Connected Intelligence Global Partner Ecosystem!

B+B SmartWorx, (formerly B&B Electronics as we reported 21 January 2015) has announced an acceleration for the Internet of Things (IoT) landscape with its Connected Intelligence Global Partner Ecosystem.   As a manufacturer of network connectivity technologies which serve as the heart or technical glue of IoT end solutions, B+B SmartWorx is launching the ecosystem to enable complementary partner companies to make intelligent connections with each other, combine expertise, and build effective IoT applications for end customers in the demanding, non-consumer IoT space.

Initial Connected Intelligence Ecosystem Partners include IoT technology providers such as Cumulocity, Davra Networks, ILS Technology, ParStream, PLAT.ONE, SeeControl, Skkynet, and ThingWorx, along with MVNO partners such as KORE and Mobius Networks, and a variety of international carriers. 

According to Harbor Research, the non-consumer IoT space is approximately 50% of the total IoT market opportunity, comprised of managed services (analytics, system applications, mobile and cloud computing, value added application services), enablement hardware (wired or wireless hardware attached to or embedded in each machine) and network services (carrier and data services). B+B SmartWorx products fall into enablement hardware while other Connected Intelligence Ecosystem partners fall into the managed and network services areas.

Mike Fahrion, director of IoT and edge intelligence product development at B+B SmartWorx explained that B+B created the ecosystem to combine complementary partners under a virtual roof to facilitate IoT applications. “Finding the right partners to fit a specific application’s requirements enables our customers to achieve better results than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.”

From assets to analytics starting at the network edge, the ecosystem aims to create intelligent networks that can collect, manage and analyze the data generated by billions of sensors, transforming that data into actionable intelligence that lets companies make predictions and prescribe actions to cut costs, increase productivity or increase revenue.

B+B SmartWorx provides the network connectivity “technical glue” – the hardware and connectivity stack – of the ecosystem. B+B’s IoT Edge Processing Architecture – a combination of its Wzzard wireless intelligent sensing and edge connectivity platform and its cellular edge gateway devices – aggregates data from existing equipment, translates disparate machine protocols into a language IT can understand, transforms that data into useful information and delivers it to applications ready for analysis.

“Rather than trying to become a vertical service provider itself, which can turn partners into competitors, B+B is smart to focus on its pedigree and core connectivity competence and recognize that an ecosystem of partners, leveraging each other’s core expertise, brings the most value to the end user,” said Glen Allmendinger, founder and president of Harbor Research.  “B+B’s technology roadmap is impressive, positioning the company as an emerging leader in what Harbor Research calls the ‘enablement hardware’ slice of the industrial IoT pie, a category we project will grow from $16.2B today to $43.8B by 2020.”

B+B’s CEO, Jerry O’Gorman, added, “We've aligned with companies who are credited with some of the most innovative technologies and solutions in their industries. Together, our focus is on extending the capabilities of our combined technologies to provide broad solutions for customers in areas of strategic importance to the global market.”

Generating Business Insight via Connected Intelligence in the Partner Ecosystem

“We are excited that ThingWorx® technology will be a core aspect of the B+B SmartWorx Connected Intelligence Ecosystem,” said Chris Kuntz, vice president, ecosystem programs, ThingWorx.  “The age of the IoT is upon us and working with forward thinking companies such as B+B SmartWorx enables us to deploy our leading technology so that customers can profit from complete, end-to-end solutions.”

“I applaud B+B SmartWorx bold entry into the IoT Marketplace as a deviceWISE Ready partner.   Our two companies share a common strategy of providing robust solutions with Intelligence at the Edge as well as a proven track record with enterprise customers within the industrial market,” said Fred Yentz, CEO ILS Technology, a Telit Company.  “Our strategic and technical alignment and our global reach will provide customers an enterprise ready, fast time to value IoT experience.”

“The IoT has a huge opportunity to connect non-consumer devices to the cloud to collect and share data making factories, automobiles, buildings and cities more intelligent,” said Stefan Vaillant, CTO of Cumulocity. “B+B SmartWorx complements our portfolio of software system solutions for IoT.”

"IoT is the hottest topic in IT circles as customers look to connect assets they've never connected before and make real time decisions based on data collected from the coalface of their business,” said Paul Glynn, CEO of Davra Networks. “Using B+B SmartWorx Wzzard Sensing Platform gives our customers easy access to information and data that they've never had access to before."

