Date: 2/16/2026
Previous Blog: The Role of IoT in Manufacturing Hoisting
The OLI digital ecosystem is a comprehensive suite of hardware and software solutions designed to enhance crane monitoring, maintenance and operational efficiency. The system combines physical monitoring devices (OLI Comms and OLI Comms+) with mobile applications and cloud-based services (OLI App, OLI App+ and OLI Pro) to support operator assist features and predictive maintenance capabilities.
OLI Comms is the standard hardware package exclusive to the Spacemaster® SXR hoist as a part of a bridge crane. OLI Comms+ enhances the offering by enabling the full crane connectivity and operator assist features. OLI Comms hardware supports R&M's OLI (Overhead Lifting Information) app, free in the App Store/Play Store.
Together, the hardware and software solutions make an inclusive ecosystem that provides facilities managers with essential information about hoist performance and operators with state-of-the-art features to improve safety, throughput and ergonomics.
Key Benefits
The OLI digital ecosystem enhances communication between the hoist's performance and its operators and technicians. From ground-level operators performing daily maintenance to production managers overseeing multiple operations, each user group gains specific advantages that directly impact their work efficiency and decision-making capabilities.
Operators
Follow Me: Operators can move the crane by pulling or pushing the hook in the desired direction, allowing fast and accurate positioning when the load is not attached to the crane.*
Hook Centering: Automatically aligns the trolley and bridge position directly above the load based on inclinometer measurements before lifting the load.*
Snag Prevention: Slows then stops trolley and/or bridge motion if the rope angle exceeds a certain measurement, indicating the hook has been snagged on a stationary object.*
Active Sway Control: Constantly monitors the actual rope angle measurement and adjusts the crane movement to minimize sway, both in the trolley and in the bridge travel directions. This feature can remove any sway during crane operation, including initial sway, and minimize it throughout the whole operating cycle.*
Passive Sway Control: Adjusts the crane speed to minimize sway while ramping to the target speed defined by the operator. It is based on a mathematical model of pendulum length and travel speeds, not true rope angle measurements. Passive sway control cannot remove initial sway.
Shockload Prevention: If the condition monitoring unit detects a sudden increase in load while the hoist is moving upwards at high speed, the shockload prevention system will reduce the speed. A sudden load increase occurs when the load exceeds 30% of the hoist's rated capacity.
Hoist Synchronization: Maintains the position of hoist hooks relative to each other based on pulses from the encoder. The hoists communicate the hook positions to each other and speed up or slow down each hoist independently to maintain synchronization during tandem lifting operations.*
*Requires inverter hoisting
Production Managers
- All OLI Comms hardware packages give managers insights on equipment performance, with time stamps, for throughput visibility.
- OLI Comms+ coupled with a two-speed hoist enhances HoistMonitor® Enclave data at commissioning and gives production managers the ability to boost performance by enabling a limited selection of operator assist features, addressing common operator pitfalls.
- OLI Comms+ coupled with inverter hoisting boosts efficiency at startup by giving operators precision hoisting controls. HoistMonitor Enclave data helps to identify which additional operator assist features offer the best cost to value ratio, based on real operational data, optimizing throughput and safety over time.
Facilities Managers
- Managers have free access to usage data via OLI app which helps to verify inspection findings and allows high level visibility to maintenance needs.
- Working with a distributor or crane service company that uses the OLI Pro software helps facilities managers plan for regular maintenance and avoid unexpected downtime.
- Adding OLI Comms+ enhances insights to holistic usage data across the whole crane. This allows facilities managers to use data-driven decisions to activate relevant operator assist features, preventing unnecessary repairs.
- OLI Comms+ with inverter hoisting reduces maintenance needs from startup for hoisting components. Holistic crane data and access to the full suite of operator assist features allows managers to optimize their equipment after commissioning, based on real equipment usage.
