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Bosch have recently agreed a joint collaboration agreement with Google to improve telematics within motor cars to enable software to be refreshed and kept up to date using wireless transmission. Similar to updates to a smart phone. I have no idea whether or not Starcom are providing any software support to Bosch with this new initiative.

A new report suggests LoRa will lead the growth in non-cellular low-power wide-area (LPWA) network technology in the next five years
Four key takeaways are highlighted in the report:
5G and non-cellular network technology will co-exist: In the future, LoRaWAN and 5G will co-exist in the form of hybrid networks or multi-RAN architectures.
Full 5G will take longer than expected: 5G is not capable of addressing massive IoT in the near term. 5G networks and the device hardware supporting the Release 17 specifications will not be commercially available until early 2024.
LoRa leads in LPWA technology: By 2026, LoRa is expected to be the leading non-cellular LPWA network technology and will account for over a one-fourth share of all LPWA network connections and more than half of all non-cellular LPWA connections. Total non-cellular LPWA connections in 2026 are expected to reach 1.3 billion.
LoRa is moving beyond enterprise applications: Consumer applications leveraging LoRa are beginning to take off. Traditional architecture is witnessing competition from LPWA network technologies, providing direct device-to-cloud connectivity for a growing number of smart home devices.
Starcom began to develop new platforms back in 2018 using this type of technology and it forms the base for the sensors used by CropX
• New IoT (Internet Of Things) platform developed
• Combines communication interfaces with various sensors using LoRa
(Long Range), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), Cellular and Iridium
(Satellite) for increased efficiency
• First application - in the specialised area of agricultural irrigation
• First strategic client: CropX (http://www.cropx.com), the developers of
sophisticated sensors for humidity and fertiliser control
• Starcom’s new IoT platform will enable farmers to save significantly on water and irrigation.
Most, if not all, of Starcom's tech has now been adapted to allow for use of this type of technology so we're managing to keep on top of current technological advancements

There are some material benefits in more recent IIoT developments which companies such as Starcom are beginning to capitalise on .
In the past, sensors and actuators were wired into expensive, specialised systems and usually the domain of safety critical equipment. These systems control hazardous, or sometimes just very high-speed operations, and any changes to wiring to add sensors quickly became expensive because of the safety critical nature of the operations. It might cost $20,000 to add a sensor because of the wiring and change control processes, even before the cost of the actual sensor.

What’s different now is that it’s possible for industry to apply IIoT on the periphery, in areas that were not cost effective previously. IIoT has been heavily influenced by lower cost, consumer grade sensors, and the reduced ownership costs benefits of the cloud, as well as user friendly analytics capacity. For those organisations that may be concerned with the high costs traditionally associated with adding sensors to the control network, the good news is that adding IIoT sensors that can collect outside data has become much less cost intensive to implement, with extensive cost savings benefits immediately demonstrable.
Deploying a low-cost, cloud-managed solution with IIoT sensors can be a cost-effective way to obtain supplemental information. In this way, the producer would be able to track metrics like soil moisture and temperature remotely, with someone at the plant with the expertise to manage, deploy and maintain these analytics.
Companies can capture data via IIoT cost effectively and without the people and technology infrastructure previously required, they are in an excellent position to realise the first of many cloud benefits: cost savings – not just in its initial deployment, but also in the cost of ownership. Managed cloud services may even represent better value.
For example, a beverage customer may have an extensive software stack and staff infrastructure in North America and Western Europe, but lack technology infrastructure and staff in Eastern Europe and Asia. However, with a cloud-based solution, collecting data for analysis and reporting is easily justified. This is an excellent example of both cloud-facilitated and optimised operations, and cost savings.
There's a whole new world out there with boundless opportunities. Just need Starcom to turn some of these into viable business solutions which they can turn into material contracts

For many years the UK insurance market has operated in soft market conditions. UK businesses across all sectors have enjoyed insurers charging lower premiums than the rest of the world but are now experiencing a hardening (tightening of belts), which hasn’t been seen for almost 20 years. The insurance market has suffered persistent high losses for a number of consecutive years and some classes have been under-rated for years due to a highly competitive market place.
The increased number of claims in specific areas such as liability, professional indemnity, management liability, marine and property have meant that many insurers have stopped underwriting certain lines of business altogether.The rising cost of litigation and the no win no fee battleground has led to increased insurer operating costs, even just to defend and administer claims brought against them. This cost is now being passed on to clients, whether they have made a claim or not. A number of insurers are also now not dealing certain products due to spiralling costs so as the market shrinks and there is less competition, we are seeing an increase in premiums in certain classes.
What is now required is a risk management strategy that mitigates the impact of the hard market and ensure risk management controls are in place, providing underwriters with an insight into how well managed and protected your business is. The more appealing your risk profile, the greater the likelihood an insurer will be to accepting the risk and providing agreeable terms. Lower risk=lower premiums.
Hopefully this will assist Steeplesimon in his attempts to introduce Starcom to some of his former Lloyds Underwriting colleagues. When they are aware of the options available we may begin to see a move towards an insistence to embrace IoT and new technologies if businesses wish to keep down the cost of their insurance premiums

Group11, an Israeli based #fintech fund has raised $120M in less than 90 days. days. It is anchored by US and Israeli based family offices. About 70% of their portfolio is based in Israel with Israeli founders and R&D presence Their focus is on technology software companies.
This is their 5th fund raise and they maintain that the Covid pandemic has further accelerated the FinTech Explosion and they expect this digitization renaissance to last for decades to come.
Maybe this is a sign of what we can expect to see in the future from Starcom's perspective.
I can fully empathize and sympathize with your frustrations. Progress has been slow and the 2020 Covid epidemic hasn't helped but this company has great technology which is finally receiving the attention it deserves, on the global stage. New SPAC's funds are awash with money looking for the next best thing. Covid has highlighted how slow the developed countries have been in switching to digitalisation. However, the disruption to Global Supply Chains and the current spat with the EU is focusing attention upon the need of the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Australasia and many other countries to take more responsibility for looking after themselves and this will spur us on to embrace this new technology.
The recent tech breakthrough that allows interaction between telematics and machines on the same interface will enable companies with sufficient foresight to invest in digitalisation and make substantial cost savings. You'll be able to establish a huge market with a relatively small footprint because you're working smarter, have become more productive,have improved efficiency and significantly increased your profits.
That's the future i foresee .I think we're on the cusp of a new technological revolution and Starcom possess all the tools required to help businesses achieve this provided they're willing to rise to the challenges.
Rightly or wrongly i think Starcom's future is shortly going to radically change for the better. Of course it's up to others to decide for themselves if they share this vision and if they have the patience to see it through. Apologies if it all sounds condescending but it isn't meant to come across that way.

According to the findings of a recent report into the Digital Asset Tracking Industry, the following is to be expected:
Real-time Location Systems growth of nearly 20% CAGR through 2025
Global asset tracking market will reach $36.3B by 2025, growing at 15% CAGR
Blockchain will become an important part of asset tracking software and services
Asset tracking solutions becoming increasingly viable for sub-$1,000 book value assets
Global asset tracking market for AI-embedded devices to grow at roughly 30% through 2025
IoT supported asset tracking market will account for 95% of all enterprise and industrial solutions
There is anticipated to be continued vendor consolidation in the asset tracking market through 2025
Leading companies will combine asset tracking and connected-device security as combined solutions embedded devices to
IoT supported asset tracking market will account for 95% of all enterprise and industrial solutions

Last week Kape Industries paid $150Million for an Israeli cybersecurity company. One of our BOD is a NED of Kape and Starcom's capabilities will be well known to them. Our unique product range is receiving worldwide recognition. Every Global Report produced refers to this MINNOW as a leading proponent of this type of technology amongst several GLOBAL businesses. That's an acknowledgement of the quality of their technology which is superior to most of their competitors.
Their product range would be an ideal fit with Kape and when consolidation begins to take hold there'll be Kape, a host of SPAC investment vehicles, venture capital funds etc , all vying to acquire companies capable of delivering the latest technological advances in IoT and AI. Hopefully, we'll be at the forefront of those companies and should be able of commanding a reasonable premium. The principal owners will be looking towards retirement and a final pay day so i'd expect this business to be sold at a very competitive price. Especially so if there are several competing funds seeking to acquire this type of business.
It's all a matter of time but may need a bit more patience before we get to that point. Consolidation is expected to be underway by 2025 so potentially we're only looking at another 4 years. That should be well worth waiting for !!

