Go Green! Evolve IP (EMEA) Is The Driving Force Behind Reseller’s ‘Revolutionary’ Sustainability Model

A revolutionary partnership between reseller Green IP and global collaboration service provider Evolve IP is set to transform the cloud communications landscape, offering an innovative green ecosystem business model.

Poole-based Green IP is dedicated to doubling its customer base in the coming year. The company’s vision extends far beyond mere business operations; it is on a mission to be a net carbon business and a pioneer in sustainable cloud communications. High impact solutions not only help businesses become more eco-friendly but also enhance collaboration and productivity, enabling a ‘Work Anywhere’ approach.

Committed to sustainability, Green IP has made significant investments in green electric vehicle technology and making their efficient office powered by renewable energy.  This ethos also extends to merchandise, including bamboo pens and recyclable coffee cups. The company began operating last summer, having split from TXI, which is now focused solely on satellite communication.

Evolve IP (EMEA) plays a pivotal role by providing a carrier-grade platform and expertise in integrating unified communications, collaboration tools, voice, and omnichannel contact centre solutions into the cloud. The partnership aligns with Evolve IP’s commitment to sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions.

Positive Impact

The partnership is already making significant strides, with Green IP achieving its Climate Partner status and attracting attention from new customers, having also launched a website at www.greenip.co.uk 

Matthew Brown, Business Development Executive at Green IP, emphasised how working with Green IP means supporting eco-friendly practices and making a positive impact on the planet. Solutions are designed to help businesses become more sustainable while reducing costs and enhancing collaboration. 

He explained: “Customers are very keen to embrace our green vision. It’s becoming more prevalent as climate change is something that no one can ignore now. We all have to play a part. 2024 will be a massive year for us.”

Paul Harrison, Managing Director (EMEA) at Evolve IP, noted their shared passion for sustainability and the substantial impact it can make. He says the partnership is well-positioned to lead the way in sustainable business practices and offers a unique value proposition.

“Green IP is like a small seed which is destined to grow into a huge tree. We are very excited by the potential. Done right, done well and with the right solutions, support and messaging, the sky is the limit. They have a unique USP. It’s a green company from the bottom up.”

He added: “We know that around 70% of future procurement is looking to work with sustainable businesses. Green IP is a natural place for them to come. 

“Today businesses have a choice to be sustainable but very soon we are not going to have a choice. It will become mandatory. So, if Evolve IP and Green IP are ahead of the curve, we can help all our customers to do the same and gain a competitive advantage. This will lead to a greener and more prosperous future for everyone, which is the ultimate goal. We are all on the same journey.”

Matthew concluded: “The future is undoubtedly green, and businesses increasingly seek sustainability as a key criterion for partnership. Green IP and Evolve IP’s collaboration embodies the ethos of a greener and more prosperous future, setting a precedent for the industry.”

 

Amazon’s €130,000 Delivery to Cork Schools and Charities

The team from Amazon Selling Partner Support (SPS) in Cork has donated equipment worth €130,000 to schools and charities across the county following a refurbishment of the Cork Airport Business Park office.

Amazon recently completed a refurbishment of its Cork headquarters and during the renovations, identified a number of schools and charities in Cork city centre and across the county to receive donations of desks, chairs, storage units, IT equipment and more.

Two Cork schools that received products from Amazon are Scoil Naomh Fionán Rennies and Scoil Ursula Primary School. In addition to the donation of products, each school also received financial donations of €1,000.

Located on the Cork’s south coast, Scoil Naomh Fionán Rennies has 148 pupils in eight classes. The staff provide a caring and fun atmosphere for the pupils, delivering a wide range of activities and learning opportunities. The school plans to spend the donation on supporting its digital infrastructure, which is designed to complement learning. This includes a typing club, assistive technology, use of tablets in station teaching and more.

Scoil Ursula Primary School in Blackrock promotes positive school, family and community links and supports charities in the community and across the world. Scoil Ursula Primary School plans to use the donation to help fund the purchase of books and equipment for its new library.

