Technology

DATAMARK Technologies Reinforces Commitment to FCC’s Next Generation 9-1-1 Regulations

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2024

Team of experts prepares to partner with Originating Service Providers and 9-1-1 stakeholders to expedite the transition to NG9-1-1

PITTSBURGH, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — DATAMARK Technologies, a leader in interoperable solutions for public safety location services comprised of DATAMARK, Michael Baker International‘s innovative public safety geographic information systems (GIS) division, and Digital Data Technologies, LLC (DDT), today announced its current product alignment, as well as future development plans, in support of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Report And Order Facilitating The Implementation Of Next Generation 9-1-1 Services. The recently announced partnership is spearheading the development of innovative public safety location offerings that will set the benchmark for future emergency response solutions. This initiative underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to public safety and its pivotal role in the evolution of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) services.

“The recent action by the FCC is a groundbreaking advancement of our nation’s 9-1-1 system – one that will help ensure that this emergency infrastructure functions effectively and supports the deployment of more advanced capabilities. These critical upgrades will ultimately help first responders and public safety personnel save lives,” said Mitch Pinkston, CEO at DATAMARK Technologies. “Our team at DATAMARK Technologies is committed to providing solutions that align with the new rules adopted by the FCC. We believe that accurate location information matters during an emergency call, and we will continue to do our part to make that a reality. Our team of experts is ready to help Originating Service Providers (OSPs) and 9-1-1 stakeholders navigate the critical timeline laid out in the Report and Order as we move toward the implementation of NG9-1-1 throughout the country.”

The Report and Order emphasizes the criticality of overhauling the nation’s Legacy 9-1-1 system in favor of transitioning to NG9-1-1. It requires OSPs to deliver 9-1-1 traffic in IP-based Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) format to one or more in-state delivery points designated by the 9-1-1 Authority. Additionally, it requires embedding the caller’s location information in the call signaling and implementing a Location Information Server (LIS) for the verification of its customer location information and records.

Key components of the Report and Order include ensuring NG9-1-1-compliant GIS data, Next Generation Core Services (NGCS) solutions that support location validation for 9-1-1 callers and interoperability of data and technology. As the only organization offering interoperable GIS and NGCS location services on the market today, DATAMARK Technologies is well positioned to support the current needs of OSPs and 9-1-1 stakeholders.

DATAMARK Technologies’ suite of products provides a fully-integrated GIS solution that ensures data accuracy and completeness from the birth of an address to the 9-1-1 call. This all-inclusive workflow allows for a more efficient, precise and compatible feedback loop with multiple quality control checkpoints and includes:

LDB/LIS (Location Database/Location Information Server): The LDB/LIS can be deployed within an ESInet as an LDB to provide transitional location services to replace a legacy ALI (Automatic Location Identification) system. The LDB/LIS can also be deployed outside of an ESInet as a LIS to assist OSPs by providing location in a native i3 call delivery. The DATAMARK Technologies LDB/LIS is the only solution on the market that natively stores all location data in CLDXF (Civic Location Data Exchange Format) per the NENA i3 standards. The LDB/LIS validates location information using the LVF (Location Validation Function) and generates PIDF-LO (Prescence Information Data Format – Location Object) to be embedded in the call signaling.VEP (Validate – Edit – Provision): DATAMARK Technologies VEP is a full-service software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution for end-to-end GIS data aggregation, preparation and maintenance for NG9-1-1. Clients can use VEP to conduct GIS data aggregation and reconciliation for not only their own GIS datasets, but also among neighboring jurisdictions. Using VEP ensures that jurisdictional boundaries are seamless and reconciles NG9-1-1 GIS data with legacy 9-1-1 databases and related GIS datasets.DataManager: The DataManager product makes authoritative GIS data available to NG9-1-1 functional elements (ECRF/LVF, map displays, CAD, etc.). DataManager provides a quality control process that runs continuously and evaluates updates as they are incorporated into the core database; a data publishing function that transforms, formats and exports the data from the core database into the ECRF or other databases based on the client’s needs; and a secure web interface for enabling administrators to configure quality control and data publishing rules, control users, permissions, and display options.ECRF (Emergency Call Routing Function)/ LVF (Location Validation Function): The ECRF is a scalable, NENA and IETF-compliant LoST (Location-to-Service Translation) server that accepts LoST queries (containing a civic address or geodetic information, as well as the desired emergency service) and returns the appropriate PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) call routing information based on stored GIS data. The LVF validates that a civic address stored in the LDB can be uniquely located in the GIS database, can be properly associated with the correct PSAP and can provide first responders with a “dispatchable” location.

To further support the emerging demands of this market, DATAMARK Technologies is currently developing solutions to expand the capabilities of NG9-1-1 geospatial location services. Additional details about the expanded capabilities will be announced in Fall 2024.

For more information regarding DATAMARK Technologies’ current solutions and upcoming developments, visit https://datamarkgis.com/.

About DATAMARK Technologies

DATAMARK Technologies provides a new era of 9-1-1 and redefines interoperability for the public safety industry. The company combines DATAMARK, Michael Baker International’s public safety division known for best-in-class geographic information systems (GIS) data management and software solutions, with Digital Data Technologies, LLC (DDT), a top-tier Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) location services provider.

