Smart Communications Launches Enterprise-Ready AI Innovations Across the Conversation Cloud™

Purpose-built AI that Improves Speed, Accuracy, and Governance for Regulated Enterprises Without Compromising Compliance or Control 

LONDON, Feb 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smart Communications™, a leading technology company focused on helping highly regulated organizations engage in more meaningful customer conversations, today announced a suite of strategic AI capabilities across its Conversation Cloud. Anchored in the company’s AI philosophy of delivering relevant, accountable, and compliant innovation, the company is introducing a range of purpose-built capabilities that deliver meaningful value to companies today.
More than 80% of Smart Communications’ customers can access these AI capabilities directly within their existing environment today. The new AI capabilities bring consistent, trusted intelligence into the core workflows where customer communications and digital data collection are created, managed, stored, and governed: 

Leverage existing AI investments to increase adoption while reducing risk

· SmartIQ™ Agent Infrastructure enables conversational, controlled agentic data collection experiences on any channel. SmartIQ MCP servers connect GenAI applications with enterprise software systems, enabling enterprise AI agents to deliver compliant data collection to streamline applications, affirmation, onboarding, and self-service experiences.
· AI-Powered Form Migration accelerates transformation by converting outdated PDFs and legacy documents into SmartIQ digital data collection experiences, delivering a “best first draft” in minutes. Organizations can apply this powerful technology to backlogs that still have hundreds, or even thousands, of untransformed form-based processes.

Support high-trust conversations with compliance-focused AI assistants

· Knowledge Assistant provides natural language, in-app guidance that helps users quickly find answers, follow best practices, and complete tasks directly in-app, reducing onboarding time and improving productivity across all skill levels for SmartCOMM and SmartIQ users.
· Writing Assistant optimizes tone and supports real-time translation while maintaining accuracy, brand voice, and compliance. It delivers faster, reliable outcomes for SmartCOMM users with industry leading transparency to preserve content provenance and provide audit trails for every AI assisted change.
· Design Assistant accelerates SmartCOMM template creation with AI-driven refinement of language, tone, and readability using pre-built prompts. Integration via Amazon Bedrock provides embedded access.

Enable compliance and control with orchestration and retrieval innovations

· As AI summarization and self-service experiences scale within organizations, SmartHUB™ meets the moment with retrieval optimized archiving – while legacy systems struggle to keep pace with the exponential increase in AI-driven document requests.
· As new experiences drive engagement across channels, SmartPATH™ orchestrates AI-assisted experiences across channels to ensure delivery, improve completion rates, and correct data errors along the way. 

Combining these AI innovations with SmartCOMM’s powerful migration capabilities enables organizations to rapidly retire complex, high-risk legacy communication technologies. Smart Communications AI innovations reduce manual effort, accelerate time-to-value, bring clarity, improve accessibility, and lower compliance risk across every customer engagement, all while preserving the governance and compliance demanded in regulated industries.

Comments on the News

“At Moter, we turn data into experiences at speed and scale, and we need a partner that works just as fast,” said Adrian Thompson, Chief Customer Officer at Moter Insurance Services. “We look to Smart Communications’ AI innovations to help us create and deliver effective omnichannel customer engagements.”

"The Smart Communications roadmap for AI is quite powerful,” said Marc Francis, Head of Sales Enablement at Three UK. “Most striking is that it's structured and clear. Quite a lot of the AI paths we see from other vendors make a big noise about what you’ll be able to do without the detail backing it up. How we can leverage the AI from Smart Communications is really impressive. We'll be able to make fast inroads with it."

“AI creates real value if teams can trust it to work safely and accurately in the moments that matter most,” said Leigh Segall, CEO at Smart Communications. “In a market crowded with experimentation and hype, we’re focused on AI innovation that delivers real outcomes with the transparency and governance regulated environments demand. This marks the next phase of our AI roadmap and reinforces our leadership in helping enterprises adopt AI responsibly and at scale.”

