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Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
AI agents are turning Salesforce and SAP into rivals
ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE is an unlikely source of hubbub. Bringing up CRM or ERP in conversation has usually been a reliable way to be left alone. But not these days, especially if you are chatting to a tech investor. Mention the acronyms—for customer-relationship management, which automates front-office tasks like dealing with clients, and enterprise resource planning, which does the same for back-office processes such as managing a firm's finances or supply chains—and you will set pulses racing. Between June and early December 2024 Salesforce, the 26-year-old global CRM giant, created more than $120bn in shareholder value, lifting its market capitalisation to a record $352bn. In the past 12 months SAP, a German tech titan which more or less invented ERP in the 1970s, has generated more. It is Europe's most valuable company, worth $380bn, likewise an all-time high. Both enterprise champions rank among the world's top ten software companies by value. Maybe not so dull, after all? The source of the excitement is another, much sexier acronym: AI. Builders of clever artificial-intelligence models may get all the attention; this week Elon Musk's xAI hogged the headlines when it was reported that the startup was launching a $300m share sale that would value it at $113bn. But if the technology is to be as revolutionary as boosters claim, it will in the first instance be because businesses use it to radically improve productivity. And as anyone who has tried—and probably failed—to replace corporate computer systems will tell you, they are likely to do so with the assistance of their current IT vendors. Salesforce and SAP each believes it will be the one ushering its clients into the AI age. The trouble is that many of those clients use both firms' products. Perhaps nine in ten Fortune 500 firms run Salesforce software. The same share relies on SAP. This did not matter when the duo focused on their respective bread and butter. A client would run Salesforce's second-to-none CRM in the front office and SAP's first-rate ERP in the back. Amazon and Walmart, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, BMW and Toyota: pick a household name and the odds are it does just that. A big reason for SAP and Salesforce to slather a thick layer of AI on top of their existing offering, though, is to give customers a way to uncurdle their data, analyse it and, with the help of semi-autonomous AI agents interacting with one another on behalf of their human managers, act on it. In this newly blended world, the lines between front and back office are fudged. 'It's one user experience," sums up Irfan Khan, SAP's data-and-analytics chief. Controlling the user interface for this 'agentic" AI experience promises fat profits. It also creates a head-to-head rivalry between the two enterprise masterchefs. For their AI recipes look alike. Step one: expand your range of products. SAP has improved its front-office chops by buying CRM firms (like CallidusCloud) and marketing platforms (such as Emarsys). Though Salesforce has not gone full-ERP, it has a 16-year-old partnership with Certinia, whose financial-management system sits exclusively atop its platform. It has bought firms like ClickSoftware, which helps businesses manage their service workforce. On June 2nd it hired the team behind MoonHub, a recruitment-and-HR startup. Clients, spared from switching between providers for every specialist function, love it. So do SAP and Salesforce, since it amasses more client data, AI's great leavener, in their own systems. Step two: piggyback on the 'hyperscalers". This allows clients to choose between the cloud giants, including, in China, Alibaba and Tencent (and, in Salesforce's case, excluding Microsoft, with which its co-founder and boss, Marc Benioff, has a long-running feud). It saves SAP and Salesforce from splurging on what each sees as infrastructure destined for 'commoditisation". Oracle, the giant of corporate-database management which has taken the opposite approach, has seen its quarterly capital budget explode from $400m in 2020 to nearly $6bn in its latest quarter; SAP and Salesforce spend $300m-400m a quarter between them. Step three: whip up the AI layer. In February SAP teamed up with Databricks, a $60bn AI startup, to help clients make sense of their information, including that stored outside SAP systems, and deploy SAP's Joule AI agents across their operations. On May 27th Salesforce said it would pay $8bn for Informatica, which designs tools to integrate and crunch corporate data. This will make its own Agentforce easier for clients to use beyond the front office. Right now investors prefer what SAP is serving up. Its systems cover a wider range of functions and thus contain more data. This data is also notoriously hard for non-SAP systems to extract. As annoying as this may be for clients, it gives them an incentive to look from inside the SAP platform out rather than the other way round. SAP's share price has risen by 12% in the past six months. Meanwhile, Salesforce's has collapsed like a bad soufflé. It is down by nearly 30% since its peak in early December. Although its sales passed those of SAP in 2023, growth is slowing while SAP's accelerates. Analysts wonder if Agentforce, the launch of which fuelled last year's rally, can make real money. They also fear a return to profligate dealmaking that culminated with the $28bn purchase in 2021 of Slack, a corporate-messaging platform. Too many cooks Investors could yet sour on SAP just as they have on Salesforce. Gartner, a research firm, reckons that between 2020 and 2024 rivals like Workday cut its share of the ERP business from 21% to 14%. For all its front-office efforts, its CRM sales declined around that time, even as Salesforce preserved its 20% slice of a growing market. Microsoft, which has its own cloud, its own cutting-edge AI and plenty of business clients, is elbowing its way into ERP, as well as CRM. The enterprise-AI food fight is just beginning. Subscribers to The Economist can sign up to our Opinion newsletter, which brings together the best of our leaders, columns, guest essays and reader correspondence.
India Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Top End T20 series 2025 Live Streaming: Squads, schedule and all you need to know
The Top End T20 Series 2025 will take place from August 14 to August 24. The tournament will feature 11 teams competing over the course of 10 days at five venues in Darwin. The competition will see a mix of Australian state academy teams, Big Bash League sides, and international teams, including Pakistan Shaheens, Bangladesh A, and players in the series include Mohammad Wasim, Irfan Khan (Pakistan), Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud (Bangladesh), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal), and D'Arcy Short, Kane Richardson (Australia), among tournament kicks off with the opening match between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh A on August 14. Matches will be played daily, with teams battling it out in a round-robin format, leading up to the semi-finals and final scheduled for August 24. The event promises to be a thrilling showcase of international and domestic T20 talent, with players aiming to impress ahead of major upcoming to watch matches in the Top End T20 series 2025 live in India?There is no telecast of the matches in the Top End T20 series 2025. Live Streaming of the games will be available on the Fancode End T20 series 2025 Full SquadsPakistan ShaheensAbdul Samad, Irfan Khan, Mohammad Faiq, Yasir Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Khawaja Nafay (wk), Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Wasim, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid ShahBangladesh AJishan Alam, Mohammad Naim, Yasir Ali, Afif Hossain, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, Saif Hassan, Mahidul Islam Ankon (wk), Nurul Hasan (wk), Hasan Mahmud, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Musfik Hasan, Naeem Hasan, Rakibul Hasan, Ripon Mondol, Tufayel AhmedNepalAarif Sheikh, Anil Sah, Bhim Sharki, Kiran Thagunna, Kushal Bhurtel, Rohit Paudel, Basir Ahamad, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Kushal Malla, Rupesh Singh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Lokesh Bam (wk), Lalit Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav, Rijan Dhakal, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal KamiMelbourne Stars AcademyBlake Macdonald, Campbell Kellaway, Max Birthisel, Thomas Rogers, Aryan Sharma, Austin Anlezark, Christian Howe, Jonathan Merlo, Liam Blackford (wk), Sam Harper (wk), Cameron McClure, Doug Warren, Hamish McKenzie, Sam ElliottAustralian Capital TerritoryJake Smith, Nicholas Broes, Nick Allen, Tom Hogan, Zak Keogh, Eesam Rahman, Kai Brunker, Scott Murn, Michael McNamara (wk), Zac Maron (wk), Akshay Joseph, Dave Dubey, Lewis Evans, Samuel SkellyAdelaide Strikers AcademyAlex Ross, Jake Winter, Mackenzie Harvey, Ryan King, Aidan Cahill, Harry Manenti, Jerrssis Wadia, Harry Nielsen (wk), Aubrey Stockdale, Hanno Jacobs, Josh Kann, Tim Oakley, Tom O'ConnellMelbourne Renegades AcademyDylan Brasher, Josh Brown, Michael Archer, Ollie Peake, Arjun Nair, Harry Dixon, Will Sutherland, Jai Lemire (wk), Callum Stow, David Moody, Fergus O'Neill, Harry Hoekstra, Xavier CroneadvertisementPerth Scorchers AcademyJayden Goodwin, Matthew Spoors, Nick Hobson, Sam Fanning, Teague Wyllie, Albert Esterhuysen, Keaton Critchell, Baxter Holt (wk), Joel Curtis (wk), Brody Couch, Bryce Jackson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Luke Holt, Matthew KellyNorthern Territory StrikeCharlie Smith, Connor Carroll, Jacob Dickman, Jake Weatherald, Jordan Silk, Archie McCormick, D'Arcy Short, Hamish Martin, Sam Elder, Thomas Andrews, Tom Menzies, Cadell McMahon (wk), Jai Allman, Kane Richardson, Matt HammondChicago KingsmenFaraz Ali, Saad Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Hammad Azam, Hassan Khan, Milind Kumar, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tajinder Singh, Arya Kannantha (wk), Shayan Jahangir (wk), Asif Mehmood, Ehsan Adil, Ghulam Mudassar, Nick Fletcher, Umer KhanHobart Hurricanes AcademyCharlie Wakim, Macalister Wright, Tim Ward, Bradley Hope, Gabe Bell, Louis Smith, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, Zac Curtain (wk), Billy Stanlake, Iain Carlisle, Marcus Bean, Raf MacMillan, Tom Dwyer, Will PrestwidgeFull Schedule Of Top End T20 2025August 14, 2025Pakistan Shaheens vs Bangladesh A – 03:00 PMAugust 15, 2025Australian Capital Territory vs Hobart Hurricanes Academy – 07:00 AMMelbourne Stars Academy vs Melbourne Renegades Academy – 10:00 AMChicago