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Sitecore Experience Award Winners Announced at Symposium 2021

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Sitecore has today announced the 2021 Sitecore Experience Award recipients at the 2021 Sitecore Symposium. The Sitecore Experience Awards recognize companies that successfully use Sitecore solutions to innovate their digital experience transformation. Twelve winners were recognized from more than 140 submissions in the 2021 Sitecore Experience Awards (SEA), with three taking the top honors of Ultimate Experience Winners.

Sitecore selected winners from each of the four 2021 SEA categories, including Best Digital Experience Transformation, Most Intelligent Content Optimization, Best Innovation with Emerging Technologies, and Leading the Way for the ‘Phygital’ Future.

The 2021 Ultimate Experience Award recipients are:

Aston Martin, in partnership with WPP and Wunderman Thompson UK, for developing a platform that brings together Aston Martin real estate on one platform and provides a consistent, flexible and transparent customer experience. The digital team at Aston Martin utilized Sitecore to improve three key areas: customer-first innovation, data-driven decision making and to create a path for growth.

Renato Bisignani, Head of Global Marketing and Communications, said: “Aston Martin is an ultra-luxury brand and at the core of our marketing initiatives is always a desire to offer the highest possible level of experiences to our customers. With Sitecore, we’ve been able to improve our UX and UI, and our ambition is to further enhance our platforms to provide a more personalized, considered and integrated digital journey. We are only at the beginning of our digital transformation so we are grateful to be recognized for our work in creating the best digital experience for our customers.”

Cracker Barrel, in partnership with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, for extending its legendary hospitality beyond its four walls through the launch of Digital Store (web, mobile web, and mobile app). Through Cracker Barrel’s work with Sitecore, the company was able to replace its separate brand site, third party online food ordering site, third party catering ordering site, retail ecommerce site, and mobile app with a uniquely Cracker Barrel unified experience for web, mobile web, and mobile app called ‘Digital Store.’ Digital Store allows guests to seamlessly purchase to-go food, catering, and retail with a single mixed cart, account, and payment in addition to streamlining the in-store experience with waitlist, curbside check-in, and dine-in check payment, all while delivering personalized hospitality like your favorite Cracker Barrel team member.

“We view digital as a new type of hospitality that, through convenience and personalization, allows us to extend our legendary hospitality consistently across more than 660 stores and allows our guests to make memorable moments anywhere life finds them,” said Bryan Hooper, Vice President of Digital Experience at Cracker Barrel. “We are so honored to be recognized as a Sitecore Ultimate Award Winner for our Digital Store and our guest-first approach.”

UnitingCare Queensland, in partnership with Triggerfish, for providing upwards of 2,000 COVID-19 contact tracing check-ins per hour in healthcare facilities across Queensland through digitizing its existing manual, paper-based procedure. As one of the largest healthcare providers and charities in Australia, UnitingCare Queensland (UnitingCare) was directly affected by COVID-19 government contact tracing protocols and needed to demonstrate to Queensland Health that they could respond quickly and efficiently to potential second wave cases. The key factor of UnitingCare’s new solution that set them apart was their ability to act with speed and at scale by building the application on their existing infrastructure. The organization is now screening people across 150 locations, with the ability to scale further to 500 when required without affecting the customer experience.

“Our organization extends compassionate healthcare services to more than 430,000 people, so it was no easy feat to digitize our originally paper and manual contact tracing process for COVID-19, but with support from Triggerfish and Sitecore we were able to quickly and efficiently deliver a secure and streamlined tracing process,” said Dan Shaw, Group Digital Marketing Manager, UnitingCare Queensland. “We are honored to be recognized for our efforts by Sitecore as a leader and trailblazer in the physical-digital (Phygital) future.”

Other winners recognized by region today include:

Americas

  • Procter and Gamble, with partner Valtech Global Project
  • Kimberly-Clark Corporation, with partner Accenture / Avanade
  • United Airlines, with partner Avanade

EMEA

  • Rufuge, with partner Wunderman Thompson UK
  • Kerzner International
  • L’Oréal

APJ

  • Central Queensland University, with partner Liquid Interactive
  • Honda Australia, with partner Deloitte Digital
  • City of Sydney, with partner Merkle

The 2020 Ultimate Experience Award winners were announced today by Lee Miles, Sitecore’s Chief Customer Success Officer, at the Sitecore Symposium 2021. “We’re seeing brick-and-mortar shopping merge with digital consumer experiences,” said Lee Miles. “From an exponential increase in e-commerce, consumers have gotten used to a low-touch experience, with no silos separating inventory and extremely personalized recommendations – which will continue to drive changes in the physical retail experience. Architects of the best in digital experience, like this year’s Ultimate Experience Award winners, are best positioned to provide the platform-agnostic consumer experience.”

