Connecting IO-Link sensors to the cloud

ifm electronic has launched an easy-to-use plug-and-play data acquisition solution that allows IO-Link sensors to send process values to the cloud even from locations where no network connection is available. 

The new IO Key supports up to two IO-Link sensors and transmits data via the GSM mobile network. It is fully preconfigured and requires no SIM card.

Users can visualise and analyse the data acquired by the system with a web-based dashboard that also offers options for setting limit values. If these values are exceeded, warnings can be sent automatically to the plant operator either by email or by text message. 

Additionally, all data from the sensors can be summarised and reported as required.

Suited for monitoring and evaluating the operation of remote sections of a plant, such as tank farms or compressed air storage vessels, ifm’s new IO Key needs only a 24 V DC power supply and access to the GSM network. No connections to a controller, PC or the company network are required. 

To suit the widest range of user requirements, it is offered in versions that transmit data to the cloud once per day, once per hour, once per minute and once every 10 seconds.

IO Key modules feature compact construction and use standard M12 connectors for sensor connections. They have an IP65 ingress protection rating which means that they can be used in almost any industrial environment.