Data is everywhere, even on Mount Everest: Sensor-to-cloud and extreme environments
Technology – from Mount Everest to the farm It’s amazing what technology can do when paired with human will. Just a few years ago, a team of scientists made history as they trekked up Mount Everest with the goal of running environmental studies. With backpacks full of sensors (which included FreeWave technology), these men pushed boundaries to create a new normal. When we intentionally use modern technology to our advantage, we can create better, safer and more productive environments within every industry. Today, the same technology used on Mount Everest is now powering multiple earth science programs transmitting sensor data from remote environments to earth scientists, climatologists and meteorologists through cloud servers. This is just one example of many where sensor-to-cloud solutions have transformed our ability to interact with extreme environments in the modern world. A deeper look at extreme environments Typically, when someone thinks of an extreme environment, they imagine harsh, rugged terrain in a far-off remote location; however extreme environments aren’t limited by this definition. Take a large farm, for example, with a multitude of deployed assets and equipment across hundreds of acres. Traditionally, an operation like this requires an employee to physically check on the farm equipment multiple times a week, manually turning valves on and off, in addition to monitoring and controlling the overall farm environment. These day-to-day tasks are not only time-consuming but physically draining. In this case, the operational output required on the farm makes it an operationally extreme environment, and extreme environments are just one space where sensor-to-cloud solutions shine. Sensor-to-cloud in the real world Today, sensor-to-cloud systems utilize deployed sensors to collect and transmit data from remote locations. These sensors send the gathered information back to cloud servers for further research and analysis, enabling entire teams to utilize their limited time and resources more effectively. With sensor-to-cloud systems, we eliminate the often-laborious mechanics of middlemen procedures so that industry leaders can focus on what matters most. Let’s revisit that farming example. With sensor-to-cloud technology, farmers can automate the repetitive tasks of their operations. Something as simple as discrete soil sensors further allow farmers to virtually monitor their crop health, creating more time and space to focus on other high-value tasks. This gives them time, often an invaluable asset, to do what’s needed. In a sense, we can improve the productivity of an operation with an automated suite of sensor systems. Imagine the difference a network of sensors can make. The FreeWave difference For several years now, FreeWave products have been a leading resource solution for extreme environments. Our sensors were a part of the great Mount Everest expedition, and today, we have deployed sensors in many areas, including pipelines in Alaska, ice shelves in Antarctica, smart farms across the country and many other locations – rugged and traditional. We are providing the groundbreaking technology needed to monitor data in extreme environments so that our partners and customers can make the best, informed decisions for their operations. As the Chief Technology and Product Officer at FreeWave, I am constantly amazed at the impact our products have on the world. We are working with some of the major brands of our time, helping them solve massive problems affecting society at large. Our technology solutions serve entire industries, like oil and gas, agriculture, transportation and traffic, as well as many others that contribute to the well-being of the globe. It is great to be a part of a company where we can say our products are a part of the solution for life’s essentials. Every day, we help industry leaders identify their pain points and provide them with a single pane of glass product solution that helps them see the data wherever they are without the drain of additional resources. Our rich portfolio of radios, gateways, cloud software and analytics allows us to stitch together a range of packaged ready to use applications that solve our customer’s problems through simple, turn-key solutions. Sensor-to-cloud in the future Data is everywhere, and now more than ever, we have the tools and resources we need to digitize the world around us. As we build the future, sensor-to-cloud solutions will continue to play a critical role in gathering, processing and managing data in extreme environments around the globe. As I look at the world before us, I see endless opportunities to continue to leverage technology and data to build a better and more informed life.
