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CommScope

CommScope – An American company that enable faster, smarter, and more sustainable global network infrastructure solutions

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In the present scenario, most organizations prefer a novel structure i.e. network infrastructure. Because it is less hierarchical, more dispersed, and most importantly, flexible than other structures. As well, both external and internal coordination and monitoring are easily possible with network infrastructure. Currently, the value of the global infrastructure market is over 32 billion US dollars. So, in such a situation, numerous global network infrastructure providers have emerged. However, CommScope Inc. is one such name that is doing excellent work in this sector.

It is a USA based firm, best known in America as well as all over the world. Presently operating in more than 130 countries with around 20,000 employees. To explore the business further, the firm has time to time acquired several businesses working in this field. One of such acquisition is announced two years back in 2018. That is the acquisition of Arris International. Let’s overlook the journey of CommScope and its founders which is inspirational for many emerging firms in the industry.

The backstory of CommScope

What the CommScope is today is totally different from the time it was getting started. Earlier, it was a renowned product line of Superior Continental Cable. However, in 1975, Jearld Leonhardt and Frank Drendel bought this product line and re-started it as a CommScope. Thereafter, it was renamed as Valtech. During this period, the firm links the C-SPAN studios to the U.S. House of Representatives using a fiber optics network. Thus, U.S. Congressional proceedings had broadcast live for the first time.

After that, the firm became part of the cable home group for M/A-COM and plunged into Network Cable division for the LAN. As well, entered into data communications, specialized wire markets, etc. Sooner or later, CommScope raised its name in the international market as a global network infrastructure provider. Presently, it headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina since 2000.

Acquisition strategy

The firm has gone through lots of evolution and always maintain the best strategy to explore its business. Apart from acquiring Avaya in 2004, it also acquired Andrew Corporation in 2007. The previous acquisition was of the Connectivity Solutions business. However, the second acquired firm was a manufacturer of telecommunications devices such as antenna, amplifiers, transceivers, etc. CommScope also purchased TE connectivity’s unit in 2015, following the acquisition of small cells and femtocells manufacturing firm Airvana. Finally, the most important acquisition in CommScope’s history was Arris International and RUCKUS, held in 2019.

Products and solutions of CommScope

The firm is best known for manufacturing unshielded twisted pair cables, fiber optics cables, connector panels, metals, and racking. As well, it manufactures, many other products useful in the telecom network. CommScope similarly manufactures DSL applications and cabinets for FTTN that are environmentally secure. It also offers solutions for macro cell sites, small cell densification, In-building cellular, fixed wireless access, and spectrum management solution. 

Masterminds at CommScope

Image Source: sec.gov

Frank M. Drendel

He is one of the founding members of CommScope, served as a chairman of the board from 2011 to 2020. Prior to that, he was the long-time CEO of the firm since its establishment in 2011. In his tenure, CommScope has achieved much recognition on an international level. Frank’s policy leads the firm to unstoppable success. Apart from that, he is a director of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. As well, served as one of the board directors at Tyco International, Ltd, and Sprint Nextel Corporation. Because of his service in the cable and telecom industry, Drendel was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame (2002).

CEO- Marvin S. Edwards

Presently serving as the chief executive officer at CommScope, Marvin is a well-experienced business leader. He played several leading roles at Wireless Network Solutions. Like general Manger, Executive Vice President of Business Development, etc. Before the acquisition of Andrew by CommScope, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of a wholly-owned subsidiary. Apart from that, he worked at OFS Fitel as a CEO and president. As well, served as a president at many leading firms such as Alcatel North America Cable Systems, Alcatel North America Cable Systems, etc.

Bottom Line

CommScope is based on values to provide greater solutions in a sustainable way. Today, it is the combination of many leading firms like RUCKUS and Arris International. So, it can offer excellent solutions and technology to the growing needs and changing world.

Nikon

Nikon- The firm that made the world beautiful and memorizing through its world-class camera ranges!

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Today, Nikon is one of the leading firms that enabled high-class camera ranges all over the world. However, the rising of Nikon as the world’s favorite and trusted brand is appreciable. Originally established as Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Kabushikigaisha, later on, became Nikon. Nikon in fact shared a great contribution in refurbishing the photography industry of Japan. When it comes to quality and reliability, Nikon’s products best match these requirements. Moreover, it comes with a precision that matters a lot in photography.

Currently, we see Nikon as a successful firm, but it had been gone through lots of ups downs. Like the saturation point for the camera’s market, recurring earthquakes, and several other obstacles Nikon had to face in its flourishing phase.  Meanwhile gifting Nikon heavy expenditure and losses. Despite that, the firm hit back into the market with high-quality cameras as well, cameras for professional photographers. The firm not limits its ranges of products in cameras and plunged into the making of other semiconductor devices. Thus, rise as a dominant firm in the semiconductor industry as well.

The backstory of Nikon

Koyata Iwasaki’s vision leads to the formation of Nikon. Back in 1917, when three successful optical manufacturing companies came together resulted in the establishment of Nikon. It was the ground-breaking firm that started the production of fully integrated optical devices. Initially, it was recognized as Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Kabushikigaisha. How the firm transformed into Nikon has its own story. During that time, when the firm developed a compact camera, it launched it with the name Nikorette. Later on, renamed as Nikko and finally became Nikon. So that creating a more masculine impression in the Japanese language.

Flourishing the Business

During the initial days, the firm went through several glitches. However, the business reached a peak at the time of the second world war. Not only focusing on single product production, but Nikon also delivered items like lenses, binoculars, periscopes, etc. These products, in fact, turned useful to the Japanese Military during the war period. It was the golden time for Nikon, the firm expanded the business impeccably and started over nineteen factories. Thereafter, the firm shifted its focus towards products useful for common people. Yet, received a huge response from the market and continue its success. In this era, the SLR (Single-lens reflex) Camera of Nikon was a milestone in its success.

Apart from manufacturing cameras, Nikon started manufacturing optical lenses. Prior to that, Japan had to import photographic lenses to run its photography industry. While Nikon introduced lenses in Japan’s market, this dependency has been lower down. Anytar 12cm f/4.5 was the first lens introduced by Nikon.

Image Source: videolinks.com

Other products of Nikon

No doubt, Nikon provides leading camera ranges all over the world. However, its other products such as sunglasses, glasses frames, monoculars, etc are also popular. Apart from that, it also manufactures metal 3D printers, binocular telescopes, equipment for cell storage, ophthalmic equipment, and many others.  Recently in 2019, Nikon started manufacturing Lidar Sensors in partnership with Velodyne.

Exhibitions and awards that Nikon held

The Japanese firm Nikon runs some clubs and exhibitions. As well, it arranges a few awards to promote and encourage photographers. Nikon Salon exhibition is one of the well-known exhibitions of Nikon run in Japan. It runs the Nikkor Club for the experts in photography. Apart from that, Nikon is the planner of awards like the Miki Jun Award, Nobuo Award, and Miki Jun Inspiration Awards.

As well, it is a sponsor of awards like the Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year award and Nikon Photography Prizes.

The person behind Nikon’s formation- Koyata Iwasaki

Born in 1897, Iwasaki was a brilliant student during his school days. He attended the University of Cambridge’s Pembroke College. Prior to that, Koyata also went to the University of Tokyo, which he left after one year. In 1905, he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Art specialized in history, geography, and sociology. After that, he helped in setting Nikon as well as served as a Mitsubishi’s president for a long time.

Bottom Line

Nikon is known for its best cameras that never compromise in quality and precision. Thus, many photographers as well as photography lovers prefer Nikon. In fact, Nikon is the Official Camera of Walt Disney World Resort. Apart from that, the firm believes in high values, reflects in its basic corporate social responsibility.  As a part of CSR, the firm offers scholarships to the needy, as well as offers financial support to disaster-hit areas. Also, served nature through several environmental improvement projects.

Egnyte

Egnyte – One-stop secure content platform empowering the businesses to safeguard, connect and unlock value from content

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In the world of digitalization, we generally store content in the form of files on an electronic platform. With the large capacity memories, drives, and other storage devices, many files can be stored. As well, easy file transfer is possible in this era. However, data security is the main concern when comes to sharing the data across devices, apps, or another system. Business, however, needs to store the personal data of employees, as well as other sensitive information of the business. Not only stored but this content also needs to sprawl across disconnected systems, devices, locations, and at many places. Thus, the business needs data-centric security and governance over data storage and transfer. Because cyber attackers are the main threat to the rising as well as well-established businesses.

So, should a business stop store and sharing content online? Should they maintain physical records as past days? Nope, it’s impossible to find such a solution in this era. Well, few firms are helping businesses in this case. California-based Egnyte is one such firm that enables the ultimate secure content platform. It is dedicated to businesses that assure complete data security, governance as well as control across a hybrid content stack. Therefore, it enhances the experience of employees with assure data protection. Also, allow the business to connect with needed applications that business users know without any hesitation.

About Egnyte

Established back in 2007, Egnyte headquartered in California. The firm is co-founded by a self-made Indian entrepreneur, Mr. Vineet Jain. It enabled the best platform for businesses that allows them to connect, safeguard, as well as reveal value from all their content. For this, the firm uses a SaaS platform.

Egnyte CEO Vineet Jain
Image Source: venturebeat.com

Presently, the firm has offices in WA, London, Poland, Raleigh, NC, and Spokane. However, it acquired top investors such as Goldman Sachs, Kleiner Perkins, Google Ventures, and Caufield & Byers.

Glimpse to founder’s life

A well-experienced business leader and entrepreneur Vineet Jain helped in founding the Egnyte. Presently, he is serving as the CEO of the firm. He was born in India, and he spent his life there until his education. Jain attended Delhi College of Engineering. After completing his education, he decided to explore the areas of his career overseas. Before moving to the US, he worked for some time in the UK. Vineet has worked in the B2B technology industry for more than 25 years in Silicon Valley. After serving at many senior top-level positions, he urged to plunge into entrepreneurship. Thus, established Valdero as his first business venture. It was a platform for supply chain solution provider. Then he finds interest as well as the future in SaaS, the outcome as the establishment of Egnyte.

Exploring the business

After establishment, Egnyte attracted 1 million dollars seed venture capital in the same year only. It also received seed venture capital of 6, 10, and 12 million dollars in 2009, 2011, and 2012 respectively. The firm also received top investors like Polaris partners, Google Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, and many more in a very short duration.

For any business to grow what matters is the values, mission, and strategy to convert it into reality. That’s what was implemented by Egnyte. Like its vision and mission to “transform the business through smarter content”, Egnyte achieved it through its world-class service. On top, it empowered many organizations to safeguard, connect, and unlock value from content. Moreover, the firm has launched a mobile app for easy file sharing. Presently, more than 16k customers use the Egnyte platform.

Services Provides

The firm enabled content services platform specifically designed for businesses. Apart from that, Egnyte offers full project management that comes with technical and functional staffing. Since its establishment, the firm successfully helping numerous businesses to create a roadmap for content collaboration strategy. For this, Egnyte first considers the desired business outcomes and then accordingly assists the organizations. Other services of Egnyte includes data migration, remote or onsite deployment, permission migration, pre-production testing, etc. With a highly dedicated and expert team, Egnyte also provides in-class training.

Triumph of Egnyte

In the last two years, Egnyte honored with seven awards, 5 which of them represented in 2019. It includes the awards as Best company happiness, Best leadership team 2019, Best Company Work-Life Balance. As well, it also won Best CEOs for Diversity and Best CEO in the same year. Egnyte also won the Best CEOs for women 2020 award along with Best Professional Development 2020.

All firms know the value of customer satisfaction. However, Egnyte also knows the value of employee’s satisfaction. It scored 85 out of 100 in employee ratings, suggesting one of the best workplaces.

