Market Newsdesk

December 18, 2020 9:03 am

COVID-19 Pandemic Pushes U.S. Enterprises to the Cloud

ISG Provider Lens™ report sees U.S. companies looking to service providers to assist them with a range of AWS-related functions

STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Adoption of cloud-based IT has increased dramatically in the U.S. after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with enterprises turning to service providers to help them move workloads to hyperscale providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to a new report published today by Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a leading global technology research and advisory firm.

The 2020 ISG Provider Lens™ AWS – Ecosystem Partners Report for the U.S. finds pandemic-related disruptions in workforces, in supplier and customer relationships, and in business operations have accelerated digital transformation efforts overall, including cloud adoption.

“The core goal for many enterprises in 2020 has been ‘more digital, more quickly,’” said Jan Erik Aase, director and global leader, ISG Provider Lens Research. “The scale of cloud adoption and use witnessed before 2020 is relatively minor compared to what most enterprises and providers are now experiencing.”

According to the latest ISG Index™, global annual contract value (ACV) for the cloud-based as-a-service market—including both infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and software-as-a-service (SaaS)—was up nearly 15 percent, to $24.4 billion, in the first nine months of 2020. The bulk of the growth came from IaaS, up nearly 20 percent, to $17.8 billion. In the Americas, as-a-service ACV was up 40 percent, to $13.3 billion, during the same period, with IaaS up 58 percent, to $8.9 billion.

In the past, the ISG Provider Lens report notes, many U.S. enterprises kept their large-scale, complex and customized enterprise software environments partially on premises, but the pandemic has pushed them toward moving most of their applications and databases onto AWS and other hyperscale platforms. The broad availability of affordable and adaptable container technologies such as Kubernetes and Docker have accelerated this move to the cloud.

The report also finds many AWS service providers moving beyond helping their customers adopt cloud technologies to helping them refine their digital business strategies, with a focus on improved business outcomes. These consulting engagements are leading to customer interest in change management, design thinking and DevOps.

In addition, U.S. enterprises are increasingly focused on data analytics and machine learning, as their work-from-anywhere environments are spurring a huge wave of data discovery, the report says. Business leaders are beginning to pay attention to what data exists across all parts of the enterprise, instead of in specific functional areas. With this new holistic focus on enterprise data, including data generated by a growing range of IoT devices, enterprises are seeking AWS service providers that can help them with data analytics.

Meanwhile, managed services providers for AWS are rapidly expanding into areas traditionally dominated by systems integrators, the report adds. The pandemic’s impact on cloud adoption and integration requirements has pushed MSPs into new areas, such as integration and security.

The 2020 ISG Provider Lens™ AWS – Ecosystem Partners Report for the U.S. evaluates the capabilities of 65 providers across six quadrants: Consulting Services Providers, Data Analytics and Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Migration and Container Solutions, Managed Services Providers, and SAP Workloads.

The report names Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte and Wipro as leaders in all six quadrants and DXC Technology and Infosys as leaders in five. IBM, Rackspace Technology and TCS are named leaders in four quadrants, and Tech Mahindra is named a leader in three. HCL and Hexaware are named leaders in two quadrants, and HPE, LTI, Mindtree, Mphasis, NTT DATA, PwC and Virtusa were named leaders in one.

In addition, LTI was named a Rising Star—companies with “promising portfolios” and “high future potential” by ISG’s definition—in three quadrants. Virtusa was named a Rising Star in two quadrants, and 2nd Watch, DXC Technology, Lemongrass Consulting, Mphasis and Tech Mahindra were named Rising Stars in one.

Customized versions of the report are available from Hexaware, Mphasis, Tech Mahindra and TO THE NEW.

The 2020 ISG Provider Lens™ AWS – Ecosystem Partners Report for the U.S. is available to subscribers or for one-time purchase on this webpage.

About ISG Provider Lens™ Research

The ISG Provider Lens™ Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG’s global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG’s enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services globally, across Europe and Latin America, as well as in the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, the U.K., France, the Nordics, Brazil and Australia/New Zealand, with additional markets to be added in the future. For more information about ISG Provider Lens research, please visit this webpage.

