Thursday, March 16, 2023

Buying Bonds Just Got Easier with ATRAM Prime

 

With the new year rolling in, do you have any new resolutions for your savings? Are you looking for a long-term option with relatively low risk and predictable returns? Get started on your resolution with Retail Treasury Bonds, now easily purchased through the ATRAM Prime app—the latest offering from the Philippines’ standalone asset management company.

 

Filipino investors can find stability in retail treasury bonds during times of uncertainty. They can earn a predictable return on their money without taking on too much risk through these bonds backed by the Philippine government, which makes them an attractive option for diversifying portfolios. For this option, investors can earn up to 5.8%* p.a. for a 5-year government bond.

 

*Indicative Yield-to-Maturity of RTB 05-16 as of 01/30/23


However, accessing bonds is challenging as people typically need to visit banks or financial institutions in order to invest – until today. The ATRAM Prime app cuts through the difficulties of conventional investing and opens up access to retail treasury bonds through your mobile phone. You can skip the multiple lengthy forms, avoid lining up, and enjoy lower minimum amounts to invest.

 

Choosing to invest in bonds through the ATRAM Prime app means you can enjoy steady and guaranteed returns on your hard-earned money. On top of this, you would not need to leave your home at all thanks to a purely-digital and mobile investing process. Paying for investments, receiving returns, managing your portfolio, and tracking the performance of individual investments can all be done through just one app.

 

"We’ve seen increasing demand for direct bonds in the retail market, and now through the ATRAM Prime app, we're excited to bring an easier way for Filipinos to build a more robust investment portfolio, to help them achieve their goals of financial freedom.

 

Through the app, you can learn about the different products you can invest in, and access a dedicated client advisor to help you on your investment journey. Now with the launch of direct bonds to strengthen our product suite, we believe we're well on our way to our goal of providing the best investing experience to help our clients achieve their financial goals.” - Virgil Banta, Vice President, ATRAM Prime

 

Diversifying your portfolio with retail treasury bonds and other investment products, such as mutual funds, is now easier, more achievable, and more convenient with the ATRAM Prime App. This latest investment platform from ATRAM aims to help more Filipinos enjoy financial security and reach their own personal goals.

"We believe asset management should always start with putting the needs of our customers first. From creating and pioneering some of the most innovative investment fund products over the years, we've also put effort into digital transformation to provide a better investing experience to our clients. Still, we continue to ask–with ATRAM’s goal of #MakingLivesBetter, how can we create a better financial future for everyone?

 

Traditionally, bonds have been a difficult investment product to purchase for retail clients. We got this feedback as well from the market last year and we went straight to work. Now, we're proud to have addressed this problem for our clients through ATRAM Prime.

 

The launch of direct bonds on our ATRAM Prime app is just the beginning of a stronger product suite for our clients–and it's only the beginning!” - Deanno Basas, CEO, ATRAM Digital

 

(Far left) Deanno Basas, CEO, ATRAM Digital; (Middle) Virgil Banta, Vice President, ATRAM Prime

Signing up only takes minutes and each investor gains access to a dedicated client advisor who can help make their investment journey better and more fruitful. The app’s intuitive interface makes navigation easier and ATRAM Prime’s client services team is ready to assist you with any questions or concerns.

 Download the ATRAM Prime App on the App Store or Google Play today and start investing in retail treasury bonds.


Sunday, February 19, 2023

Intellectual property law enforcement, student academic groups, publishers sign statement of cooperation against content piracy

 

(L to R) Jesus Manapat - National Bureau of Investigation, Stephen Floyd Abuso Gopez – Executive Vice president - Association of law students of the Philippines, Atty. Rowel Barba - Director - Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Dean Lilibeth Aragon - President - association of administrators in Hospitality, hotel and restaurant management educational institution and Atty. Dominador Buhain - Chairman Rex Education


Rex Education hosted a press conference recently, bringing together key organizations committed to educating people about piracy and stopping the illegal reproduction and distribution of copyrighted content.

 

Present at the event were leaders and representatives from the Philippine Association of Law Schools, the Association of Law Students of the Philippines, , the Legal Education Board, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, the National Book Development Board, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, Association of Administrators in Hospitality Hotel and Restaurant Management Educational Institution, the Philippine Librarians Association, the Philippine Council of Deans and Educators in Business, the Philippine Association of Collegiate Schools of Business, Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators, Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines,  Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities and the Philippine Educational Measurement and Evaluation Association.

