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Springbrook Expands Cirrus ERP Platform, and Puts AI to Work for Local Government

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AI-Ready When You Are: Springbrook Unveils Innovation Roadmap, featuring AI Invoicing, AI Permitting, AI-assisted Reporting, Conversational ERP, plus a Citizen Portal for residents and an expanded HCM Suite spanning the entire employee journey.

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This week in Orlando, Florida, Springbrook Software unveiled its Innovation Roadmap at Activate 2026, themed “Innovation Beyond Imagination.” Reporting, ease of use, and support top the list of challenges for local governments everywhere, and Springbrook’s roadmap raises the bar on all three. Customers had the opportunity to experience new and planned capabilities, including several AI features, at Activate, Springbrook’s annual customer conference. Attendees were also invited to test-drive and offer live feedback on Springbrook’s forthcoming innovations.

Outdated government technology puts public trust at risk. Springbrook’s 2026 Citizen Trust and Digital Expectations Survey of over 1,000 U.S. residents found that people see it the same way. Springbrook’s Innovation Roadmap gives agencies a way to modernize responsibly and protect that trust. Local governments and the residents they serve deserve technology solutions that can be implemented fast, are easy to use, and reliable. Springbrook’s innovation roadmap prioritizes these areas, with AI-ready capabilities that are purpose-built for government and shaped by direct client feedback.

“America has more than 91,000 local governments, and they employ more than 14 million people. They rarely get the spotlight, but they run the communities people call home. That is who we build for. Teams that do a lot with a little. Every community we serve has access to technology and solutions that are purpose-built for them.” Chris Dinkler, CEO, Springbrook Software

Shaped by Customers; Built for the Work They Do

Springbrook’s Innovation Roadmap is shaped through ongoing interviews with finance directors, treasurers, and department heads, and it evolves with their feedback. Agencies can start with the ERP, payments, or both, and add more as their needs grow. Each new capability works with what they already run. Agencies turn them on when their teams are ready, and both work within the platform’s existing logins and permissions.

“Everything on this roadmap started with a customer conversation. Finance directors, treasurers, and department heads showed us where their days get hard. We are building reporting you can talk to, AI that arrives when you are ready for it, and software that is easy to use, and we will keep listening as they tell us what comes next.” Lindsey Artman, Chief Product Officer, Springbrook Software

AI-Ready When You Are

For most public sector organizations, AI depends on the cloud, and the data backs it up: 73 percent say their on-premises infrastructure is not fully ready for modern AI workloads, according to Nutanix’s 2026 Public Sector Enterprise Cloud Index. Springbrook laid the cloud foundation for customers in 2021, delivering Cirrus as a multi-tenant SaaS platform with a real-time data layer that lets AI reason across finance, payments, payroll, community development, and asset management at once. Customers on Cirrus get each new AI feature on the platform they already run, with no disruptive upgrades or migrations.

Springbrook uses AI to build and deliver Cirrus features faster, and to give customers AI features they can adopt easily when they are ready. The company’s latest AI innovations include AI Invoicing and AI Permitting, both available today. AI Invoicing reads incoming invoices, captures the details, and matches each one to its purchase order so accounts payable staff spend less time keying data. AI Permitting gives applicants advice on their application, checks applications for completeness, and performs a first review of the application content. In all situations, AI does the first pass and staff review and approve the result before anything is returned or approved.

Natural Language Reporting You Can Talk To

AI Invoicing and AI Permitting help staff get information into Cirrus. The reporting capabilities below will help them get answers out by asking in plain language instead of trial-and-error exports stitched together in Excel. They follow the same approach: AI does the first pass, staff stay in charge, and everything works within the platform’s existing logins and permissions. Customers had the opportunity to preview both this week at Activate.

New Reporting and Insights Module: Puts every report in one place. Staff can ask AI to build, find, or change a report, adjust reports by hand, and create their own dashboards.Conversational ERP: Users type what they need and go straight to the right record or report.

All workflows in Cirrus run on a governed data foundation that connects across finance, payments, and permitting at once, so every department works from the same data.

Ease of Use: Intuitive Products. Integrated Workflows.

For lean teams, the small stuff is the big stuff: a screen that shows more information, an invoice that finds its own purchase order, a case update that arrives before you ask. Staff often juggle systems that each have their own login, permissions, and look. Springbrook builds the login, permissions, payments, notifications, and design once and shares them across every product. Third-party and custom tools can run inside Cirrus the same way.

