Manpreet Singh, CEO of Leeds digital marketing agency Bobble Digital, has relaunched his marketing insights podcast series, BobblePod and introduced his personal brand, Mr Bobble, on social media.

After an eight-month break, BobblePod has relaunched with a new look, feel and podcast format, hosted by Manpreet and produced by James Marriott from Sound Media. The successful business and marketing podcast series has returned with weekly episodes, released each Tuesday. Each week’s episode will focus on a new topic, with episodes already filmed and published on digital marketing tools, wokeness in marketing, and seasonal marketing strategies.

Alongside a selection of guests, BobblePod dives into the latest digital marketing news and views to give expert insights to help listeners market their business or services, including in-depth debates on the latest news, views and hot topics from the digital marketing world.

Host Manpreet Singh heads up the award-winning Bobble Digital and has a digital marketing career that spans over ten years. He’s passionate about delivering outstanding digital marketing strategies for clients and educating business owners on the power of digital marketing through business, multimedia content and networking events.

Bobble Digital was established in 2017 and specialises in marketing strategy, PPC, SEO, social media, video and analytics, working with clients in the UK and Dubai to drive digital business growth.

The marketing agency leader has also launched his personal brand, Mr Bobble, at the Business Catalyst Club event in Leeds. The brand has been rolled out across several key social media platforms, where Manpreet will share candid insights into the life of a digital marketing agency founder and entrepreneur, as well as marketing insights and expertise.

Manpreet explains, “It’s a pleasure to bring BobblePod back after an eight-month hiatus. We’ve listened to feedback from our subscribers and relaunched the podcast in line with this to create a more exciting and engaging series where no topic is off-limits. The podcast aims to be a go-to for business owners, entrepreneurs and marketers who want to learn more about digital marketing. We have some fantastic guests lined up for this season, including Tony Mallett, Chris Nightingale, Levi Fowler and Georgia Dixon who I’ll be discussing some exciting topics with over the next few months.”

In addition, Manpreet has recently delivered a program of insightful talks for business owners at Marketing Showcase events across the UK on boosting your organic search ranking on Google and supercharging your SEO with AI tools.

The ‘£5 minimum spend’ restriction imposed by thousands of corner shops could be on the way out after a study found that customers hate it.

Half of all shoppers say they are irritated by the practice because increasing numbers don’t carry cash nowadays. And one in five say they actively walk out of a shop that won’t take card or phone payments for under a fiver.

Many small stores have introduced the minimum spend because the high prices charged by firms who provide card payment machines and services – often upwards of 4% and sometimes with a minimum fee.

Now a new service has been launched by challenger firm Lopay which can process card payments for free, ending the reason for a minimum spend.

The irritating restriction has been a part of everyday life over the last decade since contactless became the primary form of payment in the UK. Most Brits have been left feeling the annoyance of approaching the till and having items scanned before being turned away as they try to pay with a card

The study of 2,000 adults in the UK also found one in three customers said they didn’t know traders lost money on each transaction.

Richard Carter, founder of Lopay, said: “It’s important for vendors to be earning their money and actually seeing all of it, not handing over a minimum of around 4% to card companies.

“The research shows how many customers go into shops and are left trying to bring their totals up to the notorious minimum spend price.

“With Lopay this isn’t required. Shopkeepers receive the full amount of money, leaving minimum spend as a thing of the past.”

Lopay typically charges just 0.8 per cent for processing each transaction – 4p on a fiver’s spend. But by signing up to the firm’s reward scheme, traders can end up paying nothing.

Written By: Ryan Walker, CIO at Net3

Enterprise storage is essential to what we do at Net3. We are a backup-as-a-service and infrastructure-as-a-service provider – and we cannot run our business without storage. To put a finer point on it, our business cannot be properly run without fast, reliable, and 100% available storage.

