Wipro Wins the Biggest Deal in B’luru IT Firm’s History of $1.5-B from Alight Solutions

Wipro, India’s third largest IT services company has announced that it had won a $1.5 billion deal from US-based Alight Solutions.

The deal, spanning 10 years, is the largest one ever taken up by the company in its history. The deal will mandate Wipro to provide a comprehensive suite of solutions and services to Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Alight Solutions, a leader in tech-enabled health, wealth, HR and finance solutions.

In a release issued, Wipro stated that the deal will result in revenues of $1.5 to $1.6 billion for Wipro over the tenure.

This engagement will enable the digital transformation of Alight’s offerings across health, wealth, HR and finance solutions, and enhance the employee experience of Alight’s clients by leveraging Wipro’s industry-leading strengths in digital technologies, cognitive automation and data analytics.

Commenting on the development Wipro Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Abidali Z Neemuchwala said the company is delighted to be chosen by Alight as their long-term strategic partner in their enterprise transformation journey to bring digital experiences and offerings to employees and employers globally.

“This is a testimony to the capabilities we have built through our strategic investments in Wipro Digital, cloud platforms and cognitive platform Wipro HOLMES™. We will leverage this expertise to digitalize and modernize Alight’s core across platforms, technologies and operations,” he said. 

Wipro completed on August 31 the transaction to acquire Alight HR Services India Pvt Ltd, India arm of Alight Solutions. This was announced during Q1 results. The deal win further help the company to solidify its third position, where it is facing tough competition from HCL.

The New Standard for Video Walls Comes to India with Introduction of Prysm LPD 6K

Prysm. Inc. a leading display and visual collaboration solutions provider, today announced the launch of its Laser Phosphor Display (LPD) 6K Series in India. Designed on Prysm’s patented display technology, the interactive, large-format single panel display offers a seamless and immersive visual experience. The solution is helping to define a new category of interactive large-format single panel displays, with bezel-free viewing above 100 inches, with screen sizes available at 190 and 135 inches.

The new Prysm LPD 6K features include:

An immersive, bezel-free viewing experience, featuring a high fill factor and an exceptional contrast ratio, resulting in striking picture quality. Built-in interactivity with more than 32 simultaneous touchpoints
A cool-to-the-touch screen with low power intake, consuming at least 20 percent less energy than similarly sized LED/LCD video walls with 96 percent recyclable materials
The shatter-resistant display is flexible and offers rollability for transport - making it easy to deliver and install
Better serviceability with easier access from the front of the unit

Commenting on the launch, Amit Jain, founder and CEO, Prysm said, “Prysm is committed to bring industry-first experiences to our customers. With the launch of LPD 6K Series, we have set a new standard for interactive video walls and collaboration. Our highest priority is to provide enterprises, their employees and customers with an exceptional user experience that delivers a unique blend of visual integrity and interactivity to inspire new ideas, drive business forward, and promote working smarter together. We are confident in the success of the LPD 6K series across India and globally."

The LPD 6K Series is uniquely optimized for the following markets:

Customer Experience Centres (CEC) and Executive Briefing Centres (EBC) - designed to deliver a large-scale, immersive and interactive brand experience
Board Rooms, War Rooms and Premium Training Rooms - as a fully interactive display, the LPD 6K Series enables businesses to supercharge the boardroom. LPD 6K comes with an impact and scratch resistant polymer surface
Collaboration and Innovation Centres – coupled with the Prysm’s visual collaboration platform, the LPD 6K makes meetings more engaging and immersive, ultimately resulting in better and faster decision making
Command and Control Centres for Smart Cities – the combination of a Prysm video wall and visual collaboration solution makes it ideal for command and control centres, enabling visualization of critical applications and data from multiple sources on a single display
Education – a great fit for the open and engaging culture of higher learning – offering immersive experiences

The LPD 6K series is easy to install in a variety of locations due to its revolutionary rollable, self-emissive panel. The durable front screen – made of a specialty coated polycarbonate layer – is rolled into a cylinder for easy transport. As a result, integrators can negotiate tight corners and enter through standard doors and passenger elevators for set-up - something that is nearly impossible for traditional large-format displays.

GB Kumar, vice president, India and Asia Pacific, Prysm said, “Prysm is leading the disruption in the industry with its innovative technology. Today, customers across industries are looking for a future- ready solution that can redefine digital display experience for them and for their brands. With the clearest resolution, unrivalled contrast, and a fully interactive display, LPD 6K, offers an unparalleled experience.

We are receiving a lot of interest for the LPD 6K series in India and we are excited to make it available to our partners and customers here.”

SpiceJet Announces Eight New Domestic Flights Across India

SpiceJet, the country’s favourite carrier, today announced the launch of eight new domestic flights. SpiceJet will be connected Kanpur with Mumbai with a daily direct flight and will be the first and only airline operating on the route. SpiceJet already operates a daily flight from Kanpur to Delhi.

SpiceJet is offering an exciting all inclusive introductory promotional fare starting at Rs 4099 for travel to Mumbai  from Kanpur and Rs 4198  for travel to Kanpur from Mumbai for a limited period. Similarly the promotional fare on Coimbatore Bengaluru can be availed from Rs 2199 and on Bengaluru Coimbatore sector the fares start from Rs 2409.

Reiterating its commitment for direct connectivity and on-boarding non-metros and smaller cities onto the national aviation map the airline has introduced a slew of new flights and frequencies.

Effective October 8, the airline will introduce new direct flights on the Bengaluru-Coimbatore sector. The morning and evening flights on the sector have been designed to offer convenience to frequent travellers helping them avail same day return trips. Additionally, SpiceJet will also enhance its operations with an additional frequency on the Hyderabad-Surat (second frequency) route.

Deploying a mix of its fleet of Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q-400 aircraft on the routes, the airline also strengthen its network across North, South and West India.

Shilpa Bhatia, Chief Sales & Revenue Officer - SpiceJet, said: “We see immense potential in the new routes we have announced today. We are proud to be the only Indian carrier to provide direct connectivity between Mumbai, the country’s financial capital and Kanpur, regarded as the commercial capital of Uttar Pradesh and one of the major industrial hubs of the country. This new flight reiterates our commitment to increasing air connectivity to the city of Kanpur.”

All the new flights introduced will be operational daily, whereas the evening flight on the Coimbatore-Bengaluru route will fly on all days except Tuesday.

SpiceJet has been pitching for more flights to non- metros and smaller cities from major airports in the country. With the new flights, passengers from small towns like Kanpur, Surat and Coimbatore can now also easily travel to a host of other cities both on SpiceJet’s domestic as well as international network via multiple onward connections from key metros.

Bookings for tickets are now open on www.spicejet.com, SpiceJet’s mobile app and through online travel portals and travel agents.

Honda 2Wheelers India is Fast Becoming the First Choice in Shared Mobility

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) - the most preferred brand in South and West India today announced its latest business deal with Drivezy – a leading last-mile self-drive rental service.

Honda’s fleet of 3000 scooters including India’s largest selling two-wheeler Activa 5G and CLIQ will now serve as new options for metro commuters in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Announcing this business deal at the mega delivery in Whitefield area of Bangalore today were Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President- Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd, Ashwarya Pratap Singh, CEO and Co-Founder, Drivezy and Mohammed Hafeez, Director, Sapphire Honda.

In India, rapid urbanization and limited public transport infrastructure is leading to increased traffic congestion in cities. Shared mobility on two-wheels is fast evolving and fuelling this demand are the young demographics including more women entering the workforce.

Elaborating on the customer trends in the shared mobility segment, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President- Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Driving the shared mobility story in India is the young and digital savvy generation who is looking for convenient last mile connectivity solutions for their daily commute. In our understanding, high utilization of the asset – that is the two-wheeler itself, is the key for the success of this business model.  Scooters with universal acceptance due to their unisex appeal, comfort and convenience and are the most preferred choice of customers availing shared mobility services. As a result, more and more shared mobility companies are inducting Honda scooters - the undisputed first choice of scooter customers in their fleet. We thank Drivezy for trusting in Honda for their latest fleet expansion of 3000 units and wish them the very best.”

From initial business with 10 shared mobility players in 2014, Honda is now the first choice of over 30 shared mobility players operating in key towns like Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon, Goa etc.

Honda’s products are preferred by shared mobility players across all 3 types of operations – be it aggregators, two-wheeler rentals or even the digitized self-ride rentals.

Making Honda even more desirable is the high trust that the consumers of shared mobility providers repose in the brand. Further on, Honda 2Wheelers is aggressively supporting these mobility players with value additions and insights on increasing customer satisfaction while giving high quality two-wheelers which give the low operating and maintenance cost benefit over the long term.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashwarya Singh, CEO and Co-Founder, Drivezy said, “The sharing economy in recent years has attracted significant attention due to its potential to generate new markets and employment by making use of idle assets. The future of world belongs to shared, connected and zero waste mobility and we look forward to working closely with Honda Motorcycles and Scooters are driving towards this mission.”

SOTC Travel Introduces “Holiday Essentials” a Retail Portfolio for Hassle Free Travel

Choosing the right travel gear for your trip can feel overwhelming. With the Indian traveller becoming open to newer experiences, SOTC has witnessed a rapid change in how a tourist now wants to experience his vacations.

To make these experiences easy to enjoy for the customer, SOTC has launched “Holiday Essentials” keeping in mind the type of vacation and destination requirement. The ‘Holiday Essentials’ range is an integral part of SOTC’s services and have been designed to make every vacation worry free by understanding the customer’s minute necessities.

SOTC Travel has witnessed the change in travel experiences over the years and has observed a growth in queries for the inclusion of various kinds of experiences which is about 30% to 35% as compared to the last year. Being a new age travel curator, SOTC strives to make holidays a priority for every Indian. To accommodate these new requirements of the present day traveller, SOTC has included a strong line up of their own Holiday Essentials range of travel merchandise along with a few other Indian and international brands on their website https://www.sotcholidayessentials.com/.

This merchandise website currently provides around 70 unique products across categories. Bringing together a range of accessories to help relieve discomfort and boredom are a fantastic way to beat the travelling blues! SOTC ‘Holiday Essentials’ line offers a wide array of products, from neck pillows to hand warmers, adaptors to backpacks. There are plenty of nifty gadgets too; such as compact portable luggage weighing scales, padlocks and waterproof pouches. It includes SOTC’s private label under the brand name of “Holiday Essentials” and mix of international brands like Osprey, Nrit, Trekmates and award winning Indian brands like Tag8. Customers can also place orders at their nearest SOTC store.

Holiday Essentials enables customers to have all of their travel merchandise needs under one roof along with a wide range of options to choose from. The prime objective is to provide complete solution and 360 degree approach to travelling, which makes vacationers feel safe, trendy and comfortable.

Speaking about the website’s offerings, Daniel D’souza- Head of Sales, India & NRI Markets & E-Commerce SOTC Travel said “In our constant endeavor to enhance customer delight, SOTC Travel has introduced ‘Holiday Essentials’ a one-stop solution for all travel retail needs. Travel retail is an extremely dynamic channel that represents a huge untapped opportunity in the marketplace. We have observed huge potential to penetrate in this intrepid market by creating something new and exciting for travellers and that primarily includes making it easy for our customers to find a one-stop solution for all their travel needs. Whether travelling on business or for leisure, passengers will find their choice of travel accessories at SOTC Holiday Essentials.

This feature will open doors to something bigger and create a system of ease and comfort while a customer finds that we offer multi-category credentials to the industry with the promise of efficient functionality. While travelling, practicality leads the way. With this wide array of travel and lifestyle solutions, we aim to be a trustworthy companion on everyday’s adventures. Wherever the destination is, we aim that ‘Holiday Essentials’ will be an indispensable part of our discerning customer’s journey.”

Tata Motors Showcases the Future of Sustainable Public Transportation

Reaffirming commitment towards sustainable public transportation, India’s leading bus brand Tata Motors is all set to showcase five new public transport vehicles at the BusWorld India 2018, biggest B2B bus and coach exhibition in the world.

The new range of transport solutions on display will be - Starbus Ultra AC 22-Seater Push back, Starbus 12-Seater AC Maxi cab, WINGER 12-Seater, Tata 1515 MCV Staff Bus and MAGNA intercity coach. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and advanced safety features, these new variants will exhibit superior design, excellent fuel economy and a longer service life, making commute enjoyable and safer.

Commenting on the occasion Rohit Srivastava, Product Line Head – Passenger Commercial Vehicle, Tata Motors said “Buses from Tata Motors are a hallmark of excellence and the range has adapted innovations to suit both Indian and global travel conditions. Under our Turnaround 2.0 strategy, we are aggressively focusing on introducing new range of products with improved features and state-of-the-art technological advancements. Our priority is to provide efficient, clean, safe, accessible and affordable value propositions to our customers. Our exhibits at the BusWorld 2018 is a testament of our best-in-class solutions tailored to the bus segment in India, with special focus on driver and passenger comfort and safety.”

Sandeep Kumar, Head Sales & Marketing - Passenger Commercial Vehicle, Tata Motors adds "We are pleased to associate with BusWorld India 2018 as a platinum sponsor. It is an excellent platform to showcase our revolutionizing range of buses providing the customers with the perfect blend of convenience, comfort and smart travel options. Through our product offerings, we are shifting the paradigm for new age products and mobility solutions, not just for the passengers but for drivers too.”

Key Highlights:

* Offered as a complete solution for intercity application, MAGNA is India’s First Bus Body Complaint (BBC) luxury intercity bus. It is available in two power nodes (180 HP and soon to be launched 230 HP). The new age coach with a 35-44 ranging seating capacity and a generous boot space of 7.5 cubic meter; is backed by reliable aggregates like Cummins ISBe 5.9 engine, TATA G750 gearbox, VOITH Retarder and Marcopolo bus body. MAGNA’s eye-catching exteriors and well-appointed interiors ensure passengers arrive refreshed from the journey.
* Targeting the staff and tourist segment, Starbus Ultra AC 22-Seater Push back and Starbus 12-Seater AC Maxi cab are built by Tata Marcopolo offering a refreshing look and best-in-class features such as individual charging points, hand rest on all seats, Push back luxury leather seats with maximum comfort, power steering, air brakes and LED lighting to enhance the interior look.
* Starbus Ultra AC 22-Seater PB comes with the New Generation Turbotronn Engine 140Hp offering 7 Lac kms first overhaul life and lowest NVH in its class. On the other hand, Starbus 12-Sseater AC Maxi cab comes with 4SP CR engine offering smooth operations. Other aggregates like GB-550 gearbox fitted with cable shift mechanism, radial tubeless tyres, parabolic suspension and tiltable steering ensures best ride comfort for both passenger as well as driver.  
* With a 2.2 L DICOR Engine and a Flat Torque curve, the Winger 12-Seater is a game-changing product that will address the pressing need of product performance and fuel efficiency for the Tour and Travel operators.
* Keeping in mind the demand for a Fully Built Bus from STU or Staff application Tata 1515 MCV bus emerges as an ideal business partner for any operator. Made on proven 1515 chassis and supported by trustworthy aggregates like Cummins ISBe 5.9 engine, TATA G600 Gearbox and Tata Marcopolo body; the vehicle showcases features like three point seat belts, reverse camera with display, USB mobile charging points and GPS with Wi-Fi.

Tata Motors today offers a comprehensive range of buses catering to an entire gamut of day-to-day travelling needs - from luxurious intercity travel options, to safe transport and driver-friendly choices. Tata Motors has pioneered technological innovations in the bus segment, and is fully equipped with a range of buses powered by alternate fuels aimed at reducing pollution and promoting an eco-friendly transport system in India. 

The company has  also developed a range of mobility solutions such as Hybrid, Electric, Fuel Cell, LNG and Articulated buses to meet the future transportation needs of the ‘Envisaged Smart Cities’. With an extensive product portfolio of future ready buses, Tata Motors will continue to play an active role in mass public transportation, with a commitment towards striking the right balance between sustainable growth and profitability.

Siemens and Bentley Systems Strengthen Strategic Alliance and Joint Investment Initiatives

In the companies’ latest Alliance Board meeting, Bentley Systems and Siemens decided to further strengthen their strategic alliance. The two companies have decided to extend their existing agreement, to further develop their joint business cooperation and commercial initiatives. Therefore, the joint innovation investment program will be increased from the initial €50 million funding to €100 million. In addition, as a result of the continuous investment of Siemens into secondary shares of Bentley’s common stock the Siemens stake in Bentley Systems now exceeds 9%.

Klaus Helmrich, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, said: “I’m very pleased with how strong our alliance started. Now we are investing in the next collaboration level with Bentley, where for instance we will strengthen their engineering and project management tools with Siemens enterprise wide collaboration platform Teamcenter to create a full Digital Twin for the engineering and construction world.” 

He added: “Integrated company-wide data handling and IoT connectivity via MindSphere will enable our mutual customers to benefit from the holistic Digital Twins.”

Greg Bentley, Bentley Systems CEO, said: “In our joint investment activities with Siemens to date, we have progressed worthwhile opportunities together with virtually every Siemens business for ‘going digital’ in infrastructure and industrial advancement. As our new jointly offered products and cloud services now come to market, we are enthusiastically prioritizing further digital co-ventures. We have also welcomed Siemens’ recurring purchases of non-voting Bentley Systems stock on the NASDAQ Private Market, which we facilitate in order to enhance liquidity, primarily for our retiring colleagues.”

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for 170 years. The company is active around the globe, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry.

 The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2017, which ended on September 30, 2017, Siemens generated revenue of €83.0 billion and net income of €6.2 billion. At the end of September 2017, the company had around 377,000 employees worldwide.