How to create Innovation by Brainsteering and lead to the journey of One Million Acts of Innovation
In Kevin Coyne’s new book titled Brainsteering: A Better Approach To Breakthrough Ideas he explains the process of generating new ideas.
Change the way you think about new ideas by steering your creativity in new and more productive directions.
Ideas. Whether the goal is to create a billion-dollar business, fix a broken process, reduce expenses, or simply find the perfect gift for that special someone, we all need a steady stream of breakthrough ideas—and we've all learned from experience that traditional brainstorming doesn't generate them.
Former McKinsey consultants Kevin P. Coyne and Shawn T. Coyne have spent more than a decade developing a better approach—Brainsteering—that takes brainstorming and other outdated ideation techniques and "steers" them in a more productive direction by better reflecting the way human beings actually think and work in creative problem-solving situations. By introducing just the right amount of structure into the process, and asking just the right questions,.
Peppered with thought-provoking and entertaining examples drawn from the workplace and popular culture, Brainsteering can help anyone develop breakthrough ideas, whether working alone on a one-time problem or turning an entire organization into an ongoing "idea factory." And getting started is easy: simply ask the right questions, and good ideas will follow.
BRAINSTEERING COMMITTEE
Brainsteering has an appendix that shares 104 questions to use when brainstorming a new business idea, including:
What’s the biggest (avoidable) hassle that customers have to put up with?
Who doesn’t understand how to use our product?
Who has modified our product most extensively after purchasing it?
How would our product change if it were tailored for every customer?
What complexity do we plan for every day that, if eliminated, could change the way we operate?
What would it take to bypass the least efficient part of our supply or distribution chain?
What activities might our customers prefer to do for themselves if only they could?
What entities benefit economically to the greatest extent from our presence, and what could they do to help us succeed?
This is recommended book for the creative and voracious thinker and for those who need a kick start to create innovation.
Innovators can also get on board the http://www.onemillionactsofinnovation.com as well as the Linkedin group.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Business Intelligence in Retail – The Appeal of Data
Business intelligence in retail is becoming extremely important. Successful retail companies and enterprises are using data integration, BI, data mining and other data management reports to lower marketing costs and increase revenue and profitability. Retailers that can collect and capitalize on the data they gather will gain a healthy return on their BI investments. However, the Business Intelligence landscape has changed and it’s become more important to take advantage Amazon is a very successful online retailer but is also a data company that has the ability to track consumer shopping patterns. Amazon has been very innovative in offering a multitude of services to its customers enhancing the shopping experience.
FaceBook is now becoming the new online retail experience taking advantage of the friend’s concept and people buy what their friends have or suggest. FaceBook is also the gatherer of demographic information that it has from it’s over 500 million subscribers.
Twitter is not a retailer as of yet however they are a gatherer of valuable consumer sentiment and trend data that can be very useful in retail sales generation.
Google and Yahoo Analytics also provide an immense wealth of data gathered for the internet and can be presented in an array of forms. Retailers that can start talking of advantage of the various inputs available and processing that information into meaningful Lead and Demand Generation campaigns will find success in a laser like approach.
FaceBook is now becoming the new online retail experience taking advantage of the friend’s concept and people buy what their friends have or suggest. FaceBook is also the gatherer of demographic information that it has from it’s over 500 million subscribers.
Twitter is not a retailer as of yet however they are a gatherer of valuable consumer sentiment and trend data that can be very useful in retail sales generation.
Google and Yahoo Analytics also provide an immense wealth of data gathered for the internet and can be presented in an array of forms. Retailers that can start talking of advantage of the various inputs available and processing that information into meaningful Lead and Demand Generation campaigns will find success in a laser like approach.
Online Retail Internet Tools that Consumers use Today
51% considered information shared on their networks when making a purchase decision
--eMarketer
Social Networks Have Forever Changed Online Behaviors
Online Retail Internet Tools that Consumers use Today
There are many apps that consumers use when shopping and retailers are starting to exploit those tools to engage and improve on the customer experience.
