Flower Mound firm honored for the fourth consecutive year for its fiduciary, fee-only approach to client care

FLOWER MOUND, Texas, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GDS Wealth Management has once again been named to D Magazine's list of Top Wealth Managers, marking the firm's fourth year of recognition. The distinction, appearing in the magazine's October 2026 issue, is determined through peer nomination among CFP® professionals in the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Financial Planning Association and is not influenced by compensation of any kind.

"To be recognized by our peers year after year is something we never take for granted," said Glen Smith, Founder and CIO of GDS Wealth Management. "This honor belongs to our clients as much as it does to our team. Their trust is what makes this work possible, and we're grateful for every family who has allowed us to be part of their journey."

Robert Casey, Senior Vice President and Co-Founder, pointed to the firm's continued growth as evidence the strategy is working. "We've welcomed more families into the GDS community this year than ever before, and this award tells us we're earning that trust the right way through transparency, personalized planning, and a fiduciary standard we don't compromise on."

GDS Wealth Management serves individuals, families, and business owners across Texas and nationwide through a fee-only, fiduciary model built around long-term relationships rather than transactional advice.

"Every nomination is a reminder of how far we've come alongside our clients," Smith added. "We're thankful for their confidence in us, and for a team that shows up for them every single day."

For more information, visit www.gdswealth.com.

GDS Wealth Management is a fiduciary, fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Flower Mound, Texas. Led by a team with more than two decades of industry experience, the firm provides holistic financial planning, investment management, and retirement strategies designed around each client's long-term goals.

GDS Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser; registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. D Magazine compiles this list annually from peer nominations by DFW-area CFP® professionals from 5/5/26 – 6/5/26. GDS paid nothing to be considered or included, beyond a logo licensing fee. Not a guarantee of future results. For more information, including fees and conflicts, visit www.gdswealth.com.

Contact:

Joan Doan

[email protected]

469.212.8072

SOURCE GDS Wealth Management

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- WACKER will highlight silicone technologies for thermal management, thermal runway protection and efficient processing in battery and electronics applications.

- Featured technologies span thermally conductive potting, flexible barrier coatings and thermal interface materials for mobility applications.

- Material capabilities include customizable thermal conductivity, room-temperature curing, primerless adhesion, flame resistance and ceramic shielding under extreme heat.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wacker Chemical Corporation will showcase advanced silicone technologies for thermal management, thermal protection and processing in battery and electronics applications at The Battery Show 2026. The event takes place Oct. 12-15 at Huntington Place in Detroit, where WACKER will exhibit at Booth 4422. The company will highlight materials for thermally conductive potting and mobility applications as well as a flexible silicone coating that forms a ceramic thermal barrier under extreme heat.

Battery pack design places significant demands on material performance. Thermal management materials must transfer heat effectively while also meeting requirements for dispensing, curing, adhesion, temperature stability and integration into production processes. WACKER's exhibit will focus on how silicone materials can address those interconnected requirements across battery pack and electronics applications.

"Thermal management is closely connected to both battery performance and the manufacturing process," said Peter Zorney, WACKER Senior Director of the Electronics and Automotive business segment for North and Central America. "Engineers have to consider how a material behaves during dispensing and curing, how it performs across operating temperatures and how effectively it supports the application over time while fulfilling increasingly demanding safety requirements. As battery pack architectures continue to develop, that combination of thermal and processing performance becomes increasingly important."

Thermally Conductive Potting Supports Efficient Processing

WACKER will feature ELASTOSIL® RT 7650 TC VS A/B, a low-viscosity, self-leveling silicone potting compound for battery pack, power and electronics applications. The two-part material offers primerless adhesion, customizable thermal conductivity from 1.2 to 3.0 W/m•K and low sedimentation that supports easy rehomogenization and efficient dispensing.

Flexible Silicone Barrier Responds to Extreme Heat

ELASTOSIL® CM 146 US A/B is a sprayable silicone coating for flexible barrier systems in battery applications. The material remains deformable after curing, then forms a hard ceramic shield at temperatures above 600°C, providing strong thermal insulation during a thermal runaway event. It also offers fast room-temperature curing, low volatile content and no oil bleeding effect.

Thermally Conductive Material Supports Changing Pack Designs

WACKER will also highlight SEMICOSIL® PE 9351 TC VS A/B for assembly applications in automotive battery and electronics manufacturing. The two-component hybrid adhesive material provides thermal conductivity up to 2.0 W/m•K, non-slump dispensing behavior, room-temperature curing and UL 94 V-0 flame-retardant performance. Its processing characteristics support evolving New Electric Vehicle from module-to-pack to cell-to-pack architectures.

The Battery Show brings together scientists, engineers, executives and technology providers across battery and electronic components development value chain, EV technology, manufacturing and safety. The 2026 event will take place Oct. 12-15 at Huntington Place in Detroit. WACKER experts will be available at Booth 4422 to discuss material requirements and silicone technologies for battery and electronics applications.

