Sensing System

A sensing system for sensing operational parameters of equipment is described. The sensing system comprises: a plurality of intelligent mounting points, a plurality of sensors, each coupled to a respective mounting point, and a data harvester coupled to the plurality of sensors. Each intelligent mounting point is located at a position on the equipment at which a measurement is to be recorded, and includes at least one equipment identification parameter and at least one sensing point parameter. The data harvester comprises: (i) a wireless transceiver for communicating with the plurality of sensors and a portable device, (ii) a network connection for communicating with a local computer coupled to a distributed control system, (iii) a memory for storing data captured by the sensors, and (iv) a processor operable to control the operation of the data harvester.