Sasken Ranked in the Established and Niche zone Overall in the Zinnov Zones 2017

Sasken Technologies Ltd (formerly Sasken Communication Technologies Ltd.), a leading product engineering and digital transformation solutions provider has announced that it has been positioned in the Established and Niche zone overall in the Zinnov Zones 2017 – Product Engineering Services (PES).

Zinnov Zones for PES is an annual rating from Zinnov for global technology service providers to assess their prowess in Engineering R&D Services. For the third time in a row, Zinnov has ranked Sasken in the Leadership Zone for the Semiconductor and Telecommunication categories. Sasken also features in the Execution Zone for Automotive, Consumer Electronics, and Industrial Automation categories.

Sasken’s silicon DNA backed by a comprehensive set of embedded offerings, has helped both silicon vendors and product companies accelerate time-to-market and optimally manage product lifecycles. From ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) to 5G, Sasken has been making significant contributions in the communication space.

Today, Sasken is serving over 100 customers to build their flagship products that include LTE-based satellite terminals and solutions for the Connected and Autonomous car (V2X, ADAS and infotainment). Sasken is enabling its industrial customers to develop next-gen products for their smart factories. Sasken is also investing in accelerating 5G deployment that will make V2X connectivity, digitizing factory floor, and automated driving possible.

Hari Haran, President - Global Sales, Marketing, and Business Lines at Sasken, said, “We see a whole new world unfolding in front of us where new services are getting launched every day. The key drivers that are making this difference are advances in silicon, embedded systems, cloud computing, and cognitive technologies. We are enabling our customers to create cutting-edge products and are working with them to build cognitive technologies that help define the world of tomorrow.”

Sidhant Rastogi, Partner & Practice Head at Zinnov said, “The company’s deep expertise in embedded technologies helped them become a differentiated company significantly across Semiconductor, Telecom, and Automotive verticals. Sasken through its deep-rooted communication and multimedia background is enabling next-gen technologies such as cellular V2X and vision-based ADAS solutions for the autonomous car. In the 5G space, Sasken is building solutions and also investing heavily in technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.”

LTTS Launches Digital Industrial Transformation Go-To-Market Powered by Microsoft Azure

L&T Technology Services Limited, a leading global pure play engineering services provider, today announced worldwide general availability (G.A), launch and go-to-market of 3 LTTS flagship solutions that will focus on driving Digital Industrial Transformation on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. The two companies will further consolidate their existing global alliance by setting up a joint Digital Industrial Transformation Applied Innovation Centre for shared enterprise customers.

The Digital Industrial Transformation Applied Innovation Centre will showcase how the Microsoft AI platform, Azure IoT, Microsoft Cognitive Services and Azure Machine Learning power LTTS’ globally proven cutting edge digital solutions in Smart Manufacturing, Smart Asset Performance Management & Smart Buildings. The proposed Applied Innovation Centre will include live Digital Industrial Use Cases from their Enterprise customers and academia partners, in addition to LTTS and Microsoft.

LTTS’ Smart Buildings solution, i-BEMS on Azure delivers Smart City, Campus and Buildings “system of systems” management, whereas LTTS’ Remote Asset Performance Management (RAPM) on Azure covers thousands of assets, improving their efficiency and utilization and LTTS’ W.A.G.E.S on Azure enables Smart Manufacturing by managing for Water, Air, Gas, Electricity & Steam Compliance for industrial enterprises.

Microsoft & LTTS (a 2017 Azure Emerging Partner awardee & Microsoft global alliance partner) have established a strong track record of winning global Fortune 500 class projects and delivering customer success stories combining LTTS’ strong Digital Industrial & Engineering heritage and Microsoft’s Cloud innovation on Azure.  For instance, both companies collaborated earlier this year to develop a Smart Buildings campus in Israel for a leading technology company that will optimize customer energy consumption by up to 40 % leveraging LTTS i-BEMS, and more recently to enable country wide Remote Asset Performance Management for a global Industrial customer. Together, both companies have been co-investing, engineering and delivering a strong global business pipeline for Digital Industrial & Engineering solutions across US, Canada, UK, Western Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, Japan and India.

“The industrial landscape is witnessing disruption with digital innovation enabled by hyper-scale, secure, cloud based solutions tapping into the Microsoft AI platform, Microsoft Azure IoT, Azure Machine Learning & Microsoft Cognitive Services. LTTS is harnessing all these capabilities to drive digital disruption i.e. Digital Engineering, Smart Manufacturing, and Perceptual Engineering. Microsoft and its Azure cloud platform perfectly align to our objectives to deliver Digital Industrial & Engineering solutions & services that help our shared customers thrive in the digital age,” said Amit Chadha, President Sales & Business Development and Member of the Board, L&T Technology Services.  

Rimes Mortimer, General Manager of Applied Innovation, Worldwide, at Microsoft Corp. said, “Our work with L&T Technology Services and the development of their solutions based on Microsoft Azure has been driven by customer demand. Azure customers will benefit from LTTS’ expertise in Digital Industrial and Engineering Transformation, and through the integration with other Azure services, such as Microsoft Azure IoT, Microsoft Cognitive Services and Azure Machine Learning.”

Do Not Panic! – K7 Computing demystifies the ‘Android Banking Trojan’

K7 Threat Control Lab has provided a threat advisory on the recently reported ‘Android Banking Trojan’, which incidentally is not as recent as it is presumed to be. A storm in a tea cup indeed.

The ‘Android Banking Trojan’ also referred as Bankbots, targeting banking applications is nothing new.  It has been seen in the mobile malware world for quite some time now.

K7 Threat Control Lab has also emphasized that none of the banking apps that have been named are compromised, nor are they at some super high risk. However it is strongly advised that users ensure that a robust and up-to-date security software is installed on their phone before they use any banking app.

Analyzing this banking Trojan reveals that it still avails of the usual social engineering technique of masquerading itself as a Flash Player app to trick the user into downloading and installing it. As expected this malware is only available on third party markets of low reputation.

Vivo Showcases World’s First In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Smartphone at CES 2018

Today at CES 2018, Vivo, a young global smartphone brand, showcases the world’s first ready-to-produce in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone that draws attention from a global audience. Leading with distinct innovative breakthroughs, the futuristic Vivo in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone offers consumers an unprecedented mobile experience, defining a new era of mobile interaction.

World’s First In-Display Fingerprint Smartphone Ready for Mass Production

At CES 2018, Vivo shows the world the first ready-to-produce smartphone featuring in-display fingerprint scanning technology, demonstrating its continued commitment to bring an extraordinary user experience. This latest fingerprint scanning technology delivers a whole new mobile experience by enabling users to unlock their smartphone through one-touch fingerprint scanning directly on the smartphone display, while solving the industry’s challenge of providing a better and more convenient fingerprint authentication experience in future smartphones.

“With our efforts in extensive consumer research and long-term R&D investment, Vivo is well positioned to pioneer the development of fingerprint scanning technology. We first presented a prototype of our fingerprint scanning solution at MWC Shanghai 2017 based on an ultrasonic sensor, and have remained committed to realizing our vision for future smartphones,” said Alex Feng, Senior Vice President of Vivo,” Today’s showcase of a ready-to-produce in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone featuring an optical fingerprint sensor is a big leap forward in bringing consumers this long-awaited, futuristic mobile experience. We are very excited to make it available to consumers soon.”

The showcasing of the world’s first in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone ready for mass-production marks a significant leap forward in the industry’s development, taking users’ smartphone experience to a new level. The availability of Vivo’s first in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone will be announced in early 2018.

Mahindra AMC Unveils “Mahindra Unnati Emerging Business Yojana” Open from Jan 8-22, 2018

Mahindra Asset Management Company Pvt. Ltd. (MAMCPL), the investment manager to Mahindra Mutual Fund and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra Finance will launch Mahindra Unnati Emerging Business Yojana,  Mid Cap Fund – An open ended equity scheme predominantly investing in mid cap schemes. The New Fund Offer opens on January 8, 2018 and closes on January 22, 2018. The scheme will reopen for continuous sale and repurchase from February 6, 2018.

Ashutosh Bishnoi, MD & CEO, Mahindra AMC said, “Indian economy is poised for a multiyear growth phase, with the governments focus on reforms. Investment opportunities will also emerge with formalisation of economy leading to shifting of market share from unorganised to organised sector in highly fragmented consumer segments bringing nations progress closer to every household.

Bishnoi, further added, In a relatively sluggish macro growth environment Midcap companies have shown higher earnings growth compared to large caps. We do see enough scope for stock-specific investment opportunities in the mid-cap space, especially in those segments that have multi-year structural growth outlook. As economies become larger there are multiple opportunities / niche in multiple sectors to create a fair market place. The fund would give investors an opportunity to participate in the growth story of today’s emerging companies which have the potential to become market leaders in the future.

The four reasons to invest in the scheme are as follows:

a)     Growing India : India has the potential to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world

b)    Return Potential: Medium sized businesses that are upgrading and innovating regularly have a potential to generate higher risk adjusted returns in the long term

c)     Quality of Investment: Bottom-up selection of focused sustainable businesses across sectors that are likely to be tomorrow's large caps

d)    Active Management: An actively managed portfolio with primary investments in mid-cap segment

The scheme is suitable for investors who seek long term capital appreciation

The scheme would invest minimum 65% in Mid Cap companies and upto 35% in stocks other than mid cap. Bottom up stock selection will focus on market leaders in smaller markets or focused single-line businesses in larger markets, that have shown growth and are likely to be the next large caps.

Bangalore Celebrates the Spirit of Customization with #HondaNAVICustomania

The Bangalore City Finale winner Harish AS received a prize of Rs 25,000 while runner-up Pavan Shekar won a prize of Rs 10,000. Both Harish AS and Pavan Shekar will now be fighting it out against 22 winners from 11 other cities for a chance to win a grand prize of Rs 2 lacs. The winner will also get the once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the ‘Best Customized NAVi’ at the Honda 2Wheelers India pavilion at the 2018 Auto Expo.

The NAVi Customania contest began its journey in October 2017, in search for the Best Customized NAVi. Participants also got the opportunity to learn the basics of customization from YC Design (Yogi Chhabaria) and Autologue Design (Mukul Nanda).

Speaking on #HondaNAViCustomania and its journey so far,  Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd,said: “We have received an overwhelming response from the every corner of India with over 10,000 registerations. #HondaNAViCustomania has given the youth a unique opportunity to bring to life their inner creativity. The FUN to SEE, FUN to RIDE and FUN to CREATE NAVi has transformed a niche field like customization to a household name. The electrifying atmosphere seen in the Bangalore City Finale will now move to Lucknow on January 13.”

Winning the mobile application and website based custom NAVi were Vinay TM and Arjun Nambiar, each winning a prize of Rs 5,000.

Jubilant with victory, Harish AS said, “#HondaNAViCustomania is a great opportunity to showcase our talent to the world. We are grateful to Honda 2Wheelers India to create this platform for enthusiasts like us. The chance to showcase our talent at the Auto Expo is certainly a dream which has kept me fully charged throughout the construction phase.”

With all the customized NAVi displayed at the Jaymala Palace Ground, Bangalore, the visitors got a chance to experience the creativity of Bangalore youth. The NAVi test ride and sketch zones were major crowd pullers with long queues lasting till closing time. Electrifying the atmosphere further was a performance by DJ Sartek.

The Customania festival aims to provide a platform for aspiring youth and budding custom builders to bring to life their imagination on the Honda NAVi. Encouraging Young India to celebrate their love for custom building #HondaNAViCustomania contest is open to NAVi users as well as non-NAVi users. Participants had to form a team of 1 to 4 members and only 1 entry was permitted from each team. The next City Finale will be held in Lucknow on January 13, 2018 while the Grand Finale will take place on January 28, 2018 in New Delhi.

Proximus Partners with Infosys to Simplify and Digitize its Enterprise Solutions Ecosystem

Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology and next-generation services today announced that it has been selected by Proximus, the largest telecommunications company in Belgium, to implement Excite – a business transformation program aimed at delivering superior digital customer experiences for its enterprise clients. The multi-year program will strengthen Proximus’ leadership in the professional services market by replacing legacy IT systems, streamlining processes and deploying advanced tools for quoting, selling, ordering, billing, invoicing and more.

As part of this program, Infosys has been entrusted with the joint overall responsibility and ownership of the Greenfield Excite program, which includes simplifying and remodelling the company’s portfolio of products for the professional services market, realigning business processes and organization around it, and digitizing business transactions. To achieve this, the program will consolidate more than 40 legacy IT systems into six new robust platforms to enable better product lifecycle management.

 Program highlights

·         Cloud-based solutions implemented by Infosys, including Salesforce, CloudSense and ServiceNow, will modernize legacy applications

·         Process automation will deliver ‘first time right’ service, thereby eliminating errors and rationalizing service costs

·         Leveraging Infosys digital capabilities, a user-friendly portal will be developed to enable self-service for enterprise customers and partners

·         Excite will leverage concepts of design thinking that embrace customer feedback and will contribute towards delivering a superior customer experience. In addition, agile IT methodologies such as Test Driven Development, Behaviour Driven Development and Pair Programming will improve responsiveness and simplify customer-oriented processes

·         A change management process enabled by Infosys will ensure business continuity while managing the interests of external partners and 6,000+ internal users

·         The standardized landscape, processes and organization will boost enterprise efficiencies and accelerate the lead-to-cash cycle

·         Remodelling the Enterprise Business Unit portfolio (comprising fixed, mobile and ICT products) will improve design, delivery and servicing across the product catalogue

Bart Van Den Meersche, Chief Enterprise Market Officer, Proximus, said, “At Proximus, we are committed to providing best-in-class products and service to our clients and partners. With this in mind, we have embarked on the Excite business transformation program that will further enhance and deliver new digital experiences for our enterprise clients. In the course of the next years, we want to manage all professional products through easy-to-use digital interfaces.”

Geert Goethals, Chief Information Officer, Proximus, said, “We are committed to our program Excite that will transform the way we sell professional services to our enterprise clients. Through Excite we expect to establish greater agility, collaboration and bring in superior quality and efficiency in the way IT and business interacts. As part of this initiative, we have entrusted the co-responsibility of transforming our IT systems to Infosys, as our teams work together to deliver objectives of this program over the next years.”

Rajesh Krishnamurthy, President and Head of Energy, Utilities, Telecommunications and Services, Infosys, said, “We are pleased to be a part of Proximus’ journey of becoming a digital services provider. Companies need to continuously deliver more value and superior experiences to its customers, and the same applies for the telecommunications industry especially given the highly competitive nature of its business. Through this program, Infosys will be leveraging its core capabilities and expertise across its service offerings to help Proxmius simplify and digitize its processes, while streamlining its product offerings and driving efficiencies.”