In the wake of the global Wanna Cry ransomware attack, Automation Alley’s Tom Kelly chats with Godfrey Nolan of tech firm RIIS about the unique way his company protects itself from cyberattacks. The two also discuss first steps advanced manufacturers—and all companies—can take to avoid getting infected and how to create a ransomware rescue manual of their own.

Episode 1: Ransom where? Everywhere!

Mike Folster, robotics product manager at Behco-MRM, a leading Michigan distributor of industrial automation applications, joins the podcast to discuss why we shouldn't fear automation.

Episode 2: Embracing robot-human collaboration

The Industrial Internet of Things promises to revolutionize manufacturing. What is the future of IIoT for businesses? Michael King, president of data analytics and IoT for LHP Engineering Solutions, stops by to chat about how manufacturers are transforming their businesses through data.

Episode 3: IIoT and the data-driven factory

Automation Alley CEO and Executive Director Tom Kelly is joined by John Giacomazza, sales executive for Autodesk, to discuss how cloud-based PLM can help manufacturers of all sizes accelerate their product development processes across all departments...anytime, anywhere.

Episode 6: Why Cloud-based PLM?

Elliot Forsyth, Vice President of Business Operations at Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, an organization dedicated to helping Michigan manufacturers work smarter, joins Automation Alley's Tom Kelly on the podcast.

Episode 5: Helping Manufacturers Work Smarter

Mark Noschang, Omron's National Robotics Applications Engineering Lead, joins the podcast for an interesting chat about how robotics are dramatically changing the manufacturing landscape for the better, as productivity increases due to robotics will require more human labor. What can history teach us about the future of robotic and smart factory innovation? Listen to find out.

Episode 7: Autonomous Intelligent Robotics of Today and Tomorrow

On this episode of Factory Reboot, host Tom Kelly, Automation Alley's executive director and CEO, is joined by Franco Bevione, CEO for Wedoo, a creative digital solutions company that delivers unique experiences for its customers. Wedoo will be showcasing AR and VR applications for Industry 4.0 at Automation Alley's Integr8 conference on Nov. 9 in Detroit.

Episode 4: Virtual Reality's Role in the Smart Factory

Automation Alley Executive Director Tom Kelly is joined by Ian Sefferman, a TechStars Seattle alum and software entrepreneur, formerly with Amazon and currently with TUNE, a mobile marketing platform, to discuss the potential of automation...beyond the manufacturing sector. Which industries will benefit the most from automation? And how can Michigan capitalize on these trends?

Episode 8: Automation Beyond the Factory

Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly is joined by Brandon Horrocks, senior vice president at Sterling Insurance Group, to discuss the role cyber threats play on our factory floors, and specifically, what companies can do to stay protected. Does your company have cyber insurance? As small and medium size manufacturers incorporate more automation into their operations, what are some first steps companies can take to protect their business in the event of a data breach?

Episode 9: Cyber Threats and Cyber Insurance in Today's Automated World

Pavan Muzumdar, Automation Alley COO, steps in for Tom Kelly to discuss the rise of artificial intelligence in connected and autonomous vehicles, as well as AI's emerging role on factory floors with Bill Bone, chief technology officer for Aras Corporation's Automotive division. What are some of the newest AI in-vehicle trends? What's being integrated today and what can we expect in the coming years? How are autonomous vehicles affecting safety, security and vehicle development? These questions and more will be answered on this episode of Factory Reboot.

Episode 10: AI's Impact on Autonomous Vehicles and More

Dr. Christopher Martin, director of engineering at Robert Bosch, joins Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly on the podcast to discuss how AI is being used in factories today and where he envisions it being used in the future. What areas of AI are set to grow the fastest? What are the barriers to becoming an autonomous factory and how can manufacturers overcome them? These questions and more are answered on this episode of Factory Reboot.

Episode 11: Exploring Artificial Intelligence and the Factory of the Future with Bosch

Karen Wiltgen, principal at RSM, joins Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly on the podcast to discuss how companies can transform their business using robotic process automation (RPA). What impact is RPA having in today's marketplace? Which industries can benefit the most from this technology? And how can companies get started? These questions and more are answered on this episode of Factory Reboot.

Episode 12: The Streamlined Business: How Robotic Process Automation Can Improve Efficiency

The best way to tackle the growing complexity challenges coming through Industry 4.0 is to have a wholistic view of your product, says Scott Perdue, president of Configit, who joins Automation Alley’s Tom Kelly on this episode of Factory Reboot. Discover how configuration software can help manage your manufacturing complexity issues and get your business to peak performance.

Episode 13: Embracing Wholistic Manufacturing with Configuration Lifecycle Management

Connected mobility has the potential to create a greener and safer network for vehicles, infrastructure and people. What will the world look like when our vehicles know us better than our friends and family? Elaina Farnsworth, the CEO and founder of The NEXT Education, is our guest on the podcast to discuss training our workforce for mobility jobs of today and tomorrow.

Episode 14: Smart Cars & Smart Cities: Exploring Future Job Trends

Brian Gilmore, a chief technology advocate for Splunk, joins Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly on the podcast to discuss his customers' a-ha moments when it comes to leveraging emerging technologies to drive new opportunity. The data is there, its up to you to capture it, analyze it and harness its power.

Episode 15: Splunk and the A-ha Moment

Automation Alley is Michigan’s leading nonprofit technology and manufacturing business association, connecting industry, academia and government to fuel Southeast Michigan’s economy and accelerate innovation. Automation Alley focuses its efforts on innovation and technology, entrepreneurship, talent development, defense and international business, providing resources, funding and actionable intelligence to help members grow and prosper in the digital age.

Automation Alley programs and services are made possible in part through ongoing support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Automation Alley

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