Monthly Archives: February 2020

Community First Credit Union of Appleton, Wisconsin, has selected ClickSWITCH as its technology provider for automating the account switching process for direct deposits and recurring payments.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200225005241/en/

ClickSWITCH's automated switch solution (Photo: ClickSWITCH)

"Improving the experience of new and existing members who are switching accounts to Community First is incredibly important. ClickSWITCHs technology simplifies what is often a cumbersome process, bringing a simplified experience that removes barriers to help us serve our members better," noted Cathie Tierney, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We feel that ClickSWITCH will be a valuable tool in achieving our deposit growth goals and increase the number of new and existing members that use us as their primary financial institution."

ClickSWITCH provides a solution to financial institutions, allowing account holders to switch direct deposits and recurring payments in just a few minutes. The solution also enables financial institutions and neobanks the ability to fund new accounts and increase the profitability of new account holders.

"Community Firsts relationship-based focus is the perfect complement to the technology ClickSWITCH provides. Our solution provides a quick and easy process for consumers to change their banking relationship without hassle," said Eric Edwards, Chief Revenue Officer for ClickSWITCH. "From neobanks, to credit unions, ClickSWITCH is now helping over 400 financial institutions meet their growth goals."

To learn more about ClickSWITCH, visit booth #272 at the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., February 23 27, 2020.

For more information on Community First Credit Union, please visit communityfirstcu.org.

About ClickSWITCHClickSWITCH is an automated account switching solution for financial institutions and fintechs that simplifies the process of bringing new account holders onboard by quickly, safely and efficiently switching direct deposits and automatic payments from old accounts to new ones. The company enables clients to drive deposit growth, increase primary account holders and expand cross-selling opportunities. ClickSWITCH is a technology leader delivering world-class solutions to financial institutions of all sizes. For more information, visit http://www.ClickSWITCH.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200225005241/en/

Contacts

Ashley DAlessandro612-424-5350x1005adalessandro@clickswitch.com

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Community First Credit Union Chooses ClickSWITCH's Renowned Account Switching and Automation Technology to Drive Deposits - Yahoo Finance

Ethisphere has named Rockwell Automation as a 2020 Worlds Most Ethical Company

Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, has been recognized as one of the 2020 Worlds Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, a renowned voice in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. The recognition honors companies that exemplify purpose-based strategy and are committed to making positive changes throughout their international communities.

Rockwell Automation has been recognized twelve times with this honor and is the only honoree in the Diversified Machinery industry category. In 2020, 132 honorees were recognized spanning 21 countries and 51 industries.

"We are proud of this recognition by Ethisphere, which once again highlights our commitment to ethics and integrity," said Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation. "We place a high value on integrity in every business decision we make, and that fosters an environment where all employees can and want to do their best work. Our culture of integrity is the foundation of our success and helps us deliver long-term value to our customers, shareowners, and employees."

"Congratulations to Rockwell Automation for earning this recognition," said Ethispheres Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. "This honor acknowledges the purpose-driven leaders and employees at Rockwell Automation, who are working to advance corporate cultures defined by integrity and affirm those companies contributing to broader societal imperatives and the greater good."

Methodology & Scoring

Grounded in Ethispheres proprietary Ethics Quotient, the Worlds Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity and initiatives to support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of organizations across industries and around the globe. Best practices and insights from the 2020 honorees will be released in a report and webcast in March and April of this year.

All companies that participate in the assessment process receive an Analytical Scorecard providing them a holistic assessment of where their programs stand against the demanding standards of leading companies.

Honorees

The full list of the 2020 World's Most Ethical Companies can be found at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 23,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing The Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit http://www.rockwellautomation.com.