Advantest

Advantest- The firm that turned helpful in shaping the future of Japan’s nascent semiconductor industry.

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Semiconductors are available on earth in more than enough quantity. However, these are the core component used in a variety of electronic devices. Like smartphones, PCs, electrical household appliances. As well as constitute the parts of automobiles and many other devices. These all devices, in fact, are indispensable to the lives of people. Thus the semiconductors used in such devices must be high in quality, and performance. Many firms are working in this field, and Advantest is one of the names dominating the field. In the semiconductor industry, technology updates alter every single day. While Advantest has always been delivering the product and solutions as per this changing technology.

It is well-known for bestowing to remarkable efficiency in production in the electronics industry. As well, secure and easier the lives of people through its innovative products.

About Advantest

It is a well-known semiconductor firm based in Japan. Manufactures semiconductor products, component test system products, and mechatronics-related products. It is headquartered in Tokyo in Japan. The firm also sells the used electronics components and products through exhibitions. Also, leased the products for commercial use. Additionally, the firm is active in research and development, measuring, and testing technologies.

Network of Advantest

The firm offers it’s services and products to foundries, semiconductor firms, and other firms in the manufacturing industry. It has built a strong network in Japan. As well as covers the other Asian regions, Europe, America, and other parts of the continents.

The backstory of Advantest

Back in 1954, Ikuo Takeda builds the foundation of Advantest as Takeda Riken Industries. Sooner or later, the firm shifted to Oyaguchi-Cho in Itabashi Ward, later on shifting again in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward. In 1957, Advantest release the first product for current measurement. It was Micro Ammeter. One more milestone of Advantest, that time Takeda Riken is the first-ever electronic counter made in Japan.

Advantest
Image Source: digitimes.com

The TR-124B counter helped in exploring the business for the firm and gave it fame as the digital counter company. As well, marked the beginning of innovative products in the companies history. Thereafter, Advantest released many electronics components that were made in Japan for the first time. Such as vibrating capacitance ultra-low-current electrometer, digital voltmeter, etc. The firm touched the new level when it introduced the TR-3189 105 MHz electronic counter, the highest-performance product in the world. Soon this product popular all over the world; in 1962, selected as one of the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun’s “Top 10 New Products”.

Services and products

To verify the quality, reliability, and performance of the semiconductors that will be used in electronic components, Advantest has Automated Testing Equipment/ATE. With this electrical test, the complex and defects in semiconductors can be detected with great accuracy. It also enabled another method for semiconductor testing i.e. using peripheral devices. Advantest has also been active in Nanotechnology Business, Field services, SLT business, and many other related businesses.

Apart from that, the firm also conducts the sale of use semiconductors, commercial mechatronic products, component test systems. As well, it is active in the device leasing business.

Exploring the business

Starting from its establishment, Advantest used cut edge technology. It developed products that reflect the innovative nature of the firm. In 1980, it released the first tester made in Japan. Thereafter, it launched a memory system having a capacity of 20MHz.

During the 1980s, Advantest’s T-3300 series remarked as one of the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun’s “Top 10 New Products”. Moreover, the firm produced an intelligent spectrum analyzer of series TR-4172. Because of its multifunction features, it became popular among communications equipment manufacturers. To explore the business furthermore, Advantest acquired Astronics Corporation in 2019. It was working in the field of semiconductor system-level test business. As well as it captured Essai, Inc in 2020, so that it can enable high-precision test solutions than earlier.

Recognition and Awards

Advantest has been selected for FTSE Blossom Japan Index and FTSE4Good Index. The first index measures the performance in environmental practices, and the second one is related to CSR. It is also honored as a 5-Star Company. Also, marked its name in 10 BEST List in VLSIresearch Customer Satisfaction Survey. Not for the first time but for the 31st Consecutive Year.

Yoshiaki Yoshida- CEO

He is serving as CEO at Advantest since 2017. Yoshiaki has been working with the firm for a long time. In fact, he joined the company in 1999.

