Tata Communications has been recognised as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Global WAN Services for 12 consecutive years.

What does it take to be leader and be recognised year on year? In short it is a testament of customer trust, of continued innovation and leadership in delivering future-ready network solutions!

Clear Vision

For any company to be successful, it is vital that they have a clear vision of the company roadmap, which provides for strategic direction and focus. It ensures employees and all stakeholders understand the company’s goals and it paves the way for better decision making.

To be recognised as leader, repeatedly surely speaks volumes of a company’s vision, strengths and the ability to help enterprises succeed in a hyperconnected environment.

Build Trust

Trust underpins all forms of economic activity and forms the foundation of our society. Trust has always been built through interpersonal relationships, over time. An IDC report commissioned by Tata Communications, notes that “Building trust and being trusted in the digital realm are not options. If you are not trusted online, you will not be able to transact online”. In today’s digital realm, organisations must give their stakeholders the confidence that they have the necessary measures to secure any transaction they conduct. Trust drives businesses and digital trust drives digital businesses.

Here are ‘Twelve Reasons to Trust’ outlined by Tata Communications why we believe we are a trusted partner for enterprises to help them succeed in a digital-first world.

1. Tata Communications runs the world’s largest wholly owned subsea cable network.  Together with our strategic investments in other cable systems, we operate 500,000+ km of subsea optical fiber. Enterprises can achieve their global ambition with borderless growth.
2. Tata Communications operates a global Tier-1 IP network with its customers accounting for over one-third of the world’s internet routes.  Our internet edge capacity reaches 250Tbps. Enterprises can have shorter paths with more resilient and secure internet connections, augmented by native threat intelligence and DDoS.
3. Tata Communications delivers the world’s first predictable internet services with guaranteed performance with IZO Internet WAN. It evolves to encompass different service variants including broadband internet, 4G/5G and satellite access, spanning across 150+ countries. Enterprises global access needs can be met with comprehensive, best fit solutions.
4. Tata Communications supports a software-defined cloud interconnect service, IZO Multi Cloud Connect with 100% availability SLA, connecting the global cloud giants. Enterprises cloud connectivity can be simple and agile to satisfy changing needs.
5. Tata Communications offers Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) with comprehensive options and zero-based bandwidth on a pay-as-you-go model.  The service can scale up to 100Gbps, and cover Private Line, MPLS VPN and Internet services.  Enterprises have a flexible consumption model for core network connectivity.
6. Tata Communications provide SDWAN-as-a-Service (SDWANaaS) and Wi-Fi-as-a-Service (WiFiaaS) with a “cloudlike” consumption model.  Enterprises can avoid technical debt and have faster provisioning lead-time.
7. Tata Communications support Hosted SASE, which runs single vendor technology over our global network to offer single-pass security advantage.  We also have Hybrid SASE which combines multi-vendor SDWAN and SSE.  With 3.5TB of data analyzed daily, 8K+ IOCs detected and blocked, and native SOAR enhancing MTTD and MTTR by 99%, we deliver cutting-edge network protection. Enterprises network and security needs can also be integrated with a single dashboard and management panel.
8. Tata Communications enables virtual network functions (VNFs) both at the gateway and cloud edge locations as well as on the premises as universal CPE.  Enterprises do not need to invest in single integrated devices which lack flexibility and have longer delivery lead-time.
9. Tata Communications maintains 99.8% first time right deployments of SDWAN managed services – and Security Service Edge and >95% incidents proactively identified by our management platform.  Enterprises can be assured of smooth service migration with shorter incident resolution time.
10. Tata Communications offer simple, intelligent Managed Wi-Fi & LAN with multiple vendors and service packages.  Enterprises end user experience is improved with better coverage, easier guest access, and the usage analytics required by business growth.
11. Tata Communications unique AXIOM managed services framework which focus on “Assess, eXecute, Integrate, Operate & Manage” to take care of the entire management lifecycle across Day 0, Day 1 and Day 2 augmented by value-added services.  Enterprises can ensure their network management staff focus on core business.
12. Tata Communications provides TC^X platform which helps manage the network with more visibility, control, and ease. Enterprises can manage the entire lifecycle from design, delivery, and operations, from a single pane of glass.

Find out more about Tata Communications network solutions here.

The post What does it take to build a trusted network? appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The global demand for freshwater is expected to outpace its supply by two fold in the next five years, creating widespread implications for communities, ecosystems, and businesses. Industries are aware of these effects and taking serious decisions to make water conservation a business imperative. The Interconnected Disaster Risks Report mentions India’s water demand is expected to double by 2030, which only means India could face extreme groundwater depletion, threatening access to drinking water for millions and also impacting the country’s GDP.

Centuries ago, civilisations began settling along riverbanks as there was a steady source of water and the land was fertile for cultivation.

Today, we have come full circle as industries and urban centres are increasingly prioritising locations with sustainable water access due to rising resource pressures. All institutions —commercial or residential — are prioritising locations with reliable water access. However, such requirements underscore the immense pressure industries place on water resources. Industries such as agriculture, manufacturing (textiles, pulp and paper, chemicals), power generation and construction— alongside the tech sector— are among the largest consumers of water, further exacerbating the crisis. A holistic approach is required to ensure sustainable water management across these key sectors.

The technology sector in particular, data centers and semiconductor manufacturing, require substantial amounts of water primarily for cooling servers and IT equipment, as well as for processes like cleaning and rinsing during manufacturing. Technological advancements like AI today have raised concerns on water scarcity and sustainability, because of the significant power and water-based colling systems needed. To put it in context, the global AI demand is projected to account for 4.2-6.6 billion cubic meters of water withdrawal in 2027, which is more than the total annual water withdrawal of half of the United Kingdom! This poses a serious question: Are government and corporate efforts sufficient to ensure water conservation in a country like India, home to nearly 1.5 billion people?

Tech Dilemma: Balancing act of progression and preservation

Behind the modern data centres and cutting-edge manufacturing facilities lies a large, seldom overlooked water footprint. According to an S&P Global report, semiconductor factories depend on water to cool systems and consume as much water as Hong Kong, a city of 7.5 million.

The real challenge for the tech sector is not just keeping up with domain advancements but proactively anticipating future sustainability needs, particularly water consumption. In countries like India, where water scarcity is already severe, unchecked demand from the tech sector risks further straining fragile resources. Reports project that India’s Silicon Valley- Bengaluru, alone is likely to face a worrying water crisis this summer with groundwater levels predicted to drop dangerously low. The population of Bangalore has also tripled since 1990, ever since it transformed into a leading tech hub. This growth has drained the city’s natural resources, impacting the city’s water bodies and land is also cleared for urbanisation.

However, water consumption is only one part of the equation and managing wastewater is equally critical. Improper discharge from data centers, chip fabrication plants, and manufacturing units contaminate local water supplies, leading to severe environmental degradation.

Reports indicate that semiconductor fabrication plants alone produce up to 15 million litres of wastewater per day.

Without stringent treatment and recycling measures, wastewater can release hazardous chemicals such as heavy metals and volatile organic compounds into the ecosystem, exacerbating water crises in vulnerable regions and for an industry that prides itself on innovating technologies to solve global challenges, addressing its own water impact is not just necessary—it is non-negotiable.

At Tata Communications, climate change is one of our key priorities. The Nanneer project was one such project where we focused on the rejuvenation and restoration of Nagan Thangal Lake for effective groundwater recharge in Thiruvallur District, near Chennai. We rejuvenated a neglected waterbody, tackling pollution, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss, directly benefiting over 4,000 residents and indirectly impacting over 18,000, thereby promoting a sustainable and inclusive approach.

Tech reimagined: New technologies define the future

Emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and cloud-based analytics are transforming water management, enabling companies to monitor, optimise, and reduce consumption real time. For instance, leading enterprises are integrating AI-driven water optimisation models and IoT-based predictive analytics into their operations to enhance water efficiency. Smart sensors, powered by IoT, detect leaks instantly and prevent unnecessary wastage. AI-driven predictive analytics can also analyse consumption patterns and optimise water usage, helping organisations proactively manage their resources. Additionally, advanced cooling systems, such as liquid immersion cooling for data centres, significantly reduce water dependency compared to traditional cooling methods. Leading semiconductor manufacturers, are also implementing large-scale water recycling and zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems to minimise their environmental impact. Semiconductor manufacturers, for example, are increasingly adopting closed-loop water recycling technologies that recover and reuse up to 90% of wastewater. These closed-loop systems work by continuously treating wastewater and reintroducing it into the production cycle, drastically reducing freshwater intake. Such innovations not only reduce freshwater dependency but also set industry benchmarks for responsible water stewardship.

Meanwhile, rainwater harvesting, a time-tested method of water conservation, is being integrated into modern industrial ecosystems. Companies are leveraging AI-driven systems to enhance rainwater collection efficiency, ensuring maximum storage and utilisation. Indian enterprises are deploying AI-powered rainwater harvesting systems to maximise water conservation. By combining traditional conservation methods with cutting-edge technology, the tech industry is demonstrating that sustainability is not just an obligation but an opportunity for long-term progress and resilience.

At Tata Communications, through one of our initiatives, Vitalize Rural we raised awareness on the impact on water conservation, climate-resilient agriculture, and livelihood development. We tackled critical environmental and livelihood challenges across an area of 3,801 hectares in Dharashiv, Maharashtra, positively impacting over 5,500 lives in four villages through improving soil moisture, enhancing water availability, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and supporting marginalised families towards a sustainable livelihood.

Tech Connect: Collaborate and Commit

Water preservation extends beyond corporate boundaries. Tech companies are increasingly collaborating with governments, NGOs, and local communities to drive larger impact. Initiatives such as restoring lakes, rejuvenating river basins, and implementing water-efficient farming techniques have transformed water-stressed regions. These collaborative efforts improve water availability and foster stronger ties between industries and the communities they serve.

However, adopting sustainable water solutions comes with economic challenges. Advanced water recycling systems like ZLD are costly and energy-intensive, making them feasible only for select facilities. For smaller companies, financial constraints may hinder large-scale adoption. ZLD processes also require significant energy inputs for evaporative treatments, making them more suitable for large enterprises with the necessary resources. A balanced approach that includes government incentives, subsidies, and shared infrastructure models can encourage broader participation in water sustainability initiatives.

The way forward requires a shared commitment to responsible stewardship and a multi-faceted approach i.e. reducing consumption, enhancing water efficiency and embedding regenerative practices into daily operations. With bold commitments by technology companies to achieve up to 20% or more reduction in water usage in the near future, the industry can set new standards for environmental accountability. Industry alliances, forums, cross-sector partnerships and such collective efforts can help tech companies exchange insights, set benchmarks, and drive large-scale impact.

Now is the time to act. The world is watching, and India’s burgeoning tech industry has the talent, resources, and tenacity to drive the digital revolution while simultaneously protecting the world’s most precious resource: water.

You can read more about how Tata Communications is positively impacting the world around us here.

The post India’s Tech Sector Can Rewrite Water Sustainability appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The rising frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks, which have targeted major hospitals, tech giants, and government agencies alike, highlights a pressing need for advanced security strategies.

With the global cost of cybercrime expected to rapidly increase over the next four years – climbing from $9.22 trillion in 2024 to $13.82 trillion by 2028 – organizations must enhance their cybersecurity measures to ensure safety and operational resilience.

Modernizing your Cybersecurity Architecture

Cyber-attacks not only have the potential to seriously impact businesses, but also the lives of everyday people. As network vulnerabilities continue to expand, traditional approaches that rely on dispersed hardware appliances and fragmented security solutions are no longer sufficient. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions represent a revolutionary approach to cybersecurity architecture by consolidating networking and security functions into a unified, cloud-native service that enhances operational efficiency, mitigates risks, and safeguards sensitive data across distributed environments.

Take the healthcare industry, for example. Protecting sensitive patient information, ensuring compliance with legal regulations such as HIPAA and safeguarding critical medical systems from ransomware is crucial to keeping some of our most vulnerable people safe.

By adopting right technology, resource-constrained healthcare providers can navigate the challenges brought on by an expanding attack surface, necessary compliance adherence, and obscured network visibility, all while dealing with the new trends that drive patients and employees toward cloud services. SASE is a modern approach that combines security and networking services to enable seamless access for users – all while providing the simplest and most scalable solution to secure millions of connected users in and out of provider resources, regardless of their locations. Access to these applications and networks can now be governed through granular policies that deliver consistent security via a central management console – giving providers the advantages of a proactive, rather than reactive, security model.

The financial tech sector is one of the most disruptive in the world, and its growth has boosted the development of cybersecurity. As mobile and contactless banking become mainstream, the sector has become more vulnerable to security threats and fraud.

Challenges posed by digital transformation, IoT, and hybrid working are pushing compute and storage ever closer to the edge. Architectures based on hyperscaler’s clouds in massive, centralized locations no longer cut the mustard. For example, automation demands lightning local responses. Low latency is the new normal. Hybrid working calls for enterprise security levels, at home or on the move. Apps need to be served as if they’re right here, right now.

That’s where Hosted SASE infrastructure hosted and managed by a provider comes into play; by consolidating security and network connectivity into a single cloud-delivered platform It can protect essential assets while maintaining their functionality by combining multiple systems and connecting security solutions to obtain the best possible outcomes.

In addition to the examples outlined, a Hosted SASE solution can significantly strengthen cybersecurity efforts in any situation where sensitive information is captured and dispersed such as:

• Centralized Security Controls: Combines network and security functions into a single cloud service, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and protection across all devices and locations.
• Improved Visibility: Offers clear insights into network activities by routing traffic through a cloud service, enabling effective threat detection and quicker response times.
• Scalability: Easily adapts to changing network demands, supporting growth in cloud services and remote work without compromising security.
• Access Control and Zero Trust: By leveraging Zero Trust principles, Hosted SASE validates every access attempt, minimizing risks by controlling access based on user identity and context.
• Threat Prevention: Includes advanced security features like intrusion detection, antivirus, and malware protection to prevent a wide range of threats.
• Compliance and Regulations: Helps meet regulatory requirements with consistent security policies and provides audit trails for compliance.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for on-premises hardware and leverages the provider’s expertise, cutting costs and maintaining effective security.

To strengthen their operational resilience, companies should leverage these SASE solutions as they continue to navigate complex cybersecurity threats. SASE solutions can enable enterprises to fully harness the power and potential of cloud-based environments through exceptional performance, zero-trust security, ease of use, and cost effectiveness.

Building a Safer Digital Future

We face an increasingly complex cyber landscape, where threats and attacks can disrupt operations, damage reputations, and incur substantial costs. SASE solutions provide the tools and capabilities needed to navigate these challenges effectively, ensuring that businesses are well-equipped to protect their digital assets and maintain operational stability and resilience.

Investing in SASE solutions is not just about adopting another new technology, but rather, embracing a strategic approach to cybersecurity that aligns with the evolving landscape of digital threats. By consolidating security measures and enhancing visibility, scalability, and threat prevention, SASE empowers organizations to stay ahead of potential risks and adapt to the changing demands of the digital world.

As with any digital transformation initiative, building cyber resilience and cultivating a security-focused culture within your organization will take time and careful implementation of policies and technologies, but securing a safe digital future is well worth the investment.

To know more about Tata Communications SASE Solutions, click here.

The post Securing the Future: How SASE Strengthens Operational Resilience appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Hyper-connected ecosystems don’t just break silos – they unlock extraordinary moments

Behind every pulse-racing moment in sport – be it a bowled-out batter, a dramatic last-lap overtake, or a photo finish at the wire – lies a silent force at work – the digital infrastructure. Today, sport is not just played on the turf or track. It’s played on high-speed networks, powered by data, and brought to life flawlessly through real-time digital infrastructure.

It’s this very spirit of precision that inspired the launch of Tata Communications Vayu – our revolutionary next-gen cloud fabric which promises to cut cloud costs and complexity and is future ready for the AI world. That day was a double first for me—not just the launch of Tata Communications Vayu, but also the opportunity to interview one of my favourite cricketing legend, Anil Kumble. Known for his unorthodox spin, laser focus, and unshakable resilience, Anil holds the record for the most “caught and bowled” dismissals in cricket history. He was a player who defined determination, a leader who inspired generations, and a bowler whose records stand as a testament to his sheer brilliance.

Sports & Technology – The winning team

In addition to being a champion cricketer, a strategist, thinker, coach, administrator, and a true ambassador of the sport, Anil is also a founder of a company whose vision is to revolutionise the sporting experience by engaging the entire sports ecosystem through smart products and technologies.

Technology is no longer behind the scenes. It has become one of the most defining forces that is shaping modern sports.

From transforming the way fans engage with live action, to enhancing athlete performance, to enabling data driven split-second decision making – data, connectivity, and digital infrastructure have become as much a part of the game as talent and strategy. Whether it’s a stadium packed with 80,000 fans or a living room on the other side of the world, sports today are more immersive, more instant, and more globally connected than ever before.

Uncomplicate and innovate with digital fabric

Today,  Formula 1® race can be streamed live in real-time to fans across 180+ countries, with multilingual commentary, interactive data overlays, and immersive 360-degree replays. A cricket match can reach millions simultaneously, enriched by predictive analytics and AI-powered insights – all enabled by seamless, intelligent connectivity. And none of this happens by accident.

What we’re witnessing is the emergence of a truly connected Digital Fabric – one that connects not just hardware and systems, but seamlessly brings together people, experiences, and possibilities across continents. This convergence of sport and technology came into sharp focus for me during my session with Anil Kumble. His legacy is built on strategy, adaptability, and unwavering focus – qualities that define the spirit of elite athletes. But what struck me most was how naturally these traits align with the demands of digital infrastructure. Whether it’s a googly that outwits a batter or a media platform delivering high-definitions flawless live coverage to millions, success ultimately comes down to precision, timing, and resilience.

At Tata Communications, our relationship with sport isn’t about being a name on a banner – it’s about being the invisible force that drives the action behind the scenes and brings world class experiences to life. 4 out of 5 times when fans tune into live action – from the roar of Formula 1, the thrill of MotoGP to the precision of cricket and the endurance of sailing – we’re the digital engine that powers that moment. Our networks move the magic in milliseconds. Since 2012, we’ve supported Formula 1 by seamlessly transmitting over 100 video feeds and 250 audio channels from 24 race locations to their Media & Technology Centre in the UK. That’s a real-time broadcast delivered to over 500 million fans, across 180+ countries, every single race. And that’s not all, our remote production solution empowers F1 to travel with reduced freight, contributing to F1’s ambition to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2030. This is innovation at global scale—proof of how our cutting-edge infrastructure and relentless focus on precision place Tata Communications at the forefront of digital leadership, not just in sport, but in every high-performance industry we serve.

Global businesses through the lens of sports

No longer confined to the stadiums and race-tracks, the technology innovations in the sporting world are redefining enterprise technology across industries. The capabilities that power global live sports broadcasts – real-time data transmission, ultra-low latency, and seamless scalability – are now being applied to mission-critical business environments. Whether it’s a bank processing millions of secure transactions, an e-commerce platform navigating peak consumer traffic, a smart city monitoring live surveillance feeds, or a healthcare provider managing petabytes of imaging data – the demands remain the same – speed, security and scale. And the solution lies in building an intelligent, resilient digital backbone.

At the core of this transformation lies a seamless Digital Fabric – connecting fans to the sport, enterprises to customers, and people to moments that matter the most. Just like in sport, success in business today is measured in milliseconds. Our seamless Digital Fabric connects enterprises to outcomes, enabling intelligent, resilient systems that adapt to every play, pivot, and performance peak.

Find out more about Tata Communications Digital Fabric here.

The post Powering Formula 1 and Cricket – The Digital Velocity Behind the Magic appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As with any powerful tool, there are new risks, particularly in the hands of malicious actors. As we integrate AI into cybersecurity frameworks, we must strike a careful balance – leveraging its capabilities while addressing its potential dangers. Here, I’ll explore AI’s impact on cybersecurity and analyse what organisations can do to protect themselves using a thoughtful business approach.

The Bright Side: AI’s Transformative Impact on Cybersecurity

AI is quickly becoming an invaluable asset for cybersecurity professionals. It provides the automation, speed, and efficiency necessary to keep up with the increasingly complex landscape of cyber threats. Perhaps the most revolutionary application of AI lies in incident response. Traditionally, incident response teams worked tirelessly to detect, analyse, and mitigate cyberattacks. But the adoption of “Virtual AI SOC analysts,” which are AI-powered systems designed to augment or automate certain tasks, means that alert triage, threat detection, and vulnerability assessment can be done instantaneously. This significantly reduces response times and human error to improve the level of security posture for businesses.

Large language models have the unique ability to sift through vast amounts of data by analysing network traffic and user behaviour at a scale and speed that would be impossible for human analysts to replicate. This is particularly effective at identifying new attack vectors which might otherwise go unnoticed until exploited by an attacker.

AI also plays a critical role in vulnerability management. By analysing data from various sources, such as security scans, system logs, and threat intelligence reports, AI can automatically prioritise security vulnerabilities based on potential risk. It can simulate attack scenarios to assess the impact of an attack, recommending patches and fixes with a level of precision and speed unmatched by human teams.

The Dark Side: How AI Fuels Cyber Threats

Despite its transformative potential, AI also poses significant risks. Just as it helps defenders, it can equally empower attackers, leading to more sophisticated cyberattacks. AI’s ability to process social media profiles and personal information means that malicious attackers can create personalised phishing scams or convincing deepfake videos. The realism of these scams makes them far more difficult to detect than originally thought.

In the cybersecurity landscape, we’ve seen an increase in new types of malwares. Traditional malware development requires manual coding, but with AI, attackers can rapidly generate malicious code that changes its form to avoid detection by security systems. This adaptability makes it much harder for traditional security teams to keep up with evolving threats.

AI can also be used to automate attack strategies to exploit known vulnerabilities across multiple targets in a matter of minutes. Attackers can launch widespread campaigns with greater speed and efficiency, targeting critical infrastructure to significantly increase the risk to businesses.

Even as these threats become more sophisticated, traditional cybersecurity methods are struggling to keep pace. The speed at which attackers can create and deploy new types of malware strategies leaves businesses constantly playing catch-up. The result is an ever-escalating arms race between defenders and attackers, with each side leveraging increasingly advanced AI tools.

The Risks of Over-Reliance and Ethical Considerations

As this innovative technology has become more integrated into cybersecurity within the last two years, some businesses have started to over-rely on AI. While the capabilities of these systems are impressive, they are fallible. AI models are only as good as the data they are trained on, and they can make mistakes or fail to recognise attack methods. Human oversight remains essential to ensure that AI’s responses are in line with best practices and ethical standards.

Data privacy remains a significant concern when deploying AI in cybersecurity. While it can be used positively, for example, to develop anonymised data security models, the negative impact is greater. AI models used for training can pose privacy challenges or if AI data sets contain bias, this can be reflected in the outputs.

To mitigate these risks, organisations must implement strong data privacy and security guidelines, addressing data encryption, access controls, and conduct regular security audits. But striking the balance between innovation and security can be difficult; the way around this is to embed security in the development process and adopt a risk-based approach, implementing a culture of security and continuous monitoring.

Navigating the Balance: How to Leverage AI Safely

While the risks associated with AI are significant, they can be mitigated with a thoughtful approach to its integration into cybersecurity strategies. For cybersecurity professionals, it’s critical to integrate AI in a way that complements traditional security measures rather than replace them. This, with regular audits of AI systems, can help identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

For businesses to stay protected, they need to prioritise data quality and security. By choosing transparent AI models and tools that provide insights into how they make decisions, building robust defences with LLM firewalls, and investing in people training and education, businesses can reach a greater level of security.

For businesses to thrive, organisations must consider ethical risks, regulatory oversight and the importance of human expertise which is essential in ensuring that AI serves as a force for good in the ongoing battle against cyber threats. The future of cybersecurity depends on our ability to embrace innovation while safeguarding privacy and security.

The post Dual-Edged Sword of AI: Driving Cybersecurity, Unleashing New Threats appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The benefits of video analytics are manifold and span across sectors such as ‘retail, manufacturing, transportation and smart cities’ to name a few providing comprehensive and insightful data. Aiding this growth in particular is the global retail sector which is undergoing a complete transformation and India is steadily catching up.

An EY report, notes that Gen AI could potentially elevate the retail sector’s profitability by 20% and investment in the sector to soar to US$31 billion by 2028.

While e-commerce has witnessed phenomenal growth, traditional brick-and-mortar stores continue to hold significant sway. Also, customers now want the convenience of online shopping with the tangible benefits of physical stores. To bring this to fruition, video analytics is a much-needed tool to enhance customer experience. It has the potential to redefine customer experiences and optimise store operations. Today, enterprises are only beginning to realise the potential of video analytics and when powered by AI, the benefits of video analytics are multiple, and can be implemented across various business sizes.

In the retail sector for example, the future is closer than we think. Consider you enter a store today, you are personally attended to, the store’s Wi-Fi sends you a list of products that are on sale/discount, you are spoilt for choice and have an array of products to choose from. All of this is possible through a seamless digital fabric that enables the customer journey end to end and exhibits how technology has evolved. At the core of all this is the IoT Fabric – where it analyses a number of things and curates a personalised shopping experience.

Elevating in-store experience and streamlining backend operations

According to PwC, 60% of shoppers prioritise convenience over price. Video analytics offers a deeper understanding of customer behaviour and preferences. Through advanced algorithms and the integration of video management systems with edge computing, retailers gain additional insights such as customer reactions to a particular type of product, advertisements, insights driven from shopping patterns to detecting the specific products customers pick followed by their subsequent facial reactions. This intelligence empowers businesses to streamline operations, optimise workflows and facilitate real-time interventions, even in remote locations, thereby enhancing overall shopping experience. By optimising staffing based on peak shopping hours, retailers can reduce wait times and improve customer satisfaction. Additionally, analysing customer dwell times in different store sections helps identify popular products and optimise product placement for better navigation and increased sales.

The implementation of “smart shelves” equipped with sensors takes this concept further. Smart shelves track availability real time, enabling efficient inventory management. Recognising the challenges of human decision-making and attention span, video analytics can even enhance safety and security. The need for improved security and safety has been a key driver for the rise of video analytics solutions, providing automated monitoring that safeguards customers and staff while ensuring safety compliance standards.

Hence it is evident that video analytics not only enhances customer experiences but also optimises cost and makes backend offerings more efficient by weaving various digital information threads across camera infrastructure, video management systems, cloud and edge computing, video analytics and existing enterprise applications to create a robust visual IoT fabric.

Video analytics can further revolutionise backend operations by integrating with the existing CCTV infrastructure. Retailers can automate the detection of abandoned carts or identify when cash counters are unmanned, allowing for timely interventions, creating a smooth shopping experience. Additionally, video analytics empowers retailers to create more engaging and efficient stores, fostering customer loyalty and optimising sales performance.

A leading clothing retailer recently adopted video analytics to improve the overall shopping experience. By analysing shoppers’ behaviour, they discovered that customers often struggled to find specific items during peak hours. The retailer used this data to adjust staff deployment, ensuring more employees were present to assist customers during busy times. As a result, customer satisfaction increased, leading up to 10% boost in sales during peak hours. What stores essentially need are tailored, future-proof solutions with easy integration and an end-to-end managed services across technologies.

While retailers and other business collect data it is vital that they adhere to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and store the data and images accordingly.

It’s time to up the ante

As India continues to shop, integrating video analytics into retail operations has become crucial and retailers have to lead with a data-centric approach to enhance all-round value. As video continues to proliferate across industries, trusted video management and analytics platforms will become a necessity for companies wanting to leverage video to be cheaper, better, and more impactful across segments like retail, financial services, and healthcare. These AI-based solutions provide the insights, scalability, and ease-of-use needed to truly capture the value of the visual medium.

However, given, India’s vast geographical spread and varying levels of internet connectivity, implementing these technologies can impede the adoption of such new technologies. Moreover, a significant portion of the retail workforce lacks the digital literacy required to fully leverage advanced digital tools. Research suggests that 8 out of 10 jobs today require digital literacy and a majority of these are inching towards demanding outright digital fluency in order to truly realise the potential of the technologies available. Overcoming these barriers is essential in today’s hyperconnected world. We need to create a cohesive retail environment that meets modern consumer expectations, driving the nation’s retail sector towards global competitiveness.

Tata Communications Video Based IoT platform offers comprehensive monitoring, reporting and alerting features. It is a natural extension of Tata Communications IoT offerings for safety, security and efficiency for customers in the Industrial and Smart City segments. Our Video based IoT offering has evolved with enhancements and customer feedback and can integrate readily available models for new use cases without building them from scratch and has drastically reduced time to market.

It has transformed standard surveillance across smart cities, aiding in reducing crimes, vandalism and improving overall social situations in Smart Cities, across the country.

Here’s how Tata Communications is crafting and leading a people-first, planet-first industrial revolution – IIoT

The post The Power of Video Analytics in Enhancing Customer Experiences appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

However, companies today face a paradox regarding digitisation: they must continue investing in technologies like the Cloud and Artificial Intelligence to drive transformation and growth while simultaneously reducing costs to remain competitive.

A rush to adopt the latest technology trends means organisations are not using technology effectively. This includes dealing with technical debt from hasty investments, or managing digital workplace licences acquired during the pandemic for remote work, which are now underutilised in hybrid work models.

By rethinking their approach to ‘cost-cutting’ and instead embracing cost transformation techniques across key areas, businesses can position themselves for a future defined by agility, innovation, and sustained growth. There are four areas I encourage businesses to focus on.

Cloud Technology and Scaling

Cloud technology provides the flexibility and scalability businesses need to thrive in competitive markets. A decade ago, on-premise and upfront investments was standard; today, cloud-based solutions enable organisations to control costs and drive innovation. However, determining what should be migrated to the cloud and understanding the usage implications can be challenging. The risk lies in migrating everything, which can lead to rising usage costs.

The issue is compounded when businesses rely on a single cloud system. Adopting a multi-cloud approach allows businesses to tailor their infrastructure to meet specific industry, customer, and regulatory requirements. This improves cost predictability and reduces risk by shifting from capital expenditure (CAPEX) to operational expenditure (OPEX). Multi-cloud environments also enable businesses to build agile security and network ecosystems, enhancing resilience and responsiveness to market changes.

Workplace Management

Effective workplace management is crucial to enhancing employee experience and productivity, both of which are key drivers of cost transformation.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital workplace solutions, but many organisations now face the challenge of optimising these tools for hybrid work models. For example, modern workplace solutions like unified communications and collaboration (UCC) tools can aid businesses in streamlining their operations, boost employee morale, and increase productivity.

Enabling employees to work efficiently from any location helps with fostering a culture of flexibility and inclusivity, and companies can further enhance their operations by integrating UCC tools with their current IT systems to develop a seamless and efficient work environment.

Customer Experience Platforms

 Customer experience (CX) platforms are essential for delivering personalised interactions and driving cost efficiency. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming the way both society and businesses operate, with 65% of businesses reporting that their organisations are regularly using Generative AI (McKinsey Global Survey, 2024).

Integrating AI and automation with CX platforms enhances service processes and uncovers opportunities for upselling products. For example, self-service options powered by AI reduce customer enquiry resolution time. By providing advanced analytics and deeper insights into customer behaviour, AI can enable businesses to tailor their services more effectively to improve customer satisfaction, streamline processes, and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Network and Connectivity

A secure, scalable, and flexible network is essential for supporting new technologies. Solutions such as SD-WAN and SASE can help businesses manage network traffic efficiently, improve application performance, and significantly reduce costs.

These networking solutions also improve security by offering businesses comprehensive control over network traffic visibility, ensuring data protection, regulatory compliance, consistent performance and reliability.

Embracing cost transformation techniques and leveraging the right technology can play a vital role in helping businesses optimise costs while at the same time driving innovation and growth.

The post Balancing Tech Investment and Cost Transformation in Turbulent Times appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

AI and transformation are here to stay, impacting every aspect of life. Emerging technologies, including AI, focus on efficient operations, environmental sustainability, and optimised performance.

As AI scales, it faces challenges like latency, privacy issues, and network bandwidth constraints.

Enter edge computing, which addresses these challenges by processing data near the ‘edge’ of a network, closer to where data is generated. This improves response times, saves bandwidth, and tackles privacy and security concerns.

Taking AI to ‘Cutting Edge’

By implementing AI at the edge, we can tackle challenges head-on, especially in applications requiring rapid data processing with stringent latency and availability demands. Additionally, it addresses privacy and security concerns by keeping sensitive data in a more localised and secure environment.

Despite its benefits, only 65% of companies worldwide use edge computing, although 83% believe it’s essential to stay competitive. With global spending on edge computing projected to rise by 15.4% from 2023 to $232 billion in 2024, it’s clear that edge computing is not just a trend but a crucial investment.

The cloud versus edge computing debate is intensifying. Enterprises realise that running all applications on the cloud is no longer feasible due to cost, latency, and uptime constraints. Edge computing is poised to become mainstream, offering agility, speed, and lower latency.

The power of  edge computing exists in its ability to minimise reliance on centralised servers, reducing energy consumption and latency, by bringing computational capabilities closer to the data sources, and focusing on local processing to ensure data privacy.

The Next Step in Our Digitalisation

For many, digitalisation is a long and challenging journey, with edge computing playing a significant but not exclusive role.

To deploy edge computing effectively, organisations must evaluate their data needs, determine the proper balance of tools, and answer key questions about data usage. Edge computing is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it serves as a complementary function to the cloud, expediting the delivery of real-time digital services.

Organisations may differ in their needs for processing real-time data, in the volume and variety of data, connectivity and bandwidth limitations to name a few. Edge computing is highly customisable – its flexibility begins with the hardware options available.

In healthcare, for instance, edge computing emerges as an invaluable asset for efficiency and privacy. Processing data locally ensures the security of patient information, while delivering right-time notifications to practitioners offers insights into unusual patient trends or behaviours. The creation of 360-degree view patient dashboards provides practitioners with comprehensive visibility, elevating the quality of healthcare.

When integrated strategically, edge computing can drive greater returns on investment, enhance security and resilience, and enable faster data processing. As AI accelerates data growth, organisations must balance data costs and performance. Edge computing will play a central role in building the digital fabric of enterprises, providing the competitive edge businesses need to thrive.

Edge computing represents a pivotal evolution in IT infrastructure, catering to the need for speed in our hyperconnected world. It extends its influence beyond manufacturing and smart factories, shaping the future of retail shop floor experiences and contributing to the ongoing evolution of smart cities. It’s a powerhouse driving innovation across diverse realms from monitoring mental well-being to preserving the environment, revolutionizing healthcare, shaping the metaverse and fine-tuning precision agriculture etc.

As AI continues to accelerate data growth, organisations will face the challenge of balancing data costs and performance. With IoT bringing more devices and functions online, edge computing is poised to play an increasingly central role in building the digital fabric of enterprises.

Edge computing is ushering in a future where innovation serves as a catalyst for positive change. It marks a profound shift in our technological landscape, propelling us into a hyperconnected era where speed, precision, and real-time responsiveness define new standards across industries. From nurturing our minds to cultivating the land, edge computing emerges as a transformative force, redefining the way we live, work, and connect.

Edge computing is not just the future; it’s the competitive edge businesses need today to thrive in a hyper-connected ecosystem.

From enabling real-time analytics at the edge for instant decision-making to ensuring secure and scalable deployment of edge applications, Tata Communications CloudLyte unlocks boundless possibilities that empowers your business to thrive in a data-driven world. Click here to know more.

The post Gaining the Edge (Literally!) Through Edge Computing appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Shifting Consumer Preferences Globally, two-thirds of consumers engage with sports regularly, but the platforms they use vary. Younger audiences (18-34) favour social media and streaming platforms, with social media engagement twice as high for this group compared to older viewers. In contrast, traditional live TV remains dominant among fans aged 55 and over, especially in North America and Europe. Streaming is surging, with U.S. viewers projected to surpass 90 million by 2025, up from 57 million in 2021. On-demand viewing, and customizable experiences are also shaping preferences, with streaming platforms offering tailored options like camera angle selection and real-time stats. As linear TV declines, broadcasters must adapt to this new era of flexible and interactive sports consumption.

Emerging Technologies

AI is transforming sports broadcasting, automating workflows, delivering personalized highlight reels, and providing real-time analytics. By 2025, AI is expected to play a central role in live sports production, enhancing both operational efficiency and the viewer experience.

Immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are also gaining traction, enabling fans to experience stadium-like views from anywhere. Streaming platforms are leveraging these tools to offer customizable options, such as switching camera angles or accessing live stats, broadening the reach of sports broadcasting and engaging new audiences.

Growth of Women’s Sports

Women’s sports are experiencing a surge in popularity. Leagues such as the NWSL and WNBA are breaking viewership records, reflecting growing demand for diverse sports coverage. The 2025 Rugby World Cup in England is set to be a milestone event for women’s rugby, boosting global visibility and grassroots participation.

Broadcasters and streaming platforms are investing in dedicated coverage, creating opportunities to tap into an enthusiastic and growing fan base. The rise of women’s sports is not just an inclusive shift but a business opportunity to engage new audiences and expand market reach.

Challenges for Traditional Broadcasters

Traditional broadcasters face mounting challenges as streaming platforms secure exclusive rights to high-profile events, such as Amazon’s deal for NFL’s Thursday Night Football and Netflix’s deal to show Christmas Day NFL games in the UK. The shift from live linear TV to on-

demand streaming is blurring the lines of consumption, with audiences now expecting flexible, multi-platform options.

Strategic collaborations are offering potential solutions. Disney+, for instance, has integrated ESPN content, appealing to a broader audience by combining entertainment and sports. However, balancing high production costs with audience expectations remains a challenge. To stay competitive, traditional broadcasters must innovate and partner strategically in this rapidly changing landscape.

Predicted Trends for 2025

AI will continue to shape sports broadcasting, from automating highlight creation to delivering personalized experiences. Immersive technologies like AR and VR will further transform fan engagement, creating interactive, stadium-like experiences accessible from home.

Streaming platforms are also redefining broadcasting rights. Apple TV’s acquisition of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB) rights demonstrates the dominance of digital-first platforms in securing major events. Additionally, the rise of customizable multi-channel streaming is expanding access to niche sports and regional events, creating opportunities for broader audience engagement.

The future of sports broadcasting is being shaped by technology, adaptability, and a focus on audience engagement. As AI, immersive technologies, and customizable streaming redefine the industry, broadcasters must evolve to meet new expectations.

The rise of women’s sports, the demand for tailored viewing experiences, and shifting broadcasting rights present both challenges and opportunities. Those who embrace these changes will not only capture diverse, tech-savvy audiences but also transform the sports viewing experience for years to come. The game is changing – and 2025 promises to deliver a more dynamic, inclusive, and immersive era of sports broadcasting.

Find out more about how we are driving the future of media here.

The post Game On: What 2025 Holds for the Future of Sports Broadcasting appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Below, we explore five key trends that are set to transform customer engagement, helping businesses unlock new opportunities for growth and loyalty.

1. Streamlined shopping with Conversational AI

Conversational AI is revolutionising the way businesses interact with customers, merging convenience with security. Unified and encrypted channels such as WhatsApp are leading the charge, streamlining the customer journey from product discovery to payment and post-sales support.

96% users believe that businesses that use chatbots take good care of their customers, according to a survey by Tidio. In addition to AI bots, automation is expanding its adoption to other use cases as well, including programmable interactions and AI-driven data insights. Together, these will bring significant time and cost savings for both consumers and the brands.

Brands need to offer intuitive, round-the-clock engagement, powered by AI-driven automation that can answer queries, process payments, and resolve issues in real time. For example, WhatsApp’s end-to-end messaging, encryption and integrated payment systems ensure a safe and seamless transaction experience, even for complex purchases.

By analysing customer behaviour and buying patterns, businesses can tailor interactions to individual preferences, fostering loyalty and trust. This trend is especially valuable for e-commerce and retail businesses, where personalised recommendations and smooth transactions can significantly boost conversion rates.

That’s where our Kaleyra AI portfolio comes in. Designed to integrate effortlessly with communication channels and live agent interfaces, Kaleyra AI, provides advanced features that allow users to leverage conversational generative AI to provide a competitive edge through streamlined, personalised and highly engaging customer interactions.

2. Data-driven insights will boost hyper-personalised interactions

The demand for hyper-personalisation is greater than ever, as customers increasingly expect interactions that cater to their specific needs and preferences. Artificial intelligence enables businesses to go beyond basic personalisation by analysing customer profiles, purchasing histories, and behavioural patterns to deliver highly relevant recommendations.

Voice assistants and chatbots are central to this evolution. They not only provide tailored suggestions but also simplify complex queries, turning them into actionable insights. For example, a chatbot could interpret a vague request like, “I need a mid-budget gift for a teenager” and provide precise, curated options.

This level of customisation ensures that customers feel understood and valued, fostering deeper emotional connections and long-term loyalty. Businesses that master hyper-personalisation will stand out in competitive markets, especially in sectors like retail, hospitality, and financial services.

3. Increasing focus on turning ‘Bad’ interactions into ‘Great’ ones

Frustrating customer experiences, such as repeatedly explaining the same issue, can quickly erode trust. Conversely 93% of customers are likely to make repeat purchases with companies who offer excellent customer service, according to HubSpot.  Contextual AI addresses this challenge by leveraging historical data and customer intent to streamline interactions.

Imagine a scenario where a customer contacts a support line about a faulty product. Instead of starting from scratch, the system retrieves past interactions and product details, enabling the agent or chatbot to resolve the issue swiftly. This approach not only saves time but also demonstrates that the company values its customers’ time and loyalty.

By eliminating friction points, businesses can turn potentially negative experiences into opportunities to build stronger relationships. Companies that focus on proactive, seamless support will find themselves at the forefront of customer satisfaction.

4. Dismantling of data silos with integrated solutions

Fragmented data is one of the biggest obstacles to delivering a consistent customer experience. In our research with HBR Analytic Services, making interactions more seamless (55%) was top of the list of improvements. When data is scattered across different departments or systems, it becomes difficult to build a holistic view of the customer.

Centralised data ecosystems are emerging as the solution, allowing teams to collaborate and share insights more effectively. Integrated solutions powered by automation can unify disparate data sources, ensuring that businesses can act on real-time information. For example, customer service teams can access purchasing histories, enabling them to offer more relevant and timely support.

Breaking down data silos not only improves operational efficiency but also empowers businesses to deliver a cohesive and personalised experience at every touchpoint. In a competitive landscape, this capability can make all the difference.

5. Data privacy and trust will be competitive differentiators

In an era where data breaches and privacy concerns dominate headlines, trust has become a critical factor in customer retention. Businesses must prioritise transparent and secure data practices to reassure customers that their information is safe.

Adopting robust compliance frameworks and leveraging advanced data protection tools are essential steps in this direction. Beyond mere compliance, companies must communicate their commitment to privacy in ways that resonate with customers. Transparency about how data is collected, stored, and used can build confidence and loyalty.

Brands that position themselves as trustworthy custodians of customer data will gain a significant advantage. As consumers increasingly factor privacy into their purchasing decisions, this trend will be a key differentiator across industries.

As we move into 2025, the landscape of customer interaction technology is evolving rapidly. Businesses that embrace these trends will not only meet but exceed customer expectations, positioning themselves as leaders in their respective industries.

From conversational AI and hyper-personalisation to data privacy and breaking down silos, these innovations are redefining how organisations connect with their audiences. By investing in these technologies, businesses can create meaningful, efficient, and secure interactions that foster loyalty and drive growth.

The future of customer engagement is here, and it’s driven by innovation, trust, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Are you ready to lead the charge?

Find out more about how Tata Communications can improve your customer interactions here.

The post Redefining Engagement: Tech-Driven Trends Shaping Customer Interaction appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As these technologies continue to evolve, industries are transforming in the blink of an eye.

One of the most significant advancements behind this transformation is edge computing – a paradigm reshaping how data is handled and utilized, marking not just a technological advancement but a shift in data processing. Unlike traditional cloud computing, which relies on centralized data centers, edge computing processes data closer to where it is generated, at or near the “edge” of the network. Companies that proactively embrace this shift are poised to enhance operational efficiencies, drive innovation and maintain a competitive advantage in the increasingly interconnected world.

Driving the Future: How Edge Computing Benefits the Connected Car Evolution

Imagine yourself in your brand-new connected car, fully equipped with real-time navigation, enhanced infotainment systems, seamless over-the-air updates and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for safety features like collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control.

All these features are enabled by edge computing.

Edge computing devices like sensors continuously monitor the car’s performance, sending data back to the cloud for real-time analysis. This allows for early detection of potential issues, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and enabling proactive maintenance. As a result, the vehicle is more reliable and efficient, with reduced downtime.

Each sensor relies on a hyperconnected network that seamlessly integrates data-driven intelligence, real-time analytics and insights through an edge-to-cloud continuum – an interconnected ecosystem spanning diverse cloud services and technologies across various environments. By processing data at the edge, within the vehicle, the amount of data transmitted to the cloud is reduced. This optimizes network bandwidth, reduces strain on networks, and lowers connectivity costs for manufacturers and users.

Edge computing is reshaping how vehicles operate, communicate and enhance the driving experience.

Sparking the Retail Revolution with Edge Computing

The retail and consumer goods industries are also experiencing a shift driven by edge computing. This technology empowers enterprises with real-time data analysis to create tailored recommendations and targeted ads, manage inventory, and identify any potential disruptions from complex supply chains. It also enables product customization to meet individual customer demands, allowing retailers to adapt to ever-evolving consumer expectations.

Imagine a world where a customer enters a retail store and seamlessly connects to the store’s app via high-speed technologies like SD-WAN or broadband internet. They receive a personalized welcome message and receive instant product recommendations based on their preferences. Throughout their shopping journey, smart beacons leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and location tracking technologies, guide them to relevant aisles, creating a personalized shopping experience. The customer then engages with innovative retail technologies such as smart mirrors, visualizing clothing items based on preferences without physical try-ons. After making their selections, they proceed to a checkout experience facilitated by frictionless payment systems, completing their shopping journey seamlessly and efficiently.

“Edge computing is shaping the future of retail by processing data closer to the point of interaction, ensuring real-time responsiveness and delivering hyper-personalized services and immersive shopping experiences in real-time.”

The Power of a Digital Fabric

No matter the industry, edge computing and cloud technology require a reliable, scalable and global hyperconnected network – a digital fabric – to deliver operational and innovative benefits to businesses and create new value and experiences for customers. A digital fabric is pivotal in shaping the future of infrastructure. It ensures that businesses can leverage the full potential of edge and cloud technologies by supporting the anticipated surge in network traffic, meeting growing connectivity demands, and addressing complex security requirements.

As digital environments become increasingly intricate and cybersecurity threats become more sophisticated, a well-designed network fabric is critical. It provides the necessary resilience and agility to safeguard sensitive information against breaches, ensure data integrity, and maintain operational continuity. By facilitating a seamless integration between edge and cloud systems, the digital fabric not only enhances overall system performance but enriches experiences for customers across diverse sectors – like automotive and retail.

The Future of Edge Computing and AI

As edge computing continues to evolve, the integration of AI processing at the edge is set to redefine the landscape of data management and operational efficiency. By enabling advanced AI algorithms to run directly on edge devices, businesses can achieve real-time insights and responsive decision-making capabilities that were previously unattainable. This shift not only enhances the speed and accuracy of data processing but also reduces the reliance on centralized cloud infrastructure for immediate data needs.

Looking ahead, the synergy between edge computing and cloud systems will continue to become increasingly seamless. Edge devices will collaborate with cloud applications and back-office systems to create a hybrid setup that improves data handling and flexibility, while data processed locally at the edge will be synced with the cloud for long-term storage, detailed analysis, and integration with larger systems. This connectivity will ensure that businesses benefit from the best of both worlds: the immediacy and efficiency of edge processing combined with the scalability and extensive capabilities of AI cloud environments.

Learn more about how Tata Communications is supporting industry leading edge use cases here.

The post The Transformative Potential of Edge Computing appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Those who build and manage hyperconnected ecosystems will be better positioned to lead in their industries by leveraging synergies between AI, cloud, and other technologies to deliver enhanced customer experience, improve operational efficiencies, and increase agility. Enterprises will need partners to simplify and manage the complexity of these systems to fully realise their potential.

Investment in Quantum Technologies

As traditional computing faces limitations, quantum computing is emerging as a critical area for investment. Companies are encouraged to develop quantum-ready solutions to prepare for this next wave of technological advancement. Companies are looking into Quantum communication technologies, particularly QKD, which allows secure communication channels that are theoretically immune to eavesdropping. This application is crucial for industries requiring high levels of data security, such as finance and healthcare. As quantum computers pose a threat to current encryption methods, organisations are focused on developing quantum-resilient algorithms that can protect data against potential quantum attacks.

Digital Trust Initiatives: Cybersecurity Enhancements

“According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach has reached approximately $4.88 million, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.”

With increasing reliance on digital technologies, enhancing cybersecurity measures has become paramount.”Organisations are focusing on building digital trust through robust security frameworks to protect sensitive data. The adoption of Zero Trust Architecture continues to gain traction as organisations move away from traditional perimeter-based security models. This approach requires continuous verification of all users and devices attempting to access resources, minimising the risk of unauthorised access. As organisations increasingly rely on cloud services, vulnerabilities in cloud environments have surged. There has been a notable increase in cloud intrusions, highlighting the need for robust cloud security measures and continuous monitoring.

AI Clouds Redefining the Infrastructure Behind Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs

These AI clouds will not only provide critical resources for innovation but also democratise access to cutting-edge AI technologies. In 2025, we will see accelerated investments in AI clouds aimed at addressing the growing need for robust infrastructure that supports complex machine learning algorithms, generative AI, and data-intensive operations.<

By offering scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient solutions, they will enable businesses of all sizes to harness AI’s transformative potential. For enterprises, AI clouds represent more than just a technical resource. From enhancing predictive analytics and automating workflows to personalising customer experiences, organisations will increasingly rely on these ecosystems to drive efficiencies and foster innovation. However, to maximise the impact, businesses must carefully navigate challenges such as interoperability data security, and regulatory compliance while partnering with providers that offer seamless integration and support.

Role of Edge Computing in Enabling Hyperconnectivity

According to IDC, by 2026, 60% of enterprises will leverage enhanced edge security, AI-enabled automation, and optimised operational efficiency by adopting “as-a-service” models for SD-WAN and security. The rise of edge computing will define 2025, offering more efficient and cost-effective solutions by decentralising computing power, reducing dependence on centralised data centres, and enhancing performance across networks. As businesses recognise that the cloud alone cannot meet real-time performance and cost demands, edge computing will gain traction.

Read here how Tata Communications is powering hyperconnected ecosystems.

The post Tech trends that will shape 2025: Amitabh Sarkar appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Beyond the Boardroom

In a pioneering initiative, titled ‘Beyond the Boardroom’, we engaged 11 senior leaders in a hands-on CSR project in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. The unique programme aimed to provide our leaders with a comprehensive overview of our CSR efforts, the communities we support, the opportunity to connect directly with local NGOs and partners, and experience the way of life, local cuisine etc.

Over two immersive days, our leaders stepped away from boardroom discussions about business strategy, net promoter scores and balance sheets to participate in meaningful work on ground that improved access to clean energy and health services in Tura district, through solar electrification and the distribution of clean cookstoves.

Leaders on a Mission

Congregating from across cities and leaving behind their designations and roles, the leaders joined other volunteers to truly embody the spirit of service.

Divided into small groups, they participated in two primary activities: Assembling and installing solar panels, followed by connecting these panels to batteries and installing lights in local households.

In Mandal Nokat, West Garo Hills, they distributed efficient, low smoke cookstoves to 26 households, replacing their traditional chulhas (mud stoves). This involved hands-on work like dismantling the chulha and moulding the soft mud into a sturdy base for the clean cookstove that would significantly improve the air quality for families. The team not only installed these stoves but also educated beneficiaries on their operations and benefits.

Lessons from Leaders
It was inspiring to see leaders shed their VP and AVP badges and work alongside the local folk, sweating under the sun, hammering nails into bamboo frames and fitting lights without hesitation.

There were no spreadsheets, no Teams calls, and no elaborate planning — just pure camaraderie, adaptability, and a shared mission of spreading joy.

Leaders went the extra mile, literally, walking to far-flung homes to ensure that every household was reached — a reflection of the same commitment they show in solving customer challenges. The natural bonding that unfolded illustrated that true leadership transcends titles and manifests through action and empathy. It was truly a day beyond the boardroom —one that required a different strategy focussed on spreading happiness.

Satri Ch. Sangma, a beneficiary adds, “We are very grateful to Tata Communications leadership team for giving us light. Our village now feels like a city, actually, even better because other villages often face power cuts, but our solar lights are always on. I am able to work late into the night at home. These solar lights are everything for me, allowing me to work without worry. Thank you so much”.

Making an impact

Through the initiative, leaders were able to gain invaluable insights and perspectives while making a meaningful impact. In all, 13 households were electrified with around 78 lights installed, along with two main streetlights at the village intersections.

Till date, Tata Communications has supported:

• The solar electrification of 607 households (benefitting over 3,000 people) and 13 Primary healthcare centres (serving over 10,000 people) in the Garo Hills region.
• 15,850 households to transition to smart cookstoves, improving nearly 62,000 lives. This has resulted in a 50% reduction in firewood consumption and saved villagers an estimated 10 hours per week in firewood collection.

Over the last few years, Tata Communications has witnessed significant transformations within these communities. The positive response from residents embracing sustainable living practices reaffirms our commitment to CSR initiatives. This is just one of many outreach activities where our CSR team engages meaningfully with local communities. The feedback from our efforts has been overwhelmingly optimistic as we prepare to DRIVE AHEAD with more impactful initiatives.

Stay tuned for more updates on our CSR programmes and do check more details in our Annual Report. Together we can make a difference!

The post Mission Meghalaya: Leadership in Action, Beyond the Boardroom appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Earlier this year, Gartner identified influential cybersecurity security trends for 2024, ranging from growing third party risk management to innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI). As the world becomes even more connected, cybersecurity has become a business imperative, with enterprises more committed to staying ahead of the curve. So, it’s time to evaluate how these trends have unfolded and what the future holds.

Identity-First Security and the Power of Zero-Trust 

Identity is the new perimeter. With users accessing data from multiple locations and devices, robust identity and access management (IAM) is vital. Zero Trust architecture, requiring continual user identity validation before granting access, is key to making this strategy work. We encourage integrating IAM across infrastructures for a seamless, secure user experience while ensuring stringent protection. Behavioural analytics is also crucial to the Zero Trust model. By consistently monitoring user behaviour, we can identify irregularities and address any suspicious actions, thereby upholding Zero Trust principles. 

Metrics for Success and Return on Investment 

Gartner points out an increasing emphasis on outcome-driven metrics for cybersecurity success. Though it’s not a new concept, this approach has gained greater importance in recent years. We’ve had many conversations with customers, exploring and explaining ROI on their security investments. Key metrics like reduced mean time to detect and respond, and false-positive reduction rate, help measure success. 

However, the challenge is in conveying technical metrics to non-IT leaders. Instead of discussing mean time to detect (MTTD), explain it as ‘the average time it takes to identify a potential threat.’ Recent high-profile cybersecurity incidents such as the CrowdStrike outage demonstrates that, even as we have advanced so far within the industry, the importance of communicating strategies and situations clearly in the boardroom still needs to be stressed.  

Balancing Risks and Opportunities of GenAI 

Generative AI (GenAI) remains a major area of interest in technology, with companies across every sector looking to leverage the benefits. In cybersecurity, GenAI offers remarkable potential for automating tasks like threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management. AI-enabled incident response is especially exciting, as ‘virtual analysts’ replicate human actions to respond more quickly and efficiently.  

However, the same technology that empowers defenders also fuels attackers. GenAI has the capability to enhance advanced phishing tactics and automate the creation of malware, increasing the level of threat complexity. Considering the questions around the privacy of GenAI is vital to ensuring businesses can leverage its benefits safely. Organisations must have the suitable governance mechanisms to handle emerging technologies so that they are able to identify and measure the risks with agility. We must balance the benefits of AI while addressing its risks, with privacy being a top priority to ensure AI systems protect sensitive data. 

Human-centric Security 

Cybersecurity presents a challenge that is both human and technological. Gartner’s call for human-centric security design aligns with our long-held belief; that most breaches stem from human error, whether misconfiguration or phishing. At Tata Communications, we’ve fostered a culture of cybersecurity awareness through comprehensive employee training. 

“Security responsibility must extend beyond the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to every business unit. By embedding ‘Security Champions’ across departments, organisations can decentralise efforts, spread accountability, alleviate pressure on leaders and address the growing skills gap.” 

Addressing Unavoidable Third-Party Risks 

One of Gartner’s compelling viewpoints is that third-party cybersecurity risks are almost unavoidable. In today’s hyperconnected world, no business can function independently and every ecosystem is tightly linked. Through assessing the level of access organisations are giving to third party systems, such as analysing the processes for authenticating and sharing data, businesses, can isolate cybersecurity threats.  

At Tata Communications, we conduct continuous third-party assessments, ensuring vendors adhere to rigorous security standards. Still, no system is foolproof, and strong internal controls are essential to minimise the damage from third-party vulnerabilities. 

Cybersecurity today extends beyond safeguarding systems; it revolves around maintaining trust. As industries merge IT with traditional OT systems and adopt emerging technologies like GenAI, the landscape of threats grows increasingly intricate. Tackling these issues, such as human errors and risks posed by third parties, is crucial as we progress toward 2025 and future horizons.  

Find out more about our Cybersecurity solutions here.

The post Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in 2024: Trust is Key. appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

However, despite the availability of these apps, a very small set of workers use them for outbound dialing, preferring the native dialers on their mobile phones. This preference highlights a critical gap in the market – the need for a solution that integrates seamlessly with the devices employees already use and trust.

Customer Pain Points: The Enterprise Mobile Dilemma

The rise of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies has further complicated the enterprise communication landscape. A Mordor Intelligence report estimates the BYOD Market size at USD 114.09 billion in 2024 and expects it to grow at 15.89% CAGR, reaching USD 238.49 billion by 2029. While BYOD policies equip employees with operational flexibility, the lack of security, privacy, and compliance in calls made on personal phone numbers can restrain the BYOD market. Employees are accustomed to using their native dialers and are reluctant to switch to unfamiliar apps for business communication. This reluctance poses significant challenges for enterprises, including:

• Security and Compliance: Business calls made on personal numbers are not secure, private, or compliant.
• User Experience: Employees prefer the convenience and familiarity of their native dialers.
• Integration: There is a strong demand for mobile phones to be fully integrated into corporate communication platforms.

How Webex Go Addresses These Challenges

Webex Go is an industry-first business calling solution that adds a Webex Calling phone number as a second line on a user’s personal mobile phone. This innovative approach combines the best of both worlds – the convenience and reliability of a native calling application with the privacy, security, and compliance of a mobile collaboration app.

Key Features and Benefits:

1. 1. Seamless Integration: Webex Go integrates with the native dialer on iPhones and Android devices, providing a consistent calling experience without the need to download additional apps.
   2. Enhanced Security and Compliance: Business calls made using Webex Go are secure, compliant, and private. The solution ensures that personal identities and privacy are never compromised.
   3. Centralised Administration: Webex Go devices are managed centrally through the Webex Control Hub, allowing administrators to apply call control, security, and compliance policies effectively.
   4. High-Quality Calls: Users can make and receive high-quality business calls using the cellular network, ensuring reliability and clarity.
   5. Dual Identity Management: Webex Go allows employees to manage personal and business calls on the same device, with separate voicemails and call histories for each line.

Empowering the Hybrid Workforce

Tata Communications, in collaboration with Cisco, is thrilled to introduce Webex Go within in its GlobalRapide for Webex Calling portfolio.

“By enabling business calls on personal mobile phones, Tata Communications and Cisco are helping businesses overcome the challenges of the modern workplace and drive productivity and collaboration in various geographical regions. Tata Communications GlobalRapide’s integration ability, extensive global reach and security/compliance-focus ensures that customers derive all the benefits of fixed-mobile convergence technology.”

