technology Archives - Blue Signal Search

Talent Gaps in Electrical Engineering: Awful or Opportunity?

July 30, 2020 by Amber Lamb

With the 4th Industrial Revolution, there have been expansive job opportunities in emerging technology such as artificial intelligence and data science. Locally, reports show that every 100 tech jobs created in Arizona result in 252 jobs in other sectors. From manufacturing all the way to sales - each job vertical has expanded due to new developments in systems, applications, hardware, and software. However, it seems like much of the allure within these jobs leans more toward high-profile software-oriented companies like Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (FAANG). In one survey by Deloitte, over 77% of respondents believed there is currently a talent shortage within the semiconductor industry. Without chip designers, system engineers, and other EE talent, those FAANG companies would not be able to operate. Is this cause for concern? Or is there opportunity within this talent gap?

Issues with the Talent Gap

Last year KPMG found that 64% of semiconductor executives named “talent risk” as one of the top three threats to their organization’s growth. As technologies like IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and 5G evolve and are streamlined, new enhancements need to be invented to support them and remain competitive. The end of Moore’s Law put this need for innovation into an even clearer perspective. Yet, industry leaders are struggling to react to this need through skill development, education utilization, and developing an overall talent strategy. This means,despite growing demand for semiconductor technology and innovation being developed in this space at lightning speeds, industry leaders are still struggling to attract qualified talent and retain their skilled employees.

The number of qualified candidates in the industry today are not meeting the growing need. MRL, a recruiting group, estimates that half of the current semiconductor employees are likely to retire in the next 10 to 15 years - with hardly anyone qualified enough to fill those gaps. With people retiring out, and few newcomers - the talent pool is shrinking. In order to keep up with demand and to stay relevant in the marketplace, semiconductor companies need to establish better plans to address the talent gap.

Part o the problem lies within the marketing of the semiconductor space. Today’s STEM graduates want to be on the cutting edge of technology - and are drawn to the allure of big-name software companies which are constantly covered by the industry, and make a visible impact on people’s lives. On the flip side, the direct impact semiconductors, electrical components, and analog technology have on everyday life is not as well-known. Compared to other tech giants, 59% of respondents in Deloitte’s survey said that the semiconductor industry’s career path was just not as attractive. They also found a high rate of turnover in semiconductor companies, as well as a lack of knowledge on how to apply those highly technical skills to grow their career throughout the industry.

The industry is in need of a recruiting update - with one survey finding that 55% of companies feel unprepared to tackle the issue of attracting larger numbers of young people and graduates. These chip design and electrical engineering-focused companies need to focus on attracting and developing new talent to keep pace with the rest of the tech industries. Particularly, they need to learn how to market to millennials - as they have become the largest demographic group in today’s workforce.

Areas of Opportunity

All of this information seems pretty bleak, however, it leaves some pretty clear action-items on ways to turn this talent gap around. If the semiconductor industry wants to attract more talent, they must work on marketing themselves better to those entering the workforce. If they wish to retain their talent, they need to create more skill development opportunities and establish more career paths.

A key trait of the career-seeking millennial is wanting their work to have a tangible impact on daily life. That’s why they are so drawn to big software companies; it is easy to find people who use those products and services every single day. Competing with this brand familiarity and accessibility is difficult, over 60% of executives surveyed by Deloitte felt that companies in the semiconductor supply chain suffer from poor brand image compared to those other technology companies. Better employer and industry branding could help reverse this. When it comes to marketing to graduates, it must be made clear the exciting and direct impact semiconductors have on everyday life - whether that be through 5G, IoT, automotive, industrial, or consumer applications. By showing the impact, millennials will come to imagine a satisfying and rewarding career within the space.

It doesn’t help that the methods are outdated. From slow hiring processes to uncompetitive salary offers, millennials are not lining up for this old fashioned workplace and recruiting model. One microelectronics researcher stated that, “The jobs waiting for them after graduation are often limited and pay relatively poorly. It is much more appealing for these top engineers to go to big internet companies and create applications and software, rather than spend 5-10 years in a small lab doing extremely difficult and expensive hardware research.” From the outside looking in, they are seeing a lack of support and collaboration within these roles, and are having a hard time envisioning a solid career path within the field. To combat these feelings of disdain, a tech recruiting firm out of Europe suggests increasing recruiting efforts at universities and reevaluating what is offered to employees. Initiating R&D projects with universities, providing more mentorship and trainee programs, and other career development opportunities would help engage internal employees while also giving students an inside look into the job.

As the digital design of systems and applications continually changes, so should the methods by which employers build their roadmaps to keep ahead of the innovation and develop their internal talent. Those within the electrical engineering space today are experiencing some key pain points as well when it comes to entering and staying in the semiconductor vertical. One survey found that 60% of their semicon employees leave their jobs within 3 to 5 years, pointing to an employee retention issue. In addition to regular salary and title evaluations, on-the-job learning, advanced degree training programs, and other career guidance pathways should help retention.

