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Study Finds Americans Turn to Friends for Financial Guidance, Including Tax Prep

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AUGUSTA, Ga., Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When Americans have questions about money, many aren’t turning first to financial advisors or internet searches. They’re turning to friends.

A new survey commissioned by TaxSlayer Pro and conducted by Talker Research found that nearly one-third of Americans who have a financially savvy friend consult that person all the time for guidance on money-related topics. Respondents estimate that following advice from these trusted friends saves them an average of nearly $500 each year.

The survey of 2,000 U.S. taxpayers highlights the value Americans place on financial expertise, and the important role trusted advisors play in helping people make decisions about their money. From investing and credit cards to tax preparation, respondents reported regularly seeking practical guidance from people they know and trust.

“Financial matters can get confusing fast, so it makes sense that people turn to someone they trust,” said Richard Marshall, Director of Sales at TaxSlayer Pro. “That’s really what tax pros do every day — help people understand and make informed decisions about their situation.”

That same need for trusted guidance shows up in people’s personal circles, too. Tax-related guidance ranks among the most common types of financial advice shared between friends. Among respondents who identify as the financial expert in their friend group, 31% have advised others on how to file taxes, making it the most common topic cited in the survey. Respondents also reported giving advice about investing (30%), savings accounts (29%), credit cards (29%), and investment choices (28%).

The survey suggests that many financially knowledgeable Americans may be providing advice that extends well beyond casual conversations. Among respondents who are confident in their tax-filing abilities, half have already helped friends or family prepare tax returns. Additionally, 42% of self-described financial gurus said they would consider making tax preparation their profession.

“As financial questions become increasingly complex, Americans continue to seek trusted expertise,” Marshall added. “For those who already enjoy helping friends and family with financial matters, tax preparation can be a meaningful way to turn that knowledge into a profession.”

Methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 taxpaying Americans with internet access on behalf of TaxSlayer. The survey was conducted online between July 16 and July 23, 2026.

About TaxSlayer Pro

TaxSlayer Pro, trusted by more than 20,000 professional tax preparers nationwide, makes tax filing simpler and less stressful for millions of Americans with exceptional, easy-to-use technology. An authorized IRS e-file provider, the company has been building tax software since 1989. With TaxSlayer Pro, customers wait less than 60 seconds for in-season support in both English and Spanish and enjoy software built by tax preparers, for tax preparers. For more information, visit www.taxslayerpro.com.

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SOURCE TaxSlayer Pro

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Voxel Advances System of Reality Capabilities and Fuels Global Expansion with Addition of Ventral AI

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Ventral AI brings advanced physical world AI capabilities to Voxel’s operational intelligence platform

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Voxel, the industrial intelligence company reenvisioning how real-world work gets done, today announced the addition of Ventral AI, an advanced AI and computer vision engineering firm specializing in industrial automation and complex computer vision applications, to the Voxel team.

The update furthers Voxel’s position as the pioneer of System of Reality, a new enterprise software category that layers proprietary AI over existing camera infrastructure to turn passive hardware into real-time operational intelligence. By integrating the Ventral AI team into Voxel’s engineering organization, Voxel advances its core AI capabilities while supporting its growing international customer base.

Voxel and Ventral AI have worked together over the past year in a strategic partnership focused on engineering custom enterprise capabilities. Ventral AI was co-founded by Matko Kulaš and Luka Žagar, and the team brings proven technical expertise in:

Dynamic Camera Environments: Deploying real-time computer vision and vision language models on moving equipment and transport fleets.Infrastructure and Data Center Construction: Deploying computer vision models tailored specifically to data center buildouts, high-precision construction sites, and heavy industrial environments.

“As industrial leaders navigate supply chain volatility, labor constraints, and rising throughput demands, they need a single source of truth, a System of Reality, for their entire physical footprint,” said Vernon O’Donnell, CEO of Voxel. “The Ventral AI team gives us even greater engineering horsepower to meet that demand head on. Their expertise in complex computer vision further accelerates the evolution of our operational intelligence platform.”

“From our earliest collaboration, we saw the incredible potential of uniting our expertise with Voxel’s leading operational intelligence platform,” said Žagar, Co-Founder and CEO of Ventral AI. “Together, we are unlocking a new level of real-time intelligence for physical operations, enabling enterprise teams to solve complex frontline challenges faster while also bringing applied AI innovation into the physical world.”

Building on strong momentum with enterprise customers across Europe, this expansion enables Voxel to respond faster to customer needs while tapping into elite talent from Europe’s top-ranking technical universities.

This news comes as Voxel experiences exceptional growth and market momentum. The company was awarded as Inc. 5000 fastest growing company, coming in at #71 and recently announced new executive hires.

