Connect with us

Technology

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN LAUNCHES AI TRANSFORMATION BUILT WITH GOOGLE CLOUD’S TECHNOLOGY, UNVEILS NEW INTELLIGENCE COMPANY, AND ANNOUNCES DRIVE TO RESET COST STRUCTURE

Published

on

Douglas Elliman to redesign itself as a technology-forward enterprise, resetting its cost structure through enterprise-wide AI implementation to create a leaner, more efficient operating model

Elius, a newly launched intelligence company to be built with Google Cloud’s technology, designed to leverage Douglas Elliman’s proprietary luxury data for sharper pricing intelligence, enhance agent advisor productivity, and enable new businesses beyond brokerage

NEW YORK, July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG) (together with its subsidiaries, “Douglas Elliman” or the “Company”), the nation’s preeminent brand in luxury real estate, operating through Douglas Elliman Realty and Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, today announced the launch of a company-wide technology infrastructure transformation to support the Company’s evolution into a technology-forward enterprise. The effort is designed to fundamentally change how Douglas Elliman operates to improve efficiency, enhance the agent advisor and client experience, and reshape its long-term cost structure.

The Company also announced the launch of Elius, a newly formed intelligence company positioned to build proprietary real estate intelligence capabilities beyond traditional brokerage. Elius is designed to power a new generation of intelligent real estate experiences, products, and services that move beyond today’s search and portal-based models by anticipating opportunities, surfacing insights earlier, and delivering guidance that today’s static platforms cannot.

The transformation follows two parallel tracks to reset Douglas Elliman’s non-commission-based cost structure across business units while building a proprietary intelligence business under the name Elius. Both tracks are enabled by Google Cloud technology, including its AI models and enterprise infrastructure, which the Company has selected to power its transformation.

TRACK 1: REDESIGN BROKERAGE OPERATIONS AND IMPROVE COST STRUCTURE

Douglas Elliman currently operates a fragmented technology environment spanning many systems and vendors across its business functions.

Through agentic AI-enabled automation powered by Google Cloud technology, Douglas Elliman expects to simplify operations, improve productivity and scalability, and achieve significant savings in non-commission operating expenses over the next three years through technology consolidation, workflow modernization, and workforce productivity improvements.

TRACK 2: INTRODUCING ELIUS

For decades, the value created by residential real estate data has accrued to the third-party platforms and portals rather than the brokerages that create the data.

Elius is designed to do what the brokerage industry has never done: take Douglas Elliman’s private luxury real estate data — one of its most valuable and least monetized assets — and leverage it to build a proprietary intelligence platform with the potential to generate new products, revenue streams, and businesses, creating a format for consuming real estate intelligence outside of traditional brokerage that does not exist today. As the industry evolves beyond today’s static and linear search experience, Elius will be designed to deliver dynamic, continuously learning intelligence that will change how consumers and businesses engage with real estate.

Douglas Elliman generates enormous volumes of data today through live market signals and real-time transaction activity from its agent advisors and clients at the very top of the market. Using Google Cloud technology, Elius is being structured to transform Douglas Elliman’s market intelligence into a proprietary intelligence asset that compounds in value over time, while securing that intelligence behind a security layer that protects clients’ confidential information and is resistant to indiscriminate AI scraping, preserving its value.

Over time, those capabilities are expected to reshape the real estate experience through intelligent products, services, and experiences that move beyond today’s search- and portal-based models, fundamentally changing how consumers and businesses discover, evaluate, transact in, and interact with real estate.

“The next era of this business will be defined by intelligence,” said Michael S. Liebowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Elliman Inc. “For generations, residential real estate has been organized around the transaction — and for just as long, the data that real estate transactions generate has been monetized by nearly everyone except the brokerages that create it. We are changing that model and taking it back.”

He continued, “Elius will launch as a new business that will be designed to utilize our most valuable and underappreciated assets — our current, future, and historical proprietary data of the industry’s premier luxury network — to create opportunities for new products, revenue streams, and businesses beyond brokerage. We believe this has the potential to create a materially larger addressable market, stronger and more durable economics, and a fundamentally different future for our stockholders, agent advisors, and staff.”

