Category Archives: Automation

A new startup named Lutra AIlaunched today with a platform aimed at helping users create personal artificial intelligence workflows and automate repetitive tasks without the need for deep technical expertise.

Lutra is led by co-founder and Chief Executive Jiquan Ngiam, who previously worked at Google LLC and the online education provider Coursera Inc. He saw an opening to use AI to provide nontechnical users a path to build automation projects for tasks that can connect workflows.

The companys goal is to integrate AI with already existing tools such as Slack, Microsoft Outlook and Google Workspace to allow users to describe what they do day-to-day and have an AI assistant prepare a workflow for them. This could be something such as managing incoming emails, performing financial research or summarizing and extracting data from PDF documents for a reporting system thats done daily.

Ngiam said his time working at Coursera and Google gave him the insight that users needed something to simplify the process of automating workflows. So he got together with friends, including the companys co-founder Vijay Vasudevan, who also worked at Google, to look at AI models that could become assistants for nontechnical users by allowing them to use conversational English to describe what they need.

It made me think about the ability of these models to generate code and reasoning, then figure out the environment about making it more useful for non-engineers, Ngiam toldTechCrunch. There was this question about can these models now code in a way that interconnects all the software we use to then do very useful things for us reliably and securely.

What Lutra developed is a code-first AI assistant that allows users to describe their workflow and goals in natural language to an AI assistant, which will then ask follow-up questions to refine the automation. This means that essentially, its like talking to a coworker or developer who is writing code to connect apps to automate tasks.

The idea behind the AI assistant is to deliver an automated workflow to users as if they are programming in English. By describing the workflow that they want, the AI assistant guides them through the process and gives them visibility end-to-end in the code that it produces. Lutra says that because the AI models produce working software code for production-ready environments that connects enterprise data and apps, it can be done in a secure, reliable way.

Lutra recently raised $3.8 million in a seed funding round led by Coatue Ventures, with participation from Hustle Fund, Maven Ventures and a group of angel investors. The platform is currently in private beta as the team focuses on expanding it to more customers, but there is a waitlist for users interested in early access.

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Last week, a team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley published a highly anticipated paper in the journal Nature describing an autonomous laboratory or A-Lab that aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to accelerate the discovery and synthesis of new materials.

Dubbed a self-driving lab, the A-Lab presented an ambitious vision of what an AI-powered system could achieve in scientific research when equipped with the latest techniques in computational modeling, machine learning (ML), automation and natural language processing.

However, within days of publication, doubts began to emerge about some of the key claims and results presented in the paper.

Robert Palgrave is an inorganic chemistry and materials science professor at University College London. He has decades of experience in X-ray crystallography. Palgrave raised a series of technical concerns on X (formerly Twitter) about inconsistencies he noticed in the data and analysis provided as evidence for the A-Labs purported successes.

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In particular, Palgrave argued that the phase identification of synthesized materials conducted by the A-Labs AI via powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) appeared to be seriously flawed in several cases and that some of the newly synthesized materials were already discovered.

Palgraves concerns, which he aired in an interview with VentureBeat and a pointed letter to Nature, revolve around the AIs interpretation ofXRD data a technique akin to taking a molecular fingerprint of a material to understand its structure.

Imagine XRD as a high-tech camera that can snap pictures of atoms in a material. When X-rays hit the atoms, they scatter, creating patterns that scientists can read, like using shadows on a wall to determine a source objects shape.

Similar to how children use hand shadows to copy the shapes of animals, scientists make models of materials and then see if those models produce similar X-ray patterns to the ones they measured.

Palgrave pointed out that the AIs models didnt match the actual patterns, suggesting the AI might have gotten a bit too creative with its interpretations.

Palgrave argued this represented such a fundamental failure to meet basic standards of evidence for identifying new materials that the papers central thesis that 41 novel synthetic inorganic solids had been produced could not be upheld.

In a letter to Nature, Palgrave detailed a slew of examples where the data simply did not support the conclusions drawn. In some cases, the calculated models provided to match XRD measurements differed so dramatically from the actual patterns that serious doubts exist over the central claim of this paper, that new materials were produced.

