• Akamai’s new capabilities, introduced at NAB 2023, will help operators monetize video streaming content by lowering and predicting operating expenses.
• The most exciting new feature is Akamai’s improved support for the Consumer Technology Association’s CMCD protocol, which allows device-based media players to submit playback data to Akamai and other CDNs.

Akamai Technologies Inc., a cloud services and content delivery network provider, recently announced new video streaming features, which it claims will help operators deliver enhanced quality and more customized content to viewers.

The new features Akamai announced at NAB 2023, the annual National Association of Broadcasters conference, will enable providers to realize lower and more predictable operational costs, thereby enhancing their capacity to monetize video streaming content.

Akamai announced that its new services are now accessible via Akamai Connected Cloud, a newly launched, immensely distributed edge and cloud platform for content delivery and development that aims to provide viewers with low latency and high-performance experiences.

The most exciting new feature is Akamai’s improved support for the Consumer Technology Association’s CMCD protocol, which allows device-based media players to submit playback data to Akamai and other CDNs. Akamai may employ CMCD to intelligently pre-fetch content, minimizing buffering and improving video startup times. Another benefit is that video streaming companies obtain more solid metrics of the video quality of their users, which helps with reporting and analysis.

According to Jon Alexander, Akamai’s Vice President of Product Management, Akamai Cloud delivers computing capabilities unique in their ability to support cost control, the gamut of development, and viewer experiences. He said, “We’re giving OTT operators a host of powerful new cloud computing functions, scaling them across our global platform and backing them with Akamai content delivery and security services.”

The new cloud services are being presented with extended use cases for the company’s EdgeWorkers serverless solution, which covers rights management, content personalization, and video streaming security demands.

They include new manifest and playlist editing tools that reduce storage needs and expenses for operators while improving user performance. EdgeWorkers can use these capabilities to dynamically modify manifest file characteristics such as resolution filtering, bitrate ordering, and subtitles at the periphery, closer to observers.

Meanwhile, the new program replacement functionality allows operators to deploy more flexible and quicker pre-delivery content stitching for both live and on-demand television. To meet requirements such as rights limitations, companies can insert content into video streams based on parameters such as the user’s geolocation and time of day.

A/B content watermarking consistent with the new DASH Industry Forum specification allows operators to identify and combat live and on-demand piracy.

Finally, Akamai revealed many new media workflow partner solutions certified as compatible with Akamai Connected Cloud. Ateme SA provides video compression and distribution, Capella Systems LLC provides software-based video-on-demand transcoding, encoding, and packaging, and LiveKit provides interactive live streaming and video conferencing.

• Aryaka’s strategy is founded on SASE network technology, which combines networking and security into a single service.
• The company’s newest managed service offering provides SMBs with a full set of capabilities for a starting price of USD 150 per site.

Aryaka Networks Inc., a secure access service edge provider, targets small and medium-sized businesses with better software-defined networking and SASE solutions.

Aryaka is constructing a globally dispersed, cloud-based network architecture geared to rapidly transit enterprise data across great distances. It asserts that it may ease the administration of long-distance connections inside an enterprise’s network and provide quicker and more reliable access for apps, devices, and public cloud infrastructure.

Aryaka’s strategy is founded on SASE network technology, which combines networking and security into a single service. According to Aryaka, SASE is excellent because it equips businesses with the security, connection, and adaptability they need to adapt to an unpredictable and scattered environment in which apps and personnel may reside anywhere.

Compared to alternatives, the company’s newest managed service offering provides SMBs with full capabilities for a starting price of USD 150 per site. Lifecycle services management supports all of these managed services, which include application optimization, multi-cloud connection, network security, and cloud-based observability and control. In addition, according to Aryaka, its managed service experience has been adapted for smaller businesses, who can now deploy SASE without picking between price, performance, and usability.

Aryaka notes in its presentation that SMBs have historically battled with networking and security due to a need for qualified IT workers and cash; therefore, operational simplicity becomes a necessity. Aryaka asserts that its new software-defined wide-area network and SASE technologies are game-changers due to their manageability, affordability, and resiliency. With Aryaka’s services, businesses will be able to embrace a more significant number of managed services, according to the company.

