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Verizon 5G Immersive Retail Accelerator Program with Digital Catapult Goes Live

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LONDON, June 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verizon Business has joined forces with Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation centre, and leading industry partners to launch the Verizon 5G immersive Retail Accelerator program, designed to develop the next generation of immersive retail experiences.

The first of its kind, the initiative will explore how 5G-enabled solutions can solve real-world challenges for some of the world’s leading brands – Burberry, Diageo and L’Oréal UK & Ireland, all of which see 5G adoption as a strategic opportunity.

The program is now open to start-ups and scale-ups currently working within the retail, immersive or customer experience space which are interested in or are already developing new cutting-edge 5G technology solutions and applications. This may include concepts around the in-store experience, out of store experience, digital product visualization and virtual events such as fashion shows and product showcases.

Successful applicants will have access to Verizon’s 5G capabilities as well as the Yahoo Ryot XR production studio and Verizon 5G Lab, all located in London, in order to generate their proof of concepts. These concepts will be showcased at the end of the program.

“The pandemic has demonstrated the transformational impact technology can have on our ability to adapt to periods of uncertainty,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “The quicker people are able to integrate technology across their organization, the easier their business will adapt to new trends. The Verizon 5G Immersive Retail Accelerator Program embraces the power of 5G, and promises to transform the customer experience through a range of innovative technologies, including immersive experience, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.”

Geraldina Iraheta, Chief Commercial Officer at Digital Catapult, commented: “Now, more than ever, retail organizations are looking at how new technologies can help them captivate customers and find new ways of enhancing the customer experience, as well as supporting their brands for the future. We are excited to work with Verizon to see what innovative ideas this Retail Accelerator delivers, as well as bringing Digital Catapult’s deep technical knowledge in 5G and our extensive network in the UK’s vibrant start-up community into this novel project.”

Partner quotes:

Mark McClennon, Global Chief Information Officer at Burberry, said, “Digital innovation is a cornerstone of our strategy, enabling us to create immersive online experiences that delight and inspire our customers all over the world. We are excited to partner with Verizon and Digital Catapult – two leading companies who embody our values of creativity and forward-thinking – to unearth the next wave of digital innovation through the Retail Accelerator program.”

Benni Lickfett, Global Head of Digital Innovation at Diageo, said: “We are constantly exploring how emerging technologies can enable more meaningful experiences for our consumers and the retail accelerator program is a great way to collaborate with leading technology pioneers to do just that.”

Mark Apter, L’Oréal UK & Ireland, said: “Creating innovative ways of engaging with our customers is always a priority for us, and 5G can help us keep our audiences connected and engaged. We have already seen the possibilities of technology such as virtual make-up try-on services, so I’m looking forward to seeing what new ideas are out there which can test the boundaries of connected experiences.”

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, generated $126 billion in 2017 revenues. The company operates America’s most reliable wireless network and the nation’s premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated solutions to businesses worldwide. Its Oath subsidiary reaches people around the world with a dynamic house of media and technology brands.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at https://www.verizon.com/about/media-center. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Notes to editors — Burberry, Diageo and L’Oréal challenge participants to solve real-life business problems

Interested applicants may apply via the individual links for each specific challenge listed below. The program will run for approx. 10 months.

Challenge 1: Burberry
Established in 1856, Burberry is an iconic luxury British brand. As a leader in innovation, Burberry is interested in exploring technologies that will galvanize customers and elevate their experience whether shopping at their flagship store in Regent Street or at home. 

The Challenge: How can Burberry use 5G technology to develop solutions that; produce compelling personalized brand stories, create customized shopping experiences with a hybrid digital/physical element and explore the potential of gamified shareable experiences that engage and drive brand loyalty?

Areas of Interest: How can 5G technology enhance the in-store to digital shopping experience in a personalized and social way? How might gamified experiences be used to engage consumers more deeply with the Burberry brand over 5G? Click here to learn more about luxury’s first social retail store in Shenzhen. 

Burberry is looking for exciting proposals that engage luxury fashion consumers in bold new ways with its brand and product range.

For the Burberry challenge please apply here.

Challenge 2: Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer – a business built on the principles and foundations laid by the giants of the industry. Its ambition is to be one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. 