To mark the donations, the team from Amazon in Cork visited Scoil Ursula Primary School to deliver equipment such as computers, chairs, desks and lockers for the staff and pupils at the school. During the visit, the Amazon team also delivered a €1,000 donation.

Robert Owens, an employee from Amazon who took part in delivering the equipment, said:

“I’m proud to be part of a team at Amazon that can support charities and schools. As a parent of children of school going age, I feel reassured that all the pupils at the schools will have a better learning experience thanks to this donation.”

Darren Callanan, SPS Site Manager at Cork, added:

“Scoil Naomh Fionán Rennies and Scoil Ursula Primary School have such a positive impact on the pupils, staff and community. We hope these donations can help the schools continue to shape the minds of the future.”

David McCarthy, from Scoil Ursula Primary School, said:

“On behalf of the staff and pupils at Scoil Ursula, I would like to say thank you to the Amazon team in Cork. This donation has made a significant difference to our school and we couldn’t be more grateful for their generosity. We face huge socioeconomic challenges every day in Scoil Ursula and this donation has made such a tangible impact on our school and wider community. This donation has boosted staff and pupil morale at a time when we really needed it.”

The donation of equipment and furniture was made as part of the recent refurbishment of Amazon’s office in Cork. Amazon invested €5 million in the creation of its new-look premises, which offers a modern, safe, collaborative space for employees from across Ireland.

The donations to Scoil Naomh Fionán Rennies and Scoil Ursula Primary School were made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations in Ireland.

One year after the launch of ChatGPT over 300,000 people in Ireland have used AI at work

New research conducted by Deloitte in Ireland shows that a little under 2 in 5 respondents (38%) were not aware of Generative AI. For those who were aware of the technology 49% of them were aware of ChatGPT. Over half of (51%) respondents who have used the technology used it “once or twice to try” or less than monthly, while 6% of respondents use it daily.

Speaking today on the publication of research undertaken with 1,000 Irish respondents on their awareness and use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Colm McDonnell, Partner Risk Advisory with Deloitte said; “As we approach the first anniversary of ChatGPT’s launch, it is interesting that Deloitte research finds that over 300,000 people in Ireland have used the technology for work purposes. By far the most popular purpose of using Generative AI is for personal purposes while 34% of respondents use it for education. It is clear from these responses that the use of Generative AI will only increase with time and greater adoption. It is imperative that we prepare for increased adoption.”

Deloitte’s research also found that from those who have used Generative AI more than one in three (35%) believe it always produces factually accurate responses, and 31% agree that its responses are unbiased.

Colm McDonnell continued; “From our work we believe that Generative AI adoption is still at the early stages. As it is increasingly utilised, we as a society need to balance the requirements for trust and safety along with the need to harness the potential of technology. In our work with clients, we view trustworthy AI through six dimensions – impartial, transparent, accountable, secure, respectful of privacy and reliable. At Deloitte we believe the new regulations on the way from the European Union will be a crucial element in striking the balance between trust, safety, and the potential opportunities.”

Generative AI in the workplace 

Emmanuel Adeleke, Partner, AI & Data, Deloitte said; “We know from the Deloitte Digital Consumer trends research that 11% of Irish workers have used Generative AI in the workplace. This is despite the fact that amongst those respondents who were aware of these tools, 37% believed their employer would not approve of them using Generative AI for work purposes. It is fair to conclude that employers and employees would benefit from clarity around the acceptable and appropriate use of Generative AI. Furthermore, businesses will also have to look at how they engage with their customers, suppliers and regulators on these technologies. Like all transformative changes a certain lag-time between innovation and response is to be expected but it is vital that those managing businesses are proactive, open and accurate in all conversations on Generative AI. Deloitte’s research shows that AI is here to stay in the workplace, and that is unlikely to change.”

