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Here's the podcast description for August 26, 2026: August 26, 2026: Your daily rundown of health and wellness news, in under 5 minutes. Today's top stories: Fitbit founders launch Luffu and its Link wearable, an LTE-connected device helping families track aging parents' health, mood, and location at home Berry Street merges with India's Healthify to combine 2,000+ clinics with AI-powered nutrition, betting on GLP-1 care as adoption approaches 30M Americans by 2030 Amazon partners with HYROX to launch branded storefronts across six countries and title-sponsor its December race as the event grows into a global platform Today's episode is brought to you by AIIR — a modern communications and experiential agency for health, wellness, fitness, and performance brands. From earned media to events and creator-led campaigns, AIIR helps companies sharpen their story, earn attention, and build trust that compounds. Visit https://aiir.agency to learn more. More from Fitt: Fitt Insider breaks down the convergence of fitness, wellness, and healthcare — and what it means for business, culture, and capital. Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe  Work with our recruiting firm → https://talent.fitt.co/ Follow us on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/fittinsider/ Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider  Reach out → insider@fitt.co

The fellas are back with a Wednesday edition of The Nielson Show, streaming live on Edmonton Sports Talk! How about those Toronto Blue Jays?!   They got the job done once again with another big victory over the red-hot Boston Red Sox, Lt. Eric and the boys are breaking down all the action from last night's win… and that's exactly what we did for Morning Announcements for The Rundle Park Short Course.   In the middle of hour one, we got into Offseason, What Offseason for GCL Diesel! Today, LTE asked the boys who the Oilers should potentially give some PTO's heading into the season… this conversation slightly went off the rails.   We finished off hour one with MMMMMM That's Good for the Italian Centre Shop. We continued the ESTY conversation today and got right into today's category. Which is, what is the best bet of the year?

I am Rolf Claessen and my co-host Ken Suzan and I are welcoming you to episode 177 of our podcast IP Fridays! Today's interview guest is Dr. Ernst-Peter Heilein, who is a German and European patent attorney, the founder of HEILEIN IP LAW, and a long-time IP leader at BSH Home Appliances. He is the mastermind behind the BSH v. Electrolux decision of the European Court of Justice about long-arm jurisdiction in Europe that has the whole patent world stirring in Europe at the moment! But before we jump into this fascinating interview, I have news for you! Emboline v. AorticLab (UPC Court of Appeal) The UPC Court of Appeal has clarified for the first time how a conditional revocation counterclaim should be handled, in a dispute over Emboline’s embolic protection patent EP 2 129 425 against AorticLab. A defendant can validly make its revocation counterclaim conditional on infringement being found first, meaning no ruling on the counterclaim is needed if the infringement claim fails, as the Munich Local Division had held. The Court of Appeal also closed a related gap: if the claimant appeals a non-infringement finding, the counterclaimant may conditionally appeal the unresolved counterclaim too. AorticLab missed its own appeal deadline and can now at best seek re-establishment of rights, while Emboline has already appealed the non-infringement finding. FujiFilm v. Kodak (UPC Court of Appeal) Following the closely watched long-arm jurisdiction ruling of June 2, the UPC Court of Appeal, chaired by Rian Kalden, has now granted FujiFilm an injunction against Kodak in a second proceeding. The Court upheld the limited printing plate patent and found that Kodak’s Sonora XTRA 3 plate infringes it. Kodak can no longer sell or use that plate in Germany. OpenAI v. EUIPO (General Court of the EU, T-555/25) The General Court’s Eighth Chamber dismissed OpenAI’s action against the EUIPO decision to partially cancel the OPENAI trademark. The partial refusal for classes 9, 42, and 45 rests decisively on Article 7(1)(c) EUTMR, the descriptiveness ground. For a significant part of the English-speaking public, “OPENAI” directly conveys that the goods or services are provided using freely accessible artificial intelligence. Dental Monitoring v. Align Technology (CAFC) On July 7, 2026, the Federal Circuit confirmed that AI and deep-learning patent claims covering dental image analysis are not patent-eligible under Section 101. Simply training a “deep learning device” on a specific dataset does not amount to a patent-eligible technical solution. Publisher v. Google (Munich I Regional Court) The Munich I Regional Court issued a preliminary injunction barring Google from spreading false factual claims about a publishing company in its AI Overviews. A search query combining the company’s name with the German term for “fraud scheme” had triggered an AI-generated summary containing entirely fabricated accusations of subscription traps. KPN v. Oppo (Federal Court of Justice, X ZR 103/24) On July 1, the Federal Court of Justice dismissed KPN’s appeal against the revocation of a central claim of its LTE patent EP 2 291 033. Oppo had successfully challenged the claim, leaving KPN’s infringement action against Oppo’s German distribution entity without a legal basis for now. BSH v. Electrolux: What the ECJ Ruling Means for Your Company’s Patent Enforcement Strategy A vacuum cleaner from 2001 has reshaped the European patent landscape. That sounds like an overstatement. It isn’t. For IP Fridays, I spoke with Dr. Ernst-Peter Heilein, founder of HEILEIN IP LAW and long-time Senior IP Leader at BSH Home Appliances. He guided the case BSH v. Electrolux from its first strategic idea all the way to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice, a case that earned the 2025 Managing IP Award as “Europe Impact Case of the Year.” For managing directors, IP heads, and R&D leaders at German Mittelstand companies, this case is not a legal footnote. It changes where you can enforce your patents, and it changes where you yourself can be sued if your company operates across several European markets. That is what this article is about. Background: How a Patent Dispute Became an ECJ Case The invention dates back to 2001 and concerns a new vacuum cleaner technology. In 2006, BSH identified what it believed was an unauthorized use of that invention and contacted Electrolux to clarify the situation. The European patent was granted in 2009 and validated in a number of European countries. Nobody, Heilein says, could have imagined at the time that this matter would eventually reach the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice almost twenty years later. In late 2018, BSH successfully defended the patent through opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office. In 2019, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf found that certain Electrolux vacuum cleaner models infringed the patent. A classic milestone win, the kind that occurs regularly in patent practice. Except the patent had been validated in many countries. Winning in Germany did not solve the enforcement problem everywhere else. Heilein describes the starting point in very concrete terms: how do you enforce a patent that exists in many countries without filing a separate lawsuit in every single one? And how do you prevent claims from becoming time-barred while you work that out? Running parallel proceedings in multiple countries is not just legally complex. It consumes time, personnel, and money that a mid-sized company rarely has in that quantity to spare. This is exactly where the real value of this case for you begins. From the outset, this was never an academic debate about jurisdiction. It was a question that every company holding rights in more than one country eventually faces: how do you enforce your rights efficiently without burning your budget on ten parallel proceedings? Brussels Ia Regulation: The Underrated Article 4 While searching for a solution, the BSH team came across Article 4 of the Brussels Ia Regulation. The underlying idea is simple: a person can generally be sued in the country where that person is based. In the BSH case, that pointed toward the Swedish home court, because Electrolux is headquartered in Stockholm. For a long time, this rule played no real role in patent practice. The widely held view was that cross-border patent litigation in Europe was effectively dead the moment a defendant challenged the validity of the patent. Anyone wanting to enforce a patent across several countries appeared to have no choice but to litigate country by country. Heilein and his team questioned that assumption instead of simply accepting it. This is the point I find most instructive: challenging accepted assumptions in your own field is often the difference between a standard solution and a strategic one. In 2020, the team decided to file the action in Sweden, aware that they were looking at a possibility, not a guarantee. Cross-Border Enforcement: The Three Questions Referred to Luxembourg After Electrolux challenged the validity of the patents, the Swedish home court declared itself not competent to hear the case. BSH appealed, and the Swedish Court of Appeal agreed to refer three questions to the European Court of Justice. The first question addressed the core problem: does a home court that would otherwise have jurisdiction over an infringement claim lose that jurisdiction simply because the defendant argues the patent is invalid? The second question concerned a feature common to many legal systems, including Germany’s, where infringement and validity are decided in separate proceedings. The third question originally concerned Turkey. Today, most people immediately think of the United Kingdom, and some even think of US patents. Originally, the question was simpler: do the same jurisdiction rules apply to patents from countries outside the European Union? The fact that the ECJ first assigned the case to a Chamber of seven judges and later referred it to the Grand Chamber of 15 judges already signaled how much weight the Court placed on these questions. The Judgment: What the ECJ Actually Decided A home court does not automatically lose jurisdiction simply because the defendant argues the patent is invalid. For many years, the opposite was widely assumed to be settled law. The ECJ made clear that this reading was too narrow. The court where the defendant is based can generally continue to hear the infringement case. One point matters for how you read this ruling: questions concerning the validity of a European patent still fall to the national courts of the country for which the patent was granted, as provided in Article 24(4) of the Brussels Ia Regulation. What is new is that the infringement case does not automatically collapse the moment validity is challenged. The home court keeps control of the overall proceeding. For patents from EU Member States, the home court does not automatically lose jurisdiction. It assesses the validity challenge. If it looks strong, the home court may stay the infringement case. If it looks weak, the home court may proceed. For patents from non-EU countries, the home court may stay the case if a validity proceeding is already pending there, drawing on Articles 33 and 34 of the Brussels Ia Regulation. The result is a considerably more flexible system than most observers expected . Patents from Outside the EU: Long-Arm Jurisdiction The part of the judgment with the greatest international reach concerns patents from countries outside the EU. The ECJ ruled that the special jurisdiction rule for patent validity generally does not apply to non-European patents. That means the general rule can apply instead, opening the door for infringement claims based on non-European patents to be brought before a home court where the defendant is based in the EU. Commentators quickly started calling this “long-arm jurisdiction.” One clarification matters here, because it tends to get lost in the public discussion: the ECJ did not say that a European home court can revoke or invalidate a foreign patent. That remains a matter for the authorities and courts of the country that granted it. What the ECJ said is that a European home court may assess the claims between the parties. That distinction is essential to how you should read this ruling. Consequences in Practice: Fujifilm, Regeneron, and Onesta Three recent cases show how quickly practice is already adapting to the new possibilities. Fujifilm v. Kodak: the Düsseldorf Local Division of the Unified Patent Court accepted jurisdiction over the UK part of a European patent even before the ECJ delivered its judgment, building on reasoning the Advocate General had already signaled in the BSH case. In June 2026, the UPC Court of Appeal further developed that approach based on the principles confirmed in BSH. Regeneron v. Formycon: the Munich home court applied the BSH framework and granted a Europe-wide injunction based on a European patent, one of the first examples of a national home court putting the BSH logic into practice. Onesta v. BMW: this case shows the debate has moved well beyond Europe. After Onesta attempted to assert two US patents before the Munich home court, BMW obtained an anti-suit injunction from a Texas federal court. Judge Albright took the view that US patents should generally be decided by US courts. The injunction was directed against Onesta, not against the Munich court, and Onesta has appealed the Texas decision. The Munich home court stayed the proceeding but did not reject its own jurisdiction. Whether a European home court can ultimately decide infringement claims based on US patents remains an open question, one that has turned from a European jurisdiction issue into an international jurisdiction conflict. What This Means for Your Company Heilein sums up twenty years of litigation in three lessons, and I share this assessment without reservation when advising my Mittelstand clients. First: patent enforcement has become more international. National litigation still matters, but companies should think across borders from the very beginning, not only once the first cease-and-desist letter has been sent. Second: choice of forum now carries real strategic weight. Where you bring a case can matter just as much as the legal arguments themselves. Third: long-term commitment pays off. Major developments rarely result from a single filing or a single hearing. They come from pursuing a clear strategy consistently over many years. For you as a managing director, R&D lead, or Head of IP at an innovative Mittelstand company, this translates into two concrete points. First, if you hold rights in several European countries and a competitor infringes them, you no longer necessarily have to fund five or six parallel national proceedings. A single action at the infringer’s home base can be the economically smarter option. Second, and this side of the ruling gets less attention in public discussion, if your company is based in Germany and operates across several countries, you can now be sued at your own home base over patent infringement claims tied to activities in other countries. That risk belongs in every freedom-to-operate analysis and in every assessment tied to acquisitions or market entry. Here is the full transcript of the interview: Host Today's interview guest is Dr. Ernst-Peter Heilein. If you don't know Ernst-Peter, he is a German and European patent attorney, the founder of HEILEIN IP LAW, and a long-time IP leader at BSH Home Appliances. Thank you for being on IP Fridays. Answer Yeah, great to be here! BLOCK 1 – THE PERSON BEHIND THE CASE Host When looking at your career, one thing stands out: you never really followed the traditional path of either private practice or industry. Er, how did your professional journey begin, actually? Answer My professional roots are actually in private practice. After qualifying as a Patent Attorney, I worked in private practice and fairly early founded my own law firm, which later became HEILEIN IP LAW. Host So you never completely left private practice behind? Answer Exactly. In 2005, I had the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities on the BSH side. There, I was able to build and lead a new unit within the IP organization. The team was responsible for patents in the small appliances business, as well as global design and trademark protection. At the same time, I helped build an international network of internal and external IP counsel and coordinated their work. Host That still sounds fairly like traditional IP work. When did international disputes become part of your career? Answer Over time, my focus gradually shifted from traditional IP protection to strategic enforcement. That included anti-counterfeiting activities, global trademark and design matters, and cross-border patent disputes. Host So your work became more about enforcing rights rather than simply obtaining and managing them, right? Answer Exactly. And that development eventually led me to play a strategic role in the case BSH Home Appliances versus Electrolux, a case that still accompanies me today. Host Looking back now — from private practice, to building an international IP organization, and eventually becoming involved in a case before the European Court of Justice — did you ever imagine that path? Answer No, not at all. Looking back, this combination of private practice, responsibilities on the business side, and international enforcement experience turned out to be very useful when our case eventually reached the European Court of Justice. BLOCK 2 – HOW IT ALL STARTED Host Yeah, talking about this case. The case BSH versus Electrolux started long before it reached the European Court of Justice. When did the story actually begin? Answer The story actually begins much earlier than most people would expect. The invention itself dates back to 2001 and concerns a new vacuum cleaner technology. In 2006, we identified what we believed to be an unauthorized use of the invention and contacted Electrolux to clarify the situation. The European patent in suit was granted in 2009 and validated in a number of European countries. At the time, nobody could have imagined that this would eventually lead to a decision of the European Court of Justice almost twenty years later. Host Wow, 20 years! That's a long time. So, at first this was simply a normal patent dispute? Answer Yes, absolutely! After many years of opposition and appeal proceedings before the European Patent Office, we were finally able to defend the patent successfully in late 2018. Less than one year later, in the summer of 2019, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf found that certain Electrolux vacuum cleaner models infringed the patent. Host Er, at that point, one might think, that the patent owner had achieved its goal, right? Answer That is what many people would think. But that judgment did not bring the dispute to an end. A new challenge emerged. The patent had been validated in many European countries. Winning in one country, like Germany, did not automatically solve the enforcement issue in all the other countries. Host What was the practical problem then? Answer We were facing a very simple question: How do we enforce a patent that exists in many countries? And how do we prevent claims from becoming time-barred without filing separate infringement actions in every single country? Doing that would not only be legally complex. It would also require a huge amount of time, effort, and money. Host That sounds less like a major legal question and more like a business problem. Answer Exactly. At the beginning, this was not an academic discussion about jurisdiction. It was a very practical business question. How can we enforce our rights efficiently without running parallel lawsuits all over Europe? That was the real challenge we were trying to solve. BLOCK 3 – THE IDEA OF A CENTRAL ACTION Host So, how did the idea of one central action emerge? Answer While looking for possible solutions, we came across Article 4 of the Brussels Ia Regulation. The idea behind that rule is very simple. In general, a person can be sued in the country where that person is based. In our case, that pointed us toward the Swedish home court because Electrolux is based in Stockholm. Host That sounds like a fairly ordinary jurisdiction rule. Answer Yes. And that was exactly what made it interesting. Article 4 is the general rule. The question was whether that rule could also be used for patent infringement claims covering several countries. Host Was that a common approach at the time? Answer No. Quite the opposite. Many people believed that cross-border patent litigation in Europe was effectively dead. Host That sounds rather dramatic. Why did people think that? Answer Because there was a widely held view that a central patent case could be stopped as soon as the defendant challenged the validity of the patent. As a result, many companies assumed they had no real choice but to litigate country by country. Host Yet you decided to look at the issue differently. Answer Yes. Sometimes it is worth taking a fresh look at accepted assumptions. We felt that Article 4 might play a much more important role than many people believed. Host So at that point, you already saw an opportunity, right? Answer Yes, we saw a possibility! Not a guarantee. But we believed there was a strong legal basis for bringing all claims before the Swedish home court. Host And that eventually led to the lawsuit being filed in Sweden, right? Answer Exactly. In 2020, we decided to file the action in Sweden. That followed our success before the European Patent Office in late 2018 and in the Düsseldorf infringement proceedings in 2019. At that stage, our objective was very practical. We were simply trying to find an efficient way to enforce rights that exist in many countries. Host At that point, you already think the case might end up before the European Court of Justice? Answer No. Not at all. We were focused on solving a business problem. The idea that the case would eventually reach the European Court of Justice came much later. BLOCK 4 – THE OBSTACLE: GAT v. LuK Host You mentioned that, er, many people believed cross-border patent litigation in Europe was no longer a realistic option. Why was that? Answer The main reason was an earlier decision of the European Court of Justice known as GAT versus LuK, decided in 2006. For many years, that decision was understood to mean that a home court could lose its ability to hear a patent infringement case as soon as the defendant challenged the validity of the patent. In practice, that understanding made many cross-border patent cases extremely difficult. As a result, many people believed that cross-border patent litigation was not effective. Host And yet you decided to follow exactly that path, right? Answer Yes. Sometimes it is worth questioning assumptions that have been accepted for many years. We believed that Article 4 of the Brussels Ia Regulation played a more important role than many people thought. That is why, in 2020, we decided to file the case in Sweden. Host And at that point, did you already realize that the case might eventually reach the European Court of Justice? Answer No. Not at all. Our goal was simply to find a practical solution to a real enforcement problem. The idea that this would eventually become a case before the European Court of Justice was far from our minds. BLOCK 5 – THE QUESTIONS REFERRED TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE Host So, how did the case eventually reach the European Court of Justice then? Answer After we filed the lawsuit in Sweden in 2020, Electrolux challenged the validity of the patents. The Swedish home court then concluded that it could not hear the case and declared itself not competent to proceed. We appealed that decision, because the issues were important and affected far more than just our case. We suggested that several questions should be referred to the European Court of Justice. The Swedish Court of Appeal agreed and sent those questions to Luxembourg. Host So, what were these main questions? Answer At the heart of the case, there were three questions: First: if a home court has jurisdiction over a patent infringement case, does it lose that jurisdiction simply because the defendant argues that the patent is invalid? Second: Does it make a difference if the national legal system requires validity issues to be decided in a separate proceeding? And third: Do this jurisdiction rules also apply to patents from countries outside the European Union? Host The third question sounds particularly interesting. Answer Yes, at the time, the discussion in our case focused on Turkey. Today, many people immediately think about the United Kingdom, and some even think about US patents. But originally, the question was much simpler. We wanted to know, whether the same jurisdiction rules also apply when patents from non-European countries are involved. Host And, did you realize how important that third question might become? Answer No, certainly not to that extent. At the beginning, most of the discussion focused on the relationship between the different jurisdiction rules within Europe. Only later did it become clear that the European Court of Justice’s answers might have consequences far beyond the European Union. Host So, how did the European Court of Justice react then? Answer That was actually quite interesting. The European Court of Justice first heard the case before a Chamber of seven judges. Later, it referred the case to the Grand Chamber of 15 judges. That already showed that the European Court of Justice considered the issues to be important. And when the judgment finally came out, some of the answers were very different from what many observers had expected. BLOCK 6 – THE DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE Host Let’s talk about the European Court of Justice’s answers. What was, in your view, the most important part of the decision? Answer The most important point was this: A home court does not automatically lose jurisdiction just because the defendant argues that the patent is invalid. For many years, many people believed exactly the opposite. The European Court of Justice made it clear that this understanding was too narrow. The home court where the defendant is based can generally continue to hear the infringement case. That is really the key message of the decision. Host Why is that so important? Answer Because it gives new momentum to cross-border patent enforcement in Europe. Before this decision, many people assumed that a defendant could effectively stop a central infringement case simply by challenging the validity of the patent. The European Court of Justice made clear that this is not automatically the case. Host Does that mean the home court hearing the infringement case will now also decide whether the patent is valid? Answer No, and that is a very important point. The European Court of Justice confirmed that questions about the validity of a European patent should still be decided by the national courts of the country for which the patent was granted, as provided for in Article 24(4) of the Brussels Ia Regulation. What is new, is that the infringement case does not automatically fall apart because of a validity challenge. The home court can keep control of the overall case. Host So, how does that work in practice? Answer The European Court of Justice gives the home court some flexibility. For patents from Member States of the European Union, the home court does not automatically lose its power if the defendant says the patent is invalid. The home court can look at the validity challenge. If it seems strong, the home court may stay the infringement case. If it seems weak, the home court may continue the infringement case. For patents from countries outside the European Union, the home court may also stay the case if there is already a validity case pending in that country. In such situations, Articles 33 and 34 of the Brussels Ia Regulation may apply. That creates a much more flexible system than many people expected. Host Er, we have discussed the implications for patents from Member States of the European Union, but a lot of attention has been given to another part of the decision, that we already talked about briefly, namely patents from countries outside the European Union. Answer Absolutely, and that may be the part of the judgment with the biggest international impact. Host Why? Answer Because the European Court of Justice decided that the special jurisdiction rule for patent validity does not generally apply to patents from non-European countries. In simple terms, that means the general rule can still apply. And that opens the possibility of bringing infringement cases based on non-European patents before the home court where the defendant is based in the European Union. Host That sounds like a very far-reaching statement. Answer It is. That is why many commentators started talking about what is often called “long-arm jurisdiction.” In other words, a European home court may, under certain circumstances, deal with infringement claims relating to patents from countries outside the European Union. Host So, many listeners may now wonder: Can a Swedish or a German home court really decide a dispute involving a British or Turkish patent? Answer Ah, we need to be careful here. The European Court of Justice did not say that a European home court can cancel or revoke a foreign patent. That remains a matter for the authorities and national courts of the country that granted the patent. What the European Court of Justice said is that a European home court may assess the claims between the parties in a dispute. That is an important distinction. Host Did you realize during the proceedings how important this part of the decision might become? Answer Not to this extent. We started with a very practical enforcement problem. Only later did it become clear that the European Court of Justice’s answers might have consequences far beyond the original case. Today, the decision is discussed not only in connection with Turkish patents, but also British patents and even possible claims involving US patents. Host If you had to summarize the decision in one sentence, and I know, this is a very difficult task, what would that sentence be? Answer The European Court of Justice did not re-invent cross-border patent enforcement in Europe. But after many years, it clearly gave it much more room to develop. BLOCK 7 – THE REACTION OF THE IP COMMUNITY Host So, how was the decision received after it was published? Answer Ah, the reaction was very strong. It quickly became clear that many people saw the decision as much more than just another patent case. Many articles and commentaries described it as an important development in European patent litigation. Host Did that surprise you? Answer To some extent, yes. Of course, we knew that the questions referred to the European Court of Justice were important. But I was surprised by how quickly the decision became a major topic of discussion across the European patent community. Host Er, you later presented the decision at several conferences yourself, right? Answer Yes. The discussion started right away. I had the opportunity to discuss and present the case at several conferences and events, including the annual VPP conference in Germany and the Ingolstadt Patent Symposium. I recently received an invitation to serve as a panel speaker on cross-border litigation at the AIPPI World Congress 2026 in Hamburg. What struck me most was that both internal and external IP counsel were trying to understand the practice consequences of the decision. Host So, what was the question you were asked most often? Answer Almost always the same one: How far does this decision really go? People wanted to know whether this was simply a correction of earlier case law or whether it marked the beginning of a new phase in cross-border patent enforcement. Host And what did you say? Answer I would describe it as: neither a revolution nor a minor adjustment. The European Court of Justice did not rewrite the system. But it clearly changed the balance between the different jurisdiction rules. That is why I believe the decision will continue to be discussed for many years, both in practice and in academia. Host Er, one year later, the case received the Managing IP Award as the “Europe Impact Case of the Year.” What did that recognition mean to you? Answer First of all, it was a great honor for everyone involved. But for me, the most important thing was the message behind the award. The award showed that the decision affects much more than the parties involved in the case. It has an impact on European patent practice as a whole. And it also shows that the underlying jurisdiction questions reach far beyond patent law. They are relevant whenever companies have to enforce rights across borders in an increasing international world. That is what makes this case special. Host You often describe this case as a team effort. Answer Absolutely. A case of this size is never the work of one person. Many people contributed over many years. On the BSH side, team members from different functions played an important role throughout the proceedings. And we worked closely with external advisors in several countries. So I see the award as recognition of a shared achievement rather than an individual success. Host Looking at the discussions today, would you say the debate is over? Answer Not at all. I actually think we are only at the beginning. There are still many practical questions that home courts will have to answer in the coming years. That is exactly why the decision remains so interesting. BLOCK 8 – WHAT DOES THE DECISION MEAN IN PRACTICE? Host Let’s move from legal theory to practical business implications. What does this decision mean for patent owners and companies? Answer In my view, the biggest change is strategic. Patent owners now have better opportunities to bring cross-border disputes together in one central proceeding. At the same time, companies need to be aware that they may face claims at their European headquarters covering activities in several countries. So the decision creates opportunities, but it also creates new risks. Host That sounds really like a significant shift; right? Answer I would call it a rebalancing rather than a revolution. The European Court of Justice did not create a completely new system. But it made clear that the general rule — suing a defendant where it is based — plays a much bigger role than many people had assumed. As a result, the court at the defendant’s home base becomes much more important strategically. Host In the patent community, people often talk about cases such as Fujifilm v. Kodak, or Regeneron v. Formycon or Onesta v. BMW. Why are those cases attracting so much attention now? Answer Because they show how quickly practice is already adapting to the new possibilities. Fujifilm was important because it was one of the first UPC cases to test the logic that was later confirmed in BSH. At that time, the BSH case was already pending before the European Court of Justice, and the Advocate General had expressed a view that pointed in that direction. Against that background, the Düsseldorf Local Division accepted jurisdiction over the UK part of a European patent even before the European Court of Justice delivered its judgment. In June 2026, based on the principles confirmed in BSH, the UPC Court of Appeal further developed that approach. Host And what happened in Regeneron v. Formycon ? Answer In the Regeneron case, the Munich home court applied the approach confirmed in BSH and granted a Europe-wide injunction based on a European patent. That was one of the first examples of a national home court using the BSH framework in practice. That demonstrates that the decision is not just an academic discussion. It already has practical consequences. Host And what about the Onesta case? Answer The Onesta case shows that the debate has moved beyond Europe. After Onesta attempted to assert two U.S. patents before the Munich home court, BMW obtained an anti-suit injunction from a Texas federal court. Judge Albright took the view that U.S. patents should generally be decided by U.S. courts. The Onesta case therefore illustrates that the limits of the BSH logic are now being tested internationally. Host Did that end the proceedings in Munich? Answer Not necessarily. What makes the case interesting is that the Texas injunction was directed against Onesta, not against the Munich home court. At the same time, Onesta appealed Judge Albright’s decision in the United States. The Munich home court therefore decided to stay the case for the time being. Importantly, however, the Munich home court did not reject its own jurisdiction. So, at least for the moment, the underlying question remains open. Host Can a European home court ultimately decide infringement claims based on U.S. patents? Answer That question has not yet been answered. But the case has already shown that such an attempt can trigger strong reactions outside Europe. In that sense, the debate has moved from a European jurisdiction question to an international jurisdiction conflict. Host For our audience of internal and external IP counsel, what are the main lessons from this decision? Answer For me, there are three key takeaways. First: Patent enforcement has become more international. National litigation remains important, but companies should think across borders from the very beginning. Second: The choice of forum is becoming more important. Where you bring a case may be just as important as the legal arguments themselves. And third: Long-term commitment matters. This case shows that major developments rarely happen because of a single filing or a single hearing. They usually result from pursuing a clear strategy consistently over many years. Host Do you think this decision will also influence the Unified Patent Court, the UPC? Answer Yes, I believe so. The decision fits into a broader trend toward more centralized patent litigation. Both, the UPC and the BSH decision are driven by the same idea: Handling cross-border disputes more efficiently and more consistently. What is interesting is that many of the questions were faced in BSH versus Electrolux are now reappearing in a new form before the UPC. Cases like Fujifilm versus Kodak show that the discussion about jurisdiction, scope, and cross-border effects is far from over. Institutions may be new. But the underlying challenge remains the same: How do we enforce patents effectively across borders? Host Some commentators even see this as a step toward a more independent European patent judiciary. Do you agree? Answer To some extent, yes. Professor Hanns Ullrich, who supervised my doctoral studies on the legal protection of a then new semiconductor technology many years ago, recently observed that the UPC is gradually developing its own European case law.[DH1] I think that is — again — a very accurate observation. If you look at the developments since BSH and the first UPC decisions, you can see that European patent litigation is becoming more connected. National courts will remain important. But at the same time, we are seeing a more integrated European patent system taking shape. How far that development will go remains to be seen. Host Looking back on the entire journey — from a vacuum cleaner patent, through litigation in several countries, all the way to the European Court of Justice and an award-winning decision — what is your personal conclusion? Answer My main conclusion is that innovation needs effective legal protection. But it also requires the willingness to challenge established assumptions and explore new approaches. For me, the BSH versus Electrolux case shows that persistence, teamwork, a willingness to challenge accepted assumptions, and a long-term strategic view can sometimes lead to developments that go far beyond the original dispute. BLOCK 9 – THE PERSON BEHIND THE DECISION Host Ernst-Peter, today we have talked a lot about jurisdiction, patent enforcement, and European case law. When you look back at this journey, which has lasted almost twenty years, what impressed you most? Answer Probably the realization that major developments rarely follow a straight line. When we started thinking about the case, we were dealing with a very practical problem. Nobody said: Let’s create a landmark decision of the European Court of Justice. We were simply looking for a reasonable and practical solution for a company. The fact that this would eventually lead to a decision with Europe-wide impact was something nobody could foresee at the time. Host Were there moments when you thought the case might fail? Answer Of course. Whenever a case lasts many years, there will be setbacks, new questions, and unexpected developments. That is exactly why persistence is so important. In the end, success is often not about one filing or one hearing. It is about staying focused on a clear objective over a long period of time. Host You often talk about teamwork. Is that one of the main lessons from this case? Answer Absolutely. A case of this size requires commitment from many people and institutes over many years. On the BSH side, my role was to help maintain the strategic direction and long-term commitment that such a case requires. At the same time, experts from different functions within BSH contributed technical expertise, testing, documentation, and practical support throughout the proceedings. On the legal side, Roman Sedlmaier and his team at IP-Counsels Gigerich & Sedlmaier (IPCGS) helped develop the cross-border litigation strategy and the overall case architecture. Our Swedish litigation team then carried the arguments through all stages of the proceedings. Looking back, it was the combination of institutional commitment, technical expertise, strategic leadership, well-designed case architecture, and consistent execution that made the difference. Host One final question. What advice would you give to young internal or external IP counsel? Answer Stay curious: Don’t be afraid to question accepted assumptions. Be patient: Intellectual property is usually a marathon, not a sprint. And never forget that every patent dispute involves an invention, a business, and many people who have worked hard to bring that innovation to market. For me, that connection between technology, law, and strategy is what still makes this profession so fascinating today. Host Ernst-Peter, thank you very much for joining us today on IP Fridays. Answer Thank you. It was a pleasure to be here.