Additional information:

Rachel Ufer

Wacker Chemical Corporation

Tel. +1 (734) 730-8793

[email protected]

The company in brief:

WACKER is a global company with state-of-the-art specialty chemical products found in countless everyday items, ranging from tile adhesives to computer chips. The company has a global network of 27 production sites, 22 technical competence centers and 47 sales offices. With more than 16,000 employees, WACKER generated annual sales of around €5.5 billion in fiscal 2025.

WACKER operates through four business divisions. The Silicones and Polymers chemical divisions supply products (silicones, polymeric binders) for the automotive, construction, chemical, consumer goods and medical technology industries. Biosolutions, the life sciences division, specializes in bioengineered products such as biopharmaceuticals and food additives. Polysilicon produces hyperpure polysilicon for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/wacker/

https://www.youtube.com/wackerchemie

https://www.instagram.com/wacker_global/

SOURCE Wacker Chemical Corporation

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Proposed 5,000-mile plan, spanning more than 30 counties, would reduce wildfire ignition risk by 98% and future outages by 90% on lines moved underground

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has filed a proposed 10-Year Electrical Undergrounding Plan (EUP) with the California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety), outlining a long-term, risk-based strategy to improve safety and reliability in high wildfire-risk areas across Northern and Central California that delivers long-term benefits valued at $117 billion.

The proposed plan would place approximately 5,000 miles of electric distribution lines underground from 2028 to 2037 in locations where undergrounding is forecasted to provide the greatest reduction in wildfire risk. In these areas, undergrounding powerlines can reduce ignition risk by nearly 98% and improve reliability with 90% fewer outages.

PG&E estimates that completing 5,000 miles of undergrounding will also save customers approximately $6 billion in vegetation management, operations and maintenance costs over the life of these assets. The plan includes work in more than 30 Northern and Central California counties.

"Placing powerlines underground provides the most effective way to reduce wildfire risk and enhance reliability for customers within High Fire-Threat Districts," said Peter Kenny, PG&E Chief Delivery Officer and Electric Transmission and Distribution Senior Vice President. "A 10-year plan allows us to develop and execute projects with increased efficiency, which translates into cost savings for customers, all while delivering enhanced safety and reliability to the hometowns we are privileged to serve."

Benefits for Customers

The proposed 10-year plan is designed to deliver lasting benefits, including:

- Improved safety: Undergrounding permanently reduces wildfire risk by 98% on lines moved underground.

- Fewer outages: Customers served by underground lines experience enhanced reliability, resulting in approximately 90% fewer outages.

- Protection for critical facilities: Undergrounding can also improve reliability for critical facilities such as hospitals, fire stations, police stations and other essential community services.

- Lower long-term costs: PG&E estimates that completing 5,000 miles of undergrounding will allow the Company to avoid approximately $6 billion in vegetation management, operations and maintenance costs over the life of these assets.

- Unlocked investments: PG&E will continue to develop and test new technology and processes that have already reduced the undergrounding cost per mile by approximately 25%.

- Better planning and coordination: A 10-year roadmap provides greater certainty and coordination with customers, local agencies, suppliers, vendors and stakeholders.

Focused on Affordability and Disciplined Investment

PG&E estimates the plan will deliver long-term benefits valued at $117 billion by helping prevent wildfires and reduce outages, which is more than 10 times the value of the proposed investment, while avoiding approximately $6 billion in future vegetation management, operations and maintenance costs over the lifespan of the underground assets.

Over the last few years, PG&E has reduced its undergrounding cost per mile by approximately 25%. The company expects a 10-year plan to enable continued improvements in planning, construction practices and supply chain coordination to help further improve efficiency and reduce costs over time.

The proposal will be reviewed by Energy Safety, which will evaluate whether the plan substantially increases reliability and substantially reduces wildfire risk. If the plan is approved, PG&E will submit the plan and an application to the California Public Utilities Commission requesting conditional approval of the plan's costs.

Data and Technology Puts the Right Solution in the Right Place

A key feature of the plan is PG&E's use of advanced data analytics and risk modeling to forecast where undergrounding will provide the greatest benefits for customers and communities.

The company's risk-based approach considers wildfire likelihood and consequence, system reliability, customer impacts, project costs and benefits, and how undergrounding compares with other wildfire mitigations.

When undergrounding is not the best fit for a given location, PG&E may deploy other system upgrade measures, including installing strengthened poles, covered powerlines and other overhead system upgrades. This approach helps direct investments toward the solutions that provide the greatest overall value to customers while maintaining a strong focus on safety and reliability.

Building on Proven Progress

By the end of 2027, PG&E plans to have completed more than 1,900 miles of undergrounding and approximately 2,000 miles of overhead system upgrades in high wildfire-risk areas, since the programs started. Combined with the proposed 10-year EUP mileage and additional overhead system upgrade work, PG&E expects to underground or upgrade more than 11,000 miles of powerlines in high wildfire-risk areas by the end of 2037, subject to regulatory approval.

"Our customers deserve safer, more reliable energy service at the lowest possible cost," said Matt Pender, Undergrounding & System Hardening Vice President. "This plan continues our progress in delivering exactly that, making long-term investments that reduce wildfire risk, improve reliability and create savings over time."

