Yearly Archives: 2024

PR Newswire

ADP Expands ADP SecurTime to the Philippines

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MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ADP, a global leader in payroll and human capital management solutions, announces the rollout of ADP SecurTime, its cloud-based time and attendance solution, in the Philippines. This rollout aims to streamline payroll and workforce management process capabilities for businesses across the Philippines.

ADP SecurTime, acquired by ADP in 2023, offers robust cloud-based time tracking, attendance management, and workforce management software. It provides businesses with a range of intuitive and insightful features, including:

  • Capture real-time attendance: Utilises biometrics, tablet or mobile phone for real-time tracking
  • Time fraud prevention: Features geo-tagging, geo-fencing, live tracking and alerts
  • Integrated payroll and time: Reduces potential pay inaccuracies and administrative time
  • Centralized dashboard: Offers reports and analytics to identify patterns and discrepancies

“We are proud to introduce ADP SecurTime to the Philippines, empowering businesses with a state-of-the-art time and attendance solution tailored to meet the unique challenges of managing a diverse workforce,” said Jessica Zhang, Senior Vice President of APAC at ADP.

“By integrating our robust payroll solutions with ADP SecurTime, businesses in the Philippines can enhance efficiency and accuracy in workforce management. This powerful combination reduces administrative burdens and saves costs, enabling companies to focus more on strategic growth and employee satisfaction.”

“The rollout also underscores our commitment to supporting businesses with innovative solutions that drive productivity and compliance,” added Zhang.  

ADP provides services to a wide range of businesses and industries, helping organizations manage their payroll, HR, time, tax, and benefits needs. Serving more than one million clients in 140 countries, ADP has the experience and scale to support businesses of all sizes – from small business to global enterprise – across all industries.  

About ADP (NASDAQ – ADP)
Designing better ways to work through cutting-edge products, premium services and exceptional experiences that enable people to reach their full potential.  HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits and Payroll.  Informed by data and designed for people.  Learn more at ADP.com

ADP, the ADP logo, and Always Designing for People are trademarks of ADP, Inc.

Copyright © 2024 ADP, Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: ADP, Inc.

PR Newswire

MSI Showcases CXL Memory Expansion Server at FMS 2024 Event

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Join the demonstration with Samsung and MemVerge to accelerate next-generation computing

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — MSI, a leading global server provider, is showcasing its new CXL (Compute Express Link)-based server platform powered by 4th Gen AMD EPYC™ processors at The Future of Memory and Storage 2024, at the Samsung booth (#407) and Memverge booth (#1251) in the Santa Clara Convention Center from August 6-8. The CXL memory expansion server is designed to enhance In-Memory Database, Electronic Design Automation (EDA), and High Performance Computing (HPC) application performance.                                                                            

MSI S2301 CXL Memory Expansion Server Boosts Application Performance with Support for CXL 2.0 Memory Expansion
MSI S2301 CXL Memory Expansion Server Boosts Application Performance with Support for CXL 2.0 Memory Expansion

“By adopting innovative CXL technology to expand memory capacity and bandwidth, MSI’s CXL memory expansion server integrates cutting-edge technology from AMD EPYC processors, CXL memory devices, and advanced management software,” said Danny Hsu, General Manager of Enterprise Platform Solutions. “In collaboration with key players in the CXL ecosystem, including AMD, Samsung, and MemVerge, MSI and its partners are driving CXL technology to meet the demands of high-performance data center computing.”

New CXL Memory Expansion Server Redefines High-Performance Computing

CXL Memory Expansion is a cutting-edge technology designed to enhance both the bandwidth and capacity of system memory in modern computing environments. The CXL 2.0 standard introduces a high-performance memory access mechanism that allows expansion devices to directly interface with the CPU’s memory hierarchy, treating the additional memory modules as if they were part of the system’s native memory. By connecting CXL Memory Expansion devices to the system, organizations can scale up their memory resources efficiently, achieving both greater memory capacity and improved data throughput for high-performance computing tasks.

The newly announced MSI S2301 server is ready for select 5th Gen AMD EPYC CPUs and significantly boosts application performance through its support for CXL 2.0 Memory Expansion. By integrating CXL 2.0 over PCIe 5.0 x8 links in an E3.S-2T form factor, the S2301 server allows users to seamlessly add CXL-compliant memory expansion devices, effectively extending the server’s memory resources beyond the limitations of traditional DRAM configurations. This capability enhances application performance in several ways: it increases the total amount of accessible system memory, high-performance computing tasks, and it improves memory bandwidth through direct, coherent access between the CPU and the additional memory modules. The high-speed CXL 2.0 interface enables rapid data transfer and low-latency communication between the server’s core components and the expansion memory, ensuring that applications can handle larger datasets and more simultaneous processes without performance bottlenecks.

