The programme illustrates Yorkshire Water’s commitment to protecting and preserving water resources and further solidifies Netmore’s position as a leading LoRaWAN network provider and advanced metering infrastructure expert.

Netmore Group, a leading global LoRaWAN network operator, and Yorkshire Water today announced that Netmore has been selected as the lead partner to exchange 1.3 million water meters across the Yorkshire region, subject to Ofwat’s final determination, due in December 2024.

Aligned with Yorkshire Water’s strategy and as laid out in the Water Resources Management Plan 24 and the Price Review 24, this program is being implemented to exchange existing meters that are reaching the end of their operational life with an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) designed to provide service improvements, enhanced customer support, and usage efficiencies. The contract will be for an initial term of 5 years, plus data services for the meters installed up to 2045.

Under the terms of the award, Netmore will lead a group of suppliers to deliver the end-to-end service, including the delivery, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of connected smart meters. Meters will be connected to Netmore’s LoRaWAN network for the delivery of Data-as-a-Service to Yorkshire Water. Netmore will also deploy and densify network coverage in the region directly and with partners to satisfy service levels required for Yorkshire Water to achieve targeted service improvements.

This new program will run concurrently with smart meter deployments that began in 2022 when Netmore was awarded AMI frameworks by Yorkshire Water for the delivery of LoRaWAN network services and provisioning of meters for up to 360k households, including new developments and Domestic Metered Optants.

Ove Anebygd, CEO, Netmore Group, says:

“This deal is an exciting new milestone for Netmore as we continue to expand our water utility initiatives across Europe and at a time when utilities and municipalities around the world are migrating to sensor-based solutions capable of providing new and valuable datasets for measuring and conserving water for their customers and to address environmental concerns.”

“We are once again very proud that Yorkshire Water, one of UK’s leading water utilities, has trusted Netmore to lead their AMI initiatives.”

Adam Smith, Manager of Smart Networks and Metering Transformation, YWS, says:

“The initial smart metering program with Netmore launched in 2022 has helped Yorkshire Water deliver the first 500,000 litres of leakage reduction, by identifying water leakage on customers pipes. It has also helped us to better understand water demand patterns in our initial 25,000 Netmore smart meters and target water efficiency activity, all while delivering both operational value and the long-term perspective needed for the expansion of our AMI initiatives. Following a rigorous evaluation process and procurement analysis, we are confident in the choice of Netmore and its partners for our meter exchange program, as they collectively have the ability to help us deliver our ambitious goals and success criteria related to leakage, water efficiency, customer experience, and operational carbon emissions.”

Data driven insights to protect water resources and enhance customer experience

Executing against a vision and plan with equal importance on customers and the environment, Yorkshire Water’s smart metering program is targeting service improvements in the following areas:

Water Leakage: Yorkshire Water has a goal of reducing leakage by 50%, by 2050 against a 2020 baseline. Identifying which properties have continuous flow and therefore are likely to have leakage or plumbing loss, allows for better leakage targeting and faster resolution of consumption anomalies.
Reduction in Per Capita Consumption: By working alongside customers to better understand water use, Yorkshire Water’s smart metering program is contributing toward achieving a Per Capita Consumption (PCC) goal of 110 liters per person, per day by 2050, against a 2020 baseline.
Customer Experience: Smart metering provides greater insight into customer water use, streamlines move-in and move-out processes, and helps ensure all customers are on the best tariff available to them, enhancing the ability to provide more regular and accurate water billing.
Non-Household Demand Reduction: Yorkshire Water is targeting a 15% reduction of non-household water demand by 2050 against a 2020 baseline by proactively working with customers to identify opportunities to reduce water demand and water waste.

By undertaking the meter exchange program and converting to smart metering, Yorkshire Water can also ensure the security of its water supply is more robust, reduce the amount of chemicals used in water treatment, and reduce carbon emissions in both the treatment and distribution of water.

“Since the inception of Netmore’s LoRaWAN network in the UK, we have worked diligently to establish strong customer relationships that are meaningful and impactful to the local community and environment. We are honoured to have been selected by Yorkshire Water and are committed meeting the strict requirements to deliver smart metering data that will improve their operational performance, deliver better environmental outcomes, and support regulatory compliance”, says Vadim Lyu, Managing Director UK, Netmore Group

Morrison Water Services, under contract with Netmore, will plan, schedule and work with household and non-household customers to deliver the exchange of the meter and ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction is achieved. Itron and Diehl Metering have been selected as meter providers for this programme. The meter exchange program is subject to the Ofwat final determination for AMP8. More details will be released after final determination; however, the program is expected to begin in South Yorkshire in 2025.

The post Yorkshire Water Selects Netmore to Exchange 1.3 Million Meters in Tender for One of Europe’s Largest LoRaWAN Water Metering Projects appeared first on IoT Business News.

Multifunction printers (MFPs) are essential tools in modern offices. They can print, scan, copy, and fax all in one device, helping you save time and resources. But to truly benefit from these machines, it’s crucial to know how to use them efficiently. A well-optimized MFP can streamline your workflow, reduce costs, and boost productivity in the workplace.

