Some 2016 communication trends you need to know

Image courtesy of  RL GNZLZ at Flickr.com

Etymologically, the words trend and “turn” are closely related: they derive from the same Old Norse root: trendr. Trends are new directions, transformations, changes. If our time could be described with a social phenomenon, the lot of increasingly, frequent and definite trends is the right one. The communications sector is an example of how these trends occur very quickly. Some of these trends, which have had prominence in the current year, will be analyzed in this post.

Related: Find Out What Happens When the Telecommunications Industry Discovers 3D Printing

According to Forbes, communication with Millennials is a priority, and one of the ways this will be achieved more efficiently is through human capital investments in call centers. It will certainly develop the necessary technology to achieve the necessary communication.

Several call centers have invested a considerable amount of money on improving communication technologies. The aim has been, for a long time, an effective agent management and a continuous improvement of customer service. Today, the focus of many investments in this sector is real-time communication with users through virtual channels (WebRTC and SMS, for instance), because the Millennials seek, above all, direct and immediate interaction with customer service for solving their problems quickly and efficiently.

Brands will be the new activists. It’s important to keep communities together, but we need to live the experience of living among them and to see them in action. Because of the new kind of consumers, who judge everything based on economic and social policies of brands, we continue to see how brands give more weight to those political and social issues that concern people, placing values at the heart of its communication strategy.

On the other hand, virtual reality as a channel of choice is another important trend this year. While consumers need more experiences and less linear communications, virtual reality will become a key trend in the current 2016. This system has been generally used in the gaming and adult entertainment community, but content creators and communications professionals will use this kind of platforms to help people to assimilate certain realities. Users ask for new experiences in real life every day (or something that closely resembles.) Virtual reality has been very useful in the education sector (driving and flight simulators, for example), to the point that in the future will be a need to impart knowledge of all kind. Since during 2015 the technological advances in this field of communications were tremendous, this year things will move faster. “Brands not only need to ensure that they understand the impact that technology may have on the strategy,” says Don Burns, leader in the telecom industry, “they also must know when to use it and where to turn it into work.”

Image courtesy of  Tyler Pruitt at Flickr.com

In addition, in the flowcharts of companies, Youtubers may have a significant presence to stream content to workers. Companies need to decode new cultural codes, just like Youtubers: a social phenomenon of a decade that started in 2006 and has revolutionized the way information is transmitted at present.

Large 2016 marketing campaigns don’t just make noise to catch attention: they provide a good service. IBM, for example, has protected people from the rain under their ads on the street, and Samsung has set up giant screens in the back of their trucks where they project an image of the traffic through a camera on the front of the vehicle, to show drivers a good view that the truck is blocking. Marketing campaigns will be increasingly active every day.

The traditional model of 'funnel' sales belongs to the past. Consumers go directly to the end point of purchase today. While large online retailers are always seeking the amplitude, brands must seek depth. They guide their ad contents and campaigns to create a good experience with the brand. It makes it possible for consumers not only back, but remember the brand anywhere when purchasing.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the way the global society communicates with itself. This phenomenon of hyper-connectivity will produce a paradigm shift of huge proportions, difficult to foresee (almost like the invention of the steam engine or the discovery of electricity.) Every day, more devices and objects of daily use are connecting to internet and providing useful information for users and businesses. In ten years, the number of smart objects will exceed the fifty billion of units. This year, more and more brands want their products to use IoT technology to improve the user experience and their sales and services as well.

Finally, the Millennials are destroying advertising. iOS 9 has allowed ad blocking, but the market is not ready to react. In 2016, brands will need to improve native advertising, as well as exploring new ways to generate notoriety in the top of the funnel (from sponsored podcasts and agreements with bloggers who are influencers, vloggers and Instagrammers), to a renewed commitment to activities experiences.

