Friday 30 August 2019
PubMatic receives IAB Tech Lab´s Open Measurement SDK compliance certification
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- PubMatic, a premium digital technology company has achieved certification for IAB Tech Lab’s Open Measurement SDK Integration Validation Compliance (IVC) for Display ad formats.
“With this achievement, it is critical that we accelerate the growth of programmatic with more transparency, all which lead to the overall success of our in-app publisher and developer clients,” said PubMatic senior director (Product Management), Mike Chowla.
By supporting this initiative, PubMatic will help drive improved in-app viewability and verification to ensure quality and trust in this growing channel, according to a statement.
This certification comes in the midst of PubMatic’s continued commitment to enforcing industry quality and transparency initiatives such as the IAB Tech Lab’s App-ads.txt specification, Sellers.JSON and Supply Chain Object.
With the compliance certification, PubMatic continues to focus on driving more effective mobile advertising and helping advertisers realise the potential mobile can offer.
More information at https://pubmatic.com.
-- BERNAMA
Stevie Awards announces winners of 2019 Best of the IBA Awards
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 -- The Stevie Awards has announced the winners of the Best of the IBA Awards for The 2019 International Business Awards (IBA), the world’s premier competition for business awards.
The winners will be presented with Grand Stevie Award trophies at The 16th Annual International Business Awards banquet in Vienna, Austria on Oct 19.
Winners were determined by a point system based on the total number of awards won in the IBA with a Gold Stevie win counting for three points, Silver Stevie (two points), and a Bronze Stevie (1.5 points).
DP DHL Group, an international mail and logistics company, won the Most Honoured Organisation, earning 86.5 award points with Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie-winning entries submitted by its offices and affiliates in 32 countries.
The Most Honoured Public Relations Agency went to LLYC, with 69.5 award points earned by Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie-winning entries submitted on behalf of clients like BBVA, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks.
Also included in the winners list were Switching-Time as Most Honoured Marketing Agency and The XD Agency which won the Most Honoured Interactive Services Agency.
The International Business Awards feature a wide variety of categories to recognise achievement in every facet of work life, including management awards, new product awards, marketing awards and PR awards, among others.
Full list of winners is available at https://stevieawards.com/iba.
-- BERNAMA
The winners will be presented with Grand Stevie Award trophies at The 16th Annual International Business Awards banquet in Vienna, Austria on Oct 19.
Winners were determined by a point system based on the total number of awards won in the IBA with a Gold Stevie win counting for three points, Silver Stevie (two points), and a Bronze Stevie (1.5 points).
DP DHL Group, an international mail and logistics company, won the Most Honoured Organisation, earning 86.5 award points with Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie-winning entries submitted by its offices and affiliates in 32 countries.
The Most Honoured Public Relations Agency went to LLYC, with 69.5 award points earned by Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie-winning entries submitted on behalf of clients like BBVA, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks.
Also included in the winners list were Switching-Time as Most Honoured Marketing Agency and The XD Agency which won the Most Honoured Interactive Services Agency.
The International Business Awards feature a wide variety of categories to recognise achievement in every facet of work life, including management awards, new product awards, marketing awards and PR awards, among others.
Full list of winners is available at https://stevieawards.com/iba.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday 29 August 2019
PRESS NOTICE - ENTITLEMENT DATE FIXED (CENTURY BOND BHD)
CENTURY BOND BHD. ("CBB" OR "COMPANY")
SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT EXERCISE UNDERTAKEN BY CBB PURSUANT TO SECTION 116 OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 ("ACT") ("SCR)
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- We refer to the press releases in relation to the SCR dated 16 April 2019, 22 April 2019 and 20 June 2019 (collectively "Press Releases"). Unless otherwise defined herein, all expressions used in this press release shall carry the same meanings as defined in the Press Releases.
On behalf of the Board, CIMB Investment Bank Berhad wishes to announce that following the extraction of the Order, the entitlement date for the SCR has been fixed at 5.00 pm on 20 September 2019. The notice of the entitlement date will be despatch to the shareholders of CBB accordingly.
The SCR will become effective when an office copy of the sealed order is lodged with the Companies Commission of Malaysia in accordance with Section 116(6) of the Act.
Click here to view the full release
Source: CIMB Group
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Dato’ Zain Azhari Mazlan
Managing Director
Corporate Finance
Investment Banking
CIMB Investment Bank Berhad
Tel: +6 03 2261 0338
Name: Ang Lay Leng
Director
Corporate Finance
Investment Banking
CIMB Investment Bank Berhad
Tel: +6 03 2261 0983
--BERNAMA
SELECTIVE CAPITAL REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT EXERCISE UNDERTAKEN BY CBB PURSUANT TO SECTION 116 OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2016 ("ACT") ("SCR)
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- We refer to the press releases in relation to the SCR dated 16 April 2019, 22 April 2019 and 20 June 2019 (collectively "Press Releases"). Unless otherwise defined herein, all expressions used in this press release shall carry the same meanings as defined in the Press Releases.
On behalf of the Board, CIMB Investment Bank Berhad wishes to announce that following the extraction of the Order, the entitlement date for the SCR has been fixed at 5.00 pm on 20 September 2019. The notice of the entitlement date will be despatch to the shareholders of CBB accordingly.
The SCR will become effective when an office copy of the sealed order is lodged with the Companies Commission of Malaysia in accordance with Section 116(6) of the Act.
Click here to view the full release
Source: CIMB Group
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Dato’ Zain Azhari Mazlan
Managing Director
Corporate Finance
Investment Banking
CIMB Investment Bank Berhad
Tel: +6 03 2261 0338
Name: Ang Lay Leng
Director
Corporate Finance
Investment Banking
CIMB Investment Bank Berhad
Tel: +6 03 2261 0983
--BERNAMA
United India Insurance Company Limited´s credit ratings downgraded - AM Best
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 -- AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to C++ (marginal) from B (fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to ´b+´ from ´bb+´ for United India Insurance Company Limited (United).
The outlook of the FSR remains stable, while the outlook of the Long-Term ICR remains negative, according to a statement.
The negative rating outlook for the Long-Term ICR reflects the potential for further deterioration in United´s risk-adjusted capitalisation and operating performance over the near to medium term.
The credit ratings reflect the company´s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorised as adequate, marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.
Risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best´s Capital Adequacy Ratio, deteriorated to adequate from very strong during fiscal year 2019, due to a combination of significant reserve strengthening for motor third-party liability business and large underwriting losses from other product lines.
Capital and surplus have declined significantly by 29.1 per cent to INR64 billion (US$0.9 billion) as of March 31. (INR100 = RM5.87).
The company repeatedly has fallen short of local minimum regulatory solvency requirements in recent years. To support an improvement in this position, the company issued INR9 billion of subordinated debt in 2017.
AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with unique focus on the insurance industry. More information at www.ambest.com.
-- BERNAMA
The outlook of the FSR remains stable, while the outlook of the Long-Term ICR remains negative, according to a statement.
The negative rating outlook for the Long-Term ICR reflects the potential for further deterioration in United´s risk-adjusted capitalisation and operating performance over the near to medium term.
The credit ratings reflect the company´s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorised as adequate, marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.
Risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best´s Capital Adequacy Ratio, deteriorated to adequate from very strong during fiscal year 2019, due to a combination of significant reserve strengthening for motor third-party liability business and large underwriting losses from other product lines.
Capital and surplus have declined significantly by 29.1 per cent to INR64 billion (US$0.9 billion) as of March 31. (INR100 = RM5.87).
The company repeatedly has fallen short of local minimum regulatory solvency requirements in recent years. To support an improvement in this position, the company issued INR9 billion of subordinated debt in 2017.
AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with unique focus on the insurance industry. More information at www.ambest.com.
-- BERNAMA
The Mary Kay Foundation(SM) , UT Southwestern join forces to eradicate cancers afflicting women
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 -- The Mary Kay Foundation(SM) has announced a US$500,000 grant to fund a groundbreaking global fellowship programme with UT Southwestern Medical Center to combat cancers impacting women globally. (US$1 = RM4.22).
The new one-year fellowships will offer up to five international postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge cancer research at the UT Southwestern facility in Dallas, allowing them to continue research activity in their native country.
This new grant programme supports the foundation’s continued commitment to ending women-related cancers worldwide, marking its first cancer research grants programme to go global.
“Mary Kay Ash, our founder, saw first-hand the impact that cancer had on our independent beauty consultants, their families, and women around the world,” said The Mary Kay Foundation(SM) board member, Ryan Rogers.
“It became a mission for her to eradicate cancers affecting women. Our expanded partnership with UT Southwestern will allow us to continue that life-saving work on a global scale.”
The foundation has long-standing partnership with UT Southwestern through strong collaboration with Dr Jerry W. Shay, cell biology professor at UT Southwestern and The Mary Kay Foundation(SM) Distinguished Professorship honoree.
To date, it has awarded nearly US$23 million to support the work of 225 top women-related cancer researchers across the United States, funding efforts to find cures for breast, uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers.
More information at https://www.marykayfoundation.org.
-- BERNAMA
The new one-year fellowships will offer up to five international postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge cancer research at the UT Southwestern facility in Dallas, allowing them to continue research activity in their native country.
This new grant programme supports the foundation’s continued commitment to ending women-related cancers worldwide, marking its first cancer research grants programme to go global.
“Mary Kay Ash, our founder, saw first-hand the impact that cancer had on our independent beauty consultants, their families, and women around the world,” said The Mary Kay Foundation(SM) board member, Ryan Rogers.
“It became a mission for her to eradicate cancers affecting women. Our expanded partnership with UT Southwestern will allow us to continue that life-saving work on a global scale.”
The foundation has long-standing partnership with UT Southwestern through strong collaboration with Dr Jerry W. Shay, cell biology professor at UT Southwestern and The Mary Kay Foundation(SM) Distinguished Professorship honoree.