Chief Commercial Officer of Aryaka, Dennis Monner, stated that the business had taken proactive measures to solve the unique network and security concerns encountered by SMBs. He further said, “No matter if 10 or 10,000 users depend on Microsoft 365, Salesforce, or access workloads in a cloud to be productive and protected from security threats, one bad experience is one too many, and SMEs deserve a first-class service experience equal to large enterprises while meeting their budgetary needs. Our revamped offerings bring our highly regarded agile deployment at an affordable price point to SMEs.”

• Companies that link their Kubernetes clusters to the Cast AI platform can access powerful cloud-native automation techniques for instant cost savings and view recommended suggestions.
• Cast AI has seen quarterly revenue growth of over 220%, from an undisclosed base, since the platform’s debut.

Cast AI Group Inc., a startup providing cost and operations management for Kubernetes, announced that it had raised USD 20 million in fresh funding to seize a sizable opportunity in the rapidly expanding cloud-native solutions market.

Cast AI, a 2019 startup, provides a cloud optimization platform that has reduced customers’ cloud costs for Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services Inc. by half. The platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze data points to determine the ideal cost-performance ratio, optimizing them in minutes.

Companies that link their Kubernetes clusters to the Cast AI platform can access powerful cloud-native automation techniques for instant cost savings and view recommended suggestions. According to reports, the platform recently assisted the social media unicorn ShareChat, ad tech firm Iterable Inc., and the world champion in mobile analytics, Branch Metrics Inc., to save millions of dollars yearly.

Cast AI has seen quarterly revenue growth of over 220%, from an undisclosed base, since its debut, due to its capacity to offer optimization solutions that simplify managing cloud-native applications. According to Cast AI, this service is desperately required in today’s tech-driven world.

Hitachi Ltd., Forbes Media LLC, Samsung Next LLC, Snow Commerce LLC, Surfshare Inc., and Delio Ltd. are notable Cast AI clients.

Yuri Frayman, Chief Executive Officer at Cast AI, said, “This funding is just in time to take advantage of the tremendous opportunity in the market as more and more companies transition to containerized applications in the cloud. With this investment, we can grow as a leading provider of intelligent cloud optimization solutions globally and expand our all-in-one platform capabilities to more cloud-native ecosystems and use cases.”

With a USD 15 million investment, early-stage venture capital company Creandum Advisors AB headed the round, with the remaining USD 20 million coming from prior investors.

Cast AI has now raised USD 43.2 million, including additional funding. Previous backers of the startup include Tesonet UAB, DNX Ventures LLC, Florida Funders LLC, Scale Asia Ventures Pte. Ltd., Samsung Next, and Scale Asia Ventures Pte. Ltd.

• This latest addition, that the company claims to be its next-gen cloud platform, is developed to help customers catalyze their cloud-supported digital transformation and adopt new AI-based applications.
• The new CE 23.1 can deal with security issue which is gradually turning complicated due to siloed data and growing threat vector sophistication in the hybrid environment.

OpenText Corp., a business software provider, announced Cloud Editions 23.1, a new technical innovation on the way of its Project Titanium.

This latest addition, that the company claims to be its next-gen cloud platform, is developed to help customers catalyze their cloud-supported digital transformation and adopt new AI-based applications. With the newly launched CE 23.1, enterprises can work responsibly by utilizing technology pertaining to the updated rules and regulations as well as seamlessly associating with partners, employees, and customers in their ecosystem.

The new CE 23.1 can deal with security issues which are gradually turning complicated due to siloed data and growing threat vector sophistication in the hybrid work environment. This launch facilitates administration and visibility across attack areas by introducing OpenText Webroot Standalone DNS Protection and OpenText Webroot portfolio via the Secure Cloud platform.

The network protection is extended by OpenText Webroot Standalone DNS Protection by integrating with current endpoint protection platform investments. The service secures roaming users and network from DNS-based attacks and malware without compromising the privacy, user experience, and visibility into internet usage.

The OpenText Webroot portfolio integrated with the firm’s Secure Cloud suite of solutions allows Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to extend protection across vulnerable attack areas with the help of a single interface. According to OpenText, MSPs can also cater an entire suite of compliance, security, and productivity solutions to their customers.

