Technology

Unifor applauds CRTC for supporting local news

Published

4 months ago

June 4, 2024

TORONTO, June 4, 2024 /CNW/ – Unifor applauds the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s announcement today of new supports for local Canadian news, in conjunction with its regulatory plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework.

“Unifor has been advocating for American streamers to pay their fair share to the Canadian broadcasting system for over 15 years,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Foreign streamers have been competing directly with Canadian broadcasters, and they should have the same responsibilities and obligations to support local news and Canadian storytelling.”

In the announcement, the CRTC is requiring online streaming services to contribute 5% of their Canadian revenues to support the Canadian broadcasting system, with 1.5% of those revenues to go to the Independent Local News Fund (ILNF).

These obligations will start in the 2024-2025 broadcast year and will provide an estimated $200 million per year in new funding, which includes approximately $60 million for the ILNF.

The funding will go to areas in the Canadian broadcasting system in dire need of support, such as local news on radio and television, French-language content, Indigenous content, and content created by and for equity-deserving communities, official language minority communities, and Canadians of diverse backgrounds.

While this new funding is great news for independent television stations in Canada, Unifor is concerned that the vertically-integrated news outlets that are also struggling, will not receive adequate support from this new funding, and Unifor hopes this will be addressed in subsequent proceedings.

The Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11) is a modernization of the Broadcasting Act to bring foreign internet streamers (e.g. Netflix) into Canada’s regulatory system. Canadian broadcasters have long had to support Canadian content and to support local news, and the Online Streaming Act will aim to level the playing field between Canadian broadcasters and digital streamers.

Allowing foreign digital streaming services direct access to the Canadian market has upended the traditional funding model that supported broadcast TV for decades, which has contributed to the decline of support for local news.

Meanwhile, news deserts are growing in Canada, even though local news is essential to our democracy.

Bell Media, Rogers Media, Corus Media all had layoffs in 2023, with Bell Media leading the way with 1,300 jobs eliminated last June. Many local communities are without any local news, relying on regionalized news from Canada’s major centres.

Unifor lost over 120 broadcast media members in 2023, and this year, the union has already seen 163 jobs eliminated.

“In an age of disinformation, Canadians will depend on trusted news sources more than ever. The decline of local television news is not simply a function of a change in television viewing habits, it is a result of systematic failure to regulate and properly fund and support it,” said Unifor Media Director Randy Kitt.

“There may be a reluctance from foreign streamers to cooperate with these initiatives, but they have a responsibility to Canadians to contribute to the Canadian broadcasting system in a meaningful way, since they profit from it. It is essential the Commission and the government have a strong resolve against these American streaming giants.”

Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers, including 5,000 members in the broadcast and film industries.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor

Technology

DANAconnect and eSource Capital Launch PayrollTrace for Digital Payroll Compliance

Published

7 mins ago

September 22, 2024

PayrollTrace is an innovative, secure platform for paperless payroll receipt delivery, ensuring regulatory compliance and real-time traceability.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — DANAconnect, the leading company in automated business communications, in collaboration with eSource Capital, a prominent Google Cloud Partner in Latin America, announce the launch of PayrollTrace, an innovative platform designed for the secure and efficient digital delivery of payroll receipts, ensuring regulatory compliance and complete traceability in every transaction.

Paul Kienholz, CEO of DANAconnect, highlighted: “PayrollTrace is the next step in automating critical business processes, enabling companies to eliminate paper and manage payroll receipt deliveries with full confidence and transparency, while ensuring regulatory compliance.”

PayrollTrace automates the delivery of payroll receipts through multiple channels, including email and SMS, completely eliminating the use of paper or reliance on email. This solution not only simplifies human resources processes but also ensures regulatory compliance with verifiable technical reports that allow companies to manage and audit receipt deliveries in real time.

Juan Aguilera Franceschi, Managing Partner at eSource Capital, added: “Our partnership with DANAconnect allows us to offer companies in the region a robust solution that optimizes payroll management. PayrollTrace provides the security and flexibility companies need to manage payments efficiently and sustainably.”

The partnership between DANAconnect and eSource Capital combines DANAconnect’s strength in omnichannel business communications with eSource Capital’s expertise in cloud digital transformation. Together, they aim to provide businesses across the Americas with a comprehensive solution that not only optimizes payroll delivery but also ensures compliance with local regulations, guaranteeing that every transaction is backed by complete audits.

About DANAconnect

DANAconnect is a North American company and a leader in communication automation for financial companies through its omnichannel platform. It sends communications to more than 10% of the population of the Americas every month, ensuring secure deliveries, traceability, and large-scale regulatory compliance.

About eSource Capital

eSource Capital is a leading Google Cloud partner in Latin America, specializing in digital transformation and cloud solutions. With a focus on Google Workspace and Google Cloud, eSource Capital helps companies optimize their operations in the digital environment.

Media Contact

Fabiana Arroyo, DANAconnect Corp., 1 8556003262, info@payrolltrace.com, https://www.payrolltrace.com

Twitter, LinkedIn

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/danaconnect-and-esource-capital-launch-payrolltrace-for-digital-payroll-compliance-302254651.html

SOURCE DANAconnect Corp.

