XI’AN, China, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Kehua Bio-engineering Co., Ltd. (KHB), a global provider of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) solutions, is showcasing its latest compact chemiluminescence platform—the Polaris V150 Automatic Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer—at MEDICA 2025, one of the world’s leading medical industry exhibitions. As a featured product at this year’s KHB booth, the Polaris V150 demonstrates the company’s continuous innovation in automated diagnostics.

Designed for small and medium-sized laboratories, as well as STAT and emergency testing in large hospitals and third-party labs, the Polaris V150 integrates efficiency, precision, and ease of use into a desktop platform. With a footprint of only 0.36 m², the analyzer offers laboratories powerful immunoassay capability without the need for external devices, thanks to its built-in touchscreen and compact design.

Compact Footprint and Workflow Efficiency

Despite its small 0.36 m² footprint, the Polaris V150 delivers 150 tests per hour, enabling laboratories to achieve high operational efficiency within limited workspace. It supports continuous loading of samples, reagents, and reaction cups, while its STAT function ensures urgent samples are prioritized for rapid clinical decision-making. The system offers 40 sample positions, accommodates serum and plasma, and provides automated dilution along with comprehensive liquid-level, clot, and anti-collision detection to enhance workflow reliability.

High Accuracy Powered by ALP–AMPPD Technology

Equipped with a high-performance ALP–AMPPD chemiluminescence system, the Polaris V150 delivers high accuracy and precision (CV < 3%) across assays. The analyzer adopts an all-in-one reagent kit design including calibrators with QR-coded information and a master curve, enabling standardized operation and simplified reagent management.

Comprehensive and Expanding Reagent Menu

The Polaris V150 supports an independently developed test menu of over 60 assays across 10 major disease panels, covering a wide range of routine diagnostic needs. The assay portfolio includes markers for thyroid function, sex hormones, tumor markers, infectious diseases, cardiac markers, inflammation, glycometabolism, anemia, bone metabolism, and more.

Intelligent Systems and Enhanced User Experience

In addition to its analytical performance, the Polaris V150 incorporates an intelligent system design to elevate laboratory usability. The platform enables real-time monitoring of reagent and consumable status, ensuring laboratories maintain full visibility into operational readiness. Its clean, intuitive user interface and built-in touchscreen facilitate efficient navigation and streamlined operation, reducing training requirements and enhancing overall user experience.

Reliable Reagent Stability and Smart Maintenance

To support continuous, high-quality performance, the analyzer provides 24-hour onboard refrigeration (2–8°C) for up to 12 reagent positions, ensuring optimal reagent stability. Features such as remote monitoring and automatic maintenance reduce downtime and simplify service workflows, helping laboratories achieve high operational continuity.

Strong Presence at MEDICA 2025

At MEDICA 2025, the Polaris V150 has become one of the highlights at the KHB booth, attracting global partners seeking compact yet high-performance immunoassay solutions. Live demonstrations and technical consultations provided by KHB’s expert team offer visitors a comprehensive understanding of the instrument’s capabilities and its suitability for both routine and emergency laboratory environments.

“The interest we’ve received at MEDICA demonstrates the strong demand for compact, high-quality chemiluminescence systems like the Polaris V150,” said the product manager of KHB. “We are excited to share this innovation with our international partners and to support laboratories worldwide with efficient immunoassay solutions.”

About KHB Group

Shanghai Kehua Bio-engineering Co., Ltd. (KHB, Stock code: 002022.SZ) is an IVD company that boasts a full line of medical diagnostic products, focusing on immune diagnosis, biochemical diagnosis, molecular diagnosis and point-of-care testing (POCT). Since its foundation in 1981, KHB has developed into a high-tech company that integrates R&D, manufacturing and marketing business operations. In 2004, it was listed in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE).

For more information, please visit KHB’s official website and its LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

https://www.skhb.com/en/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shanghai-kehua-bio-engineering-co.-ltd.-khb-/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true
https://www.facebook.com/KHBKehuaBiotech/
https://x.com/kehua_biotech

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FutureDial, the global leader in mobile device processing automation, announced today the launch of new Global Solution Centers in Europe and Asia, following recognition as the 2025 Mobile Disrupt Innovation Award winner. These new facilities mirror the company’s successful automation labs in Dallas, Texas, and Sunnyvale, California, and provide customers worldwide with direct access to FutureDial’s cutting-edge automation technologies and solution design capabilities.