Imagine having fewer interruptions, faster task completion, and more secure document handling—all thanks to your MFP. This article will discuss various strategies to maximize efficiency with a multifunction printer, making them an even more valuable asset in your office.

Streamlining Document Management

Document management can be a daunting task, but these machines make it easier. Use digital filing systems to organize scanned documents. Store them in the cloud for easy access. Tag files with keywords for quick searching later. These devices do it all, and more. It reduces time spent looking for papers and makes sharing documents with colleagues faster.

Reducing Paper Waste with Duplex Printing

Printing on both sides of the paper, also known as duplex printing, is a simple way to cut down on paper usage. It doesn’t just save paper but also reduces the physical space needed for storage. Encourage the office to use duplex printing by setting it as the default on all devices. Over time, you’ll notice less clutter and lower costs.

Enhancing Workflow with Integrated Scanning Solutions

Integrated scanning allows for quick digitization of documents. Scanned files can be sent directly to email, cloud storage, or even specific software programs. This seamless process eliminates the need for manual transfers, making document handling faster. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in daily operations.

Optimizing Print Speed and Output Quality

Adjust your MFP settings to match your specific needs. For large documents, set the device to high-speed mode. For presentations or important client documents, switch to high-quality mode. Knowing when to use each setting ensures you’re not wasting time or resources on unnecessary quality or speed.

Improving Collaboration through Cloud Printing

Cloud printing is a game-changer for team collaboration. Employees can send documents to the MFP from anywhere, even when they’re not in the office. This feature supports remote work, allowing team members to print from home and pick up documents at the office. It keeps projects moving smoothly, no matter where your team is located.

Utilizing Mobile Print Capabilities for Remote Work

Mobile printing is perfect for a mobile workforce. With apps and mobile connectivity, staff can print directly from their smartphones or tablets. It’s convenient for those who are constantly on the move. You’ll find it especially useful during meetings or conferences where quick printouts are needed.

Automating Routine Tasks with Advanced Features

Take advantage of your MFP’s advanced features to automate repetitive tasks. Set up automatic scanning, emailing, and even file naming conventions. Some devices allow for the creation of custom workflows that can be triggered with a single button press. Automation saves time and reduces the chance of errors in document handling.

Reducing Downtime with Reliable Maintenance Tools

These machines often come with built-in diagnostic tools. Use these to monitor the device’s health. Regular maintenance, like cleaning print heads or updating software, prevents unexpected breakdowns. Staying ahead of potential issues ensures your MFP is always ready to perform when needed, reducing downtime and keeping productivity high.

Managing Costs through Smart Print Tracking

Monitor your print usage with the device’s tracking tools. These provide insights into how much paper and ink are being used, and by whom. With this data, you can identify areas where you can cut costs, such as reducing color prints or limiting large print jobs. Cost management becomes simpler when you know where your resources are going.

Securing Sensitive Information with Built-In Security Features

Protecting sensitive information is crucial in any office. Multifunction printers come with various security features, like password protection for print jobs or encrypted scanning. These tools ensure that only authorized personnel can access or print certain documents. Keeping your data secure is essential for maintaining trust and compliance with privacy regulations.

Integrating Multifunction Printers with the Internet of Things (IoT)

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) presents a significant opportunity to further enhance the efficiency and capabilities of multifunction printers (MFPs) in the office environment. By integrating MFPs with IoT networks, organizations can automate routine tasks, monitor device performance in real-time, and enable seamless connectivity across various devices and platforms. For instance, IoT-enabled MFPs can automatically reorder supplies when running low, reducing downtime and ensuring continuous productivity.

Moreover, these printers can communicate with other smart devices in the office, such as projectors and tablets, to create a more connected and efficient workspace. This integration not only improves workflow but also enhances security by allowing for more precise control over document access and printing permissions. As businesses continue to adopt IoT solutions, MFPs will play a crucial role in creating smart, responsive office environments.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Device for Your Office

When selecting an MFP, consider your office’s specific needs. Think about print volume, required features, and budget. Also, consider the size of the device and whether it fits in your office space.

Look for a machine that balances cost with functionality. Choose one that supports your workflow without unnecessary extras. The right one will be a long-term asset to your office, improving productivity while keeping costs manageable.

Maximizing efficiency with a multifunction printer is about smart usage and thoughtful settings. By streamlining document management, reducing paper waste, and using advanced features, you can significantly boost office productivity. Consider your office’s unique needs when selecting a machine, and make full use of its capabilities.

The post Maximizing Efficiency with Multifunction Printers in the Office appeared first on IoT Business News.

Over the last decade, the Internet of Things (IoT) has swiftly become a transformative force across numerous sectors of the global economy. For many industries – from manufacturing and healthcare to agriculture and advertising technology – IoT is no longer just a buzzword. It’s essential. In my experience as CEO of a leading managed wireless services company, I’ve observed firsthand that connectivity is paramount not only as a technical necessity but as a fundamental enabler of progress, a catalyst for improved operational capabilities, and a key driver of innovation.

