Category: Technology

Prime Focus Tech gets funding from PE firm Ambit Pragma

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) – the technology offshoot of media services company Prime Focus – informed the Bombay stock exchange today that it had received its first round of funding from growth capital private equity fund Ambit Pragma.

The amount or how much was being divested in favour of Ambit Pragma was not disclosed by PFT .

It, however, elaborated that it proposes to use the investment for intensifying its development efforts of the software as a service (SaaS) products including its CLEAR Media ERPand gaining deeper penetration and growth in strategic markets such as North America and EMEA with increased sales and marketing efforts.

PFT’s flagship product CLEAR Media ERP is targeted at M&E companies who increasingly adopt technology to tap the digital consumer landscape while enhancing efficiencies and lowering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

CLEAR is the world’s first and most proven cloud based Media ERP Suite that virtualizes the content supply chain and builds a connected enterprise for M&E companies.

PFT works with more than 300 clients in India and is the chosen technology partner for more than 100 clients globally including various leading broadcasters, studios, brands, sports and digital organizations.

PFT’s award winning CLEAR Media ERP suite and Cloud Media Services have been successfully deployed for the last eight years in global M&E companies such as 21st Century Fox-owned Star India, Novi Digital, Hotstar, Miramax, Disney, Warner Bros, Global Eagle Entertainment, Cricket Australia, CBS Television Studios, 20th Century Fox Television Studios, FX Networks, Crown Media Holdings, Legendary Pictures, Starz Media, Lionsgate, A+E Networks, HBO, Mnet, CNBC Africa, SABC, IFC Films, HOOQ, Sony Music, Voot, Hearst Television, Showtime, BCCI, Indian Premier League and The Associated Press,among others.

“Media ERP adoption in the global M&E industry has been growing steadily. With flat revenues and shrinking margins in traditional media, content enterprises especially broadcasters and studios have a tough time finding resources to invest in new monetization opportunities. M&E companies have to completely rethink technology investments and rejig their business model to survive in the new digital reality,” says PFT founder & CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

The investment by Ambit Pragma istremendous market validation of the business opportunity we serve and offers us growth capital to execute on our strategy for global leadership in the Media ERP space. We are delighted to have a like-minded partner in Ambit Pragma who appreciates the realities and opportunities within the M&E industry.”

Adds Ambit Pragma CEO Rajeev Agrawal: “PFT is a global pioneer addressing the challenge s content enterprises are facing in this hyper digital market through their cutting-edge technology. The architectural road map of the product, its multiple use cases and their management’s thought leadership, represent a compelling opportunity for us to make the investment.”

August 31, 2016
Three new products developed by C-DOT launched on its Foundation Day

NEW DELHI: Communications Minister Manoj Sinha today expressed the hope that 100,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) will be connected through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) by March next to set up a network infrastructure to serve the rural masses.

Delivering the key-note address here at the C-DOT Foundation Day, he said everyone was working with zeal to achieve the target of connecting 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats with Broadband Network within the stipulated timeframe which is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sinha praised C-DOT for launching 18 products and 56 technology transfers, which he said should be taken to Century and also lauded the role of C-DOT for its stellar role in providing security solutions including cyber related.

Stressing the need for innovation as India cannot afford to emulate the Developed Economies due to limited resources, he urged C-DOT to find new invention, new research and new technology and to give World Class products for achieving the vision of Transforming India through Digital Revolution.

Sinha said if India lags in catching up with emerging technologies in the coming 15 to 20 years, the very existence of the country will be at stake. He exhorted officials and other stakeholders to “Walk the Talk” and underlined that it is our bounden duty to digitally empower the huge chunk of population particularly in rural areas who are still deprived of IT revolution. He added that Digital divide should end as fast as possible.

Telecom Secretary J.S.Deepak said as India is on the verge of Data Revolution, the future of C-DOT is very bright as it is involved in making multi-terabit router, providing smart city solutions and security solutions to the Defence and Civil sectors. He urged C-DOT to partner with PSUs and dream big to make India truly a Digital India.

The Minister also launched three new Products developed by C-DOT on the occasion- WDM PON (WDAN) and Samvad App.

August 30, 2016
Three new products developed by C-DOT launched on its Foundation Day

NEW DELHI: Communications Minister Manoj Sinha today expressed the hope that 100,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) will be connected through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) by March next to set up a network infrastructure to serve the rural masses.