Although he remains a proponent of AI use in the sciences, Palgrave questions whether such an undertaking could realistically be performed fully autonomously with current technology. Some level of human verification is still needed, he contends.

Palgrave didnt mince words: The models that they make are in some cases completely different to the data, not even a little bit close, like utterly, completely different. His message? The AIs autonomous efforts might have missed the mark, and a human touch could have steered it right.

Responding to the wave of skepticism, Gerbrand Ceder, the head of the Ceder Group at Berkeley, stepped into the fray with a LinkedIn post.

Ceder acknowledged the gaps, saying, We appreciate his feedback on the data we shared and aim to address [Palgraves] specific concerns in this response. Ceder admitted that while A-Lab laid the groundwork, it still needed the discerning eye of human scientists.

Ceders update included new evidence that supported the AIs success in creating compounds with the right ingredients. However, he conceded, a human can perform a higher-quality [XRD] refinement on these samples, recognizing the AIs current limitations.

Ceder also reaffirmed that the papers objective was to demonstrate what an autonomous laboratory can achieve not claim perfection. And upon review, more comprehensive analysis methods were still needed.

The conversation spilled back over to social media, with Palgrave and Princeton Professor Leslie Schoop weighing in on the Ceder Groups response. Their back-and-forth highlighted a key takeaway: AI is a promising tool for material sciences future, but its not ready to go solo.

Palgrave and his team plan to do a re-analysis of the XRD results, intending to produce a much more thorough description of what compounds were actually synthesized.

For those in executive and corporate leadership roles, this experiment is a case study in the potential and limitations of AI in scientific research. It illustrates the importance of marrying AIs speed with the meticulous oversight of human experts.

The key lessons are clear: AI can revolutionize research by handling the heavy lifting, but it cant yet replicate the nuanced judgment of seasoned scientists. The experiment also underscores the value of peer review and transparency in research, as expert critiques from Palgrave and Schoop have highlighted areas for improvement.

Looking ahead, the future involves a synergistic blend of AI and human intelligence. Despite its flaws, the Ceder groups experiment has sparked an essential conversation about AIs role in advancing science. Its a reminder that while technology can push boundaries, its the wisdom of human experience that ensures were moving in the right direction. This experiment stands as both a testament to AIs potential in material science and a cautionary tale. Its a rallying cry for researchers and tech innovators to refine AI tools, ensuring theyre reliable partners in the quest for knowledge. The future of AI in science is indeed luminous, but it will shine its brightest when guided by the hands of those who have a deep understanding of the worlds complexities.

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AI meets materials science: the promise and pitfalls of automated discovery - VentureBeat

The SPS Fair 2023the latest industrial automation trends report is a comprehensive summary of the key highlights, comparison of 7 prominent industrial automation OEMs, 14 generative AI showcases, and 17 in-depth insights assembled by the IoT Analytics analyst team at SPS fair 2023. These insights are based on >75 booth visits, >50 individual interviews, and attendance of several presentations. 5 analysts were present for a total of 7 days.

The main purpose of this document is to help our readers stay abreast of the newest trends in industrial automation and stay ahead of the evolving market landscape.

All discussed insights are centered around Industrial IoT / Industry 4.0related topics.

About SPS 2023

The SPS is a coveted industrial exhibition encompassing a broad spectrum of digital and smart automation solutions. In 2023, the event evolved beyond its traditional focus areas such as control, drive, and sensor technology, to also highlight software and IT. In response to the expanding scope of the event in the post-COVID era, the organizers extended the exhibition space from 14 to 16 halls.

Report highlights

Further insights can be found in the report with relevant examples/proof-points.

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SPS Fair 2023 - The Latest Industrial Automation Trends - IoT Analytics

The editors at Solutions Review have curated this list of the most noteworthy WorkTech news from the week of December 8th. This round-up covers announcements and updates from companies like Infor, Automation Anywhere, IFS, and more.

Keeping tabs on the most relevantERPandBPM news can be time-consuming. As a result, our editorial team aims to summarize the weeks top headlines in the enterprise technology marketplace. The Solutions Review editors will compile a weekly round-up of vendor product news, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital funding, talent acquisition, and other noteworthy WorkTech information. With that in mind, here is some of the top WorkTech news for December 8th.

Accenture has announced that it is joining forces with Unilever, a consumer goods multinational. The partnership is part of a strategic initiative that will leverage Unilevers AI research and implementation of technologies to enhance productivity, support business efficiencies, and accelerate the development of AI-powered innovations at scale. Additionally, Accenture will connect Unilever with its data and AI experts to help it capitalize on Accentures ecosystem of partnerships, ventures, and strategic investment in its Center for Advanced AI.

Automation Anywhere, an intelligent automation solution provider, has entered into a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The SCA will help Automation Anywhere enhance its generative AI and intelligence automation expertise, enabling it to improve enterprise productivity, maximize business growth, and offer customers more choice, flexibility, and reliability for their generative AI deployments. Automation Anywhere also announced the general availability of its integration with Amazon Bedrock and Amazon SageMaker, which will help businesses develop, train, and deploy machine learning (ML) models.

Infor, an industry cloud solution provider, has formed a new partnership with ETQ, part of Hexagon, an ETQ Reliance quality management system (QMS) provider. The partnership will strengthen Infors solution ecosystem for food and beverage, life sciences, fashion, chemicals, and distribution enterprises needing reliable quality management and environmental, health, and safety solutions. The companies will provide organizations with the capabilities they need to manage compliance, reduce risks, and achieve operational excellence across their processes.

IFS, a global cloud enterprise software company, has appointed Max RobertsandBelinda Finch as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer, respectively, who will join the companys executive leadership team. As COO, Roberts will work with IFS leadership teams to develop the companys longer-term strategic product and services portfolios and help develop new strategic alliances and partnerships. Meanwhile, Finch will oversee the continuation of IFS digital transformation journey and help the executive leadership team maximize the adoption of AI across the organization.

On December 14th, Solutions Review will be hosting a Solutions Spotlight webinar event with SYSPRO. The webinar will focus on addressing challenges involved with transitioning from an outdated legacy ERP solution to an agile Next Level ERP solution. The webinar will also feature a Q&A section with Gavin Verreyne, the Senior Vice President of Professional Services.

Watch this space each week as our editors will share upcoming events, new thought leadership, and the best resources fromInsight Jam, Solutions Reviews enterprise tech community for business software pros. The goal? To help you gain a forward-thinking analysis and remain on-trend through expert advice, best practices, trends and predictions, and vendor-neutral software evaluation tools.

As part of Solutions Reviews annual WorkTech Insight Jam, we called for the industrys best and brightest to share their ERP, BPM, CRM, and Marketing Technology predictions for 2024 and beyond. The experts featured represent some of the top WorkTech solution providers with experience in these marketplaces, and each projection has been vetted for relevance and ability to add business value.

Solutions Reviews Vendors to Watch is an annual listing of solution providers worth monitoring in 2024 and beyond. This year, weve spotlighted five WorkTech vendors making a name for themselves. These include airSlates document workflow automation platform, Cleos evolving supply chain capabilities, Deskeras integrated solution suite for SMBs, Nexthinks Digital Employee Experience Management (DEX) platform, and Yellow.ais conversational AI solutions.

As part of Solutions Reviews Contributed Content Series, Nishant Patel, Founder and CTO of Contentstack, outlines some critical things IT teams need to know throughout the startup, scaleup, and other phases their business may go through. These include the value of documenting everything, prioritizing process optimization, upgrading customer data security, and getting specific about how you reduce risks.

As part of Solutions Reviews Contributed Content Series, Cameron van Orman, the Chief Strategy Officer at Planview, explains why every company should start acting like a software company. The article goes into how agile methodologies emphasize delivering business value, ensuring leadership has visibility into development initiatives, and how connected work helps ensure organizational alignment.

For consideration in future news round-ups, send your announcements to wjepma@solutionsreview.com.

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Top WorkTech News From the Week of December 8th: Updates from Infor, Automation Anywhere, IFS, and More - Solutions Review

This strategic collaboration focuses on helping healthcare and life sciences organizations adopt a holistic approach to automation-driven digital transformation initiatives. The aim is to help them accelerate transformation efforts to gain a competitive edge, improve patient experience, and enhance their bottom-line results.

