Technology

Artificial Intelligence Big Data Cloud Computing Cyber Security Data Management Electronics Enterprise & Network Technology Financial Technology Hardware Mobile & Wireless Nanotechnology Semiconductor Software Telecommunications
News Release Digital Asset Direct

CSG Unlocks the Potential of 5G with Launch of Future-Ready, SaaS Commerce Solution, CSG Encompass

CSG

The digital future is here and 5G is reinventing the way digital services are created, delivered and consumed. Imagination and a trusted communications service provider (CSP) are all that stand in the way of the next era of digitally immersive experiences. To catapult the industry into this next age of digital innovation, CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today launched Encompass. A SaaS, open, integrated and modular solution, CSG Encompass crushes the complexity of multi-sided, B2B2X ecosystems to enable dynamic, agile and scalable collaboration across a multitude of partners. With Encompass at the heart of an interconnected ecosystem of enterprises, consumers and partners, CSPs can differentiate themselves with a future-ready solution that unlocks the limitless possibility of 5G-enabled offerings that excite customers and deliver seamless commerce. “5G operators need rapid ROI for their networks but have been hampered by the uncertainty of how to deliver value-added services and monetize their vision at the same time,” said Ken Kennedy, COO and president of revenue management and digital monetization, CSG. “CSG Encompass is the answer to this dilemma. Encompass provides the modular, yet holistic, solution CSPs need to innovate and co-create with partners. For onboarding, offer creation, quoting of services, order management, fulfillment, charging and settlements, CSG Encompass makes delivering a 5G B2B2X marketplace easier. Our cloud-based, open architecture offers the configurability and scalability necessary to create the dynamic, game-changing, digital ecosystems CSPs have been waiting for.” “Businesses and consumers alike want to interact and transact digitally with convenience and ease, which means not having to do the hard work of bundling components from multiple suppliers themselves,” John Abraham, principal analyst, Analysys Mason. “B2B2X ecosystems, which bring together digital services from a consortium of partners, are the foundation for delivering these seamless experiences. To be successful, they require an open, integrated solution that can manage the intricate, interconnected commerce cycles that are needed by today’s 5G service providers to fully engage with a more diverse range of partners. CSG’s broad portfolio, exposure to a large number of CSP customers and expertise in delivering large scale transformation projects positions the company well to help CSPs resolve the complexities of B2B2X marketplaces and enable new engagement and monetization opportunities.” Core capabilities of CSG Encompass include: Management of the connected B2B2X commerce cycle across CSPs, their partners and their customers including unified catalog, configurable pricing and quoting, order orchestration, charging and settlements A richly functioned, comprehensive, integrated solution that builds on CSGs expertise in delivering complex, differentiated business models and ecosystems for IoT and B2B2X A modular, open standards-based, decoupled solution that is network vendor and service agnostic, and can be deployed in the cloud and as a managed service Leading companies need technologies that can deliver future-ready digital offerings and winning experiences that will drive better business outcomes, quicker time to value and lower risk. CSG Encompass is the solution for CSPs looking to amplify the value of their 5G investments and reinvent the way they do business. For more information visit, https://info.csgi.com/portfolio-csg-encompass. # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Tammy Hovey Global Public Relations +1 (917) 520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details CSG Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

February 23, 2022 06:35 AM Mountain Standard Time

Image

Foresight’s Technology to Replace Use of LiDAR by a Leading Israeli Defense Integrator for the Israeli Defense Forces

Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd.

Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX) (“Foresight” or the “Company”), an innovator in automotive vision systems, announced today that it will customize products and solutions for a leading Israeli defense integrator. Foresight will develop a customized 3D perception solution to meet the requirements of the integrator’s end-customer, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), and expects to recognize revenue from the project of approximately $250,000 during the first half of 2022. The products and solutions customization project follows extensive testing of QuadSight ® prototype systems by the Israeli defense integrator, over a period of two years, as well as numerous successful demonstrations performed by the integrator to the IDF. Following the successful process, the integrator plans to replace the use of LiDAR in its solutions with Foresight’s vision technology. Foresight’s ability to make technological modifications to its system according to customer requirements allows the Company to provide tailor-made solutions that may be suitable for different markets, including the defense industry. As part of Foresight’s business model, it offers licenses for its proprietary 3D perception software, in addition to support and maintenance services. “We believe that Foresight’s passive thermal stereo capabilities are vital to the defense industry. Our unique technology succeeded in outperforming other leading technologies, such as LiDAR, and was therefore chosen as a replacement in defense-focused solutions. By moving to the next stage of evaluation by the IDF, Foresight is supporting its business strategy of working in parallel with vehicle manufacturers, key players in the defense industry and heavy and agricultural equipment manufacturers. Innovative technologies tend to be quickly adopted by the defense market, generating short-term revenue. We believe that our customized vision-based solution could provide valuable data and results to potential customers from various market segments, including the defense industry, allowing us to expand our presence in these markets,” said Foresight’s CEO Haim Siboni. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, Foresight is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses the amount of revenue expected to be derived as well as the timing of the recognition of such revenue, that the integrator plans to replace the use of LiDAR in its solutions with its vision technology, the belief that its passive thermal stereo capabilities are vital to the defense industry, its business strategy and its belief that it will be able to rapidly expand its presence in the defense market. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Foresight’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of Foresight could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Foresight's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 30, 2021, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Foresight undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Foresight is not responsible for the contents of third party websites. About Foresight Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX) is a technology company developing smart multi-spectral vision software solutions and cellular-based applications. Through the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Foresight Automotive Ltd. and Eye-Net Mobile Ltd., Foresight develops both “in-line-of-sight” vision systems and “beyond-line-of-sight” accident-prevention solutions. Foresight’s vision solutions include modules of automatic calibration, sensor fusion and dense 3D point cloud that can be applied to diverse markets such as automotive, defense, autonomous vehicles and heavy industrial equipment. Eye-Net Mobile’s cellular-based solution suite provides real-time pre-collision alerts to enhance road safety and situational awareness for all road users in the urban mobility environment by incorporating cutting-edge AI technology and advanced analytics. For more information about Foresight and its wholly owned subsidiary, Foresight Automotive, visit www.foresightauto.com, follow @ForesightAuto1 on Twitter, or join Foresight Automotive on LinkedIn. Contact Details Investor Relations Contact: Miri Segal-Scharia, CEO, MS-IR LLC +1 917-607-8654 msegal@ms-ir.com Company Website https://www.foresightauto.com/

February 23, 2022 08:10 AM Eastern Standard Time

Aquarius Spectrum Announces AQSense-Edge: A New Cat-M/NB-IoT Acoustic Leak Detection Sensor Combined with New AI & UI Improvements

