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高通在美国对华为提起诉讼,指控华为未经授权使用其多项专利,特别是在5G技术领域。华为则反诉高通滥用专利权,要求高通支付合理的专利使用费,并停止对华为的专利侵权指控。


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Energy Tech Startups Need 'Later Stage' Financial Boost to Escalate

Acre

With the race against time for the UK to reach its ambitious target of net zero emissions by 2050, there has never been a more pivotal time to embrace innovations in order to achieve this goal. However, a new report shows that while the pioneering ideas and groundwork conducted by tech startups to tackle the climate crisis are warmly embraced, there is a lack of funding after the initial kickstarting period, for the technology to develop and scale up on the level required to evoke change. As a result of its findings in the study, experts at Harwell, the UK’s leading science and innovation campus, are calling for an increase in ‘later stage’ investment and smarter support for scaling energy tech organisations. This will prevent ‘pilot-itis’ and help tackle the global climate challenge. Harwell has released its 2022 Emerging Energy Tech Report with Tech Nation, the national network for tech entrepreneurs, which revealed it was 200 per cent harder for energy tech startups to transition to late growth, compared to tech startups in other sectors. This leaves nearly half of the UK energy tech companies stranded at the seed stage, with little capacity to grow further. While the energy technology sector saw unprecedented growth in global investment last year (at $22.2bn, a rise from the $9.9bn raised in 2020), the report flagged up the challenges faced by innovative energy tech companies to thrive and evolve due to the complex technical, political, legal and financial issues involved in scaling up. In 2021, the UK received more than £1.5bn of investment in seed-stage energy tech firms (a 36 per cent increase from 2020), which was more than Germany, France and the Netherlands combined, and second only to Sweden in Europe. The ten-point-plan put in place by the UK government for a green industrial revolution also promises to increase investment levels in energy tech companies tenfold by 2025. Gerard Grech, Founding CEO, Tech Nation, said: “We support the government’s plans to increase investment in the UK’s drive for net-zero, which would equate to an additional $15bn invested by 2025. “We believe up to half of this investment could come from VCs to accelerate the growth of promising energy tech scaleups and technologies, and the rest from other organisational investors. It’s crucial that, alongside this new investment, we continue to systematically improve the UK’s innovation environment to enable more clean energy companies to thrive. “Failure to secure later-stage investment is too common for scaling energy tech companies because of the inherent complexity of moving advances from the lab into the energy grid. More multi-sector and multi-disciplinary working and coordination is crucial to support this burgeoning sector and will be crucial to the UK achieving net-zero by 2050.” Kitty Grubb, Senior AgriTech Consultant for the Sustainable Business Team at Acre, said: “There is the most enormous amount of innovation in, and investment into, cleantech at the moment. While the market is saturated with pioneering start-ups, we are discovering that later-stage tech organisations are harder to come by due to a lack of legacy. Perhaps what we need to see is a more structured approach to what the future of tech – which will only become vaster in its reach – should look like through partnerships and collaboration from private, public and third sector players." The report noted that arranging organisations into clusters would help investors feel confident in supporting sustainable long-term projects that solve societal problems, due to the opportunities that would arise organically and the encouragement of industry collaboration. In the energy tech sector, this will lead to scaled energy storage technologies, allow energy tech firms to reach later growth stages and will elevate the UK’s status as a global hub for net-zero technologies. While the 950 UK energy tech organisations are clustered largely in Oxfordshire, they are also scattered across the UK and play a vital role in helping energy providers develop innovative net-zero technologies across renewables, battery research, zero-carbon energy storage, zero-carbon fuels, integrated energy systems, travel solutions and digital and data services. Harwell’s Energy Tech Cluster combines national institutions, such as the Faraday Institution, academia and industry to accelerate the rate of global innovation and recently its Living Laboratory launched an autonomous shuttle trial, which demonstrates the potential of battery-powered, zero-emission, 5G self-driving vehicles to operate in a real-world setting. Dr Barbara Ghinelli, Director of Clusters and Harwell Campus Business Development, UKRI-STFC, said: “It’s really important to invest in commercially scalable and collaborative approaches to ensure we’re making the biggest difference to the climate emergency. “At Harwell, we’ve seen rapid growth in our energy tech cluster, which brings together talented researchers, multidisciplinary facilities, and innovative businesses, to drive the transition to net zero and support growth and job creation in a sector that will shape the UK’s future economy and society.” AMTE Power, Brill Power and Starke Energy are three scaling SMEs also joining forces at Harwell’s commercial-scale testbed to demonstrate new energy storage products. The testbed will demonstrate AMTE's sodium-ion battery module, Brill Power’s battery management system (BMS) and Starke Energy's artificial intelligence system. Their collaboration comes as a result of the STEPS grant programme, which supports small to medium-sized enterprises in bringing their energy storage solutions to market. All three have received support from UK partners, The Faraday Institution and Cambridge CleanTech, which has included tailored testing, introductions to potential end-users and market knowledge to strengthen product competition. Professor Pam Thomas, CEO, Faraday Institution, said: “We are excited to be working with the North-West Europe STEPS programme to enable SMEs to demonstrate their latest energy storage technologies in a commercially-relevant setting. “This is another example of the Faraday Institution at Harwell, acting as a convener for partnerships between UK industry, academia and funding organisations as a route to commercialise breakthrough science and engineering to maximise economic value.” About Kitty Grubb Kitty is a Senior Consultant in Acre’s Sustainable Business Team and has been appointed to a variety of international executives and boards since 2016. She began her career recruiting into wealth management and private banking for a boutique recruitment firm, before moving into global non-profits at a medium-sized, purpose-driven search firm. Since then, she has worked with ambitious, world-leading charities; membership bodies and commercial businesses to identify progressive and next-generation talent. Prior to joining Acre, Kittyspent three years at Odgers Berndtson where she developed her focus on agricultural conservation and regeneration-driven organisations in the consumer, profit-for-purpose and charity sectors. Clients included AHDB; the National Forest Company; the Woodland Trust; McCain, and WRAP. Alongside this, she also helped to identify and provide consultation to clients around cross-sectoral collaboration and partnerships. Kitty speaks three languages, having graduated from Leeds University with a BA in French and Spanish, and therefore takes great interest in the diverse cultural requirements of international recruitment. About Acre At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy. Our 18 years' experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change. Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too. We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations. Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Acre on 3blmedia.com

