Latest news with #SDI
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
NTT DATA launches AI powered software defined infrastructure services for Cisco Products
Dubai, UAE — NTT DATA, a global leader in digital business and technology services, is marking a major milestone in its 30-year collaboration with Cisco by launching AI powered Software Defined Infrastructure services (SDI) for Cisco's infrastructure and software products. This latest evolution reinforces the companies' longstanding partnership, aimed at helping organizations modernize IT infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation. 'With AI powered SDI services, we're leveraging our strategic vision to provide organizations proactive, intelligent automation helping them navigate the complexities of hardware and software alignment to business,' said Aditya Afzulpurkar, Senior Vice President, Technology Solutions, NTT DATA, Inc. 'We are proud of the evolution of our partnership with Cisco as both companies go beyond traditional services to help clients solve real business challenges in the era of AI.' Meeting an Urgent Market Need Modern infrastructure requires a non-traditional approach. According to NTT DATA's 2024 GenAI research, 80% of organizations agree that inadequate or outdated technology is holding back organizational progress and innovation efforts. In fact, 94% of C-suite executives believe legacy infrastructure is greatly hindering their business agility. AI infrastructure investments are a critical part of organizations' ability to modernize and companies know the clock is ticking, yet only 13% are ready to leverage AI and AI-powered technologies to their full potential, according to Cisco's 2024 AI Readiness Index. 'As businesses navigate increasingly complex technology lifecycles, they need partners who combine automation, intelligence, and measurable results,' said Leslie Rosenberg, Research Vice President, Network Lifecycle and Infrastructure Services, IDC. 'SDI services deliver on all three, redefining the way enterprises manage IT infrastructure.' NTT DATA's SDI services for Cisco products deliver intelligent automation and real-time insights to optimize infrastructure, reduce costs and drive business outcomes. NTT DATA has invested significantly in AI capabilities to provide clients with assured outcomes, asset management and more. "For over 30 years, NTT DATA and Cisco have collaborated in delivering innovation and accelerating customer success,' said Shannon Leininger, Vice President, Global Partner Sales at Cisco. 'NTT DATA will now also provide AI-powered digital infrastructure services to enable future-proofed workplaces and AI ready data centers — bringing together networking and security to empower organizations with a modern digital infrastructure for the AI era.' Key Capabilities of NTT DATA's AI-Powered SDI Services Outcomes Based Shared Success Plans: clearly outlined goals, identification of risks and rewards and ensuring accountability. AI Powered Service Reliability: smart technology that helps keep systems running smoothly, reducing unexpected breakdowns ensuring reliability. AI Driven License Management: advanced tracking and analysis to prevent costly software issues, optimize resources and eliminate unnecessary expenses. Business Focused Technology: every tech investment is guided by strategies that prioritize client satisfaction, innovation, security and aligns IT services. Seamless Digital Access: a user-friendly, digital-first interface including mobile application to provide instant updates on requests, risks, licenses and helpful AI insights. Advancing Three Decades of Collaboration NTT DATA is Cisco's only Gold partner across 34 countries, earning 40 awards at Cisco's 2024 Partner Summit, including three global partner of the year awards. Their collaboration has supported over 4,000 enterprises worldwide, providing lifecycle services to enhance business agility. With over 14,000 technical experts in 50+ countries, they deliver solutions ranging from small branch networks to global enterprise infrastructures, including private 5G. Proven Success and Live Showcase NTT DATA's AI-powered SDI services are available globally. Attendees can experience this innovation firsthand at Cisco Live Americas 2025 on June 9, 2025, where NTT DATA will showcase how AI-powered infrastructure management is revolutionizing IT. About NTT DATA NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and startup companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure and connectivity. We are also one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. About Cisco Cisco is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all.
