Archives November 2021

Understanding the Importance of AI in 3D Printing Applications

Understanding the Importance of AI in 3D Printing Applications

Artificial intelligence has had a massive influence on the future of the manufacturing sector. Manufacturers spent over $1.1 billion on AI in 2020. That figure is likely to rise much higher in the near future.

One of the biggest reasons manufacturers are investing in AI is that it has led to new advances in automation. We covered this briefly in our article about the role of AI in the evolution of robotics in manufacturing.

The form of automation that can make the 3d typography firm known all over the world is Additive manufacturing. Firms that want to utilize AM are going through a vast transformation that brings excellent opportunities for product design and manufacturing. This is just the beginning of a new era of the manufacturing industry as machine learning and AI become more important.

Numerous AI-driven trends are upcoming in various firms, and they include;

1. 3D-Typography bionic orifice

The human eye is a fantastic chunk of engineering. AI has made it possible to create bionic orifices that resemble the properties of the human eye. However, remoulding it was quite hard since creating an eye requires intense work, causing scientists to encounter several automation issues. Even though these issues made scientists feel like their innovation would not come to light, the introduction of AI-driven 3d typography made it easier to develop the human gape. This innovation will assist blind people in getting their eyesight back, and it will also allow people with good vision to have better eyesight.

The pinnacle of the bionic orifice was created using a hemispherical goblet noggin on which silver specks were disseminated. The process became much easier after new advances in machine learning emerged. They utilized a semiconducting plastic fabric to disseminate photodiodes that transform radiance into electronic indications, which could be refined and whirled into a virtual portrait.

Once the bionic eye was completed, they tested it, and it proved to have 25% efficiency in remaking radiant indications into electronic indications. This efficiency is likely to improve even more due to emerging breakthroughs in AI. Scientists are proud of this advancement, and they believe that this is the nearest they have been to establishing an actual gaze. What has allowed scientists to be able to achieve this goal is the presence of a 3d typographer.

At the moment, scientists are toiling on their additional model, which will encompass more radiant receptors that are more productive; they are also thinking of a way to disseminate a smooth hemispherical fabric that could be embedded in an actual aperture.

2. 3D typography on whole cruise and military sanctuaries

3D typography has started to be used to make a 7.62m cruise that weighs more than 2 tonnes. The biggest cruiser ever made is the 3Dirigo, and it is known to be the hugest 3d typographic cruiser ever disseminated. Large scale 3d typography is becoming a new fad, and several manufacturing firms are looking into using 3d typography since it’s easier to make models and is very cost-friendly. 

The 3Dirigo was made in one solid piece during continuous dissemination of up to 72 hours, which was amazing and shocking since a regular boat that has been naturally made would take several weeks to complete. The extrusion-3D typographer used to make the ship is also an excellent manufacturing decision. It reduces the amount of fabric waste and leads to fast output nearer to the degree of desire. AI has helped make sure this material was used even more efficiently, thereby further reducing waste.

Other than creating a cruise, researchers came up with a 3.6 m long U.S Army Communication harbour. The program was an alliance between UMaine and the U.S Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Soldier centre to come up with promptly deployable sanctuaries for troopers.

These are some examples of how 3D typography can assist different firms, including the marine and military sectors. Professional 3D printing services also assist aerospace, edifice and foundry requests in making a difference in their firms.

3. Rethinking rocket manufacturing

Aeroscopes, in general, can be changed for the better due to the utilization of CNC prototyping since these companies want to come up with a rocket that will be 95 per cent of the components will be 3d typography. So that scientists can make this a reality, they have come up with a Stargate, the most significant arc welding metal 3d typography in the entire globe powered with appliance wisdom and robotics. This is yet another example of the benefits of AI in practice.

Scientists came up with such an amazing device that they thawed metal wire while it got extracted from a nozzle onto a mould set. As a result, Stargate will have the power to disseminate fuel tanks and other huge large rocket elements. For tiny portions, the firm is utilizing Selective Laser Melting automation. This invention has been made possible since this device can come up with pieces as large as 2.7 m in diameter and 4.5m high.

Space wants to be the initial firm that launches its first 3d typography rocket into orbit by early 2021. Even though this seems quite impossible, the firm is trying its best to make this a reality. The first product made through 3D typography is the Terran 1 rocket, and it continues to undergo various modifications, such as a 3m cargo fairing with double the amount.

Their second advancement was the 140m Series C allotment allowing the firm to be one step ahead of making their dream come true. The moment space will be able to make 3d typography rockets; it will make launching aircraft easier since very few aircraft get found per year since they take longer to manufacture and the cost of manufacturing them is high.

AI Technology is Vital to Modern 3D Printing for the Manufacturing Industry

There are a lot of huge benefits of AI technology in the manufacturing industry. We talked about the importance of business intelligence in manufacturing before, but AI is also helpful in dealing with actual manufacturing challenges, such as improving 3D-printing. The industry has been investing more heavily in AI algorithms than ever.

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How to Make the Most of Big Data in the Fitness Industry

How to Make the Most of Big Data in the Fitness Industry

Big data has been a powerful force of change in the fitness industry. More fitness companies are using data analytics, AI and other technology to better understand their customers, improve their operating margins and make other changes to adapt to new trends.

If you are running a fitness business, then you can’t afford to overlook the importance of big data. The global gym management software market is expected to grow by over $140 million over the next four years. This is largely driven by a growing need for data-driven fitness solutions.

The Role of Big Data in Fitness

We previously talked about the benefits of using big data in fitness app monetization. However, fitness cetners are also finding benefits in using data analytics.

As one of the fastest-growing industries globally, tech has been steadily invading the fitness sector in the last few years. As a result, gyms and other fitness centers are in the perfect position to utilize this tech to collect and use data from their clients. Not only does this give your fitness center a boost, but it also allows your members to experience a more streamlined approach and even better fitness results.