AMD

AMD – The evolution of semiconductor firm from designing simple Shift register to high tech processors

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The semiconductor industry is one of the inherently risky industries. Because we know that technology evolves every year, and people also demand products that use cut edge technology. But the product development cycle generally takes three to five years, so companies need to stay one step ahead of the customer’s demand. It means, the firms need to develop such products in advance that customers will demand a few years later. Thus, if any semiconductor firm doesn’t follow the update then it will be out of competition, surely.

In such a scenario, very few old firms succeed to keep their dominance in the semiconductor industry. Advanced Micro Devices i.e. AMD is one of such names that still have a high reputation and has acquired a large market globally. Since 1969, the firm has gone through lots of evolution as well as up-downs but succeeds to meet the exceptions of every generation.

What is AMD?

A USA based multinational semiconductor firm AMD is well-known all over the world. It is headquartered in Santa Clara in California. The firm is recognized for its computer processors and the development of other technologies for business as well as personal consumers. Mainly the firm has manufacturing units of microprocessors, motherboard chipsets, graphics processors, and embedded processors. These are used for PCs, servers, workstations, and embedded system applications.

How it is formed?

To see the history of AMD’s establishment we have to look back to the year 1969. Yes, it is that old and still stands out than other Rivals. Meanwhile, in 1969, the former executives of Fairchild semiconductor established Advanced Micro Devices to develops their own products. They were almost seven colleagues including Jerry Sanders III, John Carey, Ed Turney, Sven Simonsen, Jack Gifford, and the other three members.

Soon after a year of establishment, the firm released the first product. It was a 4-bit MSI shift register of series Am9300. Also, it launched the logic counter of series Am2501, which was commercially successful. As well, it was the fastest multiplier available at that time. Thereafter, AMD developed many other products including RAM chips, processors, etc.

Products Of AMD

Since 1969, AMD acquired large business as well as consumer market due to its promising products. US Department of Energy also favors AMD’s chips for its project of the supercomputer. As well, the firm is a powering exascale class supercomputer at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Moreover, the Ryzen processor is a well-known product of AMD. Recently, the firm released the third generation of this product. Another processor called Epyc is a milestone of Advanced Micro Devices, designed for data centers. Apart from processors, firm design CPU, APU, RAM, Graphics products, etc. Athlon, Opteron, Radeon, Radeon Instinct are some of the products of AMD.

Strategy

Standing out in the competition in the semiconductor industry is not a cakewalk. When there are tough competitors like Intel, it gets more difficult. Despite all challenges, AMD stands strong in the industry since it’s the foundation. For this, credit goes to the policymakers and founders. The firm adopted a unique strategy and focus on areas of development of high-performance processors, computing architecture, and gaming graphics chips. While stayed away from entering technology related to mobile phone development, basically the areas outside its core Competencies.

Some of the key founders of AMD

AMD Founders
Jerry Sanders, Jack Gifford, John Carey, Larry Stenger

Walter Jeremiah Sanders III

He is an American businessman and one of the core founding members of AMD. As well, he served as the CEO of the firm for a long time. Before that, Jerry worked at Fairchild semiconductor, a firm that design the first IC.

Edwin James Turney

He shares great contributions in the establishment of AMD i.e. Advanced Micro Devices. Before that, he also worked at Fairchild Semiconductor. At AMD, he served as a vice president of sales and administration for a long time.

Other Founders

The Fairchild Semiconductor’s former employees Jack Gifford, Larry Stenger, John Carey, Frank Botte,  Sven Simonsen, Jim Giles also helped in the AMD Foundation.

Later success

Lisa Su is presently serving as the CEO of AMD since 2014. Under her policy, AMD achieved great success and stability in the commercial market. Though the firm business is affected due to the US-China trade war as well as disruptions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the firm’s shares are increased by more than 1,300%. Currently, AMD is focusing on the global data center market. While other high-tech companies focusing on next-generation technologies such as 5G, IoT, AI, etc. Last year, AMD stock was the best performing stock in the S&P 500. As well, it is in growing about 150% during this year.

