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Advantest

Advantest- The firm that turned helpful in shaping the future of Japan’s nascent semiconductor industry.

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Semiconductors are available on earth in more than enough quantity. However, these are the core component used in a variety of electronic devices. Like smartphones, PCs, electrical household appliances. As well as constitute the parts of automobiles and many other devices. These all devices, in fact, are indispensable to the lives of people. Thus the semiconductors used in such devices must be high in quality, and performance. Many firms are working in this field, and Advantest is one of the names dominating the field. In the semiconductor industry, technology updates alter every single day. While Advantest has always been delivering the product and solutions as per this changing technology.

It is well-known for bestowing to remarkable efficiency in production in the electronics industry. As well, secure and easier the lives of people through its innovative products.

About Advantest

It is a well-known semiconductor firm based in Japan. Manufactures semiconductor products, component test system products, and mechatronics-related products. It is headquartered in Tokyo in Japan. The firm also sells the used electronics components and products through exhibitions. Also, leased the products for commercial use. Additionally, the firm is active in research and development, measuring, and testing technologies.

Network of Advantest

The firm offers it’s services and products to foundries, semiconductor firms, and other firms in the manufacturing industry. It has built a strong network in Japan. As well as covers the other Asian regions, Europe, America, and other parts of the continents.

The backstory of Advantest

Back in 1954, Ikuo Takeda builds the foundation of Advantest as Takeda Riken Industries. Sooner or later, the firm shifted to Oyaguchi-Cho in Itabashi Ward, later on shifting again in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward. In 1957, Advantest release the first product for current measurement. It was Micro Ammeter. One more milestone of Advantest, that time Takeda Riken is the first-ever electronic counter made in Japan.

Advantest
Image Source: digitimes.com

The TR-124B counter helped in exploring the business for the firm and gave it fame as the digital counter company. As well, marked the beginning of innovative products in the companies history. Thereafter, Advantest released many electronics components that were made in Japan for the first time. Such as vibrating capacitance ultra-low-current electrometer, digital voltmeter, etc. The firm touched the new level when it introduced the TR-3189 105 MHz electronic counter, the highest-performance product in the world. Soon this product popular all over the world; in 1962, selected as one of the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun’s “Top 10 New Products”.

Services and products

To verify the quality, reliability, and performance of the semiconductors that will be used in electronic components, Advantest has Automated Testing Equipment/ATE. With this electrical test, the complex and defects in semiconductors can be detected with great accuracy. It also enabled another method for semiconductor testing i.e. using peripheral devices. Advantest has also been active in Nanotechnology Business, Field services, SLT business, and many other related businesses.

Apart from that, the firm also conducts the sale of use semiconductors, commercial mechatronic products, component test systems. As well, it is active in the device leasing business.

Exploring the business

Starting from its establishment, Advantest used cut edge technology. It developed products that reflect the innovative nature of the firm. In 1980, it released the first tester made in Japan. Thereafter, it launched a memory system having a capacity of 20MHz.

During the 1980s, Advantest’s T-3300 series remarked as one of the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun’s “Top 10 New Products”. Moreover, the firm produced an intelligent spectrum analyzer of series TR-4172. Because of its multifunction features, it became popular among communications equipment manufacturers. To explore the business furthermore, Advantest acquired Astronics Corporation in 2019. It was working in the field of semiconductor system-level test business. As well as it captured Essai, Inc in 2020, so that it can enable high-precision test solutions than earlier.

Recognition and Awards

Advantest has been selected for FTSE Blossom Japan Index and FTSE4Good Index. The first index measures the performance in environmental practices, and the second one is related to CSR. It is also honored as a 5-Star Company. Also, marked its name in 10 BEST List in VLSIresearch Customer Satisfaction Survey. Not for the first time but for the 31st Consecutive Year.

Yoshiaki Yoshida- CEO

He is serving as CEO at Advantest since 2017. Yoshiaki has been working with the firm for a long time. In fact, he joined the company in 1999.

