Tag Infrastructure

Mumbai, November 15, 2024- Infravision, a company providing technology-enabled construction and performance solutions, focuses on enhancing infrastructure performance and safety for the energy and utility sectors, today announced its partnership with Sterlite Power, a market leader and one of India’s largest and fastest-growing transmission providers. This collaboration aims to revolutionize India’s transmission infrastructure using advanced, technology-enabled construction methods. India is embarking on an ambitious mission to construct 50,000 kilometers of transmission lines by 2030, creating an unprecedented demand for efficient and scalable solutions. Sterlite Power, renowned for its expertise in delivering high-performance transmission networks, is set to play a pivotal role in this transformative era. Together, Infravision and Sterlite Power will accelerate the modernization of India’s power grid, driving sustainable energy access and infrastructure resilience across the country.

This strategic collaboration ensures that Sterlite Power will be able to deploy Infravision’s innovative transmission construction technology across all of its critical high-voltage transmission projects. These projects span voltage levels from 400kV to 765kV, reinforcing Sterlite Power’s competitive advantage by ensuring rapid, reliable delivery under Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) time-sensitive execution model.

In addition to bringing efficiency and speed to infrastructure expansion, Sterlite Power is committed to using world-leading technology to train local Indian teams. This will build national capability and create a lasting impact within India’s construction industry, enabling Indian professionals to operate advanced systems that elevate both quality and delivery standards. With this commercial partnership, Infravision aims to support 100% of Sterlite Power’s stringing needs, setting a new benchmark in transmission construction. Together, Sterlite Power and Infravision will drive significant economic activity, setting a global standard for using technology to leapfrog traditional infrastructure methods. This partnership not only aligns with India’s infrastructure vision but also positions the country as a global leader in advanced construction technologies—one that will inspire future projects worldwide.

“India’s transmission sector is on the brink of a technological revolution. By adopting our advanced solutions, Sterlite Power will be at the forefront of a transformation that enables faster, safer, and more cost-effective transmission line construction.” said Cameron Van Der Berg, Infravision CEO and Co-Founder”.

On the partnership, Sterlite Power Managing Director Pratik Agarwal said, “India’s growing energy requirements demand bold innovation, and our partnership with Infravision reinforces Sterlite Power’s unwavering commitment to building a resilient, future-ready transmission infrastructure. By integrating cutting-edge construction technology we are accelerating delivery, enhancing quality, and ensuring reliable power for millions—solidifying India’s position as a global leader in modern transmission.”

“As a strategic investor in Infravision, we are proud to support this transformative partnership with Sterlite Power, which exemplifies the power of technology-enabled solutions to redefine the future of transmission infrastructure in India. Their combined expertise and commitment to innovation will drive infrastructure resilience and efficiency, and we look forward to the significant impact this partnership will have on India’s energy landscape and beyond,” said Sameer Reddy, Managing Partner at Energy Impact Partners.

JAIPUR, India – July 16, 2024 – Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501),  launched its inaugural Partner Advisory Board for India and the SAARC region at its annual summit for channel partners, distributors, and alliances. The Partner Advisory Board serves as a platform for Hitachi Vantara to regularly convene with its partners, exchange industry best practices and actively listen to partner feedback, with the goal of fostering continuous improvement and excellence in the partner programs.

Held from July 10 to 12 in Jaipur, the three-day summit themed “Partnership Beyond Boundaries” brought together close to 100 partners across India and the SAARC region to celebrate their role in driving revenue growth and unlocking business value for mutual customers with Hitachi Vantara over the last financial year. The top-performing partners were presented with awards for their achievements.

“As one of the fastest-growing markets in the region, India continues to be a pivotal contributor to our worldwide business. This success is largely driven by our partners who are essential in driving innovation and excellence for our customers,” said Hemant Tiwari, managing director and vice president – India and SAARC Region, Hitachi Vantara. “The creation of the Partner Advisory Board exemplifies our commitment to actively listen to our partners’ feedback and engage in ongoing dialogue. This helps us consistently identify areas for improvement in our partner programs, fostering collaborative efforts to drive revenue growth and deliver unmatched value to our customers. Together, we will forge new paths, set higher benchmarks, and continue to transform the digital landscape for businesses in the years to come.”

Over the past year, Hitachi Vantara has significantly enhanced its partner support infrastructure. These improvements include advanced sales and presales tools, a virtual labs environment, streamlined partner event programs, expanded inside-sales capabilities, increased marketing resources, and a redesigned partner portal with personalized features. Additionally, Hitachi Vantara has introduced a sustainability credit feature and launched a new product demo experience website, reinforcing its commitment to supporting partners with innovation and resources.

