Category Archives: Technology

ArcherHall Has Acquired Shepherd Data Services

Sacramento, CA, April 12, 2024 — ArcherHall has acquired Shepherd Data Services®, a Minneapolis-based e-discovery and digital forensics service provider to law firms, corporations, and government agencies.

Founded by a former litigator in 2002, Shepherd Data magnifies the power of RelativityOne® with exceptional service and unmatched attention to detail. Integrating the best technologies with efficient, defensible workflow and processes provides a completely responsive solution to their clients’ project requirements.

“Shepherd Data Services has an impeccable reputation among clients for dedication and exacting standards,” said Nicolas Anderson, CEO of ArcherHall. “This addition strengthens our nationwide coverage, particularly in the Upper Midwest, and bolsters our position in other key markets. Most importantly, it adds new experts and expanded capabilities which will benefit all ArcherHall clients.”

“I have worked with ArcherHall for several years and have always been impressed with their client-first approach,” said Christine Chalstrom, Founder and CEO of Shepherd Data. “ArcherHall brings new capabilities to our clients, particularly in digital forensics, and combined with the Shepherd team, creates a powerful collection-to-production solution for digital evidence.”

Shepherd Data will continue to serve current clients under the ArcherHall brand from their Minneapolis office.

Transforming Cybersecurity

Manchester, United Kingdom, April 11, 2024 –In the face of escalating cyber threats within the manufacturing sector, Amazon Filters, a prominent UK-based manufacturer of bespoke filtration technology, has strengthened its cybersecurity posture through a strategic partnership with CloudGuard’s Protect Plus MXDR service.

Amidst growing concerns over the effectiveness of traditional security measures, Amazon Filters recognised the need to enhance their cybersecurity posture. Ransomware attacks targeting competitors prompted a comprehensive review of their security strategy, leading them to deploy CloudGuard’s MXDR service.

“The threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and it’s imperative for organisations to adapt,” stated Amazon Filters’ IT Manager. “CloudGuard’s MXDR service has been a game-changer for Amazon Filters. From providing a clear roadmap for cybersecurity improvement to seamlessly integrating with our existing infrastructure, it’s been a transformative experience.”

CloudGuard’s MXDR service, an acronym for Managed eXtended Detection and Response, offers a proactive approach to cybersecurity by unifying security data, harnessing artificial intelligence for detection, and automating threat analysis and remediation processes. By integrating seamlessly with Amazon Filters’ Microsoft-centric infrastructure, the MXDR service ensures real-time visibility into potential threats across their entire estate.

“The deployment of CloudGuard’s MXDR service marked a significant milestone in Amazon Filters’ cybersecurity journey,” said the IT Manager. “Automation is at the heart of CloudGuard’s Protect Plus MXDR service, which has only strengthened our security posture but also saved us time and resources.”

Over a 90-day period, automated threat enrichment or resolution occurred in 98% of alerts. This resulted in at least a 52-day time saving compared to actioning the same alerts manually. CloudGuard’s responsive post-deployment support has further reinforced Amazon Filters’ confidence in the MXDR service.

“With CloudGuard as our security partner, we feel confident in our ability to navigate the evolving threat landscape and protect our business effectively,” added the IT Manager.

As a foundational component of their future cybersecurity strategy, Amazon Filters sees CloudGuard’s flexibility as key to accommodate their evolving security needs effectively.

Through their partnership with CloudGuard and the adoption of the Protect Plus MXDR service, Amazon Filters has improved its overall security posture and embraced automation as a cornerstone of its security strategy, ensuring continued protection of its digital assets, data, and business operations.

Join the Webinar on Winning Cloud Migration Tactics with FishOS

London, United Kingdom, April 11, 2024 — In today’s rapidly evolving cloud landscape, finding a reliable solution for business infrastructure is more crucial than ever, especially with recent market shifts such as the VMware acquisition. Join Sardina Systems webinar on April 25 at 10 AM CET for the “Winning Cloud Migration Tactics: Getting Started with FishOS.” The company’s experts will navigate you through the most relevant and efficient options.

During this virtual event, the audience will learn more about FishOS, Sardina Systems’ OpenStack-based cloud platform, and FishOS Move It, a migration appliance designed for a smooth transition from VMWare to OpenStack. Sardina Systems’ speakers will tackle the cloud migration challenge from both commercial and technical perspectives. Hosted by Anastasiia Rachkova, Sardina Systems’ Marketing Manager, the webinar will feature presentations from the company’s Technical Lead Dmitry Krasovskyi and Sales Manager in Europe Jeffrey Bhaggoe. With their expertise, they will share valuable insights into the realm of cloud migration.

