Day: July 12, 2022

Posted on

JLL and HqO Deepen Strategic Relationship to Strengthen Workplace Experience

JLL Selects HqO as its Preferred Global Solution for Tenants and Employees, and HqO Acquires JLL Jet to Enrich its Market-Leading Platform

BOSTON, July 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JLL (NYSE: JLL), a global leader in real estate and investment management, and HqO, the industry-leading workplace experience platform, have deepened their strategic partnership to address the growing importance of workplace experience for building owners and corporate occupiers. As part of a newly established global licensing deal, JLL can now directly sell HqO, offering a streamlined solution to a broader customer base. Additionally, HqO has acquired JLL Jet, a hybrid workplace app, to enrich its market-leading platform.

This agreement further solidifies JLL’s investment in HqO as the industry standard in workplace experience for both commercial real estate landlords and corporate employers worldwide. In 2021, JLL invested in HqO’s Series C funding round and named HqO a preferred provider because of HqO’s proven commitment to offering best-in-class technology and customer service. As part of this deal, JLL made an additional investment in HqO through its JLL Spark Global Venture Fund, increasing its ownership and adding Yishai Lerner, Co-CEO of JLL Technologies (JLLT), the technology division of JLL, as a board member at HqO.

Workplace experience apps are rapidly becoming a requirement for both businesses and property owners, with tenants and employees demanding more engaging and seamless experiences with the people they work with and the spaces they work in. This strategic relationship unifies JLL’s tenant and employee experience offerings into one streamlined platform, providing world-class programming and services, as well as data-driven insights to continually improve experiences and increase engagement.

“HqO is committed to not only transforming the modern office, but also transforming how people engage with each other within it,” said Yishai Lerner, Co-CEO of JLL Technologies. “We’ve long trusted HqO as a strategic partner to deliver the best technology to enhance the workplace experience and are thrilled to roll out their expanded offerings across our portfolio. With the acquisition of JLL Jet, HqO will strengthen its offerings for our customers and this category as a whole.”

JLL is partnering with HqO to enhance its global workplace experience strategy due to HqO’s impressive track record and deep commitment to delivering both best-in-class solutions and customer success. HqO’s platform consists of an award-winning mobile app, analytics suite, robust workplace experience data, hybrid work tools and a flex space management system. HqO previously established an advanced integration partnership with Building Engines, a best-in-class building operations platform for commercial landlords acquired by JLL in November 2021.

“JLL is a trusted partner whose commitment to delivering unparalleled experience mirrors our own,” says Chase Garbarino, Co-Founder and CEO at HqO. “As the preferred provider of workplace experience solutions for JLL, we can ensure our clients have a complete and fulfilling workplace experience, driven by rich data and best-in-class technology.”

Currently active in more than 250 million square feet in 25 countries, HqO’s acquisition of JLL Jet is its third in recent months. HqO recently announced the acquisition of The Leesman Index, the world’s leader in measuring and benchmarking employee workplace experience. In November 2021, HqO acquired Office App, a leading European tenant and employee engagement platform.

About JLL
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $19.4 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 100,000 as of March 31, 2022. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

About HqO
HqO is transforming how people connect with each other and the places they work. The HqO Workplace Experience Platform makes it easy for companies and commercial property teams to create modern workplaces through world-class amenities and services that allow people to thrive and produce the best results. Active in over 250 million square feet in 25 countries, 57% of the Fortune 100 rely on HqO to enhance their workplace experiences, improve employee satisfaction, and drive operational excellence. For more information, visit hqo.com.

HqO Contact: Kristin Concannon
Phone: 833-225-5476
Email: kristin.concannon@hqo.co

JLL Contact: Harvey Mireles
Phone: 972-843-1275
Email: harvey.mireles@am.jll.com

Posted on

Philips spotlights latest AI-powered, software-defined MR smart systems at ECR 2022

July 12, 2022

  • Philips SmartSpeed AI-based software receives FDA 510(k) clearance, delivering breakthrough high-speed, high-resolution MR imaging
  • Unique broad compatibility (97% of clinical protocols) allows faster and high-quality scans for virtually all patients with various conditions including those with implants
  • Intelligent MR acceleration software helps drive increased MR department efficiency with 3 times faster scans, and enables greater diagnostic confidence with higher quality image resolution

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced its SmartSpeed artificial intelligence (AI) powered MR acceleration software has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance. Adding advanced AI data collection algorithms to Philips’ existing Compressed SENSE MR acceleration engine, Philips SmartSpeed delivers higher image resolution with 3 times faster scan times [1] and virtually no loss in image quality, representing a major step forward in diagnostic confidence and MR department productivity.

