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New Research by IRIS Software Group: school leaders call for urgent intervention from Chancellor to address SEND crisis

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Survey of school leaders by IRIS Education reveals SEND funding is their top ask of the Chancellor ahead of Spring StatementMore than two-thirds (69%) say processing time for EHCPs is one of the biggest factors behind the SEND crisisNine in 10 (91%) say that securing funding for their SEND schemes is a challenge

LONDON, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IRIS Software group, a global leader in accounting, HR, payroll, and education software solutions, has released new research from its Education arm, revealing that increased funding for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is the top priority for school leaders ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on March 26.

Nine in 10 (90%) school and trust leaders say the Chancellor should prioritise education spending on SEND, according to the research from IRIS Education, with a similar number (91%) reporting that securing funding is a challenge.

Rounding out school and trust leaders’ top three spending priorities were upgrading school estates (52%) and increasing teacher pay (42%)

The research, which surveyed 130 leaders from authority-backed schools, academies and trusts, found the time it required to develop education, health and care plans (EHCPs) was a key factor in their SEND challenges (69%). This ranked below a lack of money to fund SEND programmes (85%) and the rising number of children being diagnosed (90%), which were the top challenges.

“School leaders are caught between a rock and a hard place. It’s their obligation to provide the best care and support for SEND students, but that costs money and resources that they don’t have. So, it’s little surprise that it’s their primary ask of the Chancellor.

“Finding ways to use the finite resources – specifically cash and staff – more efficiently is a must. It’s interesting that many school leaders noted that, if given funding to invest in technology, they’d direct this to their SEND services, highlighting the potential for smarter solutions to enable educators to focus more on students and less on the administrative burden,” said Simon Freeman, Managing Director, IRIS Education.

As well as struggling to manage the influx of children, leaders say they are also facing a shortage of specialist teachers, with two in five (42%) local authority-backed schools saying a lack of special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) is disrupting their SEND provision.

The findings follow analysis by The Guardian that at least a dozen councils have accumulated SEND spending deficits of more than £100m, with one council spending £312m more on SEND than they are allocated by the government.

Many leaders surveyed said that they would turn to technology to help mitigate the challenges they’re facing. For those schools and trusts that are planning on investing in technology in the next three years, 59% said they would dedicate it to software that supports SEND provision. Meanwhile, half (51%) said they would invest in staff training and development platforms, and a third (35%) would invest in improved communication tools for parents.

In July 2024, IRIS partnered with PAGS, a SEND management tool that helps SENCOs and teachers to assess, plan appropriate support strategies, and track the progress of students with additional needs. Crucially, using PAGS can dramatically cut the amount of time required to gather the evidence for an EHCP application.

 “EHCPs are essential in ensuring that SEND students have the same opportunities as their peers, but the process of creating and managing them places a significant burden on schools. The time and effort required can take valuable resources away from direct student support.

“The real solution lies in making EHCP management more efficient, and our partnership with PAGS is already helping schools achieve this. But long-term change requires more than just school-level efforts—the government must work with local authorities and trusts to implement the right technology and drive sustainable reform across the SEND system,” continued Freeman.

The IRIS Education Leaders’ Survey 2025 is available here and was released ahead of the marquee webinar, The Smarter School: New Strategies for Building Efficiency and Sustainability in 2025.You can register here to watch the webinar or receive a recording.

About the survey

IRIS Software Group surveyed 130 senior leaders in England schools and trusts in January 2025. Roughly half were leaders in local authority-maintained schools, the other half from single- and multi-academy trusts.

About IRIS Software Group   

IRIS Software Group is a global provider of mission critical software and one of the UK’s largest privately held software companies. IRIS provides software solutions and services for finance, HR and payroll teams, educational organisations, and accountancy firms that takes the pain out of processes and lets professionals focus on the work they love. Through simplifying, automating and providing insights on everyday mission critical tasks for organisations of all shapes and sizes, IRIS ensures customers can look forward with certainty and confidence.  
  
IRIS is the largest third-party online filer with the UK Government. Ninety-three of the top 100 UK accountancy firms use IRIS software. One in six of the UK’s workforce is paid by IRIS payroll offerings, and globally, six million employees receive their payslip via IRIS software every month. More than 850,000 UK employees are managed by IRIS HR solutions. Over 12,000 UK schools and academies use IRIS, with four million parents and guardians using IRIS apps to connect with their children’s school; 300 million messages are delivered between schools and parents each year, and over £15 million transactional payments are processed every month. IRIS is certified as a Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2023. IRIS is also recognised as one of the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing, one of the Best Workplaces in Tech and one of the Best Workplaces for Women.  
  
To see how IRIS helps organisations get things right first time, every time, visit www.iris.co.uk or follow IRIS Software Group on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. 

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ImageTrend CFO John Wolfenden Accepted Into Forbes Finance Council

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Invitation-only professional community selects finance leader based on the depth and diversity of his experience 

EAGAN, Minn., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ImageTrend, the leading provider of software and AI intelligence for emergency response, healthcare and public safety organizations, today announced that Chief Financial Officer John Wolfenden has been accepted into the Forbes Finance Council.

The Forbes Finance Council brings together executives, investors, and market operators who help shape how capital is allocated, managed, and protected in increasingly complex environments. The invitation-only members are vetted by a selection process that evaluates professional experience, leadership, and industry expertise. 

Wolfenden was selected following a review of his experience as CFO of multiple software companies and his track record of strengthening financial operations, improving business processes and supporting growth. At ImageTrend, he leads the finance function and serves as a strategic partner across the business as the company advances its AI-powered platform and supports more than 11,000 agencies. 

Recognized Finance Leadership 

Across his CFO roles, Wolfenden has focused on operational improvement, business growth and building finance functions that serve as strategic partners across the organization. At ImageTrend, he plays a critical role in the executive leadership team, overseeing financial strategy and operations and helping the company build the scalable foundation required for long-term growth. 

“John’s impact at ImageTrend goes well beyond the finance function,” said Joe Graw, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Growth Officer. “He brings financial discipline, commercial perspective and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach to the decisions that shape how we grow and serve our customers. His selection for Forbes Finance Council is well deserved and gives him a valuable platform to share that expertise with other finance leaders.” 

Contributing to a Selective Finance Community 

As a council member, Wolfenden will join a curated peer community and have opportunities to work with an editorial team to share expert insights in original articles and contribute to Expert Panels on Forbes.com. He plans to share lessons from scaling software organizations and strengthening finance operations. 

“I am honored to have been selected to join Forbes Finance Council,” said Wolfenden. “I look forward to exchanging ideas with other finance leaders and learning from their experiences. I have always believed that finance should work closely with every part of the business, helping teams solve problems and make sound decisions. I am excited to bring what I learn back to ImageTrend as we continue improving how we operate and supporting the company’s growth.” 

For more information about ImageTrend, visit www.imagetrend.com.

About ImageTrend 

ImageTrend helps emergency response teams who struggle with documentation overload by giving them one AI-powered operating system so they can command with confidence and protect more lives with better decisions. 

Founded in 1998, the company serves more than 11,000 agencies in the United States, Canada and United Arab Emirates across Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Hospital segments. With its deep industry knowledge and advanced data analytics capabilities, the software provider helps its customers streamline operations, shape long-term strategies, and dramatically improve outcomes. Its AI-embedded product solutions and dedicated team provide the intelligence and confidence that first responders need to tackle today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s uncertainties.

About Forbes Councils 

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit https://councils.forbes.com.

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SOURCE ImageTrend LLC

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Okuma America Corporation to Exhibit at IMTS 2026 with Comprehensive Lineup

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Newly Designed Machines, Open-architecture CNC Control, Multiple Automation Systems, Intelligent Technologies, World-Class Services, Sustainable Initiatives, & More to be Featured

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The leadership team at Okuma America Corporation, a global leader and single-source builder of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools, controls, and automation systems, is excited to announce the company’s exhibition plans for the 2026 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to be held in Chicago, Illinois, from September 14 to 19, 2026.

Within its 17,000 square-foot booth, the company plans to showcase a comprehensive offering for the metalworking industry featuring new CNC machine tools, an industry-leading CNC control, a robust line of automation systems, intelligent manufacturing technologies, new world-class services, and more. Okuma America Corporation will host a media event in the South Hall (Booth #338500) on Tuesday, September 15 at 2:00 pm to highlight the company’s IMTS offerings, share insights from the Okuma leadership team, and showcase latest technologies during booth tours.

