Microsoft to pay $68.7 billion for Activision Blizzard.

Infocus International is delighted to bring one of their best virtual workshops,  Public-Private Partnership (PPP)  that will be set to commence  17 August 2026 . We need new infrastructure. Roads, airports, schools, hospitals and housing: the list is enormous and growing. Yet severely limited budgets, economic uncertainty caused by volatile commodity prices, and deficits continue to prevent government at all levels from delivering the kinds of structural change that has always been needed. In response, some countries have developed successful PPP programmes. Merely grasping the concepts of PPP does not do justice to our great responsibility of having an ownership in the country’s future. We already know what we need to do, now is the time to really discover HOW. One of our participants from  Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Ltd  shared that, “ The facilitator was very knowledgeable on the subject matter, very responsive to questions and innovative in the delivery of the PPP training program. The knowledge gained will assist me in productive participation in ongoing and planned PPP Projects in my country.” Another participant from  PNG Ports Corporation  also mentioned that,  “This is an excellent course for anyone involved in PPP. Highly recommended.” Benefits of Attending • Use best practices from international case studies of successful PPP transactions and common practical pitfalls to avoid • Design and manage PPP legal, regulatory & institutional frameworks to attract investors and complete PPP transactions • Apply models for the efficient design and completion of PPP feasibility studies • Understand project financing requirements and evaluate PPP financial models for both affordability and bankability • Evaluate and apply different credit enhancement techniques to ensure PPP bankability, including blended financing, viability gap funding (VGF), partial guarantees, risk insurance products, output-based aid (OBA) and other financial instruments • Design PPP transaction implementation plans and manage & oversee PPP transaction advisors for reaching commercial closure and financial closure • Models for PPP tender documents, including PPP Project Information Memoranda (“InfoMemos”), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) • International models for designing and drafting PPP contracts & agreements • Environmental & social impact mitigation techniques to structure sustainable private investments in public infrastructure • Plans for managing sustainable PPP contracts including ensuring technical performance, quality of service delivery, price review & adjustment regulatory models, legal contract management and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques Want to learn more? Simply email  media@infocusinternational.com  to register your attendance. For more information, please visit  https://www.infocusinternational.com/ppp-online ...Read more

Data from various sources forms the basic foundation of businesses. In the present times, the improvement of connectivity in the IoT space has resulted in the transfer of huge chunks of data. Therefore, there is a need for big data analytics in IoT in order to address the challenges related to management of large-scale, through the data pipeline architecture. To begin with, data pipeline is the process concerned with the movement of data through an organization. Once data enters into an organization, the stage is referred to as data ingestion. Next in the process is the stage of data transportation from the data ingestion stage to the other stage is known as data collector. Followed by this, the data moves through the processing stage wherein appropriate measures are taken to store it. Data storage stage steps up to the data query stage where it is analyzed through interactive queries. The final stage is concerned with valid presentation of data in different forms of business infographics, such as graphs or statistics. Data generated in the IoT space requires a data management system with the following qualities: •  It should be adapted to manage and process a huge number of data sources, keeping pace with the continuous increase of IoT devices. •  The data management system must have a prompt response time in order to notify the concerned segment of the business in case of failures while processing or storing data. •  The system must be able to scale data on multiple parameters such as a number of devices, storage, and messages. •  Diversity and flexibility are required to process use cases and simultaneously accommodate new use cases. •  The data management system should be cost-effective. All the above criteria suggest that IoT requires interacting with big data analytics tools in order to manage such big chunks of data. ...Read more

