Category: Technology

The EU has set an ambitious goal for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The transition towards a green and sustainable society is underway.

Energy-intensive industries such as the ceramics and glass sector account for a significant share of Europe’s industrial energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Decarbonising these sectors is therefore essential to achieving the European Union’s climate and industrial competitiveness objectives. While electrification will play a key role, additional solutions are needed to address high-temperature industrial processes where direct electrification remains challenging.

 

INDTEGRATE, a Horizon Europe Innovation Action that addresses this challenge, was officially launched. The project brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of industrial companies, technology developers, research organisations, universities, and innovation experts from across Europe to accelerate the integration of Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC) technology into energy-intensive industries. By combining renewable electricity, industrial waste heat recovery, advanced digital technologies, and green hydrogen production, INDTEGRATE aims to demonstrate a practical and scalable pathway towards industrial decarbonisation. The project will develop a suite of advanced digital tools, including reduced-order models, Process and Electrolyser Digital Twins, to support the design, optimisation and operation of hydrogen production systems in the glass and ceramics sectors.

Building on these digital capabilities, INDTEGRATE will engineer and validate a modular 220 kW SOEC system combining renewable electricity and industrial waste heat recovery to produce green hydrogen more efficiently. Through pilot demonstrations in operational industrial facilities, INDTEGRATE will assess the technical performance, operational flexibility and economic viability, while supporting the wider adoption of hydrogen technologies through stakeholder engagement, skills development, training activities and a roadmap for large-scale replication across Europe.

Kick-off meeting overview and outcomes

Hosted by the project coordinator, KERIONICS S.L. (Spain), the kick-off meeting marked the official start of INDTEGRATE and brought together representatives from all partner organisations to establish a common vision and implementation strategy for the next three years.

During the meeting, consortium partners presented their respective roles and responsibilities and discussed the project’s technical, managerial, and communication activities. Particular attention was given to the development of the SOEC system, digital twin technologies, energy management solutions, and the preparation of the industrial pilot demonstrations in Spain and Slovenia. Partners also exchanged views on expected impacts, collaboration mechanisms, risk management procedures, and opportunities for creating synergies with other European initiatives supporting industrial decarbonisation and hydrogen technologies.

The discussions confirmed a shared commitment to delivering innovative, industry-driven solutions capable of accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen in energy-intensive sectors while supporting Europe’s broader sustainability ambitions.

Next steps

Over the coming months, the INDTEGRATE consortium will focus on the detailed design and development of the project’s technological building blocks, including digital modelling tools, energy management systems, and SOEC integration strategies. Preparatory activities for the pilot demonstrations will also begin, alongside stakeholder engagement, dissemination, and collaboration activities designed to maximise the project’s impact.

The first technical results and project developments are expected to be shared through the project’s communication channels and stakeholder engagement activities, contributing to the advancement of sustainable hydrogen solutions and the decarbonisation of European industry.

Project consortium

KERIONICS S.L.

Torrecid SA

Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

FUKS GROUP

Bitwise Oy

Steklarna Hrastnik LLC

Precision Resource Slovenia

Universitat Politècnica de València

Center for Applied Energy Research e.V. (CAE)

Ena Development Consultants

YIVA Engineering SRL

INCOTEC efficient Innovation

Delivering an alternative to PPDS’ Android OS, the new Philips Signage 6060 with BrightSign Built-
In unlocks a wealth of new opportunities for businesses, while the Philips Signage 7000 Series
UltraSlim — up to 60 per cent slimmer than comparable models — becomes PPDS’ thinnest and

June 24: At InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas, PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays, announced a series of new products and strategic partnerships designed to expand the possibilities of digital display deployments. The announcements introduce advanced AI capabilities, greater installation flexibility, and new opportunities for businesses across a wide range of industries.

PPDS Partners with BrightSign for AI-Ready Signage

A key announcement at the event was PPDS’s strategic collaboration with BrightSign, a global leader in digital signage media players and operating systems. Together, the companies introduced the new Philips Signage 6060 with BrightSign Built-In, offering customers an alternative operating system option that combines high performance, enhanced security, and improved sustainability.

Available in 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch models, the Philips Signage 6060 is designed for diverse environments, including retail, corporate offices, public venues, transportation hubs, and hospitality settings. Each display features a 500-nit UHD 4K panel, ensuring sharp, vibrant, and highly detailed content presentation.

The new series also introduces a slimline design measuring less than 40mm in depth, enabling sleek, close-to-wall installations where aesthetics and space optimization are critical.

