< Previous10 edge_ march 2024 VINTAGE TECH In the late 19th century, a peculiar marvel emerged from the labs of Scottish inventors Matthew Cash and Alexander Bain. The clattering invention of the facsimile machine, or fax, as it would come to be known, offered a glimpse into the future of communication. The idea of transmitting scanned printed text and images over the telephone seemed almost magical. Yet, the journey of the fax, or telefacsimile, from its rudimentary beginnings to its near-ubiquity in the latter half of the 20th century tells a story of technological evolution marked by persistence and ingenuity. Bain’s experiments in 1846 led to the creation of a device capable of reproducing graphic signs, a feat for which, he received a British patent in 1843. Frederick Bakewell and Giovanni Caselli built on these early designs, with Caselli introducing the first commercial telefax service between Paris and Lyon in 1865, an entire decade before the telephone debuted. Though, rudimentary and cumbersome, the early machines laid the groundwork for a communication revolution. The 1880s saw further advancements with Shelford Bidwell’s scanning phototelegraph, the first to scan any two-dimensional original without manual plotting. Meanwhile, Arthur Korn’s Bildtelegraph in 1900 transmitted a wanted-person’s photograph from Paris to London in 1908, showcasing the practical applications of this technology. The Bildtelegraph’s success underscored the potential of fax machines to change how information was shared across distances. The early 20th century ushered in significant developments. Elisha Gray’s telautograph in 1888 allowed users to send signatures over long distances, paving the way for the verification of identification or ownership remotely. By 1924, AT&T scientists had transmitted 15 photographs by telephone from Cleveland to New York City, revolutionising newspaper reproduction. Richard H. Ranger’s transoceanic radio facsimile transmitted a photograph of President Calvin Coolidge from New York to London, marking the beginning of commercial use and demonstrating the potential of fax technology to bridge even the widest oceans. Throughout the mid-20th century, the fax machine evolved from bulky, complex devices to more user-friendly models. The Western Union “Deskfax” of 1948 was compact enough to fit on a desktop, and the late 1930s saw the introduction of the Finch Facsimile system, which transmitted a “radio newspaper” to private homes via commercial AM radio stations. By the late 1970s, compact and efficient fax machines flooded the market, spurred by fierce competition and innovation, particularly from Japanese firms. Companies worldwide embraced the technology, and by the 1980s and 1990s, fax machines had become ubiquitous in offices everywhere. Their ability to transmit documents quickly and securely made them indispensable tools in the business world. Despite its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, the fax machine began to decline with the advent of internet-based technologies like email and the World Wide Web. Yet, the fax’s enduring legacy is evident in its continued use in specific sectors. In Japan, faxes remain a cultural staple, with convenience stores nationwide offering fax services to domestic and international recipients. The fax machine, now a relic of a bygone era, was once a symbol of cutting-edge innovation, bridging distances with the hum of a telephone line and the whirr of a scanning drum. By Sindhu V Kashyap How the fax revolutionised information sharing vintage tech 10 edge_ july 2024For sponsorship enquiries: Priyanka Pillai Senior Commercial Manager edge Middle East T: +971 4 444 3399 M: +971 52 576 0260 E: priyanka.pillai@itp.com For speaking opportunities: Sindhu Kashyap Editor edge Middle East T: +971 4 444 3497 E: sindhu.varadarayan@itp.com For event enquiries: Dmitry Lazarenko Marketing & Events Manager T: +971 4 444 3659 E: dmitry.lazarenko@itp.com BE A PART OF THE CELEBRATION. NOMINATE NOW itp.events/edgeTechnologyLeadershipAwards OCTOBER 2024, DUBAI, UAE CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION SCAN TO VISIT WEBSITE AD_edgeTechnologyLeadershipAwards2024_205x275.indd 127/06/2024 15:3712 edge_ july 2024 feature Against all Odds The story behind Suresh Sambandam’s Kissflow and its global impact SAAS By Sindhu V Kashyap edge_ july 2024 13 feature In Bengaluru during the early 2000s, a software professional named Suresh Sambandam was embarking on a journey that would defy convention and redefine the boundaries of software development. Employed at HP, Sambandam ventured into the nascent field of rule-based computing, a precursor to what we now recognise as ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI). This journey was not marked by formal technical training, but by a relentless curiosity and a vision for the future. “It was then the crude version of AI,” Sambandam recalled. His work on rule engines, designed to simplify rule definitions for business users, revealed a paradox: these tools, intended to streamline processes, were inherently complex and demanded significant intervention from software engineers. This insight planted the seed for a more accessible, user-friendly solution, bridging the gap between business users and software developers. Guided by this vision, Sambandam launched Orangescape in 2003, a visual-based platform- as-a-service (PaaS). The idea was to empower people with no programming background to build applications for their businesses. Orangescape’s no-code, low-code platform allowed users to create applications with simple drag-and-drop interfaces instead of writing complex codes. While this concept dominates global development today, and will contribute close to 70 per cent by 2026, it was virtually unheard of