According to the latest State of IoT – Spring 2024 report, IoT has solidified its position as a top-three corporate technology priority, with global spending projected to reach $1 trillion by 2026. As industries continue to adopt and rely on IoT solutions, businesses are gaining access to real-time data that enables smarter decision-making, enhances customer experiences, and boosts productivity. Understanding and leveraging these trends is essential for companies looking to stay competitive in an increasingly connected world.

Industrial IoT (IIoT)

The rise of Industrial IoT (IIoT) is driving a new era of operational efficiency and productivity across various sectors, particularly in manufacturing, energy, and logistics. These sectors, which have faced significant challenges such as supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages in recent years, are now experiencing a shift as IIoT enables smarter, more responsive processes. At the core of these advancements lies robust connectivity—enabling industries to integrate automation, predictive maintenance, and real-time data analytics into their daily operations.

In manufacturing, IIoT technologies such as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance have become essential in minimizing unplanned downtime and enhancing productivity. By leveraging real-time data from connected sensors, manufacturers can anticipate equipment failures and schedule maintenance during optimal times, reducing disruptions and extending the lifespan of machinery. The advent of 5G and edge computing further amplifies these capabilities, providing faster, more reliable connections that facilitate the seamless data flow across machines and systems. These advancements are boosting productivity and paving the way for the smart factories of the future—where AI, machine learning, and IIoT converge to create highly adaptable, efficient, and safe production environments.

For industries aiming to stay competitive, embracing these connectivity-driven innovations will be crucial to improving productivity, safety, and sustainability in the years to come.

Enhanced Customer Insights

Beyond driving operational efficiencies, IoT is also redefining how businesses connect with and understand their customers. IoT technologies offer deep insights into customer behaviors and preferences through real-time data in today’s digital landscape, where personalization is crucial for customer satisfaction.

IoT-enabled devices and sensors—such as smart home devices, connected cars, and wearable health monitors—generate vast amounts of data from various touchpoints. Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) then reveal patterns and trends that were previously hard to detect. For instance, in Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH) advertising, IoT technology can track and analyze audience interactions with digital billboards. This data helps advertisers optimize content based on real-time demographics and engagement metrics, leading to more targeted and effective campaigns. Meanwhile, in retail, IoT allows businesses to optimize layouts and tailor marketing strategies for a more personalized shopping experience.

In my role, I’ve seen how leveraging IoT’s connectivity-driven insights allows businesses to create deeper connections with their customers and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly connected market. By understanding customer behavior in real-time, businesses can anticipate needs, personalize offerings, and ultimately build stronger customer relationships.

IoT’s Expanding Role in Healthcare

When considering the most impactful IoT trends, it’s crucial to highlight the significant advancements being made in the healthcare sector. As healthcare services continue to evolve in response to ongoing global healthcare challenges, IoT has emerged as a key tool for improving patient care and transforming the healthcare experience. By improving personalization, efficiency, and accessibility, IoT technologies are playing an important role in advancing patient outcomes and reshaping how healthcare services are delivered.

Smart hospitals are a prime example of IoT’s impact. These facilities use IoT devices like smart beds and monitors to create responsive environments that improve patient comfort and streamline medical equipment management.

Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and health monitors, provide real-time data on vital signs, allowing for early detection of health issues and timely interventions. This technology assists in managing chronic conditions and provides additional tools that aid in preventing more serious health problems.

Telemedicine is also improving with IoT, allowing for a better connection when remote monitoring and hosting virtual consultations. This reduces the need for in-person visits and expands access to care, especially for those with chronic conditions.

IoT is helping shift healthcare from a reactive to a proactive approach, offering continuous monitoring that assists in preventing serious conditions and reduces overall healthcare costs. As these technologies advance, they will further enhance patient care and outcomes.

Security Innovations in Managed IoT Communications

As IoT deployments become central to business operations, robust security protocols are crucial. With the rise in connected devices, protecting these systems from cyber threats has become a critical priority. Sophisticated security measures are essential to safeguard sensitive data and ensure the integrity of IoT networks.

Advancements in this space include improved data encryption and more sophisticated authentication methods. End-to-end encryption, protocols like TLS/SSL, protects data transmitted between devices and systems from eavesdropping and tampering. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and secure device authentication methods, such as cryptographic keys and biometric verification, add layers of protection to prevent unauthorized access.

AI-driven threat detection is also on the rise, allowing for real-time analysis and response to potential breaches. This, combined with regular software updates and secure boot mechanisms, ensures devices remain protected from new vulnerabilities. Furthermore, employing network segmentation helps contain potential breaches by isolating critical systems from less secure network parts.

As the space continues to evolve, I predict an increased prioritization of these security innovations to ensure that IoT communications remain resilient against growing cyber threats. Effective security measures will always be essential for protecting data, maintaining operational integrity, and fostering trust in connected technologies.

The post The IoT Trends Shaping Industry in 2024 and Beyond appeared first on IoT Business News.

IoT is expanding fast, and it is difficult to manage linked devices and process their data in real-time without a proper IoT solution. Issues with data transmission delay and analysis accompany traditional techniques of data processing when large amounts of sensor data are being collected.

