As with many crazily wonderful ideas Pedal4Innovation was conceived in a bar.  Laurence Dellicott, EMEA Director of Field Applications and Pete Carr, Area Technical Manager of Silica set themselves the task of raising at least £20,000 for charity during a 5-day cycling marathon in May.  Taking in key universities the event is also launching a competition to get university students developing exciting new products with the chance to win £3000 towards their tuition fees.

Promoting Pedal4Innovation is a great study in using traditional and new media in the electronics industry to publicise a thoroughly worthwhile event.

Electronics Weekly is signed up as the media partner for the exercise and is promoting the pedal4innovation website on its home page. There are YouTube, Facebook and Twitter presences with regular updates and competitions for staff to generate interest and drive donations for the initiative.

The result? Laurence and Pete have already comfortably exceeded their target, with donations to the Neuroblastoma Alliance and Alzheimer’s Research UK exceeding £25,000 and the total is still rising.

The drawings are published on the portal run by Traceparts, a leading CAD software company with nearly a million registered users and a database of millions of parts including electronic components. They can be downloaded at http://www.tracepartsonline.net/ws/omron/index.aspx.

Commenting, Mark Jones, COO of Omron Electronic Components Europe, said, “Now, customers can quickly find a 2D or 3D CAD drawing of the Omron component they need for their design, and download it instantly in native formats for popular CAD systems or industry standard CAD formats. This will enable engineers to design PCB layouts much quicker and more efficiently. Technical specifications and datasheets are already available on the Omron website.”

By registering on the Traceparts website, Omron customers can readily search the catalogue of Omron components, view the components and configure them to suit their specific requirements then download a 2D or 3D CAD model in their preferred format.

About Omron Omron Electronic Components Europe is a leader in electromechanical PCB relays, as well as a leading supplier of components such as micro switches, MOSFET relays, DIP switches, photomicrosensors and connectors. In addition, Omron has a strong portfolio of innovative technologies including optical display devices, fibre-optic components, MEMS sensors and components, modules and high frequency devices for wireless applications.

Omron Electronic Components Europe strongly supports its customers in Western and Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS through 8 regional offices, a network of local offices and partnerships with specialist, local, regional and global distributors. 

Omron Electronic Components Europe is a subsidiary of the Omron Corporation, recognised worldwide as a leader of high quality, high technology electrical and electronic control equipment and component products. 

Press Contact: Peter van der Sluijs, Neesham Public Relations, Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180, Email: peterv@neesham.co.uk

State-of-the-art signage On the Gallery level at Screenmedia expo, BroadSign will be conducting webinars showcasing some of the most innovative and successful uses of its digital signage software in the world today and explaining how it is done. There will be four presentations, each focused on digital signage in a particular class of venue: * State-of-the-art Signage in Retail and Vending: 16 May, 10-11am * State-of-the-art Signage in Healthcare and Fitness: 16 May, 1-2pm * State-of-the-art Signage in Transit and Outdoor: 17 May, 10-11am * State-of-the-art Signage in Cinema and Social Venues: 17 May, 1-2pm To attend one of these briefings, please contact Daniel.parisien@broadsign.com

Breakfast/lunch with Cisco Also on the Gallery level, Cisco is offering visitors the chance to see first-hand the latest innovations and learn how Cisco Digital Signage streamlines communications, eliminates globalisation barriers, and increases productivity. * 9:30 am – 10:30 am: Breakfast Breakout – Interactivity in Retail Lisa Fretwell, Director of Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG), will share findings from the “Catch Em and Keep Em” consumer research study speaking to how retailers can attract and retain channel hopping shoppers and the important role interactive digital signage plays * 12 pm – 1 pm: Lunch and Learn – From Information to Engagement Join Erica Schroeder, Cisco’s Director of Video Marketing, for lunch. Erica will discuss the evolution of the digital signage market and share how Cisco is transforming digital signs into highly interactive experiences, creating new ways to increase engagement To reserve your place, email digital_media_system@external.cisco.com

Bar signage This year the Screenmedia expo Bar is sponsored by Acquire Digital, Esprit Digital and FTP Concepts. There will be eight 42-inch HD screens and six double-sided digital wafers that will simultaneously show content from all three partners. All of the hardware has Acquire Digital software installed to manage the content, which will be a mixture of videos, stills and animations. Acquire Digital will be demonstrating its new digital signage solution Signage2Go and will be offering an exclusive promotion to Screenmedia expo visitors. Visit the bar for more details.

