Eva Lawrence is the Head of EMEA for Figment, the leading provider of blockchain infrastructure, providing staking solutions for institutions. In this episode, Eva and Pete Townsend talk through Eva's evolution from a legal mind into institutional trading and her slow-burn crypto awakening before jumping from the institutional world into the great wide open of crypto back in 2018.

We also step through why Eva's role at Figment is such a fit for her, before talking through the importance of staking now and into the future, and then we use the Wayback Machine that is X/Twitter to figure out what makes Eva do what she does.

Eva Lawrence has a diverse career across law, trading, business development, and strategy. Eva has been in the crypto space since 2018 and was previously COO of Arcane Crypto, a Nordic-listed crypto platform. She has 8+ years of experience in finance, primarily at Morgan Stanley, where she was Head of EMEA Flow Trading for Securities Lending after working in FX Prime Brokerage. In addition, Eva is a UK-qualified lawyer, with experience in digital assets, securities, funds, and financial services.

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Episode title inspired by Evolution by Joyner Lucas

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Guest post by John Bailey, Sales Manager, Enterprise Division, Logicalis

In the world of business right now, the two most prominent topics are arguably sustainability and Artificial Intelligence (AI). While these two subjects might not seem to have a lot in common other than their topicality, they do share a number of similarities.

Increasingly, business leaders are having discussions about the impact of sustainability and AI on their day-to-day operations. Although, there is still a lack of understanding in terms of how to fully embrace and capitalise on their potential to achieve business objectives. Furthermore, the level of compliance and reporting around sustainable practices and AI deployment is intensifying.

Despite these challenges, the time for organisations to act and put strategies in place across Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) and AI is now. After all, operating sustainably is fast becoming a prerequisite for businesses as consumers, partners and suppliers have a definite preference for working with organisations with strong green credentials.

Meanwhile, since the launch of ChatGPT - and its crowning as the fastest application to reach 100M active monthly users - AI has moved from the realm of science fiction to an innovative, accessible and revolutionary tool which can be used for business purposes across many industries.

Taking that opportunity to drive growth (by having sustainable operations) and streamline operations (through AI solutions) and turning it into a reality can be difficult, with many organisations unsure of how to practically implement either in a way that is effective and also ethical.

Getting in line with governance

Governments and organisations are currently implementing or preparing legislation for sustainability and AI, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU AI Act, which means that companies need to tread carefully when it comes to developing strategies and deploying solutions.

In sustainability, this means being mindful of what the regulations are and devising a plan that enables them to meet them. It also means looking at the entire picture and ensuring that no area is left out. Quite often, when looking at ESG, the focus is skewed towards the environmental element, leaving the social and governance aspects forgotten.

By being proactive, instead of reactive, about achieving ESG goals and upholding requirements, business can open themselves up to a wealth of advantages that benefit the environment, their customers, and their business. Enacting effective environmental policies makes business sense from a reputational and customer perspective and also removes the possibility of penalties for non-compliance, such as fines.

Having access to a wealth of data regarding green credentials - including carbon emissions - can be incredibly valuable in terms of new business insights, new efficiencies and even new business models. That's where AI can add considerable value in this space and support companies on their sustainability journey.

However, it's imperative that companies carefully choose the source of AI (opting for enterprise-grade as opposed to open source) and put controls in place to ensure it is working effectively, accurately and securely. The bottom line on AI is that businesses and users must be able to trust the source, which should be explicable, fair, robust, transparent and privacy-aware.

Leading the way

It's clear that across both sustainability and AI, there is still a great deal of work to be done by businesses to ensure compliance and uphold ethics while driving success. But this effort is worth it because those that invest the time and take the lead will be in prime position to be competitive and innovative, making them stand out from the crowd.

IBM are a great example of an early adopter in both spaces, with the company publishing the first Environmental Impact Policy in 1971 and creating an AI ethics board and compl...

Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer passionate about workplace equity, and whose published works cover sociology, politics, business, education, health, and more.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been in the news in recent months, leading to much speculation and excitement over where, exactly, the lightning-fast pace of innovation may lead. The impact of AI innovation on the food industry is still only faintly understood but its promise is immense.

How AI Safeguards and Elevates Food Quality

According to a March 10, 2023 report from The Food Institute, major industry players, including Campbell's Soup, Domino's Pizza, and other international chains and manufacturers are increasingly integrating AI. These technologies are increasingly being implemented in food production, shipping, and preparation processes, spurring efficiency and quality while reducing waste. AI innovations appear poised to revolutionize the food industry in myriad ways, maximizing both the safety and the quality of the food we eat.

