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IBM Unveils watsonx Generative AI Capabilities to Accelerate Mainframe Application Modernization

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IBM is designing this product to refactor, transform, and validate COBOL code to help speed time-to-value and augment skills for critical application modernization on IBM ZThe product will be enabled by a 20 billion parameter large language model (LLM) for code

ARMONK, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced watsonx Code Assistant for Z, a new generative AI-assisted product that will help enable faster translation of COBOL to Java on IBM Z and enhances developer productivity on the platform. This product will be generally available in Q4 2023, and is being designed to help accelerate COBOL application modernization. Watsonx Code Assistant for Z will preview during TechXchange, IBM’s premier technical learning event in Las Vegas, Sept 11-13.

Watsonx Code Assistant for Z is a new addition to the watsonx Code Assistant product family, along with IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed, scheduled for release later this year. These solutions will be powered by IBM’s watsonx.ai code model, which will have knowledge of 115 coding languages1 having learned from 1.5 trillion tokens.2 At 20 billion parameters, it is on target to become one of the largest generative AI foundation models for code automation.3 The watsonx Code Assistant product portfolio will extend over time to address other programming languages, to improve time to value for modernization and address growing skills challenges for developers.

Watsonx Code Assistant for Z is being designed to assist businesses in leveraging generative AI and automated tooling to accelerate their mainframe application modernization – all with the goal of preserving the performance, security and resiliency capabilities of IBM Z.

The COBOL data processing language supports many vital business and operational processes at organizations globally. At scale, using watsonx Code Assistant for Z in comparison to other approaches could make it easier for developers to selectively and incrementally transform COBOL business services into well architected high-quality Java code – with estimated billions of lines of COBOL code as potential candidates for targeted modernization over time. Generative AI can help developers to more quickly assess, update, validate and test the right code, allowing them to more efficiently modernize large applications and focus on higher impact tasks.

IBM is designing these capabilities to provide tooling for each step of the modernization journey. The solution is expected to include IBM’s Application Discovery and Delivery Intelligence (ADDI) inventory and analysis tool. Following ADDI, key steps on the journey include refactoring business services in COBOL, transforming COBOL code to Java code with an optimized design, and validating the resulting outcome, including using automated testing capabilities. Potential benefits for clients include:

Accelerating code development and increasing developer productivity throughout the application modernization lifecycleManaging total cost, complexity, and risk of application modernization initiatives, including translation and optimization of code in-place on IBM ZExpanding access to a broader pool of IT skills and accelerating developer onboardingAchieving high quality, easy to maintain code through model customization and the application of best practices

“Our collaboration with IBM is an important element in our drive to leverage generative AI interfaces to challenge legacy approaches with material productivity gains, and reinvent our Capital Markets solutions,” said Roger Burkhardt, CTO, Capital Markets and AI, Broadridge Financial. “We have had excellent client response to our generative AI investments and we are intrigued by the opportunity to further our efforts by leveraging IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z to address a broader range of platforms.”

AI-assisted mainframe application modernization is an imperative

According to new research from the IBM Institute for Business Value, organizations are 12x more likely to leverage existing mainframe assets rather than rebuild their application estates from scratch in the next two years. At the same time, however, the study shows that the number one challenge for those same organizations is a lack of resources and skills.

“By bringing generative AI capabilities through watsonx to new use cases, we plan to drive real progress for our clients,” said Kareem Yusuf, PhD, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Growth, IBM Software. “IBM is engineering watsonx Code Assistant for Z to take a targeted and optimized approach. It’s built to rapidly and accurately convert code optimized for IBM Z, accelerate time to market and broaden the skills pool. This can help enhance applications and add new capabilities while preserving the performance, resiliency, and security inherent in IBM Z.”

There are many application modernization approaches available today. Some options include rewriting all application code in Java, or migrating everything to public cloud, which may sacrifice capabilities that are core to the IBM Z value proposition while failing to deliver on expected cost reduction. Tools that convert COBOL applications to Java syntax can produce code that is hard to maintain and can be unrecognizable to a Java developer. Generative AI is promising, but current AI-assisted partial re-write technology lacks COBOL support and doesn’t optimize the resulting Java code for the given task.

