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Hikvision

Gong Hongjia – Co-founder and Second largest shareholder of Hikvision Digital Technology

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Video surveillance is one of the best ways to secure place, then it may be a living place or workplace. To secure place with video surveillance, world-class surveillance products are a must. However, when it comes to video surveillance products, Hikvision Digital technology is a leading name in the video surveillance products’ market. It uses modern technology to develop world-class surveillance products and enabled the perfect security solution. The China-based company Hikvision has acquired a huge market of surveillance products globally. It is established in 2001 and it’s a partial state-own company having a 51% stake of the Chinese government. Yet, its 49% stake is of Chinese billionaire businessman Gong Hongjia.

About the Founder of Hikvision Digital Technology

Gong Hongjia also is known as Kung Hung Ka is a billionaire businessman of China. Presently, he is serving as a vice-chairman of Hikvision a well-known security equipment supplier firm in China. In 2017, Forbes China Rich list Gong was ranked 15. As well, he ranked 137th in Forbes billionaires list in 2018. At that time, his net worth was US$11.2 billion.

Gong Hongjia
Image Source: Google Images

Personal Life

He was born in 1965 in mainland China. However, Gong attended Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Presently, he lives in Hong Kong.

Career

After completing graduation, he worked as an electronics goods trader in Guangzhou and British Hong Kong of China. In 1992, he migrated to Hong Kong to explore the business world. Earlier, he owned Tecsun a radio manufacturing unit and also a smart card company called Watchdata. Thereafter, he invested in Hikvision in 2001. That time, he owned a 49% stake of the company; Gong sold a part of stake after it became a listed company. As per the various reports, the disposal of shares he did make him a billionaire and raised his rank in the list of Billionaire.

Apart from that, he also owned Wealth Strategy Holding. As well, he had invested in Hong Kong’s property market.

Hikvision Digital Technology

It is a China-based company that manufactures as well as supply world-class video surveillance products. In 2001, Zhejiang HIK Information Technology set up the company. Since then Hikvision is a trusted name in video surveillance products market globally. To supply these products worldwide, it built a strong network in more than 155 countries. However, more than 2400 partners of the company are spread across several regions. In fact, the firm has its presence in around 18 locations across the continents. Also, since 2010, its listed-on Shenzhen stock exchange.

The Backstory

China Electronics Technology Group’s subsidiary known as China Electronics Technology HIK Group co. Ltd owns the company since 2017. Basically, it’s a state-own company however, Gong Hongjia is the second-largest shareholder of the company. As well, he is one of the founders of this Chinese firm. As a matter of fact, Fidelity International is one of the major investors of the company.

Services offer

The company features highly skilled as well as an extensive R&D workforce. Also, it manufactures comprehensive products’ full suit. As well provides solutions for a broad range of vertical markets. Apart from that, the company extends its reach to industrial automation, smart home tech as well as automotive electronics industries so that it can achieve its long-term vision. Furthermore, the products of Hikvision enabled powerful business intelligence for end users. That way, it can enable more efficient operations as well as greater commercial success.

Recognition of the Company

Recently, the firm was ranked 800th in the list of ‘Forbes Global 2000’ in 2019. Also, Hikvision was an SZSE 100 Index’s constituent in 2016. Rather than this, the company made it become a constituent of many other indexes. For example, Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s blue-chip index, CSI 300 Index, Pan-China indexes, FTSE China A50 index, Hang Seng China 50 Index, etc.

Bottom Line

As a state-own company, Hikvision’s uttermost priority is to serve society as well as creating a better future for all. Also, the company aims to promote the sustainable development of society. Hikvision consistently serving to build a smart ecosystem and create more goodness to the world through technological innovation.

lifelock

Lifelock- Fighting Against Cybercrime Since 2005

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There are always two sides to a coin. If an innovation appears as a boon to our world, much time is not taken to manipulate it and use it otherwise. With the advent of the internet, our world has developed in terms of tech. Many companies have been founded in the IT sectors, economic growth has also increased, and communication has become easier. With the transmission of data, data storage, etc the risk of data leaking is of utmost importance. Because when a person’s data is all over the net, anyone can take advantage of it. Many companies and also government agencies provide cybersecurity. LifeLock is an American software company that provides services for preventing identity theft.

