Accenture Introduces Powerful New Version of myWizard Intelligent Automation Platform

 

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) announced a robust new generation of its intelligent automation platform Accenture myWizard®, to help organizations unleash the power of automation to improve business agility, customer experience and innovation. The new platform has already helped some of Accenture’s 9,000 myWizard engagements at 1,500 companies to improve user experiences by more than 50%, reduce IT operational costs by up to 60% and get new products and services to market up to eight times more quickly1.

Accenture myWizard® helps organizations create, implement and measure enterprise-wide automation strategies and reimagine their information technology (IT) systems for efficiency and performance. The expanded platform offers capabilities for modern software quality engineering, technology operations and enterprise automation journey management — all underpinned by a broad suite of technology assets infused by artificial intelligence (AI).

The platform is designed for collaboration by enabling distributed agile practices that are easily scaled, including automating DevOps in the cloud. New features also include an automation roadmap with benchmarks to identify automation opportunities and provide insights for faster value realization. Accenture myWizard holds more than 150 patents and patent applications.

“Automation is about change, acceleration, and pivoting business to somewhere new. Companies are having to compress years of digital and cultural transformation into months, and automation, like cloud, is an absolutely essential tool for rapid change,” said Paul Daugherty, group chief executive – Technology and chief technology officer for Accenture. “That’s why we have over 100,000 professionals currently using myWizard, and we continually invest in new features, to help our clients build the adaptable, digital foundation they need to keep their businesses relevant and resilient.” 

The need for enhanced automation capabilities was highlighted by Accenture’s Future Systems research which found that companies that only make defensive technology investments are more likely to face disruption, growth stagnation and financial constraints. In contrast, 98% of leading companies that adopt new technologies such as automation, DevOps and continuous delivery are outperforming their peers in revenue growth and operating margin.

Nearly 50% of India’s Working Women are Feeling Increased Stress Due to the Pandemic: LinkedIn

 

LinkedIn, the world’s largest online professional network, today announced the findings of the tenth edition of the LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index, a fortnightly pulse on the confidence of India’s workforce. Based on the survey responses of 2,254 professionals in India, findings from the weeks of July 27 - August 23 reveal the pandemic's impact on India's working mothers and working women, and the cautious optimism of freelancers towards personal finances and career prospects.

The tenth edition of the Workforce Confidence Index shows that India's overall confidence is growing steadily, with a composite score of +57 (up from +53 in the fortnight of July 13-26). The survey also reveals that the pandemic is taking a toll on the emotional well-being of India's working women as 47% report they are experiencing more stress or anxiety due to the pandemic. For men, this number stood at 38%, pointing towards a disproportionate impact on women in these testing times. The survey also underscores the challenges of childcare during the pandemic. 

31% of working mothers are providing childcare full time, compared to 17% working fathers

Remote working has laid out a tougher road for India's working mothers as the survey shows that around 1 in 3 (31%) working mothers are currently providing childcare full-time, when compared to nearly 1 in 5 (17%) working fathers. Worryingly, more than 2 in 5 (44%) working moms are working outside their business hours to provide childcare, nearly twice as many men (25%).

Data also suggests that working mothers are more likely to bear the brunt of distractions from childcare while men seek support from friends and family. The survey shows that only 1 in 5 (20%) working mothers rely on a family member or friend to take care of their children, when compared to 32% men. Findings also show that more than 46% working mothers report working till late to make up for work, and 42% are unable to focus on work with their children at home.

Commenting on these parenting disparities, Neha Bagaria, CEO, JobsForHer says, "One factor is balancing office and domestic work - the bulk of the latter being shouldered by women. Studies reveal increased participation of men during the pandemic, but women still spend most time caring for children."

1 in 4 freelancers expect their earned income to increase in the next 6 months 

As more companies explore the merits of having an alternative workforce in the present times, freelancers in India reported cautious optimism towards personal finances and career prospects with an overall individual confidence score of +46. Findings show that about 1 in 4 freelancers anticipate an increase in their earned income (25%) and personal savings (27%), while close to 1 in 3 (31%) expect their number of investments to increase in the next 6 months.

