Jun 22, 2017The following are news announcements made during the past week at IoTJournal.com. Additional announcements will be posted tomorrow.
PRESS RELEASE:
Actility Partners With Octonion to Accelerate Industrialization of LoRaWAN IoT Projects, and With IoTCAN to Rollout Nationwide IoT Connectivity Network in Canada
Actility, the global leader in LPWA networks for the IoT is pleased to announce a partnership with Octonion, the end-to-end IoT software platform. Octonion will join the ThingPark ecosystem, providing its platform to IoT developers and clients, accelerating time to market by up to four times.
For the IoT to deliver on its potential, there is a clear demand for tools to enable the easy and swift delivery of IoT solutions. The Actility/Octonion solution meets those requirements with a modular approach, delivering fast time-to-market, and focusing on the user experience.
The Octonion platform is comprehensive and unique in today's market, managing the end to end experience from the device or sensor, to the gateway, to cloud-based frameworks. Because each layer of the platform is device-agnostic and compatible with any hosting solution, it allows customers to address any vertical or horizontal use-case, developing and operating their own IoT solution.
Octonion's expertise allows clients to deploy a connected project in 6 months, as opposed to the 18 to 24 months currently needed with most other IoT platforms. The Octonion platform has a track record of quickly delivering big projects to big-brand names such as Everlast, Babolat, and Rossignol. Today, the Octonion platform already manages millions of sport data points. From today, Actility's clients can also benefit from that expertise.
Today, most LoRaWAN projects are currently focused on machine-to-cloud scenarios without human interaction. Octonion brings a user-centric perspective—in the design of interfaces that provide an unparalleled experience to the end-user on various platforms (iOS, Android, Tablet, PC…).
Mike Mulica, Actility's CEO, comments "Actility is thrilled to be collaborating with Octonion to provide developers with a flexible and modular IoT framework that enables them to build the IoT solution they need. Thanks to its user-centric approach, the Octonion platform will enhance Actility's total value proposition."
Octonion is joining the ThingPark program, the one-stop-shop for any IoT deployment. Developers within the ThingPark ecosystem can take full ownership of their projects and will be able to use the Octonion massively speed up the deployment time of their IoT projects."
Actility has also announced they have launched a LoRaWAN network covering the Greater Toronto area. This is first step in the rollout of a national IoT network in Canada.
IoTCAN is working with several key partners provide carrier-grade fully integrated customizable solutions, encompassing different elements of the IoT value chain in the LPWAN segment, including devices, network and application layers. Actility's contribution is the ThingPark IoT technology platform and experience in nationwide LPWAN deployments globally. IoTCAN expects to have expanded to more than 300 sites by the year-end, covering major metropolitan and industrial areas in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia.
Ossama Bessada, Co-CEO of IoTCAN commented: "We are happy to partner with Actility who is the worldwide leader in the domain. Actility is able to provide us with a platform that would enable us to offer our different solutions whether for smart cities or others at a carrier-grade level of service. The breakthrough capability of tracking devices with low power consumption is also a solution which we look forward to bringing into the Canadian marketplace"
"We're excited to be working with an innovative IoT solution provider like IoTCAN on another national-scale LPWAN deployment, "adds Actility CEO Mike Mulica. "With over half of all national and large scale LoRaWAN roll-outs selecting ThingPark to power their networks, it's the platform of choice for carrier-grade solutions. And with this announcement following closely on from the LoRa Alliance All-Members Meeting hosted in Philadelphia this week, it's clear that LoRaWAN is now taking off in North America on a large scale as the best communication solution for industrial IoT applications."
PRESS RELEASE:
Kerlink, myDevices Integrate Technologies to Launch IoT Applications, Services
Kerlink, a specialist and global leader in network solutions dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT), and myDevices, the IoT solutions company that "simplifies the connected world", has announced they are integrating their complementary technologies to accelerate design and launch of IoT smart applications and services.