The impact of Generative AI on the workforce is also an issue that is front of mind for a lot of employees. Among those who were aware of the technology over 3 in 5 (62%) believed that Generative AI will reduce the number of jobs available in the future and almost half of respondents (46%) are concerned that Generative AI will replace some of their role in the workforce in the future.

Emmanuel Adeleke continued; “Generative AI presents a wide range of possibilities, such as freeing up time for employees to focus on tasks that matter most to their organisations. Our research shows that some of the workforce are already beginning to experiment to see how they can use, so it is important that employers and their employees communicate effectively about how and where the technology will be introduced, and what benefits it will bring. In Deloitte we believe that far more open and substantive engagement needs to take place about the implications of this new technology on tasks within the firm, both now and into the future.”

Emmanuel Adeleke concluded “While there is increasing industry awareness that Global AI regulations (e.g. the European Union AI Act) will eventually address ethics concerns, some organisations are hesitant to move beyond ad hoc AI experiments until they have regulatory clarity. Additionally, divergence in international approaches to regulation, while not a new phenomenon, will add complexity to the Al agendas in global institutions. We believe that Ireland can play an important role in this process. ”

Medical-Spec Package Arrives in Ireland

As part of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s expanding presence in Ireland, the company’s newly-kitted out showroom, testing and tool trial facility in Limerick recently took delivery of a high-speed IntElect S 100 medical-specification production cell.

Responding to one of the greatest challenges for medical manufacturers – constant high output, rigorous technical requirements and high precision – the IntElect S 100 delivers the repeatability and accuracy required for highly demanding applications. Specifically, the production of pipette tips, vials, drug delivery devices and pen style injectors.

Transported direct from Fakuma 2023, the IntElect S 100 machine’s ability to accommodate various tool configurations and automation options, combined with its energy efficiency, makes this machine the natural choice for producing high-volume medical components with the greatest precision.

The controlled acceleration and deceleration injection speeds underpins this medical machine’s success, notes the company’s Medical Business Development Director Anatol Sattel. “When there is no margin for error, the IntElect’s highly dynamic direct drive technology can react quicker to the injection speed changes. This not only delivers a faster cycle time but ensures the optimal product quality. All of this results in a faster ROI.”

Featuring direct drives that are renowned for being clean, cool, fast and quiet, the 0.14 seconds required to reach the IntElect´s maximum injection speed of 350mm/sec opens up the process window in critical areas where  the difference between overfilling, a full part or a short shot, can be very small. This filling speed can also help to prevent core shifts in applications like pipette tips that are more susceptible to the forces associated with slow injection speeds.

With the company’s medical drive systems tailored to the applications, customers in Ireland will soon be able to see how features like these help to lower energy consumption and reduce the amount of heat having to be dissipated from air-conditioned environments. All combining to help reduce operating costs.

Process optimisation, enhanced productivity and TCO can have the biggest impact on profitability. Again, these are greatly enhanced by this medical cell’s high-performance drives. Comprehensive lifetime tests performed on both the machines and components confirm that spindles tested under the toughest production conditions showed no signs of visible wear, even after millions of cycles.

“Having our very own medical machine in Ireland now gives customers a high-spec package to support validations, run tool trials and provide valuable process optimisation training to technicians. We are anticipating this machine will generate a lot of interest from medical moulders in Ireland. Combined with the IntElect S 180 machine already installed at our new Limerick facility, we now have the ability to demonstrate a range of AI and connectivity features to customers in all sectors. Critically, customers can benefit from the convenience of running tests and trials on site, without having to travel overseas. We look forward to welcoming customers from the first week of January 2024,” emphasises UK & Ireland Director Dave Raine.

Tech Review – Creative Pebble V3 Artisan Edition Speakers

Back in 2021 we reviewed the Creative Pebble V3 and for me did not think it was that long back but moving on there is a new version of the speaker now available called the Artisan Edition which is a new collaboration with the brand which is great to see and it is one of several brands we are now working with that have collabs going on and brings colour and art to the mix over the typical stock colours of products released and it is cool.

