For several years now people have increasingly shifted their shopping interest to the internet, but with the growing popularity of smartphones, eCommerce is shifting once again. This time it is moving to mobile applications. Several apps are currently available including Wanelo, Polyvore, Instagram, and Pinterest. They are changing the way people shop, but do they have a positive or negative impact on consumer and retailer behaviors with these social media shop features?

 

Background of Social Media Shopping Features

Social media is expanding its reach into the realm of shopping, and it’s already made an impact on retail. An increasing number of brands are using social media as a platform to interact with consumers and exchange ideas about products. Many sites like Facebook and Instagram allow companies to communicate directly with their consumers and share pictures and information about new products and sales. However, many sites have begun to offer much more than communication between company and consumer; they now provide consumers with an opportunity to shop directly from the site, using their social media as a platform for selling rather than just communicating.

The idea is that consumers are more likely to buy products that they have seen their friends use or endorsed by their favorite influencers.

Since the widespread use of social media, many sites have adopted ‘click-to-buy’ features to encourage purchasing while still on the site. These features allow users to click directly through advertisements for deals and purchase products, without ever having to leave the platform. Amazon has been using this model for years and it’s led them to become the largest online retailer, so many sites have been eager to follow suit. In light of Amazon’s growing dominance, other retailers have begun offering click-to-buy shopping features on their social media pages. For example, Walmart recently allowed customers to purchase items directly through Facebook using shop-by-photo technology that allows users to purchase an item by photographing it with the site’s camera.

 

List of Social Media Apps That Offer Shopping Features

The following are social media sites that have recently integrated shop-by-photo technology, allowing users to purchase items directly through the site.

 

Facebook

Facebook allows you to buy products from companies by directly clicking on advertisements within their Facebook page. This feature provides customers with the ability to browse deals and order products without ever having to leave the platform or wait to get back to their laptop or phone. One way Facebook encourages these transactions is through its ‘Marketplace’ feature, allowing users to buy and sell items within the social media site. This provides an opportunity for increased exposure of products and increased revenue for the company by allowing users to only advertise items that are actually available.

 

Instagram

Instagram has created a similar platform for online retailers to sell directly through their site. Users are able to click on advertisements and purchase items without leaving the site, creating an easy shopping experience for consumers. This allows brands to effortlessly reach more people looking for deals and products, all within one convenient platform. Some companies have even begun promoting deals exclusively through the app.

 

Twitter

While Facebook and Instagram are primarily focused on person-to-person sales, Twitter has created an opportunity for companies to sell directly through their feed. Similar to Facebook, Twitter allows brands to share pictures of deals and new products, encouraging consumers to purchase them. They also offer an opportunity for direct communication with customers by allowing users to mention companies within tweets that will then be directed back to the original tweet. This is advantageous for businesses because it provides a platform where they can easily interact with their followers and provide exclusive deals and special products.

 

Pinterest

The birthplace of the popular ‘buy button,’ Pinterest has taken buying products from social media to a whole new level. The newest addition to its ever-evolving platform, the site now allows users to directly purchase items by clicking on a ‘buy button’ next to product pins. Because of its growing popularity within the social media world, many brands have begun promoting their products exclusively on Pinterest.

 

Etsy

The eCommerce website specializes in handmade goods, vintage items, and supplies for other small businesses. With the goal of ‘creating a more fulfilling shopping experience,’ Etsy encourages consumers to shop directly through its site by allowing customers to click on products pinned from sellers’ pages and be directed back to their product page. This provides customers with an opportunity to interact directly with sellers while also providing additional revenue for the company.

 

The Good: Why Shopping Through Social Media is Beneficial to Businesses and the Economy

While the idea of being able to directly purchase items from social media sites like Facebook and Instagram may seem like a luxury for consumers, it actually provides many benefits within the economy. Here are a few of them.

 

Increased Revenue for Brands and Sellers

One of the primary benefits of shopping through social media platforms is that companies can easily sell products directly to consumers. This provides an opportunity for increased revenue because companies no longer have to pay for ads in newspapers or other third-party distribution channels. By selling products directly to customers, sellers are able to increase their profits. Some social media sites even allow users to tip the brand or individual seller after purchasing an item, which provides another potential source of income. This allows brands and businesses to keep more money and put it back into the economy.

 

Increased Exposure and Sales for Small Businesses

Small businesses and entrepreneurs benefit from selling their products through social media because they can easily increase their customer base without having to spend additional money on advertisements. Some of these platforms, such as Etsy, allow small businesses and individual sellers to remain anonymous while promoting their products. This increased exposure not only benefits the business, but also helps customers make better purchasing decisions since they have a wide variety of brands and sellers to choose from.

 

Increased Accessibility for Consumers

One of the reasons social media allows customers to become more invested in a brand or company is because it provides them with immediate access to a business. If a user finds a brand or product they like, all they have to do is follow the seller through their social media page and purchase an item directly from them. This increased accessibility allows consumers to shop at any time of the day while also giving them more purchasing power because many social media platforms allow for free shipping or money off certain products.

 

The Bad: Problems with Social Media Shopping

While there are many benefits to social media and online shopping, there are also some disadvantages.

 

Price Variance and Inaccurate Search Results

One of the downsides to shopping through social media is that prices might not be as competitive as those on larger eCommerce sites. Because brands compete with each other to gain more followers, they are more likely to lower their prices in order to attract consumers. This results in a lack of transparency for the customer because they are no longer able to see if products are being sold at fair market values or not. It can also create problems for brands that choose to sell on multiple social media channels since prices might vary based on the site.

