Day: March 3, 2022

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Zoho Takes on Current Low-Code Market Gaps with New Creator Platform to Empower Businesses to Easily Build, Deploy, Manage, and Analyze Custom Solutions

Bringing in the company’s 15 years of expertise in low code, the new unified development platform empowers both IT teams and business users to build sophisticated, modern, and compliant solutions, for a low-code experience that is secure, easy to use, and custom-fit to solve business challenges

Austin, Texas, March 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Zoho Corporation, a leading global technology company, announced the latest version of its low-code offering, Zoho Creator Platform, an all-in-one solution that bridges the gap between business users and IT teams by providing a low-code solution-building experience regardless of technical know-how. Organizations currently face soaring demand for new business software, but existing low-code platforms for business users only facilitate basic app building, lacking the sophistication needed to develop scalable, enterprise-ready end-to-end tools. Existing solutions in the market designed specifically for business users facilitate only basic app building, lacking the complexity needed to develop end-to-end tools, which allow organizations to scale and ensure centralized governance.

Addressing the needs of both business users and IT teams, Zoho Creator Platform supports all levels to build, manage, integrate, and analyze for a complete low-code experience, enabling 10X faster deployment than any other solution on the market. Democratizing access to low-code development tools allows IT and business users to work in tandem to create and deploy apps that are highly customized, while minimizing common interoperability, permissions, and governance challenges.

“Currently there isn’t a low-code solution on the market that allows both business users and IT to truly build end-to-end business solutions,” said Raju Vegesna, Chief Evangelist, Zoho Corporation. “With this update, Zoho’s Creator Platform combines application development, integrations, process automation, business intelligence and analytics into a single platform while simultaneously enabling IT teams to effortlessly manage security, compliance, and governance challenges. Organizations can now leverage a unified solution for all of their low-code needs, extending the ability to innovate to every employee.”

The Zoho Creator Platform integrates digital data and processes to facilitate the creation of truly agile solutions for business users and IT teams alike. Business developers can now easily build scalable low-code solutions which include apps, integrations, analytics, and process automation without heavy dependency on IT teams or time-consuming training. For IT stakeholders, the Platform now provides deeper controls around governance and management, without compromising automation, data-driven insights, customization, and the ability to affect revenue and growth. Together, business users and IT can quickly deploy secure, dynamic solutions built to auto-scale, so that organizations can focus on solving business problems and pursue new opportunities.

“We needed a complete solution to resolve specific operational difficulties, including a lack of streamlined communication and an inability to oversee employees effectively. The Zoho Creator Platform allowed us to build new contextual tools that unify disjointed communication channels, automate processes, and seamlessly integrate into our existing system,” said Gaurav Kakkar, System Process Manager at Emirates Logistics. “Additionally, the new Platform has given specific administrators greater flexibility in implementing new processes through the sandbox and demo user options to keep our data secure while providing important business insights. Together, we’re able to better support employees to be more productive, enabling them to collaborate and spot opportunities to better serve themselves and customers.”

“With this version of Creator, Zoho is shifting its low-code emphasis from applications to business solutions,” said Jason Bloomberg, President of Intellyx, an industry research firm. “Creator helps business stakeholders and IT personnel collaborate to combine applications, business intelligence and analytics, and process automation into end-to-end business solutions. Creator is simple enough for nontechnical staff while also powerful enough to address complex workflow scenarios in a secure, scalable environment.”

Key areas of innovation in the new Creator Platform include:

Expand App Building to Solution Building

Unified Solution Builder – Create, integrate, analyze, and manage custom business solutions at scale from a single dashboard. Seamlessly switch between different elements, with deep interoperability between capabilities, and in-built guardrails for IT teams to drive enterprise-wide citizen development programs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Zoho’s intelligent AI assistant (Zia) now enables developers to import data from anywhere, cleanse and transform with one click, build data models, and automatically detect data relationships via Smart Import. AI tasks such as predictive analytics, keyword extraction, sentiment analysis, OCR, and object detection are built into the drag-and-drop user interface for easy deployment.

Process Blueprinting – This intuitive drag-and-drop builder graphically constructs an online replica of a business process by specifying each step, assigning responsibilities across stakeholders, and automating actions based on pre-set conditions. Users can now identify bottlenecks and have clarity to facilitate scalability for evolving business needs.

