Artificial Intelligence

For decades CPG companies have experienced fast growth due to relativelyeasy expansion and consolidation in emerging markets, net new consumersand brand globalization.To achieve growth, efficiency and agility, CPG companies are relying increasingly on social, mobile, analytics and cloud technologies.Rather than approaching the future tactically, industry leaders today are designing "roadmaps" to define a more strategic approach to digital. For many, a successful roadmap would address the following five imperatives.

International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts the number of new cloud-based solutions will triple in the next four to five years. To examine the current status of cloud deployment in the context of different vertical industries, IDC is offering the first of four special reports IDC will be publishing to examine current status of 3rd Platform technologies across 20 vertical industries.

For brands, online sales represent huge opportunities for growth, but there are significant threats as well. Online success starts with complete visibility of who is selling their brands online, where and for how much, especially in the age of marketplaces. Here arethree primary steps to protecting and building brand value online.

The two companies will make joint effort to build the biggest online and offline platform for sales, branding, cross-border e-commerce and innovation.

The acquisitions are expected to solidify Mindtree's position in predictive analytics for CPG retail execution, and SAP consulting expertise to expand its European presence and accelerate its digital strategy.

Nestle is strengthening its digital innovation presence in Silicon Valley and will move into a new office co-located with swissnex in 2016.

Lululemon Athletica inc. has appointed a new Executive Vice President of Digital.The news comes on the tail of the company reporting a 31 percent increase in its e-commerce channel in the first quarter.

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought with it increased focus on "connected products. The new IDC PlanScape emphasizes the critical role of connected products in after-sales service transformation.