CE 23.1 houses integrated solutions for Microsoft, Salesforce Inc., and SAP SE which are made available at online marketplaces of these companies, namely, Microsoft AppSource, Salesforce AppExchange, and SAP Store, respectively.

It also offers the latest cloud content service solutions for life sciences organizations and the US public sector, along with the enhanced support for FedRAMP, the Federal Risk and Authentication Management Program.

Mark J. Barrenechea, Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer at OpenText, reported in a statement, “In the next stage of digital where organizations of all sizes are becoming software and information companies, OpenText can bring the information management multiplier needed to accelerate new ways of working. The OpenText Cloud, through Project Titanium, is leading digital transformation, delivering on our promise of open, integrated cloud management by bringing information and automation together for businesses and customers.”

OpenText last made highlights on Feb 2, reporting combined financial results and completing the acquisition of Micro Focus International plc. The deal worth six billion dollars, announced back in August, enabled OpenText to penetrate in the segments of enterprise technology market where it’s a novice and also enlarged its products’ central portfolio to maintain business records.

• Procyon Inc., a provider of secure access management for multi-cloud enterprise infrastructure, announced that it has raised USD 6.5 million in funding for the launch of its privileged access management platform.
• The Procyon Multi-Cloud Privilege Access Management platform is a solution that gives developers instant access to what they need, with sufficient privileges to perform what they need, and without requiring passwords.

Procyon Inc., a provider of secure access management for multi-cloud enterprise infrastructure, announced that it has raised USD 6.5 million in funding for the launch of its privileged access management platform, which, according to the company, will revolutionize how DevOps teams and developers access cloud services.

Lobby Capital led the financing round, with GTM Capital and First Rays Venture Partners also participating.

As multicloud environments become the norm, said Procyon co-founder and CEO Sukhesh Halemane and Chief Business Officer Akash Agarwal, accessing them securely has gotten more complex and challenging for developers. At the same time, cybersecurity teams have been strengthening their defences since many people with access to cloud environments have the power to compromise important data.

Sukhesh Halemane stated, “One of the biggest worries is highly privileged users having access to the crown jewels getting compromised, and if you think about it in the cloud every user who has access to the database account is a privileged user. A second problem is that either developers are struggling to get access to something, meaning they’re sending email or Slack messages and two days later they finally get access, or they have too much access, such as they have too many privileges assigned.”

The Procyon Multi-Cloud Privilege Access Management platform is a solution that gives developers instant access to what they need, with sufficient privileges to perform what they need, and without requiring passwords.

On the developer access end, the platform eliminates passwords by leveraging the Trusted Platform Module present in computing environments – such as PCs, laptops, and mobile devices – to authenticate devices in conjunction with an identity management provider such as Okta Inc. Procyon attaches user identities cryptographically to the resources they will access via TPM.

The business claims that the credential itself is safe and eliminates the need for password managers or vaults, hence removing everything that can be readily stolen. For more sensitive functions, TPM can also be integrated with biometrics such as fingerprint readers and FaceID on laptops and mobile devices for even greater protection.

The average cost of a data breach is USD 4.35 million, according to the 2022 cost of data breach research by IBM Corporation and the Ponemon Institute. The most prevalent cause of data breaches was stolen or compromised credentials, which required the greatest time to discover. Some breaches of major corporations in 2022 were the result of stolen credentials, such as the September hack of Uber Technologies Inc.

In conventional cloud systems, developers may have perpetual access to cloud resources that provide them credentials to sensitive systems. This renders them vulnerable to social engineering attacks like phishing, in which a hacker attempts to deceive a victim into divulging their password and other information.

To prevent this, Procyon provides a self-service portal where developers may request access to the precise resources they require, along with the duration of their requirement, and obtain access via a password-free method. The security team may design approval policies based on a variety of parameters, including compliance requirements, resource, identity, and approver. The rights can also be programmed to expire after a certain period of time, indicating that they are temporary.

This is known as “zero standing privileges” and “just-in-time access” in the industry, because it helps avoid the possibility of an attacker gaining access to overprivileged resources or a user account.

Akash Agarwal, Chief Business Officer at Procyon said, “In olden systems, you’d be given a password and access to these systems that you would retain for some period of time, in many cases forever. And you left the company and your email is being disbanded and maybe your access to corporate, but we’re discovering that other access that you shared over Slack still remains with you. Unless the company has a super-comprehensive system to know who was given access to what, they can’t revoke that. That’s what leads to compromises and the sale of credentials on secondary markets.”

