Connect with us

Technology

AI, Data, and Automation Among IT Priorities for Manufacturing and Retail in 2025, Says Info-Tech Research Group

Published

on

Info-Tech Research Group, a global research and advisory firm, has published a new report that identifies the top six essential priorities that are helping IT leaders in the manufacturing and retail sectors build business-aligned strategies, adopt generative AI, and modernize operations. The firm’s report for the manufacturing and retail sector includes a curated list of its top research that IT leaders in the space are using to guide their future-proofing strategies this year.

TORONTO, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – With an increase in supply chain volatility, rising customer expectations, and accelerating technology disruption, manufacturing and retail organizations are under increasing pressure to adapt. Global research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group reports in a newly released resource that Generative AI, automation, and evolving data governance mandates are reshaping how these sectors operate and compete. The firm’s report, Info-Tech’s Best Research for the Manufacturing and Retail Sectors 2025, includes a collection of some of its most popular strategic blueprints that are helping IT leaders address emerging challenges and unlock new value from their technology investments this year.

Info-Tech’s Best Research for the Top Priorities Facing the Manufacturing and Retail Sectors in 2025
Info-Tech’s manufacturing and retail research collection for 2025 highlights six strategic initiatives that will help organizations in these industries align technology with business priorities, leverage generative AI, modernize operations, and strengthen resilience in an evolving market. The firm’s recently published report highlights the following research and insights:

Build a Durable Goods Manufacturing Business-Aligned IT Strategy – This blueprint provides a step-by-step approach for aligning IT initiatives with business goals in the durable goods manufacturing sector. The resource guides IT leaders through defining mission and vision statements, eliciting business context, identifying key initiatives, and constructing a strategic roadmap. It addresses challenges such as integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, harmonizing IT and OT departments, and attracting specialized talent, ensuring a cohesive strategy that drives operational excellence and innovation.

Generative AI Use Case Library for the Durable Goods Manufacturing Industry – The use cases detailed in this report offer a comprehensive set of value-driven generative AI use cases tailored for durable goods manufacturers. This resource assists IT leaders in identifying and prioritizing initiatives that can enhance efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. It addresses common adoption challenges, such as navigating a complex vendor ecosystem, managing workforce impacts, and safeguarding sensitive data. It provides practical guidance on leveraging generative AI to transform operations and drive measurable business outcomes.

Retail Industry Business Reference Architecture – This detailed reference architecture provides a comprehensive framework of business capability maps, value streams, and strategy maps tailored for the retail sector. The blueprint assists IT leaders in aligning technology initiatives with business objectives by offering a validated view of retail operations. The research is designed to facilitate the acceleration of strategy design processes, ensuring that IT investments are effectively prioritized and contribute to measurable top-line outcomes.

Autonomous Technologies in Manufacturing – This practical blueprint offers a comprehensive framework for integrating autonomous technologies into manufacturing operations. The resource assists IT leaders in identifying suitable automation opportunities, assessing readiness, and developing a strategic roadmap for implementation. It addresses challenges such as workforce adaptation, system interoperability, and change management, ensuring a smooth transition toward increased operational efficiency and innovation.

Establish Data Governance – Info-Tech’s blueprint provides a structured approach to implementing a business-aligned data governance program. This resource assists IT leaders in aligning data governance initiatives with enterprise value streams and business capabilities, ensuring that data management efforts deliver measurable business value. It addresses challenges such as evolving data landscapes, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder demands by offering best practices, planning tools, and frameworks to establish clear leadership, accountability, and a culture of data excellence across the organization.

Build Your AI Strategy Roadmap – The sixth resource outlined in Info-Tech’s report provides a structured framework for developing a comprehensive AI strategy aligned with organizational goals. This blueprint assists IT leaders in assessing current AI maturity, identifying high-impact use cases, and establishing responsible AI principles. It offers tools for prioritizing initiatives based on value and feasibility, culminating in a clear, actionable roadmap that guides the organization through effective AI adoption and integration.

With AI adoption accelerating and customer expectations reshaping operations, the firm explains that IT leaders in manufacturing and retail must mobilize faster than ever to modernize and innovate.

“As new technologies bring both disruption and opportunity, IT leaders in manufacturing and retail have a unique opportunity to shape long-term business outcomes,” says Info-Tech Research Group’s Chief Research Officer, Gord Harrison. “This research report consolidates the frameworks, insights, and tools needed to prioritize the right initiatives, elevate operations, and modernize business models. By focusing on strategy, data governance, automation, and responsible AI adoption, these organizations can strengthen resilience, drive innovation, and create sustainable competitive advantage in 2025 and beyond.”

Info-Tech’s Best Research for the Manufacturing and Retail Sectors 2025 report equips organizations with strategic guidance to align IT with business goals, adopt transformative technologies responsibly, and build a foundation for sustainable growth. Each blueprint delivers practical methodologies, tools, and sector-specific insights to help leaders confidently navigate a year of disruption, competition, and opportunity.

