Netcompany, a leading global provider of digital transformation solutions, has secured a significant new build contract with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The contract, awarded under the Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Digital and Legacy Application Services (DALAS) framework, will see Netcompany modernize core digital customer services for HMRC’s Customer Services Group (CSG), including the Customer Compliance Group (CCG). The contract, valued between £120 million and £135 million over a five-year term, aims to simplify the process for citizens to access and manage their tax affairs through a personalized digital account. Netcompany was selected following a competitive procurement process. “We are proud and honoured to be selected to bring our expertise and knowledge to bear in helping enable HMRC’s digitalisation journey,”André Rogaczewski, CEO & Co-founder Netcompany “Improving citizen experience through responsible digitalisation of public services is a core part of our DNA. Through this partnership, Netcompany looks forward to working in partnership with HMRC to help realise their digital transformation aspirations, resulting in both better customer services and value to the taxpayer.” This contract win marks a significant milestone for Netcompany, demonstrating the company’s expertise in delivering complex digital transformation projects for large public sector organizations. By modernizing HMRC’s digital…
HSBC, a leading global bank, announced today that it has successfully piloted quantum-secure technology for buying and selling tokenized physical gold. This achievement marks a significant step forward in protecting digital assets from potential future quantum computing attacks. In 2023, HSBC became the first global bank to offer tokenized physical gold to institutional investors using distributed ledger technology (DLT). This year, the bank further expanded its offerings by launching HSBC Gold Token for retail investors in Hong Kong, enabling them to acquire fractional ownership of physical gold. Both launches leverage the technology of the HSBC Orion digital assets platform. HSBC also conducted a successful test of the interoperability of its gold tokens using post-quantum cryptography (PQC). This technology allows for the secure movement of digital assets across distributed ledgers via secure networks, addressing the evolving needs and regulations of clients. The pilot included the capability to convert HSBC’s gold tokens into ERC-20 fungible tokens, enhancing distribution and interoperability with other DLTs and digital wallets. In partnership with Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, HSBC utilized PQC algorithms and Quantum Origin quantum randomness technology to demonstrate holistic protection of digital assets, such as HSBC gold tokens, from quantum…
The UK Government has announced a significant investment of £18.85 million to support the development of high-tech manufacturing projects in Derby. This funding will create up to 4,500 jobs and boost the city’s economic recovery. One of the major projects is the establishment of a revolutionary high-tech food manufacturing and distribution campus on the former Celanese site near Spondon. Developed and operated by SmartParc, the campus will bring together food producers to reduce food waste, lower carbon emissions, and increase UK food security. The campus will feature a shared energy plant, advanced technology for improved production and efficiency, and a central distribution facility. It will also incorporate innovative approaches like vertical farming and planned partnerships with local communities to promote sustainable food production and create jobs. In addition to the food manufacturing campus, the government has also agreed to support the launch of an advanced manufacturing research center at Infinity Park. This center will collaborate with businesses in the region to boost employment through innovation and provide access to cutting-edge expertise. SmartParc chief executive Jackie Wild said she was delighted to be able to develop the project in Derby.”SmartParc is part of a £300m investment to put Derby city and…
Asana, a leading AI work management platform, announced today the appointment of Josh Abdulla as Head of Customer Experience. Abdulla will report to Chief Revenue Officer, Ed McDonnell, and oversee Asana’s customer success, professional services, and support teams, technical support, and customer success. Most recently, he served as Chief Customer Officer at LiveRamp, leading the company’s Customer Solutions organization. “Josh’s proven track record of building and scaling world-class customer success organizations makes him the ideal leader to take our customer strategies, communications, and engagements to the next level,” said Ed McDonnell, Chief Revenue Officer, Asana. “His deep expertise and long-held passion for customers will be invaluable as we expand our enterprise footprint and enable our customers to run their entire business on Asana.” In his new role, Abdulla will drive adoption and ensure Asana’s 150,000+ customers realize maximum value from the platform by overseeing the development of service offerings in support of their unique use cases. McDonnell continued, “Josh’s arrival reinforces our focus on solving our customers’ biggest challenges – providing even greater experiences through shared insights, learnings, streamlined communications, and support. Our goal is faster time to value for each customer, and Josh will be critical to harmonizing the…
MindGenius, a developer of mind mapping software for business, has launched a groundbreaking new version of its flagship product. This AI-powered tool empowers users to brainstorm, plan projects, and make decisions more effectively than ever before. Marron said: “For years, MindGenius has been dedicated to helping professionals unlock their full potential through mind mapping. “With the integration of AI, we’re taking a giant leap forward in empowering our users to overcome creative roadblocks and achieve a new level of productivity and strategic thinking. He added: “While the initial focus is on first-time and early-stage managers, the software can be beneficial for any professional looking to improve their skills and achieve their goals. The long-term goal is to market the software to a broader audience, including freelancers and individuals in creative fields.” Enhanced Features for Modern Teams: Designed for Efficiency: Benefits for All Skill Levels: While initially focused on supporting first-time managers, MindGenius recognizes the broad appeal of AI-powered management tools. The software can also benefit: With over 600,000 users in 160 countries, MindGenius has a long history of empowering professionals through mind mapping. This new AI-powered version builds upon that legacy, offering a powerful tool for individuals and teams to…