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN ACCELERATES REAL ESTATE AI WITH GOOGLE CLOUD

By choosing to build Elius on the Google Cloud platform, Douglas Elliman paired its premier luxury brand and proprietary data with the capabilities of one of the world’s leading data and AI enterprises.

The Company selected Google Cloud’s technology to support the long-term commercialization of its proprietary real estate intelligence. Douglas Elliman’s proprietary data remains the Company’s own, and the custom AI capabilities, workflows, agents, and other intellectual property developed for Elius using Google Cloud and Gemini will be Douglas Elliman-owned assets.

“AI is creating opportunities to fundamentally reshape how industries operate, and residential real estate remains one of the largest and most valuable markets in the world. It also requires specialty expertise,” said Will Grannis, Chief Technology Officer, Google Cloud. “Bringing that foundation together with Google Cloud’s AI and enterprise cloud infrastructure presents transformative opportunities for Douglas Elliman’s new business, innovation, and value creation.”

ELIUS ACROSS THE BUSINESS

Douglas Elliman Realty
Elius is expected to help agent advisors automate routine workflows, surface real-time pricing and market insights, accelerate lead generation and client matching, and deliver a more informed client experience. These tools will help free agent advisors to focus on the relationships and judgment that define the brokerage’s competitive advantage.

Douglas Elliman Development Marketing
Douglas Elliman Development Marketing (DEDM), with an active project pipeline exceeding $27 billion in gross transaction value as of the end of the first quarter of 2026, is expected to serve as an early deployment opportunity for Elius, with potential applications in pricing strategy, market intelligence, buyer targeting, and absorption forecasting.

Elliman Global
Elliman Global is expected to use Elius to support cross-border business, localization, and expansion across key global luxury markets.

A DISCIPLINED, SELF-FUNDED PURSUIT
Douglas Elliman is pursuing this transformation with no long-term debt and over $100 million in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, as of March 31, 2026. The Company expects to fund the initial Google Cloud rollout and Elius discovery and development work through existing resources, with a modest net incremental investment, as a substantial portion of the spending replaces existing technology expenditures. As legacy platforms are retired and the technology stack is consolidated, the Company’s net transition costs are expected to decline as it realizes efficiencies from a more streamlined technology environment. Douglas Elliman is investing in proprietary data and the custom AI agents, workflows, and platforms that it believes will create value for its stockholders over the long term.

About Douglas Elliman Inc.
Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG) owns Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which is one of the largest residential brokerage companies in the United States with operations in New York City, Long Island, the Hamptons, Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. In addition, Douglas Elliman provides other real estate services, including development marketing and mortgage as well as settlement and escrow services in select markets, and uses as well as invests in early-stage, disruptive property technology solutions and companies. Additional information concerning Douglas Elliman is available on its website, investors.elliman.com.

Investors and others should note that we may post information about Douglas Elliman on our website at investors.elliman.com or, if applicable, on our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, YouTube or other social media platforms. It is possible that the postings or releases could include information deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in Douglas Elliman to review the information we post on our website at investors.elliman.com and on our social media accounts.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts made in this press release are forward-looking. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding anticipated capabilities, anticipated cost reductions, anticipated future operating expenses, timeline for development, advisor productivity improvements, technology development, international expansion, potential strategic alternatives, future products, services and revenue opportunities, the creation of new value through Elius, and financial projections. We identify forward-looking statements in this press release by using words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may be,” “continue,” “could,” “potential,” “objective,” “plan,” “seek,” “predict,” “project” and “will be” and similar words or phrases or their negatives. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially for a variety of reasons.

