Devart Launches Browser-Based SQL Server Code Formatter

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WILMINGTON, United States — August 7, 2026 — Devart today launched Devart SQL Formatter Online, a browser-based SQL Server code formatter that provides immediate formatting of T-SQL and a set of predefined formatting profiles without installation or registration.

Devart SQL Formatter Online is an online SQL formatter and beautifier designed to clean and standardise SQL Server code pasted into a web editor. The tool exposes the SQL formatting capabilities of dbForge SQL Complete and dbForge Studio for SQL Server in a lightweight browser experience. Users can paste SQL, select one of the available formatting profiles, and apply formatting instantly to preview different layouts and keyword casing options.

The service supports common SQL Server constructs, including common table expressions (CTEs), subqueries, CASE expressions, and window functions, and is intended for ad hoc formatting tasks where a full development environment is not required. The browser application runs locally in modern web browsers on any operating system and is free to use without account creation or download.

Devart SQL Formatter Online offers six predefined profiles that cover a range of layout preferences: Default, Collapsed, Extended, Indented, Right Aligned, and Stack Compact. Each profile can be previewed prior to applying formatting, allowing rapid comparison of indentation, alignment, and keyword capitalization. The tool formats pasted SQL code immediately and is designed for quick cleanup of queries before review, sharing, or pasting into an editor.

The online formatter is positioned as a complement to Devart’s desktop development tools rather than a replacement. Advanced formatting controls and bulk file or folder formatting remain available in the desktop editions of Devart’s products. The online tool does not provide custom formatting profile creation, does not include the full set of advanced settings found in desktop editions, and is not designed for batch processing of multiple files.

Devart framed the browser formatter for workflows that require minimal friction: users who need rapid standardisation of a single script, a quick preview of formatting styles, or a means to tidy queries on machines without installed SQL development software. For development workflows that require editor integration, pre-commit hooks, or automated pipeline enforcement of style rules, editor plug-ins and command-line formatters remain appropriate complements to browser-based formatting.

Technical and deployment details are specific and limited to the browser environment. The tool is delivered as a browser-based application compatible with any modern browser. It relies on predefined formatting profiles rather than user-created templates and performs formatting operations in the browser without registration. The cost model for the online tool is free access for immediate formatting tasks; advanced features are reserved for Devart’s desktop products.

Devart emphasised that the online formatter brings a subset of the dbForge SQL Complete and dbForge Studio for SQL Server formatting capabilities into a zero-install web workflow focused on rapid readability improvements. The company described the release as an addition to its existing set of SQL development utilities, providing a straightforward browser option for SQL Server developers and other users working with T-SQL.

About Devart

Devart develops tools for database development, management, and connectivity, including dbForge SQL Complete and dbForge Studio for SQL Server. The company provides a range of desktop and online utilities for database professionals, with product functionality spanning query formatting, code completion, and database administration. Devart’s offerings are used in development and operations workflows across multiple database platforms.

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Contact Person: Media Relations
Company Name: Devart
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GS-JJ Introduces 2026 Educational Line for Campus Programs

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LOS ANGELES, California — August 7, 2026 — GS-JJ today introduced its 2026 Educational Line, an application-based catalog of customizable products for universities, academic departments, alumni programs, and student organizations.

The catalog organizes products by common institutional uses rather than presenting them only by product category. It also directs campus teams to item-specific configurators for current quantities, specifications, pricing, and destination availability.

Product categories

  • Recognition programs: Custom pins, challenge coins, and award medals for departmental ceremonies, alumni programs, and donor recognition.
  • Campus identification: Personalized lanyards with selectable attachments, including swivel hooks and breakaway clasps, for identification and access programs.
  • Student organizations and events: Custom keychains, acrylic charms, embroidered patches, and silicone wristbands for club activities, orientation, and residence hall programs.

Ordering and product review

For eligible products and configurations, quantities may begin at one unit. Minimum quantities, configuration options, current pricing, and destination availability are shown in the relevant online configurator before checkout.

Materials, finishes, production locations, and documentation differ by product and configuration. Campus procurement teams should review the specifications for each selected item and request any documentation required by their institution before approval. The company does not assign a single compliance designation to the full catalog.

