<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Coupa announced that it is discontinuing its business travel expense module, Coupa Travel,&nbsp;by January 31, 2026, to adopt a &quot;partner-centric model&quot; for travel services.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The platform was first launched in 2022, following Coupa&rsquo;s acquisitions of Pana and Yapta. These two travel booking technologies featured content from Sabre and agent assistance from Travel Leaders Corporate (now Altour). The module was an integrated offering of Coupa&rsquo;s expense management solutions, featuring itinerary suggestions, automated expense report creation, price monitoring, and a &quot;spend coach&quot; to save on bookings made via Coupa&rsquo;s pre-negotiated rates.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The firm claims the decision to retire the travel platform was influenced by customer feedback, allowing Coupa to focus on its core products and future innovations.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Management/Coupa-to-Sunset-Travel-Offering-in-Early-2026">
      Business Travel News
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Business Expense Management

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>The business expense management company, Coupa, has announced the discontinuation of its business travel expense module, Coupa Travel, by January 31, 2026. The decision is part of a shift towards a partner-centric model for travel services. </p>
 <p>Coupa Travel was launched in 2022, following the acquisitions of Pana and Yapta. It integrated travel booking technologies from these companies, featuring content from Sabre and agent assistance from Altour, formerly known as Travel Leaders Corporate. The platform offered Coupa’s expense management solutions, providing itinerary suggestions, automated expense report generation, price monitoring, and a "spend coach" for saving on bookings made through Coupa’s pre-negotiated rates. </p>
 <p>Coupa claims that customer feedback influenced the decision to retire the travel module, allowing the company to concentrate on its core products and future innovations.</p>
</div>

Coupa to retire travel platform by 2026; shifts to partner-centric model

Additive manufacturing makes objects by systematically adding material via a CAD program

Additive Manufacturing

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 
 <p>6K Additive, a supplier of additive manufacturing materials, has been chosen by America Makes, an institution that collaborates on 3D printing projects in the US, to participate in the "Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM)" project.</p>
 <p>The project, endowed with six million dollars from the Air Force Research Laboratory, aims to enhance the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of the production of niobium C-103 powder for laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition (DED) 3D printing processes. Additionally, it aims to extend the source pool and utilize a wider range of particle sizes for C-103, a niobium alloy utilized in high-temperature applications. The project will also include collaboration with Castheon, NASA Glenn Research Center, NSL Analytical, Lockheed Martin, and Firefly Aerospace.</p>
 <p>&nbsp;6K Additive plans to use its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma process to generate C-103 powders from revert sources, reportedly enhancing efficiency in high-temperature and space applications.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst Quicktake:<br>
 </b> This news marks the second time that American Makes has selected the company to participate in one of its projects. Last month, the company <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32452"> partnered with RTX Technology Research Center and the University of Arizona </a> as part of the EARTH project under America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining to make aerospace and defense product manufacturing more sustainable.</p>

6K Additive awarded project to develop C-103 powder for additive manufacturing

<div>

<p>Innovative Space Carrier (ISC), a company in Tokyo specializing in space transportation systems, has entered into a partnership with WAAM3D, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo. All these organizations bring different specialties to the table - WAAM3D is a metal AM solutions provider, while Aichi Sangyo is known for their metal 3D printers. The collaboration aims to develop reusable space transportation vehicles.</p>
<p>The partnership will allow ISC to procure 3D printers from WAAM3D in Japan for the purpose of creating propellant tanks and other necessary components for space transport. This should contribute to the flexibility and efficiency of the development process.&nbsp;</p>

</div>

WAAM3D partners with Innovative Space Carrier, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo for space transport development

Using real-time data to create dynamic virtual representations of the real world

Digital Twin

<div>
 <p>Akselos, a provider of digital twin technology, has launched a new software called Structural Performance Management for FPSO 4.0. The software is designed for Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and aims to enhance their operations and longevity.</p>
 <p>The software offers several benefits including a reduction in operating costs, optimal planning for inspections and maintenance, minimal downtime, and faster resolution of structural issues. Utilizing RB-FEA technology, the software produces millimeter-level precision for monitoring structural integrity. It develops a digital twin of the FPSO and has the capability to integrate various data such as inspection, metocean, tank fills, and unloading.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Akselos has entered partnerships to offer digital twin solutions for FPSOs in the past. Last September, the company partnered with <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/21998"> Yinson Production and Enauta </a> to deploy Akselos' digital twin technology on the floating vessel Atlanta FPSO in Brazil's Santos Basin.</p>

Akselos introduces software for FPSO monitoring

Bringing fresh produce closer to consumers with efficient, advanced technology.

