Daily Archives: June 5, 2022

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Buildings have been one of the most voracious users of IoT devices. Smart buildings, in particular, use connected devices to measure everything from temperature, lighting, air quality, noise, vibration, occupancy levels and energy consumption and thats just the very tip of the iceberg.

Building automation is big and getting bigger, with well over 6 million commercial buildings in the U.S. alone and an estimated 2.2 billion connected devices deployed. The global market for building automation systems in 2022 will reach about $80 billion.

This type of automation relies on fleets of IoT devices. Many condition-action responses are automated; if a fire is detected, alarms are automatically triggered, often with voice instructions and fire departments are notified. That was true before the IoT; now fire alarms are connected by the Internet and secondarily via cellular communication.

The value of IoT, in building automation specifically, is realized in two main areas:

Rich, ongoing data streams provide valuable insights into building operations, but theres an issue: large device fleets create large volumes of data that humans alone cannot properly parse and understand. To realize the potential payoff from deploying these sensors (and cameras), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is needed to continuously monitor and assess the data streams.

Until 2020, the emphasis of smart buildings systems, including building automation, was the responsibility of facilities management. Then, the focus shifted to employee health and ESG initiatives, in addition to facilities management. This opened up demand for capabilities that ML enables.

An AI system can observe air quality and find correlations with occupancy limits, for instance. It can also learn how to reassign conference rooms and cubicles, relating to occupancy and ventilation, with the goals of maximizing the physical distance between employees and improving air quality, to reduce the chance of employee illness.

AI can also help analyze the usage of water supply pipes and water temperature to warn when there is an elevated risk of legionella and other harmful pathogens. Legionella thrives in specific temperature ranges of warm water.

The relevance of new AI-enabled capabilities does not rule out the traditional functions such as tracking and managing energy consumption. With an AI-driven platform, a building can power down areas that are not in use and try different window shade settings at different times, to minimize energy usage. Experiment and learn as it goes. This is a bottom-line issue and will become more important in 2022 due to energy prices.

AI can even play a role in cleaning efficiency, identifying which desks have been used and which toilets have seen increased usage. In the age of COVID-19, facilities managers are focused on cleanliness.AI can greatly enhance systems that support physical security, too. Once a system learns what constitutes normal access and movement behavior, it can identify anomalous behavior and alert security. Other AI-driven applications can detect duress situations, abandoned objects, recognize weapons, pinpoint shots firedand carry out emergency lockdowns.

An intelligent infectious disease control system can learn to leverage data on local infection rates. AI systems can do things people cannot, like staring at a wall for 20 years and looking for signs of change in the concrete that could herald a pending structural collapse.

The standard starting point for a new AI-driven system is, of course, teaching it. That process begins with a foundation of data that represents the realities that the system will confront. Many will find, however, that good base training data for smart-building systems does not exist. The answer can be to create the training data by running experiments in the physical building.

In energy consumption, for example, you can train a system by experimentally adjusting window shades and AC based on the time of day and office occupancy, to lower AC bills without triggering a manual override. Such a system could rely on temperature sensors and occupancy readings, as well as sunlight detection.

There are basic best practices to follow. Be scientific and rigorous when collecting ground truth datasets and collect data from multiple sources to increase confidence that your samples are representative.

AI-driven systems can learn from the occupancy patterns of specific office areas and help reduce human error in space planning. Upgrading space is costly and preserving flexibility is vital. Space utilization and occupancy obviously became a health issue during the pandemic. Employees may now prefer to gather for conversation and coffee on an open-air balcony or patio, not in a small break room.

AI-powered systems can recommend changes to facilities management and allow building management to be more predictive. When it comes to reactivity, they enable a more effective response to surprise challenges as well. A recent example; before 2020, identifying employees who are running hot (fever) and reducing the probability of infection probability was not a thing, but it is within current capabilities to address this problem.

It takes careful thought and putting in the time, to get the ground truth right. Many commercial buildings have a digital twin; a virtual replica delivered by the architect to the building owner or manager. The digital twin, as a starting point, may well be a testing ground for AI-driven facilities management and smart building management.

We expect that IT, facilities management, HR and security will become more integrated and make increased use of AI. There is a range of likely benefits from joining their information silos to create data streams for AI applications.

The importance of healthy workplaces, physical security and energy conservation makes it urgent to go beyond simple automation and develop reliable AI-based building operating systems that are founded on robust, up-to-date data. Any of these applications support a strong business case; taken together, they make a persuasive argument that facilities management should look at AI-driven applications for operating smart buildings and making buildings smarter.