AMD

AMD – The evolution of semiconductor firm from designing simple Shift register to high tech processors

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The semiconductor industry is one of the inherently risky industries. Because we know that technology evolves every year, and people also demand products that use cut edge technology. But the product development cycle generally takes three to five years, so companies need to stay one step ahead of the customer’s demand. It means, the firms need to develop such products in advance that customers will demand a few years later. Thus, if any semiconductor firm doesn’t follow the update then it will be out of competition, surely.

In such a scenario, very few old firms succeed to keep their dominance in the semiconductor industry. Advanced Micro Devices i.e. AMD is one of such names that still have a high reputation and has acquired a large market globally. Since 1969, the firm has gone through lots of evolution as well as up-downs but succeeds to meet the exceptions of every generation.

What is AMD?

A USA based multinational semiconductor firm AMD is well-known all over the world. It is headquartered in Santa Clara in California. The firm is recognized for its computer processors and the development of other technologies for business as well as personal consumers. Mainly the firm has manufacturing units of microprocessors, motherboard chipsets, graphics processors, and embedded processors. These are used for PCs, servers, workstations, and embedded system applications.

How it is formed?

To see the history of AMD’s establishment we have to look back to the year 1969. Yes, it is that old and still stands out than other Rivals. Meanwhile, in 1969, the former executives of Fairchild semiconductor established Advanced Micro Devices to develops their own products. They were almost seven colleagues including Jerry Sanders III, John Carey, Ed Turney, Sven Simonsen, Jack Gifford, and the other three members.

Soon after a year of establishment, the firm released the first product. It was a 4-bit MSI shift register of series Am9300. Also, it launched the logic counter of series Am2501, which was commercially successful. As well, it was the fastest multiplier available at that time. Thereafter, AMD developed many other products including RAM chips, processors, etc.

Products Of AMD

Since 1969, AMD acquired large business as well as consumer market due to its promising products. US Department of Energy also favors AMD’s chips for its project of the supercomputer. As well, the firm is a powering exascale class supercomputer at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Moreover, the Ryzen processor is a well-known product of AMD. Recently, the firm released the third generation of this product. Another processor called Epyc is a milestone of Advanced Micro Devices, designed for data centers. Apart from processors, firm design CPU, APU, RAM, Graphics products, etc. Athlon, Opteron, Radeon, Radeon Instinct are some of the products of AMD.

Strategy

Standing out in the competition in the semiconductor industry is not a cakewalk. When there are tough competitors like Intel, it gets more difficult. Despite all challenges, AMD stands strong in the industry since it’s the foundation. For this, credit goes to the policymakers and founders. The firm adopted a unique strategy and focus on areas of development of high-performance processors, computing architecture, and gaming graphics chips. While stayed away from entering technology related to mobile phone development, basically the areas outside its core Competencies.

Some of the key founders of AMD

AMD Founders
Jerry Sanders, Jack Gifford, John Carey, Larry Stenger

Walter Jeremiah Sanders III

He is an American businessman and one of the core founding members of AMD. As well, he served as the CEO of the firm for a long time. Before that, Jerry worked at Fairchild semiconductor, a firm that design the first IC.

Edwin James Turney

He shares great contributions in the establishment of AMD i.e. Advanced Micro Devices. Before that, he also worked at Fairchild Semiconductor. At AMD, he served as a vice president of sales and administration for a long time.

Other Founders

The Fairchild Semiconductor’s former employees Jack Gifford, Larry Stenger, John Carey, Frank Botte,  Sven Simonsen, Jim Giles also helped in the AMD Foundation.

Later success

Lisa Su is presently serving as the CEO of AMD since 2014. Under her policy, AMD achieved great success and stability in the commercial market. Though the firm business is affected due to the US-China trade war as well as disruptions due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the firm’s shares are increased by more than 1,300%. Currently, AMD is focusing on the global data center market. While other high-tech companies focusing on next-generation technologies such as 5G, IoT, AI, etc. Last year, AMD stock was the best performing stock in the S&P 500. As well, it is in growing about 150% during this year.

