P LU S : Jabra’s high-quality audio-visual tools can improve hybrid productivity and flexibility Technology is helping those with mental health disorders to care for themselves Fashion retailers must evolve with customers’ changing attitudes, says K3 Hannover Messe 2022 will explore new tech in automation, electrification and more Microsoft is helping financial services firms improve cybersecurity, says Bill Borden I S S U E 2 4 : S P R I NG 2 0 2 2 £ 2 4 . 0 0 Striving for sustainability As corporate social responsibility rises to the top of CEO agendas, we consider how technology can contribute
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SUSTAINABILITY ENVIRONMENT ZERO EMISSIONS CSR COP26 GHG PEOPLE CARBON NEUTRAL ENERGY RENEWABLE SDG CLIMATE CHANGE CONSUMPTION REUSE ESG RECYCLE The global green technology and sustainability market size is expected to gain momentum by reaching USD 41.62billion by 2028 Global ESG assets are on track to exceed $53 trillion by 2025 Over 90% of S&P 500 Index Companies Publish Sustainability Reports in 2019 Just 7% of Fortune 500CEOs believe their companies should “mainly focus on making profits and not be distracted by social goals,” Just 16%of companies label their annual report “integrated”, with both financial and sustainability results
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7 WE LCOME : S P R I NG 2 0 2 2 ANDY C L AY TON - SM I TH : E X E CUT I V E ED I TOR Prioritising sustainability Organisations that prioritise sustainability have the potential to reap multiple benefits, including meeting increased demand for sustainable products and services, improving operational efficiency and attracting new talent. Microsoft has already established itself as a front runner in evolving a greener approach to commercial and civic life. In the cover story of the Spring 2022 issue of Technology Record, which starts on page 42, we take a closer look at some of the challenges facing industry and public sector organisations as they strive to develop credible, robust strategies for sustainable operations. We also highlight some of the early wins being made in this important area. Also in this issue, we consider the future of cybersecurity in financial services. The conflict in Ukraine has heightened the awareness of the requirement for businesses to shore up their data security, an area where spending already totals some $6 trillion worldwide. In our feature starting on page 92, we speak with Microsoft’s corporate vice president for worldwide financial services Bill Borden about the $20 billion the company will invest in cybersecurity over the next five years and take a look at some compelling examples of industry partner solutions that can deliver increased levels of protection. Elsewhere we speak with director of worldwide media and entertainment strategy at Microsoft Simon Crownshaw about the inexorable rise of highly personalised content, and look at how tools like the Microsoft Power Platform are driving fundamental changes in the individual viewing experience. You’ll find that story on page 128. We also consider a diverse range of other topics, from optimising retail operations to driving the mantra of sustainability throughout the entire public sector. All this, along with the usual round-up of industry news, thought-leader perspectives and case studies that showcase the very latest advances in Microsoft technology. I hope you enjoy the read.
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CONT ENT S 68 QUA L I T Y DATA FOR B E T T E R BU S I NE S S P E R FORMANC E Experian’s Andrew Abraham shares why good data management and quality is crucial to enabling businesses to react effectively 9 I S S U E 2 4 : S P R I NG 2 0 2 2
We are Kyndryl. We design, build, manage and modernize the mission-critical technology systems that the world depends on every day. Working with our customers, we imagine things differently. Whether it’s the top 5 airlines or half of the Fortune 500, we help the world’s biggest companies realize big ambitions and discover new ones. Kyndryl. The Heart of Progress™. Data is from latest industry reports (2019). The Heart of ProgressTM
11 CONT ENT S 65 42 4 2 COV E R S TOR Y Striving for sustainability As organisations and governments make a renewed commitment to sustainability, Technology Record looks at how technology from Microsoft and its partners are making a difference 5 2 Technology for a sustainable future Lindsay Climson shares how Akari’s solutions improve efficiency and sustainability for a diverse range of businesses 5 4 The future of experience Lax Gopisetty of Infosys explores the importance of human centricity in digital enterprise 5 6 The power of partnership Loira Browning discusses the benefits of the new Anywhere365 Partnership Program 5 8 Building safer environments with IoT Michael Grant shares how Metrikus is creating cost-effective and sustainable building spaces for its customers 6 0 Why connected technology is key for sustainability AVEVA’s Lisa Wee explains how data analytics, AI and the cloud can help organisations boost productivity and slash emissions 6 4 The human element of hybrid Mandarine Academy is helping businesses overcome the challenges of hybrid working, says Florent Petit 6 5 Improving innovation Sopheon’s Paul Heller reflects on key themes discussed in its Innovation+ Talks podcast in 2021 and looks ahead to 2022 6 6 The right technology is everything High-quality audio-visual tools can improve hybrid productivity and deliver flexibility, says Jabra’s Nigel Dunn 6 8 Quality data for better business performance Experian’s Andrew Abraham shares why good data management and quality is crucial to enabling businesses to react effectively 7 0 Seamless collaboration According to EPOS’s John Ho, organisations must ensure their employees have the right technology for increasingly virtual communication 7 WE LCOME 1 8 MAR K E TWATCH Th e latest news from Microsoft and its partners, including recent findings about realising effective hybrid working