 

Piracy is defined as the unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted content, including but not limited to books, movies, music, and the like. In the Philippines, anti-piracy legislation is strengthened by Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines that protects and secures the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations.

 

 

 

The press conference is a part of REX’s anti-piracy campaign, which was launched last September 16, 2022 at the Manila International Book Fair. The primary objective of the campaign is to curb, if not eradicate, content piracy by educating, communicating, and instilling among our colleagues, families, and children a true appreciation of the value of one’s own work. REX’s efforts in this direction are also in recognition and support of the relentless hard work of intellectual property law enforcement agencies in the country.

 

“We should continue to educate, communicate, and instill among our colleagues, families, and children a true appreciation of the value of one’s own work. In this sense, we are all duty-bearers. But above that, we are Filipinos,” said Atty. Dominador Buhain, chairman of Rex Education. “ Aside from our laws, what also binds us are our values, our sense of pakikipagkapwa, of  pagpapakatao, our pride in our own work, and our respect for each other and of each other’s work.”

 

Over the past year, the campaign has gained the attention of various organizations with similar sentiments. Stakeholders from the education sector, along with consumers and learners, have all come together to express their support for the movement. Above all, there is a call to protect creators and all their intellectual property in all its forms.

“Throughout our rich history, we recognize and respect one truth about what we do: We are able to accomplish so much because of our people. REX has immense pride for the talented and hardworking individuals who pour their creativity, knowledge, and skills in the development of our learning materials, and these are not limited to books,” said Atty. Dominador Buhain, chairman of Rex Education.

 

For more information regarding REX’s efforts, feel free to watch the “Proud Ako” anti-piracy campaign video that was launched at MIBF 2022. Visit www.rex.com.ph to support Rex Education in its endeavor of protecting the publishing industry.

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Acer also introduces three new Chromebook lines for education with durability features ideal for school K-12 environments

 


Acer recently launched four new Chromebooks to meet the needs of students, teachers and administrators, including its first Acer Chromebook Vero model designed specifically for the education market. These new models provide the latest in durability, performance, and features, making them a powerful tool for helping educators deliver better learning outcomes.

“As a leading provider of Chromebooks for the K12 education market, Acer knows what students and teachers need to keep the focus on learning – and these new Acer Chromebooks deliver what’s needed and more,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Our new Chromebooks provide advances in all the areas that have helped establish them as an essential tool for learning: student-focused durability features, reliable performance and advanced connectivity options to support school technology initiatives.”

Impactful Learning and Teaching with Chrome Education Upgrade, Zero-Touch Enrollment

All the new Acer Chromebooks are available with Chrome Education Upgrade, which enables IT staff and administrators to manage, deploy and plan for student learning, all while ensuring students are getting the most from the Chromebooks[i]. IT departments can easily conduct admin support, manage devices, and have the new Acer Chromebooks automatically enrolled to their school sites as soon as the end user connects to the internet through Zero-touch enrollment.

Durability Features Designed Especially for Students

All of the new Acer Chromebooks for education have impact-resistant exteriors that meet MIL-STD 810H[[ii]] testing standards to withstand the daily trials of a busy school environment. They feature a reinforced corner design with a shock-absorbent bumper so they are protected from drops as high as 122 cm (48 inches) and can withstand up to 60 kg (132.3 lbs) of pressure. These new durable Chromebooks also feature elongated and widened internal brackets that protect the display, even when they are being mishandled. Plus, the ports have been reinforced with metallic plating to protect them from the wear and tear of frequent student use.

The four new Chromebooks each have a keyboard designed to protect the device from common student accidents. The keyboard is spill-resistant and features a unique drainage system that helps protect the internal components from up to 330 ml (11 oz) of water spills[[iii]]. All four Acer Chromebooks feature a moisture-resistant OceanGlass touchpad, made from ocean-bound plastics, reducing waste while providing a sleek, glass-like texture and responsive tactile feeling.

They also have mechanically anchored keys that are difficult for inquisitive students to remove, but at the same time, simple for IT personnel to repair or replace. The Acer Chromebook 511, Acer Chromebook Spin 511 and Acer Chromebook Spin 512 also feature a new serviceable keyboard that can be completely removed and replaced with the removal of just two screws. Finally, all four new Acer Chromebooks have been certified to meet two leading toy safety standards, the ASTM F963-16[[iv]] and UL/IEC 60950-1[[v]], meaning they’re also safe to share with younger children. 

