Monthly Archives: August 2022

What Is Network Automation and How Can You Use It to Manage Your Resources? – TechGenix

Posted: August 4, 2022 at 2:43 pm

You can work toward network automation!

Businesses worldwide are looking to leverage technology to improve daily operations. Additionally, companies have more users and use cases. As a result, enterprise networking is getting convoluted. This increasing network complexity hinders growth and affects businesses. So what is the solution? Network automation! Automation allows you to automate manual, cumbersome tasks in networking. It also helps in standardizing the network structure. Finally, automation will help build a more reliable enterprise network.

In this article, Ill be walking you through network automation. Ill also show you how it works and what benefits it provides your business. Youll also learn some best practices for automation. Finally, youll see the top vendors to consider when automating your network.

But first, lets find out more about network automation.

Network automation is the process of using software to manage network resources and services. You can achieve network automation through a software-defined network (SDN). An SDN introduces network virtualization capabilities. This makes it easy to automate and control the networks.

Network automation also can help you configure, test, deploy, and operate components in your network. Since enterprise networks are becoming more complex, network automation tools are gaining traction. Here are some of the things these tools can do:

To better understand what network automation is, lets look at how it works.

Generally, you automate networks with programmable logic on the devices command line interface (CLI). This way, the nodes can dynamically perform automated actions. These include network filtering, port controlling, bandwidth control, etc.

However, this method isnt scalable. It also limits the scope of automation as it needs to be done on a per device basis. As a result, most modern networking infrastructures offer a centralized control panel. This panel will connect all the networking devices within the network.

Network administrators or programmers can create programmable logic and scripts. This way, they can control and automate your network. To do this, they can use the devices CLI or graphical UI. Alternatively, admins can rely on external systems or automation tools. After that, programmers can execute these scripts using the CLI or API.

Automation tools and services can help you automate several everyday networking tasks. For instance, they can help you analyze and predict bandwidth usage. Automation will also help you with network inventory management and dynamic provisioning. Youll also be able to backup and change configurations across your business. Finally, network automation tools can help you remotely control access points and ports.

Now that you understand how network automation works, lets look at some of its benefits.

Generally, growing companies cant manage and scale their infrastructure easily. But network automation helps you overcome this challenge. In turn, youll also improve your overall efficiency. Lets take a more detailed look at the benefits of network automation:

You should follow some best practices to harness the benefits of network automation. Lets take a look at those now.

Network automation tools and services use software abstraction. They connect networking devices and nodes. This way, they give you an easy-to-control network management workflow. Here are some best practices you can adopt to get the most out of network automation:

Often, companies arent attentive when selecting a network automation vendor. This is a huge mistake. Before you start choosing a vendor, know what you need to automate in your network. This will help you narrow down your search list for the vendor. Itll also help you save costs.

The industry faces several challenges with the network automation skill gap. In fact, programming experience is lacking. Network scripting also has a steep learning curve. Did you know that only 3% of networking teams know how to perform automation tasks? So, choosing a service that allows low-code network automation could prove to be very beneficial. This will eliminate the dependency associated with certain employees. Low-code network automation will also limit human errors.

Often, network architectures include solutions from many vendors. This means you should design a vendor-agnostic network orchestration. This mitigates the overhead associated with fixing errors or making changes to your network. Alternatively, you can find and deploy automation tools that support different vendors. This way, you can implement a true single view multi-vendor support.

Its important to choose a service that integrates directly with external systems. For instance, integration with ELK and ServiceNow helps with log management and incident reporting. If your service has broad API integration support, you can streamline your business operations. Youll be more flexible and youll use external tools to fit your needs.

If you automate configuration, youll ensure consistency across all your applications. Youll also mitigate human errors. This enables your network admins to convert the configuration into software code. In turn, you can build a single source of truth for all configurations across your organization.

Next, lets take a look at some of the industrys most commonly used network automation tools.

You must choose a network automation tool that meets your businesss modern-day requirements. Your tool should follow the best practices mentioned above. To help you with your choice, Ive compiled the top 3 network automation tools:

GFIs Exinda is a reliable and feature-packed network orchestrator. This tool can provide complete visibility and control over your networks resources, performance, and security. Exinda also gives you real-time network monitoring. This can help you improve the service quality of your networking services and applications.

Exinda also offers easy-to-use dashboards so you can better identify the network use, performance issues, bottlenecks, and more. You can use Exinda to automate your network management. Finally, this tool can help you orchestrate bandwidth usage and scalability to improve application performance.

GFI Exinda doesnt have fixed pricing. That said, you can choose either the Basic or Premium plans. Ultimately, the cost depends on your network.

