The 2026 Customer Service Management Data Quadrant Report from Info-Tech Research Group, powered by SoftwareReviews, recognizes HubSpot Service Hub, Freshdesk, HelpDesk, and Zoho Desk as Champions across the enterprise and Midmarket segments. Based on verified end-user feedback, the report highlights solutions that help organizations improve service operations, manage customer inquiries across channels, and deliver more consistent support experiences.

ARLINGTON, Va., June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – As organizations work to improve customer support, strengthen service delivery, and respond more consistently across channels, customer service management (CSM) platforms have become critical to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Info-Tech Research Group’s 2026 Customer Service Management Data Quadrant Report recognizes HubSpot Service Hub, Freshdesk, HelpDesk, and Zoho Desk as Champions based on verified end-user feedback collected through the firm’s SoftwareReviews platform.

CSM platforms help organizations manage customer inquiries, service requests, and support interactions across multiple channels. Capabilities such as case management, workflow automation, self-service portals, knowledge bases, omnichannel support, and performance reporting give service teams greater visibility into customer issues and help improve response times, resolution rates, and overall customer satisfaction.

Info-Tech’s Data Quadrant is a comprehensive software evaluation tool that ranks products based on verified user feedback across key dimensions, including likelihood to recommend, feature rankings, net emotional footprint score, and vendor capabilities. These dimensions are aggregated into a Composite Score (CS), which reflects overall user satisfaction and determines placement within the Data Quadrant. The firm’s methodology ensures that rankings are based entirely on authentic user reviews, free from analyst opinions or vendor influence.

The 2026 Customer Service Management Enterprise Champions are as follows:

HubSpot Service Hub, 8.8 CS, recognized for its strong website analytics capabilities.Freshdesk, 8.7 CS, highly rated for the business value it delivers to customers.

The 2026 Customer Service Management Midmarket Champions are as follows:

HelpDesk, 9.1 CS, recognized for its analytics and reporting capabilities.Zoho Desk, 8.6 CS, highly rated for its breadth of features and functionality.

“Customer service teams are under pressure to resolve issues faster while maintaining consistent experiences across every channel,” says Thomas Randall, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. “The top customer service management vendors are standing out because users see value in capabilities such as workflow automation, omnichannel support, self-service, and performance reporting. Verified user feedback gives organizations a clearer view of which platforms are delivering that value in real operating environments.”

User assessments of software categories on SoftwareReviews provide an accurate and detailed view of the constantly changing market. Info-Tech’s reports are informed by data from users and IT professionals with intimate experience with the software across the procurement, implementation, and maintenance processes. 

Read the full report: 2026 Customer Service Management Data Quadrant Report

To learn more about Info-Tech’s Vendor Awards, including how Data Quadrant and Emotional Footprint recognition are determined using verified end-user feedback and the underlying evaluation criteria, visit Info-Tech’s Vendor Awards page, powered by SoftwareReviews.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is the “get things done” partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm’s SoftwareReviews platform.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, as well as hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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Michael Peterman, founder and CEO of VeraData, has been named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Florida Award winner — recognized among 11 winners across the state and selected from 592 finalists across 17 regions nationwide. Peterman is the first founder in the nonprofit data and fundraising services sector to receive this honor, capping more than two decades of building data science infrastructure purpose-built for nonprofits. As a regional winner, he now advances to the Entrepreneur Of The Year® National Awards at the Strategic Growth Forum® in Palm Springs, California, November 16–19, 2026.

MIAMI, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Michael Peterman of VeraData Holdings was named an EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Florida Award winner. He was selected among nearly 35 program participants that included 592 finalists across 17 regions competing for the title.

Peterman has spent more than two decades applying rigorous data science to the art of fundraising — building VeraData on the premise that the right data, analyzed the right way, could fundamentally change how nonprofits find and keep donors. Today, VeraData Holdings is a full-spectrum fundraising intelligence enterprise serving nonprofits of every size, collectively raising more than $1 billion annually for clients across the country. What started as a conviction is now a company of more than 240 employees, a team of 25+ PhD mathematicians, and a mission to increase charitable giving as a percentage of U.S. GDP.

“This is a humbling experience,” said Michael Peterman, founder and CEO of VeraData. “Entrepreneurship is a team sport … nobody accomplishes anything meaningful alone. I have been blessed with an incredible team that bought into this vision, believes in it every single day, and works tirelessly to support our clients’ missions. I am also profoundly grateful to the nonprofits who trust us to diverge from the traditional and leverage data, analytics and technology to guide decisioning. This honor belongs to all of them.”

Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. It celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

Regional winners were chosen by an independent panel of past winners, top CEOs and business leaders. Judges assessed candidates on long-term value creation, entrepreneurial spirit, purpose-driven commitment, and significant growth and impact.

“I have watched Michael work for years, and what he has built is extraordinary,” said Michael Kulpinsky, Chief Operating Officer of VeraData Holdings. “It was his passion, his drive, and his unwavering belief in what this company could become that made me want to be part of it. I couldn’t be more honored to watch him receive this recognition. He has earned every bit of it.”