In conclusion, Webex Go by Tata Communications GlobalRapide is not just a communication tool; it’s a strategic enabler for businesses looking to thrive in the hybrid work era. With its seamless integration, enhanced security, and user-centric design, the solution is set to redefine enterprise communication and empower employees to stay connected, productive, and secure – no matter where they are.

Click here to Know more about Tata Communications GlobalRapide for Webex.

If you’re an existing Tata Communications customer, upgrading your numbers to enable Native Dialer integration in the US, UK, and France is simpler than you might expect. Please contact your Account Manager for assistance or send an email to globalrapide@tatacommunications.com.

The post Future of Business Communication with Webex Go by Tata Communications appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The global IoT market is projected to grow to $3,352.97 billion by 2030 with the Asia Pacific region leading the way due to rapid infrastructure development and manufacturing growth, where IoT asset tracking is rapidly becoming the standard.

To remain competitive and relevant, manufacturers must strengthen their digital solutions and IoT offerings while integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) at every step. The fusion of IoT-generated data with advanced analytics and AI is seeing transformative implications, making it essential.

The future of IoT emphasises connectivity, security, agility and intelligence. Enterprises require a flexible platform that allows seamless switching between solutions, device integration, and simplified data visualisation for decision making. This platform, enhanced by AI, Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, neutral network technologies, and integration with existing systems, creates a robust digital IoT fabric. This blog details how IoT asset tracking is reshaping global enterprise management of connected assets.

The benefits of IoT asset tracking are undeniable

A Frost and Sullivan report forecasts global IoT spending to reach $79.5 billion. The global logistics sector, in particular, is thriving, with a projected CAGR of 14.0% by 2028. Consequently, most logistics companies are fast-tracking new age technology adoption to expand and boost revenues.

This growth is driven by increased use in smart industries, where analytics and IoT optimise inventory. The technology involves six core components: sensors on equipment, a cloud-based infrastructure, a data ingestion and processing platform, an application for visualising the tracking, a secure network for data transfer and a device for data viewing. Sensors continually transmit location and condition data to the cloud, where it’s processed and presented on a user-friendly software interface.

A crucial aspect of asset tracking is real-time visibility, providing enterprises with unparalleled control. For instance, in e-commerce, around 34% of businesses have unintentionally sold products  out of stock, causing shipment delays. This highlights operational challenges in inventory management. In logistics, real-time asset monitoring provides vital data on a container’s exact location, internal temperature, number of stops, frequency of opening and closing doors and damage alerts.

Real time visibility ensures precise monitoring of assets, from raw materials to finished goods, including critical components and specialised tools. Whether managing a factory floor or remote operations, one gains a real-time overview of one’s assets’ movement and status. In the automotive industry, IoT sensors have reduced search times for vehicles by ~ 30% for a leading automotive company, per Tata Communications’ internal estimates. Embedding sensors in machinery and components gives manufacturers visibility into assembly line processes, allowing for immediate action to resolve bottlenecks and optimise production flow.

Further, as the demand for temperature-controlled products rises, combining IoT sensors with temperature sensors is gaining traction. The UN’s 2024 Food Waste Index Report revealed that 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022, an alarming statistic. The integration of IoT and temperature sensors can help reduce food waste and create a more sustainable supply chain. Food and pharmaceutical companies must therefore rely on logistics partners equipped with the latest technology deployed.

IoT asset tracking extends beyond merely locating assets, and when combined with other technologies, it tackles the unique challenges of automotive production and enhances operational efficiencies. For example, the global AI chipset market in IoT is projected to grow from $5.26 billion in 2024 to $26.9 billion by 2032, fuelled by the proliferation of IoT devices, increased AI adoption and rising demand for edge computing solutions. These technologies interact through a unified connected platform, providing a streamlined end-to-end implementation.

Examples include:

• Private Networks: Transform manufacturing with faster, secure and reliable connectivity. Robust, technology agnostic private networks can connect numerous devices and sensors without disrupting existing infrastructure
• Work-in-Process Tracking: RFID tags or barcode scanners track components, ensuring smooth and efficient production lines.
• Tool Tracking: RFID or Bluetooth-enabled tools minimise search time and optimise maintenance schedules.
• Heavy Equipment Management: GPS-like sensors monitor heavy machinery movement and –utilisations), minimising downtime and maximising productivity.

Collectively, these solutions boost productivity, reduce costs, and enhance safety standards throughout the manufacturing process.

IoT must align with the growing emphasis on sustainability.

Implementing an IoT-based asset tracking system provides valuable real-time insights into resource usage, reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainability initiatives. In 2023, over 70% manufacturers reported that IoT asset tracking significantly improved resource efficiency, directly advancing their sustainability goals. By enabling real-time monitoring, IoT asset tracking prevents line stoppages and ensures efficient resource use, reducing wastage and energy consumption.

The future of manufacturing is intrinsically linked to digital transformation, with such technology accelerating the process. To overcome inherit challenges, manufacturers can partner with global communications technology (Commtech) to implement an ‘IoT fabric’ supporting enterprises. These specialists can design custom private networks for seamless communication, provide regional Points of Presence, and offer comprehensive support for data management and analytics.

As India continues to advance initiatives like ’Make in India‘ and ’Digital India’, the convergence of these trends offers a unique opportunity for the country’s manufacturing sector to enhance global competitiveness. The linkage between IoT and Manufacturing is natural, if not intuitive.

Read more how our connected solutions are helping industries transform.

The post IoT Asset Tracking: Redefining Efficiency in Indian Manufacturing appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As data breaches become more sophisticated and endpoints multiply across geographies and devices, the need for robust endpoint security has never been more pressing. In this era of remote work and distributed networks, the intersection of Managed Endpoint Security with SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) strategies holds the key to safeguarding your organization’s critical assets.

Endpoint security is the linchpin of a resilient cybersecurity posture. Endpoints, which include devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, are the entry points for cyber threats. Traditional security measures are no longer sufficient to protect these endpoints, especially with the rise of remote work and the cloud. To effectively manage endpoint security, we must adopt a holistic approach that integrates seamlessly with our SASE strategy.

SASE: The future of endpoint security

Secure Access Service Edge, or SASE, represents the evolution of network and security convergence. This cloud-based approach seamlessly integrates network security with wide-area networking, offering Distributed Enterprises a holistic solution. SASE continuously evolves, introducing advanced tools and capabilities to meet the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.

User Experience: SASE not only strengthens security but also enhances user experience. It ensures a reliable network and seamless remote connectivity, fostering a productive and efficient workforce. Your team can work securely from anywhere, anytime.

Impact on Overall IT Operations: SASE’s impact extends beyond security. By improving security, it also enhances productivity and efficiency. With reduced security incidents, your IT operations can focus on growth and innovation rather than firefighting security breaches.

Convergence of Endpoint, Cloud, and Remote Security: SASE offers a clear path to converge Endpoint Security, Cloud Security, and Remote Work. This addresses a critical business need, providing a single-pane visibility for security monitoring, which is essential for managing complex networks effectively.

The Role of SD-WAN in Endpoint Security

SD-WAN technology is designed to optimize the performance of wide-area networks, providing flexibility, agility, and cost-efficiency. But its impact on endpoint security cannot be overlooked. Here’s how SD-WAN enhances your security posture:

Segmentation: SD-WAN allows for network segmentation, dividing traffic into different segments based on security requirements. This isolation reduces the attack surface and limits lateral movement for potential threats.

Real-time Threat Intelligence: Modern SD-WAN solutions come equipped with threat intelligence capabilities that can detect security threats in real-time. This proactive approach ensures that malicious activities are stopped before they can cause damage.

Traffic Prioritization: By intelligently routing traffic based on application and security policies, SD-WAN ensures that critical applications receive priority. This prevents potential security bottlenecks and ensures a smoother user experience.

Crafting an Effective Strategy

When crafting a comprehensive strategy for Managed Endpoint Security, consider the following:

Assessment and Visibility: Gain visibility into all devices and applications accessing your network. Identify vulnerabilities and potential security gaps. Network teams should upgrade their knowledge about traffic flows to ensure alignment with corporate regulatory and compliance norms, promoting data protection and regulatory compliance.

Integration: Seamlessly integrate your endpoint security solutions with your SASE infrastructure. Ensure that security policies are consistent and enforced across all endpoints, regardless of their location. Partnering with a trusted Managed Service Provider (MSP) can streamline this integration and enhance compliance.

Continuous Monitoring: Implement real-time monitoring and threat detection mechanisms, leveraging AI and machine learning to identify anomalous behavior. Data points underline the importance of continuous monitoring in the face of evolving threats and the severe consequences of security breaches.

User Education: Educate your workforce about the importance of endpoint security. Promote best practices like regular software updates, strong password management, and the use of multi-factor authentication to reduce vulnerabilities.

Compliance and Productivity Enhancement: Network teams should upgrade their skills to ensure alignment with corporate regulatory and compliance norms, and privacy requirements. By partnering with an MSP, you can enhance compliance and productivity by implementing robust security measures, ensuring data protection, and offering seamless access to resources. MSPs play a crucial role in maintaining regulatory compliance, reducing downtime, and streamlining operations, ultimately boosting productivity across the organization throughout your SASE journey.

Trusted Partnerships: Consider partnering with an MSP for deployment. An experienced MSP can offer expertise in deploying and managing SASE solutions, ensuring your organization is fully protected and compliant.

“Endpoint Security is no longer just an IT concern; it’s a business imperative.”

According to the Ponemon Institute, a data breach costs an average of $3.92 million. Distributed Enterprises must embrace SASE as the linchpin of their security strategy. It offers a comprehensive approach to safeguarding your organization while ensuring a productive and secure work environment for your team.

As Distributed Enterprises navigate a world of Distributed Enterprise Ecosystems (DEE) and evolving threats, a robust endpoint security strategy underpinned by SASE is the cornerstone of success. The consequences of inadequate security are severe, with data breaches impacting not just your bottom line but also your brand’s reputation and customer trust.

In conclusion, combining Managed Endpoint Security with SASE strategies equips your organization to thrive in the age of hyperconnectivity. Craft a comprehensive strategy, stay vigilant, and prioritize the security of your endpoints – it’s the key to the future success of your business.

The post Maximising Endpoint Security: Effective SD-WAN & SASE Strategies appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Our hyperconnected world is fuelled by factors like, remote workforces, hybrid cloud adoption and the Internet of Things (IoT), creating intricate webs of distributed applications, connected devices, and multi-cloud environments. Reports project more than 29 billion active IoT endpoints by 2027. The increasing interconnectedness also means that traditional network perimeters are dissolving, blurring the lines between trusted internal traffic and potentially malicious external traffic.

As the attack surface continues to increase significantly so does the need for enterprises to take proactive action in making their businesses cyber resilient to unpredictable threats. Future-thinking businesses are prioritizing investments towards this direction. Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that the global cybersecurity spending is expected to reach $1.75 trillion cumulatively from 2021 to 2025, with a growth rate of  15% increase year-over-year. While such projections reflect increased cognisance towards risk-mitigation, it still might not suffice.

The push and pull’ between security and performance is nothing new; what’s changed is the urgency to strike the right balance.

Finding the ‘performance – security’ sweet spot

Traditionally, network security has been seen as an “insurance policy” – an unavoidable necessity for mitigating risks. This perspective often leads to a false dichotomy, where security and performance are seen as opposing forces. However, advanced security platforms do not hinder network performance. Let’s explore how:

• Security on the go: Think of your network security as a neighbourhood watch program. In the past, security checks might have meant everyone going to a central location, causing delays. Security Service Edge (SSE) solutions are like having trusted security guards closer to home. SSE solutions work similarly. They handle key security tasks like access control and threat detection closer to users, reducing delays compared to sending everything back to a central location. It consolidates core security functions like Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) into a unified cloud-delivered service and leverages Points of Presence (POPs) to perform these functions closer to users. Plus, a single SSE agent can handle multiple tasks, freeing up resources compared to managing lots of separate programs.
• Prioritising what matters: SASE solutions which bring the convergence of SSE and SDWAN solutions prioritise business-critical applications like video conferencing and cloud tools. This ensures critical traffic flows smoothly, minimizing delays and disruptions that hinder user experience. Legacy firewalls, with their broad-brush approach, often impede application performance unnecessarily. Imagine a busy highway where an ambulance needs to reach a hospital urgently. A traditional firewall would be like a single checkpoint for all vehicles. Every car, truck, and even the ambulance would have to undergo the same lengthy inspection, causing delays for everyone. This could be disastrous for the ambulance. SSE and SDWAN , on the other hand, are like intelligent traffic management systems. They can identify the ambulance (critical application) and direct it to a faster lane (prioritized inspection) for quicker passage, ensuring critical care is delivered efficiently.
• Making networks more self-healing: Advanced security tools with AI capabilities are like smart traffic cops. They analyse network traffic patterns, identify anomalies in real-time and quickly isolate it, preventing it from causing congestion for the rest of the network. This allows them to intuitively take targeted actions against threats, minimizing disruptions to legitimate traffic flow. Legacy security solutions often rely on blanket blocking rules, which can inadvertently slow down legitimate connections.
• Seeing the big picture: Security platforms provide centralised visibility and control over network activity, enabling IT teams to quickly identify and address performance bottlenecks or security incidents. This proactive approach streamlines network management and optimises overall network health.

“While organisations today have the options to choose from across a variety of security solutions navigating their implementation and ongoing management can be complex. Here’s where a trusted Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) steps in. They empower organisations to connect, communicate, and collaborate with agility and peace of mind.”

To wrap up, advanced security platforms are not roadblocks to performance; they are essential tools for building a resilient, efficient and competitive network fabric. By embracing innovative solutions and partnering with the right security experts, businesses can achieve both robust security and seamless network performance in today’s dynamic threat landscape.

The post Bulletproof Security Without Network Lag? Unveiling the Secret appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

It was truly remarkable, with 10,500 athletes from 206 countries (and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team) competing in 329 events across 34 sports. The sheer scale and magnitude of the undertaking were staggering, with billions of dollars invested in infrastructure, security, and logistics to ensure that the Games ran smoothly and safely.

The logistical challenges, in particular, were immense. They required a seamless orchestration of transportation, accommodation, and security. And it’s in this intricate tapestry of operations that we find a striking parallel to our world at Tata Communications.

Our media and entertainment services manage the video on-demand playout and distribution for 3,000+ TV channels across the US, Europe and Asia, often working invisibly to deliver the thrill and excitement from the venue to the billions of fans. To date, we have delivered 80,000-plus live events — more than 5,000 of them produced remotely — across more than 100 territories.

Just as the Olympics relied on a complex network of infrastructure to function, our global network is the foundation upon which digital interactions are built.

At Paris 2024, Tata Communications powered the event with a fully redundant 100G Tier I Internet backbone. As one of the two providers at the Games, there is a 50% chance that any of the 15.3 million fans (across the Olympics and Paralympic Games) accessing the Net would have used our service. Olympic authorities too ran their data, content and streaming systems using our local French and global internet infrastructure.

We also provided broadcast distribution services for some broadcasters, enabling them to capture the key Olympic feeds, encode them into various formats and variations, and send them back to their respective remote operating centres. I’m delighted to inform readers that Tata Communications provided nearly 30% of the global population with access to Olympic content.

We weren’t just spectators; we were active participants in the ecosystem that powered the unforgettable experiences at the Games.

Behind the scenes of Paris 2024, were countless individuals working tirelessly to ensure that the athletes performed at their best and that the spectators could enjoy the thrill of the competition. From the logistics teams that coordinated the movement of people and equipment to the hospitality staff that ensured that the athletes and officials are well-cared for, every member of the Olympic family played a vital role in the success of the recently concluded edition.

Similarly, at Tata Communications, our team of dedicated professionals works around the clock to market, design and deliver cutting-edge technology solutions that power the digital transformation of live sporting events around the world. Whether it was testing (and retesting) workflows, deploying services with meticulous planning or ensuring timely execution so that people never missed a moment of Olympic action on their screens, our people have been the unsung heroes who made great things happen.

Just as Paris 2024 brought people together from all corners of the globe, Tata Communications is committed to building a connected world that empowers businesses to get ‘faster, higher, stronger’ in an increasingly hyperconnected world. Think of a global marketplace teeming with competitors, information flowing at breakneck speed, and customer expectations soaring ever higher.

And through our media and entertainment solutions, we are helping to bring the excitement of live sports to audiences everywhere, breaking down barriers and bringing people closer together. It’s not just about providing services; it’s about being a part of something bigger, something that brings the world together in celebration of human potential and achievement. Merci Beaucoup Paris. On to LA 2028 then!

Explore how we deliver the thrill and excitement for some of the biggest sporting events

The post Embracing the Olympic Spirit in a Hyperconnected World appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As the BFSI industry continues to mature with the digital consumerism at all-time peak, banks will list cloud inevitably as top priority in their modernisation charter.

India’s tech-savvy population demands seamless, personalised financial experiences. Cloud technology is the engine behind this transformation, enabling financial institutions to deliver on-demand services, advanced analytics, and innovative products that cater to the diverse needs of this vast market.

Purpose-built cloud solutions, specifically designed for the financial services industry, are proving instrumental in addressing the sector’s unique requirements. These platforms prioritise security, compliance, and data sovereignty, key concerns for financial institutions. By adhering to stringent regulatory standards like RBI and IRDAI guidelines, purpose-built clouds empower banks to confidently embrace cloud technology, knowing their sensitive data and operations are protected.

Key Trends Shaping Technology-Led Financial Inclusion in India

• Mobile Banking and Digital Payments – Purpose-built clouds enable the scalability and agility needed to support the massive growth in mobile banking and digital payments. This is critical for reaching underserved populations in remote areas and expanding financial access.
• Open Banking and API-Driven Innovation – Cloud platforms facilitate secure data sharing and integration through APIs, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where fintech startups and traditional banks can innovate together. This collaboration is driving the development of tailored financial products and services for previously excluded segments.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – The cloud provides the computational power necessary for AI and ML algorithms to analyse vast amounts of data, enabling better credit scoring models, risk assessment tools, and fraud detection systems. These advancements are crucial for extending financial services to individuals with limited credit histories or informal income sources.
• Blockchain for Secure Transactions – Purpose-built clouds offer a secure environment for blockchain-based applications in finance, such as creating transparent digital identity systems, facilitating cross-border remittances, and improving supply chain finance for small businesses. These applications empower individuals and businesses by providing access to efficient and reliable financial services.
• Regulatory Support and Innovation Sandbox – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other regulatory bodies are playing a pivotal role in fostering innovation while ensuring consumer protection. Purpose-built clouds align with these regulatory requirements, providing a secure and compliant environment for financial institutions to innovate and expand their services.

The Way Forward

As India progresses towards a digitally inclusive future, the role of cloud computing, particularly purpose-built cloud solutions, will be paramount. By leveraging the cloud’s agility, scalability, and security, financial institutions can overcome traditional barriers, create a more equitable financial ecosystem, and drive economic growth across the country.

Through the utilisation of cloud solutions, financial institutions not only cut costs but also elevate their agility, scalability, and security capabilities. These benefits empower them to thrive in a dynamic market where adaptability and innovation are essential. Strategic planning for cloud adoption becomes critical, emphasising the optimisation of costs, resilience, deployment speed, automation, and innovation capabilities. Hybrid and multi-cloud approaches provide viable strategies, enabling banks to maximise the benefits of their cloud investments while meeting regulatory standards. Enterprises must acknowledge the transformative impact of cloud computing and be dedicated towards assisting financial institutions in unlocking its complete potential.

Find out more about our banking and financial solutions here.

The post Empowering BFSI with Purpose-Built Cloud Solutions appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

This highlights a critical disconnect between the evolving cyber threat landscape and the preparedness of organisations.  Amid such dismal statistics, are organisations ready to  accept a future where cyberbreaches are an accepted norm in their daily operations?

The potential impact of a cyberattack has also become exponentially severe, spilling over from digital realm into physical. Just November last year, Singapore suffered a cyberattack-induced outage that severely impacted public hospitals and polyclinics. This serves as a reminder the significant repercussions on patient care, administrative tasks, and overall operations that such disruptions can cause.

With more critical infrastructure now housed in the digital realm, cyberattacks have the potential to seriously impede the lives of everyday people. For instance, if bad actors were to successfully attack a nation’s energy grid or public transport, the effects could be devastating to its population.

Get your cyber resilience shots in quick

In an era defined by pervasive digital connectivity and ever-evolving threats, not building cyber resilience is akin to not getting your vaccination shots for modern-day enterprises.

Many Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are shifting their focus toward more evasive and evolving attacks, such as ransomware and advanced persistent threats. These complex threats often go undetected by traditional cybersecurity tools, and even when detected, it is often too late as damage is already done.

Taking heed on a national level

Due to the crippling effects a cyberattack can have on a nation, governments and regulatory bodies are also working to develop guidelines and standards which encourage organisations to embrace cyber resilience.

For instance, the recently proposed amendment to Singapore’s Cybersecurity Act is a significant step towards increasing the coverage of cybersecurity laws in the country. By including cloud data centre operators in the regulatory framework, the government is acknowledging the growing importance of securing data in the digital age.

The amendment also emphasises the need for robust cybersecurity measures, as a majority of organisations in Singapore have experienced cyber incidents. By bringing cloud data centre operators under the regulatory umbrella, Singapore aims to enhance cybersecurity and protect against potential threats in its evolving digital landscape.

Taking a look to the West, the US’s NIST Cybersecurity framework 2.0 presents six core functions – designed to organise cybersecurity outcomes at their highest level:

1. Govern: Establish, communicate, and monitor cybersecurity strategy, expectations, and policy, including assessment and continuous oversight.
2. Identify: Understand and document cybersecurity risks, processes, assets, software, data, threats, and weaknesses for protection.
3. Protect: Manage cybersecurity risks with safeguards: control user access, provide training, use endpoint security, and encrypt data.
4. Detect: Detect, analyse, and respond to cybersecurity threats promptly, involving staff and tools for effective mitigation.
5. Respond: Take swift action following a cybersecurity incident. Execute response plan, analyse, determine root cause, prioritize, contain, eradicate, and collect data for future planning.
6. Recover: Restore affected assets and operations, assign recovery responsibilities, verify systems, communicate with stakeholders, and document lessons learned.

In an era dominated by the incessant rise of cybersecurity solutions and the fervent discourse surrounding existing frameworks, organisations often resort to deploying a multitude of cybersecurity tools, with the average number reaching 100 globally.

Take a step back, simplify things

This abundance of tools can exacerbate the complexity of security infrastructure, making it increasingly challenging to effectively resolve security issues.

Amidst this tech-driven landscape, it’s time to embrace a perspective that looks beyond the allure of stacking additional tech solutions. Rather than perpetuating the cycle of technological proliferation, the essence of a truly holistic cybersecurity strategy lies in simplifying technology itself.

By simplifying operational complexity and ensuring robust security measures are in place, businesses can safeguard their data and customer interactions with trust. Organisations should look to partnering with experts who can help navigate the intricacies of cybersecurity risk management.

As with all digital transformation projects, it’ll take time to begin to put the various policy and technological conditions in place to start building up your organisation’s cyber resilience, and building a cyber resilience culture from within.

However, it’s crucial you get a move on today – start having conversations with your IT team and look to partners with experience in fostering cyber resilience within organisations.

The post A tech-Stacked World: Staying Still Can Create Fragile Defences appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The growing complexity associated with Managed Wi-Fi and LAN services stems from the rapid evolution of technology and the increasing demands of modern businesses. As organisations adopt more IoT devices, cloud-based applications, and remote work solutions, their network infrastructures must become more sophisticated to support higher data throughput, enhanced security protocols, and seamless connectivity across diverse environments. According to a report by IDC, the number of connected devices is expected to reach 55.7 billion by 2025, with 75% connected to an IoT platform. This surge necessitates advanced management tools and capabilities to handle the sheer volume and variety of devices.

Additionally, the proliferation of advanced cybersecurity threats requires robust, proactive measures to protect sensitive data and ensure network integrity. For instance, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million, highlighting the financial risks associated with inadequate security measures. Managed service providers must continually upgrade their offerings, integrate cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning for threat detection and response.

Moreover, businesses are increasingly seeking high-performance networks to support applications like video conferencing, virtual reality, and augmented reality, which demand low latency and high bandwidth. For example, the global average mobile download speed increased by 31% in 2023, underscoring the need for networks to keep pace with user expectations. Consequently, managed service providers must deliver comprehensive, real-time monitoring and support to meet these escalating challenges, making the management of Wi-Fi and LAN services an intricate and dynamic endeavor.

The importance of Managed Wi-Fi and LAN for enhancing user experience cannot be overstated. With two-thirds of customers prioritizing customer experience, the ability to deliver seamless, reliable connectivity becomes crucial for any business. Managed Wi-Fi and LAN services ensure robust network performance, minimizing downtime and optimizing speed, which directly contributes to a positive user experience. Moreover, 18% of customers are willing to pay a premium for superior connectivity, underscoring the potential for increased revenue through enhanced services. Conversely, the stakes are high, as 92% of customers will stop considering a brand if they encounter more than two negative experiences. By investing in high-quality managed Wi-Fi and LAN solutions, businesses can significantly improve customer satisfaction, foster loyalty, and ultimately drive growth.

The Significance of Expertise in Service Providers

The success of a Managed Wi-Fi service hinges on the expertise of the service provider. From designing and implementing the network to ensuring security and scalability, a proficient service provider plays a pivotal role. Choosing a knowledgeable partner becomes crucial in delivering consistent, reliable connectivity.

The evolution of Wi-Fi technology has brought forth Wi-Fi, 6E and extending to Wi-Fi 7, promising faster speeds, increased capacity, and improved performance. Enterprises should capitalise on these advancements, leveraging the latest technology to offer a better user experience to their customers.

Tailoring Managed Services

The requirements for managing Wi-Fi networks differ based on the size of the user base. Small, medium, and large enterprises have varying needs in terms of scalability, traffic handling, and security protocols. Managed services adapt to these diverse requirements, ensuring the network aligns with the organisation’s specific demands.

Seamless access to Wi-Fi networks is essential. Managed Wi-Fi services prioritise user experience by providing easy, secure connections. Additionally, ensuring comprehensive coverage across diverse environments – offices, public spaces, or remote locations – remains a cornerstone of these services.

The Role of OEM Selection by Service Providers

Managed service providers assume the responsibility of selecting the Original Equipment Manufacturer  to power the Wi-Fi infrastructure. Factors such as performance, compatibility, and future scalability influence their choice, impacting the network’s efficiency and reliability.

Wi-Fi services have become indispensable in today’s digital landscape. From leveraging the potential of the latest technologies to tailoring services based on user needs, these solutions promise not just connectivity, but optimised, secure, and scalable networks. Choosing a proficient service provider ensures that businesses can focus on their core objectives while enjoying uninterrupted connectivity.

This structure provides a framework to elaborate on each section, incorporating examples, statistics, and case studies to enrich the content and engage the audience effectively.

Click here to know how we at Tata Communications enable the next wave of innovation with Managed Wi-Fi & LAN

The post Empowering Connectivity: The Crucial Role of Managed Wi-Fi & LAN appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Our earlier blog uncovered the imperative to address challenges intricately woven into the digital fabric of modern businesses – from unpredictable performance to complexities of multi-cloud management. Today, innovative solutions that go beyond standard software-defined cloud interconnects (SDCI) are emerging to address the myriads of challenges. These solutions are crafted to simplify, secure, and scale multi-cloud connectivity for enterprises.

In this blog, I highlight the need for multi-cloud solutions and the many benefits you can derive from it.

The urgent need for robust multi-cloud solutions

As enterprises increasingly rely on a variety of cloud services to drive their operations, there is a need for an integrated approach, one that prevents vendor lock-in and supporting compliance. Additionally, edge compute has become paramount. This reinforced strategy ensures businesses maintain continuity and resilience, even in the face of potential disruptions in any single cloud environment. Moreover, a well-orchestrated multi-cloud strategy can provide the agility needed to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and technological advancements, thereby offering a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.

Performance and flexibility are the primary drivers for adopting a multi-cloud infrastructure by enterprises. In fact in a study published in Statista, 35% of respondents cited these factors for their immediate multi-cloud adoption, underscoring the importance of cloud strategies that not only improve resilience but also provide the agility to respond to dynamic business needs and technological changes.

Embracing a multi-cloud approach further allows organisations to selectively leverage the unique strengths and specialised capabilities of different cloud providers. This maximises performance, cost-efficiency and fosters innovation by facilitating the integration of advanced technologies across various platforms. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of cloud integration, the importance of developing comprehensive multi-cloud strategies that prioritise flexibility, scalability, and security cannot be overstated. This strategic focus is essential for any enterprise aiming to thrive in the digital era and leverage cloud computing to its fullest potential.

Let’s look at how enterprises are scaling their business by adopting the right multi cloud framework.

Reliable and efficient multi-cloud architectures

In the same report, almost 34% of businesses highlight reliability as a crucial component of their operational strategies. Ensuring a reliable and agile connectivity involves more than merely linking various cloud services; it requires the creation of a cohesive, optimised environment capable of dynamically adapting to fluctuating data loads and computing demands. Central to this approach is the implementation of high-performance connections and strategically positioned points of presence, which are essential for ensuring consistent and predictable network behaviour.

Zero downtime and dependable application performance

Over the last few years, about 67% of the enterprise infrastructure has shifted to cloud-based systems, reflecting significant digital transformation of business operations. This move is supported by service providers who guarantee robust, continuous operations, assuring 100% uptime on Service Level Agreements (SLAs). These providers are adept at delivering high predictability and seamless performance, which are key requirements for mission-critical applications. Service providers achieve this by positioning connection points strategically near major cloud services to minimise latency and integrating specialised WAN services. See how we improved the customer agent productivity for a leading global Contact Centre company.

This configuration reduces latency for swift data transfer and enhances the overall connectivity between various cloud platforms and users, ensuring that enterprises can rely on consistent and uninterrupted service availability.

Swift cloud connections with streamlined setup

Modern cloud connectivity solutions prioritise simplicity, enabling users to configure and establish connections within minutes via intuitive platforms. With nearly 92% of businesses embracing multi-cloud strategies, these solutions offer on-demand bandwidth and flexible billing for enhanced cost efficiency. They facilitate real-time adjustments to virtual network functions and bandwidth scaling, empowering users to adapt quickly. The ability to configure virtual network functions and scale bandwidth swiftly provides users with unparalleled control over their cloud environments.

End-to-end observability and cost efficiency

Advanced cloud connectivity solutions provide comprehensive insights like configuration, capacity, and performance metrics, enhanced operational efficiency, and significant cost advantages. By working with well-established managed service providers who provide cloud connectivity solutions, businesses can achieve greater observability and optimise costs. Egress costs are reduced by 25-40%, while flexible billing options, including pay-per-use models, ensure further cost efficiency. The architecture of the solution is extremely important and needs to be designed to simplify the complexity of managing connections across multiple clouds. Additionally, a daily billing model offering can also enable businesses to manage costs, provide greater control and transparency over expenditures.

Getting it right

Tata Communications IZO Multi Cloud Connect adopts the right multi-cloud framework, helping enterprises achieve the above-mentioned benefits. It is globally available, ensuring a robust presence in key markets and cities. The expansive reach includes financial and technological hubs, establishing Tata Communications as a reliable partner on the international stage.

The platform provided meanwhile simplifies each step – from ordering to designing in under 10 minutes to provisioning– empowering you to take charge of your connectivity needs. So, stay connected, stay secure and embrace a future where multi-cloud connectivity is not just possible but simplified, reliable and scalable.

Tata Communications continues to be recognised as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Global WAN Services for the 11th consecutive year.

Click here to find our more about IZO Multi Cloud Connect.

The post Simplifying, Securing and Scaling your multi-cloud connectivity appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Some of these have become the mainstays of how we navigated the pandemic and bounced back stronger for the future.

Now in 2024 Asia is emerging as the powerhouse engine of global economic growth. With it being the very special and auspicious year of the Dragon, it is interesting to look back and see how Digital Dragons have progressed in the region. At the time Gartner carried out their research, these organisations were at the forefront of digital innovation, technology, and transformation. Today, with the advent of generative AI and the increased excitement for all things technology to drive operational resilience, businesses are expected to deliver growth amid an array of challenges.

For example, business ecosystems have evolved vastly over the last few years to become highly complex and integrated, and value chains have increasingly become non-linear. These ecosystems have also become ‘hyperconnected’ with increasing reliance on immersive interactions between employees, partners, suppliers, customers, and other ecosystem partners. The last two years have highlighted that ecosystem-wide agility is as important as a company’s internal strength.

The democratisation of Generative AI and the speed it affords all of us has been a major tech equaliser. We are seeing increased adoption of AI to enhance decision-making processes, automate mundane tasks, and improve overall efficiency.

In emerging markets, AI is becoming a transformative force, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, finance, and agriculture. It has been the main subject but how it will transform businesses and the world along with it is yet to be seen. I believe, it will continue to accelerate and move to the next wave rather rapidly.

AI is obviously the topic of the year, and perhaps for the whole of the coming decade, but are there other aspects of digitalisation that these “dragons” will need to excel at to keep their edge?

That leads us to another trajectory that is on its upward trend – Security.

As we connect more people and things in the hyperconnected ecosystem, attack surfaces increase and consequently, cyber-risks will increase manifold. The average cost of a data breach increased to $4.35 million in 2022. Enterprises will also need to ensure that they have robust guardrails to mitigate risks from the transformative impact of AI. The rapidly increasing sophistication on either side will lead to stronger impact and evasion tactics. Apart from this, an increase in IoT (connected devices) also equates to a larger potential for risks and vulnerabilities at play.

So, what can organisations do during their digital transformation journey to be successful?

The convergence of infrastructure and security solutions will create a more sustainable set of IT operations for enterprises and governments alike. They will also augur well for a more digital approach to a more sustainable world.

Digital solutions offer a world of unparalleled opportunities. A strong digital core can be both transformative and regenerative. Digital solutions to unlock human potential and improve productivity – severalfold.

Technology becomes the key differentiator across levers. To create capabilities and leverage technology to its fullest potential, organisations need to adopt an end-to-end approach that impacts the entire value chain and the organisation as a whole. Building the right skill sets will be crucial in achieving this goal.

Several key trends will define successful corporate strategies going forward. These include tapping into the immense potential of generative AI and the critical importance of a holistic security infrastructure. Most notably, there is the need for a “constant cycle” of introspection, innovation and technology embracement to stay ahead of the competition.

As the pace of innovation continues to accelerate, there will also be a growing demand for high-speed reliable networks and growth is expected to be 15.5% up to 2026. With the pace of innovation continuing to accelerate, I expect businesses to increasingly focus on ‘future-ready’ networks that offer the ability to introduce new services quickly, effectively and securely.

The next generation of connectivity is all about flexible options that serve a variety of business needs. As such, we will see more hybrid and multi-cloud deployments, which enable greater agility and business resiliency. Whether you are looking to transform your business into one of these dragons, or simply partnering with one, be ready to take flight and soar. Keeping up with the times requires a commitment to continuous adaptation and a willingness to be agile and embrace new technologies and solutions.

Find out more about Tata Communications network solutions here.

You can also tune in to the Empowering Tomorrow podcast where Genius shares ‘Enterprise Technology Trends in 2024’ and listen to even more podcasts from Tata Communications business leaders, here

The post How to Spread Your Wings in The Year of The Digital Dragon appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As the multi-cloud infrastructure continues to evolve, enterprises are positioned to maximise returns on their cloud investments, encouraging innovation, agility, and competitiveness in an increasingly digital landscape. Improved flexibility, strategic cost management, and efficient risk mitigation are some of the essentials for seamless adoption of multi-cloud, with influencing factors including compliance with global regulatory requirements and addressing ever evolving challenges in today’s dynamic business environment.

Cloud computing and DevOps have changed business operations, so choosing the right cloud infrastructure is critical. While every cloud infrastructure offers distinct advantages, there’s a bone of contention between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud. Multi-cloud deployment increases flexibility, scalability, and accessibility to the latest technologies from leading providers. On the other hand, hybrid cloud solutions provide greater ownership over specific IT infrastructure elements.

Hybrid and multi-cloud

Hybrid cloud and multi-cloud are two distinct computing approaches, each designed to address specific organisational needs. Hybrid cloud combines at least one private or on-premises component – datacentres – with public cloud. Hybrid cloud offers benefits of multiple types of cloud environments for greater efficiency and functionality. The choice between the two depends on an organisation’s objectives.

A multi-cloud approach combines the capabilities of various types of public cloud architecture while allowing each of the cloud types to focus on specific tasks. Unlike hybrid cloud, which depends on interconnectivity, multi-cloud operates and manages data, processes, and workloads independently. This results in greater flexibility and agility. Moreover, multi-cloud environments enhance resilience and redundancy, as workloads can be distributed across multiple cloud platforms, ensuring business continuity and disaster recovery. However, hybrid cloud offers the advantage of handling sudden spikes in demand by easily shifting to a public cloud environment from the private cloud and helps keep sensitive data on premises.

Key benefits of multi-cloud

When considering multi-cloud adoption, there are several benefits that organisations obtain to successfully improve their operations and achieve strategic goals. Here are some key benefits:

• Flexibility: Multi-cloud gives organisations the flexibility to choose services from a variety of cloud providers, ensuring they best match specific business requirements.
• Agility: Adopting multiple cloud vendors increases agility, enabling faster solution development, reducing time to market, and fostering innovation.
• Quick time to market: The agility of multi-cloud ensures rapid deployment from identifying business needs to secure solutions, enabling faster time to market.
• Cost optimisation: Choosing from multiple cloud providers results in cost efficiencies, especially advantageous in situations requiring high storage costs.
• Built-in redundancy: Multi-cloud architecture by its very nature adds redundancy across global providers, ensuring flexibility and availability during downtime.
• Technology portability: Multi-cloud supports technology portability, providing platform-agnostic solutions hosted on the provider of choice and seamless migration between providers for increased flexibility and simplified management.

As the multi-cloud paradigm continues to evolve, it will be a catalyst for innovation that enhances agility and competitiveness in a dynamic and ever-expanding digital realm. Essentially, businesses are poised to optimise their cloud investments and plan for a future defined by continued growth and success.

However, the road to multi-cloud success does come with a set of challenges. Firstly, the shift to multi-cloud can prove to be complex and overwhelming for various organisations, especially those which are still largely reliant on legacy systems, processes, and methodologies. Also, diverse, and disparate infrastructure make the transition painful, compromising visibility, availability, and performance. All this can lead to poor user experience, decreased efficiency, and cost escalations. But, with smart planning and strategic technology partnership, organisations can address these challenges and the benefits of multi-cloud adoption will far outweigh potential drawbacks.

“The significance of the role of a technology partner cannot be overstated in a company’s cloud transformation journey.”

By bringing in technology specialists with domain expertise, industry knowledge, and comprehensive cloud and network solution suites, enterprises can focus on their core competencies and business objectives while the technology partner oversees all cloud deployments and implementations. This is where Tata Communications comes in with its full stack of solutions catering to ‘to, for and between the cloud’.

Embarking on the multi-cloud journey with Tata Communications

Tata Communications recognises the significance of multi-cloud connectivity and is actively improving its capability to drive the next wave of cloud connectivity. Tata Communications IZO Multi Cloud Connect built on our global digital fabric is designed to scale at ease. With expertise across the entire network transformation ecosystem, we have a proven track record of empowering businesses to accelerate, scale, and enhance the performance of their digital initiatives. Our focus is on ensuring that the chosen cloud environment prioritises reliability, agility, and efficiency.

So kickstart your multi-cloud journey with Tata Communications by crafting a meticulously aligned migration strategy. Our experts provide a planned approach to migrate, operate, and innovate on the cloud, safeguarding your business from unexpected cost increases and operational risks. You can also try out the solution on a 14-day free trial period.

Explore Tata Communications multi-cloud services here.

The post Multi-cloud: A business imperative and cloud transformation essential appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

However, the landscape has shifted, with cloud infrastructure surpassing on-premises spending and digital transformation necessitating ubiquitous access to applications. Traditional perimeter-based security is no longer sufficient, leading to the emergence of SASE – a framework that converges wide area network (WAN) edge capabilities like software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and network security functions into a single unified cloud delivered architecture to meet the dynamic, secure access needs of modern organisations. The concept of SASE has evolved in response to the evolving technology and business landscape.

The key drivers of SASE

The demand for uniform policies, governance, and regulatory compliance across network and security is intensifying as applications migrate to the cloud, rendering traditional perimeter-based models obsolete. Hybrid working, mobility, and increased cloud adoption are also disrupting conventional security, leading to breaches anywhere. To adapt to this paradigm shift, SASE advocates moving security controls to the cloud , consolidating and unifying security and network functions in an efficient as-a-service model.

Enterprises seek SASE for streamlined complexity, heightened speed and agility, and enhanced cloud networking, converging networking and security to address contemporary challenges such as supporting and securing cloud applications and remote workers. SASE ensures future-proof outcomes by integrating SD-WAN and various core components like SWG, CASB, ZTNA, and FWaaS into a unified cloud-delivered architecture. Delivered primarily as-a-service, SASE simplifies operations by merging networking and security services into a cohesive, identity-driven, real-time context and policy-based framework.

Partnering with an MSP: The Tata Communications edge

While implementing SASE is vital for businesses, they should focus on core competencies and consider partnering with technology experts for seamless deployment. Also, implementing organisation-wide SASE comes with its share of challenges which enterprises often find difficult to navigate, especially when doing it in house (DIY) or with the help of point solution vendors. These implementational challenges include integration with existing systems, siloed network and security teams, inadequate understanding of the evolving technology landscape, and the lack of an all-in-one, unified packaged SASE solution.

This is where utilising the capabilities of managed service providers (MSPs) offers advantages like adaptability, expertise, and unified management, streamlining processes and providing continuous support. This approach reduces costs, optimises resources, and empowers in-house IT teams for strategic tasks. MSPs provide end-to-end solutions, preparing enterprise IT for future challenges.

“According to a recent Tata Communications commissioned study with Omdia & Telecoms.com, about 50% of enterprises rely on service provider partners to manage their SASE initiatives, and only 3% do it fully in house.”

Enterprises rely heavily on their SASE partners for managing network and security policies, strategic integration, and digital transformation. Factors or requirements that drive enterprises to partner with MSPs for their SASE needs include:

• Remote worker connectivity
• Simplified and integrated security models
• Consolidated network and security platforms and policies

Given the significance of strategic SASE-focused technology partnership, future-facing enterprises must join hands with specialists such as Tata Communications. Tata Communications provides cloud-delivered security and network services that are fit for not just today’s requirements but also for what the future has in store. Our managed SASE solutions offer cloud-delivered tools that combine SD-WAN and security service edge (SSE). As managed SASE service providers, our hosted SASE solutions offer several advantages for organizations. Here are a few:

• Combined network and security expertise and support
• Unified and proactive 24/7 monitoring and management
• Scalability and flexibility
• Reduced operational complexity
• Global presence and performance
• End-to-end observability through TC^x management portal

A glowing success story

Tata Communications recently helped a FMCG company to modernise their network and connectivity. The client desired a MSP to unify their internet broadband, SD-WAN, and SSE, aiming to replace MPLS circuits with Tata Communications’ internet broadband. They sought a single vendor for SD-WAN/SSE solutions across all sites, aiming to streamline their network setup, which involved a mix of MPLS, internet broadband, Versa SD-WAN, and VMware/VeloCloud SD-WAN with a designated MSP. Challenges included managing disparate technologies, distributed SLA ownership, and difficulties aligning with a forward-looking “internet first” roadmap.

Tata Communications offered the client fully managed services, featuring Hosted SASE (based on Versa technology) and IZO Internet WAN for network underlay. The client benefited from enhanced network underlay performance with SLAs and consistent SD-WAN and SSE cloud security services. The solution improves flexibility and user experience for internet breakout at sites, avoiding internet traffic backhaul to datacentres. This will help to reduce operational complexities, decrease downtime, and improve support correspondence through a single MSP and vendor. The consolidated and simplified solution promises a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) with optimal performance and improved visibility.

Tata Communications’ Hosted SASE solutions include ownership of regional POPs for comprehensive visibility and consistent user-level policies. They feature a unified analytics platform for advanced insights and the TC^x portal offering end-to-end customer journey visibility. Additionally, expert-led POC expertise showcases key SD-WAN and security use cases. The company’s unique selling proposition as an MSP reinforces its ability to address holistic expectations and smoothen customers’ SASE journeys.

To learn more about Tata Communications’ SASE offering, click here.

The post SASE: An integrated network and security imperative appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The primary driver of this change has been cost savings, as internet connectivity is notably more budget-friendly compared to the traditional MPLS services. However, as enterprises consider making this transition, there are several key considerations and consequences they need to bear in mind.

One of the most compelling reasons behind the transition from MPLS to internet connectivity is cost. MPLS has long been the go-to choice for enterprises due to its reliability and security features. However, these advantages come at a premium, often making it too costly for many businesses to implement extensively. Internet connectivity, on the other hand, provides a more affordable alternative, making it an attractive option for companies looking to reduce their networking expenses.

While cost is a significant motivator, it’s essential for enterprises to consider the trade-off between reliability and savings. MPLS is renowned for its reliability and predictability, as it provides dedicated, private connections that are not as susceptible to congestion or performance issues. In contrast, internet connectivity is a shared medium, which can lead to variability in performance and reliability.

Another crucial aspect to keep in mind is security. MPLS provides a more secure network due to its private nature..

The role of SD-WAN

Mitigating the caveat above is the role of the SD-WAN overlay.

Since Internet connectivity comes in all shapes and forms (and costs) one of the key advantages of SD-WAN is the ability to use the right kind and number of Internet access depending on budget and site criticality. For example, a highly critical side can use multiples SLA bound Internet links whilst a less critical site could only use one or two regular internet accesses.

Another key advantage is the ability to use the best performing link (Internet or MPLS) in real time for a given type of application. One link for example could be better for Office 365 traffic whilst the other one could be right for IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) connectivity. All this is done in real-time considering the availability of each link. The main advantage of this approach is to move away from “Active-Backup” setup where a link is almost never used and instead have an “Active-Active” setup.

In this configuration, the availability on the Internet links is crucial since they are now business critical assets. In other words, if the Internet connections does not work, a company won’t be able to do any business. This is where security features such as DDoS are very important.

In a world where more and more services are consumed from the cloud in the form of IaaS or SaaS, one could argue the usefulness of investing in an overlay network that aims to connect sites together. This view, even if possible in the very long term, has to be mitigated.

First and foremost, the SD-WAN that we take as a given today is not the SD-WAN that was available to us 5 years ago. For example, some features like On-Ramp access or Observability capabilities were not available back then. it will be exciting to see what will be the new features that will be part of SD-WAN 5 years from now.

Second, even if managing the Overlay is one critical role of the SD-WAN application, it is not the only one. For instance, even without Overlay the SD-WAN application can still be used to split traffic across several Internet links depending on their performance.

Lastly, for medium sites, the SD-WAN device is often used for network segregation, separating several VLANs or delivering local security features live firewall or IDS/IPS.

By utilising software-defined principles, SD-WAN provides organisations with increased flexibility, agility, and cost savings, making it a compelling alternative to traditional MPLS networks.

And with the increasing adoption of cloud services and multi-cloud environments, SD-WAN offers optimised connectivity to cloud platforms by dynamically routing traffic to the most suitable path, improving performance and minimising latency.

“Enterprises should also consider providers that embed sustainability into their services – for example through being able to transform existing MPLS devices into SD-WAN devices. This can help save a considerable amount of carbon emissions, given that most emissions occur during the manufacture and shipping of devices.”

Impact on Internet Security

With the SD-WAN transformation, one of the key benefits is that every site is now equipped with an Internet connection. This connectivity can be used in two ways:

• As a Transport: in this case the Internet links are used to create the overlay network replacing the legacy MPLS
• As a Destination: since there is local route to the Internet, there is no more need to back all the Internet traffic to a central hub, it can be sent to the destination directly.

This second use cases brings a key security challenge, since all the sites have now an Internet access, they need to have a string Internet Security posture. For a company with hundreds or thousands of sites, deploying a security device at each location would not be a financially sound option. This is way in the recent years the Security Service Edge (SSE) providers have seen such an increase in their activities.

Instead of applying security rules locally, all Internet-as-a-destination traffic is sent to the SSE (Security Service Edge) cloud where security rules such as Web Filtering, Threat Management, Firewall and more are enforced in the cloud. This approach has multiple benefits, the main one being that all sides are protected by a consistent security policy that can even be used by roaming users working from anywhere.

This combination of SD-WAN and SSE is what is called SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) also defined as the convergence network and security as a service capability.

Choosing the Right Provider

As businesses consider the transition to internet connectivity, it’s vital not to solely focus on cost. There are numerous internet service providers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

When talking about SASE, there are two main approaches:

1. Single vendors: using one technology provider for both SD-WAN and SSE
2. Best of breed: using one technology provider for SD-WAN and another one for SSE

The second approach has the benefit of being able to choose the right technology that address a specific need without the “rigidity” that comes with using a single technology. From there, it will be the provider responsible to present the customer with a unified SASE portal.

Choosing the right provider is a strategic decision that requires careful consideration. Enterprises should aim for a holistic approach and choose a provider that offers a “single pane of glass” solution. This means selecting a provider that offers a digital fabric spreading across a comprehensive set of services and features, rather than selecting the lowest-priced provider for each individual feature. This can simplify network and security management and reduce operational complexity, helping enterprises save both time and resources.

In addition, it’s important that enterprises ensure that their provider offers extensive coverage in the geographic areas where their business operates. A global or national provider with a robust network infrastructure can provide consistent and reliable connectivity across different regions.

Flexibility is Key for French Enterprises

While this shift is happening globally, French companies, in particular, have distinct characteristics in their approach to technological trends. French enterprises tend to be cautious adopters, preferring to closely observe the market to ensure that a technology brings value and cost efficiency before embracing it. This prudent approach can serve them well in assessing the benefits of moving from MPLS to internet connectivity.

French companies often emphasise flexibility and may desire the option of both MPLS and internet connectivity to meet their specific needs. By offering both MPLS and internet connectivity solutions, companies can have the best of both worlds and adapt their networking infrastructure according to their changing requirements as technology evolves.

For French companies, a cautious yet flexible approach is preferred, and Communications Technology (commtech) providers can help meet these unique needs by offering both SD-WAN and SSE services. For mid-sized companies, a managed or co-managed approach will give even more value by taking away the pain of managing the day-to-day activities whilst keeping control of rules and policies.

Find out more about our enterprise internet solutions here.

The post MPLS to Internet Connectivity: French Enterprises Making the Switch appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

On International Women’s Day (IWD) today, though, I’d like to take the opportunity to celebrate a different kind of network – not one built of wires and code, but of mentorship, support, and empowerment for women in technology.

The need to instill mentorship and sponsorship

Now, per Deloitte estimates, the global tech workforce has seen a 6.9% rise in women’s participation and an 11.7% increase in their representation in technical roles from 2019 to 2022. Nevertheless, women in tech continue to face challenges in achieving and maintaining leadership roles..

Gender pay gap issues aside, McKinsey finds that only 52 women are promoted to managerial roles for every 100 men. With more reports showing that more than 50% are likely to quit before the age of 35, and 56% are likely to quit by midcareer, organisations need to act fast and implement cultural changes to retain more women.

“Here’s where mentorship, sponsorship, and genuine support can be crucial. Mentorship offers guidance and knowledge from experienced professionals, while sponsorship actively opens doors and advocates for your advancement. Together, they form a powerful force that can propel women forward in their tech careers.”

The mentor-mentee relationship is frequently advantageous for both – offering professional guidance, new insights, and mutual encouragement. And leading companies need to take steps to help women in technical roles connect with people with more experience, recognising that senior colleagues play an important role in the professional development of workers who are early in their careers.

In the professional life of early workers, direct managers often play an important role. They possess firsthand insights into the responsibilities and performance of employees, who may function as coaches, advocates or decision makers in advancing their careers. However, junior IT staff managers often lack sufficient training and expertise in management. Despite the best intentions, this can lead to inconsistent experiences for newly hired employees.

A supportive network does matter

My own journey (nearly three decades long) serves as a testament to the power of this ‘connected network’. As a young woman entering the tech industry, I was often the only woman in the room. But I was fortunate to have incredible mentors who believed in me, challenged me to grow, and opened doors I wouldn’t have found otherwise.

At Tata Communications specifically, they saw potential I didn’t yet see in myself. Their encouragement was instrumental in shaping my career trajectory as I steadily moved from Senior Vice President, Global Network Services to President, Global Network, Cloud and Data Center Services and currently, the CTO.

For me, mentorship provided a safe space to ask questions, seek advice, and navigate the often-daunting landscape of the tech industry. This while offering career guidance, technical support, and most importantly, the confidence and belief that I belonged in tech and could thrive.

That said, mentorship isn’t a one-way street. As women advance in their careers, they have a responsibility to pay it forward by becoming mentors themselves. Sharing our knowledge, experiences, and networks empowers the next generation and strengthens the connected web of support.

Inspire and be Inspired

To #inspireinclusion (borrowing the IWD theme this year) and create an equitable tech industry, it will require a collective effort. By strengthening the connected network of mentorship, support, and sponsorship, we need to ensure that every woman can connect, contribute, and lead in this dynamic and ever-evolving field.

According to a Women in Technology Survey conducted by Capital One, 75% of women who stayed in tech careers had role models at their companies, compared with a lower percentage (56%) who left. Clearly, instituting mentorship initiatives stands as one method for firms to improve the retention of women within their establishments. Sadly, less than a quarter of companies have pursued such measures.

Let’s commit then to build a network that matters, not just on IWD, but every day. Together, we can forge a future where technology reflects the diversity of the world we live in, and where every woman has the power to connect, create, and innovate.

Because, in the end, the most powerful connections are made of the human spirit reaching out to uplift and empower one another.

You can find more of my blogs on diversity and inclusion here.

The post The Connected Network That Matters on Women’s Day appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

While traditional technology will remain an important core component of network deployment, next-gen technology is just around the corner, bringing with it on-demand, self-service, automation and expanding cloud connectivity. The focus on building resiliency into networks is especially top of mind for CIOs and CTOs, who have been surfing an enormous wave of constant change for the past few years. One important way to both build resiliency and stay ahead of the curve is to ensure your network evolves as quickly as enterprises do. Every CIO and CTO across industries needs to be mindful of these trends that will impact their businesses in 2024.

Consolidating Network Service Providers from Hundreds to a Handful

Analysts predict a consolidation in network providers is coming in the next two years. Enterprises also want to thin the herd and reduce the number of their network service providers to a smaller, select group. A lot of this has to do with simplifying tasks across the enterprise by reducing the number of different Network Service Providers they have to work with. At Tata Communications, we’ve found that customers are breaking down their overall network transformation conversations into “underlay vs. overlay,” seeking different solutions for the cable underneath and for the virtualized router network that sits on top of it. Previously, this was all tightly bound together. Now, a lot of our customers have two RFPs.

Equipment Manufacturers are driving this by just selling overlay solutions. And some customers like it this way; it feels easier to them. But if the underlay is not right, whatever you have on top isn’t going to work! Even the most breathtaking supercar (overlay) needs the grip of exceptional tires (underlay) to unleash its true performance. A lot of DIY underlay solutions end up with hundreds of suppliers, but enterprises are starting to see multiple issues with this kind of setup. These include the hidden cost of maintaining hundreds of contracts, finger pointing from local suppliers, the need to add another system integration layer to maintain such complex networks, and the lack of end-to-end SLA, to name a few. Most still want multiple providers to give them flexibility and access to more technology options, but only two or three, not hundreds. Tata Communications is one of those shortlisted providers who can help.

Using Common Cloud Landing Zones to Access Multiple Cloud Service Providers

The emergence of cloud landing zones is taking many of the pain points out of managing multiple providers. For users of public cloud services, multiple logins are the bane of their existence. Who hasn’t forgotten a password or had to log in again after being locked out? A well-designed cloud landing zone, which combines multiple functions in a central place, is the more intuitive starting point to access multi-account architecture, identity, resources, security controls and network activity logging.

Using AIOps to Become a Tireless Co-Pilot of your Network

Full automation and AI-driven networks will gradually become a reality as modern enterprises grapple with ever-expanding networks spanning continents and cloud services. Managing this sprawling complexity manually is unsustainable, riddled with human error and slow response times. This is where AIOps, the marriage of Artificial Intelligence and Operations, shines. AIOps acts as a vigilant sentinel, automating routine tasks, proactively identifying and resolving issues, and predicting potential problems before they cripple operations. AIOps excels in analyzing vast datasets from your global network and cloud deployments, gleaning insights hidden from human eyes. This translates to improved user experience, reduced downtime costs, and increased agility in responding to changing business needs.

Moving to a Multiple Clouds Environment

With more enterprises adopting multiple clouds for their applications, it’s time to address the challenges that come along with it: managing multiple cloud instances, dealing with siloed visibility, and facing those pesky performance issues. Add to these the high egress costs resulting from usage of multiple clouds. Tata Communications IZO Multi Cloud Connect, a software-defined cloud interconnect platform, gives enterprises greater agility and flexibility when they connect users, branches, data centers, clouds, and partners across the globe.

Identifying, and Eliminating, Hidden Costs

Multi-cloud, the combination of multiple public and hybrid cloud providers into a single architecture and deployment, has been a common thread in network design for the past few years. As enterprises continue to add multiple providers, they are also beginning to analyze their networks more critically. They have discovered hidden costs. One company we worked with realized that they were spending 25% of their budget on sending data packets outside the cloud, which is not something that you might expect. Also, the stark difference between public Internet egress versus private egress caught IT managers by surprise. Tata Communications IZO Multi Cloud Connect, tackles the architectural complexity, and gives you scalability and agility to set up instant cloud connections and helps you to reduce the egress cost.

Collectively, these five trends driving network evolution are all about making your network more efficient—for your users, for your customers and for your partners. In an environment of constant change, multiple providers, and hybrid solutions, it is important to analyze your network often to ensure it is the best fit for your business.

Learn more about Tata Communications network solutions.

The post The Future of Network Evolution: Five Trends Driving Change in 2024 appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Increased Unified Communications (UC) adoption brings challenges of network vulnerability in terms of malware and virus attacks, which is why many businesses look to an Enterprise Session Border Controller (SBC) to keep their communications secure. As a member of the Oracle Partner Network (OPN), Tata Communications is working with Oracle to free clients from the need to implement and manage their Enterprise SBCs.

The importance of the Enterprise SBC in a UCaaS setup
UCaaS offers the unified approach to communication that is critical for business success by converging various communication channels into a single, integrated platform. It has several elements working in conjunction, of which Enterprise SBCs are an important unit. The Enterprise SBC is a specialised network device that is designed to provide security, reliability, interoperability, scalability, quality of service, and compatibility between different VoIP networks, including PSTN and UCaaS solutions. It helps to protect the VoIP network from threats such as Denial of Service (DoS) attacks and provides Quality of Service (QoS) features to ensure that voice calls are of high quality. Additionally, it helps to ensure compatibility between different VoIP networks, so that users can make and receive calls.

Challenges
While Enterprise SBCs are an integral part of the UCaaS, enterprises have to deal with certain complexities in implementing and managing these. These challenges are varied in nature.

• Configuring the Enterprise SBC to seamlessly integrate with diverse devices, protocols, and communication systems that are part of the enterprise’s network environment and to allow for scaling needs careful planning.
• Security concerns like safeguarding against cyberthreats and need for strong encryption and authentication methods, as well as regular software updates and patches, must be addressed so that confidentiality and integrity of communication is maintained.
• Interoperability between diverse hardware and software solutions, as well as the ability to support a range of industry standards and communication protocols, must be ensured.
• Other essentials are optimisation of Quality of Service, with proper bandwidth management and traffic prioritisation, as well as monitoring performance, ongoing maintenance, and addressing compliance and regulatory needs.
• Implementation and operational costs must be factored in.
• And lastly, ongoing training to keep the team up to date is crucial.

That sounds like – and is – a lot. Choosing the right UCaaS solution for your needs is important. Connecting this to your network with an Enterprise SBC is essential, to enable the UCaaS solution to offer agility, scalability, security, easy interoperability with communications of existing applications and systems and simplified administration, providing visibility and control, and ease of management.

