MD4IoT goes beyond monitoring computers on a network. It can scan, detect, and report on OT equipment such as PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and more. This information is aggregated into a local dashboard on the MD4IoT appliance and in the Azure dashboard for the product. It is ingestible by SOC software like Service Now (SNOW), Splunk, and LogRhythm.

DMC’s client reached out to get AD4IoT implemented at their various sites across the globe. We implemented the program in four phases: Discovery, Design, Deployment, and Operationalization.

Discovery

DMC began by collaborating with the client site and their third-party vendor to remotely gather information from the client’s existing network. We developed a questionnaire, and the answers helped us to determine the type of network the client used, the types of devices used, and the number of devices on that network. Our discovery included switch diagnostic information, which allowed developing detailed network diagrams and device relationships.

Design

Using the information gathered during the discovery phase, DMC built a map that plotted the connections between switches at each site. Once we had a thorough understanding of how each switch was connected, we created switch configurations to route OT traffic via SPAN/RSPAN to the central manager.

RSPAN was used for the distribution switches and SPAN was used for traffic mirroring to the sensor. We then developed commands for the sensor that was to be installed. The sensor is a local AD4IoT instance that aggregates traffic and sends data to the global central manager instance of MD4IoT used for reporting.

Deployment

Next, DMC installed the MD4IoT operating system, which is Ubuntu based, on the client-provided Dell R350 PowerEdge Server at each site. There were three network ports to configure on the server: one that was used for AD4IoT Management, one used for ingesting SPAN data, and one used for Dell server administration (iDRAC).

We reconfigured their network by adding around 15 – 20 configuration changes for each distribution and core switch. To minimize risk and issues that are likely to occur in OT Networks such as the high traffic caused by high-definition cameras, we performed thorough testing.

Operationalization

DMC then made improvements to the monitored targets and subnets that the SPAN brought in. We also applied alert filtering to reduce anomalies and false positives in reports. Any alert determined to be a false positive was cleared and filtered so that future alerts provided the most meaningful data.

Each server was connected to a central manager, which allowed the client to access data from multiple sites via a single pane of glass. DMC then conducted administrator training for IT and OT personnel so that they could operate the AD4IoT sensor appropriately.

Learn more about DMC’s Microsoft Azure Cloud Solutions and Services expertise and contact us today for your next project.

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Morning Star Technology initially approached DMC with the patent for this Smart Home device, and DMC worked with them to establish a marketable solution that implemented the features described in patent. We developed the solution using an nRF9160 SiP- Nordic Semiconductor chip.

DMC engineers then coordinated project management between multiple companies including product design firms, manufacturers, certification bodies, and testers to prepare the product to be launched. DMC also handled the full hardware design and firmware implementation and then established a communication protocol to be used for cloud integration.

Engineers then guided the client through the process of taking an IoT product to market while providing guidance on obtaining UL and PTCRB certifications.

Learn more about DMC’s product development expertise and contact us to get started on your next project.

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BHS had a battery management system that was bar code driven, which was originally on a local portable PC. The system was not connected to the internet which meant that the client was unable to retrieve any of the operating statistics from each end-client. Instead of having an instance of the application on a local PC, DMC created an AWS hosted web application that would allow BHS to provision any device to connect to the application.

Web Application Development

The backend of the application was written using ASP.NET, while the UI was written with HMTL, CSS, and React. The application stores all the information in a PostgreSQL database, and the entire application was containerized using Docker.

Before starting development, DMC created a simulation to assist in identifying and solving edge cases that the previous system could not handle. This provided our team with a full understanding of how BHS’s existing system worked. The simulation proved to be cost-effective, as many issues were debugged before the commissioning stage of the project. 

Application and UI Improvements

With the previous application, an operator would navigate through multiple screens to find and input the proper information. DMC reorganized BHS’s operator portal to streamline the UI. Pairing this reorganization with a sleek interface design made the application more efficient and user friendly.

With the application now being hosted on AWS instead of on a non-network connected computer, DMC was able to create a new web user portal that allowed managers to view and modify any of the assets within their facility. In addition, the application has a dashboard that allows managers to get critical real-time statistics that offer insight into their facility. This statistical information was critical of BHS’s sale to end customers.

