Category: Technology

TYSONS, VA, UNITED STATES, February 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — NC State University’s College of Engineering and M.C. Dean are excited to announce a transformative new collaboration aimed at accelerating innovation in engineering, infrastructure, and workforce development. The partnership, anchored in a shared commitment to advancing electronic systems, distributed energy, grid modernization, and advanced manufacturing, will create the M.C. Dean Engineering Hub at the College of Engineering at NC State.

The establishment of this hub, made possible by the generosity of M.C. Dean, reflects a vision to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in energy systems, grid resilience, and advanced manufacturing for large-scale infrastructure. This collaboration will combine the technical expertise, resources and industry connections of both M.C. Dean and the College of Engineering to drive cutting-edge research, grow the next-generation workforce and expand what is possible in energy infrastructure and technology.

A Vision for Innovation and Impact

The M.C. Dean Engineering Hub is poised to address challenges in energy by tapping into the expertise and creativity of both industry and academia. The hub is promoting interdisciplinary research and development across several critical areas:

• Grid Innovation: Advancing next-generation microgrid management, hybrid-mode operations and islanding solutions.
• Energy Storage & Demand-side Management: Improving resiliency, emergency response capabilities and long-term sustainability of energy storage systems.
• Advanced Manufacturing for Large Scale Infrastructure: Expanding scalable, reliable infrastructure to meet growing global demands.
• Workforce Development: Supporting students at every academic level through fellowships, research opportunities, and project-based learning experiences.

This strategic partnership will utilize the College of Engineering’s expertise and infrastructure while aligning with M.C. Dean’s strategic priorities to create a high-impact, multidisciplinary research hub.

“The M.C. Dean Engineering Hub will tackle real-world challenges, inspire the next generation of engineers and build solutions that make a positive impact,” said Jim Pfaendtner, the Louis Martin-Vega Dean of Engineering at NC State. “This collaboration is a powerful opportunity to address critical energy and infrastructure issues facing society, and we’re proud to have this partnership.”

“NC State shaped my journey as an engineer, making this partnership especially meaningful,” said Bill Dean, CEO of M.C. Dean. “The establishment of the M.C. Dean Engineering Hub builds on decades of support and reflects our shared vision for advancing energy innovation, grid resilience, and workforce development. Together, we are preparing the next generation of engineers to become innovators of intelligent infrastructure, solving real-world challenges that are reshaping our industry.”

Marion C. “Casey” Dean (Electrical Engineering ‘67) is chairman emeritus and former president and CEO of M.C. Dean. He was a member of the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors from 2016 to 2022 and was inducted into the College of Engineering’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Hall of Fame in 2016. William H. “Bill” Dean (Electrical Engineering ‘88) is the president and CEO of M.C. Dean. He is a past member of the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors. In 2011, he received a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, an award that recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of engineering and was inducted into the College of Engineering’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Hall of Fame in 2015.

The Deans are longtime supporters of the College of Engineering and have established two distinguished professorships within the college since 2017, in addition to annual gifts.

For more information about the M.C. Dean Engineering Hub, click here.

About M.C. Dean

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence^®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most recognizable mission critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company’s capabilities include electrical power systems, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audio visual, and IT systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 9,000 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

About NC State’s College of Engineering

Since 1887, North Carolina State University has delivered world-class teaching and research as a leading public land-grant institution. Based in Raleigh and ranked in the top 1% of universities globally, NC State excels across disciplines. NC State’s College of Engineering is one of the nation’s top public engineering schools, home to more than 12,500 students, over 400 faculty and a wide array of programs, research centers and industry partnerships. With almost $290 million in research expenditures in the last year, the College of Engineering is a research powerhouse focused on meeting present-day and future global challenges. The College of Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in person and online across a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines, all designed to prepare our students to lead, innovate and make a difference in our state, nation and world.

