Aftab Alam brings over two decades of experience in technology strategy and product development to Worksoft, where he will lead efforts to enhance the company’s product offerings and drive growth. His extensive background in managing and scaling enterprise software solutions is expected to play a critical role in shaping Worksoft’s future, particularly as the company continues to expand its capabilities in AI and automation.

A Transformative Leader

Alam’s appointment has been met with enthusiasm within Worksoft, with CEO Matt Schwartz praising his visionary leadership and ability to drive transformative change. “Aftab is a game-changer for us,” Schwartz remarked. “His proven ability to scale companies and innovate at the highest levels aligns seamlessly with our mission. His visionary approach, combined with practical execution, will push industry boundaries and deliver exceptional customer experiences.”

Before joining Worksoft, Alam held the role of Chief Product Officer at Arcserve, where he was instrumental in driving significant revenue growth through data-driven, Agile operations. His previous leadership roles at Microsoft, Simplivity, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and The New York Times further highlight his capacity to lead complex product development initiatives that meet evolving customer needs.

Elevating Customer Experience

Central to Alam’s vision at Worksoft is a commitment to customer-centric innovation. His approach focuses on transforming complex customer needs into tangible, impactful solutions. “Aftab’s talent for transforming complex customer needs into tangible solutions will be pivotal in driving groundbreaking automation capabilities,” said Linda Hayes, Senior Vice President of Enablement at Worksoft. “His innovative approach and industry insights are exactly what we need to deliver operational stability and accelerate time-to-value for our clients.”

Alam’s leadership is expected to bolster Worksoft’s ability to deliver unparalleled value to its customers by enhancing the company’s AI-driven, codeless automation platform. This platform, known for its ability to automatically discover, document, and test end-to-end business processes, is essential for organizations seeking to maintain business agility and resilience in complex enterprise application environments.

A New Chapter for Worksoft

Reflecting on his new role, Alam expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead. “I am thrilled to join Worksoft at such a crucial time,” he shared. “I look forward to collaborating with Matt Schwartz, Linda Hayes, and the talented team at Worksoft to advance our automation technologies and drive exceptional customer outcomes.”

As Worksoft continues to empower organizations to navigate constant change, Alam’s appointment marks a significant step forward in the company’s journey. His focus on AI and automation aligns with Worksoft’s mission to set new standards for operational excellence, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of innovation in enterprise software.

With Alam at the helm of product strategy, Worksoft is poised to lead the industry in delivering cutting-edge automation solutions that not only meet but exceed the expectations of its global customer base. This new chapter underlines the company’s dedication to driving growth through innovation and reinforces its position as a key player in the enterprise automation space.

The Margin Erosion Zone: A New Reality for Businesses

Fang Chang introduces the concept of the “margin erosion zone,” a term coined by Coupa’s CEO Leagh Turner, to describe the gradual but relentless pressure on profit margins that businesses face today. “Right now, companies need to find a way to drive growth within their businesses while facing a lot of external pressures,” Chang explained. “Inflation is stickier than we originally thought, and costs keep rising. There is political instability in many parts of the world. Supply chains are still impacted because of what happened during the peak years of the pandemic. And increasing ESG regulations around the world add ever more complexity to compliance.”

The margin erosion zone is not just another challenge; it’s a compounding threat that can have long-term effects on a company’s financial health if not addressed promptly. Chang highlights the dangers of complacency: “If companies can’t navigate these pressures as they move forward, they see a drag on their margins. And the longer it takes companies to respond, the more that drag on margins has a compounding effect.” This stark reality underscores the need for businesses to adopt new strategies that can help them steer clear of this erosion.

The Role of Benchmarks in Expanding Margins

One of the key strategies Chang advocates for escaping the margin erosion zone is the use of benchmarks. According to Chang, benchmarks provide a critical reference point that helps companies understand their performance relative to peers and identify areas for improvement. “Benchmarks play a significant role,” Chang noted. “As a business, you don’t really know how productive you are unless you can compare your business to its peers.”

Chang emphasizes that benchmarks are not just about measuring performance but are also instrumental in making strategic decisions. For instance, if a company is close to an industry benchmark, it might not make sense to allocate significant resources to improve that metric by a small margin. Instead, those resources could be better spent addressing a different area where the company lags behind. “Our benchmarks give you a reference point to see how you compare in the market,” he said, adding that this approach allows businesses to make informed decisions that drive growth and efficiency.

Real Data for Real Business Results: The Coupa Clarity Total Spend Management Benchmark Report

Coupa’s annual Total Spend Management Benchmark Report is a cornerstone of its strategy to help companies navigate the complexities of today’s business environment. What sets this report apart, according to Chang, is the quality and relevance of the data it provides. “Our Total Spend Management Benchmark Report is unique in a couple of ways. Number one, it’s the data—real data that our customers can use to drive real business results,” he explained.

The benchmarks in the report are based on more than $6 trillion of transactional data from over 3,000 customers worldwide. This massive dataset allows Coupa to offer highly specific insights across 22 operational KPIs within the source-to-pay process. “The benchmarks for the KPIs are based on more than $6 trillion of real transactional data generated by more than 3,000 customers around the world doing business with millions of buyers and suppliers,” Chang noted, emphasizing the report’s unparalleled scope and precision.

Leveraging the Power of Community and Transformation

For businesses new to Coupa or those unfamiliar with the benchmark report, Chang offers practical advice on how to maximize its value. First, he urges leaders to establish clear KPIs that align with their organizational goals before diving into the report. “What are our goals as an organization? Have we actually established KPIs that we can measure and track consistently?” Chang asked, stressing the importance of a solid foundation in performance measurement.

Chang also encourages companies to approach the benchmark report with a transformation mindset. Instead of simply lifting and shifting existing processes onto Coupa’s platform, businesses should use the insights from the report to rethink how work gets done. “These projects are about rethinking what work gets done by people and what gets replaced by technology to fuel growth,” he said, highlighting the transformative potential of Coupa’s platform.

Finally, Chang highlights the value of Coupa’s global community, which he describes as a unique resource for customers. “On the surface, our report is to provide you with accurate benchmarks. But what I want to emphasize is the global community behind the numbers—real companies generating more than $6 trillion in transactional spend,” Chang said. He encourages customers to engage with this community, sharing stories and insights that can lead to new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Navigating the Future with Confidence

As businesses continue to navigate the challenges of today’s macroeconomic environment, the insights provided by benchmarks like those in Coupa’s Total Spend Management Benchmark Report are more valuable than ever. With leaders like Fang Chang at the helm, Coupa is not only helping companies avoid the pitfalls of the margin erosion zone but also empowering them to expand their margins and thrive in an increasingly complex world.

“At the end of the day, it’s about driving real business results,” Chang concluded. “With the right data, the right benchmarks, and the right community, companies can navigate these challenges with confidence and achieve sustainable growth.” As the business landscape continues to evolve, Coupa’s approach to benchmarks and margin expansion offers a roadmap for success in even the most challenging environments.

AI as a Transformative Force

Yelp has been investing in AI for over a decade, but recent advancements in generative AI and large language models (LLMs) have enabled the company to leverage its vast repository of user-generated content in unprecedented ways. “The real differentiator of Yelp is the hundreds of millions of reviews that we have,” Saldanha explained. “LLMs essentially allow us to parse all of that data in a way and at a speed that we’ve never had before. It allows us to present information to consumers in a way that feels both precise and personal.”

Saldanha described how Yelp’s AI capabilities have evolved to provide more tailored search results. For instance, users can now search for highly specific items, such as a particular spice, and Yelp’s AI will not only recognize the item but also highlight reviews that mention it, offering a personalized and relevant experience. “In the past, say, if you were looking for tacos, we would show you restaurants that had tacos. Now, we are able to look at every photo that consumers have submitted for every single restaurant, pull out tacos from those specific restaurants, and show them right in search,” he noted.

