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Firm's AR software will now work across smartphone and tablets, complimenting its smart glasses functionality. 

Upskill, the Augmented Reality software provider, has added mobile functionality to its AR platform, which includes smart glasses and Microsoft HoloLens.

Aimed at the industrial workforce, the software encourages collaboration through live videos and insight capture while workers carry out tasks. 

Brian Ballard, Upskill CEO and co-founder said: “With the latest enhancements to Skylight, it makes critical data, peer collaboration and the unique fidelity provided by augmented reality even more accessible. Skylight accelerates organizations along their digital transformation journey, regardless of where they are today.”

 

New research suggests adherence to GDPR compliance will influence company's spending around cybersecurity.

Cyber security revenues in 2018 were $160.2 billion and will jump $11.2 billion during 2019, as the focus moves to GDPR compliance. Growth will slow to around $9.8 billion per annum, spiking once a in 2023/4 as AI based Cybersecurity escalates, reaching $223.7 billion, says the report from Rethink Technology Research.

The European Union’s GDPR (General Data Protection Registrar) has set the agenda for legislation over data privacy and protection worldwide and that is generating a spike in spending on security measures that ensure compliance. This will continue to ripple around the world between 2019 and 2021.

North America is expected to continue to spend the most on security (27%), but both Europe (22%) and China (20%) which are rapidly accelerating their spend, with the rest of Asia following closely behind on 16%. North America is expected to lead on almost every market with the exceptions of Industrial and Automotive, where China leads, by a small margin.

You can read the full report here. 

The use of Android tablets and handhelds are on the rise in business but security remains a concern, according to the latest research from Panasonic Business.

On average, 72% of tablets and handheld devices in businesses (excluding mobile telephones) use the Android operating system. And with 60% of device buyers saying Android was still being integrated into their organisations, the number of devices is expected to rise with the majority seeing growth for the next three years.

Top three benefits of Android over other operating systems were said to be flexibility, security and affordability.

The top three benefits of Android over other operating systems were said to be flexibility (59%), security (58%) and affordability (52%).

Security concerns

Businesses believe they should be security patching their devices much more; on average four times a year more than they currently do. The variety of methods to deploy security patches also varied with 66% relying on the IT department, 38% using a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, 30% taking equipment manufacturer updates via Firmware over the air, 23% relying on the User, 22% using an IT support company and 16% using a reseller.

Functionality expectations
When it came to management capabilities in a business Android device, mobile buyers expected to see the following functionality as standard:

• A customisable OS to meet the business’ requirements - 50%;
• Android for Work - 47%;
• Policy Management Tool/Console for firmware updates - 41%;
• Enhanced Android Security support 37%;
• Incorporation of certified 3rd party security solution 35%;
• Free of charge, out of the box productivity and manageability apps 35%;
• Staging, EMM certifications, licences and customised MDM apps 33%;
• SCOMO Software Component management object 30%;
• Compatibility across different devices from the same manufacturer 30%;
• FOTO Firmware over the air 29%;
• Optional modular-based Developer package 23%.

Update expectations
Businesses currently update their Android operating systems on each device an average of 5 times per year and they expect their device provider to support the Android operating system for up to 3 years after the end of device’s life.

Android devices not all equal
“The march of Android mobile devices into the business world continues apace but how IT departments effectively manage and secure these devices remains a challenge,” said Jan Kaempfer, General Manager for Marketing at Panasonic Computer Product Solutions. “It is important that buyers recognise that not all Android mobile devices are equal. They should look closely at the management and security functionality being offered by their vendor and their Android engineering experience. With the use of the latest over air updates and management consoles, IT departments can save considerable time and money automating their updates by choosing the right device with the right management and security functionality.

You can read a copy of the research here.

RugGear, manufacturer of rugged smartphones, win award for its RG725 push-to-talk device.

Hong Kong-based rugged smartphone manufacturer, RugGear has won a prestigious iF Design Award for its RG725 push-to-talk rugged smartphone. 

The iF Design Awards recognise design and innovation across the following disciplines: product, packaging, communication, interior architecture, professional concept, service design and UX and architecture with the RG725 victorious in the telecommunications category. 

The device's  Android™ 8.1 Oreo™ operating system and walkie-talkie functionality was highlighted by the 67-strong judging panel who commended its "outstanding, innovative and functional design". 

"We are very proud to have won the award," said Oliver Schulte, RugGear's CEO. "With the RG725, we have developed a device that offers many different functions for a variety of work requirements and convinces with its innovative, industry leading push-to-talk design for industrial users". 