About the Ethisphere Institute

The Ethisphere Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character and measure and improve culture. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its Worlds Most Ethical Companies recognition program and provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA). More information about Ethisphere can be found at: https://ethisphere.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200225005250/en/

Contacts

Media Contacts Rockwell Automation Media ContactKolve ByrdRockwell Automation+1 (414) 382-5679kabyrd@ra.rockwell.com

Ethisphere Media ContactClea Nabozny+1 (480) 397-2658clea.nabozny@ethisphere.com

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Rockwell Automation Named One of the World's Most Ethical Companies for The 12th Time - Yahoo Finance

The past couple of years demonstrated rapid growth in Robotics Process Automation (RPA), which continues to be a strategic priority for many organizations. Research published in December by Gartner showed that RPA adoption grew by 60% from 2018. It also predicted that in 2024, automation combined with redesigned operational processes will reduce 30% of an organizations operational costs, making it even more enticing for industrial enterprises. With such momentum, RPA is revolutionizing business operations, including those of industry leaders, which has led to an automation-first mindset across all industries. In the face of RPA implementation, more organizations are finding ways to adapt quickly to the increasingly competitive business environment.

An automation-first mindset enables everyone in the organization to drive robotics ideas. It embraces continuous improvement by analyzing processes and eventually identifying candidates for automation, thereby building on the framework that improves productivity without spending too much on sophisticated software or hiring additional manpower. Guaranteeing the success of an organizational automation-first mindset lies in one critical factor: engaged people. Without it, automation is reduced to a catchphrase, and RPA is just another technology.

RPA is playing a vital role in the age of digital transformation. While it has showcased its benefits, many fear that it will replace jobs and diminish the value of human workers. While full-scale RPA implementation eliminates job redundancies, organizations tend to overcomplicate this benefit; as a result, people misjudge the intentions of RPA and automated solutions as a whole.

Undeniably, RPA has an impact on an organizations workforce. People are so used to spending most of their time on high-volume mechanical tasks that accurately adhere to a set of procedures that they fail to find meaning in their work. However, this is where one of the significant benefits of RPA comes in. Through robotics, people can concentrate on value-adding activities that create higher knowledge and encourage the acquisition of new competencies as RPA takes repetitive and low-value tasks off their hands. Employees can focus on meaningful work where they can gain leverage over robots and machines. Even though RPA initially disrupts the status quo, its long-term benefit is to create strategic roles that give people a more profound sense of purpose in an organization.

To ensure a people-centered RPA implementation, organizations should have a well-designed change management program that will allow employees to appreciate what RPA is and dispel their fear of replacement by highlighting how it augments the quality of their outputs. People often dread disruptive technologies because they bring change, sometimes job losses; therefore, organizations implementing RPA, regardless of scale, should disclose their purpose with an effort to support those employees directly impacted by the change. How to harness technology for people to learn new skills and unlock opportunities should be carefully defined and planned out. If effectively undertaken, an RPA initiative will be embraced by people, setting the tone to kickstart the strategic plan for technological transformation.

For an organization to succeed in RPA implementation, it must nurture a culture that commits to a shared mission, applying the ABCs of change management.

First, organization-wide Awareness on RPA should be prioritized to address resistance to change and empower stakeholders to be program partners. This goal is usually achieved by conducting an RPA business onboarding and articulation on why change is necessary rather than maintaining the status quo. The RPA onboarding should create a safe space for people to air their thoughts and be more participative. It invites insights and suggestions from the stakeholders to identify tasks that can be automated. As ideas are pooled, it is necessary to emphasize how RPA will enable people to focus and develop their core skills. This method will help eliminate fears of job replacement and secure the commitment of people as they warm up to the idea of change.

Second, organizations should Build a base of knowledge. To get people engaged, they must be equipped with sufficient knowledge on the tools to be used in pursuit of the automation initiative. Each person within an organization can take ownership of the RPA implementation process through training activities. The change will eventually resonate in the entire organization. Firms can invest in setting up RPA boot camps, initially for a small group, with the intent of creating the base knowledge of the firm on digitization and automation. They can eventually champion RPA and lead projects within their departments, cascading their newly-acquired skills and knowledge to their team members as the organization prepares to expand involvement towards enterprise-wide integration. Other highly-valued skills like data analytics, design thinking, and collaboration should also be included as core skills in preparation for the changes in job roles once RPA has reached its full scale.

