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Exactly one year ago, ADD Bulgaria made a bold decision to spin off its product development division into a new brand called GridBit. The reason? In a rapidly evolving world, achieving ambitious goals requires hard work, creativity, and bold actions.
The core mission of GridBit is to develop the next generation of IoT products that address the ever-evolving demands of smart cities and smart grids.
Expanding the Team
The first step in this transformation was to appoint a new Technical Director with proven experience in ADD Bulgaria’s field. In April 2023, Vladimir Valchovski took on the role of Technical Director. With his extensive background in technological innovation, he seamlessly aligned with the company’s strategy, pushing for even greater objectives.
Vladimir’s professionalism and technical expertise have led to a rapid shift in team culture and working methods. One of his key contributions was implementing a new strategic approach to product development. He also expanded the team, bringing in young, talented individuals who contribute fresh and innovative ideas on a daily basis.
Greater Flexibility and Enhanced Customer Benefits
ADD Bulgaria’s two primary solutions are SLMS (Street Lighting Management System) and EIM (Electrical Infrastructure Management). Both are turnkey systems comprising:
- Hardware modules (controllers, communication equipment, electricity meter modules, clocks, sensors, thermal cameras)
- Embedded software for the modules (firmware)
- A central software platform, which serves as the heart of the systems, handling data collection, analysis, visualization, command transmission, report generation, and execution of automated processes.
Hardware Updates
One of the team’s initial tasks was optimizing the hardware of the devices. We transitioned from a one-size-fits-all device model to a modular architecture, simplifying system implementation across various infrastructures.
In addition to redesigning the devices, we also modernized the software platform. Let’s explore these updates further.
Software Architecture Update
GridBit’s SLMS (Street Lighting Management System) and EIM (Electrical Infrastructure Management System) are designed to offer detailed real-time data on the status of monitored equipment across various locations.
Key updates include:
- The platform now operates as Software as a Service (SaaS).
- The web-based interface allows users to access the system without the need for additional software installations.
- Cloud technology and the MQTTS protocol ensure secure communication and continuous system operation.
- The updated interface makes the GridBit platform ideal for managing and monitoring lighting, electrical, metering, and other infrastructures.
New Capabilities
The upgraded system introduces several new features:
- Measurement, Monitoring, and Control: Monitoring parameters across diverse infrastructures, such as voltage, temperature, gas levels, air quality, and more.
- Detection and Notification: Automated alerts for technical issues, unauthorized access, or tampering, tailored to each location’s settings, saving time, effort, and costs.
- Integration with Third-Party Solutions: Seamless integration using standard protocols.
- Improved Security and Infrastructure Quality: Adding essential functionalities to enhance security and system performance.
The platform now offers an intuitive map visualization of all monitored assets, providing detailed communication and technical status for each component (e.g., panels, substations, meters). This enables users to quickly identify and resolve potential issues. The data collected helps companies strategically plan for asset management, expansion, or upgrades.
GridBit represents not just a new brand but the natural evolution of ADD Bulgaria’s years of expertise. Our success is reflected not only in the numerous successful projects we’ve delivered but also in the satisfaction of our customers, partners, and team members.
Our mission remains to lead in energy digitalization and smart city innovation, while maintaining strong, lasting relationships with our customers and partners.
