Our IoT technology development platform, iENBL, brings IoT devices to market faster, at a lower cost and with less risk. The platform makes it easier to develop solutions and provides data to show real results. We trust it so much, we use it internally.
The challenge
We were looking to cut operational costs for our facility in Asia. Reducing energy usage was a logical way to do it. We connected cables and off-the-shelf sensors to the HVAC system to make it easier to adjust, helping us to remain energy-conscious throughout the day. This made it possible to turn fans on and off from a central location–but only manually.
We wanted to make this process more efficient.
The solution
We used the iENBL capabilities to create a solution specifically for the facility’s HVAC needs. The result is a remote-sized device that turns on and off the fans to conserve energy. It syncs to the sensors in the facility and uses data from those sensors to identify patterns and form insights. The device adjusts the HVAC system based on those insights, actively learning the most efficient way to control the building temperature. We were able to enjoy these benefits in less than 9 months from conception.
“With the iENBL platform, you can drastically reduce your time to market to between six and eight months. In a traditional case it takes an average of two years.”
– Dr. Juan Nogueira, Senior Director of Design and Engineering at Flex
Not only was the solution up and running quickly and successfully, it’s easy to manage. The device doesn’t have to remain on a specific network. Instead, it uses a long-range (LoRa), low-power wireless (LPWAN) platform. We can take the device up to two miles away, and it will still work.
The outcome
Now heating and air conditioning will only turn on when it is necessary. After standard working hours and on weekends, the HVAC system automatically adjusts to use less energy. Overall, the iENBL solution saves us time, energy and money, and gives us real-time visibility into our energy usage.