Subscribe

Day: 29 June 2022

Inmarsat launches push-to-talk communications

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global Beam Telecom, Cobham Satcom and Inmarsat have launched a new Push-To-Talk (PTT) offering, BGAN PRISM PTT+, in partnership with Hytera. This complete satellite-enhanced connectivity solution, now available through Hytera mobile radios, will help businesses overcome coverage redundancy and operational downtime associated with traditional radio systems.

This new unified network solution combines leading expertise in satellite connectivity, radio systems (LMR/DMR) and cellular devices (3G/LTE) to create a unique PTT offering that will accelerate advanced connectivity adoption among businesses in the Middle East.

Supported by Inmarsat’s BGAN service – powered by the company’s unparalleled, global ELERA (L-band) satellite network – the solution provides industry-leading reliability of 99.9%+ uptime and enables seamless radio over internet protocol (IP) capabilities. It will ensure businesses have access to real-time communications and telemetry capabilities, increasing their visibility of operations and the safety of remote workers and assets.

Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “In this new partnership, Inmarsat is proud to build on our longstanding relationships with Global Beam Telecom and Cobham Satcom, by welcoming Hytera into the fold. This collaboration will be a game-changer for remote workers in the Middle East. It will combine top-of-the-range hardware and software with the best connectivity to provide a new, unmatched PTT service for customers.

“The expertise and technological strength in ELERA, Inmarsat’s industry-leading narrowband network, makes us the perfect connectivity partner to power this new PTT solution. Combined with the immense capabilities of our collaborators, this partnership will keep remote workers safe and connected wherever they are, even in the most remote locations.”

The sophisticated solution will transform customer experience across three key areas: coverage, interoperability, and capability. Incorporating satellite coverage provides exceptional network resilience, enabling seamless switching between radio and satellite while sustaining constant coverage anywhere in the world. Enhanced interoperability will allow for a range of communication methods to mix and connect effortlessly and encourage cross entity transmission, while digitalisation will provide enhanced end-user capabilities such as conversation recall, replay, and expanded data-analysis possibilities.

The unique BGAN PRISM PTT+, one of Global Beam Telecom’s integrated connectivity solutions, features Inmarsat’s highly-reliable ELERA capabilities and brings together hardware components from Cobham’s EXPLORER 323 Terminal and EXPLORER Mobile Gateway, Hytera’s lightweight but robust digital two-way radio (PD505) and professional Digital Mobile Radio (MD785i). The partnership provides the ultimate offering, supplying real-time GPS, telemetry, and PTT capabilities to create a consistent solution for businesses.

Shabeer Mohammad, Managing Director at Global Beam Telecom said “We are looking forward to sharing BGAN PRISM PTT+ with our customers. As the system integrator, configuring the expertise of the four companies – all of which boast years of experience in their respective fields – provided us the perfect opportunity to bring the ultimate flexible connectivity solution to enterprise customers.”

Stanley Song, Deputy General Manager of Hytera Overseas Sales Department and Sales Director of Hytera MENA, said: “Following the successful completion of our two-phase testing process, we have established a solution that is exceptionally well-suited to the Middle East. With robust hardware – capable of withstanding temperatures up to 60°C – combined with the durability of Inmarsat’s global BGAN offering, we are able to provide customers with the most impressive solution currently on the market, ensuring the ultimate safety and operational efficiency of their fleets.”

Henrik Nørrelykke, Vice President and Head of Critical Communications at Cobham Satcom, said: “We are excited to help bring this powerful and very cost-effective platform to customers across the Middle East. By building on existing terrestrial infrastructure, it enables enterprise customers to enhance their operations by adding the extensive capabilities of satellite connectivity without the need for significant CAPEX investment. This allows them to prioritise the day-to-day expenses of quality operations and implement a more scalable business model in the long-term.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA network is the world’s most reliable satellite network for IoT and secure narrowband connectivity. ELERA offers more global spectrum than any L-band provider, with its recently launched I-6 F1 satellite (and I-6 F2 launching in Q1 2023) making the best use of the available spectrum and providing 50% more capacity per beam.

 

 

Inmarsat launches push-to-talk communications

Posted on by David Priestman

Global Beam Telecom, Cobham Satcom and Inmarsat have launched a new Push-To-Talk (PTT) offering, BGAN PRISM PTT+, in partnership with Hytera. This complete satellite-enhanced connectivity solution, now available through Hytera mobile radios, will help businesses overcome coverage redundancy and operational downtime associated with traditional radio systems.

This new unified network solution combines leading expertise in satellite connectivity, radio systems (LMR/DMR) and cellular devices (3G/LTE) to create a unique PTT offering that will accelerate advanced connectivity adoption among businesses in the Middle East.

