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In this episode of What To Expect When You're Connecting, host Ryan Carlson speaks with Nathan Hoel, Co-founder and CTO of BinSentry, a company in the smart agricultural technology market. They discuss the challenges of ensuring reliable connectivity for IoT devices in rural areas, the importance of customer-centric solutions, and the hurdles BinSentry faced with different IoT connectivity technologies. Key topics include BinSentry's use of time-of-flight sensors for accurate feed inventory in silos, dealing with microfretting in SIM cards, and the impact that a flexible and reliable IoT connectivity partner has on reliability, support, and the impact on cost savings. Nathan shares insights on maintaining focus as a start-up and the significant impact of precise billing models on their business operations.

00:00 Audio Podcast- Full Episode

00:33 Challenges in Animal Feed Management

01:02 BinSentry's Technological Solutions

03:00 Customer-Centric Approach

06:23 Processing the Data of Taking Measurements

09:42 AI and Image Processing

11:45 The AI Training Process

15:44 Inventory Management and Business Impact

18:48 Staying Focused on the Mission and Avoiding Scope Creep

19:55 How saying no is the key to maintaining focus and a winning market strategy

26:29 Digging into Technical Topics for Product Development

26:51 Connectivity and Radio Selection

32:10 Reliability Lessons Learned

32:43 The Vampire Issue: Solar Panel Problems

34:07 Importance of Carrier Relationships in Rural Areas

36:28 Soracom's Proactive Problem-Solving

40:18 Temperature Challenges and Industrial SIM Cards

46:56 Billing Model Innovations with Soracom

59:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections

01:00:08 What is Soracom to You?

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In this episode of 'What to Expect When You're Connecting,' host Ryan Carlson welcomes Felix Zhao, founder and CEO of Cassia Networks, to discuss the evolution and potential of Bluetooth technology in enterprise IoT applications. Felix shares insights about the history of Bluetooth, its challenges in enterprise settings, and how Cassia Networks addresses these issues with advanced Bluetooth gateways and routers. 

The conversation explores technical innovations like increased range, cost-efficiency, and Bluetooth security, making it a viable solution for industrial and healthcare environments. The episode also covers the importance of cellular connectivity in simplifying deployment and reducing costs, with Felix highlighting the partnership with Soracom to enhance their offerings. 

The discussion includes practical applications and future advancements in Bluetooth technology, making it an informative listen for IoT professionals.

00:00 Video: Using Bluetooth in Enterprise IoT Deployments
00:27 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:21 The Evolution of Bluetooth Technology
02:29 Bluetooth in Enterprise IoT
06:09 Comparing Bluetooth with Other Technologies
09:06 Security and Power Efficiency of Bluetooth
10:59 About Bluetooth Security and Channel Hopping
13:52 Cassia Networks' Innovations
17:20 Technical Aspects of Cassia's Bluetooth Gateways
19:50 Integration and Application of Cassia's Solutions
23:57 Exploring Cellular Connectivity in Industrial Gateways
24:26 Challenges in Industrial and Medical Environments
25:14 Customer Feedback and Product Evolution
26:28 Cost and Maintenance Benefits of Cellular Gateways
27:02 Success Stories and Real-World Applications
31:20 Innovations in Bluetooth Technology
31:36 Bluetooth Roaming and Medical Applications
35:53 Future of Bluetooth in Industrial Settings 
38:03   Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of 'What to Expect When You're Connecting,' host Ryan Carlson interviews Dr. Nagesh Kadaba, founder of RxKeeper. They discuss the innovation behind RxKeeper, a device designed to improve medication compliance through the use of LTE-M cellular smart buttons. The conversation covers the origins of RxKeeper, its development process, and the challenges faced in creating a simple yet effective solution for medication adherence. Learn about the device's ability to track medication usage, the advantages of using LTE-M technology, and how it is making a difference in the healthcare space. Tune in to hear insights on the future of digital health and connected products for IOT professionals.

00:00 RxKeeper with Nagesh Kadaba

00:54 The Inspiration Behind RxKeeper

01:36 Innovative Design of RxKeeper

02:35 Evolution of the Product

03:23 Simplifying Medication Management

08:18 Clinical Trials and Patient Outcome

14:27 Provisioning and Distribution

24:45 Technical Challenges and Solutions

28:06 Transition to AWS Server

28:26 Implementing Funk for Data Integration

28:40 API and Webhook Setup

29:07 Future Plans for Integration

31:29 Soracom Integration and Benefits

34:42 Closing Remarks and Future Prospects

35:32 What is Soracom to You?

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In this episode, we welcome Rosie Amlani, the CEO of ColdChase, to discuss the multifaceted applications of asset tracking, IoT, and connectivity solutions provided by her company. Rosie explains the integrations and custom solutions offered by ColdChase's sub-brands: AssetChase and PaXChase. She delves into the origins and progress of the ColdChase platform, focusing initially on cold chain logistics during the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding to other sectors such as food safety and airport operations. Rosie highlights the importance of simulation in product development from her engineering background and the rigorous testing required for regulatory compliance. We explore how ColdChase leverages connectivity solutions like Soracom to ensure global coverage and robust data transmission, providing a comprehensive and reliable customer experience. The episode also touches on the challenges of technical sales and the importance of understanding customer needs in delivering tailored IoT solutions.