The resulting Java code from watsonx Code Assistant for Z will be object-oriented. IBM is designing this solution to be optimized to interoperate with the rest of the COBOL application, with CICS, IMS, DB2, and other z/OS runtimes. Java on Z is designed to be performance-optimized versus a compared x86 platform.4

Building on a foundation of governance and innovation

According to a 2023 Gartner® report (For Gartner Subscribers only), “by 2028, the combination of humans and AI assistants working in tandem could reduce the time to complete coding tasks by 30%.” The report further states that “the use of AI code generation tools is not replacing the quality assurance (QA) processes and security controls that are needed by developers for robust and secure product development, as well as for mitigation of inherited risks from using generative methods for code.”5

Protecting sensitive data and customer intellectual property are critical when it comes to implementing generative AI. IBM for decades has followed core principles, grounded in commitments to Trust and Transparency. With this principle-based approach, the watsonx platform aims to enable enterprises to leverage their own trusted data and IP to build tailored AI solutions that are scalable across operations.

Additionally, IBM Consulting brings deep domain expertise in IBM Z application modernization with a focus on guiding clients that leverage the platform across key industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare and government. These dedicated consultants can help clients identify the right application areas to modernize in order to optimize the potential benefits of watsonx Code Assistant for Z.  

For more information about AI-assisted mainframe application modernization, and to get started with IBM’s optimized, targeted approach, please visit our website here and join us at TechXchange. Register today for our watsonx Code Assistant for Z webinar on Sept. 21 at 11 am ET here and learn how IBM is bringing Gen AI to mainframe application modernization. You can also schedule a live demo with our team here.

IBM’s plans, directions, and intentions may change or be withdrawn at any time at IBM’s discretion without notice. Information about potential future products and improvements is provided to give a general idea of IBM’s goals and objectives and should not be used in making a purchase decision. IBM is not obligated to provide any material, code, or functionality based on this information.

5 Gartner, Emerging Tech: Generative AI Code Assistants Are Becoming Essential to Developer Experience, By Radu Miclaus, Arun Chandrasekaran, Ray Valdes, Mark Driver, Eric Goodness, Published 11 May 2023

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Media Contact:
Ashley Peterson
ashley.peterson@ibm.com 

1 List of coding languages used in the model can be found here: https://github.ibm.com/ai-models-architectures/Granite-Megatron-LM/blob/starcoder-experiments/sampling_proportions/starcoderdata-90/proportions.txt
2 Number based on proprietary internal data.
3 Previous largest was community model StarCoder at 15B https://www.marktechpost.com/2023/05/07/meet-starcoder-the-biggest-open-source-large-language-models-for-code/
4 For example, as noted during the announcement of IBM z16, using IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition 11, run Business Rules Processing with IBM Operational Decision Manager 8.11.00 on Linux on IBM z16 for up to 70% higher throughput per core     versus running the same application on a compared x86 server. DISCLAIMER: Performance results are based on the average of measurements done using IBM Operational Decision Manager (ODM) 8.11.0 with IBM Java 8.0.7.10 and IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition 11.0.15.0 on IBM z16 and on a compared x86 server. Two different configurations were tested: executing 2005 rules (from a ruleset containing 14560 rules), and executing 80 rules (from a ruleset containing 300 rules). IBM z16 configuration: Linux on IBM Z LPAR with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.5 (Ootpa) and 4 IFLs (SMT). x86 server configuration: Red Hat Enterprise Linux release 8.6 (Ootpa) and 4 SMT-2 cores (Cascade Lake Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6226R CPU @ 2.90GHz). Results may vary.

 

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Schematic Raises $4.8M in Funding For the Last Mile of Pricing and Packaging For SaaS Companies

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Schematic is transforming pricing and packaging for B2B SaaS companies, allowing product and engineering teams to implement flexible models with minimal maintenance. By eliminating fragmented, homegrown systems, Schematic helps businesses adapt to modern buying preferences and maximize revenue. Now publicly available, the platform includes embeddable UI components and integrates deeply with Stripe. Backed by $4.8M in seed funding, Schematic offers a streamlined solution for managing the full pricing and packaging lifecycle.

BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Schematic is transforming pricing and packaging for B2B SaaS companies by getting product and engineering teams out of billing projects. With just a few lines of code, businesses can implement pricing and packaging into any application, bridging the gap between outdated, inflexible billing tools and the demands of modern software businesses.

“Maintaining pricing and packaging has been messy for product and engineering teams. Tools exist for finance, but none bridge the gap to support feature fulfillment and user experience. Schematic fills that gap, offering control and transparency from rollout to revenue,” said Fynn Glover, CEO

The company announced today that it is now available to the public after a year in development with a select set of beta customers, and that it is launching Components – embeddable UI elements for purchasing experiences – and a deep integration with Stripe providing a full stack solution for pricing and packaging.

The current pricing and packaging landscape is dominated by fragmented systems and frankenstein implementations. Schematic surveyed 100s of product and engineering leaders and found that their homegrown systems and processes weren’t built for flexibility or to support modern buying preferences such as metering and modular packaging. Consistently, teams struggled to adequately resource pricing and packaging initiatives and, as a result, left significant money on the table.

“Historically, maintaining pricing and packaging for product and engineering teams has been a mess. The market has tools for finance teams in spades, but none that bridge the gap to the application to support feature fulfillment, the end user experience, and internal tools, so we end up building them from scratch. We built Schematic to address that gap, and our product allows businesses to handle the entire lifecycle of a feature from rollout to revenue, offering best-in-class control and transparency to end users out of the box,” said Fynn Glover, CEO of Schematic.

The company wants to eliminate the need for businesses to reinvent the wheel to support pricing and packaging in applications. Schematic offers the flexibility to launch, package, meter, and monitor features from one place, without the tax of architecting and maintaining homegrown systems.

Pricing and packaging sits within a $30B market that includes the tools to license, fulfill, and bill end customers. It faces significant challenges due to the consumerization of B2B SaaS that has led to evolving buying preferences and expectations, pressure on back office operations, and legacy tools that are difficult to implement, costly, and do not integrate well with modern tools and applications. This has led to fragmented, homegrown systems and processes that divert resources to maintain and delay growth initiatives.

Schematic believes that an integrated platform, rather than disconnected tools and processes, should support customers from purchase to feature delivery and the operators tasked with supporting them. The launch of Components extends Schematic’s value proposition with embeddable UI elements that deliver best-in-class purchasing experiences to SaaS customers.

Schematic’s co-founders Jasdeep Garcha, Benjamin Papillon, Giovanni Hobbins, and Fynn Glover are seasoned entrepreneurs with experience on many sides of this problem having most recently led Operations, Product, Growth, and Engineering functions at Automox, Twilio, and Relay Payments. They have previously built successful startups and bring their expertise to Schematic to address the evolving needs of B2B SaaS companies.

The company is launching with $4.8M in seed funding led by MHS Capital with participation from NextView Ventures, Active Capital, Atlanta Ventures, and the founders of LaunchDarkly, Salesloft, Salesforce Pardot, and Crowdstrike.

“The decision to back Schematic was easy, given the clear market need and the team’s proven track record. Schematic is poised for rapid growth by providing an integrated solution for SaaS pricing and packaging,” said Vijay Naggapan, partner with MHS Capital.

Schematic’s platform allows businesses to outsource pricing and packaging with a few lines of code, enabling them to quickly launch new packaging models, take the burden off of engineering almost entirely, and flexibly adjust their pricing and packaging to individual customer preferences. The product has been in beta for a year with customers ranging from early-stage startups to growth-stage scale-ups, all benefiting from the flexibility and control it provides.

“There should be a standard for how digital businesses operate pricing and packaging. Schematic provides that standard, eliminating fragmented systems that frustrate teams and slow down businesses,” said Fynn.