Der europäische Schienengüterverkehr ist ein zentraler Baustein für klimafreundliche Transporte. Damit Güterzüge Ländergrenzen reibungslos überwinden können, müssen Trassen, Fahrpläne und Infrastruktur europaweit präzise aufeinander abgestimmt werden. Gleichzeitig sorgen Engpässe, Baustellen und begrenzte Kapazitäten auf wichtigen Güterverkehrskorridoren für wachsende Herausforderungen. Besonders lange Güterzüge mit bis zu 740 Metern Länge gelten als wichtig für mehr Effizienz und Klimaschutz. Sie stellen Infrastrukturbetreiber und Eisenbahnunternehmen jedoch vor hohe planerische und operative Anforderungen. Wie internationale Trassenkoordination funktioniert, wo Europas Schienennetz an seine Grenzen stößt und welche Rolle Digitalisierung und Infrastrukturinvestitionen für die Zukunft spielen, erläutert Jörg Frank Marquardt, European Infrastructure Coordinator der LTE Group, im Gespräch mit VerkehrsRundschau Funk.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Chris Whitaker sits down with Tyler Hoffman, CEO of Metro Wireless, to talk about wireless connectivity, business growth, and building for the long term. Tyler shares how Metro Wireless is helping partners solve complex connectivity challenges with engineered solutions, bonded wireless, and enterprise-grade service.They also dig into what's changing in the wireless market, why planning matters before deployment, and how Tyler is growing without private equity pressure. It's a practical, honest conversation about discipline, resilience, and staying focused on what actually works.00:00 - Introduction and episode overview 00:28 - Tyler Hoffman's background and education 01:09 - The importance of learning from failures 02:36 - Tyler's personal hobbies and work-life harmony 03:08 - Industry insights: segmentation in wireless connectivity 04:22 - The current state of wireless solutions and the channel 05:16 - Growing Hoffman Capital with acquisitions 06:48 - Tyler's journey from multiple job dismissals to success 08:01 - The importance of work-life harmony and adversity 09:36 - Industry trends: bonded solutions, private LTE, and enterprise focus 10:24 - Challenges in commoditized markets and the shift to higher-value solutions 12:26 - Metro Wireless's expanded offerings: from SIM cards to bonded solutions 13:30 - Success stories with bonding multiple circuits for reliability 15:43 - Static IPs and their significance in enterprise wireless 16:10 - How AI influences wireless operations and customer experience 18:42 - Tyler's success with channel partners and vertical focus 19:17 - Details on project-based wireless deployments 21:05 - Co-management, ongoing support, and the “plan, build, manage” approach 22:39 - Recent acquisition of Volley Communications and its strategic value 25:22 - Deciding between going direct to carriers vs. working with partners 26:38 - The value of bonding multiple carriers for redundancy and performance 28:55 - Rapid deployment in critical energy sector projects 31:00 - Wireless as primary connection: dual 5G circuits and fiber 32:59 - Future of wireless tech: 6G, latency, and throughput 33:05 - Growth ambitions for Metro Wireless and Hoffman Capital 35:41 - Tyler's philosophy: playing long-term games with long-term people 37:09 - Navigating industry noise, shiny objects, and maintaining focus 38:43 - Final thoughts: focus, discipline, and long-term visionMeet TylerMeet Metro Wireless Support the showCheck out my website https://thewirelessway.net/ use the contact button to send request and feedback. 

Parce que… c'est l'épisode 0x31C! Shameless plug 19 septembre 2026 - Bsides Montréal 20 au 26 septembre 2026 - BruCON 13 novembre 2026 - DEATHCon 16 au 19 novembre - European Cyber Week 1 au 3 décembre 2026 - Forum INCYBER - Canada 2026 24 et 25 février 2027 - SéQCure 2027 Description Une conversation sur une terrasse, un sujet qui mijotait depuis longtemps L'épisode s'ouvre de façon informelle, en terrasse, un lundi ensoleillé. L'animateur et Martin Dubé annoncent qu'ils allaient enfin aborder un sujet qu'ils repoussaient depuis longtemps : un mandat de test d'intrusion que Martin avait réalisé sur un réseau LTE (4G) privé, à une époque où il n'avait qu'une connaissance limitée de cette technologie. Le fil conducteur de la discussion est la curiosité comme moteur de croissance professionnelle en cybersécurité, illustré par ce mandat devenu un succès marquant dans sa carrière. Se lancer dans l'inconnu : du pentest classique au LTE Martin explique que son parcours en test d'intrusion a toujours été motivé par la curiosité plutôt que par une expertise préalable. Il rappelle ses débuts chez Gocker, où une jeune équipe sans expérience formelle a appris « sur le tas ». Cette philosophie l'a suivi tout au long de sa carrière : il se dit attiré par les mandats qui le poussent hors de sa zone de confort. Le LTE constitue un univers à part, très différent du monde informatique traditionnel (Windows, Linux) : des protocoles propriétaires, complexes, empilés au fil des générations (3G, 4G, 5G) par l'organisme 3GPP, chaque itération apportant son lot de nouveaux acronymes déconnectés des précédents. Le mandat portait spécifiquement sur un réseau LTE privé, avec ses propres mécanismes de contrôle d'accès (notamment le verrouillage IMEI, qui lie une carte SIM à un appareil précis), absents des réseaux cellulaires publics. Une préparation intensive Pour se qualifier, Martin s'est procuré une carte Blade RF, a étudié le fonctionnement du matériel, préparé des payloads jusque dans sa chambre d'hôtel et dans l'avion, et a visionné une quinzaine de présentations DEF CON sur les attaques LTE. Il en retient que malgré la complexité apparente, les mêmes patterns d'attaque reviennent constamment : injections, services exposés, adresses IP mal protégées. Il livre un message clé aux auditeurs : ne pas laisser le syndrome de l'imposteur freiner les décisions. Selon lui, un « expert » est simplement quelqu'un qui a travaillé fort et qui continue d'apprendre ; s'accrocher au statut d'expert peut au contraire limiter la capacité à sortir de sa zone de confort. Martin insiste sur l'accumulation d'expérience comme capital réutilisable : après une quinzaine d'années en test offensif, il reconnaît que les fondamentaux (penser comme un attaquant) restent transférables d'une technologie à l'autre, seuls les acronymes changent. Il souligne aussi que l'accès à l'information (recherche en ligne, outils d'IA comme Copilot) a rendu l'apprentissage de nouveaux domaines beaucoup plus rapide qu'auparavant. Concrètement, pour écrire ses payloads en C, il a utilisé le framework open source srsRAN, qui permet de simuler un réseau LTE complet, et s'est appuyé sur Copilot pour comprendre le code et cibler les modifications nécessaires. Une soirée d'hôtel a suffi pour obtenir un premier résultat fonctionnel. Le pouvoir du threat modeling La deuxième moitié de l'échange se concentre sur la méthodologie du mandat. Le client, relativement mature, exigeait un atelier de modélisation des menaces (threat modeling) avant même la rédaction du plan de test, lequel devait ensuite être approuvé par les parties prenantes. L'équipe a suivi une approche inspirée de l'OWASP, réunissant plusieurs intervenants pour déterminer ce qu'il fallait sécuriser en priorité. Le sujet retenu a été le provisionnement des cartes SIM, élément central de l'accès au réseau LTE (les clés de chiffrement intégrées aux cartes, non extractibles, et leur copie détenue par le fournisseur). Cet atelier d'une semaine a permis de faire émerger, avant même les tests techniques, plusieurs hypothèses de vulnérabilités fondées sur les risques réels plutôt que sur un périmètre imposé arbitrairement. Martin partage un exemple marquant : lors des discussions, un accès jugé initialement comme « lecture seule » sur un système de surveillance des cartes SIM s'est révélé être un accès administrateur complet, supposément atténué par des règles de pare-feu… qui, après vérification, n'avaient en réalité jamais été mises en place. Ce test, qui n'a demandé que cinq minutes, a révélé un manque de communication majeur entre les équipes du client et son fournisseur. Les deux interlocuteurs comparent cette dynamique aux défaillances observées dans les grandes organisations complexes, où plusieurs fournisseurs interviennent sans coordination claire. L'animateur cite en parallèle l'incident de la porte de l'avion Boeing, causé par une rupture de communication entre le fournisseur et le fabricant plutôt que par une seule erreur isolée — illustrant que les systèmes complexes multiplient les angles morts. Les résultats techniques du mandat Une fois le plan de test bâti sur les risques identifiés, Martin a pu tester des contrôles précis : usurpation d'IMEI, mouvements latéraux via des réseaux industriels mal segmentés (FTP non sécurisés, plusieurs sauts de jump host), et surtout des attaques par déni de service. Il détaille l'attaque par injection sur la « tracking area update » : contrairement au Wi-Fi, où l'appareil mesure lui-même la force du signal, un appareil LTE fait confiance à la force annoncée par l'antenne, ce qui permet à un attaquant de se faire passer pour une tour plus puissante sans nécessiter une grande puissance d'émission. Cette faille est reconnue comme un compromis de conception du 3GPP entre sécurité et fiabilité du roaming. Dans le cas testé, la vulnérabilité existait bel et bien, mais un mécanisme de type « watchdog » redémarrait automatiquement les appareils affectés, limitant l'impact réel grâce à un contrôle compensatoire. Conclusion L'épisode se termine sur une note d'enthousiasme partagé : les deux interlocuteurs concluent que la curiosité, la volonté d'expérimenter dans l'inconnu et la capacité à capitaliser sur une expérience accumulée sont les véritables leviers de progression en cybersécurité, bien plus que la spécialisation figée dans un domaine unique. Collaborateurs Nicolas-Loïc Fortin Martin Dubé Crédits Montage par Intrasecure inc Locaux réels par Intrasecure inc

How much smartphone is too much smartphone? Why is it so hard to switch from one phone to another, even in 2026? And is your smartwatch finally ready to replace your phone, even for a few things? These are the questions you have, and The Verge's Allison Johnson is here to answer them. If you have others, keep 'em coming! Call the Vergecast Hotline at 866-VERGE11, email ⁠vergecast@theverge.com⁠, tell us everything. Further reading: Google announces Pixel 11 launch event in August | The Verge The whole Pixel line could get more expensive this year | The Verge Meta's glasses will turn off the camera if you tamper with the privacy light | The Verge This jumping $800 robot camera dog filled me with joy ⁠Ditching my phone for an LTE smartwatch was a humbling experience⁠ ⁠I switch phones once a week — here's how I manage the chaos⁠ ⁠Welp, I bought an iPhone again⁠ Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed. We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 98 - Live at 5x5: Using broadband LTE to augment LMR by Hosted by Dave Buchanan, Executive Director of the First Responder Network Authority's Advocacy Team, the podcast features first responders, industry leaders, experts in the field, and others in the public safety technology ecosystem.

