When the Christmas market goes digital
How the PSsystec portfolio makes Christmas markets safer, more efficient and more sustainable.
When the first stalls are set up, strings of lights illuminate the squares, and the scent of mulled wine drifts through the streets, one of the most intense phases of the year begins for many cities. Christmas markets are emotional places – meeting points for people, tradition, and culture. At the same time, temporary infrastructures are created for municipalities and operators, which are technically more complex than they appear. Behind the festive façade, power supply, heating, cooling, lighting, and security processes are running at full speed. Often under time pressure, frequently without a fixed IT infrastructure, and with many decentralized consumers. This is exactly where the SMARTbox from PSsystec delivers its added value – invisible to visitors but crucial for smooth, safe, and responsible operation.
Temporary Markets, Permanent Challenges
A Christmas market usually comes together in just a few days and disappears just as quickly. Technically, this means: provisional power distributions, numerous electrical devices, changing locations, and limited control options. Energy consumption is high and fluctuates significantly – especially due to lighting, heating devices, cooling equipment, and catering facilities. At the same time, security requirements increase. After market hours, stalls, technical boxes, and storage areas must be protected without requiring elaborate nightly inspections. In addition, many cities want to make Christmas markets more sustainable – not just providing energy but using it consciously and transparently. Without digital support, much remains uncertain: consumption is estimated, malfunctions are only noticed when it’s too late, and optimization potential goes unused.
SMARTbox – The Digital Backbone of the Christmas Market
The SMARTbox series from PSsystec was developed precisely for such scenarios: non-invasive, cellular-based, and independent of local IT. It can be quickly installed, uses mobile infrastructure, and makes temporary facilities digitally visible in a short time. Instead of complex projects, a flexible, scalable system emerges that centrally records energy, status, and security data – ideal for time-limited events like Christmas markets.
Understanding Energy Instead of Estimating It with the IoT Energy Monitor
The IoT Energy Monitor provides the foundation for transparency. It records electricity consumption directly at the supply lines – without modifications and without interfering with existing systems. This makes it clear how much energy individual market areas actually consume and when peak loads occur. In operation, this means: electricity spikes caused by simultaneously running heaters can be detected, unnecessary base loads become visible, and consumption can be compared across operating days. For cities, this creates a reliable data basis – not only for the current market but also for planning future events.
Intelligent Device Control with the SMARTsocket
While the IoT Energy Monitor provides the overview, the SMARTsocket acts directly on individual devices. It is simply plugged in between the socket and the consumer and is ready to use immediately. On Christmas markets, this shows great added value: heaters, freezers, or lights may remain accidentally switched on after market hours or need manual checks. With the SMARTsocket, these devices can be monitored centrally, remotely switched off if needed, or selectively restarted – for example, if the equipment stops responding. This reduces not only energy consumption but also the personnel effort for nightly inspections.
More Security After Market Hours with the SMARTsensor
When the Christmas market closes and visitors go home, the sensitive phase begins. Stalls, technical boxes, and storage areas must be protected without elaborate security infrastructure. The SMARTsensor makes exactly this possible. In combination with contact or motion sensors, stalls can be monitored as soon as they are left empty. If a door is opened or movement is detected, immediate action can be taken – all without cameras or permanent on-site presence. For operators and cities, this means: additional security, less monitoring effort, and peace of mind outside opening hours.
Additional Useful Add-ons for Everyday Market Operations
Other components from the SMARTbox portfolio can also be integrated meaningfully. The SMARTtempmonitor monitors temperatures in refrigerated stalls or technical boxes and ensures that sensitive goods are stored correctly. Wireless and battery-powered or via power line, it is ideal for temporary installations. With the SMARTmetering basic package, existing meters can be read digitally. This creates a complete overview of energy consumption throughout the market period, providing a basis for billing, evaluation, and optimization for future years.
Added Value for Cities and Organizers
By using SMARTbox solutions, Christmas markets become not only festive but also future-proof. Energy consumption is transparent, security processes are digitally supported, and operations are significantly simplified – without major modifications and without local IT infrastructure. The systems are cellular-based, quickly deployable, and can be just as easily removed after the market. This flexibility makes them particularly attractive for temporary public events.
Outlook: Preserving Tradition, Taking Responsibility
Christmas markets stand for emotion, community, and tradition. At the same time, cities are responsible for safety, energy use, and sustainability. With the SMARTbox portfolio from PSsystec, these requirements can be combined: festive atmosphere for visitors, digital transparency for operators and municipalities. Not as a large-scale technical project, but as a pragmatic solution for real-world challenges.
Analog world. Digital data.
SMARTbox – made by PSsystec.