Category: Technology

  • India sees over 90 pc rise in smartphone exports in Nov, Apple leads

    India sees over 90 pc rise in smartphone exports in Nov, Apple leads

    India sees over 90 pc rise in smartphone exports in Nov, Apple leadsIANS

    India has seen a record smartphone exports in November this year, surpassing the Rs 20,000 crore mark for the first time in a month, which was led by Apple.

    According to industry data, smartphone exports crossed Rs 20,300 crore, a more than 90 per cent rise from the same period last year. Apple led the exports last month, followed by Samsung.

    In November last year, the smartphone exports from the country was over Rs 10,600 crore, as per the industry data.

    The smartphone market in the country is expected to exit 2024 with a single-digit annual growth.

    Meanwhile, riding on the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple’s iPhone production in the country reached $10 billion in the seven months of this fiscal (FY25), with $7 billion in exports alone which is a record.

    Apple iPhone 15 becomes best-selling smartphone globally in Q3 2024

    $10 billion iPhone production by Apple with $7 billion exportsIANS

    The tech giant manufactured/assembled $14 billion of iPhones in India last fiscal (FY24), with exporting more than $10 billion worth of iPhones.

    According to Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, this is yet another milestone for the smartphone PLI scheme in 7 months.

    “$10 billion iPhone production by Apple with $7 billion exports. Total smartphone exports from Bharat crossed $10.6 billion in 7 months,” the minister had posted on X last month.

    India’s smartphone market is estimated to grow 7-8 per cent this year, driven by strong demand for premium, 5G and AI smartphones. The mobile handset market in India is expected to maintain steady growth.

    According to industry experts, to achieve the goal of $500 billion local electronics manufacturing by FY30, the industry must prioritise export growth to emerge as one of the top three global exporters in this domain by 2030, led by mobile manufacturing.

    As per the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) data, mobile phone production surged from Rs 18,900 crore in 2014-15 to an estimated Rs 4.10 lakh crore in FY24, registering an increase of a massive 2,000 per cent, driven by the PLI scheme.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Honeywell selected by Exide energy to power building automation at lithium-ion Gigafactory in India – CRN

    Honeywell selected by Exide energy to power building automation at lithium-ion Gigafactory in India – CRN

    Honeywell announced that it has been awarded a contract to provide building automation solutions to Exide Energy Solutions Limited (EESL), a fully owned subsidiary of Exide Industries Ltd, India’s largest battery maker. This technology deployment underscores Honeywell’s commitment to the Make in India initiative and also supports Honeywell’s alignment of its portfolio to three compelling megatrends, including automation and the energy transition.

    Honeywell will equip EESL with digital solutions to help improve operational efficiency and deliver faster incident response, energy savings and increased security for the phase one of its new 80-acre lithium-ion gigafactory campus in Bengaluru. Key to this will be Honeywell’s Enterprise Buildings Integrator (EBI) platform, which will provide an integrated view, centralised monitoring and control of building management across the gigafactory campus.
    The gigafactory is expected to be completed in 2025 and will be Bengaluru’s first multi-gigawatt-hour lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility. It will produce lithium-ion batteries to help address the growing global demand for electric vehicles.

    Atul Pai, Vice President and General Manager, Building Automation, Honeywell India said, “By helping Exide Energy make their new lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility more safe, secure and automated, we are supporting the efficient production of batteries that power the future of electric vehicles. Our integrated solutions not only help advance the safety and efficiency of Exide Energy’s gigafactory, but they also align with our goals of developing sustainable energy solutions and helping India build its self-reliance in critical industries including electric mobility.”

    Dr. Mandar Deo, CEO of Exide Energy Solutions Ltd. said: “Honeywell’s automation and safety solutions align with our vision to create the most technologically advanced and sustainable unit for manufacturing Li-ion cells. We are confident that Honeywell’s expertise makes them an ideal partner to help us meet these requirements.”

  • Hyundai AutoEver teams up with MapmyIndia to launch Navigation Mapping Venture

    Hyundai AutoEver, MapmyIndia establish navigation map joint venture

    IANS

    Hyundai AutoEver, the IT affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, has joined forces with India’s MapmyIndia. The strategic partnership aims to establish a joint venture named Terra Link Technologies. This venture is set to develop high-quality automotive navigation maps for Southeast Asia, a region experiencing rapid economic growth and a sharp rise in vehicle demand.

    The joint venture will focus on developing navigation maps for countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. The need for such a venture is underscored by the unique road environments in Southeast Asia, which vary significantly by country, with differences in driving directions and road markings.

    Seo Dong-kwon, head of the navigation business division at Hyundai AutoEver, emphasized the venture’s commitment to delivering a differentiated experience to consumers. We aim to build high-quality automotive maps to support global automakers in enhancing their competitiveness in the field of navigation, he said.

    MapmyIndia, a leading player in India’s deep-tech digital map data, geospatial software, and location-based IoT products, brings its expertise in offering proprietary digital maps as a service, software as a service, and platform as a service to the table. However, the company has been in the news recently for a different reason.

    Hyundai AutoEver, MapmyIndia establish navigation map joint venture

    IANS

    Rohan Verma, CEO and Executive Director of MapmyIndia, announced his decision to step down to launch his own consumer business. Rakesh Verma, Co-founder and CMD, MapmyIndia, confirmed this development, stating, To fulfil his long cherished desire to build a consumer business, Rohan Verma proposed to the board to fund a new venture outside the company.

