Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Inventory visibility in medical device distribution warehouses.

Digital warehouse management for medical device distributors with batch-level inventory tracking.

Efficient order fulfilment depends on more than product availability for pharmaceutical wholesalers and medical device distributors in Ireland,. Knowing which batch is stored at a particular warehouse location, when it expires and which customer received it is equally important. With extensive product ranges covering medical devices, pharmaceutical products and healthcare consumables, maintaining accurate inventory records can become increasingly challenging.

Galway is one of Ireland's leading medical technology hubs, making reliable warehouse management particularly relevant for businesses involved in medical device manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operations. A digital warehouse management system (WMS) combines day-to-day warehouse operations with batch-level inventory tracking. This improves stock visibility, supports product traceability and reduces the risk of picking errors.

Batch-level inventory tracking starts at goods receipt.
Medical devices and other batch-controlled products must be accurately identified as soon as they arrive at the warehouse. Depending on the product, relevant information may include item numbers, delivery quantities, batch or lot numbers, expiry dates and additional identification details.

When this information is entered manually or added to the system afterwards, the risk of incorrect stock allocations increases. Partial deliveries and multiple batches of the same product can make inventory management particularly complicated.

The COSYS Warehouse Management System enables businesses to capture relevant product and batch information using mobile data collection devices. Barcode-based transactions support consistent documentation throughout goods receipt and putaway. For medical device distributors operating in Galway and across Ireland, this creates a more reliable foundation for managing batch-controlled inventory.

Linking warehouse locations to individual batches.
Pharmaceutical wholesalers frequently hold several batches of the same product simultaneously. Different delivery dates, expiry dates and storage locations make inventory tracking more demanding, especially when products are regularly moved between warehouse areas.

Digital warehouse location management provides greater transparency. Employees record putaway, internal stock transfers and withdrawals directly using handheld mobile computers. This allows inventory information to be updated promptly while maintaining a record of warehouse movements.

COSYS software supports structured product and location management, providing a central overview of available stock. Mobile barcode scanning also reduces the need for manual data transfers between warehouse operations and administrative systems.

Batch traceability for product complaints and recalls.
When a particular product batch is subject to a complaint or recall, distributors need to identify affected inventory quickly. This includes determining how much stock remains available and which warehouse transactions have already taken place. Batch-level inventory tracking makes it easier to locate affected products, provided batch information is consistently captured and linked to the relevant stock movements. Complete traceability through to the recipient also requires access to corresponding order and delivery records.

Integrating warehouse management software with existing ERP or inventory management systems can therefore play an important role in connecting operational warehouse data with customer and distribution information.

For Irish medical device distributors, these capabilities can support internal quality procedures and product traceability requirements under applicable EU regulations.

Order picking with batch and expiry date information.
Accurate order picking involves more than selecting the correct product. Depending on the product and customer requirements, warehouse employees may also need to verify batch numbers and expiry dates before dispatch. The FEFO principle (First Expired, First Out) is particularly relevant for products with limited shelf lives. Under this approach, products with the earliest expiry dates are prioritised for picking, provided they meet the requirements of the order. Digitally supported picking processes help employees verify products and record stock withdrawals. The specific batch validation checks and picking rules available depend on the system configuration and the distributor's operational requirements.

Improving warehouse performance with business intelligence.
Beyond inventory accuracy, warehouse performance analysis is becoming increasingly important for pharmaceutical and medical device distributors. Which products generate the highest number of stock movements? Where do delays occur during order picking? Which inventory categories tie up significant working capital?

COSYS WebDesk provides central access to inventory and process information. Additional Business Intelligence capabilities allow businesses to analyse warehouse KPIs and identify opportunities for operational improvement. These insights can support decisions regarding warehouse layout, stock planning, picking processes and inventory allocation.

For distributors managing extensive medical product ranges, combining operational data with analytical capabilities provides a stronger foundation for continuous warehouse optimisation. 

Combines warehouse software, hardware and services.
Reliable digital warehouse management requires more than a standalone software application. COSYS combines modular warehouse management software with suitable mobile data collection devices, hardware services and process data analytics. Businesses can gradually digitalise existing warehouse structures and expand their systems as operational requirements evolve. Integration with existing ERP platforms can also be considered according to individual project requirements.

For pharmaceutical wholesalers and medical device distributors this integrated approach provides practical advantages: greater visibility of batch-controlled inventory, improved traceability of warehouse movements and more effective control over daily operations.


@COSYS_Ident @COSYS_Ident @PresseBox #Medical #Pharma #Ireland

Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Cybersecure custody transfer for hydrocarbons.

A cybersecure, scalable architecture helps operators improve operational continuity, reduce lifecycle complexity and build a resilient foundation for future growth.

Emerson's DeltaV™ FB3000 remote terminal unit (RTU) technology has been extended to provide midstream energy companies with a strategic automation foundation for standardising liquids operations. New liquids capabilities, proving and batch management functionality will help operators deliver a cybersecure, unified approach to measurement, control and operational visibility, strengthening confidence in critical transactions.

The midstream liquids market has traditionally faced limited options for reliable liquids measurement with proven batching capability. As sparse options have offered limited updates and supply chain and availability issues, pipelines transporting crude oil, refined petroleum products, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas liquids, condensate, specialty chemicals and liquid hydrocarbons have struggled to maintain and prove accurate measurement, standardise and automate processes across assets and facilities, and improve cybersecurity standards to meet increasing scrutiny and regulation in the hydrocarbon industry. The DeltaV FB3000 RTU – well-known in the industry for bringing gas measurement, control, communications and cybersecurity together on one common platform – now supports integrated proving and batch management functionality for liquids.

These enhancements help companies standardise liquids and gas measurement, control, communications and cybersecurity on a common platform. Operators can standardise processes across hydrocarbon pipelines, gathering systems, terminals, storage facilities and production assets into a single scalable architecture that reduces complexity, leads to consistent cybersecurity practices and supports phased modernisation efforts.

“Many operators continue to manage liquids measurement, control and communications through separate systems that increase complexity and long-term costs,” said Aaron Boettcher, vice president and general manager for Emerson’s energy and transportation solutions business. “The DeltaV FB3000 RTU helps simplify that environment by consolidating these critical functions into a single, scalable platform. With Emerson’s ability to mobilise local automation expertise around the world, operators can standardise assets, accelerate modernisation efforts and position their operations to better adapt to evolving business and regulatory requirements.”

Advanced Pulse Module and proving and batch management functionality in the DeltaV FB3000 RTU help operators improve measurement integrity and streamline operational workflows. In addition, Zero Trust-centred cybersecure-by-design architecture helps protect critical measurement data throughout the custody transfer lifecycle. Global lifecycle support helps oil and gas operators improve performance, better manage maintenance and lifecycle costs, and build a flexible, secure foundation for expansion, operational improvements, new product additions, updates and upgrades.


@EmersonExchange @AspenTech @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation  @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Oil_Gas 

Towards cost effective drive systems.

A competence centre for energy efficiency. 

Nord Drivesystems helps system operators to design drive solutions tailored to their application, thus making targeted use of efficiency potential. For this purpose, the company provides a competence centre with specific consultation services. Energy-efficient drive systems reduce energy consumption and thus the energy costs of the respective systems. Users can benefit from this consultation expertise.

Optimising energy and operating costs for drive systems.
During its TCO consultation (TCO = total cost of ownership), the system provider evaluates all costs across the components’ life cycle and recommends how drive systems should be optimally sized to ensure cost-effective energy and cost management. This encompasses all costs associated with the purchase, operation, potential maintenance and recycling of a drive system.

Spotting savings potential.
With its Nord ECO service, the drive specialist supports companies in the energy-efficient optimisation of applications through retrofitting. As a first step, users can use the Nord ECO Quick Calculator online to estimate whether upgrading to a higher efficiency class is worthwhile and determine the expected break-even point for a retrofit.

