Mahindra First Choice Wheels at 735 India Outlets; Plans to Double Network in FY17

Having grown its network at a rapid pace of nearly 50% a year, over the last 5 years, Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd (MFCWL) plans to double its network over the next 12 months to 1500 outlets. The plans for the year were conveyed during the inauguration of its 735^th dealership in the country here in Bangalore today.

The new outlet, Car Bazaar, is spread across 8000 sq. ft and is located at Kamanahalli Circle, Kalyan Nagar, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore-13. It was inaugurated by Rajeev Dubey, Group President (HR & Corporate Services) and CEO (After-Market Sector), Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. in the presence of Nagendra Palle (MD and CEO – MFCWL) and Tarun Nagar (VP-Retail, MFCWL).

“Mahindra First Choice Wheels continues its endeavour of building a brick & click model for the used car industry. With 735 franchisee outlets, we lead the multi-brand used vehicle space. Last year we also auctioned used vehicles online from over 1,000 different locations making us the largest online wholesale network in the country. We believe this comprehensive approach of using our physical network in conjunction with our online channels will help us build a long term sustainable business while organizing a largely unorganized used vehicle industry in India,” said Dubey at the inauguration.

“We are delighted to expand our rapidly growing network in Karnataka with the inauguration of this new dealership in Kalyan Nagar. South India is a strategic market for Mahindra First Choice Wheels and we look forward to creating value for all our stakeholders across the value chain through innovative and industry-first products and services. Our strong franchisee network will play an important role in helping us to fulfill this goal,” said Nagi Palle at the inauguration.

“The Mahindra First Choice customer value proposition at its physical outlets is built around quality of the multi-brand vehicles being retailed and a refreshing customer experience offered to customers in the used car space. The company is now creating newer formats to reach the hinterland” said Tarun Nagar, Vice President-Retail business, MFCWL

“In the two decades since India’s economy was liberalised, perhaps no other industry has seen as many tectonic shifts as the automotive industry. From just two models in the early 90’s there are several hundred makes and brands available today, all competing for the attention and hard earned rupee of the Indian car buyer. However, like most things, buyers’ aspirations are higher than their purchasing power, which is where used vehicles come into the picture. They make eminent sense as they help bridge the gap between rising aspirations and limited spending power, allowing a buyer to potentially get a bigger, better equipped used car for the same price as perhaps a smaller new car. Used cars provide every consumer segment with choices. They enable consumers to either upgrade brands (mass market to luxury) or allow a family to purchase their FIRST car which is for most, ‘a dream come true” said Santhosh and Poornesh,Directors,  Car Bazaar.

From its humble beginnings in 2007 when its first franchisee outlet was established, MFCWL embarked on a strategy of building the used vehicle eco system in the country by connecting the retail and wholesale side of the business through investments made in the creation of it’s physical and online assets. The products and services extended through its “On the ground” and “In the cloud” hybrid business model powered more than half a million used vehicle transactions in F-16.

The company is the pioneer or leader in most aspects of the used vehicle eco system. Some of its lines of business include:  

• Mahindra First Choice franchisee network, the largest multibrand certified used car company in India
• Ediig is the largest online vehicle auctioneer in the country connecting institutions to used vehicle dealers and brokers
• Autoinspekt is India’s first organised third party inspection service catering to the needs of various stakeholders in the used vehicle space
• Indian Blue Book is the only analytical platform in the Indian industry today for vehicle price leveraging the largest multi-brand transaction database in the country. The high fidelity analytics serves pricing needs for various stakeholders like Auto OEM’s, financial institutions, dealers and consumers

The company’s unique business model has received a thumbs up from external investors. In the last 12 months the company raised funding from Silicon Valley based Hedge Fund, Valiant Capital and Cox Automotive a $17 Billion US based enterprise providing digital marketing, classifieds, software, wholesale and eCommerce solutions to dealers, consumers, manufacturers and financial institutions. Its brands include Manheim, Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealertrack, vAuto, Xtime.

Microsoft’s Dynamics CRM Online, Completes its Cloud Services Portfolio From Local Datacenters

Microsoft has announced the availability of Dynamics CRM Online services from its local datacenter regions in India. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, a leading customer relationship management solution, is equipped with built-in capabilities such as social listening, enterprise-grade security, privacy and compliance. These features enable companies to deliver personalized and predictive customer experiences across their sales, marketing and services efforts. With this, Microsoft is equipped to provide the most complete suite of cloud services for customers across government, businesses and individuals in the country. With Microsoft Azure and Office 365, already made available effective late 2015, this addition completes Microsoft’s cloud portfolio.

