Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Platform Combined with AVEVA’s Digital Transformation Solutions Proven to Drive Industrial Sustainability Initiatives

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, driving digital transformation and sustainability, announced today that their combined technology offerings are supporting the sustainability initiatives of mining companies in four key pillars: energy efficiency, yield improvement, low greenhouse emission technology adoption, and new green processes.   

Global decarbonization is heavily reliant on the sustainable production of minerals and commodities. A thriving and healthy mining and metals sector is crucial for the global economy and to support the innovation of new technologies and materials needed for climate change reduction, environment protection, and the circular economy. 

Schneider Electric and AVEVA are providing the tools required by organizations to make informed decisions that will empower people across the mining, minerals, and metals value chains to be more strategic in their choices based on sound advice with sustainability in mind. They are assisting operators and managers in these choices leaving these organizations well positioned to tackle some of the challenges associated with adopting sustainable practices, potentially resulting in reduced operating costs and thus providing the rare ability of appeasing all stakeholders.

According to an IDC Technology Spotlight, sponsored by AVEVA and Schneider Electric, Transitioning to Sustainable Mining, Minerals and Metals Practices, the top three market pressures driving the sustainability agendas of mining and metals organizations are:

• Need to improve brand equity
• Reduce the risk of an adverse event
• Ensure compliance with current and future regulations
  
  

“Technology has a critical role to play in supporting mining companies,” said Ben Kirkwood, Senior Research Manager, IDC Energy Insights – WW Mining. “Efforts to hit sustainability targets and gain greater visibility and control over operations will enable corporate insight and action relating to energy, water usage, and management of the operational environment. IDC’s global analysis of the revenue growth and profitability of industrial companies shows that those with a committed and ongoing sustainability-based strategy combined with a long-term, funded, digital transformation agenda considerably outperform their competitors.” 

Digitalization underpins Mining and Metals Sustainability

The IDC Technology Spotlight also reinforces the fact that as the industry continues to experience backlash from its perceived stagnant position on sustainability, platforms with added analytics are enabling improved operational efficiencies while enhancing the visibility of the changes being made.

“Digitally integrated operations can address the key areas of an organization’s sustainability agenda by combining power and process intelligence and controls,” said David Willick, VP North America, Mining, Minerals and Metals Segment, Schneider Electric. “Digitalization is a critical evolution for the resources industry, and Schneider Electric and AVEVA are uniquely qualified to help. We are experts at marshalling the power of connected systems and human insight to bring operational performance to its highest level. Together, we have won the trust of the world’s leading companies with thousands of implementations onsite and in the cloud. Today our joint customers can benefit from our shared customer-centric innovation culture, unmatched R&D capabilities, and extensive sector-specific expertise.”

“Although the benefits of digital transformation are crystal clear, the mining industry has thus far been limited by legacy infrastructure, data inadequacies, and piecemeal optimization programs,” said Martin Provencher, Industry Principal, Mining, Metals and Materials, AVEVA. “Increasingly virulent cyberattacks and a growing mandate for decarbonized minerals have further emphasized the importance of having high data availability and embracing a secure, cloud-first approach to visualize and contextualize enterprise-wide processes across global operations. The combination of Schneider Electric’s energy management solutions, automation systems and services, and AVEVA’s Digital Mining Transformation solutions enable our customers to transform conventional mining operations into intelligent, resilient and sustainable undertakings.”

Corporate Knights recently named Schneider Electric the world’s most sustainable company. According to the IDC Technology Spotlight, Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform combined with AVEVA’s Digital Mining and Metals Transformation solutions can provide the operational and organizational insight required to make sustainable operations and improved decisions through the collection and analysis of data. The partner companies aim to decarbonize the mining, minerals and metals value chains through the provision of an industrial IoT platform with technology and software elements supporting the capability for energy management and automation.

#SustainableMining #RenewableEnergy #IndustriesOfTheFuture #Mining #Metals

By: Lars Koelendorf, EMEA Vice President, Solutions & Enablement at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company

An unprecedented ability to connect, collaborate and work from anywhere. Enterprise-level connectivity and equipment at home. New work spaces, automated systems and cognizant buildings at the office. The hybrid workplace, with all its incredible features and possibilities, is undoubtedly something to look forward to.

But mixed with this excitement must also be apprehension. This new model cannot function without fast, reliable wireless connectivity and a unified, automated and secure network. And for most organizations, this will mean investing in their IT infrastructure.

Given the current economic circumstances and ongoing unpredictability of what comes next, it’s understandable that organizations may feel that they will struggle to finance these investments, or that they are simply not in a position to consider any upgrades beyond what’s immediately necessary for the return to the office.

The good news, however, is that with a few smart, strategic moves, I firmly believe it is possible for organizations to leverage their current budgets and resources to create a network that delivers both short- and long-term value. Here’s what you need to think about to put these moves into motion.