All round though these speakers are much the same as before that pack a powerful punch look good and sound great with really nice bass not drowning out the music no lag latency and no tinny sound when maxed out at all, these sound great anywhere in the house and are super easy to connect, you also get a bluetooth dongle in the box and you can connect via BT via phone or laptop once they are powered up, speaking of you just need to plug them into your USB-C port or use the adaptor provided and you can also connect your phone if you wish to do so.

There is good B&O speakers on my laptop but with these plugged in they sound drown them out and you will see this in the demo below both connected to the laptop via USB-C and then a separate test connected to a smartphone.

The Creative Artisan Edition bridges the worlds of sound and art to offer limited edition products that not only deliver exceptional sound quality but also double as art pieces.

The launch of the Creative Artisan Edition marks the beginning of a series of partnerships with talented artists worldwide, and Creative is thrilled to kickstart this journey with Lester Lim, a Singapore-based artist and a true creative maven. Lester Lim’s transition from a movie poster apprentice to a dynamic artist speaks volumes about his talent and dedication. Among his captivating works, JELILO stands out as a masterpiece, drawing inspiration from the elegance of the jellyfish. More notably, the anti-bully story behind JELILO sends out a powerful message that people can be bigger than their fears. This narrative behind the art holds profound significance and has the power to resonate with people universally.

Features 

  • Wireless Bluetooth® 5.0 streaming and AUX-in connectivity
  • USB Audio for power and audio
  • Clear Dialog audio processing
  • Automated high gain switch for amplified audio without distortion
  • Larger 2.25″ full-ranger drivers for 50% louder and richer acoustics than the original Creative Pebble
  • 45° elevated drivers that directs audio straight to your ears
  • Powered entirely by USB for a fuss-free setup (no wall plug required!)
  • Small form factor that packs a mighty punch
  • Perfect for computers and laptops

BUY

Video Review

Oakley Announces Fortnite Eyewear Collection

Witness a historic win as Oakley®’s distinctive aesthetics and game-changing style come together with global cultural phenomenon Fortnite for the first time, announcing a multi-year deal and dropping in hot with their first collection.

Launched in 2017, Fortnite is an always-evolving space where culture lives and players can create, watch and play alongside a global community with friends: think the best house party of all time, where everyone is welcome. If it’s positive energy, it’s Fortnite. This same positive energy is shared and supported by Oakley, whose commitment to create, improve and expand gaming technologies in the eyewear industry has continued to strengthen from the brand’s first steps into the gaming universe in 2020 with the introduction of Oakley Prizm Gaming lens technology.

The new collaboration begins with two eyewear designs, both proudly bearing the mark of Fortnite Battle Royale’s Victory Crown etched on the lens. Oakley’s Helux Fortnite, equipped with the brand’s proprietary Prizm Gaming™ 2.0 Lens Technology, assists players in reducing glare from OLED and LED screens while providing a sharp visual acuity during intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, Oakley’s Hydra Fortnite provides the ultimate style loadout for any outdoor adventure, bearing golden Prizm™ 24k lens for victorious skies ahead.

Leading the pack is Chica, aka Maria Lopez, most recent signing of the Team Oakley roster. Chica is the first Latina LGBTQ+ creator to join Fortnite’s Icon Series.  As a leader in the community, Oakley and Fortnite could not think of anyone better suited to inaugurate their new collaboration.

“I’m so excited that my favorite game and favorite glasses brand are now partnering”, said Chica. “In all my years of playing Fortnite and seeing all of the different collaborations, I’m so happy to be at the center of this one coming together. I can’t wait to share with my community!”

Starting November 29th, Oakley’s Fortnite collection will be available only on Oakley.com in initial limited quantity: get all the way to the collection for Storm survival.

This partnership between Fortnite and Oakley was facilitated by IMG.