Sensing Freshness (Smartly)

The modern food supply is truly a global network, with products shipped from the furthest corners of the globe to your friendly neighborhood grocery daily. But the variety, accessibility, and affordability of products that such globalization makes possible can often come at the price of both freshness and quality. From shipping delays to improper temperature and humidity controls, long-distance transport puts food products at risk not only of spoilage but also of a deterioration in overall quality.

One of the most important ways in which AI technologies are enhancing the safety and quality of the food industry lies in the integration of AI-powered smart sensors across the supply chain.

AI-powered smart sensors can reduce or even eliminate such risks in a variety of ways. These sensors can continuously monitor environmental conditions and alert shippers and stakeholders to potentially unsafe conditions. Automated systems may even regulate temperature and humidity to ensure consistently optimal shipping and storage conditions.

Not only this, but the predictive capacities of AI technologies make it possible for shippers to choose the most efficient routes and respond promptly to changing conditions. AI analytics can detect and even predict delays in shipping routes and redirect shipments to the most efficient alternate route.

The result of such continuous monitoring and predictive analysis in the food supply is fresher and higher quality food with significantly less food waste.

volving with the Markets

Anyone who's spent any time in the food industry knows that consumers' tastes, both literally and figuratively, are always evolving. And this is another domain in which AI innovations show enormous promise. The recent surge of interest in pre and probiotics for gut health, for example, has led to skyrocketing demand for fermented foods, such as kombucha. According to a June 2023 report from Statista, the global market for fermented foods is estimated to grow from roughly $575 billion USD in 2022 to nearly $10 billion in 2032.

However, getting these foods to the precise level of fermentation is not always an easy task. AI monitoring optimizes the process not only by establishing the exact environmental conditions required for precision fermentation but also by analyzing the products' response. This includes the continuous monitoring of gasses emitted by certain proteins during the fermentation process. AI sensors are uniquely equipped to identify the exact moment when a product has reached the ideal stage of fermentation for optimal taste, nutritional value, and quality.

Ensuring Authenticity

The sheer size and scope of the global food industry today has wrought profound benefits for consumers, producers, and retailers alike. Unfortunately, these same attributes have also opened up vulnerabilities that bad actors have relentlessly seized upon

Fraud in the food industry has become ubiquitous, contributin...

A prototype app in development at the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics at Dublin City University could offer pedestrians and cyclists a 17.87 per cent reduction in pollution exposure, initial tests have shown.

A recent investigation by the Guardian newspaper revealed that 98 per cent of Europeans are breathing highly damaging polluted air linked to 400,000 deaths a year. A report published by the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday found that air quality in Ireland is generally good despite some concerning localised issues in cities and towns.

By commuting to work by bike or on foot, commuters could be breathing in high levels of pollutants; extended exposure to nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide can leave pedestrians and cyclists at risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems. In addition, microscopic particles in exhaust fumes have the ability to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system when inhaled, leading to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Recent research has indicated that individuals living in more polluted areas are at a greater risk of developing chronic illnesses such as asthma, allergies and cancer. These associated health issues cost the Irish state approximately €2.3 billion a year.

The Insight SFI Centre team at DCU used data analysis, refining and supplementing the publicly available Google Air Quality dataset for Dublin, to build a database capable of suggesting green travel routes for those travelling the city.

Primarily intended for cyclists sharing the road with cars, users can enter pollutants they wish to avoid into the app. User preferences are then fed into an algorithm which calculates a route using the dataset. Users are then shown their quickest and least polluted routes on an interactive map.

The team carried out a number of experiments using the app and found that in most cases, the rate of pollutants avoided exceeds the rate of distance increase. Ultimately, the app offers a viable trade-off between reducing pollutant inhalation and the increase in trip distance.

The team set out on this project intending to positively impact public health and encourage more people to make more sustainable travel choices without compromising their own health.

"Promoting active transportation modes such as walking and cycling over fossil-fuelled vehicles is critical in encouraging people to move towards greener transportation options," said Dr Mingming Liu. "However, at present, active transportation users such as walkers, runners and cyclists have very limited awareness of the pollution levels in their surroundings, making them susceptible to various health risks while walking or cycling on the roads."

