NEWS
Honeywell to open warehouse automation R & D centre in Czech Republic
Honeywell hardware and software engineers to design , prototype and test innovative warehouse automation systems used by logistics companies to improve the accuracy , efficiency and throughput of packages within distribution centres and warehouses .
Towards the latter part of 2022 , Honeywell will open a customer training facility at the new site . The company will hire dozens of highly skilled technical specialists over the next 18 months as the facilities come online .
Honeywell has announced plans to build a new advanced Research and Development ( R & D ) testing facility for its Honeywell Intelligrated warehouse automation business to meet the growing demand for technologies that enable faster , more accurate supply chains .
The 150,000 + sqft . ( 14,000 square metres ) state-of-the-art facility will be built on Honeywell ’ s Brno , Czech Republic , campus – home to Honeywell ’ s existing research and development hub for Central and Eastern Europe – and is expected to open in mid-2022 . The facility will enable
“ For businesses and consumers alike , expectations regarding e-commerce and logistics have changed rapidly , spurred on by the impact of COVID-19 ,” said Ben Cardwell , President of Honeywell Intelligrated . “ This means a growing reliance on cuttingedge technologies that can automate and accelerate distribution centres , warehouses and other parts of the supply chain . The emerging technologies we are developing in Brno will help meet that demand head-on .”
Three in four IT departments face critical skills gaps
Skillsoft , a global leader in corporate digital learning , has released its annual Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report , exploring the current state of skills gaps , training and development , compensation and job satisfaction in the IT industry .
Based on responses from more than 9,300 IT professionals , the report found that 76 % of IT decision-makers worldwide are facing critical skills gaps in their departments – a 145 % increase since 2016 . While still a significant challenge , this represents the second consecutive year of slight improvement ( 79 % in 2019 , 78 % in 2020 ).
“ Today ’ s digital-first economy has presented significant opportunities for organisations . However , it has also created a dire need for new skills in cloud computing , cybersecurity , AI , DevOps and many other critical tech areas ,” said Michael Yoo , General Manager , Technology and Developer , Skillsoft .
To continue closing the skills gap , understanding the reasons behind it and its impact is critical . As Digital Transformation accelerates , 38 % of IT decision-makers cited the rate of technology change outpacing their existing skills development programmes as the primary driver , followed by difficulty in attracting qualified candidates ( 35 %) and lack of investment in training resources ( 32 %).
14 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www . intelligentcio . com