“The pandemic has accelerated the temporary worker economy, And this trend is likely to sustain in the short term for two reasons,” says Suraj Moraje, Group CEO of a staffing firm. “One, several employers are hesitant to take on the responsibility for new permanent employees as the demand outlook remains murky. And two, companies want to bring in specialised skill sets for a variety of roles,” he explains, thus reassuring freelancers of upcoming economic opportunities.

Aakash Institute Announces ‘ANTHE 2020’ to be Held from November 26 – December 06, 2020

 

* Hundreds of deserving students will be awarded up to 100% scholarship to help them take the first step in their endeavours to become doctors and IITians 

* One of the largest private sector entrance exams in the country, ANTHE saw more than 3.4 lakh plus student registrations in 2019 

* Since 2010 when it was first instituted, ANTHE has seen more than 19 lakh students appearing for the Aakash National Talent Hunt Exam 

* Students studying in Class VII- XII can take benefit of this scholarship program 

* Apart from scholarship, students will also get the Meritnation School Booster Course free of cost  

 Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), the national leader in test preparation services for aspiring doctors and IITians with more than 200+ centres across the country, has announced that the eleventh edition of its flagship Annual Scholarship Exam, named as the Aakash National Talent Hunt Exam (ANTHE), will be held over a staggered session starting from November 26 – December 06, 2020 across 24 states & Union Territories in the country.  

Online examinations will be conducted between November 26 to December 06, 2020 (every day) from 02:00 PM – 07:00 PM. Students can take exam anytime during this login window. The offline examinations will be held on December 06, 2020 in two shifts - 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (morning) and 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM (evening) following the government guidelines 

Being one of the largest private sector pan-India exams, ANTHE gives deserving students an opportunity to earn up to 100% scholarship and helps them take the first step in their endeavours to become doctors and IITians. In 2019 alone, the number of students who appeared for the exam was more than 3.4 lakhs. The last date for submitting enrolment form for ANTHE 2020 is 3 days before the date of online exam and 7 Days before the date of offline exam. The exam fee is a nominal Rs. 200 which can be paid through net banking channels, debit card, credit card or directly at Aakash Institute’s branch/centre.  

As an additional benefit, students enrolling for ANTHE will also get the Meritnation school booster course free of cost. Meritnation is a subsidiary of AESL. 

The results will be declared on 15th December, 2020 for students studying in Class X, XI, XII and on 17th December, 2020 for students studying in Class VII, VIII & IX. 

DETAILS OF THE EXAM 

The ANTHE exam will carry a total of 90 marks and have 35 MCQ type questions to test the knowledge of students studying in Class VII to Class XII.  

For Class VII to Class IX, the students will be tested on subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Mental Ability.  

For Medical aspirants studying in Class X, the subjects will be Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mental Ability. 

For Engineering aspirants studying in Class X, the subjects will be Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Mental Ability. 

For Medical aspirants studying in Class XI -XII, the subjects will be Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology. 

For Engineering aspirants studying in Class XI -XII, the subjects will be Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. 

The duration of the exam across streams will be 1 hour.   

There is no negative marking in the exam. 

2000+ students across Classes VII to XII will be eligible for 100% scholarship on Tuition Fee, along with 700 students eligible for Cash Awards.   

Beyond the top scoring students, there will also be attractive scholarships on Tuition Fee based on the marks scored by the student in ANTHE test. 

The countrywide talent hunt will be conducted across the states & Union Territories of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. AESL has also announced that more ANTHE centres can be opened in any city on request from students, parents or school authorities, subject to minimum conditions. 

Commenting on the launch of ANTHE 2020, Mr. Aakash Chaudhry, Director and CEO of Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), said “We are overwhelmed by the response that ANTHE has received over the last decade. Today, it has emerged as one of the largest gateways in the country for school students aspiring to realise their Medical or IIT dreams. To encourage more participation, we have invited applications from students’ studying in Class VII-XII. We are confident that just like the previous years, students will come out in lakhs to apply for the prestigious talent hunt exam and take advantage of this great opportunity to achieve their career goals.” 