William Cowell de Gruchy is the founder and CEO of Infogrid.

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Automation is not enough: Buildings need AI-powered smarts - VentureBeat

As limited service hotels dont typically earn their bread from high-touch service, the stage is already set for them to eventually become autonomous business units.By Larry and Adam Mogelonsky - 5.31.2022

Numerous inventions inscribed by science fiction books and films have become reality. But while real life is gradual and nuanced, science fiction is a blunt brick in how it takes these technologies to their often-darkest extremes. So, per the title, lets discuss this radical question as perhaps there are some cost benefits that you can achieve for your own organization.

Whats meant by vending machine is a place of near-perfect automation hardware, deeply integrated software and IoT everywhere where very little onsite labor is needed to sell (or vend to use the Latin root) as well as maintain inventory availability.

As they say in economics classrooms, Tell me the incentive and Ill show you the behavior. With labor the most expensive line item for the average property, hotel brands are continuously incentivized to look for newer ways to further automate in order to limit this cost. As limited service hotels dont typically earn their bread from high-touch service, the stage is already set for them to eventually become autonomous business units.

Unlike sci-fi, this forecast will be decades in the making. And it is hardly an all-or-nothing evolution, with prominent exceptions like a beachside, select-service hotel that foregoes a purely cost-based approach to operations in favor of a handful of meaningful amenities that sharply enhance the onsite experience. Rather, lets look at the current influences so that you can envision the next five or so years for your company as well as some of the ways that technology can be deployed in each department.

The Airbnb Hegemony

Fight and deny all you want, but Airbnb is now the largest supplier of rooms inventory for any single accommodations entity. As such, they have a profound influence on the macro-trends for all guest profiles, regardless of how you demarcate hotel guest from vacation renter. And from this proliferation of short-term rentals, travelers now expect keyless room entry, unique spaces, flexible room configurations and a few workcation amenities like a kitchenette.

Crucial to understand here is how companies like Airbnb have sped up the modern tempo of travel. Everything is fast and frictionless (with in-person contact largely seen as a point of this friction), and this extends across all segments and star ratings. Guests will still enjoy meeting new people and chatting while abroad, but they no longer want to waste time on transactional conversations. They dont want to line up at the front desk for check-in. They want to be able to reserve dining or spa appointments off a website or app without any human interactions. They want a frictionless journey so that their time is better allocated towards meaningful experiences.

Technology Depresses Prices

Essential for you to note, technology is naturally deflationary because of the new cost savings that are derived from said innovation, namely increased labor productivity (automation that augments output per worker), improved supply chains (either through better methods of transportation or access to new markets) and faster information flows (to reduce market price asymmetry).

Automation and cheaper supply costs over the long run mean that a hotel can reduce its overhead and charge less while maintaining its margins, thereby making it more competitive. Consider price transparencies brought about by the OTAs that have resulted in hotels no longer being able to get away with grossly overcharging customers. Comparative information is now too widely available, meaning that a propertys rates will gradually be forced down to a fair number as members of the comp set continually undercut each other to gain market share.

Voluminous economics tomes have been written on this principle. In hospitality, to fight this race to the bottom, we brand, we rebrand, we advertise, we package, we renovate, we personalize, we unveil new amenities and so on. But for certain properties at the economy and midscale, commodification inevitably occurs, with the guest only looking for a bed in a quiet room where the lowest price is the law. And in a world that is constantly deflating certain industries, automating these purely heads-in-beds hotels may become the only way to maintain the owners targeted bottom line.

In Each Department

For the hotel vending machine, no onsite administration is necessarily required the front desk manager, executive housekeeper and GM can go in favor of regional control. The only people you will need onsite are room attendants, public area custodians, engineers, IT personnel and security guards, all of whom can be remotely directed through an operations platform. Here are some more tactical ways in each department that technology will continue to meet the modern guests demands and rescue the income statement.

Larry and Adam Mogelonsky represent one of the worlds most published writing teams in hospitality, with over a decades worth of material online. As the partners ofHotel Mogel Consulting Limited, a Toronto-based consulting practice, Larry focuses on asset management, sales and operations while Adam specializes in hotel technology and marketing. Their experience encompasses properties around the world, both branded and independent, and ranging from luxury and boutique to select-service. Their work includes six books Are You an Ostrich or a Llama? (2012), Llamas Rule (2013), Hotel Llama (2015), The Llama is Inn (2017), The Hotel Mogel (2018) and More Hotel Mogel (2020). You can reach Larry atlarry@hotelmogel.comor Adam atadam@hotelmogel.comto discuss hotel business challenges or to book speaking engagements.

