SYDNEY: Lion, a leading beverage brand headquartered in Sydney with operations across Australia and New Zealand, has selected Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, to manage and transform its information technology landscape. Through this collaboration, TCS will help enhance Lion’s operational resilience and productivity by adopting a scalable operating model and service delivery automation by infusing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for smarter outcomes.

As part of this strategic collaboration, TCS will facilitate Lion’s transition from legacy systems to a modern cloud infrastructure, while also spearheading application development and strengthening cybersecurity protocols. TCS’s extensive domain expertise and bouquet of AI offerings will support Lion’s ambitious transformation agenda and accelerate its growth trajectory. TCS will deliver outcome-focused transformation by prioritising and optimising operational costs and elevating the overall user experience for Lion’s customers. TCS will deploy TCS Cognix^TM, a transformational platform that focuses on providing service resiliency, business agility, and enhanced customer experience.

Ram Kalyanasundaram, Lion Technology & Digital Transformation Director, said, “This partnership marks a new chapter in Lion’s technology transformation. TCS brings deep global capability in CPG, proven execution, and a partnership mindset that aligns with our ambition to build a more modern, resilient, and scalable digital foundation. Together, we will simplify our landscape, accelerate innovation, and empower our people with the tools and insights to deliver great experiences for our customers and consumers.”

Krishnan Ramanujam, President, Consumer Business Group – TCS, said, “I am excited about our partnership with Lion amidst the sweeping transformation in the beverages industry. It is an honor to be Lions’ partner as they pivot to a new phase of growth and innovation. Our collaboration with Lion is built on a solid foundation of deep domain expertise and an unwavering digital mindset. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI and cloud, alongside TCS’s comprehensive CPG platforms, we will accelerate innovation and deliver exceptional experiences for customers and consumers alike.”

This partnership will foster continuous innovation across the enterprise, including advanced data and analytics powered by AI and revenue upliftment through strategic revenue growth management. Additionally, the partnership will work to introduce AI-driven personalized solutions and persona-centric enterprise health metrics. These initiatives will deliver tailored technology optimization strategies and function-specific insights, further strengthening the operational performance.

Vikram Singh, Country Head, Australia & New Zealand – TCS, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Lion to strengthen and transform their IT landscape, leveraging our global expertise in CPG technology, cyber security, data, and AI. This strategic partnership with Lion Group in this pivotal phase of transformation will lead to streamlining their systems and enhancing capabilities through automation, AI adoption, and will lay the foundation for sustained long-term value creation. Furthermore, our commitment to driving continuous innovation with Lion underscores our dedication to supporting their ongoing growth and transformation.”

TCS has been strengthening its presence in Australia for over 35 years and serves as a digital partner to most of the top 10 listed companies in the region. The company has operations in five locations across the country and has also been recognised among LinkedIn’s Top 25 companies to work for and as a top employer in the region by the Top Employers Institute.

The post Lion Selects TCS to Propel AI-Driven Transformation and Enhance Business Growth appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI:  ViewSonic Corp., a global provider of visual and EdTech solutions, has announced a new direction for FY26, placing EdTech at the core of its India growth strategy with a renewed commitment to digitally transforming classrooms nationwide. Central to this vision is the ViewSonic Future School Program — a comprehensive initiative that equips schools with interactive flat panels, proprietary software, structured teacher training, and learning analytics to create model digital classrooms. Following successful pilots in two cities – Chennai and Lucknow, the company now aims to scale the program to various schools across the country.  The company is currently associated with reputed schools across India and is gearing up for a transformative year ahead under its ViewSonic Future School Program. Backed by a clear strategic vision, the company is aiming for a substantial expansion, targeting upto 300% growth in its network of partner institutions. This strong momentum underscores its continued commitment to driving impactful change and redefining how technology enhances the learning experience across the country.

The ViewSonic Future School Program is a nationwide initiative designed to bridge the gap between traditional pedagogy and interactive digital learning. The program equips schools with an integrated suite of EdTech solutions, including ViewBoard interactive flat panels, ClassSwift for lesson delivery and engagement, Manager software for classroom device control, structured teacher training, and professional certification. These comprehensive offerings help ease the transition to digital classrooms. As part of the program, schools are also awarded ViewSonic’s Future School Certification recognition for institutions that demonstrate excellence in digital adoption. With successful implementations already in Shraddha’s Children Academy in Chennai and SKD Academy, Lucknow, the program is now set to scale across the country, establishing a strong foundation for technology-driven learning in diverse educational settings.