YourDOST Community Has a Critical Role in Suicide Prevention in India

 

Suicide is a social issue and not an individual problem.  An online discussion on “Suicide Prevention: The Importance of Community” hosted by YourDOST, India’s largest online counseling and emotional support platform designed to foster mental health, today appealed for more efforts from the community to raise suicide prevention awareness. The panel discussion was held to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. 

The panelists included Dr Seema Sharma, clinical psychologist; Ms. Sandhya Menon, Independent writer, journalist and a suicide survivor; Rajesh R Pillai, lawyer and President of Befrienders India; and Raashi Thakran, a certified QPR trainer, and a sucide loss survivor. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Jini K Gopinath, Clinical Psychologist and Chief Psychology Officer, YourDOST. 

India has been witnessing an increasing number of deaths by suicide. According to data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), since 2007, there has been a 52% increase in the number of suicides among youth in India, with an average 26 suicides taking place every day, or one every hour. These grim figures are alarming enough for the society to bring about a fundamental change in its approach towards mental and emotional issues.  

Commenting on the community’s responsibility in the massive increase in suicide rates, Advocate Mr. Pillai said, “Community has a big role to play since not all suicides are due to mental illness but also due to apathy and lack of avenues to express oneself. Being able to share one’s grief and air their trauma is a basic need of a human being. A systematic change at every level to create a more supportive ecosystem is imperative – from family to teachers to Governments, everyone has a role to play in avoiding these instances.” 

Dr. Sharma said, “Suicides due to life events or psycho-social situations deserve much greater attention.  Generally as a society we are not very supportive, rather judgmental especially when it is about mental wellness, personal choices, grief, and trauma. Any individual showing suicidal tendencies or contemplating a drastic step needs a listening ear and compassion. We should use available resources such as community elders, especially in rural areas where professional help is limited, who can give time, listen with empathy and without judgment.” 

Ms. Raashi, a YourDOST mental wellness champion who has been actively driving a campaign for the launch of a National Suicide Prevention Helpline lost her brother to suicide and eventually her own mental health deteriorated. She shared her life experience and issues with PTSD and anxiety, “Death does not happen to the person that dies. It also happens to the people left behind. I started struggling after my brother’s demise. Doctors helped me a lot, so did medication. But what really helped me was talking about it. I now know how important suicide prevention is and that led me to delve further into this. The data was scary. That prompted me to work towards prevention awareness”. 

Earlier this week, the Central Government launched a 24X7 toll free mental rehabilitation helpline (KIRAN) for providing psychological support to people. 

Ms. Sandhya, mental wellness writer and a survivor spoke about her own experience with suicidal attempts and triggers, “7 years ago, I was diagnosed with depression. I had a tough time being a single mother to two kids and increasing financial challenges. An argument with a family member triggered my first attempt. I felt not understood. I was expressing myself on social media instead of talking to my friends. I could never reach out and say I need help”. 

The session lasted for over 60 minutes and touched topics that are generally considered a taboo such as dysfunctional families, poor consideration towards mental health, non-judgmental acceptance and practicing empathy without criticism. The panelists answered the viewers’ questions before signing off.  

The panelists suggested a three-step actionable plan for suicide prevention:1.)Look: Look for warning signs which may be physical, verbal, or non-verbal 2.) Listen: Actively listen to the person, and 3.) Link: Link those needing help with the various stakeholders/professionals/ volunteers. 

Concluding the session, Dr. Gopinath, YourDOST said, “Suicide is not just a  psychological issue. It is a psycho-social issue. As a society, we miss the clues. We need to be mindful of signs from the psychological perspective. Listen actively and carefully. Link people in need with the experts and volunteers who can lend an empathetic ear”.  

About YourDOST: 

Headquartered in Bengaluru, YourDOST, is a leading start-up company that provides mental wellness services through an innovative technology platform. It anonymously connects people with the right expert consisting of Psychologists, Counselors, Career Guides for guidance related to anxiety, relationships, career, academics, sexual wellness, self-improvement and more.  through completely confidential individual sessions. Founded by Mr. Puneet Manuja, an IIM- Bangalore alumnus and Ms. Richa Singh, an IIT-Guwahati alumna in 2015, YourDOST has so far impacted over 2 million lives in India.  They work with 100+ top corporates and colleges all over India and have also tied up with state and central government agencies for counseling support. 