Find the Right Management Software

First things first, you need to find the proper fitness management tools for gyms and fitness centers. Think of this as the command center for your business. Make the right decision, and most other data-driven elements of your organization will fall into place neatly.

Now, when selecting such software, you need to consider the individual features. Look for ones that allow you to collect the most data with the least effort. Furthermore, consider software that has the analytical capacity to make use of the data that is collected.

Actively and Passively Collect Data

The good news is that passively collecting data will be quite straightforward with the right gym and MMA software management tool. You will be able to keep track of when a particular member will attend gyms or classes. You can see how long their workout lasts, what kinds of machines they prefer to book, and when.

At the same time, it can be quite useful to collect data from members as well. For example, use short questionnaires and similar techniques to let your clients know how you can improve their experience or what you can do to customize their workouts.

Remember, always let your clients know exactly what type of information you are collecting. Then, in case there are any changes to the details that you are accumulating, let your clients know so that they can agree to these new rules.

Optimize Classes Based on Attendance

The last thing that you want is to host classes with poor attendance. Instead, use data from class bookings to determine what classes are popular and when people are most likely to attend them. You can then create a schedule around this information, avoiding too-small classes. You can also use information such as demographics to determine if you should make any changes to your classes.

Utilize Data to Provide Value-Added Services

Every gym and fitness center requires a competitive edge. This is why it is vital for you to use the data that you have collected to offer value-added services. We can obviously use biometrics in these industries, but there are other benefits as well. This can include nutrition advice, pre-prepared meals, cool-down exercises, physiotherapy services, and more.

Take a look at the information that you are being presented with and identify opportunities for these services. Then, use each member’s data to determine how you can further customize these services to meet their needs.

Don’t let the data that you have collected simply sit in your membership database. Instead, discover all the ways that it can be analyzed and used to provide your customers with an optimal experience.

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Benefits of Using Data Analytics in Equipment Financing

Benefits of Using Data Analytics in Equipment Financing

Data analytics technology has touched on virtually every element of our lives. More companies are using big data to address some of their biggest concerns. Securing financing is a huge example.

Data analytics technology is helping more companies get the financing that they need for a variety of purposes. One of the most important benefits of big data involves getting financing for new equipment.

You can’t afford to overlook the importance of big data if you need to get capital to purchase new equipment. Your ability to use it to your advantage can make the difference in whether or not you can buy the equipment that you need.

The Growing Importance of Using Big Data to Finance New Equipment

Whether your business is construction or computer chips, most businesses require equipment to survive. There are a few options for paying for that equipment, but how do you know which option is best? Each situation is unique, but there are a few things to keep in mind.  

Here are some of the important variables, which will help you appreciate the need to use big data to secure your financing.

Securing Financing Can be Essential, Which Means Using Big Data to Get it Is Equally Important

Most small businesses do not have access to unlimited capital to keep the business alive and striving, especially in the beginning. This is where business equipment loans can come to the rescue to secure funding. A business equipment loan is essentially a specialized business loan that is for the acquisition of necessary equipment. 

One huge advantage to secure business equipment financing from a lender is that most lenders will not require additional collateral. Again, if the business is new, this advantage can be vital. The equipment itself will usually serve as the collateral for the loan, and that equipment can be seized if the loan terms are no longer being met. Most banks will offer fantastic rates for this type of loan, but many have additional qualification requirements.

This will help you realize why you need to use big data to get the financing that you are looking for. You will be able to make a better case for getting financing if you have used analytics technology to accurately forecast the financial benefits that it will have on your bottom line. Predictive analytics tools will help you show the long-term financial advantages and how it will help boost your cash flow.

Big Data Can Show How Financing Can Help the Business Grow

Another advantage to acquiring a business equipment loan is the added flexibility to increase production. Suppose the current equipment is not working up to capacity or is in a constant state of intermittent breakdown. In this case, the new equipment purchased with the loan can ramp things up. This will allow the business to operate much more efficiently, and increase the bottom line. It may even allow the company to take on additional accounts or reach out to new customers.

Again, big data is helpful in creating these models. You can use a predictive analytics tool to see how your business will grow in response to getting the financing that you need.

There Can Be Drawbacks that Big Data Can Help With

As great as a business equipment loan can be, some drawbacks should be considered, with one of the biggest being restrictions. This kind of loan is for business equipment only, and it cannot be used for any other expenses of the business, such as rent or payroll. If the business requires financing for any other type of expense, a different kind of loan product may be best.

This is yet another benefit of using big data. You can use data modeling to better understand these risks and manage them accordingly.

Checking the Credit Score

It’s also important to know where the business stands with its credit. If the business has an excellent credit score, then the loan terms should be pretty favorable, but if the score could use some work, you’ll want to know this before filling out a loan application. If the credit score could use a little tweaking, it might be best to set up a limited time frame, say six months, to work on that score before applying to get better loan terms.

Depending on the type of equipment the business requires, buying the equipment with a business loan could be risky. The equipment may become obsolete and outdated before being paid off. Even if this is not the case, once the equipment is used, it will no longer have the same market value due to depreciation. This situation may be minimized if the lender will offer financing for equipment leasing, but again, every situation is different.

Earning Rewards to Provide Funding

If the business qualifies, it may be worth looking into business equipment financing through a rewards credit card. A card can be beneficial if the business has additional needs besides equipment. A good rewards program can provide thousand of dollars for the company in rewards each year, and many cards offer no interest for the first one to two years.

Big Data is Vital for Companies that Want to Secure Equipment Financing

Getting equipment financing is a vital part of running a business. Big data can play a very important role in this process. You must make sure that you use it to your full advantage of financing opportunities.

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How BI Can Help Enterprises Overcome The Effects Of The Pandemic

How BI Can Help Enterprises Overcome The Effects Of The Pandemic

It’s been almost two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started, and now we have enough information to assume that most enterprises weren’t prepared for the crisis. Although teams had vast amounts of data and powerful analytic tools at their fingertips, the pandemic still caught most organizations off guard. As a result, most enterprise executives had to cut their plans and initiatives. According to a Google-commissioned IDG survey, 55% of respondents have postponed or canceled at least one technology project.

One of the main reasons for such a disruption may be the obsolescence of many traditional data management models; that’s why they have failed to predict the crisis and its consequences. Moreover, we can see that only those teams who decided to transform their data analytics models were able to make rapid and intelligent business decisions and, consequently, successfully adapt to this new business reality. According to Cognizant, nearly 70% of teams that made major or significant changes to their analytical models now make more accurate predictions, compared to 45% who preferred to leave things as they were.

At Itransition, we believe that the adoption of business intelligence (BI) can enable enterprises to transform and continually adapt to the ever-changing market conditions. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why companies should seek new approaches to data analytics. We’ll also show how exactly enterprises can implement BI, either by their own efforts or via BI services, to pass through the crisis with minimal negative impact on their operations.

Why legacy approaches to data analysis no longer work

To begin with, we should understand why exactly the legacy data analytics approaches may be considered ineffective. The thing is, previously data analytics was based on models that perpetually extended into the future; unfortunately, most of these models have become obsolete in today’s circumstances.

Before the pandemic, enterprise managers lived in the illusion that all future events could be predicted. Based on this assumption, specialists relied on false predictive data models that could only reflect a simplified picture of the possible future. In this paradigm, any minor deviations in data (which, in fact, could predict something) could simply be ignored or perceived as exceptions.

Thus, data analysts began to tailor the data to their usual models of reality instead of adequately assessing change and its impact. Finally, this has led to a disconnection between data sets and analytics itself, leaving many enterprises unarmed in the face of a real crisis.

So, can enterprise managers do something to avoid falling into this trap again in the future? Yes, they can implement BI to enable rapid, real-time data analytics; thus, teams become able to experiment and continuously adapt to market changes caused by the pandemic.

Implementing BI to overcome the crisis

Enterprise managers looking to leverage or improve their existing BI solutions should conduct an in-depth assessment of existing data environments and draw up a detailed strategy to improve the effectiveness of corporate analytics models. To help our clients speed up this process, our company has developed an emergency BI package for enterprises that are passing through social and economic disruptions (just like the present coronavirus crisis).

This approach, which we call reactive data analytics, allows teams to quickly test and validate data-based hypotheses via the HADI (Hypothesis-Action-Data-Insight) cycle. You can use our approach or develop a similar one to swiftly transform your data processing strategy, define new data points and data gathering routes, and continuously adapt your analytics to changing market conditions.

• Hypothesis definition

To start with, a team needs to formulate hypotheses based on the goals and business requirements.

• Insight analytics

At this stage, a team needs to analyze the gathered data and data management processes to create an appropriate environment for testing their hypotheses.

• Action points

After analyzing the testing results, a team needs to determine a set of specific actions that have to be taken to obtain the data needed for achieving the team’s business goals.

• A strategy-driven MVP

Based on the previous steps, a team comes up with a new data analytics strategy and develops an MVP to achieve visible and measurable results.

Summary

The pandemic has highlighted that the majority of traditional data analytics models have become obsolete, and enterprises can no longer rely on them to predict and manage crises. To be able to adapt to constantly changing market conditions throughout the coronavirus crisis, teams should implement or improve their existing BI solutions. In particular, enterprise managers can utilize the HADI concept to implement reactive analytics; thus, they can analyze data in real time and make more rapid and reasonable business decisions.

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Vodafone provides anonymized mobile phone signal data to help monitor the spread of COVID-19 and inform early warning systems for new outbreaks

Vodafone provides anonymized mobile phone signal data to help monitor the spread of COVID-19 and inform early warning systems for new outbreaks

Editor’s note: When Europe’s largest mobile communications company, Vodafone, was asked by the European Commission to help understand population movement across the European Union and the UK to help fight COVID-19, it was able to provide anonymized mobile network-based insights to answer the call. Here’s how Vodafone, with the support of Google Cloud, rapidly mobilized the COVID-19 frontline, while respecting its customers’ privacy.

With the emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020, the European Commission—the executive branch of the European Union (EU)—knew that technology would be instrumental in its fight to control the pandemic. With various lockdowns imposed across its member states, the Commission was keen to predict and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to manage the related social, political and financial impacts. 

Mobile network data helps track COVID-19 across the EU

Mobile networks produce location data, which can be turned into useful anonymous insights to understand population movement within a geographic area. The European Commission, working with mobile industry association GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association), asked Europe’s major mobile phone operators for help in producing insights to support the fight against COVID-19. As the largest mobile network operator within the EU, Vodafone saw this as a critical opportunity to participate. 

Vodafone had previous experience of using mobile network data to support pandemic research. For example, in 2019, Vodafone provided mobility pattern analysis to help track the spread of Malaria in Mozambique. And, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (prior to working with the European Commission), Vodafone assisted the Italian and Spanish governments in understanding their citizens’ mobility patterns. Vodafone had also previously offered anonymized and aggregated population mobility insights to support public transport and tourism authorities and retail organizations in a number of countries. Consequently, Vodafone was perfectly placed to play a greater role in supporting the European Commission’s response to the pandemic. 

When asked to assist the European Commission, Vodafone first considered how it could safely share its data with the governing body without providing details on the individual movements of its customers. It realized it could achieve this through an elaborate set of anonymization and aggregation techniques. Insights are aggregated from a minimum of 50 users and Vodafone only shared these anonymous insights and never the actual raw data with the Commission. As specified by the EU, these insights are then presented onto a large geographical region, typically a city or a county with thousands of people living in that area.

These insights illustrate how people move, helping to determine how lockdowns and self-isolation measures were impacting behaviors.

