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  • Half of US teenagers are online almost constantly: Study

    Australian govt to ban social media access for children younger than 16

    Half of US teenagers are online almost constantly

    Half of teenagers in the US are almost constantly online on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, finds a study, raising concerns about technology’s impact on youth.

    The study by Pew Research Centre, based on a survey of US teenagers ages 13 to 17, showed that nine-in-10 teenagers reported to be mostly on YouTube.

    Overall, 73 per cent of teenagers said they watch YouTube daily, making it the most widely used and visited platform. This share includes 15 per cent who describe their use as “almost constant.”

    “Nearly half of teenagers say they are online almost constantly, up from 24 per cent a decade ago. This share has stayed consistent over the past few years. Overall, nearly all teenagers – 96 per cent – report using the internet daily,” the report said.

    The alarming report comes even as the Australian government, last month, passed a social media ban for children under 16. The ban will apply to Instagram, X, Snapchat, and others from late 2025.

    Meanwhile, Pew research showed that about 6-in-10 teenagers in the US reported using TikTok and Instagram, and 55 per cent said they use Snapchat.

    About six-in-10 also reported visiting TikTok daily. This includes 16 per cent who report being on it almost constantly.

    Roughly half of teenagers said they go on Instagram or Snapchat daily. This includes about one-in-10 who say they’re on each of these platforms almost constantly.

    The share of teenagers who say they use Instagram almost constantly has increased slightly, from 8 per cent in 2023 to 12 per cent today.

    The use of Facebook (32 per cent) and X (17 per cent) has steeply declined over the past decade among teenagers.

    Australian govt to ban social media access for children younger than 16

    Across all five platforms, one-third of teens use at least one of these sites almost constantlyIANS

    Further, about a quarter of teenagers (23 per cent) said they use WhatsApp, while 14 per cent reported using Reddit.

    Across all five platforms, one-third of teens use at least one of these sites almost constantly.

    Notably, “no gender differences” were observed in the shares of teenagers who reported using Instagram and Facebook almost constantly.

    Yet, teenage girls use Instagram (66 per cent vs. 56 per cent) and TikTok more widely than teenage boys (66 per cent vs 59 per cent). On the other hand, boys are more likely than girls to use YouTube (93 per cent vs. 87 per cent).

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • eScan Introduces Vision Core XDR: Advanced Security Solution Empowering Enterprises with Threat Detection and Human-Centric Cyber Resilience – CRN

    eScan Introduces Vision Core XDR: Advanced Security Solution Empowering Enterprises with Threat Detection and Human-Centric Cyber Resilience – CRN

    eScan Cyber Security Software Solutions, announces the launch of its cutting-edge Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solution, eScan Vision Core XDR. Designed to address the growing complexity of cybersecurity threats, this comprehensive solution not only strengthens threat detection but also integrates human-centric security measures, transforming employees from potential vulnerabilities into active defenders.

    As enterprises face increasing challenges due to sophisticated cyberattacks and distributed workforces, eScan Vision Core XDR offers a unique blend of advanced technological capabilities and adaptive security awareness. Research reveals that approximately 95% of cyber breaches involve compromised credentials, underscoring the need for a robust, multi-faceted approach to enterprise security.

    “Today’s cybersecurity challenges require more than just technological solutions,” said Govind Rammurthy, Managing Director & CEO, MicroWorld Technologies, the developer of eScan. “Vision Core XDR represents a paradigm shift in enterprise security by integrating advanced threat detection with human-centric security measures that empower employees to become an active part of the security ecosystem.”

    The solution introduces IP-Radar, a smart navigation system that enhances situational awareness by providing real-time surveillance of all network connections and issuing immediate alerts for suspicious activities originating from high-risk regions. With the integration of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, eScan Vision Core XDR leverages advanced threat anticipation capabilities, identifying and countering potential threats through known attack patterns and enabling proactive defense mechanisms. Further strengthening its unique offering is an Adaptive Security Awareness System, which dynamically evolves with emerging threats. By simulating real-world attack scenarios and conducting personalised security readiness assessments, the system enhances employee security competence and resilience against social engineering attacks.

    Acting as an advanced co-pilot for enterprise security, eScan Vision Core XDR combines traditional security features with intelligent monitoring and behavioral reinforcement. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive protection, addressing not only technical threats but also the human factor, a critical aspect often overlooked in cybersecurity strategies.