Supported by Inmarsat’s BGAN service – powered by the company’s unparalleled, global ELERA (L-band) satellite network – the solution provides industry-leading reliability of 99.9%+ uptime and enables seamless radio over internet protocol (IP) capabilities. It will ensure businesses have access to real-time communications and telemetry capabilities, increasing their visibility of operations and the safety of remote workers and assets.

Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “In this new partnership, Inmarsat is proud to build on our longstanding relationships with Global Beam Telecom and Cobham Satcom, by welcoming Hytera into the fold. This collaboration will be a game-changer for remote workers in the Middle East. It will combine top-of-the-range hardware and software with the best connectivity to provide a new, unmatched PTT service for customers.

“The expertise and technological strength in ELERA, Inmarsat’s industry-leading narrowband network, makes us the perfect connectivity partner to power this new PTT solution. Combined with the immense capabilities of our collaborators, this partnership will keep remote workers safe and connected wherever they are, even in the most remote locations.”

The sophisticated solution will transform customer experience across three key areas: coverage, interoperability, and capability. Incorporating satellite coverage provides exceptional network resilience, enabling seamless switching between radio and satellite while sustaining constant coverage anywhere in the world. Enhanced interoperability will allow for a range of communication methods to mix and connect effortlessly and encourage cross entity transmission, while digitalisation will provide enhanced end-user capabilities such as conversation recall, replay, and expanded data-analysis possibilities.

The unique BGAN PRISM PTT+, one of Global Beam Telecom’s integrated connectivity solutions, features Inmarsat’s highly-reliable ELERA capabilities and brings together hardware components from Cobham’s EXPLORER 323 Terminal and EXPLORER Mobile Gateway, Hytera’s lightweight but robust digital two-way radio (PD505) and professional Digital Mobile Radio (MD785i). The partnership provides the ultimate offering, supplying real-time GPS, telemetry, and PTT capabilities to create a consistent solution for businesses.

Shabeer Mohammad, Managing Director at Global Beam Telecom said “We are looking forward to sharing BGAN PRISM PTT+ with our customers. As the system integrator, configuring the expertise of the four companies – all of which boast years of experience in their respective fields – provided us the perfect opportunity to bring the ultimate flexible connectivity solution to enterprise customers.”

Stanley Song, Deputy General Manager of Hytera Overseas Sales Department and Sales Director of Hytera MENA, said: “Following the successful completion of our two-phase testing process, we have established a solution that is exceptionally well-suited to the Middle East. With robust hardware – capable of withstanding temperatures up to 60°C – combined with the durability of Inmarsat’s global BGAN offering, we are able to provide customers with the most impressive solution currently on the market, ensuring the ultimate safety and operational efficiency of their fleets.”

Henrik Nørrelykke, Vice President and Head of Critical Communications at Cobham Satcom, said: “We are excited to help bring this powerful and very cost-effective platform to customers across the Middle East. By building on existing terrestrial infrastructure, it enables enterprise customers to enhance their operations by adding the extensive capabilities of satellite connectivity without the need for significant CAPEX investment. This allows them to prioritise the day-to-day expenses of quality operations and implement a more scalable business model in the long-term.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA network is the world’s most reliable satellite network for IoT and secure narrowband connectivity. ELERA offers more global spectrum than any L-band provider, with its recently launched I-6 F1 satellite (and I-6 F2 launching in Q1 2023) making the best use of the available spectrum and providing 50% more capacity per beam.

 

 

Interview: Baoli is growing in different markets

Posted on by David Priestman

The industrial truck manufacturer Baoli EMEA, part of the KION Group, aims to become one of the top suppliers in the entry-level segment in all 53 countries where it is currently represented with its products. That is the plan. At present, however, the markets are still developing very differently.

While Baoli is already very prominent in Italy, its market share in France and Austria is still modest. Olivier Le Bozec, Baoli country manager in France, and his counterpart in Austria, Roman Tahetl, talk about how the brand is developing in their markets.

Q: How has the market in the entry-level forklift segment developed in your area of responsibility in the recent past?

Olivier Le Bozec (OLB): In France, this market in particular is growing very dynamically. According to my estimates, the entry-level industrial truck segment has at least doubled in the past 12 months.

Roman Tahetl (RT): In Austria, the total market for industrial trucks rose from 8,473 to 11,922 vehicles last year. The Asian suppliers, who mainly cover the market for entry-level industrial trucks, grew by around four percent last year.

Q: What do you estimate is Baoli’s percentage share of these markets?

OLB: We currently have a market share of around 0.5%. At first glance, that does not sound like a very significant share, but it is a very respectable figure for France. After all, Baoli has only been seriously in business there for four years and development is still in its early stages. But I am pretty sure that we will grow very quickly in France.