Once a product has been found on social media, the customer might have to navigate through several different links in order to reach the original pinned item. This is because products are usually separated into similar categories and then arranged in an alphabetical sequence. Although this makes it easier for brands and sellers to organize their goods, it can make it difficult for customers to search through relevant items. This is because links might not always lead directly to the product page, which decreases the chances of a sale for brands and sellers.

 

Additional Costs Associated with Shipping

Another downside to shopping on social media sites like Facebook or Instagram is that prices usually do not include shipping. This results in the customer having to pay an additional fee on top of the product cost, which can be either time consuming or expensive for them. Although some social media platforms do put a cap on how much buyers have to spend before they qualify for free delivery, brands are more likely to make their customers incur these costs because it increases the chances of a sale.

 

User Friendliness

One final problem with social media shopping is that it can be difficult for customers to sort through all of the different products being sold on these channels. This is because each seller designs their own unique page depending on their preferences, which can make it challenging for users to find what they are looking for. On top of this, most social media sites are not optimized to run on desktop computers, which can make it time consuming for customers to complete purchases if they do not have a smart phone or tablet with them.

Although social media has allowed people to interact with brands in new and exciting ways, the ease of shopping through these channels creates some negative consequences for customers and sellers alike. For consumers, increased accessibility can cause problems with search results, price variance, and shipping costs. Brands also face challenges with organizing their products for sale on multiple sites and creating user-friendly interfaces that can be used across different technologies. Because social media shopping is still relatively new, it might be difficult to predict how these problems will shape the future of eCommerce. As more brands begin to sell goods directly through social media, customers might find that prices become more competitive and their searches improve over time.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

UWB technology and AI have been hot topics in the retail industry for a while now. If you’re only recently becoming aware of it, you’ve got some catching up to do. In particular, UWB’s potential to add value in retail technology applications is very exciting right now. In this article, we’ll take a look at five ways these technologies are being used to improve the retail experience and drive real value to retailers and consumers alike.

 

Wireless and AI: A Perfect Pairing

Two relatively recent developments in the wireless industry – UWB and machine learning – will converge at a pivotal moment for retailers. Moving forward, we’ll see more of these two technologies coming together to drive a new level of customer engagement. The result will be smarter, faster, and more actionable insights for retailers. Because the two technologies are being developed in parallel, this convergence won’t happen immediately.

 

UWB Showing Retailers the Way to New Customers

Until recently, UWB was mostly used by industrial customers for machine vision purposes. That’s where machine learning is useful as well – being able to analyze images coming from industrial machinery that are trying to figure out if there are any quality problems with their product. Think about an airplane manufacturer trying to inspect a wing. If they send a human out to take a look, they’re going to miss defects. UWB and machine learning has been used for this purpose, but it’s also being implemented in retail applications as well.

UWB is already being used by retailers for things like location-based engagements with customers. An example would be the in-store signage that changes depending on what is in your shopping cart or your location within a store.

A retailer could use UWB to upgrade their current digital signs to ones that are location-aware and connected to their systems. And it’s not just signage – this technology can be used for things like interactive displays, kiosks, mobile apps . . . even the shopping cart handle could give customers personalized information about products they might be interested in buying or learning more about thanks to machine learning.

 

Current State of Retail Technology

The retail industry has been facing a lot of changes in recent years and is struggling to keep up with the times. From an evolutionary perspective, we’ve seen some truly impressive breakthroughs in retail technology over the last 5-10 years . We’re getting better at delivering personalized experiences with things like recommendation engines and technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging. But until now, retailers have been mostly using these technologies in isolation.

For example, the RFID tag tells the retailer how often a product is selling and can tell them who bought it (and thereby made other purchases), but it doesn’t tell them much about what other products that person might be interested in buying or which promotions would appeal to them.

We’ve talked about how UWB can provide real-time information on product movement, but it also does a much better job tracking customer behavior and location. If a retailer knows that their customer is nearby, they can deliver relevant information at just the right moment – whether it’s recommendations on what to buy, where to go next or even simply an upsell of similar products.

This new kind of retail tech will also lead to more personalized experiences with things like IoT. Right now, IoT is primarily used for efficiency and crowdsourcing. But you can combine this technology with machine learning to get a much more powerful kind of insight. For example, retailers could use IoT sensors in the shopping cart handle that know when it’s moving (and where) and then deliver personalized messages such as coupons or even push notifications about nearby deals like a “buy-one-get-one” offer.

 

5 Ways UWB and AI Will Improve Retail Technology

Retail is a top contributor to the global economy and it’s growing rapidly. Here are some ways UWB and AI are helping the industry evolve.

 

#1 : Optimizing for Product Colocation

One big problem in retail is that there are all sorts of products in the store that aren’t moving. They’re sitting on a shelf, but they’re not seeing any action because they’re either in the wrong spot, mislabeled or simply weren’t recommended to customers. UWB and AI might be able to help with this by optimizing product colocation so customers’ entire shopping experience is more meaningful.

This data can also be used to identify which products are most attractive to customers and where they’re located in the store, so retailers can place them closer together or design more effective displays/promotions. It’s not just for display purposes either – if a product is frequently bought with another, retailers could even use this information to create “customer combos” that can be automatically created when customers are near one of the items.

 

#2 : Unlocking Predictive Demand Forecasting

We already have demand forecasting that tells us how much inventory will sell during an upcoming season, but UWB and AI can help us get an even more accurate sense of what people are going to buy before they even think about shopping.

Again, this kind of information is mostly used for analysis right now, but combining it with machine learning could create a powerful way to connect big data sets and derive actionable insights that can be acted on in real-time or at least significantly faster than most retailers can do now.