Preserving Authenticity in an AI-Driven World

While AI plays an increasingly prominent role in Yelp’s platform, Saldanha emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining the authenticity of its user reviews. “We recognize that users come to Yelp to connect with either other users or pros, and they come because of the authenticity of our content, because they know it’s from actual human beings. We’ll never take that away,” he stated.

One of the key challenges in integrating AI with user-generated content is ensuring that the use of AI does not dilute the genuine nature of the reviews. Saldanha made it clear that using generative AI to write reviews is a violation of Yelp’s policies, and the company has invested in sophisticated solutions to validate the authenticity of reviews. “It’s a constant game of keeping ahead of what bad actors might use; we will continue to draw a hard line,” he asserted.

Yelp is also using AI to enhance the quality and quantity of reviews by providing users with prompts and suggestions as they write. This helps reviewers recall specific details that made their experience special, leading to more comprehensive and helpful reviews. “We’re taking you to the reviewer and to the review. We’re making it easier for you to find the exact user who had the same experience,” Saldanha said, highlighting how AI can actually motivate users to contribute more meaningful content.

Competing in a Shifting Landscape

As AI continues to reshape Yelp’s platform, the broader landscape of local discovery is also evolving. Platforms like TikTok have become popular avenues for finding restaurants and services, often driven by influencer recommendations. Despite this shift, Saldanha believes Yelp’s unique value proposition remains strong. “At Yelp, you get the wisdom of the crowd, you get a collective sense of what a restaurant is, and you’re able to very quickly combine different points of view and choose which one is closest to your own,” he explained.

Saldanha also pointed out that Yelp’s breadth of coverage across diverse categories—from restaurants to plumbers to lawyers—sets it apart from influencer-driven platforms. Moreover, Yelp’s balanced distribution of reviews across one to five stars offers a more nuanced view than the often polarized opinions found on social media. “If you really want that balanced view, as opposed to the polarizing one star or five stars, that’s where Yelp can make a difference,” he said.

The Future of Yelp and AI

As Yelp continues to integrate AI into its platform, Saldanha envisions a future where AI not only enhances user interactions but also helps businesses optimize their operations. He discussed the potential of AI to provide more accurate and personalized matches between consumers and service providers, as well as tools like smart budgets that help businesses navigate the complexities of digital marketing.

On the consumer side, Saldanha is excited about the possibilities of creating a more immersive and authentic experience. “We have pictures, we have video, and we have descriptions, and we’re using AI to stitch all of those together and give you that whole 360 experience of what it’s like to actually be there,” he shared.

As Yelp navigates the challenges and opportunities of AI integration, the company remains committed to its core mission: connecting consumers with great local businesses. “AI is getting good enough that you can just show me a picture or take a video [and we can match you with the right pro or business],” Saldanha said. While the path ahead is complex, Yelp’s focus on authenticity, user engagement, and technological innovation positions it to continue leading in the evolving landscape of local discovery.

The Crucial Role of Investment Strategies in Startups 

For startups, investment strategies are not just about securing funds; they’re about building a foundation for sustainable growth. These strategies encompass equity and debt financing, venture capital engagement, and effective cash flow management. The challenge for many startups lies in their limited resources and expertise in navigating a complex financial landscape. 

Enter the fractional CFO, a seasoned financial expert who offers their services on a part-time or need-based arrangement. Their role in shaping and guiding a startup’s investment strategy is multifaceted and can be the difference between thriving growth and stagnation. 

Strategic Financial Planning and Market Analysis 

Fractional CFOs bring a wealth of experience in financial planning and market analysis. They assist startups in understanding their market position, identifying potential investment opportunities, and evaluating risks. This strategic planning is vital for startups to make informed decisions about where and how to invest their resources. 

By conducting thorough market analysis, fractional CFOs help startups understand the competitive landscape, customer trends, and economic conditions. This insight is crucial in developing investment strategies that are aligned with the startup’s long-term goals and market realities. 

Navigating Funding and Capital Raising

One of the most critical roles of a fractional CFO is guiding startups through the complexities of funding and capital raising. They play a key role in preparing investment packages, including pitch decks and financial models, which are essential for attracting investors. Their experience in dealing with venture capitalists, angel investors, and other funding sources is invaluable in negotiating favorable terms and securing the necessary capital for growth. 

Furthermore, fractional CFOs can help startups explore various funding avenues, balancing equity and debt financing to maintain optimal capital structure and shareholder value. This balanced approach is crucial for startups to avoid over-dilution of equity and maintain financial flexibility. 

Financial Oversight and Cash Flow Management 

Effective cash flow management is the lifeline of any startup. Fractional CFOs provide rigorous financial oversight, ensuring that investments are strategically aligned with business objectives. They implement robust financial controls and monitoring systems, enabling startups to track their investments’ performance and make timely adjustments. 

In addition, fractional CFOs assist in budgeting and forecasting, crucial for anticipating future cash needs and managing financial risks. This proactive approach to cash flow management helps startups maintain liquidity and avoid common pitfalls like cash crunches. 

Potential Impact of Fractional CFOs in Investment Strategy 

Consider a tech startup looking to expand its market reach. The fractional CFO could develop a strategic investment plan focusing on targeted marketing and product development. By securing venture capital funding and managing investments prudently, the startup could successfully expand its customer base and increase its market share. 

Another possible example could be a health tech startup navigating regulatory challenges. The fractional CFO could provide expert guidance on compliance-related investments, ensuring the startup’s products meet industry standards. This strategic investment would not only mitigate regulatory risks but would also position the startup as a credible player in the health tech space. 

Delivering Enterprise-Level Results to Startups 

The synergy between investment strategies and fractional CFOs offers a powerful combination for startup success. By leveraging the expertise of fractional CFOs in financial planning, funding navigation, and cash flow management, startups can develop and execute investment strategies that foster growth, resilience, and long-term viability. In an increasingly competitive and complex business environment, this synergy is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity for startups aiming to make their mark and achieve sustainable success.

Almost any company can take advantage of it. For example, by integrating user-generated content into a learning management system, an LMS development company brings a huge benefit to the corporate training experience, engaging the employees and facilitating cooperation. It turns the education process into a collaborative experience rather than a lonely journey.

In this article, we would like to explore how brands can leverage user-generated content to foster brand advocacy and strengthen their relationship with their target audience.

Keep reading to learn more!

The Rise of User-Generated Content

With the prevalence of social media platforms and the democratization of content creation, user-generated content has experienced a tremendous surge. Consumers are now actively participating in the content creation process, sharing their experiences and opinions about companies and their products. This rise of UGC has been fueled by many factors, including the trust and authenticity associated with content created by real customers.

Let us showcase the benefits that user-generated content can bring to your company if you use it wisely.

Building Trust and Authenticity

Traditional advertising has become less effective in gaining consumers’ trust. People are increasingly skeptical of brand messaging and seek more authentic experiences. User-generated content provides an opportunity for companies to tap into the credibility and relatability of real customers. When users create and share content about a brand, it carries a level of trust and authenticity that traditional advertising simply cannot replicate.

Engaging and Empowering Brand Advocates

Within every customer base, there are brand advocates who are passionate about a particular brand or product. They can become powerful allies in generating user-generated content. Brands can identify and nurture these advocates, providing incentives and rewards for creating and sharing UGC. By engaging with them and fostering a sense of community, companies can empower their most loyal customers to become ambassadors for their brands.

Showcasing Customer Experiences

User-generated content allows brands to showcase real-life customer experiences. Whether it’s through photos, videos, or written testimonials, UGC provides a platform for customers to share their stories. By leveraging it, companies can demonstrate the benefits and features of their products in a more authentic and relatable manner. This helps potential customers envision themselves using the product and fosters trust in the brand.

