Category Archives: Technology: Electronics

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The USPS Approves Voice Activated Call to Action™ by Respond Fast™ for its 2020 Emerging and Advanced Technology 2% Postage Discount Promotion


Respond Fast

Using a Voice Activated Call to Action in your direct mail campaign qualifies for a 2% postage discount through the USPS.

Recently the USPS announced its 2020 promotions and incentives that are designed to give marketers the opportunity to innovate their mail pieces. Here is the promotion description direct from the USPS.

Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion:

The use of technology is a proven force in the marketing landscape for today’s savvy marketing professionals. This promotion will build upon previous promotions and continue our strategy of encouraging mailers to integrate direct mail with advances in technology.

To participate in the promotion, the mail piece must incorporate any of the following technologies: NFC technology, Video in Print (ViP), an “enhanced’ augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality, Integration with Voice Assistants, and Digital to Direct Mail. These technologies will allow the recipient to engage in an interactive experience using the mail piece and mobile devices, tablets, etc.

Because of the inclusion of Voice Assistance, marketers can take advantage of this promotion by including a VACTA into their next campaign. A VACTA allows consumers to respond to direct mail offers by using any Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device. Response through smart speakers gives consumers a convenient and quick way to engage with brands. Setting up a VACTA is seamless with the Respond Fast dashboard where marketers can manage, track, and optimize a campaign – all while getting accurate attribution.

About Respond Fast

Respond Fast is part of Respond Now LLC, founded in 2018 to create the first Voice Activated Call To Action (VACTA) technology that uses smart speakers to respond to offline media campaigns deploying direct mail, TV/radio spots, print ads, collateral, TV/radio spots, billboards, signage and product label/packaging. Consumers simply ask their smart speakers to redeem an offer, download an app, respond to a survey, or speak with a salesperson. The company was founded by direct response marketing veteran Mike Gunderson.

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Aquiline Drones Ascends to New Heights as Fastest-Growing, Full-Service Drone Company in the USA


“We are poised to usher in the ultimate UAV revolution, using our intellectual property to help people around the world. A key thing to remember is that drones are not gadgetry, but aircraft,” said Barry Alexander, pilot, CEO and Co-Founder of Aquiline Drones.

Barry Alexander has always been on the cusp of innovation; mainly in aviation. In his younger years, and as a native of the island of St. Lucia, he pioneered a crucial air ambulance service called Aquiline Air Ambulance – using airplanes to fly critically ill or injured patients, as well as health and medical resources to specialized hospitals across the Caribbean and into the United States.

Now, having recently retired from his career ‘dream job’ – flying Boeing 747s around the globe, Alexander has successfully launched his “final” entrepreneurial endeavor – Aquiline Drones (AD); one of the fastest-growing American drone companies. AD is privately held; owned and managed primarily by Alexander, along with other business professionals, fellow airline pilots, aerospace and software engineers, distinguished military personnel, including retired AF Generals, algorithmic mathematicians and other technologists. AD is also supported by a network of thousands of pilots nationwide.

“Both our company and our team are unique,” said Barry Alexander, CEO and Co-Founder of Aquiline Drones. “We are finalizing the purchase of a small airline making us one of four drone airline companies in the US operating under a FAA 135 Air Carrier Certificate.”

Similar companies include Amazon Prime Air, UPS and Google’s Alphabet Wing.

“Another unique advantage is the makeup of our team; collectively, we bring 300-plus years of knowledge and experience to the forefront of this burgeoning industry,” Alexander added. “We pride ourselves as exemplars, advocating safety first, followed by standardization under strict auspices of The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”

AD is a progressive drone enterprise, providing advanced drone solutions in manufacturing and OEM services, as well as superior cloud services through its Aquiline Drone Cloud (ADC) division. And now, becoming an airline provides AD added leverage in achieving crucial waivers to perform complex and highly uncommon drone operations.

“Our name AQUILINE, refers to the most majestic of birds – the eagle; a symbol of strength and adaptability,” said Alexander. “Through our drone-related services, we provide the gift of a bird’s eye view – or drone’s eye view – to the general public…a superior capability throughout our anthropological history that has only been reserved for birds.”