12 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om CONT ENT S 120 1 0 4 Agile evolution Microsoft’s Colin Masson discusses the role of the agile factory in shaping the industry’s future 1 1 2 Automatically better Quaker Houghton improves customer service with a Nintex-based automated workflow solution 1 1 4 Real-time manufacturing business Skkynet’s AndrewThomas shares how a better flow of information can ensure manufacturers meet consumer demand 1 1 6 A virtual helping hand Graeme Russell outlines how technologies like Microsoft HoloLens are empowering Howden to offer instant remote assistance to customers 1 1 8 Solving crises in manufacturing Digitally transforming factories will help manufacturers deal with market disruptions, says AVEVA’s Kim Custeau 1 2 0 Simulation at speed Liftra used the Ansys Cloud to simulate the design of cranes and construct wind turbines faster MANU FAC TUR I NG & R E SOUR C E S 9 2 Navigating threats in financial services Microsoft’s Bill Borden shares how the firm is helping financial services organisations to improve cybersecurity and better serve customers 1 0 0 Enabling better business decisions Chad Dunbar and Igor Salamatin discuss how JourneyTEAM helps financial organisations make better use of their data 1 0 2 Driving business success through transformation Banks can set themselves up for success by collaborating with the right partners, says Finastra’s Levente Rozsahegyi F I NANC I A L S E R V I C E S 72 Entry points for digital transformation Kyndryl’s Prakash Somani explains why organisations need to assess which cloud transformation strategy best fits their needs 74 Succeeding in the era of virtual events BlueJeans’ Maureen Beckham shares why firms must understand what their attendees want in order to keep virtual events engaging 76 Creating a green and keen working environment Gamma’s unified communications-as-a-service solutions can help businesses achieve sustainability and employee wellbeing goals 78 Securing the hybrid workplace Device management, conditional access and passwordless authentication can improve cybersecurity, says Synergy Technical’s Rohana Meade 80 Improving document management Metafile Information Systems outlines five ways AI and machine learning can enhance process automation and document management 81 How to derive ROI from automation Legacy systems may impact the move to automation, but Chris Ben of Nintex says there are solutions 82 Composability in enterprise software Finding the balance between too much and too little software is crucial for solution usability, says Optimizely’s Deane Barker 84 Modernise and transform Kyndryl and Microsoft’s partnership is delivering innovation to enterprise customers like Viewpoint and RIMAC Seguros 86 How to optimise data analysis Tom Blankenhorn shares how Teradata Vantage analyses data to reduce the risk, time and cost of decision-making 88 Designing and delivering digital engines Alok Ramsisaria talks about the innovations Grazitti Interactive is developing to add value in a new business environment 90 The value of composable ERP Kyndryl has adapted its offering with Microsoft Azure to best meet its customers business needs 91 Making ‘work from anywhere’ work Businesses can realise a new way of working via contact centre-as-a-service technology, says Solgari’s Vincent Kelly
13 1 7 2 THE L A S T WORD 5G Automotive Association’s Johannes Springer looks ahead to a future where vehicles share information with each other 1 6 5 A selection of Microsoft partners operating across all business sectors F E ATUR ED PAR TNE R S R E TA I L & HOS P I TA L I T Y C PG 1 4 6 Turning insight into action Shanthi Rajagopalan explains howMicrosoft technology is making supply chains, operations and products more sustainable 1 3 4 The next stage for public sector sustainability Jeremy M. Goldberg highlights how Microsoft can support public sector organisations and governments in driving meaningful societal change 1 3 9 A head start for homeworking The University of Dundee used Jabra’s headsets to provide flexible working opportunities for staff and students 1 4 0 Innovating for a more sustainable future Diehl Metering’s Annette Geuther explains why smart metering solutions are vital for monitoring water and energy consumption 1 4 2 Empowered mental healthcare Microsoft’s Sally Frank explores the technology that is helping people with mental health disorders to care for themselves 1 4 4 Putting the AR in healthcare Till Bay from Incremed shares how augmented reality solutions can transform the delivery of medical procedures PUB L I C S E C TOR MED I A & COMMUN I CAT I ONS 1 2 8 Making entertainment personal Microsoft’s Simon Crownshaw discusses why delivering personalised entertainment will become increasingly important for media organisations 1 3 2 Shaping the future with data, AI and automation NAB Show 2022’s Intelligent Content Showcase will highlight how data can lead to better decisions and new opportunities 1 2 2 Secure expansion Hagedorn Group looked to Barracuda’s CloudGen WAN solution to deliver security and connectivity 1 2 4 Improving patient care with smarter buildings ICONICS helped the Centre for Psychiatry Südwürttemberg to improve building management with SCADA and