The United States is not alone in this struggle, with the semiconductor talent shortage impacting businesses all across the globe. China and Singapore have been developing talent acquisition and talent retainment strategies in recent years, and we can learn from them. China is taking the homegrown talent pool approach, and looking to strengthen education for graduates, improve the benefits for their current engineers, and support research and development throughout the STEM sector. Meanwhile, Singapore is using strategies backed by Accenture and their own Economic Development Board to bolster the talent pool. This includes collaborating with the government on building out a roadmap and support stream in preparation of Industry 4.0, implementing new routes for cross-functional learning within the tech space, and forming workforce support in the form of unions and business chambers to develop transition paths. All of these efforts help to create long-term solutions that build the talent pipeline for semiconductor jobs now and in the future.

Key Takeaways

It is estimated that the semiconductor industry is the fastest growing electronic component industry in the US. There is significant opportunity there for those that have the knowledge! And, for those who know where to find the talent. Moving forward, retention tactics need to be better emphasized, and marketing efforts better funded. The semiconductor industry has a lot to offer, but has done little in the way of advocating for itself when competing against software and application giants. The good news is, you now have a friend in the business who understands the gap in the market and can help you build your pipeline and strategy to ensure your company comes out on top. Through strategic developments in marketing, education, and recruiting efforts, the semiconductor talent gap can be minimized.

In Blue Signal’s home state of Arizona, the technology sector is growing at a pace 40% faster than the rest of the nation, with a 5% wage growth. Here, the governor plans to budget $12.5 billion to STEM workforce training and education. Arizona is ranked second in the nation for net new tech business establishments - right behind New York City. By tapping into local talent and Arizona college programs, Blue Signal has a unique opportunity to capitalize on this growing job market and talent pool. We understand the challenges and competition out there and have proven ourselves successful in overcoming these obstacles to help find companies educated and experienced professionals in the electrical engineering space. Contact one of our specialized recruiters today to discuss your opportunities for talent acquisition - some of which might be right in your backyard.

Top 6 Progressive Business Reformations Due to COVID-19

May 7, 2020 by Blue Signal

Businesses have faced many obstacles during these trying times, as COVID-19 has forced companies to reevaluate their standard practices. Although challenging, companies have taken this opportunity in stride, implementing progressive reformations that are streamlining the new norm. This new wave in the fourth industrial revolution showcases how technology can be utilized to improve and adapt for business’ sake. As America 2.0 advances, these 6 key points will become typical business functions, proving that business can prevail and thrive. Here are the top areas where the most efficient optimization of business reformations are being implemented with lightning speed.

1. On Demand Critical Information

Now more than ever, access to information is easier and faster to obtain. Companies have secure networks and VPNs, enabling them to share and attain crucial information right at their fingertips. The days of unnecessary travel and delayed communication are over as everyone has instant access to data to make informed business, personal, and professional decisions. With many working from home, companies have made efforts to provide virtual materials in shared folders with ease - further improving communication and collaboration in the workplace. With the click of a button, on demand information is available anywhere in the world with a service or a signal.

2. Enhanced Virtual Culture and Benefits

As more people get used to the benefits of working from home, businesses are implementing positive reformations involving health and wellness checks, virtual happy hours, and easier access to critical personnel. The rise of digital interactions has also brought an increase in team building activities for the remote workforce. Friendly competitions and consistent communication has alleviated some of the stressors involved in this change of office scenery. Virtually, company culture has improved as communities and companies come together to learn and spearhead change. In addition to better work culture, individuals are seeing an improved work life balance, electing to focus more on family by separating business from personal.

3. Focus on Data Privacy

Security and privacy has already been at the forefront of leader’s minds. However, as things shift virutaly, we are seeing an increased push for cyber security, confidentiality, and data protection. With an increased necessity for technology, privacy will become an even bigger priority. Businesses have taken open- sourced software and optimized it, reducing data breaches and improving connectivity. In turn, security-minded professionals are coming together to develop solutions as Wi-Fi becomes faster, and remote working becomes more normalized.

4. Expedited Interview and Meeting Process

Interviews are not typically a speedy process, since it can be difficult to align calendars and objectives to ultimately find the perfect fit. Now, as things progress to rising digital communication, interviews that may have normally taken between 2-3 weeks have now been streamlined by remote processes. With today’s technology, the hiring process doesn’t have to require a huge time commitment as operations can be simplified with phone and video interviews. Businesses are transitioning to more remote working and hiring with virtual interviews that allow employers to gauge their presence and capabilities, online. Meetings are easier to schedule and have become more productive with these fast tracked businesses processes.