“When you need these systems, they have to work 100% of the time,” says Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD. “Our solution doesn't just meet the old copper standard — it exceeds it.” In part 35 of the TELCLOUD POTS and Shots Podcast Series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, speaks with Jacoby about the hardware architecture powering modern POTS replacement and why reliability remains the most important requirement for life-safety communications. The discussion focuses on TELCLOUD's purpose-built POTScast 8 and POTScast 2 devices, which support eight and two analog lines respectively. Designed specifically for POTS replacement, the units support applications including fire alarms, elevators, emergency phones, security systems, fax lines, SCADA systems, and other legacy communications still dependent on analog connectivity. Jacoby explains that traditional copper phone lines historically delivered both dial tone and power directly from the carrier's central office, making them highly reliable during outages. TELCLOUD's approach replaces that infrastructure with a more resilient, modern design featuring battery backup, multiple WAN paths, LTE and 5G connectivity, and remote monitoring capabilities. Each POTScast unit includes a built-in 24-hour battery backup with optional expansion capability, along with support for multiple WAN connections including fiber, satellite, and cellular. TELCLOUD also supports Power over Ethernet deployments, allowing cellular routers from providers including Digi and ATEL to be placed up to 250 feet away from telecom closets where signal strength is stronger. Jacoby noted that TELCLOUD originally relied on existing analog telephone adapters but ultimately engineered its own hardware platform after determining that available solutions did not meet the company's performance standards for mission-critical deployments. “These devices are designed to sit in that telco room for the next 20 years,” Jacoby said. The episode also explores how TELCLOUD combines hardware, platform services, monitoring, field services, and channel support into a fully managed POTS replacement offering delivered through reseller partners globally. The “Shots” segment of the podcast featured Casa 1560 Private Selection Extra Añejo, a tequila aged more than three years in oak barrels and described by Jacoby as having notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit, and oak. For more information, visit telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270.

Send us Fan MailEmbracing Connectivity Innovation: Insights from Todd HolsombeckIn this episode of The Wireless Way, Todd Holsombeck shares his deep expertise on the evolution of wireless connectivity, private cellular networks, and strategic questions that unlock business value. Whether you're in sales, IT, or an architect shaping future solutions, Todd's practical insights help reframe how we approach connectivity challenges and opportunities.In this episode:Todd's journey from Navy submariner to sales and tech leader in wireless connectivityThe importance of asking diagnostic questions to uncover real business problemsHow commercial wireless, 5G, and private cellular networks are transforming enterprise infrastructurePractical strategies for reducing connectivity costs while increasing reliabilityThe role of intelligent management tools like wireless windows for operations efficiencyEmergence and application of private LTE and CBRS in enterprise environmentsFuture trends including 6G, Redcap, and beyond—what to watch forThe critical importance of hybrid solutions—combining landlines, fiber, cellular, and wirelessThe impact of AI and smart overlay technology on connectivity managementKey questions for assessing cellular backup, antenna placement, and device lifecycleHow to identify and capitalize on opportunities around pots line replacement and IoT securityTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and episode overview 02:12 - Todd's background and how he got into wireless sales 03:58 - The power of asking the right questions in connectivity solutions 05:57 - Uncovering pain points: real stories and lessons learned 08:26 - The growing role of wireless backup and redundancy in business continuity 09:41 - The evolution from traditional landlines to dual 5G connections 10:33 - Cost benefits and reliability improvements with wireless solutions 11:52 - The future of satellite connectivity: Starlink, Kuiper, and LEO 13:34 - The strategic value of intelligent visibility into networks 14:48 - Managing cellular solutions: questions to ask about performance and hardware age 15:42 - The importance of specs, device lifecycle, and ongoing maintenance 16:55 - Private cellular networks: the upcoming wave for manufacturing and healthcare 17:46 - Use cases for CBRS and private LTE in industrial and campus environments 19:06 - Neutral host opportunities for hospitals and security applications 20:37 - IoT sensors and the exponential growth of connected devices 21:24 - The importance of agility and scale in next-gen connectivity solutions 22:40 - Challenges and considerations for port line replacements and copper decommissions 24:20 - How partners can identify and build pots line opportunities 26:50 - The role of satellite and hybrid connectivity in remote and industrial settings 28:02 - AI-driven security and video analytics as connectivity value-adds 30:56 - Wireless window platform: simplifying management and reducing staffing costs 33:22 - Real-world success stories, competitive advantage, and customer-centric solutions 34:46 - Todd's closing advice: stay informed and adaptable in the fast-changing wireless landscapeResources & Links:CBRS OverviewEpic IOConnect with Todd Holsombeck:LinkedInThis episode underscores that connectivity isn't just a network layer—it's a strategic enabler. Todd's insights help you ask better questions, uncover hidden opportunities, and future-proof your solutions in a landscape that's evolving faster than ever. Remember, a thoughtful approach today leads to resilient, scalable, and smarter connectivity tomorrow.“This is The Wireless Way—where mobility, IoT, and innovation drive real business outcomes.” Support the showCheck out my website https://thewirelessway.net/ use the contact button to send request and feedback. 

“These are purpose-built devices,” says Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD. “They're UL listed, certified, tested, and designed specifically for this business.” In the latest episode of the TELCLOUD POTS and Shots Podcast Series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, speaks with Jacoby about the hardware that makes modern POTS replacement possible. Jacoby showcases two TELCLOUD devices: the POTScast 8 LTE PC228 LTE, which supports eight analog lines, and the POTScast 2 LTE PC222 LTE, which supports two. Both are designed to support legacy and life-safety systems such as elevators, fire alarms, security systems, fax lines, SCADA applications, modems, and emergency phones as copper lines are phased out. The POTScast platform combines analog support with modern LTE and WAN connectivity, including broadband, Wi-Fi as WAN, satellite, and cellular. Each device includes 24-hour battery backup, helping ensure that critical communications continue even when building power fails. Jacoby also explains TELCLOUD's modular design. Because cellular signal is often weak inside telecom rooms, TELCLOUD supports Power over Ethernet, allowing routers from partners such as Ericsson, Peplink, Digi, InHand, ATEL, and Seego to be placed up to 250 feet away for better reception. The episode closes with the Shots segment, featuring Herencia Historico Grand Reserve Extra Añejo, a five-year-aged, small-batch tequila from Jalisco presented in a distinctive handcrafted bottle. For more information, visit telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270.

Africa burns off enough energy every day to power entire cities. Bitcoin miners figured out how to profit from it, and almost no one is paying attention yet.Jesse Pielke, founder of HashrateUp, joins Alex Perny on the Alternative Investing Advantage podcast to break down one of the most overlooked plays in alternative investing: using stranded energy in Africa to mine Bitcoin at near-zero cost.Jesse has spent years on the ground in Cape Town building pilot projects across Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa. He explains why electricity has nowhere to go.

MTC het vier LTE-netwerktorings by Rössing Uranium bekendgestel om konnektiwiteit by die myn te verbeter. Die projek sal mobiele stem- en hoëspoed-datadienste in sleutelbedryfsgebiede reg oor die myn verskaf. MTC-woordvoerder Erasmus Nekundi het aan Kosmos 94.1 Nuus gesê dat die LTE-netwerk koördinering tussen spanne sal ondersteun en vinniger besluitneming op die perseel sal moontlik maak. Hy het meer.

www.iotusecase.com#OEM #EdgeComputing #FunctionalSafetyIn dieser Episode des IoT Use Case Podcasts spricht Gastgeber Dr. Peter Schopf mit Tobias Maier, CEO der ML!PA Consulting GmbH, und Mirko Spitalny, Teamlead Hardware Development bei ML!PA, über die Digitalisierung von Maschinen und Fahrzeugen im Feld. Im Fokus steht, wie OEMs robuste, energieautarke und sicherheitskritische IoT-Systeme für ihre Produkte umsetzen – von Energy Harvesting und Funk in Metallumgebungen bis zu Lifecycle-Management, Datensouveränität und langfristigem Betrieb.Folge 210 auf einen Blick (und Klick):(07:52) Herausforderungen, Potenziale und Status quo – So sieht der Use Case in der Praxis ausPodcast ZusammenfassungOEMs wollen Maschinen und Fahrzeuge im Feld digitalisieren und dabei Funktionen zuverlässig betreiben, obwohl die Geräte oft nur selten physisch erreichbar sind. Im Podcast berichten Tobias Maier und Mirko Spitalny am Beispiel des „digitalen Güterzugs“ mit Knorr-Bremse, wie aus ersten Prototypen robuste IoT-Produkte werden. Im Zentrum stehen drei wiederkehrende Herausforderungen: eine fehlende bzw. nicht planbare Energieversorgung, zuverlässige Datenübertragung in anspruchsvollen Umgebungen mit viel Metall sowie die Ruggedization des Produkts für den Feldeinsatz. Um das zu lösen, wird ein energieautarkes Edge-System mit Solarzellen und Batterien aufgebaut. Für den sicherheitskritischen digitalen Bremstest kommt eine Waggon-zu-Waggon-Funkvernetzung im Sub-Gigahertz-Bereich zum Einsatz, während LTE ergänzend und nur zeitweise für Funktionen wie Firmware-Upgrades oder Positionsübermittlung genutzt wird. Basis dafür ist ein modularer IoT-Baukasten mit wiederverwendbaren Hardware- und Softwaremodulen, etwa für Energy Harvesting, Batteriesysteme, BLE zur Inbetriebnahme, Funkkommunikation und Device-Management. Für IT/OT-Entscheider zeigt die Folge, wie sich Entwicklungsaufwand reduzieren, Iterationen beschleunigen und digitale Produkte über lange Lebenszyklen souverän betreiben lassen. -----Relevante Folgenlinks:Peter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-schopf/)Mirko (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirko-spitalny-9428a7367/)Tobias (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlpatobiasmaier/)Jetzt IoT Use Case auf LinkedIn folgen1x monatlich IoT Use Case Update erhalten

Two years after first appearing on the Flagship Podcast, Nectar, Fred, and Dom reunite for a long-overdue conversation: Amiral Ventures has officially closed Fund 1. In this candid episode, the three partners trace the origins of the fund: how Fred's entrepreneurial journey (including co-developing LTE at Nortel and a successful Series A & B raise at Mnubo) first brought him together with Dom, a veteran M&A banker who went on to launch Xpnd Capital and deliver two IPOs. Nectar rounds out the team, coming off years of post-investment value creation work at PNR and crossing paths with Fred through this very podcast. The conversation gets real about what it actually takes to raise a fund from scratch: nearly three years in the trenches, no product to show, just a slide deck and conviction. They share what they've learned, the primacy of trust-building, the importance of giving candid feedback to founders (even on a "no"), and the gap they're filling in the Canadian ecosystem at the seed-to-Series A inflection point. The team also lifts the curtain on their Prosperity Decoded thesis, backing AI-native companies driving enterprise productivity, sustainability, and resilience; and spotlights their first two portfolio companies: Maxa (AI for CFOs and FP&A) and Maket (AI for residential architecture and design). They close on what excites them most: the caliber of Quebec founders, the community of successful exits now back as LPs and mentors, and the long game of building Canada's next generation of flagship technology companies.  

It's Tuesday, and a game day right here in Edmonton. The Oilers welcome in Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks which means we've got a great show coming your way this fine Tuesday morning. We started off by recapping everyones's nights, Dusty and LTE played a guessing game, LTE pinched both Dusty and YTT for not wearing green, then the boys gave some St. Patty's Day stories.   We then got right into Morning Announcements to recap everything that transpired yesterday in the world of sports.   After the break Dusty and LTE gave another epic edition of Tales of The North… which then led to some Oilers discussion that brought us to the end of the hour.

Drone delivery has been talked about for years—but where does the industry actually stand today?In this episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with aviation Paul Rossi of 910 Drones to break down the real story behind drone delivery in the United States—how it started, what slowed it down, and why things are finally starting to move forward.In this episode we discuss:• How Paul Rossi got involved in the drone delivery space • The early days of drone delivery under Part 107 waivers • Why COVID changed the conversation around last-mile logistics • What UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) really means for drone operations • The role of network-based Remote ID and LTE connectivity • Why Mode C veil airspace matters for drone delivery expansion • How drone traffic could eventually operate like cars on the road • Where the industry may go next as regulations continue to evolveWhether you're a drone pilot, aviation enthusiast, or just curious about the future of delivery, this episode offers a fascinating look at how drones are being integrated into real-world logistics.Connect with Paul Rossi: LinkedIn: Paul Rossi Company: 910 Drones paulrossi@910drones.comhttps://www.910drones.com/https://www.flytrex.com/https://www.causeyaviationunmanned.com/https://www.commercialuavnews.com/a-closer-look-at-the-dallas-fort-worth-utm-key-site

The salient point of this podcast episode revolves around the critical communications community gathering at IWCE 2026, a paramount event taking place in Las Vegas from March 16 to 19. During this episode, we emphasize the importance of this conference for professionals responsible for communications in life-or-death situations and the infrastructure that supports them. We invite listeners to engage with us at the event, highlighting the array of exhibitors and the innovative advancements in communications technology, such as next-generation LTE and AI tools. Additionally, we provide pertinent updates on recent significant events, including a notable earthquake in Louisiana and various boil water advisories across multiple states. Our aim is to keep our audience informed and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in the realm of emergency management.Takeaways:* The IWCE 2026 conference in Las Vegas is essential for communications professionals.* Attendees should prepare for significant developments in critical communications and technology.* Various emergency advisories and public safety updates were discussed throughout the episode.* The recent earthquake in Louisiana indicates heightened awareness for emergency management professionals.* The podcast highlights the importance of timely information for those in emergency response roles.* Significant incidents and advisories across multiple states emphasize the need for preparedness.SponsorIWCE - https://go.emnmedia.com/IWCE2026SourcesDHS / NTAS, DHS NTAS status (no current advisories shown)USGS Earthquakes, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program — Significant Earthquakes (lists 4.9 Red River Parish, LA with timestamp/MMI/PAGER)FAA / Airspace, FAA NAS Status (current NAS constraints; updated Mar 6, 2026 3:00 AM PST)NRC / Radiological, NRC Event Notification Report for March 06, 2026 (covers 03/05–03/06; includes FL gauge incident update)Florida, Hillsborough County — Extends emergency ban on open burning (issued March 5, 2026)Idaho, City of Albion, ID — Boil Water Advisory Notice (PDF, issued 03/05/2026)Louisiana, City of Shreveport Water & Sewerage — Citywide voluntary boil advisory / system repair updatesPennsylvania, PA PEMA — Daily Incident Report (PDF, 03/05/2026)South Carolina, Clarendon County, SC — Repeal boil water advisory (Mar 05, 2026)Texas, City of Killeen, TX — Boil Water Notice (Conder Street) (Mar 5, 2026) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Guess who's back, back again. Dusty and LTE are back, tell a friend! Fresh off their vacation from Mexico and straight into the studio, the boy's are back and coming with all sorts of stories from their trip. That's how they started the show, along with giving YTT a gift from Mexico.   We then got into Morning Announcements to recap everything that transpired yesterday in the world of sports and briefly touched on the Connor Murphy trade.   Plenty of Oilers discussion right after the break which brought us to the end of the hour. Where Dusty and LTE gave their good, bad and ugly from their Mexico trip.

We are back with another edition of The Nielson Show coming your way this fine Tuesday morning! Dusty and LTE are still away on vacation so you get another dose of Hernan and Gager coming your way!   Like we always do, we rent around the room to discuss some Morning Announcements from everything that transpired yesterday in the world of sport.   After the break, some more Connor McDavid discussion continued. Who is a good comparable to McDavid at this point in his career in all sports? What do the Oilers need to do to make the playoffs and who could they possibly get before the deadline.

We got the third hour started with Mr Mikes Kind of Easy Trivia. What an unbelievable performance today.   It was then time for Three Questions Too Many presented by Park Mazda.   Greg was the final insider today. He did his victory lap as USA won gold in this year's tournament. Touched on Bill Guerin's construction of this roster. We got into some of the heat certain Americans are taking after the win… we then switched gears to some NHL talk. Who has the most pressure for the Oilers going forward and will McDavid ever be able to win.   LTE then joined us from Mexico, he gave us an update on how the trip is going thus far and his thoughts on yesterdaty's crushing loss.    The boys finished off the show with The Wrap from William Huff! 

We were minutes away from shutting down our Matrix server when the Discord news hit. Now we're not just keeping it, we're doubling down. Can open source seize this moment?Sponsored By:Jupiter Party Annual Membership: Put your support on automatic with our annual plan, and get one month of membership for free! Managed Nebula: Meet Managed Nebula from Defined Networking. A decentralized VPN built on the open-source Nebula platform that we love. Support LINUX UnpluggedLinks:

It's the final day of the week, meaning it's the final Nielson Show of the week. Lt. Eric made a veteran decision taking today and Monday off. So... The Dave Jamieson is stepping in for LTE.   The fellas start off the show by catching up, telling some stories, Febreze talk, Zach Hyman was snubbed and Skiier's are doing what at the Olympics!? We got Jamo's thoughts on the Elks offseason thus far.   Right after the break we discussed which is currently the biggest NHL rivalry… then we got into all sorts of Oilers talk. What's to blame the most, management, coaching, players and goalies.   To cap off hour one we Cracked Some Packs powered by Wayne's Sports Cards & Collectables.

