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Comcast Business Delivers Deluxe Viewing and Connectivity Solutions to Make Rally Hotel Guests Feel at Home

Comcast Colorado

Comcast Business today announced it is providing Rally Hotel with services that will improve the guest experience, including customized TV viewing experiences and options to keep guests connected to their home away from home. The Comcast Business solutions include X1 Hospitality, along with a 2 Gig Ethernet Dedicated Internet (EDI) connection and a 500 Mbps EDI circuit. The solutions will span the hotel’s 182 rooms, as well as its 17,000 square foot outdoor plaza, rooftop pool, bar, event spaces and more. Located in the heart of Denver, the newly opened Rally Hotel offers modern comfort and amenities while putting its guests directly in the center of the exciting LoDo neighborhood. Guests can enjoy unique local attractions before or after they head back to their rooms for a comfortable place to relax and unwind. From the dramatic views on the skybridge rooftop and pool deck to the inventive and playful culinary options to the 21,000 square feet of private event space, The Rally Hotel is the perfect destination for leisure, business, weddings and more. “When it comes to booking a hotel stay, travelers aren’t just looking for a place to rest their heads anymore – they want truly immersive experiences that feel unique to them,” said Tiffany Owen, General Manager, Rally Hotel. “One of the main reasons we partnered with Comcast Business was because we knew they could help us fulfill this need and allow us to create tailored experiences from check-in to check-out.” Comcast Business’ X1 for Hospitality solution makes it simple for Rally Hotel staff to activate, reset, and clear guest-room video devices at check-in or check-out via the Hospitality Management System portal available with X1. Additionally, Rally Hotel can add its logo to the X1 menu and include local On Demand content, like property amenities. As a result, guests can access live TV, their streaming and music apps, as well as On-Demand shows and movies at no extra cost. Easy navigation tools allow them to search for content, get viewing recommendations and rewind live TV with the support of a voice-enabled interactive guide. Meanwhile, the hotel’s 2 Gig EDI connection and 500 Mbps EDI circuit will enable reliable, high-speed connectivity for guests and hotel staff alike. “Technology has become a critical element to delivering high-quality travel experiences, especially in venues like Rally Hotel where people are looking to both decompress and be entertained,” said Robert Thompson, Vice President of Comcast Business for Comcast’s Mountain West Region. “We are pleased to work with Rally Hotel to help keep visitors to the city of Denver feeling comfortable and entertained during their entire stay.” For more information, please visit https://business.comcast.com/denver. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what's next. Powered by the nation's largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation's largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Rally Hotel An anchor of McGregor Square, Denverâs new downtown playground, The Rally Hotel is more than just a place to stay. Adjacent to Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, The Rally combines modern hospitality with lively local spirit. Inside youâll find 182 inviting accommodations ranging from cozy rooms to spacious suites. The hotelâs restaurants and bars bring the cityâs cutting-edge culinary scene to you, and the skybridge rooftop and pool deck is the perfect place to soak up some sun â and striking views. With expansive and adaptable event space, The Rally is perfect for both intimate gatherings and grand events. The Rally inspires the playful side in all of us â start your Denver adventure here. Learn more at www.therallyhotel.com. Contact Details Comcast Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

June 24, 2021 08:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time

New Partnership, New Application, New Hope – GTL and Families of the Incarcerated (FOTi) Partner to Offer Guidance and Support

