Category: Software

  • ONDC launches the “ONDC Guide app” as a go-to resource for the ONDC user community

    ONDC launches the “ONDC Guide app” as a go-to resource for the ONDC user community

    Mumbai: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, recently announced the launch of the ONDC Official Guide App, a significant milestone in its commitment to help and support the user community like Sellers, Buyers, Logistics Providers and the Network Participants. The guide is available for download from the Google Play Store with language support in English, Hindi and ten other Indian languages.

    The ONDC Official Guide App is a vital tool, to help the user base to participate in the  ONDC ecosystem effectively. Designed as a go-to resource, its key features include:

    1.   Authenticated Information: The app offers verified and validated information, ensuring users have a reliable source of knowledge about the ONDC ecosystem.

    2.   Ecosystem Insights: Users can gain valuable insights into ONDC’s core principles, functionality, and benefits. This includes detailed explanations of the Network’s operations, key features, and the value it brings to various stakeholders.

    3.   Latest Updates: The app keeps users informed about the latest developments, news, and announcements related to ONDC, ensuring they are always up-to-date with changes and improvements within the ecosystem.

    4.   Interactive Features: Users can engage with the app through interactive elements such as videos, infographics, and FAQs, making it an engaging and informative resource.

    The Guide App has been launched after successful development and rigorous testing to ensure functionality and compliance with Google Play Store policies and guidelines.

    “We are thrilled to introduce the ONDC Official Guide App, designed to empower users for the ONDC ecosystem. It is an extension of our continued dedication to transparency and accessibility for all. We look forward to the app’s pickup on the Google Play Store and remain dedicated to continuously enhancing its functionality to provide ongoing value to our ecosystem.” said  ONDC MD and CEO T Koshy. 

  • kindlife revolutionises beauty and wellness with kiki.Ai

    kindlife revolutionises beauty and wellness with kiki.Ai

    Mumbai: kindlife, India’s fastest-growing beauty, nutrition and wellness platform, introduces its groundbreaking AI-powered tool kiki.Ai. With a mission to simplify knowledge on better living, kindlife is taking a giant leap forward in providing consumers with expert-recommended guidance like never before.

    Launched in December 2021, kindlife has experienced remarkable growth and is the go-to destination for young India seeking reliable and credible wellness information. The platform has over 750 brands, all of which are kindcode approved i.e. they are either plant-based, toxin-free, eco-conscious, and cruelty-free, and has over 1.5 million visitors every month. As the country’s fastest-growing platform for authentic, verified information on wellness, the brand recognises the ever-increasing need for simplifying and streamlining knowledge in this field.

    In a world inundated with information, it can be difficult for individuals to discern what truly benefits their health and happiness. kindlife is addressing this challenge head-on by harnessing the power of AI and technology with kiki.AI, a tool that places technology at the centre of its mission.

    Speaking at the launch, kindlife founder & CEO Radhika Ghai said, “85% of our audience are under the age of 35 and are adapting to a newer, kinder way of living. As a brand we understand that navigating through the limitless world of wellness can be an overwhelming task. This is why we developed kiki.Ai, an AI powered discovery tool to help our consumers find the right information that is expert verified. Whether the consumer is looking for products with a particular ingredient or a specific routine, kiki.Ai has got them covered on all things kind. We believe that kiki.AI will empower consumers to take control of their well-being and lead healthier, happier lives.”

    Kiki.Ai simplifies knowledge by organizing complex information into easily digestible insights ensuring that users receive expert advice and guidance tailored to their unique needs and preferences. It also provides expert recommendations using AI algorithms to curate content to make sure the consumers receive expert advice, guidance tailored to their unique needs and preferences, along with expert-verified product recommendations. Lastly it not only provides personalised information that evolves over time enhancing user experience but also presents consumers with verified information backed by verified data sources and expert insights.  

    With the launch of kiki.AI, kindlife reinforces its position as an industry leader, dedicated to promoting kindness towards oneself and the planet. With technology at the heart of the brand, kindlife through the launch of this innovative tool continues to empower its community to make conscious and informed choices.

    Consumers can embark on a journey towards a kinder and better lifestyle by visiting kiki.AI.

  • UNICEF, Ayushmann Khurrana and public-private-youth partners launch ‘YouthHub’ platform in India

    UNICEF, Ayushmann Khurrana and public-private-youth partners launch ‘YouthHub’ platform in India

    Mumbai:  UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell joined UNICEF India national ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana, government officials, the private sector and young people launched an innovative, digital YouthHub app to connect young people in India to future job opportunities, especially girls and marginalised youth.

