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Tikit by Cireson Announces Winners of the Tikit ITSM Awards

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SAN DIEGO, July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Tikit by Cireson, the leading Microsoft-aligned IT Service Management (ITSM) platform, today announces the winning organizations for the Tikit ITSM Awards.

This awards program was designed to recognize organizational achievements in the ITSM space using Tikit. Specifically, these awards aim to showcase customer successes, recognize achievements made by customers they can share with the ITSM community, inspire others in the ITSM space and offer networking opportunities among Tikit customers. By recognizing the outstanding contributions of these organizations with both the Tikit and broader ITSM communities, we hope to encourage more organizations to enhance their service desk and overall improve the employee experience across their organization. 

When asked about this new awards program, Director of Product Management at Tikit, Adam Dzyacky, said: “The Tikit ITSM Awards were created not just as a place to give creators a chance to show off their service management expertise, but as a way to draw attention to the very real day-to-day work issues everyone deals with and how they are being improved, and ultimately solved. The submissions the Tikit Team has received highlight the creativity, dedication and passion teams across the board have for improving their internal request processes.”

The Tikit ITSM Awards consist of five categories:

Best ITSM ProcessBest Power Automate FlowBest Custom ReportingBest Multi-Department ExperienceBest Tikit Virtual Agent Branding

For the Best ITSM Process, the winner is SERVEONE. SERVEONE is a Korean-based global procurement solution expert that upgrades procurement management and contributes to the sustainable innovation of clients. For their submission, SERVEONE outlines how when initially vetting ITSM solutions, it was critical to find a solution that easy to implement and intuitive for their workforce which consists of more than 1,200 employees across seven countries and eight corporate entities. As a result of Tikit’s implementation, SERVEONE has been able to achieve an ITSM process which has centralized their service desk needs while simultaneously allowing them to harness data to optimize their workflows and introduce much needed optimization with such a lean IT team servicing so many end users. Specifically, they have been able to improve productivity by more than 30%.

“For years, I had wanted to identify areas for improvement based on internal feedback and reports from IT service requests across the company, while still maintaining productivity with our understaffed IT team. Using just email and Teams had its limitations, so I knew we needed a proper ITSM solution. However, implementing an ITSM solution requires significant commitment and change management from the top to the bottom of the organization, which discouraged me and our IT staff for many years until we finally incorporated Tikit as a key foundation in our digital transformation journey for internal IT services. Winning this award means we can receive more attention and recognition from our management and employees regarding the importance of facilitating Tikit. This will create a virtuous cycle for improving the effectiveness of our business applications and increasing the productivity of our IT staff,” shared Tac-Seung Chung, IT Planning in Platform Business at SERVEONE.

For Best Power Automate Flow, the winner is Southern Illinois University (SIU). SIU is a public university located in southern Illinois, specifically in Carbondale, Il., USA. SIU was chartered in 1869. As of 2023, they had a total enrollment of 11,359 students from all 50 USA states as well as more than 100 countries. For their submission, SIU outlines their Power BI access request process. They use an API call to add information input into a Microsoft Form into an adaptive card that appears within the Custom Form answers dropdown. As Microsoft Forms are used in many of their processes, this was an essential piece of the puzzle for them. Ultimately, the full process has yielded positive results across the entire team noting it has helped the entire organization become more productive.

“We pride ourselves in our efficient and innovative processes, so it is a huge honor for both my team and I to be receiving this award. Being recognized by the product I spend every day in, is super rewarding, and it couldn’t come from a better product team. We have had nothing but good interactions with the Tikit team and are so appreciative of all of the hard work that they have put into this product, we especially love the way they accept feedback, make quick changes and implement new features. I cannot thank you enough for this recognition and can’t wait to see what the future of Tikit has in store for us here at Southern Illinois University Carbondale,” shared Alexis Stallman OBrien, Associate, Information Technology Support, Information Technology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

For Best Custom Reporting, the winner is 98 Ventures. 98 Ventures is a South Carolina, USA-based executive management solutions company, servicing companies across various industries including logistics, fulfillment services and technology. For their submission, the 98 Ventures team shares how their journey with Tikit began with the desire to bring IT support back in-house versus outsourcing to an MSP. Upon implementation, they immediately recognized and addressed the need to establish KPIs to bring visibility into the team’s work. Reports created by the team include open tickets, equipment requests & returns, ticket source, ticket category, tickets by type, ticket create and close dates, lifecycle status and more. To further promote awareness across the organization, the 98 Ventures team share their report dashboards on a mounted TV in the offices where their team works, refreshed every five minutes.