Redefining the Global UAV/S/ Drone Landscape: The AD Drone Ecosystem

AD’s drones are intelligent robots, performing humanlike functions to save lives and provide services that aim to better society in a safe, responsible and eco-friendly manner. AD uses advanced technology to provide full lifecycle solutions to clients along four prominent lines of business:

Cloud Services: World’s first aviation-inspired drone cloud

  • Proprietary Operating System (OS): World’s first aviation-inspired drone OS
  • Manufacturing Services: US-based, US supply chain, large-scale manufacturing for internal use and OEM clients, as well as nationwide Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul (MRO) services
  • Drone-on-Demand Service


Alexander explains how each division will work:

  • AQUILINE CLOUD SERVICES: Designed with extreme security and compliance, the Aquiline Drones Cloud (ADC) supports real-time and autonomous drone operations and can be remotely deployed in battlefront applications, etc. ADC is easily scalable and allows for third-party development (Platform-as-a-Service – PaaS). ADC is the world’s first aviation-inspired drone cloud, capable of supporting a wide variety of drone solutions by gathering, analyzing, modeling and storing data/video for law enforcement agencies, State agencies (e.g. DOT), public works departments, large enterprises, military and individual clients (i.e. hobbyists) alike.
  • AD REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEM (ADRTOS): AD is happy to announce the deployment of its own proprietary Operating System (OS), the world’s first aviation-inspired drone OS based on RTEMS open-source technology, ARINC 653 software specifications, DO178, DO330, ARP4754 and other aviation compliant standards and protocols.
  • AQUILINE MANUFACTURING SERVICES: AD boasts a revolutionary drone manufacturing and MRO model; decentralized to provide drone manufacturing opportunities across socio-economic boundaries nationwide and using the latest in additive manufacturing technology.    
  • AQUILINE DRONE ON DEMAND SERVICE (ADD): Later this year, AD plans to deploy the world’s first true drone-on-demand service. This service will allow customers to preorder drone services via a mobile app installed on smart phones and other hand-held devices. Special features include Interactive Voice Command (IVC) and Remote Person Viewing (RPV).


Perfect Timing

Germane to this idea is the recent American Security Drone Act of 2019, which bans the federal procurement of foreign drones – mainly Chinese – and other unmanned aerial systems. As two of the bill’s authors are US Senators Christopher Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, both of CT, this gives Alexander extra encouragement and inspiration in his goal of making Connecticut the drone capital of America.

Key Partnerships

Successfully completing its first-year post incubation period, AD is actively onboarding new clients and key stakeholder agreements. “We are not a tech startup, but a sound and innovative drone airline,” said Alexander as he took AD’s mission to the military this past fall by exhibiting at the Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit and Expo in National Harbor, MD; the Army Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Symposium and Exposition in Detroit, MI; and attending the Commercial UAV Expo Americas in Las Vegas, NV. At each event, the company forged key relationships with industry innovators and suppliers for future growth.

“Agility, reliability, innovation and safety are at the core of AD’s framework,” adds Alexander. “We are poised to usher in the ultimate UAV revolution, using our intellectual property to help people around the world. A key thing to remember is that drones are not gadgetry, but aircraft. and if we want to gain the public’s trust, we must ensure safety first. Safety is AD’s hallmark.”

2020 Vision

Future plans of this burgeoning company include the deployment of its novel Drone-on-Demand mobile app, expansion of its customer-facing cloud services and a nationwide MRO infrastructure supported by its cloud.

“We envision a world in which humans and drones live and operate in harmony, using their real-time control, autonomy and analytics to reduce costs, maximize return on investment (ROI) and create new business value,” concludes Alexander. “At the same time, we recognize the awesome responsibility of ensuring our equipment work within a legal and ethical framework through our collaboration and ongoing communication with the FAA and other Government and public-interest organizations. Just like our name, Aquiline Drones finds its direction beyond its vision.”

About Aquiline Drones

Aquiline Drones is a progressive American drone company founded by highly experienced aviators, systems engineers and IT gurus. With a customer-centric model, US-based manufacturing and supply chain and world-class MRO services, the company offers innovative ways for using drones in commercial activities.

Supported by a dedicated UAV cloud and real-time OS, autonomous drone operations with real-time control and dynamic in-field decision making capabilities, Aquiline Drones’ full-spectrum of technology solutions provide a more expansive and deeper applicability across countless industries and environments by delivering real-time data insights. Aerospace-compliant processes for software, hardware manufacturing and systems integration, along with best-in-class mission capabilities are being planned and designed as the company continues to forge relationships with Federal, State and private organizations in an effort to develop and launch new drone system applications in a collaborative manner. Visit http://www.AquilineDrones.com for more information.

Photo Caption: The talented tech team at Aquiline Drones, the first American-based UAS company, has been building strategic partnerships at various industry expos across the nation. From left: Roger Nunamann – VP of Strategic Projects, Ethan James- COO, Kristin Mills- CFO, Jonathan Mills- Director of Innovations, Barry Alexander- CEO, and Macks Chang- Chief Cloud Architect, exhibit at a recent trade show.