Enhanced Serverless Functions – Developers can now write, store, and execute reusable code blocks in Zoho Creator Platform using Deluge, Java, or Node.js. These functions encourage IT and business teams to work together to build scalable and easily maintainable enterprise-ready apps faster.

Build a Connected Ecosystem of Solutions for a Seamless Experience

Unified Data Modeling (UDM) – Unchecked data points, varied data formats, and evolving app landscapes add layers of difficult-to-solve complexities to data integration, resulting in sub-optimal business results. Universal cloud modeling is now included to help developers establish secure data transfer by automating data integration protocols with unified data architecture and over 600 plug-and-play connectors to make data integration easier for users.

Integration Status Dashboard – Users have complete visibility on how well each integration operates with the new Integration Status Dashboard. Status Dashboard provides key findings on recent executions, success and failure stats, and top connections facilitating early error detection and resolution to enable organizations to discover errors and resolve them quicker.

Embedded BI and Analytics Engine – An industry-first, full-fledged business intelligence and analytics engine is now included in the Zoho Creator Platform, enabling users to derive business insights from the data residing in their applications without worrying about bringing another subscription into the fold. High-end BI functionalities like predictive analytics, data alerts, what-if analysis, data blending, and conversational analytics are all now supported on the low-code platform.

Increased Control for IT with End-to-End ADLM

Environments – Developers can now launch solutions in different environments of choice—development, staging (testing), or production—with a single click based on the readiness of the solution. This allows users to add features continuously or make changes without disturbing the existing app in production. The environments also support role-based access to help business developers simulate user-specific experience validation.

Centralized Governance – To help IT manage low-code development, features such as granular role-based access controls, comprehensive audit trails and backup options, application IDE, dashboards to view and manage users, billing dashboard, personalization options such as localization, branding customization, and more, are now available in the low-code platform.

Integrated Communication and Collaboration Aid – Often, business developers get stuck in the build phase with minor obstacles, especially when new to the platform. In order to enhance communication and collaboration, integrated communication enables messaging, sending files, sharing screens, and the ability to make audio and video calls.

Zoho Creator Platform Pricing 

Pricing starts at $25 USD per employee, with a 15-day trial available. For comprehensive pricing information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/creator/pricing.html

Zoho Privacy Pledge

Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. More than 75 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho every day to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/privacy-commitment.html

About Zoho

With 50+ apps in nearly every major business category, including sales, marketing, customer support, accounting and back-office operations, and an array of productivity and collaboration tools, Zoho Corporation is one of the world’s most prolific technology companies.

Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 10,000 employees. Zoho is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with international headquarters in Chennai, India. Additional offices are in the United States, India, Japan, China, Canada, Singapore, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, please visit: www.zoho.com/

Attachments

Sandra Lo
Zoho Corporation 
slo@zohocorp.com

Carol Tong
PR for Zoho
carol@caroltongconsulting.com
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Uzbek president in Islamabad to meet leadership; discuss projects

President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Islamabad today (Thursday) on a two-day state visit to Pakistan.

On his arrival at Noor Khan Airbase, he was received by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation including the cabinet members and businessmen, Shavkat Mirziyoyev is visiting Pakistan from March 3-4 at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The prime minister, accompanied by Federal Minister Senator Shibli Faraz, warmly welcomed the Uzbek president who is here on his first visit after assuming office in 2016.

Clad in cultural dresses, two kids presented bouquets to the guest as the cannons boomed in the backdrop to herald the arrival of the guest.

Later, the Uzbek President arrived at Prime Minister House in Islamabad where he was presented guard of honour.

The two sides will review entire gamut of bilateral relations, including cooperation in political, trade and economic, connectivity, education, culture, security and defence domains.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Pakistan, Uzbekistan express commitment to revive traditional cooperative partnership

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have expressed commitment to revive the traditional cooperative partnership through improved connectivity.

At a joint press stakeout with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Islamabad on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said it is matter of satisfaction that trade between the two brotherly countries increased by 50 percent in last one year while joint ventures between the business communities of the two countries enhanced by 5 percent.

