HCL To Modernize And Transform “Tenneco’s Technology Landscape”

HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global technology company, today announced an agreement with Tenneco Inc. (NYSE: TEN), a leading Fortune 500 global tier-1 automotive supplier and manufacturer, for a multi-year, integrated application development, modernization, and operations services contract. As part of this engagement, HCL will help Tenneco enhance their IT simplification, modernization and transformation journey while helping to reduce technical complexities and support the global IT application portfolio. 

Tenneco has strategically worked to consolidate its global IT Service vendors to improve user experience by creating a more agile and nimble IT support organization that works on reducing technical costs and IT complexities. 

HCL Technologies’ application modernization approach will be part of the initial acceleration of Tenneco’s application rationalization and modernization initiative. HCL will use its FENIX 2.0 offering, an industry-aligned execution framework that helps organizations reprogram their enterprise architecture and build a roadmap for initiatives for digital transformation objectives. To further transform Tenneco’s operations, HCL will bring in automation through DRYiCE, a suite of organic automation and AI-based transformation products and platforms.  

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work so closely with Tenneco as it embarks on this strategic journey of transforming its IT landscape,” said Ajay Bahl, EVP, HCL Technologies. “This deal is a great endorsement of HCL’s next-generation application services and ability to drive major transformations. We look forward to providing value to this relationship, driving critical technology transformation and helping Tenneco realize business success.” 

About HCL Technologies  

HCL Technologies (HCL) empowers global enterprises with technology for the next decade, today. HCL’s Mode 1- 2-3 strategy, based on its deep-domain industry expertise, customer-centricity and entrepreneurial culture of Ideapreneurship™, enables businesses to transform into next-gen enterprises. HCL offers its services and products through three business units: IT and Business Services (ITBS), Engineering and R&D Services (ERS) and Products & Platforms (P&P). ITBS enables global enterprises to transform their businesses through offerings in the areas of applications, infrastructure, digital process operations and next generational digital transformation solutions. ERS offers engineering services and solutions in all aspects of product development and platform engineering. P&P provides modernized software products to global clients for their technology and industry specific requirements. Through its cutting-edge co-innovation labs, global delivery capabilities and broad global network, HCL delivers holistic services in various industry verticals, categorized as Financial Services, Manufacturing, Technology & Services, Telecom & Media, Retail & CPG, Life Sciences & Healthcare and Public Services. As a leading global technology company, HCL takes pride in its diversity, social responsibility, sustainability and education initiatives. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2020 HCL had consolidated revenue of US$ 10.02 billion. Its 159,682 ideapreneurs operate out of 50 countries. 

QNET To Sponsor CHAIROS Hockey Cup To Support A Good Cause

 -Sponsored by QNET 

-Organised by CCC Association, under the aegis of Hockey Karnataka  

-Proceeds of sponsorship will be donated to Cheshire Homes India, Bengaluru 

QNET Ltd., the leading e-commerce enabled direct selling company is all set to sponsor the CHAIROS Hockey Cup, organised by Coorg Challengers Chickpet Association, Bengaluru under the aegis of Hockey Karnataka. This is the 5th edition of the super blazing, high speed 5-A-Side hockey tournament. The spectacular event will be held from 2nd to 4th April at FM Cariappa Hockey Arena turf ground, Shanthi Nagar, Bangalore. Dr. AB Subbaiah, Olympian, Arjun Awardee and current Secretary, Hockey India, will be inaugurating the tournament that brings together 23 of the best state level teams from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This hockey tournament will be a big boost for upcoming sportsmen from these states and to propagate India’s national sport. 

The teams will include an array of world-class players who have represented India at global hockey tournaments and many of them have been a part of the world’s biggest sporting stage, the Olympics. The icons from yesteryear like VR Raghunath (Double Olympian and Arjun Awardee), Nikkin Thimmaiah (Olympian and Asia cup winner), Arjun Halappa (Olympian and World cupper), Bharath Chethri (Olympian and Dhyan Chand Awardee), Vikram Kanth (Asia cup winner), and other great players like Nithin Thimmaia, MG Poonacha, Pradan Somanna, Md Rafeel, MB Aiyappa, BJ Cariappa, KD Ganapathy, KM Somanna, KK Santhosh, MB Somaiah,  will be playing at the hockey turf in this tournament. 

An exhibition match will be played before the finals on April 4th comprising of players who are sports icons from yesteryear and ex-Olympians, such as, Dhanraj Pillay, Jude Philix, C S Poonacha, Anil Aldrin, Sabu Varghese, Ravi Naiker, Sandeep Somesh, Bharath Chethri and KK Poonacha.  

While several people associate ‘Coorg’ as a tourist hotspot, most of us do not know that this small hill station is also a cradle for hockey game in India. Comprising of 14 families with 40 individuals, Coorg Challengers Chickpet Association holds the vision to support and promote hockey. Courtesy, the key sponsor QNET, India, the proceeds generated from the tournament will be donated to Cheshire Homes India, Bangalore. 

Considering Covid precautions, all teams will follow strict protocols for safety and sanitization and will be PCR tested. Social distancing norms will also be strictly implemented to ensure safety of those who attend the games as spectators.  

The winner will be awarded the 'CHAIROS Hockey Cup' by QNET.   

About QNET 

QNET is one of Asia's leading e-commerce enabled direct selling companies offering a wide range of health, wellness, and lifestyle products. QNET's business model pivoting upon technology and e-commerce has helped empower millions of entrepreneurs in more than 100 countries worldwide. 

QNET is headquartered in Hong Kong and has a presence in more than 25 countries around the world through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships, and franchisees. 

QNET is a member of the Direct Selling Association in several countries, as well as the Hong Kong Health Food Association and the Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore, among others. In India, QNET operates through its sub-franchisee Vihaan Direct Selling (India) Pvt Ltd and is a member of the Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA), ASSOCHAM, and CII. 

QNET is also active in sports sponsorships around the world. Some of the more prominent partnerships include being the Direct Selling Partner of Manchester City Football Club and the African Club League Championships of CAF.  

Honda Sells Total Of 411,037 Units During March’21 Across India

Building on the demand momentum despite renewed COVID challenges, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. closed March 2021 on a positive note.

Honda’s domestic sales in the month of March grew from 245,716 units last year to 395,037 units in March’21. With 16,000 units exported during the month, Honda total sales (domestic + export) closed at 411,037 units in the month.

Overall, Honda closed FY2020-21 (April’20 to March’21) with total sales of 4,073,182 two-wheelers. This includes domestic sales of 3,865,872 units and exports of 207,310 units.

Honda 2Wheelers India closed Q4 of FY’2020-21 with 31% growth, contributing the maximum - that is nearly every 3rd incremental two-wheeler sold in India.

Giving an overview of fiscal year 2020-21, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said,

“FY’2020-21 was a year of Unprecedented Uncertainties. Honda resiliently overcame challenges from lockdowns to unlocks; while continuing to create many new firsts. India became the epicentre of Honda’s 2 global unveils (H’ness CB 350, CB350 RS) and followed this with the scintillating Indian debut of CB500X & CB 650R. Noteworthy, that leading the recovery as Highest Growth driver of two-wheeler industry in Q4, 2021 has started on an optimistic note for Honda.”

Key Highlights in FY2020-2021:

Silver Wing à Honda’s Premium Motorcycle Business

-   5 model launches in mid-size motorcycle segment: Honda 2Wheelers India rose to the world map with the global unveils of all-new H’ness CB350 and CB350 RS. Parallely, Honda’s mid-size ambitions were further beefed up with the Indian debut of CB500X, CB650R in addition to the 2021 CBR 650R.

-   3 model launches in 1000cc+ segments further amplified the GoRiding! Spirit across super-sports (CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and Fireblade SP) and adventure (2021 Africa Twin Adventure Sports).

-   Supporting this line-up availability, the differentiated Silver Wings expanded from its first Gurgaon showroom ending FY’20 to 50+ BigWing touchpoints ending March 31st, 2021, across both BigWing Topline (for entire premium motorcycle range from 300cc to 1800cc) and BigWing (exclusively for mid-size motorcycle segment) retail formats.

Honda’s Red Wing business across scooters & motorcycles

-   In the domestic lineup, Honda made a big splash in the 180-200cc segment with the successful introduction of Hornet 2.0.

-   Parallely, Honda’s BS-VI line-up became more robust across segments with the introduction of Grazia 125 BS-VI in automatic scooters and 3 BS-VI motorcycle upgrades (CD 110 Dream, Livo BS-VI, X-Blade)

-   Creating special joy for Honda fans were 4 Limited editions – Repsol Honda editions of Hornet 2.0 & Dio, the 20th Anniversary edition of Activa 6G and the 125cc Sports edition of Grazia.

Business & Sales Milestone

-   ‘Activa’ rewrote history as the 1st scooter brand in India to reach 2.5 crore customers’ mark in just 20 years!

-   Parallely, Honda’s 125cc motorcycle Shine crossed the 90 Lac cumulative customers’ mark in December.

-   In premium motorcycle business, H’ness CB350 touched 10,000 sales mark in just 3 months.

-   Across regions, brand Honda scaled new heights of trust and acceptability. Honda’s cumulative sales crossed the momentous 1.5 crore customers’ milestone in Southern region, breached 70 lac in North India and crossed the 35 lac sales milestone in Uttar Pradesh.

Strategic Leadership Change

-   Strategically stewarding the brand leadership, Mr. Atsushi Ogata assumed responsibility as the new President, CEO & Managing Director of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.

Motorsports DNA of Honda:

-   2021 Dakar Rally saw Honda’s factory team Monster Energy Honda Team triumph with the first 1-2 victory since 1987 fuelled by riders Kevin Benavides and Ricky Brabec finish 1st and 2nd. 

-  Beginning with its first world grand prix race in 1961, Honda achieved the unprecedented 800th FIM World Championship Grand Prix victory.

-    On domestic front, ENEOS Honda Erula Racing Team completed 2020 Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (PS 165cc) with 10 podiums including 3 victories.

Corporate Social Responsibility

-   Honda India Foundation pledged Rs. 11 crore aid for Covid-19 providing high-pressure backpack sprayers, ambulances for medical emergencies among other arrangements.

Honda educates nearly 40 lac people on Road Safety

-   Honda digital road safety initiative ‘Honda Road Safety E-Gurukul’ launched in May’20 successfully sensitized over 3 lac individuals in the new Normal.

-   Spreading road safety education with focus on learner licence applicants and traffic rule violators, Honda inaugurated 3 new Safety Education Driving Centers (SDEC) in Guwahati, Vizag and Bengaluru.

News Aggregation App ‘News That Matters’ With Multiple Keyword-Based Searches From 1000 Curated News Sites Launched

* Free Platinum services for one year for registrations before 22nd April 2021

News That Matters, an android exclusive news aggregation app, providing multiple keyword news searches aggregated from nearly 1000 curated online websites was launched today. The app addresses a key challenge that online news consumers face in being unable to create multiple keywords alerts in a single platform. The keywords alerts can be edited on-the-go, and an unlimited number of keywords and news are available for Platinum subscribers. The app is available free-to-download on Google Playstore, and the Platinum subscription is being offered free for one year for all downloads till 22nd April, 2021.

Deepak Rai, Product Lead, News That Matters, said, “The app is aimed at increasing news consumption for the young generation from curated and authentic sources as a counter to generic search engine results which yield results from all sources, authentic or not. News That Matters is verifies genuine online news sites before these are made a part of its search list. By redirecting the user to the online news websites, the app will help content creators to garner more user traffic also.”

News consumers have constantly changing needs in the type of news they consume, and the speed of news updates can be critical in many cases. ‘News That Matters’ focuses on such critical needs of the news consumers empowering them to choose the news they consumer. Subscribers can change their keywords at will and news updating frequency is up to 30 times a day. Apart from the specific news consumer, there are eighteen sector-based news also covered, making this app invaluable to journalists, newsmakers, corporate communications, research, organizations, public relations agencies, and others who need to keep up with sector trends.

“Further, news consumption patterns are extremely personal, and a research by the company shows that that only specific news types are of interest at any given time. News consumption patterns change depending on changes in personal interests, happenings in the world, interest in personalities or companies, events, etc.  While new technologies are changing the way news is consumed, they have remained static when it comes to user needs and interests providing them with only the news they choose, without cluttering them with other unwanted content”, Rai added.

Hero Motocorp Sells 5.77 Lakh Units Of Two-Wheelers In March 2021

Capping off the FY’21 on a positive note, Hero MotoCorp Ltd., the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer sold 576,957 units of motorcycles and scooters in March 2021, registering a growth of 72% over the corresponding month in the previous year. The company had sold 334,647 units in March 2020.

In March last year, sales were adversely impacted due to the impending transition to BSVI from April 2020, in addition to the nationwide lockdown towards the latter half of the month due to coronavirus pandemic.

Significantly, the Company registered its highest-ever sales in Global Business (GB) in a single month by clocking 32,617 units in the month of March, a growth of 82% over the corresponding month in 2020 when it had sold 17,962 units in its global markets.

Mr. Sanjay Bhan, Head – Global Business, Hero MotoCorp said, “Hero MotoCorp’s global business has been gaining traction and we are optimistic of maintaining the healthy growth trajectory across geographies in the coming months. The recovery in consumer demand and efficient collaboration with our global distributors has enabled us to achieve these numbers. While the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the global auto industry, we are witnessing strong preference for the wide range of motorcycles and scooters – including the premium motorcycles Xpulse and Hunk 160R - across markets, especially in Latin America.”

In FY’21, the auto industry witnessed significant disruptions triggered by the Coronavirus pandemic, restricting customer movement. Despite these challenges, Hero MotoCorp sold 57,91,539 units of two-wheelers in the fiscal year (April 2020-March 2021).

Mr. Naveen Chauhan, Head – Sales and After-Sales, Hero MotoCorp said, “The financial year 2020-21 for us has been a period of sharp revival and setting new milestones, despite the backdrop of a significant downturn in the automotive market. During the fiscal, we surpassed the monumental milestone of 100 million units in cumulative sales since our inception. We are currently offering the broadest-ever range of scooters and motorcycles, each with its own distinctive personality that resonates with our customers. In keeping with our vision to ‘Be the Future of Mobility’, Hero MotoCorp will be launching a host of new motorcycles and scooters over the next five years.”

Nissan India And ExxonMobil Join Hands To Supply Lubricants For The Passenger Vehicles Business

* The new range of engine oils is suitable for India’s latest BS-VI standards and is compatible with older generation BS-III or BS-IV Nissan models

* All-new range of engine oils from ExxonMobil enables Nissan vehicles to achieve optimal performance reliability and potential fuel economy benefits

ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd. today announced that it has signed an agreement with Nissan Motor India to supply lubricants for the passenger vehicles (PV) aftermarket business.

Commencing in April 2021, ExxonMobil will supply an extensive range of engine oils to Nissan India that is suitable for India’s BS-VI standards, while remaining compatible with older generation BS-III or BS-IV Nissan passenger vehicles. This partnership provides Nissan car owners access to advanced lubricant technology that meets the latest specifications for optimal performance reliability and potential fuel economy benefits.

Speaking on the development, Deepankar Banerjee, CEO, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd., says, “We are delighted to be Nissan’s trusted partner to provide the latest lubricant technology that helps protect Nissan engines and allows them to run more efficiently. We are honored to be working closely with Nissan’s team to optimize the latest range of engine oils for their specific design needs and offer an excellent experience to their customers. This partnership adds to our continuous efforts to provide consumers with technologically superior and advanced formulated lubricants for their vehicles to keep them performing at their best.”

“We are pleased to be partnering with ExxonMobil, as both companies have core strength areas in their respective fields. This collaboration reiterates our commitment of providing the most advanced technologies to our discerning Indian customers. At Nissan our emphasis has always been to provide customer delight, fill unmet needs, bring innovative technologies for a better future and mutually grow business. The partnership with ExxonMobil is a major step in our effort towards this journey,” says Rakesh Srivastava, MD, Nissan Motor India.

The all-new range of engine oils – Nissan Genuine Parts Motor Oil SAE 0W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 – includes synthetic and semi-synthetic PV products that were developed by ExxonMobil’s global research and development center through trials and tests to deliver optimum engine performance in different conditions.

Made with ExxonMobil’s proprietary formulation, the latest range of engine oils meets the latest International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) and American Petroleum Institute (API) standards, and also comes with features such as emissions system compatibility, oxidation stability, deposit control along with sludge and varnish protection, engine durability, wear protection for idle-stop and low-speed pre ignition minimization. The co-developed engine oils will be available through the Nissan service network for all variants of Nissan models.

About ExxonMobil in India

ExxonMobil’s downstream business engages in the distribution, sales and marketing of Mobil branded lubricants and specialties. The chemicals business provides market development support, analytical and reporting services. It also conducts chemical product application support services and product testing support at its technology center in Bengaluru. The upstream business provides consulting and LNG market development support services for other ExxonMobil upstream affiliates. The Global Business Center/Technical Center provides a range of support services for ExxonMobil’s operations around the globe. ExxonMobil contributes to programs in India that support education, health and the community. 

About Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd.

Nissan Motor India Private Ltd. (NMIPL) is a 100 percent subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Japan. The company was incorporated in 2005 and offers innovative and exciting products across the hatchback, MUV, SUV and sedan segments in India. Nissan together with its global alliance partner Renault set up a manufacturing plant and a Research & Development Centre near Chennai. Nissan in India has a portfolio of two brands, Nissan and Datsun. 

VMware Cloud Accelerates App Modernization Through Modular, Multi-Cloud Services

For more than 20 years, VMware has powered essential business applications around the world. More than 300,000 organizations have built and run more than 85 million workloads on VMware, and more than five million developers build apps on VMware technology. VMware, Incs helping customers unlock the power of multi-cloud and deliver modern applications at the speed of business with the unveiling of VMware Cloud.

VMware Cloud is a distributed, multi-cloud platform that enables organizations to accelerate application modernization across the data center, edge, and any cloud. It provides distinctive advantages to both developers and IT operators who are often forced to make tradeoffs. VMware Cloud boosts developer productivity by enabling them to build and deploy to any cloud. The platform enables IT to modernize infrastructure and operations with better economics and less risk. With the launch of VMware Cloud, VMware is announcing new offerings that bring a more integrated experience to customers. These offerings include:

VMware Cloud Universal: a flexible subscription that simplifies the purchase and consumption of VMware multi-cloud infrastructure and management services.

VMware Cloud Console: a single monitoring and management environment for VMware Cloud infrastructure regardless of where it’s deployed.

VMware App Navigator: a new offering for assessing and prioritizing app transformation initiatives across an entire application estate based on the value of each app.

“We are on the cusp of the next evolution of cloud and apps. Architectures are becoming distributed and increasingly multi-cloud, while modern applications will soon outnumber traditional apps. The challenge for any CIO is to take advantage of this new innovation without introducing more complexity and risk,” said Raghu Raghuram, chief operating officer, products and cloud services, VMware. “VMware Cloud is the only cloud solution today that customers can use in the datacenter and on any cloud, accelerating their modernization journey with speed, simplicity, and better security. With VMware Cloud Universal, customers make a single purchase and gain the ability to deploy apps across any environment, then move them as business or application requirements change.”

Modular, Multi-Cloud Services for All Applications, Everywhere

Application initiatives are driving better business outcomes, an elevated customer experience, innovative digital services, and the anywhere workforce. Organizations surveyed by VMware report that 90% of app initiatives are focused on modernization(1), and 80% today deploy applications in a distributed model across data center, cloud, and edge(2).

VMware Cloud is the platform for both on-premises and cloud with unified security and operations; supporting traditional and modern applications; connecting to all native cloud services; and meeting the requirements of both developers and IT operators. With VMware Cloud, customers gain the simplicity of a single cloud operating model for their multi-cloud reality, and gain portability to help minimize to help address the challenges of single cloud silos. VMware Cloud customers can realize substantive benefits including as much as 80% better developer productivity with VMware Tanzu Application Service (3), 59% lower operational costs(4), and 46% faster cloud migration(5).

Marketing Technology News: Diving into Early Stage Accelerator Programs and their Growth in the Marketplace

With VMware Cloud, customers can deploy apps to VMware Cloud Foundation running in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Oracle Cloud; on VMware Cloud on Dell EMC; and across hundreds of VMware Cloud Verified partners. VMware Marketplace provides customers access to thousands of validated third party and open-source developer solutions. VMware Cloud customers can also deploy and operate across native public clouds, and give developers access to all native cloud services.

“Fiserv helped small businesses access the funding they needed to continue operating through the Paycheck Protection Program,” said Keith Fulton, senior vice president and CIO, Account Processing at Fiserv. “Upon the launch of the program we quickly deployed a portal to enable thousands of our financial institution clients to accept PPP applications, and as requirements evolved, we built new capabilities that helped banks assess risk levels for tens of thousands of applicants and deliver application confirmation in a matter of seconds. Utilizing VMware Cloud and with just 15 developers working on the Paycheck Protection solutions, we created more than 100,000 lines of code, using CI/CD pipelines, to deliver 436 releases to production in just 28 calendar days.”