Author: Uma Iyer

We as consumers must also think about where we consume from and what we consume to reduce the load on the planet as with ‘comfort’ also comes great ‘responsibility’ – says Uma Iyer With the festive season fast approaching, the shopping frenzy will be taking over. Diwali Sale, Christmas Sale means more shopping and more joy. In the 80s and the 90s festive season meant family time. Going as a family to shop for new clothes, wait for the festival day, ask Santa for the gifts and be content in one or two outfits and sweets that we got. Those…

Uma Iyer recounts five less remembered figures in the history of technology whose contributions have helped shaped our very lives Since the dawn of mankind, human beings have been hungry for innovation. A lot of us use these little inventions day in and day out, however, we only know the ‘entrepreneurs’ who made the Forbes list or made a lot of money. We can immediately recognize names like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Alan Turing, but there are many others whose contributions though monumental have little recall to a layperson. Let us take a moment to talk about top…

Uma Iyer explores 5G spectrum, its history, and its potential to transform India’s internet landscape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 5G telephony services on October 1. It was made available in select cities and progress to launch all over India. The economic impact is estimated to reach $450 billion in another 25 years. The auctions concluded with a total allocation of 51236 MHz earning a gross revenue of Rs 150173 crores (Reuters). The vision is to build 5G parallel to the global telephony standards and be a front runner in piloting the 6G technology. The 5G spectrum bids had…

As data centers update themselves to match evolving customer demands, there is an ever-increasing list of options to choose from. Uma Iyer helps sort through the jumble of data center options for you Data is the new currency and even when we say ‘cloud’ the transactions happen in the ‘real’ world using ‘real-estate.’ Whether it is going to be stationed in space, or underwater, eventually it will be built with material, and it does require human intervention for it to function and be available. While thinking about choosing the right space for your data requirements, the customers are largely divided…

Uma Iyer explains RegTech, its existence and its potential uses for business interests Financial Regulators have been traditionally viewed as archaic old school beings who live in a 1950s space working with ink pens and paper. The view is changing fast, thanks to FinTechs working on innovative systems helping the regulatory space become the next big thing. Deloitte says, RegTech is the new FinTech. If Technology is going beyond simplifying banking systems, it is now expanding to ensuring that regulations and regulatory systems catch up at pace. Regulatory Technology (RegTech) is an innovation that enables firms to seamlessly adopt the…

What is common between Serena Williams in the US Open and Cloud Data Computing? Uma Iyer finds out. With one last twirl Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, bid goodbye to tennis on Friday night bringing the curtains down on her striking career. Also what was noteworthy is that the data centers and cloud computing made it a farewell to be remembered and compared for generations to come! Serena Williams is a 6-time US Open champion What is the common denominator between cloud computing and data centers versus a game of skill, stamina, and strength you may ask. Well,…

With the pandemic affecting in-person contact, there has been a steady rise in collaboration software. Uma Iyer finds out how these cutting age softwares are revolutionizing our lives. For generations, we have all needed personal connection. The in-person connection has been paramount to human well-being. People do keep pets and are close to them when the human connection is missing. These connections then lead to meaningful collaboration, which is the foundation of all progressive cooperative human endeavors. With the pandemic, however, life has changed all around the world. Like Xerox became synonymous with photocopies, Zoom has become the same for…

While we read a lot about large tech establishments, we must also take note of the smaller technology companies, says Uma Iyer The Advent of the IT and IT-enabled services have now given the pedestal to the innovative and next generation companies where firms like Patni systems were big in 1980s, then went on to the likes of Infosys, now the next-gen are start-ups like Grey Orange Robotics, Medgenome, Blackbuck, Bankbazaar, Uniphore, et al. Source: indiancompanies.in While the education system in India has been influenced by the colonial mentality; the 1960s and 70s were defined by having a stable government…

Uma Iyer looks at the current state of the IT service industry in India and the challenges faced by the new entrants. In the past decade, let us begin with naming one big Information Technology giant that succeeded in setting up a service industry in the Indian shores. If it is tough to think of even one, it is time to review the thriving service industry in India and what sustains the big players only! The Big 5! Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), WIPRO, HCL, Cognizant — all are companies that do not even require their full names while discussing…

Artificial intelligence may inherit, or even amplify, the biases of its creators, who are often mostly male. Uma Iyer finds out what the future holds for AI and women in society. What is the ‘gender’ of Artificial Intelligence? How do we as a society perceive sentient technology? If we look at our art, particularly science fiction, whether it be Robin Williams in Bicentennial Man or Rajinikanth in Robot, it is evident that AI is almost always seen as ‘male’. However, on the flip side if one looks at assistance apps for navigation or Interactive Voice Response Systems in a telephonic…