Monthly Archives: September 2024

Business Finance

5 Financial Metrics for Business Success

The financial health of a business must be prioritised if it is to meet its objectives and sustain long-term success. This involves assessing key aspects of its operations such as its profitability, cash flow, liquidity, and debt levels to evaluate where improvements can be made to optimise performance. 

By keeping a close eye on various financial metrics, a business can not only thrive during the good times but also ensure its resilience through more challenging times. In this article, we will outline five key financial metrics that reveal the financial health of a business and can give it the insight it needs to ensure its continued survival and growth.

Gross Profit Margin

This metric reveals the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting the cost of goods sold (COGS). It looks at every dollar a business generates in revenue, and calculates how much of that dollar went towards costs of production such as materials and manufacturing.

Gross profit margin = (Revenue – COGS)/Revenue x 100

This metric can tell a business how efficient its operations are, with a high margin indicating greater overall efficiency.

Net Profit Margin

This is a key metric in determining a business’s profitability. It measures the percentage of profit made from every dollar of revenue generated after all expenses including taxes, payroll, and other operating costs have been deducted. It is calculated as follows:

Net profit margin = Net profit/Total Revenue x 100

A high net profit margin reveals a business is making healthy profits relative to its revenue. In contrast, a low net profit margin indicates a business needs to lower its expenses or look for ways to generate more revenue to improve its profitability.

Debt-to-Equity (DE) Ratio

The DE Ratio measures the level of debt a company has in relation to the equity invested by its shareholders.  It is calculated as follows:

DE Ratio= Total liabilities/Shareholder equity

A high DE ratio shows a business is highly leveraged which could put it at risk of financial instability due to high interest repayments and an increased chance of defaulting on its loans. If your business is experiencing financial difficulties, BABR offers a range of solutions that can help businesses navigate and resolve these challenges.

Cash Flow Ratio

This key metric measures how liquid a business is and its ability to meet its financial obligations. It monitors the inflow and outflow of cash in a business, revealing its ability to meet short-term liabilities such as payroll, interest payments and other day-to-day expenses.

Cash Flow Ratio = Operating Cash Flow / Current Liabilities

The higher this ratio, the more financially stable a business is.

Return on Investment (ROI)

ROI measures how well an investment performs by calculating its return relative to its cost. It is an important metric when deciding whether to invest in a new initiative or project as it assesses the efficiency of that investment. ROI is calculated as follows:

ROI= Net profit/Cost of Investment x 100

An ROI greater than 100% shows that an investment is profitable as any gains generated exceed the costs of the investment. In contrast, an ROI below 100% is not profitable, as any gains do not exceed the investment costs.

By tracking these key metrics a business can proactively manage its finances and make adjustments where needed.

 

Business Finance

Reducing Fleet Costs: Maintenance Tips for Small Business Owners

For small business owners, fleet management can be one of the most significant operating expenses. From fuel consumption to repairs, managing a fleet often feels like a constant balancing act. But it doesn’t have to be. Implementing some strategic maintenance practices can not only extend the lifespan of your vehicles but also reduce costs dramatically. A crucial aspect of this is understanding the importance of proper vehicle maintenance, particularly for components like the catalytic converter. In this guide, we’ll cover general fleet maintenance tips and also dive into specifics like maintaining the catalytic converter in vehicles like the Ford Focus MK3, to help you save money and improve efficiency.

 

  1. Prioritize Regular Maintenance Checks

Regular maintenance is key to preventing costly breakdowns. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections. By scheduling routine checks, you can spot potential issues before they turn into expensive problems. For instance, catching a minor engine issue early can prevent a complete engine failure later down the road. Regularly maintaining your vehicles also ensures optimal fuel efficiency, which is a major cost-saving factor in fleet management.

 

  1. Keep an Eye on the Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter plays an essential role in reducing harmful emissions from your vehicles. A malfunctioning catalytic converter can cause a drop in fuel efficiency and even lead to fines for failing emission tests. For vehicles like the Ford Focus MK3, keeping the catalytic converter in good working order is especially important for reducing emissions and optimizing fuel use.

