ZTE wins 2019 ATD Excellence in Practice Award

20 December, 2019, Shenzhen, China - ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the mobile Internet, today announced that it has been awarded with the 2019 ATD Excellence in Practice (EIP) Award by Association for Talent Development (ATD) by virtue of the project of “Learning and Development: Improving the Efficiency of Knowledge Operation and Management in Capability Center.” The winning of the award demonstrates ZTE’s outstanding strength in talent training and development.

In this project, ZTE’s Marketing Position-based Capability Center carried out a series of works in the past two years to address the problems of product knowledge decaying from the source to the front-line marketing and marketing front-line staff’s not mastering the necessary product knowledge. Underpinned by the integrated and innovative knowledge transfer system, ZTE has established an effective mechanism on knowledge management and operation efficiency improvement.

ZTE Logo

This mechanism covers the entire process of requirement, implementation, review and optimization. Based on employees' knowledge acquisition requirements and using previous experience, this mechanism combines vertical professional knowledge training with the horizontal global experience to conduct end-to-end optimization and improvement on the original knowledge transfer system.

ZTE has been committed to building up a learning organization for a long time. Based on its talent development strategy, ZTE has developed a practice-oriented, top-down employee competence development system, in a bid to help company operation and facilitate the growth of employees.

EIP Awards are presented to practices that have demonstrated clear and measurable results of achieving organizational goals, that meet a demonstrated need, have appropriate design values and are clearly aligned with other performance improvement initiatives. Established in 1943, ATD is the world's largest association dedicated to those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees around the world. With more than 35,000 members in over 120 countries, ATD supports the talent development profession by providing trusted content in the form of research, books, webcasts, events and education programs.

ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, operators, companies and public sector customers. As a part of ZTE’s strategy, the company is committed to providing customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE sells its products and services in more than 160 countries.

To date, ZTE has obtained 35 commercial 5G contracts in major markets, such as Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA). ZTE commits 10 percent of its annual revenues to research and development and takes leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations.

Media Contacts:
Margaret Ma
ZTE Corporation
Tel: +86 755 26775189
Email: ma.gaili@zte.com.cn

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telent is awarded contract to manage Transport for London communication assets

The contract, starting in January 2020, will combine maintenance services and upgrade works

London, UK, 17 December 2019: telent Technology Services Ltd (telent), a leading UK technology and network services company, has been selected again by Transport for London (TfL) to manage a wide and complex range of communication assets, including public address speakers, CCTV cameras inside and on buildings, customer help points and information displays.

The contract is for just over a seven-year period and will begin in January 2020. The contract combines maintenance services, system design and upgrade works to TfL’s communications systems across a vast array of environments and sites, including all London Underground stations, depots and operational buildings, TfL office buildings, bus stations, river piers, cycle hire stations and the London Transport museum.

This contract includes the management of security and access control systems, encompassing more than a quarter of a million assets across TfL’s estate, including at more than 270 underground stations and depots and at more than 80 bus stations and stands.

Steve Dalton, Managing Director, Transport at telent said: “We are proud to be one of Transport for London’s suppliers and look forward to expanding the scope of our previous contract with them. Using innovative approaches and with our experienced team, we continue to build on our market-leading whole-life approach, ensuring that we constantly deliver best value for both TfL and Londoners.”

With more than 30 years of experience in the transport sector and customers including Network Rail and Highways England, telent has maintained communication assets for TfL since 1996.

For more information about telent visit telent.com.

For more information about TfL visit tfl.gov.uk.

- ENDS -

About telent
Dedicated to defining the ever-changing digital landscape, telent designs and delivers solutions and services that enable organisations to create, improve and maintain their mission critical communications networks.

Vital in the effective operation of the nation’s infrastructure and at the heart of many of the UK’s and Ireland’s best-known brands, telent operates within various industry sectors, including Transport, Service Provider, Public Safety, Defence, Government/Public Services and Enterprise.

telent’s industry expertise and professionalism make the company a partner of choice for organisations at the forefront of the digital revolution. telent was recently appointed as the new supplier to Highways England to operate and manage the National Roads Telecommunications Service, a vital component of the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

Clients include Highways England, Transport for London, Kent County Council, West Sussex County Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Network Rail, BAE Systems, BT, Interoute, London Ambulance Service, Merseyside Fire & Rescue, RNLI, Maritime Coast Guard Agency, Metropolitan Police, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Additional information can be found at www.telent.com.

Twitter: @telent_UK
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/telent

Media Contact
Proactive PR
Tel: +44 1636 704888
Email: telent@proactive-pr.com

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SandSIV Strengthens EMEA Presence with Global Multiyear Agreement

New client is Africa’s leading telco, covers 20+ African, ME markets

ZURICH, 17.12.2019 – SandSIV, provider of enterprise Voice of the Customer (VOC) solutions, proudly announces that it will serve as the VOC solution for Africa’s leading mobile telecommunications operator.

Global delivery

For SandSIV, the agreement represents an opportunity to showcase its solutions in one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse markets. For the client, which serves customers in several markets throughout Africa and the Middle East, SandSIV promises an overhaul of its current customer-experience (CX) ecosystem and the opportunity to make strategic use of an unprecedented array of CX data.

“The African and Middle East telecommunications markets are growing rapidly,” notes SandSIV CEO Federico Cesconi. “With that growth comes danger for telcos who retain outmoded CX models and opportunity for those who invest in new ways to serve their customers responsively and consistently.

“That makes it especially crucial for larger telcos in the region to complement traditional inside-out CX strategies with approaches that let them hear and respond to their customers’ needs. SandSIV is proud to offer its newest client the tools it needs to turn customer experience into winning corporate strategy.”

The client sought a single CX platform capable of collecting customer feedback through multiple channels and in multiple languages, of harmonizing and analysing that feedback, and of distributing actionable results of its analysis to key personnel.

It chose SandSIV’s sandsiv+ platform for its generous range of integrated features, notably its near-real-time capture of everything from survey data to unstructured data, from all physical and digital channels, including social media. Its robust analytics engines produce truly actionable dashboards and reports, and its AI features generate crucial alerts and recommendations that help telcos deliver innovative services quickly and strategically. Crucially, sandsiv+ integrates with a wide variety of legacy systems ranging from BI solutions to CRM tools.

“Telecommunications companies adapt and change, or they suffer,” observes Federico. “We are proud to help a major telco learn exactly what its customers want and need, now and in the years to come.”

###

SANDSIV is a Swiss software provider located in Technopark Zurich, Switzerland’s main technology hub. Listed as a leading VOC vendor in Gartner’s recent VOC Market report, SANDSIV has built its reputation in delivering its state-of-the-art Voice of the Customer enterprise solutions “sandsiv+” to advanced CX teams at leading organisations throughout EMEA, including leading companies in the telco, financial services, utilities, retail and transportation sectors.

sandsiv+ captures, analyses, integrates, improves, and measures the customer experience. Introduced in 2014, the next-generation CX platform harmonises data from any direct or indirect channel, and generates inferred data using artificial intelligence. Its analytical features are built on advanced AI technologies including Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Deep Machine Learning, providing for the increasingly unsupervised production of faster and more accurate actionable insights, and allowing organisations to act responsively and plan wisely. The platform supports complex integration, customization and configuration.