Aquarius Spectrum

Aquarius Spectrum, a leading provider of acoustic water leak detection solutions in municipal water distribution networks, has announced the launch of its new AQSense-Edge series of Cat-M/NB-IoT correlating sensors. AQSense-Edge represents the next generation in the company’s AQSense Fixed Sensors, a product range designed for continuous pipe monitoring. For over 12 years, Aquarius Spectrum has spearheaded development of innovative systems for the water industry, enabling water utilities to proactively monitor their water distribution network and pinpoint background leaks at an early stage before they surface. Consequently, Aquarius’ worldwide customers report significant reductions in NRW (Non-Revenue Water) and savings in their operational and maintenance costs. The new AQSense-Edge sensor is being heralded by the company as a true a game changer in the water leak detection market, thanks to its compact dimensions, ultra-long 10-year battery life, and superior accuracy powered by an improved correlating algorithm. The AQSense-Edge series supports all water supply pipe materials and diameters, distribution and transmission, and boasts the additional advantage of offering extensive coverage with fewer sensors – typically up to 3 sensors per 1 km of piping. Aquarius Spectrum’s new Cat-M/NB-IoT series includes 3 types of products suitable for different types of installations: AQSense-Edge (AG ) - an accelerometer designed for aboveground installation on fire hydrants and other access points on metal and AC pipes up to 24”; AQSense-Edge (BG) - an accelerometer designed for belowground installation on fire hydrants or on valves inside a pit on metal or AC pipes up to 24”; and AQSense-Edge (Hyd) - a hydrophone sensor designed for PVC, PE and transmission (trunk main) lines, and installation on air release valves. Aquarius Spectrum’s innovative acoustic leak detection technology, protected by 21 patents, is distinguished by its combination of automatic correlation between each pair of sensors, and its sophisticated analysis engine that verifies the existence of the leak and pinpoints its exact location. Thanks to its latest AI and UI improvements, the system is now able to locate and present multiple leaks occurring between each pair of sensors and can provide operators with an estimation of their size and intensity. One of the largest water utilities in the US has already purchased and successfully implemented 150 AQSense-Edge units in a major city. 11 leaks were located and remedied in the first month of operation. In another US-based project, where the customer recently upgraded to the new AQSense-Edge sensors, more than 20 leaks were found and fixed, of which several leaks were simultaneously detected on the same section of pipe by only two sensors. According to Naama Zeldis, CEO of Aquarius Spectrum: “Aquarius is extremely proud to be at the forefront of technological innovation in the water industry for over 12 years, and today we are excited to be cooperating with leading water utilities in all five continents, driving forward our vision of digital water transformation. We bring superior solutions that address all types of water infrastructure. With a deployment of more than 10,000 acoustic sensors, we can declare with confidence that our solutions provide the most efficient and accurate results. We are delighted with the continued trust placed in us by our existing and new customers, both in the company and its cutting-edge line of acoustic water leak detection products, and we will continue to develop innovative solutions that provides customers with excellent ROI and customer experience." About Aquarius Spectrum Aquarius Spectrum is a leading provider of advanced leak detection and pipe condition assessment solutions based on fixed and mobile acoustic sensors combined with AI and big data analytics algorithms. Using our multi-patented technology, water utilities around the world significantly reduce their Non-Revenue Water, and lower maintenance and operational (M&O) costs through continuous proactive monitoring of their water distribution network, early detection and pinpointing of background leaks, and accurate analysis of their infrastructure. Contact Details Aquarius Spectrum Ltd. Sigalit Tamary +972 74-713-6644 info@aqs-systems.com Company Website https://aqs-systems.com/

February 23, 2022 07:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Innovecture Celebrates its 3rd Patent in Payments Space

Innovecture

Innovecture LLC, a Global Technology and Management consultancy company announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a patent, for an invention titled ‘ Communicating payments ’. The ' Communicating payments ’ patent introduces new method of transacting with a point-of-sale device during an in-person payment transaction. This invention avoids sending payment information to the point-of-sale device thus removing the security concern of the payment information theft. The ‘ reverse authorization ’ algorithm replaces the traditional bi-directional communication between Point of Sale and payment gateway with an IoT based communication. This algorithm completes the transaction even if the point of sale is offline which is beneficial specifically to the unattended systems such as kiosks or vending machines. Innovecture has built a mobile commerce platform ‘ SimPayX ’ based on this patent and a beta version is launched in Salt Lake City where many restaurants are participating in the pilot launch. Shreyas Kamat, Patent Inventor and Innovecture CEO commented, “We are particularly excited about the grant of this patent. This patent, which is our 3rd patent in the payments space, is a result of our continued focus on innovation for delivering best value to our customers. The future of payments should be to provide a simple, convenient and secure payment experience to the consumers and this patent provides a revolutionary foundation to provide that experience.” With offices in US, Europe, and APAC, Innovecture provides consulting, technology research services and products to its customers. Innovecture has an impressive track record to be a major contributor in Digital and Agile Transformation projects for several Fortune 500 clients and is privileged to receive multiple recognitions as a MWCN Utah 100 and Inc. 5000 fastest growing company. For more information, please visit the Innovecture website and LinkedIn. Contact Details Innovecture Jamie Irwin +1 801-495-7050 sales@innovect.com Company Website https://www.innovect.com/

