Digital Lifescapes

More forward-thinking CIOs and CTOs are focused on the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT). Management challenges are top of mind for those who have already deployed a large number of sensors and associated network edge devices. Device management services are evolving in response to a greater breadth of new device technologies such as edge intelligence and related connectivity solutions, as well as the customer scalability and security of IoT deployments. But forward-looking suppliers are also preparing for a world where 41.3 percent of the connected devices will be using some form of Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies by 2026. IoT Device Management Market Development Since IoT customers increasingly need to manage a larger fleet of connected devices, ABI Research now forecasts that IoT device management services will exceed $36.8 billion in revenues by 2026. Standardization is beginning to play a bigger role in device management services, as more connected devices use LPWA t...

Historically, the traditional insurance sector has been reluctant to change established methods. However, the relationship between insurance companies and technology vendors has evolved, as emerging Insurtech offerings disrupt the legacy insurer business model. The overall insurance market is experiencing significant upheaval, as new technology-enabled solutions impact the prior status quo. As an example, the use of price comparison websites is commonplace and other forms of customer-facing online services are widespread. However, the internal processes of loss notification, claims management and underwriting have not changed much from those used by insurers many decades ago. Therefore, savvy Insurtech vendors can help to revolutionize outmoded methods and introduce new ideas to the insurance marketplace. Insurtech Market Development That said, traditional insurers are now becoming increasingly involved within the Insurtech space, through direct investments and strategic partne...

Unlicensed wireless communication has transformed internet access across the globe. The upward growth trajectory continues to rise for Wi-Fi applications. More than 20 billion Wi-Fi devices are forecast to ship between 2019 and 2024, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. Continued adoption in traditional markets of strength, alongside traction in mesh networking systems, smart home, automotive, and IoT applications will drive the Wi-Fi market forward to nearly 4 billion annual device shipments by 2024. Wi-Fi Device Market Development "2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Wi-Fi, though the technology shows no signs of slowing down," says Andrew Zignani, principal analyst at ABI Research . "Wi-Fi 6 is quickly gaining momentum in networking devices, while client devices are already arriving into the market and are anticipated to ramp up considerably over the next 12-18 months." According to the ABI assessment, demand for faster, more r...

Smart Data is generated by filtering out the noise from Big Data that's generated by media, business transactions, Internet of Things (IoT), and data exhausts from online activity. Smart Data can uncover valuable commercial insights, by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of data analytics. Furthermore, vast amounts of unstructured Big Data can be converted into Smart Data using enhanced data analytics tools that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. Advancements in data processing tools and the adoption of next-generation technologies -- such as augmented analytics used to extract insights from Big Data -- are expected to drive the Smart Data market toward $31.5 billion by 2022. Augmented Analytics Market Development Augmented analytics automates data insights gathering and provides clearer information, which is not possible with traditional analysis tools. Companies such as Datameer, Xcalar, Incorta, and Bottlenose are already f...

I read the book “ Connecting the Dots ” by John Chambers from the perspective of an industry insider, having worked within the internet sector since the mid-90s, and also previously as an employee at Cisco Systems for six years. I believe that Mr. Chambers was instrumental in helping to make ‘strategic communications’ an essential part of the company’s high-growth culture. Therefore, I’ll elaborate on a key topic, highlighted in Chapter Four of the book -- “Embrace Your Purpose, Not Your Products.” Cisco is often referred to as a ‘bellwether’ stock, meaning it’s a leading indicator of the direction of the economy, or of a sector of the market, or the market as a whole. How did Cisco achieve that eminence with a remarkable internet-enabled worldview? It was partly via commercial storytelling . "Together, we did play a critical role in changing how the world works, lives, learns, and plays." - John T. Chambers Rise Above the Me-Too Vendor Noise In an industry that...

CIOs and CTOs are searching to find the information and guidance they need to increase opportunities and minimize risk when employing robotics technologies. Many now desire to create new markets and product categories, open additional lines of business, enhance existing product lines, invest in or acquire start-up companies, or create robotics innovation labs. Across a range of applications, exoskeletons are increasingly being introduced to augment human capability -- for assistive purposes in the workplace, and for enabling or rehabilitative purposes in the healthcare market. Exoskeleton Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, as of 2018, global shipments will reach 7 thousand units with a hardware revenue of $192 million. However, total shipments are expected to reach over 91 thousand by 2023 and 301 thousand by 2028. As a result, global revenue for the suits is now forecast to reach $5.8 billion in 2028. "The market gets hea...

