< PreviousCombining data streams to improve the overall effectiveness and depth of insights is nothing new. Although, with exponential growth in the amount of data held and produced by companies, the potential impact of data pooling insights is arguably more valuable today than ever before. Data pooling is a mechanism for companies to become more data driven. It enables businesses to benchmark their performance against a pool of sales or industry segment data from all participating companies. This allows for a regular flow of market data in areas where market sizing may be hard to reach. In a world driven by data, companies that are successful at extracting actionable insights from their data, and better understand their position in a market, are able to innovate more quickly, develop better strategies, and govern change more efficiently. At the same time, the rising importance of data governance and compliance means that data quality, security and accountability are increasingly boardroom topics. In particular, companies across industries - and the trade associations that they are members of - face the significant financial, operational and reputational risks of embarking on projects and failing to deliver. Such failure could be avoided to a large extent if a company had been able to harness robust, timely and actionable insights based on market data. Data and profitability There is a strong link between better data transformation and increased profitability. This is because if an organisation has data that is easier to access and use, then it will become more efficient. From this comes smarter operational decisions, and less time and resources wasted. But perhaps surprisingly in such a data-rich world, there still are so many industries out there where robust market data is difficult to come by, and that is why many trade associations are focusing on collaboration among their members to help overcome this and provide more value to the sectors they serve. With this in mind, we are seeing growth in demand for data pooling solutions from trade associations across a multitude of industry sectors. Data pooling is increasingly being recognised as a key mechanism for companies and associations to build a better understanding of the complex marketplaces in which they operate. To achieve this, trade associations are encouraging their members to focus on collaboration. But, critically, this is not about companies sharing sensitive information with each other. Instead, this is where the data pooling administrator function comes to the fore. Independent data pooling We are seeing increasing demand for this independent data pooling administrator function, as more and more companies and trade associations realise the significance of generating a ‘collective view’ on market trends that protects the individual confidentiality of the companies contributing data. In this way, companies that have chosen to work together to better understand their marketplace are realising they can be rewarded with more in-depth insights and timely reports than are available elsewhere - in turn increasing the value of joining a trade association for all involved. Participating companies provide raw data, with the cost of data management, reporting and analysis shared between all parties. Each company gets accurate benchmarking of their performance against a pool of sales or industry segment data from participating companies, as well as a regular flow of insights. It is critical that the third party data pooling administrator is a reputable expert with proven secure systems that are capable of delivering comprehensive, accurate, and up- to-date data on market sectors and distribution channels. At the same time, information extracted through a data pooling service must be exclusive to each participating company and managed on a secure platform. Providing value to trade association members It is abundantly clear in today’s highly competitive world that companies cannot operate in a vacuum. They need to understand their marketplace at all levels and where they sit within it. In particular, there is demand for mechanisms that help identify non-audited sales channels, and produce insights where market-sizing data may be hard to reach. Ultimately, those companies that can gain these hard- to-reach insights more quickly will be able to manage change effectively and tap into sales opportunities as they are identified. In parallel, those trade associations that can demonstrate that they deliver this level of added value to their members will be helping to further the development and growth of new opportunities in their sectors, as well as helping their industry to identify potentially negative trends and navigate challenges as a collective. Adopting and implementing an effective data pooling solution is no longer a ‘nice to have’ for an organisation. In 2023, it is a critical enterprise function for anyone wishing to understand their market position and potential in relation to their peers. Gary Roethenbaugh Head of Data Pooling Prodinity In an ever-changing and unpredictable world, accurate and actionable data insights are increasingly important for businesses across Europe. Gary Roethenbaugh, Head of Data Pooling at Prodinity, explores how trade associations are pivoting to harness the value of the latest data pooling trends for their members in 2023. DATA POOLING www.networkseuropemagazine.com 60Data Outlook: Trade Associations are Shaping the Data Pooling Drive in 2023 DATA POOLING www.networkseuropemagazine.com 61Ensuring Resilient Warehouses with High-Performance Bonded Internet BONDED