Myth #8: I prefer Wi-Fi monitoring over cellular because it’s built-in and cheaper than cellular.
Reality: Cellular monitoring is not only more reliable, set up time is minimal AND it’s more cost-effective than you think!
Wi-Fi monitoring is a very popular source of communication, especially for manufacturers. It’s cheap for companies to build it, doesn’t require a data plan and is fairly simple to install. What these companies don’t tell you is how unreliable the connection is, how vulnerable security is, and about the potential for personal data to be compromised.
Among the three forms of communication (Cellular, Wi-Fi and Ethernet), cellular is by far the most reliable form of coverage. It is always connected, even in an outage, and transmits data securely and quickly. Consider this too, when the power is out, so is the Wi-Fi connected monitor until power is restored and the router boots back up. If the generator fails during a power outage, your internet and Wi-Fi connection is down too rendering your monitoring system useless. Cellular is the optimal choice for monitoring.
Security is always a hot button issue and should be strongly considered when choosing the best form of connection. Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity of your generator potentially opens pathways for hackers and viruses to attack your network. The only true safeguard against this is through cellular connectivity, which is completely isolated from your computer network.
People often think that going with cellular means high data costs because they associate it with their cell phones. Though, it really depends on the level of monitoring you need. For traditional monitoring that only uses data when events occur, the service and data costs are minimal and is often on par or less expensive than a manufacturer’s Wi-Fi set up. With MODBUS connected devices, more data is being pushed and at a more frequent rate so a bigger data plan is required. Something else to consider and worth educating clients on is what kind of monitoring level do they really require. Many think they need every bit of data they can get, but most owners simply want the peace of mind knowing that their generator will work when the power goes out.
We are always open to this discussion and it is certainly a hot topic that many generator dealers are having. Please feel free to reach out to the Power Telematics Sales Team and let us answer any questions you may have and discuss the overwhelming benefits of using a cellular monitoring system.