Technology Simplified: Leveraging Data in the New Digital Era
Excited by tomorrow, we face a new world filled with endless possibilities each day. Thanks to modern technology, simple sensors open the doors to our favorite restaurant, edge computing allows manufacturers to spot and correct production glitches before they happen, and high-tech traffic cameras analyze and record thousands of license plates daily to spot stolen and unregistered vehicles while also identifying suspected criminals. It’s no secret that the world is evolving before our eyes, and through the technological advancements of this digital era, we are creating a more efficient world. The power of data Data is a powerful tool of knowledge, and lucky for us, it’s everywhere! Every one of our actions is driven by a manual process of data – like the simple act of putting on a jacket when it gets cold, or an automated process of data – like a valve instinctively shutting off when a water tank gets full. Today we have the technology to effectively process, analyze and distribute data metrics in tremendously impactful ways. What does greater simplification look like for industrial leaders? Remote operations simplified When leveraged effectively, industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions take remote operations to the next level, simplifying the work process for teams and industries across the globe. Think about some of the most popular high-value remote assets today, like drones, video surveillance, or even center pivot irrigation systems – these entities perform so well because they do what humans can’t. In mere seconds, IIoT technology can process, distribute and respond to data that would otherwise take an entire team hours, days or even weeks to achieve. In the not so distant past, industrial operations relied solely on data consumption (i.e., how much water is in the tank; what temperature is the water), but today, advancements give us the ability to respond nearly instantaneously to that collected data with actionable execution. Today we can view and control the management of an entire operation remotely on our cell phone. We can see how much water is in a tank or what temperature that water is at and automatically change and adjust the water levels and temperatures from near or far. As a result, the amount of time, resources and energy needed to run businesses has transformed entirely, and this evolution allows us to create an enhanced world and standard of work. Simple deployment Remote operations are oftentimes in rugged terrain, making them difficult or even impossible to access. At FreeWave, we solve this complex issue by providing pre-configured ready-to-deploy solutions, complete with everything needed to achieve the mission at hand. For example, through FreeWaves’s joint venture with ModuSense, we’re simplifying connectivity to cloud with a variety of pre-configured and ready to deploy monitoring and sensing solutions by supplying the entire solution with a 12-month data plan, dashboard, 12W rapid recharge solar panel, satellite connectivity and Bluetooth connectivity. You can use your mobile phone to validate the data directly from the gateway without having to wait for satellite transmission. We all know the “gotchas” when it comes to buying technology. Simple deployment means you’re ready from day one, without needing to buy additional components. Real-world impact As Chief Operating Officer and SVP of Global Sales and Marketing at FreeWave, I get a front-row seat to the real-life impact modern-day technology is having on lives, businesses and entire industries. The essentials of life have become simplified, and in the process, more people and businesses receive greater access to the things that matter most like critical information, metrics and potential outcomes. Creating a more sustainable world and preserving natural resources like food, air, energy and water have been at the forefront of IIoT since FreeWave began almost three decades ago when we brought long range, low power consumption, C1D2, 900 MHz connectivity and radio technology products to our customers. Since then, our connectivity options have greatly expanded by adding EDGE Compute, Software, Industry Protocol Conversions, Data Broker & Cloud, a complete end to end solution and with it comes the responsibility for greater environmental stewardship. We’ve all seen the devastating impact an environmental catastrophe, like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, can have on the globe. Simple mistakes can and do cause enormous repercussions that affect us all. The truth is, with human interaction there will always be the cost of time and possible room for error. Technology, however, is different, as it allows us to not rely solely on human capacity and depend more on interconnected and advanced systems. Now, we don’t have to wait for someone to run into a situation or crisis and manually pull a lever or travel to turn off a valve. Instead, preprogrammed automation or a simple click of a button or flip of a switch from virtually anywhere in the world can control your high value remote assets. FreeWave is a technological pioneer in the 21st century. We have connected the unconnected with a reliable ecosystem of edge intelligent radios and solutions to optimize the extreme edge of remote industrial operations. Through our single IIoT platform, we provide expanded capabilities for data capture, analysis, control and automation. Our single pane of glass approach provides a simple, single vendor, one-stop-shop solution for remote operations worldwide. At the end of the day, when we take the power of data monitoring and funnel it through modern technology, we open ourselves up to a new world of endless possibilities and opportunities. It’s one thing to have data; it’s an entirely different thing to know how to leverage that data. At FreeWave, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of data monitoring and modern technology through our IIoT solutions and creating a better, safer and faster world of work for industries around the globe.