automation 1 2 5 Manufacturing for the future Chris Dobbrow of Augury explains how manufacturers can unlock the untapped capacity of their existing machines 1 2 6 Simplifying and accelerating IoT applications Robert Andres shares how Eurotech and Microsoft help manufacturers build and deploy IoT applications, as well as manage assets 1 5 5 Simplifying project management Sopheon helps Mondelēz International streamline resource and project management with Accolade software 1 5 6 The sustainability conundrum Fashion retailers must adapt as attitudes to social issues and sustainability change, says K3’s Casey Potenzone 1 5 8 A unified approach to retail Jan-Pieter Lips outlines how Adyen’s close partnership with Microsoft is changing the way retailers do business 1 6 0 A future-proof cloud for retail Diebold Nixdorf 's Michael Schulte details why software is key to delivering connected retail journeys, flexible stores and efficient operations 1 6 2 Loyalty 101 Chi Chan shares how Ireckonu is helping hoteliers to use insights from their data to deliver better guest experiences 134
CONTACT US AT TUDOR ROSE toby.ingleton@tudor-rose.co.uk www.tudor-rose.co.uk WHATEVER YOUR MARKETING NEEDS Contact us NOW to discuss how we can help engage your customers MAGAZINES & BOOKS As publisher of Technology Record, we are expert at creating customer magazines and books centred on enterprise technology BROCHURES From copywriting and design to print and delivery, we can create company brochures targeted to your clients CAMPAIGNS We can deliver print and digital media advertising to engage your industry customers CONTENT Our knowledge of the industry enables us to specialise in providing content services to enterprise business customers worldwide Executive editor Andy Clayton-Smith Production editor Elly Yates-Roberts Editorial team Alice Chambers, Rebecca Gibson, Jacqui Griffiths, Richard Humphreys, Lindsay James, Alex Smith Production manager Stuart Fairbrother Design Bruce Graham, Libby Sidebotham, Dhanika Vansia Website development Chris Jackson Partner managers Tim Grayson, Ricky Popat, Daniel Thurlow, Thomas Wills, Paul Zmija Subscriptions For subscription enquiries, please contact Tudor Rose on subscribe@tudor-rose.co.uk or visit the website www.technologyrecord.com/subscribe Circulation Ritwik Bhattacharjee Publisher Toby Ingleton Photography courtesy of contributors and www.istockphoto.com Business management Rachael Heggs, Richard Pepperman Published by Tudor Rose Tudor House, 6 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA Tel: +44 116 222 9900 www.tudor-rose.co.uk Technology Record is Microsoft’s quarterly enterprise customer magazine. For further information and to subscribe, please visit: www.technologyrecord.com/subscribe Visit www.technologyrecord.com for up-to-date news and articles about Microsoft technology for enterprise businesses, a comprehensive directory of Microsoft partners that provide solutions for enterprise businesses, and to find out more about our printed publications. Technology Record (Print): 2754-3277, Technology Record (Online): 2754-3285. Printed in Great Britain by Micropress. © 2022 Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be stored or transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means, including whether by photocopying, scanning, downloading onto computer or otherwise without the prior written permission from Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd. Active Directory, BizTalk, Microsoft, Outlook, SharePoint, Visual Studio and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft in the US and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Microsoft or the publishers. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. Readers should take appropriate professional advice before acting on any issue raised herein. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject advertising material and editorial contributions. The publisher assumes no liability for the return or safety of unsolicited art, photography or manuscripts. Follow us: twitter.com/tech_record Become a fan on Facebook Connect on LinkedIn I S S U E 2 4 : S P R I NG 2 0 2 2
15 Microsoft is the world leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential. ANA LY S T S AND I NDU S T R Y ORGAN I S AT I ONS Where Manufacturing Meets IT S PONSOR S PUB L I SH I NG PAR TNE R S Finastra builds and deploys next-generation financial technology on its open software architecture and cloud ecosystem. EPOS is an audio and video solution company developing devices for business professionals. Based on leading technologies, EPOS delivers high-end audio and video solutions with design, technology and performance in mind. BlueJeans is a leading meetings platform for remote work productivity. Many of the most trusted organisations and institutions in the world use BlueJeans for video meetings and large interactive events. AVEVA creates industrial software that inspires people to shape the future. It harnesses the power of its ecosystem to deliver solutions across the asset and operations life cycles, empowering people and industries. Nintex is the global standard for process intelligence and automation. Over 10,000 organisations across every industry leverage the power and ease of the Nintex Process Platform to accelerate digital transformation. Kyndyl and Microsoft are bringing to market solutions that support mission-critical workloads, hybrid cloud adoption, application and processes modernisation, and enabling modern work experiences. Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, enabling clients to navigate their digital journeys.
