Businesses cannot rely on surface-level fixes for their cybersecurity
In mid-March, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a report highlighting how cyber actors routinely exploit poor security configurations, weak controls, and other poor cyber hygiene practices to gain access and compromise user systems. These included not enforcing multifactor authentication, primarily with remote desktop access, the use of vendor-supplied default login usernames and […]
AI generated interactive 3D tool takes factory planning to the next level
At HxGN LIVE Global in Las Vegas, Mark Venables caught up Jan Büchsenschütz, co-founder of RIIICO to discuss the company’s AI solution that creates a true-to-life simulation of a plant with a single 3D scan. Back in June Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division announced the winners of its first cohort of start-ups selected to help the […]
Life-saving data made shareable across diverse organisations
Hexagon real-time incident centre HxGN Connect is now integrated with RapidSOS Emergency Data Exchange as a service. Hexagon Safety, Infrastructure and Geospatial division and RapidSOS have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership by announcing the integration of RapidSOS Emergency Data Exchange (EDX) with HxGN Connect. The news was shared at HxGN LIVE Global 2022, Hexagon’s digital technology […]
Hexagon unveils life-of-mine smart platform for mining
Hexagon Mining division’s new Power of One platform is a holistic, life-of-mine smart solution connecting sensors, software, infield apps and cloudware. Available and ready to implement, this technology connects the mine to the boardroom via a single onboard ecosystem comprising a smart computer, antenna, and display. It will empower customers’ digital transformation, connecting key mining […]
Getting the data lifecycle right to accelerate digital transformation
Peter Ruffley, CEO, Zizo, emphasises the importance of going through the data lifecycle to drive the digital transformation process. Data is the key to transforming any business. Accelerated by COVID-19, businesses have started to become more data-driven and embrace digital transformation strategies. However, these often become wasted endeavours as organisations are not brave or honest […]
Accelerating the path to sustainability with digital transformation
Jason Chester, director of global channel programs at InfinityQS explains how the drivers for digital transformation have changed bringing sustainability ambitions to the forefront. Digital transformation has been one of the key industry themes for several years, but recently it has become a major strategic priority for most organisations. As an impact of the pandemic, […]
Mobile edge computing and smart glasses: a perfect match for manufacturers
According to a 2020 PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, manufacturing businesses expect efficiency gains over the next five years, attributable to digital transformation. Today, with assisted/augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies making inroads in this market, manufacturers are finding ways of incorporating it into their everyday practices. The ongoing digital transformation of the manufacturing and logistics industries […]
Silentnight Brands replace legacy planning tool to keep customers dreaming
Founded in 1946, Silentnight is the UK’s biggest bed manufacturer and an acknowledged superbrand. As the UK’s most trusted sleep brand, Silentnight is dedicated to ensuring that all their customers get a good night sleep. However, after 15 years of using a legacy planning tool, Silentnight’s employees were losing sleep as they were unable to […]
Four in five UK companies unable to scale digital transformation plans
Many UK businesses are in danger of suffering stunted growth due to a lack of investment in core IT connectivity systems. A new report has found that four in every five UK firms are unable to scale plans to their fullest potential with current connectivity arrangements. Just 20 per cent of UK businesses state they […]
Dassault Systèmes aims to transform the sustainable innovation process
Dassault Systèmes has launched Sustainable Innovation Intelligence, its life cycle assessment solution that enables companies to minimise the environmental impacts of the products, materials and processes they create and help drive the circular economy. Fully embedded in Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and covering the entire value chain, the cloud-based solution uniquely integrates the ecoinvent database […]
Sustainability ambitions boosts supply chain investments
New research from Blue Yonder found that 97 per cent of organisations faced disruption over the last 12 months. Factors outside of company control and the resulting consequences varied from company to company, with organisations facing customer delays (59 per cent), stalled production (44 per cent) and staff shortages (40 per cent). As a result […]
Bold new initiative to accelerate the transformation of companies to the cloud
Claranet and critical application management, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have formed a strategic collaboration agreement to support Claranet customers’ innovation and cloud migration projects worldwide. A global Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE), involving the additional certification of over 1,200 cloud experts, is planned to accelerate cloud adoption for Claranet’s customers wishing to make a […]