The data management landscape is shifting due to edge computing. Some of the most significant aspects of edge computing, including how it affects IoT data management, applications for edge installations, and the advantages of using this technology, will be covered in this article.

What is Edge Computing?

When data is processed through an Internet of Things gateway rather than being sent to a remote cloud server directly, this is referred to as edge computing. Let’s investigate real-world industrial use. There is machinery in a plant, and we would like to monitor the vibration frequency coming from it. This device has 1,000 vibrations per second recorded by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, producing a massive stream of data. This is when data processing is sped up via edge computing.

The procedure is as follows: data is gathered by IoT sensors and transmitted to the IoT Gateway, where edge computing algorithms compute vibration frequencies at the site of measurement. The computed average vibration frequency is then forwarded to the cloud. Instead of sending massive amounts of raw data to the cloud, all computation takes place on IoT gateways that are closer to the equipment. It significantly speeds up data processing.

Edge Computing in the IoT World

Edge computing is evolving the scene of IoT by introducing newer ways through which data can be managed and processed. Efficient device management at the edge allows for fast insights and actions there and then.

Applications Across Various Industries

Edge computing has emerged as critical across a host of industries, solving sector-specific problems and improving operational efficiency.

Health: In the case of fitness bands, edge computing in healthcare handles a large portion of what activity trackers do. It connects a number of medical devices, such as glucose sensors, blood pressure and heart rate monitors to provide real-time data for the best patient care and holistic health management.
Manufacturing: Edge computing improves industrial processes, like production process optimization, equipment and machinery monitoring that enables maintenance and machine condition inspections to be scheduled in advance.
Smart Cities: Edge computing methods improve a wide range of IoT devices, from smart lighting and waste management systems to traffic sensors and more. All things considered, this aids in improving the monitoring and administration of infrastructure by city administrators for improved urban management and service delivery.
Energy: Edge computing helps the energy industry by enabling real-time administration and monitoring of smart equipment such as solar panels and meters, providing quick insights into energy output and consumption.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Action at the Edge

Edge computing enables immediate data processing at the source, reducing dependency on remote cloud servers. This architectural approach allows data to be processed closer to where it is generated, improving response times and reducing latency.

The system works this way:

Data Collection: Data is collected locally from IoT devices at the IoT gateway. Additionally, an important advantage is that the IoT gateway can send alerts even if the connection with the cloud is lost, ensuring immediate awareness of issues rather than waiting hours for connectivity to be restored.
Data Analysis: IoT dashboards allow analyzing data from edge device in real-time, providing insights and monitoring local events directly from the equipment.
Action: The analysis is thus acted on right at the edge, such as triggering alerts or adjusting settings, to eliminate latency. The advantage of edge devices is that they can both calculate and store data locally, ensuring that even if connectivity is lost, processed data is preserved and sent to the cloud once the connection is restored, preventing data loss during communication outages.
Firmware Updates: ThingsBoard Cloud facilitates simultaneous firmware updates across all IoT devices with a single click, ensuring all devices are consistently up-to-date and reducing the need for individual device management.

Benefits of Using Edge Computing for IoT Device Management

Edge computing provides several important benefits:

Reduced Latency: Processing data at the edge locally reduces the travel time for data and brings quicker responses and real-time operations.
Reliability Improved: It ensures reliable performance even in areas where the connectivity of a network is poor or unstable, as it allows information processing on-site.
Better Security: The risks of data breaches while being transferred are reduced as it allows keeping data closer to the source.
Bandwidth Efficiency: Less information has to be transferred to central servers, which consequently reduces the need for wide bandwidth and associated costs.
Scalability: This allows IoT systems to efficiently scale by enabling multiple devices to distribute processing tasks among themselves.

Conclusion

In summary, edge computing enhances security, filters data from local IoT devices and sends only valuable business information to the cloud for further processing and storage, reducing latency and increasing the reliability of IoT devices network. Using edge computing, organizations can effectively manage their IoT data.

The post Edge Computing – Secret Weapon in Real-Time IoT Device Management appeared first on IoT Business News.

The integration of IoT technology into rugby wearables has seen significant advancements since 2020, transforming how the sport is played, coached, and analysed. As of 2024, these developments have led to more sophisticated and versatile wearables that are now essential tools for players and coaches, offering real-time data and enhanced safety features that were previously unimaginable.

Evolution of Rugby Wearables

Rugby wearables began as basic fitness trackers monitoring heart rate, speed, and distance. Today, they’ve evolved into advanced devices that measure a broad range of physiological data, such as muscle activity and hydration, thanks to the integration of edge computing and AI.

These innovations enable real-time data processing on the device, providing immediate feedback crucial for making split-second decisions in the fast-paced game of rugby.

For example, England rugby have been utilising these advanced wearables to optimise player performance and safety, making use of data-driven insights to make strategic decisions during matches.

Real-Time Monitoring and Performance Enhancement

One of the most impactful uses of IoT in rugby wearables is the ability to monitor player health and performance in real time. Wearables embedded with sensors can track the force of impacts during tackles, providing critical data on the physical stress players endure.

This information helps coaches make informed decisions about substitutions, preventing injuries before they occur, and ensuring that players maintain peak performance throughout the game.

