Integrator Media had an exclusive interview with Sanjay Raghunath, Chairman and Managing Director of Centena Group.                                                

Overview of Centena Group’s evolution over the years and its current focus areas. 

Reflecting back on our journey, Centena Group started with Maritronics in 1980, a marine electronics service company. We have steadily grown and diversified to meet market demands since then, establishing multiple companies such as Emphor DLAS and Emphor IPS, among others in different geographies. We expanded into Identification & Security, Industrial Automation and Life and Analytical Sciences, and most recently ventured into interactive, educational and fun-based learning experiences.

Over the years, we have grown from a distributor to a solution provider, and we started our own manufacturing facility. Currently, we offer innovative solutions in science, engineering, education and technology through our subsidiaries including Maritronics, ScreenCheck, ATLAB, Emphor DLAS and Emphor IPS, among others. With headquarters in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India, we are committed to advancing industries and serving the greater good. Achieving a consistent 30 per cent year-on-year growth in the Middle East and globally, we continue to lead with pioneering solutions that define industry standards and inspire future advancements.

How is Centena Group aiding data centres with advanced technology solutions?

ScreenCheck, our security and identification division, plays a crucial role in enhancing the security and operational efficiency of data centres through its specialised security and energy management systems, by delivering robust security solutions through the integration of advanced identification and access control systems. This encompasses biometric access controls, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based monitoring, and smart card systems, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access critical areas within the data centre.

Furthermore, our video surveillance systems along with RFID technology, provide a multi-layered security approach. Real-time video footage enhances monitoring capabilities while RFID tracking ensures precise control over personnel and asset movement, enabling to take rapid action against unauthorised access or suspicious activities. Additionally, ScreenCheck offers visitor management solutions, which further bolsters the security framework and helps data centres comply with stringent security requirements.

Another cornerstone of our offerings is Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems which guarantee uninterrupted power supply during outages or fluctuations, safeguarding sensitive data and equipment from potential damage and ensuring uninterrupted data centre operations.

What are some of the most recent innovations introduced by your subsidiaries like Maritronics, and LabSpace?  

We at Centena Group are proud to offer a range of innovative solutions through our subsidiaries. Our maritime brand, under Maritronics, EDGE, has launched a range of technological innovations that increase the safety of seafarers and vessels. Our navigation solutions, such as the Fibre Optic Gyro, deliver superior accuracy, reliability, and quicker settling times compared to traditional gyrocompasses. Along with this our radar, Integrated Bridge System, AIS, and automation solutions, are also setting new benchmarks in performance, user-friendliness, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

LABSPACE represents another exciting frontier where we lead in pioneering design innovations that stimulate creativity and innovation within laboratory environments, by providing comprehensive solutions from initial planning to execution, across sectors ranging from education to oil and gas. With our state-of-the-art facility in the UAE and extensive experience across diverse industries, we extended our capabilities to offer turn-key solutions in select segments, ensuring that we meet the unique requirements of each project.

What are the recent advancements in the Maritime sector?

The evolution of marine communication systems is defined by the integration of satellite communication, automation, enhanced navigation, cybersecurity and environmental monitoring. Vessels now rely on satellite systems for global connectivity, with automation and remote monitoring streamlining operations and advanced navigation technologies ensuring precise tracking and collision avoidance, while cybersecurity measures protect against threats. Furthermore, regulations such as MARPOL demand environmental monitoring and compliance. These trends highlight the need for reliability, bandwidth, cost-efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Recently, the demand for maritime solutions has shifted significantly. For example, the Baltimore ship collision highlighted the need for enhanced redundancy while rising pirate attacks underscored the importance of security and tracking. Maritronics addresses these challenges with advanced engineering solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Our Integrated Bridge Systems offer redundancy and real-time decision-making capabilities, tailored to meet modern navigation and communication needs. As a result, we have seen a notable increase in global inquiries and orders, reflecting evolving customer requirements worldwide.

How is Centena Group utilising artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in its technology solutions?

