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What does the future hold for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)? T


he rise and rise of BYOD continues at


pace – driven principally by the undoubted benefits that employees using personal devices can bring to a business. The flexibility offered by


remote working and the cost savings associated with smaller premises and reduced hardware outlay are important drivers, as are delivering improvements to work life balance and reducing the environmental impacts of commuting. But with these benefits come some significant risks, even before the introduction of strict new data protection requirements (GDPR) in May this year. Most sensible businesses treat the integrity


of their data very seriously and invest time and money in firewalls, password protection and anti-virus software. They are also likely to have maintenance arrangements in place that keep their security measures up to date. Personal devices are unlikely to have this


level of protection, which could lead to sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. In these circumstances employers could find themselves in breach of data protection laws unless they are able to demonstrate that they have made reasonable attempts to keep the information secure – such as having robust remote working security protocols or automated defence mechanisms in place. There is clear temptation for workers using their own devices in company time to be distracted by personal messages and notifications, which can impact adversely on productivity, unless contracts of employment are explicit about what constitutes acceptable BYOD use.


ASK THE EXPERT ABB BYOD can lead to a company’s valuable IP


being stored on an employee’s personal device – a potential risk if that employee leaves or is dismissed. The law is clear that company data on a personal device belongs to the company and in most circumstances the copyright for work generated by an employee will also rest with the company. Even so, it pays to have clear policies in place


relating to the compulsory deletion of data, or an electronic solution installed such as a remote device management system that can automatically wipe a device’s data. In extreme circumstances an employer can resort to taking out an injunction to compel the return of its data. The principal change under GDPR will be the


requirement for firms to draw up ‘privacy notices’ setting out clearly and comprehensively what data is collected, how and where it is stored, and who is able to access it. Where information is downloaded onto


personal devices, this will need to be fully explained and documented. The introduction of the new legislation will


undoubtedly add a layer of complexity onto the issue of BYOD, but it also represents a good opportunity for businesses to review their portfolio of information management policies and procedures to ensure they remain compliant.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR Barry Warne heads the Employment team at hlw Keeble Hawson, of Sheffield, Leeds and Doncaster. Areas of specialism include TUPE, Employment Tribunal advocacy and Executive Severances. He can be contacted on 0114 252 1437 or barrywarne@hlwkeeblehawson.co.uk


APPLIED AUTOMATION TO DISTRIBUTE THREE NEW LINES P


lymouth engineering company, Applied Automation, has announced that it is now


an official UK distributor of products from OptoForce, On Robot and EasyRobotics. These companies produce products that work with the Universal Robots collaborative robot arms, for which Applied Automation is already an existing UK ‘preferred partner’. The sale of collaborative robots has seen


tremendous growth in the last few years. A number of products have come to market that integrate with the robot arms which has further increased the number of applications they can be used for. OptoForce is a Hungarian company that


produces a force torque sensor that brings the sense of touch to industrial robots that otherwise require the dexterity of the human hand. Easy-to-install, lightweight and robust, the OptoForce six-axis sensor offers greater


opportunities to perform high-precision work such as polishing, box insertion, and other finer assembly tasks. On Robot is a Danish company that makes


plug and produce grippers that help manufacturers take full advantage of the benefits of collaborative robots. Certified by Universal Robots, the grippers are simple to program and install, with no external cables. EasyRobotics is also a Danish company that


produces a series of modular robot platforms that the Universal Robots robotic arms can be mounted onto and used for a variety of applications. The ProFeeder unit is a modular robot cell that can be expanded in three steps, from small to large, where the expansion and investment is made in accordance with production needs. It also produces the ER5, which is a portable unit with a mobile platform that one person can easily move.


/AUTOMATION


Finding hidden efficiencies in pump and fan applications


In the first of a series of three columns, ABB’s Martin Richardson looks at the energy and productivity benefits achievable by installing a variable speed drive (VSD) on specific applications. This month: pumps and fans


PUMPS VSDs can help transport liquids safely by ensuring the motor driving a pump is running at the correct speed to maintain a safe pressure in a pipe. VSDs benefit all types of pumps including circulating water in HVAC systems, boiler feedwater pumps, industrial process cooling pumps, chilled water pumps, wastewater treatment and clean water applications. In the UK, pumps use a total of 20TWh/ annum,


responsible for the emission of 2.7 million tons of carbon per year. Pumps represent the largest single use of motive power in industry and commerce. Since most pumps are variable torque, they benefit from the largest savings when speed control is employed. VSDs improve system reliability, simplify pipe systems by eliminating the need for control valves and bypass lines, provide soft start and stop thereby reducing wear and tear on the motors, and reduce leaks caused by pressure surges. All this leads to lower maintenance and life cycle costs and increases plant availability.


FANS There are many types of fans used to move air and gasses in industrial applications, such as centrifugal and axial. Whether belt driven, or direct coupled, many can benefit from VSD control to save energy, improve processes and reduce maintenance costs. Often air flow is controlled via a mechanical damper


in the duct work, either before or after the fan. The type of damper is important as different designs effect the fan performance and load. In most cases large savings can be achieved through VSD control. Where no control is present or required, savings can still be made by reducing oversizing in the design and applying the VSDs energy optimisation feature, reducing motor losses and saving further energy. Whether belt driven or direct coupled, VSDs can


reduce maintenance costs through softstart control of the fan. Belt, gearbox, couplings and bearings wear and tear are significantly reduced, improving system reliability and availability. Where large fans ‘windmill’ while out of service, VSDs can catch these, slow and stop them in a controlled manner, rather than trying to start direct-on-line, which can cause huge stresses on mechanical and electrical components, often leading to premature failure.


To find out how a VSD could benefit your motor- driven applications, request ABB’s Energy Efficiency & Productivity Improvement Plan by emailing energy@gb.abb.com, or call 07000 DRIVES (07000 374 837)


AUTOMATION | MAY 2018 5


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