Cyber4AM highlights the need to fortify digital defences for Ireland’s manufacturing industry to maintain its global edge

For Ireland to maintain its cutting edge advantages as a world class location for the manufacturing industry and leading exporter of a range of high end and sophisticated products it needs to double down on all aspects of security, especially in operational technology security according to the Cyber4AM project at the ISA Ireland OT Cybersecurity conference.

Manufacturing is the backbone of the Irish and northern Irish economies, with both regions having clusters of world class manufacturing operations in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, electronics, medical device technology, and food production. The total value of products manufactured in Ireland in 2022 was €132 billion and manufacturing is consistently one the strongest growth sectors in Northern Ireland’s dynamic economy.

Central to preserving and advancing this competitive edge is building on the foundations of a robust cybersecurity ecosystem for Ireland’s manufacturing industry, particularly in light of findings that in 2022 the manufacturing sector had one of the highest share of cyber-attacks among the leading industries worldwide.

As factories continue to digitise, moving towards automation, this brings increasing security risks for the Information Technology (IT) environment, which manages data and information, and the operational technology (OT) environment, which manages physical systems such as machinery or critical infrastructure.

A dedicated one-day conference provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of cyber security trends and challenges for the manufacturing sector in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity.

At the conference, Cyber Ireland and NI Cyber held a workshop on Cybersecurity for Advanced Manufacturing & Industry 4.0, to discuss the research findings of the Cyber4AM project. It is funded by InterTrade Ireland’s Synergy programme which aims to scale cross-border collaboration in the manufacturing sector to accelerate innovation, cluster development and knowledge sharing.

It found that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector have established roles responsible for cyber security and have conducted cyber risk assessments, with a significant percentage having business continuity plans.

However, there are areas for improvement with the need for increased cyber security awareness and training, adoption of certifications and standards, and for a comprehensive cyber security strategy for the business. It was also found a need for training in OT cyber security.

Speaking at the one-day conference, Eoin Byrne, Cluster Manager at Cyber Ireland, said “The Cyber4AM project has highlighted the increasing importance of cyber security to the manufacturing sector in Ireland, in particular for SMEs. This is also an opportunity for cyber security solution providers in Ireland and Northern Ireland with the potential for a more integrated All-Island cyber security market.”

Gillian Colan-O’Leary, Programme Manager with NI Cyber, said “Cyber4AM is at the forefront of fostering cross-border and cross-cluster collaboration by connecting cyber security companies with advanced manufacturing firms in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“Our mission is to fortify the digital defence of the manufacturing industry, promoting innovation and resilience through strategic partnerships,” added Colan-O’Leary

Alison Currie, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InterTradeIreland commented, InterTradeIreland’s Synergy programme supports knowledge sharing and collaboration between the Irish and Northern Irish manufacturing sectors to accelerate innovation.

“This research will benefit advanced manufacturing companies across the island of Ireland to improve their cyber security preparedness, support their digitalisation process and reduce the risk of cyber attacks. It will also create new business opportunities for cyber security companies in Ireland and Northern Ireland,” Currie said.

Expert speakers at the ISA Ireland Section OT Cybersecurity Conference 2023 included Ita O’Farrell, Head of NCSE Compliance, National Cyber Security Centre, Philip Westbroek, OT Security Officer of Enexis  the Netharland’s regional grid operator, Carlos Buenano, Chief Technical Officer for OT, Armis, a leading asset intelligence platform, Jacky Fox, Europe Security Lead, Accenture, Katie McCarthy, Head of Security, Uisce Éireann and Donal Óg Cusack, Senior Engineering Manager, DePuy Synthes who engaged in some of the biggest topics and issues of the day including the impact of EU regulations, OT Cyber security standards, and securing critical infrastructure.

Esri integrates with Microsoft Fabric to deliver leading spatial analytics capabilities

To meet the growing demand for spatial analytics, Esri is extending its long-standing strategic collaboration with Microsoft through a unified analytics platform powered by spatial capabilities. Microsoft Fabric, now in General Availability as announced at Microsoft Ignite, will accelerate time to insights and reveal unexplored patterns, trends, and connections through the integration of spatial analytics from Esri’s ArcGIS software.