CXL Innovative Ecosystem

Samsung’s introduction of the 256GB CXL memory modules based on CXL 2.0 is expected to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation memory solutions.

“Samsung welcomes the collaboration with MSI and AMD that will create a robust ecosystem for the CXL market and optimize the performance of our CXL 2.0 256GB CMM-D. The new CXL DRAM solution is expected to handle various workloads in MSI’s S2301 system,” said Jangseok Choi, vice president of the Memory New Business Planning Team at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung, MSI and AMD look forward to the momentum in innovation enabled through next-generation enterprise servers and data centers.”

Memory Machine X software from MemVerge optimizes the cost and performance of AI and other memory-intensive workloads by intelligently managing tiers of memory. The software tells you if adding CXL memory is appropriate for your application environment and uses bandwidth or latency QoS policies to automatically place your data in the right memory tier for optimum performance.

According to Charles Fan, CEO and Co-founder of MemVerge, “The availability of servers with qualified CXL peripherals and software is a breakthrough for the industry. It marks the beginning of the industry’s ability to satisfy pent-up demand from IT organizations ready to evaluate the added memory capacity and bandwidth expected from CXL.”

The joint demonstration showcases the next-generation CXL interface, which allows for significant expansion of both total system memory capacity and bandwidth via the addition of CXL Memory Expansion devices. With its expandable bandwidth and capacity when used with main DRAM, the technology’s advancement is expected to significantly impact the next-generation computing market.

MemVerge Memory Machine Showing the System Topology and Telemetry of the MSI S2301 with Samsung CXL Memory Modules and DRAM
MemVerge Memory Machine Showing the System Topology and Telemetry of the MSI S2301 with Samsung CXL Memory Modules and DRAM

PR Newswire

Silicon Motion Launches the Best Performance/Watt PCIe Gen5 SSD Controller at FMS 2024

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The Company Also Showcases SSD Solutions for Enterprise, PC, and Automotive AI Applications

TAIPEI and MILPITAS, Calif., Aug. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NasdaqGS: SIMO) (“Silicon Motion”), a global leader in designing and marketing NAND flash controllers for solid-state storage devices, today announced SM2508, the best power efficiency PCIe Gen5 NVMe 2.0 client SSD controller for AI PCs and gaming consoles. It’s the world’s first PCIe Gen5 client SSD controller using TSMC’s 6nm EUV process, offering a 50% reduction in power consumption compared to competitive offerings in the 12nm process. With less than 7W power consumption for the entire SSD, it delivers 1.7x better power efficiency than PCIe Gen4 SSDs and up to 70% better than current competitive PCIe Gen5 offerings on the market. Silicon Motion will be showcasing its SM2508 based SSD design and other innovations during the Future of Memory and Storage event from Aug. 6 to 8 at booth :

Silicon Motion’s SM2508 is a superior-performance, low-power PCIe Gen5 x4 NVMe 2.0 SSD controller designed for AI-capable PC notebooks. It supports eight NAND channels with up to 3,600 MT/s per channel, delivering sequential performance speeds of up to 14.5 GB/s and 13.6 GB/s and random performance speeds of up to 2.5M IOPS, providing up to 2x higher performance than PCIe Gen4 products. The SM2508 maximizes PCIe Gen5 performance with an impressive power consumption of approximately 3W. It features Silicon Motion’s proprietary 8th-generation NANDXtend® technology, which includes an on-disk training algorithm designed to reduce ECC timing. This enhancement boosts performance and maximizes power efficiency while ensuring compatibility with the latest 3D TLC/QLC NAND technologies, enabling higher data density and meeting the evolving demands of next-generation AI PCs.

“SSD storage solutions are continuously evolving to meet the new challenges posed by future AI applications, which demand data efficiency and high-performance models,” said Nelson Duann, Silicon Motion’s Senior VP of Client & Automotive Storage Business. “Our PCIe Gen5 SSD controller, with its best-in-class power efficiency, is designed to satisfy the unique demands of today’s AI-capable PCs, delivering high performance and power efficiency to meet the evolving AI PC standards of tomorrow.”

