L&T Technology Services and PTC Unveil Industry 4.0 Center of Excellence in Bangalore

PTC and L&T Technology Services Limited have announced the opening of a Center of Excellence (CoE) focused on Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) innovation at LTTS’ office in Bangalore, India. Popularly termed as Industry 4.0, the Industrial IoT Center of Excellence will demonstrate the promise of digital transformations for companies across the globe, and will showcase the technologies that make those transformations possible.

LTTS will equip the CoE with the entire PTC technology stack - from product design software through Industrial IoT functionality. The CoE will support LTTS’ advanced capabilities in the Industrial IoT space and will focus primarily on application lifecycle management (ALM), product lifecycle management (PLM), service lifecycle management (SLM), manufacturing operations management (MOM), and connected manufacturing. Customers visiting the space can experience new-age technology innovations to better inform decisions on initiating new IoT projects or further developing existing ones.

“This Center of Excellence will be a valuable way to show new and existing customers the potential for their digital transformations,” said Amit Chadha, President-Sales & Business Development & Whole-Time Director, L&T Technology Services. “To maximize the potential of the space, we needed proven technology, and PTC was the clear choice with its established solution offerings and robust Industrial IoT platform that complement our unique offerings in Digital PLM.” 

PTC was chosen as the technology partner for the CoE because of the vast capabilities of its IoT technology, as well as its longstanding leadership and success with solutions such as computer aided design (CAD) and PLM. The full technology stack from PTC will be available in the CoE, from Creo CAD software and Windchill PLM software through the ThingWorx Industrial IoT platform.

The CoE, which is expected to draw in an audience of global customers, will also feature new Industrial IoT solutions developed on the ThingWorx platform. Some of the prominent demonstrations on display at the CoE include digital twin models, situational awareness to improve plant productivity using PTC’s ThingWorx platform, and Digital PLM services that can improve the productivity of field engineers through dynamic updates of service data.

“We are excited to partner with L&T Technology Services on the Center of Excellence in Bangalore,” said Catherine Kniker, chief revenue officer, Platform Business, PTC. 

“Combining L&T Technology Services’ knowledge of building and implementing technology solutions with PTC’s leading technology offerings will help customers understand how they can transform their businesses and accelerate their time to value.”

PTC is at the forefront of unlocking the value at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. With the leading ThingWorx Industrial IoT platform, augmented reality development capabilities, and a portfolio of connected solutions, PTC is enabling companies to improve the way that they design, manufacture, sell, operate, and service their products.

LTTS is a leading engineering services company with a Digital PLM practice that ensures faster time to market and improved product quality for customers in the

Industrial, Automotive, Aero & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Consumer Packaged Goods, and Energy and Utilities markets.

Key differentiators that make LTTS’ Digital PLM portfolio unique in the market ride on its in-depth engineering and PLM domain expertise, along with matured partnerships with leading PLM partners like PTC. CIMdata has recognized L&T Technology Services as one of the leading Digital PLM System Integrators in the world.

Both companies are now working to leverage each other’s expertise and provide next-generation digital services, smart and accelerated product development, smart and connected manufacturing, remote field services, and predictive maintenance as aftermarket services.

Australian's Trendy Bistro Food “Patissez” Sets Shop in India!

After causing a massive worldwide sensation with its trademarked wonder - The Freak Shakes, Australia’s trendiest Bistro, Patissez, has entered   Indian market. The brand has formally joined hands with EljayInfratech, the Master Franchise, to expand its freaky universe in the Indian subcontinent. Patissez is eyeing to satisfy foodies in Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai and other major cities of the country, in the months to come.

Patissez has now set its sights on the dynamic, multi-cuisine capital of the world- India. Indian Connoisseurs can expect Freak Shakes like the Pretzella, Muddy Pat, Bano Freak, Fruity Freak and so on, as well as savoury items like Freak Burgers, and Freakfast.

“The transformation of the new age retail landscape in India with the F&B industry sharing a third of the expected growth rate of US$ 1.3 trillion by 2020, has opened up a plethora of opportunities in the F&B space. With hanging out in Café joints &Restobars becoming the latest trend amongst the younger masses, there has been a sudden surge in the F&B industry not only in metros, but in first & second tier cities across the country. This healthy trend has positioned the F&B industry as one of the most sought-after investment spaces today, and has inspired Eljay to take the Patissez plunge”, says EljayInfratech’s partner and second generation entrepreneur, Shreyas Asthana.

Asthana also added “Eljay has been into food retailing for a decent number of years now. With the support of some internationally-acclaimed experienced hands in the F&B industry, we have taken a giant stride by bringing Patissez to India. Patissez has been the pioneer of the Freak Shakes. We are thrilled to be associated with the brand and are keen on covering the length and the breadth of the country very soon”.

“By the last quarter of 2018, Eljay aims to open Patissez outlets across major cities in the country”.EljayInfratech, being the Master Franchise is open to sub-franchisees who can be our trust points to establish Patissez’s legacy in the subcontinent” says A.Amit, EljayInfratech’s.

ToneTag, MasterCard Start Path Partner to Drive Payments Innovation

ToneTag, a sound based proximity payment technology provider, has been recently selected in the Mastercard Start Path as one of the technology companies shaping the future of payments by enabling consumers & merchants to adopt digital payment solutions.

ToneTag has also represented the technology at the Mastercard Start Path event in London and at Money20/20 in Copenhagen. As a part of the initiative, Start Path team will work closely with ToneTag to create and execute a tailored plan for expansion. This program will also give ToneTag access to Mastercard’s global ecosystem, including experts, partners, leading banks and retailers, and enable the sound based tech startup to break in to new markets through relationships with Mastercard and its global customers.

 “Mastercard Start Path is a great initiative to help startups reach new opportunities. Unlike before, businesses are well-connected today thanks to technology, and it is imperative that fintech companies hold the key to a better payment experience for both consumers and merchants alike and ensure transactions are secure, clean and done through organized channels. ToneTag is excited to be a part of this endeavour.” said Kumar Abhishek, Founder & CEO, ToneTag, in a statement.

Sanjay Kumar Kalirona Appointed as the CEO and Director of COMIO India

COMIO India appoints Mr. Sanjay Kumar Kalirona as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of the company. With close to two decades of experience in the telecom industry, he is known for his business acumen, understanding of the Indian market and his farsighted vision.

Kalirona has held various senior leadership positions with some of the fast-paced mobile brands in the country. In his previous job, he held the position of CEO at Zen Mobile. Prior to his association with Zen, he led the mobile business at Intex Technologies India Ltd. where he climbed the ladder over his 15-year stint and is credited with having successfully regulated the mobile phone business for the company in India.

On this occasion, Sanjay Kumar Kalirona, CEO and Director at COMIO India, says “I am grateful to COMIO for considering me appropriate to lead the India business. With our nation growing to become one of the largest smartphone markets globally, I am looking forward to taking COMIO to greater height in the years to come!’’

Kalirona has worked across various departments in the telecom industry including new business development, strategic planning, distribution, sales & marketing and channel development and is set to play a pivotal role at COMIO as he gears up for the launch of the mid-segment smartphone in India.

A post graduate in business management from Fortune institute of international business, New Delhi, he is an ace market strategist who devises keeping in mind the changing dynamics and sensitivities of the market. An excellent team leader and mentor with exemplary leadership skills, he is a go-getter and is able to drive his team to achieve goals within tight deadlines.

NPCI’s RuPay, UPI and AePS Gain Big Momentum in Q1 FY2017-18

National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) is proud to announce that RuPay card’s monthly transaction volume on Point of Sale (POS) and e-commerce stands at 4 crore valuing about Rs. 5,000 crore during Q1FY 18. The transaction volume and value during pre-demonetisation period were about 1 crore and Rs. 1,500 crore respectively. Recent use cases on RuPay contactless like Kochi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are poised to significantly contribute towards digital transactions through RuPay cards.

A. P Hota, MD & CEO, NPCI said, “The nation has taken a target of achieving 25 billion digital payments transactions mark in FY18. Last year, the volume of digital payments was 9.2 billion of which 3.5 billion had been contributed by NPCI. This year, we are aiming to contribute about 11 billion digital transactions.”

Recently introduced BHIM and BHIM Aadhaar are also showing positive trends. BHIM Aadhaar is based on NPCI’s Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). AePS volume was 5 crore, 6 crore and 7 crore for April, May and June 2017 respectively. BHIM Aadhar was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on April 14, 2017 and it is currently being offered by over 1.34 lakh merchants.

UPI has crossed 1 crore transactions valuing Rs. 3,000 crore. UPI volume (UPI, BHIM and USSD 2.0 - *99#) was 0.72 crore, 0.93 crore and 1.03 crore in April, May and June 2017 respectively.

RuPay

“RuPay” is the coinage of two terms Rupee and Payment. It is India’s home-grown debit card network with the total issuance of over 370 million in the country. RuPay was dedicated to the nation by Hon’ble President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on May 8, 2014. RuPay cards are accepted across all major Point of Sale (POS) terminals, online merchants and ATMs in the country. It has simplified and transparent pricing structure. It comes with enhanced security features.

BHIM/ UPI

Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a smart mobile phone based app based on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) that allows simple, easy and quick payment transactions using UPI. One can easily make direct bank to bank payments instantly and collect money using mobile number or virtual payment address. It is a unique payment solution which empowers an individual with immediate send and collect request.

AePS

AePS is a bank led model which allows online interoperable final inclusion transaction at PoS (MicroATM) through the business correspondent of any bank using Aadhaar authentication. The four Aadhaar enabled basic types of banking transactions are Balance Enquiry, Cash Withdrawal, Cash Deposit, Aadhaar to Aaadhaar Funds Transfer.

Uber Celebrates One Year of uberMOTO in India; Completes 2 Million Trips Across 5 Cities

Uber, the ridesharing app that connects riders with drivers to provide convenient, reliable and affordable rides at the push of a button, celebrates the first anniversary of UberMOTO, Uber’s bikesharing product, in the country. This month also marks the completion of 2 million trips on uberMOTO, a key milestone for the company and testament to the potential of bikesharing to improve last and first mile connectivity in the country.

“uberMOTO gives riders the option to book a motorbike ride via the Uber app, a mode of transport that has long been the preferred way to get around cities in India. Currently available in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Jaipur, the success of uberMOTO reflects how Uber easily blends into the fabric of the cities, providing multiple commute options at the push of a button” said Prabhjeet Singh, GM, Uber Delhi and North

India

To celebrate the success of uberMOTO, Uber introduced a Zip Zap Zoom Index, a round up on how bikesharing has touched riders, driver partner and the cities in the last 12 months.

Here are some fun facts:

• Riders from 181 cities across the world booked a ride on uberMOTO in India
• A female rider in Gurgaon took the highest number of rides, accounting for 1393 trips in one year
• A single driver partner in Gurgaon has taken 5573 trips in the last one year
• Every 18 seconds an uberMOTO ride is requested in Hyderabad
• Kalupur Railway Station is the top destination for uberMOTO in Ahmedabad  
• In Jaipur, no new vehicles have been added ensuring better asset utilization of existing two-wheelers, in an effort to reduce congestion in the city
• One out of every four trips on uberMOTO are to/from metro stations in Gurgaon

UberMOTO is a step forward in Uber’s commitment to help the address the first and last mile connectivity transportation needs. By integrating Uber’s on-demand technology platform with motorbikes, the objective is to use today’s transportation infrastructure more efficiently and effectively. Here are five reasons that make uberMOTO a must-have for all cities:

1.     Expands access to public transport: Public transit is the mobility backbone of cities. uberMOTO promotes the use of public transport as people now have an affordable and efficient transport option for their last mile connectivity. Today, one out of every four trips on uberMOTO are to/from metro and railway stations.

2.     Saves time: With uberMOTO, commuters can ride and swiftly maneuver through traffic. It is the quickest way to get anywhere, anytime of the day. Riders can save time traveling by motorbike when and where it makes sense, such as for short trips in heterogenous traffic that’s more easily navigated via small vehicle, or along routes where public transport isn’t easily accessible or convenient.

3.  Affordability: uberMOTO rides are one of the most affordable commute options in the city. Several studies have also explored the correlation between access to transportation and essential opportunities including education and employment.

4. Empowering a dignified living: The positive impact of ridesharing on congestion, safety and cities are real and important, but it’s also important to note the economic activity generated by the people who drive on Uber. Owning a motorbike is much more affordable than owning a car. The lower cost barrier of uberMOTO makes it even easier for more people to pursue this micro-entrepreneurship opportunity.

5.  Hop on, hop off commute: Whether you are riding to the office for an early morning meeting, catching the metro at the nearest station or heading to the mall for a fun-filled evening, travelling in a city on uberMOTO is the smartest hop on, hop off option.

CII’s 13th India Innovation Summit in Bengaluru from July 13-14, 2017

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) announced its 13th India Innovation Summit with the theme, ‘The New Wealth of Nations – Innovation and Intellectual capital’ in the city today. The two-day summit, on July 13 and 14 will cover subjects such as, Teens as Innovators to disrupt the existing businesses, Rise of Machines and Future of Human Labour, India’s digital transformation into a cashless economy, the great expectations on the e-commerce industry – scaling the consumption economy, the role of society and culture on innovation, the rise of personalized/ precision medicine, the role of technology in continuing education, and intellectual property rights and the scope of innovation as a new state diplomacy.

n the current times of geopolitical re-balancing, innovation-led businesses became the prime driver of differentiation between the developed and developing nations. The asset-driven and regulation-based industries of the past era are giving into the innovation-centric and open market, digital businesses.

Addressing the gathering Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, India Innovation Summit said, “in the new world order, innovation shall be the most important factor defining the growth of development. India, as a society, should embrace the change that innovation, across all the spheres, brings in. It’s time we relooked at the conventional definition of wealth. Innovation and Intellectual property, he firmly believes, shall be the new wealth of the nations.”

“CII has seen working on a multi-point agenda to include the larger society for inclusive growth.” Kamal Bali, Chairman, CII Karnataka added, and thanked the government for being a wonderful partner in translating it into action. “The state council achieves the goal of helping the industry, particularly, MSMEs to help cope with the changes in the business landscape and help job creation led by innovation.”

Detailing the event, Vijaya Kumar Ivaturi, Co-founder, Crayon Data elucidated, “India Innovation Summit has been growing from strength to strength. We started off with covering innovation that was done in larger corporates. We moved towards the spirit of entrepreneurship, which are, more often than not, orthogonal in nature. This year, we have come up with the third dimension. It is perhaps the result of the first two. Our theme captures the larger picture that is true of every nation: innovation and intellectual property determine the wealth of a nation. In a digitally connected age, it’s all about leveraging the social capital through technology to our best advantage. It means learning the new and unlearning the obsolete. The panels are a good mix of the industry veterans and the technology natives and entrepreneurs. The structure of the program and each element has been carefully crafted to capture the transition. We only hope the leaders shall closely guide the new-age, young innovators, with deep commitment and utmost care. As though one handles a teenager who is a digital native. India Innovation Summit is 13, by the way, he reflected.”

Highlighting the CII-3M challenge, Debarati Sen, Managing Director, 3M India Limited said, “India has emerged as a hub for innovations and houses the largest population of youth in the world. Identifying the vast scope and talent that exists in the country, 3M India, in collaboration with the CII, instituted the Young Innovators Challenge Award in 2014 with a vision to create a forum to recognize innovative ideas with a social relevance. The award also offers a level playing field to young innovators across a wide spectrum, from the top institutes in the country to the grassroots, to compete for recognition & support that can give impetus to their ideas to become an established initiative. This nationwide search culminates with the winners of the challenge being felicitated by 3M India and CII leadership at the CII India Innovation Summit.”

To complement and augment the conference themes, there will be an exhibition that will provide an experiential understanding of the real-world tools of the new wealth paradigm. The pavilions will cover the spectrum of innovation by the Indian industry, representing the macro and micro level of the nation’s spirit, creativity and entrepreneurial zeal in a showcase.