Advanced AI algorithms can now analyse this data to predict injury risks, enabling customised training programs that strengthen vulnerable areas of a player’s body. These technologies are vital in contact sports like rugby and American football, where they help reduce long-term health risks such as concussions.

These insights are invaluable for developing strategies that are tailored to the unique demands of each player, ultimately enhancing overall team performance.

Enhancing Player Safety

Safety has always been a major concern in rugby, a sport known for its high-impact collisions. IoT-enabled wearables have become a frontline tool in addressing this issue.

Innovations like the “LiveSkin” technology from Sansible Wearables, which was pioneered in 2020, have been further refined to offer even more precise data on the force and angle of impacts. This allows for better assessment of potential injuries, particularly concussions, which have been a significant concern in the sport.

In addition, smart mouthguards made their debut at this year’s Six Nations Championship, providing real-time data on head impacts to further enhance player safety and injury prevention strategies.

Future Trends and Challenges

Looking ahead, IoT in rugby wearables is set to grow, with advancements in edge AI and machine learning enabling wearables to not only monitor but also adapt in real-time to players’ needs. This could involve dynamic adjustments to hydration, pacing, or tactics based on real-time physical and cognitive data.

Overall, the use of IoT in rugby wearables has advanced significantly, providing real-time data that enhances player performance and safety. As technology continues to evolve, these devices are set to become even more integral to the sport, offering new opportunities for innovation and improvement in the game of rugby.

The post Use of IoT in Rugby Wearables appeared first on IoT Business News.

Strengthens Qualcomm’s Industrial IoT portfolio, offering low-power solutions for reliable, optimized cellular connectivity for IoT applications
Expands and accelerates Qualcomm’s leadership position in digital transformation at the edge
Sequans retains license of the 4G IoT Technology for its ongoing use and will continue to serve its IoT markets with a strengthened balance sheet
Sequans maintains full ownership of its 5G technology

Qualcomm Incorporated, a global leader in high-performance at low-power solutions, through its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (“Qualcomm”), and Sequans Communications S.A., a supplier of 4G and 5G semiconductor solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Qualcomm to buy Sequans’ 4G IoT technologies.

The acquisition includes certain employees, assets and licenses. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including French regulatory approval.

Qualcomm is revolutionizing industries, redefining business models, and enhancing user experiences through its cutting-edge IoT solutions. Qualcomm® IoT technologies and solutions utilize the real-world connected intelligent edge to offer end-to-end, ready-to-deploy solutions so customers can digitally transform their businesses to optimize their operations, monetize massive amounts of data, innovate in new ways, and drive cost savings.

Sequans is a designer, developer, and supplier of cellular semiconductor solutions for massive and critical IoT markets. The addition of Sequans’ 4G IoT technologies to Qualcomm’s advanced end-to-end IoT solutions will strengthen Qualcomm’s Industrial IoT portfolio and provides a unique opportunity to build a leadership position in this space.

“Digital transformation is being driven by high-performance processing and intelligence at the edge, positioning Qualcomm for growth in one of the largest addressable opportunities,” said Nakul Duggal, group general manager, automotive, industrial and embedded IoT, and cloud computing, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This acquisition of Sequans’ 4G IoT technology adds to Qualcomm’s broad portfolio, further strengthening our offerings across enterprise customers of low-power solutions for reliable, optimized cellular connectivity for Industrial IoT applications.”

Sequans will retain full rights to continue to use the technology commercially, via a perpetual license agreement, supporting the company’s ability to expand its 4G business and develop its 5G portfolio.

“We are excited to announce this important transaction with Qualcomm. This agreement underscores the value of our 4G IoT technology and provides us with significant capital to continue to further invest in our IoT business ambitions,” said Georges Karam, CEO of Sequans.

“We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and providing cutting-edge 4G/5G semiconductor solutions that meet the advancing needs of AI-powered Internet of Things applications. This transaction is expected to provide us the resources and flexibility to enhance our product offerings and expand our market presence.”

The post Qualcomm and Sequans Reach Agreement on Sale of 4G IoT Technology appeared first on IoT Business News.

Kinéis, a French satellite operator and provider of connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT), will be present at AFAC 2024 in Sydney (National Council for Fire and Emergency Services), at the Sydney International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 3 to 6 September, to present its innovative solution for the early detection of forest fires.

Thanks to sensors placed on trees connected to its constellation of 25 nanosatellites, this new approach can alert emergency services in near-real time, even in undeveloped areas. A revolution!

Faster, more reliable detection than current technologies

With its constellation of 25 nanosatellites dedicated to IoT, Kinéis connects any object anywhere in the world (even in areas without terrestrial networks), in near-real time, at low bit rates (small messages), with very low energy consumption, and transmits useful data to businesses and public authorities. Kinéis space connectivity has 3 applications: monitoring, tracking and alerting, in areas that represent major challenges for mankind, its activities and its environment.

The scope of this data is infinite, and the benefits for businesses and local authorities represent a real decision-making tool (forecasting, anticipation, action) in a very short space of time.

