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The Internet of Things is poised to change how we live and work as more devices across the glove become connected. BI Intelligence, Business Insider’s premium research service, expects that there will be more than 24 billion connected devices on Earth by 2020 — approximately four IoT devices for every human being on the planet. And as the IoT expands, it will have a particularly profound effect on businesses, especially small businesses. Several IoT business opportunities will be created in the coming years as we head into an increasingly connected world. Below, we’ve compiled a detailed rundown of new IoT business platforms and the potential those platforms will create in the near future. Effects of IoT on Small BusinessesBusinesses will be the top adopter of IoT solutions in the next few years. And this will create tremendous benefits for the businesses that choose to wholeheartedly embrace this growing trend, as there are three ways the IoT can improve their bottom line: 1) reduce operating costs; 2) increasing productivity; and 3) expanding to new markets or developing of new product offerings. BI Intelligence expects that from 2015 to 2020, business investments in the IoT will grow from $215 billion to $832 billion. This is just one slice of the overall pie, as compounded, we project more than $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions between 2015 and 2020 among businesses, consumers, and governments. Business Opportunities in IoTThe Internet of Things might seem like it only benefits large corporations with massive budgets, but the IoT has already started to bear fruit for small businesses, too. In fact, approximately 57% of small business think the IoT will have a significant effect on their bottom line, according to an AVG survey. Take, for example, Bigbelly, founded in 2003 by two college students. The company manufactures solar-powered devices that, on the surface, look like regular garbage cans. But inside rests a sophisticated trash compactor with sensors that monitor how full the cans are and sends notifications to the appropriate officials through the cloud when the cans need to be full. This enhances efficiency and reduce costs because trash collectors can adjust their routes to avoid cans that do not need to be emptied. “New York City sometimes collects trash three times per day; that’s how fast the [garbage cans] fill up,” Leila Dillon, vice president of global marketing and North American distribution at Bigbelly, told Forbes. “With our stations, you can reduce that because of our compact technology and better capacity.” As a result, New York City has reduced its trash collection frequency in some locations from three times a day, seven days a week to just twice a week. Article Credit: Business Insider The post IoT for small business: Effects, opportunities & platforms appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/iot-for-small-business-effects-opportunities-platforms/ Okay, marketers and technology enthusiasts have been talking about the coming of the Internet of Things (IoT) for years. But with products like Google Home and Amazon Echo emerging and gaining popularity, it’s reasonable to suspect that 2017 is the year that IoT finally starts taking off. Even though original estimates held that we’d see 50 billion “connected” devices by 2020, revised estimates are still targeting nearly 30 billion, representing an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars in the near future. So here’s the question—is your business ready for the IoT? Even if you don’t deal directly with technology, IoT devices are going to have a massive impact on how you do business. Here’s how. 1. Data, Data, Data Marketers and entrepreneurs love data, and with IoT devices connecting consumers in new ways with more interactions, they’ll have greater access to that data than ever before. Smart devices will be able to track and record patterns of consumer behavior, and possibly even learn from them, making intelligent product recommendations and customizing searches in new, innovative ways. Companies can start taking advantage of this by using these data-based insights to come up with more effective advertising, and get to know their target demographics on a more specific, qualitative level. Chances are, you’ll have more data at every stage of the consumer buying cycle, from research to purchase and implementation. 2. Inventory Tracking and Management Next up, IoT will likely revolutionize how companies track and manage their inventory. If you’re a business that relies on warehousing, manufacturing, or storage, you probably use remote scanners and similarly high-tech devices to help your workers keep track of inventory item by item. In the near future, smart devices should be able to keep tabs on inventory changes completely automatically, freeing up your workers for more important, cognitively demanding tasks. It’s not just about the “smart home” anymore—it’s also about the “smart office” and “smart warehouse.” 