Category: Business

BusinessSoftwareStartups

Worldpay and Affirm Expand Partnership to Bring BNPL Options to SaaS Platforms

Worldpay for Platforms is integrating Affirm’s buy now, pay later technology into its embedded payments offering for software companies. The expanded partnership aims to provide more flexible payment options to merchants and consumers through SaaS platforms. This move comes as shoppers increasingly turn to payment flexibility amid economic pressures.

Strategic Partnership Expansion

Worldpay has integrated Affirm’s buy now, pay later technology into its embedded payments platform for software companies, according to reports from a recent press release. The expanded partnership will make Affirm’s payment solutions available to Worldpay for Platforms’ network of more than 1,000 SaaS companies and their merchant customers.

by Harlow Wesley
BusinessInnovationTechnology

Florida Planning Commission Rejects Massive 1GW Data Center Development Proposal

Local planning officials in St. Lucie County have recommended against approving a massive data center campus that would have spanned over 1,200 acres. The proposed Sentinel Grove Technology Park represented a potential $13.5 billion private investment for the region.

Planning Commission Votes Against Data Center Proposal

Local planning officials in St. Lucie County, Florida have recommended against approving plans for a massive 1GW data center campus that would have represented one of the largest technology developments in the state, according to reports from local media. The St. Lucie County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 last week to recommend denial of a comprehensive plan amendment needed for the project to move forward.

by Harlow Wesley
BusinessSoftwareTechnology

Former Cloud Exec Calls Major AWS Outage ‘Inevitable’ Given System Complexity

A former AWS and Google Cloud executive describes this week’s massive AWS outage as “inevitable” given the scale and complexity of modern cloud systems. DataRobot CEO Debanjan Saha emphasizes that while such disruptions are rare, businesses must implement robust resiliency strategies across multiple regions and providers.

Inevitable Disruption in Cloud Infrastructure

A significant Amazon Web Services outage that impacted millions of users and businesses this week was described as “inevitable” by former AWS vice president and general manager Debanjan Saha, according to his statements to CRN. The DataRobot CEO, who also held executive positions at Google Cloud, stated that given the massive global scale and complexity of distributed cloud systems, it’s actually remarkable that large-scale disruptions occur as infrequently as they do.

by Harlow Wesley
BusinessHardwareTechnology

Super Micro Stock Falls After Revenue Forecast Cut, While OpenAI Rolls Out New Browser Security Features

Super Micro Computer’s stock declined sharply following a lowered revenue outlook, with the company citing “design win upgrades” as a factor. Meanwhile, OpenAI has launched its ChatGPT Atlas browser with new security protocols aimed at mitigating prompt injection risks, according to company statements.

Super Micro Revises Revenue Guidance Downward

Super Micro Computer’s shares reportedly fell more than 5% after the server manufacturer announced it expects first-quarter revenue of approximately $5 billion, according to recent reports. This figure falls below the company’s previous guidance range of $6 billion to $7 billion, with sources indicating the revision stems from what the company describes as “design win upgrades.”

by Owen Holt
BusinessSoftwareTechnology

Oracle Stock Faces Investor Scrutiny Amid AI Expansion Costs, Portfolio Alternatives Emerge

Oracle Corporation’s stock has experienced significant volatility following concerns about its aggressive AI infrastructure spending. Meanwhile, investment portfolios focusing on quality and reinforced value approaches reportedly outperform individual stock picks in the technology sector, according to recent analysis.

Oracle’s AI Ambitions Trigger Stock Volatility

Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) shares reportedly declined approximately 10% within a single trading week, according to market analysis. Sources indicate this downturn reflects investor apprehension about the substantial costs associated with the company’s aggressive expansion into artificial intelligence cloud infrastructure. The report suggests these investments could potentially pressure Oracle’s profit margins despite positioning the company in the competitive Application Software sector alongside Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) and Synopsys (NASDAQ: SNPS).

by Owen Holt
BusinessCybersecuritySoftware

Cybersecurity Training Evolves Beyond Awareness to Focus on Behavioral Change

Organizations are abandoning traditional security awareness training in favor of human risk management models that prioritize behavioral change. Experts reveal how psychology principles and continuous micro-learning are creating more effective cybersecurity defenses by transforming employee behavior rather than just increasing knowledge.

The Limitations of Traditional Security Awareness

Most successful cyberattacks target the end user through social engineering or exploit systems left vulnerable due to user errors, according to security analysts. Despite significant investments in security awareness training programs, many organizations continue to experience poor security outcomes, sources indicate. The average security awareness training program remains ineffective, offering semi-annual cookie-cutter modules that fail to drive meaningful behavioral change, the report states.

by Owen Holt
BusinessEnergyTechnology

Japan Warns of Economic Fallout from Potential Russian LNG Supply Shift

Japan faces significant economic challenges if forced to replace Russian LNG supplies from the Sakhalin-2 project, according to government officials. Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa warned that alternative procurement would cause electricity prices to surge. The comments come amid U.S. pressure to reduce energy purchases from Russia.

Energy Security Concerns

Japan’s liquefied natural gas supplies from Russia’s Sakhalin-2 project play an “extremely important role” in the nation’s energy security, according to reports from the industry ministry. Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa stated that replacing these supplies would be costly and would likely cause higher electricity prices for Japanese consumers.

by Owen Holt
BusinessSoftwareTechnology

Microsoft’s Aggressive 30% Profit Target Reportedly Reshaping Xbox Strategy

According to a Bloomberg investigation, Microsoft’s CFO has imposed ambitious 30% profit targets on Xbox, significantly above industry averages. Sources indicate this pressure is behind recent layoffs, subscription price increases, and the cancellation of long-in-development games.

Lofty Profit Goals Reshaping Xbox Business

Microsoft’s Xbox division is reportedly operating under aggressive profit margin targets that exceed industry norms, according to a recent Bloomberg investigation. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood has set an “across-the-board goal of 30 percent” for the gaming division over the past two years, a figure that analysts suggest is substantially higher than typical video game industry margins.

by Harlow Wesley