Do Big Symposium 2015 Confluence Discusses IOT, M2M, LBS Technologies

Tata Docomo, the unified telecom brand of Tata Teleservices Ltd. (TTL), underscored digital disruption as the key to enable the Indian businesses with next generation connectivity, at its annual multi-city industry confluence ‘Do Big Symposium’. With more than 250 participants, consisting of CEOs, industry experts, entrepreneurs and CIOs, Tata Docomo led the discussion around the technologies powering digital disruption - Internet of Things, Location Based Services, M2M solutions, Mobile Device Management and many more.

Industry stalwarts like Vinita Bali - Former MD, Britannia; Greg Moran - Co-Founder & CEO, Zoomcar; Dr Rathan Kelkar, CEO of Excellence of eGovernance Center of Government of Karnataka; Ashvin Vellody - Partner - Digital Advisory, KPMG and several others came together to highlight the increasing momentum of business transformation through digital technology.

Tata Docomo provides the complete gamut of digital technologies including Marketing solutions, Enterprise Collaboration, Asset Connectivity and Enterprise Connectivity to its customers in India. Some of the specific solutions showcased during the symposium highlighted the pioneering role of Tata Docomo in driving innovation and industry disruption:

1.       Mobile Applications for Business: The integration of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) that enables critical aspects of business such as field transactions, information gathering, onsite services, connecting to company systems, real time updates, integrated dashboards, route tracking and resource control. All of this can be done through the web and mobile interface

 2.       Call Register Service: Call Register Service enables televoting, lead generation, market surveys, field force reporting, constant customer interaction and crucial customer interactions. This service enables seamless connectivity via a toll free number, with three sub-services – SMS, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and call back. These three services are supported by the cloud storage system, where the user will also have assurance of data security through a username and password. Some user cases for this are televoting through the television, call back option from banks and feedback for restaurants

3.       Internet of Things (IoT): IoT is a major revenue generator for businesses across various industry sectors, as it increases operational performance directly. IoT can be applied to many aspects of business services such as device detecting presence, self-diagnosing through a smart device, sensors that capture data, real time meter reading, end-to-end solutions and location based services.

 Commenting on the event, Harjit Singh Chauhan, Senior Vice President and Head - B2B Operations, Tata Teleservicesstated, “Tata Docomo, has been playing a pivotal role in the nationwide digital revolution, which is transforming businesses across industry sectors. We are witnessing aggressive innovation in the field of mobile, cloud and connectivity, which have thus become the key growth drivers of businesses in India. Trends like IoT, M2M, LBS, etc are creating new business avenues and disrupting the industry at a rapid pace. Companies that adopt and embrace this digital disruption will become the leaders of the future.”

The key point of discussion at the event was of technology being an enabler between the business and consumer, thereby leading to business transformation. Realizing the impact that technology has on the consumer, businesses, with the help of technology, can rethink business models, by positioning the consumer as the most important aspect. Another theme discussed at the event was the vision of the Digital India initiative being using technology-driven business transformation for advancement of rural and urban India.

After Bengaluru, the multi-city symposium, will move onto Pune, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad respectively, over the period of next three months. 

6.4 Billion Connected Things Will be in Use in 2016, Up 30% from 2015

Gartner, Inc. forecasts that 6.4 billion connected things will be in use worldwide in 2016, up 30 percent from 2015, and will reach 20.8 billion by 2020. In 2016, 5.5 million new things will get connected every day.

Gartner estimates that the Internet of Things (IoT) will support total services spending of $235 billion in 2016, up 22 percent from 2015. Services are dominated by the professional category (in which businesses contract with external providers in order to design, install and operate IoT systems), however connectivity services (through communications service providers) and consumer services will grow at a faster pace.

"IoT services are the real driver of value in IoT, and increasing attention is being focused on new services by end-user organisations and vendors," said Jim Tully, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner.

Enterprises to Bolster IoT Revenue

"Aside from connected cars, consumer uses will continue to account for the greatest number of connected things, while enterprise will account for the largest spending," said Mr. Tully. Gartner estimates that 4 billion connected things will be in use in the consumer sector in 2016, and will reach 13.5 billion in 2020.

