iQmetrix and Stratus HR Partner to Give Wireless Retailers a Complete, Outsourced HR Department

 New integration connects the employee lifecycle to the store – new hires, terminations, rehires, position moves, and security-role updates flow straight into the POS, with payroll, benefits, and compliance handled by Stratus HR’s certified experts.

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Stratus HR, a full-service human resources outsourcing provider, today announced a partnership with iQmetrix, the Intelligent Commerce Operating System for telecom. As a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), Stratus HR becomes the complete, outsourced HR partner for wireless retailers on iQmetrix – payroll, benefits, compliance, and on-call HR experts – so retail teams stay focused on selling and serving customers.

Fully integrated with iQmetrix, Stratus HR’s custom-built technology connects the employee lifecycle to the store: new hires, terminations, rehires, position moves, and security-role updates flow straight into the point of sale (POS), while hours flow from the retailer’s iQmetrix system into payroll – eliminating double entry and pay errors, so every paycheck is accurate and every new hire hits the floor faster. Frontline teams get enterprise-level benefits and real human support; owners and managers get time back to grow their business. The partnership is available to iQmetrix clients across the United States.

“Wireless retail runs on people, and taking care of those people shouldn’t require a retailer to become an HR expert,” said Chase Heywood, CEO of Stratus HR. “Partnering with iQmetrix means the hours and commissions retailers already track in their stores flow directly into payroll, benefits, and compliance handled by our team. iQmetrix clients get a full HR department that already speaks retail – accurate paychecks, competitive benefits, and real humans to call when something comes up. We’re excited to help their retailers spend less time on administration and more time creating great experiences for customers.”

“Great partnerships solve real problems for our clients, and this one does exactly that,” said Channing Kochylema, Director, Partner Ecosystem at iQmetrix. “We built this to solve a problem every wireless retailer knows well: HR data trapped in disconnected systems. Stratus HR closes that gap – new hires, terminations, and role changes now flow straight into RQ, no double entry, no delays. We’re excited to bring our clients a true, integrated HR department alongside their POS.”

About Stratus HR

Stratus HR is a full-service HR outsourcing and PEO provider. For over 25 years, Stratus HR has helped hundreds of clients solve problems in human resources, workers’ compensation, risk management, employee benefits, and payroll administration – all powered by custom-built HR technology and dedicated teams of certified HR professionals. Learn more at stratus.hr.

About iQmetrix

iQmetrix is the global provider of Intelligent Commerce Operating Systems for telecom. It replaces fragmented legacy stacks with a modern, modular layer that orchestrates telcos, retailers, and OEMs into one intelligent flow across channels and markets. The result is less complexity, lower cost, and the speed to move ahead.

For 26 years, we've been passionate about helping the leading brands in telecom to grow by providing best-in-class software, services, and expertise that enables them to adapt and thrive. Our solutions powered $17BN in sales last year, handling nearly 53 million invoices and more than 28 million activations, and are used by more than 370,000 telecom retail professionals across almost 1,000 clients. iQmetrix is a privately held software-as-a-service (SaaS) company with employees in Canada, the U.S., India, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.iqmetrix.com.

 

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Responsible AI for Children: IEEE Delivers a Trusted Safety Formula to Help Protect Kids Online

 With children’s AI exposure surging, IEEE Standards Association certification helps ensure AI products for kids are ethically designed, independently tested and continually accountable for safety and well-being

First product certification issued to educational platform from Greek National Centre for Scientific Research

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The IEEE Standards Association, the global, consensus-building standards development organization of IEEE – the world’s largest technical professional organization and public charity dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity – today advanced its Responsible AI for Children (RAIC) Certification Program with the first product certified for children’s online safety.

As children increasingly engage with digital and AI-enabled technologies, parents, educators, developers, and regulators want tools they can trust. IEEE’s Responsible AI for Children (RAIC) certification directly addresses these needs by translating global technical standards into a practical assessment for age-appropriate design and child safety – helping organizations prioritize children’s values, rights and well-being in their digital products and services.

