August, 2016 | Monnit Wireless Sensor Blog

30 Aug

IoT Creates New Opportunities for Insurers

Home Insurance

The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly changing the landscape of modern industries. The IoT is also changing how consumers interact with the things around them such as connected cars, smart homes, and wearable devices. By 2025 a family of four could have more than 100 connected devices within their home. It is likely to say that you are using a few connected devices in your everyday life already, and you are not alone.

The ability to connect physical objects to the Internet will have huge implications for the insurance industry over the next decade. With the IoT, insurers will begin implementing “connected coverage” to innovate their policies and encourage you to take risk management into your own hands.

With Monnit Wireless Sensors insurance providers and homeowners can detect things like water leaks, humidity, motion, temperatures and more in real-time which can help you avoid substantial claims later. Not only could more home or business owners prevent costly damages but they could also qualify for better premiums. With access to Monnit’s customizable data, you can reshape industry boundaries and create new opportunities. Monnit and the IoT have the power to transform many areas of the insurance industry, and deliver significant competitive advantages to early adopters. As the IoT continues to grow into a must-have, all insurers will find themselves benefiting from its results.

Become a Leader in Your Industry With Wireless Sensors

The future of the Internet of Things (IoT) is within the network of sensors collecting data and bringing real-time data to different industries. With wireless sensors, companies can run applications for critical business processes, which can run better with real-time awareness. Wireless sensors provide the real-time information and eliminate the guesswork out of many day-to-day operations. The value proposition for wireless sensors is different for each business, meaning, the same sensor data may be used differently depending on the industry.

Wireless sensors can feed a company data to make inefficient processes much more efficient and profitable. The data is collected from the wireless sensor network (WSN) then sent to a software system, which allows the company to effectively predict issues to prevent malfunctions, create more efficient processes, and save both time and money.

The University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR) investigated new methods of railway crossing controls. The IRR suggested a network of wireless sensors that could not only improve safety at the railroad crossings but is also more cost efficient as there will be less to install and maintain. A conventional detection system cost up to £500,000 with a running cost. A network of wireless sensors in the same application would cost less than £20,000, and be self-powered.

As wireless sensors grow faster than smartphones many companies are beginning to implement wireless sensor networks (or already have), and are finding ways to make them better. Companies are using sensor data to track shipments; prevent perishables from spoiling; send alerts before critical equipment is about to fail; save energy when heating or cooling homes and buildings; track fleet of vehicles – and many other uses we have not imagined yet.

18 Aug

Monnit CEO, Brad Walters discusses remote technology built in the U.S.

Brad Walters, Monnit CEO

Alicia Cunningham from Company Week recently spoke with Monnit CEO, Brad Walters. In the interview, Walters talks about his passion for the Internet of Things, and how Monnit came to be, “We built wireless sensors to monitor heat-related issues. We also remotely monitor assets, infrastructure and processes to make sure the owner is aware of an issue before it becomes costly. We had customers within six months of generating our idea.” Brad Walters is not only passionate about providing reliable monitoring solutions but also creating opportunities by manufacturing exclusively in Utah. “It’s the right thing to do for our country and our culture.”

Read more about these topics and future plans for Monnit in the full article, Brad Walters’ Utah manufacturer reimagines remote technology built in the U.S.

16 Aug

Stop Wasting Money on Unnecessary Machine Maintenance

Predictive Machine Maintenance

The costs of equipment downtime for most companies is significantly high, which is why many companies are servicing their machines on a routine basis. This regular maintenance process has also become costly due to the amount of unnecessary maintenance being performed. With the Internet of Things (IoT) the methods for preventive maintenance (PM) and maintaining equipment has changed over the years. Manufacturers and service providers are beginning to implement predictive maintenance strategies that use reliable real-time machine data to determine the health of a machine and when maintenance should be performed.

Studies show that companies that implement preventative maintenance strategies out-earn businesses that don’t. By using Monnit wireless sensors on heavy equipment, businesses can easily implement a PM strategy and prevent costly and timely repairs. Monnit’s cloud-based software and analytics allow you to see how a machine is currently operating compared to historical data on how it should be performing. This is helpful in remote situations, such as oil-drilling platforms, wind farms, and power substations. The value of PM is to allow timely scheduling of corrective maintenance to eliminate unexpected equipment failures. Monnit’s affordable remote monitoring system makes it easy for owners and managers to keep track of their machines from anywhere, at any time via computer, smartphone or tablet and receive alerts via text, voice, email, or through a local alert system whenever there is an issue.

Easily Manage FDA Safety Standards With Monnit

Wireless Sensors FDA
There is a lot of talk around the Internet of Things (IoT). The basic idea of the IoT is to connect everyday objects to the internet and each other, allowing these objects to communicate in new ways. The industry with the biggest impact from the IoT is the food industry. Many companies within the food industry have started implementing an IoT strategy to meet food safety regulations more easily and cost effectively. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the FDA now require detailed monitoring and record-keeping to meet food safety laws. The best way to achieve these regulations is to employ smart sensors, which allow food manufacturers and distributors to monitor food safety from farm to fork.

Meeting FSMA Regulations
With the IoT, food manufacturers and distributors are now able to prevent and identify inadequate temperatures during transportation and storage. If temperatures go above or below the proper storage level, it increases the chances of dangerous bacterial growth which can cause food-borne illnesses. With the IoT, food and transportation companies can now place temperature and humidity monitors in these refrigerated transportation compartments to monitor temperature levels throughout the entire trip.