To date, it has awarded nearly US$23 million to support the work of 225 top women-related cancer researchers across the United States, funding efforts to find cures for breast, uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers.
More information at https://www.marykayfoundation.org.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday 28 August 2019
CENTURY SOFTWARE GETS RM 8.2 MILLION CONTRACT FROM DBKL
PETALING JAYA, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Century Software (M) Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Censof Holdings Berhad has been awarded an information and communication technology (“ICT”) maintenance contract worth RM 8.2 million from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL).
Under the terms of the contract with DBKL, Century Software’s scope of work includes comprehensive maintenance and support services of ePBT Financial Management system in DBKL. The contract also includes refresh of hardware for the system. Duration of the contract will be for one year.
Censof Group Managing Director, Ameer Bin Shaik Mydin said: " In the current economic condition, it is satisfying that Century Software has been able to sign a contract that provides enhanced visibility to our overall revenue streams."
Century Software leading provider of financial management solutions developed on SAGA (Standard Accounting System for Government Agencies) – an initiative by the Malaysian Government to standardize accounting and financial management enterprise solutions used in all its Federal Statutory Bodies.
“It is our competencies, commendable execution track record and our eagerness to ensure customer delight that have allowed us to offer superior services to our clients. This win further enables us to strengthen our footprint with DBKL. Our mission is to be the trusted technology and capacity provider for our clients and industry for years to come,” he added.
Century Software creates platforms and services for businesses and governments to manage millions of interactions every day for those they serve. They leverage on the power of cloud, mobile and IoT, combined with technologies such as machine learning, robotic process automation, blockchain and artificial intelligence to elevate every interaction, driving modern digital experiences that are more efficient.
About Censof Holdings Bhd
Under the terms of the contract with DBKL, Century Software’s scope of work includes comprehensive maintenance and support services of ePBT Financial Management system in DBKL. The contract also includes refresh of hardware for the system. Duration of the contract will be for one year.
Censof Group Managing Director, Ameer Bin Shaik Mydin said: " In the current economic condition, it is satisfying that Century Software has been able to sign a contract that provides enhanced visibility to our overall revenue streams."
Century Software leading provider of financial management solutions developed on SAGA (Standard Accounting System for Government Agencies) – an initiative by the Malaysian Government to standardize accounting and financial management enterprise solutions used in all its Federal Statutory Bodies.
“It is our competencies, commendable execution track record and our eagerness to ensure customer delight that have allowed us to offer superior services to our clients. This win further enables us to strengthen our footprint with DBKL. Our mission is to be the trusted technology and capacity provider for our clients and industry for years to come,” he added.
Century Software creates platforms and services for businesses and governments to manage millions of interactions every day for those they serve. They leverage on the power of cloud, mobile and IoT, combined with technologies such as machine learning, robotic process automation, blockchain and artificial intelligence to elevate every interaction, driving modern digital experiences that are more efficient.
About Censof Holdings Bhd
Censof Holdings Bhd (KLSE: CENSOF) was established in 2008 and was listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia in 2011 as a technology investment holding company specialising in financial management software solutions. Since then, Censof has expanded its portfolio of financial services solutions to include e-payment gateway services, training solutions, wealth management software solutions and blockchain technology.
For more information, please visit www.censof.com
Tuesday 27 August 2019
South Korea insurers to cope with new accounting, solvency rules
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 -- South Korea’s non-life insurers are in a better position than their life counterparts to face the impact of simultaneous implementation of two new frameworks by 2022, according to AM Best.
The frameworks are the International Financial Reporting Standards 17 (IFRS 17) accounting standard and K-Insurance Capital Standard (K-ICS) solvency regime.
In a new Best’s Special Report, titled ‘South Korea Insurers Prepare to Face New Accounting and Solvency Rules’, AM Best stated that the implementation was likely to take a heavy operational toll on the market.
IFRS 17 will fundamentally change the accounting view on the valuation of insurance contracts and profit recognition.
In addition to the full adoption of IFRS 17, the Financial Supervisory Services also intend to have the industry simultaneously adopt K-ICS, a new solvency regime.
The aim is not only to align current solvency requirements with the new accounting standard, but also to adopt a more advanced yardstick to regulate the financial soundness of South Korea’s insurance industry.
According to the report, one of the unique features of South Korea’s non-life insurance market is that they can sell long-term insurance products, and as a result, their business largely overlaps with that of life insurers.
Despite potential financial burdens that may stem from the preparation to implement IFRS 17 and K-ICS, AM Best believes that overall, insurance customers will benefit from the enhanced financial soundness of the overall insurance industry over the long term.
More details on www.ambest.com
-- BERNAMA
Rihanna's runway show to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Amazon Prime Video is set to present the highly anticipated second annual Savage X Fenty Show, a runway show celebrating music and fashion icon Rihanna’s new Fall/Winter 2019 collection.
Savage X Fenty Show will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries, beginning Sept 20.
The Amazon Prime Video special will also feature an exclusive look behind the scenes in the making of the show.
The extraordinary fashion experience will take place during the New York Fashion Week in conjunction with NYFW: The Shows.
Amazon Studios head, Jennifer Salke said: “The Savage X Fenty Show promises to be a ground-breaking and truly unique experience and we are thrilled to give our global customers an exclusive front row seat.”
“We want to make people look good and feel good,” said Rihanna, who approaches Savage X with the same mentality as in all her projects.
-- BERNAMA
Savage X Fenty Show will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries, beginning Sept 20.
The Amazon Prime Video special will also feature an exclusive look behind the scenes in the making of the show.
The extraordinary fashion experience will take place during the New York Fashion Week in conjunction with NYFW: The Shows.
Amazon Studios head, Jennifer Salke said: “The Savage X Fenty Show promises to be a ground-breaking and truly unique experience and we are thrilled to give our global customers an exclusive front row seat.”
“We want to make people look good and feel good,” said Rihanna, who approaches Savage X with the same mentality as in all her projects.
-- BERNAMA
Mori Building lays foundation for urban regeneration project in Tokyo
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Japanese urban landscape developer, Mori Building Co Ltd, has commenced a massive urban regeneration project to revitalise a large area of central Tokyo.
The ‘Toranomon-Azabudai District Category 1 Urban Redevelopment Project’ is set to be completed by March-end 2023.
The project is designed to provide a safe city that will allow people to carry on living and working, even during a major disaster on the scale of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
With ‘Modern Urban Village’ core concept, it is a unique neighbourhood that will combine the sophistication of a megalopolis with the intimacy of a small village in the heart of Tokyo.
It will cover an area of approximately 8.1 hectares, similar to that of New York’s Rockefeller Center, and feature extensive greenery measuring 24,000 sq metres, which includes a 6,000 sq metre central square.
Total floor area will be 860,400 sq metres, including 213,900 sq metres of office space and about 1,400 residential units.
About 20,000 office workers and 3,500 residents will work and live there, with 25 to 30 million people expected to visit this totally new city-within-a-city annually.
The electricity supplied will be from renewable sources, which will meet the targets stipulated in the RE100 international environmental initiative, led by the United Kingdom’s Climate Group.
More details on the project at www.mori.co.jp/en
-- BERNAMA
Monday 26 August 2019
China´s investment in Southeast Asia shows good momentum
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- China’s investment in Southeast Asia has showed good momentum in the first half of 2019, as it reached US$11 billion, almost doubling year-on-year, according to a Maybank report. (US$1=RM4.21)
The new round of scientific and technological revolution is an important background for the country’s rapid investment in Southeast Asia.
According to statistics, investment in the science and technology sector reached US$2.5 billion in the first half of the year, more than the total in 2017.
In addition, the 5G communications global commercialisation is a major factor driving the outbreak of technology investment in the region.
China and Southeast Asian countries actively welcome the tide of the digital economy with an aim to achieve lane-changing and overtaking.
Against the headwind of the United States trade protectionism, the economic relationship between China and Southeast Asia is still uniquely well, proving the feasibility of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The goal of the initiative is also to build these new roads and ties, which will make China and Southeast Asia more closely linked and become a new pole of global economic growth.
-- BERNAMA
The new round of scientific and technological revolution is an important background for the country’s rapid investment in Southeast Asia.
According to statistics, investment in the science and technology sector reached US$2.5 billion in the first half of the year, more than the total in 2017.
In addition, the 5G communications global commercialisation is a major factor driving the outbreak of technology investment in the region.
China and Southeast Asian countries actively welcome the tide of the digital economy with an aim to achieve lane-changing and overtaking.
Against the headwind of the United States trade protectionism, the economic relationship between China and Southeast Asia is still uniquely well, proving the feasibility of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The goal of the initiative is also to build these new roads and ties, which will make China and Southeast Asia more closely linked and become a new pole of global economic growth.
-- BERNAMA
China´s Chongqing kicks off second Smart China Expo
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- West China's Chongqing will host the four-day Smart China Expo (SCE) 2019, themed ‘Smart Technology: Empowering Economy, Enriching Life’, beginning today.
New labels such as technology, innovation, intelligence and smartness have been added to Chongqing's image since the first SCE in August last year.
Domestic and foreign guests attending the event were awed by the city's natural beauty and cultural appeal, and are upbeat about Chongqing's bright prospects of high-quality development and life.
The SCE 2019 enables industrial players to meet again and see the latest developments of smart technologies.
About 388 VIP guests and 843 companies will attend the event to share their insights on the development of the big data intelligence industry.
A total of 46 fora will be held, in addition to the opening ceremony and a summit. Eight contests including i-VISTA Grand Challenge, International Drone Race Performance and China-Singapore Industrial App Innovative Contest have been launched.
The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, China Association for Science and Technology and Chongqing Municipal People's Government.
Chongqing is willing to work with friends worldwide to promote the smart industry's growth and create a better future of digital economy. More details at https://www.smartchina-expo.cn
-- BERNAMA
New labels such as technology, innovation, intelligence and smartness have been added to Chongqing's image since the first SCE in August last year.