3. Remote Work On the other hand, if your business doesn’t directly deal with any physical inventory, the IoT could open up a world of new possibilities for remote work. With multiple devices all wired into the same network, your remote working employees will be more connected than ever before, and may be able to accomplish new types of tasks from remote locations by tapping into devices in your office or factory floor. Remote workers tend to be happier and more productive, so the arrangement could also help improve your bottom line. 4. Speed and Accessibility Since consumers will have access to new forms of research and purchasing, the buying cycle will likely diminish in length. Consumers will, with a handful of spoken phrases, be able to find and order exactly the product they’re looking for, and they’ll demand delivery of the product sooner (since all our technological advances tend to emphasize instant gratification). Fortunately, your partners, suppliers, and logistics providers will all have similarly advanced technology at their disposal, meaning you’ll be able to serve your customers faster. The post 7 Ways The Internet Of Things Will Change Businesses In 2017 appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/7-ways-the-internet-of-things-will-change-businesses-in-2017/ There are thousands of so-called ERP experts out there. But the truth is no one understands your business like you do. You may be one of the few that has reviewed and evaluated ERP programs extensively before. But, odds are that it’s probably been a few years, and the ERP landscape is rapidly changing. For over 15 years we’ve been helping thousands of companies properly find fitting ERP software solutions. We work with over 4,000 accounting and ERP products. It’s impossible to stay on top of the constantly changing landscape of the ERP software industry, and that’s something we’ve experienced first-hand. The good news is we’ve created a roadmap to help you choose the ERP program that makes the best financial sense for your organization. ERP DangerWe’ve heard numerous horror stories from failed ERP selections and implementations. We suggest doing some online research on some of the implementation failures. Get a feel for the wasted time and money that some companies have experienced by trying to take shortcuts and not properly identifying the right ERP program. You can quickly gain a sense of the importance of properly assessing your business, evaluating, and selecting the right ERP software. There are thousands of knowledgeable ERP consultants and providers out there. But trying to find one without a hidden agenda can be very difficult. Most ERP consultants have an invested interest in certain solutions. Many ERP consultants are limited to vertical industry exposure with a limited range in experience with company size. It’s important that you take an unbiased approach into your software search. Don’t waste valuable time and money researching and evaluating ERP software that misses the target. If you’re considering an ERP system for your business or looking to replace an existing accounting/ERP system, keep in mind that the evaluation and selection is an important process that can lead to long term efficiencies for your organization. To help guide you through the ERP evaluation and selection process, we’ve summarized over 15 years of insight on the methods we’ve seen work the best. Step 1: Assess Your Business ProcessesWhat’s being done well and what can be improved? This is a long term strategic decision for your company. Whether you’ll be implementing your first ERP solution or upgrading to a state-of-the-art industry-specific ERP solution, these questions can help you determine if purchasing an ERP solution will be beneficial. These questions will also help you to better identify current obstacles and gaps in your business processes. You may want to form an evaluation committee to involve each department to gain enterprise wide visibility and acceptance. The business process questions you should ask include:
Article Credit: Software Connect The post Roadmap To Successfully Evaluate & Select ERP Software appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/roadmap-to-successfully-evaluate-select-erp-software/ Experts in ERP and change management share their tips on how to choose and deploy an ERP system to maximize your investment. Plus, they outline steps you can take to improve the chances of workers will actually use the software.Deploying an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is an expensive proposition, not just in terms of licensing dollars (SLA) and maintenance, but in terms of dedicated resources and time. And yet all too often, organizations, dazzled by vendor promises and hype — Deploy our ERP software and your manufacturing business will instantly run smoother and increase profits! — fail to come up with a viable long-term (or even short-term) roadmap. So to help organizations increase the odds of a successful ERP deployment, with the help of dozens of ERP and change management experts, we came up with an ERP selection and implementation tip sheet. Here are nine tips on how to choose an ERP software solution and successfully deploy it. 1. Get upper management support. “Companies that tend to struggle the most [with ERP] are the ones that lack upper management level involvement,” says Daniele Fresca director of Marketing, IQMS, a provider of industry-specific ERP solutions. “Resources at the lower level tend to not be edicated and engaged with the implementation project without senior level involvement,” she says. That said, “executives don’t need to get to the point of knowing every single configuration detail. But [they need to] be aware of the issues that are causing delays to the project.” 