Amplifying Reach and Brand Awareness

One of the key advantages of user-generated content is its potential for reach and virality. UGC is highly shareable, and when customers create and share content about a brand, it extends the brand’s reach to their social networks. Brands can harness the power of UGC by creating user-generated campaigns, encouraging the use of specific hashtags, and collaborating with influencers and ambassadors. These strategies help increase brand visibility, reach new audiences, and enhance awareness.

Enhancing Customer Engagement

User-generated content encourages active participation and interaction from customers. Companies can leverage UGC by organizing contests, challenges, and campaigns that prompt customers to create and share their content. This not only increases engagement but also fosters a sense of community and strengthens the bond between the brand and its customers. By responding to and acknowledging UGC, companies demonstrate their appreciation and build long-lasting relationships with their clients.

UGC as Social Proof

User-generated content serves as social proof for a brand’s products and services. When potential customers see real people sharing their positive experiences with a brand, it validates the brand’s credibility and fosters trust. Brands can incorporate UGC into their product pages, marketing materials, and social media platforms to provide social proof and reinforce their value proposition.

Managing and Moderating User-Generated Content

While user-generated content offers numerous benefits, it is important for companies to establish guidelines and policies to maintain quality and brand alignment. More specifically, they should monitor and moderate UGC to ensure it aligns with their values and resonates with their target audience. Additionally, brands need to be prepared to respond to negative or inappropriate UGC effectively, addressing concerns and maintaining a positive image.

Measuring Success and ROI

To evaluate the effectiveness of UGC campaigns, brands should define key performance indicators (KPIs) and track relevant metrics. Engagement metrics, reach, sentiment analysis, and conversion rates are some of the indicators that can help measure the success of UGC efforts. By analyzing the data and feedback, companies are able to make informed decisions, iterate their UGC strategies, and optimize their impact.

Best Practices for UGC Campaigns

To maximize the potential of user-generated content, we recommend following these best practices:

• Set clear objectives and identify the target audience for UGC campaigns.
• Provide clear guidelines and instructions for UGC creation.
• Regularly evaluate and iterate UGC strategies based on data and feedback.

Wrapping Up

User-generated content has revolutionized brand advocacy, offering companies an authentic and influential way to engage with their customers. By leveraging the power of UGC, brands can build trust, amplify their reach, enhance customer engagement, and create social proof. 

However, effective management and moderation of UGC are essential to maintaining quality and brand alignment. With careful planning, measurement of success, and adherence to best practices, brands can harness the power of user-generated content to foster brand advocacy and create meaningful connections with their target audience.

Dave Gerhardt, VP of Marketing at Drift, was recently interviewed on the B2B Growth podcast by John Rougeux who is VP of Marketing at Skyfii. Gerhardt discusses conversational marketing as a new B2B product category and how it is changing marketing from reaching out to you later to a conversation that is happening now:

Conversational Marketing is About Connecting You Now

Conversational marketing is a whole new way of thinking about marketing and sales. The traditional way of doing marketing and sales is all about later. Come to my website and fill out this form and somebody is going to reach out to you later, when it’s convenient for them. The big shift that is happening in marketing and business over the last five to ten years is customers have all the power today. You can’t make people wait. Information is free now.

I can find anything I want to know about a company without ever having to go to your website. It’s crazy to think that you are going to force people to go to your website, fill out a form, wait three days to hear back from your sales team, and then get a demo. Conversational is all about connecting you now with the people who are ready to buy now while they are live on your website.

B2P – Marketing to People

It’s not about buyers. It’s not about sellers. It’s not about sales. It’s not about marketing. It’s about people. That’s how people all communicate online today. I pressed one button in my car and I got a list. I ordered something from Amazon while I was here this morning to send back to my house and it’s going to be there tomorrow when I get home. There are countless examples of that. That is how we all behave online in our real lives today.

But then something happens weird happens. We go to our jobs in B2B and none of the tools that we use match how we actually buy as real people. That’s the most exciting thing to me about conversational marketing. It’s really closing the gap between B2C and B2B. We just call it B2P, marketing to people.

What Ties Our Products Together is Conversation

We have an email product and we have a landing page product. Black and white versions of those people would say everybody has email, everybody has landing pages. The thing that ties those together is conversation. That forces us to think about what is conversational email? What is conversational landing pages? What is conversational whatever? That one word forces our product team to think about how can we change this? If our fundamental stance as a company is that the internet should be one conversation, then how does that weave into everything that we build?

Ultimately what we care about is that email becomes a conversation. Meaning, the way that marketers have had to use email the last decade is a one-way channel. Email is meant to be a two-way channel. Marketers have been using it as, “John come to my webinar.” What happens if you actually respond to that email? Most of the time you can’t because it’s donotreply@ or it just goes to some inbox where nobody is answering it. That is a terrible experience. Our belief is that if you reply, “Hey actually I can’t make it. Can you reregister my colleague?” That should get handled. We are thinking of that from an evolution standpoint.

The same thing with landing pages. Most landing pages today are static. You go to the landing page, put a bunch of info in and you are gone. What if that was a real-time conversation on the page? That one topic has to weave itself into everything we do from a product perspective.

>> Listen to the complete interview with Drift Marketing VP Dave Gerhardt on the B2B Growth podcast.

With eCommerce growth continuing at an exponential rate, supply chain visibility has become increasingly important for companies looking to remain competitive in today’s digital marketplace. Not only do businesses need to meet customer demands for fast delivery times, but they also need to manage costs, minimize losses, and ensure security. 

Be that as it may, only 65% of companies are able to report full visibility across their supply chains, and 43% of small businesses are not tracking inventory levels at all. With economic uncertainty on the horizon and customer expectations at an all-time high, now is the time to invest in supply chain visibility so you don’t find yourself falling behind while your competition sails away with their loyal customers.

Benefits of Supply Chain Visibility for Ecommerce Businesses

There are a multitude of benefits to be realized through the implementation of supply chain visibility in eCommerce. These include:

Improved customer satisfaction and loyalty

The more visibility you have into your own supply chain, the better equipped you are to anticipate customer needs and deliver products in a timely manner. With improved visibility, eCommerce businesses can increase customer satisfaction by reducing their response times, improving delivery accuracy, and providing customers with real-time updates about the status of their orders. This helps foster greater loyalty from customers, which in turn increases the likelihood of repeat business.

Reduced costs associated with inventory management

“Knowing inventory costs is extremely important because they affect the majority of decisions one makes as a retailer,” explains Abir Syed, co-founder of UpCounting, an eCommerce accounting firm.

Unsurprisingly, inventory management is the single largest expense for eCommerce businesses. For every dollar a US retailer generates through revenue, they have $1.35 tied up in inventory. As such, being able to accurately track and monitor inventory levels is essential for minimizing losses and maximizing efficiency.

By leveraging supply chain visibility technology, businesses can reduce the amount of inventory they need to keep in stock and their associated costs. This can be achieved through better forecasting and planning, more precise order fulfillment processes, and improved inventory accuracy.

Increased efficiency and speed of delivery

Knowing where products are throughout their journey allows businesses to better plan and adjust for delays, ensuring customers get their items as quickly as possible. Supply chain visibility also facilitates increased collaboration between all parties involved in the delivery process, allowing for a transparent and overall more efficient supply chain.

Enhanced flexibility and scalability in supply chains

As the demands of customers and markets shift, businesses need to be able to quickly adjust their supply chains accordingly. With supply chain visibility, businesses can quickly adapt to changing conditions, such as unexpected spikes in demand or supply disruptions. This increased flexibility and scalability of the supply chain is essential for businesses to remain competitive and responsive. This scalability also benefits businesses as they grow and expand into new markets. 

Increased control over returns management 

Returns are an unavoidable part of eCommerce and managing them can be difficult. Supply chain visibility gives businesses the ability to track a returned item as it moves through the supply chain and make adjustments to minimize losses. This includes tracking returned items on their journey back to the supplier, identifying potential issues and quickly resolving any discrepancies.

