Tag Archives: STW

Microland to cover COVID-19 vaccination costs for all employees and their immediate families


BENGALURU, India, ATLANTA and LONDON, March 10, 2021 — Microland, a global digital transformation company, today announced that it would be underwriting the cost of vaccinating all its employees and their immediate families against COVID-19. Eligible employees will be reimbursed the cost of vaccination under the Microland Medical Insurance Policy. This is part of the company’s continuing effort to support the safety and well-being of its employees and their families.

The company over the last 12 months has taken every possible precaution to minimize the impact of the pandemic on its employees’ health and safety. The health and safety framework included rapidly implementing Work From Home (WFH) infrastructure and practices, supporting the families of those affected by COVID-19, ensuring access to emergency medical facilities, and maintaining a cautious approach to its Back To Office (BTO) program.

As a socially responsible company, Microland continues to closely monitor the guidelines being provided by local administrations and has set up a COVID-19 task force that ensures adherence to the advisories, while guaranteeing the highest standards in service delivery to all its customers. Immediately into last year’s lockdown, Microland moved to a 100% WFH model in a record time of 10-days and has ensured that there has been no impact on service delivery and relationship management for every one of its customers across the world.

Srinivasan TR, Chief People Officer, Microland, said "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how to implement processes that ensured an inordinate commitment to safeguard employee health while sustaining a high quality and consistent customer operations. While companies and their policies are being stress tested by the pandemic, I also believe that the pandemic driven changes will result in better workplace practices and enhanced employee engagement programs. Our decision to underwrite the cost of vaccination is aimed at safeguarding the health of employees and their immediate families, as well as steering towards employee relationships that are more meaningful. It’s a way for us to tell them ‘We Care’."

About Microland
Microland’s delivery of digital and "Making Digital Happen" allows technology to do more and intrude less. We make it easier for enterprises to adopt nextGen Digital infrastructure. We enable this using our expertise in Cloud and Data Centers, Networks, Digital Workplace, Cybersecurity and Industrial IoT— ensuring the embrace of brilliance is predictable, reliable and stable.

In the COVID impacted world, Microland is making digital happen for enterprises with a laser focus on services that are more relevant to our clients and prospects than ever before. Incorporated in 1989 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Microland has more than 4,500 digital specialists across offices and delivery centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East and North America.

Microland was recently recognized as a Leader in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services.*

Read more here: https://www.microland.com/   

Source(*) : Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Managed Network Services, Ted Corbett et al., 09 Nov 2020
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Logo : https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/microland-to-cover-covid-19-vaccination-costs-for-all-employees-and-their-immediate-families.jpg

TPConnects Partners With Gulf Air to Step Up Retailing Capabilities With IATA NDC Level 4 Certification

Dubai-based TPConnects to launch a full-fledged, IATA NDC-enabled, distribution enabling Gulf Air to capitalize on revenue opportunities, increase loyalty and improve overall customer experience.

MANAMA, Bahrain, March 10, 2021 — Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, announced it has achieved NDC Level 4 certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In line with Gulf Air’s digital strategy, the Level 4 certification will now empower the airline to provide the full extent of its Offer and Order Management and servicing capabilities to its direct and indirect distribution channels, including IATA and non-IATA members, across the globe. Gulf Air has partnered with TPConnects, an IATA NDC certificated IT Provider and Aggregator, as its technology partner to develop the NDC-enabled distribution platform.

In a challenging operating environment brought on by the Covid-19 crisis, this timely announcement marks a significant milestone for Gulf Air as it explores cost-saving and increased revenue-generating measures and seeks to leverage opportunities for top-line growth and bottom-line benefits. 

On the occasion of receiving the NDC Level 4 official certification, Gulf Air’s Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Vincent Coste said: "As part of our digital transformation, our focus continues to be on driving innovation and strengthening the value proposition through this downturn. With IATA’s NDC Level 4 certification, we are well-poised to improve the retailing and servicing experience across our global multi-channel distribution network, underpinned by a customer-centric approach. Apart from the anticipated cost savings, it will also give us the flexibility to create and fully control our inventory and content distribution across channels – from Online Travel Agencies, travel agents and Travel Management Companies (TMC) – providing easy access to rich content and differentiated, personalized and dynamic offers."