“As AI becomes part of children’s everyday lives, our responsibility as technology leaders has never been greater,” said Mary Ellen Randall, 2026 IEEE President and CEO. “We must help ensure that AI systems built for children prioritize safe and supportive experiences. This certification program gives organizations a competitive advantage in demonstrating that their AI-enabled products, such as smart toys, online gaming and educational solutions, support children’s well-being and helps earn the trust of families and educators.”

IEEE’s Trust-Led Certification Program Helps Make AI Safer for Kids

The IEEE Standards Association’s RAIC certification means an AI product for kids – a smart toy, learning app or tutoring platform – has been independently tested and verified to meet concrete safety and ethics requirements. By aligning both design and assessment practices, the program supports technology companies, public institutions and educational organizations in building more trustworthy digital products for children.

Design requirements: Organizations must design with standards-based privacy protections, age-appropriate content limits and safeguards for children’s rights (as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) from the start of development, not retrofit them later.

Independent testing: IEEE-accredited assessors evaluate the finished product against the RAIC requirements before certification is awarded, comparable to how a safety label is earned for a physical toy.

Ongoing accountability: Certified organizations must continue demonstrating compliance as the product changes, rather than receiving a static, one-time review.

“Children make up a significant share of today’s online world, yet too often they are an afterthought in technology design,” said Sophia A. Muirhead, IEEE Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. “Our focus as a society must be on building trust and safety directly into the tools our children interact with every day. To do that, we need independently verified age-appropriate design standards like the Responsible AI for Children certification, helping protect young users from harm while allowing them to benefit from technology’s many advantages.”

IEEE’s certification programs leverage a global network of independent testing labs and assessors to help ensure child-focused devices and systems meet recognized standards for safety and reliability. It is an extension of IEEE’s globally recognized ethical AI program CertifAIEd™ and bridges two core IEEE standards: IEEE 2089™, which sets requirements for age-appropriate digital services, and IEEE 7000™, which guides ethical system design.

First Product Certification Awarded to NCSR Demokritos for d-AI-logue

The IEEE Standards Association also announced the first product to be certified is d-AI-logue, an innovative AI-powered educational platform developed by Greece’s National Centre for Scientific Research (NCSR) ‘Demokritos’. The platform uses Socratic dialogue, a teaching method focusing on guided questions rather than direct answers, to support students in evaluating information independently.

The certification provides independent assurance to Greek educators, schools, ministries and parents that the product has been evaluated against rigorous criteria for use with children, supporting broader trust and adoption as the platform expands into classroom pilots and educational programs.

“At NCSR Demokritos, we believe that AI systems can play a transformative role in education, but only when they are developed and deployed responsibly,” said Dr. Georgios Petasis, Researcher and d-AI-logue Coordinator, NCSR ‘Demokritos’. “We pursued the IEEE CertifAIEd Responsible AI for Children certification because independent validation is critical when creating AI systems intended for children. The certification demonstrates our commitment to trust, transparency, human oversight and educational integrity, while providing confidence to educators, policymakers and parents that d-AI-logue has been designed with the best interests of learners at its core.”

To learn more about the RAIC Certification Program or apply for product evaluation, please visit https://ieeesa.io/raic.

About IEEE Standards Association

IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) is a leading global standards-setting organization that advances technology for the benefit of humanity. Through an open, consensus-based process, IEEE SA brings together experts across industry, government, academia, and civil society to develop globally adopted standards, foster pre-standards technology incubation, conformity assessment, training and government collaboration that address socio-technical challenges, support child well-being and digital safety, and foster trust in emerging technologies. Through standards, collaboration, and innovation, IEEE SA helps shape a safer, more sustainable, and equitable world.

About IEEE

IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization and is a public charity dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is a trusted voice across fields ranging from global standards, aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at https://www.ieee.org.

