IoT in Everything. Mjølner UPDATE, 2nd 2016

”MJØLNER DELIVERED TO OUR HIGH STANDARDS.” – Jeff Rowland, CEO, Jeff Rowland Design Group

2nd Issue 2016

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EDITORIAL

IOT IN EVERYTHING Summer is here, and we are excited about the trends

If you did not have time to visit ’The Next Web Conference’

we have seen this spring. The predominant subject is,

in Amsterdam in the end of May, no worries. We sent two

without a doubt, IoT. Numerous companies buzz with

of our best UX Consultants southward, and they give you

implementation plans to get productions, machines,

the highlights in this UPDATE.

products, and items connected to a cloud. The tendency is a welcome embrace of the technology we at Mjølner

Lastly, we want to invite you to our next event in

Informatics have been ready to implement for years. It is

September where we focus on the newcomer of them all,

finally happening.

Virtual Reality – and how you can apply it valuably to your business. And yes - there will be VR headsets to try on.

In this issue of UPDATE, you get an IoT 101 mini course. In

Mark your calendar now; it will be a great event.

case you are not completely up to speed with the term, and what it means for the industry, this is your chance to demystify and get started.

Best Regards,

We also take you through two cases our sister company, Draupner Graphics, has completed with highly esteemed Hi-Fi manufacturer, Jeff Rowland, and world leading

manufacturer of home and building automation products, Somfy, respectively. The two serve as great examples for what you can do with improved and innovative user experience and design. Also a critical factor when it comes

Brian Gottorp Jeppesen, CEO

to IoT.

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UPDATE Cover Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Rowland Design Group

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CASE

A WORLD-CLASS DIGITAL EXPERIENCE FOR JEFF ROWLAND’S AMPLIFIER Jeff Rowland Design Group is an esteemed American company that manufactures high-quality stereo, amplifiers, and more to audio connoisseurs around the globe.

Jeff Rowland’s R&D partner, Thomas Holm from the Danish

Their new amplifier, Daemon, has a digital interface and

Blending a Digital and Sensory Experience

Jeff Rowland chose Mjølner Informatics to design and

Jeff Rowland wanted a user-friendly touch control that

deliver a digital experience with TouchGFX that matches

creates a sophisticated digital experience in line with their

their world-class brand. The goal was to create a unique

sensory impact and current product lines. With a user-

and timeless interface, building a user experience that

centric approach, Mjølner’s Innovation & Design team

matches Jeff Rowland’s praised sound quality.

designed the user interface in accordance with modern

company, Holm Acoustics was the project manager at Jeff Rowland’s end and he was the one to spot TouchGFX and Mjølner as a potential partner.

user needs for an intuitive touch control.

Our brand is dear to me. Finding partners that we can trust with brand-specific projects is hard. Mjølner delivered to our high standards. The combination of user experience, design, hardcore embedded coding skills, and the TouchGFX framework was exactly what we needed.

– Jeff Rowland, CEO at Jeff Rowland Design Group

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The Danish/Ukrainian company Ektos, a TouchGFX implementer, was chosen as HW and SW implementation partners. One of Ektos’ TouchGFX supported hardware platforms was used as a basis for the final Daemon UI design. Ektos implemented the final interface using Mjølner’s design specifications.

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Daemon is a great example of what you can achieve when using TouchGFX. TouchGFX delivers optimal performance, allowing us to implement a smooth user interface that matches all client and user requests.

There is no need for a complex operating system, and no need for a dedicated control-module, as the UI platform had sufficient resources to run all the controls in parallel with the sophisticated UI. – Jesper Holst, Ektos

The trend toward no-compromise integrated amps has surely reached its zenith with the Daemon from Jeff Rowland. The user interface is a 7” x 5” touchscreen that appears to be extremely well thought out. The coolest touch is a solid aluminum volume wheel mounted in bearings that give it the feel of a bank vault’s tumblers.

Extreme Integrated Amps from Jeff Rowland Soundstage Global adored the Jeff Rowland Daemon,

The Daemon presents Hi-Fi enthusiasts and stereophiles

recognizing it as a non-compromise solution to simplifying

with astounding engineering that aligns perfectly with

top-level multi component audio systems:

Jeff Rowland’s look and legendary sound.

Five Most Significant Product Introductions The Absolute Sound noticed the Jeff Rowland Daemon amongst the most significant products introduced at the Munich High End show. Here is some of what they had to

Not to be outdone, Jeff Rowland Design Group released its Daemon integrated amplifier, and -- incredibly -it’s an even more intimidating proposition. The front panel has a large, beautiful 7” by 5” touchscreen interface.

say: To learn more about the framework, visit touchgfx.com

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TECH

INTERNET OF THINGS: DEMYSTIFY AND GET STARTED! Internet of Things (IoT) is the new kid on the block.

It is everywhere, and many make doomsday-like predictions: if you do not get into IoT, sooner than later, your business will be miles behind everyone else’s. But there is no need to worry. Mjølner is here to help!

