clientele Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2025

Achieve up to 1.7 times higher write throughput and 1.38 times better price performance with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL on AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances

Upgrading to Graviton4-based R8g instances with Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible 17.4 in an Aurora I/O-Optimized cluster configuration results in significant performance improvements. The new instances provide up to 1.7 times higher write throughput, 1.38 times better price-performance, and reduce commit latency by up to 46% on r8g.16xlarge instances and 38% on r8g.2xlarge instances compared to Graviton2-based R6g instances. The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition now supports AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances and PostgreSQL 17.4, which introduces performance enhancements for I/O-Optimized configurations, optimizing write operations and batch processing. R8g instances offer up to 192 vCPUs and 1.5 TB of memory, supporting larger configurations and providing up to 50 Gbps of network bandwidth. PostgreSQL 17 includes vacuum improvements, eliminates the need to drop logical replication slots during upgrades, and expands SQL/JSON standards. Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible separates compute from storage, enabling independent scaling and maintaining six-way replication for durability, while processing changes as log records to reduce I/O operations. Performance benchmarks using HammerDB show improvements in throughput and commit latency across various workloads. For small workloads on 2xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 50.25% and commit latency improved by 33.87%. For medium workloads on 16xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 30% and commit latency improved by 17.44%. The most significant performance benefits arise from combining hardware upgrades from Graviton2 to Graviton4 with database engine upgrades from PostgreSQL 15.10 to 17.4. For small workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 38.71%. For medium workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 46.67%. Cost efficiency is also enhanced, with a 38% improvement in price performance and a 61.26% improvement in price-performance ratio when comparing Graviton2 and Graviton4 instances. Reserved Instances for Graviton4-based R8g instances offer additional cost-optimization opportunities.

Winsage

May 5, 2025

Microsoft quietly fixed broken Windows 10 jump lists

Microsoft acknowledged a problem affecting Windows 10 users related to jump lists on the Start menu, which began with the release of update KB5052077 on February 25, 2025. This issue affected users' ability to access jump lists for applications pinned to their taskbars, particularly for Excel and Word. The disruption was caused by a feature rollout aimed at enhancing account control experiences in Windows 10 version 22H2, which started in March 2025. Microsoft halted this rollout on April 25, 2025, and implemented a service change that automatically resolves the issue for affected systems. The problem primarily impacted Windows 10 version 22H2 Home and Pro editions, while Windows 11 users were unaffected. Users need to ensure their devices are connected to the internet to receive the automatic resolution after rebooting.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

Windows 11 update failure stops machines from updating to version 24H2 using WSUS

Business and enterprise users are facing challenges upgrading to Windows 11 24H2 due to an issue stemming from an update released on April 8th, which primarily affects machines using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Windows 11 Home users are not impacted by this issue. Microsoft is investigating a fix but has not yet provided a solution, leaving users who installed the April 8th update unable to upgrade. The affected versions of Windows 11 include 23H2 and 22H2.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Manychat taps $140M to boost its business messaging platform with AI

Manychat has secured million in a Series B funding round led by Summit Partners to expand its operations. The company has approximately 1.5 million customers in 170 countries, including brands like Nike and the New York Times. Manychat facilitates the transmission of billions of messages annually across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Since its inception in 2015, Manychat had raised around million prior to this round, mainly from a million Series A round in 2019. The company operates at a near break-even point and has experienced significant growth, particularly after Facebook opened its Messenger APIs. Manychat's focus on user engagement distinguishes it from many generative AI chatbots. The new funds will be used for research and development to enhance AI capabilities and improve global sales, marketing, and customer support.

Tech Optimizer

April 10, 2025

How Heroku migrated hundreds of thousands of self-managed PostgreSQL databases to Amazon Aurora

Heroku has migrated its multi-tenant PostgreSQL database fleet from a self-managed environment on Amazon EC2 to the Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition, improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction without impacting customers. This transition involved moving over 200,000 databases, utilizing a dual control plane approach and specialized transfer systems for efficient data migration. The new architecture allows Heroku to leverage AWS Cloud services more effectively, alleviating the operational burdens on engineering teams and enabling a focus on customer value. The migration also positions Heroku to introduce advanced features such as AI-enabled database administration and enhanced security measures.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Hotpatch Updates Come To Windows, Reducing Downtime

Microsoft has introduced hotpatch updates for Windows 11 Enterprise, version 24H2 for x64 (AMD/Intel) CPU devices, aimed at reducing downtime caused by system updates. Administrators can create a hotpatch-enabled quality update policy within the Windows Autopatch framework via the Microsoft Intune console, allowing eligible devices to automatically enroll in this update cycle. Hotpatch updates enable swift implementation of security measures without disruptive reboots, while devices on Windows 10 and earlier will continue to receive standard monthly security updates. Feedback from users has been positive, with many noting the immediate application of security updates as a significant advantage.

Winsage

March 29, 2025

Windows Central Podcast: Nobody wants the Surface Laptop 7?

The Windows Central Podcast discusses the current state of Windows on Arm, the high return rate of the Surface Laptop 7, and upcoming smaller Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models with innovative features. It also covers developments in Windows 11, including the first signs of the 25H2 update.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

Sensor Tower has acquired Video Game Insights

Sensor Tower has acquired Video Game Insights to enhance its data offerings and expand its reach into PC and console gaming, moving beyond its traditional focus on mobile gaming analytics. The financial details of the acquisition are undisclosed. This follows Sensor Tower's previous acquisition of Data.ai about a year ago. CEO Oliver Yeh expressed enthusiasm about the potential of this partnership, stating it will allow the company to provide gaming insights across mobile, PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Video Game Insights is known for delivering accurate estimates related to sales, pricing, engagement, and ratings.

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2025

pgEdge Receives Strategic Investments from Akamai and QRT

pgEdge, based in Alexandria, VA, has secured a strategic investment from Akamai Technologies, Qube Research & Technologies, Rally Ventures, and Sands Capital, with the amount undisclosed. The company aims to enhance growth and innovation in distributed PostgreSQL solutions, focusing on high availability and low latency for mission-critical applications. Under CEO Phillip Merrick, pgEdge offers a fully distributed, open-source PostgreSQL database with multi-master replication technology for seamless operation across geographic regions and multi-cloud environments. Its clients include Bertelsmann, Qube RT, Jobot, the European Parliament, and various U.S. government agencies. pgEdge has raised a total of million in seed stage funding.

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2025

pgEdge, Inc. Secures Strategic Investments from Akamai and QRT, Strengthening the Future of Distributed PostgreSQL for High Availability and Edge Computing

pgEdge, Inc. has secured strategic investments from Akamai Technologies, Inc. and Qube Research & Technologies (QRT), along with participation from existing investors Rally Ventures and Sands Capital, totaling an impressive amount in seed stage funding. This funding aims to enhance pgEdge's innovation and expansion in distributed PostgreSQL solutions, focusing on high availability and low latency for mission-critical applications. pgEdge is recognized as the only fully distributed PostgreSQL database that is open-source and based on standard PostgreSQL. The company offers innovative multi-master replication technology designed for geographic regions and multi-cloud environments. pgEdge is headquartered in Northern Virginia and serves clients including Bertelsmann, Qube RT, Jobot, the European Parliament, and various U.S. government agencies.