Mangata Networks, a multinational provider of intelligent edge computing solutions and satellite-enabled connectivity, has partnered with Microsoft to produce an edge cloud product with AI that is connected via satellite.
With this collaboration, Mangata Networks and Microsoft are committing to a long-term partnership that will begin a path of continual innovation in satellite communication to advance cloud technologies.
Mangata will deliver intelligent cloud computing services and seamless connections all over the world, enabling anybody, wherever, to take advantage of Azure innovation.
A multi-orbit constellation of medium Earth orbit (MEO) and highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, as well as a terrestrial network of edge data centers, power the network.
“We are thrilled to develop this transformative product in strategic collaboration with Microsoft, further enriching the Microsoft commercial marketplace ecosystem,” stated Mangata Networks CEO Brian Holz. To scale our cutting-edge products to businesses worldwide, Microsoft’s direct sales channels will be essential.
We provide a comprehensive range of network, infrastructure, platform, and software services in addition to products. By including capacity in the service, we offer a smooth, integrated SLA that makes it easier for clients to use our services. This is a long-term agreement that will completely transform how businesses use the cloud and intelligent edge computing—it goes beyond a simple partnership.
A fundamental component of the alliance is Mangata Networks’ strong dedication to innovation, whereby the two companies will work together to implement an integrated Edge-to-Space-to-Cloud product roadmap.
Mangata and Microsoft will work closely together to rethink the whole product creation lifecycle by utilizing Microsoft’s generative AI and data analytics capabilities. The entirety of AI capabilities will be integrated as part of these initiatives, starting with partner and customer input and requirements definition and ending with how we design, develop, test, implement, run, and support customer solutions. Azure adaptive cloud solutions, especially those created to handle distinctive and complicated business problems at the edge, will be made available as a result of this endeavor. These solutions will enable and accelerate client outcomes in a culturally sensitive manner.
Azure Adaptive Cloud’s capability and geographic reach will be expanded through Mangata’s managed service. AI-enhanced edge network routing, remote bandwidth optimization, workload management, real-time data processing, support for digital twins, advanced satellite backhaul management, end-to-end cloud-edge IoT applications, 5G integration standardization, and multivendor sub-system integration (e.g., ORAN and RAN-based equipment) are just a few of the cutting-edge features that these collaborative solutions will deliver.
The Azure-powered Mangata and Microsoft solution will be offered with bundled connectivity and end-to-end application-level Service Level Agreements (SLA) through the Azure Marketplace. This all-inclusive strategy guarantees a smooth experience for customers looking for cutting-edge, integrated solutions. Mangata will be positioned by Microsoft as an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) on the Azure platform in accordance with the terms of the agreement. With Microsoft offering significant support in terms of technology, resources, engineering, and go-to-market assistance, this move will accelerate Mangata’s growth trajectory.
Customers can analyze data where it is created and reduce latency and time-to-insight by hosting advanced analytics and AI-inferencing at the edge thanks to robust edge computing and data management capabilities. Cloud services like Microsoft Fabric, an end-to-end, unified analytics platform that brings together all the data and analytics tools organizations need – where it can be used to train and retrain AI models- to yield deeper operational insights – are now able to receive valuable data that was previously discarded due to a lack of available bandwidth.
Applications can handle sensitive data at the edge, preserving it inside national or regional borders and only transmitting authorized data to public clouds in highly regulated organizations, governments, and geographical areas with stringent data sovereignty regulations.
“We look forward to delivering an end-to-end Cloud and Edge platform to enterprise and government customers in collaboration with Mangata,” stated Mitra Azizirad, president and COO of Microsoft Strategic Missions and Technologies, about growth, innovation, and strategy. With satellite connectivity, this platform will make business and mission-critical applications available from any location. Mangata plans to utilize Microsoft’s suite of products, including Azure Space and Azure for Operators, to manage the edge platform and constellation of its satellites. Our ongoing commitment to providing our customers with intelligent, secure, and resilient technology depends on this partnership.
Through this partnership, significant global issues about data gravity, enterprise innovation, marine and digital ocean transformation, sovereign state requirements, and telecommunications access and capacity needs will be addressed. The goals of Mangata, which are to revolutionize access to the digital economy and to empower knowledge exchange through global connectivity, are in line with the Airband Initiative, a joint venture between Microsoft and USAID that aims to close the digital divide by providing internet access to all people.
Prior to Mangata’s anticipated constellation debut, the pilot phase of the pre-integrated solutions in client trial networks is set to begin in the latter half of 2024.
This project has the potential to completely transform how governments and companies around the globe use satellite technology to access edge cloud connectivity. Microsoft and Mangata will work together to develop a new platform that will link to and be managed by Azure and be used for highly dependable, scalable, and robust edge IoT and SCADA applications. The partnership is a big step toward a future that is more accessible, intelligent, and networked. This relationship between Mangata Networks and Microsoft is not only a significant achievement but also the beginning of a long-term journey where both parties are dedicated to a long-lasting partnership that develops with technical improvements.
With a new suite, STMicroelectronics strengthens the Edge AI Ecosystem.
A new edge AI product ecosystem has been introduced by semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics, allowing businesses to integrate AI-enabled ST devices into a range of industrial applications.
Customers will be able to “jumpstart the design and deployment of billions of connected, autonomous things embedding artificial intelligence locally,” according to the Switzerland-based company, with the help of the ST Edge AI Suite. Together with this, the suite will “leverage the existing AI ecosystem of machine learning frameworks and key partners,” like NVIDIA and AWS, “by expanding and integrating the multiple software tools, evaluation, and development kids introduced over the past 10 years.”
Additionally, the company wants to create a developer community that revolves around the suite. STMicroelectronics reports that the software tools and their users will be “federated… around a broader edge AI community.” The tools are free to use with ST hardware.
STMicroelectronics gave the example of a home appliance manufacturer experiencing a 40% improvement in their washing machines as a result of a client employing this strategy. The product has not yet been released, but it makes use of two machine learning algorithms that were created with ST’s NanoEdge AI. The first evaluates the weight of the laundry by creating a “virtual sensor,” and the second gathers information from a 6-axis motion sensor (also supplied by ST) to determine if the drum will come into contact with the machine’s exterior. The machine can modify the amount of water and detergent it uses thanks to the output that follows.
According to a statement from STMicroelectronics president and CEO Jean-Marc Chery, “We are moving towards a world with tens of billions of connected, autonomous things bringing value and convenience to their users throughout all aspects of consumer life and enterprise productivity.” “To do this, AI algorithms will have to be executed at the edge on a wide variety of devices, including industrial machinery, automobiles, smart home and building control systems, smartphones, and other connected personal devices, and many more. These algorithms will also need to be run in the cloud.
“The industry-leading, free software suite we are announcing today, combined with the ST products, which are already at the heart of all those devices, will make the difference,” continued Chery. “With the help of ST’s hardware portfolio, this combination will facilitate the shift to a more intelligent edge, enabling customers of all sizes to more easily deploy edge AI and build their vision of this connected future.”
It is anticipated that the edge AI suite will be accessible in the first half of 2024.