Example picture of Ford Focus St Mk3 catalytic converter from Buycarparts UK

One way to prolong the life of the catalytic converter is by ensuring the engine is running smoothly. Misfiring spark plugs or a faulty oxygen sensor can send unburned fuel into the exhaust system, damaging the catalytic converter over time. Replacing these smaller parts when needed is far cheaper than having to replace the entire converter.

 

  1. Check for Signs of Catalytic Converter Issues

It’s important to stay proactive in checking for signs that the catalytic converter might need attention. Common symptoms include reduced fuel efficiency, strange rattling noises, or the “Check Engine” light coming on. If you experience any of these issues in a Ford Focus MK3, it’s wise to get the vehicle inspected promptly. Early intervention can save you from the high cost of replacing the catalytic converter and help avoid excess fuel costs due to reduced efficiency.

 

  1. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Maintaining the correct tire pressure is a small task that can make a big difference. Underinflated tires increase fuel consumption and wear out faster. Regularly checking and inflating tires to the recommended pressure can help maximize fuel efficiency and extend tire life, ultimately saving you money on replacements and fuel.

 

  1. Utilize Fleet Management Software

Technology can be a powerful ally in reducing fleet costs. Fleet management software helps small business owners track vehicle health, schedule maintenance, and monitor fuel usage. These tools can provide data-driven insights that enable you to make smarter, more cost-effective decisions for your fleet.

 

By following these maintenance tips, small business owners can reduce fleet costs significantly. Taking care of critical components like the catalytic converter in vehicles such as the Ford Focus MK3 will not only lower emissions-related costs but also help improve overall fuel efficiency.

 

Automotive

What to take a look at Before Buying a Pre-owned Business Vehicle: An Exhaustive Agenda

Purchasing a pre-owned car for business purposes can be a brilliant monetary choice, yet it’s vital to get your work done to stay away from expected entanglements. Whether you’re searching for a smaller vehicle or a hard-core van, an exhaustive review can assist you with setting aside cash over the long haul and guarantee you get a solid vehicle that meets your business needs. Here is an agenda of key things to check before you make all necessary endorsements.

 

  1. Assess the Vehicle’s Set of experiences

The most important phase in evaluating a pre-owned business vehicle is to look at its set of experiences. Administrations like Carfax or AutoCheck can give a point-by-point report on the vehicle’s past, including mishap records, mileage precision, past possession, and any reviews. Knowing whether a vehicle has been in a mishap or has had significant fixes assists you with measuring the vehicle’s dependability and life span.

 

  1. Search for Outside Body Harm

Investigating the outside of a pre-owned business vehicle is vital. Stroll around the vehicle and cautiously inspect the body for gouges, scratches, or indications of rust. These could demonstrate disregard or unfortunate upkeep. Give close consideration to the paintwork and arrangement of boards, as confused paint or lopsided holes could be indications of a past crash fix.

 

  1. Take a look at the Bumper for Harm

With regards to utilized business vehicles, something as straightforward as checking the guard could save you from costly fixes not too far off. In particular, examining the bumper of a vehicle like an Audi A1 can uncover a ton about the vehicle’s set of experiences.

Picture of an Audi A1 bumper from Car Parts Online

 

Search for indications of harm like breaks, scrapes, or free connections. A bumper that seems to have been supplanted or inadequately fixed could demonstrate that the vehicle was engaged in a minor crash. While this may not be a dealbreaker, it’s quite significant, as reliable harm or disregard could recommend the vehicle hasn’t been in capable hands.

 

  1. Assess the Tires and Brakes

Tires and brakes are basic for the well-being and execution of a vehicle. Begin by checking the tire track profundity and searching for any lopsided wear. Assuming the tires are worn unevenly, it could show arrangement issues or suspension issues. Additionally, ensure all tires are of a similar brand and type.

