A LoRaWAN®-based solution for real-time remote monitoring in the oil and agriculture industries
Remote silo monitoring systems are becoming increasingly essential in various industries, particularly in agriculture, where they are used to store bulk materials such as grain.
In the farms of Fuglebjerg, Southern part of Sealand (Denmark), the management of Silos can pose a significant challenge when it comes to manual processes. This traditional method is often inefficient and ineffective, leading to a myriad of security and food quality issues. To address these concerns, it is crucial to digitize this ancient preservation technique to optimize the entire monitoring and management process of the products stored in silos.
The most challenging pain points derive from manual processes like manual monitoring and manual checks, which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human error and, at the same time, suppose safety risks due to the high silo structure.
The lack of real-time data is another obstacle that delays decision-making and generates potential losses related to inventory levels or temperature monitoring, affecting the quality of the stored materials. Finally, remote access to the silos represents a high cost in terms of traditional monitoring and delays a prompt response in handling and placing feed delivery orders.
To address these problems, the Danish company Lindcom came up with SiloSense, a full-stack solution that combines the capabilities of Seeed Studio SenseCAP LoRaWAN S2100 and S2103 sensors; M2 Multi-Platform and Outdoor gateways, strain transducers, and Lindom's eStock software platform.
SiloSense addresses the challenges faced by farmers and agro companies by eliminating the need for manual checks. It also helps to manage inventory levels, improve safety, prevent wastage or shortages, and ensure timely delivery. By providing a cost-effective, reliable, and safe solution for silo monitoring, it guarantees optimal storage conditions.
LORIOT utilizes the long-range and low-power capabilities of LoRaWAN® technology, which allows for seamless and reliable communication, even in remote and large-scale deployments. This way, LORIOT Network Management System Hummingbird, with its LoRaWAN Network Server capabilities, ensures uninterrupted communication and connectivity, making it an ideal solution for this type of deployment.
"The eStock app from Lindcom enables end users, suppliers, and transporters to access a wide range of sensor data in real time with just a few clicks on their mobile, tablet, and/or computer. The app offers a flexible alarm feature that allows users to set up customized alarms according to their specific needs. Additionally, eStock enables users to automatically generate customized reports that include relevant historical data.", said David Roel , Lidcom’s Head of Sales & Marketing.
The SiloSense solution enables feed suppliers as well as farmers to accurately measure the Content of Silos in Real-Time, which in return allows to:
"I've been using SiloSense to manage my feed, oil, and slurry levels, and it's been a game-changer. With automatic notifications, I never have to worry about running low on supplies or reaching critical levels. It's saved me time, money, and so much stress!", said Karsten Holm Hansen, Danish farmer.
The results of this IoT case not only benefit the farmers but also contribute to achieving three of the United Nations' seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Implementing the SiloSense solution helped the farmers to transform their silos into intelligent, connected environments, optimizing operations, enhancing safety measures, and fostering sustainability across the entire storage and supply chain ecosystem.
The solution provided precise control over stored materials to prevent shortages or spoilage and also enabled the preservation of the quality of the products. Safety was also enhanced through the elimination of traditional monitoring, allowing the farmers to assess the silos without risking falls.
Finally, the solution's remote monitoring capabilities empowered operators, Farms and Agro Companies, to manage the silos efficiently, especially in large or dispersed facilities, improving logistics and overall supply chain visibility.
Lindcom A/S is the classic example of Danish innovation.
Founded in 2005, Lindcom is still a pioneer in the development of sensor systems for silos, bins and tanks, enabling farmers and companies in the feed and oil industry, among others, to measure the contents of silos and tanks in real-time and with great precision.
Lindcom's solutions are enabled by state-of-the-art industrial IoT connectivity, which ensures fast, stable and secure data transmission between our unique sensor systems on the one hand and our eStock Software platform on the other.
Learn more at lindcom.dk
