Fear of AI and GenAI behind EU’s $1.3bn Meta fine
The EU’s record penalty against Meta is driven by concerns over artificial intelligence and generative AI, according to GlobalData. The European Union (EU) recently handed Meta, owner of Facebook, the largest data privacy fine on record, a $1.29 billion penalty for failing to properly safeguard European Facebook users’ data stored and processed in US data centres. […]
Personality traits dictate AI acceptance in the workplace
New research by SnapLogic reveals that attitudes towards AI in the workplace are guided by individuals’ personality traits. The survey showed that all respondents showed a good grasp of AI’s benefits: over half (54 per cent) of respondents said they thought using AI would save them time; 46 per cent said it would improve their productivity, […]
Cloud adjacency the next step evolution of hybrid multicloud
Many cloud-native companies have discovered that apps that require access to large data repositories, need exponential scalability or have been highly customised are more effective in a cloud-adjacent architecture. A cloud-only approach limits their ability to exchange data across their partner ecosystem without incurring unacceptable data egress fees. As a result, many of these cloud-native […]
Intelligent digitalisation for heavy machinery manufacturer
Manufacturer SANY aims to drive sustainable development with a strategy of ‘intelligent digitalisation’ and ‘electrification’. The heavy machinery manufacturer, in its new corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, has pledged to meet environmental governance targets via digitalisation and technological innovation in its efforts to tackle climate challenges. SANY is also promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development […]
Manufacturer uses returned items to boost electronic circularity
The need to recycle and re-use electronic equipment has spurred a top manufacturer to adopt a new circular economy approach. Coffee machine manufacturer Melitta has partnered with Trojan Electronics to adopt a new circular approach to production that has led to 78 per cent of its beyond repair returned electronic items being processed and harvested […]
ERP for automated procurement and shipping
ERP solutions can help enterprises to automate and improve key business processes such as procurement and shipping. With its robust workflows, ERP has enabled alkhalij enterprises to automate business processes and implement industry best practices across departments. These improvements have had a significant impact on the organisation. alkhalij enterprises, a distributor of industrial spare parts […]
Sustainability and automation drive job trends in manufacturing
Manufacturing and engineering industries have experienced substantial shifts in job search volumes over the past year. Companies are seeking employees who possess skills that enable them to adapt to new technologies such as AI, robotics, and green energy solutions. The growing focus on sustainability has also fuelled the demand for candidates with knowledge of renewable […]
Navigating strategies in product lifecycle management
Organisations face the increasing need and requirement for granular oversight and control of the entire lifecycle of the products they take to market. With dedicated skills and technologies needed to meet cost targets, evolving market conditions and the growing demands of regulation what are the core strategies needed for successful product lifecycle management? The key […]
Digitalisation solutions for seamless traceability
The key themes driving modern manufacturing are the value of data, new business models and digital transformation with increasing focus on sustainable, human-centric and resilient manufacturing techniques. Industrial automation enables companies to manage their digital transformation by ensuring full traceability in production and logistics, warehouse management processes and enables comprehensive control and safety systems for […]
Digital transformation of supply chain planning
Digital transformation of supply chain operations is essential in driving efficiency and key to the process is supply chain planning. Manufacturers need to become more responsive to consumer needs and provide visibility to all stakeholders in the supply chain, and digital planning solutions can deliver both objectives. Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA, a power sports manufacturer, […]
Connectivity and the risk to data security
Interconnectivity is essential to business operations but greater connectivity can present security risks that expose an organisation’s vulnerability. With the increased use of more and more sophisticated technology, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, interconnectivity is absolutely imperative to keeping a business operational. But the more you connect, the greater your attack […]
eWaste is the hidden scandal of the IT and data world
eWaste is the elephant in the server room when it comes to IT asset disposal, sustainability and recycling for the circular economy. Only 28 per cent of companies consider IT asset disposal a key part of their sustainability strategy, according to an Uptime Institute survey. 92 per cent of eWaste and IT equipment in America […]