Using Location-Based Services to Make Your Life Easier

Image courtesy of 2Tales at Flickr.com

Today’s apps are all about making our lives easier. You can find apps to do, find or make almost anything. But one of the most popular ones lately have been those that interact depending on your location. Location-based services have been around for a while now, since its origins in 1989 when the first research began that lead to the location-based services that we know today, it has been groundbreaking tech that has allowed people to know exactly where they are located at any given moment. There are many different types of location-based services that are used in the various apps depending on their uses. Although the most known one is GPS, there are other ones that also just as effective. Location-based services can vary from recommending events in a city or knowing what services are nearby to receiving advertisements based on your location. Many apps also use this system to send their customers alerts when they are nearby or if there is important news about surrounding events. The uses can vary greatly, and the reality is that companies are finding more and more ways of using this service to make apps, services and products that can use it to their advantage. We know the internet has changed the game in many aspects from how the Internet of Things has changed how cities work to location-based services, and many other technological advances, which you can always read about on the Don Burns Blogspot page.

First of all, let’s analyze how your phone knows where you are in the first place. The first and most known is GPS, or Global Positions System. This system has been around since the 1990s as an integrated part of cellphones and to this date it is still the best way to know your location when you are outdoors. Since GPS works with satellites, and only once it has connected to three or four will it give you an exact location. In many cases this may take too long, or may simply not happen due to the fact that you are indoors or in the middle of the city where buildings interrupt your satellite signals. In these cases, you could use Assisted GPS. This is basically just a series of tools that are set up to help you get a GPS signal. Although nowadays the same location data can be sent over cellular or Wi-Fi networks, so it becomes a lot faster for the GPS to start up. Assisted GPS still requires data network and time, while it transmits the information to the satellite. Another way is using Synthetic GPS, which uses computing power and forecasts where the satellites will be located days or even weeks in advance. By having this information at hand, a phone can identify its own location in a matter of seconds. All of the above mentioned need at least three satellites to give you your location. Another way of doing it without relying on GPS is to use Cell ID. A phone company can figure out the cell that someone is using and how far they are from other cells. Basically it can use nearby cell towers to pinpoint a person’s location, and is much more precise in urban areas than rural due to the amount of cell phone towers in the area. In the same way, Wi-Fi can also pinpoint a location without the need of GPS. With Wi-Fi you could either use RSSI (received signal strength indication), which is the most common, makes use of your signal strength and the information provided from the Wi-Fi networks’ database to determine your location. The other way to use Wi-Fi is wireless fingerprinting. It basically uses stored information that offers profiles on given locations. You can use this the best when you are located in places that you go to often. This way the fingerprint can be taken and your location can be found very easily. Even though there are more, these are the most popular ways to find your location from your phone.

Image courtesy of slgckgc at Flickr.com

Now, location-based services are used in tons of different types of products, services and apps. So let’s take a look at a few of the most popular ones. Of course, you’ll find social media at the top of the list with apps like Foursquare, GetGlue, Facebook Places and Instagram, just to mention a few. These basically let you share your location with others and let them know where you are and what you are up to. If you’re into shopping, then you’ll love apps like Groupon and Shopkick that will point you in the right direction to get the best offers depending on where you are. If you’d rather get instant information on restaurants or a good movie to watch you’ll really enjoy Open Table, Fandango and Yelp. By checking in at a location and sharing your thoughts on it, your helping other users make up their mind about what they want to do. Finally, location-based services also let you get fit, by including it in wearable tech it can keep track of the distances, speed and other metrics that can help you get into shape in no time.

How The Internet of Things Will Continue to Shape Smart Cities

Image courtesy of WeMake Milano at Flickr.com

Nowadays, technology is such a big part of who we are that everything is being affected, down to the simple things we do on a daily basis. Everything from how your home, companies and even cities. The Internet of Things (IoT) is how different devices, vehicles, homes and other technological objects interact with each other via internet, sensors and software in a way that allows users to exchange data between them. This new infrastructure is becoming a part of our world by including objects that can be controlled remotely via an already existing network infrastructure. This opens the door to a whole range of integrations that will not only bring on efficiency, but accuracy and economic benefit. All of this leads to smart grids, intelligent transportation, smart homes and of course smart cities. It continues to grow more and more as the years pass and these integrations are truly becoming part of our lives. Of course our present lives and for sure the future has been affected greatly by virtual reality and other technologies, but we cannot leave out one of the most influential and maybe even one of the biggest technological advances to be expected in the near and far future: IoT. Focusing on cities, making them “smarter” basically comes down to integrating places in the city and activities that we do on a daily basis, in an automated manner that interact with us via internet, sensors and other electronic devices to control and facilitate them. Here are a few examples, which you can explore in more detail in a future post on the Don Burns Blogspot site. 