 

#3 : Avoiding Out of Stock Items

Retail is all about the supply chain, but it’s easy for small mistakes or setbacks to cause big problems. One of these is out-of-stock items – if a retailer doesn’t have something in stock when a customer wants to buy it, they’ll usually just go somewhere else. This is particularly troublesome with fast-moving items, so it’s important to avoid out-of-stock items with AI and UWB that can help with demand forecasting and product colocation.

 

#4 : Reducing Product Returns

Returns are expensive, especially if they’re brand new products that customers simply didn’t like or want. Luckily there are ways to figure out if a product will have returns before it’s even shipped, thanks to machine learning and big data sets that can reveal customer preferences. Learning how customers shop for similar products is also helpful – many return policies are based on the idea that shoppers would rather keep an item they already own or something very similar, rather than the one they’re returning.

 

#5 : Decreasing Wait Times in Checkout Lanes

If you go to a store and there’s a long checkout line, you’ll probably just leave and go somewhere else because it seems like such an unnecessary waste of time. But if stores can use UWB and machine learning to deliver personalized offers to customers even before they get to the check-out line, it might make people more willing to stick around.

This information can also be useful for analyzing customer behavior and improving the customer experience in other ways. For example, if you know what items are most popular with certain demographics, you can create more effective layouts or product displays designed specifically towards people most likely to be interested in the items.

Of course, this kind of technology won’t eliminate all types of lines and wait times, but with UWB and AI, retailers can use data sets to optimize the way they handle retail transactions so customers never feel like they’re spending more time than necessary. These technologies can also help stores stay competitive by identifying, collecting and analyzing important data sets that drive sales.

 

The Future of Retail Technology

The retail industry is ripe for change, and AI and UWB are among the most exciting new technologies being developed to improve customer experiences, increase sales volume, reduce wait times in checkout lines, decrease product returns and more.

While some of these applications are still relatively “under construction,” so to speak, it won’t be long before they’re built and ready for customers. How we shop for products, what we buy and how we handle retail transactions will drastically change over the next few years, but these advances in AI and UWB technology are sure to make that journey much easier.

Retail is changing rapidly, which means that companies will need to adapt or risk being left behind. With AI and UWB, shops of all sizes can get ahead of the game and give their customers an amazing experience.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most talked-about and important technologies today and this isn’t going to change anytime soon. In fact, AI is likely to play a major role in transforming organizations from being knowledge-driven to being data-driven. In this post, we’ll explore why it’s important to add AI into your HR tech stack and discuss how you can tackle some common challenges using this technology.

 

Current Use of AI in HR Technology

When you ask people about AI, their minds likely turn to self-driving cars or even robots that can get ready your toast. However, the truth is AI is already being used in HR technology today and it’s going to be a key part of transforming this space going forward…

Two of the key challenges with traditional HR tech include matching up the right people to the right jobs and knowing what skills workers need to succeed in their roles. Thankfully, AI is helping solve both of these problems. For example, companies like Tata Consultancy Services are using AI to help map out training needs.

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of AI in HR Today

While we’re still in the early stages of AI integration in HR, we’ve already seen many positives and negatives come from it.

 

Advantages of AI in HR

Fill open roles faster: HR departments are using AI to more quickly identify available workers with the skills an organization needs.

Identify high-performing workers: AI can also be used to identify high-performing employees and help increase their productivity.

Reduce risk of compliance breaches: AI can also help reduce the likelihood of HR compliance breaches thanks to its ability to flag up policy changes and new regulations.

 

Disadvantages of AI in HR

Risk of human bias in AI algorithms: One of the big risks associated with using AI is that it can introduce new biases. For example, if you let your algorithm scan candidate resumes for keywords, this could end up discriminating against certain protected groups.

Privacy concerns: Another risk associated with using AI in HR is privacy. Using data from social media profiles and other sources to make hiring decisions could raise concerns among candidates. For example, candidates may not want an AI program from a current or prospective employer to know that they have been looking at new jobs on LinkedIn. Employers should be transparent about how they use personal data and reassure candidates that they won’t face any unfair discrimination as a result of its use.

 

The Future of AI in HR

While AI is already revolutionizing HR, the technology has much greater potential in this space. In the future, AI software could have a role to play in designing jobs and even cutting management positions.

As the AI workforce grows and more professionals work with programs like this, we’ll see workplaces change. For instance, employees will be able to use their own AI assistants in the office and at home. This could make it easier for them to prioritize tasks and adapt to new working environments as they arise.

Ultimately, as AI does everything from monitoring performance to helping workers learn new skills as they apply for jobs, the need for human HR professionals could reduce over time.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

The Fintech and banking industry is in a constant state of innovation and one of the most important tech areas that will allow this to continue for years to come is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Finance professionals who are leading their organization’s AI efforts need to understand evolving customer expectations, evolving threat vectors, and internal capabilities such as culture, tech, and data infrastructure to pull off successful AI initiatives.

 

8 Uses of AI in Financial Services

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the key to creating customer-centric experiences that satisfy customers’ wants and needs. The most successful companies will be those who utilize AI in a way that satisfies these 8 criteria:

 

1. Customer Engagement

Most consumers are already comfortable with voice-activated assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung’s Bixby, Microsoft Cortana and Apple Siri for a variety of tasks including playing music, controlling home lighting systems, making restaurant reservations, checking the weather forecast or to get an Uber ride. If AI can help banks better understand relationships with their customers, AI can make it far easier for banks to deliver convenient banking experiences.