18 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Microsoft has released its 2022 Work Trend Index report. The annual study surveyed 31,000 people in 31 countries and analysed data from Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn regarding leadership plans for 2022 and what employees want from their employers. Five key trends were identified in the study, which Microsoft’s corporate vice president for modern work Jared Spataro said could serve as a “road map for leaders today”, in a blog post. 1Employees are unwilling to sacrifice well-being The report found that 53 per cent of respondents are nowmore likely to prioritise their health and wellbeing over work. In fact, 18 per cent of respondents quit their jobs in 2021. Looking ahead, 52 per cent of Generation Z and millennials are likely to consider a new job in the next year. 2Managers are stuck between leadership and employees Despite the desire for flexibility from employees, 50 per cent of leaders said they plan to fully return to in-person working in 2022. As a result, 54 per cent of managers feel that leadership is “out of touch” with employee expectations and 74 per cent do not feel that they are able to implement change for their teams. “These individuals are closest to employees and have the greatest visibility into problems and solutions,” said Spataro. “But all that insight doesn’t add up to much if managers aren’t able to act.” 3Leaders need to rethink the role of the office Many employees (38 per cent) do not know when and why to come into the office, but only 28 per cent of business leaders have outlined agreements for hybrid work. Nearly half (43 per cent) of remote workers do not feel included in meetings, but only 27 per cent of bosses say they have developed hybrid meeting etiquette to improve inclusion and engagement. Spataro said: “It’s time to adopt a degree of intentionality around the who, where and why of in-person gatherings.” 4Flexible work does not need to cross boundaries According to the research, meetings and chats are on the rise and are sometimes happening outside traditional working hours, with afterhours and weekend work growing by 28 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. While people should feel empowered Businesses must do more to realise effective hybrid work, finds Microsoft The 2022 Work Trend Index fromMicrosoft has revealed that employers are not meeting their employees’ expectations, and a lack of structure could be impacting personal lives
19 to work in ways that are best for them, Spataro warns that employers should set boundaries, as this rate of growth may be unsustainable and impact employees’ personal lives. 5 Businesses must help employees cultivate social relationships This year’s report echoes the findings of the 2021 Work Trend Index in that teams continue to be more siloed. Despite 58 per cent of hybrid workers reporting that they have maintained their social bonds, only half of remote workers say they have a thriving relationship with their direct teammates. Microsoft has launched several new features to combat some of these findings and help businesses improve hybrid working environments for their employees. These include Outlook RSVP, which enables users to indicate whether they will attend a meeting in person or remotely; Surface Hub 2 Smart Camera, with artificial intelligence to provide automatic framing, a wide field of view and image optimisation; and PowerPoint Recording Studio, which enables presenters to record themselves delivering presentations and share with colleagues to watch in their own time. Also new is Viva Inspiration Library – a Microsoft Viva Insights resource that provides thought leadership and best practices from Microsoft and other experts. “The shift to a hybrid workplace doesn’t start with new technology or corporate policies,” said Spataro. “It begins with culture – one that embraces a growth mindset, a willingness to reimagine nearly every aspect of the way work gets done. Every employee will need to develop new skills to adapt to this new way of working, and with the right support and tools, hybrid work can unlock potential for a workplace that works for everyone.”
20 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Cloud solution provider Synergy Technical is helping companies achieve both business and sustainability goals with their Windows 365 + Surface Go QuickStart Engagement, available to all Microsoft customers. In this engagement, Synergy Technical works with customers to review their readiness to pilot Windows 365. “Our customers have been focused on implementing sustainability initiatives by using a predominantly ‘cloud-first’ strategy for several years,” said Rohana Meade, president and CEO of Synergy Technical. “We knew we could help companies further drive those initiatives by embracing virtual desktop solutions like Windows 365.” Synergy Technical drives green initiatives with Windows 365 Omnichannel dialogue management and cloud contact centre provider Anywhere365 launched the new Anywhere365 Partnership Program on 4 April. It has been designed to provide partners with all the information and tools they need to successfully sell, implement and support Anywhere365’s solutions for enterprises worldwide. The programme is open to Microsoft Modern Workplace partners that have a Teams focus, as well as enterprise communication service providers with technical help desk infrastructure. Anywhere365 launches new Partnership Program DID YOU KNOW? According to Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trend Index, only 27 per cent of business leaders have developed hybrid meeting etiquette to improve inclusion and engagement
