Industrial Mobility: Are Process Industries Using Mobile Solutions Effectively?

By Sami Koskinen, Director of Digital Transformation, Beamex

Beamex 12 seconds ago

25 2 minutes read

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Mobile technology is transforming industrial operations, but its adoption across the process industries remains challenging. Harsh operating environments, cybersecurity restrictions and complex integration requirements can limit its effectiveness.

With nearly 30 years of engineering experience, I have seen how mobile solutions can improve industrial workflows. However, to deliver these benefits, businesses must address security, durability and system design from the outset.

Navigating harsh industrial environments

Industrial technicians often work in demanding conditions, from climbing ladders to performing calibrations in hazardous areas where connectivity is limited or unavailable. Historically, many calibration and measurement tools have remained offline because of cybersecurity concerns.

As IT and operational technology (OT) converge, technicians increasingly need access to equipment data for monitoring, diagnostics and calibration. However, strict safety requirements govern how connected devices can be used.

In potentially explosive atmospheres, including ATEX Zone 0 environments, mobile equipment must meet the relevant safety requirements. Connectivity may also be restricted to prevent ignition risks.

This creates a challenge: technicians need digital tools, but continuous connectivity cannot always be guaranteed. Mobile solutions must therefore support offline operation and synchronise data when conditions permit.

Without appropriate device selection and planning, businesses risk compliance issues, safety hazards and unreliable calibration records.

Planning mobile implementation

Insufficient planning is another barrier to successful industrial mobility. I have seen companies invest millions in new facilities only to discover that calibration requirements were overlooked during the design phase. The result can be expensive manual work, additional labour and inefficient workflows.

The pharmaceutical industry illustrates this challenge. Single-use sensors are increasingly used in modular production, but they may require calibration before and after each production cycle. If calibration is not considered during system design, the workload can increase significantly.

Mobile strategies should therefore be developed with input from the technicians who will use the systems. Engaging vendors early, identifying compliance requirements and testing equipment under representative operating conditions can help avoid costly problems later.

Addressing IT and cybersecurity challenges

Mobile adoption can also be hindered by a disconnect between IT departments and operational teams.

In one project, a customer wanted to automate a calibration process using existing Beamex solutions. Although the operational requirements were clear, implementation stalled when the IT team blocked the process.

Technicians understood calibration but not the organisation’s IT infrastructure, while IT lacked visibility of the operational requirements. Involving both teams early helps identify restrictions before implementation begins.

Cybersecurity configuration is equally important. One Beamex customer wanted to download a new AI model to a mobile system, but security policies prevented cloud downloads. Implementing the update required the relevant IP addresses to be whitelisted.

Without an agreed approach to permissions and updates, security controls can become operational obstacles. Understanding network policies and access requirements in advance helps organisations deploy mobile solutions securely and efficiently.

Standards and regulations, including IEC 62443 and GDPR where applicable, must also be considered when designing connected industrial systems.

Building an effective mobile strategy

Successful industrial mobility requires more than selecting suitable devices. Organisations must plan for harsh environments, offline operation, calibration workflows, cybersecurity and interoperability with existing systems.

At Beamex, we have seen how well-implemented mobile solutions can improve efficiency, support safer working practices and reduce downtime. Achieving these benefits depends on early planning and collaboration between IT, operations and equipment suppliers.

Industrial mobility offers significant opportunities for process manufacturers, but its success depends on ensuring that technology fits the realities of the plant.

To learn more, visit Beamex.

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Beamex Ltd

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About us

A better way to calibrate – Since the establishment of Beamex in 1975, the company has focused strongly and consistently on calibration. Beamex is a technology and service company that develops, manufactures and markets high-quality calibration equipment, software, systems and services for the calibration and maintenance of process instruments. The company is a leading worldwide provider of integrated calibration solutions for improving quality and efficiency.

Beamex offers a comprehensive range of products and services—from portable calibrators to workstations, calibration accessories, calibration software, industry-specific solutions and professional services. Through Beamex’s global and competent partner network, Beamex’s products and services are available in more than 80 countries. Beamex is certified in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard.

Over forty years of experience in manufacturing and developing calibration equipment and systems, close co-operation with customers that have high requirements and uncompromising quality standards, shared by the people working at Beamex, are things that have made Beamex’s calibration solutions world-class. As a proof of Beamex’s success, there are more than 10,000 companies worldwide utilising its calibration solutions.

Beamex’s ISO 17025 accredited calibration laboratory is accredited and approved by FINAS (Finnish Accreditation Service). FINAS is a member of all Multilateral Recognition Agreements / Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MLA/MRA) signed by European and other international organisations, i.e. European co-operation for Accreditation (EA), International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum Inc. (IAF).

What we do in a nutshell

We provide products and services for companies to streamline and digitalise their calibration processes.

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