May 05, 2022 01:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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DuPont Sustainability Report: Letter From Our Executive Chairman and CEO, Edward D. Breen

DuPont

The events of the past two years have underscored both the resilience and fragility of our global economic, environmental, and social systems. We’ve faced a worldwide pandemic, supply chain dislocations, natural disasters and more. The need for industrial transformation and collaboration has never been more urgent. Embracing change is not sufficient; we need bold actions if we are to live and work sustainability. While there is no silver bullet, responsible technology can help solve and accelerate the changes that are required. We’re seeing that across sectors: advances in connectivity have improved healthcare access with telemedicine and enabled hybrid and remote working; new water solutions are helping cities and municipalities implement reuse strategies to address water scarcity; and progress in battery technologies are paving the way for the adoption of electric vehicles today and in the years to come. At DuPont, we are navigating through our own transformation, reshaping, sharpening and strengthening our business portfolio and focusing our innovation in areas where our technologies and capabilities can make a difference, such as clean water and personal protective garments. In 2021, we completed the divestiture of the Nutrition & Biosciences business with IFF. We acquired Laird Performance Materials on July 1, 2021 and on November 2, 2021 announced a definitive agreement to acquire Rogers Corporation1. Together with DuPont’s Electronics & Industrial business, these portfolio actions will position us to better serve our customers and drive sustainable solutions for electric vehicles, advanced driver assist systems, 5G telecommunications, and clean energy. These acquisitions, along with the pending divestiture of a majority of our Mobility & Materials segment, firmly establishes us as a multi-industrial company with a focus on electronics, water, protection, industrial technologies, and next generation automotive.  Our transformation journey is interconnected with our sustainability journey. We believe the biggest impact we can make is by working with our customers to develop sustainable innovations that address the worlds’ challenges, and equally important is taking a broader view of industry value chains. That includes making changes to our own operations, like investing in and transitioning to lower greenhouse gas formulations for our building insulation solutions. We also recognize the opportunity to transform our supplier networks to create more robust delivery systems for our customers and more sustainable sourcing for our operations. Renewable energy is one part of our integrated climate and energy approach, and in 2021 we signed a virtual power purchase agreement for the equivalent of 135 megawatts of new wind energy.  Our company and our people remain committed to our Core Values. As we embrace the transformation to hybrid working, we’re also grateful for our essential workers who are on site at our manufacturing and research facilities each day keeping our plants running and our innovation flowing. The safety, health and well-being of all our teams has and always will be our first priority. Each one of our colleagues is taking steps, both big and small, to deliver on our purpose—to empower the world with the essential innovations to thrive—and transform the way we deliver results for our customers, communities, and shareholders. Their actions are further encouraged through our employee incentive compensation program that includes an ESG modifier aligned to progress toward DuPont’s Sustainability Goals.  I’m encouraged by the collaboration and commitments of companies across industries. CEO-led coalitions are one of the ways the private sector can drive progress for all stakeholders. DuPont has been a long-standing member of the United Nations Global Compact and this past year, I was proud to sign its CEO Water Mandate; and as a founding member of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, I’m committed to fostering a global economy that works for everyone. Through industry alliances like these, coupled with meaningful actions and supported by oversight from our Board of Directors, we’re ensuring sustainability remains at the top of our agenda. I invite you to read on to learn more about our work, our people, and how our results connect to our stakeholders and to the changes the world needs from all of us.  I invite you to read on to learn more about our work, our people, and how our results connect to our stakeholders and to the changes the world needs from all of us.  Edward D. Breen Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Read the full report here.  View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DuPont on 3blmedia.com