GTL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GTL, a trusted partner that connects those affected by incarceration with the resources and support necessary to achieve success, today announced that it has partnered with Families of the Incarcerated (FOTi) to create a new smartphone application that will help families and friends connect with each other and find guidance during a difficult period in their lives. “Incarceration is traumatic for absolutely everyone touched by it, and as a wife of an incarcerated individual, I know firsthand how few resources are out there to offer support and help to those that need it most,” said Kehaulani Walker, FOTi Founder. “Incarceration does not define who I am or who my husband is, and families and friends need to be reminded of that. They need a community to help them navigate this harrowing journey because support is imperative in making it through to the other side. That is why I created FOTi and have spent the past several years doing everything I can to build a community, to gain trust, and to advocate on behalf of those who feel like they have no voice.” Mrs. Walker created FOTi more than five years ago, growing it from one social media group to over 36 separate social media support groups and uncountable families and friends across the nation. There are 2,500 families as members of the Washington State support group alone, showing how prolific FOTi support has become. Mrs. Walker is also a member of over 900 prison reform groups, gathering information and providing guidance to those that need it the most. As the founder of FOTi, Mrs. Walker has joined with GTL to create a smartphone application that will bring all the resources, support, information, and community inside one central repository. The app will offer information on hundreds of facilities across the country, include a forum section for questions and answers, and eventually offer more features that allow users to better connect with others that understand what they are experiencing. “We often discuss technology as transformational for incarcerated individuals and for correctional facilities, but it is also vital for families and friends that are separated from their loved ones,” said Matthew Caesar, GTL Executive Vice President, Customer Solutions. “Mrs. Walker has done something extraordinary—she has become an advocate for a population she never imagined joining. GTL is thrilled to partner with FOTi to not only build an application whose impact will reverberate across the country but also bring community to the incarceration experience for both incarcerated individuals and their families and friends.” “What drew me to GTL was their compassion,” continued Mrs. Walker. “They treated me, and our community, with respect. They want to give back and help people through the development of this app. I believe in GTL’s mission and vision, and I believe that by working together, FOTi can become an invaluable resource to the millions of families and friends waiting for their loved ones to return home.” ### About GTL For over 30 years, GTL has worked side-by-side with correctional facilities and government agencies to provide imperative technology solutions to over 1.2 million incarcerated individuals across the globe. These solutions facilitate meaningful connections, provide educational opportunities, enable successful reentry, and strengthen operational efficiency. GTL is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with an employee presence throughout North America and was recognized as a 2021 Top Workplace USA by Energage. To learn more about GTL, please visit www.gtl.net, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. About Families of the Incarcerated (FOTi) Families of the Incarcerated (FOTi) was created to offer guidance and assistance to families as they navigate the realities of incarceration. Through successful social media platforms, FOTi has built a system of community and support groups that enable families to share their beliefs, concerns, information, and emotions with others that understand their situation. Contact Details GTL Stephanie Putt +1 814-414-4113 media@gtl.net Company Website http://www.gtl.net/

June 24, 2021 10:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Spotlight Sports Group Names Dan Pozner Vice President of Content

Spotlight Sports Group

Today, Spotlight Sports Group, owner of Pickswise, the fastest growing independent sports betting content provider in North America, announced Dan Pozner as its new Vice President of Content. Pozner will be responsible for enriching and expanding Pickswise’s preeminent sports betting content across video, audio, data and editorial channels. He is also tasked with cultivating a new roster of talent including guest contributors, video hosts and sports betting experts. Pozner joins Spotlight after a decade at NBC Sports, where he most recently served as the Director of Gambling Content. Seizing upon the growth opportunities for legalized betting in America, Dan played a pivotal role in helping NBC Sports develop and launch its sports betting capabilities through free-to-play games, unique multi-platform content and the editorial integration of odds on linear television. “The American sports betting market continues to change rapidly, but the one constant is a strong demand for quality content that educates, informs and inspires bettors,” said Harry von Behr, managing director of Spotlight Sports Group. “Dan’s experience in building betting brands and creating successful content, including podcasts and managing partner bookmaker relationships, is an enormous asset to Pickswise as we continue to grow into one of America's top sports betting sites.” Pozner brings additional leading industry experience to Spotlight’s expanding American-based team, including newly hired sports betting experts from PointsBet, DraftKings and Vixio Gambling Compliance. “The landscape for sports betting content in America is extremely competitive with media companies, experts and influencers all competing for the attention of this growing and engaged audience” said Pozner. “I was immediately drawn to Pickswise’s aggressive approach to expansion in the US market through educating and entertaining sports bettors with free, accessible data-driven insights without the need for a paid subscription. Pickswise is the ultimate first-step destination for sports bettors looking to make stronger and more informed bets and I’m looking forward to expanding and innovating Pickswise’s growing and trusted content portfolio.” For more information on Spotlight Sports Group please visit https://www.spotlightsportsgroup.com/en_us/. ABOUT SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP Spotlight Sports Group delivers distinctive sports betting experiences through their own brands and partnerships with the world's biggest betting operators and media owners. Global growth is driven by delivering premium independent sports betting content, marketing partnerships and publisher solutions. Evolved from the Racing Post, Spotlight Sports Group, through Pickswise is now the fastest growing independent sports betting content provider in the US. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.spotlightsportsgroup.com/en_us/