Commenting on the announcement, Rajendran Vellapalath, CEO, TPConnects, said, "As Gulf Air’s technology partner, we are committed to supporting the airline in an ever-changing landscape as it focuses on long-term growth and sustainability. Our NDC-based technology, including NDCMarketplace.com and Combined Airline API and Airline Agent Platform with air and non-air ancillaries, will enable Gulf Air to tap into revenue opportunities and reduce costs associated with distribution, while increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction. Under this partnership, we have plans in place to roll out Gulf Air’s NDC-enabled platform and deliver Live NDC transactions in March 2021."

In a time where agility and personalization are paramount, the Level 4 NDC certification will help Gulf Air to provide greater transparency, accelerate the speed of communication, swiftly address servicing requirements and serve a wide range of business needs with exclusive rich content and real-time personalized combinations of products and merchandising across its channels.

Travel and corporate partners, including IATA and Non-IATA travel agents, who wish to access Gulf Air’s NDC content will be able to register their interest on https://ndc.gulfair.com in the coming few weeks.

About Gulf Air

About TPConnects

More details contact George Rajan – VP Sales – TPConnects – Email george@tpconnects.com

Related Images

gulf-air-is-certified-as-iata-ndc.jpg
Gulf Air is Certified as IATA NDC Level 4

Related Links

Gulf Air is certified IATA NDC Level 4

Deltek Announces Winners of the Deltek Global Partner Awards Program for 2020


Deltek recognizes innovation and achievements of partners, including Baker Tilly, BDO, Central Consulting Group, ConstructConnect, Full Sail Partners, Infotek Consulting, Premier Consulting & Integration, Silversoft and Tangram

HERNDON, Va., March 9, 2021 — Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, today announces its esteemed winners of The Deltek Global Partner Awards Program for their outstanding accomplishments in 2020.

The Deltek Partner Network amplifies Deltek’s cloud-based enterprise software offering for project-based businesses and expands the Deltek customer base around the world. Through Deltek partners, more companies can experience better project intelligence enabling them to make better decisions about their business and manage their unique projects in a collaborative and end-to-end platform.

This year, Deltek would like to recognize the significant accomplishments of these nine partners which represent the program’s systems integrators, value-added resellers, independent software vendors, accounting firms and consulting firms:

"2020 has been a year like no other and Deltek’s deep partner network enabled thousands of customers to quickly pivot and strengthen their businesses during these uncertain times," said Jonathan Eisner, Vice President of Global Partner Sales and Alliances. "It is an honor to recognize the outstanding achievements and innovation of these partners. We look forward to a fantastic and successful 2021 with our Deltek Project Nation partners as we continue to expand this program around the world." 

About Deltek
Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management, and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/1010738/Deltek_Logo.jpg?p=medium600  

Related Links :

http://www.deltek.com

PageUp to provide streamlined and accelerated recruitment solutions for leading US university

Leading US university selects PageUp’s Recruitment Management module and Single Sign On Integration.

NEW YORK, March 9, 2021 — PageUp [https://www.pageuppeople.com], a provider of cloud-based talent management software, today announced that Stanford University’s Faculty Affairs unit has selected PageUp Recruitment Management to help streamline its faculty applicant tracking processes across its schools and divisions.

PageUp’s Recruitment Management module will help Stanford University Faculty Affairs to automate and streamline the faculty search and applicant tracking processes for its faculty hiring efforts.

The PageUp solution is designed to drive greater efficiency, automation and transparency in recruitment processes, allowing the institution to increase the quality and diversity of hires while delivering an outstanding candidate experience.

PageUp offers first-class customer support and a proven track record in the higher education industry, with colleges and universities around the globe using the PageUp solution.

PageUp will provide Stanford University Faculty Affairs with:

  • Recruitment Management solutions to automate faculty search and applicant tracking processes.
  • Position management functionality
  • Streamlined reporting with visibility into EEO and diversity data
  • A configurable system to manage different workflows for each school/division
  • Full search committee management

Mark Rice, PageUp CEO, says, "PageUp is excited to help Stanford University to attract the talent required to continually advance the needs of the institution. We’re proud to work with one of the world’s leading universities to deliver an innovative recruitment management solution and wonderful candidate experience."

About PageUp

The powerful PageUp platform optimizes each step of the talent management lifecycle – so everyone can reach their full potential. PageUp Talent Management software enhances HR processes with technology that HR professionals, people leaders and employees love to use. From Recruitment Marketing – including sophisticated content management, marketing automation and candidate relationship management tools – through to Recruitment Management, Onboarding, Learning, Performance, and Succession – all underpinned by Analytics.