SolarWinds NCM is yet another reliable network configuration tool. It can enable you to automate your organizational network. Also, SolarWinds NCM gives you control over all components and bandwidth usage. It also provides policy-based configuration. This means all the devices on your network will follow your company strategies.

SolarWinds NCM has many features. For instance, it offers network compliance and automation. Youll also get smart vulnerability assessments. Finally, the NCM supports integration with network performance monitoring.

SolarWinds NCM starts at $1,738 per processor. You also can get a custom quote depending on your network and the number of processors you wish to automate.

VMware NSX is a network security and virtualization tool. It provides a software-defined approach to managing and configuring organizational networks. VMware NSX also offers a centralized dashboard. This way, you can easily manage all your distributed networks as a single entity. Finally, VMware NSX allows you to perform network and micro-segmentation of individual workloads. This will give you granular control and security.

VMWare NSX Standard per network processor starts at $1,995.

Automation is key to success in todays contemporary IT world. In fact, automation can help you scale faster while saving on costs. It also lets you improve your systems efficiency. Network automation can help simplify your network management.

Now that you understand the many benefits of network automation, you can finally choose an automation tool for your business. You should follow the best practices I discussed before selecting your vendor. This way, you can reap all the benefits of network automation.

Do you have more questions about network automation or its applications? Check out the FAQ and Resources below!

A software-defined network (SDN) is a networking technology. It uses software systems to design, deploy, manage, and configure enterprise networks. SDN allows organizations to intelligently and centrally control their entire network. That includes network peripherals and bandwidth usage.

Command Line Interface (CLI) is a text-based user interface. You can use it to develop, run, manage, and control software systems, tools, and applications. You also can use CLI to automate your network. To do this, you deploy scripts and automation tasks.

An application programming interface (API) establishes communication between different systems. An API is an intermediary that allows software systems to request and access information. You can access several network automation tools and services using APIs.

Network orchestration is a process where a network controller helps achieve business objectives. The controller may design the network. Itll also set up network peripherals and devices, applications, and services. You can leverage network orchestration to automate enterprise networks.

Network automation is domain and industry-agnostic. This means its applicable in all industries that require networking. These include Information Technology, manufacturing, service-based industries, banking, and cloud services.

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Learn more about enterprise networking here.

Discover more about top network automation tools and their pros and cons.

Learn more about network observability to better understand your network.

Learn more about network segmentation.

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What Is Network Automation and How Can You Use It to Manage Your Resources? - TechGenix

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Security, Automation, and Cloud Top Midrange IT Priorities, Study Says – IT Jungle

Posted: at 2:43 pm

August 3, 2022Alex Woodie

Improving cybersecurity continues to be the number one overall priority for IT teams at midsize companies going into the second half of the year, but automation and cloud migrations are not too far behind, according to a recent study from Kaseya. Legacy concerns also are viewed as a drag on productivity.

Kaseya last month published its 2022 IT Operations Report, in which it surveyed 1,877 IT professionals from around the world in April to learn about the top priorities and challenges where they work. The company surveyed only employees at organizations with fewer than 3,000 employees, which is Kaseyas cut-off for the midsize customer that it aims to serve.

The top priority in the survey was improving IT security overall, which was identified by 52 percent of the survey-takers as their top priority. That was followed by increasing IT productivity through automation with a 33 percent share, and migrating to the cloud at 32 percent (survey-takers were allowed to select multiple items, which results in the figures not adding up to 100).

The IT management and security software provider also queried users about the challenges faced by IT shops. Cybersecurity and data protection was identified as the top challenge by 49 percent of the survey-takers, while insufficient IT budgets and resources to meet demands was number two at 29 percent, and legacy systems that hamper growth and innovation came in third at 21 percent.

Security and data protection is the number one concern of midsize IT shops in Kaseyas 2022 IT Operations Study.

Budgets for IT security projects will go up at 53 percent of the organizations it surveyed, according to Kaseya, which is a strong indicator that security continues to be a priority. As we anticipated, cybersecurity and safeguarding data continues to be the number one challenge for IT professionals Kaseya Chief Strategy Officer Mike Puglia stated in a press release.

While Kaseya doesnt target the IBM i customer base, the companys report echoes the findings of surveys in the IBM i community, which find that security continues to be a strong priority in the midrange. For instance, security was identified as the top priority in HelpSystems 2022 Marketplace Survey, the fifth straight year that security held that position.

Kaseyas survey also found that 48 percent of respondents are planning to invest in automation technologies in 2023, while 40 percent stated their intent to update outdated IT infrastructure this year, according to Kaseya.

Automating repetitive, everyday tasks helps organizations reduce operating costs by allowing a smaller team of technicians to manage a larger IT environment with fewer resources, the company states in its report. The result is a higher endpoint-to-technician ratio.

