All posts by Dr Maria Rana, expert in economics and finance at the University of Salford Business School

Dr Maria Rana is an expert in economics and finance at the University of Salford Business School.
Telecoms

Star Micronics launches MCW10 Wireless LAN module

High Wycombe, UK, 23 February 2022 International POS printer manufacturer Star Micronics announces the launch of its MCW10 module that plugs directly into Star POS printers to enable printing over wireless LAN. Currently designed for Star’s mC-Print™ series it fits neatly in the back of the mC-Print3, or externally on the mC-Print2, to provide a compact wireless LAN solution that supports the new WPA3 standard for wireless printer communication.

As retail and hospitality markets diversify, the need for a range of connectivity options takes on greater importance. By deploying the MCW10 retailers can benefit from robust in-store wireless communication, while in hospitality environments the module supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands with 5GHz being resistant to the interference of radio waves generated by microwave ovens to provide a safe and effective wireless LAN solution.

Once the mC-Print printer is connected via wired LAN and USB to the module, users can quickly and easily benefit from wireless printer communication thanks to the Star Quick Setup Utility. Moreover, no additional printer integration is necessary by software providers. Featuring an LED display along with Ethernet and USB cables provided in the box, the MCW10 offers a cost-effective plug and play multi-port wireless LAN solution that allows two printers or other devices to be connected at the same time.

As Simon Martin, Director & General Manager, Star Micronics EMEA, states: “The Star MCW10 module simply enhances the versatility of the mC-Print™ series by providing additional wireless printer communication. This meets the demands of retail and hospitality environments in which a variety of connectivity options including wireless technologies is increasingly required.”

The MCW10 Wireless LAN module is available in EU countries and selected non-EU countries.

Business

The C-Suite Innovation Club launched to help mid-sized businesses thrive

New space for the C-suite to network and share insight into an all-too-often forgotten space in the market

A new networking and innovation platform for C-Suite and IT leaders of mid-to-large sized enterprises has been launched by the CEO and founder of a leading managed-IT company. The platform will be used by its members to share advice and insight on how the mid-market can navigate today’s greatest challenges and use technology to scale effectively.

The C-Suite Innovation Club is available through invitation or application – and only to individuals who identify as C-Suite, as well as IT leaders, and will provide an opportunity for both online and in-person discussion and resource-sharing.

Tarek Meliti, Interim Chair, commented: “The past few years have been without the hardest for many in business. Leadership – from the IT department through to finance– have lost vital insight as many of the traditional routes to gaining knowledge have either withered on the vine, or simply seized up. We believe that the power of experience and insight is one of the most important learning tools business leaders can turn to.

“IT teams, the businesses that rely on them, as well as the strategists that define their direction, have faced a myriad of problems over the last few years. Covid-19 and hybrid working have both supercharged the rate in which private and public organisations have had to digitally transform, and economic turbulence has made scaling a vital yet unpredictable undertaking.”

Tarek Meliti, the CEO of TDM Group, identified the deficiency in the market and bought together a number of his peers to form the group.

“I felt that the one market so often overlooked is what I would define as the mid-market, those businesses with 100 to 1,000 employees, often owner-run and founded. As with many businesses in this bracket, the question of who to turn to for advice and guidance is often blurred. For many business owners the solution is to turn to colleagues through networking and other such face-to-face forums.

“With the pandemic looking like it is evolving into an endemic, my peers and I felt the time was right to launch the C-Suite Innovation Club for business leaders to come and share ideas and experiences, as well as looking for help and guidance from those who have been through a particular experience themselves,” added Meliti.

The Club itself will only be available to the most dynamic of mid-to-large scale organisations and registration or invitation is via LinkedIn, providing the ideal online platform to meet and network.

“The aim has always been to create a space for continuous innovation and collaboration – and we soon hope to do this both in-person at networking events as well as on LinkedIn. This is firmly a members led organisation so we will be looking for active members who can form part of a management board, as well as make recommendations for events and speakers,” concluded Meliti.

