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Urielle Envisions a Bright Future

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Education Cannot Wait-funded UNICEF Training Centres for Children with Vision Impairments empower children to reach their full potential in the Central African Republic.

BANGUI, Central African Republic, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Urielle sits in a classroom, absorbed in her reading. Her fingertips trace the intricate pattern of raised dots on the paper in front of her.

Urielle stands in front of the Education Cannot Wait-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez
Urielle stands in front of the Education Cannot Wait-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez

“I lost my eyesight at the age of three but that did not stop me. From a tender age, my parents taught me to be independent and self-reliant – to work hard and follow my dreams,” says Urielle.

Despite the challenges she has faced in her life, the 20-year-old has always received unwavering support from her parents and teachers. With this, a passion for learning and storytelling, and a fierce determination, Urielle is taking charge of her own future.

Since joining a UNICEF-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments in her hometown of Bangui, Urielle and other children and youth with vision impairments are learning to read braille and accessing education – in many cases, for the very first time. 

This Centre is one of three funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in the capital city of Bangui – established to provide adapted learning opportunities for girls and boys with vision impairments in the Central African Republic. These centres help students to build braille and literacy skills, good competency levels according to the national educational curriculum, and support them to eventually join mainstream schools.

Every morning, a special school tuk-tuk stops in front of Urielle’s home and takes her to the Training Centre. Courses are taught by teachers with vision impairment, assisted by sighted teachers, using braille teaching aids.

The Centre follows the standard curriculum of the Ministry of National Education. It is also where Urielle learned to read and write in braille. These critical skills have unlocked a newfound passion. “I love sharing stories with people, especially about social issues. My favorite subject is social science – because I like to hear about how people across the world live, interact and face challenges,” says the teen.

While Urielle is thriving in school today, the road to her education hasn’t been easy in a society where stigma still exists around people with disabilities. Urielle recalls, “Some neighbors and even relatives used to tell me I was useless, better suited for chores than school. But thanks to my parents’ unwavering support, I learned to ignore those voices.”

Shutting out the nay-sayers, Urielle understands the power of education in broadening her horizons and building the future that she wants for herself. “The more I learn, the more stories unfold in my mind. That’s why I am determined to become a journalist,” she says.

The Centre also runs vocational training courses to build skills. Past students have used these new skills to gain employment, and some have even gone on to join the civil service.

The Central African Republic is one of the toughest places in the world to be a child. Conflict, violence, displacement and natural disasters continue to weigh heavily on the country. Years of instability have contributed to the breakdown of already limited services, resulting in very limited or nonexistent access to education in many parts. Where schools are open, they often lack qualified and trained teachers, learning materials and sound building structures.

For those with disabilities, like Urielle, the situation is even more challenging. Stigma and prejudice remain all-too-common towards children with ‘special needs’, often resulting in families hiding their children with disabilities away – denying them access to peers and the broader community, including schools. Luckily, Urielle’s parents were able to recognize the endless potential in their daughter.

As the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations, ECW has supported partners like UNICEF in the Central African Republic since 2017 – funding programmes to increase access to a quality education in protective learning environments, strengthen national and local education systems, support teachers, and provide targeted support for girls and children with disabilities.

Today, Urielle isn’t satisfied with just being a stellar student. “I also want to be a Paralympic athlete. I train three times a week in long-distance running!” she says.

Until that day, Urielle plans to continue learning and telling stories to inspire those around her. She says with a wide smile, “Storytelling is my passion. I know the road is long and that I have at least six more years before university. Still, one day, I’ll have my own radio show!”

Her aspirations know no bounds – and her achievements are a testament to the potential of all children when they receive the education, resources and support they need to thrive.

 

Energy for All: SINEXCEL Turns Sustainability Commitments into Action

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Advertorial Desk
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SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SINEXCEL (300693.SZ) has successfully concluded its two-month global ESG initiative, transforming its sustainability vision Energy for All into meaningful, measurable action following the launch of its sustainability strategy in April this year.

Energy for All: SINEXCEL Turns Sustainability Commitments into Action
Energy for All: SINEXCEL Turns Sustainability Commitments into Action

Small Actions, Measurable Impact

Spanning seven countries and engaging over 80 employees and partners, the initiative united efforts across four key pillars—Education, Environment, Development and Health.

Through low-carbon actions, participants walked over 378,000 steps and removed 60kg of litter, contributing to an estimated 52kg reduction in CO₂ emissions—equivalent to approximately 2.4 years of CO₂ absorption by a tree—demonstrating how individual actions can add up to meaningful change.

