The Throughput Connection

Welcome to the latest edition - your gateway to cutting-edge industrial networking. In this issue, discover Westermo’s powerful new product innovations, see how we're helping drive critical infrastructure like Sasol and the Gautrain, and catch up on key developments with some international news.

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Words From the Tech Desk

The first five months of 2025 have passed rapidly, bringing with them a unique mix of surprises. South Africa’s national elections are behind us, with outcomes that were both expected and unexpected. Meanwhile, the United States has imposed its steepest import tariffs in over a century, effective from 9 April. These measures have shaken global markets and demand strategic repositioning to remain resilient.

In a world of constant acceleration, we must ask ourselves - are we still at the cutting edge? It's tempting to stick with what has worked in the past, but the pace, scale, and complexity of change require a more proactive mindset. Take the supply chain, for example: Do you know where your top five materials come from, their lead times, and whether you have reliable backup suppliers?

Artificial Intelligence is another area requiring serious attention. As Kathryn Wengel of Johnson & Johnson points out, AI is a powerful tool when ethically applied and led by well-trained humans.

As we navigate 2025, let’s remain agile, curious, and, as Horace said, Carpe Diem - Seize the Day.

Anton van der Westhuizen

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Welotec Joins Westermo – Expanding the Future of Industrial Connectivity in Southern Africa

Welotec, a renowned provider of industrial computing and edge connectivity solutions, is now part of the Westermo Group. Known for rugged industrial PCs, IoT edge gateways, and secure communication systems, Welotec enhances Throughput Technologies' ability to deliver cutting-edge digital infrastructure across energy, utilities, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.

With this acquisition, Throughput clients gain access to a broader, integrated product portfolio, built for extreme environments and tailored for secure, scalable industrial operations. Welotec's strengths in edge computing, cybersecurity, and industrial IoT align perfectly with Westermo's networking expertise - offering powerful solutions from edge to cloud.

Throughput Technologies, as Westermo's partner in southern Africa, is excited to support customers with next-generation industrial connectivity. From remote monitoring to predictive maintenance and smart grid deployment, the expanded offering supports digital transformation goals across industries.

Clients can now expect enhanced support, faster deployment, and future-proof solutions that empower smarter, more resilient operations - locally backed, globally connected.

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Westermo Network Technologies – Sales Conference 2025 - Delivers

This milestone event celebrated the company’s 50th anniversary in 2025. Held at The Steam Hotel, we welcomed over 160 colleagues, partners, and distributors from 28 countries. Over three dynamic days, attendees explored strategic roadmaps, sales enablement tools, and growth opportunities. A tour of the factory highlighted the quality and care behind Westermo’s products. For many, especially first-time attendees, the event was inspiring, reaffirming Westermo’s leadership in industrial networking.

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Zero Downtime, Maximum Resilience: The New Lynx- RedBox

Westermo’s Lynx-RB-FT3G-MV is built for engineers who need reliable, uninterrupted data flow in mission-critical environments. This compact RedBox supports High-Availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR) and Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) to ensure zero recovery time - perfect for electrical substations and automation networks where downtime is not an option.

Designed to perform in extreme conditions, it resists high EMI from load switching and lightning and operates in wide temperature ranges. With KEMA-certified compliance to IEC 61850-3 and IEEE 1613, it meets top substation automation standards. It includes a suite of cybersecurity tools, while the fanless, DIN-rail mountable design allows for simple installation and durability.

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Westermo Networks to Power Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (Singapore)

Westermo Networks to Power Tuas Water Reclamation Plant

Singapore’s Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), part of DTSS Phase 2, will be among the world’s most advanced and energy-efficient water treatment facilities. Set to begin operations in 2027, it will treat domestic and industrial wastewater separately, and operate as part of Tuas Nexus - Singapore’s first integrated, energy self-sufficient water and waste facility. To support this critical infrastructure, Westermo will supply Lynx and RedFox industrial Ethernet switches. These robust, DIN-rail-mountable devices are designed for harsh environments, offering high-reliability, redundant, and cybersecure communication for SCADA, automation, and control systems.

Westermo’s technology delivers the resilient networking backbone Tuas WRP needs to maintain seamless, secure data flow - essential for mission-critical, 24/7 operations.

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Compact Powerhouse for Secure, Industrial Connectivity

The Westermo Merlin 3103 is a compact LTE Cat-4 cellular router built for industrial environments where space, reliability, and security matter. Despite its size, this rugged device delivers high-speed connectivity, ideal for smart grid and remote industrial applications.