May 05, 2022 11:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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CSG Systems International Reports First Quarter 2022 Results

CSG

Confirming All 2022 Financial Guidance Targets Delivered 4.5% YoY Revenue Growth and 4.9% YoY Non-GAAP EPS Growth in Q1 Launched 5G-Ready, SaaS-Based CSG Encompass for Global Telecom Customers CSG (NASDAQ: CSGS) today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Financial Results: First quarter 2022 financial results: Total revenue was $264.4 million and total non-GAAP adjusted revenue was $246.4 million. GAAP operating income was $16.4 million, or 6.2% of total revenue, and non-GAAP operating income was $40.2 million, or 16.3% of non-GAAP adjusted revenue. GAAP earnings per diluted share (EPS) was $0.19 and non-GAAP EPS was $0.86. Cash flows used in operations were ($5.5) million, with a non-GAAP free cash flow deficit of ( $15.9) million. Shareholder Returns: CSG declared its quarterly cash dividend of $0.265 per share of common stock, or a total of approximately $9 million, to shareholders. During the first quarter of 2022, CSG repurchased under its stock repurchase program, approximately 266,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $16 million. “CSG continued to build off our excellent 2021 momentum by delivering 4.5% year-over-year revenue growth and 4.9% year-over-year non-GAAP EPS growth in Q1, despite the discounts related to our Charter Communications and DISH contract renewals,” said Brian Shepherd, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSG. “These good first quarter results prove that our strategy is paying dividends as we continue to deliver for our customers. As a result, we are pleased to confirm all 2022 financial guidance targets. Looking ahead, we remain well positioned to lengthen and strengthen our relationships with existing customers, organically grow our revenue, close good value-adding strategic acquisitions, and diversify into faster growth industry verticals.” Financial Overview (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages): For additional information and reconciliations regarding CSG’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the attached Exhibit 2 and the Investor Relations section of CSG’s website at csgi.com. Results of Operations GAAP Results: Total revenue for the first quarter of 2022 was $264.4 million, a 4.5% increase when compared to revenue of $253.1 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in revenue can be primarily attributed to the continued growth of CSG’s revenue management solutions, as approximately two-thirds of the increase was attributed to organic growth. GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2022 was $16.4 million, or 6.2% of total revenue, compared to $31.4 million, or 12.4% of total revenue, for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in operating income is mainly a result of a $12 million increase in restructuring and reorganization charges related primarily to real estate restructurings in the first quarter of 2022 as CSG rationalizes its real estate footprint to reflect a flexible work approach. GAAP EPS for the first quarter of 2022 was $0.19, as compared to $0.61 for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in GAAP EPS can be mainly attributed to the increase restructuring and reorganization charges, discussed above, and a $7.5 million loss incurred on a derivative liability upon conversion of our 2016 Convertible Notes, discussed below. Non-GAAP Results: Non-GAAP adjusted revenue for the first quarter of 2022 was $246.4 million, a 4.1% increase when compared to non-GAAP adjusted revenue of $236.7 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in non-GAAP adjusted revenue between periods is due to the factors discussed above. Non-GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2022 was $40.2 million, or 16.3% of total non-GAAP adjusted revenue, compared to $40.2 million, or 17.0% of total non-GAAP adjusted revenue for the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP EPS for the first quarter of 2022 was $0.86 compared to $0.82 for the first quarter of 2021. Balance Sheet and Cash Flows Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2022 were $187.6 million compared to $233.7 million as of December 31, 2021. CSG had net cash flows used in operations for the first quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 of ($5.5) million and ($2.2) million, respectively, and had non-GAAP free cash flow deficits of ($15.9) million and ($10.5) million, respectively. Cash flows for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021 were negatively impacted by the payment of year-end accrued employee incentive compensation. During the first quarter of 2022, CSG borrowed $245 million on its 2021 Revolving Credit Facility to settle the 2016 Convertible Notes for approximately $242 million in cash. As a result of the conversions of the Notes in March 2022, CSG recognized a $7.5 million loss on a derivative liability related to the change in CSG’s stock price over the observation period prior to settlement. Summary of Financial Guidance CSG is reaffirming its financial guidance for the full year 2022, as follows: For additional information and reconciliations regarding CSG’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the attached Exhibit 2 and the Investor Relations section of CSG’s website at csgi.com. Conference Call CSG will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET, to discuss CSG’s first quarter results for 2022. The call will be carried live and archived on the Internet. A link to the conference call is available at http://ir.csgi.com. In addition, to reach the conference by phone, call 1-888-412-4131 and use the passcode 2327393. Additional Information For information about CSG, please visit CSG’s web site at csgi.com. Additional information can be found in the Investor Relations section of the website. About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With over 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that are based on assumptions about a number of important factors and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what appears in this news release. Some of these key factors include, but are not limited to the following items: CSG derives approximately forty percent of its revenue from its two largest customers; Fluctuations in credit market conditions, general global economic and political conditions, and foreign currency exchange rates; CSG’s ability to maintain a reliable, secure computing environment; Continued market acceptance of CSG’s products and services; CSG’s ability to continuously develop and enhance products in a timely, cost-effective, technically advanced and competitive manner; CSG’s ability to deliver its solutions in a timely fashion within budget, particularly large and complex software implementations; CSG’s dependency on the global telecommunications industry, and in particular, the North American telecommunications industry; CSG’s ability to meet its financial expectations; Increasing competition in CSG’s market from companies of greater size and with broader presence; CSG’s ability to successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses or assets to achieve expected strategic, operating and financial goals; CSG’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; CSG’s ability to conduct business in the international marketplace; CSG’s ability to comply with applicable U.S. and International laws and regulations; and CSG’s business may be disrupted, and its results of operations and cash flows adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This list is not exhaustive, and readers are encouraged to review the additional risks and important factors described in CSG’s reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other filings made with the SEC. For more information, contact: John Rea, Investor Relations (210) 687-4409 E-mail: john.rea@csgi.com CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-UNAUDITED (in thousands) CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME-UNAUDITED (in thousands, except per share amounts) CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS-UNAUDITED (in thousands) (1) Beginning with the second quarter of 2021, CSG reclassified certain cash flows related to settlement and merchant reserve assets and liabilities from cash flows from operating activities to cash flows from financing activities within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. EXHIBIT 1 CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE ANALYSIS Revenue by Significant Customers: 10% or more of Revenue Revenue by Vertical Revenue by Geography EXHIBIT 2 CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. DISCLOSURES FOR NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Limitations To supplement its condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), CSG uses non-GAAP adjusted revenue, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin percentage, non-GAAP EPS, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, and non-GAAP free cash flow. CSG believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with its GAAP financial measures, provide investors with greater transparency to the information used by CSG’s management in its financial and operational decision making. CSG uses these non-GAAP financial measures for the following purposes: Certain internal financial planning, reporting, and analysis; Forecasting and budgeting; Certain management compensation incentives; and Communications with CSG’s Board of Directors, stockholders, financial analysts, and investors. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided with the intent of providing investors with the following information: A more complete understanding of CSG’s underlying operational results, trends, and cash generating capabilities; Consistency and comparability with CSG’s historical financial results; and Comparability to similar companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. Non-GAAP financial measures are not measures of performance under GAAP, and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial information. Limitations with the use of non-GAAP financial measures include the following items: Non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles; The way in which CSG calculates non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the way in which other companies calculate similar non-GAAP financial measures; Non-GAAP financial measures do not include all items of income and expense that affect CSG’s operations and that are required by GAAP to be included in financial statements; Certain adjustments to CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures result in the exclusion of items that are recurring and will be reflected in CSG’s financial statements in future periods; and Certain charges excluded from CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures are cash expenses, and therefore do impact CSG’s cash position. CSG compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on its GAAP results and using non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement only. Additionally, CSG provides specific information regarding the treatment of GAAP amounts considered in preparing the non-GAAP financial measures and reconciles each n on-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Basis of Presentation The table below outlines the exclusions from CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures: CSG believes that excluding certain items in calculating its non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful supplemental information regarding CSG’s performance and these items are excluded for the following reasons: Transaction fees are primarily comprised of interchange and other payment-related fees paid, in conjunction with the delivery of service to customers under CSG’s payment services contracts, to third-party payment processors and financial institutions by CSG. Because CSG controls the integrated service provided under its payment services customer contracts, these transaction fees are presented gross, and not netted against revenue; however, other payments companies who do not provide and/or control an integrated service present their revenue net of transaction fees. The exclusion of these fees in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP adjusted revenue provides management and investors an additional means to use to compare CSG’s current revenue with historical and future periods, as well as with other payments companies. Restructuring and reorganization charges are expenses that result from cost reduction initiatives and/or significant changes to CSG’s business, to include such things as involuntary employee terminations, changes in management structure, divestitures of businesses, facility consolidations and abandonments, and fundamental reorganizations impacting operational focus and direction. These charges are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. The exclusion of these items in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. Executive transition costs include expenses incurred related to a departure of a CSG executive officer under the terms of the related separation agreement. These types of costs are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. The exclusion of these costs in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. Acquisition-related expenses include amortization of acquired intangible assets, earn-out compensation, and transaction-related costs. Transaction-related costs, which typically include expenses related to legal, accounting, and other professional services, are direct and incremental expenses related to business acquisitions, and thus, are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. The total amount of acquisition-related expenses can vary significantly between periods based on the number and size of acquisition activities, previously acquired intangible assets becoming fully amortized, and ultimate realization of earn-out compensation. In addition, the timing of these expenses may not directly correlate with underlying performance of the CSG’s operations. Therefore, the exclusion of acquisition-related expenses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. Stock-based compensation results from CSG’s issuance of equity awards to its employees under incentive