The Club, as well as the details on how to apply for membership, can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7407369/

News, Telecoms

Wireless Logic Extends International Reach with Major US Partnerships

Recognised industry leader announces new partnerships that enable customers to localise through major cellular networks in the US

LONDON, 23 February 2022 – Wireless Logic Group, Europe’s leading IoT connectivity platform provider has recently expanded its global offering by partnering with three major MNOs in the US.

Wireless Logic simplifies and automates IoT connectivity, offering a single platform to securely manage connected assets across any network and number of deployments. For customers, this can accelerate time to market, simplify global supply chains and lower total cost of ownership. Through the new agreements, Wireless Logic can deliver local (i.e., non-roaming) cellular connectivity and direct network access for multiple IoT devices and applications in the US as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.

In addition, Wireless Logic has also been recognised as a Leader in 2022 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide. [1]

Local connectivity in North America

New and existing Wireless Logic customers now have local access to 4G, 5G and low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks as Wireless Logic partners with three of the largest providers of mobile services in the US. Customers will have the capability for international roaming where required.

“As demand for connected solutions shows no sign of slowing, we are extremely excited about the potential of these agreements to provide local network access for customers deploying solutions in North America,” says Oliver Tucker, Co-Founder & CEO at Wireless Logic. “It’s our extensive relationships with MNOs that enable us to provide unrivalled customer service and to deliver value throughout the IoT connectivity chain. By combining our own ‘built for IoT’ global network – which aggregates the world’s best 4G, 5G and LPWAN radio networks – with coverage from three of America’s major network providers, we are strengthening our position in the global IoT connectivity market.”

Together, these partnerships will enable Wireless Logic to sell its managed Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity directly to US customers and create new opportunities for European customers to rapidly deploy and future-proof connected solutions in America with confidence.

Access and direct connectivity to all three networks for Wireless Logic customers is available now.

Wireless Logic named a Leader in 2022 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide [1]

Building on this trajectory, Wireless Logic has received a significant amount of recognition from both customers and the industry over the last year and has now been recognised as a 2022 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ Leader for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide. [1]

“We are proud of this placement and see it as a validation of our leadership stance as we continue to drive value for our customers through our technology and expansion into new markets. Since our inception, we have developed a deep understanding of industries and applications, building strong relationships with network operators across the globe. This gives us the basis to provide solutions with the right technology for each use case so that our customers can roll out their IoT deployments at scale,” concludes Tucker.

[1] .Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide, 31 January 2022, Pablo Arriandiaga, et. al.

GARTNER and Magic Quadrant are registered trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner Disclaimer:

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Business Research, Thought Leadership

Coronavirus: How is the economy being affected and how will we recover?

Dr Maria Rana, expert in economics and finance at the University of Salford Business School, looks at how the UK economy is coping so far under coronavirus lockdown and gives some ways the government can intervene to help a recovery once the crisis is over.

“So far it has been extremely difficult for SMEs to access the Covid-19 Business Interruption Loan, which involves the Government covering interest and charges for the first year and backing up 80% of the loan. High-street banks have been, instead, directing SMEs to more expensive products and requiring personal guarantees and interest rates up to 30%.

“Additionally, the rescue emergency packages do not seem to be enough to stop permanent closures and layoffs, particularly within those industries that have been impacted more harshly by the lockdown (i.e. leisure, retail and hospitality). Despite the ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ and the ‘Self-Employed Income’ support scheme, in fact, many people will still have to rely on social security.

“According to the IFS, those who will suffer the most will be the young, low-paid and female workers since they are most likely to work within those sectors. Further adequate and timely interventions should take this into consideration to attenuate the negative impact in an economy that is already significantly unequal.

“As urged by the OECD, government’s first priority should now be to intensify its effort in containing the epidemic and to take part in a more internationally coordinated response to the outbreak so that lasting economic ‘normality ‘ can be restored .  As the economy returns to work, we can expect measures to encourage consumer spending such as VAT cut recommended by CEBR, as well as measures to encourage business investment.  The MPC of the Bank of England is ready to respond further to support the economy, but with interest rates at an historical low of 0.1%, the bank will need to further expand its quantitative easing programme. 

“Further government action we might see for workers is a minimum income guarantee for those who are currently not covered by the existing safety nets; for firms we might see sector-specific bailouts.”