Zoho Finance And Operations Suite Grows 50% In India, Becomes The First To Integrate With IMS On GST Portal

Zoho, a leading global technology company headquartered in Chennai, today announced that its finance and operations suite saw a revenue growth of 50% in India in 2023. The company also unveiled key enhancements to its GST-compliant accounting software Zoho Books, inventory management software Zoho Inventory, and practice management app for accountants Zoho Practice. This announcement includes Zoho Books' industry-first integration with the Invoice Management System (IMS) on the GST portal, offering businesses a seamless way to verify and claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) from within the Zoho Books' application.

“We see a high adoption rate of Zoho’s finance and operations applications in India, driven by the increasing demand for tools that ease compliance, streamline financial workflows, and optimise day-to-day operations," said Prashant Ganti, Head of Product Management, Finance and Operations Business Unit, Zoho Corp. “We are strongly committed to providing solutions that reduce complexity in managing financial and operational processes. With the latest updates, our solutions help businesses improve productivity, eliminate manual errors, and provide accurate financial visibility, allowing them to focus on their growth.”

The Zoho Finance and Operations suite's strong growth momentum in India is fuelled by demand from businesses across different industries for a unified solution that offers comprehensive financial management capabilities, solves compliance challenges, and interoperates well with other business solutions. The top three products driving this growth are Zoho Books, Zoho Payroll, and Zoho Expense. The platform supports businesses across 160 countries, and the applications can be used in 17 languages, including Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, and Telugu.

Zoho Books integrates with IMS

The Goods and Services Tax Network launched the Invoice Management System (IMS) on the GST portal, effective from October 14, 2024. The IMS dashboard enhances the invoice validation and reconciliation process, with an aim to reduce disputes and enable faster credit claims.

Zoho Books, a GST and e-invoicing compliant accounting software solution, now provides an industry-first integration with the IMS dashboard, enabling businesses to fetch supplier invoices, compare them with their existing records in the application, make necessary adjustments, accept or reject them, and push the status to the IMS Dashboard–without having to switch between the GST portal and Zoho Books.

Critical financial management capabilities

Zoho Books now includes fixed asset management, which enables the recording of asset details, automatic depreciation calculation based on the chosen percentage, method, and period, as well as the generation of forecast reports, simplifying the bookkeeping process. Progress-based invoicing allows businesses to invoice customers based on completion of project milestones, improving the cash flow.

Enhanced warehouse management functionalities

Zoho Inventory has introduced advanced warehouse management capabilities such as enhanced location tracking and labelling, stock counting, stock out alerts, and role-based access to manage the warehouse operations. This offers better inventory control, ensures accurate stock levels, and provides faster order processing. Additionally, the solution now supports the moving average inventory valuation method, helping businesses calculate the total asset value that has fluctuating prices. Furthermore, the product’s mobile apps empower warehouse employees to perform their tasks faster, improving productivity.

Enriched Zoho Practice to help accountants improve client relations and streamline internal workflows

Zoho Practice, a practice management app built for accounting firms, has introduced Workpapers to simplify audit and compliance workflows. It allows firms to fetch financial statements of the clients who use Zoho Books, enabling easy comparison, adjustments, document management, and collaboration for reviews and approvals.

The new self-service portal enables accountants to collaborate with clients that use third-party accounting software, facilitating document requests, digital signatures, and communication.

The latest version of Zoho Practice also enables accountants to easily create and manage ledgers for clients who don't have a full accounting system, maintaining a single source of truth. Furthermore, advanced capabilities like workflow automation, custom functions, and scheduling options help customise operational workflows. 

Pricing and Availability

All the features announced today for Zoho Books, Zoho Inventory, and Zoho Practice are available for immediate use. For more details on pricing, please visit the following pages for each product: Zoho Books, Zoho Inventory, Zoho Practice.