 

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d.ceruto@ieee.org

 

Galderma Signs Agreement to Acquire ZO Skin Health, Strengthening Its Physician-Dispensed Skincare Offering

 ZUG, Switzerland & IRVINE, Calif. - 

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Acquisition brings together two highly complementary, science-backed skincare brands

ZO Skin Health’s premium daily multi-step regimens complement Alastin’s regenerative skincare portfolio primarily focused on peri-procedure support

Transaction expands Galderma’s Dermatological Skincare portfolio and offering in the attractive, fast-growing physician-dispensed skincare segment1

Galderma’s unique Integrated Dermatology Strategy, global scale and omni-channel execution capabilities expected to support ZO Skin Health’s next phase of growth

Acquisition of 100% of ZO Skin Health for an enterprise value of 1.5 billion USD, expected to be Core EPS neutral in the first full year following closing

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Galderma (SIX: GALD) today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire ZO® Skin Health, a leading physician-dispensed skincare brand built on clinical science and protocol-based daily care, from its shareholders, including funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities (“Blackstone”) and the Obagi family.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261013945338/en/

Founded by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi and headquartered in Irvine, California, ZO Skin Health has been a reference name in clinically-backed professional skincare for more than two decades. Its broad product portfolio, spanning over 40 products, is manufactured in the U.S. and sold through a network of more than 16,500 physician, medical spa and online accounts across more than 40 countries, supported by a dedicated salesforce and skincare education team. ZO Skin Health recorded net sales of approximately 330 million USD in the last twelve months as of June 2026.

 

“This acquisition is another important step towards building the world's most innovative dermatology portfolio, strengthening our offering in an area where we already have significant capabilities. ZO Skin Health brings strong clinical credentials, a distinctive protocol-based approach and a trusted position among dermatologists and plastic surgeons. We see significant opportunities to reignite its growth through investment in innovation and commercial reach. With our Dermatological Skincare and Injectable Aesthetic businesses, Galderma is strategically positioned to compete for and win the attractive growth opportunities in the fast-growing medical-grade skincare segment.”

 

FLEMMING ØRNSKOV, M.D., MPH

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

GALDERMA

 

Complementary portfolios with significant opportunities for growth

The acquisition enhances Galderma’s Dermatological Skincare portfolio, which includes the flagship Cetaphil® and Alastin® brands, and supports its position as a partner of choice for dermatologists, plastic surgeons and aesthetic professionals.

ZO Skin Health’s daily, regimen-based portfolio, centered on retinol- and acid-based protocols, is complementary to Alastin’s highly differentiated peptide-based regenerative pre- and post-procedure offering. Together, the brands will enable Galderma to better serve healthcare professionals and their patients.

Through its Integrated Dermatology Strategy and global presence, Galderma has a proven track record of supporting innovative, science-led brands with research and development, skincare education, commercial capabilities and geographic expansion. The transaction underscores Galderma’s continued commitment to investing in both internal and external opportunities that strengthen its portfolio and support the company’s long-term growth.

 

“Galderma is an organization I have long admired for its complete dedication to dermatology and its partnership with healthcare professionals around the world. ZO Skin Health has been my life's work, and I could not be prouder to see it join a company that shares our commitment to science and the providers who trust us every day. I am confident we have found a home where our philosophy will endure and grow for the benefit of dermatologists, plastic surgeons, aestheticians and the patients we serve.”

 

DR. ZEIN OBAGI

FOUNDER AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR

ZO SKIN HEALTH

 

Galderma will acquire 100% of ZO Skin Health for an enterprise value of 1.5 billion USD in an all-cash transaction, subject to customary adjustments, and will be funded through a combination of existing cash reserves and bank financing. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 or early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Consistent with its proven value creation focus, Galderma plans to increase commercial investment during the first year of ownership to strengthen the foundation for renewed growth beginning in the second year following closing. The transaction is expected to be slightly dilutive to the Group’s Core EBITDA margin in 2027 and to achieve a margin broadly comparable with the Group’s average from 2028 onwards. The acquisition is expected to be Core EPS neutral in the first full year following closing and to be in-line with Galderma’s commitment to a solid investment grade credit rating. Lazard is acting as lead financial advisor, JP Morgan is acting as a financial advisor, and Ropes & Gray LLP is acting as legal advisor to Galderma. Raymond James is acting as lead financial advisor, Citi is acting as a financial advisor, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Paul Weiss are acting as legal counsel to ZO Skin Health and Blackstone.

