Latest news with #Sprints
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zoho Launches Projects Plus, a Unified, Data-Driven, and AI-rich Project Management Platform Empowering Mid-sized and Enterprise Organizations
New platform supports evolving Enterprise customer needs after Zoho Projects registers 20% YoY growth in 2024 and three-fold increase in migration from third-party apps AUSTIN, Texas, March 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoho Corporation, a global technology company, today launched Projects Plus, a flexible, collaborative new platform providing data- and intelligence-driven project management for mid-sized and large organizations. Through native integration of four key Zoho applications—Projects, WorkDrive, Analytics, and Sprints—Projects Plus enables asynchronous collaboration, seamless file management, real-time business intelligence, and Agile or Waterfall workflows. Building on Zoho Projects, which doubled its revenue growth in 2024 due to migration away from third-party apps, with 55% of new users migrating from Microsoft Projects and JIRA, Projects Plus drives superior value to mid-sized and enterprise organizations by addressing their operational complexity. Projects Plus, now a platform, expands across four key areas: data democratization, AI, hybrid project management, and collaborative work management. While 18% of Enterprise customers deployed both Zoho Projects and Zoho Analytics, Projects Plus directly addresses these advanced needs by consolidating the two, and more, into a singular, efficient solution. "Virtuoso's journey to Zoho began when we decided to move from Microsoft Dynamics to reduce operating costs and increase efficiencies in 2020; since then, we've expanded our enterprise usage and employ a number of Zoho apps across our organization," says Steve Wooster, Vice President of Operations at Virtuoso, "Leveraging Zoho Projects for enterprise-wide projects has increased visibility, improved communication and coordination across divisions, and ultimately led to more successful project delivery. Now, with Projects Plus, that functionality has increased while offering ease of use. Having Projects Plus directly connect between Zoho Projects, Sprints, and Analytics reduces friction by ensuring teams maintain a full, transparent view of company priorities and the ability to customize data use by department." "The Projects Plus Platform launch underscores Zoho's continued commitment to meeting customers where they are," says Evelyn McMullen, Research Manager at Nucleus Research. "For customers who are not yet ready to adopt more advanced project management capabilities, the new offering stands as an option available to them as their requirements evolve over time. For large enterprises, the platform is designed to meet the specific needs of organizations in complex verticals, such as e-commerce, construction, manufacturing, and automotive. Overall, this move supports Zoho's upmarket trajectory while offering different levels of functionality to support the entirety of its broad client base." Business Intelligence Leading to Project Democratization Project management is rapidly evolving with the advent of Data-Driven Project Management (DDPM), shifting from intuition-based decisions to a focus on data and analytics. Projects Plus utilizes this approach, harnessing data across various aspects, such as time tracking, budgeting, task completion, and team and deliverability metrics and transforming them into actionable insights for smarter decision making. This includes: Predictive Analysis: Using historical data to predict risks, estimate timelines, and anticipate resource needs, predictive analysis is essential for forecasting future project outcomes and allows for proactive project planning and risk management. Progress Tracking and Bottleneck Analysis: Traditional project management relied on static tools like Gantt charts to track project progress. With analytics, project managers can now utilize real-time dashboards that provide dynamic and up-to-date insights into project status. Quality Control Analytics: Analytics can be employed to implement robust quality control measures throughout the project lifecycle. By analyzing data related to project deliverables, project managers can ensure that each component meets predefined standards. Easier, Faster, Stronger Project Management with Zia Advanced AI/ML capabilities introduced to Projects Plus via Zia, Zoho's in-house AI engine, automate complex data analyses and provide predictive insights, reshaping the role of project managers into strategic, data-savvy leaders and allowing for: Improved Efficiency and Productivity: By analyzing data on project performance, businesses can identify areas where processes can be streamlined and optimized. For example, data analytics can reveal bottlenecks in the project timeline, take corrective action, and keep the project on track. Smarter Resource Allocation: Determine where resources are being underutilized or overutilized to optimize resource allocation and employ the right people to the right tasks by taking their skills into account. Accurate Forecasting and Planning: Make more accurate predictions about future project outcomes and adjust plans accordingly to avoid delays and cost overruns, leading to more successful projects overall. Projects Plus integrates easily across Zoho's extensive software suite as well as third-party software including Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and popular repository management, collaboration, customer service, and analytics tools. "Like many of our Enterprise solutions, Zoho Projects Plus was developed to deliver supreme value and meet the needs our customers had been demonstrating within our software suite, particularly between Zoho Projects and Zoho Analytics," says Raju Vegesna, Chief Evangelist at Zoho. "Projects Plus synthesizes the latest AI-driven tools, data-first analytics, and privacy-focused protections into software that anticipates the evolving needs of international Enterprise organizations, expanding Zoho's global reach." Pricing and Availability Projects Plus is available for immediate use globally. In the US, Projects Plus is priced at $16 per user per month, 27% lower than combining Projects, Sprints, Workdrive and Analytics a la carte. For regional pricing, go to Disclaimer: All trademarks, product names, and company names cited herein are the property of their respective owners. Analyst Statements (In Alphabetical Order by Firm Name) "Zoho's Projects Plus Platform takes several leading Zoho apps and combines them, while embedding native AI and security features, to provide a multi-dimension offering. Projects Plus' unified platform provides enhanced value and ease of use for customers, improving worker productivity and team collaboration while elevating collaborative work management." - CommFusion Research, Blair Pleasant, President & Principal Analyst "With Zoho Projects Plus, organizations can embrace a future where project management is not just about tracking deadlines but about leveraging AI, automation, and unified workspaces to predict, optimize, and transform outcomes. By integrating hybrid project management, collaborative work management, and a powerful layer of data analytics with contextually embedded AI across all applications, Zoho is furthering its support for mid-market and Enterprise companies by redefining how teams execute seamlessly and intelligently." - InFlow Analysis, Dave Smith, Founder and Principal Analyst "Zoho's launch of Projects Plus reinforces its commitment to providing businesses across industries with a flexible and accessible project management solution. Its adaptability makes it particularly valuable for industries like construction and manufacturing, where efficient project execution is critical. With its competitive pricing and broad industry appeal, Zoho continues to strengthen its position in the market. While differentiation remains a challenge in a crowded space, Zoho's emphasis on usability and cost-effectiveness ensures it remains a compelling choice for businesses seeking a scalable project management platform." - Info-Tech Research Group, Thomas Randall, Research Lead "The connected and collaborative work market keeps evolving with an increasing focus on individual productivity, complex project support and AI-enabled insights. Zoho Projects Plus is timely as Zoho expands its footprint in the Enterprise business, and project management can be a big accelerator. Its ability to support hybrid projects is important as large Enterprise clients may have several projects following different project management methodologies. In addition, its data democratization enhancement with third-party integrations is a relevant feature to consider within large enterprise client setups. AI usage has expanded the scope of these solutions, and vendors generating content and insights leveraging AI will add further value. All this is enabled by Zoho's continued focus on security and compliance, making it a compelling solution for enterprises." - ISG Research, Mrinal Rai, Assistant Director and Principal Analyst "Zoho Projects Plus Platform integrates project management, data, AI, and content management tools seamlessly. Eliminating the need to juggle multiple apps and offering a single, unified experience. With a sleek UI and a focus on ease of use, Zoho Projects Plus platform removes the friction from within, so teams can focus on what really matters: getting things done." - Let's Do Video, David Maldow, Founder & CEO "Many enterprises struggle with fragmented project data, making it difficult to derive actionable insights without a cohesive platform that integrates project management, collaboration, and analytics. This fragmentation can lead to delayed decision-making and inefficiencies, especially for dispersed teams. Zoho Projects Plus aims to solve this problem by offering a unified environment for data aggregation and analysis. Additionally, its integrated security measures are designed to meet the needs of remote work environments." - Moor Insights & Strategy, Melody Brue, VP & Principal Analyst Zoho Privacy Pledge Zoho is committed to user privacy and does not rely on an ad-revenue business model. The company owns and operates its data centers, providing full oversight of customer data privacy and security. Over 100 million users globally, across hundreds of thousands of companies, trust Zoho to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit: About Zoho With over 55 apps across nearly every major business category, Zoho Corporation is one of the world's most prolific technology companies. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with international headquarters in Chennai, India, Zoho is privately held and profitable, employing more than 18,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit: View source version on Contacts Media Contacts Sam Sandra Loslo@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Arab News
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
‘A Dream Come True': Elisa Longo Borghini and UAE Team ADQ make history at the women's tour
'A dream come true.' For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Those were the words of an elated Melissa Moncada, head of team at UAE Team ADQ, after her squad made history on Sunday by securing the overall win at their home race. The UAE Tour Women, part of the Women's WorldTour — the highest tier of women's cycling — has been a key target for the team since the race's first edition in 2023. Along with team classification, Italian star Elisa Longo Borghini claimed the prestigious general classification red jersey for UAE Team ADQ, with teammate Silvia Persico securing second in the GC. Karlijn Swinkels placed fifth overall, while Lara Gillespie claimed the black jersey in the Intermediate Sprints Classification — a remarkable achievement on her Women's WorldTour debut after being called up from the UAE squad's development team. Teammates Elynor Backstedt and sprinter Sofie van Rooijen, who bounced back from a crash on stage one, provided crucial support throughout the four days of racing. Longo Borghini's decisive attack on Jebel Hafeet on Stage 3 proved to be the turning point. With Persico setting a relentless pace, Longo Borghini launched a perfectly timed attack 3 km from the finish line, securing a dominant victory and virtually sealing the overall title. Following Longo Borghini was Persico in second place. The team's overall triumph was sealed on the final Stage 4 on Sunday, despite Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Protime dominating the sprint finishes, winning three of the four stages. A pivotal moment Speaking to Arab News at the end of the tour about the crucial moment in the race, Moncada praised the entire team's effort, particularly the dynamic between Longo Borghini and Persico on Stage 3. 'Persico really is an athlete that can defend and fight for the victory of the leader,' said Moncada. 'Even though she brought Elisa to the amazing position that she was in, she fought to the end and arrived in second position. It's like they almost crossed the line together, so it was amazing.' For Persico, who has known Longo Borghini for years but had never raced alongside her until now, the partnership felt instinctive. 'It really seemed that we were always racing together. We just understand each other really well,' said Persico. 'I just started to work at the bottom of the climb and I was just pacing a bit hard. I wanted to drop as many girls as possible. And then when Elisa attacked, in my mind I was 'okay, job finished, I can rest.' But then I saw that I was feeling pretty good — a bit tired, yes, of course. And I said, 'okay, I'll try to do my best for the achievement, so maybe second place.' And yeah, I didn't give up and, in the end, I finished second.' Reflections on a team victory At the team presentations at the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy on Sunday morning, ahead of the final day of racing, Longo Borghini — who won the race's inaugural edition in 2023 and counts the 2024 Giro d'Italia Women and Tour of Flanders among her many victories — reflected on her Stage 3 win. 'The race was very spectacular,' she said, acknowledging the crucial role her team played. 'Everyone was really committed to trying to win the stage and take the overall, and then you saw how the team was racing — it was pretty incredible.' Following the conclusion of the race, with UAE Team ADQ securing first and second in the GC, the sprinter classification, and the team classification, Longo Borghini emphasized the unity that led to their dominant performance. 'It feels quite amazing,' she said. 'From the very beginning of the season, the team pointed out that they wanted us to perform well here in the UAE. And of course, we came here for GC, but in the end, we are walking away with first and second on GC, the sprinter classification, and the team classification. And the one I'm the most proud of is the team classification because it shows how strong we were throughout these four days. And it's really been a team victory.' Longo Borghini, in the first year of a three-year contract with UAE Team ADQ, has firmly established herself as a cornerstone of the team's ambitions and according to both management and riders, the team is unified and riding as one. 