onWater Fish, a mobile mapping app for recreational anglers, has launched the ambitious C.A.T.C.H. Project (Community of Anglers Tracking for Conservation & Habitat). This groundbreaking initiative combines cutting-edge technology with community science to revolutionize recreational fishing and fisheries management. C.A.T.C.H. empowers everyday anglers to make a real difference by providing them with tools to: onWater prioritizes data privacy – onWater Fish won’t share anglers’ catch locations, ensuring their success on the water remains private. All catch data is stored securely in the angler’s private in-app journal and is only shared with vetted conservation agencies. C.A.T.C.H. is already gaining traction with leading conservation organizations: onWater Fish invites everyone in the fishing industry to join the movement: Alex Maier, CMO at onWater Fish, said: “Our unique strength lies in being a data company first. Through our mobile app, we’re putting powerful conservation tools in the hands of every angler, free of charge. We’re not just collecting data for fisheries management, we’re empowering anglers with insights to improve their fishing experience with every fish they catch or trip they take. It goes without saying, but this whole project is a huge part of our vision of Fishing Access for All™.” For more information…
Scanifly, a provider of PV design and field operations software, has announced a strategic integration with SubcontractorHub, an end-to-end platform for residential solar sales, project management, and PV design. This partnership combines Scanifly’s advanced design capabilities with SubcontractorHub’s robust sales, financing, and project management solutions, offering contractors a streamlined workflow for solar projects. Scanifly specializes in powering the operational stages of solar projects, including design, site survey, engineering, commissioning, and maintenance. By integrating with SubcontractorHub, contractors now have access to a comprehensive one-stop-shop solution that covers both the “front-end” and “back-end” aspects of solar installations. “Our efforts with SubcontractorHub mirror our recent collaboration with Energy Toolbase, which provides a similar experience for commercial developers. We’re excited to continue offering contractors front-end optionality by expanding our partnerships with various proposal tools,” commented Scanifly CEO, Jason Steinberg. The SubcontractorHub + Scanifly integration synchronizes project data at critical stages throughout the solar project lifecycle. Sales representatives can initiate Scanifly remote designs directly from their SubcontractorHub accounts, and completed designs are automatically populated in project records and timelines. Surveyors and operations personnel can also upload field data and checklists directly from Scanifly Mobile into SubcontractorHub for M2 and M3 submissions. Additionally, Scanifly’s drone-based 3D…
Planera, a leading provider of construction CPM scheduling and planning solutions, today announced that it has raised $13.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Sierra Ventures, with participation from Sorenson Capital, Brick and Mortar Ventures, Prudence VC, and Firebolt Ventures. The funding will fuel Planera’s growth and accelerate the development of its innovative tools, addressing the evolving needs of general contractors (GCs), specialty subcontractors, and the broader construction industry. Traditional construction project management software has fallen short in meeting the demands of today’s industry, lacking essential features like cloud-based capabilities, collaborative functionality, and visual planning tools. Planera is poised to disrupt the market by offering a modern, comprehensive solution tailored to the specific needs of construction professionals. “This funding milestone brings us closer to our vision of empowering teams with the technology they need to plan, schedule, and collaborate more effectively to deliver optimal outcomes for complex construction projects,” said Nitin Bhandari, CEO and co-founder of Planera. “We’re seeing strong demand for long term as well as weekly planning tools, and we are heavily investing in more advanced features like quality checks, performance analytics and construction-specific AI to better anticipate and manage unexpected project challenges. This…
Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) has announced the general availability of Adobe Workfront Planning, a new offering designed to help marketers streamline their campaign execution processes. As part of Adobe Workfront, an industry-leading enterprise work management application, Workfront Planning connects fragmented workflows and data across marketing teams, providing actionable insights to drive faster and more efficient campaigns. In today’s fast-paced marketing landscape, marketers are under increasing pressure to deliver personalized customer experiences while maintaining resource efficiency. Workfront Planning addresses this challenge by creating a “marketing system of record,” providing a centralized platform for defining and managing marketing work. This enables marketers to quickly answer questions about their campaigns, gain visibility into day-to-day operations, and streamline the planning and launch process. Key features of Workfront Planning include: “The daily work of the modern marketer has become increasingly complex, as different teams charge forward on individual campaigns without much visibility into the efforts of their colleagues,” said Amit Ahuja, senior vice president, Digital Experience Business at Adobe. “The net result is fragmented marketing operations where too much time is spent trying to align programs and stakeholders, a problem Workfront Planning solves by providing a centralized solution to plan campaigns, deliver marketing briefs and orchestrate work…
A groundbreaking digital project has successfully trialled innovative technologies designed to enhance digital connectivity at large-scale events, such as concerts and sporting events. The Liverpool LCR HDD project deployed its new Open RAN HDD private network at the Salt & Tar Music Festival, showcasing its potential to improve the overall experience for attendees. The project, a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and the Combined Authority, utilized Open RAN technology to create a private network capable of delivering high-capacity, open Wi-Fi services. This cutting-edge architecture offers a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and unobtrusive solution for meeting the demands of high-density areas. The Salt & Tar Music Festival provided a real-world testing ground for the Liverpool LCR HDD project, allowing researchers to evaluate the technology’s ability to support e-ticketing, drink and food sales, and other essential services in a secure and efficient manner. The trial demonstrated the network’s capacity to handle large crowds and deliver a seamless user experience. As part of the project, further trials will be conducted across the region at various music, transport, and sports venues to assess the HDD network’s performance in different settings. The aim is to identify the optimal applications for this innovative technology and explore its…