1. Make data your top priority

The enterprise data that is available today has tremendous potential to deliver significant cost savings – but it must first be turned into actionable insights. That’s why organizations need to prioritize network investments that will improve their ability to analyze the data at their disposal.

This means investing in Edge technologies. Not only are organizations dealing with unprecedented amounts of data, that data is increasingly being generated outside of the traditional data centres. Instead, it is being created by user devices and IoT sensors at the Edge of the network – the place people, devices, and things connect to the digital world.

Processing data at the Edge is the only way to reduce latency, minimize transmission costs and unleash its full potential for optimization and innovation. The ability to unlock and leverage their data in real-time will enable organizations to take actions that deliver long-lasting benefits, such as improved operational efficiency and costs, opportunities for greater profitability, and new revenue streams.

• Explore flexible consumption models and as-a-Service options

At a time when resources and budgets are tight and yet change is more pervasive than ever, organizations need to choose solutions that offer simple pay-as-you-go subscriptions, and financial and consumption flexibility across hardware, software, and management operations.

These solutions, which turn infrastructure expenses from CapEx investments into OpEx costs, represent benefits for both cost-efficiency and business agility. They ensure that payments can be aligned to budgets, revenue and cash flow – making them suitable for whatever the financial situation is at any given moment. They also provide the freedom to test, adapt, build and possibly rebuild without the fear of exhausting already strained budgets, as you’ll only ever pay for what you’re currently using.

Essentially, they are the foundations of a bespoke, flexible, and scalable network that can adapt rapidly to changing needs and circumstances.

• Leverage the Circular Economy  

Adopting more environmentally friendly practices and leveraging existing equipment and systems has the double benefit of helping organizations maximize their budgets while also meeting their sustainability goals – something that we know is becoming more and more important across all industries.

Through the Circular Economy, which aims to extend the utility and value of resources and eliminate waste, organizations can optimize and repurpose IT assets like network equipment, PCs, laptops, servers and storage devices.

Or they can convert them into capital that funds innovation and transformation initiatives. By remarketing and reselling any unneeded equipment, organizations can return significant amounts of money to their IT budgets.

They should also avoid buying new hardware unless absolutely necessary. When it comes to expanding infrastructure and making new investments, adapting pre-owned equipment or choosing functionally equivalent used hardware can have dramatic cost savings.

Additionally, organizations can increase the likelihood of further savings down the road by strategically choosing technology that is designed for energy efficiency, and easy recycling and removal of heavy metals for reuse.

Similarly, organizations can also rent new equipment instead of buying it outright. With vendors like Aruba offering a technology refresh as part of the monthly contract, this ensures organizations stay on the latest technology for the same price. And when upgrades happen, the vendor takes the existing equipment and uses it elsewhere – maintaining the circular economy.

Embracing the future

The reality is that a network that can support the hybrid workplace and business agility is becoming an increasingly urgent need.

We have now seen that a hybrid workplace model is the answer to the changes in how we communicate, live and work – changes that have only been accelerated by COVID-19. The mission-critical role of IT within this model means that organizations cannot afford the consequences of a poor performing network.

Organizations must invest in their IT infrastructure or risk limiting productivity, creating security threats, frustrating employees and clients, and losing their competitive advantage. At scale and over time, these issues pose a severe threat to business continuity.

I hope that the strategies above will enable you to make these investments in a way that suits your organization’s budget and resources. I also hope that they will help you see beyond the challenges and stay enthusiastic about hybrid workplaces. We are entering a brand new era of work and I, for one, cannot wait to see what it will bring.

The rise of awareness and demand for non-volatile cryptocurrencies, digital assets, reliable blockchain and decentralized finance applications (aka De-Fi Apps) in the UAE and across the world, has proportionally ignited concerns about risk, compliance, the environment and safety. Imagine a team on a mission to create a solution that makes it safe to create and transfer digital assets, takes advantage of all what makes blockchain useful, provides alternative secure access to liquidity via De-Fi applications whilst guaranteeing total transparency and addressing virtually all the fundamental challenges that blockchain technologies have manifested until now. Pioneering DIFC based company, ZENIQ, is just that.

The partnership with Sheikh Saeed Bin Hasher Al Maktoum, ZENIQ is committed to supporting the UAE Government towards achieving a digital economy and accelerating the UAE’s role in the 4th Industrial Revolution. ZENIQ is founded by a unique team of blockchain, fintech, sports, environmental and legal experts on a mission to enhance everyday living with blockchain technology.