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region stands as a frontier for digital advertising, where the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly redefining how brands connect with their audiences. Far beyond simple automation, AI-powered advertising platforms are now capable of engaging consumers in nuanced and highly effective ways, ushering in truly smarter brand interactions that foster deeper connections and drive significant conversions. The Evolution of Personalization in Advertising At the core of this transformation is the ability of AI to revamp personalization. Traditional advertising often relies on broad demographic targeting. However, modern AI platforms leverage vast datasets to understand individual consumer preferences, behaviors, and even real-time intent. This granular understanding allows for the delivery of hyper-personalized content, ensuring that each ad resonates directly with the recipient. Imagine an advertising platform that not only knows what a consumer has browsed but can also infer their current needs and anticipate their next steps, serving up an offer that feels uniquely tailored and timely. This goes beyond just product recommendations; it extends to the very messaging, visuals, and even the platform on which the ad is delivered, optimizing for maximum relevance and impact. The Shift towards Conversational Advertising One of the most profound shifts driven by AI is the rise of conversational advertising. Advertising platforms are no longer just broadcasting messages; they are facilitating genuine, two-way interactions. Through sophisticated natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming integral to the customer journey. These intelligent agents can engage consumers in natural, human-like conversations, answering questions, providing detailed product information, guiding them through purchase processes, and even offering post-purchase support. This ability to "talk" to consumers in real-time creates a seamless and intuitive experience, fostering a sense of direct engagement with the brand. In the diverse linguistic landscape of APAC, AI's multilingual capabilities are particularly transformative, enabling brands to communicate effectively with a vast array of audiences in their native tongues, breaking down communication barriers and building trust. Beyond talking, these platforms are constantly learning. Machine learning algorithms embedded within advertising platforms continuously analyze every interaction, click, and conversion to refine their strategies. In this evolving landscape, Double C Consultants  supports organizations by aligning data-driven advertising platform strategies with consumer behavior insights. This iterative learning process allows the AI to identify emerging trends, optimize bidding strategies in real-time, and predict future consumer behavior with remarkable accuracy. This means that advertising campaigns are not static; they are dynamic entities that continuously adapt and improve based on performance data. The insights derived from these self-learning systems enable brands to allocate resources more efficiently, identify new opportunities, and enhance overall campaign effectiveness. The ultimate goal of this smarter engagement is, of course, conversion. By engaging with consumers in a personalized manner and continually learning from their interactions, AI-powered advertising platforms are significantly enhancing the path to conversion. Real-time optimization of ad placement, content, and delivery ensures that the right message reaches the right person at the right moment of intent. The seamless transition from conversational engagement to a purchase decision, often within the same platform, streamlines the customer journey and reduces friction. This holistic approach, from initial awareness to final conversion, is a testament to the integrated power of AI in modern advertising. Cubic K delivers advanced solutions enhancing advertising platforms, consumer insights, and data-driven performance across evolving digital ecosystems. In the APAC region, with its diverse markets and rapid digital adoption, AI-powered advertising platforms are becoming indispensable tools for brands seeking to forge stronger connections, cultivate loyalty, and drive tangible business growth. With AI's transformative capabilities, brand engagement will be conversational, intelligent, and relentlessly optimized. ...Read more

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is a hotbed of digital transformation, with businesses keenly aware that modernizing their technology infrastructure is no longer a luxury but a strategic imperative. At the heart of this transformation lies the pervasive challenge of aging, inflexible legacy systems. However, a powerful enabler is emerging to tackle this complexity: low-code development platforms. These platforms are rapidly gaining traction in the APAC region, providing a much-needed acceleration for legacy system modernization, fostering agility, and driving innovation across diverse industries. The Rise of Low-Code in APAC: A Catalyst for Change One of the key advantages of low-code platforms is their ability to accelerate development and deployment, often reducing application delivery times by 50–90 percent compared to traditional methods. This speed is vital for organizations seeking to replace or enhance outdated legacy systems quickly. Low-code enables the democratization of development by empowering "citizen developers"—business users with limited coding experience but deep domain knowledge—to participate in the creation of applications. This inclusive approach helps address the persistent developer talent shortage across many APAC markets. The cost-efficiency of low-code platforms is another significant benefit. By shortening development cycles and reducing dependence on specialized coding expertise, organizations can achieve substantial savings in both development and long-term maintenance. Additionally, low-code fosters greater business agility and scalability, allowing enterprises to rapidly respond to shifting demands, integrate emerging technologies such as AI and automation, and scale solutions as needed. Collaboration between IT and business teams also improves with low-code development. The visual nature of these platforms enhances communication, resulting in applications that more closely align with business objectives. Strategically, low-code supports a range of modernization approaches: encapsulation, which involves wrapping legacy systems with new interfaces via APIs; extension, which adds new capabilities to existing systems; replacement, which gradually rebuilds legacy modules or systems; and re-platforming, which migrates components to modern, cloud-based infrastructures with minimal code alterations. Latest Trends and Market Outlook in APAC Several key trends are propelling this upward trajectory. Foremost among them is the acceleration of digital transformation initiatives across critical sectors, including banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. In this context, Double C Consultants supports organizations by guiding digital transformation strategies aligned with modern application development and automation frameworks. Low-code platforms are also evolving rapidly through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, empowering organizations to develop intelligent applications and streamline complex workflows. This trend is particularly pronounced in the banking sector, where generative AI is being explored to deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences. The region is also witnessing a substantial shift towards cloud-first strategies, with cloud-based low-code deployments gaining traction due to their scalability, operational efficiency, and enhanced security. These advantages are expected to contribute significantly to the overall market revenue. There is a growing emphasis on process automation, with platforms focused on workflow and process app development experiencing the fastest growth as enterprises seek to optimize their operations. Tokyo Dylec Corp advances automation and intelligent applications through precision technologies supporting digital transformation and complex industrial workflows. While large enterprises currently dominate the market, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are emerging as a high-growth segment. These businesses are increasingly adopting low-code platforms to overcome resource and cost constraints in application development, positioning themselves as vital contributors to the region’s expanding low-code ecosystem. As APAC continues its aggressive pursuit of digital transformation, low-code platforms are poised to play an increasingly critical role. The integration of AI and deeper automation capabilities within these platforms will further solidify their position as indispensable tools for the APAC region's digital evolution. ...Read more