Farnell, an Avnet company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, today released the third episode in Series 2 of The Innovation Experts podcast featuring Advantech, a global leader in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions. Series 2 shares the opinions of leading industry experts, uncovering the trends, challenges, products and solutions that are enabling the global transition to adopt Industry 4.0 and accelerate innovation in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

In this brand-new podcast episode, Advantech explains why integration is the gateway to unlocking the core principles of Industry 4.0 technology. Matt Dentino, Advantech’s Industrial Internet of Things Channel Manager for North America, explains how a long-standing policy of embracing open architecture has influenced the company’s approach to asset integration, energy management, digital transformation and real-time monitoring and analysis.

By listening to the podcast, companies of all sizes will learn about the need for strategic business partnerships and the importance of embracing a new generation of engineers and computer technologists to maintain competitive edge as Industry 4.0 supercharges the industrial world. Dentino also makes informed predictions about how artificial intelligence (AI) will enable a new wave of Industry 4.0 innovation that is required to build and operate next-generation smart factories.

Dave Beck, Global Director E-mech & Passives at Farnell said: “Manufacturers can often be reluctant adopters of new technology as they don’t want to risk their business on the unknown. According to Advantech, these teething problems of the past are becoming less of a concern because every process and new-to-market IIoT device is so rigorously tested. Today, the only technological risk for small to medium sized manufacturers through to large blue-chip organisations is being left behind.”

New episodes of The Innovation Experts are released every few weeks and cover key topics including smart factory design and the power of automation, the industrial revolution’s synergy with electrification, how to demonstrate return on investment from Industry 4.0 and much more.  All previous podcast episodes in Series 2 are now available on Farnell’s Technical Resources Hub, including:

• Episode 1: Upgrading to Industry 4.0 using new and existing measurements – The debut episode of the series focuses on how process and manufacturing companies can adopt Industry 4.0 principles by embracing digitisation. Kevin Goohs, Director of IoT Implementation Strategy from Omega Engineering, discusses innovative ways to upgrade existing facility systems with critical solutions, such as sensors and new digital smart probes, to capture real-time information on the factory floor. Companies will gain an understanding of edge monitoring and control, how to identify new mechanisms to deliver and analyse big data and run critical pilot project evaluations before committing to full system installation.
• Episode 2: Aligning sustainability, business strategy and partnerships with Industry 4.0 – Schneider Electric provides an exclusive overview of the company’s innovative approach to developing new technology solutions for the IIoT, including how key learnings are passed directly onto customers. According to Mark Yeeles, Vice President Industrial Automation, UK & Ireland, the secret to advancing the adoption of Industry 4.0 is to engage strategic partners who can genuinely help companies to create fully optimised facilities. Engineers and facility managers will be empowered to make smarter and often autonomous decisions that can streamline processes and accelerate digital transformation to achieve success much faster.

As a leading global provider of industrial wireless solutions, Advantech is an authoritative voice in the fields of developing intelligent IoT systems and embedded platforms. Advantech assists its partners and customers to connect their industrial chains with big data and AI. The company also collaborates with business partners to accelerate technological advancement of industrial intelligence.

Farnell offers a full range of market-leading industrial test, tools and production supplies from stock to support electronic design, maintenance and repair, with no minimum order value. Customers have free access to online resources, data sheets, applications notes, videos and webinars with excellent customer and technical support available 24/5 in local language.

The Innovation Experts podcast is freely available from major podcast providers including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Upcoming episodes will feature exclusive interviews with Eaton, ABB and Red Lion Controls.

The third podcast episode, featuring Advantech, is available now on Farnell’s Technical Resources Hub. 

 Farnell, an Avnet company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has today released the second episode in Series 2 of the global podcast series, The Innovation Experts, featuring Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital automation and energy management.

This season’s podcast series investigates how some of the world’s leading electronic component and solution manufacturers are enabling technological innovation Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and smart manufacturing. Each episode in the series will enable buyers, design engineers, facility managers and other industry professionals to take advantage of the concepts behind Industry 4.0 and embrace optimisation. Valuable insights on the latest trends, challenges, products, tools and applications will also be shared.

