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Stonebranch is Again Named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Service Orchestration and Automation Platforms (SOAPs)

Stonebranch Named a Leader Again in Gartner’s 2026 Magic Quadrant for Service Orchestration and Automation Platforms

Stonebranch has once again secured its place as a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Service Orchestration and Automation Platforms (SOAPs), marking the third consecutive year it has received this prestigious recognition. This accolade highlights Stonebranch’s continued innovation and leadership in automation technology through its flagship product, the Universal Automation Center™ (UAC).

A Centralized Platform Unifying Automation and AI

At the core of Stonebranch’s distinction is the Universal Automation Center™, a platform designed to serve as a centralized orchestration control plane. According to CEO Giuseppe Damiani, the UAC bridges traditional automation with modern artificial intelligence models, offering organizations a unified approach to managing complex workflows. This capability is increasingly vital as enterprises look to streamline their IT and business processes across diverse environments, from on-premises systems to cloud infrastructures.

Enhancing Workflow Orchestration and Security

Beyond orchestration, the UAC facilitates secure file transfers and enables users to leverage AI-assisted workflow management. These features not only increase operational efficiency but also enhance security and governance, crucial for maintaining compliance and control over automated processes. The platform’s advanced monitoring tools provide enterprises with detailed insight into their workflows, helping manage risks and improve reliability.

Supporting Enterprise Initiatives

Stonebranch’s automation solution is especially beneficial for organizations undertaking significant digital transformation efforts such as cloud migrations and DevOps implementations. By automating and orchestrating workflows across these initiatives, enterprises can accelerate their transformation timelines while maintaining consistent governance and control.

Key Insights

  • Why is Stonebranch’s Universal Automation Center significant? It integrates traditional and AI-driven automation in a single platform, simplifying management of complex workflows.

  • How does the platform support security? By ensuring secure file transfers and implementing strong monitoring and governance capabilities.

  • What enterprises stand to benefit? Those engaged in IT modernization efforts such as moving to cloud environments or adopting DevOps practices.

  • What does repeated recognition by Gartner indicate? It underscores Stonebranch’s sustained leadership and innovation in the service orchestration and automation space.

Conclusion

Stonebranch’s continued position as a Leader in Gartner’s SOAP Magic Quadrant reinforces the company’s role as a key player in the automation industry. With the Universal Automation Center™, organizations gain a powerful tool to manage and orchestrate complex IT and business workflows securely and efficiently. As digital transformation accelerates, platforms like UAC will remain essential for enterprises striving to unify and optimize automation across diverse environments.


Source: https://martechseries.com/sales-marketing/marketing-automation/stonebranch-is-again-named-a-leader-in-the-2026-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-service-orchestration-and-automation-platforms-soaps/

How retailers are balancing AI shopping with customer data control

Balancing AI-Driven Shopping with Customer Data Control: How Retailers are Adapting

Introduction The retail landscape is rapidly transforming as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how consumers shop online. With AI technology driving an unprecedented 138% increase in traffic to US retail websites, retailers are embracing these advancements to enhance user experience, boost conversions, and importantly, maintain control over valuable customer data. This article explores how major players are navigating this evolving terrain, balancing innovation with privacy and data stewardship.

AI’s Role in Enhancing Online Shopping AI is no longer just a futuristic concept in retail; it’s actively improving how consumers discover and purchase products. AI-driven shoppers not only visit retailer websites more frequently but tend to generate higher revenue and conversion rates, as Adobe Digital Insights reports from May 2026 data.

Retail giants like Walmart and Ulta Beauty have optimized their digital strategies to keep transactions within their own platforms. By doing so, they preserve control over their customer data, which is vital for delivering personalized product recommendations and improving overall shopping experiences.

The Importance of Structured Product Data A significant factor enabling AI’s effectiveness in retail is the availability of structured product data. Well-organized data helps AI systems accurately discover, analyze, and recommend items to shoppers, ensuring relevance and satisfaction.

Universal Cart and Retailer Control Innovations such as Google’s Universal Cart are helping streamline the shopping journey by letting consumers add products from AI-assisted tools like Google Search and Gemini. Crucially, this feature allows retailers to keep customer interactions and purchases on their own sites, helping safeguard data and foster direct customer relationships.