Kingsmen vs Perth Scorchers Academy – 12:00 PMNorthern Territory Strike vs Nepal – 02:00 PMAugust 16, 2025Melbourne Renegades Academy vs Australian Capital Territory – 07:00 AMMelbourne Stars Academy vs Hobart Hurricanes Academy – 10:00 AMPakistan Shaheens vs Perth Scorchers Academy – 12:00 PMBangladesh A vs Nepal – 03:00 PMadvertisementAugust 17, 2025Chicago Kingsmen vs Adelaide Strikers Academy – 07:00 AMNorthern Territory Strike vs Hobart Hurricanes Academy – 09:00 AMPerth Scorchers Academy vs Bangladesh A – 03:00 PMAugust 18, 2025Nepal vs Melbourne Stars Academy – 07:00 AMNorthern Territory Strike vs Australian Capital Territory – 10:00 AMMelbourne Renegades Academy vs Pakistan Shaheens – 02:00 PMAugust 19, 2025Adelaide Strikers Academy vs Perth Scorchers Academy – 06:00 AMChicago Kingsmen vs Pakistan Shaheens – 09:00 AMNepal vs Hobart Hurricanes Academy – 11:00 AMNorthern Territory Strike vs Bangladesh A – 03:00 PMAugust 20, 2025Chicago Kingsmen vs Australian Capital Territory – 06:00 AMMelbourne Stars Academy vs Perth Scorchers Academy – 09:00 AMNepal vs Melbourne Renegades Academy – 11:00 AMPakistan Shaheens vs Adelaide Strikers Academy – 03:00 PMAugust 21, 2025Melbourne Renegades Academy vs Hobart Hurricanes Academy – 06:00 AMAustralian Capital Territory vs Adelaide Strikers Academy – 09:00 AMNorthern Territory Strike vs Chicago Kingsmen – 11:00 AMBangladesh A vs Melbourne Stars Academy – 03:00 PMAugust 22, 2025Melbourne Renegades Academy vs Adelaide Strikers Academy – 07:00 AMNorthern Territory Strike vs Perth Scorchers Academy – 11:00 AMPakistan Shaheens vs Nepal – 03:00 PMadvertisementAugust 23, 2025Chicago Kingsmen vs Hobart Hurricanes Academy – 07:00 AMAustralian Capital Territory vs Melbourne Stars Academy – 10:00 AMBangladesh A vs Adelaide Strikers Academy – 01:00 PMAugust 24, 20252nd Semi-Final – T.B.C. vs T.B.C. – 06:00 AM1st Semi-Final – T.B.C. vs T.B.C. – 06:00 AMFinal – T.B.C. vs T.B.C. – 12:00 PM- Ends
NDTV
06-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Lathi Charge, Case Against 16 After Attempt To Divert Muharram Procession Route In Ujjain
Bhopal: Tensions flared during a Muharram procession in Ujjain's Begumbagh area when a group of men allegedly broke police barricades and attempted to divert the religious procession from its pre-approved route. The incident led to a mild lathi charge by police, injuries to two officers, and legal action against 16 people, including the procession organiser Irfan Khan alias Lalla. According to the police, the incident occurred during the traditional 9th Muharram horse procession. While the route had been decided and mutually agreed upon by the administration and community leaders in meetings held over the past ten days, Mr Khan and his associates allegedly attempted to divert the procession from the designated Khajurwali Masjid-Nikas Chauraha path towards Abdalpura. When stopped, they reportedly broke through police barricades, leading to chaos. "In the past ten days, multiple meetings were held with the Muslim community to finalise the procession route. Everyone signed an agreement. Despite this, the barricades were broken. Two policemen were injured, and mild force was used to disperse the crowd," said Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma. The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 191, 192, and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to obstruction of public servants and disobedience of lawful orders. CCTV footage from the area is being analysed to identify and arrest the other accused. The Seerat Committee - a group formed within Muslim communities dedicated to promoting the understanding of the Seerat (also known as Sirah), which refers to the life, character, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad - acknowledged the fault. Maqsood Ali, Joint Secretary of the Committee, said, "The police had clearly decided the route during prior meetings, and even a bond was signed. If any changes were required, they should have been communicated in those meetings. Violating the decided path was wrong, and those responsible must face action." The injured policemen are reported to be stable. Meanwhile, the Ujjain police have said they are conducting a thorough review to avoid such confrontations in the future.
Business Standard
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
DAEWOO India appoints EBG group as Strategic Partner for Home Appliances and Electronics Retail Expansion