The complete filing, including a forecasted county workplan list, is available at pge.com/eup.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across Northern and Central California.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

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New role reflects the enduring and growing strategic significance of the region for ZEISS' long-term roadmap.

- Christian will represent ZEISS North America, lead region-wide initiatives, and identify cross-business opportunities across ZEISS Group.

- The North American organization will strengthen collaboration and enable faster decision-making closer to customers.

OBERKOCHEN, Germany and DUBLIN, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEISS, the global technology and innovation enterprise, appointed Axel Christian as President of ZEISS North America, effective today. The organization and newly created role formally unite the company's activities across the United States and Canada, reaffirming ZEISS' long-term commitment to North America.

Celebrating its centennial in the USA this year, ZEISS began its American operations in December 1925 with a staff of 39 in New York City. Today, ZEISS' footprint in the US includes a workforce of more than 3,500 employees in over 30 locations, innovating in healthcare and vision care, precision optics and photonics, metrology and microscopy, and semiconductor manufacturing technologies. In Canada, ZEISS employs more than 250 people in four locations, providing advanced optical and industrial quality solutions, from eyeglass lenses and medical technologies to precision metrology, microscopy, and quality assurance solutions that serve a diverse range of industries across the country.

In his role as president, Christian will build an integrated presence by leading region-wide initiatives and identifying growth opportunities for ZEISS in the North American market. He will enhance collaboration and innovation across all of the company's distinct segments and strategic business units:

- Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology: Enabling the global semiconductor industry with lithography optics and solutions for photomasks as well as wafer inspection.

- Industrial Quality & Research: Turning the physical world into data and actionable insights through leading microscopy and quality assurance solutions, enabling customers in manufacturing and research to accelerate discoveries, improve processes, and drive innovation.

- Medical Technology: Offering cutting-edge medical products and integrated workflow solutions for ophthalmology and microsurgery, helping healthcare professionals worldwide improve the quality of life for their patients.

- Consumer Markets: Protecting and improving consumers' lifelong vision health through spectacle lenses and ophthalmic instruments.

- Photonics & Optics: Revealing the wonders of the universe in planetariums, bringing ZEISS quality to everyday life through photography lenses, shaping how the world experiences film with Academy Award-winning cinematography lenses, and transforming transparent surfaces into functional interfaces using holographic microoptics technology.

ZEISS North America will bring its businesses closer together to unlock the full strength of the region. By pairing distinct capabilities, such as applying precision-optics and metrology expertise developed for semiconductor and industrial applications to medical technology and consumer imaging, ZEISS is turning cross-segment cooperation into a pipeline of innovation.

"ZEISS' 100-year anniversary in the United States reflects the enduring value of our North American market and our commitment to its future," says Andreas Pecher, President and CEO, ZEISS Group. "ZEISS North America will establish a single, unified presence to support customers across Canada and the US. I have full confidence that Axel's experience, global perspective, and market knowledge will allow us to advance innovation throughout the region."

"This new structure is ultimately about bringing the United States and Canada together as ZEISS North America and directing more of our energy toward our customers," says Christian. "Collaboration is easy to say, but harder to do. Over the past several weeks, I have spent time listening to colleagues across the region, and I have already seen the possibilities that exist when we connect expertise across our businesses. Together, we will achieve much more."

With over 20 years of experience in strategic management roles, Christian previously served as the Head of Corporate Finance and Controlling at ZEISS' headquarters in Oberkochen, Germany, and more recently as CFO of ZEISS Greater China. His office will be based in the ZEISS Innovation Center California (ZICC) in Dublin, Calif., one of several ZEISS innovation hubs throughout North America. Christian studied industrial engineering at the University of Technology, Darmstadt in Germany and the University of California, Berkeley in the United States.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in its four segments: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets (September 30, 2025).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare, and Smart Production, and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 14 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 47,400 employees, ZEISS is active globally in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, around 40 research and development facilities, and 30 production facilities worldwide (March 31, 2026). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

SOURCE ZEISS Group

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Leading Visual Solutions Provider Dispels Industry Stereotypes and Launches Interactive Career Personality Quiz to Connect Job Seekers with Open Franchise Roles Nationwide

CARROLLTON, Texas, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Sign Manufacturing Day 2026, FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, is launching a national awareness initiative to highlight sign industry careers and career opportunities in visual communications across its network of locally owned centers. As part of the campaign, FASTSIGNS is spotlighting the vital role signage professionals play as creative brand strategists and consultative partners for businesses in their local communities.

Sign Manufacturing Day highlights careers and opportunities in the modern sign and visual communications industry. Celebrated annually on the first Friday in October, the event showcases the high-tech, diverse and rewarding nature of the industry. This year, FASTSIGNS is actively working to dispel outdated perceptions of sign making by inviting job seekers, college graduates and trade professionals to explore hands-on careers in brand consulting, graphic design, strategic sales, production and installation.

