The popularity of enterprise mobility can be easily recognized from the fact that about 71% of the organizations consider mobility as their number one priority. According to an estimate by Nasscom, the global market for enterprise mobility is approximately valued at $140 billion annually by the year 2020. It is not a surprise at all to see this encouraging adoption of enterprise mobility services by companies irrespective of scale or size, considering that it can save almost 240 hours per employee.

But, it is also important to note that this is an emerging technology with the space being extremely fluid. Every other day, new paradigm seems to be emerging. Check out these top five trends in enterprise mobility for 2017 to ensure that you are on the right track with your mobility integration programme.

1.     Artificial Intelligence features likely to go mainstream

You must be aware that AI or Artificial Intelligence technology is being widely used in the field of computing. This has led to a growing number of enterprise apps becoming “smart” now. Some of the examples are Cortana, Google Now and Siri. The launch of many smart apps like these enables the users to regulate the security, heating and lighting systems.

An increasing number of enterprises have started relying more on technology due to the fast adoption of Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, security concerns have risen as compared to earlier times. In case, there is a security failure, it can be a threat to the whole enterprise. So, it is the responsibility of an enterprise to assure complete security.

2.     Rapid application of cloud technology

Cloud services now have become extremely mature. These services are easily available and are both reliable and can be procured at affordable prices. The high probability of the big data has further increased the migration of these enterprise services to cloud,

Though the popularity of the cloud computing is beyond doubt, there is a big challenge in the form of security. Many enterprises are trying to control this concern by opting for on-premise mission critical applications or apps and hybrid solutions on the cloud.

3.     Bring-Your-Own-Devices has gone being more than just a trend

BYOD or Bring-Your-Own-Devices culture is very common these days in the corporate world. It offers benefits like high efficiency and tremendous productivity along with increased use of mobility. All these have made BYOD not just a trend but much more. It is graduating into becoming a usual norm in several enterprises. However, there are some challenges too. The devices brought by the executives are hardly equipped with the security features that are mandatory for being used inside the premises of an enterprise.

So, the IT team of an enterprise is under a lot of pressure to ensure the security of all those BYOD devices, which are being used inside the corporate network. MDM or mobile device management solutions are deployed to minimize the possible pain points, which can come in the way of productivity, as well as the work fluidity that gets executed on those devices.

4.     Increase of companion apps

Many organizations are literally struggling to develop certain enterprise apps that will be beneficial for their customers as well as for internal functions. Instead of generic apps that were a trend earlier, the focus now is more on companion apps. These are apps that intend to make a certain function or task easy instead of cloning all the features of a particular desktop app.

5.     Increase of Citizen Developers

Since the enterprise apps are highly in demand, they have led to the popularity and the rise of no-code, low-code and cross-platform development environments that provide user-friendly options like drag and drop and speed up the timeline of the app development to a great extent.

Even a few years ago, the very idea of simulated three-dimensional worlds that you viewed through those special goggles appeared to be unfamiliar. But, today things are no longer the same. Virtual Reality has gone mainstream and is increasingly adopted today to bring about a competitive edge and win over customers with tremendous audio-visual impact. For instance TechViz states that 171 million people globally could be using VR hardware and software by 2018. Another stat from Digi-Capital states that the 2020 VR revenue forecast stands at $120 billion.

Changing trends in Virtual Reality

So, how are things different from before? In fact, Hollywood has been using the concept of virtual reality for several decades now. The technology sector has been also creating prototypes every now and then. But, what makes things interesting is that consumers can now expect to find high-tech virtual reality gadgets getting closer to the consumer products. The applications based on VR are rapidly emerging in the market. Gaming based on VR does not exist in isolation but is interconnected with latest technologies and social behavior. The synergy between all these fields can change the way you will experience situations and your behavior.

It has also enabled the game developers to design new and interesting gaming experiences. The experiences include online casinos using VR technologies big time, which is extremely popular. Here are some of the ways Virtual Reality can change the gaming experience.

Synergy between collaborating gaming scenarios and social experiences

Virtual reality can create social experiences even while gaming. The person who uses the virtual reality headset can only view the various virtualized elements. This can be also regarded as a piece of the puzzle where the individual who can view the elements needs to communicate the same to the other team members. The job of the team then is to conclude what is the thing to do thereafter.