February 23, 2022 07:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Simplifying Social Media for Small Business Owners: Tips on How Local Businesses Can Stand Out in 2022

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/mQc2Uxrk-EU Small business owners have already had to get creative in so many ways in the past few years. According to a survey from Adobe, 74% of small business owners are facing creative burnout. One way to reset and refresh their business is by improving their social media presence. For a small business owner who may already be feeling stretched creatively, social media can seem daunting or time intensive. Natalie Zfat partnered with Adobe Creative Cloud Express on a media campaign to provide small business owners with helpful tips to better reach customers and get their business back on its feet. No matter their budget or confidence level for graphic design, here are some of the tips she shared to easily create standout graphics, photos, and videos in no time: Inspiration can strike at the oddest times. Creative Cloud Express allows you to create quick, easy content on the fly – with thousands of high-quality templates to customize your Instagram Stories, video cover slides, timeline carousels and more. Carousels outperform single-image Instagram posts. According to research by SocialInsider, the average engagement rate increases by 2% when using all 10 carousel slides, and carousels with a mix of video and images see the highest engagement rate per post at 2.33%. Filling the carousel with gorgeous content is easy when you use Creative Cloud Express, which lets you easily search through Adobe Stock images and leverage more than 20,000 fonts. Did you know that social media posts with video have 48% more views? Creative Cloud Express makes it super easy to edit and customize videos (even if video editing isn't your forté). It's no secret that social media users scroll quickly, and it can be tricky to stand out. 82% of small business owners know that a creative design will drive business, but 45% cite that they don’t have either the time, tools or skills to bring their ideas to life. One way to “stop the scroll” is with compelling animation and imagery. Creative Cloud Express lets you incorporate animated elements easily and create beautiful, thumb-stopping imagery that will catch your audience's eye. Something as simple as a colorful, animated shape layered behind text - or a funny GIF or sticker - will help your message stand out and allow you to inject more of your personality. And the best part: You don’t have to be a designer to get it done. Use “Quick Actions” powered by Adobe Sensei to remove backgrounds from photos, trim and merge videos, convert videos to GIF, and more. Integrate your brand's aesthetic across multiple platforms for a cohesive experience. Creative Cloud Express allows you to build your brand by uploading logos, colors and more. This makes it easy to seamlessly adapt your brand creative for social media, email marketing, website and more. The Shared Libraries feature in particular makes it easy for anyone and everyone on your team to work from a cohesive bank of templates to achieve that brand consistency. The Instagram algorithm is ever-changing, but we know that content that inspires shares and saves does particularly well, especially when that content is in video form. 74% of small business owners acknowledge that they are facing major hindrances to their creativity right now. To maximize engagement, aim for content that is beautiful, funny or educational. Infographics and video tutorials (“How To’s”) are a great way to do this - and Creative Cloud Express offers stunning, customizable graphs, charts and other great visuals that lend themselves to shareable content. Think of your social media profile as your storefront. 55% of small business owners say their online presence is more critical to their success than a physical store. Is your bio fully fleshed out? Is it clear what you're offering your audience? Creative Cloud Express allows you to create beautiful, robust profiles, with thousands of high quality templates for banner images, profile photos, Instagram Highlight covers and more – all customizable with your brand colors and typography. Don't have a brand book (yet)? Dip into Creative Cloud Express’ Stock and Fonts database for thousands of unique, stunning imagery and font styles for marketing materials like logos, flyers, banners, and more. To learn more about Creative Cloud Express and its different graphic design features go to: adobe.com/express About Natalie Zfat: According to Mark Cuban, “Natalie Zfat doesn’t mess around.” Natalie Zfat is a social media expert, speaker and host who has partnered with some of the most iconic brands in the world, including Samsung, Facebook, CNBC and LinkedIn. Curating original social media content, strategy and campaigns, Natalie gains millions of impressions for the brands she advocates for. When she’s not with her clients, Natalie loves sharing her social media thought leadership in her Forbes column, on television and at conferences and universities, including the New York Times, CBS, Carnegie Mellon, NYU Stern School of Business, SXSW and CES. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 22, 2022 04:34 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Covid Testing the Right Way and How to Avoid Scams