Esprit Digital will be showing its History of Digital Video, which takes viewers on a journey through Esprit’s ‘world firsts’ in the industry, including the Digital Lift Panels at Heathrow Airport, the thinnest Double-Sided 55-inch Wafer screens and the Digital Baggage Pods at Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester Airports. It also shows the evolution from the creation of Esprit’s Digital Escalator Panels through to the company’s Award Winning installation at Westfield London’s Stratford City Mall.

Digital development experts, FTP Concepts will be demonstrating new Digital Signage integrated NFC systems and Android hardware. The team will also be at hand to offer their international experience of specifying, building and running scaling digital signage networks.

Digital taxi tops In addition, two of the world’s most iconic taxis – the London Cab and the New York Cab – will flaunt new media platforms from Eyetease Media that offer brands 30% more advertising real estate and 20% brighter screens than the previous version, shown on a Mini Cooper last year. The UK-based market leader in digital broadcast technology for mass city transit will be unveiling its iTaxiTop 2.0 to brands and out-of-home media agencies for the first time. Initial trials are set to commence in several major cities in the USA and Canada from May 2012 onwards.

For more details on the above Screenmedia expo 2012 attractions and more, please visit www.screenevents.co.uk/screenexpo2012

About Screenmedia Expo Organised by Screen Events Ltd, Screenmedia expo showcases the very best in innovative digital place based media used for delivering visual messages that combine the influence of mass advertising with the accuracy of niche marketing. Launched in 2006, the expo is attracting growing interest and international popularity every year, pulling in an audience of supplier and user communities from every major vertical in the digital signage and DOOH sector. Screenmedia expo 2011 delivered 3191 visitors, 30% from outside UK. The 2012 expo will take place at London’s Earls Court 2, 16-17 May. Visit www.screenevents.co.uk

Press contact: Beky Cann Neesham Public Relations Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180 Email: bekyc@neesham.co.uk

Aldershot, UK, 10 May 2012 – Kevin Simmonds joins Carlo Gavazzi UK in the new role of Business Development Manager, responsible for the Energy & Controls product families.

In this new position, Kevin will be developing internal and external marketing and training strategies to support and promote Carlo Gavazzi’s MID certified energy meters. In creating this new position Carlo Gavazzi aims to provide existing customers, M&E Contractors, Consultants and Facilities Managers with all the support required to help them implement successful carbon reduction strategies.

Carlo Gavazzi’s Managing Director Alan Hickman, said. “Kevin’s past experience in the energy management sector will undoubtedly aid our customers looking to reduce and monitor their energy consumption.  I am delighted that Kevin will be strengthening our team and bringing with him outstanding knowledge and skills to drive our business forward”.

Kevin joins Carlo Gavazzi from EMS Powerstar, where he held the position of Sales Engineer. Originally trained as an RAF engineer in instrumentation and communications, Kevin brings many years’ experience in manufacturing, operations and engineering, plus commercial expertise, to the new role.

“I am very much looking forward to getting to know Carlo Gavazzi’s customers and working with their advanced product portfolio.  In this fast moving commercial role I will constantly be looking for ways to promote Carlo Gavazzi on a wider basis and look forward to the challenges that this presents,” commented Kevin.

ENDS

About Carlo Gavazzi Automation Carlo Gavazzi Automation is an international electronics group with activities in the design, manufacture and marketing of electronic equipment targeted at the global markets of industrial and building automation. Carlo Gavazzi Automation provides customers with technologically innovative, high quality and competitive solutions, in compliance with their requirements and expectations through its 21 National Sales Companies in Europe, North America, and Asia & Pacific, operating with its production sites in Denmark, Italy, Malta, Lithuania and China.

For more information regarding Carlo Gavazzi and its range of products, please visit the new format and easy to navigate website: www.carlogavazzi.co.uk

Press Contact: Nicki Langley, Neesham Public Relations, Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180, Email: nickil@neesham.co.uk

It’s easy to hyperventilate about the next big thing and whether or not Blogs / Twitter / Facebook are too yesterday for words.  If you do that, you miss the big picture which is that there are two really major changes that all marketers need to be aware of and encompass.

