IBM, NASSCOM Foundation Collaborate to Make 2500 Students Job Ready from 23 Colleges Across Karnataka, Haryana and NCR

IBM and NASSCOM Foundation have jointly announced a significant collaboration to launch the New-collar Employability Skills Program – a CSR initiative with an objective to enhance the skills of more than 2500 college students from underserved communities and make them job ready. The program has already on-boarded more than 2500 candidates through 23 colleges in the regions across Karnataka, NCR and Haryana. The aim is to train these students in emerging technologies and provide employment opportunities.

This unique CSR intervention by IBM will engage with students through an on-campus approach in a 204 hour-long blended training model. Students from 23 Tier-2 and Tier-3 non-technical institutions will be skilled on new-age technologies like Data Science, Cloud Computing and Block-chain. The training will also cover life skill and functional English skills. The colleges chosen for the program include Vijaya Evening College, East Point College, Vidya Vahini College, Vivekanand Degree College, Karnataka college Dharwad, Siddaganga College, Siddhaganga Women's College.

“If we want India’s talent base to compete in the global economy it becomes imperative to upskill them. Our collaboration with NASSCOM will help students to better align with market shifts and industry needs. As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, we are promoting skilling across our programmes for next generation to pursue STEM careers. IBM has been at the forefront and investing in the empowerment of the students to make them future ready and increase the talent pool,” said Rumi Mallick Mitra,  Leader, Corporate Social Responsibility, IBM India Pvt. Ltd.

Ashok Pamidi, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation, said. “This is possibly the first time that a CSR initiative will be working to train the youth from Underserved communities on Future skills such as Data Science, Cloud and Blockchain. We are glad to partner with IBM for this unique initiative which will work towards making these young students job ready for the Industry. A win-win situation for both society and industry. We also would like to take this opportunity to encourage more organizations to come forward and help create uplift the youth from underserved communities by providing them with on the new-age technologies”.

NASSCOM Foundation along with IBM has identified iPrimed and TMI as the training partners for the program. The training will be delivered through a series of online and classroom sessions. The program will also have the students participate in project work and learning events like project competitions, tech talks, Industry leadership talks and Mentorship program etc. All the stakeholders including NASSCOM Foundation and training partners will also assist in providing placement support to these students after the completion of the program.

In March this year, IBM announced a significant engagement in India to advance the skills and careers of more than 200,000 (2 lakh) female students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The collaborations began with signing of agreements with three state governments—Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh—and are planned to widen to several other states in the next few months, including Rajasthan. Today over 50,000 girls are being enrolled across 600+ govt schools across the country for the Stem for Girls program to learn coding and new collar skills. The program will enrol hundreds of more schools in the coming months.

IBM new collar skilling initiatives in India also include:

1.   A two-year Advanced Diploma Programme in emerging technologies created in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, which will be available to 100 Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), including 50 all-women ITIs, over the next three years. IBM will also offer internships of up to five months to some students, presenting an opportunity for them to further deepen their skills and understanding in emerging fields such as Cloud and AI. Currently 40 ITI’s have been enlisted to initiate the 2 years diploma program in this academic year

2.   As part of IBM’s ongoing engagement with the Government of India targeting young innovators through the Atal Tinkering Labs initiative, some 4,000 mentors and 600,000 mentees will benefit from a unique AI-powered Mentor Platform. Developed with the IBM Watson cognitive engine, the platform monitors mentor and mentee interactions to provide personalized support to those using the platform. IBM has thus far on-boarded 2,500 mentors, including 300 IBMers, to this platform by collaborating with the national Mentor of Change mission.

HGS Hits $1 Billion in Recovered Payments for Healthcare Systems’

Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) has announced it has recovered $1 billion in denied insurance payments on behalf of healthcare systems, a major milestone in what are some of providers’ toughest claims.

“As macroeconomic headwinds continue to impact the U.S. healthcare market, providers often struggle to walk the fine line between the push for healthier patient outcomes and an unsustainable cost structure. At the same time, the provider revenue cycle is becoming increasingly complex,” said Dan Schulte, Senior Vice President, HGS Healthcare. “Providers need a strong partner to help them pursue smaller insurance claims properly and recover payments that go right back to their bottom line. We’re thrilled to have reached the $1 billion milestone and recover some of the toughest claims for our provider customers.”

The average hospital costs must fall 24% by 2022 in order for healthcare systems to break even, a recent Black Book Market Research LLC survey found. By getting denied insurance claims adjudicated, properly appealed and collected, HGS is able to contribute up to 5% to healthcare systems’ bottom line.

Having strong relationships with both payers and providers, HGS brings unique and in-depth expertise to provider revenue cycle management. To-date, the company has collected more than $3 billion in accounts receivable on behalf of healthcare systems.

Launch of MOL (MICE ONLINE), One-Stop Tech Aggregator Platform

MOL, an online platform for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) & Events bookings, was launched today at Le Meridian Hotel, New Delhi. The platform is proudly hosting 100 hotels on their platform with names like Marriott Group, Accor & Shangri-La in the mix. Ms. Tanuja Pandey having over 2 decades of experience in the travel and hospitality industry is the Founder & Director of the platform. She is currently an Advisor in the National Tourism Advisory Council of India, Ministry of Tourism.

The concept and idea of MICEONLINE was selected as a winner by a panel of judges, in a nationwide hunt for ideas from women entrepreneurs by IIT DELHI, WEE Foundation (Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment) and DST (Department of Science and Technology, GOI). Ms. Tanuja Pandey having won the prize for the best idea at IIT, Delhi raised the entire seed funding from her personal savings into building technology for this platform. Her team includes Kumar Shubham, Co-Founder, who is an ex Hotelier with over 15 years of experience with the hospitality &banking, and has spent a decade with Marriott Group. Shubham brings his expertise on the hotel's side to the business and leads operations of MOL.

On expressing her satisfaction with the launch, Ms. Tanuja Pandey, Founder & Director MOL said; “A platform like MOL is an absolute necessity for India where businesses and MICE activities are rapidly growing. Presently MOL is the only platform which caters to MICE & Events online. It caters to Business to Business market with estimated savings of at least 6-10 % on the annual expenditure of corporates. MOL will provide easy and transparent business for clients. MOL simplifies the bulk booking process, providing the clients with a uniform rate for bulk rooms. Clients will appreciate the speed and efficiency in responses, in addition to sourcing for all other event needs on one platform. Corporates can also use the MOL app once the event is finalized and be in complete control of their own events. Clients will get direct access with hotels and thus hotels will get exposure to a higher number of clients and can market their offerings and product to wider, global audience, more leads.

Mr. Kumar Shubham – Co-Founder adds; “This is the future of MICE and Events. Having spent a decade in the hotel industry I know that this platform is going to create a difference in way revenues and booking patterns of MICE groups are managed at the hotel end. This platform will also address the low demand periods of a hotel and proactively push them to the platform maximizing revenue. The hotels can also reach out to wider number of clients, run their promotions and market themselves more effectively on a global platform to the right customer.

Ms. Tanuja’s belief in her idea and constant hard work brought in an Indian angel investor who also believes in this project and has reposed complete faith in her capabilities to make MOL into an unprecedented success story. Another angel investor from Singapore is also evaluating this platform. MOL is looking at raising funding in the coming future to boost their expansion into Asian markets with offices in Singapore & Dubai by Q1/Q2 of FY 2020-21.

Jio Fibre Officially Kicks off September 5, Plan Starts at Rs 700

Jio Fibre will be available from 5 September 2019 onwards and the data plan will start from Rs 700, says Reliance Industries CMD Mukesh Ambani. He further says that Jio Fiber's mixed-reality device to be available for commercial purchase soon at an affordable rate.

JioFiber speeds will start from up to 100 Mbps for the basic plan and go all the way up to 1 Gbps for premium plans. A basic plan will cost ₹699 a month offering 150 GB data, while the top plan will cost ₹8,499 offering 5,000 GB data, the company said on Thursday.

Reliance Jio Fiber rolls out commercially on September 5 across India. Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Mukesh Ambani announced a bunch of freebies and offers under the Jio Fiber Welcome Offer. How can you avail these Jio Fiber offers? What are the various Jio Fiber plans and their price? How to register for Jio Fiber?

Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.

What is Jio Fiber?
Jio Fiber is a new optical fibre-based broadband service by RIL. The service aims at setting new standards in broadband speeds in India at an affordable price.

Jio Fiber would roll out commercially on September 5. The data plans would start at 100 Mbps and go up to 1 Gbps. Detailed Jio Fiber plans would be revealed on September 5 Ambani also claimed JioFiber plans will be priced at 1/10th the global rate.

Is Jio Fiber available in my city?
Currently, Jio Fiber connections are available in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Surat, Vadodara, Noida, Ghaziabad, Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Bengaluru, Agra, Vizag, Jamshedpur, Patna, Punjab, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar, Meerut, Port Blair, and many other cities.
Reliance Jio has received registrations from over 1,600 towns and is planning to reach out to more towns and cities gradually.

What are the prices for these Jio Fiber plans?
Earlier information revealed at Reliance AGM indicates Jio Fiber plans with 100 Mbps data speeds could be priced at Rs 700, whereas the most expensive plan with 1 Gbps data speed could be priced at Rs 10,000. Detailed pricing of other available data plans would be unveiled on September 5.

What if I have consumed my monthly Jio Fiber data plan? Will the speed be reduced?
Jio Fiber base plan starts at 100 Mbps speed for Rs 700. Currently, under the Preview Offer, users are provided with 100GB data at 100Mbps. Upon consumption of the monthly quota, users can recharge their Jio Fiber data plan with a booster pack that offers 40GB additional data.

Can I recharge my monthly Jio Fiber data plan twice a month?
As of now, users under beta testing can recharge their Jio Fiber monthly data plan only once. After the 100GB quota is exhausted, these beta users can recharge their connection with a 40GB booster pack that can be recharged multiple times, depending upon consumption.

I am a Jio Fiber preview user. Will I have to set up a new connection after the commercial rollout?
No. Existing Jio Fiber preview customers do not need to request for a new broadband connection.

Do existing Jio Fiber preview users need to pay the deposit again?
Existing Jio Fiber users were asked to pay Rs 4,500 as a security deposit while setting up the connection. These existing users do not need to pay any kind of deposit again. Users would only need to pay additional data plan charges starting September 5.

Where can I choose my Jio Fiber connection or recharge my data plan?
Customers can recharge their Jio Fiber connection on the Jio Fiber website or the MyJio app.

Do I need to pay any deposit for Jio Fiber?
Yes. New Jio Fiber customers need to pay an up-front amount of Rs 2,500 as a refundable deposit for the Jio Fiber Router.

Will Jio provide a router as part of the package?
Customers are required to pay an upfront amount of Rs 2,500 as a security deposit for Jio Fiber. The package would only include the router. Users need to pay additionally for a data plan as required.

What is the Jio Fiber Helpline number?
For any assistance on connectivity, internet issues or information on data plans and other Jio Fiber services, customers can dial 18008969999.

What are the various offers under Jio Fiber Welcome Offer?
As part of the Jio Fiber Welcome Offer, Reliance Jio would offer an HD LED TV or a 4K TV alongside a 4K set-top box for customers who opt for the annual plan called Jio Forever Plan.
The Jio Set-Top Box would allow Jio Fiber users to access television services and also enjoy the console-like gaming experience. Jio Fiber customers can also avail the benefits of consuming content from premium OTT platforms.

Will I be able to use Wi-Fi with Jio Fiber?
Yes, Jio Fiber router supports Wi-Fi.

Will calling be free on Jio Fiber landline?
Yes. At the RIL AGM, Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani revealed that customers would only pay for the data and calling would be completely free from home to any Indian mobile or fixed-line operator. For international voice calls through Jio landlines, customers will only have to pay Rs 500 per month, which will be 1/5th to 1/10th of existing tariffs.

How do I register for Jio Fiber?
Go to Jio Fiber Registration Website or log on to fiber.jio.com

Enter your address for the Jio Fiber connection.

Enter the Full name, mobile number and email id.

Once entered, click on ‘Generate OTP’.

Enter the OTP that you receive on your registered mobile number.

A Reliance Jio executive would then set up a meeting to verify all the information and share other details.

Is it possible to get a Jio Fiber connection at my work address?
Yes. Jio Fiber connection can be set up at both home and work address. While registering on the Jio Fiber website, customers are given an option to enter their Home or Work address.

What are other offers available with Jio Fiber?
Other than an HD LED or a 4K TV with the Set-Top Box; Reliance is offering a fixed-line service for international calling known as Jio Home Phone. The service would offer international calling with ‘lowest fixed-line rates’.
Moreover, existing Jio GigaFiber users and new Jio Fiber customers would also get an International calling pack at Rs 500 per month for making calls in USA and Canada.

Jio Fiber customers can also avail the benefits of consuming content from premium OTT platforms.

What is the Jio Fiber First Day First Show feature?
As a part of this bundled offer, customers can watch movies at their homes on the same day the movie has been released. Reliance plans to roll out these benefits starting mid-2020.

Xtep Introduces Scientifically Designed Affordable New Range of Sports Shoes for the Indian Market

Hong Kong headquartered global sportswear brand Xtep International Holdings Limited has for the first time unveiled its sports-technology lab through virtual live streaming from Bengaluru.

The Sports Science and design innovation lab derives insights from deep research of active users of Xtep sports shoes everyday. The R&D guides the design ergonomics of Xtep’s mass affordable and functional sports fashion range for consumers with different foot shape, walking/running styles, body types and weight. The collection includes variety of running shoes and sportswear available across five stores in Bengaluru.

Commenting on the sports technology lab, Dr. Jason Tak-Man Cheung, Chief Scientist and Senior Director of Xtep Innovation lab said, “Xtep has established an international design team led by highly experienced designers from Europe and U.S. who formerly worked for global sports brands. The Group has also cooperated with the Dow Chemical Company to develop SoftpadTM, a world-leading new technology shoe insole exclusively used by Xtep, and is working with leading international fiber material developers, such as the Dow Chemical Company, Toray and 3M, to apply leading materials in its footwear and apparel,” Jason says.

Xtep R&D has made functional footwear innovation affordable for every Indian thus lending an impetus to the Fit India movement launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29th August 2019.

Xtep Sports range pioneers the Athletech revolution – athleticism fueled by technology – where technology can be used to make scientifically designed sports shoes affordable and accessible to all to fire up the dormant athlete in every human.

In line with this, Xtep Group aims to drive a cultural shift in fitness by making the Xtep ‘Sports-Life’ philosophy a reality in India. Sports in Life makes Life a (breezy) Sport hinges on the premise that Sports is not merely a lifestyle choice but integral to life itself.

The company plans to touch ten stores in India by Dec 2019, within nine months of opening of its first store in Bengaluru in November 2018. For Xtep group the move underpins India as one of the fastest developing strategic global market amongst BRICS nations.

India’s high population density and increasing purchasing power parity presents Xtep an opportunity to expand its market base. Xtep Group recently acquired E-Land Footwear, which owns brands such as K-Swiss, Palladium, Supra, PLDM and KR3W to broaden its product portfolio for emerging markets such as India.

About Xtep International: Listed on June 3, 2008 on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, XTEP is a leading PRC-based professional sports brand providing stylish and functional products. It is principally engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and brand management of sportswear products, including footwear, apparel and accessories. Xtep is a constituent of Hang Seng Global Composite Index and Hang Seng Composite Index Series. For more information, visit Xtep’s corporate website: www.xtep.com.hk.


Xtep Unveils Limited Edition Moon Landing Shoes

On this occasion, Xtep also announced the launch of the spacesuit inspired "Moon Landing" shoes for the India market from December 2019. Priced at Rs 7,000, the Limited Edition cross over shoes marks the launch with the Chandrayaan 2 landing on the dark side of the moon on September 7, 2019.

Chandrayaan 2 is an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) mission comprising an orbiter and a soft lander carrying a rover due to the landing on the Moon on September 7, 2019. The primary objective of Chandrayaan 2 is to demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the lunar surface and operate a robotic rover on the surface. 

HERE, Hyundai Motor America Collaborate on Tools to Seamlessly Connect Consumers to Local HMA Dealers and Services

HERE Technologies, a global leader in mapping and location platform services, today announced that Hyundai Motor America’s information technology unit, Hyundai AutoEver, will utilize HERE Location Services to develop location-aware web and mobile applications. The applications increase the ease with which consumers engage with Hyundai dealers and services across the United States.

Software developers at Hyundai AutoEver are now able to integrate HERE Location Services into Hyundai’s various web and mobile eService solutions. This includes HERE data and software to power the “find my dealer” function and various location-based services across Hyundai’s web, mobile, smartphone applications and customer service portals.

“Digital connectivity is reshaping the automotive customer experience inside and outside of the vehicle,” said Charity Rumery, Head of Automotive and Industrial at HERE Technologies. “We are proud to work with our longstanding partners at Hyundai to deliver customers the information they want at the right time and location, based on the flexible and cost-effective suite of APIs within HERE Location Services.”

HERE Location Services consists of enterprise-grade APIs and SDKs including geocoding, voice guidance and routing algorithms, live traffic data, map content, points of interest and more. The HERE platform is currently used by numerous FORTUNE 500 companies across industries as well as developers at startups, small businesses and public sector agencies around the world.

Hyundai AutoEver is responsible for all telematics R&D in North America and delivers world-class technology solutions for the Hyundai Kia Motor Group. Hyundai AutoEver worldwide has more than 2,200 IT experts working in 22 domestic work sites, as well as in various locations across eight countries.

HERE Technologies is the leading global provider of location data and platform services for the automotive industry. HERE standard and high definition maps are used by the automotive industry for all levels of vehicle automation, from ADAS to Level 5 systems. HERE Connected Vehicle Services combines live data, advanced location analytics and software to make driving more informed, safer and enjoyable. The HERE Open Location Platform is where the entire industry can contribute data to and access differentiating products and services, including the first automotive services based on real-time vehicle sensor data pooled from multiple car brands.

Sky7 Ventures Invests in India Based Healthtech Startup Abita Innovations

India based healthtech venture Abita Innovations receives an undisclosed amount of investment from an Ann Arbor-based global incubator and an early-stage fund Sky7 Ventures. The startup, Healthtech uses its integrated tech ecosystem to automate and optimize practice management for its partner medical practitioners, simultaneously providing the patients a standardized and superior in-clinic experience. The company is currently working with 30+ doctors across 3 cities that are using its proprietary platform and services under its first product exclusively built for Dentist named Doc32.  In addition to the monetary support the fund will help the startup in further enhancing its technology interface, develop strategic ties in US & UK markets and scale up its operations in Indian and global markets.

Vineet Katial, Managing Director of Sky7 Ventures and founding member, Detroit TIE angels said “India’s healthcare sector is set to surpass $200 billion by 2020, currently it is a highly fragmented market suffering from a dearth of qualified doctors to serve the semi-urban and rural markets. It is exactly where the healthtech companies can contribute the most by enabling the practitioner and also driving change in the way people consume healthcare. Abita Innovations has a great team with experienced doctors, top management graduates and tech experts, I am looking forward to the collaboration and working with a business that we feel is built around pretty strong fundamentals”

In his address at TIECON Detroit also Mr. Katial apprised the audience about the innovative work the startup was doing in leveraging artificial intelligence and related technologies to improve patient’s understanding and connect them to the right providers for a superior dental care experience. Hitesh Kakrani, CEO of Abita Innovations, an IIM Lucknow alumni and having work experience with Fortune 500 companies like P&G said “We are very excited to have Sky7ventures and Vineet by our side as we look to disrupt some traditional business models in the healthcare space using some great technology. Vineet has been our mentor throughout and has helped us tremendously in building this business ground-up. It was simply great to have him guiding us and now to have a formal deal with Sky7ventures is exactly the sort of motivation we need to take our operations to the next level”.