Certified Power Solutions (CPS), a leader in hydraulic systems and controls, ensures safe passage on winter roads by leveraging the power of SkySQL, a cloud database solution running on Amazon Web Services (AWS).  While some regions swelter in summer's heat, others face the harsh realities of winter: frigid temperatures, heavy snowfall, and treacherous ice. CPS's winter road maintenance system, powered by SkySQL, equips snowplow trucks with sensors that collect critical data, providing local agencies with real-time insights into salt usage for de-icing, ultimately enhancing community safety and optimizing resource allocation.

Fleet managers of snowplowing vehicles are accountable for keeping roads safe for winter travelers. They need to control costs while being environmentally responsible by reducing the amount of salt applied to roadways. Salt has been used to de-ice roads for decades; more than 20 million metric tons of salt are poured on U.S. roads each winter, according to an estimate by the Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies in New York.

By integrating vehicle sensors, an automated electronic spreader control system, and wireless data transfer offered by CPS on their snowplowing trucks, fleet managers can leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) telematics to build maps and reports from the data collected, resulting in reduced salt used on roads. The data is automatically compiled and downloaded into the snowplowing truck’s spreader control system and then streamed to the database once the snowplowing truck returns to headquarters.

However, CPS faced challenges with their on-premises database solution, which struggled to efficiently manage the vast amounts of data generated by their IoT-enabled snowplow trucks. This limitation hindered their ability to provide timely insights to local agencies responsible for winter road maintenance. By moving away from its homegrown on-premises solution to SkySQL, CPS can answer and resolve their customers’ needs quicker by being able to store and access data faster. 

Challenges:

• Data Volume and Frequency: CPS's snowplow trucks collect a tremendous amount of data from thousands of vehicle sensors, necessitating a robust database capable of handling high-frequency data ingestion and storage.

• Scalability Constraints: The existing on-premises solution lacked the scalability to support a growing number of users and devices, limiting CPS's ability to expand its services.

• Operational Efficiency: Managing and maintaining the on-premises database required significant resources, diverting focus from core business activities.

Solution: 

• Enhanced Data Management: SkySQL efficiently handles the high-frequency data from IoT sensors, enabling real-time data collection and analysis.

• Scalability and Performance: The cloud-based nature of SkySQL allows CPS to seamlessly scale its database infrastructure, supporting a 3,000% increase in user capacity overnight.

• Cost Savings: Migrating to SkySQL resulted in over 60% savings in total database costs, freeing up resources for other strategic initiatives.

• Operational Efficiency: With SkySQL managing the database infrastructure, CPS's team can focus on delivering value-added services to their clients.

Results: 

• Improved Decision-Making: Real-time data collection enables fleet managers to optimize salt usage for de-icing roads, promoting environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

• Increased Reliability: SkySQL's robust infrastructure ensures high availability and reliability, critical for operations during severe winter conditions.

• Environmental Impact: By optimizing salt usage, CPS's solution helps reduce the environmental impact of road maintenance activities.

“SkySQL allows us to collect and record more data coming in from th IoT sensors on our snowplowing trucks, which lets cities, counties and state governments reduce water and salt use, saving them millions of dollars while also being more environmentally friendly,” said Jeremy Miller, R&D manager and senior principal electrical engineer at Certified Power Solutions. We evaluated other cloud databases, including Amazon RDS, but ultimately chose SkySQL because it gives us the flexibility to run in any cloud and not get locked into one cloud system. Plus, being a busy team, we rely on SkySQL’s expert support which is simply the best in the industry.”

SkySQL's fully managed cloud database service provides the features and functionality of MariaDB as well as being MySQL-compatible. Saving customers up to 60% of their legacy database costs, SkySQL takes care of everything from provisioning the cloud infrastructure to installing and deploying the database, configuring the database for production environments, and automating failover in just a few clicks. It is capable of autonomously scaling as the workload increases. By leveraging SkySQL, CPS has transformed its data management capabilities, enabling more efficient and environmentally responsible winter road maintenance solutions.

Certified Power Solutions

Certified Power Solutions (CPS), established in 1967, is a leading provider of fluid power systems and controls across North America. Specializing in the design, integration, and assembly of hydraulic and electronic control systems, CPS serves a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, construction, mining, and oil and gas. Their expertise extends to developing turnkey snow and ice removal systems for snowplow trucks, tailored to meet the specific needs of municipalities and private contractors.

With over five decades of experience, CPS has built strong partnerships with top manufacturers, enabling them to offer high-quality components such as valves, custom manifolds, pumps, motors, and actuators. Their comprehensive services include system design, assembly, and a range of repair and maintenance options through authorized repair centers. Additionally, CPS provides extensive training resources to advance client knowledge, underscoring their commitment to service excellence and innovation in the fluid power industry.

SkySQL Inc

SkySQL, the ultimate AI-driven, serverless cloud database service for the MySQL/MariaDB ecosystem, redefines data management by automating deployment, scaling, and administration. This cutting-edge platform frees up resources, letting you focus on strategic initiatives. With SkySQL, operational complexities are streamlined, unlocking the full potential of your data without compromising efficiency.

At the heart of SkySQL is its ability to seamlessly adapt to changing demands, providing a robust foundation for applications. The platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive features make it accessible to both experts and newcomers to the cloud environment. Experience a new era of efficient and innovative database management with SkySQL, propelling your business forward.