The practical circumstances of getting started are straightforward. Mjølner offers services to help you out, whether you are starting from scratch or need help analyzing your already collected data.

SEGES is one of the clients we helped get further with IoT. The company already had tons of data, but no way

Even if you decide to carry on as if IoT never crossed your

to make sense of it all. We showed them how to find

path, Armageddon is probably not right around the corner.

business potential by connecting their data and finding

Nevertheless, acquainting yourself with the term and

trends in it. The result was surprising to SEGES, and useful

what value it could bring to your business, is undeniably

in terms of streamlining procedures.

not a bad idea. Mjølner is here to help you out.

Check out our package solutions on our website to get you Internet of Things covers many functionalities and

started, or simply give us a call. We are here to demystify

possibilities:

and turn your idea into a digital product.

Data collection

Connection between “the sold” and “the seller”

Data analysis

New functionalities

New services

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Explaining IoT in the simplest of terms is easy using an

Some companies stop here. However, to fully utilize

example.

IoT and gain as much valuable and useful business development information as possible, you have to move

Let us imagine you own a pump factory. You produce

further. Ask yourself: What can I use my data for?

pumps. Maybe you collect different types of data at your plant. For example, how many pumps you produce, how

IoT can help you explore your data, connect the dots, and

many pumps you sell, etc.

provide you with strategies that can save your finances, provide better customer service, and streamline your

To take advantage of IoT, the first step is to collect data

cycles and working procedures.

from your sold products. In other words, you have to make sure your sold products can “talk� to you. The different

In other words, the different functionalities of your

data from your sold pumps transfer to a Cloud (external

company and your data must connect in order to get the

online server).

most out of IoT.

Now, you can analyze your data. In addition, you can offer

For more information contact:

your customers to follow the data from their pump. This is

Flemming Gram Christensen, IoT Evangelist

the first step of IoT.

fgc@mjolner.dk

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-

+45 41 95 36 24

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CASE

SOMFY: INTUITIVE AND NATURAL TOUCH CONTROL Somfy is a French based world leading company specializing in automatic control of openings and closures for real estate.

Somfy’s development team was looking for a software framework that enabled them to make an intuitive remote with great graphics on the same type of low-resource hardware used in earlier projects.

For over forty years, the company has transformed people’s living environments with automatic controls, by designing and developing solutions that offer comfort, security, and energy savings.

We assisted Somfy in their development of a remote control for roller shutters, blinds, and more.

By using the free and fully functional evaluation version in our training and testing, we discovered TouchGFX’ reactive, fast, and powerful capabilities.

Together with a large functionality range, we became convinced about TouchGFX being the right tool for our development.

– Philippe Partakelidis, Software Group Manager, Somfy

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“

We’ve found very professional and efficient people from Draupner Graphics during the development of our product in relation to solving support issues and for outsourcing development tasks.

– Phillipe Partakelidis, Software Group Manager, Somfy.

Impressed by a TouchGFX based remote control, Somfy

consumption and microcontroller resources in terms of

wanted to learn what TouchGFX could offer their product.

computing power, RAM, and Flash.

After a workshop with our software developer, Martin, Somfy found TouchGFX to be the right tool for their new

We also integrated TouchGFX with Somfy’s existing

GUI development.

software, created new application features, and much more.

Essential to Somfy was the user interface’s capability of running on low resource hardware without compromising

We wish Somfy all the best with the release of the remote

functionality and high-end design.

and look forward to future collaborations.

Aside from the TouchGFX GUI applications, the microcontroller needed to run the complete backend controls of the remote.

Want to Use TouchGFX in Your Products?

In collaboration with our development team, we made

For more information contact:

sure that the large GUI application could run smoothly

Jørgen Mygind, Business Development Manager

on a remote control with essential constraints on power

jmy@draupnergraphics.com

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TECH

TNW CONFERENCE: GOT PSYCHED UP IN AMSTERDAM In late spring, two of our UX Consultants, Kasper and Mikkel, attended this year’s ’The Next Web (TNW) Conference’ in Amsterdam. A start-up and tech event that has tripled in size since last year, now counting over 20.000 visitors.

Here’s a quick recap on what they learned and brought back to share with our clients.

The full story is on our blog: mjolner.dk/blog/

Trend watcher Farid Tabarki held an opening workshop, ‘Say Hello to Data’, where he referred to famous sociologist Zygmunt Bauman.

Change is the only permanence, and uncertainty the only certainty.

- Bauman famously stated.

The focus of the workshop was how the liquid society is

A Start-Up Approach to Innovation

increasingly affecting our work and leisure life. We

Officially, TNW Conference has focus on start-up culture,

recognize this tendency from our daily work at Mjølner.

hosting hack fests, and honoring young companies with new means of creating value for their customers.