5. Virtual Hiring Process

Just as you are able to get a closer look at your candidate virtually, your candidate can closely examine their potential workplace through the same techniques. In addition to video and phone interviews, companies have begun to implement virtual facility tours, utilizing drones to create interactive video material. This innovative concept has been increased due to Coronavirus, however, it has proven to be an ingenious great way to integrate technology into the hiring process. Candidates can get an inside look into what their daily routine could look like, along with gaining a better idea of their potential workplace. This is easily achieved by using technology like GoPros and drones to record footage of company facilities, saving managers time by eliminating this part of the interview process - all while remaining safely socially-distanced. These tours also have the ability to expand further into cities, showing candidates what their personal lives could be like if relocation is required. The days of flying multiple candidates out for interviews only to end in falloffs are over. With technology’s capabilities, you have the opportunity to better know your prospects and vice versa.

6. Refocused Marketing Efforts

Companies are rethinking their marketing strategies to create focused, dialed-in content that grabs attention. We have seen companies pivot overnight to deliver information that will help society understand the current market - describing what they have done, will do, or are doing to support others. COVID-covered emails and postings have flooded the market, offering relevant ideas and solutions to current industry problems. As companies adjust to this increased delivery of information, efforts are made to create branded marketing materials that help businesses stand out. America 2.0 will emphasize the creation of consistent messaging that allows consumers to quickly identify the brand, which in turn helps bring in more clientele.

In business, change is inevitable. While these tough times are only temporary, these new norms that companies are adjusting to reflect the need for change and increased technology utilization. As candidates, employees, and working professionals, we have the ability to shape America 2.0 and its technology practices. These reformations we adjust to today will help us move toward a more streamlined and efficient model for businesses in the future.

Best Practices for Video Interviews in the Midst of COVID-19

March 13, 2020 by Amber Lamb

Amid the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus - also referred to as COVID-19 - many organizations are opting to go remote in order to slow the spread among their employees, students, and travelers. Companies like Twitter, Microsoft, and Apple are heading up the shift. So far, school districts, professional sports leagues, food service companies, and nearly every other industry has been affected.

The good news? With today’s technology, this doesn’t necessarily have to halt business operations like interviewing and hiring. In order to prepare yourself for the change in scenery, we have compiled some key strategies for video conference interviews.

Use a reliable computer, not a mobile device.

Use a laptop or desktop computer; avoid using phones or tablets for a video conferencing call. Test the internet connection, speakers, microphone, and software. Use a high-quality webcam and a headset, if possible; headsets reduce background noise and improve audibility for both interviewer and candidate.

Test out the technology.

Become familiar with the video call software in advance, under the same circumstances as the interview. Companies may use Skype, Google Hangouts, Facetime, or another platform. Download the interviewer’s preferred software and allow plenty of time to practice using it. The username (e.g. jonsmith1), display name (e.g. Jonathan Smith), and profile image should all be simple and professional.

Skype interview tips

Although the conversation is the most important aspect of the interview, technical issues and poor sound quality can lead interviewers to subconsciously form a negative impression. Use a fast, reliable internet connection. If a technical issue arises during the interview, address it immediately rather than risk a miscommunication.

Check for software updates and close all other programs.

Some computers automatically restart when they install updates. Do not chance the computer unexpectedly restarting in the middle of the conversation! Before the interview, install any updates and make sure that no automatic restarts are scheduled. Close every other program other than Skype during the conversation, especially ones that generate noise, pop-ups, or notifications. Candidates should send a clear signal that the interviewer has their undivided attention.

Do a mock interview.

Practice with a friend or Blue Signal recruiter to gather feedback and make adjustments. Nuances that are otherwise unnoticed can stand out during a video call. Give the friend practice questions to read, and have them evaluate body language, expression, voice, and the content of the response. Check for distracting behaviors, such as staring down at the keyboard, fidgeting, the use of filler words such as “um,” or distracting hand gestures. All of these behaviors are harder to moderate when the audience is on a screen instead of in the room.

This is also a good time to practice a confident, enthusiastic delivery of responses. Record answers, if possible, and gauge whether they need revision before the interview. The interviewer only has one chance to hear the answer to a question!

Create a desktop folder of reference documents.

Some reference documents and notes can help to move the conversation forward. For instance, supporting documents such as sales figures may be handy to have during the conversation. Save documents to a new, dedicated folder on your desktop. During the adrenaline-filled moments of the interview, this will avoid a frantic search to find a key piece of information.

Use notes.

Aside from a desktop folder of helpful documents, keep a separate printed set of notes. This includes a resume copy, a quick reference sheet of company research, the job description, and any other key facts. Keep notes organized and easy to read; large blocks of text are difficult to glance through quickly and may result in the candidate frantically shuffling through pages or losing focus as they look for the fact they were trying to find.

