greenBOX Unboxed i7: Fast & Easy Software Updates
Summary
Updating industrial machinery software often involves costly downtime and the need for onsite technicians. Ecogate's greenBOX control units for industrial on-demand dust collection systems streamline this process with fast, over-the-internet (OTI) software updates that eliminate the need for any onsite presence.
An Ecogate administrator can effortlessly manage updates remotely, whether for a single unit or an entire group, and track progress in real-time. Updates take only minutes and encompass the entire software stack, including crucial operating system security updates.
Ecogate offers free, automated updates for greenBOX Pro, greenBOX Nxt, and greenBOX Max models, consistently adding new features to enhance functionality and empower informed decision-making.
The Advantages of Over-the-Internet Software Updates
Updating software for industrial machinery has traditionally required factory technicians to travel onsite, halting production to connect a laptop, install the update, test it, and then resume operations. This process is not only expensive and time-consuming but also necessitates careful planning.
Modern electronics have transformed the update process. Just as iPhones receive updates "over the air" (OTA) without requiring a technician, greenBOX control unit software updates are carried out "over the internet" (OTI), making them fast, efficient, and eliminating the need for onsite personnel.
How greenBOX Software Updates Work
Accessing the greenBOX remotely is simple, thanks to its built-in web server. No additional software installation is necessary—simply enter the greenBOX IP address in your browser.
To check the current software version, navigate to the greenBOX's "About" page. For instance, you might see that software version 8.3.5, dated August 9, 2024, is currently installed:
Users can choose to enable or disable software updates through the “greenBOX Settings" page:
Administrators can also select whether to update a single greenBOX unit, a group, or all units simultaneously. For example, software release 8.3.5 can be distributed to a large group of greenBOX units immediately:
The update progress can be monitored via the greenBOX "Event Log." In this example, the software update began at 1:56:11 AM and concluded at 1:59:42 AM, taking approximately three and a half minutes. Following the update, the greenBOX reboots, which takes less than a minute. This process updates not just the Ecogate software but the entire software stack, including the operating system (with security updates if necessary):
If the update fails for any reason, the greenBOX will automatically revert to the previous software version.
The best time to schedule software updates is during off-hours when the dust collection system isn’t in use. Alternatively, the system can be set to "Bypass Mode", where all gates are open and the fan runs at full power, allowing the update to occur with minimal disruption. Afterward, the system can be returned to automatic mode—all done remotely.
Conclusion
greenBOX software updates are fully automated and do not require onsite technicians. Ecogate provides free software updates for the greenBOX Pro, Nxt, and Max models, regularly adding new features. Many exciting new features are already scheduled for release this year and next, designed to make life easier for shift managers, maintenance technicians, and corporate management by enabling more informed decisions.
Do you have an idea for a new software feature for your greenBOX? Share it with us, and it might be included in a future update.
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