North American Bancard choose Limerick City as location of R&D Centre of Excellence

North American Bancard LLC., a U.S.-based leader in fintech solutions, has today announced it will create 54 jobs in Limerick City. This centre-of-excellence will be responsible for developing the company’s portfolio of next generation risk management products and services.

Headquartered in Troy, Michigan USA, North American Bancard is re-imagining the payment experience. As a leading payment technology innovator, NAB has a diversified product platform that provides a modern end-to-end infrastructure to enable globally preferred payment types. NAB’s superior solutions deliver seamless payments experiences in mobile, ecommerce, and in-store environments. Serving hundreds of thousands of businesses and with over $100 billion per year in electronic transaction volume, NAB delivers functional, feature-rich and frictionless solutions for the evolving merchant economy.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Peter Burke TD said: “It is great news that North American Bancard (NAB) have chosen Limerick City as the location for their new R&D Centre of Excellence, with the creation of 54 jobs. NAB is a leading Fintech solutions and payment technology innovator, providing next generation risk management products and services. Limerick, and indeed the Mid-West Region, has the optimum level of skills and talent for NAB to thrive here, and the new roles will provide excellent employment opportunities for our graduates across a number of disciplines. Ireland has a thriving Fintech ecosystem where we have a track record in supporting the biggest Tech and Financial Services companies in the world for decades, and this new announcement by NAB reinforces this. I wish all the team in NAB the very best in this new and exciting chapter.”

Minister for Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “As a proud Limerick person, I know how fertile a landscape we have here for talent, innovation and commerce. This investment by NAB in the Mid-West is further recognition of that talent, and their arrival to Limerick city will provide a significant boost to the wider local economy. Limerick is the perfect base for industry of this kind. Risk management solutions are important for us all, as we increasingly rely upon financial institutions to be resilient and withstand attacks. I look forward to the arrival of the NAB team and hope to be able to pay a visit to their site in the coming months”.

“It is fantastic to begin our journey on establishing a presence in Ireland, and specifically in the Limerick region. This establishes a specialist R&D facility with a keen focus on addressing the global issue of payments fraud. The Limerick site represents a strategic pillar for NABs, and it would not be possible without the support of the IDA and meaningful partnerships within the city,” said Dr. Christopher Mascaro, Chief Risk Officer, of North American Bancard. “As a company, NAB strives to provide state-of-the-art payments solutions that meet the needs of all our partners and merchants, across a wide spectrum of industries. Ensuring that our partners are protected in an ever evolving landscape of fraud is a critical step in the journey.”

North American Bancard plans to invest in establishing an enterprise risk management solution for payment solution providers and financial institutions which will rely on highly scalable cloud-based architecture, real-time event processing, data lakes, AI based decisioning frameworks and an intuitive case management system.

Executive Director of IDA Ireland Mary Buckley said: “North American Bancard’s decision to establish operations in Limerick is a significant and ambitious addition to the thriving technology-led cluster of companies in the Mid West. This move underscores the region’s exceptional talent and technical capabilities, further elevating its profile as a hub for payments investments and advanced R&D initiatives. I wish North American Bancard every success with this project.”

The open roles available with North American Bancard are in the areas of Product Managers, Architects, Scrum Masters, UX Designers, Front End Developers, Back End Developers, DevOps Engineers, and Data Scientists. To learn more about joining the North American Bancard team, visit North American Bancard (NAB-IRE Ventures Limited) Jobs – Irishjobs

Tech Review – Nokia 3210 (2024)

Being an avid high end smartphone user it is challenging at times when testing phones like this but the Nokia 3210 has more uses than one would think and now people are and can use technology to detox and that is what I have been doing and the Nokia 3210 is a start to help you detox which I think many of us need to do.

Now I went through in detail all the features on the device which you can see here and has been popular so if you need a rundown check out the video below while we talk about this phone can help you detox amongst other things.