RT: In Austria, we will soon reach a market share of 1.5%. That is very impressive considering that we only entered the Austrian market with Baoli in January 2022. In just a few months, we were already able to demonstrate impressively that the “Baoli model” works very well in Austria.

Q: How has the Baoli dealer network in your country developed over the past 12 months?

OLB: We have acted very stringently in the past months and trained our dealers and their sales staff very intensively. Fortunately, we have succeeded in winning six new dealers for Baoli in France.

RT: We were also very successful in acquiring dealers in Austria and are now working successfully with eight dealers. After starting from scratch at the beginning of 2022, this positive development is very, very pleasing.

Q: How many new dealers do you want to acquire for Baoli in your country in the next 12 months?

OLB: We still have a great need, and I hope that at least 12 new dealers will join us in the next few months. Demand is very high, especially in the north of France. Benoit Pasquier, a new sales professional, is currently working on developing the material handling market for Baoli.

RT: We would like to start our business in Austria with 10 dealers to begin with – so we still need two more – and then to observe whether this will be sufficient. In addition, we will take a close look at the regions and analyse where we have further demand.

Q: In your opinion, what are the reasons for dealers in your country to decide to work with Baoli?

OLB: Baoli’s clear structures, loyalty and consistency are certainly the most important reasons for a positive decision.

RT: In Austria, all dealers want to have one brand under contract if possible. In this way, we gain small dealers in particular, who are enabled by this contract to build up their own fleet. But the price and discount structure are also important for this decision. All dealers receive the same discount from us and a sufficiently large sales area. As all dealers in Austria know each other very well and constantly exchange information, there is no significant competition or price war among them.

Q: Is it important for your dealers that Baoli is part of the international KION Group?

OLB: In my experience, the reputation of the KION Group plays an important role in the dealers’ decision to choose our company. For example, KION offers the guarantee that spare parts will be available for more than a decade. In addition, the umbrella organisation guarantees very comprehensive quality control.

RT: I can only confirm that: Being part of the KION Group is an important argument for most dealers to work with Baoli. There are corresponding guarantees – and that is a very important factor in my eyes.

Q: How do your dealers react to the new Baoli vehicles?

OLB: In France, the dealers are first positively surprised by the high-quality of the vehicles manufactured in China, and then very impressed by the trucks. They keep telling us that Baoli vehicles have a very good chance of being successful in our market – the entry-level industrial truck segment.

RT: Unfortunately, we are not yet that far along in Austria. Our dealers are still very cautious in their assessment of the vehicles and want to examine and test them extensively first. However, I am also firmly convinced that we will develop BAOLI into one of the leading brands in the entry-level segment in this country.

Q: So, your dealers are primarily convinced by the quality of the components installed?

OLB: They definitely are. Especially because we use proven components that are used by many forklift manufacturers. The Doosan engines which BAOLI installs, for example, underline the very high-quality standard of the brand. With these high-quality supplier products, our forklifts need to fear no comparison.

RT: Unfortunately, my answer to this question is not as clear as that of my French colleague. As we have only been active in the Austrian market for a few months, I think it is still too early to make a realistic statement here.

Q: Do you consider the current supply of Baoli vehicles to be sufficient?

OLB: At the moment, the range can certainly be expanded to cover all conceivable requirements. However, since Baoli is planning an extensive expansion of its product portfolio, this situation will quickly improve significantly.

RT: I would answer this question in exactly the same way. I, too, am of the opinion that the current range of vehicles will not be sufficient in the long run and should be supplemented – but that has already been planned.

Q: How do your dealers rate the price/performance ratio of Baoli vehicles?

OLB: Our prices have increased over the past year and a half due to the well-known import costs and raw material costs increase because of the worldwide economic situation. However, we must always keep one thing in mind – and we also communicate this to our customers: Baoli forklifts offer significantly more quality and service in the entry-level segment than other suppliers. Anyone who buys a Baoli forklift always buys a comprehensive after-sales service as well.

RT: In Austria, the price/performance ratio of Baoli forklifts is considered very positive according to my experience so far.

Q: Do you see any approaches to optimising cooperation with Baoli dealers?

OLB: Improvements are always possible. The Baoli vehicles could be presented more prominently in the showrooms of our partners in order to anchor our brand even more firmly in the minds of our customers.

Q: Mr. Le Bozec, Mr. Tahetl – thank you for this very interesting interview and for your assessment of the markets in which you operate.

Interview: Baoli is growing in different markets

Posted on by David Priestman

The industrial truck manufacturer Baoli EMEA, part of the KION Group, aims to become one of the top suppliers in the entry-level segment in all 53 countries where it is currently represented with its products. That is the plan. At present, however, the markets are still developing very differently.

While Baoli is already very prominent in Italy, its market share in France and Austria is still modest. Olivier Le Bozec, Baoli country manager in France, and his counterpart in Austria, Roman Tahetl, talk about how the brand is developing in their markets.

