Johnson Controls and Foxconn Industrial Internet create global strategic partnership
Foxconn and Johnson Controls has announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding forming a global technology strategic partnership. Johnson Controls and Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii) will collaborate to transform building data analytics through artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance smart building and smart-city technologies and achieve comfort, security and sustainability goals. Johnsons Controls will become the preferred provider of building management products and solutions at Foxconn’s planned manufacturing facilities in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin and potentially extend to Foxconn’s global footprint. The buildings will incorporate smart, safe, and sustainable technologies provided by Johnson Controls and enhanced by Fii’s industrial AI and Smart manufacturing technologies. “We look forward to this collaboration with Johnson Controls, a global leader in building technology, to apply their expertise to leverage our expertise in Artificial Intelligence to further advance into the next generation of smart technology solutions,” said Brand Cheng, Fii CEO. “This partnership represents an incredible opportunity for both companies. For Johnson Controls it is recognition by the world’s leading electronics manufacturer that we have the right products and solutions to make buildings smart, safe and sustainable, not just in Southeastern Wisconsin, but around the world,” said George Oliver, chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls. The smart buildings and cities of the future will rely on buildings with a highly predictive network of integrated data analytics and artificial intelligence applications, combining building data with external data such as utility pricing, energy storage use, social media tracking and weather data to help consumers manage their home environment, home security, lighting and a host of other in-home functions.
Implementing Access Control within a Triangle of Trust
“Honeywell Pro-Watch® solved our biggest problem: how to transition and replace our legacy security software that was no longer supported and given end-of-life status without compromising service.” — Jeffrey Reed, Global Security Application Engineering Manager, PepsiCo Facing the sudden end-of-life of their legacy access control software, here’s how a global packaged goods leader used internal security audits and Honeywell Pro-Watch® Software superior flexibility and scalability to re-gain it at more than 300 locations. The Need “We were really put in a bind when our legacy access control software provider suddenly announced end-of-life for the product we were using,” said Jeffrey Reed, PepsiCo’s seasoned Global Security Application Engineering Manager. “Their decision put a hurt on us.” Reed and his team support more than 300 locations that include Pepsi®, Frito-Lay®, Quaker Oats® and other well-known brands, as well as the more than 100,000 people serving those brands. These are largely warehouse facilities, with products that have a shelf life, making security especially critical. Because support for the existing product was being discontinued, Reed and his team had to move quickly and efficiently. “It was an obscene deadline,” he said. “When they abandoned the product, they basically abandoned us.” Even though promises were made offering a migration path to a new product, Reed contacted his integrators and began another internal audit of locations — audits he had been conducting on an ongoing basis since September 11, 2001, to create standardization. That audit and extensive review process suggested Honeywell’s Pro-Watch® Access Control Software as the standard and basis of the support Reed needed. The Solution Reed and his team tapped into his key integrators for recommendations. Meetings and presentations were held, and studies were conducted. It was an exhaustive, time-intensive process that led directly to the Pro-Watch® Software. “I want to do business with people who want to do business with us,” Reed declared. “At evaluation events it became very clear who those people were. You see, it’s not just about the software. I mean, it has to be scalable and flexible. In our extensive review process, we found that Pro-Watch had what we were looking for in terms of features: custom reporting capabilities and out-of-box customization of badging. Additionally, the web-based workstation made deployment so easy. Beyond these features, it’s really all about the support AFTER you implement that is the real tell. And that was how we knew we made the right choice.” Linda Birnbaum, Honeywell’s National Account Manager, pointed out, “We helped secure information and coordination with Structure Works and PepsiCo’s other integrators involved in the process of selection with Jeff. Support is Honeywell’s real business.” Reed adds, “In any migration, there are a lot of moving parts, and lots can go wrong. That’s why there is an enormous amount of responsibility between the vendor, manufacturer and end user. And truth be told, we haven’t had a significant failure in three years of migration to Pro-Watch, which could not be said for the previous software.” The Benefits “Access in control software has become something of a commodity,” Reed explained. “You really need a proper evaluation in order to differentiate between them. All things considered, the difference will always boil down to service and support. We didn’t want to continue to ‘rip and replace.’” Honeywell’s Pro-Watch software was selected because it helps companies like PepsiCo meet the most stringent compliance requirements, reduces total cost of ownership, and provides superior flexibility and scalability. Importantly, Honeywell supports their base by putting integrators through an extended, rigorous certification process. “We’re able to leverage existing installed hardware as the system expanded,” added Michael Villano of Structure Works, a New York-based systems integrator, and one