TOMRA Insight – TOMRA’s powerful cloud-based data platform for enhancing sorting efficiencies – offers greater functionality for recyclers
Following its successful launch in March last year, TOMRA Insight – a cloud-based data platform which enables sorting machine users to improve operational efficiencies – has been enhanced with a number of new features and functionalities, enabling waste operators to unlock the power of big data.
TOMRA Insight is a subscription-based service that turns sorting machines into connected devices so they can generate valuable process data. This data is gathered in near real-time, stored securely in the cloud, and can be accessed by TOMRA customers from anywhere in the world via a secure web portal which is designed for use on desktop and mobile devices.
Felix Flemming, Vice President and Head of Digital at TOMRA Sorting, comments: “By capturing and using valuable data, TOMRA Insight is transforming sorting from an operational process into a strategic management tool. This tool is constantly becoming more powerful as we are continuously developing it in response to customers’ needs and priorities.”
Data captured by TOMRA Insight provides valuable performance metrics that help businesses optimise machine performance. Operating costs are reduced by simplifying spare part ordering and providing flexible access to data and documentation. Downtime is reduced by monitoring machine health and performance in near real-time, by identifying gaps in production and analysing potential root causes, by supporting predictive and condition-based maintenance and by preventing unscheduled machine shutdowns. Throughput is maximised by evaluating variations and optimising sorting equipment accordingly. Finally, sorting to the required material quality is enhanced by having accurate material composition data which enables decisions to be based on more detailed information.
Recyclers are making valuable efficiency improvements
For waste operators, the TOMRA Insight data platform can be connected to TOMRA’s colour, laser, near-infrared and x-ray transmission sorting machines. Obtaining detailed data from these machines is helping waste operators improve operational efficiencies and profitability.
Since its launch, TOMRA Insight has been enhanced with the addition of more user-friendly features and greater capabilities. Waste operators can now consult live and historical data before making decisions that affect their production process. Through the continuous monitoring of the product composition, operators can adjust machine settings promptly and optimally in response to changes in material composition on the sorting line. Additionally, deep-dive data enables managers to make operational and business decisions based on more complete information. Accurate comparisons can now be made between plants, shifts and material batches. Because the data is stored securely in the cloud, plants can be remotely monitored in near real-time – this is particularly useful given the current COVID-19-related physical distancing rules and travel restrictions.
As part of the TOMRA Insight subscription service, TOMRA’s engineers help customers analyse key data every month. Furthermore, TOMRA works closely with recycling operators to continuously develop the data platform as part of the subscription service.
Recent additions to TOMRA Insight have given customers access to additional statistics such as product composition, material distribution over time and the ability to connect more machines. Enhancements have also included a new dashboard page with an overview of the customer’s connected machines, spare parts orders and service activities; an events and alarms table which allows users to search further back in time; a convenient way of exporting data to Excel or PDF files; and the possibility to request price quotations for spare parts.
Brian Gist, Head of TOMRA UK and Global Sales Director, Metals, comments: “As the world’s largest supplier of sensor based equipment, TOMRA is capable of not only giving our end customers the data they need, but also providing validated data to the world regarding the incredible opportunities for resource recovery. With TOMRA Insight, extensive data and analysis is made available to our customers. This can be used not only to greatly assist customers in managing their business, but should they wish, they can also share this data securely – and anonymously if required – with global organisations, manufacturers and recyclers. As such, it’s little wonder that TOMRA Insight has gained significant interest at the highest levels and will continue to assist customers and strategic relationships with the analysis and global benefit of recovering its resources.”