MOORESTOWN, N.J., Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nividous and RCG Global Services are pleased to announce their strategic focus, with a shared mission to help organizations achieve operational excellence and peak efficiency as part of overall digital and business transformation in the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem.

Together, this collaborative effort intends to help organizations solve intricate business challenges by harnessing cutting-edge technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Low-code Process Orchestration, along with strong domain and industry expertise, all while delivering exceptional return on investment (ROI). The overarching goal is to augment human work experience by equipping individuals with intelligent automation tools that encourage innovation, creativity, and heightened productivity.

RCG Global Services brings industry experience and deep expertise in data engineering, architecture, AI, and digital strategy, delivering exceptional business outcomes for healthcare and life sciences organizations. Nividous contributes its unique approach to intelligent automation through a robust, user-friendly platform that comprehensively combines the capabilities of RPA, AI, and Low-code Process Automation. Together, with an emphasis on faster time-to-value, the partnership is focused on meeting organizations where they are in the automation and digital transformation journey from inaugural efforts to enterprise scale.

Here are the primary areas of focus for this strategic partnership that enables healthcare and life sciences organizations, including payors, providers, pharmaceutical firms, health tech, and other industry players, to address current and future needs, ultimately securing their future:

"At RCG Global Services, we recognize that the future of healthcare demands digital transformation and intelligent automation that works seamlessly with human expertise. Our partnership with Nividous is more than a synergy of technologies; it's a commitment to empowering healthcare professionals with the tools they need to deliver unparalleled patient care and operational excellence." Dr. Rob Nelson, Head, Healthcare and Life Sciences, RCG Global Services."

Erik Galardi, Director of Channel Partnerships at Nividous, emphasizes, "In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, modern business operations are progressively transitioning towards digitization and intelligence. Nonetheless, many healthcare and life sciences are entangled in manual processes, fragmented systems, and operational inefficiencies. Nividous and RCG Global are committed to empowering the healthcare and life sciences industry in this period of transformation by solving their unique business problems with the most advanced AI and business process automation tools, supported by our robust strategy execution expertise."

About Nividous

Nividous, a global intelligent automation company, is passionate about enabling organizations to work at their peak efficiency.

The Nividous leadership team has decades of experience delivering hundreds of digital process automation solutions to companies and organizations of various sizes worldwide.

Leveraging its tremendous domain expertise, the Nividous team offers vertical solutions that are RPA and AI-enabled and built on configurable process automation capabilities to empower businesses to operate with flexibility and agility. Nividous also provides end-to-end professional services that include process discovery, implementation, support, and building Centers of Excellence (CoE).

Contact

Erik Galardi Director of Channel Partnerships Nividous Software Solutions Call: 442.444.2767 Email: [emailprotected] Book a meeting:https://calendly.com/erik-galardi

About RCG Global Services

RCG is a global provider of digital transformation consulting services, combining digital strategy and modern cloud and data technologies to deliver measurable business outcomes for customer engagement, workforce enablement, and operations optimization. RCG helps customers ignite transformational thinking and unlock new value throughout their journey to achieve their digital ambitions.

RCG serves Fortune 1000 enterprise clients across a range of markets, with special emphasis on the consumer, financial services, insurance, and healthcare industries. RCG is based in Iselin, New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States and offshore delivery centers in the Philippines and India. For more information, please visit rcgglobalservices.com.

SOURCE Nividous

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Nividous and RCG Global Services Focus on Empowering Healthcare and Life Sciences Organizations with Intelligent ... - PR Newswire

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FourKites announces several new capabilities within its AI-enabled Appointment Manager solution that further automate distribution center, warehouse, plant and cross-dock pickup, as well as delivery calendar management, while simplifying communication between shippers, carriers and drivers.

Nearly 20% of appointments are rescheduled each year, resulting in costly and time-consuming delays, additional tasks and major interruptions to daily workflows. By consolidating delivery schedules and carrier communication into one streamlined platform, FourKites latest Appointment Manager enhancements provide supply chain partners with a more seamless appointment management process that saves time, increases on-time performance, improves auditing accuracy, reduces detention fees and slashes dwell times.