Futureproofing your operations with cobots is easier than you think
Automated shop floors where cobots work alongside operators are no longer the future, but rather the present. Whether they are used in manufacturing packaging, warehousing, maintenance, or training – collaborative solutions are already changing the way we operate and, ultimately, the industrial world we know. Easy to program and install, they are also ideal for […]
5G to unleash a digital revolution that will power Industry 4.0
The number of digitally enabled products jumped ahead by seven years during the pandemic, and the number of connected things around the world is set to reach 42 billion by 2025, eclipsing the 5.7 billion people predicted to use mobile devices for the same period. The digital revolution across several industries, from manufacturing, to logistics, […]
Connecting the data dots
Manufacturing organisations are awash with data, much of it not collected, stored, or utilised. Connected Technology Solutions spoke to Andy Hill, CEO of digital transformation specialists, VisualPM to gain an insight into how well the sector is currently able to utilise valuable real time data to drive performance and customer service improvements leading to increased profitability. According […]
Productivity boosted as going green proves good for business, not just carbon footprints
Essentra Components has announced its recent move towards sustainable manufacturing has positively impacted not only its carbon footprint but also its business productivity and efficiency. The installation of new electric injection moulding machinery has been one of the biggest driving factors in the productivity uplift. Two of the new machines have, since their installation, been […]
Additive manufacturing helps bypass overseas manufacturing and streamline product development
Dustless Technologies makes universal and cost-effective dust collection systems, helping to make cleaning up easier for contractors and DIY professionals. It has built products for and worked with almost all major tool manufacturers including Milwaukee, Bosch, Hilti, and DeWalt. From its beginnings in the 1980s as a creator of an ash vacuum for coal and […]
New premium VPN launched for free to increase accessibility for all
The industry-leading web data platform, Bright Data, has announced the release of its new product, BrightVPN. BrightVPN disrupts the traditional VPN market by offering the same features as subscription-based VPNs while remaining 100 per cent free to users. As a result, BrightVPN opens the door to millions of users to enjoy anonymous and secure browsing. Unlike […]
The Future is Bright: All Things Predictive and AI Driven
Kiran Pasham, chief architect, president, and co-founder of SplashBI explains how organisations thrive and grow by embedding the right AI technology into their core strategies for HR processes. The importance of integrating disparate data has never been so important. How can HR aid the business in moving forward by leveraging AI when their valuable time […]
Facilitating cloud-based digital transformation for industry
Siemens Digital Industries Software and Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) have announced an expansion of their collaboration, which combines Siemens’ deep industry expertise with cloud services from AWS to help industrial companies accelerate digital transformation in the cloud. Together, AWS and Siemens plan to drive adoption of Siemens’ Xcelerator as a Service and make Siemens’ […]
Connectivity issues are disrupting IOT rollouts severely for most electrical utilities’ businesses
Research by Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, reveals that, despite the accelerating speed of Internet of Things (IoT) adoption over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, poor or unreliable connectivity is a key barrier limiting the success of IoT projects for most organisations in the electrical utilities sector. According to the […]
Sustainability should be a significant driver behind digital transformation priorities on the shop floor
With COP26 taking place earlier in the month, it is clear that the actions needed to mitigate climate change are now becoming a serious priority among world leaders. While the event made headline news across the globe, we must not lose sight of the growing impatience towards waste, ecological damage, and the overuse of precious […]
An ecosystem-based approach for the exchange of emission data
In light of the fact that the supply chain accounts for the largest share of the ecological footprint of products, the decarbonization of industry is a challenge which must be tackled by all the stakeholders together. As a leading provider of automation technology and industry software, Siemens has for the first time launched a […]
The challenges posed by data in modern manufacturing
A key driver for Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing sector, Michael Nelson explores the way in which data can facilitate advanced manufacturing ideas, and the challenges that this presents for businesses. Data is at the heart of the digital transformation in manufacturing. From enabling advanced manufacturing ideas with control data, to preventative maintenance and the […]