Zoho Privacy Pledge

Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. The company owns and operates its data centers, ensuring complete oversight of customer data, privacy, and security. More than 100 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho everyday to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/privacy-commitment.html

About Zoho

With 55+ apps in nearly every major business category, Zoho Corporation is one of the world's most prolific technology companies. Headquartered in Chennai, India, Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 15,000 employees. For more information, visit: www.zoho.com

Coca-Cola Announces Strategic Investment By Jubilant Bhartia Group In India

The Coca-Cola Company today announced that it has reached an agreement with the Jubilant Bhartia Group, a multi-billion conglomerate with global presence in diverse sectors, to acquire a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings Pvt. Ltd., the parent company of the largest Coca-Cola bottler in India, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd.

Coca-Cola has a long-standing commitment to deliver quality products and experiences to consumers and is continuing to drive sustainable, long-term growth by investing in the opportunities available in India.

Coca-Cola’s locally owned franchise partners in India are positioned to drive successful outcomes. The investment by the Jubilant Bhartia Group will contribute to the company’s ongoing success and help strengthen its position in the Indian market.

Sanket Ray, President of Coca-Cola India, said, “We welcome the Jubilant Bhartia Group to the Coca-Cola System in India. With its diverse experience in various sectors, Jubilant brings decades of rich experience that will help accelerate the Coca?Cola system, enabling us to win in the market and provide greater value to local communities and consumers.”

Juan Pablo Rodriguez, CEO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, said, “This strategic investment represents an important milestone in our journey. Jubilant Bhartia Group’s expertise, complements our strengths, ensuring that we continue delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders while driving innovation and sustainable progress.”

Shyam S. Bhartia, Founder and Chairman and Hari S. Bhartia, Founder and Co-Chairman of Jubilant Bhartia Group, said the investment is an ideal addition to their business. “The Coca-Cola Company is home to some of the most respected global brands and we are delighted to be associated with them,” Bhartia said. “Together, we will leverage opportunities to grow the business to greater heights and ensure more Indian consumers can enjoy The Coca-Cola Company’s refreshing portfolio of iconic local and international brands.”

These changes and investment represent a significant milestone for Coca-Cola as the company continues to pursue its purpose to refresh the world and make a difference.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Launched Its New Camry hybrid In India At Ex-Showroom Price Of Rs 48 Lakh

While it is the most expensive Camry to be launched in India to date — Rs 1.2 lakh more than the previous model — the company claims a fuel efficiency of 25.49 kmpl, up from 19.1 kmpl claimed by the previous generation Camry hybrid.

The car will be available for booking now, with deliveries starting soon as the cars are in transit to the dealerships, the company said. As the company launched its 5th generation hybrid technology amid rising demand for electric vehicles (EV), Vikram Gulati, country head and senior VP, Toyota Kiskoskar Motor said: “Clearly the trend is towards sustainable mobility and cleaner technologies. Globally, last year hybrids sales grew by 33 per cent and EV sales grew by 31-32 per cent; so basically neck and neck. In the Indian context, there is a huge space out there that needs to be addressed. About 95 per cent of the market continues to be fossil fuel-based. Going forward, we feel that many technologies, either electric or biofuel, are going to be very relevant in our pursuit of green mobility and decarbonisation.”

Powered by Toyota’s 5th Generation Hybrid Technology with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, the car has an upgraded 2.5L Dynamic Force Engine delivering 221 Nm of torque at 3200 rpm.

It is paired with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), which offers multiple driving modes — Sport, Eco, and Normal — to suit all driving styles and conditions.

Additionally, Toyota’s 5th Generation Hybrid Technology System, features a high-capacity Li-ion battery that can generate a maximum power of 169kW (230 PS).

Speaking at the launch, Masakazu Yoshimura, chairman, managing director and chief executive officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said: “India remains a crucial market, and our product strategy aligns with India’s national priorities to lower the carbon emissions and achieve energy security goals. Towards this, we have embraced the adoption of multiple-pathway approach to drive clean mobility and promote mass electrification with greater agility and speed. The introduction of the All-New Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle being a green mobility offering, will continue to further strengthen our contributions toward building a futuristic carbon-free, happy society.”

