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Former European cable execs see BPL parallels

Tom Walsh and Patricia McGrath were executives at UPC Broadband — now owned by Liberty Global. The Netherlands-based firm grew from a 200-user cable modem trial network in Amsterdam in the mid 90s to a customer base of over 1.5 million cable broadband subscribers in 14 countries in 2002. Walsh was vice president of engineering and then operations and McGrath was vice president of network planning and implementation.

The two left UPC and in 2005 they started Glasnua Ltd. in Ireland. They looked at various alternative technologies and soon found BPL. Glasnua, are convinced BPL is the technology it had been looking for and set its sights on deploying BPL for utility services and retail triple play throughout Europe .

Walsh and McGrath spoke to us Thursday from their headquarters in County Kerry in Southwest Ireland .Walsh is CTO and McGrath is director.“ Europe will offer incredible opportunity for ‘smart grid’ technology players for the next 10 years,” said Walsh. He believes the key for BPL technology firms to succeed in Europe will be to maintain a presence without draining resources and funds.

www.glasnua.com is set up to help. The firm’s been trying to land BPL projects with utilities but like everywhere, European utilities have resisted.

EU’s pushing BPL

“Utilities have been slow to come to the table so far — but here in Europe the EU is actively pushing the technology,” said Walsh. Why is the government of Europe pushing BPL?

A BPL initiative is underway to “overcome the energy challenges presented by a rapidly expanding [EU] membership where demand is outstripping supply,” Walsh reported. He and McGrath are involved in that government effort and they’re confident “it will happen,” she added. The firm wants to introduce to Europe some of the main players in the BPL world “that have existing and proven technologies and proven business cases so that we can jump start some technology trials.

“We believe that some of the strongest players have a great opportunity to be in at the beginning” — with a real possibility to turn those trials into commercial deployments.

Glasnua hopes to avoid “open-ended science experiments — that I think have been some people’s experience in the past,” said McGrath. Some of the utilities in the EU are trying to “reinvent the wheel,” she added — and Glasnua wants to show them wheels are “already out there,” she added.

The challenge for Glasnua is to make deals with international BPL technology firms including US firms and represent them in Europe.

The name says it all

Glasnua learned early that utilities aren’t usually interested in hype about the broadband business. True to its name, the firm is focused on utility applications and sees that market offering huge potential. Commercial broadband is a side benefit that can be delivered by firms that lease bandwidth from the utility, he noted.

But the need for the 21st century smart grid is urgent. The EU grew from 15 to 27 countries in the last 3 years, Walsh reminded. Many have rapidly growing economies that are putting incredible demand on power grids.

These states have limited raw resources for energy production and a lack of organization in the power interconnection between countries. The EU doesn’t have a system to manage the grid or know “who’s producing power” and who’s using it.

“Smart grid efficiency and control are finally being seen as the way to integrate and manage the various networks” — and cut reliance on generators outside the Union, said Walsh.

Meanwhile less developed nations in the EU are trying to build their economies and getting access to broadband is a key ingredient. “Pilot projects are being planned to take the best existing solutions and test them for commercial roll-outs throughout Europe.”

Walsh expects BPL’s role to expand as green power generation projects such as home-based generation, solar panels, wind farms, tidal power and more start populating the grid. Interconnection with those projects will make managing the reliability of the grid ever more complicated — and some look to BPL as an obvious answer to managing that complexity.

They saw cable get smart

BPL reminds Walsh of the early days of cable. People in 1997 told him cable modem networks “couldn’t happen, it wouldn’t work — we were dreaming.” BPL is in roughly the same position as cable was then — with a lack of standards, some engineering challenges in creating networks plus it’s got its nay sayers.

The broadband boom in Europe was similar to “the wave that’s building for smart grids. ”Cable traditionally was a one-way, wire-based distribution network. Sounds familiar.

Cable modem technology introduced tremendous advantages by adding IP to those networks.

Suddenly the operator could see the condition of every piece of gear on the network all the way to the customer’s modem.

That gave Walsh a brand new kind of power in making financial decisions. He could make choices on where to spend money on the network — based not on which technology officer in field wrote the most compelling request, “but on actual live statistics,” he stressed.