compensation programs. The amount of this incentive compensation in any period is not generally linked to the level of performance by employees or CSG. The exclusion of these expenses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to evaluate the non-cash expense related to compensation included in CSG’s results of operations, and therefore, the exclusion of this item allows investors to further evaluate the cash generating capabilities of CSG’s business. The convertible notes OID is the result of allocating a portion of the principal balance of the debt at issuance to the equity component of the instrument, as required under current accounting rules. This OID is then amortized to interest expense over the life of the respective convertible debt instrument. The interest expense related to the amortization of the OID is a non-cash expense, and therefore, the exclusion of this item allows investors to further evaluate the cash interest costs of CSG’s convertible notes for cash flow, liquidity, and debt service purposes. Gains and losses related to the extinguishment/conversion of debt can be as a result of the refinancing of CSG’s credit agreement and/or repurchase, conversion, or settlement of CSG’s convertible notes. These activities, to include any derivative activity related to debt conversions, are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. Any resulting gain or loss is generally non-cash income or expense, and therefore, the exclusion of these items allows investors to further evaluate the cash impact of these activities for cash flow and liquidity purposes. In addition, the exclusion of these gains and losses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP EPS allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current operating results with historical and future periods. Gains or losses related to the acquisition or disposition of certain of CSG’s business activities are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. Any resulting gain or loss is generally non-cash income or expense, and therefore, the exclusion of these items allows investors to further evaluate the cash impact of these activities for cash flow and liquidity purposes. In addition, the exclusion of these gains and losses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP EPS allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current operating results with historical and future periods. Unusual items within CSG’s quarterly and/or annual income tax expense can occur from such things as income tax accounting timing matters, income taxes related to unusual events, or as a result of different treatment of certain items for book accounting and income tax purposes. Consideration of such items in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. CSG also reports non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP free cash flow. Management believes non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure to investors in evaluating CSG’s operating performance, debt servicing capabilities, and enterprise valuation. CSG defines non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, foreign currency transaction adjustments, acquisition-related expenses, and unusual items, such as restructuring and reorganization charges, executive transition costs, gains and losses related to the extinguishment of debt, and gains and losses on acquisitions or dispositions, as discussed above. Additionally, management uses non-GAAP free cash flow, among other measures, to assess its financial performance and cash generating capabilities, and believes that it is useful to investors because it shows CSG’s cash available to service debt, make strategic acquisitions and investments, repurchase its common stock, pay cash dividends, and fund ongoing operations. CSG defines non-GAAP free cash flow as net cash flows from operating activities less the purchases of software, property and equipment. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Non-GAAP Adjusted Revenue: The reconciliations of GAAP revenue to non-GAAP adjusted revenue for the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands): Non-GAAP Operating Income: The reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP operating income for the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands, except percentages): (1) Stock-based compensation included in the tables above and following excludes amounts that have been recorded in restructuring and reorganization charges. Non-GAAP EPS: The reconciliations of GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS for the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): (2) For the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 the GAAP effective income tax rates were approximately 8% and 26%, respectively, and the non-GAAP effective income tax rates were approximately 27.5% and 27%, respectively. The first quarter of 2022 GAAP effective income tax rate was impacted by the combination of lower net income and a discrete tax benefit related to the vesting of equity-awards during the quarter. (3) The outstanding diluted shares for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were 31.8 million and 32.1 million, respectively. Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA measure to GAAP net income is provided below for the indicated periods (in thousands, except percentages): (4) Interest expense includes amortization of deferred financing costs as provided in Note 5 below. (5) Amortization on the statement of cash flows is made up of the following items for the indicated periods (in thousands): Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP free cash flow and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP free cash flow measure to cash flows from operating activities are provided below for the indicated periods (in thousands): Non-GAAP Financial Measures – 2022 Financial Guidance Non-GAAP Adjusted Revenue: The reconciliation of GAAP revenue to non-GAAP adjusted revenue, as included in CSG’s 2022 full year preliminary financial outlook, is as follows: Non-GAAP Operating Income: The reconciliation of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP operating income, as included in CSG’s 2022 full year financial guidance, is as follows (in thousands, except percentages): Non-GAAP EPS: The reconciliation of GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS as included in CSG’s 2022 full year financial guidance is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): (6) For 2022, the estimated effective income tax rate for GAAP and non-GAAP purposes is expected to be approximately 26% and 27%, respectively. (7) The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 32 million. Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA measure to GAAP net income is provided below for CSG’s 2022 full year financial guidance (in thousands, except percentages): Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP free cash flow and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP free cash flow measure to cash flows from operating activities is provided below for the indicated period (in thousands): Contact Details CSG John Rea +1 210-687-4409 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

