can be used as a switch for activating the air conditioning at a higher temperature or as a motor that closes windows when it rains.

Connectivity

The connectivity layer is the layer that networks the devices with each other or connects them to the internet to transmit the data. Depending on the application, various network protocols such as WiFi, Bluetooth , NB-IoT or LoRaWAN is used. The aim of this level is to connect the physical with the digital world and to ensure reliable as well as secure data transmission. Some solutions have the option of sending data via the mobile network themselves. Other solutions use intermediate instances such as smartphones or gateways for this purpose.

Digital world

The digital world of the IoT architecture enables the processing and analysis of the collected data. This enables companies to gain useful insights and derive measures from them, which in turn optimises processes, saves costs or identifies new business areas.

Analytics

Analytics or data analysis is an important part of the IoT. This is because useful insights and valuable data are extracted from the large amounts of data. These insights are then used to make decisions or predict trends.

In order to use analytics successfully, the data is first collected, stored and cleaned in a data store. Then, algorithms and methods from the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence are used to identify the maintenance needs of machines or predict failures, for example.

Digital services

The final level of digital services brings together the possibilities of the previous levels, structures them and presents them in so-called IoT platforms. The data is usually presented in clear dashboards in web applications or apps. This is where the actual customer benefit is generated. This is where the customer gets a complete overview of his networked objects. For example, the locations of vehicles are visualised here, machines are controlled remotely or data is visualised in order to recognise trends and patterns. This information can then be used to optimise the processes concerned, develop new products and services and ultimately make better decisions.

Dashboards enable a quick and clear presentation of the most important key figures and trends

The IoT architecture - complex and critical to success

The Internet of Things is an exciting field that offers many opportunities to automate processes and make decisions based on real-time data. However, the IoT architecture with its various technologies and components makes the Internet of Things a complex ecosystem. Since only a few companies have the necessary expertise, cooperation with an experienced IoT partner and careful planning and coordination are essential for a successful implementation.