Finally, to sustain organization-wide engagement, a change management program should leverage the power of communication through storytelling. Newsletters and focus group discussions on how RPA helped individuals be effective in what they do, increased their productivity, improved their efficiency, and provided job satisfaction, will help sustain initiatives on robotic transformation. Sharing the impact of an RPA project on both the operational and financial aspects of the business will inspire people to align their individual goals with the organizations success factors, reinforcing the vision of creating a better work culture.

The goal of the change management program is to empower individuals, freeing them from menial tasks and preparing them to assume greater roles that contribute to innovative insights. People can be empowered when organizations acknowledge their sentiments, encourage their involvement as early as possible, and actualize support as employees go through the process of change. Because no matter how profound RPA is (or any technology for that matter), one thing remains certain human capital will continue to be the most valuable resource of any business.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

Jay Armand B. Ogayon is a Digital Transformation Solutions Manager at Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

+63 (2) 8845 2728

jay.armand.b.ogayon@.pwc.com

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People first in the age of automation - BusinessWorld Online

The digital transformation of businesses is in full swing and the move towards cloud technology is putting many organisations at increasing risk of cyberthreats. To combat these threats, CISOs are using software automation.

This is according to a CISO Benchmark Report from Cisco, which polled some 2,800 security professionals from 13 countries around the world. The company argues that businesses are using digital transformation as means of gaining a competitive edge, in every sense of the way.

However, with increasing infrastructure comes increased complexity and reduced visibility into the network and its endpoints. The skills gap and the general lack of a quality workforce is only making matters harder for everyone. Software automation is emerging as a quality solution, as it is capable of simplifying and speeding up the response times in security systems.

For Steve Martino, Senior VP and CISO for Cisco, the problem mostly lies in the fact that many of the security solutions that businesses use dont integrate, thus creating substantial complexity in managing their security environment.

To address this issue, security professionals will continue steady movement towards vendor consolidation, while increasing reliance on cloud security and automation to strengthen their security posture and reduce the risk of breaches.

Vendor consolidation seems to be an inevitability at this point, as the average company uses more than 20 security technologies. While the consolidation is increasing, more than 20 per cent of CISOs polled for the report feel managing a multi-vendor environment is very challenging.

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Cloud and automation could be the key to boosting business security - ITProPortal

Birst integrated platform eliminates the need for separate ETL, data modeling, data prep & analytics tools

Infor, a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry, announced it is partnering withSnowflake, the cloud data platform, to help enterprises build automated data warehouses using the Birst full-stack analytics and BI platform.

Birst is a single, integrated, end-to-end platform for building automated data warehouses natively on Snowflake, eliminating the need for separate ELT/ETL (extract, load & transform, and extract, transform & load), data modeling, data preparation and analytics tools. In addition, the Birst platform will provide enterprise data governance and fine-grained control/security, at the row and column level, within Snowflake, along with auditing and built-in usage tracking.

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Joint customers can use Birsts self-service data preparation capabilities to blend end-user-created data with enterprise data in Snowflake, providing true self-service for business users and analysts.

Birst and Snowflake both run natively in AWS (Amazon Web Services), which speeds data processing and querying, while obviating the need to export data out of Snowflake.

We are excited about our partnership with Infor, saidKevin Miller, Snowflake vice president of systems integrators. With this integration, customers can now take advantage of Birsts Networked BI automation and intelligence within Snowflake. This will allow customers an optimized experience while eliminating unnecessary data movement.

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Kim Davis, Infor vice president of BI & analytics partnerships, said, Our joint customers will benefit from the speed, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of Snowflakes zero-management, cloud-built data warehouse. Through this partnership, users can perform all ELT transformations and data warehouse automation within the Snowflake database.