BrightSign Integration Enhances Performance and Security

The Philips Signage 6060 represents a major evolution in PPDS’ digital signage portfolio by integrating BrightSign’s flagship all-in-one XS156 player system-on-chip (SoC). Powered by the trusted BrightSignOS™, the displays provide superior control, enhanced security, and improved energy efficiency for both single-site and global deployments.

Customers and channel partners gain access to BrightSign’s complete software ecosystem, including supported content management systems and the free remote device monitoring and management platform, BrightSign Control. These tools allow AV and IT teams to create and deploy content, monitor device health, and remotely manage software and security updates, helping to maximize uptime and extend product lifecycles.

AI Processing Built Directly Into the Display

Equipped with BrightSign Built-In technology, the Philips Signage 6060 leverages the integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) within the XS156 platform to run AI applications directly on the display. This architecture enables faster, smoother AI processing without affecting CPU or GPU performance, ensuring seamless user experiences.

Commenting on the launch, Bruce Wyrwitzke, Senior Director for North America at PPDS, said:

“The new Philips Signage 6060 is a further demonstration of our commitment to support our partners and customers at every turn and for every need, no matter how complex or unique they might be. We’re delighted to have partnered with BrightSign to deliver this incredible new addition to our Philips Signage range.”

Introducing the Philips Signage 7000 Series UltraSlim

PPDS also unveiled the Philips Signage 7000 Series UltraSlim, the company’s thinnest and lightest 4K UHD digital signage range to date. Developed for demanding 24/7 environments, the new series combines premium visual performance with an innovative ultra-slim design.

The displays are available in 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch sizes and support both landscape and portrait orientation. Target applications include retail, corporate environments, hospitality venues, public spaces, and food and beverage establishments.

Featuring a breakthrough chassis design, the 65-inch model measures just 30mm in depth, while the remaining sizes are only 28.5mm deep—up to 60 percent thinner than comparable Philips signage models. Weight reductions are equally significant, with the 43-inch, 50-inch, and 55-inch variants weighing 10 percent less than their 4050Q counterparts, and the 65-inch model weighing 20 percent less.

All models deliver 500 nits of brightness and feature an elegant 11.5mm uniform bezel, creating a refined appearance suitable for premium commercial environments.

AI-Ready, Secure, and Built for Continuous Operation

Powered by a professional Android 16 SoC and equipped with a TOPS 3.0 Neural Processing Unit, the Philips Signage 7000 Series is fully prepared for AI-driven applications while delivering reliable connectivity and enterprise-grade security.

The series also incorporates PPDS’ FailOver technology, which automatically switches to backup content in the event of a primary media player failure, ensuring uninterrupted display operation when continuous communication is essential.

Andrea Barbuti, Global Product Management Lead EMEA at PPDS, commented:

“The new Philips Signage 7000 Series marks a new chapter in our signage display design, delivering visually spectacular performance and presentation across an unparalleled range of use cases. With the all-new slimline design, together with reduced weight, the installation opportunities are limitless.”

Concluding the announcement, Bart Wouters, International Product Manager at PPDS, stated:

“The Philips Signage 7000 Series delivers brilliance and beauty for almost any environment, enhancing and opening new opportunities for an even wider audience. Essentially, it brings all the features you expect from our premium Philips Professional Displays, together with an all-new, ultra-slim design.”

 

 

June 24: A new report has highlighted that India is well positioned to emerge as a global leader in the “human skills economy” even as artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates across industries.

The report suggests that while AI is transforming workplaces and automating routine tasks, demand for human-centric skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, communication and emotional intelligence is expected to rise significantly.

India’s large, young workforce and expanding talent ecosystem are seen as key advantages in meeting this evolving demand. Experts believe the country’s demographic strength, combined with growing investments in education and digital upskilling, can help it play a central role in the global skills-driven economy.

The findings also indicate that organisations are increasingly focusing on hybrid skill sets that combine technical knowledge with strong human capabilities, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance and services.

The report emphasises the importance of continuous learning and reskilling initiatives to ensure the workforce remains competitive in an AI-driven environment.

It further notes that countries which effectively balance AI adoption with human skill development are likely to lead the next phase of global economic growth, with India emerging as a strong contender in this space.

June 24: Industry leaders have said that artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable development together can play a transformative role in shaping India’s long-term economic and social progress.

Speaking on emerging technology trends, experts noted that AI is increasingly being integrated across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and financial services, helping improve efficiency, productivity and decision-making.

They added that when combined with sustainability-focused practices, AI can support cleaner production methods, better resource management and reduced environmental impact, aligning with global climate goals.

