Trend Micro Expands Presence on Microsoft Azure Marketplace With Deep Security as a Service Offering

Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today announced the availability of its leading cloud solution, Deep Security as a Service, on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. Launching at Microsoft’s Inspire 2019 event, this Trend Micro offering enables organizations to combine the benefits of security software-as-a-service (SaaS) with the convenience of consolidated cloud billing and usage-based, metered pricing.

“Our priority is to make cloud security as effortless as possible, which starts by meeting IT users and developers where they are and then offering comfortable usage and pricing options,” said Sanjay Mehta, SVP, Business Development & Strategic Alliances at Trend Micro. “Trend Micro is proud to continue our close relationship with Microsoft Azure as one of its top global security partners. Being part of their consumption-based billing launch for SaaS offerings helps customers looking to secure workloads and containers through their Azure instances.”

Trend Micro’s Deep Security as a Service will provide Microsoft Azure customers a fully hosted security management experience with rapid delivery of innovations.

"Providing Trend Micro’s Deep Security as a Service offering through Azure Marketplace gives customers more ways to enable, automate, and orchestrate cloud security,” said Jeana Jorgensen, GM, Cloud and AI for Microsoft. “Customers can pay for only what they use with Trend Micro’s flexible, metered pricing or negotiate a more traditional enterprise agreement using private offers while enjoying a consolidated bill for software and cloud infrastructure.”

Trend Micro Deep Security delivers a multi-layered automated approach to protect hybrid cloud workloads and container environments against known and unknown threats including malware and vulnerabilities, helping to secure business data and applications all from within one solution. Deep Security consolidates security tools to help lower costs, decrease complexity, and simplify security and compliance.

Going to Study or Work in Germany has never been Easier Due to the Launch of New Service by DAK Healthcare – India (DAK-HI)

Many young Indians dream of going to Germany to work and/or study there. DAK-healthcare is the new service partner in India for the German DAK health-insurance company. This health insurer is now launching a unique and nationwide support campaign for young Indians to make their journey and stay in Germany as easy and secure as possible.

Health insurance in Germany is mandatory and as an international comparison, there is an excellent social insurance system. Those workers designated as “self-employed” pay 15.5% and gainfully employed 8% of their monthly salary. Students pay a flat rate around 80 Euros monthly. With a Health-E-Card all insured costs of a person are covered and paid directly by the insurer. The attending physician sends the invoice directly to the insurance company and the person does not have to do or pay anything out of their own pocket.

While going for work or study in Germany, there are lot of health of health insurance service providers to choose from. However, the “customer service” provided by the companies differs considerably. Among the hundreds of German health insurers, DAK has won the prize for “best customer service provider in Germany” in 2018.

360 Degree Health Protection – 360 HP

DAK has already established over 500 local service centres and a huge network of medical specialists throughout Germany in order to provide its customers with the best possible support. The insured person thus receives a 360-degree health protection for himself and his family members if they live with him. In addition, there are many special programs to cover pregnancy, child vaccinations, sports injury, etc. There also exists a 24/7 service hotline to provide all insured persons with professional and supportive help and answers to urgent medical and insurance questions.

New Service Partner in India - NSP - India

And finally, the best thing is, in order to extend their excellent service to “customers even before they sign the insurance contract”, DAK has decided to co-operate with a German service partner in India having more than 10 years of experience in India and which knows the mindset, idiosyncrasies and needs of the Indian people very well.

Boilerplate/About DAK:
DAK has already established over 500 local service centres and a huge network of medical specialists throughout Germany in order to provide its customers with the best possible support. 

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Holds Mega Roadshow in Bengaluru; Karnataka to Help Boost Year-Round Destinations!

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) successfully organised tourism road show held at Hotel Taj, MG Road in the city of Gardens- Bengaluru, Karnataka to promote various tourist destinations of the state.

Ms Sonia Meena, IAS, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Dev. Corp Ltd graced the event along with senior dignitaries from Madhya Pradesh Tourism board. The Road show was an attempt to bring together different stakeholders of the region on a common platform and showcase the tremendous tourism potential that Madhya Pradesh as State possess.

The Roadshow was held on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka. The mega event was a treat to the eyes; the local partners and trade representatives who attended the grand event were in awe of the diverse heritage offered by Madhya Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion Ms Sonia Meena, IAS, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Dev. Corp Ltd Said, “I am very happy to be in Bengaluru. We are hoping that Madhya Pradesh Roadshow will stimulate the curiosity in the trade people of Bengaluru and they will guide their guests to explore Madhya Pradesh for themselves. We also look forward to meeting with more investors who can invest in the state and make Madhya Pradesh an even more comfortable tourist friendly destination.”

These roadshows are aimed to give a feel of Madhya Pradesh and facilitate a better understanding of the state and provide complete information along with showcasing the culture and the wide range of tourism products and offerings.

Madhya Pradesh offers an assortment of attractions to everyone who love to travel. It is the state with the forest area cover of 77,700 sq.kms filled with Sal Trees & Bamboos. It has numerous wildlife hotspots with 11 National parks & 24 Wildlife sanctuaries such as Satpura Wildlife Sanctuary and Chambal Ghadiyal Sanctuary. The UNESCO world heritage sites of Khajuraho, Bhimbetka & Sanchi are the iconic sites in Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh is not only home to two Jyotirlingas Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar. Burhanpur and Bhopal exhibit the Mughal Architecture. Gwalior and Mandu are the some of the beautiful architectural sites, whereas lndirasagar, Gandhi sagar, Tawa and Bargi are the spellbinding water bodies. Cultural events like Khajuraho Dance festival, Malwa Utsav, Tansen Festival, Allauddin Music fest, Madhya Pradesh spares no effort to leave one in awe of culture and heritage. This only goes to prove that MP is most definitely the melting pots of various faiths, ethnicities as well as cultures. Highlighting the major exhibition participations of the coming phases, Madhya Pradesh Tourism will be exhibiting in the India International Travel Mart - Bangalore and many others. Besides, the exciting calendar for visitors to Madhya Pradesh kick starts with “Pachmarhi Monsoon Marathon”, “Go Heritage Run”, “ Satpura Cycle Safari” and “Adventure Activities at River Narmada” which are very popular amongst the trade people and tourists from various regions of the country.

Resurgence of the Indian Real Estate Sector; Witnesses an Investment of USD 2.7 billion in H12019: FICCI and Vestian

FICCI and Vestian launched a report titled Real Estate Investment in India: A Brief Analysis that portrays the investment scenario in the real estate industry. The report was launched at the FICCI Conference on Real Estate Financing in Mumbai today and talks about the evolution of the real estate sector and the investment scenario thereof. The insights of the report show a major shift in the investment landscape of the real estate sector and its journey from a heavy dependence on banking credit for financing requirements to now, where nearly 80% of the institutional investment is accounted for by private equity investors.

The period from 2015-2018 observed the highest amount of traction in real estate investment in the country and this momentum continues in 2019 as well.  The years from 2015-2018 had investments worth USD25.7 billion being recorded.   
   
2018 was the most popular year and had investments worth USD 7.2 billion, the highest in over a decade. The trend has further continued into 2019 too; and the year has already seen investments to the tune of USD 2.7 billion being made till the month of June.

The investment climate has become progressively relaxed and conducive for institutional investments that has been helped by a host of reformatory measures such as the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amended Act, launch of Housing for All Mission, and easing of FDI rules, leading to increasing adoption of best practices and transparency

Dr. Shrinivas Rao, CEO – APAC, Vestian says, ‘Real estate is one of the most fundamental and influential sectors impacting the overall growth of a country’s economy. A robust and well catered real estate sector assists in strengthening a host of other ancillary sectors and is significant for a growth economy such as ours. This report, we believe,  would not only go a long way in addressing regulatory challenges but also help reflect on  directional  way ahead for the sector’.
He further adds, ‘one of the major trends observed in the last decade has been the rise in institutional investment in real estate, particularly PE investment that has been a key factor in keeping the market confident about its revival. This investment interest from the institutional segment is bound to increase further, given the growth in a number of offshoots, such as - co-working spaces, co- living in the rental housing space, Affordable housing and warehousing & logistics.

Mr. Sanjay Dutt, Chairman, FICCI Real Estate Committee & MD and CEO, Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd, says, ‘The Indian Real Estate sector is in a state of nirvana with revolutionary reforms playing charm to attract investments and restore confidence in the sector’.  Encouraged by the potential of the real estate sector which is clearly indicated in the report, he further says, ‘2019 has started on a positive note with approximately USD 2.7 billion of real estate investments recorded in the first half of the year in various asset classes across the country. Improvement in infrastructure, roads, and metros coupled with the increased speed of technology implementation (eg. 5G) will be impactful game changers for the sector and will improve the investor interest in the sector. The launch of India's first Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is another positive move for the sector further building confidence amongst global real estate investors to invest in India’.

Commercial Segment: A Winner
Commercial segment has emerged as the most preferred segment attracting investor interest and has accounted for the bulk of the real estate investment in the country since 2016. Commercial assets received the highest quantum of real estate investments during the period 2015-2019, to the tune of 50% of the total investment value. The most notable deal transacted in commercial segment was Blackstone picking up a 50% stake in Indiabulls’ flagship office properties in central Mumbai—One Indiabulls Centre and Indiabulls Finance Centre—for USD 730 million.  In sharp contrast, the residential segment has been on a declining trend, attributed primarily to the slowdown in the residential market owing to several factors, particularly relating to the regulatory measures and issues such as liquidity crunch, delayed projects and reduced buyer interest.

Increased interest by Foreign Investors
Foreign funds have increasingly bought into the India growth story and have been allocating substantial investments into the Indian realty sector. This is also a further validation that the  reformatory measures undertaken by the government  is not only increasing confidence in investors, but also  making the sector attractive overall. The interest of foreign funds in Indian real estate increased significantly during the years between 2015 and 2019.  Investments which were recorded at mere USD 1.3 billion in 2015, later touched USD 3.3 billion in 2017. Among foreign investors, a number of Singapore-based PE firms such as GIC, Ascendas- Singbridge and Xander are remarkably active in India’s realty sector, particularly towards the south, accounting for majority of the PE investment during the period 2015-2019. Other firms that have shown strong interest in the sector have their base in countries such as USA, Canada, and Abu Dhabi amongst others.

Mumbai ruling the Roost
There has been a healthy competition between the southern and the western regions of India wanting to claim a greater share of the renewed interest from institutional investors. Among the cities attracting real estate investment, Mumbai-based companies garnered the most investments, in terms of both size and number. During 2015-2019. Mumbai attracted investments worth USD 10 billion, accounting for a share of 36% of the total investment. Bengaluru was next in line with USD 6 billion of investments accounting for 21% share, followed by Gurgaon with USD 3.6 billion of investments and accounting for nearly 13% share. In 2019, till June Mumbai has accounted for 52% of the total investment in the country.

Affordable Housing shouldering the Residential Segment
2018 witnessed a revival in the residential market, primarily buoyed by new launches and sales in the affordable housing sector. We believe that this would continue to drive market growth in 2019, that has been further helped by the transparency in the segment and regulatory push through various avenues such as allocation of infrastructure status, benefits under Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana, Credit Linked Saving Scheme and substantial GST rate cut on housing

The changing face of real estate in India: Emergence of new asset classes
Co-working segment has grown exponentially and has been the new trend which is helping commercial real estate market to explore a new era of shared workspaces. At present, there are more than 180 co-working operators in the top eight cities. Office markets in Bengaluru, NCR and Mumbai offer the best opportunities for this trend, followed by Hyderabad and Chennai. The co-working segment is expected to account for a larger share of the market in 2019, portending a major shift in workspace dynamics with technology, innovative space design and flexibility impacting the preferences of new age businesses.

Co- Living spaces that offer an inherent advantage of entailing a hassle free, convenient  plug and play model, is expected to attract more tenants into its fold with the  segment projected to grow manifold in the forthcoming period. Already over 40 co-living start-ups have come up around the country in the past 2-3 years and the segment has been attracting significant interest in venture capital funding too. Nestaway, has been reported to have raised USD 94.2 million while Colive, offering fully managed rental homes, has raised USD 9.2 million. In another big-ticket funding, student housing rental start-up Stanza Living raised USD 10 million in 2018.

Warehousing and Logistics segments are driving investor interest due to strong economic fundamentals, proactive government policies such as implementation of GST and ‘Make in India’ policy, and sustained growth in organized retail and e-commerce. Southern cities like Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad have witnessed substantial interest from investors in recent years. Among major deals, Warburg Pincus invested USD 180 million in Embassy Group for a project in Bengaluru, while Proprium Capital Partners invested nearly USD 100 million in Musaddilal Projects in Hyderabad.

Manipal Swindling Case: Attempt Made to Launder Siphoned Off Funds by Investing in Startup

The Manipal swindling case, involving the embezzlement of INR 70 crore, which has ensnared quite a few people, is continuing to see more skeletons tumble out of the cupboards of the accused. The case has been revealing more gems with each passing day. The accused had managed to launder some of the money they swindled by investing in a startup that was sold off to a Europe Assistance French company profitably.

Sandeep Gururaj, the main accused, got associated with Norte Technologies India Pvt Ltd founded in 2015 by his associate Praveen Surendiran. In 2016-17 he invested INR 2 crore as an angel investor. Gururaj then joined the board of Norte and traveled extensively with Surendiran to build the business.

Surendiran later sold Norte to a French group Europe Assistance in May 2018 for $1 million (about INR 7 crore at the then foreign exchange rate). It has been reliably established through investigation of the interactions between Gururaj and Surendiran that it was indeed a case of profiting from the ill-gotten wealth that was siphoned off from Manipal Group.

Norte Technologies provides after-sales services of cars in India with brand 21North in at least 10 cities in India, including Chandigarh, Delhi-NCR, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kochi. Norte Technologies was acquired by the French group’s subsidiary and is now completely-owned by them. Sandeep Gururaj was also appointed as Director in North Technologies in 2016 and holding shares as well.

The MD of 21North and ONB Technologies, a Singapore-based company, fully owned by Europ Assistance, Praveen Surendiran and other directors such as Sree Kumar, Madhu Jindal & Nitin Mehra are being investigated for their role in the case. Praveen was regularly in touch with the main accused Sandeep Gururaj and had financial dealings with him.

It may be recalled, a case of misappropriation was registered with the Cubbon Park police station, Bengaluru and the main accused has been in judicial custody since December 2018. Investigations are going on and new revelations are being unearthed every day.

It has been reliably learnt that Surendiran enjoys clout in the highest corridors of power and that he has been pulling strings to escape the morass he is in.

CRY Organizes ‘Shankara Buildpro Soccer for Child Rights’

Child Rights and You (CRY) one of India’s leading NGO’s working on child rights organised a soccer tournament to sensitize people on child rights issues. The event saw some of the top corporates from the city come together and play the ‘beautiful game’ all for a common cause- to uphold the rights of children.

There are 3 lakh + working children and adolescents between 5-19 years in Bangalore, of which only 35% attend educational institutions. The event is crafted to make people aware about sports being a great facilitator of change. It not only encourages children to go to school but alongside ensures they are not drawn into child labour and marriage.

The event, since its inception, has seen a lot of children embrace sports at a competitive level. From Nanda Kumar who has represented Indian team in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to Bheemabhai who has received the prestigious Ashoka Youth Venture programme for she aims to empower slum children on child rights through sports. This event has far reaching impact - from nurturing individuals who go onto acquiring distinctive achievements in the sporting field to creating visionaries, who act out of deep empathy for their communities.

The 4th edition of the event had around 19 corporate teams and one team from the Vyasarpadi Children’s Empowerment Project battle it out as a mark of support for critical child rights issues. While soccer was the central theme, the event saw both sides of the society working towards a unified goal-to create aspirations for the marginalized children for a better future.

“Over the years we have seen lives of children change holistically around sports. Such events allow us to take the conversation to a larger audience as they share a day of their life with children and understand the barrage of issues they face. Awareness is a great facilitator for change and this event aims to do just that,” said Suma Ravi, Regional Director (South), CRY.

CRY:

Child Rights and You is an Indian NGO that believes in every child’s right to a childhood - to live, learn, grow and play. For 4 decades, CRY and its 850 initiatives have worked with parents and communities to ensure Lasting Change in the lives of more than 2,000,000 underprivileged children, across 23 states in India. For more information please visit us a www.cry.org.

Walking Tree Technologies Acquires Mumbai-Based Techease Systems

Walking Tree Technologies, a leading IT Solutions and Services company, announced that it has recently acquired Techease Systems, a Mumbai based IT Services company.

Techease Systems is a leading provider of Microsoft technology-focused solutions and they are one of the leading companies in providing digital content management systems for the enterprises. Effective 1st June 2019, Techease's associates and customers were transitioned to Walking Tree.Walking Tree Technologies, a leading IT Solutions and Services company, has acquired Techease Systems.

Techease Systems a certified Microsoft partner for Sharepoint, Azure and Power BI, an Episerver Solution Partner, is a leading provider of Microsoft technology-focused solutions who are providing digital content management systems for enterprises. Techease’s associates and customers were transitioned to Walking Tree effective 1st June 2019.

Industry analysts believe that this addition deepens Walking Tree’s existing portfolio of niche existing UX Design, Application Development and Data Management offerings, thus creating the best-in-class complete solutions for medium to large enterprises.

According to Pradeep Lavania, Director and co-founder, Walking Tree, “Today, we’re not only growing our portfolio, we’re also thrilled to grow the Walking Tree family by adding to our team of experts who deliver innovative, industry-leading solutions for our customers,”. He added “The addition of Techease will further our mission of providing customized solutions through the powerful suite of business tools by Microsoft, including SharePoint, Power BI, and Azure. Walking Tree’s commitment to service is a consistent priority as we expand our industry expertise and work to provide impactful software solutions."

Alok Ranjan, Director and co-founder Walking Tree also commented “Techease is an ideal fit for Walking Tree as for the effective digital transformation we strive to provide the most comprehensive breadth of information management solutions in the industry.'' “We look forward to serving our new Techease customers by building long-term relationships and working together on their initiatives now and into the future, as we evolve our offerings. Strategic acquisitions enable us to align with the business needs of our customers and strengthen our competitive position while continuously innovating our solution offerings" he added.