Microsoft & Telangana Inks MoU To Explore Use of Cloud, Mobile & Machine Learning

The Government of Telangana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited. Under the MOU, Microsoft will help the Government explore cloud, machine learning and mobile based solutions to improve citizen services, education, healthcare and agriculture in the state.  

The Government of Telangana has been an ardent promoter of ICT solutions, particularly in the fields of agriculture, citizen service delivery, education and healthcare. Having crossed the magical figure of 7 crore online transactions through MeeSeva, the Government of Telangana is miles ahead of other states with its robust citizen service delivery platform. The State has also launched an innovative ICT enabled solution for government schools called TS-CLASS (Telangana State Computer Literacy and Skills in Schools) to revolutionize the way students are taught. Additionally, the Government, in collaboration with various partners, has deployed IoT enabled solutions such as healthcare teleconsulting for remote geographies and online marketplace cum support platform for farmers.

Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary, ITE&C, Government of Telangana, said, “The Government believes that ICT is the key to building not only a stronger economy but also an efficient and effective governance system. Through this partnership of ours with Microsoft, we are confident about bringing in advanced solutions pertaining to our initiatives under Digital Telangana program.”

Microsoft India will work with the Government of Telangana to support the development of cloud and mobile-based solutions and support the use of machine learning and advanced visualization to help solve challenges in the fields of education, agriculture and healthcare.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Bhansali, Managing Director, Microsoft India (R&D) Pvt. Ltd., said, “Over the past year we have experimented with cloud, mobile and machine learning based solutions for better citizen connect as well as to help students, farmers and patients in India. We are delighted to bring many of those learnings to Telangana and explore new use for these world-class technologies. We believe technology should empower every Indian, and today’s MOU will take us further in that journey.

Mastercard and Ratnakar Bank Launch QR Code Payments in India

Mastercard has announced the Indian launch of Masterpass QR, a safe and secure Quick Response (QR) mobile payments solution. Masterpass QR enables mobile banking users to safely pay for face-to-face purchases using their smartphone or feature phone. 

Shoppers can make fast, simple and secure digital payments at any place where Masterpass QR is accepted, which means that they no longer need to carry cash or their physical bank cards to make payments. Ratnakar Bank Limited (RBL Bank) is the first bank in India to integrate the Masterpass QR service into the OnGo digital wallet, its mobile platform powered in conjunction with India Transact Services. The OnGo wallet will host a virtual prepaid Mastercard that customers can use for cashless transactions, including for paying taxi and auto rickshaw fares.

Masterpass QR’s low cost and easy-to-deploy technology is designed to ensure that even the smallest merchants can participate, whether they are in a major city or a remote area. This offering is a reiteration of Mastercard’s commitment to support the Government’s vision of a less-cash society, while working to ensure no one gets left behind in digital adoption.

“The digital payment industry is fast transforming and continuously evolving in India. Our focus is to innovate new, safe and secure technologies that bring the benefits of electronic payments to even more merchants, banks and consumers.” says Porush Singh, Division President - Mastercard, South Asia. He further adds, “With Masterpass QR, we are advancing the use of cashless payment methods to limit the flow of cash in the economy and take decisive steps toward realizing the dream of Digital India.” 

Ravi Goyal, CMD, AGS Transact Technologies Limited and Chairman, India Transact Services Limited said, “Ongo and Mastercard’s joint initiative further strengthens our brand’s commitment to provide end-to-end capabilities for enabling seamless payment solutions. Given the Government’s impetus to cashless economy and its digitization, our association will bolster the way consumers transact. We are extremely delighted to present such a first-of-its-kind global integration product with Mastercard.”

Sujatha Mohan, Head, Digital Initiatives, RBL Bank said, “At RBL Bank, we have always strived to be at the forefront of cutting-edge digital payment solutions for our customers. We are bullish on products that simplify the payment process and eliminate the need for cash

Participate in its Samsung’s Global Tizen Mobile App Incentive Program to Win $10,000

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has announced the launch of the Tizen Mobile App Incentive Program, Samsung’s first initiative to support Tizen’s global developer community and expand its mobile app ecosystem. Developers are invited to submit Tizen mobile apps for an opportunity to win $10,000 or more.

