Connect with us

Technology

RS supports panel-centric MRO strategies that deliver savings without sacrificing quality

Published

on

Reducing control panel lifecycle costs without sacrificing quality requires a panel-centric MRO strategy built on reliable, serviceable, and standardized components. RS supports these strategies with an extensive selection of high-quality, industrial-grade control panel components, expert technical support, and value-added services.

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RS, a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, supports panel-centric MRO strategies with an extensive selection of high-quality standardized, serviceable control panel components engineered, tested, and proven to reduce industrial control panel lifecycle costs without sacrificing quality or performance.

Sustainable MRO savings and operational efficiency depend on control panel simplification and standardization.

The high downstream cost of “low-cost” control panel components

Control panels are indispensable for industrial automation — integrating the power distribution, control logic, motor switching, and industrial communications components that essentially serve as the brains and central nervous systems of these systems within a single protected enclosure. When these systems fail, unplanned downtime quickly escalates beyond the cabinet itself. Equipment stops, diagnostics are lost, and recovery efforts often cascade across production lines and critical infrastructure, which can result in 5–20% reductions in overall productive capacity with costs compounding as operational complexity increases.

Despite these risks, conventional MRO cost-reduction efforts frequently focus on reducing upfront component prices. But while lower-priced relays, power supplies, contactors, and networking hardware may provide short-term savings, they often increase total cost of ownership (TCO) through premature failures, prolonged troubleshooting cycles, emergency repairs, and spare-parts proliferation.

Sustainable MRO savings depends on control panel simplification and standardization — not reactive fixes that introduce long‑term inefficiency. This is especially true given industrial organizations’ growing reliance on stable electrical and communication infrastructure. As facilities become more automated, networked, and data-driven, even intermittent faults can require repeated maintenance and negatively impact productive capacity. And these increasingly dynamic industrial uptime demands don’t exist in a vacuum; they have to be balanced against persistent skilled labor shortages and procurement constraints, ranging from tight budgets to logistics and administrative inefficiencies.

Panel-centric standardization drives real MRO cost savings without sacrificing quality

RS supports sustainable MRO lifecycle savings by helping industrial customers adopt panel-centric strategies that prioritize high‑quality standardized, serviceable control panel components proven to facilitate simple, repeatable, and proactive maintenance processes in discrete and process manufacturing, energy and utilities, and facilities and intralogistics operations. Popular selections from the RS portfolio include:

RS PRO power relays and relay sockets. Designed to support standardized, serviceable control panel architectures across a wide range of industrial applications, this broad range of electromechanical and solid-state relays, sockets, and accessories delivers dependable switching performance that reduces downtime risk and is widely available from stock, ensuring long-term supply continuity. Their standardized form factors and socketed installation options simplify MRO processes, support cleaner panel layouts, and reduce spare parts complexity across facilities to help keep lifecycle costs low while maintaining the high quality and reliability modern automation systems demand.

Phoenix Contact QUINT POWER power supplies. Designed to maximize system uptime, these power supplies support all load situations and DC fuse types and feature preventive function monitoring, static and dynamic boost, and power reserve capabilities, selective fuse breaking (SFB) technology, integrated gas discharge tubes, and more than 20ms of mains failure buffer time to prevent failures and provide a high level of immunity to electrical disturbances. They also feature robust metal housings with primary-switched topologies for galvanic isolation and a wide range of rated operating temperatures (-40°C to +70°C) to ensure optimal performance in harsh industrial environments and satisfy SIL functional safety requirements to ensure reliable performance and standards compliance. Additionally, select models support fieldbus communications and IO-Link protocols that facilitate access to diagnostic data, reduce troubleshooting expenses, and improve system availability.

Schneider Electric TeSys Deca contactors. Designed to facilitate Industry 4.0 digitalization and electrification trends, these durable, standardized contactors feature form factors that are easy to integrate into motor starters and control circuits, up to 20% smaller than competing solutions, and ruggedized for harsh environments with up to 98% humidity and temperatures as high as 70°C. They feature front-facing control circuits for enhanced wiring accessibility and precision, user-friendly one-click connection technology that slashes installation time by 75%, EverLink main power connections that mitigate the loosening effects of shock or vibration, wide-band coil technology capable of accepting 24–500VAC/DC inputs, and safety features designed to mitigate fire risks. This range is also compatible with auxiliary contacts, overload relays, and connection accessories, which helps reduce part variation across machines and facilities, ease replacement, and simplify spare‑parts strategies. Additional advantages include up to 80% greater energy efficiency, up to 69% carbon savings per unit, and 15% operational cost savings all backed by rigorous testing.