"A career at FASTSIGNS is about far more than just making a sign," said President of FASTSIGNS, Jim Howe. "Our visual solutions experts serve as true brand partners. They leverage creative problem-solving skills to consult with business owners, navigate complex messaging challenges and turn big ideas into high-impact visual realities across every major industry sector."

Sign Industry Career Opportunities at FASTSIGNS

To support its national recruitment push, FASTSIGNS is driving prospective candidates to its dedicated career portal, FASTSIGNS.com/careers. The campaign features an interactive personality quiz designed to help job seekers identify specific career paths—ranging from design and production to sales and installation — that align with their unique strengths and career interests.

Through a coordinated social media campaign across Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and LinkedIn, FASTSIGNS centers across North America are celebrating the creative strategists who make visual communications happen every day. The campaign emphasizes key aspects of working within the franchise network, including:

- Tangible Real-World Impact: Professionals see their strategic concepts come to life in their own communities through architectural signage, vehicle wraps and custom brand displays.

- Dynamic, Fast-Paced Work: Center teams experience non-monotonous environments where no two days or projects are identical.

- Local Team Culture with National Backing: Employees benefit from direct mentorship from local franchise owners while leveraging the stability, technology, and resources of an industry-leading global brand.

Job seekers interested in putting their strategic, creative or hands-on skills to work are encouraged to take the FASTSIGNS career personality quiz and explore sign industry career opportunities at FASTSIGNS locally owned and operated centers.

About FASTSIGNS®

FASTSIGNS® is the leader in the custom signs and visual solutions industry. With over 40 years of experience, FASTSIGNS helps customers bring their vision to life and achieve more than they ever thought possible. As the largest service-oriented business within the Propelled Brands® family, FASTSIGNS spans over 790 independently owned and operated centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS is frequently recognized for franchisee satisfaction and with awards that include being ranked #1 in its category on ENTREPRENEUR's highly competitive Franchise 500® List in 2026 for the tenth consecutive year, and continuous recognition from Franchise Business Review in categories such as Top Franchises for Culture, Women, Veterans and more. For more information or to learn about opportunities, visit fastsigns.com or contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679).

SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

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Completes acquisition of Transit Fare Management and Fleet Management Solutions businesses from Conduent

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Modaxo Inc. ("Modaxo"), a global technology organization focused on moving the world's people, today announced the launch of Novvan and Routeward, two new Modaxo business units that comprise the Transit Fare Management and Fleet Management Solutions businesses acquired from Conduent Incorporated.

This is Modaxo's largest acquisition to date, with over 2,000 colleagues, based in 15 countries, joining the team.

Novvan is a leading global provider of fare collection solutions that help transit agencies boost revenue, reduce fare evasion, and cut operational costs, while offering user-friendly, equitable access to communities.

Routeward is a market leader in technology that enhances transit reliability and encourages public transit use for faster, safer travel.

"We're thrilled to launch Novvan and Routeward and welcome their customers, employees and innovative suite of solutions to the Modaxo family," said Bill Delaney, Chief Executive Officer, Modaxo. "Adding the two new businesses significantly expands Modaxo's scale and the solutions we can offer our customers and the communities we serve around the world."

The launch of Novvan and Routeward represents a deepening of Modaxo's commitment to the Transit Fare Management and Fleet Management Solutions markets globally.

About Modaxo

Modaxo is a global technology organization that is passionate about moving the world's people. Working both together and independently, our collective of businesses is committed to deliver software and technology solutions that help connect people with the places they need to go for work, family, and everyday life. Learn more at Modaxo.com.

About Conduent

Conduent is a global technology-enabled operating partner that helps businesses and governments simplify complexity, modernize mission-critical operations and deliver measurable outcomes through AI, automation, data and human expertise. Learn more at www.conduent.com.

SOURCE Modaxo

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Caylent recognized as a Major Player following a year of investment in agentic delivery, Anthropic consulting, and customer experience transformation.

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Caylent, an AI-First Amazon Web Services (AWS) Premier Tier Services Partner, Anthropic Preferred Services Partner, and AWS Managed Services Provider, today announced it has been positioned as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Professional Services 2026 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US54117426, September 2026).

The IDC MarketScape assessed 27 vendors, providing a quantitative and qualitative analysis of each vendor's product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors. This evaluation is based on a comprehensive framework and set of parameters expected to be most conducive to success in providing cloud professional services in both the short term and the long term.

According to the IDC MarketScape, "Caylent's dedicated Anthropic partnership and its AgentCore-based agentic engineering accelerator also position it early among boutique AWS partners building production-grade agentic solutions rather than pilot-stage AI tooling. This combination of deep engineering specialization and AWS-endorsed recognition is notable for a firm of Caylent's size, though it remains smaller in overall head count than diversified multi-hyperscaler integrators."

"The cloud professional services market has moved quickly from generative AI pilots to an expectation of agentic AI in production," said Jennifer Thomson, VP Global Services Insights at IDC. "Caylent is an example of an AWS specialist building that shift into its own delivery model, with an IP-led approach and a close Anthropic partnership that clients cite as helping reduce time-to-value. For buyers centered on AWS, that makes it a credible option for agentic work."