Identity theft is a category of cybercrime in which an individual tries to take financial advantage mostly through someone’s identity. Robert J. Maynard and Todd Davis founded the company in 2005 with more than 600 employees. The company’s headquarters are currently based in Arizona, United States.

Robert J. Maynard

Robert is a famous American businessman who has also co-founded Internet America, an internet service provider and several other companies.

Born in 1962, Robert served in the US Marine Corps as well as the US Reserve Army before attending college. He went to Northern Arizona University in 1985 and excelled in academics. He won many awards during this time and gained recognition. Robert founded Internet America in the late 1990s and it became a huge success. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the early 2000s.

Todd Davis

Todd went to Baylor University and received his bachelor’s degree in business in 1990. After completing his bachelor’s he worked for many start-ups as a part of their executive management team. In 1992, he joined Dell and he also received the Dell Vision Award. In 2002, Todd founded his own company, Marketing Champions and served as the CEO.

In 2005, Todd along with Robert co-founded LifeLock and Todd served as the CEO of the company till 2016. In 2016, he stepped down from the position and became the executive vice-chairman of the Board of Directors.

Apart from being a successful businessman, Todd is also a very good speaker and a philanthropist. In 2009, he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and came in the list of one of the most admired CEO in 2009.

The Beginning

LifeLock works to provide services like identity authentication monitor the credit applications of the customers and protect the accounts from identity theft. The company also monitors real-time data from account openings and sends notifications or alerts in case of dual checking. When the duo founded the company they only had a seed funding of $2 million.

Investors

In the next year, the company received a funding of $5 million from Bessemer Ventures. And, additional $6 million from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Buyers in 2007. The company, within two years of its establishment, landed some impressive investors. Apart from these investors, others include River Street Management, Goldman Sachs Group, etc.

After receiving $25 million in Series C funding, the company raised another $40 million in Series D funding. In 2012, the company raised another $100 million from existing investors.

Also Read: Flipboard: An Application that Creates Digitalised Magazine With Curated Contents

Upside Down

Robert left the company in 2007 after he was the victim of identity theft. It is a point of huge controversy when the founder of a cyber protection company falls prey to such crimes. After this incident, maybe to save the face loss of the company, Todd made his social security number public. But, after this move, his banking system was attacked more than thirteen times.

Acquisitions and Partnerships

In December 2008, LifeLock signed an agreement with TransUnion for sending alert messages to customers in case of odd activity. LifeLock acquired ID Analytics in 2012. The company also went public in 2012 offering its initial IPO at $175 million. This year, Hilary Schneider joined LifeLock as its President.

In the next few years, LifeLock acquired Lemon Wallet for $42.6 million and Symantec for $2.3 billion.

In 2015, the company was charged $100 million as a fine for failing to secure its customer’s privacy. There have been many controversies after Robert resigned from the company. But, the company also received many awards such as Grand Steve Award for two consecutive years (2012 & 2013). LifeLock also acquired the eighth position in the list of Inc magazine in 2010.

amdocs

Amdocs: Started As A Phone Directory Company Which Is Providing Multiple Miscellaneous Services

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There are many companies that deliver more than one service. Perhaps, only a few of them meet customer satisfaction as well as provides miscellaneous services. In such a case, one of the names come into mind is Amdocs. A company providing multiple ranges of services since 1982. Amdocs represents a great example that small ideas with great potential tend to grow into something bigger. Also, the company showed that with great execution everything is possible to stand out in the corporate world.

About Amdocs

A company that was originally set up in Israel and thereafter shifted its headquarter in Missouri. Also, its development centres are in all corners of the earth. Includes, Israel, India, Ireland, Austria, Brazil, and Canada. Morris Kahn an Israeli businessman set up the company in 1982.

Amdocs is expertise in providing software solutions and services. Like media, communications as well as financial services. Additionally, it offers mobile financial services, big data analytics solutions, media products and many more. However, the organisation doing its business in more than 90 countries. In fact, 250+ companies all over the world are satisfied and regular customers of Amdocs.

The Backstory- How Amdocs Founded?

It will be interesting to know that Amdocs start the journey as a phone directory company as a Golden Pages offshoot. It is founded in 1982 by Morris Kahn. After that, the company developed a billing software program so that they can fulfill the demand of phone directory companies. Previously, the company called Aurec information.