Moxa EDS-205 Series unmanaged Industrial Ethernet switches. Designed to reduce communication-related faults at the cabinet level, these compact, rugged, and reliable entry-level switches provide robust protection against shock, vibration, EMI, overload currents, and reverse polarity. They also accelerate fault isolation, improve MRO processes, and deliver dependable connectivity without the overhead of managed networks. They support 10/100 Mb/s communication across five RJ45 ports that automatically negotiate transmission speeds and support full and half-duplex, medium-dependent interface (MDI), and MDI-crossover (MDIX) functionality, which helps simplify installation and minimize setup errors. Their IP30, DIN-rail-mounted housings are equipped with LED status indicators for visual diagnostics and a removable three-contact terminal block that helps optimize space, simplify troubleshooting, support prewiring and hot swapping, and enable fast maintenance and replacement. They also offer broadcast storm protection, which prevents network failures caused by excessive, looping broadcast traffic, exhibit low power consumption (0.77W max.), which enables efficient control panel designs, and support store‑and‑forward switching, which improves data integrity and helps maintain stable network performance.

Partner with RS to reduce your MRO spend without sacrificing quality

Reducing control panel lifecycle costs without sacrificing quality requires a panel‑centric MRO strategy built on reliable, serviceable, and standardized components. Selecting high-quality, industrial-grade relays, AC/DC power supplies, contactors, and Industrial Ethernet switches can help your industrial MRO teams reduce the risk of downtime, simplify and speed up maintenance, and achieve predictable long‑term performance.

RS supports panel-centric MRO strategies with an extensive portfolio of field‑tested and proven control panel components from trusted suppliers, including cost‑effective RS PRO products designed to deliver industrial-grade reliability and durability. RS also supports panel-centric MRO strategies by helping organizations streamline purchasing and inventory management with its integrated eProcurement services that reduce administrative effort and purchasing friction; are compatible with all major platforms, including Oracle, SAP, and Ariba; and offer round‑trip punchout, electronic catalogs, and electronic PO and invoice delivery — all supported by a dedicated team of RS experts.

For more information about cost‑effective industrial control panel solutions from RS — including RS PRO power relays and relay sockets, Phoenix Contact QUINT POWER power supplies, Schneider Electric TeSys Deca contactors, and Moxa EDS‑205 series unmanaged Ethernet switches — visit the links embedded here and check out the new RS Expert Advice article, “Simplify industrial control panel MRO without sacrificing quality” by Jeff Clonts, the Technical Product Support Manager for Value-Added Solutions at RS. For more information about industrial control panels, check out other relevant RS Expert Advice content. For assistance identifying, standardizing, procuring, and maintaining control panel solutions sure to simplify your MRO without sacrificing quality, please contact your local RS representative at 1.866.433.5722 or reach out to the RS technical support team.

PR Image Download: 
RS Cost-Saving Panels for Industrial MRO PR.jpg

About RS
RS is a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably. We operate in 33 markets, stock over 875,000 industrial and specialist products, and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations. We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital, and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it’s our people that make the difference. Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people, planet, and profit. 

RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1, and in the year ended March 31, 2026, reported revenue of $3,871.07 million. For more information, please visit https://www.rsgroup.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).

About RS in the Americas 
In the Americas region, RS stocks more than 250,000 industrial and electronic products from more than 700 trusted suppliers. These solutions cover categories extending from automation and control equipment to interconnect, passive, active, and electromechanical components and include more than 90,000 high-quality, competitively priced RS PRO products. For more information, please visit https://us.rs-online.com or connect with us via social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Editorial Contact & Media Inquiries:
Laurie Tortorello, Director of People & Culture Communications, RS Americas
Laurie.Tortorello@rsgroup.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rs-supports-panel-centric-mro-strategies-that-deliver-savings-without-sacrificing-quality-302803214.html

SOURCE RS

Continue Reading

Technology

Cambodia Takes Bakong Global, Connecting ASEAN with Japan and Africa

Published

on

By

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cambodia is taking its national digital payment system, Bakong, onto the global stage, unveiling initiatives spanning international card payments, stablecoin and bond tokenisation pilots with Japan, and a remittance corridor with Rwanda.