Harold Goddjin, Co-founder & CEO of TomTom, provided

It turns out large companies have a lot to learn from start-

insights as to how transportation will transform way

ups’ drive and challenge of status quo and existing norms.

beyond how we understand it today. Fewer people will own their own means of transportation and cheap trans-

Not surprisingly, the central focus in this year’s TNW Con-

port on demand will come in abundance.

ference, was on virtual and augmented reality and the realm of experiences we can expect. IoT got quite the

Driving will be an app on your phone shattering the auto-

attention as well, and the industry is still trying to

motive-, insurance-, fuel- and transportation industry.

determine which pitfalls exist and how to go about star-

It is likely that this revolution of transportation gives rise

ting great IoT projects.

to better public transportation, recreation of public spaces, and cleaner air. Furthermore, services and physical

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businesses such as hairdressers and clothing stores will

ve the optimum result and good KPIs to measure success.

break free from their physical limitations and, instead,

In his talk ‘Let’s Get Married: How to Turn Users into Lo-

become mobile services.

vers’, Jon Troutman of IoT company Canary, applied the metaphor of relationships to better understand and ser-

Technology will not be the problem – regulations will slow

ve customers. With focus on quality time, crisis manage-

things down.

ment, and a little magic, we can determine if we are building a long-term commitment or a one-night stand with

The Value of Understanding Your Customers

our most precious other: the customers.

At Mjølner, we know that a user-centered approach to product and service innovation is paramount. To create

Our main conclusion from TNW Conference 2016 is this:

successful products, companies must begin and end their

By not addressing the needs of tomorrow’s customers,

focus with the customer. We have had a keen eye on this

companies risk the danger of irrelevancy. In order not to

approach for more than ten years.

lose their competitive edge, they must learn to manoeuvre in this landscape of constant change.

VP of Product Design at Facebook, Julie Zhuo, has been She shared Facebook’s ‘3 basic questions’ framework of

Are You Struggling With the User-First Approach Or Do You Simply Want To Know More?

evaluating and developing new features. Design is at the

Feel free to contact Kasper Mathias Svendsen:

heart of product development, and short iterations achie-

kms@mjolner.dk // +45 41 95 36 23

part of Facebook since its college days in 2006.

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EVENT

VIRTUAL REALITY WITH MJØLNER: HOW DO WE ADAPT VR FROM GAMING CONCEPT TO COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY? As Virtual Reality (VR) has conquered the world of gaming, Mjølner Informatics invites you to join our VR event to explore how we can adapt this new technology to the industry.

At this event, we want to focus on VR, the innovative technology that has taken the gaming world by storm. VR is a computer technology that replicates an environment, real or imagined, and simulates a user’s physical presence to allow for user interaction.

When we hear this description, most of us automatically think of computerand videogames. It is obvious that the gaming industry is number one beneficiary from this technology.

Nevertheless, VR is an uncut diamond for the rest of the world’s commercial industry.

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How Can We Use Virtual Reality to Our Benefit?

When:

We want to take part in the success of VR! So how can

September 22nd 2016

we create value for your business through this innovative milestone?

Where: Mjølner Informatics, Finlandsgade 10, 8200 Aarhus N

Our Event Focuses On Three Different Angles: Register at: What’s the hype about? A perspective from the world

www.mjolner.dk

of gaming For further information, please contact: How can we use VR in a commercial context? Concrete

Anne Kjærholm Poulsen

example from a company that has utilized VR

+45 41 95 36 04 akp@mjolner.dk

How can you use it? We take you through tangible suggestions as to how you can use VR to create value Lastly, let’s have some fun with it, and start the dialogue! We’ll have different kinds of VR glasses for you to try on and see for yourself what the hype is all about

Do You Need: Motivation to get started with VR in your industry?

Inspiration as to what commercial value VR can bring to your business?

More information, generally, on VR, what it is, and what it means for the world of IT in the future?

Then this event is for you!

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Speaking of Virtual Reality...

360-degree video (Immersive video) is one of the major topics of hype right now. It displays recordings of real-world panorama, where the view in every direction is recorded at the same time.

During playback the viewer has control of the viewing direction - a form of virtual reality.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, is one of the leading advocates for 360-degree video. Facebook acquired Oculus VR, a VR technology company, two years ago and seems intent on extending virtual reality beyond gaming.

Don’t forget to sign up for our VR event to learn more about the buzzing topic.

To see a 360-degree video, scan the QR-code below.

When the video plays in Youtube, you can click, hold and then move the mouse or your smarthpone around to enjoy the 360-experience.

Alternatively, use the URL: https://youtu.be/-xNN-bJQ4vI

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A WORLD-CLASS DIGITAL EXPERIENCE FOR JEFF ROWLAND’S AMPLIFIER IINTERNET OF THINGS: DEMYSTIFY AND GET STARTED! SOMFY: INITUITIVE AND NATURAL TOUCH CONTROL TNW CONFERENCE: GOT PSYCHED UP IN AMSTERDAM HOW DO WE ADAPT VR FROM GAMING CONCEPT TO COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY SPEAKING OF VIRTUAL REALITY...

Mjølner Informatics A/S

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Finlandsgade 10, DK-8200 Aarhus N

+45 70 27 43 43

www.mjolner.dk

info@mjolner.dk

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