Leading The Global Connected Revolution
Sponsored By
KONTRON:
Leading The Global Connected Revolution Written by: Nye Longman Produced by: Danielle Harris
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KONTRON
Having restructured and centralised operations after over 50 successful years in the embedded computing technology space, the company is now poised to become a vital IoT provider
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aving led the world’s embedded computing technology sector since 1959, Kontron is now ready to use its expertise to become the world leader for Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The German company has restructured its operations and has built dedicated facilities which will ensure that its vision to become the ‘go-to’ company for IoT technology and services is realised. Operations ‑Reaching revenues of €456.8 million last year, the company has proven to itself, its shareholders and the industry at large that its decision to restructure to lead global IoT products and services was well considered. Michael Väth, Kontron’s Executive Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing said that this move was backed up by a change of focus: “We walked away from being a legal entity business to an industrially focused structure.”
Kontron’s position in the embedded computing technology space is both well-established and trusted 4
TECHNOLOGY
Kontron’s position in the embedded computing technology space is both well-established and trusted; it serves a range of international clients with its broad offering of software and systems solutions, alongside its mainstay of boards and standard form factors. Its range of systems include cloud devices, panel PCs and connectivity equipment, as well as customised, industry specific computers and monitors. It also provides services with regard to these in the form of technical and professional support alongside enhanced repair services. It is little wonder that a host of Fortune 500 companies turn to Kontron to fulfil their embedded technology needs. The company is also utilizing a global set of strong channel partners alongside system integrators to cover the mid-market and to complement its offering with industry-specific solutions. In an increasingly connected world, the company has attracted clients from a diverse set of industries including industrial automation, energy, medical and communication. Kontron also serves clients based in the avionics, transportation and defence sectors. It has a strong presence in the US and European markets, as well as steadily growing operations in Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets. Väth explained that the company developed its capabilities through the acquisition and merger of many smaller outfits, and that this was a trend that continues to this day, he said: “During the transformation we sold off parts of
Key Personnel
Rolf Schwirz CEO Rolf Schwirz can look back on many years of extensive experience in the IT industry. Prior to his position at Kontron, he was CEO of Fujitsu Technology Solutions, held the position of Head of Mature Markets EMEA at SAP, and spent 12 years at Oracle in a variety of international management roles including those of Senior Vice President Western Continental Europe, Managing Director Nordic-Germany, and Vice President Sales Germany. He knows the customer needs both in large and midsize businesses
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KONTRON
Key Personnel
Kontron’s position in the embedded computing technology space is both well-established and trusted
Michael Väth Executive Vice President Global Sales & Marketing Michael leads Kontron’s global sales & marketing organization. He has responsibility to grow profitable revenue, to drive market share utilizing all available channels and to build an efficient sales and marketing operation. In March 2015 he was as well appointed as Managing Director (Chairman) of Kontron Europe.
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Kontron which were not part of our core. We also acquired parts that we feel we missed from a coverage perspective. For example we bought out our JV partner in India so Kontron could have a 100 percent owned subsidiary in this area.” Technological solutions Using the medical sector as an example, Väth explained how the company’s ability to engineer tailored solutions for connected devices not only provided peace of mind but also enabled them to focus on what the technology was created for. He said: “With a medical device,
TECHNOLOGY
“The purpose of what came to be known as its ‘tech campus’ was to manage all of its global operations from a single location, and also provide a centralised business and engineering development hub” we receive specifications from a customer, who usually has them for a range of things such as space, performance, and temperature. They don’t want have to worry about the embedded computer; they are interested in the medical application and how it is running.” “We start with the building blocks, typically boards and modules or preconfigured industrial PCs; we take those pieces and add additional parts on the platform side. These could be either BIOS, performance and function features, or specific operating systems like LINUX or Windows.” All these platforms can
– Michael Väth, Executive Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing
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Whether it’s amazing or mundane, something you’ve never seen before or the things you can’t live without—you name it. If it takes a charge, chances are, it was built with Arrow. When you think about the world of Five Years Out: • Arrow is helping design it. • Build it. • Source it. • Even pay for it. By the time a typical person has their coffee in the morning, Arrow will have touched their life five times. By the time they go to bed, at least twenty. We are an intellectual force for dreamers. A springboard for innovators. And a practical tool for builders. Arrow is not a collection of different companies and divisions. Arrow is far more than the sum of its parts. Arrow is the shortest distance between what’s practical and what’s possible. Arrow is Five Years Out.
