The Client
Rotarex SRG is the LPG-focused division of Rotarex S.A., a global manufacturer of gas control products and systems, based in Luxembourg. Over the years, the company has introduced several technologies that have shaped LPG safety and handling, including clip-on valves, regulators, and overfill protection devices.
As the industry moves towards connected products, Rotarex developed an Electronic Level Gauge (ELG), a digital sensor that accurately measures the gas level inside cylinders and tanks. Octoco partnered with Rotarex to build the connected software ecosystem that transforms those sensor readings into useful information for customers, technicians, and suppliers.
The Problem
For decades, LPG cylinders have relied on mechanical float gauges to estimate gas levels. While simple and widely used, the technology becomes increasingly unreliable as cylinders empty, particularly below around 20% capacity.
That uncertainty affects everyone involved. Consumers can't confidently tell how much gas remains, increasing the risk of running out unexpectedly. Suppliers often compensate by scheduling refills earlier than necessary, leading to unnecessary deliveries, higher transport costs, and less efficient fleet utilisation.
Rotarex developed the Electronic Level Gauge to solve the measurement problem. The remaining challenge was turning those accurate sensor readings into information that different users could easily access and act on.
The Thinking
An accurate sensor is only valuable if the information reaches the people who need it.
A supplier needs visibility across thousands of cylinders & tanks to plan deliveries efficiently. A technician needs a clear list of service requests. A homeowner wants to quickly check the gas level and request a refill before running out.
Rather than building a single application, the solution became a connected ecosystem where every platform serves a different audience while sharing the same underlying data.
The platform also needed to support global deployment. Different regions have different user behaviours and infrastructure, so local requirements had to be considered from the outset. For example, in many African markets, customers are more likely to register using a mobile number than an email address, making phone-based onboarding an important part of the user experience.
Octoco's involvement began with a proof of concept to validate both the technical approach and the user experience. Once the concept was proven, the platform was expanded into a production-ready ecosystem capable of supporting customers across multiple countries.
The Build
Starting from the validated proof of concept, Octoco built a connected software ecosystem around Rotarex's Electronic Level Gauge.
The sensor periodically broadcasts its latest gas-level reading using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Whenever a nearby smartphone or tablet running the Rotarex Connect app comes within range, it securely relays the reading to the cloud. From there, the latest data becomes available across the connected platform for customers, technicians, and suppliers.
The solution includes several integrated components:
- Rotarex Connect, the mobile application used by both customers and technicians. Customers can monitor gas levels, receive low-level notifications, book refills, exchanges or maintenance, and track service updates. Technicians receive and manage service requests generated through the platform, including installations, calibrations, and routine maintenance during setup and ongoing servicing.
- The supplier platform provides gas suppliers with visibility across their entire asset (connected cylinders and tanks) and customer base. Live gas levels, device status, and notifications help suppliers prioritise deliveries based on actual demand rather than fixed schedules, while map-based planning improves route efficiency.
- A shared cloud platform keeps data synchronised across every application, ensuring customers, technicians, and suppliers are always working from the latest available information.
The Expertise
Rotarex brought decades of expertise in gas control systems and developed the Electronic Level Gauge hardware and firmware. Octoco's role was to build the software ecosystem around it, transforming sensor readings into meaningful information across mobile, web, and cloud platforms.
The project demonstrates Octoco's ability to bridge specialist hardware with scalable software, bringing together cloud infrastructure, mobile applications, user experience, and system integration into a single connected product.
The Result
Today, the Electronic Level Gauge is supported by a connected software platform that gives every stakeholder access to the information they need, wherever they are.
Customers can monitor gas levels in real time and manage refills, exchanges, and maintenance from a single mobile app. Technicians receive and manage service requests digitally, while suppliers can monitor connected cylinders, coordinate deliveries, and plan operations based on actual demand rather than estimates.
The result is a more connected approach to LPG management, giving users greater visibility while helping suppliers operate more efficiently.