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DATA TECHNOLOGIES
Visualise and Manage Your Data
The power of smart devices arises from the ability to visualise data on any platform, using aesthetically pleasing and functionally robust user interfaces. Robust interfaces start with the development of data models and business logic, directing the flow of data using software engineering principles. This approach ensures the seamless flow of data from the sensor to the cloud and into a user interface; and from the user interface to actuators.
User interfaces include:
Mobile Apps
In the context of physical devices, mobile apps are often used in place of an embedded screen. Apps that have a connection with a real-world device have very different requirements than normal apps.
It is important to be able to reliably and seamlessly connect to the device, as well as scale the software architecture as the feature set grows.
Genesys is an approved developer of native apps for:
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Apple IoS, including Homekit
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Android
Data can be communicated from the device to the app using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or the cloud. Genesys is also an approved developer for devices designed to work with Apple Homekit.
For more information see our App Development service.
Embedded web servers
When installing and configuring devices, direct access to the device is required. For this task many prefer to use a standard web browser with the interface served via Wi-Fi from embedded web servers running directly on the device.
Genesys is experienced in developing such interfaces. Operating systems to run the web server include:
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RTOS-P – our cross-platform real-time operating system for mid-range embedded systems
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Embedded Linux – for demanding and high-performance applications
Applications written on these platforms are usually in embedded C in conjunction with Javascript for user-facing functions. Our embedded web server solution is designed to work with our Web Console offering. See Device Management below.
Virtual servers in the cloud
Many internet-connected product designs choose to store and process data in the cloud. Genesys leverages leading third-party technologies around the world in delivering an integrated cloud platform.
The core element of most cloud platforms is a virtual server. Platforms Genesys supports include:
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Amazon Web Services
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Microsoft Azure
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Kiwi SYSLOG
We rigorously avoid lock-in to any particular platform by building systems that avoid proprietary offerings from these companies. For example, we implement our own MQTT broker/server rather that using that provided by the platform.
Protocols used to support communication with these platforms include IPV4 and IPV6, MQTT, Modbus TCP and SNMP.
Device management
A growing requirement for smart devices is their management, configuration, commissioning, control and troubleshooting. There are a number of key functions required:
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Installation, commissioning and authentication
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Parameter adjustment
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Accessing data
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Health monitoring and maintenance
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Communications integrity monitoring
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Integrity and security
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Software updates
The ability to adjust the functionality of a device by changing parameters rather than updating software is a key feature of all Genesys solutions.
We have also developed a web console for easily viewing the operation of a device, downloading log files, and displaying alerts and other information via a structured interface.
It is also important to monitor the health of large numbers of devices in the field. A critically important feature is the generation of digital heartbeats to ensure failed devices are not missed.