May 04, 2022 02:01 PM Mountain Daylight Time

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Hillwood and Ericsson Routes Partner to Advance Autonomous Mobility

Ericsson

Ericsson Routes is like a Waze for wireless cellular connectivity, providing connectivity predictions so that users can be sure they will have a consistent and reliable connection throughout the whole journey and when planning routes for autonomous vehicles. Ericsson Routes is an incubation unit within Ericsson to broaden services to the automotive industry. Hillwood, one of the leading industrial and commercial real estate developers in the U.S., and Ericsson, a global leader in telecommunications and technology partner to automakers, have a shared vision of a future where connected mobility will make transportation safer and more sustainable. The AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) is an unparalleled ecosystem that allows mobility visionaries full access to essential resources and partnerships to test, scale and commercialize the latest technologies. In the less than three years since the launch of the MIZ, it has quickly become one of the premier global destinations for pioneers advancing next-generation supply chain technologies, including Wing, Bell, TuSimple, Gatik, and many more. “Partnering with Ericsson Routes and their technology leadership gives our customers world-class and cutting-edge services that will advance the mobility industry,” says Russell Laughlin, Executive Vice President of Hillwood. “This unique technology offers mobility leaders an opportunity to be at the forefront of ensuring their products have the connectivity they need to operate now and well into the future.” “Ericsson believes that wireless cellular connectivity is essential to mobility. Companies need to know and trust that connectivity will be seamless before sending an autonomous vehicle onto the road to deliver groceries or a drone to inspect a power line. Ericsson Routes provides this insurance, and we’re excited to see it grow at the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone,” says Daniel Alexus, Head of Ericsson ONE. Earlier this year, Ericsson Routes launched in San Francisco, Calif., providing a single integration point and a consistent prediction engine for autonomous vehicles across all their wireless service providers. The service predicts secure connectivity along a path from point A to point B with its uplink blind spot detector. By collecting and measuring connectivity data insights, Ericsson Routes’ planning capabilities also help fleet managers address connectivity questions as new deployment areas are considered. Ericsson Routes has now expanded its service to the MIZ, making it available to the current and future leading mobility companies operating there. In addition, in partnership with Hillwood, Ericsson Routes will test and expand support for drone connectivity later this year. For more information about the AllianceTexasMIZ, please go here. If you’re a player in the autonomous or connected vehicle space or a drone company interested in trying out Ericsson Routes, please find more information here. Ericsson is a technology partner to automakers, connectivity providers, and hyperscalers alike – moving the automotive ecosystem forward in multiple collaborative efforts, including managing connectivity and digital services. Ericsson Routes is an Ericsson ONE incubated project. Ericsson ONE is Ericsson’s accelerator for internal growth businesses. Read more about it here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com

May 03, 2022 12:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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DuPont Joins Apple's Supplier Clean Energy Program

