Kontron : helps shape the future of the future

Apr 22, 2015

Embedded computing leader is the driving force behind Internet of Things enablement

Augsburg, 22 April 2015 - Kontron, the global provider of embedded computing technologies (ECT), announced today it is leading the embedded systems industry in the delivery of solutions that will help enable commercial, research and government organisations to harness the true potential of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Kontron's strong progress in IoT enablement is being achieved through its strategy of close collaboration with other major global technology providers, 'real-world' IoT Proof of Concept and education initiatives, and ongoing commitment to the development of an extensive range of innovative IoT-ready ECT solutions. These include hardware and software modules, controllers, gateways and embedded PCs, through to Kontron's standards-based Symkloud cloud networking platform for enabling enhanced scalability, high density and work load performance.
Several of Kontron's most recently announced IoT products will be fully available in Q2 15 including the Kontron COMe-cBL6 COM Express Computer-on-Module and mITX-BDU mini motherboard - suitable for multi-touch display environments such as Medical Kiosk patient image processing - and the KBox A-103 embedded box PC, ideal for use in factory automation systems and other demanding industrial applications.
Kontron's comprehensive IoT solutions portfolio is underpinned by its commitment to the emerging open standards Hyperconnecting* architecture. This will allow the development flexibility and necessary enterprise integration for meeting customer requirements when delivering practical end-to- end IoT implementations.
"With our two decades of embedded computing innovation across a wide variety of markets including avionics, defence, energy, industrial automation, healthcare, retail, telecom and transportation, Kontron has the knowledge required to ensure customers achieve successful IoT implementations, helping them implement true end-to-end solutions that will reduce costs and enhance revenue streams," said Michael Väth, Kontron's Executive Vice President Global Sales and Marketing. "Working with our global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and System Integrator (SI) partners, Kontron's proven track-record in enabling thousands of real-world application deployments already makes us well-equipped to address the main technological challenges that the IoT presents: agility, datability, manageability, and longevity."
Kontron IoT Collaboration and Proof of Concept
Kontron is at the forefront of a progressive R&D ecosystem for speeding the development of world- class IoT solutions. As part of this the company is engaged in an ambitious IoT application development and Proof of Concept programme which also involves complementary third party vendor technologies. As a result of these focused efforts, Kontron customers will increasingly see the benefits in their own solutions.
- In farming, Kontron has joined forces with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Cisco, Dell, IBM and Intel to establish the Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science & Technology (CREST) R&D organisation and an IoT development laboratory. Based in Malaysia, CREST's initial projects have included Precision Farming where soil sensors collect and report data from which a fertilisation map is produced. There are also systems designed for greenhouses where data sensors measure humidity, moisture, EC and PH to automatically manage the optimum amount and application of fertiliser. Results have included a three times increase in crop yield in just one year.

- In the medical sector, Kontron currently serves as the CREST Connected Health Care industry cluster lead. The focus is on the application of wearable embedded systems, IoT connected devices technology and the commercialisation of healthcare products, solutions and services. As a result, more than 36 participating organisations have already gained access to affordable and attainable, patient-centric, quality healthcare in Malaysia by utilising IoT technology. In addition, Kontron has recently demonstrated a Medical Kiosk application at the Embedded World 2015 conference in Germany. This quickly and accurately measures patient vital signs for improved patient wellbeing while also reducing medical facilities costs.
- In industrial automation, to help manufacturers minimise unplanned factory downtime and the associated revenue loss, Kontron has most recently demonstrated how the Salesforce1 Cloud Platform can be used to more efficiently monitor factory equipment. This was carried out at a textile manufacturing company and allowed real-time machine failure alerts and error messages to be sent to field service engineering personnel mobile phones, allowing them to be rapidly dispatched to the problem area with the right information. The demonstration featured the use of Kontron IoT gateway devices based on Intel® technology that provide proven, cutting-edge connectivity capabilities, and embedded computers that deliver industry- leading computing performance. This usage model, which connects manufacturing equipment to humans outside the factory, can also be applied to a wide variety of other environments for solving a range of problems or supporting new business models where machine data is of critical value to key stakeholders.
Both the Precision Farming demo and the Medical Kiosk will be on display at Kontron's booth #136 at IoT World, San Francisco in the Moscone Center, May 12-13th. For further information about Kontron IoT ready solutions, Proof of Concept demonstrations, and industry collaborations visit http://iot.kontron.com/

*Note to Editors
Hyperconnecting is a multi-faceted vision for how the IoT should be built with the ability to access actionable information whenever and wherever it is needed. Hyperconnecting allows end-to-end IoT implementations to combine the following attributes:
- Sensor aggregation with multiple wireless protocols, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ZigBee
- Scalability across hardware platforms with support for ARM and Intel architectures
- Co-existence of C and Java development with open application programming interfaces
(APIs) and dynamic components
- Flexible messaging including RESTful web services and DDS or MQTT for publish/subscribe
- IT-style management such as trusted boot, role-based access, certificates, and authentication
- Integration with leading enterprise databases and predictive analytics packages


About Kontron
Kontron is a global leader in embedded computing technology. With its employees in research and development, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world's embedded computing platforms. Kontron's product longevity, local engineering and support, and value-added services, help create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs and system integrators. Kontron works closely with its customers on their embedded application-ready platforms and custom solutions, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost- of-ownership and an improved overall application with leading-edge, highly-reliable embedded technology.
Kontron is a listed company. Its shares are traded in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on other exchanges under the symbol "KBC". For more information, please visit: http://www.kontron.com/

Media Contacts

Europe, Middle East and Africa Bettina Missy Kontron Tel: [phone] [e-mail]	Martin Farjah Profil Marketing Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
North America Richard Pugnier Kontron Tel: [phone] [e-mail]	Annette Keller Keller Communications Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
Asia Pacific Richard Pugnier Kontron Tel: [phone] [e-mail]	Martin Farjah Profil Marketing Tel: [phone] [e-mail]

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