Tag: technology

  • Smart Service Evolution: Robotic TME Reporting Leading the Way

    robotic TME

    In today’s fast-paced and data-driven world, the evolution of robotic TME (Time, Material, and Expense) reporting systems marks a transformative leap in service operations management. These cutting-edge systems, driven by advanced sensors, automation, and seamless integration with enterprise platforms, redefine how organizations collect, manage, and analyze service-related data. Kiran Nagubandi, an expert in this field, emphasizes that by replacing traditional manual methods with highly accurate, real-time reporting capabilities, robotic TME systems enhance efficiency and reliability and pave the way for continuous improvement through actionable insights. As industries continue to embrace these innovations, the future of service documentation and management looks increasingly promising.

    Innovative Mechanisms in Robotic TME Reporting

    Robotic TME reporting revolutionizes data collection with advanced sensors and task-logging features, providing real-time, highly accurate data. Unlike traditional manual methods, which are slow and error-prone, robotic systems utilize tools like Sensors, GPS Trackers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and motion detectors to capture precise service task details. This ensures accuracy in time allocation, material usage, and expense tracking, offering a comprehensive understanding of service scenarios and significantly enhancing reporting efficiency and reliability.

    Material and Expense Management: A New Horizon

    Robotic TME reporting systems enhance material and expense management with advanced tools like weight sensors, smart meters, RFID technology, and computer vision, enabling precise real-time tracking of material usage. This efficiency reduces waste and optimizes resource allocation. Seamless integration with financial databases allows real-time expense tracking, providing an auditable cost trail for each service activity. This automated approach minimizes human error, delivering unmatched accuracy and detail compared to manual processes, significantly improving inventory and expense management.

    Automated Report Generation: Enhancing Decision-Making

    Robotic TME reporting has transformed report generation through automation, using customizable, predefined templates to ensure consistency and ease of analysis across service activities. Advanced algorithms aggregate data from various robotic sources, accurately representing all relevant points. This automation reduces report generation time while enhancing accuracy and reliability. These systems employ sophisticated data visualization techniques to aid decision-making, converting raw data into clear, graphical formats like bar charts and pie charts. This approach simplifies the understanding of complex data sets, enabling stakeholders to make more efficient decisions and respond quickly to the TME estimates, preventive, predictive and prescriptive recommendations.

    Integration with Enterprise Systems: Real-Time Insights and Continuous Improvement

    Integrating robotic TME reporting systems with centralized enterprise platforms, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Asset Management Systems, represents a significant advancement in service operations. This integration allows for consolidating service-related data from multiple robotic units into a single, unified database. By enabling real-time data synchronization using Internet of Things (IOT) technologies, these systems ensure that decision-makers have access to the most up-to-date information, facilitating more accurate and timely operational insights.

    The true power of this integration is its ability to drive continuous improvement. Advanced analytics tools help organizations identify trends, patterns, revenue leakages and anomalies in service operations, enabling data-driven insights that optimize processes, improve resource allocation, and enhance overall service quality.

    Challenges and Future Opportunities

    Despite the numerous benefits, the implementation of robotic TME reporting systems is not without challenges. Ensuring data accuracy, managing integration complexity, regulatory compliance and addressing the initial costs associated with these systems require careful planning and execution. However, as technology continues to evolve, many of these challenges are likely to be overcome, paving the way for further innovations in automated service documentation and management.

    In conclusion, robotic systems are automating TME reporting and transforming service operations across various industries. By enhancing data accuracy, enabling real-time reporting, and integrating seamlessly with enterprise platforms, these systems offer significant opportunities for operational improvement. As organizations continue to adopt and refine these technologies, Kiran Nagubandi anticipates even greater future efficiencies, cost savings, and service quality enhancements.

