Technology
VIAVI Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results
Published
2 years agoon
By
CHANDLER, Ariz., Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) today reported results for its first quarter ended September 28, 2024 with the following highlights.
First Quarter
Net revenue of $238.2 million, down $9.7 million or 3.9% year-over-yearGAAP operating margin of 4.8%, down 170 bps year-over-yearNon-GAAP operating margin of 10.0%, down 240 bps year-over-yearGAAP net loss of $1.8 million, down $11.6 million or 118.4% year-over-yearNon-GAAP net income of $12.4 million, down $7.1 million or 36.4% year-over-year GAAP diluted loss per share of $(0.01), down $0.05 or 125.0% year-over-yearNon-GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.06, down $0.03 or 33.3% year-over-year
“VIAVI’s Q1FY25 revenue came in slightly below the midpoint of our guidance, with weaker demand in NSE partially offset by stronger OSP performance. On a positive side, we are starting to see a pickup in the NSE order momentum with our advanced fiber products such as 800G and recently announced 1.6Tb, being particularly strong. This aligns with our expectations for the beginning of NSE demand recovery in second half of FY25,” said Oleg Khaykin, VIAVI’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Financial Overview:
The tables below (in millions, except percentage, and per share data) provide comparisons of quarterly results to prior periods, including sequential quarterly and year-over-year changes. A full reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures included in the tables is contained in this release under the section titled “Use of Non-GAAP (Adjusted) Financial Measures.”
First Quarter Ended September 28, 2024
GAAP Results
Q1
Q4
Q1
Change
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2024
Q/Q
Y/Y
Net revenue
$ 238.2
$ 252.0
$ 247.9
(5.5) %
(3.9) %
Gross margin
57.1 %
57.8 %
58.2 %
(70) bps
(110) bps
Operating margin
4.8 %
(2.3) %
6.5 %
710 bps
(170) bps
Income (loss) from operations
$ 11.5
$ (5.7)
$ 16.0
301.8 %
(28.1) %
Net (loss) income per share
(0.01)
(0.10)
0.04
90.0 %
(125.0) %
Non-GAAP Results
Q1
Q4
Q1
Change
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2024
Q/Q
Y/Y
Gross margin
59.1 %
59.6 %
60.1 %
(50) bps
(100) bps
Operating margin
10.0 %
10.9 %
12.4 %
(90) bps
(240) bps
Income from operations
$ 23.9
$ 27.5
$ 30.8
(13.1) %
(22.4) %
Earnings per share
0.06
0.08
0.09
(25.0) %
(33.3) %
Net Revenue by Segment
Q1
Q4
Q1
Change
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2024
Q/Q
Y/Y
Network Enablement
$ 141.6
$ 158.5
$ 150.0
(10.7) %
(5.6) %
Service Enablement
17.8
23.7
20.4
(24.9) %
(12.7) %
Optical Security and Performance Products
78.8
69.8
77.5
12.9 %
1.7 %
Total
$ 238.2
$ 252.0
$ 247.9
(5.5) %
(3.9) %
Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEA customers represented 37.2%, 36.1% and 26.7%, respectively, of total net revenue for the quarter ended September 28, 2024.As of September 28, 2024, the Company held $497.9 million in total cash, short-term investments and short-term restricted cash.As of September 28, 2024, the Company had $250 million aggregate principal amount of 1.625% Senior Convertible Notes and $400 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% Senior Notes with a total net carrying value of $637.6 million.During the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2024, the Company generated $13.5 million of cash flows from operations.
Business Outlook for the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025
For the second quarter of fiscal 2025 ending December 28, 2024, the Company expects net revenue to be between $255 million to $265 million and non-GAAP EPS to be between $0.09 to $0.11.
With respect to our expectations above, the Company has not reconciled GAAP net loss per share to non-GAAP EPS in this press release because it is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate estimate of certain reconciling items described in the “Use of Non-GAAP (Adjusted) Financial Measures” section below and the information is not available without unreasonable effort as a result of the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing and/or amounts of certain items, including certain charges related to restructuring, acquisition, integration and related charges. In addition, the Company believes such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that may be confusing or misleading to investors.
