Ackcio - Why consider adopting their IoT remote monitoring system?

They may be the new player on the block in the UK and Ireland but Ackcio but their offering is not to be overlooked. In 2024 Dyna-mo Instruments took the decision to become the UK and Ireland distributors for Ackcio having been very impressed by their innovative approach to an IoT communication system, their openness to our ideas and customer feedback and their responsiveness to technical questions and challenges.

So what makes Ackcio different?

Ackcio focus on the communication of data rather than the sensors themselves. This makes thier system capable of supporting an impressive scope of third party geotechnical, structural and environmental sensors, both analogue and digital. Their agnostic approach extends to software, meaning you are not tied to subscription fees, or even a SIM card cost in some cases.

Unlike many of the other IoT systems available, the Ackcio gateway runs onboard software which provides comprehensive and user friendly set of tools, which for some projects may be all that is needed to review readings and manage connected sensors.

This software provides the tools for configuring projects, commissioning nodes and sensors and forwarding data to FTP servers or integrating data into third party software via pre-configured API's.

So what does their offering look like?

The Ackcio system is built around an onsite Gateway.

Each gateway supports up to 50 wirelessly connected nodes. These nodes predominently connected via a self-healing LoRa mesh network, meaning nodes can either connect directly with the gateway or each node in the network acts as a relay locatioon to bounce the data to the gateway. A data transmission can make up to 13 hops to different nodes within the network before reaching the gateway.

Their array of nodes includes

• Tilt Nodes

• 1-Channel Analogue Nodes (mA / V) *Important to note that this node supports 2 seperate sensor inputs

• 4-Channel Analogue Nodes (mA / V)

  *Important to note that this node supports 8 seperate sensor inputs

• Digital Node (RS-232/RS-485 / SDI-12)

• 1-Channel Vibrating Wire Nodes

• 8- Channel Vibrating Wire Nodes

• Repeater Node *Used to extend the range of the data relay to the gateway

• Battery Extension Pack - allowing battery life to be extended by up to 8x.

New for 2025

The exception to this relay LoRa wireless communication method,is their all new tilt sensors for 2025* which provides both tilt and vibration trigger functionality, taking instant readings when pre-configured thresholds are breached. This tilt sensor operates on a direct LoRa connection, sending data directly to the onsite gateway.  

*Available from early August 2025.

So what kind of sensors can I connect to the Ackcio system and easily commission myself.

Analogue Sensors

 Any analogue sensor that provides a 4-20mA, 0-5 or 0-10V output and requires 5Vdc, 12Vdc or 24Vdc power can be quickly and easily connected to an Ackcio digital node.

Examples of these sensors include

• Elastisense DS Sensors

• Evikon Gas, Temperature and Humidity Sensors

• Ultrasonic Level Sensors

• N-Viro Dust & Noise Units

Digital Sensors

Any digital sensor that provides an SDI-12 output can be configured using the standard SDI-12 commands from the digital node to retrieve multiple parameter readings from a single sensor.

Both RS-232 and RS-485 sensors can be integrated with the Ackcio digital node, but do require a compatible firmware. Many sensors have already been integrated and firmware maintained which can be selected and installed on the Ackcio node via the Nimbus APP during the nodes commissioning. For any new sensors, Ackcio are on-hand to assist with the creation of a new firmware.

Examples of these sensors include

• Geolux Hydrology Sensors - via RS-485

• N-Viro Weather Stations - via SDI-12

• Osprey OTS, IPX and ASP units

Vibrating Wire Sensors

Compatible with most types of vibrating wire sensor.

Examples of these sensors include

• Piezometers

• Pressure Cell

• Strain gauges

• Crack gauges

• Extensometers

• External temperature

• In place inclinometers

• Soil moisture sensors

• Vibrating wire piezometers

Third Party Sensor Considerations

It is always important to note the warm up time of the sensor and the power consumption. Details of the Ackico nodes power supplt capabilities are detailed on thier data sheets as these do differ based on voltage supply and node type. However it is possible to connect the Ackcio nodes to an external power supply which can then also be used to power the third party sensor if the sensors power requirements exceed the capabilities of the Ackcio node.

Top 5 Reasons to Consider Ackcio for your IoT Wireless Remote Monitoring Installations

1 – No Ongoing Costs

As the Ackcio system is designed and developed to be a re-usable assett that can support multiple projects over its lifetime, other than the cost of a SIM card for data transmission to an FTP server or API integration, and battery replacements, there are no ongoing costs for cloud platforms, data storage or service/support.

The gateway and nodes are self-configurable via the on gateway software (Snape) and the FREE mobile phone APP (Nimbus). Devices can be linked quickly to any Ackcio gateway in your fleet without the need for any support or intervention from Ackcio. Firmware updates are provided for FREE via the Nimbus App for nodes and via internet connection for the gateway.

2 – On-gateway Snape Software

The on-gateway Snape WebUI is incredible user friendly allowing users to

• Configure projects

• Set up network connection via LAN, Wi-Fi or LTE

• Adjust the LoRa network strength

• Set location settings for LTE, Wi-Fi and LoRa, making the kit globally universal

• Set FTP and API data transmission

• Monitor gateway power supply, internet network strength and data consumption

• Manage node connection

• Change node reading frequencies

• Monitoring node battery levels

• Monitor network connectivity strength and relay hops

• Review most recent node readings

• and more...

3 – Network or Stand-Alone Node and Gateway Configuration

The Ackcio nodes and gateway can be deployed like many other IoT wireless remote systems to capture data from the network of wireless connected sensors and transmit these to a server.

However, the Ackcio gateway, as part of a network of nodes, or the nodes themselves can be set to act as stand alone data loggers, recording data to their internal memory which can then be recovered, via the Snape WebUI for the gateway, or via the Nimbus mobile APP for the nodes.

4 – 2025 Innovations

There are several new innovative additions be launched in 2025 to further enhance the Ackcio systems capabilities.

• Sub-£300 triaxial tilt sensor with tilt and vibration trigger functionality.

• Modbus and SCADA output direct from the gateway, enabling localised integration with PLC's and the ability to trigger secondary alarms and functions.

• A new exciting node that will enhance the Ackcio systems ability to support structural health and environmental monitoring.

This is on top of the already released stand-alone node functionality and Ackcio digital nodes integration with your N-Viro Weather Station to delivery a ready to deploy weather station that is connected to an Ackcio gateway in the same manner as any other Ackcio node.

5 – Self-Healing Mesh Network

One of the most impressive features of the Ackcio system is the mesh LoRa node connectivity. Once a network of nodes is established connected to a gateway, the nodes will explore every possible connection route to the gateway up to the maximum of 13 node hops.

This provides an invaluable and instant self-healing communication network should the primary transmission route be lost.

Better still, these possible connection routes are all visible on the gateways WebUI which can then be used to identify if there are any potential single points of failure. If any are identified, additional relay nodes can be installed to provide redundant connectivity should the node, previously presenting a network risk, fail.

Hire or Purchase Options

As the UK and Ireland distributor for Ackcio we have made the products available for hire or for purchase to ensure the system is commercially viable for both short-term and long-term projects.

If you would like to understand more about the Ackcio system, arrange an introduction meeting or book a demostration, please get in touch.

e. sales@dyna-moinstruments.com

t. 01604 278 325