Alula Awarded Product of the Year for BAT-Connect at Consumer Electronics Show


“We have to get this industry out of this crazy loop where we keep repeating the same behavior and expecting different results. The BAT-Connect is a game changer that solves sunsets once and for all,” says Russell Vail, Alula EVP of Market Development.

Alula, the leader in smart security and automation systems for professional installers and the award-winning inventors of the Connect+ platform, announced the BAT-Connect communicator has won the Mark of Excellence Award for Security and Surveillance Product of the Year at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The award recognizes the best new or improved security and video surveillance products.

Launched in the back half of 2019, this is the 5th award Alula’s BAT-Connect communicator has won — affirming the market need for a device that allows dealers an efficient and effective way to takeover or upgrade a residential smart home system.

More than a basic communicator, this intuitive device connects intrusion security, video and automation with the award-winning Alula Smartphone App, bringing interactive features to legacy security systems. Fueled by the secure Alula network, system control is delivered instantly to Apple and Android smartphones as well as Alula’s new Slimline Touchpad.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the Consumer Technology Association for BAT-Connect, one of the latest in the Connect family of products,” explained Alula VP of Engineering Paul Saldin. “The BAT-Connect allows a security system to become smart, integrated and automated. There is a real need to bring these new interactive features to legacy systems. BAT-Connect is also great for new installs and allows our customers to standardize their entire business on a secure and fully integrated offering.”

BAT-Connect is the first communicator with three paths of communication, including the first to use Cat-M1 cellular, the communications path optimized for the Internet of Things. With the use of Cat-M1 cellular technology, the BAT-Connect not only rescues 3G and CDMA cellular systems from the impending sunset, it also will bridge the gap to 5G and keep running long into the future.

“Cellular sunsets have long been a major problem for security professionals, and we aim to help them stop wasting time and money by updating systems every time cellular providers decide to harvest network bandwidth optimized for cell phones,” says Russell Vail, Alula’s Executive Vice President of Market Development and an industry-leading expert on cellular sunsets. “We have to get this industry out of this crazy loop where we keep repeating the same behavior and expecting different results. The BAT-Connect is a game changer that solves sunsets once and for all.”

ABOUT ALULA

Alula is the only vertically integrated security and home automation platform purpose-built for today’s independent security and installation professionals. From sensors to hub to network, Alula offers a complete, end-to-end solution and one accountable partner. Today, thousands of partners across North America have nearly 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, automation and video solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put today’s professional providers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. For more information about the BAT-Connect, visit https://alula.com/communicators/bat-connect/. For more information about Alula, visit http://www.alula.com.

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AIM to Participate at SMTA Rocky Mountain Expo & Tech Forum


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AIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce their participation in the upcoming SMTA Rocky Mountain Expo and Tech Forum taking place on January 23, 2020 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. AIM will highlight their NC273LT low temperature solder paste for bismuth bearing alloys, RX18 and CX18 no clean flux cored solder wire along with their full line of solder assembly materials.

AIM’s NC273LT low temperature solder paste provides assemblers another tool to meet the changing needs of an evolving PCB assembly market. With peak reflow temperatures below 170°C, NC273LT minimizes component and substrate warping, reduces thermal exposure and saves energy. NC273LT paste improves the wetting performance of bismuth alloys to RoHS compliant plating and surface finishes. NC273LT provides long stencil life, excellent transfer efficiencies and minimizes solder balling common to bismuth bearing alloys. When thermal exposure during the assembly process is a limitation, NC273LT is an excellent RoHS compliant replacement.

AIM’s RX18 and CX18 continue to achieve unprecedented customer acceptance. Engineered for automated/robotic selective soldering, RX18 promotes thermal transfer, fast wetting and reduces voids/skips. Additionally, RX18 extends solder iron tip life and leaves minimal flux residue. CX18 is an operator friendly, low odor/smoke formula, and speeds soldering performance leaving a clear, electrically safe residue that does not require removal. Further throughput and reliability gains can be realized when CX18 and RX18 are combined with AIM’s REL61™ and REL22™ alloys. REL22 improves product survival in extreme thermal exposure operating environments such as under-hood automotive, avionics/aerospace and LED lighting. REL61 is ideally suited for industries which require a cost effective alternative to SAC305 with no loss of processing performance or durability.

To discover all of AIM’s products and services, visit the company at the SMTA Rocky Mountain Expo and Tech Forum for more information and to speak with one of AIM’s knowledgeable staff members.