The gas sensors from German company Dryad Networks, a partner of Kinéis, incorporate the capacity for direct transmission to the satellites in the constellation. Powered by solar energy and equipped with artificial intelligence, they detect air quality and alert the nanosatellites in the event of abnormal gas levels linked to a fire outbreak.

This information is then sent back down to one of the 20 ground stations in the Kinéis network, which transmits the data to the end user (authorities, emergency services, businesses) via a service centre, in a maximum of 15 minutes.

Thanks to Kinéis’ global satellite connectivity, which eliminates white zones, and coupled with Dryad’s sensors, emergency response time is considerably reduced, helping to avoid large-scale disasters, both in terms of the environment and infrastructure.

The advantages of a forest fire detection system with Kinéis connectivity:

Early detection of forest fires,
Reliable large-scale protection with low power consumption,
Frequencies (400 MHz) enabling penetration through the canopy,
Improved risk prevention for civil security in the event of natural disasters,
Better assessment of the situation.

Revolutionary technology tailored to government firefighting services

In France, Kinéis satellite connectivity in future IoT systems for forest fire detection was officially selected in a call for expressions of interest (AMI) launched by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion. This listing reflects a paradigm shift in which governments are moving away from fire suppression towards early detection, for both economic and ecological reasons.

A unique monitoring and alerting solution for rail and electricity infrastructure companies

The Kinéis solution for early fire detection is not just for public authorities. Railway and electrical infrastructure companies are also affected by this problem, which has far-reaching consequences. These linear installations, which extend over very long distances, are highly exposed to the risks of accidental fires that they may suffer or that they may generate as a result of their activities (sparks due to the braking of wagons, electric arcs caused by faulty pillars).

The Kinéis solution represents an unprecedented means of preventing fires along railway lines by providing precise monitoring of these lines. Advantage: the railway infrastructure company can ensure the safety and integrity of its critical infrastructure in near real time, and considerably reduce its costs in terms of material and commercial damage in the event of a fire.

For electrical infrastructure companies, the Kinéis offering is a reliable means of continuously monitoring and detecting fires on their networks, in the most remote areas, by taking over from the terrestrial networks. The advantage: the company acts to prevent damage to power lines and greatly reduces the risk of fire-related power cuts.

The post Kinéis space connectivity for the Internet of Things revolutionizes early detection of forest fires appeared first on IoT Business News.

In this interview, Ben Tucker, Director of PM for Infrastructure Management at Digi International, delves into the shifting landscape of supply chain management, focusing on the critical areas of asset and inventory monitoring.

He discusses how IoT technology, possibly combined with AI and machine learning, is revolutionizing organizational operations, driving improvements in efficiency, security, and agility across various industries.

IoT Business News: According to research from SAP, 52% of business leaders believe their supply chain needs improvement. What kind of challenges do organizations face when it comes to asset and inventory monitoring?

Ben Tucker (Digi): Organizations face several asset and inventory monitoring challenges that impact their supply chain efficiency. Many of them struggle to obtain real-time data on asset locations and status, making it difficult to make timely and informed decisions. Indeed, data accuracy is an on-going challenge, leading to errors in inventory levels, eventually causing stockouts or overstock situations.

Businesses also struggle to integrate IoT devices with existing systems, which require robust network infrastructure and reliable sensors, not to mention upfront costs, as well as regular maintenance and updates to ensure they continue running efficiently.

Scalability is another challenge of asset and inventory monitoring since the larger an inventory becomes, the more a monitoring solution must be able to accommodate, which can be particularly complex when multiple locations, countries and continents are involved. Lastly, there is the challenge of security – namely, data and physical.

How can IoT technology address these challenges?

Addressing these challenges necessitates a combination of advanced technologies, such as IoT, real-time data analytics and integrated software solutions, including strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts. Advanced console servers that abide by standard communication protocols can facilitate the integration of new IoT devices with existing IT infrastructure, ensuring that data gets easily incorporated into existing ERP and inventory management systems.

Flexible IoT management solutions, capable of remote reconfiguration and updates, will also help avoid these traditional challenges as they scale according to business growth and market conditions.

Additionally, robust built-in security features, including encryption, secure access controls and regular firmware updates, will mitigate vulnerabilities and protect data during transmission and storage. These kinds of critical updates are only possible with an integrated hardware/software solution that supports remote management, especially out-of-band management, which enables remote access to all deployed devices, even if they are offline.

Geofencing is another IoT-enabled technique that can protect assets from physical theft.

What role do IoT suppliers like Digi play in helping organizations optimize their supply chain?

IoT suppliers like Digi play a crucial role in helping organizations optimize their supply chain through advanced IoT infrastructure management solutions that enable the remote and automated monitoring of assets’ locations, status and conditions, as well as other parameters such as temperature, humidity, flow levels, and cybersecurity. Once analyzed, this information will uncover valuable insights for supply chain operators, allowing them to identify inefficiencies, optimize routes, prevent and manage attempted security breaches, and improve inventory management, ultimately reducing excess stock and minimizing stockouts. For example, Digi used an edge-to-cloud IoT solution using fever tags to help a customer monitor the health of thousands of cattle.

