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Cloud-based maintenance solutions for automated door systems

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IoT Use Case - Smartsquare + Novoferm
4 minutes Reading time
4 minutes Reading time

With the Novo ServiceHub Live service platform, Novoferm, together with Smartsquare, is opening up new digital possibilities for the maintenance and monitoring of door and dock systems. Real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance reduce downtimes and strengthen customer relationships.

The challenge: Digitalization for better customer service and new business models

Companies in the manufacturing and mechanical engineering sectors are replacing the “sell and forget” sales model that was previously common. They are interested in offering their customers additional services and using the feedback specifically to improve the next product generation. The resulting long-term customer relationships can also be used for cross-selling and up-selling.

The basis for these new business opportunities is the integration of current status and process data from the use of the products. They can be used for remote diagnostics and real-time monitoring so that either the customer or the manufacturer can react quickly to faults. In addition, maintenance costs are reduced and downtimes limited.

Novoferm, a leading manufacturer of automated door and dock solutions for logistics, also faced these challenges. The company recognized the need for a digital service platform to address these issues and gain a comprehensive overview of all installed doors and drives. Novoferm collaborated with Smartsquare, a provider of software solutions for premium customer service in mechanical engineering.

The solution: Novo ServiceHub Live as a digital service platform

The developed solution, “Novo ServiceHub Live,” is a comprehensive cloud platform with IoT connectivity. It enables seamless recording and monitoring of all door and dock systems by consolidating master data, operational data, and configuration information.

A digital twin collects and analyzes all relevant data, usage cycles, error codes and maintenance information at a central location. This enables the system to monitor operating data in real time and provide proactive maintenance recommendations.

A Bluetooth mesh network and a central gateway connect the door control units with each other. The gateway is directly connected to the drives and control units and collects all relevant data, which is then sent to the cloud via the IoT protocol MQTT.

The Service Cloud

Customer and asset data is merged with the IoT operating data in the Service Cloud. This enables technicians to analyze faults remotely and provide customers with quick recommendations for action. In addition, the Novo ServiceHub Live has extensive analysis tools in its user interface. There is a complete maintenance history and all logs, such as test logs and configuration adjustments, are displayed transparently.

The platform features an API for interoperability with other systems and can integrate data from ERP or field service management solutions. For instance, maintenance orders can be automatically generated and assigned to technicians in the future. Additionally, a mobile app is available for on-site assembly and service to document maintenance tasks. This ensures that all performed maintenance steps are recorded and uploaded to the cloud.

Predictive Maintenance

One of the platform’s biggest innovations is the use of operating and usage data for predictive maintenance. For example, the function can use current curves to indicate signs of wear in ball bearings or belts at an early stage. This enables the platform to detect technical defects before they lead to major problems or even total shutdown. In addition, customers and technicians can directly access specific locations and products to retrieve detailed information. This allows maintenance intervals to be defined more precisely.

Smartsquare played a key role in the development and implementation of these innovative functions and supported Novoferm in integrating the service platform into existing operating processes.

The result: Increased efficiency and new business opportunities thanks to the ServiceHub

With the Novo ServiceHub Live, Novoferm and Smartsquare have not only made customer service and maintenance processes more efficient. The reduction in downtimes leads to an improvement in operating processes, for example in logistics centers. The company’s customers benefit from shorter repair times and optimized use of resources. The platform also facilitates collaboration with intermediaries and external service providers, which contributes to accurate tracking of service history.

For Novoferm itself, digitalization means a better overview of the entire product life cycle. The central availability of all data in the cloud simplifies administration and opens up new business opportunities, such as targeted after-sales services. The use of the Service Cloud strengthens Novoferm as a company that not only offers high-quality products, but also first-class digital services.

In application

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