The US Defense Research Projects Agency awards space propulsion contracts

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has given awards for its space contracts on successfully demonstrating the Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program that predominantly aims to demonstrate a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system above low Earth orbit in the year 2025. The US Defence Agency has stated that General Atomics will develop the reactor, whereas Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin will develop the spacecraft design.

DARPA has said that rapid maneuver, which is a core tenet of modern US Department of Defense operations on land, at sea, and in the air, has improved several spacecraft based on its current electric and chemical space propulsion systems. It believes that DRACO's NTP system will potentially achieve high thrust-to-weight ratios similar to in-space chemical propulsion and approach the higher propellant efficiency of electric systems.

This combination will give DRACO spacecraft greater agility to integrate and implement rapid maneuver in cislunar space, which is present between the Earth and the moon. The first phase of the program will last for 18 months and has two tracks. Track A is performed by General Atomics that entails the primary design of the reactor and propulsion subsystem. Track B will see Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin working to produce an operating system of the spacecraft to meet the mission's objectives.

 

 

Intel Uses MacBook to advertise and promote its new integrated chips

Intel, an American multinational corporation and technology company to promote its new 11th-generation chips, has accidentally used a MacBook instead of a Windows laptop. But reports state that Apple still sells Intel-based Macs. The advertisement appeared on Reddit, and it was also shared on Twitter, and it features a man using a MacBook Pro. The ad's tagline stated, "The world's best processor on a thin and light laptop," and is meant to promote the Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor.

Intel's image in the new advertisement is a stock image that was offered by Getty Images that shows the laptop, which is MacBook Pro with an accompanying Magic Mouse. Intel's most notable marketing campaign was recently launched last month that featured former "I'm a Mac" actor Justin Long in a series of videos comparing a MacBook Pro powered with aCEM1aCE to a variety of Windows laptops.

Intel's newly appointed CEO Pat Gelsinger, in a statement, has said that he hopes that his company will make Apple silicon chips in the future and have Apple as a normal client. Even as the two companies go head to head, they will promote each other's brand. Intel is also making various chips for Windows laptops.

 

Unit4 to provide next-generation ERP solution ERPx for mid-market and people-centric organizations

Unit4, which provides next-generation enterprise solutions for organizations worldwide, in a recent press meet has announced the general availability of ERPx; an ERP solution built keeping mid-market and people-centric organizations in mind. ERPx provides industry-specific functionalities, smart automation services, and an agile cloud platform for higher education, non-profits, and public sector organizations. It is also available in North America and will continue to be rolled out globally.

The company's cloud software brings together financial, HR, project management, procurement, and FP&A capabilities under one roof in a unified platform with real-time information and users. Unit4's ERPx platform provides its users with various insights, tools, and insights to support their growth as the market regains its momentum. The platform includes a suite of next-generation cloud ERP services, with localization, machine learning, integration kits, project management, and more.

The firm aims to deliver innovative and robust ERP solutions with the right platform and tools designed around their specific needs, supporting them to be fast, resilient, adaptable, and light-touch enough to drive employee productivity. It also gives freedom to its users to connect and extend industry-specific online data services and solutions quickly and easily. Unit4 focuses on providing a digital foundation for people and organizations to achieve their potential.

 

Position Partner selects Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Unify Dots to provide ERP solutions

 

Position Partners, Australia's leading provider of positioning solutions, has selected Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain ERP and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner UNIFY Dots. This implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 by Unify Dots will provide the digital platform to enable streamlined, connected services to Position Partners customers.

This partnership will upgrade the company's internal technology landscape across finance, supply chain, sales, field service, and workshops to streamline internal workflow and enhance the customer experience. Position Partners uses a myriad of systems, including Navision, Dysel, QuickBooks, Xero, Filemaker, and Total Control, as its ERP platform. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance, Position Partners will benefit from a fully integrated system that facilitates effective financial operations management.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain will enable Position Partners employees with automated functions for sales order management, procurement and sourcing, warehouse, and inventory management. Deployment of these new ERP and CRM solutions aims to enhance and improve the customer experience across all interactions with the company, whether for sales, accounts, service, support, or other inquiries. The Project will be rolled out across four countries for more than 280 users and is expected to go live in 2022.

 

General Motors to Produce an All-Electric Chevrolet Silverado at Its New Flagship Assembly

General Motors (GM) has stated that it is producing an all-electric Chevrolet Silverado at a new flagship assembly plant in Detroit. The truck is part of a previously announced $2.2 billion investment. It will produce an array of its next-generation EVs beginning later this year with an all-electric GMC Hummer pickup. Other planned vehicles include the recently unveiled Hummer EV SUV and an autonomous multi-passenger shuttle known as the Cruise Origin.

GM has renamed its plant as Factory Zero as a resemblance of its nod to the zero-emissions EVs produced there. The company further added thatit will transition from producing vehicles with internal combustion engines to EVs. It will be a proving ground for the company's promise that it can produce profitable electric vehicles. 

GM has not unveiled further information about the new Chevrolet EV. The car's pickup will go into production at Factory Zero, in a plant that is 4.5 million square feet which is present on the outskirts of Detroit and bordering the city of Hamtramck. The Hummer EV pickup will go on sale this fall, followed by the Hummer EV SUV in early 2023.