Why is a hyper-scale data center needed to set up an efficient command and control?

 A hyper-scale data center can help in setting up an efficient command and control center as it can process large volumes of data. 

 A unified command and control center in a smart city is a central hub where all the incoming data from different systems are processed. This is required to ensure proper coordination among all the public bodies. NEC India has shown how a hyper-scale data center can help in setting up efficient command and control for a smart city.

 Smart solutions for waste management and parking require large volumes of sensor-based data to be processed in real-time. Intelligent transport management systems and intelligent traffic management systems are other systems that require efficient processing. A hyper-scale data center can be used to house critical computing and network infrastructure required for smart city operations.

 A command and control center will be required to process different data streams. Compared to a conventional data center, a hyper-scale data center will be able to handle high volumes of data traffic of all types. It will be able to meet the increasing demand for data processing and storage.

 A unified command and control of a smart city can be a power-guzzling behemoth. This is owing to the large scale of operations in a smart city. However, a hyper-scale data center uses power efficiently. One can compare it to a zero-emissions vehicle.

A master systems integrator can design and develop a command center for running virtual machines with the help of a single physical server.

This helps in optimizing resource utilization and enabling better scalability and flexibility in managing workloads.

 Smart traffic and public safety solutions depend largely on an efficient unified command and control. A master systems integrator will ensure a seamless integration of various ICT components with unified command and control.

 This technology allows a single physical server to run multiple virtual machines (VMs), optimizing resource utilization and enabling better scalability and flexibility in managing workloads.

 

Source referred: https://in.nec.com/en_IN/press/201910/20191015_01.html

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What are the applications of flash storage in smart city solutions?

With flash storage, which ensures non-volatile memory, applications of intelligent transport and intelligent traffic management systems can function better.

 

IoT-based devices like sensors and cameras cannot operate without reliable storage. Since most smart city solutions have to work in scenarios where the power supply could be erratic, they need a reliable storage solution even when there are power outages. There are many applications of flash storage in NEC India’s smart city solutions.

With flash storage, the reading of data is faster than usual. This can be helpful in smart city solutions, which require faster processing of data. 

AI analytics software like automated number plate recognition (ANPR) and red light violation detection (RLVD) can work better with a flash storage solution. ANPR and RLVD are integral components of intelligent traffic management systems.

IP-based cameras installed at major traffic junctions can utilize flash storage solutions. Flash storage solutions offer non-volatile memory.

Other smart city solutions for facilitating the transport of passengers require memory storage. Automated fare collection systems can operate with greater accuracy with flash storage.

First of all, it requires reading of passenger data from the chip-based smart card. Secondly, the operator needs to have all the data regarding traveling. Similarly, the automatic vehicle location system, a crucial sub-system of intelligent transport management system, will not be able to function without a memory.

The depot management system and vehicle schedule and dispatch management system require dependable memory storage. Flash storage ensures that the memory doesn’t get lost even when there is no power backup.

Duty roster preparation will require an efficient memory storage solution so that the staff has access to duty charts. Reliable storage is required to keep the public transport utility on schedule because the staff needs to have access to timings.

Logging grievances like rash driving is an essential part of improving the passenger experience. But, without a reliable storage solution, this will not be possible, and flash storage can help.

 

Source referred:- https://in.nec.com/en_IN/case/scadl/index.html

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How can a smart parking system make disputes a far-fetched scenario?

Given the increasing number of vehicles, parking tariffs can give rise to conflicts. Smart parking systems can help reduce any possibility of scenarios that are difficult for operators.

 Parking charges differ in many areas, and there can be seasonal variations. In the winter, to reduce the share of vehicular pollution, the city administration imposes a higher parking fee to deter people from using vehicles. NEC India’s smart parking system can reduce the possibility of any haggling or quibbling at parking lots owing to confusion regarding parking rates.

 The smart parking system developed by NEC India helps in generating tariffs for vehicles. Parking sensors allow the parking lot operator to know the exact in-time and out-time of the vehicles.

 With the help of a parking management system, the operator can generate tariffs online as well as offline. The system allows the operator to use an Android-based ticket-handling system.

 Vehicle owners can get the option of paying pre-paid and post-paid parking. These options leave a lesser possibility of any conflict arising on the charges that are levied from the vehicle owners.