With personalized treatment for complex diseases such as cancer increasing the need for high-confidence precision diagnoses, coupled with soaring caseloads due to aging populations and high levels of clinician burnout, radiology departments are under increasing pressure to improve performance, productivity, and profitability.

“Philips’ AI-based SmartSpeed reconstruction is the new benchmark among acceleration techniques for us. It improves on the company’s existing Compressed SENSE in all aspects and allows a reduction in scan times with excellent image quality and diagnostic confidence,” said Dr. Grischa Bratke, radiologist and expert in musculoskeletal imaging at the University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Philips SmartSpeed, the latest addition to Philips’ expanding portfolio of AI-driven, smart, connected imaging and smart workflow solutions, helps achieve the Quadruple Aim of improving diagnostic outcomes, enhancing patient and staff experiences, and reducing healthcare costs overall.

This latest AI-powered MR software increases resolution up to 65% and achieves up to 3 times faster scanning times compared to conventional MR scans [1]. Coupled with its support for 97% of current clinical protocols [2] – including advanced contrasts and diffusion weighted imaging, and even quantitative imaging such at T1 or T2 mapping for brain, liver, heart or musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging – Philips SmartSpeed helps increase diagnostic confidence in a wide range of patients, including the most complex cases. The unique deep learning technology of Philips SmartSpeed is applied at the source of the MR signal and seamlessly integrated with Philips leading Compressed SENSE speed engine to deliver higher resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio needed for detailed images, small lesion detection and enhanced diagnosis.

Award-winning AI technology of Philips SmartSpeed
Philips SmartSpeed uses an award-winning AI reconstruction algorithm [3] at the front-end of the MR signal to remove noise and preserve details while enabling k-space data consistency check for trustworthy AI. The unique Compressed SENSE adaptive AI technology used in Philips SmartSpeed, which was co-developed by Philips and several of its academic partners, won the 2019 fastMRI Challenge hosted by Facebook AI research and New York Langone Health.

“By taking the Quadruple Aim as a starting point to develop and deploy AI solutions, we have a tremendous opportunity to address the inefficiencies and growing demand that our customers and partners face every day,” said Kees Wesdorp, Chief Business Leader of Precision Diagnosis at Philips. “Powered by AI, our ​leading technologies and smart connected imaging solutions help turn data into actionable insights to increase diagnostic confidence and help improve clinical outcomes for patients.’’

Philips portfolio of smart, connected imaging and intelligent workflow solutions at ECR 2022
Philips SmartSpeed joins the growing number of Philips AI powered workflow innovations that are available across the portfolio of smart Philips MR systems that will be showcased at the upcoming 2022 European Congress of Radiology (ECR 2022), including the recent European introduction of the smart connected 3T MR system, Philips MR 7700 and the company’s latest MR 5300 1.5T helium-free in operations MR system. Each of these systems uses intelligent software to automate tasks and help relieve the burden on busy radiology staff and departments.

Visit Philips at ECR 2022 for more information on Philips’ AI-powered Precision Diagnosis suite of solutions, featuring smart connected imaging systems and integrated radiology workflow solutions, designed to increase clinical confidence and diagnostic outcomes.

Philips SmartSpeed is FDA cleared but not CE marked, and not yet available for delivery in all countries.
[1] Compared to Philips SENSE
[2] Average measured across a sample of sites from Philips MR installed base
[3] Adaptive-C-SENSE-Net technology is the winner of Fast MRI Challenge hosted by Facebook AI research and New York Langone Health

For further information, please contact:

Kathy O’Reilly
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +1 978-221-8919
E-mail : kathy.oreilly@philips.com
Twitter: @kathyoreilly

About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 78,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Attachment

Posted on

GROW & AlgoGroup partner to help innovative pet startups scale across Asia

POUNCE

GROW & AlgoGroup partner to help innovative pet startups scale across Asia through POUNCE, a five month internationalisation programme.

SINGAPORE, July 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GROW, the agrifoodtech ecosystem catalyst, has partnered with Hong Kong consumer tech company AlgoGroup to support startups in the fast-growing $270 billion market for pet products and services. The first joint initiative, “POUNCE”, is an internationalization programme leveraging GROW’s expertise in scaling startups and AlgoGroup’s experience in democratizing brand building via e-commerce services, big data insights, and growth capital.