Using Google Cloud to collate and store population mobility data

In April 2020, Vodafone began migrating its operations, including its mobile data, to Google Cloud on servers in Europe and the UK with elaborate security safeguards, including encryption, building on a previous partnership. 

With the data residing in EU and UK data centers and not the United States, Vodafone could then retrieve anonymous insights from Google Cloud Storage instantaneously. Before supplying any information to the European Commission, however, Vodafone used Dataflow to validate the data and run a series of tests to ensure the database had accurate data, before ingesting and archiving the relevant metrics. For instant access, the data was then made available to the European Commission using a Redis database on Google Kubernetes Engine.

To ensure aggregate Vodafone customer data was always safe, secure, and anonymous, all entry points to the front-end were protected behind Google Cloud Armor, where only specific IP addresses were allowed. Using these tools, seamless data pipelines fed in predefined key performance indicators from each specified European market. While data quality measures ensured the definitions for metrics across markets were consistent and could be accurately compared.

The architecture (pictured below) shows how Vodafone integrated and anonymized its data on Google Cloud.

Live interactive dashboard shows population mobility in real-time

With its data integrated on Google Cloud, Vodafone created a live, interactive dashboard to track mobility patterns and share relevant information with the European Commission in real-time. 

The European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC) was able to gather valuable information from these insights, which enabled them to see where population mobility was aiding the spread of the disease, when cross-referenced with health data It could also assess the implications of lockdowns on different populations and forecast cross-country spreading.

Mobile data aids disease modeling for multiple stakeholders

The Vodafone data became instrumental in modeling the likely course of the disease too. For example, the University of Southampton in the UK used it to predict the outcome of different coordinated COVID-19 exit strategies across Europe. This research was published in Science Magazine in September 2020. 

The Vodafone data dashboard continues to be used by individual governments, NGOs and organizations to further investigate the impacts of the pandemic and to measure the effectiveness of response strategies alongside the rollout of vaccination programs. The project also helped Vodafone win a DataIQ award for most effective stakeholder engagement

Using the learnings from this project, Vodafone has been able to adapt its own B2B solution, called Vodafone Analytics, by adaptIng and migrating the code to work in Google Cloud Platform. This solution has been rolled out across Germany, Greece, Portugal and South Africa, and new countries are being onboarded every day. Vodafone Analytics already has more than 100 customers leveraging it for a variety of use cases—Italian fashion retailer OVS, uses it for its smart retail operation, while global real estate company, JLL, uses it to understand the footfall passing through its properties. 

Working together, Vodafone and Google Cloud continue to help a range of organizations, governments, and NGOs navigate through the ongoing pandemic,  optimize their operations, and help the greater good, without infringing individuals’ fundamental rights to privacy.

To learn more about Google Cloud and Vodafone, watch our full interview here.

Related Article

COVID-19 public datasets: supporting organizations in their pandemic response

See how organizations have used the BigQuery COVID-19 public dataset for research, healthcare, and more.

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Use a Data Strategy to Make Your Startup Profitable

Use a Data Strategy to Make Your Startup Profitable

Big data is no longer a luxury for businesses. It is a vital to any company that wants to succeed in all but the least competitive markets. In the information, there are companies with big data strategies and those that fall behind. Big data and business intelligence are essential.

However, the success of a big data strategy relies on its implementation. VentureBeat reports that only 13% of companies are delivering on their big data strategies. You need to know how to use big data strategically if you want your company to become profitable.

Effective Use of Big Data is A Must if You Want to Make Your Company Profitable

Business is enticing, challenging, and filled with opportunities, should you turn the right idea into reality. But what even is the right idea? There are that many factors at play that you could argue it’s potluck. One idea might not work for one person, and for the next person, the idea might make their dreams come true. B2B business, in particular, brings a unique set of challenges that B2C companies don’t face. Longer buying cycles, more risk, and larger transactions. 

This is where big data comes into play. You can use data to better understand your customers and improve the efficiency of your operations. This can make all the difference in the world if you are a new startup trying to become more profitable.

Below, we will explore how you can use big data wisely to make your B2B startup one of the 2 in 5 that becomes profitable.

Focus On Data-Driven Lead Generation

It’s important to remember there’s a never-ending list of techniques and tactics and the right places and timings that make for a successful business. One of these things is lead generation. Interestingly, 63% of marketers consider lead generation their biggest challenge – maybe because that’s what everyone else is doing.

The good news is that big data can make lead generation strategies more effective. You will be able to use data analytics to evaluate the conversion rates on your lead opt-in pages, determine the average value of various leads acquired through different channels and compare those figures against the cost of lead acquisition. A data-driven approach to lead generation can help you get the highest possible ROI from it.

Not only are you competing with other startups, but you’re also competing against big, well-known brands with loyal customers and good reputations. One way it’s being made easier is through marketing automation software – a new trend that’s getting good results for many businesses, so much so that 80% of marketers are now using it. Another interesting stat, 77% of marketers who use automation software gain more leads than those marketers that don’t.

Big data has also made it possible to automate the lead generation process. Working with marketing agencies that use automation software could prove beneficial.

Don’t Forget to Use Data Analytics to Improve Customer Retention

Big data is also great at helping you improve customer retention. This is the basis of most CRM tools. They retain databases of your customers and help you use analytics software to better determine customer engagement and satisfaction. Customer data is actually key to boosting customer retention.

It’s easy to get caught up with customer acquisition as a start-up and forget about retention – something more beneficial to focus on than acquisition. And, did you know, 75% of customers say they favor using brands that come with rewards? In comes a lucrative b2b customer loyalty programme as the savior. A good b2b rewards program can elevate the customer experience, help retain customers, and even help you find new customers.

Plus, it helps you escape the trap that is a discount. Yes, discounts work well for attracting new customers, but they’re harmful to profits in the long run. You might offer a 10% discount on large orders for loyal customers as part of the b2b incentives program you set up. Offering larger discounts to every customer can be detrimental.

