The First Group Signs Landmark Deal to Bring World’s First ‘MasterChef The TV Experience’ Restaurant to Dubai

New ‘MasterChef the TV Experience’ restaurant set to make its mark on Dubai’s dining scene with world-first concept based on Endemol Shine Group’s hugely popular international TV series


Dubai, United Arab Emirates -Monday, January 29th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

Dubai-based property developer and fast-growing F&B specialist The First Group has signed a landmark deal with global content powerhouse Endemol Shine Group to bring the world’s first MasterChef the TV Experience restaurant to Dubai.

Based on the hugely popular MasterChef reality television series, the restaurant will introduce a world-first dining experience to Dubai that will showcase the talents and recipes of MasterChef series contestants from many of the 52 territories where the programme is produced worldwide.

Set to debut in The First Group’s forthcoming Wyndham West Bay Dubai Marina Hotel, which is scheduled to open in the second half of 2018, the restaurant concept will fully immerse guests in the MasterChef TV show experience. Featuring an interior design concept inspired by the MasterChef TV set itself, diners will be able to choose from a dynamic menu featuring popular original dishes conceived and inspired by series contestants and champions.

MasterChef is produced and distributed by Endemol Shine Group.  It is the most successful cookery television format in the world having been adapted locally in 52 countries. It is seen in over 200 countries and watched globally by over 250 million viewers.

Frances Adams, Endemol Shine Group Director, Brand Strategy commented, “MasterChef has a global fan base who are keen to engage with the brand in new ways and our extensive range of successful products and experiences are testament to its worldwide appeal. MasterChef the TV Experience is an exciting opportunity for audiences in this market to enjoy a unique and immersive dining experience that will truly reflect the values, quality and integrity associated with MasterChef.”

The brand’s massive popularity makes the opening of the world’s first MasterChef the TV Experience restaurant in Dubai a major coup for the city, said Duncan Fraser-Smith, Director of Global Food & Beverage for The First Group.

“We’re incredibly excited to introduce this unique restaurant concept to Dubai,” he said. “It is an extension of an iconic brand that will further enhance the city’s reputation as a global dining destination.”

Fraser-Smith explained that The First Group will work with Endemol Shine Group to take the concept to other cities worldwide in the coming years. “The fact Dubai will introduce the brand to the world is a truly significant moment for the city’s restaurant scene,” he added. The signing of the restaurant also represents a milestone development for The First Group, which aims to introduce up to 40 original and world-first dining concepts to the UAE by 2021.

The firm recently debuted three highly original F&B outlets in its new TRYP by Wyndham Dubai hotel located in Barsha Heights. Local, the hotel’s rustic social eating house, features a laidback Mediterranean- and gastro-pub inspired menu, while the hotel’s poolside bar, L!QD, serves delicious tapas and lifestyle-focused cocktails in a chic, Ibiza-inspired al fresco environment.

TRYP by Wyndham Dubai is also home to the city’s most exciting new and original bar and restaurant, BarBary. Harking back to the decadent era of 1920s Paris, the venue features an inspired interior design dominated by luscious red tones, retro soft furnishings and sophisticated mood lighting.

“We are committed to developing unique, fun and interesting F&B concepts unlike anything else in Dubai. This ethos is encapsulated in all of our openings to date and will be showcased in MasterChef the TV Experience when it opens at Wyndham West Bay Dubai Marina,” said Fraser-Smith.

“We are passionate about delivering exceptional and original dining experiences with soul.”

ABOUT THE FIRST GROUP

The First Group is an international hotel and property development company, whose principals have built up their expertise and success in the global market over the last 30 years. The First Group management team draws from strong and diverse backgrounds in the fields of global property, finance, acquisition, marketing and product development. Its expert eye for emerging property market potential and prestigious partnerships with industry leaders means that their clients can enjoy secure and attractive returns from one of the world’s most vibrant hotel markets. With its headquarters in Dubai and global presence spanning Algeria, Azerbaijan, China, Ghana, India, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, The First Group’s client base is expanding rapidly. For more details visit www.thefirstgroup.com

ABOUT TFG F&B                                                           

The First Group’s F&B division is committed to delivering exceptional and original dining experiences with soul. The firm specialises in creating unique lifestyle-driven F&B concepts with a strong emphasis on quality and affordability. Its rapidly growing portfolio of restaurants, cafes and bars features a dynamic mix of original brands and recognised international franchises.

ABOUT ENDEMOL SHINE GROUP

Endemol Shine Group is a global content powerhouse creating world class content for all platforms.  As a producer and distributor, Endemol Shine Group works on a unique local and global axis comprising of more than 100 companies in over 20 markets. Delivering 700 productions in over 50 languages, the Group’s portfolio enthrals and inspires across scripted and non-scripted genres; coupled with digital, gaming, brands and licensing and distribution operations. For more details, visit www.endemolshinegroup.com/

Contacts

To arrange interviews or for further information, please contact:

MENA TERRITORIES:

The First Group     

Eve Humphreys, Director of Brand & Marketing Communications, +97144387458            

E: eve.humphreys@thefirstgroup.com

W: www.thefirstgroup.com



Permalink : http://www.aetoswire.com/news/5470/en

NELSON Partners with Campus Bookstores to Reduce Costs for Students

TORONTO-Wednesday, January 31st 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, NELSON, Canada’s leading educational publisher, announced the creation of its Retail Services division and two new programs that will further transform education in Canada. Created in close partnership with campus bookstores, Vendor Managed Inventory, and a new textbook rentals initiative, will increase choice and improve affordability for students while reducing costs and enabling new levels of efficiency.

The initiatives were announced today at BiiG, Canada’s only conference and trade show for campus bookstores.

Today’s launch caps a year of dramatic transformation at NELSON, which has seen the 104-year old publisher reimagine itself and the Canadian education system through a series of strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and new offerings.

“NELSON is laser-focused on driving change and innovation in the education business in Canada and beyond,” said Steve Brown, NELSON President and CEO. “In a few short years, today’s post-secondary students will be the drivers of Canadian economic prosperity. Our mission is to increase choice and affordability for these students, so that we do our part in helping them reach their full potential.”

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is the culmination of more than a year of consultations with campus retailers from coast to coast. These discussions surfaced the unique logistics issues faced by bookstores which can hinder efforts to get students the materials they need, when they need them. VMI is a sophisticated supply chain management solution customized specifically for the education materials industry to address these challenges.

“NELSON’s VMI program brings a fresh approach to ordering and managing our course materials acquisition process by using best practices from other industries and applying them to the educational materials space,” said Debbie Harvie, Managing Director, University Community Services, The University of British Columbia. “VMI means we will have the right number of books in our store at all times. It’s a wonderful example of publisher and bookstore working together to get things right.”

NELSON’s textbook rentals program is the company’s second major initiative in the area of student affordability. In March 2017, NELSON took the unprecedented step of announcing that it would not increase the price of NELSON titles, in perpetuity.

The rentals program, like VMI, was created in partnership with campus bookstores and is the first of its kind in Canada. It will further lower the cost of learning materials by allowing students to rent a textbook at a more affordable rate compared to purchasing new. The program is simple to implement for bookstores and will include all publisher content, not just NELSON titles. It gives students more choice and increases the breadth of offering for stores without requiring additional staff resources.

“NELSON’s new Retail Services division, anchored by the VMI and rentals programs are further evidence of our commitment to transform and modernize the educational industry in Canada,” said Brown. “But at the end of the day, the real focus is the student. Everything we do is about improving affordability for students, improving their educational experience, and doing our part in helping then become the leaders of tomorrow.”

About NELSON

NELSON is Canada’s largest and leading educational publisher. NELSON believes in the evolution of life-long education and dedicates its business efforts to the creation of quality, innovative solutions that support the needs of every student, teacher, and instructor to empower learning success. For more information about NELSON, please visit us at Nelson.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts
NELSON
Justine E. Rae
justine.rae@nelson.com
416-752-9100 ext 6305
or
Media Profile
John Thibodeau
john.thibodeau@mediaprofile.com
416-342-1821

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5491/en

GSMA Announces That 2018 Asia Mobile Awards Are Open for Entry

 2018 AMO Awards Feature Revamped Categories to Reflect Industry Evolution



HONG KONG-Wednesday, January 31st 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- The GSMA today announced that the Asia Mobile Awards (the AMO Awards) at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2018 are open for entry. Judged by a panel of leading independent industry experts, the AMO Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations across the Asian mobile industry. The AMO Awards will include 13 awards over seven categories and the entries will be accepted through Wednesday, 11 April. The winners will be honoured at Mobile World Congress Shanghai taking place 27 – 29 June at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

“As a region, Asia is renowned for delivering leading-edge innovation across many facets of the mobile industry, from networks to devices to apps and beyond,” said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. “We look forward to showcasing this innovation and creativity through the 2018 AMO Awards and encourage companies and individuals to put their achievements forward.”