Xoom

Xoom – Ultimate electronics payment service provider that helping more than millions of consumers worldwide

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Amid the coronavirus pandemic, people are using e-commerce and digital methods of payment immensely. In fact, it is one of the safest and best ways to stay safe yet, complete the transactions. From electricity bills to grocery bills and in fact, most of the fund transfer is continue using electronics mediums. Thanks to the service providers who enabled such simple fund transfer all over the world. Xoom is one of such remittance provider that enabled service in more than 130 countries. Since 2015, it became one of the subsidiaries of PayPal after the firm acquired Xoom. Thus, exploring its area of service on an international level. Today, Xoom has gained the customers due to it’s secure and easier payment service.

About Xoom

It is a San Francisco based electronics fund transfer provider that enabled many services at one click. Consumers can transfer money, pay all kinds of bills like electricity bills, and can refill the DTH, Mobile phones easily. The firm is set up in 2001 by Kevin Hartz. Presently, it is an integral part of PayPal services. Because PayPal acquired the firm in 2015 for about 1.09 billion dollars.

Services of Xoom

It provides the same services as other UPI based applications like PhonePay, GooglePay, and Paytm do. Whether it is the person to person money transfer or consumer to merchant money transfer, Xoom made it easy. As well, mobile recharge, grocery bills, monthly rent, tv recharge can be done using the Xoom platform. These all services are available in many countries worldwide. For doing these transactions, one can use a mobile app, or desktop site, or even a mobile site. Moreover, Xoom assured complete security to the consumers. For that, it employs several methods like identity verification, limits on transactions, etc. Because the integrity of user accounts is the top priority of Xoom.

PayPal’s subsidiary

In 2015, Xoom merged into PayPal. That time, Xoom had more than 1 million active customers from the USA. As well, the services were used in more than 38 countries. Currently, the firm is under PayPal which is also a well-known payment service provider in the USA.

The person behind Xoom’s establishment- Kevin Hartz

He was born in Berkeley in California. While he spent most of the time of childhood in Orinda, California. Coming to his education, Kevin attended Stanford University to study history, also holds BAS. As well, he did an MA in British history from University College, Oxford.

Image Source: Flickr.com

Early career

Kevin started his career as a product manager at Silicon Graphics. That time, he leads the team of  Virtual reality browser Cosmo Player. During this period, he was one of the founding members of ConnectGroup. It was a startup that started to provide high-speed Internet access to hotel businesses. In 2001, Hartz co-founded Xoom, an international money remittance business. He served as CEO until 2005 and served on the Board of Directors for a long time.

Business ventures

Hartz set up several businesses as well as he is the early investor in many leading firms. In 2001, he helped in the establishment of a remittance service provider called Xoom. The firm worked under his policies till 2005. As he was the CEO of the firm at that time. Xoom acquired many consumers during Hartz’s tenure. Moreover, Kevin helped in the foundation of Eventbrite as well. Eventbrite is a self-service ticketing platform on the international level.

Apart from that, he invested in several firms like PayPal, Uber, Trulia, Pinterest. Kevin also invested in successful startups like Newfront Insurance Gusto Airbnb, Joby Aviation, etc. K. Hartz was also partner with Founders Fund for some duration which he left thereafter.

Recognition and Achievements of Xoom

In 2010, Xoom was one of the remittance service providers that got the highest consumer satisfaction ratings in the transparency of the fee, transparency of the foreign exchange, and value. It was the study of Inter-American Dialogue. Thereafter, it listed in the Next Big Thing List of the 50 most promising venture-backed companies by Wall Street Journal for two consecutive years; 2011 and 2012 respectively.

As well, Inter-American Dialogue included Xoom’s name in the list of 51 remittance service providers for the US to Latin America market. This time, the factors considered were FX, network, Fees, the countries served and financial inclusion achieved.

