MANAGEMENT
AutoStore | January 11, 2023
On January 10, 2023, AutoStore, one of the leading warehouse automation companies in the world, announced the debut of Pio in North America. Pio is a plug-and-play version of AutoStore's popular cube storage technology, designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Based on a pay-per-pick service model, Pio enables SMBs, such as retailers of sporting goods, apparel, crafts, and cosmetics, to adopt robotic automation for a relatively cheap investment, thereby helping more businesses obtain access to the world's most advanced automation technology.
Mats Hovland Vikse, CEO of AutoStore, said, "We established Pio to make our technology available to smaller businesses," He also added, "Only 15 percent of the world's warehouses are automated, and fulfillment operations at smaller retailers are still largely manual. Pio levels the playing field so that enterprises of all sizes can take advantage of the space and cost efficiencies of automated storage and distribution systems."
(Source – Globe Newswire)
Retailers pay a fee for each item picked. Software, robots, and ports used in the automation are owned and maintained by Pio. Users simply need to acquire product bins and the robots' running frames. A Pio facility is modular and expandable and works on standard plug-and-play software that integrates with the most prevalent online retail and shipping platforms. In effect, Pio enables small and medium-sized businesses to compete with much larger businesses with minimal capital expenditures, increased staff, and floor space requirements.
About AutoStore
Founded in 1996, AutoStore is a robot technology company that developed and continues to innovate Cube Storage Automation - the most compact product/inventory storage solution. The company intends to combine software, hardware, and human capabilities to build the future of warehouse management. AutoStore is a multinational corporation with over a thousand systems installed in 46 countries and a variety of sectors. All sales are developed, installed, and supported by a network of authorized system integrators. The company is headquartered in Nedre Vats, Norway, with offices in offices in the United States, Oslo (Norway), the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Singapore
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TECHNOLOGY
Patriot Software, LLC | January 12, 2023
Patriot Software, a renowned accounting and payroll software vendor, has been recognized as a front-runner for Top Small Business Payroll Software by Software Advice.
Software Advice assists organizations in navigating the software buying journey. Its current FrontRunners report analyses user evaluations and ranks the top-scoring products for small businesses based on usability and customer satisfaction ratings.
Patriot, along with being recognized as Top Small Business Payroll Software, also featured in several other Software Advice front-runners reports throughout 2022, such as Top Payroll for Accountants Software, Top Online Payroll Software, and Top Payroll Software.
"I'm excited to see that Software Advice has recognized our payroll software as a FrontRunner, as so many of our customers have," said Jackie Greenfield, Head of Product Management. He added, "Our product managers work closely with our accountants and small business owners to ensure we keep improving our software with new useful features while keeping it easy to use."
(Source – PR Web)
Patriot's payroll software proclaims an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Software Advice, signifying that Patriot's user-friendly, affordable, and speedy payroll software is a must-have for both business owners and accountants alike.
About Patriot Software
Founded in 1986, Patriot Software, located in Canton, Ohio, offers simple yet powerful online accounting and payroll software to US business owners and their accountants. The company provides on-premises or cloud-based solutions that assist business owners in managing, maintaining, and automating payments. Starting from the basement of a factory as a startup, it eventually grew and spawned four additional companies, now employing over 300 people in the United States of America.
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BUSINESS STRATEGY
SmartBiz | January 20, 2023
On January 19, 2023, Sunflower Bank, N.A., announced the start of a new small business lending platform in collaboration with SmartBiz, the renowned artificial intelligence-powered small business financing platform. Through this new end-to-end online portal, small businesses within Sunflower Bank, N.A.'s branch network, will now have access to a smoother process to apply for conventional small business loans ranging from $25,000 to $350,000. Express Line loan products and small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) will be accessible beginning in the second quarter of 2023.
Sunflower Bank provides financial solutions to the individual communities it serves. It offers a comprehensive array of banking services, including personal, small business, commercial, wealth management, credit cards, and mortgages. By utilizing SmartBiz's cutting-edge technology and seasoned small company loan specialists, Sunflower Bank, N.A. has increased efficiency and personalized assistance throughout the loan application and approval process.
Managing Director of Business Banking and SBA at Sunflower Bank, N.A., Matt Fitch stated, “SmartBiz aligns with our relationship banking approach, as well as our ambitious growth plans through its combination of technology and live support,” He further added “We are very excited to be able to meet the needs of more small business customers together and look forward to a long and productive partnership.”
(Source – Business Wire)
“Our mission at SmartBiz is to equip every entrepreneur with reliable access to the capital they need. We are thrilled to partner with Sunflower Bank, N.A. to ensure their clients can grow and strengthen their businesses with the right capital at the right time,” commented SmartBiz CEO Evan Singer.
(Source – Business Wire)
About SmartBiz
Headquartered in San Francisco and Austin, SmartBiz is a leading AI-powered small business financing platform, providing entrepreneurs access to the appropriate capital at the right time. It has connected borrowers with more than $9 billion in SBA 7(a), PPP, and bank term loans to date, all while enhancing efficiency for its network of banks and reliable lending partners. More than 230,000 entrepreneurs have used its platform to get the financing they need to develop, with 60% of the loans given to minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses. It is backed by Investor including Growth Capital, Venrock, Baseline Ventures, First Round Capital and Uncork Capital. In addition, it has been crowned American Banker's Best Fintech to work for on multiple occasions.
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