In terms of hardware spending, consumer applications will amount to $546 billion in 2016, while the use of connected things in the enterprise will drive $868 billion in 2016.

In the enterprise, Gartner considers two classes of connected things. The first class consists of generic or cross-industry devices that are used in multiple industries, and vertical-specific devices that are found in particular industries.

Cross-industry devices include connected light bulbs, HVAC and building management systems that are mainly deployed for purposes of cost saving. The second class includes vertical-specific devices, such as specialised equipment used in hospital operating theatres, tracking devices in container ships, and many others.

"Connected things for specialised use are currently the largest category, however, this is quickly changing with the increased use of generic devices. By 2020, cross-industry devices will dominate the number of connected things used in the enterprise," said Tully.

Bangalore ITE.biz 2015 Focus on Disruptive Innovation in ICTE Sector

Bangalore ITE.biz - Karnataka’s flagship ICT event that has, over the years, evolved into a premier ICT as well as electronics forum, is set to take off this December. This year marks the 18th edition of the forum.

Organized by the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, along with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Bangalore, Bangalore ITE.biz will take place from December 8-10, 2015 at the Lalit Ashok, Bangalore.

India to move up the value chain ICTE Sector will have to deliver cutting edge products and services. Focus on Disruptive innovation will help India take a quantum leap in furthering its vision of global leadership. Bangalore - the Innovation Capital of India would continue to lead the way in this endeavor. Hence, this year the focal theme is aptly chosen as ‘Fuelling Growth through Disruptive Innovation’.

With the new policy initiatives on the anvil by the state to boost the IT and communication sector, along with added focus on electronics design and manufacturing, as the next growth driver, the event has attracted strong participation by ICT and electronics majors.

Bangalore ITE.biz 2015 would be a unique blend of over 1000 participants which will include Policy makers, C-Level Executives, Young Innovators, Technocrats, Investors, MSMEs, Start Ups, Scientists, Social Entrepreneurs, Students and Media from India and Overseas. This is a clear indication of Bangalore ITE.biz shaping up as the leading knowledge and thought leadership forum in India.

The three day event would comprise of International Conference, International Tradeshow, Keynote Talks, CEO Conclave, Secretary Conclave, YESSS for Start-ups, IT Export Awards, Skill Conclave and many more.

Bangalore ITE.biz is a unique forum where all the key IT and Electronics Industry associations like NASSCOM, MAIT, IESA, ELCIA, CLIK, ABAI, Isprit partner with the event and play a pivotal role in structuring the theme, content as well as steering conference sessions and exhibition.

This year’s International Conference is expected to bring together top technology experts, policy makers, research heads, consultants and industry captains. Eminent personalities will focus on thought leadership while expert speakers will give insights into the latest industry trends and innovations.

Day 1 will include inauguration, keynote address, a leadership series entitled ‘Innovate and Inspire’; Secretaries Conclave with a panel discussion – ‘Building Innovation and Start-Up Culture through Pro-Active Policies’; and CEO conclave

Day 2 and 3 would feature Sessions on smart cities, big data and analytics, incubation, and skill development, making India an electronics manufacturing hub, YESSS for start-ups, emerging trends in animation gaming visual effects, Ease of Doing Business as well as an #app hackathon.

The CEO Conclave with theme ‘Fuelling Growth Through Disruptive Innovation’ would be addressed by leaders of the country, industry captains, and policy makers. It will be a power-packed evening with Leading industry captains engaging in thought-provoking discussions and throwing light on the challenges ahead, uncover potential opportunities and discuss the means to achieve exponential growth.