However, after southwestern Bell corp. acquired a 50 percent stake of the company, it renamed Amdocs in 1985. The period between 1990-1995 was the golden time for the company. Amdocs started diversification and expand the service into communications. Initially, it started wireline telephone service and then step up into mobile phones. Since then Amdocs is providing new services and products as per the changing technology.

Over the period, it acquired many other firms like Cramer, Clarify, Celcite, Comverse BSS assets and many more. In 1998, Amdocs made it public as well as in 2014 it entered NASDAQ.

What makes Amdocs Unique?

As said earlier, many firms offer multiple services as this company offers. But Amdocs stand unique in between all of them due to its unique features. First of all, Amdocs is providing superior execution since its foundation. Later, Amdocs’ consistent delivery, software, other implementation services are world-class. And most importantly, the business model of the company is unique. Also, customer satisfaction must be considered. However, it will be an injustice to the company if its superior customer experience is neglected.

Other Special Features of the Company

Amdocs is well-known for its superior customer experience. Also, the smart operations at the company successfully speed-up the procedures and time to revenue. Additionally, it offers services and software solutions that are adaptable to new technology. Thus, ensures the client’s business growth. These are some special services clients can experience with Amdocs however the company does more than this.

Amdocs knows Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The firm has taken a proactive approach to CSR with several materiality assessments’ conduction. With these assessments, the company identifies the Corporate social responsibility issues which are matters to the company and its collaborations. Also, it considers customers and shareholders. For this purpose, four core CSR heads are established. As well, high-level goals formulated within each of them.

Glimpse to Founder’s Life- Morris Kahn

He was born in 1930 in South Africa to a Jewish family. Today, he is known as a billionaire entrepreneur of Israel. Apart from Amdocs, he founded Golden Pages, Coral world, and several other companies. In fact, he did a great contribution to the foundation of various marine parks across the continents. Apparently, being a diver inspire him to do so. Furthermore, he also founded Coral World International in Eliet. Also, Kahn is a principal investor in Aurum ventures as well as in Atlantium.

Bottom Line

Since the foundation, Amdocs delivering miscellaneous services across the world. The company set an example of how to satisfy the customers with superior service. Also, it showed the world that no matter how small the idea, with great execution everything is possible!

citrix

Citrix Systems: Architectural Designer And Virtualization Pioneer Ed Lacobucci’s Dream Company

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A multinational software company well-known as Citrix Systems enabled the best service in cloud computing, networking, and SaaS. Also, it offers services like desktop virtualization, networking, and many more. Ed Lacobucci is known as the virtualization pioneer set up the firm back in 1989. Today, 40000+ clients all over the world use Citrix System’s solutions. However, almost 99 percent of clients of the fortune 100, and 98 percent of fortune 500. Let’s see how the company acquired huge success in the IT world.

The Backstory

In 1989, Ed lacobucci a former developer at IBM set up Critix with USD 3 Million investment. Previously, the company headquartered in Texas. However, later on, he shifted the company to Coral Springs in Florida. Only five IBM teammates of Ed joined the company initially. As a matter of fact, earlier it recognized as Citrus. But it renamed Citrix after another firm with the same name as Citrus claimed trademark rights. In the starting days of the company, Roger Roberts served as CEO. After that, Ed Iacobucci took the position and served until he diminished.

Citrix Boomed as an Industrial leader

Basically, the company started production with a remote access product for Microsoft OS. Citrix Multiuser an OS/2 extension was its the first product. Since then Microsoft had a partnership with Citrix System. Soon, the company started building purpose-built devices and remarked the beginning as an industrial leader in thin client technology.

Thereafter, the firm acquired Sequoia Corporation as well as ExpertCity in 2001 and 2003 respectively. In fact, in a short period, it acquired several other companies. These acquisitions benefit the firm to expand the services further. Growth continues further and the result into a multi-user operating system launch called WinFrame. It is based on Microsoft’s Windows NT and it was the first thin client for Windows. 

Also read: Story of Lee Byung-Chul- Founder of Samsung

Ed Iacobucci- Citrix’s Founder

He was born in Argentina on 26 September 1953. However, Ed went to Georgia Tech to study systems engineering. In 1979, he started his career at IBM. At the start, he worked in architecture and design-related posts where most of the work is involved with PC OS/2. In short duration, Ed became CTO of a networking job there. Very few know that Ed shares a great contribution to IBM’s development systems’ Network Architecture. Also, he was highly involved in the NetView net management technology. 

