Rohde & Schwarz has announced the closure of its fiscal year with stable net revenue and a record-breaking order intake. Thanks to its wireless communications and security expertise, the technology company has successfully entered important future markets. With business and society quickly becoming progressively networked, and security requirements increasing accordingly, Rohde & Schwarz is now offering solutions for these challenges.
In the 2016/2017 fiscal year (July to June), Rohde & Schwarz once again surpassed the 2 billion euro mark for incoming orders. At EUR 2.06 billion, order intake was 14 percent higher than in the previous year, while net revenue remained stable at EUR 1.91 billion. The workforce continued to grow, from 10,000 in the previous year to around 10,500 as of June 30, 2017. All business fields contributed to the success of the fiscal year. Growth was primarily the result of the digital transformation and the progressive networking of many areas of professional and daily life.
Test and Measurement Benefits from 5G and Networked Cars
With its test and measurement solutions for wireless applications, the company plays an active role in the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and fifth generation mobile communications (5G). In the past fiscal year, the market leader in wireless communications T&M benefited from the increasing investments in 5G research and development. Rohde & Schwarz has performed especially well in the automotive market. Cars are steadily becoming technology platforms in which various electrical and electronic components have to interact in extremely tight spaces. Wireless technologies such as automotive radar and connected car applications are also making their way into cars. All of which increases T&M requirements. With its solutions, Rohde & Schwarz has succeeded in establishing itself in the automotive industry. To expand this position further, the company is developing a completely new portfolio of automotive radar test solutions.
Major Orders and Expansion in Secure Communications
In secure communications, the company has achieved another important milestone. In June 2017, it received the order from the German Federal Ministry of Defense to equip 50 command vehicles with the joint radio system of the German armed forces (SVFuA). SVFuA is the first pillar of the mobile tactical communications (MoTaKo) program for digitizing tactical communications within the German armed forces.
Additionally, Rohde & Schwarz has expanded this business field by acquiring a stake in LANCOM Systems GmbHm, a leading German manufacturer of network solutions for business customers and the public sector. The manufacturer offers professional users secure, reliable infrastructure solutions for all local and intersite networks (LAN, WLAN, VPN). As a Germany company, LANCOM Systems also offers products certified by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). These products are used to secure highly sensitive networks and critical infrastructures.
In civilian air traffic control, the migration to IP-based communications is progressing rapidly. Very early on, Rohde & Schwarz integrated voice over IP (VoIP) into its communications systems. In this past fiscal year, the company won an order from the UK air traffic control authority NATS for its fully IP-based voice communications system.
Body Scanners in Operation Around The World
Rohde & Schwarz body scanners are also helping to ensure air traffic safety. The rollout of the scanners at German and international airports continues. Today they are used for security checks at airports in Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Budapest, Lyon and many more.
Greater Involvement in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense
Rohde & Schwarz has successfully expanded its portfolio of cybersecurity and cyber defense solutions to combat the growing threats posed by cybercriminals. Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity has quickly become a major German player in the field of IT security. With the acquisition of web security specialist DenyAll in January 2017, Rohde & Schwarz expanded both its portfolio and its presence on the European market.
DVB-T2 and Cloud Solutions Drive Broadcast and Media
Broadcast and media experienced a special highlight in the past fiscal year. In March 2017, in just one night, digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) in Germany was successfully transitioned to the new DVB-T2 standard. Rohde & Schwarz was a part of the biggest transition undertaken in German broadcasting history, providing high-power and medium-power transmitters plus encoding and multiplexing solutions. This equipment has since helped to ensure that thousands of households can receive HD programs via antenna. Rohde & Schwarz has also continued to develop its file-based media solutions portfolio. The company even offers some of its products as cloud-based solutions, which not only meets the changing market requirements but also opens up new business modes.
Well Positioned For a Secure, Networked Future
The next few years, if not decades, will be characterized by an increasingly networked world and the associated need for more security. Not only has Rohde & Schwarz long supported this development with its solutions, the central topics of network and security, are two of the technology group's core competencies. Consequently, Rohde & Schwarz is well positioned for the future in all its markets.