Conference Call
The Company will discuss these results and other related matters at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time on October 31, 2024 in a live webcast, which will also be archived for replay on the Company’s website at https://investor.viavisolutions.com. The Company will post supplementary slides outlining the Company’s latest financial results on https://investor.viavisolutions.com under the “Quarterly Results” section concurrently with this earnings press release. This press release is being furnished as a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and will be available at www.sec.gov.
About VIAVI Solutions
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.
Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements include any expectation, anticipation or guidance as to future financial performance, including future revenue, gross margin, operating expense, operating margin, profitability targets, cash flow and other financial metrics, as well as the impact and duration of certain trends and market position and conditions, including market stabilization and recovery. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. In particular, the Company’s ability to predict future financial performance continues to be difficult due to, among other things: (a) continuing general limited visibility across many of our product lines; (b) quarter-over-quarter product mix fluctuations, which can materially impact profitability measures due to the broad gross margin ranges across our portfolio; (c) consolidations in our industry and customer base; (d) competitive pressures; (e) unforeseen changes or deceleration in the demand for current and new products, technologies, services, delays or unforeseen events in the roll-out of new industry platforms or evolving technology such as 3D sensing and customer purchasing delays due to macroeconomic conditions, tightening of expenditures or as they assess or transition to such new technologies and/or architectures, all of which limit near-term demand visibility, and could negatively impact potential revenue; (f) continued decline of average selling prices across our businesses; (g) notable seasonality and a significant level of in-quarter book-and-ship business; (h) various product and manufacturing transfers, site consolidations, product discontinuances and restructuring and workforce reduction plans, including anticipated cost savings associated with such plans; (i) challenges in execution of business strategy; (j) challenges integrating the businesses the Company has acquired and realizing all of the expected benefits and savings; (k) supply chain and materials constraints and the ability of our suppliers and contract manufacturers to meet production and delivery requirements to our forecasted demand; (l) potential disruptions or delays to our manufacturing and operations due to climate conditions and natural disasters in the regions where we operate, such as wildfires, drought conditions and related water shortages in Arizona, as well as wildfires in Northern California and related blackouts and power outages in that region; (m) the uncertain and ongoing impact to our supply chain of military conflicts, such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the expansion of conflict in the Middle East, including in Lebanon and with Iran, tariffs, sanctions and other trade measures imposed by domestic and foreign governments, adverse actions and escalating tensions with foreign governments, including China, and the possibility of escalation of “trade wars,” cyber-attacks, and retaliatory measures; (n) the impact of infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics on our financial results, revenues, customer demand, business operations and manufacturing and on the business operations of our customers, contract manufacturers and suppliers; and (o) inherent uncertainty related to global markets, including inflationary pressures, recessions, tightening monetary policy and liquidity, and the effect of such markets on demand for our products. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. For more information on the risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date thereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements. We have not filed our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2024. As a result, all financial results described in this earnings release should be considered preliminary, and are subject to change to reflect any necessary adjustments or changes in accounting estimates, that are identified prior to the time we file the Form 10-Q.
Contact Information
Investors:
Vibhuti Nayar
408-404-6305
vibhuti.nayar@viavisolutions.com
Press:
Amit Malhotra
202-341-8624
amit.malhotra@viavisolutions.com
The following financial tables are presented in accordance with GAAP, unless otherwise specified.
-SELECTED PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL DATA –
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
PRELIMINARY
Three Months Ended
September 28,
2024
September 30,
2023
Net revenue
$ 238.2
$ 247.9
Cost of revenues
98.8
100.0
Amortization of acquired technologies
3.3
3.5
Gross profit
136.1
144.4
Operating expenses:
Research and development
49.4
49.9
Selling, general and administrative
74.1
77.2
Amortization of other intangibles
1.1
2.1
Restructuring and related benefits
—
(0.8)
Total operating expenses
124.6
128.4
Income from operations
11.5
16.0
Interest and other income, net
3.2
10.2
Interest expense
(7.5)
(7.8)
Income before income taxes
7.2
18.4
Provision for income taxes
9.0
8.6
Net (loss) income
$ (1.8)
$ 9.8
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic
$ (0.01)
$ 0.04
Diluted
$ (0.01)
$ 0.04
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic
222.0
222.0
Diluted
222.0
224.2
The preliminary financial statements are estimated based on our current information.
