Computer assisted Telephony Systems (C.a.T.S.) has launched an ambitious new product called Pogmos (power generator monitoring system), which is a ubiquitous monitoring system that allows for pervasive monitoring of power generators.
The solution relies on wireless communication (GPRS/GSM), is SMPP-enabled, with Web-based management, monitoring and administration.
The solution also features ease of integration, with all components compliant to international industrial standards. The product is focused on the telecommunications market; however, it is suited for most any environment.
When prompted on what initiated the concept of Pogmos, Johan Grobler, MD of CaTS, stated: “Being involved with IBM's Tivoli range of products, we realised the value and necessity of a single and simple view into everything operational; we also discovered that most of our clients do not have a single view into their day-to-day operational performance. Companies invest vast amounts of money in equipment and infrastructure, which is not performing optimally. With Pogmos, operational managers will be able to follow progress as generators are serviced, as refuelling is done, when generators are started and so forth. Imagine the wealth - if business intelligence, which will be gathered with managers having access to data pertaining to where and when power failures are most common, where theft is more prevalent, where maintenance is need, to what extent is the breakdown linked to maintenance, and the list continues. This will move managers and support staff alike from being reactive to being proactive.”
Pogmos allows for the true pervasive monitoring of generators, which is geographically dispersed. Elements that are monitored include:
* Generator start-up and stop
* Cabinet activity (if doors are opened etc)
* Engine temperature
* Coolant
* Crank battery voltage
* Engine fuel flow
* Tank fuel flow
* Tank fuel levels etc
The monitor correlates inputs to generate alerts to the support team when abnormalities occur. The system generates graphs to visualise trends.
Grobler continued: “We endeavoured to design this product in order for it to be highly scalable and configurable. As was stated in numerous publications, in the mobile environment, escalating operation cost and logistical requirements have been almost impossible to overcome. One of the largest sub-Saharan mobile operators has over 5 000 base stations in a single country, with most complemented with two back-up generators.
“Many to most of the base stations are out of reach of the national power grid, hence the requirement for two generators per base station site. However, even if a base station falls within the power grid, a backup generator is essential. The running cost of urban base stations has been estimated at about USD2 500 per month, with remote sites up to USD210 000 per month.”
Grobler continued: “Added to these costs are the woes of theft in terms of copper, general equipment and especially fuel. Lack of delivery when it comes to contractors eats into operation costs, with no clear benefit. We are confident that an implementation of Pogmos will yield significant savings on capital and operational expenditure.”
With Pogmos, an operator can pinpoint any activity related to the generator, assure services were successful according to set measurements and reporting can be done on demand for optimisation. Pogmos also includes a model to perform an audit in terms of fuel added to the tank, and the actual fuel consumption of the generator, assuring that fuel theft is kept to a minimum.
Grobler concluded: “With a base state costing an operator roughly USD125 000 to put in place, we are also keen as an innovative company to look at ways of assisting operators to protect their investment by real-time monitoring, allowing for rapid and accurate response to system failures resulting from theft, lack of maintenance or general breakdown.”
http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/telecoms/2009/0909020739.asp?A=INT&S=Internet&T=News&O=ST
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