The SM2508 specifications include:

  • PCIe Gen5 x4, NVMe2.0
  • 8 NAND flash channels, up to 3600MT/s
  • TSMC’s 6nm process    
  • Powerful quad-core Arm® Cortex®-R8 CPU supporting four PCIe lanes of 32Gb/s data transfer speed
  • Up to 14.5GB/s and 13.6GB/s sequential performance and up to 2.5M IOPS random performance
  • Support the latest 3D TLC/QLC NAND

The SM2508 is being designed by multiple major SSD vendors including major NAND vendors.  Production ramp of SM2508 is targeted for Q4 of this year.

Besides the SM2508, the Silicon Motion exhibit will also include:

MonTitan™ PCIe Gen5 Enterprise SSD Development Platform for AI Storage Workloads

  • SM8366 : 14 GB/s sequential and 3.5 M IOPS random SSD performance, supporting capacities beyond 128TB with 16 channels providing up to 2400MT/s of TLC and QLC NAND.
  • MonTitan™ : Multi-Dimensional QLC-based PCIe Gen5 SSDs: Enabled by FDP and PerformaShape™ technologies to maximize AI Training Pipeline performance.

UFS 4.0 and USB Storage Solutions for AI PCs and AI Smartphones

  • SM2756 UFS4.0 controller: 65% more power-efficient than previous-generation UFS 3.1.
  • SM2322 USB SSD controller: Double up the capacity of the previous-generation for portable SSDs

Advanced Storage Solutions for AI in Automotive / IoT Edge Applications

Silicon Motion representatives will also be presenting at FMS forums. For further information, please visit: https://www.siliconmotion.com/events/2024FMS/

About Silicon Motion:

We are the global leader in supplying NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices. We supply more SSD controllers than any other company in the world for servers, PCs and other client devices and are the leading merchant supplier of eMMC and UFS embedded storage controllers used in smartphones, IoT devices and other applications. We also supply customized high-performance hyperscale data center and specialized industrial and automotive SSD solutions. Our customers include most of the NAND flash vendors, storage device module makers and leading OEMs. For further information on Silicon Motion, visit us at www.siliconmotion.com.

PR Newswire

Infinix Teams Up with UNESCO and Google to Inspire Today’s Youth with AI and Robotics Education through the Largest CogLabs Workshop Ever

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, conducted the largest CogLabs workshop to date with more than 200 students at the University of Nairobi. Themed “Get in Now”, Infinix partnered with UNESCO and Google to inspire today’s youth with AI and robotics education through the CogLabs initiative. This project aims to equip the next generation of thinkers and makers in Africa with accessible, hands-on experiences in robotics, machine learning, and AI education.

The people in the picture from left to right are: Joan Nadal, Master Trainer of UNESCO at STEM Education; Michael Zeng, Brand Manager of Infinix Kenya; Amber Zhao, Infinix's Product Manager of AI; John Kimani, Head of Developer Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google; and two representatives of the University of Nairobi.
The people in the picture from left to right are: Joan Nadal, Master Trainer of UNESCO at STEM Education; Michael Zeng, Brand Manager of Infinix Kenya; Amber Zhao, Infinix’s Product Manager of AI; John Kimani, Head of Developer Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google; and two representatives of the University of Nairobi.

“It is a true honor for Infinix to collaborate with UNESCO and Google in globally promoting the CogLabs project,” said Michael Zeng, Brand Manager of Infinix Kenya. “This project is designed to build capacity in crucial domains such as robotics, machine learning, and AI, with a focus on education equality, to transform knowledge into resilient ownership and foster sustainable development.”

CogLabs Project Makes AI and Robotic Education Easy

The CogLabs project is an innovative educational initiative that aims to make AI and robotics accessible and engaging for today’s youth. Through a step-by-step process, participants can design and build their own robots using 3D printed parts and a second-hand phone, train the robots to recognize images, sounds, and poses, and program them to respond and perform simple tasks. CogLabs emphasizes sustainable design and provides code files, FAQs, and support to guide users.

CogLabs Workshop
CogLabs Workshop

“The CogLabs project is a shining example of how we can inspire and empower the next generation to embrace the transformative power of AI and robotics. By partnering with innovative companies like Infinix and Google, we are providing young learners with the tools and resources to design, build, and program their own robotic creations. This hands-on approach not only sparks their curiosity, but also equips them with the practical skills needed to thrive in the digital age,” said Joan Nadal, Master Trainer of UNESCO at STEM Education.

Celebrate the Largest CogLabs Workshop Yet and the Preview of the New CogLabs Mobile App

The CogLabs workshop, held at the prestigious University of Nairobi, was a resounding success, drawing the attention of esteemed guests and showcasing the institution’s commitment to fostering technological advancements. This landmark event, the largest CogLabs workshop to date, witnessed the active participation of over 200 eager students, who were empowered to acquire new skills, put their knowledge into practice, and create impactful solutions for the future.