POUNCE helps startups expand into Asia remotely using Singapore as a hub. Founders receive coaching from GROW to localize supply chains, scale operations, build their global brand strategy, and finance their pan-Asia expansion. Founders also receive direct access to AlgoGroup as a go-to-market enabler, allowing them to secure early traction by opting in to services such as warehousing, product fulfillment, digital marketing, and product distribution services.

POUNCE is integrated with GROW’s Land x Launch™ program, helping founders plug into the Singapore agrifoodtech ecosystem and its network of mentors, investors, and partners. POUNCE follows similar programs that GROW has delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, Austrade, and Food Futures Company.

AlgoGroup has a track record of investing or partnering with independent consumer brands and amplifying cost, revenue, and strategic synergies. In addition to e-commerce services, startups from POUNCE will benefit from AlgoGroup’s network of 120-plus points of sale with leading retail chains in Hong Kong such as APITA, Citistore, Citysuper, GuuSan, HKTVMall, ParkNShop, UNY, and YATA. Earlier this year, AlgoGroup announced a partnership with QPets, one of Hong Kong’s largest pet retailers with around 50 points of sale.

“This partnership brings together a comprehensive end-to-end capability from strategic advice to implementation, to secure early wins in Asia through Algo’s e-commerce services and retail channels,” said Joshua Soo, CEO of GROW.

“GROW’s demonstrated track record of running accelerator programs for startups in the agrifoodtech sector makes them the perfect partner to work with us in identifying and nurturing cutting-edge product concepts,” said Chris Fung, CEO and co-founder of AlgoGroup. “We’re excited to work with Joshua and his team to grow our presence in Southeast Asia.”

Applications close 7 August 2022. Apply here if you are a tech or innovative startup in the pet sector working in novel ingredients, new processing technology, gut health, sustainable solutions, or more. For further information, visit www.gogrow.co/landxlaunch.

About GROW
GROW is an ecosystem catalyst advancing innovation, sustainability, and resilience in the food system. We’re on a mission to inspire and accelerate extraordinary founders who are developing technology solutions that deliver positive impact for people, place, and planet. Through our fund and accelerator programmes we work with startups to supercharge their growth on the global stage. GROW is supported by Enterprise Singapore and backed by leading agrifoodtech VC AgFunder. www.gogrow.co

About AlgoGroup
AlgoGroup is a tech-enabled consumer products company, with a strong focus on the pet sector. Algo’s mission is to create a data-driven, collaborative consumer products company by investing or partnering with independent brands, amplifying cost, revenue and strategic synergies. The company currently houses 15 brands with over 120 points of distribution and 5 wholly owned or operated E-commerce platforms. www.algogroup.io

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b3646d0b-c304-406b-a0ed-298b0a4ca132

Media contact:
Rebecca Sharpe
Programme Manager, GROW
rebecca@gogrow.co
Posted on

Refugees International: Thailand should allow delivery of humanitarian aid to Myanmar

Thailand should allow delivery of cross-border humanitarian aid into Myanmar and not push back people seeking refuge from threats to their life and freedom in that country, a U.S.-based NGO is urging in a new report.

Thousands of Burmese have crossed into Thailand along the porous 2,400-km (1,500-mile) frontier to flee the conflict in the wake of a military coup that toppled an elected civilian-led government and installed a junta in Naypyidaw early last year.

“The military junta has committed widespread atrocities and blocked international humanitarian groups from delivering aid to areas that desperately need it,” Refugees International, a Washington-based group, said in its report released Tuesday.

“In the meantime, delivery of international aid through Myanmar’s neighbors, particularly through local groups active along the Thai-Myanmar border, presents an underutilized path for getting assistance to those in need.”

The report comes two days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Bangkok, urged Thailand, other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to press the Burmese junta into ending violence against Myanmar’s people and moving that country back toward democracy.

Led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s military toppled the democratically elected government in February 2021 and has thrown its civilian leaders in jail. Fighting between junta forces and opposition groups across the country has forced mass displacement amid growing humanitarian needs.

“Thai authorities must also live up to their commitments to non-refoulement and refrain from pressuring people fleeing violence in Myanmar from returning before it is safe to do so,” Refugees International said.