Extending Leadership Through Experience and Scale

With more than 420 million devices processed and decades of operational expertise, FutureDial has unmatched experience across the device processing industry. The new Solution Centers will allow customers to see automation in action, gain hands-on experience with FutureDial’s SMART Receive, SMART Test, and SMART Grade solutions, learn how AI can be harnessed to optimize operations, and collaborate directly with FutureDial experts to design and run real-world tests and process flows using their own devices.

“No one in this industry has the depth or breadth of experience that FutureDial brings,” said Frank Harbist, CEO at FutureDial. “Our goal is to give customers the ability to touch, test, and truly understand how software, AI-enabled automation, and information management can transform their operations, because we’ve lived that journey with hundreds of customers worldwide.”

Customer Success Through a Solution Orientation

Many of FutureDial’s customers have evolved with the company, starting with software-only solutions and progressing to fully automated workflows. These customers have seen dramatic improvements in speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency, transforming their reverse logistics operations from manual to modernized. All FutureDial automation solutions are built to deliver real-time reporting, live performance insights, and seamless integration with customers’ existing WMS and ERP systems. These data-driven insights empower customers to track throughput, yield, and performance metrics across multiple facilities, improving operational efficiency and decision-making at scale.

Global Vision: Automation Without Borders

The continued expansion into Europe and Asia marks the next phase of FutureDial’s mission to make automation accessible to every device processor, refurbisher, and logistics provider worldwide. FutureDial Global Solution Centers will serve as hubs for innovation, collaboration, and learning, helping customers identify new opportunities for automation and optimize their operations for greater speed, accuracy, and profitability.

“We’re creating places where customers can not only see automation but experience it firsthand,” said Harbist. “Our leadership isn’t just in technology; it’s in helping customers take the journey from software to full automation with confidence. The Solution Center experience proves to clients that FutureDial software, automation, AI-enablement, and information tools will immediately deliver ROI and will grow flexibly as the client does.”

FutureDial’s newest Solution Centers will be in Germany and Japan, with customer engagement capabilities rolling out over the next several months and fully operational in early 2026. In Germany, FutureDial is partnering with DIS-CONNECT, GmbH, a regional leader in the connected devices lifecycle management ecosystem, to staff and equip its European Solution Center. In Japan, FutureDial will create and deploy Solution Center expertise tailored for the Japanese and Asian markets. 

“We at DIS-CONNECT are extremely proud to support FutureDial’s expansion into Germany,” said Georg Dis, CEO and Founder of DIS-CONNECT GmbH. “FutureDial’s commitment to quality and innovation sets the standard in the industry, and together we’re delivering next-generation automation and intelligence to customers through our European Solution Center. DIS-CONNECT’s Service Solutions, AI Decision Matrix, and FutureDial’s automation systems are revolutionizing the market in powerful new ways.”

About FutureDial

FutureDial provides intelligent AI-driven automation and software solutions for device processors, logistics providers, and refurbishers worldwide. The company’s suite of SMART automation technologies helps customers accelerate processing, improve accuracy, and reduce costs across every stage of the device lifecycle. 

FutureDial by the numbers

• Over 420 million devices processed globally
• 25+ years serving OEMs, carriers, and logistics providers
• Global footprint across North America, Europe, and Asia
• Real-time automation data across testing, grading, and receiving workflows

Contact: Brad Treese, 415-623-8000, pr@futuredial.com

HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The prestigious 2025 International Customer Relations Excellence (CRE) Awards, presented by The Asia Pacific Customer Service Consortium, have honoured Trip.com with wins in the categories of Contact Centre of the Year and Global Support Services of the Year. This dual recognition reflects the global travel service provider’s dedication to exceptional, seamless, and compassionate customer service worldwide.

As the travel industry faces continued demand for personalised and efficient support, Trip.com’s customer service teams have exceeded expectations by maintaining a near 90% customer satisfaction rate across more than 16 international support centres. Supported by a strong Trustpilot rating of 4.4, Trip.com’s approach is grounded in a customer-first ethos that drives ongoing innovation and operational excellence.

Grace Ding, Head of Customer Service, Trip.com, said, “We are honoured to receive the Contact Centre of the Year and Global Support Services of the Year awards, which recognise our relentless pursuit of service excellence. This achievement belongs to our passionate, professional, and dedicated customer service teams around the world, who provide 24/7 multilingual support and heartfelt care to travellers across every time zone. Every call answered and every message replied to reflects our commitment to create the best travel experience.”