Artwork requirements and estimated proof timing are presented through the applicable online workflow. Timing depends on file completeness, design complexity, requested revisions, submission time, and the selected product.

“The 2026 Educational Line gives campus teams an application-based way to review products for recognition, identification, and student programming,” said Ice Wan, marketing manager at GS-JJ. “Item-level information is provided so each institution can assess options against its own schedule and procurement requirements.”

Catalog information, product specifications, artwork instructions, and current service terms are available at GS-JJ.com.

About GS-JJ

GS-JJ manufactures customizable recognition and promotional products, including lapel pins, challenge coins, lanyards, keychains, medals, and embroidered patches. The company serves academic institutions, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and public-sector entities through its online artwork submission platform and customer support team.

Media Contact

Contact Person: Naomi
Company: GS-JJ
Phone: +1(866)573-4920
Email: pr@gs-jj.com
Website: https://www.gs-jj.com/

Selecting an AI Companion Platform in 2026: Key Factors

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The AI companion market has matured significantly by 2026. Platforms now specialize in different strengths, from conversation continuity to detailed visual generation. A useful overview of current options can be found at https://virtualcandy-ai.com/.

This guide highlights the main criteria that help users make a practical choice instead of relying on marketing claims or surface-level comparisons.

Conversation Continuity

One of the clearest differences between platforms is how well they maintain context. Stronger systems remember previous details and keep personality traits stable across sessions. Weaker ones quickly lose track and produce generic replies.

Testing this is simple. Hold a conversation over several sessions and check whether the system recalls earlier information without being reminded. Platforms that pass this test feel more coherent and useful over time. Memory quality often determines whether users stay engaged beyond the first few days.

Image Consistency and Control

Visual performance remains a major deciding factor for many users. The ability to generate the same character repeatedly without major changes in face or proportions is more valuable than occasional high-detail results. A closer examination of one platform that focuses on this area is available in this DreamGF review.

Detailed appearance builders also improve the experience. Platforms that allow precise control over facial features, body type, clothing, and style give users more flexibility. Limited builders often force more generic outcomes. Style support (realistic, semi-realistic, stylized) further expands practical use cases.

Pricing Structure

Most platforms combine a base subscription with credits for image generation. Light conversational use is usually affordable. Intensive visual usage can increase costs quickly. Checking the current credit rates and estimating realistic monthly consumption helps avoid unexpected expenses.

Longer commitment plans reduce the monthly rate but increase the risk of overpaying if interest declines. Starting with a shorter plan is often the safer option for new users.

Practical Evaluation Steps

Begin by defining the main priority: conversation quality, visual consistency, or cost predictability. Test the platform with specific goals rather than random prompts. Generate the same character multiple times to check consistency. Review privacy policies before sharing personal details.

It is also useful to compare how different platforms handle memory and image locking under similar conditions. Real usage reveals more than feature lists alone. Taking notes during the first few sessions makes later comparison easier.

Conclusion

In 2026 no single AI companion platform leads in every category. The most effective approach is to match the tool to the specific need and verify performance through direct testing. This reduces the chance of choosing a platform that looks strong on paper but underperforms in daily use.

Why Every Successful Renovation Starts with a Floor Plan

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Most home renovations begin with excitement. A fresh kitchen, a larger living room, or a dedicated home office can completely transform how a house feels. But many homeowners discover that renovation projects become more complicated—and more expensive—than expected once construction begins.

A common reason is simple: there wasn’t a clear plan before the work started.

Today, many homeowners avoid this problem by using an online floor planner to visualize room layouts, experiment with different ideas, and identify potential issues before ordering materials or hiring contractors.

A detailed floor plan doesn’t guarantee a perfect renovation, but it creates a solid foundation for better decisions throughout the project.

A Renovation Story Many Homeowners Can Relate To

Imagine planning a kitchen remodel. The original goal is straightforward: install new cabinets, replace the countertops, and upgrade the flooring.

Once demolition begins, however, unexpected problems appear. The refrigerator blocks a cabinet door, the kitchen island leaves too little walking space, and electrical outlets need to be relocated. Suddenly, what seemed like a simple renovation requires additional labor, extra materials, and changes to the original timeline.