The announcements were made at the inaugural Black Swan Summit Cambodia, co-hosted by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), in collaboration with three Cambodian ministries: the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Held alongside the Sommet de la Francophonie, the two-day summit has attracted over 5,000 registered participants from 60 countries, including policymakers, central bankers, investors and technology leaders, to advance financial connectivity between ASEAN, Africa and other international markets.

From National Payment System to Global Network

Cambodia has built a digital payments infrastructure that has transformed domestic financial access. It is now extending that infrastructure internationally through three initiatives:

Bakong to the World: Bakong users will be able to create Visa or Mastercard virtual cards through the app, enabling contactless payments overseas.

Japan–Cambodia stablecoin remittances: NBC and SBI Group will explore stablecoin-based cross-border transfers, with funds received through Bakong wallets.

Government bond tokenisation: NBC and SBI Bank will pilot the tokenisation of Cambodian government bonds on the Canton Network, exploring new approaches to trading and settlement.

Bakong has also contributed to the growing use of Cambodia’s national currency. The riel’s share of transactions on the platform increased from 17% in 2020 to 58% in 2025.

A Model for Emerging Economies

Cambodia’s financial transformation is rooted in an extraordinary history. Following the destruction of its banking system and the abolition of its currency between 1975 and 1979, the riel was reintroduced on 20 March 1980.

Rather than replicate conventional financial infrastructure, Cambodia has built a digital-first payments ecosystem. Today, Bakong connects approximately 38 million accounts in a country of 17 million people. In 2025, it processed 1.3 billion transactions worth US$241.84 billion, equivalent to approximately 4.5 times Cambodia’s GDP.

For emerging economies seeking to expand financial inclusion, strengthen domestic currencies and connect to global markets, Cambodia offers an example of how public digital infrastructure can accelerate financial development.

Bridging ASEAN and the Francophone World

The summit also marks a step towards connecting Southeast Asia with Francophone economies, particularly in Africa.

Two initiatives signal this ambition:

Cambodia–Rwanda remittance corridor: The National Bank of Cambodia and the National Bank of Rwanda are working to connect Bakong with Rwanda’s RSwitch payment infrastructure, initially facilitating remittances from Cambodia to Rwanda.

Francophone Africa payment connectivity: H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, underscored the shared vision of exploring cross-border payment connectivity with Francophone African payment systems, with potential initial use cases focusing on remittances and small-value trade.

These initiatives advance South–South cooperation, demonstrating how emerging economies can collaborate directly on interoperable financial infrastructure without relying exclusively on traditional international payment networks.

The summit continues on 16 November, with discussions on economic corridors, payment interoperability, financial resilience and regulatory cooperation.

Leadership Perspectives

H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, said: “Cambodia knows what it means to lose a financial system and rebuild trust in money. Bakong has expanded access and the use of the riel. Now we are connecting it to the world. Sovereignty and openness are not opposites. Inclusion must be measured not just by whether people can pay, but by whether they can withstand shocks.”

Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), said: “Cambodia shows that emerging economies can build financial infrastructure around their own needs rather than inherit systems designed elsewhere. The next challenge is connecting these platforms internationally. From African payment links to Japanese fintech pilots, Black Swan Summit Cambodia demonstrates how emerging markets can open new channels for trade, investment and financial inclusion.”

For more information: www.cambodia.blackswansummit.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cambodia-takes-bakong-global-connecting-asean-with-japan-and-africa-302939651.html

SOURCE Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)

Continue Reading

Technology

APEC 2026 Host City Promotional Video Shenzhen: Where the Future Takes Shape Released Worldwide

Published

on

By

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 14, 2026 /CNW/ — Shenzhen: Where the Future Takes Shape, the official promotional video for the host city of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, was released worldwide on November 15, as APEC Economic Leaders’ Week got underway in Shenzhen.