During the workshop, students engaged in captivating hands-on activities, such as building their own robots by assembling 3D parts and repurposing used Infinix smartphones. This innovative approach breathed new life into the devices, enabling the students to train the robots to recognize surrounding objects, such as arrows, and respond accordingly by moving left, right, or forward. Through this process, the participants gained valuable insights into the realms of coding, machine learning, and AI recognition processes.

“We are thrilled to preview the mobile application of the CogLabs initiative,” shared John Kimani, Head of Developer Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google. “Google’s emphasis on promoting digital literacy and making learning accessible to all aligns perfectly with the CogLabs mission. This mobile application will empower everyone to explore the world of machine learning and programming, without the need for a laptop, ensuring equal opportunities for all to create their own robotic wonders, wherever they may be.”

Infinix Get In Now: Inspiring Africa’s Youth with AI Education

The CogLabs project stands as a testament to Infinix’s unwavering commitment to empowering today’s youth with cutting-edge technology and smart devices. Recognizing Africa as the region where the brand originated in 2013, Infinix has strategically focused on promoting this groundbreaking initiative across the continent.

Through in-depth market research and collaborations with leading industry suppliers and research institutions, Infinix has meticulously optimized its products to address the specific demands and needs of local users in Africa. This attention to detail and understanding of the African landscape sets the stage for the transformative impact of the CogLabs project.

Infinix has made significant advancements in AI education and adoption in Africa. In 2020, the company released voice interaction technology supporting Hausa, and now provides support for major African languages. To further expand its language capabilities, Infinix has established specialized R&D centers focused on minor and regional languages across seven African countries, employing over 120 linguists. As Amber Zhao, Infinix’s Product Manager of AI, stated, “These centers are dedicated to developing localized AI language models that truly understand and serve the diverse linguistic needs of users across the continent.”

Starting from Kenya, Infinix plans to organize a series of CogLabs workshops across various African countries, providing primary, secondary, and tertiary students with opportunities to engage in hands-on learning experiences. These workshops will seamlessly integrate 3D printing, robot making, and basic programming knowledge, empowering the youth to explore the realms of advanced technologies.

“We firmly believe that every young mind possesses unlimited potential, and we believe that advanced technologies, such as AI, will open the doors to a brighter future for all,” added Michael Zeng, underscoring Infinix’s unwavering commitment to the project.

As the event theme boldly proclaims, “Get in Now: Inspiring Today’s Youth with AI Education”, the CogLabs initiative aspires to ignite the creativity, imagination, and problem-solving abilities of young people across Africa. Infinix has also pledged to continuously support the development of the CogLabs mobile application and provide Infinix smartphones for student experiences in each workshop, ensuring a seamless and accessible learning journey.

Robots
Robots

For more information about Infinix and its innovative products and initiatives, visit www.infinixmobility.com.

About Infinix

Infinix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the Infinix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today’s youth with first in class technology, Infinix creates trendy, powerful and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want it. For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: www.unesco.org

About Google

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

PR Newswire

Michael Leditzky promoted to Co-Geschäftsführer of SolidCAM GmbH

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SCHRAMBERG, Germany, Aug. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SolidCAM GmbH Geschäftsführer, Dr. Emil Somekh, has decided to promote Michael Leditzky to the position of Co-Manager effective August 1, 2024, to join him in the top management of SolidCAM GmbH.

Michael Leditzky promoted to Co-Geschäftsführer of SolidCAM GmbH
Michael Leditzky promoted to Co-Geschäftsführer of SolidCAM GmbH

Prior to joining SolidCAM GmbH in 2011, Michael Leditzky gained 10 years of experience in the CNC industry and the implementation of CAM Systems. He started at SolidCAM as a post-processor developer, then headed the post-processor team and eventually moved into technical management. In parallel to his working in SolidCAM, Michael continued his education to become a master craftsman in metalworking and finished his studies in business economics.

Michael was promoted to SolidCAM GmbH COO in 2019. Working closely with SolidCAM GmbH sales & technical teams, he has played since a key role in making SolidCAM GmbH a market leader in DACH for integrated CAD/CAM systems.  

“Exceptional service and tailor-made solutions are essential in the CAM software industry. Companies that recognize this will continue to be successful,” emphasizes Michael Leditzky. “It’s important to offer an excellent, user-friendly product, but first-class service is just as important. We place great importance on giving the highest priority to the needs and requirements of our customers.”