INTERNET TECHNOLOGY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 62While the latest innovations on the market from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) might seem appealing, warehouse managers first need to consider the role that basic internet connectivity has on business performance. Too many logistics businesses are relying on getting fixed line or fibre internet access into their warehouses, and, as a result, are experiencing unnecessary delays and disruptions to their operations. Instead, alternative connectivity solutions, such as bonded internet technology, can play a crucial role in ensuring business resilience. By having a strong internet connection in place from day one, especially ahead of any peak shopping trends, warehouses can continue to underpin effective trading, while maximising their flexibility and agility to future-proof the business against further challenges. Challenging landscape Internet connectivity is essential for organisations in every industry, including logistics. As ongoing hurdles continue to create new challenges for the sector - from rising costs, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and a shortage of workers, to increasing pressure to meet consumer demand - warehouse managers must explore how they can survive and succeed in this challenging landscape. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, research has found that take-up and costs for logistics spaces have continued to increase, driven largely by growth in eCommerce. Yet, despite increased demand, the development of new sites is hampered by a large volume of requirements - including location, size and connectivity - which is limiting the ability for growth. But what if rural locations were no longer considered a barrier, especially when it comes to internet capabilities? With fluctuations and seasonal changes, logistics businesses need to ensure that any potential delays that impact their operations are minimised. The ability for bandwidth and infrastructure to be able to scale up (and/or down) as business demand changes and connectivity requirements fluctuate has never been more important – especially within warehouses. In order to overcome these challenges, as well as making better use of the resources already available, having reliable, yet agile internet performance on-site is key. Bonded internet technology To overcome existing and potentially new challenges, especially for warehouses where there is often no current connection, logistics businesses can invest in a communications resource that meets the business’ internet needs, regardless of location. Gone are the days when internet connectivity was restricted to a fixed-line provision, and now, devices utilising software-defined networking can be implemented – which connect to the internet using mobile technology. By mitigating the delays related to fixed line installations, logistics businesses can benefit from this added flexibility and unlock the ability to rapidly open new warehouses when internet services are required urgently, irrespective of where these may be located – even in the most rural of sites. Certain locations where new warehouses are being built may not have a telecoms infrastructure yet, but logistics businesses no longer need to wait and experience delays when an immediate internet connection is now available. By integrating internet connections from different carriers to create a single 'virtual internet pipe,' advanced bonded wireless internet solutions enable organisations to add important resilience and backup capability to their connection while building in contingency with an automatic failover should one of the lines fail. Furthermore, advanced bonded internet solutions can be implemented in a single warehouse or multiple sites, with management and visibility of the whole estate accessible through a single portal. In addition to reliable performance, the speed of deployment is appealing. Bonded internet connections can be rolled out on-site immediately, offering instant internet connectivity – minimising delays, while offering rapid productivity and efficiency gains. Investing in the foundations for future innovations Over the last few years, the logistics industry has recognised the importance of creating smart warehouses and digitising processes as a means of survival and remaining competitive. With rapid developments in the technology available, from IoT, Machine Learning (ML), AI, and the use of robotics, the warehouse of the future is likely to be much more innovative. However, these technologies can only be successful if warehouses have high-speed and reliable internet network connectivity in place to support the use of these innovations. Without having the right connectivity foundations in place, these technologies could soon become a poor investment. Put simply, any drive to improve operational efficiency through digital tools today relies on having high-speed and reliable internet connectivity on-site to achieve maximum value. The logistics industry To remain competitive and meet both consumer demand and expectations, especially during peak season, the logistics industry must implement both smarter processes and technology. To make this a reality, the first step is to abandon outdated operations and management methods, and instead, ensure that the fundamentals of warehouse internet connectivity are in place. Finding an immediate, high-quality internet network connection no longer needs to be a complex problem, or a struggle to find instant connectivity to minimise negative impacts on projects. Instead, by working with an