    Tailored for large enterprises, the platform is especially valuable for those seeking to consolidate their security infrastructure while managing the challenges posed by complex IT environments, limited cybersecurity expertise, and an ever-evolving threat landscape.

  • Schneider Electric Introduces EcoConsult in India, to provide Electrical and Automation System Consulting Services – CRN

    Schneider Electric Introduces EcoConsult in India, to provide Electrical and Automation System Consulting Services – CRN

    Schneider Electric, announced the launch of EcoConsult in India. Through this, the company aims to provide consulting services for electrical and automation systems, enabling them to prevent downtime, maximise safety and resilience, and contribute towards their sustainability goals. Whether a new installation or existing equipment, EcoConsult solutions will enable businesses to discover untapped efficiencies by providing them actionable insights to improve connected asset health and efficiency while helping to reduce overall carbon footprint.

    EcoConsult provides actionable insights and deliver on critical business outcomes, including up to 30% reduction in Operational Expenditure (OpEx) for asset management, up to 35% reduction in electrical energy losses, up to 15% savings on electrical utility bills through power factor improvement, and up to a 20% enhancement in electrical system reliability through implementation of recommendations.

    Underlining the importance of electrical consulting services to ensure efficient and sustainable electrical and automation assets, Ramesh Kumar Jha, Vice President – Services Business, Schneider Electric India said, “With Schneider Electric’s EcoConsult, we empower businesses to optimise efficiency, enhance safety, and achieve sustainability goals. Our suite of services, including audits and digital twins, helps mitigate risks and improve performance. By choosing EcoConsult, customers can unlock the full potential of their connectable and systems with the end-to-end digital platform, AI, and innovative analytics, optimising their business process and system design.”

    Speaking on the launch, Mr. Rajat Abbi, Vice President- Global Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer, Schneider Electric India said, “At Schneider Electric, we recognise that our customers are navigating an era of rapid change, where efficiency, reliability, and sustainability are more critical than ever. With EcoConsult, we offer a tailored solution designed to help businesses unlock their true potential by addressing these evolving needs. Through personalised customer experiences, compelling success stories, and cutting-edge digital engagement, we aim to inspire confidence and demonstrate how EcoConsult can tackle their unique challenges. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering our customers to achieve their goals while thriving in a rapidly changing and dynamic environment.”

    Through this offering, Schneider Electric aims to identify potential safety and performance issues to reduce risk and improve reliability, right from planning a new installation to assessing the existing equipment:

    · EcoConsult Audit – Providing first assessment Audit Service to ensure that the installation is continually operating in a safe and secure way.
    · EcoConsult Electrical Digital Twin- Electrical Digital Twin Service digitises the paper-based electrical single-line diagrams by leveraging digital twins to manage electrical network including a multi-year services agreement to maintain your documentation up-to-date.
    · EcoConsult System Studies- Providing actionable insights to address the safety, resiliency and sustainability of electrical network.
    · EcoConsult Design- Helping businesses plan a new installation and ensure they are well-designed to avoid any potential safety and cybersecurity issues.
    · EcoConsult For Data Centers: EcoConsult for Data Centers ensures that Data Centers are fully prepared for the future. It helps boost its reliability, cut costs, and extend the useful life of your assets.

  • Vertiv Introduces Compact, High-Power Density UPS for Large Data Centers and Other Critical Applications – CRN

    Vertiv Introduces Compact, High-Power Density UPS for Large Data Centers and Other Critical Applications – CRN

    Vertiv introduced the Vertiv™ PowerUPS 9000, an energy-efficient, high-power density uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system with a compact footprint. The system is engineered to support IT applications from traditional computing to high density applications. It is available globally in UL and CE models, from 250 to 1250kW per unit.

    The Vertiv PowerUPS 9000 is designed for high-power density, as well as a high double-conversion efficiency of up to 97.5%. The system enables fast and easy installation, with top or bottom cable entry, as well as backfeed protection and ground fault kit options that are embedded in the system without need for extra space or on-site installation. The units are deployable anywhere in the world, reducing potential procurement and service inconsistencies, delivery delays and downtime.

    “The Vertiv PowerUPS 9000 UPS is engineered to maximise reliability and efficiency and to minimise footprint and complexity,” said Giovanni Zanei, Vice President, Large Power, Vertiv. “With its modular structure and high-power density, it will deliver energy-efficient, reliable power protection that data center customers are looking for to protect both traditional and mixed AI applications.”

