As always, it was good to meet up with old friends and make many new ones. A special thanks to everyone who made the time to meet with us, to discuss industry issues and how RACOM developments are providing essential solutions to the industry’s problems.

As examples of this, we were extremely encouraged by the interest shown in our latest firmware for our RipEX radio modem that includes the sophisticated Base Driven protocol optimized for TCP/IP applications like IEC104 making them reliable and stable even with a high number of RTU’s. Along with our recently documented Migration Solution, it becomes apparent that RACOM continues to produce optimal solutions that make sense!

In the Microwave market, it was good to have the opportunity to explain how our narrow bands and resistance to interference provides the optimal solution that many are looking for. The market is now beginning to realise that speed and bandwidth are not necessarily the best solution!

Within the latest RipEX firmware release, RACOM include our brand new Base Driven Protocol, optimised for TCP/IP. Developed for the Radio channel, this ground breaking software finally solves the problems created by the many modern RTU’s that use TCP/IP protocols such as IEC104. These have, until now, created major issues within narrowband radio data networks, all caused by limited throughput.

RipEX Base Driven Protocol has revolutionised communication possibilities within narrowband radio data networks that use TCP/IP protocols such as IEC104. Total user data throughput is significantly higher creating much improved levels of stability and reliability. All packet transmissions are managed by the local base station, configured within a star topology but with the ability to use repeaters. Data transmissions are distributed uniformly, even when a high number of remotes are connected.

Tests confirm that the new RipEX Base Driven Protocol handles 5 – 10 times more remotes under one base station compared to the existing Flexible protocol and with much higher levels of reliability.

Operators of SCADA networks that have a need for RTU’s using TCP/IP protocols such as IEC104 will understand why our Base Driven Protocol will revolutionise the possibilities within such SCADA networks.

And with our RipEX Migration Solution, reliable data transmissions with stable response times and minimum jitter can become the norm rather than the exception. Please use the following links for more detailed information or contact us to discuss in greater detail:

• RipEX Base Driven protocol – Info sheet
• RipEX Migration Solution – Info sheet
• RipEX Base Driven protocol – Description in User Manual
• RipEx fw 1.6.3.0 – Release notes

The next month will see RACOM bring its message to the market across three continents. During four separate events we will be catching up with old acquaintances, making new friends and introducing our latest developments to the market.

It all starts on 27th – 30th September when we will be sponsoring EUTC 2016 in Frankfurt, Germany. As a regular exhibitor at UTC events we look forward to the opportunities this show offers, to expand our business network and discuss market issues with customers and competitors. In addition we will be launching two new product developments that will have a major impact in the SCADA narrowband market. We expect to have a busy time when we are there!

One week later we will have crossed the Atlantic to exhibit our RAy microwave links in Las Vegas at WISPA from 11 – 13th October. This event was specifically chosen to allow us to increase our footprint in the North American market. We are looking forward to discussing market needs with current and potential customers and to meet with potential distributors to expand our geographical coverage within North America.

Immediately this event is over, we will have crossed 11 time zones to exhibit our RAy microwave links at MUM Dubai on 17th October. As a regular exhibitor at various MUM events we appreciate the planning that is put into these events.

Finally from 19th to 21st October we will be back in Europe exhibiting at Accadueo in Bologna, Italy. At this show we will introduce and promote RACOM wireless SCADA&Telemetry solutions to the utility market in Italy and surrounding countries. We will also be supporting our local partner who will also be exhibiting at the event.

If you are attending any of these events please visit us on our stand. We look forward to meeting you.

RipEX, the future proofed Radio modem from RACOM, was developed with versatility in mind. It can act simultaneously as a base station, a repeater or remote and uses its own routing tables for controlling traffic on the network. These factors enable a robust migration or expansion of a legacy network without the need to purchase expensive temporary migration hardware; an important consideration in any budget calculation.

Many existing SCADA networks are rapidly coming to the end of their effective lives and the market is showing an ever greater interest in upgrading legacy networks. To fully explain how RipEX handles such a scenario, we have now documented how RipEX Migration provides the optimal solution for a phased upgrade of a legacy network to a modern, future proofed radio network, allowing the use of staged funding and available manpower. This allows the scaled upgrade to be completed with no network outages AND using the existing infrastructure and maintenance scheduling of the legacy network. Such innovative planning minimises budget expenditure for the upgrade or expansion at every stage of the project.