The Prime Minister said we have decided to resume direct flights between the two countries that will not only improve connectivity but will help promote tourism and trade.

He said train route with Uzbekistan will help boosting linkages with Central Asian States which will also benefit the war torn Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister said both countries will jointly produce a film on Mughal Emperor Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur.

He said he has shared his narrative on human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the Uzbek President.

The Prime Minister said the United Nations should fully implement the international law against human rights violations in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Over Afghanistan issue, the Prime Minister said we will be lobbying to unfreeze the assets of Afghanistan.

He said campaign will be launched to devise ways and suggest measures for the recognition of Afghanistan.

The two Leaders welcomed the signing of Preferential Trade Agreement between Uzbekistan and Pakistan and the entry into force of the Transit Trade Agreement.

The two Leaders agreed on the need to fast track measures to further expand the connectivity agenda and economic integration.

They reaffirmed the important role of the Termez-Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway project for the future of the region.

It was agreed to evolve a joint Road Map, which includes measures to develop a feasibility study for the project and start construction work on both sides.

The two Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of air, rail and road connectivity.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his thanks to the Prime Minister of Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him personally and the Uzbek delegation and expressed his best wishes for their continued progress and prosperity.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed the readiness to provide support to Pakistan’s initiative to create a poverty alleviation mechanism during the period of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in the SCO.

He also invited Prime Minister Imran Khan to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan at a convenient time.

Welcoming the 30thanniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, the two Leaders agreed to celebrate this milestone in a befitting manner by organizing joint activities.

Earlier, the two countries signed different Memorandum of Understandings including Strategic Partnership and Preferential Trade Agreement.

Others agreements include cooperation in the field Television and Radio, Promotion of Pilgrimage Tourism, cooperation in the field of environment and climate change, Action Plan of practical measures in the field of security and cooperation in Railways.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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PM emphasizes educating Seerat-un-Nabi to youth for positive change in society

Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed for educating Seerat un Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to the youth to bring positive change in society and deal with multifaceted social issues.

He was addressing a ceremony in connection with complete operationalization of Rehmatul lil Alameen Authority in Islamabad on Thursday.

The Prime Minister said emulating the life and teachings of Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatim un Nabiyeen Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Ala Alayhee Wa Ashabehi Wassalam alone is enough to uplift the country as it is the path of greatness.

He said the basic princples of State of Madina were rule of law and character building.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that a complete roadmap has been prepared under the umbrella of Rehmatul Lil Alameen Authority to promote the teachings of the Last Prophet. He said all the government departments will fully support the authority to implement its roadmap aimed at character building and education of youth, protection of family system and promotion of interfaith harmony.

Imran Khan said a beginning has also been made to make Pakistan a welfare state. He said it is the first time in the country’s history that a health scheme has been launched under which each household can get free medical treatment worth one million rupees. He said unprecedented allocations have also been made for various programs of Ehsaas.

In his remarks, Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri said our success in this world and the hereafter lies in following the life of Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Allah Khatim un Nabiyeen Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Ala Alayhee Wa Ashabehi Wassalam.

He appreciated the Prime Minister’s concept of the establishment of Rehmatul lil Alameen Authority to acquaint the youth with the life and teachings of the last Prophet (SAW).

Source: Radio Pakistan

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US Seeks Muslim Nations’ Help to Counter Taliban Views on Afghan Women

ISLAMABAD — The United States has initiated talks with Muslim-majority countries to encourage them to take the lead in pressing Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers not to exclude the country’s women from public life in the name of religion.

Rina Amiri, the U.S. special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights, told a seminar in Washington Wednesday that she is leading the diplomatic initiative to have an “alignment of position” among all international stakeholders on the issue.

The envoy, speaking virtually to a seminar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said she visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar last week and intends to travel other Muslim-majority nations to engage them on “the regressive practices” the Taliban are enacting to curtail women’s freedom.

“What I noted to them is what the Taliban are saying about women’s rights and making the argument that it’s on the basis of Sharia, is not just bad for Afghanistan and for Afghan women — it’s bad for Islam,” Amiri said of her talks with Saudi and Qatari officials.

“The actors that need to be leading and countering that narrative [are] the Muslim majority countries,” she added.