 

“We are proud to have partnered with Dr. Obagi and the ZO Skin Health team during an important period of growth when the company more than doubled its revenue. We thank them for their dedication, and are confident ZO Skin Health is well positioned to continue advancing its mission moving forward together with Galderma.”

 

SHARY MOALEMZADEH

SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR

BLACKSTONE

 

About Galderma

Galderma (SIX: GALD) is the pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body’s largest organ – the skin – meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. For more information: www.galderma.com.

About ZO® Skin Health

ZO® Skin Health develops and delivers innovative skincare solutions that optimize skin health based on the latest advances in skin therapy technologies, unique delivery systems, bioengineered complexes and exclusive formulations. By providing comprehensive skincare programs for physicians and their patients, ZO bridges the gap between therapeutic treatments and daily care, allowing patients to experience continuously healthy skin regardless of their age, ethnicity or unique skin condition. For more information, visit www.zoskinhealth.com.

About Blackstone

Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which the firm invests. Blackstone’s over $1.3 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, credit, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

Reference:

Kline + Company. Medical Dispensing Skin Care: Global Screening Assessment, Base year:2-25. Published March 2026

 

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For further information:

Galderma

Christian Marcoux, M.Sc.

Chief Communications Officer

christian.marcoux@galderma.com

+41 76 315 26 50

Richard Harbinson

Corporate Communications Director

richard.harbinson@galderma.com

+41 76 210 60 62

Emil Ivanov

Head of Strategy, Investor Relations, and ESG

emil.ivanov@galderma.com

+41 21 642 78 12

Jessica Cohen

Investor Relations and Strategy Director

jessica.cohen@galderma.com

+41 21 642 76 43

Blackstone

Matt Anderson

SMD, Public Affairs, Blackstone

Matthew.Anderson@Blackstone.com

Hallie Dewey

SVP, Public Affairs, Blackstone

Hallie.Dewey@Blackstone.com

New Study Brings Ketogenic Therapy for Bipolar Disorder Directly to Rural Alabama Homes

 SAN MATEO, Calif. - Wednesday, 14. October 2026 AETOSWire  

Leveraging Alabama’s agricultural strength, a new Baszucki Group-funded pilot study uses food bank delivery to expand metabolic psychiatry research into resource-poor rural areas

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Baszucki Group today announced funding for a clinical study to examine the impact of ketogenic therapy on people living with bipolar disorder in rural Central Alabama. This study, led by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine Montgomery Regional Campus, will partner with Heart of Alabama Food Bank (HAFB), sourcing Alabama-raised meats and produce to introduce metabolic psychiatry to a region characterized by a high prevalence of serious mental illness and severe shortages in psychiatric care.

Recent clinical trials have suggested that ketogenic therapy, which relies on a high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carb diet to shift how the body uses energy, may provide metabolic and psychiatric benefits for people with serious mental illnesses. The new trial provides a way to evaluate the therapy’s effect in an underserved population. Through an innovative collaboration, researchers will leverage HAFB’s established food distribution network to deliver ketogenic food boxes directly to participants’ homes.

The six-month trial will evaluate both the psychiatric and metabolic effects of ketogenic therapy alongside existing treatment modalities. Researchers plan to enroll up to 100 participants across four arms, including cohorts taking oral or long-acting injectable (LAI) mood-stabilizing medications.

“Our study addresses a stark reality: rural areas such as ours face a massive demand for mental health care and limited access to specialty services. Many individuals living with serious mental illness encounter financial, geographic, and other barriers to treatment, and some go without needed care. This study is designed to evaluate whether a community-based approach can help expand access to a promising intervention,” said lead investigator Will Rutland, MD, JD, MPH, Assistant Professor and Regional Chair of Psychiatry at UAB Montgomery.

To ensure participants can successfully maintain the dietary protocol, the study partners with both HAFB and Hatch, a nutrition-focused nonprofit organization, to source food that is consistent with a ketogenic diet.