 

2. Personalized Customer Service

AI is already being used by some financial institutions to provide customer service by handling simple requests quickly and at scale.  A bot powered by Artificial Intelligence could be programmed to handle routine tasks such as password resets, delivery of monthly statements, and other time-consuming jobs.  In the future, intelligent bots powered by AI will be able to fully answer customer questions as well as anticipate their needs. Chatbots are already being used by some financial institutions but currently lack the capabilities or context necessary to provide a truly personalized experience.

 

3. Fraud Prevention and Security

AI in fintech can be used to identify and stop security threats, fraudulent activities or abnormal behavior in real-time.  In addition, sensitive data such as financial transactions can also be encrypted via AI algorithms to prevent hacking and minimize the risk of identity theft.  Sophisticated machine learning algorithms are being used to discover new fraud patterns that human investigators would likely miss.

 

4. Customer Segmentation and Microtargeting

AI can provide financial institutions with deeper insight into customer behavior, needs, preferences, and purchase intent to deliver more personalized experiences across all channels (digital/social/mobile).  Micro-segmentation based on aggregates of transaction history combined with social media profiles, web activity, and purchase history can allow banks to deliver more relevant messages and personalized offers.

 

5. In-App Chatbots

Banks are already using chatbots to automatically suggest financial products based on consumer preferences or transaction history.  In the future, chatbots will be able to have targeted conversations with consumers about their banking needs while providing personalized recommendations.

 

6. Chatbots for Financial Advisors

Chatbots can be used to provide basic advice on the more straightforward aspects of financial planning while freeing up financial advisors’ time so they can focus on being trusted counselors rather than transactional helpers.  A chatbot could also help guide consumers through the process of opening an account, learn about their financial goals, and present them with product recommendations.

 

7. Predictive Analytics for Wealth Management

AI can be used to improve the wealth management experience for both advisors and clients by looking across accounts held at different institutions to provide holistic analysis of client risk profile, net worth, family status, assets under management (AUM), etc.  AI algorithms can be used to detect when clients are likely to engage with their advisors for advice on selling or buying certain financial products.  AI can also help improve the accuracy of portfolio rebalancing by recognizing changes in market conditions and investment preferences

 

8. Loan Underwriting

The banking industry has already seen loan underwriting being partially automated by AI.  AI algorithms are being designed to look across multiple data points to build a complete picture of financial health, employment history, income potential and other metrics associated with the riskiness of an individual loan applicant.

 

Is AI Already Operating In These Industries?

AI-enabled chatbots and robo-advisors such as Kasisto, x.ai, and MoneyLion are already widely used by consumers for simple tasks such as keeping track of expenses.  Fintech startups such as Even and Acorns have raised significant amounts of funding to develop tools that help consumers save money and invest smarter.  AI algorithms are also being used to help banks and financial institutions make smarter decisions on everything from fraud prevention to loan underwriting.

Artificial intelligence is already permeating every aspect of the financial industry.  AI algorithms can be used to provide more personalized experiences for consumers, enhance security, improve fraud protection and reduce costs across all business lines.  Many fintech startups are utilizing AI-based tools to educate consumers on their financial options while saving money and investing smarter.  AI will continue to play a significant role in the financial industry, both by further empowering fintech startups and transforming traditional banks.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology is capable of delivering and receiving high data rates and resolving propagation path variations, such as multipath and shadowing. UWB can be used in various application fields for wireless communications, remote sensing, imaging, and target tracking. Logistics operations need to implement this technology due to its ability to address logistics problems such as inventory management and vehicle tracking.

UWB has been considered for logistics operations, especially those that need high data rates, such as video surveillance, and those that require high reliability in terms of communication and detection, such as radar targets and multiple targets. This article discusses the characteristics of UWB systems for logistics applications and their impact on target detection mechanisms.

 

What is UWB Technology?

Ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication is a technology that delivers very high data rates to reduce end-to-end delivery time. UWB systems use spread spectrum modulation, which means that users take advantage of frequency band spreading for efficient utilization of available frequency band resources. The advantages of UWB wireless communication are due to the features typical of UWB signals, such as low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), large time-bandwidth product (TBWP), and very long symbols that allow for frequency diversity.

UWB signal waveforms consist of square pulses that occupy the entire spectrum available in the operating band, which is much larger than traditional communication systems’ bandwidth. UWB systems use different types of pulse waveforms, such as monocycle pulses and polyphase codes, which are referred to as chirp signals. These types of signal waveforms allow the system to spread its signal over a large bandwidth (typically ranging from 500 MHz to 2 GHz), making it possible for UWB systems to occupy the entire spectrum allocated for UWB systems.

UWB technology can be used in various applications fields for wireless communications, remote sensing, imaging, and target tracking.

 

How Can UWB Help Logistics Operations?

UWB technology can be applied to logistics operations, including logistics tracking software, and especially those operations that require high data rates, such as video surveillance, and those that need high reliability in terms of communication and detection, such as radar targets and multiple targets (for example, vehicle tracking).

 

Video Surveillance

UWB signals will eventually reduce the number of analog video surveillance cameras. UWB technology can be used in video surveillance applications because of its ability to deliver high reliability and high bandwidth for real-time video transmission. Although the performance of UWB systems depends on multipath, which causes signal fading and shadowing effects, these phenomena do not affect supply chain operations.

 

Radar Target Detection

UWB systems are being considered for radar target detection due to their ability to deliver high reliability in terms of detection. Using UWB technology, targets can be accurately detected with low false alarm rates, which makes them useful for detecting moving vehicles. For vehicle tracking, three different scenarios have been suggested using UWB trilateration techniques: fixed emitter, moving emitter, and moving receiver.