Dr Mingming Liu is an Assistant Professor in the School of Electronic Engineering at DCU and a funded investigator at the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics. This project involved a multi-disciplinary team including Insight CEO and DCU professor Noel O'Connor, Sen Yan, Shaoshu Zhu, Jaime B. Fernandez, Eric Arazo Sanchez, ' Yingqi Gu, and David O'Connor.

By Stuart Cottrell, Head of Energy Services and Government Partnerships who looks at the importance of zero emission trucks.

Trucks equipped with batteries or powered by hydrogen fuel cells must constitute the overwhelming majority of new truck sales by 2040, in line with regulatory initiatives aimed at curbing CO2 emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

We need to be bolder on zero emission truck (ZET) adoption

However, even these ambitions don't go far enough. The imperative of transitioning to zero-emission road freight cannot be overstated, given its crucial role in addressing climate change and enhancing public health. Notably, road transport stands as one of the most significant sources of air pollution, resulting in approximately 350,000 premature deaths annually within the European Union alone.

For this reason, we are members of the Transport Decarbonisation Alliance, advocating for a transformative shift, urging that all new freight trucks achieve zero-emissions status by 2035. This would align the commercial freight sector with the effective phasing out of fossil-fuel passenger cars by the same deadline.

Currently, we are participating in Climate Week NYC, focusing on how we can expedite the shift to zero-emission trucks (ZET) as part of the ZET Policy Group. While we acknowledge that progress takes time, we emphasise that swift action is needed and expect to develop a workable and attainable roadmap for faster adoption.

Encouragingly, the technology required to achieve zero-emission road freight is either already available or poised to become viable for nearly all applications. At our advanced manufacturing facility in London, we are producing the Tevva 7.5-t battery-electric truck, with a capacity to manufacture up to 3,000 trucks annually. Additionally, Tevva has developed 7.5t and 19t hydrogen-electric trucks for global markets, with the former successfully completing a 620 mile (1,000 km) demonstration run from Tevva HQ to the Scottish border and back earlier this year.

Fleet operators are increasingly eager to embrace electric trucks, recognizing that reducing emissions aligns with long-term business goals and can deliver immediate reductions in total cost of ownership (TCO). Nevertheless, the economic viability of zero-emission long-haul trucking poses certain challenges. Constraints on charging and refuelling infrastructure, as well as the need for clarity on how TCO savings are demonstrated, loom large. Tevva is actively collaborating with its partners and customers to address these critical factors. We are confident that our electric trucks will not only save organisations money over the vehicle's lifetime but also enhance fleet and driver performance.

Meeting the proposed reduction targets will undoubtedly be a formidable task unless these issues are effectively addressed. Accelerating deployment necessitates more robust policy support from governments. A blueprint can be found in the generous tax credits and grants outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the United States. These policies are already attracting investments in the clean-vehicle supply chain,in contrast to the relatively less comprehensive policies in Europe.

This presents an opportunity for legislators in other regions, particularly in Europe, to exhibit bold leadership. The prospects of widespread zero-emission truck adoption and our journey toward a climate-neutral future depend on it.

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Research suggests that the microbiome enterotype and the prenatal hormones combined act as a predictor of the proneness to chronic disorders and food allergies.

What makes some people more prone to chronic disorders? DervalResearch conducted a research study on subjects with different types of microbiome.

Microbiome enterotype and prenatal hormones predictor of illness

The microbiome, whether in the gut, in the mouth, or on the skin - is composed of a variety of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Based on thousands of measurements and DNA sequencing performed across the globe, 3 main microbiome enterotypes have emerged (E1-Bacteroides, E2-Prevotella, and E3-Ruminococcus). Even though we are all unique, DervalResearch scientists observed that people with a similar Microbiome Enterotype shared comparable behavior and preferences.

The microbiome enterotypes were identified via fecal Next Generation DNA-sequencing and the prenatal hormones were evaluated with the digit ratio technique. Subjects listed the chronic disorders they suffered from and documented their eating behavior and preferences.

The composition and diversity of the gut microbiome has been known to be linked to chronic diseases, as was the role of prenatal hormones but the research conducted by DervalResearch is the first one to consider both variables

"Subjects with a Bacteroides microbiome enterotype (E1) and/or more influenced by prenatal testosterone presented a higher prevalence of chronic disorders, including food allergies" highlighted Prof. Diana Derval, Chief Investigator of DervalResearch, and in charge of the novel research program.

The chronic diseases reported included: atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, anorexia nervosa (AN), obesity, and osteoporosis. The reported food allergies were related to cereals and milk and the avoidance of the sensitizing foods was associated with a general improvement of the health perception, including chronic diseases.

