Latest news with #Intelligent
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
InvestCloud Unveils AI-enabled Solutions To Transform Wealth Management
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- InvestCloud, a global leader in wealth technology, has announced the first of a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions to help advisors increase productivity and deliver greater value to clients. Available to new and existing clients, the new solutions, Intelligent Screening and Intelligent Meeting, are enhanced by technologies from smartKYC, an AI-driven know your customer (KYC) risk screening and monitoring solutions provider, and Zocks, a privacy-first AI assistant for financial advisors. 'With this new generation of wealth solutions, starting with Intelligent Screening and Intelligent Meeting, we are leveraging data and AI in new ways to address the disjointed systems and fragmented data challenges that are precluding optimal outcomes for advisors and their clients. 'smartKYC and Zocks share our commitment to creating a smarter financial future, and with them we are enabling advisors to work smarter across the full client lifecycle and to foster deeper, more productive relationships,' said InvestCloud President, Digital Wealth, Dan Bjerke in a statement. Intelligent Screening enables private banks and wealth managers to perform faster, more accurate and cost-effective due diligence across every stage of the client relationship, freeing advisors, relationship managers and compliance officers to focus on decision-making rather than manual research. Meanwhile, Intelligent Meeting transforms the way advisors prepare for, track and follow through on discussions with clients, in which meeting preparation, note-taking, action-item tracking and post-meeting workflows are automated and infused with intelligence from disparate systems to enable advisors to focus on meaningful client interactions and reduce time-consuming administrative and manual tasks. To power this new generation of intelligent solutions, InvestCloud is connecting the wealth management ecosystem into a unified wealth data model that drives AI-enabled workflows, insights and experiences, enabling best-in-class advisor productivity and client engagement while upholding the highest standards of data privacy and efficiency. In late 2024, InvestCloud introduced a new strategic direction, setting its sights on creating a smarter future for wealth management, while also renewing its commitment to client excellence, integration and innovation. -- BERNAMA
Fashion Network
31-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Footwear: Portugal bets on innovation to gain foothold in new segments
Home to one of Europe's leading footwear production clusters, Portugal is sought after above all for its leather shoes, which in 2023 accounted for 71% of its exports. The sector not only aims to go further by diversifying the destination of its production but also intends to multiply its growth options. To this end, it has invested in technological development to strengthen its presence in segments such as technical and professional footwear. Industry looks to technical and professional footwear for growth With its sights set on these segments, the industry aims to double exports of technical footwear to reach 100 million euros by 2030. Reinaldo Teixeira, president of the Footwear Technology Center, stressed in a statement issued by APICCAPS that "Portugal already has all the conditions to establish itself as a benchmark in the development of technical footwear," adding: "We have the knowledge, the installed capacity, and we are prepared to expand our offer, even in the military segment." The military segment is, in fact, one of the sector's big bets in the field of professional footwear. Luís Onofre, president of the Portuguese Association of Footwear, Components, Leather Goods and Their Substitutes (APICCAPS), believes that the expected increase in investment in defense, considering the current world scenario, represents "an opportunity" for the sector. "Portugal has a long tradition of supplying the main European security and military forces," he recalled, adding that the "reinforcement of NATO countries' defense budgets could be an opportunity" for the Portuguese industry. Sector invests 50 million euros with FAIST project As this is a more demanding segment in technical terms and in terms of certifications, in order to consolidate and expand its horizons in this type of footwear, the Portuguese cluster has invested in initiatives that cover the industry as a whole. The FAIST (Acronym for Agile, Intelligent, Technologically Sustainable Factory) mobilizing project was born precisely with the aim of developing cutting-edge technology capable of providing companies with the best technical solutions to respond to the market. As part of the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Program), it brings together 44 partners and brings with it an investment of 50 million euros to enrich the sector "with innovative technologies, processes, and sustainable materials, increasing its ability to respond to market demands and continuing to make the Portuguese footwear and leather goods industry the most modern in the world." Led by the company Carité and technically coordinated by the CTCP (Footwear Technology Center of Portugal), the consortium involved in the FAIST project brings together 14 footwear and leather goods companies, nine component companies, 15 technology-based companies, and six associative entities from the scientific and technological interface, which have come together to invest in the "development of robotic and automated production processes, production management and control software, in parallel with the development and production of new types of ecological and sustainable products." In more precise terms, the consortium has committed to developing 34 pieces of equipment, 20 software solutions, five integrated production lines, more than 15 innovative footwear products and components, and three pilot experimentation and demonstration units. With companies such as Carité and AMF committed to developing technical and professional footwear, particularly using new automated production solutions, or Fernando Ferro developing and producing automation lines to equip the major players in the sector, Portuguese footwear has taken consistent steps to assert itself beyond the boundaries of classic models made from leather. Florbela Silva, FAIST's coordinator, believes that the project "is repositioning the Portuguese footwear industry internationally": "Re-industrialization and the use of high productivity processes are allowing companies to manufacture faster and at competitive prices, managing to enter the large distribution chains, particularly in the more technical segments." An industry with an international outlook In 2024, the Portuguese footwear cluster (which includes footwear, components, and leather goods companies) generated 2.2 billion euros, with footwear accounting for 77% of exports, leather goods (bags and accessories such as belts) for 19% and components for 4%. Exporting 90% of its production to over 170 countries, almost 80% of the sector's output is destined for the European Union, with Germany leading the way (23%), followed by France (19%) and the Netherlands (12%). The efforts to diversify Portuguese footwear have also involved diversifying the countries of destination. Currently, the United States is the largest market for Portuguese footwear outside Europe, accounting for 5.2% of the cluster's exports, which have also invested in Asian and Latin American markets to reduce dependence on Europe and multiply growth opportunities.