The self-service portal is compatible with all major cloud providers, including Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services, and keeps track of all administrative rights and responsibilities. Procyon refreshes these roles whenever they are modified on these services so that business procedures do not fail.

If anything does go wrong, such as an account or service being accessed maliciously, Procyon’s platform provides a “kill switch” that can terminate sessions, devices, and accounts from accessing the system immediately. According to the firm, this is made simple since the platform stands between the developer and every service with which they connect and has a complete view of every authentication transaction and session. Agarwal highlighted that as the complexity of multicloud systems increases, so does the value of Procyon for corporate organisations.

Akash Agarwal further said, “With businesses with large engineering teams can’t manage this. They have full-time identity management teams where it’s someone’s job to provide you identity and access and that person is just overwhelmed trying to manage it. If you think about it, Procyon’s value proposition becomes compelling because we give that person automation. We give the entire DevOps team automation to manage privileges and eliminate potential compromises with what we do.”

• Companies that need to handle numerous infrastructure management platforms can benefit from Cloudify’s products.
• It’s an intriguing acquisition for Dell, whose presence has long been firmly established in the market for on-premises data centers.

Recently, Dell Technologies Inc. disclosed that it had secretly purchased Cloudify Ltd., a company that offers cloud orchestration solutions to businesses.

Cloud architects and DevOps teams employ Cloudify’s capabilities to manage software containers, workloads, and other elements of multicloud information technology environments.

Dell didn’t officially announce the acquisition itself for an unspecified reason. A renowned media house, which first reported the story, estimates the deal’s worth at roughly USD 100 million. Sources with knowledge of the transaction first reached out to the media house, and the publication then came across a Form S-8 filing Dell submitted with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission detailing some of the share awards Cloudify workers received due to the transaction. Finally, Dell issued an email confirming the acquisition.

The company stated, “Dell Technologies announced that it has completed the acquisition of Cloudify. The transaction allows Dell to continue to innovate our edge offerings.”

In 2017, the startup company Cloudify was established in Tel Aviv after being separated from the in-memory computing firm GigaSpaces Technologies Inc. It describes itself as a provider of open-source DevOps automation technology and provides a platform called “environment-as-a-service.”

Companies that need to handle numerous infrastructure management platforms can benefit from Cloudify’s tools. For example, a business might manage its on-premises services using VMware Inc.’s vSphere virtualization technology and support its public cloud deployments with Kubernetes.

An overarching orchestration layer can connect these management platforms using Cloudify’s software. As a result, administrators and DevOps teams can control their on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure from a single portal. Cloudify’s platform bundles infrastructure, networking, and automation solutions into verified blueprints to manage heterogeneous environments at scale with automatic provisioning and updates.

With partners including Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services Inc., F5 Inc., Microsoft Corp., Wind River Systems Inc., and ServiceNow Inc., the company has grown rather popular due to these capabilities.

It’s an intriguing acquisition for Dell, whose presence has long been firmly established in the market for on-premises data centers. However, during the past few years, Dell has developed a cloud strategy dependent mainly on its new Apex-as-a-service solutions and public cloud integrations, both of which were introduced in January 2022. The company wants to integrate its products with public cloud service providers like AWS, providing both standalone software for public clouds and its hardware in the cloud of the customer’s choice.

Holger Mueller of Constellation Research Inc. stated, “Just when you thought Dell’s cloud story was starting to fizzle out, it goes and takes everyone by surprise with the acquisition of Cloudify, a provider of some extremely useful cloud orchestration tools. We’ll have to wait and see how Dell integrates Cloudify with the rest of its portfolio, but it looks like it could soon start writing a new chapter in the application management and DevOps space.”

According to Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group, Dell is particularly adept at acquisitions due to its deliberate approval and industry-leading operational merger processes, as well as the fact that it vigorously defends the assets it purchases. He claimed that, as a result, its acquisitions typically provide value to both Dell and the target firm.

Enderle said, “The acquisition of Cloudify is focused on Dell strengthening its services business. It turns Dell into an even stronger solutions provider for public and private cloud opportunities, and has the potential to make its Apex effort a far more powerful initiative.”

