Machine learning is changing the face of everyday life, science, and business. It is revolutionizing all industries, from advancing medicine to powering various cutting-edge technologies. Though Machine learning (ML) was a part of AI’s evolution until the 1970s, it evolved independently. It has become a chief response tool for cloud computing and eCommerce.

The goal of machine learning in business is to adapt to new data independently and make decisions and recommendations based on thousands of analyses. Machine learning enables systems to learn, identify patterns and make informed decisions with minimal human intervention.

Today, ML is a necessary aspect of modern business. It uses algorithms and neural network models to improve the performance of computer systems. Machine learning in business and manufacturing is enabling organizations to achieve notable strides. These strides include increased performance and efficiencies, improved processes, and enhanced security.

This article will discuss the benefits of machine learning in business and its use cases.

Remarkable Benefits of Machine Learning for Businesses 

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global market size for machine learning in business is expected to grow to USD 209.91 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 38.8% during the forecast period. ML has been and continues to scale operations tremendously. Across industries, ML has led to a boom in affordable data storage and faster and more reliable computational processing.

Here are six remarkable benefits of machine learning in business:

1. Automation for better decision-making 

Most businesses find themselves wasting precious time sorting through duplicate and inaccurate data. Such businesses benefit from using the predictive modeling algorithms of ML in their processes. Such a process will understand duplicate inaccurate data and distinguish the anomalies. It enables the organization to avoid inaccurate reporting that can result in poor customer retention.

Instead, this will allow businesses to use their accurate database to detect wasted costs, missed opportunities for sales, and revenue capital. In addition, organizations can overcome challenges and risks that arise due to miscommunication or poor performance metrics. Thus, businesses can streamline their operations and improve decision-making which could be translated into better ROI.

2. Increased scalability with minimum expense

Semi-supervised machine learning algorithms can help organizations leverage useful insights from customer profiles and enable them to view their brands from customers’ perspectives. Doing so will equip organizations with relevant insights to build their brand by improving their products and services.

3. Predictive maintenance

Predictive maintenance that ML aids manufacturing firms’ power to follow best practices that lead to efficient and cost-effective operations. The historical and real-time data predict problems and stipulate strategies to solve those problems. Plus, workflow visualization tools can eliminate issues and unwanted expenses incurred due to those issues.

4. Financial analysis

ML can greatly assist as it gathers and analyzes large volumes of quantitative and accurate historical data. It is used for portfolio management, loan underwriting, fraud detection, and more.

5. Personalization 

Using machine learning in business will allow organizations to know their customers better and provide them with a more personalized customer experience. Organizations no longer need to rely on guesswork because ML models can process different types of information collected from numerous sources and provide relevant data about their customers.

6. Cybersecurity

ML technologies can improve cybersecurity to solve cyberattacks once and for all. Empowered by ML, intelligent security programs can gather and process data about cyber threats and respond to them in real time. ML models can detect the slightest deviations in patterns and flag them. Or destroy an attack in its nascent stage.

Read more: Can Machine Learning Predict And Prevent Fraudsters?

Machine Learning

Top Use Cases

Machine Language has made its mark across industries and found a place in many different applications. Here are some top use cases:

1. Enhanced social media features 

Businesses can use machine learning algorithms to create attractive and effective social media features. For example, ML algorithms in Facebook enable it to identify and record a person’s activities. These activities include records of chats and the amount of time that person spends on each post. It uses this data to determine what kind of friends and topics may interest that person and accordingly make suggestions.

Read more: Why Time Series Forecasting Is A Crucial Part Of Machine Learning

2. Product recommendation

Product recommendation is an advanced application of machine learning techniques. It has been the most popular application of almost every eCommerce website today. This technique allows websites to track a consumer’s behavior based on their previous purchases, search patterns, and cart history. It enables the website to make apt product recommendations to that consumer.

3. Recognition

Image recognition is one of the most significant and notable ML and AI techniques. It is adopted further for pattern recognition, face detection, and face recognition.

4. Sentiment analysis

Sentiment analysis is a real-time ML application. It determines the emotion or opinion of the speaker or the writer. For example, a sentiment analyzer can detect the thought and tone of a written review or an email. It can analyze the review-based website, decision-making applications, and more.

5. Access control

Most large businesses are actively implementing ML models to determine the level of access an employee should be granted. This application of machine learning can ensure the security of the organization.

6. Bank Domain

Banks are using ML to prevent fraud and protect accounts from hackers. Machine learning algorithms determine what factors to consider in creating a filter to prevent an attack.

Read more: Machine Learning – Deciphering the most Disruptive Innovation

Machine Learning

How Fingent Can Help with Deploying the Best of ML

Leveraging the capabilities of machine learning in business can open the door to many opportunities. It is wise for any organization to take advantage of ML rather than lag behind competitors. However, we understand if you have questions. That’s why Fingent software development experts are here to help you. We can deploy the best machine-learning models efficiently and smoothly.

As a partner, Fingent can work with your team as you take on digital initiatives for sustainable business growth. We enable our clients to make data-driven decisions by efficiently deploying machine learning in business. Our cost-effective services will save you a considerable amount of time and money.

Furthermore, we do not follow a one-size-fits-all strategy. We provide custom software development services that cater to your needs. Therefore, look no further if you are looking for a reliable, efficient IT partner to deploy the best machine-learning models.

Contact our experts today!

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    About the Author

    ...
    Vinod Saratchandran

    Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

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      From the mundane to breathtaking, AI is disrupting virtually every business process in all sectors. People are ceasing to associate Artificial Intelligence with science-fiction dystopias as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking more commonplace in our daily lives.  While such acceptance in mainstream society is a new phenomenon, it is not a new concept in business. Today, AI has become imperative to maintain a competitive edge.

      This guide will help business owners who are serious about maintaining a competitive edge in their business sector by adopting AI.

      Rising Need for Adopting AI In Business

      Did you know that 52% of companies accelerated their AI adoption plans after the pandemic? Why?

      Artificial Intelligence in business is seen as a supporting tool. It is adept at processing and analyzing a trove of data much faster and more efficiently than a human brain can. Since AI can synthesize courses of action and present them to the human user, businesses can use AI to help investigate the probable consequences of each action. That way, businesses can streamline the decision-making process. This is what makes AI valuable throughout many industries.

      Artificial Intelligence is a form of software that can make decisions independently. It can act even in situations not foreseen by programmers. AI has a wider latitude of decision-making capabilities than traditional software – whether it is simply helping visitors or performing a task as complex as monitoring a wind turbine to predict its maintenance.

      Read more: Conversational AI: Reimagining Customer Experiences

      Conversational AI

      How To Identify If Your Business Needs AI?

      AI software and tools can make business processes much simpler and more effective. Besides, implementing AI in business ensures cybersecurity defense, powers customer service, and more. But how do you know when you must adopt AI in business? Here are a few scenarios:

      Scenario 1: Do you need to enhance your customer experience? 

      Are you struggling to provide your consumers with quick, easy, and personalized solutions? AI-powered digital assistants can help your business resolve customer queries by imitating human conversation. Chatbots are among the most promising trends in customer engagement and customer experience. Perhaps most business owners realize how imperative this AI technology is to their business. Perhaps that is why the chatbot market is set to reach 1.25 billion USD by 2025.

      Scenario 2: You know the value of sentimental analysis but do not know how to leverage it.

      Businesses use sentimental analysis to monitor and analyze customers’ opinions and emotions from various texts on a website, social media, and product or service comments. Skimming through large amounts of data to churn out customers’ sentiments can be daunting. All thanks to AI-assisted sentiment analysis, you can now quickly understand how your customers feel about your services or products.

      Scenario 3: Your business has suffered due to inaccurate forecasting.

      Accurate sales forecasting helps businesses predict future sales for long-term business growth. It can also enable the detection of potential problems to avoid them. Implementing AI-based CRM software can help detect how each data element relates to sales performance.

      Scenario 4: You have a great online presence but an awful in-store experience.

      If that describes your business, it is time to adopt AI to provide the next level of a personalized in-store experience. AI can enable instant access to products or services and contribute to smarter buying decisions.

      A Quick Guide to Implementing AI For Your Business

      AI applications can be used in many ways depending on organizational needs and the business intelligence (BI) insights derived from the data collected. Here are some tips to explain the steps businesses can take to ensure their implementation is a success:

      1. Know your options.

      Find out your options and what AI can and cannot do. This will help you decide if you want to add specific AI technology or change the entire app.

      2. What is your business goal?

      Working on an ‘end-first’ process will help refine the list to select specific features or capabilities that best suit your business goals.

      3. Find out how AI can benefit the end-users

      This is crucial as it gives you the two main objectives for a successful implementation. Then, choose the software and hardware you need to make this process a reality.

      4. Evaluate your internal capabilities

      You need to consider if you have enough skilled employees in-house who can manage the process and if you have the budget to outsource it.

      5. Choose between building or integrating the system

      Remember building an AI system from scratch can take several months. On the other hand, if you choose to use a premade system, your AI partner will help install the software app, train your staff, and fulfill your business needs.

      6. Test system

      Testing the system for a predetermined time will help you understand if the clients are more satisfied, and if the employees work more efficiently.

      7. Choose the right partner 

      A good AI partner will be clear about the offer, value, and terms of cooperation.

      8. Make refinements

      After you gather a reasonable amount of data evidencing the success of an AI solution, you can start making refinement changes to the solution.

      Watch more: How Artificial Intelligence Can Enhance Your Customer Experience!

      Avoid 4 Common Mistakes While Implementing AI

      A well-considered plan can lead to success, but a mistake can cost you considerably in terms of time and resources. Here are four common mistakes to watch out for when implementing AI:

      • Not applying AI to the right use cases: If AI is incongruous with your business goals, your time and resources will be wasted
      • Not diligent in hiring the right talent: Hiring the right AI team is like putting together the right football team that can win. Hire candidates with specialized skill sets and experience that match your business needs.
      • Ignoring data: Ensure all teams are responsible for organizing, vetting, and maintaining data.
      • Inadequate intervention: Inadequate intervention could result in AI recommendations that hinder business objectives. Hence, ensure interventions are scalable and repeatable.

      How Fingent Can Help You With Personalized AI Software Development 

      Artificial Intelligence is for every future-oriented business. How exactly you will use AI depends on your business goal and how well it was implemented. At Fingent top custom software development company, the AI developers are equipped to design intelligent solutions to help solve your business problems, automate tasks, and improve customer experience.

      Our suite of AI solutions includes data capture and processing. Our AI developers are also proficient in analytics, multi-platform integration, and ML solutions.

      Let us help you reach your business goal with intelligent AI-driven solutions. Give us a call today.

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        About the Author

        ...
        Vinod Saratchandran

        Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

        Talk To Our Experts

          Customer Experience – Two words that could make or break your business.

          Today, customers expect businesses to provide nothing short of an excellent customer experience whenever and however they shop. This is going to be the main differentiator between you and your competitors. The race to own customer experience is on!

          Some businesses are learning this the hard way, but you don’t have to. The solution is right here – Technology. Through this article, we want to help you understand how technology can improve customer experience. We will also discuss top technology trends to help your brand beat the competition.

          But first, let us explain why customer experience matters.

          Does Customer Experience Matter?

          Did you know that 66% of customers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations?

          Gone are the days when an unhappy customer used to complain directly to the brand. Today, they choose to complain to the rest of the world through social channels such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more. Creating a powerful and memorable customer experience is more complicated than ever in such a scenario.

          While that is true, it is also true that these customers share positive customer experiences on these platforms as well. 71% of customers recommend a product or service just because they received a “great” customer experience.

          As a brand, you may define your brand’s promises. However, the customer decides whether or not your brand delivers on its promises. According to market research by Gartner, customer experience drives over 60% of brand loyalty.

          To satisfy customers, most businesses hire and train good people. But that is not sufficient. They need tools that will help them deliver a top-notch customer experience and make them want to come back to you. Using technology for customer experience can build your brand through satisfied customers.

          That takes us to the next intriguing question: How does technology improve customer experience?

          How Does Technology Improve Customer Experience?

          Technology for customer experience gives customers unlimited access to information, allowing them to demand products and services whenever they want. As the speed of technology to enhance customer experience accelerates, businesses must evolve quickly. Brands that use technology to enhance customer experience will thrive, but you can be sure that those that are slow to react will not survive.

          Here are three key ways in which technology enhances customer experience:

          1. Increased opportunities 

          Using smartphones, customers can research products, raise queries, and purchase products or services no matter where they are and what they are doing. A study revealed that consumers in the UK spend over 22.8 billion pounds per year on online shopping while using public transport.

          With consumers becoming hyper-connected, businesses need to leverage increasing opportunities to engage new and existing customers. Technology can help companies integrate all marketing channels to deliver a cohesive customer experience irrespective of their channel. Technology can help you use customer data effectively to deliver seamless experiences.

          2. Reach every audience segment

          According to a Google report, 90% of online shoppers use more than one device to shop. A shopper may use one device to search for a product and another to check the pricing and complete the purchase.

          Businesses need to be available with the right messaging at the right time. Technology for customer experience will help you reach your customers on any device. Technology can enable you to provide contextually relevant experiences that engage customers in the right place, at the right time, and with the right message.

          3. Communicate better

          Most customers switch brands because the purchasing process is too difficult. Technology offers solutions to reach customer demands. AI-powered chatbots enable your brand to communicate better with your customers.

          Since chatbots provide detailed records of conversations with customers, you can use that data to analyze to reveal insights on consumer pain points. You can use these insights to improve products and services.

          Top Technology Trends That Improve Customer Experience

          1. AI chatbot

          AI chatbot is restructuring the way brands communicate with their customers. These conversational AI chatbots are responsible for creating a personalized customer experience, making sentiment analyses, and more. Consider a use case:

          Fingent helped one of the oldest state universities to develop an AI-driven ecosystem that allows students to interact with an AI chatbot (teaching assistant). These are built to be trained and allow instructors to upload the content that students need. These chatbots can manage student queries and allow for keyword and tag searches of teaching material.

          2. Virtual reality

          Virtual reality is a game-changer enabling customers to educate themselves about your company. Plus, VR redefines how your sales reps understand customers, increasing their empathy and enabling them to suggest better solutions to their issues.

          Fingent recently built a highly interactive visual medium to enable medical students to quickly gain efficiency in stand medical procedures.

          3. Augmented reality and 3D configuration

          Augmented reality is considered a boon to improving the digital customer experience. It gives customers a clear picture of your product, helping in quicker purchasing decisions.

          Fingent helps build interactive mobile apps that enable 3D purchase decisions. It also develops agnostic web solutions for eCommerce to better use AR capabilities.

          Watch more: Take a look at how Fingent helps leading businesses thrive with 3d Web Configurator and other AR/VR capabilities.

          Fingent- A Perfect Partner to Create Custom Technology Solutions To Enhance Customer Experience.

          The impact of technology is a powerful catalyst for change, and the speed of that change is getting faster and faster. Fingent can help you identify technology trends and capitalize before it is too late.

          You must acknowledge and meet consumer demands for your business to increase market share and stay relevant. Marrying customer service and technology can drive customer delight.