###

Regine de la Cruz
M.C. Dean
regine.delacruz@mcdean.com

Monica Maggiano
North Carolina State University
MMaggiano@ncsu.edu

Engineering Hub Graphic Animation

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Peak-season results show how brands blended AI & human support to scale faster, control costs, and protect trust, pointing to the next phase of CX orchestration

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, AZ, UNITED STATES, February 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The 2025 holiday season pushed retail service operations to the edge, with high-volume shopping periods, fulfillment complexity, and customer expectations rising across every channel. To keep service fast and reliable, brands leaned heavily into AI and automation while scaling human support for moments requiring empathy, judgment, and resolution.

New insights from Liveops retail programs, along with findings from the Liveops 2025 Holiday AI and Customer Service Report, show a clear takeaway for retailers: AI and automation helped increase speed and access, but customers still looked to people when it mattered most.

What Liveops enterprise retailers did differently this peak season

During the most recent peak season, leading retailers accelerated structural changes to how customer service is delivered—combining AI, global delivery models, and flexible on-demand labor to manage volatility, control costs, and protect the customer experience.

Across retail programs, results from Liveops-supported operations illustrate these broader market shifts:

– Retailers moved aggressively to AI-first containment, with automation handling over 30% of total customer interactions, leaving agents to manage fewer but more complex, higher-value conversations.

– Global delivery strategies expanded, as retailers increasingly blended U.S., nearshore, and offshore support to reduce costs while maintaining service standards. In one case, shifting operations to the Philippines drove 54% cost savings without degrading CX performance.

– On-demand, flexible staffing models became critical for peak volatility, enabling rapid scale when forecasts broke. During a major retail promotion, capacity expanded from 107 to 1,103 agents in just three weeks, reaching 185% above forecast when unexpected volume hit.

– Multi-location, multi-vendor models outperformed single-site approaches, with dual-location delivery across voice and messaging maintaining top-tier performance even as automation increased interaction complexity.

“Retailers count on speed during peak season, but speed only matters if it holds up under pressure,” said Molly Moore, Chief Operating Officer at Liveops. “These results show what happens when automation, channel coverage, and scalable human expertise work together to protect resolution and performance.”

AI surged, but shoppers still preferred humans for resolution

AI and automation became a default layer of holiday customer service in 2025. According to Liveops survey data of 1,000 U.S. adults who completed most or all of their holiday shopping, 78% of consumers used AI or automation for customer service this season, and 73% said they relied on it more than last year. Consumers reported the biggest increases in automation in online chat and website help (61%), followed by customer service phone lines (39%) and automated emails and texts (36%).

While 85% said AI sped up service and improved accessibility, the quality of those interactions did not consistently translate to better outcomes. Only 29% said AI improved their experience, while 54% said human support delivered better service. More than half of respondents (55%) said they had to escalate an AI-handled issue to a person, and 45% said AI failed to understand their problem.

“Shoppers aren’t asking for more AI, they’re asking for better AI,” said Jim Watson, Chief Executive Officer at Liveops. “Speed alone isn’t enough. This season made it clear that automation should remove friction, and human support should handle the moments where trust, empathy, and context matter most.”

Key trends from the 2025 holiday season

– Hybrid service models became essential: Retailers used automation to improve speed and access while pairing it with expanded human coverage, real-time performance monitoring, and stronger escalation support to protect quality during high-volume, high-pressure moments.

– Dual-location delivery increased resilience: Brands aligned coverage across the U.S. and the Philippines to improve scalability and cost efficiency.

– Omnichannel volume continued to rise: Retailers expanded voice, messaging, chat, and email support to meet customers where they preferred to engage.

– Transparency emerged as a trust factor: Only 22% of consumers said brands clearly disclosed when AI was used, while 69% said companies should always reveal it.

Looking ahead to the 2026 retail season

As retailers prepare for 2026, the data points to a clear path forward: expand automation where it removes friction, maintain transparent practices that build trust, and ensure human support is readily available for escalations and high-impact moments —especially as interactions grow more complex.

This is where hybrid delivery models matter most. Liveops supports retailers year-round and through peak seasons by combining flexible, on-demand human agents with AI-driven insights—allowing brands to route the right work to the right resource at the right time.