In addition, for logistics operations that require high data rates such as video surveillance and those that need high reliability in terms of communication and detection such as radar targets and multiple targets (for example, vehicle tracking), UWB technology is a good candidate. Due to the characteristics of UWB signals, such as low PAPR, large TBWP, and very long symbols that allow for frequency diversity, UWB can be used in different applications.

 

UWB for Asset Tracking

UWB technology can be used for asset tracking. For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed using UWB radio tags on highway assets such as trucks and railcars to monitor their locations in real time. UWB radio tags can track both moving and stationary targets through multipath interference mitigation techniques or signal strength measurements.

Network-based UWB systems can be applied to what is known as location positioning for asset tracking because of the absence of line-of-sight (LOS) requirements between targets and base station or networks, which makes it possible to track moving objects in indoor logistics operations.

 

Other Businesses and Institutions That Can Benefit From UWB Tech

UWB (ultra-wideband) communications are seen as a new technology that will revolutionize many industries. It is not just limited to government and military use, however, but also has major benefits for both the private and commercial sectors.

 

Public Safety And Security Benefits

UWB can enhance public safety and security through its ability to provide greater wireless throughput, enabling many simultaneous connections; its high definition (“HD”) video capabilities; and its ability to provide users with more secure access.

 

Business Benefits

UWB can help make both government and commercial businesses more efficient by increasing the speed of data transmission (it supports speeds up to 480 Mbps); allowing the use of fewer devices; saving money by reducing the number of devices necessary to meet business needs; and providing more security, accuracy, and reliability in data transmissions.

 

Transportation Benefits

UWB can provide greater throughput speeds that enable many simultaneous connections, resulting in an increased level of safety. UWB’s high definition (“HD”) video capabilities are essential for public safety agencies, where visual clarity is essential, and its ability to provide users with more secure access protects critical data.

Logistics operations, especially those that require high data rates, such as video surveillance, and those that need high reliability in terms of communication and detection, such as radar targets and multiple targets (for example, vehicle tracking), have the most to gain from using UWB communications.

Other businesses or institutions can also benefit from this technology by making their processes more efficient with increased speed of data transmission, reduced cost associated with using fewer devices, and greater throughput from a single device.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

5G technology has been hailed as the new golden child of the tech world. It is expected to have speeds 100 times faster than current 4G networks, increase connection capacity by 1,000 times, and pave the way for new technologies we can’t even imagine yet.

This article is not about smartphones, though. While the technology would be instrumental in delivering faster speeds to our phones, there are other uses for 5G networks that have nothing to do with things like streaming videos or updating your social media. Before we take a look at the use cases, it is important to know how this technology emerged.

 

Background of 5G Technologies

What is 5G technology and how does it work? 5G technology is considered to be the successor of the current 4G networks, which first appeared in 2009. The first iteration was slow and weak by today’s standards, but new technologies helped bring improvements each time. For example, video streaming on mobile phones used to take up a lot of download speed – now, with 3G and 4G networks, it takes up a fraction of the speed.

The next generation 5G network is expected to deliver speeds 100 times faster than current smartphones. This will allow the average consumer to download an entire movie in less than one second, and help businesses work at lightning speeds as well.

 

5G Use Cases (No Smartphones)

If 5G can contribute to improving the efficiency of businesses in small ways, imagine what it could do when applied to different industries. Here are some examples:

 

Traffic Control Industry

The traffic control industry has evolved over the years, but modern advancements like LED lightings and digital displays have slowed down due to growing complexities. But with 5G, this industry can see a significant increase in efficiency. Think of it as an upgrade for the traffic control system that will allow better connectivity with other technologies, improved communication across all units at different locations, and faster data transfers.

This technology could work best with the use of mobile devices – think of traffic managers coordinating to update current conditions at various intersections, for example.

 

Emergency Response Systems

This is another field that could benefit significantly from 5G technology. When a disaster such as an earthquake hits, responders need to work together and organize themselves fast so they can save lives. Many times, this requires effective communication between parties involved – but with 4G networks being slow and sometimes unstable, this has been a challenge.

5G technology will give emergency responders the power to avoid issues like dropped calls and congested data due to heavy usage, so they can communicate effectively and work together more efficiently than ever before.

 

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The internet of things or IoT has created many opportunities for companies to apply data analytics and make their operations more efficient. One of the key components of IoT is IIoT (the industrial internet), which allows companies to monitor equipment and automate processes. According to experts, this technology could contribute up to $14 Trillion in economic value worldwide by 2030!

For this industry, 5G will be essential in allowing businesses to process data in real-time and deliver that information across the network in seconds. This will help companies improve their output, reduce downtime, and plan for changes in advance.

 

Healthcare Industry

The healthcare industry is one of the key beneficiaries of 5G technology. Using this advanced infrastructure, patients can be monitored in real-time when they are admitted to a hospital or clinic. For example, patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension can transmit their vital signs to medical professionals, who will be able to monitor the information and provide treatment as needed.

Another big application is remote surgeries where doctors can operate on patients thousands of miles away – this not only reduces cost by eliminating travel expenses, but also reduces recovery time for the patient since they do not have to spend days in a different location.

 

Education and Training

It is one thing to read, attend lectures and watch videos online – and another to practice in real life. With 5G technology, it will be possible to use augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) for education and training purposes.

For example, airline companies can train their pilots and engineers on new aircraft and systems using AR, so they will be able to familiarize themselves with the equipment without having to spend on new toolings. This way, businesses can reduce costs while improving efficiency at the same time.