Key Insights

  • How is AI changing shopper behavior? AI boosts traffic and sales by providing more personalized, efficient shopping experiences.
  • Why is controlling customer data important? Maintaining ownership of customer data allows retailers to enhance product recommendations and strengthen consumer trust.
  • What role does structured product data play? It ensures AI can effectively find and suggest relevant products, improving conversion rates.
  • How does Universal Cart impact retailers? It helps retailers maintain customer engagement on their platforms while leveraging AI tools for convenience.

Conclusion As AI technologies continue to evolve, retailers face the dual challenge of leveraging these tools to optimize sales and user experience while safeguarding customer data privacy. The future will likely see further innovations in AI measurement tools, helping retailers track performance and visibility in an increasingly AI-driven market, ultimately benefiting both businesses and consumers alike.


Source: https://www.marketingtechnews.net/news/ai-shopping-customer-data/

How to run ChatGPT ads: A step-by-step guide from early campaigns

How to Run ChatGPT Ads: A Step-by-Step Guide from Early Campaigns

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize the e-commerce landscape, offering brands innovative ways to connect with customers and boost sales. One of the newest frontiers is running ads powered by ChatGPT, which harness AI to create personalized and engaging marketing campaigns. This article explores how e-commerce businesses can strategically implement ChatGPT ads, drawing on insights from early successful campaigns.

Leveraging AI for Personalized Shopping Experiences

E-commerce brands have started using AI technologies like ChatGPT to analyze customer behaviors and preferences in real-time. This enables retailers to deliver personalized product recommendations and tailor marketing messages to individual shoppers, enhancing the overall customer experience. Personalized ads not only increase engagement but also drive higher conversion rates by appealing directly to consumer interests.

How ChatGPT Ads Work in Early Campaigns

Early adopters of ChatGPT ads have demonstrated the power of conversational AI in marketing. These ads use natural language processing to create compelling ad copy and interact with potential customers more dynamically than traditional ads. By simulating a conversational experience, ChatGPT ads can answer buyer questions, recommend products based on user input, and guide the shopping journey more effectively.

Streamlining Operations with AI

Beyond advertising, AI also helps e-commerce businesses optimize logistics, such as inventory management. By predicting demand patterns, AI can reduce overstock and stockouts, saving costs and improving customer satisfaction.

Key Insights

  • What makes ChatGPT ads effective? They offer personalized, conversational interactions that resonate with customers.
  • How can AI improve marketing strategies? By analyzing customer data to tailor content and timing.
  • What operational benefits does AI bring? Enhanced inventory forecasting and efficient resource allocation.

Conclusion

Implementing ChatGPT ads presents a compelling opportunity for e-commerce brands to elevate their marketing efforts and enhance customer engagement. As AI technologies evolve, businesses that adopt these tools early can expect improved operational efficiencies and stronger sales growth. Integrating ChatGPT ads with broader AI-driven strategies will be key to staying competitive and meeting modern consumer expectations.


Source: https://searchengineland.com/run-chatgpt-ads-484513

IPAG LTD Officially Launches HermesSync on the Shopify App Store to Automate Product Discovery for E-Commerce Merchants.

Revolutionizing E-Commerce: IPAG LTD Launches HermesSync on Shopify App Store

The world of e-commerce is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead of product trends and market saturation is a constant challenge for merchants. IPAG LTD has introduced HermesSync, a groundbreaking AI-driven app now available on the Shopify App Store, designed to streamline product discovery and storefront creation for e-commerce merchants worldwide.

What is HermesSync?

HermesSync is an advanced platform that automates the process of product research, making it faster and more accurate for merchants, especially dropshippers and independent retailers. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the app helps users identify products with high potential before they become saturated in the market. This is crucial for merchants who want to capitalize on trends early and avoid costly mistakes associated with saturated markets.

Key Features of HermesSync

  • Real-time social engagement analysis: The platform monitors social media trends and consumer engagement to pinpoint products gaining popularity.
  • Proprietary saturation guardrails: HermesSync uses unique algorithms to detect when a market is becoming too crowded, helping merchants avoid over-saturated products.
  • Instant storefront page creation: Merchants can quickly generate optimized storefront pages for trending products, saving significant time in marketing and launch efforts.