Fashion Network
31-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Footwear: Portugal bets on innovation to gain foothold in new segments
Home to one of Europe's leading footwear production clusters, Portugal is sought after above all for its leather shoes, which in 2023 accounted for 71% of its exports. The sector not only aims to go further by diversifying the destination of its production but also intends to multiply its growth options. To this end, it has invested in technological development to strengthen its presence in segments such as technical and professional footwear. Industry looks to technical and professional footwear for growth With its sights set on these segments, the industry aims to double exports of technical footwear to reach 100 million euros by 2030. Reinaldo Teixeira, president of the Footwear Technology Center, stressed in a statement issued by APICCAPS that "Portugal already has all the conditions to establish itself as a benchmark in the development of technical footwear," adding: "We have the knowledge, the installed capacity, and we are prepared to expand our offer, even in the military segment." The military segment is, in fact, one of the sector's big bets in the field of professional footwear. Luís Onofre, president of the Portuguese Association of Footwear, Components, Leather Goods and Their Substitutes (APICCAPS), believes that the expected increase in investment in defense, considering the current world scenario, represents "an opportunity" for the sector. "Portugal has a long tradition of supplying the main European security and military forces," he recalled, adding that the "reinforcement of NATO countries' defense budgets could be an opportunity" for the Portuguese industry. Sector invests 50 million euros with FAIST project As this is a more demanding segment in technical terms and in terms of certifications, in order to consolidate and expand its horizons in this type of footwear, the Portuguese cluster has invested in initiatives that cover the industry as a whole. The FAIST (Acronym for Agile, Intelligent, Technologically Sustainable Factory) mobilizing project was born precisely with the aim of developing cutting-edge technology capable of providing companies with the best technical solutions to respond to the market. As part of the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Program), it brings together 44 partners and brings with it an investment of 50 million euros to enrich the sector "with innovative technologies, processes, and sustainable materials, increasing its ability to respond to market demands and continuing to make the Portuguese footwear and leather goods industry the most modern in the world." Led by the company Carité and technically coordinated by the CTCP (Footwear Technology Center of Portugal), the consortium involved in the FAIST project brings together 14 footwear and leather goods companies, nine component companies, 15 technology-based companies, and six associative entities from the scientific and technological interface, which have come together to invest in the "development of robotic and automated production processes, production management and control software, in parallel with the development and production of new types of ecological and sustainable products." In more precise terms, the consortium has committed to developing 34 pieces of equipment, 20 software solutions, five integrated production lines, more than 15 innovative footwear products and components, and three pilot experimentation and demonstration units. With companies such as Carité and AMF committed to developing technical and professional footwear, particularly using new automated production solutions, or Fernando Ferro developing and producing automation lines to equip the major players in the sector, Portuguese footwear has taken consistent steps to assert itself beyond the boundaries of classic models made from leather. Florbela Silva, FAIST's coordinator, believes that the project "is repositioning the Portuguese footwear industry internationally": "Re-industrialization and the use of high productivity processes are allowing companies to manufacture faster and at competitive prices, managing to enter the large distribution chains, particularly in the more technical segments." An industry with an international outlook In 2024, the Portuguese footwear cluster (which includes footwear, components, and leather goods companies) generated 2.2 billion euros, with footwear accounting for 77% of exports, leather goods (bags and accessories such as belts) for 19% and components for 4%. Exporting 90% of its production to over 170 countries, almost 80% of the sector's output is destined for the European Union, with Germany leading the way (23%), followed by France (19%) and the Netherlands (12%). The efforts to diversify Portuguese footwear have also involved diversifying the countries of destination. Currently, the United States is the largest market for Portuguese footwear outside Europe, accounting for 5.2% of the cluster's exports, which have also invested in Asian and Latin American markets to reduce dependence on Europe and multiply growth opportunities.