Thailand, long considered a linchpin in relations between ASEAN and member-state Myanmar, has been criticized as being relatively soft on the post-coup crisis that has divided the 10-member regional bloc.

“Thailand is reluctant to do anything to incentivize more refugees coming into the country, but failure to allow cross-border aid – and thus allowing conditions for people across the border to deteriorate – could do just that,” Refugees International said.

Myanmar refugees walk across the river to enter Thailand’s Mae Sot district, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: AFP
Myanmar refugees walk across the river to enter Thailand’s Mae Sot district, Jan. 15, 2022. Credit: AFP

Myanmar crisis

During the fighting inside Myanmar, the junta’s forces have detained more than 14,000 people, while more than 2,000 civilians have been killed, according to Thailand’s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

About 1.1 million people have been displaced in Myanmar, including 758,500 forced to flee their homes as of June 20, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). An estimated 14.4 million people, or a quarter of the country’s population, need humanitarian assistance due to the conflict.

In recent months, the most intense fighting has occurred in Chin, Sagaing and Magway states in northwestern Myanmar and in Karen and Karenni states in the southeast that borders Thailand.

Junta forces have burned thousands of homes while fighting and airstrikes have caused more than 500,000 to flee their homes, said the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

For its part, Thailand has restricted cross-border aid, Refugees International said in the report, adding that the Burmese junta controls main roads and has allegedly seized or destroyed aid while attacking humanitarian workers.

Similarly, Refugees International said, Myanmar’s rugged terrain limits informal aid for thousands who need humanitarian assistance in the interim and those living in areas not under junta control.

Thailand-linked cross-border organizations have been providing some aid to residents in Karen and Karenni states. These groups have been operating since the 1990s when ethnic armed groups were fighting the Myanmar military.

Myanmar refugees ride on a boat after receiving aid in Mae Sot, Thailand, Jan. 4, 2022. Credit: Reuters
Myanmar refugees ride on a boat after receiving aid in Mae Sot, Thailand, Jan. 4, 2022. Credit: Reuters

Aid barrier

One of the Thai government’s main challenges in delivering aid across the border is Bangkok’s concern with its relationship with the junta, Refugees International said, alleging that officials are “seeking to balance economic and security interests” by refusing cross-border aid officially.

The NGO called on the Thai and other governments to get involved.

The “largest and most consistent barrier” to humanitarian assistance is the lack of funding, it said.

“While a few governments are supporting local groups involved in aid efforts, donor countries should step up support for these underutilized and low-profile mechanisms,” it said.

Because the report by Refugees International was embargoed for publication until Tuesday afternoon (Bangkok time), BenarNews could not immediately reach Thai officials to get a response.

Refugees International also said Thailand should provide protection and rights to thousands of people who have crossed the border from Myanmar to seek temporary or long-term refuge since the coup.

Salai Bawi, a research fellow at Chiang Mai University, said the Thai government had not taken the call for aid seriously because Thai people do not see the need to help the refugees as urgent.

“For decades, the Thai government left the burden and responsibility of Myanmar refugees to international organizations, while it remained just a facilitator,” he told BenarNews.

In the past, Thai authorities stressed that they had not forced refugees to return, adding that many had chosen to go back to Myanmar.  Local media, NGOs and human rights activists, on the other hand, have alleged that Thai authorities pressure displaced Myanmar people into returning to their country, Refugees International said.

As of February 2022, the Thai government estimated that 17,000 Myanmar refugees had crossed into Thailand since the coup, but according to a report published by UNHCR in June, only 246 refugees remain in two Thai military-controlled sites where conditions are reported to be deplorable.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news service. Kunnawut Boonreak in Chiang Mai, Thailand, contributed to this report.

Posted on

Vietnam cracks down on Coast Guard oil smuggling ring

The wife of a former Coast Guard regional commander has been prosecuted for accepting bribes for her husband’s role in smuggling oil from Singapore to Vietnam.

The indictment from the Central Military Procuracy accused Phan Thi Xuan, wife of former commander of the 3rd Coast Guard Region Maj. Le Xuan Thanh, of receiving the equivalent of U.S.$80,000 from gasoline smuggler Phan Thanh Huu in 11 installments, state media said on Monday.

On Tuesday the military court of Military Zone 7 was set to open a first-instance court hearing, to hear charges of smuggling, accepting bribes, and helping those involved flee abroad.