We are pleased to confirm the RipEX Migration Solution has recently completed a major European test with flying colours. The end user, a major utility company, was amazed the solution required no extra equipment and that all tests were successfully completed at the first attempt!

When we introduce our brand new Base Driven Protocol in our upcoming firmware release for RipEX, optimised for handling TCP/IP protocols such as IEC104, the market will understand why there is even more reason to fully explore the benefits of RipEX’s Migration Solution. Watch this space!

An overview of the RipEX Migration Solution can be found on www.racom.eu here or as a pdf Info sheet here and detailed information is in the Application Notes

If you would like to discuss this solution in person please visit us on our stand at EUTC 2016 or contact us directly.

As mid-summer approached, all thoughts at RACOM were firmly fixed on the annual barbecue, a time when colleagues bring their families to share quality time together and further strengthen bonds within the company. The day finally arrived on 10th June and all were delighted to see beautiful weather grace us with its presence.

With a whole pig roasting on the spit, additional barbecues providing chicken and beef and plenty of refreshments available, this is always seen as a time to relax and enjoy the moment under the summer sunshine.

Colleagues from Blansko came to enjoy the occasion as did colleagues from Slovakia who combined their visit with a motorcycle trip. Many colleagues from Nove Mesto arrived on bicycles and other man-powered machines so they could enjoy a glass or two of beer over the afternoon and evening. Our colleagues from Slovakia even set up a special barrel of Slovakian wine to celebrate 20 years since RACOM Slovakia was founded.

Set in beautiful woodland surroundings, there was no shortage of entertainment for everyone and RACOM had arranged supervisors with harnesses and ropes at the climbing course to offer varying degrees of challenge for young and old alike and pony trekking for any who enjoy horse riding.

The summer barbecue is seen as being an important date in the RACOM calendar and one which everyone looks forward to.

Thanks to everyone who came along for making it such a special day.

A favourite sport of many RACOM staff, the European Orienteering Championships were held in Jesenik, Czech Republic toward the end of May 2016. Czech Television provided the images that were beamed around the world. At this level of competition, precision timing is vital and this level of accuracy must be combined with an extremely efficient radio network to transmit the data to race control and broadcasters, to provide accurate up to date information on race progress and the leaderboard.

Enter RACOM’s MR series radio modems.

Thanks to their extraordinary intelligence, speed and switching time, RACOM MR series modems are suitable for all types of networks where emphasis is placed on speed and reliability; an ideal solution for transmitting data at an orienteering event where you may have 6 competitors registering a split time at a specific control point within a one second period, which equates to 18 radio packets per second!

In top orienteering events, each competitor carries an SI card providing a unique identifier. When passing every control point [there are between 20 and 30 in each race] the competitors’ SI card must punch the control point. 10 to 12 radios are used in each race with up to 4 radio hops to transmit data from control points in the forest to the finish in very undulating terrain. RACOM’s equipment proves to be so robust and effective in such conditions that it is regularly used at sporting events where split times need to be transmitted to race control, both in Czech Republic and further afield.

RACOM staff set up equipment at key control points with data transmitted simultaneously to the organizers and to Czech Television to be displayed on the various leader boards at the event and on Czech Television’s live transmission of races. The time delay between a competitor punching a control point and their information being displayed on TV is typically less than 100ms.

We are pleased to announce that a common procedure for RMA (Return Material Authorization) across all RACOM product lines is in use from 1.6.2016. This RMA procedure will improve the service repair process; it makes it smoother and faster.

The RMA form is part of RACOM WebService, a unique portal for RACOM customers. The WebService provides many on-line services such as our E-shop, HelpDesk and also a record of Quotations, Orders, Invoice history, delivered devices etc. RACOM has been continuously developing this portal for more than 10 years and it is the main channel for daily communication for 99% of our customers.

Customers without a WebService account can access the RMA form on WebService as an Unregistered User. However they are recommended to contact their regional Sales manager to have a Webservice account established in order to benefit from the other WebService features.

The RMA form can be accessed directly from the Support menu of www.racom.eu or WebService: https://webservice-new.racom.eu/main/rma.new

We hope our customers see improvements in our new procedure for RMA and look forward to rolling out further add-ons to the WebService portal in the coming months ahead.

