Thammasat School of Engineering (TSE), has joined forces with the Department of Industry Promotion (DIP), for promoting low-cost Internet of Things technology (IoT).

This is the technology under the SMEs performance improvement project, which will transform manufacturing sectors in SME businesses allow them to “Pay less and Gain more” by using IoT technologies like labor and machine smart monitoring system, stressing that engineers can do so much more for the society.

Asst.Prof.Dr.Supakit Prueksaaroon, a teacher at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TSE, reveals that Thammasat School of Engineering (TSE), and the Department of Industry Promotion (DIP) through the Division of Digital Industry Development (DDI), are launching the “SMEs performance improvement” project, a counseling activity that helps the entrepreneurs choosing the suitable engineering technology for their businesses.

The technology will be used as a tool to create a better manufacturing system creating stable businesses that will be the driving forces for the country’s economics. This application of knowledge proved that TSE is not only training future engineers, it also focuses on presenting and adapting engineering knowledge and skills to every aspect in the country.

TSE has been working on sharing the IoT technology application in the industrial sectors by conducting field research in factories and providing counseling about how to improve the manufacturing system in the factories with technologies like labor and machine smart monitoring system. For example, in egg farms, the entrepreneurs can now use the technology to count produces and track the hens’ health, allow 6-7 workers to work on the other tasks. Another example is the melamine goods factory, where the technology can help bringing solving the skills and time management problem.

IoT is a very low-cost technology. Entrepreneurs can easily cooperate it by installing IoT board and tracking sensors that can track something like egg and concrete sheet. The system can analyze the data and use the insights to improve the system. There is also a smartphone notification that sends push notifications for the equipment’s status, beginning time, number of products produced per shift. Besides, there is a Line Notify that will send the results directly to a smartphone making it easy to control the setting in the factory as well as solving any problems.

“Even though the industry sector is one of the main driving forces of the country performances and economics, the manufacturing sector of the SMEs still faces many restrictions like the loss of income opportunity due to the lack of skills of some labors and inaccurate statistics from human errors in tracking the produce. Therefore, IoT, the technology that connecting every system to the internet, monitoring everything, will help increase the quality of the manufacturing process and the product as well as lower the cost and increase income. For the workers, the system also acts as a training program for them, creating a more efficient workflow in the long run.” Asst.Prof.Dr.Supakit Prueksaaroon commented.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thira Jearsiripongkul, Dean of Thammasat School of Engineering (TSE) added that TSE has implemented the Problem-based Learning (PBL) and always support the researchers, expert specializing in different areas of engineering, and the students to be a part in developing the country’s industrial sector, including SMEs business. PBL prompt the student to create a positive process, and first-hand experience on and opportunities in the industrial field. Also, TSE has been sharing the knowledge and supporting the nation’s industry by working with the public organization like the Department of Industry Promotion (DIP) to ensure that the Thai industry sector will sustainably transfer to the era of “Industry of the Future.”