Online User Reviews
There are many sites that offer user reviews that assist consumers in making buying decisions. Buzzillions is one such site and Amazon offers the reviews for products they sell. Many other retailers like Best Buy also offer user reviews for their products. The granddaddy of unbiased reviews is Consumer Reports. They do a fantastic job of linking their printed publications with their website.
Consumers are more informed today than ever before prior to making a purchase.
Daily Deals
Groupon is the biggest player but there are a lot of regional players like WagJag and Kijiji’s version. Every city has a small player also trying to gain market share offering the same type of 50% off on restaurants, spa services and art framing. You will want Deal Alert to keep track of all the deals of the day in one simple email.
FaceBook Retail
Retailers have started using FaceBook for generating retail sales and crowding reviews and trying to create a sense of community. This approach has been widely successful as statistics are showing that sales through this portal are growing. Special coupons and deals are offered to those in the friends list. This is rapidly becoming the friends influence factor.
Quick Response Code Scans
QR codes are 2 dimensionna codes. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, url or other data. . These are starting to show up on products, aisles and in printed flyers. With the ability for a Smartphone to scan a QR code the consumer has instant access to information about that product. This is another way that retailers are trying to have to advertise their products.
You Tube Unboxing Videos
The younger generation uses YouTube the way the older generation watches television. This allows consumers to search for product reviews and unboxing videos to investigate a product before purchase. Naturally, retailers have taken advantage of this in order to advertise their products through another method to reach a target audience.
YELP
Yelp is a User Reviews and Recommendations portal for the Top Restaurants, Shopping, Nightlife, Entertainment, Services and More. I have used it more for restaurant reviews but its importance is expanding and works very well in a local way.
Location Based Apps
FourSquare: This is an excellent location based application that gives you & your friend’s new ways to explore your city. It started out as more of a game where members can Earn points & unlock badges for discovering new things. I find it a bit difficult to understand why a member needs to be the Mayor of their local coffee shop but retailers are using it as another way to drive traffic to their location. Shopkick is the first mobile app that gives you rewards and offers simply for walking into stores. Their offers are extended to you while you are in the store. Check in with Gowalla on your phone to stamp your Passport at each place you visit. It's pretty much like stamping your passport in real life. This application allows users to share experiences and activities that include shopping.
Twitter
This social media application is also creating brand awareness and opportunities for retailers to get a message out to consumers and to offer discounts and deals. Ivanka Trump is known to tweet out hotel deals for her Trump Hotel Collection to over 1 million followers.
Social Gaming
Farmville is probably the biggest gaming platform on the internet today. Retails have found a way to exploit the game to attract consumers and influence their buying behavior. While playing the game in your viral world you can stop by the McDonalds to get something to eat. Retailers reward the player with virtual cash that can be spent within the game environment.
Loyalty Programs
Every retailer has introduced a Loyalty Program that tracks purchases and awards points. Retailers love to create the “stickiness” but also are able to clearly track purchases and timing information in order to apply new marketing initiatives. These programs also create a sense of community and its members can get special shopping nights and discounts by using their loyalty card.
Mobile Coupons
Coupons have always been used as an important marketing vehicle for retailers. With many shoppers having Smartphone the coupon is now on the device. So you may need to show the cashier the coupon on your Smartphone screen in order to get the discount. I have not had great success with retailers stuck in the 70s that ask you to printout the email or coupon in order to take advantage of it. Retailers need to accept the virtual coupon and provide a redemption code that a cashier can enter when you make your purchase. Wireless technology has gotten to a point where they can push a coupon to your device while in the aisle.
Retailers are quickly developing m-commerce and social media based marketing efforts to connect to consumers. These new tools allow a more targeted approach to reach their consumers and to keep them informed of products and offer special discounts. In many cases a consumer will do their research before going to the bricks and mortar stores as shopping is still a physical experience for many. It is imperative for retailers who embrace the new technology to still continue to offer the old fashioned service of answering the telephone. All this new technology drives the consumer to just burp out an email asking for information and the usual response is “Thanks we will answer in 48 hours”. In this age of instant information in your hand while in the store or on your desk, the shopper is a walk away or click away of taking their business elsewhere if poor customer service is experienced. The advantage today is retailers are able to track the progress of these new campaigns in a better fashion and taking the data to offer a better customer experience.
