Under the header “FastForward”, itsme supports product improvement and process acceleration, including by informing customers about time-saving solutions and smart technologies. For example, in spring 2023, a webinar on predictive maintenance was organised in collaboration with KIM Plus Delta, consultants for asset and maintenance management. Bright Renewables’ participation resulted in an actual predictive maintenance project for Bright's green gas plants.

Boon Edam, known for its revolving doors and turnstiles, picked itsme as their main electrical components supplier last year. The large product range and the vendor managed inventory (VMI) solution for the grab stock of electrical assembly materials were the deciding factors. “When you install VMI, you actually do it forever.”

Sissing Noord in Leek (Groningen) is an expert in the maintenance, renovation and construction of “wet” infrastructure, like movable bridges, pumping stations and locks. For the drives of these structures, itsme supplies the speed drives and, where necessary, also the technical know-how. For projects where Sissing Noord needs this knowledge, specialist itsme offers “some relief”.

The Lean improvement method distinguishes eight waste categories. One of these is 'inventory'. Too much stock is not good, but neither is too little. After all, having stock also provides the safe feeling of availability in times of uncertain internal planning and external factors that cannot be directly influenced. Because optimising availability both in one's own company and in the supply chain is often not the core competence of our customers, itsme can take over the care of such optimisation, for example through the import and management of so-called Vendor Managed Inventory systems. But, how do you know whether VMI is indeed the right solution? Ralph van Aartsen can answer that crucial question - using five questions. Here, in advance, are his answers to our questions on VMI.

The benefits of network connectivity, such as increased productivity and flexibility, are obvious. But unfortunately, this also creates more and more potential attack targets for all kinds of cyber attacks. Cybercriminals repeatedly manage to exploit new vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to machines and facilities, for example. That is why governments are introducing new (additional) cyber security legislation. In doing so, they set ambitious goals.

Opt for the new Cablobend from Legrand, a multifunctional attachment that, among other things, allows a bend, rise or decay piece to be bent, even by hand, into desired radius without cutting.

With Pilz' safe radar system PSENradar, safe area monitoring in harsh environments can now be implemented for other applications as well: Thanks to the extended field of view functions, the radar sensors can be more easily integrated into different production environments.

That first-class safety does not have to come at the expense of production capabilities, ABB proves with a wide range of machine safety solutions. The Orion2 Base light curtains are a good example. With them, openings for machine access or material feed can be optimally secured.