First of all, let’s clarify what a smart city really is. This urban development will bring together a variety of technological elements that offer solutions so as to manage more effectively a city’s assets. This could include things like a school, library, law enforcement, waste management, power plants, among others. The main goal, as is true with the IoT, is to improve the quality of life of the people who live in these smart cities. This will basically happen once services are made as efficient as possible through the established networks.

Street lighting

By simply detecting a pedestrian and vehicles presence with a special device, this technology can adjust its outdoor lighting control system. This technology will allow the lights to adjust automatically based on the real need to make use of the light. This will not only save money, but create just the right environment depending on those present at the moment.

Parking

This one has had a few different advancements that will allow you easier access to parking be it indoors, on the street or automated valet parking. Smart parking allows cities to save space, be environmentally friendly, security and of course safety. The actual installation process can be quite easy as well. The way of using it is very easy as well, with a simple either key card or code you can get the system to retrieve your car making it time efficient. Not like today when some still have issues locating it in those huge parking lots.

Waste management

There are a few technological advances out there that allow cities to dispose of their waste in a lot faster and easier way. One example is Bigbelly, which is a smart waste and recycling system. It will program pickups based on data that is collected via a cloud-based system. This same system will be able to avoid overflows, and generate all kinds of notifications that can help prevent messes and become more efficient with pickups and disposals.

Structural health

Building will wear away with time, but right now knowing when to make modifications or changes is left to visits made by specialized companies. This can be very time consuming, not to mention imprecise. With smart technologies, vibrations, material conditions and any other important condition can be monitored in real time to avoid any catastrophes. By having this data, it can also allow companies to make remodeling plans a lot more efficient and exact.

Traffic and Smart roads

Image courtesy of jonbgem at Flickr.com

Vehicles are not the only ones getting integrated with tons of cool features from turning on the car with your cell phone to self parking vehicles. Roads and monitoring of road conditions is also on board with IoT. Smart roads will be able to offer warning messages, climate conditions, and detours when necessary. They can also adjust to offer more lighting when driving at night and send alerts when you are in need of assistance. 

There are actually more cities than you’d imagine taking the lead as the smart cities of the future today like Laguna Croatá, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Stockholm, among others. To stay up to date you can even visit events to find out more.

How The Internet of Things Will Continue to Shape Smart Cities

Image courtesy of WeMake Milano at Flickr.com

Nowadays, technology is such a big part of who we are that everything is being affected, down to the simple things we do on a daily basis. Everything from how your home, companies and even cities. The Internet of Things (IoT) is how different devices, vehicles, homes and other technological objects interact with each other via internet, sensors and software in a way that allows users to exchange data between them. This new infrastructure is becoming a part of our world by including objects that can be controlled remotely via an already existing network infrastructure. This opens the door to a whole range of integrations that will not only bring on efficiency, but accuracy and economic benefit. All of this leads to smart grids, intelligent transportation, smart homes and of course smart cities. It continues to grow more and more as the years pass and these integrations are truly becoming part of our lives. Of course our present lives and for sure the future has been affected greatly by virtual reality and other technologies, but we cannot leave out one of the most influential and maybe even one of the biggest technological advances to be expected in the near and far future: IoT. Focusing on cities, making them “smarter” basically comes down to integrating places in the city and activities that we do on a daily basis, in an automated manner that interact with us via internet, sensors and other electronic devices to control and facilitate them. Here are a few examples, which you can explore in more detail in a future post on the Don Burns Blogspot site. 

First of all, let’s clarify what a smart city really is. This urban development will bring together a variety of technological elements that offer solutions so as to manage more effectively a city’s assets. This could include things like a school, library, law enforcement, waste management, power plants, among others. The main goal, as is true with the IoT, is to improve the quality of life of the people who live in these smart cities. This will basically happen once services are made as efficient as possible through the established networks.