June 24, 2021 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

UPDATE: Timber Exchange urges exporters to Egypt to prepare for the October transition to the new customs platform

Centersource

(Update: The Ministry of Finance announced an effective date change to October 1) While Egypt’s new advanced cargo information (ACI) system is expected to streamline regulatory requirements for importers, the new system represents a significant departure from the current customs system. B2B supply chain platform with marketplace and market data Timber Exchange by Centersource is reminding timber exporters and other companies shipping to Egypt to prepare for the transition. Effective October 1st, Egypt’s unified registration system, called NAFEZA, will become the only means of processing maritime imports into the country. The new regulation will require exporters to submit all cargo data and documents (commercial invoices, packing lists, and final or initial bills of lading) with 3 additional unique elements: ACID number representing the shipment, Importer taxation ID, Exporter registration number upon vessel’s sailing from Port of Loading. If documents indicate wrong or mismatched numbers, cargo will be banned from being loaded on board. Furthermore, all exporters must be registered on CargoX’s blockchain-document-submission platform. Other processes that exporters should be aware of include: 1. Exporters are responsible for providing importers with accurate information: • Exporter’s company cargo ID. • Exporter’s type (whether it is a factory, branch, etc.) • Correct details of the contact person. • Clear details of Proforma Invoice including GS1 code or part/item number & HS code. 2. Create and verify a CargoX account. 3. Ensure that verified ACID 3 elements are added on required documents. 4. Create an ACI filing envelope & submit it to Customs authorities in Egypt through CargoX or through one of its integrated partners such as Timber Exchange by Centersource Technologies. In addition, exporters should be aware of the Importer's responsibilities, which include: 1. Importers will have to register an account on the electronic portal, NAFEZA. 2. Importers must register primary and detailed information about the shipment in order to apply for the issuance of ACID number. Failure to meet ACI requirements could cost exporters. In a scenario where the cargo is loaded onto the ship, but the documents were not submitted in time or one or more of the three elements are missing or miss-matched, the cargo will not be discharged in Egypt, and all re-export costs will be borne by the carrier. In the final months before the mandatory operation phase of NAFEZA, Centersource is working to bring the timber industry up to speed to avoid any disruption. Centersource’s founder and CEO Amir Rashad is available to talk about what exporters to Egypt can do to prepare for the next phase of NAFEZA. Amir and his team of 30 logistics professionals are also available to discuss the ways in which Timber Exchange is creating trading opportunities across challenging markets, and helping exporters overcome language and regulatory barriers. To speak with the Timber Exchange team, contact Mai Taha at mai@centersource.io or Jéssica Sanduta at jessica@centersource.io. About Timber Exchange Timber Exchange is a supply chain and risk management cloud-based system by Centersource Technologies offering supply chain tools, market data and marketplace. The platform is built specifically for the unique needs of the forestry industry to drastically improve overall performance and coordination. 80 smart tools in 5 languages cover all steps from inquiry of cargo until it arrives at destination. This allows stakeholders to manage sales, logistics and legal obligations from a central workspace that automatically creates tasks and warnings. 40% of the work can be automated, which reduces delays and helps avoid deviations in responsibilities. Contact Details Charlie Pesti +1 267-439-4355 charlie@pesti.io Company Website https://www.centersource.io/

June 24, 2021 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Akeneo Named an Overall Leader in Ventana Research’s Product Information Management Value Index

Akeneo

Akeneo, the global leader in product experience management (PXM), today announced that it has been honored as an Overall Value Index Leader in Ventana Research’s 2021 Value Index on Product Information Management (PIM). Akeneo was further classified as Exemplary, the highest possible rating, based on Ventana Research’s thorough analysis of product and customer experience criteria. The PIM Value Index distils over a year of market and product research to evaluate 16 PIM software solutions in seven key categories weighted to reflect buyers’ needs. The index is structured to replicate the procurement process, and incorporates all the criteria needed to evaluate, select, utilize, and maintain PIM solutions and establish relationships with vendors. Akeneo earned a top-three ranking in six out of seven categories — more than any other company surveyed — and was ranked first in three categories, earning the title of Overall Value Index Leader in each category. Among the categories where Akeneo exceled: Customer Experience, where Akeneo PIM was ranked 1st for providing an impressive level of information to communicate their commitment and dedication to customer needs for PIM technology. TCO/ROI, where Akeneo PIM was ranked 1st for effectively demonstrating the PIM business case, including the product’s strategic value, total cost of ownership and total benefit of ownership. Usability, where Akeneo PIM was ranked 1st for meeting the varying business needs of executives, management, workers, analysts, along with IT, and others involved in the PIM processes. Capability, where Akeneo PIM was honored for providing the broader and deeper range of PIM capabilities that support enterprise, commerce, supplier, consumer, and business-to-business requirements. Manageability, where Akeneo PIM was recognized for providing easy, secure, and flexible technology administration by business users as part of new enterprise tech requirements in an organization. Reliability, where Akeneo PIM was celebrated for providing high performance and scalability of the PIM system that supports the continuous processing required for business continuity and operational resilience. Akeneo received an Exemplary Leader rating overall — the highest ranking possible — and won special praise for its TCO/ROI-related support, an area in which most surveyed companies struggled to deliver the support that customers need to make informed decisions. “Akeneo PIM provides a set of flexible enrichment capabilities, powerful automation, and actionable insights for building and enriching contextualized product catalogs. You and your team can be productive, collaborate without friction, and deliver those great product experiences regardless of channel,” said Mark Smith, Chief Research Officer at Ventana Research. “Our assessment finds Akeneo finished as a Value Index Leader in the highest number of evaluation categories, demonstrating its leadership and investment to PIM.” About Akeneo Akeneo is a global leader in Product Experience Management (PXM) helping businesses with products to sell to unlock growth opportunities by delivering a consistent and compelling product experience across all channels, including eCommerce, mobile, print, points of sale and beyond. With its open platform, leading PIM, add-ons, connectors and marketplace, Akeneo PXM Studio dramatically improves product data quality and accuracy, simplifies catalog management, and accelerates the sharing of product information across channels and locales. Leading global brands, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including Staples Canada, Fossil, Air Liquide and Myer trust Akeneo to scale and customize their omnichannel commerce initiatives. Using Akeneo, brands and retailers can improve customer experience, increase sales, reduce time to market, go global, and boost team productivity. Contact Details David Wamsley +1 415-259-9104 dave@rosebudrp.io

June 24, 2021 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Bumble research reveals how the pandemic has changed dating heading into the ‘summer of love’

YourUpdateTV

Bumble, the women-first dating app and social networking platform, has revealed how the pandemic has shaped the way that single people are dating this summer and beyond as restrictions are beginning to ease and more people are becoming fully vaccinated within the United States every day. Recently, Head of Editorial Content at Bumble, Clare O’Connor, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the survey results and what they suggest about the future of dating. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/w8s692FKpII Following a year of social distancing measures, 91% of survey respondents believe that there is no longer a stigma attached to meeting someone online or through a dating app since the pandemic began. Even more, an overwhelming two-thirds (65%) think that it’s possible to fall in love with someone that they’ve never met in person before. According to the study, the most popular reason why survey respondents enjoy going on virtual dates is that they find it safer to engage with a match virtually before meeting in person. However, that isn’t the only benefit: 1 in 3 (31%) like virtual dates because it saves them time and money, and 1 in 4 (26%) appreciate that they only have to get partially ready (“half-glam”) when going on a video date. Additionally, over half (51%) of Bumble’s community surveyed said that they are updating and refreshing their dating profile right now. For more tips and insights on navigating this new dating landscape, visit bumble.com/finally. Bumble is free and available worldwide in the App Store and Google Play. About Clare O’Connor: Clare O'Connor is Bumble's Head of Editorial Content, working on building out a content platform at the women-first social networking company. Prior to joining Bumble, she spent more than seven years as a staff writer at Forbes, most recently covering women entrepreneurs and workplace equality. During graduate school at Columbia University's School of Journalism, she worked at CNN's Anderson Cooper 360. She was born and brought up in Bermuda About Bumble: Bumble, the women-first social networking app, was founded by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014. Bumble connects people across dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF) and professional networking (Bumble Bizz). No matter the type of relationship, women make the first move on Bumble. Bumble is built on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, happy life. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 23, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

FYEO Launches Publicly, Acquires Threat Intelligence Firm Intelliagg, Forms Advisory Board

FYEO

FYEO Inc., a threat monitoring and identity access management platform, today announced its exit from stealth mode with its first B2B product offering, FYEO Domain Intelligence (“FYEO DI”), and the acquisition of threat intelligence firm Intelliagg. Incubated by enterprise technology and cybersecurity consultancy BTblock, FYEO has been in stealth developing its platform to serve both the B2B and the B2C markets. As its primary B2B offering, FYEO DI will provide domain, credential and threat monitoring services to the enterprise and SMB market. The second offering, FYEO Identity, will provide password management and identity intelligence capabilities to both the enterprise and consumer markets and is set for release in H2 2021. As a leading threat intelligence company working with global enterprise clients to control or evade data loss, reputational damage and targeted cybercrime through the provision of machine learning-based intelligent threat detection, the Intelliagg acquisition marks a significant advance for FYEO. In addition, Intelliagg delivers a suite of professional and managed services dealing with cyber threat intelligence and incident response management. “The close fit between the offerings of FYEO and Intelliagg substantially enhance our capabilities for current clients and is expected to drive greater enterprise adoption,” said Brian Gale, FYEO CEO and BTblock co-founder. “Looking to the future, FYEO’s active database of over 20 billion leaked credentials and cracked passwords will provide immediate insight to businesses and complement our expanded threat monitoring services.” Intelliagg’s IP and code base have been integrated into FYEO DI with the goal of elevating its automation capabilities for reporting and alerting FYEO DI clients when threats might occur. FYEO DI clients are being supported by the BTblock cybersecurity solutions and research practice as a managed services offering, with Managing Director Mikael Björn directing enterprise client engagement. “Through the Intelliagg acquisition, we both supplement the FYEO DI technology stack and gain access to their expertise, industry knowledge and client base,” said Thomas Olofsson, FYEO CTO and BTblock co-founder. “By leveraging BTblock consulting relationships, we can quickly assess the needs firms have for both FYEO DI and FYEO Identity and deliver immediate insight, preventative cyber threat intelligence and necessary remediation action plans. FYEO is also announcing the formation of an advisory board, with initial members Scott J. Carlson, Kudelski Group Director of Global Architecture & Strategy, Head of Digital Asset Security; and Ace St Germain, Chief Product Officer at GLHF.gg and former Head of Content Programming at Twitch, an Amazon owned company. To learn more about FYEO, visit www.gofyeo.com. About FYEO: FYEO is a threat monitoring and identity access management platform for consumers, enterprises and SMBs. At FYEO, our core principle is that identity protection through effective cybersecurity is a right. Our vision is to remove the burdens of digital identity management and become the leading provider of next generation credential management solutions for consumers and enterprises. FYEO Domain Intelligence (“FYEO DI”) provides domain, credential and threat monitoring services, and FYEO Identity will provide password and identity management services beginning in Q4 2021. For more information, visit www.gofyeo.com. About BTblock BTblock, LLC is a technology and cybersecurity consultancy specialized in providing end-to-end security and auditing solutions, with a focus on servicing clients in the blockchain & cryptocurrency, financial and IoT sectors. BTblock has performed end-to-end security reviews for several of the largest global blockchain players as well as one of the world's largest manufacturers of peripherals and software. BTblock enables ideation, validation, and implementation in bringing innovations to market. For more information, please visit www.btblock.io. Contact Details Kayla Perkins +1 978-870-3598 kperkins@n6a.com Company Website http://gofyeo.com/

