Reluctant To Tie The Knot With Tech?

By Robert Whetstone – Vice President, Europe, Middle East, Africa & India – Martin Engineering

The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is ‘the interconnection via the internet of electronic devices integrated into everyday objects that enables them to send and receive data over a wireless network without human intervention’. Many of us are familiar with smart devices in daily life – and that same technology is already revolutionising business and industry.

Yet the adoption of game-changing technologies in sectors like materials processing is slow. When Martin Engineering began developing its N2® remote monitoring solution for conveyor belt cleaners, we explored the reticence behind adopting innovative tech. This led to us a distinct approach in five areas:

1. ADDRESS THE REAL ‘PAIN POINTS’

We wanted our technology to truly address our customers’ the pain points and not merely hide the pain or shift it elsewhere.

2. MAKE IT AFFORDABLE AND SCALABLE

We needed to come up with an easy, inexpensive way for remote monitoring to be replicated across numerous belt cleaners.

3. DELIVER ACTIONABLE INFORMATION

Not only is the data from our N2® system delivered in real time, but it is analysed and presented in a way that makes decisions easy.

4. ALIGN WITH THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE

Our N2® system fits well will with typical optimisation plans and there’s ample proof that by using N2® maintenance is less onerous.

5. USE EXISTING TECH AND EVERYDAY LANGUAGE

The system is quick to install using tried-and-tested technology, and it’s simple to use so nobody at the plant needs to become an IT guru!

By listening to understand our customers we’ve taken away the potential barriers to adopting new technology, and addressed each concern with a solution.

As a result the trials of N2® have been a huge success, despite a difficult year of Covid. In fact, the global pandemic has taught all of us that not only can remote working be achieved, but it can be highly efficient and effective with the right technology. So the remote revolution is here to stay and it’s time to get on board!

www.martin-eng.co.za