Situations like this are surprisingly common. In many cases, they happen because the layout was never fully tested before construction started.

Even experienced contractors often recommend reviewing a floor plan first so that potential conflicts can be identified while changes are still easy—and inexpensive—to make.

Why Floor Plans Save More Than Just Time

Many people think of floor plans as drawings for architects, but they’re equally valuable for everyday homeowners. A well-prepared layout helps organize ideas and reduces uncertainty before any physical work begins.

Some of the biggest advantages include:

  • Comparing multiple layout options before making final decisions
  • Confirming that furniture fits comfortably within the space
  • Checking door swings and walking paths
  • Planning storage more efficiently
  • Sharing clear ideas with contractors and family members

Spending an hour reviewing a floor plan can often prevent days of unexpected adjustments later.

Small Planning Decisions Can Prevent Big Mistakes

Renovation budgets are often affected by changes that happen after work has already started. Many of these issues are avoidable with better preparation.

Furniture That Doesn’t Fit

Buying furniture before confirming room dimensions may result in crowded spaces or blocked walkways. Reviewing the layout first helps ensure every piece has enough room.

Poor Traffic Flow

A beautiful room can still feel uncomfortable if people have to walk around obstacles every day. Floor planning helps create natural circulation between entrances, seating areas, and workspaces.

Missed Storage Opportunities

Storage is often overlooked until a renovation is nearly complete. Planning cabinets, shelving, and closets early helps maximize usable space without making rooms feel crowded.

Costly Mid-Project Changes

Moving plumbing, electrical outlets, or walls after construction begins is significantly more expensive than adjusting a digital layout beforehand

Renovation Projects That Benefit Most from Floor Planning

Almost every home improvement project becomes easier with a clear layout, but some renovations benefit even more than others.

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchens require careful coordination between cabinets, appliances, plumbing, and electrical systems. Planning these elements together improves both functionality and workflow.

Bathroom Upgrades

Bathrooms often have limited space, making every inch important. A floor plan helps determine the best placement for fixtures while maintaining comfortable movement.

Home Office Design

Whether working remotely full-time or a few days each week, a thoughtful layout creates a workspace that balances productivity with comfort.

Open-Concept Living Areas

Removing walls can completely change how people move through a home. Reviewing multiple layout options beforehand helps ensure the new space feels open without sacrificing functionality.

Better Planning Makes Collaboration Easier

Most renovation projects involve more than one person. Homeowners, contractors, electricians, plumbers, and interior designers often need to work together throughout the process. Without a clear layout, simple discussions can quickly become confusing, leading to misunderstandings or unnecessary revisions.

A floor plan provides a shared visual reference that everyone can understand. Instead of explaining ideas verbally, homeowners can point to specific measurements, room layouts, or furniture placement. This makes it easier to discuss design changes, coordinate different trades, and keep the project moving efficiently. Better communication not only saves time but also helps ensure the finished space matches the original vision.

Tips Before Starting Your Next Renovation

Before purchasing materials or scheduling contractors, take time to answer a few practical questions:

  1. Have all room measurements been verified?
  2. Is there enough clearance around doors and furniture?
  3. Will the layout support everyday routines?
  4. Are storage needs included in the design?
  5. Have multiple layout options been compared?

These questions may seem simple, but they often reveal issues that are much easier to solve during planning than during construction.

Good Planning Creates Better Results

Successful renovations aren’t just about choosing attractive finishes or the latest design trends. They’re about creating spaces that work well every day.

Taking time to review a floor plan before construction begins helps homeowners make informed decisions, communicate more effectively with contractors, and avoid many of the costly surprises that can derail a project. Whether you’re updating a single room or renovating an entire home, careful planning is one of the smartest investments you can make before the first tool is picked up.

Berks Technologies Launches Bespoke Business Applications Service for London Market

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SLOUGH, United Kingdom — August 6, 2026 — Berks Technologies announced the launch of a dedicated service to design and deliver Bespoke business applications for organisations that have outgrown off-the-shelf tools and seek a local development partner with London market experience.

