Arrow Electronics Enables Sensor-to-Cloud-to-Analytics IoT Platform for New Sensor Hub as Part of Hong Kong Expansion

HONG KONG, CHINA--(Marketwired - Sep 4, 2017) - Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) today announced the expansion of its Arrow Open Lab in Hong Kong, enabling sensor-to-cloud-to-analytics Internet of Things (IoT) technology platform for Sensor Hub, a project led by Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) to accelerate innovation in the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city technologies among Hong Kong startup and technology companies.

By leveraging open data-sharing infrastructure as well as Arrow's design engineering expertise, including sensor-to-cloud-to-analytics technology stacks, tools, and platforms, engineers and developers can gather sensory information in real-time, and create ready-to-deploy IoT devices and necessary applications.

"There has never been a more exciting time to launch this Sensor Hub in Hong Kong Science Park. This city is blessed with the government incentives to reinforce its smart city blueprint in the near future," said Albert Wong, chief executive officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). "We value Arrow's strength and expertise in building out a technology infrastructure and ecosystem for spearheading the advancement of IoT innovations and deployment. We look forward to working closely with Arrow to foster greater success with local startups and technology companies to build a smarter city for the future."

Robust Sensor-to-Cloud-to-Analytics IoT Platform

"Sensing technology is at the heart of IoT innovation today. The Sensor Hub initiative is yet another example of our technology collaboration with HKSTP, signifying our ongoing commitment to guiding today's innovators to a smarter and more connected tomorrow," said Simon Yu, president of Arrow's components business in the Asia-Pacific region. "We are proud to work at the forefront of IoT innovation and play a key role in building a robust technology framework and infrastructure with our sensor-to-sunset IoT product lifecycle capabilities that enable startups to bring IoT and sensory solutions to market quickly and cost effectively."

Through the Senor Hub, Arrow will offer engineering expertise, hands-on training and workshops, free sensor samples and tools designed to help startups expedite product design, optimize system-level integration, and achieve rapid-prototyping for their IoT concepts. IoT developers and makers can tap into Arrow's comprehensive sensor product portfolio of more than 14,000 components available for measuring everything from air, water, soil, motion, movement and chemical composition. 

TE Connectivity, a global technology leader in providing connectivity and sensor solutions, is one of the technology partners Arrow is collaborating with on the Sensor Hub. "We are pleased to be part of this incredible initiative. Our technologies enable measurement capabilities such as pressure, temperature, position, vibration, humidity and fluid property, to name just a few, all with a strong focus on high reliability and accuracy, even in harsh applications. We look forward to seeing local innovators and startups redefine what is possible by using intelligent, efficient and high-performing TE products to create exciting IoT solutions," said John Tuley, director, Global Accounts of TE Connectivity.

Arrow's sensor-to-sunset IoT capabilities encompass everything from hardware, sensors and product design to connectivity, cloud, data analytics and even secure, sustainable end-of-life asset retirement. Engineers and developers can also use Arrow Connect, a cloud-based software solution that pulls data from the sensory edge to any data platform, to manage various devices' development on a single platform and enable easy management of product provision, control, import, activation, replacement and deactivation. 

Crowdfund-to-Production Collaboration

As part of its Open Lab expansion, Arrow also announced the launch of a joint lab with Indiegogo, the global platform for entrepreneurs to move their ideas quickly from concept to market. Hong Kong-based tech startups will have access to invaluable design-for-manufacturing support and go-to-market resources from Arrow and Indiegogo at the joint lab, including engineering design reviews, professional technical advice on connectivity, network protocols, Big Data platform management systems and tools for device management and data analysis. "We're thrilled to collaborate with Arrow on the Open Lab to help entrepreneurs in Asia successfully export their products," said Sandy Diao, Indiegogo's director of Strategic Programs for China. "Indiegogo's Asia-based entrepreneurs who are building a global supply chain for the first time, have expressed a need for the type of manufacturing and product expertise that Arrow will be offering."

BravoLinear, a Hong Kong startup specializing in innovative high-end audio products and electronics components, is among hundreds of Asian-based startups that have campaigned on Indiegogo's crowdfunding platform. Commenting on the launch of this joint lab, Alex Yeung, CEO of BravoLinear Technology Limited said, "As a startup that has benefited tremendously from using Arrow's Open Lab resources and technology expertise previously during ideation-to-production phase, we are super excited to explore more opportunities to work with the bright minds from Arrow and its partners in areas of future product development and digital go-to-market strategies."

Established in June of 2016, Arrow Open Lab is open to all technology entrepreneurs, companies, and organizations pursuing innovation and product development in Hong Kong. Since its launch, Open Lab has been helping a vibrant community of 450 engineers overcome their challenges and accelerate their time to market. With the capacity and resources expansion after relocating to Arrow's main office building in 18E at Science Park, Arrow Open Lab serves as the center of excellence and proof-of-concept experience lab for startups, subject matter experts, enterprise customers, and solution partners to collaborate, build, and commercialize their next-generation IoT inventions.

About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for more than 125,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 465 locations serving over 90 countries.