DervalResearch just presented the findings "Microbiome enterotype, prenatal hormones, and proneness to chronic diseases" at the Physiology in Focus 2023 conference in Tallinn, Estonia. This first joint meeting of the Scandinavian Physiological Society (SPS), the Federation of European Physiological Societies (FEPS), and the Baltic Physiological Societies. was supported by the Tallinn University of Technology and the University of Tartu.

A certified B Corp, DervalResearch specializes in decoding people's behavior and preferences with biosciences, and previous publications linked for instance the microbiome and beauty OCD to cosmetics preferences.

The promising research study considering for the first time the combined effect of people's microbiomal and hormonal makeup could open new prevention avenues in the field of chronic diseases and food allergies. Targeted health and nutrition plans by microbiome enterotype and hormonal fingerprint seem to be the key to a better immune system.

Based on the observations made during the study, DervalResearch teams designed Microbiot, an intelligent web-based bot that helps evaluate one's microbiome. The tool is available via DervalResearch website or by scanning the QR code. To be 100% sure, a laboratory analysis is still needed, of course.

See more breaking stories here.

In the wake of a new wave of impersonation scams, Bank of Ireland is warning customers to be extra vigilant in their interactions with businesses online, and when responding to unsolicited or unexpected texts, emails or phone calls.

The current spike in fraudulent activity has occurred as Bank of Ireland launches a major national fraud awareness campaign to warn customers of the prevalence of fraud, with 96% of consumers believing they will be targeted in the next six months and 82% saying they are targeted at least once per month.

The most common forms of impersonation fraud involve people receiving calls, texts or emails from fraudsters posing as a parcel delivery company (80%), a road toll provider (55%) or their bank (49%).

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland, said: "Unfortunately, fraud and cybercrime have become part of people's everyday lives. Our research conducted by Red C shows this, with 82% of people saying they are targeted by fraudsters at least once per month, and 36% as frequently as once per week. Most people who have been a victim of fraud said they fell for the scam because they were distracted or too busy at the time. Which underlines the need for vigilance.

"Impersonation is at the root of the majority of fraud in circulation for both our personal and business customers. We are regularly seeing fraudsters sending texts posing as delivery companies, road toll and government agencies. Parents are being targeted by impersonating children in need of urgent help, to prey on their vulnerabilities and prompt a reaction. Businesses are receiving calls from fraudsters impersonating their bank and duping them into allowing them access to their companies' accounts. These are cynical criminals, whose main goal is to access people's bank accounts and steal their money.

"That's why we are reminding customers that, often, all is not what it seems, as fraudsters continue to impersonate trusted businesses and organisations, including banks. The message is: Stop, Think, Check - access your banking only through the official mobile banking app or website by typing in a website address and treat every unsolicited call, text or email as a potential fraud attempt".

As fraud becomes increasingly prevalent in people's lives, the majority of people now recognise a fraud attempt and react in the correct way, with 89% of people who were targeted by a call, text or email saying that they realised very quickly that it was a scam, so they deleted or ignored it. However, given the large number of scams in operation, the fraudsters rely on a relatively small percentage of people falling for the scam for it to be successful.

If people suspect they have been a victim of fraud, they should contact their bank immediately so that the bank can take action to stop a fraud in progress and try to recover funds. Bank of Ireland customers can call our Fraud Team 24/7, on the Freephone line 1800 946 764.

For more advice and information on fraud, visit Security Zone.

Bank of Ireland has introduced a new national advertising campaign, reminding customers that fraudsters are active on a daily basis and to Stop, Think, Check in all transactions relating to their banking or personal information.

The Bank is working with renowned cyberpsychologist Professor Mary Aiken, to build consumer awareness about fraud and explain the human psychology used by fraudsters. Professor Aiken is recording a series of online videos designed to give insights and tips to help people protect their own personal and financial details from fraudsters. The campaign will run for 14 weeks across radio, digital channels and social media.

Guest post by Kadan Stadelmann, who is a blockchain developer, operations security expert and Komodo Platform's chief technology officer.

Europe is a world leader in crypto regulation. The European Union has already adopted the Markets In Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which will govern crypto in the EU's 27 countries starting late 2024.

The UK is also courting the crypto industry. For example, The Financial Services and Markets Bill is working its way through Parliament, and the Treasury

SEC Forces US Companies To Look To Ireland, UK, European Union

It's not only Europe which is working on thoughtful crypto regulation. All over the world regulators are developing frameworks so that companies can comfortably operate there. The UAE has telegraphed its intentions of becoming a global crypto hub with each of its three regulators having developed regulatory frameworks for crypto.