The ability for tools to integrate with other tools is also increasingly an important factor in buying decisions. According to Kaseyas survey, 30 percent of respondents stated that integration was a critical factor, after price (cited by 55 percent respondents) and functionality (cited by 50 percent).

You can download Kaseyas complete 2022 IT Operations Report here.

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Tags: Tags: cybersecurity, IBM i, Kaseya

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Security, Automation, and Cloud Top Midrange IT Priorities, Study Says - IT Jungle

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Pressure Transducer Market to Reach US$ 5.6 Billion by 2031: Industrial Automation Expanding Avenue, States TMR Study – PR Newswire

Posted: at 2:43 pm

WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Continuous advancement in piezoresistive pressure transducers have helped firms unlock revenue streams in various industrial applications. Various types of pressure transducers have been commercialized to meet the needs of automation in various process industries including verticals such as oil & gas, automotive, and heavy engineering. The pressure transducer market size is projected to reach US$ 5.6 Bn by 2031 from value of US$ 4.0 Bn in 2021.

Among the various types of pressure transducers, the demand for absolute pressure measuring sensors is poised to rise in industrial safety applications. Some of the unique characteristics that make the type of pressure transducer more popular than others are remarkable accuracy and error-free functionality. The segment is estimate to reach value of US$ 1.85 Bn by 2031. Pressure transducer manufacturers are keen on reaping revenue gains by meeting rise in demand for products in the oil & gas industry.

Need for cutting-edge machine precision technologies has created sizable opportunities in the pressure transducer market during the forecast period of 20222031. Sensors used in automotive testing application are rising, invigorating the demand for automotive pressure transducers & transmitters. Firms in the market are capitalizing on the demand in the automotive industry by unveiling advanced sensors that can work in broad operating temperature range and possess remarkable media compatibility.

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Key Findings of Pressure Transducer Market Study

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Pressure Transducer Market: Key Drivers

Pressure Transducer Market: Regional Growth Dynamics

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Pressure Transducer Market Competition Landscape

The study found that the pressure transducer market is currently characterized by partial fragmentation in that several players contribute to the demand and supply of products.

Some of the key players in the market are:

Pressure Transducer Market Segmentation

Regions Covered

Countries Covered

Electronics and Semiconductors Research Report

Inductor Market- Inductor Market is expected to reach US$ 7.2 Bn by the end of 2031, It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2022 to 2031.

Half-Inch CIS Based Surveillance Camera Market- ASEAN half-inch CIS based surveillance camera market is expected to reach US$ 28.63 Mn by the end of 2031, It is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2031.

POP Display Market- Middle East & North Africa POP display market is expected to reach a value of US$ 979.2 Mn by the end of 2031,It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2022 to 2031.

Flexible Substrate Market- Flexible Substrate Market is expected to exceed value of US$ 28.7 Bn by the end of 2031, It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 18.9% from 2022 to 2031.

Multispace Parking Meter Market - Multispace Parking Meter Market is expected to exceed the value of US$ 1 Bn by the end of 2031, It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2021 to 2031.

Handheld Digital Multimeter Market- Handheld Digital Multimeter Market is expected to cross the value at US$ 808.8 Mn by the end of 2031, It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2021 to 2031.

Smart Parking Technologies Market- Smart Parking Technologies Market is expected to exceed the value of US$ 17.4 Bn by the end of 2031, It is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 17.3% from 2021 to 2031.

Thermoelectric Module Market- The global thermoelectric module market is expected to cross value of US$ 1.2 Bn by the end of 2031, grow at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2022 to 2031

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Pressure Transducer Market to Reach US$ 5.6 Billion by 2031: Industrial Automation Expanding Avenue, States TMR Study - PR Newswire

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Global Fertigation and Chemigation Market Report 2022: Increasing Automation and Sensor Usage in Agriculture Along With Rising Food Demand Owing to…

Posted: at 2:43 pm

DUBLIN, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The "Fertigation and Chemigation Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Application, Product, and Country-Wise Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global fertigation and chemigation market size was estimated to be at $11,599.0 million in 2021, which is expected to grow with a CAGR of 8.45% and reach $18,968.6 million by 2027. The growth in the global fertigation and chemigation market is expected to be driven by factors such as high nutrient uptake and increased yield.

Market Lifecycle Stage

Fertigation, which involves applying fertilizer with irrigation water, allows the application of small amounts of fertilizer at a time, creating flexibility in the frequency of fertigation. On the other hand, chemigation is a more controlled and regulated process compared to fertigation due to the nature of chemicals such as fungicides, pesticides, insecticides, etc., used in it.