Channel Post MEA
6 days ago
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
NTT Data Launches AI-Powered SDI Services For Cisco Products
NTT DATA is marking a major milestone in its 30-year collaboration with Cisco by launching AI powered Software Defined Infrastructure services (SDI) for Cisco's infrastructure and software products. This latest evolution reinforces the companies' longstanding partnership, aimed at helping organizations modernize IT infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation. 'With AI powered SDI services, we're leveraging our strategic vision to provide organizations proactive, intelligent automation helping them navigate the complexities of hardware and software alignment to business,' said Aditya Afzulpurkar, Senior Vice President, Technology Solutions, NTT DATA, Inc. 'We are proud of the evolution of our partnership with Cisco as both companies go beyond traditional services to help clients solve real business challenges in the era of AI.' Meeting an Urgent Market Need Modern infrastructure requires a non-traditional approach. According to NTT DATA's 2024 GenAI research, 80% of organizations agree that inadequate or outdated technology is holding back organizational progress and innovation efforts. In fact, 94% of C-suite executives believe legacy infrastructure is greatly hindering their business agility. AI infrastructure investments are a critical part of organizations' ability to modernize and companies know the clock is ticking, yet only 13% are ready to leverage AI and AI-powered technologies to their full potential, according to Cisco's 2024 AI Readiness Index. 'As businesses navigate increasingly complex technology lifecycles, they need partners who combine automation, intelligence, and measurable results,' said Leslie Rosenberg, Research Vice President, Network Lifecycle and Infrastructure Services, IDC. 'SDI services deliver on all three, redefining the way enterprises manage IT infrastructure.' NTT DATA's SDI services for Cisco products deliver intelligent automation and real-time insights to optimize infrastructure, reduce costs and drive business outcomes. NTT DATA has invested significantly in AI capabilities to provide clients with assured outcomes, asset management and more. 'For over 30 years, NTT DATA and Cisco have collaborated in delivering innovation and accelerating customer success,' said Shannon Leininger, Vice President, Global Partner Sales at Cisco. 'NTT DATA will now also provide AI-powered digital infrastructure services to enable future-proofed workplaces and AI ready data centers — bringing together networking and security to empower organizations with a modern digital infrastructure for the AI era.' Key Capabilities of NTT DATA's AI-Powered SDI Services Outcomes Based Shared Success Plans: clearly outlined goals, identification of risks and rewards and ensuring accountability. clearly outlined goals, identification of risks and rewards and ensuring accountability. AI Powered Service Reliability: smart technology that helps keep systems running smoothly, reducing unexpected breakdowns ensuring reliability. smart technology that helps keep systems running smoothly, reducing unexpected breakdowns ensuring reliability. AI Driven License Management: advanced tracking and analysis to prevent costly software issues, optimize resources and eliminate unnecessary expenses. advanced tracking and analysis to prevent costly software issues, optimize resources and eliminate unnecessary expenses. Business Focused Technology: every tech investment is guided by strategies that prioritize client satisfaction, innovation, security and aligns IT services. every tech investment is guided by strategies that prioritize client satisfaction, innovation, security and aligns IT services. Seamless Digital Access: a user-friendly, digital-first interface including mobile application to provide instant updates on requests, risks, licenses and helpful AI insights. Advancing Three Decades of Collaboration NTT DATA is Cisco's only Gold partner across 34 countries, earning 40 awards at Cisco's 2024 Partner Summit, including three global partner of the year awards. Their collaboration has supported over 4,000 enterprises worldwide, providing lifecycle services to enhance business agility. With over 14,000 technical experts in 50+ countries, they deliver solutions ranging from small branch networks to global enterprise infrastructures, including private 5G.