As a Florida award winner, Peterman will now be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors converge to shape the future of business. The National Overall Award winner will move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in May 2027.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized the leadership of entrepreneurs such as:

Jason McGowan, Crumbl CookiesReid Hoffman | Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn Corp.Saeju Jeong, NoomAllison Ellsworth | Stephen Ellsworth, PoppiJitendra Mohan | Sanjay Gajendra | Casey Morrison, Astera LabsShelly Ibach, Sleep NumberHoward Schultz, Starbucks Coffee CompanyHolly Thaggard | Amanda Baldwin, Supergoop!Jodi L. Berg, Vita-Mix CorporationMichael Happe, Winnebago IndustriesArthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons, The Home Depot, Georgia Force

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh Risk, SAP and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Florida, sponsors also include regional Gold sponsor, Selective Insight and regional Silver sponsor, ADP.

About VeraData

VeraData is the originator of Donor Science™, pioneering the use of AI, machine learning, and behavioral data to help nonprofits acquire more donors and generate more revenue. VeraData blends Donor Science, Creative Science, and Media Science through its partner agencies Teal Media (creative and digital storytelling) and Faircom New York (integrated fundraising strategy and donor communications). With capabilities spanning predictive analytics, creative strategy, direct mail production, and data-driven optimization, VeraData equips mission-driven organizations to turn insights into impact and achieve stronger fundraising results. For more information, visit VeraData.com.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year® has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries and territories globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where national finalists and award winners are announced. The national overall winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

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EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law, where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

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This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as accounting, tax, legal or professional advice. Please refer to your advisors for specific advice.

Media Contact

Joey Mechelle Farqué, VeraData, 1 918-373-9144, jfarque@veradata.com, https://www.veradata.com/

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SOURCE VeraData

The article outlines how system size, efficiency ratings, and installation complexity all influence HVAC replacement costs in North Alabama.

MADISON, Ala., June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should a new HVAC system cost, and why do prices vary so much between homes? HelloNation answers that question in an article featuring insights from Jason Sanders of Comfort Masters of North Alabama.

The article explains that replacing a heating and cooling system is one of the largest investments many homeowners make, particularly in North Alabama where HVAC systems work hard through both intense summer heat and colder winter conditions. While many homeowners search online for average HVAC replacement pricing, the actual cost of a new HVAC system depends on several important factors specific to each home and installation.

One of the biggest factors affecting HVAC replacement pricing is system size. HVAC systems are measured by tonnage, which determines how much heating and cooling capacity the equipment can provide. Smaller homes may only require a 2 ton HVAC system, while larger homes often need 4 or 5 ton equipment to maintain reliable indoor comfort during periods of extreme weather. The article notes that properly sizing HVAC systems is critical because oversized or undersized equipment can create efficiency issues, uneven temperatures, and unnecessary wear over time.

Efficiency ratings also significantly influence HVAC replacement costs. Modern equipment uses SEER2 ratings to measure cooling efficiency under updated industry standards. Higher-efficiency equipment often consumes less energy and may help reduce monthly utility bills, but those systems generally involve higher upfront costs as well. Homeowners comparing HVAC replacement options frequently notice major pricing differences between standard systems and advanced high-efficiency equipment with upgraded performance features.

According to the article, homeowners installing a mid-grade HVAC system during summer 2026 may see general pricing ranges vary depending on system size. A 2 ton HVAC system may fall within the mid-$7,000 range for a standard installation, while larger 4 or 5 ton systems often move into the $10,000 to $11,000 range depending on installation complexity and equipment selection. These figures can still vary substantially based on home conditions and optional upgrades.

The article also explains that installation complexity plays a major role in determining final HVAC replacement costs. Every home presents unique challenges involving attic access, ductwork condition, refrigerant piping, electrical systems, and equipment placement. Some heating and cooling system replacements involve relatively straightforward equipment swaps, while others require duct modifications, airflow balancing, or electrical upgrades that increase labor requirements and overall project pricing.

Ductwork condition can further affect the final cost of a new HVAC system. Older duct systems may contain leaks, airflow restrictions, or insulation issues that reduce performance and efficiency. In some homes, duct repairs or modifications become necessary to support newer HVAC systems properly. While these improvements may increase upfront costs, they can also improve indoor comfort and long-term energy efficiency.

The article notes that homeowners often assume the most expensive equipment automatically provides the best results, but that is not always the case. A properly installed mid-grade HVAC system may perform extremely well when matched correctly to the home’s airflow needs, insulation, and square footage. The best heating and cooling system is usually the one properly designed for the property rather than simply the highest-priced option available.

Professional evaluations remain one of the most important steps during HVAC replacement planning. Contractors often perform load calculations that consider square footage, windows, ceiling height, insulation levels, and airflow conditions before recommending equipment sizes or efficiency levels. Proper sizing and installation frequently have a greater impact on long-term comfort and performance than equipment branding alone.

The article concludes that HVAC replacement costs vary widely because every home has different heating and cooling demands. Factors such as installation complexity, high-efficiency equipment, system size, and ductwork condition all influence final pricing. Jason Sanders, an HVAC Expert, explains that understanding these variables helps homeowners compare HVAC replacement options more realistically while focusing on long-term indoor comfort, efficiency, and operating costs.

What Should a New HVAC System Cost? features insights from Jason Sanders, HVAC Expert of Madison, AL, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United States First Responders Association.

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SOURCE HelloNation