Associate Project Manager Intern

Salesforce and Siemens launch ai-powered solutions to transform sales and service. Salesforce and Siemens have joined forces to revolutionize the way industrial companies engage in sales and service processes. This transformative partnership introduces a game-changing AI solution, Agentforce, integrated with Siemens' Teamcenter Service Lifecycle Management (SLM). For small business owners in the industrial sector, this collaboration promises to streamline operations, enhance customer relationships, and drive significant growth. One of the standout features of this integration is its ability to deliver rapid, engineering-grade answers directly into customer workflows. This means that where a service technician once had to consult an engineer for critical information during customer interactions, they can now access answers in seconds. For example, before ever visiting a site, technicians can identify the exact spare parts needed for specific serial numbers. Sales representatives can provide quotes that are not only applicable but also manufacturable, eliminating miscommunication and wasted time. Additionally, customers can order the right parts online, bypassing the traditional wait times associated with hotline calls or waiting for engineer responses. Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, emphasized the significance of this partnership: "We're bringing the best of our technology, expertise, and industry knowledge together to reinvent how work gets done and how customers are served." This streamlined process embodies the shift toward what the companies call the "agentic enterprise" - essentially, organizations that can rapidly respond to customer needs using integrated AI and data solutions. For small businesses, the implications of this advancement are substantial. By compressing traditional processes, which previously took weeks, down to hours, manufacturers can enhance service reliability and tap into aftermarket revenue opportunities. As the press release noted, aftermarket revenue typically grows six times faster than new equipment sales and often enjoys margins four times higher. This could represent a significant opportunity for small firms looking to expand their revenue streams while deepening customer relationships and improving service delivery. Furthermore, Siemens has rolled out Agentforce to enhance its inbound sales strategy. Previously, the company received over 2,500 unqualified leads per month without a clear method for prioritizing them. With Agentforce, these leads are processed efficiently through an engagement and qualification agent setup. The engagement agent reaches out personally, identifying interested prospects who are then vetted for qualification before being handed off to sales personnel. This approach not only increases the conversion rates of inbound leads but also ensures that sales teams focus their efforts on the most promising opportunities, enhancing productivity across the board. Siemens has achieved engagement with 100% of these leads in 132 countries, showcasing the potential scalability of this solution for smaller enterprises. Moreover, the partnership simplifies partner onboarding, addressing a common struggle many small businesses face. Instead of enduring a long wait for feedback after submitting an inquiry, prospective distributors will soon benefit from an AI-driven interface that delivers tailored pitches and immediately connects them with account managers. This innovation is set to streamline the onboarding process from weeks to mere days, allowing small businesses to integrate new suppliers more quickly into their operations. However, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. The reliance on AI systems means that firms will need to invest in training and ensure the technology's compatibility with existing workflows. Additionally, while automation can drive efficiency, it may also require businesses to rethink their customer engagement strategies and training approaches for staff. The transition to an AI-driven workflow may initially meet with resistance, necessitating a robust change management process. Salesforce and Siemens' collaboration showcases the future of industrial sales and service - one where AI technology enables businesses to operate more effectively and responsively. By adopting innovative solutions like Agentforce, small business owners can unlock new levels of engagement, streamline their processes, and ultimately forge deeper relationships with their customers, paving the way for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. Discover more Business startup guide Buy a business Image via Google Gemini