--eMarketer
Social Networks Have Forever Changed Online Behaviors
Online Retail Internet Tools that Consumers use Today
There are many apps that consumers use when shopping and retailers are starting to exploit those tools to engage and improve on the customer experience.
Online User Reviews
There are many sites that offer user reviews that assist consumers in making buying decisions. Buzzillions is one such site and Amazon offers the reviews for products they sell. Many other retailers like Best Buy also offer user reviews for their products. The granddaddy of unbiased reviews is Consumer Reports. They do a fantastic job of linking their printed publications with their website.
Consumers are more informed today than ever before prior to making a purchase.
Daily Deals
Groupon is the biggest player but there are a lot of regional players like WagJag and Kijiji’s version. Every city has a small player also trying to gain market share offering the same type of 50% off on restaurants, spa services and art framing. You will want Deal Alert to keep track of all the deals of the day in one simple email.
FaceBook Retail
Retailers have started using FaceBook for generating retail sales and crowding reviews and trying to create a sense of community. This approach has been widely successful as statistics are showing that sales through this portal are growing. Special coupons and deals are offered to those in the friends list. This is rapidly becoming the friends influence factor.
Quick Response Code Scans
QR codes are 2 dimensionna codes. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, url or other data. . These are starting to show up on products, aisles and in printed flyers. With the ability for a Smartphone to scan a QR code the consumer has instant access to information about that product. This is another way that retailers are trying to have to advertise their products.
You Tube Unboxing Videos
The younger generation uses YouTube the way the older generation watches television. This allows consumers to search for product reviews and unboxing videos to investigate a product before purchase. Naturally, retailers have taken advantage of this in order to advertise their products through another method to reach a target audience.
YELP
Yelp is a User Reviews and Recommendations portal for the Top Restaurants, Shopping, Nightlife, Entertainment, Services and More. I have used it more for restaurant reviews but its importance is expanding and works very well in a local way.
Location Based Apps
FourSquare: This is an excellent location based application that gives you & your friend’s new ways to explore your city. It started out as more of a game where members can Earn points & unlock badges for discovering new things. I find it a bit difficult to understand why a member needs to be the Mayor of their local coffee shop but retailers are using it as another way to drive traffic to their location. Shopkick is the first mobile app that gives you rewards and offers simply for walking into stores. Their offers are extended to you while you are in the store. Check in with Gowalla on your phone to stamp your Passport at each place you visit. It's pretty much like stamping your passport in real life. This application allows users to share experiences and activities that include shopping.
This social media application is also creating brand awareness and opportunities for retailers to get a message out to consumers and to offer discounts and deals. Ivanka Trump is known to tweet out hotel deals for her Trump Hotel Collection to over 1 million followers.
Social Gaming
Farmville is probably the biggest gaming platform on the internet today. Retails have found a way to exploit the game to attract consumers and influence their buying behavior. While playing the game in your viral world you can stop by the McDonalds to get something to eat. Retailers reward the player with virtual cash that can be spent within the game environment.
Loyalty Programs
Every retailer has introduced a Loyalty Program that tracks purchases and awards points. Retailers love to create the “stickiness” but also are able to clearly track purchases and timing information in order to apply new marketing initiatives. These programs also create a sense of community and its members can get special shopping nights and discounts by using their loyalty card.
Mobile Coupons
Coupons have always been used as an important marketing vehicle for retailers. With many shoppers having Smartphone the coupon is now on the device. So you may need to show the cashier the coupon on your Smartphone screen in order to get the discount. I have not had great success with retailers stuck in the 70s that ask you to printout the email or coupon in order to take advantage of it. Retailers need to accept the virtual coupon and provide a redemption code that a cashier can enter when you make your purchase. Wireless technology has gotten to a point where they can push a coupon to your device while in the aisle.