New & Notable

Four CNC Machines to Make Americas Debut
Of the 11 CNC machine tools Okuma will exhibit at IMTS 2026, four will make their debut in the Americas:

NEW – Okuma MB-100V Vertical Machining CenterNEW – Okuma GENOS M4000H-e Horizontal Machining CenterNEW – Okuma MS-320H Horizontal Machining CenterNEW – Okuma MULTUS U1000 Multitasking Lathe

Okuma Factory Automation and Peripherals
Okuma will present a comprehensive lineup of automation systems developed by the Okuma Factory Automation (OFA) Group, along with best-in-class solutions from its industry partners, all of which seamlessly integrate with Okuma machines. Leading the charge on automation innovation, Okuma is partnering with Intrinsic AI to display an AI automation robot cell. The company is pleased to announce that 9 of its 11 IMTS 2026 CNC machine tools will be paired with automation systems, including three solutions making their debut in the Americas:

NEXT GENERATION – Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) Series Enhancements & Additions – easy-to-integrate robotic systems designed to load and unload workpieces from machinesOkuma Robot Loader Drawer II (ORL-D II)Okuma Robot Loader for Machining Centers (ORL-MC II) with palletOkuma Robot Loader Plus with Pallet (ORL+) – a system designed to perform multiple functionsNEW – Okuma Tower Pallet Changer – vertical, two-level pallet changer with 13-pallet capacityNEW – Modular Automatic Tool Changer

NEW Virtual Reality Experience
Okuma will provide IMTS 2026 attendees with the opportunity to explore various Okuma machine models in a virtual reality environment. A dedicated area within the Okuma booth (booth #338500) will be available for participants to wear a virtual reality headset to view, walk around, and interact with a virtual 3D model of various Okuma CNC machine tools. This includes models beyond what is physically being exhibited within the booth, such as the MCR-A5CII double column machining center.

NEW Explore the Okuma Global Repair Center
Okuma is thrilled to share details of its newly constructed Global Repair Center at its headquarters campus in Charlotte, NC. The 35,000 square-foot facility brings mechanical and electrical repair, component exchange, upgrades, and legacy part fabrication together in a new, state-of-the-art building that is four times larger than previous dedicated space. Backed by advanced inspection, testing, CNC simulation, and thousands of ready-to-ship parts, the facility maximizes uptime, safeguards Okuma users’ investment, and reinforces Okuma’s promise to Passionately Pursue a Customer for Life. Booth visitors may explore the new facility via a 3D-printed model and watch a video of the facility’s impressive operations.

NEW Tribute to America 250
Okuma is pleased to recognize and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America with several tributes within its booth experience. Booth visitors can see an intricately-crafted Bald Eagle which is being created on the Okuma MU-8000V vertical machining center. Additionally, the company will also reward attendees who complete an in-booth survey with an exclusive baseball hat that features an American flag design element. Also, the GENOS M4000H-e horizontal machining center, which will be making its Americas Debut, will feature a one-of-a-kind patriotic graphics theme, produced by the company’s NASCAR partner, Richard Childress Racing.

Okuma Machine Featured in Partner Booth
Okuma is proud to partner with 50+ companies in the manufacturing industry through our Partners in Technology program, many who will be featured in demonstrations throughout the Okuma booth. Several program members are also exhibiting at IMTS 2026, including Air Turbine Tool. They will feature an Okuma GENOS M560-V vertical machining center in working display at their booth (#431645).

Comprehensive Technology Lineup

Okuma will showcase 11 CNC machine tools at the show, representing a wide range of the company’s vast product lines. Among these are four new products making their Americas debut. Additionally, ten unique automation systems will be on display, including three proprietary innovations from Okuma Factory Automation. The distinctive OSP-P500 control system will be featured on 9 of the 11 CNC machines in the booth, as well as on free-standing interactive simulators. Okuma will also highlight key components of its world-class service and support program.

Okuma’s complete IMTS 2026 machine, control, and automation lineup includes:

Okuma Machining Centers

 Paired Automation System

GENOS M4000H-e – NEW

 Internal Two-Station Automatic Pallet Changer (APC)

MB-100V – NEW

MB-5000HII

 Okuma Tower Pallet Changer

MS-320H – NEW

 Okuma Robot Loader Drawer II (ORL-D II)

MU-8000V

 Modular Automation Cell

GENOS M460V-5AX (5-axis)

Okuma Robot Loader Machining Center II (ORL-MC II) & Modular Automatic Tool Changer (ATC)

Lathes

 Paired Automation System

LB2000 EX III MYW

 Okuma Robot Loader Plus with pallet (ORL+)

LT2000 EX 3T3MY

 Okuma NC Unloader and LNS Bar Feeder

LU3000 EX

 Okuma Gantry Loader (OGL)

Multitasking Lathes

 Paired Automation System

MULTUS U1000 – NEW

Grinder

Paired Automation System

GA26W

Okuma Robot Loader Plus with pallet (ORL+)

Other Highlights

Okuma Speaking & Media Engagements
There will be multiple opportunities for show visitors to attend speaking engagements led by Okuma executive leadership and experts, including:

Okuma Press Conference on Tuesday, 9/15 at 2 PM CST, located in the Virtual Reality section of Okuma Booth (booth #338500)Simon Schneider, Director of Okuma Factory Automation, to present “The Automation Impact: Short-Term Wins to Long-Term Transformations” at Room W192-C on Tuesday, 9/15 at 2:15 CSTWade Andersion, Vice President of Engineering and Okuma Factory Automation, to present at the Blaser Swisslube Booth (booth #431228) on Tuesday 9/15 at 3 PM CST

Okuma is pleased to partner with a variety of manufacturing trade publications for scheduled media engagement and filming sessions throughout IMTS 2026. This includes outlets such as Practical Machinist, MTD CNC, Modern Machine Shop, and more.

Sustainability Initiatives
At Okuma, we’re working together to build a better machine tool and a better future. Okuma CNC machines are equipped with Okuma’s “Green Smart Machine” technology, a series of combined technologies that harmonize high-performance machining with intelligent energy management controls. Specifically, these technologies include Okuma’s proprietary ECO suite plus and Thermo-Friendly Concept, both of which will be displayed at IMTS 2026.

Okuma Best-in-Class Distributor Network
In support of Okuma’s mission of ‘Passionately Pursuing a Customer for Life’, Okuma has created strategic relationships with best-in-class distributorships to support customer needs within their local regions of operation. Representatives from each of Okuma’s distributors will be onsite at IMTS 2026.

Okuma Partners in Technology
Okuma’s Partners in Technology network brings together 50+ companies that represent best-in-class manufacturing solutions and technologies that pair perfectly with Okuma CNC machine tools.

For more information on Okuma’s IMTS offering, visit www.okuma.com/imts.

About Okuma America Corporation
Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering, and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry’s only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool’s functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry’s only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content at that time. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Okuma America Corporation

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TrendAI™ Adopts Claude Opus 5 to Advance Vulnerability Prioritization, Assessment, and Virtual Patching

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As a participant in Anthropic’s Cyber Verification Program, TrendAI applies frontier reasoning to convert vulnerability intelligence into faster protection across hybrid environments

DALLAS, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TrendAI™, the enterprise AI security leader from Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), today announced it is adopting Claude Opus 5, Anthropic’s latest and most capable Opus model, to help security teams convert vulnerability intelligence into immediate protection, from prioritization and assessment through to virtual patching. The move builds on TrendAI’s collaboration with Anthropic on Claude Opus 4.8, extending the same defensive focus to a model that delivers step-change gains in advanced reasoning, agentic workflows, and long-horizon analysis. As AI makes finding vulnerabilities easier than ever, the harder problem becomes protecting organizations faster than software can be permanently patched, and that is where TrendAI is putting Opus 5 to work.

As a participant in Anthropic’s Cyber Verification Program, which credentials organizations for the defensive use of frontier AI models, TrendAI is positioned to apply Claude Opus 5 to defensive security as access becomes available. The model is Zero Data Retention compatible, supporting TrendAI’s governance and data-protection requirements as it scales AI across security operations.

Rachel Jin, Chief Platform and Business Officer, Head of TrendAI™:
“With Claude Opus 5, TrendAI can move from vulnerability intelligence to action faster than ever, prioritizing what matters most by exploitability and business impact. Finding the vulnerability was always the hard part. Now the challenge is protecting organizations faster than software can be permanently patched, and frontier reasoning is what changes that equation, extending all the way to virtual patching that protects customers before a vendor fix ships. This is what it means to secure the AI age, fearlessly.”

These capabilities support TrendAI Vision One™ in helping security analysts, AppSec teams, and SOC teams prioritize exposure, map attack paths, and accelerate mitigation, including virtual patching, across hybrid environments, moving vulnerability management from a static scanning process into a faster, context-aware risk mitigation workflow.

About TrendAI™
TrendAI™, the global AI security leader and enterprise business unit of Trend Micro, empowers organizations with full AI visibility and consolidated security that inspires confidence, drives innovation, and eliminates risk. Trusted by the largest enterprises and governments across 185 countries, TrendAI™ secures the entire organization, from identities, to infrastructure, to data. Global Fortune 500 companies rely on TrendAI™ to cut risk and stop threats up to three months earlier, powered by world-leading threat and attack intelligence. Through deep ecosystem partnerships with market leaders like NVIDIA, Anthropic, AWS, Google, and Microsoft, TrendAI™ empowers your organization to securely drive forward at the speed of AI. AI Fearlessly. Learn more: trendaisecurity.com

About Anthropic
Anthropic is an AI safety and research company dedicated to building reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. Its Claude family of models, including Claude Opus 5, enables advanced capabilities across a wide range of applications, including code understanding and security analysis.

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SOURCE TrendAI

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