Staying secure in the smart era: Three rules for cyber security 15th October 2018

RS Components (RS) is supporting the ‘Big Step Challenge’, which is being launched by Messe Muenchen, the organisers of electronica 2018. The challenge has been devised to harness the power of the show’s international audience essentially ‘walking to unite the world through technology’. The electronica trade fair attracts visitors from more than 80 countries, who will be encouraged to take part.

Developing a test instrumentation project using any components is the latest Project14 design contest set for its customers by element14.com. The most creative submissions will be in with a chance of winning a professional tool set from Farnell element14 and a $100 shopping cart to use on the Farnell element14 transactional site.

Developer and manufacturer of reliable computers for demanding environments, JLT Mobile Computers, is expanding its customer service and support capabilities in the US market. With the strengthened service offering, JLT is set up to better support its growing US customer base today and in future. 

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has joined the ISELED Alliance. The alliance was founded in 2016 to further develop and market the ‘digital LED’ (controller chip with three coloured LED chips) for an innovative LED lighting concept for vehicle interiors. In addition to OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inova Semiconductors, Dominant Opto Technologies, Lucie Labs, Melexis, OLSA Group, NXP, TE Connectivity, the University of Pforzheim and Valeo have already joined the alliance.

Semiconductors play increasingly important control roles in automotive, industrial and safety critical applications. Quality and reliability are therefore of vital importance and so Presto Engineering has completed certification to the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard at its facility in Caen, France, which is Europe's largest independent semiconductor test facility.

  In recognition of the strong commercial performance that has been attained and the proactivity shown by its staff at all times, Harwin has presented valued distribution partner Avnet Abacus with its annual Sales Excellence Award.

In 2017, online retail giant Amazon revealed its plans to introduce a smart home system that allows couriers to unlock its customer’s doors and leave packages inside. The announcement raised numerous concerns over security and here, Maria Torrisi, Business Development Manager at JMartans Automation, has explained how smart technologies can make homes safer.

Adam Fletcher, chairman of the Electronic Components Supply Network (ecsn), has reported continuing strong revenue growth in August 2018, traditionally one of the quieter months in the year. But at the same time he acknowledged an unusual eight point fall in the B2B (book to bill) ratio.