Cyber Security

World’s Largest Cybersecurity Startup Hub GISEC North Star Debuts in 2025

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GISEC Global is thrilled to announce the launch of GISEC North Star, an expanded startup zone designed to connect cybersecurity innovators, investors, and industry leaders on an unprecedented global scale. In partnership with Expand North Star, the world-renowned startup and investor networking event, GISEC North Star aims to elevate the cybersecurity startup ecosystem by featuring 250 leading-edge cybersecurity startups and 150 investors. The 14th edition of GISEC Global anticipates over 25,000 visitors and participants from 160 countries.

The event will take place during GISEC GLOBAL 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 6-8 May 2025, introducing unparalleled opportunities for networking, collaboration, and investment. As cybersecurity threats escalate globally, GISEC North Star is designed to foster an ecosystem of innovation and resilience by connecting global minds in cybersecurity technology, venture capital, and enterprise solutions.

As an anchor of GISEC Global, GISEC North Star will serve as a premier platform where disruptive startups can showcase their innovations, connect with leading global investors, and engage with key industry leaders across various sectors. The event will feature cutting-edge showcases, live demos, and panel discussions with top minds in cybersecurity technology and business.

“We are thrilled to expand GISEC’s role in the global cybersecurity ecosystem through our partnership with Expand North Star. GISEC North Star is committed to bringing together the brightest minds in cybersecurity, empowering startups with unparalleled access to the resources, networks, and investments they need to thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape,” said Nawaz Ali, Commercial Director at GISEC Global.

GISEC North Star’s expansive setup is designed to attract the best cybersecurity talent from across the globe, uniting startups, investors, and visitors to collaboratively tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges. With participants from over 160 countries, the event will foster diverse and impactful exchanges that shape the future of global cybersecurity.

Designed to promote collaboration and growth, GISEC North Star is set to showcase breakthrough innovations that address critical challenges in cybersecurity, ranging from AI-driven threat detection to secure data management solutions. Investors will have an unprecedented opportunity to connect with and support promising startups driving advancements that safeguard the future.

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Critical Communications

Hytera to Show Off 4G and 5G Body Cameras for Law Enforcement at GITEX GLOBAL 2024

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Hytera Communications will introduce its latest body camera innovations at GITEX Global 2024. Showcasing the advanced SC780 Smart 4G Body Camera and SC880 Smart 5G Body Camera, Hytera aims to revolutionize the capture, storage, and management of digital evidence for law enforcement and emergency services. These new-generation body cameras reflect the Gulf region’s growing commitment to tech-driven public safety solutions, especially in alignment with the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s national visions for enhanced security infrastructure. With their cutting-edge AI capabilities, real-time communication functions, and the power of 4G and 5G connectivity, these devices are designed to deliver unparalleled clarity, reliability, and situational awareness to on-the-ground teams.

Stanley Song, Vice President of Hytera, commented: “At Hytera, we are committed to supporting the Gulf region’s public safety goals by providing cutting-edge technology solutions. Our next-generation body cameras, powered by AI and 5G, reflect our dedication to delivering innovation and reliability. We are proud to align with the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s visions of leveraging smart technologies to enhance law enforcement capabilities and public safety. These solutions are tailored to the region’s unique needs, ensuring law enforcement agencies can operate with the highest level of efficiency and accountability.”

Hytera’s new-generation body cameras offer High-Quality Evidence Collection, ensuring optimal performance in diverse environments. With advanced image stabilization technology, they provide steady video even during high-motion activities, while the night vision capabilities guarantee clear footage in low-light scenarios. Equipped with a wide-angle lens, these body cameras capture a broader field of view, giving law enforcement greater coverage during operations.

In addition to their advanced recording capabilities, the body cameras provide Real-Time Communication functionalities. Not merely recording devices, they double as Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios, ensuring constant connectivity in mission-critical situations. These cameras come with AI-powered noise cancellation for clear audio, long battery life for extended field operations, and an IP68 rating, making them fully dustproof and waterproof, ideal for the region’s harsh environments. The facial and license plate recognition features further enhance their ability to provide quick and accurate data to the command centre, ensuring fast and precise suspect identification.

Hytera’s body camera solutions are built with Advanced Network Capabilities in mind, capitalizing on the rapid deployment of 4G and 5G networks in the Middle East. Leveraging these technologies, particularly the SC880 model’s 5G technology, enables faster transmission speeds, enhancing the efficiency of both data recording and live communication. The SC880 captures 4K ultra-high-definition footage with an extended pre/post-recording feature that lasts up to 300 seconds and allows for 15 hours of uninterrupted recording without the need for recharging. Additionally, these cameras capture crystal-clear audio within a 10-meter range, ensuring the reliability and integrity of evidence gathered on the field.

Hytera’s Digital Evidence Management (DEM) system is designed to offer the highest level of protection and efficiency for digital evidence in line with the region’s strict focus on data security. The DEM system ensures a secure, closed chain of evidence, from the moment of capture through to courtroom presentation. It provides enhanced operational efficiency through redaction features and remote device management, making it a critical tool for law enforcement and public safety users who require the highest standards of data integrity and security throughout the entire lifecycle of digital evidence.