“As a committed leader of the Tizen platform, we strive to further benefit, expand upon and evolve the Tizen ecosystem,” said Woncheol Chai, VP of Global Product Management, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. "We’re excited to launch this new incentive program to help develop and bring the best of mobile apps to the Tizen community as well as provide customers with a better mobile experience.”

The new program will run from February through October 2017, and developers who create mobile apps for Tizen, such as gaming, social and lifestyle apps, are eligible to apply. Every month, each of the top 100 apps downloaded from the Tizen store and pre-registered to participate in the Tizen Mobile App Incentive Program will win $10,000. 

Apps already available in the Tizen store, as well as new apps, can be entered to win. All developers must do is ensure they register their apps for participation by visiting incentive.tizenstore.com. Individuals can begin applying to participate in January 2017. The winners will be notified on the 10^th of each month starting on March 10, 2017 and ending on November 10, 2017.

The announcement was shared today at the NASSCOM Game Developers Conference, India’s largest confluence of game developers. For more information on the new incentive program.

Tizen developers can also monetize their apps through mobile advertisements with the InMobi Ad Software Development Kit (SDK). Developers can learn more and download the SDK at developer.tizen.org.

Crownit & YES Bank Bring Unique Digitised Meal Voucher System

YES BANK has partnered with Crownit, the leading merchant discovery and privileges platform, to contribute towards making the vision of a digitally-driven Indian Economy a tangible reality. An innovative, digitised system for companies has been devised to distribute meal vouchers to employees and leverage the ubiquity of smartphones. Now employers can get rid of the shortcomings of traditional paper-based coupons, instead sending out vouchers to all staff, with just one click distribution. 

The revolutionary system by Crownit also includes an app-based digital meal wallet linked with a Meal Debit MasterCard which enables employees to avail unlimited food, beverage & grocery redemption options, both online and offline.

While eliminating the hassle of managing and distribution of paper currency for the employer, there is an integrated dashboard which allows them to update employee details and distribute meal vouchers with a single command. For employees, the solution promises ease of access and use, along with tax savings ranging up to Rs 10,000 per employee per year.

The secured pre-paid instruments with security features and app-based digital meal wallet are accepted at the largest merchant base of 2 lakh plus retail establishments pan India. Cashbacks and Weekly Rush tickets on meal voucher are an additional layer of benefits bundled in for employees. Adding further advantages to the program, Crownit offers weekly prizes like iPhones, Amazon Kindles, branded gift vouchers, international trips and much more on meal expenses.

Commenting on the tie-up, Sameer Grover, Founder & CEO, Crownit, said, “At Crownit, we aim to make all lifestyle spending by users absolutely seamless, in addition to making expenses rewarding by means of cashback points. Voucher distribution by employers is a largely neglected sector of expenditure despite the fact that almost all large companies give out meal coupons to employees. Not only does our program make this process much smoother, but the meal vouchers are all RBI and income tax compliant, fulfilling all regulatory norms. All funds deposited for Crownit meal vouchers will be directly deposited to YES BANK.”

Ritesh Pai, Senior President and Country Head – Digital Banking said, “YES BANK has always been at the forefront of digital payments for which we have partnered with Crownit enabling us to focus on contributing towards digitally driven economy whilst driving delightful customer experiences. This system is a step towards paperless transactions thus being environment friendly along with simplifying the complicated process of distribution and maintenance for employers while delivering multiple benefits for their employees.”

This digitised, app-based program cuts through the hassle of distributing meal coupons by enabling one-click disbursement of corporate vouchers. While employers can instantaneously transfer vouchers to all employees; who in turn benefit by having the coupons secured on their app and Meal Debit card along with the additional advantages which the program provides.  The launch of this new system is thus a win-win for all.

Global Firms & Tata to Set Up IoT and IIoT Tech Incubator in Israel

Tata Group has joined hands with General Electric Ventures, Microsoft Ventures and others to set up a new technology incubator in Israel.

“With the first closing of US$20 million, the incubator called i3 Equity Partners (i3) will focus on developing next-generation IoT (Internet of Things) and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technologies,” a Tata statement said here.

Qualcomm Ventures, HNA EcoTech, Pitango Venture Capital, and RAMOT, the business engagement center of Tel Aviv University, are the other partners in the venture.