Digital transformation failing to match IT infrastructure
Ninety per cent of IT buyers say pressure of digital transformation has led them to buy technology their IT infrastructure could not support. That’s according to a new report by Pure Storage and Wakefield Research that identifies the obstacles organisations across industries face in the digital economy while on the path to modernisation and the investment […]
Securing supply chain resilience as cyber attacks increase
More than half of UK businesses have been impacted by a cyber/data security incident caused by a supply chain partner. And three-quarters of infosec professionals believe supply chain cybersecurity incidents are becoming more commonplace, according to new research published by ISMS.online. Nearly one in three respondents cite managing vendor and third-party risk as a top information […]
Automated cloud with distributed SQL
Distributed SQL is a new take on relational databases, solving problems organisations have struggled with for decades. Compounded by a world that is more connected than ever before, organisations face growing demand from across the globe. Their challenge is to operate their business continuously while also capturing demand when it surges. Xpand is a distributed […]
A time to transform through digital solutions
Digital transformation was already climbing on the business agenda for boards of directors worldwide, even before the global health crisis changed the face of enterprise forever. When it comes to establishing and holding a competitive edge, digital solutions are the sure-fire way to set a business apart from its competitors with improved operational efficiency and agility. “Businesses […]
New solution to verify provenance of data files
A new drag and drop software solution allows users to verify the provenance of any file and also create a provenance record of new data. In today’s world of fake news and AI-generated content, it is increasingly difficult to know if documents and files are trustworthy. But now anyone can easily verify the provenance of […]
Artificial intelligence ‘should not be feared’, say supply chain specialists
Artificial intelligence may be the new bad-boy on the block but the technology is vital in securing vulnerable supply chains. While researchers and business rivals express headline-grabbing opinions about the threat from artificial intelligence (AI) the technology is increasingly being used to secure supply chains that are vital for economic prosperity. “Supply chains are complex […]
Manufacturing chiefs call for re-launch of UK industrial strategy
Manufacturing bosses have called for a re-launch of UK industrial strategy to avoid falling behind on the global stage. The call to action, from Make UK, which represents 20,000 manufacturers across the country, said that British businesses risked losing out to international competitors because of the government’s lack of a long-term industrial strategy. The UK government […]
Cloud investments are top IT priority in 2023
Cloud-based IT projects dominate the spending of tech decision makers, with 50 per cent of respondents pursuing a cloud-first strategy. A new poll conducted by TechTarget/Computer Weekly revealed a notable year-on-year investment increase in cloud-based projects and saw the cloud place second when asked which technology initiatives have become ‘significantly more important’ to their organisation’s future over the past […]
Autonomous technology not always aligned with pain points
Despite greater availability of solutions companies struggle to find the best autonomous technology to solve their specific challenges. Even with a wide variety of solutions available, firms appear to have trouble identifying the best autonomous or automated technology to solve their specific challenges and pain points, according to the latest Hexagon Autonomous Construction Technology Outlook […]
Massive IoT market to be worth $521bn by 2031
The massive IoT market size is forecast to reach $521 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 22.5 per cent. Massive IoT describes the deployment of a large number of interconnected devices and sensors that are designed to collect and transmit data over the internet. These devices can be deployed in a wide range of applications, […]
UK launches official investigation into the use of AI
The UK Competition and Markets Authority has launched a major investigation into the development and use of AI foundation models. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is opening an initial review of competition and consumer protection considerations in the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) foundation models. Foundation models, which include large language models […]
Robotics technology market to reach $189.36bn by 2027
The global robotics technology market is forecast to reach $189.36bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.5 per cent. Growth of the global robotics market is being driven by the rise in need for automation and safety, increases in labour and energy costs and the increase in usage of robotics technology in different industry […]
