An increasing demand for the use of sensors to gather data that can be used to make business processes more efficient, has been noted across a range of industries.

A new way of visualising a sensor’s status is said to open up new opportunities for optimising plant availability and process efficiency.

In order to access the virtual representation of the sensor and its data, SICK uses LiveConnect to deliver a standardised connection from an edge gateway to SICK Asset Hub.

The company explains that Industry 4.0 thrives on the generation and linking of data and asserts that its LiveConnect platform provides a data connection to the sensor for Web services and Industry 4.0 applications, making new business applications possible, for example the monitoring of ship emissions as evidence of adherence to legal requirements.

In order to access the virtual representation of the sensor and its data, SICK uses LiveConnect to deliver a standardised and secure connection from an edge gateway, such as the SIM1012, to its Asset Hub or other SICK or third-party applications. The Web service connects the hardware, a SensorApp and a cloud instance. This creates a connection between the sensor-oriented shop floor (SICK AppSpace) and the SICK IntegrationSpace cloud environment.

The Asset Hub is a digital, Web-based enterprise asset management system that is said to provide a functionally-rich and interactive view of the individual sensors and machines as well as the plant as a whole, allowing it to create more transparency in the value adding chain.  This new transparency by means of virtual images, the digital twins, and assets along their entire life cycles, aims to enable greater plant availability and process efficiency.

Data is evaluated in the Asset Hub with the objective of delivering valuable information about required inventories, maintenance, the right time for software updates, or the availability of devices. For example, the service module offers services for maintenance employees and enables them to access sensor maintenance schedules and certificates, among other things.

SICK asserts that the platform provides a flexible foundation for further asset-focused digital value adding services, for example the SICK Installed Base Manager, SICK LiveConnect, SICK Monitoring Box, or SICK Service Module.

Asset Hub and LiveConnect are components of the SICK IntegrationSpace, which aims to provide all the basic services and features required to offer digital services.