In particular, the partnership seeks to capitalize on ZENIQ’s highly advanced blockchain research & development to launch within a few weeks in the DIFC a cutting-edge platform for the tokenization of physical assets. The user-friendly solution will allow its users access to liquidity in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), and potentially globally, whilst being compliant with best international and local regulatory standards relating to know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering (AML) and other laws, without the hassle of the conventional financial and banking services. ZENIQ is working with the best-in-class partners to launch a sustainable, secure, and hassle-free tokenization solution from the United Arab Emirates.

ZENIQ’s tokenization platform is intended to make the UAE a pioneering global market and a go-to destination for 100% secure and user-friendly digital asset management for users and innovators alike.

Sheikh Saeed Bin Hasher Al Maktoum comments on the significant partnership, “We are in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a city that is fully-powered through the blockchain”.

ZENIQ CEO, Mag. Erwin Dokter, comments on the company’s potential for success, “ZENIQ isn’t just unleashing the true potential of blockchain technology, it will also provide a new wave of digital innovation and economic opportunities. We have developed an advanced infrastructure and regulatory system for the development and adoption of digital assets and tokenization”.

By: Dave Russell, VP, Enterprise Strategy, Veeam

Ransomware attacks have bitten a gaping hole in the pockets of businesses who are having to pay extortionate ransoms in response to highly targeted attacks by sophisticated criminal organisations. The problem has only worsened with the onset of mass remote working. The extension of the office’s boundaries into online and remote locations has exposed severe vulnerabilities, and criminals are all too willing to take advantage.

Right now, a new ransomware attack will occur every 11 seconds. To put this in context, in the five minutes it takes you to read this article, 27 businesses will have been attacked by ransomware. The best piece of advice on ransomware is not to give in and pay. But despite the majority of businesses will pay the ransom that this attack demands. Many feel under extreme pressure to limit the damage of downtime caused by ransomware, and the quickest resolution is to pay up.

It’s not a surprise that so many have chosen to pay when they’re already grappling with the challenges and pressures of operating throughout the risky business terrain that COVID-19 has created. However, this is simply encouraging cyber-attackers to continue exploiting this lucrative illegal market, as is evident from the 600% uplift in attacks since COVID-19 first emerged.

On a positive note, businesses and governments have recognised that this can’t continue. Ransomware is now on the agenda of every boardroom, and even made the cut for discussion at the G7, as well as numerous other diplomatic talks between global leaders. Now is the time to think about modern data protection and its future. And now is the time to bite ransomware back.

This is organised crime

It’s easy to forget that there’s a criminal behind the ransomware that makes itself at home within your business system. While it may once have been deemed something loitering on the web and only harmful if clicked on, many are starting to recognise the severe, complex, and targeted nature that ransomware really has. This is organised crime, and it works innovatively to infiltrate your business and your supply chain. It quite honestly poses a genuine threat to entire industries and communities.

So how can we start clamping down on the perpetrators behind this? The downside to such a connected and digital world means an attacker can operate in completely different areas of the world, making it difficult to prosecute using the same legal system your business is subject to. The reality is that a clamp down of this scale is going to require international co-operation and government action beyond anything we’ve seen in the cybersecurity sphere. And of course, this is going to take time, which, as you know, is something businesses don’t have when facing constant threats.

Therefore, while we wait for these political interventions to happen, businesses must be fully prepared for the ongoing onslaught of ransomware attacks, especially now they’re operating in remote locations. Previous cybersecurity measures won’t be enough, we have to adapt to the enemy by deploying modern data protection measures.

Think like a hacker

In the same was that a detective has to think like a criminal to solve a crime, the only way businesses will successfully protect themselves sufficiently from cyberattacks is to think like the hackers. They’re relentless, hyper-aware, and stringent. Employers and employees must act the same to stop vulnerabilities from opening up.

Good digital hygiene must become second nature, as opposed to something practiced for a week following annual cyber security training, and forgotten about until the next one. Failure to patch software should create the same attention as failing to lock up the office overnight. Not having a disaster recovery plan is akin to skipping contents insurance. We can’t simply think about security in the physical space because the enemies are operating in the digital one.

Another important aspect is thinking about the hacker’s success rate. In many cases they’ll spend all day attacking systems. They dedicate their time to evolve and innovate their attacks to overcome the security barriers that are holding them back. We need to anticipate they will eventually be able to do this, even if the best cybersecurity defences are in place. As we can see from the number of businesses paying ransoms, an attack can cause enough damage to push businesses into paying out rather than taking alternative routes.

It’s up to every organisation across every industry to invest in modern data protection practices to minimise the impact of ransomware attacks. Viewing attacks as an inevitability is the first step towards creating a more cyber-secure culture, with employees who are more educated and aware of ransomware. At the same time, businesses need to have the right safeguards in place to minimise disruption, including anti-virus software and firewalls, plus continuous backup and recovery to offer adequate insurance against the crippling effects of ransomware.

