Information Technology

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">I've been pioneering and transforming the automation and control industry with new hardware, software, and service solutions since 1990. &nbsp;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. &nbsp;Traditionally, matching the technology with complementary services and solutions. &nbsp;Along the way, we have built some of the most respected brands and markets.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q2. Which platforms are best positioned to consolidate the fragmented industrial tech landscape through ecosystem-led GTM strategies?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">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. &nbsp;You can also upsell, cross-sell, and create services around these products.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q3. How are machine learning models being trained and adapted across equipment types, and what are the key challenges in scalability?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">I believe successful machine learning models are those that integrate and leverage existing hardware and software currently deployed at the customers' sites. &nbsp;Leverages the data coming off these systems, augmenting with secondary and/or virtual sensors to create both process and asset optimization strategies. &nbsp;This creates easy entry to market, can be sustained and matures as needed.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q4. How is UNS adoption transforming real-time industrial data architectures, and what percentage of large-scale manufacturers are actively deploying it?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">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. &nbsp; In my opinion, a small percentage of global and enterprise manufacturers are leveraging UNS or the likes of UNS by accident. &nbsp;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.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q5. What are the top cyber risks in OT environments&mdash;ransomware attacks, unpatched PLCs, insecure data layers&mdash;and how are companies responding?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">In my opinion, the largest cyber risk to OT is the lack of securing, isolating and updating existing OT networks. &nbsp;Many OT networks have too many backdoors, open switches and routers that create holes in the OT securing. &nbsp;Many companies are working to close these gaps/holes but lack the focus, money and/or knowledge to correct the OT network.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">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?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">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). &nbsp;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.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">I would try to understand the core tech, key value proposition and secret sauce that makes them successful. &nbsp;Then, I would determine whether that is repeatable and/or scalable in today's and/or future markets.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>