More than 100 exhibitors including IT majors, start-ups, STPI pavilion, NSIC pavilion, ELCIA, CLIK pavilion with focus on software services (Healthcare, Education, Finance), Electronics, Embedded Systems, Cloud Computing, Big Data, Mobility, Security, e-Governance, ERP are expected to participate in the tradeshow. This is an excellent platform to showcase technologies, solutions, products, services and innovations providing ample opportunity to gain ultimate business exposure within the IT and electronics fraternity. It is the interactive arm of the event, offering an appropriate platform for new businesses, tie-ups and collaborations and attracting investments. The tradeshow is also expected to attract up to 5000 visitors

STPI IT Export Awards are given to the Leading companies in the industry based on their export performance in the last financial year.The award categories are designed in such a way so that we can also recognize MSME Units from Tier II & Tier III Cities along with large companies.

YESSS Programme (Young Entrepreneurs Start-Ups in Soaring Spirits) is a forum for start-ups with business ideas who are looking for partnerships, collaboration, investments. This feature is a must-attend for investors and business companies looking for innovative products and technologies.

Dublin Gets Accenture's New Global AI Capabilities and R&D Centre

 Accenture is accelerating its research and development agenda in artificial intelligence across its global network of Accenture Technology Labs, by opening the newest lab in Dublin and committing a significant portion of its global RnD capabilities, to help clients across industries integrate intelligent systems to improve operations and create new growth opportunities.

The expanded RnD agenda will play a significant part in fueling Accenture’s approach to artificial intelligence across the company and will draw the best technology solutions from a broad ecosystem. The new Technology Lab is central to Accenture’s commitment to Dublin as a Centre for Innovation, established to capitalize on Ireland’s role as a technology hub in Europe and to access highly skilled talent in science, technology and engineering in the region.

“Artificial intelligence will disrupt businesses and industries on a global scale, and we see this shift going well beyond deploying analytics, cognitive computing or machine learning systems in isolation,” said Paul Daugherty, Accenture’s chief technology officer. “We are investing early to drive more innovation at Accenture, recruit top talent in every location we operate in, and infuse more intelligence across our global business to help clients accelerate the integration of intelligence and automation to transform their businesses.”

As part of today’s announcement, Accenture has also established the Accenture Technology Labs University Grant on Artificial Intelligence; awarding the inaugural grant to an academic research team at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at University College Dublin. The research team will explore the interface between humans and machines, using cognitive analysis to better understand how both can collaborate and interact effectively. In order to advance the development of emerging technologies Accenture has long established strong relationships with many leading academic institutions; including the Accenture and MIT Alliance in Business Analytics which explores artificial intelligence technologies.

Artificial Intelligence – the broad field of new technologies that enable software to sense, comprehend, act and learn – is disrupting how businesses operate and compete while also accelerating the delivery of business outcomes in the “As-a-Service” economy. Analyst firm IDC predicts that the worldwide content analytics, discovery and cognitive systems software market will grow from US$4.5 billion in 2014 to $9.2 billion in 2019, with others citing these systems as catalyst to have a $5 trillion – $7 trillion potential economic impact by 2025.

Given the newly accelerated RnD agenda, Accenture has committed to infuse artificial intelligence across the Technology Labs network, actively collaborating with other Accenture teams and new partners in the startup ecosystem to:

• Create more intelligent tools by teaming with Accenture Digital to advance capabilities in cognitive computing, machine and deep learning, natural language processing, data augmentation and predictive analytics to help clients become an insight-driven enterprise;
• Integrate and apply artificial intelligence into Accenture Operations solutions that improve both front- and back-office operations, such as customer support, procurement, supply chain and warrantee services;
• Embed artificial intelligence capabilities into architectures, tooling and service management analysis conducted by Accenture Technology; and
• Design and scale artificial intelligence capabilities for Accenture Consulting around the world across multiple industries, including healthcare, public safety and financial services.

The global network of Accenture Technology Labs includes locations in: San Jose, California and Arlington, Virginia, in the United States; Sophia Antipolis, France; Beijing, China; Bangalore, India; and Dublin, Ireland. The Tech Labs are part of Accenture’s broader network of innovation centers—more than 80 around the world – which focus on helping clients develop innovative solutions based on new and emerging technologies.

GoCoop & EXIM Bank Sign MOC for Export Market Development

GoCoop, a leader in social marketplace for easy and transparent sourcing of craft products has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). Under the MOC, both Exim Bank and GoCoop will work on export market development and share their knowledge and connect each other to promising social enterprises for further support, including financial and advisory.

On the occasion, Siva Devireddy, Founder and Managing Director, GoCoop said “Handloom and Handicraft sector has a big export market which continues to grow. GoCoop’s objective is to provide great service to our international buyers and make import of craft products a much more easy and transparent online experience while the benefits of exports are shared with the actual weaver and artisans. GoCoop would work closely with EXIM Bank in capacity building and global market development initiatives for weaver and artisan co-operatives and other grassroots enterprises. It is a great privilege to partner with EXIM Bank, one of the key financial institutions of the country.  “

Debasish Mallick, Deputy Managing Director, EXIM Bank said “EXIM Bank has been striving towards promotion of exports of products from rural grassroots business enterprises, by providing them with an array of services including those related to financial support, capacity building, and export marketing. The underlying objective is to augment sustainable employment opportunities and exports from the disadvantaged sections of rural India by widening their market beyond the domestic shores.”

Mallick emphasized that this partnership with GoCoop was a part of EXIM Bank's outreach strategy to target a wider spectrum of grassroots organizations and would supplement the Bank's efforts towards boosting exports of handloom and handicraft products from India. EXIM Bank has supported various grassroots enterprises across different parts of the country.

On World Diabetes Day - First-ever Diabetic Food Trail to be Launched Across India

The Diabetic Food Trail - Conceptualised and presented by Semora Entertainment Works; the unique initiative has been supported by Britannia NutriChoice, one of India’s top health brands today, along with Biocon,India's largest and fully-integrated, innovation-led biopharmaceutical company and Zomato, a leading local restaurant guide and would promote it among its users.  

The Diabetic Food Trail is all set to offer Diabetics, Pre-Diabetics and Health conscious individuals, a wonderful culinary experience at over 100 restaurants across Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. Beginning on the occasion of World Diabetes Day – November 14, this unique initiative will add a whole new flavour to the term ‘eating out’. Acclaimed and celebrated chefs at some of the most popular dining establishments will showcase their culinary skills to present special ‘Diabetic friendly’ menus that would be complete, with nutritious and delicious choices, thus allowing patrons to indulge without worry.

Eating right is vital if you’re trying to prevent or control diabetes. While exercise is important, what you eat has the biggest impact when it comes to managing diabetes. It may come as a surprise that the nutritional needs are virtually the same as any other person, no special foods or complicated diets are necessary. In conjunction with medication and exercise, DIET plays a critical role in ensuring a diabetic individual’s level of good health. The food trail features 100+ Top Restaurants, who’s Chefs have designed a special diabetic- friendly menu, just for people with diabetes. A menu that is not only diabetic-friendly, but also healthy and delicious enough, that the whole family will appreciate and can partake of. A menu comprising well-balanced, tasty and nutritious meals prepared by the Top Chefs of the city. To provide this burgeoning segment of the urban Indian population a taste of varied, delicious and healthy culinary choices that adhere to the calorific and dietary requirements of diabetics – at some of the best and most popular restaurants across the country.

As Seema Pinto – Director, Semora Entertainment Works and the brain behind this initiative says. “One of the primary objectives of channeling this initiative through restaurants was to dispel the notion of ‘healthy food cannot be tasty food’, and influencing the Food Industry to recognise the need of ‘diabetic friendly’ menus, given that we will be a country of 80 million diabetics by 2030 (World Health Organisation estimates).” The chefs from our restaurant partners have conjured up novel gourmet dishes whilst some recipes and menus were re-engineered from their existing dishes to suit the recommended diet and within the calorific values. Every effort has been made by the Chefs to ensure the food is tasty and suitable to the Indian Palate.

The Menus include sugarfree desserts, appetizers, Entrees and much more. All dishes under the Diabetic Menu during the promotion will provide complete nutritional information, including carbs and calories, to make a diabetics choice easier when selecting a particular dish.