“This is amazing! It was great collaborating with our in-house analytics team to create our custom reports. These reports provide our newly established IT team with the critical information necessary to be efficient and successful. The reports they were able to create are invaluable to a new team like ours. Our analytics team members take great pride in what they do and Tikit really provides a platform for them to shine,” said Phil Jenkins, IT Manager at 98 Ventures.

For Best Multi-Department Experience, the winner is also 98 ventures. As existing champions of Tikit, the 98 Ventures team have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to adoption of Tikit’s functionality. Their Multi-Department experience is no exception to this commitment. For their submission, 98 Ventures outlines how they scaled multi-department rollout across their organization over time leading up to Tikit deployment to seven departments, with eight and nine planned in the near future. Ultimately, describing their experience with Tikit and providing a “one stop shop” for their IT support needs.

“Winning the Best Multi-Department Experience award is a proud moment for us. It validates our team’s hard work in integrating Tikit across various departments, creating an efficient and unified support system. This recognition reinforces our goal of providing a seamless and efficient ‘one-stop shop’ for support across all departments in our organization,” shared Hailey Keel, BI Automation and Process Lead at 98 Ventures.

Additionally, for Best Tikit Virtual Agent Branding, the winner is 98 Ventures. The Tikit Virtual Agent works exclusively for the end users in an organization to submit service requests, report incidents and self-service using the AI-powered service catalog. With an intuitive interface using natural language processing, Tikit Virtual Agent elevates the end user experience and increases engagement by empowering users to self-serve with AI-powered ticket deflection. For their submission, 98 Ventures was a clear champion of Tikit Virtual Agent having not only custom branded it, but having done it twice. With custom colors, graphics, name, description and overall esthetic to align with their organizational goals, 98 Ventures embodies the customization intended with Tikit Virtual Agent.

“The past year or so of using and working with the team at Tikit has been incredible. The team is always working on an exciting new feature and getting feedback from their clients, and it’s almost as if they’ve been one or two steps ahead of our needs the entire way,” shared Josh Mingus, Director of Information Systems at 98 Ventures. Adding, “When Tikit announced this competition, I thought we had a good chance to win something based on the time, thought and effort our team has put into these solutions as well the feedback and input we’ve received from the team at Tikit. Never did I think we’d bring home THREE of the possible five awards. Winning the best Tikit Virtual Agent branding award is especially exciting, as our branding has evolved with our use of the platform. This has not only allowed us to keep our users engaged and excited but has also helped us to share our vision of how Tikit helps further our mission and core values. We’re grateful to the team at Tikit for giving us the opportunity to be a part of these awards and are excited to see what the future holds for this platform and our organization.”

The Tikit Team extends their deep appreciation to all the organizations who took the time to submit to the Tikit ITSM Awards.

“The opportunity to learn about the innovative ways our customers are leveraging Tikit for their ITSM needs has been truly inspiring. At Tikit, we are passionate about driving innovation within the ITSM community, and we are honored to have such a dedicated and engaged customer base,” said Paul Sutton, co-founder of Tikit by Cireson. “Our commitment to listening to direct customer feedback is the cornerstone of our development process. Partnering with outstanding organizations allows us to continuously enhance our Microsoft-aligned ITSM solutions, ultimately improving the employee experience.”

About Cireson

Cireson is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner focused on creating software solutions that natively integrate with Microsoft technology. With Cireson, you can choose to centralize your business processes on-premise with their Microsoft System Center Service Manager (SCSM) products or in the cloud with their Cloud-based Microsoft 365 ITSM Solution, Tikit. As Microsoft Service Management experts, Cireson technology is designed to maximize the value of your existing Microsoft investments. For more information, visit Cireson.com.

For More Information:

Visit Cireson’s website
Visit Tikit by Cireson’s website
Read the Tikit Blog
Follow Tikit on X @TeamTikit
Follow Tikit on LinkedIn

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

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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

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ICAT Logistics Appoints Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer

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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

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

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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.

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