          Fingent brings you deep expertise in experience strategy and design, harnessing best-in-class solutions. We can help you drive transformation across the customer lifecycle, sales, marketing, and more.

          Fingent top custom software development company is equipped to provide support across channels. Our quick and easy setup allows you to cut time and lower costs. With the help of AI and automation, we can route your tickets to the right agent and boost customer satisfaction. Find out more about us and chat with our experts to see how this can be done.

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            About the Author

            ...
            Tony Joseph

            Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

            Talk To Our Experts

              The strategic significance of advanced technologies as a critical business component is recognized by enterprises like never before. Besides business modernization and cost reduction, advanced technologies allow you to compensate for labor shortages, improve brand value and competency, and expedite research and innovation processes. However, several companies jump onto the bandwagon without properly understanding the practical applications and benefits of advanced technology in their business. Only 23% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide can invest in and grow with new digital tools, indicates the World Economic Forum. This data proves why companies should analyze advanced business technology examples before adopting digital tools.

              Read more: Using technology to build customer trust: Your business plan for 2022

              To simplify your understanding, here’s a quick rundown of five advanced business technologies we believe will help you cope with the new business and economic environment. 

              • Simplifying Workflows With Cloud
              • Low-code Applications
              • Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
              • Document Data Extraction
              • AI Assistants

              As these business technologies become more affordable and handy, businesses are ardently pursuing them to automate customer service, streamline workflows, differentiate products and services, and reach new markets. Depending on your budget, implementation timeline, priorities, and unique business requirements, our team at Fingent helps you build the roadmap for technology adoption. 

              Let’s take a closer look at the five inevitable technologies for business transformation today:

              Read more: How to gain maximum value from your technology investments?

              1. Simplifying Workflows with Cloud

              Workflow management is a highly overlooked enterprise strategy that directly impacts productivity. Managing different stakeholders, heaps of confidential data, and a series of preset and conditional tasks manually can lead to several errors such as employees missing key steps, policy violations, compliance issues, and monetary losses. By taking your workflows online, cloud-based workflow management applications increase your productivity. 

              Cloud-powered workflows or workflow management tools:

              • Are scalable, centralized, customizable to your needs, easy to integrate, secure, reliable, and hassle-free. 
              • Offer a seamless and unified collaboration interface by preventing users from toggling between different messaging apps or communication channels.
              • Reduce your dependency on in-house IT team by passing on the software maintenance responsibilities to the third-party software vendor
              • Can be accessed via any authorized network (with approved access credentials), on any device, from anywhere, 24/7. This has been a huge game-changer for several companies that switched to remote operations during the pandemic. 

              Example of a Cloud-based Workflow Tool

              Finding a cloud workflow management tool that can be customized to your company’s requirements is daunting. The platform should integrate well with your organizational processes without disrupting your existing workflow. This is where digital workplace applications like InfinCE make the difference. 

              InfinCE

              With InfinCE Digital Workplace, Fingent has improved its productivity by 20% through real-time, effective, and easy collaboration. Data-powered dashboards, dedicated servers, collaboration apps, productivity tools, virtual desktops, private mobile apps, and a host of exceptional business management features enabled us to achieve a significant operational breakthrough in streamlining workflows. 

              Read the full case study here.   

              2. Low-code Applications

              Gartner estimates that by 2025, 70% of enterprise applications will use low-code or no-code technologies. Digital business transformation requires pushing custom software solutions to the market at lightning speed. This demand has given rise to low-code applications that will break the technological and organizational silos of application development, automation, integration, and governance. Low-code development enables business users to bring innovative ideas to life by just dragging and dropping low-code elements through a graphical user interface. 

              In simple words, low-code development enables “citizen” developers or non-tech users (such as business analysts or marketers) to build dashboards and survey or contact forms faster. Professional developers, on the other hand, can leverage low-code techniques to perform more efficient tasks such as legacy application modernization or back-end integrations with improved agility and velocity.

              Use Cases for Low-code Applications

              • Customer engagement applications and portals
              • Mission-critical applications such as ERP software, payments manager, etc.
              • Data analysis applications, BI dashboards, and data management software
              • Mobile apps for customer engagement
              • Order processing, inventory, order fulfillment, supply chain, and accounting apps

              Salesforce Lightning, Microsoft Power Apps, and Zoho Creator are some of the leading low-code applications today. SAP users can leverage the unified low-code/no-code (LCNC) solutions on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) to rapidly build and extend applications, and automate tasks and processes.

              3. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

              Robotic Process Automation (RPA), often referred to as software robotics, is an easy-to-use software technology that allows anyone to automate digital tasks within their business processes. RPA allows users to create software robots or “bots” that can learn, emulate, and then execute rules-based business processes. According to Forrester Research, RPA software revenue is expected to reach $6.5 billion by 2025, while RPA-related services revenue could hit $16 billion in the same year. 

              Potential Use Cases for RPA 

              We offer free proof of concepts to help you understand how RPA can improve your business efficiency and customer experience. Some of our top use cases include:

              • Automating discharge protocols and data management to increase HR productivity in healthcare.
              • Daily retail process automation such as order processing, inventory and warehouse management, etc. to save time and resources.
              • Reducing customer wait times through RPA-enabled chatbots that answer customer queries in real-time. 
              • Error-free, automated billing and invoices to keep your financial systems and reports up-to-date.
              • HR teams can automate the maintenance of personnel data and records, streamline onboarding, and manage payroll seamlessly. 

              Download our white paper to learn more about how Robotic Process Automation can simplify your business operations

              4. Document Data Extraction

              Extracting quality data out of unstructured or poorly structured data sources and documents for further processing, migration, and storing has been a biggest obstacle in automating back office operations. If you are entering structured invoices to a robust ERP tool like SAP, your payments can be automated and system records can be generated automatically. Due to the high costs of data extraction, several businesses extract only critical information fields, for example, the payment field within an invoice. Businesses are compelled to manually extract data from other important fields, such as validating the invoice’s compliance with VAT.  

              AI-integrated OCR Software for Document Extraction

              Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is an affordable, game-changing technology that automatically extracts data from the digital images (photos) of large files, scanned documents, and sub-titles or captions superimposed on an image. It reduces the time spent in manual data entry and extraction by automatically converting typed, handwritten or printed text into machine-readable text. AI-powered automated data extraction tools like DocuSign, Docsumo, Kofax Capture, and Amazon Textract leverage OCR technology to reduce the chaos involved in document data extraction and enable businesses to create an efficient workplace. 

              Our team helps customize document data extraction software that can save your time and money by eliminating transcription and transposing mistakes.

              5. AI Assistants

              One of the most common examples of small business automation today is the use of AI-powered virtual assistants. They can save your employees’ productivity by automating the most repeatable customer interactions, such as technical support, appointment scheduling, lead qualification, and order management. AI virtual assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa can understand and act according to your voice commands and customize responses to your queries. Understanding customer intent through natural language processing and recognition allows AI assistants to maintain a human-like conversation.

              Chatbots are a popular category of AI assistants that are designed specifically for text-based channels like SMS, email, and live chat. Recent years have witnessed a rise in chatbot adoption among several business verticals, product and service lines, websites, mobile apps, customer portals, and so on. Data shows that 58% of B2B companies and 42% of B2C websites are using chatbots to make their websites and mobile apps more interactive. More than 56% of businesses believe chatbots to be driving digital disruption in their industry. 