Street lighting

By simply detecting a pedestrian and vehicles presence with a special device, this technology can adjust its outdoor lighting control system. This technology will allow the lights to adjust automatically based on the real need to make use of the light. This will not only save money, but create just the right environment depending on those present at the moment.

Parking

This one has had a few different advancements that will allow you easier access to parking be it indoors, on the street or automated valet parking. Smart parking allows cities to save space, be environmentally friendly, security and of course safety. The actual installation process can be quite easy as well. The way of using it is very easy as well, with a simple either key card or code you can get the system to retrieve your car making it time efficient. Not like today when some still have issues locating it in those huge parking lots.

Waste management

There are a few technological advances out there that allow cities to dispose of their waste in a lot faster and easier way. One example is Bigbelly, which is a smart waste and recycling system. It will program pickups based on data that is collected via a cloud-based system. This same system will be able to avoid overflows, and generate all kinds of notifications that can help prevent messes and become more efficient with pickups and disposals.

Structural health

Building will wear away with time, but right now knowing when to make modifications or changes is left to visits made by specialized companies. This can be very time consuming, not to mention imprecise. With smart technologies, vibrations, material conditions and any other important condition can be monitored in real time to avoid any catastrophes. By having this data, it can also allow companies to make remodeling plans a lot more efficient and exact.

Traffic and Smart roads

Image courtesy of jonbgem at Flickr.com

Vehicles are not the only ones getting integrated with tons of cool features from turning on the car with your cell phone to self parking vehicles. Roads and monitoring of road conditions is also on board with IoT. Smart roads will be able to offer warning messages, climate conditions, and detours when necessary. They can also adjust to offer more lighting when driving at night and send alerts when you are in need of assistance. 

There are actually more cities than you’d imagine taking the lead as the smart cities of the future today like Laguna Croatá, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Stockholm, among others. To stay up to date you can even visit events to find out more.

How The Internet of Things Will Continue to Shape Smart Cities

Image courtesy of WeMake Milano at Flickr.com

Nowadays, technology is such a big part of who we are that everything is being affected, down to the simple things we do on a daily basis. Everything from how your home, companies and even cities. The Internet of Things (IoT) is how different devices, vehicles, homes and other technological objects interact with each other via internet, sensors and software in a way that allows users to exchange data between them. This new infrastructure is becoming a part of our world by including objects that can be controlled remotely via an already existing network infrastructure. This opens the door to a whole range of integrations that will not only bring on efficiency, but accuracy and economic benefit. All of this leads to smart grids, intelligent transportation, smart homes and of course smart cities. It continues to grow more and more as the years pass and these integrations are truly becoming part of our lives. Of course our present lives and for sure the future has been affected greatly by virtual reality and other technologies, but we cannot leave out one of the most influential and maybe even one of the biggest technological advances to be expected in the near and far future: IoT. Focusing on cities, making them “smarter” basically comes down to integrating places in the city and activities that we do on a daily basis, in an automated manner that interact with us via internet, sensors and other electronic devices to control and facilitate them. Here are a few examples, which you can explore in more detail in a future post on the Don Burns Blogspot site. 

First of all, let’s clarify what a smart city really is. This urban development will bring together a variety of technological elements that offer solutions so as to manage more effectively a city’s assets. This could include things like a school, library, law enforcement, waste management, power plants, among others. The main goal, as is true with the IoT, is to improve the quality of life of the people who live in these smart cities. This will basically happen once services are made as efficient as possible through the established networks.

Street lighting

By simply detecting a pedestrian and vehicles presence with a special device, this technology can adjust its outdoor lighting control system. This technology will allow the lights to adjust automatically based on the real need to make use of the light. This will not only save money, but create just the right environment depending on those present at the moment.

Parking

This one has had a few different advancements that will allow you easier access to parking be it indoors, on the street or automated valet parking. Smart parking allows cities to save space, be environmentally friendly, security and of course safety. The actual installation process can be quite easy as well. The way of using it is very easy as well, with a simple either key card or code you can get the system to retrieve your car making it time efficient. Not like today when some still have issues locating it in those huge parking lots.