Likewise, by monitoring equipment conditions, IoT solutions can support predictive maintenance, reducing unexpected downtime and extending the lifespan of equipment.

The best IoT suppliers will also offer assistance via consultation services, tailored solutions and 24/7 technical support to help customers further optimize their supply chains.

Security is always a crucial component for organizations across all industries. What are best practices for ensuring edge devices are secure?

Securing edge devices is crucial for maintaining overall cybersecurity within organizations. By implementing best practices, businesses can significantly enhance the security posture of their edge devices, mitigating risks and safeguarding their overall network infrastructure and sensitive data.

For starters, companies should disable unused services and change default settings, e.g., modify default passwords, usernames and configurations.

Network segmentation will help separate edge devices from critical internal networks, limiting the impact of a potential breach.

Also, companies should implement access controls, such as Role-Based Access Control and Multi-Factor Authentication.

Likewise, businesses must monitor edge devices continuously for unusual activities or anomalies and maintain audit logs to track and investigate suspicious behavior.

When selecting vendors, it’s important to make sure they follow robust security practices; to that end, assess and audit vendors for compliance with industry standards. As mentioned previously, the ability to access, maintain and update the security of deployed devices over their lifecycle is crucial.

Finally, organizations should educate their employees on cybersecurity and develop a regularly updated incident response plan.

Agility is also an important factor. How can remote monitoring help organizations better manage their inventory?

Remote monitoring through IoT solutions empowers organizations to enhance their agility in inventory management. By strategically placing IoT-enabled devices throughout the supply chain, businesses will have access to real-time tracking and monitoring data on asset location and status, enabling timely decision-making while reducing errors associated with manual tracking. Not only will these IoT devices automatically capture data, but they will also send automated alerts if, for example, stock levels are too low, permitting personnel to respond immediately and flexibly to issues or emergencies.

IoT devices can also monitor and automatically report temperature and other conditions for compliance reporting across the “cold chain” – meaning the supply chain devoted to farm to table monitoring of perishables as well as pharmaceuticals.

Additionally, organizations can leverage advanced analytic capabilities in remote monitoring systems to extract valuable insights from data. These insights into trends and patterns in inventory usage will help improve demand forecasting accuracy and other proactive planning.

It is also worth noting that remote monitoring systems allow authorized personnel to access inventory data and manage operations from a mobile device in any location with Internet connectivity.

As adoption of artificial intelligence continues to expand, what role do you see AI and ML playing in asset and inventory management?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data from various sources will revolutionize asset and inventory management, resulting in fewer errors and larger profit margins. For example, AI and ML algorithms and trained models can analyze historical sales data, market trends and external factors (e.g., weather patterns and economic indicators) to forecast demand more precisely.

Likewise, these algorithms can continuously analyze real-time data on inventory levels, lead times and demand fluctuations to adjust inventory levels and reorder points dynamically.

Other use cases of AI and ML include repetitive task automation, personalized customer experiences, enhanced predictive maintenance and automated risk management and fraud detection.

As adoption grows, these technologies will play an increasingly critical role in achieving a competitive advantage.

The post Optimizing supply chain management with IoT technology: Interview with Digi expert Ben Tucker appeared first on IoT Business News.

The company’s new WiliBot GenAI chatbot opens a portal between the physical world and artificial intelligence. By allowing “things to talk,” businesses and consumers can ask questions about – and have conversations with – the myriad products connected to the ambient Internet of Things.

Wiliot, the ambient Internet of Things (IoT) pioneer, announced today the launch of WiliBot, a generative AI (GenAI) chatbot that enables natural-language conversations with any ambient IoT-connected product.

When the power of generative AI is combined with this enormous source of real-time ambient physical world data, companies – and eventually consumers – can have important conversations with the products they make, source, distribute, and ultimately purchase.

With WiliBot, companies will be able to converse with their products and supply chains by asking questions such as: What’s the shelf life of this product? How did it get to the store? Which product should I stock next, and why? Is this product safe to stock, and why? What is the carbon footprint of this product, and why is it so low or so high?

“Ambient IoT and generative AI are increasingly symbiotic technologies,” explained Wiliot CEO Tal Tamir. “Ambient IoT generates vast amounts of data about trillions of everyday things, and GenAI can uniquely make sense of all that data. On the flipside, GenAI learns by analyzing vast amounts of data. To a real extent, that data has so far been finite, but ambient IoT presents massive new physical world datasets that a GenAI platform like WiliBot — and others — can use to describe products, materials, supply chains, and everything connected to the internet.”

Wiliot’s Ambient Data Platform uses stamp-sized, self-powered IoT Pixels affixed to products, packaging, containers, crates, pallets, and more. These IoT Pixels communicate via Bluetooth information such as location, temperature, humidity, and carbon footprint to the Wiliot cloud where businesses analyze the data.

Wiliot-developed AI and machine-learning algorithms can then identify supply chain “events” and automatically generate alerts or AI responses that allow business to course-correct or optimize their operations, like when sensing that shipments of produce or pharmaceuticals have been handled at unsafe temperatures.