Delivering the key-note address here at the C-DOT Foundation Day, he said everyone was working with zeal to achieve the target of connecting 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats with Broadband Network within the stipulated timeframe which is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sinha praised C-DOT for launching 18 products and 56 technology transfers, which he said should be taken to Century and also lauded the role of C-DOT for its stellar role in providing security solutions including cyber related.

Stressing the need for innovation as India cannot afford to emulate the Developed Economies due to limited resources, he urged C-DOT to find new invention, new research and new technology and to give World Class products for achieving the vision of Transforming India through Digital Revolution.

Sinha said if India lags in catching up with emerging technologies in the coming 15 to 20 years, the very existence of the country will be at stake. He exhorted officials and other stakeholders to “Walk the Talk” and underlined that it is our bounden duty to digitally empower the huge chunk of population particularly in rural areas who are still deprived of IT revolution. He added that Digital divide should end as fast as possible.

Telecom Secretary J.S.Deepak said as India is on the verge of Data Revolution, the future of C-DOT is very bright as it is involved in making multi-terabit router, providing smart city solutions and security solutions to the Defence and Civil sectors. He urged C-DOT to partner with PSUs and dream big to make India truly a Digital India.

The Minister also launched three new Products developed by C-DOT on the occasion- WDM PON (WDAN) and Samvad App.

August 30, 2016
Genpact and BITS partner to build talent in the field of analytics

NEW DELHI: Genpact (NYSE: G), a global leader in digitally-powered business process management and services, today announced a partnership with premier technical education university Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) for offering training programs in the field of analytics.

“The emergence of big data, regulatory changes and social media are causing a big shift in the way businesses operate. This partnership is yet another step towards providing learning opportunities in the analytics domain,”said Sidhartha Shishoo, Vice President and People Function leader, Analytics and Research, Genpact.

As part of the collaborative arrangement, BITS will design and operate world-class educational programs for Genpact. These programs will lead to specific degrees awarded jointly by Genpact and BITS through its Work Integrated Learning Programs and will be equivalent to the corresponding degrees awarded by BITS.

Leveraging Genpact’s broad suite of analytics solutions and rich experience of serving multiple industries globally, the customized proprietary training programs will enable employees to get a better understanding of the tools and techniques, synergize theory with practice on a sustained basis, and learn about the latest business applications and industry trends.

“This will help young professionals build a deeper appreciation of analytical tools and their application in an increasingly data-driven and technologically connected world,” said Sudhanshu Singh, SVP and COO, Analytics and Research, Genpact.

Students from BITS receive opportunities for long-term internships at various Genpact offices every year. Further strengthening the ties, Genpact will extend support in planning, organizing and implementing the Practice School program of BITS, which allows its students to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to the real-work environment at Genpact under the supervision of BITS faculty.

“This collaboration will open new vistas of industry relevant continuing education for employees of Genpact and also provide rich experiential learning opportunities to the BITS students,” said Professor G. Sundar, Director Off-Campus Programs and Industry Engagement, BITS.

In addition to this, Genpact and BITS intend to build a broader learning platform for analytics, which includes capability development and innovation in the analytics domain as well as incubation of new ideas and joint research for a larger ecosystem around data-enabled decision-making.

August 23, 2016
Genpact and BITS partner to build talent in the field of analytics

NEW DELHI: Genpact (NYSE: G), a global leader in digitally-powered business process management and services, today announced a partnership with premier technical education university Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) for offering training programs in the field of analytics.

“The emergence of big data, regulatory changes and social media are causing a big shift in the way businesses operate. This partnership is yet another step towards providing learning opportunities in the analytics domain,”said Sidhartha Shishoo, Vice President and People Function leader, Analytics and Research, Genpact.

As part of the collaborative arrangement, BITS will design and operate world-class educational programs for Genpact. These programs will lead to specific degrees awarded jointly by Genpact and BITS through its Work Integrated Learning Programs and will be equivalent to the corresponding degrees awarded by BITS.

Leveraging Genpact’s broad suite of analytics solutions and rich experience of serving multiple industries globally, the customized proprietary training programs will enable employees to get a better understanding of the tools and techniques, synergize theory with practice on a sustained basis, and learn about the latest business applications and industry trends.

“This will help young professionals build a deeper appreciation of analytical tools and their application in an increasingly data-driven and technologically connected world,” said Sudhanshu Singh, SVP and COO, Analytics and Research, Genpact.

Students from BITS receive opportunities for long-term internships at various Genpact offices every year. Further strengthening the ties, Genpact will extend support in planning, organizing and implementing the Practice School program of BITS, which allows its students to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to the real-work environment at Genpact under the supervision of BITS faculty.