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, unaudited)
PRELIMINARY
September 28, 2024
June 29, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 467.9
$ 471.3
Short-term investments
25.2
19.9
Restricted cash
4.8
5.0
Accounts receivable, net
203.1
213.1
Inventories, net
93.2
96.5
Prepayments and other current assets
69.8
70.7
Total current assets
864.0
876.5
Property, plant and equipment, net
230.5
228.2
Goodwill, net
461.2
452.9
Intangibles, net
34.0
38.2
Deferred income taxes
86.1
82.5
Other non-current assets
61.8
58.0
Total assets
$ 1,737.6
$ 1,736.3
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 47.4
$ 50.4
Accrued payroll and related expenses
44.4
48.2
Deferred revenue
63.7
65.7
Accrued expenses
23.8
25.3
Other current liabilities
53.5
57.5
Total current liabilities
232.8
247.1
Long-term debt
637.6
636.0
Other non-current liabilities
165.1
171.6
Total liabilities
1,035.5
1,054.7
Total stockholders’ equity
702.1
681.6
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 1,737.6
$ 1,736.3
The preliminary financial statements are estimated based on our current information.
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
REPORTABLE SEGMENT INFORMATION
(in millions, unaudited)
PRELIMINARY
Three Months Ended September 28, 2024
Network and Service Enablement
Network
Enablement
Service
Enablement
Network and
Service
Enablement
Optical Security
and Performance
Products
Other Items (1)
Consolidated
GAAP Measures
Net revenue
$ 141.6
$ 17.8
$ 159.4
$ 78.8
$ —
$ 238.2
Gross profit
$ 86.3
$ 10.8
$ 97.1
$ 43.6
$ (4.6)
$ 136.1
Gross margin
60.9 %
60.7 %
60.9 %
55.3 %
57.1 %
Operating (loss) income
$ (7.3)
$ 31.2
$ (12.4)
$ 11.5
Operating margin
(4.6) %
39.6 %
4.8 %
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Network and Service Enablement
Network
Enablement
Service Enablement
Network and
Service
Enablement
Optical Security
and Performance
Products
Other Items (1)
Consolidated
GAAP Measures
Net revenue
$ 150.0
$ 20.4
$ 170.4
$ 77.5
$ —
$ 247.9
Gross profit
$ 94.6
$ 13.7
$ 108.3
$ 40.7
$ (4.6)
$ 144.4
Gross margin
63.1 %
67.2 %
63.6 %
52.5 %
58.2 %
Operating income
$ 1.5
$ 29.3
$ (14.8)
$ 16.0
Operating margin
0.9 %
37.8 %
6.5 %
(1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Measures from Continuing Operations to Non-GAAP Measures below for details of Other Items.
The preliminary financial schedules are estimated based on our current information.
Use of Non-GAAP (Adjusted) Financial Measures
The Company provides non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA financial measures as supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance. The Company uses the measures disclosed in this release to evaluate the Company’s historical and prospective financial performance, as well as its performance relative to its competitors. Specifically, management uses these items to further its own understanding of the Company’s core operating performance, which the Company believes represent its performance in the ordinary, ongoing and customary course of its operations. Accordingly, management excludes from core operating performance items such as those relating to certain purchase price accounting adjustments, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, stock-based compensation, legal settlements, restructuring, changes in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and certain investing and acquisition related expenses and other activities that management believes are not reflective of such ordinary, ongoing and core operating activities.
The Company believes providing this additional information allows investors to see Company results through the eyes of management. The Company further believes that providing this information allows investors to better understand the Company’s financial performance and, importantly, to evaluate the efficacy of the methodology and information used by management to evaluate and measure such performance.
