Feb 06, 2020Presented here are news announcements made during the past week by the following organizations:
Confidex, Thales, Gemalto;
Kerlink, Smart Traffik;
Swissbit;
Impinj;
Altizon, Deloitte, HIL Ltd.;
the Industrial Internet Consortium;
Connect&GO, Kool Replay;
Altair Semiconductor, and Deutsche Telekom AG.
Confidex, Thales Partner on Flexible Mass-Transit Card
Confidex, a designer and supplier of short-range wireless-identification solutions, and Thales, a provider of digital security systems, have formed a strategic partnership to develop flexible smart media for Calypso-based systems. Under the terms of the agreement, Thales will provide Confidex with Gemalto's operating system, which complies with the Calypso Light application (CLAP), a smaller version of Calypso intended for high-volume contactless paper-based cards used in public transport.
Paris-region occasional riders have relied on magstripe tickets to access the Metro, buses and trains for decades, the companies indicate. Last year, Ile de France authorities announced plans to replace those tickets with two new types of fare media in order to offer new services. Thales and Confidex are thus offering a reloadable product to help reduce the cost and waste associated with the more than 550 million magnetic tickets printed each year.
Confidex uses Gemalto's software solutions to create microprocessor-based smart media that include contactless paper cards embedded with a PET layer to reinforce the structure. This makes the product resistant to the harsh environments associated with transport applications, the partners indicate. Additionally, Confidex is working on the development of a plastic-free, Calypso-compliant contactless media platform.
"Combining our resources and competencies with those of Thales gives a foundation for Confidex to become a trusted supplier for CLAP-compliant paper-based products," said Timo Lindström, Confidex's CEO, in a prepared statement. "With the technology that we are creating with Thales, public transport operators can develop their ticketing solutions and be ensured that a consistent high-quality supply of tickets is available. This cooperative innovation among Thales, Confidex and our customers helps to further enhance the travel experience of both frequent and occasional travelers."
"This partnership with Confidex provides a flexible and more sustainable smart media solution for transport and other applications," added Sylvie Gibert, Thales' senior VP of payments cards, in the prepared statement. "Thales, through Gemalto's expertise in payment and ticketing, continues to bring innovations to a constantly evolving market."
Kerlink, Smart Traffik Unveil LoRaWAN Retail-Analytics Solution
Kerlink, a provider of Internet of Things (IoT)-based solutions, and Smart Traffik, a retail-analytics systems provider for brick-and-mortar merchants, have announced a new LoRaWAN-based solution. According to the companies, the system enables retail outlets to create personalized shopper experiences and build brand loyalty by enhancing visitors' in-store journeys and improving the point of sale.
Built with Kerlink's Low Power IoT Reference Design, the system combines the company's Wirnet iFemtoCell-evolution indoor gateways and its Wanesy Management Center with Smart Traffik's instore data-analytics solution and plug-and-play SmartBox. The two companies also built a Wi-Fi tracking anchor that anonymously collects customers' smartphone signals in real time. The system records and tracks shoppers' journeys in stores, including the amount of time they spend at specific displays or in various sections. This information, combined with other data, can provide store owners and managers with retail intelligence that can be used to increase foot traffic and sales, as well as the measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
"Many studies have shown that today's customer wants to be valued and recognized," said Laurent Simonin, Smart Traffik CEO, in a prepared statement. "More than three out of four shoppers like it when they receive product offers or promotions based on their purchasing history from a retailer, indicating a desire for a more-personalized shopping experience. This new retail-analytics solution designed and built with Kerlink will empower retailers to get the smart data they need to better engage with their customers."
The system, announced at a recent LoRa Alliance meeting in Amsterdam, is an upgrade of Smart Traffik's in-store analytics IoT solution based on the GSM standard, and is compliant with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation. "Working with Kerlink helped transform the solution into an IoT LoRaWAN solution, bringing cost optimization and more flexibility and allowing it to be future-proof and scalable with the possibility to flexibly add additional use cases in the mid-term," Simonin said in the prepared statement.