  • Reinforcement Learning: Pioneering Innovations in Autonomous Decision-Making

    Reinforcement learning

    Reinforcement learning (RL) is reshaping the future of artificial intelligence, allowing machines to learn, adapt, and make decisions in dynamic environments. From mastering complex games to revolutionizing industries like robotics, healthcare, and autonomous driving, RL’s potential is vast and transformative. As the technology evolves, it presents exciting opportunities and unique challenges, particularly in scaling and ethical deployment. In this exploration, you’ll discover how RL drives innovation and shapes tomorrow’s AI landscape, as highlighted by Pradeep Sambamurthy’s comprehensive research.

    The Essence of Reinforcement Learning

    Reinforcement learning (RL), inspired by behavioral psychology, enables agents to learn through trial and error, guided by rewards and penalties. Unlike traditional AI paradigms like supervised learning, which relies on labeled data, RL interacts with environments to optimize cumulative rewards. It has been applied in diverse fields, from gaming AI to robotics and healthcare. By incorporating deep learning and neural networks, RL systems can process complex, high-dimensional data and make optimized decisions in real time, making RL invaluable for applications requiring adaptive autonomous behavior in dynamic environments.

    Key Innovations in RL

    One of the most notable advancements in reinforcement learning (RL) is DeepMind’s AlphaGo, a system that defeated the world champion in Go, a game renowned for its complexity. This milestone demonstrated RL’s capacity to master long-term planning and strategic thinking tasks. Beyond gaming, RL is transforming robotics, with algorithms enabling machines to perform intricate tasks like assembling parts with precision.

    Robotic arms powered by RL have reduced task completion times by 30%, improving manufacturing efficiency. RL is also making strides in autonomous driving, where some companies use RL to train vehicles in simulated environments. These simulations allow autonomous cars to navigate complex traffic scenarios, enhancing safety and efficiency through real-time decision-making based on extensive driving data.

    RL in Healthcare: Personalized Treatment and Beyond

    One of the most exciting applications of RL is in the healthcare industry. Researchers are now exploring RL algorithms to develop personalized treatment plans for patients with chronic diseases. For instance, RL systems have been utilized to optimize radiation therapy for cancer patients, minimizing side effects while enhancing treatment efficacy.

    In a study highlighted by Pradeep Sambamurthy, an RL algorithm outperformed human clinicians in managing sepsis treatment. The system analyzed data from thousands of patients, determining optimal treatment strategies that reduced mortality rates by up to 8.5%. This achievement underscores the potential of RL to revolutionize patient care by providing more accurate and timely interventions.

    Tackling Real-World Challenges

    Although RL excels in controlled environments like games, real-world applications face challenges, including the need for massive data and computational resources. Training models like OpenAI’s GPT-3 required extensive GPU time and significant financial investment in computing power.

    Researchers are addressing RL’s challenges by developing hybrid approaches that integrate model-based methods and transfer learning. These approaches enable systems to generalize knowledge across tasks. Additionally, distributed RL accelerates training by parallelizing learning, enhancing scalability for real-world applications.

    Future Prospects and Ethical Considerations

    As reinforcement learning (RL) advances, it raises ethical and societal concerns, especially in critical areas like autonomous vehicles and healthcare. Ensuring RL systems are safe, reliable, and unbiased is crucial for responsible AI development. Multi-agent RL, where systems cooperate or compete, introduces new opportunities in swarm robotics, smart cities, and decentralized finance. These emerging applications require new protocols for communication and coordination, pushing RL research into uncharted territories and highlighting the need for robust ethical frameworks to guide development.

    To sum up, reinforcement learning (RL) is revolutionizing AI by tackling complex, real-world challenges through interaction, adaptation, and optimized decision-making. Its broad applications, from improving manufacturing efficiency to enhancing healthcare outcomes, demonstrate RL’s transformative potential. The future of RL is bright, with advancements in multi-agent learning, meta-learning, and safe exploration set to push AI capabilities even further. However, the challenge lies in scaling these innovations while addressing the ethical concerns they raise, ensuring responsible and impactful AI development in the coming decade.

