THE VALUE OF A TELEMETRY MONITORING SYSTEM IN SUSTAINING THE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Revolutionary advances in the information and communication technology field pave the way for automation and data exchange in the heavy industry sector. Currently, Industry 4.0 solutions are more readily accepted in factories and in more advanced economies, where good infrastructure is in place to facilitate these solutions. In the context of these heavy industries, wide-area wireless telemetry networks play an important role in facilitating accessibility and allowing for real-time monitoring and data transmission over wide geographical distances. This paper emphasises the value of a new wireless telemetry monitoring and diagnostic system that allows for the development of a detailed troubleshooting methodology when communication disruptions occur. The system was implemented on an existing telemetry system that is used by an energy services company to maintain the operational status of various remote information systems. The network is also used to facilitate various demand-side management projects throughout the Republic of South Africa. The results obtained show that the proposed system can enhance the robustness of existing Industrial Internet of Things infrastructure, and this promotes the adoption of Industry 4.0 concepts in the heavy industry sector.