The good news is, a service provider that partners with your UCaaS provider can take care of all of this, leaving you free to focus on your business. Tata Communications GlobalRapide Managed Services is a game-changer in your journey to UCaaS.

Vivek Kar, Global Product Management Head for Collaboration and Voice Solutions, Tata Communications says, “Our partnership with Oracle in various spheres is part of our mission to simplify business for our clients. This partnership for the Enterprise SBC as a service is one that can pave the way for organizations to achieve business success without having to worry about tactical processes like managing the Enterprise SBC.

Tata Communications GlobalRapide – managing Enterprise SBCs
Tata Communications GlobalRapide Managed Services consists of integrated managed services and automation tools to help enterprises migrate to UCaaS. Tata Communications monitors and manages Oracle Enterprise SBCs as part of the SBC-as-a-service component of GlobalRapide, thus giving you enhanced productivity, faster time to market, increased interoperability and assured reliability.

Why Tata Communications?
Tata Communications GlobalRapide delivers a fully managed, fully owned, end-to-end unified communication solution to help you move to cloud collaboration rapidly and seamlessly. Leveraging the Tata Communications’ global scale of deployment experience and network services built on a carrier Tier 1 infrastructure grade foundation – Global SIP Connect – you can be assured of committed quality of service, risk mitigation, security and regulatory compliance.

Learn more about Oracle Enterprise Session Border Controllers and Tata Communications GlobalRapide managed services.

The post Unlocking new possibilities with Tata Communications and Oracle appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

While managed service providers (MSPs) play a critical role in steering the SASE journey, enterprises should still be mindful of the implementational challenges. This blog will take a close look at the most common problems that impediment SASE implementation and the best ways to overcome them.

Challenges of SASE implementation

Despite being an obvious decision for enterprises, SASE implementation comes with its share of teething issues. Some inherent challenges include:

• Complexity of managing networking and security integration into a unified SASE architecture.
• Cost and time-intensive process of replacing existing legacy systems with a SASE framework.
• Accommodating growing network traffic and user demands with effective scaling of the SASE solution.
• Planning carefully to avoid vulnerabilities and breaches while shifting to a cloud-based model.
• Ensuring seamless and consistent user experience across diverse locations and devices.
• Meeting regulatory compliance requirements across different regions and industries.
• Complexities of integrating SASE with existing IT infrastructure, applications, and services, requiring workflow changes.
• Cost management and optimisation in the initial stages of SASE implementation.
• Continuous and efficient monitoring and management of the SASE environment.

Choosing the right SASE vendors and solutions that align with an organisation’s needs and future goals is crucial, yet it can be overwhelming given the abundance of options.

“According to Omdia’s Cybersecurity Decision-Maker Survey, 2023, when practitioners were asked about their stage of adoption for SASE, more than 70% of respondents indicated they have some level of activity: widespread production usage, localized usage, or active pilot” – Fernando Montenegro, Senior Principal Analyst, Infrastructure Security, Omdia.

In the pursuit of meeting their networking and security objectives, enterprises often choose point solutions over end-to-end managed services. This can result in suboptimal SASE outcomes and future issues. Among the various SASE implementation challenges faced by enterprises, here are a notable few:

• Inadequate collaboration: Enterprises often grapple with their security, network, and IT teams functioning in silos. The lack of real-time collaboration and joint decision-making set enterprises back considerably in their SASE endeavours. Merging networking and security teams into one IT team within a fully implemented SASE model is essential, regardless of the organisation’s size or working model.
• Inconsistent architecture: SASE implementation can sometimes be plagued by a mismatch in policy making and enforcement. The cloud architecture is a key feature, but many solutions are not truly cloud-based, as vendors often build them from existing technology. They may provide SASE via public cloud, colocation centres, or both, in addition to virtual and legacy appliance architectures. This can lead to critical foundational flaws and architectural inconsistencies.
• Integration and interoperability: SASE demands features that seamlessly integrate with other agents, diverse cloud gateways, and various proxy types for simplified deployments and a holistic solution. Patchworks of standalone products do not help the cause.
• Skill gaps and organisational culture: Enterprises often face a dearth of relevant skills as conventional IT resources are found wanting when adopting and integrating SASE into the existing infrastructure. The problem is also compounded by occasional resistance and scepticism around the changes that SASE brings.
• Distributed systems: Cloud-native SASE relies on its global network of cloud gateways (Points of Presence, or POPs) to ensure consistent application performance and quality for all users. Organisations can use their own gateways but may find it expensive, or they can opt for gateways from their SASE vendor or service provider.
• Change management: Introducing a SASE solution often necessitates substantial alterations to entrenched corporate infrastructure practices. A poorly planned and hurried transition to SASE can impact productivity and collaboration, potentially creating security vulnerabilities until the new setup is fully established.

The best practices for implementing SASE

While there are some clear implementational challenges, they are not deterring enterprises from aggressively pursuing SASE in their quest for secure and seamless cloud-based operations.

Studies have found that in the last year, remote connectivity, network security, and cloud security have emerged as the key drivers of SASE adoption. Moreover, the strategic application of SASE is reaping rich dividends for enterprises in the form of IT operational efficiency, user experiences, security performances, and compliance. With so much to offer, implementational challenges should not hinder SASE adoption for forward-thinking enterprises. So, how do they overcome these barriers and successfully implement SASE? Here are the best practices to follow:

• Assessment and planning: Start with a comprehensive assessment of your existing network and security infrastructure. Understand your organisation’s specific needs and goals before planning the SASE implementation.
• Hybrid transition: Gradually transition to SASE to avoid disruptions. Consider a phased approach, starting with select locations or user groups to ensure a smoother migration.
• Security: Prioritise security throughout the SASE implementation process. Implement zero-trust principles, strong encryption, and robust identity and access management.
• Scalability: Plan for scalability to accommodate future growth and changes in network demands. Ensure your SASE framework can adapt to evolving business needs.
• Integration strategy: Ensure seamless integration with existing systems, applications, and workflows. SASE should work harmoniously with your current IT environment.
• Testing and validation: Conduct thorough testing and validation at each phase of the SASE implementation to identify and resolve any issues before they impact the entire organisation.
• Disaster recovery and redundancy: Implement robust disaster recovery and redundancy measures to ensure business continuity in case of unexpected disruptions.
• User training and feedback: Provide training and resources to educate employees about the new SASE environment, security protocols, and best practices. Also, gather feedback from users and IT teams to fine-tune your SASE implementation over time.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in all regions where your organisation operates. SASE should support compliance efforts with built-in features.
• Partner selection: Finally, partner with a trusted SASE MSP that aligns with your organisation’s requirements and provides scalable solutions. Consider factors like global presence, security capabilities, and performance.

As we galvanise the future of technology-enabled workspaces, SASE will be an essential component for future-focused organisations. By eliminating key implementation challenges, enterprises will be well on the course to the road ahead- something we will explore in detail in our upcoming blogs.

To learn more about Tata Communications’ SASE offering, click here.

The post SASE: Implementational challenges and the best ways to overcome them appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Notable benefits of SASE include technological convergence, scalability, improved IT efficiency, risk reduction, and enhanced remote access security.

However, reaping the benefits of SASE hinges on its strategic adoption by enterprises. The best practices of SASE adoption include establishing long-term goals, preparing for multi-cloud connectivity, focusing on secure branch networking, modernising applications, and tracking progress consistently. In short, SASE implementation calls for a strategical shift.

The good news is organisations can still implement its foundational elements swiftly and enhance them progressively. The essence of SASE lies in transformative change, and hence, it is not just revolutionary, but is evolutionary, as discussed in my previous blog.

Key challenges faced by organizations in their SASE implementation journey.

Carrying out SASE implementation relies heavily on how your IT and security teams are coordinated and your willingness or capacity to influence change alongside keeping up with the right harmony between your current and future network and security framework. There could be multiple challenges during the journey, some of the key ones are as below –

• Change management: Implementing a SASE solution involves right migration and necessary changes to the existing infrastructure. This also involves working cross teams to ensure right benefit is achieved.
• Compliance challenges: SASE implementation needs to ensure reliable network connectivity and maintaining compliance with data privacy regulations. This also needs the right knowledge and understanding while working on cross geography.
• Right consultation and support: Organizations face challenges with identifying the right transformation approach, right platform or even enabling existing teams to tackle ongoing issues during their SASE journey.

MSPs are the crucial partners in the SASE implementation journey.

While enterprises gradually explore the SASE framework and adopt, the enterprise I&O leadership must realise that managed SASE services are based on the convergence of managed security services, managed network services, and managed WAN services. For overseeing a unified SASE solution, these services should be provisioned by managing on-site assets and cloud-based services from a managed SASE service provider.

Given the evolution of SASE and the critical role of MSPs in its implementation and management, the ownership model has also seen a change.

“For effective SASE deployment, the decisions of enterprise leaders must be in perfect harmony.”

The CISOs and I&O Directors are the key decision makers and aim to improve security controls, achieve better agility and scalability, and build long-term resiliency. Enterprise Architects and CIOs are also important decision influencers as aligning tech investments with business objectives and charting a growth trajectory are their essential considerations. In such a scenario, MSPs assume greater responsibility of accommodating the needs of organisation stakeholders and delivering holistic, tailormade SASE solutions for optimal outcomes.

Multifaceted benefits of partnering with the right MSP in your SASE journey

SASE offers a range of benefits to organisations seeking a comprehensive and streamlined approach to network security and connectivity. Here are six key advantages of collaborating with a managed service provider for your SASE deployment and optimisation:

• Scalability, agility, flexibility: MSPs can enhance the scalability of SASE deployment for enterprises by offering flexible options for choosing security and networking vendors, streamlining the process, reducing risks, and providing expert IT and security professionals. Improved flexibility, agility, and adaptability help businesses efficiently expand their SASE infrastructure while ensuring robust security and optimal performance.
• Managing compliance and continuous improvements: Network teams need to upgrade themselves to learn about the traffic flows to ensure they are in line with corporate regulatory and compliance and importantly privacy norms. MSPs can enhance compliance and productivity by implementing robust security measures leveraging their comprehensive MSSP portfolio, ensuring data protection, and offering seamless access to resources. They enable remote work while maintaining regulatory compliance, reducing downtime, and streamlining operations, ultimately boosting productivity across the organization throughout your SASE journey.
• The Right Integration and experimenting: MSPs excel in seamless integrations, addressing enterprise integration challenges and control issues during transformations. They stay updated on technology, offering customisable solutions, optimising configurations, and enabling easy integration of SASE features. MSPs experiment to find purpose-specific solutions, working iteratively to identify the best SASE solution for businesses before going for wide scale deployment.
• Observability and metrics analysis: End-to-end observability and timely measurements of critical KPIs are key to the success of SASE. Achieving comprehensive observability is crucial, but no single OEM tool offers a holistic infrastructure view. MSPs enable enterprises to have a real-time, comprehensive visibility of the infrastructure, resulting in improved and faster decision-making and enhanced productivity.
• Improved Operational Performance: Tailoring site architecture to personas improves network performance. SASE optimises performance, productivity, and security in a Wi-Fi 6/P5G ecosystem. MSPs can provide SASE services for end-to-end session security across diverse infrastructure, ensuring enterprise data protection and improved operational efficiency.
• Managing Underlay and overlay: For enterprises, a superior overlay relies on a strong underlay. When developing the SD-WAN and SASE approach, it is essential to prioritise underlay quality to ensure a successful internet-and-cloud-first journey. This is where choosing the right MSP partner excels in managing both the underlay and overlay networks. The MSP can enhance network performance by bolstering the underlying infrastructure and integrating management of both underlay and overlay through a single managed service platform.

Ultimately, working with the right MSP helps in simplifying setup and management, offer specialised expertise, ensure cost savings, and provide flexible financial models. They ensure correct and up-to-date system configuration, address the challenge of finding skilled IT staff, and provide a seamless experience by integrating and tuning various technologies.

“A global provider can understand your scale, regulatory obligations, optimization, and holistic blueprint for the overall infrastructure, thus proposing the right implementation approach.”

With limitless potential, managed SASE service providers are poised to unlock value at scale and prove to be the mainstays of secured operations.

Looking forward

As we galvanise the future of technology-enabled work, SASE will be an essential component for future-thinking organisations. However, the path to implementation is fraught with challenges. In a recent survey conducted by Ecosystm², almost 69% of the respondents noted that they expect their organisations to be affected by data breaches. It is thus paramount to choose the right MSP and forge a clearly thought-out partnership to optimise SASE.

In our next blog, we will delve deeper into most pertinent challenges on the path of SASE implementation and talk about the best practices to address them.

To learn more about how Tata Communications is helping enterprises achieve secure network transformation with SASE, click here.

1. https://www.gartner.com/doc/4004092
2. https://www.tatacommunications.com/resource/hyperconnected-ecosystem/connected-infrastructure/sase-empowering-the-distributed-enterprise/

The post Managed SASE: A holistic approach to securing and optimising networks appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Amid the accelerated shift to digital, manufacturers find themselves turning to direct-to-consumer (DTC) and e-commerce models to drive business. D2C ecommerce sales have more than tripled in recent years, jumping from $36 billion in 2016 to $128 billion in 2021 and are expected to reach $212.90 billion by the end of 2024, according to an eMarketer report published in March 2022.

Cutting out distributors and retailers not only improves margins but gives manufacturers complete control over the customer experience. But with that comes an entirely new set of challenges.

“Not only are manufacturers having to take on new roles—from consumer marketing and sales to customer support and data management—but they’re having to do so at a time when consumer expectations are driving a new age of Customer Experience (CX).”

Here’s how technology is enabling them to do so.

Reaching customers where they are

Led by electric start-ups like Tesla, the automotive industry is beginning a gradual but significant move toward DTC ecommerce sales. The shift includes traditional powers like Ford, which is allowing some of its most popular models to be built and pre-ordered online.

This change requires manufacturers to embrace new technology for reaching and engaging consumers during the critical consideration phase. Chat apps, text messages, email, video and online calling will play a critical role in this effort.

“In addition to traditional digital marketing channels like websites, today’s most successful brands are engaging their customers and prospects with chatbots or even WhatsApp campaigns.”

A potential car buyer who used the online vehicle customization tool on a company website, for example, can receive an automated WhatsApp message with a special deal incentivizing them to complete the purchase.

What’s more, thanks to AI and machine learning, these marketing messages can be personalized to the consumer like never before.

This technology can tailor communications to the individual based off information they provide, purchase history, previous interactions with the brand and even publicly available profile data. The ability to customize this outreach forges deeper connections with customers and increases conversion rates.

Providing a consistent omnichannel experience

Accustomed to the superior digital experience delivered by the likes of Amazon and Walmart, today’s consumers—including B2B consumers—expect to easily and quickly find product details and answer questions on whatever channel they prefer. This requires manufacturers moving into the DTC space to manage sales and product information across an array of owned properties and third–party marketplaces.

What’s more, consumers expect to move back and forth between these channels: a shopper may conduct research on a brand’s mobile application, view purchase options on Amazon’s website and ultimately head to the company website to buy.

During the pandemic shutdowns, one forward-thinking retailer even launched a virtual shopping experience that allowed consumers to interact with a sales representative in real time via video stream. This strategy represents a future in which the traditional and digital shopping experiences will continue to both blend and fracture.

Providing a consistent experience across these various touchpoints is key to driving sales. But doing so requires the right technology. The right Product Information Management (PIM) system enables brands to easily distribute products across channels without the need to manually update disparate marketplace offerings.

Continuing engagement past the point of sale

The customer experience doesn’t end once the sale is made. Today’s manufacturer now has to provide ongoing product and service support.

Customers now have more power and autonomy in decision making. They have different modes of communication available to them and they can choose the way they want to interact with the product. They may choose to call in to a manned support center or engage with an automated chatbot online.

“In either scenario, automation is key. Automated call deflection tools are critical to easing the strain on human agents.”

Long call waits or incomplete answers to their questions will frustrate customers who have grown accustomed to the superior support of most major e-commerce platforms. And for those customers who prefer not to pick up the phone, automated support technologies like chatbots are critical to providing a helpful, efficient experience.

Connected devices and the rise of subscription services are also changing the long-term relationship between manufacturer and user. That includes drivers, who increasingly rely on data connectivity and subscriptions for in-car features. The automotive subscription services market is set to grow by $9.15 billion by 2024, according to a report by Technavio.

Securing data and positioning for further innovation

The collection and management of customer data is critical to building a unified product experience across all touchpoints. Insights gleaned from this data play a vital role in a company’s ability to personalize every aspect of the customer journey, from marketing to support to product design.

But companies must be careful about how they use and protect this data in a period of rapidly changing data privacy regulation. Manufacturers need the security, technologies and protocols in place to maintain consumer trust and avoid running afoul of regulations.

Securing and utilizing this data will only become more important as the digital shift continues to accelerate and technology develops. Positioning themselves to meet the expectations of customers in a rapidly evolving digital world requires manufacturers to make a fundamental shift in how they conduct their business. It also means building and mastering a complicated system of new technologies and capabilities, from tech support software to data security to customer relationship management tools and beyond.

Manufacturers who succeed in this new environment will be the ones who not only master these new functions but invest in the requisite technology infrastructure to support them.

To learn more about how to elevate customer experience in manufacturing, click here.

The post The new roles of manufacturers in the age of technology-enabled CX appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Customers are undoubtedly placing greater value on their overall experience in this omnichannel environment. Seven in 10 customers consider customer experience (CX) a priority over price and quality, according to a PwC report. At the same time, research in the Time to Win study revealed that for 64 per cent of people, speed is just as important as price when making a purchase decision.

A 2023 CX trends report by Zendesk found that 80 per cent of business leaders are planning to increase customer service budgets over the next year, while 59 per cent of businesses in the Asia-Pacific are increasing their CX management investments to meet consumer needs, according to a CX Network report.

Leaders are committed to exploring new strategies to ensure that their CX is not just meeting changing consumer demands, but also surpassing them.

In our new podcast series, Empowering Tomorrow, we exchanged insights with industry leaders Selena Nimerick, Vice President, Customer Satisfaction & Quality Secure Power at Schneider Electric; Dharmesh Malhotra, Vice President, Customer Experience, ASEAN and Korea at CISCO Systems; and Ankur Jain, Associate Vice President & Global Head at DIGO on customer centrality and the importance of CX.

Here is a summary of the key talking points, including the strategies around catering to changing customer demands and how the digital experience has changed CX.

What is CX and why is it important?

CX refers to the entire customer journey, ensuring customers receive the best service, value and experience at any touch point. This encapsulates how the business engages with the customer, from the breadth of customer channels to the type of customer interactions.

By providing intuitive brand convergence, across all its communication platforms to to deliver new positive brand experiences, businesses can position themselves favourably developing stronger brand  affinity and customer retention and growth.

The convergence of digital experiences

The accelerated rate of digitalisation and the growth of digital experiences since the pandemic has  resulted in a remarkable shift in attitudes towards CX standards compared to previous trajectories.

An important facet of customer experience is speed to delivery. Today, customer tolerance levels for service inefficiencies have plummeted, and new digital experiences are significantly amplifying the importance of omnichannel communications.

What technological strategies can businesses use to improve CX?

Businesses are learning to adapt to an accelerated growth path in understanding and pivoting to customer requirements. The challenge for businesses is to balance addressing the unique pain points of each segment (B2C / B2B2C) while also delivering hyper personalised, intelligent efficiencies to drive instant epiphanies across both physical and digital realms.

This means adopting a design thinking approach and taking a closer look at the technologies that companies use – from APIs to advanced artificial intelligence solutions to predictive analytics. These help build a framework of proactive customer engagement initiatives that are immersive and experiential and drive sustainable growth.

Harnessing customer input for future success

An important but sometimes overlooked aspect of CX is customer feedback and input.

How can you effectively co-create with your customers? Start by taking a step back from the solution, outcome or experience that you wish to offer and set up a specific goal. This helps businesses formulate strategies more clearly to augment current processes and develop greater capabilities surrounding existing business solutions.

With CX playing out across millions of potential touch points, businesses must take action to enhance CX and deliver the optimal experience and service quality that customers now expect to receive. With business outcomes strongly tied to customer centrality, leaders need to rethink their CX strategies to ensure the business has the capability to drive success.

To learn more about what our leaders had to say, tune into our Podcast, Empowering Tomorrow, here and follow our podcast series on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to get notified on new episodes!  

The post Rethinking digitalisation and embracing customer centrality appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

In today’s world, almost all enterprises have more than one cloud provider, with more data than ever going to the cloud, particularly given the rise of work from anywhere and ubiquitous customer access. Research shows that more than 80% of enterprises now have more than one cloud provider.

Having multiple cloud providers has many benefits, helping enterprises avoid vendor lock-in, manage risk and enhance the resilience of their operations. It also gives enterprises the flexibility to choose the best-suited services for their specific needs to optimise performance, while for global enterprises, using multiple providers allows them to distribute their applications and data across different locations, ensuring better redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities.

However, using multiple cloud providers presents several challenges like higher costs, and increased complexity when it comes to integration, with each cloud platform typically having its own unique interfaces, APIs, security protocols and management tools. Meanwhile, ensuring seamless data integration and interoperability across different cloud environments can be a significant challenge. While multi cloud can potentially offer cost optimisation opportunities, it also leads to increased complexities in tracking and managing costs across different providers.

In addition, enterprises using traditional network architecture for their cloud platforms are likely to run into performance challenges, since paths are not optimised to offer the requisite performance and reliability. While those using internet VPNs will also encounter difficulties, as internet VPNs typically provide limited site-to-site bandwidth, unpredictable performance, and high cloud egress costs.

Mission critical applications moving to the cloud

Mission critical applications are moving to the cloud, leading to higher demand from enterprises for multi cloud connectivity services. For example, the number of enterprises globally using software-defined cloud interconnects (SDCI) is expected to grow to 30% by 2024, up from 10% in 2020. A Gartner research report confirms this trend, estimating that enterprise spending on private connections to the cloud will reach 3.6 billion US dollars by 2026.

This makes security and performance a vital element for enterprises when it comes to multi cloud connectivity. However, there are several challenges with traditional cloud connect services, such as complexity in managing multi cloud connectivity, as well as a lack of traffic visibility, flexibility and agility.

Many enterprises are still undergoing their cloud journey and trying to navigate these challenges. Tata Communications has addressed this issue head on, offering a reliable, on-demand solution with reduction in TCO related to cloud networking.

“IZO Multi Cloud Connect, a software defined solution connects an enterprises’ data centres, branches, public clouds, private cloud and third-party network on-demand, providing customers with greater agility to connect their users, branches, data centres, clouds and partners across the globe.”

As a one-stop shop and end-to-end solution for enterprises, it provides on-demand, real-time, reliable and scalable multi cloud connectivity, making Tata Communications one of only a few companies in the global telecom industry capable of such a solution.

Designed to address the current challenges in the market, IZO Multi Cloud Connect is a PaaS-based service built on virtual connection and virtual network functions. This removes the complexity of sourcing and managing connections and hardware, providing enterprise customers with greater agility to connect everything globally, all one from a single provider.

Customers benefit from streamlined management and improved flexibility, and at the same time IZO Multi Cloud Connect also enables end-to-end predictable performance from branch to cloud, improving application performance and response time.

IZO Multi Cloud Connect also reduces egress cost by using dedicated connections from edge, leading to around 25% cost savings. It also provides a single pane of glass view to enable complete visibility into the network architecture for greater control and agility. It also leverages deterministic routing to ensure that performance is never compromised.

As the world rapidly moves towards internet-based and cloud-based infrastructure with mission-critical applications hosted on multiple clouds, enterprises are increasingly using multiple cloud providers for their applications. Therefore, having a solution which makes connecting to any cloud seamless – with performance and security at the heart of it – has become mission critical for enterprises.

To find out more about Tata Communications new IZO Multi Cloud Connect solution, click here.

The post Moving to IZO™ Multi Cloud Connect is mission critical for enterprises appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Digital India Mission has transformed the delivery of government services to millions across the country. Now, this pioneering campaign is entering its next phase, to ensure the anytime, anywhere access to citizen services that an increasingly tech-savvy population expects. To rise to the challenge, government enterprises will need a fresh approach to digitisation.

Therefore, to create a nationwide digital infrastructure, allied with new tools and technologies – AI, Big Data and the Internet of Things [IoT] which will galvanise various sectors to improve the well-being of every Indian will require Government of India to build and sustain a robust digital architecture. This is where the cloud infrastructure takes the centre stage that forms the core of services delivered to citizens of India through multiple applications. These services are segregated into two major categories:

1. Services directly consumed by citizens like health records for citizens, benefits for BPL families, applying for a passport and schemes for farmers.
2. Services consumed by different Government departments like Procurement through portals for government departments and weather forecasting.

With cloud playing a major role in the digital journey of government enterprises, it becomes eminent that cyber security and data privacy plays an extremely critical role in ensuring that the customer data is safe from breaches.

“With multiple integrations and technologies on a cloud platform and rising sophisticated cloud threats, hackers can exploit vulnerability due to misconfiguration, weak or unauthorised access, malicious insider to compromise security controls, establish foothold and move laterally to exfiltrate sensitive data.”

Often, we have seen that the vulnerabilities in the application or infrastructure are exploited to gain access to customer data. This affects the confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) of citizens personally identifiable information (PII) or sensitive information of various projects under the State and Central ministries.

To overcome these challenges, Government of India will need to start by assessing and uplifting the digital posture of each concerned department, further enabling an interconnected ecosystem of government, private, and peering parties, and offering seamless and secure last mile for G2C services and support. All this while keeping the citizen’s data and identity safe.

Adopting a digital platform is prudent with a Cloud-Internet-Security-First approach – an integrated, scalable and resilient digital core that brings together the best of infrastructure, application, technology stacks and systems integration in a holistic manner to facilitate cohesive operations while meeting the various regulations and compliances and maintaining all security parameters across data privacy, residency, sovereignty and more.

A cloud first strategy will help government departments to build a centralised IT infrastructure which can optimise operations and reduce maintenance costs and downtime. It also helps build and deploy applications in a scalable manner using containers and microservices enabling government to launch new or enhanced citizen services in future. Therefore, it is extremely important that the design, deployment, and compliance of any cloud infrastructure hosting Government applications, should be of highest priority and certified by a competent authority.

The Cloud service provider should ensure that they offer a Sovereign Cloud Platform that provides an integrated hybrid-ready cloud platform, with the flexibility and control government wants along with the assurance of staying compliant with ever evolving regional and regulatory guidelines at all times. To safeguard the national interest, it’s important that foreign authorities have no access over the data and government organisations can physically visit data centres for auditing their assets to ensure the vulnerabilities are accounted for and rectified.

A dedicated Government Community Cloud (GCC) that is secure, efficient and outcome-oriented, is a composable way to drive digitisation where a dedicated, federated and secured cloud infrastructure has been created especially for government agencies. Hence, ensuring that government’s extremely sensitive and valuable data is safeguarded – with both user data and control meta-data deployed, monitored, and managed 100% in country and governed by the law of land. This is further complemented by an open API lead approach to accommodate different internal and external agencies for swift and secured digital interconnections.

“With ease of access through smartphones, tablets and laptops, the traffic to citizen-services workloads will only increase, resulting in greater need to set up mechanisms to counter cyber-attacks and other security threats.”

Making existence of a trustworthy cyber security infrastructure following the principles of security by design is a precondition for all e-governance initiatives.

Therefore, adoption of a security first strategy is essential to reduce and manage cyber risk. Cyber threats are getting more prevalent, and the scale and severity of attacks are getting more intense. The hyper connected digital environments have expanded the attack surfaces and vulnerabilities. A single security breach may lead to data loss, disruption of day-to-day operations and impact the credibility of the system.

The following best practices are recommended for cyber security that State and Central Governments should adopt to deliver services securely while leveraging cloud technology benefits.

• With rising internal attacks from malicious insiders or compromised credentials, escalate security with SSO, MFA and privilege identity management to stop abuse from privileges, and attacks on admin accounts.
• With politically motivated advanced persistent groups (APT groups) targeting Indian government-run services and infrastructure with distributed denial of services attacks, appropriate security controls to prevent DDoS attacks and ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical services must be deployed.
• With fragmentation of cloud endpoints securing this diverse landscape will require multiple endpoint security controls including antivirus or malware protection, host-based intrusion prevention system (HIPS) and file integrity monitoring (FIM) that continuously monitors and verifies the integrity of files and configurations on servers, detecting any unauthorised changes or modifications to protect against tampering, data breaches, and unauthorised access.
• To safeguard applications, governments can enforce application level micro-segmentation for cloud, SaaS and web applications. It can also govern cloud usage across different devices and help meet regulatory compliance and data privacy mandates.
• Furthermore, governments can partner with cyber security service providers that can work as an extension of their SOC teams to integrate managed detection and response/SIEM solutions to quickly detect threats across the cloud estate, and automatically respond to them swiftly. The cyber detection and response services that leverage MITRE ATT&CK framework cyber threat intelligence and threat advisory can provide recommendations on preventing on-going attacks.
• Uncover security gaps with vulnerability assessments that help identify misconfigurations, application-level code, configuration and design errors, REST API vulnerabilities, including secure code review and DAST to measure potential risks scores and prioritize security for higher risk assets. This further helps in adhering to regulatory compliance requirements.

The future of e-governance starts from how well streamlined, integrated and automated the government processes are, and how conveniently can they be used by citizens. Digital India will ride on the reach and access to citizen services and information – anywhere, anytime by the Indian citizens.

Tata Communications is on a mission to empower governments and enterprises build a resilient and self-reliant India by protecting the country’s critical infrastructure and systems that Indians rely on every day with smarter and secure solutions.

To learn more about how Tata Communications is helping governments and enterprises protect their critical systems and infrastructure, click here.

The post Building the G2C value chain with Cloud-First-Security-First approach appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

SASE combines security and a modern network as service capabilities to ensure seamless connectivity and data protection without compromising on user experience. And its growing emphasis can be gauged by increasing industrial acceptance. As per Gartner’s SASE Forecast Analysis¹, the global market for SASE is expected to be worth $15 billion by 2025, growing at a remarkable CAGR of 36% since 2021. This blog covers the basics of SASE and how it can empower enterprises towards the future.

The larger aspect of SASE and its significance

SASE represents a holistic framework that unifies wide-area networking (WAN) and network security within a single cloud-based service approach. It ensures secure access to applications and resources for users, irrespective of their location, device, or network, by delivering integrated security and networking service capabilities including SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, NGFW and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

As remote operations and cloud service usage grow, SASE provides a convenient, fast, cost-effective, and scalable solution for networking and security. Reports indicate that 60% of enterprises will have definitive strategies and timelines in place for SASE adoption by 2025, up from 10% in 2020, highlighting enterprise urgency in adopting SASE for their short- and long-term operational goals.

Here are some of the defining traits of SASE that create a differentiator:

• A holistic framework: The SASE framework is built on multiple technologies and combines various components to develop a unified platform that can drive operations seamlessly across environments, endpoints, and locations. While SASE depends on software-define networks, it is more than just revolutionised SD-WAN or a point product. Instead, SASE is an end-to-end approach to connecting data, applications, and users, and in the process, offering improved flexibility, scalability, and security to enterprises.
• Strategic integrations: Due to the incorporation of various technologies from different vendors, the framework’s true strength lies in the proficiency of its integration. The engineering complexities involved in harmonising technologies from different sources into a unified solution are substantial. However, SASE facilitates this integration offering a well-rounded computing solution aligned with the changing business and digital paradigm.
• Immersive experiences: SASE integrates security and network functionality to enhance application, end-user, and administrative experiences within its technological framework. The ultimate objective is ensuring every user or endpoint enjoys access to the required resources securely and efficiently.

Unlocking SASE benefits with intelligent adoption

Enterprises must adopt SASE strategically and think beyond addressing the present challenges and opportunities towards the future of work. For them, successful adoption of SASE would hinge on:

• A clear understanding of the objectives
• Setting network performance targets
• Preparing for multi-cloud connectivity
• Emphasising secured branch networking and security tooling
• Modernising applications
• Servicing and measuring progress regularly.

Even though SASE brings an architectural shift, organisations might also consider implementing the foundational elements of its architecture and subsequently enhance it through gradual, intentional steps. Here are some of the key benefits the architecture offers:

• Convergence of technologies: The SASE framework emphasises combining various technological innovations and augmenting human capabilities. A common framework to analyse users, applications, and data enables faster issue resolution and informed decision-making.
• Improved IT efficiency: With fast deployment, centralised orchestration, and analytics-driven role-based management, SASE promises to offer the enterprise IT teams greater observability and control. This results in improved decision-making and enhanced IT effectiveness.
• Improved and secured remote access: SASE delivers user-centric security, avoids traffic backhauling to policy enforcement points, and optimises user experience by anchoring clients to the right SASE gateway. This reduces latency and helps detect malicious traffic to intervene and prevent threats.

Managed SASE is the way forward

Despite its benefits, enterprises are often daunted by the large-scale architectural changes and implementation challenges of SASE adoption. As a result, a plug-and-play approach with point solutions are often preferred. However, the key tenet of SASE is holistic transformation that facilitates secure and value-based outcomes, which is ideally a major value proposition that a managed service provider (MSP) can bring to the table. Drawing from experiences across various industries, MSPs exhibit adaptability and flexibility, resulting in cost-effective and swift deployments as well as issue resolution with their consultative approach.

MSPs elevate network performances by underlaying infrastructure and providing unified management of underlay and overlay within a single managed service. With a single point of accountability, MSPs take responsibility for service chaining, integrating multiple virtual network functions, and implementing future technology upgrades. They also offer continued support and training, progress management services, and future planning, making SASE implementation a truly end-to-end process. By opting for a managed SASE solution, organisations can significantly reduce initial investments and operational overhead, freeing up in-house IT for more valuable tasks.

Doing it right with Tata Communications

At Tata Communications, we have designed our SASE offerings to be evolutionary, not just revolutionary. Our three-phased SASE approach involves meticulously thought out and tailormade security and network upgradations that are aligned with enterprise network transformation goals, thorough integration and unification on the cloud, and convergence of network functions and security solutions. Our Managed SASE offerings improve business agility, observability, and control, simplify network and security management, and reduce costs.

Learn more about how a managed service approach can help you build your SASE implementation right in our next blog post.

Sources:

1. https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4004092
2. https://blogs.gartner.com/andrew-lerner/2021/03/26/checking-in-on-sase/

The post SASE: An evolution, not just a revolution appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

In April 2020, only two months into the pandemic, Microsoft reported they were experiencing more than 200 million Microsoft Teams meeting participants in a single day and more than 75 million daily active users. Speaking to these sudden surges in remote collaboration, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said: “We’ve seen more than two years’ worth of digital transformation in two months.”

The past few years have witnessed an accelerated adoption of digital technologies as enterprises in nearly every sector looked for ways to keep their business running. The pandemic as such, acted as a catalyst for businesses to realise that being digital-first, is the most assured way to build sustainable business models.

CIOs are evolving into strategic value creators for businesses

Today’s CIOs are evolving to become key partners for technology companies and this has drastically changed their role and responsibilities.

Although CIOs are still responsible for managing and implementing information technology systems and overseeing technology teams, there’s a greater focus on being strategic business partners. As a result, they’re now expected to work alongside C-suite executives to drive business change and innovation.

In addition, they are seen as collaborators and co-creators responsible for leveraging technology to support the business and other members of staff.

“The varied nature of the role means that CIOs must know the value they bring, be confident in their skills and aware of any room for improvement, as well as where they can rely on internal and external expertise.”

Over the years, I’ve seen the evolution of CIOs unfold through our deep relationships with thousands of global enterprises across varied industry sectors. As a strategic partner to our customers, we have also been on a  transformation journey to become experienced partners in their journey to building digital-first businesses.

From experience, here are five key areas I believe technology providers need to improve on to remain relevant in our fast-changing world.

1. Learn, listen, anticipate – Intimately understand customers’ business needs

The first step in becoming more relevant to your customers is to put yourself in their shoes and understand their needs. This requires a deep understanding of their business objectives, pain points, and challenges.

“By understanding their needs, tech providers can tailor their technology solutions to meet the customer’s specific requirements – not only the current ones but even the ones that might arise in the future, therefore unlocking value in the process.”

This ability to deeply understand their current needs and anticipate future ones is key to becoming a relevant partner for the customer.

2. Personalisation

All businesses are at different stages of maturity and as such, have their own unique digital transformation journeys.

Hence, their technology transformation roadmap should be personalised to their specific needs. In this regard, it’s important that technology providers realise that technology is the means to solving specific business problems their customer have and not an end in itself.

3. Proactive

As the world changes rapidly, businesses are struggling to keep pace and respond to this challenging environment to stay relevant to their end customers. Technology partners need to be proactive and become the additional pair of eyes and ears for their customers, spotting trends, highlight best practises and provide the right-fit solutions.

“A customer will benefit greatly from an experienced technology company that has the ability to use their expertise gained from working with thousands of customers across segments and geographies to better anticipate rapid changes.”

By developing a proactive plan to manage these changes, they can even be leveraged as potential opportunities in the right hands.

4. Innovation engine

As the technology landscape continues to evolve, it is important for technology providers to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends that help their customers realise the benefits of technology advancements.

By embracing new technologies, a technology provider can offer innovative solutions to their customers and stay ahead of competitors. This also demonstrates their commitment to innovation and their ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

5. Co-Creation

Finally, it’s important for technology providers to be aware of their capabilities and limitations.

To be successful in this fast-changing landscape, working together in partnerships where partners bring diverse skills and capabilities together in a complementary way to build solutions for future is important.

Co-creation with customers is a great way to build mutual trust and create long term value for both organisations.

To summarise, relevancy is the cornerstone powering the quality and health of the relationship between the technology provider and their customers. And a customer who is able to deliver superior customer experience through their own digital transformation, is already on their way to win the battle for their customer’s share of the wallet.

To learn more about how organisations can meet the expectations of today’s customer, click here.

The post Relevancy: The key to building enduring relationships with customers appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Few societal forces have been more impactful at elevating individuals up the socio-economic ladder than entrepreneurship. Not only does it generate wealth and opportunity for individuals, but it also propels society forward – resulting in better products and services as well as accelerating economic growth and promoting social change.

Increasingly, technology is providing a way for women in particular to climb this socio-economic ladder by placing power in their hands. This is why the theme for International Women’s Day this year was, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality‘. The UN recognises that the widening digital gender gap is having a significant effect on the economic and social inequalities of the world.

As such, ascertaining how technology and social initiatives can be used to improve the lives of women globally is the responsibility of every leader capable of instigating change.

In this piece, I am going to explore the power of entrepreneurship, professional development, and career progression to reduce the economic inequality between the genders – and how advancements in technology are assisting this.

Based on my experience, I will also share some details around the women Tata Communications empowered internationally as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility and other volunteering activities, as well as our work with the S.H.E (School of Hope and Empowerment) initiative and United Women Singapore, mentoring programme.

Inclusive entrepreneurship

Women have made great strides in the world of work over the past few decades. In many US cities for instance, women under the age of 30 are even earning more men than their age. And there are more female entrepreneurs, CEOs, and philanthropists than ever before.

But society still has a long way to go, and on this front, the technology sector presents an important milestone. Despite tech being one of the most modern sectors, it is male dominated, with 53% of technology organisations reporting men outnumber women by at least 3:1 in their workforce.

The world needs every person capable and willing to be able to actively participate if we’re collectively going to overcome the society’s larger challenges. And it’s in the best interests of everyone.

“The exclusion of women from the tech industry has cost the sector more than one trillion dollars, a number slated to rise to 1.5 trillion by 2025 if significant work isn’t done according to the UN Women’s Gender Snapshot 2022 report.”

While according to McKinsey, it is estimated that companies globally with three or more women in senior management functions score higher in all dimensions of organisational performance, showing just how important it is for business leaders to help drive gender equality.

And this is how technology can help – it gives individuals the ability to take the power back into their own hands. As the UN puts it: “A gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology and digital education can increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement”. But for these efforts to adequately address inequality, it needs to be the right sort of technology specifically geared at achieving this aim.

The more we empower women’s entrepreneurship and rid them of the shackles of sexism, the more we all win. And while this is a responsibility that falls on society, businesses have both the added responsibility and financial motivation to find creative ways to support these efforts.

Using inspiration and education to drive social impact

“Inequality isn’t just a societal ill, it is bad for business as well.”

So, it’s each business’ responsibility to determine how they can do their part to address the issue.  At Tata Communications, we have done through

our CSR and other volunteering activities. With a total of 422 volunteers participating from across the organisation – volunteering 1347 hours of their time – in FY23 we helped 3,877 women break down barriers and climb the socio-economic ladder.

Another part of our drive to reduce the economic inequality between genders is the S.H.E initiative in India. Launched in 2019, S.H.E. aims to close the glaring gap in rural areas between men and women when it comes to business development. Its uniqueness lies in the way it’s designed, resting on two pillars – inspiration and education – to drive large scale social impact.

Striking the heart of inequality

While CSR activities and entrepreneurship programmes like S.H.E are powerful, it’s important to realise that gender inequality manifests in several ways and can therefore be addressed through just as many solutions. And every step of the way technology can be used to support these efforts.

For instance, every organisation should have leaders asking themselves if they’re doing enough to empower women. Every business needs to create and nurture networks to foster entrepreneurship among their female employees. This goes a long way towards ensuring women workforce can build the confidence they need to thrive.

“Ending inequality and empowering women needs to become a business priority for every organisation if we’re going to prosper as a society and overcome the big challenges on the horizon.”

With ‘Women in Engineering Day’ on June 23^rd here’s an opportunity for all of us to encourage women to consider STEM careers and echo the great work women engineers are doing across the globe.

Because when women win, the family, our community and the entire world wins.

To learn more about our S.H.E initiative, click here. 

The post Why entrepreneurship is key to breaking down barriers for women appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Unified Communications (UC) is a powerful strategy that combines various communication methods – including voice, video, messaging, and email – into a single system, thus streamlining and improving collaboration, productivity and employee experience. However, implementing a unified communications stack can be a challenging and complex process. The enterprise voice network needs to be seamlessly integrated with collaboration platforms and applications.

When organisations work with different partners for the distinctive elements of this UC stack, the ecosystem can get complicated. Carriers and CASPs (Communications Application Service Providers) can help resolve this intricacy with the Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC) solution. A carrier ties up with a CASP, thus offering customers the flexibility and scalability of the cloud without sacrificing their existing relationships.

In addition to streamlining communications and collaboration, the BYOC approach offers several advantages, including cost reduction, scalability, and customisation. By leveraging their existing carrier partnerships, businesses can avoid expensive infrastructure investments while still enjoying the benefits of a unified communication platform. As a result, BYOC solutions have become a popular choice for companies of all sizes.

“BYOC is strategically and economically sound. As organisations move toward cloud-based UC, they will often be best served by keeping longstanding, strategic carrier relationships intact. Plus, BYOC allows them to fulfill existing carrier contracts. Carriers have invested heavily to make sure each customer’s UC communications experience is secure, scalable, and flexible.”

– Brent Kelly, Principal Analyst, Omdia

Role of a telecom carrier in unlocking the full potential of BYOC

Telecom carriers have strong existing relationships with their customers, and they can help enterprises to maximise the effects of a BYOC set-up:

• Technical expertise: A trusted partner offers the technical expertise required to integrate a business’s carrier network with the cloud collaboration platform. They assist in configuring the network, setting up necessary APIs, and ensuring that the integration is seamless and secure.
• Carrier relationships: Leveraging their established relationships with different carriers in a multi-vendor environment, a primary front-ending carrier can help organizations to lower their total cost of ownership
• Ongoing support: A trusted carrier can provide continuous support and maintenance for the BYOC solution, ensuring that it remains functional and efficient. They monitor the network, troubleshoot issues, and provide timely upgrades and patches.
• Training and education: Enterprises require help to understand the advantages of BYOC and ensure that their employees are fully equipped to use it effectively, thus maximising their ROI. Carriers partner with CASPs on this aspect.

BYOC Roadmap

BYOC is an evolving area in collaboration technology. Here are some signature developments to keep an eye on:

• Integration with emerging technologies: As artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) become more prevalent, BYOC solutions may incorporate these technologies to enhance their capabilities and provide more personalised and efficient communication experiences.
• Enhanced security: With the increasing prevalence of BYOC solutions, there will be a greater focus on security, especially as businesses aim to protect sensitive data and comply with regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
• Focus on user experience: As businesses continue to prioritise user experience, BYOC solutions may include more intuitive interfaces and user-friendly features to improve the communication experience and drive greater adoption.

“Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC) is an innovative way for businesses to reduce communication costs, while maintaining control over their carrier relationships. BYOC enables businesses to leverage the benefits of the cloud, without sacrificing their existing carrier network.”

– Elka Popova, Vice President and Senior Fellow, Frost & Sullivan

Tata Communications BYOC

Tata Communications, a global award-winning carrier, has joined forces with leading collaboration providers Zoom and Genesys, to launch the Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC) solution.

To learn about how organisations can adopt a BYOC approach, click here.

The post Unlocking the full potential of your carrier provider partnerships appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Uh oh! This is awkward. Sorry, it looks like this product is out of stock.

Size not available! Due to popular demand, your shipment will take longer than usual.

You’ve probably experienced one or more of these scenarios while shopping online or making reservations/bookings, especially during peak seasons. Overwhelmed systems, slow processes and lack of timely response can severely test customer patience, especially in this era where they expect (and demand) a fast and streamlined shopping experience. Most often, the customer loses patience and moves on to another site or brand. According to Zendesk Trends Report, roughly 50% of customers will switch to a competitor after just one bad support experience.

Now let’s consider a slightly different outcome.

Priya is trying to buy a dress online. After selecting the one she likes and proceeding to the payment page, she sees a message saying the dress is not available. She abandons her cart and starts browsing for alternatives in another store. However, within 5 minutes of leaving the earlier website, she receives a call from their customer service team:

Agent: Hi Priya, we noticed that you visited our website and were trying to order a dress of size XX that ran out of stock. We’re sorry for the inconvenience but are happy to inform you that the same size will be back in stock tomorrow, and we could reserve one for you. Would you still be interested in buying it?

Priya is delighted as she’ll get the dress she wanted and impressed by the proactive service she is receiving.

Priya: Yes, that’s great! And can you deliver the dress to me tomorrow itself?

Agent: Yes. Just select our instant delivery option and it will be delivered tomorrow for just INR150 more.

Priya: That would be fantastic!

Agent: Great. We will place the order and you will be notified once the dress is in stock. Thank you for your time.

Priya gets a message once the dress is back in stock and completes her purchase. While doing so, she’s also shown matching accessories that could be delivered along with the dress. Priya opts to buy the accessories and even gets a discount on the order. She receives her purchases the very same day and is delighted with the entire experience.

“According to research by Accenture, 75% of companies are more likely to make a purchase from a company that knows their name, purchase history and recommends products based on their preferences.”

Now, let’s look behind the scenes at the systems that enabled Priya’s delightful shopping experience. Underpinning it was a connected and empowered agent (connected employee), a strong partner network (connected supply chain) that gave the agent visibility into when the item would be restocked and when they could ensure timely delivery, and a set of tools (connected things) to send recommendations (like the accessory suggestions) based on customer preferences (her choice of dress).

Essentially, Priya’s experience was powered by a hyperconnected ecosystem—one that encompasses all stakeholders from the employee to the partner to the customer and the user to truly add value and create a Total Experience (TX).

Such an ecosystem broadly comprises of:

Connected Customers

Creating compelling experiences for customers depends on being able to communicate, engage, and collaborate anytime, anywhere, and across any channel. In the above example, Priya was supported by a customer support team that not only started a proactive conversation but also guided her through the entire purchasing process with contextual options to speed up the delivery, following up via regular notifications on her preferred communication channel.

Connected Workforce

When organisations build a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and engaged, the outcome is usually exceptional. The agent in the above example was empowered with the tools needed, was engaged enough to reach out and build contextual conversations with the customer, and not only ensured the purchase was made, but also gave the customer a delightful shopping experience. The connectivity that made this possible is a very important determinant of not just experience but also productivity and efficiency.

Connected Infrastructure

Business agility in a hyperconnected ecosystem starts with infrastructure agility. IT infrastructure that can support rapid deployment and provisioning, scale up or down, and easy upgrades and improvements forms the foundation of a hyperconnected ecosystem.

Connected Solutions

Organizations are rapidly adopting an array of internet-of-things-enabled use cases to connect assets and derive actionable insights from the data that the connected assets are generating. Better data across the value chain can provide more visibility into demand forecasts and help optimize production.

Priya’s shopping experience, which very likely will ensure she becomes a repeat customer, is a small example of how a total experience that encompasses all stakeholders from the employee to the partner to the customer and the user can lead to an enhanced experience for each of them. To achieve this total experience, superior connectivity is key.

As such hyperconnected ecosystems are heavily technology dependent, businesses need the right partner who can help simplify and manage the complexity involved and provide end to end solutions. Companies like Tata communications brings together tools, platforms, skills and expertise to help you build agile infrastructure, enable compelling employee and customer experiences, deploy connected solutions and build digital trust.

To learn more about enhancing the customer experience through hyperconnected ecosystems, click here.

The post Elevating Customer Experience Through Hyperconnected Ecosystems appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Do you remember the last time you updated your phone’s operating system? Or how about your computer’s software? Chances are, you do it regularly to ensure you have the latest features and security updates.

Similarly, businesses need to modernise legacy systems in order to adopt the emergence of a broad range of new technologies to streamline operations, reduce costs, enhance security and improve competitive edge.

With cloud technology at its core, IT modernisation initiatives can help organisations to create more value through technology-based business innovation and digital transformation.

“Enterprises can leverage the cloud as a source of transformative value, which is estimated to be more than $1 trillion, across industry verticals with multiple use cases within each.”

The real value of modern IT systems lies in the business transformation benefits that are greater than just cost efficiencies. Companies that fail to modernise  IT systems risk falling behind competitors, losing customers, and missing out on growth opportunities.

5 reasons why delaying IT Modernisation could be detrimental to your business

Enterprises need to act fast, and any delay in IT modernisation could be detrimental to business interests. Here are five reasons why organisations should not push back  IT modernisation.

1. Inefficient and costly development and maintenance for applications

The development team must use the most agile environment to build and maintain applications requiring new architectures, tools, and business models. Enterprises also need to take legacy, on-premises applications, convert them to cloud-based, mobile-friendly applications, and run them efficiently.  Application modernisation can help enterprises improve application development and maintenance productivity by 38 per cent and infrastructure cost efficiency by 29 per cent for using cloud-based applications.

Besides, modern IT applications and systems improve customer experiences, such as faster response times, personalised service, and easy access to information. According to a study, 80% of customers consider the company’s experience equally important as its products and services. Therefore, businesses that delay IT modernisation risk losing customers to competitors who provide better experiences.

Additionally, outdated systems are more prone to failure which can lead to significant financial losses for businesses in the event of unplanned downtime. The average cost of downtime varies from $5,600 per minute to $9,000 per minute, which again depends on industry vertical, organisation size and business function.

2. Limited scalability

Scalability and agility are critical in today’s business environment, and businesses with outdated systems risk losing market share to more agile competitors. The legacy system may have limited scalability, making it difficult for enterprises to scale business operations cost-effectively to meet their evolving needs. It restricts enterprises’ ability to handle the large volume of data generated by businesses and leverage modern analytic technologies for deriving valuable business insights.

According to research, companies that embrace enterprise agility can improve operational performance by 30 to 50%, leading to an improvement in financial performance by 20 to 30%. Therefore, businesses that delay IT modernisation risk falling behind competitors in terms of operational efficiency and financial performance.

3. Security vulnerabilities

Legacy systems have vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit, and they are the most significant threat to a company’s security. In addition, older software may not receive updates or patches, making it more susceptible to cyber-attacks.

“The cost of data breaches and compliance risks can be high, not only in terms of monetary losses but also reputational damage. According to a study by the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach in 2022 was $4.35 million.”

This study also attributed outdated IT systems to be a primary contributing factor for many of the breaches.

Having modern technology and systems in place can reduce this cost significantly. For example, organisations which have adopted the cloud can cut the cost of any cybersecurity breaches by 26%.

4. Innovation challenges

With modernised IT systems, businesses can leverage APIs to integrate disparate systems and unlock valuable data from various sources. Businesses can also use advanced data analytics to gain insights into customer behaviour, identify trends, and optimise operations.

One of the largest container logistics & shipping companies used the cloud to implement an  innovative operating model which enabled users to do resource management on their own. The cloud platform enabled them to create tools and processes for real-time chargebacks at a project level. It also provided visibility into license management and better analytics to understand consumption patterns and potential cost savings.

Having a modernised IT system allows businesses to innovate and stay ahead of the competition. For example, the leading video rental company in the early 2000s, Blockbuster, ended up losing out to online streaming pioneer Netflix, who leveraged customer data to create an innovative analytical model powered by cloud computing. At the core of Netflix’s business model is its machine learning-based recommendation engine, which offers a personalised recommendation to users.

5. Costly Maintenance

Outdated systems require more maintenance and support, which can be expensive over time. Modernising can save you money in the long run by reducing maintenance costs and improving operational efficiency.

One of the leading German multinational automobile manufacturers has created a common cloud platform that connects 124 plants, 500 warehouses, and 1,500 suppliers. The company has set a goal of 30% factory cost reduction by 2025, leveraging its industrial cloud, which will enable it to consolidate real-time data from all its machines and systems across the globe and utilise advanced analytics tools to derive valuable insights for process improvement and innovation.

Better late than never

Delaying IT modernisation can have serious consequences for businesses. Delaying IT modernisation can lead to inefficient and costly application development and maintenance, limit scalability, restrict the adoption of emerging technologies and innovation capabilities, and increase the vulnerability of IT systems to cyber-attacks and data breaches.

“Central to IT modernisation initiatives is cloud technology, which has changed enterprise IT and redefined the competitive landscape.”

According to Gartner, 51% of enterprise IT spending in the four categories of application software, infrastructure software, business process services and system infrastructure markets will shift from traditional solutions to the public cloud by 2025.

It is therefore important that businesses act swiftly to establish a secure cloud-driven ecosystem to power their IT modernisation and remain competitive, meet customer expectations, and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing business landscape.

To know more about how Tata Communications can help enterprises with their IT modernisation journey, click here.

The post 5 Reasons Not To Delay IT Modernisation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

It’s essential for REs* to optimise cloud-enabled transformation and achieve holistic operational efficiency and transformation. After all, the varied benefits of cloud will shape the future of how services are delivered by these entities.

In this regard, SEBI’s cloud framework provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for REs* to safely unlock value at scale with cloud.

Key takeaways from the SEBI advisory framework

The new SEBI guidelines should be viewed as an extension of the existing framework, although this can sometimes be challenging for REs*, particularly those who are new to the cloud.

Here are some of the crucial takeaways from the latest SEBI guidelines:

• Mandatory empanelment with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): REs* must only choose the services of cloud service providers (CSPs) that are empanelled with MeitY and hold valid STQC audit status, because they’re solely accountable for the confidentiality, integrity and security of their data. As such, REs* are required to perform a detailed due diligence before selecting the CSPs. They must also ensure they’re continuously adhering to the guidelines and controls prescribed by regulators, including encryption requirements, log retention, isolation and auditability.
• Mandatory establishment of security operations centres (SOCs): All cloud deployments made by REs* should be monitored and managed through SOCs. These include all in-house, third-party and managed cloud services.
• Keeping data within the geographical boundaries of the nation, country risk and concentration risk: Data localisation is one of the significant mandates of SEBI. REs* must ensure that onboarding CSPs to adopt cloud doesn’t compromise data integrity and security. The entities are required to have adequate contingency and exit strategies to mitigate risk to the country.
• Anytime auditability by SEBI or Government of India -certified bodies: SEBI has been steadfast about auditability. The framework clearly states that SEBI and other GOI-certified regulators have complete authority to conduct audits of REs* data logs and their cloud adoption practises at any time. This mandate brings the entire cloud chain – the REs*, the CSPs and the third parties – under the ambit of SEBI and GOI.
• Seizure of CSP resources if necessary: The framework even goes one step ahead and states SEBI can seize logs, hardware, and any other resource deemed necessary in their pursuit for transparency and weeding out irregularities. REs* must accept this mandate to comply with the framework.
• Mandatory tripartite agreement between the REs*, CSPs and CSP vendors/partners: For the new mandates to bear desired results, SEBI has also instructed REs* to enter three-way agreements with their CSPs and third-party stakeholders. This is to ensure that all parties are on the same page and the cloud journey is both fruitful and secure.
• Mandatory exit strategy: REs* using Software as a service (SaaS) and Platform as a service (PaaS) tend to rely heavily on native cloud capabilities, thereby increasing risk of vendor lock in. Hence, the framework emphasises that REs* must have an exit strategy in place to mitigate any future risks. This means that REs* should adopt an extremely cautious approach while selecting a cloud provider, as well as at the time of designing the stack and the services going to be consumed.

Relevance of private and community cloud

In alignment with SEBI’s framework, a hybrid of private and community cloud is more suitable for maintaining compliance with ever evolving regulatory guidelines. This is because while public cloud alone offers more capabilities, it’s also reliant on native capabilities which leave REs* more vulnerable to data breaches and security lapses.

However, private and community cloud provide significant advantages over public cloud since its offers flexibility in aligning controls and compliance with stringent guidelines from regulators. Here are some of the essential benefits of private and community cloud for REs*:

• Control: Private and community cloud can allow REs* to have enhanced control over their data and information. This is key for them to always secure their data assets, as prescribed by SEBI.
• Security: Unlike public cloud, private and community cloud enable REs* to remain on top of their data and user controls without heavily relying on third parties and external stakeholders.
• Customisation and compliance: These are important advantages as REs* have greater freedom to customise their cloud operations in compliance with the SEBI guidelines.
• Predictability and cost control: Private and community cloud operates in a niche environment which allows deliverables and services to be highly customisable. And in turn, this enables control on the cost.

In conclusion

SEBI’s cloud adoption framework is a positive development for the financial sector in India. With the increasing adoption of cloud technology in the sector, it’s essential that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect sensitive data. SEBI’s framework addresses this and paves a way towards a more secure and efficient financial sector in India by guiding REs* with a clear roadmap for adopting cloud while keeping data secure and staying compliant.

As highly skilled domain experts with years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the financial services industry, Tata Communications can partner with you on your cloud journey. We thrive on the principles of focused customer centricity, enhanced operational interoperability, strengthened core competencies, and improved compliance and governance.

Our private, industry specific cloud solutions are aimed at helping our clients optimise their data, ensure complete security and maintain compliance with changing guidelines. Based on these, our team can help you expedite and optimise cloud adoption in line with SEBI’s guidelines.

Learn how Tata Communications’ IZO Financial Cloud Services can help you create a cloud ecosystem that is purpose built for your business, while ensuring you stay compliant with all regulatory requirements.

*Please Note: The advisory is applicable to the below REs:

• All Stock Exchanges
• All Clearing Corporations
• All Depositories
• All Stockbrokers through Exchanges
• All Depository Participants through Depositories
• All Mutual Funds / Asset Management companies / Trustee Companies / Boards of Trustees of Mutual Funds / Association of Mutual Funds of India
• All KYC registration agencies
• All Qualified registrars to an issue / share transfer agent

The post SEBI Advisory: Cloud services adoption framework – Key Takeaways appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

2022 has been a transformational year for many businesses. The year started off with more unexpected challenges — surging inflation, recession fears, and geopolitical woes — forcing business leaders to rethink their strategies on productivity and growth.

According to Gartner, most (89%) board of directors report that digital is embedded across all business growth strategies. Yet only 35% say they have achieved or are on track to achieving their digital transformation goals. So, it is high time that businesses accelerate their digital transformation to effectively address the changing economic landscape.

However, rapid digital transformation is not without its challenges. Businesses need to address cybersecurity threats (39% of UK businesses identified a cyberattack in 2022, according to Cyber Security Breaches Survey by Ipsos) and the  complexity in managing multi-cloud systems (four out of five businesses now use more than one public or private cloud system, according to HashiCorp report 2022 State of Cloud Strategy Survey) besides ensuring that they keep pace with constant changes in technology and business needs.