Elevating Customer Experiences Through Technology and Care

By leveraging AI to enhance service efficiency, Trip.com empowers its teams to focus on delivering value-driven customer experiences. The company will continue to elevate global service standards through continuous innovation, ensuring that every traveller feels supported, wherever their journey leads.

This year, Trip.com has made progress by integrating enhanced AI capabilities to streamline its customer service operations. These improvements facilitate more intuitive interactions and quicker resolutions, supporting the company’s mission to make travel effortless and enjoyable.

Customers can connect with support seamlessly through a variety of channels, whether via the Trip.com app, live chat, or phone. AI-powered operational tools allow Trip.com representatives to focus on personalised, thoughtful service, further distinguishing the brand’s customer experience.

A Global Network Committed to Travellers’ Peace of Mind

Trip.com’s extensive customer care network currently spans 16 locations worldwide, delivering 24/7 multilingual support. Service excellence is evident in the Group’s rapid response times; calls are typically answered within 30 seconds, and a wide array of contact options are available, including complimentary in-app calls.

The company’s upgraded Global Travel SOS service now covers 77 countries, offering timely support for medical emergencies, translation assistance, guidance on lost baggage, and assistance for unaccompanied minors. With an average SOS response time of just 40 seconds, travellers gain confidence knowing expert help is always at hand.

Trip.com continues to set the standard for travel customer service by blending cutting-edge technology with genuine human care. This double victory at the 2025 CRE Awards affirms the company’s leadership and ongoing commitment to putting travellers first in every interaction.

About Trip.com

Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 24 languages across 39 countries and regions in 35 local currencies. Offering an extensive hotel and flight network of more than 1.5 million hotels and flights from over 640 airlines, along with over 200,000 attraction and tour products, Trip.com covers 3,400 airports in 220 countries and regions. Trip.com’s world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service helps to ‘create the best travel experience’ for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit trip.com.

Skills gap widespread; gender gap narrowing; youth proficiency low

ZURICH, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EF (Education First), a global provider of culturally immersive education, released the 2025 edition of its EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), the world’s most comprehensive annual ranking of adult English skills across 123 countries and regions.

“English remains the world’s most widely shared language for international communication. In a time of growing global complexity, its role as a common bridge between cultures, economies, and ideas is more important than ever,” said Kate Bell, EF EPI author.

The EF English Proficiency Index is an annual ranking of countries, regions and capital cities by English skills.

The EF EPI 2025 is based on data from 2.2 million EF Skills Evaluation Technology (EF SET) test takers worldwide. EF SET is the world’s largest free English test for individuals and organizations – making robust language evaluation accessible to millions.

This year, for the first time, speaking and writing skills are evaluated using proprietary AI technology developed by Efekta Education Group, a tech company within EF focused on improving learning outcomes at scale.

“Thanks to Efekta’s advanced technology, we can now assess not only what people understand through listening and reading, but also how well they express themselves through speaking and writing – essential for building understanding across borders and cultures,” added Bell. “This richer, more complete view of English proficiency reveals how skills vary across individuals and groups. AI-powered assessment enables us to do this with unprecedented scale, speed, and consistency worldwide.”

Key Findings:

• Top performers: The Netherlands remains #1, followed by Croatia and Austria – which improved their rankings. Germany climbed to #4 with one of the biggest gains in Europe.
• Speaking remains a global challenge: In over half of the countries measured, speaking is the weakest English skill.
• Skill gaps are widespread: Most countries show significant differences between English skills, especially those with higher overall proficiency. However, which skill ranks strongest, or weakest, varies by country – suggesting no skill is inherently more difficult than others.
• Gender gap narrows: The gender gap is narrowing in most parts of the world, although it widened slightly in the Middle East.
• Youth proficiency falls short: Contrary to expectations, adults under 25 are not rebounding post-pandemic. In many countries, they score lower than older age groups.
• Regional highlights: Europe plateaued; Asia showed the narrowest skill gap; Latin America posted the widest age disparity; Africa remained the most varied.

Beyond rankings, the EF EPI examines how English proficiency relates to innovation, economic opportunity, and global collaboration. As AI reshapes work and life, English remains essential for accessing and influencing the future, especially since leading AI tools are developed mainly in English.

Full report: ef.com/epi

Founded in 1965, EF is a global association of education companies dedicated to opening the world through language, academic, cultural exchange, and travel programs.

Efekta is an innovative Tech company and the world’s leading provider of AI-powered learning technology – focused on improving educational outcomes at scale in high schools, universities, and global companies.

Contact:
mediainquiry@ef.com