Challenges of Implementing Supply Chain Visibility

While the benefits of supply chain visibility are clear, there are still some challenges associated with its implementation. These include:

Establishing and maintaining relationships with suppliers

Before any supply chain visibility technology can be deployed, businesses need to build relationships with their suppliers. This requires open communication and collaboration between all parties involved, as well as a certain level of trust.

“When it comes to choosing partners, it’s wise to do some research to ensure the best deal possible while emphasizing transparency and flexibility. This is invaluable during times of frequent supply chain disruption,” explains Roei Yellin, Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer of 8fig, a planning and funding platform for eCommerce companies. 

“Sellers shouldn’t be afraid to negotiate for a better deal and they should make sure that communication is open and honest. This is true of suppliers, 3PLs (third-party logistics providers) and any other partners brought in to help manage the supply chain,” concludes Yellin.

Complexity of the supply chain and data formats

Securing buy-in from all parties and managing the data exchange between different organizations is challenging. Not only do various supply chain participants have differing needs and processes, they also use different systems. Unifying these systems and ensuring harmonious data exchange can be difficult.

To overcome this, businesses need to create a single source of truth that all supply chain participants can work from. This means creating common protocols and standards that all parties are comfortable with and can adhere to, and potentially leveraging a third-party solution to manage the data exchange.

Costs associated with technology and infrastructure

The technology and infrastructure required for supply chain visibility can be costly. Businesses need to invest in the right hardware, software, and people to ensure that the system is secure and effective.

Fortunately, there are solutions to this issue. RFID and code-based tracking solutions, in particular, are relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. Companies such as Scurri allow you to easily create a single bar code for all carriers, as well as a reporting dashboard that gives you full control over your operations with actionable insights. 

Cybersecurity concerns

Data is the lifeblood of supply chain visibility and ensuring its security is paramount. However, supply chains are coming under increasing attack from hackers and malicious actors, making them vulnerable to data theft and manipulation.

In fact, 97% of organizations say they have experienced the negative consequences of a supply chain cyber breach within their operations, demonstrating just how prevalent these attacks have become.

As such, businesses need to ensure that they have the appropriate protocols in place to protect their data from cyber-attacks. This includes using secure networks and encryption, as well as regularly auditing system access and usage. Multichannel cyber security solutions, such as VMware, can also be of great help in mitigating cyber risks.

Conclusion

Supply chain visibility is becoming increasingly important in today’s volatile and highly competitive marketplace. However, if businesses are to reap the full benefits of a visible supply chain, they must first overcome the various challenges associated with implementation.

Ultimately, with careful planning, a comprehensive approach to risk management, and the right technology in place, businesses can ensure that their supply chain visibility efforts are successful and that they remain agile and competitive in the long run. 

In this blog post, we will discuss how ChatGPT can transform your content writing process, making it more efficient, effective, and enjoyable.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence language model designed by OpenAI. It is based on the GPT-3.5 and GPT4 architecture and has been trained on vast amounts of diverse data from the internet. The model can generate human-like text, answering questions, providing explanations, and assisting with various language-based tasks. It is an incredible tool that has revolutionized the way content is created and consumed.

Key Features and Advantages

Natural Language Processing

ChatGPT can understand and generate text in a way that feels natural to humans. It comprehends context, grammar, and syntax, allowing it to produce coherent and contextually appropriate responses.

Versatility and Adaptability

The beauty of ChatGPT lies in its versatility. It can be used for a wide range of applications, from content generation and editing to customer support and coding assistance. Additionally, developers can fine-tune the model for specific tasks, making it highly adaptable.

Speed and Efficiency

Creating content manually can be time-consuming, but with ChatGPT, you can generate high-quality content at a rapid pace. This acceleration in content production can significantly boost your overall productivity.

4. SEO Optimization

ChatGPT’s ability to understand SEO principles enables it to generate content that is well-optimized for search engines. It can help you incorporate relevant keywords, meta tags, and other SEO elements seamlessly into your content.

How ChatGPT Can Transform Your Content Writing Process

1. Idea Generation and Brainstorming

ChatGPT is an excellent companion for idea generation and brainstorming sessions. Whether you’re stuck for blog topics or need fresh angles for your articles, ChatGPT can provide you with a multitude of creative ideas to explore.

ChatGPT’s “prompting” feature allows you to input a topic or a brief description, and it will respond with various potential angles to approach the subject. This capability saves you time and effort in generating innovative ideas.

2. Drafting and Outlining

a. Creating Structured Outlines

With ChatGPT’s assistance, you can outline your articles effectively, ensuring a logical flow and coherent structure. The tool can suggest headings and subheadings, making it easier to organize your thoughts.

The “outline” feature in ChatGPT allows you to input your main points or headings, and it will generate a detailed outline with subpoints and supporting information. This feature acts as a solid foundation to build upon when creating your content.

b. Generating Initial Drafts

ChatGPT can help you create initial drafts for your content. While it may not replace the need for thorough editing, it provides a solid foundation on which you can build and refine your work.

By inputting the main ideas and key information, ChatGPT can generate paragraphs that expand on each point, forming a coherent draft for your content. This saves time and helps you focus on polishing the content.

3. Improving Language and Style

ChatGPT’s vast knowledge of language and grammar allows it to offer suggestions for improving the overall language and style of your writing. It can help you avoid repetition, refine sentence structures, and enhance the clarity of your message.

With the “language refinement” feature, ChatGPT can suggest alternative words, sentence rephrasing, and grammar corrections. This ensures that your content is written in a clear, engaging, and error-free manner.

4. SEO-Friendly Content

ChatGPT can assist in ensuring that your content adheres to SEO best practices. From suggesting relevant keywords to optimizing meta descriptions, it helps you craft content that is more likely to rank higher on search engine results pages.

The “SEO optimization” feature in ChatGPT analyzes your content and provides insights on incorporating keywords and other SEO elements strategically. This increases the visibility of your content and attracts more organic traffic.

5. Content Expansion and Elaboration

When you need to add more substance to your content, ChatGPT can provide additional information and context to elaborate on your ideas further. This results in comprehensive and insightful articles that captivate your readers.

By using the “expansion” feature, you can prompt ChatGPT to add more depth to your content. It provides supporting facts, examples, and relevant information to enrich your writing. 

Ethical Use of ChatGPT in Content Writing

As AI language models are widespread, it is necessary to use them ethically. Content writers should avoid generating misleading or harmful content using ChatGPT or other AI tools. They also need to ensure that the final output aligns with their values and principles delivering great value to the readers. One should proofread the content for facts and figures to make sure everything written in the content is up to date and authentic as well.  Read some common mistakes to avoid in content writing you must avoid to stand out.

The Future of ChatGPT and Content Creation

ChatGPT is a significant step forward in AI-driven content creation, and its potential for further advancements is enormous. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect more advanced versions of ChatGPT that will redefine the content writing industry. Developers are creating more plugins and tools that can be integrated into ChatGPT and other AI tools to write better quality content without spending lots of time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a transformative tool that has the potential to revolutionize your content writing process. With its powerful natural language processing capabilities, versatility, and adaptability, ChatGPT becomes an invaluable assistant for content creators.

By using ChatGPT, you can effortlessly generate creative ideas and brainstorming angles, saving time and energy in the content ideation phase. Its ability to create structured outlines and initial drafts provides a solid foundation for your articles, helping you organize your thoughts and streamline the writing process.

Furthermore, ChatGPT’s language refinement feature enhances the overall quality of your writing, ensuring that your content is clear, engaging, and free of errors. The tool’s SEO optimization capabilities assist you in crafting content that is well-optimized for search engines, leading to increased visibility and organic traffic.

Harley Finkelstein, COO of Shopify, discusses how COVID has dramatically sped up the timeline for commerce moving online and has also moved Shopify closer to its goal of becoming the world’s first retail operating system:

Shopify Evolving Into World’s First Retail Operating System

Most people assume that Shopify is an ecommerce provider. We have more than a million stores on Shopify. If you were to aggregate our stores in the US we’d be the second-largest online retailer in America. Of course, we’re not a retailer but we’re a platform. But we now have these great economies of scale that we’re using to level the playing field for entrepreneurs and small businesses. That being said, what really Shopify is evolving into is the world’s first retail operating system. 