Berks Technologies framed the new service around common operational gaps that appear as businesses scale: manual workarounds, disconnected toolchains, and processes that require staff to perform tasks the software should handle. The service is positioned to replace those layered workarounds with software built to reflect existing or intended workflows, with a focus on precise workflow modelling, systems integration, and planned extensibility to support growth without the need for premature platform replacement.

The announcement describes workflow mapping as a central element of the offering. Project teams will model processes from lead generation through delivery and invoicing so that the resulting applications align with how a business operates rather than forcing the business to conform to a generic template. Integration capabilities are described as a planning priority to ensure the custom applications can exchange data with an organisation’s existing financial tools, customer relationship systems, and internal databases, reducing the need for manual data reconciliation.

Berks Technologies emphasised scalability as part of the service design. The company outlined an approach that considers the business’s anticipated needs beyond initial deployment so that extensions can be added without a full platform replacement. The service documentation provided with the announcement positioned long-term maintainability and avoidance of per-seat licensing models as factors that influence total cost of ownership for organisations that operate heavily through software.

The company described the decision to operate from Slough with an explicit focus on proximity to London-based clients. The statement cited benefits associated with selecting a software partner nearby, including the ability to hold in-person scoping workshops during the early design stages to reduce misunderstanding and accelerate alignment on requirements. The release also noted that access to a market with experience across finance, retail, logistics, and professional services informed the service’s sector design priorities, because those sectors commonly present operational complexity that generic platforms do not fully address.

Berks Technologies outlined a diagnostic-led engagement model for the service. Initial discovery concentrates on identifying current bottlenecks, the location and cost of manual workarounds, and likely business needs at a two-year horizon rather than building only for immediate requirements. The company stated that this diagnostic step is intended to prevent the common outcome of bespoke projects that solve an outdated problem or grow into unnecessary scope.

The announcement addressed cost considerations for organisations evaluating bespoke development versus subscription-based tools. Berks Technologies acknowledged higher upfront development costs and presented the comparison in operational terms: lifecycle costs associated with accumulated workarounds, manual processing time, and the eventual need to migrate away from unsuitable platforms. The release described bespoke applications as an option that can close or reduce that total cost gap over time depending on the degree to which business operations rely on the software.

Berks Technologies listed indicators that suggest a business may be ready to consider a bespoke solution: persistent manual workarounds, multiple disconnected systems requiring manual synchronization, recurring process exceptions that are handled outside primary systems, and a sense that software constraints dictate operational behavior rather than enabling it.

About Berks Technologies

Berks Technologies is a software development company London firm based in Slough that provides custom application development services for commercial clients. The company focuses on building software aligned with client workflows, integrating with existing systems, and planning for future growth. Berks Technologies serves organisations across multiple sectors including finance, retail, logistics, and professional services.

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Email: info@berkstechnologies.co.uk
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GSJJ Introduces Documented Design-Intake Standards for Custom Merchandise Requests

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NEW YORK, NY — August 6, 2026 — Recently, GSJJ introduced a documented design-intake program that establishes response, artwork-proof, and production-scheduling targets for eligible custom merchandise requests.

The program defines the workflow from the receipt of a complete request through the entry of approved artwork into production scheduling. Manufacturing and shipping remain separate stages and are evaluated independently based on product specifications, materials, order volume, production requirements, and logistics conditions.

Design-Stage Targets

GSJJ has established the following operational targets and service standards for eligible custom merchandise requests:

  • Global 24-hour live customer support with timely responses to customer inquiries
  • Initial 2D or 3D artwork proof within three business hours
  • Approved design entered into production scheduling within 12 business hours

The 12-hour measurement period pauses while GSJJ awaits customer feedback, design approval, or required project information. Customer support response covers the initial communication stage after a project inquiry is submitted. Further steps, including artwork approval, production scheduling, and delivery arrangements, will be confirmed separately based on project requirements.

Customers can help streamline the review process by sharing key information such as product type, order quantity, size specifications, design files or concepts, target dates, and contact details. Technical evaluation determines whether a project qualifies for the stated design-intake targets.