A companion research series, the ISG Provider Lens Archetype reports, offer a first-of-its-kind evaluation of providers from the perspective of specific buyer types.

Starting this year, each ISG Provider Lens™ study will include a Global Summary to help enterprise subscribers better understand provider capabilities across all geographic markets covered by that study. All ISG Provider Lens™ reports also will now include an Enterprise Context feature to help executives quickly identify key insights related to their roles and responsibilities.

About ISG

ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq: III) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 700 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs more than 1,300 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For more information, visit www.isg-one.com.

# # #

Will Thoretz
Information Services Group, Inc. 
+1 203 517 3119
[email protected]

Jim Baptiste
Matter Communications for ISG
+1 978 518 4527
[email protected]

December 18, 2020 9:03 am

Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV Announces Overwhelming Support for Its Announced Business Combination With Canoo; Cash Proceeds to Exceed $625 Million Following Transaction Closing

– Over $625 million of proceeds raised in the transaction will support the production and launch of electric vehicles (EV) featuring Canoo’s advanced EV platform technology –

– 99.97% of Public Shareholders Elected to retain GOEV stock –

– Shareholders Are Reminded to Vote in Favor of the Business Combination –

NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV (NASDAQ: HCAC, HCACW, HCACU) (“HCAC”) today announced that, as of the deadline for redemption elections in connection with the pending business combination (the “Business Combination”) with Canoo Holdings Ltd. (“Canoo”), over 99.97% (or approximately $306 million) of funds will remain in HCAC’s trust account as of closing. As a result, over $625 million of proceeds will be available upon the closing of the Business Combination.

Tony Aquila, Executive Chairman of Canoo commented, “We are grateful to investors for supporting our vision. With more than $625 million available to us upon close of the transaction, we have adequate resources to execute our go-to-market strategy. We will bring consumers and businesses what they need to enjoy the full benefits of our multi-purpose EV platform.”

Daniel J. Hennessy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCAC added, “This transaction has enabled Canoo to accelerate key initiatives, including its B2B (business to business) multi-purpose delivery vehicle which it revealed yesterday. This important B2B vehicle targets a huge addressable market and represents a compelling opportunity for investors in this category.”

HCAC’s stockholders of record at the close of business on October 27, 2020 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to vote the shares of common stock of HCAC owned by them at the special meeting of HCAC stockholders on December 21, 2020 (the “Special Meeting”) to approve the Business Combination. In connection with the Business Combination, HCAC filed its registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-248923) (as amended, the “Registration Statement”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which includes the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on December 4, 2020, and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and proxy card were mailed shortly thereafter to HCAC’s stockholders of record as of the Record Date. If any of HCAC’s stockholders have not received the Proxy Statement, such stockholder should confirm their proxy’s status with their broker, or call HCAC’s proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, at (800) 662-5200 for help (banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400).

The Business Combination is expected to close as soon as practicable after the Special Meeting, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable closing conditions. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the combined company will be renamed “Canoo Inc.” and its common stock and warrants will trade on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbols “GOEV” and “GOEVW,” respectively.

About Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV

Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV is a special purpose acquisition company (or SPAC) which raised $300 million in its IPO in March 2019 and is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ: HCAC, HCACU, HCACW). HCAC was founded by Daniel J. Hennessy to pursue an initial business combination, with a specific focus on businesses in the industrial, technology and infrastructure sectors. For more information, please visit www.hennessycapllc.com.

About Canoo

Canoo is a Los Angeles-based company that has developed breakthrough electric vehicles that are reinventing the automotive landscape with bold innovations in design, pioneering technologies, and a unique business model that defies traditional ownership to put customers first. Distinguished by its experienced team – totaling over 350 employees from leading technology and automotive companies – Canoo has designed a modular platform purpose-built to deliver maximum vehicle interior space and adaptable to support a wide range of vehicle applications for consumers and businesses.