This article may not be reproduced without the expressed permission of the authors.

Are you an industry thought leader with a point of view on hotel technology that you would like to share with our readers? If so, we invite you toreview our editorial guidelines and submit your article for publishing consideration.

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Does Increased Automation Mean that Limited Service Hotels are Going to Become Vending Machines? | - Hotel Technology News

Doha: Data is a critical asset for any entity and security of data should be ensured. Integrity and confidentiality of transmitted data must be maintained as well as the authentication of the objects which are the key aspects of Internet of Things (IoT), security and privacy, according to experts during a virtual event.

Digital Incubation Center in partnership with Microsoft organised a webinar entitled IoT and Automation which discussed about accelerating business automation. IoT refers to the rapidly growing network of connected objects that are able to collect and exchange data in real time using embedded sensors.

Addressing the event, Mehdi Ben Moussa, Data & AI Senior Specialist at Microsoft said: On the project we are doing at country scale (in Qatar) we are running a digital twin initiative which is creating a version of any asset which can be a building, a vehicle or even a person to have the digital representation, doing simulation and being able to get the information related to sensors available. We are running this program as part of the Tasmu initiative, and it will be available for everyone to use in the country. We have other examples in the oil and gas industries for managing a fleet management. There are some customers in Qatar who are leveraging these solutions to track and monitor different fleets such as maritime or land fleets and they are able to get all the information from the different sensors.

We are also working with some security entities to do smart surveillance, leveraging smart CCTV as one of the assets and collect the information to identify any potential risk or incident to be monitored and managed, he added.

Speaking about the confidentiality of the data and privacy, Moussa noted that data is critical asset for any entity. One of the key pillars for any of the key solutions that we are deploying is security. By leveraging the Azure platform, we also enable and leverage the security scale we have on it. In Qatar, we are launching the data centre and are going through all the certifications and security with government to make sure that any data that will be transiting or storing on the cloud will be secured at the maximum level. The Azure platform is built on security first mindset.

He explained that IoT is becoming a very deep area. The Azure IoT hub includes bi-directional communication, enterprise scale and integration, and end-to-end security.

Rudy Yazbek, Business Applications Sales Executive at Microsoft said: Looking at the job market, 60 percent of automations that exist today have 30 percent of their task that can be technically automated which shows the huge potential of it. Most of the human activities are to do with data collection and data processing and we realise that by automating these tasks we have the potential to do it 60 percent faster from the process of collecting the data and getting intelligent insights out of them. By leveraging automation, you can unlock a lot within organisations.

Sarah El Achkar, Business Applications Technology Specialist at Microsoft discussed about the three automations digital process automation, robotic process automation, and intelligent automation.

IoT plays an important role in automation as the number of IoT applications are increasing and it helps automation to create systems that are effective, affordable and flexible to customer needs.

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Experts discuss IoT and automation in Qatar - The Peninsula

FOLSOM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AgreeYa Solutions, a global leader in software, solutions and services, today announced it is spinning off BeatBlip, its AI-powered, codeless, intelligent automation platform with the launch of HuLoop Automation (HuLoop), a new software company, to accelerate growth and innovation. The new company will build upon AgreeYas longstanding investment in BeatBlip, which enables business process automation (BPA), robotic process automation (RPA) and software test automation (STA).

Forrester projects the RPA market will reach $22 billion by 2025; Markets and Markets expects the global BPA market size to grow to $19.6 billion by 2026; and a 2021 Research and Markets report put the global automation testing market at $20.7 billion last year and forecasted 19.2 percent compound annual growth. HuLoop aims to become a leader in each of these high-growth markets.

The BeatBlip platform is uniquely positioned to be a single source solution across an expanding array of automation requirements. The user-friendly no-code/low-code platform is designed to orchestrate tasks and activities across complex business workflows and disparate systems. It can generate, deploy and manage bots to automate manual and mundane tasks, and it can control and execute repetitive software tests verifying results against expected outcomes.

