Scale Computing, a market-leader in edge computing, virtualisation and hyperconverged solutions, has announced that Harlingen WaterWorks System (HWWS), a Texas-based regional utility company, has implemented a new business-wide virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution based on Scale Computing HC3.

Working with Scale Computing, and its partners Leostream and Liquidware, HWWS has reported major improvements in performance, reliability and security across its customer-centric IT environment.

With 27,000 customers and a major emphasis on the effectiveness and availability of its 24/7 consumer billing and support services, HWWS was looking to solve a range of VDI performance and service challenges. The company now runs 52 virtual machines across three Scale Computing HC3 appliances, using them to deliver a range of mission-critical applications. These include financials, utility billing, cash receipts, inventory and a number of other operational functions, such as general ledger and human resources.

With an IT team of just four people, HWWS has seen major efficiency gains, with infrastructure management time reduced by 30 percent over their previous solution. In addition, HWWS carries out synthetic backups every night and takes a snapshot of their environment on the Scale Computing HC3 once per hour. With the utility sector a frequent target of criminal malware attacks, this capability has become extremely significant to the business in protecting against technology failure and the potential risk of ransomware.

“We run a 24/7 environment and downtime is not an option for us,” explained John McKenna, IT director at Harlingen WaterWorks System.

“We take payments over the Internet, via kiosks and IVR phone payments, so if we are down even for a short time, it impacts our customers tremendously. With Scale Computing, we are at a huge advantage with their exceptional reliability. It’s not even a thought in our mind as to whether or not we’re going to have our computing assets available or not, since with Scale Computing, it’s easy to expand as our business does, and that’s a major benefit.”

Scale Computing has streamlined VDI for the distributed enterprise, and all those for whom VDI was unaffordable or unrealistic in the past. With their combined expertise of Scale Computing HC3, in combination with Leostream and Liquidware technology, provides a complete VDI solution that is simple to set up, easy to manage, cost-effective, while still offering all the same great features you’ll find from a legacy VDI solution.

“IT teams know the necessity of having a highly reliable, high performing IT infrastructure. Specifically, the HWWS team, who delivers an absolutely critical set of IT services, needed a technology and support solution that is strong in all areas,” commented Jeff Ready, CEO and co-founder, Scale Computing.

“By working with Scale Computing, Leostream and Liquidware, they have a solution which meets perhaps the most sought after, but under-achieved objective in the technology industry – it just works, extremely well.”

Until September 30th, 2019 Scale Computing is offering a 25% discount on a VDI solution that includes a minimum of four HC3 appliances with a two-year support and maintenance extension and 50 virtual desktop licenses from Leostream with a three-year support and maintenance extension. To take advantage of this limited-time offer (the last day you can claim this offer is September 30, 2019), contact us at info@scalecomputing.com.

With Scale Computing, Leostream and Liquidware, VDI is not only achievable for any size IT department, but available without complexity or prohibitive cost. The joint VDI solution works exceptionally well in VDI environments across various verticals, for a wide range of use cases from task workers to power users requiring a simple, secure and low-maintenance option to traditional desktop PCs.

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Trax, a leading global provider of computer vision and analytics solutions for retail, has announced its acquisition of Planorama, Europe’s top supplier of image recognition services for retail execution and merchandising for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies. The acquisition will build upon the significant depth and breadth of foundation already in place to serve CPG customers globally, by expanding customer reach and making available a comprehensive set of in-store execution tools to the market.

CPG brands and retailers rely on Trax’s in-store execution solutions, market measurement and analytics services, which are powered by proprietary fine-grained image recognition, machine learning and IOT platforms – to turn photos of retail shelves into granular, actionable shelf and store-level insights.

Planorama leverages deep learning-based image recognition to offer a full range of CPG-centric solutions to build merchandising recommendations, monitor POS compliance, or learn from shelf insights to continuously improve the perfect store journey.

This latest announcement from Trax follows a series of 2019 acquisitions. Planorama is the latest company to join the Trax family, following China’s AI and big data service provider, LenzTech, and U.S. based shopping rewards app, Shopkick.

“This is an important moment for Trax as we continue to expand our reach and strengthen our capabilities available to current and prospective customers. By combining our innovative cultures, we see an incredible opportunity to leverage the best of both companies’ leading technologies, product offerings, delivery expertise and talent. I am confident that we will deliver exceptional outcomes for CPG brands and retailers worldwide,” said Joel Bar-El, CEO and co-founder of Trax.

“We are delighted to join Trax as we share the same passion to bring the best of breed technology and capabilities to retail. Together we will be able to better serve our customers and partners and provide our people with exciting opportunities to grow,” said Ayoub Khammari, CEO, Planorama.

“Over the years, Trax has redefined the retail industry with its purpose-built solutions and services and CPG expertise,” said Dror Feldheim, chief commercial officer and co-founder, Trax. “Joining forces with Planorama, we will deliver a holistic, closed-loop approach to solving the most pervasive and systemic issues facing retail today.”

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