LITSLINK finds updates that break functionality cost far more than UX changes users dislike; the three most-cited figures on the cost of bad UX lack a verifiable source.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Software development company LITSLINK reports that the largest risk for companies is an update that breaks functionality rather than one that prompts user complaints. Researchers examined 12 products: 10, including Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and Figma, were assessed via regulatory filings and peer-reviewed research; CrowdStrike and Sonos were examined as the costliest failed updates on record. LITSLINK commissioned the research after its own website rebuild showed how little companies know about what a release costs.

In July 2024, a faulty CrowdStrike update sent 8.5 million Windows devices into a boot loop and cost Fortune 500 companies an estimated $5.4 billion. In May 2024, Sonos launched a redesigned app that removed existing features and left older speakers unresponsive; recovery cost the company $20â30 million, about 100 jobs, 8% of annual revenue, and its CEO. Yet even this redesign produced less than 1% of the losses from a single CrowdStrike update.

Companies cannot say what a single update costs them. The nine public companies in LITSLINK's study report a combined $115.8 billion in annual research and development expenses, yet none itemizes the cost of updates or redesigns. Much of what that spending produces also goes unused: a Pendo analysis found that 80% of shipped features are rarely or never used.

The cost of lost time due to UX updates depends on where an employee works. If 10,000 employees each spend 30 minutes relearning a tool after an interface change, that time is worth â¬284,000 in Luxembourg and â¬60,000 in Bulgaria at Eurostat's 2025 labor rates.

The three most-quoted figures on the cost of bad UX, including the claim that every dollar invested in UX returns $100, trace to a software vendor's blog post citing its own audits and to a Forrester attribution that no Forrester publication supports.

"We started research after rebuilding our own website, when almost nothing went according to plan. That experience raised a bigger question: what do companies like Microsoft, Figma, or Zoom actually pay for their setbacks?" â Serhii Antoniuk, CEO at LITSLINK

The full study is available on the LITSLINK website.

Media Contact

Anastacia Novikova, CMO

[email protected] | +1 (650) 865-1800

SOURCE Litslink

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Grinnell College Poll: Americans More Confident in Voting, Pessimistic on Democracy, Economy

GRINNELL, Iowa, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The most recent Grinnell College Poll finds high levels of confidence that votes will be counted as voters intended but concerns about the state of American democracy and the economy. The poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted by YouGov October 15-20, 2026, found that 64% of Americans are confident that votes in the upcoming midterm elections will be counted as voters intended.

The poll found 74% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents are very or somewhat confident votes will be counted as intended compared to 66% of Republican and Republican-leaning respondents.

"It is noteworthy that confidence in the vote has improved since the last time the Grinnell poll was in the field in March of 2024," said Peter Hanson, Director of the Grinnell College poll and Professor of Political Science at Grinnell College. "Then, we found that 58% of Americans were confident votes would be counted as intended. The improvement is driven by Republicans, whose confidence in the vote increased from 41% in March of 2024 to 66% today."

Since 2018, the Grinnell College Poll has investigated the health of American democracy by studying public attitudes about liberty, equality, and the institutions of liberal democracy.

The poll revealed signs of discontent among Americans as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

Overall, 70% of Americans agree with the statement that American democracy is in crisis, including majorities of both political parties. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents, 84% agree that democracy is in crisis, compared to 60% of Republicans and Republican-leaning respondents, and 66% of independents.

"We find broad support for democracy and core democratic values among Americans, but deep concern about the health of our democracy," Hanson said. "The unfortunate idea that unites Americans is the fear that American democracy is in crisis."

Americans' sentiment about the economy was mixed, with a plurality of 39% of respondents saying that they think the economy will be worse in a year. A majority of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents, along with a majority of independents, say that the economy will be worse in a year. By contrast, a plurality of 43% of Republicans and Republican-leaning respondents say the economy will be better in a year.

"Partisanship seems to be shaping how people view the economy, which reflects a trend we've seen over the last few decades where people believe the economy is going to do better when their preferred party is in power," said Courtney Nava, assistant professor of Political Science. "Independents seem to be behaving more like Democrats, believing the economy is going to get worse, which has helped create an environment that is very favorable to Democrats in the midterms."

The poll found bipartisan opposition to the construction of data centers to support artificial intelligence systems. Overall, 57% of respondents indicate that they would not support building a data center in their community, including 73% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents, a plurality of 45% of Republicans and Republican-leaning respondents, and 54% of independents.

Americans continue to be starkly divided on immigration policy. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning respondents, 73% agree with the statement, "All illegal immigrants should be removed from the United States even if they are living here peacefully." Just 12% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents and 30% of independents say the statement reflects their beliefs.

The Grinnell Poll is fielded every two years featuring questions co-authored by Grinnell College students and faculty. Students collaborate with faculty members to learn practical skills in survey research, data analysis, and writing, while better understanding the challenges facing American democracy during an age of global populism.