To request exclusive and timely commentary from Info-Tech’s experts on these blueprints or to download Info-Tech’s Best Research for the Manufacturing and Retail Sectors 2025 resource, please contact pr@infotech.com.

Media Passes for Info-Tech LIVE 2025 in Las Vegas
Media professionals, including journalists, podcasters, and influencers, are invited to attend Info-Tech LIVE 2025 to gain exclusive access to research, content, and interviews with industry leaders. For those unable to attend in person, Info-Tech offers a digital pass option, providing access to live-streamed keynotes, select sessions, and exclusive virtual interviews with speakers and analysts.

Media professionals looking to apply for in-person or digital passes can contact pr@infotech.com to secure their spot and cover the latest advancements in IT directly from the event or remotely.

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-data-and-automation-among-it-priorities-for-manufacturing-and-retail-in-2025-says-info-tech-research-group-302443190.html

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

Continue Reading

Technology

GEEKOM Launches A5 2027 Edition Mini PC, Built for Productivity That Lasts

Published

on

By

TAIPEI, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GEEKOM, a leading global Mini PC brand, is redefining the productivity Mini PC with the launch of the A5 2027 Edition. Designed for all-day productivity, the new A5 combines dependable performance, long-term reliability and flexible expansion in a compact form.

Powered by the 8-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U, the A5 2027 Edition is built for real-world productivity — from running 30+ browser tabs alongside video meetings and large spreadsheets to Photoshop, 2D design and light 4K editing. With up to 64GB of memory, 7TB of storage and four-display support, it gives professionals, creators and small businesses the flexibility to build a workspace around the way they work.

But productivity also depends on how long a PC can be trusted to perform. The A5 2027 Edition uses brand-new SSDs, a reinforced all-metal internal frame and multi-layer motherboard protection, and undergoes 339 validation checks covering durability, aging, thermals and more. Together with flexible memory and storage upgrades, this quality-from-the-inside-out approach gives GEEKOM the confidence to offer a three-year warranty and engineer its PCs for more than five years of service.

Reliability also means being ready when work does not stop. The A5 2027 Edition‘s IceBlast 3.0 cooling system combines a larger silent fan, copper heat pipe and dedicated copper plate to efficiently move heat away from critical components. Better thermal control reduces throttling and long-term heat stress, enabling stable 24/7 operation for offices, retail systems, digital signage and other always-on environments.

The A5 2027 Edition also brings AI into everyday productivity. It can serve as a personal AI assistant for research, writing, content creation and data analysis, while emerging agentic applications can automate more complex, multi-step workflows. With stable, always-on operation, the A5 2027 Edition can keep these AI workflows running in the background when needed — helping users get more done with less hands-on effort.

The A5 2027 Edition brings GEEKOM‘s vision of all-day productivity to life: built to do more, built to keep running and built to last. Best All-Day Productivity Mini PC. Cool・Silent・Stable.

The GEEKOM A5 2027 Edition is available now through GEEKOM‘s official website and Amazon.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geekom-launches-a5-2027-edition-mini-pc-built-for-productivity-that-lasts-302871263.html

SOURCE GEEKOM

Continue Reading

Technology

Real Estate Expert Howard Goldberg Details Coastal Rental and Multifamily Property Ownership in HelloNation

Published

on

By

The article explains how insurance costs, rental rules, maintenance demands, and seasonal changes shape coastal property ownership in South Florida.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should buyers know before purchasing a rental property or multifamily property near the beach in South Florida? That question is answered in a HelloNation article featuring expert insights from Howard Goldberg, Real Estate Expert with RE/MAX Consultants Realty 1. The article explores how coastal ownership affects daily routines, responsibilities, and long-term planning.

The article explains that owning rental property near the beach is not only a financial decision, but also a lifestyle commitment. While the scenery and walkability are appealing, owners often face ongoing planning around guests, vendors, weather, and property logistics. Multifamily property introduces additional complexity by increasing the number of tenants and systems that require attention.

One of the first considerations for coastal owners is insurance costs. The article notes that properties close to the ocean usually require flood coverage, wind protection, and higher deductibles. These expenses can rise sharply at renewal and may impact cash flow if not planned for. When multifamily property is involved, one change in policy affects several units, making financial buffers and consistent oversight even more important.

Rental rules also play a major role. The article emphasizes that South Florida cities often have strict requirements related to rental registration, tax accounts, inspections, and short-term rental regulations. In addition, many condo or homeowners associations add further restrictions, including lease minimums, parking limitations, and guest policies. Ignoring rental rules can result in fines or strained relationships with neighbors, making upfront research essential.

The article highlights how maintenance demands increase near the beach. Salt air corrodes materials, humidity stresses systems, and frequent storms challenge the durability of building exteriors. These factors create higher maintenance demands, which can disrupt weekends, stretch budgets, and complicate vendor scheduling, especially when guests are already occupying the property. With multifamily properties, shared infrastructure such as stairways and plumbing stacks can turn small issues into building-wide concerns.