First up is the design of the 3210 which many said on my social media it looks more like the 3310 but that is subjective and for me makes no odds the device is super light and think with tactile clicky keys that work well and will fit in any pocket.. It does feel cheap but it is robust and after having it a few weeks now it has not got marked or scuffed either which is a good sign although I am careful with my phones.

There is lots to do on the phone itself and you can use your own earbuds/headphones to listen to the tunes which you can load via your microsd card and the music sounds alright it would be my most use of the phone apart from calls and text which takes getting use to but you pick it up rather fast. Oh it has a radio so if you have no music or forgot to load some again sounds great.

Nokia 3210 (2024) with headphones plugged in for radio – techbuzzireland

There is a decent battery life on this too which is not something you see everyday today and it is removable again another thing you do not see and refreshing. There is plenty of games to test out too and some with limited goes and then you have to purchase you can certainly forget about battery anxiety with the Nokia 3210 that is for sure..

There is a camera and video recorder on board which will not win any prizes but look it takes alright photos I guess if you felt the  need to do so on your time away I guess and to be expected really it is not a phone for social media despite internet access which is not the best either and how it should be and keeping you away from pings all day long and just relaxing listening to the radio or your own music. I would advise daytime shots or bright areas though to get a decent image that people can see.

Overall this is not a phone out to set records by any stretch but more to detach your from the internet and social media it has plenty of battery and features on board to take away for a weekend like I did and feck eveyone else after that you can make phone calls and send text and being frankly honest I think we all need to step away from the internet and social media every now and then and this device can help like previous reboots from Nokia and HMD.

See more on the Nokia 3210 here and some videos

 

 

Biotech Company secures multi-million investment to revolutionize the Market for sustainable aroma with a groundbreaking new technology

EvodiaBio has raised an investment of 7 million euros from both foreign and Danish investment funds, including EIFO and The March Group. The new capital will be used for both commercialization and expansion.

It is a new groundbreaking and sustainable method to produce natural aroma that form the cornerstone of EvodiaBio’s technology. It can improve the taste of non-alcoholic beer while reducing the use of natural resources and CO2 emissions.

With extra capital backing, the company aims to become a global leader in sustainable aroma development for the food industry and beyond.

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved this milestone. This funding round is an important step towards our vision of revolutionizing the food industry with sustainable and innovative solutions. With support from our investors and our strong team, we are ready to take EvodiaBio to new heights and make a significant impact on the global stage,” says Camilla Fenneberg, CEO of EvodiaBio

Natural and sustainable aromas through Precision Fermentation

Hops are one of the key ingredients that give beer its great taste, but like many of nature’s other resources, the aromatic plant is threatened by climate change. Production is declining, and quality is deteriorating. EvodiaBio has developed a technology using yeast and precision fermentation to produce sustainable aromas that create the taste of hops.

These aromas are initially launched for the beer industry, where they can improve the taste of non-alcoholic beer and partially replace aromatic hops, which are currently threatened by climate change.

High interest from breweries

The company is experiencing high interest from breweries, and the possibilities extend beyond non-alcoholic products. With fresh capital, commercialization and expansion can be accelerated, and in the long term, EvodiaBio aims to improve the taste of various types of beverages and other food products.

Behind the ambitious Danish startup stands a strong board with prominent profiles such as Flemming Besenbacher, former Chairman of Carlsberg, Andreas Fibig, former CEO of IFF, and Anne Cabotin, former SVP at Symrise.

“I am pleased that we have now completed an oversubscribed up-round enabling us to continue our journey to make non-alcoholic beer taste great and reinvent the aroma industry by providing new sustainable solutions. A big thanks go out to our existing and new investors for their confidence in EvodiaBio and belief in our journey ahead.” says Chairman of the Board Jarne Elleholm.