Businesses are having to leverage emerging technologies to make data-driven decisions, remain productive and drive competitiveness. And as they continue to increase digital adoption, business leaders must also find ways to overcome the challenges they encounter along the way to ensure lasting business agility and growth.

In this piece, I will explore the top trends that will govern how businesses approach their digital infrastructure in 2023 and suggest ways businesses can level up to achieve operational excellence and business goals.

Digital Ecosystems

Digital transformation continues to be a core objective for businesses today. And as they modernise their infrastructure and create operational visibility to build trust with customers, critical applications will not only need to be available 24/7 but will also need to have real-time connectedness with the business’ ecosystem. This digital ecosystem of partners, suppliers, governments, and institutions are necessary to deliver value across the board.

These developments will enable businesses to provide their customers with exceptional digital experiences while enhancing productivity and fuelling business growth.

“This is an inevitable change considering that the hyperconnected world of the future – with its billions of connected devices – will alter the way businesses and individuals alike interact and engage with technology.”

However, the integration of diverse technologies and platforms remains a complex task for businesses. To accelerate digital adoption across your value chain, maximise value from data, save costs and grow your revenue, there is a need to collaborate with the right technology service provider.

As such, it is critical to partner with a provider that has the expertise and experience to continuously manage your ecosystem securely and cost effectively while ensuring multiple systems are integrated efficiently.

When done right, digital ecosystems will allow organisations to move closer to customers and focus on their needs while speeding up business innovation.

Hyper Customer Focus

Today, businesses can seamlessly connect, communicate, and collaborate with people and technologies alike. And the availability of digital technologies 24/7 have transformed consumer habits.

Consumers now expect relevant content to be available to them at anytime, anywhere, and in the format and on the device of their choosing. It’s this always connected customer journey that dictates business strategy – driving the need for more analytics and customer behaviour metrics. These valuable insights can be effectively used to get closer to the customer, deliver hyper-localised services and immersive digital experiences to meet their needs.

With an increase in the use of IoT devices and the need to elevate omnichannel customer experiences, computing is moving from a centralised cloud architecture to the edge (bringing services closer to the customer). The edge computing market is estimated to be worth $155.90 billion by 2030, according to a recent report by Million Insights.

As businesses continue to grow, edge computing will complement cloud computing by delivering immersive interactions, real-time value, and intelligence solutions to customers.

Reinvent Innovation

With acceleration in digital connectedness, businesses will prefer most of their services to be cloud delivered and cloud assured. They can leverage the as-a-service model to consume as few or as many resources as needed. This helps to manage each business’ cloud usage and cost effectiveness considering most (89%) businesses already report having a multi-cloud strategy, according to Flexera.

With the as-a-service model providing the foundation for technology on-demand, organisations can focus more on their business objectives and ability to compete effectively in the marketplace.

As a result, the ability to rapidly innovate new products and services will no longer be a ‘nice to have’ but rather, a ‘must have’ if businesses are to maintain market share and enhance growth.

Digital Trust

A cloud delivered and cloud assured model increases the amount of data being generated exponentially. This large sum of data becomes attractive to cyber adversaries who see as it as a target of economic value. And as such, these businesses become more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

“One-third of global businesses were breached more than seven times in 2022, according to Trend Micro’s and the Ponemon Institute’s semi-annual Cyber Risk Index (CRI) report. In an increasingly distributed digital business, leaders must prioritise data security to maintain trust with their customers.”

Also, new regulations such as the Personal Data Protection (PDP) bill in India, CSA guidelines in Singapore, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines in the US, are leading to greater accountability and compliance.

As a result, the demand for technologies and services to protect data will continue to grow. Gartner predicts that cloud security will have the strongest growth over the next two years, and spending on information security and risk management products and services will grow by 11.3% to reach more than $188.3 billion in 2023.

Digital trust is important. By seeking a trusted managed security services partner and shoring up defences, businesses can protect their reputation while ensuring business continuity.

Sustainability

As we move closer to 2030, the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals and the Paris Agreement targets are top of mind for most business leaders wanting to play their part in reducing global warming. According to Gartner, CEOs say environmental and social changes are now a top three priority for investors, after profit and revenue.

This means sustainable practises will be embedded in digital transformation strategies to grow with a green footprint. Thinking big and thinking sustainably are core to the promise of digital technologies and the transformation they enable. After all, digital transformation is an engine for new processes, innovations and business models that do more with less.

Also, more businesses will start to measure the benefits of their sustainability decisions and how it is making an impact on their overall business objectives. Investing in technologies like traceability, analytics, renewable energy, and AI will help businesses achieve their sustainability goals.

Global digital transformation spending is forecast to reach $3.4 trillion in 2026, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Digital Transformation Spending Guide. In 2023, we’ll see more businesses take bold strides towards modernising their digital ecosystem, elevating customer and employee experiences while being more sustainable and resilient. A hyperconnected world of the future will change the way we interact, engage, and coexist with technology.

To learn more about the technological trends that are set to change the business landscape in 2023, click here.

The post Five Strategic Trends for Business Transformation in 2023 appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Amongst the most prevalent threats today, ransomware is one of the most disruptive and destructive risk that enterprises face In the last 12 months, Cyber Security Breaches survey highlighted 39% of UK businesses identified a cyber-attack, remaining consistent with previous years. With modern enterprises relying extensively on data to run their operations, cybercriminals can effectively shut down an entire organisation by taking their data hostage.

Moreover, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and multi-layered. For instance, by encrypting and exfiltrating their victims’ data, cyber perpetrators can extort more money by threatening to expose the information to data leak sites or underground forums.

In fact, ransomware has become such a significant risk that NordLocker’s analysis looked at the global distribution of ransomware attacks between January 2020 and July 2022, finding that regardless of geographic location, small businesses are at the highest risk, accounting for nearly two-thirds (62%) of all attacks take place in the UK. Likewise, international law firm RPC found that the number of UK ransomware attacks highest targeted sectors were finance, insurance, credit, education, and healthcare.

So, what can organisations do to protect their business? Here are five important considerations:

1. Reinforce Cyber Hygiene

From a technology perspective, good cyber hygiene practices comprise of disciplined vulnerability assessment and management where all operating systems, software, firmware, and network devices are constantly updated. Additional attention is needed for end of life and end of support applications and devices. Organisations should also enforce robust password regimes and leverage measures, such as MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), to minimise the chances of unauthorised access.

People form another critical aspect of cyber hygiene.

“Organisations should conduct regular cyber awareness training to raise employees’ security knowledge and awareness.”

They should also conduct exercises, such as phishing attack simulations, to elevate employees’ cyber vigilance. These steps are vital in preventing ransomware delivery through social engineering.

2. Adopt a Zero-Trust Approach

Organisations should look at transforming their security infrastructure based on zero trust principles. In simple terms, zero-trust essentially means that an organisation does not automatically trust anything inside or outside of its perimeter. Every access request needs to be fully validated to ensure its legitimacy.

The impetus to adopt a zero-trust framework is the dramatic growth of endpoints within organisations and the need for more devices to communicate directly with applications. Zero-trust allows enterprises to verify access requests based on identity and user context and limit access to specific applications to authorised users, creating a more secure digital environment.

3. Vault your Data

Effective preparation is the key to minimising the impact and disruption that ransomware attacks can bring. Frequent data backups, regular testing of backup restoration and storing data in vaults are critical to avoiding a data hostage situation.

“Organisations need to recognise that paying the ransom is never recommended path.”

Instead, they should focus on preparations that allow them to get back on their feet swiftly. The optimal approach to addressing a ransomware incident is to execute data recovery from the offline data storage to resume operations.

4. Upgrade your Defences with a Security Operations Centre

Enterprises can adopt a more proactive cybersecurity stance by creating their own security operations centre (SOC) with the right analytical tools and skills or subscribing to the services of one. Through an advanced SOC, organisations can move beyond security information and event management (SIEM) tools with curated Cyber Threat Intelligence Feeds which are credible and actionable.

Additionally, integrating Security Orchestration And Automation (SOAR) can give enterprises the ability to automate containment actions swiftly which are key in current cyber threat context. Also, enterprises should leverage user and entity behaviour analytics (UEBA) and detection tools to more holistic extended detection and response (XDR). Tapping on XDR can give enterprises the ability to secure all data across their digital estate.

“Besides having the right technological tools and framework, another critical component of a fully functional SOC is talent.”

The SOC needs to be manned by a team of highly skilled cyber defenders with deep knowledge of the enterprise estate. As the cybersecurity industry faces a manpower crunch, organisations can look to managed security service providers to fill the gap.

The SOC team can also help enterprises develop a ransomware response checklist and incident response plan. This includes understanding applicable state data breach laws, mapping communication procedures, and ensuring the contacts matrix is up to date. In addition, organisations can further evaluate their readiness by conducting periodic incident response drills.

5. Secure your Digital Ecosystem

Lastly, in a digitally connected world enterprises today have many dependencies as look to deliver value across their ecosystem of partners, suppliers, governments, institutions. They must evaluate the security posture of their third-party partners and ensure all connections between third-party vendors and outside software or hardware are monitored and reviewed for suspicious activity.

Cybersecurity assurance should also be critical evaluation criteria when selecting partners and vendors. Organizations need to be able to trust their partners’ capabilities to secure the data they share with them.

“With the industrialisation of cybercrime and the rise of ransomware-as-a-service, ransomware attacks have become advanced, destructive, and challenging to defend.”

To keep their digital assets safe and prevent their data from being taken hostage, enterprises need to continue to evolve their cyber defences.

By seeking a trusted cybersecurity partner to help evaluate their security posture, improve their defences and elevate their cybersecurity strategy to the next level, organisations can better protect their continuity while ensuring they stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries – especially in the face of increasingly potent ransomware attacks.

To learn more about how to upgrade your defences for the cybersecurity threats of tomorrow, click here.

The post Combating ransomware: Don’t let your data be held hostage appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The past few years have been a transformational time for the business world, presenting countless challenges as well as opportunities. And in 2023, this era of uncertainty is only set to accelerate – from growing inflation and economic recessions to the ongoing global chip shortage, impending regulatory changes and the expected consolidation of providers.

However, enterprises have also become increasingly comfortable with uncertainty. As a result, going into 2023, many leaders know they need to focus on strategizing ways to make their enterprise systems ever more resilient to constant change – and network modernisation is one crucial element.

With that in mind, here are the top trends that will determine how enterprises approach their network architecture in the new year, in an effort to imbue their operations with greater flexibility, agility, and resilience.

1. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to ramp up flexibility, resilience and compliance

To cater to the hybrid workforce and the growing desire for greater flexibility by employees, many businesses have continued to move towards hybrid cloud and SaaS models over the past few years.

Companies and staff are starting to feel the impact on performance that comes with navigating between increasingly disparate multi-cloud environments. So, in response, many enterprises will look at artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions to help elevate connectivity experience for employees.

AI can identify patterns and detect anomalies more effectively and provide intelligent actionable insights that elevate the performance of connectivity services. It also enables enterprises to conduct a much faster Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify, isolate, and fix problems in their complex work environment.

“With more than nine in 10 businesses reporting to already have an ongoing investment in AI, it will continue to grow in popularity as businesses’ look to infuse their management solutions with greater flexibility and reactivity.”

These improvements will be essential to make enterprises more resilient to evolving market conditions and future regulatory and compliance demands.

2. Simplification – More choice and control with greater breadth of on-demand services and intent-based networking

Many businesses have seen their work environments not only grow in size, but in complexity. As a result, it’s become tougher for many enterprises to manage and optimise their offerings to the needs of the business or employees.

So, in 2023, we’ll see more firms lean on providers and solutions that can give them greater control over their services with simpler terms. Whether a business wants to change the class of service for different kinds of application traffic or decide on which latency path to take, or which cloud application they need to connect to, leaders will look for providers who can give them the power to choose what’s right for them at that moment and in as straightforward a manner as possible.

“AI and ML will be integral in bringing these solutions to fruition, by adding intelligence to drive on-demand decision-making.”

As such, the next generation of networking will be a lot more intent-based to meet the specific needs of businesses and end users.

For instance, an enterprise may have 10 different applications and may want each one to have a specific response time to its customers. So, in this case, a solution that embeds this level of flexibility of choice into the infrastructure so it can cater to rapidly changing needs is the main requirement.

And by also imbibing better connectivity technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6 that offer faster speeds and lower latency, more reliable network connections will be established.

So, we can foresee a move from fixed contracts that offer minimal flexibility and agility to react to traffic changes or real-world events, to ones built on the firm’s intent. As intent is often connected to the analytical insights derived from customer activity. The ability to make changes helps enterprises better align their strategies and objectives with their costs.

3. The rise in embedded capabilities

While the past few years have seen a lot of new challenges, two challenges that pre-date the pandemic and have only become greater priorities for businesses are cybersecurity and sustainability.

As a result, more and more businesses will seek partners and tools that have already factored them into their offerings.

“Enterprises are increasingly evaluating the partners they work with in terms of their sustainability framework.”

For example, at Tata communications we saved our power consumption globally by approx. 6.2 million kWh in FY 2021-22. So, technology’s ability to enable firms to reach their environmental objectives has become a key decision-making criteria.

However, not all new, exciting technologies will dominate in the new year. For instance, satellite internet rose to popularity earlier this year. And while it may bring much needed connectivity to rural parts of the world, it will not replace submarine telecoms cables.

And on that note, as businesses continue to expand into less advanced economies, they’ll look for partners that are able to expand with them and optimise their networks to thrive in these regions, despite their less developed digital infrastructure.

An exciting future for networks

Businesses need a network that is fit for purpose and one that puts end-user experiences at its core. The world is shifting quickly and an offering needs to be end-to-end, we need to simplify it for the customer, that’s the key takeaway. The future will be bright for businesses who lay the groundwork keeping in mind the above trends to guide their network progress. The winners will be those that make their network future proof- by improving their connectivity solutions, adopting new age tech like AI and ML.

And moving to on-demand and intent-based networking – while embedding sustainability and security into everything.

To learn more about Tata Communications network solutions, click here.

The post 3 Enterprise network trends to expect in 2023 appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Greg Anderson once said, “Focus on the journey, not the destination”. Your journey to the cloud is accurately reflected in this statement. It’s a quest to streamline and automate workflows, increase flexibility, optimise performance, and control costs – all to drive growth and enhance the customer experience.

Given these benefits of the cloud, it’s not surprising that the cloud migration services market size is expected to reach $515.83 billion by 2027. But enterprises need to feel and be confident of the business outcomes of cloud migration before they decide to adopt it. Identifying the technological features of cloud transformation may be easy, but the real challenge lies in adopting them.

The pathway to the cloud is riddled with complexities. When looking to migrate to the cloud, technology chiefs are often concerned with defining the business logic, as well as getting to grips with the existing landscape, legacy issues, and compliance and risk considerations.

“Although comprehending cloud tools and technology may be relatively simple, the implementation, management, improvement, and innovation aspects are often overlooked when devising plans for cloud migration journeys.”

Therefore, a cloud partner (CP) with managed service capabilities has a prominent role to play. The CP defines the roadmap, setting a clear pathway to a future-ready cloud platform.

The big question is: what is the hallmark of a trusted CP, and what attributes should you keep in mind when choosing one?

Who is your ideal cloud partner?

Today, customers are not only looking for best-in-class solutions for their business but also trusted advisors throughout their transformation journey. Finding the right partner, at the right time, with proven skills and experience is the secret to a high-impact innovation journey.

“Your CP needs to have a deep understanding of business functions, objectively define the existing IT landscape, create a solution blueprint and align the outcomes with business objectives.”

They also need to be well-versed in the latest cloud technologies and best practices, with a proven record of successful cloud implementations.

Offering a consultative approach, the right partner will suggest a migration strategy that helps you reap the maximum benefits of cloud adoption. They simplify the whole life cycle of cloud adoption – from planning to migration to maintenance. When searching for a CP, it is crucial to consider their level of proficiency and past experiences. Your CP must be well-versed in the latest cloud technologies and best practices with a proven track record of successful cloud implementations.

Here we outline four ways in which the ideal CP can help you unlock the true potential of the cloud.

1. Simplify cloud adoption

Most platform providers pitch their native tools and cloud features. However, one of the most important steps in the cloud adoption journey is to first identify and evaluate the current landscape.

The right partner has the expertise and tools to decipher what is running in the customer’s environment and how it can be seamlessly migrated and integrated with new systems. They can evaluate and articulate the need for modernisation. According to Gartner, application assessment is the most critical phase in a cloud migration project.

“The CP must study the client’s environment to establish its technological maturity and readiness.”

It is equally important to understand the scope of IT operations in the present scenario and how well can the existing systems connect to new-age platforms. Some of the aspects the CP needs to delve into include application categorisation, the network architecture, system, and user configurations, the extent of automation, security frameworks, current sales level agreements (SLAs) and conformance to compliances.

A simple lift and shift cloud migration strategy can result in project failure for enterprises – research shows that over 30% of cloud initiatives fail. The right CP, with a sound migration strategy, factors in what needs to be changed, the pace of the roll-out, and marks the milestones along the way.

They help design, integrate, migrate and manage cloud services with their proven framework. CPs assume cloud advisory positions to guarantee deployment and oversee operations that help businesses navigate through their cloud journey.

2. Streamline cloud control and operations

The magic of cloud computing lies in it being a journey. Seldom is it considered to be the end destination. Setting up a cloud environment involves multiple stakeholders – from cross-functional teams of customers to the cloud platform provider to the cloud partners. Given this complex ecosystem, it becomes critical for the CP to provide support during this onboarding process.

Your CP should be able to support existing processes, adhere to standardisations and strive for improvisation with minimal disruptions to customer operations before, during, and after cloud transitions. They should add value to the business at each layer of technological and service integration. The CP brings together a bundle of services.

“The ideal CP is expected to anticipate the risks involved, mitigate operational issues, and respond with agility during the entire process of project implementation, as well as the entire life cycle of the project.”

Performance monitoring becomes critically important to help identify non-conformities and over or under-provisioning in the client’s IT environment. The right CP will not only optimise and automate cost control but also safeguard your existing investments, wherever possible. They should be able to initiate remediations on the fly and provide actionable insights into the health of your systems through state-of-the-art monitoring systems, IT service management tools and IT infrastructure library -based frameworks.

3. Governance risk and compliance

Cloud cybersecurity is a significant challenge for enterprises adopting the cloud, with, 88% of board directors viewing cybersecurity as a business risk. Ensuring data security in the cloud is, however, no easy feat.  Transitioning a client’s security control to the cloud could highlight a number of vulnerabilities, particularly given the phenomenal recent increase in threat vectors and advancements in vulnerabilities – something which requires continuous re-evaluation of cloud infrastructure from a security perspective.

A secure transition framework should deploy industrialised cybersecurity capabilities from day zero – that is, the day the customers first think of developing their cloud footprint.

“The right CP enhances security measures in the new platform dynamically, as per regulatory guidelines and the requirements of the client.”

CPs help manage such complexities in the client’s IT environment, emphasising the use of the right mix of cloud-native and third-party tools to ensure cloud protection for organisations.

A CP with sound security service capabilities can help organisations build the right cloud security foundation. There has been a phenomenal increase in the threat vectors and advancements in vulnerabilities that requires a continuous re-evaluation of cloud infrastructure from the security perspective.

CPs bring in an extra hand to manage such complexities in the client’s IT environment. They emphasise the use of the right mix of cloud-native and third-party tools to ensure cloud protection for organisations. Your CP should be invested in enhanced technologies like security operations centers and advanced cybersecurity tools to detect non-conformities and manage the IT landscape comprehensively. This would help organisations pre-empt vulnerabilities and respond to incidents in a timely manner. It can also provide technology leaders with a dashboard view of all resources and controls to enhance business efficiencies.

4. Ensure the availability of skilled resources

The absence of specialised IT skills directly hampers an organisation’s digital capabilities, restricting them from addressing changing business requirements. In fact, organisational agility cannot exist without the appropriate skills. Without the right talent, enterprises end up dealing with greater complexities and spend more time scaling and managing computing resources.

“While IT leaders try to manage a team of in-house IT specialists, the challenge of hiring, nurturing and retaining staff in specialised technologies across geographies can increase costs and open up potential compliance risks.”

To navigate this, IT leaders can leverage the capabilities of a CP with industry experience, so they don’t have to become experts in every aspect of cloud technology themselves.

Skilled and certified professionals from a CP can manage your IT setups tactfully. The trusted CP regularly invests in building and developing skilled staff to enable seamless customer IT operations on the cloud. Integrated support from an experienced and certified team ensures that IT leaders can maximise the value of their cloud environment and get back to focusing on their business.

Charting cloud migrations with the right CP

As technology evolves, so must our infrastructure and the cloud is no exception. Hence, customers require an experienced partner who can provide a holistic migration approach framework. One who weaves together a solution that encompasses digital infrastructure of cloud, network, security, and data center, as well as possess the required skill sets and expertise, and have the ability to integrate new technologies within the SLA requirements.

“Customers should prioritise choosing the right CP before choosing their cloud platform.”

Therefore, organisations must aim at onboarding experienced CPs with proven track records, a CP that offers unified cloud experiences. Recent evolutions in cloud computing make subject matter experts indispensable. They help accelerate and achieve technological and business objectives through proactive suggestions and knowledge sharing.

They should dedicate time and resources to establish clear parameters for selecting a CP and define the criteria they must fulfil to ensure the overall success of their digital transformation journey.

To learn about how organisations can adopt a ‘cloud smart’ approach, click here.

The post The role of a trusted partner in unlocking the true potential of cloud appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The industrial revolution was set in motion about two hundred years ago but it was in the 1990s when the third industrial age – the digital revolution – was unleashed.

While the manufacturing sector has adopted new technologies, the reality is that they tend to be used as tools to upgrade existing processes only. Enterprises involved in industrial or physical work – such as mining, manufacturing and logistics – have broadly carried on as before. However, this situation is changing rapidly.

“Developments in digital connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI) are poised to bring sweeping productivity and efficiency improvements across multiple industry sectors.”

And this will be achieved by making machines smarter.

But this new industrial era won’t come to fruition until fast and reliable connectivity capable of reaching the remotest locations, is also commonplace.

The challenge

In today’s digital world, organisations are struggling to deliver the connectivity, quality of service, control, and scalability that’s required of them, especially when it comes to industrial IoT applications and systems.

For example, a multi-national manufacturing company wants to upgrade its factories’ infrastructure from a largely cabled set-up to a wireless one, to give its production lines more operational flexibility. How can they go about this transition with existing solutions?

Let’s say they decide to use an existing solution like Wi-Fi. This will be challenging as Wi-Fi has inconsistent latency and bandwidth performance and cannot provide appropriate coverage over large areas – not to mention across different countries.

As such, these limitations impact the technology’s ability to deliver a quality of service necessary for real-time analysis. And make it difficult for organisations that seek better visibility and centralised control at each of their factory sites.

Transform with 5G

This is where 5G comes in.

5G has the capacity, coverage, and high signal penetration to connect devices that need to move freely across difficult radio environments. It also has lower latency, which is essential in operations where real-time connectivity is required.

On top of this, 5G enables carriers to divide the network into discrete chunks – known as network slicing – and importantly, offers something new to enterprises: the ability to run your own fast and secure wireless mini-networks. This can be achieved by either obtaining a licensing spectrum from carriers or applying for your own allocation.

Private 5G

The ability to have your own wireless network is known as private 5G. However, while these networks may be private, they don’t have to live in a vacuum.

As enterprises deploy it, they’ll need to ensure 5G works alongside other connectivity options such as 4G and Wi-Fi. They will also need to manage the transition of their connected devices from a discrete private 5G slice to a public 5G network.

“The capability of private 5G to integrate with public networks is important because many critical services, such as those in healthcare, require service continuity when moving from one network to another.”

It can be a challenge to ensure connectivity and security are maintained during these exchanges. But with the right partner platform, this can be easily overcome.

Other benefits of private 5G include:

• Deployment efficiency and flexibility of device movement (especially compared to a cable setup)
• Availability of required coverage and capacity with high quality and reliability
• Security, privacy, and data isolation requirements are possible
• Opportunity to enable real-time services
• Time critical applications are enabled through the Time Synchronization Network (TSN) features, available on 5G networks which support the integration of legacy Ethernet TSN networks

Using a network management platform

Having a standard private 5G network can be adequate for a single organisation. But for multi-national enterprises like in our earlier example, what happens if the Chief Operations Officer (COO) wants to automate and harmonise the company’s many factories to help gain visibility and control around the performance of each factory?

How can multiple factories, located in multiple countries be managed in the most efficient way possible?

“It’s easy to think the answer is to install private 5G networks at each site. But doing this will only result in multiple 5G islands, no centralised control or visibility of operations within each factory.”

However, the COO can partner with an expert network management platform that has umbrella orchestration and automation overlay to the 5G Edge and 5G data center components. This partnership will allow the enterprise to manage all legacy technologies as well as private 5G at each location efficiently.

This approach will ensure centralised access to each of the factory installations, while enabling each factory to operate autonomously. It will also allow for full visibility over the connectivity, devices and edge applications, as well as control across all the manufacturing sites, while letting each site manager run their own production lines.

Digital transformation is moving from the world of bytes to the world of things. High-bandwidth connectivity means that smart devices can communicate more, both as part of the production process and with other devices. This evolution is having a transformative impact across multiple industries – from extractive industries, through to manufacturing, logistics and beyond.

Private 5G is an enabler of this transformation and the ability to implement multi-site private 5G, along with edge compute and private to public connectivity handover are all part of the new industrial revolution.

To learn more about how digital transformation is shaping the future of industries such as manufacturing, click here.

The post Accelerate your industry 4.0 transformation with Private 5G appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

With the arrival of 5G, the trend towards cellular-based IoT projects shifts beyond low-bandwidth massive IoT applications towards more advanced broadband IoT use cases that require higher throughput, lower latency, and larger data volumes. These use cases include security cameras, drones, and connected cars. The integration of IoT devices into business processes to track assets, manage fleets, monitor patients, and ensure proper functioning of production systems represents a vast virtual expansion of the enterprise network perimeter, exposing a broader attack surface to hackers and criminals.

IoT devices often have limited processing power, storage, and may use proprietary operating systems, making them unable to support a client-based security software model. They are also transient and may cross multiple network boundaries, making traditional IT security controls inadequate. For “off-network/beyond the perimeter” devices, enterprise IT organisations have limited options for enforcing security controls and little to no visibility on device performance and behaviour.  To overcome these obstacles, organisations are increasingly embedding secure networking into the app itself, or leveraging the device SIM.

The mobile network edge is the convergence point for data between endpoints and the cloud, making it a critical location to enforce strong security measures. As businesses adopt hyper-connected transport, healthcare, logistics, retail, and industrial value chains, the risk of cyber-attacks increases. As mobile networks become more open, widespread, and built using APIs, and as workloads move to multi-cloud environments, the threat from cyberattacks and attack surface widens.

“Most of the deployed API-based applications rely on public or mobile internet as the main data transport, which creates a potential for a multi-fold increase in cyberattacks on vulnerable IoT endpoints and API clients.”

Vulnerable API endpoints and gateways need to be protected more comprehensively by enabling developers to embed private, zero-trust capabilities in API client and publisher endpoints. This then enables the API publisher to stop exposing endpoints to the Internet – each API session instead leverages a private network, zero trust overlay.

For remote and mobile IoT devices, IT organisations have limited options for enforcing security controls and have almost zero visibility on the performance and behaviour of the devices.

“CIOs must adopt a comprehensive security strategy to protect their endpoint assets.”

Endpoint-enforced security, which requires an agent to be installed on each device, may not be viable due to device support and the associated management costs. Meanwhile, backhauling all the traffic to the cloud may have a latency impact on application performance, and result in high cloud egress costs.  These are key reasons why leading organizations are now embedding the zero trust networking functions into the app itself, and using SIM-based approaches.

CIOs like Sanjay face a challenge in securing remote IoT devices, such as CCTV systems. Sanjay initially considered endpoint enforced security, but it would have created high operational complexity and cost, especially at scale. Proxying the traffic to the cloud meant too much added latency and high cloud egress costs.

Sanjay and his team have decided that the best option is a network edge security approach, orchestrated from the core network, that eliminates the need for security agents on each device, and does not require all traffic to be backhauled towards a specific cloud environment.

“This approach offers several key benefits over traditional cloud or endpoint security solutions, by eliminating latency impacts on application performance and reducing the operational pain of managing agents across distributed devices.”

It also provides improved visibility and control, robust security for both data in transit and data at rest, while also doing away with the need for integration with Sanjay’s MDM solution.

In conclusion, CIOs must be aware of the potential threats posed by API-based applications and adopt network edge-based security solutions that follow zero trust principles to protect their enterprise endpoints from cyber-attacks in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Mobile SASE and Zero Trust, when used in combination, provide a comprehensive solution to protect against cyber-attacks, ensuring business continuity and resilience.

To learn more about Tata Communications’ SASE and Zero Trust solutions, click here. 

The post The need for zero trust Mobile SASE and IoT threat defence appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

From recommending the right network, and automating redundant processes to enabling smart manufacturing; everything is a puzzle waiting to be solved. As an industry expert experienced in dealing with multiple large-scale manufacturing industries, Hari was a guiding light for the members of the CXO Tech Council by CORE Media.

The Council, powered by Tata Communications, promoted peer-to-peer sharing of challenges, ideas, and solutions for different industries in the manufacturing sector. Below is a summarised version of Hari’s key points to aid digital transformation in the sector.

Adopting an end-to-end network is crucial for uninterrupted connectivity

Fluctuating bandwidth and latency remains a serious issue, concerning a majority of manufacturing units. It makes deployments a painstaking task and messes with the overall timeline of a project.  Nair emphasised the importance of adopting end-to-end network connectivity on production floors.

“It helps significantly when the network provider can get complete visibility of the problem areas in the network and take timely actions accordingly towards mitigating them.”

Moreover, end-to-end solutions eliminate the need to deal with multiple network providers, drastically improve the QoS and enable faster resolution of issues.

Newly generated 5G use cases will be an ideal solution for manufacturers

With multiple machines and equipment running simultaneously on a production floor, a traditional network solution is insufficient for consistent and uninterrupted connectivity. More importantly, a common network solution is not compatible with different types of production.

For instance, the network provider must design a customised use case for a company that operates in remote locations, such as mines located in the middle of jungles, to provide optimum service.  Nair explained that clear use cases help build robust and consistent connectivity.

“A typical production floor with a customised use case will use three different network solutions – a campus LAN, an end-to-end network or Wi-Fi, or newly developed 5G use cases – to make smart manufacturing a reality.”

He reiterated that optimising the 5G network is better with an end-to-end solution.

Data security should be a priority for the network provider

While discussing the significance of data security in a production unit, Nair remarked that data is critical. As a result, it should stay within the boundaries of the factory to keep it safe from external threats. Moreover, he pointed out that certain restrictions still exist on the type of data that OT systems can handle.

This data cannot be released into the public environment, as there is always the risk of cyber-attacks damaging the integrity of the information. Therefore, the network provider should introduce built-in security while providing connectivity to clients.

“Integrating OT systems with security built-in is the need of the hour. We need to make the decision-making process fast and secure to maintain consistently high production quality.”

This functionality should empower the manufacturers to make decisions in a secure and rapid manner to avoid production delays and quality issues.

The blog has been written by Hari Nair following the CXO Manufacturing Tech Council. Click here to see the event summary white paper and learn more about the insights, challenges and new technologies shaping the future of manufacturing.

The post Digital-enabled hyperconnected ecosystems will transform manufacturing appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Today, more than half of consumers (61%) believe retailers should provide the same cross-channel flexibility they offered during the pandemic, with 55% saying they are more loyal to retailers with physical stores and online options.

“Retailers are now expected to be able to interact and support their customers on any platform at any time.”

While it may be easy to initially set up these channels, managing them is a lot harder.

In this article, I discuss some of the omnichannel challenges that retailers must overcome to drive better customer engagement, highlight the technology to deliver better experiences and illustrate why using managed services providers can ensure retailers are always putting their best foot forward.

Omnichannel challenges retailers face

With the widespread proliferation of data, a key challenge for retailers is ensuring enough value can be efficiently derived from data to meet customers’ growing expectations. The four main hurdles to this are:

Data is in silos: Presently, most traditional businesses have different systems for capturing leads, loading orders and processing invoices – all from disparate systems that aren’t connected. Similarly, when a customer buys a product, gives a review, services it, or places a future order for a new product, all that information is also stored in different places. As such, these data silos make it difficult for brands to pull the information together to deliver a unified customer experience.

Inefficient use of data: Retailers aren’t capitalising on the richness of the data they possess to provide personalised experiences. For example, by failing to capitalise on that richness and feed it back into tools such as chatbots, they fail to meet customers’ expectations, which can lead to frustration.

Following the 80/20 rule: In this context, it means providing the best automated service for the top three issues customers contact you for and falling back to traditional methods for everything else. It’s when automated service isn’t consistent, nor meet customers’ expectations, that they become an issue.

Reducing the carbon footprint: Customers are incredibly wary of social and environmental issues and prefer products that are responsibly sourced, produced and transported. Hence, retailers face the challenge of incorporating sustainability within retail. They need to design a sustainable supply chain with environment-friendly distribution strategy especially in today’s world of growing e-commerce.

Ensuring a great customer experience

A major way retailers can overcome the challenges they face is by providing customers with an exceptional experience that’s personalised and makes them feel great.

Here are two examples:

Apart from providing promotional offers, retailers must now go above and beyond to provide a level of personalisation like never before.

In this instance, if a customer is looking to purchase an item that’s out of stock, retailers can elevate their service by contacting them when it’s back in stock and perhaps even offer a one-time discount if they purchase the product immediately. This keeps the business connected and engaged with the customer – leading to a great experience with the brand.

Another example is for retailers to take note of customers that are repeat buyers of a particular product and make them a subscription offer that saves them time (and money) from buying it manually every time. Delivering this personalised service tells the customer you’re aware of their needs and making them understand that the brand cares about them.

“Using data to provide great customer experiences is where the best brands differentiate themselves from competitors.”

Technology to help drive better customer engagement

Traditionally, the process of researching a product started online but the purchase often happened in-store because the customer wanted to get a feel for the product first before buying. Conversely, products that were bought online were the ones customers were already familiar with.

However, the pandemic shifted this trend as customers could no longer visit physical stores. So, organisations had to rethink how to accommodate during these times. For example, we helped one of our customers to devise a solution whereby customers can not only see products online but experience them in new ways and find more details about the product from store employees just as if they were physically on the shopfloor.

This was made possible by installing high-definition cameras in the store to enable video communication that provided an elevated customer experience. The activation successfully increased the productivity of sales associates and prompted more positive feedback from customers.

We also worked with the retailer to train their employees on how to make a customer’s buying journey as close to a normal store interaction as possible, powered by seamless video calls.

Finding the right partner

Businesses are faced with many challenges, but their omnichannel experience shouldn’t be one of them.

“Working with an expert managed services provider can help retailers overcome the challenges they face with customer engagement.”

At Tata Communications, we provide a secure integrated solution through our Tata Communications DIGO and InstaCC platform that helps organisations unify and enhance the customer and customer service representative’s experience seamlessly.

The future of customer experience

A few years ago, businesses started adopting chatbots, but many have yet to get it right. Initially, their function was to generate helpful solutions and retrieve customer data for insights into their preferences and other shopping needs. But the problem with chatbot interfaces is that they get narrowed down to being Q&A bots that give a static response instead of providing a solution.

However, I believe the technology will continue to evolve and play a major role in the customer service experience organisations aim to provide. According to Gartner, chatbots will become the primary customer service channel for about a quarter of organisations by 2027.

“In addition, the adoption of augmented reality (AR) in retail is exponentially increasing and will be much higher in the next five years and help provide better experiences to customers.”

AR technology has allowed a virtual try-on of products that benefits both the brand and the customer. For instance, IKEA has built an AR-enabled App that allows people to see how a furniture will look in their homes – with the help of just a smartphone. During the pandemic, Apple also used AR technology to demonstrate their products to the customers who couldn’t go to the physical stores. AR and VR technologies allow for an easier, personal shopping experience for customers, right at home. And most importantly, the entire process becomes faster for everyone involved.

It will be interesting to see how upcoming tech advancements will influence customers’ experience in the future!

To learn more, read this blog post on differing expectations in today’s hyperconnected digital ecosystem.

The post Bringing an omnichannel experience for retail consumers appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The year of 2022 had two distinct phases. The first half of the year was characterised by nearly as much uncertainty as the second half of 2021 when it came to ways of working, for example re-opening offices, safety policies and measures based on changing COVID-19 protocols. Most workplaces were prepared to close quickly and re-open safely. Unprecedented levels of remote and hybrid work were established across the workforce. The second half of 2022 saw more wide-scale re-openings – locally, nationally, and globally – driven by the fading pandemic and enabled by technology to digitise workflows and connect distributed workers. In 2022, organisations relied on transformative technologies such as Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS), expecting that technology adoption will enable their hybrid workforce with seamless communication, which will, in turn, help maintain or improve employee experience and productivity. These unified communication services included Calling, Audio/Video Meetings, Messaging, Events, Webinars, Recording and Desktop/File Sharing capabilities, among others.

But the reality was very different from expectations.

“According to Frost & Sullivan, enterprises across North America, Europe, Asia, and LATAM reported negative impacts on employee wellbeing, especially those working from home. 23% reported meeting fatigue and a third said that their relationships with co-workers suffered, and they had many distractions/no dedicated workspace.”

Three-quarters of IT Decision Makers (ITDMs), who were surveyed, reported difficulties in supporting hybrid work in the following parameters:

• Maintaining security and compliance when supporting remote workers
• Deploying and provisioning technology for remote workers
• Supporting user access to company data and apps
• Monitoring and managing remote workers

“Implementing strategies to effectively support remote and in-office employees will remain a top challenge for 2023.”

The survey respondents said that a quarter or more of their organisation’s desk workers will be working remotely part-time or full-time two years from now. Reduced corporate real-estate footprint and energy saving, in addition to the gap between expectation and reality, are presenting unique opportunities for enterprises to rethink and focus on increasing innovation.

UCaaS technology remains part of organisational strategy, as they are redesigning the workplace for lower occupancy rates, new workstyles, and aspirations to transform office sites into creativity and collaboration hubs. Enterprises who invest in the right UCaaS technology from the right service provider can ensure that they stay innovative and contextual. ITDMs will have consistent access to a robust UCaaS toolset, essential to connect teams and maintain productivity, no matter where users work.

How to mitigate the gap between expectation and experience in the hybrid work culture

Personalise UCaaS for improved employee engagement

Hybrid work has forced enterprises to focus on employee experience as talent retention has become increasingly difficult.

“A scarcity of skilled labour is affecting organisations across industries. Many teams are doing more with less.”

Front-line employees are engaged and productive when they feel included, valued, and appropriately equipped. An invigorated effort to personalise UCaaS for improved employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity is underway in enterprises. Persona and role-based solutions comprised of integrated software and hardware devices, and workflow integrations, enable users to work smarter and in a more inclusive manner.

Many ITDMs now prefer persona-based UCaaS licensing models e.g., voice-only user licensing model where the front-line user just needs a phone (softphone or hard phone) with dial-tone; collaboration user licensing model where users need a unified application for calling, and messaging and meeting use-cases; power user licensing model where users such as CXOs need multiple devices & mode for their calling, meeting and messaging use-cases and they should be able to seamlessly use any device for their collaboration work-load without any interruptions.

Migrate to a single provider

Another approach by many ITDMs to mitigate the gap in the hybrid world and to be able to deploy truly successful hybrid UCaaS solutions is to move towards end-to-end service provider solutions in the near term (1-3 years). The single vendor should ideally be able to provide all four service layers:  

1) Collaboration Apps such as Calling, Meeting, Messaging, Voice Email, Auto-attendant, Audio Conferencing, Events, Training, Contact Center, Reporting, Monitoring etc.

2) Access Networks – the Internet, MPLS, SDWAN, Edge Connect, P2P, VPN, etc.

3) PSTN Calling Plan including domestic and international plans

4) E2E Managed Services including services such as Assessment, Migration, Integration, Deployment, Adoption, Management and Measurement as the organisation moves to the cloud. The additional benefits of working with a single service providers include consolidated billing, integration compliance and security frameworks, and unified management.

Conclusion

“Organisations will need to customise their Unified Communications solution to balance user and employee experience, security and compliance.”

You should enable employees with the flexibility to use the approved applications and devices they prefer, empower employees to help develop best practices around the most effective use of functionality for their roles and educate employees on all the benefits and capabilities of UCaaS. This will allow you and your organisation to thrive in a hybrid collaboration world.

Click here to learn how Tata Communications helps you in your journey to a Hyperconnected Digital Ecosystem.

Data/statistics source & inspiration: Frost and Sullivan 2022 UCC Industry Predictions. https://store.frost.com/2022-ucc-industry-predictions.html

The post Differing expectations in today’s Hyperconnected Digital Ecosystem appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

DBUs are meant to offer the same functionality of a brick-and-mortar establishment, but in a paperless, wholly digital format. As the RBI explains, the purpose of a DBU is to “optimally blend digital infrastructure with the human touch.” In essence, we’re talking about the possibility of services like 24/7 support, automated cash deposit/withdrawal, and even digital onboarding and the disbursal and processing of schematic loans being made available to anyone, anywhere with a stable internet connection and power.

As PM Modi put it, “maximum services through minimum digital infrastructure.” Banks are expected to incorporate DBUs into their existing digital banking strategy and are expected to meet certain minimum requirements for product and service offerings at these locations. While DBU centres will be treated as banking outlets, they will need to be housed distinctly from traditional branches.

“Additionally, and this is the exciting part, banks have been given the freedom to innovate on DBU services within the limits of RBI’s compliance guidelines. But first, we need to get the basics right.”

Building intuitive customer experiences

The potential here is huge, but so is the challenge. While DBUs will no doubt promote financial inclusivity, the challenges of digital literacy and building trust in the system, particularly in rural areas, are significant. One approach we’re taking to address this problem is by attempting to re-imagine the mechanism and language of this human-machine interaction. We aim to make these interactions more natural and intuitive, integrating digital experiences that break silos and smoothen friction points.

We’ve been working with several partners to experiment with and fine-tune various interfaces and platforms to enable such a system to work. This is powered by bespoke integrated omni-channel tools to impart and end-to-end frictionless experience to the consumer. These include video collaboration tools for video KYC and digital onboarding and a similar system for enabling sales.

We’re also looking to leverage our expertise in the development of AI-powered tools and cloud services to support personalisation and localisation with features like multi-lingual translation and contextual interaction.

“In a country as large and as diverse as India, such tools are necessary for scaling up and enabling inclusivity, especially when we’re looking at expanding services into rural areas.”

To enable 24/7 support — a requirement for DBUs — AI interfaces like digital humans or intuitive chatbot service are also necessary. All this will of course need to be built on robust, scalable network infrastructure that’s built from the ground up with security and zero-trust policies in place. Additionally, cable-less branches running on failsafe Wi-Fi services will be needed to minimise infrastructure requirements and speed up the setting up of DBUs.

Enabling a new era of financial inclusivity

One of the most exciting aspects of DBUs is the prospect of building hyper-local, hyper-personalised products and services.

“Thanks to investments in end-to-end digitalisation — accelerated by the pandemic — banks and financial institutions, in general, are now more resilient and agile than ever.”

This is thanks to robust back-end systems and more flexible front-ends that allow such institutions to re-package products and services on the fly.

DBUs give us the opportunity to put this agility and flexibility to good use. We not only get to enable a new era of financial inclusivity but also to address the needs of a whole new class of audience. This is an excellent opportunity to enable financial inclusivity at scale.

To learn more, read this blog on how technology has evolved and what’s next in 2023. 

The post How DBUs will enable a new era of inclusivity and personalisation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Cloud adoption boomed rapidly, as businesses raced to leverage the cloud and support their hybrid work environments. Many businesses realised while they understand the need for cloud technology, they might not have the correct resources to ensure that they are harnessing its benefits strategically. This resulted in organisations having complex and fragmented implementations across various cloud platforms, whether it’s public, private or edge. What has become clear, there is a difference between being cloud first and being cloud smart. In this article, we’ll explore best practices for employing a cloud smart approach.

The price of failing to optimise an enterprise cloud strategy comes in the form of spiraling monthly costs, unmodified workloads failing to unlock critical cloud features and issues with performance management. All in all, it takes away time and money that a cloud smart strategy should be giving back. Organisations must begin to leverage smart and sustainable approaches to their cloud infrastructure, including public, private or edge cloud.

A customised cloud smart strategy can match an organisation’s goals and circumstances to its ability to execute with the cloud.

Shortcomings of a Cloud First approach

For nearly a decade, cloud first has been the prevalent approach to cloud adoption initiatives. It can be counterproductive to maximise the cloud footprint by prioritising legacy system modernisation, resulting in workload migrations. Some of the main shortcomings of a cloud first approach plaguing organisations are:

• Gaps between cloud expectation and execution abilities: Organisations often develop unrealistic expectations from the cloud that get compounded due to the lack of technical, financial, or strategic skills required to implement them.
• Incongruency due to siloed business processes: The cloud is agile and dynamic by nature. Legacy organisational properties like operational silos, rigid IT governance and outdated foundational practices are often incompatible with the cloud.
• Speed over planning: A cloud first approach is speed centric. The mad rush to incorporate the cloud and its elements across each stratum of operations leaves limited time to adopt other approaches.
• Getting the right cloud services with the right workload: Cloud offerings can be diverse, extensive and complex. The varied and complicated nature of cloud service provider offerings exacerbates the confusion in matching the right cloud services with the right workload.
• Lack of specialized IT skills: Other than investment, planning and a cultural shift, a cloud transformation, also requires a specialized IT skillset that organisations often lack.

All these issues can be reversed with a cloud smart approach where cloud adoption is synchronized with organizational goals and values.

Becoming Cloud Smart

Gartner estimates that 60% of organisations that have adopted a cloud first approach will switch to a cloud smart approach by 2023. Considering most business leaders are expected to spend half of their IT budget on the cloud by 2025, gaining control over these costs has now become of paramount importance.

A cloud smart approach entails determining whether an organisation has the right mix of private and public cloud, edge, and on-prem infrastructure to meet its various unique workloads, as well as all its compliance and regulatory obligations.

To achieve this, a cloud smart approach considers a range of factors: the management, cost, visibility, interoperability, network, and application priorities of a business to create a more unified cloud environment.

Here are a few crucial considerations to derive maximum value from cloud investments with a holistic strategy:

• Identify and set realistic goals: The priority toward driving a cloud smart approach is to set realistic goals and expectations for cloud initiatives.
• The right fitment for the migration-mix: Identify the right cloud environments to determine which applications to keep on-premises and which to migrate to the cloud (private/public).
• A performance measurement cycle: Identify all the benchmarks and then focus on improving them as you progress along with a cloud smart strategy.
• The right investment in services and orchestration tools: Invest in tools and services that help in reducing the complexity of your cloud journey.
• Mitigation of the risks and compliance violations: Ungoverned cloud adoption and poor foundational practices can put organizations at risk of security breaches, data loss, compliance issues and budget overruns. They must be contained and mitigated accordingly.
• Workplace culture realignment: Use your current resources to their maximum value including reskilling and retraining staff. Also, enhance security postures and use best practices to inherit cultural reforms.
• A cloud exit strategy: Create a clear cloud exit strategy during the initial cloud design and planning phases considering aspects such as stakeholder management, application, legal and data governance, etc.

By taking on the benefits of all the different cloud environments and using that mix to offset the potential weaknesses of each, organisations can create a unified, automated and scalable environment perfect to their needs.

Collaboration is the key

It is a smart choice to look to a partner with experience to foster a holistic cloud experience. Organisations can choose to partner with experienced cloud migration experts and managed service providers to unlock significant business value from their cloud investments. The experts can weave their disparate IT infrastructure together, orchestrate migration / consolidation of different clouds (public, private and/or edge cloud) to provide a unified cloud environment that is optimised, continuously monitored and managed. A savvy roadmap toward cloud optimisation includes:

• Formulating a well-defined strategy that identifies obstacles, ensures minimal disruption, and sets realistic goals and expectations.
• Improving performance and cost-saving through a well-crafted migration strategy.
• Championing workload migrations in sync with organisational preferences, its technological, security and regulatory environments.
• Enabling organisations to take advantage of cloud economics by protecting current investments, optimising infrastructure resources, and forecasting the budget efficiently along with cost visibility.

In conclusion, a cloud smart approach can lead organisations to a place where their costs are predictable and their workloads are optimised. This gives them a competitive edge to execute a sustainable digital transformation strategy that is aligned with the customer’s needs and organisational goals. After all, the cloud cannot deliver on its promise if you don’t know what to expect from it.

Read more on how you can make smart choices and stay ahead in your digital journey.

The post Cloud First to Cloud Smart: A Strategic Shift appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Thriving in this new normal will require an ongoing digital transformation not just for enterprises but for the entire ecosystem that creates and delivers business value. Hence the need for hyperconnectivity – a near real-time seamless connected platform that allows people and machines to communicate and collaborate effectively to deliver the best possible business outcomes.

Hyperconnected ecosystems are heavily dependent on technology and businesses need the right infrastructure, applications, processes and skills to maximise connection and collaboration for all stakeholders.

As the digital transformation continues, CIOs need to work with a broad group of technology vendors and expert partners to build solutions for connectivity, cloud, collaboration, Internet of Things (IoT), and security, all of which involves an incredible level of complexity.

They also need partners who can help to simplify and manage this complexity by providing end-to-end solutions.

Tata Communications has the tools, platforms, skills and expertise to help you build an agile platform that enables compelling employee and customer experiences, deploy connected solutions and build digital trust. With our solutions-oriented approach, proven managed-service capabilities and cutting-edge infrastructure, we enable a hyperconnected ecosystem powered by cloud, mobility, IoT, collaboration, security and network services.

As we march into 2023, let’s look at the technology trends which have truly made an impact on the business world.

Looking back to look forward

There were a number of innovations in the digital world that benefitted businesses and their customers this year.

Enterprise businesses need to build trust across their digital ecosystems. That means maintaining the integrity and security of all transactions and data, being transparent about data privacy, and complying with regulations.

Achieving this remains a challenge, however, in the face of constantly evolving threats, lack of security skills and stringent data privacy requirements, “Digital Trust” programmes are one of the highest priorities of global business leaders. With remote working and the adoption of 5G and IoT, managing and reducing risk has become even more complicated. This evolving landscape requires businesses to deploy an average of over 45 cybersecurity-related tools, increasing the complexity of their security and reducing its effectiveness.

CIOs need a partner who can help them manage risks, simplify operational complexity, and ensure all customer data and interactions are secure and handled with trust.

At Tata Communications we have rapidly provisioned secure access for over 50,000 users within days. Our state-of-the-art Cyber Security Response Centre analyses close to 10 billion threats every day, and we helped mitigate more than 250 DDoS attacks for a bank, saving them millions of dollars in potential losses.

Recent high-profile breaches of Australian companies have accelerated efforts to fast-track ‘Digital Trust’ initiatives. The Tata Communications full suite of cyber security services protects entire IT infrastructures from cloud to endpoints. The cloud-delivered services leverage indigenously built, open extended detection and response (XDR) architecture, security analytics, automation, and threat intelligence platforms that deliver unified security visibility, faster detection, and response to threats. Our award-winning services are provided by skilled security staff remotely, on-premises, or in a hybrid model to simplify security management.

At the same time, breakthroughs in 5G and LTE data networks have led to greater enterprise innovation. With 5G, we are keen to support enterprises achieve their business goals and explore new revenue streams. We have built a Global Private 5G Centre of Excellence and are testing several Private 5G use cases such as automated quality inspection of equipment using video and image analytics, inventory management and asset tracking, warehouse theft detection, AR/VR-based remote worker collaboration, video-powered retail purchase, and much more.

We have also engaged with C-suites from the banking and financial services industry to understand their challenges and priorities regarding the customer experience, customer retention and how disruptive technology is helping them achieve their goals. The findings on Banking, Financial services and Insurance (BFSI) showed more enterprises are using digital technologies to improve customer experience at physical points such as ATMs and self-service lobby kiosks.

Some 72 per cent of enterprises reported that these tools had the biggest impact in helping them reach new customers as well as retain old ones. They not only reduced the number of time-consuming tasks for employees but also improved overall customer service.

In APAC, we work with some of the largest banks and in addition to delivering a superior customer experience we are enabling them to build software-defined networks and deliver savings. We also work with some of the best-known retail and OTT customers who leverage our cloud-based customer interaction platform that integrates voice, video, text, social message, and IVR, giving customers an omnichannel experience.

The airline, transport and utilities sectors also leverage our connected workforce & connected partner portfolio to deliver enhanced customer experiences for their employees and customers.

What’s next in 2023?

If we look to the foreseeable future, technology is bound to change and companies must be ready to reinvent themselves. Sustainability will be key to how enterprises are able to deliver impact while concepts such as the metaverse will continue to evolve till people figure out how to make it meaningful. Also look out for:

• An increase in cybersecurity: APAC organisations will invest more in cybersecurity as cyber-threats continue to rise. Supply chains and governments were the core targets of bad actors this year, so cybersecurity will continue to be a key focus for all organisations in 2023.
• Virtual workspaces: Digital-first customer interaction platforms such as Tata Communications DIGO are allowing businesses and customers to engage across multiple platforms including voice, SMS, email, social messaging, video, text to speech, IVR, chatbot and more. Tata Communications DIGO is an in-network cloud communications platform that offers intelligent, 360-degree human-to-everything (H2X) interactions for its users. These solutions are in very high demand and businesses will continue to reimagine the office landscape of the digital world. At the same time, metaverses and other virtual spaces will provide an immersive shared space for companies and may slowly develop their own virtual economies using digital currencies.
• Next-generation AI: APAC enterprises will continue to adopt machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions to improve their customer service and contact centre functions.
• Network modernisation: Network modernisation is another crucial piece in the digital enterprise puzzle. As companies become more connected, expand operations into newer markets, deploy distributed applications and tap into a geographically dispersed labour pool, their network architecture must be able to readily support distributed applications deployed in the cloud, on-premises and at emerging collection ‘edges’. For all of this to happen seamlessly, a predictable network performance and strong security controls will become even more essential.
• Sustainable technology: Climate change is a top priority for business leaders and more attention is being paid towards Environmental Social Governance (ESG) efforts to meet sustainability goals. This means digital strategy and sustainability will become increasingly important and intertwined. Communications and collaboration solutions are one of the widely adopted digital technologies in which organisations can look to minimise their environmental footprint. Asia Pacific’s carbon emissions actually fell from nearly 17.18 billion metric tonnes in 2019 to 16.75 billion metric tonnes this year, according to research company Statista. This can be partly attributed to COVID-19 restrictions and the proliferation of remote working. By continuing to support remote or hybrid working models, organisations can lower their carbon emissions by cutting down on travelling and commuting.

It’s an exciting time going forward. The year ahead is likely to see more accessible solutions, a push for more customer preferences and an increase in employee collaboration, all in an increasingly hyper-connected digital world.

Get in touch with us to learn more about our solutions that enable you to provide the best user experience and seamlessly expand your business across the globe.

The post The year in review: How technology has evolved and what’s next in 2023 appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Progress hasn’t been reserved only for businesses – the threat landscape has similarly evolved, with bad actors intensifying their use of advanced technology to conduct more determined attacks on their victims.

This shift can be perfectly encapsulated in the number of zero-days we’ve witnessed over the past year. Zero-day refers to a breach or attack that happened because of a vulnerability in a piece of software that has yet to be patched because it hasn’t been discovered yet.

The past 12 months have seen a record high number of zero-days ever, according to Project Zero, a Google-funded team responsible for disclosing these sorts of bugs to vendors. And while this indicates greater transparency and dedication by security researchers to warn against these sorts of attacks, it leaves security professionals with the daunting challenge of continuously patching their critical – and vulnerable – estates.

The evolving role of the CISO

CISOs have a vital role to play when it comes to elevating their company’s security posture to protect it from threats.

CISOs, in partnership with identified stakeholders in technology, operations, and business design, lead changes that are meant to strengthen their organisation’s cybersecurity while elevating overall digital trust. To achieve this, they need to involve themselves in the business/product roadmap conversations and create a cybersecurity ecosystem within the enterprise. This will help create a culture of awareness, ownership, and accountability around security within the larger organisation from the get-go.

However, this is easier said than done. There are several factors that can impact a firm’s adaptation of a successful security strategy. Some factors are: a product’s time to market; the movement to hybrid work and the inherent exposure of a firm’s key assets in such a model; and employee engagement, especially as work-from-anywhere picks up pace. CISOs need to continually review and reprioritise adaption of security practices to meet business objectives, based on these and many more factors.

But more influential than any individual event or consideration has been the grand lesson we’ve all been put through in the past two years dealing with the pandemic.

“The ability to navigate unforeseen circumstances remain as relevant as the ability to plan and rehearse other known scenarios of business disruption – if not more.”

Laying a future-proof foundation

Combatting the threat of cybercrime requires future proofing to prepare for the unforeseen. This entails safeguarding your assets on an ever-broadening threat surface. For example, with more processing and data on the edge, there are now more Internet-of-Things-related attacks; more 5G implementations with vulnerabilities found on enterprise software; and more zero-day attacks impacting quality of service and availability of converged and critical private networks. Additionally, while there has been meaningful clampdown on ransomware operatives, ransomware remains one of the largest cybersecurity risks for the enterprises.

The key thing to remember is that people are the first line of defence.

“Everyone in the company needs be aware of how they can protect themselves and the larger organisation. They also need to be equipped with basic cybersecurity knowledge, such as how to spot phishing attacks and how to respond to one, essentially creating and contributing to a pervasive culture of security within the business.”

The next key element is ensuring the right mix of roles within your security, business, and IT teams. A diversity and spread of infosec skills are vital in combatting the multifaceted threats which often deploy heterogenous attack vectors. Rehearsing cyber drills with different attack scenarios will ensure teams come and act together deftly in times of crisis. However, this mix of security expertise will only ever be as effective as your investment in the right security tools. Organisations can be guilty of incrementally investing in security technology, only focusing on tackling “trending” threats, and only plugging holes that are immediate. But if tools are not fully utilised or integrated into the broader security and IT strategy, these teams will only have a fragmented and incomplete view of risks.

So, overcoming these obstacles and changing the pervading perceptions around cybersecurity requires CISOs to invest in the right tools, technologies, and training to not only address the issues of the moment, but also future unknown disruptions.

Navigating choppy waters

Defending against cyberthreats has reached new heights of complexity for security teams. For example, a threat that stole headlines over the past year has been supply chain attacks such as SolarWinds hack and Log4Shell vulnerability, with these sorts of threats only set to become more nefarious and far-reaching in coming years.

These attacks were a harsh reminder for leaders that the weakest link in their supply chain doesn’t even have to be enterprise software but can be solutions sourced from third-party libraries and freeware development tools.

“That’s why its essential security teams implement a third-party security program for their organisations, to get a handle on the potential cyber-risks emanating from their supplier ecosystem.”

And aside from cyber threats, businesses also need to prepare for more privacy regulations. With the increase in cloud services – as well as multi-cloud and hybrid environments – manageable IT and security governance processes are crucial to understanding where and how critical data flows through an organisation. The more optimised these processes are, the more they will ease any strain of having to abide by current or future regulations.

It’s impossible to eliminate all the risks a business faces, but these are a few ways a CISO can bolster an organisation’s security stature. The real work comes in continuously reviewing and optimising those measures taken so you can incrementally become more secure – thus, more future-proofed.

For more information, please visit: Cyber security in 2022: Everything you need to know.

The post Upgrading your defences for the threats of tomorrow appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

More businesses than ever – including many from established industries such as manufacturing, retail, and healthcare – have increased their adoption of cloud-first models and strategies. This approach is empowering these industries with more agility and efficiency in what has been a very uncertain time for the world, and thus, business.

But how exactly have businesses in these established sectors managed this impressive shift, and what impact has being cloud-first had on their operations and customers?

Regulated industries making progress with the cloud

Healthcare is a great example of an industry that has the ability to transform societies for the better, but that is often hamstrung in its efforts, partially due to the sensitivity of the data it handles. This is where the cloud comes in – it can help healthcare leaders balance progress and change with efficiency and security.