The Birst cloud BI and analytics platform helps organizations understand and optimize processes in less time than traditional solutions. Built with patented automation and machine learning technologies, Birst connects teams and applications across the organization via a trusted network of analytics, delivering insights that help organizations make smarter decisions. This unique approach has helped organizations transform the way they operate, often in 90 days or less.

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Infor and Snowflake Partner to Build Automated Analytics & BI Platform - AiThority

Oliver can also handle another dull task: spray-painting lines on the ground as it rolls along, to indicate the exact placement of walls, water pipes or wiring. With its autonomous guidance system, the robot can independently scan or tag a construction site without human assistance, perhaps at night when itll have the place to itself.

RCML designed Oliver in partnership with Beverly-based Windover Construction. Both companies were assisted by Autodesk, which makes 3-D design software for the construction industry and runs a technology center in the Seaport District where architects and construction companies can learn and develop new building techniques.

At Autodesk, RCML chief executive Lana Graf encountered engineers from Windover working on new construction techniques. From them she learned of the need for a cheaper, more efficient way to run 3-D scans.

"They would not have found each other if they hadnt both been here, said Rick Rundell, who runs Autodesks technology centers.

These days, architects build virtual structures inside a computer long before construction workers break ground. Autodesk makes software that can simulate every detail of a building, down to the placement of light switches and sprinkler nozzles.

But construction workers are only human; how to make sure that sprinkler nozzle is the right location, that corner angle is set to just the right degree? Since the 1990s, contractors have been using laser scanners to generate 3-D images of the building as they erect it. These images of the real building can be overlaid on the architects virtual building to identify discrepancies before they throw the whole thing out of whack.

Its measureable and accurate up to one millimeter, said Scott Diaz, director of business development for the construction industry at FARO Technologies, a Florida company that makes the 3-D laser scanner used by Oliver. "Youre now able to bring the real world onto your desktop.

Such scans must be done regularly, floor by floor, to catch errors before they get out of hand. Thats where Oliver comes in. Its named for MIT graduate Oliver Smoot, who in a famous stunt in 1958 laid his body end-over-end across the Massachusetts Avenue bridge to measure the length of the river crossing in "Smoots.

Oliver features a laser scanner mounted about 5 feet high that can rotate 360 degrees. At the front and rear of the robot, LIDAR detectors use a separate laser system to detect landmarks and avoid obstacles, so Oliver can find its own way through the area. The robot stops and scans multiple locations, storing the captured data in the same kind of SD memory card used in digital cameras.

Its scanner beams millions of laser dots and the reflected light builds out a 3-D map. It can also repeat the process using a digital camera that records the color of every object for additional realism. When loaded into a computer, the result is an almost photo-like image of the mapped area, that can be compared with the digital blueprints.

Once programmed, Oliver can navigate the construction site on its own, running its scans at night when workers are off duty and having them ready for architects the next morning. With its large rubber tires, Oliver can climb stairs or a ramp, so it can scan multiple floors.

In addition, Olivers chassis contains room for a can of paint, and a spray nozzle. Guided by its map of the area, the robot can show workers where to install walls, doorways, cables, and ducts. The prototype holds just one can of paint, but future versions could carry multiple colors - perhaps white for walls, black for doorways, red for electric wires, and blue for water pipes.

Spawned by graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, RCML makes software that lets robots from different manufacturers work with each other. For instance, its software helps manage robots on the assembly lines of carmaker Tesla. But RCML also creates robotic hardware, such as a machine for stacking donut baskets that they designed for fast food chain Dunkin Donuts.

Graf has come to believe that theres huge potential in putting robots to work in the building trades. I was literally seeing so many inefficiencies in the construction industry, she said. "We would like to reduce waste out of construction, and we would like to make it eco-friendly.

Windover vice president Amr Raafat does not expect that Oliver will eliminate jobs. Instead the robot will free up highly-paid technical staff, who have plenty of other work to do.