Impact

Market Segmentationby Crop

by End Use

by Technique

by Input

Recent Developments in Global Fertigation and Chemigation Market

Demand - Drivers and LimitationsDrivers:

Challenges:

Opportunities

Key Topics Covered:

1 Markets

2 Application

3 Product

4 Region

5 Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles

6 Research Methodology

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sf4sub

Media Contact:

Research and MarketsLaura Wood, Senior Manager[emailprotected]

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Global Fertigation and Chemigation Market Report 2022: Increasing Automation and Sensor Usage in Agriculture Along With Rising Food Demand Owing to...

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Keep up with the latest home automation tech with Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread – Cult of Mac

Posted: at 2:43 pm

Wemos latest dimmer switch uses HomeKit over Thread for fast, reliable connections. Photo: Belkin/Wemo

Dimming your lights is just the most obvious feature of the newly announced Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread. It uses mesh networking to provide fast, reliable connections to your HomeKit home-automation system so you can control the switch from anywhere across the room or across the country.

Plus, the wall dimmer switch doesnt require a neutral wire so it can be installed in older homes as easily as new ones.

Dimmer switches that support Apple HomeKit can control a light with the press of a button, or with your voice via Siri from an iPhone, HomePod, etc. Or set schedules in the Home app so lights turn on or off whenever you want them to.

But smart switches arent new Wemo has had one since 2018.What sets Wemos upgraded Smart Dimmer apart is support for Thread.This is an emerging wireless standard that creates low-power mesh networks to connect devices. Rather than each device having to communicate with a hub, they can communicate with each other to pass commands to the hub.

With Thread, the dimmer switch can be installed in a room well away from a homes HomeKit hub. There just need to be other Thread-compatible accessories for commands to pass through. When Thread isnt available, the device switches to Bluetooth.

The Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread costs $59.99. Wemos parent company Belkin is taking preorders now and says the product will be out before the end of August. Its also coming soon to Amazon.

Buy from: Belkin

This isnt Belkins only product with Thread. Others include Wemo StageScene Controller, Wemo Smart Plug with Threadand Wemo Smart Video Doorbell.

Other companies have embraced the new standard as well. Most notably, the Apple HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K support Thread. And theres the Eve Motion sensor. Other companies have announced plans to support it.

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Keep up with the latest home automation tech with Wemo Smart Dimmer with Thread - Cult of Mac

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MAX Automation posts strong sales and significantly improved earnings in first half of 2022 – Yahoo Finance UK

Posted: at 2:43 pm

DGAP-News: MAX Automation SE / Key word(s): Half Year Results/Half Year ReportMAX Automation posts strong sales and significantly improved earnings in first half of 2022 04.08.2022 / 07:30 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

PRESS RELEASE

MAX Automation posts strong sales and significantly improved earnings in first half of 2022

Order intake of EUR 233.0 million up 37.3% year-on-year (6M 2021: EUR 169.8million)

Order backlog increased by 39.0% to EUR 325.7million (30 June 2021: EUR 234.3 million)

Sales of EUR 190.7million 32.2% above previous years figure (6M 2021: EUR 144.2million)

Operating result (EBITDA) improved disproportionately by 61.3% to EUR 9.7million (6M 2021: EUR 6.0million)

New syndicated loan of EUR 190 million and successful capital increase secure financing

Sales and earnings forecast for full year 2022 confirmed

Dsseldorf, 4 August 2022 MAX Automation SE (ISIN DE000A2DA58), the company listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, performed well operationally in the first half of 2022. The MAX Group continued to benefit from the high demand for innovative solutions in the segments it supplies to, environmental technology and the food and automotive industries. Based on high order backlogs, Group sales rose strongly despite isolated delays due to supply chain disruptions and related material shortages. While price increases for raw materials and materials such as electronic components and steel products could largely be passed on to customers in the new orders they placed, they burdened with long-running old projects. In addition, provisions for the closure of iNDAT Robotics GmbH in particular burdened the nevertheless significant increase in EBITDA.

Order intake and order backlog reflect continued positive development

The MAX Groups consolidated order intake increased by 37.3% to EUR 233.0million (6M 2021: EUR169.8million). The segments Elwema, NSM + Jcker and Vecoplan Group made the largest contributions to the positive development.

The bdtronic Groups increase in orders resulted from strong demand for solutions in dispensing and hot riveting technology. Elwema benefited in particular from demand from the automotive industry abroad and from e-mobility in Germany. Continued high demand in packaging automation and increasing project awards for e-mobility in press automation characterized the strong development at NSM + Jcker. The improved order intake of the Vecoplan Group in all areas of the business (Recycling/Waste, Wood/Biomass and Service) and regions reflects the strong positioning in these growth markets. The order intake of the MA micro Group segment declined as expected following the high order intake in the previous quarters, while the AIM micro segment reached the level of the same period of the previous year. After the closure of the iNDAT segment, which was resolved in February, only a small number of service orders were accepted, so that order intake decreased accordingly as planned. The order intake and order backlog in the Other segment were characterized by the liquidation of the IWM companies following the completion of remaining projects.