Waste management

There are a few technological advances out there that allow cities to dispose of their waste in a lot faster and easier way. One example is Bigbelly, which is a smart waste and recycling system. It will program pickups based on data that is collected via a cloud-based system. This same system will be able to avoid overflows, and generate all kinds of notifications that can help prevent messes and become more efficient with pickups and disposals.

Structural health

Building will wear away with time, but right now knowing when to make modifications or changes is left to visits made by specialized companies. This can be very time consuming, not to mention imprecise. With smart technologies, vibrations, material conditions and any other important condition can be monitored in real time to avoid any catastrophes. By having this data, it can also allow companies to make remodeling plans a lot more efficient and exact.

Traffic and Smart roads

Image courtesy of jonbgem at Flickr.com

Vehicles are not the only ones getting integrated with tons of cool features from turning on the car with your cell phone to self parking vehicles. Roads and monitoring of road conditions is also on board with IoT. Smart roads will be able to offer warning messages, climate conditions, and detours when necessary. They can also adjust to offer more lighting when driving at night and send alerts when you are in need of assistance. 

There are actually more cities than you’d imagine taking the lead as the smart cities of the future today like Laguna Croatá, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Stockholm, among others. To stay up to date you can even visit events to find out more.

How The Internet of Things Will Continue to Shape Smart Cities

Image courtesy of WeMake Milano at Flickr.com

Nowadays, technology is such a big part of who we are that everything is being affected, down to the simple things we do on a daily basis. Everything from how your home, companies and even cities. The Internet of Things (IoT) is how different devices, vehicles, homes and other technological objects interact with each other via internet, sensors and software in a way that allows users to exchange data between them. This new infrastructure is becoming a part of our world by including objects that can be controlled remotely via an already existing network infrastructure. This opens the door to a whole range of integrations that will not only bring on efficiency, but accuracy and economic benefit. All of this leads to smart grids, intelligent transportation, smart homes and of course smart cities. It continues to grow more and more as the years pass and these integrations are truly becoming part of our lives. Of course our present lives and for sure the future has been affected greatly by virtual reality and other technologies, but we cannot leave out one of the most influential and maybe even one of the biggest technological advances to be expected in the near and far future: IoT. Focusing on cities, making them “smarter” basically comes down to integrating places in the city and activities that we do on a daily basis, in an automated manner that interact with us via internet, sensors and other electronic devices to control and facilitate them. Here are a few examples, which you can explore in more detail in a future post on the Don Burns Blogspot site. 

First of all, let’s clarify what a smart city really is. This urban development will bring together a variety of technological elements that offer solutions so as to manage more effectively a city’s assets. This could include things like a school, library, law enforcement, waste management, power plants, among others. The main goal, as is true with the IoT, is to improve the quality of life of the people who live in these smart cities. This will basically happen once services are made as efficient as possible through the established networks.

Street lighting

By simply detecting a pedestrian and vehicles presence with a special device, this technology can adjust its outdoor lighting control system. This technology will allow the lights to adjust automatically based on the real need to make use of the light. This will not only save money, but create just the right environment depending on those present at the moment.

Parking

This one has had a few different advancements that will allow you easier access to parking be it indoors, on the street or automated valet parking. Smart parking allows cities to save space, be environmentally friendly, security and of course safety. The actual installation process can be quite easy as well. The way of using it is very easy as well, with a simple either key card or code you can get the system to retrieve your car making it time efficient. Not like today when some still have issues locating it in those huge parking lots.

Waste management

There are a few technological advances out there that allow cities to dispose of their waste in a lot faster and easier way. One example is Bigbelly, which is a smart waste and recycling system. It will program pickups based on data that is collected via a cloud-based system. This same system will be able to avoid overflows, and generate all kinds of notifications that can help prevent messes and become more efficient with pickups and disposals.

Structural health

Building will wear away with time, but right now knowing when to make modifications or changes is left to visits made by specialized companies. This can be very time consuming, not to mention imprecise. With smart technologies, vibrations, material conditions and any other important condition can be monitored in real time to avoid any catastrophes. By having this data, it can also allow companies to make remodeling plans a lot more efficient and exact.