New Product Highlights:

Powered by Toyota’s 5th Generation Hybrid Technology with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, which provides best-in-class fuel efficiency of 25.49 km/l*, delivering both robust performance and sustainable mobility 

Features an upgraded 2.5L Dynamic Force Engine, providing an optimal blend of power and smoothness making it fun-to-drive 

The latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), 9 SRS airbags [front driver & passenger, front side, rear side, curtain shield, driver knee], thereby combining advanced safety and convenience for a secure, worry-free journey for all occupants 

Designed under the concept of “Energetic Beauty”, showcases a Bold New Look with a redesigned Front Bumper and expressive tall and wide Lower Grille creating a commanding road presence 

Equipped with Cutting-Edge Telematics, including a Data Communication Module (DCM), Remote AC Package, and a 12.3-Inch Multimedia with Entertainment & Apps 

12.3-inch Multi-Information Display (MID), a full graphic meter providing vivid graphics and excellent display quality

·       The All-New Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle is available at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 48,00,000/- across India (prices are the same across the country)

Overall Features of the All-New Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle:

Performance features:

New 2.5l dynamic force engine for ultimate performance and joy of driving

Transmission – e-CVT (electronic - continuously variable transmission) available across sport, eco, normal driving modes

10-speed Sequential Shift mode for manual like drive feeling

5th generation Toyota hybrid system comes with advanced and lighter lithium-ion battery

An optimally tuned MacPherson strut suspension (Fr) and multi-link type (Rr) has been adopted, in pursuit of ride comfort and enhancing the handling performance

Exterior features - Dynamic Design & Style

Low nose along with the body side and rear design gives an aggressive sporty look

Signature Daytime Running Light (DRL) system equipped with LED

Stylish hood and fender with sophisticated bumper and grille

Outside Rear-View Mirror (ORVM) with automatic retractable, turn signal, auto-reverse tilt for a seamless driving experience

Newly designed alloy wheels enhance sportiness

High Solar Energy Absorbing (HSEA) UV-Cut glass

Interior features

Spacious Cabin adorned with Soft Upholstery, consistency of materials across seat, instrument panel and door

All New Yellow Brown soft Leather Upholstery

Ornament Instrument Panel

Piano black front console box

Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection (all windows)

·       Guitar-shaped audio garnish

·       3-Zone climate control system

A nanoeTM X Ion Generator for enhanced comfort and freshness

Interior Illumination Package/Entry System - Fade-out Smart Room Lamp + Door Inside Handles + 4 Footwell Lamps

Comfort & Convenience:

·       Toyota’s i-connect telematic Connected car features with Data Communication Module (DCM) for enhanced convenience and connectivity

10-way Power Adjust for Driver & Passenger Seat with Lumbar Support - Driver seat with Memory

Rear Armrest with Touch-control switches for Audio, Rear Seat Recline, Rear Sunshade and Climate Control

Rear Power Sunshade, Rear Door Manual Sunshades

·       New 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display (MID), a full graphic meter providing vivid graphics and excellent display quality

Moon Roof with Tilt and Slide function

Ventilated Front Seats

Two-way front headrest for utmost comfort

Easy Access Function on Passenger Seat

Smart Entry System with Start/Stop Button

Memory Settings for Outer Rear-View Mirror (ORVM), Driver Seat and Steering Position

Power Assisted Tilt/Telescopic Steering Column with Memory

Wireless Smartphone Charger - Qi Compatible Phones

Automatic Rain Sensing Wipers

·       Rear Seats with Power Recline and Trunk access

Electrochromic Inside Rear-View Mirror

Front & Rear Door Courtesy Lamps

·       Genuine leather Steering wheel with Audio, Infotainment, Telephone Control and Driving Assist such as TSS, DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control), LTA (Lane Tracking Assist)

·       Head-Up Display (HUD) with Essential operation information

·       Smart & Electric Back Door Release

·       Rear USB charging ports - 12 V x 2 units Type-C

·       Rear Window Defogger with Timer

Infotainment:

·       12.3-inch multimedia system with information and entertainment, thereby ensuring personalized comfort

·       9-Speaker premium JBL Audio System

Navigation, AM/FM, USB, Aux-in, Bluetooth, Wireless Apple Car Play & Android Auto, Car Information System, Apps