“Schematic has allowed us to manage entitlements and metering with ease, setting us up in just a few days,” said Daniel Chalef, CEO of Zep, an early-stage SaaS company that replaced manual processes with Schematic’s automation. By implementing Schematic Zep has adapted to customer demands for new offerings easily without major engineering investments.

Learn more about Schematic. The product is free for early stage businesses.

Media Contact

Jasdeep Garcha, Schematic, 1 9192158521, jasdeep@schematichq.com, https://schematichq.com/

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SOURCE Schematic

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Edifier Announces Opening of SoundStudio Showroom in New York

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Edifier, a leading audio brand, is thrilled to introduce its cutting-edge audio products to the American market with a pop-up showroom, allowing customers to explore and experience the latest innovations in audio technology firsthand.

RICHMOND, BC, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Edifier, the renowned audio brand, is set to open its SOUNDSTUDIO pop-up showroom in New York City from September 21 to September 28, 2024. Located at 545 W 23rd St, New York, the event will showcase Edifier’s flagship products, offering attendees a unique opportunity to experience top-tier audio equipment.

Visitors will have a chance to explore a wide range of Edifier products, including Planar Magnetic Headphones (STAX SPIRIT S10, S5, S3), Earbuds (NeoDots, NeoBuds Pro 2), Over-ear Headphones (WH950NB, W830NB, W800BT Pro), Table Speakers (D32, D12, MP230), 2.0 Speakers (R1280DB, S1000W, S3000MKII), and the Q Series Speakers (QR65, QD35, QS30). This carefully curated lineup is designed to cater to different audio preferences, from high-fidelity listening to immersive soundscapes.

Edifier is hosting this event to highlight its audio products and further solidify its position as a leader in the American audio market, offering attendees the chance to engage with the brand, share their “Passion for Sound,” and be among the first to experience the brand’s innovative audio solutions.

The showroom will feature Edifier’s latest state-of-the-art speakers and headphones in a stylish studio space, allowing visitors to experience their performance and design in real-life settings. This immersive environment will enable the American public to appreciate Edifier’s meticulous attention to audio quality and design, while fostering a friendly atmosphere for social gatherings and hands-on testing of the Edifier audio range.

The event will include special appearances from NBA, NFL, and AFL stars, including Edifier W830NB ambassadors Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers) and Donte DiVincenzo (New York Knicks), Tyrod Taylor (New York Jets) and Tyler Nubin (New York Giants). Attendees will have the opportunity to see how Edifier’s W830NB headphones play a vital role in keeping these sports stars connected to their passion for sound.

Attendees will not only have the chance to experience Edifier’s cutting-edge products but will also be treated to exclusive giveaways. Prizes include W800BT Plus headphones, W320TN earbuds, MP100 Plus speakers, NeoBuds Pro 2, W830NB headphones, and the Comfo Run series.

Frank He, Marketing Director at Edifier, stated “Edifier are delighted to be holding this event in New York. The event is crucial for showcasing the company’s leading products and innovative technology. The presence of the AFL, NFL and NBA stars discussing their use of the Edifier W830NB headphones reinforces Edifier’s status as a top contender in the consumer audio market.”

There are many surprises to explore throughout the week! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to meet your favorite athletes and experience EDIFIER’s cutting-edge audio technology firsthand. More highlights and sidelights will be detailed on the Edifier global Instagram account (@edifier_global).

Full Event Schedule:

Sep 21st: Kick off the week with our Grand Opening, featuring electrifying beats by DJ Leisan Valieva.Sept 22nd: Get close with Tyrod Taylor of the New York Jets at an exclusive Meet and Greet.Sept 23rd: Get close with Tyler Nubin of the New York Giants at an exclusive Meet and Greet.Sept 24th: Join us for an incredible appearance with Jared McCain of the 76ers and Donte DiVincenzo of the New York Knicks!

About Edifier:

Edifier specializes in the design and manufacture of premium audio solutions that showcase technological innovation and design excellence. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Beijing, China, Edifier delivers outstanding sound experience through a wide range of audio systems for personal entertainment and professional use. Renowned for its award-winning design philosophy, expertise and innovation in acoustic technology, and superior manufacturing standards, Edifier is one of today’s leading innovators of audio electronics.  

