Kemira – remote customer service concept with HMS gateways and AVEVA PI information management

Kemira has a long history of developing remote monitoring solutions, with the first projects starting twenty years ago when Kemira wanted to remotely monitor chemical tank levels to automate orders. Gradually, the need expanded to include measurement devices, allowing Kemira to offer additional necessary and functional services to its customers. This led to the need for its own system to integrate devices from different suppliers into one cohesive unit.

"We started exploring different options for what kind of system to build and what kind of equipment would be involved. We ended up choosing the HMS Ewon solution for remote monitoring systems," says hardware expert and Equipment Solutions Teams' European team leader, Jukka-Pekka Sirviö.

Versatile, modular solution easily configurable remotely

Kemira chose Ewon Flexy remote connectivity devices for their remote solution, which Klinkmann trained project personnel on. With standard solutions, the project was efficiently completed within a short timeframe. A year after starting the project, the KemConnect data collection system was developed, serving as a platform for Kemira's digital services offered to customers under the KemConnect brand.

The KemConnect system collects data and offers it to various user groups over the internet. The system is user-friendly. In the field, there are Ewon Flexy interface modems gathering data from different devices for KemConnect's use.

Ewon Flexy was chosen for its versatility and modularity. Ewon Flexy remote interface modems are also user-friendly and easily configurable remotely. Sirviö believes that solutions that are device-independent are also long-lasting. According to Sirviö, even evolving technology is not a threat to them.

Continuous collaboration with Klinkmann

The KemConnect system developed through the project has proven to be effective and has increased productivity. It is used daily by a large portion of Kemira employees, and especially Kemira's sales and application teams constantly use the system's data. At the core of the concept are Kemira's customers, to whom broader services can be offered.

"We can support our customers better and provide higher quality services. We can respond to process changes much faster, thus offering quality customer service," Sirviö explains.

The system also allows for optimizing customer processes, including more precise chemical dosing based on data. This helps customers use less water, energy, and chemicals in processes, resulting in savings and increased cost-effectiveness.

"The customer always comes first. That's what it's all about for us," Sirviö says, hoping that the close and efficient collaboration with Klinkmann remains equally rewarding for both parties in the future.

"We are in close contact with Klinkmann for any questions related to equipment or modems. We don't want that to change," Sirviö sums up the overall collaboration.