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Basware Appoints Head of AI and CIO to Lead Innovation Drive

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Two experts will further Basware’s investment and leadership position with its AI product offering and digital transformation 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and HELSINKI, Finland, Feb. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Basware, a global leader in AP automation and invoice processing, has announced the appointments of Anssi Ruokonen as its Director of AI Research and Enablement, and Barrett Schiwitz as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO).  

Ruokonen will further enhance AI technology within Basware’s product and service offering, while Schiwitz will oversee Basware’s digital transformation projects to deliver an ever-improving customer experience.  

Generative AI has the potential to generate upwards of $4.4 trillion across all industries, according to McKinsey. Basware’s AI strategy is centered around expanding its innovation lead within its product offering and doing better with its customer experience. 

The company is already utilizing AI through its SmartPDF system which automates the conversion of machine-readable PDFs to e-invoices with over 97 per cent accuracy, removing the need for outdated manual processes. Last year, Basware also teamed up with Microsoft to announce the use of ChatGPT within its customer support function, called AskMary. 

Ruokonen will lead Basware’s AI development, shaping the company’s strategy, research and approach to AI, implementing AI technology to optimize Basware’s product offering and enhance operations across the business. He joins from AI firm Fluentic where he served as Chief Product Officer. 

Ruokonen will be based in Helsinki, Finland and be part of Basware’s Products, Cloud Engineering & Operations (PCE&O) function. 

Anssi Ruokonen, Director of AI Research and Enablement, Basware, said: “Basware’s commitment to leveraging AI in transforming business operations is exciting and I’m fascinated by AI’s potential in revolutionizing industries. Basware’s position enables us to leverage AI in every aspect of our business, directly translating to increased customer value. By automating routine tasks, AI frees up human intellect to focus on creativity and strategic thinking. The democratization of AI means not just easing existing work, but empowering every team member with new capabilities.”  

Basware is a world-leader in AP automation, developing and integrating AI solutions to deliver benefits across the invoice processing cycle, including invoice capture, data extraction and PO (purchase order) matching. Through SmartCoding, Basware further automates the coding of invoices without a PO. SmartCoding leverages AI and uses the history of a supplier’s invoices to automatically code and send invoices along the workflow by creating rules for non-PO invoices. Basware Insights has further harnessed AI to identify the risk of late invoice payments, capture early payment discounts, and analyze patterns in transaction data to help predict cash flow.  

Meanwhile, as Chief Information Officer (CIO), Barrett Schiwitz will oversee Basware’s digital transformation projects including the technological advancement and management of Basware’s internal digital transformation to allow staff to better serve customers. The project will completely revamp Basware’s systems and data across all functions, starting with customer facing areas. This initiative will be supported by major investments in new systems and education to empower staff to deliver more value to customers. 

With more than 30 years’ experience in the technology sector as a transformation leader, implementer and software developer, Schiwitz will strengthen Basware’s technology team as part of the company’s overall digital strategy. Prior to Basware, Schiwitz served as SVP of Integration and Business Transformation at tech firm Snap One.  

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Schiwitz will be a part of the executive team and report into CEO Jason Kurtz. 

Barrett Schiwitz, Chief Information Officer, Basware, said: “Technology plays a central role in any successful business, from finance functions to sales and marketing, and Basware’s emphasis on innovation with products and services that make a difference stood out from the rest. I’m excited to be a part of the team and leverage my experience to make an impact by leading the digital transformation strategy across the business to make technology work better for employees and customers.” 