The 2026 poll was conducted with YouGov via a web survey and includes responses from 1,500 U.S. respondents over the age of 18. The respondents were matched to a sampling frame to be representative of the U.S. population on gender, age, race, and education. Members of YouGov's panel were invited to participate in the survey. YouGov's recruitment process is open to all. Panelists eligible for participation have been members of the YouGov panel for at least 30 days and have passed a series of quality checks. The margin of error is +/- 3.15%.

About Grinnell College

Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college in Iowa founded in 1846, provides individually advised learning for intellectually engaged students to produce graduates who are prepared to navigate the world's complexities and responsibly contribute to the common good. Grinnell enrolls 1,700 students from around the world, who earn bachelor's degrees in a range of disciplines across the humanities, arts and sciences. Grinnell's rigorous academic program and campus life emphasize excellence in education through free inquiry and the open exchange of ideas, a diverse community and social responsibility and action. More information about Grinnell College is available at www.grinnell.edu.

SOURCE Grinnell College

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JumpCloud Makes Continuous Compliance Easier in the Agentic Era

New platform features unify user, device, and AI agent management to keep growing organizations audit-ready at all times.

LOUISVILLE, Colo., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- JumpCloud Inc. today announced new features that build security compliance into daily IT work, enforcing policies in real time across users, devices, and AI agents. JumpCloud manages humans, devices, and agents in one platform, keeping organizations audit-ready without adding headcount.

As AI agents join human workers, organizations need to extend security controls beyond human users. Yet JumpCloud's Q3 2026 IT Trends Report found that only 21% of organizations have implemented governance controls for non-human identities. JumpCloud brings users, devices, and AI agents under one set of policies and provides ongoing proof of compliance.

"An AI agent is only as compliant as the person behind it and the device it runs on," said Rahul Kamdar, senior vice president of product, JumpCloud. "So we're building JumpCloud to govern all three together. When someone changes roles or leaves, their agents' access should update automatically, with a record to prove it. Not everyone doing the work shows up on the org chart anymore, but they all need to show up in your audit."

JumpCloud helps busy IT teams stay compliant in three simple ways:

- See access gaps: Identify shadow IT, AI agents, and unmanaged devices.

- Keep access secure: Manage identities and devices under one set of policies.

- Simplify audits: Automate access changes and evidence collection to save IT and security teams time.

"JumpCloud's centralized identity and MDM solution helps us meet our SOC 2 requirements by providing identity management on our devices and enabling us to enforce security policies remotely." said Matt Lemon, system administrator, Datafy.

Organizations often use separate tools for identity, device management, and compliance. This can leave gaps between systems and require IT teams to collect evidence manually. JumpCloud brings these functions together to reduce complexity and help teams demonstrate that security controls are working.

New capabilities powering continuous compliance across JumpCloud:

- Workflows automation: Automate lifecycle processes, offboarding, and policy remediation across all identities and devices.

- Automated compliance reporting: Generate real-time audit reports and continuous logs mapped to regulatory frameworks across users, devices, and agents.

- Agentic IAM: Get full visibility and lifecycle tracking across agents and non-human identities.

- Risk detection: Flag risky sign-ins, non-human behavior, and unapproved access changes in real time.

- Continuous audit trails: Link every human and non-human action to a verified identity to support SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and NIS2 audits.

- Device trust: Block unmanaged or unhealthy devices from accessing company data using supported Conditional Access Policies (CAP).

- Privileged access management (PAM): Deploy isolated identities and time-boxed credentials for admins and agents. (Coming: December 2026)

To learn how JumpCloud makes compliance easy across all your identities, devices, and agents, visit jumpcloud.com.

About JumpCloud

JumpCloud® is the AI-powered unified IT management platform designed to secure the modern workforce. By consolidating identity, device, and access management, JumpCloud provides intelligent, secure IT that scales from human users to autonomous AI agents. We help organizations around the globe eliminate complexity and turn AI risk into an optimized advantage, ensuring the right people and agents have secure access to the right resources at all times.

Learn more: jumpcloud.com/

Follow us: Blog | Podcast | X | LinkedIn | YouTube | Resources

Click here to get started with JumpCloud

Contact

For JumpCloud

Josie Caracciolo

[email protected]

SOURCE JumpCloud, Inc.

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A First in 100+ Years: Indianapolis Home Show Reinvents Its Centerpiece Home for 2027

-Presented by NARI Central Indiana, a 1960s-era ranch will showcase the possibilities of remodeling rather than moving.-

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Move or remodel? It's a question facing millions of homeowners, especially as nearly half of all U.S. homes approach or exceed 50 years old.

For the first time, the 2027 Indianapolis Home Show will put remodeling and renovation front and center, taking a new approach to its signature Centerpiece Home. After more than 100 years of showcasing new-home construction, the Show will focus on transforming an older home for modern living.

Presented by NARI Central Indiana, the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the Centerpiece Home will recreate a 1960s-era ranch inside Exposition Hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The 1,900-square-foot home will be reimagined and expanded into approximately 2,600 square feet of modern, fully furnished living space.

