The new service standard

World wide users of (process analytical) instrumentation in the whole industry require accurate and reproducible real-time measurements. Remote or local support and service is of utmost importance to support the local staff to perform the daily, weekly or yearly maintenance, like commissioning, validation, calibration and updating software.

As a producer of process analytical instrumentation we were not able to visit our customers, but instead, we offered remote monitoring services, which required using local laptops from our customers with Teamviewer(c) software and free Schneider Electric software and WhatsApp or WeChat communication tools. Getting a local VPN or GPRS/GSM in the field is very difficult to install and get access to the connected instruments.

In many cases this is impossible or costly to organise. Therefor, Arenal developed a new tool for instrumentation producers to get remote access easily, without the difficult setups: it is called RMM, the Remote Monitoring Module. It is a Plug-and-Play module with a setup of the configuration by our service engineers within 30 minutes.

The RMM consist of a world wide coverage provider network and SIM card, one system fits all applications. The standard omni-directional antenna is 5,5 dBi higher than a mobile phone or laptop, so the connection is much better. In case of more remote applications, like dredging ships or tunnels, we offer additional stronger antenna's.

After receiving the RMM unit, fix the PoE adapter in the watertight enclosure and connect the UTP cable to the LAN port of the analyzer. Change the IP address in the analyzer to fit the network of the RMM. Fix the power plug to the 24Vdc terminals or use the power convertor in the box.

The certificate in the box contains the serial number of the RMM and the IP address. Ask Arenal to activate the SIM card. After two minutes, simply connect to this IP address by your PC and you have access to the instrument.

In case of a requirement for a VPN connection, Arenal offers a small industrial PCB board to be connected in between the analyzer and the PoE adapter.

The only variable cost for RMM's is the amount of data used and the cost per MB. Each country has different $/MB, which is already known to us and fixed for 6 month after order. The cost differ between 0,015$/MB to 1,6$/MB. The module includes 5MB of data. After 5MB of data use, the bundle Arenal will issue of proposal of further cost, so that the client can decide to fix cheaper SIM cards in the module or buy more MB of transfer. Other SIM card will not be serviced by Arenal free of charge, but Arenal can offer to provide service for set-up.

To reduce data use, Arenal uses Remote-HMI software by Schneider Electric, only communicating instructions, but not displays. 

Also nice to have: You get a free App on your mobile phone to access and control the analyzer from anywhere in the world.