Todd P. Michaud, an accomplished and high-energy technology executive with a proven track record for driving growth and innovation in both mature and high growth start-up software companies, has been appointed CEO of HuLoop. He previously served in executive leadership positions with IBM, Revionics, Retalix, NCR, Amdocs, Hypersonix and DemandTec.

The automation market is poised for significant growth, and we intend to earn our fair share of that growth by delivering industry leading innovation, said Michaud. We are committed to helping our clients solve their most complex challenges while delivering meaningful cost savings and productivity gains.

The HuLoop name was chosen to underscore the companys commitment to supporting humans being in-the-loop during automation while also supporting full unattended automation. We believe AI-powered automation can do amazing things, especially when it is blended with the strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and empathy unique to humans. We are in the business of unleashing the power of automation to help enterprises realize maximum value from their human capital, added Michaud.

The BeatBlip platform has been helping customers around the globe successfully adopt and scale automation with ease for years, said Ajay Kaul, managing partner at AgreeYa Solutions and HuLoop board chairman. Existing customers wont experience any disruption, and in fact, they benefit from expanded capabilities, focus and resources. With Todd at the helm of HuLoop, together we will build an amazing company that leads emerging trends and delivers on the promise of automation for our customers.

For more information about HuLoop, please visit http://www.huloop.ai.

ABOUT HULOOP AUTOMATION, INC.: Based in the Sacramento, Calif. area, HuLoop Automation, Inc., helps enterprises realize maximum value from their people by keeping humans in-the-loop during intelligent automation in addition to ungoverned automation. The innovative AI-powered automation company was built to accelerate the growth of the low-code/no-code BeatBlip platform previously led by AgreeYa Solutions, Inc. HuLoop will expand BeatBlips business process automation, robotic process automation and software test automation capabilities. Learn more at http://www.huloop.ai and follow HuLoop on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT AGREEYA SOLUTIONS: AgreeYa Solutions is a leading global provider of software, solutions, and services to small, medium, and global Fortune 100 organizations. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Folsom, Calif., AgreeYa has over 2,000 professionals helping clients across the U.S., India, EMEA and Mexico. Leveraging a technology-enabled, consultative approach and diverse talent, AgreeYa offers modern workplace, smart analytics, intelligent automation, AI/ML, cloud transformation, mobility, and talent management solutions to deliver digital transformation to its clients. AgreeYa has received considerable recognition including certifications like Microsoft Gold Partner and Cloud Solutions Provider; AICPA SOC 2 Type 2, SEI CMMI, and ISO 9001:2015; and awards including Dream Company to Work For and Best Employer Brand. Discover more at http://www.agreeya.com and follow AgreeYa on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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AgreeYa Spins-Off BeatBlip, Launches HuLoop to Accelerate Growth and Innovation in the Intelligent Automation Space - Business Wire

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At least 750 Tesla owners have reported their cars randomly braking without reason while they use driver assistance technology.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) produced the statistic in an information request to Tesla. The letter was published on its website Friday.

"This letter is to inform you that the Office of Defects Investigation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of unexpected brake activation in certain model year 2021-2022 Model 3 and Y vehicles manufactured by Tesla, Inc., and to request certain information," the NHTSA wrote.

Tesla cars are equipped with a forward collision avoidance system that can automatically apply the brakes. The cars also boast Tesla's Autopilot electronic driver aid that combines adaptive cruise control with self-steering lane-centering capability.

ELON MUSK ENDORSES LOS ANGELES MAYORAL CANDIDATE RICK CARUSO: 'HE'S AWESOME'

The NHTSA is demanding extensive data logs from the car manufacturer, including internal reports concerning the affected vehicle, company safety test results, production numbers and more.

In this Dec. 1, 2020, file photo, SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrives at the red carpet for the Axel Springer media award in Berlin. (Hannibal Hanschke/Pool Photo via AP, File / AP Newsroom)

TESLA CHIEF ELON MUSK TELLS WORKERS REMOTE WORK 'NO LONGER' ACCEPTABLE: REPORT

"Teslas response to this letter, in duplicate, together with a copy of any confidentiality request, must be submitted to this office by June 20, 2022," the letter concludes. "Teslas response must include all nonconfidential attachments and a redacted version of all documents that contain confidential information."

Failure to produce the requested information could result in civil charges, the NHTSA threatened.

The automaker has been forced to issue several recalls in recent months. The issues were addressed through over-the-air software updates, including a similar phantom braking issue that affected nearly 12,000 Teslas across its model range.