In India, for instance, the government launched a new project, eHealth Infra, to help the underprivileged of the nation gain access to a public health insurance scheme.

In the past, regulatory and data privacy concerns would have stymied efforts like this. However, private cloud services have caused many of those concerns to fade away.

“As a result, the project has since been joined by 26 states and covers 45-47% of the Indian population, providing the consistent connectivity that enables citizens to reliably enrol in the service.”

Finance is another industry that must often deal with strict regulations concerns due to the sensitive data they handle, along with legacy technology concerns. However, since digital native fintechs started using their cloud-attained nimbleness to provide customers with next- generation services, established financial institutions have had to reconsider their strategies in favour of more cloud-first approaches. This has allowed them to work with an increased level of efficiency and security, offering their customers the same high-quality experience that born-in-the-cloud, new-age fintechs offer.

Physical businesses going virtual for more efficiency

Even in the incredibly physical world of manufacturing, businesses are finding new ways to adopt cloud-first models. Manufacturers need to keep track of numerous moving pieces; from assembly on factory floors to the timely delivery of raw materials. And while some operations are external, in the case of manufacturing execution, workloads need to be closer to the factory floor.

So, in these instances, a distributed channel of technology platforms to leverage edge computing and bring cloud technology closer to on-premise deployments is necessary.

“By using cloud tools to optimise operations and bring all these disparate actions into a single view, a manufacturer can dramatically improve its operations’ efficiency and reduce production timelines, both of which help organisations to sustainably expand.”

Cloud-first model in action

While the advantages of a cloud-first strategy are many, as signalled above, it’s also crucial to see how businesses work with the cloud to gain these benefits.

A great example is the case of a large retailer that specialises in designer fashion, accessories, and furniture. It was looking to accommodate the growing number of data and applications that was accruing as it rapidly scaled-up, both physically and digitally.

It also wanted to flexibly support traffic spikes during periods of discount sales, festivals and the holiday seasons – all while ensuring their system’s security was maintained and their costs around ownership and maintenance were all under control.

By shifting the bulk of their processes, including their critical workloads, to a private cloud, the retailer was able to address all of these requirements, enabling higher performance, security and instant scale up.

Additionally, with a partner helping it tailor the cloud solution to their specific needs, they also created secure, high-speed Internet Protocol (IP) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) connectivity links between the retailer’s different sites, allowing for speedy data archiving, billing and real-time back-up services to protect against data failover incidents.

Since the implementation, the retailer now has a high-performing, secure, private environment with an availability guarantee of 99.9%. It can instantly spin up additional resources as and when it needs it , so it can cope better with the rapid opening of new outlets and the exponential growth in data that goes with it.

And with the 24 hour, 365 days a year maintenance and support it receives from its cloud provider –another perk of having such a high utility of the service – additional on-demand resources to help deal with seasonal traffic spikes can be easily acquired.

Embracing the cloud-first paradigm

One of the most powerful factors driving businesses to change are their consumers.

“We now live in a world that, for the sake of accessibility, must be internet-first.”

And that affects every business and institution the public interacts with in any fashion.

For instance, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has an internet first policy that states, “all new health and social care digital services should be internet facing and existing services should be changed to be made available over the internet as soon as possible.”

But businesses looking to make this transition must understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy that established sectors can take. Which is why it’s crucial every business begins by looking inwards to see how a cloud-first approach could benefit them, as well as outwards for a partner to help them successfully make the transition as non-disruptively as possible.

We all know cloud technology will be part of the future of every organisation. However, the true winners in the coming years will be those organisations that not only figure out how to optimise their present operations with a cloud-first strategy, but also begin to lay the groundwork that will lead to exponential growth in the future.

To learn more, please read this blog on Cloud communications and the voice network. 

The post Why 2022 will be the year established industries shift to cloud-first appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

About six-in-ten workers who report being able to do their jobs from home, now do so all or most of the time.

Because of these changes, organisations have had to extend their operations far beyond the normal boundaries of the contact centre due to rising customer expectations. While workforce teams have also had to adjust to new ways of providing better customer experiences.

This work style changes required all customer-focused operations to expand their capabilities to meet consumers within local communities and across global territories. And to serve this broader network efficiently, operations were moved to the cloud – replacing limited premise-based solutions.

“In a digital-first world, customers now expect all points of contact to be available at any time of the day.”

Fewer communication options can lead to customers moving on to other providers who offer the 24-hours assistance they desire. This is supported by research showing 32% of customers will walk away from a brand they love after a single bad experience.

Reimagining customer experience and the many systems that support the contact centre has been critical for achieving meaningful customer satisfaction, as 86% of customers say they’ll pay more for a better customer experience, according to Forbes.

Building and delivering more meaningful customer experiences depends on the contact centre solution and its framework. Here, I offer key operational strategies to help employees working-from-anywhere to improve the customer experience – which in turn fosters brand loyalty.

Contact centre solutions engineered for global accessibility

Working-from-anywhere means every user can easily connect to the host system. However, remote accessibility is often complicated by licensing issues, telco accessibility, and WebRTC options for voice desktop connectivity.

An in-depth look at user connection options and any associated licensing issues should therefore be a key factor when evaluating contact centre solutions.

Having interchangeable connection options provides flexibility when managing a distributed workforce. Although licensing more than one device to connect to the contact centre solution might be more costly.

But ultimately, the efficiency it provides is crucial to provide great customer experiences that build brand loyalty and as a result, better returns on investment.

Contact centre cloud adoption

During the pandemic, online spaces became an essential means of communicating and selling, causing the number of organisations investing in omni-channel experiences to increase from 20% to more than 80% since 2020.

The forms of communication adopted over that period – such SMS and social media – has continued to be the preferred mode of contact for most customers, both due to ease and immediacy.

And any deviation from this accessibility is seen unfavourably by customers. With technological advancements in digital access, cloud-based innovations now drive many business operation, and directly impacts customers’ overall experience.

“These innovations have also shifted old ways of operating traditional call centres. Today, providing an exceptional, personalised experience to customers requires an omni-channel engagement strategy, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve agent productivity and customer loyalty.”

As a rule, having a plug-in-play option to bring data together should be a primary feature of any chosen contact centre solution. The majority (90%) of global enterprises will leverage API-enabled Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) offerings to enhance digital competitiveness by 2023, Gartner reports. And 42% expect to dedicate their global contact centre spending on cloud-based solutions, according to IDC.

So, organisations should work with partners that can enable customer engagement solutions – such as Tata Communication’s DIGO – which offers a full suite of device-agnostic communications tools that seamlessly integrate and connect fragmented communications channels, AI platforms, and connectors (SaaS and IoT) into an enterprise’s current applications.

This will enable intelligent, 360-degree human-to-everything (H2X) interactions that provide the ultimate customer experience.

Company culture, agent experience and productivity

As organisations adjust to new work-from-anywhere policies, focusing on how company culture directly impacts employee retention is essential.

This is because not only is it costly to replace staff, but demotivated workers can have a negative impact on the customers they deal with.

So, there’s incredible value in keeping workers happy and engaged. And to do this, organisations need a company culture that prioritises it.

“For today’s workers, the ability to work flexibly is important.”

Two-thirds of employers report increased productivity for remote workers compared to in-office workers. And in another study by Gartner, 43% of employees say flexibility in working hours help them achieve greater productivity, while 30% say that less or no time commuting enables them to be more productive.

Given the disruptions in the global economy, competition is fierce for market share and more than two-thirds of companies now compete primarily on the basis of customer experience.

So, an organisation’s growth is dependent on its employees’ productivity (amongst other factors) and their productivity is in turn dependent on how valued they feel by the organisation.

It’s time for organisations to work with a digital customer experience enabler that has the expertise to help them become more customer-centric and efficient, to achieve an improved customer experience that will build trust and loyalty.

Get in touch with us to learn how to achieve customer service excellence through our customer experience capabilities.

The post Transforming a global workspace for customer service excellence appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Increasing the employability of our youth has always been important, but it is critical today , especially now, when the youth come of employment age in one of the most challenging global talent landscape of our lives – a global pandemic that has weakened the economy, social security, and education systems alike.

Research from World Economic Forum found that young people find current education models lacking when it comes to helping them be employable.

“They expect more on-the-job and holistic learning, balanced between technical and power skills.”

While we think about education institutions as the first point of solution, companies have a significant part to play in the equation to bring education that increases the employability quotient. We have heard many enterprises having established training programmes that are focused on holistic skill or role requirements. Through Tata STRIVE, our Tata Group initiative, we address the critical need to skill India’s youth for employment, entrepreneurship and community enterprises.

“Tata STRIVE equips youth from underprivileged backgrounds with a diverse set of skills, with the sole aim of bridging the gap between vocational education and industry needs; and in the process, giving our youth the possibilities to dream and think big for themselves.”

The question of skills shouldn’t stop at those entering the workforce. There are many young people who have been in the workforce for 4-5 years and have to be re/up skilled as the nature of their jobs have drastically changed. For example, as cyber-attacks become common (phishing attempts in India alone have increased by 667 percent), the need for cybersecurity experts increases.

“Hiring new talent is always an option but investing in existing workforce that requires re/upskilling across skill proficiency levels will increase the employability quotient of existing workforce. And this can happen on a continuum.”

At Tata Communications, about 75% of our workforce is Millennials or Gen Z, and in line with their expectations, we launched Talent Central last year, which is an intelligent AI-based platform that generates rich insights from across our talent ecosystem for our employees to re/upskill themselves on roles they aspire for/new skills they are keen to learn that can get them prepared for taking up critical roles in the company.

The only way to create sustainable skills programmes is by involving young people themselves and continuing to engage with them, listening to their views and understanding the challenges they face in the current programmes today.

#WorldYouthSkillsDay2022

The post #WYSD: Why we need to give our youth the possibilities to dream appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The evolution continues even now. As the modern workforce grows increasingly mobile, the employees are no longer bound to their desks. In the ‘Future Workforce Report 2021: How Remote Work is Changing Businesses Forever’ report, Upwork states that pre-pandemic, businesses expected that in five years 38% of their remote workforce would be fully remote, while today they expect 58% to be fully remote in five years.

Enterprises had to accelerate their move to, and use of, cloud communications during the pandemic. With the increase in remote workforce, enterprises have started putting polices around remote workers and cloud communications.

“It is now possible to provide instant access to a rich selection of essential tools and applications, all available on the same platform, regardless of the worker’s location or the device you use.”

Cloud communications is a brand-new way to build, deploy and manage communication systems. It refers to more than just a hosted PBX or IP telephone. Used correctly, the cloud reduces costs, provides high-definition services and offers platforms that are rich with advanced features – all perfect for any enterprise’s communication needs. The cloud also transforms the work environment from a traditional physical workplace to a series of empowering communications tools and platforms, truly allowing employees to work remotely. Businesses can provide their employees with instant access to PSTN as an extension and other collaborative tools with voice, messaging, and video capabilities.

How to choose a suitable voice partner

The path to cloud communications starts with finding the right service provider. Cloud communications service providers or CSPs host the cloud platform. Relying on such CSPs is risky since they promote only on-net communications and not the integrated platform that is required.

“Organisations need to typically collaborate with different communication platforms based on their ecosystem of partners and customers and therefore, end up investing in multiple platforms. This eventually adds a huge operating cost to the bottom line.”

Telcos help mitigate such risks. Today, telcos have evolved to offer cloud communications in partnership with multiple platform providers – whether they are collaboration offerings or solutions for the contact centre. The advantages of going for such an option include:

– Industry grade telco infrastructure for cloud
– Access services bundled with cloud communications
– Multiple platform-licences, thus reducing multivendor sprawl.

So how do you choose the right telecom partner for cloud communications?

–  The PSTN connectivity to your platform should be able to support full control and strength of cloud communication.
–  The telco should be able to provide access services from multiple countries for making a centralised and managed cloud platform.
–  The telecom partner should have capabilities to align with enterprise expansion/contraction plans, thereby optimising the cost of business operations.
– The telecom partner should be nimble and able to work with most, if not all platforms since customers might want to reduce costs and move from one CSP to another, as the total ROI of cloud communication can vary from platform to platform.

Tata Communications – global cloud communications ready network

Tata Communications offers a robust voice solution to enterprises for their cloud communication journey.

Tata Communications Bring Your Own Platform enables enterprises to connect to the cloud platform of their choice, with seamless integration between PSTN and the cloud communications platform.

Tata Communications connects with 400+ mobile operators and 1600+ Telecom operators in various countries and provides access service for business continuity of enterprises from across the globe with carrier partner agreements. Tata Communications offers international toll-free services from 100+ countries, local number services from 46+ countries with 1000+ cities and PSTN replacement services with emergency calling in 28+ countries. With experience of 15 years plus a dedicated professional team, Tata Communications partners with enterprises as they expand their business globally.

To learn more about Tata Communications Voice Services, click here. 

The post Cloud communications and the voice network appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

In the latest Global Risks Report released at the World Economic Forum Davos Agenda 2022, climate action failure is ranked the topmost severe global risk. Furthermore, 97% of business leaders globally highlighted that climate change has negatively impacted their companies.

Though protecting our environment will require everyone’s effort, enterprises are in an optimal position to effect substantial changes. In fact, one of the strongest messages that echoed from the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 is that private organisations can and are impacting climate change. This includes financial services institutions pledging to combat climate change to tech companies’ initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.

While having robust sustainability goals is a definite step in the right direction, the world is already at the tipping point for responding to climate change. As a result, enterprises not only need to act urgently but impactfully too.

Environmental sustainability and digital technology go hand-in-hand

Leveraging digital technology to drive sustainability initiatives has become one of the core areas that many enterprises can feasibly achieve within a short time. Due to the pandemic, most companies already have one foot in the door as they have initiated or accelerated their digital transformation journey. By integrating their sustainability ambitions into their digitalisation efforts, enterprises can make significant strides in the fight against climate change.

One area where digital technology can potentially make an enormous impact is in reducing carbon emissions.

“According to Statista, Asia Pacific’s carbon emissions dropped from nearly 17.18 billion metric tons in 2019 to 16.75 billion metric tons.”

This can be largely attributed to COVID-19 restrictions and the proliferation of remote working. The rise of hybrid working models, coupled with changes in attitudes towards travelling, commuting, and consumption globally, can unlock tremendous opportunities for enterprises to reduce their carbon footprints.

For example, many financial services organisations have established a secure and connected digital workplace to support their remote workforce during the pandemic. By leveraging the digital solutions like delivering enhanced customer services through video calls and other immersive digital experiences. Adopting a ‘work-from-anywhere’ model also does not compromise the quality of enterprises’ customer service. In fact, collaboration tools facilitated took customer engagement a level up during the COVID-led standstill. For instance, few leading retailers offered simulated in-store experiences on virtual platforms to remain relevant to customer needs during the pandemic. This trend continued as customers found the experience even more compelling, convenient, and personalised.

Furthermore, the increasing use of the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning makes it possible for enterprises to monitor energy consumption trends and make more informed decisions to improve energy efficiency.

To add, digital twin technology, which leverages data analytics, AI and machine learning, can enable organisations to predict how processes or systems perform. This allows them to track, manage and adjust energy usage, leading to the carbon emissions reduction. On a broader scale, Ernst and Young reported that digital twins could help lessen carbon emissions within our cities by 50% to100%.

“Today, enterprises have realigned their digital strategy and digitalised their operating models in response to the pandemic and this needs to continuously evolve.”

To handhold enterprises on this journey, the Singapore government recently launched the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) to support businesses’ sustainability initiatives and deepen their capabilities in this area.

Creating a Greener Supply Chain with Responsible Sourcing

To truly embed sustainability as a core part of their business model, enterprises must find partners and vendors that mirror their own sustainable values and responsible practices. According to McKinsey & Company, up to 90% of an organisation’s environmental impact can come from its supply chain. Therefore, enterprises need to ensure their supply chain continues to be environmentally friendly even as they accelerate their digitalisation efforts.

“Enterprises need to view their technology partners and vendors as an integral part of their business and hold them accountable to the same high standards that they have imposed on themselves.”

Companies should start by assessing each supplier’s compliance with environmental laws and sustainability requirements and implementing processes to regularly evaluate their environmental performance. Sustainability elements need to play a bigger role in selecting suppliers, along with other commercial criteria such as quality and cost.

Additionally, enterprises should consciously source and collaborate with technology providers that deliver low-carbon solutions and services to support their digital transformation journey. Low-carbon products, such as green network appliances, can enable enterprises to lower energy consumption daily. This amounts to significant carbon emission reduction in the long run. For example, according to a carbon value chain assessment carried out from 2019 to 2020, Tata Communications’ low-carbon products and solutions reduced its customers’ carbon emissions by more than 389,300 metric tonnes.

Furthermore, the partners should also have sustainable facilities, such as green data centres, as well as comprehensive methodologies to measure their environmental footprint so that they can continuously work to diminish it.

To make a more meaningful difference to the environment, enterprises must create a stronger link between people, planet, and communities in their business models, and digital technology can provide enterprises with the means to achieve this. As enterprises plan for the future, it is imperative to consider how digital technologies can minimise the cost to the environment and manage their resources more effectively and efficiently. This is key to building a greener, circular future.

To learn more, please read this blog on IoT and digital transformation. 

The post Commitment to action: Creating sustainable enterprises appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

While IoT is nothing new to many industries – and has well established use cases across telematics, fleet management, and asset tracking – pervasive connectivity means it can offer so much more to businesses. In fact, IDC predicts that by 2025, there will be 55.7bn connected devices worldwide, 75% of which will be connected to an IoT platform.

Looking to the future of transport, we anticipate that as connectivity becomes more ubiquitous, both on roads and in vehicles, a new connected ecosystem will be created. But how can the automotive sector ensure these innovative solutions are rolled out to consumers in a safe and timely manner?

Connectivity in smart motorways

Allied Research Market forecasts the global electric vehicle market to reach $802.81 billion by 2027. This, along with the widespread adoption of connected vehicles has exposed the urgent need for the automotive industry to create quality services and platforms which support them. Not only this, but different use cases of IoT require different levels of connectivity, resiliency, latency and compute power.

Currently, achieving the levels of connectivity required to enable connected vehicles and roadways to communicate requires a stable, powerful network globally. To achieve this, vehicle manufacturers typically partner with individual Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for each specific country they want to operate in. However, this results in connected vehicle ecosystems operating over a single network, which is not as efficient as the number of connected devices grow.

Ideally, for vehicle manufacturers to achieve the best possible quality network connections for each connected vehicle, they need access to multiple MNOs, with the real-time intelligence to switch networks for optimum quality of service at any given time and in any given country. This helps their services avoid outages and maintain the best costs and coverage.

“To make the most of MNOs, automotive businesses need a platform such as Tata Communications MOVE, which can assimilate and aggregate data from a rich variety of sources across devices and the network.”

This data can be used for analytics and applying intelligence on delivering the highest quality of service and next-gen driver experience in any given country, for any use case, in a network and device agnostic manner.

The future of connectivity

When looking at the future of connectivity, next-gen networks are set to lead a significant change as to how the auto industry approaches on-road connectivity.

Modern vehicles have an array of sensors, location trackers and on-board diagnostics. They gather reams of data that will be sent wirelessly in real time over superfast mobile networks. And not only could this kind of connectivity keep drivers safer and traffic flowing more freely, but it could also reduce pollution and carbon emissions.

For instance, by providing real-time access to service logs and telematics, service centres will be able to see a car’s full diagnostics instantly and remotely. This means they will also be able to predict breakdowns and pre-empt maintenance. By addressing smaller issues remotely, vehicle problems are resolved before they lead to issues requiring costly solutions.

“In the case of a more damaging breakdown or crash, faster connectivity enables drivers to make an emergency call (eCall) or breakdown call (B-call), ensuring urgent assistance is provided – all underpinned by real-time data.”

Finally, having a more powerful network speed means that software errors and patches will no longer be a problem – as cars will be able to receive over-the-air software updates to maintain the vehicle software.

The smart motorway ecosystem

However, connectivity on highways has much more potential than just on-board software. Smart highways are set to become entire connected ecosystems. We are gradually moving towards a driving experience controlled by IoT, and technology will surely help roads to become more cost-effective, safer, and more sustainable.

Next-gen networks are encouraging the rise of sensors and smart devices which, when combined, can allow real-time interaction between the road infrastructure and the vehicles that use it. Telematics technology could become central to solving some of our biggest challenges as a result of urbanisation, provide relief to congested transport infrastructure, and improve the environment.

As access to expanded and more powerful connectivity grows – and costs decrease as this technology matures – every connected device holds an enormous potential to collect and transmit relevant data to the connected vehicles during the journey and convey actionable insights back to the vehicle.

In turn, this data can be used to improve customer service and create more efficient vehicle operations. Overall, this would give rise to new automotive manufacturing standards, create greater operational efficiency, and provide elevated driving experience to the consumers.

“Ultimately, by understanding and addressing customer needs on a deeper level than ever before, brands could become much more than just a badge on the front of the bonnet or a third-party logo on the dashboard’s touchscreen – they could help to revolutionise the driving experience for millions in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.”

With the proliferation of electric vehicles and augmentation in the connected automobiles, the future of transport and connectivity are intertwined It’s an exciting space to watch with fast-moving developments and new innovations that are poised to revolutionise how we think about transport – and our experience of driving.

To learn more about IoT implementation in industries, read this blog. 

The post Mobile networks and fast connectivity are reinventing smart motorways appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

I was intrigued by two recent IoT related survey and reports. They emphasise use cases about efficiencies and return on investments but, surprisingly, there is no mention of people-safety nor productivity. I think it is imperative to place people at the heart of the IoT universe. Today, people related use cases have been greatly understated. We will be doing a great injustice if we continue to ignore the human angle. All aspects are equally important – business efficiencies, productivity and people safety. IoT must become more human centric.

Nearly 2 million people die each year from work-related causes, according to the estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO). This number is dramatically higher than the death toll from road accidents or air crashes, yet one that receives significantly less attention. Global estimates by the United Nations (UN) health and labour agencies also warn that exposure to long working hours was a key health risk linked to approximately 750,000 deaths globally. In addition to this, 450,000 people have lost lives as a result of workplace exposure to air pollution, gases and fumes while occupational injuries were estimated to have killed 360,000 people per year. Daunting facts and figures on health and safety at work by ILO highlight that every 15 seconds, a worker dies from a work-related accident or disease, and 151 workers have a work-related accident. These are truly shocking statistics.

“The alarming reality of workplace fatalities sends a clear signal to business leaders urging them to perform an organisation-wide diagnosis on workplace health and safety culture while driving business efficiencies and productivity.”

A large number of these premature work-related deaths are preventable if proactive actions are taken to identify and monitor work-related health and safety threats. Organisations do follow work-safety measures and policies, yet problems remain only partially solved. The key to sustainable prevention lies in getting the right set of technologies combined with organisational strategies for effective implementation.

IoT-based connected worker solutions with their rapid abilities to monitor and predict safety risks are continuing to protect millions of people from workplace injuries and deaths globally. Especially for high-risk industries such as oil and gas, chemical production, mining and metals, these connected worker solutions when deployed in production environments provide complete visibility of their workforce and their operations. More importantly, the real time insights from continuous monitoring helps companies to identify and isolate risks in advance, significantly saving lives and avoiding near miss incidents.

From health and safety monitoring to asset tracking and utility management, IoT applications are already transforming multiple support processes in factory settings. Beyond factories, the actionable data from IoT sensors are enabling a wide range of use cases like connected vehicles, remote health monitoring and smart home appliances. Alongside 5G, IoT is set to bring a myriad of benefits to society and the environment. To top it, with a common IoT Fabric that brings together the connectivity, data and device management, the opportunities for businesses to unlock efficiency and productivity seem boundless.

While the technical-brilliance and usefulness of IoT makes it widely applicable across industries through different use cases, enterprises are often prioritising use cases that deliver promising Return on Investment (RoI) directly linked to production processes. Today, companies are making efforts to enhance people safety, however, there is not enough focus on leveraging IoT as an enabler for the same. In my view, there needs to be a balanced approach across the business and human aspects. In fact, research studies indicate that every dollar invested in an effective health and safety program returns an average of 500% payback to the organisation. In addition to that, there could be significant cost savings from increased workforce productivity.

Moreover, reports and surveys that predict the growth opportunities of IoT use cases fail to highlight the importance of workplace safety and wellbeing. More than 90% of the use case adoption reports do not rank IoT use cases on safety and health in the top three places. This myopic view on IoT growth potential leaves out the immense opportunities arising from IoT solutions that can enhance workplace safety, productivity and wellbeing. Business and consultants’ surveys must also start asking questions about employee safety in addition to bottom-line returns. This will uncover the true potential of IoT use cases for people-first organisations where employee safety and wellbeing gain importance along with bottom line benefits.

“Protect the business and the brand. Organisations that put people first and that are focused on employee safety have shown greater operational resilience and business continuity success.”

For instance, when the pandemic hit, most companies and businesses across economies were grappling with business continuity challenges caused by workforce disruptions. Successful businesses that understood the benefits of investing in a safe and healthy workforce stayed afloat, naturally gaining a competitive advantage over others. In fact, these organisations were able to resume operations swiftly adhering to higher standards of health and safety compliance. On the flip side, businesses that failed to embrace change due to technical and organisational barriers saw productivity loss, disruptions in supply chains adversely affecting jobs and livelihoods of workers across sectors.

While secure connectivity solutions enabled employee safety through Work From Home (WFH), employees in industrial settings or remote working environments were ensured safety through IoT-based connected worker solutions. Over the past one year, implementation of our connected worker solutions – safety watch and Safepass® have alone prevented around 40 safety incidents and a reduction of up to 20% in unauthorised entry at the workplace. Additionally, the actionable insights into safety and productivity have also resulted in 20% increase in workforce productivity. In terms of monetary savings, this translates to nearly 10% reduction in contract spends for enterprises.

Companies are increasingly turning to digital technologies to both avoid and mitigate health and safety risks. This is apparent from the increased demand of connected worker solutions, in particular, safety watches and Safepass® cards that has been witnessed during the pandemic. They are helping enhance employee productivity through accurate data, while ensuring adherence to social distancing norms through overcrowding alerts and zoning. As we navigate to a world of challenging and uncertain times, and a majority of workforce preferring hybrid ways of work, it makes sense to think of alternative and effective approaches that ensure physical safety and wellbeing at the workplace.

In a digital-first world, creating value for business, environment and the society needs a systems thinking approach to anticipate and solve future challenges.

“Analyst firm IDC predicts that there will be 55.7 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025, and with 75% of these connected to an IoT platform, businesses need to think of long-term strategies for industry verticals, especially the high-risk industries that are resource and labour-intensive.”

A peek into the future of workforce and the dominance of IoT promises a plethora of possibilities in Industry 4.0. Transformational leadership with the right mindset and trust leveraging the power of digital technologies will be instrumental to ensure business continuity while protecting employee safety and security.

Here’s the bottom line: Make workplace safety a top priority for your organisations today, else you will stand to not only lose financially, but also jeopardize your brand.

To learn more, please read this article on IoT and digital transformation.

The post Human-centric IOT: A top priority for business success and branding appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

According to the United Nations, 90% of disasters are now classed as weather and climate-related, costing the world economy USD 520 billion each year. And, human activity is producing greenhouse gas emissions at a record high, with no signs of slowing down.

“I firmly trust, sustainable action has the power. To ‘Invest in our Planet,’ through our low carbon products and services, we have helped our customers to save 6X for every tonne of CO₂ generated through our own operations. These are some initial steps we are taking to move towards climate neutrality.”

We are driving constant and sustainable innovations such as developing a range of low carbon products and services through our Network, Internet of Things, Media and Entertainment Services (MES), Cloud, Business Collaboration verticals to our customers that help them conserve energy and reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

We have integrated ‘environment sustainability’ as a new area for our work. To protect the planet and at the same time help the communities, we have embarked on distributing smart cookstoves in three regions in rural India.

These are helping reduce smoke and consumes less fuel wood. According to one beneficiary, the smart cookstove reduces her cooking time, and curbs health ailments. With these cookstoves we are aiming to offset 9,945 tonnes of CO2 every year, starting from 2023.

At the same time, our renewable energy procurement is around 22 million units, and we reduced our power consumption globally by approx. 6 million kWh in 2021. We are continuously increasing our renewable energy footprint by extending solar powered electricity. For this, we have brought stable, renewable energy to villages along with the joy of being able to light homes in the dark. Five rural Indian villages received it last year and we will be extending our support to seven additional villages this year.

“Afforestation is another area to make an investment in the planet. We have embarked on restoring green cover in a wasteland for 500 families in 61 villages by planting more than 125,000 fruit saplings. This will assure sustainable livelihoods to the people in these villages, develop a green ecosystem while offsetting carbon emissions and soil erosion.”

Severe water scarcity affects about 4 billion people, or nearly two thirds of the world population, at least one month each year, as per the United Nations. We are making an impact by minimizing our water footprint and reducing the amount of fresh-water consumption. In 2021, we achieved 9% of water savings by focusing on our 3R – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – resource management strategy, by using innovative technology and equipment for optimal water usage, fixing water leakages, rainwater harvesting and upgradation of Sewage Treatment Plants along with other community initiatives.

On Earth Day 2022, we reaffirm our commitment to drive higher resource conservation, promote renewable energy, support our customers and care for the communities to build a better world together. We are aiming for technology and connectivity to benefit everyone in tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges.

For more information, please visit: Sustainability at Tata Communications

The post Building a Better World Step-by-Step appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Migration will pave the way for a company connected to the payments ecosystem to enable new ways to exceed customer demands and deliver enhanced services of the future. Moreover, transitioning to the cloud will improve performance, bolster security, and help ensure compliance with a changing regulatory landscape. In short, the cloud will be fundamental to digitally transforming a company.

Banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) companies have witnessed the payment environment going digital, with the industry moving increasingly to mobile, remote, and other digital offerings. And customers are not only open to the digital transformation, they are driving it as well. A J.D. Powers 2021 survey found that 41 percent of retail banking customers have now made the move to go all digital, up from just 30 percent before the pandemic.

Driving the momentum

“For financial institutions to keep those digital customers engaged and maintain a competitive edge, they need to deliver advanced services, from instant mobile payments to online virtual assistants and chatbots that offer financial advice and recommendations and even handle customer relationship management.”

This can be achieved by leveraging cloud services to enable innovation using advanced technology such as blockchain systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to improve customer service and better understand consumer behaviour. Cloud platform can help keep up with current fintech developments by streamlining the payments process, improve credit decision making, and enhance fraud detection.

A step further, cloud deployment can also improve interoperability. For example, they offer banks the ability to access data and transfer information from a variety of IT systems and head offices to third party vendors. Cloud services also help as more institutions adopt ISO 20022, which is the emerging global standard for sending payment instructions between local, regional, and international financial organizations. With better security and compatibility, and with the development of advanced real-time payment infrastructures across the globe, it supports the instantaneous delivery of accurate and complete payments data. Such interconnected services also mean improved analytics so managers can make smarter decisions going forward.

Agility and performance

The interconnectedness of a cloud platform also improves an institution’s agility by making it easier to develop programs that can communicate with each other and coordinate transactions across multiple payment applications.

“A cloud infrastructure allows financial institutions to rapidly develop new online services securely by allowing for testing and usability before releasing it to customers.”

It not only allows for increased personalisation for customers but also allows collaboration with partners via a cloud-based open banking infrastructure to seamlessly integrate more services and in turn boost competitiveness.

Performance is a critical component of such implementations since payment and financing is an around-the-clock online service. Cloud services take care of having to maintain constantly updated software and data centres to support such technological demands. They are also equipped with capabilities to deliver banking IT systems that are available 24/7 and instantly scalable, reducing the pressure on financial companies to make huge capital investments. Dedicated cloud services also offer high-bandwidth access and on-demand scalability so that customers never experience a delay even during high-traffic times.

Regulations and resiliency

Cloud services have also become more sophisticated and are able to meet regulatory requirements from numerous countries and agencies. Spanning from commercial institutions focused on local government banking guidelines to dealing with privacy and security regulations, compliant cloud platforms can help companies navigate through this seamlessly. They also can take responsibility for meeting IT banking, data residency, data sovereignty, and data privacy regulations, while supporting any audit needs.

Moving to the cloud is also a recommended way to improve security. Ransomware is now a daily occurrence with 61 percent of businesses reporting that they were infected last year, according to Mimecast.

“Protecting and maintaining cyber security defences has become a large undertaking for many companies. Cloud services can alleviate some of the burden by keeping up to date with all the latest security patches and updates.”

Moreover, unlike traditional perimeter-based security, cloud can offer protection across multiple layers, including customers, partners, remote access, storage, network connections, and web apps. For financial services it also includes embedded security compliance with payment card standards, government security regulations, accounting and computer security standards.

With digital adoption surging and payment gateways witnessing more transactions every day, a holistic move to the cloud will be imperative to drive customer engagement, offer innovative services, improve performance and tighten security.

To learn more from Rajesh, please read this blog on Enabling service delivery for Bharat.

The post Holistic cloud migration for a competitive edge appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

To elevate customer experience, protect employees, and maintain operations all at the same time, IoT has proven to be an efficient and effective solution. From smart cities to smart manufacturing, IoT solutions have now tested the waters and gaining adoption across industries. In fact, investments in India were close to USD 5 Billion in 2019 and this is only set to grow at a CAGR of 17.1%

Integrated IoT platform

An increasing number of digital-first enterprises recognise IoT’s potential across all functions, to create better business outcomes. Enterprises are also moving beyond the integration of the technology to niche functions like supply chain management or production line automation. They are

conscious of deploying IoT across the value chain to create better efficiencies and looking for a holistic solution and not just a point solution to the device, or the network or application. They are looking at an integrated implementation or an integrated platform. Hence, it is vital for IoT to evolve and provide a full suite of solutions as a platform. It therefore comes as no surprise to know that McKinsey’s Global Institute predicts IoT will have an economic impact of between $4 trillion and $11 trillion by 2025!

A case in point is retail stores can leverage IoT to track footfalls and accordingly adjust the in-store conditions like temperature settings or energy, gas, and water consumption. Check-outs can be automated, preventing long queues and lost sales. Similarly, IoT can aid in smarter inventory management, reducing wastage and manual intervention in procurement. In sum, IoT will be a big game changer in maximising customer experience with optimised resource utilisation.

Redefining healthcare

“The onset of telemedicine that we saw with the pandemic was only the tip of the digital-healthcare iceberg.”

The exponential growth of IoT in healthcare is expected to rise to USD 188 billion in 2025, due to its abilities of tracking, identification and authentication, and data collection. The onset of telemedicine that we saw with the pandemic was only the tip of the digital-healthcare iceberg.

What if IoT sensors are able to monitor the Covid-19 infection spread? Identifying areas that are highly contaminated and geo-fencing them without any delay would reduce the transmission of the virus. These are the kind of predictive and proactive healthcare tools that we need to be future-ready. IoT will unveil a healthcare ecosystem with redefined patient care, doctor interactions and hospital management. For instance, medical equipment powered with IoT sensors will aid in effective remote patient monitoring. This will also result in significant reduction of hospital bills with lesser patient walk ins and be a big boon specially for the elderly. The data analysed from monitoring devices can enable medical experts consider the best suitable treatment routes. On the other hand, hospitals will be able to track, analyse and optimise the use of their inventories, assets, or logistics.

Enhancing remote work and employee safety

“Our frontline heroes from key sectors were running the show for the nation even during the peak pandemic times. This is where IoT can play an instrumental role in minimising the manual reliance.”

Municipalities are leveraging smart lighting solutions with minimised disruptions in service. IoT provisions for prompt servicing, centralised governance and orchestration of streetlights are spread across cities and this is picking momentum.

Similarly, IoT solutions can also make working environments safer for sectors like mining or power. For example, the vital parameters of workers equipped with smart wearables can be tracked in real-time. In case of any anomaly noted with an employee, real-time alerts to the response team for swift action and timely help preventing a mishap.

Transforming Global supply chain

“Going forth, enterprises need to reimagine human dependence on supply chain management to ensure employee safety.”

Supply chain management was one of the earliest use cases identified for IoT, yet its adoption was slow. With Government-mandated limitations on resources and logistics, IoT-backed automation was the only oil that keep factories running. Going forth, enterprises need to reimagine human dependence on supply chain management to ensure employee safety. IoT will help enable this, while ensuring that economies of scale are achieved, with multiple benefits like predictive maintenance of assets and raw materials or smooth management of inventory and logistics. Asset tracking solution (ATS) is quickly evolving as one such solution to provide a unique asset management system that allows enterprises to track their assets in real time. So, a distributed asset with limited mobility like heavy construction equipment, is geo-tracked remotely, preventing unauthorised movement. Even the health parameters of the equipment can be monitored so one can stay at a competitive edge with reduced unplanned downtime.

Reducing emissions

“Increased IoT adoption means more data being sent to the cloud for storage and computing, and therefore additional energy consumption.”

To curb this, enterprises need to deploy edge computing capabilities on their IoT networks. Data processing at the edge reduces latency and strain

on bandwidth, with faster analysis and insights-generation. Edge computing can also help in predictive monitoring of the manufacturing process to restrain hazardous emissions or cut down on wastage. For example, heavy industries like steel, chemicals or cement contribute an enormous amount of carbon footprint. IoT sensors have the capability of monitoring the possible imprint and reducing them at source.

This is the best time for future-proof enterprises to identify where they stand in their IoT journey and fill the required gaps to create value for their stakeholders. Going forward, IoT platforms will become more complex, as they have to work in tandem with other disruptive technologies like AI, edge computing or 5G connectivity to create even more path-breaking use cases. The right digital ecosystem enabler, having a multi-tech expertise, can enable enterprises streamline these processes to unlock improved profitability and productivity.

For more information on this, read this blog on How eSIM Hub helps enterprises with management of IoT applications

The post IoT an essential ingredient for digital transformation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Gartner said in India the government spending on technology stood at $9.6 billion as of 2021, and it is further expected to grow 11.6% in 2022 to $10.7 billion.

For example, in the healthcare sector, the roll out of an open platform for the National Digital Health Ecosystem (NDHE) was announced. The platform aims at consisting digital registries of health providers, health facilities, unique health identity and universal access to health facilities. Facilitating such a comprehensive platform requires a robust tech infrastructure, the right skillset and a constant monitoring model. To leapfrog on these fronts and more, the Government of India has been strategically fostering public-private service delivery models well ahead of time. Especially, with projects requiring extensive tech intervention.

Managed Services Providers for an integrated play

The NDHE platform aims to ease the process of receiving adequate medical aid for Covid-19 or any other healthcare concerns. Large volumes of data get generated from this platform. Computing such data requires state-of-the-art platform, deep technical know-how coupled with intelligent software. Alongside, factors like protecting this infrastructure from cyber-security breaches also require separate attention.

When managing cloud environments, you may have a data centre or cloud node within the country, however the management of that can happen outside the country. Some part of that metadata goes out of the country.

“Responsible digital partners will ensure that native deployment has security controls and firewalls built in.”

This ensures adherence to regulatory compliance, transparency and data privacy, which are critical and is an important mandate with the impending rollout of the data privacy bill.

As a result, the Government is increasingly looking for holistic digital ecosystem enablers that not only provide the cloud services but take care of the overall environment. Managed Services Providers are able to offer cloud platforms that are integrated with all the other complementary technologies that are operation-critical, like network services or threat intelligent systems or so on. Corroborating the same, latest projections by Statista state that the global managed services market will reach $356.24 by 2025, up from $185.98 in 2019.

Kubernetes for scalability

“With the government’s focus on last mile reach, activity count per minute is set to increase. This can be addressed with the help of Kubernetes services, which is the containerised environment.”

Hence, it auto scales as per customer requirements. It has a capability to understand the kind of transactions that are coming in and based on the number, it would scale up the infrastructure. And when the utilisation goes down below a defined threshold, it would also scale down. This is the kind of intelligence in performance that today’s forward-thinking Governments are looking for.

“As the government envisions a digitally empowered society that has a one click access to governance services, it is important to choose the right partners that can help in accentuating this vision.”

Deploying a robust cloud environment is only the beginning of the same. The right IT enabler can go beyond pure-play infrastructure and add multiple value streams like creating a DevOps environment or offer containerized services, backed with security operations services or implement disaster recovery facilities. This means that the Government’s managed services are taken care of without involving any third-party vendor incurring additional expenses or labour. And this is the future of a truly digital India.

To learn more, please read this blog on the The roadmap for hybrid-workplace digital transformation.

The post Enabling service delivery for Bharat appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Undoubtedly, Covid-19 caused much of the disruption we see across the industry. From homebound employees to disrupted production cycles, many aspects of the manufacturing sector were severely impacted or even abruptly halted last year. This gave rise to the need for manufacturers  to transform themselves to address new business priorities and ready themselves for the future, or risk getting snowed under by the changes and challenges in this new disrupted world.

Priorities and challenges in the new world of manufacturing

Strengthening their operation’s and supply chain’s resiliency is a priority that manufacturers are focusing on in the aftermath of the pandemic. Achieving this will require manufacturers to diversify their operations and supplier portfolios. However, this will create a more complex ecosystem that makes it harder for them to manage and maintain operational visibility.

Diversification will also make product development and decision-making more decentralised. Some functions, such as design engineers, can face greater collaboration and communications challenges as their teams are scattered across diverse locations. This can hamper product innovation and delay time-to-market.

Lastly, security has always been a critical concern for manufacturers. Any physical or cyber security lapse can potentially lead to grave consequences, including unplanned downtime and losing intellectual properties (IP).

“Cyberattacks, in particular, are an increasingly significant risk. The recent spike in ransomware attacks illustrates how they can readily disrupt and shut down physical operations.”

Moreover, as manufacturers become more digitalised, they become increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals.

Rethinking their digital strategies to build a future-ready organisation

Digital technology will play an even greater role in manufacturing organisations as they adopt new operating models to address these challenges and meet new business requirements. While many have already started their digital transformation journey before the pandemic, they will need to rethink their digital approaches to stay relevant in this new disrupted landscape and position themselves for growth in the future.

Here are four digital strategies that manufacturers can consider to transform their digital ecosystem and build a future-ready digital infrastructure:

1. Build a robust digital foundation

To increase their organisation’s resilience, agility and productivity, manufacturers will need to digitise the entire value chain – from supply chains to the factory floor and customer acquisition to customer service. This requires them to examine the entire spectrum to identify the changes needed and strategise how digital technology can help.

As part of this exercise, manufacturers must first plan how they can develop a strong digital foundation to support current technologies and future digital initiatives. This includes building a hybrid architecture to maximise the potential of advanced technologies like AI and IoT, and integrating new digital systems with legacy infrastructure.

2. Harness data to create new competitive advantages

As manufacturers digitalise their value chain, they will have unprecedented opportunities to obtain data from the business environment. By leveraging intelligent systems to convert data into actionable insights, manufacturers can improve all aspects of their business, from enhancing end-to-end visibility across the supply chain to boosting strategic decision making.

For instance, manufacturers can harvest real-time data on their production processes with IoT sensors. Combined with hybrid cloud platforms and data analytics. Manufacturers can swiftly isolate issues in product lines and identify key opportunities for the business to enhance efficiencies or innovate. Moreover, manufacturers can analyse real-time data of their machines’ conditions to facilitate predictive maintenance. This allows companies to plan their maintenance around their production schedule and prevent unexpected downtime.

3. Implement a robust communications and collaboration platform

“As remote working becomes a permanent feature in the post-COVID landscape, manufacturers must have a versatile unified, collaboration platform that supports messaging, voice, and video functions.”

This ensures their employees and partners can work seamlessly across functions and geographies, which will help accelerate time-to-market and drive innovation.

Furthermore, manufacturers can customise their communications tools according to their unique business needs by embedding communications platform as a service (CPaaS) solutions into enterprise resource planning (ERP) or customer relationship management (CRM) applications. This can elevate the customer, employee, and partner experiences by making them more personalised, enriching, and seamless.

4. Establish a framework for ubiquitous security

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical as manufacturers’ operations and supply chains become more digitalised. By adopting a zero-trust approach, manufacturers can secure their digital environment beyond the traditional perimeter and provide employees secure access to applications and data, regardless of location, device, or broadband connectivity.

Manufacturers will also need to be more proactive in monitoring and safeguarding against cyber threats. A security operations centre (SOC) can act as the first line of cyber defence, allowing companies to constantly monitor and investigate anomalous activities across their digital ecosystem while reducing their response time to attacks.

Future-proofing the organisation

While the manufacturing output across Asia Pacific is showing signs of recovery, there is still a lot of uncertainty in the market and manufacturing companies must reassess their business priorities and refresh their digital strategies to stay agile and productive in this new reality.

“By setting a clear vision of what they want to achieve and evolving their digital strategy to support it, manufacturing organisations can build up their resiliency against current disruption while positioning themselves advantageously for future innovation and growth in an ever-evolving environment. “

Setting up of Digital transformation office

In order to fast track from legacy world to Digital-First, manufacturing organisations in Asia pacific need to focus on skills, culture and tackle growing threats from cybersecurity breaches. A progressive company considers investments in their digital transformation as a business investment more than an expense – they ensure they have looked at all parts of their business to drive digital transformation. This includes bridging skill gaps by bringing in external talent to accelerate digital adoption. For manufacturing companies to radically transform customer experience and dramatically improve cost ratios, it’s imperative that they have trusted and specialised technology partners to deliver the business outcome.

To learn more, please read this blog on The quest for unified collaboration. 

The post Readying Manufacturers’ Digital Ecosystem for the Disrupted Future appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Since the dawn of the internet, the world as we knew it transformed to become a global village. We don’t depend on letters which take weeks to arrive at its destination or go to call centres to make international calls. With a few taps on a keyboard, we can send emails to connect with family or business partners across the globe instantly.

This evolution of connectivity also had a great impact in major industries and is set to continue as we move into Industry 4.0. The fourth industrial revolution is transforming business operations for the better and we’re only at its cusp.

There’s been a lot of talk about connected factories and how they can revolutionise manufacturing while levelling up the roles of humans. But, although the potential is real, it’s also true that most manufacturers don’t know where to begin.

It’s currently a watch-and-learn moment for them as only large enterprises are able to take on the risks of trialling new technologies. With this in mind, here are some key insights that manufacturers of all sizes can take away on the subject.

A new age

“We’re currently in an age of hyper-connectivity and 5G will be the fuel to propel smart factories of the future.”

Factories of the future must consist of man, machine, and material working seamlessly together to create a diverse ecosystem of ‘connected things’.

Man: This consists of solutions that place people at the centre of digital transformation to achieve business goals such as improving employee safety and productivity by using augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) solutions for remote monitoring and quality assurance.

Machine: This consists of solutions that place operational equipment at the centre of digital transformation to achieve business goals such as predictive maintenance to ensure zero unplanned downtime.

Material: This consists of solutions that place the raw material at the centre of digital transformation to achieve business goals such as improving cycle time by monitoring the precise input of resources.

Factories of the future

“When planning digital transformation projects for factories, manufacturing leaders must go beyond the first three Ms (man, machine, and material), to also include two new Ms – method and market – to unlock the full potential of a 5G-enabled smart factory.”

Method: This concerns the new ways of achieving business goals which will give rise to new revenue models that will unlock and create value.

Market: In this process, the latest methods of operation will enable enterprises to address new systems or markets making use of new revenue models.

An ecosystem with all 5 Ms will transform the enterprise to not only achieve current business goals, but also unlock new revenue sources, business models, and the ability to address new markets through secure digital experiences.

The 5G – IoT journey

“The Internet of Things (IoT) is a key enabler of digital transformation for factories of the future.”

To truly transform, enterprises will have to do more than just provide IoT connected devices.

The digital transformation journey will have to be business-outcome focused and will require a revamped business strategy that’s enabled by the right set of technology and solution providers.

The key elements that will enable the 5 Ms and IoT in the 5G era are:

1. Network: This is the core communication layer that will deliver low latency services across licensed or unlicensed bands.
2. Devices: IoT-enabled devices can be used for location-specific services, two-way alerts, remote configuration, monitoring, and maintenance.
3. Platform: Driven by technology, device, and access neutral, it will be capable of supporting multiple industry use cases.
4. Applications: The Tata Communications MOVE platform is supported by more than 150 APIs for ease of integration with third party enterprise applications.
5. Analytics-based insights: For providing outcome driven and business focussed insights to make informed decisions.
6. Security: This is most important as the world continues to become more connected. Enterprises will need a provider with a multi-layered approach to security.

The move from automation to 5G-enabled hyper-connectivity is going to heavily influence the entire value chain and will invariably affect how organisations do business.

“To successfully transform, manufacturing leaders must consider using the right technology, the right partner, flexible modules, and the ability to receive a return in investment, sooner rather than later.”

We’ve also written more about how our platform can help industries such as automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare to digitally transform. So, click here for a deep-dive on how Tata Communications can transform your enterprise with 5G-enabled IoT.

The post The 5 Ms to empower 5G in Industry 4.0 appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The pandemic and subsequent rise of distributed working patterns significantly accelerated the digitalisation of enterprises across the globe, and of society as a whole. And it’s now completely commonplace for the average business to leverage an array of cloud applications or to conduct operations through collaboration platforms.

As a result, there’s already an expectation that every business will have an online presence and will strive to provide a seamless digital experience. But to make a real impact on modern customers, businesses need to be able to go further than simply providing a run-of-the-mill digital experience – they need to be able to solve their customers’ problems in dynamic, sustainable and highly personalised ways.

That’s why technology alone is no longer the great differentiator it once was – and why business leaders are becoming increasingly sceptical of the latest shiny piece of tech.

To solve the jigsaw puzzle, enterprises, their vendors and ecosystems at large need to all be geared towards creating the types of digital experiences that solve real-world problems. Most times, these solutions are not just embedded in technology but people and the nuances of relationships. If long-term value creation is the goal, developing fruitful relationships is at the heart of it.

In the future, whether a business is trying to formulate more adaptable strategies or is attempting to pivot its digital transformation strategies, the ability to achieve digital goals nimbly while uncovering new business opportunities will require co-creation.

Customer intimacy journey

Now technology is so ubiquitous to our society, there’s greater pressure on enterprises to find better ways to cater to the needs and demands of their customers. And considering the access to knowledge businesses now have – either through its vendors or just the internet – organisations today can access all the innovations they would need to become digital-first at the click of a button.

But considering more than 90% of enterprises say they are yet to achieve a digital-first strategy, there’s clearly more to the challenge than simply accessing technology. For a business to become digital-first, the initial and most important step is taking on partners that want to understand their environment. This is why relationship management is crucial.

“Partners need to move closer together not simply to face the problems of today, but to begin working on the challenges of tomorrow.”

And there’s no way for a partner to predict what those challenges are going to be without a deep understanding of that business’ goals and objectives.

The aim of any successful digital transformation initiative should be to future-proof, and that can’t be achieved through the implementation of individual innovations. Digital-first strategies need to be holistically built solutions that address real problems and make organisations adaptable to whatever the future throws at them.

These sorts of solutions are unique and require a strong element of co-creation to become a reality. When every business has all the knowledge in the world at their fingertips, true differentiation can only come from the value co-created in the ecosystems that businesses build.

“Becoming digital-first will require an all-inclusive convergence of several innovations and ecosystems, it’s simply essential.”

As being digital-first enables businesses to keep customer experience as their focal core and eventually transform their digital experience into a brand in its own right, which in turn, will unlock the hypergrowth for those organisations.

Leaders get to set the pace

It’s clear that the rapid expansion of the digital landscape has led to new buying patterns and product preferences. This will only continue evolving, transforming market dynamics and business models in the process.

So, business leaders can no longer afford to have a reactionary stance to the market – they need to set the pace. To achieve the hypergrowth that’s on offer, leaders need to fundamentally reimagine what customer success looks like. And in the age of hyperscale, it’s up to partners to show leaders what’s possible so they’re well incentivised to no longer accept nominal growth.

“Once leaders begin seeing hyper scaling as the arena they need to win in, they’re on the right track towards hypergrowth, as they will start fostering environments that proactively works to scale up every solution that shows promise.”

It will take a concerted effort from leaders to make this an organisation-wide priority. It will have to include ensuring they’re attracting and retaining the right talent to push innovation, while also fostering talent internally through upskilling.

Because the ability to leverage data and enhance infrastructure will only take a business so far on its own, especially when it comes to understanding the large, diverse range of customers out there today. So only once decision-makers start to see customer success and hypergrowth as two sides of the same coin will they truly have a chance at truly succeeding.

To learn more, read this blog post on the challenges faced by remote workers, and how enterprises can help to alleviate these challenges for employees.

The post The importance of reimagining what customer success looks like appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The new norm of work and business entails connecting any device, any user, any entity for any application placed anywhere. This “Surviving and thriving” in today’s Work-From-Anywhere world requires an effective balance between productivity and security. The challenges to achieving this equilibrium can be oversimplified, and yet they are fundamental for building confidence in the digital enterprise. As stated by IDC (2020), “Never before has the concept of trust been so critical to business. As we are unable to physically interact, digital interaction has become, for many, the only way to conduct business and deliver work. This requires a new approach that relies on higher levels of trust, underpinned by a robust cybersecurity foundation.” [2]

Digital trust will be critical as we move forward and, by 2023, Gartner (2020) predicts that 30% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) will be directly measured by their ability to create value for business.[3]

This blog explores some of the challenges in creating robust cybersecurity foundations that secure the network, endpoints, and cloud, essential for Work From Anywhere.

#1. A connection back to the secure fortress won’t scale

Historically, organisations would build a perimeter around their business using firewalls and layers of security. But due to the pandemic, IT teams have been suddenly tasked with enabling safe remote working as many colleagues have been working from home. Often, their response has been to bring these remote workers back ‘into the fortress’ using a secure VPN. However, this brings its own set of challenges: delays in user performance and productivity plus less visibility and ability to identify bad actors and breaches.

#2. Endpoints of lone users becoming launch platforms for attacks

Lone users have increasingly become the target for attacks over the last few months. That’s because each remote employee is using multiple devices – laptop, phone, and/or tablet. They all need their own secure connectivity and device hardening, without which security can be compromised. Each device is also considered an access point or platform by the organisation.

“What’s needed is a new clear perimeter for each individual – in other words, their own fortress.”

According to Gartner, by 2023, 60% of enterprises will phase out their remote access VPNs in favour of zero-trust network access (ZTNA).[4] For Work From Anywhere to be effective, new security solutions and processes are required – digital certificates to authenticate the user’s device. But even with a secure headquarters and secured individual users, encrypted connectivity is needed to stop any breaches midway. A more granular way of assessing user activities is required. That’s where Zero Trust comes in – a verification approach that makes the whitelist dynamic.

#3. Protecting the growing use of cloud services

Another potential chink in the armour is the growing use of cloud services. In 2020, account hijacking was the fifth biggest cloud threat, according to CSO Online.[5] To address this, the IT team needs to define what is acceptable and “normal” behaviour, i.e. set thresholds for content downloads. A user connecting to a cloud service on the whitelist is fine, but if they try something unusual, then additional layers of verification are required. The key is to make better use of data analytics – looking back across longer periods of time, identifying unusual behaviour over a few months, determining what is normal and acceptable, and what is not.

#4. Inability to have a complete view and ability to act across all potential threats

In the past, analysing system logs made organisations feel safe. But now organisations need more data – not just looking at the past but expanding into behaviour patterns and data modelling.

“From user behaviour analytics to threat analytics and analysis, this insight means organisations can start to predict the most likely threats and begin to protect themselves.”

Adopting advanced threat management increases the speed for both detection and response, across network, endpoints, and cloud – layering in external cyberthreat intelligence such as the type of attacks, bad actors, and the main vulnerabilities. Of course, all this should be automated so that if a major attack is likely to take place, it is already on the radar. To cope with the data volumes required to deliver this kind of protection at scale, organisations also need to deploy machine learning or AI.

#5. Security impacting productivity

“We often think of insider threats as malicious employees bent on doing harm. While that’s often the case, more than 60% are simply those of negligent employees” (SC Magazine, 2021)[6]

Balancing security and productivity for remote workers is not straightforward. For instance, Tata Communications was working with an IT services organisation that supplied software developers to a banking client. The developers were accessing cloud-based services to develop code for the bank’s digital services; understandably, the bank had very stringent security requirements and also high expectations on productivity for these remote employees, so we had to define a security model that aligned with their service and used analytics to help highlight the productivity.

At the same time, we were required to help highly technology-enabled digital banking assistants, whose processes needed effective support in a remote work environment. These types of employees were impacted during lockdown because they struggled to maintain service continuity – the result was more than three hours of queuing for the bank’s customers.

“To address the needs of both the software developers and the digital banking assistants, the security model had to be tightly defined with very clear guard-rails of what the users should be doing.”

In this context, we needed to address the requirements of the digital banking support staff versus the requirements of the developers, i.e. looking at what was blacklisted, ensuring the system was connecting appropriately, and that no personal devices were used. We also had to look at the device real-time – how long it had been idle and whether it should be stopped with fresh verification and authentication initiated.

To conclude, CISOs are thinking about the challenges described above; and key to solving these is empowering the security teams to develop an end-to-end view of their infrastructure and software stack mapped to threats. It’s now about how they further develop an integrated approach to enable Endpoint Detection and Response. Managed Security Service providers can bring this complete package; however, a fundamental change in both mindset and execution are required. They should start by considering: What are the areas we need to address first? Which areas are most mature? What is our cost-benefit analysis? Where do we need to balance security and productivity?

As organisations move forward, business logic and cost analysis will increasingly be applied to security. This evolution will support organisations as they move from functionally protecting devices to the ultimate goal of hunting for threats. Finally, the concept of building digital trust will continue to evolve. As Gartner states “CISOs will need to strike a balance between what is needed in a security program and the risks to undertake for the business to move forward.” (2021)[7]

Discover more about building digital trust through cybersecurity.

The post Watch your step: the security cracks in work from anywhere appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As most people shifted to work from home, they were not alone in this predicament. It was a testing time for enterprises to ensure business continuity in real-time survived. While the move was embraced with optimism, the work behind the scenes was much more gruelling than one could imagine. CEOs had a tough decision to provide a seamless and secure experience to their employees; right from understanding the demands and nature of their operation to choosing an adequate network partner who could enable unified connectivity. They deliberated on questions that would decide the future of the company, the future of work and what happens when things go wrong? Is the network secure enough, or what happens if the Internet fails?

The answer to that came with a hefty price. When applications fail or a glitch occurs during work hours, the resultant downtime pauses ongoing business operations, and directly impacts the bottom line.

“According to ITIC, 98% of firms affirmed hourly downtime costs exceed $150,000 and 88% of respondents estimated hourly downtime expenses exceed $300,000. In extreme cases, data and monetary losses from outages can even cause a company to go out of business!”

In terms of numbers, the interruption often takes an average of 28 minutes every time there is an IT-related problem. A recent study by Nexthink looked at the technical problems during the pandemic and learnt that about 38% of employees had issues with Virtual Private Network access to critical software, 37% had issues with Wi-Fi connectivity and reliability, and 35% had challenges using video conference apps.

In fact, according to a report, 51% of companies in India feel that connectivity needs to improve and collaboration with other businesses is critical. So far, only 19% say they have enabled their workforces to be productive wherever they are, compared with 31% globally. While the numbers reveal a dismaying picture, the concern is much more layered than meets the eye.  As we know, enterprises both big and small rushed to stay ahead in their digital transformation during the pandemic, however, the adoption was done in a fragmented manner. What many don’t realise is that network is a precursor to digital transformation, and that traditional networks are no longer agile enough to manage the current demand. The hardware-centric model used limits the scalability required to deal with the effects of this pandemic.

So the next step that companies need to do is approach their network as their employees.

“Just as employees today need to upskill to be ready for the future, companies need to upskill their network and build it around their teams and users to make the perfect collaborative ecosystem.”

That’s why the next stage in network evolution is to make them interactive, user-friendly, and simplified communication that it’s almost like talking to an employee. Users should be able to use voice-assisted devices with commands or drag and drop their requests. It’s almost like the network is saying, “Is your network weak today? Let me help you.” The future not only promises voice assistance but translates the intent of a person into policies that will address a businesses’ present challenges.

