Industrial automation software developer and supplier Adroit Technologies has expanded its offerings through its partnership with Internet of Things (IoT) network provider SqwidNet.
Adroit Technologies MD Dave Wibberley says the global industrial automation industry is robust and growing rapidly. While South African industry is admittedly lagging in terms of automation, the company has identified IoT as a growing local market, which led to Adroit signing a partnership agreement with SqwidNet in September last year.
“The partnership will present an opportunity for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) application and service providers to use our cloud-based supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) system and industrial-automation platforms.”
Wibberley says the partnership is enabling Adroit to certify its Scada system as an IoT platform. Once it is certified as a platform, it will enable partners and end-users anywhere in the world to buy Adroit and use it seamlessly as a data-acquisition and application-layer software solution for IoT projects.
“The new platform will allow data from sensors and devices to be delivered to the Adroit-hosted platform environment through global communications solution firm Sigfox’s IoT network, which is provided by SqwidNet,” he points out.
SqwidNet is an ideal partner, as it offers a network model that provides Adroit products with a long-range, low-cost, low-powered and secure networking solution. With SqwidNet as a network provider, Adroit’s typical connectivity costs R200 a year for a sensor that transmits data every 15 minutes. Wibberley explains that, owing to these key network benefits, Adroit can now offer sensors with connectivity for less than R1 000 at every point of connectivity.
He further states that SqwidNet’s extensive existing partners, such as its partnership with global smart metering solutions manufacturer and supplier Lesira Manufacturing, allow for a vast network of existing, supported IoT sensors. SqwidNet’s IoT host, Sigfox, confirms that there are currently 2.5-million objects connected to the network worldwide, a number that continues to grow, according to Sigfox’s latest research.
The IoT network allows for small packets of data to be transmitted in near real-time to Adroit’s Scada system for storage and analysis. Wibberley explains that the key is to find standard sensors, which will enable Adroit to assist users in successfully monitoring and analysing data and, as a result, enabling industries to monitor, control and further optimise their production.
“Adroit can deliver on almost every IIoT requirement as its Geographic Information System (GIS) interface and the object model can support context-based GIS and location-based performance.”
Wibberley further points out that it is now possible for Adroit clients to monitor in near real-time the position of movable assets in the field, locate personnel and have this information integrated into the plant Scada system.
Due to the recent partnership, Adroit’s Scada system now provides industrial- grade, data-acquisition and user-friendly development software, allowing for easy development of customised fit-to-purpose IoT solutions. Adroit encourages companies to take advantage of cloud-based reporting, alarm management, asset management and performance management solutions.