 

  1. take a look at the Inside Condition

The state of the inside is often ignored, however, it’s a significant component when purchasing a business vehicle. All things considered, within the vehicle is where you or your workers will invest the vast majority of their energy. Look at the seats for unnecessary mileage, stains, or horrendous scents. Ensure every one of the electrical parts, for example, the radio, cooling, and windows are working appropriately.

 

  1. Test the Motor and Transmission

Begin the vehicle and pay attention to the motor. It ought to begin flawlessly with next to no odd commotions like thumping or ticking. Try to check the dashboard for any advance notice lights that could show motor difficulty.

 

  1. Analyze the Mileage

Mileage is one of the main elements while assessing a pre-owned car. A vehicle with high mileage might have gone through more mileage, however, that doesn’t generally mean it’s a terrible speculation. Think about the age of the vehicle and contrast the mileage and the normal for that model. Assuming the mileage appears to be bizarrely high or low, pose inquiries about the vehicle’s set of experiences.

 

  1. Hire a Technician for an Expert Review

At last, it’s dependably really smart to have a believed technician examine the vehicle before making a buy. An expert review can uncover any secret issues that probably won’t be promptly clear during a test drive or visual check. The technician can survey the motor, transmission, and by and large vehicle wellbeing to give you inner harmony before buying.

 

Business Advice

Maximizing the Resale Value of Your Company’s Cars: Tips for Small Businesses

For independent ventures, keeping up with the worth of organization vehicles is vital for diminishing long-haul costs and getting a decent return when now is the right time to sell. Whether you own a little armada or only a couple of vehicles, dealing with these vehicles can have a tremendous effect on their resale esteem. By zeroing in on standard support and tending to key parts like headlights, for example, those on a VW Polo, you can assist with holding esteem and work on your possibilities of selling at a greater cost. Here are a few reasonable tips for private ventures to expand resale esteem.

 

Stay aware of Standard Support

One of the best ways of keeping up with resale esteem is by guaranteeing that your vehicles get standard support. An indisputable help history makes your vehicle more interesting to purchasers. Ordinary undertakings like oil changes, brake checks, and tire turns might appear to be normal, yet they assume an urgent part in keeping the vehicle with everything looking great after some time. Purchasers are bound to believe a vehicle that has been reliably focused on, can prompt higher offers when now is the right time to sell.

 

Upgrade or Repair Key Components

Little redesigns or fixes can likewise essentially affect resale esteem, particularly concerning significant parts like headlights. Over the long run, headlights can become faint or yellow, influencing both the vehicle’s appearance and its usefulness. A vehicle with clear, splendid headlights looks more current as well as feels more secure to drive. For example, replacing or maintaining the VW Polo headlight in the source could make a noticeable difference in how the car presents to buyers.

 

Headlights that have lost their force can frequently be reestablished, making the vehicle look fresher without a significant venture. There are reasonable choices for either supplanting the headlights altogether or reestablishing their clearness with straightforward fix packs. If you’re wondering how to go about it, AUTODOC guides how to restore headlights explained by AUTODOC, helping you restore headlight intensity and improve the overall look of your vehicle.

 

Perfect, Clean, and Detail

The state of your vehicle’s inside and outside can likewise significantly affect resale esteem. A perfect, very much kept-up vehicle is more appealing as well as feels more dependable to expected purchasers. Before posting your vehicle available to be purchased, give it a careful cleaning, both all around. Focus on frequently neglected regions like the seats, dashboard, and rugs. The outside ought to likewise be cleaned and waxed to make the paint sparkle. These little advances can have a major effect on how your vehicle is seen, possibly prompting a superior proposition.

 

Record All Fixes and Upkeep

Purchasers are bound to follow through on a fair cost for a vehicle assuming they feel certain that it’s been appropriately focused on. Keeping itemized records of all fixes and upkeep shows imminent purchasers that the vehicle has been very much kept up with. This incorporates any work done to key parts like the headlights or the tires. Recording these updates can likewise assist with legitimizing a higher asking cost since it gives consolation that the vehicle is all ready.

