Mobile Connection in Hazardous Areas
The underlying technology of production facilities, systems and machinery in hazardous areas has evolved considerably in recent years. This technology has brought rise to a range of challenges including the need to capture, send and process more data, collaborate in real-time with team members and remote experts, quickly locate lone workers who need to be rescued, and have rapid access to documents, networks and blueprints.
Source: ecom instruments GmbH
Today’s high demand for technical availability requires flexible and secure communications at any time, in any place – especially in potentially dangerous hazardous areas or harsh environments.
Germany-based ecom instruments GmbH enables the industry to take advantage of technology in challenging environments and use innovative applications with its so-called Mobile Worker approach, a flexible and integrated wireless ecosystem built around rugged and explosion-proof mobile computers (tablets, smart phones, PDAs), wireless peripheral devices and smart software applications.
Wireless technologies such as LTE, WLAN, WWAN, GPS and Bluetooth are the key to intelligent intercommunication of humans, plants and equipment.
- Through emcon’s wireless connected tablets, smartphones and PDAs, companies can open up new usage scenarios and innovative applications for hazardous areas, leading to more operational efficiency and increased employee productivity. Similarly, companies can collect large amounts of data, avoid production losses and facilitate continuous and cost-effective maintenance.
Typical applications include the tracking and control of plants, testing machines and equipment as well as containers, tools and inventory management. Further advantages made possible by ecom´s mobile devices are lower user fatigue, improved utilisation, ongoing transparency of data in real time and flexible workflows during asset-management.
Real-time video conferencing
One prime example of how mobile wireless solutions in hazardous areas can open up new ways of communication for documentation, remote diagnostics and maintenance purposes, is video conferencing in real time.
- With emcon’s solutions the worker on site simply streams videos directly from the hazardous area while passing through the plant and can be assisted remotely by an expert if necessary. Experts or the responsible members at the control center can make a remote diagnosis in real time and initiate appropriate measures or repairs immediately without losing valuable time. Without the need of a specialist to visit the facility or offshore platform in person, the use of mobile hardware and video calling applications saves time and money.
Security-concepts must ensure comprehensive protection
The increasing interconnectivity of machines and equipment, inevitably involves higher risks concerning data security. To ensure the current safety standards, it is advisable to work with the latest operating system.
- As mobile devices using the Android™ operating system are introduced to potentially dangerous work environments, individual and corporate security applications can now also be employed in hazardous areas. A wide range of software applications, combined with the control via a mobile device management system, are making it possible to set up devices so that the employee only has access to the applications he needs for his work tasks and for which he is legitimized by his account.
For more information: www.ecom-ex.com