What we’re trying to figure out is what do brands and entrepreneurs and retailers need, not just now but in the future? We think the future of retail is retail everywhere. A brand that’s going to be successful in 5, 10 or 15 years from now needs to sell across any platform and across any channel where they have customers. This idea of enabling Shopify merchants to very easily push their products to the Amazon Marketplace or the eBay marketplace or now the Walmart marketplace, that gives them access to a new set of consumers. The idea is that it all feeds back in one centralized back-office, the retail operating system, which is Shopify. 

Then we’ve gone ahead and asked what else can we do for these merchants? Can we do capital? We’ve now given out about a billion dollars worth of cash advances and loans to small businesses. We’re doing fulfillment and we’re doing shipping. We’re increasing the scope and the relationship that we have with the million stores on Shopify. This is allowing them to become category leaders.

COVID Speeds Up The Ecommerce Revolution

From our view, it seems like the commerce world that would have existed in the year 2030 has really been pulled into the year 2020 (as a result of the COVID crisis). We’ve seen ecommerce as a percent of total retail go from 15 percent to 25 percent in the last three months. That’s the same growth rate that we’ve seen over the last 10 years. What really has emerged here is sort of this tale of two retail worlds. On one side you have these resilient retailers that are doing great, they’re pivoting, and they’re expanding their businesses. On the other side, you have these resistant retailers who have not made it. In many ways, it’s probably the most exciting time for retail in a very long time. 

We talk a lot about these direct to consumer brands that are becoming category leaders. The Allbirds and the Gymsharks who started on Shopify when they were very small and have grown to become the incumbents in their industry. Every 25 seconds a brand new entrepreneur makes his or her (products) for sale on Shopify. We talk a lot about those new startups, those new DTC brands. But actually, what we’re also seeing on Shopify are companies like Lindt Chocolate or Heinz ketchup or Chipotle. They are signing up for Shopify and basically from like five days from contract to launch they are completely changing their businesses. 

This resiliency isn’t simply in the hands of just the smallest of brands. Big companies are also beginning to think a lot more about how to stay resilient in this time. They’re moving well beyond ecommerce or thinking about offline commerce now. They’re thinking about how do they sell across social media? How do they sell across different marketplaces? So no, I don’t think it’s too late (to enter ecommerce) but I do think they have to rethink their strategies.

Software development, like most tech sectors, is rapidly evolving. To help keep up with the growing pace of innovation, here are seven key trends business owners and tech leaders must know.

1. AI-Assisted Programming

Generative AI — made famous by tools like ChatGPT — was undoubtedly the defining technology of the past year. It’ll also be one of the most significant in the years to come.

While generative AI’s natural language and image-producing capabilities often take the spotlight, its coding ability is more practical in software development. As these tools improve, more devs will likely use them to automate repetitive programming tasks like writing basic scripts or checking code.

AI-assisted programming can free hours in devs’ schedules and reduce errors for more polished final products. As tech talent gaps grow more severe, businesses can’t afford to overlook that potential. Tech teams should consider how they can integrate generative AI into their workflows — and, more importantly, learn to check its results to use it effectively and ethically.

2. Growing Cybersecurity Concerns

The growing need for better cybersecurity is an older but still relevant software trend. While businesses have become more aware of cybersecurity concerns, cybercrime hasn’t gone away, so improved protections are imperative.

Dev teams must embrace security early in the design phase instead of applying it as an afterthought. Cybercriminals are also starting to leverage AI, so businesses must respond with AI-guided protections and testing against these more sophisticated attacks.

Security throughout the software supply chain is also coming into focus. With third-party breaches rising and merger activity tripling in some industries, addressing partner vulnerabilities is more important than ever. Businesses must perform thorough due diligence and limit other parties’ access privileges across the software supply chain.

3. Low-Code and No-Code Development

Today, virtually every company is a tech business to some extent. This shift has created skyrocketing demand for tech talent across all sectors, leaving many organizations with IT worker shortages. In response, the industry is leaning toward low-code and no-code development processes.

Plug-and-play development interfaces — especially for websites and mobile apps — have become increasingly common. Capitalizing on these tools is essential in remaining productive despite a competitive programming labor landscape.

Businesses with plenty of coding talent have a unique opportunity amid this trend. If these teams can develop low-code and no-code technologies for other organizations, they could profit heavily from this growing market.

4. DevSecOps

Another key software trend is a shift toward DevSecOps development cycles. This practice builds on the rapid, highly collaborative DevOps philosophy by adding security teams into the mix from the first stages.

DevSecOps addresses two significant concerns in modern software. First, it enables continuous improvement and higher functionality by emphasizing teamwork and ongoing reviews to create the best product possible quickly. Secondly, it ensures security by design by involving cybersecurity experts throughout the entire dev process.

Because DevSecOps is so rapid and intensive, learning to use it will require adjustment. Teams must experiment with it now to become confident in the practice for future projects. Failing to implement DevSecOps in the coming years will give more agile competitors an advantage.

5. Microservices Architecture

In the pursuit of more functional apps, software development is also trending toward microservices architecture. Conventional, monolithic architecture groups all features in a single service, but microservices break them into smaller, independently running modules.

The primary advantage of this new method is that you can change one feature without affecting the entire program. That segmentation leads to fewer errors and faster update timelines. It also improves scalability and flexibility, which is increasingly crucial as software trends shift more frequently.

Like with DevSecOps, switching to microservices architecture will entail initial disruption. This method may increase organizational complexity, so dev teams must learn to distribute specialized duties while communicating closely. Off-the-shelf containerization tools can also help.

6. Emphasis on UX

As the public uses more digital apps and websites, their expectations about these services are rising. Consequently, user experience (UX) is an increasingly central pursuit for software development teams.

A dedicated app or website is no longer enough to stand out as a business. These services must be highly functional and convenient, or they risk turning users away. Increasing loading times from just one to five seconds increases bounce rates by 90%, so everything must be as responsive as possible.

Good UX starts with optimizing apps and websites to run quickly, even on minimal hardware — and especially on mobile. Apart from these technical considerations, devs must pay close attention to user trends to see what kinds of formats and features they prefer. Ongoing feedback and adjustments are necessary to keep UX optimal amid changing demands.

7. Sustainable Software

Sustainability is a growing trend in many industries, and software is no exception. As the world relies more heavily on software, data centers’ energy consumption has come into the spotlight. Power-hungry innovations like AI and blockchain will make balancing performance and sustainability more challenging yet important.

If dev teams can create more sustainable digital solutions, they’ll stand out from the energy-intensive crowd. As that trend grows, those who don’t adapt may stand apart for the wrong reasons.

Sustainable software relies heavily on designing resource-efficient architectures. The less power an app needs to deliver the same performance, the better. Using renewable-powered data centers to support these services is also important.

Capitalize on These Software Trends to Stay Ahead

Today’s software trends will define the technology of tomorrow. Businesses must stay on top of these developments to adapt to shifting markets. That adaptation will mean some disruption in the near term, but if organizations can tackle it sooner rather than later, they can get ahead of the curve and ensure long-term success.

Farfetch plans to use their IPO windfall to dramatically improve their technology which they see as the best way to improve the consumer experience.

Farfetch Founder and CEO José Manuel Ferreira Neves recently discussed Farfetch and the online luxury brand industry on Bloomberg:

Online Luxury is Growing 25 Percent a Year

It’s a very unique opportunity. You have this amazing global industry. It’s $300 billion, the personal luxury goods industry and only 9 percent is online. There are two opportunities here really. One is the growth of online luxury which is going to grow to 25 percent a year for the next seven years. This is a $100 billion opportunity shift in online luxury.