DMC was chosen for this project because of our expertise with IIoT, battery management systems, and application development. Contact our experts with project inquiries. 

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Device Management

Working with Vital Command, the AWSAM application demonstrates DMC’s experience with managing a host of devices in many different locations. In this application, devices are managed throughout their supply chain by different organizations and users, therefore, it was very important to carefully design a flexible permissions scheme so that each user can do everything they need, but nothing they shouldn’t, with the device. DMC added live-update functionality to the web application to display device data and alerts in real-time. Thorough historical logging and CSV report export functionality allow users the ability to dig through what happened in the case of an incident.

Vital Command requested that DMC change many of the protocols and also added new device types into the Vital Command ecosystem. These protocol changes and new sensors required firmware and software changes in C, Java, SQL, C#, and React Typescript. During development, DMC improved and streamlined the existing communication system for the devices to allow users to confidently command all device functionality from anywhere, including updating the device with the latest firmware.

DMC continues to support and enhance the application as the customer finds opportunities for new features and enhancements.

Learn more about DMC’s Application Development Services and Contact Us with any inquiries.

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We then made a protocol gateway that communicated the relevant information from the MQTT service to the correct location in the cloud through an Azure IoT Hub. The MQTT messages were received in the cloud by the broker service, which parsed the data through the gateway for storage in to our SQL cloud database. The gateway is also capable of receiving commands from the website via the API and passing the commands to the PLC.

Finally, DMC built a custom REACT webpage with all the same functionality as the system’s HMI screen on site, as well as a few additional features. The webpage provides a complete user experience with all controls and functionality for the PLC. The website includes access to user administration, additional units of measurement, and the ability to see historical data including flow rates, pressures, alarm logs, setpoints, and usage. The webpage interacts with the API to send and receive data from the cloud database.

DMC also created a mobile version of the application.

Additional Information

DMC trained the client on emerging technologies that are available and guided them toward a more high-tech yet cost effective solution. Additionally, we trained the client on using the custom REACT website we built, the capabilities of the technologies used, and on debugging and troubleshooting.

The customer was also working with multiple other vendors and clients, and DMC navigated communication challenges to manage and complete the project. Finally, we accommodated scope changes and completed additional programming to add features relevant to the client.

Learn more about DMC’s PLC Programming Services and Application Development expertise. 

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We then developed a broker and API that communicated the relevant information from the MQTT driver to the correct location in the cloud database. The MQTT messages were received in the cloud by the broker service, which parsed data and sent it on to the API. The API connected with our SQL cloud database to communicate information in and out of the database. 

DMC built a custom REACT website to display the data and add vehicles and drivers, as well as control the wash system. End-users can see tables that contain wash event data, vehicles, users, and drivers. Red Arrow can also use the website to manage the end-users, wash systems, and view global data. All data can be added and edited in the tables, except for the wash event data. Users can also edit their personal data.

DMC is continuing to work with Red Arrow to add additional functionality for end-user convenience and increased overall productivity and automation, including RFID scanning and more advanced control. Red Arrow continues to come back to DMC for work due to the complexity and success of the system. The upcoming wash system control page allows the user to enable and disable the wash system, schedule times when the wash can be on, and provide feedback of tank levels, connectivity status, and connection information.

Contact DMC for more information regarding our PLC Programming services or Web Application Development expertise.

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Tour24 offers a self-guided tour experience to properties wishing to attract more prospective residents. With traditional property tours led by leasing office staff, prospects have to email or call back and forth with a staff member to schedule an appointment, and then typically take off work to visit the site. With tour24’s pioneering self-guided process, prospects can sign up for a tour time from their phone or computer and visit the property whenever it works best for them.

Despite the absence of a leasing agent, the tour experience is still quite interactive, with customized tour app guidance and feedback throughout. The app also reacts to the proximity of Bluetooth beacons, showing users custom content specific to where they are in the property and recording the location.

After the tour is complete, the property staff can view a full history of the locations prospects visited and feedback they provided to make sure the tour experience is working as desired.