About Basware 

Basware is how finance leaders in global enterprises can finally automate their complex, labor-intensive invoice processes and stay compliant with regulatory change. Our AP automation and invoicing platform helps you achieve a new level of efficiency – in a matter of months – while reducing errors and risks. We bring a unique combination of true automation, complete coverage, and deeper expertise to make it all just happen for our customers. That’s why the world’s most efficient AP departments at thousands of companies rely on Basware to handle over 220 million invoices per year. Basware. Now it all just happens.™ 

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/basware-appoints-head-of-ai-and-cio-to-lead-innovation-drive-302071195.html

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LG ELECTRONICS SHOWCASES COMPLETE PREMIUM RGB LINEUP WITH TÜV RHEINLAND CERTIFICATION FOR HIGH PURITY COLOR AT IFA 2026

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39 minutes ago

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September 5, 2026

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Powered by the α11 AI Processor, LG Micro RGB evo Sets a New Standard for High-Purity RGB Spectrum Display

News Summary:

LG Electronics showcases Micro RGB evo, an ultra-large LCD TV delivering high-purity RGB color performance, certified by TÜV Rheinland with its ‘High Purity RGB Spectrum Display’ certification, at IFA 2026.LG’s award-winning α11 AI Processor[1], recognized for enhancing picture and audio quality, is featured not only in flagship OLED models but also in Micro RGB evo.LG expands its RGB display lineup, now extending to Mini RGB evo models for a wider range of customer choice.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) is showcasing LG Micro RGB evo (model MRGB95), a premium ultra-large-screen LCD TV featuring exceptional color purity, at IFA 2026, taking place in Berlin, Germany, from September 4-8. Leveraging LG’s proprietary Micro RGB technology and the α (Alpha) 11 AI Processor Gen3, the advanced TV delivers high-purity red, green, and blue separation, earning TÜV Rheinland’s High Purity RGB Spectrum Display certification.

Premium LCD Color with Independently Verified RGB Purity

LG Micro RGB evo and Mini RGB evo leverage LG’s proprietary high-purity RGB spectrum display technology, enhancing the purity of red, green and blue to deliver more natural and expressive color reproduction. Featuring clear color separation between red, green and blue colors and high purity of each color, the TVs deliver remarkably pure and lifelike colors.

This outstanding color performance has been independently certified by TÜV Rheinland, which has awarded its High Purity RGB Spectrum Display certification to LG’s Micro RGB evo MRGB95 and Mini RGB evo MRGB9M and MRGB85 models.[2]

Highlighting the significance of the certification, Hüseyin Derman, Regional Sales Manager of Products Europe at TÜV Rheinland, stated, “The TÜV Rheinland  certification confirms that LG’s Micro RGB evo has passed a rigorous evaluation of its capacity to deliver physically and optically high-purity colors by completely preventing the intermixing of RGB wavelengths.”

Award-winning AI Processing for Pure Color and Precise Contrast

At the heart of Micro RGB evo is the α11 AI Processor Gen3, LG’s most advanced smart TV processor and the same platform used in the company’s flagship OLED models. The processor’s Dual AI Engine analyzes texture and edge simultaneously to produce more cohesive and lifelike images across movies, shows and games.

Precision Color Enhancer, also enabled by the powerful α11 Gen3, preserves the purity of each primary color while enacting fine control over gradation and tonal transitions. Complementing this is Micro Dimming Ultra, which precisely manages brightness across thousands of dimming zones to reveal subtle detail in both deep shadows and bright highlights. These technologies, combined with the immense scale of the Micro RGB evo’s screen, create an immersive and impactful viewing experience.

As part of its premium LCD lineup strategy, LG offers the industry-leading level of color with the ultra-large Micro RGB evo, alongside the new Mini RGB evo. These TVs leverage LG’s unique light source technology to precisely implement red, green, and blue, earning the ‘High Purity RGB Spectrum Display’ certification from TÜV Rheinland and expanding consumer choice.

“LG Micro RGB evo brings together the exceptional color purity of our proprietary Micro RGB technology and the advanced intelligence of the α11 AI Processor Gen3 to deliver an ultra-large viewing experience like no other,” said Park Hyoung‑sei, president of the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. “Its independently validated, high-purity RGB color performance reflects our dedication to setting new standards in premium LCD picture quality. By completing our RGB display lineup with Mini RGB evo, we are proud to broaden the range of high-performance choices available to our customers.”

LG Micro RGB evo will be on display at the LG booth in Hall 18 at Messe Berlin throughout IFA 2026.