 

How Businesses Benefit From 5G

As the above examples show, there are many ways that businesses – both small and large – can benefit from 5G technology. The global economy will see significant improvements with this new infrastructure in place, so companies should start planning the rollout of 5G network to take full advantage of this growing market.

5G technology will undoubtedly become the next generation of mobile networks. This new infrastructure promises faster speeds, improved latency, and wider coverage – all of which are essential to delivering better results for various industries.

 

Future Use of 5G

5G technology will continue to evolve and find new applications in the following years. Some experts predict that one day, we will be able to use 5G for virtual reality, video conferencing, and augmented reality – or AR. Other analysts disagree with this view and argue that such tasks can be performed using existing networks so it does not warrant a new infrastructure.

We will have to wait and see how this technology evolves over the next decade, but one thing is certain – 5G has the potential to transform our economy for the better in many ways.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Whether you run a restaurant, a radio podcast, or a retail outlet, in the digital age, it’s crucial that you have a functional website, which facilitates business growth and integrates seamlessly with internal software. Getting there is easier said than done, but here are some handy tips to put you on the right track when designing a website specific to your business.

 

Domain

As your business grows, so will its name – that’s why securing and maintaining an appropriate website address is so crucial. Ideally, you want a ‘top-level domain’ (TLD) website suffix and an address that matches your company in title. Not only will this help clients and users to find and access your site, but it will also help your search engine optimization (SEO) rankings. You can then use your new domain in combination with keywords to promote your website, boost your ranking on Google, and increase brand visibility.

Be sure, as you build your business IP, to avoid any overly esoteric words, keep it short and refrain from using any unnecessary numbers. Sometimes, when founding a company, it can be tempting to opt for a more ‘edgy’ creative approach, experimenting with symbols or unorthodox spelling – this may be an advantage in some ways, but when it comes to web design, it’s often a hindrance. Always consider the convenience of clients or users before locking in any of these decisions.

 

CMS

If you’re expecting your business to grow, then you’ll need your website to be adaptable. Picking a flexible content management system (CMS) will allow you to build new content, update descriptions, pages and alter plugins so that the website evolves seamlessly alongside your company. If you want high extensibility, you can’t go wrong with WordPress or Drupal – both offer a vast number of design and functionality options built by developers to aid in business. The downside is that a customized WordPress site can be complicated to edit and alter without help from your developers.

If you want ease-of-use, simple interfaces, and a small learning curve, you could instead opt-in for one of the drag-and-drop site builders (such as Wix or Squarespace). These template-based providers are useful for small businesses due to their ease of use, and they offer adequate customizability so that you can continue to edit and adjust as the company grows. The downside is they’re subscription-based, limited in creative personalization and there is less transparency in regards to code and HTML. It’s rare that a major company would use one of these services, especially when they have an in-house dev team, so consider your long-term business trajectory before marrying yourself to one.

 

Integration

To ensure your work processes continue smoothly, it’s vital that your website cooperates with day-to-day software. For example, you may need to be able to track any site traffic, new leads, or subscribers via your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program. Additionally, you want your website to operate conducive to your broader business objectives – this could mean a specially designed UI that increases conversions, or an engaging homepage that encourages lead generation.

To build this sort of integration (and remain compliant with GDPR rules), it’s often necessary to enlist the help of experienced developers who can protect your data and build airtight, legal web functionality. The right developer will represent good ROI, as they can effectively interlink the site with accounting software, merchandising systems, networks, cloud storage, and, of course, CRMs – saving the business time, improving outreach, and keeping operations centralized.

Before hiring a developer, it’s crucial that you’ve read at least 10 positive and reliable testimonials or case studies that attest to their ability, professionalism, and expertise. The process of hiring a developer (and paying for their ongoing maintenance) is often amongst the leading costs for a small business and so you need to make sure you’re investing intelligently.

 

In the digital age, designing a website can prove pivotal to your business’s long-term prospects. The tone you set now may shape processes for years to come, so be sure to understand your own wider objectives and get your site off on the right foot.

There’s been a lot of talk about the benefits of 5G and how it will change the world as we know it. We know that it’s fast and efficient, but how is it different? Can it help our environment?

 

What is 5G?

Let’s start off with the basics here. “5G” in this case stands for fifth-generation wireless technology and broadband cellular networks.

As the latest evolution of wireless mobile communications technology, 5G follows in the footsteps of 4G LTE. Just as Steve Jobs reinvigorated Apple via a series of iconic product launches that began with the iPhone, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is attempting to define his legacy at the commission via spectrum auctions, data privacy rules, and now 5G.

It’s a new mobile wireless standard that’ll be used to connect all our devices, including wearables and phones. It will use frequencies above 6GHz (the 4G LTE network mostly uses under 6 GHz frequencies), it’s expected to provide connection speeds 10-100 times faster than current legacies, it should reduce latency or the amount of time needed for a connection to be established, and IoT (internet of things) is expected to boom.

 

How 5G is Different from 4G LTE

The LTE (or long-term-evolution) network is the current 4G wireless technology that we have today, and it’s what has been driving our World Wide Web for the past couple of years or so. The difference between 4G and 5G? Well, it’s not just a matter of speed — although that will play a large role in the differences. Instead, 5G is more of an umbrella term that encompasses many new technologies.

Just like 4G used enhancements to things like 3G (like HSPA+), 5G will do the same thing with LTE (or even WiMAX or EV-DO). It will move technology forward with the times by creating a whole new set of standards that will allow for innovations such as self-driving cars, VR entertainment, and IoT devices.