Retailers are quickly developing m-commerce and social media based marketing efforts to connect to consumers. These new tools allow a more targeted approach to reach their consumers and to keep them informed of products and offer special discounts. In many cases a consumer will do their research before going to the bricks and mortar stores as shopping is still a physical experience for many. It is imperative for retailers who embrace the new technology to still continue to offer the old fashioned service of answering the telephone. All this new technology drives the consumer to just burp out an email asking for information and the usual response is “Thanks we will answer in 48 hours”. In this age of instant information in your hand while in the store or on your desk, the shopper is a walk away or click away of taking their business elsewhere if poor customer service is experienced. The advantage today is retailers are able to track the progress of these new campaigns in a better fashion and taking the data to offer a better customer experience.
Retail Applications for Mobility and In-Store Wireless Networks
Retail Applications for Mobility and In-Store Wireless Networks
The Retail Industry has always had an intense focus on technology to accomplish the need to increase revenues and lower costs. Wireless technology has been a great enabler to connect people and devices to resources without any wirers. This has greatly improved and dramatically transformed the business process in supply chain, logistics, and inventory management, point of sale and loss prevention. With over 50% of consumers having a wireless enabled device (tablet, Netbooks, laptop, Smartphone) with them when they visit a store it’s imperative that retailers consider the wireless network as an improvement in the customer experience. This will allow the consumer to use their devices for couponing, promotions, price che3cking and for husbands to pass time while their wife is scouring every aisle for deals. The year 2011 will be known as the year of mobile devices.
Retailers can benefit and dramatically improve their business processes in the following areas:
Mobile Point-of-Sale
The typical POS is a wired device located at the fixed cash register location. However, by using a mobile POS the store can use pop up stores within a store with its own cash desk or provide temporary cash desks during busy times. Large Box stores have a lot more room to locate temporary cash locations.
Inventory Management
Store associates can easily use wireless bar code scanners to do inventory management tasks. Store associates with handheld computer devices can check for stock and inform customers if the product is in the back or if it’s at another store location. Easy access to information can boost sales as customers are informed real-time and can decide accordingly.
Customer Service
Price Verification kiosks are a blessing for harried shoppers especially when one cannot find a salesperson in the store. These devices are always bolted on some wall or pillar and by not having to use any wiring makes them easy to set up and install. Another kiosk is the self-help kiosk that has a touch screen display making it super easy to look up products or to even find out where they are locate. “Press for Help” buttons that are wireless driven can also be used and I get a kick out of the device then transmitting onto the paging system “help needed in the wire cutting aisle”.
Wireless Voice Communication
Walky Talkys are being replaced by wireless telephones and inventory scanners that are voice enabled. Now price check are quick and easy making for faster checkouts and telephone callers can be transferred to sales agents out on the floor to check stock or to ask questions.
RFID and Location Tracking
RFID is gaining ground and is extremely useful in automating inventory management and in some cases manages loss prevention of big ticket items. Typically the tags are read when leaving the warehouse or returning to the warehouse and assist in tracking of goods, but RFID nametags can now track store personnel. If you sneak outside for a cigarette don’t’ forget to leave your tag inside the store.
Wireless Video
Video is becoming a huge tool for loss prevention personnel with the proliferation of cameras feeding back to TV screens and digital recorders. Digital signage can now be placed anywhere and simply connected to the central server. Wireless LAN speeds are fast enough to support video streaming easily.
Consumer Guest Internet Access
Retailers need to start offering internet access to its customers. How else can they connect to do price checks, simple in-store research or to obtain coupons. Location tracking has become more precise that I can be walking down the cereal aisle at the grocery store and a pop up ad for “Cheerios” could pop up on my iPod Touch or on my iPhone. I don’t need to use my data plan bandwidth but can use the wifi network to its advantage. If my wife drags me out to the mall, I could sit with the retirees and enjoy a coffee while keeping busy playing on-line poker and checking out all the silly cat you tube videos. No Wifi,…No Shopping!!!
Naturally, today’s networks are safe, secure and are PCI compliant and truly do lower IT costs while helping increase revenues and the customer user experience.
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communications Consultant
The Retail Industry has always had an intense focus on technology to accomplish the need to increase revenues and lower costs. Wireless technology has been a great enabler to connect people and devices to resources without any wirers. This has greatly improved and dramatically transformed the business process in supply chain, logistics, and inventory management, point of sale and loss prevention. With over 50% of consumers having a wireless enabled device (tablet, Netbooks, laptop, Smartphone) with them when they visit a store it’s imperative that retailers consider the wireless network as an improvement in the customer experience. This will allow the consumer to use their devices for couponing, promotions, price che3cking and for husbands to pass time while their wife is scouring every aisle for deals. The year 2011 will be known as the year of mobile devices.
