Idea Money’ s New App Comes with Unique Features for a faster Customer Experience

With a focus on catalysing digital transactions in line with the government’s vision of a cashless economy, to enable mobile users transact securely and conveniently, Idea Cellular has redesigned the Idea Money* app for both Android and iOS users. The new app now comes loaded with a host of unique and exciting features.

The new app can be used by both, Idea users as well as non-users, on their smartphones. The retailer interface of the app enables retailers to pull payments from feature phone users through a USSD based transaction.

Based on research and user feedback the new and improved Idea Money app comes with a visually appealing interface and added benefits that provide a smoother and friction free navigation experience, giving users easier discoverability and navigation access. The app also features exciting and innovative iconography, theme, and design, along with the following unique features:

Request Money and Split Bill Features: This unique feature enables users to share money or expenses with friends and family in a more convenient and effortless manner. Users can now add their friends and family amongst whom the bill is to be split, and request money thereon.

Standing Instructions Feature: This unique feature for bill payments will also allow Idea users to conduct cyclical payments such as payments of Idea postpaid bills or prepaid recharges without any hassle. This can be done by setting a one-time instruction for conducting the transaction in the required cycle.

The Idea Money app also offers users the benefit of donating money to their favourite charities with a single click. Currently 10 charitable organizations can be reached out through the app, including Concern India Foundation, CRY, Give India, HelpAge India, PETA and Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Trust. Some of the other useful offerings that the app now features include app notification, offers section, a transactions history section and customer personalization.

According to Sudhakar Ramasubramanian, CEO (Designate), Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Ltd said,“Our new and improved Idea Money App features a vibrant interface which caters to the digitally savvy users, who have in the wake of the demonetization drive, started using payment wallets more frequently. Based on our research and user feedback, we have redesigned the app to be more visually appealing, as well as added a number of new and useful features that will make cashless transactions more secure, accessible and convenient for users. We are committed towards continuously innovating and building new product propositions that work for our partner's and customer's benefit.”

Idea Money has witnessed a huge upsurge both in volumes and usage values, post demonetisation and has almost reached 1 million downloads on the Android platform. There has also been an increase in load money on the wallet through Debit card, Credit card and Internet Banking.

Idea Money is redefining cashless transactions through its unique features that include the recently announced Retailer Assisted Model (RAM) and the availability of USSD based transactions. RAM enables retailers to pull payments and conduct transactions via Idea Money while the USSD feature enables customers without a smartphone to conduct cashless transactions, via an SMS based platform for feature phones.

*Idea Money is a digital wallet offered by Idea Cellular Ltd. through its subsidiary Idea Mobile Commerce Services ltd.

Atos Delivers First Applications for Siemens MindSphere IoT OS

Atos, a leader in digital transformation, is the first partner to deliver mobile applications for MindSphere, the open, cloud-based IoT (Internet of Things) operating system from Siemens. These applications enable manufacturers to access and analyze production data via their mobile devices, enabling them to efficiently manage production, resolve conflict and optimize resources to improve plant productivity. The first six MindSphere applications from Atos include the Manufacturing Sustainability App and the Production Confirmation App.

The apps integrate the production data with that from the various management systems, such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Using Big Data Analytics, the apps enable users to receive role-specific and position-specific data about the current and future status of production. With these apps users are able to respond to and manage emerging problems in the production process in a timely manner, streamlining production processes. These Atos apps will be available to end-users in MindSphere version 2.0.

"Our IoT operating system MindSphere coupled with these new applications create concrete added value for customers," says Dr. Ralf Wagner, COO MindSphere at Siemens. "We are delighted that Atos is committed to this open ecosystem and is creating specific solutions on this basis."

“Atos is one of the first partners of MindSphere. We bring integration, infrastructure, consulting and security services as well as expertise in the development of ready-to-use applications, in order to seamlessly connect MindSphere customers with their existing IT systems” said Philippe Miltin, senior vice president of Manufacturing, Retail and Transportation, Atos. "Our objective is to provide more applications over the coming year."

Tech Mahindra to Acquire US Healthcare IT Services CJS Solutions Group for $110 Million

Tech Mahindra Ltd., a specialist in digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CJS Solutions Group LLC, a US-based healthcare Information Technology consulting company which does business as (DBA) “The HCI Group.”

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, The HCI Group works with some of the world’s most prestigious Tier-I healthcare service providers, primarily in the US and UK, focusing on providing end-to-end implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software, training and support services. The HCI Group has a large pool of Epic and Cerner (healthcare software) certified professionals, and it is a leading implementation firm for these leading companies globally. The company also has a presence in Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, and employs more than 500 professionals globally.

The HCI Group’s services include enterprise-wide advisory services, with a focus on IT system implementation and training, as well as specialty service lines in integration, testing, go-live, clinical adoption, optimization, HIMSS EMRAM and cyber security.

