TSIA And CSS Corp Co-Author Report On Outsourcing Trends In 2021

* The report highlights two major trends- increase in outsourcing contracts and service providers creating sophisticated digital capabilities to service customers 

CSS Corp, a new-age IT services and technology support company in association with The Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA), has released a co-authored report named ‘2021 Trends in Outsourcing’. The report uncovers two major 2021 trends in outsourcing- increase in outsourcing contracts and service providers creating sophisticated digital capabilities’ businesses to meet the needs of enterprise customers.

The first key trend predicts an increase in outsourcing contracts this year, as many companies were grappling with their business continuity plan due to several reasons like lack of infrastructure and inability to transition to 100% work-at-home model. The second key trend focuses on how service providers have begun creating separate business units to make digital capabilities easily available to meet the requirements of large enterprise customers. Leading service providers have made great advances in sophisticated digital capabilities, including artificial intelligence and robotic process automation. This has led them to identify opportunities to effectively scale operations and accelerate development of digital expertise in support functions across enterprise customers.

The report highlights the trends and patterns that are going to be mainstream in support outsourcing in 2021 and how enterprises can leverage the right digital support partner. It showcases how the outsourcing value proposition has evolved in areas such as near-shore outsourcing, outsourcing of non-traditional functions like sales that form a significant portion of costs in XaaS companies and the rise of outcome-based commercial models. It also talks about how outsourcing can enable organizations to expand into new geographies. The pandemic has ushered in an era of work-from-anywhere which has further dwindled location dependencies and provided a fillip to remote operations.

John Ragsdale, Distinguished Vice President, Technology Research, TSIA, said, “Technology companies are increasingly forming strategic relationships with outsourcers to not only help scale support operations cost-effectively and guarantee a high-quality customer experience, but also to accelerate digital transformation. 2021 will see this trend amplify further and service providers like CSS Corp are well placed to emerge as strong outsourcing partners for technology organizations.”

“The Covid-19 crisis has emphasized the need to adopt digital technologies to build agility and resilience in the organization’s operations. Technology service providers like CSS Corp, have deep industry expertise in enabling business transformation for its customers and driving impact by blending human ingenuity with cutting-edge intelligent technology tools. As organizations look to strategize in a post-Covid business environment, it will be critical for them to strengthen their core capabilities while partnering with apt service providers to help them in their digital journeys, driving innovation and creating better experiences for customers.” said Sunil Mittal, Executive Vice President, CSS Corp.

Prioritizing technology innovation in response to a rapidly changing world has never been more important. The ‘2021 Trends in Outsourcing’ report is a useful tool for companies wanting to rapidly accelerate their digital automation journey with insights on effectively partnering with technology service providers to leverage their full potential.

About CSS Corp

CSS Corp is a new-age IT services and technology support company that harnesses the power of AI, automation, analytics, cloud, and digital to address customer needs. The company partners with leading enterprises to help realize their strategic business outcomes. Its team of 8,000+ technology and business services professionals across 18 global locations is passionate about helping customers differentiate and succeed.

About TSIA

The Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA) is the world's leading research organization dedicated to helping technology companies achieve profitable growth and solve their top business challenges. Services, Sales, Product, and Channel organizations at technology companies large and small look to TSIA for world-class business frameworks, best practices based on real-world results, detailed performance benchmarking, and exceptional peer networking opportunities. TSIA's membership community consists of over 40,000 executives from 96 countries and represents 80% of the Fortune 100 technology companies.

Takeda Launches Mobile Application To Support Patient For Treatment Of Genetic Diseases

* The XPERT EASE App will support HCPs with dose calculation for the treatment of patients with Lysosomal Storage Disorders

Takeda India, part of the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader, launched the 'XPERT EASE' application. The application is developed for the exclusive use of healthcare professionals to addressawareness-related challenges and enable an efficient digital ecosystem for disease updates and dose calculation for improved management of patients with rare lysosomal storage disorders.

Doctors' screening, diagnosis, and treatment of genetic diseases have often been identified as challenging, including advising the dosage of medicines specific to patients' individual needs. The XPERT EASE is designed to keep in mind such challenges while managing lysosomal storage disorders.

On the occasion of the launch, Dr. Sandeep Arora, Medical Affairs Head- Takeda India, said, "At Takeda, we are keen to enable faster diagnosis and access of patients to our medicines and innovative therapies. The XPERT EASE application enables healthcare professionals to raise suspicion index, leading to early diagnosis and better disease management. As we move forward in our commitment to patients and HCPs, we seek to drive collaborations across the country in ensuring that patients benefit from our pioneering efforts."

XPERT EASE safeguards dosage accuracy and reduces the incidence of error, thereby helping physicians develop personalized dosing regimens tailored to their patients' specific needs diagnosed with Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Healthcare professionals can access the applications through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store..

Mahindra Lifespaces Adds A New Residential Project In Bengaluru

Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, today announced that it has acquired 7.89 acres of land to develop a residential project in Kanakpura Road, Bengaluru.  The project will offer approximately 5 lakh sq. ft. of carpet area.  The launch of the project is planned for FY 2022.

Kanakpura Road is a prominent residential hub in Bengaluru and one of the city’s relatively greener areas.  Mahindra Lifespaces’ project site is strategically located on Kanakpura Road, with well-developed social infrastructure, schools and colleges, recreation and entertainment options, and hospitals and clinics located in proximity.  The Vajarahalli Metro Station is only 1 KM from the project site, while the NICE road junction is 3 KM away.  Kanakpura Road is well connected to Bannerghatta, Silk Board and Electronic City, all key employment hubs in Bengaluru.

Arvind Subramanian, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., said, “Bengaluru is one of the most stable residential real estate markets in India and a priority city for the growth of our residential business.  Our latest land acquisition in the city is in line with our strategy of deepening our presence in well-established, end-user driven markets with track record of quick absorption and consistent demand for high quality residences by trusted brands.”

Mahindra Lifespaces’ residential project ‘Windchimes’ on Bannerghatta Road is completed and nearly sold out, with 365 homes already handed over.   

About Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.

Established in 1994, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. is the real estate and infrastructure development business of the USD 19.4 billion Mahindra Group, and a pioneer of sustainable urbanisation in India.  The Company is committed to transforming India’s urban landscape through its residential developments under the ‘Mahindra Lifespaces®’ and ‘Mahindra Happinest®’ brands; and through its integrated cities and industrial clusters under the ‘Mahindra World City’ and ‘Origins by Mahindra World City’ brands.

The Company’s development footprint spans 25.1 million sq. ft. (2.3 million sq. m.) of completed, ongoing and forthcoming residential projects across seven Indian cities; and over 5000 acres of ongoing and forthcoming projects under development/management at its integrated developments / industrial clusters across four locations.  

A pioneer of the green homes movement, Mahindra Lifespaces® is one of the first real estate companies in India to have committed to the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).   The Company’s developments are characterised by thoughtful design and a welcoming environment that enhance overall quality of life for both individuals and industries. 

Mahindra Lifespaces® has been ranked 17th among India’s Great Mid-Size Workplaces 2019, by the Great Place To Work Institute..

Applications Now Open For 2 Year Full - Time, PGD Management Programs for 2021

S. P. Mandali's Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool), invites applications from prospective applicants for the 2 year full-time, recognised by AICTE, Post Graduate Diploma Management (PGDM) Programs for year 2021 in Business Analytics and Research, Business Design, E-Biz, Retail, Healthcare, Rural Management, Media & Entertainment and PGDM Core. 

The B-School has a state-of-the-art campus in Matunga, Mumbai and at Electronic City, Bengaluru.

WeSchool’s Mumbai campus offers 2 year full-time Post Graduate Diploma Programs approved by AICTE, listed as follows:

·        PGDM (Specialisations - Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Operations)

·        PGDM eBiz (Specialisations - Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Operations)

·        PGDM Media and Entertainment

·        PGDM Rural Management (Emerging Economies)

·        PGDM Research and Business Analytics

·        PGDM Healthcare (Specializations: Hospital Administration/ Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Management)

·        PGDM Retail (Specialisations - Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Operations)

·        PGDM Business Design

WeSchool’s Bengaluru Campus offers 2 years full time PGDM programs approved by AICTE, listed as follows:

·        PGDM  (Specialisations: Marketing / Finance / HR / Operations / Business Analytics)

·        PGDM Business Design

·        PGDM E Business  (Specialisations: Marketing / Finance / HR / Operations / Business Analytics)

·        PGDM Research and Business Analytics

All programs aim at nurturing students as competent talent with leadership abilities and developing experience through exposure to real-life business scenarios.

Know more: http://welingkar.org/pgdm/

WeSchool has ranked 68th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) conducted by Ministry of Education, Government of India. WeSchool ranked in top 50 educational institutes for its programs and initiatives on IPR, Innovation, Start-up and Entrepreneurship in the private/self-financed institutes category, Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020.

In view of the pandemic and abiding to state authority permissions, the B-School repurposed its’ infrastructure online making it accessible through internet from mobile smart phones, computers and laptops too. In 2020, WeSchool students have interned with organisations in India and overseas, i.e.: Singapore, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany & Spain.

Eligibility: Candidates with minimum 50% in Degree exam from a recognised University, completed by June 2021. Should have taken CAT (2020) conducted by the IIMs for the year specified in the advertisement (IIMS have no role in the Welingkar admission process) and /or/ XAT (2021) / and / or ATMA (Feb 2021) and / or CMAT (2021) and / or GMAT (2018 onwards).

For details on programs, admission, fee structure, other information visit: https://www.welingkar.org/pgdm/

Last date to apply Monday, 1st March 2021.

Bosch To Celebrate 100 Years In 2022 Of Powering Automobiles In Indian Market

Automotive components major, Bosch India said on Wednesday that it is investing around Rs 800 crore on its Adugodi facility in Bengaluru to turn it into an end-to-end smart campus, which will be inaugurated in 2022, when the German company completes 100 years in India.

It is now almost a hundred years since Bosch presented the first Spark plug combined with a high-tension magneto ignition system. On January 7, 1902, the company was awarded a patent for this ground-breaking development. The reliable Bosch ignition system solved what Carl Benz saw as the main problem of the early automotive technology. Together with improvements in production technology, it was the spark plug that laid the foundations for the rapid increase in automobile production over the decades that followed. As a result, the time came when everyone could afford a car.

Nowadays, the Bosch spark plug, which has been developed and improved continuously over the decades, is a major system component which plays a key role in fuel economy, clean and efficient combustion and the reliable operation of engines and catalytic converters. Despite the tremendous increase in spark plug performance, the useful life of a spark plug is now about 20,000 to 30,000 km, some 20 to 30 times higher than the figure 90 years ago. Some special spark plugs even have a service life of 100,000 km.

During their lifetime, such spark plugs produce excessively more than 20 million sparks, standard plugs, having a lifetime of 20,000 kilometers, approximately four million sparks. This takes place at a rotational engine speed of approximately 4,000 revolutions per minute. By every ignition the spark plug is exposed to extreme load, since under the extraordinary conditions in the engine's combustion chamber, the temperature rises in a split second from 100 to 1,000 °Celsius. Due to the explosive fuel combustion, the spark plug is repeatedly exposed to a flash-like pressure of up to 100 bars.

Moreover, it has to be capable of resisting the chemically highly aggressive mixture of gasoline vapors, combustion gas as well as residues of gasoline and oil. Despite the extreme load, the spark plug has to ignite properly at any time.

More than 1,250 variants of the spark generators in 26 different designs of the electrode are presently included in the Bosch product range, from those designed for lawn mowers and having the short length of a match up to those having the length of a pencil which are designed for stationary gas engines. Plenty of modern engines call for their own tailor-made spark-plugs. To find out which type of the Bosch spark plug to use for your car, your lawnmower, power saw or boat engine, all you need to do is go to the www.bosch.com web site.

Over a period of 100 years, Bosch has developed considerably more than 20 000 types. No wonder that in the United States there is even an association of spark plug collectors consisting of more than 1,000 members. However, this subject had been so comprehensive in the 1930ies already that Bosch published a spark plug dictionary comprising 160 pages.

In the first year of production Bosch produced some few spark plugs per day, nowadays, one million pieces are produced per day in the company's plant in Bamberg alone, consisting of 29 tons of steel, 1.8 tons of nickel, 0.7 tons of copper, 15 kilometers of nickel wire and 2.5 kilograms of platinum for the plug housing and the electrodes as well as 20 tons of aluminum oxide for the white insulation elements.

Apart from the Bamberg plant, production sites supplying to local markets and automotive manufacturers are located in India, Brazil, China and Russia where spark plugs are produced according to the internationally applied Bosch quality standards. On an international scale, Bosch produces more than 350 million units per year. In hundred years a total of excessively more than seven billion spark plugs have been produced. Laid end to end, they would stretch more than 350,000 kilometers - all the way to the moon.

MICO, in India, has been the Bosch Group company since 1951. The manufacture of Spark Plugs started in the MICO factory at Bangalore in 1954. MICO's Spark Plugs are also exported to many countries in the world and the quality of there here in India or in Germany has absolutely no difference.

100 YEARS OF BOSCH SPARK PLUGS - THE HIGHLIGHTS

* 1902: Bosch is granted a patent for a new type of spark plug combined with a high-tension magneto on January 7, 1902. The first systems are supplied to Daimler-Motorengesellschaft in Bad Cannstatt on September 24, 1902

* 1902 onwards: In the first few years, production totals a few hundred units per year

* 1914: The first spark plug factory is founded in Stuttgart.

* 1927: Bosch introduces the term "heat range", which has remained the standard measure of the thermal capacity of a spark plug (important for the ideal adaptation of a spark plug to a specific engine) to this day.

* 1939: The Bamberg spark plug factory is founded.

* 1953: Bosch spark plug with composite center electrode ensuring reliable cold starting and a longer service life is used on the Mercedes Benz 300 SL gull-wing

* 1968: The Bamberg plant produces the billionth spark plug.

* 1976: Mass production of the Thermoelastic plug with composite center electrode starts.

* 1980s: Spark plugs are adapted to changes in fuels and engine design, making motors cleaner, more economical and more efficient (lead-free petrol, catalytic converters, four valves per cylinder, lean mix, etc.).

* 1983: Platinum center electrodes and composite materials with noble metal alloys boost the service life of spark plugs to well in excess of 60,000 km.

* 1991: The Bosch air cushion spark plug prevents carbon fouling, timing drift and misfiring even in operation with frequent short trips.

* 1995: Nickel yttrium electrode material prolongs the service life of spark plugs

* 2000: The seven billionth Bosch spark plug is produced.

Supply of tailor-made spark plugs for the first direct injection stratified charge gasoline engine (with ignition and injection system also supplied by Bosch).

* 7 January 2002: 100th anniversary of the first Bosch spark plug.

FACTS AND FIGURES ON THE BOSCH SPARK PLUG

* Annual Bosch spark plug production: More than 350 million (1902: about 300)

* Material required for daily production of more than a million spark plugs:

29 t of steel, 1.8 t of nickel, 0.7 t of copper, 15 km of nickel wire, 2.5 kg of platinum and 20 t of aluminum oxide for insulators

* Total production since 1902: More than 7.5 billion Bosch spark plugs

* Bosch spark plug types currently available: 1250 with 26 different electrode designs

* Bosch spark plug types produced since 1902: More than 20,000

* Smallest Bosch spark plug: 40 mm long (e.g. for lawnmowers)

* Largest Bosch spark plug : 150 mm long (e.g. for stationary gas engines)

* Performance of a standard Bosch spark plug: Up to 30 sparks per second or more than 20 million sparks over a useful life of 20,000 km

* Working conditions of Bosch spark plugs: Voltage up to 30,000 V, temperatures up to 1,000 ºC, pressures up to 100 bar (equivalent to the pressure underwater at a depth of 1,000 m); hot, extremely aggressive mixture of petrol vapor, combustion products and fuel and oil residues

* Service life of Bosch spark plugs: standard plugs 20,000 to 30,000 km, special plugs up to 100,000 km

* Bosch spark plug production plants: Bamberg (Germany), Aratú (Brazil), Engels (Russia), Naganathapura (India) and Nanjing (China)

* Vehicle producers with Bosch park plugs as original equipment: Audi, BMW, Citroën, Daewoo, DAF, Fiat, Lancia, Daimler-Chrysler, Holden, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Nedcar, Opel, Peugeot, Piaggio (scooters), Porsche, Renault, Rotax (small engines), Seat, Skoda, Ssang Yong, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volvo, VW

* Applications of Bosch spark plugs: Cars, Motorcycles and Scooters, Commercial Vehicles, Engines for Boats and Jet-Skis, Gardening and Forestry Equipment, Stationary Gas Engines, Emergency Generator Sets, Water Pumps and Small Engines.

Cognizant Commits $250 Million To Global Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives

* New philanthropic funding and in-kind contributions globally will help build stronger, healthier, more inclusive communities worldwide

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) today announced a new five-year $250 million effort to advance economic mobility, educational opportunity, diversity and inclusion, and health and well-being in communities around the world. Building on its long-standing investment in corporate social responsibility, Cognizant, with its extensive global presence, will work to create stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a global company, we care deeply about unlocking human potential,” said Brian Humphries, CEO, Cognizant. “We are determined to live our purpose of improving everyday life and apply our technology and business expertise to help tackle global problems. This $250 million initiative aims to create conditions for people to thrive by expanding access to education, healthcare, and technology, and by advancing diversity and inclusion in communities around the world.”

This $250 million initiative will leverage new philanthropic capital, volunteer programs, in-kind contributions, and business expertise to:

Provide equitable educational opportunities to equip students, learners, and workers with 21st-century skills needed to succeed in the digital economy;

Advance economic mobility, working toward a future where all communities have the resources, opportunities, and infrastructure needed to thrive;

Improve the health and well-being of individuals and families to ensure communities are healthy and can achieve their fullest potential; and

Champion initiatives that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly for underrepresented and underserved populations around the world.

Beginning in 2021, Cognizant and its foundations will expand grant-making in the U.S. and India to new global markets where the company continues to grow its operations, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and the UK. In addition, Cognizant will introduce new philanthropic programs to advance diversity and inclusion efforts in partnership with Cognizant’s Affinity Groups, supporting African American, Latinx, LGBTQ, Pan-Asian, women, and veteran communities.  New programs will also expand opportunities for employees to contribute their time and skills, and deploy additional COVID-19 relief funds that build on commitments made in 2020. These included launching the Pandemic Response Challenge with XPRIZE, supporting clients in bringing vaccines to market, and assisting more than 100 million people with healthcare enrollment.

To date, Cognizant and its foundations estimate they have impacted more than 4 million people, working with over 300 organizations to increase access to quality education and healthcare and improve economic mobility in communities where Cognizant operates. More than 166,000 employees have volunteered their time and expertise in support of these efforts over the last five years.

About Cognizant

Cognizant (Nasdaq-100: CTSH) is one of the world’s leading professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant is ranked 194 on the Fortune 500 and is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com or follow us @Cognizant.

Anita Hassanandani Chooses The Goodness Of Mamaearth In India

* Mamaearth partners with Anita Hassanandani for the brands personal care and hair care

The Indian skincare and haircare brand, Mamaearth has recently signed up TV industry veteran, Anita Hassanandani for a long-term, strategic association with the brand for their haircare, skincare and baby care categories.

With the star just delivering a baby boy, as anticipated, the social media is abuzz with news about the same. Since Mamaearth’s products have ingredients that are derived from nature and are cruelty-free and PETA certified, bringing in a new mother who has a huge influence on social media is an alliance that is proving to be judicious.

Her first video with Mamaearth was taken live on her social media handle just the morning of her delivery, making it the last post before she welcomed a new member into her family. The video ended up receiving unprecedented engagement, love and good wishes because of the carefully planned timing and the nature of the video.

Anita Hassanadani says, “With Mamaearth, I feel like my thoughts are aligned to theirs because I too have always been conscious about the skincare and haircare products I use. They also have a really cool initiative where they link every order on the website to a tree they plant and being a new mother, it matters to me more now that we make our environment sustainable for the future generations. I am really looking forward to start more conversations around beauty that’s organic and backed by science.”

Commenting on the association, Mr. Sambit Dash, VP Marketing, Honasa Consumer Pvt. Ltd. Says, “Mamaearth constantly looks to connect and engage with millennial consumers. Anita is a trusted known name who resonates with our consumers and fits in strongly with our brand ideology of Goodness Inside. We are confident that this collaboration will help us further strengthen our position as a baby care and personal care brand for millennials.” 

ABOUT HONASA CONSUMER PVT LTD

Honasa Consumer Pvt Limited (HCPL), is a digital-first consumer brands company creating the FMCG conglomerate of the future.  A company built on the values of Honesty, Natural ingredients and Safe care, HCPL caters to the needs of millennial consumers through innovative products, evolved propositions, direct to consumer marketing, and e-commerce fulfillment. Currently catering to over 100 cities in India with brands like Mamaearth & The Derma Co., HCPL is building an ecosystem that helps benefit the consumers and community at large. Backed by Sequoia Capital India, Fireside Ventures, Stellaris Venture Partners, and Sharrp Ventures, HCPL is set to become a billion-dollar FMCG conglomerate in the next 5 years — spread across the globe but connected through a digital center of excellence. 

ABOUT MAMAEARTH 

Founded by husband-wife duo Ghazal Alagh and Varun Alagh, Mamaearth is Asia’s first brand with Madesafe certified products that offer 100% toxin-free & natural baby care, skincare, and hair care products. Driven by innovation and using the best of science and ayurveda, the brand caters to all personal care needs of young, aspirational and increasingly conscious Indian consumers.  

In a short span of 4 years, Mamaearth has created a product portfolio of 120+ products packed with goodness inside, has reached over 5 million customers in 100 Indian cities, and is the fastest-growing FMCG start-up to hit a 300 Cr run rate in India. Mamaearth products are available on www.mamaearth.in, major eCommerce platforms like Amazon, Nykaa, Flipkart and over 4000 stores across the country.