21 Microsoft is delivering new healthcare cloud and data capabilities, with the launch of Azure Health Data Services and additional features in the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare. Azure Health Data Services helps organisations protect health information and brings together data sets – like clinical, imaging and streaming data from medical devices – in the cloud. Microsoft has also updated the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare with new features to transform the healthcare journey, give full visibility into data, reduce provider administrative burden and increase workflow automation. These include new features in Microsoft Teams for virtual appointments, enhanced clinical workflow integrations in Teams and enhancements to Azure Health Bot templates. Also new is a preview of the new Patient Insights capability, which enables care managers, patient representatives and others to deliver and capture useful patient insights. The new releases build on Microsoft’s recent activities in the industry, including its acquisition of ambient and AI specialist Nuance Communications. Microsoft delivers new healthcare solutions and experiences New Zealand supermarket chain Countdown has chosen Optimizely’s Full Stack solution to power and scale its experimentation programme for improvements to its website and app experiences. The supermarket, which has 180 stores across the country, is aiming to improve its platforms to manage increasing demand. Full Stack offers omnichannel experimentation with real-time results for the rapid deployment of new products and features. Feature management capabilities allow for quick component swaps, traffic splitting and feature flags. The solution is also able to integrate with other services. Countdown uses Optimizely to power experimentation Photo: Unsplash/Eduardo Soares
22 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH New Jabra research has found that those using professional audio devices experience fewer issues in virtual meetings on unified communications platforms, when compared to users of built-in or consumer audio devices. Most notably, they had less trouble hearing what’s being said than those using consumer devices, where almost 40 per cent reported audio issues. Additionally, professional device users were 10 per cent less likely than consumer device users to report feeling left out of the conversation. “In a hybrid-working world, getting the right devices for professional environments will truly make or break the virtual meeting experience,” said Nigel Dunn, managing director of EMEA North at Jabra. Professional audio improves meeting inclusion, finds Jabra K3 recently announced the acquisition of ViJi, a software developer that has developed a suite of products focused on sustainability. ViJi’s products enable brands to trace and authenticate the environmental and social credentials of their supply chains with ease. This includes the collection, verification and renewal of supplier certifications. “ViJi is highly complementary to K3, adding strategically important intellectual property and domain knowledge as we focus on the high-growth fashion and apparel sector and help to transform retail for good,” said Marco Vergani, CEO of K3. “We are very pleased to welcome the ViJi team to K3.” K3 acquires ViJi for greater supply chain traceability
23 Diehl Metering delivers newManufacturing Data Platform Utilities solution provider Diehl Metering has launched its new Manufacturing Data Platform based on Microsoft Azure Analytics services. The platform collects data from manufacturing execution systems, field control software and sensors from all production sites of Diehl Metering worldwide. Through the flexible scaling of the different Azure services, the platform allows end users to analyse and apply machine learning algorithms to large data sets to optimise production processes by reducing downtimes and increasing efficiency. According to Diehl Metering, the platform is a central building block to enhance the industrial internet of things manufacturing system landscape and enable an end-to-end view of the metering production process. Diebold Nixdorf launches Vynamic Retail Platform Financial and retail technology firm Diebold Nixdorf has launched the Vynamic Retail Platform, which provides retailers of groceries, fashion, fuel and convenience with the functionality and flexibility to address rapidly shifting customer needs. The modular platform is based on a cloudnative architecture and application programming interface-led approach. According to Diebold Nixdorf, this ensures that the platform is more scalable, flexible and integrative than other available platforms. Each module can be hosted using Microsoft Azure or run in the store through embedded Edge technology, while microservices make it highly scalable and adaptable, and frequent updates optimise service availability. Hospitality solutions provider Ireckonu has added new enhancements to its IKnowU hospitality platform to give hoteliers an improved way of understanding and engaging customers at every point in the guest journey. The new features empower teams across the hotel, including marketing, acquisition, booking, personalisation and retention. “Our enhanced offering is the first one-stop shop for hoteliers looking to reimagine and centralise the way they engage with each their guests, regardless of market segment,” said Chi Chan, chief commercial officer at Ireckonu. Ireckonu redefines guest engagement with hospitality platform
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25 Audio and video solutions provider EPOS has launched the new EXPAND Capture 5. The intelligent Microsoft Teams Rooms speaker features a seven-beamforming microphone array, Cortana voice assistant, and advanced voice recognition and transcription capabilities to provide a more inclusive meeting experience. EPOS launches EXPAND Capture 5 intelligent speaker MAR K E TWATCH Open Systems commissioned research from Forrester Consulting to identify the cost, benefit, flexibility and risk factors associated with making decisions related to cybersecurity. Forrester evaluated the impact that Open Systems’ managed detection and response (MDR) service can have on an organisation, by interviewing the firm’s customers. Forrester found that these customers turned to Open Systems because other providers had lacked the expertise and resources needed to complete their goals, such as optimising Microsoft Azure investments. It also found quantifiable benefits of using Open Systems’ MDR service, including 174 per cent return on investment after three years, payback in less than six months and $2.53 million net present value over three years. Businesses optimise Azure investments with Open Systems