Technology

Siemon Announces Optical Patching Solutions for GenAI Networks Using NVIDIA Accelerated Computing

Published

6 hours ago

September 22, 2024

Siemon announces it is offering its full range of optical patching solutions to work specifically with NVIDIA AI infrastructure for generative AI networks.

WATERTOWN, Conn., Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Siemon Company, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, today announced it is offering its full range of optical patching solutions to work specifically with NVIDIA AI infrastructure for generative AI networks. Large complex GPU clusters can benefit from using structured cabling patch panels versus point-to-point cabling. Siemon acts as a trusted advisor to customers by providing expert advice and best practice recommendations for design & deployment of NVIDIA AI Infrastructure.

“Siemon is very familiar with NVIDIA reference architectures and has worked with many customers to design and deploy NVIDIA clusters… Siemon offers a full range of AI-ready fiber cabling, DAC, and AOC solutions that support 400G, 800G, and 1.6T applications.”

As part of the solution integration, Siemon has joined the NVIDIA Partner Network (NPN) as a Solution Advisor Consultant. NPN Solution Advisor Consultants provide consultation services and expert advice to customers looking to implement NVIDIA-based solutions or technologies. Siemon joins the network to offer its expertise in addressing the unique infrastructure and cabling challenges presented by accelerated computing.

NVIDIA optical reach specifications are calculated assuming two optical patch panels are used in the link and assuming each employ two optical connectors, which makes for a total allowance of four optical connectors in the link. The Siemon optical patching solutions meet NVIDIA requirements and provide customers with flexibility and ease of management.

Media Contact

Brian Baum, Siemon, 1 8609454200, brian_baum@siemon.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/siemon-announces-optical-patching-solutions-for-genai-networks-using-nvidia-accelerated-computing-302254640.html

SOURCE Siemon

Technology

AMSimpkins & Associates Awarded Wisconsin Technical Purchasing Consortium Contract RFB 25-002TP – for Identity Verification Solutions

Published

7 hours ago

September 22, 2024

AMSimpkins & Associates has been awarded the Wisconsin Technical Colleges Purchasing Consortium (WTC-PC) contract for Identity Verification Solutions. This partnership includes providing their advanced S.A.F.E. (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) platform to 16 Wisconsin technical colleges, enhancing security and safeguarding against fraudulent student applications. With a focus on higher education, AMSA aims to support these institutions in maintaining the integrity of their admissions processes and preventing identity fraud. This collaboration underscores AMSA’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions tailored for the education sector.

ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — AMSimpkins & Associates is proud to announce its selection by the Wisconsin Technical College System Purchasing Consortium (WTC-PC) to provide Identity Verification Solutions through the S.A.F.E. platform. The WTC-PC comprises 16 independent, publicly funded two-year technical colleges across Wisconsin, including Blackhawk Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College, and Milwaukee Area Technical College, among others.

“We are honored by the Wisconsin Technical College Consortium’s trust in AMSA. This partnership further emphasizes our commitment to providing secure, innovative identity verification solutions that support the needs of educational institutions in protecting their students and operations.”

With a focus on preventing identity fraud, AMSimpkins & Associates’ comprehensive solutions will strengthen the security measures across admissions, enrollment, and financial aid processes, ensuring secure verification and compliance with federal and state regulations. S.A.F.E. will now support Wisconsin’s higher education system, offering its cutting-edge technology to streamline operations and safeguard student data.

“We are honored by the Wisconsin Technical College Consortium’s trust in AMSimpkins & Associates,” said Maurice Simpkins, President and Founder. “This partnership further emphasizes our commitment to providing secure, innovative identity verification solutions that support the needs of educational institutions in protecting their students and operations.”

As part of this agreement, AMSimpkins & Associates will deliver comprehensive services, including system integration, training, and ongoing support to ensure seamless implementation. S.A.F.E.’s capabilities are designed to evolve with growing threats of fraudulent activities, keeping institutions one step ahead in securing student identities.

Institutions in the Wisconsin Technical College System:

Blackhawk Technical CollegeChippewa Valley Technical CollegeFox Valley Technical CollegeGateway Technical CollegeLakeshore Technical CollegeMadison Area Technical CollegeMid-State Technical CollegeMilwaukee Area Technical CollegeMoraine Park Technical CollegeNicolet Area Technical CollegeNorthcentral Technical CollegeNortheast Wisconsin Technical CollegeNorthwood Technical CollegeSouthwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeWaukesha County Technical CollegeWestern Technical College

The S.A.F.E. platform’s advanced identity verification services will play a pivotal role in securing sensitive data and ensuring a safe and fraud-free environment for Wisconsin’s technical colleges and their students.

For more information about AMSimpkins & Associates and the S.A.F.E. platform, please visit amsa-highered.com.

Media Contact

LAQWACIA SIMPKINS, AMSimpkins & Associates, 1 6786824193, LSIMPKINS@AMSA-CONSULTING.COM, amsa-highered.com

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/amsimpkins–associates-awarded-wisconsin-technical-purchasing-consortium-contract-rfb-25-002tp—for-identity-verification-solutions-302253867.html

SOURCE AMSimpkins & Associates