In this April 15, 2018, file photo, the sun shines off the rear deck of a roadster on a Tesla dealer's lot in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File / Associated Press)

"The phantom braking varies from a minor throttle response to decrease speed to full emergency braking that drastically reduces the speed at a rapid pace, resulting in unsafe driving conditions for occupants of my vehicle as well as those who might be following behind me," one owner wrote in a complaint filed Feb. 2.

In February, Tesla recalled 54,000 vehicles running its full self-driving system that had been programmed to slowly roll through stop signs if no other vehicles or pedestrians were present.

"Complainants report that the rapid deceleration can occur without warning and often repeatedly during a single drive cycle," the agency's previous report said.

Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, right, claps hands at the opening of the Tesla factory Berlin Brandenburg in Gruenheide, Germany, March 22, 2022. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via AP / AP Newsroom)

Musk on Friday endorsed Democratic candidate for mayor of Los Angeles Rick Caruso.

"Los Angeles is fortunate to have someone like Rick Caruso running for mayor. Hes awesome," Musk wrote Friday on Twitter.

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The unprompted message was notable as one of the first formal endorsements Musk has made since his surge into political discourse. Since announcing his intentions to buy Twitter, Musk has become more vocal in support of the Republican Party, openly hostile to Democrats and more opinionated on issues than ever before.

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Over 750 Tesla drivers report phantom braking when using driving automation systems - Fox Business

Like a puppy chasing its tail, some new investors often chase 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without revenue, let alone profit. But as Warren Buffett has mused, 'If you've been playing poker for half an hour and you still don't know who the patsy is, you're the patsy.' When they buy such story stocks, investors are all too often the patsy.

In the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, my choice may seem old fashioned; I still prefer profitable companies like MHM Automation (NZSE:MHM). Even if the shares are fully valued today, most capitalists would recognize its profits as the demonstration of steady value generation. Conversely, a loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the sweet milk of external capital may run sour.

Check out our latest analysis for MHM Automation

Over the last three years, MHM Automation has grown earnings per share (EPS) like young bamboo after rain; fast, and from a low base. So I don't think the percent growth rate is particularly meaningful. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. Like the last firework on New Year's Eve accelerating into the sky, MHM Automation's EPS shot from NZ$0.017 to NZ$0.052, over the last year. You don't see 198% year-on-year growth like that, very often.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. MHM Automation shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 1.0% to 5.7%, and revenue is growing. That's great to see, on both counts.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

earnings-and-revenue-history

Since MHM Automation is no giant, with a market capitalization of NZ$45m, so you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects.

Story continues

As a general rule, I think it worth considering how much the CEO is paid, since unreasonably high rates could be considered against the interests of shareholders. For companies with market capitalizations under NZ$307m, like MHM Automation, the median CEO pay is around NZ$549k.

MHM Automation offered total compensation worth NZ$373k to its CEO in the year to . That comes in below the average for similar sized companies, and seems pretty reasonable to me. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally.

MHM Automation's earnings have taken off like any random crypto-currency did, back in 2017. With rocketing profits, its seems likely the business has a rosy future; and it may have hit an inflection point. At the same time the reasonable CEO compensation reflects well on the board of directors. So MHM Automation looks like it could be a good quality growth stock, at first glance. That's worth watching. You should always think about risks though. Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for MHM Automation you should be aware of, and 1 of them shouldn't be ignored.

Of course, you can do well (sometimes) buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But as a growth investor I always like to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a free list of them here.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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With EPS Growth And More, MHM Automation (NZSE:MHM) Is Interesting - Yahoo Eurosport UK

MILWAUKEE, May 31, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) SVP and Chief Financial Officer, Nick Gangestad, will present at the UBS Global Industrials and Transportation Conference in New York on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

The fireside chat will be webcast beginning at approximately 9:40 a.m. EDT and will be available on the Rockwell Automation Investor Relations website at http://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/investors.html.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 25,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit http://www.rockwellautomation.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220531005168/en/

Contacts

Aijana ZellnerHead of Investor Relations+1 414-382-8510AZellner@rockwellautomation.com

Marci PelzerDirector, External Communications+1 414-553-4661MPelzer@rockwellautomation.com

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Rockwell Automation to Present at UBS Global Industrials and Transportation Conference - Yahoo Finance

MOORESTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OPEX Corporation, a global leader in Next Generation Automation providing innovative solutions for warehouse and document and mail automation, has named Deluxe, a Trusted Payments and Business Technology company, as its Reseller of the Year.