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ZyvwNXn2NSo Testing for Covid-19 is now a daily part of many of our lives. Testing to go to work, school, travel, concerts, and most importantly, to stay healthy. But not all tests or testing centers are created equally. There are still many unanswered questions we have on the best ways to stay safe and healthy. With so much uncertainty its time to turn to an expert for insights and information on how to do covid testing the right way and avoid scams. On February 16 th Dr Emily Volk, President of the College of American Pathologists conducted a nationwide media tour. Topics that Dr Volk discussed included: What people need to know to administer an at home test properly Why it’s important that any collection center or laboratory doing COVID testing is accredited, adhering to the very highest standards Are rapid antigen tests more accurate than PCR tests and when to get one or the other Questions we should be asking medical professionals For more information, visit newsroom.cap.org About the College of American Pathologists: As the world's largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 22, 2022 01:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Fastest, Cheapest DeFi Trades with No Front Running Now Possible via Telos

Telos Foundation

The Telos Blockchain’s (ticker: Tlos) recently launched non-Ethereum Fork Virtual Machine ( tEVM ) has already become home to multiple decentralized exchanges, Zappy being the latest. Running on the full layer 1 power of the Telos Blockchain, every single one of these DeFi platforms are more robust than ever. Telos provides DeFi platforms with a utopian trading environment in which traders gain access to the cheapest and fastest trades by many multiples. Here is video proof of Telos having the cheapest and fastest trades. Telos vs Fantom Telos vs Avalanche vs Binance Smart Chain vs Ethereum * Sub-Dollar trades can be profitable via DeFi on the tEVM. “Uniquely, the tEVM has instant transactions with fixed nano-sized gas fees that do not move linearly with the Tlos coin price. This uniqueness makes the tEVM consistently sustainable for DeFi traders of all sizes.” Justin Giudici, Acting CEO at Telos Foundation. By default, the tEVM also fully protects traders from any Front Running or Miner Extracted Value (Mev). Potentially saving DeFi traders billions of dollars. Unfortunately, even to this day, not enough traders understand that without their knowledge or consent, these two unethical practices are commonly separating them from their potential profits. These are highly unethical practices, and they are plaguing all of DeFi. With that noted, it should echo that DeFi trades are 100% insulated from any Front Running or Mev on Telos. Telos tEVM was built from the ground up. Not just forking off the Ethereum source code and the tEVM compiles with the same outcomes using its own source code and layer 1 mainnet. One of the huge benefits of Telos is that unlike Ethereum, the mempool cannot be reorganized in any way. The Telos protocol is strictly a first in first out design. This concept along with strict governance and half second blocktimes makes Front Running impossible on the Telos Network. In fact, Defi without Front Running / MEV only exists on Telos. Defi and NFT traders would benefit by understanding that the entire Ethereum network, its layer 2s, and all the Ethereum forks are literally plagued by Front Running / Mev. Whales, Institutions and large trades in general are all highly targeted on these other networks. Arbitrage and Speed Advantage Telos has half a second blocktimes and is the fastest 3rd generation layer 1 blockchain with an EVM, by many multiples. These ludicrous speeds along with Telos’ massive capacity (hundreds of millions per day) makes transactions on Telos simply instant. Having access to instant transactions in a landscape in which other platforms coexist that are making transactions 50+ times slower creates a lot of opportunity for savvy traders. With Telos, a savvy trader could easily make multiple trades before a single trade is ever made via another EVM network. This speed advantage allows traders to simply enter or exit out of a position before other traders using other networks. A trader can also take advantage of cross platform and cross Dex price differences via arbitrage. In DeFi, faster is simply a massive advantage and not getting targeted in a mempool for miners' tax / front running should be the industry standard. Why would any trader want to be the victim of Front Running? They wouldn’t! Insulate from Front Running and obtain the fastest, cheapest DeFi trades simply by selecting the Telos EVM as your Network. About Telos Telos is a 3rd generation smart contract platform that offers compatibility with Solidity, Vyper and Native C++ smart contracts, providing full EVM/Solidity support as well as a fee-less native smart contract layer upon which the EVM is built. Telos performance is unrivaled in the industry and was purpose-built to offer speed, scalability, cost-effectiveness, decentralization and end-user fairness. The network can sustainably support hundreds of millions of transactions per day, produces blocks in 0.5 second intervals on a first-in-first-out basis (eliminating frontrunning on the network), offers a fee-less native and low per transaction cost EVM (<$0.10), and a fully decentralized block producer network. About The Foundation The Telos Foundation is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization established as a promotional and funding body to advance the Telos Blockchain Network and provide support to network applications. Contact Details The Team hello@telosfoundation.io Company Website https://www.telos.net/