Improved Carrier Access-Through deeper integration with each carriers TMS, shippers can now provide carriers access to detailed reporting, such as reschedule recommendations, carrier appointment compliance, facility metrics and more. This enables a self-service environment for carriers, streamlines communication and drives continuous improvement with shared metrics and enhanced shipper-carrier relationships.

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Automation and Communication to Streamline Deliveries - Supply and Demand Chain Executive

In India, automation is poised to redefine work, with nostalgia and novelty. The coexistence of traditional markets and tech giants reflects a multifaceted transition. Questions loom: Will machines replace IT jobs? How will cottage industries adapt? Will automation integrate into our diverse workforce, creating new collaborations and opportunities?

In the context of employment, automation refers to the use of machinery, artificial intelligence, and software to perform tasks that were traditionally done by humans. This could range from rudimentary tasks like sorting items on a conveyor belt in manufacturing units to more intricate responsibilities like data analysis and decision-making.

For Indians, this is not a distant reality. Think of how Flipkart uses algorithms to optimise delivery routes, or how Zomato employs data analytics to suggest personalised food options. On banking sites like ICICI or HDFC, chatbots handle customer queries, providing instant solutions. The ticketing system of IRCTC, which caters to millions daily, is another prime example of automation at work. In essence, automation, as we see on these prominent Indian platforms, is seamlessly integrating into our daily lives, reshaping industries and redefining roles.

Automation is reshaping India's job market dramatically. Sectors like auto manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and IT are adopting robotics and automation to enhance efficiency. For instance, Chennai's auto manufacturing units integrate robotics for faster and higher-quality production. Banking giants employ chatbots and advanced ATMs, improving customer experiences. Healthcare utilises automated diagnostic tools and surgical assistants for precision and error reduction. IT automation streamlines processes and encourages professionals to acquire specialised skills. Agriculture benefits from drones and automated tractors, promising increased yields. This transformation necessitates Indian workers to adapt, evolve, and prepare for a future where humans and machines coexist harmoniously.

The efficiency brought by automation, while promising, also carries with it the shadows of job displacement, particularly in a country like India with its vast and diverse workforce. Traditional roles, especially in sectors where repetitive tasks are paramount, are increasingly at risk.

Take, for instance, the bustling call centres of Gurugram and Noida. As AI-driven chatbots become more proficient, many customer service roles, especially the initial layers of support, might face obsolescence. In cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, the advent of digital payment platforms and online banking has reduced the footfall in bank branches, gradually lessening the need for traditional bank tellers.

The transport industry, too, faces potential disruption. As India pushes forward with its plans for smart cities and invests in research for autonomous vehicles, the day isn't far when drivers might find their roles being replaced or significantly altered.

Furthermore, sectors like textiles and handicrafts, which have been the pride of places like Jaipur and Varanasi, might also see automation of certain processes, potentially affecting artisans and craftsmen who have honed their skills over generations.

However, it's crucial to note that while this shift might seem alarming, history serves as a testament to human adaptability. Just as the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century brought with it concerns of widespread unemployment, it eventually led to the creation of entirely new professions and opportunities. In a similar vein, the wave of automation in India, though challenging, also brings with it the promise of novel roles, industries, and avenues yet unexplored.

The advent of automation in India is not just a harbinger of change; it's a catalyst for innovation and new opportunities. While certain roles face obsolescence, a myriad of new job categories are emerging, promising a dynamic employment landscape.

Drawing from reports on the official website of NITI Aayog, the government's premier think-tank, it's evident that India is poised to be a global leader in the AI and robotics sector. This will inevitably lead to the creation of jobs in AI programming, machine learning model training, and robotics control design.

Further, according to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the effective achievement of India's digital vision has the potential to generate substantial economic worth, ranging from $800 billion to as much as $1 trillion, a considerable increase from the current $200 billion. Moreover, it could also support the creation of 60 million to 65 million jobs in the digital economy by 2025.

Moreover, as cited by NASSCOM, India's IT industry body, there's a growing demand for roles in emerging fields like quantum computing, blockchain development, and augmented reality design.

However, it's essential to highlight that while machines are adept at quantitative tasks, they lack the qualitative touch intrinsic to humans. Skills like empathy, creativity, and intricate problem-solving remain irreplaceably human. This distinction underscores the growing demand in professions such as mental health counselling, content creation, and design thinking roles that machines cannot easily replicate.

