BHS, Inc. Updates Forklift Battery Extractors with IIoT Connectivity

    ST. LOUIS, MO, March 09, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- BHS, Inc., a leading manufacturer of battery handling equipment for forklift users, recently updated their flagship line of Operator Aboard Battery Extractors. Beginning February 7, 2020, BHS Battery Extractors will ship with an Industrial Internet of Things package included as a standard feature.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to a cloud computing environment heavy on machine-to-machine communication, data sharing, and real-time reporting. A key facet of the tech-driven approach known as Industry 4.0, IIoT equipment allows industrial users to take advantage of data-based strategies to achieve greater productivity and lower costs.

These strategies include predictive maintenance, productivity tracking, and real-time reporting. In order to collect the data necessary for these services, BHS Battery Extractors are embedded with a detailed sensor array.

"If the oil gets too hot, you get a notification. If the oil filter is due for replacement, you get a notification," said Melissa Bowen, of BHS marketing. "There's a gyroscope to tell you if the unit's operating off level. There's a proximity sensor on the dash. All these things free you from old-fashioned scheduled maintenance and improve safety."

Condition-based reporting allows users to schedule maintenance according to the real-time data, boosting uptime considerably, Bowen said. Operators must also complete a digital Operator Daily Checklist ever 24-hours, and the system tracks who is using the equipment and how they're using it.

"With our digital portal, users have to log in, and there's a record of everything that happens," Bowen said. "It removes the element of chance, of an operator forgetting safety checks and things like that."

Users access the digital system through a Human Machine Interface touchscreen mounted on the unit. A separate manager's portal can be accessed from anywhere with a data connection. The BHS Operator Aboard Battery Extractor includes a free 6-month subscription to both the operator app and the manager's portal.

"IIoT is the future of industry," Bowen said. "Why wait to implement it in the battery room?"

About BHS, Inc.

BHS, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of custom warehouse solutions and material handling equipment based in St. Louis, MO, USA. The company tailors its industry-leading products to customer specifications, focusing on enhancing ergonomics and productivity while providing a complete set of solutions for clients in a variety of industries. Please visit BHS1.com for more information.

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