The concept reflects changing housing economics. With an estimated $11 trillion in tappable home equity nationwide and many homeowners holding historically low mortgage rates, remodeling can be an attractive alternative to purchasing a new home.

"With nearly half of America's homes approaching or exceeding 50 years old, the need for remodeling has never been more relevant," said John Babcock, President of NARI Central Indiana. "This Centerpiece Home will demonstrate how homeowners can transform an older property into a space that meets today's needs without giving up the home and neighborhood they love."

The ranch design also reflects growing interest in one-story living, offering convenience, accessibility and flexibility for homeowners of all ages.

More than 30 NARI members and participating companies will collaborate on the project, demonstrating expertise in design, construction, financing and home improvements. Visitors will discover remodeling ideas ranging from kitchen and bath updates to additions and phased renovations that enhance comfort, functionality and long-term value.

Construction begins in late December 2026, with the completed home open for tours during the Indianapolis Home Show, January 15â24, 2027, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The reimagined Centerpiece Home will offer visitors practical inspiration and access to local remodeling professionals who can help bring similar projects to life.

For more information and tickets, visit indianapolishomeshow.com

The Indianapolis Home Show is an Indiana tradition and the oldest home show in North America, offering the latest in decorating, landscaping, construction and remodeling ideas â and it's back again for its 105th year! Visitors to the Indianapolis Home Show can talk to hundreds of home and décor experts for advice and explore thousands of the newest home products.

ABOUT MARKETPLACE EVENTS 

Marketplace Events creates vibrant expositions connecting enthusiasts with experts, products and services in dynamic face-to-face environments.  The company produces more than 125 business-to-consumer and trade shows in North America including 65 home and garden shows, 20+ holiday shopping shows, 17 sport and outdoor shows, and 21 regional trade shows. The 125+ combined events, in 50+ markets, currently attract 30,000 exhibitors, 2.2 million attendees and another 5 million unique web visitors annually. The company produces some of the most successful and longest-running shows in North America, including market-leading shows in Seattle, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Vancouver, Calgary and Montrealâsome of which have thrived in their markets for more than 75 years. For a full list of upcoming events visit www.marketplaceevents.com.

Media Contact:

Barbara Coles

Coles Marketing

317-714-6026

[email protected]

SOURCE Indianapolis Home Show

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Aventurier Expands into the U.S. Market Following Proven Success in Europe

Aventurier introduces ARTIST 1, its Upright Floor Scrubber, to the U.S. market, supported by U.S.-based inventory, nationwide shipping, local sales support, and after-sales service.

SHANGHAI and LAS VEGAS, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aventurier today announced its entry into the U.S. commercial cleaning market.

As many Chinese companies expand into international markets, the U.S. is often an important early destination. Aventurier took a different route, spending more than two years developing and validating its products in Europe before entering the U.S. market. The company has sold more than 5,000 units across European markets, serves customers in more than 30 countries worldwide and has invested more than $5 million in research and development. This experience has strengthened Aventurier's in-house engineering capabilities and helped refine its products for professional cleaning teams.

At the center of Aventurier's U.S. market expansion is ARTIST 1, a compact Upright Floor Scrubber designed for commercial environments that value cleaning efficiency, faster floor drying and maneuverability.

ARTIST 1 applies cleaning solution, scrubs floors and recovers dirty water in a single pass. Its 16-inch cleaning path and compact upright design make it suitable for hard floors in healthcare facilities, schools, hotels, retail stores, restaurants, fitness centers and offices, particularly in small- to medium-sized commercial spaces.

Key Benefits of ARTIST 1

- Up to 8x Faster Than Traditional Mopping - Powerful scrubbing and instant water recovery.

- Ready to Use in Just 5 Minutes - Intuitive controls with minimal training.

- Operator-Friendly Design - Forward assist and two-position support for easier operation.

- Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas - Near-90-degree recline and 360-degree maneuverability for cleaning under furniture, along wall edges and in corners.

- Tool-Free Maintenance - Simplifies routine daily maintenance.

- Up to 150 Minutes of Runtime - Dual hot-swappable batteries support longer cleaning sessions with fewer interruptions.

- Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts - Help operators identify issues during use.

- Top-Mounted Vacuum Motor - Designed to help protect key components from water intrusion.

- As Low As 60 dB(A) - Suitable for occupied commercial spaces.

The product is available in different configurations and operating modes. Actual performance and runtime may vary depending on floor conditions, cleaning mode, operator behavior and product configuration.

U.S. Market Testing and Customer Feedback

Before its formal U.S. market expansion, Aventurier conducted field evaluations in selected U.S. states, including healthcare facilities, schools, retail stores and convenience stores. The evaluations focused on cleaning quality, maneuverability, operator experience, cleaning efficiency and floor-drying performance. Feedback from field users highlighted ARTIST 1's ability to support efficient cleaning in confined areas while reducing the physical effort associated with traditional mop-and-bucket cleaning.

The field evaluations also helped Aventurier identify the priorities of U.S. commercial cleaning customers, including local spare parts availability, service responsiveness, product durability and operator training.