CONTACT:
Frank Warnsing
+41 43 205 21 32
info@sandsiv.com

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Prysmian Group Introduces Breakthrough Innovation for Telecom Broadband Development

World’s First 180 Micron Bend Insensitive Fibre Pushes Dimensions to an Unprecedented Lower Level

Miniaturized Optical Cables Are Key to Sustain Future Digital Developments

Milan, 16 December 2019 – Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, keeps sustaining future digital developments and introduces a bend insensitive single-mode optical fibre with 180µm outer diameter. Prysmian’s BendBright^XS 180µm will enable an unprecedented level of cable miniaturization and confirms Prysmian commitment to support the evolution of high-density optical networks.

We are living in a time of technological transformation. As new technologies like 5G, IoT and augmented reality evolve, our optical networks must quickly adapt to meet new demands for increased capacity, higher density and lower latency. Bend insensitive fibre optic cables are a crucial part of the world’s shift towards flexible and reliable connectivity, and with their extreme fibre count and reduced diameter, they also make installation faster and more cost effective.

BBXS-180µm diameter fibre will enable new cable systems with extreme fibre density and smaller diameter. In 2009, Prysmian introduced BendBright^XS 200µm, the first-ever commercialised bend insensitive single-mode optical fibre, especially designed for high density access networks. Since then, reduced diameter fibres have opened an innovative gateway for many new cable systems applicable to a variety of network configurations.

“Leveraging its proprietary BendBright^XS technology, Prysmian is reaching a new milestone in fibre miniaturisation“ says Philippe Vanhille, Executive Vice President Telecom Business at Prysmian Group “BBXS-180µm will enable cable designers to offer strongly reduced cable dimensions and yield industry record cable density.” The dimensional reduction of 180µm fibre corresponds to half of the cross-section area of legacy 250µm single-mode fibre while preserving a 125µm glass diameter. BBXS-180µm is fully compliant with G.652 and G.657.A2 global standards, and it can be spliced with any legacy standard single-mode fibre.

With its advanced ColorLock-XS coating system, BBXS-180µm ensures excellent bending performance and mechanical reliability.

Prysmian has invested for many years in R&D and product innovation, and this high level of technical expertise has allowed the Group to reach this new milestone, so to be able to offer its customers world best solutions of truly high quality, thus meeting the evolving needs of global connectivity which has a critical economic and social importance.

Network operators must act today to support the worldwide demand of tomorrow, and BBXS-180µm is expected to open new opportunities for high fibre count cables that are high-density, physically compact, and easily deployable for future-fit networks.

Prysmian Group
Prysmian Group is world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry. With almost 140 years of experience, sales of over €11 billion, about 29,000 employees in over 50 countries and 112 plants, the Group is strongly positioned in high-tech markets and offers the widest possible range of products, services, technologies and know-how. It operates in the businesses of underground and submarine cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, of special cables for applications in many different industries and of medium and low voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure sectors. For the telecommunications industry, the Group manufactures cables and accessories for voice, video and data transmission, offering a comprehensive range of optical fibres, optical and copper cables and connectivity systems. Prysmian is a public company, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange in the FTSE MIB index.

Media Relations
Lorenzo Caruso
Corporate and Business Communications Director
Ph. 0039 02 6449.1
lorenzo.caruso@prysmiangroup.com

Investor Relations
Cristina Bifulco
Investor Relations Director
Ph. 0039 02 6449.1
mariacristina.bifulco@prysmiangroup.com

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Rajant Leads Sponsorship of New Conference on Port Wireless Networks

PortComms2020 Exclusively Focused on Wireless Port Communications

Malvern, PA – December 12, 2019: Rajant Corporation, the exclusive provider of Kinetic Mesh® wireless networks, will be the prime sponsor of BWCS’ PortComms2020, a first time conference devoted to the topic of wireless port communications. Rajant’s Vice President of Sales – EMEA, Chris Mason, will serve as a keynote speaker. Mr. Mason’s presentation topic is entitled: “Enabling 100% Port-Wide Connectivity: Kinetic Mesh Networking for Manned or Unmanned Vehicles”.

According to BWCS, Rajant is one of the main players in the port sector. Rajant’s sponsorship and keynote presentation will build upon Chris Mason’s hands-on experience outfitting Rajant’s industrial wireless technology to port operations, such as his recent work with DP World at the Port of Antwerp.

“With some analysts predicting that the market for private wireless networks will eventually be twice the size of the commercial mobile market, there is a huge new interest in this sector,” argues Ross Parsons, Director of Transport at Wireless Consultancy BWCS. “At the same time, ports are steering rapidly towards smart services based on digital efficiency and solid wireless coverage. We are bringing the two sides together to thrash out the problems and solutions.”

The conference will feature real-life stories from leading port operators and authorities across the world, which have been immediately involved in the complexities of specifying and setting up their port’s wireless networks and trials. As with BWCS’ successful TrainComms conference, the company is focused primarily on getting the port operators themselves to attend and speak.

“Container port operators are seeking more reliable, truly mobile, networking solutions,” shares Rajant’s Chris Mason. “The efficiencies required to remain competitive and safe in manual, remote-operated, and autonomous environments rely on 100% connectivity to all mobile assets. With total control over the network and confidence in its security as key requirements, it is imperative to delve into the harsh realities of maintaining mission-critical connectivity in these tough conditions.”

This London-based event will take place on April 1st, 2020, at the Radisson Bloomsbury Hotel. For more information, please see: www.Portcomms2020.com or e-mail Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com.

####

About BWCS
BWCS specialises in working with technology companies to maximise their business-to-business operations. We help industry regulators and governments make decisions that shape markets. We have a stable base of bluechip clients who rely on our expertise. With five areas of competency – market & opportunity definition, business & marketing strategy, modelling & policy, interim management, and conferences – BWCS operates in the four sectors of telecommunications, transport, defence & security, and energy & waste. For more information, visit www.BWCS.com.

About Rajant Corporation
Rajant Corporation is the exclusive provider of private wireless networks powered by the patented Kinetic Mesh® network, BreadCrumb® wireless nodes, and InstaMesh® networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 55 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, oil & gas, petrochemical plants, municipalities, and agriculture, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona, Kentucky, and Alabama. For more information, visit www.rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Contexta360 research finds Speech Analytics is not yet reaching full potential in UK Contact Centres

Fewer than half are using Artificial Intelligence and real-time automation and analytics features

London, UK- 12th December, 2019: Contexta360, a leading speech analytics, AI and conversational computing company, today released the results of research into the deployment and use of speech and chat interaction analytics in UK contact centres and the view of voice calls as a customer support channel.

The survey polled 250 UK-based contact centre managers and found that although 92% have some form of speech analytics solution in place, a high proportion (43%) have deployed it in the past 12 months. Analysis of the responses reveals that, while using speech analytics is common for compliance and agent monitoring, organisations are not leveraging the full capabilities of the technology and less likely to be realising the real-time automation and intelligence benefits it can deliver. The findings also highlighted problems using call recordings with third party analytics software and the fact that newer users are experiencing difficulties.

Key findings:

• 92% are using some form of speech analytics; 43% only started using it in the past year


• 46% said they found it challenging to use recordings from their speech/chat technology with third party analytics solutions; a further 11% said it was not possible at all


• 54% of deployments have no AI or deep learning capabilities


• 57% say the voice channel is still important for customer service; 14% said the days of the voice channel as a customer service medium are numbered


• Improved customer satisfaction, greater customer insight and improved compliance are the top three benefits speech analytics users hope to achieve.