Projects involving complex artwork, multiple revisions, specialty materials, large quantities, or unsupported production requirements may require additional review time and may fall outside the stated targets.

“The program defines where design intake ends, and production planning begins,” said Karen, GSJJ Marketing Director. “By separating customer communication, artwork preparation, and production scheduling stages, we aim to provide clearer expectations without presenting design-stage targets as manufacturing or delivery commitments.”

Measurement Method

GSJJ tracks design-intake activities through its customer-support and artwork-management workflows. The measurement framework focuses on defined stages within the early project process, including customer communication, artwork proof preparation, and production scheduling entry after final design approval.

The tracking process considers factors such as:

  • Customer inquiry handling and response workflows
  • Time required for initial artwork proof preparation
  • Scheduling entry after approved artwork is confirmed
  • Delays caused by missing information, customer feedback, or revision requests

The design-intake standards serve as operational guidelines for eligible requests and do not represent contractual service guarantees, manufacturing completion dates, or delivery commitments.

Scope of the Program

The standards cover several custom merchandise categories supported by GSJJ, including Custom Medals, Custom Enamel Pins, patches, and keychains.

Each order follows its own production and delivery timeline. Factors such as product design, material selection, order volume, manufacturing arrangements, and shipping destination may influence the overall schedule. The design-intake targets apply only to the early stages of customer communication, artwork preparation, and production scheduling.

Program information and current company details are available at GSJJ.

About GSJJ

GSJJ manufactures custom promotional merchandise and recognition items for businesses, sports leagues, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community programs. Its product categories include medals, enamel pins, patches, keychains, and related items used for athletic events, recognition programs, marketing campaigns, and community initiatives.

Media Contact

Contact Person: Sindy
 Company: GSJJ
 Email: pr@gs-jj.com
 Website: https://www.gs-jj.com

Berks Technologies Launches Adaptive Software Development Service for London Organisations

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SLOUGH, United Kingdom — August 6, 2026 — Berks Technologies today launched an adaptive software development service for organisations seeking structured discovery, architecture planning, iterative delivery, testing and post-launch maintenance from a London-area development partner.

Available from August 5, 2026, the service begins with a defined discovery phase and continues through architecture, development, verification, deployment and maintenance. It is intended for organisations developing new digital products, replacing legacy systems or improving established applications as business and user needs evolve.

“Software projects often encounter avoidable rework when assumptions, architecture decisions and maintenance responsibilities are not addressed early enough,” Berks Technologies said in a company statement. “This service introduces documented discovery outputs, weekly decision points and visible testing activity so clients can assess progress throughout the engagement rather than waiting until final delivery.”

Defined Deliverables From Discovery to Maintenance

Each engagement starts by examining the business objective, user journeys, current technical environment and delivery constraints. Findings are documented before the main development phase begins, allowing the client and delivery team to confirm priorities and identify technical dependencies.

Core service deliverables include:

  • Documented user journeys and project objectives
  • An audit of relevant existing systems and integrations
  • Architecture recommendations covering databases, frameworks and service interactions
  • Capacity and scalability considerations
  • Short-cycle development with early usable releases
  • Weekly progress and scope reviews
  • Unit, integration, manual and security testing
  • Deployment planning, monitoring requirements and a defined maintenance scope

This approach recognises that coding is one part of a broader delivery process. The service places equal attention on determining what should be developed, documenting technical decisions and preparing the resulting system for continued operation.

Short Delivery Cycles and Weekly Reviews

Adaptive software development provides the methodological basis for the service. Requirements are recorded as working assumptions that can be reviewed when user feedback, technical findings or business priorities change.

Development proceeds in short cycles, with usable work presented at regular intervals. Weekly engagement meetings give clients a consistent opportunity to review completed work, consider evidence and approve changes to priorities or scope.

For procurement teams using Software House London as a supplier category, the service provides a documented engagement model that can be evaluated through its discovery outputs, review cadence, testing coverage and maintenance arrangements.

Testing and Ongoing Operation

Testing takes place throughout delivery rather than only before deployment. Unit tests assess individual functions, integration tests examine interactions between components, and manual testing covers practical scenarios such as intermittent connectivity and lower-performance devices.