The big question is how is technology going to help brands and retailers really improve the consumer experience in the physical store. This is something at Farfetch that we are very passionate about.

China is an Incredible Opportunity for Online Luxury

China is a very exciting opportunity. Chinese citizens are at the onset of the luxury industry, whether they shop at home or when they’re shopping abroad. Online penetration is very low in China so this means that there is an incredible growth runway for Farfetch in the territory.

That led to our partnership with JD.com where we have our own team. We have the Farfetch China app and website, we have local customer service, local payment systems, and local marketing. It’s a truly localized service. That is what’s driving incredible growth to the Farfetch brand in that region.

José Neves, founder and CEO of @farfetch, told us about the company’s grand ambitions for China at the WWD’s Men’s Wear Summit this week. https://t.co/MrMj7y5VCG

— Jing Daily | 精日传媒 (@JingDaily) March 29, 2018

WeChat is an amazing app with over 900 million users. It is the Instagram, plus WeChat, plus PayPal, etc. of China in one app. That is very powerful and very interesting. Now with our acquisition CuriosityChina we are powering the retail presence of 80 luxury brands. We think that is very interesting for the industry and we think that is probably something that we will see for the western world.

How Farfetch plans to capture the growth in online luxury e-commerce https://t.co/t9HI0igMFV pic.twitter.com/RjvAel79li

— Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) September 21, 2018

Brands Now Using Social and Digital Marketing Extensively

I think brands move cautiously and they choose their marketing channels very carefully. As these newer channels have developed the brands have adapted to them and their now using social media and digital media extensively to create desire, to drive discovery of new products obviously transactions as well.

It’s a gradual pace but it’s really exciting that were at that inflection point where the brands see this as a tremendous opportunity.

While the United States remains the chief world leader in this field, there are signs that both China and India may soon overtake Uncle Sam in this strategic area. Both countries are sending thousands of students abroad to learn the latest developments in software. And then having them return home to bolster national research and development.

Custom software development, which ranges from advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning to the growing importance of cybersecurity, are not just influencing how software is developed and deployed, but also how it’s integrating into every aspect of our lives.

The overview

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and ML continue to be at the forefront of software technology trends. In 2023, we are seeing these technologies becoming more sophisticated, with increased capabilities in natural language processing, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making. AI is being integrated into a variety of applications, from customer service chatbots to advanced data analytics tools, making processes more efficient and offering new insights.

2. Increased Focus on Cybersecurity: As the digital landscape expands, so does the need for robust cybersecurity measures. In 2023, there’s a heightened emphasis on developing software that’s secure by design. This includes the integration of advanced encryption techniques, regular security updates, and the use of AI for threat detection. Companies are also focusing on educating their employees about cybersecurity to mitigate risks.

3. Cloud Computing and Edge Computing: Cloud computing continues to dominate, but there’s a growing trend towards edge computing. Edge computing involves processing data closer to where it’s generated rather than in a centralized data-processing warehouse, which reduces latency and improves speed. This is particularly important for IoT devices and applications that require real-time processing.

4. The Rise of Quantum Computing: Quantum computing, although still in its nascent stages, is starting to make more substantial strides in 2023. With its potential to process vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds, it promises to revolutionize areas such as cryptography, materials science, and complex system modeling.

5. Sustainable and Green Software Development: With increasing awareness of environmental issues, there’s a growing trend in developing sustainable and green software. This involves optimizing software for energy efficiency, reducing resource consumption, and considering the environmental impact of development and deployment processes.

6. The Expansion of Blockchain Technology: Beyond cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology is finding applications in various sectors including finance, supply chain management, and healthcare. Its ability to offer secure, transparent, and tamper-proof record-keeping is being leveraged to improve processes and create new business models.

The results 

7. Remote Work and Collaboration Tools: The shift to remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to influence software development in 2023. There’s an increasing demand for collaboration tools that facilitate efficient remote work, including project management software, real-time communication platforms, and virtual workspace solutions.

8. Increased Use of Low-Code and No-Code Platforms: Low-code and no-code platforms are democratizing software development, allowing individuals without extensive programming knowledge to create applications. This trend is empowering more people to develop software, leading to innovation and rapid prototyping.

9. Advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR technologies are becoming more sophisticated and accessible, finding applications in training, education, entertainment, and retail. These technologies are not only enhancing user experiences but also creating new avenues for interaction and engagement.

10. Focus on User Experience (UX) Design: There’s a continued emphasis on UX design in software development, with a focus on creating intuitive, user-friendly interfaces. Good UX design is increasingly seen as a critical factor in the success of a software product.

11. Growth of Internet of Things (IoT): IoT technology is expanding rapidly, with more devices being connected to the internet. This trend is leading to the generation of large amounts of data and the need for sophisticated software to analyze and utilize this data effectively.

12. Software for Social Good: There’s a growing trend of developing software aimed at addressing social and global challenges, such as healthcare accessibility, education, and environmental sustainability. This reflects a broader shift towards socially responsible technology development.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the software technology trends of 2023 reflect a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. From the integration of AI and ML in various applications to the focus on cybersecurity and sustainable development, these trends are not only shaping the way software is developed but also how it’s transforming businesses and impacting society at large. As we move forward, these trends will likely continue to evolve, offering new challenges and opportunities in the world of software technology.

Actual is a unique finance app, one that focuses on privacy and giving users control over their own data. The app is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and the web.

Actual is a super fast privacy-focused app for managing your finances. You own your data, and we will sync it across all devices with optional end-to-end encryption.

Unfortunately, despite positive reviews and significant paid subscriptions, Long says the challenges involved have made it nearly impossible to continue developing the project alone.

Building products is hard, building a business is even harder. I told myself that I was going to push through and make it happen no matter what. Even if it took years, I would slowly build my vision. When I stopped working full-time on Actual and started working at Stripe, I told everyone it wasn’t going anywhere. And I meant it.

But the fact is this project is way bigger than me. I have to come to accept that. Even I were completely full-time, I need to hire at least 2 other people to properly sustain it. It’s time to call it for what it is and open it up as a community project.

Long’s challenges were exacerbated by his focus on making Actual privacy-respecting, instead of going the cloud-first route that so many other apps and services choose.

Actual is a very different product. It’s not a normal SaaS app. It’s a local-first app using a fancy technology called CRDTs that syncs changes across devices.

This has a lot of benefits, but one drawback is I can’t use off-the-shelf solutions anymore. Hiring and getting help is harder. I’m super proud of being so ambitious, but ultimately doing something so different made it hard to iterate quickly. I can’t simply make a quick database schema change. Every feature needs to be rolled out very thoughfully and maintain backwards compatibility.

I’m hopeful that open-source will make this easier; with lots of people involved it offsets the difficulty added. And I’m hopeful there will a lot of people involved because I get asked if I’m going to open-source at least once a month.

Long’s challenges are a sad commentary on the state of the current tech and software industry, where innovative products struggle to gain traction because the rest of the industry is geared toward a cloud-first approach where users give up control over their data.

Hopefully, Actual will receive the backing it needs from the open-source community to continue evolving.

Fubo is one of the leading streaming TV platforms, with an emphasis on sports programming. Sormaz worked at Spotify for ten years as Director and then VP of Design. He has also had stints at News Corporation, Boxee, and, most recently Sorare.

Sormaz will help Fubo continue to develop its user experience, including leveraging the company’s proprietary AI to make the platform more interactive.

“Dan is not only the best design leader in media that I know, he is also a great product strategist,” said Berkely. “I partnered closely with Dan at Spotify for several years and am so thrilled for him to lead our design team at Fubo. With the proliferation of so many streaming apps, the TV industry has become very fragmented and is not aligned with consumer needs. We believe Fubo’s aggregated content model solves this issue and, with Dan guiding us on delivering an intuitive and useful user experience, we are confident that we can evolve how consumers watch television.”

