Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Data centers are no longer just physical repositories of servers – they are the command centers of the global digital economy. As generative AI, cloud computing, and edge technologies accelerate, demand for data center capacity is exploding. In the U.S. alone, investments are expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2035, expanding at a steady 10.54% CAGR (DC Market Insights). This is reshaping the industrial landscape and creating unprecedented pressure on infrastructure, energy supply, and logistics systems.

Yet while discussions about data centers often focus on power availability or real estate, a critical enabler is frequently overlooked: the sophisticated logistics ecosystem required to build, scale, and operate these facilities throughout their lifecycle.

DP World – long known as a global port operator and now a diversified, end-to-end logistics provider – is stepping into this gap. With more than $20 billion in revenue, 125,000 employees, and a presence in 75+ countries, the company is positioning itself as a strategic partner to hyperscalers and technology leaders building the next wave of digital infrastructure.

A New Industrial Revolution – Built on an Uninterrupted Logistics Loop

Hyperscale data centers operate on a three-to-five-year innovation cycle. As chips become more powerful and energy-dense, facilities require constant upgrading, expansion, and replacement. This creates a continuous operational loop that is far more complex than traditional industrial logistics.

It’s an area of enormous growth. As Rob Choy, DP World’s Global SVP and Technology Vertical Lead, told Supply Chain Management Review earlier this year, data center investment “is over $300 billion and growing at 15%. We’re just looking for a small slice of that around logistics.” But that small slice is highly specialized – and mission critical.

DP World’s teams manage:

• White-glove assembly of server racks
• Secure transportation of semiconductor-rich equipment
• On-site installation and integration
• Decommissioning, reverse logistics, and responsible recycling
• Ongoing upgrades as new technologies come online

“It’s a complete lifecycle relationship,” said Glen Clark, CEO of DP World in the U.S. and Mexico. “We build the server racks, manage the movement of critical infrastructure, and then work directly inside the data center, supporting everything from initial deployment to ongoing upgrades and reverse logistics.”

“Because semiconductor technologies advance so quickly, this work never truly stops. Every few years, core systems must be refreshed to accommodate faster, more powerful chips – triggering a recurring wave of renewal, modernization, and supply chain orchestration,” Clark added.

This is the new frontier of industrial logistics: a precision-timed, zero-margin-for-error supply chain underpinning the world’s digital economy.

Power, Proximity, and the New Geography of Data

Data center site selection has traditionally revolved around three variables: power availability, connectivity, and access to land. Increasingly, sustainability and regulatory pressures are complicating the equation.

But logistics is emerging as a deciding factor.

Data centers must be built where the grid can support them – even if those locations are remote, expensive, or difficult to reach. “These facilities require sensitive, high-value equipment and depend on highly coordinated global supply chains to move it across borders, climates, and terrain,” Clark said. “My advice? Build in the location that makes the most sense, and let us handle the logistical challenges that come with it.”

DP World’s global freight forwarding, contract logistics, and multimodal network enable data center operators to develop facilities in locations with strong power and sustainability advantages, even when traditional logistics infrastructure is limited.

Data Sovereignty and the Re-Localization of Digital Infrastructure

A quiet but seismic shift is underway: nations are reasserting control over data. From cybersecurity mandates to AI governance frameworks, governments are requiring locally stored, locally processed information.

This trend is driving data center construction across Latin America, Africa, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia. DP World is investing heavily in the port terminals, trade corridors, and inland logistics hubs that will form the backbone of these emerging digital economies.

For global cloud providers, the challenge becomes: How do you build and supply dozens of distributed micro-regions instead of a handful of mega-campuses?

For DP World, this is where its integrated, end-to-end model becomes a differentiator—connecting maritime gateways, air freight operations, inland logistics, and final-mile technology services within a unified ecosystem.

Why Logistics Is Becoming a Strategic Priority for Data Center Operators

As data centers enter their fastest period of global expansion, operators increasingly recognize that logistics is not a back-office function, it is a strategic advantage that shapes:

• Speed to market
• Uptime performance
• Security and risk management
• Sustainability targets
• Total cost of ownership

A single delayed component can stall a multimillion-dollar facility. A poorly executed upgrade cycle can degrade AI training performance. A mismanaged decommissioning process can undermine ESG commitments.