One advantage of Skype interviews is the ability to use notes. Keep them out of view of the webcam and avoid shuffling them or reading off of them during the interview. Conduct the same level of research that would be appropriate for an in-person interview.

Put the camera at eye-level or higher.

Looking down into the camera creates an illusion of a double-chin, while looking up into a camera emphasizes confidence and compliments cheekbones and jawlines. If necessary, raise the level of the laptop by placing it on a box or stack of books (make sure they are sturdy, first). Before the videoconference, test out the camera and adjust it to the optimal height, angle, and distance.

Maintain eye contact with the camera, not the face on the screen. Be certain that the camera is at the top of the laptop to make this more natural. Looking directly at the camera gives the illusion of making eye contact with the interviewer while looking at the screen gives the impression of looking away from the interviewer’s eyes.

Choose an appropriate background.

A bare, solid-colored wall makes the best background. No controversial or confidential material should be in view of the camera. The interviewer will want a clear, unobstructed view of the candidate’s face and shoulders. When in doubt, sit farther back.

During the interview, the goal is for the interviewer to focus on the conversation, not the surroundings. If the background is distracting, it will detract from the content of the conversation. Well-lit rooms are preferable, but avoid very bright lights and sitting close to a window. Sunlight can cause a glare that makes it difficult for the camera to adjust to show the candidate’s face.

Dress for success.

Candidates should prepare their appearance as they would for a face-to-face interview. Keep body language neutral and positive, and avoid fidgeting. Body language is more difficult to read over a video call, so smile and engage the interviewer clearly.

Smile, smile, smile.

Smiling has countless positive benefits. It is scientifically proven to calm nerves and lower stress hormones in the bloodstream. Smiling conveys openness, attentiveness, and interest. Enthusiasm is contagious, and it will encourage the interviewer to engage and show interest in the conversation.

This market adoption of work-from-home alternatives may signify a shift in the way the world goes to work, and is especially beneficial during the trying times of a health crisis like the Coronavirus. Whether temporarily operating from your home desk - like for an interview - or making your home office your own personal HQ long-term, the above tips are applicable for all WFH situations. Stay healthy out there! And for further professional hygiene checkups, reach out to one of our qualified Blue Signal recruiters.

To download further interview tips and information, follow this link to our comprehensive interview guide.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

March 8, 2019 by Lacey Walters

Blue Signal has a 43% gender balance.

Happy International Women’s Day to all those change-makers in our industry. Here at Blue Signal, we have sought to build a diverse workforce since our inception, and we now have a 43% gender balance across the company. This is significantly higher than the tech industry average of 29%.

Our company is passionate about advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in tech. #HireBlue to think equal, build smart, and innovate for change. Thanks to the ladies of Blue Signal who consistently inspire change, champion innovation, and motivate us to continually improve in our roles.

#hireblue #internationalwomensday #recruiters #iwd #womenintech

Benefits of Cloud Adoption

February 15, 2019 by Amber Lamb

Technology provides an endless opportunity for businesses to optimize, grow, and innovate. In the race to remain competitive, businesses have launched their way into cloud adoption. McAfee calculated that companies using the cloud grow 19.3% faster than their competitors. This IT gold rush is very much reflective of the “First Wave” of cloud adoption – focused on lower costs and failsafe information backup. Now, with this “Second Wave” on the rise, companies are focusing on the revenue growth potential and better business outcomes. In order to be successful, this will require a much more optimized cloud strategy.

The First Wave benefits of cloud adoption were obvious, and with the Second Wave businesses are seeing increased potential. With the proper cloud adoption strategy, companies can expect to see improved mobility and collaboration, better disaster recovery, cost efficiency, increased data security, environmental consciousness, and limitless scalability.

Improved Mobility and Collaboration

Public and shared cloud solutions provide the opportunity for people across any organization to access data from anywhere with an internet connection. Simultaneous collaboration helps the flow of ideas, and saves time by cutting out the limbo period between input. This increased productivity also can aid in improving employee satisfaction. In fact, organizations with employee satisfaction listed as a priority are up to 24% more likely to expand cloud usage according to Dell research. Cloud has made remote work possible – and connects people with ideas across the world with one click.

Cloud infrastructure is more reactive than any predecessor solutions. Businesses looking to optimize processes, pick up on trends internally, or capture errors can react instantaneously with cloud computing built into their cloud servers. Within moments of a change, information can be procured, revised, or compared. This can help avoid disaster or grant a competitive edge to any company possessing a fully utilized cloud portfolio.

Disaster Recovery

No matter how large, successful, private, or prepared an organization is – there is no way to prevent or predict everything that could impact it. One major benefit to cloud application is disaster recovery. In downtime, businesses can lose anything from productivity to revenue to brand reputation. Luckily, cloud backup can recover data quickly and accurately. An article by Salesforce.com has found that 20% of cloud uses can claim disaster recovery in four hours or less, while only 9% of non-cloud users could claim the same.