Data Connects Life: A Deeper Look at the Power of Connection for IoT Champions
Every day, the world shifts in a new digital direction, making our lives simpler and equally more complicated all at the same time. I can vividly remember the introduction of email. I had just started my career in tech, and I kid you not, my coworkers and I questioned the efficiency of this new digital communication system. Back then, taking the time to craft an email, when I could easily make a phone call or walk to the office next door, felt foreign and unproductive, but now, decades later, I can’t imagine my life or work without the power and ease of email communication. If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s change, and when we meet change with adaptability and curiosity, we can create and sustain a more connected world, one where technology invites us to innovate, collaborate and engage with each other and the environments we live in! More technology. More data. The Mckinsey Global Survey has found that our global response to the pandemic has accelerated the rate of technology by several years. What does that mean for real people? Over time, we have discovered a new world filled to the brim with data that both informs and transforms our day-to-day lives. From smartphones to traffic management systems, the Internet of Things (IoT ) is revolutionizing life as we know it, connecting us to more people, places and systems than ever before. Connection is a powerful tool, and when harnessed effectively, it can change the world. The interdependent relationship between our natural and digital world is quite profound; in today’s society, we operate as one. In smart agriculture, for example, effective data can make a significant difference in overall crop and herd health, which, in the end, affects us all. Whether we’re on the farm, on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean or in our own backyards, technology connects us. Data is everywhere, and when this data is measured and distributed carefully, it transforms entire industries. Accessing the data you need on your terms For the last 28 years, FreeWave Technologies has pioneered a unique IoT revolution, reinventing the way industrial IoT is used in the modern market. We connect the unconnected with a reliable ecosystem of edge intelligent radios and solutions to optimize the extreme edge of remote industrial operations. Through our software, we provide IoT champions with real-time data insights to create better and more sustainable businesses. To achieve transformative operational optimization, industrial leaders need visibility into data and the ability to proactively manipulate that data and act on the insights gained from it. Our vision is to build an ecosystem of edge intelligent radios and solutions to transform the extreme edge of industrial operations into a connected part of their enterprise. Our integrated edge connectivity and computing solutions provide expanded capabilities for high-fidelity data capture, analysis, control and automation via a single industrial IoT platform that is readily scaled as each edge computing need evolves. We call it a single pane of glass. With a legacy of solving thousands of customer changes across multiple industries and deployment in 39 countries, the goal is to continue to future-proof operations so that remote work becomes more autonomous and, dare I say, simpler. It all brings us more connected with our collective purpose to create a better and more sustainable world. Data connects life. The more we see, the more we understand, and the more we understand, the more equipped we become to make better decisions. As the Director of Marketing at FreeWave, I am closely connected to the people and operations most impacted by our work. I know firsthand how powerful connection is for the IoT champions we serve, and every day I witness the power of data to transform the world. Putting it in perspective Take the water and wastewater industry, for example; in this industry, clear and controllable data insights are key to achieving effective operational management. At FreeWave, we provide these actionable data insights such as moisture levels and weather predictions through our sensor and weather monitoring technology, which ultimately allow water and wastewater industry leaders to be proactive in their business rather than reactive. A proactive and informed approach to operational management makes the difference in creating a more sustainable environment, and a more sustainable environment transforms our communities and the surrounding world. FreeWave’s productivity technology is removing barriers to data and helping industry leaders solve unique challenges like never before. Where some people may only see tech software – a little box with some wires, chips, and sensors – a much deeper reality occurs. We are all connected, and today, IoT champions get to leverage the power of this connection, along with technology and data, to create a better world, one industry at a time. I am so proud to work for a company that is connecting the world in unique and innovative ways. Every day, I see the impact of technology and what it means to be more connected through data, giving us critical insight. What we do with that data is where the magic happens. This is where we can use connectivity to push boundaries for greater innovation, make best use of our people, create safer work environments by understanding what’s happening in hard-to-reach terrain, and even take bold action to architect a more sustainable world.