2. Make a clear and extensive list of requirements before you start looking at vendors. “Begin by carefully defining the scope of your project,” says Ed Talerico, director, Industry & Solution Strategy, Infor, a provider of enterprise applications. “Focus on specific business processes and system requirements. The more specific you can be upfront, the more detailed your vendors can be in their proposals.” “If you get one thing right, make it the up-front requirements gathering process,” says Brian Shannon, principal business process management architect, Dolphin Enterprise Solutions. “Few things derail project budgets and timelines as the ‘assumptive’ or absent requirements.” So make sure you engage with end users, IT and senior management. “Too often, people select an ERP system based on factors such as price, current technology buzz or the system that is the flashiest,” adds Fresca. “But without a good fit, companies are left with expensive customization and bolted together solutions,” she notes. The solution: “Find an ERP system that is industry-specific, with tools and features designed to solve your business requirements. The ROI and long-term benefits of a good fitting system are extensive.” 3. Don’t forget mobile users. “As mobility and BYOD increase across industries, accessing ERP systems from desktops only is no longer an option,” says Ilan Paretsky, vice president of Marketing, Ericom Software, a provider of access, virtualization and RDP acceleration solutions. Choose an ERP solution that “allows users to be productive on smartphones and tablets.” Yet at the same time will ensure that sensitive information is secure. The post 9 tips for selecting and implementing an ERP system appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/9-tips-for-selecting-and-implementing-an-erp-system/ Thanksgiving is soon approaching and that means Black Friday deals are rolling in from all the major manufacturers. Deals that used to be exclusively available in the U.S. are now widely available in many countries in Europe, where retailers are offering competitive offers. We asked Annette Zimmermann, research vice president at Gartner to share her thoughts on what will the most coveted devices for this holiday season. Q. What will be the best-sellers on Black Friday? A: The industry for consumer goods, including electronic device vendors, expect Black Friday to be one of the biggest shopping days of the calendar year, as well as being an indicator for the most popular Christmas presents of 2017. Brands and retailers will offer an array of great deals on electronic devices. Those that we expect to lure consumers the most will be headphones, tablets, fitness bands, smartphones and TVs. We also expect smartwatches, VPA-enabled speakers and smart headphones to fuel demand. Some users have held back on purchasing an Apple Watch until now as the use case has not seemed compelling enough. However, with its cellular connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 3 offers new use cases, such as music streaming during a workout at the gym, or leaving your iPhone at home, that will inevitably spur demand and boost sales on Black Friday and this holiday season. We expect 41.5 million smartwatches to be sold in 2017. Other consumer electronics brands such as Huawei, LG, Samsung and Lenovo will also contribute to this, but to date, the Apple Watch remains the most successful smartwatch in the market. Other wearables that may do well during the holiday season are wristbands. We forecast sales of wristbands will total 44 million units in 2017, but in 2019 sales of smartwatches will surpass those of wristbands. Overall, we forecast that 310.4 million wearable devices will be sold worldwide in 2017, an increase of 16.7 percent from 2016. If we look at the VPA-enabled speaker and smart headphone markets, vendors have lately made important additions to their product portfolios. Google, for example, has recently ramped up its hardware portfolio with the Pixel Buds and the more affordable Google Home Mini, which is competing with Amazon’s Echo Dot. We expect these two markets to develop rapidly over the next two to three years in terms of volume as well technology advancements. According to our latest forecast, the Bluetooth headset market is expected to reach 150 million units globally in 2017. Sales of VPA-enabled speakers will grow to 11.8 million units in 2017. Q. Will Black Friday spur a shopping spree ahead of Christmas in Europe? A: For several years now Black Friday has become a driver of sales in Europe, both in online and offline commerce. We see this trend in many European countries, including the U.K., Germany, France and Italy, where Black Friday and Cyber Week have become well-known terms for shoppers. Yet we see some regional differences between the U.S. and Europe. In most cases, these relate to product availability rather than product preferences. Share this:The post What Will Be