Brand experiences have the power to evoke emotional and behavioural responses to brands and products. Technology is enabling people to experience Diageo’s brand in new ways and how the brands tell their stories.

The challenge: As lockdown restrictions begin to ease consumers are looking for more meaningful and rewarding experiences for their next social gatherings. In the 3rd space, such as bars and pubs, how can 5G equip Diageo brands to stand out and win the first drink of the night with an experience that is unique, rewarding and meaningful? How can Diageo use 5G technology to reach customers and consumers, aiding with the discovery of their products through frictionless experiences and improved engagement?

Key considerations:

  • Solution will need to be flexible to fit into various environments and transferable to then scale.
  • Require little to minimal integration with existing table ordering/ menu solution
  • Consider message of drinking responsibly and in moderation

Diageo is looking for exciting proposals that engage customers and consumers in novel and creative ways with its world leading brands.

For the Diageo challenge please apply here.

Challenge 3: L’Oréal
At L’Oréal, the goal is to offer each and every person around the world the best of beauty in terms of quality, efficacy and safety in a sustainable way. Working with Verizon and Digital Catapult, L’Oréal UK and Ireland would like to explore how 5G can accelerate the use of innovative technologies.

The Challenge: L’Oréal would like to explore how to demonstrate the sustainability of their products and how the user journey from purchase to when it is recycled after use can impact our world. How can L’Oréal positively impact the customer experience journey through technology, such as 5G, creating ‘wow’ moments and engaging consumers to test, try and experience their brands and product range from anywhere? 

For the L’Oréal challenge please apply here.

Media contact:
Clare Ward
+44 (0) 773 888 9326
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire is one of the world's largest newswire distribution networks, specializing in the delivery of corporate press releases financial disclosures and multimedia content to the media, investment community, individual investors and the general public.

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HKPC and HP Launch Joint Technology Centre in Hong Kong on Advanced 3D Printing

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HONG KONG, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and HP signed a collaboration agreement (agreement) today to establish the HKPC-HP 3D Printing Technology Centre (Centre) in Hong Kong for application research development on additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. The Centre aims to become a pilot transformation base, applying advanced 3D printing technologies to empower various industries, sharpen their competitive edge, and foster the development of high-value strategic industrial chains. It will also accelerate Hong Kong’s pioneering effort in micro-factory and new industrialisation development, offering important references and inspiration worldwide in the pursuit of innovative and sustainable development.