“As enterprises are moving towards intelligent, agile, dynamic, and more business-friendly networks, they now want to experience flexibility and control of their network, and possibly have a pay-as-you-go model for days where they expect an increase in traffic.”

The pandemic taught one lesson to enterprises; always be in control of your operations and understand the traffic requirement, to gauge which business division creates the most traffic, on which day etc. For example, a company that is looking at hosting a virtual global townhall for employees globally can request for a network feature, where additional bandwidth for just that particular event is available on demand, when needed. The users in turn enjoy a seamless and secure experience. This is what an intelligent, intent-based network will provide with the help of AI, and Machine Learning (ML) to drive network on demand services for enterprises.

Now whether a company decides to continue with legacy infrastructure or take a page out from last year and make their digital transformation future proof for unforeseen situations, agile and secure will define their existence in the coming years. In the end, an enterprise that can balance business priorities, save money and provide a seamless experience without people repeatedly saying, “Can you hear me” will be the stayers.

To learn more, read this blog on hybrid-workplace digital transformation.

The post The cost of “Can you hear me?” appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Securing data is gaining a totally new magnitude level. Popularity of cloud services is revolutionising the digital economy with flexibility, scalability, and reduced operational costs for businesses. However, the sudden shift to remote working put these benefits into sharp scrutiny. While the total cloud service market grew by 33% in 2020, the need to fortify businesses became that much more critical.

The business burden of the shared responsibility model

An evolved shared cloud responsibility model has emerged offering a new and more comprehensive approach to cloud management. For most of cloud’s history, enterprises have worked under the shared cloud responsibility model with clearly defined security responsibilities for cloud service providers (CSP) and businesses engaging their services. While CSPs take a large share of cloud security responsibility, more aspects are under the purview of businesses.

CSPs are in charge of securing the backbone to protect the hardware, software, networking, and data centre facilities.

The individual businesses need to take care of all other security mandates including protecting endpoints, network traffic, access, applications, procuring security controls, monitoring security incidents, and complying to regulations. Most often this leads to enhancing expertise levels as well as adding resource costs which, very often, becomes an impediment for many enterprises.

“With a growing list of increasingly complex security tasks, a shortage of cybersecurity talent availability in the market, enterprises are that much more challenged.”

And, with hybrid working looking to soon replace traditional working models for many, evolution of this approach is critical to mitigate the risk of cyberthreats and drain on resources to prevent attacks.

Cybercriminals have long been aware of the responsibility division between CSPs and enterprises, its lacunae and challenges. As a result, they consciously attack an enterprise’s infrastructure which comes under the businesses’ purview. Hence, businesses must move quick to win the security race to protect themselves. A transformation of the two-party approach of the traditional shared responsibility model helps achieve this.

An evolved shared cloud security responsibility

Transforming the security ecosystem at scale and speed is imperative and this is coming with the evolution of Managed Security Service Providers (MSSP) role in the cloud security shared responsibility model. They act as third-party service providers between enterprises and their CSPs to provide strategic direction and support and, effectively overcome various cloud challenges such as  end-to-end security, cyber threats, compliance, scalability and skills gap, to name a few.

“MSSPs support enterprises at every step of their cloud journey from initial assessments and migration, through to day-to-day management including monitoring and governance.”

MSSPs are advocates for enterprises, ensuring cloud strategies are aligned with the business’ priorities and pace along their digital transformation journey.

They are constantly monitoring and testing an enterprise’s defences and shields for better understanding its probable and possible threat types, prepare risk mitigation strategies and ensure cyberthreat protection.

A shared cloud security model helps enterprises ease the burden of managing in-house cloud security talent and skillsets while availing the best guardrails. For instance, MSSPs can be enlisted to take over the rapid scaling up or down of services – a task that has several complicated challenges such as misconfigurations and inconsistent policy enforcements. This allows enterprises to focus on its core business – employees, customers and future of their enterprise with peace of mind and agility.

An ecosystem approach for greater agility

As enterprises’ businesses scale, so also, the volume and complexity of its operations increases. This makes cloud infrastructure security a critical need of business success and growth making a case for continuous and consistent evaluation. To achieve this, MSSPs leverage an ecosystem of cloud native and third-party applications to provide constant and comprehensive security.

MSSPs also provide businesses benefits of orchestration that helps them optimise various functions, along with data response ability and other features that make it easier for enterprises to maintain regulatory compliance.

“We see MSSPs reimagining the cloud security framework as a whole and inspiring the industry to embrace it.”

The Comprehensive Responsibility Model highlights a mindset shift to cloud security and outlines the many areas MSSPs bring expertise to support businesses. These include governance, risk mitigation, compliance, procurement and implementation of comprehensive security.

With these security responsibilities no longer weighing businesses down, it opens a whole new realm of possibilities for enterprises. This added support gives businesses more time and expertise to focus on digitising their innovation, delivering better and more secure customer services and capabilities, optimising cost, and reducing worker efforts, to name just a few.

The future of the new evolved cloud security shared responsibility is going to harbour new businesses. On one side, there will be enterprises attempting to achieve digital transformation by investing large amounts of time and resources to combat increasing cyberthreats and manage vital responsivity toll. On the other side, there will be businesses supported by MSSPs under a modified, comprehensive responsibility model, that will ease pressure to divert resources towards cloud challenges enabling improvements in employee and user experiences, whilst optimising operations. As we craft the new world, shared security responsibility is the answer for enterprises to drive collective success of the cybersecurity ecosystem for a better and safer future.

Discover more about the roadmap for hybrid workplace digital transformation.

The post The evolution of the shared responsibility model in cybersecurity appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Last year, employees switched to Work from Home overnight to ensure business continuity and customer interactions became completely virtual. However, the network infrastructure of many companies was not sufficiently prepared for this. They had to rely on quick-fix solutions while at the same time thinking about how they could cope with such situations in the future.

For 2021 and the next few years, we’ll see organisations looking at spinning up their digital infrastructure, making it agile, secure, and – most importantly – future-ready for any such unforeseen circumstances.

According to a recent survey by IDC, 64% of companies in Germany are planning to deploy modern network architectures in the next 24 months. The pandemic has certainly shifted the priorities and increased the focus on network transformation.

While about half of the companies surveyed by IDC see their own network as a pure cost centre and, the other 50 percent attribute a transformative character to it and consider the network as an elementary platform for day-to-day business and even as a key pillar of innovation.

“The common attribute among all these companies – they have started to understand the relevance and importance of networks.”

Stable, agile and secure network for business growth

A more resilient and agile network is a key platform that will enable enterprises to navigate such uncertainties. But how can businesses make their network truly stable, secure and fit for the future, and one that supports their strategy for innovation? Today, distributed locations must be interconnected, cloud environments integrated, data and connection security ensured, and wired and wireless networks integrated.

“Going forward, connected industrial environments, edge computing, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 will play an increasingly important role in a growth of any organisation.”

Network managers need to integrate these diverse environments together so that the policies can be consistently applied across the network ecosystem. In addition to this, the interaction between man & machine further adds to complexity of this diverse ecosystem.

In an industrial environment, we have users, machineries, IoT sensors, servers, robots – all interacting with each other.

A network needs to be able to manage the different demands of these diverse network participants – not just of human beings on a web browser.

Cloud-centric architecture is the need of the hour, as it can enable enterprises to make the most of their networks. Building agility at the cloud edge with the ease of deploying different virtual network functions at these edges would enable better connectivity to critical applications in multiple clouds. For example, many enterprises are leveraging our global footprint and reach in over 190 territories to come closer to the cloud so that their mission critical traffic is best routed to the cloud applications.

Many enterprises have realised that the scalability required them to deal with the unforeseen circumstances like this pandemic is often limited by the hardware-centric model. As a result, the use of software-driven, cloud-native network-as-as-service, and virtualised multi-service cloud edge has become more popular. Enterprises have realised the need for a faster deployment of network functions and routing policies. SD-WAN has also emerged as a key solution during this time.

For most companies, in addition to rapid deployment and flexibility, security and reliability play a crucial role when it comes to choosing the right network solution. A secure network infrastructure is extremely important for an enterprise’s complete digital transformation. And this is where another trend comes into the play – Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). However, SASE is not completely new as its an amalgamation of many existing tools. SD-WAN and VPN technologies are combined with cloud-native security functions such as Zero Trust, CASB and firewalls.

Most legacy WANs do not have a process to regularly update the customer premises equipment (CPE) with critical patches because each of these CPEs need to be updated one by one which results in the increase in cost. With a centralised controller this is another issue that SD-WAN makes more manageable.

All this is intended to reduce complexity on the one hand and increase security on the other. If the integration of security into SD-WAN is not seamless, then the complexity remains, and SD-WAN won’t deliver the value enterprises expect.

SD-WAN enables enterprises to manage hybrid networks more effectively and thus remain competitive. They use a centralised control function to route traffic securely and intelligently across the network. SD-WAN enables better infrastructure and operational processes and can be updated more quickly across multiple sites. Furthermore, it provides additional security reducing the need for separate firewall appliances. All of this ultimately improves application performance and delivers a high-quality user experience across the network.

There are many use cases for which a software-based network makes sense. In manufacturing, a software-defined hybrid network can secure factories, ensure maximum availability through load balancing or secure and control partner access via the extranet and generally segment access to applications. With growing adoption of hybrid workplace, virtualised networks can help organisations run their network’s functions in the cloud and also enable them to modify their IT architecture – when needed – without moving hardware.

Not a cookie-cutter approach

Sure, SD-WAN has a lot of benefits. But does this approach work like a cure-all for various network problems? The answer is no and not every company has the technical prerequisites to get the most out of this approach. Implementing SD-WAN was a green field endeavor a couple of years ago but increasingly SD-WAN is being deployed into an environment where other technology or even another SD-WAN already runs. Businesses need a mature and methodical migration strategy, and a clear goal in mind.

In its original form, the biggest weakness of SD-WAN is that it was designed to automate legacy WAN that was increasingly adopting Internet, but it did not originally address the demands for cloud access or SaaS application access. Organisations need to know their applications end-to-end. They need to know which applications create most traffic on what days of the week and how important they are for the operational business. These organisations need to have access to the set priority of their application traffic because SD-WAN will produce best results if the branch sites have more than one link, and when applications are identified and classified by their importance in the SD-WAN controller.

“In my opinion, enterprise need to identify what network works best for their requirement. Enterprises that have a hybrid IT architecture (some on-premises and some cloud-hosted) would benefit from SD-WAN in its pure form, i.e., a controller with CPEs at every site.”

However, if the customer has a pure cloud-based IT architecture with no owned data centres, a SASE (cloud-based gateways and interconnect) would be more suitable to deliver performance and security. The reason is simple: traditional SD-WAN still has more complexity on the branch-based CPEs than we need. Ideally, we lift up this complexity to cloud-based SASE gateways, so the CPEs can be simple routing endpoints that connect a branch to SASE gateways and a global network backbone.

We need to acknowledge that SD-WAN and SASE are trends at the moment, and perhaps tomorrow the hot trends would be called something else.

However, the hype around them shows one thing clearly – the industry and enterprises have begun to consider and accept security and network as one unit to gain the maximum security and flexibility at the same time. Today, to be truly innovative as an enterprise, this is more important than ever.

Discover more about the evolution of networks.

The post Agile and secure network: A key pillar for innovation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The acceleration of digitisation experienced by the consumer and public sectors over the last year has fostered a brand-new landscape, one that many business leaders are still trying to wrap their heads around.

As a digital ecosystem enabler, we have moved closer than ever before to our customers. We’ve had to offer unique support and guidance through these uncertain times, as many undergo rapid network transformations.

However, no one has been exempted from the disruption caused by this crisis, and we are all benefiting from each other’s experiences. That’s why events such as the CIO & CISO Challenges roundtable are so beneficial –  it’s not only an opportunity for us to share our knowledge with an audience, but also with each other.

Cloud, customer experience and agility

During my years as Vice President and Head of Sales for the APAC region at Tata Communications, I’ve been lucky to witness growth across the region, even before the pandemic supercharged everything.

In the last year specifically, businesses have seen a huge shift in their operating models.

“With a new digital focus and a hybrid working model to contend with, organisations had to re-evaluate how they enable their employees with tools and technology to continue to collaborate and drive customer experiences, while upgrading infrastructure to meet this new demand.”

This intense clamour for more last mile remote access and bandwidth access has left businesses seeking solutions with speed, accessibility, mobility and security. We’ve focused on three broader trends that we believe will best enable this.

The first is the need for enterprises to move away from traditional business solutions, such as remote VPN access to corporate networks, in favour of faster, more secure access solutions, such as Security-as-a-service (SaaS), that offer more seamless experiences. Next is the need to ensure that the experiences that businesses have worked so hard to develop and mainly for their customers are now delivering the highest quality of service across the network. This is to ensure seamless high availability and ubiquitous access to their products and services that are now progressively digital and borderless. New forms of competition are taking shape to challenge legacy companies and customers would not hesitate to cross over to products and services with better customer experiences.

“The customer experience can’t afford to be subpar as we have customers in banking, manufacturing, and in healthcare that demand the highest service levels in quality from us. And they want it omnichannel and ever-present – anytime, anywhere.”

Finally, every application or platform we build needs to be agile, responsive, and self-service to a certain extent. And with the dissolution of the office perimeter, along with the rising popularity of hybrid working, there is increasing priority being placed by businesses on building security into every element of their product line.  However, getting too tight on security hampers the ease of adoption and customer experiences.

Organisations pursuing these goals often lack the skill and knowledge to bring them to fruition. That’s why you need to constantly work along with your customers. At Tata Communications, we want to bring businesses closer and have a ‘single pane of glass’ across their network, security, and cloud, and provide what we truly believe in – seamless communication.

Creating the right tools                                      

Understanding how best to implement the above elements is different in every business across different industries across multitude of countries in Asia Pacific. Moving closer to the customers allows Tata Communications to better understand those individual enterprise business challenges and find the best approach to address them. Working across multiple local Telcos or vendors will fail to get the necessary synergies, synchronisations and services levels that are required for transforming into an agile Internet-first and Cloud-first organisation.

For instance, we will soon be shipping out low-cost customer-premises equipment (CPE) that allows for a pop-up store to have a pop-up network. We created it for a luxury brand because they wanted agility to have newly pop-up stores but wanted the ease of setting this up back as an integrated solution. We are able to ship centrally to their HQ for their deployment anywhere in the world with the shortest lead time to get connected and running. It can be re-deployed once the pop-up store moves to another location. This use case is relevant to many other industries like property showrooms, health-screening centers, edge field laboratories etc. we understood that this form of agility will fundamentally change the way they are able to do business in the future.

“As we go forward, the experience of the last 20 years which has seen us go from 2G to 4G, and 5G and 6G soon, will mean things are going to change. Will 5G replace Wi-Fi at home? Will the home become the new subdomain of the office?”

That’s why it’s crucial that businesses keep a keen eye on the trends impacting the industry, whilst remaining open and agile. That way, you can really listen to the customer and better understand the right innovations to pursue.

Success is ultimately determined by how customers perceive the service provided, regardless of how tall an order is. For instance, one of our customers in the automotive industry had a dream of being able to have their content and applications distributed across all the countries they were in, through cloud.

To achieve this, we developed a predictive network innovation that was able to source new networks for the vehicle 30-minutes-in-advance. This created the most stable network service for the onboard entertainment systems.

However, we also considered the regulatory angle of the innovation as data governance is a crucial element. So, after we acquired all the securities and protections we needed and conducted an innovation job development, we were able to implement a Scenario Service Provider (SSP) solution that they were happy with and this is being deployed as we speak.

And it’s the same across other industries, from media companies to manufacturing – customer success is when one enjoys a seamless omnichannel experience. And that simply can’t be delivered without strong, consistent connectivity.

Remaining flexible for the future

There are still a lot of questions in the near future to be answered, including questions on sustainability and security issues but the bottom line is data will continue to play a huge role in business performance. That’s why we’re working to be as agile as possible and ensure our technologies enable enterprises to do the same.

I’ll end with a quote from George Westerman, a research scientist at the MIT Center for Digital Business. I think this encapsulates the need to always make sure we’re keeping a long-term focus on the challenges people have, and not just on the technology we’re creating:

“When digital transformation is done right, it’s like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. But when done wrong, all you have is a really fast caterpillar.”

To read more about how the workplace is changing and how network transformation will be integral to that change, check out this blog on secure-by-design networks for digital transformation. 

The post Upgrading infrastructure to build and drive customer experiences appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Whether it is the distributed workforce or migration of data and applications to multi-cloud environments, the network is the nerve system connecting the various constituents.

As the network continuously evolves, security needs to be in sync with this changing network paradigm. IT security leaders need to adapt rapidly, collaborate effectively and recalibrate their security strategies as networks get more dynamic and complex.

Evolution beyond the traditional security models

The hybrid network environment has led to the evolution of multiple layers through which data moves bi-directionally from the client/user to a public or private network and then to multi-cloud environments via cloud gateways. Such a complex network design reduces the effectiveness of well-defined network perimeters.

As networks transition from core to edge, IT Security leaders need to secure their data at each layer of the network to protect Intellectual property without impacting performance or budgets.

“What is needed is pervasive visibility across the entire network traffic and security tools that differentiate between normal and malicious activity and help resist any external attacks that the existing security models/frameworks may not detect.”

Security needs to be at the forefront of transformational network

Security needs to be the lynchpin for any digital-ready network. It needs to be woven and embedded from the beginning as enterprises build modern networks. Only such a security-led design approach can enable comprehensive filtering of traffic flows, prevention of illegitimate traffic supported by early detection and responses to threats in real-time.

As the network provides visibility to all traffic flows, a security-enabled network can access diverse pool of data to identify traffic deviations or anomalies that are potentially malicious security activities. Unfortunately, security is still an afterthought for some organisations, which puts an enormous strain on both the network and the entire IT environment.

Need for effective integration

“According to IDC, by 2023, 60% of enterprises will look for integrated solutions with advanced security features, embedding automation and intelligence tools to optimise and secure their core and edge network.”

Security and network services need to operate in cloud and in harmony, integrating tools that enable security processes, such as content inspection, secure access, threat detection and prevention. A network aware security can proactively take pre-emptive actions on any potential infiltration & a security aware network could reduce noise and provide better Quality of Service (QoS) for organisations and their customers.

A key aspect is to assess if, network operations and security operations are separate functions. Enterprises would prefer partnering with service providers who are innovative and can offer best-of-breed location agnostic unified solutions and services across configuration, operational control, incident response

The right MSSP can make all the difference

Cloud-delivered security solutions are best suited to provide location-agnostic, remote but secure access. Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) delivered from cloud and accessed over the internet makes it easier to proactively detect security threats and protect assets in real-time. Enterprises prefer an expert managed service provider that can offer cloud-ready security solutions (including Zero Trust Network Access) and have visibility into network traffic to manage security vulnerabilities.

“When enterprises select the right MSSP, they get a holistic view of assets, network elements, threats across the organisation spread across a multi-cloud environment and thereby simplifying governance, risk and compliance management.”

The right MSSP would have the proven expertise to offer core network protection, provide assessment services to baseline and improve enterprise’s overall security posture. They also help enterprises with additional security controls for a flexible cloud-based approach that enables authentication and secure access.

The need of the hour is to be proactive and adopt a strategic approach that ensures security by design networks, where security is ingrained from the beginning of the DX initiative. Having a combined network and security strategy and partnering with an MSSP that has the competencies to deliver on this will enable safe and speedy digital transformation efforts.

Discover more about how technology is driving trust in the workplace.

The post Accelerated digital transformation demands secure-by-design networks appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The progress and enthusiasm the corporate world has shown towards overcoming the long-established concerns of poor diversity and inclusion in the workplace has been palpable, especially in recent years. Many businesses today are now dedicating more time and resources than ever before to make sure their workplaces are more equitable going forward.

Conscious efforts to hire more individuals from minority groups, promote more women into senior roles and create a more inclusive leadership, have been made by us and other organisations. And while progress has been slow, it’s still encouraging that it’s happening.

However, even with overwhelming internal support and desire to do better, organisations can still struggle to make significant progress in their inclusivity goals. For instance, the unconscious biases that a leader doesn’t know they have towards various groups of people can end up sabotaging the very initiatives that same leader was championing.

“Research from McKinsey suggests 47% of workers are more likely to stay with an organisation, and seven times more likely to describe their organisation as high performing, if it was inclusive.”

So, it is in every business’ interest to figure out how to get a handle on these hurdles to workplace diversity and inclusion.

So how do business leaders overcome this bias barrier? In this piece I’m going to explore how technology is helping leaders circumvent our human flaws to help move their organisations closer towards being completely merit-based environments.

Tackling unconscious bias at the root

Whether it’s how a company hires new staff, or retains existing workers within the organisation, unconscious bias has a direct impact on a business’ bottom line.

The impact of global movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter has meant senior leadership are perking up and taking notice – and action – to address the levels of diversity and inclusion in their own companies.

It has led to a new wave of tech start-ups who are looking to support businesses in achieving their new goals, many with the aim of removing bias.

One example is in the hiring process, and how a firm sources talent. Unchecked biases have the potential to further entrench existing views or beliefs – whether people are aware of it or not – in ways that can be very hard to untangle from the corporate culture and prevalent mindsets.

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics have also bolstered efforts in understanding an organisation’s culture, giving them the data that enables them to clearly see where groups may be underrepresented or under-paid.

“By removing biases, it can help set your organisation on the right path for your diversity and inclusion journey. And the benefits are clear.”

Diversity enriches an organisation. It can offer a greater spectrum of backgrounds and experiences, giving a business greater potential for creativity, stronger ideas, and fostering innovation. There is clear evidence that shows a diverse and inclusive workforce is happier, as well as more productive.

Tools to help manage the unconscious bias in the workplace

Following the rapid acceleration of digital transformation over the last year, it has meant the use of digital tools throughout an organisation has become much more commonplace and accepted.

Tata Communications created its own CV masking tool to help make our hiring process more equitable. But these days, there are also a plethora of new innovations available to businesses to specifically help them better their diversity and inclusion.

We’ve picked out five tools which are helping reshape organisations of all sizes today:

Removing biases from the hiring process – Hidden:  Using an app-based experience, it eliminates the potential influence of unconscious bias by anonymising candidates. It also encourages a focus on pooling talent from a myriad of different sources, bringing a much wider range of experiences into the hiring shortlist.

Advanced analysis to prevent gendered language in job ads – Textio: Another tool in the hiring process, Textio uses advanced language analytics to review job adverts along with a company’s brand content. The tool can then help a business communicate in the way it wants to be seen by replacing some of the word choices with more inclusive language. On job adverts, for instance, it can help prevent issues surrounding gendered language, which can be off-putting to some candidates.

Understanding pay gaps with analytics – Gapsquare: In certain countries, many companies now have to report their gender pay gap by law. Following this, many businesses are taking this a step further to examine other inequalities too such as their ethnic pay gap. Gapsquare is an analytics software that allows leaders to monitor their equalities data while also giving recommendations on how to close those gaps.

Improve employee retention and seek anonymised feedback– Pluto: Using an unusual employee survey format, this tool encourages workers to provide deeper and more meaningful responses to how they might be feeling. As well as helping foster greater inclusion, Pluto can also allow anonymous communication channels for staff to raise any concerns. By giving staff a mechanism to speak up without fear of harming their career prospects, it can help create a more inclusive and safer environment.

Supercharge employee development through mentoring – Mentorloop: To ensure there are opportunities for ongoing learning and development, mentoring both within your own companies’ networks and externally is crucial. Mentorloop acts as a matchmaking service for prospective mentees and can play an essential role in showing commitment and value to employees. Whichever tool you decide to explore, it is important to understand that ensuring a good level of diversity in a company and building an inclusive culture is not a destination – it’s a journey!. And how one organisation approaches it will be different from another.

“Technology exists in this space to help remove barriers to access, whether it’s breaking down unconscious biases or simply helping leaders understand what’s going on within their own business.”

And while technology is playing a big, influential part of this challenge today, it can’t be relied upon alone. It also takes a deeply committed leadership to creating and sharing the best opportunities for all people, regardless of their differences.

To learn more about how your business can be equipped for the future of work, check out another of our blogs, Adapting and growing into the new world.

The post Using technology to tackle unconscious bias in the workplace appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

‘Hyperconnectivity’ was a term coined by Canadian social scientists Anabel Quan-Haase and Barry Wellman referring to the use of multiple means of communication – email, instant messaging, telephone, face-to-face contact, and platform services. The idea being that all devices that could conceivably benefit from being connected to a network, are in fact, connected. This encompasses person-to-person, person-to-machine, and machine-to-machine communication.

The hyperconnected world is continually growing. For example, as we move to 5G, it will be able to support more than a million devices per sq. km (0.4 sq. miles), a big jump over the 60,000-odd devices that 4G technology can handle. With this comes the advent of the hyperconnected organisation, and the pandemic has only accelerated this phenomena with 75% of Fortune 500 CEOs agreeing that their corporations must accelerate technological transformation.

We have seen this for ourselves – a shift to digital first and ‘work from home’ and hybrid culture that’s here to stay.

Personally, I used to travel three weeks in every four and now I haven’t travelled for over 14 months. So if we take a step back, has collaboration and productivity for us stopped? In fact, it has increased. The virtualised workplace has become more and more prevalent, which poses the question: how do you build the foundations for a successful workplace in a hyperconnected organisation?

1. Start by building an employee-centric workplace that boosts well-being

A study by Oxford Economics on the hyperconnected workplace, found that managers lacked the skills and technology to support employees in the new ways of work.

Since last year, the barrage of constant communications – IM, text, video, emails, calls – are overloading employees and all these multiple communication platforms have led to disengaged and stressed employees, whereas, they just needed a humanised workplace.

“A humanised workplace is one where a mindful approach is taken to digital connection and where required, employees are given a digital detox.”

To support our employees manage the stress that the pandemic brought, one of our proactive initiatives is the ‘TCare programme’ which offers a host of wellbeing initiatives for employees across the globe with the aim to enable their efforts towards achieving holistic wellbeing, inclusive of physical, mental, and emotional health. This is something that needs to be built into the digital workplace to combat what has been called technostress.

2. Deliver an experiential value chain

The humanised approach to the workplace requires the employee experience to be front of mind when building a secure connected digital workplace. Organisations not only need to consider what data and insights they have, but also what else is needed. This involves exploring how they build an experience with all the right ingredients, be it collaboration, video, SMS, email, or connectivity. Organisations need to assess how they can use ML/AI to build a futuristic approach so they can continue to learn and refine their digital workplace.

“It’s a given that everything has become digital, plus is traceable, monitorable, and scalable, but without being tested, no one will engage in the solution.”

Hence, it’s imperative to create a complete ecosystem – an experiential value chain, if you like – to deliver a differentiated experience across employees, partners, and customers.

For example, a core part of the digital workplace is building trust – everyone in the value chain needs to be able to connect, regardless of device, in a seamless secure way, anytime, anywhere. This is something that Tata Communications has been pioneering with Net Foundry – it’s our zero-trust solution.

3. Only deliver meaningful use cases

The world is changing from technology to experience-led. You have contact centres, SMS cloud, voice, data, video, network, and security, but these alone are meaningless. It’s how you apply them to use cases that matter to your business. The bottom line is, don’t be tempted to adopt a solution just because other businesses have implemented it. It needs to be based on a real need and to suit your requirements.

When looking at solutions you should consider:

1. Seamless digital experiences which can recreate being ‘in-person’.
2. Those that can deal with volume and be an enabler to business.
3. Which bring anything offline to online.
4. It all needs to be self-service – convenient, effective, easy. Think 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G – no one cares about the technology it’s all about the experience.
5. Finally, allow employees to safely connect across the value chain. Security with every interaction is paramount. Aligning with local country laws is now simply a hygiene factor.

“What I have talked about touches every workforce in every industry. From aviation to mining to financial services. It’s about creating a humanised workplace that delivers an experience that goes across the whole ecosystem and is used for meaningful business use cases.”

For example, a retailer wanted to re-create the experience of in-store shopping. For this, he introduced a solution that would provide a digital experience that retains the best features of an “in-store” buying experience.

From the initial browsing, to inviting friends and family, speaking to the salesperson, and maybe even the manager if a commercial negotiation is needed for a high value item such as a laptop. This can all be achieved by using collaboration, video, AI and network. It’s a compelling experience of linking in anyone, securely, at any time. And it’s a journey that can be applied to a vast array of workplace scenarios. The end result is all about creating a rich experience for everyone involved.

As an enabler to the hyperconnected world, at Tata Communications we see a continuum of more data, more devices, and interactions. For us, this means we need to meet the challenge of connecting our customers’ complete supply chain via a digital ecosystem. It’s happening right now – we’re making this a reality via our Secure Connected Digital Workplace. Not only that, but we are platforming everything we do, with the idea of enabling all the above through a single pane of glass for all your technology partners. You could almost think of it like a marketplace – a hyperconnected, humanised world with digitisation at the core.

For more information on this, read our eBook Accelerate Your Workplace Evolution.

The post Hyperconnected and humanised. Welcome to the new workplace appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

I was recently invited to join the panel for a NetEvents Inter@ctive CxO round table discussion Global Enterprise Customer Insights: An Analysis of 2021 IT Investment Priorities. The other panel members were:

• Amir Khan, President, Founder and CEO, Alkira
• Seth Dobrin, Global Chief AI Officer, IBM
• Chris Bedi, Chief Information Officer, ServiceNow

The session was chaired by Jeremiah Caron, GlobalData’s Global Head of Research & Analysis -Technology Group.

Caron began with a presentation of GlobalData’s latest survey of over 200,000 enterprise IT budget holders worldwide which shows that – despite vaccinations and greater public education – over 50% of those surveyed still feel very concerned about the spread of COVID-19: “It’s still very much top of mind and does have an impact on IT investment decisions.” The peak of this concern was over 75% at the beginning of April 2020, and the lowest point was around 40% at the beginning of March 2021, but between these dates the level of concern fluctuated wildly with each pandemic news story. More telling, data came in to answer to the question: “How optimistic are you about your company’s growth prospects?”.

“In March 2020 optimism and pessimism were close around the 40% mark, and it was a good measure of business resilience and adaptability that saw optimism rise to over 60% by June while pessimism sank to around 25% – and there have been fluctuations but little overall change since then.”

COVID-19 coexistence provided the context, but not the content of the discussion, which moved on to the current investment drivers: Multi-Cloud Evolution, Edge Computing Advances, Cybersecurity Everywhere, AI-informed Innovation, SD-WAN/ Branch Evolution and 5G Monetisation. Of these, the discussion focused particularly on three topics: multi-cloud evolution, cybercrime and AI.

Multi-cloud evolution

Multi-cloud adoption accelerated in 2020 and continued into 2021 as a response to the pressures of adapting business models and processes to the pandemic environment. There are still companies who prefer a single cloud environment for its relative simplicity and manageability, but the multi-cloud trend is here for at least 4-5 years according to Caron.

It was Seth Dobrin from IBM who said, “We need to make sure that people understand that there’s a huge difference between multi cloud and hybrid cloud. You’ve been able to do multi cloud for a while now, which is where you have different environments acting independently of each other, whereas hybrid cloud is how do we integrate seamlessly across all the different clouds? He also suggested that “Multi-cloud is much easier, hybrid cloud is much harder.”

A good point. In fact, I would suggest that “hybrid” is a key word for “the next normal”. (It really makes little sense to be still talking about “the new normal” when things are evolving so fast.) Caron himself admitted that all the 3 topics he suggested were in fact closely inter-related. For the word “hybrid” does not only apply to the cloud, but also increasingly to the way we will work.

“For years people have recognised the economies of scale, and how much more efficient it can be to concentrate an organisation into a large headquarters where everyone can be closely linked with shared facilities.”

Of course, there are exceptions such as retail that depends on a scattering of branches, but even there, the move to create hypermarkets rather than multiple corner shops. This mindset survived even though the technologies of high-speed networking, IP telephony and video conferencing were actually reducing the need to be under one roof. Where there were outlying offices or workers, the solution would be to connect back to the central database via MPLS. Then came COVID and the need to work from home, and suddenly these technologies became vital, as the workforce migrated to the edge. To link every remote worker to the data center via MPLS would be prohibitively expensive and inefficient. Local broadband was the immediate solution.

Something similar was already happening to data processing. Cloud services need to be very responsive if they are to replace software inside the PC, and that requires more local data centers to reduce latency. The same applies to streaming services and gaming if customers are to be kept happy. A further factor is the spread of IoT- the Internet of Things – where massive amounts of data harvested in the field would risk flooding networks with excessive traffic, unless the data is processed and distilled to useful information close to its source.

As GlobalData also highlights: “Cloud-native application development relying on virtualised and containerised software presents telecom, technology, and IT service providers with a huge opportunity to help their customers reinvent their own business operations thanks to more flexible, scalable, and manageable deployment options”.

So “the edge” is expanding and filling like a balloon. Indeed, Amir Khan suggested that “the cloud is the new edge” which makes sense in terms of the fact that every local data center and home worker can be part of a cloud. Dobrin too suggested that in the future “everything will be treated as an edge”. This ubiquitous cloud will itself be a highly “hybrid” mix of entities, processes and services – and that presents a huge challenge for security.

Cybersecurity

When GlobalData asked “Will your organisation change its investment in the following 12 months compared to last year?” nearly 50% said they would be spending more on cybersecurity – more than on any other form of digital transformation.

With so much moving towards an expanded edge, the surface area for attack increases dramatically. We no longer have simply defined perimeters like “the corporate network” when wireless networking expands the boundary, and home workers need the same level of access as they enjoyed at the office. Cyberattacks are now so common that it is no longer a question of “if” but “when” an organisation will be breached. When breached, on priority is the speed at which the business can mitigate the incident and return to work.

So, businesses are no longer looking for individual security solutions, instead they want an ecology of security solutions working together to help prevent, detect, respond, and recover from security attacks and breaches. As mentioned, the old security of private MPLS links is too inflexible and expensive, while the domestic security of a home network is not enough for critical business operations. It is not enough to simply remember a password – what is needed is “zero trust” security where access can be tailored to an optimal and practical blend of criteria which can include the individual, or a location, or a device, or certain applications and levels of access according to the company’s carefully thought-out security policy.

According to Chris Bedi, cybersecurity should not be looked as one more added burden, but as a “strategy enabler”. A well designed zero trust policy should make it easier to stay secure by limiting options rather than adding more layers of defense. If that policy is clearly designed around the company’s needs it becomes a strategy enabler. As Bedi said: “The narrative around cyber needs to change from solely risk mitigation… to being an enabler of the company’s go-forward business strategies.”

One of the long-standing laws of security has always been “keep it simple”.

“Over-complex procedures and technologies are a headache, and human nature will bypass them when under stress to deliver results.”

So how does this apply to today’s need for an elaborate ecosystem of security, defense and recovery solutions? The answer lies in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – improving cyber defense by more accurately telling the difference between harmless anomalies and serious threats.

Artificial Intelligence

“Keep it simple” is a realistic recognition of human weakness: we are not too good at maintaining vigilance on boring, repetitive situations such as checking every little operation for anomalies. We are far better at being creative and responsive. Happily, machines are much better at the former (and some people believe they might become better at the latter too). For now, that means that it is not the simplicity of the security solutions that is important so much as the clarity of the interface – and Machine Learning can do a lot of the work by recognising what is a serious breach and not wasting time with false alarms.

Nor is security the only problem area. An ever-expanding edge throws up a lot of issues about privacy and conformance – just the sort of issue that can dazzle busy humans with legal complexity, but which lend themselves to the algorithms of AI. This is another example where security can become a strategy enabler, by forewarning of possible data leaks or boundaries being crossed.

This is not yet a simple solution, according to Dobrin: “There’s ways to infer things from models – so how do you protect your models from releasing information? How do you make sure that your models are trained in a way that prevents people from poisoning the data pool?  Then how do you make sure your models are trained in a way that doesn’t surface private information?” He pointed to the acceleration of AI in response to COVID-19 as an example of how well it works when driven by use-cases rather than curiosity. He called for a human-centered approach where Chris Bedi said it was vital to understand the user and what outcome was actually desired.

The move should not be to add further layers of complexity for the user, but to integrate security and networking into a single service. To offer self-driven network automation of a sort, better served by machine learning and a solution that can extend right out to the edge.

A service that reduces the need for workers to be forever looking over their shoulders for threats, allowing more time for focusing on objectives. Or, as Amir Khan suggested, when people used to talk about the work/life balance, we have now moved to “life balance”.

To find out more…

These are only a few impressions of mine from a longer in-depth discussion. I  recommend listening to the full discussion available for free here. The full downloadable transcript of the discussion and GlobalData’s presentation slides are also available on the NetEvents website.

The post What are today’s enterprise IT investment priorities? appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

SD-WAN has played a key role in helping manage this complexity by providing some element of visibility and automation over enterprise networks. But SD-WAN is still bound by the same underlay options – Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) or the internet – and this constrains the technology.

However, as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continue to mature, they’re becoming invaluable in helping managed network service providers enhance their customer experience and further automate network operations.

Below I’ll share some details around how we at Tata Communications are adopting applied AI/ML to deliver ubiquitously seamless customer services and improve operational efficiency. Exploring the three main areas we’re focusing our efforts: customer service, capital efficiency, and improving productivity and operational efficiency with end-to-end network management.

1. Automating and personalising customer service

We’ve started using AI/ML to automatically diagnose faults in our network services, irrespective of whether those issues happen on our network, a third party’s, or if it’s at the user’s end.

All faults ranked as ‘severity one’ are taken through the auto-diagnosis engine, which performs a service validation and alarm analysis on it. The diagnosis engine’s ML algorithms analyse all of the active alarms on the service and look for correlation to help engineers better and faster understand faults in the future.

So, both the engineer and the customer can enjoy faster and more consistent troubleshooting, and thus, earlier resolutions. Currently, 85% of severity one faults are successfully diagnosed by the ML-powered engine, reducing the Mean Time To Recovery (MTTR) while providing a seamless experience to customers.

Aside from faults on our network, we’re also using AI/ML to automate our response to customer queries. For example, our contact centre receives more than 12,000 calls every month on average.

“By leveraging AI, we’ve been able to create more personalised, intelligent interactions with those customers when they call to report faults.”

This comes in the form of a CLI (Calling Line Identification Number) associated with each customer registered on our CRM system. When a customer calls, the CLI instantly provides the customer service rep on the line with their account details, still open or new faults that’ve recently been recorded, along with previous diagnoses and segmentations linked to that caller’s account.

Armed with this information, the caller can be greeted by name and provided with an update on all their existing faults, as well as a first level diagnosis of any new ones – all before a new ticket is opened, making for a much more personalised experience for the customer.

Furthermore, we process all interactions through speech analytics to better understand customer sentiment. These analytics provide call handlers with near real-time insights on customer tone, so they can identify potentially dissatisfied callers and attempt customer experience recovery while they’re still on the line.

2. Improving capital efficiency 

As an organisation, we remain invested in enhancing and expanding our network coverage. In this, we’re continuing to use AI and ML to analyse multiple factors and predict where future connectivity demand may come from. With the technology’s help, we can provide on-net connectivity for more customer sites with better service experience.

For Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) management, we’re exploring the use of AI and ML to sharpen our CPE stocking algorithm. That way, we can stock the right models and quantities of products, speed up service delivery and turn up to customer sites faster.

3. Productivity enhancement and better operational efficiency 

On an average, we receive around 50,000 emails every month. It’s a very popular channel for us and in the past our average response time was about 25 minutes. However, as a global provider of business-critical digital services to a plethora of industries, we understood that our customers’ queries need to be heard as soon as possible. We also felt it important to make sure our customers had the ability to contact our support groups through any channel they so choose.

To aid this, we started using AI and ML in the routing of customer tickets and calls.

“Innovations in ML and Natural Learning Processing (NLP) now help the automation of ticketing and customer responses by analysing the keywords of incoming correspondence.”

The NLP engine helps automate our customer support workflows, which includes a chat-bot solution that fully automates third-party ticket resolution.

The solution can also understand and respond to supplier updates, escalate when needed, share timely updates with customers and provide RFOs (Reason for Outage) in standardised templates. All of which is complemented by a seamless handover process between human and bot agents in the case of exceptions.

Since the shift, 75% of our customer complaint emails are now processed via automation, with no need for human interference. This has significantly reduced our response time from 25 minutes to almost instantaneously – much faster than the industry standard of 15 minutes.

There have also been numerous positive productivity benefits as a result, such as lower turnaround time, reduced time to rectify faults and better customer experiences.

4. End-to-end network event management

Because our service offering is so tightly integrated with our partners and suppliers, we’re able to provide many additional end-to-end managed services for our customers.

However, because of this diverse, third-party network ecosystem, the ability to detect faults in our network (which involves visible alarms and events from our network elements) is sometimes limited by our inability to also monitor all our partners’ networks for faults.

To address this issue, our network operations teams deployed AI/ML solutions to observe and learn our ecosystem’s network traffic behaviours instead.

“For instance, by deploying ML-based models to our Call Detail Records (CDR), we can detect multiple unusual patterns in support call volume which helps us identify network faults in partner networks faster.”

Similarly, major events in the supplier network usually trigger multiple service faults in our systems. So, by comparing advanced fault and ticket patterns with ML-based algorithms, we can detect common and major faults in partner networks and quickly initiate responses.

The path to a fully automated and intelligent network

We at Tata Communications are tapping into AI and ML techniques to automate our network management, operations and support, to meet our own and our partners’ business priorities.

Through these solutions, our network is constantly learning and adapting to securely meet our ever-growing business requirements. We are also using these advanced technologies to detect time series anomalies, correlate events to perform root cause analysis and improve customer experience.

And as we continue to make good use of AI and ML-driven services to optimise our network architecture and give us better control and management of our services infrastructure, we’ll be able to continue to deliver higher quality networks, voice, and other innovative services.

Discover more about how the future of work is digital and hybrid.

The post 3 ways Tata Communications uses AI/ML to create future-ready networks appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Organisations have different IT environments, from on-premises to private cloud to multiple public cloud(s) procured over time to support the business requirements, thus creating a hybrid multi-cloud environment. It is a challenge for CIOs or CTOs to ensure that various infrastructure pieces (on-premises workloads, cloud, network, security, etc) work together cohesively to achieve the true promise of cloud; be it agility, scalability, security, automation or cost-efficient operations. Complexity increases, when businesses add new cloud environments into their digital ecosystem, and hence the need for the hour is a streamlined and well-orchestrated model that can deliver unified cloud experience to the businesses.

Understand your current cloud challenges

Many a time, organisations get into the execution mode and take isolated decisions when adopting the cloud.

They either consider only the cost or select a platform that is suited for a specific workload without mapping the interdependencies and integrations required across other workloads and data sources to ensure a connected, digital ecosystem.

Some of the common challenges faced by enterprises when adopting cloud:

• Planning: Without proper planning, migration to cloud can lead to added complexity and risk, along with cost escalations. The highest risk comes with a stalled project or one with a false start which can set a cloud program back by months, even years. Organisations often don’t have a clear understanding and in-house capabilities to identify the cloud needs for the business such as rate of migration, cost and flexibility, implementation expertise, security and privacy effectiveness, to name a few.
• Security: Shared responsibility is often a challenge, as organisations don’t understand their role in the responsibility matrix, making their cloud environments exposed to external threats and vulnerabilities.
• Regulatory and compliance: As cloud ecosystem involves multiple stakeholders – service providers, service brokers, customers, and cloud security provider – management of data across multiple parties may lead to compliance challenges.
• Expertise and awareness: Advanced cloud models and the hybrid multi cloud ecosystem requires highly trained and skilled professionals to operate it effectively. Problem further surges when organisations fail to leverage automated functions, scripts and tool sets that are available due to lack of expertise.

Strategise your cloud

The first step to successful cloud adoption is to have clarity between a company’s cloud strategy and their cloud implementation plan. The most suited cloud platform compatible with different type of workloads, should be identified to augment the cloud estate to be coherent and synchronous with the enterprises’ business needs.

A unified approach is required to maintain a balance between an organisations’ traditional and cloud infrastructure, to create a cohesive IT ecosystem.

To enable a unified cloud experience for the businesses, the organisations need to operationalise their hybrid multi-cloud environments, factoring migration, security, compliance, data, and network needs.

This can be achieved by

• Effective migration plan: Organisations need to identify the right cloud venue, rate of migration, integration with existing environment(s), consolidation approach, among others.
• Improving procurement strategy: This involves analysing the size of the organization, industry type, the relevant applications and categorisation of the data being processed. Organisations also need to identify the right storage options, integration of data repositories, which will be in conjunction with data sovereignty and classifications.
• Streamline security: A seamless and connected security policy must be drafted that secures the organisation from cloud-to-edge, enabling Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM). Organisations need to have a clear understanding of the shared responsibility model that outlines the accountability of the cloud provider and cloud user, to ensure full coverage of cloud security and hassle-free governance.
• Adherence to compliance: In the hybrid multi-cloud environment, organisations need to understand and comply to the Data Privacy policies, localisation laws, industry regulations, and any other relevant government directives.
• Optimising the network: One of the most important pillars for a successful cloud strategy is the network. Architecting and optimising the network is crucial to support the hybrid multi-cloud environments. Along with provisioning the secure direct connectivity to cloud, managing the latency and response times also play a critical role.
• Effective orchestration tool: Organisations need an orchestration tool which then integrates these different IT environments, networks, security solutions into a single dashboard and creates a single-pane-of-glass view which enables continuous autonomous governance for all IT resources.

With businesses integrating themselves onto cloud solutions, it is proving to be effective for organisations to have a unified cloud model to meet all their business needs.

The recent evolutions in the field of cloud computing validate the need for a more sophisticated hybrid multi-cloud model to drive efficiencies for businesses to propel under any circumstances, making cloud adoption a prudent investment and not a cost.

To learn more, read this blog on securing our clouds. 

The post Fix your cloud strategy with unified cloud experience orientation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

If you had asked someone in 2019 what they think the office buildings of the future would look like, many would have described something tall and multi-storey, with sleek design and state-of-the-art facilities for the employees. The 26,000 square meters of Chanel’s Crafts department at Porte d’Aubervilliers, and the flagship workspace of Orange to host nearly 3,000 employees on the banks of the Seine at Issy-les-Moulineaux, would somewhat describe this imagination.

But then came COVID-19. The pandemic that began in 2020 transformed the way we used to work. Remote working, which was previously an optional concept amongst the workforce, became a norm in many countries around the world.

“While organisations are evaluating the new mode of operations, hybrid working is certainly gaining popularity amongst employees and organisations in France.”

Digital infrastructure: a strategic asset for the hybrid workplace

Over the course of the various lockdowns, many organisations – some in a phased manner – have welcomed back their employees to the workplace, giving rise to the concept of ‘hybrid working’. In this setup, while the employees will have the option to work remotely, they won’t have a dedicated seat assigned to them anymore. Essentially, two kind of workspaces seem to emerge: that of the home, more individual; and that of the office which is more conducive to meetings and creativity with dedicated spaces / cubicles.

“With organisations now looking at hybrid working as a long-term solution, they need to strengthen their digital architecture as their new-age workforce will need to effectively collaborate with their team members spread across digital and physical mediums through video, voice, and messaging.”

All this while seamlessly being able to securely access enterprise applications from anywhere and on any network connectivity.

Essentially, these employees need a secure connected digital workplace which:

• Ensures safe and secure access of enterprise applications, empowering remote workers to securely access critical business applications over their public internet by enabling zero-trust secure connectivity to cloud or data centres.
• Safeguards and protects them if they need to work out of physical offices, with IoT connected solutions and messaging services to ensure that the organisation is able to monitor safety of their workforce and enable roster and alert-based operations across their facility.

The advantages of re-imagining the security perimeter

The year 2020 marked a turning point in the field of cybersecurity. According to a study by Proofpoint, 91% of French organisations have suffered a cyberattack in the past year.

This makes one thing certain: cybersecurity will become a key priority for organisations in the months to come. More organisations will phase out remote access virtual private network and adopt zero trust network access.

This approach helps strengthen the security of the hybrid work environment that we increasingly see taking hold across industries. This model, which rejects the traditional approach to cybersecurity centred on a given perimeter, will focus on verifying access from everyone – whoever they are, wherever they are, without impacting the employee experience.

The new workplace will completely change the way we operate. It will be an ecosystem of digital technologies driven by on-demand, scalable networks, and exemplary suite of collaboration solutions, enabling truly omni-channel digital experiences for employees.

For more information on this, read our eBook Accelerate Your Workplace Evolution.

The post The future of work is digital and hybrid appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The accelerated digitalisation to ensure business continuity has made the transition to cloud technologies essential for Indian businesses. As organisations increasingly embrace digital technologies, the dependence on cloud increases.  And along with this, cloud security is a key challenge that companies have to face while making this transition.

Growing dependence on Cloud

As per NASSCOM, the Indian Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) market will grow to be USD 2.4bn by 2022. Similarly, the Indian Software as a Service (SaaS) market is expected to reach USD 3.4bn by 2022.

“With the advent of 5G, digital technologies will turn more profitable and convenient, and the SaaS and IaaS markets are likely to surge in the near future as more enterprises invest in Cloud services.”

All of this has resulted in hybrid operational models, as more and more people are moving away from physical offices to digital workplaces.

State of Indian Cloud security

While a cloud-first strategy has tremendous benefits for businesses and the economy, it is the state of Indian cloud security which is perhaps the biggest concern and challenge faced by businesses and enterprises.

As per The State of Cloud Security 2020, in India, 93% of organisations have faced a public cloud security incident in 2019. The cyberattacks included ransomware (53%), compromised accounts (48%), exposed data (49%), other malware (49%), and crypto-jacking (36%).

Hence, it is imperative for organisations to invest in cloud security which is vital to build confidence across businesses that is already going digital across the globe. To be at par with the advanced quality of services being provided in other developed and growing economies, India needs to develop stronger policies, frame legal framework consistent with global regulations and standards to build a conducive environment for stronger cloud security in the country.

Other than policy interventions, the situation warrants high investment in data security which is expected to boost the cloud security segment. With the Indian cloud security market growing by 300% in 2018-2019, it is further expected to grow at CAGR of 23-25% from 2019-2027.

However, for the cloud security segment to achieve this kind of growth, it has to address several challenges. At the onset, organisational readiness to undertake transformation is a primary concern. The basic concerns include the dynamics of security compliance, security operations, protecting identities, data classifications, data storage, backups and privacy and user access management.

The lack of skilled workforce to manage cloud operations and overall transformation is the next major challenge.

“There needs to be a dedicated focus on establishing institutions, devising courses and training programs at higher education levels to create a qualified and competitive workforce to deliver secured cloud services.”

There are also certain challenges for choosing the right cloud deployment model and return of investment. In order to identify the right cloud deployment model, organisations need to analyse business objectives with regards to IT architecture and skilled human resource as well as, according to the deployment model, ascertain split of responsibilities while redesigning internal processes.

Changing landscape

Today, employees are connected virtually more than ever before. This change has also triggered bring-your-own-device and other device-agnostic mindsets which has seen a shift in employer behaviour who are consistently exploring new work models.

For organisations, it has become important to ensure high-performance, secure access for employees as the hybrid workplace is now a norm. This essentially results in a flexible work culture, which is not bound by geographical boundaries. The future of work would entail an appetite for flexibility, investment in digital infrastructure and special focus on securing the digital workplaces.

Also, organisations would increasingly opt for digital and automation technologies to reduce manual intervention and increase efficiency along with other business objectives. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) being the key to diversify human thinking, many global leaders also see AI creating a positive impact on the future of work, ensuring more productive and efficient results.

Many organisations have already implemented automated tele-calling, chatbots, voice assistants, and so on. Furthermore, intelligent automation technologies including robotic process automation, industrial automations, and such are also being adopted.

Cloud-First Strategy

“Keeping pace with the changing landscape and evolving business needs, India needs to adopt an ‘internet-first’ ‘cloud-first’ strategy.”  

A robust cloud-first strategy will help optimise operations and reduce maintenance costs and downtime. We need to accelerate cloud deployment for speed and agility by hosting public and critical applications on cloud for seamless and secured access for users from any location.

Cloud also helps build and deploy applications in a scalable manner using containers and microservices. It smoothens the implementation of new-age technologies like AI, analytics which help churn insights from large volumes of data, thereby adding a layer of intelligence and automation to the system.

It is important to enable better monitoring and provisioning to ensure enterprise-wide unified monitoring and control of IT infrastructure. Various sectors need to adopt 360-degree digitisation and become truly digital across the entire business ecosystem to ensure seamless operations across all locations. Therefore, there is a need to direct and support organisations to set-up end-to-end security, to manage operations and processes, and to ensure compliance.

The Role of Managed Security Service Providers

One of the most effective ways to ensure stronger cloud security is by promoting Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs). Considering the rising data volume and operational and management complexities, MSSPs are imperative to continuously re-evaluate cloud infrastructure from a security perspective.

MSSPs help organisations to design the right foundation for cloud security supporting organisational transition from the assessment phase, through migration, to daily management. They can also fill in the talent and skill gap.

Cloud Adoption: No Longer a Choice

Essentially, cloud adoption is no longer a choice. Amid the pandemic, it has proven to be more than about cost saving. Cloud has proven its ability to improve productivity, agility, and resilience. Going forth, more and more industries will explore options on the cloud and they feel the need for advance technologies to ensure cloud security.

To address various cloud security concerns, technologies like Tata Communications’ Secure Connected Digital Experience proposition are supporting businesses across industries such as retail, automotive, BFSI, IT/ITES, BPOs, the travel and hospitality industries to offer a complete digital first and secure collaboration experience, all enabled by cloud.

As we move towards realising the vision of Digital India, most enterprises for business and customer needs would shift to Cloud technologies and existing ones would rapidly scale-up due to the growing data volumes and business needs.  Securing the Cloud would mean securing our businesses and economy, and we need to leave no stone unturned.

Discover more on on how enterprises are normalising digital transformation.

The post What do we need to do to secure our clouds? appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

Charles Darwin’s proverb has never rung truer as COVID-19 upends how we live, work, and communicate. As the pandemic situation remains fluid, businesses will need to remain agile and constantly evolve to stay relevant and thrive in the shifting landscape.

To give businesses the extra boost they need to adapt and position themselves for the future, several initiatives announced in this year’s Singapore Budget were focused on helping businesses shift from business continuity to invest in digital technologies that can help them evolve, innovate, and capture future opportunities. It is estimated that the growth of Asia Pacific’s digital sector can result in more than US$8.6 trillion of economic surplus over 5 years, till 2025.

Furthermore, the pandemic has irreversibly changed consumer behaviour, leading to a permanent and significant increase in digital services usage.

“In 2020, as many as 40 million people came online for the first time in just six Southeast Asia markets, pushing the number of internet users in the region to 400 million.”

Evidently, organisations can reap massive economic benefits if equipped with the right digital capabilities. While more than 70% of organisations in Asia Pacific have stepped up digital transformation due to the pandemic, it does not necessarily mean that most organisations here have the capabilities to seize the immense opportunities emerging in the digital space.

During the pandemic, the driving force behind many digital transformation projects was to alleviate the situation’s immediate severity and maintain business continuity. They were not meant for the long term. Businesses will need to continue to evolve their digital capabilities to keep pace with changing business demands.

Reassessing digital technology investments to support internationalisation endeavours

For most businesses, the transformation they underwent so far is only the first phase of their journey. In the years ahead, one key trend we can expect is a surge in internationalisation efforts as businesses expand across geographies and enter new market segments to find new revenue streams and drive growth. This will lead to the emergence of more businesses with operations and consumer bases across multiple markets.

One of the first steps these businesses can take is to reassess their technology capabilities and strategise how they can connect with customers much more intimately across borders through digital platforms. This will enable them to access new segments and respond quickly to market changes in different locations.

“The need to improve how businesses connect with their customers digitally is especially pertinent for companies looking to expand their footprint in Southeast Asia.”

More than two out of five consumers in this region said they were dissatisfied with their digital experience.

For businesses with a presence in markets that are still working to flatten the COVID-19 curve, it is important to provide customers with an immersive, personalised digital journey that can rival the physical in-store experiences the company provides in more mature and developed markets. This ensures customers have a consistent experience, no matter where they reside, enhancing the brand promise and equity.

Achieving this will require businesses to provide their teams with unified, collaborative platforms that work seamlessly across functions and geographies. Furthermore, to enable their employees to continue to deliver exceptional customer services, they must provide the infrastructure to support remote access to enterprise applications. Concurrently, businesses will also need to implement measures, such as zero-trust connectivity and privileged identity management, to mitigate the potential cyber risks emerging from remote working.

The ability to provide a seamless, secure and connected workplace will not only ensure greater collaboration across borders amongst employees, partners and customers, but also create a more dynamic and productive work environment as employees will have the chance to work with their counterparts from around the region, or even the world. This will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and allow employees to broaden their horizon and adopt a more globalised mindset, driving more innovation and meaningful change for the company and customers.

Developing intelligent, resilient cross-border supply chains for the future

For businesses looking to expand and internationalise, their supply chain is another key aspect they need to re-evaluate and transform for the future. With the disruption of global supply chains and the prolonged closure of much of our physical borders, businesses will need to increasingly rely on their digital ecosystem to operate, grow, and innovate. This will require businesses to connect the different ecosystems within their organisation – including new digital technologies, legacy systems, supply chain, vendors, and partners – in the right way.

Furthermore, to better manage their cross-border supply chain and reinforce its resiliency, businesses will need to leverage the capabilities of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, to improve operations and processes, from optimising the supply chain with enhanced end-to-end visibility and transparency to improving operational efficiency.

“Advanced data analytics can also enable businesses to isolate issues in product lines across different locations faster.”

This can shorten the time needed to identify and rectify issues. Additionally, AI and data analytics can enhance businesses’ strategic decision-making process and create a more intelligent supply chain by forecasting demand and identifying potential supply chain disruptions.

Businesses today are at an inflection point as our society shifts away from the shadow of the pandemic and the economy starts showing signs of recovery. As businesses start planning for the next phase of their transformation, it is imperative for them to take stock of their current digital tools and technologies and figure out how they can continue to evolve their capabilities to capture future opportunities and meet customers’ emerging or unfulfilled needs. Importantly, they will need to build an agile, scalable digital foundation that can enable them to continuously innovate, grow, and adapt in the years ahead.

Discover more about Secure Connected Digital Experiences.

The post Adapt or fail – building a digital foundation for the post-COVID world appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The effects of the pandemic on global economies have been significant across the board. And with leaders from all sectors forced to react to the myriad of – a now commonly used reference – unprecedented challenges, there has been a lot of reflection as to the best ways to survive and succeed within a global crisis.

A year on, and some of those reflections are now being crystallised and much of what they learnt will go a long way to help stabilise the business and sure-up defences for the future.

As we enter what hopefully appears to be the final act of this pandemic, I spoke to a group of enterprise technology leaders from the hospitality, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and financial sectors for our panel discussion: Rethinking Remote: Security, Connectivity, and Agility for the Digital Workforce.

Do you invest, de-vest, adjust course or completely pivot your business? Thought leaders from leading enterprises convened to discuss in this forum.

I wanted to understand how they’d handled the challenges of the past year and the lessons they’re taking forward. I’ll touch on some key insights, strategies and technologies shared by these individuals, and what we all need to start considering if we’re to flourish in the post-pandemic economy.

Digital transformation – a buzz word or a reality?

“When it comes to agenda-topping issues for businesses, digital transformation has been front and centre for many years now.” 

While some viewed it as the necessary process of evolving their operations, others viewed the concept as a significant project put on the back burner.

However, the level of digital transformation an organisation had undergone at the start of the pandemic had a very tangible effect on the initial impact of the crisis on their operations.

For instance, all organisations represented in the panel discussion, including Tata Communications, had some measures in place to enable remote working before the pandemic. This included cloud-based tools that enabled effective remote collaboration, along with the necessary network infrastructure and security processes to keep the enterprise functional and safe.

This preparation not only made the initial switch-up a lot cheaper and less dramatic than it would have been for less flexible businesses, but also a lot smoother, with many leaders on our panel even reporting seeing a significant uptick in productivity for last year.