These insights have influenced Aventurier's U.S. market preparation and support structure.

Local U.S. Infrastructure

Aventurier's warehouse in Ontario, California, in the Greater Los Angeles area, is now formally operational.

The company has also established:

- Nationwide shipping

- U.S.-based inventory of equipment, accessories and spare parts

- Local sales and local-language technical support

- After-sales service resources and support procedures

Together, these resources support reliable delivery, service coordination and ongoing customer support across the United States.

Meet Aventurier at ISSA Show North America

Aventurier will showcase its commercial cleaning solutions at Booth 1023 during ISSA Show North America, November 17â19, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Visitors can experience ARTIST 1 firsthand, share industry perspectives, discuss cleaning needs and explore potential partnerships with the Aventurier team.

Aventurier welcomes cleaning contractors, facility managers, distributors, dealers and commercial cleaning professionals to visit Booth 1023.

About Aventurier

Shanghai Aventurier Technology Development Co., Ltd. (AVT) develops commercial cleaning equipment and related solutions.

Its portfolio includes ARTIST 1, a compact Upright Floor Scrubber; RANGER ONE, a cordless backpack vacuum; AVT-iClean, a smart cleaning app; and PENSEUR, an AI assistant for commercial cleaning equipment. Together, they provide integrated cleaning solutions for commercial environments.

Aventurier's vision is:

Go BEYOND for a cleaner world.

For more information, visit www.avt-ai.com or contact [email protected].

Media Contact

Aventurier

Shanghai Aventurier Technology Development Co., Ltd. (AVT)

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.avt-ai.com

SOURCE Aventurier

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CarePatrol Marks Milestone for Senior Care Advisory Services in Nevada

Governor's Office recognition at CarePatrol's 2026 conference celebrates expanded senior care resources for Nevada families

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CarePatrol, a trusted leader in senior care advisory services and a Best Life Brands company, marked a significant milestone for senior care options in Nevada as placement services became permitted in the state for the first time.

The milestone was formally recognized during CarePatrol's 2026 annual conference in Las Vegas, held October 1st and 2nd. During the opening night of the conference, Liz Gabrielle Payumo, Southern Outreach Coordinator for the Nevada Governor's Office, welcomed CarePatrol to Nevada and recognized the important work the organization has done for more than 30 years helping families navigate senior care decisions.

As part of the recognition, Payumo presented Michelle Kiel, owner of CarePatrol of Clark County East - Henderson, with a certificate of recognition from Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo's office.

"This is an exciting milestone for Nevada families navigating one of the most important decisions they may make for an aging loved one," said Keith Kuhn, Brand President of CarePatrol. "For more than three decades, CarePatrol has helped families understand their senior care options and move forward with greater confidence. We are proud to bring that experience to more Nevada families and support Michelle as she continues building a trusted resource within her community."

CarePatrol senior care advisors work with older adults and their families to help them navigate senior care options, including assisted living, memory care, independent living, respite care and in-home care. Through personalized guidance and local market knowledge, CarePatrol helps families evaluate options based on their individual needs, preferences and circumstances.

"Being able to provide this level of support to Nevada families means so much to me, especially knowing how overwhelming it can be to navigate senior care options on your own," Kiel said. "Having already helped a local family through this process reinforces why I became a CarePatrol franchisee in the first place. I'm excited to continue building relationships throughout the community and helping more families feel informed and supported as they make these important decisions."

CarePatrol's annual conference brought together franchise owners and brand leadership from across the country for education, networking and recognition, as well as discussions focused on strengthening support for older adults and their families. Hosting this year's gathering in Las Vegas provided a fitting backdrop to celebrate CarePatrol's expanded ability to serve families throughout Nevada.

"This milestone represents more than an opportunity to grow our presence in Nevada. It represents an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for families," said Kuhn. "Michelle's work is already demonstrating what CarePatrol can bring to communities across the state, and we look forward to building on that momentum."

CarePatrol has provided senior care solutions for more than three decades, helping families evaluate care options and navigate transitions with greater confidence. The brand's model enables franchisees to become trusted senior care resources within their communities while benefiting from the infrastructure, technology, training and support of an established national system.

To learn more about CarePatrol and franchise opportunities, visit www.CarePatrol.com/franchising.

About CarePatrol

CarePatrol is the nation's largest senior care solutions franchise in the United States. With more than 230 territories sold across 43 states and Canada, local senior advisors provide a no-cost service in helping families find quality, top-rated assisted living, independent living, memory care, nursing homes and in-home care. Founded in 1993, CarePatrol began franchising in 2009 and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company. CarePatrol is proud to have earned the Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review for 14 years in a row, including its induction into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and has earned placement on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list. For more information, visit www.CarePatrol.com/franchising.

SOURCE CarePatrol

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Key Takeaways

- Rideshare access expanded for clinical trial participantsâLyft, Uber Health, and Bolt provide direct access to ground transportation and cut routine coordination work for sites.

- One app now covers the entire trial journeyâparticipants can view travel itineraries, book eligible rides, and manage study appointments and payments through the Suvoda App.