Elevate Shopping Experiences

The shopping experience is everything to B2B sales – especially since the buying cycle is longer. The world of B2B is now worth over $1.8 trillion – with the market expanding day by day with an influx of buyers thanks to the shift in digital technologies. Before eCommerce, B2B websites were nothing more than a place to browse – most transactions happened over the phone or face-to-face. 

Now, the best way to elevate the shopping experience is to bend to the digital demands and create a responsive, interactive, and informative eCommerce website that simplifies sales. That’s why eCommerce website builders like Shopify now accommodate B2B websites. Work with a website builder to create an easy-to-navigate website that forms a portal for customers to shop and browse without the need for constant back and forth. 

90% of B2B shoppers start their buying experience with a search – let your website be the first place they look.

This is one of the best ways that you can use data technology to improve your business. You can use customer data to determine how buyers behave, both through your online and offline channels. This will enable you to optimize your business model accordingly.

Data Analytics is Crucial for Startups Trying to Boost Profitability

As mentioned, those are three key areas to focus on – and they’re small in comparison to the bigger scale of growing a business. Growing a B2B business will come with hurdles, setbacks, and yet, in the end, the highest reward. The good news is that big data makes this a lot easier. The B2B market is worth nearly double what B2C is – the potential profit margin is huge. You should use big data to capitalize off of it.

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Has Blockchain Made Cryptocurrency Baskets Worth Investing In?

Has Blockchain Made Cryptocurrency Baskets Worth Investing In?

Blockchain technology has been a breakthrough technology that has had a huge impact on our lives. The average person doesn’t understand the significance of blockchain, but it is revolutionizing the financial sector.

If you are familiar with bitcoin, you probably realize that it was founded on the blockchain network. Blockchain has since been used in countless other applications, such as IP authentication and fraud prevention in the financial sector. However, it is still most important in the field of cryptocurrencies.

As the blockchain continues to evolve, it is bringing a number of other benefits for cryptocurrency investors. One of the biggest advantages of blockchain changes is that they have led to a number of new investing and storage options, such as cryptocurrency ATMs and cryptocurrency baskets.

Blockchain Has Made Cryptocurrency Baskets a Possibility

Cryptocurrency is both a subject of fascination and debate. For some individuals, it’s the currency of the future, pushing many people to invest in coins, tokens, and blockchain technology. Many developers have also started building tools for cryptocurrencies, such as trading platforms, digital wallets (an XMR wallet being only one of many examples), and data analytics tools. Others, however, are more skeptical about how profitable these digital coins really are, considering the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market.

New investors in the cryptocurrency space often have a difficult time navigating the complicated processes underlying crypto. Blockchain has made a lot of these processes more convenient, but people still might have difficulty navigating them on the user end. Coupled with rapid daily market fluctuations, it’s easy to see why beginners often feel hesitant to invest in virtual currencies. Hence, many newcomers tend to look at cryptocurrency baskets first.

Investing in cryptocurrency baskets—or token baskets, as others call them—is often considered as the safer and easier way to get into crypto investments. Though it’s still a high-risk investment, crypto baskets can mitigate risks in various ways. To learn more about what crypto baskets are and what their potential investment value can be, continue reading below.

What Are Cryptocurrency Baskets?

A cryptocurrency basket can refer to a collection of digital assets—such as cryptocurrencies or tokens—that investors can buy and manage as a bundle. In this manner, investors can monitor their digital assets as a group rather than oversee them individually.

Cryptocurrency baskets are usually seen as an investment vehicle of choice for novice investors. But after gaining popularity in 2018, more diverse options have come to market, with some baskets catering to more experienced investors.

Various investment platforms form their baskets through smart contracts, which are programs in a blockchain that activate when certain conditions are met. Typically, each platform has its own set of guidelines and rubrics on what comprises a basket as well as notable metric points (such as volatility and developer activity) for an investor’s reference.

Reasons Why Blockchain-Based Cryptocurrency Baskets Are Popular

Whether you’re a novice or a veteran when it comes to traditional investments, crypto baskets may just be a more accessible way of entering the digital currency market. That being said, it’s understandable to have some reservations about putting your hard-earned money into any speculative investment. If you’re still unconvinced about their potential benefits, here are some reasons why crypto baskets that are managed through the blockchain could be worthwhile additions to any investment portfolio:

They Save Time and Money

The creation of crypto baskets, developers hope, will make investing in digital coins less daunting and easier for individuals who are just getting started in the world of cryptocurrency. By offering cryptocurrencies and tokens in bundles, the new investor can save time and effort as they won’t have to research each asset individually. As a result, the allocation process of building a crypto portfolio takes less effort to accomplish overall.

They Can Help Diversify Portfolios

Blockchain has been a saving grace for investors concerned about risk management. Risk management is a critical part of investing, whether it involves traditional stocks or digital assets. However, managing risks is especially important in a market where prices and values can swing exceedingly high or low at any given point. Hence, it’s standard practice for investors to not put all their eggs in one basket, so to speak.

Fortunately, this adage applies to crypto baskets differently. Each crypto basket holds multiple different assets much like how a traditional index fund is composed of various types of assets. Thus, by getting a crypto basket, investors can quickly acquire a horde of different cryptocurrencies and diversify their crypto portfolios within a single exchange.

They Can Mitigate Your Overall Risk

Cryptocurrency is notoriously volatile, and as such, is considered a risky venture for investors. As stated earlier, a diversified portfolio with crypto baskets can help mitigate these risks. Even if one asset in the basket experiences a dramatic price swing, it will have less impact on your portfolio over the long run. This translates to lower overall volatility, which is a significant consideration in a highly unpredictable market.