In essence, while automation redefines the contours of the traditional job market, India's emphasis on innovation, bolstered by government initiatives and industry foresight, ensures a vibrant tapestry of opportunities awaiting the discerning professional.

In the rapidly evolving Indian landscape, upskilling has become imperative. With a massive population, India's talent pool needs to stay globally competitive through continuous learning. Renowned institutions like IITs and IIMs offer courses on emerging tech trends. Major IT firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro have set up training centers and partnered with platforms like Coursera and Udemy for employee upskilling. Renowned institutions like IITs and IIMs offer courses on emerging tech trends. Startups and incubation centers provide workshops on blockchain and machine learning.

This shift means a shift from the traditional "study-work-retire" to a cyclical "study-work-upskill-repeat" model. Digital platforms and MOOCs make learning accessible from home. In the age of rapid technological advancement, upskilling is crucial for professional development.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NASSCOM have introduced a digital upskilling incentives program through their platform, FutureSkills Prime. The platform's primary objective is to address the skill shortage among entry-level candidates and provide training in cutting-edge technologies for the current workforce in India.

Digital India initiatives, such as e-NAM, bring tech solutions to farmers, showcasing human-machine synergy. This partnership promises to unlock new opportunities as technology evolves, paving the way for once-dreamed innovations.

The trend of remote work, once a mere blip on India's employment radar, has now surged to the forefront, particularly accelerated by the intertwining forces of automation and the digital revolution.

The pandemic forced most IT companies in India to switch to work from home model. This shift wasn't just a temporary adjustment; many companies are considering adopting a hybrid model, balancing between remote work and office presence.

As per an Economic Times report, Infosys, one of India's IT behemoths, had announced switching to a flexible hybrid work model to address the uncertainty during the pandemic. This speaks volumes about the changing dynamics of work culture in India.

With cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi being known for their notorious traffic snarls, the elimination of commute time is a significant boon for many employees.

MeitY has been a staunch advocate for digital tools and platforms. Their push for Digital India is not just about digitising services but also promoting a work culture that leverages these digital tools, making remote work more seamless.

Companies like Trello, Slack, and Zoom, which facilitate remote collaboration, have witnessed increased adoption rates among Indian businesses. This is a testament to the changing paradigms where efficiency and task completion are taking precedence over fixed working hours.

Moreover, this shift towards remote work is democratising employment opportunities. Talents from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, who earlier faced geographical barriers, are now getting equal opportunities in the national and even global job market. Websites like Upwork and Freelancer have seen a surge in Indian professionals offering their services, indicating a robust trend towards freelancing and project-based employment.

Automation, rather than being a harbinger of joblessness, is a clarion call for adaptation. As we stand at this crossroads, the way forward is not resistance but readiness. Embrace the change, upskill, collaborate, and dive into the dynamic, automated future with both enthusiasm and caution. The landscape of employment is changing, but with the right mindset, it's an era filled with potential and promise.

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/03/ai-customer-service-jobs/

https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-02/Annual-Report-2022-2023-English_1.pdf

https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Call%20for%20Proposal-final_.pdf

https://www.pmkvyofficial.org/about-pmkvy

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/artificial-intelligence-expected-to-add-500-bn-to-india-gdp-by-2025-8507775/#:~:text=Artificial%20intelligence%20(AI)%20is%20expected,a%20report%20said%20on%20Monday

https://opengovasia.com/indian-government-launches-digital-upskilling-programme/

Shounak Roy

Shounak Roy finds pleasure in the hunt for knowledge, eagerly seeking to learn something new about anything that interests him. He describes himself as a simple and peaceful individual, always curious to delve deeper into various subjects. If he comes across someone with shared interests, he enjoys engaging in discussions and exchanging knowledge.

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Future of Employment in an Era of Automation - Drishti IAS

Rajesh Pathak, Country Managing Director - India & SAARC, Spirent Communications Spirent Communications boasts a storied legacy as a provider of cutting-edge solutions in the realm of network testing, validation, and assurance. Over the years, the company has established a reputation for excellence and reliability, serving as a trusted partner for organizations in various segments of the network communication market.