[1] Tom’s Guide’s AI Awards 2026 Winner 
[2] LG RGB TVs have been certified as “High Purity RGB Spectrum Display” by TÜV Rheinland.

About LG Electronics Media Entertainment Solution Company

The LG Media Entertainment Solution Company (MS) is a recognized innovator in televisions, audio, displays and smart TV platforms. The MS Company enhances the media entertainment experience with its OLED TVs, renowned for perfect black and perfect color, the newest Micro RGB TVs and Mini-LED QNED TVs, all powered by the personalized webOS smart TV platform. The MS Company also offers Information Technology solutions (gaming monitors, business monitors, laptops, projectors, cloud devices and medical displays) as well as Signage solutions (Micro LED signage, digital signage, hospitality displays and signage software solutions) that are designed to maximize customers’ work efficiency and deliver strong value. For more news on LG, visit www.LG.com/global/newsroom/.

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Rally and the American Team Pickleball League Announce National Growth Partnership Focused on Team-based Pickleball

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39 minutes ago

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September 5, 2026

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Partnership pairs ATPL’s national affiliate network with Rally’s pickleball league management software to standardize team-based pickleball leagues across the country.

CHICAGO, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Rally and the American Team Pickleball League (ATPL) today announced a national growth partnership to expand standardized, team-based pickleball leagues across the United States. Rally’s pickleball league management software for league admins and pickleball league management app for players power several of the largest pickleball leagues in North America on a platform trusted for 28 years. Under the partnership, ATPL affiliates nationwide will run on that platform, and the two organizations will co-invest in marketing, onboarding, and league infrastructure to support ATPL’s national expansion.

“The American Team Pickleball League has spent years building the infrastructure, format, and community that make team pickleball work at a local level. Rally’s team pickleball app helps that model scale nationally.” — Ross Freedman, Founder and CEO, Rally

ATPL has built one of the fastest-growing team-based pickleball networks in the country, offering local affiliates a proven format, a structured competitive pathway, and a national championship. Rally acquired Pickleballscores in July 2026 as part of its acquisition of the Tenniscores platform, and brings modern technology, national marketing capabilities, and investment to fuel ATPL’s growth.

“ATPL has spent years building the infrastructure, format, and community that make team pickleball work at a local level. Rally’s team pickleball app helps that model scale nationally. Every new affiliate ATPL brings on strengthens the network for everyone in it.”

— Ross Freedman, Founder and CEO, Rally

“We’ve always believed team-based pickleball needed the same kind of national structure that tennis has had for decades. Partnering with Rally gives our affiliates a pickleball team app built for exactly that, and gives us the resources to bring more leagues into the fold.”

— Greg Mather, Founder, American Team Pickleball League

As part of the partnership, Rally will serve as the title sponsor for the ATPL National Championship. The event is scheduled for November 5-8, 2026, hosted at Pictona at Holly Hill in Holly Hill, Florida. ATPL will continue to lead affiliate recruitment, league format, and the national championship pathway, while standardizing on Rally’s pickleball league management platform across its network.

Pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in the country, with participation reaching 24.3 million players in 2025, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Despite that growth, team-based league play remains fragmented, with no single national organization providing the standardized format, ratings structure, and championship pathway that sports like tennis have relied on for decades. ATPL was built to close that gap, giving local affiliates a proven format and a clear path from community play to a national championship. This partnership gives ATPL the platform and resources to bring that structure to leagues nationwide as the sport continues to scale.

About Rally

Rally is the leading pickleball league management software and team pickleball app, trusted by pickleball leagues nationwide. Serving over 800 racquet sports leagues and over 1M players in North America, Rally brings scores, standings, schedules, lineups, and messaging into one place for admins, captains, and players. The Rally platform turns pickleball, tennis, platform tennis, and padel leagues into vibrant communities. Learn more at lovetorally.com.

About ATPL

The American Team Pickleball League (ATPL) is a national network of independent, team-based pickleball affiliates, offering a standardized competitive format, training and onboarding support, and a pathway to the ATPL National Championship. Learn more at atplnation.org.

