SigmaWay Blog

When we talk about Artificial intelligence, we always come across the question,' will there ever be possible that machine replaces humans and preforming better than us?' The answer is partially 'yes', as at least in many things machines are performing as unchallenged champions of creativity and intelligence. Areas where artificial intelligence already performing better than humans are.

• Search the web quicker. Machine learning AI helps in web engine optimization through understanding the meaning of words and phrases, and can therefore guess what should be in the page ranking in never seen before searches.
• Work in deadly environments. Robots can survive in conditions where humans can’t like deep space, the oceans penthouse, or inside a radioactive reactor.
• Get a PhD quickly. Few critics of AI argue that machines could never be creative, or curious, or discover anything of significance, but team at Tufts have proved the naysayers wrong.
• Deliver a correct medical diagnosis.
• Translate in many languages.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-zarkadakis/5-things-ai-can-do-better_b_8906570.html?utm_hp_ref=technology&ir=Technology

Why to go far? If we see in our recent past artificial intelligence and machine learning were very exciting and dream topics among engineers and developers. But now machine learning has emerged as the ideal branch of big data and working as oxygen to concepts like artificial intelligence. Year 2015, was a year of massive market shifts. Machine learning (ML) and its super set artificial intelligence (AI) where computer receives new information and learn without supervision have played very important and revolutionary role for the shift. Still Machine Learning has much more in the store. Year 2016 is going be a big year for machine learning. Usually, computers have been used to enhance the ability to carry out tasks. Users see this with features like auto completion and spell check. In the upcoming year these leaps are likely to be made on three fronts: natural language processing, personalization, and security.  To know more about machine learning follow the article written by Motti Nisani(author) at: - http://www.geektime.com/2015/12/27/2015s-big-leap-into-machine-learning/

Cloud was an unknown term to almost all small and medium businesses (SMB) 4 years back but now nearly half of the SMBs have adopted cloud. There are many factors behind it. The first is ability to access to data stored on cloud with mobile devices and mobility is very important in today’s world. Second factor is backup and recovery adequacy of cloud which is a cheaper option than buying and maintaining a backup system. Another reason why cloud is an attractive option is that standardization leads to improved data security. With cloud gaining immense popularity in the future any SMB not using it would be a rare site similar to a person not using smart phone in current era! Read more at: http://www.business2community.com/cloud-computing/rise-cloud-small-medium-business-market-01418782#ORT38DDsW5VFwVHp.97

If we talk about the recent past, machine learning was only used by a few who understood the algorithms and had access to very huge amount of data on which to employ it. But with the evolution of big data technology becoming a commodity and algorithms easier to use, machine learning has moved out of the hands of the few to the hands of the citizen developers and regular users. Four key steps taken in 2015 for the development of the machine learning are:-

# learning became easier to use.

# Everyone and their brother released a machine learning library or toolkit. 

#Big data to feed machine learning also became cheaper and easier.

#The label “machine learning” was applied to way too many items.

Read more at: http://www.infoworld.com/article/3017250/application-development/4-great-leaps-machine-learning-made-in-2015.html

Mobile Marketing is the use of the mobile medium as a means of marketing. According to a report, the IoT device market will double the size of smartphone, PC, tablet, connected car, and wearable devices combined by 2019. The Internet of Things provides a network of physical objects or things embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, thus enabling collection and exchange of data. To know more about how it can hit the target mobile marketing, follow the article written by Arun Bhattacharya (author) at: http://blogs.adobe.com/digitalmarketing/mobile/how-to-add-wearable-devices-to-your-mobile-marketing-strategy/