While property management can reduce some of the daily involvement, it does not eliminate the need for owner participation. The article clarifies that owners must still review budgets, approve decisions, and respond quickly in case of emergencies. In South Florida, unexpected weather events or access issues may require urgent attention, regardless of whether a manager is in place.

The article also explores how personal use of a rental property presents challenges. Owners often want to reserve time for themselves, especially during peak seasons. However, holding dates back may reduce income, and using the property personally changes how it’s maintained and perceived. For multifamily properties, reserving one unit while others are booked may create inconsistencies that need clear policies to manage.

Seasonal changes also affect both income and operations. The article explains that winter often brings high demand but fast turnover, while summer may involve slower bookings and the need for more promotion. Owners should plan for vacancy periods, higher utility use, and variable staffing needs. Backup vendors for cleaning and repairs become important, particularly in larger properties with multiple units.

Before purchasing a rental property in South Florida, buyers are encouraged to weigh their time availability and risk tolerance against the demands of ownership. Understanding insurance costs, rental rules, and maintenance demands helps determine whether the lifestyle will feel rewarding or overwhelming.

Owning Rental or Multifamily Property Near the Beach: Lifestyle Considerations in South Florida features insights from Howard Goldberg, Real Estate Expert of Fort Lauderdale, FL, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/real-estate-expert-howard-goldberg-details-coastal-rental-and-multifamily-property-ownership-in-hellonation-302870359.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Technology

Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-Joon targets U.S. AI power market with 22.9kV SST

Published

on

By

World’s first 22.9kV Solid State Transformer (SST) developed, securing a competitive edge with next-generation technology.Completed local production bases for transformers and breakers in the U.S., cementing its position in the American power equipment market.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, optimizing power supply networks has emerged as a critical global challenge. In the United States, the surge in power demand driven by the proliferation of AI and data centers, coupled with the need to replace aging grid infrastructure, is driving large-scale investment in power infrastructure.

Anticipating these transformative shifts in the power market, Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho has spearheaded proactive investments to meet the demands of the AI and data center era. These investments are now supporting Hyosung Heavy Industries’ efforts to strengthen its position in the U.S. AI and data center power market.

“Driven by the expansion of AI and data centers, power infrastructure has now become a core industry directly linked to national security,” stated Chairman Cho. “Building on Hyosung Heavy Industries’ U.S. manufacturing facilities and technological prowess, we must establish ourselves as an irreplaceable, essential long-term partner in stabilizing the American power grid.”

Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its push into the U.S. AI data center power market by combining next-generation grid technologies with its U.S. manufacturing base and established strengths in power equipment, including ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers.

Pioneering Next-Generation 22.9kV SST Technology

Hyosung Heavy Industries identified the Solid State Transformer (SST) as an indispensable technology for power transmission and distribution in the AI era, initiating preemptive research and development. In 2022, the company successfully developed the world’s first 22.9kV 1.05MVA-class SST capable of direct connection to urban distribution networks. This milestone secured a competitive advantage in next-generation power conversion technology, strengthening the company’s position as it moves to capture emerging market opportunities.

SST is a next-generation power system that utilizes power semiconductors to precisely control voltage and current while maintaining the insulation functions of conventional transformers. It is considered a field with high technological barriers to entry, demanding sophisticated power control capabilities. According to global market research firms, the global SST market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of more than 40%, supported by the modernization of power infrastructure. The large-capacity SST market for data centers handling high voltages of 22.9kV and above is in its nascent stages, with only a limited number of companies worldwide pursuing commercialization and demonstration projects. With the market still in its early stages, Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its efforts to secure an early-mover position based on its advanced technology.

Expanding U.S. Manufacturing and Strategic Partnerships

Hyosung Heavy Industries is continuously expanding its ultra-high-voltage transformer production base. The company has invested a total of USD 300 million in the acquisition and expansion of its ultra-high-voltage transformer manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Once the ongoing expansion is completed, the company will secure one of the largest ultra-high-voltage transformer production capacities in the United States.

Furthermore, Hyosung Heavy Industries has established a joint venture with Quanta Services, a leading North American energy infrastructure solutions company, to locally produce 72.5kV to 800kV ultra-high-voltage circuit breakers in Pennsylvania. Through this strategic move, Hyosung becomes the first Korean power equipment manufacturer to secure local production capabilities for both ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers in the U.S. market.

Quanta has an extensive business presence and customer network across the United States, providing infrastructure solutions for large-scale power demand facilities.

By leveraging Quanta’s industry-leading infrastructure solutions and Hyosung’s world-class technological expertise, the company aims to strengthen its competitive edge. Hyosung Heavy Industries aims to establish itself as a key player in the data center power infrastructure market by integrating its accumulated technological prowess, its robust U.S. local production base, and next-generation power grid technologies such as SST, Energy Storage Systems (ESS), STATCOM, and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems.

Website: https://www.hyosung.com/en/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyosung-chairman-cho-hyun-joon-targets-us-ai-power-market-with-22-9kv-sst-302871204.html

SOURCE HYOSUNG CORPORATION; Hyosung Heavy Industries

Continue Reading

Trending