'You can see the unity there. It's not forced,' said Cherie Pridham, UAE Team ADQ's head of sport. 'It's been actually one of my best weeks on a cycling team. To do that with these girls has been amazing. To have a leader like Elisa Longo Borghini with us, she just raises the bar and raises everybody's expectations — and ours as well, the staff — it's incredible.' The rise of women's cycling This UAE Tour Women was not only a historic moment for UAE Team ADQ but also for women's professional cycling. With crosswind conditions setting the scene, the UAE Tour Women set a record for the fastest-ever average speed in a Women's WorldTour race on Day 2, with an average speed of 48.407 km/h over the 111 km Al-Mirfa Sprint Stage. The leading group of five riders — including Longo Borghini, Lorena Wiebes, Lara Gillespie, Karlijn Swinkels, and Human Powered Health's Lily Williams — broke away early and held off the peloton. Pridham, a trailblazer as the first woman to hold a sport director role on a men's WorldTour team — a role she held prior to joining UAE Team ADQ — emphasized to Arab News at the conclusion of the race the significance of the race and the team's victory, highlighting the rapid evolution and growing professionalism of women's cycling, and in particular, UAE Team ADQ. 'I mean, we knew we were capable of it, and the work that we've all done in the background — the management continuously growing the team — it's just incredible,' she said. 'I'm lost for words. And I'm delighted for Melissa and the team, the management, and everyone that's put so much work and belief into this. The way the girls rode yesterday is just astounding. 'It's history. It really is,' she added. 'To see the sport grow — from where I was 25 years ago to how quickly it has evolved in just the last three years — it's unbelievable. And the way we operate at UAE Team ADQ is on par, I would say sometimes even better, than our men's team. I put myself on the line saying this, but women's cycling is definitely on the up, and it's incredible to be part of the growth.' The race's growing stature has not gone unnoticed by other teams. Oskar Scarsbrook, director of communications at Human Powered Health — a US-based team that elevated its women's squad to WorldTour status before its men's team — praised the event's prominence on the racing calendar. 'It's only been going on for three years, but it already feels like a statement piece on the WorldTour calendar. It's like, 'yeah, of course you're going to UAE in February for the UAE Tour.' It already feels like it has pride of place at the start of the year purely because of how good the racing has been.' One key factor contributing to the race's growing prestige is its comprehensive TV coverage, showcasing the intensity of competition from start to finish. 'TV coverage is the biggest thing with that,' he added. 'We've been lucky here because we've had it from kilometer one, which is massive. The crosswind stage on day two? The racing was quite literally from kilometer zero. In previous years, you would have joined with 40 minutes to go, and it would be like, 'okay, right, this is what happened.' And you'd have missed all the exciting stuff that set up what came later.' With the thrilling racing of the UAE Tour Women concluded, and the season just beginning, Longo Borghini and UAE Team ADQ have set the bar high. 'I'm very proud of every single teammate who made this possible,' she said. 'And I hope this is just the beginning.' Dawn Barnable is the founder and host of 'The Mettleset Podcast,' a platform dedicated to women in sport from across the region
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sprints organized the second edition of 'TechShift 2025' to emphasize artificial intelligence and innovation
In a move that reinforces its position as one of the leading companies in educational technology, Sprints organized the second edition of the 'TechShift Summit 2025' at the Greek Campus of the American University in Downtown Cairo. The summit follows the great success of the first edition, aiming to bridge the gap between the needs of businesses and the skills available in the job market, with a focus on developing emerging talents and enhancing the capabilities of recent graduates to compete both locally and internationally. Wide Participation and Engagement from Tech Leaders The event saw the attendance of more than 4,000 participants, including university students and recent graduates, along with a group of prominent technology leaders and experts, enriching the discussions and enhancing the role of tech talent in shaping the future of technology globally. Over 130 Discussions and 50 Workshops The summit featured more than 130 discussion sessions and 50 workshops, with participation from 150 speakers who are top specialists in the technology sector, including Dr. Ayman