Low AI adoption and significant integration difficulties
Fewer than half of surveyed organisations reported that their speech analytics platform has any AI and deep learning capabilities (46%). Only 43% were using AI to auto-summarise call actions while 41% used it to auto-complete C-Sat/NPS surveys based on call contents and under half (48%) were using it to auto-inject the conversation into the CRM record, a facility that significantly improves the accuracy and future value of customer intelligence.

Respondents also reported difficulties using their call recordings with third party analytics platforms. Overall 46% said this was challenging and not as easy as they would like, while 11% said it was not possible at all. Among those who have deployed speech/chat analytics in the past year, the percentage finding this difficult was much higher – 68% said it was challenging and twice as many respondents said it was not possible compared to those who had used the technology for a longer period.

Commenting on these findings Andrew White, CEO, Contexta360 said: “The research indicates that enterprise adoption of speech/chat analytics is at an inflection point: companies are deploying the technology but not necessarily accessing the full range of advantages that are available. Interoperability with third party solutions is a challenge, especially for newer users, while use of the more advanced automation features offered by AI-powered interaction analytics platforms is not yet widespread. It is also clear that legacy vendor solutions are not easy to use or align to customer needs.”

“There is a clear opportunity for contact centres to deploy these additional capabilities to improve efficiency, accuracy and agent productivity. When scoping out providers, the focus needs to be on open, flexible technology that offers fast time-to-value.”

Agent performance, call intent and compliance are the main uses of speech/chat analytics
The most popular use of speech/chat analytics by respondents was to monitor agent performance (50%), followed by detecting the intent of the call (49%) and compliance with regulations (47%). Only 39% were using it to detect the sentiment of the call.

Larger organisations (5000+ employees) and those with more than 150 agents in their contact centre placed more emphasis on monitoring agent performance. Mid-sized businesses were more likely to be using speech analytics to detect the intent of the call and to assess compliance.

The enduring importance of the voice channel in the face of digital alternatives
Overall 57% of respondents said the voice channel was important to customer service provision, but among these there were reservations. 19% felt it was a necessary but costly medium for customer service and 15% felt it was important but hard to get usable insight and link it to other channels. 18% said they were actively looking to move customer interactions away from the voice channel as far as possible, while a further 11% agreed that the voice channel is of decreasing relevance to their business compared to digital alternatives.

Organisations that have been using speech/chat analytics for more than one year were more positive about the voice channel, with 28% rating it a premium channel with high value to their organisation, compared with only 20% of more recent adopters. More recent adopters of speech/chat analytics were more likely to say the days of the voice channel are numbered, with 18% holding this view compared with 10% of more mature users.

Andrew White, adds: “The voice channel continues to be important to consumers, particularly in the moments that matter when they need urgent help, when there is a high value transaction or customer conversation or a sensitive escalation, therefore it is still important to businesses. If contact centres can see beyond using speech analytics mainly for monitoring and compliance purposes, and realise the automation and real-time agent augmentation that AI-powered platforms can deliver, they can turn that channel from a costly burden into a competitive advantage.”

-ends-

Research methodology
The research was conducted by independent research company, Opinion Matters, in November 2019.

250 contact centre managers were surveyed, with half representing companies with 500-4999 employees and half representing companies with 5000 or more employees. The survey explored how organisations are using speech and chat analytics, ease of use, how well it integrates with other technologies and platforms and the benefits respondents aim to realise.

About Contexta360
Contexta360 helps enterprises capture voice and video conversations across multiple languages, transcribing and analysing them for biometric, compliance, sentiment, topic, context, effectiveness and CX. Build a 360-degree view of customer interaction by analysing your conversations or transactional history from chat, email, social and CRM / ERP data files.

Media contact:
Paula Elliott
paula@c8consulting.co.uk
+44 (0) 1189 497736

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Financial identities for world's unbanked would add USD $250BN to global GDP according to new study

Oxford Economics study points to India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan and Mexico as stand-out markets for growth in financial services for the unbanked

SAN FRANCISCO, December 11th 2019 - A new report published today projects that establishing financial identities for the world’s financially excluded – or “unbanked” – population would add an extra USD $250 billion to global gross domestic product (GDP), mainly from developing nations in Asia and Latin America. This is the equivalent of bringing the productive potential of a country the size of Vietnam - a country of 95 million people - into the formal global economy.

High-res graphic showing GDP per capita (USD) increase associated with the “YES” economy

The report, “The YES Economy: Giving the world financial identity”, was authored by independent global advisory firm Oxford Economics, on behalf of Juvo, the pioneer of Financial Identity as a Service (FiDaaS) technology. FiDaaS technology analyzes alternative data using machine learning to build financial identities, allowing billions of unbanked and underbanked consumers to qualify for financial services, often for the first time.

Oxford Economics identified India (USD$7bn GDP uplift), Indonesia (USD$15bn), the Philippines (USD$15bn), Pakistan (USD$9bn) and Mexico (USD$31bn) as the stand-out markets for this growth.

More household credit, savings and insurance policies
For the forecast, Oxford Economics devised a FiDaaS enabled scenario to reflect a world in which mobile telecom operators have created a unique financial identity and credit score for their unbanked customers, allowing the provision of financial services to those that lack a credit history. This is an outcome that the report calls the “YES economy”. The name comes from financial service providers being able to say “yes” and extend their services for the first time to the globally unbanked, thanks to their new financial identity.

Mobile operators extend low-cost, low risk offers to their customers, such as airtime loans. Based on payback behaviour, consumers gradually build up to larger transactions: and then access other financial services, via partnerships between operators, financial service providers and merchants.

The analysis found that resolving the financial identity problem worldwide would deliver the following estimated results:

• A USD $250bn increase in global GDP


• A USD $408bn increase in global credit availability to households


• A USD $512bn increase in global household savings


• A six percent average increase in GDP per capita for low-income countries


• An average increase in GDP of USD $25 per person in South and Southeast Asia: and USD $108 per person in Latin America and the Caribbean (versus a global average of USD $33 per person).

“Establishing financial identities through mobile network operators could have profound implications for governments, financial institutions, and for the millions of unbanked (and underbanked) individuals around the world,” said Steve Polsky, CEO & founder of Juvo. “For governments, it represents a massive boost to economic development and progress. For financial institutions and the mobile telecom operators they partner with, it represents a multi-billion-dollar revenue opportunity. And for the unbanked, it opens up fair and equal access to useful financial services that wouldn’t otherwise be available to them.”

Anubhav Mohanty, Lead Econometrician at Oxford Economics added, “These numbers only capture a conservative estimate of this market’s true potential, since many more people are underbanked. The sheer scale, depth and value of this opportunity is far greater than we’ve been able to quantify here.”

Lack of financial identity for the globally unbanked
According to World Bank data, 3.9 billion people around the world (68% of adults worldwide) are locked out of the formal economy due to a lack of credit history. These adults are unable to provide the necessary information that would make up their “financial identity”, such as a formally recognised credit history.

By providing unbanked people with the means to have their own financial identity using the FiDaaS model, mobile operators can help unlock overlooked sources of cash to expand the global economy’s capital base.

“There’s a huge crossover between the unbanked and the world’s mobile phone users. With a financial profile in place, unbanked mobile users can tap into consumer financial services that wouldn’t have otherwise been available to them,” explained Steve Polsky, CEO of Juvo. “Once people are more active financially, they can incrementally improve their credit profiles, and access new services as well.”

