How can more women reach the top decision making positions? ow can more women reach the top decision making positions? Solutions, Security & Services AI for Safety and Well Being Make in India | p10 Forging Alliances| p6 Guest Arena Hyper-Personalised Customer Experiences Powered by AI | p9 JAYA BHURA Co-founder and Director Chakraview Solutions DEEPIKA LOGANATHAN Co-Founder and CEO Haive MILONI MEHTA Sales Director HT Technologies Empowering Women in IT mpowering Women in IT Priyanka Chandratrey Beyond Key Shweta Thakare eScan Srishti Dhir Hub and Oak Jeyalakshmi Venkatanarayanan Universe Power Systems www.dqchannels.com 20 pages including cover Rs 300 Vol. 26 l No. 3 l March 2024 l Subscriber copy not for resale RNI NO-DELENG/2005/15197. Published on 1st of every month Posting Date: 4 & 5 of every month. Posted at Lodi RMD HPO DPR NO. DL(S)-17/3077/2023-2025 Licensed to Post WPP. U(SE)03/2016
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A CyberMedia Publication 3 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS Greetings friends! Friends, these are times of whirlwind activity. The festival of colours is round the corner this month. But before that, International Women’s Day is here. This is also the closing time of the financial year and hence, there is a lot of work to do. The IT world is still short of women in the top decision making positions and nobody should give it to them. They should deserve it and earn it by their strength, skills and intelligence. Having said that, remember, that even today women have to lives to manage work and home, face censures from a society that expects them to be in different roles; and if they want to get ahead and be in a decision making position, it’s double the struggle for them. Hence, the IT sector has to devise some hard thought, clear cut strategies to bring talented, deserving women in top decision making positions. It’s only good for the IT sector if it benefits from the diverse, strategic decisions of top women leaders. Because women make very good strategists in my opinion. AI has been making great strides and is enveloping every aspect of technology. In this issue, we see how this is happening and also how women are involved in different aspects of technology domains and shaping them up. Men are not left behind in this issue however. As usual, we bring to you some insightful conversations with men who are striding forward to make a mark. 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NEWS CHANNEL ..............................15-16 DQW NEWS .....................................17-18 COVER STORY ................................4-5 Women Making Business Successful SOLUTIONS, SECURITY & SERVICES ...6 Forging Alliances SOLUTIONS, SECURITY & SERVICES ...7 Integrated Retail Solution PERSPECTIVE ....................................8 AI in the Web of Trust GUEST ARENA ...................................9 Hyper-Personalised Customer Experiences Powered by AI HARDWARE ..........................................13 High Performance Computing Tech from the US PARTNER STRATEGY .............................14 Being Versatile CHANNEL PULSE MAKE IN INDIA .....................................10 AI for Safety and Well Being SMART TECH........................................11 AI on the Cloud JAYA BHURA Co-founder and Director Chakraview Solutions KESAVA REDDY Chief Revenue Officer E2E Networks MILONI MEHTA Sales Director HT Technologies SUNDEEP HOLANI Founder and Co-CEO Channelplay SANJOY BHATTACHARYA Director of Sales & Marketing, IT Business, ViewSonic India MARKETS | INDIA.................................12 India’s Smartphone Market Grew by 1% YoY in 2023 Priyanka Chandratrey Srishti Dhir Harinder Salwan Shweta Thakare Jeyalakshmi Venkatanarayanan R Sridhar Alok Gupta FORM IV (See Rule) Statement of ownership and other particulars about the newspaper DQ Channels to be published in the first issue every year after the last day of February 1. 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DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 4 A CyberMedia Publication COVER STORY confidence and skills. Women have needs different from men. Hence, their work schedule should be made flexible so that they can accommodate their other responsibilities along with work. Clear pathways should be defined for their career promotion growth. They should be given support and guidance by a senior person so that they can grow. Workplaces should develop an environment where women are given leadership responsibilities and their voices should be heard and valued.These strategies should be inculcated collectively to pave the way for a more inclusive and representative IT sector, benefiting both individuals and the industry as a whole.” Priyanka concludes, “As more women ascend to leadership roles in the IT sector, in the near future, we will witness a pivotal shift towards diversity and inclusivity. Their presence not only enriches organisational dynamics but also sets a precedent for future generations of women aspiring to excel in this field.” Shweta Thakare, VP, Global Sales and Marketing, eScan says, “Increasing the representation of women in leadership roles in the IT sector in India requires concerted efforts at various levels, including education, recruitment, retention, mentorship and advocacy. Here are some strategies to facilitate greater participation of women in leadership positions. Recognising and accommodating the unique needs and challenges faced by women in balancing their professional and personal responsibilities is essential for fostering inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality in the workplace and society.Fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion is essential for creating an environment where women feel empowered to voice their opinions, contribute ideas, and pursue leadership opportunities. Organisations should offer family-friendly policies and support systems, such as flexible working hours, parental leave, child care assistance, and remote work options.Offering family-friendly policies and support systems is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can balance their professional and personal responsibilities effectively. Highlighting the achievements and contributions of women leaders in the IT sector through media can also play a crucial role in inspiring and empowering aspiring female professionals. Strength to Forge Ahead Jeyalakshmi Venkatanarayanan, Founder and Proprietrix, Universe Power Systems says about her strengths which have enabled her to succeed, “Focus, determination, negotiation skills, timely upgrading skills and customer service are some of the skills that have helped.” She adds, “Proactive approach, positive thinking, keeping abreast of the market trends and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities are some strategies I use to stay ahead in my work.” Priyanka Chandratrey enumerates her strengths in these words, “attention to detail, analytical power and critical thinking, effective communication, technical knowledge and skills, commitment to quality and teamwork efficiency make me succeed in my work.” Shweta Thakare says, “I feel my strengths are comprehensive Industry knowledge, coupled with analytical capabilities.My commitment to understanding our clients’ business objectives, challenges, and risk profiles has helped me to achieve success. I follow a client-centric approach, collaborating closely with clients to develop tailored security strategies, provide proactive guidance and deliver measurable outcomes aligned with their business goals.” The International Women’s Day is here again. In the past, we have explored questions about how more women can take top decision making roles in the industry, especially in the IT sector. This is especially because IT happens to be a sector where few women take up the top leadership roles. Those who have reached there, have had strong support from the family and their workplace in the sense, that they already belong to a wellestablished business environment. It’s very difficult for a woman from outside the fold to reach the top decision making role. Despite this however, there are women who have made their businesses successful and it is because of their energy, strategic skills and farsightedness that the IT businesses where they work are growing and these women are in a way indispensable to their work organisations. We talked to some of these women who are the growth drivers of their organisations and have tried to understand what their strengths are that keep them achieving more and more. Breaking Barriers Srishti Dhir, Founder, Hub and Oak says about breaking barriers in non-traditional industries such as IT segments, where few women have been traditionally visible, “In a world that is continually evolving, women are breaking all kinds of stereotypical barriers in every sphere of life and rewriting the narrative of success, particularly in non-traditional industries. As pioneers in sectors traditionally dominated by men, the women entrepreneurs are not just entering uncharted territories; they are leaving an indelible mark on industries that have long been deemed exclusive. There is no denying the fact that women have made a notable mark with their presence in various different fields. Leaders of a country, domestic workers, and owner of a company, a car mechanic, or a pilot you name it; women are there. Similarly, entrepreneurship is no different. In India, women startup owners are the front liners in revolutionizing the corporate world in the modern times.” Shrishti goes on to say that there more and more women becoming entrepreneurs in India. “In the last few years, a significant growth has been seen in the numbers of women entrepreneurs in India. All thanks to the support of government and other bureaucrats who have taken several commendable initiatives to encourage female startup owners. Initiatives like the Stand-Up India scheme and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) by the Indian government motivated lakhs of budding women entrepreneurs to make a mark of themselves. With fresh opportunities and innovative government schemes, more and more women are taking up entrepreneurship in India. They are now breaking barriers and venturing into diverse fields, such as technology, healthcare, e-commerce, real estate and others.” Priyanka Chandratrey, Senior Quality Assurance Manager, Beyond Key is responsible for quality testing in her organisation. She advocates a holistic strategy as a proponent of increasing women’s representation in IT leadership. She says, “For more women to take up the leadership roles in the IT sector, certain qualities should be inculcated in them. They need to be encouraged to take interest in the STEM fields since childhood. Parents need to give girls equal access to education and opportunities so that they can aspire to rise in the IT sector. Workplaces should encourage diversity and inclusion to enable women to rise. Leadership and skill development programmes should be evolved specifically for women so that they can gain Women Making Business Successful [email protected] An interaction with some women who have made IT businesses successful DR ARCHANA VERMA