    The platform, which functions as a digital ecosystem, was jointly launched by them along with Mr. Shombi Sharp (United Nations Resident Coordinator in India), Smt. Meeta Rajivlochan(Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports), Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey (Representative, UNICEF India), Mr. Ashwin Yardi (CEO, Capgemini India), Mr. Ranen Banerjee(Government Sector Leader, PwC India), Ms. Vandana Bahri(Head, Skills and Livelihood, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation – CIFF India), Ms. Dhuwarakha Sriram (Chief of YuWaah, Youth Development, and Partnerships at UNICEF),Mr. Abhishek Gupta (COO, YuWaah at UNICEF) and two young leaders – Ms. Zakira Ganji and Ms. Jagriti Pandey.

    The YouthHub – co-created by YuWaah at UNICEF, PwC India, Capgemini, and CIFF – aims to connect young people to curated jobs, skills, and volunteering opportunities, and enable access especially for girls and youth from marginalised backgrounds. In its first phase, which was launched on Tuesday, the YouthHubapp has become accessible to young individuals via the Google Playstore. Serving as a unified platform, it offers free access to aggregated job opportunities in nine Indian languages, simplifying the job search process for young people.

    Intersecting technology and innovation, the hub is a ‘one-stop’application that integrates diverse platforms, tools, and resources, which aggregates curated economic opportunities for young people. The launch of the YouthHub marks a significant step in convening public, private, and youth partners to foster a generation of informed and skilled young people who can transition well from learning to earning.

    Russell is visiting India this week to meet with government officials, members of the private sector as well as young people, children and some of India’s frontline community workers.

    Russell said, “Investing in children and youth is the best way to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and create a brighter future for generations to come. Collaborative initiatives such as this YouthHub are a good way to reduce inequalities and ensure that girls are included and have access to future job opportunities. We can create a lasting impact when young people are involved in decision-making and when their voices are heard.”

    Khurrana said, “Being a UNICEF India National Ambassador has allowed me to peek into the lives, dreams, and hurdles faced by the children and young people of our country. They are our future, and ensuring they have a fair shot at success is not just a choice, it’s our duty. YouthHub app byYuWaah at UNICEF and partners is like a script for success for every young person in India. It’s not just a platform; it’s a dream factory that opens up doors to economic, skilling, and volunteering opportunities. But it’s much more than that. It’s a symbol of hope and the belief that every youngster, no matter their gender or background, deserves a shot at greatness. And we begin with equal opportunities for all. That’s what theYouthHub app will extend to young people.”

  • Astrum’s study explores ‘Technology Reshaping Communicators?’

    Astrum’s study explores ‘Technology Reshaping Communicators?’

    Mumbai: Astrum, India’s first science-based specialist reputation advisory has unveiled a first-of-its-kind study in the Indian public relations industry titled “Technology Reshaping Communicators.” This study combines months of rigorous secondary research and views of a diverse panel of Indian and global thought leaders, representing consulting firms, technology corporations, law firms, media editorial boards, international academics, private equity investors, global CXOs, senior corporate communication leaders, and a multitude of industry experts.

    Commenting on the study’s release, Astrum Reputation Advisory chairman Sunil Lulla chairman said, “In today’s digital era, communicators are continually navigating the dynamic intersection of technology and communications. This groundbreaking study delves deep into key questions that communicators are grappling with due to the rapid and recent advancements in technology. The study seeks to equip professionals with the knowledge and insights, necessary to thrive in this transformative environment.”

    Founding managing partner Ashwani Singla said, “Technology has reshaped our world for over two centuries from the advent of the printed word to the internet. What sets this digital era apart is the unprecedented pace and scale of advancements. It’s a landscape where machines can attain superhuman intelligence and harnessed for a greater good, yet capable of dismantling established brands within hours.” He adds, “In navigating this new paradigm of reputation management, a combination of technology and human ingenuity layered with an understanding of the science of reputation™ can enable communicators to completely transform their game.”

    Co-founder and author of the study Sharada Sharma said, “We are seeing that the impact on communications is threefold: one, in revolutionizing data assimilation for deeper insights into audience behaviour; two, transforming content creation distribution and consumption and, three, an investment in crisis preparedness/risk mitigation to secure corporate or brand reputation – each needs a holistic approach with sponsorship from the C-suite.”