“This collaboration will open new vistas of industry relevant continuing education for employees of Genpact and also provide rich experiential learning opportunities to the BITS students,” said Professor G. Sundar, Director Off-Campus Programs and Industry Engagement, BITS.

In addition to this, Genpact and BITS intend to build a broader learning platform for analytics, which includes capability development and innovation in the analytics domain as well as incubation of new ideas and joint research for a larger ecosystem around data-enabled decision-making.

August 23, 2016
CleverTap & Mobile Growth Academy join hands to help tech start-ups

MUMBAI: CleverTap, a mobile analytics and engagement announced its new startup marketing partnership with Mobile Growth Academy, an online education platform for startups featuring video tutorials, how-to guides, and step-by-step mobile growth hacking tips used by Silicon Valley’s leading apps.

The two companies have joined forces to produce a variety of events designed to provide startups with the best possible combination of mobile behavior analytics & engagement guidance and practical support through meet-ups, webinars, video tutorials to support startups from product launch to mobile growth phases.

“Life can feel very lonely when you leave a job in a large company to launch a startup. All of the business support and resources you’re used to aren’t available anymore,” said CleverTap head of business and developer relations Monica Puchner. “You have to find your own solutions for everything from venture capital to growth marketing. In today’s mobile app economy, there are very few companies actively focused on helping startups, but that’s exactly what CleverTap and Mobile Growth Academy’s partnership was established to do. ”

Adding to the challenge, all mobile startups operate under time pressure. Self-funded startups need to start generating cash as quickly as possible, while even well-funded ones can have alarming burn-rates as they seek to establish themselves. ‘Growth hacks’ – techniques designed to maximize the rate at which a startup grows – are the Holy Grail.

“Our video tutorials have helped over 4000 startups achieve success in the competitive mobile app marketplace,” said Mobile Growth Academy CEO Nagi Salloum. “but businesses need practical support as well as the best startup advice – that’s where CleverTap comes in. There are a number of companies that offer a suite of mobile marketing automation, live user segmentation, and CRM products, but most of them are price-prohibitive for startups. CleverTap matches the best feature-for-feature but offers pricing structures geared towards startups. ”

The new partnership is already producing several Mobile Growth Startup events this summer. You can register for the next webinar, Critical Steps to Explode Your Growth Like Silicon Valley’s Top Mobile Apps on August 3rd at http://themga.co/ct-webinar

August 3, 2016
CleverTap & Mobile Growth Academy join hands to help tech start-ups

MUMBAI: CleverTap, a mobile analytics and engagement announced its new startup marketing partnership with Mobile Growth Academy, an online education platform for startups featuring video tutorials, how-to guides, and step-by-step mobile growth hacking tips used by Silicon Valley’s leading apps.

The two companies have joined forces to produce a variety of events designed to provide startups with the best possible combination of mobile behavior analytics & engagement guidance and practical support through meet-ups, webinars, video tutorials to support startups from product launch to mobile growth phases.

“Life can feel very lonely when you leave a job in a large company to launch a startup. All of the business support and resources you’re used to aren’t available anymore,” said CleverTap head of business and developer relations Monica Puchner. “You have to find your own solutions for everything from venture capital to growth marketing. In today’s mobile app economy, there are very few companies actively focused on helping startups, but that’s exactly what CleverTap and Mobile Growth Academy’s partnership was established to do. ”

Adding to the challenge, all mobile startups operate under time pressure. Self-funded startups need to start generating cash as quickly as possible, while even well-funded ones can have alarming burn-rates as they seek to establish themselves. ‘Growth hacks’ – techniques designed to maximize the rate at which a startup grows – are the Holy Grail.

“Our video tutorials have helped over 4000 startups achieve success in the competitive mobile app marketplace,” said Mobile Growth Academy CEO Nagi Salloum. “but businesses need practical support as well as the best startup advice – that’s where CleverTap comes in. There are a number of companies that offer a suite of mobile marketing automation, live user segmentation, and CRM products, but most of them are price-prohibitive for startups. CleverTap matches the best feature-for-feature but offers pricing structures geared towards startups. ”

The new partnership is already producing several Mobile Growth Startup events this summer. You can register for the next webinar, Critical Steps to Explode Your Growth Like Silicon Valley’s Top Mobile Apps on August 3rd at http://themga.co/ct-webinar

August 3, 2016
TV Channel Ukraine expands live sports & news coverage with AVIWest gear

MUMBAI: AVIWest, a global provider of video contribution systems, today announced that TV Channel Ukraine has broadened its array of AVIWest digital mobile newsgathering (DMNG) equipment to enhance live sports and news coverage. Utilizing AVIWest’s StreamHub receiver, decoder, and distribution platform; DMNG PRO video uplink system; and DMNG Manager, the TV channel can transmit live SD and HD video over unmanaged networks, including bonded 4G/3G cellular, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet.