February 22, 2022 10:20 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

35-Year Printing Business SprintPrint Converts to Minuteman Press Franchise in Madison, Wisconsin

Minuteman Press International Inc

For 35 years, Phil Van Kampen and his wife Liz built their family-owned independent printing business SprintPrint into a multimillion dollar company by doing what they’ve always done for their customers. “We make printing easy,” says Phil. With the business doing well and retirement on the horizon, Phil has decided to sell the business to the Kenney family: Chrispin, Lynn, and their son CJ. Moving forward, SprintPrint will be rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison as part of the Minuteman Press Conversion Program. The business will remain at their location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road. The Kenney family also owns a Minuteman Press franchise in Waunakee, which they have owned since 2013. Selling the Business As Phil approached retirement and was looking to sell the business, he wanted to make sure that there would be minimal disruption for both his clients and his employees that helped make SprintPrint a success. Phil says, “We had 12 employees, with at least half of them being with us for over 20 years. I wanted to make sure they were taken care of even after I sold the business.” Phil continues, “Originally, we were approached by another company but all they wanted was to buy our customer list. We were also contacted by a business broker and found that their commission rate was expensive. They also seemed to have no sense of urgency as if we wouldn’t be a priority, and so we decided not to go forward with them.” Eventually, Phil found the right partner to sell his business in Minuteman Press International. Phil explains, “After we decided not to use the business broker, Liz came home with a flyer from Minuteman Press that we received in the mail. I called Steve Szymanski, who is the Midwest Regional VP, and we talked for over an hour. I simply trusted him, liked what he had to say, and so we moved forward.” “The Minuteman Press Conversion Program was exactly what we needed to sell our business. There was no charge, no commission, and no broker fees. I also liked the fact that Minuteman Press would aid the new owner in running the business, and that I could retire without worrying about my customers and employees. In fact, my wife Liz is staying on to work with them because she isn’t ready to retire and loves her job. Steve Szymanski helped coordinate the sale and made it work, and it has been an easy transition for all involved.” -Phil Van Kampen, Retired Owner, SprintPrint, Madison, Wisconsin Meet the New Owners Lynn Kenney is the majority owner of the newly acquired business that is being rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison. Lynn shares, “For the last 17 years, I’ve been working for the post office as a rural carrier. I also have a background in accounting and payroll in my early career working at Excalibur in Las Vegas.” For the Kenney family, the acquisition of SprintPrint simply made sense. Lynn explains, “My husband, Chrispin, was interested in expanding our current business while also building the business with our son CJ. We look forward to offering the same quality and experience customers have relied on in the past. In addition, we will be offering expanded products and services to existing and future customers.” “I believe good communication, accountability, education, and execution are the keys to running a successful family business. After 9 years of building our first location, we are looking forward to building another successful Minuteman Press franchise with our son CJ and creating great relationships in the Madison community.” -Lynn Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin CJ Kenney graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2021 with a degree in Communication Arts. After graduating, CJ knew that he wanted to take the next step forward with the family business. “I’ve been working with my parents at their center in Waunakee for eight years, since I was in high school. I did whatever they needed me to do. I ran deliveries, I helped with in-house apparel and production, and I loved going to BNI meetings and customer calls with my dad.” CJ continues, “I love talking to