In our previous posts on the Modern Equipment Manufacturer, we’ve explored the evolution happening in the design and construction of today’s modern industrial equipment. Today’s equipment is becoming increasingly connected – taking advantage of BACnet and other protocols that make it easier to interface with, gather data from and diagnose issues with.
But that’s not the latest and greatest when it comes to industrial and commercial equipment connectivity. Some equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are starting to take the next logical leap beyond BACnet and other BMS protocols by pushing the data from those systems into the cloud.
By cloud-enabling their equipment, these OEMs are taking the data that is available on site – with the equipment – and pushing it out into a centralized cloud where it can be accessed and analyzed. This means that the data isn’t just there for the equipment owner and service techs on location – but accessible to the OEM, regardless of how far away their equipment is being operated.
This may seem like a small distinction – from generating data on premises to then pushing that data up into the cloud – but it really makes a world of difference for both the OEM and the equipment owner. By pushing this content up into the cloud, the OEM now has access to real-time data about their equipment in the field. That data can then be used to:
- More proactively identify issues with equipment in the field and alert equipment owners that their equipment may be in eminent need of service or repair.
- Diagnose problems from afar, ensuring that technicians are better prepared and equipped to fix equipment on their initial service call.
- Learn about how customers use equipment, making it easier to sell both service contracts and new equipment.
- Better develop and design new solutions based on deep knowledge into how existing equipment operates in disparate environments.
If you find these – and the countless other benefits of cloud-enabled equipment – attractive, you’re probably wondering what a device cloud could look like, and what would be available to you should you go all-in on cloud-enabling your equipment.
Luckily, our sponsor – Sierra Monitor Corporation – has recently produced and uploaded the following video that could go a long way in answering some of your questions.
Check out the, ” SMC Cloud Demo,” video by clicking the “play” button below.