“We know that access to nutritious food plays an important role in overall health, yet that access can be especially challenging for families in rural communities,” said John Lucas Jr., Interim CEO of Heart of Alabama Food Bank. “This partnership allows us to build on our existing food distribution network to support innovative research while helping remove food access barriers for participants. We’re proud to work alongside UAB to explore how food and nutrition can play a greater role in improving health outcomes.”

To lower other practical barriers to dietary change, study dietitians will provide individualized guidance on food preparation and meal planning. Secondary outcomes will track healthcare utilization markers, including hospital admissions and emergency department visits.

“This study reflects something we deeply believe: that the communities with the greatest need should have access to the most promising treatments,” said Julie Milder, PhD, Director of Neuroscience at Baszucki Group. “Dr. Rutland and his team are proposing a model that takes equity seriously — using existing community infrastructure to conduct rigorous research within a population that is historically underrepresented in clinical research.”

About Baszucki Group

Launched in 2021 by Roblox founder and Chief Executive Officer David Baszucki and best-selling author Jan Ellison Baszucki, Baszucki Group leverages grantmaking, impact investing, advocacy, storytelling, and community building to drive foundational change in science, medicine, farming, food, and environmental ecosystems. A primary focus of Baszucki Group is supporting initiatives at the intersection of metabolism, psychiatry, and neuroscience with the goal of improving mental health outcomes. To learn more about metabolic approaches to mental disorders and brain health, including ketogenic therapy, visit Metabolic Mind, a nonprofit initiative of Baszucki Group.

 

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Toluna Appoints Amy Fenton as Chief Executive Officer

 

LONDON - 

Appointment completes the planned succession announced on October 8, 2026. Founder Frédéric Charles Petit continues as Board member, Senior Advisor and Shareholder.

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toluna, a global leader in consumer insights and market research technology, today announces the appointment of Amy Fenton as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 15, 2026. Ms. Fenton succeeds Frédéric Charles Petit, who founded Toluna and has led the company for 25 years.

The appointment concludes the structured succession process announced on October 8, 2026, led by the Board in close consultation with Mr. Petit and supported by a leading executive search firm.

Ms. Fenton brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the insights and analytics industry. She joins Toluna from MarketCast, where she served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, after leading the company’s operations, insights, and analytics. Before MarketCast, she was Chief Client Officer, North America at Kantar and Chief Client Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, North America at Ipsos. Earlier, she spent 25 years at Nielsen in global and regional leadership roles across North America, Europe and Latin America after starting her career at Procter & Gamble.

“The Board set out to find a leader who combines deep knowledge of the insights industry and its clients with hands-on experience of transforming a research business through technology and AI, and Amy is that leader,” said Bruce Haymes, Chairman of Toluna. “She joins a company with a strong platform, a talented team and a clear strategy, and she has the Board’s full confidence to lead Toluna into its next phase of growth.”

“I'm excited to be joining Toluna at such a pivotal moment in the industry,” said Ms. Fenton. “Toluna already brings together a global community of millions of consumers, a technology platform that drives actionable intelligence at scale, and AI at work across both. That combination positions Toluna to lead clients to smarter, faster decision-making. We will accelerate from here, harnessing human insight and AI to deliver predictive intelligence that gives clients confidence in real-time decisions. Frédéric and the team have built exceptional foundations over 25 years. My first priority is to spend time with our clients and our world-class team to understand the decisions that matter most to clients, and to make Toluna indispensable to them. I am grateful to the Board for its confidence, and to Frédéric for his partnership through the handover.”

“When I said this was the right moment for new leadership, I hoped we would find a leader like Amy,” said Mr. Petit. “She has spent more than 30 years in our industry, close to its clients, and she understands what makes Toluna different. I look forward to supporting her and the team as a Board member, advisor and shareholder.”

Mr. Petit and Ms. Fenton worked together through a defined handover to ensure Toluna’s strategy, client commitments, and day-to-day operations continue without disruption.