In an era where technology increasingly intersects with everyday life, the advent of thermal imaging has revolutionized the way individuals and professionals approach problem-solving. FLIR, an acronym for Forward Looking Infrared, stands at the forefront of this innovation, celebrating its 60th anniversary and showcasing a commitment to enhancing industrial and consumer applications through advanced thermal camera technology. The recent conversation featuring John Gould, a representative of FLIR, highlights how these cameras not only provide critical insights but also empower users to tackle problems more effectively.The Core of the FLIR EcosystemAt the core of FLIR's thermal camera technology is its ability to visualize temperature differences, which is crucial in various applications ranging from industrial maintenance to home inspections. Thermal cameras detect infrared radiation emitted by objects, allowing users to see heat patterns that are invisible to the naked eye. This capability is particularly valuable for identifying issues such as insulation deficiencies, moisture leaks, or electrical failures. As Gould explains, the cameras provide "critical information that you can't get any other way," underscoring their role as indispensable tools for problem identification and resolution.Extending the FLIR CapabilitiesOne of the standout features of FLIR's latest thermal camera is its integration with the Android operating system. This innovation not only enhances the user experience but also allows for the development of custom applications tailored to specific needs. By enabling users to create their own apps, FLIR fosters an open ecosystem that encourages problem-solving through personalized solutions. For instance, professionals in the industrial sector can develop applications that streamline their workflow, ensuring that the thermal camera becomes an integral part of their operational toolkit. This adaptability is particularly important in a landscape where the nature of work is rapidly evolving, and users require tools that align with their unique challenges.Moreover, the introduction of LTE connectivity in FLIR's thermal cameras marks a significant advancement in data management and analysis. In a world that increasingly relies on cloud-based systems, the ability to transfer data in real-time is invaluable. As Gould points out, this feature allows users conducting field inspections to send critical data back to their teams for immediate interpretation and analysis. This capability not only accelerates the problem-solving process but also enhances collaboration among team members, ensuring that solutions are implemented swiftly and effectively.The discussion also touches on the generational shift in the workforce, where younger individuals, often referred to as the "iPad generation," are entering the trades. Recognizing this demographic shift, FLIR has designed its thermal cameras to be intuitive and user-friendly, aligning with the familiarity that younger users have with mobile technology. This approach not only facilitates easier adoption of the technology but also enhances problem-solving capabilities by making advanced tools accessible to a broader audience.AI-Powered Temperature AnalysisIn addition to these technological advancements, FLIR has incorporated artificial intelligence into its thermal cameras through an onboard app called Irma. This app allows users to ask questions and receive guidance on how to operate the camera effectively, making it an invaluable resource for those who may not have extensive experience with thermal imaging. By providing interactive support, FLIR empowers users to make informed decisions and adjustments in real-time, thereby enhancing their problem-solving skills.The practical applications of FLIR thermal cameras are exemplified by personal anecdotes shared by Gould during the podcast. He recounts an experience where he identified a malfunctioning boiler motor using a thermal camera, demonstrating how these devices can save time and prevent unnecessary costs. Such real-world examples illustrate the tangible benefits of thermal imaging technology in both professional and domestic settings, reinforcing the idea that FLIR cameras are not just tools but essential problem-solving partners.ConclusionIn conclusion, FLIR thermal cameras represent a significant advancement in the realm of problem-solving across various domains. By combining cutting-edge technology with user-centric design and real-time data capabilities, FLIR empowers individuals and professionals alike to identify and resolve issues efficiently. As the world continues to evolve, the role of thermal imaging in enhancing problem-solving will undoubtedly grow, making FLIR a key player in this transformative journey.Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.Sponsored by: Get $5 to protect your credit card information online with Privacy. Amazon Prime gives you more than just free shipping. Get free music, TV shows, movies, videogames and more. Secure your connection and unlock a faster, safer internet by signing up for PureVPN today.

In an era where technology increasingly intersects with everyday life, the advent of thermal imaging has revolutionized the way individuals and professionals approach problem-solving. FLIR, an acronym for Forward Looking Infrared, stands at the forefront of this innovation, celebrating its 60th anniversary and showcasing a commitment to enhancing industrial and consumer applications through advanced thermal camera technology. The recent conversation featuring John Gould, a representative of FLIR, highlights how these cameras not only provide critical insights but also empower users to tackle problems more effectively.The Core of the FLIR EcosystemAt the core of FLIR's thermal camera technology is its ability to visualize temperature differences, which is crucial in various applications ranging from industrial maintenance to home inspections. Thermal cameras detect infrared radiation emitted by objects, allowing users to see heat patterns that are invisible to the naked eye. This capability is particularly valuable for identifying issues such as insulation deficiencies, moisture leaks, or electrical failures. As Gould explains, the cameras provide "critical information that you can't get any other way," underscoring their role as indispensable tools for problem identification and resolution.Extending the FLIR CapabilitiesOne of the standout features of FLIR's latest thermal camera is its integration with the Android operating system. This innovation not only enhances the user experience but also allows for the development of custom applications tailored to specific needs. By enabling users to create their own apps, FLIR fosters an open ecosystem that encourages problem-solving through personalized solutions. For instance, professionals in the industrial sector can develop applications that streamline their workflow, ensuring that the thermal camera becomes an integral part of their operational toolkit. This adaptability is particularly important in a landscape where the nature of work is rapidly evolving, and users require tools that align with their unique challenges.Moreover, the introduction of LTE connectivity in FLIR's thermal cameras marks a significant advancement in data management and analysis. In a world that increasingly relies on cloud-based systems, the ability to transfer data in real-time is invaluable. As Gould points out, this feature allows users conducting field inspections to send critical data back to their teams for immediate interpretation and analysis. This capability not only accelerates the problem-solving process but also enhances collaboration among team members, ensuring that solutions are implemented swiftly and effectively.The discussion also touches on the generational shift in the workforce, where younger individuals, often referred to as the "iPad generation," are entering the trades. Recognizing this demographic shift, FLIR has designed its thermal cameras to be intuitive and user-friendly, aligning with the familiarity that younger users have with mobile technology. This approach not only facilitates easier adoption of the technology but also enhances problem-solving capabilities by making advanced tools accessible to a broader audience.AI-Powered Temperature AnalysisIn addition to these technological advancements, FLIR has incorporated artificial intelligence into its thermal cameras through an onboard app called Irma. This app allows users to ask questions and receive guidance on how to operate the camera effectively, making it an invaluable resource for those who may not have extensive experience with thermal imaging. By providing interactive support, FLIR empowers users to make informed decisions and adjustments in real-time, thereby enhancing their problem-solving skills.The practical applications of FLIR thermal cameras are exemplified by personal anecdotes shared by Gould during the podcast. He recounts an experience where he identified a malfunctioning boiler motor using a thermal camera, demonstrating how these devices can save time and prevent unnecessary costs. Such real-world examples illustrate the tangible benefits of thermal imaging technology in both professional and domestic settings, reinforcing the idea that FLIR cameras are not just tools but essential problem-solving partners.ConclusionIn conclusion, FLIR thermal cameras represent a significant advancement in the realm of problem-solving across various domains. By combining cutting-edge technology with user-centric design and real-time data capabilities, FLIR empowers individuals and professionals alike to identify and resolve issues efficiently. As the world continues to evolve, the role of thermal imaging in enhancing problem-solving will undoubtedly grow, making FLIR a key player in this transformative journey.Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.Sponsored by: Get $5 to protect your credit card information online with Privacy. Amazon Prime gives you more than just free shipping. Get free music, TV shows, movies, videogames and more. Secure your connection and unlock a faster, safer internet by signing up for PureVPN today.

“Wireless failover shouldn't just sit there as insurance,” says John Reed, CEO of For2Fi. “When you layer applications like POTS replacement on top of modern 5G connectivity, it becomes a powerful, cost-saving part of the customer's production network.” In the latest episode of the TELCLOUD POTS and Shots Podcast Series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, is joined by Jake Jacoby, CEO of TELCLOUD, and Reed to examine how wireless connectivity and POTS replacement are converging as copper shutdowns accelerate. Reed explains that For2Fi focuses exclusively on 5G and LTE connectivity, supporting multi-location customers across retail, healthcare, quick-serve restaurants, and rural markets in the U.S. and Canada. By combining the right carrier, modem, and antenna, For2Fi delivers reliable connectivity that can function as backup—or increasingly, as primary access. Jacoby underscores why this wireless foundation is critical to the next phase of POTS replacement. “Wireless is no longer just backup—it's primary, it's reliable, and it's ready to carry critical services like POTS replacement,” he says. As legacy copper lines disappear, partners like For2Fi provide the connectivity layer that allows TELCLOUD to deliver life-safety-grade POTS replacement for elevators, fire panels, and emergency phones—without forcing customers to replace existing equipment. Together, TELCLOUD and For2Fi enable channel partners to present a single, scalable solution that reduces copper costs, modernizes connectivity, and creates long-term recurring revenue—without requiring MSPs to become telecom specialists. The episode concludes with the Shots segment, featuring Dos Artes Añejo, a French oak–aged tequila presented in a distinctive ceramic bottle—an apt finish to a discussion centered on durability, craftsmanship, and long-term value. For more information, visit https://www.telcloud.com/ or call 844-900-2270. Learn more about For2Fi at https://www.for2fi.com/.

At the Crexendo UGM, Sam Sklaroff, CEO of Axxess Networks, joined Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, to share how his company blends classic customer service values with cutting-edge communications technology. Axxess Networks, a leading provider of VoIP, UCaaS, and CCaaS solutions, stands out for what Sklaroff calls an old-school approach to customer care. “Whatever happened to good old-fashioned customer service?” Sklaroff asked. “At Axxess Networks, we treat every customer like family—from onboarding to support—and we make sure they're ready for success before the first call goes live.” Each Axxess customer is assigned a personal project manager and dedicated IT engineer to ensure network readiness and a smooth installation. “Our help desk is all U.S.-based,” Sklaroff noted. “Last week, our average time to answer was 13 seconds. When you call Axxess Networks, we're here for you.” The company's commitment to service extends to technological innovation. Sklaroff revealed Axxess' proprietary Live Failover feature—an automatic system that keeps calls active even if a customer's internet connection fails. “If your internet goes down, your calls don't,” he said. “In under one second, we switch to LTE with no dropped calls and no extra usage fees. One of our customers stayed fully operational for a week during a fiber outage.” Sklaroff also announced that Janet Schijns, a well-known channel leader, recently joined Axxess Networks' board of directors, marking another milestone in the company's growth. Axxess maintains strong partnerships with Crexendo and NetSapiens, and continues to advance in areas such as AI and vCon technology, with plans to launch new vCon apps later this year. “Technology evolves, but people still matter most,” Sklaroff said. “That's what drives us—service with a human touch.” To learn more about Axxess Networks' UCaaS and Live Failover solutions, visit www.axxessnetworks.com.

News and Updates: Apple iOS 26 delivers one of the biggest iPhone upgrades in years. The new Liquid Glass interface adds a translucent, holographic look, while Spatial Scenes uses AI to turn photos into dynamic 3D wallpapers. Major app redesigns include a cleaner Camera for one-handed use, a simplified Photos layout, customizable Messages with polls and chat backgrounds, and an upgraded Lock Screen. New Battery Settings now estimate charging times and debut Adaptive Power Mode (on iPhone 15 Pro+). But the flashy Liquid Glass design has drawn complaints of eye strain, dizziness, and legibility issues, with Apple offering accessibility tweaks as workarounds. Intel + Nvidia struck a $5B partnership that could reshape PCs. Nvidia bought a 4–5% stake in Intel, and the two are co-developing hybrid CPUs with Nvidia GPU chiplets connected via NVLink. These SoCs could boost AI PCs, power slimmer gaming laptops, and bring workstation-level performance to mini desktops — potentially blurring the line between integrated and discrete graphics. Nvidia + OpenAI announced a massive $100B investment deal. Nvidia will fund the buildout of 10 gigawatts of AI data centers using its upcoming Vera Rubin chips, more than doubling today's top AI hardware. The arrangement lets Nvidia recycle investment into chip sales while giving OpenAI infrastructure to push toward “superintelligence.” The deal lifted Nvidia's market cap to nearly $4.5T, the largest in the world. SpaceX Starlink filed to launch up to 15,000 new satellites to supercharge its direct-to-cell service. The move follows a $17B spectrum deal with EchoStar and will boost capacity 20-fold, enabling LTE-like performance for calls and messaging in dead zones. T-Mobile remains the US launch partner, but CEO Elon Musk hinted SpaceX could eventually sell mobile service directly, competing with carriers. Microsoft is injecting Copilot into all Microsoft 365 accounts, unless you manually use the Customization feature to stop the auto install.