  • iOS 18 rolled out: New features, eligible models & what’s coming next [read now]

    iOS 18 is here

    iOS 18 is here

    Apple has officially started rolling out the much-anticipated iOS 18 update, offering eligible iPhone users a more personalized experience with new ways to customize their home screens and control center. The update brings a major overhaul to the Photos app, making it easier to organize and relive special moments. Enhancements to Messages and Mail add powerful features like formatting options and better organization. 

    Among the biggest updates is the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a feature launching next month that combines generative AI with personal context to deliver tailored suggestions while maintaining user privacy. More on that later, but let’s take a look at what the iOS 18 currently offers to iPhones.

    Expanded Customization Options

    iOS 18 allows users to place app icons and widgets on their home screens in more flexible layouts. Users can choose between light, dark, or tinted icons, and even increase the size of icons for a streamlined look. The Control Center also receives a significant upgrade, now featuring customizable groups of controls and the ability to rearrange or remove controls from the lock screen.

    Revamped Photos Experience

    The Photos app has been overhauled with a simpler, more unified layout. New collections like Recent Days, People & Pets, and Trips use on-device intelligence to automatically organize photos, reducing the time users spend searching for memories. Users can now customize their photo library’s layout and pin favorite collections for easy access.

    iOS 18 is here

    iOS 18 is hereApple

    Messaging and Phone Features

    iMessage brings new formatting tools, animated text effects, and a “Send Later” option for scheduling texts. iOS 18 also supports RCS, enhancing communication with non-Apple users by enabling richer media sharing and more reliable group messaging. A new feature in the Phone app allows live call transcription, with recordings stored directly in the Notes app for easy access.

    Safari and Security Enhancements

    Safari gets new tools for distraction-free browsing. The redesigned Reader feature provides summaries and streamlined views, while a new Passwords app consolidates all user credentials in one secure place.

    Apple Intelligence Debuts Next Month

    Starting in October, iOS 18 will introduce Apple Intelligence, leveraging AI for tasks like text proofreading, photo search, and natural language processing—all while keeping data secure. Siri also receives improvements, with enhanced language understanding and a more natural, conversational design.

    iOS 18 is available today for iPhone Xs and later models, with more features rolling out over the coming months.

    iOS 18: Eligible iPhone models

    iOS 18: Eligible iPhone modelsApple

  • Infosys and LIC Join Forces for Digital Transformation

    Infosys and LIC Join Forces for Digital Transformation

    IANS

    IT services giant Infosys has announced a strategic collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India. This partnership, announced on September 16, is set to revolutionize LIC’s digital landscape, marking a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey. Infosys will lead LIC’s digital transformation initiative, aptly named DIVE (Digital Innovation and Value Enhancement). This initiative aims to create the ‘NextGen Digital Platform’, a cutting-edge platform designed to deliver seamless omni-channel engagement and data-driven hyper-personalised experiences to LIC’s vast customer base, agents, and employees.

    Siddhartha Mohanty, CEO and MD of LIC, expressed his optimism about the collaboration, stating, It will not only enhance our operational capabilities, but also enable us to cater to our vast customer, agent and employee base with newer, more personalised experiences. We are committed to leveraging the latest technologies that Infosys has to offer.”

    Infosys will provide LIC with turnkey system integration services, leveraging AI capabilities from Infosys Topaz and DevSecOps services from Infosys Cobalt. Infosys Cobalt is a comprehensive set of services, solutions, and platforms designed to accelerate enterprises’ cloud journey. On the other hand, Infosys Topaz, an AI-first offering suite, enhances Cobalt with generative AI (GenAI) capabilities.

