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BlackBerry, Android and PLDT Enterprise partner to deliver a secure enterprise solution for MiCab
NEW DELHI: BlackBerry Limited today announced it is expanding its partnerships with Android and PLDT Enterprise, through Smart Communications Inc. to provide MiCab, an online taxi-hailing platform, with an integrated, secure enterprise cloud solution that maintains data privacy, meets compliance and accelerates service delivery.
The solution combines the ease-of-management and gold-standard security of BlackBerry Unified End-Point Management (UEM), with the flexible, customizable nature of Android Enterprise and network connectivity and devices from Smart.
Together, the partners are enabling ‘mobile-first’ company MiCab to securely manage and connect thousands of drivers with millions of passengers via a fleet of tablet devices. In addition, BlackBerry is providing professional cybersecurity consulting services to MiCab.
Amit Mehta, Managing Director, BlackBerry South East Asia and India said, “BlackBerry is a software and services company that secures the Enterprise of Things, helping hyper-connected companies like MiCab get ultra-secure. We are excited to make this announcement today with Android, Smart and MiCab because it is a great example of how our secure platform and innovative partnerships are delivering measurable outcomes for customers, including accelerated efficiency and cost reduction. We are continuing to expand upon this innovative partnership blueprint to provide secure solutions for customers in many verticals, from finance to manufacturing and healthcare.”
MiCab provides tablets and mobile apps to local taxi firms in the Philippines, mostly in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Metro Manila. Mounted in the front of the taxis, the tablets display map, driver, passenger and fare details and are fully locked down by Android Enterprise, only allowing drivers to access the MiCab app, while being centrally managed by BlackBerry UEM. MiCab connects drivers to passengers through the MiCab app, giving real-time access to taxis based on proximity and profiles of both passengers and drivers. Instead of charging passengers booking fees or surge pricing, MiCab monetizes its business through brands and companies that want to reach its user base. With this volume of sensitive data, MiCab needed a solution that was equally as secure, as it was flexible and scalable for the growing company.
After a successful trial, MiCab has rolled out approximately 12,000 seven-inch Android tablets to its fleet of drivers secured by BlackBerry UEM, supported by Smart, and fully integrated with Android Enterprise. MiCab plans to scale up the deployment to 15,000 devices by the end of 2018, with further plans for the solution to support future initiatives in healthcare and supply-chain logistics.
MiCab Co-founder and CEO, Eddie Ybanez says, “As an agile mobile digital transportation company, our priority is to deliver the best service for our customers, however as we continue to rapidly scale, innovate and deliver smarter services, we have to address risks such as regulation and cyber threats. We have an almost endless list of requirements – compliance, flexibility, scalability, ease of deployment, price – and especially security and privacy of our customers’ sensitive information. Together, BlackBerry, Android and Smart have delivered an integrated end-to-end service that goes far beyond meeting our needs, providing a secure technology platform and support services to enable true business and customer delivery transformation.”
Under new government regulation, licensed taxi firms in the Philippines are mandated to provide GPS and free Wi-Fi in vehicles nationwide, presenting risks to sensitive customer information. Responding to this, the partners worked together with MiCab to deliver a solution that met these regulatory requirements and addressed their business transformation goals.
For passengers and drivers, MiCab is enabling new efficiencies in service delivery, starting with connecting people in remote locations in real-time and helping them avoid queues in highly populated areas. For MiCab, the BlackBerry UEM and Android Enterprise solution has enabled several benefits such as:
Offering taxi companies cost-friendly devices on affordable tariff plans from Smart Communications
Flexible deployment with Android Enterprise which enables the ‘kiosk-mode’ management of devices, tracked from a single BlackBerry UEM console for complete ease of management
Capability to deliver over-the-air installation of new applications and configuration updates, eliminating the need for any mass device recall
Cost control by restricting data consumption through unauthorized access to applications, including the public Play Store
The ability to identify and prevent device tampering such as rooting or jail-breaking, wiping stolen devices, and locking-out rogue drivers (ensuring the devices are used only for communicating with and transporting passengers)
Compliance with new government regulations (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) to regulate and modernize the taxi transport system in the Philippines
Reducing costs to the business by reducing costs through Smart’s bundling of data and devices on tariff plans, combined with BlackBerry UEM Cloud and BlackBerry (Cybersecurity)
Professional Services, which offers dedicated cybersecurity expertise to ensure smooth delivery
Gerard Kennedy, Head of Android Enterprise, APJ, Google says, “Android powers mobile connected workforces, with multiple layers of security, comprehensive management and a range of devices for companies throughout Asia and around the world. We partner with BlackBerry globally and are excited to see how the combined strengths of Android Enterprise, BlackBerry UEM and our partner, Smart Philippines, can deliver such impactful results for innovative, young and fast-growth businesses like MiCab. This is a great example of how the affordability and flexibility of Android Enterprise, along with its trusted security, can really drive business results.”