Applying Automation to Save our Water Systems
Each day, billions of people and organizations around the world face some type of water or wastewater issue. From industrial and agricultural enterprises to consumers, a consistent supply of quality water is crucial. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, many of these issues are due to aging infrastructure with an annual $82 billion gap in U.S. water and wastewater system infrastructure investment alone. To help combat this, many of the more than 30,000 rural water/wastewater districts in North America are facing new state and local government regulations. The standards require some level of automation be incorporated to validate the integrity and security of water systems and infrastructure data. On Feb. 14 at 4pm MT, our Chief Marketing Officer, Scott Allen, will be speaking in-depth about this topic at the Colorado Rural Water Association’s (CRWA) 37th annual conference and expo. His session, “Connecting it All: Intelligent Edge Remote Networks,” dives into some of the challenges people face with their water and wastewater systems – like broken or frozen pipes – along with security concerns that automation at the edge can quickly identify and remediate. Where automation can be applied Approaches to water and wastewater management are generally divided into two basic focus areas: quality and quantity. Quality is the integrity of the water supply. You may remember the 2014 Flint, Michigan water crisis, which to this day is still dealing with high levels of lead in the city’s drinking water due to insufficient water treatment. In addition to environmental hazards, security breaches, like tampering with water quality test results, are a major concern in hiding evidence of contaminated wells. Quantity is the amount of water being processed for reclamation, agriculture, recreation, industrial and other uses. Due to the aging water system infrastructure, leaks, shortages and even overflowing tanks create the potential for households and cities to be without access to running water. To maintain and secure a pristine and consistent water supply, wireless automation tools and technology can help gain an accurate representation of water conditions, such as temperature, turbidity, salinity, pH and flow. From there, a wireless data network is needed to automatically transmit the collected data and flag any existing or projected problem areas. It can also help immediately report any security breaches, increase equipment and worker efficiency, automatically react to malfunctions and perform control actions, among other benefits. The power of automation: a case study Take for instance the introduction of automation and wireless by the St. George Water Services Department, part of the Washington County Water Conservancy District in Washington County, Utah. To effectively and efficiently manage and optimize the complete water cycle for 82,000 people living in the city of St. George, Utah, the department needed to collect reliable and accurate data from across more than 100 linear miles. By introducing a radio network to transmit sensor data from across their district, the St. George Water Services Department can now employ an automated SCADA system. This provides clear visibility into the performance of their utility- and solar-powered devices, while also simplifying the process to secure separate systems. To learn more about how the city of St. George accomplished this feat, read our case study here! While awareness around what public water and infrastructure issues need to be fixed are known by water and wastewater associations, many are still figuring out how to address it. If you plan on attending the CRWA conference this week, drop by to watch Scott’s session to learn more about why the introduction of automation and SCADA technologies that are crucial to a clean and fully-functioning water supply, and how radio networks enable these technologies. Hope to see you there!
On the Edge of Transformation: IIoT for Water/Wastewater
Innovation is everywhere. Even the most industrial of industries are being disrupted by technology that has the power to transform entire market landscapes. The water/wastewater industry certainly falls into this bucket as we see automation and Industrial IoT (IIoT) driving new processes and uncovering data that enables intelligent decision making. Robust wireless, FHSS-based solutions are available today to ensure consistent and reliable delivery of that important data. As we seek more connectivity as a means to understand the network from the business office to the furthest endpoint, all in real-time, we see the potential impact on operations. As a result, utilities are beginning to adopt new methods of monitoring and control that offer more visibility over operations and connectivity at every network endpoint. As a new generation of tech savvy workers rises, further driving innovation and technology as a means for success, we see automation take over many monitoring and control processes – especially in remote networks. The potential benefits water/wastewater impact the utility and the customer, from more efficient operations to safer water. Things like predictive analytics are now available to serve as a problem solving tool for common monitoring issues, such as predicting the likelihood of pump failure. The ability to add programmable radios at the network’s edge opens up new possibilities for streamlined data, enhanced cybersecurity and precise control. The potential cost savings alone are catching the attention of decision makers in the utility business. Here are a few examples of how IIoT is driving major innovation in the water/wastewater industry, and how wireless solutions can help utilities create a network that enables new technology: Treatment Plant Automation – Automation at water treatment plants optimizes operations. With automated monitoring and control, water utilities can further ensure that the water offered to customers is safe for consumption and can help identify issues in real tie. High-speed wireless solutions can help drive real-time automation to ensure uptime, flexibility, safety and long equipment life. Remote Tank Level Automation– Tank level monitoring and control, a critical operation, for water/wastewater is even more challenging when the tanks are remotely located. With automation solutions in place, this can be done in real time. New wireless technologies for remote tank level automation can take this a step further by enabling programmability by hosting third party applications specific to the needs of the individual tank monitoring network. Chemical Injection Water/Wastewater – With the ability to deliver data directly to the cloud, chemical processes can be closely monitored to ensure the utmost in safety and performance. The access to data in real-time is essential in monitoring the chemical process and it ultimately leads to fewer mistakes the chemical injection process. Wireless solutions can enable seamless delivery of this critically important data to the cloud. IIoT is changing the way water/wastewater organizations approach many of their processes, and so far we are seeing streamlined operations and endless potential industry transformation. As the water industry evolves, it will be interesting to see what changes take shape.