“This ecosystem has the potential to bring industrial process control to a whole new level,” said Paul Thomas, President of Skkynet. “Combining the B+B SmartWorx platform with Skkynet's Secure Cloud Service means remote devices in any location can now connect directly and securely to the cloud, enabling real-time monitoring, control, networking, and big data collection at a far lower TCO than previously thought possible.”

Appointment highlights IoT gateways.

One of Europe’s leading technology experts in machine-to-machine (M2M) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications, Tim Taberner, has joined B&B Electronics as the global product manager for the company’s advanced IoT cellular gateways.  Since B&B acquired Czech Republic-based Conel and their industrial cellular gateways in 2012, B&B has invested intensive engineering effort to develop the cellular gateways beyond passive conduits for raw data into true IoT aggregators that transform data into useful information for analytics and other applications.

Tim Taberner

Taberner is a frequent speaker and widely-published author on IoT topics, having been involved in this space since before the phrase ‘Internet of Things’ was coined. Previously, Taberner has held engineering, sales and marketing positions at Transmitton, Arcom Control Systems, and most recently at Eurotech. While still with Eurotech, Taberner’s 2014 speaking engagements included M2M World Forum in London, ZDNet CVISION in Seoul, and the opening of Intel’s IoT Lab in the Britain. 

A Chartered Engineer, Taberner has extensive experience in hardware and software engineering, engineering management, technical sales and management, SCADA, cloud-based computing and analytics. He is based at B&B’s EMEA headquarters in Galway (IRL).

“Tim’s industrial IoT expertise will be critical in managing our cellular gateways as they become smart connectivity and data aggregation assets in our customers’ IoT applications, able to deliver relevant information leading to actionable intelligence for cost cutting or increased revenue,” said Jerry O’Gorman, CEO of B&B Electronics.

Taberner explained that he joined B&B because of its promising product portfolio for the IIoT edge, including the new Wzzard Intelligent Sensing Platform which enables integrators to wirelessly add user sensors into an IoT architecture. He said he was impressed with the company’s vision and initiatives to bring intelligence to the edge in more scalable and cost effective ways than currently exist. “B&B’s edge gateway devices will be the first to use SWARM intelligence^TM to significantly increase the user’s return on investment over the lifetime of an installation, while also offering a powerful and flexible edge processing architecture on which to build solutions,”

Awards for mission-critical network connectivity solutions!

Wzzard B&B Electronics' Intelligent Sensing Platform has won awards, independently judged for technical achievement and market potential, for Internet of Things (IoT) networking applications:

•  “Best Technical Development of the IoT” from international research firm IDTechEx, awarded at its November 2014 IoT Applications Conference in Santa Clara. The winner must be a new IoT product launched in the last 24 months. Wzzard won based on its technical development, its potential market, and its benefits over alternatives.
• “Most Innovative Connectivity Solution” at Total Telecom’s IoT Awards (IoTA) December 2, London. Judged based on evidence that Wzzard is innovative, sustainable and focused on the IoT space.
•  “Hot 100 Products” which showcases the electronics industry’s most significant products of the year that caught the attention of EDN Magazine’s editors. Wzzard earned a spot in the Sensors category.

Jerry O'Gorman (on Left) receiving the IoTA from Total Telecom for Wzzard (Most Innovative Connectivity Solution) in London on December 2

The Wzzard Intelligent Sensing Platform is a complete wireless sensor connectivity platform featuring edge decision-making which enables more efficient, intelligent and scalable networking in remote and demanding IoT environments. 

Mike Fahrion,  B&B's
Director of Product
Management

B&B developed Wzzard to facilitate the coming world of connected intelligence, where smart machines and systems will collaborate, inform and make decisions on the intelligence gained from each other with little human supervision.  In this scenario, low-power wireless solutions that extend the network edge to include difficult locations while simultaneously providing “five nines” (99.999%) uptime will be important. Wzzard anticipates these needs.

The Wzzard platform’s technologies, protocols and hardware work together to reduce the expertise and time it takes for integrators to develop scalable IoT connectivity solutions. They include:

• Wzzard Intelligent Edge Nodes which connect to industry-standard sensors.
• SmartMesh IP wireless sensing technology which enables auto-forming, self-healing, self-sustaining networks that are also highly scalable.
• MQTT – a simple messaging transport protocol for M2M/IoT over wireless networks.
• B&B’s intelligent Spectre cellular gateway, connecting equipment and devices to the Internet or Intranet over either wired Ethernet or wireless cellular connections. 