Shawn Tierney meets up with Michael Bowne of PI to learn what IO-Link is, how it works, and when to use it in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For any links related to this episode, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. Watch The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: Listen to The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: The Automation Podcast, Episode 246 Show Notes: To learn about our online and in-person training courses please visit TheAutomationSchool.com. Read the transcript on The Automation Blog: (automatically generated) Shawn Tierney (Host): Thank you for tuning back in to the automation podcast. My name is Shawn Tierney from Insights in Automation. And this week on the show, we have a special guest, somebody who hasn’t been on in four years. We have Michael Bone from PI. They’re the folks who manage technologies like PROFINET and IO Link. And Michael’s come on this week to talk specifically about IO Link. We’re gonna talk about what it is. We’re gonna talk about when you should use it, and we’re gonna talk about the technical details of IO Link, like, all the things, like, engineering minds like to know about. So I think you guys are gonna enjoy this. It took about two to three hours to edit this one, and I really enjoyed going back through it. You know, we recorded it, I think, four weeks ago. So I hadn’t seen it in four weeks, but I really did enjoy it. I really think you guys will enjoy it too. And that brings up another point. Organizations like PI and ISA and other organizations, they’re not vendors. They don’t sell stuff. Right? And so this episode is not sponsored by a vendor. And, you know, as I was going through it yesterday, I was like, you know, there’s a lot of great slides in here. I wanna share it with the public. So I’ve decided to sponsor this episode myself, and I’ll use this as an opportunity to tell you a little bit about my company and the automation blog, the automation school, and the content I have planned to release this fall, including content on these products right here, all focused on IO Link. And I just actually did a live stream with these, products in front of me. I’ll be doing more tomorrow, and I’ll be adding lessons to my, courses as well on these products. So in any case, but before we get to that, let’s go ahead and jump right into the show and hear from Michael and learn all about IO Link. I wanna welcome back Michael to the show. It has been four years. He was last on in podcast 76, back in September 2021. So just going on four years. Michael, thank you for coming back on the show. If you could, a lot of people may not remember four years ago. Mhmm. So before we jump into your presentation, which which I am so excited about talking about IO Link again. But before we jump into that, could you please tell me a little bit about yourself and a little Michael Bowne (PI): bit about PI? Yeah. Sure. First of all, my pleasure, to be back on on the podcast. It was a lot, a lot of fun. I remember that back in in 2021, and, I’m glad to be be back doing it again. I started with PI North America in 2011 as the technical marketing director. And since 2016, I’ve been the executive director running the show and chairman of the board since last year. I, have the, let’s say, pleasure to serve as the deputy chairman of PI on a global scale since 2015, and I come from a prior to working for PI, I worked for a sensor manufacturer who had some interfaces on there that that brought me an introduct to to Profibus and Profinet. And before that, I studied, physics and and math at at Penn State University. Just, really quick for those. I’m I’m sure many of you are familiar with with PI, but, it was started in the late eighties. Half a dozen companies and universities got together, and they wrote the PROFIBUS spec, and that evolved into the into into PROFIBUS DP and PROFIBUS PA for process automation in the early two thousands. PROFINET came under the umbrella. And the reason I bring all this up is because there are some newer technologies under our umbrella that I I think the audience might wanna know about. Of course, EyeLink is is the one that we’ll talk about today, and that was in 02/2009. But there are some others like Umlocks, which is a location tracking standard. There’s one called MTP, module type package, NOAA, NAMR open architecture, also under our umbrella. And, basically, what we do is promote, maintain, write the specs, turn them into standards, and the work on those specs is done in working groups, which are staffed by volunteers, engineers from member companies. They donate their time to to develop the specs, for these technologies we have under our umbrella. And we’re a little bit unique in that we’re decentralized. So we have competence centers and test labs and training centers located throughout the world. It’s not all just in one headquarter kind of place, and they’re all independent. But they have a contract or quality of services agreement with PI that says, hey. If you have a question about the technologies, go to a competent center. If you want further training, go to a training center. If you want to to test the device, go to a test lab. And then they are all working with regional PI associations of which we PI North America is one of them. We were founded in 1994 by a guy by the name of Mike Bryant. At that time, we were called Probibus Trade Organization. And we are the and now I didn’t come up with this this name. We are the North American Rio League. This is a an IO Link designation, a regional IO Link interest group, which means that we have a a separate contract and and quality of services agreement with the IO Link community to to promote and and work with members, specifically for IO Link here in in North America. And we’re nonprofit, member supported. I got nothing. So you’re talking about products and and and stuff at the beginning. I got nothing to sell today. We’re we’re working solely on on technology. Shawn Tierney (Host): You know, I do wanna throw out there, though, you have a great update every month about all the new products that fall in the buckets of IO Link, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, and a lot of those new products across our IO Link. So while they may not have products of their own, they do keep the, industry up to date on who’s joining up and signing up, for these new these you know, the jump on board and release new products that, that, you know, meet these specifications. And you know what? Maybe you’re not using PROFINET because you’re using brand x or y. You still probably use an IO Link. So Oh, that’s for sure. Very interesting very interesting updates that you publish every month and, as a blog. And, I know when I was doing the news for a couple years, I would always, go to your site to look for new updates. Michael Bowne (PI): Cool. Yeah. Yeah. I guess, I got a slide on that at the end, but the the you’re referring to the, the PROFINews. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yes. The PROFINews. Yeah. Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. That’s a that’s that’s been a baby and a labor of love, for a while now. And and, oh, man, it’s it’s it’s incredible because every month, the most when we track this kind of stuff, obviously, the most popular article is the new products. Well, because that’s what, right, that’s what people want is the stuff they can buy, the stuff they can use. Yeah. Yeah. That’s and we got another one coming out next week, and every month, we we push that out, and it’s always half a dozen or a dozen new products, half of which are are IO Link. I mean, it’s just growing like crazy. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. And you guys have had some good articles. I think you had a great series, and I’m now I’m stretching it. So stretching the old memory here. I thought you had a great series on on, MTP, which I really enjoyed. Did did I remember that correctly? Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. We we try and, you know, we try and get some editorial content in there. It’s it calls it falls into, like, three main buckets. What’s new products? What are new trainings and events that are coming up? And then and then some editorial content. I think I think what we’re driving at is I think we need to do maybe an MTP podcast here at some point in the down the road. Shawn Tierney (Host): Probably. Yeah. Down the road. Definitely. Definitely. I I’m still you know, I still have a very casual understanding of it. But, let me throw it back to you because I kinda jumped in and interrupted your your your, update. Michael Bowne (PI): No. It’s good. It saves it saves us at the end when when that slide, we can just just jump over it. Now we’ve we’ve got it covered, and it’s and it’s an and it’s an important one. But you kinda you kinda gave me a nice lead into the to the next one, which talks about, the Ireland community. And I’ll start from the bottom, work my way up as being fieldbus independent. Shawn Tierney (Host): I just wanna break in here for a moment and thank you folks in the audience who’ve signed up for my membership program. Really, really appreciate you all. Eighteen months ago, after reviewing ten plus years of being on YouTube, you know, it was pretty obvious that there’s no real revenue on YouTube. I mean, it comes in at maybe 1% of my monthly expenses. And so that ad revenue there is just not something to rely on going forward because it’s not something that’s been reliable in the past. And so I set up the membership program both on YouTube and at the automationblog.com. And I wanna thank all of you who signed up. I, we have a $5 tier, which I know most people sign up at, and then we have a couple other higher tiers. And so I just wanted to thank you all for doing that. You are actually the membership program’s probably 3% of my monthly, revenue. And so that’s, you know, one or two times more, than, what the YouTube revenue was. So thank you all for that. And I hope that, some of you who are not part of the membership program will consider becoming a member, supporting my work so I can do videos that are not always sponsored videos. Now I love sponsored videos. I love it when a vendor sends me a piece of hardware and then sits down with me and teach me how to use it so I can create a video ad free and share with you on how to use that product, or maybe they just come on the podcast and sponsor it to make it ad free so we can tell their story about their product or service. And I I will continue to do that going forward, but I would really also like to do more audience generated type of, content. So content where you generate the idea and say, Shawn, why don’t you try this? Or, Shawn, why don’t you do this? And a lot of those topics that the audience wants to see, they’re not necessarily topics that the vendor wants to promote with advertising dollars. Okay? And so that’s the whole purpose of the, membership program. Like I said, right now, it’s around 3% of my monthly income comes from and I’m talking about the business income, not my personal income, the business income. 3% of what the business needs to, to move forward and pay its bills every month. But, still, I that that, you know, so many of you have decided to jump in and support me. I just wanted to stop and say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. And if you’re not part of the membership program and you’re doing financially well, please consider if you enjoy. This is episode two forty six of the automation podcast. Every episode has been free. The audio has been free for all 246 of them. And most of those episodes I funded myself just by well, you can understand how you fund something when you don’t have the income coming in. But in any case, if you enjoy it, please consider becoming a member, and we can branch out and do other things together. And with that, let’s go ahead and jump back into this week’s episode and learn more about IO Link. Michael Bowne (PI): So like you said, yeah. I mean, organizationally, the IO Link community came to PI in 2009 and organizationally under PI because we have the infrastructure for working groups and and IP policies and contracts and things like that. But the IO Link community has their own steering committee, and from the from the outset and from every IO Link event that we do and everything that we do is is independent of, of any Profibus or Profinet stuff. And we try really, really hard to maintain that independence, no matter what vendor you’re using. And there, at this point, we’ve got 500 companies in the IO Link community, and it’s really just growing by by leaps and bounds. So we kinda track this stuff by nodes and all the IO Link companies. They send their node count to an independent auditor, collects the counts, and gives us back an an an anonymous total. So we don’t know where or who is selling them, but we get the total. And you can just see this this hockey stick exponential growth. Particularly in 2023, there was some supply chain over purchasing that that went on. I mean, that’s like we’re looking at a a growth rate of 89% there, which is obviously unsustainable. But still, last year, 9,700,000 nodes were added. Again, because it’s field bus independent, it really has no competitor. And that’s what’s kinda cool about IO Link. I mean, you wanna do and and you don’t need to choose a field bus and therefore get IO Link. You can use any field bus or industrial container protocol, and IO Link works with it. Shawn Tierney (Host): You know, I wanna just, mention for the audio listeners. If we go back to 2012, it looks like we’re probably at the 1,000,000 mark or below it. And as you go to, you know, 2022, you look like you’re 35,700,000. Is that 2022 or 2023? Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. That’s the 2022. Exactly. 35,700,000.0. Yeah. Shawn Tierney (Host): And then at, the end of twenty twenty three, we’re at 51.6. So you talked about that, you know, overbuying. And then at the end of 2024, we’re at 61,300,000.0. So you can just see from, you know, 2022 to, 2024, you went from 35 to 61. So the adoption, like you said, it’s a hockey stick. The adoption has really picked up. And I think you you hit the nail on the head because it is fieldbus independent. It’s a way to just get more information out of our devices, like sensors and photo eyes, you know, and it’s just you know? I mean, though, these chipsets that come in these, devices now are just amazing. Michael Bowne (PI): And that’s what, I mean, that’s what the whole point of this is. You’re you’re not gonna put a $5 ethernet chip, like, enter $5 ethernet interface on a $15 proximity sensor. But computing and memory has gotten really, really small and really, really cheap that it’s on just about everything. And so this proximity sensor not only can tell you if, like, for example, let’s say it’s on a conveyor belt. It cannot only tell you if the box is there or not, but it can tell you how many blue boxes would buy or how many red boxes would buy or if the box that’s going by is off kilter or or misaligned or something like that. But how do you get that data out in in inexpensively, and here we are. IO Link is is the way to do it. Shawn Tierney (Host): I’m sad to see a lot of these sensors too come with humidity, temperature, and all these other things should be like, really? I can get that out of my Michael Bowne (PI): photo eye. But yeah. Multivariable. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. You know, traditionally, with an analog interface, how did you get that? You couldn’t get it. Mhmm. But now with a digital interface, which is what we’re talking about, digitalization in the last meter, now you can get that informate that data, that information, and do some pretty cool stuff with it. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yes. You can. Yeah. I’ll talk Michael Bowne (PI): a little bit about the architecture a little bit here to kind of get a little bit into the technical side of things about how IO Link works, but it they’re kind of some main devices, and that’s the IO Link masters and the IO Link devices. And these IO Link masters are available for we have here 16 different industrial Ethernet or field bus systems. 21 manufacturers offer central PLC, like an IO Link master built into the backplane of the PLC if you so desired. And the number of devices that so that hockey stick we showed before is just exploding. I mean, we’ve got 60 something million sold, and we have tens of thousands of unique IO Link devices from hundreds of different device manufacturers that have implemented this interface. And for those that if there’s anybody on the podcast that wants to do this and add this to their sensors, there are a number of different companies that help with, product design, either with the chips, the transceivers, the software stacks, and then a number of companies that help provide technical support in order to do that. So an IO Link system kind of is made up of four parts. Like I said, you have the IO Link master. That’s the gateway between the IO Link devices, the IO Link interface, and the higher level communication system, such as the fieldbus or the in industrial Ethernet protocol or backplane. You have the devices. This is the exciting part. Your sensors, your switch gears, your valves, your signal lamps, maybe some simple actuators, whatever the case may be. You’ve got a IO Link cable, just a three wire unshielded, super simple connection between the master and the devices. And then every device has an IODD or IO Link device description file, and I’ll explain how that gets used to engineer and parameterize the IO Link system and the and the devices. And what this kind of enables you know, traditionally, communication only reached the IO level. You had connection between the PLCs and the and the the the IO, and then it kinda stopped there because all those sensors and actuators were not accessible. They were analog, and you got your one process data. You brought process signal, and that’s where it ended. But with IO Link, what we do is we enable that communication bidirectional, cyclic and acyclic, and that’s the cool part, all the way from higher level systems, not only to the PLC or especially from the PLC, but down all the way down to the simple sensors and actuators, which are now accessible. And you kinda touched on this before where these chipsets have gotten really, really smart and really, really powerful. And it’s not that the it’s not that any of these use cases that are that are being solved with IO Link that none of them are new. What’s new is the ease with which they can be solved. So because you can get all this extra data out, things like OEE, showing things like downtime tracking, track and trace, predictive maintenance, for example, remote monitoring, recipe management, SPC, all these things. It’s not that these use cases are now being solved. The you know, we’ve we’ve been doing this for a long, long time. It’s just the ease with which because because it’s a standard and because all this stuff is standardized in how it gets from the the the device to the master and upwards to the controller, it just makes it easier. If you spend all your effort trying to gather and collect and sanitize the data because every device is different and, you know, that’s just that’s just a mess, and the ROI disappears really fast on any kind of project to do that. But if we have a standard on how to do that, then we make it very, very easy to do, and everything can come in, quite nicely. And and and it just and it just works a whole lot easier. You start getting access to that data. And so what we’re starting to see is connections being made. You know, you talk about the the flattening of the traditional automation hierarchy where now not only is that IO block or that sensor connected to a to a PLC, but it’s got some extra data. Like you said, like, this little photo I might have a a a temperature or a a moisture, you know, sensor also in there, just because it’s part of the the chipset. But the PLC don’t care about that. He just wants to know about the, you know, the information from the photo eye. So what do you do with all this extra beautiful information that isn’t necessarily processed data? Well, maybe the MES wants to know about that. So how do you get that? And in a running factory, in a brownfield environment, rule number one is don’t touch the running PLC. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. Michael Bowne (PI): And rule number two is see rule number one. That thing is running, and any minute of downtime costs more than any one thing on the on the factory floor. Shawn Tierney (Host): Before we go on, I did wanna break in here and tell you a little bit about my website, theautomationschool.com, where I do my online training. I also do in person training. And you probably don’t know that that all started back in 2014 with a Kickstarter I ran for my first PLC basics course. At the time, it was called microprogrammable controller basics, and I ended up changing it just the PLC basics. But in any case, since then, I’ve had added a dozen courses on a various number of topics, and you’ll find them all at the automationschool.com. But what I really wanted to talk to you about is why. Why did I do that? Well, I had spent twenty five years as a certified authorized Rockwell Automation distributor specialist covering PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, MES, and other stuff too. Right? And I knew from visiting, customers in the plant every single workday, almost every workday, that there was a real need for affordable training. So the first thing is, you know, large companies have large expensive, large paychecks, and lots of overhead, so they gotta charge a lot. Right? And so that was a problem because a lot of the people I was working with, you know, the controls engineers, automation engineers, high end electricians and technicians, they had to fund their training themselves. Their company was sort of like, no. We trained this guy back in the nineties, and then he will have to get a better job. So we’re not spending money on training. And so all these people were having to train themselves, and it was unaffordable to either, you know, buy the the, vendors courses. Or even if the the company did have training dollars, it was unaffordable to send them away for a week to a $3,000 course somewhere halfway across the country, probably $3,000 worth of travel and hotels too. Right? And then they go where without one of their smartest guys, right, one of their best people, because you you that’s usually who you’re gonna train and and uplift through the through the organization. Either people are doing good on the lower level, you wanna bring them up and train them on automation. And so that’s why I started the the, automationschool.com because of the the try to provide I knew the the courses would never be Hollywood quality. I mean, this isn’t Hollywood quality. Right? But I knew it could be helpful and and, you know, be affordable by just filming them in my garage. Right? And, you know, picking up some used equipment and putting together the episodes. And the site has grown so much. We have thousands of, students from over a 150 countries. We have hundreds of, vendors we work with. But the other thing I did is, is made up by one’s own forever. Right? So more like an ebook or an audiobook or an m p three album. Right? And the reason I did that and I understand why the vendors don’t do that because they’re like, well, they’ll sign up one guy in the I and e shop, and he’ll share his password for everybody. You know, that could happen. Right? People could rob a bank too. But I’m like, you know, most people, when they buy a course and I saw this. I was on an independent platform for a while, and on that platform, they showed you how the progress of every student. Most people buy the course well before they’re ready to take it. And I’m like, I’m not gonna charge people a monthly fee or only give them access to to a short window if, you know, they have good intentions now, but it takes them a while to actually free up their schedule to get into the course and take it. So that’s why my courses are buy one’s own forever. And it can you know, as they grow, the price goes up because I’m adding more and more content, and I do split them out and make cheaper versions over time. But, those people who buy in early, they get the like, my s seven course. Like, I think it originally came out at 40 or $50, and now it’s $200 because I’ve added so much to it over the years. But in any case, same with ControlLogix and CompactLogix. And then the other thing too is I want them to be able to take it more than once. Right? So if you take a let’s say you take a ControlLogix course. Right? You don’t use it for a couple years, you probably gonna have to take it again. And I don’t want you to feel like you have to pay a monthly fee to do that. It’s like an ebook or an m p three album. You bought it. You bought access to it, I guess I should say, and now it’s yours. Right? And the other thing too is I support my students personally. Okay? So I check the website every day for questions, every work day. I should say, you know, I do take Sundays off. So in any case, if you’re if it’s a work day, though, and I’m working, I’m not on vacation or traveling for business, I’m up there. I’m answering questions. And I should say, even when I’m traveling on business, I’m I’m on there answering questions. So although if I don’t have any hardware, there’s some questions you can’t ask. Right? I guess I should have said some questions you can’t answer. But in any case, I just wanted to share that with you. Theautomationschool.com, a high quality online courses, five star rated, buy once, own forever, and guess what? I’m updating all the PLC courses, and if you already own or buy one of the existing PLC courses, you not only get the updated lessons that get added to that course, you get the new course completely free. So I’m not gonna charge you for just an updated version of a class on the same core on the same product. Right? That would be kinda silly in my opinion. So, I hope you guys appreciate that. Again, if you didn’t know any of this, if you have any questions, if you go over to the automationschool.com, at the very top of the site, you’ll see links to contact me, set up a meeting, leave me a voice mail, fill out a form. You know, I have many ways you can get in touch with me. And if you have multiple people you wanna sign up, I do have multiple seat discounts starting at three seats. And, I do actually work with a number of Fortune 500 companies who, you know, enroll maybe 10 people at a time to get that discount. And you know what? Unlike the big vendors, if somebody you sign somebody up and they all take the courses, I’ll let you replace that person for free of charge. You don’t have to pay anything extra. If you sign up Joe and he decides to quit or leave or not to learn, you can put Bob in his place. That’s not a problem. Now I have said some situations where the same spot kept getting replaced or replaced or replaced. At some point, I do charge a maintenance fee to to switch the names out. And then, hey. Look. If Joe leaves and he took, you know, two out of three courses, I’ll prorate refilling that seat with the new person. Right? So whatever percentage of the lessons he took versus the total number of lessons, I’ll prorate it. So, you know, we’ve had number of cases where somebody goes through half of the content then leaves, so we can reset that seat for half price. And I that’s something you won’t find, any major vendors doing as well. So if you have any questions about that, reach out to me over at the automation school dot com. And with that said, let’s jump right back into this week’s episode of the automation podcast. Michael Bowne (PI): In a brownfield installation, what we’re seeing these these cool little edge gateways, And what they’ll do is they’ll grab the bus, they’ll collect some data, and pump it out the other side via, you know, maybe an IT protocol that that the IT guys wanna know about or, you know, like an MQTT or an OPC UA. Of course, in a in a greenfield, in a new installation where you’ve got a brand new PLC, yeah, get the data there. That guy has all the brains, has all the all the information in one ply in all in one place, so get it from the PLC. But in Brownfield, I the edge gateways, even some IO Link masters are being put on the market that have not only an industrial Ethernet interface, you know, just on one port, on the same port, industrial Ethernet interface for control, but that interface will also speak like a higher level IT protocol like an MQTT or an OPC UA, so you can get it even from the IO Link master that data is is accessible. So the different ways to get it, and, and that’s kind of the whole point is is getting that data from the sensors to the to the master and then further upwards. Shawn Tierney (Host): We actually covered a product on the show that had two ports. It had one for your fieldbus Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. And then it Shawn Tierney (Host): had a separate one for your IT or your IOT or your MQTT, which I thought was so inventive too because now the control system gets its data, and it’s under control. But reporting wise, you know, that’s kind of the best of both both worlds. You don’t have to have two sensors. You can send it to data both ways. And, yeah, just it’s the way you can do with these things and, you know, a lot of the sensors you probably have out there, I’ve noticed that some vendors, every sensor they sell is IO Link. So Yeah. You may already have it installed and not know it because the price difference to add it to some products. Once you get up to the fanciest sensors, of course, not the simplest sensors, but once you get up to the fanciest sensors, it’s it’s, you know, there’s a lot of horsepower in that chipset. So, you know, they can add IO Link for for pennies on the dollar. So very interesting stuff, though. Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. That’s that’s a good point. And and, you know, of course, we could spend all day talking about IT, OT, and the segmentation of networks and all who’s who owns the IP addresses. And we I mean, that’s a whole separate topic. But in cases like that, yeah, it’s cool. You got a separate port. IT can do what they want on their one port. And if but, hey, don’t touch me in the control realm because Mhmm. This is my this is my realm. And and you bring up another good point, and that’s kind of there’s a I don’t I don’t wanna say that, you know, there’s there isn’t, like, a thick black line between, okay, this sensor is simple, therefore, should have IO link, or this sensor is complex, therefore, should have its own industrial Ethernet, interface. There’s almost a little bit of a gray area, but you’re right. I mean Mhmm. We kinda leave it up to the vendors to decide. Hey. My thing needs the horsepower that and it’s so complex that I need something like, like, an industrial Ethernet protocol. But, oh, you know what? This other central line is tailored for low cost, and so, therefore, I’m gonna put IO Link on it. But that’s, you know, that’s up to them to to decide. So when we talk about IO Link in terms of benefits, we kinda like to make the analogy with USB because everybody knows USB. You got your USB cable. You plug it into your computer on one end. On the other end, you plug it into your you know, you plug your mouse in or you plug your keyboard in, and you plug your key your printer in. Automatically, it it uses the same cable. It’s always the same. Everything everybody’s using that interface, and we kinda see the same thing with IO Link where it’s just a unified, unshielded three wire sensor cable, and it can use be used with all IO Link devices. Up until now, you know, if you had smart devices, right, memory and computing power is smaller and cheaper. Up until now, to get that extra information out, you would need multiple cables. The wiring is time consuming. It’s expensive. They’re large, costly to to install and maintain. But But with iolink, you just you just plug it in. It’s a simple m 12 plug, and then you don’t have all these spare parts of different cable types. It’s just one cable and, easy to maintain, thin, flexible. I’ve got a I’ve got an example here I’d like to highlight, and I’ll try and talk through it for those that are that are listening instead of instead of viewing. This is an example of 256 IOs via 16 fieldbus modules. So, like, fieldbus like remote IOs or whatever the case may be. So we’re connecting them to a PLC out in the field. And to do that, we would need 16 fieldbus modules in order to do that. These are just let’s let’s call them simple DI, you know, digital input proximity sensors. Mhmm. Shawn Tierney (Host): Mhmm. Michael Bowne (PI): With IO Link, we can do that via just one fieldbus module. So that’s just one IP address or one IO Link master. So already you’re cutting out 15 of those more expensive devices. And then we use what are called so called IO Link hubs, which bring those DI signals, put it all on one IO Link connection, put it into IO Link master, and send it out the other side. And with that, we can connect if you imagine these 272 IOs as shown here via just one fieldbus module. So it’s showing just huge, huge, huge savings simply on cost alone, due to the wiring. And, that that one cable, it fits all sensor types. So simple sensors, like a proximity sensor all the way up to complex devices like pressure, temperature, signal lamps, and even simple actuators all use the same IO Link cable. Shawn Tierney (Host): So where an IO Link device would be giving you not just on or off, but a lot of other information and some of that analog information. If all you had was a dumb device, well, now I can put 16 of them or so, you know, some number of them together Mhmm. Bring them into a hub. And each since each device only has an on or off, where a regular IO Link device would have lots of other information, you can now just join them all together and say, okay. Here we go. Here’s inputs one through x. Michael Bowne (PI): It’s, almost like multiplexing, put it all together on one and then Mhmm. Pump it out the other side. Yeah. Shawn Tierney (Host): Perfect. Michael Bowne (PI): The other way we relate IO Link to USB is kind of in the the identification and parameterization. So if we look at how you plug your printer into your computer, you plug it in, and automatically, your computer says, oh, okay. I know that that’s a HP something something desk check printer and and okay. How do you wanna do you wanna do color or black and white? Do you wanna do full duplex? Do you wanna do back and white, back and front on on the printing? And the same is true for for IO Link. So you plug in that IO Link sensor into your IO Link master. It reads it. It says, hey. The dialing says, hey. This is who I am. This is my type. This is my serial number. Every device has a vendor ID and a device ID. And then the IO Link master goes up and gets the IODD file, and I’ll show that here in a little bit, and then you can start that parametrization. And it’s just like it’s just like a USB. It’s it’s, no special knowledge is required. You can format changes very, very easily. You can even do them on the fly, for example, with an HMI on the on the machine. And, the identification methods make sure that you don’t plug in a wrong device into an IO Nialink port, which could stop the machine. It’ll it’ll it’ll recognize that and prevent, incorrect connections. It allows you to exchange devices very easily of the same type or the the same same manufacturer, same same device. So just like USB, it it it kinda works in that way. And then the other way, it’s kind of like USBs in the diagnostics, and this is a really, really powerful part of IO Link. So when your printer says, I’m out of paper or I’m out of toner or there’s a paper jam, it sends that signal, standardized signal to the to the computer, to your computer, your PC, and you know exactly what what to do, how to fix your your printer, why your printer isn’t working the same as true for IO Link. We’ve standardized these diagnostics. So this is a, a photo eye saying, hey, under voltage or over temperature or the the window on the photo eye has gotten dirty, so signal quality is deteriorating. So we standardized all this, so that these diagnostics all come in the same way, and, you can, you know, fix any any problem as fast as possible to to to, minimize downtime. And in the case of things like signal quality, hey. The the the window’s getting dirty. This enables things like preventative maintenance. Oh, I know I’m going into a planned shutdown next week. Now’s the time to go out and clean those sensors kind of thing, because I know that they’re I know that the signal’s going is deteriorating. So some cool things like that, that wouldn’t be possible with a traditional analog signal, which we’re showing here. And it also makes really no sense. I mean, in this example, what we’re showing here is a generic this is a pre pressure sensor. You know, it does its measurement. It then does some amplification, and then to stabilize the signal, it does an a to d, puts it into a micro, which does some temperature compensation linearization. But then, traditionally, prior to IO Link, what you do is then do another data a to send it out via zero to 10 volts or four to 20 milliamps, whatever, into the into a, an a to d card on the backplane of the PLC, I mean, this is just this is just crazy. It’s it’s time consuming. It’s, the the signal is still susceptible to interference. The the analog inputs on the cards on the PLC are expensive. There’s manual calibration of the signal. But with IO Link, it just makes sense. You take that signal right from the micro, pump it out digitally via an IO Link inexpensive interface to your, to your IO. And, we use that unshielded three wire inexpensive cable, Shawn Tierney (Host): and Michael Bowne (PI): then you get all those parameters and diagnostics. And, really, that’s the point of using IO Link is all that extra data, all that extra information that that comes along with the the process data. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. And so those of you who are listening, I mean, what we saw there was to to shoot out a four to 20 milliamp signal or zero to 10 volt signal, it had to convert it from the digital value that was inside the device to analog, then I have to pump it out. And, you know, we always have to worry about noise and, you know, shielding and all that, you know, depending on the length of the run. And then in the PLC analog card, it’s converting it from analog back to digital, so you have that zero to 32,000 value or zero to 64,000, whatever your PLC does. And so IO Link does eliminate that. It eliminates the noise of your traditional analog. And I know I’ve met so many customers say we have no noise issues on our analog, and that’s great. But not everybody’s in that same boat. So you’re eliminating that d to a and then a to d, and that’s that’s you’re keeping everything digital. So you’re not only getting a cleaner, more accurate value from your device, you’re also getting all those additional pieces of information and the ability to be maybe configured to products. Some of these products need to be changed based on the type of product they’re sensing, you know, the type of fluid going through, the recipe that’s being drawn, the lighting, the colors. So all those different things, you you know, with a typical analog signal, you’re not gonna be able to send back and do a configuration to it. So, go ahead. Back to you, Michael. Michael Bowne (PI): No. You’re right. Exactly. We we have I I took this line out of this deck for the for, you know, for for brevity, but we show examples of of particularly food and bev, right, where you have batches, different I’m running a different batch. I’m running a different product. I need a different label on the on the bottle or whatever I’m running through the the the machine. You reconfigure that via the HMI. It sends all that stuff down to the sensors. Okay. Now I know I’m looking for I should be sensing this instead of this. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. It could be a clear bottle sensor, the clear bottle detector that the bottles change colors. So it’s has a different setting, or it could be background suppression depending on the color of the product. You need a different setting or a color sensor. Maybe you’re making different products and the different colors, and so, you know, all this is now configurable through your PLC, through your control system, through your HMI, which I just think is so cool. Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. It’s it’s it’s super cool. Alright. Let’s get a little bit technical here. I think for some of the engineers, that might be nice. The IO Link signal and 24 volt power supply, like like we talked about before, it’s it’s an m 12 connector. So you’ve got five pins. Your pin one is your high, pin three is your low, and then pin four is your CQ line. That’s that’s where the IO Link digital signal lives. It’s serial. It’s bidirectional. It’s point to point. And then we also have on that same pin four, if you so desired, you could also parameterize your device via IO Link, set it all up, and then put it in what’s known as a CO mode or simple IO mode. And I’ll show that on the next slide too if maybe you’ve just got a digital IO, that you want a fast switching interface. So pins one and three are our power. Pins two and five are freely assignable. So for example, if you wanted to use that pin four for your IO Link signal and then separately have your own DI or DQ line, you could do that using a three wire, four wire, five wire cable. And then what’s cool also in IO Link and we’re starting to see this more and more is we call this port class b, same m 12 connector, same five pins, but pins two and five provide a separate power supply for additional power because and this is cool. We’re starting to see more and more IO link just, like, simple actuators Mhmm. On the market. And that’s really neat. So let’s say you’ve got some simple linear actuator, not not a complex, you know, driver, you know, or motor or something like that, but a a simple linear actuator. You can drive that via IO Link if you just gotta move something really, you know, maybe maybe even within connected to the same ports, on the master as some other sensors, and so you can do that logic in the master itself, you know, simple simple stuff like that. But that’s also possible with IO Link where you can drive it, not just sense it, but also actuate it with with IO Link. So that’s that’s some cool stuff that’s coming down the line. Shawn Tierney (Host): You know, and I found that all the IO Link devices I had here, they came with the SIO mode already set up. So I was able to use the photo eyes and the proxies and all the other devices just as simple IO devices and without even touching the IO Link side of it, which I think is cool because, you know, in in many cases, you just need a photo eye to get up and running. Right? Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. And that’s and that’s how they come out of the box. So out of the box, it’s in that CO mode. And I think you you kinda touched on this before. Maybe many customers have IO Link devices Yeah. On their machine. They don’t even know it Mhmm. Shawn Tierney (Host): Because they Michael Bowne (PI): took it out of the box. They needed that photo. They plugged it in and away they went. But there’s also that all all that extra stuff. If they wanted to, they could get down into the IO Link part of it. Mhmm. Maybe to reparameterize it, or what if you got to change, you still wanna use the CO mode. You just want that digital input. What if you wanna change the switching distance, for example, something like that? I don’t want it to switch at one meter. I want it to switch at two meters or whatever. So all that all that can be configured via IO Link. So on the if we if we talk about the the IO Link communication itself, there are three transmission speeds, comms one, two, and three. Comm one is 4.8 kilobits per second. COM two is 38.4 kilobits per second, and COM three is 230.4 kilobits per second. IO Link masters support all three comm modes, but devices are free to choose based on what they’re sending. If it’s temperature, maybe you don’t need COM three because that’s changing more slowly than something like like like we’re talking about a proximity sensor, which may want to send that a little bit more quickly and uses that that COM three mode. Many, many devices use COM three mode because still two hundred two hundred thirty kilobits per second, that’s, you know, that’s not gonna that’s not gonna kill you. And then a typical cycle time, because this is the question we get all the time, is what kind of cycle time can be achieved? It’s about a millisecond at at com three. So if you’re, you know, trying to go submillisecond, you know, maybe IO Link is not is not the solution at that point. But for many, many applications, that one millisecond cycle time can can, can accomplish whatever they need to. And then what’s cool is that from the EyeLink master’s perspective, it’ll have eight or 16 sensors connected to it. Each device can be set independently. So on this port this device, I’m talking at this comm rate and this cycle time. This other port number two, I’m speaking at a different transmission speed and a different cycle time and so on and so forth, you know, so that you’re not sending data unnecessarily that is simply just being sent for the purposes of being sent. And that’s and that’s pretty cool. Shawn Tierney (Host): And a lot of times, you don’t because you’re not reading a digital on off, you don’t the speed, you’re you’re actually getting a value, and that value a lot of times your PLC is not gonna be running faster than a millisecond scan time. So if you’re getting your value updated, you know, faster than the PLC, then that’s a then then that’s really what you need. Do you know how fast is your PLC running? How fast can your program controller use that value? And, you know, I’d be hard pressed to see a lot of applications where they’re breaking that one millisecond update rate. The other thing too is just because we’re talking at the speed doesn’t mean the actual calculation is even possible in a millisecond. So, you know, temperature changes, things that that sensors there’s limit limitations to the physical world. You know? And, you know, I I don’t know if anybody’s ever said this to you before, Michael, but when I first saw the whole comm thing, I thought that was confusing because having grown up with PCs, I always thought of comp one, comp two, comp one group. Right? And these are really just bought what I would call from the old days, sewer rates. Right? Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. Exactly. Shawn Tierney (Host): Exactly. Insight why why they is it just maybe because it was the standard started overseas or any idea why they went with CALM? Michael Bowne (PI): I’m not gonna lie to you. That’s the first time I’ve gotten that question. Shawn Tierney (Host): Really? Okay. Michael Bowne (PI): Why they’re called that yeah. Let’s just let’s just rewrite this. They call it BOD one, BOD two, BOD three. Shawn Tierney (Host): I know. It’s just so weird. But, anyways, sorry sorry, audience. I just have Michael Bowne (PI): That’s a good one. That’s a good one. Nope. I’ll take that one back. Alright. So IO Link data comes in a couple different flavors. You have your process data. That’s your bread and butter, what you’re using to run the run the factory. Transmitted cyclically in a Telegram, the the data size is defined by the device, and it can be up to 32 bytes for each device, both input and output. Along with that comes a value bit indicating whether the process data is valid or invalid, and this can be transmitted is transmitted cyclically with the the process data. And then you have things that happen acyclically. These would be device data like parameters, identification data, diagnostic information, and these happen on request of the IO Link master. Obviously, a lot of that happens during startup, but also can happen during runtime if, as shown here on the slide with the with the last case, events can be error messages. So the the, the device will set a flag. Hey. There’s a short circuit or so, and then the the master can pull that device for more information, more diagnostic information, based on that event flag that’s that’s set by the set by the device. And so, the the question we always get at this point is, how do I make this all work? How do I integrate this stuff into my into my plant? Shawn Tierney (Host): Before we go any further, I did wanna jump back and tell you about a service I’m doing that I don’t think I’ve talked about very much, and it’s comes in two different flavors. First of all, I’ve actually had some vendors and companies reach out to me and say, Shawn, I know you don’t wanna travel all around the country with all your equipment. Right? That’s not what you do, but we want you to come out and teach us something. Would you come out and do a lecture? We’ll set up our own equipment. And, can you come out and just run us through some of the products and teach us some of your knowledge, and you don’t have to worry about bringing all the equipment with you. And so that’s something I really don’t talk about much, but I do wanna tell you that if you’re looking for training and you need it on-site, of course, you do have to pay for my travel time. But if you do want me to come out for a day or two days or for a week and do training on any of the products I train online now. Now if you want me to come out and do training on a product I don’t already have a curriculum on, I can’t do it. The building the curriculum is where all of my costs is on the training. Right? I shouldn’t say that. The web service in in in the back end does cost something every month as well, but most of the time it goes into and that’s really what being self employed is it’s time. Right? Most of the time goes into build building the curriculum. So if you have a need for somebody like Shawn, we can’t do a webinar. We can’t do a Teams meeting. We we can’t do online training. We want you to come out. And, again, I just got a call on this yesterday. Yes. I can do that. As long as the curriculum I’m gonna teach you is something I already have existing. And, I’m not gonna hand out lab books. We can buy you lab books if you want. People sell great lab books for $80.90 dollars a pop. If you want lab books, I’d be more than happy to include that in the quote. But in any case, I that’s one thing I do. The other thing I’ve been doing with vendors is they’ve hired me to come out and interview them at their trade show. So, usually, what happens is somebody will sponsor a podcast for $5.99. They’ll come on. We’ll do the interview. I’ll edit it all up. I’ll put their links in. We’ll talk about the thumbnail, and then we’ll release it ad free. Right? And so that covers my cost of producing that episode roughly. Right? We just raised it from $4.99 to $5.99 because most of the shows were were actually upside down on, so we need to raise it a little bit to make sure we’re covering our cost. But in any case, sometimes vendors have, you know, they have their own trade show, and they may have all of their product specialists there. And they’re like, hey, Shawn. We would like to do six or seven interviews at the trade show. Would you come out and actually record them there? We’ll pay your flight. We’ll pay your hotel and your expenses to get there and back. And so that’s another thing I haven’t talked about much that I’m doing. I’m working with some, you know, top five vendors to do that, and I’ve done it in the past. And so I did wanna explain it to you if you’re a vendor listening or if you are, talking to your vendor, like, you should have Shawn come out and interview all your people. You have them all in one place. Let them know that they can contact me about doing that. Again, you can contact me at theautomationblog.com, LinkedIn, YouTube, theautomationschool.com, pretty much any way you want. You can write me snail mail if you want. But in any case, I do wanna share that, and we also have in person training. I think I’ve talked to you guys about this quite a bit. We do custom in person training for as little as two people, $900 a day up to four people. And so if you wanna get some people in here, we can actually do Allen Bradley and Siemens in two days back to back. One day Allen Bradley, one day Siemens. So if you wanna learn two PLCs in two days back to back now I do have somebody ask me, hey, Shawn. Where’s your schedule of upcoming courses? And back in my previous life of twenty five years, we were always trying to sign people up and then canceling, you know, events and classes because, we wouldn’t get enough people to meet the vendors minimum. So I don’t wanna do that. So I don’t have actually any dates now. I have been talking with doing a intensive POC boot camp, but, you know, I just got so much things going on in my life right now that I don’t think I could pull that together this fall. But in any case, if you need some training, you wanna send your people here, we can even start at, like, noontime and then end the final day at noontime so you can get your flights and travel and all that. We’re one hour away from Albany, New York, and that’s a great little airport to fly in and out of. Actually, I’m flying out of it in November. They’ll go to a trade show, to interview vendors, vendors, product people. But in any case, I just wanna break in. There’s something about my company. I don’t think I ever talked to you guys about much, and so I just wanted to insert it here since I’m sponsoring this episode and eating the cost to produce it. I wanted to share that with you. And now, I won’t be back until the end of the show, so please enjoy the rest of this episode. Send any feedback you have to me, and, we’ll talk to you at the end of the show. Michael Bowne (PI): And it kinda works like this. So you have your IO Link device, which has an IODD file, which we mentioned earlier, that gets ingested by a parameterization tool. The parameterization tool comes with the IO Link master. Could be a separate piece of software. In some cases, could be a web page built into the IO Link master itself. Depends on depends on the vendor. But then what happens after that, how that data goes from the IO Link master to the controller, the PLC, is fieldbus specific. So you have your own, fieldbus file, you know, GSD or EDS or ESI, whatever the case may be, which is ingested by the engineering tool of the of the PLC and kind of outside way outside the scope of of of IO Link. And so the EDS file, the GSD file, and and that is the that data then gets sent via fieldbus, and that’s the sum of all the IO Link device data from all the ports on the IO Link master, where that IO Link communication as as defined by the IODD file, configures the port for the master and for the devices. And so an IODD file is provided by the devices, and every device manufacturer must provide an IODD for their device. It can be downloaded from the IODD finder, which is a website, and, it it describes what the entire device does. It describes the process data length, the process data structure, the parameter the name of the parameters, what range to expect, the data types, the addresses of the parameters in the in the in the indexes and subindexes. It can talk about GUI information, pages on which a parameter shall be displayed, names of parameter pages, all this kind of stuff is in an IODD file. It’s a it’s a zip file where you have that IODD as an XML. So that’s how we format the file. So it’s it’s both and this is the key part, both machine readable and and human readable. It’s got a little picture of the device, picture of the manufacturer logo. And with your permission, maybe I can show the IODD finder. It’s, ioddfinder.io-link.com. Mhmm. Looks simple enough. Let’s say we wanna look at a I’m gonna type in something here. Max ref. Let’s pick this. So this is just a this is a reference design, not an actual product that that, an end user would employ in their in their factory, but a reference design of something that maybe a device manufacturer would use. And it’s shows the manufacturer name, the article name number, the product name, the device ID. All that stuff is ingested by the parameterization tool, which then uses that information to go up to this IODD finder and grab the IODD file shown here, which can be downloaded if you wanted to look at it yourself. But in the past few years, we implemented what’s called an IODD viewer, which is pretty cool, which takes that nice XML file and parses it. So in human readable form, if you wanted to compare quickly, hey. I’m an end user. I wanna compare the IODD file from device vendor a to device vendor b to kinda see what kind of features they have. You could do that all very easily, and that’s shown here in the IODD viewer. What’s really what’s really neat about this IODD finder is that it has two ways it it it gets accessed. That’s this website that I just showed here. So as in humans are are accessing it, but it’s also accessible via API. And we we track the the traffic to the Audi divider, and the vast, vast majority of the traffic comes via API. So these are IO Link masters that just had a device connected to them. Parameter is I’m sorry. Parameterization tool that has a you know, or connected to the IO Link master that had device connected them. They go up to the AudiD finder, and they pull down that IODD file for the device that was just connected so that now they they can be, configured. And that’s really, really cool stuff. So all these IODD files are in one spot, in one database up there for for viewing or via the IODD viewer or for access from any number of IO Link tools out there. Shawn Tierney (Host): So when we’re talking about API access, we’re talking about the tool we’re using to configure the master. So it could be a web page built into the master, or it could be a separate software program. Do I have that correct? Michael Bowne (PI): Yeah. Right. So the parameterization tool, yeah, is usually is usually a software package that’ll run on your computer connecting to your, IO Link master that parameterizes the IO Link master. Yeah. Shawn Tierney (Host): Excellent. Or Michael Bowne (PI): through the network somehow. Maybe through the network. Yeah. Goes out and grabs that IODD file from the IODD finder to, you know, to parameterize that port in that device. Shawn Tierney (Host): Which is excellent because in previous iterations of smart networks and smart devices, you always have to go searching a vendor’s website, and then people would get the wrong file, and then I would be in the field saying this is never gonna work because you get the wrong device file. If they can’t give you the right device file, you’ll never get it to work. You know? And so this is much better having the organization have everybody require everybody who has IO Link to put their IODD files in the one place so everybody can always find it. And so the software tools can find it automatically for you, which is just a huge a huge change versus what we went through in the nineties. Michael Bowne (PI): Exactly. We came on a CD or something or what I mean, God only knows. I’m gonna switch gears a little bit here, talk about two topics subtopics within the IO Link domain, and one of them is IO Link wireless. This is, what we call is bridging the gap. So it’s an IEC standard, six eleven thirty nine as of November 2023, Shawn Tierney (Host): and Michael Bowne (PI): it’s enabling connections that simply weren’t possible before for IO Link. And in an example here, we’re showing a a smart machine tool where the IO Link sensor is integrated into the chuck of the lathe. Now that guy is spinning at 6,000 RPMs. That connection simply couldn’t be possible couldn’t be done any other way than with IO Link wireless or, let’s say, independent movers. So you’ve seen these moving systems where you’ve got the either floating or on a on a rail the other track systems exactly. If you integrate the smarts of IO Link onto the movers themselves instead of using, SCARA or Delta robots to do the to I mean, that’s you’re saving huge amounts of cost Mhmm. That way if the if those guys can move on their own, and they use IO Link wireless to do that. Slip rings where certainly sending power, is is well known, but sometimes communication can be tricky via slip ring. Mhmm. Yeah. End of arm tooling, like robot robot end of arms where you have a you’re gonna change the tool at the end of the arm. It’s more lightweight, saving on on robot cost that way. Less fewer lighter robots can be used, but it’s it’s, it’s cool. It the architecture looks pretty much the same, where you have your field level, your IO, and instead of wired connections, it’s it’s simply a wireless connection. Is that wired? It’s it’s wireless. And and what’s different about IO Link Wireless is that it was built for industry. So I think in the past, people have been burned by wireless technologies that made some promises that didn’t maybe you know, they they couldn’t meet the the the the the rigorous environment and and requirements of of industry, but that was different. It was built for industry from the start. So it uses the two point two point four gig license free ISM band. And what we do is a is this frequency hopping so that we use the same IO link, you know, data structure. We do this frequency hopping, and it’s it’s a cycle of five milliseconds. So you’re not going to get that one millisecond time that you get via wired IO link. We do a five millisecond cycle time, and then it’s using this frequency hopping method. It’s basically cable grade, connection, 10 to the minus nine error probability. You can have hundreds of wireless devices in a machine, and it’s deterministic. It’s designed it is designed from the outside for both for control, of course, but, of course, also for for monitoring and maybe, like, a brownfield. You wanna you can’t get IO Link to a sensor or something that you can maybe use IO Link wireless to get access to some some hard to reach sensor. Shawn Tierney (Host): Well, you know, I thought that I think this is so