- Travel support flexes to match trial complexityâsites can directly initiate routine travel requests or choose a fully managed Concierge model with personalized patient support across 40+ countries.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Suvoda, a clinical trial technology company, today announced new capabilities in Greenphire Travel, its software and services dedicated to removing the logistical barriers that keep patients from participating in trials. Travel remains one of the most significant logistical barriers to clinical trial enrollment and retention. For example, in the most recent CISCRP study, among participants who found their study disruptive, 49% cited travel to the study clinic as a cause. Suvoda's latest product release includes enhancements that aim to lower these barriers.

Greenphire Travel now gives sponsors and CROs more choice in travel support, greater visibility into travel costs and trip status, and simpler travel for their patients.

"Participants in clinical trials are often managing serious illness on top of the logistical demands of getting to visits. Greenphire Travel removes the coordination burden from sites and their patients so they can focus on what mattersâtheir health and wellbeing," said Elizabeth Smith, Director of Product Management, Patient Experience at Suvoda.

More rideshare access for participants, more control for sites and sponsors

Greenphire Travel now offers global rideshare and car services, with Lyft, Uber Health, and Bolt available to participants and sites depending on region. Participants can book eligible rides through the Suvoda App and view details regarding flights, hotels, rideshare status, study appointments, questionnaires, and payments. This reduces routine status inquiries routed through site staff and gives participants more direct control over their trial experience.

Sites get a more intuitive travel request workflow, a clearer view of trip status, and secure messaging. Sponsors and CROs gain more detailed reporting for better visibility into travel spend and policy across global trials.

"As clinical trial travel grows more complex, sponsors and sites need connected, actionable insight across the study," said Will Wing, Director of Product at Suvoda. "This release brings real-time trip status, consolidated reporting, and clearer cost information together into one streamlined experience. That's the value of a platform approach."

Sponsors choose the travel support model that fits each study

Greenphire Travel provides expert global support services, available through two distinct delivery models. A site-led option allows study teams to easily initiate straightforward travel requests directly, while the Concierge model provides high-touch, personalized coordination for more complex studies and participant needs. Concierge coordinators are stationed across 40+ countries, each available 24/7 to support participants for the duration of a trial.

"Clinical trials vary enormously in complexity, and the travel support behind them should too," said Wing. "Sponsors can choose the level of service that fits each study or site rather than applying a single model across their entire portfolio. For patients in oncology or rare disease especially, that difference can be significant."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is Greenphire Travel available?

A: Greenphire Travel delivers services globally and has supported more than 8,400 sites across 2,000+ trials in over 50 countries. Rideshare access through Lyft, Uber Health, and Bolt is now available to participants and sites in multiple regions. Concierge coordinators are stationed across 40+ countries to provide 24/7, localized, native-language support.

Q: Do patients or sites have to pay for travel costs upfront?

A: No. Greenphire Travel is designed so that patients, caregivers, and sites have $0 out-of-pocket costs for covered travel services. Eligible travel is funded upfront by the sponsor and managed through Suvoda, removing reimbursement delays and financial stress for participants and sites.

Media Contact

Robin AbadÃa

Director, External Communications, Suvoda

[email protected]

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Brewers vs. Rays

One more day of baseball and one more day of this compelling World Series isn’t a bad thing, unless you are a Brewers fan or backer. Will we only have one more day or will we be waiting on Game 6 on Friday? Milwaukee is sending out ace and NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski, while the Rays had not announced a starter yet as of early this morning. That leaves Miz and the Brewers a heavy favorite to finish off the gentleman’s sweep.

Brewers (-157, 6.5) vs. Rays World Series Game 5 Prediction

Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET

It was an uncharacteristic night for the Brewers with a chance to win the first World Series in franchise history. Two errors, only three at bats with a runner in scoring position, and a highly questionable managerial decision. The move to go to Shane Drohan in the 12th was partially out of necessity, but also a failed attempt to match up with the upcoming batters. Pat Murphy could have stuck with Antonio Senzatela after Junior Caminero reached on an error. Drohan came in, gave up four straight singles, two to right-handed batters, and that was all she wrote.

Despite the loss, the Brewers are in better shape for tonight’s game than the Rays. Tampa Bay’s starter options are an opener, try to push Steven Matz as far as he can go, or send out Drew Rasmussen on three days’ rest. Personally, that’s the best option to me, but this is a very tired bullpen. Not only did the Rays have some decent reliever usage in the series against Cleveland, but their relievers have thrown 338 pitches in this series, plus projected Game 5 starter Nick Martinez threw 33 pitches in Game 4. Tyler Wells and Cam Booser have each thrown three of the last four days. Ian Seymour threw 32 pitches yesterday. Bryan Baker had not completed two full innings all season until last night.

Meanwhile, the Brewers get to send out Misiorowski on full rest, as he pitched in Game 1 and had his best start of the postseason with five innings of one-run ball. He only struck out three, but also only walked one over his 78 pitches. Getting five innings from Miz would be huge, given that Aaron Ashby threw 31 pitches last night. He’s the only guy I’m really worried about in that pen because he’s had a long postseason.