Wzzard has also been named a finalist in the Control Engineering 2015 Engineers’ Choice Awards program, in the Network Integration — Wireless Products category. Voting continues through December 31, and winners will be announced February 16, 2015.

General manager appointed for EMEA by connectivity company!

B&B Electronics has appointed technology industry veteran Gary Sheedy as the General Manager of its EMEA operations based in Galway (IRL). Mr. Sheedy will manage the EMEA sales teams and have P&L responsibility for the EMEA operation. He will also take on an international business development role for B&B Electronics, drawing from his two decades of high-tech industry experience on the international stage.

Gary Sheedy

An engineer by background, Mr. Sheedy has worked in all areas of high tech, from design and development to manufacturing and test in many international arenas including the US, Britain, Germany and Australasia/Asia. He also brings significant experience in general management, business development and technology leadership.

Mr. Sheedy’s previous work experience includes engineering and engineering management positions with Infineon AG (Formerly Siemens AG) as director of tools and software, and with Advantest Europe GmbH as EMEA SAE Manager. He has also served in commercial sales and marketing positions with Dynamic Controls (a subdivision of Invacare Corp.) as GM of product development, and with Invenco Group Ltd. as the global head – OEM business development.

“Gary has a strong track record in solutions-based business development, and we are lucky to have him,” said Jerry O’Gorman, B&B’s CEO. “He understands the processes, procedures and actions that are necessary to grow a profitable business with sustainable growth, and to deliver unique products to customers worldwide.”

Mr. Sheedy holds a B. Eng (Hons) Engineering from the University of Ulster, as well as a diploma in Industrial Studies. He speaks fluent German and elementary Spanish.

Enabling prompt, reliable, 4G failover for wireless networking in Europe.

Conel s.r.o., a subsidiary of B&B Electronics, a developer of mission-critical network connectivity solutions, has expanded its family of wireless routers to include the new Conel Bivias v2 industrial cellular router which will be available throughout Europe.

Featuring dual, independent communications modules, the router can connect to two different cellular carriers at the same time. The router can also support two different mobile technologies at the same time, such as UMTS/HSPA+, LTE, or CDMA. If one cellular connection should fail, the router will connect to the alternate cellular carrier in a matter of seconds, providing swift, automatic network backup in a single device.

The Conel Bivias v2 router takes advantage of the fast 4G LTE network data transfer speeds; up to 100Mbit/s for download and 50 Mbit/s for upload. It is specifically built for industrial M2M applications that demand speed, security and the ability to handle large data loads. With its 4G LTE capabilities it can serve as the main communications system or as a backup for fixed lines.

Designed for plug-and-play simplicity with extensive remote management, deployment and customization options, the Conel Bivias v2 router is used to wirelessly connect Ethernet equipment and other devices to the Internet or intranet. Self-diagnostics, a watchdog capability and the ability to easily create VPN tunnels ensure secure, consistent operation and extremely reliable wireless connections.

The router aggregates multiple data networking protocols. Its standard configuration includes a 10/100 Ethernet port, USB host port, binary input/output (I/O) port and dual SIM card holders for network redundancy. The Conel Bivias v2 cellular router also has 2 auxiliary ports for connecting to other types of networks such as additional Ethernet switch ports, serial RS-232/422/485 interfaces and additional Digital/Analog I/O. The Conel Bivias v2 cellular router is also available with integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi- Fi technology, which allows the Conel Bivias v2 cellular router to serve as a Wi-Fi access Point (AP) or “Hotspot”.

Integrated CWDM Solutions for ISPs, data centres & telecoms!

B&B Electronics’ iMediaChassis family of multiport chassis will offer operators, ISPs, and data centre users a low cost and extremely compact, 3U high, one box solution, for CWDM services. In addition to the physical conversion of either local fibre or copper to specific CWDM wavelengths, the product also offers advanced management features allowing the operator to monitor a wide variety of parameters, most importantly quality of the optical signal.

Fibre installations have not kept pace with the demands made of the physical infrastructure. As an operator/owner of fibre, going back to install new ‘dark’ fibre is cost prohibitive. For a customer, renting extra dark fibre will obviously involve extra costs.

A solution to limited fibre availability is provided by CWDM (Coarse Wavelength-Division Multiplexing) technology, a method by which multiple wavelengths of light are multiplexed into a dedicated fibre pair and demultiplexed at the other end of the link. CWDM links are traditionally point-to-point, all wavelengths are independent of each other and they can carry data from different devices, services or customers. Multiplexing effectively increases the bandwidth of the pre-installed fibre.

