WhatsApp for businesses in test phase – Looking at the Internet of Things [5 Reading Tips] Posted on 20. March 201717. March 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 Quelle: pexels.com It is not a secret that WhatsApp has been exploring ways to profit from its customer base (1,2 billion active users worldwide) since it was acquired by Facebook for $19 billion three years ago. However, no business development had been reported until last week, when it came to our attention that a Whatsapp version for businesses is in the test phase. Will the mobile messaging app find the way for monetization with this move? Has WhatsApp anything else in mind, like making the most of artificial intelligence advancements or, what is more decisive, fullly getting into the Internet of Things ecosystem? Continue (1 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce Reading Tips of the Week
Omnichannel projects, CRM and cloud services are at the top of IT priorities for 2017 [5 Reading Tips] Posted on 13. March 2017byby Sara Herrera 2 Source: pexels.com Retailers keep investing in new technologies to boost the digitalisation of their stores, respond to the challenges of an increasing omnichannel world, and to tailor every customer experience even more. In this context CRM systems and analytics solutions are gaining momentum, while the cloud seems to be the perfect place to store all the relevant data needed to run apps, websites, connected cameras and other internet-based services. But why are CRM systems and the cloud becoming so popular and crucial nowadays? Continue (3 vote(s), average: 3.67 out of 5)Loading... Categories Reading Tips of the Week
Getting to know Alexa: the long way towards full adoption and understanding | Part 2 Posted on 9. March 20179. March 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 Source: Screenshot taken from an Amazon’s VideoExcitement, entertainment, and nonsense are the best words to describe our first feelings about the first contact we made with Alexa, Amazon‘s voice-controlled AI assistant that is integrated into Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. After testing the most operative part of the device, it is the turn for evaluating Alexa’s communication and self-learning skills. How smart is Alexa? Does she learn from mistakes? Is the communication process natural and seamless? Continue (3 vote(s), average: 3.67 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce
4 trends that go beyond mobile and should not be missed out [5 Reading Tips] Posted on 6. March 20176. March 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 Source: Dino Quinzani & pexels.com (edited by dotSource)Last week a new edition of the Mobile World Congress took place in Barcelona to present the latest trends in the mobile industry. Although this year there were neither many stellar presentations of gadgets nor excessively prominent visitors , it can be said that mobile is the connecting element in which advanced technologies come together to prompt new ecosystems such as the connected car. The use of smartphones as constant companions coupled with a better quality of internet connection result in a multiscreen world: According to a study presented by Google, 24% of consumers indicate that they usually access the Internet through three devices (smartphone, tablet and laptop or computer). These two indicators prove that mobile is reaching digital maturity. But, apart from reaching this conclusion, the world’s largest gathering for the mobile industry gave a glimpse of the most important trends for this year. Let’s dive into it! Continue (1 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce Reading Tips of the Week
Getting to know Alexa: from fascination to normalisation | Part 1 Posted on 2. March 2017byby Sara Herrera 1 Quelle: AmazonAhead of schedule the smart assistant Amazon Echo completed the trial period and has been available for sale on the marketplace for any German customer 2 weeks now. The Handelskraft editorial staff was quick to order one and test it for a few days. We were more than curious to “experiment” and “talk” with a virtual assistant and obviously many questions arose while waiting for the package to be delivered: How useful and spontaneous could Alexa be? Could she become part of the family? Could the conversation be fluent and natural? It is not a surprise that still today humans only feel fascination for the possibility of communicating with machines and interacting with them proactively. However, initially the rise of voice search functionalities (OK Google) and more recently the emergence of virtual assistants such as Amazon Echo, Google Home or Siri might contribute to change this perception. However, how far are we until it comes to normality? In our 2-part series about Alexa we are going to the very heart of these questions that we are pursuing. Continue (1 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce
Mobility trending at Best Brands Awards 2017 [5 Reading Tips] Posted on 27. February 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 Quelle: pexels.com Last week the 14th award ceremony for the best brands of the year took place. The new special category, focused on future mobility brands this time, grabbed the attention of everyone. However there was much curiosity for getting to know the consumers’ final say this time. Would there be unexpected newcomers? Would the German car industry’s power show up once again? In order to decide on the winners, Gfk carried out a representative study that measures the strength of a brand against two criteria: market share and the degree of attractiveness of the brand according to the respondents (consumers). Having said that, what brands appealed the most to consumers? Continue (2 vote(s), average: 3.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce Reading Tips of the Week
Is Artificial intelligence really taking off? [5 Reading Tips] Posted on 20. February 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 Quelle: Fotolia The buzzword Artificial Intelligence (AI) is passing from hype to reality and it is expected to become not only a game changer but also one of the main global economy growth drivers in the years to come. The different AI technologies already put in place by traditional companies as well as the increasing number of AI start-ups that successfully offer value added through these AI technologies, already give us a glimpse of AI’s full potential for consumers and also industries. Continue (1 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce Reading Tips of the Week
Getting inspiration from Slack and Otto, the start-ups in vogue [5 Reading Tips] Posted on 13. February 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 Quelle: Pexels.comLike every year, the most promising and successful businesses within the sector were honoured at the 10th Crunchies Awards, which are a kind of Oscars of Sillicon Valley. Therefore, it is always a good moment to turn round and pay attention to what is made in the cradle of technology in order to draw inspiration and keep up to date in a world where the next step is taken every day. So which start-ups should be kept watching? What is the basis for their success? Are there any alternatives on the market? Continue (2 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce
Premium coffee cups served by robots in seconds [5 Reading Tips] Posted on 6. February 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 Quelle: Cafe XIn times of ‘Star Wars’, the roles of C3PO and R2D2 already hinted that humans and robots were destined for perpetual close collaboration and understanding. Now the spread of the Internet, the continuous progress in advanced technology, and its applications in every aspect of human and business life make that fiction come true for consumers. Robots are starting to become visible to the public in unbelievable roles. Thus, the latest expression of this new ecosystem is called Gordon, who intends to revolutionise the way we order and consume coffee and, ultimately, to destroy Starbucks’ empire. Continue (2 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce Reading Tips of the Week
Updated white paper: »E-Commerce Potential in B2B – What can e-commerce and m-commerce do for your business?« Posted on 2. February 20172. February 2017byby Sara Herrera 0 The Internet has been made not only for B2C purposes. The expansion and growth of Amazon Business and Alibaba proved it. It was a matter of time that B2B companies also embraced the digitalisation of marketing and sales and influenced how sellers and buyers interact. According to a Forrester Research, 93 percent of B2B buyers prefer to buy online once they have decided what to buy. In this context of digital transformation, leading B2B companies now give high priority to e-commerce and m-commerce, and use the same weapons as their B2C counterparts to continue growing and offer value added. Continue (2 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)Loading... Categories E-Commerce