    Despite this change in leadership, MapmyIndia reported a 13.82 per cent year-on-year jump in revenue from operations to Rs 103.67 crore in Q2 FY25. However, the company also registered an 8.2 per cent drop in consolidated net profit to ₹30.33 crore in Q2 FY25, compared to Rs. 33.04 crore in Q2 FY24.

    In a related development, MapmyIndia has also partnered with Zoomcar to revolutionize road trips and travel with AI-powered integration. This collaboration aims to redefine how people explore the world, offering users the tools and flexibility to plan their perfect journeys. Hiroshi Nishijima, CEO of Zoomcar, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, We’re committed to making every trip seamless and enjoyable with Mappls.

    In another strategic move, MapmyIndia launched ClarityX, a company wholly focused on data analytics. ClarityX leverages AI and Human Intelligence in a bespoke and consultative manner to offer tailor-made actionable insights to enterprise customers across all industries.

    The establishment of Terra Link Technologies is reminiscent of similar ventures in the past where technology and automotive industries have collaborated to leverage the power of digital transformation. For instance, in 2015, Toyota and Microsoft formed a partnership to create a world-class connected car ecosystem to help realize Toyota’s vision of a Smart Mobility Society.

  • Transforming Industries Through Cloud and AI: The Impact of Rajesh Daruvuri’s Work at Google

    Rajesh Daruvuri

    Transforming Industries Through Cloud and AI: The Impact of Rajesh Daruvuri’s Work at Google
    Cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) have become essential drivers of modern business transformation, reshaping how organizations operate and deliver value. The global cloud computing market, valued at $483.98 billion in 2022, is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 14.1% from 2023 to 2030. This growth highlights the pivotal role of AI and cloud technologies in reducing costs, enhancing scalability, and fostering innovation. As these technologies continue to redefine industries, professionals like Rajesh Daruvuri play a critical role in aligning advanced tools with business objectives to deliver meaningful outcomes.

    Rajesh, a Technical Account Manager at Google with over 15 years of experience, has been at the forefront of leveraging AI and cloud solutions to address complex business challenges. During this period he has worked with some of the globally reputed organizational like Atos Syntel, AT&T, Google At Atos Syntel (2010-2017) where he led Microsoft technology initiatives for Aberdeen Investments, Edinburgh, UK Scotland. His contributions have garnered industry-wide recognition, including the Claro Technology Platinum Award in 2024, and his insights have been featured on platforms like ResearchGate. By focusing on implementing practical, data-driven strategies, Rajesh has advanced the adoption of AI-powered tools across retail, telecommunications, and other industries, driving significant operational improvements.

    Enhancing Retail Operations with AI and Cloud
    Retail technology profoundly impacts customer experiences and operational efficiencies. Rajesh’s work at Google integrates AI and BI-driven solutions into retail operations. Using Google Cloud tools like BigQuery, Dataplex, and Looker, he has enabled predictive analytics, real-time decision-making, and robust BI capabilities. These solutions allow retailers to anticipate trends, optimize logistics, and One example includes helping a retail giant use AI and BI tools to analyze purchasing behavior, improving supply chain efficiency and customer interactions. Detailed in How Cloud-Powered AI Tools Are Enabling Rich Customer Experiences at Walmart, this initiative showcases how AI and BI create measurable outcomes like cost reductions, faster adaptability, and improved service delivery.

    Broadening the Scope of Innovation
    While Rajesh’s contributions to retail are noteworthy, his expertise has also driven impactful transformations in other industries. At AT&T, he led innovative projects focused on Azure Cloud migrations, which significantly reduced operational costs and improved overall efficiency. By leveraging his expertise in business intelligence (BI) solutions, Rajesh streamlined data ecosystems, enabling the extraction of actionable insights. These advancements not only optimized critical business processes but also empowered the organization to remain agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving market landscape.

    One of his standout projects at Google involved developing the AI chatbot “OLI” for the 2024 Olympics. This tool was designed to provide personalized, accessible event information to millions of users worldwide, showcasing the practical applications of AI in enhancing user experiences on a global scale. Media coverage of this initiative praised its ability to simplify complex data interactions for end-users, demonstrating the value of AI in improving accessibility and personalization.

    Collaborative Leadership and Team Development
    Collaboration and skill-building are key aspects of Rajesh’s approach to technology implementation. At Google, he has initiated several training programs, including “Looker Cloud Hero” sessions and BI days, aimed at equipping teams with the skills needed to leverage advanced tools effectively. These programs have empowered teams to embrace AI and cloud technologies, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

    In addition to team training, Rajesh actively contributes to the development of Google Cloud products. His work on AlloyDB and Databricks has been instrumental in addressing complex business challenges by creating solutions that simplify data management and enhance analytical capabilities. By fostering collaboration and innovation, Rajesh has helped organizations maximize the value of their technological investments.