Essentially IoT, fuelled by machine-to-machine communication refers to microprocessor and sensor fitted gadgets or ‘things’ within a network talking to each other, swapping real-time data to perform specific actions, with computer-connected individuals engaged in remote monitoring.

The Tata Group, along with the other partners, will support early-stage Israeli ventures, enabling them to reach advanced phase of development, and ultimately strengthen their presence in global markets. “The partners, on their part, expect to tap the acclaimed ingenuity and know how of the Israeli tech industry, for growing their enterprises in the field of IoT, which is expected to transform how industry operates and how individuals live, work and play,” it added.

With headquarters at the TAU campus, i3 will be headed by Managing Partners, Noga Kap and Eran Wagner, both Israeli entrepreneurs as well as investors with experience in early-stage investments, and chaired by Shlomo Nimrodi, Chief Executive Officer of RAMOT.

“We hope to provide guidance and mentorship to the start-ups based on our experience of operating across a range of sectors, across multiple geographies. We could also potentially help start-ups scale easily by facilitating better access to market,” KRS Jamwal, Executive Director, Tata Industries, said.

“This collaboration will help us identify and support breakthrough innovations in IoT, and look forward to having early access to new technologies with a focus on high quality products and ideas that will develop through this initiative,” he added.

i3 will annually provide 3-5 high-potential seed and pre-seed start-ups with financial investments of up to $1 million each, access to supportive multinational corporations at all stages of development, and centre of excellence with office space, among others.

The support from multinational corporations would entail technology validation, design, proof-of-concept, later-stage investments and purchase of mature technologies and their distribution in high-potential markets — including China and India, said the statement.

Agencies

Bengaluru Children Get Protein Heath initiative on Children’s Day

QNet, a leading direct selling company in association with Lions Club Bangalore, Kodigehalli marked Children’s Day by inaugurating a health camp at a Government Primary School in Sahakarnagar. The two month long program called the Nutriplus Protein Power Health Camp and is aimed at providing nutritional support to the students of the school by serving them protein shakes every day for two months.

QNet's Nutriplus Protein Power is developed by Dupont, the global leader in innovative soy-based technologies and ingredients is a good tasting, high quality, 100 percent vegetarian source of protein derived from soy. This product has an excellent combination of vitamins, minerals and trace elements in balanced proportion for utilising the protein optimally.

The children’s version which additionally contains Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid, considered to be a beneficial fat is being used at the Health Camp to provide the students aged 6 years and above with the necessary nutrition. Each of the 180 students will be served a protein shake every school day till January 14, 2017.

The Nutriplus Protein Power Health Camp was inaugurated by Lion B Mohan district governor.

Nishchal Churamani, Head – Corporate Communications for QNET in India said, “QNET’s aim is to help create awareness about health, wellness and nutrition through our products and services. During the research and development phase for our products, we realised that Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is a major public health concern in India. As undernutrition is more common in the lower income group, we decided to do something about it by partnering with Lions Club.

Paytm App Now Helps Locate Your Neighborhood Merchants

Narendra Modi’s announcement of demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, has left many with no other option but to try online payment services and gateways. Taking complete advantage of the new tide, digital wallet companies like PayTm, FreeCharge and Mobikwik are witnessing exponential growth in terms of users.

To give a further push to this momentum, Paytm has announced a ‘Nearby’ feature that will make it easier for users to locate nearby merchants that accept the wallet.

With over 2 lakh merchants included in the first phase, Paytm ‘Nearby’ will carry a directory of over 8 lakh Paytm’s offline merchants and partners across India. People with limited cash can browse through a list of shops & locations near them that offer services like accepting Paytm, adding cash to Paytm wallet, and upgrading accounts by doing KYC.

Sonia Dhawan – DGM, Paytm, said, “At Paytm, our approach has always been to build an ecosystem that benefits both merchants and customers. I am confident that while our customers will appreciate the increased convenience of finding Paytm services near them, our merchants and partners will value the exponential increase in visibility and new business ‘Nearby’ feature will bring.

“This is a great example of how mobile technology can drive business across the retail industry by redefining the hyperlocal space,” She further added.  

Agencies