  “We are the first¹ hyper-scale global cloud provider to offer cloud services from local datacenters in India. With a complete portfolio of cloud services - Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and now Dynamics CRM Online, we will continue to lead the market by offering ‘cloud-on-your-terms’. In the first six months of our local cloud launch, we have seen 50 of top 100 companies² listed on the BSE, adopt Microsoft cloud to drive their digital transformation,” said Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India.

Microsoft cloud has seen increased adoption in sectors such as financial services, government, healthcare and e-commerce. Top financial services organizations such as HDFC, ICICI Lombard, IDFC, and Kotak Mahindra Bank; large IT players like Wipro, Infosys, and TCL, and a majority of Indian healthcare providers including Fortis Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, AIIMS, L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), and Narayana Health, have adopted Microsoft cloud. New generation ecommerce players and start-ups like Snapdeal, PayTM, Justdial, Meru cabs, etc., are also leveraging the power of Microsoft cloud to spur their growth momentum and connect better with customers.

With open and flexible platform and productivity solutions, the Microsoft cloud is designed to fuel innovation and accelerate India’s digital transformation. Businesses are now able to adopt new scenarios and leverage optimum potential of Machine Leaning (ML), Advanced Analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) to solve everyday business problems. Education and public service departments, across Indian states are adopting cloud services.  The cloud offers new business avenues for developers, IT professionals and gives Microsoft India’s partner ecosystem, comprising hosters, independent software vendors (ISVs), system integrators (SIs) and others, the opportunity to adopt newer business models. 

Pratap Hegde of telematics4u MD Conferred Business Excellence and Achievement award for Entrepreneurship- 2016

Telematics4U Services Private Limited (“T4U”), a Bangalore based company operating in the space of Internet of Things (“IoT"), providing customized analytics-rich solutions to its customers today shared that its Managing Director, Pratap Hegde was chosen and awarded the Future of India-Business Excellence and Achievement Award for Entrepreneurs - 2016 in “Technology Implementation and Deliverables”.

Pratap was chosen for leading telematics4u as CEO and MD, for demonstrated business excellence and achieving the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity and civic and social responsibility.

The Future of India- Voice of Entrepreneurs edition was organised by 1000 Petals in association with CNBC TV 18. The event was held to recognize and honor entrepreneur’s who have scripted an inspiring success story in their respective fields and have revolutionized the way business is done in India. The event was held in the city’s Lalit Ashok hotel on April 30, 2016.

Sharing his experience on the win, Pratap said “I am honored to have been conferred this award in recognition of the innovative solutions my team at telematics4u has built in the IoT domain. The Internet of things holds enormous potential in effectively tackling the challenges that our country faces today. We are extremely proud to be playing a leadership role, shaping the “future of India” in sectors such as e-governance, automotive, distribution/e-commerce, people mobility, and also transportation and logistics sectors which form the backbone of the nation’s infrastructure.”

Pratap was chosen for the award in the category from a total of more than 12,000 applicants that Future of India had received from all across India.

A coffee table book titled “RISE” was also released with Pratap’s profile and a brief write-up on t4u at the event.  

IIT Bombay Technology Business Incubator SINE Completes 12 Years

SINE- Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - the technology business incubator hosted by IIT Bombay, has just celebrated 12 years of its existence. What started as an IT incubation pilot project was formally set up as a non-profit society on April, 15^, 2004, to incubate start-ups in all technology domains to address the lack of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today, IIT Bombay has a number of entrepreneurship -related initiatives, such as the DS Centre for Entrepreneurship, which offers formal academic courses; eCell- a student-led centre, and several RandD centres aimed at translational research. All these together with start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, service experts outside the campus, rapidly are merging into what is being established as the “Powai Valley”. And SINE has today grown into a leading academic-linked incubator in India.

SINE has been the launch pad for over 80 product-based entrepreneurial ventures out of IIT-Bombay since its inception. More than half have graduated from incubation after becoming revenue-generating companies, several got acquired by larger companies, and some have also failed. Many have raised one or more round of funding, offering exit opportunity to SINE’s equity stakes in the companies. SINE currently incubates 27 start-ups, and more are in its pipeline. Current start-ups are in varied areas such as fin-tech, med-tech, clean-tech, big data, security, media.