“With the Future School Program, we are redefining the modern Indian classroom across the country by bringing our vision of ideal classrooms to life,” said Muneer Ahmad, VP Sales and Marketing, ViewSonic India. “We are establishing model learning environments equipped with cutting-edge solutions like interactive panels, student response systems, and our proprietary ClassSwift and Manager software. These tools allow stakeholders to control devices, track student performances, and access deep learning analytics with ease. But more than just technology, the program emphasizes structured teacher training and professional certification, ensuring that educators are fully equipped to lead in these digital spaces. Through this holistic approach, we are empowering schools to become collaborative, future-focused hubs where infrastructure and pedagogy evolve together to inspire the next generation of learners.”

“At SKD Academy, we have always believed in evolving with the times to provide the best learning experience to our students,” said Manish Singh, Founder Director of SKD Academy. “With a legacy of over 40 years in the field of education, our mission has consistently been to blend academic excellence with progressive methods. Embracing digital transformation is not just about adopting new technology—it’s about building a forward-thinking mindset that equips students for the challenges of the future.”

Naveen Velagapalli, Shraddha Children Academy, Chennai, said, “We are excited to be part of ViewSonic’s Future School Program, which aligns with our commitment to prioritizing learning excellence. This collaboration equips our students with innovative tools to thrive in a technology-driven world.”

With the Future School Program, ViewSonic aims to build a collaborative ecosystem of digitally advanced schools that champion innovation in teaching and learning. By encouraging knowledge exchange and shared progress among schools, the program promotes a culture of continuous improvement in pedagogy. A distinguishing feature of the initiative is the ViewSonic Future School Certification, which recognizes schools that go beyond basic tech adoption to achieve excellence in digital integration. This certification acts as a marker of quality for parents while motivating institutions to benchmark themselves against national standards of EdTech implementation and instructional innovation.

To accelerate the reach and impact of the Future School Program, ViewSonic is actively exploring strategic collaborations with government bodies, NGOs, and other EdTech companies. These alliances will play a key role in extending the program’s benefits to under-resourced schools, especially in semi-urban and rural regions where the digital divide is more pronounced. By aligning with national and state-level digital learning missions, ViewSonic aims to make quality EdTech solutions accessible to a wider range of institutions, beyond metro cities and into the heart of India’s education landscape.

The post ViewSonic’s Future School Digital Transformation Program appeared first on NRI News.

HELSINKI: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions company, has signed an agreement to drive the end-to-end IT transformation of UPM, a global company with a business portfolio of decarbonization solutions, advanced materials, renewable fibers, and communication papers, based on sustainable, renewable feedstock. The digital transformation will help drive growth for UPM, enhance user experience, and boost the 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 using AI to support better human-machine collaboration. By driving continuous innovation, TCS will enable UPM to remain a perpetually adaptative enterprise.

Turkka Keskinen, Chief Information Officer at UPM, said, “At UPM, we are striving to build a human-centric yet business-oriented IT infrastructure. Through this partnership, we are seeking to provide effortless information technology that is cost-effective and scalable, utilizes the most recent AI and automation solutions, and offers value-based delivery, and end-to-end accountability. We have been impressed by the wide industry and technology expertise that the TCS team has demonstrated and are looking forward to seeing how this collaboration will help us reach our ambitious targets.”

Headquartered in Finland, UPM specializes in producing recyclable products that are made of responsibly sourced, renewable raw materials. It operates production facilities in 11 countries and has a turnover of EUR 10.3 billion. As a responsible industry leader, innovation for a future beyond fossils is at the heart of UPM’s strategy for achieving sustainable growth. TCS will help UPM deliver faster time to market and a value-based IT operating model to achieve agility, better service,e, and enterprise reliability. The partnership will also enable UPM to move away from traditional methods of measuring the outcome of digital transformation into a more experience-based method that adapts to its unique and changing needs.

