Industrial data communication is a multifaceted process, which is dependent on reliability and security of information. In order to guarantee the success of these two factors in particular, it is important to partner with a fully integrated supplier, who is involved in the entire supply chain process from start to finish.
We deal with a number of companies across a variety of industries, including utilities, traffic, financial and retail. All these areas rely on having access to accurate, real-time data, to reduce - and in most instances - prevent downtime all together.
To ensure that this occurs, you need a supplier with access to various communication technologies, which understands the whole supply chain process from design of hardware through to the product solution.
Most companies are involved in one part of the process and rely on an outside supplier for other services, such as design, installation or even infrastructure. This creates a number of potential problems: firstly, if a fault occurs, logistically it becomes difficult to fix as you need to track down the relevant supplier, which can become very time-consuming. Secondly, if the one part of the network goes down, then there is no backup system in place; it can sometimes take up to a day to fix.
By having a supplier with a solid infrastructure network, which deals with the entire process, the customer is provided with an integrated technology solution, which is easy to manage.
Certain industries can afford limited downtime, but for others, downtime is not an option, and having a backup system in place is imperative. Depending on locations and the conditions in the area of operation: GSM, satellite, ADSL, radio or even a combination of all four might be ideal.
“I like the universality of a GPRS router,” says Allen Roberts of Eskom Eastern Region. “With GPRS technology, you can communicate around the country, its available just about everywhere.”
A distribution automation network was recently installed in the farming area of Rawsonville. It proved its worth during the peak of fruit harvesting season, when a line fault briefly affected power supply to farms and packinghouses in the area. Supply was restored to 75% of these customers in 90 seconds.
Eskom wanted a reliable and cost-effective communication system to monitor and control their electricity distribution network, based on those requirements we created a GSM/GPRS network. For clients in the financial or retail sector, fixed-line infrastructure might prove more effective. When it comes to these technologies, it's not a case of which one is best, but which one is best suited to your specific needs.
To allow for maximum productivity, suppliers need to be involved with the client at each stage of the supply chain, developing a unique solution tailored to their exact needs, reducing wastage and improving efficiency levels.
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