    Commenting on the launch, Vikas Srivastava, Director – Medium/Large AC Power Offering, Vertiv India said, “We at Vertiv are always committed to providing innovative solutions for our clients to help effectively power the next generation of data centers. Vertiv PowerUPS 9000’s universal compatibility and easy deployment reinforces our intent to simplify operations while optimising performance, delivering high value for customers in a compact and highly efficient module.”

    The Vertiv PowerUPS 9000 is Vertiv’s most efficient UPS in its product class, with a physical footprint 32% smaller than previous generations. It is compatible with Vertiv™ EnergyCore lithium battery cabinet, and other battery technologies, including Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) and Nickel-Zinc.

    Dedicated, segregated controls and dual, hot-swappable communication and control boards allow each power module to operate independently. In the event of a fault, the affected module can isolate itself, thereby protecting the other modules and enabling continued operation. The continuous-duty solid state static bypass switch optimises the bypass line, and the system is fully hot-service and hot-swappable, meaning maintenance and upgrades can occur without downtime.

    The Vertiv™ PowerUPS 9000 can be enabled with Vertiv™ Next Predict, a preventative maintenance strategy with advanced monitoring, data-driven health analytics and insights that optimises site operations. By leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms to monitor actual equipment conditions and measure equipment health, Vertiv offers a comprehensive solution for optimal equipment performance and longevity.

    In Vertiv’s test labs, Vertiv engineers subjected Vertiv PowerUPS 9000 to extensive Engineering Validation Tests (EVT) and Design Validation Tests (DVT) against a wide spectrum of operational conditions to confirm its performance and reliability in real-world scenarios. It also passed additional environmental, performance and corner case tests – including debris protection, structural tests of seismic integrity and durability, and voltage surge and sag tests – that simulated extreme conditions the system may encounter.

  • BT Group leans on AI to transform customer service experience – CRN

    BT Group leans on AI to transform customer service experience – CRN

    BT Group is transforming customer support through the integration of advanced AI and generative AI technologies, in collaboration with Sprinklr. The refreshed customer contact platform significantly enhances the EE and BT customer experience through conversational AI, and enhances support processes for the Group’s customer service guides across its Business, Consumer and internal contact channels.

    BT Group has integrated Sprinklr’s unified customer experience platform, meaning when a customer is seeking support, the platform can draw on BT Group’s data to provide a personalised, accurate response. The customer contact platform, which powers EE’s virtual assistant Aimee, also provides the messaging capability for real-time online chat with customers.

    The platform enables BT Group to use generative AI to support various customer experiences, for sales and support for both EE and BT customers. For example, the Gen AI-enhanced experience within Aimee which helps customers prepare for international travel has halved the need for online chat/messaging support, thanks to its ability to understand and respond to customer needs. This keeps guides free for more complex asks, and helps customers get what they need, faster.

    Another place it is making a difference is in billing support, where generative AI provides detailed explanations of billing charges, enhancing transparency and customer satisfaction. Rich media within Aimee also means the chat experience isn’t just a text exchange; product cards and carousels are more engaging and valuable for customers. Over 30 separate customer experiences have been defined within Aimee so far, with more to follow. Aimee’s use has risen 51% year on year, demonstrating customer enthusiasm for the channel as its capabilities continue to be improved.

    Looking ahead, BT Group plans to expand its use of generative AI to further improve customer support. Upcoming features are expected to include AI-driven summaries of customer interactions and real-time support and guidance. With this, Aimee will be able to act as a virtual AI assistant for our guides, helping to improve efficiency, effectiveness, colleague and customer experience.

    BT Group has experienced an impressive growth in customer interactions facilitated by Aimee. ~60,000 conversations per week are now handled through Aimee compared to ~30,000 per week just two years ago. This frees time for guides to help customers with more complex issues and deliver an even more personal experience.

    BT Group has implemented key ethical guardrails to ensure robust data privacy and security measures. AI capabilities are hosted on a private cloud instance, ensuring compliance with data and privacy regulations, and data policies are set by BT Group’s internal data management platform, Data Fabric. This allows BT Group to maintain control over its data while benefitting from Sprinklr’s AI capabilities. Working with Sprinklr has also enabled BT Group to put in safeguards to monitor for attempts to get the AI to misbehave.
    BT Group remains agnostic about which Large Language Model (LLM) it uses in generative AI, continuing to draw on different LLMs. The architecture in the customer contact platform allows BT Group to select the optimal LLM for each use case, and will integrate with BT Group’s new GenAI Gateway in the future.