Leaders highlighted that India’s rapid digital adoption and strong innovation ecosystem provide a strong foundation for scaling AI-driven solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally responsible.

They also pointed out that sustainable development goals can be accelerated through smart technologies that optimise energy use, reduce waste and improve supply chain efficiency across industries.

According to industry voices, the convergence of AI and sustainability will be critical in building resilient infrastructure, creating new job opportunities and ensuring inclusive growth in the coming decades.

Experts believe that strategic investments in technology, skills development and green innovation will be key to unlocking India’s full potential in this space.

The Iridium 9604 Module and Development Kit streamline global IoT development with integrated satellite, cellular, and GNSS connectivity

MCLEAN, Va., June 24:  Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced commercial availability of the Iridium® 9604 module and Development Kit, giving developers, OEMs, and solution providers a faster path to build and scale connected IoT solutions worldwide.

Combining Iridium Short Burst Data® (SBD®) satellite connectivity, LTE-M cellular, and GNSS positioning, the Iridium 9604 module delivers a compact, integrated solution for global IoT deployments. Alongside the Iridium 9604 Development Kit, developers can rapidly prototype, test, and validate hybrid satellite, cellular, and GNSS applications with resources that simplify integration and streamline deployment workflows.

Built on the u-blox SARA-R5 platform, the Iridium 9604 is designed to reduce hardware complexity, lower integration costs, and accelerate time to market for connected solutions operating across industrial, infrastructure, transportation, mobility, utilities, maritime, and remote monitoring applications. The integrated design helps reduce board space requirements by 60 percent or more while simplifying RF routing, power architecture, and firmware development.

“The Iridium 9604 module and Development Kit represent a major milestone in making truly global IoT connectivity more accessible and easier to deploy,” said Tim Last, executive vice president, Iridium. “By replacing three separate components with one integrated solution, developers can simplify device design, reduce costs, and create smarter, location-aware products capable of staying connected far beyond terrestrial coverage.”

Early developers and beta participants reported significant operational and economic benefits from the platform’s integrated architecture.

“The Iridium 9604 has enabled us to develop a truly global asset tracking solution without relying on terrestrial network infrastructure. Its reliable coverage, compact form factor, and straightforward integration have significantly accelerated our development process and allowed us to focus on optimizing the end-user experience,” said Askar Gabit, CEO, GPSOne. “For applications in remote and challenging environments, the Iridium network provides the confidence that critical data can be delivered when it matters most.”

The Iridium 9604 gives developers independent control over satellite, LTE-M, and GNSS subsystems, enabling flexible implementation of failover logic, location-aware connectivity decisions, and application-specific routing strategies. A unified AT command set and comprehensive SDK resources further simplify development and integration.

Built for scalable and power-sensitive IoT applications, the Iridium 9604 features a compact 16 mm x 26 mm x 2.4 mm form factor optimized for deployments where size, resiliency, and efficiency are critical. The platform supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou GNSS services alongside LTE-M (Cat-M1) and Iridium’s 100% global L-band satellite network.

The Iridium 9604 represents the next evolution of Iridium’s broader IoT strategy, expanding beyond traditional satellite-only hardware to support unified, multi-mode connectivity architectures. The Iridium network now supports multiple IoT pathways, including dedicated Iridium SBD modules, Iridium NTN DirectSM standards-based direct-to-device capabilities, and larger payload connectivity through the Iridium Certus® 9704 module.

Operating on the world’s only truly global mobile satellite network, the Iridium 9604 delivers reliable connectivity across remote land areas, oceans, airways, and polar regions where other networks are unavailable or unreliable.

Agartala, June 24: Tripura has launched its first public electric vehicle (EV) charging station, marking a key step in the state’s efforts to strengthen clean mobility infrastructure and support the growing adoption of electric vehicles.

The newly inaugurated facility is expected to provide convenient charging access for EV users and encourage wider use of electric transport across the state. It also signals the beginning of a broader infrastructure rollout aimed at building a more sustainable transport ecosystem.

As part of its long-term plan, the state has proposed setting up 94 additional EV charging stations at strategic locations. The expansion is aimed at improving accessibility, reducing range anxiety among EV users and supporting the transition towards greener transportation.

Officials said the initiative aligns with broader national objectives to promote electric mobility, reduce carbon emissions and increase the share of clean energy in the transport sector.

With the rollout of additional charging infrastructure, Tripura is expected to gradually build a supportive ecosystem for EV adoption, particularly in urban centres and key transit routes.

The move is seen as an important milestone in the state’s clean energy transition journey.