In a study by Salesforce.com, 94% of businesses who used cloud services claimed they saw an improvement in security after switching to the cloud. 91% said the cloud makes it easier to meet government compliance requirements.

Cost Effective

Using a cloud-based infrastructure is proven to significantly reduce costs across IT, hardware, maintenance, and operations. According to an IDC White Paper for Cisco, companies are realizing $1.6 million in additional revenue and $1.2 million in reduced costs per cloud application. With cloud, businesses are no longer obligated to spend large amounts of money on purchasing and maintaining equipment. In fact, some in-house infrastructure may become obsolete.

Many organizations and businesses rely on IT teams to fix bugs and solve server issues. It can become costly for a team of developers to handle and manage an on-premise system on a daily basis. Not to mention, ensuring internal servers are running properly draws attention and work away from innovation and revenue-focused initiatives. To avoid this internal responsibility, more businesses are beginning to adopt the cloud, resulting in a more optimized workforce, and the lowered cost and liability related to owned hardware and on-site servers.

Environmentally Friendly

Today’s consumers, as well as businesses, are becoming more environmentally conscious. Cloud computing, because of its intangible nature, results in much less of a carbon footprint than traditional record keeping. Salesforce.com stated that cloud infrastructures support environmental proactivity, powering virtual services rather than physical products and hardware. This cuts down on paper waste, improves energy efficiency, and reduces commuter-related emissions. As more businesses utilize a cloud infrastructure, they use fewer physical servers- meaning less tangible resources and a reduced environmental impact.

Scalability

Prior to cloud applications and technology, enterprises ran on custom-built IT infrastructures. This required a large fraction of IT personnel just to maintain the current system. When growth was unforeseen or systems were overloaded, they simply crashed. With cloud, IT can scale up and down as needed – and in some cases organically. This “self-healing” nature has reduced IT incidents by over 70% according to McKinsey insights.

Cloud also offers several options for customers varying in need. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach like some in-house applications can produce, cloud can be optimized to meet varying needs. Private, public, and hybrid cloud can work together to store, protect, and organize data in many ways. It all depends on the needs of the organization, and their vision for a repeatable and expandable future for themselves.

Cloud is the latest innovation in business transformation and is accessible and beneficial to many businesses. This technology allows companies to streamline their daily operations effectively and efficiently, while also providing peace of mind. Because of these factors, it’s no surprise that the cloud industry is booming – and the need for cloud-experts is meeting an unprecedented high. The ultimate challenge lies in finding this talent.

Blue Signal is an expert in the cloud space, and has the necessary connections to ensure a faster, more secure adoption process. If you are a specialist in this space or a business looking to implement cloud offerings into your own company, contact us to connect to your next great investment.

Unified Communications Industry Predictions for 2018

November 30, 2017 by Lacey Walters

The unified communications industry has been very fluid over the past few years. Although the industry is maturing, people’s communication habits continue to evolve as social media and personal technology habits shift.

The major challenges of the unified communications industry are also shifting. Customers (and employees) struggle with overflowing inboxes and are less willing to pick up the phone. Cold-calling has lost much of its popularity. Employees want communication platforms that are intuitive and natural. And there are the challenges of drawn-out meetings, technology that doesn’t work, and ROI.

Prediction #1: Improved interoperability and security in hybrid platforms

For most companies, it just doesn’t make sense to use a single tenant solution. Not only is it expensive to build a custom platform and host on-premises applications, but companies feel restricted by the big purchase. In an agile market, companies need to be able to change strategies fast. Hybrid solutions have been common for a while, but there will be a more “modular” approach to UCaaS hybrid environments in the future. Unified communications providers will be able to close more deals and keep customer loyalty if they can provide a set of plug-and-play modules that fit their customers’ unique business needs.

As more and more technology crowds onto our desks and into our devices, interoperability will be even more important. It is mission-critical for unified communications features to function seamlessly in BYOD and hybrid environments.

This interoperability will come with beefed-up security features to protect against data loss, data corruption, and targeted breach attacks. As cybersecurity attacks rise, companies are becoming more open to spending serious money on data security.

Prediction #2: Technology that is natural to use — not just user-friendly

Many UCaaS platforms are easy to use, but not all are natural to use. They don’t match the way that people intuitively use other software and technology in their day-to-day life.

Just because features are new or high-tech, doesn’t mean they’re necessary or useful. Recently, a major Unified Communications hardware manufacturer launched a new advertising campaign for videoconferencing hardware to address the problem of low user engagement, which means a high added cost to the business.

Making UC technology low-effort is only half the battle. Tech giants like Facebook and Apple have created the expectation that all software has a sleek, streamlined UI/UX (user interface/experience). Thanks to these companies, a bad user interface is a show-stopper. User experience is a top consideration for UC technology companies, alongside functionality.