Software Solutions
- Basic Parameter Viewing: Access to real-time operational metrics and system status
- Fault Monitoring: View active faults, service warnings and designed working period percentages
- Ground-Level Access: Check crane status from the workfloor without needing to access the hoist panel
- Snapshot Data: Current system status and cumulative usage information can be downloaded via the app
- No Setup Required: Works with existing HoistMonitor Enclave hardware on compatible cranes
OLI App+ (Distributor Exclusive License)
- Allows crane service companies to perform common maintenance tasks more efficiently
- Gives crane inspection companies expanded diagnostics for equipment performance
- Reduced equipment rental for manlifts can lower overall service costs
OLI Pro (Distributor Exclusive Remote Access)
- Allows crane service companies to access crane data from anywhere with an internet connection
- Timeline analysis allows crane service companies to recommend optimal component replacement scheduling
- Trend analysis allows crane service companies to recommend features and operator training for performance optimization
Hardware Solutions
Built on the foundation of proven industrial technologies, the OLI Comms fieldbus ecosystem allows for a comprehensive crane monitoring and control solution. The system uses tried-and-true industrial communication protocols, similar to automotive computer systems. This industrial-grade communication protocol connects all system components through low-voltage data cables.
OLI Comms (Standard Hardware Package)
- Standard Monitoring: HoistMonitor Enclave and gateway modem included
- Hoist-Focused Data: Primary monitoring of up/down motion and basic parameters
- Basic Connectivity: Enables all OLI App functionality levels
- Wi-Fi Capability: Local wireless connection for mobile app access
OLI Comms+ (Enhanced Hardware Package)
- All OLI Comms Benefits: Complete standard package functionality
- Comprehensive Connectivity: All inverters (hoist, trolley, bridge) connected via the fieldbus for holistic crane monitoring
- Enables Operator Assist Features: Enhances operator efficiency and safety
- Future-Ready: Foundation for activating additional operator assist features to optimize equipment performance over time
Safety and Reliability Features
Safety is paramount in crane operations. The OLI digital ecosystem elevates traditional safety measures through intelligent monitoring, predictive analysis and enhanced operator assist controls. By continuously tracking operational parameters and component health, the system transforms reactive safety management into a proactive, data-driven approach that helps identify potential issues before they become hazardous situations.
Operator assist smart features work together to improve crane safety and reliability by addressing the main risk points across the lift cycle:
- Hook Centering and Follow Me help position the hook correctly over the load, reducing setup errors and side-pulling.
- Snag Prevention and Shockload Prevention intervene to prevent events that commonly lead to equipment damage and incidents.
- Active Sway Control and Passive Sway Control reduce load swing-related hazards and time lost waiting for sway to settle.
- Hoist Synchronization maintains proper alignment of the bottom blocks during tandem lifts, ensuring even loading and lifting during synchronized lift operations.
OLI App
- Fault Detection: View active safety faults and overload conditions in real-time
- Service Warnings: Visual alerts when components approach replacement thresholds
OLI Comms
- Real-time Safety Data Collection: Continuous monitoring of hoist safety parameters and overload prevention
- Safety Data Preservation: Enclave stores safety-related operational data for analysis
OLI Comms+ with two-speed hoisting
- Inclinometer Sensor: Measures rope angle to count side pull and load sway incidents
- Passive Sway Control: Included hardware enables activation of passive sway control after commissioning
- System-Wide Safety Monitoring: Comprehensive safety oversight across hoist, trolley and bridge operations
OLI Comms+ with inverter hoisting
- Active Sway Control: Advanced load swing detection and automatic compensation for safer load handling
- Follow Me Safety: Controlled crane positioning reduces operator error and improves load handling safety
- Hook Centering Safety: Precise positioning capabilities enhance operational safety
- Snag Prevention: Automatically detects unexpected loading caused by catching the load on the building or other equipment
Product Compatibility
Spacemaster SXR Hoist
- OLI Comms standard (included with equipment)
- OLI Comms+ available
- All software solutions are compatible (OLI App, OLI App+, OLI Pro)
Spacemaster SX Hoist
- Software solutions (OLI App, OLI App+, OLI Pro) are fully compatible
- Existing technology support
The system's modular design enables scalable implementation, ranging from basic monitoring to comprehensive predictive maintenance solutions, making it suitable for diverse operational requirements and budgets. Organizations can realize immediate value while scaling capabilities and features as operational needs evolve.
Are you ready to discover how the OLI digital ecosystem can enhance your operations? Contact us online or call 800-855-9967 for answers to all your questions.