Illuminating Growth Through Education

SINEXCEL supported a German youth robotics team of over 80 members in various global events while partnering with leading universities including Tsinghua and Sichuan to advance renewable energy knowledge and research in grid-forming energy storage and power quality technologies.

Harmonizing Technology and Nature

Collaborating with Schneider Electric and Phoenix Contact, SINEXCEL promoted green hiking, litter-pickups, and eco-friendly workshops during this initiative, fostering environmental responsibility beyond the workplace.

Driving Sustainable Development Through Innovation

Working with Infineon, SINEXCEL enhanced its solutions in storage and power quality, advancing technological performance in line with long-term sustainability goals.

Promoting Inclusion and Well-being in Health

Across Europe, North America, APAC, Latin America, and the Middle East, we connected with our global teams to hear their perspectives, fostering a culture of inclusion, care, and engagement.

“At SINEXCEL, ‘Energy for All’ is more than an initiative—it reflects our commitment to sustainability and the values we share as a global community. From empowering young innovators to promoting greener lifestyles inside the office and with our partners, every action counts. We are proud to see how we turn vision into impact, and we will continue to champion solutions and practices that create a more sustainable future for all,” said Celine Li, SINEXCEL Branding & Marketing General Manager.

Through its Energy for All sustainability vision, SINEXCEL turns sustainability philosophy into real-world impact, fostering collaboration, empowering communities, and shaping a more sustainable future for all.

About SINEXCEL

Founded in 2007, SINEXCEL is a pioneer in energy storage, EV charging, and power quality solutions. With 12 GW of installed storage, 140,000 EV chargers, and nearly 20 million amperes of AHF deployed, SINEXCEL partners with industry leaders like EVE Energy and Schneider Electric to empower energy freedom.

Contact: melody_yu@sinexcel.com 

HEYTEA Partners with POP MART’s Twinkle Twinkle for First Global Simultaneous Launch

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Advertorial Desk
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SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 December 2025 – Starting December 22, HEYTEA and POP MART’s popular IP Twinkle Twinkle officially launched their global co-branded campaign across HEYTEA stores worldwide. Timed to the Christmas and New Year season, the collaboration is built around the theme “Twinkle Twinkle for Winter.” Centered on the warm and comforting Twinkle Twinkle characters, the campaign introduces a multi-dimensional experience featuring custom character designs, co-branded drinks, themed merchandise, themed stores, and the Inspiration Bus pop-up activation.

HEYTEA Partners with POP MART’s Twinkle Twinkle for First Global Simultaneous Launch

This marks HEYTEA’s first globally synchronized co-branded launch. Even before the official rollout, the partnership generated strong attention across social platforms. Spanning Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, as well as more than 100 HEYTEA stores across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other overseas markets, the collaboration creates a shared winter moment for consumers worldwide.

Beyond its festive appeal, the campaign reflects HEYTEA’s broader approach to international markets. While character-led collaborations help create seasonal resonance, the brand’s long-term focus lies in building meaningful, locally grounded experiences that feel relevant across different cultural contexts.

Across overseas markets, HEYTEA has consistently used collaborations and pop-up activations to connect with younger audiences and spark cultural conversation, partnering with creative names across fashion, art, and entertainment. Rather than applying a single formula across regions, the brand selects partners with strong local relevance and designs visually distinctive in-store experiences that translate naturally into social moments.

Product innovation remains central to HEYTEA’s global expression. Internationally, the brand has introduced more than 20 localized drinks designed around regional taste preferences, while maintaining its emphasis on natural ingredients and modern tea aesthetics. This philosophy is reflected in the Twinkle Twinkle collaboration, which introduces two exclusive seasonal drinks—Tiramisu Milk Tea and Tiramisu Rich Chocolate—released simultaneously worldwide to create moments of warmth and shared experience across markets.

The United States continues to play an important role in HEYTEA’s overseas presence. Since opening its first U.S. store at the end of 2023, the brand has expanded into multiple major cities and opened its overseas flagship TEA LAB store in New York’s Times Square, offering a modern reinterpretation of tea culture in a global urban setting.

Hashtag: #HEYTEA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About HEYTEA

Founded in 2012 in Jiangmen, Guangdong, China, HEYTEA is widely recognized as the originator of new-style tea beverages. The brand created the world’s first cheese tea using real tea and real milk, setting a new standard for the industry. HEYTEA is committed to using real ingredients, including real tea, real milk, real fruit, and real sugar, while continuously reimagining tea culture through products and experiences that resonate with young consumers. Today, HEYTEA operates around 4,000 stores worldwide, including more than 100 overseas locations across Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania.