people, and I learned a lot from my dad. It always seems like he knows what to say and how to build relationships. I love this business because we can meet so many people that become friends in addition to working with them as clients. I just felt like this was the right track to take for my career and for the family business.” “With SprintPrint, we saw some tremendous expanding points for our business. Phil and Liz built a fantastic business over 35 years that will help us grow our in-house wide format printing services for the production of banners, signs, and posters. They also have a fantastic staff and clients I am excited to work with them as we begin this new chapter as Minuteman Press in Madison.” -CJ Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin History of the Business Before opening SprintPrint in 1987, Phil worked for another large printing chain based in Madison for 10 years. He says, “I decided to leave and start my own business. I knew what I wanted to do, and I decided I wanted to work for myself. We started the business and I made sure we differentiated ourselves as a quick printer focused on B2B clients rather than walk-ins.” Like many other business owners, Phil grew SprintPrint by building long-term relationships and becoming the face of the business. He also provided products that made sense and helped him stand out. Phil says, “One thing that set us apart early on is that we got into the mailing side of the business, invested in the equipment and the expertise, and became a one-stop source for in-house printing and direct mail.” After six years in business, SprintPrint moved to a 6,000 sq. ft. facility, then added onto the facility in 1997. “This is the same location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road that Minuteman Press is taking over, which I am very excited about because it makes for an even easier transition.” Over the past ten years, SprintPrint has continued to evolve and grow. “The biggest change over the past decade was getting into large format printing, which has been a huge benefit to our clients. During the pandemic, we experienced growth in large format, and direct mail held steady. We always try to make printing easy, and the past few years have been no different.” During the pandemic, SprintPrint continued to operate as an essential business and meet the needs of their clients. Phil says, “We have many long-term customers for 30 years or more with well-established businesses. They were able to weather the storm and continue marketing, and we were there to help them adapt and pivot as needed.” Retirement and Advice for Others Now that the sale is complete, Phil is looking forward to his well-earned retirement. “I’ve taken up woodworking as a hobby, and it is very relaxing to be able to enjoy each day.” Phil summarizes his experience with Minuteman Press and shares his advice for others who are looking to sell their printing business: “As owners of SprintPrint, my wife Liz and I had decided in the last year that, after 35 years, it was time to sell our business. It was of utmost importance that our employees were taken care of – we were looking for someone who would run the business in place and retain our staff. We originally explored selling it ourselves or working with a broker, which was not working out for various reasons. We then contacted Steve Szymanski, Regional Vice President of Minuteman Press International, to explore our options with their firm. We found their system to be very attractive as there was no cost to us to market our company for sale, and we could exit the business entirely upon sale. Minuteman Press was able to find a buyer that was the best fit for how we wanted to leave the industry. We could not be more pleased with the whole process. We would highly recommend working with them to any print shop owner looking to sell their business.” Learn more about Minuteman Press in Madison, WI by visiting their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/wi/fitchburg. For more information on how to sell your printing business through Minuteman Press International’s Conversion Program, call 1-800-645-3006 or visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 22, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Verdant Robotics Delivers First Multi-Action Autonomous Farm Robot for Specialty Crops