If he is the option, Rasmussen looked a bit gassed in Game 2. He needed 89 pitches to get 11 outs and allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks. If he can’t give the Rays some length, they’ll likely turn to Matz, Garrett Cleavinger, or Cole Sulser, who threw 32 pitches and gave up a run on four hits in Game 3.

I do think the Brewers end the series tonight. A 3-0 lead gave them a bit of a buffer. While I think Murphy made two questionable decisions, first only using Trevor Megill for five pitches, and second, using Drohan, tonight should set up easier with Miz at the outset emptying the tank. I don’t love the -157 price tag, though.

One prop I do like is Misiorowski Over 15.5 Outs at +100. If there was ever a time to try and push him a little bit farther, it’s now. He may be used in relief in Game 7 if there is one, but this will be his last start of the season. Murphy knows the situation for his middle relievers, so if he can bypass them by trying to push Miz through six, or at least into the sixth, I think he’ll want to do that. He maintained his velocity well in Game 1 and guys are dragging a little bit right now. It’s hard to generate the necessary bat speed to get to Miz. The Brewers knew they needed him all postseason. They may not need him after tonight and that’s the time to get after it.

A lot of things went wrong for Milwaukee last night and a lot of guys were no-shows and the Rays still needed to walk it off in the 12th. If the moneyline price gets any better on the Brewers, I’ll probably take the leap.

Pick: Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) Over 15.5 Outs Recorded (+100)

Wenn das Vertrauen in SAP-Projekte schwindet: Warum verfügbare Spezialisten und nachvollziehbare Ergebnisse entscheidend sind

Steyr-Gleink (ots)

Die Neuausrichtung der SAP-Strategie bei ZEISS lenkt den Blick auf die Herausforderungen komplexer IT-Transformationen. Der SAP-Logistikspezialist PG3 Consulting erklärt, warum Unternehmen bei kritischen Projekten nicht nur fachliche Kompetenz benötigen, sondern auch kurzfristige Unterstützung, transparente Entscheidungen und langfristige Sicherheit.

Große SAP-Transformationen stehen zunehmend im Spannungsfeld zwischen technischen Anforderungen, wirtschaftlichen Erwartungen und operativer Realität. Die jüngst bekannt gewordene Neuausrichtung der SAP-Strategie beim Technologiekonzern ZEISS zeigt, wie komplex die Entscheidungen in langfristigen Transformationsvorhaben sein können.

Wie The Register am 10. September 2026 unter Berufung auf einen Unternehmenssprecher berichtete, richtet ZEISS seine SAP-S/4HANA-Transformation neu aus. Zunächst soll die bestehende ERP-Landschaft auf SAP S/4HANA übertragen werden. Als Ziele nennt das Unternehmen schnellere Fortschritte und eine bessere Berücksichtigung der unterschiedlichen Anforderungen seiner Geschäftsbereiche.

Unabhängig vom Einzelfall stellt sich für viele Unternehmen eine grundlegende Frage: Was passiert, wenn ein SAP-Projekt nicht die erwarteten Ergebnisse liefert und das Vertrauen in die bisherige Vorgehensweise schwindet?

Für Peter Gruber, Geschäftsführer der auf SAP-Lagerlogistik spezialisierten PG3 Consulting GmbH, ist dies eine Situation, die aus seiner langjährigen Beratungspraxis bekannt ist.

"Wenn ein SAP-Projekt ins Stocken gerät, helfen dem Kunden keine zusätzlichen Versprechen. Er muss verstehen können, worin das Problem liegt, welche Maßnahmen sinnvoll sind und woran sich erkennen lässt, dass die Lösung tatsächlich funktioniert", erklärt Gruber.

Wenn SAP-Logistik zum Geschäftsrisiko wird

Gerade in der Lagerlogistik können Schwierigkeiten weit über die IT-Abteilung hinausreichen. Fehler bei der Gestaltung von Lagerabläufen oder der Konfiguration von SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) können die Warenversorgung, Lieferfähigkeit und im Extremfall sogar die Produktion beeinträchtigen.

PG3 wird nach eigenen Angaben regelmäßig hinzugezogen, wenn Unternehmen bei anspruchsvollen SAP-Logistikaufgaben zusätzliche Sicherheit benötigen, bestehende Projektteams an fachliche Grenzen stoßen oder kritische Probleme kurzfristig gelöst werden müssen.

In einem Industrieprojekt wurde das Unternehmen beispielsweise hinzugezogen, nachdem ein fehlerhaft gestaltetes und konfiguriertes Lagersystem die Ersatzteilversorgung und produktionsrelevante Abläufe erheblich beeinträchtigt hatte.

In einem weiteren Projekt stellte PG3 seine Leistungsfähigkeit zunächst anhand zweier konkreter Systemanpassungen unter Beweis. Beide Aufgaben wurden innerhalb von zwei Wochen umgesetzt. Zuvor hatten vergleichbare Anpassungen nach Angaben von PG3 beim bisherigen Dienstleister deutlich mehr Zeit beansprucht.