Download the report here: https://juvo.com/resources/oxford-economics-the-yes-economy/

- ENDS -

SUPPORTING QUOTES
“Today, more than five billion individuals around the world own and use a mobile phone. This network of mobile phone users, covering more than two-thirds of the planet’s population, stretches far beyond the boundaries of the global financial system,” said Richard Cockle, Global Head of Identity, GSMA. “Many people who have never used financial services are using mobile phones every single day. The customer relationships held by operators have the potential to create a unique financial identity for mobile phone users. Financial Identity as a Service (FiDaaS) presents a profound opportunity for mobile operators, financial services providers, and merchants to create digital identities that unlock essential services for underbanked individuals around the world.”

“The nature of identity is changing. We are moving away from the indexed notion of identity whereby access is determined by a single, static point of reference. Bastions of identity such as utility bills and ratings agency credit scores are simply not effective ways of identifying who someone is and whether they should be given access to services, especially for the billions of people around the world who have neither,” said David Birch, Global Ambassador for Consult Hyperion and author of ‘Identity is the new money’. “‘Bottom-up’ identity based on alternative data created by social interactions, predominantly via mobile phones in emerging markets must become the cornerstone of trust across the global economy. The network of these identities will, as the report suggests, help billions of people gain access to life-changing services and help the financial industry reach a market that had until now been impossible to address.”

“There are billions of people globally who lack the ability to demonstrate their credit worthiness. Advanced analytics now allows for meaningful insights to be drawn from transactional and behavioral data that can be applied across the economy, increasing the ability to reach financially excluded and underserved populations with customized service offerings that meet specific needs,” said Matthew Blake, Head of Future of Financial and Monetary Systems, World Economic Forum. “Harnessing technology to increase financial access and usage can significantly improve financial health with material positive implications for economic growth and development.”

NOTES TO EDITOR

What is FiDaaS?
The “Financial Identity as a Service” (FiDaaS) model centres on mobile network operators as the link between unbanked consumers and financial services. The number of global mobile phone users is much larger than the number of financial service customers and, importantly, it extends into populations not known or reachable by financial service providers.

With FiDaaS technology embedded in their mobile operator’s network, unbanked mobile phone users – on both prepaid and contract agreements – can build a financial profile. This is based on their airtime credit and payment histories from their mobile operator contract and managed via a mobile application from which they can access third party financial services.

What is the YES economy?
The Oxford Economics Report analyses and forecasts the potential economic impact and associated social benefits of solving the financial identity problem for unbanked people – an outcome that it and Juvo call the “YES economy”. The name comes from financial service providers being able to say “yes” and extend their services for the first time to the globally unbanked, thanks to their new financial identity.

According to Polsky, “the YES economy uses everyday customer interactions to build trust, enabling people who have only ever heard “no” to become visible and active participants in the formal economy, creating a path to financial health, wellbeing and stability.”

Polsky continues, “the FiDaaS model that we’ve developed is a blueprint for how mobile telecom operators and the financial service providers can work together to drive a new wave of worldwide growth in and cultivate a new generation of customers in the world’s emerging economies.”

About Juvo
Juvo is a pioneer of financial identities for the underbanked. The company’s mission is to create the YES Economy by closing the information gap for the 3.9 billion people worldwide who are locked out of the formal economy due to a lack of credit history. In partnership with leading mobile network operators and financial institutions, Juvo leverages previously untapped data sources to build comprehensive financial identities, allowing billions of underbanked consumers to qualify for credit and other financial services, often for the first time.

Headquartered in San Francisco with regional headquarters in Miami, Singapore and São Paulo, Juvo’s footprint spans 26 countries across four continents. The company has built over 200 million financial profiles and unlocked more than a billion transactions to date.

For more information, follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn, or find us at www.juvo.com.

About Oxford Economics
Oxford Economics is one of the world’s foremost independent global advisory firms, providing reports, forecasts and analytical tools on more than 200 countries, 250 industrial sectors, and 7,000 cities and regions. The firm’s best-in-class global economic and industry models and analytical tools give it an unparalleled ability to forecast external market trends and assess their economic, social and business impact. Headquartered in Oxford, with regional centres in London, Frankfurt, New York, and Singapore, and offices around the globe, the firm employs more than 400 people including more than 250 economists and analysts. Oxford Economics is a key adviser to corporate, financial and government decision-makers. Our worldwide client base now comprises over 1,500 international organisations, including leading multinational companies and financial institutions; key government bodies and trade associations; and top universities, consultancies, and think tanks.

# # #

Press Contact:
CCgroup PR
Hannah Davies or Joshua Cobb
Juvo@ccgrouppr.com
+44 (0)203 824 9200

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AccelerComm Reduces 5G Latency by up to 16x with NR LDPC Channel Coding

University of Southampton Spin-Out Unveils Breakthrough 5G Cellular Optimisation Technology Delivering Highest Throughput, Lowest Latency Forward Error Correction IP

Southampton, UK – 11th December 2019: AccelerComm, the company supercharging 5G with Optimisation and Latency Reduction IP, announced today the launch and general availability of the 5G NR LDPC version of its error correction software, which reduces latency up to 16x to support numerology 4 in 3GPP 38.211 and also results in significant power savings for mobile networks with lower order numerology networks. The company’s LDPC IP is optimized and configurable to support high performance base station solutions or low power (small size) mobile terminal solutions.

AccelerComm

Channel coding, also known as forward error correction, is used to correct transmission errors in mobile communications caused by noise, interference and poor signal strength. This announcement reflects a dramatic change in the direction of coding in mobile communications standards. While 3G and 4G used Convolutional and Turbo codes for the control and data channels, 5G uses the much more sophisticated Polar and LDPC codes, and requires the industry to look afresh at how to address error correction. If channel coding is not working well the impact on mobile networks is poor capacity, poor data rates, poor coverage and poor quality of service. AccelerComm’s LDPC IP brings many years of experience in error correction to address this challenge in the 5G networks now being launched.

AccelerComm CEO, Tom Cronk, commented: “For all the hype around 5G, the simple fact is ‘ping time’ remains an issue, stifling new revenue opportunities for operators from services such as gaming or VR before they’ve had an opportunity to monetise them. After more than 15 years of research by the team, first at the University of Southampton and now at AccelerComm, we’re able to deliver on the 5G promise of a low latency, high throughput experience.”

The software is fully compliant with the 3GPP NR standard for PDSCH, PUSCH and also supports the full range of uncoded and encoded block sizes. It implements the entire LDPC encoding and decoding chain in 3GPP TS38.212 with superior error correction performance and hardware efficiency. It also tightly integrates the components in the chain to reduce hardware usage and latency and boasts a simple interface, making it quick to integrate.

The solutions provided by AccelerComm enable all 5G NR channels to be coded. AccelerComm solutions are 3GPP standards compliant and cover the total processing chain, including the encode-decode engine, channel interleaving, rate matching, CRC and early termination functions.

About AccelerComm
AccelerComm is the company supercharging 5G with Optimisation and Latency Reduction IP. It provides LDPC, polar and turbo FEC solutions which enable optimal performance of communication systems and solves the challenges that would otherwise limit the speed of 5G, namely the error correction decoding that is required to overcome the effects of noise, interference and poor signal strength. For more information please visit: www.accelercomm.com

Media Contacts
Candice Tobbo
Temono for AccelerComm
Candice.Tobbo@temono.com
+44 (0)7719042599

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Industrial 5G growth strengthened with NGMN and 5G-ACIA agreement

Frankfurt, Germany, December 11, 2019: The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) and the 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA) have today announced to jointly shape and promote industrial 5G applications.