Citizen Portal: Residents who need to pay a water bill, renew a license, and report a pothole can do all three in one place, with one sign-in. Utility payments support digital wallets and autopay, applications will be available online, and residents will be able to track each request. Everything connects to the Springbrook products staff already use. Now in preview.HCM Suite: HR for the entire employee journey, on one login: HR Core and Employee Self Service anchor it, add-on modules cover applicant tracking, onboarding, learning, and performance, and the newest module, Open Enrollment, feeds employee deductions straight into Cirrus Payroll with nothing to retype.Service Orders in Xpress Bill Pay: Residents submit utility service requests themselves, in the same portal where they make payments. For agencies that use Springbrook’s Utility Billing, each request will appear directly in Cirrus, where staff can track and act on it without leaving the system they already use.

About Springbrook Software

Founded in 1985, Springbrook Software is a cloud ERP and payments platform built for local governments, where lean teams do a lot with a little. More than 3,000 cities, utilities, and special districts run financial management, utility billing, tax, HR and payroll, asset management, community development, and payments on Springbrook, all in one connected system. Cirrus, Springbrook’s cloud platform, is AI-ready, so agencies adopt AI at their own pace, with staff reviewing and approving the work. Learn more at www.springbrooksoftware.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements about products, capabilities, and initiatives still in development, including items described as in planning, in preview, in closed beta, or in active development. These statements reflect Springbrook’s current plans and are subject to change based on customer feedback, engineering timelines, and business priorities. They are not a commitment to a specific delivery date or feature set.

Media Contact

Wendy Werve
Chief Marketing Officer
Marketing@sprbrk.com

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SOURCE Springbrook Software

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Karma Automotive Announces Eximius, the Bespoke Vehicle Program for Elite Clients Seeking Singular Expressions of Extreme Performance and Bold Craftsmanship

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The First Eximius Creation, “Eximius 1,” is a Menacing Four-Seater Built for the Track which Makes its World Premiere at the 2026 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Karma Automotive builds vehicles in the hundreds rather than the thousands, attracting a highly individualistic clientele seeking a unique statement. For those who wish to go further still, and explore new possibilities beyond the extensive options for personalization available through the Studio program, Karma has created the Eximius bespoke vehicle program. Eximius clients may modify the vehicle’s body, performance and powertrain, collaborating with Karma’s design and engineering teams to build a One-of-One statement which will never be repeated.

Karma Eximius clients may modify the vehicle’s body, performance and powertrain to build a One-of-One statement

The first vehicle from Karma Eximius debuts today at the 2026 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. A menacing four-seater purpose-built for the track, “Eximius 1” is in ongoing development with its commissioning client, who is not revealed at this time. Upon delivery in 2027, “Eximius 1” will be fitted with an extreme-performance Plug-in Series Hybrid utilizing a 6.2 Liter V8 producing nearly 1200hp (550hp ICE, 645hp battery), delivering acceleration from 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph (estimated). As these parameters would demand, “Eximius 1” will be equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes and two-piece slotted brake rotors, and Ohlins semi-active suspension.

“‘Eximius 1’ began as a conversation with an elite client who loves their Karma Revero, but wanted something more extreme and unexpected, which was music to our ears,” says Marques McCammon, President and Chief Executive, Karma Automotive. “The Eximius program effectively deletes the word ‘no’ from conversations about what’s possible,” he continues, “and as a four-seat track weapon packing what’ll be the most powerful Plug-in Series Hybrid powertrain and vehicle ever developed, ‘Eximius 1’ shatters expectations and further establishes Karma as a manufacturer of exotic, uniquely American vehicles.” 

Exterior Design
“Eximius 1” is an imposing vehicle to behold, exhibiting the muscularity and eyepopping strength of a superhero. Every panel – excluding the body surface outer – is constructed of pre-impregnated carbon fiber, and the vehicle is 50mm wider due to its wheel arch extensions. The front doors and hood have a unique technical fade from glossy, exposed regular carbon fiber to signature Borealis Blue paint.