Q: How has the market in the entry-level forklift segment developed in your area of responsibility in the recent past?

Olivier Le Bozec (OLB): In France, this market in particular is growing very dynamically. According to my estimates, the entry-level industrial truck segment has at least doubled in the past 12 months.

Roman Tahetl (RT): In Austria, the total market for industrial trucks rose from 8,473 to 11,922 vehicles last year. The Asian suppliers, who mainly cover the market for entry-level industrial trucks, grew by around four percent last year.

Q: What do you estimate is Baoli’s percentage share of these markets?

OLB: We currently have a market share of around 0.5%. At first glance, that does not sound like a very significant share, but it is a very respectable figure for France. After all, Baoli has only been seriously in business there for four years and development is still in its early stages. But I am pretty sure that we will grow very quickly in France.

RT: In Austria, we will soon reach a market share of 1.5%. That is very impressive considering that we only entered the Austrian market with Baoli in January 2022. In just a few months, we were already able to demonstrate impressively that the “Baoli model” works very well in Austria.

Q: How has the Baoli dealer network in your country developed over the past 12 months?

OLB: We have acted very stringently in the past months and trained our dealers and their sales staff very intensively. Fortunately, we have succeeded in winning six new dealers for Baoli in France.

RT: We were also very successful in acquiring dealers in Austria and are now working successfully with eight dealers. After starting from scratch at the beginning of 2022, this positive development is very, very pleasing.

Q: How many new dealers do you want to acquire for Baoli in your country in the next 12 months?

OLB: We still have a great need, and I hope that at least 12 new dealers will join us in the next few months. Demand is very high, especially in the north of France. Benoit Pasquier, a new sales professional, is currently working on developing the material handling market for Baoli.

RT: We would like to start our business in Austria with 10 dealers to begin with – so we still need two more – and then to observe whether this will be sufficient. In addition, we will take a close look at the regions and analyse where we have further demand.

Q: In your opinion, what are the reasons for dealers in your country to decide to work with Baoli?

OLB: Baoli’s clear structures, loyalty and consistency are certainly the most important reasons for a positive decision.

RT: In Austria, all dealers want to have one brand under contract if possible. In this way, we gain small dealers in particular, who are enabled by this contract to build up their own fleet. But the price and discount structure are also important for this decision. All dealers receive the same discount from us and a sufficiently large sales area. As all dealers in Austria know each other very well and constantly exchange information, there is no significant competition or price war among them.

Q: Is it important for your dealers that Baoli is part of the international KION Group?

OLB: In my experience, the reputation of the KION Group plays an important role in the dealers’ decision to choose our company. For example, KION offers the guarantee that spare parts will be available for more than a decade. In addition, the umbrella organisation guarantees very comprehensive quality control.

RT: I can only confirm that: Being part of the KION Group is an important argument for most dealers to work with Baoli. There are corresponding guarantees – and that is a very important factor in my eyes.

Q: How do your dealers react to the new Baoli vehicles?

OLB: In France, the dealers are first positively surprised by the high-quality of the vehicles manufactured in China, and then very impressed by the trucks. They keep telling us that Baoli vehicles have a very good chance of being successful in our market – the entry-level industrial truck segment.

RT: Unfortunately, we are not yet that far along in Austria. Our dealers are still very cautious in their assessment of the vehicles and want to examine and test them extensively first. However, I am also firmly convinced that we will develop BAOLI into one of the leading brands in the entry-level segment in this country.

Q: So, your dealers are primarily convinced by the quality of the components installed?

OLB: They definitely are. Especially because we use proven components that are used by many forklift manufacturers. The Doosan engines which BAOLI installs, for example, underline the very high-quality standard of the brand. With these high-quality supplier products, our forklifts need to fear no comparison.

RT: Unfortunately, my answer to this question is not as clear as that of my French colleague. As we have only been active in the Austrian market for a few months, I think it is still too early to make a realistic statement here.

Q: Do you consider the current supply of Baoli vehicles to be sufficient?

OLB: At the moment, the range can certainly be expanded to cover all conceivable requirements. However, since Baoli is planning an extensive expansion of its product portfolio, this situation will quickly improve significantly.

RT: I would answer this question in exactly the same way. I, too, am of the opinion that the current range of vehicles will not be sufficient in the long run and should be supplemented – but that has already been planned.

Q: How do your dealers rate the price/performance ratio of Baoli vehicles?

OLB: Our prices have increased over the past year and a half due to the well-known import costs and raw material costs increase because of the worldwide economic situation. However, we must always keep one thing in mind – and we also communicate this to our customers: Baoli forklifts offer significantly more quality and service in the entry-level segment than other suppliers. Anyone who buys a Baoli forklift always buys a comprehensive after-sales service as well.

