In this guide, we evaluate the uses of five leading monitoring devices. Understanding the technical specifications (which we covered in another blog) is crucial, but equally important is how these devices perform in real-world applications. Here, we examine their capabilities across different industries requiring remote monitoring, and highlight which unique features support the optimal choice for these applications.
The monitoring device pairings we have made below are for illustration purposes to show how environmental remote monitoring platforms can be integrated with a monitoring device from the same provider so that the feature listing is easier to comprehend in a real-world application. Let’s dive into the key players and their cloud-based remote management products:
These are the core features of remote monitoring software that we’ve selected to analyze based on how they impact key industries and jobs in the field where this type of software is used, including construction, civil engineering, architecture and engineering projects, and mining and minerals. Below are essential features you should expect from any provider because they are standard across the industry.
| Feature / Device | Inzwa Cloud1 | Syscom Cloud Software2 | Instantel Vision II3 | Svantek SvanNet4 | Omnidots Honeycomb5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote Configuration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time Data Visualization | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Over-the-Air Updates | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Compliance Standards | Various (ISEE 2017, DIN 4150, DIN 45667-1, IEC61672, ISO 8569, etc.) | DIN 4150-3, ISO 2631 | Various (Australia, NZ, UK, etc.) | DIN 4150-3, BS 7385-2 | Various (US, EU, etc.) |
Although these are baseline features that remote monitoring providers should provide, it’s important to keep in mind that some device features will impact data management, such as sensor technology and battery life. For example, MEMS-based digital sensors in devices are generally lighter and known for their accuracy and reliability in different environments and frequency ranges, whereas Geophone-based sensors are heavier and the added weight can impact their deployment in remote or difficult-to-access locations.
To ensure uninterrupted monitoring and increased data reliability, it’s important to choose a device with a longer battery life that doesn’t require devices to be connected to external batteries that need to be changed frequently or connected to solar units when weather conditions can impact uptime. Depending on the number of events you need to capture per day, these variables can lead to added costs to ensure uptime or interruptions in measurements that are made and captured in your monitoring software.
Important Questions to Ask of Your Remote Monitoring Platform Provider:
To achieve fully-integrated remote environmental monitoring, we would argue that these questions reflect features that both align with IIoT trends while supporting the project bids of companies seeking to innovate and advance in their industries. Hint: Inzwa Cloud offers all of these.
To help you in your search for a platform that meets your current and future needs, we’ve outlined questions to ask yourself or to serve as a guide as you explore other providers.
1. How does your remote monitoring platform ensure cost-effective vibration, tilt and sound monitoring for ongoing remote monitoring?
Why this is important: In scenarios where units will be left onsite during field work or for ongoing remote monitoring that requires the deployment of different measurement devices, being mindful of inventory and total cost of ownership (TOC) becomes increasingly important. Additionally, multi-use devices can be used to cut costs while requiring less equipment that needs to be installed and maintained in the field. In these cases, considering a device that combines vibration, tilt, and sound monitoring can reduce setup complexity and inventory costs long term for project owners. Whether connected to its native VEVA III 3-in-1 monitoring device or other third party device providers, Inzwa Cloud offers a seamless, all-in-one solution that simplifies remote monitoring and enhances performance for various use cases.
2. Is your solution a device agnostic platform?
Why this is important: It’s common for project owners to make investments in devices from different manufacturers for meeting the needs of job sites, environments, or measurement requirements. In other cases, project decision makers may include provisions for particular sensors and devices that companies need to consider when bidding on projects. As factors change during project lifecycles or growth, you will want to maximize your hardware investment by using a cloud-based platform that can support a diverse set of evolving requirements and centralize data from different sensors. For example, by consistently being attuned to market and project needs Inzwa enables project owners to extend the shelf life of its device agnostic cloud platform. Inzwa Cloud is compatible with various third-party devices such as Micromate, Rock, and Omnidots, providing flexibility and integration options not found in other platform products.
3. What is your approach to cost-effective pricing?
Why this is important: Depending on the range of project environments and measurements you need your monitoring platform to capture, the number of device integrations required can increase variable costs from project-to-project. Project owners need to consider that some devices have separate sensors that require different channels and sensor inputs to accommodate different data streams to be collected which can increase costs to acquire and then integrate with cloud-based platforms to be synthesized and analyzed. While Inzwa Cloud can support multiple sensors from third-party devices, it offers competitive pricing for its fully-integrated and comprehensive monitoring platform. Most vendors will charge based on the number of sensors and inputs, while Inzwa Cloud charges by node rather than by the sensor regardless of how many sensors are connected to that node. Additionally, by having sensors for vibration, tilt, and sound integrated into a device like VEVA III used together with Inzwa Cloud, users get the benefits of all-in-one data management without compromising sensor data quality or features during remote monitoring projects.
4. Do you offer open integration (No Vendor Lock-in)?
Why this is important: Again, it’s important to have flexibility as projects environments and bid requirements change throughout the project lifecycle. Acquiring different units from various monitoring device manufacturers for individual projects without proper inventory management impacts the lifetime value of these investments. Platform compatibility and interoperability with third-party devices means the provider’s platform can support other sensors and loggers as companies grow and project requirements evolve. For example, if your project bid or current investments require features or certain sensors from brands like Geokon, Instantel, Worldsensing, Ackcio, Syscom, among others, Inzwa Cloud supports them.
5. Does the platform have easy-to-use dashboards?
Why this is important: Oftentimes, project owners may lack the time or technical expertise in-house to decipher measurement data in a way that can be easily translated for other stakeholders and the varying levels of reporting they need. For example, Inzwa Cloud allows all users to analyze and react quickly to sensor data with user-friendly dashboards, visualizations such as pinpointed devices on a map or floorplan to represent the locations of the sensors and devices along with the analytics tools to assess the condition of the project or device in the field in real-time.