Prediction #3: Shift from “feature-rich” to “rich features”

Most features on smartphones, TVs, and other electronics never get used. People get used to using their devices a certain way and don’t branch out. The same goes for unified communications technology. Developing new features is expensive and time-consuming. As the UCaaS market continues to heat up, companies will focus on delivering a few high-quality features that users actually want. Cutting down on the overwhelming number of unnecessary features is the next logical step.

There will be a boost in features to support mobile users and telecommuters, who are becoming more common in the workforce. The unified communications industry relies heavily on remote employees, and customers will be loyal to platforms that support this model.

Prediction #4: Data-driven decisions that are actually data-driven

Many companies already consider themselves to be “data-driven,” but the quality of data and the subsequent conclusions based on it is often questionable. Engagement tracking and big data analysis are becoming more commonplace, with simpler tools so that companies don’t need to hire a data scientist to get results. These powerful data tracking tools are helping companies make smart decisions more easily, and based on better data and better insights.

Prediction #5: CPaaS will be a major UC disruptor

CPaaS is “communications platform as a service,” and includes communication apps such as B2C text messaging, human and bot chat platforms, and other real-time communications applications. UC features in this category include instant-messaging apps like Skype, WhatsApp, and Slack, which have exploded in popularity as a response to overflowing email inboxes. IM applications will continue to grow and most likely eventually totally replace intraoffice email.

Technical support is another department likely to pick up on CPaaS fast. Video-enabled IT support, live 24/7 assistance, and real-time chats are an easy, low-cost solution to common IT problems, and they make the IT department’s job easier.

Prediction #6: Smart bandwidth usage for UC apps

Not all UC apps are created equal in terms of data usage. Bandwidth-heavy UC applications like video-streaming can seriously slow down a user’s system, or even the whole network. Smart application integrated platforms reduce the load by taking bandwidth away from inactive applications and funnel it towards the ones in use. This improves the efficiency of the entire system and boosts software speeds. In advanced UCaaS software, this can even occur in totally cloud-based applications.

Breakdown in communication is one of the top causes for the failure of relationships, so it comes as no surprise that breakdowns in communication in the workplace are one of the top threats to revenue, productivity, and competitiveness. Unified communications is the technology that helps companies to solve communication problems in the workplace. As our ways of communicating evolve, the UCaaS industry will evolve with us.

Need help with your Unified Communications hiring? Contact us here.

NB-IoT vs. LoRa: It’s an Ecosystem, Not a Race

July 13, 2017 by Blue Signal

As the number of connected devices rises, new technology standards have developed to handle the growing IoT space. While smartphones use cellular networks for their data, many IoT devices (for example, a smart water meter) only need to transfer small amounts of data. Relying totally on cellular or satellite networks would be expensive and use too much battery power for most devices. Similarly, WiFi and Bluetooth networks are not always a good or cost-effective solution. Most IoT devices don’t need to be in constant contact with a cellular network, so a new type of network was needed. Enter the LPWAN.

LPWAN stands for Low-Power Wide Area Network, a wireless network designed to efficiently connect smart devices across long distances, usually through a low bit rate. LPWANs are ideal for IoT devices that don’t need to manage large amounts of data, or for circumventing more expensive gateway technology. This can include smart meters, consumer products, and sensors. The overall value of the LPWAN market is expected to reach $25 billion within 4 years.

Many technology articles compare LoRA and NB-IoT technologies as if they were battling it out for dominance in the IoT market. In reality, these technologies are two branches within an emerging technology ecosystem. Similar to WiFi and Bluetooth, they will most likely to diverge into different niches, rather than directly compete with each other. This article will dive deeper into the capabilities, costs, longevity, maturity, and other differentiators of NB-IoT and LoRa-based technology.

What are LoRa and NB-IoT?

LoRa and NB-IoT both operate within LPWAN technology. They are two major standards for low-power IoT devices.

The LoRa Alliance developed LoRa in 2015 as a secure, energy-efficient IoT standard that makes it easy to onboard new devices. LoRa is shorthand for Long-Range (WAN) and is a modulation technology for LoRaWAN. LoRaWAN is a related set of low-power specifications for IoT devices. LoRa and LoRaWAN are not interchangeable terms; LoRaWAN refers to a LPWAN protocol standard and is not a technology in and of itself. LoRa defines the physical layer. Its security standards emphasize end-to-end encryption, data authentication, and intelligent key derivation.

NB-IoT is an abbreviation for Narrow Band IoT, a cellular standard developed by 3GPP. NB-IoT is not a standalone technology, but a cellular standard that aims to standardize IoT devices to be interoperable and more reliable. It can be implemented in a standalone or in-band spectrum manner and does not require gateways, while each LoRa device needs a gateway to function (which can affect total cost). NB-IoT connects base stations directly with sensors.