 

Choose the Right Time to Sell

Timing can also play a role in maximizing your car’s resale value. According to Carmula about car resale value, the market for used cars fluctuates based on seasonality and demand. For example, SUVs might sell better in the winter, while sedans or smaller cars could be more in demand during warmer months. By keeping an eye on market trends and choosing the right time to sell, you can increase the chances of getting a higher price for your vehicle.

 

Mental Health

New Film Will Help Shine A Light On Mental Ill Health 

A new film will help “shine a light on mental ill health” and support many who are suffering in silence.

That’s the view of an author and journalist who is overseeing PR and publicity for the groundbreaking project.

Nick Owens, a former Sunday Mirror journalist, is heading up comms for A Day With An Eating Disorder.

Written and produced by the author Lynn Crilly, it will feature Sid Owen, Bobby Davro, Paul Cooper, Mikyla Dodd and Jessica Impiazzi.

The film – released next year – focuses on the struggles those living with eating disorders have to grapple with.

It also shines a light on a number of other mental health ill issues affecting hundreds of thousands of people across the UK.

Journalist Nick Owens, the former deputy editor of the Sunday Mirror, said: “This important project will help bring hope and support to many people who are currently suffering in silence.

“Magnify PR is looking forward to sharing more details about this project very soon.”

A Day With An Eating Disorder is being produced by filmmaker Lynn Crilly, an author and counsellor who specialises in supporting those living with conditions including anorexia and bulimia.

Her daughter Samanta will star in the film and comes 20 years after Sam was diagnosed with an eating disorder and OCD. Lynn, author of Hope With Eating Disorders, says the film is needed to provide a voice to those suffering and their carers.

For more information visit www.lynncrilly.com

Sport

New Bruno Film Shows Why He Is A National Treasure

A new film featuring Frank Bruno underlines why the retired world champ is a “national treasure”.

That’s the view of Frank’s ghost-writer, journalist Nick Owens, who helped the star pen two bestselling memoirs, Let Me Be Frank, and Sixty Years A Fighter.

Bruno is now centre stage in the new Amazon Prime film,  Four Kings, which tells the story of Frank, Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.

Frank’s appearance comes as he continues to fight for a greater understanding of mental ill health.

His charity, the Frank Bruno Foundation, which Magnify PR supports, has helped thousands of people.

Nick Owens,  the former deputy editor of the Sunday Mirror said: “Four Kings is a powerful and brilliant film which tells the story of an iconic period in British boxing. Anyone unsure as to why Frank Bruno is, and always will be, a national treasure just needs to watch this film.”

In his new book Sixty Years A Fighter Frank talks about his ongoing fight. Fellow boxing icons Tyson Fury and Ricky Hatton – who have gone through their own mental health battles – also share their experiences in the memoir.

“I’ve been there and got the t-shirt,” Frank said. “That’s why I wanted to start a Foundation that helps people in a different kind of way. We use exercise and non contact boxing in our centres to show people there is a different option than just taking a tablet. Although medication works for some, many doctors are dishing out pills too freely. And, for many, this causes more aggro than it solves.

“The Government needs to spend some proper money on ensuring those suffering can get a different kind of service. If you break your arm or leg you can go to hospital and get it fixed. But if your mind is busted then you have to go home and sort it out on your own. That’s not right.”

News

PANASONIC INCREASES OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY & PRODUCTION CAPACITY FOR INCAP UK

Two AM100 placement machines and NPM-GP/L high-precision printer have increased Incap UK’s overall production efficiency by 33% through quicker machine placement and high-resolution vision recognition systems.

September 2024 – Global electronics full-service manufacturer, Incap UK, has upgraded its first production line with two core elements of Panasonic Factory Solutions’ autonomous factory concept. Panasonic’s NPM-GP/L and AM100 machines have boosted Incap UK’s overall production efficiency, accuracy, and capacity by 33% through quicker machine placement, and high-resolution vision recognition systems.