And it isn’t hard to see why; while some enterprises were still learning how to use new technologies or get used to new security policies, other companies’ workforces were already settled and ready to support customers through massive shift of the workforce.

Cultural change – virtualising the human connection 

Collaboration tools in the enterprise environment have long been a focus. Companies have had to adjust how they collaborate not just internally but with their customers and partners, as each may have a different tool. Niten Sethi, Global IT Director – Digital Transformation at Visteon Corporation, highlighted that it is important for companies to get their internal ecosystem right and pointed out that multiple internal collaboration tools could “pose a lot of challenges in terms of security and network optimisation”.

“Even with some remote working capabilities or cloud services in place, shifting to a distributed work model at the pace businesses needed last year required more than technology.”

This was something Lawson Kelly, CTO for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, touched upon during the discussion. For Hyatt Hotels, remote working and collaboration tools were already their baseline. Instead, leaders within the company focused on facilitating the human connection aspect of their remote communication.

This included promoting eye contact to be held in virtual meetings and a human tone of voice when exchanging information. After all, when a workforce isn’t engaged, they will immediately turn to increasing productivity through multi-tasking.

So, while the technical details – such as securing video conferencing technology – are vital, it is only half of the challenge. Culture must also be adapted to enable that technology is to work effectively.

Rethinking hybrid and accepting a new paradigm

If there’s one conclusion that every one of our panellists agreed on, it’s that we’re heading towards a remote future. As a result, they have used this period to really understand what they need to change to enable success in this new environment.

Some of these lessons have been technical. For example, with so many people accessing enterprise systems from public networks, coupled with the recent uptick in cyberattacks, shoring up business networks with dynamic and intelligent cybersecurity has become imperative.

This held true for Sahil Arora, Executive Director – Technology Program Manager at Dow Jones who noted that, “latency is the biggest key for our business”. The company has numerous enterprise applications that need to be protected not only for the integrity of data but for frequent updates of regulatory environments and their reputation in the market.

“For some panellists, this meant fundamentally redesigning their architecture to optimise certain aspects of their network, such as bandwidth usage.”

This would allow their business to ensure they’re always providing a great customer service, can employ and include talent from all around the globe and that they’re compliant with privacy and data protection laws across different countries.

However, many of these lessons are often cultural. With traditional workers slipping in to the minority over the past year, business leaders are learning important tactics to ensure when this purely remote situation has passed and no worker feels excluded from the company and their peers.

As we enter a new phase, it will be the enterprises that have proactively pivoted their business, embraced their workforce and learned lessons from the last year who will emerge as true winners.

Watch Now: Rethinking Remote: Security, Connectivity, and Agility for the Digital Workforce.

The post How enterprises are normalising digital transformation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Connected vehicles – the path forward

With continuous developments in connected vehicle ecosystems, the proliferation of electric vehicles, and the technological shift towards autonomous vehicles, the automotive sector is on the precipice of innovation and widespread change. Manufacturers are building new products and launching new services with the aim to enhance the driving experience of their customers. Needless to say, internet of things (IoT) will be at the centre of all this to enable this technology shift.

“A connected vehicle can completely change how we interact with our vehicles and the way they communicate with the world around them.”

However, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Firstly, as more vehicles become connected on a global scale, automotive manufacturers will need to partner with digital experts and multiple connectivity providers with global reach and infrastructure capabilities.

However, in this multi-supplier environment, it becomes critical that automotive manufactures implement the right platforms and solutions to ensure that they have a unified interface to provide them control and monitoring capabilities for multiple mobile network operators.

Secondly, as software becomes a key element of connected vehicles, automobile manufacturers need to ensure a robust infrastructure for Software Over the Air (SOTA) updates. This remains to be a critical operational procedure for connected vehicles to guarantee that latest features are updated for the vehicle software.

Thirdly, the much-anticipated arrival of 5G technology will certainly be essential in facilitating new services such as private networks, streaming of high-definition maps and collaborations with Over-the-Top (OTT) players for content streaming. However, this will require automotive manufacturers to not only implement right platforms for enabling these use cases, but also to ensure that these platforms are backward compatible to 4G networks.

Connected… everything?

Connected vehicle platforms will emerge as a key element to the development of vehicle autonomy as a critical enabler to the optimal connectivity coverage, having a unified visibility to the connected vehicle fleet and providing the right insights to execute a SOTA campaign.

“Connectivity will remain central to the development of vehicle autonomy, and without it, manufacturers will not be able to achieve V2X – or ‘vehicle-to-everything’ connectivity – the two-way communication between the vehicle and other devices around it that makes autonomous vehicles truly viable.”

V2X will enable each vehicle to navigate a network of streets full of traffic, pedestrians, and other hazards through constant communication with almost everything it must share the road with.

“This connected IoT device network will soon extend to roadside signage, traffic control systems and other street furniture, and it’s coming faster than anyone expected.”

Last year the UK announced that it is to begin trialling connected infrastructure on its motorways by 2021.

As more parts of the connected vehicles ecosystem start talking to each other, the advantages for the driver will also expand. From vehicle insurance to entertainment channels – the land of opportunities for vehicle manufacturers is surely going to only open further with the backbone of seamless connectivity.

Discover more about connected vehicles and security of data.

The post IoT and automation: the future of connected vehicles appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

For all the disruption and suffering caused by the pandemic, one silver lining has been the closer emphasis on employee health and keeping people safe in the workplace.

In a bid to support newly minted remote workers in the face of sudden office closures, many businesses started offering employees access to mental wellbeing services and flexible work hours. This helped workers carry on effectively while they took on new roles, such as teacher or carer.

A lot of these flexible working initiatives were programs employees had desired for years. As a result, this moment is being seen by many as the start of a revolution in employee wellbeing.

And while this is good news, so far this transformation has been mostly reserved for white-collar workers. But for millions of industrial workers around the world, ‘remote working’ has always been a distant reality.

“For factory workers, building site contractors, and transport staff, remote working rarely involves sitting at home in front of a laptop. Instead, it can mean being physically distributed across large geographic areas, often alone and in potentially hazardous environments.”

These workers also deserve their own health and safety revolution – especially as the majority of the 2.78 million work related fatalities recorded each year are in this group. So in this piece, I will discuss why addressing health and safety concerns is not only the right thing for employers to do, but the fiscally responsible one too. IoT may just be the key to unlocking this revolution.

The true cost of health and safety

Worker health and safety has been a concern since the start of the industrial age. The first worker strike in India in 1862 was, among other things, due to complaints of excessive workloads. But over the decades, regulations and policies have slowly been introduced to ensure the safety of factory workers.

Nonetheless, there are 374 million work related injuries each year. Because, while regulations are great at preventing certain health and safety concerns, they often can’t protect against the more fluid nature of threats in industrial workplaces.

For example, in remote areas with poor connectivity, companies may struggle to inform their people of incidents that call for site evacuations. This challenge and threat grows exponentially when you consider a workplace that’s dozens of feet underground or in the middle of an ocean.

And the prevalence of the problem doesn’t make it any less costly to businesses. Each year, poor occupational health and safety reduces global GDP by 3.94%.

So, while it’s in every business’ interest to provide employees with the best health and safety protection they can, up until now, there’s been relatively few dynamic and cost-effective industrial strength, integrated, health and safety solutions.

But with new advancements in industrial IoT, that’s all changing.

A secure and connected workplace

Developments in the Internet of Things (IoT) now allow for any workplace, regardless of size and scope, to connect, monitor and protect employees. What’s more, the data IoT generates can help drive insights that enhance productivity across the whole of  organisation.

IoT is cost-effective to deploy and maintain, while offering unparalleled levels of granularity when it comes to monitoring and controlling an environment. Sensors installed across locations can also enable pre-emptive intervention in case of accidents and emergencies. This makes it the ideal choice for any industrial work environment.

“Leaders in charge of health and safety can reduce the impact of incidents, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Auditors can even access digital records when validating compliance, as opposed to working their way through cumbersome paper records.”

Operations leaders, on the other hand, can monitor work to ensure maximum production and productivity uptime in employees.

And that’s before considering the monumental impact on mental wellbeing these measures will have on workers. With concrete reassurances these technologies offer, employees will feel more valued and protected – an important trait for anyone works in a hazardous environment.

Health and safety is an investment – not a cost

Research has shown that every dollar invested in health and safety returns a 500% payback to the organisation. And with a solution as dynamic as IoT, a myriad of highly specific situations can be catered for.

Tata Communications’ Worker Safety and Efficiency Solutions are on the cutting edge of this digital revolution, combining wearable tech with IoT, analytics and AI to securely support industrial workers. The portfolio spans an entire range of smart devices – from a ‘smart watch’ to SafePass to smartphone app based solutions. All of these leverage the smart IoT Fabric that Tata Communications is providing to its enterprise customers for their Connected Operations.

“Features like access management track employees’ entry and exit to facilities and ensures only authorised workers have access to certain areas.”

With appropriate additional sensors, it can also be used in environmental monitoring to detect the harmful emission of gases such as CO2 and NO2, notifying workers within range.

And with wearable tech such as smartwatches, other features such as headcount capture, SOS alerts and vital signs tracking are all possible too.

So, let us all – white-collar and industrial workers alike – move into the next normal together, by ensuring the post-pandemic workplace of the future is a safe space for all.

To find out more about how IoT is revolutionising work and our lives, check out our blog: Connecting generations: The growing role of IoT in elderly care.

The post Why IoT is key to maintaining industrial workers’ safety appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

NetEvents, in partnership with research analysts GlobalData, have just released their inter@ctive CIO Round Table Predicting and Preparing for the New Normal – Achievving Growth Through Adversity. When they started planning their schedule, had they perhaps hoped for an end of crisis retrospective on business lessons learned? GlobalData’s Jeremiah Caron, who chaired the Round Table, said it all when he introduced his market data with “It is too early today to speak of the post COVID 19 market; rather, it is a matter of COVID 19 co-existence”.

Invited by Caron to join that Round Table, I can testify that, although the world is still very much in the grip of the crisis, a lot of very sound lessons are already being learned. I described the business world as entering its “Recovery” phase (not be confused with a “Recovered” phase, which would signify the “New Normal”).

Recovery marks the third phase of a sequence: React, Restore, Recover. My personal React Phase began last March when, like most of the business world, I simply had to start working from home. It was a reaction that offered no alternative, but it led towards my Restore phase. This was where I discovered that, yes, it is actually possible to continue business from home. To do that well required: moving business to the cloud, holding meetings online, boosting and securing connectivity and so on. At a personal level, the Restore phase also included my family experience of agreeing on priorities: allocating times and places, and learning to respect each family member’s needs.

Moving into the Recovery phase, we are now finding that some aspects forced onto us by that initial Reaction are actually working rather well. For 15 years I had been spending about 80% of my time “on the business road”, now I am spending so much more time with my family. That might have become an imposition on others, except that – because we are now all required to work from home – there is plenty of mutual recognition of the need for quiet times and un-cluttered spaces (even if the home wi-fi creaks a bit at times!)

As a father, I might have ben worrying that my children were embarking into a very different world than the one I had prepared them for. It is not that I think every student must now drop their chosen studies and switch to IT, but it will be increasingly necessary to be “tech savvy”. So, I am delighted to see my 15-year old daughter following online instructions to set up a security patch on her laptop by herself – without having to “run to Daddy” for help.

I am seeing several sectors that are also well into the Recovery phase. If someone waved a magic wand and banished COVID-19 overnight, we would not rush back to old ways. Home working started as a reaction, but many of our customers have already mandated a downsizing of central office space. Money that would have been spent on real estate is increasingly being channelled into digital transformation – and that is now a widespread global trend according to Jeremiah Caron. As Steve Berez, partner at Bain, pointed out during the NetEvents inter@ctive Round Table: digital transformation is no longer seen as a cost center, it has become a wise investment.

A clear example of such investment potential was presented in August 2020 when Tata Communications announced its Secure Connected Digital Experience’ (SCDx) solutions – expressly designed to help customers evolve from React through Restore towards Recover (into whatever new normal might emerge). SCDx offers three main benefits. The Secure Connected Digital Workplace enables employees – whether working from home, office or field – to co-operate seamlessly and securely while maintaining complete workplace readiness. For B2C businesses, our Digital Customer Experience Platform recreates their in-store experience online, enhanced by next generation commerce and video collaboration solutions for optimal customer engagement. Thirdly, we address the increasingly digital Supply Chain Ecosystem with secure access to core applications and better service to third parties.

All these aspects of collaboration are vital ingredients in our business, and in my case, collaboration has become almost contactless. Perhaps surprisingly, this has actually deepened the collaboration. Where a high-level meeting between busy senior players might have taken weeks to schedule and a flight half-way around the world – for no more than an hour or two – a virtual meeting can be fixed in a few days now. Not only are the conversations richer for that reduced formality, it is quicker and easy to follow them up to resolve any afterthoughts. Multiple companies have noted the increase in productivity from home working.

On the other hand, the ramping up period for product launches or new recruits has extended. Human contact is the most powerful teaching medium – schoolteachers along their students are also finding this under lockdown. A new employee learns so much from simply being in the physical work environment, absorbing impressions minute by minute. It can take so much longer to get up to speed in today’s virtual environment.

An event like the NetEvents December 16^th Round Table is a great opportunity to compare notes with senior players from other companies and industries. What’s more, the initial analyst presentation provides a lot of understanding about what’s happening in the global context. The session has been very well reported by Scott Raynovich in a Forbes article Tech Experts Point To An Accelerated Drive To A Virtual ‘Omniverse’, so I will just add a few of mine own observations here.

Jeremiah Caron began with an interesting comparison between two different responses. The gap between the ‘haves’ – industries such as IT and communications that have flourished during the crisis – and the ‘have nots’ – industries such as live entertainment, insurance, construction and aviation – has already been well reported and is reflected in the annual changes in stock market valuations. One might have expected Automotive, Apparel and Retail shares to devalue in a year of economic shrinkage, but they have all done surprisingly well – Figure 1. His next slide showed the annual change in M&A volumes: a very different picture, one where every industry has been hit hard. The difference, he explained, was that M&A figures are “more an indication of what’s happening now… the mindset was in the moment – and that fell off the cliff.” Whereas stock valuations are more about future expectations – these have been surprisingly optimistic in several sectors – see Figure 2.

Figure 1: GlobalData IT Customer Insights Survey presented on the NetEvents CxO Roundtable Dec 16, 2020

Figure 2: GlobalData IT Customer Insights Survey presented on the NetEvents CxO Roundtable Dec 16, 2020

Figure 3: GlobalData IT Customer Insights Survey presented on the NetEvents CxO Roundtable Dec 16, 2020

Of particular interest to this discussion were the expectations for disruptive technologies – AI, Automation and IoT. Figure 3 shows responses to the question “what percentage of your budget is towards digital transformation?” Kevin Deierling, NVIDIA’s Head of Networking Business Unit, explained that, while digital transformation had already been massively accelerated by the pandemic: “a lot of companies think they are too late… in fact, we are right at the beginning of this transformation… the point here is that every single business has the potential to become an AI accelerated computing business. And it’s not late.”

Another potentially disruptive technology not quoted in Figure 3 is Virtual or Augmented Reality. Ron Abreu, Global IT Director of a manufacturing company, SWM International, explained that his company has invested heavily in virtual reality tools to enable folks to maintain training and factory skills even when they can’t come to a manufacturing site. This was a very interesting development in view of what I had said earlier about the way that contactless collaboration was slowing the ramping up of new recruitment and product launches. Abreu explained that: “Instead of sending engineers to [manufacturing] lines, we have created augmented reality training, using the Hololens glasses.” Hence the point taken up by Scott Raynovich in his Forbes article: the accelerating drive to a virtual omniverse.

Question time to the panel prompted a number of issues. One especially relevant to the enterprise was whether this massive shift to digital transformation might leave behind SMEs with smaller budgets. Steve Berez had already suggested that, whereas IT budgets were increasing overall, for many companies it was “more tactical spending around enabling remote work or increasing transaction capacity for digital transactions” rather than more strategic improvements. So, could the SMEs keep up?

Here the key factor was agility and, as Marvell Semiconductor CIO Adhir Mattu pointed out, migration to the cloud was not only a major saving for smaller businesses, it also further boosted their agility: “We have moved quite a bit of workload to the cloud… I’m envisioning in the next couple of years I don’t want any hardware on prem.” Steve Berez pointed out that, in addition to a flexible, agile technology architecture: “companies have an equal need for an agile, operating model or business system”. Here the relative agility of smaller companies, combined with collaboration and security solutions like SCDx, could indeed give them an advantage in a post-COVID economy.

To conclude this very rich discussion: at the start of 2021, most successful global enterprises stand somewhere between the Recover and Restore phases, but there is enough proof already that it is possible to achieve growth even through this present adversity. If you are not convinced, I certainly suggest that you should listen to this valuable Round Table yourself. The full recording of it is available here.

The post How to achieve growth through adversity appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

For most businesses, the planning cycle for FY22 will be like no other. We’ve been hearing about digital transformation being high on the C-suite agenda for a while now. But 2020 is the year when it really did get pushed to the top. Transform or perish was no longer a hypothetical statement, but the truth.

It is no surprise that in 2020, 69% of boards of directors accelerated their digital business initiatives in the wake of the COVID-19 disruption. Business models are evolving fast, with how customers are engaged and how employees work both being reviewed. For example, 82% of leaders are now allowing their employees to work from home and a significant percentage are expected to work from home even after they’ve been offered a vaccine.

With the acceleration of digital transformation, it is essential to stay focused on the drivers for change and the ultimate success outcomes businesses want to achieve. This is quite often not the case, as highlighted by a 2019 survey by Bain, where only 12% of corporate transformations achieve their targets.

The role of the Customer Success Team is even more important than ever before; helping businesses make sure digital transformation projects are delivering the right outcomes. In this blog I will share four fundamental factors that need to be in place for a Customer Success Team to achieve true customer success.

1. Delivering customer experience​

“For customers, the Customer Success Manager is your champion within the service provider (SP), ensuring your voice is heard throughout the solution lifecycle.”

To make this happen, the CSM connects you with all the right people in the service provider organisation to drive value. Most service providers have a customer service team which manages customer relationships, but the rest of the team does not necessarily give the same consistent experience.

This could be program management, the change management team, the billing team, those who are all a part of the customer lifecycle perspective. The result is typically big gaps for the customer throughout the journey with the service provider.

In many cases, we are also dealing with complex solutions involving multiple products. These interrelated items are not necessarily closely co-ordinated. All of this leads to a chaotic experience for the customer.

As McKinsey points out: “Buyers are no longer willing to accept less from their professional experience as B2B purchasers than they are accustomed to getting from their personal experience as consumers”.

The CSM therefore needs to have a team across the business they can draw on with dedicated processes, so they can access the connections they need to drive increased value for the customer.

2. Predicting business continuity disruptors or propellers​

The fundamental role of a Customer Success Manager (CSM) as a technology partner is to understand your business inside out, helping to predict and respond to change. They need to be clear on what real business value means to all your stakeholders.

In today’s environment, this is about helping customers adapt to the changing market conditions. For example, retail has been massively impacted as consumers prioritised essentials over other discretionary purchases.

In this case, the Tata Communications CSM’s role is to help the retailers adapt and approach the challenge differently. This came to life when we helped a large retailer blend their physical and online channels. With the pandemic, we know that it is no longer safe to physically browse items, say for example, a refrigerator, at a physical store. These are high value items customers may not be comfortable purchasing without seeing first. The team worked with the client to bring together video, collaboration, and connectivity, coupled with new age technologies such as artificial intelligence, to enable the retailer’s consumers to now see a personalised live demo of the item via the website.

This is about helping our customers not only have a good experience but also to gain a competitive edge. The team went above and beyond and helped them think how they can also improve the in-store experience. This is only possible when you have intimate customer knowledge.

3. Adopting best practice at both a business and technology level

A CSM has deep knowledge of what you are trying to achieve in your business and how Tata Communications solutions and services can add value.

For example, we worked with a client who was deploying a collaboration solution for remote workers. The CSM knew that simply deploying the solution would not guarantee business success and that to be successful, the customer’s employees would need to embrace the solution.

To achieve this, we implemented a complete communication programme, training, and adoption management in order to ensure that the business saw an ROI from their investment, i.e. increased usage of the solution, reduced telephony costs, lower travel costs, and improved collaboration and productivity.

The programme also covered softer benefits – for example, as we know 89% of employees feel that video helps them to connect better to their co-workers (UC Today, 2020), the training we devised encouraged the customer’s employees to switch cameras on.

“This is what customer success means – ensuring the journey uses the team’s knowledge about what it takes to truly deliver value.”

Knowledge does not stop there. It is also about providing customers with access to all your data in one place, all the time. That allows everyone to see what is working and what needs adapting in real time. It is an ongoing daily process to drive value.

4. Empowered to drive continuous improvement throughout the journey

For customer success to truly work from the very beginning, the alignment of expectations between what solution you need to deploy and what the experience will be during the lifecycle is key.

The CSM must have real power to enable their organisation to deliver the customer’s definition of success. It is noted by Gartner (2019) that nearly two-thirds of employees think unnecessary effort is preventing their company from consistently excelling in customer experience. The CSM’s position should give them the authority to marshal their organisation’s resources on your behalf.

“In today’s changing world, these four values have never been more important. The Customer Success Team is the driver to unlocking your success by empowering you to realise your desired business growth, profitability, and deeper levels of performance through proven tools, data, and actionable insights.”​

In short, they show the customer the path to realising value and ensure mutual success.

As we move forward, Customer Success will continue to be an evolving role. For some this means being reactive, dealing with churn or simply service management. At Tata Communications it is about the relentless pursuit to deliver sustainable value for the customer.

Discover more about how businesses can deliver the best customer experience in adverse pandemic conditions.

The post How close customer relationships unlock digital transformation success appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

2020 was quite a year.

Hijacked by a global pandemic and exposed to major disruption, the world has experienced a lot of heartache and even more uncertainty.

But as a result of all this chaos, there have also been leaps and bounds in innovation. Organisations across the globe are accelerating their digital transformation initiatives at breakneck speeds in a bid to reset and survive.

For better or worse, we can all agree, 2020 was memorable. So, as we enter 2021, here are my predictions for the technologies I expect will come to define this next normal.

Cloud’s reign continues

Even before the events of 2020, cloud had already established its value for many businesses by providing improved agility, scalability, and cost efficiencies across industries.

In 2020, the technology helped to add a layer of resilience to many organisations by making the sudden shifts in working habits less disruptive. This has sealed cloud’s place as an essential piece of enterprise tech. In the next 5 years, the cloud computing industry is expected to grow from $371.4 billion in 2020 to $832.1 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 17.5%.

This year, businesses will focus more on managing their cloud costs better and look to unify their different cloud environments.

“In the face of increased competition due to greater prevalence, cloud providers will need to focus on enhancing and integrating security, compliance, and privacy into their offerings.”

Cloud will also grow in popularity as the ideal execution venue for new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, and edge computing. Thus, making it integral to the digital transformation journey many more businesses are now on.

Intelligent networks are the new normal     

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing businesses to innovate reactively and creatively in order to make work pattern shifts that they thought would take years, happen in mere weeks.

While it might’ve been necessity that got them there, the results of this mass experiment have been eye-opening. Despite many preconceptions, remote working has largely been a success. Some 77% of remote workers say their productivity has increased this year which is great for employers. According to one study in the US, 75% of those surveyed said they would like to continue to work from home in at least a partial capacity, while 40% of respondents said they feel strongly that their employer should give employees the choice to opt-in to remote work.

“This new normal will put new pressures on companies, as there will be increasing need for networks capable of supporting hybrid architectures – be it cloud, on premises, or edge computing.”

As a result, I predict more organisations will start seeking intelligent and intent-based networks that offer integrated security – such as SD-WAN for the WAN with SASE and Zero Trust security or virtual networks for multicloud – to deal with the increased cybersecurity threat of their new perimeter-less ecosystem.

Similarly, the need to also improve customer experience (CX) will accompany the increased digitisation of businesses. Being able to offer platform stability, ease of use, and personalisation, while maintaining a human touch, will only grow in importance.

I also think we’ll see more onus placed on digital trust. The businesses capable of ensuring the safety of the customers identity, data, and transactions as well as employee data and transactions, will be rewarded with customer loyalty.

IoT will play a greater role in securing and analysing data

There has been a spike in the amount of data organisations have had to contend with last year due to a combination of all the digital transformation that has happened in 2020 and the increased online activity due to lockdowns.

“With more 5G rollouts expected in 2021, along with further growth in LP-WAN-based services, the amount of data created and handled by businesses is set to skyrocket.”

So, to differentiate themselves from the competition, more companies will start focusing on data analytics technology capable of securely handling information as well as analysing and deriving greater insights from their mostly unused operational data.

For instance, many of the COVID-19 restrictions are expected to be lifted by mid-2021, meaning hard-hit industries, such as travel, may start to see some growth again. However, the ability to offer enhanced experiences by using data better will likely still be a strong deciding factor for many customers.

So, in all of this, I expect IoT to play a pivotal role – helping to automate processes and make more information readily available to enterprises. And as IoT becomes increasingly intertwined with AI, and more deeply embedded in organisational structures and transformation programmes, devices will become increasingly ‘smart’ and capable of driving greater intelligence.

Automation – a business imperative

The pandemic is significantly increasing investments in automated solutions this year, such as AI, ML, and robotic process automation (RPA).

So, this year, I predict more businesses will become platform-driven digital business and use of these technologies will continue to rise. This will help them automate routine, repetitive, predictable tasks and unlock tactical benefits.

These innovations will strengthen operational efficiency, increase accuracy of platforms, and improve user experiences across ecosystems. This will also drive cost efficiencies and realignments, by helping businesses intelligently repurpose these savings in the right innovations.

Looking forward at what poses to be an increasingly more uncertain future, expect businesses to continue to gravitate towards solutions that make them more resilient and agile.

Early adopters of cloud, IoT, and automation were the firms that fared best in 2020. But even as we hopefully say goodbye to COVID-19 in the new year, only expect the benefits of digital transformation to grow.

The post 2021 predictions: king cloud, IoT and the tech of the new normal appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Organisations are not simply looking to sail through the pandemic with an aim of returning to whatever their version of normal was and the changes they have implemented now are shaping a new future. As enterprises are getting their manpower back to the workplace, smarter digital workplace technologies, such as connected worker solutions including contact tracing, contactless operations, remote monitoring and more, have come to the forefront. Decisions about IoT adoption that were earlier on the back burner and viewed more as small, isolated projects – are now being prioritised and pulled forward. But the question is can it be scaled faster and made easier to implement?

Cloud-ifying IoT

Two of the top tech trends of the last decade – Cloud and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) – grew on the back of the flexibility and scalability that they brought. It empowered the tech teams and the users in a big way by allowing them to spin a virtual machine on the fly or add users to a SaaS application remotely and immediately. These two reached a recent high by enabling real-time collaboration between the dispersed co-workers and extending entertainment to masses stuck at home.

In a parallel world, IoT has the same or perhaps even more potential. It is applicable to any sector or any process. Today, enterprises are expanding their IoT focus and going beyond just the assembly line. They are looking at a much broader canvas – from remote operations to worker safety and management to delivering broader more efficiencies in what one can call as man-machine-material interfaces.

The first pillar – Think in terms of an “IoT fabric”

A full IoT solution is a combination of multiple components – sensors, devices, communications, cloud and software. So, can IoT be Cloudified? Some aspects of SaaS like agility can still be brought in but for that an enterprise will need to think of “shrink wrapping” some of these components into a “unified core”.

“Just like an IoT fabric running across the enterprise and turning the rest into flexible add on – like lego blocks, to build new use cases. This IoT fabric should have the ability to take any device and ability to self-create new dashboards, reports, and analytics on the fly.”

Depending on the use case, enterprises can change a module to turn a device from measuring temperature to pressure to weight or any other parameter – the choice is theirs and determined by what they want to drive. They can empower different functions or teams within the enterprise to use this fabric to create their own IoT use cases. For instance, if campus facilities want to monitor trash bins or whether  doors are open or closed, or simply check attendance in the cafeteria, appropriate sensors can help track and visualise this data as a dashboard in the platform. Specific rules can also be defined, trends analysed and alerts triggered, thus ensuring better efficiencies.

A large manufacturing company is using this ‘fabric’ approach to add multiple use cases as they go along. Starting with lights management, they have now added monitoring gases and even dust sensing in their factory environment. The company is using the same fabric for worker safety and efficiency use cases as well. Even as the manufacturing company implemented worker solution, they realised that it can be extended to materials management and how vendor deliveries can be managed more efficiently. As a result, the enterprise is targeting gains of upto 10% in productivity and turnaround times.

“It’s not just Enterprises – with initiatives like Smart Cities and Digital India, the penetration of IoT technologies is broader and the same IoT fabric is improving infrastructure, public utilities and services. An IoT enabled streetlight can also be enabled to measure air quality or temperature or rainfall.”

The second pillar of flexibility – ecosystem and OPEX based business model

Cloud and SaaS enabled a partner ecosystem, with partners playing a big role. SFDC used force.com to offer a lot more applications to the customer. Similarly, partners are playing a significant role in the IoT setup by providing standardised blocks that organisations can deploy on a plug and play model to their IoT fabric. Service providers and others are already offering this plug and play approach. A few others are working on similar universal adapter modules that will turn any device into a smart device.

“Success of cloud and SaaS were also driven by OPEX based and freemium pricing models that attracted tons of users. IoT will also require similar thinking, where vendors and customers share upfront costs, drive down CAPEX investments, and link payments to specific outcomes or efficiencies gained”

Conclusion

As we go forward, enterprises will continue to rely on IoT to recover and thrive in the post-COVID-19 scenario. IoT’s cloud moment is going to be about empowering users to create their own solutions. It will be about taking the complexity out and allowing for a flexible amalgamation of a common fabric, vendor partners and new business models.

Discover more about how IoT can transform your business in a post-covid world.

The post Can IoT get its cloud moment? appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Every business today is preparing themselves for success in the digital world, but that’s no mean feat as the enterprise IT environment is becoming increasingly complex.

The proliferation of consumer technology has enabled users to access information from anywhere, any time and on any device.

This ‘democratisation of technology’ means that IT organisations are no longer able to independently decide, how, where and which employees access information.

Enterprises’ should therefore digitally transform with the following end-goals in mind:

• Become more agile to meet customer expectations of rapid innovation and issue resolution
• Deliver consistent performance across the globe while expanding into new markets or while bringing new products to market
• Achieve ubiquitous access to applications and collaboration platforms among users, customers and partners to innovate and improve productivity
• Create omni-channel communication platforms to enhance customer experience
• Minimise risk from external threats and risks associated with a rapidly changing technology landscape, online presence, and disaster events

Managing all the above creates complexity and puts tremendous pressure on enterprise network infrastructure, requiring businesses to rethink their core architecture.

“In essence, IT departments need to keep things simple, stable and secure, while at the same time, offer an open and accessible architecture, bring agility and value to the business and future proof it.”

COVID-19 is making the tasks of juggling all these priorities even more challenging.

WAN holds the key to agility

A recent report from 451 research found that 53 percent of enterprises see modernising IT infrastructure for scale, speed, availability and efficiency as the most effective way to achieve business agility. However, one of the least agile components in today’s IT infrastructure is the underlying WAN, and enterprises are increasingly turning to modernising this layer to enable and accelerate the pace of their digital transformation.

“The right approach to building the next generation WAN is critical to enterprise success. The clear solution is not to fight the cloud but embrace it, by properly integrating the internet into the network.”

This switch will not take place overnight, with billions of dollars already invested in traditional ethernet and MPLS networks, but this is the essential next step in the digital transformation of the enterprise network.

According to a report by Adroit Market Research, the Southeast Asian cloud computing market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of more than 13% to reach USD 40.32 billion by 2025, driven by the rising demand for cloud computing among the emerging small and mid-sized businesses in this region. Security has often been raised as a primary concern in hybrid cloud environments.

To meet these public-private hybrid demands, the internet needs to be predictable, secure and flexible, while the overall hybrid networking solution must be globally consistent and agile.

To achieve this, enterprises need a global network integration platform, which securely supports the access and distribution of data and content, and simply connects users (corporate/branch offices, mobile employees, customers, etc.) to services (corporate data centres, public clouds, IAAS/SAAS/PAAS, etc.). This network integration platform provides the agile architecture that enterprises need to meet the growing demands of digital transformation.

Enterprises need an open and agnostic WAN architecture which lets them use multiple access technologies, best-in-class suppliers globally, business broadband sourced locally and distributed cloud connectivity closer to user base – what we refer to as the ‘underlay’.

In addition, depending on the specific application stacks and their respective performance requirements (including real time applications, e.g. UCC and voice), the underlay may need to be custom designed and include a site-wise solution which may comprise MPLS, public internet or an internet WAN with predictability and performance guarantees that are fit for business, to be able to deliver consistent performance and user experience globally.

The ability to create and manage a hybrid set-up in this environment is the foundation of the global network integration platform.

“While the choice of network technologies and access methods allows customers to be flexible, nimble and cost effective, an intelligent, integrated SD-WAN solution, which we refer to as the ‘overlay’, allows the delivery of superior, consistent performance, as well as availability and control, completing the puzzle.”

It sits on top of a complex hybrid infrastructure to maximise the performance of the next generation hybrid WAN through application/business aware routing and load balancing across multiple connections; provide security as an embedded feature; and offer centralised analytics to extend better visibility and control.

The network must still be sound

In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all for network transformation. Networks today are 10 times more complex than they were 10 years back, and SD-WAN or not, there is no one “silver bullet” to make such complex environments succeed – each layer must be addressed in its own environment.

SD-WAN in itself is not going to create an underlay path that does not exist. There are many inter-dependencies between the overlay and the underlay, and while proponents of SD-WAN are positioning it as the panacea, SD-WAN is only part of the solution, not the solution. Shifting to an SD-WAN gives companies the necessary agility to adapt to market changes in real time, but organisations must not forget that the underlay should still be built on a rock-solid core network.

Discover more about the security implications for a distributed workforce.

The post Transforming the network for greater agility and security appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As countries begin to emerge from nationwide lockdowns, it seems as if we’re entering a more nuanced phase of the pandemic. But it’s one in which there’s still plenty of debate around what the future of the digital workplace will look like.

I’ve been speaking to some customers whose experience is that working from home has actually increased efficiency. For others, the very nature of what they do means they have to get back to the office or factory.

That’s why I was fascinated to hear first-hand accounts from 25 enterprise technology leaders at our summer roundtable, ‘Building Your New Digital Workplace Strategy’.

And while opinions differed around how far into the future this acute remote landscape will extend, there seemed little doubt that the pandemic has accelerated the move towards a new working environment that was – in many ways – inevitable.

“Instead of the new normal, we’re beginning to talk about the next normal. Where the pandemic was an accelerator for changes already well underway.”

Here at Tata Communications, we were well set up for a remote working model, with a distributed workforce already equipped with cloud-based tools and the necessary security processes for safe and effective home working. However, for businesses in other sectors, there was undoubtedly a more dramatic shift.

Enterprise technology teams across the world have done an incredible job in spinning up virtual capabilities to meet the needs of a remote workforce overnight.

Now though, tech leaders are revisiting their remote access technologies – re-examining configurations, and re-evaluating the governance around collaboration platforms, file sharing and information protection. As enterprises embrace the opportunities of the virtual workplace, we’re seeing a shift from survival mode to success mode.

Because as our roundtable panellists discussed, there are significant benefits for businesses that can pivot their infrastructure to support secure remote working beyond the current crisis.

This is something Visteon, who was on the panel too, has long recognised. The company’s agile, secure hybrid network – deployed and managed by Tata Communications – enabled Visteon to quickly adapt to pandemic priorities. The network could easily scale to support new working conditions, with a remote access solution based on our cloud-based security services. And because it’s a managed service, Visteon could stay focused on the evolving needs of its business and users.

The question of user experience is something we’re hearing from businesses on the panel and beyond. How do we ensure employees are (even more) productive in a new environment – while maintaining effective security and performance? And how can we continue to support our customers with a superior service that differentiates our offering?

On a purely fundamental level, network reliability is going to be critical. As is visibility over network operations and applications, so enterprises can act quickly to address any problem areas. This becomes even more mission-critical for the increasing number of businesses operating in a hybrid environment, and is leading IT teams to deploy more investigative tools to gain greater endpoint visibility – and therefore control.

Endpoint visibility goes hand-in-hand with endpoint security, and secure remote access was high on our roundtable agenda.

“With employees using personal devices to connect from home, endpoint security is now essential.”

The attack surface has grown exponentially. So, enterprises are beginning to consider all the ways in which their workforce is accessing the network – and putting in place targeted threat defence accordingly.

We talked a lot about how AI and machine learning can enhance productivity by automating business processes. And this is something the panellists were keen to harness to improve their security posture too. By using automation to assess alerts, security teams will have the visibility and context to focus efforts on the most pressing issues.

It’s a challenging time but it’s exciting too. The situation has created a climate – and appetite – for change that we really haven’t seen before.

From the very top, business leaders are realising the commercial advantages of a virtual workforce. So, like many of the panellists, I think a cultural shift has taken place whereby digital transformation will be driven from the top down. This opens up the opportunity to innovate and reshape every aspect of the enterprise environment.

As economies recover from the pandemic, businesses have the chance to redefine the way they operate – and make significant gains as a result. Whether it’s through the secure workplace solutions that support productive remote environments, or digital customer experience platforms that cater for the contactless economy, we’re supporting customers to become digital-first enterprises that can deliver secure connected digital experiences.

The tech leaders I spoke to are already pivoting their workplace strategy to enhance collaboration, productivity and security. They hail from a range of industries, each with different challenges and experiences to share.

Discover more about secure connected digital experiences in the post-pandemic world.

The post Shaping a new digital workplace strategy appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Workplace bias is a real thing for us. The future of work is officially here – brought on by the immediacy of a pandemic, nurtured over the past seven months of remote work. But changes in the workplace have been in the works for a while now, thanks to a new wave of employees reshaping work culture.

Millennials’ influence on the workplace is very employee-centric, and topics like company culture, reducing bias, and creating an inclusive environment are commonplace in HR departments now.

“Business priorities must shift accordingly to match employees’ heightened expectations, and these changes need to happen in tandem with the shift to remote work. Technology can help make both transitions seamless.”

But as well-meaning as organisations are, many could use a boost from technology like artificial intelligence to help them effect change without letting workplace bias to seep in. Here’s how different kinds of emerging technologies can help reduce workplace bias and build a strong culture in any organisation.

Using AI to your advantage

Building a diverse and inclusive workforce starts with people, and as companies scale, they need to focus more on hiring employees that contribute diverse points of view. An AI hiring system can help achieve this goal by analysing attrition patterns to identify changes that should be implemented to refine the hiring process. In this case, AI can help enhance the hiring department’s collaborative intelligence, in which humans and AI complement each other’s strengths.

“Combining people’s aptitude in leadership and creativity with machines’ speed and analytical prowess could help a company move the needle on its D&I goals, without burdening teams with endless administrative tasks.”

Cognitive diversity is as essential as ethnic or gender diversity in the workplace, which business leaders are starting to realise. AI can be used to challenge leadership’s decisions by asking thoughtful questions meant to inspire decision-makers to revisit the assumptions on which their decisions are based. Alternative points of view are vital to ensuring business decisions are sound, and until every boardroom reflects the world around it, a little nudge from an AI tool that urges a business leader to consider a different perspective is welcomed.

Another way AI can help reduce bias is by identifying cultural sensitivities in the tone of voice and diction. AI can easily navigate communication in multiple languages to facilitate seamless interactions between teams around the world, even pointing out gender-based or potentially offensive language that could get “lost in translation.”

Internet of everything… including hiring

Internet of Things (IoT) devices can help employees and employers stay connected, even while working remotely. IoT can be used to track information in real-time and provide actionable insights about how employees can streamline and improve their work.

For frontline employees still going into the office, IoT solutions can help keep them safe.

“IoT-enabled SOS or panic buttons can be used to help employees during critical situations, or even identify work-related hazards before they’re a direct threat to employees.”

As workers are blending their work and personal time more than ever, there’s a great opportunity for IoT devices in smart desks to improve employee well-being, starting with posture. Sensors and software solutions can automate simple tasks at work, and that information can be used to drive operational efficiency.

Stay curious

In an increasingly competitive business climate, COVID is quickly separating the innovative from the antiquated. Before implementing AI or IoT as a quick fix for business issues, make sure your organisation has instilled a culture where employees are asking questions and sharing ideas with leadership to ensure you’re constantly innovating. Business leaders need to spearhead this change from the top to encourage diverse opinions that will ultimately keep a business nimble and competitive.

Leaders can do this by providing employees access to continued education in their field, and giving them resources to practice new skills. Especially as AI is transforming certain job roles, employees will value the opportunity to change and adapt along with this transformation. Not only will this help close the skills gap that is growing rapidly, but it will foster employee loyalty and inspire new ideas. 

Ultimately, new technology is nothing without the culture and dedication from leadership to back it up – especially when it comes to a topic as important as reducing bias in the workplace. Tools like AI and IoT are important pieces of the puzzle that can accelerate a business’ goals, but they can’t do all the heavy lifting. Top-down buy-in is the make or break for businesses aiming to stay ahead of the curve, especially during these tumultuous times.

Discover more about how a diverse workforce is the key to creativity and innovation.

The post Workplace bias is in the hot seat – how to use tech to eliminate it appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

While countries are gradually easing the lockdown, past few months have been very challenging for enterprises. The situation forced some foundational shifts in how companies look at their business models and how people collaborate and work with each other. A recent report from McKinsey estimates that the pandemic ushered in the equivalent of a five-year leap in digital adoption – in just eight weeks. And there’s no turning back. Additionally, the survey showed that 75% of people using digital channels for the first time will continue even when this pandemic is over.

Here at Tata Communications, we focused on making business easier from the get-go and it was critical for us to focus on the employee experience (EX). Within just two weeks, 98% of our global workforce was enabled to work from home (WFH), so they could work safely and still be productive.

At the same time, as many companies initiated their business continuity plans, reliable delivery was paramount. Enterprises urgently needed solutions to be up and running in very short timeframes. We were able to meet the tightest deadlines required to deliver critical services.

“Immediately after the lockdowns, many of our enterprise customers were asking how to enable WFH effectively. Our teams did a phenomenal job of helping thousands of users and more than 150 enterprise customers to work from home securely and seamlessly.”

Security plays a key role in ensuring seamless digital transformation of organisations and true borderless growth. Cybercriminals were out to make the most of the WFH vulnerabilities. United Nations executive Izumi Nakamitsu said that there had been a 600% increase in cyberattacks during the pandemic. Over any device and at any location, you need to make sure your colleagues are equipped to cater to customer needs and are able to access critical data safely and securely.

This secure access then needs to be backed by an agile and robust network to ensure interaction is secure, scalable, collaborative, smooth and delivers a higher customer experience (CX). At Tata Communications, it’s our job to make that happen, quickly and easily.

Take the contact centres, where knowledge workers need to access sensitive data in real time and also maintain a richer and more engaged experience for their customers. To ensure a superior digital experience in this new contact-less world, our overall solution harnessed two-factor authentication (2FA), Unified Threat Management (UTM) and seamless collaboration across the ecosystem backed by an agile Zero Trust Network solution optimised to enhance our clients and their end user experience.

Leveraging our industry leadership position, we have introduced Secure Connected Digital Experience (SCDx), a new proposition for enterprises to ensure business growth in a post-COVID world. With SCDx, we enable enterprises to meet the growing, worldwide demand for new ways of operating, which includes far higher levels of working from home, rising security risks, a shift to digital commerce and more contactless experiences for employees, customers and supply chain partners.

Today, digital Experience (DX) is one of the key considerations across industries.   Technology is playing a pivotal role in supporting the travel sector, especially aviation industry with no-contact, smooth and efficient processes. e-Medic consultation is on the rise, and is not just about reviewing reports but about live tracking as well. More and more businesses are rapidly evaluating new models to reap benefits e.g.  automobile industry is assessing phygital (physical + digital) sales channel starting from digital lead generation, virtual car specs and performance tours/demos etc., enabling a seamless experience for employees and customers.

Retail outlets are also looking for smoother and faster operations by deploying AI and AR mapped with buying history to assist faster turnaround. And all this is challenging the status quo. It’s a paradigm behavioural shift for each and everyone in this digital ecosystem.

“Our pandemic experience shows that to ensure a long-term and sticky relationship with customers, the solutions you offer have to be easy to use and deploy, align to the customers’ business goals and deliver richer experience.”

Remote working can make doing business easier and enhance the experience. This was recognised by majority of 200+ participants of one of our events, where they voted our collaborative platform to be more effective than similar face-to-face activities. We were able to attract a larger audience due to the virtual set up, and features like multiple virtual break out rooms etc. made collaboration and discussion highly effective.

“By making sure digital channels are welcoming and easy to use, while being scalable, reliable and secure, an enterprise can enhance the experience of employees, customers, and partners and the way they all interact with each other, to stay ahead in times of crisis and beyond.” 

From now on, every business will need that secure connected digital experience to deliver the very best possible employee as well as customer experience.

To know more about how you can harness the new emerging technologies to deliver solutions for the digital-first world, visit our Secure Connected Digital Experience page.

The post Delivering the best customer experience in adverse pandemic conditions appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The automotive sector is undergoing significant evolution with almost every car manufacturer looking to make the driving experience of its customers similar to the ones we see in sci-fi movies. Although we are still not sure when the first level 5 self-driving car will be on the roads, connected cars are already an everyday reality – many just don’t realise it.

In a fairly short time, our cars have gone from being inanimate bits of metal to four-wheeled infotainment systems, parking assistants, and virtual mechanics. While unknown to many, these are connected cars. They provide crucial digital services and collect data along with it. And this demand for connected vehicles only looks to grow with Gartner predicting that there will be more than 740,000 autonomous-ready vehicles in the global market by 2023.

Yet, in-line with the growth of connected cars is the rise in probability of data breaches and cyber-attacks on everything related to the cars. While there are currently very few known serious cyber-attacks targeting vehicles in the UK, there are several privacy and security vulnerabilities that automotive manufacturers and customers must be aware of when engaging with the new age cars.

Facing down security vulnerabilities

While the number of cyber-attacks on vehicles in the UK may be few and far between, globally the numbers are growing. This is because, as with any connected device, security flaws do exist, and they can be taken advantage of. These flaws are compromising both the physical security of the car and the valuable data these vehicles produce and transmit to manufacturers and service providers.

One famous example of this was back in 2015 when two hackers (and security researchers), Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek hijacked a moving jeep with a Wired journalist in the seat and drove it off the road. Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.4m vehicles in response. Although less dramatic than being driven off the road, Mercedes-Benz users found their connected car app was pulling information from accounts not their own due to a coding flaw.

“Haulage vehicles too are becoming increasingly connected and the opportunities here are perhaps even greater than those in the consumer space.”

For instance, lorries using V2X technology (vehicle-to-everything) will be able to speak to depots about their exact whereabouts, traffic conditions and state of their cargo – all invaluable information for those in the trade. What this also means is that hackers could compromise vehicles with precious cargo, rerouting them into the wrong hands.

As V2X communication becomes more widespread, cars will share data with traffic management and parking control systems, hazard warning systems and emergency services, plus infotainment services. And with vehicles constantly sending and receiving information in order for these services to operate effectively, the hugely increased number of access points and transmissions puts data at greater risk than ever.

Safeguarding personal data

“These services demand the use of sensitive personal data, from payment information to confidential insurance details, meaning a ‘chip to cloud’ approach to security must be adopted.”

This in turn, involves safeguarding data at every point of its journey between the car and network, while every connected component onboard the vehicle must form part of a ‘community of trust’.

The most effective way to do this is by using a global private mobile network to underpin the ecosystem. This allows much more secure and reliable control over data capture and management capabilities, so that manufacturers, dealers and service centres can offer better, more tailored services to their customers, while giving the organisation more control over the performance of the network.

“Combined with the use of embedded SIM (eSIM) technology this also makes critical software updates easier to roll out, which in itself has security benefits that shouldn’t be underestimated.”

While over the air (OTA) updates can be carried out without needlessly disrupting the driver or requiring a trip to the dealership, car owners should also be given full control over the data stored locally on their vehicles. Digital identity solutions can be stored on the SIM, ensuring that only trusted communities have access to data. Moreover, these trusted communities do not have access to all the data – they can only access the data set that is necessary for them.

As the automotive industry continues to look at ways to innovate, data will play a key role in this. It is important that the data stays safe and is processed in a secure manner. With the rise in the threat of security breaches, car manufacturers must take the right precautions to assert control over their vehicles and safeguard the data in their possession. End-to-end secure connectivity and trustworthy platforms are need of the hour.

Discover more about how privacy and security can be ensured in the age of connected cars.

The post Connected vehicles and security of data appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As I start writing this, even after months into the global pandemic, I still imagine readers sitting at a desk in some corporate office when, in fact, you might be in your garden, sitting room, patio, city apartment or anywhere.

“Change is as good as a rest” they say. However, most of us this year have been forced to squeeze a two-year digital transformation roadmap into just two or three weeks!  No super-computers or complex statistical models were prepared to predict what we are currently going through.

Take my position – before this crisis, my job entailed travelling at least 80% of the time. But this year, my family has probably seen me more than they’ve seen me for last 15 years. It’s a big change. It is great – except I am also aware of invading my family’s territory. Sometimes, I’m in the living room or at the kitchen counter where the kids come in and out – it’s an invasion of their private space. It’s a dilemma, but it means learning to adapt to the new normal. There is no turning back – we are at a pivotal moment in time of transition. Luckily, adapting is one of the things we humans excel at.

If that sounds too rosy, I’m sure you know, it isn’t. Learning to adapt doesn’t come easy, it requires innovative solutions, behavioural changes and above all an attitude to embrace change. Customer intimacy, industry events and roadshows, signing contracts before witnesses, etc. are examples. So, what about the overall impact on Tata Communications?

At first, it looked like the business world was clearly divided into two camps: businesses like hospitality, travel and entertainment, that were affected by social isolation, and those like social media, collaboration, cloud, and networking, that were booming. In those terms, our business has remained fully functional and our teams continue to work tirelessly to minimise any effect that the COVID-19 situation has had on our operations while maintaining our service level agreements.

From an operational point of view, we go with annual contracts, so we do not suffer rapid churn such as sudden customer cancellations in immediacy. However, we do have some customers asking for extended payment terms, re-term contracts to adapt to reduced staff and bandwidth, given the unforeseen impact caused by the pandemic on their business. As with any good partners, it’s good business practice to respect such requests and find a win-win solution. We have customers across hospitality, aviation, manufacturing, and automotive sectors that have faced a slump, and that obviously has an impact on our business too.

“As a digital ecosystem enabler, we also provide a broad range of collaboration services for remote workforce, enabling cloud, network, security services – and that part of the business is doing very well.”

The good news with Tata Communications is that along with the diverse portfolio of solutions to serve evolving needs of our customers, we have a distributed workforce worldwide and our customer service team is spread across different locations for maximum global coverage. Most of our employees are fully equipped to work from home, leveraging mobile devices and cloud-based tools, and supported by specific security processes and policies for remote working.

As regions across the world ease restrictions, we are cushioned by our widespread geographical and vertical market footprints. Telecom is a universal need. The regulatory dynamics could well change depending on social and political developments, and we will have to work through those changes.

“Ultimately, our core value proposition is anchored on customer centricity that supports customers in their digital transformation journey by enabling a holistic digital ecosystem that gives them a competitive edge in the market.”

So, in my eyes, the social, economic and political landscape may evolve but, as long as our solutions and value proposition remain strong and our customer service superior, I don’t expect major disruption to our business.

These questions have been high on my agenda since I was invited to a fascinating NetEvents Inter@ctive CIO round table discussion, chaired by IDC analyst Brad Casemore, on ‘How Networking and Collaboration Support Business Resilience and Continuity During and After Times of Crisis’.

The discussion began with interesting data points from Brad, showing what the market expected to be the key investment areas post COVID. Not surprisingly, the Cloud rode high. More significant was the changing role of working from home. Before the crisis, over 90% said less than a quarter of their work had been from home, and that fell to less than 10% since lockdown. That was hardly surprising as a response to lockdown regulations.

“What was surprising was the expectations for 2021: IDC’s research indicated that only about 40% are still expecting less than a quarter of home workers, whereas nearly as many reckoned on up to 50% workers at home, and a significant number of companies estimated more than three quarters of their employees would be working from home.”

What was encouraging among the other speakers on the discussion (seven CIOs from major tech companies) was how well they had all managed the crisis. You might have a picture from media headlines, of a business world knocked senseless by the impact of the crisis. In fact, most of the participants had already weathered severe crises of one sort or another – bushfire, hurricanes, market collapse – and had come out of it having learned sound lessons of crisis management and being prepared, of having something in reserve for the unexpected. I have already mentioned humanity’s superb ability to adapt.

Another common factor was the recognition of the importance of a ‘human-first approach’. When the pandemic struck, there were two parallel considerations: employees, and customers. The general business expectation is that ‘the customer comes first’, but in this case, the first priority was to protect and prepare the workforce. As one person put it, “If you take care of your people, they’ll take care of your customers.”

However, the new normal, as turns out, will have many faces. I wish I could write more about that very valuable discussion, but instead, I recommend that you listen to it yourself, because it covered a very great deal of ground in just over an hour. You can watch the recording of the event here.

NetEvents Inter@ctive CIO round table discussion on ‘How Networking and Collaboration Support Business Resilience and Continuity During and After Times of Crisis’  was organised virtually on 23^rd June 2020. The panelists were:

• Analyst Chair: Brad Casemore, Research Vice President, Datacenter Networks, IDC
• Pathmal Gunawardana, Head of Americas, Tata Communications
• Russ Currie, Vice President, Enterprise Strategy, NETSCOUT
• Bill Miller, Chief Information Officer, NetApp
• Christina Kite, Vice President, Global Business Strategy & Analytics, Oracle
• Dan Krantz, Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Keysight Technologies, Inc.
• Kevin Herrin, VP, Infrastructure Platform Engineering, Dell Technologies
• Veresh Sita, Chief Digital Information Officer, F5 Networks

The post New normal or new dawn? appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The fourth industrial revolution is coming, and it will see disruptive technologies and trends change the world of work, and our place within it. And with some predictions estimating automation will replace up to 40% of jobs over the next 15 years, the fundamental nature of what a career is will have to change.

HR departments are on the front lines of this shift. And through thoughtful, people-focused initiatives, they can start to transform this disruption into a positive for workers and their organisations – but only if they act quickly.

Be proactive about the future of work

An estimated 140 million people will need to be retained in just the next three years due to AI enabled automation, according to a recently-released report by IBM. The future of work is no longer some blurry, shifting mirage down the road – it’s real and it’s here.

This is why digital transformation is the top of every business’ agenda. They’re all finding new ways to actively optimise their business processes, improve their user experiences, and become more agile.

However, fewer companies realise reskilling initiatives are an equally important part of their digital transformation journey. Because just as automation is replacing jobs, it’s also widening the digital skills gap.

For instance, the world is in pretty dire need of cybersecurity experts. We have seen a global spike in the number of cyberattacks, phishing attempts in India alone have gone up by 667 percent.

In just nine months, Hong Kong lost more than HKD$2.2 billion (€255 million) to 9,000 cyber-attacks. And it’s a similar story around the world.

At the moment, enterprises generally deal with these kinds of concerns by hiring new, skilled staff. But the demand for these professionals will only continue to grow, so finding ways to retrain existing staff will eventually become the norm.

“Your staff is and will always be your most valuable asset. Helping them grow and evolve with the times will not only save you money and resources in the long run, but forge organisational loyalty at a time when that’s hard to come by.”

Tata Communications Learning Academy

We considered all of this when we decided to take our learning and development journey to the next stage by introducing Tata Communications Learning Academy (TCLA).

As part of our new strategy, we wanted to make sure we provided our employees with the same consumer grade experience we do to our customers. We wanted the new platform to become the primary learning interface for all our employees – a one-stop-shop for all learning and skill development – reskilling, upskilling and cross-skilling needs.

We had to keep in mind that everyone has different ways and styles of learning. While we already clocked 87,000 learning days at the end of March this year, with 90% of the learning taking place via digital modes, we enriched this further by offering 100+ customised pathways to our employees on themes that were topical in our company. The custom-curated learning content was compiled from multiple sources and followed different learning formats – digital courses, articles, videos, podcasts, and books – available on-the-go via web and mobile versions.

“So, when the lockdown was announced, for instance, we were able to leverage TCLA to encourage our staff to further boost their skills while they worked from the comfort of their homes. In addition, we could easily reach out to them with learning nuggets they needed to know about dealing with working from home during the pandemic.”

It took the right tools, technology and environment, along with the consideration of all the different cultural and regional nuances. But in the end, we were able to make the platform intuitive enough to provide an enhanced learner experience, foster a culture of continuous learning and ensure employees always felt updated.

So, whenever an employee wants to dedicate their time to developing themselves with a certain skill, the TCLA is always there to support their individual requirements.

Building a workforce fit for the future

Since the Covid-19 pandemic shook up the world, we’ve seen numerous news stories of organisations announcing pay cuts and layoffs. Similarly, many businesses have had to accelerate their digital transformation projects in order to survive.

“We believe including the learning and development strategy in the overall digital transformation efforts will give employees their best chance at surviving this changing world.”

Because we all know how quickly things can change. Employees now know that not only can their job disappear overnight, but so can their place of work, and even their entire industry.

Having learning and development opportunities available means employees gain flexibility in terms of the value they can provide. This in turn gives employers greater flexibility as to where they can assign workers within the business. For example, it may make it possible to move an employee to a different, understaffed department instead of laying them off.

The series of lockdowns also gave people time to think about what future they want. Industrious HR functions should be actively promoting upskilling or reskilling with employees, not only for their current job, but for their next role – in the same function or a completely new one.

Make the continuous quest to learn, train and develop part of your organisation’s DNA. Not only will it make you more attractive to new talent, but it will put you in the driver’s seat as you can align learning solutions with overall business strategy.

It takes a willingness to understand learning requirements at an individual and team level. It will require constant feedback on existing and future content and continuous dialogue to improve the entire learning experience and outcomes.

The future we thought of is already here. If you start today, you’ll be ready for the future that lies ahead.

Discover more about how a diverse workforce is the key to creativity and innovation.

The post Why HR should spearhead upskilling for the next industrial revolution appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Most of us have turned to our TV sets and digital platforms for entertainment during the pandemic. 87% of US consumers and 80% of UK consumers revealed that they’re consuming more content than ever before, according to a recent report from Global Web Index.

Many in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry have enjoyed a sudden and significant uptick in customers as a result. Netflix, for example, saw a 15.8 million net increase in its global subscriber base, doubling what it and Wall Street had predicted for that quarter. However, the reality is, until a cure or vaccine is found and deployed worldwide, social distancing will be the main line of defence against the virus. This means content creation strategy has to change for many traditional M&E organisations.

Most of what we watch on traditional and digital entertainment channels – from BBC dramas to Premier League football – relies on hundreds of cast and crew members, as well as a live audience at times. These conditions make social distancing measures more than challenging.

But because we’re all experiencing the current situation together, viewers have been responding positively to clever and inventive new ways of delivering content.

“The M&E industry has a rare opportunity to reflect and adapt their business models for a new era in entertainment – we need to revolutionise our approaches to customer experience management, demand planning and revenue generation.”

As with most modern business challenges, digital transformation with an ecosystem of agile, secure and fast technologies is the answer.

Remote production

While the whole M&E industry has been hit particularly hard by lockdown restrictions, live sports and live entertainment events have been the most affected.

With so much demand for content, people in the M&E industry are doing their best to bring content to viewers while working from home. As such there have been many attempts to pivot to a remote production model. While majority of the live content still require a skeleton crew on location, most of the work is done by remote workers.

For example, many talk show hosts are now broadcasting from their living rooms. They’ve swapped out their huge crews, live bands and laughing audiences for their spouses and children and are talking to their celebrity guests over video chat.

In the sports arena, football bodies such as the German Bundesliga league and South Korean K league have gained a lot of attention in their attempts to resume “closed-door” games. Although even with no audience and smaller crews, players and crews still have to be cautious, and are subjected to numerous Covid-19 tests.