About Amy Fenton

Amy Fenton has more than 30 years of experience in the insights and analytics industry. Before joining Toluna, she was Chief Executive Officer and a Board member of MarketCast, following roles there as Chief Operations and Analytics Officer and Chief Insights & Analytics Officer. She previously served as Chief Client Officer, North America at Kantar and as Chief Client Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, North America at Ipsos, and spent 25 years at Nielsen, where her roles included SVP, Global Corporate Buy Strategy; Managing Director, Global Unilever Business; and SVP, BASES and Custom Research, North America. She has served on the Board of Trustees of the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) since 2021, holds a BSBA in Marketing from Xavier University and a degree in Strategy from Harvard Business School Executive Education.

About Toluna

Toluna is a global insights leader that equips brands with trusted consumer intelligence that keeps them one step ahead, delivering insights at the speed they need without sacrificing the confidence their decisions require. For over two decades, Toluna has helped organizations of every size increase their impact through deep research expertise and advanced technology.

Toluna’s consumer panel, 80 million people strong, is now augmented by a fully synthetic panel, extending its reach to audiences and questions beyond the scope of traditional methods and delivering limitless insights. A leader in AI-driven research with a consistent presence among GRIT’s most innovative suppliers, Toluna serves clients in more than 75 markets and is recognized worldwide for both the quality and speed of its research.

 

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Lenovo Earns Multiple Leader Positions and Rising Star Designation in 2026 Future of Work Evaluations by Information Services Group

 ISG evaluations across the U.S., U.K. and Germany recognize Lenovo Digital Workplace Solutions for combining AI, devices and lifecycle services to transform how enterprises support employees and manage workplace technology

Research highlights how the Lenovo xIQ Digital Workplace Platform uses insights from hundreds of millions of devices to personalize employee experiences and shift IT support from reaction to prevention

ISG cites 20% total cost of ownership savings in one global customer engagement where Lenovo supported 80,000 devices1

 

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- As AI reshapes the digital workplace, enterprises are under growing pressure to improve employee productivity while reducing the complexity of IT operations and controlling costs. Independent research by Information Services Group (ISG) shows that organizations are addressing these demands with Lenovo Digital Workplace Solutions (DWS), applying one integrated approach to transform how IT teams manage everything from devices and lifecycle services to enabling more automated, AI-powered support experiences. With DWS, organizations around the world are moving beyond fragmented, reactive support models, helping prevent or resolve issues earlier to reduce employee disruption, and simplifying operations that can scale as business needs grow.

This approach to delivering measurable outcomes for enterprise customers was recognized by ISG, a leading global technology research and advisory firm, earning Lenovo multiple Leader positions and a Rising Star designation in the 2026 ISG Provider Lens® Future of Work Services evaluations. In one customer transformation cited, Lenovo helped a global consumer goods company modernize its estate of more than 80,000 devices around the world. The engagement delivered 20% total cost of ownership savings, demonstrating the business value of integrating device management with workplace services at scale1.

“AI is transforming the workplace into a more intelligent, connected experience. As organizations prepare for greater human + AI collaboration, they need to reduce disruptions and improve productivity while making workplace technology easier to manage and more proactive,” said Rakshit Ghura, Vice President and General Manager, Digital Workplace Solutions, Lenovo. “We’re proud to have ISG’s recognition that reflects the results Lenovo is helping customers achieve to simplify IT operations, control costs with greater predictability, and deliver better overall workplace experiences for employees at enterprise scale.”

ISG Provider Lens® research evaluates providers based on strategy, innovation, execution, portfolio, customer experience and market competitiveness.

2026 ISG Provider Lens® Future of Work Services Recognition

Leader – Digital Workplace Operations & Support Services, Large Account (Germany). Read the full Germany Quadrant report here.

Leader – Digital Workplace Operations & Support Services, Mid-Market (U.S.). Read the full U.S. Quadrant report here.

Leader – Smart & Sustainable Workplace Services (U.K.)

Rising Star – Digital Workplace Operations & Support Services, Large Account (U.K.). Read the full U.K. Quadrant report here.

Across the evaluations, ISG identified strengths that support customer outcomes. For example, customers are reducing employee disruption and support-team demands with the Lenovo xIQ Digital Workplace Platform. With continuous analysis of device telemetry data, user interactions and support histories, customers can detect emerging risks and act in real-time with automated remediation before issues interrupt work. ISG also highlighted Lenovo’s use of persona intelligence to help organizations tailor devices, applications and support models based on specific roles and workstyles to keep employees productive.