Australia's Treasury is developing a crypto licensing framework, while Canada opened a Pre-Registration Undertaking (PRU) for which companies can sign up. Hong Kong's crypto regulator began accepting license applications for crypto exchanges in June 2023 and Japan intends to create a crypto conducive environment. The Prime Minister included Web3 as part of his administration's "new capitalism" economic policy.

U.S. based firms recognize that jurisdictions other than the United States offer them not only safer operating environments but also more efficient paths to innovation. Therefore, they are spearheading far-reaching international efforts.

Ripple Looks To UK, Ireland, Singapore, etc.

Ripple, the global payment solutions provider, has an ambitious international expansion strategy, with the United Kingdom and Ireland as key markets in its sights. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) granted Ripple a license under the Payment Services Act, acknowledging Ripple's commitment to stringent regulatory requirements.

Following its acquisition of a major regulatory license in Singapore, the company's decision to target the UK and Ireland comes as no surprise, considering their status as two of Europe's largest financial hubs.

Ripple's decision to target Ireland stems from the country's favorable business environment, robust fintech ecosystem, and increasing demand for innovative payment solutions. Ireland's position as a gateway to Europe makes it an attractive destination for Ripple's expansion plans.

Ireland boasts a highly educated workforce and has become a hub for technology companies. Additionally, Ireland's regulatory framework supports blockchain technology adoption, creating an ideal environment for Ripple's services. By establishing operations in Ireland, Ripple intends to collaborate with local financial institutions and leverage their existing infrastructure to facilitate faster cross-border transactions using blockchain technology.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse laments the situation, saying his firm plans to do more than 80% of its hiring outside the US. "You see markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, Dubai where governments are partnering with the industry and you're seeing leadership, clear rules, and growth."

Coinbase

In order to counter uncertainty in the United States, Coinbase launched its "Go Broad, Go Deep" strategy for international expansion. Coinbase sees clear rules being developed across the globe, and needs to take part.

Therefore, the San Francisco-based Coinbase is focused on acquiring licenses, registering, and establishing operations in crypto friendly jurisdictions. Its near term priorities include Europe (EU and UK), Canada, Brazil, Singapore, and Australia.

This strategy will allow Coinbase to roll out new products and services "with the support of forward-looking regulators." Coinbase wants to launch products such as derivatives. The international approach will allow Coinbase to establish key partnerships and initiatives with banks, local institutions, payment providers, strategic players, start-up ecosystems, and cult...

Dedicated to my incredible wife Caroline and her solo journey across Brazil.

In the swirling currents of global finance, Brazil stands on the cusp of a transformative moment, poised to unleash a financial spectacle as vibrant as its famed Carnival. The Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) is gearing up to introduce the world to the Digital Real, or DREX, its trailblazing Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This isn't merely a stride into the digital age; it's a rhythm-infused revolution, a dance of change that reverberates with the echoes of Brazil's rich cultural tapestry and dynamic history.

However, this exuberant leap forward comes with an intricate dance of its own. Brazil must skillfully choreograph the pulsating rhythm of technological innovation with the nuanced melody of user privacy. It's a balancing act as complex and synchronized as the samba dancers who captivate audiences during Carnival, requiring unparalleled coordination and finesse.

In this in-depth article, we'll delve into the core of Brazil's audacious financial transformation, unearthing insights that rival the hidden wonders of the Amazon rainforest. We'll dissect the delicate interplay between transparency and confidentiality, a dance that reflects Brazil's multifaceted blend of cultures and traditions. All this set against the electrifying backdrop of DREX - the currency destined to redefine Brazil's position in the global financial arena.

Balancing Innovation with Privacy: DREX's Journey

As Brazil prepares to launch its Central Bank Digital Currency, the Digital Real, or DREX, it stands at the intersection of innovation and privacy. Originally slated for a February debut, DREX's phased introduction has been rescheduled to May 2024, with the initial phase targeting financial institutions. This delay reflects Brazil's meticulous approach to ensuring a seamless transition into digital currency.

DREX's unique feature is its reliance on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), a cornerstone of blockchain technology. EVM is renowned for its transparency, particularly in recording smart contracts and financial transactions. However, this transparency underpinning DREX's efficiency raises critical questions about user privacy.

