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Stottler Henke’s MARS Scheduling System Enters Operational Use by the U.S. Space Force

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New AI Software Greatly Increases the Readiness of Missions and Operations that Rely on the Satellite Control Network

SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The MARS real-time, tactical command and control (C2) system, developed by Stottler Henke, has become operational and now manages U.S. Space Force’s Satellite Control Network (SCN) space-ground communications. Using MARS, U.S. Space Force schedulers can create, deconflict, visualize, validate, and disseminate highly efficient satellite communications schedules much more efficiently. These capabilities enhance the SCN’s effectiveness, responsiveness to changing demands, and resilience to adverse events.

Brian Bayless, Satellite Control Network Chief of Systems Integration, states, “The MARS system is now operational and used to build the fundamental satellite schedule for the US Space Force.”

The $11B SCN comprises 19 large, globally distributed, ground-based antennas which communicate with 190 government and commercial satellites to download health and status data and upload configuration and control data. These communications ensure that the satellites maintain their orbits and operate correctly. Because satellite and ground station resources are expensive, limited, and mission critical, their efficient allocation is both difficult and essential.

Currently, highly skilled U.S. Space Force planners develop conflict-free schedules which specify when SCN antennas should communicate with each satellite to satisfy requests from the satellites’ owners. SCN scheduling is complex and time-consuming because there are many satellite communication requests, scheduling possibilities, and diverse, interacting resource and timing constraints. For example, communication is possible only when the satellite is visible to a ground station of the appropriate type, and these times depend upon each satellite’s unique orbit and the types and locations of the ground stations. In addition, when adverse events occur, such as equipment outages, communications involving the faulty ground station must be rescheduled quickly and reassigned to new ground stations to meet mission deadlines.

In order to manage growing numbers of satellites and their communications, the U.S. Space Force needed advanced automation to detect conflicts among communication tasks, resolve those conflicts, manage complex workflows, and ensure reliable distributed operation, even when a node or link experiences problems.

Because the scheduling problem is very complex, it was difficult to automate the process using conventional software technologies. The previous system first went online as an interim solution in 1992, and the government tried several times to develop a successor. However, MARS is the first system to satisfy these automation requirements and pass all the tests needed to enter operational use.

MARS embeds Stottler Henke’s Aurora™ artificial intelligence-based planning and scheduling system to implement advanced conflict detection and resolution . When a planner adds or changes a scheduled communication task, Aurora instantly detects any timing constraint violations or resource conflicts with other scheduled tasks, enabling planners to rapidly explore and evaluate possible alternate schedules. Prior systems using less sophisticated algorithms could only detect a subset of these conflicts in real time.

Once a conflict is detected, it must be resolved by rescheduling or removing other tasks in the schedule. Resolving conflicts is difficult because rescheduling tasks can introduce new conflicts which must be resolved, potentially causing a cascade of schedule changes. Aurora’s conflict resolution capability combines advanced scheduling algorithms with knowledge and skills used by expert schedulers to quickly resolve these conflicts.

MARS is currently the complete and only system used by Satellite Control Network (SCN) schedulers to develop daily SCN schedules. It is currently being rolled out to SCN Space Operations Center users and the antenna sites.” Brian Bayless, SCN Chief of Systems Integration, states, “The MARS system is now operational and used to build the fundamental satellite schedule for the US Space Force. This is the first step of three in replacing the 1992 Satellite Scheduling System and providing an industry standard platform to modernize the Space Traffic Control Mission. The complete deployment of the MARS system should be completed by the first quarter of 2025.”

Aurora Artificial Intelligence Scheduling Technology

The MARS system embeds Aurora software, the world’s leading planning and scheduling software solution that combines expert knowledge with artificial intelligence. Aurora was originally developed to help NASA tackle difficult, mission-critical planning problems—by using artificial intelligence technologies to encode and apply extensive domain knowledge and decision rules to generate more efficient schedules.

Today, Aurora manages the most demanding operations for organizations like The Boeing Company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Bombardier Learjet, Spirit AeroSystems, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Korea Aerospace Industries, Alaska Airlines, Massachusetts General Hospital, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the US Air Force, US Space Force, and US Navy. For example, Boeing selected Aurora to help them manage their Boeing 787 Dreamliner™ airliner assembly operations and 60 other commercial and defense applications.

Conventional scheduling systems often support only basic timing constraints between tasks. Without a complete and accurate model of the actual constraints that schedules must satisfy, simpler systems cannot even determine whether a candidate schedule is valid. Aurora enables specification and enforcement of complex temporal and resource constraints, so it can schedule projects that other tools cannot even model.