For more information, please visit www.canoo.com.

For Canoo press materials, including photos, please visit press.canoo.com.

For investors, please visit investors.canoo.com.

Additional Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It

In connection with the Business Combination, HCAC filed the Registration Statement with the SEC, which includes the definitive proxy statement to be distributed to holders of HCAC’s common stock in connection with HCAC’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by HCAC’s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement and a prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to the equity holders of Canoo in connection with the Business Combination. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on December 4, 2020 and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents have been mailed to HCAC’s stockholders as of the Record Date. HCAC’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the definitive proxy statement / prospectus, in connection with HCAC’s solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting to be held to approve, among other things, the Business Combination, because these documents contain important information about HCAC, Canoo and the Business Combination. Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the Business Combination and other documents filed with the SEC by HCAC, without charge, at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Nicholas A. Petruska, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, 3415 N. Pines Way, Suite 204, Wilson, Wyoming 83014 or by telephone at (307) 201-1903.

Participants in the Solicitation

HCAC, Canoo and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from HCAC’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of HCAC’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination, including a description of their direct and indirect interests, is set forth in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC. You can find more information about HCAC’s directors and executive officers in the Registration Statement. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and market share, expectations and timing related to commercial product launches, ability to accelerate Canoo’s go-to-market strategy and capitalize on commercial opportunities, potential benefits of the transaction and the potential success of Canoo’s go-to-market strategy, and expectations related to the terms and timing of completing the transaction. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Canoo’s and HCAC’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Canoo and HCAC. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the Business Combination, including the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Business Combination or that the approval of the stockholders of HCAC or Canoo is not obtained; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Canoo; risks related to the rollout of Canoo’s business and the timing of expected business milestones and commercial launch; risks related to future market adoption of Canoo’s offerings; risks related to Canoo’s go-to-market strategy and subscription business model; the effects of competition on Canoo’s future business; the amount of redemption requests made by HCAC’s public stockholders; the ability of HCAC or the combined company to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the Business Combination or in the future, and those factors discussed in HCAC’s final prospectus filed on March 4, 2019, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 and the Registration Statement, and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, in each case, under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents of HCAC filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither HCAC nor Canoo presently know or that HCAC and Canoo currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect HCAC’s and Canoo’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. HCAC and Canoo anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause HCAC’s and Canoo’s assessments to change. However, while HCAC and Canoo may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, HCAC and Canoo specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing HCAC’s and Canoo’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

Contacts

For Canoo / Media Relations

Stacy Morris
[email protected]

Investor Relations

Mike Callahan / Tom Cook
[email protected]

December 18, 2020 8:59 am

Granite REIT Completes Offering of C$500 Million 2.378% Senior Debentures Due 2030

Granite REIT Completes Offering of C$500 Million 2.378% Senior Debentures Due 2030

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (“Granite” or the “REIT”) (TSX: GRT.UN / NYSE: GRP.U) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Granite REIT Holdings Limited Partnership (“Granite LP”) has completed its previously announced offering (the “Offering”) of C$500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.378% Series 5 senior unsecured debentures due December 18, 2030 (the “Debentures”). The Debentures are guaranteed by Granite and Granite REIT Inc.

Through a cross currency interest rate swap, Granite LP has exchanged the Canadian dollar denominated principal and interest payments for Euro denominated payments, resulting in an effective fixed interest rate of 1.045% for the ten-year term of the Debentures.

The Debentures were offered on an agency basis by a syndicate of agents co-led by BMO Capital Markets and Scotia Capital. DBRS Morningstar and Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. have provided Granite LP with credit ratings of “BBB” with a stable trend, and “Baa2” with a stable outlook, respectively, relating to the Debentures. The Debentures were sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated December 4, 2020 to Granite LP’s amended and restated base shelf prospectus dated November 26, 2020.

Granite LP intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to refinance existing debt, including the redemption of its Series 2 Senior Debentures due 2021, and for general corporate purposes.