CWDM systems offer service providers and Enterprise companies scalable and easy-to-deploy Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel and TDM services for their networks, which may be deployed in data centres, on campus or metropolitan-area access networks.

B&B Electronics can provide a cost effective, compact, single chassis CWDM solution. The iMediaChassis chassis and associated modules can offer:

• Copper to CWDM conversion (TDM [E1], 100Mbps, GigE, 10GigE [CX4])
• Optical to CWDM conversion (100Mbps, GigE, 10GigE, FibreChannel, 10Gig FibreChannel, OC-192 / STM-64)

Within one chassis, the CWDM wavelengths can be created and in addition up to 8 CWDM channels can be MUX/DEMUX’d. This solution also has the advantage of being SNMP compliant, the operator can monitor optical information such as receive and transmit strengths.
The B&B Electronics iMediaChassis offers a mix of up to eight conversion modules, E1, GigE and 10GigE. For E1 the interface to the local equipment will be via RJ-48, for GigE the interface could be optical or copper and finally for 10GigE the interface will be optical. In each of the modules the applicable CWDM SFP, SFP+ would be installed.

Typical application for this solution would be multi-service provisioning over a dedicated point to point fibre e.g. ISP/Telco provided optical link, or a rented dark fibre.

The iMediaChassis provides 20 slots with dual AC input and two load sharing, hot-swap AC power modules providing N+1 redundant power DC input power supplies are also available. If required an optional SNMP Management Module may also be specified.

CWDM solutions can be provided for:
E1, Ethernet (100Mbps, 1GigE, 10GigE), Fibre Channel (2.4Gig), OC48(2.4Gig), OC192 (10Gig)

Multiplex/de-multiplex solutions:
4 channel or 8 channel + 1x expansion port.

Managing remote & central office fibre network connections!

B&B Electronics has developed a modular generation of its Carrier-grade, intelligent, four-port IE-iMcV-MultiWay Gigabit Ethernet Media Converter that can install in AC or DC internal-powered chassis. The modular version joins the company's existing DIN-Rail or wall-bracket-mountable standalone version for managing remote devices and central office network connections in the security, traffic and remote-monitoring markets. Both versions are designed for use as CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) devices at the network edge as well as in fibre infrastructures, and feature rugged temperature specs (-40 to +85 C). The modular converter, developed for customers who have invested in chassis-based infrastructure to help them maximize their cost per slot, can be installed in low or high-density-port chassis, including those offering extended temperature.

With two SFP (Small Form Pluggable) fibre uplink ports and two 10/100/1000 Mbps Base-T copper ports, Ethernet network administrators can connect various devices using both copper ports and one fibre port, while designating the other fibre port for the secure network connection. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and other troubleshooting capabilities provide functionality similar to that of a Layer 2/3 switch, offering a cost effective alternative to these traditional fibre switches.

The IE-iMcV-MultiWay is geared towards enterprise gigabit networking applications where there is a need to securely move large amounts of data over long distances of fibre with remote management, and to reduce onsite visits for troubleshooting network equipment. Such geographically dispersed enterprises and applications include ISPs, Telco’s, municipalities (traffic signals and digital signage), and all kinds of physical security (surveillance cameras, building access systems, alarms).

A Swiss-army-knife-type tool for network connectivity and management, the IE-iMcV-MultiWay can play multiple roles: managed fibre termination, fibre repeater, mode converter, multi-port switch, dual independent media converter and media converter with 1+1 redundant fibre uplink.

The IE-iMcV-MultiWay can mimic a traditional fibre switch and serve as a central office infrastructure connection with the troubleshooting functionality expected by today’s network administrators to avoid unnecessary truck rolls. It offers status monitoring (interface and RMON1 statistics, OAM status and control) with management on all ports via SNMP. Part of the IEEE 802.3ah and 802.1ag standard, OAM (Operations, Administration and Management) defines how to manage, monitor and test network equipment. Also included is port-based VLAN and VLAN trunks, IEEE 802.1ad (Q-in-Q) and a user definable EtherType.

Included is B&B’s free, GUI-based SNMP management software, iView2, which allows easy configuration and management of remote network nodes from a central management host. iView2 runs standalone on Windows NT/XP/2000/7 or as a Web Server running under IIS.