There are other service providers who offload their storage stack to one of the big three cloud providers. However, this is not an option for us. At Net3, we need to have storage under our control – yes, on-premises, and the storage must be predictable, stable, and cost effective.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, we have made significant strides in improving Net3’s data infrastructure, which is the underpinning of our entire business. Infinidat has been a huge part of it. Net3 has purchased and installed four InfiniBox® storage arrays, to date. Net3 is now using 8 total petabytes (PB) of Infinidat storage.

After evaluating and using storage arrays from other storage vendors, I found that the InfiniBox solution is truly innovative. I cannot say this same thing about most of the other storage arrays on the market from other vendors. But Infinidat sets itself apart through its innovation. It delivers 100% availability, reliability, automation, ease of use, and high performance with low latency.

With the recent release of the InfiniBox G4 solutions, I’m eager to start to get some of those next-generation storage systems and replace some of the arrays that we have had in our data center over the last couple of years. I am excited that, with the new InfiniBox G4, we’ll be able to double our storage density and make the most out of our data center investments. Not only is it part of the natural progression, but it thankfully also will help curtail data center sprawl.

What’s Under the Hood Matters

Not all enterprise storage solutions are made the same. Of course, there are plenty of what I call “sales machine” storage arrays on the market. What I mean is that they have big names, and the vendors who manufacture them boast big sales numbers with them.

The technology in the “sales machines” has become smaller and denser, but, in general, there is nothing innovative about them. They may have different flashy lights on the front or different face plates, but under the hood, they’re the same thing as two generations ago. For example, they’re active-passive storage controller technology. They have simply become denser over time. They haven’t graduated beyond that too much.

However, Infinidat is different. What I have seen from them is innovative from the ground up.

Case in point: as part of my hands-on evaluation before buying a new storage solution to save our business from the travails of bad storage, I was once in Infinidat’s U.S. head office in Waltham, Massachusetts, and I went around to the back of an Infinidat rack of InfiniBox storage arrays to pull cables. I wanted to see what would happen. Would it fail? Would I find the InfiniBox to be no better than one of those common “sales machines” that other IT folks buy without doing a careful comparison? While pulling the cables, I did a lot of damage to the InfiniBox. But guess what? The InfiniBox stays running. That’s compelling.

InfiniBox has been a delight. It just works. With its built-in service-oriented automation, we don’t have to do anything to it. It’s incredibly reliable. And when we need more capacity, the InfiniBox platform allows for flexible consumption of storage. A key challenge that Infinidat solved for us was our need for highly reliable and highly available storage in a consumption model that would grow as we grow. The business value of Infinidat’s storage solution is well worth it.

For our infrastructure-as-a-service offering, we back up to the InfiniBox using Veeam. And those backup repositories are protected using immutable snapshots for cyber storage resilience. For us, it’s significant for our customers to know that there is an air gap between their backups and the rest of the world.

Availability Is Mission-Critical

Uptime is core to Net3’s business. When I joined the company in January of 2022, Net3 was using another storage vendor’s storage arrays and was having serious issues, especially around uptime, which threatened the existence of the business. Actually, there were issues across storage, compute and networking. As a result of the disruptions to the infrastructure-based service, the company was losing customers.

We switched to Infinidat for storage and to Cisco for networking and compute. Since then, we have not had any issues. Every piece of what runs in the background of our service offerings has been improved in the two-and-a-half years that I’ve been the CIO of Net3. It’s a credit to my team. I give them recognition for a remarkable job.

Switching to Infinidat’s InfiniBox solution brought peace of mind. It has given our Net3 salespeople the confidence to sell our company’s backup-as-a-service and infrastructure-as-a-service offerings. The impact of Infinidat’s technology has been huge.

We wouldn’t be where we are as a company without Infinidat. I cannot reiterate it enough that I only wish we had moved to Infinidat sooner.

Volopa aims to redefine how businesses navigate global commerce, offering unparalleled convenience and efficiency in international transactions.

Volopa’s expansion into the EEA signals a transformative shift in the landscape of cross-border payments, providing businesses with a passport to seamless international transactions. With its innovative platform, Volopa empowers businesses to streamline expense management and supplier payments, simplifying complexities and unleashing their full potential in an ever-connected world.