    Infosys

    IANS

    Salil Parekh, CEO and MD of Infosys, highlighted the company’s extensive experience in digital transformation initiatives and prowess in AI and Cloud. He said, “We aim to equip LIC with a robust digital infrastructure that will deliver superior customer engagement, enhance operational efficiency and enable rapid market responsiveness”. He further added, “Through this collaboration, we are confident that LIC will be uniquely positioned to offer unparalleled service and value to their stakeholders.”

    The ‘NextGen Digital Platform’ will also serve as an open platform, enabling swift integration with fintech companies and Bancassurance partners. This strategic move is expected to further strengthen LIC’s position in the market, making it more competitive and responsive to market changes.

    In addition to the digital transformation, LIC has also reported a significant surge in its new business premium. In August, LIC saw a 35.1 per cent increase in its new business premium to Rs 19,309.10 crore, up from Rs 14,292.53 crore in the same month last year. For the first five months of fiscal year 2025, LIC’s individual premium segment accrued Rs 22,396.28 crore, marking an 11.75 per cent growth from Rs 20,041.36 crore during the same period in fiscal year 2024.

  • New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology announces exclusive Scholarships for Indian Students

    New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology announces exclusive Scholarships for Indian StudentsIndia, 14 September 2024: Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao and Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) announced an exciting new initiative exclusively for Indian students at an event hosted at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi.

    In a first-of-its-kind offering, NZIST unveiled scholarships worth more than NZ$200,000 for Indian students aiming to pursue higher education in the fields of science and technology in New Zealand.

    The New Zealand Science and Technology Scholarships are available for Indian students enrolling in their first year of a full-time programme in New Zealand for 2025.

    Successful students will experience a world-class opportunity at New Zealand’s globally recognised providers that deliver career-focused applied learning, connections to industry and local communities offering real-world learning experiences, and smaller class sizes enabling more discussion and exploration in a practical sense and learner support.

    The scholarships are now LIVE for applications. More information including eligibility criteria, programmes and institute details available here: tepukenga.ac.nz/scholarship/

    Ziena Jalil, Chief of Staff at Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, commented:

    “In a rapidly changing world, where science and technology is central to our lives and a great transformation agent, we need more people skilled in these important fields.

    “The New Zealand Science and Technology Scholarships are part of our commitment and contribution to supporting Indian students access globally recognised qualifications, underpinned by industry best practice, in fields with high talent demand.”

    The scholarships align with India’s National Education Policy (NEP), which seeks to equip students with skills for global careers.

    “New Zealand is recognised internationally for being a creative, innovative and technology advanced country. Our education system plays an important role in supporting a thriving economy and we know that India values education as a key driver of economic development too.”

    Programmes eligible for the scholarships include agri-technology, applied health sciences, aquaculture, architecture, biotechnology, construction, computing systems, digital technology, engineering (several specialisations), food technology, information technology, marine conservation, nursing, quantity surveying, veterinary nursing, and viticulture.

    Ms. Jalil said Indian students make up the largest cohort of international students across New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and add to the rich cultural diversity on its more than 80 campus sites throughout the country.

    “It is not uncommon to see large Diwali celebrations on our campuses.

    “We look forward to welcoming our India scholarship recipients to New Zealand and supporting them through their education journeys.”

  • Indian Midmarket Firms Fall in Line, Prioritize AI Adoption

    96 pc of Indian midmarket firms prioritising Gen AI, faster than the world

    IANS

    The recent report released on September 13, revealed that a staggering 96% of Indian midmarket firms, those with between 250 and 1,500 employees, are prioritizing generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). This figure is notably higher than the global average, which stands at 91%.

    The report, conducted by SAP India, highlights the growing importance of AI in the Indian business sphere. The adoption of GenAI is one of the top organizational priorities for Indian mid-market businesses in 2024, second only to preparing for cybersecurity threats.

    Manish Prasad, President and Managing Director of SAP Indian Subcontinent, emphasized the significance of AI for India’s midmarket businesses, which he described as the backbone of the nation’s economy. According to Prasad, AI is a game-changer for these companies, offering agility, actionable insights, and helping them thrive in a digital economy.