At Centena Group, we approach challenges by blending both empathy and cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of our customers effectively. Within our security and identification division, ScreenCheck employs AI for advanced biometric access control systems, which improve the accuracy and reliability of facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and iris recognition. These systems continuously evolve through machine learning, adapting to new data for enhanced performance. In industrial process solutions, AI and ML are integral to predictive maintenance and network leakage detection using data from analysers and flow meters. Meanwhile, ML optimises safety measures in our analyser solutions, ensuring robust operational control. Across our Life Analytical and Material Testing division, AI and ML streamline processes, delivering faster and more precise results. Our commitment extends beyond incorporating AI and ML into our solutions. Through our educational initiative, ATLAB collaborates with schools and universities to introduce AI and ML in engaging, fun-based practical ways. This approach aims to equip the next generation with key skills needed to address future challenges and contribute to building an efficient and sustainable world.

How is Centena Group contributing to the field of electronics, particularly through its solution EDGE?

Electronics are integral to global technological advancement and at Centena Group, we recognise its pivotal role. EDGE, our latest solution from Maritronics, integrates cutting-edge navigation, communication, and automation technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, and performance at sea. Our R&D team is actively developing new technologies to ensure these solutions are both advanced and cost-effective for widespread adoption.

We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of advanced solutions and setting new standards in safety, efficiency, and operational excellence across all industries, thus contributing to overall economic growth and quality of life.

Integrator Media had an exclusive interview with Jason Li, President of Marketing & Solutions Sales, Huawei Electric Power Digitalization Business Unit. Here in this interview the Integrator discusses how Huawei’s Cloud-Edge Synergy and High-Speed Power Line Communications are Revolutionizing the Power Industry and what sets it apart from traditional power distribution solutions.

What is Huawei’s innovative Intelligent Distribution Solution (IDS) presented at the 26th World Energy Congress?

Huawei presented the innovative Intelligent Distribution Solution (IDS) at the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam. IDS is built on a unique “cloud-pipe-edge-pipe-device” framework, which includes an on-premise private cloud as the digital foundation, both wired and wireless solutions for the backhaul network, an all-in-one edge computing unit (ECU) for lean management, and next-generation high-speed power line carrier communication (HPLC) on the low-voltage side. This comprehensive approach enables real-time measurable observations that empower utility providers to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction by identifying and repairing faults before power outages occur.

What sets Huawei’s IDS apart from traditional power distribution solutions, especially considering its cloud-based approach?

Traditional power distribution solutions mostly rely on isolated systems, preventing data sharing. Huawei’s cloud-pipe-edge-pipe-device architecture is one generation ahead of this approach. Additionally, Huawei focuses solely on building industry-leading digital foundations to facilitate the construction of intelligent power distribution networks.

The HPLC and all-scenario backhaul network solution builds highly reliable target networks, resulting in a 99.5%-meter reading success rate and a 100% point-to-point meter reading success rate.

Concentrators, distribution transformer monitoring devices, gateway meters, and distributed PV/charging pile gateways are integrated into ECUs, reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO). Meanwhile, platform-based hardware and app-based software architectures and products fulfill the future’s evolution requirements for the next 10-20 years.

Moreover, IDS facilitates cloud-edge synergy, enabling power enterprises to shift from single-point digitalization to architecture-supported, evolvable, open, and systematic intelligence, with quick service rollout and significant O&M efficiency improvement.

Can you elaborate on the functionality of the innovative “cloud-pipe-edge-pipe-device” framework?

IDS is an overall solution based on the cloud-pipe-edge-pipe-device architecture. On the cloud side, an on-premise private cloud is recommended as the digital foundation, unlike in a traditional virtualization model. The private cloud enables five enablement capabilities, including R&D enablement, application enablement, data enablement, AI enablement, and integration enablement, as well as four synergies: application synergy, data synergy, AI synergy, and O&M synergy.

