Posted to News on 1st Oct 2012, 16:57
Delivering Intelligent Systems to the embedded marketplace
Advantech has selected Impulse Corporation Ltd as their first global partner to help promote concept of The Internet of Things within the applied computing industry. The Internet of Things, also known as IoT, is becoming more prevalent in today's worldwide industrial market, offering scalable, future-proof and cost-effective designs in the next generation of industrial and embedded platforms. This is achieved through connectivity of intelligent devices and intelligent systems, and universal interconnectivity through IP networks and the Internet.
Advantech and Impulse are now working together to deliver the promise of The Internet of Things. As part of this promise, Impulse are set to share Advantech's product and system design knowledge with the industrial computing market.
Practical examples of where The Internet of Things concept has grown in the industrial computing sector include real-time analysis and control of traffic monitoring systems, where sensors can remotely adjust highway signage dependant conditions such as traffic speed, weather conditions and time of day.
Another intelligent system example would be the collection and analysis of data from a factory or building automation system. Scalable analogue and digital I/O devices, using a mixture of wired and wireless communication protocols, ensure important data such as device health, status and performance can be collected, stored and analysed on a single, centralised platform or cloud server.
The health and stability of such systems can be monitored remotely through various networked devices and remote I/O modules. Tasks like these, which would have originally required an engineer to check on-site, can now be done remotely from a single control centre. Such functionality can free up service engineer resources, and more importantly, save time and money.
Digital signage is another area where the concept of The Internet of Things has influenced the way next-generation signage hardware is designed. Traditionally, digital signage systems would have been updated locally. In the example of a chain of retail stores, each with locally managed signage, many companies found that signage was not being updated, often advertising inconsistent and out-of-date promotions. With the influence of The Internet of Things, next-generation digital signage systems have been designed to be updated remotely, allowing for consistent, up-to-date and targeted marketing campaigns.
Following Advantech's PR event held in July 2012, in which they discussed and promoted the concept of The Internet of Things, Advantech identified Impulse as a key partner in their delivery of their intelligent devices and systems to the UK. Impulse's experience in a range of industrial applications was key to Advantech choosing Impulse as one of the authorities in the industry.
Global intelligent systems
Craig Wright, Operations Director at Impulse, speaks of their inclusion in this highly important development of Advantech's future plans: "I am delighted that Impulse has been chosen to be part of Advantech's vision for the future development of The Internet of Things in the industrial and embedded market. Impulse has over 20 years' experience in the applied computing industry and have seen and been part of the recent move towards global intelligent systems in the industrial marketplace whilst maintaining the traditional mythology of industrial computing system design and application.
"Our extensive knowledge allows us to give first class local product design, development and project support for all our customers whilst utilising the comprehensive range of Advantech eAutomation, embedded and industrial computing product and solutions."
Impulse continues to work closely and effectively with their customers to help achieve their objectives and, with Advantech alongside, the company is confident in continuing to provide long-term, cost-effective and reliable products for customer applications.
Impulse believes that The Internet of Things is a gateway to a more efficient and intelligent way of connecting embedded and automation-based industrial systems. Advantech share this vision, and together the companies are making the next steps towards the "Enabling and Intelligent Planet". For more information about the partnership and about The Internet of Things go to www.impulse-corp.co.uk.
