The use of mobile radio networks and the Internet has now made it possible to create a virtual combination of widely distributed measuring systems in one location, and make use of the acquired data on the spot.
Modern measuring systems are cheaper
Professional measuring technology has reaped considerable benefits from the use of components and technology that were originally developed for the large quantities that were needed for consumable products. A current example is the Autonomous measuring systems with remote data transmission (GSM-2) use of mobile radio networks for data transmission. The GSM reception coverage is so far advanced and the price of telephone modules and call costs are so low that this is the cheapest and simplest measurement acquisition method, not just for decentralised or extremely remote measuring points, but also easily accessed locations. The cost of data transmission is a fraction of the cost of personnel for measurement acquisition. Furthermore, this entire measuring system with GSM transmission is only slightly more expensive than a data logger without GSM transmission. The cost of transmitting measuring data via e-mail is extremely cheap at the moment. If a prepaid card is used, there are not even any monthly charges.
Data transmission via e-mail or SMS is the easiest solution to implement in practice, because not much needs to be done at the receive end. A normal mobile phone is sufficient for reading out the measuring data (SMS) using PC, or a PC with an Internet connection via which the data can be received by e-mail.