Kishore Mahbubani: Zhuhai reveals vision for future city

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Advertorial Desk
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GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — News report from South:

“When I came to Zhuhai, I must say it was a mind-blowing experience.”

That was how Kishore Mahbubani, a prominent scholar and Singapore’s former ambassador to the United Nations, described his recent visit to the southern Chinese city as part of South’s “Inside China” series.

From close-up encounters with low-altitude aviation to first-hand observations of cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Macao, Mahbubani said Zhuhai’s emerging industries — particularly the low-altitude economy — left the strongest impression.

“In many areas, China is now number one in technology,” he said.

At the Tangjia Port Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Logistics Operations Base, Mahbubani saw how drones are already used for island inspections, firefighting, aquaculture, and logistics, along with demonstrations of passenger-carrying electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs.

He was particularly struck by the fact that EHang has become the world’s first company to receive commercial airworthiness certification for civilian, passenger-carrying unmanned eVTOL aircraft, which are now approved for commercial operations and exported to multiple overseas markets.

Zhuhai, one of China’s first special economic zones established in 1980, has seen rapid growth in emerging industries led by the low-altitude economy. The city hosts more than 75 related companies and has launched China’s first cross-border low-altitude airspace management system, version 2.0, covering about 3,600 square kilometers across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Alongside new industries, Mahbubani also examined how traditional manufacturing is being reshaped.

At Gree Electric Appliances (Zhuhai Jinwan) Co., Ltd., automation has significantly improved efficiency, while exports have continued to grow this year despite higher US tariffs.

Chen Huadong, general manager of the Jinwan subsidiary, said more than 70 percent of Gree’s overseas sales are under its own brands, with products customized for different climates — from extreme heat in the Middle East to sub-zero conditions in northern Europe.

“Visiting Gree was a mind-blowing experience,” Mahbubani said.

Another stop on Mahbubani’s journey was Hengqin, where the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone has supported Macao’s economic diversification, with tens of thousands of residents and numerous Macao-funded companies now operating there.

Reflecting on the journey, Mahbubani said the scale of change was striking even for long-time observers of China. “The world has changed,” he said. “People should come and see it for themselves.”

suchang Makes Full-Scale Entry into Japan’s Health Food Market with Jeju Mandarin Chenpi Ingredient

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Advertorial Desk
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SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jeju-based ingredient manufacturer suchang announced that it has begun exporting chenpi—dried mandarin peel made from Jeju citrus—to Japan’s health and functional food ingredient market.

Chenpi has long been used in traditional herbal medicine and food culture across East Asia and is increasingly gaining attention among wellness-oriented consumers for its potential benefits, including digestive support, immune enhancement, and antioxidant properties. In South Korea, recent media coverage highlighting the health benefits of chenpi tea—particularly its role in improving digestive function and supporting immunity—has further increased public interest in the ingredient.

The chenpi supplied by suchang is produced through natural drying methods and rigorous quality control processes, preserving the distinctive characteristics of Jeju mandarins. The ingredient is regarded as highly versatile for use in Japan’s food, beverage, and functional ingredient sectors.

Japanese companies are actively exploring ingredient diversification, ranging from traditional tea products to health beverages and naturally flavored seasoning applications. In this context, chenpi is attracting attention for its refreshing citrus aroma and functional components. Several Japanese food ingredient supply platforms have also introduced dried citrus peel as a material that enhances sweetness and flavor while serving as a health-oriented ingredient.

A representative from suchang stated, “Chenpi is more than just a spice—it is an ingredient that can offer both health benefits and everyday value to Japanese consumers. We plan to maintain the unique quality of Jeju mandarins while establishing long-term supply partnerships with our Japanese counterparts.”

As demand for wellness-focused ingredients continues to grow in Japan—particularly those based on natural and functional components—suchang’s export of chenpi is being recognized as a notable example of the global expansion of traditional Korean food ingredients.

