Tag: friction

Willis, Kayna and Belfry Partner to Simplify Insurance Access for Security Providers

Willis, a WTW business is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Belfry, a modern platform for physical security providers, to launch a digital insurance program tailored for Belfry customers. The program pairs Willis’ insurance expertise with Irish award-winning Kayna insurance technology to deliver data-led, streamlined insurance solutions.

Belfry, a US-based vertical SaaS platform, streamlines security management in an all-in-one software that manages scheduling, timekeeping, payroll, and billing for security companies;

Kayna, Willis’ embedded insurance infrastructure partner, enables the distribution of Willis’ security services insurance to Belfry customers by integrating a seamless insurance portal directly within the Belfry platform. The InsurTech will leverage real-time data to pre-fill forms and support quoting, saving users time and simplifying the procurement process;

Willis’ Affinity model pairs well with Belfry’s platform by delivering tailored insurance solutions that meet the specific needs of security providers.

Belfry’s innovative platform transforms the complex needs of security businesses into a single solution that improves back-office efficiency, enhances employee experiences, and supports exceptional customer service. Through the integration of Kayna technology, which enables Willis-brokered insurance distribution, the partnership strengthens Belfry’s model by leveraging Willis’ global insurance expertise to create a seamless way for security operators to access tailored coverage directly within the Belfry platform.

With insurance being one of the most significant pain points and expenses for security firms, this integration offers timely quotes to address coverage gaps, potential premium savings, and reduced audit risk through pay-as-you-go insurance. The solution removes friction from the insurance procurement process, allowing security operators to stay focused on their work with the confidence that their coverage is comprehensive, timely, and aligned with their operational needs.

“As part of our strategy to deliver tech-enabled insurance solutions, we’re excited to partner with Belfry to embed coverage seamlessly into the security operator journey,” said Paul Lubbers, Head of US Affinity at Willis. “Together, we aim to accelerate quoting and minimize premium audit risk, both of which are critical pain points and areas for improvements in the security industry. Together with Kayna, we are committed to support the success of Belfry customers by making it easier than ever to secure the right insurance coverage with minimal hassle so physical security operators can focus on their job with confidence.”

Jordan Wallach, Co-Founder & CEO of Belfry, commented, “At Belfry, we’re developing a truly all-in-one platform for security operators – one that brings every essential function together in a seamless, intuitive experience. Partnering with Willis and Kayna strengthens that vision by embedding expert resources directly into our platform, helping operators focus less on administrative complexity and more on delivering outstanding service.”

Paul Prendergast, Co-Founder & CEO of Kayna concluded, “Backed by decades of Willis experience and expertise in underwriting and claims management, Belfry is taking an industry lead on delivering data-driven insurance and market choice for their platform customers. This is a winning formula for a great partnership and one that I’m delighted to see powered by Kayna technology.”

The Backend Revolution: How “API-First” Logistics is Reshaping Global E-commerce

As we navigate through 2026, the e-commerce landscape has stabilized into a high-stakes arena. With Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC) reaching historic highs, the era of “easy wins” through Facebook ads is effectively over. Today, the competitive advantage doesn’t lie in how well you market a product, but in how efficiently you can deliver it.

For SMBs and enterprise managers alike, the bottleneck is no longer traffic—it’s Tech-Enabled Fulfillment. The modern consumer demands Amazon-level speed from independent brands. To meet this standard, merchants are dismantling legacy supply chains and rebuilding them with an “API-First” architecture.

The Shift from “Manual” to “Automated” Supply Chains

Historically, the dropshipping and remote fulfillment model was plagued by latency. A customer would place an order on Shopify; the merchant would manually export a CSV file or, worse, manually re-order via a supplier like AliExpress. This introduced a delay of 24 to 48 hours before the order was even processed.

In an automated, API-driven ecosystem, this friction is eliminated.

  • Old Way (Manual): Order Received → Human Review → Supplier Notification → Manual Tracking Upload.
  • New Way (API): Order Received → Instant JSON Data Transfer to Warehouse Management System (WMS) → Pick & Pack initiated immediately.

This shift isn’t just about speed; it’s about data integrity. By removing human manual entry, error rates in shipping addresses and SKU selection drop to near zero.

Why API Integration is the Backbone of Modern Logistics

An Application Programming Interface (API) acts as the connective tissue between a storefront (the frontend) and the global supply chain (the backend).

Real-Time Inventory Syncing The nightmare scenario for any scaling brand is “overselling”—selling a unit that doesn’t physically exist in the warehouse. This usually happens when inventory data is updated in batches rather than in real-time. API integrations solve this by establishing a bilateral data stream. When a unit is scanned out of the warehouse, the stock count on the e-commerce platform is deducted instantly.

Automated Tracking Updates Transparency is the new currency of trust. Modern APIs trigger webhooks the moment a shipping label is generated, pushing tracking numbers directly to the customer’s email. This significantly reduces “WISMO” (Where Is My Order) customer support tickets, allowing lean teams to focus on growth rather than damage control.

The Role of “Private Inventory” in Quality Control (QC)

While software connects the dots, it cannot physically inspect a product. Pure software solutions often fail because they lack control over the physical asset. This is where the hybrid model of Tech + Private Warehousing becomes essential.