"We believe being named a Major Player among 27 vendors, most multi-cloud generalists much larger than us, is a strong outside signal that a focused, AWS-only model can compete with the largest names in the market," said Valerie Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Caylent. "Cloud services are being rebuilt around AI; and for us, the shift isn't only in what gets delivered, it's in how. We embedded agents into our delivery system, how we scope engagements, how we build, and how we operate environments after go-live. Caylent now has 10x delivery capacity, and customers benefit from production timelines reducing from quarters to weeks. This recognition reflects that an AI-first delivery model now belongs at the center of the cloud professional services conversation."

The recognition follows a year of concentrated investment across Caylent's portfolio. In April 2026, the company acquired Pronetx, an Amazon Connect and AWS-native omnichannel customer experience firm, extending Caylent's delivery model through to the customer-facing layer. That same month, Caylent launched Anthropic Consulting & Engineering (ACE), a dedicated practice built around Anthropic's Claude platform to help enterprises drive value in their AI investments. In June 2026, the company signed a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement with AWS funding dedicated across agentic AI, next-generation managed services, and customer experience transformation on Amazon Connect, and launched Caylent Accelerate™ for Agentic Cloud Operations — an AWS-native managed services model built on Amazon Bedrock AgentCore and trained on 12 years of proprietary CloudOps data, expediting 70% of remediation work and reducing mean time to resolution by 40%.

Caylent Accelerate™, the company's agentic delivery system, applies coordinated AI agents under expert architectural oversight across infrastructure, data, applications, and cloud operations. Customer engagements have delivered up to 75% time savings on application modernization, 60% on database modernization, and 50% on cloud migration. Since 2015, Caylent has supported more than 1,500 customers across more than 3,500 engagements with 9+ CSAT and 75+ NPS.

The IDC MarketScape is a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the characteristics that explain a vendor's success in the marketplace and help anticipate that vendor's ascendancy. This IDC MarketScape covers a variety of vendors participating in the worldwide cloud professional services market and reflects the dramatic reshaping of buyer expectations driven by generative and agentic AI. IDC further examined Caylent's AI-first approach in a September 2026 Vendor Profile, Caylent: Delivering Full-Life-Cycle AWS Services Through an AI-First, Agentic Delivery Model. The profile covers Caylent's strategy, service offerings, delivery model, partnerships and differentiators, as well as future opportunities and challenges, and is part of an IDC series on global cloud professional services providers for buyers, investors and other stakeholders in the cloud services market.

Download the IDC MarketScape at https://caylent.com/blog/idc-marketscape-cloud-professional-services-ai-era 

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About Caylent

Since 2015, Caylent has grown alongside organizations modernizing on AWS. It is the operating partner they trust to build, run, and evolve intelligent systems at scale. As an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, Anthropic Preferred Services Partner, and AWS Managed Services Provider, with ten Partner of the Year Awards including GenAI, Migration, and Security Consulting Partner of the Year in 2025, Caylent combines deep AWS expertise, proprietary accelerators, and an agentic delivery system to move organizations from ideas to impact, faster. Learn more at caylent.com

*IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Professional Services in the AI Era 2026 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US54117426 September 2026)

SOURCE Caylent

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Debuting in the Uber Pro Card, the new high yield savings tool lets drivers and couriers earn up to 3.25% APY on their savings

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Branch, a leading provider of embedded financial services, today announced the launch of High Yield Savings, a new savings tool embedded directly into the Branch App and other custom branded applications powered by Branch, such as the Uber Pro Card. Debuting first with Uber, High Yield Savings lets workers earn up to 3.25% APY on the money they set aside, without leaving the app they already use to get paid.

Hourly, tipped, and 1099 workers not only often face unpredictable income and cash flow, but also limited ways to set aside and grow their savings. Some high yield savings options come with monthly direct deposit requirements or card-spending thresholds that don't fit the way variable-income workers earn. Branch takes a different approach by enabling workers to earn the top rate simply by keeping an average daily balance of $500 or more.

High Yield Savings has no fees and no minimum balance required to open, so every dollar starts earning right away. Workers can move money at any time, typically with no transfer fees, set up automatic contributions on a daily, weekly, every-two-weeks, or monthly schedule, and watch their interest accrue and pay out each month. Because it lives inside the Branch App, saving happens in the very same place workers get paid.

"Our north star has always been how to help working Americans grow financially, and developing impactful ways for workers to save and grow their earnings has been a key part of that," said Branch founder and CEO Atif Siddiqi. "High Yield Savings delivers a rewarding, competitive rate that variable-income workers can actually access. It's one more way we're helping workers turn Branch into the place where their financial life happens."

"Drivers and couriers are at the heart of Uber, and we're always looking for ways to support them while they're earning on the platform and beyond. The Uber Pro Card is an important part of that commitment, giving earners access to financial tools designed around how they work and what they need. Adding High Yield Savings gives eligible drivers and couriers another way to save their earnings and work toward their financial goals." Karan Chawla, Director of Financial Services, Uber.

