AI-Led IT Transformation: TCS Partners with UPM to Modernize its IT Landscape

AI-Led IT Transformation: TCS Partners with UPM to Modernize its IT Landscape

TCS to Modernize Enento Group’s IT Infrastructure, Digital Workplace TCS will maintain business continuity and deploy ignio TM platform to transform IT for UPM, to accelerate automation, drive cost savings, and implement an AI-first operating model PRESS RELEASE HELSINKI | MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 13, 2025: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions company, has signed an agreement to drive end-to-end IT transformation of UPM, a global company with a business portfolio of decarbonization solutions, advanced materials, renewable fibres, and communication papers, based on sustainable, renewable feedstock. The digital transformation will help drive growth for UPM, enhance user experience, and boost adoption of an AI-first operating model. To strengthen the enterprise IT value chain of UPM, TCS will deploy its AI-powered autonomous enterprise platform ignio TM . The platform will improve operational efficiency, enable continuous improvement, and increase IT system readiness and reliability. As part of the agreement, TCS will provide digital services including service desk, workspace services, onsite support services, business and platform application services, network and connectivity services, hybrid cloud services and Service Integration and Management (SIAM). TCS will also enhance the digital experience of UPM’s 15,800 employees by […]

How Small Businesses Can Thrive in a Changing Economy

How Small Businesses Can Thrive in a Changing Economy

Small businesses operate in an economy that is constantly shifting due to inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and evolving consumer behavior. Forbes highlights that 35% of small businesses are concerned about cash-flow forecasting (predicting when and how money comes in and goes out). At the same time, digital transformation and remote work opportunities have reshaped how businesses operate, creating both new challenges and untapped potential. This blog post explores actionable strategies to help small businesses succeed despite economic uncertainties. It covers key areas such as digital transformation, operational cost management, financial stability, and innovative growth approaches. Understanding Economic Shifts and Their Impact on Small Businesses Economic shifts influence every aspect of a business, from operating costs to consumer demand. Small businesses, in particular, face significant challenges in such situations. For instance, inflation continues to be a major concern for small business owners. Statista reports that the U.S. inflation rate averaged 4.1% in 2023, impacting material costs, rent, utilities, and wages. Around 53% of small business owners reported rising inflation as their primary challenge, according to a survey by Entrepreneur. Higher prices for goods and services put pressure on businesses to adjust pricing strategies while maintaining customer loyalty. Moreover, […]

AI and Digital Twins: The Key to Scaling Digital Transformation in Plumbing

AI and Digital Twins: The Key to Scaling Digital Transformation in Plumbing

67ae109e1ea03e8a20a35e80 Dreamstime M 329149236 Technology Feb. 13, 2025 Capitalizing on any technology starts with recognizing where it can drive value. Digital transformation is key to success in almost any sector today. Still, many organizations in more industrial sectors, like plumbing, have faced difficulty implementing and scaling their Industry 4.0 projects. One of the primary challenges in succeeding in digital transformation is a lack of focus. Prioritizing the most impactful technologies—namely, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins—can help plumbing contractors overcome these barriers and see greater results. How AI and Digital Twins Improve Plumbing Operations Capitalizing on any technology starts with recognizing where it can drive value. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the role of AI and digital twins in plumbing system optimization. Predictive Maintenance One of the most significant applications of AI in plumbing is predictive maintenance (PdM). PdM monitors pipe networks in real time through Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, using machine learning to analyze conditions for early signs of failure. With enough data, machine learning models can predict repair issues before they occur, enabling timelier preventive care. While conventional, schedule-based maintenance technically does the same thing, it’s prone to error and causes a […]

Webinar | Securing Privileged Access During Business Transformation: PAM Leading Practices for M&A and Digital Evolution

Webinar | Securing Privileged Access During Business Transformation: PAM Leading Practices for M&A and Digital Evolution