    Recognition and Knowledge Sharing
    Rajesh Daruvuri’s exceptional contributions to technology have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Claro Technology Platinum Award in 2024 and a Globee® Gold Award for Excellence in Data Analytics. These recognitions highlight his innovative achievements in advancing data engineering and AI solutions. As a subject matter expert in Business Intelligence (BI) tools like Power BI and Microsoft Fabric, Rajesh has trained countless professionals, delivering actionable insights through tailored solutions and thought-provoking presentations.
    He has authored six impactful articles on AI and cloud computing, covering topics like Reinforcement Deep Learning for Edge-Cloud Systems and Augmenting BI with AI and Data Engineering. Published on platforms like ResearchGate, his work enriches the AI community, inspiring transformative solutions.

    Contributions to AI and the BI Community
    Rajesh is a Senior Member of IEEE and an active fellow of various AI organizations, where he collaborates with global thought leaders to advance the fields of AI, cloud computing, and data analytics. His ongoing work includes reviewing conference papers for IEEE, furthering the academic and practical discourse in AI.

    Through his focus on leveraging AI in BI tools, Rajesh envisions a future where intelligent systems can drive better decision-making and operational efficiency. His contributions have enriched industry dialogues, inspired global strategies, and positioned him as a visionary leader shaping the integration of AI with BI.

    Future Plans and Global Benefits
    Rajesh future plans include authoring more articles, mentor BI professionals, and contribute to global discussions on AI and cloud technologies. His goal is to bridge research with practical applications, offering solutions that reduce costs, boost efficiency, and foster innovation. His dedication to advancing BI, AI, and cloud computing promises to elevate both national and international tech ecosystems.

  • Zscaler’s comprehensive enablement approach ensures its partners are well-positioned to drive digital transformation and build lasting value for their customers – CRN

    Zscaler’s comprehensive enablement approach ensures its partners are well-positioned to drive digital transformation and build lasting value for their customers – CRN

    In an exclusive joint interaction with CRN India, Anthony Torsiello, Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Alliances, Zscaler and Foad Farrokhnia, Vice President, Channel & Alliances, Asia Pacific & Japan, Zscaler delve deep into the company’s innovative channel strategies, the evolving landscape of cyber security, the pivotal role of partners in driving digital transformation, and the roadmap for the Indian market.

    What are the key factors that are driving Zscaler’s growth in the channel partner ecosystem?

    Torsiello – Zscaler’s growth in the partner ecosystem is fueled by a strong commitment to specialisation, collaboration, and a shared vision of transforming cyber security. Our partners are critical to our growth strategy, and a company-wide priority driven from the top down. Our ambitious goal of reaching US$5 billion in ARR involves expanding partnerships with organisations that seek to specialise in advanced cyber security solutions, such as data protection, digital experience, and AI, and leveraging the capabilities of recent acquisitions like Avalor.

    Our partner ecosystem is built on more than just transactions—it’s about empowering partners to deliver a full spectrum of services, from deployment and adoption to managed services and platform operations. By equipping our partners to deliver these end-to-end services, we are not only meeting the evolving security needs of our customers but also positioning Zscaler and our partners for long-term growth. This comprehensive approach ensures that we are ready to scale alongside our customers while driving innovation and differentiation across the cyber security landscape.

    What are the opportunities for channel partners of the Asia Pacific, and Japan regions?

    Farrokhnia – The Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) regions present significant opportunities for our channel partners, particularly in the high-end market segments. Currently, a large percentage of our revenue in this region comes from enterprise and major customers. Expanding adoption of the entire Zscaler platform offers a prime opportunity for partners to provide specialised services and monetise these relationships. We see tremendous potential in our distribution network and cloud partnerships, including our Technology Alliance Partners like CrowdStrike and Okta. Additionally, there’s a growing demand from customers to purchase through marketplaces such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.

    For partners to thrive, it’s critical to help customers realise the full potential of the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform by expanding deployments across their environments. This means not just focusing on initial wins but driving broader adoption of our entire platform, from secure access to digital experience monitoring. The mid-market organisations in APJ also represent a vast white space opportunity, comprising 95% of the market.

    Partners can capitalise on this by collaborating directly with us or through distribution channels, which offer valuable programs, initiatives, and incentives. Ultimately, partners who can drive platform adoption, ensure customer satisfaction, and expand their service offerings will benefit from renewals, up-selling, and expansions. This approach not only enhances profitability but also solidifies their role in the evolving cyber security landscape.

    How is Zscaler supporting its channel through the Partner Programs, especially when it comes to training and enablement? With new technologies constantly emerging, how does Zscaler help partners stay up-to-date and is equipped to deliver these solutions effectively to end customers?

    Torsiello – Zscaler’s Summit Partner Program is designed to equip channel partners with the expertise needed to stay ahead of emerging technologies and deliver transformative solutions. Through a structured learning pathway, partners receive scalable online training covering foundational topics such as Zero Trust architecture, digital transformation, and secure cloud adoption. This foundational knowledge allows partners to quickly onboard, understand Zscaler’s value proposition, and confidently deliver our solutions to end customers.

    As partners progress, we offer advanced training in areas like AI-driven security, data protection, and digital experience management. Both online and in-person training sessions are available, along with shadowing opportunities on real-world delivery projects. These specialised training components ensure that partners gain hands-on experience and develop the technical depth required to implement complex, outcome-focused solutions. We also incentivise partners to become authorised delivery partners through benefits like predictable pricing models and enhanced margins, further strengthening their market competitiveness.