    The study’s findings were unveiled at the tenth edition of PRAXIS10 – Reputation Management – The Big Picture, the largest annual gathering of communication professionals. The unveiling took place at “The Astrum Breakfast” (#TAB), an exclusive invitee only event that brought together leaders in corporate communication. An executive summary of the report was made available to all participants via a QR code, ensuring widespread access to the insights presented in the study.

  • Onsitego & Hardik Pandya partner to expand device protection category in India

    Onsitego & Hardik Pandya partner to expand device protection category in India

    Mumbai: Onsitego, India’s leading device care company, has announced its partnership with Hardik Pandya, India’s cricketing sensation. Hardik Pandya will be the new face of the brand and will help Onsitego expand the device protection category in India.

    Onsitego has been the flag bearer of the device protection category for over a decade in India. The company has covered more than 1.5 crore devices through its extended warranty & damage protection plans. As per Onsitego, penetration of device protection plans is in low single digits in India v/s above 25 per cent in developed markets. This under-penetration shows a clear lack of consumer awareness and presents a huge opportunity for the category to grow.

    By joining hands with Hardik Pandya, Onsitego aims to improve consumer awareness about the benefits of device protection plans. The combined impact of Onsitego’s presence across over 10,000 retail stores & Hardik’s influence amongst consumers will fuel the next stage of growth in the device protection market.

    Commenting on the strategic partnership, Onsitego Founder & CEO Kunal Mahipal said, “We are thrilled to welcome Hardik Pandya to the Onsitego family. Just as Hardik exemplifies leadership & excellence in cricket, Onsitego embodies leadership & excellence in the device care category. With Hardik on board, we look forward to expanding the device care category and continuing to offer the best in class service experience to consumers across the country.”

    Hardik Pandya, vice captain of India’s white ball cricket team, said, “As a consumer, I understand the pain whenever a device does not work properly & we all need a reliable partner like Onsitego to take care of them.”

    “I look forward to being a part of this exciting journey & contributing towards Onsitego’s mission of delivering WOW experience to all customers.” added Hardik, who is exclusively managed by RISE Worldwide.

  • VDO.AI reinvents brand engagement with Dexter

    VDO.AI reinvents brand engagement with Dexter

    Mumbai: VDO.AI, a leader in the advertising technology industry, unveils Dexter, a game-changing creative feature poised to redefine brand engagement by harnessing the power of innovative Gen AI algorithms. In today’s fast-paced digital arena, brand engagement isn’t just crucial; it’s the lifeblood of success. Recognising the ever-evolving landscape of consumer expectations, VDO.AI introduces Dexter, a groundbreaking tool that will revolutionise how brands connect with their audiences.

    Dexter is a testament to the fusion of creativity and technology. It leverages the capabilities of Gen AI algorithms to empower brands with the ability to craft deeply personalised, contextually relevant, and visually stunning content. By understanding individual user preferences, Dexter ensures that brands can deliver messages that resonate deeply, fostering authentic connections. Moreover, this avant-garde technology streamlines content creation, enabling brands to deliver the right message at precisely the right moment.

    Key Features of Dexter:

    •    Personalisation perfected: Dexter analyses user data to create bespoke content that speaks directly to individual preferences, thereby boosting user engagement and retention.
    •    Contextual brilliance: Understanding the context of user interactions, Dexter ensures that brands provide timely and relatable content, forging more profound connections.
    •    Visual mastery: Dexter elevates visual elements, creating attention-grabbing and memorable content that lingers in the minds of the audience.
    •    User-friendly integration: Dexter effortlessly integrates into existing marketing strategies, making it accessible and adaptable for brands of all sizes.

    The launch of Dexter represents a significant milestone in VDO.AI’s relentless pursuit of innovation in the digital advertising arena. Brands that embrace Dexter can anticipate heightened user engagement, increased conversion rates, and strengthened brand loyalty.

    VDO.AI CEO and founder Amitt Sharma shared his excitement about Dexter: “We find ourselves on the verge of a groundbreaking era in brand-consumer interaction. Dexter empowers us to establish dynamic connections with our audiences, converting passive observers into engaged participants. This achievement signifies a pivotal milestone in amplifying customer engagement and loyalty, as it allows us to harness the interactive potential that AI offers—a facet that brands have yet to fully explore.”