In the middle of May, RACOM’s worldwide Sales team came together at a Sales Camp near our headquarters.

The Technical Support team spent a day at the camp discussing the pivotal role they play and ways in which levels of support can be extended in both directions during the tender process, when designing and commissioning networks, in an after sales capacity and to provide training at every level to our customers.

Our R&D department used their contact time receiving input on global issues that affect the market and our customers in particular, providing information about the processes R&D follow in their development work and how our Sales team can assist that process and how RACOM initiates and manages joint research programs with different universities.

Product management provided detailed information about new products currently under development in all of our product lines and how their own research supports the design process. Based on feedback from the Sales team, valuable decisions were taken about features that must be incorporated and those that might take on a lesser priority.

No Sales camp would be complete without the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and strengthen social bonds. The Sales and Support teams spent an enjoyable afternoon navigating their way around the countryside in a puzzle hunt and the R&D football team proved too strong in their match against the Sales Managers; even with instructions from their non-playing captain, Kamila, from the sidelines.

Perhaps the most difficult challenge was to provide catering for all the delegates in attendance. This was ably covered by individual members of RACOM’s staff. Lunches were prepared by members of the department who were taking part in workshops on that day and in the evenings, Sales managers came together to produce international cuisine from around the world. This culminated in a barbecue on the last night for thirty five people.

Such was the success of the event, there are already provisional plans in place to repeat this event on a regular basis.

RACOM recently enjoyed a busy and successful 3 days at the UTCAL [Utilities Council America Latina] Summit, held between 6th & 8th April in Florianopolis, Brazil. Thanks to UTCAL for their excellent organization. As a supporter and regular attendee of EUTC events, this event in Brazil surpassed all our expectations. We look forward to supporting UTCAL in future events.

There were over 400 registered attendees, representing over 70 companies from Brazil, Argentina and other Latin American countries. Interestingly, some 60% of those attending represented the Utilities sector, mainly from SCADA and telecommunication departments of power utilities.

The RACOM booth had a steady flow of visitors throughout every day of the summit, all of whom were very impressed with our products, appreciating the technical features which fit their current and potentially, future needs. We calculated that every company that attended the summit visited us to discuss our products and industry issues in general.

It was extremely encouraging, at one point, to overhear 2 prospective customers discussing and celebrating the fact they had finally found a source of equipment for their networks which met and surpassed all their needs after leaving our booth. Some of the features of our radio modems and cellular routers which received a warm reception from everyone who visited our booth included:

• Implementation of serial SCADA protocols
• The provision of back up routes throughout the network
• Intuitive diagnostic features coupled with their remote capabilities
• The possibility for hybrid networks (The smooth integration of RipEX and M!DGE within one network)

In summary, we increased our exposure within the Latin American market substantially and met with current and new customers. Everyone we met with really appreciates the presence of a RACOM area Sales Manager in Latin America (Peru), who is a native speaker of local languages and is ready to provide both pre-sales and after-sales support.

Furthermore, our current customers expressed high levels of satisfaction regarding the reliability, functionality and robustness of our equipment whilst new customers are looking forward to implementing and commissioning our equipment in their own networks; making best use of some of the unique features our equipment will offer them.

The Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) recently held a two day workshop on M2M communications held 21. – 23.3. 2016 in Mainz, Germany; understood by the ECC as fully or largely automated communication (data transfer) between two or more information and communications (ICT) entities, that may be part of a predetermined group.

The overall aim of the workshop was to better understand the spectrum as well as numbering and addressing harmonisation needs of existing and future M2M applications, in one workshop, since related initiatives are present in various forms within the ECC. This will enable a general consultation and an exchange of views with the industry.

Specific workshops covered issues such as Standardisation & Regulation on M2M networks, Smart Cities and Metropolitan areas and Transportation, Industrial and Utility applications as part of the Internet of Things.

RACOM understand the need to have a effective voice at such events to consolidate our solid reputation as a trend-setting market leader in this industry.

The workshop provided RACOM with excellent opportunities to strengthen network connections with senior and influential figures in this industry. This included discussions regarding frequency and bandwidth needs for Utility applications and enjoying fruitful debate and discussion to ensure our own R&D work furthers the vision and desires the ECC have for this market. Our presence also allowed RACOM to better understand general needs in this expanding market and address the specific needs of our own customer base.