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments – The Business venture that brought the electronics industry in the limelight

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Research and innovation is a topic or a process that will never stop. In fact, innovation improves our lives in many angles. It is no doubt a vast term, evolve with time. Perhaps, we must credit the persons or firms that fuel these process for simplifying and improving our lives. As well, they successfully transfer those inventions to daily use and became some of the most influencing entrepreneurs. Like Patrick E. Haggerty, J. Erik Jonsson, E. McDermott, and Cecil Howard Green did by setting up Texas instruments in 1951. With this, they actually brought the electronics industry in limelight. In very less time after establishment, the Texas instruments developed many semiconductor devices like a transistor radio, calculator, etc that simplify the user‘s life. However, the firm is now working in defense electronics, telecommunications, and in many related fields.

The beginning of the Texas instruments

It all started back in 1951. The founding members of Geophysical Service, J. Erik Jonsson, Cecil Howard Green, Patrick E. Haggerty, and McDermott set up the Texas instruments in 1951. The prime purpose of the firm was to manufacture semiconductor devices. Before that, the Texas instruments were known as GSI. An interesting fact about Texas instruments, it was working in the field of oil exploration before shifting the focus to manufacturing. Thereafter, the firm developed many semiconductor devices and made it available on large scale. Just after 6 years of foundation, it set the name in the list of one of the largest corporations in the world.

The boom in the electronics industry

After three years of establishment, the firm introduced the world’s first transistor radio using a germanium transistor. Thus, increasing the demand for transistors in the market. As the firm was also manufacturing a transistor, this step helped it to generate revenue in the early days. Thereafter, the Texas instruments invented many devices that later on became popular in daily use. For example, a handheld calculator.

Moreover, the firm has named a patent for a single-chip microprocessor. Later on, it introduced the single-chip linear predictive coding speech synthesizer for the first time in the world. After several inventions and electronics devices, the Texas instruments became a leading name in the electronics industry.

Glimpse to Founders lives

Texas instruments Founders

Patrick Eugene Haggerty

He was a businessman and an American engineer. Most of the credit to turn Geological services into Texas instruments goes to Patrick. His vision turned the small oil exploration firm into one of the dominant semiconductor firms in the world. As well, under Haggerty’s guidance, TI invested in the transistor. That time, the practical use of transistors was somewhat questionable, which he changed by creating the first silicon transistor with the help of other co-founders.

Patrick also shared a great contribution to inventing the world’s first commercial transistor radio as well as, first integrated circuit. Haggerty served as a president and Chairman of TI. Throughout his career, he worked for the development of the semiconductor industry on an international level.

Early life

He was born in  1915 in Harvey, North Dakota. Patrick attended the Marquette University School of Electrical Engineering. In 1951, he co-founded the Texas instruments.

Other work

Apart from being a successful businessman, he was active in the Institute of Radio Engineers. In fact, he served as IRE’s president in 1962. Also, Haggerty was one of the members of the committee responsible for merged the IRE and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) into the IEEE. For his immense efforts to explore IEEE, Haggerty was awarded the IEEE Founders Medal.

Eugene McDermott

He is one of the founding members of the Texas instruments. As well, served as a Chairman of TI in the initial phase of the firm. Eugene was also included in the board of directors until his last days. During his tenure as CEO, TI rose to be one of the largest corporations in the world.

Personal life

He was born on 12 February 1899 in Brooklyn in NY. Eugene attended Stevens Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering. As well, he was a geophysicist. For exploring the oil, he set up Geophysical services along with other co-founders. Later on, this firm is renamed as Texas instruments.

Cecil Howard Green

He was born on 6 August 1900. Green attended the University of British Columbia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Coming to his work front, he was a founder of Texas Instruments. As well, served as vice president and director of the firm. Moreover, Cecil named the honorary director of the company.