    To support deeper specialisation, we have introduced the Zscaler Aces program, featuring highly skilled architects who can collaborate with partners to deliver exceptional results. By offering continuous training and hands-on support, Zscaler empowers partners to lead in cutting-edge areas, driving customer adoption, renewals, and long-term growth. This comprehensive enablement approach ensures our partners are well-positioned to drive digital transformation and build lasting value for their customers.

    What is Zscaler’s GTM strategy for the Indian market? How do you plan to engage with Indian channel partners over the next year?

    Torsiello – Zscaler is committed to partnering with purpose in India and globally. Our deliberate business plan focuses on collaborating with the right partners in the right markets, building trust and accountability. We aim to understand our partners’ strengths and complement them with our own, leading to a focused set of partners for various go-to-market motions.

    For our large, strategic customers on a transformation journey, , we work closely with our global systems integrators to drive opportunities, leveraging advisory and consulting capabilities to position the Zscaler platform effectively over a 3-to-5-year strategy. We also collaborate with our services partners to deliver a managed service for customers that are in need of a fully managed solution. This specialisation allows services partners to leverage managed services as a gateway into accounts, addressing cyber security needs.

    In fact, Zscaler solution providers play a crucial role. Many leverage distribution partners for services and support or become delivery-authorised partners by undergoing training and demonstrating their delivery capabilities. This enables them to move up the value stack, providing greater value to customers. We are also investing heavily in co-marketing activities and reinvesting in our partners, particularly in India, where we see tremendous growth potential. By partnering with purpose, we aim to drive digital transformation and deliver exceptional value to our customers, ensuring successful growth and adoption of the Zscaler platform.

    Any specific segment or vertical do you see gaining the traction in the Indian and APJ markets? Where does Zscaler plans to channelise its efforts?

    Farrokhnia – In the Indian and APJ markets, we see significant traction in several key segments. One area with immense potential is the commercial market, characterised by numerous untapped opportunities and new logos, which are crucial for Zscaler’s growth. Our focus on commercial and emerging markets in India is vital for capturing this white space. The public sector is another major area of focus. It represents a substantial addressable market that we have yet to fully tap into. The public sector has a critical need for Zscaler’s solutions, making it a priority for us to expand our presence and impact on this vertical.

    Additionally, we are launching a Strategic Account Program this year to enhance our engagement with top-tier accounts, particularly those Fortune 500 and Global 2000 companies currently utilising Zscaler on a smaller scale. This program will provide dedicated resources and investments, improving collaboration between these accounts and our partner ecosystem.

    Our strategy involves collaborating closely with our partner ecosystem to deliver comprehensive solutions and support. This approach ensures that we can meet the diverse needs of our customers across different segments, driving growth and transformation in the Indian and APJ markets.

  • MSI Launches Laptop Manufacturing Operations in Chennai

    MSI begins laptop production at manufacturing facility in Chennai

    logo-marque.com

    Leading electronics company MSI has announced the commencement of its India production with its first manufacturing facility now operational in Chennai. This development is in line with the objective of the “Make in India” initiative, a program designed to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub.

    MSI, a popular high-performance laptop maker, is set to introduce Indian-made versions of two of its popular models — ‘MSI Modern 14’ and ‘MSI Thin 15’ laptops.

    John Hung, NB General Manager, MSI India, expressed the company’s focus on India, citing the country’s growing demand for high-performance laptops as a key factor in their decision to begin manufacturing locally. He said, “India has long been a key focus for MSI, and the country’s growing demand for high-performance laptops has been integral to our decision to begin manufacturing locally.”

    India’s expanding tech ecosystem and rapidly evolving consumer base present immense opportunities for growth. Hung added, “By beginning production of the Modern 14 and Thin 15 models in India, we are not only making MSI’s products more accessible but also reinforcing our commitment to delivering innovative technology, with luxurious aesthetics and ultimate performance tailored to the unique needs of Indian consumers.”

    MSI begins laptop production at manufacturing facility in Chennai

    IANS

    MSI’s move to start local production of Modern 14 and Thin 15 laptops in Chennai is a strategic one, aimed at catering to the rising demand for high-performance laptops. The company has also stated that it is expanding its reach and its laptops will be available at Croma and Reliance Retail, making its products more readily available to customers across the nation.

    India has become one of MSI’s fastest-growing markets, with the brand consistently expanding its presence across the country. In response to this remarkable growth, MSI is increasing touchpoints, with more stores, to further enhance accessibility for tech and gaming enthusiasts.

    MSI has a wide-ranging global presence spanning over 120 countries. The company’s decision to initiate local production in India is seen as a significant step in its journey. “We are confident that this will mark the beginning of a new era in MSI’s journey and help penetrate the Indian market further while enhancing operational efficiencies and contributing to India’s journey as a global leader in technology,” said Hung.

    The MSI Modern series and Thin laptops are among the most popular machines in the Indian market. The MSI Modern 14 is priced starting at Rs 52,990, and Thin 15 to Rs 73,990. This move by MSI is seen as a significant step towards meeting the rising demand for high-performance laptops in India.