Cloud ERP systems now an essential tool for business
Cloud ERP systems have become an essential tool for businesses due to their flexibility, scalability and cost-effectiveness. Cloud enterprise resource planning (CERP) systems offer several features that make them ideal for modern businesses. These include customisation capabilities, scalability and flexibility, integration with other business applications, automated updates and maintenance, reduced IT costs and infrastructure requirements, […]
Digital transformation and the circular economy
An effective business and IoT strategy can drive ROI savings and efficiency improvements and contribute to a circular economy. The explosion of IoT devices and connected factory floor has provided many organisations with direct visibility to operations, equipment performance, process performance, equipment reliability and more. And as this technology has advanced many manufacturing organisations have […]
Challenges and opportunities in cloud learning solutions
More businesses than ever are demanding the benefits of an effective cloud learning program to satisfy their training needs. Technology has accelerated the adoption of training, with learning management systems (LMS) acting as an accessible classroom, offering engaging content and trackable progress against specific objectives. Previously, LMS platforms have been developed within internal networks, self-hosted […]
Managing networks using the right foundation
Optimised network connectivity and performance provides the foundation required to support businesses in meeting their digital aspirations. “IDC has predicted that by 2023, 80 per cent of organisations must transform their networks to meet customer expectations,” Justin Day, CEO and co-founder of Cloud Gateway, said. “However, it isn’t always clear on which changes deliver the most […]
Machine learning a key enabler of digital transformation
Machine learning extends beyond resolution of technical problems, into the business realm transforming the way companies think, operate and act. The disruption potential of industrial artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) goes beyond technology to discover and address unique challenges with new oversight perspectives, according to the latest Industry IoT Consortium white paper. Industrial artificial […]
Additive manufacturing is achieving full potential
Industrial additive manufacturing / 3D printing techniques are reaching full potential with companies investing in machines. While additive manufacturing (AM) is increasingly used in-house most users still benefit from powder-bed and metal technologies through external services rather than owning and operating 3D printing machines internally. Additive manufacturing users are mainly CEOs, engineers, and designers who […]
Ransomware protection to safeguard critical data
A new ransomware protection solution aims to help customers safeguard critical files and folders from ransomware attacks. Thales’ new CipherTrust CTE-RWP solution will elevate the protection of customer files and folders from ransomware attacks via access management controls and encryption processes and enables real-time analysis of file access behaviours to provide secure and seamless protection. […]
Unified block and file services for VM-aware storage
FlashArray is a storage service enabling organisations to access native block and file services from a single, global pool of storage resources. Designed from the ground up to be unified, the new solution delivers the flexibility and efficiency long promised by unified block and file storage arrays with new global storage pools, unified policy management, […]
Automation manufacturer wins King’s Award for Enterprise 2023
An automation company from Suffolk has won the inaugural King’s Award for Enterprise 2023 for manufacturing innovation. PCE Automation specialises in bespoke automation, repeat automation, and value-added services, including pre-automation and aftercare services to address the varying needs of customers across a range of industry sectors including ocular, medical and pharmaceutical. Its product handling, assembling, […]
Metaverse Standards Forum is now an independent industry consortium
The Metaverse Standards Forum is now incorporated as an independent non-profit industry consortium. The Forum’s mission continues unchanged—to enable, foster and promote cooperation and coordination over metaverse-related interoperability between standards organisations, companies, and universities. The Forum was launched in June 2022 and driven by the Khronos Group. Today, with over 2,400 members and multiple active […]
Nine partners demonstrate interoperable digital twin
Nine partner companies have made an interoperable digital twin based on an Asset Administration Shell possible for the first time. At Hannover Messe 2023 Siemens, Bausch+Ströbel, Bosch Rexroth, CADENAS, Festo, HARTING, SICK, Phoenix Contact, and WAGO jointly demonstrated how the Asset Administration Shell standard can be implemented in practice. The companies have exchanged digital twin […]
Cyber attack fines cost UK firms an average of £250,000