A CyberMedia Publication 5 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS COVER STORY How Can More Women Take a Leadership Role in the IT Sector? • Fostering interest in STEM • Equal access to education • Promoting diversity and inclusion • Leadership development programmes • Flexible work arrangements • Combatting unconscious bias • Clear pathways for career progression • Networking and mentorship • Empowering environment • Collective implementation • Recognising and accommodating the unique needs and challenges faced by women in balancing their professional and personal responsibilities is essential for fostering inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality in the workplace and society. • Fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential for creating an environment where women feel empowered to voice their opinions, contribute ideas, and pursue leadership opportunities. • Organisations should offer family-friendly policies and support systems, such as flexible working hours, parental leave, child care assistance, and remote work options. • Offering family-friendly policies and support systems is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can balance their professional and personal responsibilities effectively. • Highlighting the achievements and contributions of women leaders in the IT sector through media can also play a crucial role in inspiring and empowering aspiring female professionals. “Proactive approach, positive thinking, keeping abreast of the market trends and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities are some strategies I use to stay ahead in my work. “Focus, determination, negotiation skills, timely upgrading skills and customer service are some of the skills that have helped.” “Businesses owned by women play a significant role in bringing constructive changes to society. Not only are they an inspiration to other women in the world, but they balance the growth of the economy as well. Ultimately, the growth of any sector in India, be it real estate or e-commerce or any other industry, cannot be achieved without the equal contribution of half of the talent pool available. Therefore, it goes without saying that the startup ecosystem in India has much to gain by being more accommodative towards women entrepreneurs. With ongoing government policies, educational schemes, access to media and corporate culture, women in India can now dream and work to be a part of a global entrepreneurial system.” PRIYANKA CHANDRATREY Senior Quality Assurance Manager Beyond Key SHWETA THAKARE Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing eScan JEYALAKSHMI VENKATANARAYANAN Founder and Proprietrix Universe Power Systems SRISHTI DHIR Founder Hub and Oak
DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 6 A CyberMedia Publication SOLUTIONS, SECURITY & SERVICES Forging Alliances SWAMINATHAN B [email protected] Miloni Mehta, Sales Director, HT Technologies talks about the strategies that have led her organization to success marketing campaigns and utilisation of digital channels to reach a larger audience. What are the ways you are addressing the skills challenges in the industry? Addressing the challenge of skilled workforce in the industry requires a multi-faceted approach. Following are the ways in which we are tackling this issue at our organisation. Training and Development – We host webinars, training sessions, workshops and seminars for our channel partners. These opportunities not only enhance their technical and sales expertise but also keep them abreast of industry trends and best practices. Recruitment Strategies – We have implemented proactive recruitment strategies to attract top talent in the industry. This includes leveraging online job portals, professional networking platforms and referrals to identify qualified candidates. Technology Consultants – Recognising the flexibility and expertise offered by technology consultants, we engage with these professionals on project-based assignments or consultancy roles. This allows us to access specialized skills and leverage their expertise on large projects. Collaboration – Collaboration with industry associations and organizations such as ASIRT (Association of System Integrators and Retailers in Technology) and TAIT (Trade Association of Information Technology) enables us to pool resources, share knowledge, and address common challenges collectively. Through these collaborations, we have access to a wider talent pool, industry insights, and networking opportunities, which ultimately benefit our recruitment and talent development efforts. What do you think are the key strengths of your organisation according to you? HT Technologies provides IT services, solutions and services under one roof. We have over 27 years of experience. We have long experience during which we have strengthened our expertise in all domins of IT servces and support. Because we understand technology, we can offer smart solutions to our clients’ different needs. We provide comprehensive solutions under one roof for diverse industry needs. We simplify procurement by offering all the networking, security and communication solutions our clients need in one place. We have forged strategic partnerships with top brands like Sonicwall, Cisco, Aruba and Ruckus to ensure quality and reliability. Through these relationships, we can give our clients the latest technology advances and expand our product portfolio. What are the strategies you have for taking your organisation to the forefront? In order to establish HT Technologies as an industry leader, we shall execute a number of strategic initiatives that focus on market expansion, competitiveness, diversified product offerings and strategic partnerships. Thesee include product portfolio diversification.Our organisation is committed to further enhancing our product portfolio in order to provide an all-encompassing selection of solutions that effectively address the varied requirements of our clients. Competitive positioning is another strategy we use.We will prioritise providing value-added services, competitive pricing and superior client support in order to maintain our competitive edge. We also focus on market expansion. By targeting new consumer segments and geographic regions, we intend to increase our market share. This will require participation in industry events and trade shows, investment in targeted NEWS CHANNEL Tata Elxsi and Telefónica Collaborate to Achieve CloudNative Infrastructure Management Tata Elxsi and Telefónica have announced an achievement in the realm of the automation of cloud infrastructure for telecommunications, with the successful implementation of true cloud-native infrastructure management powered by ETSI Open-Source MANO (ETSI OSM). This milestone represents a significant evolution in network management, enabling operators to build intent-driven network systems with unprecedented efficiency and agility. The integration of OSM with Tata Elxsi’s Neuron platform represents a critical moment in multi-domain transformation towards autonomous network systems. Neuron’s business intent-driven functionalities, coupled with OSM’s platform, provide operators with unparalleled control and flexibility in managing complex infrastructures. “In our collaboration with Tata Elxsi, our objective is to advance the boundaries of technology and standardisation, propelling operators towards cloud-native agility,” emphasised Francisco-Javier Ramón, Multicloud Tools Manager at Telefónica. “We are thrilled to partner with Telefónica to revolutionise the orchestration landscape,” commented B. Ramesh Ramanathan, Principal Architect, CTO Office at Tata Elxsi. “This collaboration enhances our presence within the open-source community and propels NEURON towards the realm of 5G and beyond and autonomous networks.”
A CyberMedia Publication 7 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS SOLUTIONS, SECURITY & SERVICES Integrated Retail Solution MITHILA V [email protected] Sundeep Holani, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Channel play talks about his holistic retail and distribution management solution here span of time, we have received a good response and are scaling this offering rapidly. How cost-effective are these solutions for the smaller businesses? Our solutions are designed to be high-ROI, and much more than pay for themselves after a brief set-up and stabilization period. Any company that has a proven product-market fit and has achieved some initial scale will find our offerings to be great value for their business. What are the challenges of retail that technology is solving? Retail in India is highly fragmented and any successful company will need to sell from thousands of stores across the country owned by different owners, and a wide variety of siloed technology platforms, if at all there is any technology in the first place. We at Channelplay, a retail and distribution management platform, are preferred by a company solving the problem of getting access to reliable information such as customer and sales data as well as creates a low-friction direct communication platform with various stakeholders. Companies can provide information about product, inventory and prices, get orders in real-time, manage fulfilment, track supply chain metrics and ensure productivity of their field sales team - all from a unified interface with little overhead. What has been your growth in % in the last 1 year? We have grown 30% year on year to reach approx. 370 crores in revenue this year. What is the strength of your clientele from the MSME segment? We have historically worked with Fortune 500 companies and have recently started making its offerings available to MSME customers to whom it provides a turnkey solution. Over a short NEWS CHANNEL Sinch India Unveils Sinch Trust Sinch India, a provider of cloud communications and mobile customer engagement, announces the unveiling of its latest innovation, Sinch Trust. The new platform redefines messaging transparency and trustworthiness in business communication. Businesses often partner with CPaaS solution providers and aggregators, but 48% of these enterprises lack clear insights into delivery journeys and potential issues. Sinch Trust addresses these critical needs in the Indian SMS market by offering much-needed transparency and reliability. The platform’s opt-in verification, focus on responsible data practices as per the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) and detailed delivery reports and insights empower businesses to thrive in a competitive landscape while building trust with their customers. This is a shift in how businesses approach communication. Sinch Trust offers a transformative solution that aligns with the evolving needs of the modern enterprise. Commenting on the revolutionary new platform, Nitin Singhal, MD, Sinch India said, “At Sinch, we understand the critical role SMS communication plays in driving business goals. Our dedication to innovation has driven the development of a solution that addresses the evolving needs of our industry, establishing a new standard of excellence. With Sinch Trust, we’re revolutionising message delivery by introducing a transformative solution that enhances transparency and also equips businesses with the tools to capitalise on missed opportunities, turning them into potential gains”.
DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 8 A CyberMedia Publication PERSPECTIVE There is a need to first do a risk assessment in the area where you want to implement AI solutions. AI in the Web of Trust How trustworthy is AI and what should be done about it? AI is increasingly being adopted across industrial sectors. However, this has also brought with it questions about its trustworthiness and the ethical issues involved. Encapsulated simply, functionality of AI is based on the data that is fed to train it. this data may be incomplete or misleading. Further, AI can misinterpret this data. This can bring serious consequences to its use cases in real life. An automated car can misread a sky blue object as sky and may crash into it. there may be other disasters based on the misinterpretations of data or incomplete data that is fed to the AI. Trustworthiness and Ethics Several experts have brought out a research paper titled Towards Trustworthiness of AI – luxury but a necessity, a compelling call to action in a world where technological progress requires a deliberate and ethical approach. They conclude that the urgency lies in our collective responsibility to foster harmonious integration of AI into these critical sectors, laying the groundwork for a future where innovation aligns seamlessly with ethical considerations. Partners Speak Partners and leaders of IT businesses have expressed their opinion about the issue raised in this research. Alok Gupta President, PCAIT says, “There is good AI as well as bad AI. Good AI is definition helping organisation to become more efficient in all way but bad one is creating a speed breaker in adoption. So, there is a need to first do a risk assessment in the area where you want to implement AI solutions.” R Sridhar, MD, Triangle Technologies says, “AI can be a very good tool when the data is within some fixed parameters. To take a simple example, AI tool used in a human resource environment to calculate salaries payable to thousands of employees in an organisation, which is linked to the attendance monitoring system and the number of holidays etc. are pre-determined. However, the AI tool cannot be used in the selection of candidates for employment in a government organisation, where there are many variables apart from academic performance, skill analysis, experience and educational qualification like domicile, reservation category, internal quota etc. The selection can go haywire.” Harinder Salwan, MD, Tricom Multimedia and Founder, ISODA says, “AI as it stands for Artificial Intelligence means that it is not real but imaginary and the outcome it interprets is only based on available data and arrives at its own interpretation based on historical data. Hence, when we look at the recent incidents which were reported in various news platforms, there needs to be some guidelines to be in place by the implementing agencies so that the user never thinks of doing anything which leads to the creator crossing local and ethical barriers of any individual without his/her knowledge or consent. It’s preferable that AI continues to be used by developers to help avoid mistakes that any user of it would make when working with data.” Looking at the issue from various perspectives, it becomes clear that AI is a forever evolving technology. It’s not a finished product. Hence, there are many untapped possibilities in this technology. Further, as has been said by others, the insights of AI are based on the data that is available to it and the way in which it is trained to interpret ths data. Hence, there should be guidelines for every industrial sector about how to use AI in use cases, so that harm can be avoided because of incomplete data and misinterpretations. Source - The Dialogue Rama Vedashree, Jameela Sahiba, Bhoomika Agarwal and Kamesh Shekar were the authors of this research report. —Alok Gupta President, PCAIT AI can be a very good tool when the data is within some fixed parameters. However, with diverse variables, AI can go haywire. —R Sridhar, MD, Triangle Technologies There needs to be some guidelines to be in place by the implementing agencies so that the user never thinks of doing anything which leads to the creator crossing local and ethical barriers of any individual without his/ her knowledge or consent. —Harinder Salwan, MD, Tricom Multimedia and Founder, ISODA DQC BUREAU [email protected] Sectoral Guidelines for Responsible Adoption, published by The Dialogue. The report concludes that in the dynamic landscape of global AI advancements, the imperative to ensure ethical and responsible adoption of AI technologies cannot be over stated. Trustworthy AI guidelines stand as a linchpin in this endeavour, offering a structured framework that encompasses ethical considerations, transparency and accountability. Need for Guidelines The report argues that acting as a guiding beacon, these guidelines are indispensable tools for navigating the intricate terrain of artificial intelligence. When applied to pivotal sectors like finance and health, where the impact on societal well-being is profound, responsible adoption becomes not only a strategic imperative but a moral obligation. By embracing and prioritising these guidelines, industries can fortify themselves against potential risks inherent in the development and deployment of advanced AI technologies. Force for Good The researchers believe that the application of ethical practices ensures that AI becomes a force for good, contributing positively to the enhancement of human life rather than posing unforeseen challenges. Trustworthy AI is not a
A CyberMedia Publication 9 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS GUEST ARENA Hyper-Personalised Customer Experiences Powered by AI [email protected] At the end of the day, Hyper-personalised customer experiences powered by AI are reshaping the business landscape AI has the transformative power in crafting hyper-personalised customer experiences. This concept, which seemed futuristic just a few years ago, is now a reality, reshaping the way businesses interact with their customers. The Emergence of Hyper-Personalisation Hyper-personalisation represents the next level in customer engagement. It involves using AI to analyse vast amounts of data – from customer preferences and purchasing history to social media interactions – to deliver individualised customer experiences. Unlike traditional segmentation, which groups customers based on broad characteristics, hyper-personalisation targets each customer uniquely. Role of AI in Hyper-Personalisation AI stands at the core of this revolution. By leveraging machine learning, predictive analytics and natural language processing, AI systems can sift through immense datasets to uncover deep insights about individual customer preferences and behaviour. This ability allows businesses to tailor their offerings and communications to each customer in a way that was previously unattainable. Benefits to Businesses For businesses, the benefits are manifold. Hyper-personalised interactions lead to increased customer engagement, loyalty and ultimately, revenue. Customers are more likely to respond to offers and communications that resonate with their specific needs and interests. Furthermore, businesses can optimise their marketing strategies and resource allocation by targeting customers more effectively, reducing the cost of customer acquisition and increasing ROI. Enhancing Customer Experiences Hyper-personalisation enhances every facet of the customer journey. In E-commerce for instance, AI can recommend products based on past We’ll see more integration with emerging technologies like augmented reality and the IoT, further blurring the lines between digital and physical customer experiences. —Deepika Loganathan, Co-Founder and CEO, Haive DEEPIKA LOGANATHAN purchases, browsing behaviour; and even the current weather. In customer service, chatbots and virtual assistants provide personalized support by accessing the customer’s entire history with the brand. The goal is to make every interaction feel tailored and relevant, creating a deeper connection between the customer and the brand. Challenges and Ethical Considerations Having said the above, hyper-personalisation is not without its challenges. Data privacy and security are paramount, as businesses handle sensitive customer information. Ensuring that data is used responsibly and ethically is crucial to maintaining customer trust. Additionally, there’s a fine line between personalisation and intrusiveness. Striking the right balance requires not only sophisticated AI algorithms but also a deep understanding of customer preferences and boundaries. The Future of Customer Experience Looking forward, hyper-personalisation will continue to evolve. We’ll see more integration with emerging technologies like augmented reality and the IoT, further blurring the lines between digital and physical customer experiences. The businesses that succeed will be those that leverage AI not just as a tool for selling, but as a means to genuinely understand and serve their customers better. At the end of the day, Hyper-personalised customer experiences powered by AI are reshaping the business landscape. The era of one-size-fits-all is over; the future is hyper-personalised. The author is Co-Founder and CEO, Haive NEWS CHANNEL Tata Elxsi Hosts Innov@TE 1stGen AI Hackathon Contest in Collaboration with AWS Tata Elxsi has concluded its inaugural Gen AI hackathon in collaboration with AWS. With a focus on exploring the potential of Generative AI, the hackathon witnessed enthusiastic participation from diverse disciplines, with 136 teams registering from various corners of the country. Manoj Raghavan, CEO & MD of Tata Elxsi reaffirmed the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and promoting the widespread adoption of AI technologies. “At Tata Elxsi, we believe in the transformative power of technology to drive positive change. The Innov@TE Gen AI Hackathon is a testament to our dedication to fostering innovation, staying curious, staying creative and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI,” he stated. Abhishek Gupta, Global Alliances Lead, Tata Elxsi, acknowledged and thanked AWS for its collaboration, “We are excited about the possibilities that AI offers and look forward to continuing our collaboration with AWS to drive innovation and create value for our customers.” Among the finalists, top three standout entries represented diverse applications of Gen AI technology. Team ‘AI Genesis Innovators’ secured third place for their intuitive concept – ‘Gen AI’s potential to enhance product development processes’. Securing second place, team ‘Med Codex’ showcased ‘AI’s impact on streamlining healthcare procedures’. The first place was secured by ‘Turing Creators’ for their innovative solution that leveraged ‘AI and graph databases to revolutionise decision-making across diverse fields’.
DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 10 A CyberMedia Publication MAKE IN INDIA AI for Safety and Well Being DR ARCHANA VERMA [email protected] Jaya Bhura, Co-founder and Director, Chakraview Solutions talks about the app developed by her organisation How did you develop this app? Is the technological knowhow imported or is it developed indigenously? The development of this school bus tracking app was a meticulous and collaborative process led by our dedicated in-house tech team. We believe in nurturing indigenous innovation to tailor this school bus app according to the unique challenges faced by parents and schools during children’s school commutes. Our team, proficient in various programming languages and modern development frameworks, ensured that every aspect of the app aligns seamlessly with our vision for enhancing school bus safety. In addition to in-house development, we consistently stay abreast of global technological trends to incorporate relevant advancements into our platform. Regular training sessions and skill development programs ensure that our team remains at the forefront of technological innovation, contributing to the continuous improvement and evolution of the Chakraview app. Are other companies involved in providing the technological knowhow of this app? Chakraview takes pride in its self-reliance, and we have not engaged external companies for the technological knowhow of our app. Our commitment to providing a comprehensive and tailored solution led us to internalise the development process. This approach not only enables us to maintain a high level of quality and security but also fosters a deep understanding of the specific needs and nuances of the school bus safety sector. What smart technologies are involved in building this app? We harness a spectrum of smart technologies to elevate the overall school bus safety experience. Leveraging 4G networks for real-time tracking reflects our commitment to staying ahead in terms of connectivity. The incorporation of features such as 2-way Voice & WhatsApp calling, Expected Time of Arrival (ETA), and Cloud-based services powered by NEWS CHANNEL Global Cybersecurity Association (GCA) Launches GCA Index The Global Cybersecurity Association (GCA), a dedicated non-profit body, has announced the launch of ‘GCA Index.’ This Index will serve as a go-to reliable resource, offering insights into various use cases and highlighting products, services, and solutions available in the market. Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Gulshan Rai, Former National Cybersecurity Coordinator and Former DG, CERTIn said, “we need to address the critical issue of managing the interface of IT and OT in the near future. If we do not act now, we will not be able to manage the ever-burgeoning cyber threats. This is a collective responsibility and Global Cybersecurity Association will be the guiding light for the government and citizens together making India cybersecure. The launch of ‘GCA Index’ marks the first step towards us becoming cybersecure.” Furthermore, Rajeev Bhadauria, Advisor, Reliance ADA Group added, “Global Cybersecurity Association comes in at the right time because it has to fight this God-like technology with love, wisdom, and prudence. Cybersecurity is not something new, and we have had plenty of developments, currently we are looking at the advent of Gen-AI, the threat has become bigger”. On the occasion of the announcement, Manoj Bhale, President, Global Cybersecurity Association said “Building a secure digital India demands collective experience and action. Through accessible resources, collaborative forums, and the GCA Index, we strive to equip stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to combat cyber threats head-on.” AWS demonstrates our dedication to providing a technologically advanced and user-centric platform. We are actively exploring the integration of emerging technologies, such as facial recognition-based attendance and the potential role of AI in ensuring the safety and well-being of students. How user-friendly and cost-intensive is it? Ensuring user-friendliness is at the core of our app design philosophy. We understand the diverse user base, including parents, schools, attendants, bus operators and prioritise intuitive interfaces and streamlined processes. Our user-friendly approach extends to features like easy attendance marking, hassle-free fee payments, and flexible profile management, empowering users with a seamless experience. Regarding cost, our pricing model is strategically balanced, taking into consideration the comprehensive safety solutions and support services we offer. We believe in providing value for money, and our pricing structure reflects our commitment to making school bus safety accessible and effective for all stakeholders. What is your go-to-market strategy? Our go-to-market strategy is multifaceted, encompassing proactive engagement with schools, robust awareness campaigns and personalised demonstrations to showcase the tangible benefits of our app. By directly addressing the challenges of schools and bus operators, we aim to underline the tangible value and effectiveness of our solution. The accolades and recognition we’ve received, including the Best Parent App for School Bus Tracking award, serve as a testament to the success of our approach and our dedication to offering a highly valuable product in the market.
A CyberMedia Publication 11 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS SMART TECH NEWS CHANNEL HFS Research GenAI Report Launched HFS Research, in partnership with Ascendion, is now releasing an applied research series offering enterprise leaders a head start in the race to succeed with GenAI technology. Data and insights provide practical guidance, real-world insights and tactical recommendations honed from extensive quantitative surveys and in-depth interviews with executive business leaders and AI innovators from companies with $500+ million in revenue. According to HFS Research Executive Research Leader David Cushman, “Study respondents have effectively visited the future. They like what they’ve seen and want more of it. The next few quarters and years will be a rocket ride for companies correctly timing innovation with GenAI and balancing investment with return. Leaders sitting on the sidelines could face an extinction event.” More than 120 early adopters interviewed call GenAI the most disruptive technology they have ever experienced and state the benefits for enterprises will swiftly move beyond quick wins and savings to impact revenue and market valuation. AI on the Cloud DR ARCHANA VERMA [email protected] Kesava Reddy, Chief Revenue Officer, E2E Networks discusses AI and Cloud computing here catering specifically to AI companies’ needs. Our focus on the niche has garnered significant interest from potential partners, who are seeing a rapid growth in AI adoption. What are the challenges in AI-enabled Cloud computing and what are the ways to resolve them? AI-enabled cloud computing promises powerful innovations, but this exciting intersection also poses unique challenges. Global Challenges - • Technical Complexity: Integrating AI with existing cloud infrastructure can be intricate, requiring specialised skills and potentially disrupting workflows. Open-source tools and standardized interfaces can ease integration. • Data Privacy and Security: Sensitive data processed in the cloud raises concerns. Strong encryption, transparent data governance policies and user control over data usage can bolster trust. • Resource Intensiveness: AI algorithms, especially deep learning, can be resource-hungry, increasing costs and environmental impact. Optimising algorithms and using resource-efficient hardware are crucial. Challenges Specific to India– • Digital Divide: Unequal access to internet infrastructure and technological literacy hinders cloud adoption, especially in rural areas. Bridging the digital divide is crucial. • Limited Data Availability: Lack of high-quality, labelled data for training AI models poses a challenge. Resolutions for the Indian context– • Promoting localised AI solutions – Develop AI applications relevant to India’s specific needs, like agriculture, healthcare, and education. • Building a robust AI ecosystem – Encourage collaboration between academia, industry, and government to foster innovation and knowledge sharing. By addressing these challenges and harnessing the potential of AI-enabled cloud computing, India can unlock significant economic and social benefits, leading to a more inclusive and technologically advanced future. How is AI shaping Cloud Computing technology in 2024? Recent reports predict that the global AI market is projected to reach $407 billion by 2027, with a 37.3% annual growth rate between 2023 and 2030. In the Indian market, IndiaAI initiative by MeitY expects it to contribute $500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025, accounting for 10% of the country’s target of $5 trillion GDP. The increasing adoption of AI signifies a swiftly expanding demand for Cloud platforms, infrastructure and services specifically tailored for AI. Technologies such as Generative AI and other emerging AI tools are founded on deep learning models and necessitate AI-focused infrastructure, such as InfiniBand-supported HGX H100 clusters or advanced cloud GPUs like the A100. Additionally, a variety of other cloud technologies are essential for accelerating the training and inference stages of AI models. Consequently, as Generative AI becomes integrated into applications and services at scale across various sectors and industries, Cloud computing models are evolving to meet the requirements of this technology. Furthermore, in the year 2024, we expect to see emergence of agentbased AI models, which will significantly impact various sectors such as productivity, education, shopping, and entertainment. This would drive further transformation of cloud computing technologies, as these systems require high-end cloud GPUs and AI-first cloud service providers to reduce latency that real-time responsiveness requires. Do you use a partner network to provide AI-enabled Cloud Computing? What is the strength and expanse of your partner network? Yes, we have a partner network to provide AI-enabled cloud computing services and AI infrastructure to organizations, developers, researchers and innovators. This network is a critical component of our strategy and has been seeing rapid growth, primarily because E2E Networks is recognised as a leading provider of advanced AI infrastructure in India. Our partner network operates through two distinct models - the Sell To and Sell Through models. These models are designed to accommodate different partnership preferences. We also offer the highest margin in the cloud industry to our partners in both these models. In the Sell To model, partners act as connectors between E2E Networks and the end customers. In the Sell Through model, our partners actively resell E2E Networks’Cloud services. This model empowers partners to offer our state-of-the-art AI infrastructure directly to their clients. The reason why we have seen massive incoming interest from partners is due to our unique position in the market. We are amongst the only providers of advanced cloud GPUs and AI-first infrastructure in India,
DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 12 A CyberMedia Publication MARKETS | INDIA I ndia’s smartphone market shipped 146 million smartphones in 2023, with a nominal 1% growth YoY (year-over-year). The second half of the year grew by 11% YoY in 2H23, compensating for the sharp 10% decline in the first half. 4Q23 grew by 26% YoY with shipments of 37 million units, as the second half of the quarter saw stronger than expected shipments with several new model launches, according to IDC. Consumer demand remained stressed, leading to excess inventory levels across channels despite price corrections and schemes by the vendors. At the same time, the ASP (average selling price) hit a record of US$255, rising 14% YoY in 2023. This also marks the third consecutive year of double-digit ASP growth restricting smartphone market recovery. The high ASP can be attributed to the increasing share of the premium-segment (US$600+) from 6% in 2022 to 10% in 2023, along with a rapid uptake in 5G shipments to a record 55% share. “Most brands chose to reduce prices and offer additional channel margins in the last quarter to manage the inventory levels from post festive cyclic dip. This will give a lukewarm start to 2024 with cautious stocking by the channels,” said Upasana Joshi, Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India. Highlights for 2023 Shipments to online channels dropped by 6% and its share dropped to 49% in 2023, down from 53% in 2022. Offline channel shipments grew by 8% YoY as vendors strengthened their retail presence with lucrative premium offerings as well as an expansion into smaller towns and cities. Price segment details • The entry level (sub-US$100) segment grew by 12% YoY to 20% share, up from 18% a year ago. While Xiaomi continued to lead, POCO (2nd) and Samsung (3rd) emerged in the top brand list. • Shipments to the mass budget (US$100<US$200) segment declined, with its share dropping to 44% from 51%, declining by 12% YoY. vivo, Realme and Samsung together accounted for 53% of shipments. • The entry-premium (US$200<US$400) segment remained flat, with 21% share. vivo and OnePlus had significant share, making up almost 40% of overall shipments in this price segment. • The mid-premium segment (US$400<US$600) reached a share of 5%, growing by 27% YoY. OnePlus continued to lead with 35% share, followed by Samsung and vivo. • The premium segment (US$600<US$800) reached 3% share, growing by 23%, led by the iPhone 13, Galaxy S23/S23 FE and OnePlus 11. While Apple’s share declined, Samsung’s share more than doubled in this segment. • The super-premium segment (US$800+) registered the highest growth of 86%, with its share up from 4% to 7%. The iPhone14/13/14 Plus together accounted for 54% of shipments, followed by the Galaxy S23+/S23/S22+/S23 Ultra with 22% share. Overall, Apple led the segment with a share of 68%, followed by Samsung at 30%. 79 million 5G smartphones shipped in 2023, with a plethora of launches in the mass budget segment. 5G ASPs dropped to US$374, a decline of 5% YoY in 2023. Within 5G shipments, the mass budget (US$100<US200) segment share increased to 35% from 22% a year ago, while the entrypremium (US$200<US$400) segment continued to dominate with 38% share, albeit down from 49% in 2022. Apple’s iPhone 13 & 14, Samsung’s Galaxy A14, vivo’s T2x and Xiaomi’s Redmi12 were the highest shipped 5G models in 2023. Almost a million shipments of foldable phones shipped, with ASPs declining by 4% at US$1,236. Samsung led the foldable phone market, although its share dropped to 73% in 2023 as other players such as Motorola, Tecno, OnePlus and OPPO have entered India’s foldable market. The share of MediaTek-based smartphones increased to 50%, growing by 6% YoY. Vivo’s T2x, Xiaomi’s Redmi A2; and Realme’s C55 were the highest shipped MediaTek-based models. Qualcomm’s share dropped to 25%, a shipment decline of 6% YoY. Brand performance • Apple had a stellar year, finishing at 9 million units, despite having the highest ASP of US$940. This was led by previous generation iPhone models and its push for local manufacturing. Its iPhone 13/14 were amongst the Top 5 shipped models annually. • As a brand, Samsung remained in the leadership position, with a record high ASP of US$338, although with a 5% shipment decline YoY. Its Galaxy A14 was the highest shipped device of 2023. • vivo (excluding iQOO) climbed to the second slot as shipments and ASPs both grew by 8% and 9% respectively. It was the only brand to register growth amongst the top five brands. • Realme, despite facing challenges in the beginning of the year, maintained its third position, led by affordable launches. After declining for four consecutive years, 61 million feature phones shipped, growing by 8% YoY. While Samsung exited the feature phone segment, Transsion continued to lead, followed by Lava. The entry of Reliance Jio’s new 4G feature phone fuelled growth in 2H23. “The road to recovery for smartphones in 2024 looks strained and elongated, as worries around income, inflationary stress, price increases, and inventories remain. 2023 was all about affordable 5G devices, timely price corrections, and offline channel expansion by brands, whereas 2024 and beyond requires greater efforts, especially at entry-level price points, to fuel organic growth,” says Navkendar Singh, AVP, Client Devices Research, IDC India. Source - IDC India’s Smartphone Market Grew by 1% YoY in 2023 [email protected] The growth reached 146 million units DQC BUREAU Source - IDC
A CyberMedia Publication 13 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS HARDWARE High Performance Computing Tech from the US Indian IT business leaders should prepare to use HPC tech and exploit its demand in the foreign markets Two news stories in recent months should keep the Indian IT business leaders on their toes. This is a great opportunity for them to exploit the benefits from these developments and find their potential in foreign shores. US Congress Legislation on HPC The US Congress has endeavoured to ease unrestricted export of High Performance Computers (HPC) and other high-tech products to India. This is a gesture from the US to strengthen the US-Indo collaboration ties. The Technology Exports to India Act aims to ease the export of high-performance computers and related equipment to India, which is seen as a step to strengthen United States-India technology cooperation. The US has made an effort to remove restrictions on the sale of US products, such as digital computers and electronic assemblies, to India without a Department of Commerce license, thereby enhancing US-India technology trade, linkages between our technology companies and supply chain resilience for a critical industry. This step by the US means that there will be an increased availability of HPC in in India, thus facilitating their usage by the leaders who need them. AI and HPC Research Centre in Bhubaneshwar IIT Bhubaneshwar has opened a Centre for Research in AI and HPC (AHRC). The institution is designated as a national research centre and invites the participation of other significant players from the government and industry, focused on research and innovation in HPC research. AHRC Director Ashwini Nanda said the aim is to bring global knowhow to India and to spread the products of this world class research to the global community. Impact on the IT Business Export from India Both of these developments are significant in the domain of export of advanced HPC products from India. As the Indian market will benefit from the HPCs from the US and the advanced tech knowhow from the AHRC at Bhubaneshwar, the Indian businesses in the IT products segment can hope to widen their export of computing products and include HPC in their range to high level clients abroad. The large corporate conglomerates in India need to focus on these developments and should contribute the production of HPCs in India. It is time for the Indian IT products business leaders to keep an eye on these developments and make use of them for their business growth. DR ARCHANA VERMA Both of these developments are significant in the domain of export of advanced HPC products from India [email protected] NEWS CHANNEL IESA Releases Report on Semiconductor and ESDM Policies in India The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), an industry association in the Semiconductor and ESDM sector, has unveiled the 2024 Edition of the Compendium of Semiconductor & ESDM Policies in India. This report serves as a thorough and current reference for the policies and incentives provided by the Government of India and 14 states for the Semiconductor and ESDM industry. The launch took place during the IESA Vision Summit 2024, officiated by Shri. S. Krishnan, Secretary MEITY. Among them, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have already formulated dedicated Semiconductor Policies. The recently released report by the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) meticulously examines and compares the policies and incentives provided by these states. The insights derived from this analysis offer valuable recommendations for stakeholders involved in fostering the growth of the semiconductor sector in India. Ashok Chandak, President, IESA stated, “The Semiconductor and ESDM sector is vital for India’s economic and social progress, as it enables innovation and value creation across various domains such as healthcare, education, agriculture, defence and more. India has a huge opportunity to leverage its strengths in design, talent, and market to become a global leader in this sector. At IESA, we are committed to facilitating collaboration and partnership among the government, the industry, the academia, and the research institutions to create a vibrant and thriving ecosystem for the Semiconductor and ESDM sector in India. This report is another step in this direction.”
DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 14 A CyberMedia Publication PARTNER STRATEGY Being Versatile MITHILA V [email protected] Sanjoy Bhattacharya, Director of Sales & Marketing, IT Business, ViewSonic India talks about the dynamics of the channel strategy he is using in the coming times individuals, ViewSonic extends its market reach and fosters stronger connections with target audiences, ultimately benefiting its channel partners through increased visibility and demand for the products they offer. ViewSonic is committed to fostering closer relationships with its channel partners by organizing regular meet-ups and events in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. These gatherings serve as valuable platforms for sharing updates, exchanging insights and fostering collaboration among partners. By actively engaging with partners at the grassroots level, ViewSonic demonstrates its commitment to their success and creates opportunities for mutual growth. Additionally, ViewSonic ensures that its monitors are prominently displayed and available for demonstration in retail spaces. Through partnerships with retailers and in-shop placements, ViewSonic maximises visibility, accessibility anddisplay range of monitors for touch and feel, allowing customers to experience the performance and features of its monitor’s first-hand. This not only drives sales but also enhances brand credibility and trust, further benefiting channel partners by creating a conducive environment for sales conversion. ViewSonic’s support system for its channel partners encompasses a multifaceted approach that combines training, influencer collaboration, community engagement and retail visibility. By providing comprehensive support across these key areas, ViewSonic empowers its channel partners to thrive in a competitive market landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth and success. What is the current geographical expanse and strength of your channel partners in metro and non metro locations? ViewSonic channel partner network spans metro and nonmetro locations, strategically covering critical locations across India. We have a strong presence in metropolitan areas, including major cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Bangalore and Mumbai. These cities serve as crucial hubs for business activities, facilitating our ability to connect with our target audience and fulfil their requirements effectively. Our network is extended to regions beyond metropolitan areas, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Pune, and Bhubaneswar. These non-metro locations are pivotal for our expansion as they offer unique growth opportunities. Establishing a strong presence in these regions, we can access emerging markets and forge beneficial partnerships with local businesses and communities, driving sustainable growth and mutual success. What are the new elements of ViewSonic channel strategy for 2024-25? For the year 2024-25, ViewSonic has implemented several new elements in its channel strategy aimed at enhancing growth and market positioning. Brand strategy emphasises growth opportunities within the market, indicating ViewSonic’s commitment to double the growth in the specified timeframe. The vision for the future to serves as a rallying point for channel partners and stakeholders, aligning towards a common goal of expansion and success. The brand aims to recognise as one of India’s top three monitor brands highlights its strong position and credibility in the industry. By incorporating this into its channel strategy. ViewSonic also aims to strengthen partnerships, increase sales and solidify its leading role in the Indian monitor market. What steps are you taking to expand your channel network? To expand brand’s channel network, ViewSonic is taking a versatile approach to meet the diverse needs of its target market. A crucial part of this strategy is offering a wide range of gaming monitors designed for all types of gamers, from beginners to professionals. The brand is also focusing on expanding its workspace collection to address the growing demand for ergonomic solutions and streamlined connectivity options in office environments. What kind of support system can your channel partners expect from you in order to grow their business? ViewSonic understands the pivotal role that channel partners play in the growth and success of its business. Beyond simply offering a diverse range of monitors tailored to different segments such as gamers, professionals and general users, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive support to its channel partners to facilitate their business expansion. First and foremost, ViewSonic invests significantly in the training and development of its channel partners. Through regular training sessions conducted on a weekly and monthly basis, ViewSonic ensures that partners are well-equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively market and sell its products. These training programs cover various aspects ranging from product features and specifications to sales techniques and customer engagement strategies, enabling channel partners to enhance their capabilities and drive better outcomes. Furthermore, ViewSonic recognises the power of influencers and digital advocates in amplifying brand awareness and driving product adoption. To leverage this potential, the company actively collaborates with gaming influencers, casters, and YouTube personalities to promote its monitors and advocate for the brand. By harnessing the reach and influence of these
A CyberMedia Publication 15 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS For more about Partners Strategies, log on to www.dqchannels.com NEWS CHANNEL iValue Group is Value-added National Distributor in India for Nutanix Counterfeit HP products valued at approximately INR 30 crore have been seized in India, according to the HP Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) report. The law enforcement authorities in India with support from HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting initiatives have successfully removed nearly 4.4 lakh illicit items from the market. These items include several counterfeit toner and ink cartridges, preventing their circulation and potential sale to unsuspecting consumers. The majority of these operations occurred in Mumbai, where over one lakh illicit items were confiscated. Sunish Raghavan, Senior Director, Printing Systems, HP India said, “We are committed to protecting our valued customers in India from counterfeit products through our Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud Programme. This initiative ensures that individuals receive authentic HP products, upholding quality standards and safeguarding consumer interests. Through initiatives like the Customer Delivery Inspection service, we empower customers to verify the authenticity of their printing supplies, instilling confidence and peace of mind. Collaborating with law enforcement agencies and ongoing awareness initiatives, we strive to combat counterfeiting, preserve customer trust, and uphold industry standards.” Counterfeit HP Ink Toners and Cartridges Valued Close to Rs 30 crore Seized in India Nutanix has announced the appointment of iValue Infosolutions, a provider of integrated IT solutions and services across the Asia-Pacific region, as an official value-added distributor for the Indian market. The partnership is a significant achievement for both entities as it combines Nutanix’s leading hybrid multicloud solution with iValue’s extensive range of enterprise applications and expertise in solution services delivery. It will help enable enterprises to expedite their digital transformation journeys and achieve optimal outcomes in their cloud environments. Shrikant Shitole, CEO of iValue Infosolutions, observed that the preferred strategy for modernizing IT infrastructure involves transitioning from legacy systems to cutting-edge cloud-based solutions. He highlighted increased adoption of AI technologies, containerized applications, edge computing, serverless computing and Kubernetes technologies as part of this trend. “We are delighted to welcome iValue Infosolutions into our esteemed distribution ecosystem. The alignment of iValue’s top-notch IT solutions and services perfectly complements Nutanix’s mission to help organizations run their applications in the environment that makes the most sense. We have high expectations for this partnership and believe that iValue’s expertise will be invaluable in expanding our footprint,” said Harsh Vaishnav, Head, Channels, Nutanix India and SAARC. RAH Infotech Named a Distributor of Varonis for India and SAARC Veeam ProPartner Summit 2024 is Concluded RAH Infotech, India’s leading valueadded distributor and solutions provider of technology products and digital transformation solutions and services, has announced its collaboration with Varonis, a provider of data security. RAH Infotech has been chosen as a distributor for Varonis in India and SAARC. “We are delighted to team up with Varonis, a global leader in data security,” said Ashok Kumar, Founder & Managing Director of RAH Infotech. “Data is the most valuable asset for any organization, and it is also the most vulnerable to cyberattacks. Varonis’ cloud-native Data Security Platform enables organizations to secure their data from insider threats, ransomware, and data breaches while ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. We