of the three Platinum Honeywell integrators which now support PepsiCo. “Scalability is key, here, for what PepsiCo was doing in their facilities.” Pro-Watch software also allows the company to provide remote security management for badging, reporting, and alarm and event monitoring. In addition, Pro-Watch allows for multiple readers. “I like the hardware that these card readers attach to,” said Karen Hudgins, Reed’s partner Global Security Application Engineer at PepsiCo who worked in partnership in bringing Pro-Watch online. “Plus, it’s Windows based. How good is that!” A major feature of Pro-Watch that was attractive to the PepsiCo security team was its expandability with functionality they can call up as needed, such as Logical Device Exceptions. “Access privileges are really based on the roles within an organization of an individual,” Birnbaum explained. “One of the unique features of Pro-Watch that makes it so attractive to our clients is Logical Device Exceptions.” With the Logical Device Exceptions functionality, the software enables the administrator to grant, revoke, or delete card access to Logical Devices (any input device such as a card reader or output device like a door), which are tied to individuals. This saves time because the security officer can search for a logical device anywhere in any location, generate a listing of people associated with that device, and adjust privileges by selecting and clicking. Reed, as the writer and manager of the security engineering standards at PepsiCo, has made his operation the center of excellence for security. That said, he will tell you, “No software can predict events. You really need people to react quickly, efficiently.” That’s why the biggest problem that Pro-Watch solved for PepsiCo was service. As Reed notes, “Service is always the issue. I want to know that the product can be installed and is installed. And that it works and will continue to work and not be declared suddenly end-of-life. Our integrators, Honeywell and our internal team created a ‘triangle of trust’ and were all integral to the successful implementation of Pro-Watch.” Explore https://www.honeywellintegrated.com/products/integrated-security/sms/ for more information on the Pro-Watch® product in your facility. To request a demo, click “Request a Demo” and fill out the form, or call 1.800.323-4576.
Paul Quinn launches Nexterus Supply Chain Management Office for the Midwest Region
With over 25 years of operations and supply chain management experience in enterprise and mid-sized manufacturing companies, Paul Quinn has launched a Nexterus office in the Chicago metropolitan area. Quinn witnessed the critical importance of supply chain management from his days as a Naval officer on the USS Mount Hood (AE-29), an ammunition and supply ship. “Supply chain management is crucial to mission success in the military,” says Quinn. “It wasn’t just about getting ammunition to the ships in the fleet. It was also about getting food, repair parts and critical necessities to the soldiers and sailors. The challenges are no different in business.” Quinn began exploring business ownership opportunities after working in senior leadership roles in all facets of factory/warehouse operations & supply chain management for well-known enterprises and mid-sized companies. He was drawn to Nexterus because of its business model and advanced technology. The focus is on small and mid-sized manufacturers and distributors. Nexterus provides these businesses with access to advanced technology solutions, including a proprietary transportation management system (TMS) and Llamasoft’s supply chain optimization software tools. “Nexterus has four differentiating advantages over other companies,” says Quinn. Expertise – Nexterus has over 70 years of supply chain industry experience and views itself as the champion of small to mid-sized companies. In this role, the company researches best practices of the world’s most efficient supply chains and brings those solutions to the SME marketplace in scalable and affordable applications. Supply Chain & Logistics Technology – Fusion Center TMS is a multi-modal solution that requires no software implementation, no capital investment, no license fees, and no separate ongoing costs or fees. It is easy to use, provides quick quoting and tendering of shipments, and has automated track & trace capabilities. Nexterus has expertise in developing TMS code and is constantly on the cutting edge of introducing enhancements and upgrades for its customers. In addition, Nexterus has supply chain engineers on staff to leverage Llamasoft’s optimization software tools on our clients’ behalf. Customer Service – With Nexterus, you get the best of both worlds – technology and a first-class customer care team. The average tenure on the Nexterus customer care team is 16 years. The customer care team is available 24/7, 365. The team is able to support and serve any mode of transportation (LTL, FTL, Air & Sea Import/Export, Rail, Intermodal)- Nexterus has several customs brokers on staff and maintains numerous licenses and certificates in the supply chain space. Supply Chain Advisory Services – Include supply network optimization (factories and warehouses, how large should they be? Where should they be?); inventory analysis and optimization; temporary or flex warehousing; warehouse layout/modification; packaging optimization and demand planning/forecasting. “On-time delivery and cost-savings are both crucial to our clients. Supply chain management and optimization are not sexy parts of business, but they are highly critical. When I meet with customers, I speak their language. I understand their pain points. I know what keeps them up at night. I can solve critical issues with proven technology. I provide solutions,” said Quinn. “Paul Quinn is a tremendous asset to the Nexterus team,” says Ryan Polakoff, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Nexterus. “Paul’s successful career, incredible work ethic, and executive experience make him a tremendous leader representing the Nexterus brand.”