Fabio Araujo, the coordinator of the DREX initiative at the Banco Central do Brasil (BCB), acknowledges these concerns. How Brazil manages the delicate balance between transparency, innovation, and user privacy will be pivotal in shaping the success of DREX and its impact on the nation's financial landscape.

The Privacy Conundrum: Anonymity versus Traceability

In the world of digital currencies, there is a fundamental conflict between user anonymity and transaction traceability. In traditional cash transactions, users enjoy a high degree of privacy; no one knows who uses a physical banknote.

However, in the context of DREX, transactions are recorded on a distributed ledger, offering transparency and traceability. While this traceability is essential for combating money laundering, fraud, and illicit activities, it also raises concerns about the privacy rights of users.

Brazil's challenge with DREX is to strike the right balance. The country recognizes the need for transparent transactions to meet regulatory compliance but acknowledges the importance of safeguarding user data. This delicate equilibrium between privacy and transparency will define how successful Brazil's digital currency venture ultimately becomes and how it aligns with the evolving landscape of global financial innovation.

The Challenge of Real Digital Privacy

Safeguarding user data is a central concern for the DREX initiative. Potential unauthorized access, misuse, or leaks represent risks that demand robust security measures. DREX's privacy framework hinges on multiple layers of protection.

Encryption

At the core of DREX's security strategy is encryption. All sensitive data, from transaction details to user identities, undergoes encryption before being stored on the blockchai...

Dell Technologies today announced the availability of Dell APEX Cloud Platform for Microsoft, a new fully integrated turnkey system developed in collaboration with Microsoft that extends the Microsoft Azure hybrid cloud experience to data centre and edge environments.

It's the first offer in the Dell APEX Cloud Platform family and the first available Premier Solution for Microsoft Azure Stack HCI. This new Azure Stack HCI solution category only includes platforms that provide the fastest time to value for Azure hybrid cloud through the deepest levels of integration with Microsoft.

Dell APEX Cloud Platforms are next-generation infrastructures that deliver consistent operations and more control over workload placement by extending your choice of cloud ecosystem on-premises. These platforms offer our customers greater flexibility and investment protection over time by combining the best of Dell innovation in automated infrastructure management and orchestration, software-defined storage, and next-generation compute.

Simplifying Azure on-premises

The opportunity to extend Azure cloud services to on-premises environments is significant. According to an ESG study on multicloud application deployment trends, 48% of customers surveyed are expanding on-premises deployments. Dell APEX Cloud Platform for Azure provides an optimal way for customers to bring Microsoft Azure to their data centre and edge locations.

This new platform builds upon decades of Dell and Microsoft collaboration. It combines Dell's expertise in delivering software-driven management and orchestration and software-defined storage with Microsoft's leadership in cloud services and container orchestration.

"More of our customers are asking us to bring the power of Azure wherever they need it out in the real world, whether that is in their factories, retail stores, quick service restaurants, or distributed locations. Through our partnership with Dell, we can project just enough Microsoft Azure to those locations at the edge," said Douglas Phillips, Corporate Vice President, Azure Edge + Platform. "This new solution gives our mutual customers a seamless experience from cloud to edge, wherever their data lives, so they can spend less time managing infrastructure and focus more on transforming their business."

Enhancing Azure Hybrid cloud

The Dell APEX Cloud Platform for Microsoft Azure is designed to address several key IT priorities.

Simplify management: This new offer delivers consistent Azure operations across on-premises locations and public cloud via native integration with Azure Arc. Deep integration and extensive automation enabled by Dell's APEX Cloud Platform Foundation Software allow us to deliver benefits to our customers that far exceed our past solutions. For example, the automated deployment wizard results in an 88% reduction in deployment steps compared to existing integrated systems, allowing customers to save more time when deploying the platform.

Accelerate Application Delivery: Through optimized delivery of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) hybrid and Arc-enabled app and data services, the platform helps accelerate application delivery. Customers will be able to simplify management with deep integration and familiar tools. Users can also enforce consistent security and compliance policies across the Azure landscape through integration with centralized Azure management and governance services.

Fastest Time to Value: To ensure customers get the fastest time to value and ongoing full-stack support, Dell ProSupport Infrastructure Suite provides a single source of solution-level support for Dell hardware, system software and Azure HCI. Onsite diagnosis, residency, data migration, data disposition, and education services cover you on tasks commonly required in a multicloud environment, allowing internal staff to focus on other priorities.

Going above and beyond

While the new Premier Solutions for Azure Stack HCI category represents the highest level of require...