The Potential Downsides of Cryptocurrency Baskets

As useful as crypto baskets are, they do have some limitations that may make them less ideal for certain types of investors.

Firstly, some investors like to have full control of the assets they invest in. As such, cryptocurrency baskets—well-curated as they are—may not contain the specific assets they want. Thus, certain investors will prefer to research and purchase each type of coin themselves rather than getting a crypto basket.

Secondly, the returns of crypto baskets may not be as high as those that can be gained from investing in single digital assets. The reason for this lies in risk and volatility. The more volatile an asset is, the greater the chance of a higher return. Since crypto baskets offer lower volatility, they may generate lower returns as a result.

Should You Invest in Cryptocurrency Baskets Supported by Blockchain?

Investing in cryptocurrency is like riding a rollercoaster. It has extreme ups and downs, which both attract and repel investors from participating in the market. Fortunately, developments in blockchain have helped mitigate some of these issues by providing stability and offering more convenient solutions to end users.

From an investment standpoint, crypto baskets are exceedingly helpful since they’re easier to monitor and can significantly diversify an investor’s portfolio. They may also be a more stable investment to make due to their integration with blockchain, which counts for a lot, given the constantly fluctuating metrics in the crypto industry.

Nevertheless, like any other coin in the cryptocurrency market, crypto baskets also come with their unique sets of risks and limitations. Whether they’re worth investing in or not highly depends on the investor’s mindset and preferred strategies. All things considered, however, crypto baskets are a great place to start for new investors or for those who prefer investing in something a little less risky.

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How to Utilize Artificial Intelligence in Your eCommerce SEO Strategy

How to Utilize Artificial Intelligence in Your eCommerce SEO Strategy

If you have not lived under a rock for several years, you have undoubtedly heard about artificial intelligence (AI). However, how might artificial intelligence be used in e-commerce operations?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to fill every facet of our daily lives. For example, self-checkout cash registers, airport security checks, and other automated processes all use artificial intelligence to some degree.

E-commerce companies are already utilizing AI to understand their consumers better, develop new revenue, and improve customer service to their current clients.

How Will AI Influence E-commerce?

E-commerce has gotten more overcrowded and competitive due to the present state of the Internet. Thus, to be successful, a company must be quicker and smarter than its competitors. For example, consider the task of creating a website.

This kind of information on customers and site visitors is all around us, being gathered all the time. Suppose if we could gather, organize, analyze, and use this data in a better way? That is where artificial intelligence (AI) comes in, and it is revolutionizing Internet marketing services.

So let us see how artificial intelligence can help you in developing more effective SEO strategies for e-commerce.

Improved Search Results

Customers are increasingly locating items using search engines and marketplace searches. Organic Google searches generate over 40 percent of e-commerce traffic. As a result, SEO is critical to an e-commerce store’s success.

SEO-based artificial intelligence systems are capable of the following: 

Conducting site performance analysisAssisting with keyword researchImproving the quality of your materialMaking appropriate tag recommendationsAssisting advertisers in determining the optimal time to post content

A user-friendly website that includes pertinent keywords, meta descriptions, and tags can go a long way toward attracting prospective consumers.

AI solutions can assist marketers in increasing site traffic and organizing information in a manner that encourages purchasers to flow fluidly across your e-commerce business.

SEO-based artificial intelligence solutions can help you eliminate some guesswork associated with picking the correct keywords, producing the greatest content, and determining how to enhance your SEO.

Voice Search

With the emergence of gadgets such as Alexa, Echo, Siri-enabled Apple devices, and Google Home, shoppers can now search for things using just their voices.

As a consequence, companies must guarantee that their items are discoverable through voice search.

Businesses must begin optimizing their web pages for audible search. For instance, many companies can now use machine learning by enabling consumers to buy on their websites using Alexa.

Customers want more ease in their e-commerce buying experience. Voice search enables users to do product searches without needing a laptop or phone, streamlining the shopping experience.

Along with voice search, marketers should begin planning for visual search, as an increasing number of buyers browse for things through visuals.

Certain businesses develop applications that enable users to photograph an item and search for it on their marketplace. Without the assistance of artificial intelligence and machine learning, these procedures would be impossible.

Targeting Specific Customers

When it comes to appealing to prospective consumers, AI eliminates the guesswork. Rather than developing a one-size-fits-all advertisement, businesses can now build customized advertising for particular purchasers based on their online activity.

AI techniques have resulted in more successful retargeting methods. Now, social media networks such as Facebook simplify companies to retarget their advertisements to locations where their clients congregate online.

Additionally, AI systems are getting more adept at deciphering client behavior and purpose.

This new age of robust AI systems is capable of acquiring even more sophisticated data about clients. It can, however, develop algorithms that make it simpler to reach targeted audiences.

Decrease Cart Abandonment

Follow-up emails to abandoned carts have an average open rate of 45 percent. This figure is almost certainly connected to email marketing automation.

An abandoned cart is one of the most obvious indicators that a consumer experienced a technical issue or had an unpleasant experience before purchasing. They were only a few clicks away from making a transaction and converting from lead to customer.

Understanding why your clients are not completing a deal enables you to address the issue and streamline and simplify the purchase process.

Additionally, marketers can utilize AI techniques to segment clients based on their online activity and degree of interest in specific items.

These solutions can assist marketers in determining which leads are likely to convert and which can leave their carts using machine learning.

Marketers can utilize this data to select the most effective content to deliver to target consumers.

Retain Customers Through Follow-Ups

Astute marketers recognize the value of follow-up. However, when marketers are dealing with thousands of clients at different phases of the purchasing process, it can be challenging to get the timing of a follow-up approach right.

It can cost five times as much to gain new clients as it does to retain existing ones.

Customer retention is critical to the long-term prosperity of a business. Today’s marketing automation and artificial intelligence solutions make this much simpler to do.

Fortunately, these AI technologies eliminate the guesswork associated with developing a digital marketing plan for each buyer journey stage, particularly for repeat consumers.