Onboard Navigation Service with Personalized assistance

Safety features:

TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE 3.0 TM (TSS 3.0) ** that includes safety features

PCS (Pre-Collision System) for proactive safety

DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control) with full-speed range with increased convenience

LDA (Lane Departure Alert) for Alert the driver and gentle corrective steering to keep in the lane

LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) for enhanced lane-keeping

AHB (Automatic High Beam) for Automated High/Low beam operations

9 SRS airbags [front driver & passenger, front side, rear side, curtain shield, driver knee]

360 Panoramic Rear-View Monitor improve parking and manoeuvring in narrow spaces for smoother navigation

Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist

Front 3-point ELR [Emergency Locking Retractor] Seat Belt with Pre-tensioner & Force-limiter

ISOFIX and Top Tether Anchor for Child Seats

Rear Seat Reminder Function ensures collection of luggage, etc.

Vehicle Approach Notice System

Electronic Parking Brake with Brake Hold Function

Vehicle Stability and Traction Control with Off Switch

Electric Power Steering with Speed Sensing Function

Parking Assist: Back Guide Monitor, Clearance and Back Sonar

Impact Sensing Fuel cut-off

Speed Sensing Door Auto-lock

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Front & Rear Seatbelt Warning with Buzzer

Hill Start Assist Control

Uphill/Downhill assist for comfortably smooth and responsive driving

Smart Key Remind Warning

Immobilizer with Alarm

Quest Global Announces Strategic Partnership With Drees & Sommer To Establish High Value Center Of Performance And Innovation

Quest Global, a leading global product engineering services company, today announced a strategic partnership with Drees & Sommer, a leading European consulting, planning, and project management enterprise, marking the latter’s foray into the Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management (EPCM) industry. This partnership will build a High Value Center of Performance and Innovation (HVCPI) in Bangalore. This collaboration will build competitiveness, scale, and capability, ensuring a seamless blend of expertise and capacity enhancement in line with Drees & Sommer’s 2030 Strategy.

This partnership signifies a major milestone for Quest Global as it ventures into the EPCM industry segment. As part of this collaboration, Quest Global will leverage its engineering expertise to establish a local-global team within the HVCPI to support Drees & Sommer to swiftly build sustainable competence and capacity, further solidifying their position in the EPCM and EPC industries.

“We are excited to collaborate with Drees & Sommer to build a High Value Center of Performance and Innovation, delivering innovative and high-quality engineering solutions. This partnership combines Drees & Sommer’s unparalleled expertise with our deep-rooted engineering capabilities, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients. By leveraging our combined strengths, we aim to redefine industry standards, offering unparalleled value and efficiency to our clients across various sectors,” said Ajay Prabhu, President -Technology Services, Quest Global.

Commenting on the partnership, Veit Thurm, Partner and Managing Director, Drees & Sommer said, “We are thrilled to partner with Quest Global and establish our presence in India. This partnership is crucial for our growth strategy and will enable us to enhance our service offerings and market competitiveness and will provide the flexibility and resilience required for continued success.”

The HVCPI is strategically designed to serve as a hub for innovation and excellence, driving advancements in key areas such as Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Civil, Structural, and Architecture services. The partnership will cater to specific sectors within the EPCM industry, including Hitech & Production Industries such as Semiconductor, Battery, Pharma & Lifesciences, Chemical, and Automotive.

About Quest Global

Founded in 1997, Quest Global is one of the world’s leading engineering research and development (ER&D) services companies. Quest Global believes engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For more than 25 years, we have strived to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems. As a global organization headquartered in Singapore, the team at Quest Global live and work in 18 countries, with 78 global delivery centers and offices, driven by 20,000+ extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defence, automotive, energy, hi-tech, med-tech & healthcare, rail, communications, and semiconductor industries.