Rajesh Pathak, Spirent Communications' Country Managing Director for India & SAARC, talks about Spirent's network testing legacy, leadership, innovation, automation, and adaptability. What is Spirent's focus in the market and what innovative solution offerings does it have for the enterprise segment? Our mission at Spirent is to help customers innovate faster and reduce costs. Enterprise networks are undergoing an unprecedented transformation, and our automated test and assurance solutions are designed to help ensure that new technology becomes an engine for growth and efficiency. We help enterprises ensure that cloud migrations and SD-WAN, Wi-Fi and Ethernet networks and private mobile networks perform as expected, and are secure. Testing and assurance help ensure that technology deployments are successfully delivered with the performance and security that the organization and its end-users expect.

Evaluate performance at turn-up before end-user starts using the network

Continuously check critical services and links, such as an IoT sensor or emergency communications, regardless of traffic levels

Proactively identify minor issues on the network and service before they become major

Troubleshoot complex issues in any part of the network because its virtualized and inserts small amounts of traffic, so its not a heavy lift How does Spirent assist in ensuring cloud-based networks and services as operators, network vendors, government entities, and large enterprises prepare for next-gen network deployments? We have focused on evolving our test and assurance solutions to address the added complexity of the new distributed, disaggregated network infrastructures and security architectures, and validating these constantly changing networks and polices. This includes cloud-native performance testing that provides realistic and scalable application traffic emulation in cloud-native environments; high-performance and scalable cloud and security testing; multi-cloud validation with a single pane of glass testing across distributed hybrid networks; zero-trust validation; and cloud resiliency testing to determine built-in resiliency and self-healing capabilities of cloud-native networks.

Spirents enterprise solutions enable organizations to test networks and security from pre-deployment through to live operation for cloud, SD-WAN, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and 5G networks. Our test, assurance and automation solutions with pre-built test suites on various technologies provide a continuous approach to testing, helping enterprise teams to work together with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) and DevOps. This provides a consistent approach to testing across all stages of the network lifecycle, which is a key enabler of CI/CD and DevOps transformations. Post deployment, this approach enables teams to continuously test service level agreements (SLAs) to prove compliance and avoid potential penalties; quickly isolate problems to reduce resolution time and costs; proactively assess security to detect vulnerabilities and take action; and understand and optimize the true user experience. How can Spirent enhance the value of validating new infrastructure with greater efficiency? Spirent has a long heritage in providing test and measurement solutions for virtually all segments of the network communication market. We are leading the charge in many of the next major advancements in networking, ranging from high-speed Ethernet 800G, 5G, cloud-native and cybersecurity. The way vendors use testing, validation and assurance is changing in fundamental ways because traditional manual testing is simply no longer viable. Before releasing products and updates into the live network, vendors want to emulate the real-world environments in which products will operate by creating highly accurate digital twins of the real world to test products and performance across the entire system to ensure that the user experience is as anticipated. For this reason, test and assurance must be automated and continuous because development cycles are so fast, and the live network is constantly changing. What is the key USP that your Security Suite offers to enterprise customers? Cybersecurity is such an important element for all customers, and Spirent provides enterprise test solutions to validate the performance, scalability, and security effectiveness of diverse networks, as well as security solutions like next-gen firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, application delivery controllers, SD-WAN, SASE and ZTNA architectures.

Our flagship cybersecurity test solution is CyberFlood delivers a unified workflow, portable methodologies, and ease of deployment across all an enterprises domains, whether they be on-premise, private cloud, public cloud and cloud-native/container. Another of CyberFloods proven advantages is that it is used throughout the network lifecycle, from design, through deployment, and on-going assurance.

Added to this, Spirent also offers a variety of managed test services delivered by our certified, seasoned security professionals. They act as an extension of the customers own in-house security team, proactively identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating risks. By augmenting their own security teams with our experts in testing and security, an enterprise can optimize staffing, supplement the organizations internal expertise, and facilitate compliance with independent third-party testing and reporting.

The hybrid networks especially require enhanced collaboration with vendors and heightened vigilance against cyberattacks. What is Spirents security approach to this? Today's enterprise networks become more vulnerable for increased and modern security threats which makes the security team more focused on keeping their network sustain these threats. To address this threat sustainability, the Security team must always monitor the risks including the internal & external security threats, comply to regulatory requirements, threat modelling, security patches, security policies, risk management, etc. This involves constant change in the network/ devices which requires frequent and continuous validation on pre-production environment by emulating the real-world traffic, threats & network conditions before rolling out to the production network. Spirent has continuous & automated test validation solution which can trigger, perform & publish the sandbox validations in an automated environment including the production network roll-out process as well. This proven solution reduces the time-to-test drastically and ensures the patch/ policy change doesnt affect the production network with reduced overheads & resources.

NOTE: This article is a part of ETCIO Brand Connect Initiative.

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From legacy to automation: Spirent's impact on network validation - ETCIO

Genghis Grill, the popular Mongolian stir-fry chain under parent company Craveworthy Brands, has announced a partnership with Flybuy, the leading location-driven productivity platform, to automate their off-premise experience. The partnership comes after a successful pilot program with Flybuy, which has already been proven to improve the customer experience, lower wait times, and boost their sales metrics by driving repeat customer visits.

The partnership with Flybuy allowsGenghis Grillto receive real-time updates on customer arrivals, enabling them to prepare orders just in time for pickup. It has helped staff operate at a nearly perfect efficiency rate and wait times have decreased by 43%, which have drastically improved the overall guest experience.

"We are thrilled to partner with Flybuy to enhance our off-premise operations and provide a better experience for our customers," saidJeremy Theisen, Chief Growth and Development Officer at Craveworthy Brands. "The results of our pilot program have been outstanding, showing an increase in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction scores, and order volume. We look forward to utilizing Flybuy for all Craveworthy Brands concepts in the near future."

In addition to leveraging Flybuy to predict arrival times of incoming customers,Genghis Grilluses Flybuy to predict the arrival of incoming delivery drivers. Using Flybuy for delivery service provider optimization has eliminated bottlenecks within restaurant lobbies, freed up parking spots, and reduced disruptions to staff and dine-in customers.

Flybuy also fuelsGenghis Grill'svirtual brand, Wow Bao, which is a special delivery-only menu available on delivery marketplaces. Wow Bao orders are funneled through Flybuy, and the Flybuy Dashboard displays allGenghis Grilland Wow Bao orders in order of urgency. The kitchen can effectively manage the influx of dine-in and off-premise customers and prepare orders based on exact arrival times.

"We are excited to welcomeGenghis Grillinto the Flybuy family and provide their customers with a more efficient and seamless experience," saidMarc Wallace, CEO and Co-Founder of Flybuy. "Our technology is designed to enhance the restaurant experience, and we are thrilled to see the quick results of our partnership withGenghis Grill."

Genghis Grillis leveraging Flybuy at all locations, with plans to expand to all of Craveworthy Brands.

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Genghis Grill Partners with Flybuy on Off-Premises Automation - FSR magazine

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By Workday Published: October 26, 2023

This post is sponsored by Workday.

Acquiring a workforce and running the business is more expensive than ever. From labor shortages to operating expenses to supply chain disruptions, costs are up across the board, which means hospitality leaders need to drive profitability at faster speeds with fewer resources.

The trouble is that hospitality organizations face significant disadvantages without the business agility, operational insights, and intelligent automation needed to control and contain costs, eliminate operational redundancies, and deliver actionable business excellence.

Keith Pickens, managing director, retail industry at Workday, sat down to talk through these issues. In this interview, he discusses the importance of the hospitality industry keeping a laser focus on productivity and costs as well as the benefits an organization can realized through automated, scalable finance.

Pickens also outlines the common obstacles hospitality businesses face when trying to automate their finance departments, how AI and other automated analytics tools can facilitate real-time decision-making when it comes to costs and profitability and digs into how Workday sees automation helping retailers and restaurants optimize their profitability. He wraps up the discussion with whats next for the hospitality industry and Workday.

Check out the video below to watch and listen to the discussion with Workdays Keith Pickens.

Excerpt from:

Q&A: Workday exec talks hospitality and automated, scalable finance - Smartbrief