For 2018, the GSMA has refreshed the AMO Awards categories to embrace the changing shape of the mobile industry in Asia, introducing new awards that highlight the most cutting-edge developments impacting the industry. The 2018 AMO Awards include 13 awards presented within the following seven categories:

Mobile Tech: This award category will recognise the companies that are revolutionising the capabilities and reach of mobile and digital technologies. This category encompasses three awards:

    Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough – Asia
    Best Innovation for LTE to 5G Evolution
    Best IoT Innovation for Mobile Networks

Consumer: As consumers migrate to the connected age, this category will honour companies that have redefined the business-to-consumer relationship to enhance everyday life.

    Best Mobile App for Connected Living

Fourth Industrial Revolution: This award category will distinguish key companies at the forefront of the digital shift, across seven market verticals. This category highlights a new award that recognises transformative, innovative contributions to the evolution of smart cities via the use of mobile technology and connectivity.

    Best Mobile App for Business
    Best Mobile Innovation for Smart Cities (new in 2018)

Device: This category has a strong reputation for recognising market leaders and celebrates achievements in hardware developments that are stimulating advances across Asia.

    Best Smartphone (The Judges’ Choice)
    Disruptive Device Innovation (The Judges’ Choice)

4YFN Startup of the Year: 4YFN (4 Years From Now) is a startup business platform of the GSMA and Mobile World Capital Barcelona that promotes the creation of new ventures. This new award category focuses on accelerating business development and the investment of new technologies within the startup community.

    4YFN Startup of the Year (new in 2018)

Social Good: ‘Discovering a Better Future’ is the overarching theme for Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2018, and this category underscores the mobile industry’s commitment to connecting everyone and everything to a better future. This category also recognises mobile innovations in the Asia region that address the challenges set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are focused on ending poverty, combating climate change and fighting injustice and inequality.

    Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets
    Outstanding Mobile Contribution to the UN SDGs in Asia

Outstanding Achievement: This category celebrates individuals and organisations that have made a remarkable contribution to the digital community. The new Women4Tech Award recognises and celebrates leadership in the establishment of initiatives to encourage gender diversity in the telecommunications industry and broader mobile ecosystem.

    Outstanding Contribution to the Asian Mobile Industry (The Judges’ Choice)
    Women4Tech – Asia Mobile Industry Leadership (new in 2018)

Details on Entering the AMO Awards
The AMO Awards 2018 are open to companies across the entire mobile ecosystem and complete information on the AMO Awards, including the full list of categories, award criteria and deadlines, can be found at https://www.mwcshanghai.com/conference-programmes/asia-mobile-awards-2018/.

The awards will be judged by independent experts, analysts, journalists, academics and, in some cases, mobile operator representatives. Select awards will be nominated by judges or by an independent panel of experts and will not be open for online entry. The submission of video to support entries is strongly encouraged by the awards judges.

Entries for the AMO Awards close on Wednesday, 11 April 2018 and the GSMA will announce the shortlist of nominations for each category by early June 2018.

Follow Developments at Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2018
For more information on the 2018 Mobile World Congress Shanghai, including how to attend, exhibit, partner or sponsor, visit www.mwcshanghai.com. Follow developments and updates on Mobile World Congress Shanghai through our social media channels – follow us on Twitter at @GSMA and use #MWCS18, get regular updates through our LinkedIn Showcase Page at www.linkedin.com/company/mobile-world-congress-shanghai, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mwcshanghai. In China, you can follow us on Sina Weibo http://weibo.com/mwcshanghai or search “GSMA_MWCS” in WeChat.

About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

Contacts

For the GSMA
Ava Lau
+852 2533 9928
alau@webershandwick.com
or
Beau Bass
+44 79 7662 4962
beau.bass@webershandwick.com
or
GSMA Press Office
pressoffice@gsma.com

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5486/en

Hogan Assessments Names Scott Gregory as CEO

 Chamorro-Premuzic to Leave Company at End of February



TULSA, Okla.-Wednesday, January 31st 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hogan Assessment Systems, Inc., announced Monday that Scott Gregory will assume the role of CEO, effective March 1, 2018. Current CEO, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic has resigned and will leave the company on February 28, 2018.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180129005751/en/

“Tomas’ tireless support of the business has been superb,” said Robert Hogan, Founder and President. “He will remain a close friend and valued member of the extended Hogan family. He is an important thought leader with whom we expect to partner on future research, presentations and projects,” Hogan said. “We are grateful for his many contributions to the business and wish him great success in his next venture.”

Gregory, who completed his Ph.D. under Robert and Joyce Hogan at The University of Tulsa, was one of Hogan’s first employees. He has extensive experience working with global companies, including 12 years as the Vice President of Talent Management and Organizational Development at Pentair. He also was a consultant for Personnel Decisions International and Hogan’s partner, MDA Leadership Consulting, and taught I/O Psychology at Macalester College and St. Olaf College.

Gregory rejoined Hogan in 2013, and was elevated to partner and Vice President of Consulting in 2016, leading Hogan’s domestic and international consulting teams. Throughout his career, he has consulted for half of the Fortune 100, and worked extensively with personality assessment in North and South America, Australia, Asia and Europe.

“Scott is uniquely positioned to become Hogan’s next CEO,” said Hogan. “He has a thorough understanding of every type of client organization Hogan serves, deep knowledge of our assessments and research dating back to his work with us during Hogan’s early years, and he exemplifies the level of quality and customer service for which we are known. His contributions to the business, passion for Hogan and commitment to continuous improvement make him the obvious choice for the future of Hogan.”

About Hogan Assessments

Hogan Assessments is the global leader in providing comprehensive, research-based personality assessment and consulting. Grounded in decades of science, Hogan helps businesses dramatically reduce turnover and increase productivity by hiring the right people, developing key talent and evaluating leadership potential. Hogan's assessments are available in 57 countries and 46 languages, and are used by more than 70 percent of the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.hoganassessments.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180129005751/en/

Contacts

Hogan Assessments
Blake Loepp, 918-978-6475
bloepp@hoganassessments.com













Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5479/en 

Businesses Selling to Australia: Register Now for New Australian Tax Changes

SYDNEY-Tuesday, January 30th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Businesses selling low value goods from offshore to consumers in Australia should register now for goods and services tax (GST). GST will apply to those sales from 1 July 2018. GST is like a sales tax or VAT.

This new taxation measure ensures low value goods purchased by consumers in Australia will have the same tax treatment, no matter where they are purchased from.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has opened a fast-tracked registration system for affected businesses, which include merchants, online marketplaces and goods re-deliverers. Businesses will have until 1 July 2018 to register and prepare to charge GST on goods valued at A$1,000 or less.

The simplified registration system is available at ato.gov.au/GSTSimpleReg. Businesses will only need to report Total Taxable Sales and GST, and pay once each quarter.

Businesses are required to register if they have a GST turnover of A$75,000 or more in a 12-month period.

Businesses will apply the 10 per cent GST to their products at the point of sale (i.e. on the supply of the good) and not at the point of importation, as currently happens with goods over A$1,000.

Businesses who sell through an online marketplace need to talk to their online marketplace operator to confirm how they will practically work together to implement the changes.

Only one entity is required to charge GST on a sale:

    if an online marketplace operator is responsible for GST on a sale, the merchant will not be responsible for GST
    if an online marketplace operator or the merchant is responsible for GST on a sale, a goods re-deliverer will not be responsible for GST.
    Visit the website for more information

Businesses can take the following steps to ensure that they will be able to comply

    Check to see if they meet the registration threshold of A$75,000 – find out what sales are counted towards the threshold on the ATO’s website.
    Consult tax professionals
    Consider changes to commercial documentation and pricing
    Request advice from the ATO

Businesses selling from offshore to GST-registered Australian businesses do not need to collect GST on these sales.

The ATO is available to support businesses that want to understand the new changes.

More information about registration can be found by:

    visiting www.ato.gov.au/AusGST
    emailing AustraliaGST@ato.gov.au

Contacts

Burson-Marsteller
Victoria Kougias
victoria.kougias@bm.com

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5490/en

Takeda’s Zika Vaccine Candidate Receives U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation

OSAKA, Japan-Tuesday, January 30th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

    The Fast Track designation highlights the significance of Zika and the need for a safe and effective vaccine to protect vulnerable populations
    A Phase 1 clinical trial (ZIK-101) was recently initiated to evaluate Takeda’s Zika vaccine candidate (TAK-426) in the continental U.S. and U.S. territories
    Takeda’s Zika program is supported by federal funds from Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited [TSE: 4502], (“Takeda”) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to TAK-426, Takeda’s purified, inactivated, alum-adjuvanted, whole Zika virus vaccine candidate.