Entrepreneurship environment for technology product based start-ups is still far from being mature in India. To address this gap, SINE has focused on product and intellectual property- based technology start-ups. Out of the total start-ups incubated so far, 25 companies are direct spin-offs of IIT Bombay technologies, and 6 are focused on social innovation via technology. 22 are founded or closely mentored by IIT-B faculty.  Nearly half of its companies have been able to raise multiple round of funding, several have crossed valuation in multiple of 100 cr., and few have achieved or close to achieving revenue of Rs.100 cr.

 Sharing her sentiments at the anniversary celebration, Poyni Bhatt, COO, SINE says, "the entrepreneurship initiative started in early 2000 with SINE at IIT Bombay, has now become mainstream not only within the campus, but also influenced the environment around in Powai, Mumbai. The entrepreneurial risk appetite amongst students and faculty-interest in technology commercialization via start-ups have exponentially increased over the years. "

SINE offers incubation support for up to 3 years. Incubated companies get workspace, seed support, easy access to IIT Bombay labs, technical and IP resources, business planning and mentoring, and expert services on softer terms. Association with the incubator also brings visibility and credibility for the startups, because of the due diligence and validation that happens prior to admission. SINE also offers prototype support to students in terms of money as also setting the first tinkerer’s lab at IIT Bombay.

The incubator is set to expand the depth and width of its activities. It aims to form partnerships with corporate entities as institutional mentors and financiers under their CSR initiatives. Plans are underway to enhance its capacity to house 50 plus start ups, and set up domain specific programmes in sectors such as bio/med tech and hardware products.

Le Is (Eco) Superphone Now Available for Only Rs 9999 as Introductory Offer in India

LeEco’s first Made for India phone, the Le 1s (Eco), has made waves in the industry by launching a device at remarkably attractive price of Rs. 9999. The global internet and technology conglomerate announced its Blockbuster Superphone yesterday at a grand launch event in Mumbai, showcasing its unique content integration model and features LeVidi and Live that will give users access to a plethora of entertainment content anytime anywhere!

The Blockbuster Superphone is a power-packed performer and the first device to showcase the integrated content one-stop experience coupled with breakthrough technology. The Le 1s Eco is the first “Made for India” Superphone by the company, showcasing its unique ecosystem and first of its kind in the Sub-10,000 category packed with powerful features. Bringing alive company’s content integration with partners Eros Now, Yupp TV and Hungama, Le1s Eco packs seamless interface through unique functions -Le Vidi and Live, which allows users to consume high quality content to user on-the-go!

“We are extremely overwhelmed with the response that we have received for our blockbuster Superphone – Le 1s Eco. We were confident that our “Made for India” Superphone will strike an instant chord with our Indian customers, given its great features coupled with the best-in-class content library. We understand that entertainment plays a critical role in the lives of people and therefore remain committed to bringing blockbuster content to them wherever they want, whenever they want. At LeEco, it is our constant endeavour to offer users breakthrough technology and innovative features such as our content integration at a sustainable price, ensuring users get a true value product”, said Mr. Atul Jain, COO, Le Ecosystem Technology India Pvt. Ltd.

Equipped with a 5.5” inch (403 ppi) screen of 1080x1920 resolution display, the device delivers an ideal balance of performance, battery life and graphics to users.  With slick dimensions, the device is easy to hold and light to carry. It runs on the latest Android 5.0 eUI and packs a powerful Helio X10 MediaTek Processor, 1.8 GHz with a 3 GB of RAM, enabling uninterrupted video streaming; offering powerful multitasking and a rich multi-media experience. The 13 MP rear camera and 5 MP front camera ensure quality pictures and great video capability. The device also sports a powerful 3000 mAh lithium polymer battery for on the go usage. Designed for both work and entertainment, the device is the optimal device for viewing videos, playing enhanced games, and reading e-books anytime, anywhere.

Supertainment package which is otherwise also priced at Rs 10,899, including Le 1s Eco for Rs 9,999 and a one-year membership fee of Rs 4,900, and a LeEco offer of Rs 4,000 is undoubtedly a killer deal any smartphone brand could have offered to its consumers. As a part of this blockbuster deal, not only the consumers get the Superphone with features like no other but also the wide range of entertainment content anytime anywhere.

The LeEco advantage for consumers with the company’s best- in- class after-sales set up is unparalleled. The company has already announced 555 service centres across prominent locations pan-India and 24*7 toll-free call centre support. 

LeEco entered the India market with the launch of its Superphones in early 2016 - the Le 1s and the Le Max. The devices which are exclusively available on Flipkart, have truly disrupted the market with their best in class specifications at democratized pricing.   

