Schneider Electric appoints Nirupa Chander as Sr. VP of Secure Power & Data Centers, International Operations

Schneider Electric appoints Nirupa Chander as Sr. VP of Secure Power & Data Centers, International Operations

Sc hneider Electric , the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced the appointment of Nirupa Chander as Senior Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centers, International Operations . In the role, Nirupa will lead a division of more than 700 professionals, supporting customers and partners in their digital transformation journeys and achieving their sustainability goals in an all-electric world across international zones, including MEA, EAP, Japan, India and South America. “Understanding the complex and nuanced interplay between energy and data will be key to navigating the future of our industry,” said Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President, Secure Power, Data Centers & Global Services, Schneider Electric . “Nirupa’s experience and insight in this area will be invaluable in the ongoing digitalization of the energy sector and our increasingly digital world, especially.” A veteran of the energy industry, Nirupa has extensive experience in energy grids, micro-grids, and automation, as well as project management, engineering, service and business development. Beginning her career with India’s largest industrial electrical company, she progressed from project engineering roles through project management, and country manager roles with major engineering firms, such as ABB and Hitachi Energy, in Singapore and Australia […]

Prosper Africa’s Tech For Trade Alliance Announces A Pharmaceutical Tracing Pilot In South Africa As Part Of U.S. Digital Transformation With Africa (DTA) Strategy

Prosper Africa’s Tech For Trade Alliance Announces A Pharmaceutical Tracing Pilot In South Africa As Part Of U.S. Digital Transformation With Africa (DTA) Strategy

Prosper Africa, USAID’s e-Trade Alliance, IBM, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to Test a Solution to Transform African Pharmaceutical Markets Prosper Africa’s Tech for Trade Alliance (AT4T) is launching its latest pilot in Africa to field test a digital platform intended to bring visibility to Africa’s drug supply chains, creating a more transparent, efficient, and safe commercial market for medications. Prosper Africa, USAID’s e-Trade Alliance, IBM Consulting , and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) are collaborating to launch Pulse by NABP ™ in South Africa. Pulse will connect US and global pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Roche with African distributors and pharmacies in this emerging market, enabling better communication between trading partners and adding security to this evolving supply chain by enhancing the ability to identify and trace medications British Robinson, Prosper Africa’s Coordinator, said “Through Prosper Africa’s Tech for Trade Alliance, under the Digital Trade for Africa (DTA) initiative, we support partnerships between companies to leverage technology and create products/services that catalyze financial and social returns for Africans and Americans alike. We are excited that IBM will use their Watson AI capabilities in this pilot to help improve the traceability of drugs […]

How Well Has Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Gone?

How Well Has Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Gone?

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa. The country’s population is ever-growing and last recorded to be above 200 million. This growing number over the past years has increased the need for efficient and accessible services that digital technologies offer. Here, we will look at the headway digital technologies have made in transforming Nigeria and fostering economic growth. Analyzing Nigeria’s Digital Growth It has been listed that Nigeria is one of the largest economies undergoing a major digital transformation, and one record from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the revenues the country received from the digital economy had risen from $5.09 billion in 2019 to $9.97 billion in 2021, with the number projected to climb as high as $18.30 billion by 2026. This is due to the various policies initiated by the government, private sector investments, and international collaborations that have utilized digital technologies to spur economic growth in the country. To digitalize the country, one step the government has taken includes the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). This agency came forward with a proposal for a road map with an action plan from 2024 to 2027 […]

Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Community Engagement

Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Community Engagement

Arab Times Business Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Communi… Share: Share <b>Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Community Engagement</b> <b>Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Community Engagement</b> <b>Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Community Engagement</b> <b>Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Community Engagement</b> <b>Gulf Bank Concludes 2024 with Major Achievements in Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Community Engagement</b> KUWAIT CITY, Jan 06: Gulf Bank has successfully concluded 2024, a year defined by innovation and growth, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the customer experience. With a focus on delivering exceptional banking services, the Bank looks forward to achieving even greater milestones in the coming year. Acting Chief Executive Officer at Gulf Bank, Mr. Waleed Khaled Mandani, commented on the Bank’s achievements, stating: “We successfully completed the second phase of our new core banking system, launched an upgraded version of the Gulf Bank mobile app, and finalized the establishment of Invest GB. Additionally, we introduced a flexible points program, refreshed our identity-driven banking services, and launched the Neo account for children, […]

Fearless forecast 2025: Skilled workforce driving digital transformation

Fearless forecast 2025: Skilled workforce driving digital transformation

BY 2025, the Philippines is set to broaden access to digital services, driven by AI, fintech and e-commerce developments. These advancements are anticipated to increase access to financial instruments, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance digital infrastructure. Initiatives to upskill the workforce will assist workers in preparing for the growing role of automation and artificial intelligence. These trends highlight the potential and challenges influencing the nation’s digital future. Generative AI: Beyond integration, toward autonomy