Fashion Network
30-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Footwear: Portugal bets on innovation to gain foothold in new segments
Home to one of Europe's leading footwear production clusters, Portugal is sought after above all for its leather shoes, which in 2023 accounted for 71% of its exports. The sector not only aims to go further by diversifying the destination of its production but also intends to multiply its growth options. To this end, it has invested in technological development to strengthen its presence in segments such as technical and professional footwear. Industry looks to technical and professional footwear for growth With its sights set on these segments, the industry aims to double exports of technical footwear to reach 100 million euros by 2030. Reinaldo Teixeira, president of the Footwear Technology Center, stressed in a statement issued by APICCAPS that "Portugal already has all the conditions to establish itself as a benchmark in the development of technical footwear," adding: "We have the knowledge, the installed capacity, and we are prepared to expand our offer, even in the military segment." The military segment is, in fact, one of the sector's big bets in the field of professional footwear. Luís Onofre, president of the Portuguese Association of Footwear, Components, Leather Goods and Their Substitutes (APICCAPS), believes that the expected increase in investment in defense, considering the current world scenario, represents "an opportunity" for the sector. "Portugal has a long tradition of supplying the main European security and military forces," he recalled, adding that the "reinforcement of NATO countries' defense budgets could be an opportunity" for the Portuguese industry. Sector invests 50 million euros with FAIST project As this is a more demanding segment in technical terms and in terms of certifications, in order to consolidate and expand its horizons in this type of footwear, the Portuguese cluster has invested in initiatives that cover the industry as a whole. The FAIST (Acronym for Agile, Intelligent, Technologically Sustainable Factory) mobilizing project was born precisely with the aim of developing cutting-edge technology capable of providing companies with the best technical solutions to respond to the market. As part of the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Program), it brings together 44 partners and brings with it an investment of 50 million euros to enrich the sector "with innovative technologies, processes, and sustainable materials, increasing its ability to respond to market demands and continuing to make the Portuguese footwear and leather goods industry the most modern in the world." Led by the company Carité and technically coordinated by the CTCP (Footwear Technology Center of Portugal), the consortium involved in the FAIST project brings together 14 footwear and leather goods companies, nine component companies, 15 technology-based companies, and six associative entities from the scientific and technological interface, which have come together to invest in the "development of robotic and automated production processes, production management and control software, in parallel with the development and production of new types of ecological and sustainable products." In more precise terms, the consortium has committed to developing 34 pieces of equipment, 20 software solutions, five integrated production lines, more than 15 innovative footwear products and components, and three pilot experimentation and demonstration units. With companies such as Carité and AMF committed to developing technical and professional footwear, particularly using new automated production solutions, or Fernando Ferro developing and producing automation lines to equip the major players in the sector, Portuguese footwear has taken consistent steps to assert itself beyond the boundaries of classic models made from leather. Florbela Silva, FAIST's coordinator, believes that the project "is repositioning the Portuguese footwear industry internationally": "Re-industrialization and the use of high productivity processes are allowing companies to manufacture faster and at competitive prices, managing to enter the large distribution chains, particularly in the more technical segments." An industry with an international outlook In 2024, the Portuguese footwear cluster (which includes footwear, components, and leather goods companies) generated 2.2 billion euros, with footwear accounting for 77% of exports, leather goods (bags and accessories such as belts) for 19% and components for 4%. Exporting 90% of its production to over 170 countries, almost 80% of the sector's output is destined for the European Union, with Germany leading the way (23%), followed by France (19%) and the Netherlands (12%). The efforts to diversify Portuguese footwear have also involved diversifying the countries of destination. Currently, the United States is the largest market for Portuguese footwear outside Europe, accounting for 5.2% of the cluster's exports, which have also invested in Asian and Latin American markets to reduce dependence on Europe and multiply growth opportunities.