VR enables greater involvement among the players

Players are more involved when the gaming is based on VR, equipping them with a higher number of tools at their disposal as compared to the flat-screen gaming. While flat-screen gaming does have the capacity to make the players feel emotional to some extent, it does not match up to a VR gaming experience where the players feel as if everything is happening in reality. The players seem to feel that they are witnesses to the events and they are responsible for those scenes. Though earlier games had also done it to some extent, VR gives the players more tools in their hands.

Everything that is unthinkable of in reality is possible in VR 

Virtual reality can make the players feel as if they belong to a scene rather than simply demonstrating things. The simulation enables the players to see things from a different angle. They can witness the experiences of other people, which was something unheard of even some years back.

Thus, the VR technology can create an interesting world of vivid imagination while shattering the scope of traditional education and learning.

The growth of IoT is fueled by the fact that there are more than 6 billion IoT devices in use, and is successfully connecting humans and devices with every passing day. From automatic air purifiers and scheduling hospital beds based on the merit of physical condition, to finding misplaced objects, we have it all. These devices do not come easy; it requires machine learning which programs it to be what we get today.

The ‘things’

Qardio Arm a wireless blood pressure monitor which has left behind the regular monitor is an example how machine learning can bring about change in IoT. With the help of cloud, this machine can store the readings of the patient on cloud and be shared with the doctors digitally. Such products make IoT survive in the market due to its performance enhanced due to machine learning, not just this it opens up a market for the product and increases sale.

Another startup, Zenatix, manufactures and installs smart meters and sensors to reduce energy wastage through monitoring of the devices at every level, using its cloud technology.

Machine learning will keep you going

Just detecting impure air or Fitbit monitoring exercise patterns, isn’t enough. Consumers (especially B2B consumers) want to have deeper level of value from IoT.

This is exactly where machine learning comes in.

Machine learning which will include big data sets, larger algorithms, pattern recognition, image processing and data mining bring greater chances of improving the device.  Through machine learning algorithms and data, now devices can sense a person’s mood or behavior. This will help them to adjust to their requirements and hence provide ‘smart’ value as a part of its convenience and comfort offerings.

Google’s Nest is one such which has made ‘smart’ device indeed a smart one with its cutting edge technology and makes people’s home a smart home.

Race to top

There are many IoT companies but only a few have what it takes to survive this market. With Innovations being made every day the companies have to keep up and make their devices top notch and make improvements to stay in the running.

With this, there is the development of the device that makes the consumer happy not just to have a useful device but a powerful one.

Machine learning which makes the product powerful and has other benefits to the consumer such as cost reduction and not having to buy many smart devices to make one smart device work makes it stay in the IoT industry.

Everyone can be winners

IoT startups have a bright future with several companies who are looking to make investments which are lending their machine learning knowledge to make worthy and smart devices. Cisco Investments are infusing more than $150 million globally in IoT startups. This is a clear indicator that IoT devices from all over the world can get funding and the necessary hardware for making machine learning possible even if it is a small startup with limited capital.

Like they say, things should change with the change in times or be left behind, which is very appropriate in the world of IoT which can be overcome by machine learning.

How Icons can affect User Experience

A user-friendly interface is one that can help in effective communication and ensure that things are done in the right manner. The user interface of a website thus has a crucial role to play to increase its online traffic and repeat visits. The job of a web designer or a mobile app designer is to create the interface in such a way that the user finds it easy to complete his or her actions.

But what role does an icon play in this? App icons are just apt for interfaces since they are able to express the meanings without using words. The catch here is whether the icons can convey the core idea to its target audience or not. They should be designed carefully to bring out the objective of an action or a product. Icons provide other benefits too like improving aesthetic appeal and saving the real estate of your mobile screen or desktop. Moreover, a majority of the websites and apps use them since it is a pattern with which users are quite familiar.

What can impact the functionality of an icon? Though icons offer innumerable benefits when designed properly, there can be issues if the functionalities get hidden. This means the icons fail to communicate their usability due to design errors. The most important job of an icon is to support the online or mobile users on where they need to go next.

Check out some of the ways to select the best icons for your app or a website so that your users enjoy using them.

• Make sure that the icons help in enhanced navigation

The basic function of the icons is to help the visitors to enjoy a smooth navigation experience in your website. Choose icons with visuals, which the users are already familiar with and so feel comfortable using them.

Is it your dream to see more and more users download one of your apps on their mobile phones? Your icon can create all the distinction between the app getting overlooked or being immediately recognized.

• Simplicity is the key

Keep your icons simple. Avoid using too many images or colors into the icon for your mobile app. An icon is tiny and overcrowding it with too many concepts or colors can create chaos, which should be avoided by all means. Your main intention while designing the icon for a mobile app should be that its functionality should be instantly recognized.

• Your icons should have a unique symbol or shape

Your app will be competing directly with thousands of other apps when a user navigates through the App Store or scrolls through the home screens. So, you need to go for an icon that can be recognized immediately.

• Do not use words in them

Since the icon does not have much space in it, when you use long words, they become quite difficult to read, especially when it is pitted against so many other icons that look equally appealing. How about using the first alphabet of your brand instead? That will enhance the functionality of the icons for sure.

Keep these tips in mind while designing the icons for your mobile app so that the users can have an enjoyable experience.

In just the next 3 years we will see an unprecedented 90% of the cars fitted with some or the other form of connectivity platform. Combine this with the recent strides Google has taken to improve the performance of its driverless cars, and what we see is that IoT is moving up fast as a decisive influencer in the automotive industry.

What is the trend currently?

Automobile manufacturers have witnessed a growing opportunity in getting their cars connected on digital platforms. A Business Insider report states that there is an $8.1 trillion revenue opportunity in connected cars that will materialize between 2015 and 2020. Automobile manufacturers and policy makers have recognized that this opportunity extends far beyond the telematics and Wi-Fi systems on cars. Think smart sensors, edge computing, chargers, radars, lidars, and public transit surveillance.

What value will IoT provide to automobiles?

1. Enhance access – Imagine holding a hot cup of brew while your smartphone starts the car engine in the snowy season and lets it warm up? This is an actual use case applied by BMW with its ‘My BMW Remote App’. Even if your car comprises of technology not compatible with the modern day IoT, there is a solution to it. Services like SmartStart will ensure that your car stays connected with your smartphone. Your mobile device can also launch specific actions like start, lock, or locate your car with precise GPS coordinates

2. Enhance security – Today’s mobiles are equipped with best-in-class security and encryption solutions. This advanced degree of protection can also help keep your car secure when you are not near it. One example of enhanced security enabled by IoT is the use of NFC based car door locks. You can use the NFC feature of your smartphone to lock or unlock the car door by touching your phone with the door handle. Even when other family members or your friends will use the car, you simply need to provide access to their smartphones from your mobile device. You can check out TapKey to see a similar concept – using the app to convert the mobile phone to a car key for easy and secure access.

3. Enhanced hack protection – Solutions like Karamba Security make it easy for you to thwart unwanted hackers from entering your car’s system. Its electronic Control Unit (ECU) consists of a host of measures that integrate an enhanced level of protection by using your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB ports on the car. Even if someone tries to gain unauthorized access or install malware, an automated alert is sent to the car manufacturer.

Signing off

As is evident, the amount of value provided by IoT is substantially very high. This also makes IoT a major decisive factor in the strategies of automakers. And this explains the growing interest of this industry in embracing IoT and embracing it fast.

What other advantage can IoT provide to the auto industry? Do write in to us and let us know.

Chatbots and UX Design:

Delivering seamless customer experience is the top most KRA for many web and app developers. But are they really scoring well on this front? How can customers get 24 x 7 support in the face of personnel constraints? How can user engagement be lifted with timely, prompt, and accurate support, right when they need it?

Chatbots emerge as viable answers to address these critical questions.

How does a Chatbot Provide Value to Your Business?

• Offers personalized services
• Caters key consumer experiences, including Customer Service, Content Interaction, and Productivity
• Offers simple, seamless, and engaging platform to consumers
• Helps businesses to respond faster to consumers
• Assist you to distribute content with higher information dissemination rate
• Helps in delivering targeted content as per user’s feedback or past records
• Works as a source for lead generation
• In the future, the platform can be used to incorporate AI and machine learning for responding to customer inquiries

Here is how we feel Chatbots will re-define UX Designs

1. Defines the Problem Clearly

Chatbots are one of the most popular platforms that can help your define your marketing and branding strategies, before you actually invest anything into development. It helps you to identify a user problem that you have a solution for, and can help you analyze its capabilities for being a business opportunity.

