Frequently Asked Questions
At this page we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions from our clients. If you need further information, please feel free to contact us.
What does the Nortech product do exactly?
Our solution can monitor your equipment’s communication protocols either passively or actively, without disrupting existing systems. This allows you to seamlessly extract data from your assets.
The process includes collecting, analyzing, and visualizing the information, with the end goal of predicting trends, controlling your assets remotely in real time, and executing autonomous decisions driven by smart data.
How the Nortech solution can achieve the promised results?
Data is increasingly crucial in the decision-making processes across various industries. However, the ownership of this data remains a contentious issue. Our company’s expertise spans both IT and engineering, enabling us to provide precise answers to your specific questions. We are committed to ensuring that both current and future queries can be addressed with high-frequency, high-quality data.
Even if there isn’t an immediate use for your data, our solution will securely store all information in the cloud. This allows you to access the data throughout the term of your contract, ensuring long-term availability and utility.
What benefits will I get from using the Nortech service?
Our solutions provide numerous benefits, including improved operational efficiency, accurate performance monitoring, and data-driven decision-making. By transforming raw data into actionable insights, you can optimize fuel consumption, minimize costs, reduce CO2 emissions, and enhance overall equipment performance.
Is Nortech solution compatible with any equipment?
Yes, our solution is designed to connect with a wide range of equipment. We support various connection types, including but not limited to MQTT, CANOpen, MODBUS, and REST APIs, ensuring compatibility with your existing systems.
How secure is the Nortech solution against cyber threats?
Our solution is built with robust cybersecurity measures to protect your data.
We employ industry-standard encryption and security protocols to ensure that your data is safe from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
- Edge device security: access protected by multi-layered approach requiring both network and device authorization.
- Data encryption: data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols.
- Data centre security: cloud services are running on AWS which has some of the best levels of security and reliability available.
- Data durability: data is reliably stored in Amazon S3.
- Access control: we rely on state-of-the-art identity and access management protocols to guarantee that only authorized users have access to data.
How do you gather all the data from the equipment?
We connect to your equipments control system, to extract data. This data is then processed and stored securely, allowing you to access and analyze in any way you want or through our advanced visualization tools like our Performance Manager or tailor made dashboards. Our solution ensures that all relevant data is captured and stored accurately and efficiently.
Are there any hidden costs?
We offer transparent pricing with no hidden costs and no need for consultancy based projects. Our packages are clearly defined, ensuring you only pay for the features and services you need.
Technology
How does Nortech handle data from different manufacturers and "siloed" systems?
Nortech is entirely technology-agnostic. Our platform extracts data directly from your existing control systems regardless of the brand or age of the equipment. We bypass traditional data silos and enrich your operational data with relevant external sources. This allows you to move away from monitoring isolated units and instead optimize the performance of your entire operations faster, at a lower cost and more scalable than traditional licensing.
Does the system support concurrent data monitoring at both the local Edge (e.g., vessel, plant) and the central node (e.g., onshore, HQ)?
Yes, we offer a hybrid visualization model designed to meet the need for both local responsiveness and a central overview.
- Edge Dashboards: Run locally on the facility or machine (Edge). This provides operators and local personnel with access to critical real-time data with ultra-low latency, ensuring full operational support even without internet connectivity.
- Cloud Dashboards: Centralized in the cloud for a comprehensive asset overview. This is used for benchmarking across locations/units, deep dives into historical data, and reporting to central operations management.
What type of hardware does the solution use, and is it suitable for harsh operational environments
We utilize robust, industrially certified hardware designed for demanding operational environments. The units are built to withstand vibrations, extreme temperature fluctuations, and dust/moisture. This ensures continuous monitoring and data integrity in situations where standard IT equipment would fail.”
How does your API- and documentation solution look like?
Developer-friendly with a REST API for querying historical data, metadata, as well as real-time streaming of data. In addition, we offer SDKs (e.g., Python) that make it easy for your developers to build customized applications on top of our platform.
Security
Is my operational technology (OT) safe from cyber threats and interference?
Will integrating Nortech interfere with our existing equipment or warranties?
No. Our technology is designed to be non-intrusive and carries zero risk to your critical equipment. Because we prioritize one-way data flow, we can “read” and analyze your performance data without ever “writing” to or interrupting the control logic of your machinery. This is why global industrial leaders like MSHS PPG, Telenor Maritime and Kongsberg trust Nortech to provide deep operational insights without compromising the stability or warranty of their existing infrastructure.
How does data storage work during a loss of network connectivity?
We offer local data storage. Our Edge device has internal storage to prevent data loss if internet access is lost. Data is stored on the device until the connection is re-established. Once the connection is re-established, all data is automatically uploaded to the cloud.
Do you support data integration with external platforms, including our own?
Yes. We can send data to any data platform. It is also possible to send data in parallel to your own platform while data is sent to Nortech’s cloud as a backup, or for increased security.
Extracting
What is "Signal Discovery"
Signal Discovery is our proprietary technology that automatically scans network signals (e.g., CAN bus). It identifies and maps available signals from network-connected equipment without the need for time-consuming manual coding or reverse engineering. This reduces implementation time from months to days.
How does the system manage diverse communication protocols?"
Our “Equipment & Protocol Discoverer” supports a wide range of industrial protocols such as Modbus, CAN bus (J1939), NMEA 0183/2000, and OPC UA. We translate these different “languages” into one standardized format before they are sent, so you do not have to build drivers for every piece of equipment.
Can we perform data processing locally on the device (at the Edge)?
Yes. Our Edge platform can run logic and AI models locally (“Virtual Sensors”). This allows you to generate new data points – for example, calculate engine efficiency or torque – in real-time on the Edge, without the delay that occurs when sending raw data to the cloud first.
Integration
Can the Nortech solution be white-labeled?
Yes. We offer flexible White-label solutions for OEMs. This means that our hardware and software can be branded as your own. You deliver a “smart” machine to the end customer, while Nortech functions as the reliable engine “under the hood” that handles data acquisition.
Can the technology be embedded in our hardware?
Absolutely. Our Edge software is hardware-independent and can be run as a virtual machine in your infrastructure or on an industrial PC in your existing control cabinet. This allows you to deliver fully digitized equipment “from the factory”.
Are we required to use Nortech’s user interface?
The choice is yours. We have an “API-first” approach. You can use Nortech as a pure middleware that handles the heavy lifting of fetching and structuring data. You then retrieve the finished data via API directly into your own applications, SCADA systems, or customer portals.
How do you enable Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS) business models?
We are your strategic technology partner. By using our platform as infrastructure, you can change your business model from selling hardware to selling operating hours, guaranteed uptime, or predictive maintenance. We deliver the data foundation required to accurately invoice and deliver these services.
Customer Value
What is the value proposition for System Integrators?
We eliminate the complex integration work in digital transformation projects. You save hundreds of hours typically spent on cabling, protocol conversion, and data cleansing. We deliver a ready-to-use, standardized data stream, allowing you to focus on creating value for the end-customer through applications, analytics, and optimization.
How does your solution prevent vendor lock-in?
Nortech AI is built on the core principle of data ownership. Our solution is equipment-agnostic, capable of connecting to assets from any manufacturer. We liberate data from proprietary silos and deliver it in open formats, ensuring you can freely switch hardware or analytics systems without losing your history.
Can I access data locally for time-critical operations?
Yes. Our Edge device features a local API that provides data access with millisecond latency. This is critical for integration with local automation systems (IAS/SCADA) that require immediate response.