RT: In Austria, the price/performance ratio of Baoli forklifts is considered very positive according to my experience so far.

Q: Do you see any approaches to optimising cooperation with Baoli dealers?

OLB: Improvements are always possible. The Baoli vehicles could be presented more prominently in the showrooms of our partners in order to anchor our brand even more firmly in the minds of our customers.

Q: Mr. Le Bozec, Mr. Tahetl – thank you for this very interesting interview and for your assessment of the markets in which you operate.

Pitney Bowes sending technology generates 25% savings

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Pitney Bowes Inc., a global shipping and mailing company that provides technology, logistics, and financial services, has launched its next-generation franking machine, SendPro Mailstation, in the UK. Already a best seller in the US due to its ease-of-use and compact size, SendPro Mailstation is perfect for organisations looking to drive down costs and simplify their sending.

For UK businesses, SendPro Mailstation generates savings of up to 25% on postage and, if choosing to have ink supplied by popular Pitney Bowes service AutoInk, up to 70% on ink. The integrated 4.3” full-colour touchscreen helps users print postage from the device directly onto their envelopes or labels.

Businesses enjoy the user experience and easy set-up, also valuing access to postage discounts. Monica Mistry from FirstFord Ltd said: “We found SendPro Mailstation quick and easy to install – we were connected and printing postage on our first letters within just a few minutes. The intuitive prompts on the touchscreen make it very straightforward to select the right postage. Now, our clients receive their communications in a timely, professional way and we’re saving time and money.”

Sian Evans from Excel Engineering stated: “There are so many different postal rates it can be complicated and expensive to send mail and parcels. SendPro Mailstation makes it simple. Because it connects using wifi we know the rates are always 100% accurate and we are up-to-date, and it saves us money, too. It makes life a little bit easier for us as a small business.”

Debbie Anderson from Roger Budge Electrical Engineers, said: “Printed mail is a critical communications channel for us: we regularly send out contracts, invoices, installation and maintenance reports and customer letters through the post, but the costs can really add up. SendPro Mailstation helps us keep these costs down by giving us access to savings. It’s intuitive and straightforward to use, and it makes us more efficient and productive, freeing up our time to focus on growing the business.”

Ryan Higginson, Vice President and UK/ROI Country Leader, Pitney Bowes said: “SendPro Mailstation is a game-changer for UK businesses looking to save money but not compromise on feature-rich office sending technology. With over 100 years’ experience, serving 750,000 businesses and facilitating the sending of billions of mail pieces across the world, Pitney Bowes has an unrivalled perspective into mailing and shipping. Inspired by our customers and driven by this insight, our talented design team brought this innovation to life. We’re delighted that UK organisations can experience SendPro Mailstation for themselves.”

The latest in its award-winning family of SendPro technologies, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation comes with a subscription to companion application SendPro Online. Ideal for businesses shipping parcels, SendPro Online extends SendPro Mailstation’s functionality by providing insight such as proof of delivery and parcel tracking.

With UK parcel volume expected to reach between 7.5 and 8.5 billion in 2026, SendPro Online delivers savings of up to 75% on parcel shipping through Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide. Complementary to SendPro Mailstation, SendPro Online also offers insight on ink status, wireless connection strength, postal balance and spend history, as well as the ability to print return address labels. Together, the solutions give businesses a complete picture of mailing and shipping status and spend, in real-time, while generating significant cost savings.

SendPro Mailstation’s sophisticated functionality, intuitive features and business benefits, all specifically designed to improve office sending, include:

  • Access to the most up-to-date postage rates and automated rate update, eliminating the need for trips to the Post Office
  • Pay the lowest postage prices with Mailmark
  • Intuitive, easy to use, full-colour 4.3 inch/11 cm touchscreen
  • Proactive support through touchscreen notifications and how-to guides.
  • Repairs and replacements included with franking ink as standard
  • Presets to accelerate mail processing
  • Built-in scale to weigh all mailings, ensuring the correct postage every time
  • Compact and quiet, suitable for workplaces of all sizes
  • Improved planning and predictability of ink costs with AutoInk

One of the most popular sending technologies ever launched by Pitney Bowes in the US, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation was named a finalist for the 2020 SaaS Awards and has received a Bronze IDA Design Award.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Pitney Bowes sending technology generates 25% savings

Posted on by David Priestman

Pitney Bowes Inc., a global shipping and mailing company that provides technology, logistics, and financial services, has launched its next-generation franking machine, SendPro Mailstation, in the UK. Already a best seller in the US due to its ease-of-use and compact size, SendPro Mailstation is perfect for organisations looking to drive down costs and simplify their sending.