ABOUT GRANITE

Granite is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of logistics, warehouse and industrial properties in North America and Europe. Granite owns over 110 investment properties representing approximately 47 million square feet of leasable area.

OTHER INFORMATION

Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents about Granite are available through the internet on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at www.sedar.com and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) which can be accessed at www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, and securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

For further information, please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact Teresa Neto, Chief Financial Officer, at 647-925-7560 or Andrea Sanelli, Manager, Legal & Investor Services, at 647-925-7504.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information may include, among others, the use of the net proceeds of the Offering including the redemption of Granite LP’s Series 2 Senior Debentures due 2021 and Granite’s plans, goals, strategies, intentions, beliefs, estimates, costs, objectives, economic performance, expectations, or foresight or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “likely”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “project”, “estimate”, “seek”, “objective” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of the use of the net proceeds of the Offering including the redemption of Granite LP’s Series 2 Senior Debentures due 2021, or other events, performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or the times at or by which future events or performance will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on information available at the time and/or management’s good faith assumptions and analyses made in light of its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond Granite’s control, that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth in the annual information form of Granite Real Estate Investment Trust and Granite REIT Inc. dated March 4, 2020 (the “Annual Information Form”) and management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial position for the three months ended September 30, 2020 (“Q3 MD&A”). The “Risk Factors” section of the Annual Information Form and the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of the Q3 MD&A also contain information about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information speak only as of the date the statements and information were made and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Granite expressly disclaims any intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201218005384/en/

Teresa Neto

Chief Financial Officer

647-925-7560

Andrea Sanelli

Manager, Legal & Investor Services

647-925-7504.

KEYWORDS: North America Canada

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: REIT Finance Banking Professional Services Construction & Property

MEDIA:

December 18, 2020 8:59 am

Four American Public University System Graduate Students and Alumni Named Presidential Management Fellowship Finalists for 2021

PR Newswire

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — American Public University System (APUS) today announced that four master’s-level students and alumni of American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU) have been named Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) Finalists for the Class of 2021. Since 2011, nearly 60 APUS alumni have achieved this status in the highly competitive, government-run fellowship.

“APUS takes great pride in playing an important role in developing the leaders of tomorrow within the United States federal government,” said APUS Provost Dr. Vernon C. Smith. “It’s meaningful validation that we have had solid representation in this prestigious program for the last decade.”

The 2021 APUS finalists are (with degree programs included):

Joshua Baker, Master of Science in Environmental Policy Studies
Rebecca J. Bryson, Master of Public Administration/Management
Benjamin Kenyon, Master of Business Administration
Marsha D. Reveal, Master of Science in Conflict Analysis/Resolution

Run by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the two-year paid fellowship program selects highly qualified candidates to develop a cadre of future government leaders. An estimated 8,000 applicants have applied each year since it was established in 1977; under 10 percent of applicants were named Finalists in 2019.

Past APUS finalists have subsequently secured fellowships at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Each APUS candidate can receive continued mentoring and coaching support through the University’s Career Services Department.

The PMF program has placed fellows at 50 government agencies in roles that help them develop into strategic thinking problem-solvers. Fellows are also given extensive training opportunities.

About American Public University System
American Public University System, recipient of the Online Learning Consortium’s (OLC) Gomory Award for Quality Online Education and five-time recipient of OLC’s Effective Practice Award, offers more than 200 online degree and certificate programs through American Public University and American Military University, the #1 provider of education to the U.S. military* and the top university nationwide for veterans using their GI Bill benefit** (based on student enrollment data). Over 100,000 alumni worldwide have benefited from APUS’s inclusive, relevant curriculum and flexible online delivery model. For more information, visit www.apus.edu.

*Based on FY 2019 DoD tuition assistance data, as reported by Military Times, 2020.
**Based on FY 2019 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data, as reported by Military Times, 2020.