    The report also shed light on the specific areas where AI is expected to make a significant impact. Over half of the Indian mid-market businesses surveyed place a high priority on AI to transform privacy and security (55%) and improve decision-making (52%).

    AI

    artificial intelligence gaining its powerIANS

    However, the report also highlighted some of the challenges associated with the adoption of AI. The biggest risk identified by Indian midmarket businesses is the difficulty in finding, attracting, and retaining talent with AI skills. This points to a broader issue of a skills gap in the AI field, which could potentially hinder the widespread adoption of AI in the business world. Data-related issues also pose a significant risk, with concerns about the lack of transparency behind AI results, the possibility of acting upon incorrect information, and the insufficient data size and quality for AI models among the other risks identified.

  • Amazon India creates over 1.1 lakh seasonal job opportunities; Priority to women, persons with disabilities

    Amazon India creates over 1.1 lakh seasonal job opportunities in India

    Amazon India creates over 1.1 lakh seasonal job opportunities in IndiaIANS

    Amazon India on Thursday announced it has created more than 110,000 seasonal job opportunities across its operations network ahead of the upcoming festive season.

    The e-commerce major has hired thousands of women associates as well as close to 1900 persons with disabilities (PWD) into its existing network. The company said it has already onboarded a majority of these new hires.

    “It is encouraging to see the company hiring a significant number of women and persons with disabilities for these roles while prioritizing the well-being of its associates through initiatives focused on their safety, healthcare, and educational support,” said Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment.

    The opportunities include direct and indirect jobs in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Chennai, among others.

    AMAZON

    e-commerce major has hired thousands of women associates as well as close to 1900 persons with disabilities (PWD)IANS

    Abhinav Singh, VP-Operations, Amazon India, said that a number of these associates continue to work with Amazon even after the festive season and many others return year after year to work with Amazon.

    According to Dr Mandaviya, Amazon’s commitment to create over 1 lakh seasonal employment opportunities across India is a commendable step towards bolstering the nation’s workforce during the festive period.

    As part of its commitment to support the well-being of associates, Amazon India has implemented a range of initiatives focused on associate wellbeing including the recently launched Project Ashray, which offers dedicated resting points for delivery associates across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

    The global e-commerce major recently said it is on track to enable Indian businesses surpass $13 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports from India by the end of year. As part of its ‘Amazon Global Selling’ programme launched in 2015, 1.5 lakh exporters have cumulatively sold over 40 crore ‘Made in India’ products to customers across the world.

    The total seller base on the programme has grown 20 per cent in the past year.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

     

  • PM Modi wants to go more aggressive on making India a global chip hub: SEMI’s Ajit Manocha

    PM Modi wants to go more aggressive on making India a global chip hub: SEMI's Ajit Manocha

    PM Modi wants to go more aggressive on making India a global chip hub: SEMI’s Ajit ManochaIANS

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is crystal clear about his vision for semiconductors and their usefulness for humanity and he wants to become “even more aggressive” in taking this journey further, Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of global industry association SEMI, said on Thursday.

    Speaking to IANS, Manocha, who addressed the gathering at the inauguration ceremony of the three-day ‘Semicon India 2024’ here in the presence of PM Modi and top leadership, noted that India is on the right path to becoming a global leader in the semiconductor industry.

    “PM Modi clearly understands that semiconductors are the foundation for every device, and he saw how the chip helped develop the COVID vaccine faster. Similarly, once we begin to manufacture chips in the country, it will help several sectors such as defence, automotive, mobile devices and practically every industry,” said Manocha on the second day of the mega event.

    According to him, the Prime Minister always wanted to see India become the top semiconductor nation.

    India's position set to rise in global supply chains with huge chip investments

    India’s position set to rise in global supply chains with huge chip investmentsIANS

    “He was very clear about the importance of semiconductors and its strategic need for the country. And he has been very consistent since I met him. Yesterday, when I met him for the third time, PM Modi said he wanted to go even more aggressive in taking this journey further,” Manocha told IANS.