The FDA’s Fast Track designation is a process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs and vaccines for serious conditions and that fill an unmet medical need. The Fast Track process allows more frequent interactions with the FDA, rolling reviews of the Biologic License Application (BLA), and eligibility for a priority review if relevant criteria are met.

Zika can cause congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), including microcephaly and other congenital brain abnormalities, in infants born to mothers infected during pregnancy.1 The virus has also been associated with neurological complications, including Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), in the general population. The Zika virus has spread in recent years to more than 84 countries, territories or subnational areas, including the U.S.2 There is currently no vaccine or medicine for Zika.3

“We recognize the public health threat posed by the Zika virus,” said Laurence De Moerlooze, PhD, Global Zika Program Lead. “As soon as Takeda received funding from BARDA, we mobilized a team and prioritized development of this vaccine candidate, initiating a Phase 1 trial within 15 months of contract signature. With Fast Track designation, the ongoing support of BARDA, and the abilities of our organization, we are confident that we will continue to make expedient progress. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the FDA and BARDA, as well as other health authorities across the world, on the development of this important vaccine candidate.”

Takeda’s Zika vaccine candidate is currently being studied in a Phase 1 trial (ZIK-101) under a U.S. Investigational New Drug (IND) application. If initial data from ZIK-101 are supportive, Takeda will work to progress into Phase 2 development as soon as possible.

Beyond Zika, Takeda is pursuing several vaccine programs to address high-priority infectious diseases, including dengue, norovirus and polio. Takeda’s dengue vaccine candidate, TAK-003, was also granted Fast Track designation and is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 efficacy study, with initial data expected this year.

Acknowledgment of Federal Funding
This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Contract No. HHSO100201600015C.

About Zika
Zika is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.1 Symptoms of Zika may include mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache.1 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zika virus can cause serious birth defects called congenital Zika syndrome, including microcephaly.1 Zika is also a cause of an uncommon sickness of the peripheral nervous system called Guillain-Barré syndrome. 1 Links to other complications are also being investigated.1 In February 2016, WHO declared the Zika outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)4 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elevated its response efforts to its highest level.5 Although WHO has since declared an end to the PHEIC,6 Zika remains a public health concern.4

About Clinical Trial ZIK-101
ZIK-101 is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of Takeda’s investigational Zika vaccine candidate (TAK-426) in 240 male and female subjects between the ages of 18 and 49.7 The Phase 1 trial is designed to assess several dose levels of the vaccine candidate to support the progression of TAK-426 into future studies.7 The trial is taking place in the continental U.S. and U.S. territories and being conducted under a U.S. Investigational New Drug (IND) application.7
(Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03343626)

Takeda’s Commitment to Vaccines
Vaccines prevent more than two million deaths each year and have transformed global public health.8 For the past 70 years, Takeda has supplied vaccines to protect the health of people in Japan. Today, Takeda’s global vaccine business is applying innovation to tackle some of the world’s most challenging infectious diseases, such as dengue, Zika, norovirus and polio. Our team brings an outstanding track record and a wealth of knowledge in vaccine development, manufacturing and global access to advance a pipeline of vaccines to address some of the world’s most pressing public health needs.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and neuroscience therapeutic area plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. Innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as its presence in emerging markets, are currently fueling the growth of Takeda. Approximately 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with Takeda’s partners in health care in more than 70 countries.
For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including plans, strategies and expectations for the future, statements regarding the expected timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction, the expected timing of the completion of the transaction, the ability to complete the transaction or to satisfy the various closing conditions, future revenues and profitability from or growth or any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Statements made in the future tense, and words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “continue,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “pro forma,” “intend,” “potential,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “seek,” “assume,” “will,” “may,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to qualify as forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management that are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Investors and security holders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: required regulatory approvals for the transaction may not be obtained in a timely manner, if at all; the conditions to closing of the transaction may not be satisfied; the transaction may not be consummated; the anticipated benefits of the transaction may not be realized; the transaction could disrupt relationships with employees, licensees, customers and other business partners or governmental entities; future sales could be adversely affected by competition or other factors; and integration costs may exceed current expectations. In addition, the combined business could be adversely affected by industry, economic or political conditions outside of BARDA or Takeda’s control, including general economic conditions in Japan, the United States and worldwide; competitive pressures and developments; applicable laws and regulations; the success or failure of product development programs; actions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; changes in exchange rates; and claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates in development.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and neither BARDA nor Takeda undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances after the date of the forward-looking statement. If one or more of these statements is updated or corrected, investors and others should not conclude that additional updates or corrections will be made.

References

1. World Health Organization. Zika Virus Fact Sheet. Retrieved January 2018.
2. World Health Organization. Zika Virus and Complications: 2016 Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Retrieved January 2018.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Zika Virus: About Zika. Retrieved January 2018.
4. World Health Organization. WHO statement on the first meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR 2005) Emergency Committee on Zika virus and observed increase in neurological disorders and neonatal malformations. Retrieved January 2018.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Emergency Operations Center Moves to Highest Level of Activation for Zika Response. Retrieved January 2018.
6. World Health Organization. Fifth meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) regarding Microcephaly, Other Neurological Disorders and Zika Virus. Retrieved January 2018.
7. ClinicalTrials.gov. Safety, Immunogenicity and Dose Ranging Study of Inactivated Zika Virus Vaccine in Healthy Adult Participants. Retrieved January 2018.
8. UNICEF. Immunization Facts and Figures April 2013. Retrieved January 2018.





View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180129005260/en/

Contacts

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
For media outside of Japan:
Amy Atwood, +1-617-444-2147
amy.atwood@takeda.com
or
For Japanese media:
Kazumi Kobayashi, +81 3 3278 2095
kazumi.kobayashi@takeda.com


Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5477/en

MATRIXX Software Announces $40 Million in Funding Led by Sutter Hill Ventures

Investors include CK Hutchison and Spring Lake Equity Partners



SARATOGA, Calif.-Tuesday, January 30th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- MATRIXX Software (http://www.matrixx.com) today announced a $40 million Series C funding led by Sutter Hill Ventures. Stefan Dyckerhoff, managing director at Sutter Hill, will join MATRIXX Software’s board of directors. Additional new investors include Spring Lake Equity Partners and strategic partner CK Hutchison, whose 3 brand group of telecommunications operators serve over 130 million customers globally. The round also includes existing investors and strategic partners Greylock Partners, Adams Street Partners, Telstra Ventures and Swisscom Ventures.

Silicon Valley-based MATRIXX Software provides a next-generation digital commerce platform for Telco and related industries. The company has experienced explosive 130 percent year-over-year growth, adding new customers across North America, UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia. This round of funding will be used to fuel the company's rapid global expansion.

Faced with the threat of disruption from online-savvy market entrants, Telecom operators around the globe have been moving quickly to digitalize their businesses. Challenged by aging IT systems that are out of step with evolving network and service portfolios, Telco’s are looking outside of their traditional vendor ecosystem for innovative IT solutions. MATRIXX Software’s Digital Commerce platform is a reinvention of Telco business support systems that brings together typically separate applications for product design and lifecycle management, customer engagement, service delivery and monetization into a single, comprehensive platform.

With customer engagement increasingly digital, Telco’s have prioritized their IT investments to favor ‘digital out-of-the-box’ as a replacement to their traditional BSS/OSS applications. “We embrace the Telco meets Silicon Valley ethos of MATRIXX Software,” said Dyckerhoff. “They’re empowering operators in ways no one else is, and their solution is packaged so that Telco’s aren’t dependent on multi-year transformation projects. The industry has been saying for years that it needs a better, more repeatable model for transformation. We believe MATRIXX Software has the solution the industry has been seeking.”

Streamlining IT infrastructure continues to be a priority as global operators move aggressively to simplify backend operations to more effectively compete against agile, digital rivals. “Simply recreating existing applications as ‘digital’ isn’t good enough,” said Susan Buttsworth, CEO 3 International Opportunities Development (3IOD, a CK Hutchison subsidiary). “This is a tremendous moment of opportunity for Telco’s to reinvent themselves with the customer journey as the driving force for their IT infrastructure decisions. We believe that the technology developed by MATRIXX Software can help every operator achieve its transformation objectives.”

“We founded MATRIXX on the principles of digital scale and agility. We design software with both the Telco and the end consumer in mind to deliver capabilities that will provide valuable and meaningful change to the way Telco’s operate,” said Dave Labuda, founder, CEO and CTO of MATRIXX Software, “We are thrilled to have Sutter Hill, CK Hutchison and Spring Lake Partners as investors that share our vision of how the Telco industry can thrive for decades to come.”