AVIWest’s equipment provides the TV channel with the highest level of reliability and mobility, guaranteeing signal strength and cost efficiencies for coverage of major events such as presidential and parliament elections, conflict in the eastern region, and the European football championships.

“TV Channel Ukraine broadcasts a variety of entertainment, educational, dramatic, as well as news programs such as Sobyitiya Nedeli and Sobyitiya, and popular sports programs Velikiy Futbol, Bonjour Euro, and Euro Rendez-Vous. Recently, the channel was looking to extend its newsgathering equipment fleet in order to cover more events,” said Roman Radchenko, head of the outside broadcasting division at TV Channel Ukraine. “We chose to enhance our existing AVIWest equipment in order to realize additional efficiency and flexibility. Featuring a lightweight, compact design, AVIWest’s newsgathering systems fit perfectly into our workflows, allowing us to deliver high-quality video content from any environment, whether small towns and cities in Ukraine or major hubs like Washington, D.C., Moscow, and Brussels, with both speed and reliability.”

The new equipment has been integrated with existing AVIWest systems, including DMNG PRO and DMNG StreamHub to maximize operational efficiency.

AVIWest’s DMNG StreamHub enables reception of multiple concurrent incoming streams from the DMNG PRO, DMNG RACK encoders, and DMNG APP smartphone applications (Android and iOS) as well as third-party IP streaming equipment. The DMNG StreamHub application features an intuitive Web user interface that enables easy control and management over a fleet of remote transmitters. With advanced features like video thumbnails, statistics, and dynamic bit rate and latency control, the DMNG StreamHub allows TV Channel Ukraine to optimize and monitor the video transmissions. Leveraging the platform’s four HD-SDI and 16 streaming outputs, TV Channel Ukraine can output up to 16 videos simultaneously.

TV Channel Ukraine is utilizing the DMNG PRO to stream live video down to the receiver with minimal delay. Featuring a compact, lightweight, and portable design, the DMNG PRO systems include multiple cellular connections, a built-in Wi-Fi modem, and best-in-class H.264 video encoders that speed up newsgathering operations while enabling seamless live news coverage.

TV Channel Ukraine is monitoring and managing the entire fleet of DMNG equipment using AVIWest’s DMNG Manager. The DMNG Manager provides a video thumbnail of each feed coming from the field units. When arranged in a grid-view, these thumbnails ease system resource allocation by helping TV Channel Ukraine route the video streams to one or multiple receiver outputs or CDNs, with simple drag and drop. The system’s statistics feature supplies the channel with essential information such as SIM card consumption and bandwidth statistics, further simplifying newsgathering operations.

“TV Channel Ukraine is one of the leading national television channels in the country, and we are thrilled to be their newsgathering choice for live news and events coverage,” said Florian Kolmer, sales and business development at AVIWest. “AVIWest DMNG systems enable TV Channel Ukraine to flawlessly transmit live video over any network from a variety of locations within the country, including Mariupol, Kramatorsk, Severodonetsk, Artemovsk, as well as around the world. With this expanded global reach, TV Channel Ukraine can provide viewers with a broader range of high-quality television content.”

July 20, 2016
TV Channel Ukraine expands live sports & news coverage with AVIWest gear

MUMBAI: AVIWest, a global provider of video contribution systems, today announced that TV Channel Ukraine has broadened its array of AVIWest digital mobile newsgathering (DMNG) equipment to enhance live sports and news coverage. Utilizing AVIWest’s StreamHub receiver, decoder, and distribution platform; DMNG PRO video uplink system; and DMNG Manager, the TV channel can transmit live SD and HD video over unmanaged networks, including bonded 4G/3G cellular, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet.

AVIWest’s equipment provides the TV channel with the highest level of reliability and mobility, guaranteeing signal strength and cost efficiencies for coverage of major events such as presidential and parliament elections, conflict in the eastern region, and the European football championships.

