Technology

Parts Town Launches AI-Driven Proactive Chat to Power Conversational Commerce

Published

1 year ago

March 4, 2025

Revolutionizing customer experience: new live chat feature makes finding and ordering parts faster and easier than ever with industry-leading response times

ADDISON, Ill. , March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Parts Town, the technology innovator and market-leading distributor of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) foodservice parts, HVAC parts, and residential appliance parts, today announced the launch of an industry-first proactive live chat feature.

Designed to elevate the customer experience through conversational commerce, this innovative tool leverages data to deliver deeper, more meaningful connections with customers in real time. Parts Town’s new proactive chat streamlines the process of finding and buying parts while giving customers greater control over how they shop.

With initial response times 40% faster than the industry average, the new feature leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver real-time support, simplify the purchasing process, and provide personalized assistance. With the introduction of proactive chat, Parts Town can now connect with customers at select moments in the customer journey – just like an in-store associate stepping in when help is needed. A virtual agent engages customers exactly when they need assistance, guiding them to the right parts or answering questions instantly for a seamless shopping experience.

The AI-powered proactive chat supports 27 languages and is integrated into Parts Town’s website and mobile app, providing customers with an efficient way to find and buy parts, track orders, or connect directly with Parts Experts. By intelligently understanding queries and delivering instant, accurate responses, this feature significantly reduces search time and effort – a crucial advantage given that 50% of current chats involve customers working to identify the correct parts.

This launch marks a major milestone in Parts Town’s commitment to harnessing technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

“We are thrilled to introduce our AI-driven chat, a game-changer in how we support our customers,” said Paul Hancox, The Online Outlaw (aka Senior Vice President of Ecommerce). “This tool not only increases the speed and accuracy of our service but also delivers a more personalized and engaging experience. At Parts Town, innovation is at the heart of what we do, and we are constantly seeking new ways to make our customers’ lives easier.”

Since launching proactive live chat and 24/7 virtual assistants, chat engagement has doubled, with 36% of interactions leading to a sale – demonstrating the significant impact of this advanced technology. Future enhancements will introduce AI-driven personalized recommendations for cross-selling opportunities, convenient access to technical support, and exclusive, real-time chat-only promotions.

Looking ahead, Parts Town plans to expand its network of virtual assistants to handle an even broader range of customer needs, allowing human chat agents to focus on more complex inquiries. As the AI engine continues to evolve, it will be trained to solve increasingly sophisticated issues, enabling customers to get fast, accurate answers and complete repairs even faster.

The AI-driven chat is a key component of Parts Town’s broader digital strategy, which leverages data analytics, machine learning, and other advanced technologies to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the evolving needs of customers. By integrating these innovations, Parts Town is redefining customer experience in foodservice, HVAC, and residential equipment parts industries, setting a new benchmark for speed, efficiency, and convenience.

About Parts Town

Parts Town is the leading, technology innovation-driven distributor of genuine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) foodservice, residential appliance and HVAC equipment repair parts. When there’s a hiccup with any piece of equipment, Parts Town is ready to jump in and help with the most in-stock parts on the planet, innovative technology, and an unmatched customer experience. Customized solutions benefit equipment service technicians of all kinds, as well as chain and independent restaurants, schools, health care facilities and hospitality providers.

By partnering with the top manufacturers of foodservice, residential appliance and HVAC replacement parts, Parts Town improves the supply chain, increases sales of genuine OEM parts and keeps every customer’s business running like clockwork. Parts Town also partners with equipment and supplies dealers of all sizes to offer a one-stop-shop through its Parts Town marketplace.

For more information, visit https://www.partstown.com/.

Media Contact

Adam Gasper, Parts Town Unlimited, 1 9899284462, partstown@finnpartners.com, https://www.partstown.com/

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SOURCE Parts Town Unlimited

Technology

1-800Accountant Launches Tax Savings Services Designed for 1099 Workers

Published

49 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

New offering helps independent contractors structure their business to reduce their tax burden from day one

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 1-800Accountant, the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses, announced the launch of a new service offering built specifically for 1099 workers and independent contractors. The service helps freelancers and self-employed professionals work with an accountant to select the right business setup for their income, with a focus on reducing taxes from the start.

Growth Is Outpacing Tax Readiness

Independent contractor work has grown significantly in recent years. 1-800Accountant’s client data shows sharp year-over-year growth across contractor-heavy industries, with Consulting up 17%, Construction up 10%, and Service-sector clients growing more than 200% compared to 2024. Despite this growth, many contractors continue to overpay their taxes because they operate without a formal business structure in place or the right tax election.

The gap is particularly visible in industries like Healthcare, Engineering, and Legal, where LLC adoption among 1-800Accountant clients sits at 81%, 72%, and 71%, respectively, well below the 90%-plus rates seen in higher-adoption industries like Construction and Real Estate. 1-800Accountant’s new business tax optimization service closes that gap by matching contractors with the right business type while ensuring their business is set up correctly before they file their first return.