About MATRIXX Software

Silicon Valley based MATRIXX Software is committed to helping Telco’s reinvent themselves into leaders of the digital economy. MATRIXX Digital Commerce is our multi-patented platform built from scratch to serve as the foundation for next-generation digital IT architectures. Through innovations in engineering, product, sales and deployment, we empower Communications Service Providers with the speed, agility and autonomy they need to give their customers modern, digital experiences.

Follow MATRIXX Software online:

Website: www.matrixx.com

Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/user17468378

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/586602

Twitter: www.twitter.com/matrixx_sw

Contacts

Mercury Global Partners for MATRIXX
Natalee Gibson, +1 720 648 5784
Managing Director
matrixx@mercuryglobalpartners.com


Permalink : http://www.aetoswire.com/news/5481/en

IDEMIA Announces the Appointment of Yann Delabrière as New Chairman of the Group

COLOMBES, France-Tuesday, January 30th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- IDEMIA, the world leader in Augmented Identity in an increasingly digital world, sees the chairmanship of its Supervisory Board renewed with the promotion of Yann DELABRIÈRE, former Vice-Chairman of the group.

Former CEO of Faurecia and current Chairman of the Management Board of Zodiac Aerospace, Yann DELABRIERE will replace Marwan LAHOUD, who becomes Vice-Chairman of the group. These changes take effect immediately.

In May 2017, Advent International invested alongside Bpifrance to bring together the complementary strengths of Safran I&S (Morpho) and Oberthur Technologies (OT). Combining Morpho’s leadership in end-to-end biometric and identity solutions with OT’s leadership in embedded digital security, the new IDEMIA identity was unveiled on 28th September 2017.

It is the global leader in Augmented Identity for an increasingly digital world, with a view to provide citizens and consumers with end-to-end full-secured solutions, when they interact, pay, connect, travel and vote.

“As the new Chairman of IDEMIA's Supervisory Board, I am very pleased to continue the work initiated by Marwan LAHOUD and all the other members, since OT and Morpho joined forces, to build the group's leadership. In a fast-changing industry, I know we can rely on the talented and skilled leaders who compose the recently announced top-management team to deliver upon the CEO Didier LAMOUCHE’s strategic vision”, declares Yann DELABRIÈRE.

About IDEMIA

OT-Morpho is now IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity for an increasingly digital world, with the ambition to empower citizens and consumers alike to interact, pay, connect, travel and vote in ways that are now possible in a connected environment.
Securing our identity has become mission critical in the world we live in today. By standing for Augmented Identity, we reinvent the way we think, produce, use and protect this asset, whether for individuals or for objects. We ensure privacy and trust as well as guarantee secure, authenticated and verifiable transactions for international clients from Financial, Telecom, Identity, Public Security and IoT sectors.
OT (Oberthur Technologies) and Safran Identity & Security (Morpho) have joined forces to form IDEMIA. With close to $3 billion in revenues and 14,000 employees around the world, IDEMIA serves clients in 180 countries.

For more information, visit www.idemia.com / Follow @IdemiaGroup on Twitter

About Advent International

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. The firm has invested in 325 private equity transactions in 40 countries and as of December 31, 2016, it had €39 billion in assets under management. With offices on four continents, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 180 investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including business and financial services; healthcare; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology, media and telecom. After more than 30 years dedicated to international investing, Advent remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for its portfolio companies.

For further information, visit: www.adventinternational.com.

Contacts
Media
IDEMIA (Havas Paris)
Hanna Sebbah : +33 6 63 73 30 30
Manon Gaudefroy : +33 6 85 30 60 02
Alisa Gribe-Marquis : + 33 6 03 12 93 13
E-mail : idemia@havas.com



Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5480/en

Frost & Sullivan to Honour Innovation and Excellence across Industry Sectors in the Middle East

Best-in-class companies to be recognized for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance on 14th May in Dubai


Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday, January 30th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

Stepping into the fourth consecutive year, Frost & Sullivan is all set to host its “2018 Middle East Best Practices Awards Banquet” on 14 May at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. This long-established Awards Programme aims to recognize companies in the Middle East that demonstrate a unique approach to doing business in their markets, and deliver exceptional performance in areas such as growth, leadership, technological innovation, customer service, strategic product development, etc. Benchmarked against the highest standards in their industries, Frost & Sullivan’s Awards recipients indeed represent the best-in-class.

Frost & Sullivan follows a rigorous measurement-based methodology to select the deserving companies in each category.

Announcing the Frost & Sullivan Awards, Amol Kotwal, Director, Frost & Sullivan said: “It gives me great pleasure to host the best-in-class achievers in the Middle East. Despite the challenging times in the region – political unrest, security threats, etc. – the economic fundamentals remain strong at the back of increasing oil prices. In this context of economic environment, it is important to recognise companies managing to weather the tough market conditions and succeed in demonstrating growth through innovative strategies.  Our robust methodology coupled with detailed evaluation by an elite Jury panel makes the Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards independent, unbiased, and coveted”.

The Awards will commend companies which demonstrate emerging trends and raise the bar across industry sectors such as Energy & Environment, TechVision, Transformational Health, Transportation& Logistics and Visionary Science.

This is an invitation-only event, and will bring together the top-notch executives from various industries under one roof.

To find out more about Frost & Sullivan’s Awards programme and partnership opportunities, please contact: khushbook@frost.com. The media partners supporting the “2018 Middle East Best Practices Awards Banquet”will be announced soon.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion

Twitter: @Frost_MENASA

Event Hashtag: #FSMEAwards

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/frost-&-sullivan-%E2%80%93-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia/



Contacts

Srishti Choudhury, Sr. Events Executive

M: +91 89834 82489; P: +91 20 4077 8850

E: srishti.choudhury@frost.com



Anita Chandhoke, Corporate Communications - MEA

P: +91 80 67028020

E: achandhoke@frost.com



http://ww2.frost.com/



Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5482/en

FedEx Committing More Than $3.2 Billion in Wage Increases, Bonuses, Pension Funding and Expanded U.S. Capital Investment Following the Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

MEMPHIS, Tenn.-Saturday, January 27th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- FedEx Corporation is announcing three major programs today following the recently enacted U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

1) Over $200 million in increased compensation, about two-thirds of which will go to hourly team members by advancing 2018 annual pay increases by six months to April 1st from the normal October date. The remainder will fund increases in performance-based incentive plans for salaried personnel.

2) A voluntary contribution of $1.5 billion to the FedEx pension plan to ensure it remains one of the best funded retirement programs in the country.

3) Investing $1.5 billion to significantly expand the FedEx Express Indianapolis hub over the next seven years. The Memphis SuperHub will also be modernized and enlarged in a major program the details of which will be announced later this spring.

FedEx believes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will likely increase GDP and investment in the United States.

The company has made no change to its fiscal 2018 earnings or capital expenditure guidance as issued on December 19, 2017, as a result of these actions.

Corporate Overview

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $62 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 400,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The additional pension contribution is expected to be funded in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 through available debt financing sources.

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements relating to management’s views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the global markets in which we operate, a significant data breach or other disruption to our technology infrastructure, the ongoing impact of the June 27 cyberattack affecting TNT Express, our ability to successfully integrate the businesses and operations of FedEx Express and TNT Express in the expected time frame or at the expected cost, changes in fuel prices or currency exchange rates, our ability to match capacity to shifting volume levels, new U.S. domestic or international government regulation, our ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage acquired businesses, our ability to achieve our FedEx Express segment profit improvement goal, legal challenges or changes related to owner-operators engaged by FedEx Ground and the drivers providing services on their behalf, disruptions or modifications in service by, or changes in the business or financial soundness of, the U.S. Postal Service, the availability of financing on terms acceptable to us, the impact from any terrorist activities or international conflicts, and other factors which can be found in FedEx Corp.’s and its subsidiaries’ press releases and FedEx Corp.’s filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We do not undertake or assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts

FedEx Corp.
Patrick Fitzgerald, 901-818-7300

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5467/en

PMI Presents to US FDA Advisory Committee; Important Milestone in the Scientific Review of IQOS

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -Monday, January 29th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

    First-ever consideration of a heated tobacco product, IQOS, by FDA Advisory Committee
    Committee, FDA, and PMI experts discuss comprehensive scientific approach and data set
    FDA’s careful review of PMI’s Modified Risk Tobacco Product applications for IQOS continues

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On January 24 and 25, experts from Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) and Philip Morris USA Inc. presented to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) before the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The meeting was part of the FDA’s review of PMI’s request to commercialize IQOS in the US as a “Modified Risk Tobacco Product”. U.S. law and policy recognize product innovation as important to the 40 million American men and women who smoke.

To advise the Agency on PMI’s applications, the Committee covered a wide range of scientific, technical, and consumer-communications topics. It raised questions and probed the likelihood and magnitude of potential benefits as well as how best to address possible unintended use.

Although the Committee did not agree with some of the specific language of proposed risk and harm consumer communications, it confirmed that the evidence supported the statement that switching completely to IQOS significantly reduces exposure to harmful chemicals.

