Shaping the business direction

Despite their own expertise in embedded systems development of sensors, Energybox was searching for an independent and experienced partner in the fields of full-stack software development.

They envisioned a high-performance digital service for the energy sector, operating in a self-managed and scalable cloud infrastructure. In addition to an API for integration into clients’ infrastructures, the foundation was laid for a successful business model.

In 2014, we kicked off an intensive collaboration with Energybox. Our software know-how and consulting were the drivers during this concept phase together with cross-fertilizing workshops.
One relevant focus for us was keeping pace with the extremely dynamic developments in the big data technology-stack available for big data on the brisk software market. We are always on the lookout for the best and most sustainable components, libraries, and frameworks; consequently, we oriented ourselves towards open-source standards.

From agile development to business needs

As the system has been in operation by clients since 2014, it is continuously subject to our permanent development.

The on-going agile process of software development in close coordination with Energybox enables rapid delivery of the innovative product and successful position in the market of big data for the energy sector.

Thanks to our Energybox API and Energybox Enterprise Portal, manifold industries, such as petrol stations or supermarkets, have reached out to implement Energybox. We optimize and automate the systems’ performance and multi-client capability specifically for the users’ circumstances and business needs.

Designing an integrated systems architecture

Driven by our expertise in full-stack technology, we conceptualized, planned, and implemented every single aspect of the software. The following are the most important layers and components:

1. Our bespoke binary protocol enables communication between the Energybox sensor hardware and the Bridge of our software system. The data throughput of the protocol was designed to maximize a minimal rate and thus enables stable and granular energy data for sensors with mobile internet connections,

2. A bridge component receives all data configured to be authorized for the individual client scenario and verifies the incoming values for integrity.

3. The queue component manages peaks of data loads to decouple the bridge component and the subsequent data flow.

4. Within the persistence layer the data is permanently stored and accessible by the cloud system.

5. Via our Energybox API any authorized micro-service can access the sensor data, contextualized for the client’s business facilities, device types, data types or other meta-data.

6. Market and scenario specific front-ends manage sensor devices and visualize high-resolution data for analysis and energy consumption optimization.