EvodiaBio, founded just three years ago, is supported by a strong international syndicate of investors consisting of Nordic Foodtech VC, the German flavor house Symrise, PINC – the venture arm of Paulig, Thia Ventures VC, Newtree Impact, Ananke Ventures Limited, EIFO, and The March Group.

EvodiaBio received early-stage financial support of 2 million euros from the Danish BioInnovation Institute, founded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The state investment fund sees great potential in companies working towards green transition.

“We are pleased to support the continued development of the Danish biosolutions ecosystem, which stands strong internationally. It is crucial that we contribute with risk-tolerant capital so that advanced research from universities can be commercialized and support the green transition, which EvodiaBio can pave the way for. We see great potential in their innovative product, which the strong team behind the company can take far, and we are pleased with the support from international investors,” says Johan Bitsch Nielsen, Investment Manager, Green Transition, EIFO.

Plum expands investment offering in Ireland with ETFs

Smart money app Plum has expanded its investment offering to include ETFs in Ireland and other EU markets. Customers can invest in diversified funds by geographical region, sector and asset class, as well as tracking multiple stock market indices from around the world.

In partnership with Berlin-based fintech Upvest, Plum now offers its customers investments in EUR-denominated ETFs, including fractional shares. As a result, Plum is able to offer them a broader, enhanced investment experience, in addition to the 3,000 US stocks it already offers.

The Easy ETF range, accessible without a paid subscription, consists of three globally diversified ETFs tailored to different risk levels to help customers start their investment journey. The rest of the ETFs are available with Pro and Premium subscriptions, with more than 40 carefully selected funds on offer in total, such as S&P 500 US, Artificial Intelligence ETF or Europe Dividend Income.

The launch of ETFs follows the success of ‘Plum Interest’, an innovative product based on a money market fund offering a variable return of up to 3.80%. Paired with Plum’s stock investing product, the company aims to offer Irish savers a full suite of products to build wealth over the long-term.

Victor Trokoudes, CEO and founder of Plum, comments: “We know already that people in Ireland are great at saving. But they’ve been let down by poor interest rates and inaccessible and confusing investment options from the traditional banks and providers. That is why we have carefully selected a range of ETFs that will provide customers with more high-quality options to put their money to work.”

“The recent success of our ‘Plum Interest’ product in Ireland shows that people are hungry for innovative products to build their wealth. Now, with the addition of diversified, expertly created ETFs as well, it will be easier than ever for people to invest in the sectors and regions that matter to them, as well as being more able to find the risk level appropriate for their circumstances.”

As well as Ireland, ETFs are available to Plum customers in seven other EU markets (France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Greece).

Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion to Receive a Limited Run Physical Edition

Limited Run Games, in collaboration with Nightdive Studios and Universal Products & Experiences, is excited to complete the Turok remaster trilogy with the physical release of Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Starting June 7, 2024, fans can pre-order the game from limitedrungames.com.
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion is a faithful remaster of the classic first-person shooter originally released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, upgraded through Nightdive Studios’ proprietary KEX Engine for play on modern gaming devices with up to a 4K resolution at 120FPS. The title features upgraded gameplay, high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting and rendering, and support for gamepads.
In addition to standalone releases, Limited Run will release Classic Editions of Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion to match its previous Turok remastered releases. These will include a metal replica retro cartridge, an official game soundtrack on CD, and a reversible poster—all in a foil, embossed throwback box.
Limited Run is also giving Xbox players the chance to own the entire remastered trilogy with new Xbox One physical editions for Turok and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. They will be available alongside Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion to pre-order throughout the entire sale period. Fans looking to upgrade their collection, no matter the platform, can also pick up a slipcase to store all three titles.
With this physical release of Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion, Limited Run is proud to be able to complete the journey they began in 2019 to bring this classic Nintendo 64 trilogy back to collector’s shelves.
About the Physical Editions:
Standard Editions ($29.99):
●     Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One
○     Full-color booklet included
Classic Editions ($59.99):
●     Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One
○     Full-color booklet included
●     Embossed, foil retro box
●     Reversible poster
●     CD game soundtrack
●     Metal retro cartridge replica
 
