Industrial companies and commercial building owners wanting to reduce waste to improve cost efficiency and save water, must become smarter in their operations, writes Paul Hartley, chief commercial officer, Ovarro
Making the best use of available data is key to optimising processes and becoming more efficient. When it comes to water usage, tools are now widely available for organisations of all sizes to closely monitor consumption.
This kind of analysis gives facilities managers a much better understanding of how much water is being used at their premises. It also allows them to identify potential water saving opportunities, where consumption is particularly high, and where leaks have gone undetected.
Responding to the current market need for products that are lower in cost and simple to use, Ovarro has launched XiLogFlow, a plug-and-play flow logger for both large and small facilities.
The loggers can support multiple applications in commercial, industrial and public sector facilities, including utilities, hospitality and healthcare. They can also be deployed in residential buildings, where they can used for sub-metering and tenant billing in apartment blocks, domestic water use analysis, and smart home integration, providing real-time information for residents and building managers to make informed decisions about water usage.
More efficient water use in agriculture is also supported by integrating XiLogFlow dataloggers into irrigation systems and for livestock watering systems, where usage can be monitored to ensure consistent supply for livestock.
The insights provided by XiLogFlow loggers mean users can quickly identify potential problems, such as leaks. By understanding water usage over time, they may also help individuals and organisations find opportunities to use water more efficiently, reduce their consumption and costs.
The data and analytics landscape is fast-moving, but Ovarro’s team of data scientists and innovation leaders continually assess the technology landscape to identify new opportunities for product development and enhancement.
One example is advances in battery technology which now give Ovarro loggers a 10-year battery life, reducing maintenance visits. The improvements in battery power mean the XiLogFlow can capture meter readings every 15 minutes, which are uploaded once a day.
All data collated by XiLogFlow is presented in LoggerVision, found within Ovarro’s analytics platform Atrium. The records are accessible anytime, from any device, including via the specially designed app. The logger is fitted with a universal SIM card, allowing connection to multiple mobile networks as well as the LTE-CATM1 internet of things (IoT) cellular network with 2G fallback.
Ovarro’s technical team understands that although most organisations are striving to optimise processes and use less water and energy, they also have concerns about upfront capital cost. By having the tools and insights to closely monitor water use and reduce the runtime of leaks, wasted water and associated repair costs, organisations have more visibility and therefore better management of their water usage.
This approach ensures the most efficient use of resources, reduces excess consumption and ensures improved budget control, while contributing toward critical business sustainability goals.