 A smart parking system is letting the residents of Kalyan-Dombivli enjoy convenient parking, which is more user-friendly. Since there are thousands of vehicles looking for parking, the smart parking system allows users to know if there are vacant slots in a parking lot.

 A city-level dashboard can help a person search the parking lot. Bay sensors in the parking lot show the status for both on-street and off-street parking. The parking sensors in a lot help in letting the driver find the parking slot. The vehicle owners can also pre-book the parking bays.

 The system also lets the operator enforce the rules and regulations without causing any embarrassment to the genuine users. The parking sensors help them monitor the parking lot remotely. Analytical reports on the performance of a parking lot can be generated at regular intervals.

 Source referred

https://in.nec.com/en_IN/solutions_services/intelligent_transport_solutions/smart_parking.html

 

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Why are environmental sensors necessary in a smart city?

 Environmental sensors can provide an accurate picture of air quality, helping the authorities take the required steps just in time.

Air cleaning towers are a common sight in cosmopolitan cities. Since they can be used to fight smog during the winter, it is also called smog towers. But, of late, the efficacy of these towers has come into question. They are rendered defunct due to excessive operations, even when they are not needed. NEC India has developed environment sensors that can detect the level of pollutants and particulate matter so that these air cleaning towers can be activated at the right time.

Smog towers are supposed to suck in air using a downdraft air-flow model and over 5000 filters. They have the capacity to purify 1000 cubic meters of air per second. But, it is necessary to have efficient environment sensors to ensure authorities have accurate data on the level of particulate matter in the air.

A smart city will be able to use air-cleaning towers more efficiently if it has environmental sensors. These environmental sensors can detect and display the level of PM2.5 and PM10 on LED screens.

The IT solution provider has leveraged environmental sensors to ensure sustainability in urban areas like Dombivli in Mumbai and Saharanpur City in Uttar Pradesh. Environmental sensors are part of a broad range of smart city solutions, which include smart city operations centers and flood sensors in the city.

Real-time data regarding the ambient air quality through parameters like the air quality index can help authorities take urgent steps when the situation worsens. A graded response action plan, or GRAP, is one of the ways to deal with pollution.

As part of the GRAP, the city can activate the smog towers when needed, increasing its efficacy. In addition to this, other steps like using anti-smog guns with dust suppressants can also help in dealing with pollution effectively.

 

Source referred

https://in.nec.com/en_IN/press/201910/20191015_01.html

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What is a decentralized digital ID system, and how can it be used in safe traveling?

 The success of the Digi Yatra scheme has shown the importance of decentralizing the ID system for safe travel.

 

The importance of safe traveling has been highlighted in recent times. Social distancing and wearing masks have become more of a norm nowadays. That is why schemes like Digi Yatra, which were launched in collaboration with IT solution providers like NEC India, have enjoyed a lot of popularity. 

 

Digi Yatra uses digital IDs in a more secure way to authenticate passengers to reduce unnecessary queues at the airport. This is necessary because the passengers have to give consent to using their biometric data. Storing digital IDs on central servers can make them vulnerable to hacking, and therefore, blockchain technology has come to the rescue of the authorities. 

 

Blockchain technology helps in decentralizing the ID system, thereby making it difficult to penetrate. The security and privacy issues can be overcome with this technology. Over 3.5 million people have used the Digi Yatra scheme, making it one of the most popular schemes launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. 

 

The popularity underscores the importance of safe travel. Digi Yatra uses AI-powered face recognition technology to verify the identity of a person. The infrastructure that is necessary for the facilitation of Digi Yatra includes IP-based cameras that can match the face of a person with the database of passengers and authenticate them. 

 

The scheme has reduced the time taken in the processes like baggage drop, check-in, security screening, and boarding. As a result, it has reduced the need to wait in queues. Touch-less boarding is one of the facilities that has enhanced the passenger experience incredibly. Unlike in the bygone days, they need not show their documents before boarding.  

 

Personalization of the services has become possible with the help of a decentralized digital ID system. Displays at the airports can offer information relevant to a person. The shopping experience of a person can be improved by providing customized suggestions.

 

 

Source referred https://in.nec.com/en_IN/blog/2021/20210402.html

 

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How can faster analytics help a city manage transport?