IE-iMcV-MultiWay in Action: A Brazilian city’s transportation department responsible for its subways, ships, boats and buses needed to add IP video surveillance equipment to its network to better monitor and manage people movement. Networking the remote IP surveillance cameras to the central office had requirements and challenges; the cameras would be outdoors, needed remote management capabilities and secure connectivity up to 30Km away. The customer had already invested in a chassis-based media converter infrastructure and preferred a DC power-based solution for high reliability. Additionally, the video collected at the copper-port-based cameras would have to be converted for long distance fibre optic transmission back to the copper-port-based servers at the central office. The solution: Install B&B Electronics’ iMcV-Gigabit copper-to-fibre media converters in the existing six-slot chassis to connect the two central office servers. At both camera locations, a four-port B&B IE-iMcV-MultiWay converter with SNMP and rugged temperature specs was installed in an extended-temperature, DC-powered chassis, and then housed in a NEMA enclosure at the base of a pole where the IP camera was mounted on top. One copper port on the MultiWay at each camera location connected the copper-port-based IP camera at the top of its pole. The fibre connection then emanated from the converter installed at the central office, connecting point-to-point through the two fibre ports on each MultiWay converter installed at each camera, and then continued back to the central office.

Cellular 4G communication & monitoring system for remote locations!

B&B Electronics has provided Quatro Electronics with a high-reliability Cellular 4G communication and monitoring system for the oversight of equipment in remote locations.

Founded in 1996, Quatro Electronics have been trusted to protect, manage and monitor remote and vulnerable sites globally offering their customers total reassurance and confidence that their valuable assets are safe and providing a robust and cost effective alternative to manned guards.

The development of a new product, The Quatro SmartTower, a unique solution for deploying the Britains most powerful video verified alarm technology designed specifically for remote site protection, required B&B Electronics to provide a new communications solution to ensure the remote tower’s transmissions were always on, to signal remote alarm conditions, provide monitoring and notification services to the control centre and offer access to the latest high speed cellular infrastructures. The B&B communication system also enabled self-monitoring of The Quatro SmartTower itself as an asset that needed to be tracked.

Working alongside their British Channel Partner, Adey Electronics, B&B was involved from the initial network design in order to provide a reliable and robust Cellular 4G platform as the core of the Quatro SmartTower communication system. The key to the system is the recently launched LR77 B&B Conel cellular router which provides Dual SIM 4G capability ensuring “always on connectivity”. Utilising the built in Global Positioning System (GPS) in the LR77 Router allowed B&B Electronics to provide Quatro with both asset tracking and real-time date/time stamping of images generated by the remote cameras and sent to the control centre.

The Quatro SmartTower is a totally IP based communications system which uses IP cameras and wireless passive detectors. By providing bespoke user modules specifically designed and written to integrate with the LR77 B&B Electronics were able to provide a high level of bi-directional automation in the field, enabling the Quatro SmartTowers to perform specific actions (e.g. directing a camera to a specific location on site), power-management and to provide crucial alarm messages to the remote control centre.

As streaming live video and CCTV images is bandwidth dependant it was essential that Quatro would be able to take advantage of the latest 4G/LTE capabilities. Basing the system around the LR77 Router exceeded the required communications requirements in both functionality and its capability to operate in remote outdoor locations. Integrating R-See-Net management software provided by B&B Electronics they Quatro are also able to manage and monitor the communications, traffic and functionality of the devices from remote monitoring stations, invaluable in the growth of deployment of the towers both in Europe and the USA.

John Robertson General Manager of Quatro Electronics, comments, “Together, B&B Europe and Adey Electronics have provided us with a high level of technical support and flexible customer service for our remote security management services. They have provided market-leading equipment, helped with the software development, networking and communications to ensure the final solution exactly met our requirements.”

Customer-configurable 4G LTE cellular router!

Conel, a subsidiary of B&B Electronics, has expanded its family of rugged wireless communications routers with the 4G LTE LR77 v2 Cellular Router which takes advantage of the fast data transfer speeds (up to 100Mbit/s for download, 50 Mbit/s for upload) of the LTE cellular network. Built for industrial applications that demand speed, security and the ability to handle large data loads, the LR77 wirelessly connects M2M equipment and devices via an Ethernet interface 10/100 or a serial interface to the Internet or intranet. The unit offers multiple port configurations, a dual SIM card option, and either a plastic or metal casing. A wide operating range (-30 to 60 degrees C), DIN-Rail mounts, and automatic firmware updates allowing mass configuration of many routers simultaneously make the LR77 perfect for M2M connectivity in harsh or remote environments.

