6 reasons for having an IoT web app in the production sector

Companies who perform data collection in production plants - and not only - have many good reasons to ditch outdated server infrastructures, VPN connections and old locally installed software. For years now the most convenient and effective solution has been web apps.

As suggested by certain IoT stats for 2020, the Internet of Things is a trend that is destined to grow. In particular industry and manufacturing are showing that they can gain considerable benefits, leading other sectors which had shown an interesting evolution starting back in 2016 and 2017.

Here are six good reasons to rely on web apps that offer a control dashboard and other analytical functions starting from data collected by IoT sensors.

1. To access your data easily

The data extracted from the production plants and from the sensors installed must be easily accessible so it can be elaborated.
It generally flows into a cloud infrastructure, but once it is stored on a server the data must be accessible for the users assigned to deal with it.

Not having a dedicated web app means two things: making both access to information collected by the installation and the consequent data analysis more complicated. If you consider one of the objectives of IoT is to take advantage of data analysis, it’s not a great idea to make it difficult to consult said data.

A web app can also be configured to receive data in real time, allowing you to be constantly up to date on the actual status of the plant.

2. Because they are always available, anywhere, at any moment

Unlike other forms of data processing access (for example via storage on servers connected to a local network or synchronization with desktop installed software), web apps are free from the old digital company infrastructures and they allow you to access data any time. All you need is an Internet connection.

Whether you have to stay home from the office for mobility problems or you just want to stay in smart-working to enjoy the sea air, a normal internet connection allows you to access data and analysis tools. This allows you to monitor the situation from home, from another office or on the go.

Also, web apps do not require a specific operating system to work. By using the same code base for Windows, Mac OS and Linux, you save on software adaptation costs. A pretty good perk ,wouldn’t you say?

3. Because they simplify access and licenses

Web apps are particularly convenient for managing access for external collaborators who no longer have to rely on slow and unstable VPN connections.

User management is centralised: no more physical licenses connected to single computers. Permissions for functions and access are connected to user accounts and are available from any device you log in from. This saves time for renewals, cancellations or user changes.

4. Because they reduce your maintenance costs

Traditional software requires installation, configurazione and regular updates to be performed on each individual computer.

Troubleshooting for this software can require terminal by terminal action, while web apps allow you to identify bugs and fix them only once for all devices.

Usually the old procedures can take up to 20 minutes for each company PC. Web apps on the other hand do not have these problems. You can save or put your technicians time to better use… Have you calculated how much your current yearly maintenance costs you?

5. Because they have a solid infrastructure and keep your data safe

Since web apps can work on a cloud infrastructure, all the problems relating to a change in computer or server are eliminated.
Since there is no locally saved data, you don’t risk losing your information and you can save data recovery time in “clean rooms” and other recovery procedures.

Since it is a redundant cloud infrastructure, system function is guaranteed also in case of migration, damage or blocks. How much does it usually cost you to reboot a database that is down?

6. Because they allow you to save time

Web apps allow you to integrate bots and more in general automatic functions (data collection, webportal compiling and so on).
An example could be the exchange of data between management and factory and warehouse operation software (for example Infor and SAP).

According to the Smartsheet Automation in the Workplace report from 2017, 40% of workers interviewed think that automation will make companies more competitive, 69% that it will reduce downtime problems and 80% believe that it will make people more effective in their work. 72% believe that they would use the time saved to work on more important tasks.

If these advantages have convinced you, don’t hesitate to improve your company IoT infrastructure with a suitable web app.

Contact us! the Dreamonkey team is at your service.