The non-GAAP adjustments described in this release are excluded by the Company from its GAAP financial measures because the Company believes excluding these items enables investors to evaluate more clearly and consistently the Company’s core operational performance. The non-GAAP adjustments are outlined below.
Cost of revenues, costs of research and development and costs of selling, general and administrative: The Company’s GAAP presentation of gross margin and operating expenses may include (i) additional depreciation and amortization from changes in estimated useful life and the write-down of certain property, equipment and intangibles that have been identified for disposal but remained in use until the date of disposal, (ii) charges such as severance, benefits and outplacement costs related to restructuring plans, (iii) costs for facilities not required for ongoing operations, and costs related to the relocation of certain equipment from these facilities and/or contract manufacturer facilities, (iv) stock-based compensation, (v) amortization expense related to acquired intangibles, (vi) changes in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and (vii) other charges unrelated to our core operating performance comprised mainly of acquisition related transaction costs, integration costs related to acquired entities, litigation and legal settlements and other costs and contingencies unrelated to current and future operations, including transformational initiatives such as the implementation of simplified automated processes, site consolidations, and reorganizations. The Company excludes these items in calculating non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP EPS, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.
Non-cash interest expense and other expense: The Company excludes certain investing expenses, including accretion of debt discount, and other non-cash activities that management believes are not reflective of such ordinary, ongoing and core operating activities, when calculating non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS.
Income tax expense or benefit: The Company excludes certain non-cash tax expense or benefit items, such as the utilization of net operating losses where valuation allowances were released, intra-period tax allocation benefit and the tax effect for amortization of non-tax deductible intangible assets, when calculating non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS.
Interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other adjustments: The Company’s EBITDA calculation primarily excludes interest income and other income (expense), interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other items that are not part of its core operating performance described above. The Company’s adjusted EBITDA excludes items in addition to the items excluded from the EBITDA calculation, such as stock-based compensation, restructuring, gain or loss on sale of available for-sale investments, changes in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities arising from prior acquisitions and other charges related to activities that are not part of its core operating performance described above. Management believes adjusted EBITDA is a helpful indicator of the Company’s core operational cash flow.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, preferable to, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to non-GAAP net income is net income. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to non-GAAP EPS is net income per share. The Company believes these GAAP measures alone are not fully indicative of its core operating expenses and performance and that providing non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP measures provides valuable supplemental information regarding the Company’s overall performance.
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP MEASURES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
PRELIMINARY
The following tables reconcile GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures:
Three Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Gross
Profit
Gross
Margin
Gross
Profit
Gross
Margin
GAAP measures
$ 136.1
57.1 %
$ 144.4
58.2 %
Stock-based compensation
1.2
0.5 %
1.2
0.5 %
Other charges (benefits) unrelated to core operating performance
0.1
0.1 %
(0.1)
— %
Amortization of intangibles
3.3
1.4 %
3.5
1.4 %
Total related to Cost of Revenue
4.6
2.0 %
4.6
1.9 %
Non-GAAP measures
$ 140.7
59.1 %
$ 149.0
60.1 %
Three Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Operating
Income
Operating
Margin
Operating
Income
Operating
Margin
GAAP measures
$ 11.5
4.8 %
$ 16.0
6.5 %
Stock-based compensation
12.7
5.3 %
11.2
4.5 %
Change in fair value of contingent liability
(3.5)
(1.5) %
(1.4)
(0.6) %
Acquisition and integration related charges
0.6
0.3 %
—
— %
Other (benefits) charges unrelated to core operating performance (1)
(0.5)
(0.2) %
0.2
0.1 %
Amortization of intangibles
4.4
1.8 %
5.6
2.2 %
Restructuring and related charges
—
— %
(0.8)
(0.3) %
Litigation settlement
(1.3)
(0.5) %
—
— %
Total related to Cost of Revenue and Operating Expenses
12.4
5.2 %
14.8
5.9 %
Non-GAAP measures
23.9
10.0 %
30.8
12.4 %
Three Months Ended
September 28, 2024
September 30, 2023
Net (Loss)
Income
Diluted
EPS
Net
Income
Diluted
EPS
GAAP measures
$ (1.8)
$ (0.01)
$ 9.8
$ 0.04
Items reconciling GAAP Net (Loss) Income and EPS to Non-GAAP Net Income and EPS:
Stock-based compensation
12.7
0.06
11.2
0.05
Change in fair value of contingent liability
(3.5)
(0.01)
(1.4)
—
Acquisition and integration related charges
0.6
—
—
—
Other (benefits) charges unrelated to core operating performance (1)
(0.5)
—
0.2
—
Amortization of intangibles
4.4
0.02
5.6
0.02
Restructuring and related benefits
—
—
(0.8)
—
Litigation settlement
(1.3)
(0.01)
(7.3)
(0.03)
Non-cash interest expense and other expense
1.1
0.01
1.2
0.01
Provision for income taxes
0.7
—
1.0
—
Total related to Net (Loss) Income and EPS
14.2
0.07
9.7
0.05
Non-GAAP measures
$ 12.4
$ 0.06
$ 19.5
$ 0.09
Shares used in per share calculation for Non-GAAP EPS
224.0
224.2
Note: Certain totals may not add due to rounding.
(1) Included in the three months ended September 28, 2024 is a gain of $0.9 million on the sale of assets previously classified as held for sale and other charges unrelated to core operating performance of $0.4 million.
The preliminary financial schedules are estimated based on our current information.
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP MEASURES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(in millions, unaudited)
PRELIMINARY
Three Months Ended
September 28,
2024
September 30,
2023
GAAP Net (Loss) Income
$ (1.8)
$ 9.8
Interest and other income, net (1)
(3.2)
(10.2)
Interest expense
7.5
7.8
Provision for income taxes
9.0
8.6
Depreciation
9.7
9.8
Amortization
4.4
5.6
EBITDA
25.6
31.4
Restructuring and related benefits
—
(0.8)
Stock-based compensation
12.7
11.2
Change in fair value of contingent liability
(3.5)
(1.4)
Acquisition and integration related charges
0.6
—
Other (benefits) charges unrelated to core operating performance (2)
(1.9)
0.1
Adjusted EBITDA
$ 33.5
$ 40.5
Note: Certain totals may not add due to rounding.
(1) Includes favorable litigation settlement of $7.3 million recorded as a gain to Interest and other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
(2) Included in the three months ended September 28, 2024 is a gain on litigation settlement of $1.3 million, a gain on the sale of assets previously classified as held for sale of $0.9 million and other charges unrelated to core operating performance of $0.3 million.
The preliminary financial schedules are estimated based on our current information.
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Best AI Design Tools
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Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.
About CapCut
CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.
About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html
SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org
Technology
Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts
Published
21 minutes agoon
July 18, 2026By
NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Software Experts has recognized CapCut as a top choice among AI design tools for 2026, citing its AI Design Studio as a standout resource for creating images and marketing assets. The recognition points to the platform’s combination of automated layout generation, image editing, and campaign focused features built for marketers, e-commerce sellers, and content creators.
Best AI Design Tools
CapCut AI Design Studio – a web based design workspace that uses AI to help users create ads, product visuals, and branded content without prior design experience.
Core Capabilities of the AI Design Studio
The AI Design Studio is built around a conversational, infinite canvas that allows users to work with an AI design agent in real time. Instead of starting from a blank template, users type a prompt, upload reference images, and receive layout options generated automatically.
The latest version, Design 2.0, brings references, drafts, assets, and edits into a single workspace. Features include pencil prompting for visual editing, smart layer split for separating subjects and backgrounds, and a One More function that generates new creative directions from an existing design. Users can circle, brush, or mark up an image directly to guide how the AI adjusts a design, rather than relying only on written prompts.
An inspiration hub with built in assets and license free images is also part of the workspace, helping users start projects without sourcing outside materials. Layers for text, subjects, and backgrounds remain editable throughout the process, which allows for adjustments without regenerating an entire design from scratch.
Applications for E-Commerce and Marketing Teams
The AI Design Studio supports several common business use cases, including product content creation, trend based design remixing, and clothing visualization for fashion brands. These features are designed to reduce the time spent on repetitive production tasks, particularly for teams that need to update visuals frequently.
For e-commerce sellers, the tool can generate product main images, banners, and packaging designs from a single uploaded photo, and supports batch replacement across shared backgrounds. A seller managing multiple product lines can apply the same background and layout across different items with one click, rather than recreating each asset individually.
Fashion brands can use the AI clothing try-on feature to visualize how garments appear on different models, helping with catalog updates during seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday. Marketing and social teams can generate assets in multiple styles and resize them automatically for different platforms, which helps maintain consistency across channels without manual reformatting. The trend remixing feature also allows brands to reference the structure of a popular design while keeping the content original to their own products.
Design Automation Powered by Seedream 5.0
For marketing posters and layout heavy assets, the AI Design Studio incorporates the Seedream 5.0 model, which is ranked first on Artificial Analysis’ Text-to-Image Leaderboard. The model is used to arrange visual elements, generate multiple layout variations, and handle typesetting automatically based on uploaded product images.
This approach is intended to reduce the manual work involved in formatting marketing materials. Uploading one or more product photos allows the system to generate several layout options, positioning text, imagery, and other elements without requiring manual placement. Once a layout is generated, users can continue refining it with stickers, filters, or additional effects within the same workspace.
The process is designed to move from prompt to a finished, ready to use asset without requiring separate design software. For teams producing large volumes of seasonal or promotional content, this can reduce the number of tools involved in a single campaign.
Why AI Design Tools Matter for Small Teams
AI design tools are becoming useful because many teams need more visual content than traditional workflows can comfortably support. The Software Experts review notes that marketers, creators, and small businesses often need product images, social graphics, banners, email headers, event posters, and campaign visuals on tight timelines.
For small teams, the main advantage is not simply automation. It is the ability to get to a workable draft faster. Starting from a blank canvas can slow down campaign production, especially when a team is managing several platforms or product lines. AI-assisted design tools can generate starting points, resize assets, suggest layouts, and help keep visuals consistent across channels.
Access and Getting Started
The AI Design Studio is accessible through CapCut desktop by selecting Design Agent from the main dashboard. Users enter a text prompt describing the desired output, optionally upload reference images, and review the generated results.
A typical workflow might involve uploading a reference photo and entering a detailed prompt describing a desired style, color palette, or setting. The AI then generates initial design options based on that input. The built in editor allows for further adjustments, including color changes, auto cutout, element removal, and text overlays, before the final image is downloaded in high resolution.
Software Experts noted that the AI Design Studio is suited to a range of users, from e-commerce sellers managing large catalogs to individual creators producing social media content, as well as marketing teams handling multiple campaigns at once. The tool is offered as part of CapCut’s existing platform, with pricing details available directly through CapCut.
Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.
About CapCut
CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.
About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html
SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org
Technology
Samsung Selects Chandigarh University Student as ‘Punjab AI State Topper’
Published
1 hour agoon
July 18, 2026By
CU Student Devesh Panwar Wins Rs 1 Lakh Award for Developing AI-Based Document Search System
CHANDIGARH, India, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) student of Chandigarh University, Devesh Panwar, has been named the “Punjab State Topper” in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) under the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program organised by Samsung in collaboration with Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) and training partner Focal Skill Development (Focalyt) to equip Indian youth with industry-relevant in-demand skills in AI, loT, Big Data, and Coding & Programming, preparing them for future careers.
A final-year student of Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) at University Institute of Computing (UIC) of Chandigarh University, Devesh Panwar also won a cash award of Rs 1 lakh along with a laptop, and exclusive Samsung rewards for achieving this remarkable milestone under the Samsung Innovation Campus AI Program.
“Being named ‘AI State Topper’ was a moment of profound pride and validation for me. Hard work, intense technical training and a passion for AI culminated in the immense honor of the Punjab State Topper title. Besides getting access to state-of-the-art tools to fuel my future research and development endeavor, I gained world-class knowledge during the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program. It helped me in gaining hands-on experience and applied AI to solve real-world challenges, especially in aeronautical and technical domains,”
During Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program, Devesh and his team worked on innovative AI capstone project which was presented before the jury panel as part of the final assessment.