Security requirements are considered during architecture and implementation, particularly where systems process customer information or payments. Relevant checks are incorporated into the project’s testing plan.

Before deployment, Berks Technologies documents the agreed monitoring, patching and update responsibilities. Maintenance scopes can address operating system changes, external API revisions and other platform updates that may affect an application after launch.

Availability

The adaptive software development service is available from Berks Technologies’ Slough operations beginning August 5, 2026. Engagements are structured around discovery, iterative development, weekly reviews, documented verification and agreed post-launch support.

About Berks Technologies 

Berks Technologies is a software development company based in Slough, United Kingdom. The company provides development services spanning discovery, technical architecture, iterative implementation, testing, deployment and maintenance planning. Its engagements are designed to align technical delivery with changing business requirements and observable user feedback.

Media Contact:
Media Relations
Berks Technologies
info@berkstechnologies.co.uk
https://berkstechnologies.co.uk/

Michael Gastauer’s Operating Model: Building Black Banx Across Borders

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Michael Gastauer links founder vision, executive accountability and long-term ownership across Black Banx, Gastauer Family Office and the Gastauer Foundation. 

GLOBAL FINANCE AND IMPACT 

Michael Gastauer connects strategy with execution 

Michael Gastauer’s role in global finance is best understood as an operating model, not simply a collection of titles. He founded Black Banx to remove borders and friction from banking, serves as Group CEO to translate that idea into daily execution, and chairs organisations that manage long-term investment and philanthropy. The common thread is institution building: identify a structural problem, use technology to solve it at scale, and create governance that can sustain the result. 

That sequence matters. Gastauer’s entrepreneur story began before the wealth associated with his later success. He built and exited financial technology businesses, including an early European online payments company, before launching Black Banx in 2015. Those ventures gave him practical experience in card acceptance, e-commerce payments and the limits of national banking systems. Black Banx turned that experience into a global proposition for private and business customers. 

Today, the founder leads a platform that reported 115.3 million customers in more than 180 countries at 30 June 2026. The scale supports his positioning as a digital banking pioneer and global payments expert. It also explains why the work of leadership now depends on more than product ideas: a borderless financial platform must coordinate technology, risk, compliance, capital, people and regional operations at the same time. 

Founder and CEO of Black Banx 

At Black Banx, Michael Gastauer is both founder and Group Chief Executive Officer. The founder role preserves the original mission: make money move more freely, quickly and fairly across borders. The CEO role carries operational responsibility for a group that spans personal banking, business banking, international payments, foreign exchange, cards and integrated cryptocurrency services. 

Black Banx says about 80% of its operations relate to cross-border payments, while the remaining 20% is connected to cryptocurrency and currency trading. Its customer proposition brings together accounts in 28 fiat currencies and two cryptocurrencies, real-time transfers, foreign exchange and tools for businesses to process payments by API or batch upload. This is financial infrastructure rather than a single consumer application. 

Gastauer’s leadership focus is therefore systemic. The company has to make global reach feel simple for the customer while managing complexity behind the screen. Private clients need multi-currency payments, businesses need account visibility and bulk processing, and institutions value speed, pricing and geographic coverage. One platform is designed to serve all three. 

Leadership at scale requires governance 

Founder-led does not mean founder-only. Black Banx publishes a senior executive structure covering finance, governance, artificial intelligence, sustainability, operations, compliance, risk, legal affairs, technology, communications, private clients, business clients and internal audit. Gastauer chairs the Group Executive Committee, while specialist executives bring recommendations and oversight to the decisions required in a complex financial group. 

The board structure adds another layer. Black Banx states that a majority of its board members are independent non-executive directors. Committees oversee audit, risk, remuneration and governance, while regional principal subsidiaries add accountability across major markets.

This division of work helps turn a founder’s global ambition into an organisation that can operate repeatedly and responsibly. Strategy, risk appetite and major capital decisions sit within formal processes, while management executes the approved direction. Gastauer remains the central entrepreneurial figure, but the institution is supported by controls, specialist leaders and regional oversight. 

