HONG KONG, March 30 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” of China Taiping Insurance (Macau) Co., Ltd. (CTIM) (Macau). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect CTIM’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as adequate, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also reflect the lift the company receives from its parent, China Taiping Insurance Holdings Company Limited (CTIH).
CTIM’s risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), dropped to the adequate level at year-end 2017 due to significant additional reinsurer credit risk related to reinsurance recoverables from Typhoon Hato – a 1-in-50-year storm that struck in August 2017 – and major losses in the following month from the SJM’s Grand Lisboa Palace fire. Given that the company’s reinsurer panel is highly rated and the vast majority of the typhoon claims are expected to be settled and closed within one year, A.M. Best expects the company’s risk-adjusted capitalization to return to the strongest level within the next two years.
CTIM maintains a leading market position in Macau, with strong operating performance and a five-year average return on equity of 22.3% from 2012 to 2016. The company achieved net profits in 2017 due to investment income, despite the occurrence of two severe underwriting events.
Offsetting rating factors include the uncertainty surrounding CTIM’s liquidity and risks that it will be unable to comply with regulations regarding technical reserves, which could require the company to set aside a material additional amount of assets by April 2018 to back part of the ceded reserves arising from the two events. A.M. Best expects CTIH will provide necessary financial and capital support to CTIM in that case.
Negative rating actions could occur if CTIH does not provide necessary financial support to CTIM in order to comply with the technical reserves regulations. Negative rating actions also could occur if there is a reinsurance dispute or delayed payment on reinsurance receivables, which would lead to liquidity issues for CTIM.
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.
A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
Copyright © 2018 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180329005919/en/
Contact
A.M. Best
Christie Lee
Director, Analytics
+852 2827 3413
christie.lee@ambest.com
or
John Andre
Managing Director, Analytics
+1 903 439 2200, ext. 5619
john.andre@ambest.com
or
Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
Source : A.M. Best
--BERNAMA
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=31566
Friday, 30 March 2018
Shiga Prefecture releases video promoting charms of Omi Beef in five languages
KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- The Shiga Prefectural Government
has produced 'The Premium Culinary Tour Shiga Prefecture', a publicity video to
promote the charms of Omi Beef, one of Japan's top three 'wagyu' beef brands on
March 30, 2018.
The video will be posted on YouTube in five languages -- English, Chinese (both traditional and simplified), Korean and Thai, a statement said.
The video retraces an event, titled a 'Journey to Fully Enjoy Omi Beef in Shiga Prefecture' which was held in December 2017 to promote Omi Beef and sightseeing spots in Shiga by inviting tour operators from Hong Kong and Singapore to the western Japan prefecture.
A statement said the four-day tour not only features all kinds of Omi Beef gourmet treats but also tourist attractions in Shiga Prefecture including a cruise on Lake Biwa; the hot spring resort of Ogoto Onsen; Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei and Hikone Castle.
The Omi Beef, Japan's oldest branded beef has its origin dating back 400 years and its history is considered long for well-known branded beef exported to Macao, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar as well as Taiwan.
Shiga Prefecture organised this farm trip targeting Hong Kong and Singapore, where wagyu draws much attention and a great number of potential buyers to create a tour combining Omi Beef and sightseeing spots in the prefecture.
The farm trip aims to expand demand for inbound tourism via Kyoto, attract visitors to Shiga and boost consumption of Omi Beef.
Shiga Prefecture is neighbouring to the east of Kyoto and accessible from big cities, about 10 minutes from Kyoto and about 30 minutes from Osaka by train. The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw69E1PLVCOCbgU0_2l9WsA
--BERNAMA
The video will be posted on YouTube in five languages -- English, Chinese (both traditional and simplified), Korean and Thai, a statement said.
The video retraces an event, titled a 'Journey to Fully Enjoy Omi Beef in Shiga Prefecture' which was held in December 2017 to promote Omi Beef and sightseeing spots in Shiga by inviting tour operators from Hong Kong and Singapore to the western Japan prefecture.
A statement said the four-day tour not only features all kinds of Omi Beef gourmet treats but also tourist attractions in Shiga Prefecture including a cruise on Lake Biwa; the hot spring resort of Ogoto Onsen; Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei and Hikone Castle.
The Omi Beef, Japan's oldest branded beef has its origin dating back 400 years and its history is considered long for well-known branded beef exported to Macao, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar as well as Taiwan.
Shiga Prefecture organised this farm trip targeting Hong Kong and Singapore, where wagyu draws much attention and a great number of potential buyers to create a tour combining Omi Beef and sightseeing spots in the prefecture.
The farm trip aims to expand demand for inbound tourism via Kyoto, attract visitors to Shiga and boost consumption of Omi Beef.