The award is based on annual North America sales of OPEX document and mail automation solutions that help Deluxe customers transform the way they do business. From large enterprises and financial institutions to small businesses, Deluxe creates solutions to revolutionize the way businesses pay, get paid, and grow.

We help businesses of all sizes find the best solutions for HR and payroll, digital payments and payment processing, and check options, said Michael Reed, President of Payments for Deluxe. The OPEX line of automation solutions helps our clients to significantly reduce prep time while also helping them process payments and perform other functions more efficiently.

Deluxe often recommends that clients use the OPEX Falcon Series of one-touch document scanners, which can greatly reduce or eliminate preparation time, in addition to the full suite of document and mail automation solutions OPEX provides.

We celebrate Deluxe and stand behind their commitment to their clients success, said Jeff Geshay, OPEX Business Alliance Manager. OPEX is proud to partner with strategic, progressive companies like Deluxe to help streamline processes and set the standard for operational efficiency.

Deluxe is a trusted and valued partner to many of the nations leading financial institutions and one of the top providers of checks throughout North America. In April 2022, Deluxe was named one of Americas most trustworthy companies by Newsweek.

Family-owned since 1975, OPEX brings generations of industry expertise, a proven track record developing first-class automation capabilities and advanced engineering, and a heritage of excellence. OPEX was named one of Philadelphias 2022 Top Workplaces in the large company category.

About Deluxe

Deluxe, a Trusted Payments and Business Technology company, champions business so communities thrive. Our solutions help businesses pay and get paid and grow. For more than 100 years, Deluxe customers have relied on our solutions and platforms at all stages of their lifecycle, from start-up to maturity. Our powerful scale supports millions of small businesses, thousands of vital financial institutions, and hundreds of the worlds largest consumer brands, while processing more than $2.8 trillion in annual payment volume. Our reach, scale and distribution channels position Deluxe to be our customers most trusted business partner. To learn how we can help your business, visit us at http://www.deluxe.com, http://www.facebook.com/deluxecorp, http://www.linkedin.com/company/deluxe or http://www.twitter.com/deluxe.

About OPEX

OPEX Corporation is a global leader in Next Generation Automation, providing innovative, unique solutions for warehouse, document and mail automation. With headquarters in Moorestown, NJ, USAand facilities in Pennsauken, NJ; Plano, TX; France; Germany; Switzerland; the United Kingdom; and AustraliaOPEX has more than 1,600 employees who are continuously reimagining and delivering customized, scalable technology solutions that solve the business challenges of today and in the future.

Originally posted here:

OPEX Names Deluxe the North America Document and Mail Automation Reseller of the Year - Business Wire

A Jack in the Box store opening in San Diego. Photo by Ken Stone

San Diegos favorite burger business, Jack in the Box, recently announced financial results for the second quarter, which, in reality, werent all that good, but the company was upbeat for the future, despite soaring operating costs due to current turbulent economic conditions.

The results included both Jack in the Box units, as well as the recently acquired Del Taco Mexican fast-food chain. That acquisition was completed in March.

According to a earnings release, Jacks system-wide sales for the quarter increased a tiny 0.1%, in large part driven by growth in average restaurant volumes, but offset by a slight decline in the number of restaurants.

While challenged by continued inflationary pressure facing our industry, we are pleased to have delivered strong same-store sales on a two-year basis. This performance has allowed our franchisees, operators and corporate team members to provide our guests with innovative and craveable food they have come to expect from Jack, said Darin Harris, the companys chief executive officer.

Like other competitors in the fast-food sector, Jack faces rising labor costs in its efforts to offset labor shortages as the economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry publication Restaurant Business said that Harris has found at least a partial solution in terms of combating inflation.

The solution, wrote the magazine, is self-cleaning shake machines.

Specifically, automated shake machine cleaning, along with simplifying burger builds and new cheese pumps, are among a handful of efforts that over time could improve profitability by 200 basis points, the magazine wrote.

In its earnings announcement, Jack in the Box said its overall restaurant level margin is now expected to be less than 17%, down from the previous 20% to 21%, which includes high single-digit price increases, compared to previous estimates in the mid-to-high single digit range.

It reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts estimates of $1.36, according to online financial news site MarketWatch. The firm posted $322.29 million in sales for the quarter, compared to a consensus estimate of $341 million.