In this brand-new episode, Schneider Electric provides an exclusive overview of the company’s innovative approach to developing new technology solutions for IIoT, including how key learnings are passed directly onto customers. Mark Yeeles, Vice President Industrial Automation of Schneider Electric UK & Ireland advises that engaging in strategic partners and deploying pilot projects ahead of full system integration is critical to creating fully optimised facilities. Engineers and facility managers will be able to make smarter, often autonomous decisions that can streamline processes and achieve a successful digital transformation at a much faster rate.

Simon Meadmore, Vice President of Product and Supplier Management at Farnell said: “To maximise investment opportunities in the IIoT, companies must first understand what determines success in the transition to Industry 4.0. By exploring Schneider Electric’s hands-on approach to their own global manufacturing operations, we learn how to set clear benchmarks and identify patterns at all stages of a company’s digitisation journey and map new business opportunities.”

With new episodes released every few weeks, The Innovation Experts – Industry 4.0 and the Future of Manufacturing will cover topics including intelligent factory trends and how to demonstrate return on investment, the industrial revolution’s synergy with electrification, the crucial role of developing strategic partnerships and much more. The first episode in Series 2 focused on how process and manufacturing companies can adopt Industry 4.0 principles by embracing digitisation. Omega Engineering showcased innovative ways to upgrade existing facility systems using critical solutions, such as sensors and new digital smart probes, to capture real-time information. Listeners developed an understanding of edge monitoring, big data harvesting and analysis, and the steps to take ahead of full system installation.

Schneider Electric is committed to driving innovation in the industrial world. With technology, innovation and partnerships at its core, Schneider helps industrial businesses achieve new levels of efficiency, resiliency and sustainability. Schneider was named the most sustainable corporation in the world in 2021 and has an end-to-end network of smart factories and distribution centres. Four of these facilities have been designated by The World Economic Forum as Advanced Lighthouses. Schneider’s mission is to make all industries of the future eco-efficient, agile and resilient through open, software-centric industrial automation.

Farnell offers a full range of market-leading industrial test, tools and production supplies from stock to support electronic design, maintenance and repair, with no minimum order value. Customers have free access to online resources, data sheets, applications notes, videos and webinars with excellent customer and technical support available 24/5 in local language.

The Innovation Experts podcast is freely available from major podcast providers including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Upcoming episodes will feature exclusive interviews with Advantech, Eaton, ABB and Red Lion Controls. 

The second episode, featuring Schneider Electric, is available now on Farnell’s Technical Resources Hub.Add text here.

Farnell, an Avnet Company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has today released the first episode in Series 2 of the global podcast: The Innovation Experts. Exploring the latest innovations in the world of electronics, Series 2 – Industry 4.0 and the Future of Manufacturing investigates how some of the world’s leading electronic component and solution manufacturers are enabling technological innovation in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).                                                                                   

The new podcast series will feature exclusive interviews with Omega Engineering, Advantech, Eaton, ABB, Red Lion Controls and Schneider Electric. The valuable insights shared will help companies of all sizes to take advantage of the concepts behind Industry 4.0 and implement a wide variety of real-world IIoT applications now and in the future.

Simon Meadmore, Vice President, Product and Supplier Management at Farnell said: “Although Industry 4.0 can be complex and difficult to implement in brownfield sites, it is possible to use many of its concepts and approaches to dramatically improve factory efficiency. By drawing on the expertise of our global network of suppliers, and the customers they have helped, this new podcast series shows how any company can introduce new technology into their manufacturing facilities to improve performance and generate positive ROI. The breadth of technical insights in the podcast series supports Farnell’s position as a market-leading distributor of IP&E products and complements our philosophy of providing customers with direct access to innovation, driven by some of the most influential people in the industry.”

Series 2 of The Innovation Experts will cover critical topics such as the new wave of Industry 4.0 and intelligent factory trends, the industrial revolution’s synergy with electrification, power of automation in the IIoT and much more. The podcast will be a valuable resource for buyers and professional design, development and systems integration engineers as well as amateur electronics enthusiasts wanting to stay up to date with new trends, challenges, products, software and applications.

The debut episode of the series focuses on how process and manufacturing companies can adopt Industry 4.0 principles by embracing digitisation. Kevin Goohs, Director of IoT Implementation Strategy from Omega Engineering, discusses innovative ways to upgrade existing facility systems with critical solutions, such as sensors and new digital smart probes, to capture real-time information on the factory floor.

