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How B2B eCommerce, CET Will Support Manufacturing Value Chains

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IDC Manufacturing Insights on Friday announced a new report, “Supporting the Customer Lifecycle for Manufacturing Value Chains”.

In the new report, IDC Manufacturing Insights looks at the subject of supporting the customer lifecycle in manufacturing value chains with software applications and processes.

The new research considers the variances in core business processes for attract-sell-serve among manufacturing value chains and includes a selection of vendors that provide these capabilities to the manufacturing industry.

Vendors featured include Epicor, hybris (an SAP company), IBM, NetSuite, Oracle, and ShopVisible.

Customer experience is reaching a prominent place in manufacturers’ B2B eCommerce projects and their budgets, across manufacturing segments, as predicted in the 2014 Manufacturing Commerce Strategies Top 10 Predictions (IDC Manufacturing Insights # MI245067, December 2013).

This new report takes a closer look at the customer life cycle across manufacturing value chains and includes a selection of vendors that provide applications to manage the multitude of eCommerce related business processes associated with the customer lifecycle.

Manufacturers can use this evaluation to understand how vendors are offering functionality that addresses the needs of their value chain.

Each vendor that participated in this research provided IDC Manufacturing Insights with a completed information profile, a vendor briefing, and two manufacturing end-user references.

Based on the information compiled, IDC Manufacturing Insights finds the following:

The purpose of this vendor landscape is to help manufacturers understand the spectrum of capabilities for enhancing the customer lifecycle with sell-side B2B eCommerce and to differentiate capability and experience so that manufacturers can more readily define a “short list” of candidates.

IDC Manufacturing believes that the application of B2B eCommerce and customer experience technology differs by value chain, and manufacturers need to understand the most common tools that will support the unique attract-sell-serve lifecycle within their value chain.

The vendors noted in this landscape each bring robust capability and referenceable customers.

There are some variations in alignment between the offerings and the specific approach to the customer life cycle for each of the IDC manufacturing value chains.

It is helpful for manufacturers to understand this in relation to optimizing and enhancing their current attract-sell-serve process with technologies.

IDC Manufacturing Insights expects to continue to see IT Vendors creating additional industry-specific capabilities in their core B2B eCommerce platforms, as manufacturers begin to push the envelope for marketing and selling their products through eCommerce.

In the companion report on this subject that recently published, Preparing Manufacturing Organizations for New Customer Expectations, IDC Manufacturing Insights offer a closer look at the how the rise of B2B ecommerce and the changing engagement expectations of business users impacts manufacturers’ existing go to market strategies, and how the approach varies by manufacturing value chain.

In the report, IDC provides a more detailed look at the ‘attract’, sell, and serve phases of the customer lifecycle and identify how manufacturers in the different Value Chains are using different tools to accomplish their customer-related goals.

According to Heather Ashton, research manager, Manufacturing Commerce Strategies for IDC Manufacturing Insights, “The purpose of this vendor landscape for B2B eCommerce is to identify those vendors that are currently offering tools to assist manufacturers in optimizing their business processes around the customer lifecycle.  Manufacturers can take the information in this report and use it to formulate a strategy around B2B eCommerce and more easily define a ‘short list’ of vendors that have offerings in this market.”

IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services.


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AfDB Adopts AI to Fast-track Africa’s Development Blueprint

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) is betting big on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for delivering Africa’s ambitious Agenda 2063.

With hands-on training in tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, the Bank believes the results could redefine how the continent plans, measures, and delivers its development goals.

Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office, the AfDB has provided technical and financial support to the 5th annual training workshop for African Union member states, focusing on the use of AI to track and implement the second ten-year plan (2024–2033) of Agenda 2063.

The five-day workshop, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was co-organised by the African Union Commission and the African Capacity Building Foundation.

Participants from across the continent rolled up their sleeves for hands-on training with emerging AI platforms like Ailyse, Google AI Studio, and Perplexity.

The goal of Africa’s multilateral development finance institution is to turn complex development data into actionable insights that can drive smarter decisions, faster interventions, and more accountable governance.

AbibuTamu, lead programme co-ordinator at the AfDB, said AI was now an indispensable tool for Africa’s future.

“These tools are not only revolutionizing how data is collected, analysed, and reported, they are also enabling more targeted policy interventions and efficient resource allocation,” Tamu told delegates.

Agenda 2063, dubbed “The Africa We Want,” is the African Union’s 50-year blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The second 10-year plan prioritises industrialisation, digital transformation, and sustainable livelihoods.

With AI now in the mix, African policymakers can track progress in real-time, spot bottlenecks before they choke projects, and reallocate resources where they are needed most.

The AfDB’s backing underscores a broader strategy of boosting both human and institutional capacity that propels African states to harness the digital revolution.

Beyond technical skills, the Lusaka workshop doubled as a peer-learning platform, with countries sharing real-world success stories on integrating AI into national planning and reporting.

“If Agenda 2063 is Africa’s long-term roadmap, this AI training is about upgrading the continent’s GPS that ensures leaders not only know the destination, but also have the intelligence to navigate every twist and turn on the way,” said Tamu.


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Firm Shares Tips for Safer Remote Working

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It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.

Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.

This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.

Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.

Use a VPN for secure connections

A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.

Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data

Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.

With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.

Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.

Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.

Final tips for a secure workation

Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.

Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.

For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.

By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.

 


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Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector

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Mr Adeoye Oludamilola, managing director, Zequence Digital, a digital agency,  has said strong enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) laws , protection of Nigeria’s software industry against piracy will encourage innovation and investment.

Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector

Adeoye told reporters lately in Lagos that software piracy and the unauthorised use of proprietary technology are widespread in the country.

According to report Intellectual Property (IP) laws in software refers to the legal rights that protect the creations of the mind used in software development.

These rights, which include copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, grant developers exclusive control over their software and related assets, preventing unauthorised use or reproduction.

Adeoye said that many startups do not protect their innovations, due to a lack of knowledge and the cumbersome legal processes involved.

“IP registration and litigation are expensive and time-consuming, which further discourages developers from protecting their work,” Adeoye said.

He added that the lack of awareness among developers about their IP rights contributed to the problem.

To address these challenges, Adeoye stressed the need for the formation of an IP Protection Consortium, comprising tech firms, legal experts, and regulators, to advocate for stronger IP enforcement.

He also suggested collaborating with legal tech startups to create simplified platforms for fast-tracked IP registration.

The managing director further called for joint initiatives between legal bodies and tech communities to launch IP rights education campaigns.

This, he said, would equip developers with the knowledge they needed to protect their innovations and grow their businesses.

Adeoye emphasised the need for the government and stakeholders to create an ecosystem for development and inclusivity by proactively engaging with regulators.

According to him, this will help ensure that policies are created with the input of concerned agencies and industry experts.

 

 


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