Based in a 4,400m2 factory in Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK, Incap UK provides end-to-end electronics manufacturing services for customers of all sizes, from large multinationals and mid-size companies to small start-ups. It provides a full turnkey product supply, including printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), electro-mechanical assembly, cable and wire harness assembly, and a dedicated standalone rapid prototyping facility.

A production line for the future

Panasonic’s market-leading AM100 placement machine offers exceptional reliability and flexibility. This Surface Mounted Technology (SMT) solution is designed to meet the evolving demands of modern production environments. With just one machine, manufacturers can initiate production, and as needs grow, scale to seamlessly integrate additional units or technologies as required.

The fully-automated, high precision NPM-GP/L stencil printer provides high-quality printing, delivering remarkable printing repeatability and consistent precision. It supports both automated model changeover to streamline the transition between different production runs, and in-time machine monitoring to minimise downtime. The fully automated printing process significantly increases production uptime and ensures the production of non-defective items. This maximises Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

The NPM-GP/L is part of the latest Panasonic NPM G Series of SMT production systems. These are designed to respond to customer supply and demand changes in real-time through continuous, autonomous updates – helping to make the autonomous factory a reality.

Increased production flexibility and efficiency

As a contract manufacturer that needs to quickly meet customer requirements to stay competitive, production flexibility is key for Incap UK. Thanks to Panasonic, it can now also produce larger PCBs (up to 510x460mm), deliver enhanced screen-printing accuracy, including paste traceability and inspection quality, and improve transparency around material control.

Jamie Maughan, Managing Director at Incap UK: “Our investment in Panasonic’s technology has improved our SMT efficiency, production quality, and site technology. Additionally, it allows for energy savings through real-time intelligent machine monitoring. These are vital for our production lines, helping us better serve our current and future customers, whilst allowing us to meet our sustainability, quality, profit, and efficiency targets.”

Stefan Hauck, Head of Marketing at Panasonic Factory Solutions, adds: “The adoption of Panasonic’s scalable, high-mix intelligent SMT solutions is already delivering tangible cost savings for Incap UK. As a trusted partner for the future, Panasonic will continue to deliver cutting-edge SMT technologies for Incap UK, strengthening its position as a leading electronics manufacturer that will help it to provide operational excellence for its customers.”

To learn more about Incap UK’s investment in Panasonic technology, read the case study, here: From Efficiency to Sustainability: Incap’s Strategic Move to Advanced SMT Machinery in the UK | Panasonic Connect

About the Panasonic Group

Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022 with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of Euro 54.12 billion (8,496.4 billion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2024. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH

Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Hiroyuki Nishiuma, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.

Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consist of the following business units:

  • The Mobile Solutions Business Division helping mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
  • The Media Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offering a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offering Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
  • Business and Industry Solutions delivering tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing. Designed to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
  • Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe selling a wide range of smart factory solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.

For more information please visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com

Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-connect-europe/

News

Alibaba Cloud Empowers Customers and Partners with its Proven Large Models and High-Performance Infrastructure

Alibaba Cloud Empowers Customers and Partners with its Proven Large Models and High-Performance Infrastructure 

Global Cloud Leader Collaborates with NVIDIA, XPENG, miHoYo, Atlas, Codium, UNESCO-ICHEI to Drive the Future of Mobility, Gaming, Travel, IT and Education

 Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, announced at its annual flagship event Apsara Conference that its proprietary foundational model Tongyi has attracted over 300,000 customers via its generative AI platform, Model Studio, a significant jump from 90,000 revealed in May.

Leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s Tongyi large models and its scalable global cloud infrastructure, businesses across automobile, gaming, travel, IT sectors have delivered enhanced customer experience and developed innovative solutions. Alibaba Cloud also unveiled a partnership with the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNSECO (UNESCO-ICHEI) to bring the benefits of generative AI to higher education institutes through digital training initiatives.

“Our collaborations with industry-leading organisations demonstrate our dedication to delivering enhanced customer experiences and boosting enterprise efficiency through innovative solutions. Together with our partners, we want to empower more businesses and individuals to unlock the potential of generative AI through digital training and accessible cloud solutions,” said Jingren Zhou, CTO of Alibaba Cloud.