“Michael will work very closely with me to lead SolidCAM GmbH into the next phase of growth”, emphasizes Dr. Emil Somekh, “Michael has established strategically important partnerships, and his business and technical expertise will further contribute to SolidCAM’s successful market strategy and success. The new expanded management structure strengthens SolidCAM GmbH’s position as the premier provider of CAD/CAM solutions in DACH and paves the way for further growth and expansion of our market share “. 

For more information:

Jack Maner
Tel: 866-975-1115 Ext 51
jack.maner@solidcam.com
www.solidcam.com

Computers, News

Acer Day 2024 Kicks off with Aspire Lite 14 Launch

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Acer‘s annual celebration, Acer Day, returns for its eighth year, bringing the theme “AI’m Limitless”. This exciting event encourages users to explore the potential of technology and discover how Acer’s vast array of PCs and lifestyle products can enhance their experiences.

AI for Everyone: A Celebration of Innovation Kicks off in Low Yat Plaza

Held from August 1st onwards, Acer Day 2024 highlights the role of AI in empowering users. The event showcases Acer’s commitment to providing AI-powered technology that not only breaks down barriers but also fosters creativity and innovation.

Acer Day

“As Acer continues to transition into a lifestyle brand,” says Andrew Hou, President of Pan-Asia Pacific Regional Operations at Acer, “it is dedicated to enriching everyday experiences through innovative technology. This year’s celebration aims to highlight how Acer’s AI-powered and diverse range of products elevate users’ experiences and unlock boundless opportunities for creativity and achievements.”.

Malaysians can participate in a variety of activities throughout Acer Day 2024. The festivities kick off with a roadshow at the Concourse of Plaza Low Yat on August 1st. Throughout the event, attendees can enjoy on-ground activities, special promotions, and exciting flash sales with discounts reaching up to a staggering 95%.

For those seeking incredible deals, Acer is offering up to RM650,000 in rewards, including up to RM300 in Touch ‘n Go eWallet credits with select product purchases. Redemptions can be made on www.a-redemption.com until September 30th, 2024.

The Acer Day flash sales offer a chance to grab amazing bargains, with prices starting from a mere RM1.99 for a wired Acer mouse and RM3.99 for an eco-friendly Vero mousepad made from PCR plastic. Additionally, a discount of up to RM3,600 is available on the Acerpure Pro P3 air purifier with CO2 sensor.

The excitement doesn’t stop there! The first 50 customers in line for the Acer Day Flash Sale on August 3rd have the opportunity to purchase an Acerpure Pro P3 air purifier, valued at RM5,599, for just RM1.

Acerday 2024 2

To extend the joy of Acer Day to all Malaysians, the Acer Day carnival will be held at Acer Concept Stores and select resellers nationwide.

Unveiling the Special Edition Aspire Lite 14

In conjunction with Acer Day 2024, Acer Malaysia proudly introduces a special edition of the Aspire Lite 14. This lightweight laptop, weighing in at just 1.5kg, boasts a stunning 2.2k WQXGA+ IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio – perfect for users seeking exceptional visuals at an affordable price.

Acer Aspire Lite 14 (7)
Acer Aspire Lite 14 (2)
Acer Aspire Lite 14 (1)
Acer Aspire Lite 14 (3)
Acer Aspire Lite 14 (6)

The Aspire Lite 14 comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home and Student and is backed by a 2-year warranty from Acer Malaysia. The standard retail price is RM2,599, but for a limited time during Acer Day, customers can enjoy an additional RM200 discount and redeem RM150 in Touch ‘n Go eWallet credit.

Pricing & Availability

The special edition Aspire Lite 14 is available for purchase in Malaysia for a standard retail price of RM2,599. During the Acer Day promotion period, customers can enjoy an additional RM200 discount and redeem RM150 in Touch ‘n Go eWallet credit.

Business, Editorial

Creating Teams That Keep Tech Companies Ahead of the Curve – A Sit Down with Suthen Thomas Paradatheth, Chief Technology Officer at Grab

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Grab’s humble roots as a Malaysian-born start-up are often ignored as the company has moved its headquarters over to Singapore, a country that was, at a time, more receptive to disruptors and unicorns. However, Malaysia’s talent still plays a vital role in the organisation as the company continues to host some of its core talent in Malaysia like its technical team – one which the company is currently expanding.

Suthen Thomas Paradatheth CTO Grab Tech in Asia
Source: Tech in Asia

That said, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Suthen Thomas Paradatheth, continues to lead the expanding technical and programming teams. Suthen is a Malaysian, born and bred. He hails from Kuala Lumpur – Petaling Jaya more specifically – and has had most of his education locally in institutions like Sekolah Menengah Seaport (now known as Sekolah Menengah Sri Permata). Suthen earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering with First Class Honours from Multimedia University in 2005. Programming seems to be innate with Suthen having worked as a freelancer since his high school days.