The two companies are integrating application programming interfaces (APIs) included in Kerlink's core network-management platform, Wanesy RAN (Radio Access Network), and its lighter embedded version, Wanesy SPN (Small Private Network), in myDevices' Cayenne IoT Project Builder, a drag-and-drop application-enablement platform. Because Kerlink stations are pre-registered and its core network solutions are already part of this integration, it will be immediately easier for customers to use the Cayenne platform to design services and applications, and quickly experience the quality and flexibility of Kerlink's network solutions.
This collaboration enables IoT users, service providers and application designers to easily create an account on the Cayenne platform, select the LoRaWANTM protocol, and choose and connect pre-approved end points, or devices, such as sensors, actuators or trackers. The partnership also enables faster integration of LoRaWANTM connected devices in key vertical markets from the LoRa AllianceTM catalog. New sensors and other devices will be validated when integrated with Cayenne, and pre-configuration and pre-testing of Wirnet base stations will further accelerate the design of connected services and applications.
The agreement also increases flexibility in integrating existing or new Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) networks using Kerlink stations and Kerlink's Wanesy RAN or Wanesy SPN platforms.
"Integrating Kerlink products and services with myDevices' application-enablement platform provides comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for rapidly deploying large, smart-city or site-specific IoT networks with pre-tested devices, and running vertical value-added services," said Yannick Delibie, CEO of Kerlink's U.S. subsidiary, Kerlink Inc. "Our collaboration, which alsohighlights how Kerlink's solutions portfolio complements key IoT technologies like Cayenne, will dramatically reduce both the application-design effort and time to market for users of the LoRaWANTM protocol."
"With our IoT Ready Program, developers can mix and match sensors, gateways and other devices from our extensive catalog, then take advantage of the connectivity provided by Kerlink," said Kevin Bromber, CEO of myDevices. "So this collaboration between myDevices and Kerlink means IoT network end points can immediately begin collecting and transmitting data that can be directly exploited and displayed in the Cayenne user interface. Working with industry leaders such as Kerlink underscores the collaboration among partners in the LoRaWANTM ecosystem and furthers our mutual goal of accelerating the development and deployment of innovative IoT solutions."
Kerlink, a fast-growing, publicly traded company that recently created a Chicago-based U.S. subsidiary, has performed more than 70,000 IoT installations for more than 260 clients in Europe and Asia. Its IoT equipment, software and services are helping to fuel the rapid, worldwide adoption of the IoT via the LoRaWANTM technology, which provides the cost-savings and energy-efficiency features required for connecting billions of IoT devices.
Based in Los Angeles, myDevices develops technology that allows businesses to quickly design, prototype and commercialize IoT solutions. myDevices' Cayenne IoT Project Builder is becoming the industry standard for creating and delivering finished IoT solutions.
Kerlink and myDevices, which are in Philadelphia for the 8th LoRa AllianceTM All Members Meeting (Americas), are founding board members of the LoRa AllianceTM.
PRESS RELEASE:
Senet Announces Availability of Managed Network Services for Global Communication Service Providers
Senet, the first and fastest growing North American provider of public, low-power, wide-area networks (LPWANs) for long-range Internet of Things (IoT) applications supporting the LoRaWAN protocol, has announced a comprehensive portfolio of cloud-based Managed Network Services for IoT that enable Communication Service Providers (CSP) to deploy LoRaWAN services on their physical assets, supervise the network infrastructure, manage connectivity and control roles and access rights within a reliable and scalable solution.
Faced with unprecedented change, Communication Service Providers are adopting next generation OSS (Operations Support System) and BSS (Business Support System) solutions to support new business frameworks associated with the Cloud, IoT networks and data at scale. For CSPs wanting to gain first mover advantage in the high growth LPWAN market, Senet Managed Network Services for IoT support the turnkey addition of LoRaWAN connectivity to existing service offerings at disruptive price points and with carrier-grade scalability and security at its core.