Personalized Purchases

In e-commerce, artificial intelligence enables tailored and interactive purchasing experiences. Businesses can monitor their consumers’ preferences in real-time and give them trustworthy and customized purchasing experiences using AI-enabled technologies.

AI can provide appropriate product recommendations based on the user’s preferences. In addition, AI can significantly understand consumer behavior through customization and analysis of clicks, shopping carts, purchase history, and search queries. 

All of these factors can assist e-commerce firms in making appropriate recommendations for subsequent purchases that make sense to the consumer.

Chatbots

Have you ever used the “chat now” button when online shopping? When you were communicating with someone online, chances are you were conversing with a bot meant to assist you with any queries you may have. And, to be honest, it is becoming impossible to notice the difference! 

The introduction of new chatbots enhances the talking experience by making it more customized, branded, and intelligent.

Now e-commerce businesses can provide visitors with 24/7 customer assistance, instantly gather valuable data, analyze visitor behavior, and achieve seamless brand continuity. This is due to the improvement of AI’s learning and development capabilities.

With a successful automated chatbot, e-commerce sites and merchants can increase conversion rates by personalizing the online experience for the user without any additional costs.

Conclusion

AI enables e-commerce firms to evaluate millions of interactions every day and eventually personalize offers for each client. That is the experience that every marketer aspires to provide.

In the future, artificial intelligence is projected to have a massive and positive influence on the e-commerce business. It will alter and, in some ways, enhance the way customers search for things online.

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Spotify Musicians Turn to Data Analytics to Boost their Careers

Spotify Musicians Turn to Data Analytics to Boost their Careers

Data analytics is becoming a crucial element of many business strategies. They have found that data analytics is a valuable component of marketing campaigns, financial planning objectives, human resource guidelines and much more.

We have talked extensively about the types of industries that have been positively impacted by data analytics. Insurance, investing, logistics and digital marketing are among some of the professions most affected by big data. However, other professions, such as musicians, are also relying more data analytics technology than ever.

Data Analytics is Helping Many Spotify Musicians Improve Their Reach

Data analytics is playing a very important role in marketing for every industry. Spotify musicians weren’t the first to take advantage of analytics as a marketing outreach tool, but they have since discovered the benefits. Spotify itself has even taken advantage of big data with tools like Google Optimize 360. This analytics driven solution by Google actually helped Spotify increase premium subscriptions by 23%.

The benefits of data analytics are most obvious to people using Spotify Premium. You will need to learn a little bit more about the two Spotify subscriptions in order to understand it.

There are two types of Spotify listeners – premium users, and the ones who don’t want to pay. And if you are a Spotify musician, you are probably wondering if is there any difference at all for you. Well, it may not seem obvious, but there is. If you have been considering promoting your music, you should definitely look into Spotify premium promotion. So, let’s dive into it.

So, free users make up the majority of Spotify audience, and the reason for that is simple and obvious – it is free to use this service. But those users are going to have to face some inconveniences, like inability to skip a track. The list of such small things can go on and on, and can really make life difficult, but people are stubborn.

As I said, there are also users who pay for Spotify, for a subscription. The price is small, and all the inconveniences disappear with it. And these premium users take a smaller portion of all Spotify users. So, what do you think, which plays are more valuable?

I know that you want to say “both”, but it won’t be truth. Activity from premium users is the most valuable, so if you really want to kick things off, you have to aim at premium listeners. Not every promotion service can do that, neither can an average musician promote his tracks solemnly among premium users.

Maybe you are not a fan of music promotion, but it has become the only way to succeed on Spotify right now. Musicians from all over the world join Spotify every day, and the overall audience is now exceeding 350 million people. And it becomes harder and harder to stand out among all of those musicians that are a part of those millions. You need something bold, something loud, but at the same time very precise. So, what can be better than some targeted promotion? Fortunately, data analytics has made this possible.

You can use some very effective advertising platforms to reach new customers through AI targeting. You will be able to identify the demographics of your listeners and make sure that they are the ones that hear your songs.

Facebook Ads have some very nuanced targeting capabilities that involve AI. These AI and data-driven advertising options can allow you to reach people that are subscribed to similar musical pages on Facebook and match the demographics of your target audience. You can also use remarketing on Facebook, which is made possible with sophisticated AI algorithms.

Yes, promotion may seem not fair to other musicians, but if you had ever known the number of musicians that are doing that, and especially the percentage of already popular creators, you would never think about it in that way. The majority of stars are promoting their music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t equalize yourself with them in your abilities. You have to have equal ability to popularize your music, and if you don’t have that, what’s the point?

In addition to taking advantage of AI and data-driven advertising, you will want to look at analytics reports to see how your subscriber base changes over time. You can use this data to figure out what marketing tactics are paying off the most.

One last word about premium users. They are so important because they have choice, they can choose what to listen to and when to stop. So their activity is the only real representation of an audience. And the algorithm knows that. Maybe you can’t check the number of interactions with premium users in your statistics page, but these numbers do exist. And if you really want the algorithm to see you, you have to increase your “premium” numbers.

Big Data is Crucial for Spotify Musicians

Spotify musicians are relying more heavily on big data to promote their music than ever. You will want to make sure that you understand the benefits of using it in order to grow your subscriber base.

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Beginners Guide to Using Analytics to Invest in Stocks

Beginners Guide to Using Analytics to Invest in Stocks

Data analytics has become a crucial element of the financial industry. Financial institutions such as mutual funds and insurance companies are using big data to improve their operations.

The market for financial analytics services is expected to be worth $14 billion by 2026. However, large financial organizations aren’t the only ones relying on big data technology. Individual consumers are also using data to better meet their own financial goals.

One of the most important benefits of data analytics as an individual consumer pertains to investing.