Tailored for Global E-Commerce Merchants

Available globally, HermesSync offers tiered subscription plans starting at $29/month, making it accessible for businesses of various sizes. This tiered pricing allows merchants to choose the plan that best fits their needs and scale as their businesses grow.

Key Insights

  • Why does product saturation matter? Saturated markets lead to increased competition and lower profit margins, making it difficult for merchants to succeed.
  • How does AI improve product discovery? AI analyzes large data sets from social platforms and marketplaces faster than humans, giving merchants a competitive advantage.
  • Who benefits most from HermesSync? Dropshippers and independent retailers who rely on quick trend adoption and efficient product research stand to gain the most.

Conclusion

HermesSync represents a significant step forward in e-commerce technology, addressing some of the most pressing challenges merchants face today. By automating product discovery and streamlining storefront creation, it empowers merchants to make smarter, faster decisions with confidence. As the platform continues to develop, merchants can look forward to an even more robust toolset for maintaining competitive advantage in the fast-paced e-commerce environment.


Source: https://martechseries.com/predictive-ai/ai-platforms-machine-learning/ipag-ltd-officially-launches-hermessync-on-the-shopify-app-store-to-automate-product-discovery-for-e-commerce-merchants/

Viral Nation launches AI Discovery a social-first GEO offering to connect consumers with brands via AI-driven discovery

How Viral Nation’s AI Discovery Revolutionizes Brand Engagement in AI-Driven Ecosystems

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, brands need to adapt to how consumers discover and engage with products and services. Viral Nation has introduced AI Discovery, a groundbreaking, social-first Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) offering designed to enhance brand visibility and influence within AI-mediated discovery environments. This innovative service rethinks brand discovery by focusing on how AI platforms perceive and recommend brands, rather than relying solely on traditional search engine rankings.

Understanding AI Discovery and Its Unique Approach

AI Discovery targets the shifting consumer behavior where AI systems play a pivotal role in brand recommendations. Instead of optimizing merely for search engines, brands now have to consider how AI interprets signals from social content, community interactions, and online presence. Viral Nation’s solution includes five integrated modules—Diagnostic, Foundation, Signal, Measurement, and Integration—that collaborate to optimize brand positioning across various digital ecosystems.

Each module serves a crucial function: diagnosing current brand signals, building foundational strategies, enhancing AI-understandable signals, measuring impact accurately, and integrating insights seamlessly. This comprehensive approach empowers brands to strategically influence how AI systems learn from digital signals to recommend products effectively.

The Core Benefits of AI Discovery

  • Enhanced Visibility: Improves how brands appear in AI-driven discovery paths.
  • Increased Trust: Shapes AI’s perception to recommend brands consumers can trust.
  • Data-Driven Strategy: Utilizes measurement and analytics for continuous optimization.
  • Dynamic Engagement: Incorporates community and content strategies that fuel AI learning.

Key Insights

  • What makes AI Discovery different from traditional SEO? It focuses on AI-driven recommendations and AI perception of brands, rather than solely on keyword rankings.
  • How does AI Discovery help brands connect with consumers? By optimizing the digital signals AI uses to identify and trust brands, it enhances both consumer experience and brand visibility.
  • What are the strategic components involved? Diagnostic, Foundation, Signal, Measurement, and Integration modules provide a holistic toolkit for brand optimization.
  • What opportunities does AI Discovery present for marketers? It enables marketers to leverage AI’s growing role in decision-making, beyond conventional digital marketing channels.

Conclusion

Viral Nation’s AI Discovery represents a significant shift in digital marketing strategies by aligning brand optimization with the demands of AI-powered discovery platforms. Brands adopting this approach can expect to improve their presence where it increasingly matters—within AI ecosystems shaping consumer decisions. As AI continues to evolve, staying ahead with sophisticated, AI-aware strategies like AI Discovery will be critical for sustained brand growth and consumer engagement.


Source: https://martechseries.com/predictive-ai/ai-platforms-machine-learning/viral-nation-launches-ai-discovery-a-social-first-geo-offering-to-connect-consumers-with-brands-via-ai-driven-discovery/