Reducing Installation Costs with WiFi Sensors
Wireless Connectivity for Hard-to-Reach Places
You are a retailer. You have read about how in-store analytics can help with automation and resource optimization. You talk with an integrator who recommends a sensor-based solution that will deliver real-time KPIs you can use to manage costs better. You are surprised to learn that the initial costs for the project are not only the sensors, but mainly the installation, network cables and PoE switches, followed by the cost of managing the network infrastructure for setup and maintenance.
At this point, you, and many other similarly situated retailers, might go back to the drawing board. Or, worse, scrap the whole project. Installation costs are a significant concern when selecting a data capture solution, both for integrators and end customers, and one that can delay ROI goals if not adequately managed at each stage.
No two installation sites are the same. Even chain stores designed based on standardized patterns have variations caused by the unique conditions of the locations where they are built. Integrators have to bring a mix of technical skill and creativity to any data capture project, but certain constraints limit what they can and cannot do.
In the case of installing a sensor-based solution, maximum Ethernet cable lengths, standardized 100 m (about 328.08 ft), can limit where sensors can be installed. Beyond this length, integrators must rely on PoE switches to connect network and power sources. The result is even higher installation costs, more time for installation, and an additional piece of hardware with its own useful life to consider.
Installation costs involve many variables based on location, scope, and relationship with the integrator. But the TCO difference between sensors with and those without wireless connectivity are significant, as illustrated in the hypothetical below.
A Tale of Two Measuring Tapes
Xovis and Wireless Connectivity
Xovis has built a solid global reputation because its highly accurate PoE-powered sensors are designed with subtlety in mind. PC2RE, our WiFi or radio-enabled sensor, expands our portfolio and provides integrators and end customers with more and better installation options.
In a perfect world, all sensors can be connected to the network and power sources with low-cost cabling. In the real world, nooks and crannies, preserved surfaces, and out-of-reach spaces are the norm. Wireless Connectivity on the PC2RE may be a backup option—one supported by multiple network fallback options—but we designed it explicitly for integrators and end customers working in the real world.
Tags: | retail | integrators | network cabling | installation costs | KPI | WiFi sensors |
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