The company declared a quarterly dividend on May 27, according to the Wall Street Journal. Stockholders of record June 7 will receive a dividend of 44 cents per share on June 22.

* * *

Speaking of burgers, Irvines The Habit Burger Grill, is opening another San Diego location here inPacific Beach.

TheSan Diegoarea is home to over 15 Habit Burger Grill restaurants, and we are so excited to be opening a drive-thru inPacific Beach! Guests can look forward to great handcrafted food and our signature Habit Hospitality, saidIwona Alter, an executive for the company in a news release.

* * *

San Diego private investment firm Copley Equity Partners, which focuses on making deals in the lower middle-market companies with strong growth opportunities, said that it has made an investment in industry-leading advisory firm FMG Leading. The amount of the investment was not disclosed, according to a news release.

FMG Capital is a national service provider that offers lending and financing solutions to small to medium sized businesses, according to its website. The firm provides working capital in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $5 million.

Established in 2012, Copley has offices in Denver and Boston. And according to its website, the firm partners with growing, lower-middle market private companies.

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MG Properties, a local real estate owner and operator, has acquired the 275-unit Verona Apartments inHenderson, Nevada. MG Properties said owns five other properties in theLas Vegassubmarket, according to a release.

MG Properties says it has acquired 11 communities in 2022 so far, totaling more than 2,800 units exceeding$990 millionin value. The company says it is looking for more acquisitions inthe West.

* * *

At a recent annual awards dinner, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce recognized the 331-bed Tri-City Medical Center as Business of the Year in the large company category at recent awards festivities.

The chamber cited the Oceanside-based hospital for its innovations in robotic surgery, its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its outreach initiatives as well as future projects, including a new emergency room, a new 3T magnetic resonance imaging system and construction of a 16-bed, adult inpatient psychiatric facility in partnership with San Diego county.

Other finalists in the large company category included healthcare equipment maker Quidel and theme park Legoland California Resort.

* * *

Business travelers heading to San Diego International Airports Terminal 1 can expect to encounter major changes starting June 5 and extending through all 12 months of 2024. The terminal is undergoing a massive five-year, $3.4 billion re-do, and numerous changes are underway to accommodate the rebuild.

Officials said that parking will be significantly reduced this summer, with the terminal lot closed on June 5. All cars parked at the lot need to exit by June 14. The terminal parking lot permanently closes the next day.

One June 15, the pedestrian bridge to the parking lot and to the ground transportation island will be shuttered and replaced with a crosswalk.

Officials said the construction is an important piece of the new project that will replace the currentfacility and make way for a new parking plaza to open at the end of 2024.

* * *

Construction company Webcor has hired veteran construction executive Cecilia Kucharski to rejoin the prominent general contracting firm, as vice president and regional manager, to lead its San Diego office.

Cecilia brings to Webcor an established presence, once again in San Diego, with a deep understanding of the markets were interested here, and complete knowledge of the community, its subcontractors, elected officials and the way things get done in the region, said Matt Rossie, Webcors top executive.

What I love about San Diego is that its more recession-proof than other markets, Kucharski said. Obviously, we have defense contractors, a very robust health care market, life science and higher education market. Those are stable markets, which positions San Diego as very attractive for long-term growth.

* * *

The Board of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy said that long-time local environmental specialist Cheryl Goddard has been named as its new executive director.

According to a news release from the conservancy, Goddard brings more than 20 years of local government experience to the position, including more than 15 years of County of San Diego land-use and environmental-planning experience.

Goddard has a masters in public administration from San Diego State University, and bachelor of arts degrees in ethnic studies as well as urban studies and planning from UC San Diego.

* * *

And finallyMira Costa College student John Siebelink, a military veteran who is afirst-generation college attendee, was recently awarded theJack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship that pays up to $55,000for tuition, books, and housing for up to three years at a four-year school.

Mira Costa said Siebelink was selected asone of 1,200 applicants across 332 community colleges.Siebelink said he hopes to transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the president of the Creative Writing Club on campus.

Tom York is a Carlsbad-based independent journalist who specializes in writing about business and the economy. If you have news tips youd like to share, send them totom.york@gmail.com.

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Tom York on Business: Jack in the Box Sees Automation Improving Profitability - Times of San Diego

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Treasury Automation Market is booming Globally with Top key players -Cashforce,Citi,Coupa,Deliveroo - Digital Journal