“We invite everyone concerned about cloud migration options to join our live discussion. During the webinar, not only will you gain insights into OpenStack-as-a-service, but also have the opportunity to share your concerns and receive prompt answers to your migration-related questions. We will also provide practical tips to address the challenges involved in migrating your infrastructure,” says Dmitry Krasovskyi, Technical Lead at Sardina Systems.

Explore alternatives to VMware, ranging from proprietary solutions to hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, and venture into the dynamic world of open source. FishOS emerges as the strategic choice, offering cost-effectiveness, customization, and community-driven innovation. Gain insights into migration planning, address security concerns, and optimize budget effectively.

Don’t just adapt to change — learn how to win. To register for the webinar, please use the contact details mentioned below and secure a free spot.

AMPP Unveils New Guide to Enhance Pipeline Safety

Houston, TX, April 10, 2024 — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, recently published “Guide 21569-2024, Guidance on Implementing Corrosion Control Methodologies to Align with New PHMSA Regulatory Procedures,” a comprehensive document developed by Standards Committee SC 15 – Pipelines and Tanks, aimed at bolstering the safety and integrity of onshore gas transmission pipelines.

In response to the United States’ Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)’s revised Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations, AMPP’s Guide 21569-2024 offers a detailed roadmap for pipeline operators to implement corrosion control requirements for onshore gas transmission as required in Part 2 of the PHMSA Gas Mega Rule. The PHMSA revisions encompass an array of enhanced safety measures, including improved repair criteria, integrity management, cathodic protection, and management of change, all intended to mitigate risks associated with pipeline corrosion and ensure compliance with the most current safety standards.

“I’m very proud to have served as Document Project Manager for this development team comprised of an incredible group of industry pipeline subject matter experts across the country,” said Kimberly-Joy Harris, a retiree from Enbridge Pipelines with more than 30 years leading pipeline integrity and corrosion programs and vice chair of the AMPP Board of Directors. “Our main goal was to assist U.S. natural gas pipeline companies with a guidance document that aligns with the new PHMSA Regulatory Mega Rule requirements related to integrity management, repair criteria, cathodic protection, and management of change, all to prevent and reduce failures. In addition, this document will be very useful globally to assist pipeline companies with improving their integrity programs and reducing failures.”

Guide 21569-2024 caters to U.S. gas transmission pipeline operators while providing critical insights for international counterparts aiming to improve their corrosion control measures. This guide emerged from the industry’s need for a cohesive approach to comply with the new corrosion control, operations, maintenance, and integrity management PHMSA regulations that went into effect for transmission pipelines placed into service after February 24, 2024. It presents practical strategies for incorporating these requirements and leverages established practices to protect pipeline assets.

Harris added, “Our project committee members and AMPP staff members did an amazing job working with the team through this process, and we were pleased to complete this project in record time, less than one year from initiation to publication.”

For further details on Guide 21569-2024, visit the AMPP store at AMPP Store – AMPP Guide 21569-2024, Guidance on Implementing Corrosion Control Methodologies to Align with New PHMSA Regulatory Procedures. To explore AMPP’s comprehensive range of standards resources to enhance all levels of industry, please visit our website at Popular Standards by Industry – AMPP.

ARKANCE and Its Subsidiary U.S. CAD, Acquire CADD Microsystems

Irvine, CA, April 10, 2024 — ARKANCE and its subsidiary U.S. CAD in the United States, a leading provider of technology and services to the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner-operator (AECO) industry, today announced the acquisition of CADD Microsystems, a United States-based consulting and software firm specializing in the design, build, and operate industries, and an Autodesk and Bluebeam Platinum Partner headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.

This acquisition reinforces U.S. CAD’s position as the leading provider of AECO technology and value-added services in the United States while significantly strengthening ARKANCE as the global leader in comprehensive digitalization solutions and value-added services for the AECO and manufacturing industries. Additionally, this acquisition empowers AECO and manufacturing organizations across the United States to achieve higher levels of digitalization and innovation. They can now leverage an all-in-one partner with unparalleled experience, deep domain expertise, local and global reach, an unmatched state-of-the-art technology portfolio, exceptional value-added consulting and professional services, world-class customer success, and technical support.

By integrating the aligned vision of CADD Microsystems – its tenured employees and decades of industry leadership – with U.S. CAD and ARKANCE, customers will continue to enjoy the innovative experience and relationships of a local technology partner, backed by the additional reach and support of a global partner. The alliance of ARKANCE, U.S. CAD, and CADD Microsystems embodies a Better Together approach that will advance the entire industry ecosystem of customers and partners.

