Leak Detector and Water Shut Off Stops With Custom API

Sentinel Hydrosolutions had a web application to act as an interface to their leak detection devices. The application was having issues due to the vendor selecting a third party software vendor that facilitated direct communication with the devices taking a different approach. The new approach meant that the system could no longer directly communicate with the IoT devices. There were also some data collection strategies that were not in sync. Sentinel Hydrosolutions desired historical data for the IoT device users but had no means to host the API or Application.

See Finding The Leaks- Development for Sentinel Hydrosolutions Case Study

To resolve this, Calance built an API and web application. The API serves as the gateway for the IoT devices. The IoT devices communicate with the API at regular intervals uploading data. The web application is a responsive design application that allows the user to complete several operations related to the IoT devices such as:

1. Register device(s) / create an account

2. View current device data for each device registered

3. Receive email or optional SMS messages in the event a leak is reported by a device

4. Send commands to a device

a. Clear Alarm

b. Change certain device parameters

c. Shut water off remotely

The API receives over 600K uploads a day, the number is expected to increase as more devices come online. The client was behind schedule in release of the web application due to issues with prior vendors.

To implement this, Calance met with Sentinel Hydrosolutions several times on location to understand their vision for the application. Then, the user interface was prototyped early in the design phase for feedback and to drive the visual design. Sentinel's head of engineering made sure that the design of the API matched the present and planned future functionality. The web application was built using Rapid Application Development (RAD); which allowed Sentinel to test working variations of the application over the course of its development. Using this approach, Sentinel was able to use parts of the application and provide feedback that was quickly incorporated into the ongoing development and minimize the chance of failure due to varying visions between development team and client on implementation of specifications.

The web application was written using MVC.Net, AngularJS and Bootstrap and the API as an MVC.Net API Project. For hosting, Calance assisted the client in setting up AWS EC2 instances while maintaining and monitor the systems.

Immediate Results.

Sentinel was able to get the application to release in very short time reducing the further delay. They currently use the system today and expanding upon it.

Why Calance?

This is not the first project that we have picked up after another vendor has ‘dropped the ball’. Integral to Calance’s strength is our ability to analyze a client’s needs both immediate and future. This analysis goes beyond acquiring specs from the client, rather engages the client with discussion on the intended use, rebuttal if a particular intention/desire seem unnecessary or detrimental and building upon ideas that are vague. Calance’s provides all clients with the utmost attention despite differences in size or financial capacity. Calance strives to deliver the best product for a client’s need.