“The Philippines is a nation of fast emerging mobile-first enterprises, creating significant growth potential for all, but exposing companies to more cyber-risk. MiCab is one example of a customer with a set of complex requirements to create a simple offering – immediate, safe and trustworthy ride experiences. Together with BlackBerry and Android, we have offered MiCab a solution that incorporates mobile security, scale deployment, remote management, along with cost controls and reliable connectivity. We are also working with BlackBerry to offer secure and flexible business bundles for several other industries in the Philippines such as banking and finance, call centers, logistics, healthcare and certain segments of the public sector,” says Chet Alviz, AVP and Head of Enterprise Wireless Products and Smart Infinity.
MiCab CEO Eddie concludes, “In the near future, we’re also planning to further leverage the solution with new services, including MiCargo which is a cargo-logistics application that connects consumers to couriers and then a healthcare application named MiHealth which connects patients to their doctors. We see an exciting future with BlackBerry, Smart and Android and how they can support our vision.”
NEW DELHI: Yotta Data Services, an end-to-end Digital Transformation service provider, has announced that its state-of-the-art data centre facility, “Yotta G1”, located in GIFT city, Gandhinagar is ready for service (RFS).
The opening of this data center marks the debut of Yotta in Gujarat and progresses the company’s mission to provide digital services in India’s high-growth markets.
G1 is Yotta’s fifth data center facility in the country. It joins four large operational data centers, two of which, at Navi Mumbai and Greater Noida are part of hyperscale campuses. Yotta G1 is uniquely located inside the International Financial Services Center (IFSC) zone of Gandhinagar’s Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT city).
G1 represents an investment of more than INR 500 cr. over five years across critical non-IT and IT / Cloud / AI compute infrastructure. The data center has a capacity of over 350 high-density racks and 2 MW power (which can be scaled further as per demand). The facility is designed to meet the most demanding digital needs of its customers, who may be located within GIFT City or anywhere in the world, by seamlessly delivering fault-tolerant facility infrastructure, high-performance Cloud compute and storage infrastructure, advanced physical and cyber security, unmatched connectivity, and steadfast sustainability.
For large global enterprises operating in the GIFT City IFSC zone, the G1 data center functions as a potential data embassy, whereby their data stored is subject to the laws and regulations of their home country, thus allowing them to maintain sovereignty over their data, even when stored in India. By storing data in a physically different location, global enterprises can ensure continuity of operations in case of major disruptions within their borders. The data center’s location also ensures compliance with the IFSC regulations, providing businesses in the zone with distinct advantages like free foreign exchange convertibility, a liberalised regulatory environment, and business-friendly policies. It also helps enterprises adhere to IFSC’s compliance requirements, including being mandated to host their data within the IFSC zone.
Commenting on the announcement, Darshan Hiranandani, Co-founder and Chairman, Yotta Data Services, said, “The state of Gujarat, with GIFT City, has been at the forefront of providing a viable and sustainable platform for global businesses to set up base in India. The setting up of the IFSC zone is a further testament to their vision for financial services companies. We are proud to support this vision of the Gujarat government with a state-of-the-art data center within the IFSC zone, providing the latest and best in cutting-edge technologies to help businesses set up and scale their businesses while also adhering to all regulatory requirements.”
Adding to this, Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder, MD & CEO, Yotta Data Services, said, “Yotta’s G1 marks a pivotal milestone in delivering high-end data center, Cloud, AI compute, storage, connectivity and cybersecurity services to enterprises both on a global and local scale in the Gujarat region. Besides serving the domestic enterprises within and outside GIFT City, our data center shall serve as a potential data embassy for global enterprises, enabling them to adhere to their respective country’s laws while offering a dependable and secure locale for offshore data storage.”
G1 data centre stands distinct in GIFT city for being a data center offering more than just colocation services. True to Yotta’s stature as the end-to-end digital transformation partner of choice for enterprises, G1 brings forth a suite of key features, ranging from advanced data security and customised business solutions to an indigenous hyperscale cloud offering, AI-GPU compute offering, state-of-the-art infrastructure, cybersecurity expertise, seamless integration with managed IT services, 24/7 customer support, cost optimisation, and an overall competitive edge.
This announcement follows on the heels of Yotta’s recent launch of its cloud services – Shakti Cloud and Yntraa Cloud. Powered by NVIDIA’s top-of-the-line GPUs, Shakti Cloud is India’s largest & fastest AI-HPC supercomputer, delivering cutting-edge GPU computing infrastructure, platforms, and services, including Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service. Yntraa Cloud, on the other hand, is a truly indigenous hyperscale cloud platform at par with global cloud platforms, offering an exhaustive range of cloud products and services.