Data scientists, data engineers, business analysts, and their executive stakeholders demanding spatial analytics and visualisation within Fabric will benefit greatly from the joint offering. Esri’s ArcGIS integration will allow data to flow across an organisation, whether working from Microsoft OneLake, Microsoft Power BI, or their ArcGIS environment. Fabric users will be empowered with direct access to sophisticated spatial analytics tools and functions, and an extensive library of authoritative and curated spatial data, to produce interactive and intuitive visualisations and maps.

“We are excited by this announcement,” said Eamonn Doyle, CTO, Esri Ireland. “It paves the way for data scientists across the Irish public and private sectors to gain spatial insights that can unlock powerful social, economic and environmental benefits.”

“Integration with Esri allows our Microsoft Fabric customers to gain valuable geospatial insights through access to their powerful spatial analysis technology,” said Arun Ulagaratchagan, Corporate Vice President of Azure Data, Microsoft.

The integration of ArcGIS with Fabric will be available in Q2 2024.

“Esri and Microsoft are key strategic partners to the Met Office,” said Dr. Niall Robinson, Head of Product Futures. “With the development of our next generation supercomputer from Microsoft our data volumes will grow exponentially. Continuing to help people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive will require an even greater use of ML/AI both within our organisation and by our downstream consumers. The addition of Esri’s spatial analytics to Microsoft Fabric is an exciting new development with significant potential.”

To learn more about the new spatial analytics workload for Microsoft Fabric, visit go.esri.com/spatial-analytics-in-microsoft-fabric.

Revolut teams up with RTÉ’s Toy Show Appeal for the third year in a row

Revolut, the global financial app with more than 2.5 million customers in Ireland, has teamed up with RTÉ’s Toy Show Appeal for the third year to enable viewers to donate instantly from their Revolut app. Last year, through the goodwill of the people in Ireland, the appeal raised €4 million for The Community Foundation Ireland, helping children and family members across the island.

In 2022, The Late Late Toy Show was RTÉ’s most-watched TV programme, with 1.6 million viewers. It was viewed in 139 countries around the world – including  Bolivia, Jamaica, Qatar, and Ukraine.

The partnership with Revolut began in 2021 when the extraordinary generosity of people in Ireland rushing to support the appeal led to technical difficulties with the Revolut app. After fixing them, Revolut co-founder Vlad Yatsenko announced he had made a €100,000 personal donation to the appeal: and he pledged to personally match any further donations made over the weekend via the Revolut app – up to €1m. Led by appeals from stars including Olympic champion Kellie Harrington, the Irish public donated a further €750,000: Vlad then gave the full €1m, taking the overall total raised via Revolut to €3.3m.

However, Revolut successfully fortified its Donations system last year, and encouraged the people of Ireland to continue their generosity to support the incredible work by Community Foundation Ireland, helping children who need it.

On Friday 24th November 2023, The Late Late Toy Show is back. This year, as Revolut has teamed up with the appeal again to welcome proceeds through Donations in the Revolut app which will go live on the night.

Vlad Yatsenko, Revolut co-founder, said, “We’re deeply honoured to once again support Ireland’s single biggest fundraising event for children: RTÉ’s Toy Show Appeal. More than 2.5 million people in Ireland now have a Revolut account, so we’re delighted to enable customers to donate to the appeal instantly from their Revolut app.”

“At Revolut, we have seen first-hand the power of digital donations as they have become an increasingly important tool for charities to raise funds and support their causes. As with all our charity appeals, we guarantee that every cent donated will go to the charity – with no fees or charges.”

Ready to donate? Here’s how:
 Make sure you’ve got the latest version of the app (Revolut 10)
 Search ‘Donations’
 Find the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal
 Choose how much you want to give and tap ‘Donate’
 Spread the word on social media for maximum impact!