Through LiveNexus, Liveops’ AI + human orchestration platform, retailers gain a foundation for coordinating automation, global delivery, and human expertise as a single system. The result is a more resilient CX model—one that adapts to seasonal spikes, shifting consumer expectations, and expanding AI adoption without sacrificing empathy, security, or trust.

About Liveops

Liveops is redefining what outsourced customer service means in a modern, always-on world, built on the belief that genuine connection drives brand loyalty. For over 25 years, we’ve paired cutting-edge technology with trusted, remote, and empathetic human expertise to deliver agile, high-touch customer support solutions that scale with precision and care. As pioneers in the flexible workforce model, we bring global reach with unmatched adaptability, helping brands meet customer needs, anywhere, anytime. From complex interactions to seasonal surges, we proudly serve Fortune 500 and enterprise clients, delivering personalized experiences that earn trust and drive lasting impact. It’s not outsourcing, it’s outsmarting.

For more information, visit www.liveops.com.

About LiveNexus

LiveNexus is the AI and human orchestration engine from Liveops that helps enterprises modernize customer experience with confidence. Powered by real-world CX data and a nationwide talent network, LiveNexus enables brands to test, learn, and scale AI-driven solutions with operational rigor, accountability, and speed.

For more information, visit https://liveops.com/livenexus/.

Shelby Bozekowski
Liveops
+1 720-209-2818
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
X

LiveNexus by Liveops

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

True 6 Alliance begins a new phase with a new telecommunications client and relocation to Charlotte, showing how their expansion team supports continued growth

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES, February 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — True 6 Alliance has entered a new phase of growth following a recent transition to a new telecommunications client campaign and the relocation of its operations to Charlotte, North Carolina. The move represents a strategic step forward for the organization as it continues to build momentum, strengthen leadership development, and expand its presence in a new market.

By shifting to a new campaign partner, the organization is aligning its efforts with fresh opportunities for customer outreach and long-term growth. The transition reflects the company’s continued focus on building strong partnerships and supporting national expansion objectives.

Supporting a New Telecommunications Client Partnership

True 6 Alliance’s transition to a new client campaign represents a significant step in the organization’s continued development. The new partnership provides an opportunity to broaden outreach efforts, strengthen performance, and support the growth goals of a major telecommunications provider.

This campaign shift reflects True 6 Alliance’s ability to adapt quickly while maintaining consistency in execution. Teams have worked to ensure a smooth transition by aligning internal expectations, strengthening training processes, and preparing for expanded activity under the new client initiative.

By moving into this next campaign, True 6 Alliance is positioned to continue building long-term client relationships while creating new opportunities for team growth and leadership development within the organization.

Relocation to Charlotte Supports Next Stage of Growth

True 6 Alliance’s relocation to Charlotte is designed to support increased market reach and organizational development. Charlotte’s growing business environment and regional connectivity make it an important hub for the company’s next stage of operations.

The move also allows True 6 Alliance to strengthen internal infrastructure, recruit new talent, and establish deeper roots in a market that supports long-term expansion. Leadership views the relocation as an investment in both operational stability and future opportunity as the organization continues scaling.

Expansion Team Spotlight: Supporting Growth Through Leadership

As part of this transition, True 6 Alliance is highlighting key members of its expansion team who are helping drive progress during this period of change and development.

One of them is Kevin Green, who played a central role in supporting the organization’s move, adapting quickly to new campaign expectations, and helping maintain team performance through the transition.

Each member of the expansion team has contributed to building consistency, supporting new team development, and reinforcing operational standards as True 6 Alliance establishes itself in Charlotte. Their work reflects the importance of strong leadership and collaboration during periods of growth.

Building Momentum Through Transition and Expansion

The combination of a new client campaign and relocation represents more than a logistical change. It signals forward momentum for True 6 Alliance as it continues building its presence in new markets.

With a focused expansion team and a strengthened operational direction, the organization is positioned to continue developing its leadership structure while supporting client growth objectives across its new campaign.

True 6 Alliance enters this next chapter committed to steady execution, team development, and continued expansion in Charlotte and beyond.
For more information, visit https://true6alliance.com/.