About AIM

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, AIM Solder is a leading global manufacturer of assembly materials for the electronics industry with manufacturing, distribution and support facilities located throughout the world. AIM produces advanced solder products such as solder paste, liquid flux, cored wire, bar solder, epoxies, lead-free and halogen-free solder products, and specialty alloys such as indium and gold for a broad range of industries. A recipient of many prestigious SMT industry awards, AIM is strongly committed to innovative research and development of product and process improvement as well as providing customers with superior technical support, service and training. For more information about AIM, visit http://www.aimsolder.com.

Upcoming Events:

February 4-6, 2020 – IPC APEX Expo, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

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Mountain America Credit Union Renews Commitment to Cutting-Edge Mobile Banking Technology with Access Softek, Inc.


Today, Mountain America Credit Union (MACU) formally announced that they are renewing their mobile banking partnership with Access Softek, Inc. headquartered in Berkeley, CA. MACU’s decision aligns with their continued commitment to their mission of “providing quality products and services through quality delivery systems.”

“We are thrilled to continue working closely with Access Softek and providing our members with a highly reliable, cutting-edge, high-quality mobile banking experience,” stated Kelly Albiston, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Mountain American Credit Union. “In this digital age, our members expect and deserve the best user experience available.”

Access Softek set the standard for the digital banking landscape, developing the first downloadable apps for mobile banking technology. Since that time, Access Softek has constantly evolved their mobile banking platform to include the latest innovations in mobile technology.

Chris Doner, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Access Softek, Inc., confirmed his commitment to MACU by adding, “We appreciate the opportunity to continue our now 10-year partnership with Mountain America Credit Union and remain committed to continually evolving and improving their member experience as a top priority.” Doner added, “We take a mobile first and AI everywhere approach in all we do and are constantly pushing forward the boundaries of innovation in financial services.”

MACU’s partnership renewal with Access Softek provides their members with uninterrupted mobile banking service entering the new year.

About Mountain America Credit Union

With more than 850,000 members and $9 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union assists members on the right path to help them identify and achieve financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 95 branches across five states, thousands of shared-branching locations nationwide and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America – safely guiding you forward along your financial journey. Learn more at macu.com

About Access Softek, Inc.

Access Softek, Inc. lives on the cutting-edge of digital banking technology. Dedicated to innovation and continually improving the member experience, Access Softek’s most recent innovations include: an easy-to-use automated investment tool completely integrated within mobile and online banking; biometric call center authentication designed to improve security and reduce call times; and a fraud control tool which uses machine learning and a deep neural network to prevent fraud. These are the latest steps in Access Softek’s history of innovative digital banking firsts, which include the first app-based mobile banking; first web-based Personal Financial Management (PFM); and first triple play of app, WAP, and SMS banking. Since 2004, Access Softek has continued to deliver industry firsts to over 400 bank and credit union customers from its Berkeley, California headquarters. Learn more at AccessSoftek.com.

Contact:

Sharon Carnaghi, VP of Marketing

scarnaghi at accesssoftek dot com

331-223-2709

Brittani Forbush, AVP Public Relations

bforbush@macu.com

801-325-0593

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World-Renowned Interior Designer Julia Wong Partners With Senseon in Tech Overhaul of Her Kitchen


Internationally-recognized interior designer Julia Wong uses Senseon to unlock a cabinet in her remodeled kitchen.

“The product [Senseon] allows me to integrate design and technology seamlessly.” – Julia Wong, Principal, Julia Wong Designs

World-renowned residential and commercial designer Julia Wong had a challenge: incorporating security into her elegant designs while preserving their simplicity and power.

For her upscale clients and her own home, she turned to Senseon®. The innovative cabinet-level access control provider has helped Wong design solutions to secure doors and drawers of cabinets containing potentially hazardous items without marring the aesthetic with clunky locks.

Wong, the principal of Julia Wong Designs, says her goal is “to create a design that’s not only beautiful but also very, very functional.”

She explains, “I think great design today is integrating design and technology, but I don’t want to see the technology.”

Some technology solutions, like unsightly wires or protruding locks, can feel overwhelming and ultimately inhibit the design. Senseon, in contrast, offers a discreet and easy way to safeguard valuable jewelry, art and important documents for clients. It also enables clients to secure hazardous contents.

When remodeling the kitchen of her California home, Wong sought Senseon for a commercial-strength but unobtrusive solution to protect her young daughter from items, such as knives and alcoholic beverages, stored in drawers and cabinets.

Wong says Senseon, which features strong but concealed locks and controlled access, is the perfect solution. “The product allows me to integrate design and technology seamlessly,” she notes. “I can design clean lines while providing my clients the security that they need.”

