Can I use IoT hosting from Germany for sites in South Africa?

Yes. The platform runs on German infrastructure, data is transmitted via MQTT/HTTPS from sensors and gateways in South Africa. For latency-critical applications, we also offer hosting on South African infrastructure.

How do you handle the time difference?

CET and SAST are only 1 hour apart - virtually the same time zone. This enables synchronous collaboration during full working hours. Monitoring runs 24/7.

Are there latency issues with hosting in Germany for South African dashboards?

For dashboard access and data visualization, latency (~150ms) is not an issue. For real-time control, we recommend hosting on South African infrastructure or a hybrid setup.

Can you also host on South African infrastructure?

Yes. We deploy IoT platforms on any infrastructure - whether German servers, South African cloud providers or on-premise in your data center.

Which LoRaWAN frequencies apply in South Africa?

South Africa uses the EU868 frequency plan (868 MHz), just like Europe. This significantly simplifies hardware procurement - the same devices work in both regions.

Do the sensors work during loadshedding?

Yes. LoRaWAN sensors are battery-powered and don't need grid power. Gateways can be operated via solar with battery backup. The system is fully grid-independent.

How does hardware procurement and shipping to South Africa work?

We source hardware (Milesight, etc.) and ship it pre-configured and firmware-updated. Milesight hardware ships worldwide - we know the import requirements.

Is POPIA compliance possible?

Yes. On request, we host on South African infrastructure to comply with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act). Alternatively, German hosting provides GDPR compliance - depending on your requirements.

Do you have experience with mining standards and ATEX?

Yes. We work with ATEX-compatible sensors for hazardous mining environments and understand the requirements for condition monitoring underground and above ground.

Can existing SCADA/PLC systems be integrated?

Yes. We integrate existing SCADA and PLC systems via OPC-UA, Modbus or MQTT into the IoT platform. Brownfield integration is our standard.

Which IoT platforms do you use?

Our standard stack: ChirpStack as LoRaWAN network server, ThingsBoard for device management and dashboards, Grafana for visualization and Node-RED for data flow automation.

Which industries in South Africa do you serve with IoT solutions?

Mining & Resources, Energy & Grid, Water & Utilities, Agriculture and Smart City & Infrastructure. Our platforms are industry-agnostic and configurable.

What does IoT hosting for South African projects cost?

Costs depend on the platform, number of devices and desired service level. We provide a transparent quote with no hidden fees.

How quickly can an IoT platform for South Africa go live?

The timeline depends on the platform, device count, radio planning, data paths, integrations, and operating model. After the technical assessment, you receive a rollout plan with prerequisites, dependencies, and milestones.

Is there a minimum contract term?

The minimum term and notice period depend on the operating model and project scope. Both are stated transparently in the proposal.

IoT Infrastructure for South Africa.

Mining, energy crisis, water scarcity - South Africa's industries need IoT solutions that work off-grid, withstand harsh conditions and can be operated remotely. We deliver exactly that.

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IoT

End-to-End IoT for the South African Market

From architecture through platform development to managed hosting - we support IoT projects in South Africa across the entire lifecycle. Remote-first, off-grid capable, proven in emerging markets.

Off-Grid Ready
Solar-powered sensors with battery backup. LoRaWAN works without grid power and without SIM cards - ideal for remote sites and loadshedding.
Flexible Infrastructure
Hosting on German infrastructure, South African servers or hybrid - depending on latency and compliance requirements.
Remote-First Delivery
Entire project delivered remotely. CET and SAST are only 1 hour apart - ideal conditions for daily collaboration.

Services

IoT Services for South Africa

Managed IoT Hosting
ChirpStack, ThingsBoard, Grafana and Node-RED hosted and operated. On German or South African infrastructure - with 24/7 monitoring and SLA.
IoT Architecture & Network Planning
Network architecture for distributed sites and off-grid environments: LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, cellular. Connectivity concepts for mines, farms and remote infrastructure.
Custom IoT Development
IoT dashboards, web portals and mobile apps. Multi-tenant, white-label, scalable - for operators with distributed sites.
SCADA & PLC Integration
Connect existing SCADA, PLC and HMI systems to modern IoT platforms. OPC-UA, Modbus, MQTT - brownfield integration for mining and energy.
Hardware Sourcing & Provisioning
Selection and procurement of sensors, gateways and controllers. Pre-configured, firmware-updated, off-grid capable. Worldwide shipping.
Data Analysis & Alerting
Dashboards, reports and alerts. Threshold monitoring, anomaly detection and automatic escalation - even with unstable connectivity.