If the worst happens, and your systems are compromised, the business won’t collapse, and the attacker won’t get everything they want. The cybersecurity landscape may feel rocky right now, but there are steps we can and should take to better protect ourselves from the damages. It’s time to bite the ransomware hackers back.

Immersive screens, virtual desktops and AI assistants will boost the next wave of end-users

By: Andrew Brinded, Senior Vice President EMEA Sales, Nutanix

To understand what end-user computing may look like in 2030, first think about how you work today and consider how you worked 10, 20, 30 years ago. And if you’re lucky enough to be too young, ask a colleague.

The Seventies. The knowledge worker of the 1970s had a fixed-line telephone, sheaves of paper documents, possibly a typewriter, memos for written communications, a legion of clerks, a typing pool and precious little other information infrastructure.

The Eighties. As hairstyles got shorter, the office expanded to include early personal computers. IT began to talk more to end-users and business analysts’ requests for data to be hauled off mainframes and mid-range servers became more frequent.

The Nineties. Cheaper PCs, laptops, the web, local-area networks, email, mobile phones and client/server IT made this the decade where personal productivity soared.

The Noughties to now. Smartphones abounded, WiFi became ubiquitous, tablets soared, and office workers were released from the shackles of their desks to be effective from anywhere, often selecting their own devices too. Architects design spaces for workers to bump into each other, brainstorm and co-create with far-flung colleagues and partners.

But what of the knowledge worker in 2030? Where will this person work from and what tools will s/he use to become optimally effective? It’s a fair bet that this person will need to be creative because nobody wants to compete with China (or Indonesia or any low-cost economy) on price, so innovation will be key. It’s also likely that co-creation and co-curation will become more important, so we need tools and spaces that are fun, funky and conducive to getting creative juices flowing. Here are some ideas of what we might see.

Everything is virtual. Desktop PCs will disappear almost entirely except for power-user workstations. Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) will prevail because users will want to see their working environment from any device, whether that’s a laptop, tablet, phone, smart watch, smart speaker or something else. We can expect ubiquitous compute capacity everywhere: in domestic appliances, in-car infotainment systems, perhaps baton or cylinder computers with roll up flexible screens, smartphones that can double as PCs, Star Trek-style smart microphones that we pin to clothing.

Streaming is everywhere. Once, a lack of support for advanced graphics was the criticism of VDI but that argument is becoming obsolete. Google’s cloud-based Stadia games platform will even support 8k streaming at 150 frames per second. That could mean the computer of the future effectively returning to be a dumb terminal and with hardware costing perhaps tens of pounds rather than hundreds.

Massive immersive screens. With such great streaming quality, screens may be one of the hottest areas of end-user computing change. It’s possible that we will go from today’s curved OLED screens to immersive pod units where we are transported into another world of crystal-clear audio and life-like visuals. Your colleague in the US takes a virtual seat in a simulacrum of a meeting room alongside you and calls are finally perfect, thanks to faster broadband and clusters of routers.

Alexa and her friends are coming to you. Voice assistants will become critical to the business user interface, meaning we can control everything from anywhere, hands-free. Bolstered by AI, search will be simplified. Can’t find that file? Just say: ‘Computer find me that document I wrote about end-user computing in 2030’… and there it is.

Instant computing. Faster boot sequences helped by advanced memory will make computing faster than ever with fewer irritating wait states. Storage becomes less important if streaming dominates but NAND Flash and similar technologies will help with lightning-fast caching and buffering.

Autonomic self-correction. Security and error detection will advance to the point that helpdesk calls are reduced to a minimum as AI and Machine Learning detect and anticipate signs of imminent failures or vulnerabilities and take action without user action.

Long-lasting power. Advanced battery chemistries will let computers run for days on end while solar and wireless charging become ubiquitous.

Faster input. Tools such as Otter provide the ability to transcribe meeting notes with high degrees of accuracy, while Zoom offers a transcription service for conferencing sessions. Expect more automation of clerical tasks such as automatically storing files in a logical place or anticipating next actions based on previous behaviour.

Homes that look like offices, offices that look like homes. For 20 years, designers have created office spaces that bring out the ‘kidult’ in all of us. Games rooms, comfy sofas, work-out rooms and running tracks abound, but now the tide is turning the other way as the design experts figure out how to bring work capabilities into domestic spaces. So, look out for pull-out pods and desks, beds that turn into workspaces, TVs that morph into computers screens and more.

Some of this may sound fanciful and the truth is that it’s hard to predict progress with any great degree of accuracy, but think of how working life has changed over the decades and these ideas are far from absurd. In order to win the battle for talent, companies need to provide attractive working environments and great tools for the incoming generation of workers. By tapping into the innate human capacity to innovate, companies that offer the best environments will excel and win over the best people.