• Timebeat’s Precision Time Protocol is a powerful, fine-grained latency sensor that can accurately synchronize time-sensitive applications hosted across multiple cloud platforms, on-premises data centers, and hybrid environments.
• The integration of Timebeat PTP into the cloud SwXtch has added standard PTP access to hybrid cloud networks, bringing the capabilities of the cloud in line with those of on-premises data centers.

Cloud-native network infrastructure provider swXtch.io, a subsidiary of IEX Group Inc., recently said that it has finished integrating with Timebeat.app Ltd.’s Precision Time Protocol to allow highly accurate “clock synchronization” across multicloud network deployments.

SwXtch.io is the company that made cloudSwXtch, a virtual overlay networking system that lets enterprises build a high-performance network on top of multicloud environments without changing their application code. The main benefit of cloudSwXtch is that it enables companies that couldn’t migrate to the cloud before because they didn’t have access to advanced network capabilities.

Timebeat’s Precision Time Protocol is a powerful, fine-grained latency sensor that can accurately synchronize time-sensitive applications hosted across multiple cloud platforms, on-premises data centers, and hybrid environments.

In a nutshell, it aims to solve the problem of keeping the clocks on large numbers of modern servers in sync.

Clock synchronization is a big problem for the cloud, especially for applications that need accuracy down to the nanosecond. Cloud-based networks with a lot of traffic need very accurate clock synchronization to make sure that servers in different parts of the world receive and process data in the correct order.

Due to the requirement for physical hardware, it was previously impossible to implement PTP in cloud networks, despite its widespread use in on-premises data center networks. Nevertheless, the cloud business has historically depended on the software-based Network Time Synchronization Protocol to synchronize server clocks.

NTP is ubiquitous but not remarkably accurate, especially when it comes to applications requiring timestamps in microseconds or nanoseconds. SwXtch asserts that, as a result, cloud-based clock synchronization is poorly implemented and does not meet the standards necessary by highly regulated businesses.

SwXtch said that the integration of Timebeat PTP into the cloud SwXtch has added standard PTP access to hybrid cloud networks, bringing the capabilities of the cloud in line with those of on-premises data centers. Timestamp’s PTP is stated to provide an exceptional level of clock synchronization precision, which offers greater visibility for virtualized IT infrastructure.

For example, a DevOps engineer can acquire the ability to precisely measure the remote procedure call or one-way delay of a packet. Simultaneously, it permits the identification of network bottlenecks that last only a few seconds, as well as underperforming virtual machines.

SwXtch said that highly accurate clock synchronization is important in many industries, such as media and entertainment, financial services, and government, where regulatory standards require PTP-based network backup and redundancy.

Compliance with laws is facilitated by integrating PTP into cloud SwXtch for firms in these industries as they transition to a multicloud deployment architecture. These include the SMPTE2110 in media and entertainment, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive or MiFID II requirements applicable to financial services organizations.

SwXtch Chief Executive Brent Yates said, “With this integration, cloudSwXtch now offers a precision time networking solution via Timebeat’s PTP technology. Companies are transitioning to the cloud at an increasingly rapid rate, and this integration removes a major roadblock for industries that rely upon PTP to maintain clock synchronization.”

According to Timebeat co-founder Ian Gough, the integration will enable a new wave of high-volume workloads to transfer to the cloud for the first time. He said, “In an increasingly interconnected world, the transition to cloud infrastructure is timelier than ever. The integration between Timebeat and cloudSwXtch is a watershed moment in cloud networking technology that will benefit companies across industries.”

• The company offers a platform that simplifies the management of virtual desktops hosted by Microsoft Corporation’s Windows 365 Cloud PC and Azure Virtual Desktop services.
• When user demand increases, the program creates additional virtual desktops and removes them when they are no longer required.

Updata Partners has led a USD 117 million fundraising round for virtual desktop firm Nerdio Inc., which was announced recently.

The Series B round follows an eight-million-dollar funding round that closed in 2020. With the new funding, Nerdio intends to double its workforce over the next year. In addition to establishing a presence in additional markets, the firm plans to expand its management and sales teams as part of this initiative.