The anticipated cost reductions represent management’s expectation over a three-year period commencing Q3 2026 and is not a guarantee of future performance or that any such expense reductions will be realized. The development of Elius is in early stages; actual product capabilities, timelines, and deployment scope may differ materially from current expectations. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed thereafter. We undertake no responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement except as required by applicable law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/douglas-elliman-launches-ai-transformation-built-with-google-clouds-technology-unveils-new-intelligence-company-and-announces-drive-to-reset-cost-structure-302820714.html

SOURCE Douglas Elliman

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Zelus Automation Platform and Woodforest National Bank Sign Agreement for SNAP Platform

Published

on

By

Partnership brings Zelus’s SNAP automation platform to one of the nation’s largest community banks.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zelus Automation Platform and Woodforest National Bank® today announced an agreement for Zelus’s SNAP platform. The partnership will deliver next-generation automation capabilities across Woodforest’s retail banking operations, supporting the bank’s nearly 740 branches in 17 states nationwide.

“At Woodforest, it’s always been about customers first, community always, and this venture with Zelus brings that commitment to life in new and powerful ways,” said Julie Mayrant, President and Chief Community Bank Officer Woodforest National Bank. “Our upcoming move to Jack Henry’s SilverLake System™ sets the stage for exactly this kind of decision. Zelus’ SNAP solution integrates seamlessly with SilverLake, so we’re able to automate processes without adding complexity to our tech stack. It was a natural fit — one that lets us build on our core investment rather than work around it.”

The agreement reflects both organizations’ commitment to a long-term partnership built on shared goals of operational excellence and customer service. SNAP will be deployed across Woodforest’s retail banking network, which spans Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

“We are honored to partner with Woodforest National Bank, one of the nation’s most respected community banking institutions,” said Russell Bond, Chief Executive Officer of Zelus Automation Platform. “This agreement is a testament to the power of SNAP and our shared vision of transforming the way community banks operate and serve their customers.”

The implementation of SNAP across Woodforest’s operations is expected to begin in the coming months.

About Woodforest National Bank

Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding customer service since 1980. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, Woodforest operates nearly 740 branches in 17 states and employs approximately 4,300 associates. As an employee-owned institution, Woodforest understands the importance of investing in its people and the communities it serves. Woodforest is an Outstanding CRA-rated institution. For more information, visit www.woodforest.com.

About Zelus Automation Platform

Zelus Automation Platform is a leading provider of intelligent automation solutions for the financial services industry. The company’s flagship SNAP platform enables banks and financial institutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience through advanced automation technology. For more information, visit www.zap-llc.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zelus-automation-platform-and-woodforest-national-bank-sign-agreement-for-snap-platform-302825450.html

SOURCE Woodforest National Bank

Continue Reading

Technology

High Rye Seeding Rates Prove Effective for Weed Suppression

Published

on

By

A new Weed Science Society of America research article shows a generously seeded cereal rye cover crop helps reduce weed pressure for organic no-till soybean production

WESTMINSTER, Colo., July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) journal, Weed Science, recently published a research article showing that a cereal rye cover crop helps reduce weed pressure for organic no-till soybean production, particularly when seeded at higher rates. The two-year research study reviewed field experiments conducted during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 growing seasons near Rock Springs, Pennsylvania, at the Pennsylvania State University Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center.

“The aim of this study was to compare the magnitude of weed control and soybean yield under different cereal rye densities within the soybean phase of cover-crop based organic rotational no-till production,” states Laurel Wellman, a Ph.D. student in plant sciences at Pennsylvania State University, and the study’s corresponding author. “Our results indicated that all cereal rye seeding rates reduced weed biomass compared to the unseeded cereal rye control plots, and that the higher cereal rye seeding rates reduced weed biomass significantly more than the lower seeding rates.” 

In two experiments, the researchers evaluated rye cultural management strategies for rye biomass, weed suppression, and soybean yield. They tested: 

four rye seeding rates (0.5-3 bu. acre) and two sowing arrangements (grid vs. row sowing)fall-applied poultry litter (0, 1.5, 3 tons acre) with two soybean planting dates (planting green or standard planting). 