in the early 2000s. The initial failure of PaaS did not deter Sambandam; instead, it pushed him back to the drawing board. This persistence led to the birth of Kissflow. Sambandam envisioned a rule engine free from the complexities that plagued its predecessors. He aimed to create a platform with all the necessary scaffolding, enabling business users to develop software without extensive programming knowledge. This seemingly simple idea had the potential to revolutionise business rule implementation and management. However, the path to success was fraught with challenges. “There were days I would wonder if we could make the monthly salaries. We had quit our jobs and begun the company. We were sure of the problem statement we had. But in those days, the idea of a startup or raising funding didn’t exist. I had to sell a few of my assets to keep the company afloat in those early days,” Sambandam recollected. No-code, low code will contribute to 70 per cent of global development by 2026 Suresh Sambandam, Founder and CEO, Kissflow14 edge_ july 2024 feature The turning point came when a tech giant acquired the company Kissflow was working with. While the acquisition of that company was a success, the tech giant failed to retain the employees. Sensing an opportunity, Sambandam and his team began offering high-rate consulting services to generate initial funds, eventually raising half a million dollars in nine months. Charging consulting fees of $100—an impressive amount in India in 2013—helped keep the business afloat, with a primary focus on international markets. “I was sure there was a market for our product, but more demand in the US kept us going. However, soon, we raised half a million dollars. This capital was crucial in kickstarting our venture,” said Sambandam. The initial product was built on a client-server architecture with a Silverlight front end. However, this setup quickly proved unscalable. “Realising the need for a more robust solution, we pivoted to a cloud architecture. This transition was not without its challenges, but it was necessary to ensure the product’s scalability and reliability. We continued to innovate, eventually adopting a Kubernetes-based microservices architecture. This move significantly enhanced Kissflow’s scalability and reliability, laying a solid foundation for future growth,” explained Sambandam. Customer feedback was crucial in the development of Kissflow. The cloud-based approach meant that any changes made to the product would immediately impact all customers, necessitating continuous improvement. “I recall an incident where a developer accidentally deleted a production database, causing significant disruption. This experience underscored the importance of robust processes and effective communication with customers,” said Sambandam From the outset, Kissflow had a global market in mind. Initially, they reached customers in over 60 countries through digital marketing and online sales. The company soon began to have a physical presence in key markets, prompting Kissflow to expand to the Philippines, the US, and the Middle East. “The Middle East was a priority due to its cultural proximity to India and high respect for Indian tech talent. Kissflow established an office in Dubai Internet City, which received a positive response. With several hundred regional customers, the company plans to double its presence in Dubai Kissflow’s initial product was built on a client-server architecture Kissflow has given high importance to customer feedback “We had quit our jobs and begun the company. We were sure of the problem statement we had. But in those days, the idea of a startup or raising funding didn’t exist”edge_ july 2024 15 feature Kissflow’s key markets are India, the US, and the Middle East next year. This strategic expansion is driven by the region’s potential and favourable business environment,” said Sambandam. He is particularly excited about the transformative potential of Kissflow. “The integration of GenAI capabilities can revolutionise how businesses build and use software, making sophisticated applications accessible to everyone. The company’s focus on citizen development and continuous innovation, positions Kissflow as a key player in the next wave of digital transformation. The journey has been challenging, but the potential to create a significant impact and drive the next wave of digital transformation keeps the team motivated and excited about the future,” said Sambandam. Kissflow’s journey also highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. The company’s transition from a client-server architecture to a cloud-based solution was a pivotal moment. This shift required not only technical “Realising the need for a more robust solution, we pivoted to a cloud architecture. This transition was not without its challenges, but it was necessary to ensure the product’s scalability and reliability” adjustments but also a change in mindset, embracing a more scalable and customer-centric approach. The decision to expand globally was another strategic move that paid off. By targeting international markets early on, Kissflow was able to tap into a diverse customer base and gain valuable insights from different regions. This global perspective has been instrumental in shaping the company’s product offerings and ensuring they meet the varied needs of users worldwide. As the no-code, low-code movement continues to gain momentum, Kissflow is well-positioned to lead the charge. The company’s innovative platform empowers business users to create sophisticated applications without the need for extensive programming knowledge, democratising software development and enabling organisations to be more agile and responsive to changing market demands. Sambandam’s vision for the future