    Harry Singh, MD of Consumer Digital at BT Group, commented: “The collaboration with Sprinklr marks a significant step forward in BT Group’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional customer experiences. With our customer contact platform, we have unlocked powerful AI-enhanced capabilities for our customer service, boosting satisfaction and creating exciting new opportunities for customer experience.”
    Sprinklr President and CEO Rory Read, added: “We’re delighted to be working alongside the iconic brands within BT Group, at the forefront of innovative customer engagement through effective AI. AI has huge potential to enhance and elevate customer experiences, and it’s been fantastic to help BT Group achieve such brilliant results, so quickly.”

  • New Confluent platform for Apache Flink makes it easy to manage and secure high-performance stream processing on-premises – CRN

    New Confluent platform for Apache Flink makes it easy to manage and secure high-performance stream processing on-premises – CRN

    Confluent, Inc. announced the general availability of Confluent Platform for Apache Flink with added enterprise-level security capabilities and easier ways to manage and scale on-premises Apache Flink workloads. Confluent is now the only company that offers data streaming paired with stream processing for cloud and on-premises workloads so businesses can turn their data into value faster. In addition, Confluent announced WarpStream Orbit for easier migration to WarpStream’s “Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC)” deployment model.

    “Stream processing is where the magic happens. It transforms real-time data into experiences and operations that drive modern businesses forward,” said Shaun Clowes, Chief Product Officer, Confluent. “With our latest announcement, any organisation can take advantage of Apache Flink — scaling, securing, and managing it with ease — unlocking innovation without limits.”

    Stream processing enables businesses to analyse and react to massive amounts of data in real time for decision-making, fraud detection, personalised customer experience, and more. Apache Flink has emerged as the de facto stream processing solution for enterprises with its incredible performance, robust state management, and the flexibility to handle complex, real-time analytics at scale. However, teams often struggle to self-manage Flink because it requires configuring, operating, scaling, and securing a complex distributed system. For organisations with on-premises workloads, there’s a need for a solution that provides the flexibility and benefits of cloud-native technologies within private infrastructures.

    Scale, secure, and simplify stream processing for on-prem workloads

    With the general availability of Confluent Platform for Apache Flink, organisations can manage on-prem workloads at scale with long-term support from the world’s leading Apache Kafka® and Flink experts. Confluent Platform’s enterprise-grade Flink distribution and control plane enables teams to:

    • Streamline lifecycle management with simplified deployment and scaling, enhanced automation, and efficient resource allocation.
    • Ensure an integrated security model with unified access controls and consistent security policies across all systems.
    • Minimise risk with consolidated Flink and Kafka support and guidance from the foremost experts in the data streaming industry.

    Many companies globally are already seeing success by using Confluent Platform for Apache Flink to process and analyse their data. For example, a Fortune 50 telecom customer is using it for real-time analytics to help process and analyse network performance, deliver consistent and personalised customer experiences, and provide network visibility for threat detection. By leveraging Confluent Platform’s Flink offering, the telecom provider has saved tens of millions of dollars and significantly reduced churn, boosting its overall margins.

    A new feature of Confluent Platform for Apache Flink, Confluent Manager for Apache Flink (CMF), makes deploying, updating, and scaling Flink as easy on-premises as it is in the cloud. Confluent Manager for Apache Flink enables:

    ⦁ Simplified management to streamline large-scale Flink deployments in Kubernetes, making resource management and scaling more efficient.
    ⦁ Enhanced collaboration that centralises management across the Confluent ecosystem. CMF promotes consistency and optimises processes, facilitating better collaboration among teams.
    ⦁ Improved security with robust security mechanisms, simplifies security management, and ensures compliance with organisational policies.

    “Companies need to make Flink more accessible, secure, and easier to operationalise wherever their workloads are deployed,” said Shari Lava, Senior Research Director, AI and Automation, IDC. “Businesses should look for offerings that combine deep Flink expertise with capabilities like built-in connectors, automated operations, and strong customer success and support to accelerate time-to-value and simplify getting Flink applications into production. Solutions that provide a unified control plane across Flink and other components like Kafka go a long way in enabling more companies to harness real-time data and govern it effectively.”