Tata Motors Unveils Its Cutting-Edge Technology At Bauma Conexpo 2024

* Showcases wide range of new-age gensets, industrial engines and axles for diverse industries

Tata Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and mobility solutions provider, showcased a comprehensive range of advanced aggregates at Bauma Conexpo 2024. The exhibits include CPCB IV+ compliant Tata Motors Gensets available from 25kVA to 125kVA power range, CEV BS V emission-compliant industrial engines from 55-138hp power nodes, live axles, and trailer axles and components. The solutions are designed to address to meet the evolving needs of material handling, construction equipment, industrial applications and logistics segments, and are engineered for high efficiency and durability.

Inaugurating Tata Motors pavilion at Bauma Conexpo 2024, Mr. Vikram Agrawal, Head – Spares and Non-Vehicular Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, "Bauma Conexpo is the perfect platform to introduce Tata Motors aggregates for customers seeking robust and reliable technologies. These new aggregates are the direct voice of our customers, developed through extensive customer feedback. We are expanding our portfolio to address India’s evolving needs – delivering power solutions with gensets, enabling infrastructure with CEV BS V emission-compliant industrial engines and live axles, and strengthening logistics with trailer axles and components.”

Tata Motors aggregates at Bauma Conexpo 2024

ü Tata Motors Gensets: CPCB IV+ compliant with Remote Monitoring System; 25kVA to 125kVA power range

ü Industrial Engines: CEV BS V emission-compliant; available in 55-138hp power nodes.

ü Live Axles: Robustly designed for high-tonnage construction equipment

ü Trailer Axles and Components: New 16mm thick trailer axle beam for heavy-duty commercial vehicles 

Tata Motors aggregates are distinguished by their high durability, efficiency and performance. Developed through extensive research and manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities, these solutions are backed by over 2500 authorised service outlets across the country. The company remains committed to supporting India's infrastructure growth by providing innovative, high-performance aggregates that meet stringent industrial specifications.

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 165 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 44 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2024, Tata Motors’ operations include 90 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, five joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence.

NielsenIQ Reveals 2024 Breakthrough Innovation Winners And Top Trends Driving Growth In India

* The 2024 Breakthrough Innovation Awards by NielsenIQ recognized 23 winners and 17 Wavemakers honorees across FMCG and Tech & Durables industries for leading products that achieved remarkable success in India, standing out in a competitive marketplace.

NielsenIQ (NIQ), the world's leading consumer intelligence company, is proud to unveil its latest insights, showcasing how innovation remains the cornerstone of business growth. During an exclusive event in India, NIQ BASES celebrated the winners of the 2024 Breakthrough Innovation Awards, honoring brands that have disrupted the market and captivated consumers with exceptional new product launches.

These award-winning products launched between 2022 and 2023 and have successfully navigated an ever-evolving consumer landscape.

Driving Growth Through Innovation

According to NIQ BASES, top innovators in India achieve four times higher velocity and double the distribution in their launch year compared to category averages for new launches. This demonstrates how strategic innovation can propel brands ahead of the competition.

“In today's fast-evolving marketplace, where consumer expectations are constantly shifting and market conditions remain unpredictable, innovation continues to be the driving force behind sustainable growth,” said Vijay Udasi, Strategic Analytics & Insights Leader – India, NIQ. “Innovation is not just a moment; it is a long-term strategy. Launching successful innovations in the market is a highly effective way to keep your brand competitive and relevant by fostering consumer-driven growth and securing retailer support, even during challenging economic conditions.             

Emerging Innovation Trends

The 2024 Breakthrough Innovation analysis highlights significant opportunities for brands in Indian markets across FMCG and Tech & Durables to drive growth in the future, including:

Health & Wellness: Low-calorie, low-fat, and gut-health-focused products dominate, with 1 in 5 snacks linked to health. Millets and mindful snacking are on the rise, alongside health-oriented consumer tech.

Cultural Influence: Korean-inspired personal care and food innovations gain traction, emphasizing unique flavors and textures.

Local & Sustainable: Demand grows for sustainably sourced FMCG, and energy-efficient consumer tech tailored to local needs.

Performance & Convenience: Urbanization drives demand for innovative, high-quality products that simplify life.

Celebrating Breakthrough Innovators

This year’s winners of the Breakthrough Innovation Awards exemplify excellence in execution, with products that not only broke through the marketplace clutter but also addressed evolving consumer needs. Winning products in India saw on average a remarkable 90% increase in sales during their second year compared to their first—a testament to the power of purposeful innovation.

