Connect with us

Technology

Data Security and Performance: ScaleFlux on Overcoming the Challenges Behind SDS

Published

on

Cost efficiency and scalability drive SDS adoption, with organizations leveraging automation and resource optimization to reduce expenses while increasing storage infrastructure. JB Baker, VP of Products for ScaleFlux, underscores the complexities of SDS deployments. Successfully addressing integration, security, performance optimization, and efficiency amid expanding data demands requires monitoring tools, load balancing, and scalable architecture.

MILPITAS, Calif. , July 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Nearly 403 million terabytes of data are created daily, with an estimated creation of 147 zettabytes of data in 2024. 1 In perspective, if one kilometer represented each terabyte of those 147 zettabytes, the result would be equivalent to 1,300 trips to the moon and back. 2 Software-defined storage (SDS) frees organizations from proprietary hardware and provides maximum flexibility to meet escalating data storage needs, potentially achieving limitless scalability across networks of any size. JB Baker, VP of Products for ScaleFlux, cautions, “While SDS offers the potential for unparalleled scalability and flexibility, deployments need to be approached with eyes wide open to avoid security vulnerabilities, performance bottlenecks, and financial repercussions. By strategically addressing these areas, organizations can enhance their SDS deployments, making them more integrated with existing systems, secure, and capable of scaling efficiently without performance degradation.”

“While SDS offers unparalleled scalability and flexibility, it must be approached with caution to avoid security vulnerabilities, performance bottlenecks, and financial repercussions,” states JB Baker, VP of Products for ScaleFlux.

One of the primary challenges of SDS is integrating it with existing infrastructure. A comprehensive integration strategy is essential, beginning with a thorough assessment of current IT systems to identify compatibility issues. Customized integration solutions, including middleware and APIs, can bridge gaps between SDS and existing infrastructure. Collaborating with SDS vendors for support and expertise is also crucial. “Starting with clear goals for your storage infrastructure can significantly streamline the integration process, whether you’re transitioning from traditional systems or starting from scratch,” Baker advises.

Organizations must adopt a robust security framework to prevent vulnerabilities from emerging as they deploy SDS environments. SDS offerings include security features. Users will need to carefully review and configure the settings to align with their corporate security structure. This includes data encryption at rest and/or in transit, rigorous access controls, and routine security audits. Regular updates and patch management are vital to ensure that all components of the SDS environment are protected. Advanced threat detection tools can quickly identify and mitigate risk, enhancing overall security. “A multifaceted security approach is non-negotiable in SDS environments where data is distributed across various nodes and layers,” emphasizes Baker.

Performance bottlenecks in large-scale SDS mobilizations can be avoided through strategic scaling and resource management. Implementing performance monitoring tools and load balancing can dynamically allocate resources and prevent bottlenecks. Designing a scalable architecture and optimizing data placement and caching strategies are also vital. Selecting appropriate hardware and carefully configuring SDS settings, particularly for data reduction, can further enhance performance and efficiency. Baker notes, “While being ‘hardware agnostic’ is a fundamental attribute of SDS, the selection of hardware – including the choice of drives – is crucial to meeting your performance and latency targets.”

Before transitioning to SDS, companies should carefully assess the financial implications. The transition can involve significant up-front costs as well as ongoing operational expenses. Phased implementation, leveraging existing infrastructure, and negotiating flexible pricing models with vendors can help manage initial expenditures. Regular cost-benefit analysis, optimizing resource utilization, and investing in automated management tools can balance overhead with long-term financial benefits. Evaluating the total cost of ownership and considering performance improvements and scalability are crucial for assessing SDS’s return on investment (ROI). Once again, the choice of hardware configurations can have a significant effect on the overall total cost of ownership (TCO) and reliability of the solution, with the right hardware reducing costs and improving reliability.

ScaleFlux helps users address these SDS challenges with advanced NVMe SSDs with built-in compute engines. These NVMe SSDs, designed for demanding 24×7 workloads, offer encryption, penalty-free data compression, and enhanced performance and endurance. Working closely with SDS vendors, ScaleFlux integrates compression management directly into the SDS application, simplifying the user experience. ScaleFlux partners with value-added resellers and systems integrators to offer pre-configured platforms tailored for SDS deployments, eliminating the guesswork in hardware selection.

ScaleFlux’s commitment to continuous innovation ensures that its solutions evolve to meet the growing demands of the industry. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements and maintaining a focus on customer needs, ScaleFlux is a preferred partner for enterprises looking to optimize their storage infrastructure with a comprehensive suite of solutions that enhance performance, security, and cost efficiency.

“ScaleFlux’s innovative technology and strategic partnerships make us a strong ally for organizations navigating the complexities of SDS,” Baker concludes. “Our solutions not only enhance performance and security but also reduce total cost of ownership, making SDS adoption more financially beneficial.”