Vadim Vladimirskiy, co-founder, and CEO of Nerdio, said, “Updata has a significant track record investing in and growing B2B SaaS companies over the past 20 years. Their unique expertise will meaningfully accelerate our journey in becoming the leading cloud and DaaS management platform for service providers and enterprises.”

Instead of standard workstations, many companies give their employees virtual desktops, which are Windows computers that are hosted in the cloud. Virtual desktops in the cloud are easier to manage because you don’t have to take care of any hardware. Also, technology makes some cybersecurity tasks easier.

The company offers a platform that simplifies the management of virtual desktops hosted by Microsoft Corporation’s Windows 365 Cloud PC and Azure Virtual Desktop services. Both services permit businesses to operate Windows desktops in the cloud. However, Windows 365 Cloud PC emphasizes usability, whereas Azure Virtual Desktop services offer more complex features designed for large organizations.

Nerdio offers two versions of its platform for sale. The first, Manager for Enterprise, is meant to make internal virtual desktop environments easier to manage for businesses. In addition, it provides a Manager for MSP, which managed service providers can utilize to manage the virtual desktops of other organizations.

According to the firm, the platform cuts up to 80% of the time necessary to install cloud-based Windows computers, and clients may construct a new Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 Cloud PC environment within a few hours.

The Nerdio platform also facilitates the installation of business applications on the virtual desktops of employees. As part of its feature set, the startup provides a range of popular programs pre-installed. Administrators can automate software maintenance operations, such as downloading updates by writing scripts.

According to the company, IT teams can further minimize manual labor using an auto-scaling mechanism embedded into Nerdio’s platform. When user demand increases, the tool creates additional virtual desktops and removes them when they are no longer required. Nerdio claims that its platform can dramatically reduce virtual desktop expenditures for businesses by minimizing the infrastructure costs associated with underutilized machines.

The organization promises assistance with a variety of additional chores. Its platform features a mechanism that immediately restarts a problematic virtual desktop and, if the problem persists, it performs more advanced diagnostic procedures. In turn, an integrated monitoring tool enables administrators to track parameters such as the hardware utilization of a virtual desktop environment.

Since February 2020, Nerdio’s annual recurring revenue has reportedly climbed by a factor of 20; nevertheless, the company has not disclosed exact revenue figures. It noted that its customer base now consists of over 5,000 businesses.

• Cameyo’s new platform solution enables businesses to effectively deliver cloud desktops on their fully managed infrastructure or in their self-hosted environments.
• This can be useful for organizations looking to cut costs as the Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses are expensive.

Cameyo Inc., a virtual application delivery platform, recently announced that it now supports Linux apps – to reduce its expenses of providing cloud desktops to employees in this time of remote and hybrid workforces.

Cameyo’s current platform already allows for the delivery of Windows, Software-as-a-service, and Internal Web Apps to any device. ‘Cameyo for Linux’ is a new product that will enable users to remotely launch Linux and Web Apps that don’t require a Windows server.

Because Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses are expensive, this can be useful for organizations looking to cut costs. At the same time, the addition of this new feature provides organizations with increased flexibility to deliver apps from Linux, opening new avenues for app delivery.

Eyal Dotan, Cameyo’s Founder and Chief Technology Officer, said, “Every organization is working hard to ensure their people have access to all the critical tools they need to do their jobs from anywhere. But especially in this economic climate, most organizations are trying to balance that anytime, anywhere access with the need to reduce costs.”

Cameyo’s platform enables businesses to effectively deliver cloud desktops on their fully managed infrastructure or in their self-hosted environments. Companies can provide a plethora of apps anytime, anywhere, to almost any device using its solution, allowing organizations to streamline their own infrastructure.

For instance, it is currently possible to deliver Windows apps – and now Linux apps – to Chromebooks using Cameyo’s solution, which only has web browsers and Android apps as their primary interface. The result? Workers can use these “thin” hardware clients while still getting the whole PC experience.

Mario Zúñiga, Digital Workplace IT director at American Manufacturing Services Provider Sanmina, said, “We’re always looking for ways to make our operations more secure, efficient, and cost-effective. This is what originally brought us to Cameyo, and we’ve used Cameyo for several years to give our employees secure access to all of their apps on Chromebooks. Now with Cameyo for Linux, we’re able to deliver several of our internal web apps on Linux servers instead of Windows servers.”

