The Importance Of Wireless Connectivity For Industrial Scales

By Author: Mel Joelle
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When New York based-Arlyn Scales set up shop thirty some years ago, the notion of wireless connectivity and being connected to business critical data was not even in the cards-but just like any successful company, they learned to adapt to their customers needs as their client base grew.

Arlyn Scales designs and fabricates all of the sub-assemblies that make a scale; they can apply their expertise to nearly any situation that requires weighing. One such scenario that seems to be in high demand nowadays with many of their scale customers (new or old) is the inclusion of wireless connectivity. And why not, the technology is there.

The technology has finally reached a maturity level where it can be used in most environments, including many of Arlyn's standard weighing technology applications.

Currently, Arlyn offers a wireless option for some of its digital and electronic scales. While the company will customize any solution around their customers needs, most of their industrial scales, parts counting scales, and bench scales, offer a wireless option.

Simply plug both the PC, which is connected to a ...
... scale solution into a WiFi access point and once a valid IP address is assigned, the users should have access to their data. A little more goes into the overall process, like how the scale sends data to a PC-but that is the gist of it.

When speaking directly with Arlyn Scales, they feel their next big challenge will be providing wireless Internet and the mobile business tools companies need. Whether they work in the office or at home, on-site or off-site, employees and employers need to be able to access their professional communications environment at all times. Those who use the technology to transform their business processes in a way that will result in productivity improvements will benefit most from the technology.

Another challenge, which is a direct result of the above, is security, and how to prevent breaches. Although most wireless networks have some level of it, the more protection you have on your device at the most elementary level, the better. Even a basic password can help protect your information if your industrial scale or other wireless device is lost or stolen.

The following scenario is a typical weighing environment where wireless connectivity would come in handy, and could be detrimental if not available, to a small business operation.

Say you are a small business; a five man operation. Not only are you the owner, but you are the person who travels to conduct business, and you are the final say in who does all the ordering.

You are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming but this week you have to travel to the east coast on important business. While you are in NYC, a customer needs you to construct a customized conveyor assembly, which you have the blue prints for, and requires many industrial parts.
They provide you with a strict deadline and there is no way you can turn down the business. You are the only people who can expedite the ordering of these parts. You need to be careful not to overextend yourself or even worse, come up short.

It is safe to say you are in a quandary. If only you had Internet access. What you need is to be able to connect wirelessly over the Internet to your electronic counting scale(s), which is housed at your establishment even though you are half way across the country.

Being away from the office shouldn't mean being out of touch. With today's affordable technological advancements, there is no reason not to have access to business critical data whenever needed.

Today's technology includes many easy and affordable wireless options for smaller businesses to stay connected. Sometimes it could mean the difference between making money and taking it on the chin.

In today's business environment it is becoming more difficult to be productive if you can't use the network to access important data via the Internet. If your employees have to wait until they're back in the office before they can conduct business as usual, your customers will be kept waiting, and could eventually look for business elsewhere.
Click here to read the rest of Wireless Connectivity. If you enjoyed this article, you also might like our other stories about Industrial Scales.