Tag: cost control

  • Cloudflare Launches Identity-Aware AI Gateway for Real-Time Employee AI Usage Visibility and Cost Control

    Cloudflare Launches Identity-Aware AI Gateway for Real-Time Employee AI Usage Visibility and Cost Control

    Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET) has introduced a new tool called Identity-Aware AI Gateway, giving IT and security teams unprecedented visibility into how employees and automated agents use AI models at work. The feature, announced on August 6, 2026, allows companies to see exactly which user or system sent a request to an AI model, set individual or team-level spending limits, and automatically flag risky content—all without requiring new infrastructure or disrupting workflows.

    Accompanying the gateway is a User Insights feature that learns normal AI usage patterns for each person and automated system, alerting teams when behavior deviates from the baseline. This addresses two major challenges: rising AI costs and security blind spots. As AI requests grow cheaper but more numerous, bills can spike unexpectedly, and sensitive data like employee names, passwords, or confidential files may leak to external AI providers unnoticed.

    “When security is clunky, it becomes a speed bump that slows down innovation. Right now, companies are wary of surprise AI bills or accidental data leaks, so their instinct is to lock down access and restrict what teams can build,” said Dane Knecht, CTO of Cloudflare. “Connecting our access controls directly to AI Gateway flips that dynamic. Teams get the freedom to work with any AI model they choose. IT gets real-time visibility, guardrails, and the budget controls they actually need.”

    Key capabilities of the Identity-Aware AI Gateway and User Insights include:

    • See Exactly Who’s Sending What: By integrating with Cloudflare Access, every AI request is tied to a verified identity—whether employee or automated system.
    • Catch Unusual Behavior Early: User Insights builds a baseline of each user’s AI activity and alerts IT when spending spikes abnormally.
    • Identify Efficiency Opportunities: The system flags when employees use high-powered models for simple tasks that cheaper models could handle.
    • Enforce Identity-Based Access: Replace shared API keys with integration into existing Identity Providers (IdP) and Zero Trust (ZTNA) infrastructure, validating user and device posture before sending requests.
    • Unified AI Traffic Control: All requests flow through a single point, enabling caching to cut redundant costs, rate limiting to prevent runaway usage, and automatic filters that strip sensitive data before it reaches external AI providers.

    Max Baumgarten, Security Engineer at Flexport, commented: “Shared API keys make it almost impossible to tell who is using an AI service or apply the access rules we already have for employees. Putting Cloudflare Access in front of AI Gateway gives each request an authenticated identity and lets us use our existing identity policies at the gateway. Our teams can adopt AI tools without creating a separate authentication system for every client.”

    For more details, visit the Cloudflare AI Security blog or the official Cloudflare website.

  • PMI Hospitality Management Software Review: Streamline Hotel Operations with BI and Forecasting

    PMI Hospitality Management Software Review: Streamline Hotel Operations with BI and Forecasting

    PMI is a comprehensive hospitality property management and productivity software designed to help hotels achieve greater efficiency through business intelligence, forecasting, and workforce management. Rated 4 out of 5, the tool supports revenue management, labor productivity, food cost control, energy usage tracking, and employee scheduling. Available as both on-premise and cloud-based solutions, PMI empowers hotel managers to make data-driven decisions that enhance overall performance.

    General Information

    • Founded: 1969
    • Platform Support: Web, Cloud-based, On-premise
    • Category: Hospitality Property Management Software
    • Download: Available on the official website

    Key Features

    • Predict revenue, labor needs, and operational costs
    • Evaluate staff efficiency through business intelligence dashboards
    • Plan employee schedules with workforce planning tools
    • Measure cost control in food and beverage departments
    • Review energy consumption for operational efficiency
    • Develop intelligent budgets using forecasting and reporting modules

    Benefits

    • Accurate labor scheduling through precise forecasts
    • Cost reduction via productivity analysis
    • Revenue management tailored for hospitality industries
    • Intuitive interface that simplifies management tasks
    • Responsive customer support during implementation
    • Improved decision-making with business intelligence reporting