Faster analytics has become necessary in smart city solutions. In transportation, it can be used to ensure punctuality and the right frequency. 

Data-driven decision-making is revolutionizing all aspects of a smart city. Transportation is one of the areas where faster analytics, a cornerstone of data-driven decision-making, is making a mark. NEC India has developed an intelligent transport management system that makes use of faster analytics for transport management.

In transportation, there are several parameters that can be counted as vital for ensuring the convenience of the public. Punctuality and frequency are the aspects considered most important in any transport utility.

The intelligent transport management system uses faster analytics to make public transport utilities more competitive. There are various subsystems that provide essential data like location and ridership to the authorities to help them manage transport in a better way.

Automatic vehicle locating system or AVLS is a technology that uses GPS to track the vehicle's movements in real time. A transport utility operator can also establish two-way communication with the vehicles using a stable and secure VoIP communication system.

AVLS can help in achieving punctuality of the transport utility and also provide information about the exact arrival times of the transport vehicles. Automated fare collection (AFCS) and vehicle planning scheduling and dispatch (VPSD) are other subsystems that can help a transport utility achieve the appropriate frequency.

AFCS provides an accurate measure of the ridership of a transport utility, helping it to allocate resources appropriately. VPSD is a subsystem that helps a transport utility optimize the schedule according to the resources. The Depot Management System (DMS) helps the utility automate roster preparation, making it error-free.

ITMS can also help a transport utility gather data like violations to ensure a better passenger experience. Ahmedabad has incorporated the ITMS successfully for the Bus Rapid Transit. With the help of ITMS, it has been able to provide world-class services to passengers.

 

Source referred - https://in.nec.com/en_IN/case/scadl/index.html

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How are RFID tags used in a smart city?

RFID, a wireless technology, helps in creating an integrated and secure urban environment, making its use in smart city solutions imperative. 

  

RFID tags are small electronic devices that store information and can communicate with other devices using radio waves. Many of the smart city solutions developed by NEC India use them.

This wireless technology, which is similar to IoT, helps create a seamless integrated urban environment to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and overall quality of life. Smart waste management, smart fare collection systems, and smart parking management systems use the technology to ensure efficiency.

In a smart parking management system, RFID is used to give entry to the vehicle in a parking lot. Unauthorized entry can be prevented in a parking lot as it authenticates the vehicle before giving it entry.

RFID-enabled smart cards can be used to make payments for fares in transport utility. The RFID reader identifies the passenger with pinpoint accuracy to provide frictionless access.

In smart waste management, door-to-door collection of waste can be strengthened using RFID tags. The bins tagged with these electronic devices give an indication of the fill level. With the help of data about the waste bins that need to be collected, the waste collection vehicles can optimize their route, ensuring the efficiency of waste management.

In addition, the RFID tags can also be attached to the vehicles. Tracking of the waste collection vehicles from a central location will be possible with RFID. This ensures that there is no neglect in solid waste management.

These electronic devices can be used to give occupants smart access in government offices, convention centers, hospitals, and schools, among others. This enhances the security of set-up by providing authorized entry. It will also reduce the requirement of security personnel. 

RFID is also used in logistics to ensure visibility in the supply chain. Containers tagged with these electronic devices can be tracked efficiently. 

 

The source referred - https://www.nec.com/en/press/201812/global_20181205_05.html 

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How does submarine optical fibre cable improve business?

  As the CANI optical fiber network has enabled businesses to use broadband, it has eased business in the remote Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 

 

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands were connected through a satellite link, which was a deterrent to the rapid exchange of data. This hampered the business on the islands, preventing people from accessing online services. Fathoming the need for broadband, the government launched a project for a submarine optical fiber cable, and NEC India, a renowned IT services provider, was roped in for this.

Many hurdles were overcome to accomplish the project. Despite the pandemic, the project was completed within record time. The project required precise planning because of the topography and the previously recorded obstacles. Since seafloor depth varies greatly in the region, it poses a challenge for the service provider. The total length of the optical fiber is 2300 km, which is considered formidable. 

After the launch of the CANI submarine optical fiber cable, the islands have witnessed hyperconnectivity. Because of this, the businesses needn’t open offices on the mainland and incur costs on infrastructure. This has reduced the cost of operations drastically.