    “We are thrilled to introduce Dexter to the market. In a landscape where user engagement is king, Dexter empowers brands to create authentic, impactful connections. This innovation is set to reshape the very foundations of digital advertising.” added VDO.AI co-founder Arjit Sachdeva.

    Dexter is now available, offering forward-thinking brands an opportunity to elevate their brand engagement strategies. It unlocks endless avenues for brands to explore novel approaches, fostering innovation that resonates on multiple levels of engagement.

  • Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA has been honoured with the ‘Collaboration Excellence’ Award by Autodesk

    Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA has been honoured with the ‘Collaboration Excellence’ Award by Autodesk

    Mumbai: Ajay Devgn’s VFX company, NY VFXWAALA, has made a significant impact on enriching the cinematic experience with state-of-the-art technologies. They have been part of several blockbuster projects such as Ponniyan Selvan 1 and 2, Bholaa, Jawaan, Drishyam2, Sooryavanshi, Tu Jhooti Mai Makkar, Tanhaji:The Unsung Warrior, Sardaar Udham , Gangubai Kathiawadi, Runway34, Vaarisu, Waltair Variyya among others, which have earned immense appreciation for their scale.

    In recognition of their consistent efforts to enhance visual experiences, Autodesk, the world-renowned software company, has awarded NY VFXWAALA the prestigious ‘Collaboration Excellence’ award at the Autodesk Imagine Awards 2023. This accolade underscores the outstanding synergy between Autodesk’s innovative software solutions and NY VFXWAALA’s visionary approach to visual effects.

    This recognition highlights the power of collaboration, demonstrating that when technology and artistry unite, extraordinary results are achieved. It celebrates Autodesk and NY VFXWAALA’s joint contribution to shaping the creative future.

     

  • Cinedeck launches ConneX at IBC

    Cinedeck launches ConneX at IBC

    Mumbai: Cinedeck has launched ConneX, its flexible and scalable media processing platform, ahead of IBC 2023. Delivering media workflow automation, ConneX’s award winning capture, conform, and media processing technologies enable media companies to batch process and edit files seamlessly and cost-effectively.

    ConneX delivers a wealth of media-focused features without users needing to write code or invest in expensive software. It offers services to trim, rewrap and transcode content, as well as restripe timecodes and captions, insert edits (including audio WAV extraction and metadata edits), and move or copy content within databases or the cloud.

    Thanks to a number of third party integrations, ConneX provides the media industry with revolutionary workflows to overhaul usage of video and audio content. Its latest integrations include Filmworkz, allowing users to seamlessly restore, digitize, and reversion content; Qscan for automated file quality control; as well as enabling cloud storage workflows with Backblaze and Wasabi.

    Cinedeck chief operating officer Jane Sung commented, “Cinedeck’s objective is to optimize workflows within media. ConneX delivers intelligent automation to enable quick and cost-effective content management and processing. Our technologies provide broadcasters with the tools they need to manage and edit content, without having to deploy costly software, allowing them to maximize their catalog and improve ROI. ConneX’s partnerships allow our customers to manage their content using intuitive and feature-rich workflows which integrate seamlessly with required platforms.”

  • Net Insight drives multinational theater play fusing culture and tech

    Net Insight drives multinational theater play fusing culture and tech

    Mumbai: Net Insight is proud to support a groundbreaking theatrical production, “Tre Rum” taking place in September. This innovative play explores the life of a woman across different stages of her life and is performed simultaneously in three countries, Sweden, Finland and Norway. This unique format was made possible through Net Insight’s innovative media technology, ensuring minimal delay in video and audio, and a real-time experience for audiences in each location.

    The play is part of the collaborative project “Innovative Rooms”, part of the EU program Interreg Aurora, and a development project that supports collaborations between Nordic cultural actors, technology developers and educators, specifically in the northern parts of the countries. Net Insight is committed to supporting creative initiatives that merge culture and technology, and “Tre Rum” represents a significant step forward in this regard.

    “By harnessing Net Insight’s low latency network technology to transport media, we have been able to revolutionize theater production with “Tre Rum”, performed simultaneously in three countries. This level of innovation is a testament to the transformative power of technology on cultural expression,” said Riksteatern, Swedish National Touring Theatre (one of the involved parties) , project manager Ann-Cathrine Fröjdö.

    “We are delighted to see our technology serve as a key component in realizing this spearheading production and equally thrilled to support and develop cultural projects that enable a wider audience reach,” said Net Insight CEO Crister Fritzson. “We eagerly anticipate the transformative impact this will have on the arts.”