The order backlog of the MAX Group increased by 39.0% to EUR 325.7million (30 June 2021: EUR234.3million).

Operating result improves disproportionately despite provisions for the liquidation of iNDAT

In the first half of 2022, the MAX Groups sales were EUR 190.7million, 32.2% above the previous years level (6M 2021: EUR 144.2million). Despite ongoing disruptions in the supply chains and the related shortage of materials, the MAX Group succeeded in significantly increasing its sales due to the high order backlog and a sharp rise in incoming orders. In the bdtronic Group segment, catch-up effects and increased incoming orders in dispensing technology as well as the strong service business were responsible for the rise in sales. The segments Vecoplan Group, MA micro Group and AIM micro as well as Elwema and NSM + Jcker achieved high sales based on the favorable order situation. As expected, the iNDAT and Other segments posted declines in sales as a result of the closures.

The MAX Group improved its operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) disproportionately in the first half of 2022 to EUR 9.7million (6M 2021: EUR 6.0million) despite the burden of provisions for the liquidation of the iNDAT segment. Price increases for raw materials and materials such as electronic components and steel products were largely passed on to customers in new orders, while higher costs for ongoing projects compared to the calculations had a negative impact on margins. The bdtronic Group segment benefited in particular from the high-margin service business. The Vecoplan Group continued to develop positively. The fact that the increase in EBITDA compared to the previous year is only moderate is due to a special effect in the first half of the previous year. MA micro benefited from increased sales with high-margin projects. AIM micro developed as expected. EBITDA in the NSM + Jcker segment declined slightly due to a different project mix and partly increased material costs. The turnaround of Elwema through optimizations in project execution and cost savings remains on track with a significant improvement. In the Other segment, the planned winding-up and liquidation costs of the IWM companies were still noticeable.

Due to the working capital requirements of the increased project volume and an increase in inventories, the MAX Group recorded cash outflow of EUR 14.5million (6M 2021: cash inflow of EUR 9.8 million) from operating cash flow. Cash outflow in the cash flow from investing activities of EUR 2.6million was offset in the same period of the previous year by a special effect from the sale of a property of IWM Automation (6M 2021: cash inflow of EUR 0.6million). In cash flow from financing activities, increased utilization of the new syndicated loan resulted in cash inflow of EUR 17.0million (6M 2021: cash outflow of EUR 22.6million).

Working capital rose to EUR 52.7 million (30 June 2021: EUR 32.2 million), while net debt increased to EUR93.9 million as of 30 June 2022 (30 June 2021: EUR 81.0 million) due to a decline in cash and cash equivalents and a simultaneous increase in bank liabilities. Cash and cash equivalents were at EUR30.6million, the same level as at the end of financial year 2021 (31 December 2021: EUR 30.2 million).

In the first half of 2022, our shareholdings continued to develop positively in operational terms. Order intake increased significantly especially due to the high demand in the segments NSM + Jcker, Elwema and Vecoplan Group with innovative solutions for environmental technology as well as for the food and automotive industries. With the successful capital increase and the early agreement of a new syndicated loan, we have strengthened the financing of the MAX Group and thus laid a solid foundation for further growth. Thanks to our investment portfolio, which is geared towards growth markets, we continue to look optimistically to the second half of the year, said Dr. Christian Diekmann, Managing Director and CEO/CFO of MAX Automation SE.

Outlook 2022 confirmed

In view of the successful development in the first half of 2022 and the positive order situation, the Managing Directors confirm the outlook for 2022, whereby the possible consequences of the ongoing crisis situation in Ukraine and the corona pandemic continue to represent imponderables for the development of the global economy. Provided that the economic development is not significantly weaker than assumed, MAX Automation continues to expect sales of between EUR 360.0 million and EUR 420.0 million and operating profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of between EUR 23.0 million and EUR29.0 million for the current financial year.