Additional Collection Offerings:
●     Turok on Xbox One physical media
○     Full-color booklet included
●     Turok 2: Seeds of Evil on Xbox One physical media
○     Full-color booklet included
●     Rigid slipcover sized for Nintendo Switch or PS4/Xbox One cases

TCS launches WisdomNext an industry-first GenAI Aggregation Platform

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has launched TCS AI WisdomNext, a platform that aggregates multiple Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) services into a single interface and enables organizations to rapidly adopt next-gen technologies at scale, lower costs and within regulatory frameworks. The industry-leading platform is designed to remove barriers for customers to develop and launch business solutions, allowing for real-time experimentation across vendor, internal, and open-source LLM models.

AI and GenAI have far-reaching applications across the value chain for businesses. However, solution designers around the world find it difficult to select, experiment and decide on the right foundational models to use. Foundational models are constantly evolving, and each model offers different capabilities in terms of mode of usage, cost, and effectiveness. TCS’ AI for Business Study, a comprehensive survey on the impact of AI on businesses, found that while business executives are generally positive about the impact of AI, they are less certain about the path to transformation. TCS AI WisdomNext helps businesses choose the right models and simplify the design of new business solutions using GenAI tools. It also enables businesses to reuse pre-existing components to accelerate the design.

Siva Ganesan, Head, AI.Cloud Unit, TCS, said, “TCS AI WisdomNext helps our customers take advantage of GenAI to unlock the full potential of their data, drive greater business innovation and efficiency, and gain a competitive edge. Customers appreciate the newly launched platform’s ability to help navigate a diverse and quickly evolving AI marketplace and rapidly compose ‘art-of-the-possible’ solutions. We are solving business problems and helping our customers redefine what it means to harness the power of GenAI. The rapid adoption of GenAI and experiencing what it means in terms of business outcomes is something our customers find very exciting.”

In the initial testing phase, TCS has already leveraged this powerful tool for many of its largest customers to create value for them and build prototypes. Examples include fast-tracking sales for an outdoor advertising company in the US, with real-time inventory availability and quote generation with maps Integration; enhancing productivity and efficiency across the application migration and modernization lifecycle for a leading American insurance provider; and enhancing customer experience through a smart mortgage-assistant for a leading bank in the UK.

Scott Kessler, Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Northeast Shared Services, said, “GenAI presents us with the chance to elevate the value of our knowledge capital across multiple dimensions. Through access to the TCS AI WisdomNextTM platform, we can amplify our enterprise knowledge, orchestrating a seamless integration of data and insights to enhance the efficiency, innovation, and customer-centric focus of our grocery organization, thereby incrementing value at every turn.”

TCS AI WisdomNext is an integrated enterprise AI orchestration platform with features including:

  • Preconfigured industry solution blueprints
  • Intelligent ‘evaluator bots’, which enable organizations to compare available GenAI models and related technology stack choices, helping them to make more informed decisions
  • Scenarios to optimize GenAI running costs using the platform’s native intelligence
  • Centralized governance with in-built guardrails to ensure compliance with local regulations and best practices
  • Seamless portability feature across cloud platforms and GenAI ecosystems
  • Build hyper-personalized experiences, paving the way for higher customer satisfaction.

R “Ray” Wang, CEO and Principal Analyst at Constellation Research, said, “Customers seek an innovative GenAI platform that has a powerful combination of prefabricated industry blueprints, cutting-edge technologies, and orchestration capability to help businesses succeed in their future adoption strategies and innovation on GenAI. The service providers that thoughtfully make investments in GenAI and help clients transform, navigate, and experience the world of GenAI with security and ethical guardrails at its core will be the technology partners that customers will trust to deliver on the promises of GenAI. These AI-first technology partners can deliver on what customers seek – a new multi-model, multi-modal and multi-cloud platform.”