"As the commercial deployment of gateways scale to the tens of thousands and end device counts reach the millions, the infrastructure costs associated with providing IoT network services become more critical," said Bruce Chatterley, CEO & President at Senet. "Beginning in early 2015, Senet invested in developing its OSS as a means to create the perfect balance between scalability, functionality and cost. The Senet OSS is now managing one of the largest LoRaWAN networks in the world and provides our carrier partners with the opportunity to create new revenue streams and speed LPWAN commercialization world-wide."
Key elements of Senet's Managed Network Services for IoT include operational Support System (OSS); managed cloud based network controller for centralized device control and reporting; radio access network management for gateway management and RF management for end devices; network maintenance operations, including monitoring, alarming, troubleshooting, and RF reporting; a network provider management portal; multi-role application/customer management; application onboarding; application controllers and security controller with data aggregation services, visualization tools, and bi-directional REST streaming APIs; provider branding options; a business support system (BSS); billing support, including custom integration to ERP systems; and an application provider portal for end Device onboarding, integrated device tracking, and application-specific network mapping and system health tools.
Senet is unique among IoT connectivity providers, in that it has extensive experience in operating low-power, wide-area networks as well as the technical expertise to create the critical core technologies required to provide the optimal solution with the best cost structure for long term competitiveness.
If you are a Communication Service Provider interested in adding LoRaWAN connectivity to your offering and accelerating the commercialization of LoRaWAN applications and devices through an open partner and developer ecosystem, please contact Senet at sales@senetco.com or +1-603-272-6805.
PRESS RELEASE:
Arrow Electronics, Infineon Showcase IoT Solutions in Vietnam
Arrow Electronics, Inc., has announced that it will co-host a seminar and an exhibition with Infineon Technologies, a world leader in semiconductor solutions, to showcase the latest IoT solutions at Saigon Innovation Hub, on 13th June in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The collaboration aims to provide a platform for Vietnamese technology and engineering experts to exchange insights and accelerate the nation's IoT development by adopting cutting-edge intelligent sensing technology, latest security solutions for IoT and smart drone solutions provided by Arrow.
As one of the fastest-growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region, Vietnam is ranked as a tier 1 emerging market location for IT offshore services by Gartner. The country is rapidly beefing up its ICT sector following the government's latest pledge to invest US$ 111.6 million in the ICT sector by 2020 in a bid to capitalize massive opportunities brought by IoT.
The Arrow x Infineon seminar and exhibition comes at the right time to provide an opportunity for industry experts and manufacturers to gain insights about the latest IoT technology and security innovations. During the seminar, technology and engineering experts from Arrow and Infineon will shed light on the latest trends and security requirements in emerging IoT applications. At the exhibition area, participants will have the chance to understand a full range of intelligent solutions and products such as smart drone solutions; IoT applications powered by radar-based sensing technology; smart city and smart home solutions; and intelligent systems with pressure and temperature sensors.
Also on exhibit will be the Arrow-built Dragonboard 410c—an all-inclusive gateway featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Compatible with Microsoft Azure IoT Suite and IBM's Watson IoT Platform, and bundled with Amazon's IoT Software Development Kit, this credit card-sized kit makes data processing much quicker and easier for embedded developer communities, makers and hobbyists to develop product prototypes for IoT applications.
"Robust security system in the trusted computing and networked environment has to be in the forefront of today's ICT investment decisions focusing on IoT deployment," said Goh Say Yeow, vice president Chip Card & Security Division at Infineon Technologies. "With our joint collaborations, we showcase our deep knowledge and expertise in embedded security, intelligent solutions and sensing technologies and equip local engineers, system integrators, and technology manufacturers, with the best-in-class solutions to unlock the infinite IoT potentials."
"We are excited to see Vietnam is stepping up investment in developing the country's IoT ecosystem, " said Natarajan MM, vice president of sales, South Asia for Arrow's Asia-Pacific components business. "With our holistic IoT approach and expertise—everything from electronics hardware, sensors and product design to connectivity, data analytics and even secure, sustainable end-of-life asset retirement, we look forward to working with Vietnamese IoT innovators and technology manufacturers, engineers in advancing the nation's technology capabilities in adopting IoT technologies."