Key Group figures at a glance

in EUR million

H1 2022

H1 2021

Change

Order intake

233.0

169.8

37.3%

Order book*

325.7

234.3

39.0%

Working Capital*

52.7

32.2

63.5%

Sales

190.7

144.2

32.2%

EBITDA

9.7

6.0

61.3%

Employees (FTE)

1,595

1,594

0.1%

*Comparison of the reporting date 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2021

Key figures of the segments at a glance

in EUR million

H1 2022

H1 2021

Change

bdtronic Group

Order intake

38.2

30.3

26.0%

Order book*

33.3

24.5

35.7%

Sales

29.4

26.1

12.5%

EBITDA

3.8

3.4

11.1%

Vecoplan Group

Order intake

89.3

74.1

20.5%

Order book*

114.3

68.6

66.6%

Sales

75.9

53.0

43.1%

EBITDA

6.3

6.1

2.3%

MA micro Group

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MAX Automation posts strong sales and significantly improved earnings in first half of 2022 - Yahoo Finance UK

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Methods Machine Tools releases its first end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura turning centers – Robotics and Automation News

Posted: at 2:43 pm

Methods Machine Tools, the foremost supplier of high-quality, high-precision CNC machine tools and automation in North America, has released the Turn-Assist 200i and 270i from RoboJob as its first, end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura-Tome turning centers.

A semi-collaborative system engineered for lathe automation, Turn-Assist is designed to be implemented and run by operators of any skill level. With a simple tablet-style HMI and standard Ethernet IP interface, shops can successfully change over from one part to another within minutes.

Zach Spencer, Methods automation manager, says: By pairing the Turn-Assist from RoboJob with Nakamura-Tome, we have created a unique automation solution for high-mix/low-volume and/or mid-volume with frequent changeovers on round workpieces often associated with Nakamura lathes.

As Methods provides the machine, the options, the automation system, and the interface, along with the installation, training and support, customers have the advantage of working with one supplier for the entire technology and experience stack.

Turn-Assist features an open-floor setup and area sensors to maximize operator safety and accessibility, while a pre-programmable Fanuc robot loads blanks and unloads finished parts from the stocking table. Options are available that allows the robot to process shafts, rotate parts, and interface with a bar-feeder.

Additionally, the integrated, automatic air blow nozzle on the dual, three-jaw gripper enables the robot to discard chips and coolant away from the workholding further streamlining operations without any manual intervention.

Sergio Tondato, Methods Nakamura-Tome product manager, says: Methods and Nakamura-Tome together have served customers for decades with industry-best solutions. In introducing Turn-Assist for Nakamura-Tome, machine owners gain a user-friendly, reliable automation system that will increase efficiency and output on Day 1 without any operator upskilling requirements.

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Methods Machine Tools releases its first end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura turning centers - Robotics and Automation News

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The Origins of Covid-19 Are More Complicated Than Once Thought – WIRED

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It means we have environmental sampling data that can place the spillover event precisely in the southwestern corner of the Huanan market, and genetic testing of virus samples from the first patients to give us a date: around November 18, 2019, for the introduction of Lineage B, with Lineage A following a week or so later. After that, though, the trail runs cold.

The researchers know which animals were being sold in the market in late 2019, and which ones were susceptible to coronaviruses, but they dont have the smoking gun. They dont have samples from animals that had the virus. Thats what theyd like to have, and theyd like to be able to trace those animals back to the farms from which they came and see whether people in those farms had been exposed to the virus or viruses, says Jonathan Stoye, a virologist at the Francis Crick Institute in the UK, who was not involved in the research.

Thats unlikely to be possible. There are theories on how infected animals may have reached the market: Wuhan is in Hubei province, and to the west of the region there are caves that are home to horseshoe bats, close to farms that once housed millions of raccoon dogs and civets. The most likely course of events is something like: A bat infected with a novel coronavirus flies over a farm where animals are being reared for meat. It poops, and viral particles infect one of the animals below, sparking an unseen wave of infections at the farm. Maybe the virus crosses over to the farmworkers but fizzles out because theres not enough population density to sustain a human epidemic. Days or weeks later, in November 2019, some of the infected animals are shipped to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, where theyre sold at stalls in the southwestern corner. The virus crosses over to humans at least eight times, maybe more. The majority of those infections fizzle out without spreading to anyone else, but two take hold, start to spread. Not long after that, dozens of people in the area start to come down with a mysterious viral pneumonia.

But the animal or animals that carried coronavirus are almost certainly long dead: shipped off and sold for meat, or killed in one of the mass culls that took place in early 2020 as the Chinese authorities clamped down on the live animal trade. It is very possible that we will never have that sample, that we may have missed our opportunity, says Worobey.

But there are still leads to follow: tracing the supply chains for the stalls in the southwestern corner of Huanan market and finding out which farms supplied them; poring over the paperwork from the culls to find out where the animals from that farm were buried; exhuming the animals and sequencing their DNA to look for remnants of a coronavirus that looks almost identical to SARS-CoV-2.

It will need patient work and international cooperation in a difficult environmentbut it could be the only way to stop the next pandemic. These things are not impossible, Worobey says. So lets look at all the options. Lets connect every single possible dot that we can.