June 23, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Comcast Business Helps Sabey Bring High-Speed Connectivity to Washington Area Data Centers and Offer Better IT Continuity

Comcast Washington

Comcast Business today announced it is investing in local Washington data centers in partnership with the Sabey Data Centers to bring better IT continuity and connectivity to businesses. Specifically, Comcast Business will integrate its connectivity into data centers located in Tukwila and Quincy, giving businesses a private connection to regional Sabey data centers. The collaboration will also help advance digital transformation initiatives and enable Washington state businesses to better support their employees working remotely. Most recently, Washington state has made a name for itself in the data center sector for hosting the digital assets of California-based enterprises. Thanks to these benefits, Washington is currently experiencing rapid growth across its data center market. Recognizing the benefits of hosting data in Washington state, Sabey Data Centers has brought to market a combined 2.2 million square feet of data center space throughout the state, and is providing tenants with access to reliable, price-stabilized affordable power via sustainable generation, superior connectivity and turnkey infrastructure deployment. As one of the largest privately-owned data center operators in the world, Sabey needs reliable, credible partners to help capitalize on the booming data center market in Washington. They have teamed up with Comcast Business for comprehensive solutions that support the broad connectivity initiatives data centers demand. “CIOs and IT decision makers are often challenged with managing connections to multiple data centers and cloud solutions, managing application performance as well as troubleshooting latency and throughput issues from their data center connections,” said John Ford, VP and General Manager, Sabey Data Centers, Seattle. “Comcast Business’ data center connectivity helps our customers simplify their workloads by providing direct access on a network that can be tied to a business’s physical location – this means great performance, reliability, and scalability, and ultimately greater network agility for businesses.” By integrating Comcast Business’ Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) system, Sabey Data Center customers will be able to take advantage of high network availability. Comcast Business has also built diverse 100 Gbps connections through separate network locations in its HFC system, so if there is an outage along one path, alternative paths are available for backup connectivity and support so Sabey customers can stay online. As part of the partnership, Comcast Business will also offer Sabey customers an “on-ramp” to popular cloud services like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and IBM Cloud via the Comcast Business Direct-to-Cloud platform, which connects customers to the cloud without going through the Internet. “Comcast Business is focused on empowering businesses with a choice in hybrid IT solutions and massive Ethernet network reach,” said Scott Woodard, Director of Sales Engineering for Comcast Business’ WA Region. “Our goal is to connect data centers and cloud services to more than one million Ethernet-enabled buildings and businesses nationwide.” In addition, businesses already using Comcast Business Ethernet and IP services will have efficient and secure access to Sabey’s data centers. Plus, workers with Xfinity internet who need to remotely access information or upload files will be able to send their information through Comcast’s statewide network. “We’ve already seen that the demand for digital transformation has the power to completely revolutionize how a business operates,” said Rob Brenner, Vice President of Comcast Business for Comcast’s Washington Region. “As a provider of comprehensive technology solutions for businesses, we are thrilled to partner with the Sabey Data Centers to help local businesses in Washington transform their backend operations and modernize in anticipation of a data-driven future of work.” For more information, please visit http://business.comcast.com. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. Contact Details Comcast Nick McDonald +1 425-977-5565 Nick_McDonald@Comcast.com FINN Partners Chloe Huard +13132094957 chloe.huard@finnpartners.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