High Yield Savings will first roll out to Uber Pro Card holders, giving drivers and couriers a simple way to grow their earnings, before expanding across the Branch App and other Branch-powered applications from there.

This launch builds on Branch's broader push to make financial infrastructure and services work for working Americans and how they earn today. With High Yield Savings, workers no longer have to choose between accessing their money quickly and letting it grow at a competitive rate.

To learn more about High Yield Savings, visit https://www.branchapp.com.

About Branch

Branch is the leading provider of embedded financial services for workforces. Bringing together program management, technology, and compliance, Branch builds and maintains the systems required for businesses and platforms to offer faster access to pay and engaging financial experiences that help Americans earn, spend, and grow. Branch's award-winning infrastructure is embedded within many of the nation's leading companies and platforms across hospitality, staffing, healthcare, logistics, marketplaces, vertical software, and financial institutions. To learn more about Branch, visit https://www.branchapp.com and follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Adrianne Ho

Branch

[email protected]

Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and may change at any time. To earn the top advertised APY, an average daily balance of $500 is required; Average daily balances below $500 earn a lower APY. Branch is not a bank. Banking Services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC ("Sponsor Bank"), as listed on the back of a user's Branch Card or Uber Pro Card. FDIC insurance only applies for eligible accounts should the bank holding your funds fail. The Branch Mastercard Debit Card and Uber Pro Card business debit card are issued by the Sponsor Bank pursuant to a license from Mastercard and may be used everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted.

SOURCE Branch

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nSure AI™ recognized in the Achievement in AI Implementation category for transforming fragmented, complex transportation information into Transportation Financial Intelligence™

MCDONOUGH, Ga., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- nVision Global, a global transportation technology and financial services company providing Freight Audit & Payment, Global Freight Management technology solutions including Supplier Management, Order Management and Transportation Management, Freight Claims, Transportation Financial Intelligence™ and Benchmarking solutions, today announced that nSure AI™ has been named a Bronze Globee® Award winner in the 2026 Globee® Awards for Innovation (Golden Bridge Awards®).

nVision Global received the award in the Achievement in AI Implementation category for its submission, "nSure AI™: Transforming Fragmented Transportation Data into Financial Intelligence."

The 2026 Globee Awards winners list recognizes nVision Global alongside organizations from around the world demonstrating measurable achievement in artificial intelligence implementation. The Globee® Awards for Innovation, formerly known as the Golden Bridge Awards®, recognize achievements across innovation, technology adoption, business transformation, operational advancement, products, services, customer impact and measurable business progress worldwide.

"This recognition is especially meaningful because nSure AI™ was not developed simply to add AI to an existing process," said Luther Brown, CEO of nVision Global. "It was built to solve one of the fundamental challenges in transportation: turning enormous volumes of fragmented and inconsistent information into complete and actionable intelligence. Winning a Globee® Award for AI implementation reinforces the work our teams have done to apply artificial intelligence in ways that create real operational and financial value for our customers."

From the nSure Gateway™ to Governed Intelligence

Transportation information enters the nVision Global Ecosystem through the nSure Gateway™, the common entry point for information received across EDI, APIs, SFTP, SmartMail, email, PDFs, scanned images, spreadsheets, transportation provider portals and other structured and unstructured sources. The nSure Gateway™ brings these information streams into one integrated environment so they can move through a consistent, governed intelligence process.

From the nSure Gateway™, information moves into nSure AI™, nVision Global's Transportation Data Intelligence Engine™. nSure AI™ applies artificial intelligence, machine learning and intelligent automation to identify, classify, capture, extract, validate, normalize and enrich Transportation Information before it reaches downstream Freight Audit & Payment, Business Rules validation, audit rules application, allocation, settlement, workflow and analytics.

A key capability within nSure AI™ is nSure AI Intelligent OCR™, which extends far beyond conventional optical character recognition. nSure AI Intelligent OCR™ combines Intelligent Data Capture and Extraction with Document Classification, Contextual Validation and customer-specific Business Rules to convert transportation documents into structured, usable information and contribute to the Governed, Validated Intelligence Foundation used throughout the nVision Global Ecosystem.

One of nSure AI™'s distinguishing capabilities is its ability to understand not only an invoice, but also the complete documentation package submitted with it. The technology can identify individual supporting documents such as bills of lading, proofs of delivery, delivery receipts, customs documentation and other supporting materials, then evaluate those documents against customer-specific Business Requirements.

Those Business Requirements can vary according to virtually any combination of conditions, including transportation provider, origin, destination, product, lane, mode, shipment type, service level or other customer-defined Business Rules. As a result, nSure AI™ can determine whether a document is required for a particular transaction, optional but useful, or unnecessary, and identify when required documentation is missing before the invoice progresses further through the financial process.

"Artificial intelligence becomes much more valuable when it understands context," Brown said. "It is one thing to identify that an attachment is a proof of delivery. It is another to understand that this particular transaction, involving this transportation provider, this origin and destination, and this product or shipment scenario, requires that proof of delivery before payment can proceed. That is the level of intelligence we are building into nSure AI™."