The first is that our audiences expect us to have a dialogue with them – and to facilitate their interaction with each other. The popular YouTube clip ‘the Break-up’ makes the point very effectively. London consumer agencies say that engagement is all – if you’re not getting it you’re wasting your time.

The second is the “Martini factor”: anytime, anyplace, anywhere. This is elegantly presented by a Secondary School Head here. Our audiences, certainly the younger component of it, are connected every minute of the day, and expect that dialogue to happen at any time.

If you change your marketing strategy with every stirring of the online breeze you haven’t got a strategy – but if you’re not encompassing these macro trends in your thinking, think again.

PS: Take a look at Lou Covey’s perceptive blog post following on from this.

Aldershot, UK, 10 May 2012 – Carlo Gavazzi UK will be attending Nemex 2012, the National Energy Management Exhibition, to highlight their range of advanced MID certified energy meters and management software. Visitors to Carlo Gavazzi stand P1 from 22nd – 24th May will have the opportunity to view demonstrations of the recently re-launched EM23 and EM24 devices for energy metering and cost allocation applications.

Alongside its family of energy meters Carlo Gavazzi will also be demonstrating its PowerSoft energy management software. Experts will be available throughout the event to answer queries and discuss projects.

Energy Metering Family

Carlo Gavazzi’s popular family of easy-to-install DIN three phase energy meters has been updated to meet the requirements of the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID). The next generation EM23-DIN energy meter and EM24-DIN energy analyser are available now.

The self-powered EM23 energy meter offers direct three-phase connection up to 65A and is now available with AV2 or AV9 input rating and an auto-range display function up to 1kWh. Just four DIN modules wide, the meter requires no programming and simple display of variables is achieved via a built in joy stick. An LCD display shows both active and reactive measurements and a pulse output is provided for easy transmission of energy values to PLCs. The meter is mounted in an IP50 housing (front face) to protect against dust and moisture ingress.

Featuring a built in joystick and LCD display, the EM24 three-phase Energy Analyser has two digital outputs for either dual pulse, dual alarm or one pulse/one alarm, and the pulse output duration can be set at Ton of 30 or 100ms. Alternative output options are for a RS485 communication port or Dupline port, both with three digital inputs for connection to up to three energy meters such as gas, hot/cold water or kWh. In addition, the prescaler decimal point can be selected by the user from 0.001 to 999.9 (m3/pulse or kWh/pulse).

In addition the new EM21 meter with detachable display and EM26 meter with pulse output and MODBUS functionality will also be unveiled. This latest generation of meters allows the CT ratio to be programmed when switched on for the first time; allowing for easy installation.

About Carlo Gavazzi Automation
Carlo Gavazzi Automation is an international electronics group with activities in the design, manufacture and marketing of electronic equipment targeted at the global markets of industrial and building automation. Carlo Gavazzi Automation provides customers with technologically innovative, high quality and competitive solutions, in compliance with their requirements and expectations through its 21 National Sales Companies in Europe, North America, and Asia & Pacific, operating with its production sites in Denmark, Italy, Malta, Lithuania and China.

For more information regarding Carlo Gavazzi and its range of products, please visit the new format and easy to navigate website: www.carlogavazzi.co.uk

For more information contact:
Carlo Gavazzi UK Ltd, 7 Springlakes Industrial Estate, Deadbrook Lane, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4UH.

Sales enquiries: tel: +44 (0) 1252 339600, fax: +44 (0) 1252 326799, email: sales@carlogavazzi.co.uk, web: www.carlogavazzi.co.uk

Editorial or advertising enquiries: email: lucyb@neesham.co.uk, tel: +44 (0) 1296 628199

Press Contact:
Nicki Langley, Neesham Public Relations, Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180,
Email: nickil@neesham.co.uk

INTEROP, LAS VEGAS, Nev., May 8, 2012 – LSI Corporation (NYSE: LSI) today announced a collaboration with Vineyard Networks to accelerate network performance by combining Vineyard’s deep packet inspection (DPI) software engine with the LSI® Axxia® processor with Virtual PipelineT technology. The solution allows datacenter and mobile network operators to recognize applications on the network and prioritize important traffic, improving the end-user experience for applications such as video and collaboration platforms.