“Healthcare is one of the few sectors globally that is driving adoption of digital technologies. The acquisition will not only position Tech Mahindra as a significant player in the healthcare provider space, but will also provide an opportunity to go deeper in this space via EMR implementation and surrounding services route,” said C P Gurnani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tech Mahindra.

The HCI Group has been recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in the USA, by various journals. INC magazine has consistently ranked The HCI Group as one of the fastest growing private companies across all sectors (#3 in 2013; #13 in 2014). Earlier this month, the company was recognized as the #11 fastest growing consulting company by the Consulting Magazine.

For 12-month period ended 30^th September 2016, the company had revenues of US$ 114 million. The Enterprise Value is US$ 110 million; Tech Mahindra will make an upfront payment of US$ 89.5 million for purchase of 84.7% stake in the Company. The balance stake of 15.3% will be acquired over a period of three years.

“The acquisition aligns very well with our DAVID strategy where ‘Digitalization’ is one of the five main pillars of our future growth strategy. It also aligns perfectly with our new brand philosophy – Connected World. Connected Experiences.” said Atul Kunwar, President & CTO of Tech Mahindra.

“I truly believe that Tech Mahindra is the right partner for us to improve the healthcare industry through a combination of disruption, innovation and cost reduction. What better way to support our customers than by joining with the global leader in digitalization and connected technologies,” said Ricky Caplin, CEO, The HCI Group.

Healthcare and Life Sciences has been one of the focus areas for Tech Mahindra globally and the acquisition will help in consolidating the company’s position in this space. The Company offers innovative and end-to-end integrated solutions for healthcare providers. Its solutions enhances the efficiency of physicians, hospitals, ancillary facilities, clinics, governmental health bodies and public health organizations.

Tech Mahindra was supported on this deal by due diligence advisor Ernst & Young and legal advisor Greenberg Traurig, LLP.  Lodestone Corporate Advisors was the exclusive advisor to Tech Mahindra on the overall transaction.

The HCI Group’s financial advisor for the transaction is Allen and Company LLC, with Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough LLP serving as its legal counsel.

The transaction is expected to close by April 2017, subject to the regulatory approvals.

MUDRA Scheme Can Be The Game Changer For Economic Stability: S Gurumurthy

By Manu Sharma

MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) was brought in to address the issue of financial assistance to small and medium enterprises and is a potential game-changer for the economy, however, the RBI put a brake saying banks have no money to lend, said S Gurumurthy, Economic Analyst and Columnist.

Addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Members Meet 2017 he said now that money is there, MUDRA will also work. This will be the extended benefit for the Informal sector, as we all know, contribute 50 per cent to the GDP and 90 per cent to the total employment. 

Gurumurthy while addressing the topic on the Economy Fast Forward - Demonetization, GST, Budget 2017 and Digital India in Bengaluru he says that SMEs sector are the ones taking the maximum hit now. I’m not saying there have been no problems during the demonetisation drive, and there was a miscalculation on the nature and extent of problems. It is more than possible that the RBI may have thought printing 6-7 lakh crore currency would have been enough because it was expected that only Rs 10 lakh crore would come back to the system. This kind of mis-judgement may have happened. But, the fact is that this measure definitely will help change the course of economy from speculation to real growth and from asset appreciation to productive growth. 

Gurumurthy also stressed that Indian government has always been in favour of borrowed economic theories “India Centric think tank is essential for any such inevitable step like the note ban. No burrowed theories can be work for the India economy.” 

Others who spoke at the event include Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and Ravi Raghavan, Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council.

Syngene, Herbalife Jointly Open Research and Development Centre in Bengaluru

Herbalife Ltd, a US-based firm that sells weight-loss shakes and nutritional supplements, announced the opening of its first research and development (R&D) centre in India in Bengaluru in partnership with Biocon Ltd’s research services arm Syngene International Ltd. The new centre will house a group of Syngene scientists who will work closely with Herbalife on product development, sensory evaluation and testing among other services.

The 3,000 sq ft facility is located inside Bengaluru-based Syngene’s campus and is Herbalife’s fourth such lab worldwide. Its new lab in the city will house a group of Syngene scientists who will work closely with Herbalife on product development, sensory evaluation and testing and scientific content writing among other services.

The nutrition R&D lab will house a group of Syngene scientists that will work for Herbalife Nutrition on various research and development projects. Herbalife will work closely with Syngene in the areas of R&D in the field of nutrition - including product development, sensory evaluation and testing, scientific content writing pertaining to nutritional products and supplements, project management, formulation development, analytical service, stability study and other related services - and ensure that the right systems and processes are followed to deliver nutrition products for Herbalife India. 

Dr Manoj Nerurkar, chief operating officer, Syngene International Ltd, added, “This is our fifth dedicated centre and second for nutrition research. We see this partnership as an endorsement of Syngene’s scientific capabilities to deliver innovative solutions across a wide industry segment and look forward to working closely with Herbalife Nutrition to support their R&D requirements.”

“At Syngene, we are committed to developing products that enable people to lead healthier lives. We see many synergies in this association and feel it is natural for us to partner with Herbalife Nutrition to help them in their quest of advancing better nutrition,” said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, managing director and chairperson of Biocon.

Syngene has set up similar exclusive R&D centres for other global biotechnology firms in the past, including Amgen Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Nutrition and Baxter Inc.

“I think when we look at these we need to basically cater to a prospect of expansion,” Mazumdar-Shaw said when asked why Syngene was partnering with Herbalife to set up an exclusive R&D centre. The partnerships are decided based on understanding where the capabilities and expertise are and not by a bidding process, said Manoj Nerurkar chief operating officer of Syngene.

India is among the top five markets for Herbalife, which has for long been at the heart of a battle between US activist investors Bill Ackman and Carl Icahn, with Ackman saying the company is an illegal pyramid scheme guised as a multi-level marketing firm and Icahn challenging his claim.

When asked on a question on the numerous lawsuits and complaints filed against the parent company in regards to side effects on using some of the Herbalife products, Ajay Khanna, vice president and country head of Herbalife International India Pvt Ltd said, "we have just began our partnership with Syngene and in the next few months bring out products made for the Indian market. The lawsuits and complaints filed were against the parent firm and no such problems have been witnessed in India so far".

The nutraceutical market in India is poised for tremendous growth. Currently the market is about Rs 2.2 billion (Rs 220 crore) and is expected to grow to Rs 6.2 billion by 2020. This is a further commitment to the consumers in India to have the R&D lab so that we can bring products from our global portfolio much faster into the country,” said Khanna.

Khanna  said a substantial amount of investment had gone into setting up the facility in Bengaluru, however did not divulge on the actual amount invested in the facility.

Micromax Introduces New Range of Window and Split Air Conditioners

Reinforcing its vision to be a leading consumer electronics company, Micromax Informatics, India’s leading mobile brand, today introduced a new range of Air conditioners, to strengthen its presence in the AC market. This will be the first year to see a complete line-up of ACs from Micromax, after it successfully introduced ACs as a pilot project last year in June 2016. The range comprises of 07 split ACs and 01 Window AC right at the onset of the peak summer season in India.

To begin with, the focus markets will be the top 10 states (Punjab, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Telangana and Tamil Nadu) where Micromax has established a strong distribution with over 4000 sales touch points and backed it up with 400+ service centres to ensure strong after sales service support. In addition to the traditional retail touch points, the products will also be made available through leading E-commerce websites, in the months to come.

Commenting on the launch, Rohan Agarwal, Vice President, Consumer Electronics, Micromax Informatics Ltd. said, “We are bullish on the Indian air conditioner market and have invested heavily in building a strong product portfolio, a robust distribution network to ensure wide presence and best-in-class service experience.  Being a dominant consumer electronics player, Micromax enjoys a strong brand equity and our success in these segments has given us the confidence to foray into a new product category. The key differentiators for our ACs is the local innovation that we have built as per consumer feedback (100% copper two-way drainage, turbo cooling etc.), along with the right implementation. We believe that as a brand we are very well entrenched to grow this category.”

He further added, “At Micromax, we realize that service is of utmost importance in order to connect with the last mile. We are introducing the Micromax Home Assist application for our AC and TV consumers to help facilitate, raising any enquiry or complaints with utmost ease and faster redressal. We want to replicate the same success that we have witnessed in the LED TVs segment and achieve a double digit market share over the next 3 years in AC segment as well.”

Capital Float Nominated for Emerging Small Business Lending Platform of the international LendIt Industry Awards

LendIt, the world’s largest Fintech conference-recently announced - that they have selected Capital Float as a finalist in the Emerging Small Business Lending Platform category. Capital Float is India’s leading digital lending platform to SMEs. The Emerging Small Business Lending Platform finalists were chosen on their capability to demonstrate the greatest potential to impact the future of small business lending in the world. Capital Float is the only Asian representative in the category.

Capital Float was nominated as a finalist out of hundreds of applicants worldwide and by more than 30 industry experts who judged finalists representing innovation, emerging talent and top performers. Capital Float will compete for top honors within its award category at The LendIt Awards Ceremony on March 7 at the LendIt conference in New York City.

“Having been on the front lines of emerging and later stage Fintech companies for the past five years, we wanted to unveil our own best of the best industry accolades,” said Jason Jones, Co-Founder, LendIt. “We were positively overwhelmed with the high number and high caliber of entrees. These finalists represent some of the most innovative companies that are radically improving financial services through technology.”

“We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the LendIt Awards. This nomination is another feather in our cap of being the leading digital lending platform in India. LendIt offers a great platform for us to showcase our disruptive products to more than 5000 of our industry peers spanning across 40 countries,” said Gaurav Hinduja, Co-founder and MD, Capital Float. “We are proud to represent India at such a prestigious forum. This further boosts our confidence to continue innovating and serving the SME market,” he adds.