After university, a series of fortunate events and good networking found him working on Grab’s codebase. He’s been with the company since its early days in 2011; Back then, it was still MyTeksi. Since then, Suthen has earned his Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and continues to be the man behind (most) of the code and features that make their way into the Grab app.

But – we’re not here to talk just about his achievements, we’re here to talk about the tech he’s worked on and some of the methods of his madness. It’s worth noting though, that even with his impressive resume and experience – particularly with Grab – Suthen remains extremely humble and approachable.

Passion Driven, Curiosity Fuelled

Heading Grab’s Technology and Programming is no small task. From its early days, the task of building the Grab Superapp has been monumental. It involved significant changes to the codebase, deciding which language to use and even creating new approaches. The task – which at one point was outsourced to programmers in India – is now handled by a team of about 2000 employees and headed by Suthen.

Suthen Thomas Paradatheth CTO Grab Headshot
Source: Grab

“Software engineering is, like, the closest thing to magic in the real world. Like, you put a certain set of words on a screen in a certain way and something happens…it’s the closest thing to a spell in reality.”

Suthen Thomas Paradatheth,
Chief Technology Officer at Grab

Suthen’s take on building a capable team is a rather unique one. In fact, his approach to working as the CTO is unique in itself. His approach is a very altruistic one mired in the belief that Grab as a platform is impacting lives significantly. This belief paired with an insatiable curiosity and passion for coding has led to his growth over the years and his ability to manage a large, growing team. This same passion and drive is what he looks for in his team members.

The ethos even rings true when the team deploys new features and services into the app. Key tenets like “How will users benefit from it?” and “Will it make a significant difference?” are big drivers to why we continue to willingly accept the big changes we see in the Grab app.

Empowering Independence and Diversity at Every Level

The technical team at Grab isn’t a small one and – like the super app – it’s not monolithic either. The 2,000-strong team is siloed into “Tech Families” a concept built on the similar “Tribes” or “Squads” model.  Each of these families is focused on one of the more technical aspects of the app’s many services and functions. But more importantly, the teams are made of diverse talents that complement their functions and reduce dependence on other teams. These teams aren’t just made up of software engineers, they could have people skilled in data and analytics, designers and even communicators if the team’s functions need it. They’re cross-functional and allow teams to work independently and innovate freely.

The biggest component to the success of Grab’s approach isn’t just the diversity of talent and skills in each team – it’s trust. Suthen has an approach where he trusts the teams and their team leads. He communicates with the leads and trusts them to solve and address the concerns of their own team members. In his own words, “…my job is actually to create coherence, connectivity between the layers.”

Using the Right Technology to Go Places

The same approach to creating coherence also trickles down to tech adoption as well. Grab isn’t behind the curve when it comes to new technologies. In fact, they’ve recently announced a partnership with Open AI to adopt some of the many Generative AI technologies that come with Open AI’s ChatGPT. However, Grab isn’t just about adopting the newest, hottest thing on the market. The decision to adopt new technologies is driven by how the new technology addresses the needs of the organization. In fact, if there isn’t a solution on the market, the teams at Grab will create their own.

Not many people know this, but Grab has actually developed its own mapping system and doesn’t use third-party map providers like Google Maps. This change was driven by the fact that a lot of third-party mapping, didn’t serve the needs of Grab’s ride partners and users. This was particularly true in markets where GrabBike is more prevalent. To address the needs of ride partners and users, Grab actually looked to their ride partners to map lesser-known roads and pathways. Using AI and a simple action camera, Grab has created its own mapping platform that allows it to be more accurate and serve ride partners better.

However, being a technology company, the teams at Grab are continually innovating. In fact, the teams are continually trying to stay ahead of the curve by identifying and addressing new needs or existing ones that new technologies can address. Leadership, like Suthen, continually push for this innovation and also hire for it. More importantly, leadership should invest in its own people to drive innovation.

Creating Efficiency & Reliability from the Ground Up

Innovation isn’t about throwing something to the wall and seeing what sticks. It’s about creating answers to problems that arise or creating better ones to existing problems. Similarly, at Grab, the approach that Suthen and the tech teams adopt is one that creates efficiency. This efficiency doesn’t just mean it’s efficient in code – whatever they do has to create efficiency when it comes to the day-to-day of Grab’s operations and this includes the efficiency of ride partners.

