Global Research Reveals New Challenges And Lingering Confusion Around Data Protection in the Cloud

Highlights:

Backup is getting more complex: 57 percent of respondents are responsible for backing up more than two sites, and 35 percent are using multiple cloud services.
IT may be underestimating the need to protect the SaaS data in their subscription apps. Only 16 percent reported backing up SaaS data.
Using the cloud as a secondary backup location is on the rise. Nearly 2/3 of respondents say they are replicating backup data to the cloud.
Barracuda, a trusted partner and leading provider for cloud-enabled security solutions, today released key findings from a global research study titled: Closing Backup and Recovery Gaps. Barracuda surveyed more than 1,000 IT professionals, business executives, and backup administrators worldwide to find out more about their data protection strategies.

The research reveals new details about the attitudes and approaches SMBs have when it comes to backing up and recovering data, the impact that cloud and SaaS solutions are having on data protection strategies, and confusion that is exposing firms to significant risk.

Backup challenges and confusion

Overall the study shows that the migration to the cloud is well underway, but organizations are not protecting their cloud and SaaS data effectively. Key findings include:

Data protection is becoming more challenging to achieve with the rise of multi-cloud and multi-site backup.
57 percent of respondents are responsible for backing up more than two sites
35 percent are using multiple cloud services.
IT decision makers are warming up to the cloud, and the use of the cloud as a secondary backup location is on the rise.
64 percent of global organizations say they replicate backup data to the cloud
36 percent still do not follow this best practice
IT teams view email, SQL, and proprietary application data as the most common workloads to protect with backup, but SaaS data is not viewed as critical, which puts business continuity at risk.
Only 16 percent of respondents report that they back up their SaaS data.
Office 365 is one of the most popular cloud-based productivity platforms, but Office 365 confusion is exposing firms to significant risk
More than 60 percent of SMBs are using Office 365 to drive business success
40 percent are not using any third-party backup tools to protect mission-critical data because they believe Office 365 provides all the backup they need, which is unlikely to be true
“While more IT professionals are embracing ways the cloud can support data protection, such as replicating backup data to the cloud, many are making dangerous assumptions about SaaS and cloud data that are putting organizations at risk,” says Chris King, Director, Product Management, Data Protection at Barracuda Networks. “IT still needs to consider how data is protected, even after migrating to cloud or SaaS applications.”

Today's complex infrastructures and targeted cyber attacks require a complete backup strategy that protects data wherever it resides — on‑premises or in the cloud. Barracuda’s Backup solutions offers continuous data protection and the flexibility of replicating to a remote physical or virtual appliance, or to the cloud. It’s Cloud-to-Cloud Backup provides comprehensive, cost-effective and scalable protection.

Accenture's IT Services Impresses Once Again During 2019

Accenture (ACN) impressed with strong 9% c/c revenue growth, record bookings and further increase in FY2019 (August year-end) revenue growth guidance. Growth was skewed towards resources and communications verticals while financial services and heath & public services verticals underperformed. Read-through for other IT names—demand environment is reasonable even as there are rough edges visible in weak financial services growth.

ACN—strong headline numbers with growth skew towards a couple of verticals

Accenture reported a strong 2QFY19 (quarter ending February 2019) with c/c revenue growth of 9%, at the upper-end of 6-9% guidance band. Organic c/c revenue growth stood at around 7.5%. Growth was led by communications, products and resources growing at 12%, 10% and 22% in c/c. On expected lines, financial services was weak and grew at 2% in c/c. Health & public service grew at muted 3% caused by decline in Federal Government revenues in the US. New services (digital, cloud and security services) contributed more than 60% to revenues in 2QFY19 and grew in double digits. Strategy & consulting services and technology services grew in high single digits.

Operating margin increased by 20 bps yoy. Three of the five operating segments reported yoy decline in EBIT margin with a big swing in numbers resulting from sharp increase in profitability of the resources vertical. Bookings were at record level of US$11.8 bn, recording a new high and grew 15.1% yoy. Consulting bookings grew 18.6% and outsourcing bookings grew 10.9%. We note that new bookings number for the quarter includes reimbursement of expenses, something which was not included in the previous year numbers.

Revenue growth guidance raised to 6.5-8.5% from 6-8% earlier

The company raised FY2019 revenue growth guidance to 6.5-8.5% from 6-8% in the previous quarter and 5-8% at the beginning of the year. Accenture has also guided for 5.5-8.5% revenue growth for 3QFY19. The company expects 1.5% contribution to revenues from acquisitions. The company intends to spend US$1.5 bn on acquisitions in FY2019, of which it has already closed 15 acquisitions entailing outflow of US$515 mn in 1HFY19. Operating margin expansion guidance of 10-30 bps for FY2019E remains unchanged. ACN indicated that macro risks remain with potential for an economic slowdown. However, volatility is the new norm with clients continuing to invest in technology to drive revenue growth and create operational efficiencies.

Financial services—weak banking, especially in Europe, strong insurance

On expected lines, financial services practice was weak for ACN. The insurance segment grew in double digits. However, the company reported moderate decline in revenues in banking and capital markets contributed by decline in Europe. Growth in North America banking was also muted. The company indicated strong bookings in all segments of financial services and expects growth to rebound in the second half of the year.

We believe that IT spending will be muted in the capital markets segments, especially in Europe. We expect steady spending in the traditional banking segment in North America though there may be spending caution from a couple of large clients. Spending outlook at a broader level will be slower than 2018. Growth for individual player will be a function of exposure to sub-segments of the banking vertical and share gains/losses in consolidation decisions.

Read-through for other companies

ACN management indicated potential of a slower economic growth. Client budgets may grow at slightly slower pace compared to 2018. However, this slower growth has not translated in weak growth outlook. ACN's revenue growth for FY2019 will be similar to FY2018.

For offshore pureplays, growth will be a function of two factors—(1) slowdown in economic growth. Select segments in financial services and sub segments in manufacturing segment and hi-tech are displaying signs of weakness and (2) tailwind from increasing digital deal sizes and accelerated deal momentum courtesy clarity on simplification of the core. Admittedly a strong exit to FY2019, a bulging order book and positive commentary on demand should translate into a far better FY2020. However, the downside of a slowing market cannot be ignored either. All said, we expect FY2020E growth to be broadly in line with FY2019 growth. We expect acceleration in growth for a few companies and modest deceleration for others.

Is digital discretionary? ACN’s nuanced perspective does not seem to suggest so

ACN believes that despite the pace of disruption in global business, there is recognition that companies cannot pause digital spending. However, in the eventual situation of a slowdown, companies may push harder for operational efficiency and cost-rationalization agenda to fund digital spending. In a way the nuanced stance indicates a secular shift towards digital spending with adjustment in spending by doubling down on efficiency expectations from vendors in case of a slowdown.

Key highlights from earnings call

New bookings. New bookings were broad-based and in line with strategic offerings. 65% of the new bookings were for digital, cloud and security offerings.

Growth momentum in the new to continue. Accenture expects strong growth momentum in the new to continue despite the businesses having reached significant scale. The company believes that most companies are in the early phase of adoption of digital technologies. Leverage of growth from digital technologies is a multi-year play.

Accenture Interactive. Accenture has done seven acquisitions in FY2019 to enhance scale and differentiation in key markets. Accenture is the world’s largest provider of digital marketing services.

Applied Intelligence. The practice combines advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, with Accenture’s domain and business expertise. Accenture has 20,000 people focused on Applied Intelligence, including 6,000 deep and artificial intelligence in data science.

Industry X.0. The practice uses digital technologies to help clients transform their core operations. Accenture has about 10,000 people in Industry X.0.

Accenture Security. Accenture is one of the leading providers in security market. The practice is growing in double-digits and is expected to have an annual revenue run-rate above US$2 bn in FY2019.

Cloud. Accenture is a leading integrator for cloud partners such as Microsoft Assure, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud platform. The company is well-positioned to tap growth opportunities from demand for custom cloud applications.

Nearly 400 Candidates Receive ‘Skill India’ Certification Under an IOCL Skilling Project

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), in association with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), hosted a certification ceremony for nearly 391 candidates who have undergone Skill India training program.  Mr. VK Shukla, Executive Director-HR, IOCL; Mr. RC Upadhyay CGM (A&W), IOCL; Ms. Anita Shrivastava, GM (CC&CSR), IOCL and Mr. Gaurav Kapoor, Sr. Head- Industry Partnership & CSR and Media & Advocacy, NSDC and Mr. Ketul Acharya, COO, IL&FS Skills, graced the certification ceremony that was attended by candidates from healthcare, apparel, telecom and domestic workers sectors.

In its commitment towards Skill India Mission, IOCL under its 11 refineries divisions, is supporting skill training of 4,450 candidates across 11 locations in the vicinity of IOCL’s refineries.  In one of such projects – IOCL (RHQ) – being implemented in New Delhi by NSDC’s four training partners - Orion Edutech, IL&FS Skills, IACM SmartLearn Ltd. and Olive Heritage Education and Welfare Society, more than 500 candidates have undergone training in Healthcare, Apparel, Telecom, Domestic Worker and Management and Entrepreneurship & Professional sector.  391 successfully passed candidates were awarded certificates at an event at Orion Edutech’s Mandir Marg training centre.   Amongst those certified, 394 candidates have been placed as General Duty Assistant, Vision Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Customer Care Executive (Call Center), Sewing Machine Operator, General Housekeeper and Unarmed Security Guard. The focus of the project was youth from BPL category in the community and achieved participation of BPL youth as high as 71%. The successfully passed candidates under Sewing Machine Operator trade have been employed with Apparel houses such as Pee-empro exports, Akriti Apparels and other stretched belt of  apparel houses at Mathura road; under Healthcare sector placements have taken place at Max Hospitals, Care 24; under Telecom sector candidates placed with SMC Insurance Broker, Noverto Business Services; under Unarmed Security Guard trade maximum candidates have been employed with well-known employer of security gaurds- G4 Securities whereas candidates trained under domestic worker trade have been employed as Housekeepers and Field Executives by organizations like Sodexo Facilities Management Services India Pvt. Ltd. and various other local enterprises.

Commenting on partnership, Mr. Gaurav Kapoor, Sr. Head-Industry Partnership & CSR and Media & Advocacy, NSDC, said, “NSDC’s industry partnership models provide opportunities to companies in the public and private sectors to meet and fulfil their CSR commitments and lead by example.  It is overwhelming that this young brigade of skilled candidates, who were certified today, are confident to make their mark in the development of nation.”

Mr. VK Shukla, Executive Director (HR), Refineries Division HQs, Indian Oil Corporation, addressing the gathering said, “Our aim is to support Government of India’s mission of increasing employability and capability for self-enterprise among the youth, and our association with NSDC has widened opportunities for skilling youths the residents in the vicinity of our refinery units. Association with this project, reinforces our corporate mission to enrich the quality of life of the communities.”

Fulfilling its CSR mandate, IOCL has got into an agreement (MoU) with NSDC to promote skill development including vocational skills among, women and youth, focusing marginalized communities to enhance employability and offer them a better livelihood.  Starting with one project at IOCL’s Barauni refinery two years ago, the scope of projects have now expanded to 21 locations across India, covering IOCL’s eleven refineries, five marketing divisions and one pipeline division.  With a multifold increase in scope and scale, these CSR projects aim concerted effort and offer help to youth in enhancing livelihood opportunities across varied sectors.

About National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)

NSDC is one of its kind public-private-partnership with an objective to facilitate skill training in partnership with private training providers. Till date, NSDC has approved 400+ training providers and 38 operational Sector Skill Councils, with a geographical spread of 7,000+ training centres in 600+ districts across the country. NSDC has trained more than 1.4 crore people across sectors.

Tata Motors Partners with Valvoline Cummins in India for Passenger Vehicle Lubricants

Valvoline Cummins Private Limited (VCPL), and Tata Motors announced the launch of their co-branded lubricants for the passenger cars segment. These lubricants will be branded as Tata Motors Genuine Oil and will be available for all Tata Motors cars in the retail market.

The launch of this co-branded lubricant was attended by Mr. Subhajit Roy – Senior General Manager & Head Customer Care (Domestic and International Business), PVBU, Tata Motors, Mr. P. Shanmugasundaram – Head Service Marketing, Mr. Sandeep Kalia – Valvoline Cummins CEO, Mr. SK Mukherjee – Chief Technical Officer VCPL, Mr. Jitesh Mehta – Director Retail Sales & Marketing, and Mr. Rupesh Kushwaha – VP OEM partnerships VCPL.

Speaking on this partnership, Mr. Subhajit Roy, Senior General Manager & Head Customer Care (Domestic and International Business), PVBU, Tata Motors said, “Customer centricity remains the driving force for us at Tata Motors and we are continuously striving to provide a satisfying post purchase experience for our customers. We are pleased to partner with VCPL in developing an exclusive range of lubricants for our passenger vehicles, which will help our cars deliver superior performance for a substantial period of time. With this new range of oils, we are dedicated towards providing the best lubricant technology expertise and support in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Mr. Sandeep Kalia, Chief Executive Officer of Valvoline Cummins Private Limited, said, “We are honored to partner and work closely with an automotive giant like Tata Motors. Valvoline has had a long history of partnering with key automotive companies to bring innovative premium lubricants to market, and this milestone represents the success of our business model in India. This partnership will be a true testimony to Valvoline’s world-class products, and we are looking forward to providing superior quality and aftermarket product support to Tata Motors customers through our partnership.”

In one year, Vedanta’s Balco Medical Centre Treats Over 4,000 Cancer Patients in Chhattisgarh

Since receiving its first patient a year ago, Balco Medical Centre (BMC), a subsidiary of Vedanta Medical Research Foundation, has travelled a long way in serving the people of Chhattisgarh by making world-class treatment of cancer an affordable and attainable proposition. As the first super-specialty hospital with the capability to treat cancer, Balco Medical Centre’s genuinely colossal impact is validated by the reception it received from the people and the milestones achieved – over 4,000 people afflicted with cancer were served, more than 230 patients underwent radiation, 250 plus surgeries were performed and well past 1000 chemotherapies were carried out.

Mrs. Jyoti Agarwal, Chairperson of Balco Medical Centre, reiterated the facility’s commitment to make treatment of cancer affordable for the people with ‘compassion, care and cure.’ Recollecting the year gone by, she said, “We treasure every effort we make in our fight against cancer. We strive to bring smile back on the face of each and every individual who walks into our facility. But it is the joy of a young daughter that I witnessed when she heard of her father’s recovery from stomach cancer that will remain permanently etched in my heart.”

Renowned Indian actress Ms. Manisha Koirala, a cancer survivor herself, paid a visit to the medical facility on its 1st anniversary where she interacted with the patients and shared her experience with them. Ms. Koirala spoke about the critical role that advanced healthcare technologies and specialist doctors played in her fight with cancer, and instilled faith and confidence among the patients.

Balco Medical Centre, the 170-bed, state-of-the-art tertiary care oncology facility with 40 specialist doctors, set up in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, is the largest such facility in the entire central India. But more importantly, it provides affordable yet world-class treatment of the most critical disease known to mankind. Currently, it is fast emerging as a national leader in India’s oncology space including medical, surgical, radiation and palliative care.

Further extending the efforts on the practice of ‘preventive and curative’ healthcare delivery, Vedanta went beyond the medical facility to take BMC’s capability as closer to the people as possible with several on-ground initiatives like free cancer screening camps and spreading awareness and education through digital and social media.

About Vedanta Medical Research Foundation:

Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF) is a non-profit organisation initiated by Vedanta Resources and Bharat Aluminium Co. Ltd. (BALCO) to contribute to the prevention of cancer and its related illnesses through a Centre of Excellence in medical, surgical and radiation oncology. More than 2.5 million Indians currently live with cancer and the country sees over 5,50,000 cancer-related deaths each year. With these statistics in mind, VMRF aims to bring ultra-modern, multi-modality diagnostic and therapeutic facilities within easy reach of India’s population at a reasonable and affordable cost.

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HE Advanced Grooming Launches the New Summer Disruptor “HE MAGIC DUO”

HE, the Advanced Male Grooming Brand of the FMCG major Emami Limited launches ‘HE Magic Duo’, a unique category disrupting innovation to expand the brand’s portfolio in the zero gas perfume space. For the very first time in India, HE Magic Duo, delivers the convenience of getting two distinct fragrances in one single can.

HE Magic Duo offers two variants “Angels and Demons” and “Yin and Yang” both of which come in a cool masculine matte styled finished pack of 50 ml*2 = 100 ml inside a premium looking carton with a transparent window. The unique applicator at the top of the can is positioned side by side and can spray two different fragrances separately or together.

Adding to the excitement of the innovation, Mr. Harsha V. Agarwal, Director- Emami Ltd said, “The deodorant category in India is a highly saturated and cluttered market. With the presence of multiple players, it is becoming increasingly difficult to break through this clutter and stand out. HE as a brand has a strong legacy of differentiation from the very beginning. This time, we found through our consumer research that there is an increasing dual usage trend wherein 1 in 5 users currently use 2 or more Deos on a regular basis just from the need of variety and the urge of not smelling the same every time.

Triggered by this consumer need, we have brought in a category disrupting solution through HE Magic Duo where we are offering two fragrances at the price of one.  We believe that HE Magic Duo with its breakthrough packaging is going to create a stir in the consumer mind space.”

HE Magic Duo will roll out a series of quirky, humorous television commercials made on a single sign-off thread of “GOD Promise Bro” to vouch for this unbelievable innovative product.

Thomas Edison’s Megaphone to Empower Smartphones in India

The city saw the launch of hyper-local connectivity app titled ‘Bhonga’. The app is an initiative by Linkus Infratech Private Limited.

The app in the beta stage was tested extensively by more than 2000+ users in Mumbai and Thane so that the system is totally bug-free before the commercial launch. Encouraging results paved the way for a full-fledged launch. “The app is designed keeping in mind the connect beyond family and friends. It is designed to connect people within the same locality without worrying about whether they know each other or not. "The idea behind the app is a very simple one – that of a megaphone or loudspeaker,” said Radhika Agarwal, Director, Linkus Infratech.

We tried to understand the areas a megaphone can be of use and realized the potential and the result was "Bhonga". Incidentally, Megaphone was invented by Thomas Edison, the same visionary who invented the bulb. The light bulb brought in a revolution when it was used and the same can be done with a digital megaphone which will empower every smartphone user.

Bhonga is a simple app which once downloaded allows the user send a message to all those who have this app in the 1 km radius, whether they know each other or not exactly the way a loudspeaker allows you to reach out to people around. The user can use the app to reach out to everyone around for posting messages which may be an emergency, an offer, a query or even an opinion or information which he believes may be of help to people around him. "The app dynamically changes its location based upon the phone's geography and hence it connects the user with others in whatever area he is present thus keeping him well connected where ever he goes" emphasis Radhika.

During the beta test we saw users asking for extra chairs and mattresses from people in the neighbourhood for a wedding in the house, a user looking for a language teacher in the neighbourhood, somebody willing to sell household goods, announcement of a medical camp in the society, home tuition inquires, mom and pop stores announcing offers, etc. Bhonga offered a completely new way of reach in the area.

One can also put in a voice note and a photo to his post. Security and anonymity are at the heart of the app, the user’s identity is not disclosed but only the location coordinates from where the post was generated gets shared. This also enables users to fearlessly express their opinions. A locality or neighbourhood reach also is at times much critical than the reach to just the family and friends available over other personal messaging and social media platforms.

Bhonga is also in the process of working with several non-profit partners like blood-banks, ambulance services, etc. to make the app a lot more useful. The app is available for both Android and iPhone. The users are offered support to enable them to best use the app. “

"There are strong micro economies present in every locality and Bhonga will help to give new wings for these micro-economies to prosper. Bhonga will play a role in connecting localities and creating cohesive neighbourhood" concludes Radhika.