For UK businesses, SendPro Mailstation generates savings of up to 25% on postage and, if choosing to have ink supplied by popular Pitney Bowes service AutoInk, up to 70% on ink. The integrated 4.3” full-colour touchscreen helps users print postage from the device directly onto their envelopes or labels.

Businesses enjoy the user experience and easy set-up, also valuing access to postage discounts. Monica Mistry from FirstFord Ltd said: “We found SendPro Mailstation quick and easy to install – we were connected and printing postage on our first letters within just a few minutes. The intuitive prompts on the touchscreen make it very straightforward to select the right postage. Now, our clients receive their communications in a timely, professional way and we’re saving time and money.”

Sian Evans from Excel Engineering stated: “There are so many different postal rates it can be complicated and expensive to send mail and parcels. SendPro Mailstation makes it simple. Because it connects using wifi we know the rates are always 100% accurate and we are up-to-date, and it saves us money, too. It makes life a little bit easier for us as a small business.”

Debbie Anderson from Roger Budge Electrical Engineers, said: “Printed mail is a critical communications channel for us: we regularly send out contracts, invoices, installation and maintenance reports and customer letters through the post, but the costs can really add up. SendPro Mailstation helps us keep these costs down by giving us access to savings. It’s intuitive and straightforward to use, and it makes us more efficient and productive, freeing up our time to focus on growing the business.”

Ryan Higginson, Vice President and UK/ROI Country Leader, Pitney Bowes said: “SendPro Mailstation is a game-changer for UK businesses looking to save money but not compromise on feature-rich office sending technology. With over 100 years’ experience, serving 750,000 businesses and facilitating the sending of billions of mail pieces across the world, Pitney Bowes has an unrivalled perspective into mailing and shipping. Inspired by our customers and driven by this insight, our talented design team brought this innovation to life. We’re delighted that UK organisations can experience SendPro Mailstation for themselves.”

The latest in its award-winning family of SendPro technologies, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation comes with a subscription to companion application SendPro Online. Ideal for businesses shipping parcels, SendPro Online extends SendPro Mailstation’s functionality by providing insight such as proof of delivery and parcel tracking.

With UK parcel volume expected to reach between 7.5 and 8.5 billion in 2026, SendPro Online delivers savings of up to 75% on parcel shipping through Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide. Complementary to SendPro Mailstation, SendPro Online also offers insight on ink status, wireless connection strength, postal balance and spend history, as well as the ability to print return address labels. Together, the solutions give businesses a complete picture of mailing and shipping status and spend, in real-time, while generating significant cost savings.

SendPro Mailstation’s sophisticated functionality, intuitive features and business benefits, all specifically designed to improve office sending, include:

  • Access to the most up-to-date postage rates and automated rate update, eliminating the need for trips to the Post Office
  • Pay the lowest postage prices with Mailmark
  • Intuitive, easy to use, full-colour 4.3 inch/11 cm touchscreen
  • Proactive support through touchscreen notifications and how-to guides.
  • Repairs and replacements included with franking ink as standard
  • Presets to accelerate mail processing
  • Built-in scale to weigh all mailings, ensuring the correct postage every time
  • Compact and quiet, suitable for workplaces of all sizes
  • Improved planning and predictability of ink costs with AutoInk

One of the most popular sending technologies ever launched by Pitney Bowes in the US, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation was named a finalist for the 2020 SaaS Awards and has received a Bronze IDA Design Award.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Clark introduces mono-mast high-lift pallet truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has expanded its product range in the area of pallet trucks with another lift truck. The new WS10Mi is a high-lift truck with mono-mast and initial lift.

The WS10Mi is one of the entry-level models in the world of high-lift trucks. Thanks to its mono-lift mast and its maximum load capacity of up to 1000kg (1200kg initial lift), the areas of application of this nimble warehouse helper are many: The vehicle is suitable for transport over short distances, for stacking applications up to a lifting height of 1955mm or also as a mobile, ergonomic work table. The WS10Mi comes into its own especially when used on uneven floors, smaller ramps or weighing equipment, as the WS10Mi effortlessly overcomes inclines thanks to its initial lift (115mm).

The compact design of the high-lift truck also allows it to be used in space-critical work areas, for example in narrow racking aisles. The length of the truck including the back of the forks (l2) is just 600mm. Only a small amount of force is required to steer the manoeuvrable lift truck. This conserves the operator’s strength and relieves him of his workload. Due to the low vehicle weight of 520kg (including battery) and the resulting lower ground load, the vehicle can also be used on intermediate levels.

Safe and ergonomic load handling

The handle-optimised vehicle drawbar enables precise operation of all travel and lifting functions. In addition, the mono-lift frame offers the best possible view of the fork tips. The operator always keeps an overview and can position the unit safely and precisely as well as thread it unerringly into pallets. Like all models in the WS10 range, the WS10Mi has a low-slung vehicle frame to protect the operator’s feet and those around the vehicle.