    Challenges

    • Exporting reports for advanced analysis can be difficult
    • Excel schedule import feature lacks comprehensiveness
    • Report formatting may require manual adjustments
    • Customized reporting tools could offer more flexibility
    • Pricing information is not publicly disclosed

    Subscription & Support

    PMI does not list pricing publicly, but a free trial is available for qualified organizations. Interested businesses should contact the vendor for licensing and pricing details. Support options include a help center with implementation guidance, forecasting assistance, scheduling resources, and software onboarding. Customer support offers live chat, technical troubleshooting, and account management.

    Conclusion

    PMI is a robust hospitality property management solution ideal for hotels seeking accurate forecasting and better labor management. Its business intelligence, scheduling, and revenue forecasting features make it a strong choice for optimizing hotel operations. The main drawbacks are limited report exporting and data customization options.

  • How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Product Development and Global Sourcing for Brands

    How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Product Development and Global Sourcing for Brands

    Building a product requires creativity, planning, strong supplier relationships, smart pricing, and meticulous quality control. For growing brands, this process can be both exciting and overwhelming. Finding the right manufacturer, comparing quotes, managing samples, and keeping production on track are time-consuming tasks. Artificial intelligence is now streamlining these workflows, making them more efficient and data-driven.

    Global Product Sourcing Becomes Data-Driven

    Global product sourcing is a critical component of a successful product line. The right supplier can enhance quality, reduce costs, and ensure timely production. Conversely, a poor supplier can cause delays, inconsistent products, and financial losses. AI tools enable brands to compare suppliers faster and identify better matches based on specific needs. While AI does not replace human judgment—brands must still assess quality, ethics, and shipping regulations—it reduces guesswork and accelerates decision-making with data-backed insights.

    Better Communication Reduces Production Problems

    Most sourcing errors stem from miscommunication. A supplier may misinterpret specifications, overlook material choices, or misunderstand quality standards. These small mistakes can lead to delays, rejected samples, or subpar final products. Clear communication from the outset prevents many of these issues. AI tools help structure specifications, organize supplier responses, and track production details, ensuring both parties work from consistent notes. This is especially valuable when brands operate across different countries and time zones. While not a cure-all, clearer communication significantly increases the likelihood of smooth production runs.

    AI Accelerates the Journey from Idea to Sample

    The early stages of product development are often uncertain. Brands may have a great concept but struggle to translate it into detailed specifications and samples. AI tools assist by clarifying requirements and enabling brands to communicate ideas to suppliers in straightforward terms. This reduces confusion and speeds up the transition from concept to sample. Fast sampling is crucial for brands chasing trends or seasonal opportunities. AI helps teams compare supplier capabilities, estimate costs earlier, and refine product details, giving brands a better chance of launching at the optimal time.

    Supplier Discovery Becomes More Efficient

    Traditionally, finding suppliers involved networking, attending trade shows, or browsing directories—slow processes that often miss viable options. AI sourcing tools scan broader networks, matching suppliers to a brand’s specific needs. This benefits both new brands and established companies expanding into new product categories. Speed matters because finding a supplier is about more than just production capability; it involves meeting quality standards, price targets, order volumes, and delivery schedules. A larger pool of suppliers provides more choice and reduces dependence on a single factory or region.

    Cost Control Begins Before Production

    Most product costs are determined long before manufacturing begins. Material choices, design, packaging, order size, shipping, and supplier location all influence the final cost. AI tools help brands evaluate these factors early, allowing adjustments before costs become fixed. Even small decisions in design or sourcing can significantly impact profit margins. Cost control does not mean always choosing the cheapest supplier—a low-cost supplier with poor quality or missed deadlines can be more expensive in the long run. Smart sourcing balances price against reliability and quality. AI can analyze the numbers, but the final decision rests with the brand and its strategic goals.