Christopher Laing nabs Qrious CTO role to accelerate Spark Business Group’s B2B data transformation

June 08, 2022. AUCKLAND.

Qrious CEO Stephen Ponsford says Laing’s software-and-systems approach to innovation will help New Zealand’s largest data partner move more Kiwi businesses up the data analytics maturity curve.

Qrious has promoted Christopher Laing to the role of Chief Technology Officer, accelerating the strategic direction of Spark Business Group’s AI and data analytics specialist business and driving data-led transformation for New Zealand enterprise.

Qrious CEO Stephen Ponsford says Laing’s software-and-systems approach to innovation will help New Zealand’s largest data partner move more Kiwi businesses up the data analytics maturity curve.

“Qrious is a champion for data-driven innovation and true organisational transformation, and Christopher aims to fully embed an end-to-end mindset into our consulting, where the value of data is maximised, insights are unleashed, and tangible outcomes are actually realised.”

Laing hopes to embed the right ‘systematic’ mindset and culture into Qrious’ customers.

“Some New Zealand businesses aren’t realising their full productivity potential – my goal is to accelerate the data-driven productivity journey for as many Kiwi enterprises as possible.

“Many companies struggle to use AI and convert data into actionable insight – too often they see the insight as the end game. We help them to instead adopt a systematic approach that leverages the capabilities of modern software engineering, artificial intelligence, and IoT (Internet of Things) to fundamentally transform their business. I want to help make the ‘transformation’ buzzword a reality for businesses across New Zealand.”

Laing aspires to play a part in building world-class software engineering in New Zealand – and to push the whole industry to produce technology which competes with the best in the world in terms of quality.

“I was always interested in advanced Machine Learning to help tackle industry problems before it was considered cool or easy,” says Laing. “Through my experience during the rapid advancement of this sector ever since, I’ve grown incredibly enthusiastic about making cutting-edge tech useful and practical for New Zealand businesses. I believe knowing the difference between something revolutionary and a flash-in-the-pan is part of the job.”

Laing is most excited about the power of data to further modernise New Zealand’s traditional industries where ‘raw’ geographical elements pose challenges – such as forestry, agriculture, aquaculture and viticulture – and believes bespoke software is vital for progress.

Laing is one of New Zealand’s leading data and AI experts. He was previously Director of AI and Data Science and Qrious. Prior to joining Qrious, he has held roles including Head of Artificial Intelligence at Xero and Global Data Science Lead at Allianz in Germany, one of the world’s largest insurers. He has a diverse professional background in law, mathematics, business strategy and development, consulting, product development and operations. 

He is a member of the NZTech Board and AI Forum Executive Council.

ENDS

About Qrious

Qrious is part of Spark Business Group, our country’s largest technology and transformation partner – in it together with New Zealand. Qrious offers a range of products and consulting services including data, analytics, AI and data powered customer engagement. www.qrious.co.nz  

About Spark Business Group

Spark is New Zealand’s largest telecommunications and digital services company and provides services to a wide range of leading New Zealand organizations through Spark Business Group – which unites Spark’s services with its specialist businesses, Qrious, CCL, Leaven and Digital Island.

Angely Cullerne

Corporate Relations Partner

+64 21 303 403 | Angely.Cullerne@spark.co.nz

Siemens: We are ready – are you?

May 30, 2022. MUNICH.

The war against Ukraine exposed its dependence on fossil fuels.

With its highlight showcase – the SimRod e-car – Siemens shows the breadth and depth of its automation and digitalization portfolio.

• Industry faces a triple challenge: climate change, pandemic, fragile global supply chains.

• Only a fully Digital Enterprise can adapt – Siemens is showing the way at Hannover Messe.

• Decarbonization of value chains: Siemens and 14 partners establish an open network (Estainium) for the exchange of climate-relevant data.

Industry faces a threefold challenge. The war against Ukraine exposed its dependence on fossil fuels. Supply chains are coming under renewed pressure from lockdowns in Asia. All of this happens with the backdrop of climate change: If industrial societies do not change course, climate change will become irreversible.

This triple challenge is a wake-up call: only digitalized companies will survive, grow, and make a positive contribution to society. Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO Digital Industries: "We have the right technologies. We need to use and scale them. We as an industry must fundamentally change. We must become more transparent and open to cooperation. Make better use of data. Siemens is ready. And we are ready to accompany our customers on this path."