His operational crews — that had only ever been reactive — could now act proactively based on real-time data and “before stuff breaks.” Walsh would set targets and key performance indicators for his managers and then “see how they were doing — not based on a score card but actual real statistics, real facts.” www.glasnua.com

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: All of a sudden you had huge efficiencies coming into the operation which means you gave better end-service to the customer. At the same time you were able to reduce costs of providing the service. This was all happening in the cable sector probably in the years of 2002, 2003. Take that benefit and combine it with BPL and you are making that business case look much rosier.

Tom Walsh, CTO, Glasnua

These folks have scaled

Another similarity with cable is the problem utilities face in scaling data networks to cover entire utility footprints. Those are the same problems Walsh tackled with cable-based broadband, he reminded.

It takes “business nerve” to wait for the opportunities to ripen — and then capital to take advantage of the moment when it’s right.

Superior technology will win out, he added. “For us, ‘smart grids’ is nothing new. www.glasnua.com/aboutus.html

“We deployed similar technology on communications networks and quickly realized the operational benefits when scaling is handled correctly.”

“The smart grids principle is not new. “It’s been [used] in the telecom sector for over four years and has revolutionized both technical and operational management.

“These benefits can now be realized by power utilities, too”

Whether you’re a CIO considering a switch from Sun to IBM or a manager debating about upgrading your entire Server platform, one thing remains the same: you’ve probably got one eye on your efficiency gain and the other eye on your budget.
Fortunately, there are several financing options available to help you break down large technology acquisitions into more affordable monthly payments.
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) estimates that eight out of ten U.S. companies lease at least some equipment, but what many people don’t realize is that there are flexible financing options available for almostany kind of technology equipment, including software, services and training.
Equipment financing is a popular way to maximize your purchasing power largely because it is acost-effective way to obtain the newest equipment without a large outlay of cash.
Financing also helps shield you from the effect of equipment obsolescence, a real issue for all those using any type of technology asset. It’s easy to add the latest software version to your master lease so you don’t have to worry about working with outdated technology.
The Benefits Add Up
Some of the other recognized benefits of financing technology equipment include:
• Reduced Tax Burden – The IRS does not consider certain leases, for example, to be a purchase, but rather a tax-deductible overhead expense. Therefore, you may be able to deduct the lease payments from your corporate income.
• 100 percent financing – Some financing options require very little money down – perhaps only the first and last month’s payment are due at the time of the acquisition.
• Immediate write-off of the dollars spent – With some financing options, payments can be treated as expenses on a company income statement, so equipment does not have to be depreciated over the useful life of the equipment.
• Flexibility – As your business grows and your needs change, flexible financing options provide more opportunities for businesses to add or upgrade equipment during the lease term.
• Asset management – Financing provides the use of technology equipment for specific periods of time at fixed payments. With some financing structures, the finance company assumes and manages the obsolescence risk of equipment ownership. At the end of the finance terms, the financing company is responsible for the disposition of the asset.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to reasons to finance technology equipment. Some of the other recognized benefits of financing include:
• Upgraded technology – Equipment that is frequently updated, such as software, should be financed to limit your risk of being stuck with obsolete equipment. It’s easy to add the latest software version to your master lease, for example, so you don’t have to worry about working with outdated technology.
• Speed – Some financing options can allow you to respond quickly to new opportunities with minimal documentation and red tape. Most resellers work with a finance company that can approve applications within twp hours.
• Improved cash flow – Many finance structures can result in a lower monthly payment when compared to a standard loan. In addition, some finance companies offer seasonally adjusted payments to match a company’s needs.
• Simplicity- Financing process and documentation is straight forward and easy to understand.
Finance Services Too
Training, support and other services are vitally important to a successful technology implementation, yet they are some of the most overlooked costs involved with a technology acquisition. Because of this, Somerset Capital Group, Ltd. offers a finance program to help companies cover the cost of training and services, specifically.
Often, everything involved in a technology purchase, from the software to the services and training can be bundled into one predictable monthly lease payment, making it easy to budget for all costs associated with a technology acquisition.
With Financing, One Size Does Not Fit All
Another important benefit of financing is that there are a variety of flexible financing products available to help meet your unique business needs. Many finance options can be tailored to fit month-to-month or year-to-year cash flow needs. Custom arrangements can be designed to address requirements such as cash flow, budget, transaction structure, cyclical fluctuations, and more. Some finance options even allow the customer to miss one or more payments without penalty.
If you’re concerned about purchasing technology that could become obsolete or outdated, or if you’d like to give yourself the flexibility to respond quickly and easily to new opportunities that call for additional software, chances are there’s a financing option for you. Even if your company has cash on hand for a large technology acquisition, there may be a finance option available that would allow you to make better use of your working capital.
Like any business decision, it is important to do your research before deciding which kind of finance option makes the most sense for you.
Get Financing Today
Because financing is such an important part of helping you get the software you need to excel at your job, USXL makes a variety of flexible financing options available. The application process is fast and simple; you could qualify for financing before the end of the day.