Nowadays, many businesses have discarded content marketing because it has many things to create and promote that it has become time consuming. But, today's consumer need more information about brand relationship and trust. Social media is becoming an important source of information through various channels. Organizations should drive people to that blog or to other pages on the website where they can get things of value and it should be done very effectively. Nicole Boyer (a valued contributor to Business 2 Community), writes in her article about some ways to make your social media promotion the best it can be. They are -  1) Use related visual which engages more consumer to like and share information 2) Headlines does count, so it as to be catchy and appealing. 3) Choose the right platform for posting content according to the target audience. 4) Multiple posting is also becoming trendy to gain attention by changing names or headlines. But you should know the perfect time for re-sharing. 5) Try to keep the conversation rolling by adding comments and feedbacks from readers. Lastly, get everyone to share your post. Read more at: http://www.business2community.com/social-media/get-social-9-ways-promote-content-brand-social-media-01411863#pBWAtI7cbRYeEqG8.97

Primary activities of any oil and gas company generate large amount of data. This is developing heightened demand for big data and services in this sector. The market ofr such solutions is expected to grow by $3.99billion to $5.41billion in 2020.  Big data analytics could help in reducing time lag, and improving drilling parameters in identifying any traces in seismic signatures derived from geological and operational data. Employing data analytics can also help detect any abnormalities in drilling and could save millions in labor and equipment costs. Recovery and production can be enhanced by applied analytics seismic and drilling data. One of the major challenges faced by large companies is lack of skilled labor which can be solved with knowledge management using big data. Recent Paris Agreement has created unprecedented opportunity for countries for decreasing temperature less than two degrees celcius above pre-industrial time which encourages oil companies to improve operational performance and efficiency. Read more at: http://www.technavio.com/blog/how-oil-and-gas-using-big-data-better-operations

Decisions on cloud use and spending involves various business units like engineering team, operations, finance etc. Key to cost cloud cost management is to make all the teams accountable for cloud expenditure. This can be done by putting data in hands of people, enacting policies and evangelizing best practices and finally incentivizing good spending behavior and habits. Michelle Boisvert, executive site editor for searchAWS.com in an article talks about cost conscious culture for managing AWS costs. She further talks about the 5 stages of cost management:
• Create visibility into cloud costs.
• Focus on allocating costs so you know who is responsible for what in the AWS bill.
• Promote efficient behavior to drive down the AWS bill.
• Implement cost saving methods
• Focus on unit cost, not overall cost to understand savings.
For more on this follow the link:  http://searchaws.techtarget.com/news/4500249787/AWS-cloud-cost-management-The-buck-stops-with-you?utm_medium=EM&asrc=EM_NLN_45439492&utm_campaign=20150720_NoSQL%20cloud%20database%20service%20targets%20developers_msargent&utm_source=NLN&track=NL-1839&src=901868

Internet of Things has become the second name for futuristic technology and advancement. Automotive sector has always been the first to absorb sophistication. With increasing propagation of embedded in-vehicle connectivity and smartphone integration platform, connecting automotive technology with phones, watches and computers will be a rage. Connected cars, as we might call them, will be extremely helpful in combating traffic congestion, reducing fuel consumption and road accidents. But, with this huge opportunity comes challenges like affordability, threats like malware, odometer fraud, hacking etc. Todd Franks in a blogpost in CloudTweaks believes that connected cars will definitely be the future of automobile industry. For more insight please click the link http://cloudtweaks.com/2015/07/connected-cars-the-challenges-and-benefits/

Technology has significantly changed the environment of courtrooms over the last few years. Health technology has been one of the most used technologies in the courtroom. Lawyers are enjoying benefits of such technology to have winning edge. It is easier to present the evidences and to conclude the case. Health technology in courtrooms includes blood and personal health monitoring technology, video display, annotation monitors and evidence camera. Use of video conferencing has also became popular now a days. The most important advantage of this health technology is that is instantaneous with the results being relayed at the same time. Read more at:https://channels.theinnovationenterprise.com/articles/h-ealth-tech-in-the-courtroom

In the last few years, the PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) market has seen an explosion. Organizations are now looking forward to receiving, processing, storing and scaling data and PaaS is making all these possible. Here are five things one should know about PaaS:

(i) PaaS benefits not only start-ups but also other organizations. 