Retrofit centre-stage in climate action for the built environment
Engineering services alliance Actuate UK has called for industry and government collaboration on the challenge of retrofitting and decarbonising our existing buildings. Speaking on behalf of Actuate UK at the Construction Leadership Council’s COP26 session, Michelle Agha-Hossein CEng MCIBSE, building performance and soft landings lead at Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) said: “The UK government has acknowledged that the built environment will need to be almost […]
Glasgow street shows the only way to hit net zero is to replace the UK’s gas grid
Green Street in Glasgow, just a stone’s throw from COP26 will show that the only way to install 600,000 heat pumps a year and hit net zero is by replacing the UK’s current gas grid. The inner-city street will be brought to life using pioneering augmented reality to show how networked ground source heat pumps […]
Green technologies take centre stage in immersive version of Glasgow city icons
Two of Scotland’s leading lights in the property sustainability space have come together in a unique collaboration to highlight the potential environmental gains new and emerging technologies can bring to existing city buildings. COP26 principal partner, energy provider and sustainability consultant SSE and building performance analysists IES, have come together to highlight potential net-zero solutions […]
Digital Twins to play a key role in the built environment
Experts and industry leaders want digital twin technology to be top of the agenda for this year’s pivotal COP26 event. Digital twins are being named as a potential aid towards preventing the world’s current climate crisis, and many want the technology to be discussed and accelerated. COP26’s biggest challenge is to ensure the planet is net-zero by […]
Big data, big city transformations: Transport and well-being
Digital Nomad have created an interesting insight looking into big data, smart cities, and efficient transport. From successful smart cities such as Amsterdam to new modes of transport in Dubai, it is fascinating to see how technology in smart cities has evolved, helping many different aspects of city life progress. As the world changes, so do our […]
AIM for Climate Announces $193 million in climate-smart agriculture innovation sprints
The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), a climate initiative led by the United States (US) and United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced over $193 million in increased investment in climate-smart agriculture innovation by its Innovation Sprint Partners across eight innovation sprints, with participation from over 40 organisations. AIM for Climate was officially launched earlier this week at the 26th United Nations Climate Change […]
Clothing manufacturer sews seeds of sustainable growth with digital eco-factory
A clothing manufacturer, supported by Made Smarter, is aiming for green growth through sustainable style with a ground-breaking smart eco-factory. Creative Apparel is set to open the new state-of-the-art facility in Stockport, a mile away from its current base, in 2022. It is investing in full factory digitalisation where a central IT system drives and measures […]
Science and innovation critical to climate change solutions
Science and Innovation Day at COP26 saw the announcement of new initiatives backed by global coalitions of nations, businesses, and scientists. These will support the implementation of the goals announced during the World Leaders Summit and other country commitments announced during the first week of the conference. Government Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance underlined the critical […]
Long duration energy storage companies form council to accelerate carbon neutrality
The Long Duration Energy Storage Council is being formed by 24 technology companies, users, and investors to achieve grid net-zero by 2040. This will see ~10 per cent of all energy being stored in 8 hour+ storage technologies, requiring 85-140TWh of deployed capacity The launch of the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Council was announced at COP26 with a […]
European Commission, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and European Investment Bank advance partnership in climate technologies
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Bill Gates, the Founder of Breakthrough Energy, together with European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer, have officially entered into a pioneering partnership that will boost investments in critical climate technologies. Today’s signing of a Memorandum of […]
G20 endorses international energy forum for intensive dialogue on energy market
Leaders of the Group of 20 largest world economies (G20) have called on the International Energy Forum (IEF) to facilitate an intensive dialogue between producers and consumers to bolster the efficiency, transparency and stability of energy markets. In a declaration issued after a two-day summit in Rome that preceded COP26 the leaders said: “As we are recovering […]
New board consolidates voluntary guidance around sustainability disclosures
As world leaders meet in Glasgow for COP26, the UN global summit to address the critical and urgent issue of climate change, the IFRS Foundation Trustees (Trustees) announce three significant developments to provide the global financial markets with high-quality disclosures on climate and other sustainability issues: The first is the formation of a new International Sustainability […]