    Speed up migrations to WarpStream with reduced costs and disaster recovery capabilities

    WarpStream’s BYOC deployment model is a popular option for customers with large-scale workloads and relaxed latency requirements who are looking to use their own virtual private cloud (VPC). Traditionally, it can be a challenging and manual process to migrate from open source Kafka to a BYOC model because it involves navigating different Kafka environments and building custom solutions that increase time, costs, and data quality issues. WarpStream Orbit makes it easier than ever to move existing workloads from open source Kafka, or any Kafka-compatible service, to WarpStream clusters. Customers can seamlessly migrate to WarpStream, optimise existing Kafka clusters with tiered storage to reduce costs, and set up disaster recovery for high throughput, relaxed latency workloads.

  • Skill, Train, Empower: Flipkart SCOA’s role in transforming e-commerce careers

    Flipkart's SCOA: Upskilling India's E-commerce Workforce

    Flipkart’s SCOA: Upskilling India’s E-commerce WorkforceFlipkart

    Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, has been making significant strides in upskilling India’s workforce through its Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA). Established in 2021, SCOA is a pioneering initiative aimed at training and certifying e-commerce supply chain personnel. The academy provides free, industry-relevant training to young individuals from underserved local catchment areas, equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in the rapidly growing e-commerce sector and bolster the local supply chain ecosystem.

    In 2024, SCOA trained over 3,000 candidates, including 600 women, demonstrating Flipkart’s commitment to skill development, diversity, and inclusion. The academy’s training program includes a 45-day hands-on experience at Flipkart facilities and online classroom sessions, providing participants with real-world operational skills. The program is inclusive, reaching out to local catchment youth, women, persons with disabilities (eDAB), defense personnel, and members of the transgender community, thereby enhancing their employability within the e-commerce sector.

    Upskilling for the Future

    Hemant Badri, Senior Vice President and Head of Supply Chain, Customer Experience, and Re-Commerce at Flipkart, stated, Flipkart is firmly committed to aiding millions of local companies on their e-commerce journey and contributing to the country’s inclusive economic growth. The Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA) seeks to provide students and prospective professionals with useful skills relevant to professions in e-commerce, retail, and warehousing. The initiative is dedicated to providing India’s youth with the skills required for the rapidly developing e-commerce sector. This program not only changes people’s lives, but it also shapes the industry’s future by directly addressing the urgent demand for a qualified workforce.

    Flipkart's SCOA: Upskilling India's E-commerce Workforce

    Flipkart’s SCOA: Upskilling India’s E-commerce WorkforceFlipkart

    SCOA’s curriculum, managed by Flipkart, offers a comprehensive learning experience tailored to the industry’s dynamic demands. It equips participants with industry-relevant skills, allowing them to gain experience in diverse e-commerce domains that align with their interests. The curriculum includes a Warehouse Associate Training Module, which prepares students for essential operational positions such as Picker, Putter, Packer, Segregator, Sorter, Quality Check Executive, Data Entry Operator (DEO), and Issue Resolution Executive. This holistic approach ensures that trainees are prepared to handle the changing demands of the e-commerce supply chain sector while also increasing the talent pool for one of India’s fastest-growing businesses.

    Flipkart’s Broader Commitments

    Flipkart’s SCOA plans to upskill 16,000 candidates by 2025 to build an eCommerce ready workforce. This initiative aligns with Flipkart’s broader commitment to decarbonizing its delivery operations, as evidenced by its recent partnership with GreenLine Mobility Solutions Ltd, a key player in Essar’s Green Mobility initiative. This collaboration will see GreenLine deploying its fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks, marking a key step in Flipkart’s broader commitment to decarbonizing its delivery operations.

    In addition to its efforts in upskilling and sustainability, Flipkart has also been proactive in enhancing the customer experience. The company recently collaborated with The Gameium to offer Flipkart customers a unique opportunity to purchase subscriptions to the leading online video game platform through Flipkart’s SuperCoins redemption. This collaboration is set to create waves in the gaming community and redefine loyalty rewards for Flipkart customers.

    The Flipkart Group, one of India’s leading digital commerce entities, includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, super.money, and Cleartrip. Established in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of sellers, merchants, and small businesses to participate in India’s digital commerce revolution. With a registered user base of more than 500 million, Flipkart’s marketplace offers over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Today, there are over 1.4 million sellers on the platform, including Shopsy sellers. With a focus on empowering and delighting every Indian by delivering value through technology and innovation, Flipkart has created thousands of jobs in the ecosystem while empowering generations of entrepreneurs and MSMEs.