Amiri noted that many regional and Islamic countries maintain a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan and, in their engagement with the Taliban, they advocate for political as well as ethnic inclusion in the government, but “very little” is being said about women’s inclusion.

“When they engage the Taliban, what I’ve asked them to do is include women in their delegation show that women are playing prominent and strong roles in their own countries,” Amiri said.

The Islamist group took over Afghanistan in August and installed a male-only interim government including mostly Pashtuns, the country’s largest ethnic group, like the Taliban themselves.

Critics say the insurgency-turned-government has rolled back women’s rights in almost every area, including crushing women’s freedom of movement, over the past six months, despite Taliban pledges they would not bring back harsh policies of their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, when women were banned from education and work.

Women are not allowed to share transportation with men or take long trips without a close male relative, and taxi drivers are told not to offer a ride to female passengers who are not wearing hijabs.

“The vast majority of girls’ secondary schools are closed. Universities recently reopened, with new gender segregation rules. But many women are unable to return, in part because the career they studied for is off limits now, as the Taliban banned women from most jobs,” said Heather Barr of Human Rights Watch in a statement Wednesday.

The Taliban dismiss criticism of their government, saying it meets all requirements to be recognized as the legitimate entity and it is not allowing terrorist groups to operate on Afghan soil. They also strongly defend restrictions on women, saying they are in line with Islamic principles. The radical group has promised to open secondary schools for all girls in Afghanistan this month.

Taliban leaders have traveled abroad, including to Qatar, in recent weeks for talks with representatives of Western and Islamic governments. But they have failed to win diplomatic legitimacy for their government because of concerns about human rights, political inclusivity and terrorism.

Amiri said she recently also held talks in Qatar with Taliban delegates who reiterated that Kabul wants to improve its relationship with the West.

“My response has been, ‘Don’t just focus on improving your relationship with the West, improve your relationship with Afghans inside the country, build confidence not just by having inclusivity of a few actors from different ethnic groups but an inclusive process that is transparent, that engenders confidence among the population,” Amiri said.

Amiri said she also warned the Taliban that their return to power has only paused the Afghan conflict and it will not come to an end in the absence of inclusivity.

Critics are skeptical whether conversations with the Taliban to challenge their extremely restrictive view of Islam would produce the desired outcomes.

“I don’t think there are a lot of people who can influence the Taliban from the outside,” Anne Richard, a former U.S. diplomat, told the viral seminar. “But I think who can, U.N. officials, special envoys, potentially certain governments, I think we really have to ensure that their efforts are taken seriously and are pursued and we get as much information to them then from the people who are inside Afghanistan as we can.”

Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors, including Pakistan and Iran, as well as regional countries, have all cautioned the Taliban that the country’s economic and humanitarian troubles may intensify unless they live up to international expectations.

Last month, diplomats from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council met in Doha with representatives from Afghanistan’s de facto authorities and underscored the need for a national reconciliation plan that “respects basic freedoms and rights, including women’s right to work and education.”

Source: Voice of America

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Kulbhushan’s arrest proves that India behind terrorism in Pakistan: Fawad

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has said the arrest of serving Indian officer Kulbhushan Jadhav on this day six years ago in Balochistan once again proved that India is behind terrorism in Pakistan.

In a tweet on Thursday, he said Kulbhushan was the mastermind of terrorist acts in Karachi and Balochistan.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Govt spending tax money for welfare of people: Usman Dar

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar has said that Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf government is the first government which is spending tax money for welfare and betterment of the people.

Talking to a private news channel, he said people of the country have deposited 1700 billion rupees more tax during the current fiscal year, which proves their confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Usman Dar said that the opposition would not present no-confidence motion against the government because they know that they would fail again.

The Special Assistant said Prime Minister Imran Khan is a sincere and honest political leader who wants to change the life of common man.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Govt gave historical relief package despite tough economic situation: NA Speaker

Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser says the government has given a historical relief package despite the tough economic situation.

Addressing a function in Gadoon Swabi today [Thursday], he said the relief package will bring positive impacts for common people besides overcoming the problem.

He said the government has launched various developmental projects for the development of backward areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On the occasion, Asad Qaiser announced that Gadoon degree college and Sports complex will soon be inaugurated.

Source: Radio Pakistan