IN4 Group strikes exclusive IoT partnership with global sensor supplier

IN4 Group, based in Preston, has formed an exclusive industrial Internet of Things (IoT) partnership with ifm electronic, one of the world’s largest and most innovative suppliers of sensors and sensing systems.

ifm provides professional guidance for the members of innovation hub, HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology in MediaCity which IN4 operates. It offers support to start-ups and SMEs across all of the programmes to introduce them to implementing tailored digitisation solutions, which go towards the creation of smart factories of the future.  

IN4 has established a pedigree in enabling industrial digital technology adoption within SMEs. The partnership will further enhance the support and upskilling of teams to accelerate digitalisation to achieve higher productivity and business growth. 

Alongside its expansion to the North West, ifm has provided two demonstrators for HOST’s Labs that allows companies to use the latest technology to test and verify IoT business use cases.

In addition, IN4 will be working in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and CloudRail, providing a complete end to end solution from industrial sensors to AWS services, enabling companies to connect industrial machines in hours instead of weeks.  

As an automation technology specialist with 50 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, ifm offers a range of industrial IoT solutions including sensor parameter setting and condition monitoring, plug and play operational technology (OT) and IT products.

Paul Stansfield, head of Industry 4.0 Systems for ifm said: “This partnership brings the manufacturing know how of ifm together with IN4 and HOST’s training networks to really enable businesses to develop their digital futures.” 

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, said: “I’m delighted to establish this key industrial manufacturing and IoT partnership with ifm as we continue to bring world-class support to the HOST community. SMEs and start-up businesses will benefit immensely from the industry-leading expertise that we can offer by enabling access to industry 4.0 technologies through our programmes and networks, creating sustainable prosperity and growth for the region.”