This strategic union heralds a new era of 9-1-1 and redefines geospatial data management for the public safety industry. DATAMARK Technologies offers a fully integrated solution that empowers public safety agencies to manage, maintain and leverage GIS data to the highest industry standards. The unified approach breaks down barriers of data silos to improve call routing accuracy, offer seamless discrepancy resolution and provide unwavering location fidelity for call takers with enhanced interoperability.

For more information about DATAMARK Technologies, visit DATAMARKGIS.com or DDTI.net.

Contact:
Julia Covelli
julia.covelli@mbakerintl.com
(866) 293-4609

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SOURCE DATAMARK Technologies

Technology

Zifo Transforms Ontology Engineering with AI-Powered Intelligent Automation

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2026

Advanced AI solution speeds up ontology creation by 80%, generating structured, interoperable knowledge models for science-driven organizations.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and CAMBRIDGE, England, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zifo, the leading global enabler of AI and data-driven enterprise informatics for science-driven organizations, has developed an Intelligent Automation solution for Ontology Engineering, which is designed to seamlessly generate structured, interoperable knowledge models while accelerating ontology creation by 80%.

Overcoming the Bottlenecks of Manual Ontology Creation

Manual ontology creation in the biopharma industry has traditionally been a time-consuming process that requires specialized expertise. Organizations frequently struggle with semantic ambiguity, complex integration challenges, and limited scalability, resulting in workflows that can take weeks to complete. Zifo’s AI-powered automation tackles these challenges head-on by eliminating 80% of the manual work through automated class generation, description creation, and precise IRI mapping.

Addressing the Complexities of Semantic Knowledge

Developing comprehensive knowledge models often demands deep domain expertise to define relationships and align terminology. Zifo’s intelligent solution overcomes this by providing an AI-guided workflow featuring an intuitive interface, meaning specialized ontology engineering knowledge is no longer required. By leveraging LLM-powered generation, the solution creates precise definitions with a deep understanding of domain-specific context, while generating standardized synonyms and establishing controlled vocabulary alignment to eliminate inconsistent terminology.

A Solution Designed for Scalable Scientific Data Modeling

The AI-powered solution addresses critical format compatibility and integration points in ontology management:

Seamless Integration: Automated mapping connects directly to established ontologies, including NCIT, CHEBI, OBI, and EFO, via BioPortal and OLS APIs.Massive Scalability: Parallel processing and batch operations empower teams to execute large-scale ontology projects without performance limitations.Automated Hierarchies: The AI autonomously generates semantic relationships and parent-child hierarchies based on domain context and predefined relation vocabularies.Format Compatibility: The solution produces direct OWL/RDF exports with proper URIs, ensuring seamless downstream integration.

Unique Features include:

Multi-Source Integration: The solution combines BioPortal, OLS, and EMBL-EBI APIs to guarantee comprehensive ontology coverage.Intelligent Ranking System: The system uses AI-powered relevance scoring and justification for precise ontology mappings.Precise IRI Mapping: It ensures that each generated class is linked to the correct IRI, directly promoting semantic web compatibility.Human-in-the-Loop Design: The solution automates repetitive tasks while maintaining vital expert oversight.End-to-End Workflow: Users are guided through a complete pipeline, from initial domain knowledge input straight to exportable OWL files.Visual Knowledge Graph: An interactive graph visualization allows for intuitive relationship exploration and validation.Multi-Format Exports: Provides seamless export options in CSV, OWL, or HTML Ontograph formats for downstream use, collaboration, and visualization.

Strategic Value Across the Scientific Chain

This solution breaks down the traditional barriers of data structuring. Built on a robust backend of Python, LangChain, and leading LLM models, alongside a frontend framework using Next.js 15 and Cytoscape.js for graph visualization, the solution is highly adaptable. Furthermore, future optimization enhancements will include provisions for uploading user-defined classes or semi-ready ontologies.

About Zifo

Zifo is the leading global enabler of AI and data-driven enterprise informatics for science-driven organizations. With expertise spanning research, development, manufacturing, and clinical domains, Zifo serves a diverse range of industries including Pharma, Biotech, Chemicals, Food and Beverage, and more. Trusted by over 190 organizations worldwide, Zifo is the partner of choice for advancing digital scientific innovation.

For more information, visit www.zifornd.com; https://zifornd.com/practical-ai-blueprints/

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SOURCE Zifo Technologies

Technology

UNC-Chapel Hill establishes ‘Carolina in the Capital’ with new Washington, D.C. office

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2026

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has opened a new office in Washington, D.C., establishing an expanded presence for the University in the nation’s capital and creating exciting opportunities for students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Located at 101 Constitution Avenue NW, the 10,861-square-foot space – coined “Carolina in the Capital” – will support a variety of functions, including educational programming for undergraduate and graduate students, alumni relations and engagement with government partners.