Solche Erfahrungen zeigen aus Sicht von Gruber, wie entscheidend überprüfbare Arbeitsergebnisse für die Zusammenarbeit sind.

"Vertrauen entsteht nicht durch die Größe eines Beratungshauses oder durch überzeugende Präsentationen. Vertrauen entsteht, wenn Berater die tatsächlichen Tätigkeiten im Unternehmen verstehen, ihre Empfehlungen nachvollziehbar begründen und zeigen, dass ihre Lösungen funktionieren."

Im kritischen Moment zählt auch die Verfügbarkeit

Neben der fachlichen Kompetenz spielt bei dringenden SAP-Logistikproblemen ein weiterer Faktor eine zentrale Rolle: Wie schnell können erfahrene Spezialisten tatsächlich mit der Arbeit beginnen?

PG3 hat seine Organisation auf langfristige Kundenbeziehungen und die kontinuierliche Betreuung bestehender SAP-EWM-Landschaften ausgerichtet. Dadurch können planbare Tätigkeiten in Abstimmung mit den betreuten Unternehmen priorisiert und bei dringendem Bedarf Kapazitäten für zusätzliche Einsätze geschaffen werden.

Nach Angaben des Unternehmens ist es deshalb in der Regel möglich, innerhalb von ein bis zwei Wochen mit der Unterstützung bei kritischen Aufgaben zu beginnen.

"Wenn die Lieferfähigkeit oder die Produktion gefährdet ist, kann ein Unternehmen nicht monatelang auf geeignete Spezialisten warten. Dann zählt, dass erfahrene Menschen kurzfristig verfügbar sind, die Situation verstehen und gemeinsam mit dem Kunden die richtigen Prioritäten setzen", sagt Gruber.

Die kurzfristige Einsatzfähigkeit versteht PG3 dabei nicht als Gegensatz zu einer verlässlichen langfristigen Betreuung. Vielmehr ermöglicht die kontinuierliche Zusammenarbeit mit Bestandskunden eine vorausschauende Planung und abgestimmte Priorisierung.

Das eigentliche Problem: Fehlende Transparenz über Tätigkeiten und Entscheidungen

Nach Erfahrung von PG3 liegt eine wesentliche Herausforderung vieler SAP-Logistikvorhaben darin, dass Unternehmen nicht ausreichend nachvollziehen können, wie ihre tatsächlichen Lagertätigkeiten im System abgebildet werden.

Welche Entscheidung wurde aus welchem Grund getroffen? Welche Systemkonfiguration unterstützt welchen operativen Ablauf? Welche Auswirkungen hat eine Änderung auf angrenzende Tätigkeiten? Und welches Wissen bleibt im Unternehmen, wenn externe Berater das Projekt verlassen?

Fehlen auf diese Fragen klare Antworten, entstehen Abhängigkeiten und Unsicherheit.

"Ein Unternehmen muss seine eigene SAP-Logistiklandschaft verstehen und steuern können. Es darf nicht dauerhaft darauf angewiesen sein, dass einzelne externe Spezialisten wissen, warum bestimmte Dinge so funktionieren, wie sie funktionieren", erläutert Gruber.

Für PG3 bedeutet erfolgreiche Beratung deshalb mehr als die technische Umsetzung einzelner Anforderungen. Entscheidend seien nachvollziehbare Lösungsentscheidungen, überprüfbare Ergebnisse und eine systematische Sicherung des gewonnenen Wissens.

Von der kurzfristigen Problemlösung zur langfristigen Sicherheit

Diesen Ansatz verfolgt PG3 mit seiner auf den gesamten Lebenszyklus ausgerichteten Betreuung von SAP-EWM-Systemen.

Die sogenannte Lifecycle Solution verbindet die Unterstützung bei Einführung, Betrieb und Weiterentwicklung mit dem Ziel, Wissen über logistische Tätigkeiten, Systemzusammenhänge und fachliche Entscheidungen langfristig verfügbar zu halten.

So sollen Unternehmen nicht nur bei akuten Schwierigkeiten Unterstützung erhalten, sondern ihre SAP-Logistiklandschaft auch bei späteren Änderungen nachvollziehbar weiterentwickeln können.

Aus Sicht von Gruber sind dafür drei Voraussetzungen besonders wichtig:

Operatives Verständnis: Berater müssen die tatsächlichen Tätigkeiten im Lager verstehen, bevor sie technische Lösungen gestalten.

Nachvollziehbare Entscheidungen: Anforderungen müssen kritisch geprüft, Empfehlungen begründet und Ergebnisse anhand konkreter Aufgaben überprüft werden.

Gesichertes Wissen: Unternehmen müssen auch langfristig nachvollziehen können, wie ihre SAP-Logistik funktioniert und welche Auswirkungen Veränderungen haben.