Domestic and foreign guests attending the event were awed by the city's natural beauty and cultural appeal, and are upbeat about Chongqing's bright prospects of high-quality development and life.
The SCE 2019 enables industrial players to meet again and see the latest developments of smart technologies.
About 388 VIP guests and 843 companies will attend the event to share their insights on the development of the big data intelligence industry.
A total of 46 fora will be held, in addition to the opening ceremony and a summit. Eight contests including i-VISTA Grand Challenge, International Drone Race Performance and China-Singapore Industrial App Innovative Contest have been launched.
The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, China Association for Science and Technology and Chongqing Municipal People's Government.
Chongqing is willing to work with friends worldwide to promote the smart industry's growth and create a better future of digital economy. More details at https://www.smartchina-expo.cn
-- BERNAMA
Friday 23 August 2019
BLUEJEANS NETWORK ANNOUNCES REGIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR ASIA PACIFIC
Industry Veteran Builds Ecosystem of Employees, Partners and Customers
SYDNEY, Australia, Aug 22 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Jeans Network, Inc. today announced that it has appointed Luke Richardson as Vice President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific, based out of Sydney. The announcement solidifies the BlueJeans APAC leadership team and reaffirms its focus on connecting regional businesses to a growing network of partners and executive leadership. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and India are growing markets with rapid adoption of collaboration technology to engage employees and build productive work environments.
BlueJeans has seen a significant increase in overall number of meetings and total meeting minutes in the region with 50% growth (year-over-year) in the last 12 months totaling more than 1.4 million meetings. Richardson and his team will work with regional partners including Arkadin and Princeton to meet the demand for its videoconferencing and collaboration solutions.
Customers are particularly interested in using the BlueJeans Gateway for Microsoft Teams. To fully maximize the Microsoft Teams experience, companies need to connect their existing legacy conference rooms to Teams. BlueJeans Gateway deploys in minutes so every employee can participate in meetings, whether via desktops, conference rooms or huddle spaces. The BlueJeans Gateway ensures room deployments are easy and fast to install, with advanced security and real-time management and analytics capability.
BlueJeans commitment to the region includes a new data center in Mumbai to serve the growth and demand for its meetings platform. Indian customers’ meetings will be hosted in the Mumbai POP by default and they can choose AWS Mumbai as the default storage location for recording data. Customers like the Khan Academy, Air Asia, and Cotton:On are among the companies that have selected BlueJeans as a trusted part of its collaboration platform.
Khan Academy provides India mass-teacher training for PISA tests. Known as the “Olympics” of public education systems, the tests are given out to 15-year-olds worldwide to assess a country’s education system. By the end of last year, starting from an almost non-existent base, more than 10,000 students per month enrolled in pilot schools were coming aboard and using Khan Academy in their classrooms, something Vipul Redey, Head, School Enablement at Khan Academy, attributes to the effective teacher trainings conducted over BlueJeans.
“We plan to double, or possibly triple, the number of students using Khan Academy this academic year, which will only be possible if we continue to scale up our corresponding teacher training efforts to cover geographically dispersed state schools via regular webinar trainings using BlueJeans,” Redey said. “Over the past year, BlueJeans Events has proven to be the ideal platforms for offering remote education in developing countries with low bandwidth, as these webinar sessions have already drastically cut our travel and training facility rental costs, while still allowing for frequent touchpoints with teachers to keep them updated on progress—a blessing for a non-profit like ours that survives on donor money. By making up-skilling teachers across India possible in a very effective and fiscally conscientious manner, BlueJeans is helping us to improve the effectiveness of our public education system as a whole.”
“It’s a privilege to lead our growing team across APAC. The interest for our meetings platform is exciting and we will scale alongside a network of talented partners to deliver a solution that serves our customers as they grow and expand,” said Luke Richardson, vice president and managing director of Asia Pacific, BlueJeans. “Collaboration technology has become a critical business asset, and for good reason. Employees need the tools to connect, collaboration and contribute to their team and business, and BlueJeans is in a great position to be part of that journey.”
About BlueJeans Network
BlueJeans is the meetings platform for the modern workplace and the first cloud service to connect desktops, mobile devices and room systems in one video meeting. Thousands of companies from growing businesses to Fortune 500 leaders use BlueJeans every day for video, audio and web conferencing meetings and large interactive events, so people can work productively where and how they want. For more information, visit www.bluejeans.com.
Press Contact:
Erin Cheever, BlueJeans
echeever@bluejeans.com
Source: BlueJeans Network
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35289
SYDNEY, Australia, Aug 22 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Jeans Network, Inc. today announced that it has appointed Luke Richardson as Vice President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific, based out of Sydney. The announcement solidifies the BlueJeans APAC leadership team and reaffirms its focus on connecting regional businesses to a growing network of partners and executive leadership. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and India are growing markets with rapid adoption of collaboration technology to engage employees and build productive work environments.
BlueJeans has seen a significant increase in overall number of meetings and total meeting minutes in the region with 50% growth (year-over-year) in the last 12 months totaling more than 1.4 million meetings. Richardson and his team will work with regional partners including Arkadin and Princeton to meet the demand for its videoconferencing and collaboration solutions.
Customers are particularly interested in using the BlueJeans Gateway for Microsoft Teams. To fully maximize the Microsoft Teams experience, companies need to connect their existing legacy conference rooms to Teams. BlueJeans Gateway deploys in minutes so every employee can participate in meetings, whether via desktops, conference rooms or huddle spaces. The BlueJeans Gateway ensures room deployments are easy and fast to install, with advanced security and real-time management and analytics capability.
BlueJeans commitment to the region includes a new data center in Mumbai to serve the growth and demand for its meetings platform. Indian customers’ meetings will be hosted in the Mumbai POP by default and they can choose AWS Mumbai as the default storage location for recording data. Customers like the Khan Academy, Air Asia, and Cotton:On are among the companies that have selected BlueJeans as a trusted part of its collaboration platform.
Khan Academy provides India mass-teacher training for PISA tests. Known as the “Olympics” of public education systems, the tests are given out to 15-year-olds worldwide to assess a country’s education system. By the end of last year, starting from an almost non-existent base, more than 10,000 students per month enrolled in pilot schools were coming aboard and using Khan Academy in their classrooms, something Vipul Redey, Head, School Enablement at Khan Academy, attributes to the effective teacher trainings conducted over BlueJeans.
“We plan to double, or possibly triple, the number of students using Khan Academy this academic year, which will only be possible if we continue to scale up our corresponding teacher training efforts to cover geographically dispersed state schools via regular webinar trainings using BlueJeans,” Redey said. “Over the past year, BlueJeans Events has proven to be the ideal platforms for offering remote education in developing countries with low bandwidth, as these webinar sessions have already drastically cut our travel and training facility rental costs, while still allowing for frequent touchpoints with teachers to keep them updated on progress—a blessing for a non-profit like ours that survives on donor money. By making up-skilling teachers across India possible in a very effective and fiscally conscientious manner, BlueJeans is helping us to improve the effectiveness of our public education system as a whole.”
“It’s a privilege to lead our growing team across APAC. The interest for our meetings platform is exciting and we will scale alongside a network of talented partners to deliver a solution that serves our customers as they grow and expand,” said Luke Richardson, vice president and managing director of Asia Pacific, BlueJeans. “Collaboration technology has become a critical business asset, and for good reason. Employees need the tools to connect, collaboration and contribute to their team and business, and BlueJeans is in a great position to be part of that journey.”
About BlueJeans Network
BlueJeans is the meetings platform for the modern workplace and the first cloud service to connect desktops, mobile devices and room systems in one video meeting. Thousands of companies from growing businesses to Fortune 500 leaders use BlueJeans every day for video, audio and web conferencing meetings and large interactive events, so people can work productively where and how they want. For more information, visit www.bluejeans.com.
Press Contact:
Erin Cheever, BlueJeans
echeever@bluejeans.com
Source: BlueJeans Network
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35289
Wednesday 21 August 2019
The 2019 Taoyuan Land Art Festival set in Northern Taiwan, next month
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 -- This year’s Taoyuan Land Art Festival will start on Sept 6 until 22, at Bade District, Taoyuan in Northern Taiwan, featuring 34 artworks created by local and foreign artists.
Themed ‘New Landscape’, the festival will also feature five forums, 40 luminaries shows and 200 events including workshops and international art exchanges.
The annual event will serve as the core exhibition area supported by surrounding pond areas, according to a statement.
Two subsidiary exhibition areas at the Taoyuan Children's Art Museum in Qingpu and Xipo Pond Ecology Park, as well as an exhibition at Bade Pond and Eco Park, will also be presented this year.
With the concept of ‘Protecting the Present and Striving for a Better Future’, the festival will explore, recall, interpret, exhibit and rediscovery different aspects of ‘landscape’.
More information at http://taoyuanlandart.com.tw.
-- BERNAMA
Themed ‘New Landscape’, the festival will also feature five forums, 40 luminaries shows and 200 events including workshops and international art exchanges.
The annual event will serve as the core exhibition area supported by surrounding pond areas, according to a statement.
Two subsidiary exhibition areas at the Taoyuan Children's Art Museum in Qingpu and Xipo Pond Ecology Park, as well as an exhibition at Bade Pond and Eco Park, will also be presented this year.
With the concept of ‘Protecting the Present and Striving for a Better Future’, the festival will explore, recall, interpret, exhibit and rediscovery different aspects of ‘landscape’.
More information at http://taoyuanlandart.com.tw.
-- BERNAMA
IDEAL INDUSTRIES chairman, CEO retires early next year
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- IDEAL INDUSTRIES INC chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Jim James will retire on Jan 31 next year.
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) group president, Steve Henn will succeed him as the CEO on Sept 23.
Meanwhile, as long-planned, a fourth-generation family executive, Meghan Juday will become the chairman of the 103-year old family company on Feb 1, 2020, when James retires.