Hyperscalers are turning to logistics partners who can deliver controlled-environment transportation, bonded warehousing, on-site integration, and full lifecycle support.

The Next Frontier: Logistics as a Platform for AI Infrastructure

DP World’s growing role in the data center sector demonstrates a profound shift:
Logistics providers are becoming architects of digital infrastructure; not just movers of goods.

As AI reshapes industries from finance to medicine to manufacturing, data centers will continue to proliferate; and the companies capable of enabling their rapid, secure, and sustainable deployment will define the speed and resilience of global innovation.

The data economy is expanding faster than any technology wave in history. The businesses that treat logistics as strategic infrastructure – not a cost to be minimized – will lead in the next era of global competitiveness.

Learn more about DP World’s Cloud and Data Centers Logistics Solutions.

Cisco’s first Empower & Connect Summit at our campus in Raleigh, NC, brought together partners, innovators, and communities to explore how technology can drive meaningful social impact.

At the center of that energy was the Community Innovation Challenge. In partnership with Net Impact we invited students from around the world to pitch their boldest ideas: how would they use Cisco technology to address critical challenges in their own communities? We received 84 proposals from 12 countries, with the top five teams advancing to present in person at the Summit. There, a panel of experts evaluated their ideas based on their understanding of community needs, innovative use of technology, and potential for real-world results.

What struck me most wasn’t just the technical sophistication of their proposals — it was how deeply these students understood the communities they were designing for, and how they positioned technology as a path to opportunity.

Bold solutions, big impact: Meet the 2025 Innovation Challenge Winners

First place: DinéLink – $10,000
Mahima Subramaniyan and Devangna Jadeja, Arizona State University

Spanning 27,000 square miles of rugged terrain across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, the Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the United States. Yet for nearly two-thirds of the more than 160,000 people who live there, reliable internet remains out of reach. [1]

Mahima and Devangna’s proposal tackled this head-on with a vision for digital sovereignty through DinéLink, a community-owned network designed to withstand the terrain and serve the people who live there. They proposed using Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul to bypass geographic barriers and reach areas where fiber isn’t viable, paired with Meraki access points and security appliances to provide both connectivity and network management at scale. Solar-powered hubs would ensure reliability in remote areas, while Catalyst infrastructure would reduce dependency on traditional fiber networks. But what set DinéLink apart was the emphasis on building for the long-term by proposing to embed Cisco Networking Academy training through Diné College and Navajo Technical University, so the community doesn’t just get connectivity, but also the workforce to maintain and expand it themselves.

Second place: HealthHorizons – $5,000
Priya Rao (University of Connecticut), Julia Kuang (Wellesley College), Grace Chen (Swarthmore College)

In Greene County, Alabama, just three practicing physicians serve the entire population. Like many remote areas, sparse infrastructure means limited broadband access, putting telehealth out of reach for most residents.

The HealthHorizons team’s proposal centered on creating reliable telehealth infrastructure where none currently exists. They designed a system using Meraki infrastructure with failover connectivity to ensure clinics stay online, combined with Meraki firewalls to maintain HIPAA-compliant security for patient data. Webex would enable remote consultations and connect patients directly with specialists, while AI-powered tools could help with triage. Their four-stage model was designed not as a one-time fix, but as a system that could provide continuity of care in a place that’s been medically isolated for decades.

Third place: OncoALERT – $2,500
Dr. Jayanti Kumari and Sweta Pandey, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (India)

In rural India, cancer is often diagnosed too late to treat effectively. Through OncoALERT, Dr. Kumari and Sweta proposed a low-cost, AI-enabled saliva biosensor that could be deployed by community health workers or used at home — no specialized equipment required. The technical infrastructure would use Catalyst wireless access points to provide reliable connectivity in rural villages, Meraki SD-WAN to extend healthcare networks beyond urban centers and layered security through Cisco ISE and Duo to protect sensitive health data. Webex would enable remote consultations, bringing oncologists into communities where they’ve never had access before. If implemented at scale, their model estimates that OncoALERT could screen 5 million people and potentially save 120,000 lives.