Vidya Sen, Executive Director, Customer Success - BASES, NielsenIQ? said, “India's innovation landscape reveals a clear path to growth. In 2022, the launch period for this analysis, Foods dominated successful product launches, with Biscuits, Salty Snacks, and Confectionery leading the charge, while Skin Creams and Toilet Soaps stood out in non-Foods.

NIQ Consumer Survey reveals that 34% of urban consumers prioritize new product availability and 40%—especially Gen-Z and women—actively seek innovation claiming to shop for new products before the others did. The appetite for novelty is undeniable. For brands, this presents a strategic opportunity to capture consumer interest and drive sustained growth through meaningful and timely innovations.”

Since 2012, more than 900 FMCG brands globally have been recognized with this prestigious honor, including ~140 innovations in India across categories like Food & Beverages (48%) and Personal & Home Care (52%). This year, NIQ also recognized Tech & Durables brands in India for their groundbreaking achievements in product development and market success.

FMCG Breakthrough Innovation Award Winners in 2024 are:

?CIPLA: Prolyte ORS (Mixed Fruit + Nimbu Paani Flavors)

The Coca-Cola Company: Predator Energy Drink Gold Strike

The Coca-Cola Company: Charged by Thums up - Berry Bolt

Colgate-Palmolive: Colgate Visible White O2 Toothbrush

Dabur?: Odonil Gel Pocket (Citrus Bloom, Floral Valley & Wild Forest)

Himalaya Wellness: Himalaya Baby Massage Oil – Mustard

Hindustan Unilever Limited: Sunsilk Hairfall Shampoo with Onion & Jojoba Oil

Hindustan Unilever Limited: Knorr Cream of Broccoli Soup

ITC: Savlon Powder-to-Gel Handwash

L'Oréal: L'Oréal Paris Hyaluron 72 H Moisture Filling Range

Perfetti Van Melle: Center Fruit Pineapple Tennis Ball Shape Chewing Gum

Reckitt Benckiser: Dettol Original Pine Powder to Liquid Hand Wash

Reckitt Benckiser: Dettol Lather Shaving Cream – Fresh - Citrus Pine

RSH Global Pvt Ltd: Joy Fresh Mornings Shower Gel

RSPL Limited: Pro-ease Lovingle Luxury Diaper Pants

Tata Consumer Products Limited: Tata Coffee Grand (Classic & Premium)

Tata Consumer Products Limited: Tata Salt Immuno

Tata Consumer Products Limited: Tata Gluco Plus Jelly Energy Drink

Tech & Durables Breakthrough Innovation Award Winners in 2024 are:

POCO M6 Series 5G Smartphones

Samsung S24 Ultra Smartphone

Mediatek Dimensity Series

Haier Side-by-Side (3 Door+) Refrigerators

LG Washer Dryer

The Wavemakers category recognizes promising new product launches that have demonstrated strong market velocities and potential for future success.

FMCG Breakthrough Innovation Wavemakers in 2024 are:

PepsiCo India: Sting Blue Current

ITC Sunfeast YiPee Wow Masala

Nestle India: Maggi Korean Range

Mondelez India: CDM Silk Ganach

Ferrero India: Kinder Schoko Bons Crispy

Nestle India: Kit Kat - Rich Chocolate

Nestle India: Nestle A+ Tangy Tomato Masala + Veggie Masala Millets

PepsiCo India: Kur Kure Sizzling Hot

ITC: Bingo Hot & Spicy (Korean 2X) 

TTK Healthcare: Eva Splash Deo Roll On 

Hindustan Unilever Limited: Indulekha Svetakutaja Oil for Dandruff Treatment 

Tech & Durables Breakthrough Innovation Wavemakers in 2024 are:

Oppo F27 Pro+ 5G

acer? Aspire Vero

vivo X Fold3 Pro 

Dyson Airstrait 

LG: 617L, French Door, MoodUP 

HP: Envy Move All in One Portable Desktop 

Each winner showcases how a Good Idea, a Good Product, and Effective Activation—the three guiding principles of NIQ BASES—can deliver exceptional marketplace success.