More information about Edifier is available online at www.edifier.com/global

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SOURCE Edifier

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Volar Air Mobility and Exim Finance Partner to Pioneer Green Financing Solutions for Sustainable Aviation

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MONTREAL, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Volar Air Mobility has formed a strategic partnership with Exim Finance to accelerate the commercialization of electric aircraft. This collaboration, formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), focuses on developing innovative green financing solutions to support sustainable aviation globally.

The partnership centers around Volar’s RX-series Electric Aircraft, including the RX4E, the world’s first four-seater electric plane expected to receive commercial approval. Together, Volar and Exim Finance will create financial models that include green financing options and carbon credit offsets, making eco-friendly aircraft more accessible.

Key highlights of the collaboration include:

Development of sustainable financing models for RX-series Electric Aircraft.Introduction of carbon credit offsets to promote green aviation.Broadening access to electric aircraft in emerging markets.Aligning with global decarbonization goals like the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050.

Revolutionizing Air Mobility, Driving Innovation and Sustainability

Volar Air Mobility sets itself apart with an aircraft-agnostic technology platform, allowing it to integrate a variety of sustainable aircraft. The RX4E, a fully electric four-seater, is leading the charge toward a greener aviation future. Volar’s focus is on making electric air travel affordable and accessible in developing regions, supporting environmental goals while boosting local economies. By collaborating with Volar, Exim Finance is breaking new ground in green aviation. Exim Finance offers a range of financial services across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.

Industry Leaders Comment on the Partnership

Mr. Salah Ibrahim Al Nasser, Chairman of Exim Finance, commented: “We are honored to be part of this significant initiative aimed at transforming the future of aviation through sustainable practices. As a financial institution committed to supporting innovation and environmental responsibility, EXIM Finance recognizes the critical importance of green aviation in reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. By partnering with key stakeholders, this Memorandum of Understanding represents a major step forward in creating a more sustainable aviation ecosystem.”

Mr. Henry Hooi, Chairman of Volar Air Mobility Holding Company Limited, added: “Volar Air Mobility is honored to be working with EXIM Finance on a pioneering initiative to develop a series of green financing solutions to enable green aviation. The opportunity is to co-develop pioneering solutions in UAE to enable broader adoption of green aviation globally, thus contributing meaningful environmental impacts and fulfilling the aspirations of many, including those outlined in the UAE Net Zero by 2050.”

Mr. Saif Aldarmaki, Founding Partner of Volar Air Mobility Industries, stated: “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to revolutionizing the green aviation sector. By working with Exim Finance, we are taking a bold step forward in realizing the promise of electric aviation and supporting the global transition to sustainable technologies.”

Mr. Anwar Hussein, Managing Partner and Co-founder of Volar Air Mobility Industries, emphasized the collaboration’s significance, stating: “With this MoU, we are laying the groundwork for the future of green aviation financing. Our combined expertise will allow us to create financing structures that support early adopters of electric aircraft and help expand the global market for eco-friendly aviation solutions.”

About Volar Air Mobility

Volar Air Mobility is a green air mobility technology company focused on the commercialization of electric aircraft worldwide. The company holds exclusive commercialization rights for the RX-series Electric Aircraft, developed by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy (LGAA), and is dedicated to fostering sustainable aviation technologies that contribute to a greener future.

About Exim Finance

Exim Finance provides investment, corporate, and commercial banking solutions across several continents, helping drive growth through innovative financial solutions. With a strong global presence, Exim Finance leverages a diverse team whose extensive connections with Export Banks and Credit Insurance providers enable them to deliver tailored financial solutions that empower clients’ success.

For more information, visit www.volarairmobility.com and www.eximfinance.ae.

Media Contact:
Miss Wyam Amiri
Inovartic Investment
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Email: 383409@email4pr.com 
Phone: +971561090758

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SOURCE Volar Air Mobility

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