IDC
s ZigBee wireless mesh technology is playing a major role in tracking - in real time - the dispensing of beverages in the hospitality industry. The ZigBee low power wireless technology makes it possible for the first time to track when, where, what and how much beer or spirit is dispensed. The resulting data is then routed to a back office PC, or direct to the web via IDC’s ZB104 Ethernet Gateway, for analysis.
IDC’s ZigBee chip is a key element in the Bonzi wireless beverage metering system, which provides the ultimate in innovative liquor control systems for the hospitality industry. Bonzi comprises an industry unmatched family of wireless products that delivers control solutions for every aspect of beverage dispensing. It integrates with most major point-of-sale (POS) systems, providing the best - and only metering solution – for reducing shrinkage and increasing profits, in cafes, pubs, nightclubs & restaurants.
IDC’s ZigBee chip integrates snugly into the Bonzi pouring head; the chip in no way impinging on the pouring process: it transmits each pour wirelessly for comparison with registered sales, improving stock and cost control and highlighting any discrepancies.
“ZigBee’s ease of integration, extremely low power consumption and peer- to- peer networking capabilities make the technology ideal for this application,” said IDC MD, Kevin Buckley. “ZigBee can be incorporated into small inexpensive chips that consume minimal power – making it easy to integrate into the Bonzi poring heads. It is also a full- blown telemetry system in its own right, with the ability to provide wireless personal area networking (WPAN) i.e. digital radio connections between computers and related devices, such as sensors.”
This flexibility of communication means that any number of the ZigBee-equipped pouring heads can be used at any one time, each providing specific and accurate pour information to a secure onsite PC,via a IDC ZB104 Ethernet Gateway.
The Gateway itself is a dual function device acting as the central co-ordinator for a network of ZigBee devices; and also transfers data to and from the wireless network over Ethernet. The ZB104 features Power over Ethernet (POE), or, alternatively, can be powered via an external 5vDC power supply.
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