the Most Coveted Devices for this Holiday Season? appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/what-will-be-the-most-coveted-devices-for-this-holiday-season/ METTLER TOLEDO Safeline develops new fully integrated conveyorised metal detection system11/29/2017 Industrial metal detectors can bring important benefits to the production line for food, non-food and pharmaceutical applications. They allow manufacturers to fulfil their regulatory requirements by providing a fully tested and reliable product inspection program. They also increase consumer safety and quality assurance, by ensuring manufacturers are producing the highest quality and safest products. Having a stable, reliable and highly sensitive metal detector within a production line is important. However, having an integrated conveyorised metal detection system provides far greater benefits. Supplementing that system with electronic data collection software takes it one step further to ensure manufacturers have a fully integrated process solution that enhances compliance and increases production efficiency. METTLER TOLEDO Safeline has developed a series of conveyors which can be seamlessly integrated into a production line to improve the effectiveness of a manufacturer’s metal detection program. Each system comes with a number of key features: Tailored solutions for specific applicationsEach system is tailored to suit specific production needs, from light (9kg) to heavy (50kg) food, to non-food applications such as packaging, and can be integrated with Safeline’s extensive range of metal detectors which have a longstanding reputation for reliability and stability. Manufacturers can choose from compact solutions for small spaces with the Series 30 conveyor, right through to the Series 200 conveyor which is engineered for bulk product inspection. The newest addition to the portfolio is the Series 90 – a wide retracting band system designed specifically for inspecting light to medium weight, multi-lane or randomly presented bakery and confectionery products and packs. A design service is also available to develop bespoke solutions tailored to more demanding applications. Enhanced features to increase productivitySafeline’s metal detector systems have a number of enhanced features to provide flexible solutions suited to the application on the production line. Each system uses a reject device from a wide range of available options – from simple ‘stop-on-detection’ systems through to fully-automated detect-and-reject systems. Pushers and air blast devices are suitable for light to medium-weight products, with overhead sweep and diverter arms for heavier products. To improve security and ensure contaminated products are effectively removed from the production line, failsafe system options and other due diligence features are available to make sure the metal detectors continue to operate reliably and efficiently. A choice of finishes and sealing standards are also available to suit the working environment. Robust design and safe operationTo protect operators during production and support safe maintenance practices, attention is paid to every detail of the conveyorized system design. These include guards manufactured from clear, shatter-proof material without sharp edges, a safety valve fitted as standard on all pneumatics and guarded in-feed and out-feed rollers which minimizes the risk of finger traps. Safeline’s conveyor systems are designed to worker health and safety standards including the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, are built to robust construction standards, and are manufactured to the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG) principles. Systems can be supplied with a detailed risk assessment to ensure manufacturers fully comply with these safety standards. Electronic data collectionAll Safeline metal detection systems are compatible with Mettler-Toledo’s ProdX data management software, making processes more streamlined, more accessible and more efficient. Innovative ProdX software automatically collects critical inspection process data in one convenient location, significantly reducing the need to interact directly with critical control points (CCPs). ProdX also facilitates faster set-up between production batches and is able to convey advance warnings generated by product inspection devices of adverse trends that may lead to downtime and threaten the efficiency of the production line. A conveyorized metal detection system is much more than a modified transport conveyor. The design of both the conveyor and the auto-reject device will have a major impact on the effectiveness of a production line. Purchasing an integrated metal detection solution from one supplier enables equipment performance to be maximized. With Mettler-Toledo’s global service team delivering local support, manufacturers can ensure their product inspection equipment is operating efficiently over its lifetime to maximize the return on investment. Jon Denis, Product Manager at Mettler-Toledo Safeline says: “Having an integrated metal detection system provides many benefits to the production line. Whichever conveyor system you choose, integration with the metal detector should enhance the effectiveness of your critical