    This development is reminiscent of similar moves by other tech giants in the past. For instance, Apple, one of the world’s leading tech companies, started manufacturing its iconic iPhone models in India in 2017, in a bid to tap into the vast potential of the Indian market. Similarly, Samsung, another global tech leader, inaugurated the world’s largest mobile factory in Noida, India, in 2018. These instances highlight the growing importance of India as a manufacturing hub for global tech companies.

  • Introducing Agentforce 2.0: The Digital Labor Platform for Building a Limitless Workforce – CRN

    Introducing Agentforce 2.0: The Digital Labor Platform for Building a Limitless Workforce – CRN

    Salesforce,announced Agentforce 2.0: the newest version of Agentforce, the first digital labor platform for enterprises — a complete AI system for augmenting teams with trusted, autonomous AI agents in the flow of work. This release introduces a new library of pre-built skills and workflow integrations for rapid customisation, the ability to deploy Agentforce in Slack, and advancements in agentic reasoning and retrieval augmented generation (RAG). These advances will enable companies to scale their workforce with customised agents capable of handling complex, multi-step tasks with even more precision and accuracy.

    Why it’s relevant: Every team has more work to do than resources available, leading to poorer customer interactions and lengthy backlogs. Organisations are turning to AI to help, but have a low tolerance for inadequate solutions that provide generic responses. Existing solutions such as copilots struggle to provide accurate, trusted responses to complex requests — such as personalised guidance on a job application — and cannot take action on their own — like nurturing a lead with product recommendations. Organisations need a new type of platform designed to supply digital labor in the form of autonomous AI agents that can reason over data and tap into workflows to take action on behalf of overwhelmed teams.

    “Agentforce 2.0 takes our revolutionary Salesforce digital labor platform to another level, with new reasoning, integration and customisation features that supercharge autonomous agents with unprecedented levels of intelligence, precision and accuracy,” said Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO, Salesforce. “The demand for Agentforce has been amazing — no other company comes close to offering this complete AI solution for enterprises. We’re seamlessly bringing together AI, data, apps, and automation with humans to reshape how work gets done. Agentforce 2.0 cements our position as the leader in digital labor solutions, allowing any company to build a limitless workforce that can truly transform their business.”

    How the Adecco Group Uses Agentforce to Scale Personalised Recruiting with Digital Labor:
    “At the Adecco Group, we are committed to creating meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. By centralising data across over 40 systems with Salesforce’s Data Cloud and leveraging Agentforce, we’re transforming the candidate experience. Agentforce will help prequalify candidates, enhance CVs, and ensure faster job placements. Agentforce agents also operate 24/7, freeing recruiters to focus on meaningful connections while delivering speed and personalisation at scale.” – Greg Shewmaker, Senior Vice President of Global Operations and AI, The Adecco Group.

    New Library of Skills Brings Agentforce to Every Team and Workflow:
    Time and integration challenges make it difficult to build customised agents for individual business teams or departments. Agentforce 2.0 eliminates these barriers with a new library of pre-built agent skills— tasks Agentforce can perform— CRM, Slack, Tableau, and partner-developed skills on the AppExchange. This latest release empowers customers to extend Agentforce to any system or workflow using MuleSoft. It also features an enhanced Agent Builder capable of interpreting natural language instructions, such as ‘Onboard New Product Managers,’ to auto-generate new agents. These agents seamlessly combine pre-made skills with custom logic built in Salesforce, offering unparalleled flexibility and speed.
    New CRM Skills for Agent-First Customer Experiences: New skills for sales teams such as Sales Development and Sales Coaching enable the creation of autonomous AI agents that can nurture leads based on your rules of engagement, as well as agents that can join your prospecting calls and provide instant feedback on interactions with customers, helping reps do their best work at massive scale. Additional skills include Marketing Campaign and Commerce Merchant skills, scheduling skills for service engagements, and new skills for field service workers.
    Take Action Across Any App or Workflow with MuleSoft: MuleSoft now enables Agentforce to get work done across your business. With MuleSoft for Flow, it’s easier than ever to create low-code workflows that span any system, with pre-built connectors for building multi-system workflows fast. As teams look to turn their APIs into Agentforce actions, the new MuleSoft API Catalog enables builders and Salesforce Admins to view, discover, and manage APIs across Salesforce, MuleSoft, Heroku, and any external services from one central location for rapid reuse. And the new MuleSoft Topic Center expands on this by enabling teams to infuse Agentforce metadata into every API they build, ensuring that any point of connectivity can be automatically turned into an Agentforce skill or action, making every API “agent-first” by default.
    Tableau Skills for Analytics and Insights: New Tableau Topics and Actions deliver data visualisations and predictions for deeper understanding of agent responses and accurate, business context-rich answers using Tableau Semantics. This unlocks new conversational analytics use cases, further lowering the barrier to data access for everyone.
    Slack Skills for Engaging in Channels and Conversations: With Slack Actions now available in Agent Builder, a team can enhance Agentforce with, for example, the ability to send a DM to provide a summary of what’s happening with a project, or update a Slack Canvas when a customer asks for changes to an ongoing project.
    Partner Skills Through the AppExchange: Agentforce is backed by the first-ever enterprise ecosystem of agent skills — enabling customers to extend their Agentforce with custom Topics and Actions ranging from new agent types such as the AI Employee Service Agent with ⦁ Workday, to new, partner-built actions from ⦁ Asymbl, ⦁ Docusign, and ⦁ Neuron 7.
    Agentforce Now Recommends Skills for the Work You Need Done: Create new agents in seconds using natural language descriptions. Agent Builder now uses Agentforce to compose new agents for the work you need done by auto-generating relevant topics and instructions while pulling from the library of skills and actions already available to you, ensuring teams can go live with new digital labor fast.