The journey to start Citrix

Ed worked with IBM for a long time. After serving almost ten years at the same firm, he also got a job offer from Microsoft. Yes, in 1989, Ed had the chance to become a chief technical officer at Microsoft’s networking group. But as per his belief that every person has own belief about the future, Ed also had some different ideas. So, he left the job as well as refused a job proposal and plunged into entrepreneurship to start Citrix.  

Initially, it was a little bit difficult to start the actual working of the company. It took almost two years two create its first product. After that, under Ed Lacobucci’s guidance, the company never looked back. In 1997, Microsoft-Citrix signed a joint agreement related to multi-user capabilities in Microsoft’s Windows NT server. 

Awards and Recognition

He received the Ernst & Young “International Entrepreneur of the Year” award in 1998. Also, Ed served as a technology judge at the state and national level for the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year Awards”.

Later Life

Ed Iacobucci had a great contribution to building the strong foundation of Citrix. Apart from that, he assisted in the DayJet Corporation’s establishment in 2002. DayJet was known for on-demand optimization technology to make jet travel affordable and accessible. Unfortunately, in 2008, the company had folded due to some reasons. Thereafter, Ed also helped in the VirtualWorks foundation in 2009. But due to the degrading health situation, he had to resign his position at VirtualWorks.

Iacobucci died on 21 June 2013 due to cancer at his home in Florida.

Credant Technologies

Credant Technologies Acquired By Dell After A Decade Of Independent Ruling

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The time is not far when the valuation of data will surpass the value of real currencies. Moreover, the acquisition of more data by a nation will access the net worth of a country. This might seem a little far-fetched right now, but it will arrive soon. With gigantic growth in the sphere of technology, the demand for data for every tiny transaction over the internet, data is crucial! And, anything valuable needs security, right? Irrespective of personal data of an individual or confidential data of a company, it has to be protected. Credant Technologies, a company founded in 2001 served the purpose of providing data security services. Dell announced the acquisition of the company in December 2012. The founders of the company are Bob Heard, Chris Burchett, and Andrew Kahl.

About the Founders

Bob Heard pursued Business and Law and completed his bachelor’s degree in 1974 from Texas Tech University. He stepped into the professional world with IBM where he worked as a Regional Industry Sales Representative. Bob worked there for six long years and joined Information Resources, Inc as Executive Vice President.

Bob had an ample of experiences before co-founding Credant Technologies. Some of them include working as SVP for S2 Systems and Entrust Technologies, working as a General Manager for Sterling Commerce Banking Systems Division, etc. He started working at Dell as an Executive Director but left after seven months and co-founded Credant. Currently, he is the CEO of Credant Technologies and Board Member of eOriginal.

Chris Burchett also went to Texas Tech University and acquired his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He went to Southern Methodist University for completing his MS. After completing his BS, we worked at E-Systems as Software System Engineer for four years. While doing his MS, he joined i2 Technologies and worked there for seven years.

He left the company in 2001 after serving as the Director of Product Development. After co-founding Credant, he served as the CTO of the same and then worked for Dell in the security division. Currently, he is the Group Vice President of Blue Yonder.

Andrew has a bachelor’s degree in economics and history from Northern Illinois University and his MBA from Notre Dame University. Before co-founding Credant, he had prior experiences in working for Compaq and i2 Technologies. He left Credant in 2013 and joined NetApp. Andrew is currently serving as the Chief Customer Officer at SailPoint and as a Board Member of MyScript.

History of Credant Technologies

Bob along with Chris and Andrew saw a very big opportunity in the area of computing. When they founded the company, the internet has just started grasping the market. They knew eventually every enterprise will soon need data security as every small activity will depend on the internet.

So, they decided to found Credant Technologies with the prime goal of providing data security services to various companies. The company mainly worked for protecting data and secure it from “leaking”. Credant Technologies started with 110 employees which are pretty impressive for a new company. Moreover, the co-founders of Credant are well-experienced and seemed to have a lot of influence in the business world.

The tools of Credant Technologies had diverse applications, thus serving educational organizations, hospitals, aeronautical industry and well as the financial sector. The company also claimed to produce two million endpoints in these industries. Credant Technologies, since the beginning, has worked for protecting endpoint data and demonstrate compliance. It also worked to reduce costs at the same time.