For now, Oliver is just a prototype thats been tested at three Windover construction sites. But Graf hopes to make such robots a common sight on building projects worldwide. Others have had the same idea. One of the Boston areas best known robot makers. Boston Dynamics, which has generated worldwide attention with its four-legged Spot robots, is working with FARO to develop a walking laser scanner that could scamper around a construction site like a Labrador retriever.

Hiawatha Bray can be reached at hiawatha.bray@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeTechLab.

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Robotic hard hat: automation does the tedious survey work at construction sites - The Boston Globe

DFLabs, the award-winning Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) vendor is pleased to announce the availability of IncMan 5.0. It is a completely new release, with a series of fresh features, such as:

The new release of IncMan SOAR will provide clients and partners with an optimized platform with unprecedented speed and flexibility. Specific attention was placed at improving the execution speed of automation, with an increase in automation speed well above 70%.

Users will also be able to design and adapt the interface according to their needs, all the while gaining complete control over their runbooks section. The search functionality has been upgraded, with users now being able to save their searches and identify which keywords are relevant for their research.

Furthermore, the machine learning algorithm for Deduplication/ARK 2.0 has been remodeled to merge incidents with similar characteristics together. This allows IncMan to create incidents only when an original case arises.

DFLabs also completely redesigned the core sections of the platform, and the new interface is particularly crafted to provide users a quicker and more efficient path toward gaining control over their security operations.

Lastly, with the latest enhancements, users will be able to install IncMan SOAR on multiple nodes and increase horizontal scalability. Users can dedicate certain nodes to particular activities whenever they need a high-performance system.

We are extremely pleased to offer this new release, said Dario Forte, CEO, and Founder, DFLabs. IncMan SOAR 5.0 is an important step forward for DFLabs. This new release provides the scalability and enterprise grade capabilities, which are now mandatory for the Next-Gen SOAR.

DFLabs IncMan SOAR is already available and will be demoed at RSA Conference 2020.

Originally posted here:

DFLabs IncMan 5.0: Advanced ML algorithm, and an increased automation speed - Help Net Security

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Netsparker, a leading web application security solution, will be participating in RSA Conference 2020 with a talk by one of the company's leading sales engineers, a live interview with Security Weekly, and a booth in the North Expo.

Vince Hinojosa, a sales engineer with years of experience in the network and web application security industry will present on "Scaling-UP & Automating Your Web Application Security in this Brave New World" at the South Briefing Center, both S-1500 on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 12:40 pm.

During the talk, Vince will look at the challenges that web security professionals are facing, and will explain how one could overcome the challenge by scaling-up and automating the process of identifying vulnerabilities in web applications.

Netsparker has also sponsored a booth at the conference and experts will be available to answer questions about web vulnerability scanning and automation, scaling up web application security. They can be found at booth #6465 in the North Expo during the conference. For those that would like to book a meeting slot or receive more information, contact oksana@netsparker.com.

Kevin Gallagher, chief revenue officer of Netsparker, will participate in a live on-site interview during the conference with Security Weekly on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 am PT. He will be talking about how to gain control and secure all web assets with scaling and automation. The live stream can be accessed here: https://securityweekly.com/live/.

For more information on the RSA Conference, visit: https://www.rsaconference.com/.

About NetsparkerNetsparker is the only web application security solution that delivers automatic verification of vulnerabilities with exclusive pre-scan automation and Proof-Based Scanning technology. Netsparker is an easy to use and fully automated DAST solution that scans any type of web application, provides actionable results, and integrates with company workflow tools to close the loop between IT and developers. This best-in-class web application security solution identifies vulnerabilities from the early stages of application development through production. With global headquarters in London and North American headquarters in Austin, Texas, Netsparker serves customers worldwide in the technology, professional services, banking, and government markets, as well as many Fortune 500 companies. For more information visit https://www.netsparker.com/.