The WS10Mi is equipped with maintenance-free block batteries and a built-in charger. This allows the battery to be recharged at any 230v socket. This increases availability and simplifies handling. The vehicle display informs the operator about the battery charge level as well as the operating hours driven.

 

Clark introduces mono-mast high-lift pallet truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has expanded its product range in the area of pallet trucks with another lift truck. The new WS10Mi is a high-lift truck with mono-mast and initial lift.

The WS10Mi is one of the entry-level models in the world of high-lift trucks. Thanks to its mono-lift mast and its maximum load capacity of up to 1000kg (1200kg initial lift), the areas of application of this nimble warehouse helper are many: The vehicle is suitable for transport over short distances, for stacking applications up to a lifting height of 1955mm or also as a mobile, ergonomic work table. The WS10Mi comes into its own especially when used on uneven floors, smaller ramps or weighing equipment, as the WS10Mi effortlessly overcomes inclines thanks to its initial lift (115mm).

The compact design of the high-lift truck also allows it to be used in space-critical work areas, for example in narrow racking aisles. The length of the truck including the back of the forks (l2) is just 600mm. Only a small amount of force is required to steer the manoeuvrable lift truck. This conserves the operator’s strength and relieves him of his workload. Due to the low vehicle weight of 520kg (including battery) and the resulting lower ground load, the vehicle can also be used on intermediate levels.

Safe and ergonomic load handling

The handle-optimised vehicle drawbar enables precise operation of all travel and lifting functions. In addition, the mono-lift frame offers the best possible view of the fork tips. The operator always keeps an overview and can position the unit safely and precisely as well as thread it unerringly into pallets. Like all models in the WS10 range, the WS10Mi has a low-slung vehicle frame to protect the operator’s feet and those around the vehicle.

The WS10Mi is equipped with maintenance-free block batteries and a built-in charger. This allows the battery to be recharged at any 230v socket. This increases availability and simplifies handling. The vehicle display informs the operator about the battery charge level as well as the operating hours driven.

 

HHLA Sky named one of Germany’s top 100 innovators

Posted on by Keith McKinley

German company HHLA Sky has been named one of the 100 most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany by the renowned Top100 competition. The Top100 seal was presented to the managing directors of HHLA Sky, Lothar Müller and Matthias Gronstedt, by Germany’s prominent science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar at a gala event held recently in Frankfurt am Main.

The award evaluates how consistently a company focuses on an innovation goal and integrates it into its structures and planning, according to more than 100 indicators. The scientific analysis is conducted on the basis of five categories: innovation-promoting top management, innovation climate, innovative processes and organisation, external orientation/open innovation and innovation success.

HHLA Sky is the technology leader in the field of mobile robot management. The company has developed a globally unique IoT platform that maps the entire process chain when using industrial drones. This software is used in HHLA Sky’s Integrated Control Centre (pictured), which can simultaneously control and monitor more than 100 drones worldwide, even when they are out of the pilot’s line of sight (BVLOS). In addition to simultaneous automated drone flights, the Integrated Control Centre also enables journeys by AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) to be carried out in a safe and controlled manner. The company’s software is globally scalable and can be fully integrated into customers’ existing IT systems.

From its headquarters in Hamburg, HHLA Sky also cooperates with various players in science, business and politics, for example in the pioneering research project “UDVeo”, which will organise the first European U-space, a special airspace for urban drone traffic, starting in 2023.

“We are grateful for the recognition of our efforts. Innovation is part of HHLA Sky’s DNA. With our Integrated Control Centre, we are opening up the third dimension for the safe and efficient deployment of drones for industrial and commercial purposes. With our mobile robot management software, we want to continuously open up the field of application for robot mobility in the air and on the ground,” says Matthias Gronstedt, Managing Director of HHLA Sky.

“Thinking ahead, pooling expertise and shaping ground-breaking technologies: Innovators are those who create space for this, who keep moving forward and always question things. Nothing is more conducive to innovation than systematically rethinking technology with our partners and our team and developing systems that are unique and ensure optimum customer benefits,” adds Lothar Müller, Managing Director of HHLA Sky.

Highest grade A+ for HHLA Sky

This consistent focus on innovation and new thinking is also reflected in the assessment by the Top 100 jury: altogether, HHLA Sky’s innovation management is awarded the highest grade of “A+”.

This ranking is even higher than the average “A” of all Top 100 innovators, which is described as follows: “’A’ is awarded to companies that have an unusually high level of innovation management and set standards, even when compared internationally. The probability of future innovation success is very high”. HHLA Sky was able to achieve the top score in four out of five criteria in the innovation assessment. The fifth criterion was not graded individually.