“The Committee’s two-day discussion was a milestone event. We thank the Agency and the Committee for their interest in our scientific dossier and our determination to enable adults who smoke to have access to and information about better alternatives,” said André Calantzopoulos, PMI’s Chief Executive Officer, who added: “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for their exceptional work on our application to the FDA and for the presentations last week. Our science and the commitment of our people give me confidence that we will realize our vision of a smoke-free future.”

We believe the Committee’s interactions with presenters and its discussion reflected respect for our scientific data and commitment to bring IQOS to the U.S. The Committee delved into such areas as inferences about long-term health outcomes, quantification and comparison of risk, the best way to formulate consumer information, and areas for post-market surveillance. At the end of the meeting, the Members of the Committee discussed and voted on particular questions on which the Agency requested the Committee’s views. TPSAC recommendations and votes are not binding on the FDA.

“As a next step, we look forward to working with the Agency to clarify outstanding points so as to best assist in their ongoing decision-making process, which inherently entails a certain degree of scientific uncertainty pre-market,” said Mr. Calantzopoulos, who concluded: “As the FDA routinely does with regard to the many products it regulates, I believe the Agency will ultimately address that uncertainty in the best interest of people who smoke.”

Since 2008, PMI has invested more than USD 3 billion in scientific research, product and commercial development, and production capacity related to IQOS and other smoke-free products. In 2017, over 70% of global R&D expenditure and over 30% of global commercial expenditure was allocated to smoke-free products, and we plan to invest more than USD 1.7 billion in facilities to manufacture them.

Nearly 4 million adult smokers have already switched to IQOS. Our ambition is that all those who would otherwise continue smoking abandon cigarettes and switch completely to scientifically substantiated smoke-free products as soon as possible. Regulatory policies and decisions can substantially accelerate the speed and magnitude of this historic change.

Note to the editor

The FDA is reviewing PMI’s MRTP applications pursuant to the provisions of a 2009 Statute that granted the Agency authority with respect to tobacco products. Under the Statute, the FDA’s decision takes account of scientific evidence as well as comments, data, and information submitted by interested persons.

As previously announced, in 2018 PMI will complete a 12-month exposure response study designed to measure clinical risk markers in adult smokers who switch to IQOS.

PMI has also submitted a Pre-Market Tobacco Application (PMTA) to the FDA which, if granted, will permit the commercialization of IQOS in the US without modified risk messages. This application was not before the Committee as it follows a separate regulatory pathway.

Under agreements with PMI, PM USA is licensed to sell IQOS in the U.S. should PMI receive a PMTA marketing order from the FDA.

Philip Morris International: Who We Are

We are a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the United States of America. We’re building our future on smoke-free products that are a much better choice than continuing to smoke cigarettes. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, we aim to ensure that our smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. Our vision is that these products ultimately replace cigarettes to the benefit of adult smokers, society, our company and our shareholders. For more information, see our PMI and PMIScience websites.



View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180129005664/en/

Contacts

Media enquiries
Philip Morris International media office
T: +41 (0)58 242 4500
E: media@pmi.com

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5478/en

Hallstar Board of Directors Names Two New Officers from the Leadership Ranks of Its Industrial Solutions and Beauty & Personal Care Businesses

CHICAGO-Saturday, January 27th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hallstar, a global specialty chemical company, recently announced the addition of Damian Marshall and Varun Mathur to its officer team. Marshall and Mathur have 25 years of Hallstar experience between them, and have both served in General Manager roles since 2016. Their promotions to vice president were made official by a vote of Hallstar’s directors at a January 2018 board meeting.

CEO John Paro expressed strong confidence in Hallstar’s newest vice presidents. “As general managers of our two primary business segments, Damian and Varun have already proven their leadership abilities, depth of knowledge, and commitment to the success of their teams.”

Paro added, “Of equal importance, they positively impact our organizational culture by consistently demonstrating Hallstar’s core values – Passionate About People, Ethical, Results-Driven, and Continuously Learning. The entire board of directors supports this recognition of their contributions, and anticipates extensive future achievements. This is the right time in Hallstar’s history and growth trajectory for them to assume officer responsibilities.”

Damian Marshall began as a Product Manager at Hallstar in 1997, and after years of increased responsibilities in product marketing and business development, was named General Manager of Industrial Solutions in the fall of 2016. In this role, he is responsible for the P&L, product development and strategic direction of Hallstar’s specialty ester modifiers business. Marshall has a BS, Mechanical Engineering from University of Notre Dame, an MS, Environmental Engineering from Northwestern, and an MBA from University of Chicago. He lives with his family in Western Springs, Illinois.

Varun Mathur joined Hallstar in 2013 as director of business development, with a special focus on the commercial launch of the company’s ground-breaking Micah photoprotection technology, and was named General Manager of Hallstar’s Beauty & Personal Care business in 2016. He currently manages the P&L, product development and strategic direction of Hallstar’s rapidly growing division of sun care, skin care, hair care, toiletries and cosmetics products and formulation expertise. Mathur has a BS, Chemical Engineering from University of Washington, an MS, Applied Statistics from Rochester Institute of Technology, and an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He and his wife live in Chicago, Illinois.

Marshall and Mathur assumed their Hallstar officer duties on January 19, 2018.

About Hallstar:

Hallstar is a leading global provider of specialty chemistry solutions. The company takes a collaborative approach to every engagement, delivering technical support, chemistry expertise and industry knowledge that helps its customers make the most of their products, from concepts to the first production batches. To learn more visit www.hallstar.com.

Contacts

Hallstar
Marie Paro, 312-554-7470
mparo@hallstar.com

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5466/en

Toshiba e-STUDIO3508LP Wins Buyers Lab's Winter 2018 Outstanding Achievement in Innovation Award

TOKYO-Monday, January 29th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Tec Corporation (TOKYO:6588) announces that its e-STUDIO3508LP has earned Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab's Outstanding Achievement in Innovation award. The e-STUDIO3508LP is Toshiba’s hybrid multifunction peripheral (MFP) which prints regular black prints as well as erasable blue prints within one device.

Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab presents its Outstanding Achievement award to acknowledge the products or capabilities that stand out for a breakthrough in technology, a unique feature or other noteworthy innovation that moves that class of product forward.

“For any organization committed to maintaining a ‘green’ work ethos, Toshiba’s latest generation model, the e-STUDIO3508LP, is worth a look,” said George Mikolay, Associate Director of Copiers/Production for Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab. “The ability to print and erase content produced with erasable toner while reusing the same sheet of paper multiple times within a single eco-hybrid integrated system, is truly unique and innovative in the marketplace. What’s more, the unit’s dual-toner system provides added flexibility for users so that higher value documents can be printed using black toner.”

“We are proud that the e-STUDIO3508LP is recognized as a unique and innovative product, and received BLI’s Outstanding Achievement in Innovation award,” said Sachio Koyama, General Manager of Products, Marketing & Service Division, Toshiba Tec Corporation. “With its unique technology and features, we believe this product will help customers operate their business more ecologically, economically, and efficiently. We expect many customers using the e-STUDIO3508LP will realize its benefits.”

About Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab

Keypoint Intelligence is a one-stop shop for the digital imaging industry. With our unparalleled tools and unmatched depth of knowledge, we cut through the noise of data to offer clients the unbiased insights and responsive tools they need in those mission-critical moments that define their products and empower their sales.

For over 50 years, Buyers Lab has been the global document imaging industry’s resource for unbiased and reliable information, test data, and competitive selling tools. What started out as a consumer-based publication about office equipment has become an all-encompassing industry resource. Buyers Lab evolves in tandem with the ever-changing landscape of document imaging solutions, constantly updating our methods, expanding our offerings, and tracking cutting-edge developments.

For more information, please call David Sweetnam at +44 (0) 118 977 2000 or email him at david.sweetnam@keypointintelligence.com.

About Toshiba Tec

Toshiba Tec Corporation is a Toshiba’s group company, a leading provider of technology solutions, operating across multiple industries – ranging from retail, education and business services to hospitality and manufacturing. With headquarters in Japan and over 80 subsidiaries worldwide, Toshiba Tec Corporation helps organizations transform the way they create, record, share, manage and display information.