“The next phase of AI isn’t about experimentation—it’s about execution,” said Heidi Johnson, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Smart Communications. “Our focus is on AI that’s ready for production, governed by design, and purpose-built to support meaningful customer interactions at scale.”

Additional Resources

On February 10, 2026, Smart Communications will host a webinar showcasing its newest AI innovations and a preview of what’s next, illustrating how regulated industries can scale customer engagement with confidence in 2026 and beyond.

Registration for the “Smart AI: Outcomes. Not Hype” webinar is now open.

About Smart Communications:

Smart Communications is the trusted choice for regulated enterprises looking to modernize complex processes and connect with customers in the moments that matter most. Its Conversation Cloud™ platform powers frictionless, compliant, digital-first experiences through omnichannel communications, intelligent orchestration, secure data capture, and digital archival. More than 700 enterprises worldwide—including Zurich Insurance, Priority Health, The Pacific Financial Group, and The Bancorp—rely on Smart Communications to reduce compliance risk, boost operational efficiency, lower costs, and accelerate digital transformation. Today, with over 30 pre-built connectors, Smart Communications integrates seamlessly with trusted enterprise systems including Salesforce, AWS, Guidewire, DuckCreek, OneSpan, and Pega, and powers more than 60 billion mission-critical customer conversations each year. For more information, visit www.smartcommunications.com.   

For media inquiries, contact: 

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry for Smart Communications 

smartcommunications@rlyl.com   

SOURCE: Smart Communications

--BERNAMA

DMITRY SHUBOV: REGULATORY CLARITY BOOSTS US FUNDING FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN LEGAL-TECH STARTUPS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) -- Investors are increasingly basing early-stage funding decisions for Southeast Asia’s United States (US)-focused legal-technology startups on regulatory readiness and market traction, according to consulting firm Dmitry Shubov Consulting.


In a statement, the firm said startups that treat legal and compliance as part of their go-to-market strategy tend to experience shorter due-diligence cycles and achieve better fundraising outcomes than those that treat compliance as an afterthought.


The firm cited an October 2025 report by Crunchbase News, which found that US investors are beginning to factor legal strategy and regulatory preparedness into their investment decisions in the legal-technology (legal-tech) and regulatory-technology (reg-tech) sectors.


“Regulatory preparedness is not just a compliance piece; it is a key part of the product-market story that investors buy into. Southeast Asian founders who prioritise compliance and legal strategy can increase their investor appeal and shorten fundraising timelines,” said Dmitry Shubov Consulting founder, Dmitry Shubov.


Investors are prioritising clearly defined regulatory pathways, licensing plans and market-entry playbooks, as well as data-transfer agreements, privacy and security frameworks, and risk-mitigation plans to reduce due-diligence friction.


They are also assessing repeatable and low-churn customer adoption, strong unit economics, credible go-to-market strategies such as US pilot programmes or channel partnerships, and regulatory clarity, which contribute to investment size and valuation.


In addition, documented compliance processes were cited as making startups more attractive to potential acquirers, including law firms, regulatory-technology platforms and larger software-as-a-service providers.


The firm said consulting support for early-stage legal-technology startups typically includes mapping regulatory pathways, preparing customer data flow and due-diligence documentation, translating pilot projects into investor metrics, establishing US corporate structures and documentation, and developing investor outreach and go-to-market strategies targeting cross-border and reg-tech investors.


For Southeast Asian legal-tech founders, regulatory compliance clarity is increasingly seen as a key factor by investors. Consulting firms with expertise in US market entry, such as Dmitry Shubov Consulting, can provide guidance on navigating regulatory requirements and preparing for investor due diligence.

-- BERNAMA

NEW SHANGHAI–KOTA KINABALU DIRECT FLIGHT BOOSTS CHINA-SABAH CONNECTIVITY FOR VISIT MALAYSIA 2026 (VM2026)

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia welcomed the resumption of Spring Airlines’ (9C) direct daily service from Shanghai, China, to Kota Kinabalu on 28th January 2026, a move that significantly strengthens air connectivity between Malaysia and one of China’s key economic hubs.