Driving the Future of Mobility and Smart Cockpits with LLMs Built on NVIDIA

Alibaba Cloud today unveiled its large multimodal model (LMM) solution designed for automotive applications and co-developed with NVIDIA and Banma, Alibaba’s intelligent cockpit solution provider. This solution, which will be made available to China-based automakers, aims to deliver a more interactive experience for car owners and redefine the smart mobility journey.

Through this collaboration, Alibaba Cloud’s portfolio of proprietary large language model Qwen—including the Qwen2-7B language model and the Qwen2-VL vision language model—have been seamlessly integrated with the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin™ platform for autonomous vehicles. Additionally, NVIDIA’s model acceleration technology has significantly reduced computational costs and minimised latency in Alibaba Cloud models’ real-time processing of complex tasks. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted intelligent experience for both drivers and passengers.

This initiative marks the first integration of Alibaba’s large models into NVIDIA’s automotive platform. Leveraging Qwen’s advanced capabilities in handling complex inquiries and processing visual intelligence, in-car voice assistants will be able to engage in dynamic, multi-turn conversations and even offer recommendations, ranging from providing information about nearby landmarks to proactively suggesting car headlights be turned on during snowy conditions.

As part of the LMM solution, Alibaba Cloud’s Mobile Agent—a multimodal AI agent for edge devices—will expand the capabilities of in-car voice assistants. Utilising the Mobile Agent’s strengths in complex task planning, self-reflection, and decision-making, users will be able to effortlessly execute voice commands, such as ordering milkshakes through a food delivery app, resulting in richer and more enjoyable in-car experiences.

Looking ahead, Alibaba Cloud plans to work with NVIDIA to adapt Qwen models on NVIDIA DRIVE Thor, NVIDIA’s next-generation centralised car compute platform that combines advanced driver assistance, autonomous driving, and AI cockpit capabilities into a single safe and secure system.

Partnering with XPENG to Enhance Smart Cockpit Experience

XPENG, a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle company, is leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s AI models and robust cloud computing capabilities to redefine its smart cockpit and autonomous driving experience.

It has tapped into Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen to enhance its AI voice assistant, Xiao P, for a superior smart cockpit experience. With no specific instructions needed, the LLM-enabled voice assistant excels at understanding complex conversational contexts and user intentions. It can engage in natural and intuitive dialogues with both drivers and passengers. For instance, when a user simply states, “It’s cold inside the car,” the voice assistant automatically adjusts the vehicle’s temperature.

In addition to utilising Qwen for the smart cockpit, XPENG is collaborating with Alibaba Cloud to integrate large models for various innovations. Users can design custom stickers for their car’s exterior through Alibaba Cloud’s text-to-image model, Tongyi Wanxiang, within XPENG’s mobile app. XPENG is also exploring the use of Alibaba Cloud’s Tongyi Lingma, an AI coding assistant powered by Qwen, to enhance R&D efficiency in the latest automotive technologies.

Alibaba Cloud also offers robust and resilient computing resources to help XPENG accelerate its training of large model for autonomous driving.

Powering Immersive and Scalable Gaming Experience for miHoYo

As a long-term partner, Alibaba Cloud has provided its cloud infrastructure support for miHoYo in launching its latest game Zenless Zone Zero, a new urban fantasy action role-playing game (ARPG) which received nearly 50 million pre-beta registrations, posting high demands on system stability and smooth access to the games’ reservation website.

With Alibaba Cloud’s infrastructure and comprehensive product suite, Zenless Zone Zero has successfully addressed challenges in high server load, large volume of game data processing, and strong demand on platform stability, providing a smooth experience for players who logged in simultaneously on the day of its grand launch on July 4. The game has reached 50 million downloads within the first week since launched.

Building A Strong Digital Foundation for Southeast Asia

Atlas, an innovative B2B travel technology provider in Singapore, has leveraged Alibaba Cloud’s infrastructure, machine learning and AI architecture innovations to serve over 50 global travel sellers and 150 low-cost airlines around the world. Alibaba Cloud’s LLM Qwen and Model Studio platform also support Atlas’ digital chatbot, providing customer support around the clock, addressing partner inquiries regarding booking procedures and payment options.