Applications that depend on secure wireless communications technology with performance and reliability at the very “edge” of networks would include: traffic and security camera systems, automatic teller machines (ATMs) and other self-service terminals, wind power plants, solar panels, oil/gas/water distribution networks and grids, and sensors that monitor geological, environmental and weather conditions.

Standard features on the 4G LTE LR77 Router include: one Ethernet 10/100 port, one USB host port, one digital input/output (I/O) port, and one SIM card. The unique dual SIM card option provides redundancy should one network fail, and enables users to proactively manage their data plan expenses between wireless carriers.

Customer-configurable interface options include:
Port 1 can be Ethernet 10/100, serial RS-232/RS-485/RS-422/MBUS, or I/O
Port 2 can be either serial RS-232/RS-485/RS-422/MBUS, or I/O
3 additional 10/100 Ethernet ports can be added with an optional port expansion board

The LR77 is configurable by a secure, password-protected web interface. It allows VPN tunnelling, using IPsec, OpenVPN and L2TP technologies to ensure safe communication. The web interface tracks the router’s activities, signal strength, and provides a detailed log. The cellular router supports DHCP, NAT, NAT-T, DynDNS, NTP, VRRP, HTTPS, SSH, OSPF, RIP, BGP control by SMS and more.

Diagnostic functions such as automatic inspection of PPP connections, automatic restart when connections are lost, and a hardware-monitoring “watchdog” ensure continuous communication. A special start-up script window is available for inserting Linux scripts for various actions.

Another key feature is the ability to create four different profiles/configurations in one router. This provides the option to switch between operating profiles, either remotely via SMS or locally via I/O, in order to perform tasks like diagnostics or alternative network configurations...

Conel’s routers are designed for “plug-and-play” simplicity. Firmware-Over-The-Air (FOTA) technology allows automatic wireless firmware updates for mass configuration of many routers at once, eliminating the need for on-site technician visits. Conel can also develop user modules that modify router behaviour per customer requirements. A built-in SIM recognition driver recognizes the unit and configures the internal cellular modem automatically, simplifying integration.

Conel is manufacturing its 4G LTE LR77 Router for geographies where LTE networks exist; and is testing applications with customers where LTE is expected, but not yet available. Conel is also working with parent company B&B Electronics’ engineers to certify its entire portfolio of cellular routers and gateways to bring to North American customers.

High level appointments at B&B Electronics!

B&B Electronics Manufacturing Company’s Board of Directors has announced that Sean Harrigan has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has named Jerry O’Gorman, previously the Managing Director of EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Operations, as the company’s new CEO.

A member of B&B Electronics’ senior management team since 2006, O’Gorman understands the company’s customers, products, and operations, as well as its strategic growth plans. He also played an integral role in the company’s recent acquisitions (Quatech in October 2011, Conel in March 2012, IMC Networks in June 2012) which expanded B&B’s portfolio of mission-critical network connectivity solutions.

Jerry O'Gorman

The CEO’s office will remain at B&B Electronics’ headquarters in Ottawa, IL, and O’Gorman will work from there as he assumes his new responsibilities. The company expects to appoint a new Managing Director for the EMEA operations in the coming weeks.

“The Board has complete confidence that Jerry is the right person to be our next CEO,” said Andrew Snyder, Director of Graham Partners, B&B Electronics’ owners. “He has been an outstanding leader and has almost doubled our EMEA revenue over his seven years. Plus, Jerry already knows the business and customers so he can step in and be immediately effective.”

O’Gorman was instrumental in vetting Czech Republic-based Conel and its portfolio of industrial wireless cellular routers for acquisition last year. He led Conel’s integration into B&B, and established a new business development team across the EMEA region to exploit the expanding portfolio of cellular, fiber and Wi-Fi network connectivity solutions available to B&B through its acquisitions. O’Gorman brings over 25 years of experience in business leadership, international sales and marketing from a variety of technology-based industries.

In a related move, the Board appointed Fred Thiel as Executive Chairman of the Board, formalizing Thiel’s prior advisory role as Director of B&B Electronics. Serving from B&B’s Lake Forest, CA office, Thiel will advise the CEO on key strategic issues including new product development, customer acquisition, and talent management.

Thiel, an expert in M2M, smart systems, and industrial connectivity technology, brings over 20 years’ experience in managing software and technology companies for rapid growth. He has served as CEO of Lantronix, a leader in M2M, device networking, and systems management technology. Thiel has been an Operating Partner for Graham Partners since 2007.