Customers love PageUp for its deep functionality and ability to be configured for a range of workflows and industries, all accompanied by outstanding customer service. Used in over 190 countries, PageUp is a truly global solution. PageUp has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London and Dublin.

Related Links :

https://www.pageuppeople.com/

LeanIX Named a ‘Strong Performer’ Among Enterprise Architecture Providers By Independent Research Firm


BONN, Germany and BOSTON, March 5, 2021 — LeanIX, a platform that enables Corporate IT and Product IT teams to plan and manage Continuous Transformation journeys, announced today it has achieved a Strong Performer status in the latest Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Architecture Management Suites, Q1 2021 report.

The new report cited most reference clients giving high scores to LeanIX’s end-user friendly offering, and the report also noted  its strength in business capability and experience architecture management.

According to the report’s vendor profile, "LeanIX focuses on just enough architecture and simplicity. LeanIX, founded in 2012, is well balanced in Canada, EMEA, and the US; its largest industry segments are manufacturing, consumer, and banking. The vendor will meet the needs of most EA professionals and performs strongly in business capability and experience architecture management. LeanIX is likely to maintain or improve its position in the market."

"We are happy to be recognized as a Strong Performer by Forrester Research," said André Christ, co-founder and CEO of LeanIX. "From on-premise IT to cloud native and microservices, architecture teams that use LeanIX have the power to strategically support their businesses and make better and faster decisions as they execute upon their continuous transformation initiatives." 

Download a complimentary copy of The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Architecture Management Suites, Q1 2021, authored by Gordon Barnett, at https://www.leanix.net/en/download/leanix-strong-performer-forrester-wave-eams-2021.

About LeanIX: 

The LeanIX platform promotes continuous transformation and enables internal IT and DevOps teams to establish superior governance while efficiently organizing, planning, and managing IT landscapes. LeanIX follows a collaborative and data-driven approach, focusing on speed and control in cloud environments and enabling companies to make sound and fast decisions based on comprehensive data.

More than 380 enterprises including adidas, DHL, Merck and Volkswagen trust in LeanIX, and more than 40 certified partners such as Deloitte and PwC rely on the dynamically growing IT company co-founded in 2012 by CEO André Christ.

With EA Connect Days, LeanIX has been regularly organizing one of the world’s most important industry events in the field of Enterprise Architecture since 2014. The company is headquartered in Bonn, Germany with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Munich, Germany; Utrecht, Netherlands; and Hyderabad, India. It has more than 300 employees worldwide.

Media Contact: 
Jeremy Douglas
Catapult PR-IR
leanix@catapultpr-ir.com
303-589-1941

Logo – https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/leanix-named-a-strong-performer-among-enterprise-architecture-providers-by-independent-research-firm.jpg

Goldpac Group Successfully Passes the CMMI V2.0L5 Certification to Meet the Highest Standards in the Global Software Field

HONG KONG, March 5, 2021 — Recently, Goldpa Group Limied (3315.HK) successfully passed CMMI L5 certification, which represents the highest level of maturity and difficulty in the international evaluation of software development capability. This marks Goldapc has reached to a new height in the process organization ability, software R&D ability, project management ability, program delivery ability, and can provide users with more mature industry solutions and better quality and efficient service. This is also an important milestone for company in the standardization and systematization of R&D.

CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), is the international authoritative standard for the industry to measure the maturity and project management level of enterprise software R&D capability, and is an important international evaluation measure of enterprise software development and delivery capacity. The CMMI 2.0 version is the latest version of the CMMI. By early December 2020, only 53 companies (including 28 Chinese companies) had passed the level 5 evaluation of CMMI 2.0 version. CMMI capability maturity model covers 21 process domains and is divided into 5 levels. The L5 is the highest level of the CMMI system, representing the company’s software ability has achieved optimal management level, that is, the company can achieve the quantitative feedback of the software development process and the continuous improvements in new ideas, new technologies.

As a reliable provider of Fintech products and services, Goldpac has always attached great importance to the systematic construction of R&D management. Since 2014, Goldpac has passed CMMI L3 level certification. In recent years, the R&D management system has been continuously improved, laying a solid foundation for rapid response to customer needs and high quality products and services providing to customers. In the future, Goldpac will continue to leverage the CMMI L5 management system to optimize the company’s software R&D and management capabilities, continue to deepen independent innovation, improve product development quality, improve internal management efficiency, enhance core competitiveness, and meet the needs of the user market with better quality products and services, to provide strong support to the company’s long-term sustainable and healthy development.

