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Stottler Henke’s MARS Scheduling System Enters Operational Use by the U.S. Space Force

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New AI Software Greatly Increases the Readiness of Missions and Operations that Rely on the Satellite Control Network

SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The MARS real-time, tactical command and control (C2) system, developed by Stottler Henke, has become operational and now manages U.S. Space Force’s Satellite Control Network (SCN) space-ground communications. Using MARS, U.S. Space Force schedulers can create, deconflict, visualize, validate, and disseminate highly efficient satellite communications schedules much more efficiently. These capabilities enhance the SCN’s effectiveness, responsiveness to changing demands, and resilience to adverse events.

Brian Bayless, Satellite Control Network Chief of Systems Integration, states, “The MARS system is now operational and used to build the fundamental satellite schedule for the US Space Force.”

The $11B SCN comprises 19 large, globally distributed, ground-based antennas which communicate with 190 government and commercial satellites to download health and status data and upload configuration and control data. These communications ensure that the satellites maintain their orbits and operate correctly. Because satellite and ground station resources are expensive, limited, and mission critical, their efficient allocation is both difficult and essential.

Currently, highly skilled U.S. Space Force planners develop conflict-free schedules which specify when SCN antennas should communicate with each satellite to satisfy requests from the satellites’ owners. SCN scheduling is complex and time-consuming because there are many satellite communication requests, scheduling possibilities, and diverse, interacting resource and timing constraints. For example, communication is possible only when the satellite is visible to a ground station of the appropriate type, and these times depend upon each satellite’s unique orbit and the types and locations of the ground stations. In addition, when adverse events occur, such as equipment outages, communications involving the faulty ground station must be rescheduled quickly and reassigned to new ground stations to meet mission deadlines.

In order to manage growing numbers of satellites and their communications, the U.S. Space Force needed advanced automation to detect conflicts among communication tasks, resolve those conflicts, manage complex workflows, and ensure reliable distributed operation, even when a node or link experiences problems.

Because the scheduling problem is very complex, it was difficult to automate the process using conventional software technologies. The previous system first went online as an interim solution in 1992, and the government tried several times to develop a successor. However, MARS is the first system to satisfy these automation requirements and pass all the tests needed to enter operational use.

MARS embeds Stottler Henke’s Aurora™ artificial intelligence-based planning and scheduling system to implement advanced conflict detection and resolution . When a planner adds or changes a scheduled communication task, Aurora instantly detects any timing constraint violations or resource conflicts with other scheduled tasks, enabling planners to rapidly explore and evaluate possible alternate schedules. Prior systems using less sophisticated algorithms could only detect a subset of these conflicts in real time.

Once a conflict is detected, it must be resolved by rescheduling or removing other tasks in the schedule. Resolving conflicts is difficult because rescheduling tasks can introduce new conflicts which must be resolved, potentially causing a cascade of schedule changes. Aurora’s conflict resolution capability combines advanced scheduling algorithms with knowledge and skills used by expert schedulers to quickly resolve these conflicts.

MARS is currently the complete and only system used by Satellite Control Network (SCN) schedulers to develop daily SCN schedules. It is currently being rolled out to SCN Space Operations Center users and the antenna sites.” Brian Bayless, SCN Chief of Systems Integration, states, “The MARS system is now operational and used to build the fundamental satellite schedule for the US Space Force. This is the first step of three in replacing the 1992 Satellite Scheduling System and providing an industry standard platform to modernize the Space Traffic Control Mission. The complete deployment of the MARS system should be completed by the first quarter of 2025.”

Aurora Artificial Intelligence Scheduling Technology

The MARS system embeds Aurora software, the world’s leading planning and scheduling software solution that combines expert knowledge with artificial intelligence. Aurora was originally developed to help NASA tackle difficult, mission-critical planning problems—by using artificial intelligence technologies to encode and apply extensive domain knowledge and decision rules to generate more efficient schedules.

Today, Aurora manages the most demanding operations for organizations like The Boeing Company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Bombardier Learjet, Spirit AeroSystems, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Korea Aerospace Industries, Alaska Airlines, Massachusetts General Hospital, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the US Air Force, US Space Force, and US Navy. For example, Boeing selected Aurora to help them manage their Boeing 787 Dreamliner™ airliner assembly operations and 60 other commercial and defense applications.

Conventional scheduling systems often support only basic timing constraints between tasks. Without a complete and accurate model of the actual constraints that schedules must satisfy, simpler systems cannot even determine whether a candidate schedule is valid. Aurora enables specification and enforcement of complex temporal and resource constraints, so it can schedule projects that other tools cannot even model.