Harrigan became CEO at B&B Electronics in March of 2011. He now leaves the company to pursue other professional opportunities.

Low-cost Modbus gateway!

B&B Electronics has expanded its family of Vlinx Modbus Communications Gateways with the MESP211, a low-cost, compact gateway designed to convert Modbus ASCII or Modbus RTU serial signals into Modbus TCP Ethernet. 

The MESP211 connects Modbus devices to Ethernet networks to monitor and control Modbus devices from anywhere on the Ethernet LAN or WAN, and flexible configuration allows serial and Ethernet, Masters and Slaves. Designed for harsh environments and cramped spaces, the compact (3.1 x 0.9 x 2.0 in, 7.9 x 2.3 x 5.1 cm) gateway features a wide (-40 to 80°C) operating temperature, Heavy Industrial specifications (61000-6-2 EMC level 3 for harsh environments; IEC60068-2-27 for shock, -6 for vibration and -32 for free fall), and a rugged IP30 metal case that is panel (standard) or DIN rail mountable (with optional adapters).

Applications include: temperature control equipment, HVAC systems, industrial PLCs, power sub-metering, and communications to solar trackers and inverters.

B&B Electronics’ signature Vlinx Manager Software – the same advanced software that comes with the company’s higher-end Vlinx MESR900 and MESR400 Modbus Gateways – installs on the user’s PC and lets them remotely manage the MESP211 over a LAN or WAN via the built-in web server. Users can take advantage of Modbus messaging priority control and view messaging status in real time via the built-in traffic monitor.

The one-port MESP211 Modbus Gateway works with RS-232/422/485 serial signals and is available in two models: the MESP211D offers a DB9 Male connector while the MESP211T offers a Terminal Block connector. 

Next generation 802.11 dual-band Wi-Fi platform for industrial wireless M2M

AirborneM2M Wi-Fi connectivity technology enables secure self-sufficient communications for rugged, mission-critical M2M networks

B&B Electronics has launched its next generation AirborneM2M 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi platform to provide secure, dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity to rugged and mission-critical M2M networks. With dual-band support and robust, enterprise-class security options, AirborneM2M is designed to enable integrators, VARs and OEMs to reduce the risk of obsolescence as enterprises both upgrade their security policies, and increasingly migrate their Wi-Fi infrastructure to the 5 GHz band. B&B’s AirborneM2M products feature industrial strength packaging and a wide temperature rating (-40 to 85 C) to withstand challenging M2M environments.    

The Wi-Fi connectivity technology is useful for rugged, mission-critical applications that need both Ethernet connectivity and wireless mobility, such as transportation vehicles (forklifts in warehouse shipping/receiving), mobile printers (rental car companies), medical (hospital patient monitoring systems, nurses stations), and more.

The AirborneM2M Wi-Fi technology is available in several forms:

• A full line of industrial Wi-Fi Access Points (APXN), and Wi-Fi Clients (ABDN), including Ethernet bridges, Ethernet routers and serial servers, can seamlessly connect most any equipment - RS-232, 422, 485, Ethernet 10/100M and even I/O - to the Wi-Fi network. Power options include 5-36VDC and 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE). 
• Embeddable Access Point (APMN) and Client (WLNN) modules, which are plug compatible with B&B’s previous generation modules, allow OEMs to easily and cost effectively integrate Wi-Fi into their own M2M equipment without having to invest in the Wi-Fi engineering and certification effort.  Leveraging B&B’s WLNN series modules with I/O flexibility enables rapid time to market with Ethernet, UART-based, or GPIO connectivity over Wi-Fi. B&B also offers a Design and Development Kit that provides a starting point for customers.

The 5 GHz support gives system designers and installers improved flexibility and reliability, as enterprises adopt 5 GHz in order to avoid the crowded 2.4GHz band, which hosts competing wireless transmissions.  

Security protocols, including robust authentication and encryption, are also important to mission-critical wireless M2M applications.  AirborneM2M products are designed to handle the processor-intensive advanced encryption techniques defined for enterprise-class security that are not available on entry-level Wi-Fi products.   Features include network security (EAP), wireless security (802.11i and WPA2-PSK), access security (authentication and firewalls), communication security (SSH) and device security (encryption).   

B&B Electronics’ Airborne Management Center (AMC) device discovery, control and management application software, included with all AirborneM2M devices, helps customers manage large networks.