– END –

About Goldpac Group Limited (Stock Code: 03315.HK)

With over 27 years’ of successful experience and a leading global technology portfolio, Goldpac is committed to its core vision of Making Transactions More Secure and Convenient. The company specializes in delivering embedded software, secure payment products and Artificial Intelligence Financial Self-service Kiosks for global customers while leveraging innovative Fintech to provide data processing services, system platforms and other total solutions for a wide range of businesses, financial, government, healthcare, transportation, and retail sectors.

For more information, please visit http://www.goldpac.com or contact at goldpac@goldpac.com.

If you do not wish to receive any more email messages from us, please email Jilly at jilly.li@goldpac.com to unsubscribe.

Website: www.goldpac.com

Related Links :

Elekta and IBA strengthen partnership to help cancer centers integrate proton therapy

Alliance pairs world-class treatment hardware and supporting software for superior proton therapy ecosystem

STOCKHOLM, March 5, 2021 — Elekta (EKTA-B.ST) announced today that its latest solution for proton therapy, Monaco®* treatment planning for protons, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Monaco brings robust functionality for proton therapy, featuring fast optimization and calculation via the Monte Carlo algorithm and user-configurable templates for different body sites to enable rapid proton plan creation. Monaco is a component of Elekta’s Treatment Management Solution, which provides a full-featured environment for delivering proton therapy.

"Adding new technology to a department can be a complex task, and especially so for a highly advanced technique like proton therapy," says Maurits Wolleswinkel, President Linac Solutions. "In partnership with IBA, however, Elekta’s Treatment Management solution, which includes Monaco, ProKnow and MOSAIQ Plaza digital tools – including MOSAIQ Oncology Information System – provides the ideal ecosystem to integrate proton therapy, helping centers expand their capabilities to choose the best care for their patients."

Elekta was among the first companies to support proton therapy with treatment planning and oncology information systems. The company has built on this proven history to bring high quality planning, combined with intelligent, automated oncology workflows.

The partnership with IBA, a world leader in proton therapy, provides a very strong foundation with an unmatched track record of over 100,000 patients treated by IBA’s clinical partners.

"We are excited to continue expanding our successful partnership with Elekta. As proton therapy becomes an essential treatment modality for an increasing number of indications, it is critical to seamlessly integrate our solutions into the clinic and optimize workflows. Thanks to the joint in-house expertise of Elekta and IBA, and leveraging on the largest and most knowledgeable community of clinical partners in Proton Therapy, IBA is ideally positioned to complement Elekta’s integrated software solutions," says Jeroen Cammeraat, Chief Commercial Officer at IBA.

"Our ecosystem of digital tools will not only simplify and automate the oncology department, but will also enable clinicians to continuously improve, treat more patients and reduce operational costs," Wolleswinkel says.

By harnessing Elekta’s oncology informatics infrastructure, users can benefit from department-wide integration and standardized workflows. All radiotherapy machines, including linear accelerators and proton systems, will be connected, thus optimizing efficiency. This infrastructure also gives clinicians powerful analytics tools to go beyond standard efficiency improvements, using the wealth of data that the department generates to pinpoint improvements within processes. Overall, this contributes to higher productivity and cost reduction, and enables value-based healthcare.

Elekta and IBA have been collaborating for the last 20 years to help oncology centers integrate the cancer treatment modality into their patient care environment.

To learn more, visit our Proton Therapy site.

*Monaco is not available in all markets.

For further information, please contact:
Mattias Thorsson, Vice President, Corporate Communications
Tel: +46 70 865 8012, e-mail: Mattias.Thorsson@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time

Raven Canzeri, Global Public Relations Manager
Tel: +1 770 670 2524, e-mail: Raven.Canzeri@elekta.com
Time zone: ET: Eastern Time

About Elekta
For almost five decades, Elekta has been a leader in precision radiation medicine. Our more than 4,000 employees worldwide are committed to ensuring everyone in the world with cancer has access to – and benefits from – more precise, personalized radiotherapy treatments. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Elekta is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm Exchange. Visit elekta.com or follow @Elekta on Twitter.