The front carbon splitter sets an aggressive tone and is flanked by massive side air intakes incorporating Karma’s Target Acquisition Lighting, rotated 45º to create a distinctive ‘><‘ DRL graphic identity. On the hood, the dramatic arc of the Comet Line – which is inspired by Halley’s Comet is it streaks across the evening sky – widens from its apex towards the base of the windshield; vents above the front fenders release air pressure from the wheel housings and add further visual intrigue. Moving to the side of the vehicle, the front fenders aft of the wheels feature Karma’s signature “Backslash” bearing the number “5,” which is of particular significance to the commissioning client. 21″ Magnesium wheels with center-locks reduce rotating and unsprung mass, and are finished in satin black. Aft of the driver’s side front wheel, twin exhaust tips announce the fearsome new powertrain.

The full-width rear GT wing maximizes stability and downforce at high speeds, and continues the distinctive ‘><‘ DRL graphic identity established at the front of “Eximius 1.” The rear fascia also boasts large side air intakes which are connected by a dominant diffuser to manage underbody airflow.

Interior Design
An aura of intensity continues to the interior of “Eximius 1.” In concert with the exterior, blue-tinted carbon-fiber adorns the seats, flat-bottom steering wheel and doors; for aesthetics and weight-savings, all four doors are manufactured in exposed carbon fiber with one purposeful arm pad on each door. The seats, which are Recaro carbon fiber buckets up front, are trimmed with blue Alcantara and blue Italian leather with Moondust Alcantara upper sections, creating an articulated, form-fitted feel. To support high-speed driving and intense braking force, the accelerator, brake pedal and dead pedal are billet machined aluminum.

The instrument panel is reimagined in glossy carbon fiber and incorporates anodized billet aluminum HVAC vents. The carbon fiber center console is simplified to include the essentials only: the PRND gear selector, window switches, key fob holder, and Emergency kill switch. This console extends through to the rear compartment, to which the client’s custom-fitted carbon fiber racing helmet is held in place by a center-latched strap matching the blue seat belts.

About Karma Automotive
Karma Automotive is America’s only full-line ultra-luxury vehicle manufacturer, and a pioneer of Plug-in Series Hybrid vehicles which it manufactures at its Karma Innovation and Customization Center (KICC) in Moreno Valley, CA. Its Executive, Product Development, and Design headquarters are located in nearby Irvine, CA. The Karma portfolio embodies California’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial boldness, reflected by the signature Comet Line which is the central hallmark of Karma’s new design language. The Gyesera Grand Coupe, a Plug-in Series Hybrid four-seater, arrives at dealerships in December 2026; and the Amaris GT 2-Door Plug-in Series Hybrid arrives in Q4 2027. The Karma Kaveya Super Coupe, with over 1,000HP and butterfly-doors, will arrive in Q1 2028, to be followed by the Karma Ivara GT-UV: both EVs will incorporate SDVA (Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture) developed with leading technology partners. For more information, visit www.karmaautomotive.com) 

Media Contact:

Joe Richardson, (917) 716-6617
Joe@BeautifulNoisePR.com 

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SOURCE Karma Automotive

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ModelBest and OpenBMB Open-Source MiniCPM-OCR Series, Delivering High-Performance Document Parsing and AI-Powered Quality Control

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BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ModelBest and OpenBMB jointly announced the release and open-source availability of the MiniCPM-OCR series, a family of models for efficient document parsing and parsing-quality assessment. The launch includes two models: MiniCPM-OCR 1.0 (1.3B) and MiniCPM-OCR Jev (2B).

As the first OCR-focused model in the MiniCPM family, MiniCPM-OCR 1.0 brings top-tier parsing accuracy to a compact 1.3-billion-parameter architecture optimized for edge deployment, pushing forward the balance between efficiency and performance for open-source OCR models. Built for real-world conditions, it accurately parses scanned, photographed, curved, tilted and screen-captured documents without cumbersome image pre-correction, lowering the barrier to large-scale document digitization.

The model handles dense bilingual Chinese-English content, complex mathematical formulas, and multi-level or borderless tables, consistently performing at a leading level across a broad range of mainstream industry evaluations. Beyond full-page reconstruction, it supports key information extraction (KIE), pulling specified fields from invoices, IDs and financial statements according to business instructions.

Powered by DSpark decoding acceleration, MiniCPM-OCR 1.0 significantly increases end-to-end throughput while lowering per-page latency. For enterprises processing millions of pages—such as financial contract archives, academic libraries and government records—this means processing far more documents with the same hardware and time budget, at a substantially lower computing cost.

