Retail Tech Venture Arzooo.com Raises US$1M in Pre-Series A for Geographic Expansion, Product Devp

Arzooo.com, India’s fastest growing retail technology venture Powering physical retailers to compete and grow against their online peers, has raised USD $1 Million Pre-Series A funding led by Jabbar Internet Group, that founded Middle east’s largest e-commerce platform Souq.com and a consortium of Investors from India and the United Kingdom.

Arzooo’s tech platform “Go Store” is the unique technology offering by Arzooo.com that solves the big problem of selection, price and complex supply chain & sourcing for Offline retailers. With this platform, Arzooo.com is equipping the physical retailers to compete and grow in the age of Amazon & Walmart. It e­­­­­nables a partner store to offer its customers the largest selection, best prices and fastest delivery, without them having to stock every item. Commencing with the $48 billion Consumer Electronics market in India, Arzooo Go Store is disrupting the sector by digitizing the retailers on its Go Store platform. With this, retailers who command 90% of the consumer base (who prefer onground touch and feel of large appliances as a preferred mode of purchase) are able to convert a growing number of them into sales from in-store walk-ins. This is without investment on storage space, stocking or logistics for the physical retailer who has the potential to cross sell across categories via this platform.  Commencing with the Consumer Electronics retail category, Arzooo.com has plans to expand into other retail categories by integrating 500,000 retailers by 2022. The company currently has 500 partner stores on its platform and intends to own 20% of the consumer electronics market share by 2020.

The online marketplace comprising 7-8% of consumer electronics retail between Amazon and Flipkart who offer price and large selection advantage to the end consumer. This has been a limiting factor for the physical retailer who faces challenges of limited choice of inventory and sourcing prices have led to an impact on profitability for the physical retailers. Arzooo.com via the Go Store platform solves the problem of Price, Selection and Storage for the physical retailer via its technology that bridges the gap of a single point product sourcing from manufacturers and an expansive product offering via the digital catalogue.

With the fresh infusion of pre-series A funds, Arzooo.com plans to expand its geographic presence pan India. Today the company has physical retailers on-board across 3 major cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. The company will invest a sufficient portion of the funds in product enhancement, new talent recruitment and improvement of Go Store technology to encompass a wider network of cross sector retailers.

G7CR Technologies Recognized As 2019 Microsoft Country Partner of The Year for India

G7CR Technologies India has proudly announced it has won the 2019 Microsoft Country Partner of the Year Award for India. The company was honoured among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

Awards were presented in several categories, with winners chosen from a set of more than 2,900 entrants from 115 countries. G7CR Technologies was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services, as well as representing excellent subsidiary engagement in India.

The Microsoft Country Partner of the Year Awards honour partners at the country level who have demonstrated business excellence in delivering Microsoft solutions to multiple customers over the past year. This award recognizes G7CR Technologies as succeeding in effective engagement with its local Microsoft office while showcasing innovation and business impact, driving customer satisfaction, and winning new customers.

G7CR Technologies India is an Expert Azure Managed Services Partner driving cloud transformation for over 800+ businesses across India. G7CR provides cloud hosting services on Microsoft Azure packaged with all related support services for free.

The services include managing cloud servers, monitoring cloud deployments, cloud architectural design, cloud security services, cloud governance services, 24x7 telephonic support and implementing advanced technologies like power BI, analysis services, artificial intelligence, bots and machine learning.

G7CR has been recognized globally for its technical capabilities driving cloud success journeys for businesses from industry verticals such as Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, PSUs, Education, Retail and IT.

Edureka, NIT Rourkela Partner to Build Future Workforce in Big Data

Edureka, an e-learning platform for trending technologies, today announced a partnership with NIT Rourkela, an Institute of National Importance, to bridge the divide between Big Data roles and industry talent. Stemming from the growing need of the IT industry for qualified engineers who can harness the potential of Big Data, Edureka and NIT Rourkela have introduced a Post Graduate Program in Big Data Engineering. The comprehensive curriculum will nurture learners into Big Data Engineering experts through rigorous training, exposure to practical projects, placement assistance, an opportunity to network with industry veterans and unlike any EdTech course, offer mentorship from NIT Rourkela faculty. The interest to build a career in Big Data cuts across IT professionals from metros as well as tier 2 Indian cities, non-resident Indians and foreign nationals. Therefore, the program has been uniquely designed to cater to learners from both Indian and global markets.

The Big Data revolution offers exciting prospects and IT professionals have only scratched the surface when it comes to embarking upon a successful career in this trending technology. In fact, ‘Big Data Engineer’ ranks among the top, trending jobs on LinkedIn and the average salary of a Big Data Engineer is $90,885 per year. 2019 has been touted as the year of Big Data, however businesses need trained professionals in this technology to unleash its infinite possibilities towards better decision making. Further, organizations and individuals not embracing the change will lose their competitive edge and even risk extinction. Global Big Data market is expected to grow to 103 billion U.S. dollars by 2027.

"The fundamental role of the program is to bridge the talent gap in Big Data and equip more IT professionals through the right training, industry exposure and mentorship; and our course is the perfect amalgamation of all three. We are happy to announce this partnership with NIT Rourkela to create more Big Data Engineers who will take on the best jobs in this coveted technology,” said Ananda Rao Ladi, Chief Learning Officer, Edureka

Speaking about the partnership, Prof. Animesh Biswas, Director, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, said, "At NIT Rourkela, it is our mission to advance and spread knowledge in the area of science and technology leading to creation of wealth and welfare of humanity.' If Data is the oil of the 21st century, Big Data is the aviation fuel. I am proud to say that with NIT Rourkela and Edureka joining hands, we will be able to fulfil the never-ending demand for Big Data Engineers in the industry. I wish the best to all the participants as they embark on this exciting journey. We are delighted that this partnership enables NIT Rourkela to share its expertise and research with the whole world through Edureka’s live, online training platform.  Let's prepare for the future."

Edureka’s PGP in Big Data Engineering in association with NIT Rourkela will equip IT professionals with the appropriate skills to achieve coveted job roles as well as command higher salaries. It is specially designed for professionals looking for a career transition into Big Data Engineering, beginners in the Big Data domain looking to kickstart their careers or anyone working in Data Analytics & BI domain. Along with opportunity to connect with industry leaders and veterans, the program will also give students an opportunity to be a member of NIT Rourkela’s alumni network.

Applications for the first batch of the course closes on 20th June 2019 and the number of seats for the program are limited. Edureka is also providing scholarships up to Rs. 1,50,000 to select learners based on results of a scholarship test. Log onto https://www.edureka.co/post-graduate/big-data-engineering/ to take the test or apply now.

KEI Industries Bags Superbrands Title 2019, the Seventh Since 2011

Country’s leading wire and cable manufacturer, KEI Industries Ltd. bags the most prestigious Superbrands title 2019 for exemplary performance despite facing unfavourable economic conditions.

Superbrands is a global organisation dedicated to organise, showcase and acknowledge the best companies and brands in each country. It is now present in 89 countries.

Riding on the back of their robust success, this year marks the seventh time the company has bagged this honorary status. KEI was voted a Superbrand for 2019 by 18,013 consumers and industry professionals. Upholding the supreme standards of product quality and brand development, KEI Industries Ltd. has previously achieved the tag in the years of 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017and now 2019.

Speaking on the achievement of the esteemed Superbrands title, Mr Anil Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director- KEI Industries Ltd. said: “It is overwhelming to bag the title for the seventh time this year. Being one of the leading manufacturers of wires and cables industry in India, we believe in nurturing long-lasting partnerships with our valuable customers, suppliers and stakeholders. This achievement supports the company’s constant efforts in providing outstanding quality products to our customers and our success is attributed to our employees. Carrying on with the same motivation and enthusiasm, we aspire to conquer new heights and continue to receive more such honours in the future.”

KEI Industries Ltd. has constantly built a powerful bond that connects millions of hearts and lights colossal number of houses every day. It encompasses a complete range of cables and wires specially designed to meet the unique and niche demands of the clients in diverse segments.

The company is bullish on expansion with over 1400 dealers pan India, almost a jump of 9% from 1284 dealers as on March 31, 2018. The company continues to prioritize and focus on R &D with regular investments that will enable to deliver on customized solutions to the colossal range of clients.

Micro Focus Looks to Establish a Strong Firm Foothold in India

Micro Focus will play host to its fifth annual flagship event, Software Innovation Dialogue (SID) 2019 at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty in Kochi. The event’s theme is “Bridging Now and Next” and is Micro Focus' flagship customer residential conference in India.

The conference will be presided by Micro Focus’ APJ President Stephen McNulty, Micro Focus’ Country Director India Saurabh Saxena and Micro Focus’ Global Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Enablement Genefa Murphy. This exclusive conference will host over 100 senior representatives and IT leaders from country's largest enterprises, major consultancies and various governments departments.

Micro Focus, the seventh largest pure-play enterprise software company in the world, is the partner of choice to 40,000+ enterprise customers worldwide, helping them bridge now and next. In India, Micro Focus is a key player across industries especially in the BFSI and Government segments and is rapidly increasing its ecosystem. True to the theme, the event in Kochi provided a platform for Micro Focus customers, industry dignitaries and partners to share their thoughts on the impact of digital transformation, bridging the gap in the journey and accelerating enterprise innovations. The event enabled its diverse audience to a deep dive on the nuances of confluence of speed & quality in the digital future for a better customer experience.

Each year, Micro Focus nominates an Innovation Ambassador to showcase their inventions and discuss how they are reshaping the dynamics of technology by unleashing new possibilities of a digital future. This year Micro Focus invited Harshwardhan Zala India's youngest drone builder to take the stage and share his journey.

Micro Focus Lego City

On display intended to engage and attract the attention of customers and partners, the Micro Focus team created an interactive and educational display which will take the audience back to their childhood through the Micro Focus Lego City. It will show the functions, challenges and approaches customers often use when transforming to a Digital Enterprise, all through plastic bricks. The Lego City represents the stages of planning, building, delivery and running the IT management capabilities. This architecture is based on IT4IT™ (standard reference architecture and value chain-based operating model for managing the business of IT) and Micro Focus has abstracted this into 11 Functions and 10 Master Use cases.

Supporting Quotes:

“Every country, city and organization is becoming digital and innovation is key to capturing the opportunity. Over the last 20 years, our investments, global expertise, world-class innovation and deep partnerships have placed Micro Focus at the heart of the innovation ecosystem. Micro Focus offers unmatched portfolio of Enterprise DevOps, Predictive Analytics, Hybrid IT management and Security, Risk and Governance. Our proven customer centric technologies give industry customers the edge they need to connect their machines and assets, become more agile—and compete and win in a world of new opportunities” said Stephen McNulty, President APJ at Micro Focus.

Saurabh Saxena, Country Director, Micro Focus, India said, “We believe India is well on its way to becoming one of the largest digitized countries in the world, and we're proud to continue our deep commitment to partnering with companies, communities and cities in the country. With our presence in India, we have focused on encouraging technology and innovation to help enable and empower customers to traverse the digitization journey.” 

“We are excited to host the fifth annual Software Innovation Dialogue in Kochi and to provide a platform for our customers and partners to come together to capitalize on the unprecedented opportunities presented by this wave of digitization.”

JK Tyre Expands Global Footprint: Opens First Retread Centre in Nepal

Marking an important strategic step to expand its global footprint, leading Indian tyre maker and pioneer of radial tyre technology in the country, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd today inaugurated the first JK Retread Centre in Pokhara, Nepal. The retread centre adds another feather to the cap of JK Tyre in its bid to consolidate the company’s presence internationally through an exclusive service network of providing quality retreading for bias and radial tyres.

Strategically located in Pokhara, a potential market of TBB, LCV & PCR tyres, the centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, machinery and trained manpower. It offers company-recommended repair and retread procedures to bring down the cost-per-kilometre for customers. The addition of the Pokhara centre is in line with the company’s ambition to increase its network of retreading centres to 100 from 36 by 2020.

On the occasion, Mr. Dinesh Dasani, Vice President and Head - National Sales, JK Tyre & Industries Limited said, “We are proud to inaugurate our first Retread facility in the international market and that too in our neighbourhood. With its hilly and mountainous terrain, Nepal holds immense potential for long-term growth and we are confident that we will be able to tap the increasing demand for retread tyres in the region. The opening of this centre emphasises on JK Tyre’s customer-centric approach with unmatched ‘One-Stop Solution’ service at its core.”

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd entered the retreading business in 2009 by setting up a retread rubber manufacturing facility at Kankroli, Rajasthan, which provides original tread design for retreading of tyres to fleet owners/end users. JK Tyre Retread facilities cater to various State Transport Corporations and Fleets in domestic market across pre-cured rubber treads and allied material categories.

JK Tyre has evolved as a 360-degree service solutions provider and is currently the No. 1 franchise network that provides tyre care solutions through its network of service centres spread across the country.  

Emirates Airlines Offers First Class Suite Makes its Debut in Durban

Emirates has introduced its First-Class cabin in Durban today, in conjunction with the airline’s seasonal frequency increase of four additional flights a week, bringing the airline’s award-winning, luxury travel experience to the coastal city.

During the seasonal increase from 14 June to 04 August 2019, travellers to and from Durban can enjoy the Emirates’ First Class cabins on the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER. The aircraft will operate the additional flights in a three-class cabin configuration, offering eight seats in First Class, 42 in Business Class and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class.

Fouad Caunhye, Regional Manager of Emirates Southern Africa, said, “As we approach 10 years of operations to Durban, introducing our award-winning First Class experience is a milestone in our history of operations to the city. Travellers will have an opportunity to experience the luxury product offering the Emirates is so well-known for, whether they are heading to Dubai or connecting to popular destinations across our network including India, UK and the Far East.

Over the years we have seen Durban grow into the thriving metropolis it’s become, from its busy port facilitating global trade, to developing a vibrant culture and distinctive landscape, the city has become a hub for both trade and tourism. The seasonal frequency increase is a result of the growing demand for travel in and out of Durban,” Mr Caunhye continued.

New menu for Durban

From June, Emirates has also launched a new menu on this route; the revamped menu will consist of some local specialities in all classes to showcase the diverse culture and strong Indian influence from the city of Durban. Some of the food on offer include: Peri Peri chicken with sweet potato carpaccio, Tandoori Prawns with spiced pineapple salad and curry mayonnaise, and Durban classic Lamb Bunny Chow with traditional garnishes just to mention a few. Additionally, Emirates’ long-standing relationship with wine producers from all over the globe has allowed the airline to have access to exclusive wines - adding to their impressive wine collection. Some of the South African wineries served on-board include Ken Forrester, Porseleinberg, Klein Constantia, Waterkloof and Boekenhoutskloof.

Emirates First Class
The Emirates Boeing 777-300ER offers First Class passengers a private suite with seats that recline to a full-flat bed and a personal electrically-controlled mini-bar. Features also include touch screen Wireless Integrated Passenger Seat Controllers for Emirates’ in-flight entertainment (ice) and seat functions, as well as a 32” HD LCD screen. With electrically-operated privacy dividers, First Class suites offer passengers maximum exclusivity – even from an adjoining suite.

Passengers flying in First Class can indulge in luxuries like Voya skincare products, exclusive to Emirates, as well as the world’s first moisturising sleepwear. The new pyjamas for First Class travelers use Hydra Active Microcapsule Technology to keep skin soft while flying. Passengers on long-haul flights also receive amenity kit bags designed exclusively by Bulgari.

Passengers in every cabin class can access more than 4 000 channels of visual and audio entertainment on the airline’s award-winning ice system that features the latest movies, music, audiobooks and games. There are also family-friendly products and services for children on board, including complimentary toys, kids’ meals and movies, priority boarding for families and the use of free strollers at Dubai International Airport (DXB). Travellers can also enjoy a variety of proudly South African wines and other South African foods such as tasty ostrich meat, Rooibos tea and local cheeses onboard Emirates flights.

In South Africa, two of the four daily Emirates flights to Johannesburg are served by the iconic Airbus A380 to cater to the growing demand for the airline’s successful, customer-orientated experience. Emirates also operates two daily flights to Cape Town and a daily flight to Durban using Boeing 777s. To book, or for more information and terms and conditions, please visit https://www.emirates.com/za/english/ or visit the local Emirates office or your travel agent.