As a leading R1 university, UNC-Chapel Hill annually attracts more than $1.6 billion to the state’s economy to fund research that creates a better quality of life for all its citizens. More than 60% of UNC-Chapel Hill’s total research funding comes from federal sponsors with the majority of that federal funding coming from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is based in the Washington area.

“Carolina in the Capital is a state-of-the-art facility that reflects our commitment to creating experiential learning opportunities for our students and faculty,” said Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “The space is designed as an immersive learning environment where students can translate classroom knowledge into hands-on experience, which has never been more important. The facility also strengthens our ability to support engagement between our staff, alumni, policymakers and partners.”

Supporting students participating in Carolina’s Washington-based academic programs is a priority. For years, students and faculty have relied on temporary or borrowed spaces across the city. The new office provides a permanent home where students can gather, learn and build community while living and studying in Washington. A robust schedule of classes and events will fill the space throughout the year.

The Washington, D.C. region is home to the largest concentration of out-of-state Carolina alumni anywhere in the country. The new office creates a dedicated space to strengthen those connections and support networking, mentorship, professional development and community-building among D.C.-based Tar Heels.

The space will also serve as a platform to bring Carolina’s research and academic expertise into closer conversation with policymakers, industry leaders and member organizations. Carolina is the nation’s 11th largest university in the country based on research volume with primary federal funding coming from NIH and the National Science Foundation (NSF), both based in the D.C. area. Carolina is a proud member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities (APLU), which are both based in Washington.

The office is funded entirely through the UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation and does not use any state appropriations.

You can view additional photos of the space here.

Media Contact: UNC Media Relations, 919-445-8555, mediarelations@unc.edu

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SOURCE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Office of Communications

Technology

Investing.com Acquires Stonki to Accelerate Its Entry into the Agentic AI Era

Published

2 hours ago

April 30, 2026

The acquisition strengthens Investing.com’s AI capabilities, advancing a next-generation research assistant that can analyze markets, generate insights, and guide investors in real time

NEW YORK, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Investing.com, one of the world’s largest financial platforms used by more than 60 million investors each month, today announced the acquisition of Stonki, an AI-powered investing assistant designed to help traders turn ideas into structured, actionable trading plans.

The move marks a major step in the company’s evolution toward agentic AI, strengthening its ability to deliver faster, deeper, and more actionable market insights to a growing base of more than 300,000 paying subscribers across its InvestingPro suite, the company’s premium subscription offering for advanced market data, tools, and AI-driven insights.

Over the past 12 months, nearly 3 million users have used WarrenAI, Investing.com’s AI-powered financial research assistant launched last year, to perform market analysis, making AI a central entry point into the platform’s ecosystem. With the addition of Stonki, the company is moving beyond traditional AI tools toward agentic systems that can proactively guide users through the investment process.

“We’re entering the age of agentic AI, where the technology moves beyond just answering questions to actively helping investors think, analyze, and act,” said Omer Shvili, CEO of Investing.com. “Bringing Stonki.ai into the fold accelerates our goal of building an agentic platform that will serve as a 24/7 analyst for our users. We are developing this to be more than just a tool; it will be a partner that identifies opportunities, tracks unfolding situations, and surfaces trade ideas even when the user isn’t active—giving our users the kind of edge that was previously only available to professional investors.”

Founded in 2025, Stonki is developing a new category of ‘agentic’ AI for investing, enabling users to turn investment ideas into fully defined strategies with entry and exit conditions, risk management rules, and continuous monitoring.

“We started Stonki because, as investors and traders ourselves, we knew how much time and focus it takes to stay on top of the market and properly manage a day trade, a swing trade, an investment idea, or a portfolio,” said Ulas Bilgenoglu and Itay Verkh, co-founders of Stonki. “We set out to build AI that could carry part of that load by continuously monitoring the market, turning ideas into structured strategies, and helping users make better decisions with clear entry and exit conditions, disciplined risk management, and ongoing tracking. Joining Investing.com gives us the scale, data, reach, and strong AI foundation to accelerate that vision. Together, we can create an experience where AI helps users stay ahead of the market, manage risk, and act with greater confidence.”

The acquisition expands Investing.com’s AI capabilities across both technical and fundamental investing workflows. Stonki’s technology is built around persistent, real-time intelligence, continuously monitoring markets, tracking user-defined strategies, and alerting investors when conditions align, rather than relying on one-off prompts or static analysis.

For active traders, the platform is evolving into a real-time analysis engine designed to support high-frequency decision-making with precision and speed. For long-term investors, it is becoming a central hub for research, enabling users to evaluate opportunities, set personalized alerts, and monitor portfolios based on their individual investment strategies.

Users will be able to define specific conditions, such as a stock crossing a long-term moving average, and have the AI continuously monitor the market, analyze relevant signals, and surface actionable insights in real time. The system will also review portfolios on an ongoing basis, helping investors avoid potential losses and uncover new opportunities aligned with their strategy.

This latest step builds on Investing.com’s broader strategy of expanding its AI-powered suite, including WarrenAI, ProPicks AI, and its recently launched AI Chart Analysis, all aimed at delivering faster, more accurate and more actionable insights to investors.

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SOURCE Investing.com