26 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Finastra launches fourth global hackathon Building on the success of its previous events – which aimed to redefine finance for good and build an unbiased fintech future – Finastra launched its fourth global hackathon on International Women’s Day, with a goal of inspiring the fintech space to be more inclusive. The hackathon encourages engagement beyond the global fintech ecosystem with a focus on financial sustainability, inclusion and empowerment. Participants are invited to submit projects under three key themes: sustainable and inclusive finance, embedded finance, and decentralised finance. Finastra is making its open application programming interfaces available via its FusionFabric.cloud development platform. Partners supporting include Lloyds Banking Group and Microsoft. International facilities management group OCS has strengthened its long-standing relationship with Gamma to drive business efficiency and sustainability changes. The move includes the supply of 3,800 new mobile phones on the Gamma Mobile service. Gamma will also begin a gradual migration of OCS’s fixed network infrastructure from multiprotocol label switching to direct internet, simultaneously managing a broadened migration of hosted telephony to Microsoft Teams. The change will also bring environmental benefits. OCS has declared its commitment to a net zero carbon footprint by 2040, at the same time driving sustainability changes across the business. “Decommissioning network infrastructure is an important step in that direction,” said Alec Campbell, head of IT procurement at OCS. Gamma helps OCS drive sustainability goals ICONICS’ solution for Enova, a financial technology company, was listed as an energy conscientious and highly innovative role model for its comprehensive portfolio of customers in Microsoft’s 2021 Environmental Sustainability Report. Enova adopted a business model that included ICONICS automation software and other tools supported by Azure cloud services and more than 320 fault and enterprise content management rules. The company deployed the ICONICS platform across 28 sites resulting in an additional two per cent energy saving and a 17-25 per cent increase in staff efficiency. ICONICS’ automation software improves efficiency for Enova
27 SearchUnify, a unified cognitive platform by Grazitti Interactive, has launched Mamba ‘22. The release is intended to amplify customer support and provide self-service capabilities, featuring a range of enhancements for connectivity, efficiency and security quotients. Mamba ’22 empowers support and self-service teams to realise the potential of artificial intelligence with a host of new features like pre-emptive escalation modelling and content annotation. The release also simplifies remote collaboration and has added native connectivity for three new content sources including Microsoft Teams, RSS feed and Seismic. SearchUnify launches Mamba ‘22 Hitachi Kokusai Electric prevents aeroplane crashes with Ansys Cloud Eurotech and WaterView join forces to combat effects of climate change Eurotech, which provides internet of things in mission-critical applications, and WaterView, a company specialised in computer vision and artificial intelligence for meteorology, hydrology and environmental modelling, have signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership to enable real-time weather condition monitoring applications. The partnership between the two Italian companies will help to evaluate and prevent the effects of extreme weather events and natural disasters through artificial intelligence solutions that can be deployed on existing Edge devices in minutes. To prevent aeroplane crashes caused by objects on runways, Hitachi Kokusai Electric has participated in a government project to develop millimetre-wave radars for detecting foreign objects on runways, using Ansys HFSS and Ansys Cloud. High-frequency simulation software (HFSS) provides multiple solutions for a range of analyses in an integrated user interface. Ansys Cloud was able to simulate the model in 10 hours on a virtual machine of Microsoft Azure with Intel processor cores, compared to 8.5 days for an on-premises solution. Basic performance of the foreign object detection (FOD) radar has now been confirmed in the demonstration system installed at Narita International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
28 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Metrikus helps Manchester university improve energy usage Building efficiency software firmMetrikus helped Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in the UK to understand and optimise energy use in its new Business School. Metrikus deployed sensors and overlaid the occupancy data with energy use, enabling MMU to compare the two metrics. As a result, MMU was able to reduce operational hours depending on which areas of the building were occupied and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
29 Sopheon continues to expand its list of global customers, with Synthos Group – a leading manufacturer of synthetic rubber – having deployed the firm’s Accolade innovation system in one of its production plants. Additional customer wins in recent months include 3M, which is using Accolade for new product development throughout its global enterprise; LG CNS, which is using the innovation management platform to digitise and streamline processes across product development and release; and Nobian, a chemical production company, which chose Sopheon to simplify and coordinate its innovation management processes. Sopheon expands list of global customers Barracuda Networks adds three new regional data centres Barracuda Networks, a provider of cloud security solutions, has established three new regional data centres in France, the United Arab Emirates, and India for its Cloud-to-Cloud Backup solution to meet growing demand for data protection services in these regions. The solution delivers a rapid search and restore experience for Office 365 data, including Teams, Exchange Online, SharePoint and OneDrive. Barracuda now offers data centres in 10 different regions, with back-up data stored locally within each region for customers operating in regulated industries or within data protection laws. JourneyTEAM, a technology firm that specialises in Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, has successfully guided financial service and healthcare clients through many mergers and acquisitions. The business technology consulting firm has a proven process to navigate these highly technical projects and a framework to ensure structural security and end-user adoption, setting its clients up for success for years to come. “We take the worry out of the details, and position companies up for success as one combined entity,” said Landon Boogaard, vice president of sales at JourneyTEAM. JourneyTEAM helps clients through mergers and acquisitions