About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is a global medical technology company focused on bringing integrated and innovative solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The company is the worldwide technology leader in the field of proton therapy, considered to be the most advanced form of radiation therapy available today. IBA’s proton therapy solutions are flexible and adaptable, allowing customers to choose from universal full-scale proton therapy centers as well as compact, single room solutions. In addition, IBA has a radiation dosimetry business and develops particle accelerators for the medical world and industry. Headquartered in Belgium and employing about 1,500 people worldwide, IBA has installed systems across the world.

IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange NYSE EURONEXT (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB). More information can be found at www.iba-worldwide.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/elekta/r/elekta-and-iba-strengthen-partnership-to-help-cancer-centers-integrate-proton-therapy,c3300481

The following files are available for download:

Free People from Monotonous Work: OMRON Releases FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor for Robot Arms

– Human-like Fast Detection and Flexibility for Automating Part Picking –

KYOTO, Japan, March 3, 2021 — OMRON Corporation based in Kyoto, Japan, announced the release in March of its new FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor. The FH-SMD Series can be mounted on a robot to recognize randomly placed (bulk) automotive parts in three dimensions, enabling space-saving assembly, inspection, and pick & place, which are difficult with conventional robots, and improving productivity. OMRON continues to contribute to bringing innovation to manufacturing sites through total solutions combining robots and automation devices.

Image1: The FH-SMD Series mounted on OMRON’s collaborative robot recognizes bulk parts in three dimensions
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI1fl_172Ee97O.jpg

Production workers are hard to come by these days, and labor costs have risen sharply. Manufacturers are now facing intense pressure to automate processes that rely on the senses of experienced human workers. Moreover, production workers now need to work harmoniously with machines to raise productivity amid the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, the automotive industry requires vision sensors as the eyes of robots that are indispensable for automation because it is difficult for machines to recognize positions and postures of various complex-shaped parts. However, conventional large 3D vision sensors take a long time to detect the status of targets as well as needing large spaces and large mounting equipment. These are barriers to installation into preexisting spaces and automation that provides human-level performance.

The new FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor is small and light enough to be mounted on a robot arm, eliminating the need for special mounting equipment and thus saving space. This sensor can be moved to change viewpoints and easily recognize parts, reducing blind spots and providing reliable detection. In addition, the newly developed 3D measurement technology enables part detection in approximately 0.4 seconds (*1) regardless of the shape and location. Bulk parts assembly can be automated smoothly.

OMRON set forth a strategic concept called "innovative-Automation" consisting of three innovations or "i’s" — "integrated" (control evolution), "intelligent" (development of intelligence by ICT), and "interactive" (new harmonization between people and machines). By providing productive automation solutions combining the FH-SMD Series and robots, OMRON accelerates the creation of "interactive" manufacturing sites — key to the materialization of "innovative-Automation" — together with its client companies.

Note:
(*1) Total time for 3D measurement and 3D recognition under OMRON’s specified conditions.

Features

1. Fits in preexisting compact spaces

The new small and light 3D vision sensor for robot arms saves installation space. There is no need for big mounting equipment and a major layout change which are required for other 3D vision sensors.

Image2: Features
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI2fl_NSJYPL0X.jpg

Examples of using FH-SMD with robot

Flexible part picking from multiple locations, easily transportable to where needed

Image3:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI3lg_ncgP8R6j.jpg

Image4:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI4lg_vW6G0S0B.jpg

2. Faster cycle time thanks to human-like speed and flexibility High-speed detection in approximately 0.4 seconds (*1) makes picking smooth.

High-speed detection is accomplished by 3D measurement technology to create 3D shape images and 3D recognition technology to identify the position and posture of targets.

(*1) Please refer to the previous note.

Image5: High-speed detection
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI5fl_Z25mMez1.jpg

The camera changes the viewpoint to detect parts at high speeds, reducing blind spots.

Image6: Examples of using FH-SMD with robot
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI6fl_87t22OzI.jpg

3. Easy setup without manuals

The wizards guide operators step-by-step by setting up a picking application, from camera setup to calibration.

