Professional and Industrial Users of Raspberry Pi

Hi Phil!

The PoE board will make it far more usable, because the Pi has always lacked a decent power connector. Now, finally a reliable connection can be made. Even if a wired connection is not essential, PoE can still be an effective way to get power to a device. Plus, an electrician isn't required to wire it in, so it can be cheaper to install. We use Pi's a lot for prototyping ideas. And I'm aware of firms producing devices which consist of a Pi internally, and are essentially software-based products, but they require somewhere to run, in specific locations with a certain price-point, and the Pi makes that possible. Here is an example: https://netbeez.net/product/

Thats great Shabaz!  We are always interesting in hearding of people that use them for prototyping and even production.

Netbeez seem pretty cool, they really could run their products via PoE.

Do you have any other nameable examples that you know of?

Hi Phil,

we, at PONF GmbH, are developing the PONF Multiback Open Camera: a camera that shoots digital and film - www.ponfcamera.com

The camera has interchangeable backs:one for film, one for digital.

The digital back is based on Raspberri PI 3, we are testing it with the Compute Module and now with the 3 B+. We use Sony full frame (36 and 24 MP) or APS-C (24 MP) sensors as image sensors.

We are in our early prototyping phase, and it's always interesting seeing advancements in the board !

As the project is an Open Source one, it would be interesting having some feedback and cooperation in the development.

Unfortunately none that I could name (although I've suspected a few firms are using it in their products, but the've never specified it, for example with startups. Sometimes they like to hide the specifics).

IDEA London may be an organization worth reaching out to, since you're already working closely with Startupbootcamp. I believe Startupbootcamp will have close contacts with IDEA London to get you connected. They tend to work with 'next level' startups, so there is a good chance that some are using the Pi, or could benefit from it.

Hi Raffaello!

I know you have been working with Enrico. I have been following your build it is very very interesting!

Hi Phil,

Great post. Do you have any information regarding when the Raspberry  Pi 3 B+ will be in stock at Newark?

Trent

Hey Trent,

I don't have a set date as they are being sent out in order of when they are ordered, pre-orders are currently open as we sold out of our first few batches very quickly.

(As always is the case with new Raspberry Pi!)

Phil

Hello Phil,

The main thing about the RPi that puts one off using it in industrial or commercial applications is the perception that it is aimed at and marketed to the hobby and education market.

To change that perception the following would be required:

1) proper technical specification including BOM, schematic, operating temperature range, working environment  (humidity, vibration electrical etc) and reliability data.

2) long term availability commitment

3) predictability, of supply and ideally of development plans (Your own comment in the reply above rather states that case - product released but not actually purchasable.)

4) some way of building and developing a decent business relationship with the supplier, the RPi people don't put out good vibes in this respect (A business only distribution and support portal might be the answer.)

Take a look at this page on the RPi website:

https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/

It's the RPI product page but it's so totally hobby orientated, like the bulk of their website - if you based a product on the RPI then you are betting the project (and quite possibly your company) on it - the RPI Org image just doesn't feel right for that.

MK

Hi e14phil,

I am currently working on a project that makes use to the RPi for a number of reasons. The device is to be used in Highway Automation and Control Solutions and there are more than once solutions planned for this.

The idea is to have a board that can be programmed in C++ or even C# and since many other boards have pathetic support, the RPi was the obvious choice. We are currently employing it in a product on site and have a custom addon board that compliments the functionality. I cannot disclose a lot but I can say in most applications, wireless has not been required till date for us. PoE and Boot from ethernet is definitely a good feature and we have our own optical converter of sorts to allow for remote location connectivity.

I image even with Industrial IoT, wireless connectivity would not be a feature a lot of my clients look for. The compute module is definitely the right way to go but the newer B+ may have an edge with the better thermal dissipation. I have had to use the RPi 1 in cases where the product was battery powered.

Just my two cents worth.

POE for an RPI is genius! This is a perfect fit for a project I'm working on! I have one on the way via UPS now and can't wait to dive in!