e.l.m. leblanc: water heaters that communicate

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Our machine-to-machine (m2m) project

Jacky Dufier, Director of Sales Support
Elm leblanc is focused on customer service and we sought to great improve it by using an innovative m2m system. We looked specifically for a remote diagnostic solution from our partner, Orange Business Services.

Éric Payan, Director of Information Systems
We wanted a mobile phone operator with wide coverage. We also wanted a provider able to deliver high-quality i.t. applications plus network, infrastucture and hosting capabilities. Today, only Orange Business Services is able to deliver all of these to us.

How it works

Francois Vuillaume, Director of Development
The Termibox can be installed on any water heater. Its three parts include an electronic meter, a model and a SIM card. Thanks to this technology, the Termibox can both monitor the water heater permanently and send an SMS with regular updates on its performance and its main functions.

SMS messages are processed by an Orange Business Services platform and send reports to an Elm Leblanc control centre. Our experts can access the data thanks to a web application, enabling checks and analysis to fine-tune these diagnoses and carry out preventitive maintenance.

The solution also allows remote adjustments to the water heater thus optimizing its performance.

Why orange

Éric Payan, Director of Information Systems
Orange Business Services were able to offer various inter-operable services:
- provision of a SIM card
- development of web-specific applications
- outsourcing of i.t. applications
- the ability to have a single interface, dedicated to and knowledge about our needs
- and telephone help line

Éric Payan, Director of Information Systems
We at elm leblanc made our choice because we had one point of contact, that "one face to the customer" was Orange Business Services. And that's what made the difference!

François Villaume - Director of Development
What's the added value of an innovative system?
Avoiding useless service calls or the customer's inability to operate due to a major malfunction. Our remote diagnosis allows an analysis of the water heater's main functions, key indicators, anticipate maintenance problems and helps us to optimize the operation of our equipment.

And tomorrow?

Éric Payan, Director of Information Systems
In the near future, we'll develop a communicating water heater for one of our group's brands, Gérminox. We'll also adapt our Thermibox to match the new electronics on our latest water heaters. And after that, we'll offer our customers the option of starting or stopping our equipment remotely, to adjust the temperature at a second home, for example.

Today, I don't think we've yet exhausted the possibilities that this technology can bring us.