This week on The Vergecast, Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake of PetaPixel's YouTube channel join The Verge's Allison Johnson and Vjeran Pavic to geek out about the last half-decade of camera advancements — the good, the bad, and the Sigma BF of it all. Then, Allison is joined by Verge News Editor and fellow phone nerd Dominic Preston to help answer a boatload of listener questions from people contemplating which smartphone to buy next. They help navigate the intricacies of living in a mixed iOS/Android household to the best options for someone who wants a headphone jack (spoiler alert: there aren't many). It's a mega-hotline-turned-therapy session for iPhone Mini owners reluctant to let go of their tiny phones in a world where phones come in two sizes: big and bigger. Further reading: Sigma BF review: Beautiful Foolishness — PetaPixel The Fujifilm X half is Just Plain FUN! — PetaPixel Fujifilm X Half hands-on: whimsical, refreshing, and simply fun Sigma BF review: the perfect camera for a minimalist In pursuit of a viral, five-year-old compact camera Samsung Galaxy S25 review: incredibly iterative Nothing Phone 3 review: flagship-ish If you really want a smaller phone, try the tiny Jelly 2 Oppo Find N5 review: the final evolution of foldables Honor launches the ‘world's thinnest' foldable Motorola spoiled a good budget phone with bloatware The Xperia 1 VII is a greatest hits of Sony R&D The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra isn't so ‘ultra' anymore The Fairphone 6 no longer feels like a compromise (except in the US) My first DIY phone fix made me a self-repair believer Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: in great shape Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: stunning, bendy, and spendy Ditching my phone for an LTE smartwatch was a humbling experience I took my own advice and bought a last-gen iPhone — I regret nothing How Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip failed me without actually breaking Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week: SiFly sets world record for endurance, Inspired Flight releases a new controller, FreeFly Fest, and a man arrested in Florida for allegedly crashing a drug-loaded drone into someone's house.First up this week, California-based drone manufacturer SiFly has officially set a new Guinness World Record for flight endurance. Their Q12 prototype quadcopter completed a flight lasting an incredible 3 hours and 11 minutes. This absolutely shatters the previous record for a small, electrically powered multi-rotor drone by almost a full hour. The record-setting flight took place on July 26th in California's Salinas Valley and was certified by an official Guinness adjudicator on-site.Inspired Flight Technologies has just launched a new ground control station, the GS-ONE. This is a rugged, handheld controller aimed squarely at professional operators in commercial, industrial, and government sectors. It's designed to integrate seamlessly with Inspired Flight's own IF800 Tomcat and IF1200 UAS platforms.The GS-ONE features a 7-inch, glove-compatible touchscreen that boasts 2,000 NITs of brightness. That's going to be fantastic for a sunlight-readable experience out in the field. It has an NDAA-compliant 2.4 GHz radio with up to 6 miles of range and hot-swappable batteries that provide up to 5 hours of continuous runtime. The whole thing is housed in an IP55-rated enclosure for durability. On the inside, it's running Android 14 on a Qualcomm QCS6490 processor with 8 gigs of RAM and 128 gigs of storage. It's also packed with connectivity, including LTE, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. We visited FreeFly for their yearly partner's event in Washington State. It was packed with announcements, including: Alta X Gen 2, A Firmware update for first Gen Alta X, FreeFly Platforms are back on Blue List, Several Astro Max upgrades, Ember toolbox for FreeFly's high speed cameras, A 1,000,000 lumen spotlight light called the Flying Sun, and even more cool LiDAR and camera tech. Also at the show was a Verizon demo where they flew a FreeFly Astro Max from both Florida and from Alaska using 4 and 5G. Pilot Institute is hosting three separate workshops. On September 2nd, join me, Vic Moss, Amy Wiegand, and Jared Janacek for a deep dive into the regulations, technology, and business strategies that are shaping the future of the drone industry.Then on September 3rd, I'm personally teaching a workshop on how to build your drone business. And on September 4th, Jared will teach you his professional mapping process. Spots for each day are limited and they are filling up. Go to pilotinstitute.com/cuav to see the details and secure your seat.A story that falls squarely into the "what not to do with your drone" category. Out in Lutz, Florida, a 49-year-old man allegedly crashed his drone into a residential home. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the drone was allegedly carrying multiple bags of methamphetamine and fentanyl. In Post Flight, our show where we share more of our opinions, we'll be talking about these stories along with even more nuggets we've found in the Part 108 NPRM and Ag Eagle, who launched a new multispectral camera. We'll see you on Monday for the live and for Post Flight in the premium community! https://www.commercialuavnews.com/inspired-flight-introduces-new-ground-control-stationhttps://www.fox13news.com/news/video-drone-carrying-drugs-crashes-home-suspect-arrestedhttps://dronelife.com/2025/08/20/siflys-q12-breaks-drone-endurance-barriers/https://freeflysystems.com/