Cade
True 6 Alliance
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Browser-based service lets users send a fax worldwide in seconds

BERLIN, GERMANY, February 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — While most business communication has moved to email, cloud storage, and messaging apps, one surprisingly old technology refuses to disappear: fax.

Every year, more than 17 billion documents are still transmitted by fax worldwide. Hospitals, law firms, government agencies, and financial institutions continue to rely on it for secure and legally recognized document exchange. Yet sending a single fax in 2026 often still requires outdated hardware, dedicated phone lines, or expensive monthly subscriptions.

Today, FaxMonkey publicly launches to modernize that experience.

The new web-based service allows users to send faxes directly from their browser – no fax machine, no installation, and no account registration required.

Instead of committing to subscriptions, users simply pay per fax.

“I needed to send one simple document and ended up wasting almost an hour looking for a fax machine,” said Henning Kruthaup, founder of FaxMonkey. “That’s when it hit me – sending one fax shouldn’t require hardware, contracts, or subscriptions. It should be as easy as sending an email.”

Built for Occasional Use
FaxMonkey is designed for people who only need to fax occasionally – for example to cancel a contract, submit official paperwork, or send medical or legal documents.

Users upload a PDF or image, enter the recipient’s fax number, and send. A delivery confirmation is provided by email. No sign-up required.

Pricing starts at $1 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page.

Global Reach, European Privacy Standards
The service is available worldwide and currently offered in 54 localized versions, supporting users across more than 50 countries.

While operating globally, FaxMonkey follows strict European data protection standards and fully complies with GDPR requirements. Documents are securely transmitted and automatically deleted after delivery.

A Simple Solution to a Persistent Problem
While fax may feel outdated, its legal acceptance and institutional adoption mean it is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. FaxMonkey’s goal is not to replace fax – but to make it frictionless for the modern web.

“We’re not trying to reinvent communication,” Kruthaup added. “We’re simply removing the hassle from something millions of people still need.”

FaxMonkey is available now at https://www.faxmonkey.com

About FaxMonkey
FaxMonkey is a browser-based online fax service that enables users to send faxes worldwide without hardware or subscriptions. The product focuses on simplicity, transparency, and pay-per-use pricing.

FaxMonkey is an independent product of Growthpaca GmbH, a Berlin-based venture builder creating practical digital tools for everyday business problems.

Henning Kruthaup
Growthpaca GmbH
email us here

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

BEIJING, CHINA, CHINA, February 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — In the evolving landscape of cross-border B2B trade, finding clients, overcoming language barriers, and building trust have long been the “three mountains” obstructing success. Ecer.com, a leading mobile B2B maketplace, is now dismantling these obstacles by integrating Artificial Intelligence across the entire trade spectrum, shifting the industry from a passive marketplace to a proactive, intelligent ecosystem.

A Revolution in Precision Matching
The era of buyers “searching for a needle in a haystack” and suppliers waiting passively for inquiries is over. Ecer.com’s intelligent matching system analyzes purchasing behavior, market trends, and regional preferences to create multidimensional profiles for both parties. By focusing on true purchasing intent rather than simple keywords, the platform ensures high-quality suppliers are proactively matched with the right buyers.

Bridging the Language Gap
Language is no longer a wall, but a bridge. Ecer.com features an AI-powered customer service and real-time translation system supporting over 20 languages and specialized industry terminology.
HY ENERGY previously struggled to enter the European market due to complex technical specifications. Using Ecer.com’s AI tools, they successfully negotiated material standards and delivery terms with a Spanish buyer in a single interface, closing the deal in just days.

The Intelligent Full-Link Closed Loop
Ecer.com’s AI empowerment extends through marketing, lead conversion, and order tracking. The system creates a self-optimizing loop that automatically adjusts promotion strategies based on real-time data. By transforming from a display site into an intelligent hub, Ecer.com allows suppliers to manage the entire journey—from lead acquisition to final transaction—within a single, efficient interface.
As global trade enters a new era of competition defined by efficiency and trust, Ecer.com is leading the charge by standardizing complex international processes through mobile-first, AI-driven technology.

cherry
Ecer
email us here
Visit us on social media:
YouTube

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.