“I believe that after 11 years or so, it is time others get an opportunity to make their mark on the organisation,” said James, who announced his decision to the family and board of directors in the past two years.
Commenting on the new CEO appointment, the succession committee chairman, Chris Baldwin noted that Henn brought proven expertise in global management, acquisitions and integrations, innovation, high performance team development and manufacturing.
“He is consistently produced revenue and profit growth in dynamic, challenging and changing markets,” Baldwin added.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES INC is a diversified global family business, designing and manufacturing superior products, tools advanced technology solutions for various industries.
-- BERNAMA
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) group president, Steve Henn will succeed him as the CEO on Sept 23.
Meanwhile, as long-planned, a fourth-generation family executive, Meghan Juday will become the chairman of the 103-year old family company on Feb 1, 2020, when James retires.
“I believe that after 11 years or so, it is time others get an opportunity to make their mark on the organisation,” said James, who announced his decision to the family and board of directors in the past two years.
Commenting on the new CEO appointment, the succession committee chairman, Chris Baldwin noted that Henn brought proven expertise in global management, acquisitions and integrations, innovation, high performance team development and manufacturing.
“He is consistently produced revenue and profit growth in dynamic, challenging and changing markets,” Baldwin added.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES INC is a diversified global family business, designing and manufacturing superior products, tools advanced technology solutions for various industries.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday 20 August 2019
Resolve Systems acquires FixStream for US$24 mln
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 -- Resolve Systems, the leading IT automation and orchestration platform has acquired FixStream, a pioneer in AIOps, for US$24 million (US$1=RM4.178) to deliver game-changing combination of AIOps and advanced automation in a unified platform.
The acquisition, expected to close by end-September, will enable Resolve to offer the most robust IT automation platform available on the market by combining artificial intelligence insights into dynamic, hybrid IT environments with powerful automation capabilities that are purpose-built for the complexity of modern enterprises.
Resolve, in a statement, said the unified platform will handle a wide array of IT operations – from AI-driven infrastructure mapping, operational data correlation, and predictive analytics to intelligently automating cross-domain actions based on those findings.
It said this will enable customers to significantly improve infrastructure performance, reduce mean time to resolution (MTTR), increase IT operations efficiency, reduce alarm noise, and proactively and intelligently allocate resources for critical business services.
“By combining our powerful, cross-domain automation with insights from FixStream’s artificial intelligence, we’ll be able to help IT teams accelerate their digital transformation journey,” said Resolve chief executive officer John Ferron.
Acquiring FixStream enables Resolve to further tap into the market for AIOps solutions, which is seeing a significant growth as IT teams cope with the conundrum of reducing IT costs while managing increasing complexity, including an exponential uptick in data volumes generated by IT infrastructure and applications.
More information available at https://resolve.io.
-- BERNAMA
The acquisition, expected to close by end-September, will enable Resolve to offer the most robust IT automation platform available on the market by combining artificial intelligence insights into dynamic, hybrid IT environments with powerful automation capabilities that are purpose-built for the complexity of modern enterprises.
Resolve, in a statement, said the unified platform will handle a wide array of IT operations – from AI-driven infrastructure mapping, operational data correlation, and predictive analytics to intelligently automating cross-domain actions based on those findings.
It said this will enable customers to significantly improve infrastructure performance, reduce mean time to resolution (MTTR), increase IT operations efficiency, reduce alarm noise, and proactively and intelligently allocate resources for critical business services.
“By combining our powerful, cross-domain automation with insights from FixStream’s artificial intelligence, we’ll be able to help IT teams accelerate their digital transformation journey,” said Resolve chief executive officer John Ferron.
Acquiring FixStream enables Resolve to further tap into the market for AIOps solutions, which is seeing a significant growth as IT teams cope with the conundrum of reducing IT costs while managing increasing complexity, including an exponential uptick in data volumes generated by IT infrastructure and applications.
More information available at https://resolve.io.
-- BERNAMA
AVIATION WEEK NETWORK EXPANDS URBAN AIR MOBILITY CONFERENCES TO ASIA AND EUROPE STARTING NEXT MONTH
Learn about future of air transportation with industry pioneers
NEW YORK, Aug 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation Week Network has expanded its Urban Air Mobility conference series to include Urban Air Mobility Asia-Pacific (#UAMAP), happening on Wednesday, September 25 at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre; and Urban Air Mobility Europe (#UAMEU), happening Wednesday, October 16 at the ExCeL Centre in London.
These shows come on the heels of the great success of the inaugural Urban Air Mobility Conference, which was held this past April in Atlanta, Georgia. The upcoming conferences will feature some of the biggest players in the industry including:
Asia-Pacific:
NEW YORK, Aug 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation Week Network has expanded its Urban Air Mobility conference series to include Urban Air Mobility Asia-Pacific (#UAMAP), happening on Wednesday, September 25 at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre; and Urban Air Mobility Europe (#UAMEU), happening Wednesday, October 16 at the ExCeL Centre in London.
These shows come on the heels of the great success of the inaugural Urban Air Mobility Conference, which was held this past April in Atlanta, Georgia. The upcoming conferences will feature some of the biggest players in the industry including:
Asia-Pacific:
- Neo Kok Beng, Founder and CEO, NEO Aeronautics
- Damian Cheng, Project Manager, Crimson S8, NEO Aeronautics
- Peter Littau, Head of Strategic Expansion, Volocopter
- Dr. James Wang, Professor and Director of eVTOL Research & Innovation Center, Nanyang Technological University
- Derrick Xiong, Co-Founder, EHang
Europe:
- Harini Kulatunga, Head of UK UAM, Airbus
- Rui Roosien, R&D Consultant, Netherlands Aerospace Centre NLR
- Sameer Savani, Head of Innovation and Engineering, ADS Group
- David Tait, Innovation Strategy Lead, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- Antonios Tsourdos, Director of Research, School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Head of the Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems, Cranfield University.
The conference series, the only of its kind, addresses whether Urban Air Mobility is the answer to the problem of dense urban spaces and congested transportation systems in the world’s major cities.
“From vehicles to systems and infrastructure, from entrepreneurial startups to industry giants, NASA estimates more than 400 companies are already engaged in the emerging urban air mobility market. The challenges are huge, but the potential of UAM is enormous and the progress being made is real,” said Graham Warwick, Managing Editor for Technology, Aviation Week Network.
The UAM conferences bring together manufacturers, regulators, disruptors, technology innovators, municipal leaders, and the infrastructure and investment community working together to create on-demand electrification and aviation for smart cities and a new future for manned and unmanned air transportation. Attracting the major players in this new sector, the conference is a must-attend for those in the industry.
“We expanded the Urban Air Mobility series based on demand from our partners in Asia and Europe who are players in this transformative industry,” said Lydia Janow, Managing Director, Events, Aviation Week Network. “Attendees and speakers are the pioneers in urban air mobility and they are looking forward to gathering to learn, share knowledge and make valuable contacts.”
The sector is now at a stage where prototypes are being invested in to prepare for commercialization and deployment throughout the world. Leaders in the urban air industry will offer attendees a peak into the future of air taxis and other new types of air transportation.
ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK
Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Network’s portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising. Our principle is helping our customers succeed.
Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC.
ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Kelley Grace
855.525.2899 (office) +1-561.702.7471 (mobile)
Elizabeth@thebuzzagency.net
SOURCE : Aviation Week Network
“From vehicles to systems and infrastructure, from entrepreneurial startups to industry giants, NASA estimates more than 400 companies are already engaged in the emerging urban air mobility market. The challenges are huge, but the potential of UAM is enormous and the progress being made is real,” said Graham Warwick, Managing Editor for Technology, Aviation Week Network.
The UAM conferences bring together manufacturers, regulators, disruptors, technology innovators, municipal leaders, and the infrastructure and investment community working together to create on-demand electrification and aviation for smart cities and a new future for manned and unmanned air transportation. Attracting the major players in this new sector, the conference is a must-attend for those in the industry.
“We expanded the Urban Air Mobility series based on demand from our partners in Asia and Europe who are players in this transformative industry,” said Lydia Janow, Managing Director, Events, Aviation Week Network. “Attendees and speakers are the pioneers in urban air mobility and they are looking forward to gathering to learn, share knowledge and make valuable contacts.”
The sector is now at a stage where prototypes are being invested in to prepare for commercialization and deployment throughout the world. Leaders in the urban air industry will offer attendees a peak into the future of air taxis and other new types of air transportation.
ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK
Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Network’s portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising. Our principle is helping our customers succeed.
Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC.
ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Kelley Grace
855.525.2899 (office) +1-561.702.7471 (mobile)
Elizabeth@thebuzzagency.net
SOURCE : Aviation Week Network
Monday 19 August 2019
AM BEST AFFIRMS CREDIT RATINGS OF SOMPO JAPAN NIPPONKOA INSURANCE INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
HONG KONG, Aug 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” of Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc. (SJNK) (Japan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
AM Best also has affirmed the FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICR of “aa-” of the operating subsidiaries of Sompo International Holdings Ltd. (SIH) (Pembroke, Bermuda). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a” of SIH, an intermediate holding company for this group. Also, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of “a-” which are guaranteed by SIH. The outlook of all of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed list of companies and Long-Term IRs.)
The ratings of SJNK reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
SJNK’s balance sheet strength is supported by its risk-adjusted capitalization, which is assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The company’s financial ratios also remain conservative, with adjusted debt leverage ratios generally under 25%, albeit slightly higher than some of its peers.
The company’s underwriting performance deteriorated in fiscal year 2018, with a combined ratio that exceeded 100% and an increased incurred loss ratio caused mainly by domestic natural catastrophes in 2018. Prospectively, in the absence of these non-recurring factors, together with initiatives to improve profitability, AM Best believes SJNK’s underwriting performance will revert to a strong level.