Please visit http://www.toshibatec.co.jp/en/
For Global site please visit http://www.toshibatec.com/global/

Unless otherwise specified and/or credited all images, artwork, text and graphics, logos and logotypes are the copyright and/or trademark of the respective owners. All rights reserved.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180128005014/en/

Contacts

Media Contact
Toshiba Tec Corporation
Toshihiko “Tommy” Minato, +81-(0)50-3681-5528
Marketing Department
Products, Marketing & Service Division
Printing Solutions Business Group
Toshihiko_Minato@toshibatec.co.jp


Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5475/en

Alibaba Cloud Launches Malaysia City Brain to Enhance City Management

Kuala Lumpur set to be first overseas city to implement smart city solution


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia-Monday, January 29th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, today announced the launch of its Malaysia City Brain initiative in collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the country’s digital economy development agency, and Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), the city council in the capital, at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysia City Brain initiative is a significant milestone because it’s the first time for the City Brain solution to be adopted overseas. It is developed on Alibaba Cloud’s robust cloud computing infrastructure and will support Malaysia’s digital transformation with cloud technology and artificial intelligence.

Powered by Alibaba Cloud’s large-scale computing engine Apsara, Malaysia City Brain offers a comprehensive suite of acquisition, integration, and analysis of big and heterogeneous data generated by a diversity of sources in urban spaces through video and image recognition, data mining and machine learning technology. The power and functionality of the City Brain will enable Malaysian urban planners and city officials to upgrade their city governance and decision-making to turn the city into an intelligent one.

In the first phase of the program, the capital Kuala Lumpur will roll out the Malaysia City Brain for use in traffic management to improve mobility in the city. With its massive cloud computing and data processing capabilities, the City Brain can optimise the flow of vehicles and traffic signals by calculating the time to reach intersections. It will also be able to generate structured summaries of data, such as traffic volume and speed in particular lanes, which can be used to facilitate other tasks including incident detection.

In addition, City Brain can connect with various urban management systems including emergency dispatch, ambulance call, traffic command, and traffic light control. By integrating and analysing real-time data generated from these systems, City Brain can optimize urban traffic flow such as by identifying the quickest route for emergency vehicles to arrive at the scene within the shortest time frame.

As the City Brain’s functionality expands, enterprises, start-ups, entrepreneurs, universities, and research institutions will in the future also have the opportunity to access and leverage its artificial intelligence tools to drive a wide range of innovation.

On the crucial integration of artificial intelligence, Simon Hu, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud, commented: “Cloud computing, data technology and AI has become fundamental tools for all companies and organizations to operate effectively. Building on this partnership, we are happy to see Malaysia become the first country outside of China to adopt the City Brain. Through the program, we aim to empower all Malaysian stakeholders in both the public and private sectors with the tools to enhance efficiency, advance innovation and succeed in the digital age. For Alibaba Cloud, this is the true meaning of inclusive technology.”

Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC, said: “The collaboration with Alibaba Group is another leap towards digitizing Malaysia where knowledge-sharing and the crossover of best practices transpire. As we set our sights on the future, we are excited about the prospects this partnership will bring to our community, and benefiting Malaysians with the tangible results of digital solutions.”

Malaysia Tianchi Big Data Program

At the same event, Alibaba Cloud also announced the Malaysia Tianchi Big Data Program, a big data crowd intelligence platform that brings together global data experts to collaborate and compete in developing solutions for real world problems. Backed by MDEC, the initiative aims to incubate 500 data professionals and 300 startups in Malaysia within two years by facilitating the use of world class data intelligence technology through Alibaba Cloud’s cloud computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence capabilities.

The Malaysia Tianchi Big Data Program will be integrated into Alibaba Cloud’s Tianchi global community which already boasts over 120,000 developers and 2,700 academic institutes and businesses from 77 countries and regions. By participating in these big data competitions, Malaysian experts will compete with, and learn from, counterparts across the globe to develop best-in-class data technology, keeping Malaysia at the forefront of the global digital economy.

Malaysia City Brain and Tianchi are just the latest step in a successful partnership between Alibaba and MDEC. In March 2017, Alibaba Group announced the setup of the first overseas e-hub under Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) in Malaysia. Alibaba Cloud has made significant progress on this endeavour since. In October 2017, Alibaba Cloud opened a data center in Malaysia, which became the first global public cloud platform in the country. The data center provides Malaysian enterprises with a local choice to build their businesses on a powerful, reliable and secure cloud platform.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com), the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, is among the world’s top three IaaS providers according to Gartner, and the largest provider of public cloud services in China, according to IDC. Alibaba Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to businesses worldwide, including merchants doing business on Alibaba Group marketplaces, start-ups, corporations and government organisations. Alibaba Cloud is the official Cloud Services Partner of the International Olympic Committee.



Contacts

Alibaba Group
Yinan Qian, +86 186 0004 0770
yinan.qyn@alibaba-inc.com
or
Sindy Shi, +86 150 2192 5635
ruoyun.sry@alibaba-inc.com



Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5474/en

Yokogawa Receives EPMS and SCADA Order for Egypt's National Gas Grid

 - Expanding our control business in the midstream oil and gas market -

TOKYO-Monday, January 29th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO:6841) announces that its subsidiary, Yokogawa Middle East & Africa B.S.C.(c), has received an order from the state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO), operator of the country’s national gas grid, to supply a gas pipeline management and control system.

GASCO is in the business of transmitting and processing natural gas. The company is currently engaged in a project to replace the management and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems at two central grid control centers that manage and control the flow of gas through a 7,000 km network of gas trunklines, a critical component of Egypt’s infrastructure.

This order is for a Yokogawa Enterprise Pipeline Management Solution (EPMS), a suite of applications that manage functions such as delivery scheduling and gas storage, and the company’s FAST/TOOLS SCADA software, which will monitor and control the gas pipeline and related equipment such as compressors. The EPMS supplements a basic pipeline management system with specific gas and liquid applications that enable a pipeline operator to manage delivery contracts and associated logistics in a time and energy efficient manner. With the SCADA system covering monitoring and control, the EPMS will integrate the management of the SCADA data.

Yokogawa won this order thanks to GASCO’s positive and fair evaluation of the EPMS’s device scheduler and other operation management applications that ensure the efficient transportation of natural gas, and the high reliability of Yokogawa’s FAST/TOOLS SCADA system, which can be configured for quadruple redundancy and is based on the latest industrial standards. Delivery of these systems will be completed by September 2019.

Hideki Matsubayashi, a Yokogawa vice president who is chief executive for the Middle East, Africa and India and who also serves as president of Yokogawa Middle East & Africa B.S.C.(c), had the following to say about this order: “We are very honored that this customer has chosen, based on an assessment of our technical expertise and products, to award us the order for this critically important project. We are committed to making full use of our rich experience in this field to bring this essential infrastructure project to a successful conclusion.”

In accordance with its Transformation 2017 mid-term business plan, Yokogawa targets the entire energy supply chain. The company is strengthening its efforts to drive up sales by providing solutions for oil and gas pipelines and other midstream applications. Yokogawa plans to expand its control business in the midstream applications segment.

For more information
Industries -Pipeline-
https://www.yokogawa.com/industries/oil-gas/pipeline/

Enterprise Pipeline Management Solution (EPMS)
https://www.yokogawa.com/solutions/products-platforms/control-system/supervisory-control-and-data-acquisition-scada/enterprise-pipeline-management-suite-epms/

About Yokogawa
Yokogawa’s global network of 113 companies spans 60 countries. Founded in 1915, the US$3.5 billion company engages in cutting-edge research and innovation. Yokogawa is active in the industrial automation and control (IA), test and measurement, and aviation and other businesses segments. The IA segment plays a vital role in a wide range of industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, and food. Targeting this segment, Yokogawa helps companies maximize their profits by offering a wide range of highly reliable products and working with the subsidiary KBC Advanced Technologies to provide premium solutions and services. For more information about Yokogawa, please visit www.yokogawa.com.

The names of companies, products, and brands in this text are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=51748717&lang=en

Contacts

Yokogawa Electric Corporation
Public Relations, Integrated Communications Center
Yokogawa-pr@cs.jp.yokogawa.com


Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5472/en

TP-Link MEA to host Certification Program for ‘TPNA’ Certified SMB Partners

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Monday, January 29th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

TP-Link Technologies Co Ltd, a global provider of SOHO, SMB networking products, wireless LAN solutions and mobile devices, has revealed the second edition of TPNA certification program for its TP-Link Network Associate (TPNA) in the UAE.

TP-Link said the TPNA Certification Program would be held in Dubai at Holiday Inn Hotel on 29th January for the SMB partners.

TP-Link Network Associate (TPNA) & TP-Link Network Professional (TPNP) programs are designed to help & educate network professionals with advanced network and wireless concepts and qualify for the certificate program to equip them with latest skills, tools and best practices which will enable them to build and strengthen the bridge between technology solutions and business needs. The TPNA certificate program will help technicians and sales staff working in the business of networking hardware devices field who have acquired abundant network concepts, including technicians and sales personnel of TP-Link agencies and partners

According to the vendor the first batch of training & certification outcomes were impressive, TP-Link Network Associate (TPNA’S) they have implemented our SMB Solution & strategy in ongoing & new projects and TP-Link is expecting the better outcomes from the new batch of TPNA’s.

