The following are news announcements made this week:
PRESS RELEASE:
PrismTech Launches Connectivity Framework for Multi-Protocol Industrial IoT Systems
PrismTech, a global leader in software platforms for distributed systems, has announced the commercial release of Vortex Edge Connect, a scalable and extensible framework for connecting different endpoint technologies together in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industrie 4.0 systems. Vortex Edge Connect enables data interoperability and connectivity between industrial data sources and applications independent of whether they are deployed on local edge networks close to machines or in the cloud.
IIoT systems represent a major convergence between the Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) worlds. Both domains have traditionally deployed technologies specific to their own use-cases with little need for seamless integration between the underlying infrastructures. With the advent of IIoT and Industrie 4.0 the boundaries between OT and IT systems has become blurred. For companies to leverage the benefits from the plethora of new data generated by connected assets, information must be able to flow seamlessly and very often in real-time to wherever in a system the analytics is deployed, either at the edge of a system or in the cloud.
One of the key challenges facing the IIoT community is how to connect operational or field systems that use a broad and extensive catalog of communication technologies with higher level IIoT systems where the protocols are completely different.
PrismTech’s new Vortex Edge Connect has been developed to address this need. Vortex Edge Connect enables data from operational systems to be ingested by IIoT edge nodes (e.g. IoT Gateway or Fog Node), converted into a normalized in-memory data model which can then be shared with other communication endpoints via the framework. Data integration is achieved via a set of protocol specific connectors that interact and populate the data model with real-time data.
Industrial devices including PLCs, PAC, RTUs, DAQs or sensors/actuators using a range of OT protocols can share and receive data with industrial (e.g. MES, SCADA, Predictive Maintenance) and enterprise (e.g. ERP, Big Data Analytics, Storage) applications using a different set of communications standards and deployed at various levels within an end-to-end-IIoT system.
Vortex Edge Connect provides a set of out-of-the-box connectors to common OT protocols such as Modbus (TCP/IP and RTU), CANopen, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP and core IoT data-backbone protocols such as MQTT, DDS and HTPP/REST. Each connector is purchased separately and additional protocol connectors will be added over time as the product is rolled out. To request connector support for a specific protocol, please contact PrismTech.
Vortex Edge Connect is highly scalable and can support 1-1, 1-many, many-1 or many-many data connection models. Vortex Edge Connect is an operating system independent framework that is available for both Linux and Windows (second half 2017) platforms.
Vortex Edge Connect is part of the Vortex Edge family of IIoT platform solutions and enabling technologies designed and optimized to support the demanding requirements of industrial applications by connecting machines, advanced analytics and people to create more effective operations and better business outcomes.
“Integrating OT and IT infrastructure in an end-to-end IIoT system is currently an area of major cost and has been a significant roadblock to IIoT adoption. Vortex Edge Connect will enable the IIoT community to address this challenge in a much more efficient, cost-effective and scalable way,” said Simon Collins, Senior Product Manager, PrismTech.
PRESS RELEASE:
Siren Marine, Vodafone Partner on Global Connectivity IoT Solution for Boaters
Vodafone has announced it is working with Connected Boat pioneer Siren Marine to bring reliable, global Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities to vessels all over the world. Using Vodafone’s global IoT SIM, Siren Marine’s next-generation connected boat products will provide private boat owners, fleet managers and boat manufacturers with remote access to vital information about their boats, ensuring peace of mind and a better boating experience.
With IoT connectivity from Vodafone, Siren Marine’s new MT, MTC and MTC-Pro models will provide boaters the ability to monitor, track, control and secure their boats no matter where they are in the world, eliminating worry and enhancing the boat ownership experience. By installing a Siren Marine MTC system on board and accessing the Siren Marine app, users can monitor critical information such as battery voltage, temperature, water levels and position monitoring with geofence tracking. Siren Marine users receive instant alerts via smartphone, tablet or computer if a critical event occurs, such as unauthorized entry or water leakage into the boat’s bilge. Users can also remotely control onboard accessories, including spreader lights, remote battery switches, climate control systems and manual bilge pumps; as well as track the exact location and movement of the vessel.