The agreement comes as both NGMN and 5G-ACIA look to enhance cooperation between operators and industries to realize the opportunities that 5G technology offers. The partnership between NGMN and 5G-ACIA will provide the technological foundation for new business models that will unleash new markets and growth in the industry, extending far beyond the mobile broadband applications of 5G.

Dr. Peter Meissner, CEO of the NGMN Alliance, said: “This agreement is the foundation for extended progress and development of 5G for industrial applications. NGMN has already done substantial work in several of its projects, e.g. URLLC for Vertical Industries. The work of NGMN and 5G-ACIA enhances the mutual understanding of how 5G can better support the industry and we are looking forward to the close co-operation of these two major alliances to bring about significant progress.”

Dr. Andreas Mueller (Bosch), Chairman of 5G-ACIA, said: "We are very much looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with NGMN. Only with a joint effort involving all relevant stakeholders, will it be possible to unlock the huge potential that 5G may bring to the manufacturing industry. The agreement sets the ground for a deeper exchange between 5G-ACIA and NGMN and for joint activities around the globe. Industrial 5G will soon become reality."

NGMN has driven and guided the development of wireless innovation in 5G since its first 5G White Paper was published in 2015. With the support of its well-established global partnership and technical expertise, NGMN has become a leading voice in the 5G industry.

Since its establishment in April 2018 as a working party of the ZVEI e.V., 5G-ACIA advocates globally to make industrial 5G a success. Very different 5G stakeholders, mainly organizations from the OT and ICT industries, jointly strive to make sure that the interests of the industrial domain are adequately considered in 5G standardization and regulation.

ENDS

About NGMN Alliance (www.ngmn.org)
The NGMN Alliance was founded by leading international network operators in 2006. Its objective is to ensure that the functionality and performance of next generation mobile network infrastructure, service platforms and devices will meet the requirements of operators and, ultimately, will satisfy end user demand and expectations.

The focus of the NGMN Alliance is on the development of 5G supported by the strong and well-established partnership of worldwide leading operators, vendors, universities, and successful co-operations with other industry organisations.

NGMN will be hosting its eighth Industry Conference & Exhibition, taking place on 21st to 23rd April 2020 in Paris, France. Registration for this event focusing on “The Unique Journey to 5G Commercial Success” is now open. Please visit the website for more information: https://ice2020.ngmn.org/.

NGMN Alliance (@ngmn_alliance)
Natacha Schubert
+49 69/907 4998-0
natacha.schubert@ngmn.org

supported by

Proactive International PR (@Proactive_PR)
+44 (0) 1636 704 888
ngmn@proactive-pr.com

About 5G-ACIA (https://www.5g-acia.org/)
The 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA) is the central global forum for shaping industrial 5G standards. 5G-ACIA members jointly prepare for the disruptive change 5G will bring, promote a better understanding of industrial needs, and gain insights into a highly attractive emerging market. 5G-ACIA provides a unique platform for OT and ICT companies, academia, and all relevant stakeholders to influence 5G development and deployment in line with industrial imperatives. They make the results of their work directly available to 3GPP, the main standardization body for developing 5G. 5G-ACIA is a market representation partner of 3GPP and has the formal status of a working party of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, ZVEI e.V. www.5g-acia.org

5G-ACIA, a working party of ZVEI e.V.
Alexander Bentkus
+49 (0) 69 6302-424
bentkus@zvei.org

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HUBER+SUHNER launches lightest and most compact cable yet, revolutionising offshore connectivity

HUBER+SUHNER, leading manufacturer of components and system solutions for electrical and optical connectivity, has today launched its fire-resistant RADOX® OFL (Oil & Gas Flexible Lightweight) cable solution – providing the offshore industry with a safe way to reduce platform weight.

Featuring a lightweight and compact design, the RADOX OFL cables reduce weight and space by up to 60% when compared to other cables on the market. The cable’s small bend radius and thin wall – which is half the size of standard cables – reduces stripping time by 60%, making installation easier and quicker. This has the potential to save industrial and offshore facilities several hundred thousands of dollars in structural design by overcoming space and weight restrictions.

HUBER+SUHNER logo

The RADOX OFL cable is highly fire-resistant and low smoke halogen free (LSFH), which provides exceptional performance in harsh outdoor environments and offshore industrial applications. Core cables do not melt or drip in the event of a short circuit, ultimately minimising emergency repairs and the potential for hazardous fume inhalation. The RADOX OFL cable is also oil, mud and hydraulic oil resistant according to the highest standard NEK606 Cat. a-d.

In addition, the RADOX technology offers a 120°C sheath and 145°C core temperature threshold, giving the cable an expected lifetime which is eight times longer than standard 90°C offshore cables. With RADOX technology, the polymers in the insulation of the wires and in the cable sheath are cross-linked using electron beams. This transformation provides the cables with extreme resistance to mechanical, chemical, temperature and weather influences.

Frank Thorn, Head of Market Unit Industry, Low Frequency division of HUBER+SUHNER said: “The offshore industry presents challenging conditions, including high temperatures, oil, chemicals and UV radiation. This means cables have to be robust and stand the test of time. The latest RADOX OFL cable does exactly this, while also reducing installation time and reducing weight, making it a valuable investment that can future-proof offshore connectivity.”

As a result of the RADOX OFL cable’s smaller 3D diameter, smaller cable accessories such as connectors and trays can also be used, further reducing space, weight and cost. The cable is ideal for monitoring and control, as well as sensor applications on offshore platforms.

Thorn added: “Offshore applications require durable, flexible and reliable cables that can operate seamlessly and withstand harsh environments to avoid deterioration. We developed the RADOX OFL cable with weight, space and cost in mind, creating a solution which is resilient, cost-effective and quick to install. As a result, the RADOX OFL cables will show no sign of any brittle breakage even after 10 to 12 years, unlike conventional rubber cables.”

HUBER+SUHNER has used RADOX technology successfully since the 1970s to achieve notable improvements in the thermal, mechanical and chemical properties of the cable insulation material. The technology has been used in offshore, railway and other industrial applications and has made significant strides in setting new standards of high-quality connectivity performance in various industries worldwide.

The RADOX OFL cable is now widely available and can be found online along with the full specifications here: https://www.hubersuhner.com/en/onepager-minimicrosites/radox-ofl-instrumentation-cable.

For more information about the HUBER+SUHNER RADOX® technology, please visit: hubersuhner.com.

HUBER+SUHNER Group
HUBER+SUHNER is a global company with headquarters in Switzerland which develops and manufactures components and system solutions for electrical and optical connectivity. With cables, connectors and systems – developed from the three core technologies of radio frequency, fiber optics and low frequency – the company serves customers in the communication, transportation and industrial sectors. The products deliver high performance, quality, reliability and long life – even under harsh environment conditions. Our global production network, combined with group companies and agencies in over 80 countries, puts HUBER+SUHNER close to its customers. Further information on the company can be found at hubersuhner.com.

Axel Rienitz
Trade Media
Phone: +41 44 952 2560
pressoffice@hubersuhner.com

Proactive International PR
Phone+441636704888
hubersuhner@proactive-pr.com

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Purple WiFi secure services of former BT Chief Executive, Gavin Patterson

Press Release

---

• Patterson joins tech firm as non-exec Director


• Acquisition of Patterson is major coup for fast-growth enterprise


• Purple develop innovative WiFi platforms and analytics

Manchester-based tech firm, Purple WiFi, have announced former BT Chief Executive, Gavin Patterson, is joining the company as a non-exec Director in what is a major coup for the fast-growing WiFi platform and analytics provider.