Ganzin Launches Ultra-Low-Power ASIC Eye-Tracking Platform AURORA IIE, Enabling Always-On AI Glasses and VR/MR Devices

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Advertorial Desk
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Editor’s Summary

  • Ganzin will introduce AURORA IIE, its latest ASIC-based eye-tracking solution designed for next-generation AR/AI glasses and VR/MR headset.
  • AURORA IIE moves eye-tracking computation from an NPU to a proprietary Eye Processing Unit 2 (EPU2), reducing power consumption to 1/4 of NPU-based solutions, enabling true always-on eye-tracking.
  • Always-on eye-tracking allows gaze interaction and continuous capture of eye-based physiological indicators.
  • AURORA IIE supports up to 120 Hz throughput, empowering advanced VR/MR devices, medical applications, and academic research.
  • Ideal architecture: one ASIC processor (EPU2), two eye sensors, and two IR LEDs — maintaining the same ultra-compact design philosophy of Ganzin’s previous AURORA IIS platform.
  • With the introduction of AURORA IIE, Ganzin now delivers a complete, scalable eye-tracking product line — from software IP to turnkey NPU solutions and finally an ultra-low-power ASIC platform ready for mass production.

NEW TAIPEI CITY, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ganzin, a pioneer in glint-free wearable eye-tracking technology, is excited to announce the global debut of its next-generation AURORA IIE eye-tracking solution at CES 2026. Building on the success of last year’s AURORA IIS NPU solution, AURORA IIE introduces a custom-designed ASIC processor–Eye Processing Unit 2 (EPU2)–dedicated solely to eye-tracking computation.

For years, the high computational power required for eye-tracking has prevented AR/AI glasses from integrating this feature in a truly power-efficient manner. While AURORA IIS successfully offloaded processing from the host platform to a compact NPU, enabling substantial power savings, the move to ASIC marks another breakthrough.

EPU2: The Future of the Edge AI Computing for Wearable Eye Tracking

AURORA IIE is powered by Ganzin’s in-house developed ASIC, EPU2, engineered specifically for low-power, high-performance eye-tracking on wearable platforms. Compared to last year’s NPU-based architecture, the new ASIC achieves:

  • 1/4 the power consumption of an NPU
  • Always-on operation for gaze interaction and biometric sensing
  • Ultra-compact form factor optimized for AR/AI smartglasses
  • 120 Hz processing throughput, meeting the demands of VR/MR devices, medical institutions, and research labs

Ganzin AURORA IIE
Ganzin AURORA IIE

A Seamless, Minimalist Hardware Architecture

The AURORA IIE solution maintains the simplicity of Ganzin’s signature design:

  • One dedicated ASIC processor, 3.6 x 3.6mm
  • Two miniature eye sensors
  • Two ultra-small IR LEDs

Flexible Product Portfolio and Business Models for Seamless Integration

With the launch of AURORA IIE, Ganzin now offers a fully scalable eye-tracking product portfolio tailored to different development stages and integration needs:

AURORA-II — Software IP Licensing

A proven, highly flexible eye-tracking software stack that delivers robust performance across diverse hardware platforms. Ideal for partners seeking maximum design freedom and customization capability.

AURORA-IIS — NPU-Based Turnkey Solution

A production-ready reference design leveraging partner NPUs to accelerate system integration and shorten time-to-market, while maintaining excellent flexibility, power efficiency, and performance.

AURORA-IIE — ASIC-Based EPU2 Platform

Ganzin’s next-generation ASIC solution featuring the EPU2 processor, delivering ultra-low-power, always-on eye-tracking in a compact, procurement-ready hardware form factor for mass-production devices.

Together, the AURORA family enables customers to adopt the right solution at every stage — from early prototyping to large-scale commercial deployment.

Leadership Statement

“AURORA IIE represents the next evolutionary stage of wearable eye-tracking,” said Dr. Shao-Yi Chien, CEO of Ganzin. “Our custom ASIC, EPU2, enables unprecedented power efficiency and allows always-on operation, opening the door to new applications in interaction, wellness, and research.”

Experience AURORA IIE at CES 2026

Ganzin will host private demonstrations of the AURORA IIE solution at its executive suite in the Westgate Hotel during CES 2026.

About Ganzin

Ganzin is a global leader in lightweight, compact, and energy-efficient eye-tracking technology for next-generation wearable and immersive devices. With a mission to create the most practical, easy-to-use eye-tracking solution for everyone, Ganzin provides hardware and software total solution that enable seamless integration into AR/AI glasses, VR/MR headsets.

Attapeu Steps Up Price Controls Ahead of New Year

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
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Attapeu authorities inspection markets and shops to ensure price stability. (Picture by Lao Security News)

Authorities in Attapeu Province have strengthened price control measures to stabilize the cost of goods and services during the end-of-year and New Year period, officials said on 29 December.

Khanvi Sisouvong, Head of the Domestic Trade Sector at the Attapeu Department of Industry and Commerce, said the measures aim to keep prices stable across markets in the province and its five districts, while protecting consumers and preventing businesses from exploiting higher seasonal demand.