Acer Chromebook Vero 712 Brings Eco-Conscious Design to Schools

The performance-minded and eco-conscious Acer Chromebook Vero 712 (CV872/T) lets students see and do more. This Chromebook for schools features a 3:2 aspect ratio and 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor that enables students to do faster coding on their Chromebooks. The productivity-boosting 12-inch HD+ IPS display has a taller 3:2 aspect ratio that provides 18% more vertical space compared to an equally wide display, so more schoolwork, text, maps and photos can be seen before students need to scroll. The Chromebook’s TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe® (Hardware Solution) certified display also reduces harmful blue light while ensuring that users can still enjoy vivid colors when viewing from their devices. Plus, the powerful 12th Gen Intel Core processors let students tackle more advanced schoolwork such as coding and video editing, while also running multiple programs and apps without delays.

Featuring recycled materials, sustainable packaging and an energy-efficient design, the Acer Chromebook Vero 712 is part of the eco-conscious Vero line that reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability. The new Acer Chromebook Vero 712 utilizes recycled materials in many areas of the product including 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic in the chassis and display bezel as well as 50% PCR plastic in the keycaps. Even the device’s packaging supports the company’s mission to reduce, reuse and recycle with the use of 100% recycled paper pulp.  

Three New Durable Chromebooks Meet Range of Educational Settings

In addition to the first Acer Chromebook Vero for education customers, Acer has expanded its line of Chromebooks for this market with three updated models: the Acer Chromebook Spin 512 (R856T) convertible with a 12-inch display, Acer Chromebook Spin 511 (R756T) convertible with an 11.6-inch display, and the Acer Chromebook 511 (C736) clamshell with an 11.6-inch display. These three Acer Chromebooks are powered by the latest Intel Processor N100 and N200, and have the option to include built-in 4G LTE[[vi]] connectivity to provide fast, reliable access to educational apps from virtually anywhere. Plus, like the Acer Chromebook Vero, these new Chromebooks also feature recycled materials, sustainable packaging, an energy-efficient design, and EPEAT registration to help schools reduce waste across the lifetime of the device.

The two new convertible models are ideal Chromebooks for blended learning environments as both feature 360-hinges to allow them to be used in a range of settings, as well as Antimicrobial[[vii]] Corning® Gorilla® Glass touch displays that are scratch-resistant and limit the growth of odor and stain-causing microorganisms. The Acer Chromebook Spin 511 has a compact design with an 11.6-inch HD IPS display in a 16:9 format, while the Acer Chromebook Spin 512 has a productivity-boosting 12-inch 3:2 aspect ratio HD+ IPS display on the (R856T/TN/LT/LTN) with more vertical space so students can view more text, maps, photos and schoolwork. Also, both convertible Chromebooks feature an optional USI Stylus that can be charged in the integrated dock, so students can take notes, sketch, write and paint with ease. Both convertible models deliver multi-day 12-hour battery life[[viii]]. The Acer Chromebook Spin 512 also has the same TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe® (Hardware Solution) certified display as that of the Acer Chromebook Vero 712 which can reduce harmful blue light while ensuring that users can still enjoy vivid colors when viewing from their devices.

The Acer Chromebook 511 is a tried-and-tested classic clamshell design that is incredibly compact, making it ideal for a wide range of younger students using lab settings and 1:1 programs. The 11.6-inch HD LED-backlit display with IPS technology comes in touch and non-touch options to meet school districts’ ranging needs and budgets. It also provides long battery life of up to 12 hours[10] of use.

Range of Ports and Latest in Connectivity for Hybrid Class Schedules

Students can connect to the Internet quickly with reliable Wi-Fi 6E. Plus, the four new Acer Chromebooks all feature 720p webcams with Blue Glass Lens and (TNR), providing high-quality video feedback even in low-light conditions. The two convertible models also provide the option for high-resolution world-facing cameras. For privacy, all four new Chromebooks include a webcam shutter. The new Acer Chromebooks will be available with an array of eMMC storage options and up to 8 GB RAM.

All of the four new Chromebooks are ready to connect to devices, displays and other peripherals. They each have two full-function USB 3.2 Type-C ports for transferring data at speeds up to 5 Gbps, connecting to an HD display, and can also be used to charge the device as well as other products. They all also feature at least one USB 3.2 Type A port, while the Chromebook 511, Chromebook Spin 511 and Chromebook Spin 512 also include a MicroSD card reader.