From Fragmented Transportation Data to Transportation Financial Intelligence™

Beyond Document Intelligence, nSure AI™ supports a broad range of capabilities designed to improve Transportation Information quality and reduce manual intervention, including nSure AI Intelligent OCR™, AI-powered classification, Intelligent Data Capture and Extraction, validation against configurable Business Rules, data enrichment, duplicate detection, Reference Data Matching, Confidence Scoring, exception identification and Complete Audit Trails.

Together, the nSure Gateway™ and nSure AI™ establish the Governed, Validated Intelligence Foundation for the nVision Global Ecosystem. By applying intelligence and governance at the beginning of the Transportation Information Lifecycle, incomplete, inconsistent or anomalous information can be identified earlier, while the same governed information can support downstream rating, Freight Audit & Payment, allocation, settlement, analytics and decision-making from one integrated source.

This architecture supports nVision Global's broader vision of Transportation Financial Intelligence™, transforming transportation information created throughout planning, execution, invoicing, audit, payment and claims into Governed, Decision-Ready Intelligence that helps organizations better understand transportation costs, transportation provider performance, exceptions, financial exposure and opportunities for improvement.

"Freight Audit & Payment is a critical Transportation Financial Control function that occurs after an invoice is received," Brown added. "What nSure AI™ allows us to do is use Transportation Information created much earlier in the lifecycle as shipments are planned, executed and completed and apply Business Rules, validation logic and Exception Rules to those transactions before an invoice ever reaches Freight Audit & Payment. Identifying and resolving issues earlier creates better, more complete information downstream, reduces exceptions and enables greater automation throughout the Freight Audit & Payment process. It is far more efficient to apply intelligence at the point where information is created than to wait and address every issue after it reaches the financial process."

Recognition for Applied AI Innovation

The Bronze Globee® Award adds to nVision Global's recognition for innovation in transportation technology and reflects the company's continued investment in practical AI applications across the nVision Global Ecosystem.

Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a standalone technology or limiting it to a single process, nVision Global integrates AI throughout the nVision Ecosystem. Transportation Information created across Supplier Management, Order Management, shipment planning and execution, Transportation Management, Freight Audit & Payment, Freight Claims and other transportation activities can enter through the nSure Gateway™ and be governed, validated and enhanced through nSure AI™. As that information moves throughout the nVision Ecosystem, intelligence, Business Rules, validation logic and Exception Management can be applied at the appropriate points in the Transportation Information Lifecycle. Each stage can build upon the information created and governed earlier, ultimately contributing to a more complete Transportation Record and the Transportation Financial Intelligence™ used to support financial and operational decision-making.

About nVision Global

nVision Global is a global transportation technology and financial services company providing integrated solutions across Global Freight Management, Freight Audit & Payment, Freight Claims, Transportation Data Intelligence, Dynamic Market Pricing, Benchmarking and Business Intelligence. For more than three decades, nVision Global has combined transportation expertise, global operations, Financial Governance and technology to help organizations manage Transportation Information and transform it into actionable Business Intelligence.

Through the nSure Gateway™, nSure AI™, nSure AI Intelligent OCR™, IMPACT TMS™, Freight Audit & Payment, Freight Claims, nGauge™, nSight™ Business Intelligence and nConnect™, nVision Global provides a single integrated Transportation Ecosystem — one source where Transportation Information enters, is governed and validated, and becomes intelligence that strengthens Financial Control, improves Operational Efficiency and supports better decision-making across the Transportation Information Lifecycle.

Global by Design. Governed by Intelligence. Measured by Results.

For more information, visit nvisionglobal.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE nVision Global

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With the debut of her signature fragrance TATE 01, Tate McRae enters a new era of her beauty legacy

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-platinum artist Tate McRae announced her official entry into the fragrance industry with the launch of TATE 01, created in strategic partnership with Scent Beauty, Inc. Inspired by McRae's effortless confidence and authentic style, TATE 01 introduces a modern signature fragrance formulated to feel like an elevated second skin.

Crafted in collaboration with world-class Givaudan master perfumers Adriana Medina and Antoine Maisondieu, TATE 01 was designed as a seamless expression of individuality. A category-defining take on modern perfumery, TATE 01 is a sophisticated approach to second-skin fragrance. Anchored by ISO E Super, the scent interacts dynamically with individual skin chemistry to create an intimately personalized, velvet-woody aura that evolves seamlessly with the wearer throughout the day.

"In my beauty routine, fragrance is that final invisible layer that elevates my entire mood," said Tate McRae. "With TATE 01, I set out to craft a scent that feels entirely second-skin: effortless, subtly edgy, and perfectly you. It melts in so gracefully that it never wears you; it just enhances who you already are. I love to wear it during rehearsals - the scent warms up and moves with my body, allowing me to feel confident."

