One aspect of the trend towards industrial digitalisation that actually has proven some merit is remote asset management.
THIS IMPLIES OUTFITTING
Equipment with a combination of instrumentation and communications capability facilitating collection of operational and environmental data relevant for the given asset. For existing equipment, this requires a gateway connecting the equipment and supporting the relevant means of communication, be it cellular for mobile equipment or cabled for stationary. Data Respons plays an important role facilitating digitalisation for a leading industrial corporation hosting a large global fleet of installed mobile mechanical machinery. Key elements moving forward is, in addition to deliver embedded hardware, the capacity to work with complex software required to make it a safe, secure and reliable solution. This requires low-level software competence and the ability to interface the solution all the way up to popular cloud service platforms.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY EARLY
For three decades, Data Respons has together with technology partners designed and industrialised dozens of embedded systems with demanding requirements for performance, robustness and cost. This has given valuable insight picking the right technology for any given customer case reducing the risk for missing time to market and save cost when applied at an early stage.
DON´T MISS OUT ON SECURITY
Getting security right implies establishing a solid chain of trust starting at the hardware level and boot loader going all the way up the software stack including the communication protocol with cloud systems. Future systems will likely require a two-way authentication mechanism to be commissioned to PaaS providers like AWS IoT cloud. Typically, this trust must be anchored in secure hardware resources on the embedded device. Picking the right mechanisms and integrating these with software, thus tying together the chain of trust, is a challenging task requiring insight into security aspects at every level of the solution offered.
PAY ATTENTION TO REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Global deployment of embedded systems carry regulatory issues complicated by the common use of cellular and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity. While the EU has a common regulatory framework, several countries have specific requirements for certifying equipment. Obtaining all necessary certificates at a global level is a complex, costly and time-consuming process. Data Respons has the competence needed to reduce time, cost and risk related to regulatory processes adding significant value in the industrialisation phase.