Since collaborating with Alibaba Cloud in 2021, Atlas has reduced operational expenses by 45%. Alibaba Cloud has aided Atlas in transitioning from a startup in Singapore to becoming one of the leading industry players, revolutionising the low-cost flight industry with its innovative travel platform.

Additionally, Codium, a prominent software company in Thailand specialising in digital workplace solutions, has partnered with Alibaba Cloud to utilise its scalable cloud infrastructure and reliable solutions. The partnership aims to establish a strong digital foundation for businesses in Thailand and improve the Thai cloud market ecosystem by offering accessible cloud services and providing comprehensive local support and expertise to Thai clients.

Empowering the Future of Education with UNSECO 

During Apsara Conference 2024, Alibaba Cloud signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with UNESCO-ICHEI to launch the GenAI and Cloud Micro-Certification online program for global learners.

The program targets educators and students in higher education institutes including universities and colleges across Asia and Africa. The program, featuring six courses, is designed to deliver the fundamental knowledge and applications of generative AI and cloud computing technologies with easily understandable graphics and best practices of integrating generative AI into teaching activities to make learning more engaging, personalised, and efficient.

After completing each course session, educators and students can take an exam to obtain a micro certification jointly issued by both UNESCO-ICHEI and Alibaba Cloud. With the gradual rollout of the program, the initiative aims to benefit around 12,000 educators and students globally by the end of 2025.

Cyber, Cyber Attack, Cybersecurity, Data, Data & Analytics, Digital Transformation, Tech, Technology, Thought Leadership

Data Resilience and Protection in the Ransomware Age

By Sam Woodcock, Director of Cloud Strategy and Enablement at 11:11 Systems

Data is the currency of every business today, but it is under significant threat. As companies rapidly collect and store data, it is driving a need to adopt multi-cloud solutions to store and protect it. At the same time, ransomware attacks are increasing in frequency and sophistication. This is supported by Rapid7’s Ransomware Radar Report 2024 which states, “The first half of 2024 has witnessed a substantial evolution in the ransomware ecosystem, underscoring significant shifts in attack methodologies, victimology, and cybercriminal tactics.”

Against this backdrop, companies must have a data resilience plan in place which incorporates four key facets: data backup, data recovery, data freedom and data security.

Ransomware is Just Business

With ransomware being a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for criminals, as it requires little effort to access sensitive information and demand ransom, it is becoming an attractive career choice for some. It is on this basis that ransomware has evolved into a fully-fledged business with more operations starting up every week.  This is also fuelled by the increasing popularity of Ransomware-as-a-Service, a model where sophisticated threat actors develop and sell ransomware platforms to other threat actors.

With this rise in threat actors targeting businesses today, IT security can no longer be a problem for IT teams alone. Every decision is a commercial decision and will carry risk. And every person within an organisation has an important role in being the first line of defence and protecting a company from a breach.

From Passwords to Exploits

People make mistakes, and this makes them an attractive target for most threat actors. According to Mimecast over 70% of cyber breaches in 2023 were caused by human error. Advanced phishing attacks are more convincing than ever, making it harder for employees to distinguish between real and fake emails. It only requires a quick click of the button by a stressed, tired or disgruntled employee for threat access to gain a password that gives full access to the organisation’s data.

As such, while employees must be adequately trained to avoid falling victim to these phishing or ransomware attacks, this is merely the first step to improving a company’s security. However, it requires further security measures to be put in place to protect the organisation and its data.

Testing, Testing

Backups are considered the primary way to recover from a breach, but is this enough to ensure that the organisation will be up and running with minimal impact? Testing is a critical component to ensuring that a company can recover after a breach and provides valuable insight into the steps that the company will need to take to recover from a variety of scenarios. Unfortunately, many organisations implement measures to recover but fail on the last step of their resilience approach, namely testing. Without this step, they cannot know if their recovery strategy is effective.