Siren Marine’s next-generation 3G and LTE devices will introduce enhanced connectivity with Vodafone’s IoT capabilities. In addition to providing a reliable, secure connection, the technology will allow boaters to travel seamlessly from country to country, without the need to switch SIMs. Vodafone’s global network will allow Siren Marine to expand internationally, as well as play an important role in bringing this technology to all segments of the marine industry.
“Siren Marine products provide boaters around the world with the peace of mind that their boats are always secure and ready to go,” said Capt. Daniel A. Harper, founder and CEO of Siren Marine. “With Vodafone’s global IoT capabilities and expertise in the IoT space, we are able to offer our customers the best coverage and most reliable service, resulting in the best possible boating experience.”
“The Internet of Things is making a major impact in all areas of the transportation industry, from boats, to cars, to motorcycles,” said Vodafone Americas President Andrew Morawski. “IoT is revolutionizing the way we travel and helping to bring the marine industry into the future.”
Siren Marine’s suite of next-generation products will launch in June with the MTC model, followed by the MT and MTC-Pro model releases later this year.
PRESS RELEASE:
Inmarsat Enables Students in Rwanda to Harness Internet of Things
Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has announced the commencement of its Smart Cities Education Programme, a range of initiatives designed to educate and empower the next generation of students and entrepreneurs in Africa. The programme, which has been launched initially in Rwanda but will be replicated in other countries in the continent, aims to accelerate the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city solutions, providing the foundations for a more sustainable future.
Coinciding with Smart Africa’s Transform Africa Summit 2017, the program will expose young Rwandans to the transformational capabilities of IoT. It will include a three-month student internship, an IoT boot camp for students and entrepreneurs, and a partnership with the winner of Rwanda’s 2016 Ms Geek competition. In addition to providing knowledge, mentoring and coaching, Inmarsat and Actility have deployed LoRaWAN infrastructure around the city of Kigali for an initial period of a year, which will provide an IoT network for students to explore ideas and enable them to deploy their innovative ideas in the a real-life environment.
Inmarsat is mentoring Rosine Mwiseneza, the winner of Ms Geek 2016 – an annual competition designed to inspire female university students to employ technology to overcome issues faced by Rwandans. Specifically, Inmarsat is collaborating with Rosine and her team to implement a prototype IoT-based agricultural irrigation solution for potential commercialization. The goal is to create a scalable solution that can be used across Rwanda as well as Africa and the rest of the world, thanks to Inmarsat’s global networks.
Paul Gudonis, President, Inmarsat Enterprise, commented: “These types of initiatives are about overcoming the challenges Rwanda faces by providing students and the next generation of entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to create a more sustainable future. Equipping students with the means to experiment with precision farming techniques has the potential to completely rewrite agriculture as Rwanda knows it. But beyond that, we want to expose students to the art of the possible and get them thinking about how IoT can drive innovation across all sectors. I expect we’ll see students imagining new and novel IoT solutions, many of which we may not have even considered yet.”
Inmarsat is also offering a three-month internship to one student from the Carnegie Mellon University’s campus in Kigali. The selected student will learn about the importance of satellite communications in the IoT ecosystem and will work with the Ministry of Youth and ICT to initiate some early IoT deployments. The intern will be responsible for managing the network, the application layer and the sensors involved in these deployments.
Additionally, Inmarsat will host an IoT developer boot camp, along with FabLab, IoT networking partner Actility and ICT Chamber. The boot camp will take entrepreneurs, developers and students through a complete IoT journey, which will demonstrate how to build sensors, how to collect and analyse the data, the applications involved and how to build them, along with an exploration of different agricultural and environmental use cases.
PRESS RELEASE:
PTC Expands Industrial IoT Offerings
PTC (NASDAQ:PTC) has announced from LiveWorx17 the newest version of its ThingWorxIndustrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform – ThingWorx 8. With this update, ThingWorx evolves into a more robust, comprehensive Industrial IoT technology offering for businesses looking to accelerate Industrial IoT value. ThingWorx 8 features enhanced platform capabilities, role-specific applications for engineering and manufacturing, a substantial ecosystem of partners and customers, more expansive educational programs, and a new collection of service offerings designed for Industrial IoT customers and partners. ThingWorx 8 will be commercially available on June 8, 2017.