June 23, 2021 05:58 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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CMS Renews Bellese Technologies Contract for Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR)

Bellese Technologies, LLC

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Bellese Technologies the Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) II contract. Bellese is the incumbent prime contractor for this project and has been awarded the HQR contract for the second time. This contract period consists of one base-period with three additional option-years. Under the direction of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality's (CCSQ) Information Systems Group (ISG), Bellese worked closely with CMS to modernize the legacy HQR system using modern digital service methods. Pam Offutt, Bellese Chief Executive Officer, stated that “The past four years of partnership with CMS on the HQR system have been incredibly rewarding. We have made significant progress in the modernization of HQR and in the adoption of agile, lean, and human-centered design methods. Through this work, we are paving the way for CMS, other agencies, and their users to enjoy better performing and more usable services.” "With improved access to hospital quality measure data and participation in data interoperability initiatives, HQR II will reduce barriers between patients, healthcare providers and policy makers," said John duClos, Bellese Chief Technology Officer. The CMS and Bellese partnership has a history of producing meaningful results. In the initial contract period, the Bellese team completed modernization of the HQR infrastructure. The HQR system is now entirely hosted on cloud infrastructure. The time it took users to generate reports dropped dramatically from over 24 hours in the legacy system to approximately one second in the new system. Previously, downtime was required for almost all system updates and maintenance. Legacy system deployments could take over 20 hours to complete. Now, updates and maintenance can be done with zero downtime and no impact to users. In the first two years of the HQR contract, Bellese saved CMS nearly $1M as a result of system optimizations and automations. “I've worked on HQR for 11 years in different roles. It wasn't until I joined Bellese five years ago when we really started to make significant progress on enhancements through the use of research, design thinking and product development methodologies,” said Karen Waters, Bellese Program Director of HQR. “From our focus on human-centered design to using modern technology while also successfully maintaining all that legacy code, the HQR team tackled some extraordinary challenges. I am extremely proud to work alongside each of our team members, CMS, support contractors, and the HQR users.” The modernization of HQR is part of a larger CMS initiative called Patients over Paperwork. This initiative seeks to increase efficiencies, improve the end-user experience for end-users, and lower the overall provider burden. HQR allows facilities to directly report their quality measures. This reduction in time to use the system and submit data is now precious time gained by hospital staff to spend on their main job -- running a hospital and caring for patients. At Bellese the process of reducing burden started with understanding the people using the system, their environment, and importantly, their behavior. “Fundamentally we want to make using the system as easy to use as possible.“ said Lesley Humphreys, Bellese Human-Centered Design Lead for HQR. “We did that through multiple research methods and ensuring our researchers, designers, and developers worked as one to meet user needs.” Together, CMS and Bellese achieved the goal of legacy system modernization and positioning the HQR program for its role in the future of digital quality measurement. The HQR ecosystem includes several federal incentive programs including: Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR), Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting (IPF), PPS-Exempt Cancer Hospital Quality Reporting (PCH), and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASC). All of these incentive programs are supported by the HQR solution. ABOUT BELLESE TECHNOLOGIES: Founded in 2009, Bellese Technologies is a human-centered service design company in the Baltimore metro area. Bellese partners with health and human services clients in the public and private sectors. The firm leverages modern technology, human-centered design, and silo-busting collaboration to help its clients expand and accelerate the positive impact they have on society. Currently, Bellese works with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, supporting price transparency, Medicare payment system modernization, and quality of care initiatives.Bellese holds the GSA IT 70 Schedule and two CMS agile blanket purchase agreements (BPA) — the Medicare Payment System Modernization (MPSM) BPA and the Agile Delivery to Execute Legislative Endeavors-Quality Related Initiatives (ADELE-QRI) BPA. Bellese was recently recognized as a “Top Workplace” by the Baltimore Sun for the third year in a row. Visit bellese.io/careers for more information on careers at Bellese. Contact Details Bellese Technologies Mark Adkins +1 202-335-0065 press@bellese.io Company Website https://bellese.io/

June 22, 2021 12:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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