Xoom

Xoom – Ultimate electronics payment service provider that helping more than millions of consumers worldwide

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Amid the coronavirus pandemic, people are using e-commerce and digital methods of payment immensely. In fact, it is one of the safest and best ways to stay safe yet, complete the transactions. From electricity bills to grocery bills and in fact, most of the fund transfer is continue using electronics mediums. Thanks to the service providers who enabled such simple fund transfer all over the world. Xoom is one of such remittance provider that enabled service in more than 130 countries. Since 2015, it became one of the subsidiaries of PayPal after the firm acquired Xoom. Thus, exploring its area of service on an international level. Today, Xoom has gained the customers due to it’s secure and easier payment service.

About Xoom

It is a San Francisco based electronics fund transfer provider that enabled many services at one click. Consumers can transfer money, pay all kinds of bills like electricity bills, and can refill the DTH, Mobile phones easily. The firm is set up in 2001 by Kevin Hartz. Presently, it is an integral part of PayPal services. Because PayPal acquired the firm in 2015 for about 1.09 billion dollars.

Services of Xoom

It provides the same services as other UPI based applications like PhonePay, GooglePay, and Paytm do. Whether it is the person to person money transfer or consumer to merchant money transfer, Xoom made it easy. As well, mobile recharge, grocery bills, monthly rent, tv recharge can be done using the Xoom platform. These all services are available in many countries worldwide. For doing these transactions, one can use a mobile app, or desktop site, or even a mobile site. Moreover, Xoom assured complete security to the consumers. For that, it employs several methods like identity verification, limits on transactions, etc. Because the integrity of user accounts is the top priority of Xoom.

PayPal’s subsidiary

In 2015, Xoom merged into PayPal. That time, Xoom had more than 1 million active customers from the USA. As well, the services were used in more than 38 countries. Currently, the firm is under PayPal which is also a well-known payment service provider in the USA.

The person behind Xoom’s establishment- Kevin Hartz

He was born in Berkeley in California. While he spent most of the time of childhood in Orinda, California. Coming to his education, Kevin attended Stanford University to study history, also holds BAS. As well, he did an MA in British history from University College, Oxford.

Image Source: Flickr.com

Early career

Kevin started his career as a product manager at Silicon Graphics. That time, he leads the team of  Virtual reality browser Cosmo Player. During this period, he was one of the founding members of ConnectGroup. It was a startup that started to provide high-speed Internet access to hotel businesses. In 2001, Hartz co-founded Xoom, an international money remittance business. He served as CEO until 2005 and served on the Board of Directors for a long time.

Business ventures

Hartz set up several businesses as well as he is the early investor in many leading firms. In 2001, he helped in the establishment of a remittance service provider called Xoom. The firm worked under his policies till 2005. As he was the CEO of the firm at that time. Xoom acquired many consumers during Hartz’s tenure. Moreover, Kevin helped in the foundation of Eventbrite as well. Eventbrite is a self-service ticketing platform on the international level.

Apart from that, he invested in several firms like PayPal, Uber, Trulia, Pinterest. Kevin also invested in successful startups like Newfront Insurance Gusto Airbnb, Joby Aviation, etc. K. Hartz was also partner with Founders Fund for some duration which he left thereafter.

Recognition and Achievements of Xoom

In 2010, Xoom was one of the remittance service providers that got the highest consumer satisfaction ratings in the transparency of the fee, transparency of the foreign exchange, and value. It was the study of Inter-American Dialogue. Thereafter, it listed in the Next Big Thing List of the 50 most promising venture-backed companies by Wall Street Journal for two consecutive years; 2011 and 2012 respectively.

As well, Inter-American Dialogue included Xoom’s name in the list of 51 remittance service providers for the US to Latin America market. This time, the factors considered were FX, network, Fees, the countries served and financial inclusion achieved.