Key features of Volopa’s expansion into the EEA include:

• Payment through a Dedicated European IBAN: This feature allows businesses toconduct transactions with European customers and suppliers more efficiently, reducing transaction times and costs.

• Consolidated Expense Management and Supplier Payments in a Single Platform: This integration simplifies financial management, making it easier for businesses to track and manage their expenses and payments.

• International Payments in 26 Currencies to 180 Countries Worldwide: Volopa’s platform supports a wide range of currencies, ensuring that businesses can easily manage their global financial operations.

Volopa’s innovative approach addresses a significant market need. According to the World Bank, remittances to low- and middle-income countries are estimated to have reached $669 billion in 2023, highlighting the substantial demand for efficient cross-border payment solutions.

Graham Smith, Managing Director, Volopa, commented, “At Volopa, we believe in the transformative power of innovation. Our expansion into the EEA underscores our commitment to empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. With Volopa as their trusted partner, businesses can unlock new horizons, seize untapped opportunities, and embark on a transformative journey towards growth and success.”

Impact and Benefits: Enhanced Convenience: Volopa’s platform provides businesses with the tools needed to manage their finances seamlessly, reducing the administrative burden associated with cross-border transactions.

Increased Efficiency: By consolidating expense management and supplier payments, businesses can reduce processing times and improve cash flow management.

Cost Savings: The use of dedicated European IBANs and support for multiple currencies helps businesses avoid unnecessary conversion fees and achieve better exchange rates.

Volopa’s expansion into the EEA offers businesses unparalleled convenience, flexibility, and accessibility in conducting cross-border transactions. With Volopa, businesses can navigate the global marketplace with confidence, simplifying complexities and maximising their potential in international trade. With its innovative solutions and unwavering commitment to empowering businesses, Volopa paves the way for a future where international transactions are seamless, efficient, and accessible to all.

For more information about cross-border payments visit https://volopa.com/unleash-your-global-business-potential/

Gamma Communications plc (“Gamma”), a leading provider of technology-based communication services across Europe, recently hosted its largest-ever partner event at the QEII Centre in Westminster, London, welcoming around 450 attendees for a full day of insight, collaboration, and future-driven discussion. Gammaverse 2024, complete with an Experience Zone to engage in meaningful conversations with suppliers and sponsors, was designed to offer invaluable support to channel partners, focusing on how Gamma’s solutions and partnerships can help businesses navigate the fast-evolving digital landscape to best deliver solutions to customers.

John Murphy, Managing Director of Gamma Business, introduced some exciting product announcements, including:

• Webex for Gamma as a new strategic addition to Gamma’s UCaaS portfolio. Webex will become available wholesale through Gamma partners and to enterprise, and public sector customers directly in the coming months.
• Early access for Service Suite for Microsoft Teams which helps partners maximise the value of Microsoft Teams by adding a set of complementary software and hardware around the platform.
• FUSION IoT, Gamma’s cutting-edge technology solution added via the Epsilon acquisition in Germany, will be generally available in Q1 FY2025. The IoT market in the UK is projected to grow by 131%** over the next five years, presenting a huge opportunity for the channel.

Murphy has also highlighted the increased flexibility and choice that Gamma offers through the addition of iPECS Cloud to its UCaaS portfolio, via the acquisition of Pragma, the exclusive distributor of Ericsson-LG’s iPECS Cloud solutions in the UK.

With the continued rise of cyberattacks, Murphy also emphasised the critical role of its cybersecurity solutions through Candio, another recent acquisition. Candio offers a comprehensive and easy-to-deploy set of tools to protect your customers’ data and identify potential threats that could leave them exposed on the dark web.

These robust solutions are a key addition to Gamma’s portfolio, opening new revenue streams in security services.

