Newark element14 launches Symbisa from Hanhaa, for quick and simple IoT device deployment and data monitoring
Symbisa combines hardware, mobile connectivity and easy access to data to make Internet of Things accessible to anyone
Newark element14 today announce an exclusive sales and marketing deal for Symbisa, an Excel-integrated IoT device built by UK firm Hanhaa. Symbisa combines the possibilities of IoT with the power of Microsoft Excel, offering developers and IT professionals an entirely new way to build Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
A Symbisa module is an all-in-one, always-connected device, approximately the size of a smartphone, that carries sensors capable of detecting and collecting environmental information including GPS location, orientation, temperature, light and humidity. Typical applications include the monitoring of temperature and humidity of greenhouses or storage areas, or tracking of equipment on hire, including whether it has been in an accident or dropped in transit.
Microsoft Excel is the command centre for Symbisa units. Using an Excel add-in, users can bring real-world data streams directly into any desktop or mobile device that runs Excel for Office 365. Each Symbisa sensor is associated with a custom function in Excel, as are pre-configured events, meaning sensor data flows directly into Excel worksheet cells. Users can also push data from Excel up to a unit’s e-ink display. As a result, anyone with basic spreadsheet knowledge can start exploring the possibilities of IoT, interpreting sensor data, developing dashboards and triggering events that require follow-on actions in a matter of minutes – without coding, engineering capabilities, or a WiFi or network link-up.
Users also benefit from a well-defined end user cost model, made possible by connectivity through Hanhaa’s own secure global mobile network which charges by how often data is captured, rather than the amount of data used. Users are also able to send messages or barcodes direct from Excel to be displayed on the e-ink display on the module, ready for a person or machine to read and action in the field.
Steve Carr, Global Head of Marketing for Premier Farnell and Newark element14 said: “As the Development Distributor, we are always seeking opportunities to help our customers bring their products to market more quickly and efficiently. We met Hanhaa when they were part of Startupbootcamp, an innovation accelerator which we sponsor, and were incredibly impressed with the technology they had developed. Symbisa places the combined power of data and analytical strength of Microsoft Office 365 in the hands of the user, allowing them to access actionable insights without the need for coding or engineering experience. We are delighted to be launching this in collaboration with Microsoft.”
Ben Summers, Senior Product Manager for the Office 365 Ecosystem team at Microsoft added; “The Symbisa product taps into the power and reach of Excel and empowers people to build simple, powerful IoT experiences and insights with ease. Symbisa’s Excel add-in is a great example of how partners are unlocking new possibilities by analyzing and drawing insight from IoT devices.”
Azhar Hussain, CEO and founder of Hanhaa, stated: “We set out to make deploying global IoT solutions easier and faster and now, thanks to Symbisa, if you can run a spreadsheet you can explore the possibilities of IoT – from unboxing to live data streams in just minutes. We already have large corporations integrating Symbisa into their operations and as a result of our collaboration with Microsoft and Newark element14 this opportunity is now open to everyone.”
Key sensor parameters are:
- Location accuracy: Standard GNSS resolution down to 3 meters (accuracy provided with PDOP Position Dilution of Precision parameter)
- Shock detection Up to ±16g
- Ambient light detection wavelength: 560nm
- Ambient light detection light threshold: 0.01 lux to 83k lux
- Pressure sensing range: 260 to 1260 hPa
- Pressure sensing resolution: ±1 hPascals RMS
- Humidity sensing range: 5 to 90% non-condensing
- Humidity sensing accuracy: ±3.5% rH, 20 to +80% rH, ±5% rH 0 to 100%
- Temperature operating range: -15°C 10 to +50 °C
- Temperature sensing resolution: ± 0.5 °C
The Symbisa board measures 130mm (W) x 100mm (H) and 10.5mm (D), weighs just 160g and has quad band GSM radio for comms. Units also carry an e-ink display for text and/or barcode messaging, a battery sufficient for over 2 weeks’ standalone use, and a USB 2.0 connector for re-charging or hard-wired configuration.
From today, Symbisa’s bundled data services operate across Mainland Europe and North America USA/Canada where data will be one-way (from the Symbisa device to the Symbisa User Portal) and firmware updates will be via USB. Later in the year, data will flow 2-ways allowing for remote configuration of the event cycles and the configuration of the text or barcode that is displayed on the screen of the Symbisa device.
Symbisa is available to buy from Newark element14 in North America. To find out more or purchase Symbisa visit http://www.element14.com/symbisa
Farnell Global is a fast and reliable distributor of products and technology for electronic and industrial system design, maintenance and repair. From research and design through prototype to production, Farnell helps its customers access the products and services they need 24/7. With more than 80 years of experience, 47 localised websites, and a dedicated team of over 3,500 employees, Farnell provides every component its customers need to build the technology of tomorrow.
Farnell Global trades as Farnell in Europe, Newark in North America, and element14 in Asia Pacific. It also sells direct to consumers through its CPC business in the UK.
Farnell Global has been part of the established global technology distributor, Avnet (Nasdaq: AVT), since 2016. Today, this relationship allows the company to support its customers at every stage of the product life cycle, offering a truly unique distribution model, as well as expertise in end-to-end delivery and product design.
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