Presented by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and produced by Shenzhen Media Group, the video takes “Where the Future Takes Shape” as its central theme.

It brings together Shenzhen’s pioneering reforms, its achievements in building a modern, people-centered city, and the theme of 2026 APEC “China Year,” “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.” Through the story of Shenzhen, the video offers international audiences a vivid look at Chinese modernization in practice, while extending a warm welcome to guests from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. It also reflects the host city’s commitment to openness and its vision of working with regional partners to create a better future.

Shenzhen itself takes center stage in the video. Through six dimensions — innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally advanced, and smart — the production captures the city’s character during this landmark year and showcases its vitality and appeal to audiences worldwide.

The Chinese- and English-language versions premiered simultaneously across Shenzhen Media Group’s platforms, including Shenzhen TV’s 4K Ultra HD channel, its international channel, and the international social media network of “Shenzhen Channel”.

Featuring more than 260 shots, 99% of them newly filmed in 2026, this six-minute film brings Shenzhen to life–from cutting-edge innovation and vibrant urban spaces to stunning natural landscapes and cultural diversity.

Discover a city where the future is already taking shape, and where people from across the Asia-Pacific are invited to come together, share opportunities, and build a brighter, more prosperous future.

At this moment, Shenzhen is at its best.

As the video’s closing narration declares:

In 2026, the world gathers in Shenzhen to write a new chapter in building an Asia-Pacific Community to prosper together.

Gather in Shenzhen.

Witness miracles.

Together, let’s create a brighter future!

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apec-2026-host-city-promotional-video-shenzhen-where-the-future-takes-shape-released-worldwide-302939610.html

SOURCE Shenzhen Media Group

Continue Reading

Technology

IP GUANGDONG debuts at the Media Center of APEC Economic Leaders’ Week

Published

on

By

GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South.

The media center for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week opened on November 11 in the host city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, southern China.

Located in Hall 2 of the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District, the APEC media center spans around 15,000 square meters. It will offer services including meeting updates, radio and television broadcast feeds, press briefings, and smart news gathering and production tools for nearly 5000 Chinese and international journalists.

IP GUANGDONG, a community open to anyone who wants to share Guangdong’s stories with the world, has set up a themed space called “A Home for Asia-Pacific Friends” at the APEC media center. The space offers Chinese and international journalists a friendly, homelike atmosphere and has been a popular photo spot since opening day.

What unique experiences does IP GUANGDONG offer at the APEC media center? Here is a first look.

Bringing Guangdong’s hospitality to the front lines of reporting

Openness, innovation and cooperation are the three priorities for the APEC China 2026, and they also reflect Guangdong’s approach to welcoming guests. Through “A Home for Asia-Pacific Friends,” IP GUANGDONG is using the occasion to build friendships and offer thoughtful, welcoming services to journalists from around the world. Reporters coming to Shenzhen may be unfamiliar with the city, find it hard to source material, have little space to film on camera or lack equipment, so IP GUANGDONG has set up a range of support services in the themed space.

IP GUANGDONG is a shared platform for Guangdong’s international image, and its library holds more than 50,000 high-quality images and videos from and about the province. Its “Visual Content Station,” located within the themed space, allows Chinese and international journalists to quickly purchase and license high-quality images and footage of Guangdong, providing a one-stop solution to difficulties in sourcing content and uncertainty over usage rights.

In the age of new media, news production moves at almost lightning speed. With a Pocket camera in one hand and a microphone in the other, a single reporter can gather and edit news right at the scene.

To support this way of working, IP GUANGDONG has teamed up with its partner DJI to set up a dedicated DJI service station, where Chinese and international journalists can borrow Osmo Pocket 4 cameras. Reporters can register on site with valid media credentials and borrow a camera for their reporting. During breaks, they can also capture the beauty and variety of Shenzhen, sharing their images with the world through IP GUANGDONG.

Discovering and sharing stories behind Guangdong products

Guangdong goods have continued to attract attention online and offline this year. Their global reach is underpinned not only by Guangdong’s strength in smart manufacturing, but also by the cultural appeal embedded in its products. Every Guangdong product has a story worth telling. Drawing on this rich source of news stories, IP GUANGDONG has teamed up with its partners to display a diverse selection of finely crafted Guangdong products at the themed space’s service counter, giving journalists a place to discover local creations and find inspiration.