DuPont

WILMINGTON, Del., April 29, 2022 /3BL Media/ – DuPont (NYSE: DD) announced it has joined Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program. By participating in the program, DuPont has committed to use 100 percent renewable electricity, including renewable energy credits (RECs) in its  manufacture of all products for Apple – a key milestone in achieving renewable electricity and climate stewardship goals outlined in DuPont’s  2030 Sustainability Goals. “DuPont is proud to join Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program,” said Jon Kemp, President, DuPont Electronics & Industrial. “Together, we are working to support a transition to clean energy and are positively addressing climate change. Sustainability has been a focal point for our business and we’re committed to partnering with our customers and suppliers to advance the adoption of clean electricity and reduce environmental impacts along the electronics industry value chain.” Today’s announcement follows a series of actions DuPont has taken to support its Climate Action goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 30% by 2030, sourcing 60% of electricity from renewable energy and delivering carbon neutral operations by 2050: In 2021, DuPont achieved 15% renewable electricity, including renewable energy credits (RECs), which will be highlighted in the company’s sustainability report publishing on May 2, 2022. This includes DuPont’s Interconnect Solutions business (ICS) — part of the Electronics & Industrial segment and manufacturer of products sold to Apple — which now powers 95 percent of its global operations using renewable electricity. DuPont is a member of RE100, a global environmental initiative led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP, which brings together companies committed to shifting the electricity used globally in its operations to 100 percent renewable energy. In 2021, the company signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. The VPPA wind power project is scheduled to commence operations in 2023 and is expected to deliver approximately 528,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of wind-generated renewable electricity annually to the local grid. This is equivalent to approximately 25 percent of the company’s total electricity needs today. DuPont’s unique science and proven technologies create innovative materials and sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By partnering together with its customers, these solutions serve next-generation industries such as 5G connectivity and autonomous and electric vehicles while fundamentally reducing carbon footprint and addressing sustainability challenges. Learn more about  DuPont’s 2030 Sustainability Goals. About DuPont Electronics & Industrial DuPont Electronics & Industrial is a global supplier of new technologies and performance materials serving the semiconductor, circuit board, display, digital and flexographic printing, healthcare, aerospace, industrial and transportation industries. From advanced technology centers worldwide, teams of talented research scientists and application experts work closely with customers, providing solutions, products and technical service to enable next-generation technologies.   About DuPont DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at  www.dupont.com   Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "target," and similar expressions and variations or negatives of these words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain and subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which that are beyond DuPont's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not representations or warranties or guarantees of future results. Forward-looking statements include statements which relate to the purpose, ambitions, commitments, targets, plans, objectives, and results of DuPont’s sustainability strategy. Forward-looking statements include statements related to the standards and measurement of progress against the company’s sustainability goals, including metrics, data and other information, which are based on estimates and assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time. The actual conduct of the company’s activities and results thereof, including the development, implementation, achievement or continuation of any goal, program, policy or initiative discussed or expected in connection with DuPont’s sustainability strategy may differ materially from the statements made herein. The use of the word “material” for the purposes of statements regarding our sustainability strategy and goals should not be read as equating to any use of the word in the company’s other disclosures or filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See DuPont’s most recent annual report and subsequent current and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further description of risks factors that could impact the expectations or estimates implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including (i) the ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion, accounting and tax treatments, and benefits, including integration, related to portfolio changes; (ii) risks and costs related to indemnification of legacy liabilities; (iii) risks and uncertainties related to operational and supply chain impacts or disruptions, including ability to offset increased costs, obtain raw materials, and meet customer needs, and (iv) other risks to DuPont's business and operations. Unlisted factors may also present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business or supply chain disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties, loss of key customers, reputational harm and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on DuPont’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. DuPont assumes no obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. #   #   # DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, SM or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted. 4/22/22 For further information contact: Dan Turner 302-996-8372 daniel.a.turner@dupont.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DuPont on 3blmedia.com

April 29, 2022 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Qualcomm's Robust Cybersecurity Program Protects Employees, Customers and Suppliers

Qualcomm

The world has seen a sharp increase in cyberattacks and high-profile security breaches in recent years. These incidents can affect individuals, corporations and other organizations. Qualcomm places a high priority on cybersecurity, not only to protect our employees, customers and business partners, but also to protect our intellectual property, operations and products. Qualcomm’s Cybersecurity Program is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework, and is customized to meet our specific needs. We implement a comprehensive set of security policies and technical controls that seek to protect and defend Qualcomm from cyber-attacks. Our Cybersecurity Program is periodically reviewed for maturity and effectiveness by independent third-party firms and is subject to internal audits on a regular basis. We regularly conduct penetration tests to simulate attacks against our network to validate the efficacy of our security controls. We evaluate our cyber-risk profile through continuous assessment of the cyber-threat landscape and the operation of our cyber vulnerability management program. We use our evaluation of our cyber-risk profile to determine our Cybersecurity Program priorities. We track and measure the Program priorities using an associated cyber risk register, which is updated frequently as new risk information becomes available. While we seek to protect our IT applications and infrastructure against cyber-attacks, we recognize the importance of maintaining a comprehensive cyber incident response process. Our cyber incident response process is supported by an internal team of cyber-security experts and integrated with business and senior management. We test our cyber incident response processes through table-top exercises and penetration testing and include action items reporting for the identification of continuous improvement opportunities. Our supplier community is critical to Qualcomm’s success, and we believe in working with our suppliers to ensure they are protected against cyber threats. We operate a supplier cybersecurity assurance program, which is integrated with our procurement processes, to assess and remediate cyber risks across our supplier community. We partner with our suppliers to help them improve their security posture, providing benefits to them and to Qualcomm. We conduct mandatory cybersecurity training for all employees worldwide to help them better understand cybersecurity threats and our Company’s policies, actions and approach to managing this type of risk. We report on this training in the ESG Performance Summary of this report. Qualcomm takes security vulnerabilities in our products very seriously, and we strive to address any security-related issues quickly and appropriately. We educate our developers on secure software design and development lifecycle practices and have implemented a range of security controls to detect and address security vulnerabilities across our products. We operate a vulnerability rewards program for invited security researchers designed to improve the security of the Snapdragon family of processors, 5G modems and related technologies and software. We believe in providing robust security features to our customers, and our Secure Processor capability is certified to the Common Criteria (CC) Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) 4+. We have a global team of internal experts dedicated to protecting the enterprise from cyber threats. Key elements of our Cybersecurity Program – including key cyber threats and risks – are overseen by our Vice President of Cybersecurity, senior management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors through regular reporting and review. Notably, Qualcomm did not experience any material information security breaches or cybersecurity incidents in 2021. We attribute this success to our strong Cybersecurity Program and supporting risk management activities. We annually report the number of material information security breaches and/or other cybersecurity incidents in the ESG Performance Summary of this report. Learn more in Qualcomm's 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Qualcomm on 3blmedia.com