To address the long-standing need for page-by-page manual review, ModelBest and OpenBMB also introduced MiniCPM-OCR Jev, the first OCR result decision model that acts as an “AI quality inspector.” Rather than performing OCR itself, Jev compares the source image with OCR output and rapidly assigns confidence scores to text, LaTeX formulas and tables, detecting missing characters, errors and formatting misalignments. Despite its compact 2B-parameter size, Jev delivers judgment accuracy typically associated with far larger models.

Jev supports cross-model deployment and can be integrated into existing OCR workflows without replacing the underlying OCR engine. It can automatically identify reliable results for direct processing, flag potentially inaccurate outputs for human review and select the best result from multiple OCR systems. This enables enterprises to move from full manual inspection toward risk-based, automated quality control.

The MiniCPM-OCR series is available on GitHub, Hugging Face and ModelScope, and supports vLLM, SGLang, llama.cpp and Ollama, along with SDKs, APIs, Agent Skill plugins and open-source fine-tuning code. Day-0 hardware adaptation covers AMD, Arm, Houmo AI, Intel and NVIDIA. Through the FlagOS software stack, it also has Day-0 support for AI and edge chips from CIX Technology, Huawei Ascend, Hygon, Iluvatar CoreX, Kunlunxin, MetaX, Moore Threads, Sunrise, T-Head, TsingMicro, NVIDIA and Apple Mac (Arm).

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SOURCE ModelBest

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Wulcea Elevates Consumer Trust in Heated Apparel Through Multi-National Safety Certifications and Rigorous Technical Testing

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NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As smart heated clothing gains broader adoption, consumers are paying closer attention to the safety and reliability of the technology behind these products. Wulcea, a brand specializing in graphene-powered heated apparel, combines its flexible GrapheneNano™ heating technology with documented safety compliance and durability testing for its heating components and battery systems.

“Trust in smart heated apparel goes beyond warmth—it comes down to confidence in battery safety and heating element reliability,” said John C, Founder of Wulcea. “Our goal is to give users peace of mind through certified technical standards.”

Advanced Graphene Heating Elements Supported by Global Standards

At the core of Wulcea’s thermal architecture is its GrapheneNano™ heating technology. Engineered to eliminate garment stiffness, Wulcea integrates flexible graphene elements that deliver balanced warmth across key upper-body zones while preserving natural garment drape and full freedom of movement.

Wulcea supports its heating components with applicable compliance documentation for major markets. These include CE and FCC compliance documentation addressing relevant electrical and electromagnetic compatibility requirements, as well as PSE compliance for applicable products in Japan. RoHS compliance further addresses restrictions on specified hazardous substances in applicable electrical and electronic components.

Multi-Certified Battery System for Dependable Power

To power its heating elements, Wulcea pairs its heated apparel with rechargeable battery systems designed for convenient everyday use. Featuring a compact design and housed in dedicated interior pockets, the batteries provide portable power while maintaining a streamlined garment profile and comfortable fit.

Wulcea backs its battery options with comprehensive third-party accreditations. UL certification demonstrates that the battery system has been evaluated against recognized power bank safety requirements, covering key areas such as overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, and thermal safety. The battery systems are also supported by applicable CE and FCC compliance documentation, addressing relevant regulatory requirements for electrical and electromagnetic compatibility.

For daily handling and travel, RoHS compliance validates that the battery system meets stringent global standards for material safety. The battery models have also undergone applicable UN 38.3 testing, supporting compliance with international requirements for lithium battery transportation.

Real-World Durability and Practical Usability

Component compliance forms Wulcea’s foundation, but reliability is defined by real-world performance. Built for high-flex endurance, Wulcea’s flexible graphene heating elements are tested through 10,000 active flexing cycles to maintain steady thermal output through repeated bending and everyday body movement.

Everyday convenience is equally essential. Built for hassle-free care, Wulcea’s heating elements withstand 100 machine-wash cycles under standard care guidelines, maintaining internal conductivity and structural stability under repeated laundering.

Integrated NTC temperature sensors provide thermal monitoring and are designed to stop heating if temperatures exceed 131°F (55°C). Combined with runtime of up to 10 hours on the low setting and a discreet interior control button, these features support practical everyday use in cold-weather conditions.

Aligning Technical Standards with Everyday Warmth

By combining graphene-based heating technology with documented battery safety compliance and durability testing, Wulcea continues to focus on the technical foundations of dependable heated apparel. This approach reflects the brand’s emphasis on bringing together safety considerations, practical functionality, and everyday comfort for cold-weather use.

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SOURCE Wulcea

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