ThingWorx is one of the fastest, most complete ways for Industrial IoT solution builders to unlock the value of the convergence between the physical and digital worlds. ThingWorx has grown alongside the Industrial IoT market, becoming one of the most widely-used and trusted ways for companies to leverage the Industrial IoT to create smart, connected operations, products, and solutions.
“We have been committed to making ThingWorx the most complete, effective platform for companies to quickly and easily tap into the value of the Industrial IoT,” said Kathleen Mitford, executive vice president, Product and Market Strategy, PTC. “With ThingWorx 8, we are taking ThingWorx beyond its core platform capabilities with new role-based apps for manufacturing. The combination of our market-leading Industrial IoT platform and these new apps are specifically designed to quickly deliver value to companies investing in the Industrial IoT.”
The ThingWorx Platform delivers the functionality, flexibility, and agility that companies need to quickly develop and deploy Industrial IoT apps and cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) experiences. This includes industrial connectivity, analytics, application enablement, orchestration, and codeless AR experience authoring.
“The combination of the ThingWorx IoT ecosystem and our existing production systems offers us the connectivity and detailed analytics to rapidly visualize our operations, enabling further productivity and quality improvement,” said Justin Hester, senior researcher, HIROTEC Corporation. “ThingWorx complements HIROTEC’s expertise in world-class manufacturing, as opposed to forcing HIROTEC to adapt to ThingWorx.”
With ThingWorx 8, the ThingWorx Platform now offers such native platform functionality as industrial connectivity, anomaly detection, and deeper cloud support for leading cloud providers. New features found in ThingWorx 8 have been specifically designed to further the platform’s ability to make the development, deployment, and extension of Industrial IoT applications quick and easy.
In addition to these capabilities, ThingWorx Studio now supports native authoring and publishing of AR experiences for Microsoft HoloLens. ThingWorx Studio is a codeless authoring environment that enables content creators to quickly create, deploy, and consume AR experiences. With ThingWorx Studio in ThingWorx 8, content creators and developers can use the codeless AR development capabilities of ThingWorx Studio to quickly create clear, compelling experiences for the Microsoft HoloLens.
Building off of the success of the ThingWorx Navigate app, PTC is introducing a new lineup of apps for manufacturing that make it easier for companies to realize value and benefit from greater agility in their operations. The ThingWorx manufacturing apps are fast to deploy, offer role-based intelligence for proactive, faster decision making, allow for codeless app extensibility for continued innovation, and can be downloaded for free and deployed in production in under one hour. The ThingWorx manufacturing apps consist of: ThingWorx Controls Advisor – remotely monitor and troubleshoot machine connectivity; ThingWorx Asset Advisor – remotely monitor physical assets in real-time, automatically detect anomalies, and trigger alerts to improve efficiency and quality; and ThingWorx Production Advisor – provide real-time visibility and insight into production line performance and status.
PTC is committed to the success of the companies choosing ThingWorx. As part of the ThingWorx 8 release, PTC Customer Success has introduced new services, available now, to help companies onboard and rapidly deploy ThingWorx. These services are part of the Customer Success organization’s comprehensive portfolio of advisory, implementation, adoption, support, and success management services to accelerate value from ThingWorx.
PRESS RELEASE:
Ayla Networks Upgrades IoT Platform Service for Business Intelligence
Ayla Networks, a global Internet of Things (IoT) platform for manufacturers, has announced Ayla Insights 2.0, an upgrade to its value-added IoT platform service that delivers accessible, affordable IoT data analytics and business intelligence to manufacturers of connected products. Insights 2.0 adds features that make it easier to track and analyze the distribution and usage of IoT products throughout their complete lifecycle.
“Insights 2.0 supports the next logical stage of our manufacturer customers’ IoT business journey: replacing guesswork with accurate data about IoT product usage in the real world,” said David Friedman, CEO and co-founder of Ayla Networks. “By providing more detailed and flexible filtering, reporting and analysis features, Insights 2.0 helps manufacturers make the evidence-based decisions that can improve their connected-product development and deployment.”