Suthen Thomas Paradatheth CTO Grab Headshot
Source: Grab Holdings

“Running a good marketplace is also running an environmentally friendly sustainable marketplace.”

Suthen Thomas Paradatheth,
Chief Technology Officer at Grab

We’ve seen GrabShare come and go and return to the platform. This is due to Grab testing out more efficient and functional ways to implement it. Let’s be honest, having a single passenger in the ride can be a tad wasteful when it comes to resources, so with GrabShare, where available, the driver earns more while being more efficient with the petrol the cars utilise. With ESG goals playing an increasingly important role in companies, this approach literally builds these goals into the code.

Even when it comes to the adoption of AI and new technologies, Suthen and his team are looking at how it impacts day-to-day functions. One of the pain points they hope to resolve is the waiting time for riders when it comes to food deliveries. Minimising this would not only mean that delivery partners are more efficient with their time, it would also mean that they are able to earn more. This would also help drive more efficiency with the fuel that is being used.

Of course, when it comes to ride-hailing, Grab is looking into EVs and hybrids that allow them to be more environmentally friendly. In fact, they’ve already started offering GrabGreen in other markets.

Creating a Sustainable, Passionate Team Starts with the Top

The one thing that rang true in our sit down with Suthen is this: the culture and workspace environment start very much with the top. The right approach, empowering your teams, creating independence, and prioritising your innovations will drive your teams to increase productivity and even retain your customers.

Overall, key takeaways for disruptors and even CTOs looking to create a team that is innovation-driven is this:

  1. Trust is key when you build your team.
  2. Create teams that are self-sufficient and reduce dependencies to keep them agile.
  3. Innovate efficiently and keep your company’s values as a driving force.
PR Newswire

BellaDati, IoT Framework and advanced analytics software producer has been acquired by Hagiwara Electric Group, Tokyo Stock Exchange listed Company

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SINGAPORE, Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — “Acquisition of all BellaDati shares by Hagiwara Electric Group (Tokyo Stock Exchange listed company) is an amazing step ahead for BellaDati on its mission to provide the best IoT Framework and advanced analytics for customers in Japan and other markets worldwide”, says Martin Trgina, CEO and founder of BellaDati.

Martin Trgina (BellaDati Founder) a HTS President at the signing ceremony.
Martin Trgina (BellaDati Founder) a HTS President at the signing ceremony.

‘We believe that BellaDati joining our group and establishing a fusion business that leverages the strengths of our existing businesses will enable us to enter new markets and increase our competitiveness in existing markets, thereby enhancing the corporate value of our group’, says HAGIWARA TECHNO SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.

Martin Trgina will resign as a CEO immediately after the acquisition and will stay for a short transition period in Singapore based BellaDati PTE. LTD. After that he plans to fully focus on his new hi-tech Singapore based enterprise software venture.

As a new CEO of BellaDati will be appointed Mr. Kazuto Saito.

About BellaDati:  

BellaDati HQ was established in Singapore in 2013 by Martin Trgina. It has local offices in Singapore, Japan and Czechia . BellaDati is an IoT Framework and advanced analytics cloud and on-premise platform. Large and medium Japanese enterprises are using it to build their own market vertical solutions and services worldwide.  

About Hagiwara:

HAGIWARA ELECTRIC HOLDINGS CO., LTD (the “Company”) was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. In the Group’s medium-term management plan “Make New Value 2026” which newly started from the fiscal year ending March 31st, 2025, the Company aims to carry out structural transformation and establish a business base in readiness for a new stage of growth. HAGIWARA TECHNO SOLUTIONS CO., LTD (“HAGIWARA TECHNO SOLUTIONS”), the Company’s core subsidiary of ts Technology Solutions Business, sets its management vision based on the medium term management plan as “an engeneering company that supports the creation of future worksite through utilizing data.” Its business policy is to strengthen a platform business as a new business pillar that is expected to be profitable by valorizing data.

This time, HAGIWARA TECHNO SOLUTIONS have positioned Belladati as the core data infrastructure platform, and take on challenge of further expanding into new markets and high value-added businesses.

Contact:
BellaDati PTE, Ltd
milena.trginova@gmail.com
+65 9467 1839
Domicile: Singapore

PR Newswire

EMTECH ANNOUNCES BEYOND COMPLIANCE PRODUCT FOR FINTECHS TO PROACTIVELY MANAGE RISK

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NEW YORK and ACCRA, Ghana and LAGOS, Nigeria, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Award-winning software provider, EMTECH has announced a new software product called Beyond Compliance, to help Financial Service Providers (FSPs) automate and manage regulatory compliance in one place. Regulatory Compliance is an imperative for FSPs as the fines for non-compliance can run into the billions of dollars. Beyond Compliance helps users stay ahead of regulatory issues before they result in fines, loss of a license, bankruptcy or closures.