F1 Races to Sky Viewers Across Europe Using Tata Communication's Fibre Network

Tata Communications, the Official Connectivity Provider of Formula 1, announces that it has been selected by Sky to deliver the live broadcast feeds of all 21 Grands Prix starting with the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship season over its global superfast fibre network – the world’s only wholly-owned fibre network encircling the globe. The deal, which is part of Sky’s strategy to create Europe’s leading entertainment company following its acquisition of Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland, will ensure a seamless race experience for viewers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy, regardless of Grand Prix location.

All video feeds of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship  season will be distributed live in high-definition to Sky viewers using Tata Communications’ Video Connect service. Sky teams based in the UK, Germany and Italy will work in close collaboration with Tata Communications’ experts at race tracks and its remote operations teams, ensuring a seamless delivery of each race to people at home. Video Connect enables broadcasters to deliver live video feeds from anywhere in the world over Tata Communications’ IP network, with connectivity to over 240 countries and territories. Underpinned by the world’s largest wholly-owned subsea fibre network, it ensures the highest quality viewing experience for F1 fans.

“The integration of our operations in Europe is focused on accelerating innovation and serving our viewers better – and Tata Communications’ global fibre network will help us do just that,” says Keith Lane, Director of Operations at Sky. “It’s crucial that we’re able to bring our viewers action-packed, high-quality F1 racing experiences from Grands Prix around the world. And, as the way people experience F1 is constantly evolving thanks to technological advances that rely on superfast connectivity, there is scope for us to tap into Tata Communications’ global fibre network as we continue to drive innovation in F1 broadcasting.”

“With half a billion viewers globally, F1  is the world’s most popular annual sporting series – but with races in locations as diverse as the streets of Singapore, the hills of São Paulo and the deserts of Abu Dhabi, it is also a hugely challenging environment for broadcasters,” says Mehul Kapadia, Managing Director of F1 Business at Tata Communications. “Bringing fans brilliant, glitch-free viewing experiences requires more than just reliable, superfast connectivity on a global scale. As fans increasingly want to be part of the action unfolding on the track, we look forward to exploring future game-changing technologies with Sky to drive innovation in F1 broadcasting.” 

The deal with Sky builds on Tata Communications’ expertise in F1 content delivery and highlights the company’s central role in the F1 ecosystem, working in close partnership with Formula One Management, The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, and many leading F1 broadcasters. Last year, the company was also chosen by Formula One Management to provide broadcast services globally for the GP2, GP3 and Porsche Supercup racing series.

“This deal cements Tata Communications’ position as a world-class media services provider,” says Rangu Salgame, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Communications’ Growth Ventures and Service Provider Group. “Our success lies in our razor-sharp focus on innovation, delivering cutting-edge services for live sports and entertainment, and harnessing our global superfast fibre network to usher in a new era in the media industry.”

.Tech Popularity Grows Among Tech Community; Touches 100,000 Domain Name Registrations

Radix, the domain name registry behind .TECH, announced today that its popular new domain extension .TECH has crossed over 100,000 domain name registrations. The domain extension has seen unparalleled demand from the global tech community with thousands of startups using the extension to brand their digital identity. Leading brands such as Microsoft, Viacom, CTA (Consumer Technology Association); the parent company of CES and many others have also used the domain extension, leading the way for others.

In addition to the plethora of startups, tech visionaries and enthusiasts have been using the extension. Tech influencers and popular YouTubers are using the extension to engage with their audience including Austin Evanswith www.austin.tech; American designer, and technologist, John Maeda with www.designin.tech; and Edgar Oganesyan with www.edgar.tech.

Radix announced that registrations were spread out over 169 countries with the United States accounting for 16.4% of the registrations. Demand was led by leading domain name registrars like Namecheap and GoDaddy inthe United States.

Radix has been running various marketing campaigns to increase the awareness and adoption of the .TECH domain name, including partnering with startup events like TechCrunch Disrupt, Collision, Web Summit, etc, working with hackathons at events like TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon being organised in New York on May 7th and university hackathons like HackIllinois (University of Illinois), HackPrinceton (Princeton University), HopHacks (John Hopkins University) and UofTHacks (University of Toronto) amongst others.

Suman Das, Category Head for .TECH said, "This is the first of many milestones for .TECH, we are excited about the demand we are seeing and the feedback received from our partners and clients is very encouraging. With new technologies and the startup era getting stronger every day, we expect to increase our growth rate in the coming future."

.TECH launched on August 5, 2015 and can be registered at 100+ registrars globally.