Nord ECO then provides a real-time analysis of the application’s energy consumption. The system is installed between the drive and the power supply. Over a period of two months, it records data on sustained loads, peak loads and irregular operating conditions. In this way, Nord provides transparency regarding the energy that is actually used and that which is not. On this basis, the system provider draws up a proposal for the drive design, which can be used to improve the system’s performance and efficiency.

Configuration of drive systems with high efficiency.
Finally, Nord offers components that enable customers to put the recommendations into practice. Well-known examples are the IE5+ synchronous motor and the integrated gear unit/motor concept DuoDrive. In both cases, permanent-magnet synchronous motors achieve a high level of efficiency that exceeds that of the highest energy efficiency class (IE5). They also deliver constant torque across a wide speed range. This makes it possible to reduce the number of variants.


@NORD_Drive @mepaxIntPR #Sustainability #PAuto

Monday, 9 November 2026

A Strategic European Champion in industrial robotics.

Industrial robots support advanced manufacturing processes across strategic industries with their variety, speed and precision.

As European nations increase investments in security, the ability to manufacture strategically important systems within Europe has become a critical priority. From aerospace systems, communication equipment, batteries and advanced sensor technologies, modern defence manufacturing increasingly depends on highly automated and resilient production. In this environment, Stäubli offers significant strategic value as Europe's leading robotics manufacturer.

Supporting European industrial sovereignty.
Robotics is an industry in transition. In the past decade, ownership of Europe's largest industrial robot manufacturers has shifted outside the continent. German manufacturer KUKA has been fully owned by China's Midea Group since 2022. Comau, founded in Italy, came under majority ownership of a U.S. private equity firm, One Equity Partners, in 2025. Swedish-Swiss ABB Group agreed in 2025 to sell its robotics division to Japan’s SoftBank Group (see also "Robotics Divested!" 5/11/20267).

Industrial robots are essential to modern manufacturing and play a critical role not only in defence and security, but also in sectors ranging from semiconductors and pharmaceuticals to automotive and energy. As European companies across sectors seek to reduce dependencies and improve supply chain resilience, Stäubli—as the last major manufacturer of industrial robots to remain independently European-owned—offers a trusted source of advanced automation technology.

Stäubli’s European operations have been anchored in Faverges (F) for over a century. Today, the Robotics Division’s core development and manufacturing are centred there, combining engineering excellence with local production capabilities, ensuring direct customer support, secure supply chains, and long-term technological independence. Its presence helps ensure that critical industrial capabilities remain developed, produced and supported within Europe.

Driving innovation and delivering trusted technology.
For decades, Stäubli has been recognised for its expertise in highly demanding sectors such as life sciences, semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, and clean energy. The company's high-performance industrial robots are known worldwide for their precision, reliability, cleanroom capabilities and long service life, which make them particularly well suited for mission-critical production environments. In strategically sensitive sectors, Stäubli's independent European ownership offers an additional layer of confidence: reduced exposure to shifting export controls and geopolitical risk, and a supply chain that remains accountable within Europe.

A strategic asset for Europe's future.
As Industry 4.0 and sustainable manufacturing continue to accelerate, robotics will play an increasingly important role in Europe's economic future. Stäubli represents far more than a successful industrial company. It reflects European engineering expertise, technological innovation, industrial capabilities, and a strong commitment to long-term competitiveness, all of which contribute to Europe's evolving industrial landscape.

At a time when strategic technologies are advancing rapidly across the globe, the continued development of a strong European robotics ecosystem remains an important factor in supporting industrial innovation and competitiveness. Stäubli's ongoing growth contributes to the expansion of advanced manufacturing capabilities, supports efforts to strengthen industrial value chains, and reinforces Europe's position as a leading participant in the global industrial sector for years to come.


@StaubliRobots @EU_Growth @PresseBox @UnnGmbh #Robotics #PAuto #Robotics #Europe


Friday, 6 November 2026

New MD appointed for electronics group.