SJNK is the market leader in Japan’s non-life segment with over 25% of the market share and has demonstrated stable operating trends over the years. Although the company has a growing book of overseas insurance business, the execution of its global mergers & acquisition (M&A) strategy is a major risk factor when assessing its business profile. Nevertheless, AM Best believes that the company will continue to adopt a disciplined approach when considering its M&A opportunities.
The rating affirmations of SIH and its subsidiaries reflect the balance sheet assessment at the strongest level, adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. Additionally, SIH benefits from SJNK’s explicit financial support in the form of a net worth maintenance agreement and thus receives additional rating enhancement.
The stable outlooks for SJNK reflect AM Best’s view that it will continue to maintain strong business trends in its domestic non-life business and develop its overseas insurance business in a prudent manner. Negative rating actions could occur for SJNK if there is a material decline in its risk-adjusted capitalization due to a consistent deterioration in the company’s operating performance or capital erosion from large-scale catastrophe events.
The FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of “aa-” have been affirmed with a stable outlook for the following subsidiaries of Sompo International Holdings Ltd.:
AM Best also has affirmed the FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICR of “aa-” of the operating subsidiaries of Sompo International Holdings Ltd. (SIH) (Pembroke, Bermuda). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a” of SIH, an intermediate holding company for this group. Also, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of “a-” which are guaranteed by SIH. The outlook of all of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed list of companies and Long-Term IRs.)
The ratings of SJNK reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
SJNK’s balance sheet strength is supported by its risk-adjusted capitalization, which is assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The company’s financial ratios also remain conservative, with adjusted debt leverage ratios generally under 25%, albeit slightly higher than some of its peers.
The company’s underwriting performance deteriorated in fiscal year 2018, with a combined ratio that exceeded 100% and an increased incurred loss ratio caused mainly by domestic natural catastrophes in 2018. Prospectively, in the absence of these non-recurring factors, together with initiatives to improve profitability, AM Best believes SJNK’s underwriting performance will revert to a strong level.
SJNK is the market leader in Japan’s non-life segment with over 25% of the market share and has demonstrated stable operating trends over the years. Although the company has a growing book of overseas insurance business, the execution of its global mergers & acquisition (M&A) strategy is a major risk factor when assessing its business profile. Nevertheless, AM Best believes that the company will continue to adopt a disciplined approach when considering its M&A opportunities.
The rating affirmations of SIH and its subsidiaries reflect the balance sheet assessment at the strongest level, adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. Additionally, SIH benefits from SJNK’s explicit financial support in the form of a net worth maintenance agreement and thus receives additional rating enhancement.
The stable outlooks for SJNK reflect AM Best’s view that it will continue to maintain strong business trends in its domestic non-life business and develop its overseas insurance business in a prudent manner. Negative rating actions could occur for SJNK if there is a material decline in its risk-adjusted capitalization due to a consistent deterioration in the company’s operating performance or capital erosion from large-scale catastrophe events.
The FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of “aa-” have been affirmed with a stable outlook for the following subsidiaries of Sompo International Holdings Ltd.:
- Endurance Specialty Insurance Limited
- Endurance Assurance Corporation
- Endurance Worldwide Insurance Limited
- Endurance American Specialty Insurance Company
- Endurance American Insurance Company
- Endurance Risk Solutions Assurance Co.
- American Agri-Business Insurance Company
- Sompo America Insurance Company
- Sompo America Fire & Marine Insurance Company
- Lexon Insurance Company
- Bond Safeguard Insurance Company
The following Long-Term IRs have been affirmed with a stable outlook:
Sompo International Holdings Ltd.—
-- “a-” on $335 million 7% senior unsecured notes, due 2034 (issued by Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. and guaranteed by Sompo International Holdings Ltd.)
-- “a-” on $300 million 4.7% senior unsecured notes, due 2022 (issued by Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and guaranteed by Sompo International Holdings Ltd.)
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.
AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.
Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190816005293/en/
Contact
Maggie Wu
Associate Financial Analyst
+852 2827 3421
maggie.wu@ambest.com
Jason Shum
Associate Director, Analytics
+852 2827 3424
jason.shum@ambest.com
Darian Ryan, CPA
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5449
darian.ryan@ambest.com
Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
Source : AM Best
Sompo International Holdings Ltd.—
-- “a-” on $335 million 7% senior unsecured notes, due 2034 (issued by Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. and guaranteed by Sompo International Holdings Ltd.)
-- “a-” on $300 million 4.7% senior unsecured notes, due 2022 (issued by Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and guaranteed by Sompo International Holdings Ltd.)
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.
AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.
Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190816005293/en/
Contact
Maggie Wu
Associate Financial Analyst
+852 2827 3421
maggie.wu@ambest.com
Jason Shum
Associate Director, Analytics
+852 2827 3424
jason.shum@ambest.com
Darian Ryan, CPA
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5449
darian.ryan@ambest.com
Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
Source : AM Best
Saturday 17 August 2019
Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar embarks on ´Freedom from CHD´ US tour
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) – To help meet an urgent need to provide surgery to children in India suffering from congenital heart defects (CHD), the Heart to Heart Foundation (H2H Foundation) has launched the ‘Freedom from CHD’ initiative.
An event under the initiative called ‘Batting-For-Life’ will see legendary cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar -- who is also the foundation’s board of governors chairman – engaging in Heart to Heart conversations while on a multi-city US tour.
The former India international cricketer will also be signing memorabilia bats for event attendees who will ‘bat-for-life’ by supporting free heart surgery.
“These tiny tots are waiting for their hearts to be healed. Paediatric cardiac treatment should be within the reach of every child and every parent irrespective of their financial or social status,” Gavaskar said in a statement.
Each year in India 300,000 children are born with CHD and tragically, 25 per cent of them die before their first birthday.
“There are over 36,000 children waiting for a free heart surgery in the next two years. We are targeting to support 5,000 free heart surgeries this year, increasing each year thereafter,” said H2H Foundation trustee and director, Arvind Thiagarajan.
Cost of surgeries and other required programmes run into several millions of dollars every year.
Sai Sanjeevani hospitals in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Haryana are India's largest provider of totally free paediatric heart procedures, performing nearly 10,000 surgeries and catheter interventions since 2012.
Free heart surgery, screening programmes for CHD, prevention through better nutrition of expectant mothers and research to prevent CHD formation are all part of the ‘Freedom from CHD’ initiative.
For more information, visit http://www.h2h.foundation.
-- BERNAMA
An event under the initiative called ‘Batting-For-Life’ will see legendary cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar -- who is also the foundation’s board of governors chairman – engaging in Heart to Heart conversations while on a multi-city US tour.
The former India international cricketer will also be signing memorabilia bats for event attendees who will ‘bat-for-life’ by supporting free heart surgery.
“These tiny tots are waiting for their hearts to be healed. Paediatric cardiac treatment should be within the reach of every child and every parent irrespective of their financial or social status,” Gavaskar said in a statement.
Each year in India 300,000 children are born with CHD and tragically, 25 per cent of them die before their first birthday.
“There are over 36,000 children waiting for a free heart surgery in the next two years. We are targeting to support 5,000 free heart surgeries this year, increasing each year thereafter,” said H2H Foundation trustee and director, Arvind Thiagarajan.
Cost of surgeries and other required programmes run into several millions of dollars every year.
Sai Sanjeevani hospitals in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Haryana are India's largest provider of totally free paediatric heart procedures, performing nearly 10,000 surgeries and catheter interventions since 2012.
Free heart surgery, screening programmes for CHD, prevention through better nutrition of expectant mothers and research to prevent CHD formation are all part of the ‘Freedom from CHD’ initiative.
For more information, visit http://www.h2h.foundation.
-- BERNAMA
PRESS RELEASE - DISCLOSURE OF DEALINGS (TASEK CORP BHD)
HL CEMENT (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD AND RIDGE STAR LIMITED (COLLECTIVELY, THE "JOINT OFFERORS")
UNCONDITIONAL VOLUNTARY TAKE-OVER OFFER BY THE JOINT OFFERORS THROUGH CIMB INVESTMENT BANK BERHAD ("CIMB") TO ACQUIRE ALL THE REMAINING ORDINARY SHARES (EXCLUDING TREASURY SHARES) ("OFFER ORDINARY SHARES") AND ALL THE REMAINING PREFERENCE SHARES ("OFFER PREFERENCE SHARES") IN TASEK CORPORATION BERHAD ("TASEK") NOT ALREADY HELD BY THE JOINT OFFERORS FOR A REVISED CASH CONSIDERATION OF RM5.80 PER OFFER ORDINARY SHARE AND RM5.80 PER OFFER PREFERENCE SHARE ("OFFER PRICE") ("REVISED OFFER")
DISCLOSURE OF DEALINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 19 OF THE RULES ON TAKE-OVERS, MERGERS AND COMPULSORY ACQUISITIONS 2016 ("RULES")
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- We refer to the annoucement dated 28 May 2019 by Tasek on the unconditional voluntary take-over offer by the Joint Offerors.
Pursuant to Rule 19.04 (1) of the Rules, we wish to inform that HL Cement (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and/or Ridge Star Limited and its persons acting in concert as well as other parties associated to the Joint Offerors has dealt in the securities of Tasek, details of which are as follows:
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35250
UNCONDITIONAL VOLUNTARY TAKE-OVER OFFER BY THE JOINT OFFERORS THROUGH CIMB INVESTMENT BANK BERHAD ("CIMB") TO ACQUIRE ALL THE REMAINING ORDINARY SHARES (EXCLUDING TREASURY SHARES) ("OFFER ORDINARY SHARES") AND ALL THE REMAINING PREFERENCE SHARES ("OFFER PREFERENCE SHARES") IN TASEK CORPORATION BERHAD ("TASEK") NOT ALREADY HELD BY THE JOINT OFFERORS FOR A REVISED CASH CONSIDERATION OF RM5.80 PER OFFER ORDINARY SHARE AND RM5.80 PER OFFER PREFERENCE SHARE ("OFFER PRICE") ("REVISED OFFER")
DISCLOSURE OF DEALINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 19 OF THE RULES ON TAKE-OVERS, MERGERS AND COMPULSORY ACQUISITIONS 2016 ("RULES")
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- We refer to the annoucement dated 28 May 2019 by Tasek on the unconditional voluntary take-over offer by the Joint Offerors.