2. Helps in Analyzing and Measuring Success

It is agreeable that many game-changing products have not delivered their expected results, just because the development team failed to identify the key performance indicators (KPIs). Since your bot has the capability to impact your business in a positive way, it can assist you to design certain metrics that can assist in showcasing success rates, when pre-defined goals are met.

3. Offers Better Understanding of Customers and their Preferences

The platform assists in segmenting information as per persona groups and develop user stories by deciding with whom the bot will interact, how it will behave, and what purpose it will serve. It not only helps you to understand your target users’ feelings, but also assist in customizing the application as per their requirements and preferences.

4. Helps in Deigning UX Conversational Flow

Unlike designing screens, the bot enables you to design a UX conversational flow that will answer queries as per bot’s intelligence. In the designing phase, developers will think of all the potential questions, answers, and logic paths that the bot will require communicating with humans in an efficient manner.

5. Ensures a Personalized Experience

Lastly, the most important factor is the bot’s personality, and it should link directly to your brand. Start with naming your bot, and work on its presentation styles, appearance, and other vital factors to deliver a personalized experience to your wide and trusted customer base.

Conclusion

Providing a fascinating experience to customers by the way of timely support helps in keeping them engaged with your brand. It can also assist in capturing important details to let your business improve and expand.

Undoubtedly, users would wish to access something that can answer their queries at the earliest and can assist them in better decision-making. If your bot can do that, then it can bring tremendous success to your current business activities and can enhance the chances of overall growth.

Gamification in the Healthcare Industry

If you are in the fitness industry you would surely need a helping hand with maintaining a high level of motivation and engagement. Have you thought about using technology for this? Have you considered using gamification to keep the participants engaged for success? If not then this blog will tell you how to achieve this.

We make a case to accomplish this KRA through ‘Pokemon Go,’ an AR game which revolutionizes fitness in a unique manner. If you are wondering how ‘Pokemon Go’ proves to be the next big thing in the fitness industry, here’s what you need to know!

Introducing Pokemon Go

While fitness freaks already know about this revolution, some of them might be unaware of the concept. Let’s introduce Pokemon Go for those who haven’t been exposed to this addictive game. As a collaborative venture of the Pokemon Group and Nintendo & Niantic Inc, Pokemon GO happens to be a captivating Smartphone app.

Pokemon GO is an application built in the gaming format. By leveraging some of the essential Smartphone features such as camera and GPS, Pokemon GO merges the fictional world of Pokemon Gyms and Pikachus.

Players can play in the real world with these virtual creatures known as Pokemon. The player should have physical proximity to these creatures, as that is what makes it visible on mobile screens. By overlaying the Pokemon’s image on a video, this particular game involves players in the real world and in real-time.

With such a unique and innovative approach, Pokemon GO is surely riding quite high in popularity. The app has garnered great attention and ranks at the top of Google Play Charts and iTunes. The manufacturers had to stop its roll out in the European market, simply because Pokemon GO servers are overloaded to a great extent.

These reports clearly indicate towards the unsurpassed popularity of this gaming application. On that note, it’s high time to find out what it does for the fitness industry.

What’s in there for fitness freaks?

Some of the remarkable spots in Pokemon Go known as ‘gyms’ are places where players engage in competitions. These places correspond to physical locations such as monuments, gardens, and fountains which require the player to come out in the open and play.

Most importantly, this particular game makes players walk around a lot. The physical movements of the player help them advance in the game. As a result, Pokemon GO has successfully pulled out players out of their couch!

Fitness benefits 

With the help of this spectacular gaming app, fitness walks have become easier than ever! You no longer need to drive, cycle, or run to stay in shape. Pokemon GO has an innovative speedometer which measures your moves and stops counting distance when the speed is above 5 to 10 mph.

Quite unlike its contemporaries, the app also warns you and keeps you aware of your surroundings. Players will come across a PokeStop if they are too close to platform edges.

Parting thoughts

With such distinctive and unique features, Pokemon GO is undoubtedly emerging as the latest revolution in the fitness industry.