Honorable mentions that raised the bar

Two additional finalist teams demonstrated an impressive command of both technology and community dynamics:

Cisco Community Connect Detroit — $1,000

A University of Michigan team proposed a youth-focused digital skills program designed to certify 1,000 Detroit students and reduce the city’s digital literacy gap by 25%. Their model combined Meraki infrastructure with hands-on Cisco Networking Academy training to build both technical skills and career pathways.

FloodSense Ghana — $1,000

A Talladega College team designed an early-warning system to help communities in Ghana prepare for floods before they hit. Their proposal combined IoT sensors and Meraki dashboards for real-time monitoring with telecommunications partnerships to reach an estimated 500,000 residents, while building a pipeline to train 500 students annually in IoT, cloud computing, and analytics.

What comes next: Investing in the next generation of problem solvers

Watching these students think about technology the way we should all be thinking about it — as a vehicle for solving real problems in real communities — was inspiring. They started where it matters most: with people. Families without internet. Patients without access to healthcare providers. Communities without flood warnings. Then, they proposed tech-enabled solutions around those specific needs. Now, each of the five finalist teams will be paired with a senior mentor at Cisco to help them further refine their ideas and continue developing as problem-solving innovators who put people and communities first.

This is the kind of thinking that creates real change. These students understand that technology’s value lies in making communities healthier, safer, more connected, and more resilient. And this is what Cisco is committed to supporting: equipping the best and brightest minds of the next generation with the resources, mentorship, and technology they need to bring their bold ideas to life.

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Originally published by Mastercard
By Vicki Hyman, Director, Global Communications, Mastercard

Cash, check or charge: There hasn’t been a shortage of choice at checkout for decades. But the convergence of several trends, from advances in artificial intelligence to the growth of cryptocurrencies, is expanding options even further — and much faster. This is not only creating new ways to pay but reshaping how money moves, how trust is built and how value is created.

If there’s a topline trend to 2026, it’s how payments are evolving, becoming more personalized, predictive and seamlessly interoperable between traditional and new payment platforms — and how the often unsexy work of building the infrastructure, setting the standards and forging the partnerships to support these new experiences is paying off.  

Securing agentic commerce

In 2025, gen AI quickly proved itself to be more than a mere recommendation engine, with the promise of AI-powered agents starting to manage transactions on behalf of consumers and businesses. Agentic commerce will expand in 2026, but critically, so will the guardrails around it, making it easier and more secure for businesses to integrate agentic commerce into their transaction flows. The industry is focused on how to identify that an agent is legitimate, how to strengthen authentication with agents and reduce fraud, and how to capture intent in case an AI transaction goes awry. You can automate commerce, but you can’t automate trust.

Connecting crypto to fiat commerce

The wild ride of crypto may be the financial story of the early 21st century, but mainstreaming cryptocurrencies beyond investing has proven elusive. The last year and a half brought regulatory clarity in the U.S. and Europe over stablecoins — cryptocurrencies pegged to government currencies — creating the confidence the financial sector needed for commercialization. Next year, expect greater collaboration between ecosystem players that will make it easier and safer for people to pay and move money with stablecoins, from facilitating payouts to stablecoin wallets to enabling stablecoin and bitcoin purchases on-chain to streamlining settlement across borders and currencies.  

Doubling down on digital identity

Recent Mastercard research into cybercrime found that 80% of global consumers were the targets of a scam attempt in the last year. As the digital ecosystem expands, it is becoming more vital than ever that businesses and consumers know who they can trust. More robust identity verification tools that also make it faster and easier to prove your identity (and confirm those you interact with) will be essential to the growth of the digital ecosystem. We’ll see digital identity wallets that ease access to financial, government and other services, including through age verification, plus an acceleration of the ability to create verified aliases for crypto transactions, eliminating the need for the complex addresses that so often play a role in fraud. Expanding digital ID services to developing markets could even accelerate inclusion into the digital economy. The bottom line: Digital identity that feels as natural and reliable as making a payment. 