In this week's episode of Your Drone Questions. Answered, host Chris Breedlove sits down with Benton Szejk from Wingtra to talk about where the drone industry is headed.With all the uncertainty around regulations, supply chains, tariffs, and evolving executive orders, many drone pilots and professionals are wondering: what's next? Benton shares insights from the manufacturer's perspective on:-The impact of the Blue and Green lists for drone certification-Supply chain challenges and how Wingtra is preparing for the future-Recent executive orders and what they mean for UAS policy in the U.S.-Key features needed for BVLOS operations-Wingtra's latest technology, including obstacle avoidance, LTE connectivity, and AI-powered tools-How drones are being used for mapping, surveying, environmental monitoring, and even public safetyWhether you're a drone operator, educator, or just passionate about the future of UAS, this episode offers encouragement and practical insights into what's ahead for the industry.https://wingtra.comhttps://wingtra.com/ray/ https://info.duncan-parnell.com/acton/media/23538/WingtraRAY-Roadshow

GPT-5 is here, and it's not going so well. This week on The Vergecast, Jake, Vee, and Hayden discuss the bumpy launch of OpenAI's latest model and why GPT-5 isn't as big of a leap as GPT-4. Then, everyone shares their vibe coding projects and the bumpy journey to making anything usable. After that, our newest segment: Corporate Shenanigans, where we rate the week in strange corporate moves on a scale from “actually serious” to “total joke.” Finally, the Thunder Round returns, new and improved, to discuss ditching your phone for a smartwatch, doctors relying too much on AI, AOL dial-up shutting down, the Pebble Time 2, and why you shouldn't trust what AI chatbots say about themselves. Further reading: ChatGPT won't remove old models without warning after GPT-5 backlash OpenAI will update GPT-5's “personality” after user backlash ChatGPT is bringing back 4o as an option because people missed it Sam Altman shared more about what went wrong with those GPT-5 graphs OpenAI gives some employees a ‘special' multimillion-dollar bonus Anthropic just made its latest move in the AI coding wars Anthropic's Claude chatbot can now remember your past conversations Perplexity offers to buy Google Chrome for $34.5 billion Apple is suing Apple Cinemas Apple Cinemas responds to Apple lawsuit Apple returns blood oxygen monitoring to the latest Apple Watches Elon Musk says he's suing Apple for rigging App Store rankings Ditching my phone for an LTE smartwatch was a humbling experience Here's a look at the final Pebble Time 2 design  Some doctors got worse at detecting cancer after relying on AI Google's healthcare AI made up a body part — what happens when doctors don't notice? Chatbots aren't telling you their secrets AOL is finally shutting down dial-up Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Gogo C1 Line Replaceable Unit is designed to facilitate a smooth transition for aircraft currently using the company's legacy Air-to-Ground systems to the new LTE network. Aircraft using legacy ATG systems will need to upgrade to the C1 or an AVANCE system before the LTE network launch in May 2026, to avoid losing in-flight connectivity. Tune in for all the details, what you need to know, and how to receive rebates for the upgrades, from Dave Salvador, Gogo's vice president of aftermarket channel, in this episode of AEA Amplified.

Welcome and Introduction- Will Townsend hosts episode 232 of G2 on 5G, covering six topics in about 20 minutes- Analyst Anshel Sag joins as co-hostEarnings Season Updates- AT&T and T-Mobile post strong quarterly results- AT&T reaches 1 million fixed wireless access subscribers- T-Mobile reports impressive postpaid net adds and revenue growthLow Earth Orbit Satellite Race- T-Mobile's T-Satellite service now generally available- AT&T and AST Space Mobile achieve first voiceover LTE call using satellite- Competition driving innovation in satellite connectivityMicrosoft's New Surface 5G Laptop- Surface Laptop 5G designed for portable business use- Features dynamic antenna system with six strategically placed antennas- Supports both eSIM and Nano SIM, weighs under 3 poundsConnectivity Challenges in the Florida Keys- Will Townsend shares personal experience with patchy coverage- Highlights potential impact on tourism, commercial fishing, and emergency alerts- Calls for mobile network operators to invest in infrastructure improvementsT-Mobile's L4S Technology- First carrier to deploy L4S (Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput)- Part of 5G Advanced Release 18 standard- Aims to improve streaming experience and lower latencyClosing Remarks- Hosts invite listener feedback on specific 5G topics- Encourage audience to rate, subscribe, and tune in next week

"Internet connectivity is no longer a nice-to-have—it's a have-to-have. Without it, your business stops." — Jake Jacoby, TELCLOUD In the latest episode of the POTS and Shots podcast series from TELCLOUD, Technology Reseller News Publisher Doug Green is joined by Jake Jacoby of TELCLOUD and Christian Hernandez, Customer Success Manager at ATEL, for a conversation that goes beyond POTS replacement—it's about next-generation connectivity and opportunity for resellers. As legacy copper lines continue to disappear, the pressure is on for MSPs, MSSPs, and telecom resellers to find reliable, scalable, and forward-looking solutions. According to Hernandez, that's exactly what ATEL is delivering. A U.S.-based OEM with a global backbone, ATEL has developed rugged 5G routers like the PW550, designed to meet the growing demands of modern connectivity—including the ability to move antennas up to 250 feet away from the telco room to achieve higher signal quality. Jacoby underscored why TELCLOUD partnered with ATEL: “We're done with LTE. 5G is the future. And it's not just about replacing a phone line—it's about building in redundancy and giving businesses the internet resilience they need to operate.” This podcast highlights why 2025 is shaping up to be the year of POTS replacement. TELCLOUD and ATEL are helping resellers modernize customer environments while keeping costs down and reliability up. And with TELCLOUD's full commitment to 5G and flexible outdoor/indoor router deployments, resellers have a real shot at transforming POTS into a growth engine. To celebrate, the crew closed out the episode with a taste of ATEL's own 20-year anniversary aged tequila—a smooth extra añejo with hints of bourbon, coffee, and chocolate. As Jacoby joked, “You can't buy this one on the street… you've got to come visit.” Learn more: ATEL TELCLOUD | 844-900-2270

Foundations of Amateur Radio The other day I was discussing with a fellow amateur the increased frustration my mobile phone provider was inflicting. We hit on the idea of figuring out if other providers would fit the bill and how we could determine if their coverage would suit our needs. Aside from using an old mobile phone, I suggested that using a $25 RTL-SDR dongle would provide a way to record mobile phone cell site beacons from the various mobile networks to map what signal levels we might find. To that end, I discovered a tool called LTE-Cell-Scanner by Xianjun BH1RXH. Forked from the original project by James Peroulas, it allows you to use simple hardware to scan for LTE Cells used by mobile phone networks. James points out on his site that this tool can also be used to calibrate an RTL-SDR receiver's oscillator, since an LTE downlink centre frequency is stable to within 50 Parts Per Billion, that's 10 times more stable than my Yaesu FT-857d using a TCXO. If this doesn't mean much, think of it as a local frequency reference standard that you can use in your shack with minimal effort and cost. The story gets better. I started building LTE-Cell-Scanner from source and in doing so discovered a directory on my computer named "uhrr". I didn't remember what it was for, so I looked online. The first search result, when I looked for "uhrr radio" was a repository by Oliver F4HTB, more on that in a bit. The second search result was something called "Universal Radio Hacker". I clicked on the link and discovered a mind boggling tool. There are times in your life when something flips, this was one of those times. It happened when I discovered "csdr" by Andras HA7ILM and again when I discovered "GNU Radio". Diving into "Universal Radio Hacker", by Dr. Johannes Pohl and Dr. Andreas Noack I was introduced to the art of decoding and generating digital radio signals. In 2018 it was presented for the first time during the USENIX Workshop on Offensive Technologies, or WOOT, as a tool to discover, decode and identify exploits of proprietary IoT devices scattered all over the planet. As an aside, USENIX, Users Of Unix, since 1975. Back to radio. Universal Radio Hacker allows you to dissect recorded radio signals using all manner of interactive processes. When you go looking for it, and you should, I recommend that you start by watching some videos. You'll find an introductory play list on my YouTube channel. By the time you've seen those, you'll likely share my excitement. To encourage you further, the Universal Radio Hacker is open source, written in Python, and runs on Linux, MacOS and Windows. So far there have been 94 releases of the software, so it's seen significant development in the years since it was released into the wild. When installing it I was surprised to discover that its acronym was "uhr", not "uhrr". This was a relief since I still didn't remember what "uhrr" was all about and I couldn't imagine having forgotten Universal Radio Hacker. It turns out that the last time I looked at "uhrr" was apparently in 2021 when I shared my experience in an article titled "The remote edge..."; "uhrr" or "Universal Ham Radio Remote" is a tool that allows you to use a web browser to access a radio remotely. My little journey into unexpected diversions, distractions and discovery has led me into a path where several puzzle pieces have come together. For example, Universal Radio Hacker and GNU Radio can talk to each other, they're both written in Python, they're both open source, have a history of development and have a community of users. The LTE-Cell-Scanner, also open source, will allow me to calibrate most if not all of my radio gear and I'm once again inspired to keep digging into yet another aspect of this wonderful hobby. I'm sure that there are more than a thousand different hobbies under this roof. Go forth, explore, discover, be amazed, and stay curious! I'm Onno VK6FLAB

The Senate is moving forward on their version of a budget reconciliation bill that could drastically cut clean energy tax credits. CCL wants to protect those tax credits. We have been emailing, calling, and meeting with members of Congress about this for months. Now it's time to take the conversation public in local media all around the country! Join this special workshop with Charlotte Ward, CCL's Communications and Media Manager, to learn everything you need to know to write an effective letter to the editor (LTE) or a full op-ed about the tax credits. After a quick overview and training, you'll spend 20 minutes of focused time writing your LTE or personalizing our op-ed template during the call. Please note that this event includes a short visual presentation and helpful links to access as you write. If you're a Citizens' Climate Lobby volunteer, you can log your training automatically when signed into CCL Community by clicking: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000AHfVYAW Resources from this training https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/102bE0oAgDIT_MuHHbONZA2IdSnhDfCRFVw4kD9vQGl8/edit?slide=id.g333ca062a2c_0_26#slide=id.g333ca062a2c_0_26 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B1RfD0AQt6E_28aqHEAV1Uc95wd3dvYByEi-dd9m0XA/edit?usp=sharing

"We can have a reseller up and running in like three days. It's that easy." — Jake Jacoby, Founder, TELCLOUD In this latest installment of the POTS and Shots series, Doug Green, publisher of Technology Reseller News, sits down once again with Jake Jacoby of TELCLOUD to explore why becoming a POTS replacement reseller has never been easier — or more profitable. No headaches. No barriers. All opportunity. Jake breaks down how TELCLOUD's white-label, channel-first model empowers resellers to deliver turnkey POTS line replacement solutions without having to build out the backend. Whether you're bringing your own connectivity or PBX, or need the full stack, TELCLOUD fills in the gaps — and fast. Resellers can be live, branded, and billing customers within three days. Built for channel success: TELCLOUD is purpose-built to support channel partners with: White-label branding and sales collateral Full 3PL, sourcing, compliance, installation, and support Hybrid deployment models: crawl, walk, run Partnerships with Crexendo, Alianza, and others Support for legacy infrastructure (BroadSoft, Metaswitch, Asterisk, Ericsson, and more) And the need is real. With over a billion lines globally to replace, Jake urges resellers not to leave critical use cases—like elevator or fire alarm lines—on the table. “Your customers already trust you. They want you to bring the full solution.” Think beyond POTS — think bulletproof connectivity. Doug and Jake also dive into the adjacent opportunity in unbreakable Internet. With TELCLOUD's integrated fixed wireless access and broadband bundles, partners can offer redundant, wireless-first connectivity that blends LTE, broadband, and even satellite to ensure uptime for their clients. And for the shot? Jake introduces “El Mejor,” an extra añejo tequila aged over five years in Napa oak barrels. Smooth, deep, and rich — much like the TELCLOUD opportunity itself. “You'll want to keep this one on your shelf,” says Jake. Next up: Beyond the Sale — how POTS replacement builds long-term loyalty. Learn more about becoming a TELCLOUD reseller: Visit telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270. Email Jake directly at jake@telcloud.com. #POTSReplacement #FixedWirelessAccess #ChannelPartners #UCaaS #ConnectivitySolutions #VoIP #ResellerOpportunities #WhiteLabelSolutions #ElMejorTequila #TELCLOUD

This podcast is a part of a collection of podcasts recorded at ISC West 2025 and previously shared on social media. “Secure by design, global by nature—floLive is redefining IoT connectivity for the security world.” — Emanuel Maceira, floLIVE, speaking with Doug Green at ISC West 2025 At ISC West 2025, Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green sat down with Emanuel Maceira of floLIVE to explore how the company is transforming the way the security industry connects devices globally. floLIVE, the world's largest IoT connectivity provider, offers a powerful platform that enables seamless, secure deployment of connected devices across all industries—from smart agriculture to physical security. “Whether it's a connected camera, an emergency response device, or a sensor, our platform eliminates the need for site surveys,” explained Maceira. “We ensure connectivity anywhere in the world with automated, over-the-air provisioning.” Security is central to floLIVE's architecture. By owning and operating a full, global mobile core network, floLIVE delivers local data breakout and compliance with data sovereignty regulations. “Wherever your data is generated, that's where it stays,” said Maceira, highlighting how floLIVE supports both compliance and performance by maintaining local points of presence around the globe. The conversation also touched on floLIVE's expanding capabilities, including the upcoming launch of its global multi-carrier VoLTE (Voice over LTE) service—described as a long-awaited advancement for security providers requiring high-reliability voice support across geographies. With a robust partner ecosystem of ODMs, OEMs, and manufacturers, floLIVE helps customers integrate eSIMs, 5G connectivity, and carrier-grade security into new products. The company's upcoming presence at MVNO Nation in Miami, in partnership with Helix, underscores its continued commitment to enabling tailored solutions across verticals. To learn more, visit floLIVE.net.