CONTACT

Frank Tutalo

Director of Public Relations
571-358-3042
[email protected]

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/four-american-public-university-system-graduate-students-and-alumni-named-presidential-management-fellowship-finalists-for-2021-301195949.html

SOURCE American Public University System

December 18, 2020 8:58 am

Guidewire Named Best-in-Class in the Aite Matrix: 2020 U.S. P&C Core Systems Evaluation Report

Guidewire Named Best-in-Class in the Aite Matrix: 2020 U.S. P&C Core Systems Evaluation Report

Company also recognized as a leader for its client strength and product features

SAN MATEO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE: GWRE), the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently, today announced that Guidewire has achieved “best-in-class” status in Aite Group’s “Aite Matrix: 2020 U.S. P&C Core Systems Evaluation Report.” The report also named Guidewire as a leader for two of the four Aite Matrix components including client strength and product features. The report can be viewed here.

The Aite Matrix, a proprietary Aite Group vendor assessment framework, evaluated the overall competitive position of each vendor included, focusing on vendor stability, client strength, client services, and product features. The 14 vendors evaluated in the report were required to have the ability to provide core system capabilities for P&C insurers and be able to integrate third-party data through their core system platform.

Today’s consumers are used to receiving personalized and customized experiences, and P&C insurers worldwide are being asked to provide these experiences for their policyholders, which include quicker and more accurate underwriting decisions or facilitated claims processes, for example. To make this happen, insurers increasingly rely on third-party data and on a core system that can integrate this data into various workflows.

“Guidewire has constructed a platform that is fully capable of integrating virtually any type of data without having to customize the platform and can integrate that data into every critical component. What separates Guidewire from most other vendors is its focus on bringing robust analytics to its clients. Any carrier with an eye to the future would do well to have Guidewire as its core system provider,” said Jay Sarzen, senior analyst, Aite Group.

“Guidewire is honored to be named a “best-in-class” vendor by Aite Group,” said Brian Desmond, chief marketing officer, Guidewire Software. “We believe PolicyCenter is the most complete P&C policy system. Hundreds of insurers around the world use PolicyCenter to help them grow by launching new products quickly, provide omnichannel service to policyholders and agents, and continually innovate. I’d like to thank all of our customers who participated in this report.”

About Guidewire Software

Guidewire is the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently. We combine digital, core, analytics, and AI to deliver our platform as a cloud service. More than 400 insurers, from new ventures to the largest and most complex in the world, run on Guidewire.

As a partner to our customers, we continually evolve to enable their success. We are proud of our unparalleled implementation track record, with 1,000+ successful projects, supported by the largest R&D team and partner ecosystem in the industry. Our marketplace provides hundreds of applications that accelerate integration, localization, and innovation.

For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com and follow us on Twitter: @Guidewire_PandC.

NOTE: For information about Guidewire’s trademarks, visit https://www.guidewire.com/legal-notices.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201218005121/en/

Melissa Cobb

Senior Public Relations Manager

Guidewire Software, Inc.

+1.650.357.5324

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: California United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Software Technology Professional Services Insurance

MEDIA:

Logo

December 18, 2020 8:57 am

UMH PROPERTIES, INC. ANNOUNCES PROMOTION OF T.C. SHEPPARD

FREEHOLD, NJ, Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UMH Properties, Inc. (NYSE: UMH) is proud to promote T.C. Sheppard to Vice President of Consumer Finance.

Samuel A. Landy, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “T.C. has done an excellent job working with our community managers and customers to obtain financing and ultimately close home sales. Our sales and finance operation has grown over the years and T.C. has played a key role in that accomplishment. Financing homes in our communities has been an excellent business that produces reliable income streams. We look forward to expanding upon this already successful venture.”

UMH Properties, Inc., which was organized in 1968, is a public equity REIT that owns and operates 124 manufactured home communities with approximately 23,400 developed homesites. These communities are located in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan.

# # # # #

Contact: Nelli Madden

732-577-9997

UMH PROPERTIES, INC.

Juniper Business Plaza
3499 Route 9 North, Suite 3-C
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 577-9997
Fax: (732) 577-9980

December 18, 2020 8:57 am

Tufin Expands Security Policy Platform with Enriched Risk Assessment Data to Deliver Superior Security

Tufin Expands Security Policy Platform with Enriched Risk Assessment Data to Deliver Superior Security

The latest release of Tufin Orchestration Suite adds advanced support for Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks next generation firewalls

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tufin® (NYSE: TUFN), a company pioneering a policy-centric approach to security and IT operations, today announced the release of Tufin Orchestration Suite R20-2, integrating network security policy best practices with external risk assessment tools to help users evaluate network access risks and minimize their attack surface. As a result, security teams can streamline the security review process and network teams can reduce the time required to deliver business-enabling connectivity.

“Maintaining your security posture requires that multiple risk factors be considered when granting or changing network access,” said Ofer Or, Vice President of Products at Tufin. “With the latest release of the Tufin Orchestration Suite, we’ve expanded risk analysis to include additional sources of information beyond Tufin’s Unified Security Policy.”

With Tufin Orchestration Suite R20-2, customers can enrich their risk analysis data by integrating information from third-party vulnerability scanners, SIEM and other risk assessment tools into Access Request workflows, improving their ability to assess network access risks. The latest release also integrates third party risk results into Tufin’s Unified Security Policy compliance assessment.

Full visibility and automation for next generation capabilities for leading firewall vendors

The latest release of Tufin Orchestration Suite further extends Tufin’s next generation firewall support for Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet.

Tufin now provides full zero-touch automation when processing network changes that include FQDN objects. This enables Tufin users to automate all parts of the change process when FQDN objects are in use – from risk assessment for access requests, to automatic selection of devices that need to be updated, and all the way to automatic change design and provisioning.

The latest release also supports Global Level Configuration on Fortinet FortiManager devices, increasing visibility into objects, zones, and rules as part of the global policy.

In addition, release R20-2 offers an automated change process for Custom Applications on Palo Alto Networks Panorama devices. With this capability, joint Palo Alto and Tufin customers can Increase agility by using both custom and predefined applications when processing network changes using Tufin SecureChange. The latest release also includes automation for tags on Palo Alto Panorama devices, eliminating manual work by adding Panorama tags to new rules as part of the Access Request workflow.

Tufin Orchestration Suite R20-2 will be available starting Monday, December 21. For more information, please visit: https://www.tufin.com/tufin-orchestration-suite

About Tufin

Tufin (NYSE: TUFN) simplifies management of some of the largest, most complex networks in the world, consisting of thousands of firewall and network devices and emerging hybrid cloud infrastructures. Enterprises select the Tufin Orchestration Suite™ to increase agility in the face of ever-changing business demands while maintaining a robust security posture. The Suite reduces the attack surface and meets the need for greater visibility into secure and reliable application connectivity. With over 2,000 customers since its inception, Tufin’s network security automation enables enterprises to implement changes in minutes instead of days, while improving their security posture and business agility.

Find out more at: www.tufin.com

Follow Tufin on Twitter: @TufinTech

Sachem Capital Corp. to Sell $25 Million of 7.75% Notes Due 2025

Sachem Capital Corp. to Sell $25 Million of 7.75% Notes Due 2025

BRANFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Sachem Capital Corp. (NYSE American: SACH) announces the pricing of a registered public offering of $25 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.75% unsecured, unsubordinated notes due 2025 (“Notes”). The gross proceeds of the offering are expected to be $24.75 million and the net proceeds, after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions, are expected to be approximately $23.95 million. The Notes will be a further issuance of, rank equally in right of payment with and form a single series for all purposes under the indenture governing the Notes with the approximately $28.36 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Notes due 2025 that the company issued in September 2020 and October 2020 (collectively referred to as the “2025 Notes”).

The offering is expected to close on December 22, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. Sachem Capital Corp. has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $3.75 million aggregate principal amount of Notes to cover over-allotments, if any.