NEW DELHI: Domestic contract manufacturer Optiemus Infracom has entered into a joint venture with US-based speciality glassmaker Corning International to set up India’s first manufacturing facility for producing high-quality finished cover glass parts for the mobile consumer electronics industry.
The collaboration between both the companies will help expand India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem, as the Indian government strengthens its Make in India initiative. As a part of the joint venture, the companies strategically aim to set up a world-class manufacturing facility in India, powered by cutting-edge technologies and processes.
Driven by a shared commitment to innovation and technological excellence, this collaboration will pave the way for the manufacturing of “Made in India” finished cover glass parts for use in mobile consumer electronic devices, and other cover glass applications, to meet the needs of next-generation mobile consumer electronic devices.
The joint venture signifies a powerful synergy between Optiemus’s deep domestic industry and manufacturing knowledge of electronics and telecom market and Corning’s globally-acclaimed expertise in advanced glass technology. By combining these strengths, the joint venture aspires to not only establish cover glass manufacturing capabilities and capacity in India, but also to contribute significantly to the creation of jobs and skill development within India’s thriving technology sector, the companies said in a statement.
Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Optiemus Infracom, said, “It is a matter of great pride for us to actively contribute to the growing manufacturing ecosystem in the country. With this joint venture, initiated in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India of ‘Make in India’ programme and the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, we are committed to make available world-class high-quality products for global and local brands.”
“Embarking on this new journey, we intend to emerge as one of the top manufacturers of finished cover glass parts for use in mobile consumer electronic devices in the next five years. Our collective expertise in innovation, design, and manufacturing, will provide holistic solutions for the brands,” Gupta added.
NEW DELHI: Chipset maker MediaTek, which claims to power more than two billion connected devices every year, hosted ‘Catch-up with Tech’ in collaboration with handset brand Infinix on August 28 to share insightful and engaging conversations about the new-age smartphones and innovative technologies powering everyday lives.
The meet-up threw the spotlight on the MediaTek Dimensity Auto, Satellite solutions and Generative AI along with an extensive showcase of newly-launched Infinix Zero 30 5G powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8020, Infinix GT 10 Pro powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8050, and Infinix QLED TV powered by MediaTek.
In terms of specs, the Infinix Zero 30 5G is tailored for young storytellers and creators, featuring the first-ever smartphone to deliver 4K 60fps video recording from its 108 MP OIS rear camera and ultra-high resolution 50MP front camera. The Zero 30 series powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8020 is said to be a game changer for the front camera vlogging experience along with being the slimmest curved AMOLED smartphone in the segment with glass and a vegan leather back panel. It also claims to be one of the most premium-looking devices in the segment.
The event witnessed a panel discussion moderated by Anuj Sidharth, Deputy Director Marketing & Corporate Communications, MediaTek and included expert panelists from Infinix, MediaTek and two renowned professional photographers.
“With the fifth edition of Catch-up with Tech, we aim to bring consumers closer to the technology and enable them to make informed buying decisions based on their diverse needs. In collaboration with Infinix, this meet-up is in-line with MediaTek’s vision of technology democratization and making innovative technology accessible to everyone,” said Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India. “The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 in Infinix Zero 30 5G brings faster displays, brilliant cameras and ultra-fast performance. Further, MediaTek Imagiq technologies enrich the capture experience by combining dedicated AI, imaging processors and accelerators to provide incredible results,” he added.
Anish Kapoor, CEO, Infinix Mobile India, said, “Featuring India’s first 50MP 4K 60 fps video recording, Infinix Zero 30 5G is primed to redefine smartphone imaging capabilities, setting a new standard for the creators and vlogging enthusiasts. Our collaboration with MediaTek has played a pivotal role in shaping our exceptional smartphone portfolio, and the Zero 30 5G stands as evidence of our unwavering commitment to innovation and delivering unmatched experiences to our users. The display and design of the device represent a leap forward in smartphone technology. As Infinix Zero 30 5G hits the shelves, we are positive that our customers will find this new offering as exhilarating as we do, further empowering creators to capture their story like never before.”
Radhakrishnan Chakyat, a photography evangelist, founder and host of Pixel Viilage, said, “Infinix Zero 30 5G smartphone powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8020 chipset has amazing hardware features, an excellent camera, dual-view video mode and is primed for optimal content creation and saves a tremendous amount of editing time.”
Aarzoo Khurana, a wildlife photographer, said, “Over the last few days, I clicked various pictures and recorded a few videos with the newly-launched Infinix Zero 30 5G powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8020, and the experience has been truly inspiring. Infinix’s smartphone’s OIS feature helps content creators click shake-free pictures and the front camera, which is extremely sharp and detailed, enables content creators to click countless selfies.”