experienced and trusted provider, who can discuss the available connectivity options for your warehouse, and supply the right internet solution and service that is needed, the process can become simple and streamlined. With the foundations of strong, reliable and high-speed connectivity in place, firms can capitalise on digitisation and reap the transformative benefits, while remaining adaptable and scalable in a challenging global marketplace. Nick Sacke Head of Operations and Pre-Sales Comms365 The European logistics industry has had a rollercoaster of a year, and supply chain agility has proven to be of utmost importance. The ability to react quickly to changes in the market, unexpected hurdles and fluctuating customer demand, is imperative – and warehouses play an important role in maximising operational efficiency. BONDED INTERNET TECHNOLOGY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 63Let’s take the UK tech industry, for example. A report discovered that only 17% of the IT sector’s workforce is made up of females. With young, impressionable women exposed to misleading and inaccurate theories, it’s no wonder why a significant proportion aren’t running towards these subjects. It’s crucial we debunk these common misconceptions and begin having valuable conversations about women in tech. Not only will it encourage diversity and inclusivity but motivating more women to seek careers in STEM will create a better work culture, foster innovation, and improve results. Myth #1: Women aren't interested in technology This is a stereotype that holds no factual weight, especially in 2023. In fact, the number of women applying to IT courses has increased by a staggering 82% over the last 10 years. This proves that not only are women interested in the subject but that the interest is growing. It’s also important to consider how crucial technology is in many women’s personal lives. Regular usage demonstrates a level of understanding and engrossment, so it would be wrong to believe a lack of interest is at fault here. There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise! However, common misconceptions that plague our nation’s STEM industries could mean that not enough women are given the necessary confidence, tools, and opportunities to begin a career in these subjects. Kura www.wearekura.com Separate Fact from Fiction: Debunking the Misconceptions of Women in Tech WOMEN IN TECH www.networkseuropemagazine.com 64m Fiction: ceptions WOMEN IN TECH www.networkseuropemagazine.com 65Myth #2: Women lack the skills and abilities for tech jobs Not only is this an inaccurate claim, but it is also a damaging one. The biological sex of a person plays no part in their ability to grasp a certain subject or skill set. Some women may lack the relevant skills and abilities for a tech job, but the reason behind this could be one of many. Spoiler alert: none include gender. If women do have an interest but an absence of skills, one cause could include insufficient encouragement while growing up. Subconscious stereotyping is still a problem within some families; the ‘football is for boys and dancing is for girls’ mentality is outdated and yet it lingers. When we conform to this kind of labelling early on, we’re teaching our children that their gender should influence their interests. This will set them down a (what could be wrong) path that impacts their adulthood. Myth #3: Women aren’t competitive enough Sure, some women aren’t competitive enough to be triumphant in the tech field, but the same could be said about some men too. Although studies have suggested that the average woman is generally less competitive than the average man, there isn’t enough evidence to support claims that this statement is responsible for a lack of women in the sector. The success of numerous women in the tech industry does well to debunk this myth. It was Ada Lovelace who became the world's first computer programmer, and Hedy Lamar who pioneered the technology that would eventually provide the basis for WiFi. The competitiveness of these ladies has never come under scrutiny. Myth #4: Women aren’t committed to their careers long-term Ambition and commitment are not a cause for concern when it comes to many women. This claim perpetuates harmful stereotypes as it implies males should be awarded positions over females in every situation, because, apparently, they’ll be much more dedicated to the job role and company. In reality, women have proven to be just as ambitious and committed as men. In fact, a study by McKinsey & Company found that 74% of women aspire to be in WOMEN IN TECH www.networkseuropemagazine.com 66top executive positions; only 2% lower than the 76% of men who made the same statement. In addition to this, females are more likely to face additional obstacles in the workplace, meaning yet more effort and dedication is given to overcome these challenges. Make no mistake, women are determined to climb the ranks in the tech industry and make an impact with every step. Grace Anderson, senior HR business partner at Kura, supports the long-term benefits women bring to the workplace. She said: “As an employer, it is incredibly useful for us to have multiple viewpoints when outlining business strategy or implementing changes based on our employees' feedback. Women's contributions to the workplace take many forms, including improved retention, enhanced collaboration, and boosted employee engagement through inspiring female employees.” So, what’s the deal? Now that we’ve debunked four of the most common myths, let’s discuss the real reason why only one in six employees working in Britain's IT industry are female. It’s not because they lack drive, or interest, or aren’t competitive enough. More likely, stereotypes and cultural attitudes cause the underrepresentation of women, as well as bias and discrimination. Let’s start from the bottom. We need to be encouraging more young girls to explore STEM subjects by providing relevant, consistent opportunities in schools and communities, and giving them access to resources that will help them decide if it’s a topic that they’re interested in. Anderson continues: “Seeing women in leadership roles is crucial for women who want to pursue careers in these fields.” As we move higher up the order, we should look to address workplace bias that contributes to this divide. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we’ve yet to create working environments within the tech sector that fully cater to the needs of women. If we can master that, we can enjoy a much more diverse industry that produces better results. Here’s to all the wonderful women making a positive impact in tech! WOMEN IN TECH www.networkseuropemagazine.com 67Movers and Shakers Vertiv Completes CEO Succession Vertiv has announced that on January 1, 2023, Giordano Albertazzi assumed the role of CEO, and was appointed to the Board of Directors. “I’m honoured to take the helm of Vertiv as CEO. I’m looking forward to working closely with our leadership team and employees around the world to continue to increase the value we create for our customers, further strengthen our financial performance and create long-term value for our shareholders,” said Albertazzi. “As I’ve shared with Vertiv employees, we will work to achieve our full potential by focusing on building a high-performance culture of collaboration and innovation; institutionalising operational excellence and execution; and ultimately delivering profitable growth and improved cash flow.” Dave Cote, Executive Chairman at Vertiv, stated: “With more than two decades of operational and business experience at Vertiv and a track record of performance in both Europe and the Americas, Giordano is the right person to drive Vertiv forward. He was instrumental in driving significant operational and financial improvements while leading EMEA, and in the ongoing turnaround of the Americas. “He understands how to build and maintain a high- performing culture. Giordano’s operational expertise and deep understanding of Vertiv’s business and customers will be pivotal in driving continued performance improvement while navigating macroeconomic uncertainty.” As CEO, Albertazzi will aim to increase Vertiv’s relentless customer focus as it addresses the infrastructure and business needs of the data centre, communication networks and industrial applications. Albertazzi assumes the CEO role at a time of continued strong demand across Vertiv’s data centre end markets. The company reported a record order backlog of $4.7 billion as of the end of the third quarter of 2022. Vertiv is a leader in providing thermal, power, IT management and integrated solutions for global data centre operators to meet ongoing consumer demand. Vertiv announced its CEO succession plan in October 2022 and since then Albertazzi assumed the role of COO, working closely with former CEO Rob Johnson, ensuring a seamless transition. In addition to becoming CEO, Albertazzi will also continue in his position as President, Americas, until a successor is named. In connection with Albertazzi transitioning out of the COO role, operational oversight will reside with regional Presidents to further focus on regional performance. Aryaka Names Lumen Alum Jon Selway as Vice President of Channel Sales EMEA Aryaka has announced the addition of Jon Selway as VP of Channel Sales in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EMEA). In his new role, the 15-year channel veteran will lead the Aryaka Accelerate Global Partner Program across the UK and Ireland, reporting to Dennis Monner, CCO at Aryaka. Selway comes to Aryaka after 10 years at Lumen Technologies and its precursors, CenturyLink and Level 3 Communications. Most recently, Selway was Lumen's Wholesale Sales Director in the UK and Ireland, responsible for creating and implementing a consistent partner sales strategy for the organisation. Previously, he was a Wholesale Sales Manager for Lumen Wholesale, working with partners including carriers, system integrators, data centres, resellers and agents. Selway has a bachelor's degree in geography and international relations from the University of Plymouth, England and a master's degree in development and security studies from the University of Bristol, England. "Jon Selway brings a long track record of success working with strategic partners across the UK and Ireland to his role with Aryaka," said Monner. "He is a proven channel sales leader and an ideal choice to advance the new Aryaka Accelerate Global Partner Program in EMEA." Launched in January 2022, the Aryaka Accelerate Global Partner Program unifies the company's partner-led, go-to-market strategy under a single comprehensive program for channel partners of all types, worldwide. The new program empowers partners to tap into an expanded revenue opportunity made possible by Aryaka's new all-in- one SD-WAN and secure access service edge (SASE) solutions, which have been packaged and priced to be easy to sell and easy to use by businesses of all sizes. "I'm excited to join the Aryaka global channel team and am eager to introduce the future of networking to the partners in EMEA," said Selway. "Aryaka is truly changing the way businesses approach and achieve secure networking with its