Image updated on 8/4/22 at 11:17AM PST to include the Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market.

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The Origins of Covid-19 Are More Complicated Than Once Thought - WIRED

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Data limitations are making it harder to detect when COVID-19 is surging in Virginia – Virginia Mercury

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Since early July, Virginias COVID-19 case counts have remained relatively stable, with an average of around 3,000 new infections reported every day. But over the same time period, hospitalizations have risen, with more than 800 inpatients as of Wednesday, according to data from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.

The discrepancy, experts say, can be chalked up to data limitations. In a recent report, researchers with the University of Virginias Biocomplexity Institute wrote that the states current case rates are similar to those seen during last falls delta wave, which threatened to overwhelm local hospital systems. Detecting those cases, however, has become much more challenging.

In some ways, we might be revisiting early stages of the pandemic where all were observing is severe COVID, said Bryan Lewis, a computational epidemiologist on the Biocomplexity Institutes research team. People who end up going to the hospital are the only ones who end up getting confirmed.

Thats largely because testing, once in extremely limited supply, has become easily accessible to most Virginians. Rather than seeking out more sensitive PCR tests from pharmacies and local health department events, most patients with symptoms are relying on at-home antigen tests, whose results typically arent reported back to the Virginia Department of Health. And as pandemic fatigue sets in for more and more people, many arent testing at all, said Dr. Akira Shishido, an infectious disease specialist for VCU Health.

Like other public health experts, he said the lack of clarity around rising case rates has made it more challenging to offer guidance as the pandemic approaches its third year. Currently, the Biocomplexity Institute estimates that there are roughly 16 coronavirus infections for every reported case in Virginia, given the rise of highly infectious subvariants and the decline in test results reported to VDH. If thats true, it would put the states current infection rate closer to levels seen during the winter omicron surge.

Unlike this past winter, though, most Virginians arent taking the same health precautions. The states COVID-19 state of emergency expired last summer along with previous requirements for indoor masking and social distancing in public spaces. And after Gov. Glenn Youngkins successful push to repeal mandatory masking policies in schools, students and parents are expecting a mixed approach to face coverings at the start of the year. With community transmission already high in 55 of the states 133 localities and cases rising in most local health districts some providers say theyre worried about the coming fall and winter.

We still have circulating COVID, and I think well still see some people being admitted with severe COVID pneumonia, said Dr. Kyle Enfield, the medical director of UVA Healths medical intensive care unit. People are making the choice to not get vaccinated and not wear masks. And I think that will be compounded by a larger spread of other respiratory viruses that seemed to have decreased back when masks and social distancing were common.

Thats not to say there isnt a bright side to the current stage of the pandemic. Enfield emphasized that if hospitals do feel strained over the colder months, it will likely be due to a combination of cases that includes flu and possibly even monkeypox, an emerging virus thats spreading in Virginia and across the country. And theres evidence that omicron subvariants, while highly transmissible, are causing less severe disease, bolstered by growing population immunity.

Even as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations rise across the state, Lewis pointed out that ICU admissions have remained relatively low, indicating that fewer people are developing severe illness from the virus. COVID-19 deaths have also sharply declined since mid-January, and theres evidence that vaccines and previous infections convey lasting protection against the worst outcomes.

At this point, so many Virginians have some degree of immunity against COVID-19 that its unlikely the state will experience the same rates of hospitalizations and deaths that occurred during last winters omicron surge, according to Lewis. Still, he said its unnerving to see hundreds of patients admitted for the virus every week.

Its pretty incredible were still generating a fair number of hospitalizations, Lewis added. Yeah, its not as horrible as the catastrophes that have happened a couple of times during this pandemic, but you just dont see that with other infectious agents, even during the worst flu seasons.

Thats why public health experts are still encouraging caution, especially in anticipation of cooler weather and more indoor gatherings. Shishido said the chance of reinfection is substantial even for those who have been vaccinated, boosted and previously infected with COVID, largely thanks to the antibody-evading capabilities of omicron subvariants.

Luckily, he said, vaccines still generate a type of protection known as cell-mediated immunity, which provides strong protection against hospitalization and death even in the case of breakthrough infections. But while severe outcomes are unlikely for immunized Virginians, Lewis cautioned theres limited information on the effect of repeated COVID-19 infections or long-lasting symptoms.

Long COVID is something we dont fully understand and is messing people up pretty badly, he said. Were finding a lot of studies out there where a fair portion of people were talking 20 or 30% of people, even young people were still reporting symptoms like shortness of breath, the loss of taste and smell, even six to nine months out.

Enfield said that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Virginians are still driving hospital admissions at UVA, a trend borne out by national data (the Virginia Department of Health no longer reports cases and deaths by vaccination status). But he also warned that high community transmission increases the risk of spreading COVID-19 to more vulnerable populations including immunocompromised and elderly patients, who are still at risk of worse outcomes even if theyre fully vaccinated.

High infection rates also mean the virus will continue to mutate, and public health experts still worry an even more dangerous variant could emerge in the future. Thats unlikely, according to Shishido, given that the most successful viruses are typically highly infectious without killing their hosts. But like other doctors, he encouraged Virginians to avoid unnecessary risks.

The hard thing is, the public health measures we were pushing a year ago are the same things we want people to be doing now.

Dr. Kyle Enfield, medical director of UVA Healths medical intensive care unit

For Shishido, that means masking indoors and making use of COVID-19 therapies including Paxlovid, an antiviral pill for high-risk patients, and Evusheld, an experimental medication that can lower the risk of infection for immunocompromised patients. Enfield said people should continue to limit the size and number of social gatherings they attend, particularly if theyre regularly in contact with more vulnerable groups.

He also encouraged anyone with COVID-19 symptoms to seek confirmatory PCR testing if their antigen test results are negative given the lower sensitivity of most at-home tests. And like Shishido and Lewis, Enfield strongly encouraged Virginians to take advantage of upcoming COVID-19 boosters, which will be reformulated to offer better protection against omicron subvariants.

We know people can get reinfected with COVID even after a natural infection, and that immunity wanes over time and might not be as good as some of the vaccines, he said. So I would stress that vaccines are still in everyones best interest.

The hard thing is, the public health measures we were pushing a year ago are the same things we want people to be doing now, Enfield added. I know were at a point where people want to fully relax, but were really just not at a point where thats the right thing to do.

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Data limitations are making it harder to detect when COVID-19 is surging in Virginia - Virginia Mercury

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BidenHarris Administration Releases Two New Reports on Long COVID to Support Patients and Further Research – HHS.gov

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The BidenHarris Administration is committed to helping people across America affected by Long COVID. In April, President Joe Biden issued a Memorandum on Addressing the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19, which called for the creation of two reports. Within 120 days, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), leading a whole-of-government response, developed two reports that together, pave an actionable path forward to address Long COVID and associated conditions.

The National Research Action Plan on Long COVID details advances in current research and charts a course for future study to better understand prevention and treatment of Long COVID. The Services and Supports for Longer-Term Impacts of COVID-19 report highlights resources for health care workers, and those effected by broader effects of COVID-19, including not only Long COVID but also effects on mental health and substance use, and loss of caregivers and loved ones.

Long COVID can hinder an individuals ability to work, attend school, participate in community life, and engage in everyday activities, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. As our nation continues to make strides in the fight against COVID-19, these reports are critical to shine a light on Long COVIDs impact and how to match people to resources.

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to combating and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with the full capacity of the federal government, said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Rachel Levine. "These initial reports are an important step as HHS continues to accelerate research and programmatic support to address the consequences of the pandemic and work across sectors to ensure no one is left behind as we continue to build a healthier future.

People with Long COVID have disease symptoms that persist for weeks or months after acute COVID-19 infection. It remains difficult to measure precisely, but an estimated 7.7 to 23 million Americans have developed Long COVID, and roughly one million people may be out of the workforce at any given time due to the conditionequivalent to about $50 billion in lost earnings annually.

The National Research Action Plan on Long COVID (the Research Plan), created in coordination with 14 government departments and agencies, introduces the first U.S. governmentwide national research agenda focused on advancing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and provision of services and supports for individuals and families experiencing Long COVID.

The Research Plan stresses four guiding principles to govern federal government data analysis work: health equity, accelerating and expanding current research, orienting the research effort to improve patient care, and partner engagement. The plan demonstrates innovation in early achievements and highlights the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and provision of health care, public health, and human services for individuals experiencing Long COVID.

The Services and Supports for Longer-Term Impacts of COVID-19 Report (Services Report) outlines federal services available to the American public to address longer-term effects of COVID-19, including Long COVID and related conditions, as well as other impacts on individuals and families. It provides valuable information in three key areas:

Federal departments will continue to engage with partners, including state and local governments, on the scope and accessibility of these services to meet the needs of individuals. Engagement of nongovernmental experts, organizations, and stakeholders, including individuals affected directly by the longer-term effects of COVID-19, has played an essential role in shaping the governments response to COVID-19 and Long COVID, including the development of these reports.

As we learn more about Long COVID, the best protection remains to prevent COVID-19 in the first place by following basic public health interventions, including getting vaccinated, boosted, and wearing a mask indoors in public where the COVID-19 community level is high.

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BidenHarris Administration Releases Two New Reports on Long COVID to Support Patients and Further Research - HHS.gov

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