Key Differences

Both LoRa and NB-IoT standards were developed to improve security, power efficiency, and interoperability for IoT devices. Each features bidirectional communication (meaning the network can send data to the IoT device, and the IoT device can send data back), and both are designed to scale well, from a few devices to millions of devices.

Major differentiators between LoRa and NB-IoT standards:

Latency

The most important differentiator of LoRa and NB-IoT is their latency. Here’s a quick refresher on network latency: networks and devices communicate with each other using data packets. But these data packets don’t always get transferred immediately, because it eats up battery power and network coverage. Latency is the time delay in transferring data after making a transfer request. A low latency device “checks in” with the network more often than a high latency device.

For instance, a smart sensor detects that a pipe has broken and needs to send an alert to the network. If this sensor is high latency, it doesn’t transfer data to the network very often, and it might be a few hours before the network receives the alert. If the sensor is low latency, the network will receive the alert much sooner.

Location / Density

Because LoRa devices use gateways, they work well in remote or rural areas without 4G coverage. They use unlicensed spectrum to communicate with the network. They also work well when they are in motion (for instance, on a truck, plane, or ship). This makes them well suited for supply chain and transportation applications. LoRa’s geolocation is non-GPS, so devices offer location services without heavy battery usage.

NB-IoT devices don’t need a gateway, and they rely on 4G coverage, either using spectrum within LTE, GSM spectrum, or “standalone,” which refers to unused frequency within LTE guard bands. This means that devices with NB-IoT chipsets perform better in indoor applications and dense urban areas. NB-IoT uses GPS technology for geolocation.

Power Usage & QoS

While NB-IoT and LoRa are both designed for low-power devices, NB-IoT’s lower latency means that it uses battery juice faster than LoRa. The trade-off is that it can guarantee a better quality of service (QoS) than LoRa due to faster response times. NB-IoT also boasts much higher data rates than LoRa.

What are optimal uses for each technology?

Depending on the needs of an application, one technology may be more suitable than another. For most applications, the biggest considerations are latency, battery life, coverage, and cost. In this capacity, NB-IoT and LoRa serve different purposes.

Smart metering:

Most meters process only modest amounts of data each day, so LoRa is best for most applications, assuming that the cost of installing a gateway is not prohibitive. NB-IoT is a good choice for applications that need more frequent communication or high data throughput.

Manufacturing:

Industrial automation takes many forms, and there is no one answer for this space. NB-IoT is a better choice for manufacturing applications that need more frequent communication and guaranteed QoS, while LoRa is a better choice for lower-cost sensors and longer battery life. Both are useful in different environments.

Retail & POS:

NB-IoT is a better choice. Retail transactions involve less predictable data and surges of customers, so the low latency of NB-IoT is not a good fit. Retailers risk losing sales (and customers) with the long latency time of LoRa applications.

Supply chain tracking:

LoRa is the clear winner for supply chain and transportation applications, because its mobile gateways perform reliably on a moving vehicle. Because shipments in transit or in storage don’t need to transfer much data, LoRa’s higher latency, lower data rates, and longer battery life all make sense. LoRa is also better suited for coverage in rural warehouse areas.

Smart city/buildings:

LoRa is the better choice for most smart buildings, due to easier placement of gateways. However, buildings have their own electricity supplies and therefore have less of a need for LoRa’s battery efficiency, so NB-IoT may be a better option for smart buildings with very high data throughput or a need for very low latency, such as high-security facilities. NB-IoT is also likely better for smart city networks that connect dozens or hundreds of buildings, whereas LoRa is better for a single-building application.

Agriculture:

Spotty cellular network coverage in rural areas makes LoRa the obvious choice, since LoRa doesn’t require 4G. LoRa works particularly well to track agricultural indicators, such as water usage, soil pH, and temperature gauges, which don’t shift rapidly or need immediate responses. Not only that, LoRa’s lower price point is a top selling point for farmers.

How mature is the technology?

LoRa had an early two-year lead, and highly integrated LoRa modules are already available on the market for a competitive price, with more options already in development. LoRa is already considered the IoT network industry standard for several countries, including the United States. NB-IoT options are new but are already gaining traction in industry spaces that aren’t a good fit for LoRa. The technology as a whole is expected to mature quickly due to the enormous market demand.

What about Sigfox?

Sigfox is a connectivity company whose LPWAN technology compares closely with technologies within LoRa and NB-IoT standards. Their ultra-narrowband technology uses ISM (industrial, scientific, medical) radio band. While Sigfox is growing in the space, it has not yet approached the market penetration of LoRa and NB-IoT. Sigfox’s claim to fame is its ability to cover large areas, including underground objects. The major drawback is its low throughput (about one third of LoRa) and much lower payload/message size (10 bytes vs. LoRa’s 50 bytes—in other words, its maximum message size is about one fifth of LoRa’s). Although Sigfox and LoRa compete more directly than LoRa and NB-IoT, Sigfox is more of a race for regional coverage, similar to the way GSM and CDMA race in the early days of cellular networks.