Scania launches 474-mile electric truck in Europe as long-haul EV trucking gains ground. Megawatt charging system stations are also appearing. by Wyatt Fischer September 21, 2026 Long-haul trucking has been one of the hardest parts of the transportation sector to electrify, largely because heavy-duty fleets need long range, fast refueling, and dependable infrastructure. Europe may be showing signs that greater progress is coming. CleanTechnica reported that on Sept. 15, Scania unveiled a battery-electric truck with up to 720 kilometers, or about 474 miles, of range. Here's what to know. With its new model, Scania is trying to address the core freight-electrification problem of providing enough range while preserving cargo capability and avoiding charging patterns that clash with delivery timetables. "For transport operators, the question is whether an electric truck can cover demanding routes, carry the required load and charge in a way that fits real transport schedules," the company stated. Scania said it increased battery capacity by adding packs behind the cab alongside those mounted in the chassis. Two cab-mounted MP20 packs contribute about 356 kilowatt-hours, and the truck also gets a reworked front end to improve aerodynamics. TCD picks " Quince spotlight. These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all Depending on how the truck is configured and operated, Scania said the updated design could reduce energy use by up to 3%. Megawatt charging system stations are also appearing. CleanTechnica said Siemens has introduced equipment that can charge an electric truck from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. More background. One major reason the heavy-duty segment has lagged behind passenger EVs is that diesel still offers a much faster refueling experience. Filling a truck with a 200-gallon tank can take about 10 to 20 minutes, while charging a heavy-duty electric truck may still take hours. Even where fast chargers exist, supplying enough electricity to high-powered truck stops can require costly grid upgrades. One possible solution is on-site battery energy storage systems, which can store electricity over time and then deliver rapid charging when trucks arrive. Cleaner trucks could reduce tailpipe pollution while also cutting the climate-warming pollution tied to moving goods. What's being done? Battery-electric trucks are not the only technology moving forward. In Germany, a hydrogen trucking proposal from Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, Toyota Motor Corporation, Bosch, Air Liquide, TotalEnergies, TEAL Mobility, and MB Energy would include refueling stations that can serve up to 100 trucks per day. Daimler Truck says its customer-operated fuel cell trucks in Europe have logged almost 600,000 kilometers (around 372,800 miles), and the company plans to deploy 100 next-generation trucks in 2026. Volvo said the key policy priorities are reducing truck costs, building a more competitive hydrogen supply chain, and offering incentives such as zero-emission toll exemptions. The National Organisation for Sustainable Mobility (NOW) described its mission this way: "Our goal is to advance innovative technologies such as electric mobility and charging infrastructure, hydrogen and fuel cells, and alternative fuels, thereby contributing to the achievement of Germany's climate targets." These articles look at electric vehicle charging expansion, charger vandalism, and common questions about owning electric cars. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.

SEMICON India 2026: 25 MoUs strengthen India's Semiconductor ecosystem. Reading Time: 3 mins read Summarize with: New Delhi, September 19 (APAC Media): SEMICON India 2026, being held from September 17 to 19 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, has emerged as a major platform for partnerships aimed at strengthening India's semiconductor ecosystem. The event has brought together private companies, research institutions, government departments, and skilling organisations, with 25 MoUs and major announcements spanning semiconductor manufacturing, materials, packaging, logistics, design, and workforce development. Tata Electronics drives semiconductor supply chain localisation. Tata Electronics announced several partnerships focused on building a localised supply chain for semiconductor manufacturing. The company signed collaborations with INOX Air Products Limited for high-purity gases and with Sumitomo Chemical Corporation Ltd. for high-purity chemicals. It also partnered with Kelington Engineering Pte Ltd for gas distribution systems, high-purity piping, and process tool hookup for its semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat. An agreement with Enomoto Co. Ltd will focus on advanced semiconductor packaging capabilities and localisation of lead frame manufacturing in India. Focus on materials and power electronics. The event also highlighted efforts to develop critical materials and power electronics capabilities domestically. C-MET and Hindalco Industries Ltd. announced a collaboration for the indigenous development of critical semiconductor materials. An announcement was also made on indigenous Silicon Carbide power modules for Voltage Source Converter-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission systems, linking semiconductor capabilities with the country's renewable energy and power infrastructure needs. L&T Semiconductor Technologies expands partnerships. L&T Semiconductor Technologies announced partnerships with Virtual Forest Pvt Ltd., Newen Systems Pvt. Ltd., Fimer India Pvt. Ltd. and Capital Power Systems Ltd. The collaborations cover Silicon Carbide power modules for next-generation renewable energy systems, IGBT development, and IoT modules for smart meters, expanding the application of semiconductor technologies across energy and connected infrastructure. Investment, logistics, and packaging get push. The India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) announced an investment of $236 million across 56 deep tech companies. SEMI and IDTA also announced the establishment of the India Semiconductor Academy. Meanwhile, the India Semiconductor Mission and NIPPON Express Group signed an MoU focused on semiconductor logistics infrastructure in India. India market analysis In packaging and manufacturing, Kaynes Semicon partnered with IndieSemiC, Microchip Technology and United BC Team for package qualification, assembly and testing, eMeter SoC packaging and manufacturing, and intralogistics and lights-off automation. Skilling and semiconductor education take Centre stage. Workforce development featured prominently at SEMICON India 2026. Lam Research and the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India announced a skilling collaboration, while NIELIT entered into partnerships with Siemens EDA, Tata Electronics, Singapore Polytechnic International, IESA, and SEMI University. These initiatives cover semiconductor design education, ATMP training, skill development, capacity building, and workforce education. NIELIT also launched the SCL 0.8 Micron open-source PDK on its eChipHub platform. Designing and research. A research collaboration between C-DAC and Silvaco Inc. will provide access to EDA tools, TCAD, and IPs through the ChipIN Centre. Together, the announcements highlight efforts to build capabilities across the semiconductor ecosystem and strengthen India's transition towards a more integrated domestic semiconductor industry. Summarize with: