Lift-Link: new cross-manufacturer sector platform

Up to now, there has been no been platform of the kind needed for a real-time overview of the lifts and lift components of different manufacturers. This is now about to change with the Lift-Link initiative.

About half the lifts installed in Germany are over 40 years old. Even in more recent lifts where current digital systems are already in use, the associated monitoring or cloud solutions are usually restricted to the respective manufacturer. For the operators, lift builders, maintenance or lift management companies in charge of the lifts of various manufacturers, this means they have to engage in much unnecessary effort to determine each lift’s status. With a uniform solution, this could be avoided.

Lift-Link supporters, as of 2024-05. Photo: © Telegärtner Elektronik

For this reason, a central platform has now been created on the initiative of the emergency call specialist Telegärtner Elektronik (TGE) in cooperation with reputable lift component manufacturers. This is "Lift-Link" in which the most important real-time information of lifts and their components will be centrally available.

"The data already available on the lift or lift components in a manufacturer cloud will be retrieved via a standard interface (API) and made centrally available in Lift-Link," explained Ralf Gebhardt, who is expediting the initiative on the part of Telegärtner Elektronik. "The more companies that take part in the initiative, the more there will be who benefit from the solution," Gebhardt emphasised.

Central platform for all manufacturer clouds

The concept is as simple as it is promising. As a comprehensive umbrella cloud, Lift-Link will provide a central overview and access to the pre-existing cloud solutions of the individual component manufacturers. As a result, Lift-Link will then be available as the platform that provides information directly about lifts and their components across manufacturers.

Lift overview in the Lift-Link portal. Photo: © Telegärtner Elektronik

The basic information on all lifts and components from the particular manufacturer clouds will be clearly presented in the web portal.

The particular manufacturer cloud can be reached by direct access via Lift-Link. As a result, the specific event of the lift is analysed there in detail and can then be accessed with expanded functions. All data displayed in the web portal are also available additionally for machine access via an API, for example for integration in facility management systems.

Older components can also be connected

Old lift components or those that could not be previously directly connected can likewise be integrated using additional sensors. "By using Lift-Link, we will achieve greater lift availability, an increase in efficiency, leaner cost structures and in the end achieve greater customer satisfaction," Ralf Gebhardt summed up.

"Users will also have a uniform portal for all of their lifts and apart from the operational readiness of the lift, also be able to view the status and event data."

Support means help in creation

Access to manufacturer clouds. Photo: © Telegärtner Elektronik

The project is being sustained by a wide group of supporters. The basic framework already exists and Lift-Link is to be available at interlift 2025. Telegärtner Elektronik already operates the TGE Cloud and takes care of the implementation and operation of Lift-Link.

All parties concerned are to benefit from this equally, the company emphasised. The detailed requirements are currently being defined with the project supporters already recruited from the group of data users (operators, lift builders, maintenance and lift management companies). In parallel, the interface is being prepared with the data suppliers on the basis of use cases.

Gebhardt stressed the importance of wide participation for progress in the digitalisation of the lift sector, "To make significant progress towards digitalisation, getting all interested data suppliers and data users involved in the project is vital." Everyone is welcome!"

More information: tge-gruppe.de/liftlink

TGE Cloud: the manufacturer cloud for lift emergency call systems of Telegärtner Elektronik Telegärtner Elektronik is already experienced in developing and operating cloud solutions and for example offers a solution for remote management and monitoring with the TGE Cloud. This platform makes it possible to configure and manage relevant aspects of the emergency call infrastructure remotely.

The functions of the TGE Cloud include the monitoring of important technical parameters, such as signal strength, battery status and call history for routine calls and the SIM card status.

In addition, remote configuration of Telegärtner Elektronik devices is possible. This facilitates flexible adjustment of key parameters, such as the destination number of the emergency call control centre.

tge-gruppe.de/tge-cloud