Verdant Robotics

To meet farmers’ demands for more sustainable and profitable growing practices, Verdant Robotics announced the expansion of its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model to ensure access for more specialty crop farmers today. Founded in late 2018 by a leading roboticist, a software engineer, and a California farmer, Verdant has raised $21.5 million to develop the industry’s first multi-action, autonomous farm-robot capable of millimeter-accurate spraying, laser weeding, and AI-based digital crop modeling. Together with farming partners, Verdant uses these tools to deliver better outcomes: larger produce, greater yields and significant savings. Verdant has already contracted to service approximately 40% of the U.S. carrot market exclusively for the next five years and is currently scaling to meet the needs of the U.S. multi-billion-dollar fruit and vegetable industry. “Farmers told us not to give them more data, but to figure out what to do with the mountains of data they already have, or better yet just go do it,” said Gabe Sibley, PhD., co-founder and CEO, who brings more than 20 years of experience in geo-spatial computation and AI. “They want a complete solution that takes action in real-time and keeps farmers in control – all while improving profitability and automating dangerous, back-breaking field work.” Sustainability, Profitability Driving Interest in Farm Robotics Investment into farm robotics as an enhancement to labor, profitability, and sustainability has been building for years. Agricultural robotic startups brought in $491 million in investment during the first half of 2021, a 40 percent increase over the same period in 2020, according to AgFunder, but to-date, actual on-farm robotics has mostly been on a trial basis. Following successful large-scale roll-out over the past 18 months, Verdant logged thousands of hours in 2021 and is already proven on multiple crops. “Today, Verdant machines are in the field all-day, every-day helping farmers achieve superhuman efficacy,” said Sibley. Combining multiple technologies, the company’s 6-row and 12-row commercial implements can treat up to 4.2 acres per hour, achieving a higher weed-removal rate per acre than other technology or human ability, and reducing chemical usage by up to 95 percent. Simultaneously, its autonomous software system collects data and uses machine learning capabilities to optimize yield and growing outcomes, ultimately unlocking new revenues to help farmers reach profitability and sustainability goals. “ Verdant Robotics ’ ability to digitize the farm enables precision technology at a level never before possible for specialty crops, removing the choice between environmental stewardship and profitability,” said Cannon Michae l, a sixth-generation California farmer and CEO of Bowles Farming Company. “With the unique combination of automation and insight, farmers can collectively manage precious resources – like water – while maintaining or improving yields.” RaaS Delivers AI, Robotics and Science to Farms of All Sizes, Faster Verdant’s computational robotic and autonomous software systems combine decades of advancements in scientific fields – including computer vision, artificial intelligence, robotics, GPS-denied navigation, chemistry, and soil and plant sciences – to achieve the next generation of crop production. “Verdant’s platform stands apart due to its integrated software and hardware that is applicable across a variety of high value crops,” said Steve Jurvetson, co-founder of Future Ventures and early investor into Verdant Robotics. “Drawing on expertise from Google X, NASA and several autonomous vehicle companies, the team has quickly delivered solid technology that ensures a growth path capable of addressing the global $8 trillion food and agriculture market and positions them well to meet the needs of farmers in adjacent markets and geographies.” “Together with their customers, Verdant is driving a shift in agriculture akin to the transformation we’ve seen in aerospace and automotive when computation is brought to bear,” Jurvetson added. Verdant leveraged investments from leading agriculture investors, including AgFunder, Autotech Ventures, Cavallo Ventures, DCVC Bio, and Future Ventures, among others. Building upon these investments, the company is expanding its platform with plans to commercialize a precision multi-action machine for orchards by 2023 – delivering another first for the specialty crop industry. Over the next several years, Verdant Robotics aims to deliver complete robotics solutions globally to help improve the quality, profitability and stewardship of important food crops and thereby feed growing populations more sustainably and nutritiously. About Verdant Robotics: Together with growers, we are building sustainable, high-fidelity farming: spatially, temporally, and physically working the farm at a precision, accuracy, frequency and scale never before possible. At Verdant we believe environmentally conscientious robotic farming is the future of agriculture. Our goal is to transform how food is grown while improving the lives of farmers, workers and rural communities. By digitizing the farm at sub-millimeter scale, indexing it, and taking actions that unlock new value, we are providing our customers with superhuman farming tools. To learn more, visit www.VerdantRobotics.com. Contact Details AgTech PR for Verdant Robotics Jennifer Goldston +1 816-260-0040 jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.verdantrobotics.com

February 22, 2022 08:30 AM Central Standard Time

Image

1 ... 488 489 490 491 492 ... 630