Forbes
29-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Walmart Invests $1 Billion On Upskilling, Creating New Hiring Strategy
In-house upskilling programs empower employees to grow their skills and unlock new career ... More opportunities within the company. College degrees used to be the minimum ticket for a role at America's largest employers. Now, many companies focus on a person's skill set versus their GPA from a university. Tech giants and fast-growing startups made headlines over the past five years by dropping degree requirements for job positions. In boardrooms and on shop floors, a new reality is taking hold: what matters most isn't pedigree, but potential. Intelligent reported that 55% of companies eliminated bachelor's degree requirements in 2023, and 45% of companies planned to eliminate bachelor's degree requirements for some positions in 2024. Walmart, a company with 2.1 million U.S. associates, designed a hiring system that other companies could use to scale internally; it has taken eliminating college degrees for some positions to a new level. The retailer's decision to remove college degree requirements for more than 75% of its jobs is about creating a new blueprint for career mobility. Lorraine 'Lo' Stomski, Walmart's chief talent officer, commented, 'We evolved our strategy around getting our associates in a more accelerated pathway so that they could be ready to step into those [higher] Lorraine 'Lo' Stomski, chief talent officer, SVP at Walmart Around 2018, organizations began to notice that many four-year college degrees failed to adequately prepare graduates for the corporate world. There was more to just under-prepared college graduates. Approximately 18 to 22% of the U.S. workforce are family caregivers. This means that roughly one in five to one in six working Americans are also providing unpaid care for a family member, with a large portion of these caregivers employed full-time. Walmart took notice and also recognized that full-time workers earning a bachelor's degree could take as long as eight years. Once the pandemic hit, it allowed companies to restructure their in-house hiring processes and make training available online, making the barrier of entry easier. 'What we started to realize was that, in essence, what people want if they're going to invest in education, they'd like to see a connected outcome,' Stomski said. Building Pathways From Within According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 40% of workers in the skilled trades sector are over the age of 45. With nearly half of tradespeople approaching retirement age, there is an urgent need for a pipeline of new skilled workers entering the industry. Understanding this statistic, leadership pivoted its entire workforce strategy, identifying more than 30 in-demand roles at Walmart, then focusing sharply on the ten most critical. Rather than depend on the external labor market to fill technician and driver shortages, Walmart went inward. 'If there's such a need, why don't we create the learning inside?' Stromski stated. The Walmart Academy came to fruition. The retailer pledged $1 billion investment in career-driven training and education by 2026. One of Walmart Academy's workshop sessions upskilling associates. The results are compelling. Walmart's 'associate to technician' and 'associate to driver' pilot programs turn hourly workers into skilled specialists, sometimes doubling or tripling their income. The Academy had its first graduating class for this specific program last December. Out of those 108 graduates, 108 have secured new roles. Hundreds more are in the pipeline. Across the business, more than 100,000 roles have been mapped to new, accessible career paths. Designing for Real Barriers, Not Theoretical Ones A skills-first approach only works if it's rooted in real associate needs. Walmart eliminated even the token $1-per-day education fee when it became clear it was a barrier for frontline workers. 'We have been very much focused on taking away any kind of barrier so that they can participate,' Stomski explained. Eligibility for upskilling begins on day one, regardless of status or schedule. What's different is the specificity. 'We listened to our associates,' she continued, 'and what they wanted. We got very specific in what we decided to offer.' The program aims to accelerate hourly associates' careers and transition them into facilities maintenance, refrigeration, reliability and automation technician roles. The company announced the expansion of the Associate to Technician program to Vincennes, IN, and Jacksonville, FL. This expansion will help advance the career mobility of Walmart technician roles by enhancing the skills of approximately 4,000 associates over the next five years. Higher-skilled technician careers that can pay an average of $32/hour (a range of $19 to $45/hour). For Walmart associate Taneisha Edwards, the Live Better U program (an Academy division) became a catalyst for personal and professional transformation. Driven by a desire to build a better future for herself and her children, Edwards pursued multiple certifications through LBU, earning credentials from institutions including Spelman College, Cornell University, University of California Irvine and Rutgers University, all aligned with her passion for leadership and business. Taneisha Edwards, Walmart Member Services Team Manager at Club 8104 in Little Rock, AR. 'This experience has been truly transformative,' Edwards said with pride. 'It gave me the knowledge, confidence andstrategic thinking skills needed to excel in my role.' The opportunity not only elevated her career prospects but also deepened her commitment to the company, showing how accessible education can unlock both ambition and loyalty. How To Start An In-House Academy Stomski's advice to companies considering a move toward skills-based hiring is practical and straightforward: 'I am super passionate as a leader, because when we first started LBU, it served everyone,' Stomski concluded. 'At the end of the day, I look at my job, and every single job that we have in corporate. We are in service to our frontline associates. They are, and will be, continue to be, the heart and center of our business.'