Organizations are also leveraging Lenovo Service Desk for AI-powered, conversational self-service, ticket routing and agent assistance to resolve issues faster and free service desk teams for higher-value activities. To simplify workplace modernization and improve cost predictability, customers use TruScale Device as a Service (DaaS) to replace capital-intensive refresh cycles with a subscription-based approach that streamlines device lifecycle management and makes workplace technology easier to scale.

According to ISG, “Lenovo was recognized as a Leader in U.S., U.K. and Germany Future of Work Services for its TruScale workplace services, AI-ready endpoint strategy and xIQ Digital Workplace Platform. By combining lifecycle management, analytics-driven operations and ecosystem partnerships, Lenovo is well positioned to deliver scalable, experience-centric workplace outcomes.”

ISG also recognized Lenovo as a Leader for embedding sustainability into workplace operations rather than treating it as a separate initiative. By connecting procurement and deployment with device use, recovery and reporting, Lenovo helps customers advance workplace technology and sustainability goals together.

In addition to its Leader quadrant positions in Digital Workplace Operations & Support Services and Smart & Sustainable Workplace Services, Lenovo was named one of only two Rising Stars in Future of Work Services for large accounts in the U.K., reflecting the company's growing market momentum, innovation and continued investment in digital workplace services.

For more information about ISG Provider Lens® evaluations, visit here.

For more information about Lenovo Digital Workplace Solutions, visit here.

1Results will vary based on each customer’s environment and scope of services.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$83 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #153 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Guided by its vision of “Smarter Technology for All”, Lenovo is executing a Hybrid AI strategy that spans Personal AI – one personal AI, multiple devices; and Enterprise AI – helping customers turn data into insights and value. This strategy is delivered through the Group’s commitment to world-class innovation and a full-stack AI portfolio, including devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets, accessories), infrastructure solutions (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), as well as software, solutions, and services. With a global footprint spanning more than 20 research and development locations and a global supply chain that includes more than 30 manufacturing sites across 11 markets, Lenovo is widely recognized for its operational excellence. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). Learn more at www.lenovo.com and follow the latest news in our newsroom.

Lenovo, TruScale and xIQ are trademarks of Lenovo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2026 Lenovo Group Limited. All rights reserved.

 

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Lenovo Uncovers What Happens When Entrepreneurs Look Beyond Borders for Support

 New documentary series follows small business founders from around the world as unexpected connections and technology spark fresh ideas, new approaches to business challenges and opportunities for growth

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, Lenovo debuts the first episode of its new documentary series from Backing Every Business, its global initiative designed to connect small businesses with the people, technology and support they need to grow and thrive. The series features five businesses participating in Twinning, Lenovo’s program that brings small business founders from around the world together, connecting them through mentorship across shared growth goals, access to resources including technology, AI training, funding designed to help address real business challenges and turn new ideas into action.

The four-part series follows entrepreneurs from Japan, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S. as they step inside one another’s businesses, experience unfamiliar industries and cultures and share the knowledge they have gained from building their own businesses. A meeting between strangers evolves into relationships built around common challenges. This is paired with complementary expertise and the recognition that the answer to a business problem does not always come from within the same industry or local community.

Three businesses, three industries and an unexpected connection

The series begins in Japan, where Ryoji of Chinou Robotics meets David of Rhino Roofers and Hailey of VacayIt, two U.S.-based entrepreneurs. Ryoji’s work in robotics was propelled by the devastation he witnessed following the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (Great Hanshin Earthquake) and a desire to develop technology that could help people in dangerous situations. David understands risk from another perspective: in roofing, safety can be a matter of life and death, while Hailey built VacayIt around removing a different kind of barrier, making travel safer and more accessible for people with disabilities.

In Episode 1, available October 14, David and Hailey travel from the U.S. to Japan to meet Ryoji and experience Chinou Robotics firsthand. Although the three work across robotics, construction and accessible travel, they discover a common thread: each has built a business around solving problems that affect people’s safety, independence and everyday lives.