The asset tracking market has witnessed substantial economies of scale improvements in recent years due to inexpensive connectivity and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications equipment and services. The advent of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) solutions leveraging M2M and other supporting technologies enables anytime, anywhere, any type of asset tracking. In addition, advancements in miniaturization and communications have made lower value asset tracking more practical, expanding the range of potential industries and asset types.
Integration and operation of blockchain technology will redefine how various industries operate, dramatically improving efficiencies, and reduce the cost of doing business. One important example is IoT, which is a very promising area as it is anticipated that the use of blockchain in IoT networks/systems will be one of the key means for authenticating and authorizing transactions.
Satellite communications and applications are clear. Satellites provide coverage in areas where terrestrial wireless cannot. In fact, land-based wireless only covers roughly 10% of the globe. Certain verticals, such as the maritime industry, require global coverage.
The asset management industry requires satellite systems for coverage in support of fleet tracking, supply chain management, and general asset tracking needs. The IoT solutions leveraging machine to machine communications and other supporting technologies enables anytime, anywhere, any type of asset tracking. Satellites provide seamless M2M communications for the asset tracking market.
If you recall, the EOY audited 2019 accounts made reference to the fact that the company would in future migrate towards IoT products."Based on our existing range of products, mature technology, global client base, recurring SaaS revenues and substantial sales pipeline, the Company anticipates continued growth in 2020. We further anticipate higher margins in the future as our product mix migrates more towards the IoT sector. One of the key focuses of 2020 is to expand our sales and marketing team to take advantage of the opportunities before us, whilst ensuring we maintain our competitive edge through continued R&D."
In the recent trading update it was specifically mentioned that " R&D expenses, however, were only reduced by a small amount to maintain investment and development in the Company's technologies".
They also said, "the newer and higher margin products - Kylos, Tetis and Lokies - still represented 40% of hardware sales. This included the second production batch of Lokies, which were well received by the customers".
"Even during the long lock-down periods, the Company continued to maintain and further develop Starcom's strategic alliances and pipeline of potential projects. For example, work with Zero Motorcycles ("Zero") progressed during 2020 to ensure Starcom's technology can support Zero's new generation of motorcycles".

The Kylos is an extremely flexible and adaptable piece of kit. It’s ideal for cost effective multiple device monitoring. It triggers alerts for any irregular event ,such as, change of location, temperature, impacts or light exposure . It provides real time alerts and after the fact reports. Using advanced LoRa and Bluetooth connectivity it lets you track multiple end units whilst maintaining low communication and maintenance costs. It can communicate with several units in close proximity and ensures you remain connected 24/7. Recent examples of its multi featured adaptability are the ATM solution and Samson logistics project management feature which could help to revolutionalise the way in which the construction industry operates. The potential cost savings for construction companies who adapt this project management facility are enormous especially when viewed in the context of the average value of a construction project. Israel are already embarking on a huge construction project and when you factor in their recent agreement with the UAE , this is going to lead to a huge investment in local infrastructure to enable them to be able to compete with South East Asia who will be at the forefront of the next Industrial Revolution. They’ve already begun to embrace new technologies and are further down the line in implementing 5G which will revolutionise the way in which competitive businesses of the future operate. In contrast Europe is going to be badly affected by the poor management of its vaccination programme and it could be years before it recovers. In the meantime the current bond market ructions may have grave implications for the EU unless the ECB steps up the plate. If it fails to do so Europe’s economic recovery will falter before its even begun. This could have far reaching consequences for Germany and may open the way for smaller and nimbler companies such as Starcom who embrace new technologies to grab vital market share as the established German dinosaurs struggle to gain access to the funds required to rebuild their industries. It’s about time the Zombie companies were laid to rest to allow more vibrant businesses who embrace new technologies to prosper

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