Gastauer Family Office provides long-term ownership 

Outside Black Banx, Gastauer is founder and chairman of Gastauer Family Office, the family’s European single-family office. Its stated purpose is to manage the family’s financial and personal affairs through a diversified, long-term portfolio. Its scope includes technology ventures, financial companies, direct private investments, property, art, digital assets and public markets. 

The relationship with Black Banx is strategically important. Gastauer Family Office was an early investor and remains one of the company’s largest shareholders. That creates continuity between entrepreneurial creation and patient ownership. The family office can evaluate decisions over a generational horizon rather than a short fund cycle, while Black Banx can keep investing in technology, market coverage and customer acquisition. 

The office reports that Black Banx had a private market valuation of US$150 billion as of June 2026. That valuation is best understood as an outcome of business value creation: a global platform, a customer base above 100 million, a presence across more than 180 countries and multi-billion-dollar annual profits. It follows the operating achievements rather than replacing them. 

The Gastauer Foundation extends the mission 

Gastauer also chairs the Gastauer Foundation. Gastauer Family Office allocated US$1.5 billion in January 2024 to establish and endow it, giving the family’s philanthropic work a durable institutional base. Its priorities cover wider financial access, biodiversity, learning, environmental sustainability, and work in contemporary art and culture. 

The Foundation is distinct from Black Banx, yet the ideas connect. Black Banx seeks to lower barriers to financial participation. The Foundation can support the knowledge, community capacity and environmental resilience that help participation produce lasting benefits. Education and financial literacy expand agency. Conservation protects natural systems over the same long horizon that shapes family-office investing. 

For a billionaire entrepreneur, the important point is not the accumulation of roles but the way those roles reinforce a coherent purpose. Black Banx builds and operates global financial infrastructure. Gastauer Family Office preserves and deploys capital with a long-term perspective. The Gastauer Foundation directs resources toward social, cultural and environmental outcomes. 

A business builder measured by access 

Michael Gastauer’s organisational role can ultimately be measured by the access his institutions create. Black Banx gives individuals and companies a digital route into cross-border banking. Its reach across more than 180 countries supports customers in mature economies and markets where traditional access can be limited. Its technology connects currencies, payment networks and account types in one environment. 

That model makes Gastauer a financial inclusion advocate as well as a fintech founder. It also shows how founder leadership can evolve: the initial idea remains visible, but scale is carried by executives, boards, regional structures, investors and philanthropic institutions. The enduring achievement is not a title or valuation. It is a set of organisations designed to keep creating value beyond a single transaction, market or generation.

Berks Technologies Launches Bespoke Software Development Service for Security-Critical Systems

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SLOUGH, Berkshire – 5th August 2026 – Berks Technologies today launched a bespoke software development service that integrates secure software development and reliability engineering from architecture through deployment and ongoing assurance.

Available for new engagements from August 5, 2026, the service is intended for UK organisations that operate critical business processes, handle sensitive data, or have defined security, availability and recovery requirements. Delivery is coordinated from the company’s Slough office.

“This service is intended for teams whose access controls, recovery objectives and operating constraints require a tailored engineering approach,” said a technical spokesperson for Berks Technologies. “Security and reliability requirements are documented during architecture, implemented within the same delivery cycle and recorded in the handover materials.”

Integrated Security and Reliability

Each engagement begins with architecture and requirements scoping. Security controls and reliability measures are then incorporated into design, implementation, testing and operational planning.

The service can include:

  • Architecture based on least-privilege access
  • Secure coding practices and systematic input validation
  • Penetration testing, vulnerability scanning and focused code review
  • Failure handling, capacity planning and recovery objectives
  • Redundant infrastructure and automated failover where required
  • Monitoring configured around agreed operational thresholds
  • Architecture records, testing reports and operational runbooks

Cross-functional delivery teams coordinate security testing and reliability planning within the same development cycle. Project documentation identifies the practices applied, the testing completed and the operational requirements addressed.

Availability and Engagement

Organisations can engage Berks Technologies for architecture-led design, software implementation, security testing, reliability engineering or ongoing assurance within an agreed project scope.