 NIQ BASES empowers brands with cutting-edge insights to fuel product development, brand renovation, and go-to-market activation. With over 100 patents and a database of 500,000 evaluated innovations coupled with significant R&D investment in AI, Neuro, and Agile platforms, NIQ offers unparalleled expertise in market dynamics and actionable strategies for success.

MIT-WPU Team Secures Patent For Advanced “Vehicle Data Tracking System” For Real-Time Monitoring And Safety

* The system will enable fleet operators, automotive manufacturers, insurance companies, logistics firms, smart city planners, and others to benefit from its real-time tracking, geo-fencing, and emergency alert capabilities.

* The MIT-WPU team is now focusing on commercializing the system through partnerships with automotive manufacturers, fleet management companies, and logistics firms.

With the ever-growing demand for logistics, commercial operations, and traffic management, there is an increasing need for efficient vehicle monitoring systems to ensure smoother operations that are fast, safe, and reliable. In a significant achievement in this direction, a team of professors and students at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, has developed an advanced vehicle data tracking system, backed by 5G and the latest technologies, for real-time vehicle monitoring, safety, and enhanced operational efficiency.

The team, comprising Ashutosh Solanke, Malhar Jojare, Hrushikesh Kalamkar, and mentor Prof. Shweta Kukade, has secured a patent for the novel integration of 5G technology, real-time tracking, and enhanced safety features into vehicle data monitoring systems. This system will now enable fleet operators, automotive manufacturers, insurance companies, logistics firms, smart city planners, and others to benefit from its real-time tracking, geo-fencing, and emergency alert capabilities.

The MIT-WPU team is now focusing on commercializing the system through partnerships with automotive manufacturers, fleet management companies, and logistics firms. The goal is to integrate the system into both commercial and public sector vehicle fleets, enhancing their operational efficiency and safety. Furthermore, the team plans to explore consumer applications by developing a version for individual vehicle owners, which would offer enhanced security and tracking capabilities.

Speaking about the unique features and importance of the system, Prof. Shweta Kukade, Assistant Professor at MIT World Peace University shared, “Traditional systems often lack the high-speed connectivity and precise location tracking necessary for modern applications. Our system leverages 5G technology and enhanced GPS/GLONASS accuracy, providing faster, more reliable tracking, making it invaluable for sectors like fleet management, logistics, insurance, and public transportation. We are also considering scaling the system for use in smart cities, potentially integrating it with IoT infrastructure for real-time urban mobility management, ensuring continuous product innovation and development.”

The system overcomes the limitations of existing vehicle tracking systems that operate on 2G or 3G networks, which have limited data transfer speeds and reduced accuracy in pinpointing a vehicle’s location. The integration of 5G addresses issues such as delayed tracking data, unreliable connectivity in rural areas, and weaker precision. This is a game-changer, enabling real-time data transfer and reliable tracking, particularly in rural, remote, or challenging environments, with accurate and fast location tracking through technologies like GPS and GLONASS.

Additionally, the system includes geo-fencing, allowing for virtual boundaries to be set and providing alerts if vehicles leave designated areas. The emergency button feature enables immediate alerts in critical situations. The automatic switch to open Wi-Fi networks ensures that the system maintains connectivity even when 5G isn’t available. These improvements offer greater speed, precision, and safety compared to legacy systems that rely on 2G/3G networks with only GPS tracking.

The system is designed to automatically connect to authorized, open Wi-Fi networks, typically in public spaces, without breaching any legal or network boundaries. It does not access private or password-protected networks without permission. This feature ensures continuous connectivity, especially when vehicles enter areas where 5G signals may be weak or unavailable, all while respecting the integrity of secured networks.

With its cutting-edge technology and versatile applications, the MIT-WPU team’s vehicle data tracking system has the potential to bring a significant change in fleet management, logistics, and urban mobility. As they move towards commercialization, the team is confident that this innovation will set new standards for safety, efficiency, and real-time monitoring in the transportation sector.