Governance & Risk Management , Infrastructure as Code / Programmable Infrastructure , IT Risk Management Share Tweet Share In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, mergers, acquisitions, and digital transformation initiatives present unique challenges for managing privileged access. This webinar explores modern Privileged Access Management (PAM) strategies essential for organizations undergoing significant structural and technological changes. Our security experts will share battle-tested approaches for maintaining robust access controls while enabling business agility during critical transition periods. Key topics include: Securing privileged accounts during IT infrastructure consolidation Implementing Just-in-Time access for temporary integration teams Establishing Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) as the foundation for secure business transformation Automating access governance across merged technology stacks Balancing security with business velocity in cloud transformation Managing third-party vendor access during system integration Building a scalable PAM framework that adapts to organizational change Whether you’re planning an acquisition, managing a post-merger integration, or leading a digital transformation initiative, this session will provide actionable insights for modernizing your privileged access strategy. Join us to learn how leading organizations are leveraging PAM to accelerate business transformation while maintaining security and compliance. By registering to watch and providing your contact details, you acknowledge and agree to share the personal […]

The Future of Digital Transformation: Insights from Inetum UK CEO

The Future of Digital Transformation: Insights from Inetum UK CEO

stock image of a cloud | Protera AWS Azure Key Takeaways ⇨ Inetum appointed Kathy Quashie as CEO for the UKI and Growing Markets, positioning the company for further growth and innovation in digital transformation, particularly in mature markets like the UK. ⇨ The acquisition of Unifii emphasizes Inetum’s commitment to enhancing capabilities with ServiceNow, expanding its service offerings across critical sectors, and establishing itself as an agile and transformative partner for businesses. ⇨ Kathy Quashie outlines a roadmap focusing on AI readiness, emphasizing the importance of a clear data strategy, affordability in AI tools, and fostering a cultural shift towards continuous learning as essential elements for integrating AI into operations. Last year was a landmark one for Inetum . 2024 saw the European digital services leader appoint Kathy Quashie as Inetum CEO of United Kingdom & Ireland (UKI) and Growing Markets. The company also strengthened its position as a global ServiceNow Elite partner with the acquisition of London’s Unifii, one of ServiceNow’s biggest European partners. And to round it all off, Inetum bagged an award at December’s ERP Today Awards 2024 for its excellence in operational innovation. 2025 then sees Inetum start off in good stead, and Kathy […]

Transformation Options for SAP in a Post-Merger Environment

Transformation Options for SAP in a Post-Merger Environment

Topic: SAP In the dynamic environment of mergers and acquisitions, companies that have recently undergone a merger face the critical task of selecting the right future ERP solution and processes to support their operating models. This decision is pivotal in ensuring the seamless integration of systems, processes and the realisation of synergies. One of the options for companies running SAP ECC is transitioning to SAP’s S/4HANA® digital core catalysing the harmonization process. This transition can be approached in various ways, each offering unique benefits and challenges. Migration paths to SAP S/4HANA Companies considering their future digital core solution in a post-merger environment have a spectrum of possibilities to transition to SAP S/4HANA®: Greenfield Approach: Historically preferred by organisations with less fit-for-purpose legacy solutions, this approach involves a complete overhaul of the existing system. It is ideal for companies looking to genuinely transform their businesses and deliver tangible benefits and is perfect in a post-merger context to redesign the merged company with no legacy technical debt. However, these programmes tend to be longer, extending the ‘time to value’ compared to other options. Brownfield Technical Conversions: This approach is quicker but often yields minimal initial business benefits beyond keeping ERP software […]

The AI Revolution: Unveiling the Power Moves in Digital Transformation

The AI Revolution: Unveiling the Power Moves in Digital Transformation

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries like healthcare and finance, driving a significant increase in global productivity. Stephen Pagliuca of Bain Capital predicts a 20-year surge in productivity due to AI’s integration into various sectors. Dubai and the UAE are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, using technologies like DeepSeek to reduce AI model development costs. Key players such as Nvidia and Liquid AI are critical, providing essential technologies for AI advancement and cost optimization. AI is significantly impacting healthcare by simulating clinical trials and potentially accelerating drug development. Global competition is intensifying between the US and China, fostering improvements and innovation in AI. Investors are closely watching AI stock trends, with companies like Applied Digital Corporation securing important financing deals. The AI revolution highlights the ongoing blend of human ingenuity and technological advancement, promising a digitally-enhanced future. The landscape of artificial intelligence is evolving at warp speed, casting its transformative spell across industries from healthcare to finance. As businesses race to harness the power of AI, the global push for innovation grows fierce. Imagine a world where productivity soars and tasks automate seamlessly—it’s a vision within grasp, thanks to advances in AI. In the bustling city of Dubai, Stephen Pagliuca […]