What sets the Merlin 3103 apart is its powerful protocol support - IEC 60870-5-104/101, IEC 61850, Modbus TCP, DNP3, Serial to Ethernet, and MQTT - enabling seamless SCADA control and communication across diverse infrastructure. With WeConnect, remote access to field units becomes simple and secure.

Designed for maximum uptime, it operates across wide temperature ranges with a high MTBF, perfect for challenging environments. Its built-in cybersecurity is equally robust: a TPM chip secures cryptographic keys, Secure Boot ensures software integrity, and integrated VPN/firewall tools protect data and users.

Paired with Westermo's Activator Zero Touch deployment tool, the Merlin 3103 offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for fast, secure rollout across large networks. Whether managing substations, utilities, or IIoT devices, the Merlin 3103 delivers trusted performance at the edge.

The Merlin 3103’s rugged build, broad protocol support, secure VPN, and zero-touch deployment make it ideal for mission-critical infrastructure and IIoT.

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Zero Trust Remote Access for OT Networks: Securing Industrial Systems in a Connected World

Zero Trust Remote Access for OT Networks - The new standard

As industrial networks become increasingly connected to the outside world, the need for secure remote access has never been greater. Traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer effective for protecting Operational Technology (OT) systems. Enter the Zero Trust model: never trust, always verify.

Unlike legacy security frameworks that assume internal users are trustworthy, Zero Trust treats every access attempt as a potential threat. This is especially critical for OT environments, where the consequences of a breach - ranging from operational downtime to safety risks - can be severe.

Zero Trust remote access focuses on strict identity verification, least-privilege access, and micro-segmentation of networks. Users are only given access to the specific resources they need, and each session is monitored and audited in real time. Crucially, Zero Trust solutions avoid opening inbound firewall ports, significantly reducing the attack surface.

In today's OT environments, relying on outdated VPNs or broad-access remote desktop tools is no longer safe. Zero Trust not only enhances cybersecurity, but also improves operational resilience, allowing technicians and vendors to access systems securely and efficiently.

Ultimately, adopting a Zero Trust approach helps industrial organizations future-proof their infrastructure - ensuring secure, scalable, and compliant operations in an increasingly digital world.

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Westermo Viper Switches: Powering Gautrain's Reliability

Launched in 2010, Gautrain is South Africa’s flagship rapid rail system, built to connect Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo International Airport. The project cost over R30 billion and included the procurement of 24 Bombardier Electrostar trains, assembled in the UK and equipped with cutting-edge technology - including factory-installed Westermo Viper switches.

These ultra-compact, rugged Ethernet switches form the backbone of each train’s onboard network, supporting train control, diagnostics, and passenger systems. Designed for harsh rail environments, Viper switches offer Gigabit Ethernet, PoE, Layer 2/3 functionality, and up to 20 ports, ensuring high performance even under vibration, temperature extremes, and dynamic train configurations.

Rail networks demand reliability, security, and minimal downtime. Westermo’s deep expertise in rail networking made its Viper series an ideal choice for Gautrain, proving its value in uptime, safety, and data integrity. With Bombardier’s Electrostar trains still running strong, Westermo’s tech continues to play a key role in this iconic transport success.

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Westermo Fibre Bridges Critical Systems at Sasol

At Sasol’s high-stakes industrial sites in South Africa, Westermo’s fibre solutions have proven essential. In the gas plant monitoring system, ODW-730-F1 and F2 models were chosen to connect fire panels via RS-485 to fibre, interfacing seamlessly with Honeywell’s process monitoring system. Their compact size, robust EMC protection, and wide temperature range made them ideal. Additionally, Westermo fibre links were deployed between Distributed Control Systems (DCS) at Sasol’s synthetic fuel plant in Secunda and the power plant in Sasolburg. These replaced vulnerable copper lines to connect Honeywell and Yokogawa DCS units, providing galvanic isolation, superior EMC protection, and system redundancy. The result: stable, interference-free communication in demanding industrial environments.

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Throughput at AATF 2025 – Staying Connected

Throughput was proud to be part of AATF 2025 — a valuable opportunity to reconnect with existing clients and meet new prospects.

Events like these give us first-hand insight into what’s happening in the field, the challenges our customers face, and how we can help. Face-to-face interaction remains the best way to build relationships and stay informed.