    On Wednesday, PM Modi said this is the right time and place to be in India when it comes to semiconductor manufacturing, as the country provides an integrated ecosystem for the global players, along with ease of doing business and a large talent pool.

    Manocha said that a lot of work has to happen on the chip manufacturing front in India and the vision and policy are clear.

    “The foreign companies and other partners are starting to see India as a potential partner for the electronics and semiconductor supply chains. We have more than 100 CEOs and CXOs from all over the industry and ecosystem companies here. They all gave a word of confidence in working with India to make sure that the country becomes the next powerhouse of semiconductors industry in Asia,” Manocha emphasised.

    He said that the ‘Semicon India 2024’ has proved that India is ready to take a bigger share in the global semiconductor industry.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • Data Processing Revolutionizes Digital Payments: A Deep Dive into Transformative Impacts

    Navya Alapati

    Data is the backbone of all the technology advancements we see at present. Data processing plays crucial in modern businesses, allowing them to transform raw data into actionable insights that drive strategic choices. A strong foundation in database design, development, maintenance, and optimisation ensures that data is well-managed, safely kept, and easily accessed. This knowledge enables firms to streamline operations, improve client experiences, and increase overall performance. Effective data processing enables precise forecasting, personalised marketing, and optimised resource allocation, all of which contribute directly to business growth and competitive advantage. In today’s data-driven market, experts like Navya Alapati are crucial for providing robust and well-structured database solutions for achieving and sustaining corporate success.

    Enhancing Speed and Accuracy in Digital Payments

    Data processing is revolutionizing the digital payment industry by enhancing transaction speed, security, personalization, and efficiency. As digital payments continue to replace cash transactions, robust data processing capabilities are essential. Navya Alapati, a Senior Software Engineer, highlights the critical role of speed in digital payments, noting that optimizing database solutions is crucial for real-time processing. This not only reduces transaction times but also minimizes errors, ensuring reliable and seamless services that meet modern consumer expectations.

    Strengthening Security and Fraud Prevention

    Data processing has a huge impact on the digital payment business, making security an important consideration. Advanced methodologies allow for real-time monitoring and analysis of transaction patterns, which is critical for detecting and preventing fraud. Businesses can safeguard consumers and merchants from financial loss by immediately detecting anomalies and suspicious activity. This proactive strategy not only improves security but also boosts customer confidence in digital payment systems, encouraging wider usage and driving industry growth.

    Personalization and Compliance Through Data Insights

    Data processing is revolutionising the personalisation of digital payment experiences by allowing firms to analyse massive amounts of payment data to gain insights into consumer behaviour and preferences. These data enable businesses to build targeted marketing campaigns, personalised offers, and customised services, thereby increasing consumer engagement and loyalty. In a competitive market, this customisation sets businesses apart. Furthermore, robust data processing assures compliance with data privacy legislation and security standards, lowering the danger of data breaches and protecting both business reputations and customer trust, hence strengthening the reliability of digital payment systems.

    Research Focusing on providing Robust Solutions leveraging ML

    The digital payment sector continues to grapple with various types of fraud, as traditional rule-based systems struggle to detect new, sophisticated fraudulent activities. In response, Navya’s research proposes advanced solutions like graph-based semi-supervised learning (SSL) methods for fraud detection. This approach uses machine learning algorithms to categorize data points into genuine and fraudulent by analysing both labelled and unlabelled data. The inclusion of more diverse datasets allows SSL to generalize better than conventional methods, making it highly effective in identifying complex fraud patterns. By extending graph models to incorporate transaction relationships and network connections, SSL enhances its ability to detect anomalies that might signal fraudulent actions. This approach not only boosts detection accuracy but also provides a robust and deployable solution that can significantly reduce financial losses.