“Increasing cereal rye seeding rate did not lead to increased rye biomass but did increase weed suppression,” points out Wellman. “Soybean yield was unaffected by rye seeding rates, and sowing arrangement did not affect any response.” 

Interestingly, “while fall poultry litter significantly increased rye biomass, weed suppression was unaffected,” she adds.

During one of the two cropping seasons studied, planting green reduced soybean establishment and yield, note the researchers. However, they also state that “these results highlight the limitations of organic no-till soybean production within grain crop rotations in the Northeastern U.S. when using cereal rye as a stand-alone weed suppression method. Increasing cereal rye seeding rates or applying fall fertility could be effective cultural practices when integrated with other weed control tactics to supplement weed suppression by rye surface mulch.” 

Overall, and perhaps most importantly, notes Wellman, the study “indicates that higher cereal rye seeding rates improved weed suppression independently of cereal rye biomass.” 

More information about the study is available online in the article: “Cultural management of cereal rye for weed suppression in cover crop-based organic rotational no-till soybean.” The research article is among others recently featured in Weed Science, a Weed Science Society of America journal, published by Cambridge University Press. Wellman can be contacted about the study at lew5444@psu.edu.

About Weed Science 
Weed Science is a journal of the Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society focused on weeds and their impact on the environment. The publication presents peer-reviewed, original research related to all aspects of weed science, including biology, ecology, physiology, management, and control of weeds. To learn more, visit www.wssa.net

Media Contact: 
Jo Skelton 
Cambridge University Press 
Senior Brand and Partner Communications Manager 
cupacademic@cambridge.org 
01223326165 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/high-rye-seeding-rates-prove-effective-for-weed-suppression-302825303.html

SOURCE Weed Science Society of America

Continue Reading

Technology

ICW Holdings Provides Update on Its Flagship Strategic Equities Investment Strategy

Published

on

By

BROOKLYN, N.Y., July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICW Holdings, LLC (“ICW”), an investment management firm, today announced the formation and launch of its flagship fund, a private investment vehicle pursuing a global, long-biased equity strategy by combining bottom-up company research with macroeconomic regime analysis and portfolio risk management.

Managed by Mark Dinner, formerly with Bridgewater Associates, the strategy is designed to create a diversified, risk-balanced portfolio of high-quality businesses. With a focus on managing concentration risk and navigating a wide range of inflationary, deflationary, and policy-drive environments, the strategy’s multi-layered investment process integrates macro risk analysis, systematic portfolio construction, and selective tail-risk mitigation.

“ICW was founded on the belief that companies are the most fundamental drivers of long-term value creation and our investment approach combines rigorous bottom-up equity selection with a deep understanding of macroeconomic regimes,” said Dinner. “We believe the current environment continues to reward an active, differentiated investment approach that can adapt across cycles. The strategy is designed with that flexibility at its core and formalizes an investment approach we have been actively executing since our founding in 2021.”

ICW’s leadership team combines macro investing expertise, systematic portfolio construction experience, and institutional operational oversight. Collectively, the team brings over 100 years of cumulative experience across leading investment organizations.

About ICW Holdings, LLC

ICW is an investment management firm founded in 2020 by Mark Dinner, a former senior investor at Bridgewater Associates, to apply a disciplined understanding of macroeconomic regimes and portfolio balance to equity investing. The firm serves eligible investors seeking risk-aware equity exposure across market cycles. All statements regarding personnel background, firm history, and strategy should be reviewed for accuracy and substantiation before dissemination.

Important Notice: This press release is for general informational purposes only. It is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or other investment interests, and it is not intended to condition the market for any securities offering. ICW is not using this announcement to market any securities. Any private offering, if made, would be conducted only through confidential offering materials and only in accordance with applicable law.

Media Contact

Matthew Della Croce
Clario Group
1-646-319-7487
matthew.dellacroce@clariogroup.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icw-holdings-provides-update-on-its-flagship-strategic-equities-investment-strategy-302825455.html

SOURCE ICW Holdings

Continue Reading

Trending