“Fubo really hits the sweet spot for me – I am so passionate about streaming, having spent more than a decade in that world across music, podcasts and video/TV, and I am a huge sports fan,” said Sormaz. “User experiences for streaming services reflect the ever-changing world around them. With an evolving content landscape, shifting consumer behaviors and emerging new technology, I believe we’re entering an exciting new era for TV streaming UX. I am looking forward to reuniting with Mike and working with the fantastic Fubo team to build what’s next for TV.”

Amazon has been increasing the amount of services it provides sellers, greatly simplifying the logistics involved in running an online store. The company’s newest expansion of services is one of its biggest yet and will help sellers ship faster at lower costs:

Sellers can now benefit from Amazon’s advanced logistics, warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, and transportation capabilities to keep products in stock, ship faster and more reliably, and significantly lower costs.

The company says Supply Chain by Amazon will help sellers focus on what they do best while leaving the logistics to Amazon:

With Supply Chain by Amazon, Amazon will pick up inventory from manufacturing facilities around the world, ship it across borders, handle customs clearance and ground transportation, store inventory in bulk, manage replenishment across Amazon and other sales channels, and deliver directly to customers—all without sellers having to worry about managing their supply chain. The new solution allows sellers to spend more time building great products, delighting customers, and growing their business, while Amazon handles the logistics, improves delivery speed, and reduces costs for sellers.

In combination with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), the service will allow sellers to rely on Amazon for inventory replenishment:

In addition to the cost savings through AWD, sellers will now have the opportunity to leverage Amazon’s advanced machine learning and supply chain optimization capabilities to automatically replenish inventory into the optimal Amazon fulfillment centers. This better supports expected customer demand, and allows sellers to benefit from even faster speeds from FBA and deliver customer orders for off-Amazon channels through Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF). Placing sellers’ products in the right quantities at the right locations to meet customer demand increases the potential for Same-Day Delivery and Next-Day Delivery speeds, which in turn drives an average 15% increase in FBA unit sales.

Sellers can learn more on the Supply Chain by Amazon page.

Step 1: Understand the Types and Purpose of PCB Testing

Before you begin the actual testing process, it is important to understand the different types of PCB testing to maintain quality and reliability. While there are various types of PCB testing, these are the four most common methods:

• Bare board testing: This checks the PCB before adding the components. A bare board is made up of metal coating and various pathways. Testing the bare board ensures proper circuit activity and is free from path breaks.
• In-circuit testing: This method involves testing the PCB with its components installed. It checks for component placement, soldering quality and functionality. 
• Functional testing: The test aims to verify a PCB’s functionality by simulating its operation. For example, applying power and sending signals through the board can show if it performs as expected.
• Environmental testing: Understand how much the PCB can withstand environmental stresses like temperature, humidity and vibration.

Each type of testing is crucial for various reasons. It can detect defects in the board’s circuits, ensuring normal current flow in each one. Testing also ensures your PCBs adhere to manufacturing guidelines. 

For example, with functional testing, you can ensure every part of the PCB matches the design requirements before manufacturing it. Different industries have specific standards for electronic components, as well. By testing your PCBs, you ensure they meet the safety requirements before placing your product on the market.

Step 2: Incorporate Testing in the Design Phase

Testing your PCBs during the design phase is critical, as it prevents issues before they arise in full-scale production. This follows the principle of design for testability (DFT), which involves creating PCB designs that are easier to test and validate. During this phase, you can detect any design flaws early, such as errors in the circuit’s design, layout or component selection. 

For example, you can uncover performance issues such as signal interference when testing functionality. Testing during this phase makes it easier and less costly than after manufacturing. When you catch problems early on, you also save time, as revising and remanufacturing boards prolong production.

Additionally, testing during the design phase ensures the quality and reliability of the PCB. A well-testing design ensures the board functions correctly under several conditions and meets performance standards. As such, testing within the design phase increases your confidence in the PCB overall.

Step 3: Develop a Comprehensive Test Strategy

Another critical step in ensuring the quality and reliability of a PCB is designing a test strategy. Creating a system for testing is crucial because it outlines your objectives, methods and resources. That way, you systematically implement your test and prevent any issues when going according to plan. 

When creating a test strategy, start with defining objectives that align with the end use of the PCB. Then, you should select the appropriate testing method. With various testing methods available, it is important to balance thoroughness with efficiency. Overly rigorous testing can be costly and time-consuming, while insufficient testing may overlook certain flaws.

The strategy should also include plans for documenting and analyzing test results. This is vital for tracing back and making decisions on any improvements to the design. Lastly, keep the test strategy flexible. It should be open to adjustments as new information or technology becomes available. That way, you ensure your PCB is of the highest quality.

Step 4: Implement Testing

While selecting the right tests is crucial, optimizing how you conduct these tests is just as important. This includes fine-tuning inspection techniques to ensure accurate measurements and thorough detection of defects. A key aspect of this is choosing the right lighting during testing.

Using specific colors of light can improve inspection accuracy. A red diffuse dome light enhances the visibility of copper traces on a green PCB background more effectively than broad-spectrum white light. Testing may also involve a combination of lighting techniques, a process streamlined by diffusers and multi-channel controllers.

Adjusting to this type of lighting makes critical components more visible, improving measurement accuracy. Such testing enhancements are crucial for methods like in-circuit and functional testing. 

These testing choices allow for more precise detection of defects during the testing and quality assurance stages. Additionally, it ensures your PCB meets the design specifications.

Step 5: Document Quality Assurance

To ensure the quality and reliability of PCB testing, you must record all your testing procedures and the results you obtain. Additionally, you must list any actions you have taken to address issues. Documenting all of this information is crucial for several reasons. First, it provides you with a detailed history of the testing process. That way, you can review each step and identify recurring issues.

Secondly, documentation is part of compliance with regulations. By keeping thorough records, you can prove that you adhere to standards during inspections or audits. Plus, it boosts consumer confidence. Detailed quality assurance records reassure customers that your products are safe and reliable. Otherwise, 40% of consumers have stated that they change their minds about a product if another one meets their expectations, especially in quality and safety.

When putting this into practice, your documentation should be clear and accessible. It should include details of:

• Test dates
• Test types
• Equipment used
• Personnel involved
• A summary of the findings

Regular updates and maintenance of these records are also essential. That way, your documents are always relevant and useful, and you can maximize your PCB’s value at minimal cost.

Ensuring Excellence in PCB Testing

Effective PCB testing is essential for ensuring the quality and reliability of your electronic products. By following best practices and a series of steps, you can enhance your products greatly. While thorough PCB testing may be time-consuming, it is worth it for minimizing errors and building trust with consumers.

Intel has been working to recapture the technological lead from TSMC and AMD, taking the opportunity Thursday to unveil its next-gen chips. Unsurprisingly, the company’s announcement focused heavily on AI.

“AI innovation is poised to raise the digital economy’s impact up to as much as one-third of global gross domestic product,” CEO Pat Gelsinger said. “Intel is developing the technologies and solutions that empower customers to seamlessly integrate and effectively run AI in all their applications — in the cloud and, increasingly, locally at the PC and edge, where data is generated and used.”

“Intel is on a mission to bring AI everywhere through exceptionally engineered platforms, secure solutions and support for open ecosystems. Our AI portfolio gets even stronger with today’s launch of Intel Core Ultra ushering in the age of the AI PC and AI-accelerated 5th Gen Xeon for the enterprise,” Gelsinger added.

A sneak peak at the upcoming Gaudi3 AI accelerator was a highlight of the announcement.

Wrapping up the event, Gelsinger provided an update on Intel Gaudi3, coming next year. He showed for the first time the next-generation AI accelerator for deep learning and large-scale generative AI models. Intel has seen a rapid expansion of its Gaudi pipeline due to growing and proven performance advantages combined with highly competitive TCO and pricing. With increasing demand for generative AI solutions, Intel expects to capture a larger portion of the accelerator market in 2024 with its suite of AI accelerators led by Gaudi.