In a Q&A session, Dr. Charlotte Armitage, a media psychologist, and Gamma’s Andrea Herbert discussed the effects of technology on relationships, with a focus on mental health and communication. Dr. Armitage highlighted concerns about how smart devices, particularly for younger generations, may negatively impact emotional and social development. She pointed out that excessive screen time can delay important developmental milestones like eye contact and emotional recognition.

A standout moment of the day was the panel discussion on UCaaS, moderated by Will Morey and featuring an impressive lineup of speakers: Gareth Bleasdale (Microsoft), DP Venkatesh (Cisco), Ahed Alkhatib (Ericsson-LG), and Rich James (Gamma). This session provided a deep dive into the growing importance of UCaaS solutions, touching on the increasing need for customer choice, scalability, and flexibility in the communications market.

The afternoon sessions saw Rob Kittler from Gamma and Tom Blumson from Lister join forces with Tom Chedham from Candio and Neil McManus of GHM Communications, sharing real-world examples of how partners are diversifying their offerings with Gamma’s extended portfolio. That discussion on how to leverage the industry’s rapid shifts to drive business growth, with a fireside chat featuring Henry Bohannon of BT focusing on the implications of the upcoming digital switchover.

Andrew Belshaw, CEO of Gamma, reaffirmed the company’s focus on supporting its UK channel partners while expanding across Europe. He highlighted Gamma’s regulatory advocacy efforts to represent small businesses and partners in policy discussions. Reflecting on recent acquisitions like Pragma and Coolwave, Belshaw emphasised the importance of delivering new solutions that allow partners to expand into new markets. “Gamma’s strength lies in our partnerships. We’re committed to providing the best tools and support so our partners can grow their businesses and thrive. Together, we are truly good together.”

Colin Lees, Gamma’s Chief Technology Officer, outlined the company’s multi-year investment programme designed to enhance the partner portal and broaden product offerings. This includes several new features set to launch over the next 12 months, such as an advanced fibre comparison tool and the availability of Webex for Gamma. Lees also highlighted Gamma’s innovation hub, GammaLabs, which brings together 500 engineers to drive cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, he emphasised the introduction of single sign-on and API capabilities, which enable partners to seamlessly integrate Gamma’s products, making it easier to deliver services to their customers.

The event concluded with a powerful keynote speech from Jason Fox, ex-Royal Marine Commando and star of Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins. Fox’s true account of a mission, completed during his days of service, told of resilience and leadership under pressure – it was the perfect close to a day filled with inspiration and practical advice for Gamma’s partners.

Gammaverse 2024 was more than just a showcase of products and solutions; it was a reminder of Gamma’s dedication to supporting its partners with tools, support, and technologies to succeed in an ever-changing market. With the event’s key message of collaboration and growth, Gamma once again demonstrated why it remains a trusted partner in the business communications space.

For those who missed it, the event’s highlights, including keynote speeches and panel discussions, will be available online for partners. Stay tuned for more information on future Gamma events and how we continue to work together to transform business communications.

Key Takeaways:

• Webex, now part of Gamma’s UCaaS portfolio, is offering huge opportunities for partners.
• The UCaaS panel with Microsoft, Cisco, Ericsson-LG, and Gamma provided deep industry insights in the world of UCaaS.
• Gamma’s acquisitions, Pragma and Candio, are driving new opportunities for partners, particularly in the UCaaS space with iPECS Cloud and in cybersecurity, respectively.
• IoT: Gamma introduced FUSION IoT, a platform from its German acquisition, offering channel partners access to one of the fastest-growing tech markets as IoT adoption rises rapidly in the UK.
• Managed Services & Cloud Transformation: Gamma reiterated its commitment to supporting channel partners in accelerating their customers’ cloud transformation journeys, with a focus on capturing the forecasted 6 million new UCaaS seats* in the UK market over the next 5 years.

If you missed the event, you’re in luck. The sessions will be available On Demand, just get in touch with the Gamma team who can supply the link to the sessions. Gammaverse 2025 will be even bigger and better so be sure to look out for the announcement and get it into your 2025 calendar soon.

Gammagroup.co

*Cavell: Cloud Communications Market Report UK Q4 2023. **Analysys Mason.

About Gamma

If you missed the event, you’re in luck. The sessions are available On Demand, just get in touch with the Gamma team who can supply the link to the sessions. Gammaverse 2025 will be even bigger and better so be sure to look out for the announcement and get it into your 2025 calendar soon.

Gamma Communications plc is a leading provider of technology-based communication services across Europe. Gamma is admitted to trading on AIM and employs approximately 1,800 people. Offering a range of Unified Communications, mobile, security and connectivity services, Gamma provides robust and secure end-to-end business communication solutions, enabling organisations to communicate, collaborate and offer a better customer experience.

Gamma’s vision is for a better-connected world in which it can work smarter for the benefit of business, people, and the planet. Its primary market is the UK, where it delivers network-based services to SME, Public Sector, and Enterprise markets through its extensive network of trusted channel partners and direct sales and support capabilities. Expanding its presence in Europe, Gamma is continuing to grow its group of businesses focused on digital transformation by delivering services to customers via a network of channel partners in Germany, Spain, and the Benelux region.

For more information about Gamma and its comprehensive range of products and services, please visit www.gammagroup.co.

A Powys family business which has taken the mountain bike industry by storm since launching in 2019 has ridden off with an award for innovation.

Formed by siblings Dan, Gee and Rachel Atherton, the world’s leading MTB family, Machynlleth-based Atherton Bikes received the Technology & Innovation Award, sponsored by Aberystwyth University, at the Powys Business Awards held at Dering Lines, Brecon.

Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG), the awards showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises within Powys.

Dan Brown, chief executive of Atherton Bikes, said: “This is a huge award for us. It has been a long five years, but we are ready to scale up now from a start-up to an industry leader.

“Our bikes are already sold in 33 countries and we have big ambitions to become a global player. The business started here in Powys and it’s good to be able to support Machynlleth and surrounding area in terms of employment.”

Atherton Bikes, which employs 14 people, has introduced innovation and new technologies to the mountain bike industry to improve the way bikes are made.

Dan, Gee and Rachel Atherton can boast more than 50 World Cup wins between them, having dominated the MTB scene for more than 15 years. They are famous for pushing the boundaries of the sport through events such as Red Bull Hardline and founding Dyfi Bike Park.

Throughout their careers, the Athertons were frustrated that, even at the top level of the sport, bike frames were seldom a perfect fit, which is essential for optimised performance. Their feedback from races took years to convert into their bikes.

Most high end mountain bikes are made in the Far East using expensive carbon moulds which limits brands to just a handful of sizes and delays new products for up to three years.

The siblings vowed that their bikes would not only be a perfect fit for all riders, but would be strong enough to guarantee a lifetime of hard use.

Cutting edge technologies include additive manufacturing and 3d printing of titanium lugs which are bonded to straight carbon tubes. All bikes are printed to order so stock holding is zero and waste drastically reduced.

The speed of additive manufacturing was demonstrated when world champion Charlie Hatton wanted the rear triangle of his race bike redesigned. The company printed, bonded and delivered the bike within a two week gap between World Cup races.

“From our small factory in Machynlleth, we are disrupting the MTB industry and making the global giants take note,” said Gil Harris, Atherton Bikes’ head of marketing and communications.

“Just five years after launch, we have sold 700 bikes to customers worldwide and stamped our authority on the international racing stage with seven world titles, including the first Elite World Championship win for a British bike brand.”

The judges said Atherton Bikes had exploited a gap in the mountain bike market for technical innovation and secured a loyal and lasting worldwide customer base, delivering cutting product standards.

Runners-up were Espanaro Ltd and Reeco Automation Ltd, both from Newtown.

Peartree Cleaning, the contract cleaning specialist, has launched a bespoke app designed to deliver streamlined and accessible operational reporting and KPI scorecards to its 300 plus clients across the UK. It is the latest iteration of the company’s fully bespoke Peartree 360 management tool and follows an investment in excess of £300k in development costs.

The new app provides a user-friendly platform for real-time data collection, reporting, and performance tracking, ensuring that the highest standards of service are maintained at all times. Information is live with real time notifications of site visits, audits and PPM. Clients with multiple sites can easily switch between locations with the screen updating automatically. It also gives access to Peartree’s comprehensive Scope1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions data providing valuable information on an organisation’s carbon footprint, enabling science-based calculations.

Users are able to generate detailed operational reports that cover all aspects of the cleaning services. These reports include data on efficiency, quality, and compliance with health and safety standards. It also features KPI scorecards to measure performance in key areas, such as response time sand customer satisfaction. These tools enable Peartree to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance its services.

Bradley Reames, Managing Director at Peartree Cleaning, said: “Faced with constant compromises from the off the shelf software solutions that are commonplace in our sector, we took a strategic approach and opted to design and build our own software platform. The result is a solution that is unrivalled in the sector which ensures full transparency and accountability and provides valuable and reliable insights which enable us to continuously improvement our service.”

The new company aims to satisfy market demand and the increased need among Connectus‘ clients for fully managed mobile workflow solutions on devices including tablets and phones on as “as a service” model.

It has been established in joint venture with leading telecommunications solutions provider PRS Group, and cements a trading relationship that has lasted almost a decade.

Connectus and PRS Group have, in addition, set up a second joint venture – called PRS IT – to offer PRS Group clients the full range of Connectus’ Connect, Protect and Collaborate managed services on a white label basis.

The creation of Connectus Mobile Device as a Service comes just weeks after Connectus reached an agreement to partner with Lincolnshire-based Genius Technology Solutions to support their 100 customers, principally across Lincolnshire and the Midlands.

Connectus, which has offices in Salford, Grimbsy and Doncaster, has now completed five transactions in the past  3 years, with 3 of them coming in the past six months, as part of an accelerated growth plan.

Connectus remains privately owned and is now delivering services to over 550 customers across the north of England, the Midlands, and London.

Commenting on this latest deal, Roy Shelton, CEO of Connectus Business Solutions, said:

“Connectus has always been a partner-friendly company, so building on our foundation technology relationships with leading vendors such as Microsoft, Pax8, Brigantia, Dell, Vodafone and Xelion, we are thrilled to be extending our relationship with PRS Group.

“Collectively, we service over 1,300 businesses across the UK in vertical sectors such as financial services, legal, sports and leisure, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, property developers and retailers.

“Our white label IT managed services offering along with PRS’s extensive experience in the field of mobility solutions provides a wider range of proven capabilities for our current and new clients. I have been a huge admirer of Paddy and his team for many years and feel the time is right to extend our service offering.”

Commenting on the new chapter with Connectus, Patrick Gill, Chairman and Founder of PRS Business Holdings, said: 

“Since 2003, PRS has been primarily a provider of mobile solutions for businesses. We have grown the business from zero customers to a broad range of businesses across all industries and the whole of the UK. That has been complimented by providing Telephony System solutions featuring, MitelUnify, & 3CX.

“Our clients have always asked us to take care of them on the IT front and giving them access to the portfolio of Connectus will be a fabulous development for the betterment of our customers’ satisfaction.

“Roy and I have worked on various projects and initiatives over the years and we both recognise, realise and are motivated by the unification of our portfolios. This is the beginning of a new adventure for everyone involved in both PRS and Connectus.“

The new service provides a seamless continuation of PRS’ solutions on mobile devices, which are proven to mitigate cost, complexity and risk for its clients.