Testing is a critical component as it provides valuable insight into the steps it needs to take to recover, what works, and what areas it needs to focus on for the recovery process, the amount of time it will take to recover the files and more. Without this, companies will not know what processes to follow to restore data following a breach, as well as timelines to recovery. Equally, they will not know if they have backed up their data correctly before an attack if they have not performed adequate testing.

Although many IT teams are stretched and struggle to find the time to do regular testing, it is possible to automate the testing process to ensure that it occurs frequently.  These tools will also provide a realistic view of how resilient the environment is to threats and provide a host of scenarios that could impact the business, helping to prepare for almost any incident.

From testing to reality

While some organisations are surprised that they have been breached, according to Sophos, 83% of organisations that experienced a breach had observable warning signs beforehand and ignored the canary in the coal mine. Further, 70% of breaches were successful and threat actors encrypted the data of the organisation to prevent access to it.

However, as threat actors aren’t using enterprise-grade tools to gain access to data, enterprises are effectively at an advantage if they test and retest regularly, and back up their data effectively. A good guideline for this is the 3-2-1 rule, which states that there should be at least three copies of the data, stored on two different types of storage media, and one copy should be kept offsite in a remote location. Businesses also stand to benefit from partnering with an organisation that can protect the network to defend against threats and has the expertise to help them to recover from an attack.

Employee Engagement, News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing News

CCS McLays Help Retailers Create Period-Friendly Workplace

CCS McLays, in collaboration with TOTM, is at the forefront of creating period-friendly workplaces across the retail sector. By supplying sustainable and high-quality period products to leading retailers such as FatFace, Superdry, Starbucks, Hugo Boss, and Joules, CCS McLays and TOTM are transforming workplace environments. This initiative is not only promoting comfort and dignity at work but also championing sustainability.

FatFace, a renowned British lifestyle clothing and accessories retailer, has been a pivotal partner in this mission. For the past year FatFace have been providing TOTM period products in all its stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, positively impacting the lives of countless employees.

“Providing free period products in the workplace has been a game-changer,” says one employee. “It has removed the stress of being caught off-guard and has created a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.”

FatFace People Director Joanne Wilson says ‘feedback from our colleagues has been overwhelmingly positive. For us being a period positive workplace is such an important part of our culture. By providing free sanitary products in an overt location, we hope to educate our people and help normalize the conversation around menstruation.’

One store colleague shares “knowing that my workplace cares about my comfort and well-being makes a huge difference. It’s one less thing to worry about during the workday.”

Despite significant progress, many workplaces still lack adequate provisions for menstrual health. A recent study found that 80% of women and people with periods are concerned about managing their periods at work, with 76% finding it disruptive to their working day. The availability of period products in the workplace can significantly reduce this stress, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

Sustainability is a key driver behind TOTM’s product line. Traditional period care products are predominantly made from plastic, contributing significantly to environmental pollution. TOTM’s tampons, pads, and liners are crafted from 100% organic cotton, responsibly sourced, and free from harmful chemicals such as fragrances, dyes, artificial absorbents, chlorine bleach, and PFAs. This commitment to sustainability is crucial as the UK alone generates approximately 200,000 tonnes of menstrual product waste annually, with an estimated 1.5 billion period care items flushed down the toilet each year.

Retailers are increasingly seeking sustainable solutions for their stores. Starbucks, for instance, has been providing free TOTM products to staff for about 18 months, following research that highlighted significant concerns among women and people with periods regarding period management at work.

The partnership between CCS McLays and FatFace is just the beginning. Currently, over 180 FatFace stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland offer TOTM products back of house, however, there is always more to be done.

The collaboration between CCS McLays and TOTM is setting a powerful example for other retailers to follow. By prioritising menstrual health and sustainability, they are creating more inclusive and environmentally friendly workplaces. FatFace’s success demonstrates the tangible benefits of such initiatives, paving the way for a more supportive and sustainable future in the retail sector.