KLATU Networks

KLATU Networks, Inc. offers a predictive monitoring system for laboratory equipment, targeting the life sciences sector. Founded in 2006 by Rick Kriss and Peter Larsson, the company operates from Poulsbo, Washington, and San Diego, California. CEO Rick Kriss brings over 25 years of experience in IT networks and a decade in cold chain applications, having previously received a Frost and Sullivan award for Most Innovative Product of the Year in wireless sensor application frameworks. Peter Larsson, VP of Field Operations, has a background in biochemistry and over 20 years of experience in wireless sensor networking. The founding team also includes CTO Chris Exline, a software developer with over two decades of experience, and Dan Simpson.

The company develops and provides Wi-Fi-based Internet of Things (IoT) devices and analytical software to monitor critical cold-storage equipment. Its core offering, the TRAXX EKG system, is a wireless sensor network that provides predictive failure analytics for equipment like ultra-low temperature freezers and refrigerators. This system moves beyond traditional temperature monitoring by analyzing sensor data to predict equipment failures before they happen, a methodology the company calls "Predict-and-Prevent". This approach helps clients avoid catastrophic losses of valuable biological materials, such as vaccines, stem cells, and cancer therapies, which can be worth millions of dollars per freezer. The TRAXX system uses proprietary analytics, including a health score called TRAXXScore™, to identify equipment stress and underperformance. By detecting issues early, customers can reduce repair costs by an average of 30%, decrease energy consumption by 20%, and extend the life of their assets by an average of two years.

KLATU Networks serves a client base that includes eight of the top ten largest life science companies, as well as university research labs, pharmaceutical firms, hospitals, and clinical trial organizations. The business model combines product revenue from its TRAXX system and its lower-cost, Raspberry Pi-based "PiPer" Mote sensors, with strategic software development for original equipment manufacturing (OEM) partners. The company has secured $760,000 in funding over three seed rounds to support its growth.

Keywords: predictive maintenance, laboratory equipment monitoring, cold chain management, IoT sensors, life sciences, wireless sensor network, freezer failure prediction, asset management, TRAXX EKG, biotechnology, pharmaceutical storage, condition-based maintenance, equipment health monitoring, risk management, energy savings, operational efficiency, cold storage solutions, biopharma, research labs, preventive analytics