According to a cost comparison by Parquantix, Linux server costs can be cheaper than Windows server costs, with an almost 50% less hourly cost to operate. This extends beyond the initial investment of Microsoft licensing and other considerations.

According to Robb Henshaw, the Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Cameyo, the adoption of Linux also allows organizations to avoid becoming locked in with Microsoft products. By enabling customers to select which apps they want to deliver to which devices, they can easily choose their app delivery strategy.

Henshaw explained, “We’ve always believed that virtualization should help organizations become more flexible while increasing their flexibility — not just in terms of enabling people to be productive from anywhere, but also when it comes to enabling them to use whatever technologies they prefer. In our work with large enterprises, we’re seeing an increasing number of organizations who are actively looking to protect themselves against vendor lock-in.”

There came an increase in remote and hybrid work with the pandemic, which increased the need for the safe delivery of desktops and applications for remote workers. According to a recent Gallup poll, more than 70 million Americans can do their jobs remotely, with at least half working hybrid and three in ten working entirely remotely. Although using exclusively remote workers is expected to decline by 2023, it is still the case for many enterprise businesses.

Gabe Knuth, the Senior End-user Computing Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, said, “As organizations continue to adopt SaaS apps, there are an increasing number of use cases that don’t require Windows and instead only require a browser. Coupled with an increased demand for remote access to Linux apps driven by the shift to remote work, Linux support can be an important component of a hybrid workplace strategy.”

• The finance department of an organization can use the platform to develop policies that control how internal budgets are used.
• The technology offers the option to issue virtual payment cards, which aids finance departments in managing staff transactions.

Teampay Labs Inc., a firm that aids businesses in managing their business expenses effectively, has completed a USD 47 million fundraising round.

Today, it was revealed that the Series B round was led by returning Teampay investor Fin Venture Capital. Mastercard Inc., Trestle, Proof Ventures, and Espresso Capital also participated.

According to founder and CEO Andrew Hoag, “Teampay is entering the second half of 2022 well-positioned for future growth, as companies of all sizes strive to manage spending more strategically in the current uncertain economic environment. With this latest funding, we will continue to capture the market with our best-in-class solutions for company spend, while also growing our enterprise offering to match demand.”

The New York-based company offers a platform that assists businesses in managing their business expenses. The finance department of an organization can use the platform to develop policies that control how internal budgets are used. For instance, a finance team could create a rule stating that employee requests to buy cloud instances are automatically granted when specific requirements are met.

Teampay offers its budgeting tools in addition to the Purchase Assistant chatbot. The business claims that Purchase Assistant can process employee purchase requests automatically, saving time for finance specialists. The chatbot gathers the essential information from each purchase request, assesses it, and approves the transaction if it meets with the company’s internal budget restrictions.

The technology offers the option to issue virtual payment cards, which aids finance departments in managing staff transactions. The functionality, according to the business, enables the creation of a separate virtual card for each purchase. This procurement strategy simplifies spend management: finance teams can set card spending caps to ensure purchases don’t exceed internal spending caps.

Catalyst by Teampay, another credit card provided by Teampay, is targeted toward executives. In 2021, it debuted Catalyst due to a partnership with Mastercard.

The business plans to deepen its relationship with Mastercard using the money raised in its most recent investment round. The companies will focus on adding new functionality to the Catalyst card. In addition, Teampay will expand its sales and marketing staff and add more payment services to its platform.

Peter Ackerson, the general partner of Fin Venture Capital, says, “As corporate finance departments continue to modernize their processes to reflect better the way work gets done today, we see considerable opportunity in the growing spend management space. Teampay continues to innovate the Office of the CFO tech stack far beyond existing legacy approaches, giving CFOs unparalleled visibility and control of corporate spend.”

Teampay will be in a better position to compete in the crowded business expense management industry thanks to the increased investment. Ramp Business Corp. received USD 750 million in March for its cloud platform with the same name, which businesses use to control employee spending and carry out related financial operations. Another company in this sector with venture capital backing, Divvy Inc., has previously concluded a USD 165 million fundraising round supported by Insight Venture Partners, NEA, and other well-known investors.