Searching for new professional horizons? Lincoln College of Technology (formerly known as the Career Education Institute) offers prospective students a diverse range of career-training options from which to choose. In addition to offering five campus locations in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and in Indiana, Lincoln College of Technology extends student and career assistance that includes financial aid services (payment plans, Title IV funding, private funding, scholarships, and state grants).

Accredited by the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), Lincoln College of Technology affords vast educational opportunities in the latest and fastest-growing careers today. For example, if you are interested in allied health occupations, Lincoln College of Technology provides training and education for future pharmacy technicians, health information technicians, massage therapists, and medical assisting, among others.

The pharmacy technician training program at Lincoln College of Technology gives students essential skills to clearly understand and perform the duties associated with the field. Included in this course of study is training in the regulations of pharmacology, how to mix and prepare medication (under the supervision of a pharmacist), how to maintain inventory, complete insurance claims, and more. Today, a qualified pharmacy technician can earn well over $16 hourly; and earning potential may even be higher with regard to education, experience, and certification.

Interested in putting your hands to good use? A rewarding career in massage therapy might be right for you – especially since employment opportunities for massage therapists is expected to increase faster than average in the coming years. At Lincoln College of Technology, the massage therapy certification program gives students knowledge and skills in anatomy, physiology, pathology and reflexology. Students also receive hands-on massage therapy instruction from expert instructors. Once you’ve earned your massage therapy certification, you can enjoy a rewarding healing arts profession where you are positively influencing the health of others, and lucrative earnings as well.

In addition to information technology and automotive programs, Lincoln College of Technology also affords students with the educational opportunity to become a professional cosmetologist. The cosmetology course includes practical training in the latest techniques in hair cutting, styling, coloring, makeup, nail technology and esthetics. Were you aware that licensed cosmetologists can earn close to $36,000 annually?

Offering diploma and associate degree programs for technology careers, skilled trade programs (culinary, drafting, HVAC, etc.) as well as a bachelor of science degree program in culinary management, candidates can’t go wrong by applying to Lincoln College of Technology to fulfill the career of their dreams. Visit Lincoln College of Technology to learn more.

* Occupational Resources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Featured School of the Week: Lincoln College of Technology

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The CollegeBound Network

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Technology, particularly home entertainment technology, should be simple to use.  This simplicity of use is especially important for home entertainment technology because it ensures that the device that embodies that technology can be enjoyed rather than futzed with in order to make it work.  Far too often technology is complicated by economic factors rather than just technical factors, and is therefore far too difficult to use in many respects.  For example, it’s completely conceivable that some new home entertainment gizmo could be so expensive that consumers never get around to buying it, or worse never get around to using it because they’re too busy working extra jobs to pay for it.

HDTV DVD technology is a good example of a type of home entertainment technology that has problems.  It has been expensive, but it’s not so expensive that normal people can’t afford it.  (It has also been coming down in price in recent months.)  High Def DVD technology is also very easy to use, so that’s not a barrier to purchasing it and enjoying it. What does present a problem for consumers when it comes to high def DVD technology is the fact that it comes in two incompatible formats that are in a format war right now.