It might look simple enough, but more goes into remote production than meets the eye. Live action has to be captured perfectly before being seamlessly (and quickly) transferred to the central studio of the broadcaster. That’s where the rest of the team and equipment are present to edit the raw content and send it for production.

But by virtualising the entire environment and using media orchestration on the cloud, teams can create cloud-based content workflows that allow content creators and stakeholders to manage the video production chain end-to-end, remotely.

“By migrating to cloud, remote teams can integrate and automate their usual workflows tasks such as file delivery, transcoding videos for OTT platforms and frame-accurate editing seamlessly in virtual environments – without having to transfer feeds between physical workstations.”

The rise and rise of eSports

Other than remote production, an interesting direction many sports franchises have gone in is the eSports route. In April, the NBA (one of the first high-profile organisations to suspend activity due to Covid-19) hosted a players-only virtual basketball tournament.

Huge stars such as Kevin Durant and Spencer Dinwiddie played ‘NBA 2K’ against each other live on ESPN. Not only did the tournament keep sponsors, broadcasters and fans happy, the winner received $100,000 for a Covid-19 related charity of their choice.

However, just because eSports are social-distancing-friendly, doesn’t mean there aren’t many factors to consider for M&E organisations. The tournament still required multiple cameras, cutaways, reactions and commentary that needed to be captured and edited in real time.

So, eSports on broadcast television require robust digital broadcast infrastructure and connectivity capabilities – something not all M&E firms are equipped for.

When it comes to eSports, organisers need to focus on:

• Low latency streaming solutions: This is especially important when you’re hosting live competitions with players in different geographies
• Decentralised cloud gaming: This allows you to host games in multiple locations without needing to install expensive hardware in each spot

Necessity is the mother of invention

The ideas and innovations found now will have significant effects on the M&E industry long after this pandemic is over.

“I believe around 75% of broadcasters will look at adopting remote production post-coronavirus. The benefits of less travel will become both a money saving strategy for firms and a perk for employees, all while also being good for the environment. And the money firms save can then be reinvested back into their digital transformation journey.”

As for right now, every M&E firm’s first priority should be migrating their workflows to cloud. Aside from making their content accessible anywhere, some modern cloud services give companies access to AI-enhanced metadata that will improve their customers’ experiences through features like personalised and multilingual content.

Investing in these tools today will all go towards making the M&E industry more flexible and future-ready, geared-up for a new era of entertainment.

Discover more about how businesses need to rethink their strategies post-pandemic.

The post How the media industry can re-define itself amidst the pandemic appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Contagion, a 2011 US thriller film about a spreading pandemic is so relatable today. No one ever imagined that this would seem so real today. If someone told you that in Jan 2020 Mumbai, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, and other such bustling cities would have empty streets by April, would you have believed them? It is rightly said that tough times get the best out of us. Today, we all have closely witnessed the disruption in our work and social lives. Interestingly, knowingly, or unknowingly we have been on the receiving end of more digitisation in the last couple of months as ever compared to the years before.

COVID-19 has joggled mankind to think differently and innovate within their boundaries.  Although few industries are hard pressed due to closures and quarantining, the crisis has pushed work-from-home and other digital approaches to be the new normal, overnight. While COVID-19 has threatened in more ways than one, it is almost giving us a preview of an inevitable future where digital maturity leads the way.

5 silver linings from the new normal:

Renewed Business Continuity – Increasing number of companies today are evaluating the possibility of shifting work from home as the new norm, given the operational cost-effectiveness and increased productivity. One of the major learning from COVID-19 induced situations has been the emergence of seamless borderless growth. Companies are at an opportune juncture to analyse and understand how they can empower their distributed workforce to collaborate better. A right step in this direction today will safeguard the growth of the company in the long run. Organisations need to evaluate, design, and deploy the right mix of Cloud, Security, and other collaboration tools to succeed. Collaboration and unified communication tools can enable businesses to connect with both employees and partners at any time and from anywhere and if done correctly, it will provide a secure platform as well. This holds the potential to reinvent operational models in a post COVID world.

Uninterrupted Customer Experience – While COVID-19 has disrupted businesses, customers reliance on services have only increased. During times of crises customers seek guidance and support from their trusted brands more than ever. Rising to the occasion, brands across sectors, even with many constraints are delivering a superior and uninterrupted experience to the customer digitally. They continue to be dynamic to the new needs during this time of uncertainty. For example, currently both a salesperson and a customer are sitting in their comfort zone and enabled by video connect, allowing a seamless familiar relationship experience to take place. This is possible in sectors like retail, banking, and healthcare.

“Growing customer interaction and the need for automation have led to an innovation of conversational bots which are a confluence of technologies like voice recognition, natural language processing and artificial intelligence.”

Companies are also looking at how technologies like Artificial Intelligence and humans can work side by side to solve customers’ problems with efficiency and speed.

Reimagined Health and Safety – The pandemic has disrupted the health and safety sector significantly with customers developing digital habits on account of social distancing. There has been a surge in adoption of digital health solutions. Masses have changed their usual habits and are open to considering Telehealth consultation and video appointments to ensure safe distancing and staying healthy at the same time. Progressing from telehealth is the inclusion of Internet of Things (IoT) enabled devices to execute digital diagnostics.

Hospitals worldwide are experimenting on it, as remote monitoring particularly in the case of elderly and critical circumstances can provide early guidance. Furthermore, IoT enabled wearables and devices will be instrumental as the workforce returns. For instance, monitoring of vitals such as body temperature and heart rate, enable social distancing with proximity alerts and also showcase movement history through contact tracing solutions. As an extension, governments globally are planning to leverage IoT solutions for optimum usage of resources driving smart cities.

Learning and upskilling – The circumstances forced us towards practicality. One where we came out of the classroom mindset and broadened our horizons with the same learnings but now digitally. Right from junior classes to eminent business institutes are running lectures on cloud. The number of webinars and video conferences during this short period have also increased two-fold. Simultaneously, enterprises are also relaying their learning and development programs in the same manner. It is now easier and more flexible to learn than ever before.

Remote Production – As most of the global population self-isolates at home, media consumption levels have gone through the roof. According to a recent report from Global Web Index, 87% of US consumers and 80% of UK consumers revealed that they are consuming more content than ever before.

“The media & entertainment industry is a good example of how segments across the world are trying to find new ways to continue. With remote productions, fan-less stadiums hosting games can broadcast live feed with the teams sitting in another part of the world.”

Remote production is being looked as a solution across media and entertainment industry, not only for its cost effectivity but as an active part of business strategy to resume production post COVID.

The benefits of digital transformation initiatives just does not stop at the company level, the drop in travel has revealed momentous reduction in air and water pollution around the world. A large shift is noticed at the consumer end as well, with their increasing expectations of 360 degree digital services. This ease and comfort experienced at all levels is giving us a glimpse of a digitally empowered sustainable tomorrow.

Find out more about how COVID-19 is transforming the way we work and live.

The post The new normal pushed us towards inevitability appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

As India rallies and we move past the initial response phase, we now face a different kind of challenge. While staging India’s back to business strategy, we are not only saving lives but now need to save livelihoods.

Cloud usage and remote collaboration witnessed accelerated adoption equivalent of a few years in a matter of a few weeks, as they powered work from home seamlessly. Similarly, as we graduate to the next phase and attempt emerging out of our homes in a staggered manner, we will need to rely on a different set of technologies to assist us.

Before we move towards the technology, we must assimilate the sea-change in philosophy that has erupted. Work from home will probably come out as a mainstay as compared to its fringe and good to have status earlier. As we absorb and align to this industry wide change in philosophy as the new normal, we must take lessons and apply it to the next phase at hand. Just like cloud and collaboration tools powered remote working, IoT can power our back to business. Hence, we must not view the solution as a temporary bridge to resume operations but understand it from a holistic long-term perspective to realign the way we operate.

Let’s take a look at the manufacturing units that have resumed crucial operations are now facing the challenge of keeping their employees safe and businesses solvent. To navigate this, manufacturers are establishing risk mitigation programs and redesigning their shop floors with fewer workers to reflect the staggered shifts and working around the principles of physical distancing.

“This process has accelerated the curiosity towards solutions that can be the guiding light on productivity, safety, energy management, automation and even predictive and remote maintenance.”

While IoT will address all of the above, reimagining our back to business does not just stop there. More than the obvious analytics led efficiencies offered by the technology, businesses will be better suited to drive meaningful change if they fully absorb the philosophy that IoT will bring in. What does that mean? It means a cultural change at a pan organisational level, where old systems must give way to newer mind-sets driving new business values. It means realising the opportunity to build an industry 4.0 environment with a connected ecosystem where various processes, departments and machines can communicate with one another. Beyond businesses, as good governance makes headway, city wide adoption will see solutions like smart metering, smart lighting become mainstream to drive sustainability.

Business continuity with IoT

Many business leaders view IoT as a critical lever, one which if integrated correctly will not only ensure a safe and secure return to work, but also birth recurring dividends in the years to come. For instance, consider the supply-chain hindrances visible with shortages of essential supplies and empty supermarket shelves. The backstory reveals the global supply chain disruption, production slowdown, and shortage of raw materials and sub-assemblies.

In this scenario, IoT can facilitate a real-time view of production programs, inventories, and expected delivery times between all supply-chain participants while mitigating supply chain risks. Signals from connected machines supported by geolocation tags can offer insights on the status of raw materials in the factory and the location of the upcoming supply.

These insights can also help organisations implement a holistic approach to optimise production, inventories, and transport utilisation.

“Analytics coupled with algorithms on asset conditioning will optimise machines settings and adjust production schedules to integrate any change in demand or supply-chain disruption.”

Securing the Employees and the Workplace

Against this setup, IoT outshines at driving vigilance with connected sensors mapping the working environments. These sensors can monitor and analyse everything, from the well-being of employees to factory infrastructure, equipment, and location.

In this context, it is important to make note of another philosophical change. The goal of automation today has shifted from ‘Doing more with less’ to ‘Sustainability and smooth operations. Wearables, such as smart watches can be combined with environmental sensors to monitor employees’ safety as well as the environment, they are working in. By tracking physical fitness, such as heartbeat and skin temperature, sensors help in early detection of potential problems and health conditions, basis which employers can take the necessary preventative action. In a hypothetical and undesirable scenario, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, organisations can use positioning data from the wearable devices to notify other employees who might have come in proximity. Further, access cards and other wearable devices can also help in informing the management about under-manned areas in case of employee unavailability.

The road ahead

Even after the pandemic abates, manufacturers will only remain keener to reinvent and reimagine insulating against any more uncertainty. Organisations will have to expedite their implementation of new strategies along the entire supply chain to avoid future disruptions and build resilience.

Here on, the private sector will need to coordinate closely with the public sector to forge plans that are essential to both public safety and the solvency of the workforce, while keeping the lights on the operations. The utilitarian nature of solutions will be viewed from a broader lens for its capability to empower against a number of scenarios.

“IoT will own this all-encompassing duty and bring us closer to a connected ecosystem and its automation will bring us into closer working relationships with machines and AI.”

It is only natural that IoT will hereon be a key pillar of the digitization journey. It is this change in culture and philosophy at an industry level which will not only ensure a safe and successful return of our economic drive, but also safeguard against future setbacks.

Discover more about how the Internet of Things is making the world a better place.

The post Post COVID-19 – Reimagining the value chain with IoT appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

It’s been inspiring to see a whole new generation of tech start-ups crop up, focusing their energies on developing IoT applications, sensors and devices to monitor all kinds of physical actions and activities to address a range of humanitarian, social and environmental issues.

For example, Aclima uses mobile and stationary sensors to measure air pollution at a hyperlocal level; Grind2Energy uses IoT sensors to ensure that its food-waste recycling system is as efficient as possible; and farmers now have a wealth of technology options available to them, including Cowlar to monitor livestock, Semios for more effective crop management, and Smart Elements to record everything from soil moisture content to water tank levels.

“Enhanced IoT connectivity has led to massive amounts of data being captured, which presents challenges as well as opportunities when it comes to its management and turning it into actionable insights.”

Making sense of the data humanly possible to process and analyse – which is where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), powered by advancements in high speed computing, come in. These technologies can crunch numbers at a rate that humans can never hope to compete with, making it possible to identify trends and patterns that would otherwise take an age to find.

This, of course, can be helpful to businesses of all kinds, but tech-for-good start-ups such as climate forecaster Cervest are using it to help give a better understanding of environmental issues. Cervest’s Earth Science AI platform uses probability theory, satellite imagery and geoscience to give early warnings concerning extreme weather events and provide insights into how the earth’s natural resources will respond to environmental changes. This could revolutionise global food systems and make production more sustainable.

Elsewhere, Medopad, a London-based digital healthcare company, is using AI and predictive analytics to conduct trials into the early identification of complications related to various serious illnesses, including cancer and heart disease. One of its first projects, a partnership with Chinese company Tencent, involves a motion-capture system that can detect and assess joint movements and facial features of Parkinson’s sufferers in real time. It can identify the frequency, range and intensity of movement, without requiring the patient to travel to a clinic for assessment. Medical professionals can then carry out a consultation remotely.

Similar technology has also been used to help people with autism interact in social situations; help verify and validate information and minimise bias; manage infrastructure and logistics; and even fight against elephant poaching in Africa.

One of the most common day-to-day uses of AI at the moment is in chatbots, which are most commonly encountered in customer service interactions. But as well as helping you to book a flight, choose a wine to go with your dinner, order a pizza, or even chat with Einstein, chatbots are increasingly being used for social good too. DoNotPay, a smartphone-based chatbot originally designed to help people contest parking fines, has also been used to provide refugees with legal advice and help them to complete and submit assistance and residence forms.

“There are sometimes fears that these disruptive technologies will replace human beings in the workplace but with philanthropic pursuits often underfunded, investing in them for the long term can help to ease the burden on overworked staff, particularly in the healthcare industry.”

When more than half of the world’s population doesn’t have access to basic healthcare, mental health assistance often gets forgotten – but there are also numerous examples of chatbots being used for mental health treatment.

Woebot is based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, which research suggests can be just as effective when delivered over the internet as face-to-face. The chatbot, which is available for both Android and iOS smartphones, provides techniques that are proven to help reduce symptoms for people suffering from anxiety and depression. The fact that it’s always available, at any time of the day or night, is particularly key.

“Woebot isn’t alone either. In 2019, many charities submitted chatbot proposals to Tech For Good in the hope of securing funding. Ideas included chatbots to help bereaved children, HIV patients, people suffering from bipolar disorder, and young people with mental health issues.”

Sometimes it can be hard to justify investing in products that don’t directly contribute to increased profits but when these technologies have the potential to improve the lives of so many people across the world, financial concerns shouldn’t be allowed to dominate the thinking surrounding their development. There’s also great value in data, meaning companies that collect it must be encouraged to make their findings available for the greater good rather than selling it to the highest bidder.

As these products get more popular the possibilities for their deployment become more prevalent – and as the costs involved go down the impact will only go up. Technology is often portrayed to be the catalyst for a dystopian society but, just as steam railways or x-rays revolutionised the world in a way which could never have been anticipated, modern day technologies have the potential to transform lives and societies.

Discover more about some of the top tech developments from the past 10 years.

The post IoT, AI and chatbots: the tech that’s making the world a better place appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

In tackling the virus, primary strategies have included social distancing, lockdown measures and the cocooning of vulnerable citizens at home. Technology is playing an essential role in making such measures viable and successful. More older people than ever before are having to adopt health monitoring and unified communications solutions to help maintain contact with their primary health care providers, families and friends.

However, its not the first time that the older generation is observing the benefits of technology in their well-being. Smart technology has gradually encroached into their lives over recent years. Heart monitors and personal alarm systems are among the most common wearable smart technology applications offered to them. But the COVID-19 crisis has forced service providers caring for older people to apply technology in creative new ways. And it has spurred the exponential adoption of smart tech solutions by people born long before the digital era.

“As the fifth generation wireless communications (5G) gears up for its rollout across the globe, the inherent and unprecedented connectivity of 5G presents an array of possibilities for new IoT use cases. And the challenges of COVID-19 are pointing to where such technologies could provide real solutions.”

This crisis has brought the possibilities of telehealth to the fore. At a time when isolation is essential for the control of this infectious disease, telehealth is helping health professionals make visual assessments based on the characteristics of the patient’s appearance and behaviour.

“The use of unified video communications platforms to connect healthcare professionals to their patients was still niche prior to COVID-19. But now it represents a lifeline for older people with immediate medical needs, who are currently cocooned at home for safety.”

Using a smart phone or a tablet, older people can gain the connection and reassurance of a face-to-face consultation, which just isn’t possible on a traditional voice call.

The urgent need for intelligence in the fight against COVID-19 has also focused minds on the value of IoT enabled technologies in gathering vital data while providing essential assistance to older people. Smartphones, smartwatches, digital assistance units and medical monitoring devices like wearable heart monitors are among the technologies used to relay essential data directly to healthcare providers. COVID-19 has also spurred the development of smart device apps to generate and collate crucial public health data.

Care homes with their populations of elderly and vulnerable residents have been particularly impacted by the virus. Many are struggling with limited supplies of essential resources. But the crisis has also highlighted the burgeoning role of IoT applications in care settings. For instance, smart technologies such as movement sensors and wearable fall monitors are now mitigating the need for hospital admissions due to injury from falls. And COVID-19 has redoubled the value of such benefits.

I believe the longer-term results of this crisis will include the accelerated adoption of unified communications solutions and development of smarter IoT applications for the safeguarding of older people in domestic and care home settings. Central to this will be an emphasis on connectivity and communications integration to link care homes to hospitals and other community settings. Care provision and resource management will be improved through real-time data sharing. This will ensure that older people remain visible across the care ecosystem.

“Another significant result of this crisis is a breaking down of the stereotype that older people are technology averse. And responses to the challenges of COVID-19 are disproving the assumption that technology plays a diminishing role in our lives as we grow older.”

Senior citizens across different countries are leaning onto digital technologies and universal communications solutions to remain connected to family and friends in the community during lockdown.

Older people are often more susceptible to isolation and loneliness. And the COVID-19 crisis has further removed the benefits many gain from daily interactions. But technologies such as video conferencing platforms are enabling communities of older citizens to see each other’s faces and enjoy the stimulation of regular social interaction while cocooned at home. I believe this is a significant and transformative social shift that must be build upon once this crisis has passed.

Discover more about how IoT and associated technologies are transforming the world for the better.

The post Connecting generations: The growing role of IoT in elderly care appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

In order to fully leverage the creative powerhouse in organisations, diversity is key. In a diverse workforce, employees bring their own unique experiences and capabilities to the forefront, enabling better communication, collaboration, innovation, and creative thinking. Diversity, particularly at the board and C-suite, is critical as equal representation also means better understanding of the diverse customer base.

Yet, when it comes to representation, we have a long way to go. Over the past 17 years, women have made up just about 10% of new appointments to top-level CEO or CFO roles at Russell 3000 companies. Closer home, since 2014, out of every 100 CEOs and MDs of companies listed on the National Stock Exchange, only about three are women.

“Even if you screen the various awards promoted in our country, presence of women is miniscule. Clearly, there is a lot to be done to bring equal representation at the top level. While in the technology and financial sectors you find large number of women represented at the mid management level, as you move up the organisation, the numbers start to dwindle.”

Statistically, there is a clear case for more women to be visible in these roles. A 2019 study by S&P Global Market Intelligence found that public companies with women CEOs or CFOs often are more profitable and produced better stock price performance. These companies also generated a combined $1.8 trillion more than the average, while investors also saw these companies as being less risky.

Look beyond the ‘typical’ leader

In recent years, the role of a CFO has evolved beyond simply finance. CFOs are playing an overarching role of a “Chief Facilitation Officer”, with a more dominant business partnering and strategic role that encompasses not only finance, but also strategy, risk, legal, secretarial, investor relations, operations, communications and procurement.

“CFOs need to act as a catalyst, promoting new ideas, sowing the seeds of innovation and improvisation and driving productivity and efficiency within the organisation while also pursuing growth within a highly regulated environment.”

It is a job that involves much more forward thinking, particularly through adoption of new technologies, with data and past experience increasingly used to take informed decisions that guide the future of the business.

As such, our idea of what makes a good CFO itself is dynamic and is continuously evolving. A good CFO of yester years may well be out of depth if he or she has not embraced transformation and evolved in their way of working and thinking. Any outdated stereotypes must be left behind.

The invaluable power of soft-skills 

Through my career, I have worked across industries ranging from manufacturing to the service industry. My rich experience across the service industry includes – hospitality, financial services, private equity, BPO, IT services and now telecom. This varied experience has allowed me to develop a keener focus on business drivers and has helped me to appreciate the intrinsic value and role of diversity – in enriching one’s professional experience with a multitude of ideas that a diverse workforce brings along with it.

“Being a woman has not deterred me from rubbing shoulder to shoulder with men. Even in the early days of my career when finance roles were dominated by men, I did not feel like a fish out of water. Harmonising within the work environment was easy for me as I did not type cast myself as a woman or expect any differential treatment.”

Being an artist at heart, creativity was intrinsic to me; this added to my ability to handle complex business problems in a more adept, inventive, ingenious and imaginative manner. Women’s ability to multitask and multi-process needs no elaboration; this added with heightened EQ and strong communication skills helps us to shine in whatever we undertake.

These skills are particularly important for people working in finance roles, where the choices we make can have a very real impact on people all across the organisation.

With digital transformation heralding the rise of automation in the workplace, these so-called soft skills are going to be even more important than ever. There will be less demand for skills like reading, database management and analytics as core skills, as artificial intelligence becomes advanced enough to take over these mundane tasks. As a result, those who excel at soft skills coupled with a multi-dimensional and creative personality will find themselves in demand.

Added to this, there has to be a deep curiosity to learn, commitment to hone and continuously master your skills and re-invent yourself. Learning and the continuous need to excel must never stop. Another important skill is to have the mental strength to manage both, good and bad days and have the ability to rise above and beyond the mundane.

While some of these skills come naturally to us, in many cases, they are carefully cultivated and developed over time through experience and practice – just the way I grew and honed them in my career.

Challenge the status-quo

Organisations need to recognise the value of diverse thinking and representation and use technology as an enabler to address challenges and biases. At Tata Communications, for example, we have recruited AI-based solutions to address the gender imbalance in the workforce – a common problem at all levels across most industries – by using an algorithm to eradicate any references to gender from the bio-data of the prospective employee.

“Competence and suitability for the role are the only criteria for any hiring across the organisation. We need to genuinely move away from looking at diversity as a mere tick in the box activity to embracing it whole heartedly in every realm of life.”

My career journey has been exciting, as I have consciously and continuously challenged myself by moving across industries and taking on challenging roles that have required me to step out of my comfort zone and push myself. Companies should adopt a similar attitude – by continuously differentiating their products, building their brand value but more importantly, embracing the rhythm of innovation and recruiting diverse talent, that goes beyond gender, for C-suite and other management roles.

The disruptive environment of today forces us to re-engineer ourselves to be better professionals and the many hats that women wear, allow us to bring different perspectives to solve today’s unique problems. From my own personal experiences and the different roles and responsibilities I have, I noticed that one has to keep re-innovating oneself to be a better mother, wife, friend and professional. This ability to re-invent and re-innovate sets one apart.

I would like to conclude with my favourite quote, “We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, so disciplined they can be free”.

Discover more about how tech is empowering women around the world.

The post Diverse thinking – The key to creativity and innovation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

With employee safety the first and foremost concern, and limitations on movement keeping most people away from the office, work from home (WFH) has become the much-discussed new normal globally for employees and contact center agents alike.

Organizations have rushed to support this newly distributed workforce as swiftly, seamlessly, and securely as possible to minimize business disruption.

It’s a tall order. Business users today have grown accustomed to collaborating with team members, partners, and customers from rich unified communications clients.

Executives expect the ability to access financial data and other mission-critical data as needed, without delay. Contact center agents work best when they have ready access to customer information and the corporate knowledge base integrated into their dashboards.

“Working from home can throw this all into disarray, leading to a nosedive in employee productivity, poor customer service, compliance breakdowns, security breaches, lost business opportunities, and more.”

Not surprisingly, organizations have addressed these challenges through a variety of strategies. Some have opted for scaling existing collaboration tools, while others have introduced new variants delivered from the cloud, and many are doing a mix of several options, often selected by end users.

Tata Communications has worked with its partners to provide free WFH offers for collaboration services, and a variety of remote agent solutions to keep contact centers running in accordance with business, policy, and security requirements.

Such measures have been critical — and reasonably successful — in keeping business rolling in the immediate term, but there is a real sense that much work remains.

“In the coming weeks and months, we expect most organizations to assess how well these emergency measures, as well as their legacy tools and services, supported the business, and re-formulate their collaboration and business continuity strategies for the long term.”

Responding to the COVID-19 crisis has allowed us to view things with a fresh perspective and discover opportunities.

One big thing that has become clear is that new collaboration tools are very much good enough to enable productivity and to replace tried-and-true, but siloed, infrastructure and services, and that users will embrace them.

Questions such as “Is cloud voice quality good enough for me to retire my IP telephony infrastructure?” or “Will my users adopt it?” will largely be resolved over the weeks of lockdown.

In the contact center space, whole new strategies are emerging to deliver a rich digital customer experience in an environment where a retail visit is not an option and transaction volumes are high.

This may have been a forced experiment, but many organizations will emerge from the current situation having identified and effectively piloted the technologies that can best address their requirements in the most challenging of circumstances.

The net result is that we may emerge from this crisis more willing to embrace change, and a clearer vision of how we want to do so. Whereas before the crisis, moving cautiously and sweating the existing assets as long as possible may have been viewed as a prudent, “low risk” strategy, many organizations will emerge from the ashes questioning the status quo.

“Having seen what the new stuff can do for their employees and their customers, they’ll be asking why not accelerate their strategy, embracing new technologies, and taking advantage of all the cloud has to offer.”

And having seen the limitations of their current technologies in a very real stress test, they will know that going back to the old way is not a viable option.

In this environment, we’re working with many of our customers to plan and start moving even before the dust settles, questioning all their legacy technologies and services and making the most of new options available.

Just a few of the things we’re thinking about are:

• Optimizing the network for remote connectivity across a distributed workforce and a greatly revised office footprint
• Facilitating collaboration among employees, supply chain partners, and customers — from anywhere and on any device
• Leveraging digital technologies to create a tremendous customer experience that can even differentiate the brand, whatever the transaction, and however the customer chooses to engage
• Ensuring compliance to company policy, privacy laws, and all relevant regulations
• Making sure everything is both scalable and secure as these changes are implemented

Obviously, the list could be a lot longer, and we find it’s unique for each business. The point is, challenging as the current environment may be, it is also creating unprecedented opportunities for change.

We expect a challenging business environment for some time to come, and Tata Communications is here to help you not only get through it, but also to thrive beyond it.

Discover more about how businesses can navigate the impact of COVID-19.

The post Rethinking ‘business as usual’ post-pandemic appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The COVID-19 pandemic has kept enterprises and their IT teams busy finding quick and effective ways to run their business while protecting their customers, partners and employees. Where some industries have been heavily impacted, others are striving and making every effort to maintain business continuity and not let this pandemic effect their services.

Network, video conferencing, OTT services, online medical consultation, hospital connectivity and communication – these critical services have never been more important than they are today – enabling businesses and essential services to function at a crucial time as people around the world try to find a semblance of normalcy through technology.

Protect what matters      

Most governments have mandated organisations to have their employees work from home. There is a large section of employees across the world who now need virtual access to their corporate network and corporate assets to be able to do their jobs. But the reality is, many enterprises don’t have basic perimeter security in place such as protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

“DDoS attacks are a threat to all web-facing setups. And currently, that includes pretty much every way of working.”

Hackers have spotted their chance

Attackers are taking every opportunity to run DDOS ransomware attacks and/or DDOS attacks to overwhelm an organisation’s traffic and services, targeting critical workloads with the intent to disrupt operations across key industries like healthcare, government, BFSI and IT/ITeS enterprises. A DDoS attack against an organisation is relatively easy to start and experts have estimated that running an attack can cost as little as $18 an hour using a cloud-based botnet of 1,000 desktops. On the other hand, for the organisation, a targeted DDoS against them can cost them up to thousands or millions of dollars.

Europol describes DDoS as “an accessible type of crime with limited barriers to entry because it is cheap and readily available”. As per a new report from Europol, we will see an increase in DDoS attacks during this pandemic period.

In the past month alone, there have been significant DDoS attacks on government bodies in the US and Australia and on hospitals in France and the Czech Republic. Clearly, no one is spared. The US Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) was hit with a massive DDoS attack. Hospitals in France and the Czech Republic – including those responsible for COVID-19 testing – were targeted by DDoS attacks which disrupted hospital systems. The Australian government announced that its online services portal, myGov, faced a significant DDoS attack which prevented users from accessing it for several hours. A food delivery service in Germany faced a bitcoin ransom attack which prevented it from providing food delivery services to people unable to go out.

These aren’t random attacks. They are targeted DDOS attacks where hackers and cyber criminals are deliberately compromising essential services such as hospitals and healthcare systems.

Enterprises aren’t safe either as these attackers are well aware of the importance of maintaining services during this time and know when best to attack and demand ransom. As work-from-home measures and lockdowns continue globally in response to COVID-19, the cybersecurity situation may well worsen.

In this COVID-19 world, there are new realities that IT teams need to understand before preparing to deal with these DDoS attacks:

1. A trend of longer and more frequent DDoS attacks is being noted. Most attackers are not successful because of new techniques, they are successful because they are persistent
2. Even with low volume attacks, VPN and firewall resources can be exhausted easily
3. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) VPNs are vulnerable to SSL flood DDOS attacks
4. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) flood attacks can easily overwhelm VPNs

“The fact that many of the systems being targeted are critical and their outages can lead to losses, some of which can be irreversible, it is important that we stand our best guard.”

So, what’s the best defence? 

Here are few tips for you to stay safe:

• Understand the warning signs: Most DDoS attacks start as sudden spikes in traffic, and it’s recommended to check your network configurations regularly and watch out for legitimate and illegitimate traffic on your network
• Make your user-based access controls robust by provisioning for more bandwidth than needed. Keep regular checks on servers hosting most important data. A second or third server will help offload the extra data in case of an attack on the main server
• Ensure your firewalls and routers are in modes that will prevent denial of service attacks. Enable and block SIP-based signatures firewall. If you are not using SIP services, then consider blocking the necessary ports at your perimeter
• Make use of DDoS detection programmes that will help detect a possible attack and activate a lock down for your systems before they are attacked
• Organisations should look to partner with service providers who are not only able to offer multi-layer cloud-based protection but who also enable real-time detection and mitigation, protecting critical assets using cloud signalling to raise an alarm during a volumetric attack. These service providers can help fix the gaps in your security strategy and ensure you stay current with new solutions and technology

Are you prepared?

Many enterprises are quickly realising that while they may be behind the curve when it comes to remote preparedness, now is the time to act and address vulnerabilities in their security. Whether it’s achieved through internal resources or in partnership with a managed security services provider, those companies that tighten up their perimeters before it’s too late are the ones who will fare best in the coming weeks and months of this fast-developing situation.

Cyber security analysts at Tata Communications have released a special advisory report on the COVID-19 cyber threats. Click on the link to know more about the threats facing organisations during this period and get recommendations on how to prevent criminals from getting access to your organisation.

The post How to prepare for the rise in DDoS attacks appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

The world is still coming to terms with the impact of COVID–19 which continues to change everything about life and work as we know it. People around the world are settling into new sociological frameworks governed by new sets of rules. As strange and unnatural as they are for many, people are learning to follow guidelines on social distancing and isolation set by governments and world health leaders.

If there is anything that a pandemic of this extent teaches us, it’s the resilience of human beings. On one hand, you have the everyday heroes – the healthcare professionals, public service workers, volunteers who stand on the front line to defend our kind, and on the other, you have people all around the world who continue to adapt to this situation and make adjustments in their day to day life. There is also much to be said about heroes who are keeping the digital world continually running 24/7, in a reality that has made reliable connectivity ever more important for a world that needs to stay connected.

“Innovation and technological advancements have ensured that we have the essentials needed to see through this pandemic.”

Virtual gatherings, remote learning, telehealth, work from home – as nations around the world practice social distancing, technology is what is enabling a sense of normalcy in these strange times.

Businesses too are being forced to adapt. Very sudden mass shifts in working patterns, market dynamics, supply chains and consumer demand would test any business. But in this challenging time, it’s more important than ever that businesses, logistics and supply chains continue to operate, so that citizens as well as healthcare workers can get the food, essentials and medical supplies they need to survive and also combat the virus.

“Under these circumstances, technology and digital infrastructure have a critical role to play in keeping the world connected more than ever before.”

At Tata Communications, we are swiftly adapting and responding in an agile manner ourselves – keeping our digital infrastructure running and secure, to enable the workforce to stay connected while also supporting the communication channels for mission critical services such as hospitals and emergency services.

Of course, any business today depends on connectivity, and this global event is testing companies’ abilities to fast track their digital transformation and pivot to embrace new ways of working via their use of technology. It’s not quite as simple as ensuring that employees have laptops and are empowered to work remotely. Connections need to be reliable, secure and stable. VPNs need to have the appropriate amount of bandwidth and throughput available so that they don’t hamper employees who are just trying to get a job done.

“The user experience on business-critical applications needs to achieve the same high standard remotely as it does in the office where it’s served by a full fibre connection.”

And last, but by no means least, the collaboration and video conferencing platform you now rely on for 90% of your communications must be fast and stable, with security built in.

This is where new age solutions such as NetFoundry become necessary. NetFoundry can enable quick, secure access and performance acceleration to an organisations’ applications in any location, from any device, using basic internet. It ensures users have high performing, reliable zero trust connectivity to their business resources.

It’s all about providing a consistent, quality experience to employees working remotely so that they can operate in the most productive way.

“Many businesses are now realising that enabling this type of agility – being able to switch your business to a distributed workforce almost overnight – requires careful forward planning and preparation.”

COVID-19 will accelerate digital transformation for many businesses, acting as an unwanted catalyst for change.Where for now the investment may be made in the hope of ensuring business survival, the good news is, that for many, investments made today to respond to the virus will help to future proof businesses and equip them for the medium and long-term.

While this pandemic is arguably a black swan event, COVID-19 is a lesson on the importance of ensuring business agility. As human beings around the world demonstrate their resilience and come together as one to beat this virus, businesses need to demonstrate a similar kind of resilience and corporate agility to see through this period, adapt to a new normal and come out stronger. Although the situation today is difficult, the skills needed to shift focus will act as good practice for companies facing similar situations in the future.

We can’t know yet what path this pandemic will take, or how the world will be changed, perhaps permanently, by the impact of the virus. But we do know that the crisis will eventually pass and enterprise focus on digital adoption and growth will continue.

“To borrow a pertinent phrase from the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus: ‘change is the only constant.'”

At this uncertain time, the businesses and people who can adapt in the smartest ways will make the best of the current climate, and will be well placed to thrive when the world changes again and our planet enters a new chapter – whenever that may be.

The post Why business agility matters more in uncertain times appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Enabling the next decade of progress

Traditional Wi-Fi and cellular networks are starting to show their age – while our appetite for always-on connectivity continues to grow. Tata Communications’ CTO Genius Wong examines the solutions that will enable people and businesses to make the most of emerging IoT technologies. In the first part of this two-part post, she takes a look at how global virtual private mobile networks could benefit the airline industry. In the second part, she discusses how reimagined mobile networks could power tomorrow’s connected cars.

The power of alliances in digital transformation

“Digital transformation is top of the agenda for any company hoping to tap into the potential offered by Business 4.0, but it’s not a process that can be undertaken lightly.”

In this post, Gopinathan Krishnaswami of Tata Consultancy Services explains the essential role partnerships have to play in the process, offering expertise and experience that can smooth complex transformation projects.

5 inventions that prove mistakes aren’t always a bad thing

Apart from how to accidentally stick your fingers together and elegantly descend a set of stairs, what can businesses learn from superglue and the Slinky? In this blog, Ankur Jindal, Tata Communications’ Vice President and Global Head of Corporate Venturing and Innovation, looks at five world-changing inventions that came about by accident and considers what they say about intrapreneurship and the wider benefits that a failure-friendly workplace culture can have.

Like the sound of these? We’ve launched a new monthly email newsletter delivering our best blogs direct to your inbox. Sign up below to make sure you never miss a thing!

The post Top blogs of the month: February appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

It’s no secret that women are chronically underrepresented in the technology industry. A 2018 McKinsey report found that women made up just 26% of the computing workforce in the US, with white and Asian men in particular disproportionately represented in comparison. The problem is exacerbated for black, Asian and minority ethnic women, who hold just 4% of technical roles in tech companies in the country, and are almost entirely absent from senior leadership positions.

Elsewhere, things look a bit better, with 35% of people in specialist technology roles in India being women. That also compares favourably to the UK, where the figure is just 17%.

“There are areas, though, where technology is having a positive impact on gender equality.”

In countries such as India, Egypt and South Korea – where women can face structural barriers that limit their ability to participate in society on the same level as their male counterparts – technology can help them overcome societal restrictions. Social media has also played a huge part in giving a voice to women in countries that traditionally don’t allow them opportunities to speak out. Women – especially those that live in isolated rural areas where patriarchal systems are particularly influential – have taken advantage of WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to join protest movements across the world.

Organisations such as Media Matters for Women (MMW) use technology to allow some of the world’s toughest-to-reach communities to join the global conversation. MMW currently operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone, with plans to expand into Liberia, Guinea, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, and uses podcasting technology and mobile phones to deliver news and information to women and girls in a way that taps into the continent’s culture of sharing music. Common topics include gender-based violence, teen pregnancy, participatory democracy and income generation, which then inspire discussions and help empower listeners to get involved.

Simply having access to a smartphone can have a transformative effect on the life of a woman living in an underserved region, particularly if they can use it to gain financial independence. In 2015, Tata Communications partnered with Trickle Up on its Mpowered project in Odisha and Jharkhand, providing 1,800 women living in extreme poverty with mobile phones loaded with a livelihoods coaching application. Along with the training required to use the devices, this not only led to an increase in their annual income, but gave the government and other providers a clearer idea of the day-to-day needs of their families. A similar Tata Communications project in Pune involved opening two digital literacy centres in partnership with the Idea Foundation to teach local women the basics of the internet and computer use.

In the Philippines, where 37% of municipalities have no banking facilities, many women who run home-based ‘sari-sari’ convenience stores now use Android smartphones to also offer mobile financial services to their customers, adding a valuable new revenue stream for themselves and contributing to the economic growth of their communities.

Similar success has been seen in Africa, where the mobile money service M-Pesa has 37 million users across seven countries. It allows people across the continent to carry cash more safely and send and receive payments securely via text message. Since its launch in 2007, the service has been credited with lifting 194,000 Kenyan households out of extreme poverty, but its impact has been particularly felt in those headed by women.

“According to a World Economic Forum report, improving gender parity can have a significant impact on global GDP – but there are still significant hurdles to overcome.”

Globally, 327 million fewer women than men have a smartphone, but the gaps are biggest in Africa (34% of women are less likely to own one than men) and South Asia (70% less likely).

In many places there are entrenched cultural and societal reasons for this disparity – so improving access, affordability and digital literacy for women can only help. Over time, this would see more women enter the technology industry too: innovations that come from gender diverse teams have been shown to have a greater impact with higher economic value, proving that everyone is set to benefit from closing the gap.

Read this blog post by Genius where she examines whether internet access should be seen as a fundamental human right.

The post How tech is empowering women around the world appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

With their fully glazed exteriors, the Edge in Amsterdam and Berlin’s 10-storey Cube look like many other recently constructed corporate offices, but both offer a sneak peek into what many buildings of the future might look like – both inside and out.

The two buildings are covered in sensors that monitor what’s going on inside, from the environmental conditions to which parts are occupied at any given time, so lights and climate control systems can be adjusted accordingly. Employees have a dedicated mobile app that helps them to find a free desk or meeting space, gives them access to various facilities, and allows them to tweak the temperature and light levels around where they’ve chosen to work that day. Even entry to the car park is completely automated, with lighting that only illuminates the area when it senses a human presence. Combined with solar panels on the facades and roofs of surrounding buildings, the Edge uses ​7​0 percent less electricity than a typical office premises.

Going green while generating new revenue streams

Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) to intelligently monitor how a building is used, combined with predictions based on weather and traffic conditions, allows building managers to anticipate the occupancy of the building on a day-by-day basis. This means catering staff can minimise waste, unused rooms can be skipped by the cleaners, and maintenance staff are warned in advance when repairs need to be made or office supplies need to be refilled.

Buildings like these stand out right now because they’re the exception rather than the rule, but they give us an idea of what to expect from our schools, offices and other public premises in the future.

“Soon all new buildings will intelligently monitor things like air quality and security, with IoT-enabled Building Management Systems getting more advanced as the amount of data generated goes up.”

Enhancing a building’s connectivity also creates completely new opportunities for businesses. Through new data capture and management capabilities of IoT, traditional electronics manufacturers and facilities management companies get the chance to transform their business models. New offerings, such as heating-as-a-service or lighting-as-a-service, enable them to generate new revenue streams while providing their customers with more customised and intelligent services. The extra data generated through such systems allow companies to save money and reduce their carbon footprint without inconveniencing staff. As businesses’ green credentials come under increasing scrutiny, this data can be leveraged for environmental profit and loss reporting too.

“The next step will be to expand the capabilities of connected buildings beyond their physical walls and connect with other buildings in the vicinity, joining up to the wider smart city infrastructure and IoT ecosystem.”

This will allow data to be used on a wider scale and enable the whole area to run more efficiently, rather than just individual premises. So, imagine driving to work, and as your connected car approaches the car park of the IoT-powered building, it will direct you to a free parking spot nearby, or alert you to a breakfast offer in the café in the lobby. If you’ll be the first to arrive, the air conditioning or heating on the floor will switch on from eco-mode to ensure you won’t be sweating or freezing as you take your seat.

Protecting connected buildings against cyber-threats

“Of course, any increased attack surface, whether it’s a connected car, an entire building, or just your home’s handful of smart light bulbs, raises the risk of a breach.”

Hackers don’t have much to gain from accessing your bedside lamp, but if more sensitive corporate data can be stolen by hacking into a building’s heating or parking system, it becomes a very appealing target for cyber criminals, making security more important than ever before.

The risk is two-fold which is why data must be protected both in motion (i.e. as it travels on an IoT network to the cloud and back) and at rest (i.e. within any connected device or ‘thing’). Private mobile networks, complemented by a global, virtual private mobile network with encrypted mobile-edge-to-cloud connectivity, help ensure the security and integrity of data across a range of applications, from a car to a connected building.

But what about buildings that have been around since the 1800s? Incorporating smart, secure IoT technology is relatively easy when starting from scratch but older buildings weren’t designed to be fitted with the sensors and networks, and doing so isn’t always possible, particularly if the building in question is particularly historic.

However, it’s not impossible. When New York City’s Empire State Building was completed in 1931 the Bakelite telephone was seen as cutting edge, but the skyscraper’s status as a prestige location for businesses has not waned as more modern buildings have sprung up around it. In order to address issues around intelligence and energy efficiency, the 102-storey building went through a $550m revamp, introducing a building management system that uses sensors to enable smart control over the climate and air quality based on the occupancy levels of specific areas. As a result, some offices within the building are now comparable to newly built green buildings in terms of energy consumption.

“According to a 2019 report by US think tank the EraNova Institute, what holds many buildings back from becoming smarter is their over-reliance on paper to manage critical systems such as electricity, plumbing and air conditioning.”

While a revamp the scale of the Empire State Building is a complex and costly undertaking, the returns on this investment are undeniable for building owners and managers, as well as businesses and people and the wider urban ecosystem. Digital transformation is the key to rebuilding our cities, no matter how old the foundations are.

Read Kim’s article on breaking down barriers for MVNOs in the IoT market. 

The post How IoT lays the foundations for the buildings of the future appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

In part 1, I discussed why overcoming connectivity problems is essential for enterprises readying to future-proof their business. The airline industry is just one example becoming ever more reliant on stable, secure connectivity without which there can be major issues with scheduling, leading to a big impact on the bottom line. In part 2, I deliberate why securing the transmission of data is of vital importance as the roll-out of connected cars continues.

Creating seamless connected car experiences

The combination of a private mobile network and a global virtual private mobile network can underpin a connected car ecosystem through borderless IoT connectivity too.

So, by extending the closed network of a smart factory to the outside world with embedded SIMs (eSIM) built in vehicles, the whole ecosystem – including automotive dealerships, insurers and retailers – can become globally, seamlessly and securely connected.

Global virtual private mobile connectivity helps safeguard new innovative connected car services too. Telematics, infotainment, vehicle safety systems and driver assistance services, as well as V2X (vehicle-to-everything) applications such as parking control systems and emergency services all depend on the security and integrity of data.

“With a wealth of information being received and sent every moment by these applications, encrypted, private, mobile-edge-to-cloud connectivity is the armour that connected cars need.” 

Secure data capture also helps pave the way for an enhanced, personalised driving experience and new revenue streams across the connected car ecosystem, because a virtual private mobile network gives automotive manufacturers the flexibility to connect different applications in different ways. Some of them, such as infotainment, rely on high speed network connectivity – but manufacturers may be willing to compromise on speed if the cost is too high. After all, sharing relevant retail offers over a navigation system is a nice-to-have, not a must, unlike more critical applications such as telematics. For these applications, they want continuous high-quality connectivity to ensure safety, no matter the cost.

“Through a virtual private mobile network, automotive manufacturers have the freedom and control to manage their own connectivity for these different use cases.”

Traditional public mobile networks don’t give them this flexibility.

Empowering enterprises to take back control

Going forwards, the crucial piece of the puzzle for enterprises to innovate through mobility and IoT is going to be intelligently applying the technology available.

Getting this right, however, means they need more visibility and control over their networks, and more reliable and secure connectivity. A global, virtual private mobile network can act as an intelligent digital infrastructure foundation for enterprises, as more and more people go mobile, ‘things’ get connected, and more businesses become cloud-first and mobile-first.

I believe that re-imagined mobile connectivity like this will transform the way people live and the way businesses operate in the next decade and beyond.

If you missed the first part of this blog you can find it here.

The post Enabling the next decade of progress – part 2 appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

This year marks the first of a new decade and I would be remiss if I didn’t reflect on the changing nature of connectivity during the last ten years. It has been interesting to witness the evolution of people and businesses’ relationship with data and connectivity – for example, the ongoing debate around privacy, security and access.

The issue with WiFi and traditional cellular connectivity

Traditionally, most enterprises have relied on WiFi to enable different mobile connectivity services and even Internet of Things (IoT) applications within the shop, warehouse, factory or office – but its shortcomings are evident.

“The main challenge is that WiFi lacks reliability and security.”

So, many enterprises are increasingly using traditional cellular networks to enable their mobile-first strategies. Yet, what enterprises gain in reliability and security with this approach, they sacrifice in terms of visibility and control. Cellular coverage can also be patchy: an enterprise may see poor performance in certain locations, as international connectivity is dependent on their mobile network operator’s roaming partners.

“I expect that, to overcome these limitations, more and more enterprises will turn to using private mobile networks, complemented by a global, virtual private mobile network.”

This powerful combination puts control back in the hands of enterprises, enabling them to capture, move and manage data seamlessly around the world, not just inside the organisation but between their customers and partners too. Crucially, as cyber-attacks grow in volume and complexity while more and more ‘things’ get connected, this combination ensures data security too.

Transforming air travel with global virtual private mobile networks

Increasingly all businesses rely on low-latency connectivity, but no more so than the airline industry. There are a lot of ‘things’ and people that need seamless connectivity at an airport, from luggage tracking to electronic flight bags. It’s also an environment that depends on punctuality, which is only possible through instant and continuous access to data. All of this puts pressure on public cellular and WiFi networks.

Through re-imagined mobile connectivity, airlines are able to gain real-time visibility over this critical infrastructure in real-time and overcome common network performance issues at airports. This ensures that cabin crew and pilots have more reliable connectivity, no matter where they’ll land.

“It gives them seamless access to crucial data such as passenger manifests, catering stock information, flight plans and fuel requirements, which makes ground handling more efficient and improves turn-around times.”

The additional challenge in airports is that any IT failure, loss of connectivity or a security breach can cause costly delays that lead to customer dissatisfaction and fines. We saw several examples of this in 2019, for example the British Airways IT failure that resulted in 500 flights being either cancelled or delayed in the high holiday season in August. Just two hours of unplanned aircraft maintenance can cost anything up to US$150,000, so in these types of scenarios, the high performance, reliability and security of a private mobile network with dedicated bandwidth can be hugely beneficial.

The airline industry is not the only form of travel enterprise to which reliable and secure connectivity is  integral. In part two of this blog, I will explore how the combination of a private mobile network and a global virtual private mobile network can underpin a connected car ecosystem through borderless IoT connectivity, and how businesses can take back control of their infrastructure.

Read part 2 of this blog here.

The post Enabling the next decade of progress – part 1 appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

When bacteriologist Alexander Fleming returned from a holiday in 1928 to find mould growing on one of his petri dishes, he probably thought his experiment was destined for the bin. But when closer inspection revealed that the mould had inhibited the growth of bacteria around it, the most famous accidental discovery in history was born.

Penicillin was the first true antibiotic, heralding the start of a new age in medicine, but at first glance the circumstances surrounding its development were a complete failure. While the events that led to it might seem like a one-off, the lessons Fleming’s discovery teaches us about innovation are still relevant to modern businesses nearly a century later.

“Instead of treating unexpected outcomes as failures, learning lessons from mistakes and making them an acceptable part of an organisation’s culture can lead to the biggest breakthroughs of all.” 

Penicillin wasn’t the first (or last) unintentional invention. Countless other everyday items have come about as the result of a happy accident, proving that sometimes failure is the path to success and exploring new paths can be beneficial to all – even when the results aren’t exactly as intended.

X-rays

In 1895, experienced German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen was alone in his lab experimenting with a Crookes tube – a puzzling device that emitted a strange glow when a large voltage difference was set between the anode and cathode inside it.

Röntgen realised that it was also giving off a new type of radiation that could pass through solid objects and make them appear transparent on a screen. When he held his hand between them, he could see the outline of his bones, changing the way doctors would evaluate patients forever.

Pacemaker

One thing that will definitely show up in an x-ray is an implanted cardiac pacemaker, a life-saving device that was also invented by accident. In 1956, American electrical engineer Wilson Greatbatch was building a device to record heartbeats, but after he fitted the wrong resistor it started to emit electrical pulses instead.

Previous implantable pacemakers had failed after a matter of hours or days, making them impractical, but the mercury battery powering Greatbatch’s invention lasted up to two years, with further advancements increasing the lifetime of the devices – and by extension their patients – even further.

Super Glue

Super Glue has been accidentally sticking fingers together since 1958 but inventor Harry Coover first discovered its highly adhesive properties when he was trying to develop transparent plastic gun sights for Allied soldiers during World War II.

While it was too sticky for the army, Coover stumbled across the substance again nine years later when working on

a project to make heat-resistant seals for jet canopies, and its commercial potential was finally realised. Soldiers in Vietnam also used it to seal wounds on the battlefield, leading to a less toxic version being developed for medical use.

Microwave oven

The microwave oven has revolutionised cooking since its invention in 1946 – but it only exists because of a melted chocolate bar.

Percy Spencer was an engineer working on radar technology at a company called Raytheon during World War II.

“While testing the power level of a magnetron tube one day he discovered his lunchtime snack had become a gooey mess in his pocket.”

After an egg he put underneath the tube also exploded, he brought in some corn kernels to pop and every lazy cook’s dream came true.

Slinky

Everybody’s favourite toy spring actually began life in the US Navy. In 1943, Richard James was working on a system to stabilise a ship’s instruments in choppy seas, when he knocked a spring off a shelf.

Noticing how it neatly arced to the floor, the naval engineer thought he had the makings of a good toy. After deciding on 80 feet of steel coiled in a two-inch spiral, he had a local machine shop produce 400 Slinkys and put them on sale in a Philadelphia department store. They sold out in less than two hours.

The Slinky even had a second accidental use when soldiers during the Vietnam War used them as ultra-portable, hyper-extendable antenna for their radios.

“Some of history’s most life-changing inventions (and a classic toy) have come from those aiming for one thing and discovering another.”

Under different circumstances, these experiments could have been seen as failures, but with the right approach all became far more successful than ever imagined.

Failure is crucial to finding success – it’s how you deal with it when it happens that matters. That’s why Tata Communications created its Shape the Future initiative, which is designed to fan the flames of innovation and incubate the best ideas from within the company – with support to clear every hurdle on the way.

While organisations will always have key objectives to meet, fostering an environment of intrapreneurship and encouraging employees to experiment without fear of failure could lead to your business creating the next big thing – even if it does happen completely by mistake.

Read Ankur’s previous blog post about how to unlock innovation in middle management here.

The post 5 inventions that prove mistakes aren’t always a bad thing appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

We now know that digitisation is not an option for organisations anymore – it’s a necessity. To enable complete and successful digital transformation, companies are investing heavily into their technology infrastructure. Whether transitioning to cloud-based platforms or using new solutions to analyse the vast amount of data at their fingertips, this investment is worthless unless their employees have the skills to utilise the new tools available to them.

But the problem faced by many companies is that a big proportion of the workforce, especially those in their 30s, 40s and 50s, often haven’t had any training let alone formal education related to new technologies.

“This means that businesses must take on the role of educator if their digital transformation is to be a success. This is critical for businesses’ competitiveness.”

Skilled workforce also plays a major role in an organisation’s ability to leverage technology to its full potential. For example, AI has the potential to be both threat as well as opportunity for employees, depending on how its utilised. AI can take over more rule-based tasks and help free up time of employees for more evolved duties. It can create new roles, albeit ones that don’t exist yet. In fact, Gartner predicts that AI will actually create more jobs than it replaces. However, it should be noted that in this new world our new automated colleagues will require special supervision that can only be provided by someone with the necessary skills.

“Skill development isn’t restricted to the organisational level either – countries have identified it as a means for growth too.”

While not every country can afford to invest $22 billion in new technology like China, many around the world are setting aside funds to upskill their workforce and prepare their industries for the changing technological landscape.

In the UK, where lower-skilled jobs in the north and the Midlands are thought to be most at risk from automation, a government scheme will help affected workers by retraining them for roles that are better-suited to the evolving economy. Experts are urging people to see the benefits of the shift, with automation freeing them up to use their brains for things that robots aren’t capable of – like creativity or emotionally led roles.

In France, the government is planning to invest nearly €1.5 billion in AI. New education programmes aim to double the number of students in this field by 2020, while there are already measures in place to familiarise school children with the technology ecosystem. With some of the world’s largest tech companies, including Microsoft, Facebook and IBM, building AI labs in Paris, and others choosing France for their R&D centres thanks to the quality of French engineering, there are already clear pathways emerging for those that do choose to study in these areas. The plan is to close the skills gap in the long term, with public and private sector collaborations designed to attract young people to careers in tech spheres and increase the availability of digital training for people of all ages.

On the other hand, across the border in Germany, very few people have proper hands-on experience with innovations like AI, blockchain and IoT. So, digital transformation can be a difficult journey for German businesses to embark on, let alone complete successfully. That’s why the government has dedicated almost €3 billion to AI and related applications.

“It’s an important first step, but organisations also need to make sure that talent isn’t tempted to leave Germany and head to other countries with a better reputation for innovation.”

Looking outside of Europe, in the United States, home to many of the world’s leading tech firms, companies are investing in courses to train people for the many roles that they currently struggle to fill. Last year, Google launched

an IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera, an online learning portal. It’s designed to equip anyone with the skills needed for an entry level IT job in as little as eight months – and in the first 10 weeks 18,000 people had enrolled, many of them without college degrees. Having the Google name attached helps, of course, but with major employers also available for newly qualified people to submit their CVs to directly, it also offers a clear pathway to potential work.

Meanwhile, Facebook’s Community Boost initiative aims to equip people across the USA with the digital skills needed to compete in the new economy, teaching small businesses in 30 cities how to make the most of what the internet offers.

Many businesses in emerging markets have realised the importance of upskilling too. In India, Quantified Commerce, a direct-response e-commerce company that launched in 2014, has set up an internal training programme after finding it difficult to recruit staff at management level.

The courses are designed to equip staff with the skills they need to stay relevant in the digital age, with particular focus on automation, AI and machine learning.

“As the speed of innovation gathers momentum, there may well come a point where people must retrain for a new role several times during their career as a reaction to newly adopted technologies, but businesses that embrace upskilling early will put themselves in the best position to thrive.”

Getting into this habit now can only be beneficial for the future.

Conquer your fear of digital transformation failure with this article by Srini CR.

The post Upskilling: Not Just an option for organizations appeared first on Tata Communications New World.

Business 4.0^TM – a framework of business behaviours that optimises the digital advantage to create customer value – is one of the most significant overhauls that an organisation can undertake. This not only needs investment in new digital technologies, but also a vital change in an organisation’s culture. To reap the maximum benefits of Business 4.0 – which includes flexibility, agility and increased productivity – the business and its leaders must adopt new behaviours to make the most of these technologies, and thus, create customer value. For example, digital technologies have enabled new levels of agility and flexibility allowing businesses to embrace riskier opportunities.

Adapting to digital transformation requires large-scale restructuring and change not only in processes but also in business planning.

“Digital technologies have created a landscape that promises high returns on risks taken and virtually no growth for ‘safe’ options, as it gives the competition an easy victory.”

To maximise digital advantage, businesses need to think big and focus on the potential value to the customer.

But digital transformation is not an easy process, and if not handled correctly, it can be difficult to sustain in the long term, even for organisations in digital savvy industries such as media and telecoms. Deployment and maintenance can be costly, both in time and money; legacy systems need to be integrated or replaced; and talent needs to be constantly upskilled. As increasing amounts of data are created and communicated, security and privacy become even more crucial than before, both for employees and customers.

One solution to tackle the challenges of digital transformation is to leverage strong, well-defined partnerships. Selecting the correct partner(s) allows organisations to focus on what it does best. It also offers the necessary expertise, experience, and support to deliver business results for digital transformation.

Pairing up

All the expertise and experience for digital transformation may not reside with one single partner.

Businesses need integrated solutions for complex transformation projects.

“Not only do strong technology partnerships provide integrated solutions and enable organisations to overcome their technical limitations, they can also help businesses grow.”

They can do so by creating value, lowering deployment time and reducing total cost of ownership, improving customer experience and enabling borderless growth by opening up new markets across the globe. This often needs a strong base built on seamless digital IT services and digital infrastructure.

Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) works with strategic partners like Tata Communications to build end-to-end integrated solutions. All of these solutions are tailored for each customer depending on their needs, whether they work in manufacturing, retail, financial services and insurance, consumer packaged goods, high-tech or utilities.

For example, a major deep-water drilling contractor, managed from London but with remote rig locations across the world, struggled for consistent IT experience and stable connectivity. Tata Communications along with TCS helped consolidate the firm’s network and applications. The joint applications and business support services, combined with a managed hybrid WAN with Tata Communications’ IZO SDWAN, meant that the company now enjoys smooth business processes empowered by seamless connectivity in all locations.

In another case, TCS and Tata Communications helped transform customer experience for one of the world’s largest beverage manufacturers.

“The solution involved installing a global cloud-based contact centre using a hybrid connectivity platform to connect agents across 11 locations, all under a single service level agreement.”

The joint solution addressed the infrastructure as well as the application layer, including interactive voice response (IVR), high-availability call recording and speech analytics.

The right partnerships can help organisations function in a more intelligent, agile and automated fashion, otherwise known as Business 4.0. This not only helps in the short term but will ensure that they are ready for the added benefits that will come from technologies such as 5G and more sophisticated artificial intelligence. Ultimately, collaborating with the right team improves a business offer. Just like a restaurant owner would design a better menu with a chef or a carpenter could build a better house with an architect, digitally transforming a business enhances the infrastructure, efficiency and most importantly, service to customers.

Find out more about how the Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Communications partnership allows organisations to leverage global WAN capabilities across a range of industries here.

The post The power of alliances in digital transformation appeared first on Tata Communications New World.