Global survey reveals consumers believe nations must come together to solve climate change
Against the backdrop of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) Dynata, the first-party data platform for insights, activation and measurement, published a new global report revealing that nearly eight in ten people globally believe that governments need to act on, and hold one another accountable for, shared climate change goals. Furthermore, they believe governments, businesses […]
Methane Observatory launched to boost action on powerful climate-warming gas
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), with support from the European Union, has launched a new Observatory to drive action on reducing methane emissions – a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for at least a quarter of the current climate warming. The International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) was launched at the G20 Summit, on the eve of […]
UK launches new initiative to take Green Industrial Revolution global
Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, announced a major funding package at the first day of COP26 to support the rollout of sustainable infrastructure and revolutionary green technology in developing countries, helping to tackle climate change and boost economic growth. The funding kickstarts the UK’s new Clean Green Initiative (CGI), which will help to scale […]
Chinese woes
Maya Xiao, senior analyst, Interact Analysis explains that after a strong 2020, Chinese manufacturing’s bounce back is less pronounced than in other countries Though it was the first country to be hit by the pandemic, Chinese manufacturing did comparatively well in 2020. All indicators point to continued growth, though it will be uneven. However, China […]
Delivering efficiency boost to manufacturers with new Digital Performance Management solution
One of the world’s leading authorities on Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms has launched a first-of-its-kind offering that will help manufacturers gain visibility of current performance, analyse production bottlenecks and validate investments. PTC, which works with hundreds of companies and research centres in the UK, is bringing the new ThingWorx® Digital Performance Management Solution […]
Scaling the edge
Connected Technology Solutions spoke to Julian Chesterfield, founder and CEO at Sunlight about the advantages that edge computing offers industry and how their offering has been developed with that challenge in mind, When you talk about edge, what do you mean by the edge? I think there are many different interpretations of edge, particularly when […]
Combining next level safety with sustainable Industry 4.0 compatible digital capabilities
ABB has expanded its NeoGear switchgear portfolio to deliver impressive safety improvements, optimized performance and digital connectivity including real-time condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Building on the success of its proven NeoGear technology, ABB has further developed NeoGear, the safest low-voltage switchgear on the market for operators and maintenance engineers. Its revolutionary design eliminates hazardous exposure […]
How a modern DCS can accelerate your digital transformation
Upgrading to a modern distributed control system can help producers be more productive, increase profitability and reduce risks as Mark Venables explains. Business growth in production and manufacturing hinges on the success of its production strategy – expanding throughput, decreasing downtime, improving consistency, ensuring quality, and keeping employees safe. Meanwhile, lifecycle costs associated with engineering, […]
Computer-Aided Engineering innovation and smarter manufacturing strategy announced
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has announced the new structure and growth plans for Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) at its first simulation-focused conference, HxGN Live Design & Engineering 2021. As the trusted partner to manufacturers all over the world, Hexagon has been steadily building its CAE portfolio since it acquired MSC Software in 2017, supporting its customers […]
Achieving a circular plastics economy by 2050
Ambitious goals for attaining a circular plastics economy could be achieved by shifting a portion of the future investment required to meet the growing demand for plastics towards advanced recycling methods, according to a new analysis by IHS Markit, a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions. Approximately $1.5 trillion in investment by the […]
Human review of AI decisions needs legal protection
The right to human review of decisions made fully by computers should not be removed while AI is still in its infancy, the professional body for IT has warned. A government consultation on personal data suggests human appeal against some automated decisions by AI (which might include recruitment or loan eligibility) could be unnecessary. But […]
Alpine F1 team signs global enterprise deal