This solution is designed to: * Identify applications running on the network in real-time, allowing operators to prioritize important traffic * Offload application recognition and monitoring from the host processor, freeing it to perform other tasks * Be fully field-upgradable with new signatures as new applications and protocols become prominent * Reduce time to market by enabling manufacturers to easily add high-performance DPI technology to their x86-based server or appliance

“Datacenters and mobile networks are contending with massive traffic growth, and need solutions to recognize applications and tune network performance to deliver a great user experience,” said Noy Kucuk, vice president of marketing, Networking Components Division, LSI. “By combining Vineyard’s software with the Axxia processor, manufacturers have an easy-to-deploy solution for application recognition.”

As more and more applications are delivered over the network, the ability to identify traffic without impacting network performance is critical. By offloading application recognition and monitoring to Vineyard’s Network Application Visibility Library (NAVL) deep packet inspection software running on the LSI Axxia processor family, datacenters and mobile networks can detect applications such as social networking, file sharing and Web 2.0 applications in real-time without using the host processor.    “The integration of Vineyard’s next-generation DPI engine, NAVL, on the sophisticated hardware architecture of the Axxia family of products, provides one of the fastest and highest performance methods of adding deep application recognition and metadata extraction to a networking solution,” said Jason Richards, CEO, Vineyard Networks. “We’ll continue to evolve the solution to keep current with the newest web trends for applications and networking protocols.”

Both companies will be demonstrating the combined solution at Interop Las Vegas 2012, May 6-10, at Mandalay Bay.

About LSI LSI Corporation (NYSE: LSI) designs semiconductors and software that accelerate storage and networking in data centers and mobile networks. Our technology is the intelligence critical to enhanced application performance, and is applied in solutions created in collaboration with our partners. More information is available at www.lsi.com.

LSI, the LSI & Design logo, Axxia and Virtual Pipeline are trademarks or registered trademarks of LSI Corporation. All other brand or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

For more information, contact: Nicki Langley Neesham PR +44 (0) 1296 628180 nickil@neesham.co.uk

Poing, Germany, 8 May 2012 – Avnet Memec, an Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT) company, a leading technology, marketing, distribution and services company, has announced a new focussed technical marketing strategy for Europe, headed by the company’s regional vice president for Northern Europe, Bill Walker. As part of a broader restructure, Walker will absorb the role of vice president, technical marketing, in addition to his existing role.

“Bill is the right person to bring the technical marketing community to the next level and to help Avnet Memec to sharpen its profile and further strengthen its position as one of the leading technical distributors across Europe,” stated Steve Haynes, president of Avnet Memec.

From 2004 to July 2005 Walker was president of demand creation for the Memec Group in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Prior to that, he held the position of CEO Insight Memec EMEA. During 20 years with Memec, Walker held a range of senior sales, marketing and management positions. In addition, he served as the Memec representative for the Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA executive team on the successful integration process of Memec into Avnet Electronics Marketing.

With his appointment as technical marketing vice president, the current management structure will remain largely unchanged regarding supplier ownership. However, Walker will initiate a new and more streamlined approach to technical marketing activities, which will primarily focus on major vertical markets and key technologies such as low power devices and power management, convertors, energy harvesting, wireless and wired technologies.

“This new structure will ensure that we can apply the necessary time and focus needed to continue aggressive growth for Avnet Memec sales in EMEA,” explained Walker. Across Europe, seven virtual teams are being established to share information on the latest trends, innovative products and success stories pertaining to markets in building and home automation, fire / security, industrial automation, metering, military / aerospace, track & trace, and computing and data processing.

A further keystone of the new strategy is the establishment of a technology council in which technical and commercial experts from Avnet Memec will define the future supplier and technology strategy.

Concludes Haynes, “I am convinced that the new structure of my management team will be beneficial to the growth of Avnet Memec as well as to our relationship with our customers and our business partners.”