Zomato’s primary focus in partnering in this initiative is to give a healthy food choice to every person visiting their site. "At Zomato, we look to create delightful customer experiences, and partnering with Semora on the Diabetic Food Trail is another step in that direction. We're constantly looking for ways to make every meal, for everyone, a great experience. With this partnership users can now make informed and healthy dining decisions." said Pramod Rao, SVP, Growth, Zomato.

A diabetes diet is simply a healthy eating plan that is high in nutrients, low in fat with little or no sugar, and moderate in calories. It is a healthy diet for anyone! The Diabetic Food Trail is her to make a big difference for not only Diabetics but also people who are health conscious or pre-diabetic.

“Biocon has been making a difference to the life of millions of diabetics for over a decade. As a compassionate, caring and responsible company our efforts are aimed at sensitizing people through a holistic diabetes management and life style modification program. Our association with the Diabetic Food Trail initiative resonates our efforts toward highlighting the importance of a balanced diet in managing diabetes effectively. Our endeavour is to empower many more ‘people with diabetes’ the ability to ‘win with diabetes’ through lifestyle modification, healthy diet and regular exercise.” Dr. Subir K Basak, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Business Excellence, Biocon.

“We are thrilled to showcase healthy meals for diabetic customers through this initiative. This project is very close to my heart since I’m a person with diabetes and know the challenges we face when we are out on work for meetings and need to have a meal, or when going out to dine with family and friends. This initiative is a collaborative effort to spread the word that we CARE for our health and we ACT on it.”, says Seema Pinto, adding that “We are dedicated to provide healthy, delicious, diabetic friendly food options to the food lovers and sincerely appreciate our partners, Britannia NutriChoice and Zomato for supporting us, in this pioneering venture, along with all the participating restaurants”.

So if you are diabetic, eating out or going to an event can pose special challenges. But now with 100+ restaurants to choose from, serving all kinds of cuisines, during the Diabetic Food Trail, you can have a delicious meal and feel good too.

The Diabetic Food Trail is all set to offer Diabetics, Pre-Diabetics and Health conscious individuals, a wonderful culinary experience at over 100 restaurants across Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore.

Rajasthan Brings Out eGovernance and IT/ITeS Policy 2015

The Chief Minister and Government of Rajasthan have released the Rajasthan eGovernance and IT/ITeS Policy 2015 on November 5, 2015. The previous IT and ITeS Policy was released in the year 2007, which aimed at leveraging Information Technology for implementing eGovernance initiatives benefitting the residents. Since then, multiple highly successful eGovernance initiatives have been implemented.

The advancements and reshaping of technological domain with changes in economic and regulatory frameworks necessitate a revision in the prevalent IT policy. Understanding the same, and to ensure maximum development and benefits till the last mile, the Chief Minister announced release of new eGovernance and IT/ITeS Policy 2015 with strong emphasis on development of public, government departments and promotion of IT/ITeS/ESDM/Robotics sector.

The eGovernance and IT/ITeS Policy 2015 prepared by Department of Information Technology n Communication in compliance of the Budget Announcement was released on05 November 2015.

The policy has 4 main objectives:

1.  Information Technology for Good Governance

2.  IT/ITeS/ESDM related Human Capital Development

3. Promotion of Economic Development of State by enhanced investment in IT/ITeS/ESDM/Robotics Sector

4.  Establishing Secure and Green IT Environment in Rajasthan

For the first time, ESDM, Manufacturing and Robotics sector have been added to the policy. In addition, for the first time, the state has taken a step to provide complete exemption from Zoning Regulations and Land Conversion to the IT/ITeS Sector.

The policy aims at promoting hassle free access for common man, to the government, service delivery till the last mile, establishing IT Infrastructure till the village level establishing access to everyone and establishing Rajasthan as the frontrunner in promotion of the IT Sector. 

The State Government obtained public opinion and expert support from technical experts, academician, institutions and industry for developing the policy. The details have been finalized after detailed discussion and deliberation with residents, subject matter experts, IT industry, Government Departments and media representatives.