“Although Wiliot’s work in generative AI is relatively recent, the company has long been a pioneer in artificial intelligence and machine learning for deriving insights into ambient IoT data,” Tamir continued.

“As more companies have begun rolling out Wiliot’s Ambient Data Platform, we’ve been asked how GenAI capabilities might make the transformation even easier. Our answer is WiliBot, the real-world combination of ambient IoT and AI.”

Wiliot will begin piloting WiliBot with key enterprise customers starting immediately, with a broader rollout scheduled for late 2024 and into 2025. During this piloting phase, WiliBot will be used by businesses seeking to ask questions about their ambient IoT-enabled products and supply chains.

In the future, this convergence of ambient IoT and generative AI will be made available to consumers in-store and at-home through an ecosystem of mobile apps – enabling consumers to speak to and converse with their products to better understand their carbon footprint, materials composition, ethical sourcing compliance, quality and safety, and more.

“Wiliot’s Ambient Data Platform already allows companies to gain unprecedented intelligence about trillions of products,” Tamir concluded. “Now more businesses – and in the future consumers – will be able to ask about and easily understand everything about those products. With WiliBot, we’re answering the question, ‘What if your products could talk?’ Now they can, in natural language, thanks to WiliBot.”

WiliBot is built on top of a leading large language model (LLM) to combine the breakthrough capabilities of ambient IoT with GenAI computational power to usher in a new era of supply chain visibility.

The importance of the linkage between ambient IoT and AI has been recently borne out in projects with leading food retailers. In the projects, the Wiliot Ambient Data Platform revealed that food shrink accounts for roughly 5 percent of goods in the food chain – food that is lost, damaged, or spoiled before it reaches store shelves.

The Wiliot platform is able solve two-thirds of these food shrink issues – ensuring a safer food supply, higher customer satisfaction, and lower costs – while WiliBot will now democratize access to these insights across the organization.

The post Wiliot Launches First-of-Its-Kind Generative AI Tool for Unlocking Natural-Language Insights into Vast, End-to-End Supply Chains appeared first on IoT Business News.

FreeWave State of Connectivity 2024 Report reveals that surging amounts of data from IIoT sensors is forcing the hand of industrial operators in remote locations to consider satellite connectivity, with leaders split evenly on why.

FreeWave Technologies, a pioneer in industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions, today released the FreeWave State of Connectivity 2024 Report, which asked 200 IT and network decision-makers on the impact of satellite networks on IIoT connectivity.

The report revealed that satellite connectivity is front and center in helping them overcome the challenges of environmental and IIoT connectivity as data in transit surges. The study finds that the increasing number of edge devices are clearly driving the need for reliable, low cost and easy-to-use communications.

Additionally, the survey indicates that leveraging satellite networks for IIoT connectivity would be a long-sought game-changer for the respondents, “enabling them to collect, analyze and act on IIoT data in real-time while saving costs and eliminating spotty communications and rugged regions.”

“The IIoT landscape is changing so rapidly that companies search for the right solutions to not only collect but distribute the mass amounts of data collected and distill it to something actionable. The research points to customers having a clear understanding of the possibility of satellite connectivity playing a role in network performance and the success of their IIoT initiatives,” said Mike Tate, FreeWave’s COO and VP of sales and marketing.

Tate added that satellite connectivity, now a cost-effective and robust option, provides so many benefits in the remote network game.

“In our conversations with decision makers, we hear that data democratization and data ownership are extremely urgent factors in selecting a vendor. The need to connect the insights within the data at the edge, and share it not just with IT or OT managers, but a variety of people within the organization who may not have had access to that data in the past is critical. The need for that data to go where, how and when they need it – and have a say in that path – is paramount. FreeWave’s leadership in remote network monitor and control with, now our data platform and satellite-connected solutions is playing a vital role in helping companies achieve exponential efficiency and productivity gains.”

Here are a few report highlights:

Top Priority: Quick, Reliable and Secure IIoT Data Transmission
Four in 10 respondents felt transporting IIoT data quickly, reliably and securely from remote locations was a top priority. 32% felt that IIoT data should be accessed on a robust data platform, while 28% said analysts should support decision-making.

Robust Demand Seen for Satellite-Enabled IIoT Connectivity
Over one-third (34%) of respondents strongly desired to improve connectivity by using satellite links to transmit IIoT data. The same percentage of respondents said sending data from distant locations to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems was equally important. Also, 32% said connecting remote networks is a priority, particularly for challenging environments such as rough terrain, severe weather and inconsistent electrical power.

Barriers to IIoT Connectivity
37% of respondents identified improving environmental and IIoT connectivity as their most significant challenge. A similar percentage said their top challenge was to connect devices and sensors in the field without excessive management overhead.

Senior Leaders Seek Improvement in Edge Access
Accessing network edge data – where much of IIoT data can be found – is an area that 4 in 10 decision-makers would improve.

Changes Sought for Satellite Communications
36% of respondents said shifting to satellite-based networking would make the most significant connectivity change. About the same percentage said the next biggest change is to use satellite communications for monitoring SCADA networks in harsh locations, while 31% said low-cost IIoT connectivity enabled by satellite communications is their most important change.

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