The Monnit Solution
Monnit Wireless Sensors enables people to monitor and track various conditions in any environment. Previously, available solutions for monitoring food during transportation were expensive and difficult to use. This has since changed with Monnit’s affordable remote monitoring solutions, which make it easy to monitor multiple aspects of your food storage and transportation processes, from anywhere, at any time. Monnit Wireless Sensors can collect data and warn companies when refrigeration units are beginning to malfunction. The system can send alerts to the shipper’s mobile device, allowing them to address and correct the issue before there is any harm to the products. By using Monnit Wireless Sensors companies can not only improve food quality and reduce the chances of food-borne illnesses, but they can reduce the amount of food wasted and increase the shelf life.

Reliable, Low-Cost, Wireless Sensors For The IoT

Monnit Low-Cost Wireless Sensors

The concept of connecting “things” to the internet such as HVAC systems, production machines, and refrigerated trailers with sensors is not new to many industries. Wireless sensors and being employed in many industries from restaurants, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and more. The Internet of Things is a very powerful concept, which Brad Walters the CEO of Monnit discusses in a recent article by Crain’s Utah. Walters talks about the emerging of the Internet of Things, and how Monnit Sensors offers a low-cost solution that is not only allowing companies to become more efficient but is also saving lives.

Read the full article by Crain’s Utah here SLC Firm’s Sensors Make Critical Connections to Internet of Things

09 Aug

Police K9 Dies After Air Conditioning Backup Fails

K9 Unit Temperature Monitoring
We are sad to hear the news that a beloved K-9 who served with an Illinois sheriff’s office died Sunday due to heat exhaustion. While the officer was away, the car had been left running, and the air conditioner had been left on, per standard procedure. The SUV that the K-9 was left in also had a heat alarm system that was programmed to roll down the windows and send an alarm if the temperature inside got above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It appeared the vehicle air conditioning malfunctioned, and the temperature safety system failed as well, allowing the temperatures inside the vehicle to quickly reach upwards of 126 degrees.

The Illinois Sheriff’s Department K-9 vehicles, along with many others units across the nation, are equipped with these safety systems to prevent the dogs from experiencing heat exhaustion in the case that the vehicles AC fails while the officer is away. It is great that many police units have an active safety system in place, but even these systems can fail, which is why it’s recommended to have an additional safety system in place.

You always need to be prepared for the likelihood that things may not go according to plan. That’s why Monnit provides a low-cost reliable and affordable remote monitoring solution, which makes it easy to monitor the vehicle temperature from anywhere, at anytime, and receive alerts via text, email or voice call to multiple phones or devices. Monnit’s Wireless Sensors are easy to install and setup, and there’s no monthly fee required.

Monitor the temperature in your pet’s environment View Wireless Temperature Sensors »

Use any computer with an existing internet connection View USB Gateway »

Connect from anywhere through cellular data (data plan needed) Monnit Cellular Gateways »

The Monnit Remote Monitoring System is the most intuitive, reliable, and cost-effective solution on the market. For more information, visit our website.

Learn more about Protecting Your Pets From The Heat With Monnit.
Read the full article about the Illinois Sheriff’s Department K-9.

04 Aug

The Importance of Monitoring Classroom Temperatures

School Classroom Temperatures

The Importance of Monitoring Classroom Temperatures
Does the temperature in a classroom affect the ability to learn? Recent studies have shown that classroom temperatures can have a direct impact on a student’s memory, cognitive abilities, and attitude. A study at Loyola University discovered that classroom temperatures have a high impact on memory ability. Over 50 random students were placed in different rooms with different temperatures, 64, 72, and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The results showed that the students’ memories are affected negatively in the classrooms with 64 and 80 degrees. The scores were significantly higher in the room with 72 degrees. Similar studies throughout the United States have shown similar findings with elevated levels of humidity. Humidity is often accompanied by hot weather, and a high level of humidity can make teachers and students feel as though they lack energy.

Energy Efficiency and School Operating Costs
Inefficiency in managing building temperatures can add up. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) points out that buildings built before 1980 do not use energy efficiently due to their poor insulation. Temperatures may also be different in one-half of the school than the other, due to position of the sun and shade. Maintaining temperatures in areas of a building that are not being used can also be an issue.
read more

02 Aug

Hospital HVAC Failure Leads to Costly Damages

Remote Monitoring for hospitals

In recent news, a hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was forced to delay surgical procedures and send emergency situations to another local hospital due to a malfunction with the HVAC unit, according to a Lancaster Online report.

The air conditioning failure had caused the hospital to shut down for more than three hours. This mishap may have cost the hospital the upper part of a million dollars in damages to supplies, according to a local staff member. Other officials said, “The place immediately turned into a sauna.” The temperature and humidity conditions made the operating rooms and hallways foggy. “There was water running down the windows and pooling on the floor,” reported one person.

HVAC failure can strike at any time if not monitored properly. Owners of hospitals, hotels, commercial properties, residential properties, and public schools are always at risk when it comes to potential HVAC failure. Monnit provides an enormous opportunity to protect your customers, employees, and resources from high heat, cold weather, and humidity. With Monnit’s affordable remote monitoring system in place, you will be able to keep track of the health of your HVAC units. Receive alerts via text, voice, email, or through a local display if your HVAC unit’s performance goes below a safe level, and be able to perform maintenance before disaster strikes

The Monnit Remote Monitoring System is the most intuitive, reliable, and cost-effective solution on the market. For more information on our solutions for HVAC monitoring, read our blog, Monitoring and Protecting Your HVAC/Boiler Systems, or visit our website for more information on monitoring heating and cooling systems.

Read the full article from Lancaster Online here: Operating rooms ‘turned into a sauna’ after air conditioning malfunction at Lancaster General Hospital