SICK Sets LiveConnect Standard for Twinning Sensors with the Cloud

SICK has announced that its new LiveConnect web-service will be the standard for bringing live data from SICK sensors to their digital twins in the Cloud, supporting customer progress towards Industry 4.0 digitilisation.

SICK LiveConnect is an easy-to-use, real-time monitoring App that manages the routing and forwarding of live sensor data, so that it can be integrated into online dashboards and software.

With SICK LiveConnect, users will get real-time insights into their devices from the shopfloor right through to the enterprise level.  As a result, processes can become more transparent and maintenance costs can be reduced.  The live operating data will help operators to monitor production efficiency in real time and improve their Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Secure and Standardised Live Connection

While operating on an edge gateway, such as the SICK SIM1012 or the TDC-E, the data output from the SICK LiveConnect Sensor App is routed to the Cloud. Customers can be assured of highly secure data communication via industry standard MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol over TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption.

SICK’s LiveConnect will unlock a secure, standardised, and easy-to-use live data connection from each sensor to a customer’s online asset management environment in the SICK AssetHub. Using the SICK LiveConnect online module via a standard web browser, a digital twin can be visualised in the cloud and process data from the device will be integrated into online monitoring applications.

Industry 4.0 Connectivity

“The roll-out of SICK LiveConnect is an important step in SICK’s journey to Industry 4.0 digital connectivity,” says Neil Sandhu, SICK’s UK Product Manager for Imaging, Measurement, Ranging and Systems.

“It will be really easy to connect your sensor with LiveConnect on a standard web-browser via the App; all you need is the material – and part numbers for your SICK device. They are easy to find on the device label, and if you have the SICK InstallBase Manager smartphone app, you can access device information via the 2D barcode.

“Simply create a virtual representation of your real device in the online AssetHub, then pair your real device with the virtual representation. Then, you can manage data routing and forwarding from your virtual device to other SICK applications, such as dashboards, or create and API key to connect with third party dashboards, applications, or enterprise systems.”

Cross-Industry Solution

LiveConnect brings together SICK’s operational software, powered by SICK’s AppSpace, with its cloud environment, SICK IntegrationSpace.  It marks a milestone for SICK in establishing solid foundations for its future digital services, because connection between sensor and cloud is the first step in managing and monitoring data to achieve optimum operational efficiency.  SICK LiveConnect provides the standard needed and offers a secure way to bring sensor data online.

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