The use of online payment gateways has allowed local businesses to prosper. Buyers can use digital wallets to make payments for purchases in the local markets. Local shopkeepers feel empowered because of the CANI optical cables.

The hotel business has also seen a surge since the launch of the optical fiber cable network. This is because the hotel can offer better services to the customers. They can access the internet from the comfort of their rooms instead of looking for a cyber café.

Education has also been a beneficiary of the optical fiber cable. Students have access to resources like virtual libraries, online coaching, and e-books, among others. They needn’t go to the mainland to take coaching.

Doctors can communicate better with them. Faster sharing of files and video conferencing facility has helped the islanders access telemedicine. They needn’t travel long distances for medical consultations.

 

Source referred: https://in.nec.com/en_IN/blog/2021/20210416.html

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Submarine optical cable network: The best solution for poor connectivity

Calls didn’t connect in Andaman & Nicobar Islands due to poor connectivity. CANI cable system has provided the residents access to broadband, enabling them to access better services.

Seamless connectivity has become imperative, given the increasing dependence on the internet. NEC India has laid the Chennai Andaman Nicobar (CANI) optical fiber network to remove the bottlenecks in seamless connectivity.

Before the launch of CANI cable, the incidences of call drops were frequent. In addition to this, residents of the islands could not access many of the facilities that are widely accessible elsewhere. They were not able to use e-commerce platforms, and telemedicine was not an option available to them.

After the launch of the submarine optical system, the life of the islanders has undergone a vast change. The internet speed that was available earlier was just 1 Gbps. The launch of the sub-sea optical cable network has allowed them to access broadband. An ease of living never seen earlier is being experienced by them.

The cable network has opened up opportunities for business owners. They have been able to reduce the cost of operations. Now, they needn’t open offices on the mainland in order to cater to the customers and clients.

There were many challenges faced by students before the CANI project was launched. They were not able to access the resources available online. After the launch of the cable network, they are now able to take online classes. Owing to this, they needn’t travel to the mainland to avail the coaching facility.

The hospitality industry on the islands is also thriving as hotels are able to provide better services to tourists. While earlier they found making calls difficult, now they are able to make calls from the comfort of their rooms

Local businesses like shops and outlets have also grown because of the project. The increased connectivity has made the use of online payment solutions possible.

The hyper-connectivity has opened the scope for telemedicine. Sharing of reports, especially with inter-island patients, has become easier. Consulting doctors has become easier for those living in remote corners.

 

Source: https://in.nec.com/en_IN/blog/2021/20210416.html

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WHY IS DIGI YATRA BECOMING POPULAR AMONG AIR TRAVELERS?

 Digi Yatra, an initiative of AAI, has been rolled out in collaboration with an IT solution provider. It digitizes air travel and reduces the time spent by air passengers in queues. 

Digi Yatra has been rolled out in several cities in India, including Varanasi, Vijayawada, Kolkata, and Bangalore. IT solution providers have played a big role in the digitization of air travel. One such IT solution provider is NEC India which has provided biometric technology, a major requisite for the digitization of air travel.

Earlier, passengers had to face a lot of hassles while taking a flight. Because they were required to show their boarding pass and prove their identity many times, a lot of their time got consumed. They were hardly able to enjoy the great shopping experience that airports offer.

Right from check-in to boarding, the Digi Yatra has made taking a flight seem like a dream for the passengers. All they have to do is register themselves using a mobile application and give Aadhaar details. The airport will update the passenger’s details on its digital ID database.

Check-ins don’t require a person to queue up at the airline counter. Bag Drop will not require a person to identify themselves as a digital authentication will be done. 

The passenger will not be asked to show their Aadhaar Card or Boarding Pass during security screening. Above all, airports have dedicated gates for the passengers who have registered for the Digi Yatra scheme. The AI-powered face recognition technology deployed by the IT solution provider will identify a passenger swiftly and usher them in.

Touchless boarding is one of the most passenger-friendly services that can be availed of. This reduces the time they have to spend at the boarding gate. The ground duty staff of the airline also don’t have to make an extra effort to check the boarding pass of the passengers.

Airports are becoming a more safe and secure place owing to biometric technology. This is because the face recognition technology of the IT solution provider can be combined with video analytics to ensure that the no-show and sick passengers are handled properly.

 

Source:-  https://in.nec.com/en_IN/blog/2021/20210402.html

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