Wireless technologies have been around for a while now in various guises but lately they appear to be growing in number with more and more products being added to the list of available technologies. In part this may be due to the rise of the ‘Internet of things’ (Where everyday technologies and appliances communicate with each over the internet) as more and more methods exist to connect devices either to the Internet or to each other using wireless technology.

Wireless

Whatever the reason, it’s good news for data logging! Data loggers aren’t the only technology benefitting from piggybacking the wave of wireless expansion but they are definitely one whose purpose converges easily.

When we log events using a data logger we are, by definition, recording what has happened for analysis later. The moment we add the wireless dimension to the setup we start enjoying a number of additional benefits:

1. Remote Monitoring
Suddenly we don’t need to visit each and every data logger in order to download data. Now the data comes to us and can be centrally managed and reported on.

2. Lower Running Costs
Time can be spent analysing data rather than costly man hours collecting data.

3. Real Time Alerts
Many wireless data logging systems allow real-time alerts to be raised irrespective of the logging interval

4. Mobile Installations
Whether using a GPRS system to send results back to base or simply being able to move a data logger between rooms, wireless by its very nature, delivers portability.

5. Easy Installation
No need to worry about cables and the accompanying installation headache. Improvements in mesh technologies (Where wireless networks ‘self-heal’) and lower cost for repeaters mean the problems associated with early wireless technology are now easy to identify and avoid

6. Integration
It’s often possible to integrate wireless systems with existing process control systems and technology, thereby making it easy to ‘audit’ existing infrastructure behaviour and performance

7. Role Specific Dashboards
Data where it’s needed, when it’s needed and visible to whoever needs to see it! With so much data now available at our fingertips, role specific dashboards enable you to select who sees what. This combined with real-time alerts mean you can implement escalation strategies

8. Easily Expandable
Extra ‘nodes’ can be added as needed thereby enabling additional parameters to be measured and integrated without the need for additional manual downloading of data.

9. No Need for IT
Stand alone PC’s mean it’s possible for data to be accessed by computers that are completely isolated from the company network, making it easier for your IT department. Of course it’s also possible to integrate systems with existing IT infrastructures if you so wish.

With so much to gain by going wireless, the only question now is why you haven’t already!

Tempcon are leading system experts on data logging solutions and being the authorised distributor of Onset products in the UK we definitely recommend taking a look at their webinar: 3 Easy Steps to Wireless Temperature Monitoring (webflash) accessible here.