Closing Date for Expressions of Interest: 27 Feb 2015
Decision Date: 17 Apr 2015
Project Starts: from 15 May 2015
Internet of Things Demonstrator Project
- Are you a manufacturing or logistics company based in Scotland?
- Does your company have a business idea related to the ‘Internet of Things’?
- Could you benefit from the assistance of a team of industry-experienced engineers and project managers to help you innovate in this sector?
If the answer is ‘Yes’, read on to find out how to partner with CENSIS in our exciting new Internet of Things demonstrator project.
The Internet of Things
CENSIS invites companies to partner in an exciting new collaborative project that seeks to demonstrate the value and benefits of implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) into a manufacturing or logistics environment.
There are many examples of the application of IoT in a manufacturing or logistics setting, including, but not limited to:
- Increasing factory visibility or process monitoring
- Increasing automation and productivity improvements
- Product customisation
- Intelligent work instructions
- Asset or process self-configuration
- Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance
- Connected and intelligent supply chains
- Energy management
- Self-optimisation
The Internet of Things refers to the point where the physical and digital connect. Utilising the latest digital technology, objects communicate with each other to make ‘smart’ decisions with reduced reliance on human interaction. More specifically, IoT is the interconnection of embedded sensing and processing devices to the Internet via wireless or wired network connections. This connection shares real-time data, enabling cloud or high-level processing and analytics to then action in a timely and informed manner.
It is widely accepted that the introduction of IoT into industrial applications leads to intelligent or smart systems that are adaptable, demonstrate increased efficiency (resource, energy) and are better integrated with customers and supply-chains. Research analyst Gartner predicts that by 2020, nearly 26 billion physical devices shall be transmitting data to each other via the Internet. Experts believe IoT could usher in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (known as Industry 4.0), characterised by significant increases in manufacturing agility connecting customer need with a company’s ability to deliver a product.
CENSIS IoT Project
This smaller-scale (c6 month) demonstrator project will partner CENSIS’ Engineering Team with a manufacturing or logistics company interested in developing smart capabilities into existing business processes in a project designed to demonstrate an economic benefit to the industry partner within 2015. The project may also be scalable through further implementation.
This is an ideal opportunity for an organisation to introduce or accelerate its current activity in this exciting new technical space, supported by a team of experienced engineers and project managers – from the selection and development of the most appropriate solution and technology for the company, through to project execution, project management, and proposals for future development following completion.
Eligibility and Partner Roles
Companies of any size are eligible to participate, provided they are Scottish-based or a Scottish employment site of an international business, and seeking to introduce smart capability to established business processes. It is not designed for companies with no experience in this sector seeking to break in to new markets.
CENSIS offers Project Management and Engineering resources free of charge (*) to define, plan and execute the chosen project. The project will involve installation at the partner’s production facility and will require logistical and management support from the company including absorption of material costs for the embedded devices and installation equipment.
Further Information and How to Apply
To apply, please submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) with your project idea on a maximum of two sides of A4 and addressing:
- Company name, location, size and sector
- Point of contact
- Project title
- Business need or justification
- Description of project (e.g. resources, deliverables, any constraints and risks)
- Anticipated benefit and how this would be measured
Entries will be down-selected and companies engaged for further exploratory discussions with a view to selecting a single project partner. The project shall then be estimated and planned in detail between both parties to create a mutually beneficial project on agreed terms.
* = Under EC regulation 1998/2006 [De minimis aid regulation]
Resources CENSIS provides will constitute an award of De minimis aid. There is a ceiling of €200,000 under the regulation for all De minimis aid provided to any one firm over a 3-year period. Any De minimis aid awarded to you will be relevant if you wish to apply, or have applied, for any other De minimis aid.
Project Clinic
Our next Project Clinics on 10 February, 9.00am to 1.30pm, will focus on companies interested in exploring an IOT project with us.
Project Clinics offer an opportunity to meet members of our business development and engineering teams to explore ideas around this topic in an informal, confidential environment. Book your clinic session with us by completing the online enquiry form. In it please let us your preferred appointment time, and provide a short outline of your project idea or challenge in order for us to partner you with the most appropriate members of our team for your meeting. We will confirm your appointment by email.
Clinic Times: 9.00 / 9.45 / 10.30 / 11.15 / 12.00 / 12.45. These initial appointments will last 30-45 minutes. We are happy to arrange non-disclosure agreements prior to the meeting if necessary – please let us know at the time of booking whether you might need one.
For an informal discussion about any aspect of the project, the selection process, or to discuss your eligibility or suitability to partner with us, please contact Gavin Burrows, CENSIS Project Manager: tel 0141 330 3727 or email gavin.burrows@censis.org.uk.
Please submit your EoI to: info@censis.org.uk.