Reflecting the current boom in designer collectible toys, IP GUANGDONG is showcasing a range of representative designer toy brands and characters from Guangdong. Highlights include dolls featuring Xiyangyang and Lerongrong, the mascots of the 15th National Games, who have just turned two. Also on display are 3D metal puzzles from Piececool and original characters Laura and the panda Mr. PA from ToyCity. Both companies behind these two brands are based in Dongguan, known as China’s designer toy capital. Also featured are Guangdong’s “three teas”: Yingde black tea, Chaozhou Dancong tea and Zijin cicada tea. Rich in positive symbolism, they offer a vivid introduction to Lingnan culture.

By introducing the products on display in this compact showcase, IP GUANGDONG will work with visiting journalists to explore the stories behind them and share with the world the message that “Guangdong products make the world better.”

Exploring Guangdong without leaving the venue

The IP GUANGDONG themed space also invites visitors to enjoy interactive experiences. Between assignments, journalists can relax and take away their own memories of Guangdong from the APEC China 2026.

At the center of the space, IP GUANGDONG has installed a photo booth where journalists can create personalized postcards featuring Guangdong’s landmarks and scenery. Visitors simply step inside, have their photo taken and choose their favorite Guangdong backdrop. Their custom postcard is generated on the spot, taking them on a virtual tour of the province without leaving the venue.

All 16 landmark images were captured by IP GUANGDONG creators. They include Zhao Junhui’s photograph of the Shenzhen International Exchange Center, the main APEC meeting venue; Liu Shihui’s image of Danxiashan in Shaoguan; Luo Jinping’s view of the “Sea of Pineapples” in Zhanjiang; and Qiu Xuqing’s photograph of the Zhongshan Memorial Pavilion in Shantou Small Park. Each image reveals a different facet of Lingnan’s beauty and reflects the platform’s vision: “Everyone creates, everyone showcases, everyone shares.”

IP GUANGDONG has also prepared 2,000 surprise gift bags for Chinese and international journalists. The bags contain Guangdong specialty snacks, everyday essentials, small cultural and creative gifts, and postcards from the “Snacks of Guangdong” series illustrated by guest contributor XiaoLin Comics. These gifts bring an element of surprise and fun to journalists’ day.

A space to connect: Say “Hello, friend!”

The APEC media center is both a place for Chinese and international journalists to work efficiently and a setting for face-to-face conversation and for sharing observations and experiences. The IP GUANGDONG themed space includes a dedicated area for interviews, discussions and cultural exchanges.

As visitors enter, they are greeted by the words “Hello, friend!” in 12 major languages used across APEC member economies.

On the columns flanking the space, IP GUANGDONG and Chinese tech brand HONOR present “Home Through the Lenses of Asia-Pacific Creators,” a collection of photographs created collaboratively by contributors from around the world. Images from across the Asia-Pacific are displayed alongside scenes of Lingnan, bringing different cultures into conversation through photography.

On the way from the work area to the dining area, journalists can enjoy a calming visual interlude at “Asia-Pacific Perspectives: Impressions of Guangdong,” an illustration exhibition jointly produced by IP GUANGDONG and China Daily. It features 40 selected works by illustrators from APEC member economies, including China, the US, Russia, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia. Guangdong’s streets and lanes, natural landscapes and the warmth of the Asia-Pacific family come to life in their illustrations. Journalists are invited to slow down, glimpse one another’s lives in familiar scenes, unwind and feel a little closer.

Don’t miss out! It’s giveaway time!

How to claim your IP GUANGDONG surprise gift bag

Dates and times: November 11–19, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 2:00–6:00 p.m.

How to claim: Scan the QR codes to follow IP GUANGDONG’s WeChat Official Account and WeChat Channels account. Then scan the registration QR code to join the platform and upload your first snapshot to receive a surprise gift bag.

Availability: Limited to 200 bags per day, on a first-come, first-served basis.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ip-guangdong-debuts-at-the-media-center-of-apec-economic-leaders-week-302939601.html

SOURCE South

Continue Reading

Trending