The compamedia GmbH Top100 award, which has been in existence since 1993, is an indicator that a company is excellently positioned for future changes and developments and can adapt well to them. Project partners are the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW). Media partners are manager magazine and impulse. The renowned jury consists of experts from business practice and research, as well as from the media and politics.

The scientific management of the TOP 100 innovation competition is the responsibility of Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke, founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, and a leading international innovation researcher.

Jurors are among others are the President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ing. Reimund Neugebauer and also Prof. Dr. Fredmund Malik, founder, owner and chairman of Malik St. Gallen, the leading company for holistic management, leadership and governance solutions, Dorothee Bär, deputy chairwoman of the CSU, Prof. Dr. h. c. Roland Berger, founder and honorary chairman of the supervisory board of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, Frank Thelen, the founder and managing director of the venture capital company Freigeist Capital and Achim Berg, president of the digital industry association BITKOM.

Numerous world market leaders and “hidden champions” are among this year’s Top 100 winners. The scientific analysis is based on the comparative values of more than 10,000 companies.

 

HHLA Sky named one of Germany’s top 100 innovators

Posted on by David Priestman

German company HHLA Sky has been named one of the 100 most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany by the renowned Top100 competition. The Top100 seal was presented to the managing directors of HHLA Sky, Lothar Müller and Matthias Gronstedt, by Germany’s prominent science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar at a gala event held recently in Frankfurt am Main.

The award evaluates how consistently a company focuses on an innovation goal and integrates it into its structures and planning, according to more than 100 indicators. The scientific analysis is conducted on the basis of five categories: innovation-promoting top management, innovation climate, innovative processes and organisation, external orientation/open innovation and innovation success.

HHLA Sky is the technology leader in the field of mobile robot management. The company has developed a globally unique IoT platform that maps the entire process chain when using industrial drones. This software is used in HHLA Sky’s Integrated Control Centre (pictured), which can simultaneously control and monitor more than 100 drones worldwide, even when they are out of the pilot’s line of sight (BVLOS). In addition to simultaneous automated drone flights, the Integrated Control Centre also enables journeys by AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) to be carried out in a safe and controlled manner. The company’s software is globally scalable and can be fully integrated into customers’ existing IT systems.

From its headquarters in Hamburg, HHLA Sky also cooperates with various players in science, business and politics, for example in the pioneering research project “UDVeo”, which will organise the first European U-space, a special airspace for urban drone traffic, starting in 2023.

“We are grateful for the recognition of our efforts. Innovation is part of HHLA Sky’s DNA. With our Integrated Control Centre, we are opening up the third dimension for the safe and efficient deployment of drones for industrial and commercial purposes. With our mobile robot management software, we want to continuously open up the field of application for robot mobility in the air and on the ground,” says Matthias Gronstedt, Managing Director of HHLA Sky.

“Thinking ahead, pooling expertise and shaping ground-breaking technologies: Innovators are those who create space for this, who keep moving forward and always question things. Nothing is more conducive to innovation than systematically rethinking technology with our partners and our team and developing systems that are unique and ensure optimum customer benefits,” adds Lothar Müller, Managing Director of HHLA Sky.

Highest grade A+ for HHLA Sky

This consistent focus on innovation and new thinking is also reflected in the assessment by the Top 100 jury: altogether, HHLA Sky’s innovation management is awarded the highest grade of “A+”.

This ranking is even higher than the average “A” of all Top 100 innovators, which is described as follows: “’A’ is awarded to companies that have an unusually high level of innovation management and set standards, even when compared internationally. The probability of future innovation success is very high”. HHLA Sky was able to achieve the top score in four out of five criteria in the innovation assessment. The fifth criterion was not graded individually.

The compamedia GmbH Top100 award, which has been in existence since 1993, is an indicator that a company is excellently positioned for future changes and developments and can adapt well to them. Project partners are the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW). Media partners are manager magazine and impulse. The renowned jury consists of experts from business practice and research, as well as from the media and politics.

The scientific management of the TOP 100 innovation competition is the responsibility of Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke, founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, and a leading international innovation researcher.

Jurors are among others are the President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ing. Reimund Neugebauer and also Prof. Dr. Fredmund Malik, founder, owner and chairman of Malik St. Gallen, the leading company for holistic management, leadership and governance solutions, Dorothee Bär, deputy chairwoman of the CSU, Prof. Dr. h. c. Roland Berger, founder and honorary chairman of the supervisory board of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, Frank Thelen, the founder and managing director of the venture capital company Freigeist Capital and Achim Berg, president of the digital industry association BITKOM.

Numerous world market leaders and “hidden champions” are among this year’s Top 100 winners. The scientific analysis is based on the comparative values of more than 10,000 companies.

 

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.