Most other scheduling systems use simple rules to select and schedule tasks and assign resources to carry them out. These rules usually consider only limited information about the required tasks, resources, and constraints, so the generated schedules are suboptimal. Other systems rely on mathematical optimization to search systematically for the best scheduling solution. However, as the number of scheduled tasks and constraints grows, the computer time needed to solve the problem increases exponentially, making this approach impractical for managing large, complex operations. Aurora solves complex scheduling problems effectively by encoding and applying sophisticated scheduling knowledge and decision-making rules, along with complex constraints and resource requirements. Aurora’s knowledge-rich approach enables it to combine human expertise with intelligent algorithms to generate superior schedules.

Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. applies cognitive modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other advanced technologies to solve problems that defy solution using traditional approaches. Stottler Henke develops intelligent software solutions that provide advanced capabilities for planning and scheduling, autonomy, knowledge management and retrieval, education and training, and machine learning and data analytics. Stottler Henke has received numerous awards for its innovative AI solutions. In 2012, at a White House ceremony, Stottler Henke was one of 18 businesses and six individuals who received the prestigious Tibbetts award for the critical role they played in research and development for the government and for their success driving innovation and creating new jobs. Email: info@stottlerhenke.com. Web: https://www.stottlerhenke.com.

Media Contact

James Ong, Stottler Henke, 1 6509312710, ong@stottlerhenke.com, http://www.stottlerhenke.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/stottler-henkes-mars-scheduling-system-enters-operational-use-by-the-us-space-force-302231527.html

SOURCE Stottler Henke

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Media Advisory – From space to Earth: handling medical issues more autonomous fashion

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LONGUEUIL, QC, Nov. 22, 2024 /CNW/ – On November 25, Sameer Zuberi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, will attend the unveiling of a telemedicine pilot project called “Telehealth Station.” Dan Gabay, CEO of the Montreal West Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Lisa Campbell and CSA astronaut David Saint-Jacques will also be there.

Telehealth Station will leverage technologies integrated by Baüne as part of the CSA’s Connected Care Medical Modules, an initiative that aims to find solutions to help astronauts handle their own medical issues when they are far from Earth.

The CSA invites media to attend this technology demonstration organized by the Montréal West Island CIUSSS. A question period will follow.

Media who wish to find out more or attend the event are asked to contact the Media Relations Office.

Date:

November 25, 2024

Time:

10:00 am ET

What:

Unveiling and demonstration of a telemedicine pilot project

Who:

Sameer Zuberi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity,

Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

Dan Gabay, CEO of the Montreal West Island Integrated University

Health and Social Services Centre

Lisa Campbell, CSA President

David Saint-Jacques, CSA astronaut

Where:

CLSC de Pierrefonds

13800 Gouin Boulevard West, Montreal

H8Z 3H6

Website: www.asc-csa.gc.ca

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SOURCE Canadian Space Agency

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Postal Ranked Number 34 Fastest-Growing Company in North America on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™

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Postal attributes 5,216% Revenue Growth to a collaborative team strategy focused on building a scalable revenue model and making calculated financial decisions

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Postal today announced it ranked No. 34 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Postal grew 5,216% during this period.

“I credit Postal’s success and growth to the grit of our employees and the impact of this offline channel to our customers.” – Postal CEO, Erik Kostelnik

Postal’s Chief Executive Officer, Erik Kostelnik, credits a collaborative team strategy focused on building a scalable revenue model and making calculated financial decisions to fuel the company’s 5,216% revenue growth. He said, “I credit Postal’s success and growth to the grit of our employees and the impact of this offline channel to our customers. Direct mail and gifting as a managed channel continues to outperform traditional digital channels, especially in Account Based Marketing. We are honored to be recognized as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the country.”

“For 30 years we’ve been celebrating companies that are actively driving innovation. The software industry continues to be a beacon of growth, and the fintech industry made a strong showing on this year’s list, surpassing life sciences for the first time,” said Steve Fineberg, vice chair, U.S. technology sector leader, Deloitte. “Significantly, we also saw a breakthrough in performance of private companies, with the highest number of private companies named to the list in our program’s history. This year’s winners have shown they have the vision and expertise to continue to perform at a high level, and that deserves to be celebrated.”

“Innovation, transformation and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year’s Technology Fast 500 list, and there’s no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history,” said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance practice. “This year’s winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this year’s winners — it’s an incredible time for innovation.”

Overall, 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 153,625% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,981% and median growth rate of 460%.

About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500

Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies — both public and private — in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023.