The Ayla Insights business intelligence and analytics platform is fully integrated into the comprehensive Ayla IoT platform, which provides the IoT technology for smart home and other connected products including major appliances, door locks, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) equipment, water heaters and softeners, home security and smoke detection, ceiling fans, baby monitors, coffee makers, lighting and more. Manufacturers can use Ayla Insights to boost customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, improve supply chain efficiencies, generate new revenue streams and increase return on investment (ROI).
The Insights IoT data platform completes the feedback loop for manufacturers, delivering actionable IoT data that can improve all phases of the product lifecycle, including development, testing, production, and warranty and support. Manufacturers’ ability to offer tangible product and support benefits helps make consumers more likely to want to share the IoT data from their smart home and other connected products.
“Data can be used as an alternative currency in the IoT, and consumers are willing to exchange that data for support,” said Patrice Samuels, senior research analyst, Parks Associates. “Twenty-seven percent of U.S. broadband households are willing to share their smart product data to help with product warranty registration and to receive more information on the extent of their warranty coverage. In addition, 26% will share their data for product updates or improvements.”
The new features of Ayla Insights 2.0 are designed to speed and simplify manufacturers’ ability to gain a more complete picture of what happens to their connected products once they leave the manufacturers’ facilities. The new features include:
Geographic distribution allows manufacturers to see where their connected products are distributed geographically—by country, state/province/prefecture, etc.—to track brand presence in specific regions and determine where investments might increase that presence.
Advanced filters, drill-down and reporting capabilities—sorted and analyzed by product models, device properties, software version, date ranges and other parameters—help manufacturers understand device and usage patterns at a more granular level.
Datapoint analysis helps manufacturers understand and analyze which properties of their connected products are used most commonly and which ones are used the least, so they can better prioritize the design of future IoT products, pinpoint opportunities for new capabilities and enhance the value of their products for end users.
Flexible report views, bookmarks and report notification options save time and allow for greater customization in how manufacturers work with Ayla Insights.
Transaction/API analysis reveals how often manufacturers’ IoT products are communicating with the Ayla cloud—per day, week, month or year.
Key performance indicator (KPI) reports on connected product deployment allow manufacturers to measure the success of their IoT product strategy and to learn where to focus improvements.
Ayla Insights 2.0 delivers a cohesive set of analytics tools that operate throughout the product lifecycle, building on each other when used in combination. All the Insights tools feed from a single data pipeline via the Ayla cloud to provide consistency and coordination of data analytics.
For example, manufacturers can use Ayla Insights during the product development phase to get a connected product working according to the design specifications; during field trials to verify that the connected product works to spec; and during production to maintain deployment and to identify areas of improvement for future product iterations, based on real-world usage data.
In this way, Ayla Insights creates a feedback loop that allows manufacturers to iterate more quickly to improve product designs; offer diversified warranty services; and establish new revenue streams based on predictive support and maintenance, value-added features and services, or novel services delivered in conjunction with third-party providers of IoT-based services.
Ayla Insights 2.0 will be generally available late in the third quarter of 2017 as a value-added extension to the Ayla IoT platform.
PRESS RELEASE:
Eaton Adds Lighting Expertise to Georgia Tech’s Internet of Things Research Center
Power management company Eaton has announced it joined the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for the Development and Application of Internet of Things Technologies (CDAIT), an Atlanta-based research center dedicated to developing and applying Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. As a member company with a Lighting Division based in the Atlanta area, Eaton provides Georgia Tech students and faculty with lighting expertise and hands-on training to help support research that further enables transformational IoT technologies.
In recent years, the IoT has emerged as a new frontier that promises to reshape how people, data and devices interact. The increasing interconnectivity created by the combination of the internet, mobile devices, embedded sensors, data analytics and cloud computing has opened new avenues for technological innovation.