EBG Group has partnered with DAEWOO a globally recognized Korean brand to exclusively extend their premium home appliances, electronics, and consumer goods to Indian market. This strategic alliance combines DAEWOO's cutting-edge technology and innovation with EBG's extensive marketing expertise and distribution networks. The association aims to disrupt India's home appliance and electronics retail by introducing high-quality, energy-efficient, and sustainable solutions tailored to modern Indian consumers. DAEWOO brings decades of technological innovation and high manufacturing standards, while EBG Group's deep understanding of Indian consumer preferences and retail operations positions it to successfully introduce and expand DAEWOO's products in India. According to Dr. Irfan Khan, Founder and CEO of EBG Group, 'the partnership aligns with EBG's long-term strategy to strengthen its market footprint, bringing premium appliances that meet the increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions. EBG Group will lead the retail and distribution expansion for DAEWOO Consumer Products across India, ensuring seamless access to products through a robust retail network and strong after-sales support. The focus is on creating a hassle-free shopping experience while providing consumers with reliable service infrastructure nationwide'. 'The partnership will introduce a range of high-performance, stylish and energy-efficient home appliances, including whole range of Home & Kitchen appliances as well as Smart home solutions, Mr. H. S. Bhatia, Managing Director, DAEWOO India said. With IoT-enabled devices and advanced energy-saving features, DAEWOO's products are designed to meet the needs of India's growing tech-savvy consumer base, who seek innovation, convenience, and sustainability. By combining technological advancements with deep market insights, both companies aim to bring premium, affordable, and high-tech solutions to Indian households, setting the stage for the next evolution in consumer electronics. 'EBG plans to create business opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs through an innovative franchise model. This initiative is expected to further strengthen DAEWOO's retail presence and empower local partners, with details to be announced soon', Mr. Hari Kiran, COO and Co-Founder of EBG Group said. 'We are excited to collaborate with Daewoo in bringing innovative, high-quality home appliances and electronics to India'. With DAEWOO brand EBG aim to develop a holistic ecosystem that enhances customer experience through reliable service, easy accessibility, and a nationwide after-sales network. About DAEWOO India DAEWOO is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of home appliances, electronics, and consumer goods. Known for its cutting-edge technology and commitment to quality, DAEWOO products are trusted by consumers around the world with presence in more than 70 countries. DAEWOO brand operates in India through their manufacturing and marketing partner M/s. Kelwon Electronics & Appliances Pvt. Ltd. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, DAEWOO continues to lead the way in creating products that make life easier, more comfortable, and more sustainable. About EBG Group EBG Group is a premier name in the Indian market, known for launching and managing premium tech and lifestyle brands. With an in-depth understanding of Indian consumer behaviour and a strong retail presence, EBG has built a reputation for providing innovative solutions and excellent customer experiences. Through this strategic partnership with DAEWOO, EBG aims to redefine the home appliances and electronics market in India.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
LA Superintendent Speaks Out Against Trump Immigration Raids
Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho addresses a press conference on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA. Credit - Irfan Khan—LosI am the leader of the second-largest public school system in the country. I am also a proud American—and once, I was an undocumented immigrant. My journey to citizenship is not just a personal story; it is a story that deeply informs how I lead, how I teach, and how I serve the over 520,000 students who attend Los Angeles Unified schools. This country gave me the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to give back. I became an educator because I believe in the promise of public education. And I became a superintendent to protect it. This week, I cheered as our youngest students culminated from Kindergarten and crossed