Telstra launches Industrial Automation capability

Telstra launches a new end-to-end Industrial Automation capability to help transform some of Australia's biggest industries.

The comprehensive suite of services combines Telstra Purple's recent industrial solutions acquisitions, Aqura Technologies and Alliance Automation, and Telstra's high-quality networks, including 5G, Fibre and loT.

The new automation technology aims to help businesses simplify the complexities of Industry 4.0, making them smarter, safer, more productive and more secure. 

David Burns, Group Executive at Telstra Enterprise, says Australia's heavy industries, including mining, construction, supply chain and manufacturing, face complex challenges.

"Our ambition is to work hand-in-hand with businesses to help solve their biggest problems; complex issues like siloed IT and OT systems, heightened cyber security risks, environmental management, technical skills shortages, and managing legacy systems," says Mr Burns. 

"When people think of Telstra, they often think about networks. But we are so much more than that now."

"Over the past few years we have built a holistic ecosystem of highly specialised Industrial Automation capabilities."

"This includes industrial networks and loT through Aqura, automation engineering, IT/OT integration and OT cybersecurity through Alliance Automation, and data and Al through our Quantium joint venture. Not to mention the technology and expertise from Telstra Purple and our partners."

"This means we can now offer an end-to-end service to help businesses maximise the potential of Industry 4.0, and tackle the unique challenges and opportunities that each customer faces as they embrace it."

"We want to help make the smart industry simple," says the Group Executive. 

Telstra's Industrial Automation capability aims to offer holistic solutions, spanning private networks, the Internet of Things (LOT), IT/OT convergence, cybersecurity, analytics and Al, cloud and edge, and professional and managed services.

David Burns says the combination of Telstra's expertise and technology has the potential to make a big difference for Australia's heavy industries, particularly for their workers.

"One of the big opportunities we see is in increasing the safety of workers and automation in our heavy industries," says Mr Burns.  

"For example, we have been working with Newcrest and Ericsson to trial underground private 4G and 5G networks at their Cadia gold mine, one of the largest gold operations in Australia, on the back of the fully operational above-ground 4G network." 

"This can enable high-bandwidth, low-latency communications essential for the next generation of mining automation, including new networks of sensors monitoring everything from air quality to structural movement, and ultimately protecting Newcrest's biggest asset, its people."

"With the combination of deep-domain expertise, an extensive ecosystem of specialised partners and the latest technology and quality networks, we're excited to deepen our partnerships with our heavy industries to unlock value, grow their business and create better outcomes for people and the environment," says Mr Burns.