That's why retrofitting is also worthwhile

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A good example are plug-and-play systems for retrofit sensors, which are often offered as starter kits. As a set, they usually consist of a hardware and a software component and offer a simple and inexpensive introduction to the digital networking of machines using IIoT technology. However, without a clear concept for data usage in the company, without technical and technological advice, design and parameterization before the kits are implemented, they only fill databases pointlessly and do not add any value to production or the company.

In order to maximize the value of the digital retrofit solution for the company, it is important to use this technology only for parts, components or machine sections where there is actually optimization potential and correspondingly large leverage. To do this, the critical processes and the underlying use cases must first be analyzed and evaluated in detail with all experts.

When used correctly, retrofit sensors offer far-reaching organizational, procedural and monetary advantages over the purchase of new machines and flexible adaptation to constantly changing conditions.

The most frequently cited advantage in connection with retrofit sensors is certainly the cost savings of the digital retrofit solution compared to a new purchase. In fact, as an expert, I repeatedly find in practice that this is only a small aspect of the actually important advantages.

In my experience, the biggest, mostly unnoticed advantage australian consumer email list of digitizing existing machines with retrofit sensors is that your employees can still operate the machine without any changes. Because even though your machine is suddenly networked and has various new digital functions, no new training is required. Your employees can interact with the machine as before and thus remain productive throughout without a great deal of training effort.

Retrofit sensors also automatically contribute to what is known as “sensor fusion”. This means combining and linking different process measurements in order to be able to generate detailed analyses from events and measurements. Retrofit sensors therefore offer a cost-effective way to quickly gain insights from machines and use them efficiently, for example in proof of concepts.

Another important and final point is that retrofit sensors can be used to comply with and monitor new and changing legal requirements and regulations. Again, there is no need to purchase new equipment. Newly introduced regulations to increase and monitor energy efficiency or new requirements for documentation due to hygiene guidelines can be implemented, as can many other future regulatory events.

Retrofit sensor technology can offer manufacturing companies, especially German medium-sized companies, the opportunity to go from being market competitors to becoming digital pioneers, instead of just reacting – usually too late – to the constantly changing market.

Curious? Our IIoT experts will not only support you in developing suitable software, but will also assist you in selecting suitable sensors and coordinate with the relevant hardware manufacturers. Just talk to us!

You can find out more about IoT at adesso on our website or in our blog posts with an IoT focus .

You can find more exciting topics from the adesso world in our previously published blog posts .