“IoT systems are laying the groundwork for smart, connected buildings, communities and homes, and lighting is a key factor in the enablement and adoption of these technologies,” said Parth Joshi, chief technology officer and vice president, Engineering, Eaton’s Lighting Division. “Working with the students and faculty at Georgia Tech’s CDAIT, we look forward to expanding our research into the many possibilities of IoT-enabled devices while helping find new ways to apply them to serve the needs of businesses, governments and consumers.”
Eaton’s CDAIT membership is part of a broader commitment to developing and implementing IoT-connected applications that improve efficiency through controls and data. The new Connected Lighting Classroom at Eaton’s SOURCE Lighting Education Center near Atlanta features in-depth training and hands-on demonstrations to educate lighting specifiers, architects, engineers, electrical contractors, builders and university students about IoT-connected lighting solutions.
“CDAIT is working to effectively and efficiently unite the many pieces of the IoT puzzle, from sensing and actuating technology to information extraction,” said Alain Louchez, managing director of CDAIT. “By bringing Eaton’s experts together with our students and faculty, we will increase our understanding of the role lighting plays in IoT connectivity while expanding, educating and energizing the market around the unique capabilities of IoT applications.”
A key element in this developing relationship is Eaton’s engineering office in Midtown Atlanta, which will enable a direct connection to the Georgia Tech campus and the talented, aspiring engineers driving innovation in lighting.
“We are extremely pleased and honored to welcome a distinguished company such as Eaton to the Executive Advisory Board (‘the Board”) of CDAIT to advise and guide CDAIT’s direction,” added Jeff Evans, Chairman of the CDAIT Board.
PRESS RELEASE:
Kerlink Taps Mahoney Lyle to Build Its Global Identity as Internet of Things Provider
Mahoney Lyle, an international communications agency that specializes in building global identities for Internet of Things (IoT), telecom and microelectronics companies and other technology innovators, has announced it is creating and executing worldwide communication programs for Kerlink, the fast-growing pioneer of IoT solutions.
Kerlink (ALKLK – FR0013156007) provides equipment, software and services to telecom operators, smart cities and companies of all sizes worldwide that want to launch and operate IoT networks on LoRaWAN. The Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) network provides the cost-savings and energy-efficiency features required for rapid worldwide implementation of the Internet of Things.
Based in Thorigné-Fouillard, France, Kerlink is a founding member and board director of the LoRa Alliance. The company went public in 2016 and has achieved a compound average annual growth rate above 50 percent since 2013. Fiscal 2016 revenue nearly doubled vs. 2015.
Mahoney Lyle, which has specialized in communicating about the IoT since 2012, will partner with Kerlink to design and execute the company’s strategic communication and marketing programs across diverse platforms, such as public relations, analyst relations and social media, to support the company’s expansion in Europe, the U.S. and Asia Pacific.
“Mahoney Lyle early on established its expertise in delivering sophisticated and proactive Internet of Things press, analyst and media communications programs on the international stage,” said Stéphane Dejean, Kerlink’s chief marketing officer. “Their team offers Kerlink the experience, professional counsel and rapid response needed to support our ambitious international growth plans.”
“Kerlink, which reflects the vitality of France’s innovative tech sector, will accelerate implementation of the Internet of Things by telecoms, smart cities and individual companies, globally,” said Amélie Ravier, Mahoney Lyle’s director of PR and social media. “In addition to its innovative, proven IoT solutions, Kerlink is a powerful example of how technology entrepreneurs can create and quickly ramp up a company to meet industry needs worldwide.”
PRESS RELEASE:
Laird Intros Compact Solution for Industrial Rail
Considering space constraints of any rail locomotive as prime real estate, global technology leader Laird(LRD: London) is launching the Transport Locomotive Control Unit (LCU), a space-saving solution for industrial rail applications, the company has announced.
The new Transport LCU, which is now available for supply, is installed inside the locomotive and serves as the controlling system for remote, wireless control movement of a locomotive through a railyard and is designed as a small space, easy-install solution. The Transport LCU pairs with either the wearable Paddle or Toggle Operator Control Unit (OCU) regardless of the operator’s location in the yard.
“This really is an ideal solution for customers looking for an entry-level remote control throttle/brake system in their industrial yards where safety, size and cost are the primary concerns,” said Chris Cremer, director of sales for Laird Controls in North America.