Her clients love the system, and it has done the trick in her kitchen, where Wong does not have to worry about losing her cabinet keys or her daughter finding them. The designer simply taps her RFID keycard to unlock cabinets. If cabinets are left unlocked, an auto-relock feature helps ensure her daughter’s safety.

Wong says she plans to collaborate with Senseon on future residential and retail projects. “True design goes beyond style, and Senseon really helps me, both on the security and the functionality side, to achieve what I’m looking for,” she says.

“Julia Wong’s experience with Senseon illustrates how our solutions enable interior designers, and their clients, to bridge the gap between security and aesthetics,” says Sid Kalantar, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Senseon. “We’re delighted that this esteemed designer has selected Senseon to advance her inventive concepts. She is an ideal partner in that she shares our commitment to innovation, robust access control, and technology that complements style.”

More information:

Blog post:

https://www.senseon.com/blog/designer-julia-wong-blends-contemporary-style-with-security/

Video:

https://youtu.be/NzSIq03knGc

Senseon for residential applications:

https://www.senseon.com/residential-security/

About Senseon®

Senseon®, a division of Accuride® International, is a unique, cabinet-level access control system that enhances security, efficiency and aesthetics for cabinet doors and drawers, display cases, and more. It is the only solution of its kind that can function as a standalone unit or be integrated with other access control and building management systems.

Retail, jewelry, healthcare, finance, hospitality, residential and other users benefit from Senseon’s flexibility, adaptability and scalability. Senseon blends robust security with elegant design and ease of use, maximizing user and customer experiences. Features include concealed locks four times as strong as standard cam locks, streamlined access management, and automatic relocking. Senseon Plus adds actionable data and intelligent security features, such as audit trail and reports, dual authentication, and discrete access capabilities.

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Technicolor Connected Home Demonstrates High-end JADE Set-top Box Running Android TV and RDK Middleware at CES 2020


JADE Set-top Box from Technicolor Connected Home

JADE Set-top Box from Technicolor Connected Home

“With JADE, Technicolor Connected Home is not only demonstrating how it supports both middleware operating systems, we are also showcasing the deep relationships we have developed with the most innovative players in each of these ecosystems.”

Technicolor (Euronext Paris: TCH, OTCQX: TCLRY), announces the first two live demonstrations of its JADE set-top-box (STB) — one running the Android TV operating system and the other over Reference Design Kit (RDK) middleware — during the CES conference in Las Vegas January 7-10, 2020. The software agnostic, state-of-the-art customer premises equipment supports the wide spectrum of Network Service Providers’ go-to-market strategies with Wi-Fi 6 and 16 nm Soc Technologies.

This is the latest development in Technicolor Connected Home’s ongoing commitment to leveraging open and innovative technologies for network service providers (NSPs) around the world. The ultimate goal is to help NSPs deliver seamless connectivity and premium entertainment experiences to consumers. This is achieved by creating best-in-class customer premises equipment (CPE) and partnering with the most ingenious companies in the connected home ecosystem.

JADE is a 4K Ultra HD STB containing next generation, 16nm silicon, debuting the latest technology standards — such as Wi-Fi 6 and AV1 decoding in a small customizable design. This receiver, running on both Android TV and RDK, benefits from a powerful quad-core processor, Bluetooth 5.0 technology and an innovative stackable module enabling flexibility in the introduction of value-added services such as Digital Video Recording (DVR), far field voice control and IoT.

“JADE features the latest system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology from Broadcom, making it one of the most versatile and powerful STBs on the market today,” stated Christian Lefebvre, Senior Vice President Video Product Unit, Technicolor Connected Home. “JADE supports the specific technology roadmaps of NSPs pursuing their own open CPE strategies to address evolving demands in the market.”

The growing popularity of streaming media, online gaming — along with the rapid emergence of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) services — has had a major impact on the role of CPE in meeting the consumer requirements for connected home experiences.

Consumers around the world expect to be able to access a wide array of services that interact with an increasing number of connected devices. As a result, NSPs are evaluating STBs that are open and able to deliver more revenue-generating services in a seamless, intuitive and secure manner.

“Today, there are two primary paths to delivering rich connected-home experiences that support the devices and services offered by a growing array of providers: Android TV and RDK,” said Lefebvre. “Operators are choosing one or the other based on their strategic technology priorities. With JADE, Technicolor Connected Home is not only demonstrating how it supports both middleware operating systems, we are also showcasing the deep relationships we have developed with the most innovative players in each of these ecosystems. Technicolor Connected Home has put in place the most stringent processes for integrating the specific services NSPs want to offer their subscribers in a highly secure manner in the Android TV and RDK environments.”