To learn more about Voxel visit voxelai.com.

About Voxel
Voxel is reenvisioning how real-world work gets done with its operational intelligence platform, designed to help organizations identify and mitigate risks in industrial environments. Voxel layers its proprietary AI over existing camera infrastructure to transform it into continuous operational intelligence; diagnosing root causes in real-time and directing teams to act both in the moment and ongoing. Voxel partners with businesses across industries such as warehousing, manufacturing, distribution, and insurance.

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SOURCE Voxel

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Datacor Acquires MySep, a Leader in Process Separator Simulation

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Datacor, Inc., a leading provider of software for engineers, process manufacturers, and chemical distributors, today announced the acquisition of MySep, a developer of simulation software for the design and performance analysis of process separators.

The acquisition expands Datacor’s engineering portfolio, which includes CHEMCAD for chemical process design, its flow simulation suite (formerly Applied Flow Technology), and GoldSim for probabilistic risk analysis. MySep adds rigorous separator modeling to that portfolio, extending the range of engineering analysis Datacor supports.

Since its founding in 2013, MySep has focused on separation challenges in the oil and gas industry, with software used across upstream production, gas processing and LNG, refining, and petrochemicals. Headquartered in Singapore, MySep also strengthens Datacor’s presence across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

“MySep has built its software on more than a decade of dedicated research, and engineers across oil and gas have come to treat it as the reference for separator design and performance,” said Tom Jackson, president of Datacor. “This acquisition reflects our continued investment in specialized software and the depth of expertise behind it.”

Engineers rely on MySep to design and analyze the performance of their separators,” said Guy Hellinx, founder of MySep. “By joining Datacor, we can combine MySep’s expertise with Datacor’s broader software capabilities, enabling us to offer our customers more comprehensive solutions to their engineering challenges.”

About Datacor

Datacor is a leading provider of industry-specific solutions that help engineers, process manufacturers, and chemical distributors grow, run, and elevate their business. Backed by deep industry experience and a commitment to continuous improvement, we go beyond software to act as true partners in solving complex process challenges. For those seeking greater visibility and control, Datacor is the trusted source for proven technology and expertise to achieve great outcomes, together. Learn more at www.datacor.com.

About MySep

MySep develops simulation software for the design and performance analysis of process separators. Its solutions, MySep Studio and MySep Engine, apply proprietary modeling and research-based correlations to predict separation efficiency, pressure drop, and carryover. Engineers worldwide use MySep to design new separators, evaluate installed equipment, and improve process reliability. Learn more at www.mysep.com.

Media Contact
Caitlin O’Donnell
VP, Marketing
ceodonnell@datacor.com 
(973) 822-1551

 

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SOURCE Datacor, Inc.

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Transflo Named a 2026 Top Company for Women to Work in Trucking

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TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Transflo has been named a 2026 “Top Company for Women to Work in Trucking” by Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT). It is the second consecutive year Transflo has earned the recognition, which honors companies whose cultures support gender inclusion, flexible work requirements, competitive compensation and benefits, professional development, and career advancement.

“Being recognized for the second consecutive year is a meaningful reflection of the culture we’re building at Transflo,” said Renee Krug, CEO of Transflo. “Women have historically been underrepresented in both trucking and technology, and Transflo operates at the intersection of those industries. We have a responsibility to create opportunities where women can build meaningful, long-term careers—not only by bringing talented women into the organization, but by supporting their growth, development and advancement once they’re here.”

Launched in 2018, the program uses a two-step selection process. Nominations are reviewed against the program’s criteria, then validated by an industry-wide vote. More than 18,000 transportation professionals cast ballots in June, and 106 companies were named to the 2026 list.

“Transflo has been recognized as a 2026 Top Company for Women to Work in Trucking by Redefining the Road, the official magazine for the Women in Trucking Association,” said Brian Everett, group publisher and editorial director. “This organization has earned this prestigious recognition through a rigorous nomination and review process, along with industry-wide voting that validates the nomination. We are pleased to bestow this well-earned recognition to Transflo.”

The full 2026 list appears in Edition 3 of Redefining the Road, published October 12, and on the WIT website.

About Transflo
Transflo is the leading provider of AI-powered mobile, telematics, and workflow automation solutions for the transportation industry in North America. Transflo’s cab-to-cash platform delivers real-time connectivity for carriers, brokers, factors, shippers, and commercial vehicle drivers, digitizing more than 800 million shipping documents annually and supporting approximately $115 billion in freight bills.

Company Contact
Belinda Rueffer, SVP of Marketing
Belinda.Rueffer@transflo.com

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SOURCE Transflo

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