Subhadipta Samantray, Country Head, TCS in Finland, said, “At TCS, we are thrilled to forge strategic endeavor with UPM, a sustainability forerunner, and help the company to accelerate growth and innovation by utilizing our unique expertise and industry-leading product and platform offerings. We are committed to delivering UPM superior user experience, agile services, and improved operations with next-generation solutions leveraging AI-first principles”.

TCS’ partnership with UPM further solidifies TCS’ leadership in Finland, where it has been operational for over 25 years, driving transformation for its clients. It has been named a Top Employer in Finland by the Top Employers Institute and has received top customer satisfaction rankings in the Nordic region for 15 consecutive years in an independent survey.

Anupam Singhal, President – Manufacturing, TCS, said, “At TCS, we believe AI is the foundation of a future-ready, adaptive enterprise—driving intelligence, agility, and long-term value. Our partnership with UPM marks a bold step in reimagining its digital core, harnessing AI to enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and accelerate innovation. This transformation goes beyond modernization; it is about building a high-performing, sustainable business that creates enduring value—for UPM, its customers, and society.”

The post TCS and UPM’s Strategic Partnership in AI-Led Transformation appeared first on NRI News.

INDIA: Honeywell today introduced Honeywell Forge Performance+ for Utilities, a groundbreaking platform designed to help utilities improve their operations and enhance the performance of existing utility grid assets and IT investments. The integration of automation software for utilities supports Honeywell’s alignment of its portfolio with the automation and energy transition megatrends.

The new solution is built on Honeywell Forge, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and digital twin capabilities intended to help utilities monitor assets, effectively identify root causes, and introduce predictive analytics to become more proactive with grid asset management. Forge Performance+ for Utilities also enables automation processes like demand response and distributed energy resource management to increase grid reliability and stability.

“Honeywell Forge Performance+ for Utilities is designed to enhance existing systems, providing greater value to utility companies’ investments and supporting a seamless combination of capabilities from various tools into a single, reliable platform,” said Hamed Heyhat, President of Honeywell Smart Energy and Thermal Solutions (SETS). “Through the power of digitalization, utilities will now have access to more quality data to better serve their customers and assets.”

Most traditional utility distribution grids were designed over a century ago to support highly predictable top-down generation and distribution of energy, water, or gas to consumers, leading to a lack of data or siloed data. Today, utilities face new challenges ranging from interpreting massive amounts of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data and grid asset data to managing the accelerating adoption of less predictable Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). These renewable energy sources include solar panels, wind turbines, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles.

Honeywell Forge Performance+ for Utilities delivers near real-time insight to help utilities improve grid operation and address variability associated with new energy sources. The solution also provides a “bottom-up” forecast of energy demand, available distributed power-generating assets, and controllable loads designed to provide heightened operational visibility. With this visibility, utilities can better balance energy supply and demand which contributes to grid reliability and resiliency.

“The industry needs an innovative solution to help store and digitalize the multiple data streams from complex utility infrastructures around the world,” said Ben Dawson of SECO Energy, a not-for-profit electric cooperative based in Central Florida. “Honeywell Forge Performance+ for Utilities’ ability to receive real-time actionable insights on one connected platform helps utilities better connect with their customers worldwide.”

The innovative platform integrates, organizes, and visualizes data from various sources to accelerate analytics processes and digitalize utility grid data into actionable, real-time business and operational insights. It can run a variety of applications, including those from both Honeywell and third-party partners such as SparkMeter.

To learn more about Honeywell Forge Performance+ for Utilities, please visit this website.

The post NEW HONEYWELL FORGE AI-ENABLED SOFTWARE SOLUTION TO ACCELERATE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND MODERNIZATION OF UTILITY GRID ASSETS appeared first on NRI News.

NEW YORK, USA: The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and Google today formalized cooperation aimed at advancing digital transformation in Africa. The parties signed a Letter of Intent during the Global Africa Business Initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The agreement underscores a shared commitment to harness emerging technologies, extend and improve infrastructure, and refine talent and skills in the continent.

Both parties have a history of fostering digital evolution. Over the past decade, the African Development Bank has invested $1.9 billion in projects emphasizing the development of broadband infrastructure, conducive policy and regulatory environments, digital skills, and innovative technology startups.

“Our journey from a 2% telephony penetration in 1998 to today’s era of 4G, 5G, and AI signifies immense progress. With 70% of sub-Saharan Africans under 30, our focus is on catalyzing businesses to create jobs and offer innovative solutions,” said Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank.