their first academic finish lines. They were celebrated, beamed with pride, and hugged the teachers who helped them grow. In those moments, I saw the future: bright, diverse, and full of possibility. But in the same week, I also stood beside families gripped with fear. Some of them have lived in our city for decades. Some arrived more recently, escaping violence, persecution, and poverty. All of them have entrusted their children to our care. And now, many of them are facing the unimaginable. In recent months, the federal government has sent immigration agents into our communities—sometimes directly to or near schools. They have questioned parents and, in some cases, spoken with students. Federal immigration agents have driven through neighborhoods with visible tactical gear and vehicles and set up checkpoints outside of workplaces. And this weekend, the National Guard was deployed in our city. To be clear: no preschooler, no first grader, no high school sophomore on their way to class poses any risk to the national security of the United States. And yet, the response we are seeing looks more like a military operation than an immigration process. The result is widespread trauma, fear, and distrust—particularly in our schools, where children should feel safest. We are hearing reports of families hiding in their homes. Students too afraid to come to school. Parents who feel they must choose between a child's education and the risk of detention. These are not hypotheticals. They are the lived experiences of students and families in my district. Los Angeles Unified schools are—and will remain—safe and welcoming spaces for every child, regardless of immigration status. That is not just our commitment, it is the law. The U.S. Supreme Court has held for over four decades that every child, regardless of citizenship, has a constitutional right to a free public education. That means our doors stay open. No child should miss school because of fear. Still, I would be lying if I said fear doesn't exist. And that is precisely why superintendents—and all leaders—must speak up now. School is not just a place to learn reading, math, and science. It is also the place where students receive food, mental health resources, and physical care. Schools are the heart of a community. For many children, it is the only place where they feel truly safe, truly seen. When federal actions create chaos outside our school gates, it is our responsibility to speak out and protect the sanctity of what happens inside them. As a former undocumented immigrant, I know this fear. I have felt it. I have lived with the uncertainty of whether a knock at the door meant separation from everything I loved. I also know what it means to be given a chance—to study, to contribute, to lead. And that makes what's happening in our communities now all the more painful. Because these children, these families, are just like I once was. The question now is: What kind of country do we want to be? I believe we must be a nation that protects children before politics. A nation that recognizes education not as a bargaining chip, but as a birthright. A nation that honors the incredible courage and contributions of immigrant families who are the backbone of our workforce, our schools, and our future. We need federal policies that are humane, lawful, and consistent with our values. That means halting enforcement actions near schools and community centers. It means clear communication with local jurisdictions. It means permanent protections for Dreamers and long-term immigration reform grounded in dignity and opportunity—not fear. Locally, we must continue investing in services that support our students: mental health care, trauma-informed counseling, family legal support, and robust outreach so that families know their rights and know they are not alone. And to the voters reading this: your voice matters. We cannot build a just education system without a just immigration system. The next election, at every level, will help decide whether our schools remain sanctuaries of learning or become battlegrounds for political theater. As superintendent, my charge is clear: I will do everything in my power to make sure every child—documented or not—feels safe, supported, and seen in our schools. Because the future of this country sits in our classrooms every day. And how we treat them will define who we are and what happens next in our nation. We can choose fear. Or we can choose hope. I know what I choose. Do you? Contact us at letters@