This situation is unfortunate for consumers on a number of different levels.  First of all, the two formats- HD DVD from Toshiba and Blu-ray from Sony- are both good technologies, and either one would provide plenty of enjoyment for anyone who buys the format.  The trouble comes from the fact that no one is sure which format will still be available after the war is over.  Therefore no one is sure which type of format to invest in right now, because while High Def DVD technology is affordable, it’s not so cheap that most people can buy one of each type of player. Even if most families could afford more than one high def DVD player, there is also the desire to choose the winning format.  By extension, this creates an aversion to choosing the losing format, so since people don’t know which one will win, they’re choosing not to choose either of the two.  Again, this is a shame because high def DVD technology in general is good, user friendly technology.

There are some noticeable differences between the two formats though that could influence the outcome of the war.  While both formats are capable of storing an entire full length movie plus its bonus features on a single disc, there is a big difference in capacity between the two.  HD DVD discs can store fifteen gigabytes on each side of the disc, so that if both sides are used, the total storage capacity is an impressive thirty gigabytes.  The Blu-ray format does even better.  Each side of a Blu-ray disc can store twenty five gigabytes for a total capacity of fifty gigabytes.  With a difference in capacity of twenty gigabytes, Blu-ray obviously has superior data storage features.  That having been said, HD DVD generally has superior interactive features, but it remains to be seen how important the ability to rearrange the scenes in a movie or order parts of the wardrobe online really are to most people who just want to watch a movie.

In all, the sooner the format war is over, the better for consumers.

Shrinking product development cycles coupled with demanding product requirements and increasingly complex design implementations can overwhelm a design team. The technical risk of employing new, complex, high-speed processor technology can often deter a design group from incorporating new technology in their product designs.

Intel Corporation’s ATOM processor and low power chipset solution is a technology choice which cannot be overlooked. With the potential for wide application in deeply embedded, low power, fanless industrial, medical, communications, automotive and consumer applications this technology demands attention.

Orchid Technologies, a developer of custom electronics product solutions, can help. With their new ATOM processor technology core design, that combines your custom electronic hardware with an ATOM processor core. The result is a highly integrated circuit board solution customized for your applications needs.

“The development time and risk are low, because Orchid has done much of these designs before,” says Paul Nickelsberg, President and Senior Engineer of Orchid. “Your custom design builds on our firm foundation of design success.” “Orchid has designed many highly customized Intel-processor-based (IA32) circuit boards.”

A typical Orchid Technologies’ client in the fanless industrial space may require customized GPIO; perhaps special data logging features: possibly specialized precision analog electronics; or maybe the integration of a specialized DSP front end. Orchid Technologies can skillfully combine clients’ specialized electronic circuitry with our existing ATOM core design to create a cost-effective, highly integrated, design solution. Add Orchid’s ability to customize BIOS to the mix and the result is an optimized IA32 solution tuned specifically to client needs.

Orchid Technologies has had a highly successful IA32 design track record. Among the many highly embedded IA32 circuit board designs we have performed include:

Comverse’s Series IV Telecommunications Processor.
This Pentium-based product built on Orchid’s IA32 Processor Core Design, interfaces to sixteen Texas Instruments DSP devices, a dual port memory interface, and T1/E1 WAN networks.

Dialogic Corporation’s Private Branch Exchange Processor.
This Pentium-based product built on Orchid’s IA32 Processor Core Design, is coupled to a Texas Instruments based DSP Soft Modem, Solid State Disk Drive, and Telephony Line interfaces.

Chemical Controls Interface Processor.
This Pentium-based product built on Orchid’s IA32 Processor Core Design, mixed our client’s old grandfathered controls-technology with today’s modern laser communications solutions. In this design, we preserved the best elements of our client’s obsolete existing design while modernizing its features and extending product life another ten years.
As electronics technology, continues to evolve the requirements for high-speed devices, tighter integration, enhanced functionality, and low power pose design challenges for any product development team. Visit Orchid Technologies website www.orchid-tech.com and discover for yourself why design teams rely on Orchid for their product development needs.

In this article OTEC, Orchid, and Orchid Technologies refers to Orchid Engineering and Consulting, Inc. The Orchid Technologies logo is a trademark of Orchid Technologies Engineering and Consulting, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 2008 Orchid Technologies Engineering and Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved.

I thought RPTV offered the most bang for the buck but I don’t want an outdated technology. I’d like to spend $2.5K tops if possible. Should I start thinking LCD, or….?