(ii) PaaS platforms differ widely with different architecture and languages. Applications can be developed in languages tailor-made to suit the needs of individual businesses.

(iii) PaaS and DevOps (software developed in response to an interdependence of software developers and other IT professionals) intersects at the point of delivery. Thus, both can work together.

(iv)  PaaS is a safe and secure option for storing and processing data. It also supports important security standards.

(v) PaaS serves as one of the critical components for building applications for IoT. Read more at: https://channels.theinnovationenterprise.com/articles/7964-paas-five-things-you-didn-t-know

With the rising popularity of mobile apps, it has become a necessity for businesses to have a mobile-first approach. Before adopting a mobile-first strategy, the following factors should be kept in mind:

(i) Businesses should be familiar with the platform they use. Familiarity with advertising budget and the ability to hire professional web designers and developers is also required.

(ii) Apps should be built with a goal in mind. Apps can be made to boost sales, retain old customers or some other purpose.

(iii) To stand out in the crowded app market, marketing the app needs to be useful and purposeful.

(iv)  Apps should be unique in experience and significantly different from the company's website. Apps should be able to provide a simplified customer experience.

(v) Apps should be tested before being launched as a bad experience will have a negative impact on the targeted customers. Read more at:https://channels.theinnovationenterprise.com/articles/7987-is-mobile-first-right-for-your-business

Companies are today becoming more digital. By digital some mean new technology, for some it is a new way of doing business. Business leaders must have a clear picture of what digital really means and what it means to their business. The term 'digital' should be less seen as a thing and more a way of doing things. There are three attributes to the definition of digital: Creating value at new frontiers: being digital requires being open to new ways of doing business, and understanding where the new value frontiers are. It also means staying closely connected to customer decisions and understanding their expectations in order to keep us with the trend.
Creating value in core businesses: the next element in being digital is to use new capabilities to improve how customers are served. An interconnected set of four core capabilities namely proactive decision making, contextual interaction, real time automation and journey focused innovation can help implement a cyclical dynamic where processes constantly evolved based on inputs from the consumer.
Building foundational capabilities: the final element is about the technology and organizational processes that help enterprises become agile and fast. The two core elements used for such process are mind sets and system data and architecture.
Digital is about unlocking the growth now and also a clear picture of what digital means helps the business to capture maximum value.
Read more at: http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/high_tech_telecoms_internet/what_digital_really_means

The internet of things is a name for the growing network of physical devices which have sensors to collect and exchange data with users or other devices. Such information is used for personal convenience. Collecting such information can help make lives easier. Companies are collecting the data not just for improving standard of living but also form themselves. This helps advertisers know every bit of information about the consumers regarding what they do, when they do and how they do it. The government is way behind in understanding what actually the internet of things is and companies take a more active role in putting security in place before they get ahead of themselves with data collection. The reality is that developers are thinking about what they could do rather than what they should do with it. The main focus should be on user’s privacy maintenance so that their information is never at risk while commercial efficiencies are also realized.
Read more at: http://www.smartdatacollective.com/semcasting-emory-paine/332361/internet-things-realities-interconnected-world?ref=popular_posts

Restaurant businesses have become very difficult to handle recently due to decreased margins, rising costs and ever growing competition. Effectively controlling these variables using modern tools can help the business grow in the right direction. The new tools used in this industry are solving the problems vastly in a cheaper method. Using the tools to their highest potential can give amazing results. • Obtaining customers: the primary goal is to obtain maximum customers so that the restaurant business can flourish and can reap more benefits as well.
• Prioritizing the customer: the customer should always be the first priority for any industry so that the business can maintain its reputation by making sure none of the customers have to wait for their preferences.
• Seamless transactions: a smooth and positive customer experience can be enhanced only by accurately ensuring that no customer has to wait longer for the bill or food and time is not wasted in any way.
• Smart supply: supply should meet demand and the customers should consume all that is ordered to make sure benefits derived are maximum.
• Efficient workforce management: employees define the business and managing them efficiently can help the business maintain its functional peaks.
Customers are why the business exists and hence keeping them happy should be the sole purpose. Such tools can help solve all the problems and acquire maximum gains from it.
Read more at: http://www.smartdatacollective.com/peterdavidson/330482/5-best-management-tools-help-your-restaurant-business