ONE Lease, the French leasing and fleet management specialist will use TomTom's cloud-based Telematics Service Platform.  

The platform will be used across ONE Lease's entire fleet, potentially improving vehicle management and customer service.


The firm hope to get a greater understanding of maintenance and management scheduling, allowing its customers to utilise data to inform its business decisions. The integration will also cover the firm's privacy and data protection compliance requirements. 

“By partnering with TomTom Telematics," ONE Lease's Sales Director Marc Chapentier said, "we will be able to swiftly access important vehicle data from all of our leased vehicles to help us manage them more efficiently, and to raise the bar even higher in terms of service standards and added value solutions we offer to customers.”

 

Commenting on the benefits of car-connectivity, TomTom Telematics' VP of Business Development, Thomas Becher said: “With our Telematics Services Platform, our partners and customers can create new business models, and further challenge the standard in their industries,”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Urban Armor Gear (UAG) announce addition of Plyo Series to their Microsoft Surface Go collection, which includes Kickstand adaptability.

The firm, who have partnered with the Microsoft Surface Programme, designed the new rugged case out of lightweight materials. Compatible with the Surface Go’s Type Cover Keyboard, the tablet can be converted into a laptop with multiple viewing options with an infinite position kickstand. 

The design also incorporates a friction-free, lint resistant exterior and airsoft corners to protect from drops.Commenting on the hardware, UAG's Senior Marketing Manager, Michael McVerry said: "The translucent design is asset tag friendly, and our relationship with Microsoft assures quality and compatibility with the Type Cover Keyboard and Surface Pen."

Expanded portfolio will simplify the transition to a secure, automated and cloud-centric infrastructure with new innovations in metro, edge and core, firm says.

Juniper Networks has announced a major refresh to its metro, edge and core solutions to for service providers 5G transformation.

Comprised of IP optimized silicon enabling industry-leading 400GbE density on a new 14.4 Tb linecard, new ACX access and aggregation platforms and an expanded MX 5G router portfolio, the new solutions will help service providers achieve a holistic approach to infrastructure transformation, Juniper claims.

Commenting, Brendan Gibbs, Juniper Network's VP, Product Managament said: “Juniper Networks is giving service providers the building blocks required to create 5G-ready networks built for simplicity and agility that are capable of supporting immense traffic demands for the future. By combining the attributes of secure and automated cloud architectures, Juniper is ushering in the next era of service provider networking.” 

 

Panasonic Business has opened its new customer experience centre in the UK, showcasing its range of B2B solutions virtually  and physically including a rugged technology testing centre.

Situated in Bracknell, the centre is experienced as two zones. The first is an immersive 270 degree interactive presentation space, built around eight separate virtual vertical environments, and a demonstration space that allows customers to get hands-on with the latest Panasonic technology. 

Featuring AV design and integration by Sysco Productions, concept development by AB Creative, and content and physical build by Hart Wilcox, it  features over 100 items of technology, including a range of Toughbook rugged notebooks and with a rugged resistance test station, which allows water ingress, drop and impact testing of the range. 

Simon Grantham, Managing Director of Panasonic UK said: "By quietly and reliably powering their capability our technology frees businesses to perform to their maximum. The new customer experience centre provides a platform upon which we can work with our customers to solve their daily business challenges.” 

 

 

 

 

PTC's Servigistics platform will integrate with IFS' Field Service Management, Applications and Maintenix solutions.


IFS the global enterprise company have announced a partnership with computer software and services company PTC that they say will reduce asset downtime and improve service part availability.

The partnership will see IFS' three field service platforms - IFS Applications, IFS Field Service Management and IFS Maintenix - incorporate PTC's service-parts optimisation solution Servigistics.

Commenting on the agreement, Aly Pinder, IFS' Program Director of Service Innovation and Connected Products said: " The collaboration between PTC and IFS connects two critical aspects of service – field execution and service parts management. To remain competitive and deliver enhanced service experiences, it is crucial to have the right service part available for a service technician to fix an issue promptly and during the first visit."

Leslie Paulson, Servigistics Business Unit's General Manager was equally positive. “We are excited to partner with IFS to integrate our solutions and pursue new frontiers of innovation in connected service delivery,” she said. “Having the right part in the right place at the right time has never been more important. We’re pleased to be working with IFS to enable companies to differentiate their service and maintenance operations.”

Pricing details have not been yet been revealed, but according to MRO-Network.com, IFS have said this will depend on specific customers' needs.