Wireless emergency lighting management: making the right choice is not difficult

Cloud-based monitoring platform takes security to next level

Through the principle of Internet of Things (IoT) it is possible, among other things, to wirelessly connect devices and sensors to the world wide web. This offers unprecedented possibilities, for example in the field of building management. At HBI Bisscheroux, developer and manufacturer of high-quality, smart emergency lighting solutions, they know all about this. The company not only offers a wide range of innovative products, but can also rightly call itself a pioneer, visionary and pioneer when it comes to wireless management via the cloud. 

In the realm of building management, IoT offers many opportunities. For example, it automatically provides managers with all kinds of detailed information, such as notifications about the battery status of emergency lighting, for example, making maintenance moments more accurately predictable and preventing incidents. It doesn't stop there, however, believes Patrick Mestriner, responsible for sales and marketing at HBI. "If management is wireless and cloud-based, you can also anticipate malfunctions better and more easily. Also, the number of on-site inspections is significantly reduced. A welcome extra, especially at a time when it is very difficult to get qualified employees on your payroll. Moreover, it lowers CO2 emissions and saves on raw materials and labor."

Revolution

Wireless management revolutionizes customer service. Of that, HBI's twenty or so specialists are firmly convinced. "In terms of improved operations and more efficient work processes," Mestriner continues. "But also when you look at the role of the manager. For that will be completely different. On the one hand, the data generated by the wireless devices leads to new insights, solutions and business models. At the same time, it makes the management task easier and takes both control and safety to a higher level. In addition to our emergency lighting fixtures, we also offer the solutions for that via the Sqippa management platform."

Safe infra

Whereas most wireless management systems are closed, HBI deliberately chose LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network). "Closed variants limit freedom of choice, increase costs and are inefficient due to so-called vendor lockings," Mestriner lists. "On top of that, the burden of proof for security and cybersecurity is often lacking." With LoRaWAN, the global and super-secure standard for low-power long-distance communications, users don't have to deal with that. With millions of gateways and devices, it is considered one of the largest IoT protocols in the world. Among other things, this manifests itself in very powerful signals, with a range of hundreds of meters to 4 kilometers in urban areas. And all without using repeaters or a mesh protocol. Mestriner explains the operation: "Linked emergency lighting fixtures transmit doubly encrypted LoRa messages at 868 megahertz via radio. Then they are forwarded via gateways to a network server in the cloud. This server then transmits the messages to the application server Sqippa Online, where they are visualized and processed."

Versatile platform

With Sqippa Online, Mestriner cites the advanced cloud-based environment that allows efficient and user-friendly management of HBI-manufactured and LoRaWAN-certified emergency lighting fixtures. "With the affordable and widely deployable Sqippa Online, as a member of the globally active LoRa Alliance, we offer administrators the ability to monitor and manage emergency lighting and other devices and sensors in a building," Mestriner said. "For example, this management platform generates daily updates and automatically alerts in case of power outages or malfunctions. In addition, Sqippa Online provides a clear and up-to-date overview of all connected fixtures via a clear building floor plan. Finally, with this solution you automatically comply with laws and regulations according to the Environment Act, ISSO79 and NEN-EN 50172. That too is a reassuring thought."