“Our team developed the advanced AI-powered system AI Research Agent, a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) platform designed for intelligent querying of private document collections. Organizations, researchers, legal professionals, and HR teams often work with large collections of documents. Traditional search methods rely heavily on keyword matching and require significant manual effort to locate relevant information. The project was developed to address the limitations of traditional document search systems, which often struggle with contextual understanding, retrieval accuracy, learning adaptability, and response speed,” said Devesh.
“The developed system demonstrated significant improvements over traditional document retrieval approaches with faster response generation with integration of modern AI techniques, full-stack development, database systems, and intelligent automation into a single practical solution. By combining modern RAG architecture with innovative retrieval and reasoning mechanisms, this system provides a fast, intelligent, and user-friendly solution for knowledge discovery and resume evaluation. This project not only enhanced our technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Full-Stack Development but also strengthened our problem-solving, teamwork, and professional communication skills. It stands as a significant achievement of our Samsung Innovation Campus 2025 journey and reflects our commitment to building impactful AI solutions for real-world challenges,” he added.
Congratulating Devesh Panwar for being named “Punjab State Topper” AI under the Samsung Innovation Campus Samsung Innovation Program, Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director, Chandigarh University, said, “Devesh’s achievement reflects Chandigarh University’s focus on experiential learning and industry-academia collaboration. Through the Samsung Innovation Campus AI Program, CU students gain practical exposure to AI and building solutions for real-world challenges. This accomplishment reflects not only Devesh’s commitment to excellence but also the growing culture of innovation and industry-oriented learning at Chandigarh University,”.
“Since its inception, Chandigarh University has set benchmarks for world-class education with its dynamic hands-on experiential learning model, industry-aligned programs, dynamic fraternity, state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities and impeccable placements. Samsung Innovation Program is also part of our initiatives to develop a future-ready talent pool equipped with advanced capabilities in AI, loT, Big Data, and Coding and Programming. By bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, this collaboration helps in providing CU’s computer science and computing students exposure to cutting-edge and emerging technologies. CU’s this partnership with Samsung is focused on building future-ready talent equipped with industry-relevant skills in AI and emerging technologies,” Sandhu said.
He said Chandigarh University’s Institute of Computing (UIC) prepares students for a successful career in computing, to create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology. “Chandigarh University carries a vision of crafting next-gen IT professionals who can take up industry challenges effectively and our Institute of Computing (UIC) prepares students for a successful career in computing, to create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology. UIC’s hands-on approach paves the way for a smooth transition to the workforce after graduation. Our students are equipped with the best knowledge, skills and passion to succeed in any number of computing careers. CU’s Institute of Computing renders cutting-edge education ranging from the expertise in traditional software development -to- modern computing technologies. Fully-equipped industry-sponsored labs, industry-aligned curriculum, and accreditations and validations by top companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Google Android, Red Hat etc. give our students an exclusive edge over others,” the Chandigarh University CMD said.
Sandhu said the latest edition of QS World University Rankings has yet again reaffirmed Chandigarh University global standing as a top educational institution. “Continuing its remarkable rise among the world’s leading higher education institutions, Chandigarh University (CU) has made impressive strides in the latest edition of prestigious QS World University Rankings 2027 by securing an overall world rank of 526, an increase of 49 ranks as compared to 575th rank in QS’ 2026 Rankings. This is for the fifth consecutive year that Chandigarh University’s global rankings have witnessed an impressive surge with CU’s world rank going up by an impressive 274 ranks — from the 800th rank in 2023 to 526th in 2027’s Rankings,”.
“As per the latest QS World University Rankings, with All India Rank of 13 among all universities in the country as compared to 16th rank in 2026’s rankings, Chandigarh University now ranks among the top 1% of universities in India and the top 2% of universities in the World, underscoring its growing reputation as a leading institution of higher learning, both in India and globally,” he added.
About Chandigarh University
Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.
Website address: https://www.cuchd.in/
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Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts
Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts
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