  • NSDC Partners with Juspay to enhance Payment Solutions for Skill Development   – CRN

    NSDC Partners with Juspay to enhance Payment Solutions for Skill Development   – CRN

    National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Juspay Technologies to enhance payment infrastructure and solutions for skill development initiatives across India.

    The MoU was signed today at NSDC’s headquarters by Shreshtha Gupta, CTO NSDC, and Ishan Sharma, Head, Business at Juspay, in presence of Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO NSDC and MD NSDC International, Rajesh Swaika, CFO NSDC and Malyada Goverdhan, Head – B2G Partnerships, Juspay. The partnership marks a significant step towards leveraging cutting-edge technology to streamline financial processes for NSDC’s vast network of stakeholders, including training partners, candidates, and other ecosystem players.

    Highlights of the Collaboration 
    As per the MoU, Juspay will provide a robust and scalable payment orchestration platform tailored to the needs of NSDC, enabling seamless transactions across various payment modes like UPI, credit/debit cards, wallets, and net banking. The integration will simplify payment experiences for millions of learners and training providers, ensuring both reliability and efficiency. Juspay’s unified analytics and optimisation tools will help NSDC gain actionable insights to enhance operational efficiency.

    Speaking on the occasion, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO NSDC and MD NSDC International said, “Our collaboration with Juspay represents a significant advancement in our commitment to enhancing the skill development ecosystem in India. By leveraging the unique payment solutions, we aim to streamline the financial processes for our stakeholders, making skill development more accessible and efficient. This collaboration will empower millions of learners and training providers, ensuring that our initiatives are not only impactful but also sustainable in the long run.”

    Vimal Kumar, CEO & Founder of Juspay, added, “We are proud to partner with NSDC in their mission to empower millions through skill development. NSDC’s extensive payments infrastructure presents unique challenges, including the need for seamless integration across diverse platforms and ensuring secure and frictionless transactions at scale. At Juspay, we are committed to delivering a comprehensive solution that not only simplifies these challenges but also offers NSDC complete visibility and control over every financial transaction.”

    This partnership establishes a framework for collaboration that will not only enhance payment solutions but also promote financial inclusion within the skill development sector.

  • Gartner Identifies the Top Trends Impacting Infrastructure and Operations for 2025 – CRN

    Gartner Identifies the Top Trends Impacting Infrastructure and Operations for 2025 – CRN

    Gartner, Inc. highlighted the six trends that will have a significant impact on infrastructure and operations (I&O) for 2025.

    “These trends give the opportunity for I&O leaders to identify future skills requirements and seek insights to help meet implementation requirements,” said Jeffrey Hewitt, Vice President Analyst at Gartner. “They will provide the differentiation needed for enterprises to gain the optimal benefits from their I&O operations in 2025.”

    Trend No. 1: Revirtualisation/devirtualisation
    The recent license changes for certain vendor-based solutions have forced many I&O teams to re-evaluate their virtualisation choices with some moving more to public cloud, some turning to distributed cloud and some moving to private cloud. This involves multiple options beyond just changing hypervisors.

    “I&O leaders must inventory all current virtualisation implementations and any related interdependencies,” said Hewitt. “Evaluate alternative paths including hypervisors, hyperconvergence, distributed cloud, containerisation, private cloud and devirtualisation. Identify existing I&O skills and how those need to evolve to support top choices.”

    Trend No. 2: Security Behavior and Culture Programs
    As the sophistication and variety of attacks increases, security programs must evolve to address behavior and culture to optimise their effectiveness. Security behavior and culture programs (SBCPs) are enterprisewide approaches to minimise cybersecurity incidents associated with employee behavior.

    SBCP programs result in improved employee adoption of security controls and reductions in behavior not considered secure. They enable I&O to help support the more effective use of cybersecurity resources by employees.

    Trend No. 3: Cyberstorage
    Cyberstorage solutions utilise a data harbor made up of data that is fragmented and distributed across multiple storage locations. The fragmented data can be instantly reassembled for use when needed.

    Cyberstorage can be a dedicated solution with comprehensive features, a platform-native service offering with integrated solutions, or a collection of stand-alone products that augment storage vendors with cyberprotection capabilities.