Newsroom
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsroom
NZ should hold fire on ‘Golden Dome'
Analysis: When US President Ronald Reagan announced his Strategic Defence Initiative in 1983, the programme faced constant and repeated criticism. The SDI, or 'Star Wars' programme as it became known, was impractical, expensive, violated existing treaties, and threatened to push Cold War tensions to new heights. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the programme gradually lost political support and was eventually redirected towards terrestrial conflict. Forty years later, the spirit of Reagan lives on in President Donald Trump whose recent announcement of the US$175 billion 'Golden Dome' defence system is something straight out of the late Cold War. This proposed system, intended to be a space-based anti-missile shield, is already facing criticism from independent think tanks such as Chatham House.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Student teams vie with each other at Solar Decathlon India
A student team from BMS college of Architecture, Design and Planning and BMS College of Engineering won the grand prize at Solar Decathlon India (SDI), an annual competition for undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop innovative, net-zero energy-water and climate resilient solutions for the building sector in India. During the finals of SDI held at Infosys' campus in Mysuru, six student teams, which had been declared winners in their respective divisions, were challenged to 'make' solutions that improve cooling performance in existential residential buildings. The six teams pitched their solutions to a grand jury, and team Anvaya, led by BMS College of Architecture, Design and Planning, with BMS College of Engineering as their partner institution, won the grand prize for proposing the most promising and investment-worthy design, said a statement here. The grand jury said that the team provided a versatile solution of modular systems at very affordable costs, driving net-zero targets, the statement said. The event began on May 23 with student presentations to the jury. These were followed by the Climate Smart Innovation Exhibition, where innovators from the building industry displayed products and solutions addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation. The exhibition was followed by pitch presentations the jury comprising Aiyappa Somayanda - chief business officer, Brigade REAP, Guruprakash Sastry - AVP and head – Climate Action, Infosys, Hari Prasad Hegde - Founding Partner, Edhina Capital, Harleen Oberoi - senior VP and head – Project Management, Tata Realty & Infrastructure Ltd. & Tata Housing Development Company Ltd., Johann Fernandes - co-founder, climateXcapital, Priyank Garg - managing partner, IAN Alpha fund, and Sunita Purushottam - head of sustainability and CSR, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. and chair, GBPN Board. Subsequently, Lambert Technovation Pvt. Ltd. was declared winner of the Climate Smart Innovation Award 2025. 'Their modular, chemical-free reactor transforms wastewater treatment for buildings & beyond—boosting sustainability in the built environment', the statement said. On May 25, 2024, Solar Decathlon India (SDI) held its career fair where leading organisations working on climate change and net-zero buildings interacted with the best and brightest minds to offer them internship and early career opportunities. Infosys, which hosted the three-day finals event pro bono, also ensured that the entire event was carbon neutral, according to the statement. Solar Decathlon India is conducted by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) and the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) under the aegis of the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF). It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The 2024-25 challenge featured 175 teams comprising more than 2,100 students from 150 academic institutions. At the finals, over 50 organisations offered internships and early career opportunities to the SDI finalists, the statement said.
Mint
25-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
US' Golden Dome missile shield: Pete Hegseth rebuts China's ‘space militarization' accusations
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth firmly denied China's assertions that the Golden Dome missile defense project would militarize space. Speaking to Fox News Digital while leaving Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Hegseth said, 'All we care about is protecting the homeland.' Hegseth emphasised that the Golden Dome project is aimed at safeguarding the US against emerging missile threats rather than escalating conflict. Chinese Foreign Minister Mao Ning criticised the project this week, accusing it of having a 'strong offensive nature' that violates the Outer Space Treaty's principles of peaceful use. Mao warned, 'The project will heighten the risk of turning space into a war zone and creating a space arms race and shake the international security and arms control system.' China urged Washington to abandon the initiative to prevent destabilising global security. Russia's response was more measured. Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, acknowledged 'serious concern' but dismissed the need for panic. A Kremlin spokesperson noted that Golden Dome could 'force talks between Moscow and Washington about nuclear arms control in the foreseeable future,' hinting at diplomatic engagement over the new system. President Donald Trump, along with Hegseth, unveiled the ambitious Golden Dome plan, estimating it will cost $175 billion and take three years to complete. The system intends to counter advanced missile threats from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and non-state actors. Trump described Golden Dome as a 'generational investment' critical to his 'America First' defense policy. The multilayered shield will include ground- and space-based interceptors capable of destroying missiles during all four stages of an attack — from launch detection to terminal interception. 'This is about protecting American lives,' Trump stated, noting the system's expected completion by the end of his term in 2029. Key contractors likely to contribute include SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and RTX Corp. SpaceX's involvement is notable given CEO Elon Musk's close ties to Trump. However, funding remains uncertain. Republican lawmakers have proposed an initial $25 billion investment within a broader $150 billion defense package. Yet, this is tied to a reconciliation bill facing significant opposition in Congress. Golden Dome revives elements of Ronald Reagan's Cold War-era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), famously dubbed 'Star Wars.' While SDI never materialised due to technological and treaty challenges, Golden Dome seeks to address new missile threats with advanced technology. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed discussions with the US about joining Golden Dome, highlighting Canada's interest in missile defense. 'Is it a good idea for Canada? Yes, it is good to have protections in place for Canadians,' Carney said. He added that Canada faces potential missile threats 'in the not-too-distant future' and stressed that cooperation with the US will be evaluated carefully. 'We cooperate if necessary but not necessarily cooperate,' Carney noted, reflecting a cautious approach to the traditionally close Canada-US defense partnership.
