Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I've been pioneering and transforming the automation and control industry with new hardware, software, and service solutions since 1990.  I've had the opportunity to be at the tip of the peer for many movements from electronic flow computers in the 1990s, to HMI/SCADA software in the 2000s, to the Industrial Internet of Things in the 2010s.  Traditionally, matching the technology with complementary services and solutions.  Along the way, we have built some of the most respected brands and markets.

Q2. Which platforms are best positioned to consolidate the fragmented industrial tech landscape through ecosystem-led GTM strategies?

I believe the HMI/SCADA and PLC markets remain stinky with customers. Customers select these products as part of a century and/or 15-25 year operation plan.  You can also upsell, cross-sell, and create services around these products.

Q3. How are machine learning models being trained and adapted across equipment types, and what are the key challenges in scalability?

I believe successful machine learning models are those that integrate and leverage existing hardware and software currently deployed at the customers' sites.  Leverages the data coming off these systems, augmenting with secondary and/or virtual sensors to create both process and asset optimization strategies.  This creates easy entry to market, can be sustained and matures as needed. 

 
Q4. How is UNS adoption transforming real-time industrial data architectures, and what percentage of large-scale manufacturers are actively deploying it?

UNS is a great concept and can be a valuable part of the equation, but today's UNS solutions are not equipped to scale and service all the needs of complex, diverse customers.   In my opinion, a small percentage of global and enterprise manufacturers are leveraging UNS or the likes of UNS by accident.  Plus, the super-scallers like MSFT, Google, and AWS continue to confuse and stretch into this area, which drives more customer frustration, failed projects, and misalignment of tech.

Q5. What are the top cyber risks in OT environments—ransomware attacks, unpatched PLCs, insecure data layers—and how are companies responding?

In my opinion, the largest cyber risk to OT is the lack of securing, isolating and updating existing OT networks.  Many OT networks have too many backdoors, open switches and routers that create holes in the OT securing.  Many companies are working to close these gaps/holes but lack the focus, money and/or knowledge to correct the OT network. 

Q6. What trends are emerging in RaaS (Robotics-as-a-Service) models for cobots, and how is this changing purchasing behaviour for capital-constrained factories?

I'm not completely confident in RaaS but I do believe that the way of the future for automation and control vendors and customers is "XaaS" (anything as a service).  From machine, line and plant as a service, where the manufacturer operates the machine, line, plant that are owned and maintained by the machine and/or automation and control vendors. 

Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?

I would try to understand the core tech, key value proposition and secret sauce that makes them successful.  Then, I would determine whether that is repeatable and/or scalable in today's and/or future markets.