00:00 Introduction to Rosie Amlani and ColdChase

01:43 Origins of ColdChase: Cold Chain Solutions

02:49 Customizing Sensor Solutions

04:54 From Manufacturing to In-House Product Development

06:02 Importance of Simulation in Product Development

08:14 Understanding the Customer and User

12:24 Regulatory Compliance and Business Optimization

16:54 Environmental Considerations and Connectivity Challenges

20:59 Early Tests with Other Carriers

21:30 Testing Connectivity Across Borders

24:16 How ColdChase is Getting it Right: Connectivity as a Customer Experience

25:52 Customer Story

27:25 Importance of Asset Tracking

30:32 Challenges in the Food Industry

39:21 Security and Data Encryption

40:22 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

43:50 Closing

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In this episode of 'What to Expect When You're Connecting,' host Ryan Carlson sits down with Antoine Robillard, Vice President of Health Solutions at Withings. They discuss the power of design in healthcare devices, the evolution of connectivity from Wi-Fi to cellular for seamless patient care, and the importance of ease-of-use in driving user adoption and retention. Discover how Withings' consumer-centric approach has impacted millions of lives and what the future holds for connected health.

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In this episode of 'What to Expect When You're Connecting,' host Ryan Carlson interviews Brandon Satrom, Senior Vice President of Product and Experience at Blues Inc. They delve into the challenges and innovations in IoT connectivity, discussing Blues Inc.'s unique approach to creating flexible and efficient solutions for connecting products. The conversation covers topics like blended networking, the importance of developer-focused communities, and the significant advantages of modular hardware design. Recorded at Soracom Discovery 2024 in Tokyo, Brandon shares insightful reactions to the event and explains how Blues Inc. is simplifying IoT deployment for engineers and product builders.

00:00 PODCAST: Interview with Blues Inc
00:27 Introduction to Today's Topic
00:39 First Impressions of Soracom Discovery 2024
02:24 Understanding Blues Inc.'s Unique Approach
05:00 Challenges in IoT and Connectivity Solutions
05:48 The Concept of One-Way and Two-Way Door Decisions
09:58 Blues Inc.'s Hardware and Firmware Innovations
17:21 Blended Networks: Cellular and Satellite Integration
18:01 The Future of Satellite Connectivity
32:07 Advice for Newcomers in IoT
37:03 Closing Thoughts and Developer Community
37:49 What is Soracom to You?

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In this episode, the discussion revolves around digital healthcare, specifically PatchRx. Andrew Aertker, CEO and co-founder of PatchRx, elaborates on their smart cap enabled platform aimed at tackling medication non-adherence—a major issue in healthcare. PatchRx's technology tracks medication intake through a universal smart pill bottle cap and provides real-time data to patients, providers, and caretakers. The discussion covers the technical aspects of the product, including connectivity to a gateway device with multi-carrier support facilitated reliable data transfer even in rural areas. Andrew details the company's journey, their alignment with healthcare regulations, and the crucial role of data in improving patient outcomes. The interview also highlights the complex customer landscape, spanning patients, providers, and payers, and the importance of user-friendly design for successful adoption.

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We discuss how to increase access for remote IoT devices using satellite as primary or secondary connectivity with the same radio infrastructure. Guests Tarun Gupta of Skylo Technologies and Kenta Yasakawa of Soracom explain how recent advancements in satellite standards now enable devices to connect with both cellular and satellite networks seamlessly. The discussion covers the technical aspects, prime use cases, and the significant cost and operational benefits of integrating satellite connectivity into existing IoT networks. The episode highlights how this technology can improve service reliability, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas, and offers insights into how developers can future-proof their hardware for blended network environments.

0:00 Deploying Blended Connectivity Using Cellular and Satellite Networks (with Tarun Gupta and Kenta Yasukawa)

00:27 Introduction to Satellite Connectivity for IoT Devices

01:25 Understanding Skylo's Role in Satellite Connectivity

02:12 Technical Insights: Satellite and Cellular Integration

04:34 Building Skylo: Partnerships and Ecosystem

06:11 Soracom's Connectivity Platform and Satellite Integration

09:30 Use Cases and Applications of Satellite Connectivity

13:08 Technical Considerations for Hardware and Certification

16:35 Cost and Efficiency of Satellite Connectivity

24:51 Global Coverage and Future Prospects

29:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities in digitizing industries with legacy systems, particularly focusing on the oil and gas sector. Jamie Lyle of Muddy Boots Online shares his journey from 20 years in field operations to his transition to facilitating data management. His journey highlights field experiences, the process of setting up and digitizing operations, dealing with regulatory requirements, and the benefits of transitioning to digital systems. Emphasis is placed on the importance of making solutions user-friendly for field operators, optimizing time management, and ensuring data interoperability. Jamie explains how feedback from clients continuously shapes how software companies are adapting to meet the evolving needs of the industry, and most importantly the operators on the ground that need to believe in the value of those tools.

0:00 Podcast - Connecting Remote Work Sites with Legacy Systems

00:26 Introduction to Digitization and Legacy Systems

00:40 Field Work and Operator Setup

02:36 Challenges in Data Management

04:05 Jamie's Journey in Oil and Gas

05:05 Implementing Digitization Solutions

09:08 Operate by Exception Explained

11:14 Streamlining Data and Reporting

25:57 Customer-Centric Software Development

35:09 Conclusion

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A conversation with Darby Davenport, the Manager of Operations for Telemedicine at UAB Health Systems. The discussion focuses on UAB's advanced telehealth initiatives, especially in the context of rural Alabama. Davenport shares insights into how telehealth services were enhanced before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of connectivity in rural areas, and the shift to cellular-enabled monitoring devices to ensure patient compliance and data accuracy. The episode covers the importance of health and technical literacy among patients, the impact of telemedicine in preventing hospital readmissions, and the potential for telehealth to standardize care delivery through remote patient monitoring programs. Additionally, Davenport emphasizes the significance of choosing the right technology partners, such as Withings for their health monitoring devices. The episode ends with a reflection on the future of telehealth as a standard of care and an invitation for further dialogues on healthcare innovation.