Google has been a longtime partner in Africa’s economic growth and digital transformation. In 2005 Google invested in a major submarine telecommunications cable – the Seacom cable. Since then, Google has been committed to digital transformation by supporting talent development, innovation, infrastructure, and regulatory advancements across the continent.

Working together with the African Development Bank, Google will offer technical assistance to bolster entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in digitizing their businesses, securing financing, mastering digital marketing, and advancing private sector development.

Dr. James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President of Research, Technology, and Society, said: “With advanced technologies like AI, the most profound transformation is yet to come. Collaboration will be essential if Africa is to realize this opportunity, building for everyone and ensuring no one is left behind. We are excited to collaborate with the African Development Bank to work towards this shared commitment.”

The post African Development Bank and Google collaborate on digital transformation in Africa appeared first on NRI News.

MUANDA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Orange DRC and Airtel Congo RDC have successfully landed the 2Africa submarine cable in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) off Muanda through their joint venture, Mawezi RDC SA. The 2Africa project, which will be the world’s largest submarine cable project, is set to connect 33 countries from 2023 onwards, bringing faster and more reliable internet service to every country where it is installed.

The arrival of the 2Africa submarine cable in Muanda marks an important milestone for the DRC’s digital transformation and its connection to the rest of the world. The cable will connect more than three billion people across three continents, offering an economic potential that should ultimately increase tenfold, boosting data transfer and developing business opportunities in the DRC and throughout Africa.

Mawezi RDC SA, the landing partner for the DRC, is responsible for obtaining all the necessary authorizations prior to landing the cable, building the landing station, and operating the station in open access mode so that all internet players can benefit from these additional international capacities. As a stakeholder, Meta was the main investor in the planning and preparation for the arrival and operation of the cable in the DRC.

Laetitia Molasoko N’Singa, Managing Director of Mawezi RDC SA, expressed her pride in seeing the project come to life, stating that it will improve access to broadband internet and accelerate the ambitions of His Excellency Mr. Felix Antoine Tshisekedi’s National Digital Plan. Through this partnership, Orange DRC and Airtel Congo RDC SA reinforce their ambition to improve digital inclusion and development in the DRC.

In conclusion, the landing of the 2Africa submarine cable in the DRC is a significant step towards boosting the country’s digital transformation and economic potential. The cable will provide faster and more reliable internet service, connecting the DRC to the rest of the world and opening up new business opportunities.

The post Orange DRC and Airtel Congo RDC Successfully Land 2Africa Submarine Cable in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Boosting Digital Transformation and Economic Potential appeared first on NRI News.

U.S. Consul General Mike Hankey said, “The U.S. Government is proud to support TransFormation, where anyone – regardless of how they identify – can access salon services in a safe and inclusive environment for all guests. We recognize and celebrate the important contributions of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people and take pride in supporting improved health outcomes through innovative models that mobilize communities to take charge of their financial and physical health.”

USAID/India Deputy Mission Director Karen Klimowski said, “Using USAID’s principle ‘Do nothing about them without them’ as a guide, we are happy to share that members of the transgender community were directly involved in designing and establishing TransFormation, which is a priority for USAID as we prioritize locally-led and inclusive development. The salon will not only serve the community but enhance career and entrepreneurship opportunities for the local transgender community.”

Neeta Kene, Chairperson, Kinnar Asmita, a community-based organization, that set up and will operate TransFormation, said, “This initiative is a strong message to the society that Transgender Persons with the right kind of skilling and support can effectively mainstream themselves. For us this is not only an initiative on livelihoods, it is on dignity, self-worth, and progress. We are thrilled to start this initiative and we need the support of the mainstream to make it a roaring success both socially and financially.”

The International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual celebration and recognition of the contributions of transgender people around the world.  On this day and every day, the U.S. Government honors transgender people who are fighting for freedom, equality, dignity, and respect.  The TransFormation Salon was established with support from USAID and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in partnership with FHI 360 and the Humsafar Trust. As the United States marks the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR, today’s launch is a continuation of the U.S. Government’s commitment to ending the inequities and service gaps that still stand in the way of progress.

The post U.S. Government Launches TransFormation Salon to Support Enhanced Career Opportunities for the Transgender Community appeared first on NRI News.