For the backhaul network, fiber is the key strategic asset, a technology that will keep evolving for the next 30 years, and is reachable, familiar, and manageable. It also supports multi-service development, such as home broadband. Additionally, a wireless private network is also a good choice if the spectrum is ready. However, we recommend a private network rather than a public network here, considering the requirements for data security, high reliability, high quality, and low latency.

At the edge, the edge computing unit (ECU) is the lean management carrier, functioning as a smartphone, which replaces multiple terminals such as the Transformer Terminal Unit (TTU), Data Transfer Unit (DCU), and gateway. It is the ‘brain’ of the district and a vital component of the Intelligent Distribution Solution (IDS).

For last-mile connection, High-Speed Power Line Communications (HPLC) is the key to low-voltage transparency, supporting data collection in minutes, massive interactive connections, and topology identification, and delivering a 99% collection success rate. With the Intelligent Distribution Solution (IDS), we can achieve power outage alarms within 1 minute, fault locating within 3 minutes, and line loss analysis within 15 minutes.

How Huawei’s Intelligent Distribution Solution has demonstrated its effectiveness in practical applications?

Here, I’d like to give you an example of State Grid Shaanxi, where we developed an intelligent distribution solution with our partners. We helped State Grid Shaanxi build a digital foundation featuring “cloud-pipe-edge-pipe-device” synergy, enabling the company to evolve from single-point digitalization of power distribution rooms to architecture-supported, evolvable, open, and systematic intelligence.

Four key technologies are deployed in the digital foundation:

• • First, the ECU integrates multiple gateways in the transformer district and functions as the smart brain of the edge. It’s like deploying a smartphone in the district. The cloud-edge synergy technology supports the unified upgrade of 100,000 devices in the districts within 40 minutes. Different policies can be defined at each transformer district for flexible district autonomy. This way, transformer district managers can become mini-CEOs with stimulated creativity.
• • Second, we deploy optical fiber and wireless networks for backhaul. In urban areas with essential loads, 100% optical fibers are used, and GPON supports real-time access to multiple services. In other areas, wireless networks are used to quickly access various terminals and distributed new energy at low costs.
• • The third is the HPLC dual-mode technology, which solves the problem of last-mile communication. The latest version of HPLC can deliver 99.9% communication reliability, supporting minute-level data collection and second-level control for low-voltage transparency.
• • Fourth is the cloud-based unified enterprise digital platform, which acts as the smart OS of enterprises. By building the enterprise-level unified data foundation, unified AI model factory, and unified IoT platform, enterprises can accumulate know-how assets and make digital capabilities easy to use.

Based on the digital foundation and the open ecosystem, State Grid Shaanxi has implemented topology identification of the transformer, meter box, and household meters at the low-voltage side. In blind tests, the accuracy reaches 100%, the daily frozen data collection success rate reaches 99.98%, abnormal events are reported within 1 second, and power outages are notified within 3 minutes.

This is only the beginning. By enabling mini-CEOs to master digital capabilities, customers can deploy various digital technologies in different scenarios.

Integrator Media had an exclusive interview with Georges Calas, CEO of Lifesize Plans Dubai. The Q&A delves into Lifesize Plans Dubai’s innovative approach to architectural and construction planning through the integration of augmented reality (AR) technology. It explores how Lifesize Plans uses advanced projection technology to showcase building floorplans in a true 1:1 scale, allowing clients to visualize their projects with unprecedented realism.

1. Could you explain Lifesize Plans’ approach to integrating augmented reality with traditional architectural and construction planning? How did this idea originate?

Lifesize Plans Dubai, headquartered in Australia, offers a unique service of projecting building floorplans in a true 1:1 scale using advanced integrated projection technology, allowing clients to walkthrough floorplans in real size before construction begins. Additionally, Lifesize Plans leverages augmented reality to further enhance clients’ visualization of their projects.

Lifesize Plans’ approach to integrating augmented reality with traditional architectural and construction planning is both innovative and practical, offering clients a collaborative space where they can actively participate in the pre-construction planning process. It goes beyond conventional floorplans, offering clients a comprehensive visualization of their projects through AR, including interior and external landscaped areas, providing clients a clear understanding of how their project will look like upon completion.