10G fibre media converter family with Small Form Pluggable modular form factor for high bandwidth

B&B Electronics has expanded its 10G (Gigabit) fibre media converter family with the iMcV-10G-Converter SFP+, featuring 10G speed in an SFP+ (small form pluggable) modular form factor. The iMcV-10G-Converter SFP+ allows operators of high-bandwidth, mission-critical networks, such as ISPs (Internet Service Providers), Telecoms, municipalities, medical facilities and large campuses, to convert between different fibre types within a network, and to move enormous amounts of data over long distances.

As a single-wide module, the new converter optimises the cost-per-slot in a multi-port chassis, and its modular form factor also allows installation in a variety of chassis (20-, 6-, 3-, 2- or 1-slot). It supports an array of protocols, and allows remote management from a central office when using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). The new SFP+ form factor joins the company’s existing 10G fibre family, including the XFP, Mux/DeMux/4, and WDM/2 media converters.

The advantages of fibre over copper infrastructures include bandwidth, security, bi-directional transmission of data, and the ability to cover distances up to 100Km compared to 100m. As demand for high-bandwidth applications such as Internet and Data Storage has skyrocketed, certain industries are migrating to fibre which they can install over great distances with tools that let them securely manage network segments.

For example, ISPs and Telecoms need 10G fibre infrastructures to support their customers’ bandwidth-hungry applications and downloads such as online gaming and streaming videos. Medical facilities need high bandwidth to move large imaging files such as MRIs, X-Rays and other data between labs and hospitals; municipalities need it for localising, storing and transferring police or fire records, for example; and large campuses such as universities with satellite locations use it for storing and transferring student files.

B&B Electronics’ iMcV-10G-Converter SFP+ is protocol-independent with dual SFP+ ports which can provide a single conversion between Single-Mode and Multi- Mode fibre, Single-Mode to Single-Mode fibre or Multi-Mode to Single-Strand Single-Mode fibre.  Because the ports are not proprietary, they accept any SFP+ module that meets the SFF-8431 standard, as outlined by the SFF Committee, 2009, Rev 4.1.  The hot-swappable nature of SFP+ and the numerous fibre protocols and types that are available allow for easy configuration and future upgrading as network demands evolve.

The DDMI (Data & Diagnostics Management Information) feature in B&B Electronics’ SFP+ transceivers will allow users to view the SFP+ status (fibre type, manufacturer, output power) when the company’s iMcV-10G SFP+ module is installed in a chassis with an SNMP management module installed as well. Included with all of B&B’s fibre products is its free, GUI-based SNMP software, iView², which allows network operators to easily configure and manage remote network nodes from a central management host. iView² runs standalone on Windows NT/XP/2000/7 or as a Web Server running under IIS.

The module supports an array of 10G protocols, including 10G Ethernet, 10G Fibre Channel, and OC-192, available via DIP Switch settings on the module itself. While the module is Plug-and-Play (PNP), the optional DIP Switch settings for specific 10G applications make this device flexible for different kinds of installations.

Multi-Mode, Single-Mode, Single-Strand and CWDM fibre types up to 80Km are available.

Protecting computers in harsh environments

B&B Electronics has expanded its family of industrial-grade USB port protectors with the small-form-factor, affordable USBSSP2 “USB Sentinel” USB 3.0 surge suppressor. Unlike typical non-portable or “pass-through-panel” USB surge protection devices, B&B Electronics’ USB Sentinel is compact (4.5 x 1.22 x 0.96 inches, 11.4 x 3.1 x 2.5 cm) and portable, connecting in-line between the computer and the peripheral device to protect it from the surges, spikes, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) that can occur when connecting computers to equipment in the field and factory. With a wide (0 to 80°C) operating temperature, advanced heavy industrial emissions standards and an EN61000-6-2 heavy industrial rating, the USB Sentinel is small enough to tuck into a pocket or a laptop bag, yet tough enough to stand up to repeated use in harsh environments.

The USB Sentinel is a passive device and provides fast, 20 microsecond clamping of surges -- up to 700 volts on the data lines and 1000 volts on the power lines -- without interfering with normal USB 3.0 connectivity. It is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0, providing a single USB surge suppression solution. The device is transparent to the operating system, host computer or hub, and it requires no drivers.

This suppressor is suitable for field service technicians, as well as fixed installations in industrial automation, instrumentation, security, kiosks, point-of-sale and laboratory market applications.

The USB Sentinel includes a USB 3.0 cable and carries a lifetime warranty.

• Datalink Communications is Distributor/Agent for B&B Electronics products in Ireland. (see B&B Representation in Ireland announced).