New technologies for digital transformation

In addition to the societal challenges, there are industry-specific issues: cost pressure, material shortages and a shortage of skilled workers. The ability to flexibly adapt to new challenges will become even more important in the future. The good news is that Siemens offers the right technologies to create customer value - become more profitable and more sustainable, increase transparency, and speed, and ensure availability and scalability.

With its highlight showcase – the SimRod e-car – Siemens shows the breadth and depth of its automation and digitalization portfolio. The SimRod allows visitors at the booth to experience the optimization of product and production over the entire life cycle. Digital Twins, Additive Manufacturing, and the use of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are revolutionizing planning and manufacturing in the automotive industry. Real and digital worlds, IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) are merging and enable endless optimization loops to hit profitability and sustainability targets.

In addition, Siemens will be presenting innovations at Hanover to ensure availability and scalability

• AI-based service edge app for drives : Siemens is expanding its predictive services portfolio with an edge application at Hannover Messe. Fewer production downtimes allow for 30% higher plant availability.

Comprehensive solutions for data availability and mobile data access enable large amounts of data to flow from the shop floor to the top floor, connecting IT and OT networks. This allows for greater transparency and speed.

• Industrial 5G : An industrial 5G router enables applications such as mobile robots in manufacturing. In addition, Siemens – together with Deutsche Messe – provide all companies with access to a private industrial 5G testing field.

Siemens establishes network with 14 partners to decarbonize value chains.

Yet, this Hannover Messe is not about a single innovation. Isolated technological solutions will not solve the challenges of industry. Only ecosystems will: moving away from individual value capture towards joint value creation. Nowhere is this more urgent than in the fight against climate change.

According to the World Economic Forum, industrial value chains account for about 20% of total global carbon emissions. Up to 90% of the CO2 footprint of a product stems from the upstream supply chain. Industry will only achieve its decarbonization targets if it reduces its overall footprint.

That is why Siemens – jointly with other members - is initiating the first open, cross-company cooperation network Estainium for the trustworthy exchange of climate-relevant data. Founding members are Merck Group, NTT Data, Weidmüller, WTS Global, ATS Automation Tooling Systems, TÜV SÜD, Bison Forest, CircularTree GmbH, ecobrain AG, Faber-Castell, Ferdinand-Steinbeis-Institut, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Sustainaccount and the University of Technology Sydney.

Estainium is the first ecosystem to enable the transfer of actual PCF data on a large scale instead of relying on average data. The decentralized approach with encrypted and verifiable certificates guarantees the trustworthiness of the data and the confidentiality of the supply chain.

In addition, the partners are founding an association of the same name to meet the need for standardization and security in the exchange of CO2 footprints. The Estainium Association is based on three pillars: "Technology and Infrastructure", "Standards and Norms" and "Carbon Capture, Use, Storage and Compensation". It uses the disruptive possibilities of digitalization to eliminate economic misallocations and the unsatisfactory and incomplete state of information about the quantity and quality of emissions and resources used along the entire supply chain.

Cedrik Neike: "As an industry, we will only become climate-neutral if we know where the emissions come from. With Estainium, we bring transparency to supply chains, we work in an open ecosystem, and we harness the power of data. This is our offer to customers, partners, and competitors. This is our contribution as a company for a better future."

Further information on Siemens at Hannover Messe please see

www.siemens.com/press/hm and www.siemens.com/hm

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CONVERT

April 1, 2022. BUENOS AIRES.

2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 CUSIP [58733RAD4]

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(iv) of the Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2018 (the “Indenture”), by and between MercadoLibre, Inc. (the “Company”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, that the above-referenced notes (the “Notes”) have become convertible in accordance with said section, and may be surrendered for conversion at the option of the Holder thereof, through June 30, 2022, as a result of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Company’s Common Stock being more than 130% of the Conversion Price in effect on each applicable Trading Day during at least 20 of the last 30 consecutive Trading Days of the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Capitalized terms used in this Notice and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture. MERCADOLIBRE, INC

The CUSIP number is included herein solely for the convenience of the registered owners of the Notes. No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number either as appearing on the Notes or on this notice.