In this episode, we explore the essential bridge between precision engineering and strategic business vision. We are joined by João Rodrigues, Business Development Lead at IDentPrint, for an in-depth conversation on how identification and mobility systems are shaping the future of industrial operations.
João shares his unique perspective as an engineer-turned-sales-leader, explaining why technology should never be implemented for its own sake, but rather as a direct solution to real-world business challenges. We discuss the importance of approaching the shopfloor with a critical eye to identify process gaps that often go unnoticed, from automating quality control through machine vision to replacing monotonous tasks with collaborative robotics.
A central theme of this conversation is the "mindset" challenge. We explore why many organizations still hesitate to move away from paper-based processes, even when the return on investment is clear. João demystifies concepts like RFID, warning against the common mistake of trying to "build the house from the roof down" without a solid data infrastructure.
Beyond the technology, we dive into the human side and the resilience required to thrive in the industrial sector. João draws a parallel between his passion for ultra-endurance trail running and the "sales-athlete" mentality needed to manage complex long-term partnerships in global environments like Marcopolo, Schneider Electric, and Vodafone.
This is a must-watch conversation for anyone looking to understand how traceability, data transparency, and automation are creating truly autonomous and efficient operations in the era of Industry 4.0.
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, mas o que realmente interessa é perceber por que fazemos o que fazemos. Sem isso, qualquer estratégia fica vazia.”

In this episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, Marco Tschan talks with Francisco Duarte, professor at the University of Minho and affiliated researcher at CCG. They share essential advice for engineering students, explore shopfloor innovation, and discuss the technologies transforming the industry.
In the second episode of Season 2, we sit down with Oscar Sroor, Senior Manager of Business Transformation & Continuous Improvement at STERIS, to explore what truly drives progress in a world accelerating toward Industry 5.0.From continuous improvement to cultural adaptation, Oscar shares how people, culture, and mindset shape transformation long before automation enters the scene.Because at the heart of Industry 5.0 lies a simple truth: technology evolves fast, but humans are the starting line.A conversation about change, resilience, and the human factor behind every real improvement.