The Centre will be located in the HKPC Building, being the first in Asia to be equipped with both HP’s research version of “Metal Jet” and “Multi Jet Fusion” industrial 3D printers. HP will bring advanced equipment and talent to support the operations of the Centre, and HKPC will contribute expertise in raw material development, process development, and smartification. Market research data estimate that the value of the 3D printing industry will reach US$186.4 billion by 2033, a significant increase from US$27.7 billion in 2023, indicating the immense market potential.
Clean, digitally powered 3D printing generates minimal waste and a minimal carbon footprint. This aligns with global goals of achieving green and sustainable development, while also promoting long-term economic growth through sustainable industries. At the same time, advanced 3D printing provides significant opportunities in strategic industries, such as healthtech, critical components, electronics, and more. In the future, the Centre, with its focus on customisation and precision, can be a game-changer in meeting the demand for hard-to-source parts, complex structures, patient-specific implants, and other tools. This will enable enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to leverage advanced 3D printing technology and produce high-value, customised goods that can respond to market-specific demands in real-time, offering new levels of flexibility and efficiency that conventional factories are unable to meet.
In the ceremony, Professor Dong SUN, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government, said, “3D printing enables the development of more micro-factories in Hong Kong.  Compared to the traditional one, micro-factories require less land and materials, generate higher efficiency but less waste. This best suits Hong Kong’s condition, where land resources are limited and labour costs are relatively high. The establishment of this 3D printing technology centre is undoubtedly a good answer to show how we make use of state-of-the-art technology to promote advanced manufacturing and new industrialisation in Hong Kong. I am confident that Hong Kong’s manufacturing industry will reach new heights, and ‘Made in Hong Kong’ will continue to be a reputable and brilliant international brand. I look forward to more representative technology companies from all around the globe, such as HP to team up with our I&T quangoes, such as HKPC, bringing talents, technologies and machinery to Hong Kong to redefine Hong Kong’s manufacturing industry and drive high-quality economic growth.”  
Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, said, “We’re very pleased to form this research collaboration with HP, underscoring the confidence that global technology firms have in Hong Kong’s strengths in innovation. As an international innovation and technology centre, Hong Kong can be a paragon of the micro-factory city of the future that provides Hong Kong’s answer to develop new productive forces and set a fine example in Asia and across the globe to pursue innovation-driven, sustainable development. Hong Kong’s unique conditions make it particularly suitable for the development of micro-factories. The vibrant ecosystem in Hong Kong, combined with the robust supply chains in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, will provide an excellent pilot transformation base for the development of micro-factories, with significant implications for economies in Asia and worldwide.”
Mr Ramon PASTOR, Global Head of 3D Metals at HP Personalisation & 3D Printing, said, “It’s truly exciting to witness the launch of this collaborative effort between HKPC and HP, which aligns perfectly with our vision of leveraging Additive Manufacturing to drive industrialisation. This initiative not only showcases our dedication to technological advancement but also our shared vision for propelling industry innovation forward. HP believes in the immense potential of Hong Kong’s technology sector. We are also glad to bring in Pro-Technic Machinery Ltd. (Pro-Technic) to provide local support for our collaboration with HKPC.”
The Centre is planned to open in September, serving as a networking hub to promote closer collaboration among academia, research institutions and industries, empowering diverse sectors to grasp market trends. In addition to application development, the Centre will also provide consultancy and training services, driving advancements and propelling the 3D printing industry, as well as other industries utilising 3D printing technologies, forward.
About Hong Kong Productivity Council 
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. Being a key enabler of Industry 4.0 and Enterprise 4.0, HKPC strives to facilitate new industrialisation in Hong Kong, as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city. The Council offers comprehensive innovative solutions for Hong Kong industries and enterprises, enabling them to achieve resources and productivity utilisation, effectiveness and cost reduction, and enhance competitiveness in both local and overseas marketplace. The Council partners and collaborates with local industries and enterprises and world-class R&D institutes to develop applied technology solutions for value creation. It also benefits a variety of sectors through product innovation, technology transfer, and commercialisation, bringing enormous business opportunities ahead. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades.   
In addition, HKPC offers SMEs and startups immediate and timely assistance in coping with the ever-changing business environment, and strengthens talent nurturing and Hong Kong’s competitiveness with FutureSkills training for enterprises and academia to enhance digital capabilities and TechEd competencies.
For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.  
About HP
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit: http://www.hp.com.
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ShipFlex from Locus Expands Global Carrier Network to Over 160 Carriers, Enhancing Multi-Carrier Parcel Management Capabilities

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Locus.sh, a global AI-powered integrated logistics management SaaS company, announced its global carrier network for ShipFlex (its innovative multi-carrier parcel management solution) now has over 160 carriers. This significant expansion reflects ShipFlex’s continued commitment to redefining flexibility and efficiency in logistics for shippers globally.

“By efficiently broadening our carrier network globally, ShipFlex stands out as a marketing-leading offering that has the agility to cater to shippers’ fulfillment needs across diverse geographies, industries, fulfillment models, and fleet types, among other variables crucial to shippers,” said Nishith Rastogi, Founder and CEO of Locus.
For retail, manufacturing, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies that outsource their deliveries, ShipFlex stands out as a powerful ally as it optimizes fulfilmment operations across captive, contracted, outsourced and even hybrid fleets. “These sectors prize end-to-end optimization of operations and costs to deliver exemplary customer experiences. By automating decision-making around selecting third-party delivery providers, ShipFlex empowers shippers to meet both current and future demands efficiently across diverse fleet types used by these industries,” added Rastogi.
ShipFlex automates multi-carrier deliveries tailored to specific business constraints regarding cost, speed, and efficiency. The platform simplifies the logistics of sourcing additional capacity and assigning shipments, all from a single dashboard.
The solution enhances dispatch flexibility with its capacity to integrate various carriers easily. It provides end-to-end visibility of the order journey, including real-time status updates and customer notifications, ensuring a top-notch post-purchase experience and minimizing delivery re-attempts.
About Locus
Locus’ order-to-delivery AI-powered dispatch and transport management software helps enterprises transform their logistics from cost centers to revenue generators through advanced optimization algorithms and intuitive workflow automation. Backed by GIC Singapore, Tiger Global, and Qualcomm Ventures, it has helped 200+ global customers across industries – Unilever, Nestle, BlueDart-DHL, etc. – execute over 1 billion deliveries across USA, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
www.locus.sh 
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Metacon and Siemens enter into collaboration for the manufacture of systems for green hydrogen production

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STOCKHOLM, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Metacon AB (publ) and Siemens AB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enter into a partnership with the aim of accelerating the manufacturing of hydrogen production systems in Sweden, for the European market.

At the beginning of the year, Metacon announced that the company has been granted exclusive rights for the manufacture of complete electrolysis plants based on the partner PERIC’s world-leading technology for pressurized alkaline electrolysis modules (stacks). One of the key components of PERIC’s alkaline technology is efficient and proven 5 MW modules with over 10 years of operating data. Metacon also has access to the 10 MW module that PERIC recently launched and which today, in terms of power and production, is one of the world’s largest. The rights apply to most European countries and mean that Metacon can start from a proven technology that has been developed and refined for over 60 years, and make the adaptations required to match the requirements for safety and automation found in European standards for hydrogen production. With the exclusive right, Metacon now aims to become one of the market leaders in Europe for this type of large-scale hydrogen plants.
The joint MoU means that Siemens will become a technology partner to Metacon to contribute with its solid experience in delivering products, solutions and services in automation, power distribution, electrification, instrumentation, building technology and drives. Siemens will also be able to contribute with its wide range of digital services and software for optimisation, standardisation and simulation during both the manufacturing and operational phases of hydrogen plants.
“Hydrogen is an important piece of the puzzle in the industrial, energy and transport sectors to become CO2 neutral, and is the focus of Siemens’ global investment in Power-to-X. The partnership with Metacon marks a milestone in our quest to create a more sustainable world by, among other things, developing innovative solutions for the energy sector,” says Mikael Kraft, Head of Factory Automation and Sales at Siemens Digital Industries.
“Metacon has big plans for the investment in the manufacture and sale of large-scale electrolysis plants to, among others, the basic industry, the wind power sector and the transport sector in Europe. I have a hard time imagining a better partner on such a journey than Siemens. With its world-leading portfolio of technology, expertise and long-standing experience of similar projects, this partnership gives us the opportunity to both accelerate and optimize central parts of our unique Gigafactory project,” says Christer Wikner, CEO and President, Metacon.
For further information, please contact Christer Wikner, by phone 0707-647389 or e-mail [email protected]
About Metacon
Metacon AB (publ) develops and manufactures energy systems for the production of fossil-free “green” hydrogen. The products in the Reforming business area are based, among other things, on a patented technology that generates hydrogen through so-called catalytic steam reforming of biogas or other hydrocarbons. The development of Metacon’s reforming products is done within the wholly owned subsidiary Metacon S.A in Patras, Greece. The business is focused on catalytic process chemistry and advanced reformers for high-efficiency hydrogen production.
Metacon also offers complete electrolysis plants and integrated refueling stations for green hydrogen, a large and globally growing area for the production of green hydrogen. Electrolysis is a process of driving a chemical reaction to split water by adding electricity. If the electricity used is non-fossil, the hydrogen will also be fossil-free and climate-neutral. Green hydrogen can be used in sectors such as transport, basic industry and the real estate sector, with a better environment and climate as a result. www.metacon.com
About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a technology company with a focus on industry, infrastructure, transport and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more convenient transportation and advanced healthcare, the company is developing technologies to create real value for customers and users. By combining the real and digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their businesses and markets, helping them transform the lives of billions of people. Siemens owns a majority stake in the listed company Siemens Healthineers, a global leading medical device provider that is shaping the future of healthcare.
In the 2023 financial year ended September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenues of €77.8 billion and net profit of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company had approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. During the same period, Siemens in Sweden generated revenues of SEK 6.9 billion and employed approximately 1,500 people. For more information, see www.siemens.com and www.siemens.se. 
For more information see:www.metacon.com | X: @Metaconab | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/metaconab
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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