Customer Success Stories
Hitachi Zosen Accelerates Sustainability with Automated IoT Platform in One Month
From Manual Processing to Automated IoT Data Integration with HULFT Integrate
Key Results
- Built scalable IoT platform in one month using no-code data integration
- Eliminated programming requirements through intuitive GUI-driven operations
- Achieved flexible data handling across diverse formats without burdening IT staff
- Reduced project dependencies on individual skills while enabling knowledge transfer
Summary
Hitachi Zosen needed a data processing solution for IoT data from multiple sources and industries without extensive programming or skill dependencies. The company implemented HULFT Integrate as their core IoT platform, leveraging its no-code approach and GUI-driven operations. Deployed in one month, the solution transformed IoT data management by enabling automated real-time monitoring across diverse equipment assets while facilitating knowledge transfer.
Challenge
Fragmented IoT Data Sources Demanded Complex Programming Solutions
Hitachi Zosen faced the challenge of processing IoT data from multiple sources, applications, and industries. The IoT System Section needed to monitor diverse equipment assets generating different data types at varying frequencies and formats. Traditional approaches required extensive custom programming and created dependencies on specific technical skills. The complexity increased with real-time data collection requirements across different platforms, particularly for filter press manufacturing where sensor data varied significantly per customer implementation.
Solution
No-Code Platform Eliminates Programming Dependencies
Hitachi Zosen selected HULFT Integrate after evaluating ETL tools, recognizing its ability to provide data processing without programming through an intuitive GUI interface. The solution’s trigger functions offered operational flexibility, enabling script execution when files were stored in designated folders while maintaining AWS compatibility.
The implementation processes IoT data from hundreds of data items sent to AWS via gateways integrated with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) controlling Hitachi Zosen’s filter press devices. HULFT Integrate organizes this data for various systems including Amazon S3 and RDS, managing routing to visualization tools and administrators. The platform’s specification-document creation function enabled reuse of scripts, icons, and variables, eliminating repetitive processes and reducing error risks.
Results
One-Month Implementation Transforms IoT Operations
HULFT Integrate enabled Hitachi Zosen to construct its complete IoT platform in one month, impossible with manual development. “What truly enhanced our operation was the fact that we were able to use HULFT Integrate to store data in different formats that were created and updated at different times and on different schedules, without a heavy burden on the people in charge,” said Jun Yokota of Hitachi Zosen’s IoT System Section.
The platform’s adaptability allows flexible sensor data handling across different environments. The implementation reduced dependencies on individual technical skills and facilitated knowledge transfer between team members.
“HULFT Integrate’s flexibility gives us the potential to create new avenues of added business value for our customers and ourselves. By using HULFT Integrate as a key element of our IoT platform, we will be able to integrate new types of mission-critical system data such as maintenance data and parts inventory information.”
Hiroaki Yamada, Manager, IoT systems, Hitachi Zosen
Future Vision
Expanding IoT Platform for Advanced Data Analysis
Hitachi Zosen plans to utilize HULFT Integrate as the core of its IoT platform to consolidate maintenance records and parts inventory data. The platform’s flexibility will enable advanced data analysis and insights into equipment performance, creating new avenues of added business value for customers.
Hitachi Zosen stands as a pioneering force in sustainable technology solutions, tracing its roots back to 1881 when it was founded as Osaka Iron Works by E.H. Hunter. The company provides earth-sustainable products spanning energy-from-waste plants, water treatment facilities, energy-efficient marine engines, and critical social infrastructure. Today, Hitachi Zosen operates across three core business segments: environmental plants, machinery, and social infrastructure, with the Hitz Advanced Information Technology Center spearheading remote monitoring activities using advanced IoT technology.