Shiga Prefecture is neighbouring to the east of Kyoto and accessible from big cities, about 10 minutes from Kyoto and about 30 minutes from Osaka by train. The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw69E1PLVCOCbgU0_2l9WsA
--BERNAMA
Vistajet soars to new heights with three Asia-wide initiatives
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- VistaJet Ltd continues to lead the industry with three major initiatives in April including a global tour release of a research paper on private aviation and an Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE).
Among the initiatives is the global tour of "The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller" to Beijing and Shanghai, set to be the most significant auction entirely dedicated to raising funds for philanthropic causes, a statement said.
Following the unveiling of early highlights in Hong Kong, London and Paris tour will move to Beijing on April 6 to 7; Los Angeles on April 6 to 12; Shanghai on April 10 to 11 ahead of the final exhibition in New York on April 28.
New elements of the multi-category collection will be revealed at each stop of the tour and the sale will be conducted at Christie's New York in Rockefeller Center during the week of May 7 to 11.
VistaJet has also created three exclusive and fully-customisable 'The Art of Flying" experiences for VistaJet and Christie's clients to further enrich the global exhibition tour.
This includes The Rockefeller Experience allowing up to 10 guests travelling with VistaJet's iconic silver and red jets, a rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes private discovery tour of Kykuit, historical National Trust landmark of the Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills or a private tour of the Rockefeller Archive Center in Westchester County.
The World of Art Experience offers customers the opportunity to travel to "The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller" exhibitions on-board VistaJet for a private tour of the emblematic collection at each location.
Meanwhile The Direct Experience offers any guest flying with VistaJet to any of the exhibitions an invitation to receive a complimentary membership to VistaJet Direct, worth US$10,000.
The second initiative refers to the releases of ?The Jet Traveler Report', a comprehensive research paper, in Shanghai on April 16, providing a global perspective of who flies privately and how.
The report identifies the market split for ultra high net worth (UHNW) population, the growing markets, distinguish the competing business models and pinpoint the factors that influence how business leaders and UHNWs choose to fly.
The third initiative is organising the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) whereby media will have a chance to view VistaJet's Global 6000, the most advanced and long-range premium aircraft at the event on April 17 to 19.
VistaJet's President of Asia, Leona Qi added that ABACE presents a rare opportunity for visitors to explore a VistaJet aircraft up close and discover for themselves the attention to detail and luxury.
VistaJet is the first and only global aviation company which has flown corporations, governments and private clients to 187 countries, covering 96 per cent of the world. More information and news about VistaJet can be accessed at vistajet.com.
--BERNAMA
Among the initiatives is the global tour of "The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller" to Beijing and Shanghai, set to be the most significant auction entirely dedicated to raising funds for philanthropic causes, a statement said.
Following the unveiling of early highlights in Hong Kong, London and Paris tour will move to Beijing on April 6 to 7; Los Angeles on April 6 to 12; Shanghai on April 10 to 11 ahead of the final exhibition in New York on April 28.
New elements of the multi-category collection will be revealed at each stop of the tour and the sale will be conducted at Christie's New York in Rockefeller Center during the week of May 7 to 11.
VistaJet has also created three exclusive and fully-customisable 'The Art of Flying" experiences for VistaJet and Christie's clients to further enrich the global exhibition tour.
This includes The Rockefeller Experience allowing up to 10 guests travelling with VistaJet's iconic silver and red jets, a rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes private discovery tour of Kykuit, historical National Trust landmark of the Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills or a private tour of the Rockefeller Archive Center in Westchester County.
The World of Art Experience offers customers the opportunity to travel to "The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller" exhibitions on-board VistaJet for a private tour of the emblematic collection at each location.
Meanwhile The Direct Experience offers any guest flying with VistaJet to any of the exhibitions an invitation to receive a complimentary membership to VistaJet Direct, worth US$10,000.
The second initiative refers to the releases of ?The Jet Traveler Report', a comprehensive research paper, in Shanghai on April 16, providing a global perspective of who flies privately and how.
The report identifies the market split for ultra high net worth (UHNW) population, the growing markets, distinguish the competing business models and pinpoint the factors that influence how business leaders and UHNWs choose to fly.
The third initiative is organising the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) whereby media will have a chance to view VistaJet's Global 6000, the most advanced and long-range premium aircraft at the event on April 17 to 19.
VistaJet's President of Asia, Leona Qi added that ABACE presents a rare opportunity for visitors to explore a VistaJet aircraft up close and discover for themselves the attention to detail and luxury.
VistaJet is the first and only global aviation company which has flown corporations, governments and private clients to 187 countries, covering 96 per cent of the world. More information and news about VistaJet can be accessed at vistajet.com.
