AI & Automation
Flamingo raises $4.5M to pull MSPs out of their own ticket queue
Flamingo raised $4.5 million in its initial seed funding round, bringing total funding to $6.7 million. The company plans to use the funds to convert 400 trial MSPs and 2,500 potential customers into paying users. Its platform OpenFrame integrates 19 IT and security tools and is equipped with AI agents Fae and Mingo, aiming to achieve autonomous IT service operations.
Retailers bet on AI for supply chain, ‘smart’ shopping
The retail industry is accelerating its adoption of artificial intelligence to improve supply chain efficiency, customer experience, and internal operations. Executives from companies such as Ulta Beauty, Gap, Kohl's, and Dollar General disclosed specific AI application plans in recent earnings calls, including chatbots, predictive models, and agentic AI systems. The global head of Bain & Company's retail practice noted that companies face pressure from boards and investors to clarify their AI strategies. Although most companies are not pursuing full-scale transformation, AI is gradually permeating the shopping experience, from generative shopping tools to intelligent customer service, and consumers may feel more personalized services.
Nvidia partners with Cloverleaf to accelerate data center development
NVIDIA has formed a strategic partnership with Cloverleaf Infrastructure and made a minority investment. The two parties will integrate Cloverleaf's power site resources with NVIDIA's AI computing technology to address the strong demand for "AI factories" in the U.S. market. Cloverleaf's CEO stated that the collaboration will connect the entire ecosystem chain from chips to power and land.
Data center market faces all-time low vacancies despite record-breaking construction
CBRE's latest report shows that despite record data center construction activity in North America, constrained by power infrastructure, the market vacancy rate has fallen to a historic low of 1.4%, rents are rising, and emerging markets are on the rise.
AI Efficiency Gains Fail to Ease IT Workloads, SolarWinds Survey Finds
SolarWinds' 2026 State of ITSM report shows IT professionals save 2.7–3.3 hours weekly on core tasks using AI, yet 71% report no workload reduction. The disconnect stems from new AI-related responsibilities and unclear ROI definitions, according to SolarWinds' Sean Sebring.
IT服务商缺乏部署自身所售AI所需的资源
Futurum Group数据显示，71%的受访合作伙伴销售AI软件，62%提供AI咨询服务，但仅48%自称具备AI信心的合作伙伴拥有可观的AI业务收入。分析师Tiffani Bova指出，许多合作伙伴缺乏数据科学家、模型编排师和智能体系统知识，小型MSP难以招聘相关人才，而厂商往往不愿投资于合作伙伴的技能提升。