    How Accenture Uses Agentforce to Scale Sales Productivity with Digital Labor:
    “At Accenture, we embrace emerging technologies first so we can help our clients go fast. Our sales team within Accenture’s Salesforce Business Group and Accenture Song are starting to use Agentforce to automate contact and close plan creation, surface insights through enterprise search, and keep teams aligned with dynamic updates. It’s helping to increase time-to-effectiveness, accelerate decision-making, and is allowing them to focus on delivering innovative solutions for their clients.” – Stephanie Sadowski, Salesforce Business Group lead at Accenture.

    Agentforce in Slack — Humans with Agents Working Together Where Work Happens: As organisations look to unlock value from AI agents, they need solutions that are embedded where their employees already are. Agentforce 2.0 is deployable in Slack, bringing customisable digital labor into the messages (DMs) and channels where work happens.
    Bring Agentforce to any Message or Channel: Agentforce 2.0 enables teams to easily bring Agentforce into any Slack conversation. Slack users can start a conversation directly from the Agentforce Hub, or @ mention Agentforce agents through DMs or in channels, tapping into their digital labor force directly in the flow of work.
    New Slack Actions in Agent Builder: Agent Builder now features pre-built Slack Actions such as “Create Canvas” or “Message Channel” that enable teams to rapidly enhance existing agents or create new ones that can effortlessly engage with your teams in Slack.
    Unlock conversational context with Enterprise Search: Slack contains a wealth of domain knowledge across DMs, channels, and Canvases that reflect the unique nature of your business. With Slack Enterprise Search, Agentforce can draw from conversational data — enhancing the relevancy of responses and actions by drawing from public and permissioned information in Slack.

    How Indeed Uses Agentforce to Scale Personalised Job Seeker Engagement with Digital Labor:
    “Indeed is the world’s leading job site, with three people hired every second through its platform. At the heart of Indeed’s success is its ability to match the 580 million profiles created by job seekers with over 3 million hiring employers. By harnessing the power of Data Cloud, Indeed has enhanced its data architecture, creating a solid foundation for its go-to-market strategies and enhancing connections to its rich job seeker profiles,” said Indeed CIO Anthony Moisant. “By leveraging Agentforce, Indeed can stay focused on its mission to help people find jobs while advancing its goals, including reducing time-to-hire by 50% and helping 30 million individuals facing barriers to employment secure jobs by fiscal year 2030.” – Anthony Moisant, CIO, Indeed

    Expert Answers to Complex Questions and Execute Actions with Agentforce 2.0: The Atlas Reasoning Engine is the brain behind Agentforce, enabling it to retrieve relevant data, then reason and act. With Agentforce 2.0, Salesforce is introducing enhanced reasoning and retrieval to handle deeply nuanced questions, powered by new capabilities in Data Cloud that fuel Agentforce with greater context — complementing structured and unstructured data with business-specific metadata for greater accuracy across the most complex, multi-faceted requests.
    Enhanced Reasoning with Advanced Retrievers: Agentforce’s Atlas Reasoning Engine can now handle a wider variety of interactions, including those with multiple layers that require deeper thought. For example, a question that is straightforward, such as “what is the status of my portfolio?” will employ basic reasoning for rapid responses. A deeper question, such as “What would be the right investment vehicle for my child’s college fund based on my current income and risk preferences?” would use enhanced reasoning with advanced data retrievers — improving the answer by refining the query before pulling both relevant data and context-specific metadata in Data Cloud. The Atlas Reasoning Engine assesses its own response and loops through a variety of tools and sources in what’s known as an ‘agentic loop,’ enabling it to provide a trusted, well-researched response or action to nuanced and more complex requests, and do so without writing custom code.
    Enhanced RAG with Enriched Indexing: RAG enables Agentforce to quickly find relevant information in unstructured content. To power enhanced reasoning in the Atlas Reasoning Engine, Data Cloud can now enrich RAG chunks — the snippets of retrieved data — with metadata from the ⦁ Salesforce Platform. Enriching RAG indexes with metadata context adapts Agentforce 2.0 to the unique conventions of your business without additional work, improving accuracy and relevancy for even the most intricate requests, while increasing trust through inline citations that point to the exact sources Agentforce pulled from to answer a given question.

    How Salesforce provides faster, more personalised customer support with Agentforce:
    The Salesforce Help page receives more than 60 million visits a year from customers who need assistance with product support and account queries. Agentforce on help.salesforce.com provides customers with personalised, 24/7 service, while seamlessly escalating to human reps with the full case history and context when needed. Since launching in October, Agentforce is now solving 83% of customer queries without a human, has halved the number of issues that require human intervention, and has nearly doubled its average number of weekly conversations.