--BERNAMA
GLYCOTOPE SELECTS CROWNBIO AS A PRECLINICAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNER TO ADVANCE THEIR IMMUNOTHERAPEUTIC PIPELINE
SAN DIEGO, March 29 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Bioscience, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crown Bioscience International (TWSE:6554) and a global drug discovery and development services company providing translational platforms to advance oncology, inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic disease research, announces that it has been chosen by Glycotope GmbH as a partner to accelerate their immuno-oncology drug discovery pipeline.
CrownBio offers the world’s largest collection of patient derived xenograft (PDX) models and is a leading provider of humanized solutions for immuno-oncology drug development. Leveraging these exclusive capabilities, CrownBio will engraft cell line-derived cancer models as well as PDX models selected by Glycotope into CD34+ humanized mouse models. These customized, humanized models will be used to accelerate Glycotope’s innovative immuno-oncology drug discovery pipeline.
“Glycotope recognizes the value of CrownBio’s extensive PDX and CDX collection and their expertise in implementing innovative humanization strategies,” said Anika Jäkel, Director of Glycotope’s Preclinical Pharmacology & Cancer Immunology group. “We have chosen them as our partner for these reasons and look forward to what we are confident will be a successful alliance.”
“We are very pleased that Glycotope has selected us as a trusted partner to advance their cutting-edge immuno-oncology pipeline,” said Laurie Heilmann, CrownBio’s Chief Business Officer. “Our unique capabilities will enable Glycotope to continue providing new and improved therapies for the treatment of cancer.”
About Crown Bioscience Inc.
CrownBio is a global drug discovery and development solutions company providing translational platforms to advance oncology, inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic disease research. With an extensive portfolio of relevant models and predictive tools, CrownBio enables clients to deliver superior clinical candidates.
About Glycotope GmbH
Glycotope, founded in 2000 in Berlin, focuses on the development of innovative immuno-oncological products for the treatment of various cancer types using their GlycoBody and GlycoExpress® technologies. Glycotope has currently one product in clinical development. The Company’s additional pipeline includes preclinical antibody biopharmaceuticals for various oncological indications.
Glycotope’s GlycoExpress® (GEX®) platform allows glyco-optimization and high yield production of a variety of fully human glycosylated biopharmaceuticals such as antibodies, glycoprotein hormones and cytokines by using a toolbox of glyco-engineered proprietary human cell lines that allow for optimization of a whole series of different relevant sugars. In addition, the GEX® platform can be used for in process glycosylation control. Visit http://www.glycotope.com/.
Media Enquiries:
Jody Barbeau
Crown Bioscience Inc.
marketing@crownbio.com
Source : Crown Bioscience
--BERNAMA
CrownBio offers the world’s largest collection of patient derived xenograft (PDX) models and is a leading provider of humanized solutions for immuno-oncology drug development. Leveraging these exclusive capabilities, CrownBio will engraft cell line-derived cancer models as well as PDX models selected by Glycotope into CD34+ humanized mouse models. These customized, humanized models will be used to accelerate Glycotope’s innovative immuno-oncology drug discovery pipeline.
“Glycotope recognizes the value of CrownBio’s extensive PDX and CDX collection and their expertise in implementing innovative humanization strategies,” said Anika Jäkel, Director of Glycotope’s Preclinical Pharmacology & Cancer Immunology group. “We have chosen them as our partner for these reasons and look forward to what we are confident will be a successful alliance.”
“We are very pleased that Glycotope has selected us as a trusted partner to advance their cutting-edge immuno-oncology pipeline,” said Laurie Heilmann, CrownBio’s Chief Business Officer. “Our unique capabilities will enable Glycotope to continue providing new and improved therapies for the treatment of cancer.”
About Crown Bioscience Inc.
CrownBio is a global drug discovery and development solutions company providing translational platforms to advance oncology, inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic disease research. With an extensive portfolio of relevant models and predictive tools, CrownBio enables clients to deliver superior clinical candidates.
About Glycotope GmbH
Glycotope, founded in 2000 in Berlin, focuses on the development of innovative immuno-oncological products for the treatment of various cancer types using their GlycoBody and GlycoExpress® technologies. Glycotope has currently one product in clinical development. The Company’s additional pipeline includes preclinical antibody biopharmaceuticals for various oncological indications.
Glycotope’s GlycoExpress® (GEX®) platform allows glyco-optimization and high yield production of a variety of fully human glycosylated biopharmaceuticals such as antibodies, glycoprotein hormones and cytokines by using a toolbox of glyco-engineered proprietary human cell lines that allow for optimization of a whole series of different relevant sugars. In addition, the GEX® platform can be used for in process glycosylation control. Visit http://www.glycotope.com/.