The inaugural flight, 9C8593, arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 1.30 a.m. and was welcomed by Ms Haryanty Abu Bakar, representing Tourism Malaysia, alongside representatives from Spring Airlines, the Sabah Tourism Board, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.

The launch of this daily direct service marks an important milestone in enhancing international access to Sabah and is expected to further stimulate visitor arrivals from China to the Land Below the Wind.

"This new air link serves as a direct bridge for discovery between Malaysia and one of China's most vital economic zones. This expansion aligns strongly with Malaysia’s strategic efforts to attract more Chinese visitors, particularly following the implementation of visa-free entry for Chinese citizens," said Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu continues to strengthen its position as a premier tropical destination for the Chinese market. Supported by direct flights from major cities such as Shanghai, the city offers an accessible and time-efficient option for short holidays and family travel. As the gateway to Mount Kinabalu and several UNESCO-recognised sites, Sabah presents immersive nature-based experiences ranging from lush rainforests to vibrant coral reefs, appealing strongly to China’s growing eco-tourism and adventure travel segments. The nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park further enhances this appeal, offering snorkelling and diving experiences that are particularly popular among younger, social-media-savvy travellers.

This accessibility is reinforced by Sabah’s expanding network of direct international air services, which play a crucial role not only in facilitating leisure travel but also in strengthening tourism promotion and people-to-people exchanges between Sabah and China. At present, Sabah enjoys direct scheduled flights from a wide range of Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Beijing, Kunming, Ningbo, Fuzhou and Shantou. Operated by leading carriers such as AirAsia and Xiamen Airlines, these routes offer frequencies ranging from several weekly services to daily operations, ensuring seamless connectivity for travellers.

China remains one of Malaysia’s key source markets, with visitor arrivals reaching 4.7 million in 2025, representing a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase. Recognising that enhanced air connectivity is a primary driver of this growth, Tourism Malaysia continues to work closely with airlines and trade partners in China to promote curated itineraries showcasing Malaysia’s diverse attractions, rich culinary heritage and renowned hospitality.

Aligned with the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the resumption of this route represents a strategic step in boosting inbound arrivals and reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers. Through continued cooperation with industry partners such as Spring Airlines, Malaysia is well positioned to increase international visitor numbers and achieve the ambitious targets set under VM2026.

Tourism Malaysia remains committed to collaborating with international carriers to expand flight networks and ensure Malaysia remains as a top-of-mind destination for global travellers. The organisation extends its full support to Spring Airlines for this service and looks forward to working together on promotional initiatives highlighting Malaysia’s unique attractions and gastronomy to the Shanghai market.

About Tourism Malaysia
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). It focuses on promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination and has, since its establishment, played a significant role in strengthening the country’s presence and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape.

Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) underscores Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The campaign aims to showcase the nation’s diverse natural attractions, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant tourism offerings, while driving inclusive growth and long-term value for local communities and industry stakeholders.

For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s website www.tourism.gov.my and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.

SOURCE: Tourism Malaysia

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Rahayu binti Ahmad
Deputy Director
International Promotions Division (ASAF)
Tel: +603 8891 8203
Email: rahayu@tourism.gov.my

Name: Norshariza binti Mohd Saad
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications Division
Tel: +603 8891 8775
Email: norshariza@tourism.gov.my

--BERNAMA

ACRONIS NAMES INSIGHTZ TECHNOLOGY FIRST SINGAPORE MSSP PARTNER

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Acronis, a global leader in cybersecurity and data protection, announced that Insightz Technology will become its first certified managed security service provider (MSSP) partner in Singapore.


Insightz Technology, a regional cybersecurity MXDR provider, will utilise the partnership to deliver Acronis Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services to managed service providers (MSPs) and their clients across the region.


