DATAREDE, SA is an ICT integrator based in Ribeira Brava, on Madeira's south coast. In 2025 it installed Fleximodo NB-IoT parking sensors on the island in two phases, during summer 2025. This page is written for engineers and integrators planning a similar remote deployment, where every site visit costs a flight or a ferry.
System architecture
The chain has four parts:
- Sensor. IoT Parking Sensor Standard, NB-IoT, installed flush-mount. It combines a 3-axis magnetometer with radar and applies automatic temperature compensation to hold 99.96% detection accuracy through seasonal swings.
- Network. NB-IoT over a Vodafone roaming profile, chosen to match operator coverage in Portugal. No gateways are needed on site.
- Platform. Fleximodo backend and sensor monitoring, including DOTA (Delta Over-the-Air) firmware management. DOTA sends only the changed parts of a firmware image, so updates are small and cost little battery.
- Integration. Occupancy and device status are available in CityPortal, and through Fleximodo's integrations and API for integrators who want to feed their own dashboards.
What was deployed
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sensor | IoT Parking Sensor Standard, NB-IoT |
| Mounting | Flush-mount (level with the surface, no full core-drilling) |
| Detection | Magnetometer + radar, 99.96% accuracy |
| Protection | IP68, IK10 |
| Connectivity | NB-IoT, Vodafone roaming profile |
| Firmware management | DOTA via Fleximodo backend |
| Rollout | Two phases, summer 2025 |
Integration notes
Remote management matters more on an island. On the mainland, a firmware fix might mean a van and a day's work. On Madeira it means travel. With DOTA in place from the second phase, firmware changes are pushed from the backend, and sensor health is checked remotely before anyone plans a site visit.
Flush-mount covers mixed surfaces. An integrator often serves several kinds of site, from car parks to kerbside bays. Flush-mount installation works across most of them without deep excavation, which keeps installation days short.
Pick the carrier profile for the region. Fleximodo NB-IoT sensors support several carrier profiles. For Portugal, DATAREDE used a Vodafone roaming profile. Check coverage at each bay before installation, especially in hilly terrain where signal can vary street by street.