Technology

Enhanced visibility. Industrialised reliability. (Image source: Brady)

Maximise real-time visibility on industrial processes with cutting edge RFID performance. The IRX200 from Brady combines powerful RFID reading with integrated edge computing and native OT & IT connectivity to support greater warehouse and production efficiency.

Instantly see the status and evolution for both work-in-progress in production, and stock levels in the warehouse, using the same hard- and software. Reduce production interruptions. Track inventories automatically with an RFID reader that can pick up 1000 items per second. Streamline processes and enhance output using accurate, real-time, automated and programmable data that enable fast, accurate decision making and effective continuous improvement.

Unique, all-in-one tracking

Read battery-free RFID tags right out of the box with the IRX200’s all-inclusive functionality. An integrated, high gain RFID antenna makes the IRX200 easy to install and maintain. The RFID reader does not require external antennas. Native OT & IT connectivity, including Profinet IO and OPC UA, enable smooth, reliable data throughput. Before sharing, data can be processed by a built-in edge computer that nullifies latency and reduces facility cloud bandwidth consumption. Equipped with powerful computing capabilities, the IRX200 can run RFID reader and AI apps to process data in real-time, and share them with stakeholders and other machines in the most optimal way.

^{The RFID reader does not require external antennas.}

Enhanced visibility. Industrialised reliability

The IRX200 is designed for industrial environments. With EN 60068-2-27 shock, EN 60068-2-6 vibration, and IP67 ingress protection tested mechanics, the reader can be mounted on almost any racking, conveyor, forklift and indoor vehicle. An operating temperature range of -20°C to 55°C makes the IRX200 useful in many industrial environments and applications.

With the IRX200, a large number of industries can power productivity using insights and decisions supported by real-time, actionable data from their own industrial processes.

Learn more about IRX200 fixed reader on Brady websites.

A significant leap in workplace efficiency

Bring your workplace to the next level of efficiency and productivity with reliable RFID. Locate, identify, track and trace multiple assets at once from a 15m distance without ever having to lay eyes on them. Or cover your entire workplace with well placed fixed RFID readers to maximally accelarate asset tracking. Quickly guide employees to the assets they need in the most optimal order, fully automate inventories and check any outgoing cargo for completeness in seconds.

Get some inspiration from our free guidebook >>

Brady Europe, Middle East & Africa
www.brady.eu

The funds will be used to consolidate and expand capacity and infrastructure of data centre assets across Ooredoo’s MENA operations. (Image source: Ooredoo)

Ooredoo Group, an international communications company operating across the MENA region and southeast Asia, has secured a financing deal in a bid to accelerate the growth of its data centre and AI business

Worth QAR2bn (approx. US$550mn), the financing deal has been signed with QNB, Doha Bank and Masraf Al Rayan and represents the largest transaction ever achieved in Qatar’s tech sector.

Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, group CEO, Ooredoo, remarked, “The MENA region is one of the fastest growing markets for data centres worldwide, and there is significant untapped potential in AI, Cloud services and accelerated computing. This financing deal marks a major milestone in our strategic vision for expanding our data centre and AI business, and we are excited to meet the region’s increasing demand while upholding our commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient infrastructure.”

The newly available funds will be allocated to carve out existing data centre assets from Ooredoo’s telecom operations, with a significant portion being directed towards expanding capacity and upgrading infrastructure to support AI, cloud services and hyperconnectivity.

Fahad Al Khalifa, group CEO, Masraf Al Rayan, commented, "We are excited to be part of this major financing deal, which will contribute to driving technological progress in Qatar and the region. By partnering with Ooredoo, we are investing in the future of digital infrastructure and supporting sustainable growth through innovation and economic diversification. We are proud to be at the forefront of this significant initiative, which will undoubtedly cement Qatar’s position as a leader in the digital economy."

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal Al Thani, group CEO, Doha Bank, added, “We are dedicated to support Ooredoo in its ambitious expansion of digital infrastructure through this financing deal. The growth of Ooredoo’s data centres will have a transformative impact on the tech sector, enhancing regional competitiveness and positioning the country as a leader in the digital economy. We are proud to play a role in enabling this important step towards achieving comprehensive development in Qatar and the region.”

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

ST Digital, a leading provider of cloud services in Africa, has announced its expansion into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through a partnership with the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre

This collaboration places ST Digital at the forefront of the region's digital transformation, utilising the advanced infrastructure of the DRC’s first operational open-access, carrier-neutral, and Uptime Institute Tier-III certified data centre.