are confident this collaboration will help us deliver cutting-edge data security solutions to our customers across India and SAARC regions.” Maheswaran Shanmugasundaram, Varonis Country Manager, India said, “RAH Infotech’s deep understanding of the local market dynamics, strong regional presence and commitment to helping their customers with advanced solutions make them an ideal collaborator for Varonis in India and SAARC. Together, we aim to secure our customers’ data from cyber threats while ensuring compliance with ever-changing data privacy regulations.” Veeam recently concluded its flagship partner event Veeam ProPartner Summit 2024 from February 22nd to 24th in the vibrant city of Lucknow. The event brought together 54 channel partners, 45 unique organisations and industry experts for three days of thought-provoking discussions, strategic planning, collaborative initiatives;and a visit to Ayodhya. The summit commenced with a keynote address by two of Veeam India and SAARC’s most senior leaders, Amarish Karnik, Director, Channel and Alliances; and Sandeep Bhambure, VP & Managing Director. Together, they acknowledged the pivotal role partners played in driving success for the company in 2023. Commenting upon the Veeam ProPartner Summit 2024, Amarish said, “We are thrilled to welcome our partners to the 3rd edition of the Veeam ProPartner Summit 2024. Our business thrives on collaboration with partners, and we proudly operate as a 100% channeldriven enterprise in India. With an unwavering dedication to ensuring uninterrupted access to data and applications across any hybrid or multi-cloud infrastructure, we ensure business continuity, through our partners.” Shrikant Shitole, iValue Infosolutions Maheswaran Shanmugasundaram, Varonis
DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 16 A CyberMedia Publication NEWS CHANNEL For more about Partners Strategies, log on to www.dqchannels.com Shiprocket announces the 5thedition of ‘Aarambh,’ its flagship initiative dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Aligned with Shiprocket’s vision to redefine India’s E-commerce landscape, Aarambh 2024 seeks to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs by providing a platform to pitch their innovative business ideas to a distinguished panel of investors and venture capitalists. Saahil Goel, MD and CEO, Shiprocket, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our nation’s women have extraordinary potential and we are excited to see what new and disruptive ideas will be presented during Aarambh 2024.” Entries for the Aarambh 2024 edition are now open; and Indian shepreneurs can apply for the shortlisting process on the Shiprocket website. Shortlisted pitches will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to the jury panel in a virtual event. The best business idea will have the opportunity to earn up to 2 lakh Shiprocket credits from a total pool of 4 lakh Shiprocket credits for winners along with additional benefits from Shiprocket and other sister concern companies. With Aarambh 2024, participants will also get an opportunity to network with industry leaders, access capital for building their businesses (opportunity to get flexible capital up to INR 5 Crores. Ishan Technologies, a Pan-India ICT services provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with Versa Networks, a provider of AI/ML-powered Unified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), to launch innovative managed SASE services in India. The collaboration aims to help organizations across sectors increase network security and performance. The unique proposition of this joint initiative is Ishan’s commitment to delivering SASE services directly from instances hosted in Ishan DC1 at Mumbai. This strategic approach is poised to redefine standards in service delivery, promising unparalleled advantages to customers while reinforcing its dedication to optimizing stringent SLAs. Pinkesh Kotecha, Chairman and MD, Ishan Technologies said, “Being recognised as Versa’s inaugural SASE Managed Services has opened a crucial avenue for Ishan Technologies. We understand the challenges posed by the surge in cyber-attacks in India across sectors and our collaboration positions us to provide our customers with scalable and robust solutions. This ensures a cybersecurity framework that safeguards businesses in the digital realm. Looking forward, we envisage cybersecurity in India as a strategic catalyst, propelling growth and fostering innovation.” Happiest Minds Partners with Secureworks GathrIQ to Augment Data Engineering and Analytics with Gen AI Happiest Minds Technologies, a ‘Born Digital. Born Agile’, Mindful IT Company, has announced that it has joined the Secureworks Global MSSP Partner programme to meet the growing customer demand for Extended Detection and Response (XDR) services across the globe. Ram Mohan, President and CEO, Infrastructure Management and Security Services (IMSS), Happiest Minds said, “The need for robust cybersecurity measures in today’s digital landscape is more critical than ever. Along with Secureworks, we are poised to anticipate, mitigate and combat evolving cyber threats with unparalleled precision and resilience.” Chris Bell, VP, Corporate Development and Strategy, Secureworks said, “Happiest Minds works with some of the most forward-thinking brands in the world, who’ve placed emphasis on reducing their cyber risk with advanced solutions. Together with Happiest Minds’ next-gen automation platform, Taegis will deliver superior detection and unmatched response, fueled by petabytes of threat data, AI capabilities and human intelligence. Combined, these elements will optimize cyber defenses, whilst exponentially reducing a customer’s organizational risk.” Gathr, the data to outcome platform, recently launched Gen AI fabric, bringing a host of Gen AI integrations and features to its platform. One of these key features is GathrIQ – the Gen AI copilot, which is assisting users in their data and AI journeys. “We’re happy to see the excitement among our users, the media and analyst community around Gen AI fabric and GathrIQ has been a conversation driver for us in all our interactions. Our existing customers have highly appreciated the feature, which is unlike any other copilot in the market. It is trained to assist a specific set of data engineering and Gen AI-related workflows, and one must use it to understand the significant changes it brings to traditional data engineering methods. We believe GathrIQ, along with our expanding Gen AI integrations and capabilities will bring a paradigm change in the data engineering and analytics space” said P.C. Kiran, CEO, Gathr. Talking about the upcoming features, Kiran added that GathrIQ will soon allow users to search and query the data in natural language. Moreover, it will eliminate the need to sift through lengthy technical documentation and will offer contextual help, in real time. Ishan Technologies and Versa Networks Unite to Offer Network Security Shiprocket Launches Aarambh 2024 for Women-Led SMEs Nationwide Ram Mohan Chris Bell
A CyberMedia Publication 17 March 2024 n DQ CHANNELS HP has introduced the Envy Move 23.8-inch all-in-one (AIO) PC in India for flexibility in work and entertainment. It is designed to enable moveability, versatility and shareability at home, with an integrated handle to lift and move around and kickstand feet that auto deploy when users are ready to set it down. The new Envy AIO also comes with a keyboard pocket in the back to easily store wireless keyboard when on the move. Equipped with up to 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor and integrated Intel® UHD graphics. To facilitate hybrid lifestyle at its best, the Envy Move AIO PC comes with a rechargeable battery to allow users to unplug the PC and carry on with the day, in and around the house. The Intel Unison allows for easy phone-to-laptop connectivity. The PC is equipped with audio from Bang & Olufsen, along with Adaptive Audio that adjusts volume to the user’s distance for clear sound. The HP Envy Move AIO is available at a starting price of Rs. 1,24,999/-. Epson has announced the addition of two document scanners, the DS-C330 and DS-C490, to its existing product lineup. These compact scanners are designed with a small footprint, delivering efficient scan speeds and enhancing productivity for businesses. The scanners are the rollover models of the DS-310 and DS-410, offering additional value with increased speed, reduced footprint, and capabilities such as passport and passbook scanning. With a persistent commitment to environmental sustainability, the main body consists of 34% recycled plastics without compromising performance. Prabagaran S, Senior GM, Epson India says, “Epson’s latest document scanners, the DS-C330 and DS-C490, seamlessly blend innovation with functionality to improve your business operations. These compact scanners, with swift scan speeds and versatile capabilities, are designed to boost productivity in limited spaces.” HP Envy Move 23.8 Inch AIO PC from HP ASUS IoT has announced its new lineup of industrial motherboards and edge AI computers powered by the latest Intel Core 14thgen processors. These products offer supreme computing performance, enhanced power efficiency and accelerated connectivity, making them ideal for a wide range of industrial applications. One of the key features of these new solutions is the accelerated transfer speeds and enhanced power efficiency offered by DDR5 memory. Compared to DDR4, DDR5 memory provides 50% faster transfer speeds and 8% improved power efficiency, ensuring reliability with ECC technology. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics technology in ASUS IoT motherboards supports up to 8K60 HDR video and multiple 4K60 displays, providing vivid graphics and powerful AI acceleration. Industrial Motherboards from Asus Two Document Scanners from Epson K1 and K2 Wired Gaming Keyboards from Portronics Portronics has announced the addition of the K1 and K2 Gaming Keyboards to its line of input devices for those who want something that’s tailored for gaming and comfortable typing. These gaming keyboards sport a high-quality ABS body with 104 full-sized backlit keys. The K1, which is equipped with blue tactile switches, is for those who prefer a more tangible feel while typing. The K2, on the other hand, uses red linear switches for those who like a ‘softer’ and faster typing experience. The Portronics K1 and K2 Gaming Keyboards can be purchased from the company’s official website at an introductory discounted price of just Rs 2,099/-, backed with a 12-month warranty. The mechanical keyboards can also be bought from other online platforms and other online and offline stores. Epic Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation has launched the 1stDesigned in India, AI-enabled, indigenously manufactured Education Tablet. Designed by VVDN Technologies in collaboration with MediaTek India and CoRover.ai, the tablets come embedded with unique features of repairability and upgradability to address the pressing concerns of the digital divide and the accumulation of electronic refuse in India. EPIC Foundation executed an MOU with VVDN Technologies and UTL to authorise UTL to manufacture PC tablets under licence from EPIC and VVDN; the intent is to manufacture upto two to three lakh tablets targeted for supply to state governments. Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman, EPIC Foundation said, “The production of substandard goods and obsolescence strategies are not only pressing concerns of today but also exacerbate the escalating problem of electronic waste. Our repairable product will enable many jobsall over India for repair engineers.” Designed in India Tablet from Epic Foundation
DQ CHANNELS n March 2024 18 A CyberMedia Publication MediaTek has announced the latest addition to its 5G RedCap portfolio, the MediaTek T300 platform for IoT applications. The T300 is a 5G RedCap RF-systemon-chip (SoC) built with MediaTek’s M60 modem, which supports the 3GPP Release-17 standard to offer significant generational advantages over existing 4G IoT solutions. The M60 modem reduces power consumption by up to 60% compared to LTE Cat-4 alternatives, and up to 70% compared to existing 5G eMMB solutions. This enables device manufacturers to increase energy sustainability in large device deployments across the IIoT, mobile market, security, logistics, and IoT edge devices. JC Hsu, Corporate Senior VP, MediaTek said, “T300 combines the speed, reliability, and latency benefits of 5G with the unique cost and power requirements of IoT devices.” Micron has announced it has begun volume production of its HBM3E (High Bandwidth Memory 3E) solution. Micron’s 24GB 8H HBM3E will be part of NVIDIA H200 Tensor Core GPUs, which will begin shipping in the second calendar quarter of 2024. “Micron is delivering a trifecta with this HBM3E milestone: time-to-market leadership, best-in- class industry performance and a differentiated power efficiency profile,” said Sumit Sadana, Executive VP and Chief Business Officer at Micron Technology. “AI workloads are heavily reliant on memory bandwidth and capacity and Micron is very well-positioned to support the significant AI growth ahead through our industry-leading HBM3E and HBM4 roadmap, as well as our full portfolio of DRAM and NAND solutions for AI applications.” Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5 RGB1 memory, designed for extreme performance on next-gen DDR5 platforms gives your system the performance boost and flair needed to have ultra-fast memory at up to 7200MT/s. It utilises FURY CTRL, 18 customisable RGB lighting effects. Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5 RGB features sleek, newly designed black and silver or white and silver heat spreaders with dynamic LED light bars utilising Kingston’s patented Infrared Sync Technology to provide smooth, synchronised RGB lighting effects that complement the look of the latest PC build. Kingston’s DataTraveler Max series USB flash drives leverage the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard to deliver read/ write speeds up to 1,000/900MB/s. Designed with portability and convenience in mind, the unique ridged casing protects the connector when not in use and is easily moved with a single motion. Available in USB Type-C and Type-A connections to support next-gen and traditional laptops and desktops. N E W S Micron HBM3E for Datacentres Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5 RGB Memory and Data Traveller MediaTek T300 5G RedCap Platform U&i Firestorm Series Wireless Bluetooth Neckband U&I has announced the launch of two new innovative products – Firestorm Series Wireless Bluetooth Neckband and the Box Series Travel Data Cable Kit. These cutting-edge devices are designed to enhance user experience and offer unparalleled convenience for tech enthusiasts on the go. The U&i Firestorm Series Wireless Bluetooth Neckband is packed with advanced features. Boasting Bluetooth version 5.3, users can enjoy seamless connectivity and superior audio quality. With a battery life of up to 100 hours for both talking and music playback and a standby time of 800 hours, the Firestorm Series ensures uninterrupted entertainment for extended periods. The neckband can be fully charged in just 2 hours via Type-C charging, and its compact design allows for easy portability. The Bluetooth neckband is available in 2 colors – Black and Blue. Priced at an affordable Rs 2,699/-, the Firestorm Series is seen as a value for money. UPS Battery from Consistent Infosystems Consistent Infosystems, a provider of IT hardware, security and surveillance, print consumables, electronics and home entertainment products in India has announced the launch of its latest product i.e., Consistent UPS Battery. This groundbreaking addition to Consistent Infosystems’ portfolio represents a significant advancement in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) technology, offering unparalleled reliability and performance for businesses and individuals alike. “We are thrilled to introduce the Consistent UPS Battery to the market. With its cutting-edge technology and unmatched reliability, the Consistent UPS Battery empowers businesses to stay connected and productive, even in the face of power disruptions or emergencies. We believe this product will set a new standard for UPS solutions and reinforce Consistent Infosystems’ commitment to delivering innovative, highquality technology solutions to our customers,” said Yogesh Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder, Consistent Infosystems.
A CyberMedia Publication 29 February 2018 n DQ CHANNELS We ENGAGE with your AudiENcE Large Enterprise / Medium Enterprise / Small And Medium / Channel Eco-System / Start-up / Developer / End Cosumers / Gaming Community “iN thE MiddlE Of difficulty liEs OppOrtuNity” Enable your business in this challenging time with digital offering... HOW TO BETTER A DIGITAL BRAND STRATEGY Branding Response Generation Webinar Virtual Round Table Virtual Event Custom Program Create a successful brand focused campaigns with : Harminder Singh, Associate Vice President - Online Expert, [email protected] Focused Digital Campaigns...
DQ CHANNELS n February 2018 28 A CyberMedia Publication RNI NO-DELENG/2005/15197 (published on 1st of every month) Posting Date: 4th & 5th of every month. Posted at Lodi Road HPO DPR NO. DL(S)-17/3077/2023-2025 Licensed to Post WPP. U(SE)03/2016 #tlfindia #tlfawards For further information, write to Rajiv Pathak | Sr. Manager, Marketing [email protected] I +91 80107 57100 23rd edition Telecom Leadership Forum ‘24 will focus on the vision of a seamless, connected world brought about by advancements in telecommunication technologies, mobile platforms, and digital infrastructure. It will also highlight the potential for collaboration, innovation, and transformative changes that can occur when communication service providers, businesses, and individuals harness the power of connectivity. Key discussion points l Connected Future l 5G and Beyond l Satcom Innovations l Monetization and User Experience l Threats and Countermeasures l Digital Transformation l IoT in Business l Real-world Applications l Sustainable Connectivity Key Highlights l Full day conference & awards l 35+ Industry Speakers l 23rd Voice&Data Jury Awards and 20+ Category awards l 200+ Tech decision makers l Outreach campaign to 5,000+ industry professionals l Experience Zone l Live social feeds @voicendata_ Thursday, 21 March 2024 EMPOWERING LEADERS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS 23rd Hall oF Fame Telecom Person of The Year ANShU PRAkASh MANOj MODI 2021 2020 2019 R S ShARMA 2018 ARUNA SUNDARARAjAN 2011 SANjEEv AGA 2010 ANIL SARDANA MARTEN PIETERS SANjAy kAPOOR 2013 2012 DR RAhUL khULLAR hIMANShU kAPANIA 2015 2014 MUkESh AMbANI GOPAL vITTAL 2017 2016 Envisioning the Connected Future