There are several safety and productivity benefits associated with having remote control operation. To put it simply, remote control operation enables an operator to make safer decisions based on situational awareness that cannot be achieved from inside the cab of the locomotive.
The Transport LCU is noted for its compact, single-cabinet design that requires less space inside the locomotive; easy installation that reduces maintenance and downtime; is designed to allow fast troubleshooting; and, fewer maintenance and repair components for a lower total cost of ownership.
“We see customers needing the quality and features of the larger freight systems, in a smaller more purpose-driven solution specifically designed for moving materials from the freight system into the production facility,” Cremer added.
The new Transport LCU delivers the quality and performance that Laird is known for in rail and other markets around the globe. An industry leader in the design, manufacturing, installation and service of wireless automation and control solutions worldwide, Laird delivers a full range of cost-effective, reliable and robust communication and remote control components and products that enhance worker safety and operational efficiencies, and bolsters productivity in industrial and other sectors.
PRESS RELEASE:
Portnox Unveils SaaS Solution for Threat Prevention, Access Control
Portnox has announced Portnox CLEAR Spring Version, a Security-as-a-Service (SaaS) cloud platform that delivers continuous, on and off-premises risk monitoring of all endpoints. This version helps CISOs and network security administrators manage the ever-increasing amount of cyber threats and the growing risk for constantly connected devices in real time.
The cloud security market is projected to grow from $4.09 billion in 2017 to $12.73 billion in 2022, according to Research and Markets. As organizations look to avoid high-profile attacks, they can leverage cloud-based security solutions like Portnox CLEAR, risk based access control, that continuously monitor all endpoints in real time, giving IT and network administrators a complete view and control of their network, all from the cloud.
Portnox CLEAR, an innovative technology, machine learning powered, adds three distinct features with the Spring release:
Subscription Plan Management for Organizations and MSPs: The ability to manage their customers’ subscription plans in an easy and streamlined way, all from the cloud. Additionally, the feature allows organizations, via MSPs, to move from a CAPEX model to an OPEX model, therefore improving total cost of ownership (TCO) up to 50%.
Certificate Based Authentication in the Cloud: Allows for 802.1x with client certificate and cloud-based PKI (public key infrastructure) capabilities, making users and devices on the corporate network more secure than ever. It simplifies 802.1x solutions, turn-key, low-touch configuration for network access control as well as reduces TCO.
Advanced Guest Network Onboarding: Introducing onboarding capabilities for guest access by text-based SMS, which allows for simple and fast guest access onboarding and improved security.
“As more companies rely on the cloud to conduct mission-critical business functions, it’s more important than ever to have a lock tight cloud security strategy,” said Ofer Amitai, CEO, Portnox. “Adding these key capabilities for both our enterprise and MSP customers enables us to provide them with total visibility and control over their network and devices, from anywhere and anytime.”
PRESS RELEASE:
Asavie, Arrow Electronics Collaborate on Connectivity Management Platform for Enterprises
Asavie, a provider of next-generation enterprise mobility management and internet of things (IoT) connectivity solutions, has announced that technology-solutions provider Arrow Electronics is now offering the Asavie PassBridge Connectivity management platform to its global customer base.
The Asavie PassBridge Connectivity management platform provides secure IoT connectivity, enabling enterprises and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to embrace the IoT with confidence and deliver products and subscription services into the digital economy.
Welcoming the announcement, Asavie CEO Ralph Shaw, said, “This agreement with Arrow will help to bring the benefits of our PassBridge platform’s secure connectivity services to even more enterprises and OEMs around the world. As global hardware manufacturers leverage the huge opportunities presented by the industrial IoT they need to be able to respond to the demands of the digital economy for new billing models and sophisticated maintenance and data services to ensure their long-term relevance to end-user enterprises.”
“Arrow is enabling many customers’ business-process transformations, and helping them more effectively capitalize on opportunities within IoT and the digital economy,” said Kristin Russell, global president of Arrow Intelligent Systems. “We look forward to collaborating with Asavie to bring secure connectivity solutions to our customers around the world.”