 

Price and Availability

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.



[[i]] Children should use their Google Workspace for Education account when accessing Google Services for school.

 

[[ii]] Sand and Dust testing based on MIL-STD 810F. MIL-STD 810G/H is a testing protocol conducted in controlled settings and does not guarantee future performance in all situations. Do not attempt to simulate these tests, as damage resulting from this will not be covered by Acer's standard warranty.

 

[[iii]] Up to 330 ml (11 fluid ounces) of water

[[iv]] Plastic coatings used on Acer Chromebook surface have been strictly tested and certified under ASTM F963-16 Toy Safety Standard and Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPCIA) of 2008.  For more information visit:   https://standardscatalog.ul.com/standards/en/standard_60950-1_2

 

[[v]] These Acer Chromebooks have been designed and tested to meet UL/IEC 60950-1 safety standard, investigated by UL 696 safety electric toys and meets the ASTM F963 toy safety for kids over 3 years old. For more information visit: https://www.astm.org/Standards/F963.htm

[[vi]] Specification may vary depending on model and/or region.

[[vii]] All antimicrobial solutions, including Antimicrobial Corning® Gorilla® Glass, do not protect or provide users any direct or implied health benefits.

[[viii]] Battery life may vary based on the device and upon usage and other conditions.  Battery life may vary depending on model and configuration. Based on Google power LoadTest. (http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/testing/power-testing). Actual battery life varies by model, configuration (including storage capacity, RAM capacity, processor in use, display type and resolution, etc.), applications, power management settings, operating conditions, and utilized features.

 

Cloud computing: It’s no longer a one-cloud-fits-all world


 

Here is an interesting article shared by Mina Lim, Managing Director, Oracle Philippines

Strong cloud momentum is not new: What’s different now is that organizations of all types realize that there is no single “default” cloud provider going forward. Instead, they want the best cloud for each of their key workloads. If Cloud A is best for desktop productivity apps and Cloud B excels in server-based databases, Clouds A and B it will be.

 

As we head into 2023, most customers not only want to pick and choose their public clouds, but they also want deployment choice that means they can run some workloads on their own cloud infrastructure. 

 

One easy prediction: The already huge market for cloud computing is still growing. In April 2022, Gartner estimated that total end-user spending on public cloud services worldwide will grow 20.4% this year to $494.7 billion, up from $410.9 billion in 2021. This year, that total is expected to hit nearly $600 billion.

 

The change now is that customers are demandingand will getchoice. They, not the cloud providers, will be in the driver’s seat when it comes to where and how they deploy cloud.

 

For more on that and other key points, our top six IT predictions follow.

 

1: Multi-cloud is the new reality

 

Companies will adopt the best public clouds for each of their key workloads, and its adoption will grow throughout the next decade.

 

Even traditionally risk-averse industries like financial services are embracing the use of more than one cloud. Regulators have gotten in on the action. To give their customers a robust online defense, cloud service providers have been investing in cybersecurity. This is important at a time when cyber risks are rising everywhere, including in the Philippines. Phishing attacks, which deceive users into disclosing private information and business data, are among the most prevalent in the Philippines.

 

Virtually all large financial institutions now use more than one cloud when it comes to applications and infrastructure.  And that need for multiple clouds will only grow.

 

Some cloud providers are facilitating this trend by locating their respective cloud facilities close together to minimize latency. That ensures that customers using services from both providers get fast response times.

 

The two main messages in this category are: 1: customers need more than one cloud and 2:  cloud providers must build bridges, not walls, between their services to ease multicloud adoption.

 

In short, customers want cloud providers to work well with each other in the name of true customer service and should explicitly query their current and potential cloud providers to make sure they will act as facilitators instead of roadblocks to multicloud.

 

2: Businesses clamor for deployment choice

 

The use of what we once called “hybrid,” now “distributed” cloud is also taking off. In the distributed cloud model, companies run some workloads on outside public clouds and others in company-controlled data centers. This is typically done for compliance, regulatory, performance or other reasons.

 

This mix-and-matching is great for companies that must keep some corporate and/or  customer data segregated but also  be able to “burst” analytics or other  resource-intensive workloads up into a public cloud as needed. This is tricky since organizations must carefully balance technology deployed across on-premises, private, and public cloud infrastructure.