"Tate McRae's authentic creative energy resonates with millions worldwide," said Stephen Mormoris, CEO and Founder of Scent Beauty. "Partnering with her to launch TATE 01 is the first step in building a long-term fragrance brand designed to leave a lasting cultural mark. We can't wait for her fans to experience a project that so genuinely reflects her personal vision and style."

"Working with Tate, we wanted to create something that felt intimate, powerful and unforgettable," said Medina and Maisondieu of Givudan. "We created a signature fragrance that embodies the scent of a girl who owns every room without asking for permission. Bright, addictive, and impossible to forget—it leaves a trail of confidence long after she's gone."

TATE 01 will be offered direct to consumers at launch on the brand's website, tatebytm.com, with a US retail expansion exclusively on Ulta.com starting October 16 and in-stores nationwide on October 25. Serving as the exclusive partner in the U.S., Ulta Beauty bridges the gap between digital discovery and real-world experiential retail for McRae's massive, highly engaged audience. As the premier fragrance destination, Ulta Beauty leverages its proven expertise in scaling digital-first brands to give beauty lovers an immersive in-person touchpoint in all 1,500+ store locations across the U.S.

"Tate McRae has a distinct point of view that resonates deeply with today's generation, making TATE 01 an exciting addition to our fragrance assortment," said Linda Suliafu, Vice President of Merchandising, Ulta Beauty. "The fragrance feels like a natural extension of Tate herself, which is modern, confident and personal, giving fans a new way to connect with her while inviting fragrance lovers to discover something entirely new. At Ulta Beauty, we're focused on bringing guests the brands and launches shaping beauty and culture today, and we're thrilled to introduce TATE 01 and create another meaningful point of discovery for both Tate's fans and our highly engaged fragrance community."

The fragrance opens with sparkling bergamot and airy clary sage before unfolding into a radiant heart of luminous white florals. As the scent settles, warm amber, creamy tonka bean, sandalwood, and soft woods meld seamlessly into the skin, leaving a comforting, sophisticated, and unforgettable trail. This innovation allows the fragrance to subtly enhance the wearer's natural warmth rather than overpower them, creating a personal, custom aura.

Paying homage to the iconic silhouette of classic perfume bottles through McRae's modern lens, the TATE 01 bottle strikes a harmonious balance between soft fluidity and sculptural strength. Crafted from substantial glass, the bottle possesses a striking, tactile weight that feels distinctly sculptural in hand. Its physical presence mirrors the scent itself - balancing soft, fluid contours with architectural strength to communicate uncompromised quality and modern luxury.

Shot by legendary photographer Mario Sorrenti, the global campaign channels the iconic mood of '90s supermodel culture - effortless, sensual, and strikingly real. Set against sweeping natural landscapes, the visuals bridge softness and strength to define the TATE 01 brand world, highlighting McRae's distinct individuality and grounded confidence.

TATE 01 is available for purchase exclusively at tatebytm.com in sizes ranging from 10ml to 100ml ($30 – $82 USD). The fragrance will expand into the nation's largest beauty retailer, Ulta Beauty, launching online October 16 and across Ulta Beauty store locations nationwide on October 25.

ABOUT TATE MCRAE:

Singer, songwriter, and dancer triple threat Tate McRae has garnered over 29 billion career streams and multiple #1 Top 40 hits. The GRAMMY-nominated artist has amassed numerous accolades throughout her career, including two MTV VMAs and three consecutive Artist of the Year wins at the JUNO Awards. In addition to earning the 'Hitmaker' Award at Billboard's Women in Music and the 'Powerhouse' Award at Variety's Hitmakers event, Tate's impact extends far beyond the award stage. She has graced the worldwide cover of TIME100's Next issue and became the youngest musician to be recognized on the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Tate's critically acclaimed third album, So Close To What, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The stunning album features tracks "Revolving door" and "It's ok I'm ok," both of which hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart. The star's latest sold-out global Miss Possessive Arena Tour had over 80 dates and a million tickets sold.

Her versatility as a performer has captivated audiences around the world. Whether she's delivering a powerful vocal performance or executing high-energy choreography, Tate brings a unique blend of artistry and authenticity to every stage.

ABOUT SCENT BEAUTY, INC.

Scent Beauty, Inc. is the world's first multi-brand e-commerce platform dedicated to bespoke fragrance and scented products, partnering with culturally influential brands, celebrities and creators to develop distinctive fragrance experiences for consumers worldwide. Scent Beauty-created products are available on ScentBeauty.com and through leading retail partners worldwide.

The company's growing portfolio includes iconic and emerging brands and personalities such as Tate McRae, Dolly Parton, Sabrina Carpenter, Megan Moroney and many others. Through a combination of fragrance expertise, agile product development and digital-first marketing, Scent Beauty brings innovative products to market that resonate with today's consumers.

Headquartered in New York City, Scent Beauty, Inc. is a privately held company led by industry veterans with experience across L'Oréal, Coty, Estée Lauder and LVMH. The company's mission is to identify and respond to evolving consumer trends while delivering innovative fragrance experiences grounded in creativity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Media Contact: Emily Beagen ([email protected])

SOURCE Scent Beauty

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