of Kissflow includes leveraging the power of GenAI to further enhance the platform’s capabilities. By incorporating AI-driven features, Kissflow aims to make it even easier for users to build and deploy applications, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity. Despite numerous challenges and uncertainties, Suresh Sambandam’s unwavering commitment to his vision has propelled Kissflow to the forefront of the no-code, low-code revolution. As the company continues to grow and evolve, it remains poised to significantly impact the global software development landscape. Kissflow’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. It underscores the importance of staying true to one’s vision, even when faced with setbacks and obstacles. By continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and embracing a customer- centric approach, Kissflow has set a new standard for software development and is paving the way for a future where anyone can create powerful, custom applications with ease. 16 edge_ july 2024 feature Revolutionising industries in the Middle East How edge computing and AI are changing the game EDGE COMPUTING By Sindhu V Kashyap feature 16 edge_ july 2024edge_ july 2024 17 feature providing immediate insights and minimising latency. This approach is essential for timely decision-making and maintaining continuous production flow. “Predictive maintenance using AI at the edge allows them to foresee potential failures and take pre-emptive measures to avoid downtime,” Bhatia stated. “This is particularly critical in manufacturing where unplanned downtime can severely impact the production schedule and financial performance.” In addition to predictive maintenance, the company also focused on quality control. They produce aluminium, which must meet a very high- quality standard. Real-time image processing at the edge allowed them to continuously monitor the production process, ensuring that any deviations from the desired quality standards are detected and corrected promptly. This prevents defective products from being produced and maintains the company’s reputation for high-quality manufacturing. Bhatia highlighted three key technical aspects: a. Reducing latency: Data is processed locally at the edge to minimise latency and enable rapid response to equipment issues. This immediate processing capability is crucial for predicting equipment failures and avoiding costly downtime. The edge devices can instantly process the data generated by the equipment, providing real- time insights and alerts essential for maintaining uninterrupted production. b. Bandwidth optimisation: By processing data at the edge, the company reduced the amount of data transmitted to central servers, optimising bandwidth and lowering associated costs. This reduces the financial burden of data transfer and ensures that the bandwidth is available for other Companies increasingly adopt advanced technologies in the rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain a competitive edge. Of these technologies, edge computing, combined with artificial intelligence (AI), is becoming a game-changer for industries worldwide. Sid Bhatia, Area Vice President Sales and GM Dataiku, an everyday AI platform, shared a case study about a manufacturing company harnessing the power of edge computing for AI applications. This company, remains anonymous due to confidentiality agreements. It had a precise requirement: running AI on edge devices to achieve predictive maintenance. This approach is vital for real-time insights and actions, especially in manufacturing, where downtime can result in substantial financial losses. “The manufacturing company had a specific requirement. They wanted to run AI on the edge devices to ensure predictive maintenance. This was particularly challenging because running AI on edge devices requires different technical considerations compared to central data processing,” explained Bhatia. Edge devices, being closer to the physical processes, can offer real-time insights and actions crucial for applications like predictive maintenance in manufacturing. The manufacturing company needed to ensure predictive maintenance of its equipment to avoid unplanned downtime. This necessity stems from the goal of preventing millions of dollars in revenue loss if equipment failures were not predicted on time. The company could process data locally by deploying AI models directly on edge devices, 18 edge_ july 2024 feature critical operations. Transmitting only relevant information or summarised data to the central servers helps maintain efficient data traffic. c. Enhanced privacy and security: Local data processing ensures that sensitive information remains within the local network, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. This is particularly important in industries where data security is paramount. By keeping data processing local, the company minimises the risk of intercepting sensitive data during transmission. However, edge computing comes with its challenges. Edge devices might not have the latest chips, posing reliability issues. Security concerns also arise as edge devices are more exposed to physical and cyber threats. Additionally, managing many edge devices requires robust systems to ensure their proper functioning and security. These devices often operate in less controlled environments compared to central data centres, making them more vulnerable to attacks and hardware failures. “Of course, edge computing comes with its challenges,” Bhatia noted. “The reliability of edge devices, which might not have the latest chips, and the security concerns, as protecting edge devices is not easy. They are very prone to cyber-attacks.” Fred Lherault, Field CTO, EMEA / Emerging Markets at Pure Storage emphasised