The Notes and the currently outstanding 2025 Notes will rank pari passu with all the company’s unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, whether currently outstanding or issued in the future. The planned Notes are expected to be listed on the NYSE American under and begin to trade on or about December 22, 2020 under the trading symbol “SCCC,” along with the aforementioned outstanding 2025 Notes.

The Notes will mature on September 30, 2025, and may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at the company’s option on or after September 4, 2022. Interest on the Notes will accrue at the annual rate of 7.75% and will be payable quarterly, in arrears, on each March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30 that the Notes are outstanding, beginning December 30, 2020.

The Notes have a private credit rating of BBB+ from Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent, unaffiliated rating agency. Egan-Jones is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization (NRSRO) and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP). Egan-Jones is also certified by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and National Securities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: NHLD) are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this offering or any other securities nor will there be any sale of the Notes or any other securities referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

A registration statement relating to, among other things, the Notes, was filed and has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering is being made only by means of a related prospectus supplement and an accompanying base prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement, copies of which may be obtained, when available, from: Ladenburg Thalmann, Attn: Syndicate Department, 277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10172, or by emailing [email protected] (telephone number 1-800-573-2541); or Janney Montgomery Scott LLC by emailing [email protected]; or National Securities Corp., 200 Vesey Street, 25^th Floor, New York, NY 10281, or by emailing [email protected].

Sachem Capital Corp. has filed a preliminary prospectus supplement, dated December 17, 2020, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contains more detailed description of the Notes and the terms of the offering. The preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus dated February 5, 2020, which contains other important information about Sachem Capital Corp., should be read carefully before investing in the Notes. Investors are advised to carefully consider their personal investment objectives, the risks relating to Sachem Capital Corp., in general, and to the Notes, in particular, and other matters relating to Sachem Capital Corp., its business, operations and financial condition, before investing in the Notes.

About Sachem Capital Corp.

Sachem Capital Corp. specializes in originating, underwriting, funding, servicing, and managing a portfolio of first mortgage loans. It offers short term (i.e., three years or less) secured, nonbanking loans (sometimes referred to as “hard money” loans) to real estate investors to fund their acquisition, renovation, development, rehabilitation or improvement of properties located primarily in Connecticut. The company does not lend to owner occupants. The company’s primary underwriting criteria is a conservative loan to value ratio. The properties securing the company’s loans are generally classified as residential or commercial real estate and, typically, are held for resale or investment. Each loan is secured by a first mortgage lien on real estate. Each loan is also personally guaranteed by the principal(s) of the borrower, which guaranty may be collaterally secured by a pledge of the guarantor’s interest in the borrower. The company also makes opportunistic real estate purchases apart from its lending activities. The company believes that it qualifies as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes and has elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with its 2017 tax year.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “likely,” “continue,” “design,” and the negative of such terms and other words and terms of similar expressions are intended to identify forward- looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to several risks, uncertainties and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2019 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2020. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. In addition, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any duty to update any of these forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements as well as others made in this press release. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made by us in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201218005380/en/

Investor & Media Contact:

Crescendo Communications, LLC

David Waldman

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (212) 671-1021

KEYWORDS: Connecticut United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Professional Services Construction & Property Finance Consulting Banking Professional Services Other Construction & Property Residential Building & Real Estate

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December 18, 2020 8:55 am

(BEAT) Alert: Johnson Fistel Investigates Proposed Sale of BioTelemetry; Is $72 a Fair Price?

PR Newswire

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Shareholder rights law firm Johnson Fistel, LLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of BioTelemetry, Inc. (NASDAQ: BEAT) breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA).

On December 18, 2020, BioTelemetry announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with Royal Philips. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the Company’s shareholders will receive $72.00 per share in cash.

The investigation concerns whether the BioTelemetry board failed to satisfy its duties to the Company shareholders, including whether the board adequately pursued alternatives to the acquisition and whether the board obtained the best price possible for BioTelemetry shares of common stock. Nationally recognized Johnson Fistel is investigating whether the proposed deal represents adequate consideration, especially given analysts’ projections for future earnings and revenue growth. Additionally, one Wall Street analyst had a $77.00 price target on the stock.