control points and failsafe functionality. Reject mechanisms and due diligence features optimize your metal detection program and support compliance with food safety standards and industry regulations.” Conveyorized metal detection systems provide flexible, integrated handling solutions capable of operating in almost any working environment. Whether the product is wet or dry, chilled or frozen, loose or packed, an integrated metal detection conveyor system allows manufacturers to resolve any metal contamination related inspection challenge. The post METTLER TOLEDO Safeline develops new fully integrated conveyorised metal detection system appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/mettler-toledo-safeline-develops-new-fully-integrated-conveyorised-metal-detection-system/ Theorem’s recently launched Visualization Experience app for use on Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality devices (forming part of their Digital Realities product family) has been specifically designed and developed from the ground up to be device agnostic. Whether it is a holographic display, tablet, or a VR device, the same application will run on any. When considering Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality, all three technologies have their unique features and benefits. The type of ‘reality’ (i.e. Virtual, Augmented or Mixed) ultimately dictates the types of devices that will be available to you. These technologies and devices have not been developed with Engineering and Manufacturing in mind and the underlying software is not based upon CAD or PLM technologies. Nobody really knows who is going to win the device race. Which are the best devices? Which are the devices that over time will win out? It’s too early to know and it will be a few years before it settles down. We don’t believe that there will be a single winner. In addition, the different technologies deliver different experiences which means that there is not a ‘one size fits all’. The graphics and the devices are coming from a very different group of companies. They are coming from the gaming and social media industries, from Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Sony, and Samsung etc. “What we’ve seen in the past 12 months is that new devices are appearing all the time, and we know that before this year is out, there will be additional devices on the market,” observes Stuart Thurlby, CEO of Theorem, “These new devices are significantly cheaper than VR Caves and Power walls, and this low price point is democratising the technologies and making them accessible to a larger audience.” In addition, for Theorem’s Visualization Experience, the data you prepare is created once and it can be used on any of the devices. It doesn’t need to be created specifically for Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality or Mixed Reality. “One of the things that Theorem recognise is that each device has different capabilities and capacities, and so some devices require the data to be optimised more than others.” Stuart explains “We have ensured that data and device neutrality is there, which will protect your initial investments even as the technologies and devices develop and change.” The post Who will win the Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality Device Race? appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/who-will-win-the-augmented-mixed-and-virtual-reality-device-race/ Lexmark International, Inc., the global imaging solutions provider, has announced the European launch of Lexmark Supply Chain Document Optimization for Manufacturing, a solution that leverages the Lexmark Smart multifunction printer platform and streamlines manual processes to help manufacturers gain visibility into supply chain logistics, consolidate devices, increase productivity and lower costs. Paper-based supply chain workflows limit access to important data contained in shipping and receiving documents such as forms, invoices, bills of lading, delivery receipts and packing lists. The Lexmark Supply Chain Document Optimization solution streamlines the manual, paper-based tasks that can disrupt shipping and receiving operations. “Manufacturing and supply chain processes often rely on paper, making them slow and inefficient,” said John Linton, Lexmark manufacturing industry director. “It’s also difficult to have real-time visibility into shipment status, which can impact customer service. And when a pre-printed document, label or tag is out of stock, it can shut down a production line and further delay shipments. We developed Lexmark Supply Chain Document Optimization to help manufacturers overcome these challenges.” Lexmark Supply Chain Document Optimization solution allows manufacturers to:
Lexmark manufacturing customers, including 70% of the top 50 manufacturers around the world, rely on the rugged, industrial design of Lexmark devices that are used in a wide range of environments and extreme conditions. The Lexmark capture platform creates a cohesive system across devices and solutions that can be deployed even in challenging environments. “Supply Chain Document Optimization for Manufacturing is the latest Lexmark solution designed to help manufacturers solve their information challenges,” said Allen Waugerman, Lexmark senior vice president and chief technology officer. “This solution leverages our 25 years of experience helping manufacturers streamline their day-to-day operations by automating data entry and making information stored outside enterprise applications readily available.” The post Lexmark introduces Supply Chain Document Optimization for Manufacturing appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/lexmark-introduces-supply-chain-document-optimization-for-manufacturing/ By Andrew Avanessian, COO at Avecto. The manufacturing industry is a cornerstone of the world’s economy, contributing trillions of pounds every year. The powerhouses of China, the USA and the UK alone account for over $3 trillion. These three giants are just the tip of the iceberg too, underlining how vast and valuable the industry is. But with value comes risk, and one of the fasting growing risk areas is cyber crime. The recent WannaCry ransomware attack, which halted production lines in several Renault factories in France and one UK Nissan factory, highlights that the industry still has a way to go when it comes to protecting itself against cyber attacks. The FBI has estimated that $400bn of intellectual property is leaving the US each year because of cyber attacks, and a report from IBM-X-Force has stated that cyber attacks targeting manufacturing companies are on the rise. It’s the value that manufacturers hold, both in money and intellectual property, that make them such a target. On top of this, their vast supply chains offer many routes into the business for the savvy hacker. It’s fair to say – compared to some other industries – that the manufacturing sector has been slow to react to the increasing threat. A recent report from Deloitte found that only 52% of manufacturing executives surveyed are confident that their organisation was protected from external cyber threats. The uncertainty highlights a sentiment felt in the majority of businesses – would we be resilient to a targeted cyber attack? The problem is, cyber criminals are evolving their methods at an incredible pace. This is certainly true in the social engineering space – a category of attack that involves deceiving employees to convince them to divulge sensitive information or grant access to the corporate network. Most people will have experienced social engineering in the form a mass phishing emails. One of the most well-known examples is the Nigerian prince asking for asking for a large sum of money to be transferred to his bank account. But they are becoming increasingly difficult to spot as criminals spend longer researching their targets and crafting incredibly convincing communications. This targeted approach is known as spear phishing. A spear phishing email might look exactly the same as a typical note from a colleague or supplier. The email address might look the same and the content could have idiosyncrasies that you’d expect. It can catch out everyone, from the most junior of staff to the CEO. A single click can subsequently compromise a company’s entire network. A targeted approach is becoming simpler because of the amount of personal and corporate information that is now freely available online – as well as (often) illegally obtained material that resides on the dark web, such as leaked usernames and passwords. Such data enables social engineers to credibly assume the identity of a high-ranking member of staff, or even a close friend or colleague. Most high-profile hacks begin with some form of social engineering. The email leaks during the American election last year started with a simple phishing attack. This year, DSV Global Transport and Logistics in South Africa were hit with a ransomware attack, finding all its files encrypted with the attackers wanting money to release unencrypt them. Other manufacturers in the country were hit too. It’s believed all of these attacks started with a simple phishing email. Although all industries are at risk of social engineering, manufacturers will always be a prime target. A campaign dubbed ‘Operation Ghoul’ discovered in 2016 saw a criminal group aggressively targeting manufacturing and engineering companies in the Middle East with financial motives. The initial attack method? Spear phishing emails. Social engineering attacks can have devastating consequences and yet the mode of attack is often simple. The good news is, it is simple defences that can protect manufacturers. The key is to get the foundations of cyber security right and not rely on ‘next generation’ solutions that often come at the expense of the basics. These basics include:
If there’s anything that we can learn from recent events, in particular the WannaCry ransomware attack that affected a huge number of businesses across the world, is that businesses big or small, regional or global, and in every sector, will be vulnerable if they don’t have the right security measures in place. But if manufacturers get the foundations right and they will be in a much better position to deal with the social engineer. The post Countering the threats of social engineering appeared first on Statii News. from http://news.statii.co.uk/countering-the-threats-of-social-engineering/ |
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