              Case Study: AI Virtual Assistant for HR     

              Fingent’s HR team was pressed to transform their service delivery model as routine, transactional tasks affected their performance and efficiency. To solve their struggle, Fingent developed MUSA, an AI-powered virtual assistant (a chatbot) and integrated it with Fingent Hub, Fingent’s internal employee management system. MUSA is short for Multi Utility Assistant. Employees can ask MUSA any queries related to HR and IT DevOps processes at Fingent, and they’ll get answered instantly. MUSA has improved our HR team’s response time by minimizing their workload and allowing them to focus on areas requiring more attention.     

               

              Read the full case study here.

              Business and Technology Are Inseparable

              Gartner writes that businesses leading with technology employ advanced tech to boost their customer experience and revenue growth, have a clear understanding of their priorities, goals, and strategies, and invest in solutions tailored to their needs. Technology allows businesses to lower the walls within and between their organizations, customers, providers, suppliers, and so on. Organizations perceiving technology as a key business consideration will be able to match the pace of business change and stay relevant and competitive. 

              How can your company embrace growth in a new era of transformation and business technology trends? If you feel you’re getting caught in the technology maze, take a quick break to contact us.

              Our consultants can simplify your technology adoption strategy based on your priorities, customer needs, financial resources, and technical requirements. 

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                About the Author

                ...
                Vinod Saratchandran

                Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

                Talk To Our Experts

                  The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the need for resilient supply chains and human-machine collaboration at work. Full or partial shutdowns, as well as social distancing regulations, impose factories and workspaces to operate with the minimal onsite crew. Despite labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and other production challenges, manufacturers are under constant pressure to respond to the evolving market needs. The demands for mass customization, quality expectations, faster product cycles, and product variability are at an all-time high. Tackling these persistent challenges requires combining human skill and ingenuity with the strength and speed of robots. To bring the best of both worlds – human creativity and robotic precision – manufacturers should adopt cobots (collaborative robots) that can reduce human interaction in feasible situations and accelerate production cycles.
                  Cobots allow manufacturers to maximize production and address the changing demands while ensuring the safety of their employees, clients, and partners. Why are cobots the future of manufacturing? How do they help build manufacturing resilience? Let’s explore further in this blog.
                  Read more: What are cobots and how can they benefit industries

                  Cobots Enhance Manufacturing Efficiency

                  Collaborative robots or cobots are designed to safely work alongside humans in tedious, dull, and hazardous environments. Unlike the traditional industrial robots that work in fenced premises to avoid close proximity with people, cobots operate in a shared workspace alongside human labor. For instance, a robot that helps humans sort foam chips in a lab is a cobot, while a robot welding a sharp cutting tool in a restricted factory area is a typical industrial robot.
                  Conventional industrial robots have long enabled manufacturers to leverage automation and compensate for labor shortages, but they are typically designed to execute one specific task. Moreover, they lack the cognitive capabilities possessed by humans to reprogram their operations based on new circumstances. In contrast, cobots don’t require heavy, pre-programmed actuators to drive them. Cobot motions are steered by computer-controlled manipulators, such as robotic arms, which are supervised by humans. Thus, cobots facilitate effective human-machine collaboration at work.
                  Cobots can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks in a factory setting such as handling materials, assembling items, palletizing, packaging, and labeling, inspecting product quality, welding, press-fitting, driving screws and nuts, and tending machines. While cobots attend these mind-numbing jobs, human workers can focus on tasks that require immense resourcefulness and reasoning.
                  Read more: Digital Transformation in Manufacturing 

                  Benefits of Cobots in Manufacturing 

                  Modern manufacturing requires effective human-machine collaboration to cut expenses, reduce time-to-market, and address growing customer demands. Here’s how cobots empower manufacturing enterprises.
                  1. Easy to Deploy and Program
                  It takes days and weeks to install and program a traditional industrial robot. A cobot, on the other hand, can be set up in less than an hour. They are lighter than conventional robots. With user-friendly mobile applications and customized software, you can swiftly program the cobot to get started. Right software configurations enable cobots to learn new actions, without any specialized training. Using intuitive 3D visualizations or simple graphical representations, you can move the robot arm to preferred waypoints. Your employees can focus on more critical tasks while the cobot takes care of mundane jobs.
                  2. Flexible to Perform Different Tasks
                  Cobots can be easily shifted from one workstation to another due to their flexible hardware. With minimal software customizations, cobots can be re-deployed or repurposed to perform different functions across various departments. For example, a cobot that performs picking and packing can be re-programmed as a filler by replacing its robotic arm with a tube and nozzle.
                  Read more: Challenges, Opportunities, and Technologies That Will Revolutionize Manufacturing 
                  manufacturing
                  3. Save Production Cost and Time
                  A study conducted by the World Economic Forum in association with Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing found that collaborative robots can cut nearly two-thirds of the cycle time required to pack boxes onto pallets. Because cobots are designed to work without any breaks, they reduce the idle time between cycles. The International Society of Automation reports that cobots can save production costs by reducing 75% of manual labor. Traditional robots increase the installation costs for manufacturers as they need to set up additional safety measures around the deployment area. Cobots don’t incur such extra expenses as they can be set up in close proximity to humans.
                  4. Improve Employee Engagement and Productivity
                  Cobots work in collaboration with people to refine and process the tasks better. They can never replace the human touch in production. When cobots take care of repetitive tasks such as screwing a bottle or packing medical equipment, employees can focus on more important functions such as running quality checks or inspecting a worksite. It allows manufacturers to optimize their productivity and boost employee morale. Businesses can also prepare their workforces to learn new skills.
                  5. Maintain Consistency and Accuracy
                  From the first to the hundredth task, cobots maintain the same level of accuracy and consistency. Humans can get drained easily, whereas a cobot never deviates from the actions for which it is set up. This helps ensure high product quality and uniformity. With the right software and hardware configurations, cobots can produce more finished goods at an incredible pace, faster than handcrafting.

                  Cobots and The Future of Manufacturing

                  Industry 4.0 paved the way for automation and smart manufacturing powered by data-driven technologies such as IoT, cyber-physical systems, wearables, AR, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cognitive computing, and so on. Though the sole focus of Industry 4.0 is to improve process efficiency through physical and digital integration, it accidentally ignores the significance of human value in process optimization. Industry 5.0 re-shifts its focus on human value by fusing the roles of mechanical components and human workers in production. This makes cobots the very foundation of the next wave of the industrial revolution, that is, Industry 5.0.
                  Denmark-based Universal Robots reports that cobots are at the heart of Industry 5.0. Cobots democratize robotic capabilities, thereby serving as a personal tool that can be leveraged by any member of the workforce to apply creative skills and generate more value. Cobots can be used as a plug-and-play solution across a variety of manufacturing and industrial operations such as automotive production, food processing, chemical plants, medical devices, and kits, among others.
                  Since they collaborate well with humans in a safe environment, cobots will:

                  • augment intelligent decision-making,
                  • drive high-quality products to the market,
                  • enable mass customization and personalization,
                  • optimize manufacturing costs,
                  • generate new job roles (eg: Chief Robotics Officer), and
                  • boost virtual education to make the most of collaborative robotics.

                  Read more: How Custom Software Development Helps Manufacturing Industry 

                  How We Help Manufacturers Leverage Cobots and Other Emerging Technologies

                  As technology matures, manufacturing enterprises need to build use cases that prove the inevitability of human-robot collaboration. We help develop POCs and use cases that demonstrate how your business can benefit from cobots. Our experts can develop your cobot management software or mobile app from scratch or customize your existing software to address the evolving market demands. Fingent can work along with your cobot hardware manufacturers to develop a robust software orchestration layer that can control the movement of your cobots. We also simplify the training process to help you get started in no time.