Goldmedal Electricals Launches Innovative Wi-Fi Router + Extender for a Smooth Work from Home

Goldmedal Electricals, the leading home-grown fast moving electrical goods (FMEG) company, has introduced an innovative Wi-Fi Router + Extender which is a smart solution for all your internet connection needs. With the ongoing pandemic, working from home has become the new normal and it calls for a steady and reliable Wi-Fi network in every corner of one’s home. This unique device not only ensures uninterrupted and consistent Wi-Fi connectivity as a Wi-Fi router but also works as a repeater to extend the network signal to the remotest corners of a home or office.

Goldmedal’s Wi-Fi Router + Extender is a hassle-free modular device that can be easily installed into a switch plate. The device can function in various modes depending on your need— such as router mode, access point, repeater bridge, and repeater. This innovative product also has an inbuilt USB port that can be used for charging devices. It operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and offers a transfer rate of 300 MBPs. 

Commenting on the launch of the Wi-Fi Router + Extender, Mr Kishan Jain, Director, Goldmedal Electricals, said, “We are excited to launch a product that is the need of the hour in almost every household during the current times. Goldmedal’s Wi-Fi Router + Extender has been designed to provide uninterrupted network and stable connection for a multi-device household covering a wider area. Working from home demands a high performing wireless network and a product like the Wi-Fi Router + Extender will boost the network range and speed. It is a one-product solution for slow Internet, network interruption and dead zone issues.”

Goldmedal’s Wi-Fi Router + Extender is one of the most innovative products in Goldmedal’s portfolio. Like all Goldmedal modular products, the Wi-Fi Router + Extender too can be easily retrofitted within an existing Goldmedal modular plate. The Wi-Fi Router + Extender is available at select retail outlets at a starting price of Rs. 7,899. The company also recently launched i-Sense FM-Bluetooth Music Player (3M) – an innovative home entertainment player.

About Goldmedal Electricals

Goldmedal Electricals is a home grown electricals company which was established in the year 1979 with a vision to create electrical switches and accessories that make a positive difference to the lives of consumers. The company today manufactures a vast range of electrical products including various types of Switches, Home automation systems, Security Systems, Entertainment devices, Door bells, Wires, Cables and more for residential buildings as well as commercial establishments.

Clinical Research Organizations, SIRO and AZIDUS Partner to Expand Services and Market Share

SIRO Clinpharm Private Limited, India’s earliest clinical research organization partners with Azidus, a full-service clinical research organization, to strategically expand combined services offerings and avail access to an expanded client base for technical requisites of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

SIRO focuses on patient studies and support trials from Phase II to Phase IV, while Azidus is focused on healthy volunteer studies, bringing synergies to the collaboration. This partnership will help SIRO to expand its product range and get exclusive access to a larger pool of clients in potential geographies of Asia and Latin America, where Azidus has a strong base. 

Commenting on the partnership, Akshay Daftary, Director in SIRO Clinpharm and in-charge of Global Business Development Activities and Client Management said, “The synergies of the service offerings of SIRO with Azidus are driven by a common belief in quality; the strategic alliance will serve a strong growth driver for both organizations. This is a complementary alliance which will give the clients single-window end-to-end solutions, with accrued cost benefits. This collaboration resonates strongly with the project growth initiative that we follow as SIRO’s vision. The alliance would definitely boost SIRO’s presence across geographies like Brazil in Latin America and the USA.”

Arjun Arumugam Olaganathan, Director, Azidus, said, “This strategic partnership with SIRO will help both organizations grow and expand their offerings. I see the potential of deeper market penetration and wider service contribution for the two organizations positively affecting their market values through this partnership. Both companies come with deep experience and a vision for excellence, which will also drive better service experience for clients”. 