Media Contact:Jodi Bart HolzbandClassic Bart PR + Communicationsjodi@classicbart.com

SOURCE Netsparker

https://www.netsparker.com/

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Netsparker to Present on Automating and Scaling Web Application Security at RSA 2020 - PRNewswire

Digitisation and automation for mining: the only way forwardMarch 2020IT in Manufacturing

The theme for the Mining Indaba 2020 Optimising Growth and Investment in the Digitised Mining Economy reinforced the need to focus on innovation, technology and automation. Technology, implemented alongside the correct logistics and strategy, makes a significant difference to age-old industries. The mining industry has never before faced such challenges as it does now. It is in urgent need of transformation.

SICK Automation has the technology capable of making that change.

SICKs Sensor Intelligence draws on its complete system expertise, supplemented by over 70 years experience as a market leader in sensors and sensor application solutions. SICK combines detailed application knowledge with reliable software architecture to optimally integrate its sensors into your system.

South Africa is leveraging technologies to improve mining efficiency and safety, and is fine-tuning the transformation from manual operations to more automated mining. SICK Automation is leading the way as a continual mining brand. Whether it is an underground or open-cast mine, the company has an automation solution that has been industry tested and optimised to suit South African mining conditions and needs.

A global specialist for factory automation, logistics and process automation applications, SICK Automation has over 44 000 products for the most challenging industry applications that require high precision proximity detection systems. Apart from its level, pressure, flow. presence detection, machine vision and other products, the company is an industry leader in the following fields:

Laser and radar scanners

SICK is globally renowned as a leader in laser scanner innovation and has been researching and developing this technology for over 40 years. Today, its laser scanners are used around the world for geo-mapping, exploring the universe at terrestrial space observatories, to protecting miners deep under the Earths surface.

Designed for indoor and outdoor applications, for day and night use, and with special weather filters, these laser scanners can go where humans cannot, and reach levels that no other product can. SICKs extensive range of laser scanners provides intelligent scanning solutions for wide-reaching logistic and automation requirements. Applications for mining include:

Material flow and volume measurement

If users need to measure bulk materials on conveyor belts or in piles, the laser volume flowmeter Bulkscan offers a precise measuring procedure and an appealing alternative to a belt scale. The Bulkscan continuously measures the flow rate without making contact regardless of weather conditions and the condition of the material. Intelligent additional functions on Bulkscan LMS511, such as measurement of the centre of gravity, height of the bulk, and belt monitoring prevent damage to the machines and conveyor belts a definite benefit when optimising the flow of goods and efficiently controlling conveyor belts. The Bulkscan is exemplary in both maintenance and cost-effectiveness, and, thanks to a special alloy housing and integrated heating, it is robust and suitable for outdoor use.

Driver assistance and collision avoidance

Large vehicles within the mining industry pose a continuous challenge to life and infrastructure. Turning, cornering and reversing in close proximity to walls and drop offs or other equipment and people can result in damage or fatality. High precision proximity detection systems monitor available distance and identify potential collision hazards.

Suited for most underground mining vehicles, and using advanced laser scanner technology, underground vehicle operators are assisted to safely and efficiently manoeuvre within the tunnel. From front and rear-end detection, to corner cutting and overshooting, drivers receive visual feedback on a touch screen display as well as audible alarm warnings.

On surface mines, in dusty and harsh environments, the risk of collision is a reality. SICK has developed radar sensors that are able to withstand dirt and hostile weather conditions, as well as temperature fluctuations ranging between -30 and 50C. These sensors provide reliable detection of any object which falls within their detection cones up to 20metres.

Driver assistance systems, using 3D LiDAR or vision sensors detect blind zones around vehicles and warn the operator of potential sources of danger as well as providing navigation and steering support. The sensor detects up to 55000 measurement points across four layers and emits three echo signals per measuring beam, increasing the number of measurement points to up to 165000 per second.

Continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS)

The Carbon Tax came into effect on 1 June 2019 in South Africa, and will be phased in over a period of time to allow companies to comply and adopt cleaner and more efficient technologies. SICK has tried and tested technologies in use across the globe. Its CEMS solutions have been specifically designed for measuring emissions at mining and industrial facilities. These systems measure pollutants, reference quantities, and perform data processing on the results in accordance with relevant national or international legislation.