                  According to ABI Research, the global cobot market is set to expand from USD 600 million in 2021 to USD 8 billion in 2030, at a projected CAGR of 32.5%. Fingent aims to help manufacturers as well as other industry leaders to leverage cobot technology to increase their ROI and productivity, and make their business more intelligent. We also help you implement Augmented Reality solutions to facilitate equipment maintenance. If you want to learn more about how cobots can transform the future of your business or want to identify the relevant areas that can be enriched with collaborative robots, connect with us.

                  Stay up to date on what's new

                    About the Author

                    ...
                    Vinod Saratchandran

                    Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

                    Talk To Our Experts

                      Better businesses need better cyber security.
                      Regrettably, threats to cyber security have become the new norm across public and private sectors. The pandemic affected all types of businesses. If anything, uncertainties around remote working amplified cybercrime. As a result, cyber security’s importance has become more clear now than ever before.
                      As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, businesses will have to stay one step ahead. Security professionals need strong support from advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to protect their companies from cyber threats.
                      AI can enable security teams to handle greater and more complex threats than ever before. More specifically, it has proven to identify and prioritize threats. In some cases, AI has even taken automated action to quickly remediate security issues. This article considers how AI can redefine the cyber security needs of an organization.
                      Before we discuss further, let’s find out the impact cyberattacks can have on businesses.

                      How Cyberattacks Affect a Company’s Performance and Value 

                      Protecting a company against cyber threats is costly. It can impact the relationship between your company and your customers.
                      Unfortunately, cyber threats are never static. Millions are created each year and are becoming more and more potent.
                      In a survey conducted by Hiscox-Cyber Readiness Report, 28% of the businesses that suffered attacks were targeted on more than five occasions in 2020. Companies have lost millions to such cyber security breaches. Companies like financial services, technology, and energy were hit the hardest.
                      That is not all. Cyber security breaches have caused several other damages including:

                      • Outlays such as insurance premiums and public relations support.
                      • Operational disruption.
                      • Altered business practices.
                      • Business’s standing and customer trust.
                      • Stolen intellectual property including product designs, technologies, and go-to-market strategies.
                      • Legal consequences.

                      Read more: Quantum Vs Neuromorphic Computing – What Will the Future of AI Look Like!
                      AI

                      How AI Contributes to Cyber Security 

                      Cyber threats are real and certainly worrisome to businesses. It is important to protect critical digital assets.
                      However, it takes planning and commitment of resources. With good security operations, you can stay on top of most of the most serious cyber threats. True, there may be smart thieves, but Artificial Intelligence can provide smarter security.
                      Here are 5 specific ways AI can contribute to cyber security:

                      1. Robust Zero-Day Malware Detection

                      Malware is unpredictable. And signature-based tools will not detect attacks that have never occurred before. Given that, is it possible to defend against something unpredictable? Yes!
                      AI is cable of grasping all the possibilities and finding relationships that traditional security tools would miss. While traditional security strategies have their place in cyber security, they are insufficient to detect and prevent zero-day attacks.
                      Zero-day attacks are best detected by automatically identifying aberrant behavior and alerting administrators immediately. AI can enable organizations to be more proactive and predictive with their security strategies.
                      Artificial Intelligence provides visibility and security for an organization’s entire data flow. AI helps organizations gain such visibility by dismantling each incoming file to search for any malicious elements. Simultaneously, it also looks at the user and network behavior and anomalies from expected activities.
                      Together with ML, AI adapts its behavior to new network conditions, constantly adapting to evolving security conditions. Even those hackers who use modern ML penetration methods cannot be fool AI-enabled cyber security.
                      We cannot stop security breaches from happening. But Artificial Intelligence helps organizations avoid potential disruptions before attackers wreak havoc.

                      2. AI Can Safeguard Large Amounts of Data

                      Whether a company is small or mid-sized, there is a lot of data exchanged between customers and the company every day. This information must be safeguarded from potential cyber threats. Cyber security experts cannot always inspect all the data for potential threats.
                      AI is the best option to detect threats to routine activities. Because of its automated nature, AI can sift through large amounts of data in real-time and identify any hazards lurking amid the chaos.
                      Read more: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – The Cyber Security Heroes Of FinTech!
                      FinTech

                      3. AI Takes Care of Redundant Cyber Security Operations

                      Hackers constantly modify their methods but the fundamental security practices do not change. Plus, they may weary your cyber security worker.
                      Artificial Intelligence takes care of redundant cyber security operations while imitating the best of human traits. It also does a thorough analysis of the network to locate security flaws that may harm your network.

                      4. AI can boost response time 

                      Ideal security is the one that can detect security threats in real-time. The principle of ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ applies here.
                      Integrating AI with cyber security measures is a sure way to detect and respond to attacks immediately. Unlike humans, AI does not miss a spot when examining your system for risks. Besides, it can detect risks early, thereby boosting response time.

                      5. Authenticity Protection

                      Most websites allow users to log in and access services or make purchases. You will need greater protection as such a site contains private information and sensitive material. To maintain customer trust, it is important to ensure all data about your guests remains safe while accessing your site.
                      Artificial Intelligence can provide an enhanced security layer. AI can secure authentication when a user wishes to connect their account. Login measures like CAPTCHA, fingerprint, and facial recognition are used to determine if the attempt is legitimate or not.
                      Read more: Safeguarding IT Infrastructure from Cyber Attacks – Best  Practices
                      IT Infrastructure

                      Do Not Be Afraid!

                      Fingent is your reliable security partner. We provide professional security with reliable service. As a proactive security partner, we look ahead to ensure your business is successful far into the future.
                      Using AI’s real-time monitoring capabilities, we can spot potential issues before they become a major problem. Security experts Fingent are aware that cyber security threats are not limited to work hours. Our professionals here at Fingent will be there for your business whenever you need us.
                      We are in business today because of the reputation we built with our customers. We offer a unique level of enterprise IT support, and our clients can rest easy knowing that their business is always protected.
                      Give us a call and let’s discuss your security needs.

                      Stay up to date on what's new

                        About the Author

                        ...
                        Tony Joseph

                        Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

                        Talk To Our Experts

                          AI is not just a technology; it has become part of daily lives. Thanks to AI, we witness new kinds of development in each sphere of life every day. We can access many points with AI now more than we could ever before. From the research that we do on the internet to the goods that come to our doors, AI is directing our lives and business. It has solved many problems faced by humanity. And, revolutionized technology in all industries.
                          Coined at Dartmouth College in 1956, Artificial Intelligence (AI) gave succeeding generations a potential for information technology that can benefit humans in a profound way. Apart from bringing efficiencies, AI is also bringing new possibilities. These possibilities continue to create new models and opportunities for businesses that tap into them. Quantum and neuromorphic computing is the way forward.
                          This blog takes a deeper look into quantum and neuromorphic computing and explores which companies can benefit from these technologies.

                          A Look at The Future Of AI

                          The possibilities Artificial Intelligence can create are seemingly endless. Innovations are constantly taking place in the AI world. Given that, many business and information technology leaders are looking to better understand how it will affect their business now and in the future.
                          Taking a look at the future scenarios for how AI could evolve can help IT leaders demystify this emerging technology.  Two such technologies are called neuromorphic or quantum computing. They offer us a new way forward by fulfilling our AI-related dreams. The quantum computing market alone is expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2026, so it’s definitely worth looking into.
                          The future of AI also depends on improving the capacity of intelligent systems by using powerful hardware. Hardware such as neuromorphic computing and quantum computing will allow companies to build AI solutions that are extremely fast and can encapsulate more data and knowledge.
                          For example, a virtual assistant may now have the computing capacity to handle one or two products. But with more powerful hardware, it could cover more products. Advantages in this area are ongoing.
                          Let’s examine these in detail.
                          Read more: Answering The Top Burning Questions On AI Implementation For Businesses!
                          AI implementation

                          A Deeper Look into Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing 

                          Neuromorphic computation and quantum computing always seemed that they were years away. The fact is commercial neuromorphic chips and quantum computers are in use today. These two new technologies are going to change what looked like a straight path to Artificial Intelligence.