6. What pre-built dashboards and tools are included?
Why is this important: Similar to the technical knowledge limitations listed above related to dashboards, by creating a user experience that requires little to no setup or data configuration allows various stakeholders to get the data they need while using built-in dashboards for various sensor data dimensions, visualizations, and analytics out of the box. Inzwa Cloud has pre-built dashboards which don’t require additional setup for project stakeholders.
7. Are there multiple levels of alarm notifications?
Why this is important: Having a tiered alert system built into a monitoring platform can easily notify users of various conditions or thresholds being met during measurements and monitoring should there be issues either remotely or on the job during projects. Monitoring platforms and quality of data can impact alert systems if monitoring isn’t continuous. Cloud platforms should enable prompt alerts to ensure the response time and safety of the project environment. For example, Inzwa Cloud offers three levels of alarm notifications. Level 1 indicates low priority or minor issues or conditions which are within acceptable limits but need attention, while level 2 are more significant deviations that could have operational impact if not addressed, while level 3 are urgent alerts signaling critical conditions like safety risks that need immediate attention.
8. Does the platform support unlimited projects or users?
Why this is important: For project owners and companies looking to drastically reduce labor costs and improve operational efficiency when it comes to maximizing their use of their environmental monitoring software. The project owner should be able to share sensor data with other project stakeholders and customers to provide transparency and convenience while streamlining communication throughout the project and after the project is completed. For example, Inzwa Cloud allows companies to use their sensors on unlimited projects, of any size, with unlimited users.
9. Will the platform automatically recognize the connected device?
Why this is important: Many monitoring platforms require manually connecting devices depending on the type of measurements needed across vibration, tilt, and sound. Using a cloud platform that can recognize different devices can reduce the implementation and configuration time for the instrumentation for project owners and platform administrators.
For example, Inzwa Cloud will automatically recognize the Inzwa VEVA III 3-in-1 device for vibration, tilt, and sound. Users just turn the VEVA III on, and data automatically appears in Inzwa Cloud and can quickly read, manage and analyze the data. The same is true for third-party devices Inzwa Cloud is compatible with.
10. What kind of project-level reporting is included?
Why this is important: It makes it easier to generate summaries during the project duration. For example, Inzwa Cloud includes detailed project-level reports and graphics that other competitors don’t offer, which are easy to read and make its reporting capabilities better for stakeholder analysis. For example, charts are available that cover the project reporting period in Inzwa Cloud, and automates the creation of charts and tables for all connected devices being used on a project, whether it’s native (VEVA III) or third-party. Don’t believe us? Ask for a free demo account.
While Inzwa strives to remain on the forefront of innovation within the IIoT space, we encourage project owners to explore the solution landscape in support of their current and future inventory needs and customer expectations for upcoming projects
| Feature / Device | Inzwa Cloud1 | Syscom Cloud Software2 | Instantel Vision II3 | Svantek SvanNet4 | Omnidots Honeycomb5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fully Integrated 3-in-1 Monitoring | Yes | ||||
| Device Agnostic | Yes | ||||
| Cost-Effective Pricing | Yes | ||||
| Open Integration (No Vendor Lock-in) | Yes | ||||
| Easy-to-Use Dashboards | Yes | ||||
| 3 Level Alarm Notifications | Yes | ||||
| Unlimited Projects/Users | Yes | ||||
| Project-Level Reporting | Yes | ||||
| Automatic Device Recognition | Yes | ||||
| Centralized Data Management | Yes |
Choosing the right remote monitoring solution depends on your specific industry needs and project requirements. Inzwa Cloud stands out with several unique features that can be used across various applications. Whether it’s for construction, civil engineering, architecture, or mining, Inzwa Cloud’s fully integrated environmental monitoring platform sets out to simplify remote monitoring and enhance project outcomes.
For example, in construction, remote monitoring is essential for maintaining safety and compliance on sites, and Inzwa Cloud’s features excel in providing accurate, real-time data to ensure these standards are met. For civil engineering projects, which often require precise and continuous data collection, Inzwa Cloud’s advanced capabilities significantly enhance project outcomes through reliable monitoring and comprehensive analytics.
Architecture and engineering firms benefit from Inzwa Cloud’s ability to enhance design and structural integrity, offering substantial advantages with its easy-to-use dashboards and real-time monitoring features. In the mining and minerals industries, monitoring ensures operational efficiency and safety. Inzwa Cloud’s unique features, such as automatic device recognition and centralized data management, elevate these efforts by providing robust, continuous monitoring solutions tailored to the demanding needs of these sectors.
To learn more about Inzwa Cloud, read more about its features here or request a quote.
This information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge as publicly available during our research at the time of our writing this guide. If you recognize that any changes need to be made based on more recent information please email hello@inzwatech.com.
As we shared in our last blog, we attended several sessions during the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE)’s 51st Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique. Held in Cherokee, NC. The conference brings together professionals from around the world in the largest gathering focused on explosives engineering. The hour-long
Earlier this year, we attended the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE)’s 51st Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique. Held in Cherokee, NC this year, the six-day conference is the world’s largest gathering focused on explosives engineering, and brings together professionals from around the globe. We attended a session
Why This Guide Matters in 2025 The landscape of project monitoring has transformed significantly, driven by innovations in sensor technology and integrated solutions. As projects become more complex and compliance requirements more stringent in certain industries and applications, choosing the right monitoring solution is crucial for success. In today’s rapidly
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