Media Enquiries:
Jody Barbeau
Crown Bioscience Inc.
marketing@crownbio.com
Source : Crown Bioscience
--BERNAMA
Thursday, 29 March 2018
New private aviation report reveals preferences of business elite and wealthy fliers
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- VistaJet Ltd and Wealth-X, a leader in wealth information and insight have released the first customer-centric analysis on the private aviation industry - 'The Jet Traveler Report: The Global Perspective on Who Flies Privately and How'.
The report provides unique insight into the profiles of private fliers around the globe, how they fly and what is most important to them, a statement said.
The companies have identified four key findings of the report including, the average wealth of owners (US$1.5 billion) and members (US$ 1.16 billion) is not dissimilar; a widespread move away from full or fractional ownership; the increasing demand for longer trips and larger cabins; and a rise of younger generation of customers in all regions.
According to the report, private aviation is growing but the global ultra high net worth (UHNW) population and the world's fleet are not rising at the same rate which highlights that not everyone who flies privately on a regular basis owns a plane.
Most of the growth comes from an increase in other flying solutions, including membership programs, fractional ownership and on-demand chartering, allowing individuals access to a fleet of private jets at their convenience.
It is also reported that UHNW travelers have been classified into three groups which are the owners, members and the wider audiences of UHNW who use a variety of methods to fly.
"By identifying who these individuals are and understanding how and why they fly, we gain a clear understanding of the choices facing them and the typologies that exist in the market," said director of Wealth-X Custom Research, Winston Chesterfield.
Wealth-X has leveraged its international database of dossiers on UHNW individuals to profile passengers using different methods to fly and the result was included in the report through in-depth interviews with experts, to discover how they travel and why.
The Jet Traveler Report has answered the question of who flies privately and how to identify the key typologies of private flyers and the complete report can be downloaded at vistajet.com/TheJetTravelerReport.
VistaJet is one of the most technologically integrated companies in business aviation and the first and only global private aviation company who offers customers a fully integrated end-to-end service via app and website through its flagship program membership, the statement said.
The report provides unique insight into the profiles of private fliers around the globe, how they fly and what is most important to them, a statement said.
The companies have identified four key findings of the report including, the average wealth of owners (US$1.5 billion) and members (US$ 1.16 billion) is not dissimilar; a widespread move away from full or fractional ownership; the increasing demand for longer trips and larger cabins; and a rise of younger generation of customers in all regions.
According to the report, private aviation is growing but the global ultra high net worth (UHNW) population and the world's fleet are not rising at the same rate which highlights that not everyone who flies privately on a regular basis owns a plane.
Most of the growth comes from an increase in other flying solutions, including membership programs, fractional ownership and on-demand chartering, allowing individuals access to a fleet of private jets at their convenience.
It is also reported that UHNW travelers have been classified into three groups which are the owners, members and the wider audiences of UHNW who use a variety of methods to fly.
"By identifying who these individuals are and understanding how and why they fly, we gain a clear understanding of the choices facing them and the typologies that exist in the market," said director of Wealth-X Custom Research, Winston Chesterfield.
Wealth-X has leveraged its international database of dossiers on UHNW individuals to profile passengers using different methods to fly and the result was included in the report through in-depth interviews with experts, to discover how they travel and why.
The Jet Traveler Report has answered the question of who flies privately and how to identify the key typologies of private flyers and the complete report can be downloaded at vistajet.com/TheJetTravelerReport.
VistaJet is one of the most technologically integrated companies in business aviation and the first and only global private aviation company who offers customers a fully integrated end-to-end service via app and website through its flagship program membership, the statement said.
Credit ratings of Malayan Insurance remains stable - A.M. Best
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (good) and the long-term issuer credit rating of 'bbb+' of Malayan Insurance Co Inc. (MICO) Philippines.
A.M. Best, in a statement said that the outlook of these credit ratings is stable.
The ratings reflect MICO's balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorised as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
As measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio, MICO's risk-adjusted capitalisation is very strong and supported by low underwriting leverage.
Management also expects to reduce the amount of reinsurance recoverables substantially in 2018.
While the company has a large amount of reinsurance assets, it manages credit risk by maintaining a panel of strongly rated reinsurance counterparties.
MICO has a strong presence in the corporate segment of the Philippines' non-life market and is the country's largest insurer based on premium and second largest in terms of capital and surplus.
A.M. Best is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.
A.M. Best, in a statement said that the outlook of these credit ratings is stable.
The ratings reflect MICO's balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorised as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
As measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio, MICO's risk-adjusted capitalisation is very strong and supported by low underwriting leverage.