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CONTACT Arrow OEM Computing Solutions (OCS) Locations http://ocs.arrow.com/na/en/connect/contact-us/ Email ocs-emea-info@arroweurope.com Web ocs.arrow.com
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Possible…Practical: Arrow OEM Computing Solutions Whether it’s amazing or mundane, something you’ve never seen before or the things you can’t live without— you name it. If it takes a charge, chances are, it was built with Arrow Arrow Electronics has been in the business of guiding innovation forward for a long time, and in today’s market that support is more crucial than ever. Perhaps you’re trying to look five years out to future designs and push the limits of technology, or maybe you’re trying to extend the lifetime of your solutions and services with the right parts and products. Whatever your challenge we know that it can be difficult to get it right! You may want to push your ideas to the limits of what is possible? But then you have to be sure that it is practical!
It has to work, and it has to be at a cost that you can afford. At Arrow OCS we believe we can help you deliver a better solution to your customers. We understand how to get the balance right between what’s possible and what’s practical. We’ve partnered with Kontron for many years, and that partnership has become increasingly powerful for our OEM and ISV customers. Kontron have an unrivalled reputation for innovation, quality, and engineering excellence. The breadth of products that Kontron have can be daunting. Our Solution Architects receive in depth training from the Kontron Engineering teams in Germany to make sure they are ready to help you navigate to the best solution. Whether it is during the design process, or to support you for years
to come as your project moves from design, to production, to lifecycle management, we continue to provide the support and expertise that you need. To complement the Kontron offering we have carefully selected a portfolio of suppliers. We enable solutions from the factory floor to the business intelligence at the back end – from the IoT gateway to the server and storage, all from a single trusted source. Whether you need a visual solution, embedded software, a server or storage appliance, or indeed anything that makes an OEM computing solution possible, you’re in the right place. So what makes Arrow OCS different? • Broad but carefully selected range of suppliers to support the needs of key markets like industrial automation, , transportation, telecoms, energy, broadcast, digital signage, security & surveillance, and many more… • Global logistics for OEMs and ISVs – let us take the pain away
• Global integration – 7 integration centres around the world allowing us to build your appliance within your target region, saving money on logistics and duty, and providing near-immediate global scale Arrow OCS is built with global scale in mind, and we’re here to support your innovation. Let us help with your designs and we’ll enable you to focus on the important work of developing your future solutions and services. Whilst being global is important to many of our customers, we also recognise the value of local expertise. Across EMEA we have Solution Architects and Sales professionals who can come to where you are, listen to your needs, and propose solutions tailored to those requirements. We’re here to help. Contact your local Arrow OCS Sales office, and let us help you to see what’s possible. And what’s practical! http://ocs.arrow.com/eu/en/
KONTRON
Defence and avionics are growing areas of application
be enhanced with future IoT offerings including security, manageability and datability. ‑Having been in the embedded computing technology sector for over 50 years, Kontron has been able to keep abreast of the latest operational quality standards. Alongside being accredited with the ISO 9001 quality management certificate and ISO 14001 environmental guarantee, the company also holds an ISO 13485 which proves that it can consistently meet the technical requirements set down by medical organisations. It is also adheres to French and US rail and aerospace standards, as well as arms trafficking regulations in the US.