Enquiries begin through info@berkstechnologies.co.uk or the Berks Technologies website. Pricing, delivery schedules, acceptance criteria and support arrangements are set according to the documented requirements of each engagement.

About Berks Technologies

Berks Technologies is a software engineering firm based in Slough, United Kingdom. It provides custom development and systems engineering services for organisations with operational and regulatory requirements that call for tailored security and reliability approaches. The company documents technical decisions and applies development, testing and operational practices aligned with agreed business requirements.

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Contact Person: Media Relations
Company Name: Berks Technologies
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Rollo Extends Shopify Shipping Workflow to Canadian-Origin Stores

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LAS VEGAS, Nevada – 5th August 2026 – Rollo today announced that Shopify merchants shipping parcels from Canada can now use the Rollo Ship order-to-label workflow previously limited to shipments originating in the United States.

Effective today, qualifying stores can connect Shopify orders to Rollo Ship, compare available carrier rates, create labels through web, iOS or Android interfaces, and return tracking numbers to the associated Shopify orders.

The update expands the workflow’s ship-from coverage from one country to two. It does not add a carrier, change the existing U.S.-origin workflow, or introduce new inventory, currency or mobile functions.

“Extending this workflow to Canadian origins gives Shopify merchants in both Canada and the United States a consistent process for importing orders, comparing available rates, creating labels and returning tracking information,” Rollo said in its product announcement.

Eligibility and Setup

The expansion applies to Rollo Ship accounts that:

  • Connect to a Shopify store
  • Use a Canadian ship-from address for the parcel
  • Provide the shipment information required for a carrier quote
  • Have an applicable carrier or service displayed for the route and account configuration

Merchants can review connection guidance through Rollo support. Current shipment-specific carrier and service options appear in Rollo Ship when a quote is generated and before a label is created.

Available options depend on the origin, destination, parcel weight and dimensions, service level, carrier account status and applicable surcharges. Rollo does not represent that every Canadian national or regional carrier is available.

Shopify Order-to-Label Workflow

Connected stores can use Rollo Ship for:

  • Automatic Shopify order import
  • Rate comparison among carriers available for the shipment
  • Individual or batch label creation
  • Tracking-number return to the associated Shopify order
  • Web, iOS and Android access

Cross-store inventory tracking and support for USD and CAD were established Rollo Ship functions before this geographic expansion.

Platform Label Charges

Rollo Ship has no recurring subscription charge. Under the standard label schedule, the first 200 labels in a monthly billing cycle carry no platform label charge. Each label after the first 200 carries a $0.05 platform label charge.

For a merchant creating 320 labels during one monthly billing cycle:

120 chargeable labels × $0.05 = $6.00 per month

The $6.00 amount covers the platform label charge only. Postage, taxes, carrier charges, surcharges, account fees, Rollo Rewards adjustments and other applicable costs are separate.

Any loyalty adjustment depends on qualifying for and maintaining the applicable status under the current Rollo Rewards terms. A reduced loyalty rate is not automatic.

Carrier quotes vary according to shipment details and account configuration. A rate displayed for one parcel may not apply to another.

Operational Considerations

Before creating labels, merchants should confirm that their ship-from address, product weights, package dimensions and carrier connections are current. Stores using negotiated carrier rates should also verify that the relevant account connection is active.

Guidance for carrier connections, order imports and fulfillment handling is available through Rollo support. Options displayed in Rollo Ship at the time of quoting govern each shipment.

The workflow is designed for parcels originating in the United States or Canada. Pallets, shipments originating elsewhere, unsupported regional carriers and some internal carrier contracts may require another process.

Feature and pricing statements are based on Rollo Ship product information and applicable Rollo program terms accessed August 5, 2026. Current platform terms and displayed options govern if they differ from this release.

About Rollo

Rollo Ship is a free multi-carrier shipping platform that  provides parcel-shipping software for merchants operating in the United States and Canada. Its services include carrier-rate comparison, label creation, mobile applications, Shopify order integration and multi-store inventory tracking under a model with no recurring subscription charge.

MEDIA DETAILS

Contact Person: Media Relations
Company Name: Rollo
Email: contact@rollo.com
Website: https://www.rollo.com