In his later life, he was the fellow of the American Academy of Art and Sciences. C. Green had a British origin, but he worked mostly in America. In 1970, he was honored with the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences. Mr. Green was also a recipient of the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

John Erik Jonsson

He was born on 6 September 1901 in Brooklyn in New York City. Jhon’s parents were migrated to the United States before his birth. Jonsson is also helped in the establishment of Geological Services that later became Texas Instruments.

Career and other work

He was a co-founder as well as served as president of Texas Instruments. Apart from that, he served as a Mayor of Dallas. During his service, the creation of Dallas-Fort was started. As well, he became a philanthropist in later years.

Epic Games

Epic Games – Journey of Timothy Sweeney’s gaming firm that left the bigger footprint in the gaming industry

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Gaming is the ultimate entertainment for persons of all ages. Today youth is crazy for high tech mobile games. However, the kids of the 90s were crazy about video games. Like mobile or pc games, in fact, video games have a broad category. For any occasion and every mood, video games are available. Video games like Mario made a huge impact on the 90s generation. As well, one more video game ZZT released in 1991 made gamers crazy at that time. It was the simple text-based puzzle game introduced by Epic games.

But this video game achieved huge popularity and love from players. In less time frame, Epic’s video games became the pinnacle of entertainment for gamers. From relaxing games to intense one to the competitive games, Epic Games has released a number of games till now. With huge success and popularity, Epic Games made a name in the gaming industry.

About Epic Games

It is a North Carolina based video game company specifically known for video games like ZZT, The Gears of Wars, and many more such games. Because of simple yet addictive games, the firm enjoyed huge success in the 90s century. That time, it’s video game franchise known as The Gears of War set a record to sold gazillions of copies. As well, its Unreal Engine powers blockbuster titles like BioShock.

Well, it’s Unreal Engine technology is credited for bringing interactive experience and hi-fi technology to console, PC, and mobile. Due to this, the gaming industry and gamers had to notice Epic games. Started as a small game developing firm by Tim Sweeney has left the bigger gaming footprint that many people are unaware of. Let’s explore the journey of Epic Games creation and the masterminds behind the success of Epic games.

Timothy Dean Sweeney

He is the founder and mastermind behind the creation of most of these successful games listed Above. As well, he is a well-established programmer and businessman in America. Sweeney is also credited for creating a game development platform called Unreal Engine. Timmy is a game developer who made the childhood of 90s kid enjoyable through the release of many games under Epic Games.

Epic Games Founder
Image Source: businessinsider.in

Personal life

He was born in 1970 and raised in Potomac. Since his childhood, Sweeney liked to play with electrical and mechanical devices. That time, he built a go-kart on his own. One will amaze to know that a person who developed a series of video games had not played many video games in his life. Perhaps, he was interested to play arcade games in his teenage.

The back story of founding Epic Games

It all begins during his education. He was a student of Mechanical engineering. As said earlier, he was interested in electric and mechanical devices since childhood. This fascination continued and Sweeney finds interest in computers. During these days, he got the personal computer allowing him to turn his interest into a business.

How he set up Epic Games?

During college days, one idea sparked in Sweeney’s mind. That is creating games and selling them out; and the work begins. He spent day and night to learn to program required to develop the game. But he came to know that he required to create a Pascal-based text editor. So that he can write a code for the game. This turn out into the creation of ZZT. Prior to game development, he had established a consulting business called Potomac Computer Systems. Later on, he used it for selling ZZT. Soon, he sold few copies raising over 100 dollars per day. Thus, he decided to work in this field and started Epic Games officially.

Epic Games’ Video game Franchise

The firm is a developer of popular games like Gears of War, Fortnite, Unreal, Infinity Blade, Shadow Complex, and many more. However, ZZT was in the list of initial video game releases of Epic games. Epic game is also known for releasing a series of games. Moreover, the firm has created several shareware games that are hit in the international gaming market. Some of these are Jazz, Jill of the Jungle, Jackrabbit, Epic Pinball, etc.

