Author: Gugu Lourie
The German carmaker has published the first teaser of a sketch of the BMW 8-Series Coupe slated for 2018. The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The carmaker says that it has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. “The BMW 8 Series Coupe will build on our tradition of luxurious sports coupes and add a genuine dream car to our line-up – a slice of pure automotive fascination,” says BMW…
As artificial intelligence (AI) improves at an exponential rate, robots are performing a wide range of tasks once thought to be reserved for humans. This is a big worry to labour movements around the world as it might have an impact on their employment, but cognitive technologies are already having a profound effect on government work, with more dramatic effects to come. And the public sector is seeking and finding applications to improve services. It is possible that cognitive technologies could eventually revolutionise every facet of government operations. Over time, AI will spawn massive changes in the public sector, transforming…
The new BMW 1-Series receives minor styling tweaks with enhanced premium interior, extended connectivity features and the latest-generation iDrive operating system. These changes are even less noticeable. The German carmaker also introduces new Edition Sports Line Shadow, Edition M Sports Shadow, and BMW M140i Edition. The carmaker also added two new exterior colours for the BMW 1-Series – Sunset Orange and Seaside Blue – giving the BMW 1 Series even greater presence. The technology of the 1-Series has been spruced up. The German carmaker has updated the innovative operating concept with the latest-generation iDrive system as well as an optional navigation…
By SAP Technology is a central theme that runs through all business and sporting operations at Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Thus, on closer inspection, what might first appear to be just another match day in Germany’s primary soccer league is actually the result of sophisticated interaction between innovative IT solutions. Soccer evokes emotion, passion, and excitement. And when fans think of their favorite sport, technology isn’t usually the first thing that springs to mind. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, now firmly established in the Bundesliga ‒one of the world’s most competitive leagues ‒ for a decade, has always focused on…
BCX is investing millions into developing the next generation of software engineers in South Africa. The tech company, which is owned by South Africa’s Telkom, is a new primary growth partner of WeThinkCode, a tuition-free programme designed to educate WeThinkCode was launched in South Africa in 2015 and first opened its doors to students in January 2016. It seeks to eliminate the skills shortage by developing 100 000 coders in Africa over the next 10 years and is free to all participants. Nearly 40,000 South African students applied for the programme in 2017, and 200 students were accepted into…
JSE-listed Adapt IT has acquired 100 percent of the Micros South Africa to get a foothold in the hospitality and retail industries in South Africa and the rest of Africa. The Durban-based tech firm will spend R62 million to buy Micros. The acquisition of Micros, which is a leader in its vertical market, creates an entry into the hospitality industry, a new vertical for Adapt IT, further diversifying its revenue mix. Micros has over 20 years’ experience and over 300 employees specialising in the resale, support and deployment of software and hardware products along with rapidly growing cloud solutions and…
e4, South Africa’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company, is expanding into Australia with the aim to disrupt the lending process. The company specialising in the provision of software solutions as a service. In April 2016, Convergence Partners and Stockdale Street became investors in e4 to enable the SaaS company to accelerate growth through new product and services development, and further, expand its geographic footprint. Convergence Partners is an investment management firm focused on the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector in Africa. It has a proven track record of developing new investment opportunities as well as adding value to investments across the…
Global professional services firm KPMG has acquired Johannesburg and Hong-Kong based Matchi to create a powerful FinTech resource. The details of the deal have not been disclosed. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. It operates in 152 countries and has more than 189,000 people working in member firms around the world. FinTech is revolutionising the financial services landscape and it has created a new marketplace for innovation. Matchi is at the forefront of identifying breakthrough FinTech technology. The firm forged a global alliance with KPMG helping selected clients with their FinTech and…
Opera, the developer of the most popular mobile browser in Africa, is seeking to accelerate Africa’s digital economy. Recently, the company celebrated 100 million monthly users in Africa and is now focusing on making the next generation of web browsers to cater the needs of African internet users. The Oslo-based company is planning to invest $100 million (R1.3 billion) over the next two years to facilitate the growth of African digital economy. The firm will use the investment to speed up internet adoption in Africa and strengthen the internet ecosystem with local partners. According to a GSMA Intelligence report, the…
Iran is one the most remaining untapped emerging markets. The country has more than 80 million people that are highly educated and seeking to be connected to the vast digital world. The country’s economy is being spurred by vast natural resource endowment. MTN’s growth in Iran has been impressive to watch. In the first half of 2017, MTN Irancell increased total revenue by 19,3% benefiting from encouraging data revenue trends. South African-based MTN want to increase its footprint and investment in Iran. The telco has signed a non-binding preliminary agreement to invest approximately R540 million into Iranian Fixed Broadband Provider,…