In a statement, Acronis Senior Vice President for APJ & Middle East, Pasha Ershow welcomed the partnership, stating that MDR services are essential for maintaining business continuity and resilience given the rapid evolution of cybersecurity threats.


Ershow added that the collaboration will enable Insightz Technology to support Acronis in providing high-end MDR services to more than 200 Acronis partners in Singapore and the broader region.


Meanwhile, Insightz Technology Founder, Lionel Loh said the collaboration enables them to provide comprehensive cybersecurity protection with greater operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, which is particularly crucial for small and medium-sized businesses facing increasingly sophisticated threats such as ransomware.


Acronis selected Insightz Technology due to its strong market presence and proven track record in delivering cybersecurity services across various sectors. Insightz Technology contributes over 10 years of data detection expertise, having supported hundreds of global organisations.


The partnership addresses the complexities and rising costs faced by the rapidly growing Singapore MSP industry, which often struggles with managing multiple vendors.


Operating under the Acronis MSSP Partner Program, Insightz Technology will leverage Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, a natively integrated platform.


The platform combines essential capabilities—endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection and response (XDR), backup, disaster recovery, and remote monitoring and management (RMM)—allowing MSPs to eliminate the complexity of using multiple tools, thus increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs.


The Acronis MSSP Program is designed for MSSPs seeking to scale and differentiate their offerings, providing the platform, flexibility, and support needed to thrive in a competitive market. MSSPs maintain full control over branding, pricing, and service delivery while providing MDR services powered by Acronis technology.


-- BERNAMA

MEX UNVEILS MAJOR CMMS PLATFORM UPGRADE FOR MODERN OPERATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- MEX Maintenance Software, Australia’s leading maintenance management software provider, announced the release of MEX v16, a major upgrade to its flagship computerised maintenance management system (CMMS), delivering a refreshed user experience, streamlined workflows and enhanced mobile capabilities.

Designed for asset-intensive organisations across manufacturing, energy, utilities, facilities management and services, MEX v16 focuses on improving everyday usability for maintenance teams operating in complex, multi-site environments across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

“Our focus was on the people using the system every day. Teams are under more pressure, managing more complexity and working with fewer resources.

“MEX v16 is designed to meet that reality, giving them a more practical, usable platform that supports the way their work is actually done,” said MEX Australia Managing Director, Matt Ward in a statement.

The new release introduces a simplified and more intuitive interface to help teams identify priorities faster and complete tasks more efficiently, while enhanced mobile functionality and reporting improve coordination between field technicians and planners.

Built-in artificial intelligence features support more effective planning and scheduling, alongside platform upgrades that strengthen reliability and performance across large, distributed operations.

MEX v16 also integrates with ProCalX, a cloud-based calibration management platform, enabling organisations to align maintenance and field calibration activities and connect calibration data from leading tools, including Fluke instrumentation, directly into maintenance workflows.

Founded in Australia, MEX has supported asset-intensive organisations across APAC for more than 30 years and continues to expand its local presence, reinforcing its long-term commitment to customers in the region.

-- BERNAMA

EF OPENS TITLE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR PRO CYCLING TEAM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Education First (EF) has opened a unique opportunity for a new title partner to join EF Pro Cycling while remaining the team’s long-term owner and anchor investor.

According to a statement, the move aims to strengthen the team’s resources and help it compete with the largest budgets in professional cycling.

The team’s goals include winning the Tour de France Femmes within three years, building a leading development pathway in professional cycling, and securing both men’s and women’s Tours de France within the next decade using riders developed through the EF Pro Cycling system.

“This is a unique opportunity for an organisation to partner with a global team and organisation such as EF. Together, we can build a team that extends far beyond traditional sponsorship, creating lasting value and impact for years to come,” said EF Education First Global Chief of Staff and EF Pro Cycling President, Maria Norrman.

The team will continue building around key riders such as Ben Healy, Magdeleine Vallieres, Kristen Faulkner, Richard Carapaz, and Neilson Powless, who have all signed long-term extensions.

