Westcon-Comstor has signed a new distribution agreement with Nokia, which sees Westcon bring the Nokia industry grade private wireless solution to the German market.
Private wireless networks are equipped to handle the limitations of current IT networks, including Wi-Fi, in remote locations, large plants or temporary sites. A standalone private wireless network can provide robust and reliable connectivity in industrial and business operations, connecting people and machine sensors and providing data analytics over 4G and/or 5G connectivity.
The Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) platform provides a high-bandwidth/low latency private wireless network that is scalable according to business needs, delivering local edge computing capabilities, voice and video services, as well as a catalogue of other applications.
It comprises of compact network and user equipment, a cloud-based operation monitoring system and industrial connectors with standard and industry-specific protocol connectivity. It can integrate and manage devices, such as ruggedised handhelds.
“We are offering robust private wireless networks in Germany with Westcon,” said Nathan Stenson, vice president of enterprise global partner sales at Nokia. “This new deal will accelerate the benefits of Nokia Digital Automation Cloud for partners and end users across the region. Private wireless will drive radical transformation across industries, communities and public services, and partnering with Westcon will support the channel on this journey.”
“With over 380 industrial grade private wireless networks customers globally, Nokia is more than a connectivity vendor,” said Hannah Broadhurst, 5G and private wireless director at Westcon-Comstor. “We’re looking forward to working together to deliver the next generation connectivity that businesses need to accelerate industrial transformation, increase automation, ensure safety and security, and reach new levels of quality, efficiency and productivity.”
Nokia recently deployed a private 5G standalone network for Volkswagen, at the car maker’s main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany. The network uses DAC and enables Volkswagen to trial new smart factory use cases.
Volkswagen will be testing whether the technology can increase efficiency and flexibility in car production. Initial uses include the wireless upload of data to manufactured vehicles and the intelligent networking of robots and wireless assembly tools. The deployment ensures all data remains on campus, with it processed at the network edge in real time, giving Volkswagen full control of it.