"We launched that strategy last year with the introduction of four dedicated end-to-end solutions—smart facility management, smart tracking and logistics, smart asset monitoring and smart building—with the help of several partners," said Guillaume Boisgontier, Kerlink's innovative products and solutions marketing manager, in the prepared statement. "Smart Traffik is a new partner with which we are working jointly on the design of a future-proof solution that is unique and positions Kerlink in a new and promising vertical, smart retail."
Swissbit Offers Embedded IoT Security Products
Swissbit has announced a range of storage products for industrial applications. The company's Embedded IoT business division specializes in hardware-based security solutions for the protection of data and devices for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Swissbit develops and produces integrated and hardware-based solutions for machine-to-machine (M2M) authentication, cryptography and data protection and data storage, using Flash-memory technology.
Custom and bespoke solutions are also being offered, the company reports. In response to legislative enforcements in a growing number of countries, Swissbit built its Technical Security Equipment (TSE) system for tamper-proof recording of cash register data. Secure boot installations of edge gateways and the encryption of data and video recordings—for example, in body cameras or drones—are suitable applications for the modules, the company reports, which can be plugged into standard memory interfaces. The firm has also announced its industrial SSD family of X-75 and X-73 3D NAND products.
"Driven by increasing digitalization and the growing number of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT), we are experiencing great demand for secure memory products as well as for the security solutions offered by our new Embedded IoT division," said Silvio Muschter, Swissbit's CEO, in a prepared statement. "The most valuable asset here is data—at Swissbit we see it as our key responsibility to store and protect this data reliably."
"For over 20 years, we have been a trustworthy partner for the development and production of real industrial memory solutions," Muschter added in the prepared statement. "By combining our technical expertise in cyber security and in highly integrated 3D packaging, we are able to offer innovative and durable IoT solutions. That in turn helps our customers to provide reliable, more cost-effective and faster systems for the protection of data and devices."
TSE is intended to meet current legislative requirements to retrofit all cash register systems in Germany. For fiscal compliance, customized security firmware and dedicated chips are integrated in USB sticks, SD cards and micro-SD cards that can be used in both individual point-of-sale devices and local networks of cash register systems. Furthermore, the company adds, the use of standard form factors and interfaces of common Flash-memory media makes the solution suitable for manufacturers of embedded IoT technologies.
Through a combination of a Secure Element and cryptographic features, the security module can perform TPM and encryption tasks. This ensures the secure authentication of M2M communication participants, as well as data encryption in networked devices, machinery and manufacturing plants. Modules with standard memory interfaces allow users to retrofit and protect devices and machinery already in operation.
Swissbit's micro-SD Memory Card PS-45u DP is designed to allow the encryption of system data and video recordings of dash cameras and drones. PS-45u DP offers an integrated data-protection feature with AES 256 encryption and access protection. Using secure booting of an edge gateway, the system can boot in a designated device with authentication using a PIN, a USB dongle or a network server.
Regarding storage solutions, Swissbit offers 3D NAND-based memory products in its X-73 and X-75 product families. The X-75 SATA-6Gb/s-SSDs, developed for industrial temperature ranges of -40 degrees to +85 degrees Celsius, are available as 2.5-inch SSD and as M.2 2280 and 2242 versions, as well as mSATA and SlimSATA. The X-75 SSDs are built to offer high performance and durability, the company reports. The SSD's controller supports 165-bit LDPC error correction. The X-75 is intended for such applications as automation, medical technology, industrial PCs, data loggers and boot media of NetCom systems.
Impinj Intros Enterprise-Grade RFID Reader for the IoT
Impinj, a provider of RFID solutions, has introduced its R700 reader designed for enterprise-grade RFID deployments. The reader provides high receive sensitivity, fast network connectivity and edge processing for IoT solutions, the company reports.
