Sensor as a Service: From Capital Investment to Complete Peace of Mind
In the traditional approach, the deployment of monitoring networks involves multiple parties: suppliers of sensors, IoT data loggers, and data platforms on one side, and contractors responsible for installation and maintenance on the other. These parties often operate independently and exchange limited information. By integrating these disciplines, processes can be managed far more efficiently.
Sensor as a Service (SaaS) is a business model in which customers purchase sensor data and insights rather than owning the underlying hardware and software. The service provider retains ownership of the sensors and data loggers, manages installation, maintenance, communications, and data transmission, and ensures continuous operation. Customers pay a fixed monthly fee for the delivery of reliable measurement data.
Monitoring networks for applications such as combined sewer overflow monitoring, water level monitoring, and water quality monitoring are particularly well suited to this integrated service model.
Key Benefits of Sensor as a Service :
- Simplified procurement: The customer does not need in-depth knowledge of sensor and data logger technologies.
- Low upfront costs: No significant capital investment in hardware is required.
- Complete peace of mind: The service provider is responsible for installation, maintenance, and software updates throughout the lifecycle.
- Predictable costs: Fixed monthly subscription fees replace unexpected maintenance expenses.
- Always up to date: Immediate access to the latest sensor technology, software, and data dashboards
The Data Management Platform as the Intelligent Backbone
A powerful data management platform forms the core of this service model. The platform connects end users, service providers, and maintenance contractors within a single integrated ecosystem.
Data is securely delivered to SCADA systems, control centers, historians, and forecasting platforms such as FEWS. Communication between the data platform, IoT data loggers, and higher-level systems is fully encrypted using digital certificates that are periodically renewed by the service provider.
The platform also provides significant advantages for maintenance teams. By continuously monitoring battery status, network coverage (NB-IoT), and sensor communications, maintenance can be performed proactively and predictively. This improves the reliability of monitoring networks and maximizes system uptime.
Raw sensor data may contain errors caused by equipment failures, environmental influences, or transmission issues. Anomalies such as flat lines, sensor drift, inverted values, and sudden data spikes are automatically detected, validated, and corrected by the service provider, ensuring the highest possible data quality.
A New Business Model for the Water Sector
This innovative business model delivers more than just cost savings and operational efficiency. Its greatest value lies in providing complete peace of mind. Water utilities, authorities, and municipalities gain access to reliable, high-quality data without the complexity of owning and managing their own monitoring infrastructure.
With Sensor as a Service, organizations can focus on managing water resources, while the service provider takes care of the technology behind the data.
Want to discover how our new Sensor as a Service offering can simplify your operations?