Evaluate. Engage. Evolve. From components to cloud and design to disposal, Avnet brings products, services and solutions to customers that build, sell and use technology, globally. Avnet and Kontron partner with customers who take their intellectual property to market, accelerating product launch and increasing profitability – ultimately enhancing competitiveness. Avnet is more than just products, embedded components or line items. We provide support and cradle to grave services our customers need to get to market anywhere in the world efficiently, reliably and with confidence.
Get your solution to market faster with Avnet! Contact us for more information at avnet.me/kontron
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From components to cloud and design to disposal, Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) accelerates the success of customers who build, sell and use technology, globally by providing them with a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products, services and solutions. Avnet is a Fortune 500 company with revenues of $27.9 billion for the fiscal year 2015. For more information, visit www.avnet.com. Copyright Š 2015 Avnet, Inc. AVNET and the AV logo are registered trademarks of Avnet, Inc. All other brands are the property of their respective owners. LIT # 1 2
TECHNOLOGY Kontron adheres to French and US rail and aerospace standards, as well as arms trafficking regulations in the US.
Tech Campus Kontron recently constructed a state-ofthe-art facility in Augsburg, 40 kilometres from Munich. The purpose of what came to be known as its ‘tech campus’ was to manage all of its global operations from a single location, and also provide a centralised business and engineering development hub. Väth said: “We took a radical decision to shut down three of our major sites and built a new tech campus around a factory; we were able to bring the majority of the people from the other facilities.” The campus consists of a 6,100 square metre office building, 3,800 square metre production facility and 4,000 square metre warehouse. A 2,500 square metre centre
“Having been in the embedded technology sector for over 50 years, Kontron has been able to keep abreast of the latest operational quality standards” – Michael Väth, Executive Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing
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KONTRON
Kontron Technology Campus
“We took a radical decision to shut down three of our major sites and built a new tech campus around a factory; we were able to bring the majority of people from the other facilities” – Michael Väth, Executive Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing 14
dedicated to research and development is also on site. Väth added: “Out of 1,500 people across the company globally, 500 are centred on the tech campus. It is very modern and has all the things we need to develop our business.” “We have Global and European management and R&D teams here. All the business units are represented here that define strategies and support all out functions, as well as manufacturing. Finance and Global HR are all centrally managed here.” Talent Management A great deal of technical training is carried out in the company’s new Augsburg tech hub, in addition to various facilities around the globe.
TECHNOLOGY
Väth explained how the company was cutting out complexity in order to make training both straightforward and easier to take on board, he said: “We have started to build a curriculum. The company was created by acquiring ten other companies so we have many varied job titles; it was important that employees had a clear job description so people can move through the professional and management chains. “That has been completed and we are now starting to deliver training for young managers. We have moved them away from technical selling to focus on value selling. We educate them on their professional capabilities, and also to make sure that we can develop their personal attributes both working as a team and as individual contributors; we assess this on a yearly basis.” “I brought people on board who had different capabilities; moving into the IoT space, I did not just look at hiring guys who had experience in hardware. My head of Europe and head of APAC are from the software side; we need engineers to do both hardware and software.” Kontron’s work over the past few years has demonstrated that the company and its employees not only have the foresight to keep abreast of the latest developments, but also that they have the abilities to see this thinking bear fruit. Using its experience in the embedded space, which has been honed by decades of innovation, the company is now poised to lead the global IoT revolution.
Company Information INDUSTRY
Embedded Computing Technology / IoT HEADQUARTERS
Bavaria FOUNDED
1959 EMPLOYEES
1,500 REVENUE
€456.8 million PRODUCTS/ SERVICES
The design and manufacture of embedded technology in the form of boards, modules and various systems and software solutions
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KONTRON Lise-Meitner-StraĂ&#x;e 3-5, Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany 86156 Tel. +49 (0) 821 4086-0 / Fax. +49 (0) 821 4086 111 sales@kontron.com / www. kontron.com