Smart digitalisation solution for SMEs

The development and manufacture of innovative devices and systems for conveying, transport and handling technology has been one of the core competences of the German company EXPRESSO for decades. Based on the expertise gained in almost all aspects of modern logistics and intralogistics, the specialists in the Service & Digital Solutions division have now realised the EXPRESSO Connect IoT solution. This is a modular gateway that can be adapted to many different requirements and is designed to provide small and medium-sized companies in particular with a particularly simple and cost-effective entry into the digitalisation of their processes and systems. In principle, it is based on the systematic recording and transmission of digital and analogue information from all technical units to a central data portal and their analysis, documentation and visualisation on a dashboard. This can be done independently of existing networks and across factories and plants. “Our system solution can be used for ongoing condition monitoring of all devices and systems involved as part of comprehensive condition monitoring as well as for predictive maintenance. The big advantage is that all data traffic in EXPRESSO Connect runs completely autonomously and independently of the customer’s network – this is a considerable security advantage for the user,” says Jan-Peter Schulz, Head of Service & Digital Solutions. The system is operated from a PC, tablet or mobile phone.

Ideal entry-level solution

The high level of flexibility and its simple structure make this IoT solution made in Germany particularly attractive for SMEs that have previously shied away from digitalisation. The installation effort is minimal, the entire data management is largely automated and the user does not have to familiarise themselves with complex software. All intralogistics system units to be covered by EXPRESSO Connect – for example loading bridges, gates, goods carriers, industrial trucks or transport trolleys – are connected via compact recording modules that transmit all technically relevant operating data via the wireless 4G LTE standard to a central server provided by EXPRESSO. With the evaluation and visualisation software on his desktop or mobile device, the user has direct access at all times. In concrete terms, this means that they can call up, view and analyse information on the current operating status of all devices, systems, vehicles, containers, etc. integrated in EXPRESSO Connect. Typical areas of application that the user can cover are remote monitoring of machines using sensors, control of automated processes in logistics and production, visualisation of special operating and process parameters, visualisation and real-time analysis of condition monitoring data as well as limit value monitoring, status queries and consumption measurements. The data collected in EXPRESSO Connect can then also be used to analyse energy consumption, balance CO² emissions, optimise maintenance cycles, avoid machine failures and reduce downtimes. “In all of this, our digitalisation solution supports the simple connection, installation and commissioning of the EXPRESSO Connect boxes in a plug-and-play process using predefined sensor modules,” emphasises Jan-Peter Schulz.

First projects already underway

One of the first companies to put EXPRESSO Connect into operation is a European food manufacturer. It is using the IoT solution to retroactively digitalise an initial twelve existing systems in various departments and plants. Elsewhere, EXPRESSO Connect was able to prove its efficiency in the digitalisation of logistical loading processes. Jan-Peter Schulz reports: “In addition to the benefits of documenting lorry security, gate utilisation and lorry allocation, our system generated considerable added value by reducing heat losses when loading lorries and swap bodies. After evaluating the recorded data and optimising the loading processes, the door opening times were adjusted so that energy savings of up to 25 percent could be calculated.”

Other obvious application examples for EXPRESSO Connect are in the field of airport logistics for the optimisation of baggage cart handling and in production logistics through the digitalisation of usage data from industrial trucks such as the lift2move from EXPRESSO. However, as the IoT solution is designed as an open system, its use is not tied to specific makes or brands. And because it works with its own complete data transmission, it can also be installed independently and in parallel to existing company networks.