Nick Bartholomew has been appointed Managing Director of Lane Electronics and Weald Electronics, a long-established manufacturer of rugged circular connectors serving the aerospace, motorsport, industrial and transportation markets.

Nick Bartholomew 
Nick brings more than 26 years of senior leadership experience in defence, rail and aerospace prime contracting. He has led major business units and programme teams operating in complex, safety-critical environments. His career spans sales, contracts, purchasing, operations and major transformation programmes, giving him deep insight into customer expectations, supply-chain performance and the technical demands of mission-critical markets.

A Sussex native, Nick is passionate about strengthening UK manufacturing supply chain resilience, accelerating product innovation and driving growth in fast-paced, high-reliability markets. He is particularly excited to lead two organisations renowned for customer service, technical expertise, customisation and responsive delivery.

Outside work, Nick lives in Sussex with his wife, Sarah, and their three daughters. He is a long-standing Brighton & Hove Albion supporter and an enthusiastic padel player and paddleboarder.

Nick Bartholomew says: “I am energised by the opportunity to lead Lane Electronics and Weald Electronics into their next phase of growth, building on strong foundations and expanding their presence in existing and emerging markets. A key opportunity is to bring our motorsport experience to a wider range of sectors, helping customers meet demanding connectivity requirements where reliability, customisation and responsive delivery matter.”

Lane Electronics supplies LF, power, RF and fibre-optic connectors and cable assemblies that are widely used in defence and security applications. It is a franchised distributor for many of the industry’s leading electrical and electronic connector manufacturers, including Eaton Souriau, HUBER+SUHNER, Weald Electronics, HellermannTyton, IEH, Positronic, Axon’, Nicomatic and LEMO. The company has supplied connectivity solutions for more than 60 years. 

With design, manufacturing and test facilities at its Slinfold Lodge headquarters in Sussex, Weald Electronics can tailor connector solutions to meet customers’ specific requirements on short lead times. It also provides bespoke, value-added electrical and optical termination services for connector products.


@FC_Lane @proactivefleet  #PAuto #Electrical

Automation and health partnership announced.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) Society — a society supporting the international PHM community across all sectors and domains — have signed a technical partnership agreement to advance their shared goals.

The two organisations have agreed to plan for contributions to the other’s events and to collaborate on standards development. As an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO), ISA can identify existing ISA committees where PHM experts can participate and create new standards writing committees where both organisations agree that technical areas overlap.

Claire Fallon

"This partnership brings together two communities that depend on reliable, data-driven insight into industrial systems," said Claire Fallon, CEO of ISA. "By working with the PHM Society, we can connect our standards and certification expertise with their research and practitioner network, which benefits members on both sides."

The PHM Society holds conferences in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region bringing together original equipment manufacturers, technology companies, academic institutions, and public research and development organisations. The Society also carries out professional development programs that add value to the broader PHM community.

ISA hosts the ISA Automation Summit & Expo and the Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity Summit each year, in addition to developing widely used global standards and conformity assessment programs, certifying professionals, providing education and training, and publishing books and technical articles. It also offers networking and career development programs for members and customers worldwide.

"The PHM Society seeks technical partnerships that create mutual value, and ISA's automation expertise is a strong match for our goals," said Andrew Hess, president of the PHM Society. “We look forward to collaborating on programs that serve engineers, researchers, and organisations working in prognostics and health management."


@phmsociety @ISA_Automation @automation_com #Health #Automation

Thursday, 5 November 2026

Robotics divested!


ABB has announced that it had signed an agreement to divest its Robotics division to SoftBank Group Corp. (SoftBank) for an enterprise value of $5.375 billion (€4.75b).

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The process to obtain the regulatory approvals is managed by SoftBank. ABB confirms that it has been informed by SoftBank that the Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review in China has prohibited the acquisition of the ABB Robotics business in China. ABB and SoftBank are in close dialogue and are working constructively on the transaction.


@ABBRobotics @SoftBank_Group @ABBgroupnews @abb_automation #PAuto #Robotics