                          1. Neuromorphic computation

                          Neuromorphic computation attempts to imitate the way a human brain works. In simple terms, hardware and software elements of a computer are wired to mimic the human nervous system and cerebral system.
                          The goal of neuromorphic computation is to create devices that can learn, retain information, and make logical deductions just like a human brain does. It also attempts to imitate the human brain by searching for new information.
                          However, unlike quantum computing neuromorphic computing does is not that demanding. Where quantum computers need temperatures close to absolute zero, neuromorphic computers can easily work in normal conditions.
                          This increases its practicality and potential to integrate this technology in all kinds of devices.

                          2. Quantum computing 

                          Quantum computing deals with the world of atoms and subatomic particles inside those atoms. Unlike neuromorphic computation, quantum computing works on the principle of quantum entanglement.
                          So, the smaller the computer gets, the more powerful they seem to become. Quantum computing provided powerful new possibilities.
                          Though it is more complex than traditional computing, quantum computing opens the door to potentially solving very large and complex computational problems. It can potentially deliver a big computational upgrade for ML and AI computing.
                          Quantum computers will not replace traditional computers. Instead, they will require the support of traditional computers for their specialized abilities.
                          Read more: Driving Business Innovation and Success Through Sustainability
                          Sustainability

                          Industries That Can Leverage Quantum Computing and Neuromorphic Computation

                          1. Industries That Can Leverage Neuromorphic Computation

                          a) Aerospace and defense: Neuromorphic computing architecture can help in pattern recognition, event reasoning, and robust decision-making. It can also aid in adaptive learning and autonomous tasking for energy-efficient agile Air Force platforms.
                          b) Self-driving cars: Similar to space communications, neuromorphic computing enhances self-driving. In imitation of the human brain, neuromorphic chips attempt to think and learn on their own and then adapt their learning to unexpected scenarios on the road.
                          While conventional computers run commands sequentially, neuromorphic computers process and store data almost at the same time. This makes self-driving cars more energy efficient. It can also help autonomous vehicles learn skills and execute tasks more efficiently.
                          c) Healthcare: Neuromorphic platforms can be used for the hardware-based implementation of ML methods in treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in home-care environments. Real-time analysis of data can be obtained by bringing data from the backend onto a neuromorphic chip.
                          Furthermore, securing sensitive medical data on a single chip complies better with patient privacy regulations. Since neuromorphic platforms process data near a patient, it offers a large fault tolerance for medical applications.
                          Moreover, hardware-based neuromorphic systems require less computational power making them perfect for PoC medical devices.

                          2. Industries That Can Leverage Quantum Computing

                          a) Aerospace: By considering an exponential number of variables, quantum computing could help determine the optimal alternative for each route. It can also help find the best way to allocate resources so that the crew and passengers are impacted as little as possible.
                          b) Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Harnessing the power of quantum computing can significantly accelerate the timelines of various stages of the pharmaceutical research and development process. It can help life science companies by accelerating the speed of the pre-clinical phase and reducing the cost of drug development.
                          c) Finance: Quantum computing will be able to help solve the problems of customers in finance institutes. It can optimize investment portfolios and financial derivatives. It can also enable the institutions to accurately characterize anomalous transactions and rapidly detect fraud.
                          d) Chemistry: It is likely that quantum computing can be applied to simulate the properties and behavior of new molecular structures in chemistry. It can address the probabilistic challenges of quantum mechanics. In the future, quantum computing is expected to predict molecular properties for new molecules.
                          Read more: Data and AI: How It Has Transformed Over The Years And Trends To Watch out For!
                          Data and AI

                          Conclusion

                          In the coming years, advances in Artificial Intelligence will reach the superintelligence stage. However, the transition to new technology has already begun.
                          Most businesses are incorporating this unique fixture as it has helped with better sales and forecasts. It has also given businesses growth opportunities. We are sure you want to get started with this too.
                          Give us a call and let’s discuss what is best for your business.

                          Stay up to date on what's new

                            About the Author

                            ...
                            Vinod Saratchandran

                            Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

                            Talk To Our Experts

                              Businesses are always on the lookout for ways to optimize processes and gain greater visualization. When processes work efficiently, the output of the product is higher. This leads to workflows that run smoothly with minimum errors and higher capacity. A good reason for the growing popularity of process automation and visualization.
                              Automation and visualization are the future of the business strategy. Gone are the days of carefully filling in graph paper by hand. Today, process automation and visualization help enterprises up their game by allowing access to real-time models capable of accurately capturing the nuanced data sets.
                              In this blog, we will expand on how enterprises can up their game with process automation and visualization.

                              How Enterprises Can Up Their Game with Process Automation and Visualization

                              Data visualization enables human operators to manage vast sets of data, glean insights from different information sources, and perform operations more intuitively and strategically.
                              In the current data-immersed world, data visualization can significantly add value by conveying large datasets visually. What does this mean for your business? This means a better grasp of critical customer data.
                              According to the IDC, the collective sum of the world’s data is predicted to grow to 175 zettabytes by 2025. Processing such large amounts of data can become a problem.
                              By allowing automation and the right programs to sort out your business data, you can generate graphs. You will be able to use these graphs to up your game in business competition.
                              Data visualization offers businesses the hope of getting a grasp on data. Fortunately, the human brain can process and recognize trends, identify potential issues, and forecast future development from clear visual displays.
                              Read more: How Powerful Is Data Visualization With Tableau

                              Look Out for Upcoming Powerful Trends in Automation and Visualization

                              1. AI and ML

                              Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning render visualization more accurate and efficient. These technologies enable businesses to handle customer feedback without bias. Process automation allows you to sort the feedback in real-time and according to your specifications.

                              2. Unlock Big Data with Data Democratization

                              Large amounts of data are hard to understand. It requires data scientists and other experts to unlock its treasures. Not anymore. Advanced no-code data analysis platforms can automate your data process. This is called the democratization of data.
                              Democratization of data leaves it malleable and easy to display allowing your employees any level of tech support. When this is paired with the data visualization type, it can unlock big data results for teams at all levels of your organization.

                              3. Video Visualization Is Here to Stay

                              Young and old alike tend to retain the information they see over what they hear.  This would mean that video infographics will be the future.
                              Video applications for business strategy and customer retention are key areas for future strategic data visualization implementation.

                              4. Real-time Visualization for Early detection

                              Knowing a problem at the exact moment it arises can assist businesses in customer retention and brand presence. Early detection can have a dramatic impact on the bottom line.
                              Process automation can help run a dashboard that allows users to submit their error reports to your customer support. Then the reviews can be tagged and analyzed using sentiment analysis.

                              5. Mobile Optimized Visualization

                              An increased number of people access the internet on their mobile devices. Your business needs mobile-optimized data visualization to stop customer churn.
                              It enables you to know if your potential customers are learning about your services through social media or an online review board. Though mobile-optimized visualization is an easy step, it is critical to keep your business on top of the game.
                              Read more: 7 Awesome Data Visualization Tools
                              Data Analysis and Visualization

                              Business Applications of Process Automation and Data Visualization

                              1. Financial Service and Insurance 

                              The finance service industry is a prime candidate for process automation and data visualization. Two top requirements of this industry are customer response time and compliance with strict regulations.
                              When automated, quick decisions can be made based on pre-defined rules like loan applications, claims processes. businesses can use data visualization to make reliable predictions or risk calculations in the financial industry.
                              Insurance fraud can cost billions of dollars damage.  Process automation and data visualization can improve fraud detection.
                              Read more: Deploying RPA for Finance, Healthcare, and IT Operations.
                              RPA

                              2. Distribution and Logistics

                              Process automation and data visualization can minimize costs by planning transport promptly, reducing costs of downtimes and maintenance.