Pursuant to Rule 19.04 (1) of the Rules, we wish to inform that HL Cement (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and/or Ridge Star Limited and its persons acting in concert as well as other parties associated to the Joint Offerors has dealt in the securities of Tasek, details of which are as follows:
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35250
Friday 16 August 2019
GungHo, CAPCOM jointly develop ´TEPPEN´ project
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- GungHo Online Entertainment Inc has launched ‘TEPPEN’, a smartphone game jointly developed with CAPCOM CO LTD.
‘TEPPEN’ is an ultimate card battle, created via a powerful tag-team collaboration between GungHo and Capcom.
This battle game features an original story that unfolds with brand new, impressive illustrations for each of the TEPPEN heroes and is a fusion of real-time gameplay.
TEPPEN began distribution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Italy on July 4 (Pacific Daylight Time).
The distribution area in Asia consists of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.
The game is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.
More details at https://teppenthegame.com/
-- BERNAMA
‘TEPPEN’ is an ultimate card battle, created via a powerful tag-team collaboration between GungHo and Capcom.
This battle game features an original story that unfolds with brand new, impressive illustrations for each of the TEPPEN heroes and is a fusion of real-time gameplay.
TEPPEN began distribution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Italy on July 4 (Pacific Daylight Time).
The distribution area in Asia consists of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.
The game is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.
More details at https://teppenthegame.com/
-- BERNAMA
The We Company files registration statement for initial public offering
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The We Company has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to an initial public offering of its Class A common stock.
The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined, according to a statement.
J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs & Co LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, HSBC, UBS Investment Bank and Wells Fargo Securities will serve as joint book-running managers for the offering.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.
-- BERNAMA
The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined, according to a statement.
J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs & Co LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, HSBC, UBS Investment Bank and Wells Fargo Securities will serve as joint book-running managers for the offering.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday 15 August 2019
China, ASEAN set up good example of international relations
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The historical relationship between China and ASEAN is the basis of China's ‘Maritime Silk Road’ initiative, with today, the strategic partnership between China and ASEAN becoming a model for a new type of international relations.
In recent years, in the face of the volatile international situation, China and ASEAN have taken the lead in maintaining regional peace and promoting the common development of mankind, according to a statement from Queqi Media Culture Co Ltd.
Historical accumulation has deepened China-ASEAN cooperation, whereby after the reform and opening up, ASEAN is the top priority of China's good-neighbourly friendship.
From the Asian financial crisis in 1997 to the international financial crisis in 2008, the strategic partnership between the two sides had experienced a real test. In 2003, China and ASEAN established a strategic partnership with common goals of mutual assistance and common development.
The accumulation of the policies, emotions and mechanisms have made the two sides cooperate quite smoothly under the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’.
Cooperation between China and ASEAN in the fields of economy and trade, macro-policy coordination, infrastructure, maritime rescue, counter-terrorism, culture and education has been progressing with remarkable results.
Future trends will ensure steady and substantial cooperation between the two sides and the development of the China-ASEAN relations will also become an important model for the world to examine the new type of international relations and community of shared future proposed by China.
More information at http://www.queqicn.com.
-- BERNAMA
In recent years, in the face of the volatile international situation, China and ASEAN have taken the lead in maintaining regional peace and promoting the common development of mankind, according to a statement from Queqi Media Culture Co Ltd.
Historical accumulation has deepened China-ASEAN cooperation, whereby after the reform and opening up, ASEAN is the top priority of China's good-neighbourly friendship.
From the Asian financial crisis in 1997 to the international financial crisis in 2008, the strategic partnership between the two sides had experienced a real test. In 2003, China and ASEAN established a strategic partnership with common goals of mutual assistance and common development.
The accumulation of the policies, emotions and mechanisms have made the two sides cooperate quite smoothly under the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’.
Cooperation between China and ASEAN in the fields of economy and trade, macro-policy coordination, infrastructure, maritime rescue, counter-terrorism, culture and education has been progressing with remarkable results.
Future trends will ensure steady and substantial cooperation between the two sides and the development of the China-ASEAN relations will also become an important model for the world to examine the new type of international relations and community of shared future proposed by China.
More information at http://www.queqicn.com.
-- BERNAMA
CAPTAIN TSUBASA ZERO -MIRACLE SHOT- PRE-REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR "CAPTAIN TSUBASA ZERO -MIRACLE SHOT-" GLOBAL VERSION
TOKYO, Aug 8 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GMO Internet, Inc. (hereinafter “GMO Internet”) has started opening pre-registration for “Captain Tsubasa ZERO -Miracle Shot-" today, August 8 on App Store and Google Play.
“Captain Tsubasa ZERO -Miracle Shot-" is the global version of a real-time football simulation RPG for smartphones “Captain Tsubasa ZERO" (hereinafter “Captain Tsubasa ZERO”) currently available in Japan. [1] Pre-Registration begins for “Captain Tsubasa ZERO -Miracle Shot- “ Global Version! [Details] Pre-registration of “Captain Tsubasa ZERO -Miracle Shot-“, the global version of Captain Tsubasa ZERO which is a game for smartphones being distributed in Japan has started on App Store and Google Play. Available in 7 languages - English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai, the game is planned to be released in over 90 regions and countries. Pre-Registration Links for "Captain Tsubasa ZERO -Miracle Shot-" App Store：https://apps.apple.com/app/id1462848280 Google Play：https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.gamepot.tsubasa.global Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/CaptainTsubasaZERO/ · Pre-registration Campaign Depending on the total number of pre-registrations on App Store and Google Play Store and likes on the official Facebook page as of the release of Captain Tsubasa ZERO -Miracle Shot-, players of the global version will receive 3,000Gems at max. 10,000 pre-regs: 100Gems 30,000 pre-regs: 300Gems 50,000 pre-regs: 500Gems 100,000 pre-regs: 1,000Gems 200,000 pre-regs: 2,000Gems 300,000 pre-regs: 3,000Gems |
UNIPHORE SEEING MOMENTUM: RAISES $51 MILLION IN SERIES C FUNDING LED BY MARCH CAPITAL PARTNERS
New round is Uniphore’s largest to-date; one of the biggest in conversational AI in recent months
PALO ALTO, Calif. & CHENNAI, India, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Uniphore, the global conversational AI technology company, is gaining momentum and announced today it raised $51M in Series C funding led by March Capital Partners, with participation from Chiratae Ventures (formerly IDG Ventures), Sistema Asia, CXO Fund, ITP, Iron Pillar, Patni Family, plus other investors. The new round of funding is Uniphore’s largest to date and marks one of the most substantial funding rounds in the conversational AI sector.
Uniphore will use the funds to accelerate its go-to-market in North America, invest in research and development for the next wave of innovation on its platform and grow its talented employee base globally.
“Today’s announcement of our Series C funding represents a major milestone for Uniphore and the Conversational AI market as a whole. This funding will accelerate our vision to redefine customer service through AI-enabled Conversational Service Automation (CSA). We have always been strong innovators, and our global customers continue to rely on our solutions to help them deliver exceptional customer service. With this new round of funding, we will be able to accelerate our global expansion and better serve our customers by developing and delivering innovative CSA solutions to more organizations around the world,” said Umesh Sachdev, CEO and Cofounder, Uniphore.
Sumant Mandal, Managing Director of March Capital Partners, added: “Uniphore recognized early on that the customer service industry had fundamental limitations which were not being addressed. Brands were not building meaningful relationships with their customers because they were simply reacting, rather than being proactive. Uniphore’s conversational AI technology is changing the way brands are serving and engaging with their customers. Uniphore’s unique technology enables a proactive approach by recognizing the true intent of customer calls and predicting what is coming next. Uniphore is not only anticipating what the future of customer service will be – they are leading the charge, and we look forward to working closely with them as they continue to innovate. We are excited to be part of the journey of a world-class team building globally competitive products at Uniphore.”
John Chambers, CEO and founder of JC2 Ventures, and an active advisor to Uniphore who picked up a 10% stake in Uniphore in 2017, welcomed the funding: “Uniphore’s continued success is a testament to the company’s ability to foresee the next market transition and evolve the business model based on that insight promptly. Uniphore’s innovative conversational AI solutions address the growing needs of businesses to provide personalized customer experiences more efficiently and effectively. I believe Umesh and his team are well positioned to revolutionize the customer service industry while continuing to expand the market share. I echo March Capital’s sentiment that the future is extremely bright for Uniphore.”
Most recently, Uniphore CEO Umesh Sachdev moved to Silicon Valley to expand the company’s reach in North America. The move has paved the way for several strategic new hires. Annie Weckesser, veteran of Cisco and NIO, joined as Chief Marketing and People Officer in April. Additionally, in May, Jafar Syed, joined as Chief Strategy & Growth Officer from NTT Data, and in June, Karen Smith, former executive at Directly and Convergys, started with Uniphore as Chief Revenue Officer. Additionally, Mary Ann Bianco joined as Chief Customer Officer after leading customer success for Oracle’s Cloud SaaS applications business. In July, Ashwin Chalapathy joined as Managing Director in India and Senior Vice President, Services, Asia Pacific. In 2018, the company experienced 300% year-over-year growth and the year prior, Uniphore had an exciting Series B round with participation by various existing and new investors including IDG Ventures, IIFL and JC2 Ventures. Some of Uniphore’s customers include BNP Paribas, NTT Data, and PNB MetLife.