Investors and Acquisitions

The major investors of Credant Technologies include Crescendo Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Austin Ventures LP, Intel Capital, and Cisco Systems. The company also had a joint partnership with Dell and OEM Record. Credant Technologies, for two successive years (2007 & 2008) became the fastest-growing private security company according to the Inc 500 Survey.

By 2011, over 800 companies, as well as few government sectors, used the product of Credant Technologies. Their tools and software were installed in more than 7 million devices. In 2005, the company was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Within a span of ten years, it made a significant presence in the world of data security.

Dell announced that it will be acquiring Credant in December 2012. The acquisition was made for the sole purpose of strengthening the security system of Dell.

Wepay

Wepay: Enabling Payment Solution With Secure, Frictionless, And Customized Service!

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E-commerce is rising exponentially day by day; in turn, the need for online payment platforms is rising with it. However, this platform needs to be feasible and reliable too. WePay is one of the online payment service providers that enabled payment solutions that are integrated and customizable. As well, feasible and reliable to the customers. The company, however, provides an API based payment platform for marketplaces, crowdfunding sites, and small software companies. The best thing about WePay that it offers fraud-free payment solutions. Rich Aberman and Bill Clerico set up the company back in 2008. However, it headquartered in Redwood city of California.

About WePay

It is a trustworthy payment solution platform for its secure, frictionless, and customized service in this field. As the company is incorporated with several third-party vendors, risk and fraud protection is possible through the WePay payment platform. However, for detecting fraud and other user security issues, the company uses several techniques. Includes, machine learning algorithms, social data connections and many more.

According to the founders of WePay, the company’s corporate values are core to what it is and how it operates each and every day. Also, WePay base on the belief that a company’s success is the measure of its customer success. 

The Backstory

Every company has some background and reasons after its establishment and here with the WePay too. The story begins during the Rich Abreman’s brother’s bachelor party arrangement. For that, he was collecting funds from friends which were spread across the US. At that time, he faced so many difficulties to collect money from various sources that are completely different. Like some were offering cash, some offered checks while some of them offered PayPal Money transfer. He found all this process much time consuming as well as burdensome. Eventually, after so much struggle party goes well, but Abreman studied and understood the PayPal weaknesses. After this, he asked Clerico to assist him in setting up WePay. 

Thus, in 2008, they founded WePay in Boston. However, it was the time when social media and smartphones were popped. 

WePay Growth and Involvement

After one year, the company attracted interest from third-party developers. Especially those who were looking for an API to facilitate a simple payments approach on their platforms. In 2010, WePay introduced the first platform API that supports as well as monetize payments. Soon company collaborated with GoFundMe a crowdfunding platform. With it, WePay initiated the development of better UX. Also, the company enabled Embedded payments in 2012. To prevent and identify merchant fraud, WePay took the next step and introduced an intelligent risk engine. Additionally, the company introduced mobile card readers that are pre-certified. 

As per the mission and vision of the company, it continually improves its payment platform and growing impeccably. JP Morgan Chase acquired the company in 2017.

Masterminds behind WePay

Bill Clerico

He is the Co-founder & WePay CEO. His policies helped WePay a lot in its growth. Apart from that, Bill is an angel investor of WePay. Before that, he was an advisor plus investor at Insight Data Science. Also, he served as a part-time partner at Y Combinator. Coming to the educational background, Bill attended Boston College to study Computer Science. Clerico also went to the High Technology High School to study pre-Engineering, Math, Science as well as Cisco Networking.

Rich Aberman

The company is the result of Rich’s idea and will to enable an easier payment solution platform. He is the WePay co-founders and presently serving as a CSO of the company. Aberman is the person behind popularizing the WePay product strategy. As well, he is the frequent speaker at fintech conference where he mostly spoke on payments and innovations. However, he holds a degree in Bachelor of Arts. For that, he went to Boston College and studied Political science, Economics, and Philosophy. 

Other Social Works of WePay

Apart from enabling fraud and risk-free payment platforms, the company works for many social clauses. The company supported fundraising efforts for many disaster relief campaigns as well as several humanitarian causes. For example, WePay assisted the campaigns that are related to Hurricane Sandy, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Earthquakes in Nepal, etc.

Bottom Line

They believe in the quality of work and working to deliver excellent service since its foundation. Recently, the company announced a product line of Link, Clear, and Core. So that the integrated payments use cases can be solved. Also, it adds key JPMorgan Chase services for the incremental value.