    The production of ‘Tre Rum’ exemplifies how technology can profoundly reshape the landscape of performing arts. With a physical actress on each stage in the three countries, the three women meet in a virtual world before three different audiences in real time. The result is an out-of-body experience; a new form of stage art where the performance is unique depending on which of the three rooms you are in. Net Insight’s commitment to this project aligns with its strategy of expanding into new market segments and customer segments.

    The play is made possible in partnership with Net Insight, Epson, Servanet and Remote North, the Nordic community for distributed presence (NCDP), a network of universities, theaters, music schools, system specialists and organisations within performing arts.

    Besides this play, Remote North utilises Net Insight’s ultra-low latency solution to foster all forms of live remote artistic performances, collaborations, and arts education. This allows for cultural exchange between artists, students, and teachers beyond geographical constraints. The result is a boost in efficiency, enhanced knowledge sharing, and professional growth. Moreover, it reduces the necessity for physical travel for rehearsals, lectures, and performances, thus contributing to sustainability by diminishing the environmental impact related to travel and logistics.

     

  • Pyramid Analytics and Smollan forge international partnership

    Pyramid Analytics and Smollan forge international partnership

    Mumbai: Global retail specialists Smollan have formalised an international reseller and implementation partnership agreement with next-generation decision and business intelligence (BI) software provider Pyramid Analytics. The agreement will see Smollan, via its data and technology business, DataOrbis, expanding its current service offering to include the ability to both sell Pyramid Analytics licenses and implement Pyramid Analytics software.

    “Our clients operate in incredibly competitive industries, where the ability to make the best decision, quickly is the key to strong performance. Our hunt for a BI solution that delivers superior functionality, excellent value, and next-generation capability led us to Pyramid Analytics. We migrated the majority of our DataOrbis solutions onto their software last year, and already our clients are noticing a step-change in how we can help them capitalise on the explosive amount of data they have at their fingertips,” said Smollan’s chief executive: data & technology James Collett.

    The Pyramid Analytics partnership also provides DataOrbis with a growth opportunity geared at expanding DataOrbis’ services and footprint into verticals outside of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space where they have traditionally played. This is further supported by DataOrbis and Smollan’s global footprint, which includes operations in all major gateways.

    “DataOrbis has an excellent understanding of what it takes to implement a successful data strategy across an organisation, regardless of industry. We are incredibly excited to be partnering with them   internationally. By leveraging their global presence throughout their client and partner networks, I believe DataOrbis, together with Pyramid Analytics, can streamline and optimise their data analytics ecosystems to prepare them for what’s next. We are thrilled to have them on board,” said Pyramid Analytics CEO Omri Kohl.

    The Pyramid Platform consistently receives top ratings among leading analyst firms that evaluate business intelligence and analytics technologies. Most recently, Pyramid earned top rankings from Gartner in the 2023 Critical Capabilities for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms report, including #1 for business analyst use case, #1 for augmented consumer use case, #2 for data scientist use case, and #4 for analytics developer use case.

    The Pyramid Platform consolidates data preparation, business analytics, and data science into a single, integrated, self-service platform that can be accessed by all levels of data users.  

    “The time it takes for a decision-maker to access data can make or break a company’s competitive advantage. Pyramid Analytics reduces the amount of time it takes users across the organisation to easily find the information they need without having to request it from IT. It’s a win-win for both users and overly stretched IT departments,” said Kohl.

    Implementation is key to success

    As the need to unlock the power of data has accelerated, businesses are realising the benefit of having one enterprise BI platform across the organisation, ensuring a single source of truth that can be safely, securely, and ethically managed. As an early adopter, DataOrbis has invested in creating and upskilling several Pyramid Analytics’ implementation teams working out of South Africa, India, and Slovenia to assist clients in creating and implementing their own unique global views. These teams, with over 50 certified Pyramid Analytics specialists, include senior resources with expertise across industries and geographies.  

    “The choice of BI platform is one part of the insights puzzle. The skill and time needed to implement the software is the next piece. In our experience, most companies don’t have these two vital resources readily available. By partnering with DataOrbis we can ensure the Pyramid Analytics software is expertly implemented and used to its fullest potential—all based on global best-practises. I am excited by the opportunities the Pyramid Analytics partnership will unlock for us and our clients,” said Collett.