This major acquisition will result in ARKANCE nearly doubling its gross revenue in the United States while expanding its global reach. Since its creation in 2018, ARKANCE has become the leading global Autodesk and Bluebeam Partner, with 1,300 employees in 18 countries.

“Combining with exceptional companies to strengthen our capabilities and provide superior services and support to customers and the industry, particularly during a time of unprecedented transformation, is core to the future of our business. CADD Microsystems has an incredibly talented team, an impressive roster of customers, and excellent industry leadership. As a combined group, U.S. CAD and CADD Microsystems, we have coverage from coast to coast in the USA. We welcome the CADD Microsystems team to our ARKANCE family as we embark on our next phase of growth to deliver stronger expertise and greater value to our public and private sector customers,” said Daniel Counts, CEO, U.S. CAD, and EVP, ARKANCE Americas.

“ARKANCE has developed the critical mass to develop sophisticated solutions responding completely to complex customer requirements. This acquisition enhances our ability to deliver them in close interaction with our customers all over the United States and 17 other countries across the world. Our ambition is to be a trusted partner for our customers’ digital transformation by enabling them to balance quality, environmental impact, and profitability. We rely on an international team of industry experts who understand the challenges of an ever-changing digital environment,” said Greg Arranz, CEO, ARKANCE.

“We chose to combine forces with ARKANCE and U.S. CAD to create and pursue opportunities that only the combination of our companies could capitalize on,” said Jeff Gravatte, CEO, CADD Microsystems. “By leveraging our common and unique strengths, and our aligned culture, we are creating an industry-leading force that will be unrivaled in North America. The synergy that our combined companies create is astounding. With our mutual strength in AECO solutions, U.S. CAD’s west coast presence, and our east coast presence and dominant position in the government space, we are poised to deliver an even more valuable experience to our customers. With the commonality of our company cultures – focused on the employee, customer, and partner experiences – we couldn’t be more confident in our collective ability to lead our customers’ efforts to transform their businesses.”

Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac 16.0.0

Los Angeles, CA, April 09, 2024 –Cisdem released its latest version 16.0.0 of Data Recovery for Mac, one of the leading macOS programs to restore lost files on Mac. This version newly adds the support for data recovery from unbootable Mac, saving users from a tougher data loss problem.

“Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac 16.0.0 will bring new vitality to our product. The support of crashed Mac recovery feature maximizes the success rate of recovery in some extreme cases,” said Edward Riley, Cisdem’s project manager. “It’s amazing that we can now rescue our important data from a Mac that even won’t boot!”

Cisdem Data Recovery offers easy and reliable solutions to recover deleted, lost, formatted or corrupted files from nearly all major storage devices. Among a multitude of data recovery tools available, Cisdem stands out as a top option thanks to its remarkably high recovery rate, unbelievably advanced scan algorithm, and incredibly easy-to-use UI.

What’s New in Version 16.0.0?
-Added support for data recovery from unbootable Mac.
This new function makes data recovery achievable after macOS system crash. If a Mac becomes unbootable, slow, stuck or unresponsive due to virus attack, improper system upgrade/downgrade, human error or any unexpected factors, users can still restore their Mac data back in Recovery Mode without accessing macOS system.

Main Features of Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac
Support any data loss scenarios
-Cisdem Data Recovery recovers files lost in various unforeseen situations, like emptied Trash Bin, accidental deletion, formatting, partition loss, hardware damage, sudden power shortage, unmounted drive, software crash, device initialization, virus infection, etc.
-Recover 200+ files types on Mac
It retrieves more than 200 different types of file, including MS office Word/Excel/PowerPoint, iWork Pages/Numbers/Keynote, photos, videos, audios, archives, emails, raw file types, etc.
-All major storage devices and file systems supported
It can retrieve files from any Mac devices, internal/external hard drive, USB drive, digital camera, SD card, CF card, MP4 player, etc., compatible with file systems like APFS, HFS+, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS, etc.-
-Support iCloud recovery
Users have 2 different iCloud recovery options: recover data from iCloud directory or iCloud account. It allows to recover files from local iCloud Drive directory or synced files deleted from iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
-Repair corrupted videos
It repairs corrupted, damaged, unplayable, and even broken videos in all commonly-used formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.
-Create disk backup image
This advanced feature helps users to create a drive backup image file and to load the image to recover files from it later.
-Quick scan and deep scan applied
Start with quick scan, Cisdem will then auto enter deep scan to look through hard drive for finding most files.
-File filters for quick search
Quickly navigate to lost files by entering keyword, document type, file size, date created, or date modified.
-Preview files before recovery
Preview all recoverable items just to select and recover what you really want.
-Recover files to local drive or cloud
Recover selected files to Mac local drive or cloud platforms (iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, GoogleDrive, pCloud, Box).

Learn How Hexnode’s Allow Market Place App Installation

San Franciso, CA, April 08, 2024 — In light of Apple’s recent announcement concerning the introduction of sideloading and alternate app stores for its European iPhones, Hexnode has rolled out the “allowMarketplaceAppInstallation” feature for enterprises. This new restriction empowers IT administrators to effortlessly block sideloading by toggling the option to false, effectively fortifying the ecosystem against unauthorized access to third-party app stores.

Digital Markets Acts- European Union vs. iOS?

In 2022, the European Union (EU) enacted the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulatory framework crafted to promote equitable competition within digital markets. Under this legislation, certain online platforms can be designated as “gatekeepers,” with accompanying obligations to curb anti-competitive practices. Consequently, Apple had to let go of its “walled garden” approach and embrace the EU’s demands. With the imminent launch of iOS 17.4, the tech giant introduced an alternative app marketplace, app stores hosted and operated by third parties in Europe. These platforms will have the capability to deliver apps directly to iPhones from sources outside the App Store. It’s worth noting that access to alternative app marketplaces will be limited to EU countries and devices running iOS 17.4 or later models.

Is Security at Stake?

While these transformative developments herald new challenges for iOS deployments across Europe, Hexnode offers comprehensive solutions to manage and mitigate these changes through a suite of new and updated commands and restrictions:

– Marketplace App Installation: Administrators can prevent the installation of applications sourced from the web and curtail the installation of apps originating from any alternative marketplace apps already installed.

– Install Apps from App Store: Prevents users from accessing the App Store, leading to the removal of its icon from the home screen. This restriction equally applies to alternative marketplace stores and their associated applications.

– Remove Apps: Disables the removal of applications from iOS devices, encompassing those obtained from alternative marketplace platforms.

Apple emphasizes that alternate distribution channels, if not effectively regulated, could heighten privacy, security, and safety concerns for both users and developers. Additionally, the company acknowledges its limited capacity to mitigate these risks and provide adequate support and refunds to affected customers. Consequently, while these shifts may present opportunities for threat actors to exploit vulnerabilities and access sensitive user or corporate data, it falls upon administrators to implement appropriate security protocols to thwart potential threats stemming from malicious code or pirated software infiltrating their iOS ecosystem.

StarWind Enables Cloud Storage for IBM i System Line

Beverly, MA, April 06, 2024 — StarWind, a leading provider of hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) for Enterprise ROBO, SMB, & Edge, introduces an affordable backup cloud storage for IBM i systems. Seamless integration with an existing tape backup infrastructure is achieved by emulating a tape library (VTL), the one IBM i knows how to deal with. StarWind VTL is a complementary, rather than competitive, solution, where the virtual tape provides an additional local backup copy for better resiliency and faster recovery, with an extra copy offloaded to a cost-effective public cloud. This air-gapped “extra” copy of the backup data, stored in an immutable cloud, serves one more purpose – insurance against ransomware. Amazon AWS, Google GCP, and Microsoft Azure are fully supported as backup destinations, including long term storage like AWS Glacier, Google & Azure Archive. In general, any S3-compatible cloud storage will work.

“Love it or hate it, but tapes are here to stay, and we’re dedicated to improving life with them. We’re thrilled to provide IBM i systems with a money-saving cloud storage they deserve. As of now more organizations can achieve greater cost efficiency, better resiliency to ransomware, more of flexibility, and scalability when it comes to their backup strategy,” said Artem Berman, co-founding partner at StarWind.

Over 40,000 companies in the U.S. alone continue to rely on IBM i systems to power critical operations. Various sectors such as finance, banking, healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications, logistics, government, and others heavily depend on the non-stop data processing that IBM i systems provide. Traditionally, these environments relied on IBM Backup, Recovery, and Media Services (BRMS) for tape backup processing. Although tapes are rock-solid, deadly-reliable, and provide best bang for the buck, they often present limitations in backup and restore performance. Tapes are evolving over the time, but any StarWind-powered all-flash VTL is always faster in both backup and restore. Cost-efficiency is another consideration, as while tapes are inexpensive, archival object storage in the cloud is even more budget-friendly for long-term data retention. Air-gapped immutability is an important component of ransomware resiliency, a crucial part of a comprehensive ransomware prevention and recovery strategy.

“Algenol Biotech chose StarWind VTL because of its reasonable price and required functionality. It was easily integrated into the established backup and archival process of the company without any changes. In addition, StarWind VTL automated and secured offsite backup and archival by eliminating the human process, thereby determining the reliability of the backup process. StarWind VTL provided the much-needed backup solution for the control network of Algenol Biotech’s manufacturing plant, ensuring data protection and integrity,” said Tom Ziegler, Network Systems Administrator at Algenol Biotech.

