New Services Enabled by 5G Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies NB-IoT and LTE-M for Manufacturing Equipment

The new IoT data supports key aspects of ALMiG’s newly launched COMPASS proposition, including supporting customers with daily updates, instant notification of critical status updates, and improved uptime through preventive maintenance. Overall, the inclusion of IoT data has enabled ALMiG to migrate from providing reactive support to providing proactive support. This approach includes aspects such as data management where clients often lack data science capabilities and can benefit from support to define required data structures, frequencies of update, and which data feeds and correlations should be tracked to gain the most insight. Additionally, ALMiG has been able to simplify service activities and provide new services that extend to cover all plant-related activities.

Macro level information provided to clients includes a dashboard including both individual device data and also data about a clients’ worldwide ALMiG device estate. Another key benefit lies in ALMiG’s potential to use IoT data from real world deployments to enhance future product development. Historically, ALMiG has supplied compressors to multiple industries, but with little data or feedback concern- ing exactly how the devices were being used by different customer segments. In the medium term, the company expects to be able to optimise product specifications for different customer types so that features that are not required can be omitted and compressor capabilities can be better matched to customer needs. Such an approach will enable ALMiG to make their overall compressor portfolio more competitive in an evolving marketplace.

From an operational perspective, ALMiG benefits from the ability to undertake pre-emptive maintenance and upgrade their overall approach to field servicing. Currently, when large compressors break down, field engineers must often fly to a customer location to undertake the necessary repairs. Accordingly, where repairs can be undertaken pre-emptively
as a part of routine service maintenance there are significant benefits in terms of travel time and expense. Additionally, there are significant sustainability benefits associated with reducing air travel.

Accordingly, it is important for ALMiG to cater to customer demand for transparent and prompt access to usage data sourced from smart and connected machines, whilst also enabling those customers to maximise their return on previous investments by enabling similar services on already deployed machines.

For ALMiG, the deployment of Modbus Cloud Connect was an effective way to connect both new and existing machines and to optimise services associated with both. Using Modbus Cloud Connect, compressors can be remotely monitored and controlled to reduce on-site operational effort using existing sensors and actuators. The solution can be easily retrofitted into existing machines and legacy systems and can be connected through pre-configured cloud adapters and use of the 5G mobile communications.

The partnership between ALMiG and grandcentrix will be continued and even expanded. Currently there are discussions about the development of an additional cloud-platform to complement the existing
cloud platform. In the mid and long-term the target is to develop new applications and new services for customers.

Using the large number of data points that are now sourced from compressors, ALMiG is working with data science experts from grandcentrix to get new insights into customer usage of the equipment, resulting in the development of new applications or features. For example, customised and usage-based notifications can be provided to customers. Moreover, these insights will be reflected in AMiG’s product portfolio development and R&D.

Modbus Cloud Connect by Vodafone/grandcentrix makes IoT simply easy.

Modbus Cloud Connect is the “all-in-one” IoT product for direct connection of Modbus RTU devices via LPWA (Narrowband-IoT & LTE-M) to the cloud. For more information, please visit: https://grandcentrix.net/ en/products/modbus/ grandcentrix is a 100%-subsidiary of Vodafone Germany, supporting enterprises with the successful implementation of IoT projects. This includes custom bespoke IoT solutions (professional services) as well as IoT plug&play products such as Modbus Cloud Connect. In both business pillars the focus is on the connection of devices to the internet of things with expertise along all IoT disciplines, from embedded engineering, production and certification, cloud backend and frontend, app, security and data science.