KX, a worldwide leader in real-time streaming analytics, has announced that Alpine F1 Team has signed a global enterprise deal for KX Insights, its cloud-first, real-time streaming analytics platform that will run on Microsoft Azure. The deal, which builds on an already highly successful relationship between the two organisations, will enable Alpine F1 Team to […]
Digital engineering collaboration announced
PTC and the Volvo Group have announced plans to further increase collaboration around digital engineering. Volvo Group has decided to unify its CAD platforms, which positions PTC’s products to serve as the primary CAD and PLM solutions used in the Volvo Group for complete vehicle design. This world-class solution, which will leverage the full capabilities […]
Automation and robotics jobs created for SME manufacturers
SME manufacturers are adopting robotics and automation systems Smarter, creating hundreds of new and upskilled jobs due to the support of Made Smarter. The North West Adoption Programme, which is a collaboration between UK government and industry designed to support the increased use of digital technologies, has supported over 40 businesses with 45 technology projects […]
Expanding research into new manufacturing technologies
Ionoptika and the University of Surrey have been awarded project grants worth a total of £425,000 from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, to expand their research into new manufacturing technologies for quantum devices. These quantum technologies are expected to impact multiple sectors from more secure online communications to personalised medicine. However, to date only […]
Report indicates that South West manufacturing industry recovery is in danger
A new report says that the South West manufacturing industry is expected to recover from a decline of output by the end of 2022, providing that supply chain disruptions and worker shortages do not add further disruptions. According to the report, conducted by manufacturers’ organisation Make UK and business advisory firm BDO, the region’s factories […]
Company calls on universities to support 5G project to revolutionise UK manufacturing
The software company leading a £9 million government-backed project designed to show the potential of 5G technology to revolutionise UK manufacturing has called on universities to get involved. Zeetta Networks is the lead partner on the 5G-ENCODE project, through which a 5G-powered smart factory is being built at Bristol’s National Composites Centre (NCC). The project […]
Meeting the growing demand for SaaS solutions
PTC have announced that Arena, a PTC Business, is expanding its product footprint and adding staff in Europe to meet the growing demand for its industry-leading Arena® SaaS product lifecycle management (PLM) and quality management system (QMS) solutions. Following the PTC acquisition of Arena Solutions earlier this year, the Arena PLM business has experienced rapid […]
Improving manufacturing competencies
Harland & Wolff has signed a MoU with Navantia and Windar Renovables to target specific fixed and floating offshore wind projects primarily within the UK. The agreement signals a commitment from all three parties to actively secure wind farm development projects and execute them together. This collaboration will enable the companies to take better advantage […]
40 per cent of UK manufacturers operate without a sustainability policy
A survey has found that 40 per cent of UK manufacturers are operating without a sustainability policy, despite the UK hosting Cop26. The survey, commissioned by Subcon, did find that 95 per cent of those respondents claimed they planned to introduce one by summer 2022. When asked what support was necessary from the government if […]
Changing manufacturing metalworks supply chain
Custom manufacturing startup Fractory has raised $9 million in Series A funding to advance its enterprise software platform. The Series A round was led by OTB Ventures, with support from existing investors including Trind Ventures, Superhero Capital, United Angels VC, Startup Wise Guys and Verve Ventures. The funding will be used to set-up services in […]
UK project completes world first 5G industrial slicing and splicing
5G-ENCODE, has successfully demonstrated phase one of its network slicing and splicing trial, developed by its consortium partner Zeetta Networks. Slicing and splicing technology enables operators to create multiple virtual networks that can be customised according to specific services and traffic levels needed. The government-backed 5G-Encode collaborative project is intending to make the benefits of […]
UK manufacturing team finds breakthrough in 3D printed motors
A team from the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has developed a way of producing key components for electric motors using additive manufacturing (3D printing) techniques. This has resulted in a motor that, despite having smaller and lighter parts, has a higher output power. It also has fewer components, potentially simplifying supply chains, increasing manufacturing […]
New advanced manufacturing technology helps produce products for aerospace industry
Spirit AeroSystems, a subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, have announced the successful delivery of the first set of new advanced composite spoilers to Airbus for the A320 Family. The spoilers are produced using the company’s pioneering resin transfer moulding (RTM) technology and are the first to feature on a flying aircraft. The redesigned spoiler is […]