“Hitachi Vantara’s Partner Program focuses on empowering partners with the tools and support they need to lead their customers into a sustainable, data-driven future. Initiatives such as the Partner Advisory Board and Run To Win programs in India demonstrate our commitment to ensuring our partners have everything they need to drive their business forward, expand opportunities, and achieve profitability and growth,” said KC Phua, senior director, strategic partners and alliances, APAC, Hitachi Vantara.

Hitachi Vantara India Partner Summit Award Winners for Fiscal Year 2023:

India Government North and East Region

• FY23 Breakthrough Partner of the Year (North) – SISL Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
• FY23 Partner of the Region (North) – Niveshan Technologies India Pvt. Ltd
• FY23 Value Added Distributor of the Region (North) – Redington India Limited
• FY23 Best Upcountry Partner in the Region (North) – Synergy Telematics Private Limited
• FY23 Emerging Partner of the Region (North) – Techjockey Infotech Private Limited

India South Region

• FY23 Breakthrough Partner of the Year (South) – StarOne IT Solutions India Pvt Ltd
• FY23 Partner of the Region (South) – Hitachi Systems India Private Limited
• FY23 Value Added Distributor of the Region (South) – iValue InfoSolutions Pvt Ltd
• FY23 Best Upcountry Partner in the Region (South) – SBA Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• FY23 Emerging Partner of the Region (South) – Giniminds Solutions Private Limited

India West Region

• FY23 Breakthrough Partner of the Year (West) – Team Computers Private Limited
• FY23 Partner of the Region (West) – Wysetek Systems Technologists Pvt Ltd
• FY23 Value Added Distributor of the Region (West) – RAH Infotech Pvt. Ltd
• FY23 Best Upcountry Partner in the Region (West) – VarniTech Solution Pvt Ltd
• FY23 Emerging Partner of the Region (West) – Smartnet Infotech & Services Pvt Ltd

National Awards

• FY23 India Breakthrough Partner of the Year – PC Solutions Private Limited
• FY23 India Value Added Reseller of the Year – Hitachi Systems India Private Limited
• FY23 India Partner-led Deal of the Year – Hyperlogic Systems Pvt Ltd
• FY23 India Value Added Distributor of the Year – RAH Infotech Pvt. Ltd
• FY23 India Emerging Territory Partner – Comnet Solutions Pvt. Ltd
• FY23 SAARC Emerging Territory Partner – V S Information Systems (Pvt) Ltd.
• FY23 India Hybrid Cloud Partner of the Year – DigitalTrack Solution Private Limited

By – Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

I travel a lot to understand how different countries address their urban sprawl because we use such insights to design integrated townships here in India. In fact, one result of these travels was our partnering with a globally acclaimed architect who helped us recreate a global residential experience in India.

However, my main takeaway from this globetrotting has been far less positive – the alarming rate at which rampant urbanization is challenging even the most glamorous world cities.

As cities’ populations overflow, traditional urban infrastructure groans and often crumbles under the strain of housing demands. Did you think that overcrowding and declining living standards are the order of the day only in India? Far from it – it is a global phenomenon.

The Global Scenario

In the thronged streets of New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong – and even in Berlin, Hamburg, and Stockholm – urban sprawl running wild is in evidence everywhere. In India, we have accepted congestion, pollution, and stressed infrastructure, but be aware that very few countries are exempt from them anymore.

Across the world from Asia to Europe to North America, local governments and expert city planners are implementing the only viable solution. You guessed it – integrated townships.

In Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, self-sufficient, self-contained integrated projects have in fact been at the forefront of urban planning for many decades. Singapore, in particular, is famous for master-planned communities such as Punggol and Tampines, which integrate residential, commercial, and recreational facilities to create vibrant and self-sustaining neighborhoods.

In the UAE, integrated developments like Dubai Marina and Masdar City deliver comprehensive living and working environments for residents. In Europe, Sweden and the Netherlands have embraced the concept of integrated townships to promote sustainable urban development.

Stockholm and Amsterdam have pioneered eco-friendly neighbourhoods that prioritize walking, cycling, and public transportation while incorporating green spaces and mixed-use developments.

In North America, integrated townships have gained traction in response to urban sprawl and the growing trend for more walkable and inclusive communities. Vancouver in Canada and Portland in the United States have implemented policies to encourage mixed-use development and compact urban forms.

This approach has given rise to highly integrated neighborhoods that provide everything their residents will ever need – living spaces, offices to work in, as well as shopping malls and recreational amenities.

Integrated Living – No Alternatives

If this sounds like a marketing prospectus for a modern integrated township in India, it’s because while we certainly haven’t pioneered the concept, we have certainly caught on to it big time. And for good reasons.