Patterson has enjoyed an illustrious career including President of the Advertising Association and non-executive director at British Airways and joins Purple at a time of rapid growth.

Gavin Patterson

The software company offers a WiFi platform through which businesses can monitor their customer's shopping patterns and habits and communicate with targeted messaging. It was Purple who introduced social media logins to the public WiFi login process whereupon valuable customer data is captured on its web portal. The captured data can then be used by their business clients for customer relationship management.

On Patterson’s joining of the company, Purple Founder, Gavin Wheeldon, said:
“It's a real honour to have Gavin Patterson join the board alongside Sir Terry Leahy and Bob Willett. Given Purple's go-to-market is channel-based, and a large component of that is through telecoms, Gavin's expertise will be invaluable in helping us scale up our existing relationships and helping us attract new partners around the world.”

The hire means Purple now share something in common with Silicon Valley tech giants, Salesforce, as Mr Patterson recently also accepted the role of Chairman for their Europe, Middle East and Africa operations.

On accepting the role at Purple, Patterson said:
“There is no doubt the analytics and engagement tools enjoyed by digital properties will soon be commonplace in physical spaces. Purple is leading the field having already secured some of the biggest brand names in the world. I look forward to helping on their continued global expansion plans.”

Ends

Purple WiFi
Purple gives businesses a means to capture and understand their offline world by offering a cloud-based platform that sits on top of their existing WiFi infrastructure.

As a result we have a market leading guest WiFi, analytics and engagement platform. Our customers range from individual restaurants with a single location to the largest brands in the world with thousands of stores.

For further information
Please contact Katharine McNamara, Konductor, +44 (0)7966 505661 or email ks@konductor.co.uk

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Overcome Gender Identity Barriers in Healthcare

Part 1: Know the limitations of EMRs and the importance of quality data collection. Patients with gender conflict have stereotyping and depression to overcome; don’t let staff and billing be another obstacle they must face when getting medical care. One way you can help them overcome challenges is by knowing the limitations of electronic medical […]

The post Overcome Gender Identity Barriers in Healthcare appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.

https://www.coding-online.net/?p=183462
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Translate CPT® 2020 Tissue Grafting Code Descriptors for Accurate Claims

“Other” tissue graft code 20926 turned into a sort of catch-all code over the years, but that will change with the CPT® 2020 code set. On Jan. 1, 2020, you’ll have five new medical codes to use in place of 20926. Be ready with these helpful pointers. Look at 15769-15774 Instead of 20926 In the […]
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Doctor’s Practice to Pay Nearly $180K to Resolve False Claims Act Liability Regarding “P-Stim” Devices

First Assistant U.S. Lawyer Jennifer Arbittier Williams proclaimed that Richard P. Frey, D.O., and Physicians Alliance Ltd. (“PAL”) have agreed to pay nearly $180,000 to resolve liability underneath the False Claims Act for the alleged improper charge of “P-Stim” devices. From may 2013 through June 2014, Frey and PAL billed Medicare for the implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, a surgical operation generally necessitating an OR for which Medicare reimburses thousands of dollars. Frey didn’t conduct surgery, however. Instead, he applied a “P-Stim” device in a workplace setting while not using surgery methods or general anaesthesia.

Click Here To Read The Full Story!

The post Doctor’s Practice to Pay Nearly $180K to Resolve False Claims Act Liability Regarding “P-Stim” Devices appeared first on The Coding Network.

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Virginia Beach Psychiatrist Grossly Over-booked Patients as Part of Fraud

A psychiatrist double, triple and even quadruple overbooked patients at his Virginia Beach practices so as to over bill insurance firms by over $460,000, per court documents. Udaya Shetty, of behavioral & medicine group and a lot of recently Quietly Radiant Psychiatric Services, pleaded guilty Wednesday to at least one count of health care fraud. The Virginia Beach resident is ready to be sentenced January 16th in U.S. District Court in Norfolk.

Click Here to Read the Full Story!

The post Virginia Beach Psychiatrist Grossly Over-booked Patients as Part of Fraud appeared first on The Coding Network.

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Anesthesia Place in Traverse City Will Now Pay $600K For Falsifying Claims to Medicare

According to the United States DOJ, Traverse Anesthesia Associates, along with several anesthesiologists are paying over $600K to resolve allegations that they consciously incorrectly submitted certain anesthesia claims to Medicare. Investigators mentioned that TAA and six of their anesthesiologists didn’t meet the regulative needs and conditions of payment for billing those services as medically directed.

Click Here to Read the Full Story!

The post Anesthesia Place in Traverse City Will Now Pay $600K For Falsifying Claims to Medicare appeared first on The Coding Network.

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November-December 2019

FULL ACCESS REQUIRES

MEMBER LOG IN

November-December 2019

Vol. 90, no. 10

 

 

 

 

Click here to read the issue.

 

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In the Issue

Features

• 
  
  • “Are We There Yet?” By Mary Butler
  
  
  • “The Future of Coding” By Anne Zender, MA
  
  
  • “Making the Electronic Case Reporting Transition” By Allison Viola, MBA, RHIA
  
  
  • “AHIMA19: Health Data and Information Conference: Post-Conference Highlights”
  
  

Working Smart

• “Health Information Exchange Can Play a Big Role in Delivering Integrated Care” By Erin Head, MBA, RHIA, CHDA, CCS, CHTS-TR


• “CMS Revises Telehealth Reimbursement Requirements” By Sandra Hernandez, MSMIS, RHIA, CCS, CPHI, CHC


• “Importance of Health Information in Performance Excellence and Process Improvement” By Santosh Mudiraj, MBBS, MPH


• “Comparative Study of HIM Professionals’ Comprehension and Use of Data Protection on Mobile Devices” By Julie M. Wulf Plimpton, MSHI, RHIA, CPHI

Practice Brief

• Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update): Frequently Asked Questions

Coding Notes

• “ICD-10-CM Updates for Fiscal Year 2020” By Monica Watson, RHIA, CPC, CCS, CCS-P, CPMA, CIC, CRC, CDEO


• “Fewer Codes for 2020 in ICD-10-PCS” By Maria N. Ward, M.Ed., RHIA, CCS, CCS-P

Past Articles

Print articles from the current issue back to 1998 are available in the AHIMA Body of Knowledge. (Full access requires member log in, but some articles are available for public viewing.)

Syndicated from https://journal.ahima.org/2019/11/01/november-december-2019/
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Injection of Rabies Immune Globulin

Test your skills with a new coding question from Clinical Coding Workout every Monday.

Select the appropriate code(s) to report an injection of rabies immune globulin performed under direct physician supervision.

96372

90471

90375, 96372

90375, 90473

Source: AHIMA Press. Clinical Coding Workout, 2019. https://my.ahima.org/store/product?id=65592.

Syndicated from https://journal.ahima.org/2019/11/04/injection-of-rabies-immune-globulin/
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What’s in Store: Retail Giants Expand Offerings with New Health Clinics

Retail healthcare is having another “moment” with the recent announcements that both Amazon and Walmart are rolling out primary care clinics with consumer convenience in mind.

Amazon’s entry to the market, Amazon Care, is a “virtual” clinic that combines elements of telemedicine (e.g., remote video consults, options to text message with nurses and physicians) with in-person visits to the patient’s home. Currently, Amazon Care is only being offered as a benefit to Amazon employees living in the Seattle, WA, area. It offers courier delivery of prescription medications and is intended to address issues such as colds, allergies, infections, minor injuries, preventive health consults, vaccines, lab work, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and general health questions, according to Fierce Healthcare. This care is delivered through a third-party partner to alleviate Amazon employee worries that their employer has access to their protected health information (PHI).

Walmart, which already operates 19 Care Clinics inside Walmart stores, recently opened Walmart Health, a 10,000-square-foot health “super center” in Dallas, GA, with primary care services such as dental, optometry, counseling, laboratory tests, X-rays, hearing, wellness education, and behavioral health, Forbes reported.

While these models are limited in number and scale, they’ll be competing with retail clinics such as the CVS Minute Clinics and the Walgreens Village Medical on-site clinics. One unknown element about these models, for health information management professionals at least, is how well they’ll be able to manage patient data and HIPAA compliance without the help of a larger healthcare organization. When Don Rucker, MD, who leads the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, spoke to the Journal (see page 15 of the November-December 2019 issue), he mentioned a vision for health IT where looking at one’s medical records is as easy as shopping on Amazon. It’s not clear if these retail settings are what he had in mind, but they do appear to be the future—for some.

Syndicated from https://journal.ahima.org/2019/11/06/whats-in-store-retail-giants-expand-offerings-with-new-health-clinics/
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Coding for Cancelled Colonoscopy

Test your skills with a new coding question from Clinical Coding Workout every Monday.

A patient is scheduled for a colonoscopy, but due to a sudden drop in blood pressure, the procedure is cancelled just as the scope is introduced into the rectum. Because of moderately severe mental retardation, the patient was given a general anesthetic prior to the procedure. How should this procedure be coded by the hospital?

Assign the code for a colonoscopy with modifier 74.

Assign the code for a colonoscopy with modifier 52.

Assign no code because no procedure was performed.

Assign an anesthesia code only.

Source: AHIMA Press. Clinical Coding Workout, 2019. https://my.ahima.org/store/product?id=65592.

Next

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AHIMA Advocates for Streamlined Audits and Coding Review Processes in CMS RFI on Program Integrity

This web-exclusive Journal column highlights public policy initiatives at the federal- and state-level that impact the HIM profession, including news on AHIMA’s national and affiliated state advocacy initiatives, Congressional updates, news from federal regulatory agencies, public policy updates from state legislatures, and AHIMA’s public policy initiatives with other organizations.

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By Sue Bowman, MJ, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMA

 

In November, AHIMA submitted comments in response a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) request for information (RFI) on the future of program integrity. According to CMS, program integrity focuses on “paying the right amount, to legitimate providers and suppliers, for covered, reasonable, and necessary services provided to eligible beneficiaries while taking aggressive actions to eliminate fraud and abuse. According to the CMS RFI request, rapid change and growth in Medicare have presented immense challenges and demanded creative solutions from CMS as they strive to “pay it right,” which is a phrase CMS uses to define program integrity.

CMS uses many program integrity tools, such as contractors that conduct prepayment and post-payment review and implement auto-deny edits. However, the design of many of these program integrity methods are rooted in the past. While computer edits automatically review claims before they are paid and data analytics can detect patterns of overuse or other improprieties via post-payment review, fewer than three-tenths of one percent of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims receive any sort of medical record review. When claims are medically reviewed—a process that involves manual review of the patient’s medical record to confirm compliance with Medicare documentation rules—CMS sees a 5 to 1 return on investment when comparing costs to recoveries.

While more reviews by CMS could reduce improper payments, the need for a clinician to personally review patient medical records and determine if claims meet payment requirements is very costly. The level of provider burden associated with medical review is also an important consideration. CMS is looking for new and innovative strategies and technologies, perhaps involving artificial intelligence and/or machine learning, which are more cost-effective and less burdensome to providers, suppliers, and the Medicare program.

The RFI on the future of program integrity is intended to obtain input from stakeholders and experts on innovative methods and tools to elevate its program integrity efforts. CMS wants to make sure that its program integrity tools remain effective not only in the existing FFS world, but also adapt, grow, innovate, and expand to emerging new value-based purchasing systems as well. The agency intends to elevate program integrity, unleash the power of modern private sector innovation, prevent rather than chase fraud, waste, and abuse through smart, proactive measures, and unburden providers and suppliers so they can focus on patient care.

In its comments on this RFI, AHIMA stated that improper payments and noncompliance with payment and coverage rules could be reduced by simplifying the rules and requirements, standardizing them across federal programs, and providing greater transparency regarding payment and coverage policies, rules, and requirements. Differences in local coverage determinations (LCDs) also contribute to the complexity of payment and coverage policies. AHIMA recommended that CMS continue to explore ways to improve consistency across coverage policies, and that the agency consider eliminating LCDs altogether in order to simplify Medicare coverage policies and make it easier for providers to comply with these policies.

Another source of confusion between provider policies and payer requirements is the lack of a single definition for many clinical conditions that are uniformly used by all providers and payers. AHIMA recommended that CMS and its audit contractors allow the use of more than one clinical definition for a medical condition when more than one definition exists that is generally accepted and in widespread use across the US.

It is important for both providers and payers to receive proper education to ensure the accuracy of submitted claims and the claims review process. AHIMA members have indicated that individuals responsible for reviewing the accuracy of Medicare and Medicaid claims do not always understand coding rules and guidelines. Therefore, AHIMA recommended that personnel employed by the Medicare and Medicaid programs, state Medicaid agencies, or contractors of one of these entities (including audit contractors), and who are responsible for reviewing coding accuracy, should be educated on proper coding practice and application of official coding rules and guidelines. AHIMA also suggested that CMS consider requiring that coding reviews be conducted by certified health information management professionals.

In response to a question regarding strategies, tools, or technologies to help CMS better connect ordering physicians, rendering providers, and suppliers with respect to their responsibility to provide proper documentation, AHIMA suggested blockchain technology as one possible approach. The revised certification criteria proposed under the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT’s “21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking and the ONC Health IT Certification Program” proposed rule can also facilitate communication between providers by giving patients electronic access to health information from the ordering provider, which can be shared with the rendering provider.

In the RFI, CMS also asked what strategies, tools, or technologies exist to help providers and suppliers become more aware of the necessary documentation requirements earlier in the claim process. AHIMA responded that recovery audit contractors (RACs) should be required to provide sufficient details regarding their findings, which providers can use to improve their coding and billing practices and avoid the same adverse audit findings in the future.

Syndicated from https://journal.ahima.org/2019/12/04/ahima-advocates-for-streamlined-audits-and-coding-review-processes-in-cms-rfi-on-program-integrity/
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BearingPoint//Beyond announces its Infonova Digital Business Platform is now 5G-ready

New platform capabilities will enable Communication Service Providers to monetize 5G investments at scale, introducing new services and business models quickly and easily

Amsterdam - December 4 2019 – BearingPoint today announced that Infonova Digital Business Platform from BearingPoint//Beyond is now 5G-ready, enabling Communication Service Providers (CSPs) around the world to create, experiment, launch and monetize new 5G offerings at speed and at scale. The Infonova platform has already been selected by major CSPs, including NTT Group and Tata Communications.

As 5G rolls out across the globe, new opportunities emerge for CSPs and their partners to develop new business models, use cases and applications that make use of 5G’s high-speed, low latency and always-on mobile connectivity. However research has demonstrated that, in order to succeed in the multi-trillion dollar enterprise services market, CSPs must adopt leaner, more agile operations that prioritize experimentation, collaboration, innovation, and rapid time to market.

