A value added venture
Measure noise and air quality and enhance our service package
A value added venture
They measure noise, air quality and energy consumption; sensors register even the most minute changes. Since last year they have been part of Hager Services brand. Didier Dufournet, the founder of Azimut Monitoring, explains his business idea.
Mr. Dufournet, some ten years ago you founded Azimut Monitoring, a company manufacturing sensors that register changes in the environment. What signals had you yourself registered back then? What prompted you to establish your company?
Azimut Monitoring was founded in 2006, at that time most of the measuring technology available on the market still comprised of highly complex and expensive devices aimed at market experts, it was overdesigned for normal, everyday use. Our idea was to develop and design noise and environment sensors for their specific and intended purpose, thus making them more affordable. From the very beginning, we combined these sensors with web-based reporting tools and a rental model.
What marked the start of your success story?
Our first customers were operators of car and motorbike racing tracks. One of their priorities was to work in harmony with local noise emission regulations. They also wanted to start engaging constructively with residents, many of whom were complaining about the noise level. First of all, operators needed to know how high the noise level at their racing tracks actually was.
Thanks partly to the responsiveness of our systems and partly to our location in the French Alps, we wasted no time in equipping tourist centres with our solutions. Our sensors record noise, air quality and weather data at these centres and use in part SMS alarms to transmit the recordings.
Then, a few years ago you ventured into building interiors. How come?
Our interior sensors brought us into contact with totally new customer groups such as local authorities and property managers. The expansion of our portfolio to include interior solutions was a real turning point. We were able to supply our customers with a package of solutions including connected multi-sensors and web-based reporting tools that measure energy consumption, air quality and visitor comfort.
Since the start of 2016, you have been part of Hager Services. What role will your solutions play in Hager Services range?
There are a number of synergies between Hager Services and ourselves which, make integrating our solutions into the Hager Services range a very logical move. Firstly, right from the start our portfolio has been focused on service solutions featuring subscription models, just like the ones Hager Services provides. Secondly, we now have over ten years’ experience in interior sensors and device management. Hager, on the other hand, has a long history in the industrial sector that stretches back 60 years. This combination is practically unbeatable.
What has happened since you were taken over by Hager Group? And what are the next steps?
2016 was the year of integration, in which our solutions were incorporated into Hager Group portfolio and our technologies were integrated into the production line-up at the site in Crolles. Then, in December we supplied the first 500 units to a market-leading company in heating and air conditioning technology.
In the coming years, we will develop our solutions further and, as part of the Hager Services range, supply them initially in the B2B segment and later in the B2C segment as well. This will allow us to gain access to totally new markets and customer groups. Our solutions will help Hager Group to expand its product and service offers considerably in the smart home business. We also have our sights on the smart cities business at some point in the future, in which Hager Group could also make active use of our solutions. Exterior air and noise monitoring featured early on in our history could become part of our shared future.