Redefining consumption for the circular age

Mastercard research shows that a growing wave of consumers, led by Gen Z, are embracing the circular economy model, which prioritizes maximizing use of resources and is built on reuse, resale and repair. This is creating the opportunity for regenerative payment loops, where transactions can enable and incentivize more sustainable choices, often via micro-transactions and secure, easy peer-to-peer payments, such as refill models, take-back programs and deposits and returns for reusable items like coffee cups.  For the consumer, it’s a virtuous circle, making returning a cup as simple as single use. For retailers, there are virtues, too — from lower packaging costs to deepened loyalty. 

Personalizing payments, benefits and risk

Payments and banking are adapting to the consumer, not the other way around. In 2026, we’ll see the rise of dynamic tools and platforms that can be customized for our own spending behaviors and financial goals. That will include payment credentials that let us set rules for how we want to pay, such as credit for big purchases or debit for everyday expenses: convenience, but with controls. By harnessing insights from billions of transactions — nearly 160 billion in 2024 — Mastercard is also delivering personalized content and far more tailored offers at precisely the right time. Small businesses and those with thin credit files may benefit as lenders access deeper insights advanced analytics and permissioned open finance data to better assess the creditworthiness of individual loan applicants.    

Enabling the instant economy for everyone, everywhere

In-store checkout may become even more seamless with biometric solutions – smile! – while one-click checkout online is within reach by 2030, thanks to the acceleration of tokenization across the globe, which eliminates manual entry of card numbers and static passwords. On the merchant side, real-time payments are becoming real, as Mastercard Transaction Stream, the brand-new processing technology that can clear in real time and settle payments the same day, continues to roll out, freeing up capital for businesses. And with global cross-border payments expected to exceed $250 trillion by 2027, expect more innovation and investment in this arena, from alias-based remittances to make it simple to send money to loved ones back home to the expansion of fast, secure and transparent cross-border capabilities that will, among other benefits, enable small businesses to reach the global marketplace.  

Continue reading here

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

Complimentary Webinar:

BRCGS Certification Explained: What Food and Packaging Manufacturers Need to Know

Thursday, January 22, 2026, 9:00 AM PST (12:00 PM EST)

Register Here

Join BRCGS and SCS Global Services in this live webinar designed for businesses looking to achieve certification in 2026.

Together, our experts will introduce you to:

• The requirements of the standards
• Outline the certification process
• Explain how SCS supports you as an approved certification body

If you are a food manufacturer, or a manufacturer of packaging materials for food and non-food applications, this will provide you with valuable information about BRCGS certification and a clear roadmap for achieving certification.

A live Q&A session will follow the discussion.

REGISTER HERE

By registering, you will get access to the webinar recording.

For inquiries, contact:

Shyama Devarajan 
Senior Marketing Analyst, SCS Global Services 
sdevarajan@scsglobalservices.com

Originally published by firehero.org

Program supported by the Motorola Solutions Foundation and partners increases access to education for spouses and children of firefighters who have died in the line of duty

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation selects 56 recipients for 2025-26 academic year; program surpasses $7 million in total support

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has awarded 56 scholarships totaling $535,109 to the spouses, children, and stepchildren of fallen firefighters for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Since 1997, the NFFF Scholarship Program has provided more than $7.39 million in tuition assistance to 1,765 students across the country. By reducing the financial burden of higher education, the program ensures the legacies of fallen firefighters live on through the accomplishments of their families.

This year’s recipients include 38 returning scholars and 18 first-time recipients. NFFF awards scholarships based on applicants’ financial need and academic performance, with a special consideration for those working toward degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and public safety fields.

“These scholarships reflect the NFFF’s ongoing commitment to the families of our nation’s fallen firefighters,” said National Fallen Firefighters Foundation CEO Victor Stagnaro. “Stepping up to cover all or some of their tuition is the least we can do, and I know our generous partners feel the same. We are proud to provide stability and support for these families as they pursue higher education and build brighter futures.”

The NFFF scholarship program is made possible through its partners, including Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. Since 2005, Motorola Solutions Foundation has funded the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Scholarship program, named in honor of U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland, a longtime advocate for firefighters and fire safety who played a crucial role in the establishment of NFFF.