June 24: India’s growing middle class, large consumer base and swift adoption of innovation and technology are positioning the country as one of the most attractive long-term growth markets globally, according to Aker BioMarine Chief Executive Officer Matts Johansen.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, Johansen said India continues to offer significant opportunities for businesses seeking sustainable growth.

He noted that the combination of a large population, rising consumer spending and openness to new technologies creates a strong foundation for continued economic expansion. According to Johansen, these factors are likely to support long-term demand across a wide range of industries.

Reflecting the company’s confidence in the Indian market, Aker BioMarine is expanding its local presence and is in the process of establishing an office in Mumbai. The Norwegian biotechnology company has been active in India for several years, supplying ingredients to the country’s shrimp farming industry, one of the largest aquaculture markets in the world.

Beyond aquaculture, the company plans to deepen its engagement with India by providing ingredients for food products and human health supplements, aligning with growing consumer demand for nutrition and wellness products.

Johansen also highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in driving productivity and operational efficiency. He said AI is expected to play an increasingly important role across manufacturing, sales, marketing and finance functions, helping businesses improve performance and unlock new growth opportunities.

As companies worldwide accelerate their adoption of emerging technologies, India’s innovation-driven ecosystem and expanding consumer market are expected to remain key attractions for global investors and multinational businesses.

The Summer Davos meeting, being held in Dalian, China, has brought together leaders from business, government, academia and international organisations to discuss innovation, entrepreneurship and the future of economic development.

 

America’s largest home service brands run on Probook, built around dispatch

 

NEW YORK, NY — June 24: Probook, the AI Operating System for home service businesses, today announced $40 million in funding. The investment comprises a $34 million Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and a $6 million Seed round led by Sequoia Capital. Sequoia also participated in the Series A.

Home service operators spent the last three years buying AI. A voice agent. A chat widget. A follow-up tool. Each one owned a slice of the customer, and none of them talked to each other. Every vendor built for the top of the funnel, where leads come in — and ignored dispatch, the brain of every home service business, where customer experience is made or broken. Operators ended up with a stack of point solutions and a piecemeal customer experience.

Probook built dispatch first. Intake, data cleaning, customer messaging, and outbound came next, only possible because everything shares one context layer. Every customer stays on one text thread, with one number, from the first touch through the front door. Every inbound lead is answered with perfect information. Every booking is cleaned before assignment. Humans manage exceptions. Techs sell more. Shops run more jobs. Operators add points to their EBITDA and, for the first time, run a connected customer experience.

“I started Probook to solve a problem in my own business,” said George Eliadis, CEO and co-founder of Probook. “I grew up pressure washing in upstate New York with my dad. Six summers in the truck. I spent two to three hours of my day driving between jobs. I’d be up on a ladder washing a house and miss calls because I couldn’t hear my phone ringing.”

Eliadis later spent a summer inside TR Miller, a $40M HVAC, plumbing, and electrical shop in Illinois that became Probook’s first customer. There, he saw the same problems at scale.

“Most AI vendors flocked to this space because it looked attractive on a spreadsheet,” he continued. “We came to it because we grew up in it. Dispatch is the hardest problem in home services. If you don’t start there, you can’t understand the business.”

Probook deploys with customers in person, configures the platform alongside their front-line teams, and stays on the hook for the outcomes it sells.

Probook serves customers across hundreds of locations nationwide, from independently owned shops to private equity-backed platforms. Notable customers include TurnPoint Services,  Master Trades Group, Del-Air, Peterman Brothers, and Sila Services.

“With Probook, we’ve centralized dispatch across 11 markets and 200 technicians without adding overhead. That scalability is critical to how we grow,” said Chad Peterman, CEO of Peterman Brothers.

Summers Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, with 14 locations and 260 technicians on the platform, booked 2,542 jobs in its first month on Probook with zero human intervention.

Del-Air, an 8-location operation in Florida, runs Probook across the stack. “We chose Probook 

over other AI vendors because they know dispatch. They’re also part of our front-line CSR,” noted Rick Rogers, CEO.

“Dispatch is the nerve center of every home service business, and Probook built their entire platform around it.” said David Haber, General Partner at Andreesen Horowitz. “It’s a years-old structural moat. America’s largest home service brands run on Probook today. We’re proud to have led their Series A.”

Konstantine Buhler, Partner at Sequoia Capital, added: “Most founders building for the trades have never worked in them. George has. Pair that with the team’s outlier technical depth, and you see why we backed Probook at Seed and why we’re doubling down now.”

Probook will use the capital to scale its go-to-market team against surging demand, and grow engineering and customer success to deliver on it.