A report by international property consultants JLL India entitled ‘Livability quotient – a paradigm shift in India’s emerging cities’ puts it very aptly – “A balanced lifestyle contributes highly to the livability quotient of a city or township,” it states. “Amenities for leisure and recreation such as sports facilities, gymnasiums, clubhouses, malls and shopping streets are considered lifestyle amenities and are much appreciated by users.”

“Townships managed by private developers have an advantage over cities managed by local governments. The high level of interaction that happens between a township developer and customers naturally enables a focused delivery of services.”

I guess there’s no better way of putting it. As our larger cities draw more and more inward migration because of their employment prospects, we certainly need better solutions to house everyone. India’s growing upper-level middle class expects to find housing that multi-tasks and delivers on their lifestyle preferences.

What better solution for this than integrated mixed-use developments where they can seamlessly transition between living, working, and leisure activities without enduring long commutes?

As the successful eco-cities of Scandinavia and the master-planned communities of Singapore and the UAE demonstrate, integrated townships are a concept whose time has come – and is, in fact, by now an imperative in India.

A Long Way to Go

As Anarock Property Consultants put it, the growing demand for integrated townships in India has risen even more in the wake of changing housing preferences post-pandemic. However, despite the increased interest, integrated townships still represent only a fraction of the total housing supply in India. Since 2010, only about 2% of all housing projects in the top seven cities fell in this category,

Clearly, we are missing something important here.

India is a nation at a crossroads in its urbanization journey. Rapid population growth, rural-urban migration, and fragmented urban planning have spawned a host of challenges, from sprawling urban sprawl to choked traffic arteries and polluted air. The need for holistic urban planning has never been more pressing.

Integrated townships offer hope amidst this urban chaos. With the government’s ambitious plans to create smart cities and revitalize urban infrastructure in a country where land scarcity, fragmented development, and outdated infrastructure are the norm, there is quite simply no other solution.

Without integrated townships, the status quo in India is frankly unsustainable. With every passing year, our trajectory of urbanization is spiraling further out of control – with far-reaching consequences on our society, our environment, and our economy.

Beyond just bricks and mortar, integrated townships also serve as catalysts for economic growth and building strong, wholesome and supportive communities. They provide local employment opportunities, reduce dependence on city centers, offer higher returns on investment, and provide a holistic solution to the many challenges we face in our cities.

About the Author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director – Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in West Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in West Pune. With the recent integration of Puneville Commercial into one of its most iconic townships, Pharande Spaces taken a major step towards addressing Pune’s current and future requirements for fully integrated residential-commercial convenience.

Sensors are everywhere – turning off highway lights when roads are empty, monitoring the health of bridges, and monitoring the intricate dance of telecommunications networks and electrical grids. Every flicker of these sensors is a byte of data, meticulously logged and stored. With the costs of data storage plummeting over the past decade, we’re talking about an avalanche worth of data digitally warehoused.

Much of this data has been resting in the dark, unanalyzed and unseen. This is what experts call dark data. And now, as AI steps into the infrastructure arena, this dormant data is about to step into the spotlight.

“Indeed, there appears to be an enormous amount of data collected on infrastructure operations that could be better used to improve their effectiveness,” said IEEE Life Senior Member Raul Colcher.

AI thrives on data – the more, the better. And when it comes to training sophisticated AI models, this dark data, collected over years from myriad sensors and systems, may be extremely valuable.

So, what’s the big deal about bringing this dark data to light? For starters, it’s a game-changer for infrastructure operations. With AI algorithms churning through mountains of previously unused data, we can expect leaps in efficiency and new ways to design and use our infrastructure for a future where data moves more frequently than people.

BYTES BUILD BETTER

Much of the time, dark data isn’t used because it isn’t properly tagged, and is therefore difficult to analyze. Some research suggests that the machine learning algorithms that allocate resources within mobile phone networks could be greatly improved with the use of dark data. In another case, data scientists at an oil and gas plant were able to use dark data to improve a digital model of the plant without disrupting operations.

WHERE WILL THE IMPACT BE FELT THE MOST?

The benefits of analyzing and modeling this data are vast and varied. From planning to operations, maintenance, and beyond, every facet of infrastructure could see a transformation. Picture more accurate models, better automation, and a deeper understanding of how our systems truly work.

CHALLENGES ON THE HORIZON

But, it’s not all smooth sailing. Dark data, while abundant, isn’t always clean or error-free. Questions of bias, data provenance, and security loom large. How we address these challenges will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of AI in infrastructure.

“The surge in data quantity doesn’t guarantee better results,” said IEEE Member Qi Qi Wang. “Filtering out disruptive or poor-quality data presents a substantial challenge.”

Learn more: 2023 was a landmark year in AI, as broad swaths of the public became more aware of AI thanks to the power of generative AI tools. IEEE Spectrum covered developments in-depth. Check out their run-down of the top AI stories in 2023.