    Customer Perspectives:

    “At 1-800 Accountant, we’re using Agentforce to manage service inquiries, especially during tax season. With Agentforce now managing up to 90% of incoming requests, we can automate responses to common questions like tax return statuses, freeing up our team to focus on more complex tasks. This boosts efficiency, improves customer satisfaction, and ensures fast, secure, personalised support. Plus, Agentforce adheres to strict data security standards, keeping sensitive tax information safe and accessible only to authorised personnel. It’s a game-changer, helping us scale and serve our clients better during peak times.” – Ryan Teeples, CTO, 1-800 Accountant

    “Embracing autonomous agents is a game-changer for Bionic. We’re on a mission to make life radically easier for Britain’s small businesses by combining smart technology with expert human service. With agentic AI, we’re streamlining tasks like meter readings and switch tracking to deliver 24/7 support. This innovation empowers our 200,000 SME customers to save time and hassle so they can focus on growing their business.” – James Lomas, Chief Technology Officer, Bionic

    “With Agentforce, we want to transform Capita’s recruitment process into a fast, seamless and autonomous experience that benefits candidates, our people, and our clients. With autonomous agents providing 24/7 support, our goal is to enable candidates to complete the entire recruitment journey within days as opposed to what has historically taken weeks. At Capita, we give time back to our clients so they can focus on what they do best – and Agentforce will improve our ability to do just that. This is just the start of our agentic journey with Salesforce, where we believe an Agentic Economy can drive big growth potential for UK businesses.” – Adolfo Hernandez. Chief Executive Officer, Capital

  • Neelam Koshiya: Defining the Path of Generative AI Through Responsible Innovation

    Neelam Koshiya

    Few have left a mark as notable in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing as Neelam Koshiya. As a principal generative AI solution architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS), she advocates using technologies to address complex challenges across various industries like healthcare, retail, and defense.

    With a commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and transparency, Koshiya directs technological progress and ensures innovation serves a greater purpose. She has shown that growth is possible without compromising ethical principles or societal impact.

    Optimizing Operations Through AI-Powered Solutions

    While working at AWS, Neelam Koshiya has shown how generative AI and cloud technologies drive business outcomes. She led the creation of the Boundless Store demo, a new concept presented at the National Retail Federation (NRF) event. The demo showcased AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) integration to deliver seamless inventory management and personalized shopping experiences. This addressed the challenge of creating unified omnichannel experiences.

    Her pursuits extend to designing generative AI-powered workforce management solutions. She empowers retail managers with tools for optimizing task delegation and improving decision-making. For example, she helped retail employees use generative AI tools to manage routine inquiries and inventory tasks efficiently, freeing up their time to face customers, provide a human touch in their services, or deal with more complex tasks.

    Koshiya has also demonstrated her ability to integrate business and leadership insights with her technical knowledge by developing a daily reporting tool leveraging generative AI. This tool gives managers actionable insights into store performance, department-specific recommendations, and task priorities.

    Apart from helping retail operations, Koshiya also practices sustainability. She incorporates energy-efficient cloud computing strategies to reduce environmental footprints while enabling organizations to scale. These methods ensure her solutions are grounded in ethical, inclusive, and sustainable practices.

    Advancing Security and Healthcare Outcomes Through Generative AI

    One of the pressing challenges the digital age presents is cybersecurity issues. Neelam Koshiya’s integration of AI into cybersecurity frameworks has been helpful for organizations striving to protect critical systems and sensitive data. She has assisted private and public entities in identifying and neutralizing potential threats with greater speed and precision by using generative AI to enhance pattern recognition and DNA matching technologies.

    These advancements have improved national security and set a new baseline for proactive threat detection and mitigation strategies, providing organizations with the tools to safeguard their operations in complex digital spaces.

    Koshiya’s generative AI-powered solutions have also changed the healthcare sector. Her work in diagnostic imaging has resulted in faster and more accurate detection of medical conditions, reduced diagnostic errors, and improved patient outcomes.

    Additionally, her contributions to personalized treatment planning use AI to analyze patient data and recommend tailored therapies. By accelerating research efforts and integrating these solutions seamlessly into clinical workflows, healthcare organizations can address immediate needs faster and long-term challenges smoothly.

    Driving Global AI Adoption Through Knowledge Sharing

    Koshiya has also supported the broader business industry by initiating knowledge-sharing campaigns and creating frameworks that enhance AI adoption. She has authored multiple reference architectures for complex integrations, such as RFID with cloud computing and demand forecasting algorithms, which have been adopted globally.

    She encourages developers and organizations to harness AI effectively and ethically by publishing technical blogs, workshops, and open-source codes. Koshiya has also pioneered the Generative AI Hackathon, a mechanism designed to accelerate generative AI innovation and adoption, allowing businesses to stay current in the dynamic technological space. One of her goals in these initiatives is to instill the responsible use of technology across all sectors.

    To encourage diversity and inclusivity in the sector, she co-founded the Women@SolutionsArchitecture affinity group, which supports over 1,800 members and drives industry-wide conversations on gender equity in technology. She hopes to inspire more women to pursue careers in AI and technology and address blockers.

    Her professional history and advocacy have attracted the attention of award-giving bodies. She received the Advancing Women in Technology 2023 Rising Stars award. Koshiya has also been invited to speak at non-profit organizations and institutes like Ignite, Women Who Code, Rainer Prep Initiative, Northeastern University, and Network of the National Library of Medicine.