Media Contact

Ross Freedman, Rally LLC — hello@lovetorally.com 

Media Contact

Ross Freedman, Rally LLC, 1 7732138911, ross@lovetorally.com, https://www.lovetorally.com/ 

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SOURCE Rally LLC

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Bringing Local AI Home: UGREEN Introduces Privacy-First HomeAgent for Smarter Living

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2 hours ago

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September 5, 2026

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BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UGREEN, a leading global consumer technology brand, announced two new product lineups at a European launch event. The unveiling of the UGREEN HomeAgent series of agentic local AI hubs and a new MagFlow lineup marks UGREEN’s next stage of growth. Building on its established presence in digital accessories and smart storage, the company is now dedicated to a broader spectrum of intelligent consumer electronics designed to enhance everyday life.

UGREEN HomeAgent: Agentic Local AI Hub for Homes

At the center of UGREEN’s broader intelligent consumer electronics vision is UGREEN HomeAgent, a groundbreaking Agentic AI Local Hub unifying local storage, computing, and control into one device. It connects a growing ecosystem of UGREEN AIoT devices, including security cameras, smart speakers, and smart photo frames, as well as third-party devices.

UGOS Pro is UGREEN’s in-house operating system built on a Linux architecture, offering professional storage management, robust data security, easy backup and sync, and extensive expandability.

UGREEN HomeAgent is powered by the all-new UGOS Pro, combining NAS-grade storage and data management with integrated home security features, smart home capabilities, and natural voice interaction to deliver a more complete all-in-one experience.

Traditional surveillance cameras usually only document bad news, and their footage is constantly overwritten, so the moments truly worth keeping quietly disappear. That’s why UGREEN set out to redefine the home camera system, not as a surveillance tool, but as a camera for life.

“HomeAgent proactively recognizes moments that are truly worth remembering and organizes them into a personalized daily briefing for every family. Moments that might otherwise be forgotten can return. We want to help families preserve the precious time they spend together.” – Samuel Zhang, CEO of UGREEN

As an agentic local AI hub integrating on-device intelligence, local storage, AI computing and smart-home control, HomeAgent serves as the AI brain of the connected home. Designed to keep data private and local, it enables intelligent file management, proactive home monitoring, voice-driven automation and unified device control. The ecosystem includes the HomeAgent HA100 and HA100 Pro, the NVIDIA® Jetson Thor™-powered MasterAgent MA100, SynCare smart cameras, the UGREEN Smart Speaker for Uliya, and UGREEN Gallery smart frames, while remaining compatible with third-party Matter-enabled devices. Together, they deliver a private, expandable AI platform that helps users preserve memories, monitor their homes and coordinate devices through natural, context-aware interactions.

MagFlow Pro: Active Heat Dissipation and Sustained Fast Charging

Announced alongside HomeAgent, MagFlow Powerbank is the world’s first liquid-cooled Qi2 25W magnetic power bank, featuring CryoPulse™ micro-pump liquid cooling, active heat dissipation and sustained fast charging.

The launch complements UGREEN’s strong range of charging options, outlining the brand’s commitment to true-rated performance and flagship-quality power.

Availability Timeline

Pre-orders for the UGREEN HomeAgent HA100, HA100 Pro and UGREEN MasterAgent MA100 opened on September 4, 2026, via the UGREEN AIoT Official Store, and remain available until the official Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign launches on October 27, 2026. Other AIoT accessories will be introduced as part of the Kickstarter campaign beginning on October 27. During the pre-order period, customers can place a deposit starting at $50 to reserve the UGREEN HomeAgent HA100, HA100 Pro or UGREEN MasterAgent MA100 and secure 50% off with the Super Early Bird discount.

About UGREEN
UGREEN is a leading global tech brand creating innovative products that make everyday life smarter, easier, and more connected. From smart charging and productivity to smart storage and AIoT, UGREEN designs technology around the needs of modern life.

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