Most other scheduling systems use simple rules to select and schedule tasks and assign resources to carry them out. These rules usually consider only limited information about the required tasks, resources, and constraints, so the generated schedules are suboptimal. Other systems rely on mathematical optimization to search systematically for the best scheduling solution. However, as the number of scheduled tasks and constraints grows, the computer time needed to solve the problem increases exponentially, making this approach impractical for managing large, complex operations. Aurora solves complex scheduling problems effectively by encoding and applying sophisticated scheduling knowledge and decision-making rules, along with complex constraints and resource requirements. Aurora’s knowledge-rich approach enables it to combine human expertise with intelligent algorithms to generate superior schedules.

Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. applies cognitive modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other advanced technologies to solve problems that defy solution using traditional approaches. Stottler Henke develops intelligent software solutions that provide advanced capabilities for planning and scheduling, autonomy, knowledge management and retrieval, education and training, and machine learning and data analytics. Stottler Henke has received numerous awards for its innovative AI solutions. In 2012, at a White House ceremony, Stottler Henke was one of 18 businesses and six individuals who received the prestigious Tibbetts award for the critical role they played in research and development for the government and for their success driving innovation and creating new jobs. Email: info@stottlerhenke.com. Web: https://www.stottlerhenke.com.

Media Contact

James Ong, Stottler Henke, 1 6509312710, ong@stottlerhenke.com, http://www.stottlerhenke.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/stottler-henkes-mars-scheduling-system-enters-operational-use-by-the-us-space-force-302231527.html

SOURCE Stottler Henke

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DKSH Healthcare and Euris Unveil CRM & MCE Platform “ConnectPlus” to Revolutionize APAC Healthcare Distribution

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DKSH Healthcare and Euris have launched “ConnectPlus”, a complete Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Multi-Channel Engagement (MCE) platform set to transform healthcare distribution across APAC. This data-driven, agile solution enhances efficiency by providing a comprehensive view of healthcare professionals and optimizing omnichannel engagement strategies. From January 2025, ConnectPlus will strengthen DKSH Healthcare’s commitment to commercial excellence by boosting engagement with clients, customers, and patients across the healthcare ecosystem in Thailand.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — DKSH Healthcare Business Unit, in partnership with Euris, is introducing ConnectPlus, a data-driven Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Multi-Channel Engagement (MCE) platform aimed at transforming healthcare distribution across the Asia Pacific region. Designed to enhance productivity and operational efficiency, this platform provides a 360° view of healthcare professionals, streamlines MCE, and strengthens DKSH Healthcare’s ability to tailor interactions and marketing strategies. The roll-out will start in Thailand in January 2025. With this new platform DKSH Healthcare reinforces its dedication to commercial excellence by enlarging possibilities and improving interactions with clients, customers, and patients.

Bijay Singh, Head of Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH, emphasized the transformative potential of ConnectPlus, “With ConnectPlus, we are not just improving our operations, we are setting a new benchmark for healthcare distribution across Asia Pacific. By integrating technology with our deep market expertise, DKSH Healthcare is enhancing its role as a strategic healthcare partner. This platform will not only empower our teams to engage more effectively with healthcare professionals but will ultimately contribute to better health outcomes by improving patients’ access to quality care. ConnectPlus represents a pivotal step in our journey toward data-driven excellence and reinforces our commitment to leading with agility in an evolving healthcare landscape.”

The introduction of ConnectPlus underscores DKSH Healthcare’s commitment to harnessing digital solutions that orchestrate and maximize impact of both client and patient interactions, while upholding a high standard of operational excellence. ConnectPlus empowers DKSH to tap into the vast potential provided by the global healthcare big data market[1] by delivering precise, targeted engagement strategies that cater to the unique needs of healthcare professionals, clients, and patients across the region.

Furthermore, ConnectPlus is strategically designed to leverage the existing preference of face-to-face sales visits[2], by orchestrating personalized digital touchpoints, based on data driven insights, to prepare and enhance in-person interactions. The platform’s ability to blend in-person and digital strategies is essential for maximizing outreach and driving meaningful engagement[3].