The R700 reader, based on Impinj's Speedway reader family, enables developers to build and deploy IoT solutions, according to the company. Features include –92 dBm receive sensitivity, enabling the reading of smaller, global RFID tags at high speeds for loss prevention and other use cases, as well as a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and a Gigabit Ethernet to allow developers to deploy on-reader tag-processing algorithms that leverage low-latency connectivity to enterprise IoT applications.
The reader supports up to 32 antennas with one-wire antenna connectivity in order to facilitate large-scale system deployments. Integrated, standardized connectors provide support for external peripherals. The device also includes a secure, upgradable Linux operating system, encrypted software and a secure software boot with chain-of-trust to prevent unauthorized software execution.
The R700 reader follows the company's recent introduction of its M700 endpoint IC family. The readers are currently available in limited quantity, the firm indicates, with additional regional support and general availability expected during the third quarter of 2020.
Altizon, Deloitte Collaborate on IIoT Connected Factory for HIL Ltd.
Altizon has announced that it is collaborating with global consulting firm Deloitte on a digital transformation project for HIL Ltd., a building material solutions company owned by CK Birla Group. "We believe a connected factory has the ability to significantly improve the production process by enabling end-to-end product visibility," said Dhirup Roy Choudhary, HIL's CEO, in a prepared statement. "Further, predictive analytics will aid decision making and promote responsiveness."
Altizon's cloud-based Datonis Manufacturing Intelligence (MInt) platform enables HIL to connect all machines, products and services to a single network and data platform that facilitates machine-to-machine communication. The Datonis MInt manufacturing data lake combines manufacturing product and process data from multiple sources into a single repository. HIL's first Connected Shop Floor has been launched in its Chennai blocks plant. As a result, the companies note, real-time machine parameters are now being captured through digital logbooks, with plant-level dashboards in place to monitor and review critical parameters. Instant alerts allow for timely corrective actions.
"The connected shop floor is the first step in our IIoT journey," said Murali Raj, HIL's CIO, in the prepared statement. "By connecting the entire shop floor, we are ready with real-time data to take corrective decisions. Our next focus is to predict failures in quality and maintenance, which will increase the plant efficiency. We chose Deloitte as our partners on this Industry 4.0 journey, as they come with deep understanding of the building materials industry and rich expertise in digital transformation. Deloitte's consulting expertise and Altizon's Datonis MInt platform together is a win-win scenario for us."
HIL says it hopes to reduce the incidence of defects and improve asset efficiencies at its plant. "Companies are beginning to understand the massive impact of Industry 4.0, and exponential technologies are fundamentally transforming the business models and processes," said Shridhar Kamath, a partner at Deloitte India, in the prepared statement. "Deloitte's manufacturing and digital acceleration solution brings in domain expertise and the ability to identify the data points that needs to be captured and to be processed that can bring in actionable insights at various levels in the organization. As an outcome, what we are seeing is not an incremental benefit but a step jump in all aspects of business including manufacturing cost, quality improvement and process efficiency."
"We believe a connected factory has the ability to significantly improve the production process by enabling end-to-end product visibility," Kamath added in the statement. "Further, predictive analytics will aid decision making and promote responsiveness. For HIL's Connected Digital Shop Floor engagement, we turned to Altizon and the plug-and-play feature of Datonis MInt significantly accelerated HIL's Connected Shop Floor rollout."
Industrial Internet Consortium Opens Community Forum
The Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), an organization focused on accelerating the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), has launched a community forum for industry experts to exchange ideas, discuss IIoT problems and network with each other. According to the organization, the IIC Community Forum will provide helpful, relevant content to technology users, vendors, systems integrators, technology experts, researchers, government entities and academicians.
Collaborating under the IIC Digital Transformation Working Group, members of the Ecosystem Task Group evaluated options and then launched the IIC Community Forum. The forum is now open to the public, and users are encouraged to join, view discussions by topics or tags, participate in current threads and initiate new discussions.
