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One of the hottest topics in tech and in business is artificial intelligence (more accurately “machine learning” or AI). Many business owners are currently looking to this technology for its potential to improve customer communications, and it is predicted that by the year 2020, 85 percent of all interactions will originate from machine learning “bots.” […]

2016november22_webandcloud_bOne of the hottest topics in tech and in business is artificial intelligence (more accurately “machine learning” or AI). Many business owners are currently looking to this technology for its potential to improve customer communications, and it is predicted that by the year 2020, 85 percent of all interactions will originate from machine learning “bots.” If you’re an e-commerce business owner who’s wondering how you can benefit from these advancements, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a few of the most important reasons to adopt machine learning services right here in this article.

Predicting what your customers want

There are numerous ways for AI to be used in e-commerce to the benefit of both businesses and the consumer. Machine learning algorithms can, for example, identify customer habits and their interests based on search histories (both inside and outside of a specific business's site).

With the proper configuration, this service can analyze shopping behaviors to customize and tailor the online shopping experience to that specific user. Product recommendations, pairings, and promotions can target individuals, improving the customer experience, and in turn, your bottom line.

“I’m looking for something a little more…”

Machine learning is also great for cataloging products. In the past, businesses would send out dense and cumbersome product catalogs that made it difficult for customers to find what they were looking for. In the near future, customers will be able to upload photographs of an article of clothing that’s similar to what they want to purchase or pair with another. Through AI, a website will be able to analyze the photographs and create a catalog of suggestions based on data from the image for a true machine-learning solution.

Customers can still talk to a “representative”

With advances in “plain language” systems, more and more users will rely on e-commerce over face-to-face sales interactions. Machine learning is getting better at interpreting conversations, and answering with natural-sounding responses.

If the choice is either searching “Blue summer dress,” or “I’m looking for something relaxed and in a warm blue color,” which do you think would make customers’ shopping experience better?

By replicating the in-person shopping experience over the internet, businesses can shift away from brick and mortar overheads to an e-commerce-centered structure. Significant savings can be realized in the areas of capital expenditures and human resources, all while reducing the opportunity for costly human error as well.

Given all of these factors, you can see how AI could improve your e-commerce business’s potential. Believe it or not, if you’re ready to begin integrating more “machine learning” into your business model, we already have the means to make that happen. Contact us as soon as you’re ready to transform your e-commerce business into a money-making powerhouse!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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The astounding amount of data that businesses create on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis is totally unprecedented. And that number doesn’t show any signs of slowing, most likely reaching 1.7 terabytes per person by the year 2020. For businesses harnessing that data, this creates a major challenge: Current data storage limitations make it nearly […]

2016november21_businesscontinuity_bThe astounding amount of data that businesses create on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis is totally unprecedented. And that number doesn’t show any signs of slowing, most likely reaching 1.7 terabytes per person by the year 2020. For businesses harnessing that data, this creates a major challenge: Current data storage limitations make it nearly impossible for businesses to backup all their information in a timely fashion. However, with a little creative thinking and implementation, you can ensure that you always protect the most critical information.

Too much data may sound like a good thing, but depending on your organization, backing up everything à la minute may be out of your price range or just flat out impossible with the amount of information you create. The problem then becomes: How do I structure my backup plan to prioritize the critical files? We believe the answer is analytics.

In order to avoid backing up unneeded data, you’ll require a “smarter” backup solution. This is where an experienced MSP (managed services provider) really earns its keep. We’ve spent years becoming experts in backup solutions and designing systems that keep your mission-critical data healthy, and we can offer something few others can’t: a backup solution that learns.

The first step in ensuring all of your customer information is safely duplicated and quarantined is to install sophisticated analytics engines that help determine what is most essential to your business's day-to-day operations. These ever-evolving engines will prioritize data in order of importance and translate that to a backup structure that ensures the right data is safe and sound should disaster strike.

Using analytics maintains your existing data-backup solution, but provides it with a map of what to save first, and what to leave for later. What does that mean? Drastically reduced recovery times in the event of untimely outages or disruptions. And, the use of analytics also helps increase efficiency and decrease overall backup costs by providing a better picture of what is unimportant or unnecessary.