By integrating advanced AI and analytics, ConnectPlus not only streamlines communication and marketing efforts but also personalizes interactions based on real-time data, ensuring relevance and impact. This marks a crucial milestone in DKSH Healthcare’s journey towards fully integrating digital innovation into its operations, reinforcing its leadership in driving agility and efficiency within the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Delphine Poulat, CEO at Euris, remarked, “As the partner of choice for healthcare stakeholders globally, we are thrilled to collaborate with DKSH Healthcare, who have chosen Euris SmartReps Suite, as the CRM & MCE platform for ConnectPlus. In today’s healthcare environment, personalized, data-driven interactions are critical. ConnectPlus is designed to provide DKSH Healthcare with the insights needed to understand their customers better, foster stronger face-to-face interactions, and ultimately drive sales growth. Our flexible, closed-loop marketing approach leverages data to deliver tailored content and deepen customer relationships, all while ensuring agility in meeting local market needs. We are proud to support DKSH Healthcare by offering a complete SaaS CRM & MCE platform putting the healthcare professional knowledge and experience at the center of the strategy.”

[1] Source: Patient engagement technology market to rise by $37.4b through 2028, https://healthcareasiamagazine.com/healthcare/news/patient-engagement-technology-market-rise-374b-through-2028 

[2] Source: Overcoming HCP Engagement Fatigue with Data-Driven Insights, https://www.pharmexec.com/view/overcoming-hcp-engagement-fatigue-with-data-driven-insights 

[3] Source: Did Pharma Overshoot Digital Sales Rep Calls? Study Charts Decline in Effectiveness, https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/did-pharma-overshoot-digital-sales-rep-calls-study-charts-decline-effectiveness#:~:text=Last%20month,%2044%%20of

About DKSH  

DKSH’s purpose is to enrich people’s lives. For almost 160 years, DKSH has been delivering growth for companies in Asia and beyond across its Business Units Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials, and Technology. As a leading Market Expansion Services provider, DKSH offers sourcing, market insights, marketing and sales, eCommerce, distribution and logistics as well as after-sales services. DKSH is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, DKSH operates in 36 markets with 29,040 specialists, generating net sales of CHF 11.1 billion in 2023. As a strategic healthcare business partner, DKSH Business Unit Healthcare distributes pharmaceuticals, consumer health, and over-the-counter products as well as medical devices. With around 8,140 specialists, the Healthcare Business Unit generated net sales of CHF 5.6 billion in 2023. www.dksh.com/hec

About Euris

Euris is an IT group specialized in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry operating in over 50 countries. Euris delivers a comprehensive IT value chain through 2 business units: Healthcare SaaS CRM edition & Integration and Health Data Hosting. Euris’ Suite of Commercial and Marketing excellence modules, named SmartReps®, is recognized among the best-in-class solutions in the Gartner Market Guide for CRM in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology. www.euris.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/dksh-healthcare-and-euris-unveil-crm–mce-platform-connectplus-to-revolutionize-apac-healthcare-distribution-302302406.html

SOURCE DKSH

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Cisco and LTIMindtree Expand Partnership to Deliver Next-Generation Secure Access Globally

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LTIMindtree will leverage Cisco Secure Access as its new security service edge (SSE) solution to protect its 80,000 hybrid workers with secure internet access, advanced zero trust network access and embedded AI.Extending its networking partnership with Cisco, LTIMindtree now offers next-generation SSE to its global clients via Cisco Secure Access.Clients can work jointly with both companies to adopt a broad set of cloud security functions in a single, easy-to-use dashboard with Cisco Secure Access.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CISCO LIVE — Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the leader in enterprise networking and security, announced that LTIMindtree is now leveraging Cisco Secure Access as its security service edge (SSE) solution to enable secure hybrid work experiences for its employees and customers worldwide.

“With Cisco’s zero trust approach and embedded AI, it was an easy decision to replace our long-standing SSE solution with Cisco Secure Access,” said Nachiket Deshpande, Chief Operating Officer & Whole-time Director, LTIMindtree. “We were able to quickly deploy the solution, and it now protects our hybrid workforce while delivering a better user experience and simplified IT management.”

Cisco and LTIMindtree have also extended their partnership to deliver integrated Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions based on Cisco technology to LTIMindtree’s global client base. LTIMindtree’s expertise in tailoring solutions to the specific vertical requirements is the perfect complement to Cisco’s technology, including Cisco Secure Access and SD-WAN, delivering seamless and secure connected experiences for both remote and in-office workers.

“Great workplaces require great security. With AI-powered threats rising, we are combating sophisticated attackers across a more expansive landscape. Our customers need their security to operate in the background, at machine scale to make the experience seamless and secure for hybrid workers,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. “LTIMindtree’s rapid deployment of Secure Access is a great testament to Cisco’s platform strategy and differentiation. Together with our partners, we are changing what user protection means for a modern workplace.”