To monetize 5G at scale, CSPs must ensure that their operational and business support systems can meet four main requirements:

• Orchestration and delivery of complex solutions spanning both different types of networks (e.g:4G, Fiber,5G) and different sources of services (e.g. edge, AR, VR)


• Flexibility in charging and monetization capabilities enabling CSPs to bundle and price anything from network slicing and consumer IoT, to industrial IoT solutions


• The development of partner ecosystems enabling CSPs to truly co-invent and co-create joint solutions with multiple third parties that better fit customer needs


• Increased operational agility and speed with cloud native solutions

The 5G-ready Infonova Digital Business Platform has been designed to deliver precisely these capabilities, enabling CSPs to:

• Reduce risk by rapidly experimenting, launching and monetizing new offerings and scale with success, due to its SaaS delivery model


• Achieve fast and simple integration with their business and operational landscape by using a comprehensive library of Open APIs and a flexible microservices and containerized architecture delivered in cloud native environments


• Offer advanced charging and billing capabilities ready to support any pricing model, including network slicing offerings


• Bundle anything with connectivity – especially important for consumer IoT, OTT services and enterprise solutions (e.g. Industrial IoT, Autonomous driving) – as a result of its flexible catalogue


• Access comprehensive order management and service fulfillment functionalities, managing the challenge and complexity of dynamic 5G service activation, diversity of devices and network functions


• Support multiple business partners on a single platform, allowing CSPs to easily and dynamically exchange offerings, orchestrate and monetize B2B2X, B2B, IoT marketplace, B2C and wholesale 5G use cases with an ecosystem of partners

“If CSPs are to capitalize on 5G opportunities – especially those presented by the multi-trillion-dollar enterprise services market - they need to start embracing digital business platforms. These platforms enable them to create new B2B2x business models with partner ecosystems, packaging 5G connectivity with devices, applications, IoT capabilities and AI into entirely new products and services,” said Angus Ward, CEO of BearingPoint//Beyond. “Our Infonova Digital Business Platform helps CSPs do just that.

By using our platform, CSPs can roll out new, complex, partner-driven offerings quickly and reach new lucrative vertical sectors and customers.”

“IDC believes that multi-partner relationships are a growing domain in the digital world and will need platforms such as BearingPoint//Beyond’s digital business platform to orchestrate and monetize them effectively,” commented Mark Thomason, Research Director, IDC Digital Business Models and Monetization.

For more information on how BearingPoint//Beyond can help you monetize 5G, please click here: https://www.bearingpointbeyond.com/en/industries/telecommunications/5g-opportunities/.

- ENDS -

About BearingPoint//Beyond
BearingPoint//Beyond is a BSS and digital platform solution provider helping businesses to innovate and grow revenue in face of digital disruption.

Using the SaaS-based Infonova digital platform, BearingPoint//Beyond gives organizations the ability to experiment, launch and monetize new offerings at speed, with minimum risk and cost. Building connections between technologies and partners, enabling them to collaborate, co-innovate and expand their reach with an ecosystem of partners. Bringing them closer to their customers, helping you drive higher efficiency and automation, and becoming more agile in the face of competition.

BearingPoint//Beyond is part of BearingPoint.

About BearingPoint
BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach. The company operates in three business units: The first unit covers the advisory business with a clear focus on five key areas to drive growth across all regions. The second unit provides IP-driven managed services beyond SaaS and offers business critical services to its clients supporting their business success. The third unit provides the software for successful digital transformation and regulatory requirements. It is also designed to explore innovative business models with clients and partners by driving the financing and development of start-ups and leveraging ecosystems.

BearingPoint’s clients include many of the world’s leading companies and organizations. The firm has a global consulting network with more than 10,000 people and supports clients in over 75 countries, engaging with them to achieve measurable and sustainable success.

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Press contact BearingPoint//Beyond
Michal Harris
Head of Marketing
Phone: + 44 (0)79 6637 1449
E-mail: michal.harris@bearingpoint.com

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Upstream announces Dimitris Maniatis as new CEO

Former CEO Guy Krief will join the Board of Directors

London, December 4th, 2019 - Leading mobile technology company, Upstream, announces former Head of Secure-D, Dimitris Maniatis, as its new CEO. As of January 1st 2020, Maniatis will succeed Guy Krief who will join the board of directors to drive the company’s strategic vision and long-term growth. Following the successful transformation of the company under Guy’s leadership, in his new position, Dimitris will be responsible for further expanding Upstream’s growth by leading its new innovative products to market.

Dimitris Maniatis

Guy Krief said: “This has been a transformative past three years for Upstream as we developed innovative technologies that addressed challenges and explored untapped digital opportunities within the mobile industry landscape. As a precursor for even more amazing things to come, Dimitris Maniatis will be writing the next exciting chapter as CEO. I am eager to continue supporting him as he takes over the helm and delivers the company’s cutting-edge vision worldwide”.

Dimitris Maniatis joined Upstream in 2017 to head Secure-D. Under his leadership Secure-D has grown into an award-winning, carrier-grade security platform, trusted by 30 mobile network operators in emerging markets. Before joining Upstream, Dimitris was in advertising through ‘all things web’, the digital marketing agency he founded in 2009. In 2014 ‘all things web’ became part of IPG and was relaunched as Reprise Digital Greece, member of the global digital marketing agency network of IPG. Maniatis holds a degree in Software Engineering, from the University of Manchester, in the UK.

“I am honored to be leading Upstream through its next steps into the future and preparing to advance our product portfolio further into the market,” commented Dimitris Maniatis. “I want to thank Guy for the trust he has put in me over the past three years of working together, and for his approach to innovation which he has infused in all of us. I am looking forward to working alongside our amazing management team and our talented, savvy and committed colleagues”, Maniatis added.

“This is a pivotal and exciting time for Upstream,” commented Marco Veremis, co-founder and executive chairman of the board. “As CEO, Guy had a catalytic effect on the company’s evolution as a mobile technology leader, successfully transforming our product portfolio with innovating technologies. The succession of Dimitris Maniatis paves the way to the next phase of development for Upstream and I look forward to seeing all the new things I know he’ll bring to the table for our ground-breaking products to reach their full market potential”.

Upstream’s co-founder, board director, and CEO of Persado, Alex Vratskides, commented, “Guy was called to transform Upstream and he revolutionized the company’s product offerings. Upstream is now entering a new era of growth and leadership, and I wish Dimitris Maniatis the very best of luck in his new role as CEO. He has proven his pedigree as head of Secure-D for Upstream, and with his extensive digital expertise, I am confident that he will strengthen the company’s position as a market leader worldwide”.

Upstream, the leading mobile technology company, provides innovative solutions that offer seamless and secure mobile Internet access to 1.2 billion consumers in high growth markets. Upstream’s Zero-D service provides free access to the internet essentials to 250 million mobile users in Latin America and Africa even when they have run out of data. Its security platform Secure-D, in 2018 alone, processed over 1.8 billion mobile transactions, detecting and blocking over 63,000 malicious apps in 16 countries. With a presence in over 45 countries in Latin America, Africa, and SE Asia, Upstream works with more than 60 mobile operators. Its team consists of 280 employees, over 25 nationalities, in 9 offices around the world.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:
Chevaan Seresinhe
Sonus PR for Upstream, UK
E: upstream@sonuspr.com
P: +44 20 3751 0330

Sofia Marinou
Upstream Corporate Communications
Ε: sofia.marinou@upstreamsystems.com
corp.comms@upstreamsystems.com
P: +30210 6618532
+30210 6618507

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