30 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Mandarine Academy launches digital training certification Adyen has launched mobile Android point of sale (POS) terminals in the EU, UK, and USA. These devices represent a fundamental change in the role of the payment terminal, functioning as an all-in-one solution, eliminating the need for separate cash registers, barcode scanners and customer-facing displays. The terminals also come with an application management system, allowing merchants to upload and manage everyday apps for inventory management, loyalty programmes, returns and more. According to Adyen, the launch of these multi-purpose terminals reduces the cost of retail hardware and helps businesses to improve in-person customer experiences. With a growing need to help employees learn and improve their digital skills in order to thrive in the modern workplace, education technology firm Mandarine Academy has developed a certification system to support learners. Through the programme – called Test Online Mandarine Academy – the organisation aims to help learners verify their knowledge through a quiz-style exam, with the final certificate being valid for two years following completion. The first certification programme will focus on hybrid working and Microsoft Teams. Adyen launches mobile POS terminals
31 Skkynet has released new enhancements to its DataHub real-time middleware for secure industrial data communications. With the DataHub program, users can now log data to real-time historians from InfluxData, Amazon, AVEVA, OSISoft, and data lakes. The latest DataHub technology also powers the new Skkynet DataHub service for Azure, giving customers a secure, robust data conduit from any process in their industrial facility to virtually any application running on Azure. “This latest release of DataHub is redefining industrial internet of things,” said Paul Thomas, president of Skkynet. “Users can now collect historical and alarm data directly from in-plant systems and securely pass it over the internet to central offices and the cloud.” Skkynet updates DataHub with new enhancements Microsoft to relaunch partner network as new Cloud Partner Program Myriad Technologies uses Nintex solution for military intelligence Microsoft will relaunch its partner network as the new Cloud Partner Program from October 2022, with the aim of better reflecting the transition of business operations to the cloud, and how Microsoft intends to support partners. The relaunch is designed for all Microsoft partners involved in building and selling services, software or devices. Before it comes into effect in October, there will be no impact to partners’ business or programme status and no reduction in benefits. Microsoft has said that it is investing more in its benefits programme to “ensure that every partner has a chance to participate in the opportunity to grow and accelerate”. Australian Nintex partner Myriad Technologies is transforming operational intelligence capabilities for militaries with the power and security of Nintex Workflows and Forms. The business incorporated the Nintex solution into its Secure Search and Information Exchange platform to effectively transform operations capabilities. This fully digital and secure solution leverages military logic and translates it into digital workflows and forms powered by Nintex that control how information and intelligence moves from person-toperson across a network, ensuring military service personnel have access to mission-critical information from anywhere, thereby supporting military activities in Australia and driving innovation in the way defence operates on a global scale.
32 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Howden to relaunch remote assistance augmented reality services Engineering technology manufacturer Howden is relaunching its remote assistance augmented reality (AR) services in 2022 and expanding them to include a new Virtual Expert tool, which will connect customers to Howden experts anywhere in the world. The company uses Microsoft Dynamics 365 and PTC’s Vuforia Chalk software – which combines AR with real-time communications to connect remote product experts to on-site field technicians – to offer flexible solutions to suit individual customers’ needs. “Howden is fully committed to AR technologies because it allows us to get the right person for the job, not just the closest,” said Eleanor Smith, product manager of augmented reality at Howden. “We hope the relaunch of our AR service will signal a new era of digitally assisted maintenance in the world of rotating equipment.” Experian’s phone validation solution now uniquely identifies disposable mobile numbers globally. As well as validating the number, businesses can identify and choose to reject disposable or temporary numbers provided by potential customers at the point of data capture across all applications or as part of existing customers records. The feature will be available for Microsoft Dynamics 365 integration in June 2022. A disposable phone number is a digital version of a ‘burner phone’ that can be temporarily used during checkout or account sign-up to avoid providing a legitimate phone number. By ensuring that contact details are accurate, reachable and not disposable, the new exclusive capability is designed to help businesses prevent fraud and remain compliant without causing disruption. Experian launches disposable phone number identification Infosys has launched a new solution to help brands understand customer sentiment and establish a strong brand connection among target consumers. The service – called Social Care – uses the Microsoft Business Applications suite to monitor customers’ social media interactions with brands, enabling businesses to capitalise on positive feedback, and address any negative feedback and preempt potential issues. The solution helps brands attract customers as they increasingly adopt social channels. Infosys launches Social Care solution