With Cisco Secure Access, decisions about how users connect to applications are handled behind the scenes via a unified agent, so users get to what they want more quickly. With low-latency connections and transparent identity-based authentication, users are more secure with less hassle. For IT organizations, Cisco Secure Access provides an easy pathway to zero trust and zero trust network access (ZTNA), while also simplifying operations with a unified console and AI-guidance. Secure Access is part of the Cisco Security Cloud, its unified, AI-driven, cross-domain security platform.

To learn more, visit cisco.com/go/security.

Additional Resources:

Introducing Cisco Secure Access

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

About LTIMindtree
LTIMindtree is a global technology consulting and digital solutions company that enables enterprises across industries to reimagine business models, accelerate innovation, and maximize growth by harnessing digital technologies. As a digital transformation partner to more than 700 clients, LTIMindtree brings extensive domain and technology expertise to help drive superior competitive differentiation, customer experiences, and business outcomes in a converging world. Powered by 84,000+ talented and entrepreneurial professionals across more than 30 countries, LTIMindtree — a Larsen & Toubro Group company — solves the most complex business challenges and delivers transformation at scale. For more information, please visit https://www.ltimindtree.com/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cisco-and-ltimindtree-expand-partnership-to-deliver-next-generation-secure-access-globally-302303426.html

SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

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PixArt Imaging Unveils the “Magic Sensor”, PAC9001 Smart Pixel Optical Sensing Device: A Revolution in AI-Driven Sensor Technology

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HSINCHU, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As the demand for intelligent automation grows alongside AI and IoT, PixArt Imaging proudly introduces its latest innovation, the “magic sensor,” PAC9001 Smart Pixel Optical Sensing Device. Designed to revolutionize object presence detection across industries, the PAC9001 combines exceptional real-time performance and high efficiency in a compact, privacy-focused sensor.

The PAC9001 uses advanced AI-powered pixel processing to analyze visual information directly at the pixel level, a breakthrough that reduces data transmission needs and minimizes power consumption. This “smart” processing capability enables the PAC9001 to support rapid, high-accuracy applications in sectors such as retail, logistics, manufacturing, smart home, and PC peripherals. With its high sensitivity, the PAC9001 functions seamlessly even when concealed, providing essential insights without capturing identifiable images. This ensures enhanced privacy, making it ideal for settings like crowd control and security.

PixArt’s industry-leading expertise in imaging and sensor technology allows the PAC9001 to achieve low latency and energy efficiency while fitting effortlessly into devices, thanks to its compact module form of just W3.79 x L3.63 x H1.67 mm³. Its ability to detect and respond to object motion makes it invaluable in real-world applications, especially for edge devices requiring timely, precise sensing.

PixArt Imaging’s CEO, Sen Huang, commented, “Our vision is to enable smarter, more adaptive devices that transform the way we interact with technology. The PAC9001 represents our commitment to pioneering the next generation of sensor technology, combining the best of AI and pixel-level processing to deliver powerful, actionable insights. We’re thrilled to introduce this product to a world where privacy, efficiency, and real-time responsiveness have never been more important. Like a ‘magical’ presence working behind the scenes, the PAC9001 not only enables front-facing applications but also powers big data, enabling smart systems to collect valuable insights for user behavior predictions.

The PAC9001 also features PixArt’s proprietary Smart Motion Detection (SMD) and Pixel Difference Mode (PDM), enabling it to adapt to environmental changes and deliver high-precision data in varying lighting conditions, from bright daylight to darkness, at distances up to 5 meters. This advanced sensing capability ensures minimal false alarms compared to traditional PIR systems, making the PAC9001 a versatile and scalable solution for a wide range of industries and applications.

Combining advanced sensing, processing, and energy-saving technologies, the PAC9001 stands out as a game-changer for those seeking efficient, integrated solutions for next-generation smart devices.

For more information, visit PixArt Imaging

About PixArt Imaging Inc.

Founded in July 1998 and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, operates offices in the USA, Denmark, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, and China, providing services in IC design, R&D, manufacturing and sales. Specializing in sensing and navigation IC design, we focus on CMOS imaging, capacitive touch, MEMS sensing technologies to put into ASIC for human-machine interfaces and machine vision. Leveraging on our expertise in sensing and system design technologies, PixArt is strategically broadening our product lineup across diverse application markets. Our focus is on delivering top-tier image quality, optimizing for ultra-low power usage, compact designs, and seamless system-on-a-chip (SoC) integration; allowing us to drive innovation and meet evolving market demands in a versatile, energy-efficient, and highly integrated structure, positioning us to make impactful strides across varied technology sectors.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pixart-imaging-unveils-the-magic-sensor-pac9001-smart-pixel-optical-sensing-device-a-revolution-in-ai-driven-sensor-technology-302301941.html

SOURCE PixArt Imaging Inc.

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