Traffic and Smart roads

Image courtesy of jonbgem at Flickr.com

Vehicles are not the only ones getting integrated with tons of cool features from turning on the car with your cell phone to self parking vehicles. Roads and monitoring of road conditions is also on board with IoT. Smart roads will be able to offer warning messages, climate conditions, and detours when necessary. They can also adjust to offer more lighting when driving at night and send alerts when you are in need of assistance. 

There are actually more cities than you’d imagine taking the lead as the smart cities of the future today like Laguna Croatá, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Stockholm, among others. To stay up to date you can even visit events to find out more.

10 Most Popular Uses For The Internet Of Things

Image courtesy of CODE_n at Flickr.com

Wikipedia defines the internet of things (IoT) as “the network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data.” But what does that really mean? How does it affect me? 

Think about it this way; anything that can be connected will be connected in the near future. It means devices that have an on and off switch will be able to communicate with each other and be controlled and monitored from anywhere in the world as long as they are part of the network. This type of advances will greatly change the way we live and interact with other in social, financial and personal aspects.

Here we have, some of the most popular uses we are seeing today, for the Internet of Things.

1. At home

Smart homes are some of the most common examples of innovative technology using the IoT today. Houses that are connected, allow users to control everything from how the access the home, temperature, lighting, entertainment and home appliances. Systems can be as simple or as complex as users want, and there are a lot of big companies out there making sure they can offer users the latest gadgets to fit their smart home set up.

2. Wearable technologies

Smartwatches and fitness trackers are just a couple example of this category. There are also wearables for pets that allow owners to track their activity, sleep cycles an overall health with the help of monitors the animal can wear easily. Clothing off course is another obvious choice for developers of wearable devices made for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. These garments can measure muscle activity, vital signs and GPS location among other things.

3. City Management

Smart cities in the future will use technologies like the Smart Belly, a device that communicates with municipal services to let them know that a certain trash can needs to be emptied. There are also apps that can communicate to drivers the number of parking spots available in different city blocks with the use of infrared sensors located next to the curb or in parking garages connected to the system. Other uses that are already available include lighting regulators to use energy more efficiently as well as monitoring stations for pollution and noise levels.

4. Security

Close circuit security systems that can be accesses from your mobile phone as well as better alarm systems installed at homes that can be connected to emergency services. Another aspect of security that is of great importance is the need for better encryption in communication protocols due to being in an environment of enhanced connectivity.

5. Analytics

Understanding customer needs and processing feedback and suggestions will always be of great relevance in the future of telecommunications. The IoT allows delivering services, improving products, identifying and intercepting business moments.

6. Health

Health in general is another area greatly benefited. This can go from preventive medicine as it is in the case of sensors that track your health, all the way to emergency services and devices. It is worth also mentioning monitors for babies and for elderly members of the family that can help you be vigilant of their health as well as of possible hazards.

7. Retail Applications

Retail solutions can help to make the customer experience a lot better, as well as aiding with restock, reorder, tracking and product information. There are apps that also help human resources monitor staff activities and creates an internal network of instant communication between different areas of the business.

8. Farming

Image courtesy of joinash at Flickr.com

These applications can be used to track the health of livestock as well as help farmers monitor crucial vitals like humidity, air temperature and soil quality using remote sensors on their crops. Individual monitoring of plants and animals can help the industry be more productive and to minimize losses due to disease and detrimental conditions suffered due to different conditions.

9. Maintenance and repair

Moving components, vehicles and machinery in general need constant monitoring and inspection of parts and maintenance. Most of this is done manually and takes a lot of manpower. Making these processes automatic ensures that resources are used more effectively and only when needed, ensuring the safety of operators and reducing costs in a responsible way.

10. Advanced warning for disasters

The University of Loughborough’s has developed an Acoustic Landslide Detection system called ALARMS (Assessment of Landslides using Acoustic Real-time Monitoring Systems). It detects waves produced by soil movement and it relays information that can be used to issue early warnings to communities that could possibly be affected by natural disasters like earthquakes for example.

For more information in home networks and its advancement, check out this article at Don Burns Blogspot.