fully managed SD-WAN and unified SASE solutions. Aryaka enables partners to offer their business customers network flexibility, simplicity, security and reliability that's second to none." www.networkseuropemagazine.com MOVERS AND SHAKERS 68Gigamon's New Senior Director Service Provider Gigamon has announced the appointment of Stuart Jones, Senior Director Service Provider, to support regional growth and enable communication service providers (CSPs) to manage, optimise and consolidate complex hybrid cloud environments. The hire forms part of the company’s dedicated recruitment drive as it continues to build out its world-class team in EMEA. Jones joins the Gigamon team with over 20 years of experience in the IT and telecommunications space, including positions with Splunk and Symantec. He has specific expertise in the challenges of converting to a cloud-first way of working and will provide best-in-class support to enterprises shifting to virtual 5G networks safely and securely. Jones will work with his team of network analytics and security experts to deliver deep observability that will enable CSPs to comply with industry regulations and implement a Zero Trust framework. Jones’ appointment follows the announcement of key partnerships, including working with Infovista to boost connectivity and flexibility for 5G networks. Two senior team members have been appointed to new roles at TREND Networks. Dan Barrera, formerly Global Product Manager with TREND Networks has been appointed to the newly created role of Director of Product Innovation. Tim Widdershoven, who has been with the company for eight years and was most recently Marketing Director, has become International Sales Director. “Instead of doing what everyone else is, we’re looking ahead to develop products with the features and functionalities that our customers may not even realise they need yet,” explains Dan Barrera, who has 25 years’ experience with TREND Networks and is also a member of the ISO and TIA standards committees. “In my new position, I’ll have a strong focus on our product roadmap and on finding new ways to meet our customers’ requirements while providing better value.” US-based Barrera will lead a team of product managers at TREND Networks to continue to bring customer research into product innovation and develop new solutions. He will also work closely with the commercial team to help ensure products remain competitive, including defining special promotions, bundles and kits. Alongside this, Tim Widdershoven will now lead a team of international sales managers, with the goal of growing TREND Networks’ business in markets outside of North America and the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region. This includes supporting customers with events, training, demonstrations, trials and onboarding, as well as close cooperation with distribution partners. “I have the benefit of seeing the business from the marketing point of view, and the sales angle, which really helps me understand our customers’ perspectives and provide exactly what they need,” Widdershoven said. “Since starting the role in September 2022, it’s been great to spend time with so many customers in the field, demonstrating some of our focus products, such as LanTEK IV-S, SignalTEK 10G and the FiberMASTER series.” Widdershoven has a particular focus on growing the home market for TREND Networks in the UK. The company is headquartered in High Wycombe, including research & development, distribution, and customer services departments. It is also currently recruiting a UK Sales Manager, in order to extend its team and support expansion in the UK. In his new role, he continues to work closely with the marketing team. Abbi Norman, who has been with TREND Networks for three years, is now Global Marketing and Communications Manager. With her team, she is focused on supporting product launches, digital marketing, social media, and working closely with local sales teams. People Moves in Senior TREND Networks’ Team - UK Dan Barrera (left) Tim Widdershoven (right) MOVERS AND SHAKERS www.networkseuropemagazine.comwww.networkseuropemagazine.com 69 Colt DCS Appoints Gilly Cooper as HR VP Colt Data Centre Services has announced the appointment of Gilly Cooper to the role of Vice President of Human Resources (HR). Cooper will be responsible for leading Colt DCS’ HR functions across the business’s global team. Cooper’s role as VP of HR will focus on several key aspects including the development of Colt DCS’ talent pool. She will engage with employees on a granular level to improve and scale the business’s culture while also delivering on Colt DCS’ commitments to improve their market offering to prospective data centre employees. Cooper brings over 25 years of experience as a senior HR leader in the IT, telecommunications, and professional service sectors. At her most recent position with Veritas Technologies, Cooper held the title of International HR Leader. During her tenure she led a team of HR professionals across EMEA and APJ and was responsible for coaching the senior leadership team through a transformative period in the company’s history. Cooper was invaluable in developing an engaging people strategy for all of Veritas’ employees. “What drew me to Colt DCS is the company’s people-focused mindset and how much they value their employees in every country. This is very much in line with my passion around nurturing talent and extending the lifecycle of employees. I can’t wait to get to grips with expanding Colt DCS’ teams across Europe and Asia by seeking out the best talent in the data centre industry,” said Cooper.Next >