Farid – Assistant Minister of Higher Education, and Dr. Heba Saleh – Head of the Information Technology Institute. The summit also witnessed wide participation from companies and government entities, including the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), which dedicated a booth to showcase its programs supporting students and graduates, in addition to Banque Misr and several leading institutions. Launch of HiRemoters Platform: New Opportunities for Freelancing in AI. As part of its efforts to enhance remote work opportunities and empower youth to earn in foreign currency, Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints, announced the development of the HiRemoters platform, which will provide opportunities for Egyptian tech talents to work in multiple international markets. Bazara explained that the platform will offer applicants a comprehensive assessment phase, followed by intensive training programs to ensure their readiness to work with global companies. "Thanks to its ambitious initiatives, Sprints reinforces its position as a driving force in the field of educational technology and digital innovation, committed to supporting young talents and preparing them to compete in global markets." Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints highlighted. Sprints: Global Achievements and Wide Impact in the Tech Sector Sprints continues its successes in developing digital skills, having grduated thousands of technology specialists who secured outstanding jobs in global companies. The company has also received several prestigious awards, including: - One of the top 3 startups in Africa – Africa's Business Heroes competition launched by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. - One of the most innovative 200 startups globally – GSV Cup competition. - Among the top 50 edtech startups worldwide – HolonIQ ranking. - Best startup in North Africa – Huawei's startup competition.
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sprints organizes the second edition of 'TechShift 2025'
Cairo: In a move that reinforces its position as one of the leading companies in educational technology, Sprints organized the second edition of the 'TechShift Summit 2025' at the Greek Campus of the American University in Downtown Cairo. The summit follows the great success of the first edition, aiming to bridge the gap between the needs of businesses and the skills available in the job market, with a focus on developing emerging talents and enhancing the capabilities of recent graduates to compete both locally and internationally. Wide Participation and Engagement from Tech Leaders The event saw the attendance of more than 4,000 participants, including university students and recent graduates, along with a group of prominent technology leaders and experts, enriching the discussions and enhancing the role of tech talent in shaping the future of technology globally. Over 130 Discussions and 50 Workshops The summit featured more than 130 discussion sessions and 50 workshops, with participation from 150 speakers who are top specialists in the technology sector, including Dr. Ayman Farid – Assistant Minister of Higher Education, and Dr. Heba Saleh – Head of the Information Technology Institute. The summit also witnessed wide participation from companies and government entities, including the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), which dedicated a booth to showcase its programs supporting students and graduates, in addition to Banque Misr and several leading institutions. Launch of HiRemoters Platform: New Opportunities for Freelancing in AI. As part of its efforts to enhance remote work opportunities and empower youth to earn in foreign currency, Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints, announced the development of the HiRemoters platform, which will provide opportunities for Egyptian tech talents to work in multiple international markets. Bazara explained that the platform will offer applicants a comprehensive assessment phase, followed by intensive training programs to ensure their readiness to work with global companies. "Thanks to its ambitious initiatives, Sprints reinforces its position as a driving force in the field of educational technology and digital innovation, committed to supporting young talents and preparing them to compete in global markets." Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints highlighted. *Sprints: Global Achievements and Wide Impact in the Tech Sector* Sprints continues its successes in developing digital skills, having graduated thousands of technology specialists who secured outstanding jobs in global companies. The company has also received several prestigious awards, including: - One of the top 3 startups in Africa – Africa's Business Heroes competition launched by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. - One of the most innovative 200 startups globally – GSV Cup competition. - Among the top 50 edtech startups worldwide – HolonIQ ranking. - Best startup in North Africa – Huawei's startup competition.
