How are assets, measuring points, and inspection routes structured in SONAPHONE DataSuite and used for recurring inspections?

AssetExpert can be used to represent a real plant or system as a hierarchical asset tree in SONAPHONE DataSuite.

Individual inspection locations are created as measuring points within this asset tree. Selected measuring points can then be combined into inspection routes and transferred to a SONAPHONE for recurring inspections.

The basic structure is therefore:

Asset tree → Levels → Measuring points → Inspection routes → Inspection with SONAPHONE

What is an asset tree?

The asset tree represents the hierarchical structure of a plant, facility, or site.

Suitable levels can be created, for example:

• site,
• building,
• production area,
• plant,
• machine,
• assembly.

The actual measuring points are then created within these levels.

The specific structure can be adapted to the respective plant. Before creating an extensive asset tree, it is recommended to define its basic structure in order to avoid unnecessary restructuring later.

What is a measuring point?

A measuring point represents a specific location at which a recurring inspection is to be performed.

Various information can be stored for a measuring point, including:

• name and ID,
• application type,
• measurement cycle,
• measurement settings,
• key metrics,
• threshold values,
• images,
• text notes,
• voice memos.

Depending on the selected application, additional application-specific information can also be stored.

Measuring points can also be uniquely identified using an ID or QR code. This supports reliable identification of the correct measuring point during on-site inspections.

What is an inspection route?

An inspection route is a systematic collection of selected measuring points.

The measuring points do not have to be created again for a route. Existing measuring points from the asset tree are assigned to the route.

This makes it possible, for example, to group all measuring points that are to be inspected:

• during a particular inspection round,
• within a particular plant area,
• at a defined interval, or
• by a particular inspector.

The sequence of measuring points within a route can be defined so that the on-site inspection can be carried out in a practical order.

Can a measuring point be part of several inspection routes?

Yes. A measuring point belongs to the asset tree and can be assigned to different routes for different inspection tasks.

An inspection route therefore does not create a separate copy of the measuring point. Instead, it defines which existing measuring points are grouped together for a particular inspection process.

How is the route transferred to the SONAPHONE?

Prepared route data are exported as a ZIP file and transferred to the SONAPHONE.

The route is processed on the SONAPHONE using the AssetExpert app. The user can visit the defined measuring points one by one and perform the corresponding inspections.

The measurement data are assigned to the respective measuring point.

After completing the inspection, the route data, including the collected measurement and inspection data, are exported from the SONAPHONE and imported back into DataSuite.

What is the advantage of this structure?

The combination of asset trees, measuring points, and inspection routes enables a standardized inspection process:

Define the measuring point → Plan the inspection → Process the route → Assign the measurement → Return the results → Evaluate development over time

Historical measurements therefore remain assigned to the same physical measuring point and can be compared for trend and condition analysis.