EF Pro Cycling has consistently ranked among the top teams for social media engagement since 2017 and offers one of the strongest returns on investment for title partners in professional sports, according to Nielsen Analytics.

The team is backed by long-standing partners including EasyPost, Cannondale, Wahoo, and POC, reflecting shared values and a commitment to the sport’s long-term growth.

-- BERNAMA

Details on the timetable of the simplified tender offer on North Atlantic Energies shares

Paris, Feb 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NORTH ATLANTIC ENERGIES

Details on the timetable of the simplified tender offer on North Atlantic Energies shares

Paris, FRANCE – January 30, 2026 – North Atlantic France SAS (“North Atlantic France”) refers to its acquisition from ExxonMobil France Holding SAS (“ExxonMobil”) of ExxonMobil’s entire stake in North Atlantic Energies (formerly, Esso Société Anonyme Française SA) (“North Atlantic Energies”), representing 82.89% of North Atlantic Energies’ share capital and voting rights.

In accordance with French securities law, North Atlantic France announced on November 28, 2025 that it would file a simplified tender offer (the “Offer”) for the remaining North Atlantic Energies shares not already held by North Atlantic France, at a price of €28.93 per share, as well as its intention to implement a squeeze-out procedure if the conditions required are met.

It is reminded that the board of directors of North Atlantic Energies has appointed Ledouble SAS, represented by Ms. Agnès Piniot and Mr. Romain Delafont, as an independent expert to issue a fairness opinion on the financial terms of the Offer.

North Atlantic France indicates that it will file the Offer with the Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”) once the independent expert's work has been finalised, after the publication of the 2025 annual results. North Atlantic Energies indicates that this publication is scheduled for March 26, 2026. The filing is therefore expected to take place during the second quarter of 2026. The offer documentation will be submitted to the AMF for review, and the Offer will only open once the AMF has issued its compliance decision.

MEDIA CONTACTS
France: Brunswick Group – northatlantic@brunswickgroup.com
Hugues Boëton: +33 6 79 99 27 15
Paul Priam: +33 6 84 39 09 89

Canada: Mark Duggan – markduggan@northatlantic.ca
+1-709-687-3136

ABOUT NORTH ATLANTIC

For nearly four decades, North Atlantic has been a market leader in the retail gas and convenience sector, as well as the residential, commercial, and wholesale fuel industries in Newfoundland and Labrador. Recently, through a joint venture with Suncor Energy, North Atlantic expanded its retail division into Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, through North Sun Energy. As managing partner, North Atlantic operates 110 fuel retail sites across all three provinces. North Atlantic has ambitious plans for future growth and development in strategic locations across the region.

Known for its expertise in acquiring and delivering exceptional products, North Atlantic caters to both domestic and industrial sectors while also serving global clients through their marine bunkering distribution channels.

North Atlantic is committed to strategic growth to deliver innovative and green energy solutions aligned with evolving global needs. By driving industry progress, North Atlantic is supporting new skills and new jobs for this dynamic landscape. North Atlantic remains committed to providing exceptional energy, fuel and convenience retail initiatives that enhance customer experience while fostering economic growth in the communities they serve in Canada and beyond.

ABOUT NORTH ATLANTIC ENERGIES

North Atlantic Energies is a key player in France’s energy landscape, supporting the country’s security of supply while contributing to the ongoing transformation of the sector.

Representing 20% of France’s refining capacity, the company plays a vital role in the economy and in its regions.

North Atlantic Energies supplies the products essential to modern life and places its customers at the center of its priorities.

MEDIA CONTACTS
France: Brunswick Group – northatlantic@brunswickgroup.com
Hugues Boëton: +33 6 79 99 27 15
Paul Priam: +33 6 84 39 09 89

Canada: Mark Duggan – markduggan@northatlantic.ca
+1-709-687-3136 

SOURCE: North Atlantic