The Gulf region, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has seen a significant rise in the adoption of body camera technologies as part of a broader focus on public safety and transparency. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly relying on these devices to document interactions with the public and enhance accountability. The integration of AI-powered facial recognition technology has also become a game-changer, dramatically improving the efficiency of law enforcement operations, and enabling faster responses to real-time situations.

Hytera’s body camera solutions have already gained global recognition, with deployments in over 60 countries across diverse regions including Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. This global success reinforces Hytera’s role as a trusted partner for law enforcement and public safety agencies worldwide.

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Expert Speak

Shadow IT – Is It Really a Problem?

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Personally, I love shadow IT—most employees do. But is it a problem? Let’s explore.

Wondering what shadow IT is? Shadow IT refers to the use of software and hardware tools or services by employees without the knowledge of the organization’s IT department.

The use of shadow IT tools has been a topic of discussion for years, with each company having its stance. Using these tools is often more about personal preference than anything else, and the same applies to how companies handle them. Most people lean toward shadow IT because official IT software tools often do not offer features that cater to individual preferences.

Some commonly used tools that fall under shadow IT include project management tools like Trello and Notion, messenger apps like WhatsApp, and file transfer apps like WeTransfer and Dropbox. The common factor? They’re all easy to access and use. However, with the rise of GenAI, everyone’s new shadow IT tool is ChatGPT.

The problems
I’m sure you already know the main issues that make companies dislike shadow IT tools: privacy and security.

Let’s look at ChatGPT. The use of ChatGPT isn’t regulated in most organizations, and many companies are still at a crossroads regarding GenAI tools. There’s a risk of employees unintentionally sharing sensitive information, leading to data leaks. This could include intellectual property, like code used to build applications, or personal information such as phone number, email address, house address, and more.

Whatever the sensitive information may be, it’s not safe to share it with tools like ChatGPT. Threat actors are constantly trying to breach systems, especially widely used tools like ChatGPT, where there’s much to gain. There’s still an obvious vulnerability here despite companies providing best practices to employees.

Another problem with shadow IT tools is that they restrict collaboration. If one team member uses a cool, new project management app to track progress and others use a different tool, it’s difficult to stay on the same page. For example, design and development teams often work together on the same project, such as designing web pages.

If the design team uses one project management tool and the development team another, how can they collaborate and work in sync to meet deadlines? It creates unnecessary friction. This is why organizations provide the same, approved project management tools for everyone. While using different tools might boost individual productivity, it can cause productivity issues within the project as a whole.

From a financial standpoint, companies pay for business tools that their employees use. If employees start using free online tools instead, the money spent on approved tools for a user who uses a shadow IT tool instead becomes a loss for the company.

Additionally, when organizations approve software solutions, those tools are vetted by a team of professionals and comply with the laws and regulations that the company must follow. However, we can’t be sure those tools are compliant when employees download apps on an ad-hoc basis, and employees usually don’t check for these things when they download or use shadow IT apps.

The good
Shadow IT tools are awesome. We all agree on that. The tools organizations give us, or approve, are often outdated. They’ve been around in the tech landscape for years (for good reasons, of course), but as technology advances, we don’t want to be tied to old tools that lack new features, which could make our work easier.

Restricting access to apps doesn’t feel great. We all work differently and have unique preferences. Using shadow IT tools that we like makes us feel more productive, and empowered, and allows for individuality in the workplace. When we use tools we love, we tend to be more efficient compared to when we’re stuck using approved, traditional tools that may lack the features we need.

The verdict
Shadow IT comes with many advantages, and dismissing it solely because of the risks isn’t wise. If we think about it, all tools carry some degree of risk. It’s up to us to be educated and understand how to use them securely and efficiently while benefiting the team and the company we work for. Shadow IT tools might benefit you individually, but what’s more important is to look at the bigger picture and ensure that your teamwork doesn’t get affected because of this.

Speaking of the financial loss that a company incurs while giving out tools that an employee may not need, what can be done instead is that organizations can avoid giving all the tools that an employee might need. Even if it’s a tool that employees may need regularly, us a request-based system so that employees reach out to get a paid tool by the company only if they need it and want to use it. This eliminates the unnecessary cost incurred by the company when an employee is provided with paid tools by default but chooses to use a shadow IT tool instead.

At first glance, shadow IT might seem like a problem, but with employee education and empowerment, it doesn’t have to be. Restricting shadow IT tools is easy, but educating employees is key.

ManageEngine is a company that believes in employee-driven innovation and encourages its employees to be aware of secure cybersecurity practices while allowing room for individuality. To learn more about ManageEngine and its offerings that allow you to have a secure and efficient IT infrastructure, click here.

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