Integrations

The solution integrates a wide variety of services to allow properties to provide the highest possible flexibility. Properties with an existing Outlook/Exchange, Google, or iCal based leasing calendar can connect it to tour24 so they can view and manage tour24 appointments in the same way as their existing appointments.

Properties that wish to have some collateral in case of damage can collect prospect credit card information through a secure payment provider. Finally, buildings that want to confirm the identity of the prospect can require the prospect to provide document and facial similarity identity confirmation.

For properties with a locking front door, tour24 has integrated with a commonly used building access control solution to provide prospects with secure temporary access to property buildings. DMC developed a custom windows service application which is installed at the property to communicate locally with the building access control solution. The windows service can then insert and delete temporary prospect access codes as required based on commands received from the tour24 cloud application.

Learn more about DMC’s Application Development Services as well as our Microsoft Azure Cloud Solutions and Services.

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The solution creates a private wireless network with streaming ACN endpoints for lighting control. End users can connect any device that supports the streaming ACN protocol to the network and begin controlling lights with minimal effort from a mobile application. By switching the access point into client mode, multiple additional nodes can be added to the network which increase accessibility and network availability where running hard line cabling is challenging. 

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The solution has a series of sensor nodes connected to an Azure IoT Hub that collect environmental data. The sensor nodes are controlled by firmware programmed in Python, which runs on a Raspberry Pi using Embedded Linux. The collected raw data is processed using proprietary algorithms on Docker containers hosted in a cluster. After the data is processed, it is stored in Azure Table Storage so that it can be stored in a cost-effective manner and still be retrieved quickly. The server can also push firmware updates to the nodes manually or automatically.

A web application retrieves data from the datastore and displays it in graphical dashboards that are easy for end-clients to analyze. In addition to displaying dashboards, the web application also handles node management, account creation, and user login, and sends alerts when certain environmental thresholds or conditions are met. DMC built the website infrastructure for C2Sense’s end-customers using ASP.NET MVC, C#, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and created the user interface with assistance from DMC’s in-house graphic designer. 

Learn more about DMC’s Custom Software and Hardware Development services.

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The NI cRIO platform is used for the IoT system’s operational technology, enabling a variety of signals to be acquired, including high and low voltages, vibration, temperature, and proprietary or industry-specific sensors. CompactRIO hardware is also rugged and highly available and well-suited to field measurements and industrial environments. An open and connected LabVIEW programming environment allows multiple stations in the field, working in parallel while staying connected to the larger data system. 

The cRIO-based remote collection system will collect raw data at 10kHz (or higher), and analyze data according to the end user’s IP, making decisions according to rules and user configuration. The cRIO also interacts with the local system, enabling a safe state if needed, declaring alarms, or performing control changes to optimize performance. The cRIO’s operation is logged and made available by the system’s information technology. 

Microsoft Azure IoT is a critical scalable part of the system’s information technology. This framework is built to consume raw and summary data from the NI cRIOs, to enable automated workflows according to user rules, and to converge raw and summary data across a fleet of remote systems. Custom web applications then consume this data and provide it to a variety of users, who have the ability of looking at low-level effects and high-level trends. 

Microsoft Azure user interface

Rugged Physical Deployment

• Multiple stations in the field
• Industrial shock and vibration specs
• Temperature range -40C to +70C 

Data Acquisition

• 10kHz data acquisition
• Steady state and transient burst collection
• Varied signal sources, including reference electrodes, pipe-to-soil, corrosion coupons, ER probes

cRIO + Microsoft Azure IoT

Operational Technology

• Data processing at edge
• On-site alarm detection and action
• Remote-configurable high-speed data processing
• Open connectivity to other smart devices

Information Technology

• MQTT and JSON to Microsoft Azure IoT hub
• Microsoft Azure Stream Analytics and Azure Functions, serving data to multiple destinations
• HTTP file transfer of raw data to Data Storage service
• Web applications for user consumption and analysis

cRIO-based Monitoring of Electric Fish Barrier

Learn about DMC’s approach to business intelligence, read more about DMC’s IoT Solutions, and contact us today to get started on your next project.

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