Lifesize Plans introduced AR as an additional advantageous tool aimed at streamlining the pre-construction process. Traditional architectural and construction planning methods often encounter limitations, particularly in effectively conveying the spatial experience through 2D drawings and static renderings, which can result in client misunderstandings. Hence, the integration of advanced technology and AR into the pre-construction phase benefits all parties involved, facilitates clear communication and ensures successful execution of projects. 

• How has the introduction of AR technology transformed the client consultation process at Lifesize Plans?

Integrating AR has significantly transformed the client consultation process at Lifesize Plans Dubai. Some benefits include:

Enhanced Visualization: AR allows clients to visualize their project in a more immersive and realistic manner. Instead of relying on 2D drawings or static renderings, clients can clearly visualize a virtual representation of their future space.

Real Time Changes and Improved Communication: AR facilitates live adjustments to floorplans during pre-construction. This level of interactivity enables clients to experiment different designs and observe the outcomes of their decisions, also fostering streamlined communication between clients and professionals.

Time and Cost Efficient: By visualizing and adjusting floorplans in real-time, clients can swiftly identify risks and minimize costly revisions during construction. This streamlined process facilitates quick decision-making, ultimately saving both time and money.

• What are some of the major technical challenges you’ve faced while developing and implementing these AR services?

Incorporating advance technology including AR into diverse processes poses several technical challenges, including the following:

• Companies must consider the financial constraints associated with developing and deploying AR solutions. Customizing AR apps can range from a few thousand dollars to six figures, depending on complexity and features.
• Companies often worry about skill/technological gaps and may lack expertise in AR development, use-cases, and maintenance. Bridging these gaps requires proper training and upskilling of the workforce.
• Allocating financial and human resources to AR implementation is challenging. Organizations must balance competing priorities to ensure AR projects receive adequate attention.
• Convincing top management to invest in AR technology can be difficult. Demonstrating clear benefits and ROI is essential to gain buy-in from decision-makers.
• As AR services become more widespread, privacy and safety issues arise. Companies must address cybersecurity threats and comply with regulations to protect user data and maintain trust.
• Some stakeholders may have misconceptions about AR, leading to resistance or hesitation. Educating executives and users about the potential benefits of AR is crucial.

• In what ways do you believe Lifesize Plans’ technology sets it apart from other companies in the architectural and interior design industry?

Lifesize Plans Dubai’s advanced technology is an effective tool in the architecture, interior design and construction industry, standing out as a unique concept for various reasons.

• The technology allows individuals to walkthrough future projects before construction begins in a true 1:1 scale, providing a level of realism and spatial understanding that traditional 2D renderings often lack. Lifesize Plans’ AR services also provide detailed, immersive visualization, further allowing clients to engage with their projects.  
• Clients can make live changes to floorplans during pre-construction to see immediate effects of their choices, facilitating quick decision-making to align with their vision.
• Lifesize Plans enhances virtual projections by integrating faux furniture and props to, allowing clients to interact with and experience the layout and functionality of the space, while also savings costs for real estate developers by eliminating the need to invest in showcases villas, apartments, etc.

• As the CEO overseeing operations at Lifesize Plans, what have been your biggest learnings from integrating such advanced technology into everyday business processes?

Lifesize Plans’ integration of cutting-edge technologies has not only enhanced business processes but also revolutionized the interaction between clients and professionals revolving around architectural and interior designs. The combination of immersive experiences, collaboration, and efficiency has been a game-changer for the company but also sets new standards within the industry. Here are some of my learnings:

• Using advanced technologies has transformed client engagement and collaboration as it allows clients to explore future spaces in detail and visualize them before it is built. 
• Integrating advanced technologies is both time and cost efficient, streamlining designs and planning phases.
• Advanced technology enables stakeholders to make quick, improved, and realistic decisions. Whether it’s choosing finishes, evaluating spatial layout, or assessing overall aesthetics, having a tangible representation helps clients and professionals alike, contributing to successful project outcomes.