"Our goal in launching this forum is to provide thought-provoking discussions that benefit all stakeholders in IIoT," said Patrice Belmonte, Irdeto's IIC ecosystem co-chair and product marketing manager for connected manufacturing, in a prepared statement. "The forum also offers IIC members a new vehicle for gathering feedback on our published resources and soliciting ideas on where their expertise should be applied in developing additional guidance."
"Anyone can post a question or start a discussion about digital transformation and IoT-related topics, and engage with IIC experts to solicit help with issues, offer perspectives on challenges and opportunities, or simply network with peers," said Bassam Zarkout, IGnPower's IIC digital transformation co-chair and executive VP, in the prepared statement. "The community is organized by categories, each with multiple discussions. The categories are technology, security, business and industries, as well as a category for general topics. Currently, the most popular tags are trustworthiness, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
RFID Company Connect&GO Acquires Kool Replay
Connect&GO has announced that it has acquired Kool Replay, which offers a proprietary system using connected capture technology to let guests record and share branded photos and videos. The technology is currently used at multiple leisure attractions worldwide, the companies report. Kool Replay's solution has produced more than 750,000 digital souvenirs to date for guests.
"The Kool Replay system is a unique and complementary addition to the existing Connect&GO platform for permanent installations," said Mathieu Dupuis, Connect&GO's VP of technology, in a prepared statement. "It's the first technology we've found that makes it possible to easily share edited, branded video content with multiple view-points using a cloud-based distribution platform, powered by patent-pending algorithms."
Kool Replay will continue to develop its offering autonomously but will operate as a Connect&GO business unit. "We are very proud to welcome François and Benoit into the Connect&GO family," said Dominic Gagnon, a co-founder of Connect&GO, in the prepared statment. "They are two remarkable entrepreneurs that have made impressive strides in the entertainment market and have gained the confidence of major amusement parks like Luna Park on Coney Island."
During the comping year, Connect&GO plans to triple the size of Kool Replay's team and make investments in the company's research and development efforts. "We are thrilled to be joining a global leader in guest experience technology for the leisure, sports and entertainment industries," said François Tremblay, a co-founder of Kool Replay, in the prepared statement. "The combination of our technologies will allow us to create added value and offer a completely connected experience."
The companies will combine their technologies to launch a product called FunPass, which will include a smart connected wristband dispenser, RFID scanners and Kool Replay's photo- and video-capturing system. Guests can purchase wristbands at the entrance of an attraction or from a self-serve wristband dispenser located on site. Once the bracelet has been activated, a guest can enter and scan it to take photos and videos that can then be shared on social media. In addition, the wristbands can be used for other services, such as cashless payments and access control.
Altair Semiconductor IoT Chipset Receives Global Certification
Altair Semiconductor, a provider of cellular Internet of Things (IoT) chipsets, has announced that it has received its fifth operator certification in the past year for its dual-mode ALT1250 cellular IoT chipset from mobile operator Deutsche Telekom AG. The ALT1250 is now globally certified, with 15 carrier certifications dating back to 2018. Deutsche Telekom is developing a portfolio of certified chipset modules, allowing end users to add devices to the network.
Altair's dual-mode cellular IoT chipsets provide low power consumption, the company reports, enabling a long battery life. Commercially available, they feature a hardware-based security framework, as well as such features as an integrated SIM (iUICC), MCU and GNSS, making them suitable for industrial and consumer IoT applications. According to the company, IoT product manufacturers can use the ALT1250 to design and manufacture connected devices for global markets without having to create alternate product versions for different markets or global regions.
"Deutsche Telekom's certification process is one of the most rigorous in the industry, and we are proud to have the ALT1250 validated by them," said Dima Feldman, Altair Semiconductor's VP of product management and marketing, in a prepared statement. The 15 CAT-M and NB-IoT carrier certifications of the ALT1250 chipset or ALT1250-based products include AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Softbank, KDDI, Docomo, Deutsche Telecom, Vodafone and Telstra. In addition, Altair reports, ALT1250-based products are approved by most operator networks that accept GCF or PTCRB certifications.