Vertical Farming

<div>
 
 <p>Alberta Food Security Inc. (AFSI), a TrustBIX Inc. subsidiary, was awarded a USD 5 million contract to construct several indoor vertical farms in Ontario, Canada.</p>
 <p>AFSI stipulates that they have received 50% of the cost upfront before delivery, and will acquire the remaining balance within 30 days. They predict roughly a 15% gross margin on the order.</p>
 <p>AFSI plans to levy a yearly 5% fee of the purchase price for maintenance and management services, driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning, once the indoor farms become fully functional.</p>
 
</div>

Alberta Food Security Inc. receives USD 5 million order for indoor farming technology

AI, robotics, and IoT to streamline the flow of goods and information

Logistics Tech

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
<p>AutoStore, an automated storage and retrieval systems provider, has announced an enhancement of its micro-fulfillment offerings. This includes a new Multi-Temperature Solution, expanded 18-level Grid, and a Motorized Service Vehicle. </p>

<p>The Multi-Temperature Solution integrates multiple temperature zones in a single AutoStore cube, accommodating frozen and chilled environments within a range of -25°C to +6°C. It is currently in use at Haugaland Storhusholdning and will soon be installed at La Réserve des Saveurs by Swisslog. The solution will be available for order from Q1 2025.</p> 

<p>With the new 18-level Grid, the company increases storage density by up to 12.5% and reduces Grid floor space by up to 11%. Alongside this, AutoStore introduced the Motorized Service Vehicle to enhance safety during maintenance tasks on large systems, and improve cube control software functionality. </p>
</div>

AutoStore enhances microfulfilment offering with new grid capabilities and multi-temperature solution

Exploring the limitless possibilities of AI

Generative AI Applications

<div>
 
 <p>OpenAI introduces o1, a new series of AI models for fact-checking and code generation purposes.</p>
 <p>The o1 preview employs a "chain of reasoning" system, which assesses all facets of a query before responding. The model's capability to plan and execute a series of tasks over a longer period makes it ideal for undertaking tasks that demand the integration of multiple subtasks. The price for using o1-preview in API is set at USD 15 per 1 million input tokens and USD 60 per 1 million output tokens.</p>
 <p>The service also includes a more affordable modeling option called o1-mini designed for coding, which is priced 80% less than the cost of o1-preview.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst </b> <b>QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This news comes as the company reportedly seeks to <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33517"> raise USD 6.5 billion </a> in funding while considering <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33264"> restructuring </a> to attract investors. Notably, the new <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32995"> o1 model </a> was code-named "Strawberry" and planned to be launched in the fall of 2024 (September–December). The company claims that the model outperforms previous data analysis, science, and coding models. However, o1 can be slower than other models, sometimes taking over 10 seconds to answer questions, and may still produce errors and hallucinations.</p>

OpenAI launches o1, a self-fact-checking AI model

Now anyone can become a software developer.

No-code Software

<div>
 
 <p>Mobile app development platform, Apptile, has successfully raised an additional USD 1.2 million in seed funding. The round of financing was lead by Singularity Early Opportunities Fund, alongside contributions from Crown Trust and DeVC.</p>
 <p>The funding is set to be utilized for enhancing the ongoing product development, expansion of integrations with various other platforms and services, and overall market expansion.</p>
 <p>Apptile's platform is unique as it offers a no-code platform that enables Shopify merchants to easily create custom mobile applications. Users can construct these applications using a drag-and-drop interface provided by the platform. Additionally, the platform offers a library of pre-built content templates, some of which include native quizzes, customized product pages, and branding. Value added features include integration with third-party services, management and sending of push notifications, and automation of marketing campaigns.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
 
