Retrofit for electronic infrastructure

A retrofit infrastructure modernization with the newest technology without waste

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01.

Identification

A retrofit is a modernization of a system, which consists in replacing or adding some of its components while keeping others. The main advantage of a retrofit is the saving of resources. Instead of purchasing a new system as a whole, it is possible to integrate new functions, e.g. via new software or targeted components, while retaining the majority of the hardware components. Supercomputing Systems AG (SCS) has long observed the waste of resources in industry. In 2009, a first project was implemented by SCS to counter a partial obsolescence with a retrofit and thus modernize an IT solution without having to acquire a new global solution. Instead of buying new ticket machines for public transport in the canton of Zug, SCS made a retrofit. This pioneering project paved the way for many other projects (dynamic passenger information displays, parking guidance systems, relay interlocking systems) in which an SCS department has now specialized.

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Label Date July 6, 2023

By Supercomputing Systems AG

From Switzerland

Maturity stage Medium and large scale commercialization

Looking For Network, New clients, Visibility

02.

Implementation Stories

Retrofit for electronic infrastructure by Supercomputing Systems AG
Implemented by VBL - Public transportation company in Lucerne (Switzerland) in 2018

Public transport in Lucerne (VBL), Switzerland, has used the Retrofit for Electronic Infrastructure Solution to upgrade its ticket vending machines (stationary at stops and on buses): instead of buying new ticket vending machines, VBL chose to renew only the necessary internal electronic components that were at the end of their useful life. Reverse-engineering work and new software were incorporated: around 260 fixed vending machines and 200 mobile devices were upgraded without the need to replace the entire infrastructure, resulting in significant savings, both in terms of costs and embodied energy.

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Result

The lifespan of the dispensers has been extended by at least 10 years, and the majority of the internal electronic components have been retained.

03.

The environmental benefits

•The software that we have developed for our first customer in the public transport domain is now installed on about 2'500 points of sale
•We do not only retrofit ticket vending machines, but have implemented and deployed in Switzerland our solution in two additional domains, i.e. information displays and parking guidance systems
•Usually saving about 90% of the CO2 grey energy emissions
•Each retrofit is of course different, but when we consider that a retrofit of an existing infrastructure makes it possible to not create new devices and simply change the necessary internal components (e.g. computing units)
•In the case of ticket vending machines, a retrofit makes it possible to reuse the concrete base on which the device is installed, which implies 100% reuse of the existing concrete foundation

04.

The Financial benefits

•When compared to mainstream alternatives (consisting e.g. in buying a new system), our solution enable the customers to save at least 75% of the costs
•After a retrofit, our customers can also buy by themselves the internal electronic component of the system, again at a price up to 75% cheaper than the one of the original provider