    “For cyberstorage to be successful, I&O leaders should identify the risks of costly and disruptive storage threats, combined with increasing regulatory and insurance expenses to build a business case for cyberstorage adoption,” said Hewitt.

    Trend No. 4: Liquid-cooled Infrastructure
    Liquid-cooled infrastructure consists of rear-door heat exchange, immersion and direct-to-chip. It enables I&O to support new chip generations, density and AI requirements, while also providing I&O opportunities to flexibly place infrastructure to support edge use cases.

    “Liquid cooling has evolved to move from cooling the broader data center environment to getting closer and even within the infrastructure,” said Hewitt. “Liquid-cooled infrastructure remains niche today in terms of use cases but will become more predominant as next generations of GPUs and CPUs increase in power consumption and heat production.”

    Trend No. 5: Intelligent Applications
    Generative AI has revealed applications’ potential to operate intelligently, which has created the expectation for intelligent applications. Intelligent applications adapt to their user’s context and intent, thereby reducing digital friction. It can interoperate in pursuit of their own, as well as their users’ intents, by marshaling the appropriate interfaces to external APIs and connected data.

    Ultimately, intelligent applications reduce required intervention and interactions on the part of I&O. It also optimises processes and utilisation while reducing resource overhead.

    Trend No. 6: Optimal Infrastructure
    Optimal infrastructure is when I&O teams place a highly significant emphasis on the best infrastructure choices for a given use case across a range of deployment styles. This approach utilises a business-based focus so that executives outside of IT can understand why infrastructure choices are made from their perspectives.

    “These choices are ultimately aligned with platform engineering adoption,” said Hewitt. “They allow I&O to align infrastructure choices with the business objectives of the overall organisation. They also facilitate the support and approval of business unit leaders and C-level executives.”

  • Indian Space Technology achieves milestone with DRDO’s First Green Propulsion

    DRDO gets India's 1st green propulsion system

    IANS

    India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has acquired the country’s first green propulsion system, the iBooster. Developed by Mumbai-based deep-tech startup Manastu Space Technologies, the iBooster system is a revolutionary innovation designed specifically for satellites weighing between 100 and 500 kg. The iBooster system is a game-changer in the field of space technology, facilitating critical operations such as orbit raising, station-keeping, and deorbiting.

    The system’s proprietary hydrogen peroxide-based fuel ensures enhanced performance, safety, and sustainability compared to conventional toxic fuels and other exorbitantly expensive alternate fuels. This achievement is the result of four years of extensive research and development, supported by DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF). It is a testament to the growing role of Indian startups in advancing national defense and space capabilities.

    The iBooster system is a culmination of proprietary innovations, including a hydrogen peroxide-based fuel that is safer and eco-friendly, an optimised thruster design for efficiency and precision, and a high-temperature catalyst, ensuring seamless ignition and endurance in space. The DRDO has lauded Manastu Space’s achievement, stating, Manastu Space’s achievement demonstrates the transformative potential of Indian startups in deep tech. Their innovation supports DRDO’s mission to enhance India’s defense and satellite capabilities.

    Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

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    Tushar Jadhav, Co-founder of Manastu Space, expressed his pride in delivering this technology to DRDO. He said, Delivering this technology to DRDO is a proud milestone for us. It reflects our commitment to creating greener, safer, and highly efficient solutions for space exploration. This collaboration highlights the strength of innovation and collaboration in advancing India’s aerospace capabilities.

    Manastu Space is not resting on its laurels. The company is preparing for a groundbreaking space test aboard an upcoming PSLV mission by ISRO, demonstrating the system’s capabilities on a global stage. This mission underlines India’s leadership in developing sustainable space technologies. Founded in 2017 by Tushar Jadhav and Ashtesh Kumar, Manastu Space Technologies is a pioneer in sustainable space innovation.

    Specialising in propulsion systems and satellite technology, the company addresses critical challenges in space safety and sustainability. Through cost-effective, high-performance solutions, Manastu Space is driving India’s emergence as a global leader in aerospace innovation. This development is reminiscent of the historical event when the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the Mars Rover, Perseverance, in 2020. The rover was powered by a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG), a type of green propulsion system. The MMRTG converts heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 into electricity. This event marked a significant step towards sustainable space exploration, similar to the current achievement by Manastu Space Technologies.