</div>

Apptile raises USD 1.2 million in seed funding to develop platform

Foundation Models

<div>
 
 <p>OpenAI has unveiled a new set of AI models, named o1, designed for fact-checking and code generation tasks.</p>
 <p>The o1 model uses a comprehensive "chain of reasoning" methodology, assessing every component of a problem before coming up with a response. This strategic approach enables the model to execute a series of actions over a prolonged period to solve complex problems that require the completion of various subtasks. Pricing for use of the o1-preview version through API is at the rate of USD 15 for 1 million input tokens and USD 60 for 1 million output tokens.</p>
 <p>The subsidiary version, o1-mini, is an affordable alternative for programming tasks, costing 80% less than the o1-preview model.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst </b> <b>QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This news comes as the company reportedly seeks to <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33517"> raise USD 6.5 billion </a> in funding while considering <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33264"> restructuring </a> to attract investors. Notably, the new <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32995"> o1 model </a> was code-named "Strawberry" and planned to be launched in the fall of 2024 (September–December). The company claims that the model outperforms previous data analysis, science, and coding models. However, o1 can be slower than other models, sometimes taking over 10 seconds to answer questions, and may still produce errors and hallucinations.</p>

<div>
 
 <p>The Australian company SPEE3D, which provides additive manufacturing solutions, took part in an advanced manufacturing demonstration hosted by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. The purpose of this event was to train soldiers without any previous knowledge in additive manufacturing to 3D print a required part for equipment repair in the field. Specifically, the piece to make was a transmission mount for a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, using SPEE3D's cold spray additive manufacturing technology.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst </b> <b>QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The company has recently focused on expanding its reach within the US defense sector . Its recent activity includes:<br>
 1) <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32619"> Completing </a> the experimental portion of the RIMPAC exercise at the Marine Corps Air Station (in August); 2) launching its <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/31068"> US-based manufacturing facility and applications center </a> (in June) to collaborate more closely with the US Department of Defense; and 3) launching an <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/29446"> expeditionary manufacturing unit </a> (in May) to help customers in the defense industry produce high-density metal parts rapidly.</p>

SPEE3D demonstrates 3D printing for US Army

Membership-based, non-insurance healthcare companies helping maintain a steady state of well being.

Preventive Healthcare

<div>
 <p>Alex Therapeutics, a digital health provider, is partnering with Navamedic, a pharmaceutical company from Sweden, to create a companion app specifically designed to manage Parkinson's disease treatment. </p>
 <p>This application will offer patients who are taking Flexilev, a prescription medication for Parkinson's, assistance in managing their medication. This will augment the function of the OraFID dose dispenser, creating a unique combination to promote adherence to personalized treatment schedules. With its initial launch in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark planned within the next year, there are also plans for this app to be expanded globally in future.</p>

</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> In <a href="https:<br>
//www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pfizer-and-alex-therapeutics-announce-a-strategic-commercial-partnership-to-provide-evidence-based-digital-therapeutics-to-patients-starting-in-germany-301471350.html"> January 2022 </a> , the company partnered with Pfizer to develop a digital therapeutics (DTx) app to treat nicotine addiction. The company had also partnered with Vicore Pharma to develop a DTx for treating anxiety and depression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.</p>

All Updates

Coupa to retire travel platform by 2026; shifts to partner-centric model

6K Additive awarded project to develop C-103 powder for additive manufacturing

WAAM3D partners with Innovative Space Carrier, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo for space transport development

Akselos introduces software for FPSO monitoring

Alberta Food Security Inc. receives USD 5 million order for indoor farming technology

AutoStore enhances microfulfilment offering with new grid capabilities and multi-temperature solution

OpenAI launches o1, a self-fact-checking AI model

Apptile raises USD 1.2 million in seed funding to develop platform

OpenAI launches o1, a self-fact-checking AI model

SPEE3D demonstrates 3D printing for US Army

Alex Therapeutics partners with Navamedic to develop Parkinson's disease companion app

Business Expense Management

Coupa to retire travel platform by 2026; shifts to partner-centric model

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