In 2020, Motorola Solutions Foundation expanded its support by launching the Enhanced Scholarship Initiative (ESI), which provides larger scholarship funds to individuals pursuing degrees in STEM or public safety. Since its inception, ESI has provided 14 full scholarships totaling nearly $400,000.

This academic year, 46 of the 56 scholarship recipients received funding through Motorola Solutions Foundation, including two students pursuing degrees in STEM, with one recipient in their second year of medical school.

“For 20 years, our partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has been an unbreakable bond, rooted in our deep commitment to honor the enduring legacy of these national heroes,” said Wesley Barden Touhy, Executive Director, Motorola Solutions Foundation. “These scholarships reflect our respect for their service and are an investment in the future. We’re proud to empower these incredible and resilient students to pursue higher education and build the bright futures they deserve.”

“My dad, FDNY Lieutenant Steven Reisman, was called to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center on September 11, and I lost him at 14 years old due to 9/11-related cancer,” said Natalie Reisman, a Sarbanes Scholarship recipient. “Seeing what he endured, I decided to dedicate my career to the service of human dignity, specifically seeking a career in public interest law. This year, I began my first year at Fordham Law – studying in the same city my dad fought fires – and none of this would be possible without the generous support of the Motorola Solutions Foundation and the continued support of NFFF.” In addition to the support of the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the NFFF Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of the following scholarship partners and donors:

• Alan Patrick Sondej Scholarship Fund
• Kenneth M. Hedrick Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Sander Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund
• MissionSquare Retirement
• National Association of State Fire Marshals
• Burton A. Zipser and Sandra D. Zipser Foundation
• Global Health & Safety
• Steel Family’s Fire Engine 5 Charitable Foundation
• Ann & Frank Cahouet Foundation
• Chief Elwood Banister Memorial Scholarship Fund

For more information about the NFFF Scholarship Program, or to make a donation supporting the NFFF’s educational initiatives, visit www.firehero.org

Continue reading here.

When I look back on the year we just completed, what stands out most isn’t a single milestone—it’s how our people showed up for each other, for our customers, and for our communities. That commitment is the foundation we carry into 2026.

This year, we will continue to anchor our decisions and actions in Chemours’ core values: Safety, Integrity, Partnership, Ownership, and Respect. These aren’t words on a wall—they’re behaviors we practice in every plant, lab, and office. They support our simple and powerful vision to deliver Trusted Chemistry which guides the way we operate, innovate, and engage with stakeholders.

And while our values and vision guide how we show up, our strategy guides what we do. We’re continuing to execute our corporate strategy, Pathway to Thrive, to drive performance today while strengthening Chemours for tomorrow. In 2026, our work remains grounded in a balanced and disciplined approach to capital allocation as we continue to drive progress across our four pillars: Operational Excellence, Enabling Growth, Portfolio Management, and Strengthening the Long Term.

I believe Operational Excellence starts with people. Early in my career, leading a shift of operators taught me that the best ideas often come from those doing the work at the source. That lesson has never left me: listen, learn, empower, and implement. In 2026, I’m focused on helping our team elevate insights, strengthen consistency and reliability across our operations, as we drive continuous improvement – always with a disciplined approach to how we allocate our resources.

When I think about Enabling Growth, it really comes down to solving real problems for customers and society. From thermal management solutions that make high‑performance computing and electrification more efficient to advanced materials that support semiconductor manufacturing and pigments that make coatings more durable, our chemistry is essential to modern living. We always aim to advance innovations responsibly—and talk about them clearly—so stakeholders understand how our work supports progress they can feel.

Portfolio Management is about focus and fit. We’ll continue to look at how we deploy capital, capabilities, and leadership attention to areas where we believe we can create distinctive value, sharpening our portfolio so we can deliver more impact for our stakeholders.

Strengthening the Long Term is how we protect our privilege to operate, grounded in our commitment to responsible manufacturing. That includes advocating for the essentiality of our chemistry, transparent reporting and action against our Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals, and continued engagement to advance science‑based understanding of our chemistry. We know we still have work to do—and we’re committed to doing it constructively.