Mark A. Rein

He is a Canadian entrepreneur as well as the  Epic Games’ Vice president. Apart from that,  Rein shared the ownership of NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Mark has dedicated his time and knowledge to the evolution of Epic Games.

Later success

The firm continued to deliver games that many gamers love. As well, it focused on additional projects like Unreal Tournament. As well, it released Shadow complex’s remastered version for newer consoles and released series of several video games. Epic Games enters into virtual reality with the game Robo Recall. With a much successful game franchise, Epic Games left the bigger gaming footprint in the Gaming industry.

Realme Logo

Realme – Born out of Sky Li’s vision to deliver new-generation smartphones.

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The mobile industry is one of the most important industries all over the world. In fact, it keeps growing and prospering for a long period. Many Asian companies have gained recognition in this industry. Like a Chinese smartphone, Realme has gain popularity in minimal duration. A Shenzhen based mobile firm Realme is the best example of a new brand that competing well-developed brands like Xiaomi.

How the firm made it possible in a very short duration? Well, there is one simple tactic, provide more features and better value at an affordable price. So that customers can get the desired value for the money they are investing. Apparently, Realme’s founder Sky li has implemented this universal fact to create trust in the smartphone market. As a result, within a year of establishment, the firm has entered an international market as well as captured a large part of China’s market. Presently, Realme is popular in the smartphone markets of South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. As well, it is growing the presence in the market of Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, England, and Russia.

Backstory of Realme

Today it is known as Realme but it entered the market as an OPPO Real in 2010. It was one of the sub-brands of OPPO electronics. However, the former vice president at OPPO Mr. Sky Li resigned from the post and found the independent smartphone company, Realme.

That’s how Realme started in 2018, with a new brand logo and new vision to provide stylish yet new technology-based smartphones. Just in one year, it entered officially in the Chinese market with brand new models Realme X and Realme X lite. By the end of the year 2019, the firm had successfully entered 20 smartphone markets.  Includes China, India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. As well, become the no. 1 emerging brand.

About Realme

A well-known businessman Sky Li set up Realme in 2018. It is based on the vision to provide new generation smartphones having superior experience. Due to the use of cut edge technology, the newly launched Realme has successfully stood out in the market. As well, it brings the smartphone models full of trendsetting technologies, and features that give trendsetting experience at affordable prices.

Realme Founder Sky Li
Image Source: fonearena.com

With the hard work and head to head competition, Realme proved its significance in the global market. In spite of strong competitors like Samsung, Nokia, Xiaomi, and of course Oppo gained the trust of customers. In India, the firm has given a tough competition to Redmi.

The strategy to conquer over other brands

There are dozens of mobile manufacturers in China that focused on channel marketing and offline distribution. While realme focused on online from the beginning. It directly steps in the market in competition with Xiaomi neglecting other numerous small brands. On the online platform, Realme made available the mobile phones with similar features and price segment with Xiaomi. Thus, the consumer got the chance to choose between two brands. Earlier, only Xiaomi’s models were dominating the market which got a new competitor. Knowing that online shopping is preferable by many, brands sold smartphones only on an online platform for one year.

Glimpse to founders life

Sky Li is a founder of Realme who also served as a vice president of Oppo. As well, he was the head of the overseas business of Oppo for a long time. LI shared a great contribution to exploring the business of Oppo in 3 markets covering 31 countries. In 2018, he resigned and established a new brand Realme.

Later succes of Realme

Realme always amazed consumers with cut edge technology that reflects in its smartphone models. At the beginning of this year, the firm has announced a new strategy AIoT plus smartphone. It is known as dual driven strategy. With this, the firm has safe its side in changing the smartphone market. Presently, more than 35 million smartphone users use Realme’s models. As per Counterpoint global smartphone shipment, Realme is no. 7 emerging brands as well as ranks first in the international market.

The firm set an example for emerging brands. Using innovation and a unique marketing strategy, it stands in competition with its many other rivals. In fact, it is developing innovative and variety of cell phones in various ranges of price.