To mitigate supply chain volatility, sophisticated merchants are moving away from generic shared marketplaces. Instead, they are utilizing dedicated fulfillment partners like SpeedBee Dropship, which combine physical warehousing with app-based integration. By allocating a private storage zone for specific clients, these platforms ensure that the digital inventory count on a Shopify store matches the physical reality in the warehouse, effectively eliminating the risk of selling out-of-stock items.

This “Private Inventory” model also allows for pre-shipment Quality Control (QC), ensuring that the product the customer receives matches the marketing promise perfectly.

Analyzing the “Last-Mile” Efficiency Data

The demand for speed is backed by hard data. Consumer expectations have shifted dramatically regarding the “Last-Mile”—the final leg of delivery.

Consumer expectations have shifted dramatically. According to recent e-commerce statistics from Forbes Advisor, shipping speed remains a critical friction point, with data showing that nearly 24% of consumers will abandon a session immediately if delivery times are too slow. This data underscores why integrating a tech-responsive logistics stack is no longer optional but a survival requirement.

Future Trends: AI and Predictive Stock Planning

The next iteration of API logistics moves from Reactive to Predictive.

By integrating Artificial Intelligence with historical sales data, WMS platforms are beginning to suggest “Pre-stocking” levels. For example, if an algorithm detects a viral trend for a specific SKU in the German market, it can alert the merchant to move inventory to a European fulfillment center before the orders flood in.

 

Key Takeaways

Area Key Takeaway Impact/Data
Operations Replace manual CSV/reviews with API automation Eliminates 24-48 hour latency
Revenue Risk Delivery speed is the critical friction point 24% abandon if too slow
Inventory Implement real-time bilateral data streams Error/Oversell rates near zero
Support Automate tracking updates via webhooks Drastically reduces “WISMO” tickets
Strategy Hybridize software with private warehousing Enables pre-shipment Quality Control

Conclusion

The revolution in global e-commerce is happening behind the scenes. It is quiet, code-based, and highly efficient. For business owners, the lesson is clear: To scale in 2026, you must stop treating logistics as a manual chore and start treating it as a programmable asset.

Maynooth University scientists pioneer breakthrough fingerprint forensic test

A pioneering new test that can recover fingerprints from ammunition casing, once thought nearly impossible, has been developed by scientists at Maynooth University.

Dr Eithne Dempsey, and her recent PhD student Dr Colm McKeever, of Maynooth University’s Department of Chemistry, have developed a unique electrochemical method which can visualise fingerprints on brass casings, even after they have been exposed to the high temperature conditions experienced during gunfire.

For decades, investigators have struggled to recover fingerprints from weapons because any biological trace is usually destroyed by the high temperatures, friction and gas released after a gun is fired. As a result, criminals often abandon their weapons or casings at crime scenes, confident that they leave no fingerprint evidence behind.

“The Holy Grail in forensic investigation has always been retrieving prints from fired ammunition casings,” said Dr Dempsey. “Traditionally, the intense heat of firing destroys any biological residue. However, our technique has been able to reveal fingerprint ridges that would otherwise remain imperceptible.”

The team found they could coat brass casings with a thin layer of specialised materials to make hidden fingerprint ridges visible. Unlike existing methods that need dangerous chemicals or high-powered equipment, the Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University process uses readily available non-toxic polymers and minimal amounts of energy to quicky reveal prints from seemingly blank surfaces.

It works by placing the brass casing of interest in an electrochemical cell containing specific chemical substances. When a small voltage is applied, chemicals in the solution are attracted to the surface, coating the spaces between fingerprint ridges and creating a clear, high contrast image of the print. The fingerprint appears within seconds as if by magic!

“Using the burnt material that remains on the surface of the casing as a stencil, we can deposit specific materials in between the gaps, allowing for the visualisation,” said Dr McKeever.

Tests showed that this technique also worked on samples aged up to 16 months, demonstrating remarkable durability.

The research has significant implications for criminal investigations, where the current assumption is that firing a gun eliminates fingerprint residues on casings.

“Currently, the best case of forensic analysis of ammunition casings is to match it to the gun that fired it,” said Dr McKeever. “But we hope a method like this could match it back to the actual person who loaded the gun.”

The team focused specifically on brass ammunition casings, a substance that has been traditionally resistant to fingerprint detection and is the most common type of material used globally.

The researchers believe that the test for fingerprints on brass they have developed could be adapted for other metallic surfaces, expanding its range of potential forensic applications, from firearm-related crimes to arson.

This technique uses a device called a potentiostat, which controls voltage and can be as portable as a mobile phone, making it possible to create a compact forensic testing kit.

“With this method, we have turned the ammunition casing into an electrode, allowing us to drive chemical reactions at the surface of the casing,” said Dr McKeever.

While promising, the new technology faces rigorous testing and validation before it could potentially be adopted by law enforcement agencies worldwide. The research, funded by Research Ireland and Maynooth University is published in a leading forensic science journal, has significant implications for global policing.

The published findings are available in the science journal, Forensic Chemistry: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468170925000256?via%3Dihub