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. It is also on course to obtain ISO27001 post-live certification, reinforcing its dedication to the highest levels of security and operational excellence. Currently housing a number of top national and international carriers, the facility offers a dynamic, carrier-neutral, open-access interconnect ecosystem. This makes it an attractive environment for content providers like ST Digital to deliver high-quality services to the DRC’s expanding population.

In rapidly developing markets such as the DRC, content providers are pivotal to the digital landscape. With the country's growing population driving digital transformation, colocating in the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre will allow ST Digital to address the rising demand for content as connectivity improves, giving more people reliable Internet access. “Our facility offers the ideal environment for this growth, providing secure, carrier-neutral, open-access, reliable and scalable infrastructure that supports the delivery of diverse digital content across the region,” noted Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf.

With a population exceeding 100 million and over 16 million people in the bustling city of Kinshasa, the DRC is witnessing substantial growth in content consumption, fueled by increased connectivity and ongoing digitalisation efforts. As both the government and private sector continue to invest in digital infrastructure, the demand for localized, high-quality content is expected to rise rapidly. ST Digital’s entry into the DRC market, via the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre, strategically positions the company to meet this growing demand and deliver faster, more reliable content to millions of users.

“The DRC’s digital transformation is creating immense opportunities for content providers, and our expansion into this market is a key part of our growth strategy. By partnering with OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, we can ensure that our content reaches audiences with the speed, security and quality they expect. This move will not only benefit our business but also contribute to the overall digitalisation of the DRC, enhancing access to information and entertainment for a wider population,” said Jean-Francis AHANDA, general manager Data Centre Services, ST Digital.

LINX expands its African interconnection platform to PAIX Data Centres Nairobi, enhancing peering and connectivity for Kenya’s digital growth. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has announced its expansion of the African interconnection platform to PAIX Data Centres in Nairobi due to increasing demand from the local networking community

LINX Nairobi, a neutral, multi-location interconnection service, offers peering options for networks aiming to boost performance, improve redundancy, and reduce latency. Since its launch in November 2023, this Internet Exchange Point (IXP) has rapidly grown, attracting a strong community of local ISPs, global content providers, and key partners, with increasing traffic levels.

After extensive engagement with the local engineering community and rising interest from networks based at PAIX, LINX decided to scale its infrastructure, just nine months post-launch.

Located in Upper Hill’s Britam Tower, PAIX Nairobi NBO-1 sits in a key business and financial district for East and Central Africa. Networks housed in this facility will soon be just one cross-connection away from peering with those on the LINX Nairobi platform, connecting global giants like Meta and local ISPs such as ICON Fiber, Mtaani Telecom, Mymanga Networks, and PepeaNet.

Kenya's digital growth

LINX Nairobi's infrastructure is supported by dual fibre connections between its data centre locations, ensuring full resilience and redundancy. Adding PAIX will elevate LINX’s network to a 4-site interconnection hub, with installation work underway and expected to go live shortly.

PAIX Data Centres’ sales manager Emmanuel Makina, stated, “With our cloud- and carrier-neutral datacentre located in the centre of the business district, we host communities of interest for the financial and content industries, so that includes financial services, advertising, broadcasting, and entertainment companies. The customers that host their mission critical equipment in our facility have a requirement to be online 24×7 in today’s digital economy. They all benefit from being able to connect to multiple networks, easily scale their bandwidth, reduce their connectivity costs, and have the lowest latency to their partners.”

“Further, the PAIX facility is a natural communications hub for Nairobi: in a very central location in Upper Hill, and next to Britam Tower where our customers can colocate their antennas for wireless connectivity to all parts of the city,” added Makina.

Jennifer Holmes, chief commercial officer for LINX, commented, “We didn’t expect to be expanding the LINX Nairobi network this soon, but we like to pride ourselves in our commitment to the local community. They said, we listened. By expanding the peering opportunities to the customers at PAIX we are adding value to the entire LINX Nairobi community and prospective new local and global networks who we are in talks with.”

PAIX Data Centres CEO and founder, Wouter van Hulten, emphasised their dedication to advancing Kenya’s digital infrastructure, “PAIX Data Centres is fully committed to the development of Kenya’s digital infrastructure, with support for all the latest AI hardware and software. PAIX Data Centres is invested in by Africa50, a private equity fund in which the Republic of Kenya is a shareholder. We are building and operating the infrastructure to enable Africa’s digital economy, with local datacentres, local teams, and world class operations, all essential ingredients for the developments that lie ahead. We warmly welcome LINX to the PAIX Community in Kenya.”

The teams from PAIX and LINX are available at ITW Africa in Nairobi this week to discuss network deployment strategies, peering opportunities, and much more regarding LINX Nairobi.