Conclusion

Technology has an important role in the mining industry. Countries that implement national initiatives that drive transformation and inclusive, broad-based development goals are far more enticing to investors. Research and development in the mining industry as well as the adoption of innovation are the keys to the sustainability of the industry in South Africa and the rest of the continent.

Whatever the distance, whatever the dimensions, for indoor, outdoor and underground applications, SICK offers consulting and design services so that its solutions are uniquely tailored to a mines specific requirements be it for the copper, coal, diamond or platinum sectors.

For more information contact Grant Joyce, SICK Automation Southern Africa, +27100600558, grant.joyce@sickautomation.co.za, http://www.sickautomation.co.za

SICK Automation Southern Africa

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Digitisation and automation for mining: the only way forward - March 2020 - SICK Automation Southern Africa - SA Instrumentation and Control

Kirk Williams of ZATO Marketing spoke on Google Smart Shopping campaigns at SMX West 2020.

Have you gotten the hard sell? Google reps have been pushing Shopping advertisers to adopt Smart Shopping campaigns and to even switch away from standard Shopping campaigns entirely. You shouldnt abandon standard Shopping just yet, said Kirk Williams, owner of ZATO Marketing at SMX West in San Jose last week, but its probably time to start testing and understanding how Smart Shopping campaigns work.

Smart Shopping can definitely perform well, but what you lose if you just run Smart Shopping campaigns is data that can inform other marketing efforts, said Williams. You still want to be running [standard Shopping and Smart Shopping] together.

The big differences between Smart Shopping campaigns compared to Smart Shopping are automation (almost entirely) and data (very little). Google doesnt provide data on audiences, search terms or placements in Smart Shopping campaigns.

In fact, Williams noted, Smart Shopping and standard Shopping run on two distinct codebases and are managed by two different engineering teams in separate Google offices. We know the trend is toward automation, so how can advertisers make the most of Smart Shopping campaigns? Williams offered several tactics for Smart Shopping advertisers. Here are four key ones.

While Smart Shopping campaigns are a black box in many ways, Williams has some neat tricks for uncovering more data than first meets the eye.

Set up custom Channel Groupings in Google Analytics for Smart Shopping and standard Shopping Campaigns. Youll then be able to use advanced segments to compare the two against certain dimensions.

Use the custom labels in your product feeds to segment and test products to learn which ones perform better in Smart versus standard Shopping campaigns.

Williams suggested using custom labels to isolate higher performing or popular products with segments such as top products, most reviewed products or gateway products.

Even if your feed uploads automatically into Google Merchant Center, there are many features and levers you can adjust for testing and optimization.

For example, use Feed Rules for testing titles. To do this, first up products for your test and control groups using custom labels in your feed. Then in Merchant Center, set up your title test via Feed Rules. Analyze performance by comparing click share, click-through rate, impression share and total eligible impressions (impressions/impression share), advised Williams.

With essentially no set-up time (82 seconds! said Williams) and the rest nearly entirely automated, what does job security look like in a Smart Shopping campaign landscape?

There is always a market for problem solvers, said Williams. (And Williams exemplifies this. He is ever-curious and constantly looking for ways to add value and solve problems for clients and fellow marketers.)

The key to adding value and getting more out of your Shopping efforts starts with understanding how Smart Shopping works.

Some examples: You cant add placement exclusions to Smart Shopping campaigns, but Williams figured out that you can exclude them at the Account level and apply those to your Smart Shopping campaigns. You can also add negative keywords to Smart Shopping campaigns, youll just have to ask your Google rep to do it for you. And the ROAS default in these campaigns is 200%, for example. Dont rely on defaults. Is that the right setting for your products?

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Smart Shopping campaigns: How to test and extract more value from automated campaigns - Search Engine Land