Management also expects to reduce the amount of reinsurance recoverables substantially in 2018.
While the company has a large amount of reinsurance assets, it manages credit risk by maintaining a panel of strongly rated reinsurance counterparties.
MICO has a strong presence in the corporate segment of the Philippines' non-life market and is the country's largest insurer based on premium and second largest in terms of capital and surplus.
A.M. Best is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.
Wednesday, 28 March 2018
Calgon Carbon increases global prices of activated carbon products
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- Calgon Carbon Corporation has announced a global price increase, effective immediately, where contracts permit, on all activated carbon products.
Calgon Carbon, in a statement said the price increase is due to a continued escalation in the cost of raw materials.
The increase is expected to range between 5 and 20 per cent, depending on the specific product, raw material type, services provided and global considerations.
The primary raw materials used for producing activated carbon are coal, coconut shells and wood have gone up in price.
Additionally, costs associated with operating manufacturing facilities and moving freight have also escalated.
"Calgon Carbon has made every effort to reduce costs with process improvements, but the recent hike in raw material costs has exceeded our endeavours," said its executive vice-president, Core Carbon Services Division, Jim Coccagno.
"This price revision is necessary to ensure the continued supply of the highest quality activated carbon products and services to our customers," he added.
Calgon Carbon Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kuraray Co. Ltd., is a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative coal-, wood- and coconut-based activated carbon products in granular, powdered, pelletised and cloth form, to meet the most challenging purification demands of customers worldwide.
Calgon Carbon, in a statement said the price increase is due to a continued escalation in the cost of raw materials.
The increase is expected to range between 5 and 20 per cent, depending on the specific product, raw material type, services provided and global considerations.
The primary raw materials used for producing activated carbon are coal, coconut shells and wood have gone up in price.
Additionally, costs associated with operating manufacturing facilities and moving freight have also escalated.
"Calgon Carbon has made every effort to reduce costs with process improvements, but the recent hike in raw material costs has exceeded our endeavours," said its executive vice-president, Core Carbon Services Division, Jim Coccagno.
"This price revision is necessary to ensure the continued supply of the highest quality activated carbon products and services to our customers," he added.
Calgon Carbon Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kuraray Co. Ltd., is a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative coal-, wood- and coconut-based activated carbon products in granular, powdered, pelletised and cloth form, to meet the most challenging purification demands of customers worldwide.
PREFERRED NETWORKS TO LAUNCH "MN-1B" PRIVATE SECTOR SUPERCOMPUTER ADOPTING NVIDIA TESLA V100 32GB GPUS
TOKYO, March 28 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN), a provider of IoT-centric deep learning systems, NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), the ICT solutions and international communications business within the NTT Group, and NTT Com subsidiary NTT PC Communications Incorporated (NTT PC) announced today that PFN will launch an expanded version of its MN-1 private sector supercomputer equipped with NTT Com and NTTPC’s next-generation GPU platform by July. The new MN-1b supercomputer will adopt the NVIDIA® Tesla® V100 32GB, that was announced at GTC 2018 on March 27, 2018 (U.S. time).
PFN plans to enhance MN-1 by adding 512 NVIDIA Tesla V100 32GB GPUs and have them up and running by July, with the added GPUs having a theoretical peak performance of about 56 PetaFLOPS1, a massive 56,000 trillion floating-point operations per second, based on a mixed precision floating-point operation2 used in deep learning. This means the expansion alone will contribute to a roughly threefold increase from the current peak.
PFN expects the new supercomputer’s extra high speed and massive processing environment leveraging the latest GPUs will accelerate the real-world applications of its research and development in deep learning and related technologies and thereby strengthen PFN’s global competitiveness. NTT Com and NTT PC will build and operate the multi-node platform leveraging the latest GPUs that meets PFN’s requirements, using their knowledge of intra-GPU communication and waste heat processing.
"We are truly honored that Preferred Networks has chosen NVIDIA Tesla V100 32GB, most advanced data center GPU with 2X the memory, for its next-generation private supercomputer’s computation environment, “MN-1b”. With NTT Com Group’s experience of establishing and managing highly reliable data center services, combined with NVIDIA’s latest high-speed GPUs for deep learning, we sincerely look forward to R&D results in the fields of transportation systems, manufacturing and biotech/healthcare," said Masataka Osaki, Vice President of Corporate Sales and NVIDIA Japan Country Manager.
Emmy Chang, Board Director, Supermicro KK and VP of Strategic Sales, Supermicro said, “Preferred Networks is the first in the world to deploy our SuperServer® 4029GP-TRT2 equipped with the latest version of Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors and supporting eight NVIDIA Tesla V100 32GB GPU accelerators,” “Preferred Networks has developed the world-class private supercomputer through cooperative work with NTT Com Group, and Supermicro continues to support them with our latest innovative hardware and solutions. We are confident that Preferred Networks will achieve new heights with its new private supercomputer.”