The AI.Cloud unit brings together TCS’ capabilities in cloud computing and artificial intelligence to cater to the contemporary needs of customers. The comprehensive portfolio of GenAI services and solutions includes consulting and advisory, solution design and prototyping, large language model training and fine-tuning, guardrail agent design, project delivery, and ongoing maintenance as well as a responsible AI framework to help enterprises navigate the ethical and safe uses of AI. With over 300,000 associates trained on the foundational skills of AI/ ML, including GenAI, TCS is also set to build one of the largest AI-ready workforces in the world. TCS AI WisdomNext is available to customers now. For more information, please visit https://on.tcs.com/TCS-AI-WisdomNext

Tech Review – SPORTLINK Waterproof Drop Proof Dust Proof and Snow Proof case for the iPhone 15Pro

The  SPORTLINK Waterproof Drop Proof Dust Proof and Snow Proof case for the iPhone 15Pro is a case you might want to check out if you need a new case for your phone as this has you covered in all aspects.

First up on protection is that the case is IP68 Waterproof and stops dirt and dust getting in under the skim so to speak it is also kids proof and has no effect on the screen when in use with the built in screen protector which is good to see.

I have tested in water and drop tested and no issues were found since installing the case on my phone. The case takes only a minute to install and has a special key to remove it should you want to at a later date.

The keys all work well and slightly raised and there is also gripping points on the side of the case and decent bumpers on the corners there is also the option to use a lanyard strap if you desire to do so which is not my thing.

There is a combination of TPU and PC to give an extra layer of protection which is a good option although I prefer TPU based cases only but this is fine to use and will protect your device.

The camera area is well protected to and does not interfere with taking videos or photos which is why you should ensure there is no air trapped inside the case when installing as the lens would fog up and not only that you would then see water inside if not correctly installed.

Wireless charging still works which is good to see and tested in the video review below so be sure to check it out and tell us what you think.

All ports are accessible so your music mic and charging will be affected either the closure on the rubber flap is solid and secure and i can say no water or dirt has got in since installed so you are good to go and fully protected with this case on your expensive iPhone 15Pro

Check out the other case reviews for the iPhone 15 Pro

  • 🐳【Compatibility】 SPORTLINK designed for iPhone 15 Pro waterproof case ✅only compatible with iPhone 15 Pro (6.1 inch) 2023 Released. Precise cutouts allows full functionality and access to controls.
  • 🐳【IP68 Waterproof】 Water, dirt, drop, and kid-proof, Sportlink waterproof case safeguards against the elements and everyday life. It meets the IP68 dust and continuous submersion rating. Support underwater photography, swimming,snorkeling, surfing and more. In addition, the washable design ensures easy cleaning and keeps your phone and case always stay clean and looks like new.
  • 🐳【Real Shock Protection】 Meets the MIL-STD-810G standard, survive drops up to 6.6’/2m. The internal structure is designed to protect your Apple iPhone in the event that it is dropped or compressed. The combination of PC and TPU materials provides protection from impact. Raised edges on the case and built-in screen protector create a barrier from external elements. Soft rubber stoppers keep dust and liquids out of the charging port opening while still allowing easy access in dry conditions.
  • 📱【HD Screen Protector】With built in HD screen protector, this case can prevent the phone screen from scratches as well as provides a sensitive touch and ensures a quick response. And different from ordinary tempered film, it is not easy to break, and Maintain the most original visual experience.
  • 📱【Clear Sound Quality & High Touch Responsive】 We employ our latest design solution for the microphone and earpiece area of the phone, which provides crystal-clear call quality and an impeccable music experience. If you’ve been bothered by sound issues, I highly recommend trying out our case because it feels like you don’t have a phone case at all, offering both protection and functionality. Moreover, it maintains compatibility with touch sensitivity

BUY

Video Review

Asda delivery driver praised for going the extra mile

Jason Bonny, a delivery driver from Asda, Portadown, demonstrated exceptional customer service and dedication to his job by assisting a wheelchair user with putting away her shopping while out on his rounds.