The defendants include Le Van Minh, former commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard’s Fourth Region and former Third Region commander Le Xuan Thanh

Others facing prosecution include Maj. Luu Duc The, former deputy head of Reconnaissance 2 at Coast Guard Command; Col. Nguyen The Anh, former commander of the Border Guard of Kien Giang Province; and Col. Pham Van Tren, former commander of the Border Guard of Tra Vinh province. All have been charged with accepting bribes.

Col. Nguyen The Anh and one other person have also been charged with helping people flee Vietnam.

Col. Phung Danh Thoai, former Head of the Petroleum Department’s Logistics Department at the Coast Guard Command was charged with smuggling.

The charges date from between March 2020 and Feb. 2021 when the director of Phan Le Hoang Anh Trading, Phan Thanh Huu, and his accomplices smuggled about 200 million liters of gasoline, worth about U.S.$130 million, into Vietnam.

Col. Phung Danh Thoai is said to have helped finance the operation and share in its profits to the tune of U.S.$941,000.

Former commander Le Van Minh was accused of abusing his position and power to receive U.S.$295,000 paid by Phan Thanh Huu to his wife and children.

Investigations into all the defendants recovered more than $1.5 million. The former commanders of Coast Guard Region 3 and Coast Guard Region 4 returned all the money they are accused of receiving.

The Procuracy of Dong Nai province also recently cracked down on oil smugglers, issuing an indictment against Phan Thanh Huu and 72 accomplices. It prosecuted Cpt. Ngo Van Thuy of the Team 3 Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department of the General Department of Customs for taking bribes.

The case dates back to Sept. 2019 when Phan Thanh Huu and Ocean Hai Phong Director Dao Ngoc Vien conspired to smuggle petroleum from Singapore to Vietnam. Col. Phung Dah Thoai and his accomplices are said to have contributed $2.3 million to finance the operation.

Posted on

Vietnam’s CT Group Was Granted The First-class Labor Medal, Marking The 30th Grand Anniversary

CT Group

The representative of CT Group’s Executive Board received the First-class Labour Medal from Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. The Second-class Labour Medal was awarded to Tran Kim Chung, chairman of CT Group

HOCHIMINH CITY, Vietnam, July 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CT Group announced its high–tech strategy and the plan for accelerating globalization.

On the morning of June 29, 2022, at the golden 30th year milestone since its establishment, CT Group was granted the First-Class Labor Medal. The Second-Class Labor Medal was also awarded to exclusively honor Mr. Tran Kim Chung – Chairman of CT Group. At the event, the Vice President of Vietnam – Mrs. Vo Thi Anh Xuan, represented the State to conduct the solemn ceremony, along with many leaders and former leaders from central to local government agencies, chiefs of the press and Diplomatic Corps of many countries and international organizations.

CT Group

The representative of CT Group’s Executive Board received the First-class Labour Medal from Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. The Second-class Labour Medal was awarded to Tran Kim Chung, chairman of CT Group

Over the next 30 years, CT Group will step–by–step leverage CT Land (a subsidiary leading the comprehensive urban development segment) with pioneering breakthrough products, such as CT Homes – high-end affordable housing 4.0 for the community, CT Town High-class projects, new-generation megacities CT World, and many other real estate fields in the country. CT Group is also focusing on rapid advancement in high-tech fields: Fintech, Celltech, Flytech, Hitech Construction, E-Commerce, Renewable Energy, AI …to align with Vietnam’s progress in the global 4.0 revolution.

To promote globalization and contribute to the concretization of the “Turning future technology into dragons” strategy, CT Group has continuously expanded its Vietnam and oversea offices. On June 9, 2022, CT Innovations was established in Hanoi, in charge of connecting technology development, innovation, creativity, and investment with foreign markets. On June 17, 2022, Realcoin Global headquarter opened in the world’s crypto capital, Dubai. On June 19, CT Group made history as the first Vietnamese enterprise to open a technology research office in Tel Aviv, Israel, promoting cooperation and technology transfer between the world and Vietnam.

With extensive research and the ability to accurately forecast upcoming technology transformation, CT Group has soon been well prepared for the next challenging 30 years. The Group is ready to collaborate extensively with major global partners and financial institutions to promote the high-tech segment and sustainable real estate development.

Website: https://ctgroupvietnam.com/

Email: info@ctgroupvietnam.com
Phone: (+84 28) 6297 1999

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fbd7e67f-de92-42b9-8ac7-bf10a16bae5c