I believe the science of chemistry can also build its credibility through conversation at all levels—patient, fact‑based, human conversation. Each of us can help people understand how chemistry powers everyday life, from smartphones and air travel to technologies enabling cleaner energy and smarter infrastructure. Engaging with integrity and openness helps build the trust that responsible, science-based work and solutions can earn.

To our employees: thank you for how you show up. To our partners and neighbors: thank you for the collaboration. And to anyone curious about how chemistry can improve lives—reach out. Let’s talk. Trusted Chemistry becomes real when we work on it together.

Denise Dignam is the President and Chief Executive Office of The Chemours Company, a global chemistry company with a vision to deliver Trusted Chemistry that makes people’s lives better and helps communities thrive.

At Trane Technologies, innovation drives how we approach every challenge. As a global leader in climate solutions, we are committed to creating brighter tomorrows by empowering the sharpest minds to transform cutting-edge ideas into real-world results. We see promise and possibility where others see limits, and by fostering a culture of innovation, we are working to create a more sustainable future.

A journey of growth and purpose

Corey Letcher, a Comprehensive Solutions Account Executive based in New York City, started working at Trane Technologies in 2015, drawn by the opportunity to work on large-scale energy projects where he could leverage his creativity and curiosity. He participated in our Graduate Training Program, where six months of immersive learning accelerated his understanding of HVAC systems, customer needs and the business as a whole.

“The experience I gained through the Graduate Training Program gave me the confidence and ability to contribute meaningfully to large, multifaceted projects early in my career,” Corey shared. However, what has kept him at Trane Technologies for nearly a decade extends far beyond technical training.

Corey spends his days collaborating with customers and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with innovative HVAC solutions. Advancing thermal battery storage adoption is one area where Corey has demonstrated great passion and made a measurable impact.

Thermal battery storage reshapes how buildings use energy. Instead of wasting heat generated during daytime cooling, the system captures and stores that heat in water tanks. When the building later needs heat, the stored water is frozen to extract energy.

“The brain gymnastics behind this work excites me,” Corey explained. “I like getting into the details, asking the right questions, and figuring out how all the pieces fit together.”

When Corey joined Trane Technologies ten years ago, thermal storage was mainly used for cooling. As the technology evolved to support heating, it opened the door to new opportunities. By shifting when and how energy is used, buildings can operate far more efficiently in ways that once seemed out of reach. “The more layers you peel back, the more you realize how much this technology can do,” he said.

Corey attributes much of his growth to the collaborative culture that surrounds him. On every project, he’s proud to be part of a team that supports him and shares a commitment to doing what’s right for the customer, sustainability and our planet.

“There’s a fundamental acceptance of ideas at Trane Technologies,” Corey said. “People challenge each other, but with respect and a desire to understand. That culture makes the work fun and rewarding.”

Leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive sustainable solutions

While innovation is exciting, it also requires courage. Corey experienced that first-hand when the 55 Water Street project presented him and the team the opportunity to implement an industry-first thermal battery storage system in one of New York City’s largest and most complex buildings.

For Corey, the most rewarding moments come when complex ideas become reality. After years spent working as part of the team to advance thermal battery storage capabilities, seeing it successfully come to life on a scale as grand as New York City’s largest office building reminded him how meaningful it is to work for a company that fosters innovation and allows him to truly make a difference.

Corey finds deep purpose in the work and takes pride in Trane Technologies’ sustainability commitments. “I feel like I’m on the front lines,” he shared. “Every proposal we put in front of a customer has a carbon impact component. That’s powerful.” Learn more about our Gigaton Challenge and how Corey’s work contributes to our commitment to help our customers reduce one billion metric tons of carbon emissions by 2030.

Excitement for what the future holds

Corey’s story is defined by curiosity, courage and a commitment to continuous growth. His experience reflects what’s possible when a company culture fosters innovation and collaboration, and he’s excited by what the future holds. As Trane Technologies continues to challenge what’s possible for a sustainable world, leaders like Corey are helping turn that vision into reality.

Explore careers that make an impact at Trane Technologies.