 

 

Netwrix 1Secure™ SaaS platform now offers Agentic AI to secure data, identities and Copilot rollouts – providing insights within an hour

FRISCO, Texas – June 24, 2026 – Netwrix, a recognized leader in identity and data solutions, today announced new innovations within its 1Secure™ SaaS platform to accelerate securing and governing data, identities, and AI across hybrid Microsoft environments. 1Secure helps organizations address their most urgent security priority first, with a clear path to expand coverage over time.

“Organizations where AI expanded the identity footprint saw four times the breach rate of those where it didn’t — 43% versus 11%,” said Grady Summers, CEO of Netwrix. “The problem is speed. AI adds identities and accesses data at a much faster pace than human reviews can keep up, and attackers move in seconds. Netwrix 1Secure uses AI to help IT and security teams monitor changes across their environments, identify and fix issues faster, and prove compliance to auditors.”

AI tools like Microsoft Copilot inherit whatever access already exists, and that access is rarely fully audited. Organizations don’t know where sensitive data lives, which identities are overprivileged, or where they’re most exposed, and those gaps often aren’t discovered until AI surfaces them, or an attacker does.

“AI is creating real urgency around identity and data exposure that many of our customers didn’t realize they had,” said Rory Cooksey, VP of Brand & Business Development at WheelHouse IT, a managed services provider and Netwrix partner serving midsize organizations. “They need answers quickly and a path to reduce risk without taking on another complex project. With 1Secure, we can continuously manage who and what has access to sensitive data, monitor changes over time, and deliver that as a repeatable service, not a one-time engagement.”

This latest version of 1Secure extends recent innovations like Copilot activity monitoring and risk assessments with additional capabilities focused on visibility and speed:

• Netwrix Neo™ – a conversational AI assistant that gives security teams alerts in a plain-language briefing, so they know what happened and where to focus first.
• Sensitive Data Posture dashboard – a centralized visual overview of data risk across cloud and on-prem, including heatmaps, trend analysis, and behavioral insights in one place
• 200+ PingCastle-powered checks – across Active Directory and data sources that surface exposure gaps and close them faster with AI-powered guidance
• Group Policy (GPO) auditing – insights to detect risky configuration changes before they weaken security posture
• Windows Server activity reporting – near real-time alerts and activity records for system changes, services, DNS, DHCP, and more

Netwrix 1Secure now offers visibility, continuous monitoring, and control across hybrid Microsoft environments, extending native offerings with identity risk assessment and data classification visibility. Supported environments include:

• Identity systems: Active Directory and Entra ID
• Data sources: SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, Windows File Servers and SQL Server

Netwrix 1Secure deploys and delivers an initial risk assessment within an hour. Pricing starts at $22 per identity per year.

Netwrix 1Secure is available now. Organizations can start a free trial or request a demo at https://netwrix.com/en/lp/1secure.

New Offering Allows Enterprise AI Assistants to Analyze Workforce Intelligence Alongside CRM, Project, Financial and Operational Data

LOS ANGELES– As organizations of all sizes increasingly adopt AI assistants to handle routine tasks, workforce intelligence remains one of the last major data sources isolated from business decision-making. Today, Prodoscore, a leading provider of employee productivity and data intelligence software, announced the launch of the Prodoscore MCP server, enabling enterprise AI assistants to query workforce intelligence alongside data from any connected business tool and surface answers that no single platform could provide on its own.

Prodoscore’s MCP Connector is built on Model Context Protocol, an open standard for AI-to-tool connectivity, supported by Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Once connected, AI assistants including Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot can draw on Prodoscore’s workforce data alongside tools like Salesforce, Jira, Asana, HubSpot and Slack.

Use cases span every major business function. A sales leader can ask which reps show declining activity and cross-reference their pipeline results. An HR leader can identify which teams show decreased engagement alongside open roles. A finance leader can flag expensive software licenses with low employee usage.

“Organizations aren’t lacking data – they’re lacking a way to connect it all together to see the full picture of a company and its workforce,” said Sam Naficy, Prodoscore CEO. “With the MCP Connector, one question to an AI assistant returns an answer that spans a company’s entire tech stack. That’s how true business intelligence should work, and Prodoscore is the first workforce analytics provider to introduce an MCP server. Companies simply cannot have an educated AI transformation without Prodoscore’s MCP, as it provides data, facts and granularity in a visible, engaging and thoughtful way.”

Additionally, for distributed and hybrid workforces, the MCP Connector transforms workforce intelligence from standalone dashboards into a core layer of enterprise decision-making. The Connector is read-only, applies existing role-based permissions automatically and does not use customer data to train external AI models.