Going about his day on an ordinary delivery shift, Jason encountered an address that wasn’t on his usual route. Approaching the front door, he noticed the house had been renovated for disability access and was greeted by the home delivery customer, who was a wheelchair user.

Jason said hello to the customer and indicated he would carry the shopping into the house for her, he then began to unpack the groceries and put the items away in the cupboards to save the customer from doing so, much to their delight.

Jason commented:

“I just followed my instinct, I explained to the customer that there was no rush and that I could take the time as helping people is just part of my job. I enjoy my job at Asda for different reasons, however, working in customer service has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact on somebody else’s day and there is nothing more rewarding than that. Kindness costs nothing!”

The customer was so pleased with Jason’s assistance that she contacted Asda Portadown, praising Jason as a credit to the company and that her positive experience would encourage her to use Asda’s delivery service again.

Kate Oakes, General Store Manager at Asda Portadown said:

“Jason is a remarkable employee and always goes above and beyond for all customers. His dedication to making every customer feel valued is a testament to his hard work and commitment. We’re privileged to work with him, thank you, Jason!”

New Cybersecurity Directive holds executives personally liable and up to €10 million in fines for organisations

A new directive set to be launched in Ireland in October 2024, could lead to 4,000 businesses in Ireland and their senior executives being personally liable and their organisations exposed to potential fines of up to €10 Million. The expanded Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) is being implemented to ensure businesses classified as essential and important entities take appropriate measures to enhance their cyber vigilance and protect sensitive data.

In response to these challenges, OpenSky, the business process automation specialists & Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI who use their expertise to bring AI to the centre of digital transformations, have now launched a new Data Management and Governance service for public and private sector organisations.

This new service by OpenSky, powered by Microsoft Fabric & Purview, applies a ‘Data Fabric’[1] approach as the strategy to connect, protect and make data accessible for organisations, aiming to ensure that they meet robust governance and regulatory compliance requirements. In addition their Data Fabric service allows organisations to build greater AI powered insights from connected data by breaking down internal data silos at scale across departments.

Commenting on the new OpenSky offering which will address organisations concerns, Michael Cronin, managing director, said, “The NIS2 directive is reshaping how we approach data management in Ireland, both in the public and private sectors. It’s an opportunity for us to lead by example, ensuring that our data strategies and AI implementations are secure, transparent, and aligned with the best practices in data governance.

The NIS2 directive is an EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity that provides legal measures to increase the overall level of cybersecurity in the EU, and urgently puts pressure on public and private sector organisations to determine its impact on their current cybersecurity posture.

The expanded NIS2 Directive is estimated to impact about 4,000 businesses in Ireland, which is significant considering less than 100 businesses in Ireland are currently impacted by NIS1. The expanded NIS2 brings new categories where organisations in scope are either directly involved in the provision of essential services or connected to their delivery.

Roseanne Killeen, Acting CEO Ireland East Hospital Group, who has worked with OpenSky on enriching the access and integration of HR & Finance data in the hospital group said, “Healthcare faces major hurdles in making data accessible across various departments, and this is due to numerous disconnected data silos. Navigating the challenges around governance and prevention of data breaches can seem like an arduous task but it doesn’t have to be the case when you have access to all your data. We’re not only in a position to govern our data but we’re also now better equipped to provide accountability and transparency to the HSE.”

Based in Naas in Co Kildare, OpenSky has a rich heritage as an Irish digital transformation specialist providing AI powered IT solutions and consultancy services to both public sector and private organisations. OpenSky employs more than 110 people, and this year the company celebrates its 20th anniversary, positioning them as one of Ireland’s most established IT services businesses.

To assess your organisations’ eligibility for a funded Data Governance proof of concept, follow the link here: www openskydata.com