“TV Channel Ukraine broadcasts a variety of entertainment, educational, dramatic, as well as news programs such as Sobyitiya Nedeli and Sobyitiya, and popular sports programs Velikiy Futbol, Bonjour Euro, and Euro Rendez-Vous. Recently, the channel was looking to extend its newsgathering equipment fleet in order to cover more events,” said Roman Radchenko, head of the outside broadcasting division at TV Channel Ukraine. “We chose to enhance our existing AVIWest equipment in order to realize additional efficiency and flexibility. Featuring a lightweight, compact design, AVIWest’s newsgathering systems fit perfectly into our workflows, allowing us to deliver high-quality video content from any environment, whether small towns and cities in Ukraine or major hubs like Washington, D.C., Moscow, and Brussels, with both speed and reliability.”

The new equipment has been integrated with existing AVIWest systems, including DMNG PRO and DMNG StreamHub to maximize operational efficiency.

AVIWest’s DMNG StreamHub enables reception of multiple concurrent incoming streams from the DMNG PRO, DMNG RACK encoders, and DMNG APP smartphone applications (Android and iOS) as well as third-party IP streaming equipment. The DMNG StreamHub application features an intuitive Web user interface that enables easy control and management over a fleet of remote transmitters. With advanced features like video thumbnails, statistics, and dynamic bit rate and latency control, the DMNG StreamHub allows TV Channel Ukraine to optimize and monitor the video transmissions. Leveraging the platform’s four HD-SDI and 16 streaming outputs, TV Channel Ukraine can output up to 16 videos simultaneously.

TV Channel Ukraine is utilizing the DMNG PRO to stream live video down to the receiver with minimal delay. Featuring a compact, lightweight, and portable design, the DMNG PRO systems include multiple cellular connections, a built-in Wi-Fi modem, and best-in-class H.264 video encoders that speed up newsgathering operations while enabling seamless live news coverage.

TV Channel Ukraine is monitoring and managing the entire fleet of DMNG equipment using AVIWest’s DMNG Manager. The DMNG Manager provides a video thumbnail of each feed coming from the field units. When arranged in a grid-view, these thumbnails ease system resource allocation by helping TV Channel Ukraine route the video streams to one or multiple receiver outputs or CDNs, with simple drag and drop. The system’s statistics feature supplies the channel with essential information such as SIM card consumption and bandwidth statistics, further simplifying newsgathering operations.

“TV Channel Ukraine is one of the leading national television channels in the country, and we are thrilled to be their newsgathering choice for live news and events coverage,” said Florian Kolmer, sales and business development at AVIWest. “AVIWest DMNG systems enable TV Channel Ukraine to flawlessly transmit live video over any network from a variety of locations within the country, including Mariupol, Kramatorsk, Severodonetsk, Artemovsk, as well as around the world. With this expanded global reach, TV Channel Ukraine can provide viewers with a broader range of high-quality television content.”

July 20, 2016
PC-TV interface maker DekTec appoints Bernie Rietkerken as sales & marketing director

MUMBAI: As part of DekTec’s expansion program for its growing range of OEM and test and measurement products, the company today announced the appointment of Bernie Rietkerken to the position of director of sales and marketing. In his new role, Rietkerken will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining DekTec’s worldwide distributor network, developing OEM sales, and contributing to the company’s overall marketing and sales strategy. He will take over these duties for vice president of sales Nilesh Mandalia, who will now focus on expanding the company’s United Kingdom branch.

Rietkerken brings 20 years of experience in the digital video domain to DekTec. He began his career at Philips Digital Video Systems, where he started as a systems architect before moving into product management and sales roles. Previously, he has also held management roles at Teleste and Irdeto. He comes to DekTec from SeaChange International, where he was responsible for sales and account management in Benelux, the Nordic region, the Baltics, and Ireland.

“With his proven track record in sales and project delivery at some of the main players in the industry, along with a deep understanding of broadcast technology, Bernie is an ideal addition to our management team,” said Sito Dekker, CEO of DekTec. “We look forward to leveraging his expertise and international experience as DekTec continues to grow in areas like enabling PCs in video-over-IP solutions.”

“Having seen DekTec grow into an established worldwide supplier to the digital video industry, it’s exciting to be joining the team as it strives to improve customer satisfaction, expand the company’s market presence, and increase sales volume,” said Rietkerken. “I look forward to leading DekTec’s sales and marketing efforts and working closely with its existing distributors and sales teams in the United States and the UK.”

Rietkerken is located in Hilversum, the Netherlands, and reports to Sito Dekker.

July 19, 2016