“Independent contractors continue to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the American workforce, and they are also among the most underserved when it comes to strategic tax planning,” said Mike Savage, Founder and CEO of 1-800Accountant. “That lack of planning means that most 1099 workers don’t realize how much they’re leaving on the table. This service changes that. We’re giving contractors access to the same strategic advantages that established businesses have, ensuring the right business setup from the beginning.”

Tax Strategy Built In from Day One

These services walk clients through a structured process that includes accountant-recommended business types, registering with the appropriate state agencies, and coordinating with an accountant to ensure alignment between the structure and the client’s specific tax situation. 1-800Accountant integrates business setup for 1099 earners into a broader tax strategy tailored around each contractor’s income level, filing status, and long-term goals.

“What sets us apart is the tax strategy layer,” said Ryan Teeples, Chief of Strategy at 1-800Accountant. “What contractors and gig workers actually need are professionals to help them understand which tax setup makes the most sense for their income, their industry, and where they want their business to go. Then, we do the work to save on both their business and personal taxes. That’s what we’re delivering here.”

The service is available now to new and existing 1-800Accountant clients. Pricing starts at $19 per month (plus any government filing fees) and includes business setup evaluation, tax return preparation and filing, state registration, federal registration, simple-to-use AI bookkeeping software, and a consultation with a tax expert for onboarding and explanation of their individual tax situation.

About 1-800Accountant

1-800Accountant is the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses and independent contractors. With a team of credentialed accountants and tax professionals, 1-800Accountant provides bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax planning, and advisory services to clients across all 50 states. The firm is committed to making professional accounting accessible and affordable for business owners at every stage.

Contact: Wyatt Johnson
Content Manager, 1-800Accountant
920-807-9159 | media@1800accountant.com

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SOURCE 1-800Accountant

Technology

9fin launches in APAC to expand global credit coverage

Published

49 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

With APAC playing a bigger role in increasingly complex global credit markets, 9fin brings the news, data and AI tools professionals need to navigate volatility

HONG KONG, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 9fin, the AI-native information platform for global debt markets, has formally launched in the Asia Pacific region, giving credit professionals access to cutting-edge news, data and analysis across private and public bonds and loans.

As the 9fin team continues to grow quickly across APAC from its initial base in Hong Kong, it is supporting firms locally by providing proprietary credit intelligence, comprehensive data, and AI-powered workflow tools, all within one unified platform.

The launch comes as the tussle between public and private markets intensifies in APAC, making it more important than ever for banks, asset managers, advisors, and law firms to have visibility across the full credit landscape. While bond issuance has dropped amid geopolitical disruption, private credit activity remains robust as borrowers seek alternative financing options.

By combining deal intelligence from local sources with its extensive global credit database and AI tools, the 9fin platform gives users a comprehensive view across fragmented markets. The APAC platform includes coverage of more than 1,800 issuers and 16,000 instruments, with issuance history dating back to 2003 following 9fin’s acquisition of Bond Radar, in March 2025.

9fin is already used by more than 300 institutions globally, including KKR, Apollo, BNP Paribas, and Kirkland & Ellis. The company’s APAC buildout — supported by its $170 million Series C fundraise in March 2026 — marks the next phase of its global expansion.

Steven Hunter, CEO and co-founder at 9fin, commented: “APAC is a complex region and is becoming even more so as private markets expand and geopolitical volatility increases. The region needs a faster, smarter platform covering the full picture across bonds, loans, private credit and distressed. That’s exactly what 9fin provides. With our full platform now live in APAC, we’re giving our users the clarity to make informed decisions, faster.”

9fin’s APAC launch follows its expansion across the US, Europe, and Latin America, with CEEMEA to follow.

About 9fin

9fin is the AI-native platform for global debt markets. Founded by former J.P. Morgan banker Steven Hunter and Deutsche Bank engineer Hussam EL-Sheikh, the company combines data, analytics, and AI-powered workflows in a single platform, helping clients work smarter and faster to outperform their peers.

The company is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Belfast and with teams across Latin America and Asia. For more information, visit 9fin.com.

Media contacts
Jessica Simpkin
jessica.simpkin@9fin.com
Shree Dhond/Katie Nerantzis
Dukas Linden Public Relations | 9fin@dlpr.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/9fin-launches-in-apac-to-expand-global-credit-coverage-302750649.html

Technology

Trimble First Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast

Published

49 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) will hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET to review its first quarter 2026 results. The call will be broadcast live on the web at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/544327873. Analysts who wish to dial into the call may do so by first registering at https://events.q4inc.com/analyst/544327873?pwd=s5ilhwSm. Upon registration, dial-in details will be sent via email to the registrant.

About Trimble

Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it is helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.

FTRMB

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SOURCE Trimble