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Archistar Secures Contract with the City of Austin for Groundbreaking AI-Powered Automated Building Permit Assessment Platform

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SYDNEY, Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The City of Austin has entered into a landmark contract with Archistar for the deployment of its innovative automated building permit assessment software. This 5-year contract represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI to streamline the city’s building permit assessment processes.

Archistar, an industry leader in AI-driven property and planning solutions, has been at the forefront of digitizing planning and building codes for seven years. Originally based in Australia, Archistar has experienced overwhelming demand in North America, with Austin becoming the first U.S. City with a contract to fully implement Archistar’s AI-powered platform after a successful three month pilot. Over 30 cities globally are now piloting or using Archistar to improve their permit assessment process.

“We are thrilled to be working with the City of Austin, a recognized leader in innovation within the U.S.,” said Dr. Benjamin Coorey, Founder of Archistar. “Our AI technology will significantly improve approval times, reduce costs, and allow the city to focus on more complex evaluations, creating a more efficient and effective permit review process.”

About Archistar eCheck

Archistar’s eCheck technology plays a pivotal role in this transformation. The process begins when an applicant submits their design for a pre-check assessment before they apply for their permit. The eCheck platform reads the designs directly from the submitted drawings and evaluates the design against digitized planning and building codes. The outcome of this assessment is a comprehensive, standardised compliance report, which is then included with the permit application demonstrating compliance. This automated, data-driven process simplifies complex regulatory frameworks, enabling faster, more consistent decision-making for both applicants and city planning authorities.

Typical Challenges in Permitting

The process for reviewing and approving permits can be lengthy, especially when dealing with high volumes or complex projects. The permitting process continues to face a variety of challenges, including:

Inconsistency in Submission Completeness and Quality: Applications often vary significantly in their completeness and adherence to requirements, leading to delays and added complexity.Multiple Submissions Due to Non-Compliance: Applicants often need to re-submit their applications multiple times to address non-compliance issues, which adds further delays.Costly Delays: Delays in the approval process not only slow down project timelines but also add significant costs to applicants, including holding costs and project overruns.

Benefits of Archistar’s Platform

The pilot program proved the value of Archistar’s eCheck technology, particularly in addressing the complexities of zoning bylaws within the permit assessment process. The full platform deployment promises further benefits, including:

Faster approval times for permits, allowing the City to accelerate the pace of housing development.Reductions in requests for information and rework between city staff and the submitter, reducing friction between applicants and staff.A faster initial assessment means more bandwidth to process additional applications and a significant reduction in time to assess.An independent, standardised and thorough initial audit check using computerised systems.Standardise measurements and report on all submissions regardless of the quality of submission.Benefits to the wider property ecosystem including more transparency and certainty in the approval process and reduced timelines, holding costs and more effective supply chain management.Increased customer satisfaction and a better customer experience.

The City of Austin faces challenges including managing complex zoning by laws and ensuring timely compliance in its permitting process. “With Archistar’s platform, we will be able to provide faster and more informed feedback on building plans, and that’s crucial in our journey to improve the development process,” said José G. Roig, Director of Austin’s Development Services Department. “The eCheck technology will transform the building plan review process, helping us deliver a smoother process for applicants and better service to our community.”

The City of Austin continues to collaborate with Archistar, being one of ten cities to also participate in a pan-USA pilot focused on automating the International Building Code compliance review. This collaboration between key cities in the US, the International Code Council and Archistar is a project that will likely shape the future of building code permit assessment across the country.

Dr. Coorey added, “We’re excited to partner with the City of Austin, and the benefits will extend to developers, homeowners, and city staff alike. Our platform’s AI-driven capabilities are designed to not just streamline processes but to deliver a digital transformation resulting in more housing for the City.”

About Archistar:

Archistar is a global leader in AI-driven property technology, specializing in automating zoning and building code compliance, 3D generative building design, and providing data-driven insights for city planning and property development. The company operates globally with clients across Australia, the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East.

For more information, visit www.archistar.ai

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SOURCE Archistar

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KNEX Technology CTO Gustavo Gonzalez Elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG

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Gustavo Gonzalez, KNEX Technology’s CTO, has been elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG, emphasizing his dedication to Oracle innovation, collaboration, and leadership, including Ascend 2025’s strategic initiatives.

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — KNEX Technology, a leading Oracle Cloud solutions provider, is proud to announce that its Chief Technology Officer, Gustavo Gonzalez, has been elected as the 2025 President-Elect of the Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG). This esteemed appointment highlights Gonzalez’s longstanding commitment to advancing innovation and collaboration within the Oracle community.

OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career. As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.

In his new role, Gonzalez will work closely with the OATUG leadership team throughout 2025, preparing to serve as OATUG President in 2026. He will focus on empowering Oracle professionals worldwide by fostering knowledge-sharing, community engagement, and professional development. OATUG, a globally recognized organization, supports its members in overcoming challenges, enhancing the value of Oracle solutions, and driving organizational success.

“OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career,” said Gustavo Gonzalez. “As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.”