    In parallel, Navya’s another study explores the integration of genetic programming (GP) and clustering techniques to strengthen intrusion detection systems against cyber-attacks. GP evolves computer programs through selection, mutation, and crossover, creating a dynamic set of candidate programs for intrusion detection. Clustering, on the other hand, groups data points based on their statistical properties, allowing for more precise identification of threat patterns. By combining these methods, the research aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of real-time threat identification and mitigation. This dual approach not only improves the system’s ability to detect new intrusions but also provides a powerful defence mechanism against evolving cyber threats, helping to safeguard financial institutions and their customers.

    Driving Business Strategy with Data-Driven Decision Making

    Overall, data processing is central to the digital payment sector’s transformation, boosting efficiency, security, and data-driven decision-making. As businesses refine database solutions, they can deliver innovative, reliable, and personalized payment experiences that meet modern consumer expectations, directly influencing market positioning and growth. Navya Alapati emphasizes the importance of leveraging data-driven strategies to address the evolving needs of the digital payment industry. Looking ahead, integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and blockchain will enhance real-time analytics, predictive modeling, and fraud detection. Emphasizing scalability and robust data security measures will be vital as transaction volumes increase, ensuring a more efficient, secure, and personalized digital payment ecosystem for global consumers and businesses.

  • Meta Unveils New WhatsApp Features for Indian Businesses

    Meta Verified, customised messages arrive on WhatsApp for businesses in India

    IANS

    Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has announced a slew of new features and updates for the popular messaging app. These updates, aimed at millions of small businesses across the country, are designed to help them grow and thrive, particularly in the lead-up to the festive season. The announcement was made at the inaugural ‘WhatsApp Business Summit’ held in the country.

    One of the key features introduced is the ‘Meta Verified’ feature, now accessible to all eligible small businesses in India using the WhatsApp Business app. Businesses that opt to subscribe and prove their authenticity will receive a verified badge, protection against impersonation, account support, and premium features. These features are designed to enhance their online brand presence and streamline communication with customers.

    The verified badge will also be visible on their WhatsApp Channels and Business pages, facilitating easy sharing on social media platforms and websites. This move is expected to instill a sense of trust and credibility among customers, thereby enhancing the business’s reputation and customer base.

    Sandhya Devanathan, VP, Meta in India, emphasized the central role of WhatsApp in India’s digital transformation. She stated, The ubiquity and ease of WhatsApp places it at the centre of India’s transformation, helping businesses fuel compelling ideas and new models of growth. This statement underscores the potential of WhatsApp as a powerful tool for business growth and innovation.

    watsapp

    IANS

    In addition to the ‘Meta Verified’ feature, Meta is also introducing the ability for small businesses to send customized messages to their customers. This feature allows businesses to send personalized messages such as appointment reminders, birthday greetings, or updates on a holiday sale, all in a faster and more efficient way. This feature, available for a fee, not only enhances customer engagement but also allows businesses to schedule the day and time the messages are sent, thereby offering greater flexibility and control.

    In a pioneering initiative, Meta will soon launch the ‘WhatsApp Business Yatra‘ in India. This initiative will see the social media giant reaching out to small businesses in tier 2 and 3 cities, providing on-ground, in-person training. This move is expected to empower small businesses with the knowledge and skills to leverage the new features effectively.

    The introduction of these features comes at a time when about 60 per cent of WhatsApp users are interacting with businesses every week. Overall, around 92 per cent of users are using messaging apps to interact with the businesses. This data underscores the growing importance of digital platforms like WhatsApp in business communication and customer engagement.

    Historically, Meta has always been at the forefront of digital innovation. The company’s focus on small businesses is not new. In 2018, WhatsApp launched the WhatsApp Business app, designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. The app provided businesses with tools to automate, sort, and quickly respond to messages. The latest updates can be seen as a continuation of Meta’s commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering their growth.