If you are a shareholder of BioTelemetry and believe the proposed buyout price is too low or you’re interested in learning more about the investigation, please contact lead analyst Jim Baker ([email protected]) at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number.

Additionally, you can [Click here to join this action]. There is no cost or obligation to you.

About Johnson Fistel, LLP:
Johnson Fistel, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York, and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit https://www.johnsonfistel.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Contact:
Johnson Fistel, LLP
Jim Baker, 619-814-4471
[email protected]

[Click here to join this action]

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SOURCE Johnson Fistel, LLP

December 18, 2020 8:48 am

Kewaunee International Group Receives Customer Centricity Award by CII (Confederation of Indian Industry)

PR Newswire

STATESVILLE, N.C., Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ: KEQU) today reported that the Kewaunee International Group was honored by the Confederation of Indian Industry (“CII”) in the category of “Customer Centricity” in a function held at National Conference on Consumer Awareness & Protection in Digital era – The New Normal, Customer Obsession awards ceremony on 15^thDecember 2020 in India.

“Kewaunee International was again recognized by CII as an industry leader in customer excellence, recognizing our team’s unwavering focus on serving our customers. As the market leader in laboratory furniture and technical products, we recognize the importance of delighting our customers in all aspects of their dealings with Kewaunee. Earning this award during the coronavirus pandemic makes the award even more special and reflects the resilience of the Kewaunee International team during an unprecedented year,” said Mr. B. Sathya Murthy, Managing Director & Vice President – International Operations, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation.

“Everything we do begins and ends with our customers and our desire to repeatedly earn their trust as they invest in projects that require the specialized laboratory furniture and technical products in which Kewaunee specializes,” said Thomas D. Hull III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kewaunee Scientific Corporation. “As Sathya so rightly highlighted, our Kewaunee Associates being recognized for this award is indeed special; however, receiving the recognition of CII during 2020 is especially rewarding. I continue to be amazed by our Associates’ desire to make our customer experience the best in the industry.”

Recognition was based on the assessment made by a team of qualified judges from CII and was done based on CII-IQ Functional Excellence framework to understand the maturity level of practices and associated results of the function. The framework requirements were broadly covered in the Self-Assessment Questionnaire of the respective theme. As such, scoring was done broadly in line with the guidelines of EFQM and Baldrige Excellence Framework.

About Kewaunee Scientific
Founded in 1906, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation is a recognized global leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of laboratory, healthcare, and technical furniture products. The Company’s products include steel, wood, and laminate casework, fume hoods, adaptable modular systems, moveable workstations, stand-alone benches, biological safety cabinets, laminar flow cabinets, and epoxy resin worksurfaces and sinks.

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Statesville, North Carolina. Direct sales offices are located in the United States, India and Singapore. Three manufacturing facilities are located in Statesville serving the domestic and international markets, and one manufacturing facility is located in Bangalore, India serving the local and Asian markets. Kewaunee Scientific’s website is located at http://www.kewaunee.com.

This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including statements regarding the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “believe” and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors that could significantly impact results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, competitive and general economic conditions and the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, including disruptions from government mandates, both domestically and internationally; changes in customer demands; technological changes in our operations or in our industry; dependence on customers’ required delivery schedules; risks related to fluctuations in the Company’s operating results from quarter to quarter; risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; changes in raw materials and commodity costs; and acts of terrorism, war, governmental action, natural disasters and other Force Majeure events. The cautionary statements made pursuant to the Reform Act herein and elsewhere by us should not be construed as exhaustive. We cannot always predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Over time, our actual results, performance, or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such difference might be significant and harmful to our stockholders’ interest. Many important factors that could cause such a difference are described under the caption “Risk Factors,” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, which you should review carefully, and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. These reports are available on our investor relations website at www.kewaunee.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:	Donald T. Gardner III
	(704) 871-3274

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SOURCE Kewaunee Scientific Corporation