That said, it is indeed faster. 4G LTE isn’t the slowest connection out there, but it is far from the fastest. 5G is blazingly fast and can hold massive amounts of data in memory so that it doesn’t have to retransmit. It’s also more efficient than 4G, which will save energy by several factors, including sending shorter messages and using more efficient data compression.

 

5 Ways 5G Helps the Environment

Now you might be wondering how all this benefits our environment? Well, 5G’s energy efficiency is what will keep it in line with its “green” reputation. Here are 5 ways 5G is better for the environment.

 

Wireless Networks Require Less Power to Run

Wireless networks require a lot less power for a number of reasons. First off, they don’t need as many towers as traditional mobile phone carriers do because the signal can be relayed from one tower to another.

Also, the radios themselves only need enough power to reach and maintain a connection with the closest tower — this makes them more efficient than “line-of-sight” transmission, which requires a much stronger signal.

The efficiency with which 5G sends or receives information, is also more battery efficient for your phone. The lower frequencies it uses will lead to less power loss when transmitting and receiving, meaning better battery life for you in the long run.

 

5G Will Use Lower Frequencies to Transfer Data

The lower the frequency of radio waves, the less energy is needed to transmit those signals; thus using less energy overall. This is only one piece of the puzzle, however — how the data is packaged and authenticated also plays a role in determining energy consumption.

5G will use a modulation technique called “carrier aggregation.” In this method, the information is transmitted in packets of smaller bits. The more packets that can be sent in a short period, the greater the overall data transfer speed becomes — and lower frequencies enable this quick data transfer.

Lower frequencies also help in that they have the ability to better penetrate solid objects, such as concrete walls. This allows for signals to be sent strong enough that they can go through any obstacles in their path, which makes it possible for the signal to reach receivers indoors.

 

5G Will Decrease Latency

5G’s low latency is another way it will save energy. Latency is the amount of time it takes for your request to get fulfilled. For example, when you search for something on Google, even if it’s an incredibly popular term, there might be some delay between your typing in “game of thrones” and seeing search results come up. This is latency at work.

5G will make this process much more efficient. As we mentioned before, 5G lowers the amount of power used to transmit data, which means that it can be sent and received at a faster rate. This kind of fast response time (and efficiency) is crucial for things like computing virtual reality environments.

 

5G Encourages Smaller Cell Antennas

Smaller antennas on smartphones and other connected devices use less electricity than ones that are larger or more powerful. This is because these small antennas can send and receive just as much data as their larger counterparts, but they don’t have to use as much power doing so.

 

The Deeper the Pockets, The Greener the Investments

What cuts down on 5G’s energy consumption is not just what it does now, but how the technology will evolve over time. With each generation of mobile networks, there are improvements in efficiency that reduce the amount of energy required.

5G, however, has much deeper technological “pockets” beneath the surface because it relies on millimeter waves. This means that 5G can integrate emerging technologies into its network without having to rely too heavily on them at first — thus minimizing any initial periods of high consumption.

 

These are five reasons why 5G will help the environment. There is a lot of potential for this technology to make our world greener and cleaner — and we’re excited about what the future holds!

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

When we speak of mental health in the workplace, we’re referring to the overall well-being of employees—not job performance, although the latter is often a reflection of the former. A number of aspects in one’s personal life can influence someone at work, but also the workplace itself. Stressful environments and pushy bosses putting too much pressure on employees, with little positive reinforcement, coupled with a highly competitive atmosphere, which, in moderation, could be healthy, if devoid of an overall sense of teamwork and collaboration, becomes destructive.

 

Why Companies Should Address Mental Health In the Workplace

Figuring out how to promote and support good mental health is a hot topic among employers and companies, who recognize that it’s important for their workers to feel emotionally healthy in order to create a stronger sense of teamwork and be productive on the job. Many companies are concerned with the health factor of their employees, especially in these days where many people suffer from stress and depression due to work. Addressing the mental health of the entire staff benefits not only the employees and the managers, but the entire company itself, whose health and success should not come at the cost of its workforce, but a reflection of it.

Current trends in workplace mental health need to focus on:

• Listening to employees, identifying their needs and offering assistance
• Providing attractive benefits to help them manage stress levels, both on and off the job (examples could be health insurance, gym membership, and time off)
• Encouraging an open dialogue between management and staff to create a workplace environment that’s more relaxed

 

Advantages of Employees Having Good Mental Health At The Workplace

When employees have good mental health at the workplace,they exhibit a number of positive qualities in their day-to-day actions and interactions, including:

• Being a productive member of the workforce
• Bringing up new ideas to improve products/services for customers
• Taking responsibility for their performance—they care about the work that they do and want to ensure that it’s at its best potential
• Reduced stress levels for managers and other employees
• A commitment to creating a healthier work environment
• Decreased absence rates
• Decreased turnover rate

By providing a supportive workplace that encourages good mental health, employers are opening the door to an entirely new level of employee engagement, setting all members of the workforce up for long-term success.

 

5 Ways Companies Can Address and Boost Mental Health

Now let’s look at mental health in the workplace tips. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated October as National Mental Health Month, and there are a number of ways companies can help their employees stay mentally healthy:

 

1. Implement an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

An EAP is a professional assessment service provided to employees to put them in contact with professionals who can help with issues pertaining to personal, mental and emotional wellness. It’s a great way for employees to be able to seek help without having anyone at work know that they are doing so, thus creating a better sense of confidentiality, which is crucial in times of distress or ill health. Many companies provide their employees with an EAP as part of their benefits package.

 

2. Implement Employee Support Programs (ESPs)

These types of programs encourage and promote wellness at work by providing employees with information and education to help them achieve a healthier state of mind, as well as assistance in the form of counseling and coaching services.