PFN will use the new MN-1b to raise the speed of its ChainerTM open source deep-learning framework and further accelerate its research and development in fields that require a huge amount of computing resources, namely transportation systems, manufacturing, bio-healthcare, and creativity.
Going forward, NTT Com expects to increasingly support the delivery of AI technologies and related platforms for advanced research and commercialized deep learning, including the AI business initiatives of PFN.
Related links:
Chainer
Enterprise Cloud
Nexcenter
Notes:
1 A unit measuring computer performance. Peta is 1,000 trillion (10 to the power of 15) and FLOPS is used to count floating-point operations per second. So, 1 PetaFLOPS means that a computer is capable of performing 1,000 trillion floating-point calculations per second.
2 Mixed precision floating-point operation is a method of floating point arithmetic operations with combination of multiple precisions.
ChainerTM is a trademark or a registered trademark of Preferred Networks, Inc. in Japan and other countries. Other company names and product names written in this release are the trademarks or the registered trademarks of each company.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=31540
PFN plans to enhance MN-1 by adding 512 NVIDIA Tesla V100 32GB GPUs and have them up and running by July, with the added GPUs having a theoretical peak performance of about 56 PetaFLOPS1, a massive 56,000 trillion floating-point operations per second, based on a mixed precision floating-point operation2 used in deep learning. This means the expansion alone will contribute to a roughly threefold increase from the current peak.
PFN expects the new supercomputer’s extra high speed and massive processing environment leveraging the latest GPUs will accelerate the real-world applications of its research and development in deep learning and related technologies and thereby strengthen PFN’s global competitiveness. NTT Com and NTT PC will build and operate the multi-node platform leveraging the latest GPUs that meets PFN’s requirements, using their knowledge of intra-GPU communication and waste heat processing.
"We are truly honored that Preferred Networks has chosen NVIDIA Tesla V100 32GB, most advanced data center GPU with 2X the memory, for its next-generation private supercomputer’s computation environment, “MN-1b”. With NTT Com Group’s experience of establishing and managing highly reliable data center services, combined with NVIDIA’s latest high-speed GPUs for deep learning, we sincerely look forward to R&D results in the fields of transportation systems, manufacturing and biotech/healthcare," said Masataka Osaki, Vice President of Corporate Sales and NVIDIA Japan Country Manager.
Emmy Chang, Board Director, Supermicro KK and VP of Strategic Sales, Supermicro said, “Preferred Networks is the first in the world to deploy our SuperServer® 4029GP-TRT2 equipped with the latest version of Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors and supporting eight NVIDIA Tesla V100 32GB GPU accelerators,” “Preferred Networks has developed the world-class private supercomputer through cooperative work with NTT Com Group, and Supermicro continues to support them with our latest innovative hardware and solutions. We are confident that Preferred Networks will achieve new heights with its new private supercomputer.”
PFN will use the new MN-1b to raise the speed of its ChainerTM open source deep-learning framework and further accelerate its research and development in fields that require a huge amount of computing resources, namely transportation systems, manufacturing, bio-healthcare, and creativity.
Going forward, NTT Com expects to increasingly support the delivery of AI technologies and related platforms for advanced research and commercialized deep learning, including the AI business initiatives of PFN.
Related links:
Chainer
Enterprise Cloud
Nexcenter
Notes:
1 A unit measuring computer performance. Peta is 1,000 trillion (10 to the power of 15) and FLOPS is used to count floating-point operations per second. So, 1 PetaFLOPS means that a computer is capable of performing 1,000 trillion floating-point calculations per second.
2 Mixed precision floating-point operation is a method of floating point arithmetic operations with combination of multiple precisions.
ChainerTM is a trademark or a registered trademark of Preferred Networks, Inc. in Japan and other countries. Other company names and product names written in this release are the trademarks or the registered trademarks of each company.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=31540
CRYPTOSECURITIES EXCHANGE SEEKS TO CREATE WORLD'S FIRST SEC-REGISTERED BLOCKCHAIN-BASED NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE
The Digital Movement to Eliminate Fraud and Simplify Access to Public Capital for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, March 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE)-- A self-regulating, fully transparent, code-regulated, blockchain-based National Securities Exchange registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. That’s the vision of the team at CryptoSecurities® Exchange LLC.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=51775827&lang=en
In just a few short months, they have registered with the SEC as a Regulation D Exempt Offering, registered with FinCEN as a Registered Money Services Business, secured a lobbying firm in Washington DC to pursue a partnership with the United States government, retained an international tax law firm to ensure IRS compliance, and are in the process of establishing a SuperPAC to push their agenda in the U.S. Congress.