Unlocking the Future of Low-code/No-code: Trends and Predictions

Unlocking the Future of Low-code/No-code: Trends and Predictions

January 04, 2025 The low-code/no-code (LCNC) revolution is reshaping how organizations approach application development. With advancements like Generate AI (GenAI) deeply integrated into LCNC platforms, the stage is set for transformative possibilities that promise to democratize technology and accelerate digital innovation. Here are key insights and predictions shaping the LCNC domain and the broader impact it will have on industries worldwide. The surge in LCNC adoption For a long time, low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms were considered one option among many in an organization’s tech stack. However, they are now becoming a primary choice for new enterprise implementations. The adoption of LCNC platforms has significantly increased in recent years. Analysts at Gartner project that by 2025, 70% of new applications developed by organizations will utilize LCNC technologies, a substantial rise from less than 25% in 2020. Non-technical employees are also increasingly empowered to create applications using LCNC platforms. Gartner forecasts that by 2026, 80% of users of low-code development tools will be outside traditional IT departments. Industries embracing LCNC LCNC platforms are rapidly becoming the go-to choice for business operations applications due to their faster time-to-value compared to traditional methods. Growth opportunities include expanding industry-specific solutions and integrating emerging technologies like […]

Schneider Electric Explores the Milestones and Challenges of Digital Transformation

Schneider Electric Explores the Milestones and Challenges of Digital Transformation

The question of when a digital transformation is truly complete remains open-ended, much like a never-ending road trip. For those steering their organizations through this journey, it’s crucial to determine how to address the inevitable question from employees: “Are we there yet?” Ben Selier, Vice President of Secure Power for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric, via the firm’s 2024 Q4 Playbook, recently emphasizes that not all companies successfully navigate this transformation. “A 2023 McKinsey survey revealed that 56% of companies undertaking digital transformations achieved most or all their goals, but nearly half fell short,” he notes. The key to success lies not just in achieving goals but in ensuring continued growth and improvement. Make it Sustainable Successful digital transformations go beyond initial implementation to create long-term value. According to Selier, “Sustainable digital transformations collect vast amounts of data, make it visible, and use it to drive actions aligned with specific business objectives.” Schneider Electric, through its collaboration with AVEVA, has observed that long-term success is tied to holistic thinking. Case studies from their portfolio reveal that companies embracing sustainable transformation consistently prioritize these principles, integrating them into their strategies for ongoing improvement. Collect and Consolidate One challenge companies face […]

EIB updates on digital transformation projects in Western Balkans (Exclusive)

EIB updates on digital transformation projects in Western Balkans (Exclusive)

Photo: EIB BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 4. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is actively aligning its projects in the Western Balkans with EU policies, aiming to deliver smarter transportation, a cleaner environment, and modern education while fostering job creation, said Damien Sorrell, Head of the Regional Hub for the Western Balkans at EIB Global, in an interview with Trend . "With over 11 billion euros invested since 2010, we have translated EU values and standards into our projects, ensuring long-term, tangible benefits for the people," Sorrell stated. "These efforts also help countries adopt and align with EU standards even before accession, as well as improve governance". Sorrell highlighted the role of the EU’s Growth Plan in accelerating these efforts. "The rollout of the Growth Plan will enhance our work, primarily through reform agendas that countries need to implement as a precondition for accessing the envisaged 6 billion euro financial package," he noted. EIB Global is prepared to support projects in key sectors, including transport, energy, digitalisation, and human capital development. Digital transformation remains central to the region’s economic growth. Since 2020, EIB Global has invested 200 million euros in enhancing digital infrastructure and skills, supporting projects such as the introduction […]

Alexis Nasard on transforming Swarovski into a modern ‘pop’ luxury brand

Alexis Nasard on transforming Swarovski into a modern ‘pop’ luxury brand

The Interview Business strategy 30 December 2024 • by Stéphane J. G. Girod in The Interview At Swarovski, CEO Alexis Nasard’s leadership is a master class in how to establish brand attractiveness and provide clarity. He has maintained Swarovski’s relevance, freshness, and solid position as a contemporary luxury… Chief Executive Officer Alexis Nasard’s leadership at Swarovski is a masterclass in how to bring clarity and build brand desirability. By structuring product categories to occupy empty spaces in the market, doubling down on the added value of color and glamour, and reimagining customer experiences, he has kept Swarovski fresh, relevant, and firmly positioned as a modern luxury brand. Alexis Nasard is no stranger to leadership. With over 30 years at industry giants like Procter & Gamble, HEINEKEN, Bata, and Kantar, he brought a wealth of experience to Swarovski. In just two years, he has steered the brand to a remarkable turnaround in 2023, outpacing the jewelry market and defying the luxury slowdown. “For the last three years, we have been significantly outgrowing the jewelry market,” said Nasard – and it shows. Nasard led Swarovski back to profitability, reporting €1.83bn ($1.92bn) in 2023 revenues with growth across all business lines. Under […]

Digital transformation goals for South Asia in 2025

Digital transformation goals for South Asia in 2025

That the South Asian region, housing one-fifth of humanity, is transforming digitally – politically, socially and economically – is an understatement. With a combined population of over two billion, the region has over 1.4 billion Internet users – the largest wired bloc in the world. Over a billion registered voters in three countries from the region – India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – elected new governments after elections in 2024. Bangladesh, another digital powerhouse of the region also replaced a government albeit in a student-led revolt, not elections. The political reset in all these countries was characterized by a wave of democracy that is thoroughly digital now with technology playing a pivotal role in shaping both the electoral outcomes and the quality of democracy. This included digital campaigning with political parties leveraging social media with more than 600 million users in these countries and AI-driven political algorithms. Digital technology also facilitated voter registration and amplified information dissemination with mobile apps and online platforms encouraging citizen participation, enhancing the democratic process. Voter turnout was high in all three countries. Transparency and accountability were bolstered as big data analytics helped dissect voting patterns, identifying trends and correlations. Some parties were able […]