In the end…

In the end, there is no clear winner between NB-IoT and LoRa standardized devices. They address different needs. They are each part of a fast-growing network ecosystem that will host nearly 50 billion devices by the end of 2020.

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Top IoT Industry Trends of Q1 2017

April 19, 2017 by Blue Signal

The Internet of Things has enjoyed top buzzword status for a while now, but the technology has made steady strides away from the hype and towards a tangible, profitable reality. Here are the top trends of IoT since the start of 2017:

1. 3GPP Standardization of NB-IoT (Narrow-Band IoT) for LPWAN

NB-IoT technology took a leap forward last month when Cisco and Optus announced at Barcelona’s MWC they have completed live trials of NB-IoT technology on the Cisco Jasper platform. Most new connected devices are expected to launch on an LPWAN (Low Power Wireless Access Network) platform, especially inexpensive devices that use low levels of power and large ranges (smart umbrellas and toasters, for example).

NB-IoT is shorthand for Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT, also called LTE-M2). It is a radio technology standardization proposal developed by Huawei, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Vodafone, and other telecom heavy hitters. The Internet of Things is made up of hugely diverse smart devices—from airplanes to bracelets. To improve interoperability, NB-IoT was designed to allow many different types of devices and connectivity services to connect over cellular telecom bands—not just smartphones and tablets. Read more about NB-IoT here.

2. Connected Cars & Self-Driving Technology

CES 2017 was dominated by connected cars and related self-driving technology, with over 1000 exhibitors featured vehicle technologies or accessories. Tesla investors worried last year that self-driving technology would take a nosedive after one of their test drivers was killed last year in a fatal crash. However, commercial and private interest has grown by leaps and bounds. Uber got an early lead in the driverless tech race when it began testing driverless cars late last year in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco. Despite setbacks when a driverless car crashed in Arizona this month, the program is back on track. Google, Ford, and GM have also been testing self-driving technology in the United States.

Image credit: Business Insider

Intel is the biggest newcomer to the driverless technology arena. In a $15 billion deal on March 14, it purchased Mobileye, an OEM for driverless vehicle sensors and cameras. Uber’s driverless vehicles use a sophisticated combination of roof-mounted LiDAR sensors and color cameras to interpret the road. Intel is expected to scale similar digital vision technology components to sell to automakers that cannot make the huge investment necessary to develop the technology in-house.

Image: At CES 2017, Divergent 3D unveiled the Blade, a 3D-printed connected car.

In the connected car software arena, AT&T boasts that it already connects 11 million cars on its network. Cisco’s Jasper IoT software now supports 50 vehicle brands, including Honda’s proprietary MyHonda Connected Car platform. Cisco has had many wins in the IoT arena with its Jasper platform, releasing smart solutions for fleet management, connected buildings, industrial equipment, and more. Over 9000 companies and 40 million smart devices run on Jasper’s Control Center software, with millions of devices being added every month.

5G Advancements

At Mobile World Congress 2017, South Korean carrier KT announced that it will have the world’s first commercially viable 5G network by 2019. While this is many years away from reality, many service providers are shifting discussions away from features to talk about standardization opportunities. Without a concerted standardization effort, 5G will likely take much longer to launch and be slower to grow once it does.

Ericsson recently launched its “5G for India” program to conduct 5G testing and ecosystem development in India. Many governments are considering their options for modernizing infrastructure to prepare for 5G, including China, the UK, and Thailand. Any country that gets an early lead in 5G availability will likely enjoy an economic leg-up over less connected countries. The challenge is that many infrastructure must be built from scratch, especially in countries with large rural areas.

IoT Security

Due to last October’s massive DDoS attack that used IoT device back doors to cause massive service outages, security is a top priority in the IoT space. Authentication and device-specific security are improving, but Sanjay Khatri, director of product marketing for IoT Services at Cisco, says that IoT security “takes a village.” If the network is secure but hackers can penetrate the device itself, the security chain has failed. Security is necessary at every link of the IoT value chain.

Information security is an escalation war, and providers at all levels are racing to protect IoT devices and applications against digital attacks. One of the most important IoT security measures already in use is REST-based APIs, which protects the movement of data between devices, applications, and back-end systems. Many device manufacturers are building two-step or even three-step authentication features into their devices. Instead of a single password, many connected things use biometrics (like a fingerprint) or digital certificates in addition to passwords and PINs. Beyond the device layer, cloud platforms like Cisco Jasper rout the data through VPN tunnels to prevent DDoS and similar network-wide outage attacks.

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