The company’s other chip lines, including the Intel Core Ultra, also received AI upgrades.

Intel Core Ultra features Intel’s first client on-chip AI accelerator — the neural processing unit, or NPU — to enable a new level of power-efficient AI acceleration with 2.5x better power efficiency than the previous generation2. Its world-class GPU and leadership CPU are each also capable of speeding up AI solutions.

Intel touted its Xeon line as the only “the only mainstream data center processor with built-in AI acceleration.”

Xeon’s built-in AI accelerators, together with optimized software and enhanced telemetry capabilities, enable more manageable and efficient deployments of demanding network and edge workloads for communication service providers, content delivery networks and broad vertical markets, including retail, healthcare and manufacturing.

During today’s event, IBM announced that 5th Gen Intel Xeon processors achieved up to 2.7x better query throughput on its watsonx.data platform compared to previous-generation Xeon processors during testing.

Intel is clearly working hard to regain its crown as the leading chipmaker, betting on AI to help it do so.

The Market at a Glance

The Industrial Mold Market is positioned for considerable growth, with its valuation projected to leap from $25.3 billion in 2022 to an impressive $46.9 billion by 2032. This expansion is driven by a host of factors, such as the growth of manufacturing sectors like automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics.

This growth not only impacts the manufacturing sectors but also has ripple effects across the global supply chain. As molds are essential for producing components in various industries, their increased demand and technological advancements directly influence the efficiency and reliability of supply chains worldwide.

Key Players and Innovations

Renowned names in the industry like Amada, TRUMPF, DMTG, DMG Mori, and US Industrial Machinery are shaping this market’s trajectory. Notably, LS Mtron recently launched an AI-based smart injection molding system, which has been designed to enhance part quality while reducing costs and speeding up production.

The Role of Technology

Technology has been a driving force in shaping the industrial mold market. The integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, like IoT sensors and data analytics, is making strides in mold monitoring and maintenance. This technological landscape isn’t static; it’s continually evolving, with companies investing in advanced materials and sustainable practices.

Trends: Rapid Prototyping and More

A major trend in this sector is rapid prototyping, which allows for accelerated design-to-production processes. Within this context, prototype injection molding serves as a useful tool for swiftly generating test components. This practice aids in quicker design approvals, making the entire manufacturing process more streamlined and efficient.

Challenges on the Horizon

This growth is not without its challenges. Economic fluctuations and trade tensions pose a risk to industrial production and, subsequently, the mold market. Companies must keep abreast of environmental regulations and continually invest in advanced mold-making technologies, which can be a costly endeavor.

The Bottom Line

The Industrial Mold Market is in an exciting phase of growth and innovation. While the market is poised for substantial expansion, it’s not without its challenges, including economic instability and the need for constant technological investment. With new opportunities in emerging markets and increasing demand for customization, this market offers a complex yet promising landscape for the future of manufacturing.

By encapsulating the key elements of the press release, this analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Industrial Mold Market’s current state and future prospects.

Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google have jumped to an early lead in the AI wars, sparking fears that other organizations will be left behind. IBM and Meta have launched the AI Alliance with more than 50 founding members. The alliance outlined its goals in its inaugural announcement:

The AI Alliance is focused on fostering an open community and enabling developers and researchers to accelerate responsible innovation in AI while ensuring scientific rigor, trust, safety, security, diversity and economic competitiveness. By bringing together leading developers, scientists, academic institutions, companies, and other innovators, we will pool resources and knowledge to address safety concerns while providing a platform for sharing and developing solutions that fit the needs of researchers, developers, and adopters around the world. 

“The progress we continue to witness in AI is a testament to open innovation and collaboration across communities of creators, scientists, academics and business leaders,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM Chairman and CEO. “This is a pivotal moment in defining the future of AI. IBM is proud to partner with like-minded organizations through the AI Alliance to ensure this open ecosystem drives an innovative AI agenda underpinned by safety, accountability and scientific rigor.”

“We believe it’s better when AI is developed openly – more people can access the benefits, build innovative products and work on safety,” Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs of Meta. “The AI Alliance brings together researchers, developers and companies to share tools and knowledge that can help us all make progress whether models are shared openly or not. We’re looking forward to working with partners to advance the state-of-the-art in AI and help everyone build responsibly.”

The alliance includes the following founding members:

• Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
• Aitomatic
• AMD
• Anyscale
• Cerebras
• CERN
• Cleveland Clinic
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth
• Dell Technologies
• Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
• ETH Zurich
• Fast.ai
• Fenrir, Inc.
• FPT Software
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Hugging Face
• IBM
• Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
• Imperial College London
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
• Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
• Intel
• Keio University
• LangChain
• LlamaIndex
• Linux Foundation
• Mass Open Cloud Alliance, operated by Boston University and Harvard
• Meta
• Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
• MLCommons
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• National Science Foundation
• New York University
• NumFOCUS
• OpenTeams
• Oracle
• Partnership on AI
• Quansight
• Red Hat
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Roadzen
• Sakana AI
• SB Intuitions
• ServiceNow
• Silo AI
• Simons Foundation
• Sony Group
• Stability AI
• Together AI
• TU Munich
• UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• The University of Notre Dame
• The University of Texas at Austin
• The University of Tokyo
• Yale University

Fortunately, digitization has made it possible for small businesses to reach out to prospects online in the global marketplace. Businesses shouldn’t overlook the importance of digital marketing, regardless of their size. Besides learning various effective digital marketing methods, small businesses should keep tabs on digital marketing trends to remain competitive. Below are a few reasons small businesses shouldn’t overlook digital marketing strategies.

1.  Target Online Customers

Unlike before, modern shoppers begin their search for brands, products, and services online. In the current digital age, prospects expect businesses to have a strong social media presence and a website. There’s a lot that potential customers look for before reaching out to brands for business. For instance, parents might want to know how to transfer a car title from parent to child before buying car insurance.

Small businesses should leverage this opportunity to reach such customers. Your website should be mobile responsive, reflect your brand image, and have solid reviews. Most online customers start by reading reviews to learn what other customers say about your business. For instance, 87% of online customers check online reviews before reaching out to local businesses.

2.  Learn What Your Competitors are Doing

Small businesses should pay attention to their competitors for business success. Digital marketing methods can help businesses monitor and learn from their competitors. For instance, regardless of your niche, if your competitors have a better-performing web presence, you can begin by evaluating their content strategy. Do they use blogs or visual content?

Conducting thorough competitor research is the best way to learn about your competitors. Identify their preferred platforms, focus keywords, influencers, and other important pointers. Excellent tools for competitor research include:

• Ahrefs – Best for discovering competitor’s linked content
• SEMrush – Best for finding ranking keywords
• BuzzSumo – Used to track performing content types
• Moz – Keyword ranking platform
• Google Alerts – Used to track competitor mentions

You should also explore other consumer insights tools to boost your content marketing strategy.

3.  Improve Accessibility to Customers

You should strive to position your small business in front of potential customers, which is majorly the online space. As mentioned, modern customers start searching for products online. Businesses without an online presence miss many opportunities and cannot compete equally, especially if competitors have a strong online presence.

Small businesses should leverage digital marketing to position their brands in front of prospects. Besides creating a strong website, digital marketers should learn search engine optimization to outrank competitors on Google searches. Keywords (both long and short tail) are important, and you should understand how to use them to rank your website.

An online presence creates an environment where customers can reach out day and night. Prospects and customers can send emails, schedule appointments, and purchase products or services anytime. You can also visit WebmastersHall to learn more about improving your digital marketing efforts for enhanced accessibility to customers.

Endnote

Digital marketing is beneficial to small businesses in many ways. Unlike other marketing strategies, digital marketing is affordable, making it suitable for small businesses with limited marketing budgets. Businesses that haven’t ventured into the digital space miss a lot of customers and business opportunities.