Saving energy – can’t it just be done without software solutions? Many companies are still skeptical about digital energy management. However, there is hardly a valid argument against it. In this article, we look at five reasons why energy management needs to be digital.
Clipboards, pens and Excel spreadsheets have long been the most effective methods for documenting and analyzing data. In the current era of Industry 4.0, however, these tools no longer provide the desired or correct information. Recording individual values for energy consumption is neither meaningful nor do they provide the necessary transparency as to how the values were obtained. However, the values are extremely essential for more sustainable operation and targeted control of energy consumption. Economic success is also directly linked to this. Anyone who does not proceed with the utmost precision in this area is taking energy management lightly, accepting faulty processes and risking the loss of sales and market positions.
Another factor speaks in favour of digitalization in energy management: it makes it even easier to comply with legal requirements and also leads to tax advantages. To reinforce the argument as to why digital solutions are indispensable for sustainable energy management, here are five more reasons.
- Sources of error are significantly reduced
Banal errors such as transposed numbers can significantly distort measurement results. In particular, the manual entry of values in a table, which is still frequently practiced, often leads to incorrect or missing values. Digital solutions, on the other hand, record consumption data directly from the system. So unless the system itself spits out incorrect figures, the measured values are always 100% reliable. Weak points in processes are detected much more quickly and typing errors can be corrected in the same breath using plausibility checks if manual entries are necessary. - Unnecessary energy consumption is minimized
Manual reading of measured values means that it is not possible to determine exactly what quantities were consumed at what time. If, on the other hand, you use energy monitoring software that records the consumption of all machines and systems down to the minute, you have all the key figures at your fingertips. Unnecessary consumption is quickly identified and in most cases can be reduced or completely eliminated through small optimizations. The result: lower costs and a better carbon footprint. - Controllable load peaks in energy consumption
The evaluation of the results makes optimal process planning immediately possible, resulting in improved internal load and forecast management. Load peaks can thus be shifted to phases with high energy availability through simple optimizations. - Detailed conclusions and optimized processes are possible
Precise analyses and forecasts are only possible with a comprehensive database. Energy management software continuously collects all energy and machine data and gradually builds up an enormous pool of data, which ultimately ensures that groundbreaking decisions can be made in the energy transition. After all, nothing is more annoying than wasted investments because the wrong places were “optimized” due to a lack of data insight. - Malfunctions and failures are detected and rectified immediately
Digital and automated control mechanisms detect even minor machine deviations so that immediate action can be taken if a system is not functioning as it should. Without digital tools, the effects would only be felt when it is already too late. The result: long downtimes and malfunctions, lost sales, delivery difficulties and disrupted customer relationships. Digital monitoring systems register system anomalies immediately and, depending on the degree of networking and integration, can automatically initiate further processes to rectify them. There is no better way to optimize energy management today!
Without a doubt, there is every reason to digitize your own energy management. However, there is a word of caution. Arbitrary digitization is also the wrong step. It requires a concrete concept that is tailored to individual requirements. This is the only way to set up the right system landscapes and communication interfaces to ensure smooth data exchange. However, it is clear that now is the best time to get started.
About KENEXOS®
With Kreutzpointner Business Software GmbH (KBS for short), Kreutzpointner is setting a significant milestone in the technical development of the entire group of companies. Kreutzpointner Business Software GmbH focuses on the special requirements and digital needs of industrial customers with an independent business model. The operational launch took place in October 2020.
With KENEXOS®, KBS offers corporate customers an individually expandable application platform with its own software products and focuses on the implementation of industrial applications. KENEXOS® offers modern web technology for access via a wide range of end devices and enables integration with existing systems via an API interface. The standard modules include, for example, construction site documentation, task and ticket recording, plant management and maintenance and many more. The application platform is available for in-house installation (on-premise) or as a cloud solution (SaaS).
The ideas and the technical basis for Kreutzpointner Business Software GmbH have been successfully developed in recent years as part of the company-wide “Research & Development” process. In addition to the IT systems division, the new digital unit ideally rounds off Kreutzpointner’s large portfolio.