About ScaleFlux 
In an era where data reigns supreme, ScaleFlux emerges as the vanguard of storage and memory technology, poised to redefine the landscape of the data infrastructure – from cloud to AI, enterprise, and edge computing. With a commitment to innovation, ScaleFlux introduces a revolutionary approach to storage and memory that seamlessly combines hardware and software, designed to unlock unprecedented performance, efficiency, security and scalability for data-intensive applications. As the world stands on the brink of a data explosion, ScaleFlux’s cutting-edge technology offers a beacon of hope, promising not just to manage the deluge but to transform it into actionable insights and value, heralding a new dawn for businesses and data centers worldwide. For more details, visit https://scaleflux.com/.   

References:
1. Duarte, Fabio. “Amount of Data Created Daily (2024).” Exploding Topics, Exploding Topics, 13 June 2024, explodingtopics.com/blog/data-generated-per-day.
2. Thomas Barnett, Jr. “The Zettabyte Era Officially Begins (How Much Is That?).” Cisco Blogs, 11 Oct. 2016, blogs.cisco.com/sp/the-zettabyte-era-officially-begins-how-much-is-that.

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com , jotopr.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/data-security-and-performance-scaleflux-on-overcoming-the-challenges-behind-sds-302196536.html

SOURCE ScaleFlux

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Walmart Has 23.6% of U.S. Grocery Sales – But Costco Owns the AI Answer – 5W Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026

Published

on

By

Walmart Owns 21% of U.S. Grocery — But Costco Owns the AI Answer 

NEW YORK, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5WPR, the premier AI communications firm in the United States, today released the U.S. Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026 — the 11th installment in 5W’s AI Visibility Index research series, and the first to rank American grocery retailers by how frequently they are cited inside AI-generated answers.

The headline finding rewrites the category league table.

Walmart, with approximately 21 percent of U.S. grocery market share — the largest in the country — ranks fourth in AI citation share. The retailer cited most often when American shoppers ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews where to buy their groceries is Costco. Trader Joe’s ranks second. Whole Foods ranks third. Aldi, H-E-B, and Wegmans are all punching far above what their physical footprint would predict.

“Market share is a lagging indicator. AI citation share is a leading indicator,” said Ronn Torossian, Founder and Chairman of 5W. “The grocers who close that gap in 2026 will define the category in 2030. Most grocery CMOs we talk to are running 2019 playbooks against 2026 consumer behavior.”

5W researchers ran more than 80 consumer-intent queries across 12 sub-categories — best overall grocery store, cheapest, highest-quality produce, best private label, best organic, best meal planning, best bulk, best delivery, best customer service, best regional, and others — across the four leading consumer AI platforms. Each retailer was scored on citation frequency, position within the answer, sentiment, and sub-category dominance.

The top 10: Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger, Aldi, H-E-B, Publix, Wegmans, and Target.

Key structural findings:

Market share no longer predicts AI citation share. Walmart’s roughly 21 percent share translates to an estimated 8 to 10 percent AI citation share across premium query categories. The decoupling is the single largest such gap in American retail.Private label is the highest-leverage citation asset a grocer owns. Kirkland, Trader Joe’s, 365, Good & Gather, and Great Value are cited directly by name in AI answers at rates that exceed most national CPG brands.Regional loyalty translates directly into regional AI dominance. Regional chains outperform national chains in their home markets by 3x or more.Reddit and TikTok are under-priced citation surfaces. Perplexity pulls a majority of its answers from community sources. ChatGPT and Claude weight Reddit heavily.

The report also identifies six 2026 dynamics reshaping the category, including the new GLP-1 grocery basket, Aldi’s expansion as a citation-compounding program, and Walmart’s CEO transition from Doug McMillon to John Furner — effective February 1, 2026 — as a brand-narrative inflection point.

The full Index, including ranks 11 through 25 and sub-category breakdowns, is available as a free download at 5wpr.com/research.

About 5W

5W is the AI Communications Firm, building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen — ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews — alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and proprietary AI visibility research, helping clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven buyer research. 

Founded more than 20 years ago, 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s, named Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards®, and honored as a Top Place to Work in Communications in 2026 by Ragan. 5W serves clients across B2C sectors including Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, and Nonprofit; B2B specialties including Corporate Communications and Reputation Management; as well as Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, and Digital Marketing, including Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, GEO, and SEO. 5W was also named to the Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year list.

For more information, visit www.5wpr.com.

Media Contact
Chris Bergin
cbergin@5wpr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmart-has-23-6-of-us-grocery-sales—but-costco-owns-the-ai-answer—5w-grocery-retail-ai-visibility-index-2026–302763266.html

SOURCE 5W Public Relations

Continue Reading

Technology

ICAT Logistics Appoints Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer

Published

on

By

Transportation and logistics finance leader joins as ICAT accelerates its next phase of growth

DALLAS, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICAT Logistics announces the appointment of Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer. Annali brings more than two decades of senior finance leadership across global logistics and supply chain businesses, and joins as the company scales its platform, team, and operational capabilities globally. 