Six in ten UK businesses faced at least one cyber related data breach fine in the past year with financial info the most popular target. UK businesses received, on average, £237,402 worth of fines following cyber related data breaches or violation of data protection rules in the last 12 months according to new research by ISMS.online. Data […]
Event-driven architecture delivers exponential ROI
Manufacturing enterprises see ROI increase as they embrace event-driven architecture across their organisation, a new survey has found. And as enterprises gain experience in their early applications of event-driven architecture (EDA) they recognise other areas of their business in which EDA could be beneficial. The survey, an IDC Infobrief sponsored by Solace, ‘Getting in Sync: […]
Only five per cent of UK businesses are ‘innovation leaders’
Businesses are confident in the strength of their innovation in the face of global challenges but only five per cent in UK are innovators, according to a new study. Over three quarters of businesses polled in the Dell Technologies Innovation Index say that their business has a vibrant culture of innovation, but the research shows a […]
Robotic precise laser welding for chemical vessel production
A robotic laser welding solution is helping a UK chemicals company produce accurate laser welds on chemical production equipment. The solution, developed by Cyan Tec Systems, is designed around an ABB IRB 6700 industrial robot carrying a laser welder to produce highly accurate welding on production vessels used in the manufacture of chlorine. The end […]
Connecting digital systems to drive more efficient construction
Efficiency in construction has always been important. Fail to deliver projects on time and within budget, and you risk seriously impacting the bottom line or jeopardising your organisation’s reputation. In today’s climate, where sustainability and building costs must also be considered, it is now become even more crucial. There have been major changes across the […]
Successful companies should expect to get hacked
Successful companies should expect to be hacked or suffer a cyber attack and should plan accordingly, says the UK’s former assistant chief of Defence staff. Major-General Jonathan Shaw, the British Army’s first head of cyber security and former government assistant chief of Defence staff, says companies should expect to be hacked and attacked and should […]
Using 3D mapping solutions for enterprise AR
3D mapping with augmented reality is the key to breakthroughs in manufacturing efficiencies and the technology is rapidly evolving. AR technology is already being leveraged with 3D mapping data to provide strategic tools for site planning, instructional guidance, or real-time navigation. As AR technology advances, so will its capabilities to leverage 3D mapping data. 3D […]
Businesses are investing in automation to boost productivity
Two fifths of businesses across manufacturing, retail and 3PLs plan to invest in automation over the next five years, according to new research. In SCALA’s new report looking at the rise of robotics and automation in the supply chain, six per cent of respondents said they are planning on spending more than double their annual warehousing costs […]
Tech sector is heading for a brain drain
The technology sector is facing high staff churn as more than half of tech professionals plan to look for a new role in 2023. That’s according to new survey, What Tech Candidates Want 2023, from Lorien that suggests tech employer woes are also set to continue beyond the first half of the year, with 83 […]
Optimising network performance for global businesses
As the digital economy grows, enterprises are looking to build network infrastructures that connect users in different geographic regions. Network connectivity is critical for global businesses to operate efficiently. With billions of people now connected to the internet, it has become compulsory for thriving companies to build network infrastructures that empower fast and reliable communications […]
Ransomware attacks demand new thinking and approach
It is rare that a day goes past without a high-profile ransomware attack making the news. These attacks have continued to grow in frequency and intensity – in fact, according to IDC’s 2021 Ransomware Study, over one in three (37 per cent) of global organisations were victims of a form of ransomware attack in 2021. The […]
Ransomware is now cybercrime-as-a-service
The cybercrime-as-a-service economy is accelerating the volume and effectiveness of cyber attacks, according to new research. “Ransomware moved from being a service to an economy,” said Mick Baccio, Global Security Strategist at Splunk. “When you look at the technical end of ransomware, it’s really kinda boring. But since it’s so easy to spin up, and […]
Digital transformation for sustainable supply chains
The only way industry can effectively reduce its carbon emissions is by digital transformation of supply and value chains. With heightened environmental scrutiny a business can no longer claim to be ‘green’ if the companies it buys from are not and digital transformation through enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions can help ensure the sustainability of […]
Low-code is enabling a smart manufacturing revolution
As factories continue to invest in smart manufacturing capabilities operators are now challenged with utilising vast amounts of new data. With greater smart manufacturing connectivity among humans, machines, processes and data there is now an increased need for tools that can not only connect workers to each other but also capture, contextualise and analyse data […]
Digital transformation for industrial productivity
New technologies and solutions to improve industrial productivity will be on show next month at Interpack 2023 in Germany. At the Interpack 2023 event, from 4-10 May in Düsseldorf, Germany, Rockwell Automation will highlight a range of new offerings that design, operate, maintain, and protect businesses through intelligent devices and information solutions. Featured technologies include: […]
Architecting hybrid IT and edge in a distributed digital world
High latency caused by data centres being far away from end users is no longer acceptable as distance has become a digital business killer. Digital leading enterprises now favour a distributed model of co-location and private interconnection to rich ecosystems, offering the lowest latency to both public and private cloud providers whilst ensuring high levels […]
Voice-directed solutions for supply chain productivity
Adoption of voice-directed warehousing is growing by 12 per cent annually driven by innovations in hardware and software. Voice-directed technology has been around for many years and as an essential productivity component for large-scale distribution and order fulfilment operations. But for many small-to-medium-sized operations the benefits of voice-driven technologies have seemed out of reach. This […]
Security and safety drive intelligent building automation
The need for improved security and safety in intelligent buildings is driving growth of intelligent building automation technologies. The global Intelligent Building Automation Technologies (IBAT) market size is expected to reach $125.74 Billion in 2028 and register a revenue CAGR of 7.1 per cent over the forecast period, according to the latest report by Emergen. IBAT accentuates […]
ChatGPT-enabled solution for maintenance teams
A new ChatGPT-enabled digital assistant simplifies maintenance operations, enabling faster access to crucial spare parts. Ivaldi’s custom ChatGPT integration allows secure equipment data and maintenance documentation to be indexed and accessed through an AI assistant. Maintenance crews can engage in custom dialogues with the AI system for tailored information, eliminating the need for physical manuals […]
Creating an effective data strategy
Data strategy is essential for any organisation serious about maximising the value of its data for commercial and operational advantage. Data strategy aims to make data available, maintain data consistency and accuracy and support data security, according to a new report from Alation. Properly implemented, a data strategy can unlock immense value in areas such […]
Autonomous delivery vehicles travel 10m kilometres
Autonomous delivery robots have travelled the equivalent of more than 10m kilometres around the world while delivering goods. Starship Technologies, provider of autonomous delivery services, has announced an industry first with the company’s robots having now passed the 10 million km mark (over 6 million miles) in terms of distance travelled around the world. This […]
Supply chain management for TV broadcaster
A new operational management software solution creates a single unifying experience for managing and fulfilling content across Europe Sky is consolidating control and visibility of its global content supply chain system on the Polaris operational management software platform from TMT Insights. The broadcaster is migrating all functions related to movie and TV content across its UK, Germany, […]
IT professionals lose sleep worrying about cybersecurity
IT professionals lose sleep worrying about cybersecurity threats, according to a new survey by Sophos. The new survey identifies a two-speed cybersecurity race with adversaries pulling ahead and defenders are unable to keep pace. It also highlights the impact to businesses and IT staff from an economic, strategic and health perspective. Key findings include: 94 […]
GPT-4 ignites race for artificial general intelligence
The launch of GPT-4 by OpenAI is likely to accelerate the evolution towards artificial general intelligence, according to GlobalData. “GPT-4 is a big leap from its predecessor GPT-3.5 given its advanced engine can solve complex problems requiring multiple steps and has ushered into multimodality where it can offer text outputs based on image inputs unlike […]
Mapping the electronics supply chain in 2023
Electronics component lead times are improving faster than prices as demand deteriorates in some markets, inventories are at historical highs. John Ward, senior director at Commodity IQ, (part of SupplyFrame), offers some market analysis and data insights of the 2023 electronics supply chain. In early May 2022, Supplyframe predictive intelligence identified the sharp downturn in consumer […]