The two live JADE demonstrations will be featured at CES in Technicolor’s exhibit suites 30-315 and 30-317, located on the 30th floor of The Venetian Hotel – #CES2020

About Technicolor Connected Home:

TOMORROW’S CONNECTED HOME. TODAY

Technicolor partners with the world’s leading Service Providers to help them embrace the complex technologies needed to deliver seamless connectivity and premium entertainment experiences. Our Broadband solutions enable the fastest speeds, best-in-class coverage and embed the most innovative software to deliver multi-user gigabit services throughout the home. Our Video platforms allow for dynamic, branded user interfaces, popular applications, unique features and data analytics while ensuring the fastest time to market. With open innovation at the heart of everything we develop, we foster partnerships with a thriving ecosystem of innovative companies enabling our customers to bring an ever-growing number of value-added services to their subscribers.

http://www.technicolor.com – Follow us: @Technicolor – linkedin.com/showcase/18898907

Technicolor shares are on the NYSE Euronext Paris exchange (TCH) and traded in the USA on the OTCQX marketplace (OTCQX: TCLRY).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Carole Bernard: +1 323-337-5837

carole.bernard@technicolor.com

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Myant to Unveil the Digital Textile Exchange (DTX) at CES 2020, a Platform to Democratize Access to Textile Manufacturing Capacity and Enable Textile Innovation


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DTX will engender greater trust and transparency between stakeholders, enable textile product manufacturers to optimize for local demand in a more dynamic and efficient way, and ultimately bring the textile manufacturing industry into the sharing economy.

Myant Inc., pioneers in Textile Computing™, will unveil the Digital Textile Exchange (DTX) at CES 2020 (January 7-10, 2020 in Las Vegas), a digital manufacturing platform that connects the network of stakeholders in the advanced textile innovation value-chain to enable unprecedented levels of efficiency, quality and consistency. By connecting existing manufacturers, inventors, startups, and academia with knitting machines and textile producers all working under a new universal set of standards, DTX will streamline the process of going from idea to mass-scale production for advanced textiles, and reignite the culture of making and innovation that has been dwindling in the textile world for decades.

Barriers to Innovation in the Current Textile Manufacturing Ecosystem:

Fibers and textile systems are continually being prototyped with increasingly sophisticated functions applied to a diverse set of applications, including everything from sweat-sensing to wound care, wellness management, drug detection and delivery, shape shifting, pressure monitoring, brain-computer interface, electrical stimulation, heating, cooling and much more. The resultant consumer demand for actual connected textile products that incorporate these functions has risen to great heights in recent years, but the textile manufacturing ecosystem has not kept up with the new knowledge, materials, integration processes and standards needed to easily turn an innovative textile idea into scalable products. Bringing advanced textiles innovations to the market at scale in the current ecosystem is an uphill battle that often results in brilliant ideas being snuffed out before they have a chance to thrive. The challenges faced in sourcing new types of functionalized yarns, finding manufacturing facilities that can knit and integrate textile electrodes at scale, and addressing the myriad of supply chain requirements not typically associated with conventional textile manufacturing makes innovation in advanced textiles practically impossible, even for the most well-resourced global textile companies.

At the core, finding partners in the supply chain that can help innovate is difficult due to a lack of universal standards. While rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing exist for small-run or early concept stage applications, these prototypes typically cannot be scaled up without some critical compromises relating to sustainability or function due to the need for regulatory adherence and other factors.

DTX: Enabling Innovative Textile Ideas to Become Scalable Products:

Recognizing these challenges, Myant created DTX as a digital textile manufacturing nexus in order to democratize access for manufacturers, innovators, start-ups and existing manufacturers. DTX offers a number of key features that lower barriers to scalable innovation:


  • Connecting Supply to Demand: DTX dynamically maps the demand for advanced textile manufacturing (i.e. production orders) with available production capacity across a global network of knitting machines. By way of example, consider how a global-apparel manufacturer will now be able to centrally and flexibly manage production, optimize for localized manufacturing, and dynamically respond to evolving volume demands by tapping into a deeper pool of textile production partners. On the flip side, DTX will allow a textile producer with idle knitting machines to maximize output and value by tapping into a deeper pool of available jobs. They could potentially even take on orders that exceed their own production capacity and re-sell portions of an order back on the exchange in order to maintain relationships with a key partner. This type of flexibility for textile producers translates to lower overall risk greater return on their investment in knitting machinery.
  • Enforcing Universal Standards: Knitting machines registered on the DTX will also need to comply with a new universal set of quality, materials, labor and environmental sustainability standards, thus ensuring that a product produced on a knitting machine in one country is the same as the same product produced on a different knitting machine in a different country. The standards to be set forth by DTX aim to bring all stakeholders into alignment with the specific regulatory requirements, engineering restrictions and systems integration demands for textiles in each specific industry (e.g. medical, automotive/aerospace, consumer goods, home/office furnishings, etc.). For example, since textile computing applications require knitting with conductive yarns that are not common in conventional textile manufacturing, DTX will define process standards relating to yarn extrusion, covering, coding, testing and validation to ensure that innovators can design against a standard that textile producers can actually support at scale.
  • Training for New Processes & Standards: To support the proliferation of these new standards and to prepare a new generation of workers for a new type of work, Myant and the DTX will be working with academic institutions across the world to build academic nodes that support the development of talent for the textile computing industry. Textile manufacturing has evolved tremendously in the last few decades, but the existing and future workforces may not possess the appropriate skill set to remain relevant as Textile Computing becomes the norm for the textile manufacturing world. The development of talent would come in the form of j oint curriculum development, hands-on training on DTX-connected knitting machines, and more, similar to the model in place between Myant and Toronto’s Ryerson University. More academic nodes across the globe like the one at Ryerson University are in the process of being established.


By bringing stakeholders together and enforcing a universal standard, DTX will engender greater trust and transparency between stakeholders, enable textile product manufacturers to optimize for local demand in a more dynamic and efficient way, and ultimately bring the textile manufacturing industry into the sharing economy.

Building a Network of Knitting Machine Partners:

The first knitting machine partners on the Digital Textile Exchange will be Stoll, the German 3D robotic knitting machinery manufacturer. Building upon a relationship that started in December 2017, Myant now has an exclusive global partnership for textile computing applications with Stoll. The knitting machine manufacturer will be on-hand at Myant’s Booth at CES 2020 (Sands Expo, Booth #43925) for the inauguration of the Digital Textile Exchange. Stoll will also be demonstrating the new knitelligence generation of machines featuring the STOLL-knitrobotic technology. STOLL-knitrobotic represents a major breakthrough for the textile computing industry, allowing integration of microelectronics and other features into textiles during the knitting process in a fashion similar to the way pick-and-place machines do in microelectronic fabrication. The Stoll knitelligence line of machines includes many other features that are critical to Textile Computing including a cloud management software where proprietary processes, designs, and other IP will be protected, as well as remote training and production management. Stoll’s knitting machines will be the first to be connected to DTX, opening up a new realm of possibilities for its customers.

Myant will also be adding other knitting machine manufacturing partners to DTX that can support warp knitting and circular knitting, enabling innovators to realize whatever vision they have in mind.

Seeding a Global Network of Textile Manufacturing Clusters:

As a first step, Myant is growing its manufacturing capacity and will be opening up a new facility to house 1,000 state-of-the-art Stoll knitting machines to support the projected demand for their ilaria.varoli@myant.ca [https://myant.ca/myant-to-showcase-line-up-of-heart-health-management-apparel-and-textiles-at-ces-2020-to-democra __title__ ]tize-access-to-electrocardiography-for-people-across-society/ [own textile computing products launching in 2020 and beyond. This new facility will be located in Ontario, Canada __title__ ]. Furthermore, Stoll will open a new research and development centre and office in the area to support the development of the next generation of Stoll knitting machines and the software and data science that will power them. This flagship textile manufacturing cluster will serve as a model for the eventual creation of other similar clusters across the globe, all joined through DTX and operating with the same standards, laying the foundation for a transformation in the textile manufacturing world.

For more information or to schedule a meeting at CES 2020 to discuss DTX, please contact:

Ilaria Varoli

Executive Vice President at Myant

ilaria.varoli@myant.ca

Brian Fung

Director of Marketing at Myant

mailto:brian.fung@myant.ca

Markus Kirwald

Director of Business Development

markus.kirwald@myant.ca

About Myant Inc. and the Digital Textile Exchange

Myant has created the world’s first platform that continuously and ambiently connects people to their bodies, to each other, and to the world around them. Using connected textiles that can sense and react to the human body and a platform that enables machine learning driven health and performance outcomes, Myant is on a mission to transform human connectedness. With an extensive patent portfolio, key exclusive relationships within the textile computing industry, a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, data scientists, fashion designers and knitting specialists, and over 80,000 ft² of manufacturing capacity, Myant is changing the way people across society connect. Connect with us to find out how we can help you create innovative solutions powered by connected textiles and the Myant Platform.

Visit https://www.myant.ca and http://www.digitaltextileexchange.com to learn more.