As more companies use technology innovation to improve their scale, automation and robotics continue to generate interest among investors. Mapping and software development have significant potential, particularly as most business leaders seek to digitize their commercial operations. This trend will continue for some time. Consulting on the various types of new technology tools will also likely be an area to follow in the near future, according to the latest worldwide market study by Mergermarket . Technology, Media & Telecom Market Development Moreover, emerging applications for artificial intelligence (AI) are in vogue, and China has emerged as a potential leader in this space, with dealmakers looking to invest in startups specializing in this area. Until the Facebook data protection issue became public knowledge in mid-March, first-quarter (Q1) 2018 activity within the global Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) sector as a whole was experiencing a boost from ...

While traditionally sharing has been an activity between friends and family, the sharing of items as a business model is not in fact a new concept. Previously, we have seen the rise and fall of the loaning of some physical items (i.e. movies on DVD). However, with the introduction of new digital formats, alongside the rapid expansion of the online ecosystem, the sharing of not just physical goods, but also skills and talent, has grown exponentially. Today, the Sharing Economy includes numerous and varied service offerings and business models. Sharing Economy Market Development A new market study from Juniper Research has found that the sharing economy is now primed to experience substantial growth, as players in more established sectors -- such as transport and residential or commercial space -- press their first mover advantage. The market study findings have resulted in a forecast that the sharing economy will reach $40.2 billion in 2022, in terms of platform provider revenue...

I recall when I first met Kam Star at the SXSW 2012 Festival, he shared his aspiration to make the Digital Shoreditch Festival as successful as the now infamous annual vent in Austin, Texas. After I attended the UK event that his team organized in 2012, I offered some suggestions for his consideration. I still believe that the creative culture in London is different -- and that's a good thing. London's creative digital talent strengths tend to be focused on the fashion, architecture and design sectors. The financial services sector also has a renewed focus on technology-enabled innovations. Digital Shoreditch Festival 2013 is expected to double in size, bringing together a community of 15,000 digital creatives to showcase and debate the latest advances in digital and technological innovation. The event held in East London last year attracted over 6,000 delegates with support from more than 40 sponsors and partners. This year the event is even bigger -- reflecting Lon...

How do you prosper in a highly competitive world where talent, creativity and imaginative ideas are the most important commercial currencies? Can spawning new digital technology start-ups act as a lasting stimulus in an otherwise ailing economy within a developed nation? These are questions that are top-of-mind for me. It’s an intriguing topic for others as well. It seems that supporting high-tech entrepreneurs is now viewed by many political leaders, from all parts of the globe, as a potent public policy remedy that may help them solve their local economic development challenges – particularly a lingering high unemployment rate. As I walked through the exhibits on the South by Southwest ( SXSW ) trade show floor, I wondered what all these national and regional public sector agencies hoped to achieve with their presence at this year’s Interactive festival in Austin, Texas. From my own trend-spotting perspective, what was the big attraction this year? Once again, the “SXSW Start...

This is the first in a series of reports that I will share about SXSWi 2012 related events. Once again, I'll be attending the Interactive conference and trade show in Austin, Texas. Forty British digital companies were selected to participate in the UK Trade and Investment ( UKTI ) Mission to South by Southwest 2012. Each of the companies joining the mission are listed below, in alphabetical order: Acknowledgement Ltd Acunu AMEE Analytics SEO Anywhere.me Codegent CultureLabel Ltd DAD Technology Ltd DeadSoci.al Eventless Ltd Foodsplore Fortune Cookie Gravity Thinking Hailo Happiest Ltd Harvest Digital Milky Tea MOFILM Ltd Musicmetric Net Communities Ltd Numiko Oil Productions Palringo PlayMob Portal Entertainment Psonar Ltd Realeyes Recite ShareMyPlaylists Shopcade Sign-Up.to Sohnar SoJoLife StickyWorld Ltd The Unit Thrive Software TWAds (Addiply) Ltd ustwo Yazino I look forward to the opportunity to connect with the UK Digital Mission del...