Industries

Industries & Use Cases in South Africa

IoT solutions for key industries in the South African market - from mining to energy to water management.

Mining & Resources
Condition monitoring underground and above ground: vibration sensors, air quality, temperature and dust measurement. ATEX-compatible hardware for hazardous areas. Predictive maintenance for heavy machinery.
Energy & Grid
Monitoring of solar and wind farms, battery storage and grid quality. Loadshedding-resilient sensors with battery backup and solar-powered gateways.
Water & Utilities
Water treatment, tank monitoring, leak detection and flow measurement. Critical for regions with water scarcity - battery-powered sensors without grid connection.
Agriculture
Soil moisture monitoring across vast areas, irrigation control, weather stations and livestock tracking. LoRaWAN sensors with years of battery life.
Smart City & Infrastructure
Smart metering, street lighting, parking management and environmental monitoring. IoT for municipalities and utilities - scalable and multi-tenant.

Use cases

Project Examples South Africa

Mine Site Condition Monitoring
Typical Scenario · Limpopo / Western Cape: Vibration sensors, temperature probes and air quality monitoring in harsh mining environments. ATEX-compatible hardware, edge processing and central monitoring via Grafana dashboards. Tech Stack: LoRaWAN · ATEX · Grafana · Node-RED
Solar Farm Remote Monitoring
Typical Scenario · Northern Cape: Off-grid monitoring for solar farms and battery storage: performance data, module temperature and inverter status. Solar-powered gateways, LoRaWAN across large areas. Tech Stack: LoRaWAN · Milesight · ThingsBoard · Solar Gateway
Municipal Water Tank Monitoring
Typical Scenario · Gauteng / KwaZulu-Natal: Ultrasonic level sensors for municipal water tanks. Leak detection, flow measurement and automatic alerts at critical levels. Battery-powered, grid-independent. Tech Stack: LoRaWAN · ChirpStack · Grafana · Ultrasonic

WZ-IT

Why WZ-IT for South Africa?

IoT in emerging markets requires robust technology, flexible infrastructure and partners who master remote delivery.

Off-Grid & Emerging Markets
Our hardware is built for harsh conditions: IP67, solar-powered, battery-operated. Loadshedding and missing grid infrastructure are not a problem - LoRaWAN works without grid power.
Only 1 Hour Time Difference
CET and SAST are only 1 hour apart - ideal conditions for daily sync, synchronous collaboration and fast response times.
Flexible Infrastructure
Default: privacy-focused hosting on German servers. On request: hosting on South African infrastructure or hybrid. POPIA compliance considered.
24/7 Monitoring
Proactive monitoring around the clock, automatic alerts and SLA-based response times. With minimal time difference, near real-time support during business hours.

LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN in South Africa

LoRaWAN is ideal for South Africa's distributed infrastructure: long range, minimal power consumption, no cellular network and no grid power required.

Range: 15+ km
Battery: 10+ years
Protection: IP67
SA Frequency: 868 MHz

Hardware Expertise with Milesight

Sensors · Gateways · Controllers · Accessories

Milesight

We rely on Milesight and know the product portfolio inside out - from environmental sensors to LoRaWAN gateways to industrial controllers. We advise, source and integrate the right hardware for your use case. Milesight hardware ships worldwide - we deliver pre-configured and firmware-updated, ready to deploy. We also work with hardware from other manufacturers - whether proprietary or open-source. What matters is that it works reliably and integrates into our stack.

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Frequently Asked Questions about IoT in South Africa

Everything about off-grid operation, infrastructure and collaboration with South Africa.

TopicsRemote Delivery & Collaboration Infrastructure & Hosting Hardware & Off-Grid Industries & Compliance Costs & Getting Started

Remote Delivery & Collaboration

Infrastructure & Hosting

Hardware & Off-Grid

Industries & Compliance

Costs & Getting Started

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Reviews & projects

Client feedback and projects worldwide

WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.

Steve KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH

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International

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.