This will allow them to benefit from increased capabilities such as:

• Work from Anywhere: employees can access and edit their files, emails, and calendars from any location and device. This flexibility is supported by cloud storage and offline access, allowing for seamless work even without an internet connection.
• Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: tools such as Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Yammer enable employees to communicate and collaborate effectively with each other and with external partners. This fosters a more connected and efficient work environment.
• Increased Security and Compliance: IT mobility solutions often come with advanced security features such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, data loss prevention, and advanced threat protection. These features help protect devices and data from cyber threats.
• Cost Savings: Employing contract workers can be more budget-friendly. It allows businesses to upscale and meet project demands quickly without long-term commitments, providing flexibility and cost efficiency. With No capital costs of entry with a fixed and predictable cost per user per month fits seamlessly with the Connectus value of mitigating cost, complexity, and risk for clients.
• Improved Productivity: With user-friendly interfaces and intuitive controls, IT mobility tools can boost productivity by reducing setup time and allowing employees to focus more on their task.

Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, today announced the launch of a next generation connected area monitor that advances gas detection and early hazard identification for companies and first-responders, providing organizations and communities with unprecedented protection.

The new EXO 8 portable area monitor—to be unveiled September 16 at the National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo in Orlando, Florida—is the only direct-to-cloud area monitor capable of detecting up to eight gases and gamma radiation.

Ideally suited to large industrial organizations in the oil and gas, petrochemical, mining, water and wastewater sectors—alongside fire-hazmat and homeland security associations—EXO 8 helps teams rapidly respond to incidents involving hazardous substances and ensure the safety of workers, first responders, the public and the environment during these events. Real-time connectivity provides situational awareness that can be shared amongst all responders. Automated analytics provide insights into incidents after the event, enabling teams to understand what happened and take proactive measures to improve safety.

Building on the feature set of Blackline’s award-winning G7 EXO—including drop-and-go setup, direct-to-cloud connectivity, up to 100-day battery life and comprehensive analytics—the new EXO 8 includes:

1. Gas expansion module– the ability to add up to four additional sensors for a total of eight gases.
2. Integrated gamma radiation sensor – with a range that’s three times the distance of competitors and that operates continuously without cycling on or off.
3. Higher resolution full color dual display– with live readings screen for real time gas and gamma levels and dashboard screen to quickly see alarms and device status.
4. Improved durability– enhanced ruggedness and reliability in even the harshest environmental conditions.

Chris Johnson, Hazmat Technician for the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services in New York State, sees the value EXO 8 with gamma detection brings to hazmat response.

“Blackline Safety’s G7 EXO was already my preferred area monitor in the field. The ability to quickly swap out gas sensors to adapt to whatever threat we’re facing during response is invaluable. The data you get from the device—in real-time, from anywhere in the world, and easily understandable—has been critical to successful incident response,” Johnson said.

“EXO 8 with gamma detection will help us in even more scenarios, including behind-the-scenes monitoring. Gamma allows us to use the device for public safety as part of event protection. It will also keep our people more protected because we can detect more gases,” Johnson continued.

Event protection is crucial to public safety, as mass gatherings are vulnerable to attacks and are considered soft targets because they can inflict high numbers of casualties.

Though there has never been a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD, aka dirty bomb) detonated in a public setting, in 2002, U.S. officials stated they detained an American citizen who intended to detonate a dirty bomb. Since then, several governments in Europe have stopped similar plots by terrorist groups. According to the Global Terrorism Database, 68% of attacks on concerts and festivals involve explosives, including the Bataclan bombing in 2015 in France, the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 in the UK, and the threats of mass casualties that canceled Taylor Swift’s Eras tour shows this year in Vienna.

“Four years ago, we introduced the G7 EXO with Blackline’s industry-leading real-time connectivity, which quickly became the gold standard for area monitoring. With EXO 8, we’ve significantly expanded our customers’ ability to protect people and communities across a wider range of situations,” said Cody Slater, Blackline Safety CEO and Chair. “We’re responding to a direct need in the market by providing organizations with more robust technology that helps them address a broader spectrum of risks, faster.”

EXO 8 comes with a full warranty and flexible purchase options that include the ability to own or lease to maximize CAPEX or OPEX budgets. First product shipments are scheduled for November 2024.

About Blackline Safety
Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with coverage in more than 100 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 250 billion data-points and initiated over eight million emergency alerts.  For more information, visit BlacklineSafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.