It’s a wrap: News this week (Nov 2 – Nov 8)

There have been multiple developments this week on the tech front. From major IT services deals to Freshworks’ job cuts, this is the list of the most important developments for a quick catch-up:

TCS-Air France deal

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is expanding the scope of its partnership with  Air France-KLM to modernize its data architecture. TCS has signed a multi-year deal with the French aviation group to move its data to the cloud and promote the next generation of data-driven aviation.

This data migration over the next three years will help Air France-KLM exit data centers and harness the strength of the cloud in key areas such as flight operations, passenger information, aircraft maintenance, the airline's e-commerce platforms, and more. 

HCLTech’s AI Lab in Singapore

HCLTech announced the creation of a new Singapore-based AI/Cloud Native Lab on Monday. It is expected to be operational in 2025, becoming the fifth-of-its-kind lab in HCLTech’s global network, joining others in the US, UK, Germany, and India.

The lab will be supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), to assist enterprises in the region in accelerating their AI initiatives through HCLTech’s comprehensive suite of integrated AI and GenAI offerings, including AI Force and AI Foundry. The lab will also partner with Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic to transfer knowledge and train beginners and mid-career individuals in AI. 

This week, HCLTech also bagged a digital transformation deal from the Tasman District Council in New Zealand. The deal will enhance digital user experiences for both employees and residents within the Tasman district. HCLTech will utilise Microsoft Dynamics 365 to transition the Tasman District Council to a sophisticated digital framework that will foster more significant interactions between the Council’s 58,000 residents and its staff.

Infinix Healthcare sets up CoE in Madurai

AI-powered healthcare revenue solutions provider Infinx Healthcare on Thursday announced the opening of an innovation centre in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

The facility marks the company’s eighth centre in India, complementing existing operations in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and will create around 700 job opportunities over the next five years, offering high-quality employment in healthcare technology.  The centre will leverage advanced AI and automation technologies to streamline revenue cycle operations for its customers, with the company boasting of being one of the first ITES organizations to set up a centre of this kind in Madurai.

‘Salesforce Tower’ to be established in Bengaluru

Salesforce said on Tuesday It plans to lease a 12-storey building in Bengaluru, making it the 10th city worldwide to host 'Salesforce Tower.' Construction of the 'Salesforce Tower' is underway, with the company set to occupy a 6 lakh sq ft office for 3,800 employees by mid-2026. 

Executive Vice President for Real Estate and Workplace Services, Relina Bulchandani said that the new facility will consolidate Salesforce's presence in Bengaluru at Bagmane Tech Park and will foster collaboration, learning and innovation. Other cities housing Salesforce Towers include San Francisco, New York, Chicago, London, Dublin, Sydney, Tokyo, Atlanta, and Indianapolis.

Freshworks to let go of 600 employees

Chennai and US-based SaaS giant Freshworks said that it will be axing 660 jobs, resulting in a 13% reduction in its global workforce, CEO & President, Dennis Woodside said in an email to employees. The plan will be substantially complete by the end of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, according to a company filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. India, where Freshworks has the largest workforce is set to be impacted heavily by this job cut. The job cut follows Freshworks’ announcement of a restructuring plan to better align its talent with its strategic priorities and improve operating efficiency.