 

To be clear:  Just because some tasks run “on premises” doesn’t mean they are not “cloudy.” Some, but not all, cloud providers are making their services available to run both on customer sites and in its public cloud with easy, inexpensive data flow in between when and if required. Even customers running these cloud services on prem still benefit from pay-as-they-go pricing. NRI implemented a second OCI Dedicated Region at its Osaka data center earlier this year, following the successful adoption at its Tokyo data center. Running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), the distributed cloud environment within NRI’s Tokyo and Osaka data centers allow the company to leverage the high-performance and flexible resources of OCI and maintain a high level of financial governance and availability that they require.

 

No one should confuse a cohesive multicloud and hybrid strategy now required with the sort of free-for-all that kicked off the early days of cloud computing. Back then departments-even individuals-inside companies launched cloud services willy-nilly, often without the permission, or even knowledge, of IT. Today’s distributed cloud scenarios must be carefully designed to ensure interoperability and good governance from their inception.

 

The takeaway is that cloud providers must meet business and government customers where they are instead of pushing for all data and applications to be forklifted into a specific provider’s cloud.

 

3: Everyone wants Sovereign Cloud

 

It’s a good thing that modern cloud comes in more than one shape and size since many countries and regions now require clouds of their own. Many of those countries have data sovereignty rules that mandate that data is stored and processed in-country, as opposed to being shipped off to the U.S. or a city beyond their borders. The old model of putting one cloud data center in a region to serve multiple nations is becoming a relic. 

 

A recent Forrester Research blog posts lists key requirements to qualify as a sovereign cloud provider operating in the E.U., including that government or citizen data remain in country and that cloud infrastructure be run by citizens of that country. Cloud providers must be willing to show that they comply with all relevant local laws and security regulations.

 

Businesses must realize that failure to comply with data sovereignty rules can lead to significant fines-potentially hundreds of millions of dollars-not to mention incalculable brand damage.

 

Countries and localities that must keep data in specified geographies should make sure their clouds of choice can accommodate that key requirement. Indeed some Gen 1 cloud providers have yet to do more than issue press releases about their intentions to offer sovereign cloud.

 

In the meantime, sovereign clouds based on Oracle technology are already rolling out  in some countries. 

 

4: Organizations will adopt cloud-based HCM to mitigate effects of volatility

 

The 2020s are proving complicated for personnel management. Companies that accommodated a massive pandemic-sparked move to remote work and skills gaps created by the “Great Resignation,”  now face waves of layoffs and workforce reinstatements thanks to a volatile economy. These factors as well as demand for faster training in response to market changes, are all challenges that cloud-based HCM help companies navigate.

 

Flux is everywhere. Healthcare, hospitality, retail and other industries must hire, schedule, manage, and pay a soaring number of part-time or contract workers. Many employees in those sectors cannot work from home, but neither are they tethered to a specific desk or office--think of nurses who must roam between exam rooms. Modern cloud-based HCM systems and associated applications  manage and support these “deskless” workers optimally.

 

Similarly, businesses must continue to offer those who work remotely part- or full-time the same experience as those who are always on site. Demand for workplace flexibility will not subside with the pandemic.

 

Again, cloud-based HCM, equipped with AI, is a huge help. By automating common, time-consuming workloads, these systems make on-boarding new hires faster and easier.

 

AI-enabled digital assistants collect data from employees and then interpret and answer questions using natural language processing (NLP). These chatbots expedite common tasks, minimizing calls and email to HR pros. Even better,  the assistants remain useful throughout employee tenure by guiding people through equipment requisitions, expense reporting, and other tasks.

 

The good news is that employees don’t mind working with AI, according to last year’s Oracle's AI@Work global study. The research found that 82% of the more than 14,500 respondents felt robots can support their careers better than a person because robots offer unbiased recommendations. 

 

AI can also help employees easily access training content they need, based on their current job, location, background, and career aspirations.

 

It’s not just about HCM, as important as that is. Business applications across the board must be more user friendly than in the past. By 2024, most legacy applications will get at least some modernization using cloud services according to IDC.  The question is whether that is fast enough.

 

Embedding AI into these applications makes people more efficient: an employee who spends three hours less per week keying in data, for example, has three hours to ask questions of the data, potentially finding ways to save money or boost revenue.

 

Overall, smart use of technology for HCM helps businesses boost productivity; lower administrative costs; better manage staff levels; and improve talent retention--all table stakes for trying times.