    Koshiya’s contributions to AI and cloud computing show the potential of technology to change industries while upholding ethical and sustainable values. Her solutions, commitment to knowledge sharing, and advocacy have advanced business outcomes and inspired responsible technological progress.

  • Team Computers and Apple collaborate to empower GCCs with smarter workplace solutions – CRN

    Team Computers and Apple collaborate to empower GCCs with smarter workplace solutions – CRN

    Team Computers, in collaboration with Apple, hosted an insightful event in Bengaluru on the theme “Empowering GCCs with Team Computers and Apple.” The session brought together over 25 IT decision-makers from prominent organisations to discuss how integrating Apple’s innovative solutions and Team Computers’ expertise can transform Global Capability Centers (GCCs).

    The event delved into strategies to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and accelerate digital transformation within GCCs. Attendees explored Apple’s ecosystem of powerful devices and software solutions, paired with Team Computers’ tailored IT services, to create smarter, more efficient workplaces.

    Speaking about the event Ranjan Chopra, CEO of Team Computers said, “Our partnership with Apple allows us to deliver cutting-edge technology and expertise to GCCs, enabling them to drive operational excellence and achieve greater success in their digital journeys.”

    The interactive session featured live demonstrations, case studies, and collaborative discussions, showcasing the impact of Apple’s seamless ecosystem when combined with Team Computers’ in-depth IT capabilities. The event underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing the evolving demands of GCCs and empowering them to stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.

  • Breaking New Ground in Cybersecurity: Innovative Strategies for a Safer Digital World

    Midjourne

    Photo generated with Midjourney

    In the real world and the digital realm, locks and firewalls serve the same purpose: keeping what matters most out of the hands of those who would do it harm.

    As digital threats continue to power up, protecting sensitive financial data has become more crucial than ever before. The digital safety sphere within the banking industry was largely reactive, grappling with growing threats but lacking the proactive, integrated defenses seen today.

    “As cybercriminals evolve, so must our defenses,” says Anwar Mohammed, an IT security auditor. “We are not merely safeguarding data. Rather, we are fortifying the trust that underpins the entire financial system.”

    Banking on Digital Security
    Before Anwar Mohammed stepped in, Bank of America’s digital defenses were functional but not optimized to their full potential. Without the unified system that is now commonplace, banks often found themselves dealing with isolated systems that struggled to communicate, leaving vulnerabilities in their infrastructure. Banks managed risk mitigation on a per-incident basis, which led to slower responses and an inconsistent security posture across various entities within the organization.

    Anwar Mohammed’s initiatives marked a turning point in how digital safety was approached at Bank of America. With his comprehensive background—combining technical expertise with managerial insight—he brought original solutions that redefined the bank’s security framework.

    One of his landmark achievements was leading the adoption and implementation of critical IT governance frameworks such as COBIT 5, ISMS 27001, and NIST. These frameworks provided a structured, proactive strategy for managing cybersecurity, aligning it with the bank’s strategic goals and ensuring compliance with international regulations.

    Moreover, by spearheading the “Unseen Business” project, Anwar Mohammed was pivotal in identifying over 300 legal entities within the bank and incorporating them into a cohesive cyber shield strategy. His proactive measures—including real-time threat detection and a thorough security validation process—fortified the bank’s global digital infrastructure. To top it off, his leadership earned him the prestigious Silver Award at BA Continuum Pvt. Ltd., representing the rippling impact of his efforts.

    Beyond the Bank’s Vaults
    Anwar Mohammed’s proficiency in digital security went beyond Bank of America’s vaults. By seamlessly integrating advanced threat protection solutions and continuous improvement, he demonstrated that digital security must evolve as rapidly as the threats it seeks to combat. His vision of operational continuity, fortified by next-generation firewalls, automated detection systems, and a 24/7 security operations center (SOC), became a map for the modern safeguarding of digital assets.

    His efforts did not go unnoticed, as Anwar Mohammed’s impact quickly earned him accolades. In 2005, Anwar Mohammed earned the prestigious DELL Asian International Award, a rare accolade granted only once every five years to a top performer in each Asia-Pacific region. Mohammed’s selection for this honor was driven by his exceptional performance in safeguarding DELL’s global network from escalating cybersecurity threats. His solutions protected DELL and secured the vast customer base relying on the company’s infrastructure. His meticulous method to build a powerful security framework for DELL reflected his strong expertise in cybersecurity.

    The award selection process was rigorous, involving area managers across the Asia-Pacific region. The final decision rested in the hands of Kevin Rollins, CEO of DELL at the time, who personally acknowledged Anwar Mohammed’s outstanding contributions. The recognition also included the exclusive opportunity to dine with the CEO, highlighting the magnitude of Anwar’s accomplishments.

    Unlocking Next-Gen Cybersecurity Solutions
    Anwar Mohammed’s work continues to be a positive practice in the industry.His expertise in leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with managed detection and response (MDR) and security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR), has driven the implementation of cutting-edge cybersecurity measures. These approaches enhance the detection and response to cyber threats, fortifying modern online security to meet the demands of the 21st century.

    Anwar Mohammed’s achievements in cybersecurity personify a critical advancement in how financial institutions defend themselves against modern threats. No matter how the digital scapes may change, Anwar Mohammed is unlocking next-level security solutions.