About STOLL

H. Stoll GmbH & Co. KG is an internationally operating manufacturer of flat knitting machines based in Reutlingen, Germany. The world-renowned enterprise was founded in 1873 and has about 1,000 employees worldwide. Stoll exports to more than 70 countries all over the world and offers integrated services through affiliated companies, sales and marketing centers and numerous agencies. The Stoll product portfolio comprises 3D knitting machines and patterning software which are used for the production of fabrics for fashion as well as for technical applications. With innovative technical developments and a modern production environment Stoll enables a broad spectrum of knitting trends. For more information about Stoll, please visit: Stoll.com.

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BJG Electronics Group Announces the Acquisition of Intro Corporation


Long Island, N.Y.- based electronics distributor and Rockwood portfolio company BJG Electronics Group (“BJG”) today announced the acquisition of Intro Corporation (“Intro”). Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Melbourne, Fla., Intro is a supplier of connectors, contacts and accessories to the commercial aviation and aerospace industry. Focused on meeting demand for quick turn transactions, the business is primarily focused on the commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector.

The transaction is the latest in a year of tremendous growth for BJG Electronics Group, which now has closed three acquisitions in the past ten months. In February 2019, the company acquired Connector Tech LLC, a Montana-based value-added distributor of high-reliability electronic interconnect products. In October 2019, it acquired Whitmor/Wirenetics, a Valencia, Calif.-based provider of high-performance wire, cable and tubing to the military, aerospace and space industry.

The Intro Corporation acquisition further allows BJG to achieve its goal of creating a “one-stop” solution for OEMs, harness houses and box builders to fulfill their entire bills of materials while building one of the largest full-line distributors of mil-aero electronic components in North America.

“The Intro Corp acquisition fills a gap in BJG’s line card around commercial aviation including its highly regarded RMS connector line” said Rick Flora, CEO of The BJG Electronics Group. “BJG is excited to leverage Intro’s transaction-based approach and quick-turn expertise to establish a beachhead that will better serve the MRO marketplace,” he added.

“The fit between BJG and Intro was obvious” said Doug Chagnon, the General Manager and former owner of Intro. “The ability to partner with the BJG team to continue to provide our customers with the level of service and product availability they have come to expect from us over the last forty plus years while also being able to provide our customers with direct franchised access to a larger range of products including connectors, switches, relays, circuit breakers, and wire seemed like the natural next step for us as a company”

Intro will remain a stand-alone business unit serving its unique customers while also adding meaningful cross-selling opportunities to both Intro and BJG legacy customers.

About BJG and Intro Corporation

Based in Ronkonkoma, NY, BJG Electronics is a leading global supplier of interconnect and electromechanical products to the world’s leading OEMs in the defense, commercial aviation, business aviation, space, oil & gas, and industrial markets. For more information, visit http://www.bjgelectronics.com.

Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Melbourne, Fla., Intro Corporation is a supplier of electrical connectors, contacts, tools and accessories to the aviation, aerospace and telecommunication industries. For more information, visit http://www.introcorp.com.

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Buxton’s City Government Division Welcomes 16 New Clients in Fourth Quarter of 2019


Buxton logo

The tremendous growth in our city government vertical is a testament to the power of our products and Buxton’s world-class customer support.

Buxton’s city government division ended the 2019 calendar year on a strong note, welcoming 16 new clients to its roster. The division supports local government agencies in making informed economic development decisions in areas ranging from retail recruitment to tourism through a suite of customer analytics-based products.

“The tremendous growth in our city government vertical is a testament to the power of our products and Buxton’s world-class customer support,” said Chris Briggs, senior vice president of Buxton’s city government division. “We look forward to working with each of these agencies to help them reach their economic development goals.”

Agencies joining Buxton’s client roster include Bellevue, Neb.; Bridgewater, Mass., the Brownfield Industrial Development Corporation of Brownfield, Texas; Hickory, N.C.; Kingsport, Tenn.; Littlefield, Texas; the New Bedford Economic Development Council of New Bedford, Mass.; Osage Beach, Mo.; Palm Springs, Calif.; Park Development LLC; Port Angeles, Wash.; Rankin, Texas; SeaTac, Wash.; the Stephenville Economic Development Authority of Stephenville, Texas; Trinidad, Colo.; and the Wagoner County Economic Development Authority of Wagoner County, Okla.

Buxton has worked with hundreds of government agencies across the country to integrate data into economic development strategies. For more information on Buxton’s city government division, please visit https://www.buxtonco.com/industries/city-government.

About Buxton

Buxton is the industry leader in customer analytics. Our analytics reveal who your customers are, where more potential customers are located and the value of each customer. More than 5,000 clients in the retail, restaurant, healthcare, private equity and public sectors have relied on our insights to guide their growth strategies.

For more information, visit http://www.buxtonco.com.

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