ENDS

About Avnet Memec Avnet Memec, a business unit of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, is a highly specialised semiconductor distributor, operating on a pan-European basis and employing a significant number of engineers to support customers’ design efforts. Avnet Memec specialises in highly innovative suppliers and technologies, which will help a variety of customers to differentiate their designs. Its area of specialisation extends from Analog and Microcontrollers to RF, Datacom and Networking. The business unit operates out of 31 offices in 19 European countries and represents major semiconductor franchises on a pan-European basis. www.avnet-memec.eu

Press Contact: Nicki Langley –   Neesham Public Relations Tel: +44 (0) 1622 210080 Email: nickil@neesham.co.uk

Electronics Industry

-          Electronic Product Design e-Legacy awards – 31 May

-          New Electronics BEEA Awards – 1 June

-          Electronics Weekly Elektra Awards – 8 July

-          The IET Innovation Awards – 31 July

Digital Signage

-          AV Magazine AV Awards – 11 May

There is nothing like scooping an award to make everyone walk on air for a week or two, but just being shortlisted is an achievement. Typically between a quarter and a fifth of entries make it onto the shortlist, and if yours is one, take the opportunity and celebrate. Book a table and throw a party for the team that made it happen, and invite some customers you’re trying to impress – especially perhaps those interested in the shortlisted product.

A question we often get asked is: can I send my distributor/ PA / PR company to collect the award ? You could, but then, whose face do you want to see in the presentation pics that will be all over the sponsoring publication the next day?

Freiburg, Germany, 3 May 2012 – Pyramid Computer GmbH, an innovator of custom professional IT solutions, has released the NetBen II appliance server platform, providing unique features for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to offer the best possible uptime and connectivity in data centre applications such as Unified Threat Management (UTM).

“Our NetBen II appliance server platform provides ISVs and OEMs with a unique offering for the network security market” said Frieder Hansen, CEO of Pyramid Computer. “Currently, no other provider is able to match its feature-rich capability. Developed using our FlexSysteme principles, NetBen II provides a robust and scalable appliance server platform leveraging industry standards for ease of integration and maintenance.”

Featuring redundant power supplies and fan units that are not only hot-swappable but also front accessible without withdrawing the unit or removing panels, NetBen II permits extremely fast repair for maximum uptime. The highly configurable front panel features six module slots supporting up to 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and also has two USB2.0 ports, a VGA port, and a built-in LCD panel aiding setup, servicing and diagnostics. PCI Express® x8 expansion slots are also provided.

The front panel also provides four permanent RJ45 sockets, which can be used for general LAN connections or system monitoring leveraging support for Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) 2.0. A further six USB2.0 ports, as well as PS/2 and RS-232 serial interfaces, are available at the rear panel. The 3U-high rack-mount enclosure has a space-saving 450mm (18-inch) installation depth.

NetBen II combines its easy flexibility with a high-performance processing subsystem comprising dual Intel® XeonT X5650 6-core 2.66GHz processors, Intel 5520 chipset, Matrox G200eW graphics processor, 12GB DDR3 memory, and two 250GB SATA-II drives including the option of a solid-date disk. An on-board SATA-II RAID controller simplifies integration of enterprise-level storage and backup.

OEM customers can rely on long-term support, with supply of the main board assured until Q1/2016, as well as the freedom to specify branding with custom colours and logos.

Major features of NetBen II: Configurable, standards-compliant platform for third-party customisation Dual Intel® XeonT 6-core processors Matrox graphics processor and 12GB DDR3 DRAM Front-accessible PSUs, fans, LAN modules Copper or fibre LAN connectivity 650W power rating, 100-240V AC input voltage range 3U steel rackmount enclosure; 17kg nominal weight Space-saving 450mm (18-inch) installation depth

-ends-

About Pyramid For more than 25 years Pyramid Computer GmbH, based in Freiburg, Germany, has specialised in the development and production of customised IT systems for professional users. Over 100 staff are employed at its headquarters in Freiburg, as well as at its production and logistics centre in Erfurt. Since 1997, Pyramid has been continually awarded TÜV ISO 9001 certification and is successfully audited by major industrial customers on a regular basis. For further information, please visit www.pyramid.de

Beky Cann Neesham Public Relations Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180 Email: bekyc@neesham.co.uk