Lucas Jiang, General Manager, TP-Link MEA FZE, said demand for SMB solution is increasing and we will strengthen our development in the hospitality, education and corporate sector. “We will be providing tools and resources to SI partners we enlist to make sure that they are trained, certified and enabled to implement our SMB offerings in the market,” he said. “This is vital if we are to grow our share of business in this market segment.”

About TP-Link

TP-Link is a global provider of SOHO & SMB networking products and the World's No.1 provider of WLAN products, with products available in over 120 countries to tens of millions of customers. Committed to intensive R&D, efficient production and strict quality management, TP-Link continues to provide award-winning networking products in Wireless, ADSL, Routers, Switches, IP Cameras, Powerline Adapters, Print Servers, Media Converters and Network Adapters for Global end-users.

Based on the confidence of tens of millions of customers, TP-Link is now growing to become one of the most competitive providers of networking products with aspirations to become one of the top 3 networking brands in the world and striving for a larger global market share, while further advancing in the world of networking to better serve our most valued customers with products that make their lives easier.

Contacts

Sadaf Mazhar, Marketing Specialist

Office: +97143966356 Ext. 118

Mob: +971561981540

E-mail: sadaf.mazhar@tp-link.com



Dolly Lakhani, Marketing Executive

Office. +97143966356

Mob. +971506741731; +971561981527

E-mail: dolly.l@tp-link.com


Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5471/en

Canon Medical Systems Corporation to Participate in Arab Health 2018

OOTAWARA, Japan-Saturday, January 27th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Canon Medical Systems Corporation will participate in Arab Health 2018 in Dubai (UAE) from January 29 to February 1, 2018.

Canon Medical Systems Corporation will be showcasing diagnostic imaging equipment including 16 slice CT Aquilion Lightning, Aplio i 800 and Aplio i 700 ultrasound diagnostic system to be exhibited and demonstrated, and introducing the latest technology of MRI and Angio system with variety of clinical data.

”We have changed our corporate name from Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation to Canon Medical Systems Corporation on January 4, 2018. Our share domestically in Japan is No.1 and our product and services are globally provided to more than 140 countries. We have a technical service and support team in Dubai, headed by an engineer from Japan, and a warehouse too, and this allows us to provide prompt maintenance and service support across the region. We remain committed to support accurate diagnosis, deliver the state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging solutions to provide highly efficient healthcare, and contribute to high-performing healthcare systems in UAE as well as Middle East countries.” said Toshio Takiguchi, President and CEO of Canon Medical Systems Corporation.

Canon Medical Systems Corporation delivers imaging and in-vitro diagnostic systems to more than 140 countries around the world, and is committed to continue to deliver intelligent solutions to protect precious lives under the corporate philosophy Made for Life.



Quick Facts – Our Booth at Arab Health 2018

Schedule

January 29 - February 1, 2018

Venue

    
Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE

Booth location

    
Sheikh Saeed Hall S1. D30

Key products to
be showcased

    
CT(Actual models) Aquilion Lightning

UL(Actual models) Aplio i800, Aplio i 700, Aplio 500 V7

Healthcare IT: Work Station

Latest technologies to be presented on monitors


         
CT: Aquilion ONE Genesis

         
MR: Vantage Galan 3T





XR: Ultimax-i

         




About Canon Medical Systems Corporation

Canon Medical offers a full range of diagnostic medical imaging solutions including Ultrasound, CT, X-Ray, and MR, across the globe. On January 4, 2018, Toshiba Medical changed its company name to Canon Medical Systems. In line with our continued Made for Life philosophy, patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to provide medical professionals with solutions that support their efforts in contributing to the health and wellbeing of patients worldwide so that together our industry-leading solutions deliver an enriched quality of life. Visit Canon Medical Systems Corporation’s web site at https://global.medical.canon.

Contacts
For Information:
Canon Medical Systems Corporation
Kazufumi Ishiyama, +81-3-6369-9674
Corporate Communication Dept.

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5464/en

AG&P’s Unique Scalable LNG Supply Chain Model Will Unlock Gas-to-Power Market Opportunities in Developing Gas Economies

Innovative approach highlighted at 2018 Asia Pacific Energy Assembly

SINGAPORE-Friday, January 26th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- AG&P (Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company), the Philippines-based company at the forefront of developing pragmatic, end-to-end LNG delivery solutions, says demand aggregation is the key to growing and unlocking the market for gas.

The power sector continues to be the key driver for growing global gas demand. However, liquid-fuelled power plants are typically too small to be viably served on a standalone basis. Leveraging AG&P’s innovative, standardized LNG supply chain solutions, AG&P aggregates downstream demand to achieve the minimum throughput required to unlock gas-to-power markets.

AG&P singularly provides a fully integrated solution from LNG sourcing to last-mile delivery, thus simplifying and making commercially compelling the decision to switch energy sources for its customers. AG&P’s business model is unique by bringing under one platform LNG design/engineering, innovative technology, manufacturing, project management, local marketing and operations. Through its terminal gateways, AG&P delivers LNG/natural gas to its customers.

“Most liquid fuelled power plants are remotely located and cut-off from the main grid. Leveraging our standardized designs and modular approach to building terminals developed in AG&P’s Houston, Texas Engineering Center, AG&P not only eliminates expensive, bespoke engineering costs, but significantly reduces construction time. We offer speed of development, access to new and diverse gas supply options, cost-efficiency, increasing price competitiveness and flexibility to support the expansion of renewables in the power mix,” said Mr. Abhilesh Gupta, AG&P’s Global Chief Financial Officer & Commercial Head.

AG&P is actively developing integrated LNG-fired gas-to-power opportunities across South Asia, the Americas and Africa.

About AG&P

Based in the Philippines, Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila (AG&P) is at the forefront of the LNG infrastructure revolution providing gas or LNG to customers via integrated LNG receiving terminals and their supply chains. AG&P designs, manufactures, finances, leases, operates and maintains storage and regasification terminals, LNG related assets, terminals and vessels. From sourcing gas to last-mile delivery, AG&P is the unique integrator that brings all parties together to deliver projects for lower, pragmatic capital cost.

For more than 118 years, AG&P has been a global leader in infrastructure solutions, delivering cutting-edge modularized products and support services to the energy, resources and industrial sectors. AG&P modularizes infrastructure for refineries, LNG export and import facilities, power, petrochemical, and mining plants, building up to 125,000 tons of dense and complex modules each year.

For more information, visit www.agp.ph.

Note: AG&P gave a keynote address at the Energy Council Asia Pacific Energy Assembly & Awards in Singapore on Wednesday, 24 January. For a copy of the presentation, visit http://agp.ph/trade.html.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180125005485/en/

Contacts
Ying PR
Reisha Nagrani | Public Relations & Social Media Manager
Mobile: +65 96163994
DID: +65 31575608
reisha.nagrani@yingcomms.com
or
AG&P
Dianne Elaine O. Perez
Manager | Marketing & Communications
Mobile: +63 (998) 966 5839
DID: +63 (43) 740 5800 local 5399
dianne.ozaeta@agp.ph

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5457/en

Team Visa Athletes Launch Global Film for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018: “Resetting Finish Lines”

Team Visa athletes give their followers a first look at their journey to PyeongChang 2018 and how Visa’s innovative payment products are helping along the way

SAN FRANCISCO-Friday, January 26th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- With less than one month until the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 Opening Ceremony, Visa’s (NYSE: V) roster of Team Visa athletes took the lead in launching the brand’s full-length 60-second global advertising campaign, “Resetting Finish Lines,” across their personal social media accounts. Over the past week, all 54 members of the Team Visa roster, including Olympic and Paralympic athletes, hopefuls, and legends representing twenty-one (21) countries and fifteen (15) sports, premiered the full-length spot ahead of its traditional debut on global digital and broadcast channels to highlight their appreciation for the support they’ve received during their training for PyeongChang 2018.

“Creating a film and inviting Team Visa athletes to be the stars and represent the Visa brand is our way of celebrating their inspiring stories and cheering them on throughout their journey,” said Lynne Biggar, chief marketing and communications officer at Visa. “When it came time to launch the film, we couldn’t have asked for a better medium than the athlete’s own social media channels.”

Team Visa athletes Mikaela Shiffrin (USA, Alpine Skiing), Kamil Stoch (Poland, Ski Jumping), Mark McMorris (Canada, Snowboard – Slopestyle & Big Air), and Park, Seung-Hi (South Korea, Speed Skating) were among the first to introduce the campaign on their social channels to share their excitement leading up to PyeongChang 2018.

The film plays an integral role in Visa’s overall Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsorship, which includes onsite activations and new payment wearables. The creative thematic behind the campaign is “resetting finish lines,” rooted in the understanding that these athletes are continuously pushing their personal and athletic boundaries in pursuit of achieving their Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games dreams.