About SIRO Clinpharm:

Incorporated in 1996, SIRO Clinpharm Private Limited is a Clinical Research Organization supporting trials from Phase II to Phase IV and beyond post-launch of products. SIRO offers a range of services, from clinical operations to data services, data analytics and medical writing in compliance with international standards.SIRO has been an industry pioneer over two decades, sharing an incontestable record of excellence in the pharmaceutical, FMCG and medical device industry. Its global delivery centre in Thane has a seasoned team of more than 200 professionals hailing from science and medical backgrounds.

SIRO Clinpharm was founded by Dr. Gautam Daftary in the year 1996, who has over 40+ years of experience in pharmaceutical industry. He currently serves as the Chairman of the organization.

SIRO is currently being managed by Akshay and Karan Daftary.

LRIPL Contributes to #Atmanirbhar Bharat; Bolsters its Manufacturing Capacity in Noida

* Increased manufacturing capacity of remote controls stands at 1.25 Lacs units per day

* The company caters to more than 60 consumer durable Brands

Aligning with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Laxmi Remote (India) Private Limited (LRIPL), boosts its manufacturing capacity in its Noida facility. Post the upgrade, the current manufacturing capacity of remote controls stands at 1.25 Lac per day. As one of the largest remote control manufacturers in India, LRIPL intends to lead remote control production for OEMs.

The announcement not only underlines the strong growth momentum in manufacturing, but also boosts the economic sentiments around the sector. Stressing on local manufacturing, LRIPL also intends to add to the job opportunities in the market. Catering to more than 60 companies, the company has partnered with big enterprises Daikin, Blue Star, Voltas, Havells, Orient Electric, Bajaj, Luminous, Livepure, Whirlpool, Lloyd, Amber, Usha, Halonix, Carrier Midea, Rico amongst others.

As India prepares for mission Atmanirbhar Bharat, through this increased capacity building, LRIPL will be able to cater, not only to the local, but also global demands. Additionally, with the remote control manufacturing the company has forayed into production of 40,000 Adapters & Power Supplies, 30,000 Set-Top-Boxes, 20,000 Mobile Chargers and 30,000 AV cables per day, catering to different companies in the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) segment.

Vijay Kumar Sachdeva, MD & CEO, Laxmi Remote (India) Private Limited says, “India is the biggest market for us. The electronics manufacturing world is rapidly evolving and LRIPL is ready to meet the needs of the new normal with its advanced and sustainable infrastructure, capacity and manpower. We stand by our commitment to Indian markets and constantly challenge ourselves to deliver best cost of ownership to our customers. Aligned to the ‘self-reliance’ vision, we at LRIPL aim to promote the local manufacturing and create job opportunities in the country.”

Sachdeva added, “New developments are already on its way as ‘Make in India’ campaign is making efforts by backing local firms and manufacturers to increase domestic manufacturing in electronic sector. This will further inspire us to scale new heights and achieve greater success in our forthcoming endeavours.”

Laxmi Remote’s manufacturing facilities are spread over 5 Acres with best in class equipment and services. Right from development of moulds to building sophisticated cabinets, design & development of PCBs to assembly & to manufacturing the final products, after an appropriate stringent quality process, LRIPL controls the entire production process. The company offers more than 1200 experienced workforce with different skill sets. The company has a strong R&D team which is currently working on RF technology, Bluetooth technology, voice control and touch screen remote technology in an attempt to meet the future demands.

About Laxmi Remote (India) Pvt Ltd (LRIPL)

Started in the year 1995, Laxmi Remote (India) Private Limited (LRIPL), has out grown into the state of the art-modish facility within a span of 25 years. LRIPL is an established electronic manufacturing service company in India with 2 manufacturing plants rendering manufacturing services, located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The company is specialised in manufacturing remote controls, SMPS Power supplies, set top Box, Mobile chargers, LED TV Boards, Door Bells, lighting solutions and capable of manufacturing other electronic products too. Laxmi Remote has in-house Design & Development unit, PCB unit, Injection Moulding plant, Tool Depot, SMT Plant, Spring Manufacturing Department, Sticker Printing Department. Testing & Service Centre which have best of the industry people to take on any job assigned to them.