Annali joins ICAT from OIA Global, a $1.4 billion revenue supply chain management leader, where he served as CFO for four years overseeing Finance, Corporate Development, Strategy, Legal, Compliance, and Real Estate. Prior to OIA, he spent eleven years at CEVA Logistics—one of the world’s largest freight and logistics providers—rising to CFO & EVP Finance for North America, where he held financial accountability for a business generating over $4.5 billion in annual revenue and more than 14,000 employees. Earlier in his career, he served in senior finance roles at Abbott, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Annali has a consistent track record of building finance functions that support strategic growth and has deep experience across financial planning, M&A, treasury, and corporate restructuring. He holds a Post-Master’s in Finance and Control from the University of Amsterdam and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Groningen.

“Youssef has led high-performing finance teams at the highest levels of global logistics. He brings the operational depth and strategic mindset our platform demands as we enter the next phase of growth,” said Brad Stogner, CEO of ICAT Logistics.

“ICAT has built something genuinely differentiated—a specialized platform operating in verticals where precision and domain expertise are non-negotiable. The foundation is strong, and the opportunity ahead is significant. I look forward to working with the team to accelerate that momentum,” said Youssef Annali, Chief Financial Officer of ICAT Logistics.

About ICAT

ICAT is the world’s leading specialized logistics company, delivering customized solutions and deep vertical expertise to industries where failure is not an option. With 65 offices and operating capabilities in 190 countries, ICAT serves customers across Live Events, Luxury, Technology, Defense & Aerospace, Life Sciences, and Financial Institutions—sectors defined by uncompromising performance standards. ICAT’s proprietary, AI-powered technology platform provides end-to-end visibility and predictive intelligence, enabling precise execution for the most demanding operations.

ICAT is backed by New Atlas Capital following its acquisition of the Company in 2024.

Contact Information

ICAT Logistics, Inc.
8840 Cypress Waters Blvd, Ste 325,
Coppell, TX, 75019
marketing@icatlogistics.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icat-logistics-appoints-youssef-annali-as-chief-financial-officer-302765924.html

SOURCE ICAT Logistics, Inc.

Continue Reading

Technology

HelloNation Article Highlights Poughkeepsie’s Focus on Youth Investment, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse

Published

on

By

The article examines how redevelopment projects and youth programs are reshaping community life across Poughkeepsie.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does long term community growth look like when a city invests in both people and public spaces? HelloNation has published a HelloNation article that provides the answer through a detailed look at how Poughkeepsie is combining youth investment, neighborhood improvements and adaptive reuse projects to support residents and strengthen the city’s future.

The article explains that Poughkeepsie is undergoing a period of reinvention centered on infrastructure upgrades, youth programming and redevelopment along the city’s Northside. According to the article, local and county leaders are working to create spaces where residents can learn, gather and build stronger community connections. The article notes that these efforts are intended to improve quality of life while helping the city grow in a more sustainable and inclusive way.

A major focus of the article is the planned Youth Opportunity Union, also known as the YOU, a large multipurpose youth facility backed by Dutchess County. The HelloNation article describes the project as a 19,000 square foot center that will include childcare services, wellness support, tutoring areas, teaching kitchens and both indoor and outdoor recreation spaces. The article explains that the project reflects a larger regional effort to increase opportunities for children and teenagers in underserved communities.

The article also highlights additional youth centered investments connected to sports, education and recreation. According to the article, Dutchess County has awarded grants to local organizations serving young people between the ages of 6 and 17. The article further explains that Poughkeepsie’s City Parks program has introduced mini grants designed to support renovations and activities in neighborhood parks, including Pershing Avenue and Malcolm X parks.

Beyond youth programs, the article details how the city is working to improve transportation and neighborhood infrastructure. The HelloNation article explains that Poughkeepsie launched its first five year paving plan in 2025, beginning with major roadway improvements on Main Street and other corridors. The article states that these upgrades are intended to improve safety, durability and daily conditions for residents while supporting broader redevelopment goals throughout the city.

Another important part of the article focuses on adaptive reuse and environmental redevelopment on the Northside. The article describes how Scenic Hudson plans to transform the former Standard Gage Factory into the Northside Hub, a redevelopment project designed to serve as both a nonprofit headquarters and a community gathering space. According to the article, the project will feature solar powered operations, office space, public parkland and community facilities near the Walkway Over the Hudson and Dutchess Rail Trail.

The article also explains that Poughkeepsie’s selection as the Mid Hudson winner in New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative adds additional momentum to current redevelopment efforts. The HelloNation article notes that the funding will support new downtown projects that build on existing investments in youth programs, infrastructure and adaptive reuse. Together, these efforts are presented as part of a broader strategy to create long term stability and opportunity for local residents.

The article concludes that Poughkeepsie’s emerging identity is closely tied to projects that strengthen neighborhoods while supporting future generations. Poughkeepsie Puts Youth, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse at the Center of Renewal features insights from HelloNation Staff Writer, community development coverage of Poughkeepsie, New York, 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.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hellonation-article-highlights-poughkeepsies-focus-on-youth-investment-neighborhood-parks-and-sustainable-reuse-302765999.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Trending