About Uniphore
Uniphore is a global Conversational AI technology company with offices in the U.S., India and Singapore. Uniphore believes the future of customer service is every voice being truly heard. The Company’s vision is to bridge the gap between people and machines through voice. Uniphore enables businesses globally to deliver transformational customer service by providing a platform of Conversational Analytics, Conversational Assistant and Conversational Security that changes the way enterprises engage their consumers, build loyalty and realize efficiencies.
For more information on how Uniphore delivers business value using Conversational Service Automation, please visit www.uniphore.com
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35227
PALO ALTO, Calif. & CHENNAI, India, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Uniphore, the global conversational AI technology company, is gaining momentum and announced today it raised $51M in Series C funding led by March Capital Partners, with participation from Chiratae Ventures (formerly IDG Ventures), Sistema Asia, CXO Fund, ITP, Iron Pillar, Patni Family, plus other investors. The new round of funding is Uniphore’s largest to date and marks one of the most substantial funding rounds in the conversational AI sector.
Uniphore will use the funds to accelerate its go-to-market in North America, invest in research and development for the next wave of innovation on its platform and grow its talented employee base globally.
“Today’s announcement of our Series C funding represents a major milestone for Uniphore and the Conversational AI market as a whole. This funding will accelerate our vision to redefine customer service through AI-enabled Conversational Service Automation (CSA). We have always been strong innovators, and our global customers continue to rely on our solutions to help them deliver exceptional customer service. With this new round of funding, we will be able to accelerate our global expansion and better serve our customers by developing and delivering innovative CSA solutions to more organizations around the world,” said Umesh Sachdev, CEO and Cofounder, Uniphore.
Sumant Mandal, Managing Director of March Capital Partners, added: “Uniphore recognized early on that the customer service industry had fundamental limitations which were not being addressed. Brands were not building meaningful relationships with their customers because they were simply reacting, rather than being proactive. Uniphore’s conversational AI technology is changing the way brands are serving and engaging with their customers. Uniphore’s unique technology enables a proactive approach by recognizing the true intent of customer calls and predicting what is coming next. Uniphore is not only anticipating what the future of customer service will be – they are leading the charge, and we look forward to working closely with them as they continue to innovate. We are excited to be part of the journey of a world-class team building globally competitive products at Uniphore.”
John Chambers, CEO and founder of JC2 Ventures, and an active advisor to Uniphore who picked up a 10% stake in Uniphore in 2017, welcomed the funding: “Uniphore’s continued success is a testament to the company’s ability to foresee the next market transition and evolve the business model based on that insight promptly. Uniphore’s innovative conversational AI solutions address the growing needs of businesses to provide personalized customer experiences more efficiently and effectively. I believe Umesh and his team are well positioned to revolutionize the customer service industry while continuing to expand the market share. I echo March Capital’s sentiment that the future is extremely bright for Uniphore.”
Most recently, Uniphore CEO Umesh Sachdev moved to Silicon Valley to expand the company’s reach in North America. The move has paved the way for several strategic new hires. Annie Weckesser, veteran of Cisco and NIO, joined as Chief Marketing and People Officer in April. Additionally, in May, Jafar Syed, joined as Chief Strategy & Growth Officer from NTT Data, and in June, Karen Smith, former executive at Directly and Convergys, started with Uniphore as Chief Revenue Officer. Additionally, Mary Ann Bianco joined as Chief Customer Officer after leading customer success for Oracle’s Cloud SaaS applications business. In July, Ashwin Chalapathy joined as Managing Director in India and Senior Vice President, Services, Asia Pacific. In 2018, the company experienced 300% year-over-year growth and the year prior, Uniphore had an exciting Series B round with participation by various existing and new investors including IDG Ventures, IIFL and JC2 Ventures. Some of Uniphore’s customers include BNP Paribas, NTT Data, and PNB MetLife.
About Uniphore
Uniphore is a global Conversational AI technology company with offices in the U.S., India and Singapore. Uniphore believes the future of customer service is every voice being truly heard. The Company’s vision is to bridge the gap between people and machines through voice. Uniphore enables businesses globally to deliver transformational customer service by providing a platform of Conversational Analytics, Conversational Assistant and Conversational Security that changes the way enterprises engage their consumers, build loyalty and realize efficiencies.
For more information on how Uniphore delivers business value using Conversational Service Automation, please visit www.uniphore.com
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35227
Wednesday 14 August 2019
CLOUDFLARE ANNOUNCES MAGIC TRANSIT TO MAKE ENTERPRISE NETWORKS SMARTER, FASTER, AND MORE SECURE
Magic Transit connects and protects customers’ data center networks and simplifies IT operations
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cloudflare, a leading Internet security, performance, and reliability company, today announced Magic Transit, a product that extends the benefits of Cloudflare’s network to customers’ on-premise and data center networks. Magic Transit allows customers to send any packet of data, of any protocol, across Cloudflare’s network.
Magic Transit deployed in front of an enterprise network protects it from DDoS attacks and enables provisioning of a full suite of virtual network functions, including IP packet filtering and firewalling, load balancing, and traffic management tools. Cloudflare's network, which spans 193 cities in more than 90 countries, has more capacity to stop DDoS attacks than Akamai Prolexic, Imperva, Neustar, and Radware—combined.
Cloudflare has always focused on protecting and accelerating specific applications, typically websites and APIs. Cloudflare started with support for HTTP. In April 2018, Cloudflare launched Spectrum to extend the benefits of Cloudflare’s network to protect and accelerate a broader set of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Universal Datagram Protocol (UDP) applications, such as email servers, gaming servers, and IoT devices. With Magic Transit, Cloudflare’s network benefits extend beyond just sites and applications to a customer’s entire Internet Protocol (IP) network footprint.
“We have gotten very good at securing and accelerating anything on the web, but wanted to extend our capabilities to everyone,” said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. “With Magic Transit, customers can use us to secure and accelerate any packet for any protocol, across any path.”
Magic Transit uses all of Cloudflare’s global Anycast network to intelligently route good traffic and filter attacks. This is in contrast to traditional network security hardware and service offerings that concentrate traffic in a limited set of locations, adding latency and reducing security effectiveness.
“When we showed the product to customers that were using traditional DDoS mitigation and security tools, they were blown away,” explained Rustam Lalkaka, a director of product at Cloudflare. “They kept saying, ‘This is like magic!’ So there was only one logical name for the product: Magic Transit.”
For customers using Magic Transit, the benefits will include:
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cloudflare, a leading Internet security, performance, and reliability company, today announced Magic Transit, a product that extends the benefits of Cloudflare’s network to customers’ on-premise and data center networks. Magic Transit allows customers to send any packet of data, of any protocol, across Cloudflare’s network.
Magic Transit deployed in front of an enterprise network protects it from DDoS attacks and enables provisioning of a full suite of virtual network functions, including IP packet filtering and firewalling, load balancing, and traffic management tools. Cloudflare's network, which spans 193 cities in more than 90 countries, has more capacity to stop DDoS attacks than Akamai Prolexic, Imperva, Neustar, and Radware—combined.
Cloudflare has always focused on protecting and accelerating specific applications, typically websites and APIs. Cloudflare started with support for HTTP. In April 2018, Cloudflare launched Spectrum to extend the benefits of Cloudflare’s network to protect and accelerate a broader set of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Universal Datagram Protocol (UDP) applications, such as email servers, gaming servers, and IoT devices. With Magic Transit, Cloudflare’s network benefits extend beyond just sites and applications to a customer’s entire Internet Protocol (IP) network footprint.
“We have gotten very good at securing and accelerating anything on the web, but wanted to extend our capabilities to everyone,” said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. “With Magic Transit, customers can use us to secure and accelerate any packet for any protocol, across any path.”
Magic Transit uses all of Cloudflare’s global Anycast network to intelligently route good traffic and filter attacks. This is in contrast to traditional network security hardware and service offerings that concentrate traffic in a limited set of locations, adding latency and reducing security effectiveness.
“When we showed the product to customers that were using traditional DDoS mitigation and security tools, they were blown away,” explained Rustam Lalkaka, a director of product at Cloudflare. “They kept saying, ‘This is like magic!’ So there was only one logical name for the product: Magic Transit.”
For customers using Magic Transit, the benefits will include:
- Layer 3 DDoS Mitigation: Virtually instantaneous mitigation across Cloudflare’s network protects L3 IP traffic from DDoS attacks.
- Improved Performance: More than 19 million Internet properties currently run on Cloudflare’s network, and with every bit it moves, the network gets smarter and faster. When integrated with Argo Smart Routing, Cloudflare’s solution will deliver clean traffic back to customers’ networks using the fastest, most reliable links in real-time.
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Customers can protect their networks without large hardware expenditures and recurring maintenance contracts.
Customers and partners have expressed a need for Magic Transit:
“I’m excited about Magic Transit — the potential to unify our IP transit, DDoS mitigation, and traffic steering solutions into something we can manage with a single pane of glass will be game-changing,” said Jesse Heraldson, Principal Software Architect at Thomson Reuters. “Cloudflare continues to impress me with its network’s scale, in terms of geography, capacity, and product breadth.”
“As the lines between corporate infrastructure and cloud services continue to converge, Cloudflare's modern approach to protecting infrastructure is a much-needed solution for the industry,” said Aaron Edwards, Field CTO at Cloudgenix. “The ability for Magic Transit to leverage the power and scale of cloud services to protect infrastructure, while maintaining per IP configuration and optionality, all while routing traffic performantly across Cloudflare's global network, makes it a no-brainer.”
To learn more about Magic Transit, please check out the resources below.
“I’m excited about Magic Transit — the potential to unify our IP transit, DDoS mitigation, and traffic steering solutions into something we can manage with a single pane of glass will be game-changing,” said Jesse Heraldson, Principal Software Architect at Thomson Reuters. “Cloudflare continues to impress me with its network’s scale, in terms of geography, capacity, and product breadth.”