Image7: Easy setup without manuals
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI7fl_QP95ti35.jpg

4. System configuration

Image8: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202102251517/_prw_PI8fl_fnx8yXyn.jpg

5. Specifications

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202102251517-O1-BF2dBqt9.pdf

About "innovative-Automation"

Recently, OMRON has developed a manufacturing innovation concept, called "innovative-Automation." With this concept, OMRON is currently committed to bringing innovation to manufacturing sites through three key innovations, or three "i’s." Through these innovations in the area of automation, OMRON aims to enable significant productivity improvements in manufacturing sites in order to achieve high-value-added manufacturing.

With the first "i," "integrated" (control evolution), OMRON will seek to advance automated control technology so that virtually any operator, even inexperienced operators, can effortlessly perform work that previously required the expert skills of experienced workers. With the second "i," "intelligent" (development of intelligence by ICT), OMRON seeks to create constantly evolving equipment and production lines. By adopting a wide range of control devices and artificial intelligence (AI), machines can learn through experience and maintain themselves in optimal condition. For the third "i," "interactive" (new harmonization between people and machines), OMRON pursues the development of a new harmonious relationship between human operators and machines; as they work together in the same workspace, machines will be able to assist human operators by recognizing human thoughts and behavior in a way that only OMRON, a specialist control equipment manufacturer who knows production floors inside and out, can realize.

About OMRON Corporation

OMRON Corporation is a global leader in the field of automation based on its core technology of "Sensing & Control + Think." OMRON’s business fields cover a broad spectrum, ranging from industrial automation and electronic components to social systems, healthcare, and environmental solutions. Established in 1933, OMRON has about 30,000 employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in around 120 countries and regions. In the field of industrial automation, OMRON supports manufacturing innovation by providing advanced automation technology and products, as well as through extensive customer support, in order to help create a better society. For more information, visit OMRON’s website: http://www.omron.com/

Related Links :

http://www.omron.com

With 100 Million Users, Soul App Offers a Glance at an AI-powered Social Networking Wave

SHANGHAI, Feb. 26, 2021 — Is there any industry that has thrived under quarantine as the Covid-19 pandemic still tears through the world? One of the unexpected beneficiaries has been social networking apps that are helping people stuck at home stay connected with the rest of the world. The smash hit app Clubhouse epitomizes an emerging social media trend featuring technology-driven social platforms. Unlike Clubhouse, most social media services have grown following a solid, sustained growth pattern, and built their user base from the ground up. Among them, one social platform that stands out is SOUL, which has of late come to overseas markets including North America, Japan, and South Korea.

Launched in 2016, SOUL can be considered a "veteran" among an army of innovative social media sites. Since its launch, the app has promoted emotional networking, and found favor with the younger generation, garnering more than 100 million registered users worldwide and 30 million MAUs (monthly active user), making it the top five most downloaded free social networking apps on the China App Store.

With 100 Million Users, Soul App Offers a Glance at an AI-powered Social Networking Wave
With 100 Million Users, Soul App Offers a Glance at an AI-powered Social Networking Wave

The product logic behind SOUL is nowhere near complex: connection and content hold the key to sparking the desire to socialize. SOUL users can form meaningful connections with one another through text and voice messaging, or video call. On top of that, the app’s "Explore" feature is designed for users to post personal statuses and browse through interesting content generated by others. On the surface, the magic of SOUL’s huge popularity lies within its refreshingly simple interface design. However, upon closer inspection, the app owes its success to its intelligent social media algorithm-based recommendation system.

Before going into what’s special about SOUL’s intelligent social networking system, let’s take a look at the development trajectory of the entire social media industry. In general, mainstream social media apps fall into two categories – relationship-centered apps and content-centered apps.

A good case in point for a relationship-based platform is Facebook, which attracts individuals from pre-existing social circles, before increasing their engagement using content created by their friends and families. Similarly, Clubhouse users rely on access to other users’ phone contacts to develop an extensive network of its own users.

On the other hand, content-based platforms, like Twitter and Instagram, operate the other way around. They lure and retain newcomers with their original and captivating content, who as new recruits produce even more content. In addition, social media sites focused on user scenarios, such as workplace, school, gaming, and knowledge sharing, also come under this umbrella.

Apart from those two categories – relationship-centered and content-centered apps– the majority of social platforms have made little progress for a long time, and the reason for that is not unfathomable: Both models provide ample opportunities for users to make connections and an array of content during the "Cold Start" period, when they utilize the app for the very first time, spurring more engagement within apps. Nevertheless, both models carry their respective inevitable challenges. Without a doubt, the former can leverage established social circles to expand people’s networks, but brings with it social pressure that hinders free expression, while the latter expects users to independently sift through a sea of content at risk of overwhelming themselves.