Many experts believe the model for Internet of Things (IoT) will be smart sensors communicating directly into machine clouds. Edge computing is a critical element needed for the advancement of the IoT. Here is 7 reasons why: 1. The edge is the muffler for data exhaust
2. Time can matter as edge processing reduces time spent.
3. Configurability is an important clause in shaping the future of IoT.
4. Implementing a secure IoT.
5. Governance will become more important.
6. The proper architecture will be needed to accommodate the market demands.
7. Cost as edge processing will be costlier in most cases.
To know more: http://www.thoughtsoncloud.com/2015/07/7-reasons-edge-computing-is-critical-to-iot/

There is a fear attached to the security of cloud. However these are myths. Some are:
1. Cloud is riskier than traditional IT: Data breaches can happen on premise. The efficient way is to work with a competent, experienced provider that invests in strong network securities.
2. You can’t control where your data resides in the cloud: regulated industries like health care require valuable information. This is discredited because organizations can choose specific region based data centers, private clouds.
3. The cloud is not suitable for complaint workload: organizations can leverage for private or hybrid cloud development model better suited to the needs.
To know more, follow: http://www.information-age.com/technology/cloud-and-virtualisation/123459832/3-myths-about-cloud-and-security

The mobile enterprises compete on the basis of the speed of innovation. The developers and the QA team get involved in an organization just to differentiate one from the others in terms of technological advancement. The manual testing of mobile is too backdated and costly and so we need to incorporate the automated testing which saves cost and gives a speedy check for improved efficiency. A need to stop using own device lab and recruiting experts for helping in the process with their upgraded equipments. The devices should be put in cloud as it reduces cost and can be accessed from any remote areas with the same customer experience. The automated test environment should be properly analyzed throughout the process to avoid loss of time and money. The organizational structure should have that proper synchronization between them so that they get adapted to the technological progress so that they can maintain the continuous quality of products. The evidence is the key to formulate a perfect flow in the working mechanism and so the developer team and QA team should coordinate and move accordingly to the development of the organization as a whole.

Read more at: http://www.theserverside.com/feature/Six-Steps-to-Accelerating-Mobile-App-Testing?utm_medium=EM&asrc=EM_NLN_45439497&utm_campaign=20150720_NoSQL%20cloud%20database%20service%20targets%20developers_msargent&utm_source=NLN&track=NL-1839&ad=901868&src=901868

Support software is mostly used to follow support issues. However, certain firms use it externally so that their employees can submit reports and also it helps to manage extrinsic requests from users. When it is used intrinsically, support software becomes a process instead of software. Toby Osbourn in his article on innovationenterprise.com presented the benefits of using it internally and they are as follows:

1. Queuing and Logging.
2. The value for spotting training requirements.
3. The value for upgrading systems and equipment.
4. The value in reducing support time.

Read more at: https://channels.theinnovationenterprise.com/articles/7932-support-software-as-an-agent-for-change

The rate, at which virtual reality is undergoing evolution, it may soon be possible in the recent future to virtually teleport from one place to another, via remote reality, even at the most distant corners of the earth. Networking is the most important factor required to make this possible. High speed internet must be accompanied with advanced audio and visualization technology, to make the media feeds, received by the users more realistic and communicable. Drones and robots will come handy in the age of remote reality and it is important to match the system response speed with the immediacy of real world actions, to avoid motion sickness of users caused by the deferment. Read more at: http://venturebeat.com/2015/07/13/omnipresence-and-the-coming-age-of-remote-reality/