Small- and medium-sized businesses have been the drivers of innovation for decades because, as they say, “necessity is the mother of invention.” And we’re here to deliver some good news: Whether you’re interested in implementing a cutting-edge analytics engine or simply want to start with a more straightforward solution, we’re ready to create a new system that prioritizes backups, just for you. Take a second to analyze that, then give us a call.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Contrary to everyone's expectations, the new iPad Mini 5 will not be launched like other Apple products in September. People expect it to be launched in March 2017. The previous iPad Mini 4 is like the first iPad but slimmer and with additional features. iPad Mini 5 is expected to be an improved version of […]

2016november18_apple_bContrary to everyone's expectations, the new iPad Mini 5 will not be launched like other Apple products in September. People expect it to be launched in March 2017. The previous iPad Mini 4 is like the first iPad but slimmer and with additional features. iPad Mini 5 is expected to be an improved version of its predecessors. Here are the rumors circling the new product.

Among the top rumors and speculations concerning iPad Mini 5 are:

Thinner design - There are speculations that the new iPad Mini 5 will be thinner than other models. Current iPads are already 6.1mm thin, but Apple plans to set a new record with a 5mm-thick tablet. Whether or not it will do away with the headphone jack like it did for the iPhone 7 is still unclear.

New aluminum chassis - The iPad Mini 5 will have a different chassis from the previous models. The new chassis will be made from 7000-series aluminum that has been used on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Because the iPad will be thinner, the new chassis will ensure it is durable and will prevent the tablet from any form of bending.

Smart Connector - It is rumored that the iPad Mini 5 will use smart connectors like the iPad Pro. The tablet will have a smart keyboard and other possibilities for connecting with other accessories.

Pricing - When it comes to pricing for the tablet, Apple is expected to keep the price of the iPad Mini 5 in line with that of its predecessors. Based on the pricing of the Mini 4, the price for the Mini 5 is not expected to be the same, but there is a possibility of a slight price increase on the new product. As always, the prices are expected to be higher for larger storage capacities.

Battery - Since the new iPad Mini 5 will be slim, the battery will be small in size and capacity. The battery will be made using improved technology, ensuring it does not affect the running of the iPad.

The iPad Mini 5 is a featured product expected to be launched in 2017. Users are eagerly waiting to see whether this iteration of the iPad will change the somewhat static smart tablet market. For additional information on Apple products and other tech-related topics, go to our website, where we can answer all your questions.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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The new features recently unveiled by Office 365 promise to bring business owners to a more secure and knowledgeable position in which to make important decisions regarding the future of their corporation. Microsoft expanded the popular program's basic scope to include data protection and productivity tools, including the replacement of Delve Analytics with the MyAnalytics […]

2016november17_office_bThe new features recently unveiled by Office 365 promise to bring business owners to a more secure and knowledgeable position in which to make important decisions regarding the future of their corporation. Microsoft expanded the popular program's basic scope to include data protection and productivity tools, including the replacement of Delve Analytics with the MyAnalytics add-on. Let's take a look at the three features Microsoft added to Office 365 and the implications of these new additions.

Azure Information Protection Using Office 365 protection technology, also known as Azure RMS, this feature allows business leaders to mark sensitive documents and control who has access to information in various documents. The protection travels with the data, whether it is online or provided through another device. Business owners can mark a document as internal and keep it from being sent outside the company. Drop-down menus also allow users to apply trackable data protection in order to identify potential leaks and gain insight into how a business is structured.

Enterprise Mobility + Security Suite Re-branded from the Enterprise Mobility Suite, this feature adds more security potential to sensitive data while allowing business owners to manage apps on any device from one location. Users have more control over identity-driven access and also encrypts data to allow secure collaboration among employees.

Productivity Insight This feature, an addition to Delve Analytics, tracks an employee's time management at the office. MyAnalytics for Outlook allows business owners or managers to see who has read, replied, and forwarded their email while also providing them with information on the the email sender. The feature also acts as a storage receptacle for shared files and contact information so they can be accessed quickly.

As Office 365 expands its services to include security and productivity features, companies using cloud-based servers have an advantage over old-school computer users. Not only do they have access to the technology to keep their data safe and accessible to employees, but they also have the management software to see where their efforts are paying off by way of productivity programs. If you need to know more about the new features of Office 365, give our professionals a call. We can answer your questions and help you get the most out of the new Security and Productivity Insight additions.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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