EMTECH's Beyond Compliance software introduces a new way for fintechs to manage compliance and meet regulatory requirements.
EMTECH’s Beyond Compliance software introduces a new way for fintechs to manage compliance and meet regulatory requirements.

The ground-breaking Beyond Compliance product provides users with regulatory checklists and workflows to enable and guide them through compliance processes. By simply selecting their regulator or jurisdiction and providing a few details, users can standardize and automate compliance activities. EMTECH designed the compliance product to increase business efficiency and reduce labor costs while reducing fragmentation and manual processes.

As the incidences of fraud, digital identity theft and money laundering increase, a recent McKinsey & Company report, “The future of the payments industry: How managing risk can drive growth“ notes that service providers should “modify their risk management programs to protect their revenue and improve regulatory compliance. This may include enhancements to issue management, due diligence processes, risk appetite setting, or risk identification processes.”

“If fintech is to grow more resilient and effective at protecting consumers today and in the future, we have to rethink how compliance will be managed compared to how it’s done today. With highly fragmented regulatory requirements, risk monitoring and reporting methods, a more integrated compliance management platform is an essential tool for survival and growth” notes Carmelle Cadet, CEO and Founder of EMTECH.

The Beyond Compliance product provides “a great user experience, it is a customizable solution. The product is detailed and very effective in ensuring compliance to regulatory directives”, says beta user Kwasi Ofei, Head of Compliance at Juni Payments.

“Regulatory compliance can be a complex task for FSPs. EMTECH’s Beyond Compliance is designed to help fintechs manage their compliance requirements, in one or more markets, monitor their compliance status and provide a level of regulatory visibility that is required by Central Bankers and regulators,” says Steven Dickens, Chief Technology Advisor at The Futurum Group.

About EMTECH
EMTECH provides software, data and services that connect central banks to other regulators and financial services providers. EMTECH’s platforms power regulatory data exchange, compliance, supervision, currency issuance and currency movement in financial markets. The company is founded and led by a former IBM Blockchain Executive, Carmelle Cadet.

For more information visit the EMTECH website.

Media Contacts:

Linda Arroz, Makeover Media
Phone: 818.635.8753
email:linda.arroz@makeovermedia.com 

Mary Hall, Chief Marketing Officer, EMTECH
Email: Mary@EMTECH.com

Business

Micron Unveils Groundbreaking Ninth-Generation NAND Flash Technology

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Micron Technology has taken a significant leap forward in data storage technology with the introduction of its ninth-generation (G9) TLC NAND flash memory. This innovation positions Micron as a leader in the industry, offering unparalleled performance and efficiency for data-intensive applications.

Unmatched Speed & Density

The G9 NAND boasts a staggering transfer speed of 3.6 GB/s, a substantial leap compared to previous generations. This groundbreaking technology is poised to revolutionize the performance of Solid State Drives (SSDs) and other storage devices, particularly in sectors requiring high-speed data processing, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.

Micron G9 TLC NAND

Micron’s G9 NAND excels in density as well. It occupies 28% less space than competing technologies while maintaining high storage capacity. This efficiency translates to smaller, more compact devices without compromising performance, as detailed in the Micron G9 NAND product page.

The performance benefits of G9 NAND extend beyond raw speed. It offers up to 99% higher write bandwidth and 88% better read bandwidth per die compared to previous generations, significantly enhancing the overall performance of SSDs (as referenced in the 2650 NVMe SSD product brief).

Micron 2650 NVMe SSD: A Showcase for G9 NAND’s Potential

The Micron 2650 NVMe SSD serves as a prime example of the G9 NAND’s capabilities. According to Micron, this SSD delivers exceptional performance in real-world applications, outperforming competitors by up to 38% in PCMark 10 benchmarks. This should translate to faster boot times, smoother multitasking, and quicker application launches for users.

Micron’s commitment to innovation extends beyond performance. The company is also focused on energy efficiency. The G9 NAND contributes to reducing power consumption in SSDs, making it an environmentally friendly choice for data centres and consumers alike.

As the demand for high-performance storage solutions continues to grow, Micron’s G9 NAND technology is poised to play a pivotal role in meeting the evolving needs of various industries, from data centres to consumer electronics.

Pricing & Availability

Specific pricing and availability details for the G9 NAND and Micron 2650 SSD have not been officially released. However, considering the target market and the focus on cutting-edge technology, the pricing is expected to reflect its premium positioning.