Dabei müsse nicht immer der bestehende Beratungspartner ausgetauscht werden. Häufig sei es sinnvoller, vorhandene Projektteams gezielt durch erfahrene Spezialisten zu ergänzen.

Vertrauen lässt sich nicht versprechen. Es muss erarbeitet werden.

Die öffentliche Diskussion über große SAP-Transformationen sollte sich nach Ansicht von PG3 deshalb nicht allein auf Projektbudgets, technische Migrationsstrategien oder Zeitpläne konzentrieren.

Ebenso entscheidend sei, ob Unternehmen die Qualität der erbrachten Leistungen beurteilen, notwendige Entscheidungen nachvollziehen und bei kritischen Problemen rechtzeitig auf geeignete Expertise zugreifen können.

"Ein SAP-Projekt ist nicht deshalb erfolgreich, weil alle geplanten Aufgaben abgearbeitet wurden. Entscheidend ist, dass die Logistik im Alltag zuverlässig funktioniert und das Unternehmen die eigene Systemlandschaft dauerhaft im Griff behält", betont Gruber.

"Unser Anspruch ist, dass Kunden nicht einfach einem neuen Berater vertrauen müssen. Sie sollen anhand unserer Arbeit nachvollziehen können, warum sie uns vertrauen können."

Über PG3 Consulting GmbH

Die PG3 Consulting GmbH ist ein auf SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) und SAP-Logistik spezialisiertes Beratungsunternehmen.

Seit 2008 unterstützt PG3 Industrie- und Logistikunternehmen bei der Konzeption, Implementierung, Optimierung und langfristigen Betreuung komplexer SAP-Logistiklösungen.

Das Unternehmen verbindet erfahrene SAP-EWM-Spezialisten mit einem tiefen Verständnis operativer Lagertätigkeiten. Neben der Unterstützung bei anspruchsvollen Projekten und kritischen Problemstellungen liegt ein Schwerpunkt auf nachvollziehbaren Lösungen, Wissenssicherung und der kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung bestehender SAP-EWM-Landschaften.

Pressekontakt:

PG3 Consulting GmbH

Peter Gruber

https://pg3-consulting.com/

Redaktionelle Anfragen:

Poosch Consulting GmbH

redaktion@poosch-consulting.de

Original-Content von: PG3 Consulting GmbH, übermittelt durch news aktuell

"Terra X" im ZDF: Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim auf der Spur des Geschmacks

Mainz (ots)

Nach den erfolgreichen Folgen "Feuer" und "Wasser" kehrt die "Terra X"-Reihe "Chemie des Kochens" mit zwei neuen Ausgaben zurück. In den Filmen "Erde – wo Geschmack entsteht" und "Luft – die unsichtbare Zutat" geht Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim den oft übersehenen Kräften nach, die Aroma, Textur und Geschmack der Lebensmittel prägen. Zu sehen sind die Folgen von "Terra X: Chemie des Kochens" am Sonntag, 1., und Sonntag, 8. November 2026, jeweils um 19.30 Uhr im ZDF. Beide Ausgaben sind bereits im ZDF-Streaming-Portal verfügbar.

Warum duften Trüffel so intensiv? Weshalb geht Sauerteigbrot auf? Und wie entsteht die charakteristische Höhlung eines Windbeutels? Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim zeigt, dass die entscheidenden Prozesse oft dort stattfinden, wo sie nicht unmittelbar sichtbar sind: tief im Boden oder in der Luft.

Für die neuen Folgen reist Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim zu Trüffelhainen in der Toskana, Weinbergen in Österreich, in Backstuben, Brauereien und zu den Spitzenküchen Europas. Dabei erklärt sie, wie Mikroorganismen, Mineralstoffe, Gase und Wasserdampf darüber entscheiden, ob Lebensmittel ihr Aroma entfalten und Speisen gelingen. Moderne Wissenschaft trifft auf Handwerk, Landwirtschaft und Spitzengastronomie.

Mit spektakulären Makroaufnahmen, Zeitraffersequenzen und anschaulichen Animationen macht "Chemie des Kochens" unsichtbare biologische, chemische und physikalische Prozesse sichtbar. So eröffnet die Reihe einen überraschenden Blick auf die Wissenschaft hinter den täglichen Mahlzeiten.

Kontakt

Bei Fragen zur Pressemitteilung erreichen Sie Jessica Zobel telefonisch unter 06131 – 70-16293.

Sie erreichen die ZDF-Kommunikation per E-Mail unter pressedesk@zdf.de oder telefonisch unter 06131 – 70-12108.

Pressefotos

Pressefotos erhalten Sie als Download (nach Log-in), per E-Mail unter pressefoto@zdf.de oder telefonisch unter 06131 – 70-16100.

Weitere Informationen

- Die ersten beiden Folgen von "Terra X: Chemie des Kochens" sind im ZDF-Streaming-Portal zu finden.

Pressekontakt:

ZDF-Kommunikation

pressedesk@zdf.de

Folgen Sie uns gerne auch bei LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/zdf/).

Original-Content von: ZDF, übermittelt durch news aktuell