What’s the difference between our current securities trading exchanges and a blockchain-based exchange? Access, cost, speed, and transparency.
Right now, the $1.7 trillion market of over-the-counter (OTC) publicly traded companies has intentionally chosen to not be traded on one of the major legacy exchanges. Why? Because of the prohibitive cost. Brokers, clearinghouses, legal custodians, and the exchange itself all want a cut of every transaction. Even noble brokers like Robinhood don’t allow investors to avoid the clearinghouse fees, exchange fees, and the archaic 3-5 day waiting period for settlement. To make matters more burdensome, the mishaps on Wall Street have resulted in overreaching securities regulations that inadvertently prevent entrepreneurs and startups from accessing public capital. Entrepreneurs have had to resort to presales of conceptual products as a backdoor to raising capital on sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe. Sites like StartEngine have failed to meet their full potential because the investor base of these types of platforms are strictly limited to permit only accredited investors, which are individuals that make more than $200,000 annually or have more than $1m in assets not including their home. That eliminates nearly the entire general public and destroys the crowdfunding capacity of the platform.
CryptoSecurities Exchange (CSX) is the solution. CSX will be a registered national securities exchange with the SEC. Operating under the state of Delaware’s new cryptosecurities law, which allows stock to be digitized and transferred electronically via a distributed shareholder register in a blockchain-based private network, CSX seeks to digitize the shareholder registers of every OTC company in the United States for no cost.
More importantly, CSX will be working with former SEC regulators and forensic auditors to build a network that has all existing securities laws and regulations built into the code framework. By coding our existing laws into the network, legal compliance will be automated.
What does this mean? Entrepreneurs and startups no longer need to consult with securities attorneys. Brokers will be a thing of the past. Clearinghouses will no longer be necessary. Legal custodians will no longer be needed. The CSX online trading platform will directly connect investors with entrepreneurs, small businesses, and companies throughout the United States. A self-regulating, fully transparent, code-regulated, blockchain-based national securities exchange for Main Street; not just Wall Street.
Tuesday, 27 March 2018
Winners of Datacloud Asia Awards 2018
KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- BroadGroup has announced the winners of the Datacloud Asia Awards 2018, in honour of the year's outstanding individuals and businesses currently shaping the Asian data economy.
The awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the technology sector, recognise innovation and excellence in the flourishing Asia digital infrastructure market.
BroadGroup, in a statement, said the awards ceremony at Capella Hotel in Singapore was hosted by BBC anchor, Rico Hizon, on the closing day of the Datacloud Asia congress.
Equinix received three awards -- Excellence in Cloud Service Award, Excellence in Data Centre Service Award and Cloud Leader of the Year.
Three awards were also won by Digital Realty - Marketer of the Year - Omer Wilson, Individual Industry Contribution (Ambassador Award) - Krupal Raval, and Data Centre Leader of the Year.
Global Cloud Xchange received two awards ? Excellence in Cloud Service Award South East Asia and Data Centre Thought Leadership Award - Bill Barney.
The other awards won were Excellence in Data Centre Service Award (India) - GPX India Pvt Ltd; Best Data Centre Energy Solution - Munters; Excellence in Data Centre Service Award (South East Asia) -SUPERNAP Thailand; Data Centre Location Award, Chonburi Province, Thailand; Best programme for Data Centre training and professional development - Cnet Training; and Excellence in Data Centre IT Architecture and Design - NEXTDC.
"Datacloud Asia goes from strength to strength and the award winners mirror the optimism, dynamism and entrepreneurism that is permeating throughout the region," said BroadGroup chairman, Philip Low.
"All of this year's recipients have achieved something truly special and should be proud of the transformative impact that they have made on people, business and society across this diverse and dynamic part of the world," Low added.
Established in 2002, BroadGroup is an information media technology company which delivers premium event brands.
-- BERNAMA
The awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the technology sector, recognise innovation and excellence in the flourishing Asia digital infrastructure market.
BroadGroup, in a statement, said the awards ceremony at Capella Hotel in Singapore was hosted by BBC anchor, Rico Hizon, on the closing day of the Datacloud Asia congress.
Equinix received three awards -- Excellence in Cloud Service Award, Excellence in Data Centre Service Award and Cloud Leader of the Year.
Three awards were also won by Digital Realty - Marketer of the Year - Omer Wilson, Individual Industry Contribution (Ambassador Award) - Krupal Raval, and Data Centre Leader of the Year.
Global Cloud Xchange received two awards ? Excellence in Cloud Service Award South East Asia and Data Centre Thought Leadership Award - Bill Barney.