                              3. Sales

                              Data visualization can greatly improve relationships with your customers. It helps you know the needs of your customers better, and address each of them directly in real-time.

                              4. Marketing

                              Data visualization and process automation can reduce marketing costs substantially.  These technologies can help evaluate the demographics, location, transactions, and interests of your customers. Visualizing these details can help you understand their purchase patterns.
                              Thus, data visualization can be used to create and target new customer segments. Cross-selling is another advantage. At the same time, data visualization may reveal that customers are dissatisfied. Identifying this and responding quickly can counteract the situation to retain your customer base.

                              5. Healthcare 

                              Process automation and data visualization enable cheaper healthcare. It can help predict disease occurrence and proactively propose countermeasures.

                              6. Science and research

                              Visualization enables the evaluation of the data of an experiment. Process automation and visualization can be advantageous especially when an experiment generates large amounts of data within seconds.

                              7. Production

                              Large amounts of data are generated during production. Using process automation and visualization can help plan preventive maintenance and prevent production delays or downtimes.

                              Prepare Your Business For The Future With Fingent 

                              Fingent helps enterprises automate document-based processes. We can help you create safer sharing and collaboration. Our platform allows you to create teams, assign roles and privileges, and streamline communication.
                              Fingent’s partner integrations allow you to use it together with your existing software. Our top-level measures protect our users’ data. The encryption we provide ensures content integrity and prevents alteration.
                              Fingent can help your organization reach the goal of paperwork elimination. Doing so can lead to efficient resource distribution throughout the organization.
                              What’s more, it reduces carbon footprint. Our experts bring along specializations supported by scientific rigor and in-depth knowledge of advanced techniques to design, develop, and deploy solutions for process automation and visualization.
                              Give us a call today and let’s get talking.

                              Stay up to date on what's new

                                About the Author

                                ...
                                Vinod Saratchandran

                                Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

                                Talk To Our Experts

                                  Educational institutions were among the most impacted aspects of society when the coronavirus unleashed its hold on the world. Over the course of 18 months schools, colleges, and universities all around the world have faced more than their fair share of problems. No matter how difficult adapting to a completely different mode of teaching and learning is, many institutions faced the challenge head-on, pivoted, and caught up with the rapid change successfully.
                                  In this blog, we will examine the challenges that loomed in front of the admission and college selection process and how rising technologies like VR & AI have helped tremendously in successfully dealing with these challenges.
                                  Read more: The future of Augmented Reality in EdTech!
                                  EdTech

                                  The Pandemic – A Massive Challenge for Students 

                                  Transitioning into the university lifestyle is usually a very significant part of an individual’s life brimming with feelings of anxiety, trepidation, and excitement. Adding into this already complex intersection of negative emotions, the aggressive transmission of COVID-19 has altered the higher education landscape on a colossal scale.
                                  The pandemic created exponential threats to a student’s experience of streamlined higher education.  Poor psychological outcomes, increasing levels of social anxiety, inducing feelings of lethargy, and reducing overall academic performance are predicted in the recent college students. To top it all, new applicants are facing the most difficulty deducing if a college is a good fit for them or not without ever entering the campus because of the pandemic restrictions.

                                  Admissions and the College Selection Process During The Pandemic 

                                  The pandemic has forced universities and colleges to alter admission policies in recent years. There are constant updates in admission procedures that everyone must be aware of, whether it’s the extension of application deadlines or a change in how the admissions department will be evaluating applications.

                                  1. New Selective Process 

                                  Many institutions dropped stereotypical testing methods and canceled extracurricular activities, and admissions counselors have changed how they examine and evaluate applications. Admission staff are encouraging potential students to showcase their caliber, personality, and passions during admission, particularly how they pursued the latter accompanied by a world plagued by COVID-19.

                                  2. Efflux Of Applications 

                                  Since most popular universities and colleges decided not to consider SAT/ACT scores, they have faced a surge of applications creating greater diversity in the application pool. This hope is slightly misleading. Theoretically, it may seem as though the students have a good chance at admission, but this does not always translate into reality as these institutions still remain very selective.

                                  3. Prosperity In Medium-Level Institutions 

                                  A great number of students who didn’t find acceptance in popular institutions found their hope in Medium-Level Institutions 

                                  4. Travel Restrictions

                                  Due to travel restrictions, colleges provided online platforms for applications and even conducted interviews for admission through online mode.

                                  Decrease In College Enrolment and Its Effects 

                                  Although universities and colleges have tried their maximum to keep admission procedures streamlined, College enrolment has seen a massive slump due to the pandemic. There is a drop of almost 1 million college students enrolling in higher education since before the pandemic began. Compared with the fall semester before the pandemic in 2019, undergraduate enrolment has dropped a total of 6.6%, representing the largest two-year decrease in more than 50 years. Thousands of students, many from low-income families were forced to delay school or drop out because of the pandemic and the economic crisis it has created.
                                  Health and economic factors play into why hardly any students are enrolling in college during the pandemic and why people are opting for better-paying jobs instead of spending money on college. Given that cost is still the biggest obstacle, it isn’t surprising that prospective students suggest “free college” for a bigger impact on them finishing or returning to college – a very interesting insight that legislators are currently debating on.
                                  The impact of having students not enrolling in college affects their individual earning potentials, as well as the economy of the country. Research shows that getting even a simple post-secondary education can lead to higher wages, lower unemployment, and greater lifetime earnings. Without this, fewer people graduate with the skills, credentials, and degrees required for a higher-paying job, which means unemployment for the student and a lack of a skilled workforce for the community.
                                  Read more: Answering the top burning questions on AI implementation for businesses!
                                  AI implementation

                                  The Timely Rise Of VR & AI 

                                  “Change is inevitable and the disruption it causes often brings about new opportunities.”
                                  Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial intelligence (AI) are two cutting-edge technologies on the rise today. Their practicality has been proven in a number of fields and in the midst of the pandemic, these technologies grow greater.
                                  Higher education administrative processes have started using AI to recruit, admit and enroll students. It acts as a powerful instrument in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in universities and it can accurately estimate demand, which means it can predict with precision how many applications to accept to achieve prime enrolment numbers.
                                  Here are a few ways how AI helps: 

                                  • AI-backed software scores an applicant against a set of significant factors based on past applicants and builds software for higher education. This is comparatively easier and faster than admission officers assessing each and every application on their own.
                                  • AI eliminates situations where an admissions officer might know an applicant and be biased, robotically flagging a personal connection that exists between two parties.
                                  • AI can customize, speed up and personalize the admissions process for intercontinental students, including visa processing, housing selection, and course registration.
                                  • AI has the latent to create interventions for students suffering from homesickness or social isolation and is thereby an important tool for student welfare, ultimately attracting more student applications.

                                  #1. How Fingent Utilized AI-enabled Chatbots To Create Enhanced & Engaging Learning Experiences

                                  Fingent helped the University of North Carolina develop an AI-driven ecosystem powered by IBM Watson that facilitates students to interact with an AI-enabled Teaching Assistant(AiTA). Multiple Chatbots are set up to manage a wide range of student inquiries. Also, important documents and teaching materials are uploaded with keyword and tag searches to make them easily accessible. The environment enables to create a healthy student-teacher relationship, instruct and engage students effectively, and improve students learning experiences.