The seamless integration of StarWind VTL into existing BRMS-centric backup infrastructures enables organizations to introduce a disk & flash-based backup tier, which significantly improves backup and, especially, restore performance. Additionally, the built-in cloud storage tier enables the replication of backup and archive data to Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, and other cloud storage providers, allowing to cut down the long-term data retention costs. This approach not only boosts performance and cuts operational expenses but also capitalizes on existing hardware and backup processes, optimizing overall IT efficiency without duplicating efforts.

A.I. Radio Station Ownership for All

Miami, FL, April 05, 2024 –In today’s digital age, owning a radio station has often been reserved for those with deep pockets and extensive technical know-how. Traditional barriers such as startup funds, equipment costs, and the need for specialized training have deterred many aspiring broadcasters from pursuing their dreams. However, a groundbreaking new platform is poised to revolutionize the radio industry, democratizing ownership and putting the power of broadcasting into the hands of everyone: AI Radio Bot.

Gone are the days of prohibitive expenses and complex setups. With AI Radio Bot, launching a radio station is as simple as a few clicks. This innovative platform harnesses the capabilities of artificial intelligence to automate broadcasts, allowing users to effortlessly share their expertise and reach wider audiences.

At its core, AI Radio Bot is a fully featured online radio streaming server with the added bonus of video streaming capabilities. What sets it apart is its utilization of Deep Neural Net Text-to-Speech technology, enabling the platform to read text content aloud using a variety of customizable voices. From selecting the perfect voice to seamlessly integrating with Restful APIs and RSS services, AI Radio Bot offers unparalleled flexibility and ease of use.

But the innovation doesn’t stop there. AI Radio Bot goes beyond basic automation, offering users a suite of features to enhance their broadcasts. From mixing spoken text with professionally produced jingles and music to integrating prerecorded clips for advertising, the platform empowers users to create dynamic and engaging content with minimal effort.

The potential applications of AI Radio Bot are vast and varied. Podcasters can transform their shows into 24/7 radio stations, providing around-the-clock access to their content. Musicians can leverage the platform to increase exposure for their music, while bloggers can share their expertise through captivating broadcasts. Even companies can benefit by using their own radio stations to advertise products, services, and industry insights.

According to Igor Vishnevskiy and Stephen Jester, the inventors of AI Radio Bot, the mission is clear: to make AI radio accessible to everyone. By eliminating barriers to entry and simplifying the broadcasting process, the platform opens doors for aspiring broadcasters of all backgrounds.

“Our service will allow writers to run their own talk radio stations without spending thousands of dollars on professional equipment or specialized training,” Vishnevskiy explains.

With its user-friendly interface, powerful AI capabilities, and endless customization options, AI Radio Bot is poised to transform the way we think about radio broadcasting. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster, a budding musician, or a business looking to expand your reach, this revolutionary platform offers the tools you need to make your mark on the airwaves. Experience the future of online radio streaming with AI Radio Bot and unleash your broadcasting potential today.

Show Talk with Technology Experts

Allentown, PA, April 05, 2024 — The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) will host an Automation & Manufacturing Technology (AMT) Show on April 25, 2024, from 7:30 AM to noon, at the Delta Hotel by Marriott, Breinigsville, PA. After networking and breakfast, there will be speakers and presentations from 8:30 to 9:45 AM. Between 9:45 AM and noon, there will be floor demonstrations and the opportunity to speak with vendors. For more details and the current list of 23 vendors & technologies, visit the MRC website at www.mrcpa.org/events. Discover the future of manufacturing at our Automation & Manufacturing Technology Show where proven technology will be on display.

Vendors and Floor Demonstrations Include: Machine Vision, Cyber Security, Industrial Networks, Business Software Solutions, Augmented Reality, Data Collection and Analysis

“The future of manufacturing is automation and more efficient, high-tech, and innovative operational processes,” says Rich Hobbs, President & CEO of MRC. “This event is about taking business operations to the next level by using automation to support continuous improvement while attracting talent and using automation as a tool to capture the knowledge of the retiring workforce.”

MRC encourages entire business teams to explore and discover technologies that can help them solve difficult challenges. In addition to building relationships and connecting with other manufacturers, this event will allow manufacturers to explore industrial innovation and experience live technology demonstrations that solve problems.

Registration is on the MRC website and is needed to save seating. The fee is $50/person or $300 for a table of eight. (Meals & Beverages included) Seating for walk-ins cannot be guaranteed.