Gonzalez’s election underscores his dedication to giving back to the Oracle ecosystem. A key focus of his role will include shaping OATUG’s strategic initiatives, such as the annual Ascend Conference, which unites Oracle users, thought leaders, and technology innovators for unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

The upcoming Ascend 2025 Conference, scheduled for June 8–11 in Orlando, Florida, promises to build on the success of the 2024 event, which attracted more than 1,800 attendees. With early bird registration now open, Gonzalez aims to ensure the conference continues to deliver transformative insights and experiences for the Oracle community.

About OATUG

The Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG) is the premier global organization for Oracle users, providing year-round education, networking, and advocacy. OATUG empowers its members to unlock the full potential of Oracle solutions, fostering innovation and collaboration across industries.

About KNEX Technology

KNEX Technology is a trusted leader in Oracle Cloud solutions, delivering cutting-edge products and services to help businesses achieve their objectives. Through its innovative approach and customer-focused strategies, KNEX enables organizations to navigate the complexities of today’s technology landscape. For more information, visit www.knextech.com.

Media Contact

Husna Gyasi, KNEX Technology, 1 (949) 232-0786, husna.ghayaisi@knextech.com, https://knextech.com/

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/knex-technology-cto-gustavo-gonzalez-elected-2025-president-elect-of-oatug-302347693.html

SOURCE KNEX Technology

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Dr. Gerard van Belle Appointed Director of Science at Lowell Observatory, Charting a Bold Future for Research

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Dr. van Belle to guide scientific exploration and foster innovation in the next era of astronomical research

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lowell Observatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gerard van Belle as the new Director of Science. Van Belle, who has been an astronomer at the observatory since 2011, has been serving as the interim Director of Science.

In his new role, van Belle will lead a diverse team of astronomers and planetary scientists. He will spearhead the observatory’s new Science Vision, which focuses on advancing research capabilities and implementing cutting-edge technological improvements supporting Lowell’s leadership in astronomical research.

Under his leadership, the science department will continue to advance Lowell Observatory’s mission to pursue the study of astronomy, including the study of our solar system and its evolution, and to conduct pure research in astrophysical phenomena.

Van Belle’s own research focuses on fundamental stellar parameters, including the sizes, shapes, masses, distances, and temperatures of various types of stars. He is also renowned for his expertise in optical and near-infrared astronomical interferometry.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Whitman College in 1990, followed by a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wyoming in 1996.

Throughout his career, van Belle has been instrumental in the development and commissioning of major optical interferometers worldwide, including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, the Keck Interferometer, and the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. His pioneering work in stellar surface imaging earned him the inaugural Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2002.

In 2011, van Belle joined Lowell Observatory’s science staff, where he applied high-resolution astronomical techniques to detect nearby exoplanets and map stellar surfaces. He served as the Director of the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in Flagstaff, Arizona, from 2017 to 2018, and subsequently as its Chief Scientist until 2022.

Notably, van Belle was among the astronomers who voted against the definition of ‘planet’ advanced during the 2006 International Astronomical Union (IAU) conference in Prague, which relegated Pluto to being a ‘dwarf planet’ (which according to the IAU resolution is not a planet).

His extensive experience and dedication to advancing astronomical research make him a valuable leader for Lowell Observatory’s scientific endeavors.

“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Lowell Observatory,” said van Belle. “Our Science Vision will guide us in exploring new frontiers in astronomy while strengthening our commitment to public engagement and education.”

Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh expressed her confidence in van Belle’s leadership: “Gerard’s extensive experience and dedication to our mission make him the ideal person to lead our scientific endeavors. I look forward to working closely with him as we embark on this exciting new chapter for Lowell Observatory.”

For more information about Lowell Observatory’s research and public programs, visit lowell.edu.

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-gerard-van-belle-appointed-director-of-science-at-lowell-observatory-charting-a-bold-future-for-research-302348440.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

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ALTICE USA IS ABANDONING LOCAL SPORTS FANS AND IS KEEPING MSG NETWORKS AND ITS KNICKS, RANGERS, ISLANDERS AND DEVILS COVERAGE OFF THE AIR

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NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MSG Networks released the following statement about their dispute with Altice USA:

“Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers. They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in New York and other local stations around the country. If you have been waiting, like we have, for them to do right by their customers – don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to switch to Verizon Fios who has a special offer for Optimum subscribers. Meanwhile, Optimum has been charging their over 1 million customers for local sports programming they have not been receiving and EVERY subscriber should be credited at least $10 a month.

Verizon Fios is ready to take your business. If you are not in Verizon Fios area, you can get games through these other providers DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and The Gotham Sports App. For more options on how to switch providers, visit www.keepMSG.com.”

About MSG Networks

MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering (included in the Gotham Sports App), that serve the nation’s number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

Contact:

Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altice-usa-is-abandoning-local-sports-fans-and-is-keeping-msg-networks-and-its-knicks-rangers-islanders-and-devils-coverage-off-the-air-302348428.html

SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

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