 

3. Stress Management Techniques Training for Employees

Since stress can manifest itself in a number of ways, everyone has different triggers and coping mechanisms. While one person might find that the occasional yoga session or meditation class helps them to relax, other people prefer a more active outlet such as running or biking, which is why it’s important for companies to provide their employees with resources and information to help them learn how to manage stress in a healthy way.

 

4. Scheduling Policies That Help With Work-Life Balance

Organizations should look at how they can help their employees improve work-life balance, allowing them to better manage family time and other personal responsibilities that may affect their day to day happiness, as well as overall health. This could include anything from allowing an employee to be able to work from home one or two days a week, flexible hours, time off for family emergencies, paid sick leave and so on.

 

5. Encouraging Leadership That Promotes Workplace Mental Health

Ideally, good mental health in the workplace starts with leadership that models positive behavior toward employees by being approachable and supportive. Leaders need to be able to enforce good work ethics and maintain a strong sense of confidence and self-esteem among staff, which will allow them to feel that they can approach their managers with any problems or concerns.

Organizational change is difficult, particularly when it comes to implementing new policies and procedures that require employees to adapt. It takes time for people to adjust and fully embrace change. But with strong leadership and a commitment to workplace mental health, it can be done.

 

All organizations have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that their workplaces are safe, healthy environments for employees. By implementing programs that promote wellness at work, companies not only set the tone for good mental health in the workplace but they also provide their employees with important skills they can use throughout their lives. Whether someone is managing stress or attempting to cope with a mental illness, developing strong self-awareness and self-management skills will allow for better personal growth and development. With the right tools and resources, organizations can create a culture of good mental health in which everyone benefits.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

As you know, private messaging apps are very popular nowadays. Businesses use them to simplify their interactions with customers and employees, and people use them to avoid the annoyance of unwanted advertising. There are lots of people who use it to express their thoughts and emotions. Some messaging apps are more widely used than others, even though there are plenty of great ones out there offering an excellent chat experience.

 

Different Kinds of Messaging Apps

Since there are at least a couple dozen messaging apps on the market, it can be difficult to choose. You need to make sure you are using an app that meets your needs and preferences, but you also want something that is secure and reliable. Some of them are more suited for personal use while others are better for business since they allow users to work together.

 

How to Determine What Messaging App is Right For You

So, what’s the best messaging app for you? There are a lot of things to consider. First, you need to decide if you care more about getting notifications on your desktop or mobile devices. You’ll also want to know how many users the app can handle at once. Then you need to look into its security measures. It’s preferable if the platform encrypts your data and doesn’t keep records, so that no one can read or see your messages except for you and whomever you’re talking with. Other features to keep in mind are group chat functions and file sharing capabilities.

 

9 Amazing Messaging Apps

It’s hard to say what the best instant messaging app out there is today. It goes without saying that WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangout, and SnapChat stand among the most popular, but what are the lesser known messaging apps that are also amazing?

 

1. Signal

Signal is a well-known secure messaging app for Android and iOS. Even though it’s not as popular as WhatsApp, its users tend to be very loyal because the software offers strong encryption features, doesn’t store any data on its servers, and lets you share media files that are stored only in your phone or tablet.

 

2. ChatSecure

ChatSecure is a free and open source messaging app that also allows people to connect to different chat networks and send encrypted and secure messages. It’s compatible with many devices, including Apple iPhones and iPads as well as BlackBerry OS and Windows phones. The developers of this app encourage everyone to contribute to its code base since they want it to be available for everyone, everywhere.

 

3. Threema

Threema is a favorite among many users since it has a lot of useful features and encrypts your messages so no one can read them without decrypting them first. This app also allows you to have private conversations with either just yourself or other individual contacts that you specify. Plus, it’s free and has lots of cool designs available.

 

4. Wire

Wire is another secure messaging app that looks good and is easy to use, even though it works a bit differently than most other apps in its category. This one doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption for all messages sent through the service, but you can choose to have it for your private messages. If you want other features, such as file sharing or conversation groups, you can pay a small fee for them.

 

5. Kik Messenger

Another great choice when trying to find the right messaging app that will protect your privacy is Kik Messenger. People do have some complaints about its notification process, but when using it to talk to friends, you don’t have to worry about your chats being seen by anyone else. This app is also available for Apple phones and tablets, Android devices, Windows machines and even BlackBerry devices.

 

6. Telegram

This messaging app was developed by the same people who made WhatsApp. It’s a new service that uses end-to-end encryption to secure your messages and it also offers self-destructing media files , such as videos and photos, which is another favorite feature among users. You can get this app for almost any kind of phone, computer and tablet on the market today.

 

7. Talkatone

Talkatone is another great messaging app for people who want the privacy of their conversations to be protected. This app lets you connect to different platforms and talk with your contacts from all of them. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t have a desktop or web client yet, but it will soon.

 

8. Wickr Me

Wickr Me is a wonderful choice for anyone looking to have private conversations with multiple people at once without revealing any personal information about yourself or your contacts. This app works on iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices, so practically anyone can use it.

 

9. Allo

Allo is another fantastic messaging app from Google that is available for both iOS and Android devices. This one has lots of useful features, works seamlessly with your mobile device’s address book and also allows you to use the service on multiple devices at once. It’s definitely one worth trying out if you haven’t already done so.

 

As you can see, there are lots of messaging apps out there that will keep your conversations secure, but it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. That’s why we suggest checking out all of these awesome apps and seeing which one fits your personality the best.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.