Today, with the wide applications of big data and artificial intelligence comes a revolution of social media products. Standing right at the forefront, SOUL has been able to address the challenges of whether to give priority to content over preexisting social circles or vice versa by applying its distinctive recommendation algorithms at both levels. In the wake of registration, first time SOUL users need to take a simple psychological quiz, after which they will be suggested potential friends and content based on their taste, personality and interests, among other deep-seated characteristics. This allows users not to go through the daunting process of selecting who they want to "friend" or what is intriguing, sharply cutting down the "Cold Start" period.

This speedy algorithm-enabled interaction models cater to young people’s social needs. As the younger generation falls into the habit of spending fragmented, sporadic time online, their desire to seek a lifelong friend has been replaced by the pursuit of temporary, but equally meaningful, companionship. For example, users can strike up a conversation about shared interests, or play online games as a team. In this regard, SOUL capitalizes on its accurate and efficient recommendation system to build a "wonderland" of freedom, openness and enjoyment as a path for its users to have pleasant companionship 24/7, which betrays the core secret of SOUL’s exponential growth.

Predictably, amid the deeper integration of new technologies and social networking services, stress-free and interest-based social networks represented by SOUL are set to play an ever important role down the road.

Related Links :

http://www.soulapp.me

China Distance Education Holdings Limited Announces Shareholders’ Approval of Going-Private Transaction

BEIJING, Feb. 26, 2021 — China Distance Education Holdings Limited (NYSE: DL) (the "Company"), a leading provider of online education and value-added services for professionals and corporate clients in China, today announced that at an extraordinary general meeting (the "EGM") held today Beijing Time, the Company’s shareholders voted at the EGM to authorize and approve (i) the previously-announced agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of December 1, 2020, by and among the Company, Champion Distance Education Investments Limited ("Parent"), and China Distance Learning Investments Limited ("Merger Sub"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"); (ii) the plan of merger required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands (the "Plan of Merger") for the purposes of the Merger; and (iii) the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Plan of Merger, including the Merger.

Approximately 96.6% of the total outstanding ordinary shares ("Ordinary Shares") of the Company were voted in person or by proxy at the EGM. Of the Ordinary Shares voted at the EGM, approximately 67.4% were voted in favor of the Merger Agreement; the Plan of Merger; and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Plan of Merger, including the Merger. The affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares present and voting in person or by proxy at the EGM was required for approval.

The Company and the other parties to the Merger Agreement currently expect to proceed expeditiously to complete the Merger, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. Upon completion of the Merger, the Company will survive as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent; the American depositary shares (the "ADSs") of the Company, each of which represents four Ordinary Shares, will no longer be listed on The New York Stock Exchange; the ADS program will terminate; and the ADSs and the Ordinary Shares will cease to be registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Any such statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expect," "predict," "anticipate," "future," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "estimate," and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic and annual reports to the SEC, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors, or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include the possibility that the Merger will not occur as planned if events arise that result in the termination of the Merger Agreement, if one or more of the various closing conditions to the Merger are not satisfied or waived,  and other risks and uncertainties regarding the Merger Agreement and the Merger that are discussed in the proxy statement included as part of the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement filed with the SEC on January 29, 2021 by the Company and the other filing persons named therein. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or other information included in this press release, except as may be required by applicable law.

About China Distance Education Holdings Limited

China Distance Education Holdings Limited is a leading provider of online education and value-added services for professionals and corporate clients in China. The courses offered by the Company through its websites are designed to help professionals seeking to obtain and maintain professional licenses and to enhance their job skills through our professional development courses in China in the areas of accounting, healthcare, engineering & construction, legal and other industries. The Company also offers online test preparation courses for self-taught learners pursuing higher education diplomas or degrees, and practical accounting training courses for college students and working professionals. In addition, the Company provides business services to corporate clients, including but not limited to tax advisory and accounting outsourcing services. For further information, please visit http://ir.cdeledu.com.

Contacts:

In China:
China Distance Education Holdings Limited
Jiao Jiao
Tel: +86-10-8231-9999 ext. 1826
Email: IR@cdeledu.com

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: dl@tpg-ir.com

In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1 212-481-2050
Email: dl@tpg-ir.com