“Filming the campaign was our first opportunity to meet other members of our Team Visa family,” said Seun Adigun, driver of the Nigerian Women’s Bobsled Team. “It was a true highlight to spend time with our extended Olympics family and try out the wearable technology that Visa will make available at the Games.”

The global film is a compilation of vignettes that highlight the inspirational and historic stories of eight Team Visa athletes en route to the Games. Along the way, athletes leverage payment innovations, such as Visa Checkout, contactless cards and the recently announced wearable payment devices, including payment-enabled gloves, commemorative stickers and Olympic Winter Games pins that are now commercially available in Korea. This marketing campaign will feature Visa’s suite of sensory branding, developed to support an expanded universe of connected, payment-enabled devices. Visa’s unique sound, animation and haptic (vibration) cues signify completed, secure transactions in digital and physical retail environments when consumers pay using Visa.

Shot by prominent sports marketing director, Stacy Wall, the film encompasses one global storyline that will be shown in more than a dozen versions across the world. The film was shot in New Zealand and South Korea, and each of the 13 versions highlight local Team Visa Olympic and Paralympic athletes using a variety of payment technologies. Localized versions include: Canada, China, Japan, Italy, South Korea, Poland, United Kingdom and the United States.

To capture the spirit of the Games, Visa updated the lyrics, music and vocals of “Anything You Can Do” by Irving Berlin to match the energy of these athlete stories. The athletes featured in the global film include: Mark McMorris (Canada, Snowboard – Slopestyle & Big Air), Chloe Kim (USA, Snowboard - Halfpipe), Mikaela Shiffrin (USA, Alpine Skiing), Park, Seung-Hi (South Korea, Speed Skating), Seun Adigun (Nigeria, Bobsled), Ngozi Onwumere (Nigeria, Bobsled), Akuoma Omeoga (Nigeria, Bobsled), and Sara Takanashi (Japan, Ski Jumping). The following athletes are also featured in different versions of the film: Hilary Knight (USA, Ice Hockey), Oksana Masters (USA, Para cross-country skiing & Para biathlon), Kamil Stoch (Poland, Ski Jumping), Han Cong (China, Figure Skating), Sui Wenjing (China, Figure Skating) and Han Tianyu (China, Short Track Speed Skating).

To learn more about Visa and its Olympic Games sponsorship, visit https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/sponsorships-promotions/olympics-partnership.html.

About Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit usa.visa.com/aboutvisa, visacorporate.tumblr.com and @VisaNews.

Contacts
Visa Inc.
Bitsy Rich, 415-813-7252
erich@visa.com

Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5455/en

Rimini Street Files Court Petition to Recover Additional $32 Million From Oracle

Amount sought is in addition to the previously announced favorable appeal decision that should result in a refund of up to nearly $50 million from Oracle

LAS VEGAS-Friday, January 26th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a global provider of enterprise software products and services, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products, today provides the following statement related to a petition recently filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Oracle vs. Rimini Street:

“On January 8, 2018, the Court of Appeals reversed certain awards made in Oracle’s favor during and after our 2015 trial, and vacated others, including an injunction that had already been stayed by the appellate court. The Court of Appeals also overturned all orders and judgments against Rimini Street’s CEO, Seth A. Ravin. Further, while affirming the jury’s finding of ‘innocent’ copyright infringement for processes that Rimini Street claims are no longer in use since at least July 2014, the Court of Appeals stated that Rimini Street ‘provided third-party support for Oracle’s enterprise software, in lawful competition with Oracle’s direct maintenance services.’ The favorable appeal decision should result in a refund of up to nearly $50 million from Oracle.

On January 22, 2018, Rimini Street filed a petition for a rehearing en banc with the Court of Appeals to recover up to an additional $32 million from Oracle.

The Company is asking the Court of Appeals to rehear the calculation of $22 million in prejudgment interest. The trial court set the interest rate using a date that precedes the filing of the litigation, which resulted in an additional $20 million cost paid by Rimini Street.

The Company is also asking the Court of Appeals to rehear the award of $12 million in non-taxable costs – a Ninth Circuit decision that is in direct conflict with decisions in other federal circuit courts and decisions of the United States Supreme Court. As a result of this ruling, Rimini Street believes it paid $12 million it would not have had to pay in other court jurisdictions.”

About Rimini Street, Inc.

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI) is a global provider of enterprise software products and services, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products. The company has redefined enterprise software support services since 2005 with an innovative, award-winning program that enables licensees of IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and other enterprise software vendors to save up to 90 percent on total support costs. Clients can remain on their current software release without any required upgrades for a minimum of 15 years. Over 1,450 global Fortune 500, midmarket, public sector and other organizations from a broad range of industries currently rely on Rimini Street as their trusted, third-party support provider. To learn more, please visit https://www.riministreet.com, follow @riministreet on Twitter and find Rimini Street on Facebook and LinkedIn. (C-RMNI)

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this communication are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “may,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “continue,” “future,” “will,” “expect,” “outlook” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our 2017 revenue guidance, industry, future events, future opportunities and growth initiatives, estimates of Rimini Street’s total addressable market, and projections of customer savings. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of actual performance, nor are these statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding Rimini Street’s business, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in the business environment in which Rimini Street operates, including inflation and interest rates, and general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the industry in which Rimini Street operates; adverse litigation developments; inability to refinance existing debt on favorable terms; changes in taxes, governmental laws, and regulations; competitive product and pricing activity; difficulties of managing growth profitably; the loss of one or more members of Rimini Street’s management team; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger transaction with GPIAC, including difficulty in integrating the businesses of GPIAC and Rimini Street; uncertainty as to the long-term value of RMNI common stock; the inability to realize the expected amount and timing of cost savings and operating synergies; those discussed in Rimini Street’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on November 9, 2017 and other documents Rimini Street has on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be additional risks that Rimini Street presently knows or that Rimini Street currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Rimini Street’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Rimini Street anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Rimini Street’s assessments to change. However, while Rimini Street may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Rimini Street specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Rimini Street’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

© 2018 Rimini Street, Inc. All rights reserved. “Rimini Street” is a registered trademark of Rimini Street, Inc. in the United States and other countries, and Rimini Street, the Rimini Street logo, and combinations thereof, and other marks marked by TM are trademarks of Rimini Street, Inc. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners, and unless otherwise specified, Rimini Street claims no affiliation, endorsement, or association with any such trademark holder or other companies referenced herein.


Contacts

Rimini Street, Inc.
Michelle McGlocklin, +1 925-523-8414
mmcglocklin@riministreet.com



Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5453/en

Technology is Transforming Healthcare Delivery in the UAE

 Head of US$8 billion-dollar healthcare company leads the health-tech revolution



San Francisco, CA-Sunday, January 28th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]

Technology is at the top of the agenda for NMC Healthcare, according to the CEO, Prasanth Manghat, who believes that technology is changing the healthcare sector and the way it operates. Speaking at the 36th JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, in San Francisco, CA., recently, Prasanth Manghat said technology will change the different layers of healthcare, and in many aspects of the healthcare where the customer will expect more cutting-edge technological innovations in healthcare delivery and institutions should provide that, having fully evaluated and eradicated any possible associated risks.

Mr. Manghat added that accessibility of quality care, the constant availability of doctors and medical practitioners and competitive pricing has ensured that the NMC name is at the forefront of the healthcare industry.

Having annouced an 800-million-dollar investment in healthcare, NMC is leading the field in cutting-edge technology such as unmanned ICUs, technological advancements in home health monitoring, advancements in remote specialist consultations, devices to improve IVF results, advanced genetic tests, and others.

Mr. Manghat further added that technology is the best evidence of human intelligence and has made life more productive in many different ways. “Advancements in technology have disrupted traditional businesses across industries from banking to retail to transportation and now even healthcare,” he said.

As a frontrunner in the healthcare spectrum, NMC owns and manages over 135 healthcare facilities that include hospitals, medical centers, long-term care facilities, day surgery centers, fertility centers and home health services providers. With a team of over 2,000 doctors and 18,000 paramedical and support personnel, NMC doctors treat more than 8.5 million patients every year globally and is now one of FTSE’s 100 best-performing companies.

JP Morgan Healthcare Conference is a prestigious invitation-only event, attended by thought leaders, innovators, technology creators and fast growth companies from around the world. It attracts thousands of investors and hundreds of companies that run the gamut, from start-ups to those with more than $300 billion in market cap, and encompasses the entire global healthcare landscape, including pharmaceutical firms, healthcare service providers, profit and not-for-profits, and medical device companies.

Contacts

SAHARA Communications

Farah Al Obaidi, Head of Media Relations, + 971501714347, +971503323158
farah@saharagcc.com, www.saharagcc.com












Permalink : http://aetoswire.com/news/5468/en