April 28, 2022 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sustainable Innovation Designed with Cadence

Cadence Design Systems

Cadence celebrates Earth Day every day by enabling the next wave of sustainable innovation. We are committed to enhancing our actions to combat climate change and taking steps to lessen the environmental impact of our facilities and business operations.  Our products enable the world’s leading electronics providers to optimize power, space, and energy needs for the most dynamic market applications, including consumer, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, industrial, and healthcare. Read more about sustainability at Cadence:  https://www.cadence.com/en_US/ home/company/csr.html About Cadence  Cadence is a pivotal leader in electronic systems design, building upon more than 30 years of computational software expertise. The company applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality. Cadence customers are the world’s most innovative companies, delivering extraordinary products from chips to boards to complete systems for the most dynamic market applications, including hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, consumer, industrial and healthcare. For eight years in a row, Fortune magazine has named Cadence one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn more at  www.cadence.com. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cadence Design Systems on 3blmedia.com

April 27, 2022 03:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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CSG's Ken Kennedy Elevates the Telecom Industry with Visionary Influence, Leading to 2022 Cablefax Top Power Player Honor

CSG

DENVER, Apr. 27, 2022 – CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that its COO and President of Revenue Management and Digital Monetization, Ken Kennedy, has been selected as a Cablefax 100 Top Power Player. This achievement highlights Kennedy’s unwavering commitment and leadership in guiding the industry through tidal waves of change. It also recognizes his role in ushering in an era of unprecedented growth and opportunity for CSG. The company reached $1 billion in revenue last year with ambitious plans to double the growth of company by 2025. "The cable and broadband industry is in an exciting era of transformation and growth as operators embrace agile new technologies to excite their consumer and enterprise customers," said Kennedy. "With our customer-obsessed mindset, game-changing SaaS technologies, and four decades of expertise, CSG enables operators to differentiate themselves through digital offerings that deliver seamless commerce and drive winning customer experiences. It’s an honor to help shape our customers’ success and contribute to the elevation of our industry. I’m humbled to be included in the 2022 Cablefax 100 Top Power Player List." Cablefax’s prestigious award celebrates the most influential executives whose leadership advances and elevates the industry. As the president of revenue management and digital monetization, CSG’s largest business unit, Kennedy led the charge for a series of strategic acquisitions. These have enabled CSG customers to enhance the monetization of B2B2X business models and quickly deliver dynamic content ecosystems that boost customer acquisition, loyalty, and satisfaction. His visionary strategy culminated with the launch of CSG Encompass, an open, integrated, and modular SaaS commerce solution designed to reduce the complexities of multi-sided B2B2X ecosystems and help CSPs deliver value-adding services while monetizing their vision. “CSG has been driving innovation in the telecommunications industry for 40 years, and leaders like Ken Kennedy exemplify the world-class ingenuity and inspiration it takes to create disruptive change,” said Brian Shepherd, CSG president and CEO. “Ken’s commitment to our customers’ success combined with his vision and expertise are foundational for CSG to realize our growth ambitions and succeed in creating a better, more future-ready world. Congratulations Ken and all the other honorees on this well-deserved honor.” # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Kristine Østergaard Public Relations +44 (0)79 2047 7204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Kristine Østergaard +44 7920 477204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

April 27, 2022 08:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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It's Not Too Early to Prepare for 6G

Keysight Technologies

With 5G still in phased stages of development and deployment, it may seem premature to plan for the next generation of wireless communication technology. But with ambitious goals that build upon the current generation, it’s not too early to begin addressing the technological, regulatory, geographical and educational challenges that will be required to make ubiquitous 6G a reality. This next generation of wireless technology is expected to bring even faster speeds, lower latency, and more bandwidth to instantly deliver massive amounts of data to and from more devices across decentralized, intelligent networks. 6G will accelerate the digitalization of economies and society, moving the world significantly closer to becoming a truly global and digital community. It envisions a society that by year 2030 is data-driven, enabled by near-instant, unlimited wireless connectivity. 6G will build on, and greatly expand, the capability that 5G is expected to deliver for vertical industries that rely on connectivity in healthcare, manufacturing, energy, transportation and public safety, no longer as a novelty or a special set of use cases, but as an integral part of our daily lives. Continue reading View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Keysight Technologies on 3blmedia.com

April 27, 2022 09:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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