PRESS RELEASE:
Pernod Ricard Appoints Global Internet of Things Agency
Pernod Ricard has announced SharpEnd, the world's first agency dedicated to helping consumer brands embrace the Internet of Things, as a global agency partner. This is the first time an FMCG company has appointed an Internet of Things agency.
The new appointment will see SharpEnd tasked with helping to direct the group's focus with a series of more centrally-developed initiatives. From implementing IoT in activation processes, to initiating global IoT product partnerships and overseeing some of the platforms and services.
The move helps to cement Pernod Ricard's position as a drinks brand owner leading the way in technology innovation to enhance consumer experiences. The partnership also represents how far SharpEnd has come in carving out a new segment within the marketing industry.
SharpEnd began working with Pernod Ricard via The Absolut Company, delivering projects such as the largest global trial of NFC (Near-field communication) with Malibu, before also supporting Irish Distillers on their Limited Edition Jameson bottle for 2017. A key goal for the partnership with SharpEnd is to scale the processes, partnerships and learning's that emerge from innovative new trials of technology.
Antonia McCahon, Global Digital Acceleration Director, Pernod Ricard, speaking on the announcement: "Pernod Ricard wants to be a catalyst for great moments of conviviality and we are seeing how new technologies, such as the Internet of Things, can be key here. Our partnership with SharpEnd is focused on looking at how we augment these moments for consumers, and ensure our brands stay ahead of the curve through great consumer experience."
Cameron Worth, founder of SharpEnd, the UK's first Internet of Things agency, comments: "The escalation to becoming a global innovation partner focused on the IoT further validates the need for brands to work with specialist agencies in this field. Demonstrating our value proposition firstly with The Absolut Company, and then gradually working across more projects, brands and markets to now working at a global level is a real success for us here at SharpEnd.
"Much like when digital, social and mobile all landed there was a defined need for specialist agencies and this first of its kind partnership between an IoT agency and a leading consumer brand owner is a sign of things to come."
PRESS RELEASE:
Retriever Communications Commissions Study With UTS to Examine Use of IIoT Technology in Field Services
Retriever Communications, a global provider of mobile automation solutions for enterprises in the industrial space, announced today that it has sponsored a program of work over the next two years with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to gain deeper insights into the actions and preferences of field technicians when working with emerging technologies. The study will rely heavily on real-world observations and in-depth interviews to assess the use of innovative technology and its effectiveness and efficiency in a natural workflow.
Over the course of the next 24 months, the researchers will work with industrial and manufacturing companies to examine technology use in two key areas:
User experience: the fundamental research question is whether new technologies improve field user productivity, or are they immature and an encumbrance? For example, what is the impact of using voice technology as a replacement for data capture within specific points of a jobs workflow and how does augmented reality assist in problem resolution?
Industrial Internet of things: it is already established that better data allows better decisions to be made. This area of investigation will be how to best integrate and present data from machines, such as air conditioning meters, for the best end user acceptance in an industrial setting. Additionally, the study will question a current market discussion regarding centralizing experience and down-grading field skills to a purely operative level assisted by AR and remote instruction -- is such an approach workable or rather will it have a negative effect on either productivity or quality?
Like the 2016 heuristics study on mobile applications, the research will be led by Assoc. Prof. Andrew Johnston who states, "we have a strong, practice-focused team in interaction design here at UTS and we are very pleased to continue our successful collaboration with Retriever Communications in this second project. We're looking forward to exploring the use of new technologies in real-world contexts, mapping out their strengths and weaknesses, and considering how they can best be used to improve the experiences of mobile field workers in the future."
With this study, UTS will take a deeper look at how new technologies will impact field worker practice and the future practices of the industrial enterprise. The first publication is expected by Q4 2017.
"With the exciting emergence of new technologies, the fundamental question in our industry segment has become how they can be used effectively by field staff," said Mary Brittain-White, CEO of Retriever Communications. "History has demonstrated that the best technologies are completely ineffective if not designed centric to the field worker. This is more important than ever, as field staff serve as the front line of communication with customers in a world where differentiation is hard to achieve."
