One of the many things which differentiates Electric Imp from other IoT platforms is the fact that we provide value right from the point when a new connected device is first powered up on the assembly line. Our factory process already allows our customers to build, test and securely deploy factory software that is run on each of their devices during production — and also to monitor that process from half a world away. This uniquely connected service allows our customers to get to market more quickly, with better quality products. Much of the burden of factory line management is borne by the Electric Imp Platform.
Today, our customers can now take full advantage of agents to create more sophisticated and more powerful factory firmware than ever before. The factory agents beta, released today, lets customers connect their assembly lines to their business systems to gain additional valuable insights into the entire production process.
Factory firmware is a key component of Electric Imp’s production architecture. On the device, it provides customers with a means to test assembled units’ functionality and to assess their quality ahead of shipment, reducing the return rate of products in the field.
Now with the introduction of factory agentsbeta, devices on the assembly line also have the ability to reach out beyond the factory to make use of other services. This can significantly enhance the capabilities of the production line. For example, agents can relay information unique to each assembled unit, such as its device and network IDs, to the factory equipment in order to print out self-adhesive labels for the product and its packaging, or to control laser-etching fixtures.
Factory agentsbeta also enable just-in-time content updates to be downloaded straight to the production line, for new production device details to be uploaded to customers’ backend systems, and for pre-configuring products with network and other settings.
The technology can also be used by customers to connect the assembly line to business intelligence systems to gather a wide range of data generated during factory operations. Processing these metrics will give Electric Imp customers crucial insights that will help them make production more efficient and cost-effective.
You can read more about factory agentsbeta and their capabilities in ‘Introducing Factory Agentsbeta’.
Nigel Rook
Software Engineer