Data Analytics Should Guide Your Investing Decisions

Whether you’re hoping to retire comfortably, send your child to college one day, or buy yourself something nice, investing is the way to go.

For many Americans, a savings account won’t cut it. You need to make smart investments to secure your financial future. But if you don’t know how to invest in stocks or are unsure of investing strategies, how will you make money?

If you want to learn how to beat the stock market, your first step is learning the basics of investing. Once you understand the basics, you can determine what kind of approach makes sense for you. Some investors like a hands-on approach that allows them to make moves whenever they see opportunities. Other investors prefer a passive approach, allowing a third party to make moves on their behalf.

Regardless of your approach to investing, analytics technology can help immensely. You will want to use data to drive your decisions. You will have a higher chance of improving your ROI, while also being able to meet your investing goals more easily.

If you are buying your own stocks, then you can use predictive analytics and other data-driven investing methods. You will be able to forecast the direction of stock prices, so you can make better long-term buying decisions.

If you are relying on a mutual fund or other institution to handle your investing, then you will want to look at their long-term performance. There are a lot of sites that provide historic data on their rates of returns. You will want to look at this data carefully.

Find out which kind of investor you are and start building your portfolio. Then you will need to know how to incorporate big data into your investing strategy.

Understand Your Options Before Developing Your Data-Driven Investing Strategy

There is no doubt that big data can be invaluable for investors. However, you have to know what approach you would like to take as an investor before you can use data.

Pros of Investing in Stocks

Limitless Potential

Imagine making a small $15 investment in a start-up that eventually reaches $150.This isn’t some fictional tale—it’s the reality of the stock market.The stocks you buy have limitless potential.It’s not unusual to see a great return on investments, especially in the small-cap market.

Relatively Liquid

Compared to other investments, such as buying a home, it’s much easier to access the cash value of stocks.

Property sales and similar investments can take months, where stocks can be bought and sold in a matter of seconds.

This level of liquidity makes stock investing both convenient and practical in the fast-paced world we live in today.

Flexibility

There are so many investment avenues to choose from.Want to help save the environment? There are stocks for that.Simply want to build long-term wealth? There are stocks for that.Passionate about a good cause? There are stocks for that as well.Whatever your reasons for investing, there’s likely a niche of the market to profit from.

Fight Off Inflation

The word inflation is enough to send some investors into a frenzy, and for good reason.Inflation causes price fluctuations and sets the stage for economic instability.But the right investments in the stock market can help you weather the storm.According to Goldman Sachs, over the past decade, stocks have had an average return of 9.2%.The average inflation rate is 3.22%, which would mean investors saw a 5.98% return on average.

Cons of Investing in Stocks

Volatility

One of the most treacherous parts of investing in stocks is accounting for volatility.

Some markets, like the copper mining industry, frequently experience significant price swings.

Just in the past year alone, copper reached all-time highs after hitting lows at the beginning of the pandemic.

Surely there were investors who sold their stake in mining companies when the pandemic first began out of fears of prolonged shutdowns.

Yet it didn’t take long for the sector to recover and reward those who stayed on.

If you want to avoid making the wrong move when stocks go through price fluctuations, get advice from a reputable source.

Crashes

No investor should enter the market without knowledge of past market crashes.

In the past 20 years, we’ve experienced major crashes that devastated investors and non-investors alike.

But one of the biggest mistakes investors make when a crash is imminent or happening is selling too early.

Historically, holding your investment during a crash has paid off in the long run.

It can be difficult knowing what to do when you feel like you need to make a move NOW.

But a smart advisor will keep you informed about your options and help see you through them.

No Guarantees

As in life, there are no guarantees in the stock market.

Just because you make a $1,000 investment doesn’t mean you’ll see a massive return.

Really, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a return at all.

That’s why it’s important to get your stock advice and insight from a reliable source.

The right advisor will help you place smart investments that are more likely to get you a good return.

Expensive Fees

Buying and selling in the stock market aren’t free.

Many investors use a broker to complete their stock transactions.

Some brokers are more reasonable with the fees they charge while others can really drain your money.

Always do your research into a brokerage before going with them.

Using Data Analytics to Identify the Best Stocks To Invest In

Data analytics is also very important if you want to improve your investing strategy. You can use historic data on various stocks or classes of stocks. This can make it easier to identify the best investing opportunities. FXCM Markets and Quantpedia are among the data-driven platforms that help with this.

When you’re just starting out as an investor, you’re looking for a sure-fire way to be successful.

There’s plenty of stocks that can nearly guarantee you’ll see a return, but that’s not always the goal.

Let’s say you invest in a giant like Apple. Sure, you’d see a return on your investment—but relative to the price of the stock you bought, it may not be much. You might also look at historic price data and realize it might not be the best deal.

That’s because it’s harder for giant companies to grow at an incredible rate.

However, let’s say you invest in a small-cap company or even a micro-cap.

The chances of a start-up doubling its market cap are much more likely than a well-established stock.

The small-cap and micro-cap markets are full of potential for massive returns.

But they also have the potential to fail and are less likely to recover from market downswings compared to well-established companies.

This makes researching which small-cap companies imperative.

Luckily, you don’t have to do your research alone. There are stock market advisors who advocate investing in the small-cap market. Click Here to learn more about why 2021 could be the year of Small market.

Learn How to Invest Like a Pro by Using Data Analytics

Data analytics is very useful for investors that want to improve their long-term ROI and meet their investing goals. This is good news, because there are a lot of complexities when it comes to investing in the market. The stock market isn’t easy to navigate on your own. It’s impractical for a beginner to beat the stock market right away, but it’s not impossible to learn. There are plenty of ways to make money on the stock market and Dear Retail is here to keep you informed.

Whether it’s alerting you to the next big gold or copper stock or showing you new strategies, Dear Retail wants to help you become a smarter investor. When you’re ready to start investing like a pro, join our community and become a Dear Retail investor.

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