“Emergencies don't wait—neither should you.” —Dave Beagle, Ooma In a time-sensitive and information-rich conversation, Doug Green, publisher of Technology Reseller News, sat down with Dave Beagle of Ooma to discuss the urgent need for businesses to migrate away from traditional copper POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines. Beagle delivered a compelling presentation centered around Ooma's Airdial solution, which is specifically engineered to support mission-critical applications like fire and life safety systems. The discussion highlighted a ticking clock: with AT&T aiming to sunset all copper lines by 2029—and over 10 million POTS lines still active—resellers and IT advisors are faced with a once-in-a-generation opportunity. “That means replacing over 8,500 lines a day, starting now,” said Beagle. “It's time for partners to act.” Ooma Airdial stands out in the growing “POTS-in-a-box” market for several reasons: Purpose-Built for Fire Life Safety: Unlike competitors that cobble together multiple technologies, Airdial is a vertically integrated solution—built by Ooma from the ground up for environments like elevators, fire panels, and emergency call systems. MultiPath Transport (MPT): Ooma's patented, active-active voice transmission over LTE and Ethernet ensures emergency calls remain connected without failover delays. Compliance and Visibility: Airdial supports NFPA 72, UL certifications, and PCI/HIPAA regulations, with device-level management available via a robust Remote Device Manager portal. Award-Winning Technology: Airdial has earned accolades from Elevator World, Internet Telephony, FacilitiesNet, and Frost & Sullivan for innovation and reliability. Beagle also underscored how rising costs and decommissioning notices—often buried in telecom bills—are already impacting organizations. In one case, a $100 POTS line was suddenly billed at $1,000 due to a rate hike buried in the fine print. “That's $25,000 in exposure over two months—money that could've gone to laptops in a school district or medical equipment in a hospital,” said Beagle. Airdial's design reflects real-world installation challenges: from basement deployment and signal optimization to asset management and E911 location accuracy. Even the power cord has a locking mechanism to prevent accidental shutdown. “We control the hardware, the software, and the supply chain,” Beagle said. “We believe that's why so many resellers and channel partners are choosing Airdial—and why many who started with other solutions are switching to Ooma.” To learn more, visit ooma.com/airdial.

Kyle, a field sales rep from British Columbia, is struggling with a common prospecting challenge: how to consistently prospect when you're constantly on the move. Kyle's situation likely resonates with many of you in outside sales. He described his typical day—starting at job sites at 7:30 AM, running between appointments, sending proposals from his truck, and working from Starbucks in between meetings. Sound familiar? He had read my book, Fanatical Prospecting, where I advocate for dedicated time blocks for prospecting. But Kyle's reality made traditional time blocking nearly impossible. So what's a field rep to do? What follows is the advice I gave Kyle, cleaned up and expanded so every field seller, territory manager, and outside sales road warrior can put it to work—right now. Focus on Activity Count, Not Time Blocks If you're in Kyle's shoes (or truck), here's my advice: Stop obsessing over time and start focusing on activity counts. Instead of trying to carve out a rigid one- or two-hour block, set a daily activity goal. For someone in Kyle's position, committing to 30 quality outbound touches per day is likely sufficient. In my early days, I personally made 100 dials daily, no matter what—but you need to find your number. It's amazing what you can accomplish in small pockets of time. Got 10 minutes between appointments? You can make 10 dials. These micro-prospecting sessions add up throughout your day. Instead of asking, “How do I find two uninterrupted hours?” ask, “How many outbound touches do I need to hit my pipeline goal?” Reverse-engineer your math. If 30 dials typically create two meetings—and two meetings a day keep your funnel fat—commit to 30 dials, period. Activity over chronology. Whether you burn those calls in one block or in six five-minute bursts between site visits doesn't matter. Hitting the activity target does. Prospecting is like push-ups: the muscle only cares that you completed the reps, not whether you did them all at once. Practical Fanatical Prospecting Implementation for Field Reps Here's how to make this work in the field: Set up your list the night before: Don't waste precious morning energy building your call list. Have everything ready to go when you start your day. A pre-built list eliminates the mental drag of figuring out who to call while you're juggling mud, invoices, and traffic. Use the gaps: Those small windows between appointments are prospecting gold. Five minutes here, ten minutes there—use them. Capture information efficiently: Most calls will go to voicemail. For the ones who answer, quickly note any important information to input into your CRM later. Don't try to update your CRM in real-time between every call. Be safe: Obviously, don't text and drive. Pull over if you need to take notes or send follow-up messages. What Kyle is experiencing is common for outside sales professionals. You can't prospect the same way as an inside sales rep with a dedicated desk and phone. Your office is your vehicle. Your desk is wherever you can find a flat surface. Your schedule is dictated by customers and job sites. Create a Mobile Prospecting Kit Salesforce is great—when you have stable Wi-Fi and two hands on a keyboard. Field reps need something that works when the LTE bars dip to one. Print or export your list with phone numbers and a skinny note column. Hyperlink mobile numbers in a notes app so a single tap dials the next contact—no scrolling, no fumbling. Use a hands-free auto-dial app (tons exist) if local regulations allow. Safety first; quotas second. Capture notes on paper or dictate voice memos. At day's end, batch-enter critical intel into your CRM. Perfect data hygiene is optional; capturing deal-moving facts is mandatory. Rule of thumb: Log information, not activity. Managers love call-count metrics, but conversations and follow-up triggers win deals. Prospect in the Micro-Moments I built my career on a simple principle: five dials fit in five minutes. Waiting for the site supervisor? Dial. Stuck at a railroad crossing? Dial. Early for lunch with a GC? Dial. If you rinse and repeat ten times a day, that's 50 dials—without ever blocking a formal hour. Your smartphone is a Swiss Army knife; flip out the prospecting blade at every lull. Respect the Platinum Hours—But Redefine Them Kyle also asked about "platinum hours" for prospecting in the construction world. This is where understanding your market's rhythm becomes crucial. Kyle noted that contractors and builders are easier to reach in the morning, while homeowners are more accessible in the afternoon. This creates a "sandwich" with potentially lighter activity in the middle of the day. This midday lull is your opportunity. Use this time to build lists, handle admin work, and prepare proposals. Unlike the evening when you're exhausted from a full day in the field, these midday hours could be your most productive for planning and organizing your prospecting efforts. Another strategy: dedicate time on Sunday evenings to build your entire week's prospecting list. Create a master list of 100 names and work through it all week, making adjustments as needed when new leads come in. Creating a Predictable Pipeline Consistent prospecting—even in small chunks—creates a predictable pipeline. For field reps, this approach is actually more sustainable than trying to force traditional time blocks into an already chaotic schedule. When you hit your daily outbound touch goal consistently, you create a steady stream of new opportunities flowing into your pipeline. This prevents the feast-or-famine cycle that plagues so many field sales professionals. Remember, it's not about how much time you spend prospecting—it's about how many quality touches you make each day. Set your number, stick to it religiously, and watch your pipeline grow. Prospect the Way Your Territory Demands Kyle's biggest burden wasn't time—it was guilt. He felt like a prospecting slacker because he wasn't doing textbook blocks. Let me settle it: If your role is to be on-site talking to buyers, that is high-value selling time. The goal of prospecting is pipeline, not calendar purity. Flexible, numbers-driven activity beats rigid, time-driven blocks every day of the week. Give yourself permission to sell the way your territory demands. Outside sales is messy, chaotic, and wildly fun. You'll spill coffee on contracts, burn through playlists, and hunt for cell service in cornfields—but none of that excuses an empty pipeline. If you're like Kyle—constantly on the move but committed to growth—focus on activity goals rather than time blocks. Your truck becomes your prospecting command center, and those small gaps in your day become opportunities to move your business forward. Keep hustling. Keep prospecting. And at the end of the day, when it is time to go home, always make one more call. Want to set more appointments from the road? Download our FREE guide 25 Ways to Ask For the Appointment on a Cold Call

Kyle, a field sales rep from British Columbia is struggling with a common prospecting challenge: how to consistently prospect when you're constantly on the move. Kyle's situation likely resonates with many of you in outside sales. He described his typical day—starting at job sites at 7:30 AM, running between appointments, sending proposals from his truck, and working from Starbucks in between meetings. Sound familiar? He had read my book, Fanatical Prospecting, where I advocate for dedicated time blocks for prospecting. But Kyle's reality made traditional time blocking nearly impossible. So what's a field rep to do? What follows is the advice I gave Kyle, cleaned up and expanded so every field seller, territory manager, and outside-sales road warrior can put it to work—right now. Focus on Activity Count, Not Time Blocks If you're in Kyle's shoes (or truck), here's my advice: stop obsessing over time and start focusing on activity counts. Instead of trying to carve out a rigid one or two-hour block, set a daily activity goal. For someone in Kyle's position, committing to 30 quality outbound touches per day is likely sufficient. In my early days, I personally made 100 dials daily, no matter what—but you need to find your number. It's amazing what you can accomplish in small pockets of time. Got 10 minutes between appointments? You can make 10 dials. These micro-prospecting sessions add up throughout your day. Instead of asking, “How do I find two uninterrupted hours?” ask, “How many outbound touches do I need to hit my pipeline goal?” Reverse-engineer your math. If 30 dials typically create two meetings—and two meetings a day keep your funnel fat—commit to 30 dials, period. Activity over chronology. Whether you burn those calls in one block or in six five-minute bursts between site visits doesn't matter. Hitting the activity target does. Prospecting is like push-ups: the muscle only cares that you completed the reps, not whether you did them all at once. Practical Fanatical Prospecting Implementation for Field Reps Here's how to make this work in the field: Set up your list the night before: Don't waste precious morning energy building your call list. Have everything ready to go when you start your day. A pre-built list eliminates the mental drag of figuring out who to call while you're juggling mud, invoices, and traffic. Use the gaps: Those small windows between appointments are prospecting gold. Five minutes here, ten minutes there—use them. Capture information efficiently: Most calls will go to voicemail. For the ones who answer, quickly note any important information to input into your CRM later. Don't try to update your CRM in real-time between every call. Be safe: Obviously, don't text and drive. Pull over if you need to take notes or send follow-up messages. What Kyle is experiencing is common for outside sales professionals. You can't prospect the same way as an inside sales rep with a dedicated desk and phone. Your office is your vehicle. Your desk is wherever you can find a flat surface. Your schedule is dictated by customers and job sites. Create a Mobile Prospecting Kit Salesforce is great—when you have stable Wi-Fi and two hands on a keyboard. Field reps need something that works when the LTE bars dip to one. Print or export your list with phone numbers and a skinny note column. Hyperlink mobile numbers in a notes app so a single tap dials the next contact—no scrolling, no fumbling. Use a hands-free auto-dial app (tons exist) if local regulations allow. Safety first; quotas second. Capture notes on paper or dictate voice memos. At day's end, batch-enter critical intel into your CRM. Perfect data hygiene is optional; capturing deal-moving facts is mandatory. Rule of thumb: Log information, not activity. Managers love call-count metrics, but conversations and follow-up triggers win deals.

As the sun shines over the Las Vegas Strip, the future of POTS replacement is being redefined from a panoramic suite high above the city. In a special Technology Reseller News podcast recorded live at Channel Partners Conference and Expo 2025, Jonathan Alarcon, Senior Director of Technology at TELCLOUD, sat down with publisher Doug Green to discuss the company's innovative, carrier-grade approach to POTS replacement—and the growing opportunity for channel partners and resellers. “POTS lines are going away. Regulations are changing. Prices are going up. And legacy systems in buildings—many hidden or forgotten, still depend on them,” said Alarcon. “We're solving that challenge with a fully modular and white-label-ready solution.” Alarcon emphasized the scale and complexity of the issue: from elevators to fire panels, healthcare fax lines to security systems, legacy analog infrastructure remains pervasive across commercial real estate. TELCLOUD's platform has been engineered to support those use cases with true analog line reproduction, including appropriate voltage support and compliance for life safety systems. What sets TELCLOUD apart is its modular hardware approach. Unlike single-box LTE solutions, which are often limited by installation constraints, TELCLOUD allows partners to separate the router from the endpoint by up to 250 feet using a simple Cat6 connection. This flexibility ensures better signal strength and deployment across diverse environments, especially in telco rooms located deep within buildings. The company also offers a comprehensive remote management platform, delivering one pane of glass for full visibility and control—integrated with leading router management systems. Resellers and channel partners can handle firmware updates, monitoring, and diagnostics anywhere. “Coming from the alarm and life safety industry, I knew we needed something better,” said Alarcon. “Our platform is tailored to the realities of fire code compliance and the needs of mission-critical legacy devices.” TELCLOUD's channel-first, white-label strategy is designed to accommodate partners at every stage—from MSPs just entering the space to seasoned telco veterans. The company offers full deployment support, installation services, and turnkey go-to-market options. “Whether you need us to handle everything, or just provide the platform, we're here to help,” said Alarcon. “We tailor our engagement to your needs.” As copper networks continue their sunset and regulatory deadlines loom, TELCLOUD invites channel partners to explore the business opportunity now—before demand exceeds deployment capacity. Learn more at TELCLOUD.com or contact sales@TELCLOUD.com. #POTSReplacement #TELCLOUD #ChannelPartners2025 #LifeSafetyTech #WhiteLabelSolution #MSP #TelecomInnovation #UCaaS #AnalogToDigital #TechnologyResellerNews

At the ITA Showcase, I sat down with Michael Furtado of Lantronix to discuss the latest innovations in console server technology. Lantronix is advancing remote connectivity solutions that provide IT teams with secure, out-of-band access to critical infrastructure—reducing downtime and eliminating costly truck rolls. The Power of Remote Console Servers Lantronix specializes in remote access solutions for firewalls, switches, PDUs, and other network equipment. With their latest LM series console servers, IT professionals can connect remotely over 5G, LTE, Starlink, or even a 9600 baud modem, ensuring uninterrupted network control—even in remote locations. "Any IDF closet benefits from our two- or four-port console server," said Furtado. "If we can save you a truck roll or two, you've paid for the hardware." Introducing AI-Driven Rollback & Network Resilience Lantronix's new LM4 console server, launched just two months ago, offers AI-driven automated rollback technology. Key AI Capabilities: ✅ Firmware Auto-Rollback – If a vendor pushes a bad update, the AI automatically reverts to a working version. ✅ Continuous Monitoring – The system pings devices every 30 seconds to ensure uptime. ✅ Local Firmware Storage – Maintains seven previous firmware versions, allowing instant recovery from failures. Expanding Connectivity: 5G, LTE, and Starlink Support Lantronix recently acquired NTC Netcom, expanding their global connectivity solutions. Their 5G and LTE gateways now power third-party managed services, such as remote monitoring for automated soda machines in the fast-food industry. "Many franchises relied on store-level maintenance," Furtado explained. "Now, distributors are using our cellular gateways to manage equipment remotely—ensuring uptime and reducing maintenance costs." Learn More For IT professionals, MSPs, and resellers looking to enhance network resilience, Lantronix offers: Value-added reseller opportunities Technical portfolio reviews Customized remote access solutions Visit www.lantronix.com to explore their AI-powered console servers and secure remote connectivity solutions. Thanks to Michael Furtado and Lantronix for an insightful conversation at ITA!  

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Tool Update: Sigs.py Jim updates sigs.py. The tool verifies hashes for files and automatically recognizes what hash is used. https://isc.sans.edu/diary/Tool%20update%3A%20sigs.py%20-%20added%20check%20mode/31706 Google Announcing Quantum Safe Digital Signatures in Cloud KMS Google announced the option to use quantum safe digital signatures for its cloud key management system. https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/identity-security/announcing-quantum-safe-digital-signatures-in-cloud-kms Windows 11 Patch issues The February Patch Tuesday appears to have caused issues with a number of Windows 11 systems. In particular the usability of the file manager appears to be affected. https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/02/16/windows-11-kb5051987-breaks-file-explorer-install-fails-on-windows-11-24h2/ LTE/5G Vulnerabilities Researchers at the university of Florida have identified a large number of vulnerabilities in 5G and LTE networks. https://nathanielbennett.com/publications/ransacked.pdf

From now through December 31, save 20% on all 9to5Mac Daily Plus, 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus, and 9to5Mac Pro annual subscriptions with promo code HOLIDAY! Visit 9to5mac.com/join to sign up. Benjamin and Chance discuss why Apple is so keen on ditching Qualcomm and using its own modems in the iPhone, why the natural progression for the Apple Watch Ultra is satellite connectivity and get excited over rumors that the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro will replace the notch with a hole-punch cutout screen design. Also, Apple is rumored to be partnering with Sony to bring VR controller support to Vision Pro. And in Happy Hour Plus, iOS 18.2 has a lot of cool non-AI features to highlight as Apple's latest operating system updates finally roll out to the public. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you're in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by HelloFresh: America's #1 Meal Kit. Get 10 FREE meals at HelloFresh.com/freehappyhour Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @bzamayo on Threads Subscribe, Rate, and Review Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes:  Ad-free versions of every episode  Pre- and post-show content Bonus episodes Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join.  Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com Links Gurman: Apple-designed 5G modem coming to 2025 iPhones will be worse than Qualcomm's Bloomberg: Apple 'investigating' bringing cellular to the Mac for the first time Apple is reportedly exploring cellular connectivity for Vision Pro, and that's a great thing Apple Watch Ultra 3 may get a new lifesaving feature Apple Watch on track to upgrade from LTE to 5G with rumored modem switch Rumor: OLED MacBook Pro without a notch coming in 2026 Apple reportedly collaborating with Sony to bolster VR gaming on Vision Pro

The U.S. economy added 227,000 jobs in November, with a slight increase in the unemployment rate to 4.2%. Notably, the IT sector saw stable hiring, with the unemployment rate for IT professionals decreasing to 2.5%. However, a recent study highlights the impact of return-to-office mandates on employee turnover, especially among women and skilled workers, indicating a significant challenge for companies in retaining talent.Host Dave Sobel emphasizes the importance of employee retention strategies as organizations prepare to restructure their technology teams for 2025. A survey revealed that over 40% of IT workers are exploring new job opportunities, driven by factors such as competitive compensation and work-life balance. With nearly 90% of IT professionals expecting their companies to redesign IT structures in the next 18 months, reskilling in areas like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence is becoming a top priority. The tight labor market, with IT unemployment at a low 2.5%, necessitates proactive engagement with potential candidates and investment in employee development.The episode also delves into technology spending, particularly the challenges associated with virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). A survey of IT workers found that while many recognize the potential benefits of VDI, cost considerations often take precedence over performance. The lack of visibility into VDI integration with applications leads to frustration among IT teams, with a significant percentage reporting daily or weekly issues. Sobel suggests that a hybrid model combining VDI and traditional desktops may offer a solution to balance efficiency and cost.Finally, Sobel highlights the growth of the private LTE and 5G market, which is expected to continue expanding significantly in the coming years. He also discusses the positive impact of artificial intelligence on small and medium-sized businesses, with a majority attributing revenue growth to AI implementation. As companies increasingly invest in AI technologies, the role of CIOs is evolving, with many being tasked to act as chief AI officers. The episode concludes with a reflection on the ongoing developments in AI and the importance of data governance as businesses navigate these transformative technologies. Three things to know today00:00 U.S. Jobs Growth, IT Labor Trends, and Employee Retention: How Companies Are Tackling Workforce Pressures in 202504:24 VDI Challenges, Private 5G Growth, and AI's Impact on SMB Revenue08:55 Microsoft, AWS, and Reddit Expand AI Features and Cloud Strategies  Supported by:  https://tdsynnex.com/StreamOneIonhttps://mspradio.com/engage/     All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

On this episode of the Hunting Gear Deals Series on The Hunting Gear Podcast, Camron talks with Dan Shultz from Cuddeback to discuss the revolutionary Cuddelink system that has the ability to transfer images via a radio frequency to the home base camera that's connected to an LTE network like a cellular trail camera. However, you don't need cellular service to utilize the Cuddelink Remote Cameras. The Cuddeback Cuddelink Home Base Cellular Camera needs to be placed in an area that has service and the other cameras can send images from up to 1/4 mile away or more to the home base camera. You can even daisy chain the cameras together out to 2 miles away from the home base camera. The best part, you only need one cellular data plan on the home base camera.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices