Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Johnson Controls Expands AI Features In OpenBlue Digital Ecosystem


* Smarter Solutions: New AI capabilities offer smarter, more insightful solutions.

* Autonomous Controls: Enhanced autonomous building controls allow customers to run buildings with less manual intervention than ever before.

* Improved User Interface: Updated design and workflows simplify building management.

Johnson Controls, (NYSE:JCI) the global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable building solutions, today announced significantly expanded AI capabilities in its OpenBlue Enterprise Manager suite of digital solutions, part of the OpenBlue digital ecosystem. The updates, available today, include the first customer-facing generative AI applications, more autonomous building controls, and a significantly improved user experience. These updates pave the way for additional AI enhancements in 2025, focused on globally accepted performance standards, optimized equipment performance for cost savings and enhanced regulatory compliance.

The expanded AI features take data insights to the next level and build on the measurable impact customers are already seeing when utilizing OpenBlue. With OpenBlue Enterprise Manager guiding facility improvements, coupled with equipment upgrades and proactive services, customers are benefitting from up to 30% reduction in energy spend, up to 20% reduction in maintenance spend, and 10% more optimized space utilization - a win for the environment and the bottom line.

"The expansion of customer-facing AI features into Johnson Controls OpenBlue marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of building management technology," said Johnson Controls Chief Technology Officer Vijay Sankaran. "These new AI-driven features not only enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, but also empower building owners and operators with unprecedented levels of insight and control. We are committed to pioneering innovations that drive automation and create smarter, more responsive environments for our customers."

A recently commissioned Forrester Consulting study found that 90% of respondents say their building systems are not fully integrated, costing time, people and money. The expanded features in OpenBlue provide clearer insights and better performance, including: 

Integrated generative AI tools that proactively recommend impactful energy savings projects.

Major upgrades to the user experience with a focus on personalization, improved design, and compliance with a higher level of accessibility standards.

Expanded data insights that allow users to see details on building visitors throughout the entire portfolio of buildings, improving the understanding and management of occupants.

Enhanced indoor air quality monitoring and sensor analytics to support smarter and healthier buildings.

Automatically adjusting setpoints based on fault diagnostics, saving energy, and accelerate capture of potential savings

Turning Insights Into Energy Savings Using Generative AI

OpenBlue now has integrated generative AI tools that proactively recommend the most impactful energy savings projects, reducing the need to analyze large amounts of building data. The system anticipates needs, like analyzing energy usage based on live weather data, to create actionable insights, helping customers achieve energy savings and reduction in carbon emissions.

"Our customers have consistently told us that one of the challenges with AI is they are unsure of what questions to ask a Generative AI chatbot about their building," said Julius Marchwicki, vice president, digital product management, Johnson Controls. "Our generative AI feature automatically constructs the right prompts that are built from our decades of experience in the commercial buildings space."

The platform also tracks energy conservation projects across over 130 categories, improving data management and managing decarbonization strategies. It supports utility bills management with automatic error correction, reducing billing gaps.

Driving Toward Autonomous Buildings

New features in OpenBlue are driving forward the future of autonomous buildings and allow customers to run their buildings with less manual intervention than ever before. The system can improve productivity through automating processes that traditionally have been manual. It can adjust setpoints based on fault diagnostics, saving energy, carbon, and accelerating potential cost savings. Users can enable autonomous actions or use the system to get advice, while setting their own operational constraints. It also provides detailed information about equipment performance and trends, from a broad view down to individual pieces of equipment. In this release, OpenBlue autonomous control can now be applied to a broader range of central utility plant designs.

OpenBlue now supports digitalization of Standard Operating Procedures, speeding up workflows triggered by various events. New workflows can be quickly published to support security and service needs, supporting both manual and autonomous tasks.

Refreshed User Experience

This release includes major upgrades to the user experience, focused on design, navigation and accessibility. With increased focus on space utilization, the system provides an even clearer picture of how spaces are actually used by building occupants. Detailed visitor analytics are available throughout a portfolio of buildings, improving the understanding of visitor activities, along with intelligent planning when anomalies occur. Operators can schedule services, like cleaning, based on occupancy insights, saving resources and money. Updates also include improved indoor air quality monitoring with a broad ecosystem of sensor partners.

Unlocking Building Performance

OpenBlue Enterprise Manager allows customers to unlock the performance of their building with real-time data visibility. A single pane of glass with advanced analytics, visualization and controls, accelerates operational outcomes, meets certification and regulatory compliance needs while ensuring data security and privacy.

Enhancements to OpenBlue advance the ongoing Johnson Controls transformation as a pure-play provider of comprehensive solutions for commercial buildings. To learn more about how Johnson Controls OpenBlue is transforming buildings from static entities into smart assets visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/openblue

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Kovai.co Announces strategic Acquisition Of Floik To Enhance Its Document360 Knowledge Management Platform


Coimbatore-based, Kovai.co - a premier enterprise software and B2B SaaS company providing revenue growth solution, announced today the acquisition of Floik, a Bengaluru-based B2C SaaS company. This move aims to strengthen the capabilities of Kovai.co's AI-powered knowledge management software, Document360. Floik's interactive demos, videos, and guides will be integrated to expand Document360's industry-leading knowledge base features, ultimately benefiting its 2,500+ global customers.

Floik, an Elevation Capital-backed platform developed over two years, enables companies to create interactive product demos and guides. These tools guide users seamlessly through software features, enhancing user adoption and experience. Floik has gained significant traction in the SaaS industry, serving over 8,000 users globally.

With this acquisition, Kovai.co aims to further elevate its knowledge management offerings by integrating Floik’s interactive demo and guide capabilities directly into its Document360 platform, underscoring its commitment to innovation and customer success.

"Integrating Floik’s capabilities into Document360 aligns perfectly with our vision of creating a robust knowledge management solution that goes beyond traditional documentation," said Saravana Kumar, CEO of Kovai.co. "Floik’s interactive tools will allow our users to deliver a more engaging and impactful experience, empowering end-users to truly understand and leverage our software’s capabilities. We also anticipate a 35% year-over-year revenue increase in our knowledge management category."

“We are excited to accelerate Floik’s mission to democratise knowledge management and software adoption by joining hands with Kovai.co”, said Vartika Bansal, Founder and CEO of Floik.

To ensure continuity in product development and customer support, six dedicated Floik staff, who were instrumental in its development, have joined Kovai.co. The team will be led by Vidyasankar Krishnamurthy, Floik’s CTO, and they will continue to enhance the product’s functionality and support its deployment across Document360’s extensive global customer base.

Karnataka Government And The/Nudge Institute Launch Third Cohort Of Indian Administrative Fellowship (IAF)


* IAF unlocked Rs 1000 crores+ government funds & impacted 18 Lakh+ citizens across cohorts nationally

* It is inviting senior private sector executives to shape the nation & their careers by applying for the 18-month program to create impact on millions of lives

The Government of Karnataka is extending its partnership with the The/Nudge Institute to launch the state’s third cohort of the Indian Administrative Fellowship (IAF). Applications are now open for this unique 18-month program, which offers senior executives (CXOs/ VPs) from the private sector the distinct opportunity to work with civil servants in the Government of Karnataka. This encourages socially conscious corporate leaders to collaborate with senior government officials to transform governance, accelerate tech-led innovation across livelihood programs, and help inform local policy priorities to create scalable impact on the lives of millions of citizens. 

IAF’s previous two concluded cohorts, across Karnataka and Punjab, have demonstrated great success in advancing action towards social development, unlocking over Rs 1000 crores of government funding towards the Fellows’ livelihood-focused projects and impacting over 18 Lakh citizens. Currently,  a second cohort in Karnataka and one more in partnership with the Central Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment are also in progress.

Previous fellows’ projects exhibit the true potential of this program. Ravi Trivedi, for example, was the Founder and CEO of PushEngage, with prior experience in Hewlett Packard and Bank of America. Working with the Karnataka Government’s Agriculture department, his focus was on lowering agrarian distress while enhancing market access, including by identifying gram panchayats for the pilot roll-out of the Integrated Farming System scheme, which reached 12,000 farmers. Further, he established the Agri-Innovation Cell and launched innovative solutions including AI-based early pest detection for cotton crops and a carbon credit cashback for farmers. Demonstrating the revolutionary potential of this idea, the Madhya Pradesh Government also built their own innovation cell. Across these interventions, Ravi mobilized over Rs 13 crores of funding. Such projects are vital given that roughly half of Karnataka’s workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. 

Previous Karnataka fellows also worked on other core projects demonstrating remarkable success, from empowering women self-help groups to reforming the horticulture value chain. One such case is that of Dr. Gayatri Swahar’s, Co-founder and Head of Marketing, Ycook India and previously working with Nielsen Consumer NeuroScience, who secured Rs 86.5 crore funds by conceptualizing the first-ever uniform brand for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to streamline market linkages, which was launched by the Chief Minister. She also strengthened the post-harvest ecosystem by establishing a special cell, the effects of which can directly impact 80 Lakh small and marginal farmers. 

Commenting on the potential of this model to transform public systems, Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble CM of Karnataka, said, “As a front-runner in fostering public-private collaborations, the Government of Karnataka is proud of the success of the Indian Administrative Fellowship in partnership with The/Nudge Institute. We look forward to continuing this collaboration for the state’s development.” 

Vivek Sharma, Managing Director, The/Nudge IAF, commented, “At the heart of the IAF program is the goal to create impact at scale that solves pressing regional problems and advances resilient livelihoods for millions. Linking intent with experience, our past two cohorts in Karnataka have demonstrated great success, prompting systems-level change and exciting innovations. We are thrilled to extend this thriving partnership with the Karnataka Government with a sharp focus on supporting the state’s underserved communities.”  

The incoming cohort’s fellows will work with six key government departments to effect meaningful change and impact millions of lives – Rural Development, Horticulture, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Commerce and Industries, and Tourism. For more details and to complete your application, visit https://iaf.thenudge.org/. 

TKM Introduces Special Limited-Edition Of Glanza, Urban Cruiser Taisor& Urban Cruiser Hyrdyer With Exciting Year-End Offers


Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is excited to make this year-end memorable for car buyers with the launch of the Special Limited Edition across its popular models — Glanza, Urban Cruiser Taisor and Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

Following the overwhelming response to the recently introduced Festival Limited Editions, the Special Limited-Edition takes Toyota’s commitment towards customer centricity a step further by offering Toyota Genuine Accessory (TGA) packages. By allowing customers to personalize their vehicles, the Special Limited-Edition allows buyers to own a special upgraded version of their preferred Toyota model with a blend of style and enhanced functionality. This also allows customers to choose between the Special Limited- Edition package or avail themselves exclusive year-end offers.

Apart from Special Limited Edition, Toyota is offering exclusive year end offers above Rs 1 Lac in Toyota Glanza, Urban Cruiser Taisor & Rumion (Except CNG models). Awesome consumer benefits will continue up till 31st Dec 2024

Commenting on Toyota customer first philosophy, Mr. Sabari Manohar – Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “We are thrilled by the tremendous customer response to our previously announced Festival Editions of the Glanza, Urban Cruiser Taisor and Urban Cruiser Hyryder, each offering a unique combination of premium styling and advanced features. The new Special Limited-Edition of Glanza, Urban Cruiser Taisor & Urban Cruiser Hyrdyer reflect our dedication to crafting offerings that cater to enhanced preferences of our customers, elevating their ownership experience.

With these special Toyota Genuine Accessories fitted by Toyota’s certified technicians along with extended warranty coverage, customers can enjoy a seamless ownership experience. We believe these limited period editions provide an incredible opportunity for customers to own a stylish, feature-rich vehicle, making their year-end celebrations even more memorable.”

Bookings for Special Limited-Edition of the Glanza, Urban Cruiser Taisor and Urban Cruiser Hyrdyer are now open at all Toyota dealerships, as well as online at www.toyotabharat.com/online-booking.

PNB Launches “Eco-Friendly Palaash Debit Card Made From Recycled PVC Plastic”


~ A Step Towards Sustainable Banking: Combining Eco-Friendly Materials with the Comprehensive Benefits of RuPay Platinum ~

Punjab National Bank (PNB), the nation’s leading public sector bank, has launched – “PNB Palaash Debit Card”, a new Debit Card variant made from recycled PVC plastic (rPVC) as part of their sustainability initiative. This eco-friendly card uses materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, thereby reducing environmental harm.

Customers can log in to pnbindia.in or visit a PNB branch to avail this personalised debit card, which is globally accepted. The PNB Palaash debit card offers all the features of the existing RuPay Platinum Debit Card variant. Regular discounts or offers provided by NPCI are subject to change from time to time.

The Palaash Debit Card can be obtained by all customers who are eligible for debit card issuance.  The issuance charge for the Primary Debit Card is Rs 250 plus taxes. In case of card replacement due to loss, damage, or blocked, the replacement charge is also Rs 250 plus taxes. Additionally, there is an annual charge of Rs 250 plus taxes. All other charges applicable to Debit Card transactions will also be applicable to this card variant as well.

PNB remains dedicated to integrating sustainable practices in all aspects of its operations, continually seeking innovative solutions to protect and preserve the environment.

'Architecting Project Management For A Strong And Prosperous Bharat'" On Nov 16, In Marathahalli, Bengaluru


The Project Management Practitioners' Conference (PMPC) 2024, organized by the PMI Bangalore India Chapter, is set to take place on November 16, 2024, at HAL Management Academy, Marathahalli, Bengaluru. This annual event, hosted with great enthusiasm and dedication, serves as a platform for project management professionals to explore the latest trends, share insights, and contribute to the advancement of project management practices across industries.

With this year's theme, "Architecting Project Management for Sashakt and Samruddh Bharat – India’s Path to Prosperity," the conference will focus on project management’s role in driving national growth and innovation. As in previous years, PMPC 2024 will feature discussions, panels, and presentations from experts in various fields, highlighting the impact of project management in "Working towards the creation of a resilient and prosperous India."

The conference will be inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony led by the Chief Guest, Subedar Major Retd. (Honorary Captain) Shri Yogendra Singh Yadav, Param Vir Chakra, along with other prominent leaders in the field:

Dr. Srikantha Sharma – Executive Director & Dean, HAL Management Academy

Mr. Nikunj Parashar – Founder & CMD, Sagar Defence

Mr. Amit Goyal – Regional Managing Director, PMI South Asia

Ms. Shalini Shankarshana - MD & Country Manager Planview

Mr. Palash Gupta – President, PMI Bangalore India Chapter

There are many Keynote addresses and fireside chats scheduled with distinguished speakers like Capt. Nikunj Parashar - Founder & CMD, Sagar Defence, Mr.Jagadish Babu - COO Ekstep Foundation, Mr.Ankush Sabharwal - CEO Bharat GPT, Mr. Prateek Khandelwal, CEO Ramp My CIty, Dr. Srimathy Kesan, CEO Space Kidz India, Swapnil Shrivastav - Co-Founder & CEO at Uravu, Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed - CEO and Director of C-CAMP, Mr.Rahul Vengalil, Co-Founder & CEO TGTHR and Mr. Pratap Reddy - Former Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City & Director General of Police sharing insights throughout the day of the conference.

This year’s event will also include a live performance by Vilas Nayak, an internationally acclaimed artist, adding a cultural dimension to the conference.

PMPC 2024 is a unique opportunity for project management professionals to engage, network, and learn from industry leaders, advancing their skills and knowledge to build a stronger, prosperous India.

For further information, contact: +91 97400 61430

PMI Bangalore Chapter](https://www.pmibangalorechapter.org) 

Join India's Comedy Sensation Atul Khatri For An Unmissable Stand-Up Performance At Phoenix Mall Of Asia


The celebrated Indian stand-up comedian Atul Khatri is bringing his signature humorous and witty stand-up show this Saturday, 16th November to Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bangalore. Known for his relatable, sharp-witted comedy, Atul Khatri is one of India’s most celebrated comedians and the only Indian to have performed at the prestigious Hong Kong International Comedy Festival.

With a unique journey from corporate boardrooms to comedy stages, Khatri’s stand-up is a refreshing blend of humor and life experiences. This performance promises an evening full of laughter, thought-provoking insights, and a fresh perspective on everyday life.

Atul Khatri is an accomplished stand-up comedian and YouTube personality who transitioned from the corporate world to comedy, becoming one of India's top comedians. He has performed over 400 comedy shows, and his relatable humor has garnered a dedicated fan following. Khatri was the only Indian comedian to perform at the Hong Kong International Comedy Festival and is a former winner of "CEO's Got Talent."

Whether you’re a fan of relatable humor, enjoy witty observations, or simply want to unwind with friends, this is an event not to be missed. So sit back, unwind and book your tickets right away on BookMyShow

Event Details: 

Date: November 16, 2024 

Time: 8:00 PM onwards 

Venue: Fan Park, 2nd Floor, Phoenix Mall of Asia – Bangalore North 

Tickets: Available on BookMyShow 

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