the evolving nature of edge computing, especially with the rise of AI. He noted that the technological landscape is inherently hybrid, requiring core and edge capabilities. In the MENA region, data sovereignty adds complexity, necessitating solutions like retrieval- augmented generation (RAG) to keep data at the edge while leveraging pre-trained models. “Edge computing is fundamentally tied to the advancements in AI,” Lherault explained. “Initially, the AI paradigm was built on conducting intensive computational training in the core and then deploying the trained models at the edge. However, as AI has evolved, the nature of edge computing has transformed significantly.” Lherault also highlighted the importance of adaptability in edge computing solutions. “One of the key trends we’re seeing is the development of specialised AI chips for edge devices. These chips are designed to handle specific AI workloads efficiently, providing better performance and security at the edge. Companies are increasingly investing in these advanced chips to leverage the benefits of edge computing while mitigating some of the downsides.” He provided compelling case studies where edge computing is crucial, such as government facilities and industrial sectors. In these environments, latency and continuous learning from local data are critical. For instance, in government facilities, where there is no internet connectivity, AI models must be deployed and continuously retrained on-site to adapt to specific operational conditions. This ensures that the systems remain effective and relevant to the unique challenges of each environment. “In highly secure installations, such as government facilities, which operate without any connection to the internet, AI models must be deployed directly at the edge since they can’t rely on cloud connectivity,” Lherault shared. “In the industrial sector, particularly factories using AI for predictive maintenance, latency can be critical. Running predictive maintenance models at the edge ensures immediate processing and decision-making, vital for maintaining continuous production flow.” Lherault also discussed the need for robust Technological landscapes are increasingly becoming hybrid with edge and core capabilitiesedge_ july 2024 19 feature Lherault added that the Middle East is uniquely positioned to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies due to its substantial investment capacity. The region’s proactive approach to investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and solutions, combined with evolving regulatory frameworks, supports technological innovation while ensuring data sovereignty and security. “The Middle East can accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, including edge computing and AI, due to its substantial capacity,” Lherault noted. “Governments and enterprises in the region are increasingly recognising the strategic importance of these technologies in driving economic growth and competitiveness.” Lherault also pointed out the strategic importance of regulatory frameworks in fostering a conducive environment for technological adoption. “Regulatory support is crucial for ensuring data sovereignty and security,” he explained. “By evolving regulations to support technological innovation while maintaining strict data privacy standards, the Middle East can create a robust framework that encourages the adoption of edge computing and AI.” Edge computing and AI are revolutionising manufacturing by enabling real-time insights and actions critical for maintaining continuous production flow and avoiding costly downtimes. While challenges exist, advancements in specialised AI chips and edge management software are mitigating these downsides, making edge computing a viable solution for industries. The MENA region’s commitment to technological advancement and strategic investments positions it as a frontrunner in the global tech landscape, paving the way for a future where edge computing and AI are integral to everyday operations. “The region’s ability to adopt and integrate these technologies rapidly will likely yield significant economic and social benefits, paving the way for a future where edge computing and AI are integral to everyday operations,” Fred concluded. There is no doubt an impact of edge computing and AI in manufacturing. As technologies evolve and advance, so will edge computing. “Edge devices, being closer to the physical processes, can offer real-time insights and actions crucial for applications like predictive maintenance in manufacturing” AI has transformed the nature of edge computing AI models must be deployed directly at the edge internal training programmes to ensure that organisations can effectively implement and manage edge computing technologies. “Training is a critical component,” he emphasised. “Organisations need to bridge the knowledge gap by focusing on the technical aspects of deploying and maintaining edge infrastructure. Workshops, hands-on training sessions, and collaborations with technology partners can help build the necessary skills within the organisation.” Bhatia mentioned that the manufacturing company is looking to collaborate with Dataiku on edge computing AI to resell this technology to their suppliers, enhancing their supply chain’s efficiency and reducing costs. This move positions them as a leader in innovation within the industry. “These organisations are taking this to the next level. They are looking at collaborating with Dataiku on edge computing AI to resell this technology to their suppliers,” Bhatia explained. “By leveraging their expertise and proven technology, they can help their suppliers achieve similar improvements in their operations, creating a more resilient and efficient supply chain overall.”Next >