Their collaboration deepens in Episode 2, available October 15. Ryoji introduces David to Chinou’s autonomous robots, sparking new thinking about how technology could help address safety challenges in roofing. David, in turn, brings his own business experience to conversations about Chinou’s growth ambitions and Hailey explores how AI-powered tools could help create greater opportunities for people with disabilities in the workforce.

"I thought where's the connection between what I do on roofs and robotics and I struggled with it for a couple days and then it finally hit me: it's about safety," said David Villarreal, owner of Rhino Roofers. "Crews go twenty-six stories up in the air; when you've got 60mph winds, it's super dangerous. There's equipment that we use now for welding seams together on a roof, could we make that more autonomous? I talked to [Ryoji] about it and by that next morning, he had it sketched out. This [idea] isn't just cool for the business, but it's saving people's lives."

“There is no one-size-fits-all path to growing a small business and support has to reflect that,” said Emily Ketchen, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets, Lenovo. “What we’ve seen through Backing Every Business is that technology can be incredibly powerful, but so can the knowledge and experience of another entrepreneur who has faced a similar challenge, brings a completely different perspective or simply understands what it takes to build a business. By bringing smarter technology, human experience and connection together, we want to give entrepreneurs more ways to find the support they need to solve problems, pursue new opportunities and grow their businesses.”

A shared language, spoken through food

The series then turns to another Twinning connection, bringing together food entrepreneurs from Mexico and Northern Ireland whose businesses are rooted in culture, community and a love of food.

In Episode 3, available October 19, Mario and Alexandra of Mi Tierra travel from Mexico to Northern Ireland to meet Geri of Chocolate Manor. Thousands of miles and different cultures separate the entrepreneurs, but their shared passion for food creates an immediate connection.

In Episode 4, available October 21, Geri uses cooking to reconnect Mario and Alexandra with their roots. Mario and Alexandra return the favor by bringing a fresh perspective to Geri’s business, exploring how the right technology could help her address an important gap in her booking system and create new opportunities for growth.

"When the price of your raw ingredient - the thing you have built your entire business around - goes up by 30% and then another 40% on top of that...I remember thinking, 'I don't know if we're actually going to get through this,' and I did really struggle," said Geri Martin, owner of Chocolate Manor. "I've learned so much from [Mario and Alexandra] and am so excited about my business again."

From shared problems to shared progress

Together, the experiences of these businesses - Chinou Robotics, Chocolate Manor, Mi Tierra, Rhino Roofers and VacayIt - put the central belief behind Backing Every Business, “a problem shared is a problem halved,” into action. Despite differences in industry, culture and geography, entrepreneurs often face similar challenges and having access to the right support, perspectives and shared experience can help them see those challenges differently and find new ways forward.

For Lenovo, the Twinning program reflects a broader approach to supporting small businesses: combining the company’s global reach and technology expertise with something equally important, access to people, perspectives and experiences that entrepreneurs may not otherwise encounter. Despite differences in industry, culture and geography, small businesses often face common challenges. Connecting them across those boundaries can help founders see those challenges differently, while technology can help them put new ideas into practice.

Episodes of the Backing Every Business documentary series will debut on October 14, 15, 19 and 21. The complete documentary will be available on October 29.

To watch the series and learn more about Lenovo Backing Every Business visit www.lenovo.com/backing-every-business.

Statements from participating entrepreneurs reflect their individual views and experiences. References to any potential benefits or outcomes discussed in connection with concepts explored through the Twinning program have not been independently validated by Lenovo.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$83 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #153 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Guided by its vision of “Smarter Technology for All”, Lenovo is executing a Hybrid AI strategy that spans Personal AI – one personal AI, multiple devices; and Enterprise AI – helping customers turn data into insights and value. This strategy is delivered through the Group’s commitment to world-class innovation and a full-stack AI portfolio, including devices, infrastructure solutions, software, solutions, and services. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). Learn more at www.lenovo.com and follow the latest news in our newsroom.

LENOVO is a trademark of Lenovo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2026 Lenovo Group Limited. All rights reserved.

 

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Pedro Chen

Pchen25@lenovo.com