LoRaWAN sees global growth with over 350m nodes in 2024

LoRaWAN sees global growth with over 350m nodes in 2024

Story image The LoRa Alliance has published its 2024 End of Year Report, showcasing significant milestones and industry trends in LoRaWAN deployment and connectivity. The report indicates a growing market presence with over 350 million LoRaWAN end nodes and 6.9 million gateways deployed globally by mid-2024. This reflects LoRaWAN’s advancement as a leading low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology. The report also highlights that LoRaWAN is actively used by major companies such as Starbucks, Volvo, Chevron, Chick-fil-A, and Logitech. Alper Yegin, Chief Executive Officer of the LoRa Alliance, commented on the successful year, stating, "2024 was in many ways a watershed year for digital transformation and broad adoption of Internet of Things, which bridges the physical and digital worlds." He emphasized the necessity of digital transformation for societal progress, adding, "We believe that digital transformation is necessary for humanity’s evolution, with immense potential to help people and the planet while driving economic growth." Yegin further noted, "Over the past few years, LoRaWAN has cemented its position as a foundational and market-leading LPWAN technology. Backed by our global ecosystem, we are making Massive IoT a reality and are rapidly scaling deployments. The future is bright for LoRaWAN and as an Alliance […]

Winning at digital transformation and cloud through hybrid by design

Winning at digital transformation and cloud through hybrid by design

Authors Keith O’Brien Writer, IBM Consulting Fabian Katrak Principal, Corporate Strategy, IBM Jean-Pierre Lartigue Vice President, Corporate Strategy, IBM Today, and in the future, companies win and lose based on how they embrace and deploy technology. The rise of virtual work, artificial technology and the digitization of many processes creates organizational complexities. In addition, what companies do and what they sell are increasingly becoming digitized. An IBM Institute for Business Value study found that the largest 2,000 organizations globally will generate 40% of total revenue through digital products, services and experiences by 2026. This leads many organizations to embrace digital transformation. And yet too few of these initiatives have thus far produced dividends. A 2022 IBM study found that 23% of organizations’ tech budgets are spent on efforts that drive business income. In addition, another IBM report found that 84% of executives indicated that their company experienced difficulty in removing operational silos. To meet this opportunity, senior leadership teams must drive an appetite for change and technical leadership teams must rethink the architecture required to succeed in a fast-moving environment, which can create a series of cascading challenges. To succeed, simplicity must be the goal. Technology strategy is too […]

Retail brand Metro focuses on loyalty and digital transformation with new senior hire

Retail brand Metro focuses on loyalty and digital transformation with new senior hire

Department chain Metro Singapore has named Henry Christian (pictured) as its news head of loyalty and customer digital transformation. In a LinkedIn post, Christian stated that he had wrapped up his first week with the company, thanking Erwin Wuysang-Oei, chief operating officer at Metro, for bringing him on board. "Metro is a beloved brand in Singapore. It’s been around longer than the country itself! But as the world evolves, so do we, rising to meet new customer expectations," Christian said, adding that he has been brainstorming with Wuysang-Oei on a "bold vision". Prior to his return to Singapore, Chrisitian worked as a principal and advisor at HC Loyalty Advisory in Germany. In his role, he collaborated with companies seeking to establish sustainable customer relationships through loyalty, analytics, and data monetization. His typical advisory and consulting clients included early-stage founders, loyalty tech Software as a Service (SaaS) and enterprises. Don’t miss: Steelcase hires former BNP Paribas marcomms head to build Asia presence In 2022, Christian joined Indonesia’s GoTo group as its SVP head of loyalty . He was responsible for the strategy and planning, business operations, data, brand and marketing of all loyalty functions across the organisation. Before that, Christian […]