Relevant sectors should closely monitor prices, particularly for essential goods such as rice, beef and buffalo meat, pork, fish, chicken, vegetables, and other basic consumer items. Regular inspections will be carried out to prevent unreasonable price increases.

The department has been instructed to encourage business operators to familiarise themselves with government regulations, including requirements to declare production and import costs, wholesale and retail prices, display product information and labels in the Lao language, and list all prices in kip.

Businesses are also encouraged to maintain sufficient supply to meet market demand.

Authorities warned that violations will first receive formal warnings. Continued non-compliance may result in penalties under existing regulations, including imprisonment of six months to two years and fines ranging from LAK 3 million (USD 138.94) to LAK 10 million (USD 463.15).

Residents are encouraged to report suspected violations by calling the 24-hour consumer protection hotline at 1510.

Officials said the measures are intended to prevent price exploitation during the holiday period and safeguard fair trade practices across Attapeu Province. 

Tencent Cloud Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Asia Pacific AI-Enabled Front-Office Conversational AI Software 2025 Vendor Assessment

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Advertorial Desk
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SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of leading global technology and entertainment company Tencent, has been named a Leader in the recently released IDC MarketScape: Asia/Pacific AI-Enabled Front Office Conversational AI Software 2025 Vendor Assessment report (doc #AP52998625, November 2025).

Front office conversational AI brings intelligent, interactive capabilities that enhance user experiences and provide enterprises with end-to-end solutions from service to marketing, significantly improving operational efficiency. Today, it is one of the most representative application scenarios for generative AI.

As a pioneer in conversational AI, Tencent Cloud has accumulated rich experience in product application. For example, Tencent QiDian Customer Service leverages large language models (LLMs) and its proprietary Agent Development Platform (ADP) to power service chatbots for clients like DHL-Sinotrans, reducing daily manual service requests by 200 and increasing chatbot resolution rate from 69% to 74%.

To further elevate interactive experiences, Tencent Cloud AI Digital Human, also built on large language models, features precise intent recognition and lifelike, real-time interactions. This technology has already been deployed by global organizations such as Singapore Changi Airport and the Offshore Company of Vector Group, the world’s sixth largest (and Asia’s leading) PR company, optimizing their customer experiences.

Tencent Cloud’s Agent Development Platform (ADP) leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), workflow orchestration, and multi-agent frameworks to help businesses rapidly build sophisticated AI agents. These agents go beyond answering questions to autonomously execute complex tasks like identity verification, cross-system order tracking, and database queries. The time from application development to launch has been reduced to as little as three minutes. Tencent Cloud’s ADP is now widely deployed and has been making real-world impact across sectors such as public affairs, media, and retail, with its capabilities accessible globally via Tencent Cloud’s international platform.

For instance, Huazhu Group, a world-class hotel group operating in 19 countries with over 12,000 hotels and 290 million members, partnered with Tencent Cloud’s ADP to create a “24/7 Digital Butler” within its app—Huaxia AI. Capable of handling complex tasks such as information inquiries, order management, guest requests, and in-room IoT controls, this digital butler significantly enhances the hotel’s operational efficiency.

Similarly, in the financial sector, Tencent Cloud collaborated with a leading securities firm to launch an “Intelligent Investment Assistant.” Designed to address investor queries, the assistant can provides information such as company earnings reports, industry trends, market hotspots, and historical stock performance—along with in-depth analysis. To date, the assistant has processed nearly 2 million queries, helping the securities firm achieve a 3x month-over-month increase in user penetration.

Tencent Cloud’s conversational AI footprint now extends across the Asia-Pacific region, with significant adoption in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. These solutions are driving digital transformation in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, cross-border logistics, pharmaceutical retail, and financial insurance. By integrating AI conversation into the essential services such as retail, dining, hospitality, and transportation of daily life, Tencent Cloud is making interactions more efficient while maintaining a human-centric approach.

In order to provide solutions tailored to local languages, cultures, and compliance needs, Tencent Cloud has established local teams and technical support centers across the globe, ensuring global enterprises receive responsive, localized service. Looking forward, Tencent Cloud will continue to deepen the integration of AI technology with industry-specific scenarios, offering more intelligent, adaptive, and fine-tuned products and services to help enterprises worldwide harness the power of AI and thrive in the intelligent era.

About Tencent Cloud:

Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.

About IDC MarketScape:

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each supplier’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of technology suppliers can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective suppliers.

 

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