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company’s operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.

About Postal

Postal is a leading intelligent gifting platform that helps thousands of businesses increase their pipeline, retain customers, and reward employees. The engagement platform and its global marketplace enable customers to automate direct mail, manage branded company swag, and send personalized gifts, all while centralizing cost and reducing waste. Postal integrates natively into existing systems like Salesforce, Hubspot, Microsoft, Google, Adobe, and other Sales and Marketing solutions.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Media Contact

Patricia Duchene, Postal, 1 805.305.1293, patricia@postal.com, https://www.postal.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/postal-ranked-number-34-fastest-growing-company-in-north-america-on-the-2024-deloitte-technology-fast-500-302313803.html

SOURCE Postal

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GenNx360 Capital Partners finalizes the sale of ITsavvy to Xerox Holdings Corporation

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NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GenNx360 Capital Partners (“GenNx360”), a New York-based private equity firm, is pleased to announce the final sale of its portfolio company, ITsavvy LLC (“ITsavvy” or “the Company”), a provider of end-to-end IT infrastructure solutions, to Xerox Holdings Corporation (“Xerox”) for $400 million. This transaction marks a significant milestone for GenNx360, as its first investment in the technology services sector.

ITsavvy is an Oak Brook, Illinois-based technology solutions and services provider that delivers frictionless IT experiences by designing, developing and delivering technology infrastructure solutions and services that accelerate business outcomes on behalf of its clients.

During GenNx360’s investment, the Company experienced impressive organic growth, completed an acquisition of a highly strategic AIOps-enabled managed services provider (“MSP”) and significantly increased overall profitability through several well-executed margin enhancement initiatives. A committed focus to the Company’s services strategy further fueled organic growth and strengthened the Company’s overall value proposition. Through the support of GenNx360, the Company also successfully launched an AI and Intelligent Automation strategy. This strategy included commercializing an AI offering to better serve the Company’s clients, as well as optimizing the Company’s internal operations.

“The completion of this transaction marks a significant milestone for ITsavvy and for GenNx360. Over the past two years, ITsavvy has undergone exceptional growth and transformation under the leadership of Munu Gandhi and his team. Their dedication and collaboration with our firm have been critical to the company’s success. We are proud of ITsavvy’s achievements and confident it will continue to thrive as part of Xerox,” said Ron Blaylock, GenNx360 Founder and Managing Partner, and Chairman of the ITsavvy Board of Directors.

“We appreciate GenNx360’s support and strategic insights over the past two years. They have been an outstanding partner to work with to enhance and evolve our platform,” said ITsavvy CEO, Munu Gandhi. “We are excited to join forces with a longstanding company in Xerox, one of the great global brands, and we look forward to supporting their next stage of growth.”

“As part of our Reinvention, we have created a greater organizational focus on our emerging IT Services capabilities,” said John Bruno, President and Chief Operating Officer at Xerox. “ITsavvy’s complementary offerings, combined with our reputation, position us to accelerate growth across key markets and unlock new opportunities to help clients transform the way they work.”

“It has been a privilege to work with Munu and the ITsavvy team over the past two years. We are incredibly proud of the Company’s growth and look forward to following their success in the future,” said Peter White, Principal at GenNx360 and ITsavvy Board Member.

This transaction underscores GenNx360’s focus on driving operational excellence and delivering strong outcomes for our investors.

Loeb & Loeb and Greenberg Traurig served as legal advisors to ITsavvy and GenNx360.

About ITsavvy LLC

ITsavvy is an industry-leading IT infrastructure solutions provider with comprehensive value added resell capabilities. Founded in 2004 in suburban Chicago, ITsavvy provides frictionless client experiences through the deployment of holistic solutions that deliver client business outcomes. For more information on ITsavvy, please visit www.itsavvy.com.

About GenNx360 Capital Partners

GenNx360 Capital Partners is a private equity firm focused on acquiring middle market business services and industrial companies. GenNx360 partners with companies having proven and sustainable business models in expanding industries with the objective of implementing and supporting value-enhancing organic and inorganic initiatives to accelerate growth, deliver cost efficiencies, and generate strong financial returns. GenNx360 was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New York City. For more information on GenNx360, please visit www.gennx360.com.

For media inquiries about this press release, please contact:

Alicia Francis, Head of Investor Communications

investorrelations@gennx360.com

Phone: 929.287.6107

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gennx360-capital-partners-finalizes-the-sale-of-itsavvy-to-xerox-holdings-corporation-302314576.html

SOURCE GenNx360 Capital Partners

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