In today’s fast paced world, having the right information when and where you need it is essential for success. This is especially true if you are in the business of managing chemical inventory. The ability to keep track of tank levels while you are on the go can be priceless. Benefits may include an optimization storage capacity, vastly improved ordering, as well as faster responses to emergencies.
Among the best strategies for remote monitoring is the use of text message and e-mail alarms. Alarms are used to notify managers when pre-defined parameters are detected by a level sensor. So, you can get time sensitive information from any tank location through your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
APG’s remote monitoring service, Tank Cloud, offers three different types of alarms to aid in the effort of optimizing chemical inventories:
Immediate alarms will notify you the moment a pre-defined parameter has been satisfied. These alarms are typically used to notify you when a critical event has taken place. A good example is the abrupt change alarm when used to confirm deliveries and detect bulk liquid thefts.
The abrupt change alarm will notify you if there was a sudden change in the level of the liquid. This alarm lets you describe what an acceptable change is. This is done by defining what the value of the change can be, as well as the time allowed for the level change. So if any change in level falls outside of those parameters an alarm will be triggered immediately. This way, if the liquid level decreased suddenly as a result of a theft, you will be notified the minute it happens.
With this alarm configuration, you will not be informed immediately. Instead, the level sensor will indicate that the criteria have been satisfied during the next call in. Call in times typically range between once a day to every ten minutes, depending on how you have programmed the sensor. This type of alarm is ideal for day-to-day operations such as a notification of a near empty tank.
This alarm will trigger if a sensor fails to call in to the web site, informing you that something may be wrong with the sensor. This can prove to be invaluable. Just imagine if one of your sensors had failed and you were not aware of it. In addition to unreliable information, you are now running the risk of running out of product, ordering too much, and even tank overfills.
If you have questions on remote alarms or anything else to do with remote monitoring, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