                                  Virtual Reality on the other plays a major role in providing a mode for students to experience the campus without even stepping into the college or university with Virtual Reality Campus Tours. At Fingent, we were able to capitalize on this for our clients. By applying the latest mobile technology and 360-degree panoramic video abilities, we helped build apps that swiftly connect students with campuses of their choice through their mobiles, reforming and simplifying the complete search process. Deploying Virtual Reality to innovate campus visits is also helping increase admission rates from underprivileged areas of the country, allowing students to seamlessly find the right courses and campuses from anywhere!
                                  Here are a few ways how VR helps: 

                                  • A VR package allows overseas students to get a sense of what the community and campus are like.
                                  • It creates a high-quality image of the college and by using cost-effective devices like Google Cardboard, keeping costs in check becomes a less daunting task.
                                  • With the help of VR, you can give enrolled students (who have not already seen the campus) a more profound sense of campus life and community. The idea is to charm them to make time for an in-person campus tour.

                                  #2. More On Gear Up – Deploying VR For Campus Visits

                                  GEAR UP is a virtual reality-based app that helps high school students experience a college campus through Virtual Reality and 360 Video. GEAR UP creates direct connections to college campuses and curates the college choice process. It empowers individual exploration and is completely free to download, making it easily accessible. It invites students to explore colleges and focuses more on first-generation students. The Introductory videos are anticipated to assist students in finding a suitable college to fit their interests and give them a sense of where they might want to attend. GERA UP is created as an initiation to help increase the number of students from low-income backgrounds who seek to obtain a secondary or post-secondary education.

                                  College admissions, learning experiences, and in a way, the entire education industry is on the brim of a massive revolution. Deploying technology seems like the only way to tackle the ever-growing challenges and adapt to the fast-evolving world. It’s time now to step into digital transformation. Connect with us today and partner with one of the leading custom software development and technology consulting companies!

                                  Stay up to date on what's new

                                    About the Author

                                    ...
                                    Tony Joseph

                                    Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

                                    Talk To Our Experts

                                      One of the oldest known professions and also considered one of the most dangerous, Mining is now nothing like it used to be. The face of the mining industry has changed drastically. We no longer rely on physical hand and animal labor. Artificial Intelligence has stepped in. There is a lot going on.
                                      Modern mines are sophisticated and machine-intensive environments. Whether we are extracting minerals and ores or gas, we need machines to extract, transport, refine, and move them to their destinations. AI is enabling the mining industry to be a safer and more profitable industry.

                                      How AI Is Transforming The Mining Industry

                                      Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving innovation in the mining industry by transforming the way mines operate today. The mining industry is constantly looking out for ways to improve safety, productivity, and sustainability.
                                      AI helps achieve these key factors by collecting data and using relevant information to optimize processes and improve equipment development. AI proves particularly useful when it comes to cumbersome and operations-heavy processes.
                                      The use of AI can make operations and machinery even more sustainable in the long run.
                                      Watch now: 5 Steps to Prepare Your Organization for an AI-enabled Future!

                                      Benefits Of AI In Mining

                                      Mining companies must become more efficient and innovative. This will help them keep their workers safe, mitigate their environmental footprint and remain competitive. AI plays a vital role in this. Here are some advantages of AI integration in the mining industry:

                                      1. Improve resource discovery and planning 

                                      The initial investment in mining can be very costly. The company must know precisely where and how to dig. A wrong location can cost millions of dollars. AI can help learn about the terrain they are working with and precisely map out and predict terrain better than any humans can do, effectively preventing those errors.
                                      Artificial Intelligence can analyze vast amounts of data to find better resources. Better predictions will contribute to better planning and a better return on investment.

                                      2. Cost optimization

                                      Cost optimization is the primary motivation for mining companies to use AI. AI can analyze big data to help diggers conduct their operations more cost-effectively. It can also help them develop efficiency along these lines.
                                      Mining companies can use the data collected to teach their machinery and prevent damage. AI can help automate different operational processes. It can also enable remotization that can substantially reduce labor, increase productivity and safety of workers. This can greatly reduce costs and increase productivity gains.

                                      3. Preventive maintenance

                                      Reactive maintenance can cost six to ten times more than predictive maintenance. On the other hand, predictive maintenance eliminates the risk of production halts ensuring operational continuity.
                                      Furthermore, preventive maintenance makes it easier to maintain security protocol.  It helps in the early detection of wear and tear of important pieces of equipment. This can help workers to predict and plan repairs and maintenance.

                                      4. Reduces environmental footprint

                                      Mining by nature has a negative environmental impact. While it is not possible to completely eliminate the impact of mining, AI-monitored devices are capable of instantly analyzing and interpreting enormous amounts of sensor data. These systems can help you locate patterns that may be of concern.
                                      AI can provide greater value and reliability to the industry while increasing safety and reducing negative environmental impact. It can optimize dust control measures for haul roads by helping workers to apply the right doses of dust control additives at the right time in the right way.
                                      This will also reduce associated water, additives, energy, and other factors by 50%. This is in addition to preventing road maintenance frequency, avoiding accidents, and loss of productivity.

                                      5. Enhanced decision-making process

                                      In the mining industry every second counts. When there is a breakdown, administrators cannot afford to lose time waiting for an engineer to arrive. Thankfully, AI enables administrators to obtain valuable insight in real-time and automate part of the decision-making process. These insights allow them to respond promptly and appropriately.

                                      Why Do Mining Companies Still Hesitate To Adopt AI?

                                      There is no doubt that AI holds immense promise for the future of the mining industry. However, some mining companies still hesitate in adopting AI. As with the adoption of any technology, if not implemented properly, AI adoption can be difficult, time-consuming, and costlier than anticipated. Here are some AI adoption challenges and solutions:
                                      Resources: Every business is concerned with budget and return on investment (ROI). As legacy technology does not support AI, companies need to invest in compatible infrastructure that is agile, flexible, and scalable. Opting for cloud-based services can negate the huge costs of investing in newer servers and processors.  Plus, it is a good idea to start small and scale up. It is also important to avoid unnecessary AI tools.
                                      Industry culture: Leadership and culture that promotes experimentation and strategies will result in a more dynamic and scalable environment.
                                      Lack of talent: AI technology is complex. Companies must thus look for people with the right mindset to help facilitate changes and capitalize on opportunities.
                                      Governance: Only when leaders understand how AI fits into their business model can they encourage AI adoption.
                                      Read more: Answering The Top Burning Questions On AI Implementation for Businesses!
                                      AI implementation

                                      How Can Fingent Help Resolve These Challenges And Transit To AI Capabilities At Ease?

                                      Fingent has been at the forefront of leveraging the power of AI to empower leaders with the benefits of root-cause analysis and predictive insights. Our AI is built with the core philosophy of congruence between humans and machine capabilities.
                                      Fingent can help deploy user-centric designs to enhance operational and machine reliability. We consider technology as an ally to enhance human intelligence and capabilities. Hence, our AI models can help solve many challenges that the mining industry faces.
                                      Our AI solutions enable businesses to analyze voluminous, real-time data. Additionally, these solutions can also diagnose bottlenecks with the help of real-time monitoring and AI-powered predictive insights.
                                      Fingent’s AI solutions can increase your productivity, reduce industrial waste, and enhance machine reliability. We can also help minimize the ecological impact of the mining industry while ensuring the safety of mineworkers.
                                      We know that in the mining industry, each rock crushed is money saved or lost. We at Fingent understand that the mining industry needs to open up to modern operational practices that promote efficiency.  Our AI solutions are powerful enablers to help your get there. Let’s discuss how we can assist you.

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                                        About the Author

                                        ...
                                        Tony Joseph

                                        Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

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