33 Unified communications and electronics firm Crestron has launched the Crestron Next Road Trip to showcase its latest workplace technologies via a mobile experience centre. The tour will make 38 stops in 19 countries, and started in Brussels, Belgium, on 14 March 2022. The road trip is being hosted in partnership with technology providers Microsoft, Netgear, Zoom, Intel, Philips, Shure, Appspace and Ashton Bentley to demonstrate Crestron’s solutions to new and existing customers. These will include technologies for the hybrid workplace, education and government, such as Crestron Flex video conferencing, room scheduling solutions and collaboration technology. “Ever since we started discussing the Crestron Next Road Trip Europe with partners and customers, we’ve heard nothing but positive feedback,” said Annelies Kampert, vice president and general manager at Crestron Europe. “This road trip gives people the chance to touch and experience the ecosystem we created together with our partners.” By registering for the Crestron Next Road Trip Europe, attendees can interact with the firm’s products and learn from local representatives at more easily accessible locations. According to Crestron, the experience will prioritise attendee’s safety while providing expert information and hands-on demonstrations. The mobile experience centre will also showcase Crestron’s joint solutions with professional audio solution provider Jabra, including the Jabra Panacast 50 intelligent video bar which provides high-quality videoconferencing capabilities. One such capability aims to use the Panacast 50’s built-in artificial intelligence alongside the Crestron Flex platform to identify participants and create individual video streams for each, delivering new viewing opportunities such as Front Row in Microsoft Teams. “We were looking for a pure USB soundbar that could be attached to our Flex platform and hardware, and Jabra was a perfect choice,” said Stijn Ooms, director of technology at Crestron. “There’s a wonderful alignment between Jabra and Crestron; since we work in slightly different areas there is a synergy that enables us to simply help each other.” Register at: www.crestron.com/nexteurope Crestron demonstrates technology in European road trip
Visit www.synergy-technical.com/w365 or email windows365@synergy-technical.com to learn more. The Microsoft Cloud (PC) for Sustainability Windows 365 is a cloud service that combines the power and security of the cloud with the versatility and simplicity of the PC. It o ers comprehensive, integrated, and automated insights designed to help companies like yours streamline activity to achieve both your business and sustainability initiatives. Windows 365 Proof of Concept Windows 365 Readiness Assessment • Solution overview • Readiness Assessment report & pilot rollout plan • Free trial licensing • Baseline configuration & deployment • Administrative & end-user training Our Windows 365 o ers include: Experience Windows 365
35 MAR K E TWATCH 16-19 May 2022 | Amsterdam RAI, The Netherlands AVEVA PI World conference is set to invite industry leaders to share how data and artificial intelligence (AI) insights can power innovation and define new standards of agility, resilience and sustainability. Peter Herweck, CEO of AVEVA, will discuss the power of industrial data, sector-specific AI and the cloud in generating company value, during his keynote. Attendees will also hear from The Wellcome Institute’s Dr Catherine Green, who co-led the development of the University of Oxford’s vaccine for Covid-19, as well as speakers from Kellogg’s, Cognizant and Microsoft. Find out more at: https://bit.ly/3JWsjtV AVEVA PI World 2022 Nintex ProcessFest 2022 On-demand experience On 1 March, Nintex hosted a virtual event, ProcessFest, giving attendees the opportunity to hear inspiring success stories from its customers, learn about its latest product innovations and gain valuable insights to inspire digital transformation. The event ran for 24 hours to ensure attendance for business decision-makers worldwide and is available to view as an ondemand experience. As such, participants can continue to hear from product leaders and experts as they discuss the latest enhancements and features, alongside the best practices for managing and automating processes with Nintex. Attendees can also learn more about how international organisations are using Nintex Workflow Cloud. European Power Platform Conference: a power-up for business 6-8 April 2022 Berlin, Germany IOTSWC 2022: a focus on game-changing technologies 10-12 May 2022 Barcelona, Spain IRX: connecting professionals in the internet retail industry 11-12 May 2022 Birmingham, UK ARC Industry Forum: accelerating digital transformation and sustainability 6-9 June 2022 Hybrid event EuroCIS: the digital future of retail 31 May-2 June 2022 Düsseldorf, Germany DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
36 www. t e c h n o l o g y r e c o r d . c om MAR K E TWATCH Hosted by Deutsche Messe, Hannover Messe 2022 will take place between 30 May and 2 June 2022 at the Hanover Fairground in Hanover, Germany. The event will focus on digitalisation and sustainability, covering how the technology industry is approaching production and protecting the environment. Delegates from the electrical and digital industry will be able to share insights, network and learn about the latest trends and innovations in automation, digitalisation, electrification and energy efficiency. Conferences and forums will be focused on the lead theme of ‘Industrial Transformation’ and explore topics including digital platforms, Industry 4.0, IT security, carbon dioxide-neutral production, artificial intelligence, machine learning, circular economy and lightweight construction. Hannover Messe will also provide guided tours for guests which will demonstrate new products and solutions. Tours will be made available based on attendees’ technological backgrounds and what they wish to learn. For example, tours are specifically designed for automation experts, machine manufacturers, energy managers and engineers, and more. Speakers at the opening ceremony on 29 May include Belit Onay, mayor and CEO of the City of Hannover; Karl Haeusgen, president of the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association; António Costa, prime minister of the Portuguese Republic; and Olaf Scholz, chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. More than 1,000 exhibitors from companies such as Microsoft, SAP, Schnieder Electric and Siemens are expected to attend. The event will also take place virtually, providing further hybrid opportunities for those unable to attend in person. Hannover Messe: the latest in digitalisation and sustainability Attendees from around the world are invited to explore innovations in automation, digitalisation, electrification and energy efficiency EVENT PREVIEW 30 May-2 June 2022 | Hanover, Germany
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