 

5: Companies will democratize access and analytics of their data

 

Businesses already swim in data--about product sales, distribution, inventory, manufacturingall their operations. But unused data is useless. The pressure is on to make that data more accessible to more people. AI technologies like machine learning (ML) are thus being embedded into corporate systems to lay the groundwork for this data democratization.

 

To further this push, companies must deploy  “augmented analytics” to make data understandable to “mere mortals,” i.e., business people and not just data scientists who now how to build and test models. This is crucial. For one thing, data scientists are scarce and thus expensive. For another, they often are less knowledgeable about the company’s core business than line-of-business managers.

 

If a department head can use human language to ask questions of data, that manager won’t have to wait for a data scientist or other specialist for answers. 

 

Perhaps even better are scenarios where ML-fueled analytics push relevant reports or alerts to managers based on past queries, the manager’s job function, and other factors. How nice to get the proof point you need before you even ask for it!

 

As Omdia chief analyst Brad Shimmin pointed out: “the interesting thing about this push toward accessible, “democratized” data science is that it doesn’t just benefit the vast unwashed masses, that is your average business user. Rather, it allows ML to flow into the nooks and crannies of the enterprise where it can be picked up by the right person at the right time in order to get something done.”

 

Fast analysis and access to pertinent data can drastically improve performance in applications ranging from  Formula 1 automobile and SailGP sailboat racing to  fraud detection, the need for real-time data access will be another key driver going forward.

 

6: Businesses need to lead on ESG

 

As concerns about the environment mount, consumers want to know how products and services are sourced, manufactured, and delivered. And an increasing number want to do business with companies with strong environmental social  and governance (ESG) values. Smart companies are taking up the challenge with action, not mere lip service.

 

Research shows that the entire supply chain must be considered in calculating a company’s impact on the environment as an estimated 90% of a company’s greenhouse emissions emanate from its supply chain.

 

Unsurprisingly, companies across sectors say they do all they can to ensure that their sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution practices are sustainable over time. But in reality, many are just scratching the surface.  In its Deloitte 2022 CXO Sustainability Report,  the  consulting firm found that more than one third of organizations are implementing just one of five “needle-moving” sustainability actions. 

 

For example, 67% of the CXOs surveyed said their companies are using more sustainable materials and 66% said they are increasing energy efficiency. But just 49% of the 2,000+ CXOs surveyed said they are developing new climate-friendly products and only 37% are tying senior executives’ compensation to environmental and sustainable performance. 

 

Window dressing is not enough. Companies need to address supply chain to improve their financial wellbeing. Aside from the aforementioned 90% greenhouse gas stat, a company’s supply chain also generates between  50% to 70% of its operating costs, according to the EY Supply Chain Sustainability 2022 report. This research notes that: “Beyond risk avoidance and compliance, organizations are seeking ways to create long-term value by embedding sustainability into supply chain operations.”

 

To address this profound challenge, businesses need a  complete and always updated  view of their inventories and as well as that of their suppliers and distribution partners And, as noted above, they need world-class analytics to parse this data. Armed with these tools they are better able to start sourcing and manufacturing  products closer to buyers thereby minimizing mileage and fuel costs of shipping. They can also better optimize warehousing to predict or even prevent shortages and finetune supply chain planning to cut overall environmental impacts of their business.

 

Importantly, we must realize that no company is an island. Each must work in collaboration with its suppliers and other partners to forge an efficient and ethical supply chain.

 

In addition to its other benefits, the massive move to cloud computing can help with the climate. IDC has estimated that wide-spread cloud adoption could prevent the emission of more than 1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide between 2021 and 2024 .

 

The importance of real action on ESG cannot be overstated.  For one thing, customers demand it. For another governments are moving quickly to regulation to ensure that any given business put its money (and policies) where its mouth is when it comes to sustainability.

 

That’s the stick, now here’s the carrot:

 

Companies that finetune their supply chain and other operations through the use of the technologies mentioned above, can truthfully claim to have minimized their negative impact on the planet and can affix that reputation to their brand. And environmentally concerned consumers will take notice. 

 

To recap, moving into the mid-to late 2020s, buyers want technologies that will help them manage costs, grow revenue, and they want choice in how that technology is deployed. Needless to say, they will prioritize cloud providers that facilitate, rather than hinder, how they want to run their cloud workloads.|