The other awards won were Excellence in Data Centre Service Award (India) - GPX India Pvt Ltd; Best Data Centre Energy Solution - Munters; Excellence in Data Centre Service Award (South East Asia) -SUPERNAP Thailand; Data Centre Location Award, Chonburi Province, Thailand; Best programme for Data Centre training and professional development - Cnet Training; and Excellence in Data Centre IT Architecture and Design - NEXTDC.
"Datacloud Asia goes from strength to strength and the award winners mirror the optimism, dynamism and entrepreneurism that is permeating throughout the region," said BroadGroup chairman, Philip Low.
"All of this year's recipients have achieved something truly special and should be proud of the transformative impact that they have made on people, business and society across this diverse and dynamic part of the world," Low added.
Established in 2002, BroadGroup is an information media technology company which delivers premium event brands.
-- BERNAMA
TOSHIBA RELEASES SMALL MOSFET WITH HIGH ESD PROTECTION TO DRIVE HEADLIGHT LED
TOKYO, March 26 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has released a dual MOSFET “SSM6N813R” with high ESD protection positioned for use in automotive applications, including as a driver IC for headlight LEDs, which require a high withstand voltage and a small footprint. Mass production shipments begin in April.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180326005358/en/
A maximum drain-source voltage (VDSS) of 100V ensures that SSM6N813R is suitable for headlight applications requiring multiple LEDs—a capability supported by high ESD immunity. Fabricated using the latest process and housed in a TSOP6F package, SSM6N813R has an allowable power dissipation of 1.5W and low on-resistance. In addition, the footprint of the TSOP6F package is 70% smaller than that of an SOP8 package.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180326005358/en/
A maximum drain-source voltage (VDSS) of 100V ensures that SSM6N813R is suitable for headlight applications requiring multiple LEDs—a capability supported by high ESD immunity. Fabricated using the latest process and housed in a TSOP6F package, SSM6N813R has an allowable power dissipation of 1.5W and low on-resistance. In addition, the footprint of the TSOP6F package is 70% smaller than that of an SOP8 package.
Proficio honoured for excellence in cybersecurity services
KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Proficio Inc. has received 11 top honours from several industry award outlets in the first quarter of 2018.
The company said each awards program highlighted its offerings for managed cybersecurity services, Splunk services, its global expansion efforts in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (APAC), and its security team's depth of expertise.
The honours include three Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, five Info Security Product Guide 2018 Global Excellence Awards, a Cloud Computing Excellence Award and a spot on CRN's Security 100 list.
These prominent award programs are focused on recognising companies that demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership in the information security sector.
"These awards are an absolute testament to the passion, drive and quality work our team produces daily. Combating today's advanced persistent threats requires a level of expertise and vigilance that our employees in North America, EMEA and APAC consistently demonstrate," said co-founder and president of Proficio, Tim McElwee, in a statement.
Its chief executive officer, Brad Taylor said in the year ahead, the company planned to continually enhance its monitoring and response services, along with launching new products that will give its clients total visibility into their security environments.
The company is also on the precipice of launching a new solution at RSA that will create a new standard of value within the MSSP industry and give clients clear insight into their overall security posture.
Proficio, a managed security services provider (MSSP) delivering managed detection and response (MDR), offers managed cybersecurity services using proprietary processes, experienced security analysts, and the industries' most advanced technologies to help organisations defend against advanced threats.
More on Proficio can be accessed at "http://www.proficio.com/"
The company said each awards program highlighted its offerings for managed cybersecurity services, Splunk services, its global expansion efforts in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (APAC), and its security team's depth of expertise.
The honours include three Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, five Info Security Product Guide 2018 Global Excellence Awards, a Cloud Computing Excellence Award and a spot on CRN's Security 100 list.
These prominent award programs are focused on recognising companies that demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership in the information security sector.
"These awards are an absolute testament to the passion, drive and quality work our team produces daily. Combating today's advanced persistent threats requires a level of expertise and vigilance that our employees in North America, EMEA and APAC consistently demonstrate," said co-founder and president of Proficio, Tim McElwee, in a statement.
Its chief executive officer, Brad Taylor said in the year ahead, the company planned to continually enhance its monitoring and response services, along with launching new products that will give its clients total visibility into their security environments.
The company is also on the precipice of launching a new solution at RSA that will create a new standard of value within the MSSP industry and give clients clear insight into their overall security posture.
Proficio, a managed security services provider (MSSP) delivering managed detection and response (MDR), offers managed cybersecurity services using proprietary processes, experienced security analysts, and the industries' most advanced technologies to help organisations defend against advanced threats.
More on Proficio can be accessed at "http://www.proficio.com/"
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