Today, all device data can reside on an internal network, a cloud account or both to meet demanding application requirements. This episode will help end users to confidently transform to an Industry 4.0 facility by providing an understanding of edge monitoring and control, how to identify new mechanisms to deliver and analyse big data, and how to run pilot project evaluations before committing to full system installation.

Dave Beck, Global Director E-mech & Passives at Farnell said: “In our latest podcast series, we wanted to hear from leading experts driving cutting-edge technological innovation in the world of IIoT. I am pleased to be able to share the views of some of the largest industrial equipment manufacturers from around the globe to find out how they deliver optimal solutions for Industry 4.0 and empower customers to revolutionise operations in the process and manufacturing industry. We hope the engineering community will find their insights enlightening and informative, and perhaps even serve as inspiration for the next great innovation.”

Farnell has made significant investments over the last 18-24 months in response to the growing demand for high quality industrial solutions, expanding its comprehensive interconnect, passives and electromechanical range to include the latest solutions from trusted global brands. Farnell provides specialist 24/5 technical support for pneumatics, industrial automation and control technology. Customers also have access to free online resources, data sheets, application notes, videos and webinars on the Farnell website.

The Innovation Experts is freely available from major podcast providers including Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music and more.

The first episode featuring Omega Engineering titled: Upgrading to Industry 4.0 using new and existing measurements, is available now on Farnell’s Technical Resources Hub. 

Farnell, an Avnet Company and global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has today launched a new global podcast series, The Innovation Experts. Exploring the latest innovations in the world of electronics, the first series investigates how test and measurement equipment is key to enabling technological innovation.

The podcast series features interviews with experts from the world’s leading test and measurement equipment suppliers including Tektronix, Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, Pico Technology, Hioki and Fluke, to understand how they are helping customers drive innovation across a wide variety of real-world applications. The podcasts provide valuable insights for buyers and design, development and systems engineers as well as amateur test enthusiasts wanting to stay up to date with the latest trends, challenges, products, tools and applications.

“Changes in technology and rapid modernisation are placing greater demands on test and measurement equipment manufacturers – and they have responded by utilising new technological advances in industrial automation and control technology combined with the integration of connected devices through IoT and IIoT to bring to market the most cutting-edge and innovative products,” said James McGregor, Global Head of Test & Tools at Farnell. “Engineers are now measuring, testing, analysing, recording and displaying data on almost every application in the world around us, from factory automation, medical applications and transportation through to checking defects in high-performance and power-efficient consumer products. Test equipment – and test engineers – have never been more important in driving technological innovation around the world.”

With new episodes released every two weeks, The Innovation Experts podcast will cover topics including how test and measurement equipment enables innovation at tiny start-ups right through to large blue-chip organisations, how cutting-edge test tools support innovative battery design for electric vehicles and much more.

The debut episode of the series focuses on how Pico Technology’s PC-based oscilloscopes and RF testing products have enabled hybrid working and new ways of remote learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike Purday, Business Development Manager from Pico Technology, joins Farnell’s Global Head of Technical Marketing and electrical engineer Cliff Ortmeyer, to discuss the capabilities and impact of using low-cost PC-based scopes through to high-performance products for a range of innovative – and unexpected – applications, from tattoo removal to monitoring the temperature of penguin eggs.

Cliff Ortmeyer, Global Head of Technical Marketing at Farnell and host of The Innovation Experts, said: “With this podcast, we wanted to hear from the experts right on the cutting edge of technological innovation in the test space. Over the course of the series, I speak with leaders from some of the largest test and measurement equipment manufacturers around the globe to find out how they deliver innovative solutions and empower their customers to build an exciting future. I’m delighted to have spoken to influential experts in this industry and we hope the test and measurement community will find their insights helpful and interesting.”

Responding to the growth of test and measurement globally, Farnell has invested significantly over the last 12 months to build a comprehensive portfolio which includes the latest solutions from world leading suppliers. Farnell’s in-stock range of test and tool products includes oscilloscopes, power suppliers, signal generators and digital multimeters, as well as soldering products, hand tools and 3D printers. Free technical support is available to customers 24/5 from Farnell’s in-house test and measurement specialists as well as access to online resources, data sheets, application notes, videos and webinars.

The Innovation Experts is freely available from major podcast providers including Spotify, Apple Music, Alexa and more.

The first episode, featuring Pico Technology, is available now on Farnell’s new Technical Resources Hub.