“As the lines between corporate infrastructure and cloud services continue to converge, Cloudflare's modern approach to protecting infrastructure is a much-needed solution for the industry,” said Aaron Edwards, Field CTO at Cloudgenix. “The ability for Magic Transit to leverage the power and scale of cloud services to protect infrastructure, while maintaining per IP configuration and optionality, all while routing traffic performantly across Cloudflare's global network, makes it a no-brainer.”
To learn more about Magic Transit, please check out the resources below.
About Cloudflare
Cloudflare, Inc. (www.cloudflare.com / @cloudflare) is on a mission to help build a better Internet. Today the company runs one of the world’s largest networks, with nearly 10 percent of the Fortune 1,000 companies and approximately 19 percent of the top 10,000 websites using at least one Cloudflare product. Cloudflare’s platform protects and accelerates any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare have all web traffic routed through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request. As a result, they see significant improvement in performance and a decrease in spam and other attacks. Cloudflare was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Company Cultures 2018 list and ranked among the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2019. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Cloudflare has offices in Austin, TX, Champaign, IL, New York, NY, San Jose, CA, Washington, D.C., London, Munich, Beijing, Singapore, and Sydney.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190813005238/en/
Contact
Daniella Vallurupalli
+1 650-741-3104
press@cloudflare.com
Source : Cloudflare
Cloudflare, Inc. (www.cloudflare.com / @cloudflare) is on a mission to help build a better Internet. Today the company runs one of the world’s largest networks, with nearly 10 percent of the Fortune 1,000 companies and approximately 19 percent of the top 10,000 websites using at least one Cloudflare product. Cloudflare’s platform protects and accelerates any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare have all web traffic routed through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request. As a result, they see significant improvement in performance and a decrease in spam and other attacks. Cloudflare was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Company Cultures 2018 list and ranked among the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2019. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Cloudflare has offices in Austin, TX, Champaign, IL, New York, NY, San Jose, CA, Washington, D.C., London, Munich, Beijing, Singapore, and Sydney.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190813005238/en/
Contact
Daniella Vallurupalli
+1 650-741-3104
press@cloudflare.com
Source : Cloudflare
PROJECT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE SURPASSES PLEDGE GOAL, CELEBRATES 100,000 GLOBAL VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED IN HONOR OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Association recognizes global efforts leveraging pro bono project management for social good
PHILADELPHIA, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Project Management Institute (PMI) is proud to announce it has doubled its original pledge goal and its stakeholders have pledged to contribute 100,000 volunteer hours to advance causes aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).As part of the organization’s year-long Global Celebration of Service, professionals from around the globe are contributing their project management expertise to enable local organizations and strengthen their communities.
PMI’s pledge goal for its 50th Anniversary and Global Celebration of Service is part of an overall expansion of the association’s Made Possible campaign harnessing the passion of project professionals around the world to drive social change. Initially launched in the fall of 2018, Made Possible is focused on engaging diverse PMI stakeholders – from members and credential holders, to chapter leaders and volunteers – and others who are interested in making a difference, rallying them around a common vision of making a positive impact on society.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate our 50th anniversary than by offering people the opportunity to apply their project management skills and knowledge to some of society’s most pressing social problems,” said Sunil Prashara, president and CEO of PMI. “We know project management is core to managing change and delivering strategic outcomes, turning ideas into reality – essentially making dreams come true -- and we are so excited to showcase how these skills can make a powerful difference by strengthening society as well.”
All PMI stakeholders are invited to participate by pledging to use their project leadership expertise for good on project that align with the SDGs on PMI’s Global Celebration of Service website.
Made Possible by Project Management
The notion of strengthening society is nothing new for PMI stakeholders. For example, the PMI Ecuador Chapter used its project management expertise to help communities recover following a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016 that killed at least 676 people, injured more than 16,000, left 700,000 needing immediate assistance and destroyed 90 percent of infrastructure in many areas.
Project manager, Santiago Cartagena, of the PMI Ecuador Chapter stepped up to partner with a local non-governmental organization that already had outreach networks in place in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, one of the hardest hit provinces. Santiago and his chapter colleagues provided in-kind project management training and support, both to the local organization and directly to women entrepreneurs in the region.
“We all have a responsibility to give back to life what we’ve been given,” said Santiago. “Our efforts helped support and train over 200 women in the Esmeraldas Province, and this is just the beginning. For me, project management goes beyond tools; it’s the support, the backing, being with the people.”
PMI is proud to support volunteer projects like this one and will continue to share the impact of global projects and their impact on local communities through Made Possible and its Global Celebration of Service.
Supporting Sustainable Development Goals
In addition to volunteer hours and recognizing those making an impact, PMI is taking steps as an organization to formalize its commitment to being a force for social good. PMI recently signed the United Nation's (UN) Global Compact, joining a network of more than 9,500 organizations based in over 160 countries and representing nearly every sector. UN Global Compact partners work to align their strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, and commit to taking actions that advance societal goals. Through this partnership, PMI will look for ways to apply project, program and portfolio management to help achieve the SDGs by 2030.
“For any organization, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals requires careful planning and project management,” said Prashara. “Many SDGs can only be achieved through complex multi-sectoral truly global collaboration. That’s why PMI is publicly committed to using its expertise to help organizations efficiently align with these goals.”
To learn more about PMI’s 50th Anniversary, pledge your support and stay up-to-date on the progress and stories of Made Possible, visit PMI.org/Anniversary.
Follow PMI’s journey to align with the UN’s SDGs by following @PMInstitute on Twitter and Facebook and on LinkedIn.
About Project Management Institute (PMI)
Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading association for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession. Founded in 1969, PMI delivers value for more than three million professionals working in nearly every country in the world through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research. We advance careers, improve organizational success and further mature the project management profession through globally-recognized standards, certifications, communities, resources, tools, academic research, publications, professional development courses and networking opportunities. As part of the PMI family, ProjectManagement.com creates online global communities that deliver more resources, better tools, larger networks and broader perspectives. Visit us at www.PMI.org, www.projectmanagement.com, www.facebook.com/PMInstitute and on Twitter @PMInstitute.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190813005172/en/
Contact
Mary Ortega, +1 610 356 4600 X7030
mary.ortega@pmi.org
Source : Project Management Institute
PHILADELPHIA, Aug 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Project Management Institute (PMI) is proud to announce it has doubled its original pledge goal and its stakeholders have pledged to contribute 100,000 volunteer hours to advance causes aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).As part of the organization’s year-long Global Celebration of Service, professionals from around the globe are contributing their project management expertise to enable local organizations and strengthen their communities.
PMI’s pledge goal for its 50th Anniversary and Global Celebration of Service is part of an overall expansion of the association’s Made Possible campaign harnessing the passion of project professionals around the world to drive social change. Initially launched in the fall of 2018, Made Possible is focused on engaging diverse PMI stakeholders – from members and credential holders, to chapter leaders and volunteers – and others who are interested in making a difference, rallying them around a common vision of making a positive impact on society.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate our 50th anniversary than by offering people the opportunity to apply their project management skills and knowledge to some of society’s most pressing social problems,” said Sunil Prashara, president and CEO of PMI. “We know project management is core to managing change and delivering strategic outcomes, turning ideas into reality – essentially making dreams come true -- and we are so excited to showcase how these skills can make a powerful difference by strengthening society as well.”
All PMI stakeholders are invited to participate by pledging to use their project leadership expertise for good on project that align with the SDGs on PMI’s Global Celebration of Service website.
Made Possible by Project Management
The notion of strengthening society is nothing new for PMI stakeholders. For example, the PMI Ecuador Chapter used its project management expertise to help communities recover following a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016 that killed at least 676 people, injured more than 16,000, left 700,000 needing immediate assistance and destroyed 90 percent of infrastructure in many areas.
Project manager, Santiago Cartagena, of the PMI Ecuador Chapter stepped up to partner with a local non-governmental organization that already had outreach networks in place in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, one of the hardest hit provinces. Santiago and his chapter colleagues provided in-kind project management training and support, both to the local organization and directly to women entrepreneurs in the region.
“We all have a responsibility to give back to life what we’ve been given,” said Santiago. “Our efforts helped support and train over 200 women in the Esmeraldas Province, and this is just the beginning. For me, project management goes beyond tools; it’s the support, the backing, being with the people.”
PMI is proud to support volunteer projects like this one and will continue to share the impact of global projects and their impact on local communities through Made Possible and its Global Celebration of Service.
Supporting Sustainable Development Goals
In addition to volunteer hours and recognizing those making an impact, PMI is taking steps as an organization to formalize its commitment to being a force for social good. PMI recently signed the United Nation's (UN) Global Compact, joining a network of more than 9,500 organizations based in over 160 countries and representing nearly every sector. UN Global Compact partners work to align their strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, and commit to taking actions that advance societal goals. Through this partnership, PMI will look for ways to apply project, program and portfolio management to help achieve the SDGs by 2030.
“For any organization, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals requires careful planning and project management,” said Prashara. “Many SDGs can only be achieved through complex multi-sectoral truly global collaboration. That’s why PMI is publicly committed to using its expertise to help organizations efficiently align with these goals.”
To learn more about PMI’s 50th Anniversary, pledge your support and stay up-to-date on the progress and stories of Made Possible, visit PMI.org/Anniversary.
Follow PMI’s journey to align with the UN’s SDGs by following @PMInstitute on Twitter and Facebook and on LinkedIn.
About Project Management Institute (PMI)
Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading association for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession. Founded in 1969, PMI delivers value for more than three million professionals working in nearly every country in the world through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research. We advance careers, improve organizational success and further mature the project management profession through globally-recognized standards, certifications, communities, resources, tools, academic research, publications, professional development courses and networking opportunities. As part of the PMI family, ProjectManagement.com creates online global communities that deliver more resources, better tools, larger networks and broader perspectives. Visit us at www.PMI.org, www.projectmanagement.com, www.facebook.com/PMInstitute and on Twitter @PMInstitute.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190813005172/en/
Contact
Mary Ortega, +1 610 356 4600 X7030
mary.ortega@pmi.org
Source : Project Management Institute
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