Retailers can benefit and dramatically improve their business processes in the following areas:
Mobile Point-of-Sale
The typical POS is a wired device located at the fixed cash register location. However, by using a mobile POS the store can use pop up stores within a store with its own cash desk or provide temporary cash desks during busy times. Large Box stores have a lot more room to locate temporary cash locations.
Inventory Management
Store associates can easily use wireless bar code scanners to do inventory management tasks. Store associates with handheld computer devices can check for stock and inform customers if the product is in the back or if it’s at another store location. Easy access to information can boost sales as customers are informed real-time and can decide accordingly.
Customer Service
Price Verification kiosks are a blessing for harried shoppers especially when one cannot find a salesperson in the store. These devices are always bolted on some wall or pillar and by not having to use any wiring makes them easy to set up and install. Another kiosk is the self-help kiosk that has a touch screen display making it super easy to look up products or to even find out where they are locate. “Press for Help” buttons that are wireless driven can also be used and I get a kick out of the device then transmitting onto the paging system “help needed in the wire cutting aisle”.
Wireless Voice Communication
Walky Talkys are being replaced by wireless telephones and inventory scanners that are voice enabled. Now price check are quick and easy making for faster checkouts and telephone callers can be transferred to sales agents out on the floor to check stock or to ask questions.
RFID and Location Tracking
RFID is gaining ground and is extremely useful in automating inventory management and in some cases manages loss prevention of big ticket items. Typically the tags are read when leaving the warehouse or returning to the warehouse and assist in tracking of goods, but RFID nametags can now track store personnel. If you sneak outside for a cigarette don’t’ forget to leave your tag inside the store.
Wireless Video
Video is becoming a huge tool for loss prevention personnel with the proliferation of cameras feeding back to TV screens and digital recorders. Digital signage can now be placed anywhere and simply connected to the central server. Wireless LAN speeds are fast enough to support video streaming easily.
Consumer Guest Internet Access
Retailers need to start offering internet access to its customers. How else can they connect to do price checks, simple in-store research or to obtain coupons. Location tracking has become more precise that I can be walking down the cereal aisle at the grocery store and a pop up ad for “Cheerios” could pop up on my iPod Touch or on my iPhone. I don’t need to use my data plan bandwidth but can use the wifi network to its advantage. If my wife drags me out to the mall, I could sit with the retirees and enjoy a coffee while keeping busy playing on-line poker and checking out all the silly cat you tube videos. No Wifi,…No Shopping!!!
Naturally, today’s networks are safe, secure and are PCI compliant and truly do lower IT costs while helping increase revenues and the customer user experience.
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communications Consultant
Monday, March 7, 2011
Street Markings – What do they mean???
Street Markings – What do they mean???
It probably wasn’t until I was in New York a few months ago that I started to take more notice of my urban surroundings. I shot a series of street markings around the rebuild of the World Trade Center for a possible book, including a few Survey plates. They are everywhere if you stop to take a look. What do they mean and why are they everywhere? The primary reason is that our cities are in a state of flux. Repairs, diggings, installations and upgrades means that the utility companies are constantly doing work to the infrastructure underneath or streets and sidewalks.
These water-based fluorescent taggings have a meaning and a color code of importance. Basically each colour represents a different utility and it assists the workers in knowing what work is needed to be done. It also insures that workers don’t accidently damage any infrastructure underneath the ground. How many times have we heard of a fibre cut and a the telecom network is down. Obviously someone while fixing a water pipe probably cut through the fibre duct with his industrial cutting saw by mistake. So as we hustle and bustle around looking straight ahead, it may pay to look down once in a while and see what is going on underneath your feet.
The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary marking of underground utilities are listed below:
Red electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables
Orange telecommunication, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduit
Yellow natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous or flammable material
Green sewers and drain lines
Blue drinking water
Violet reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines
Pink temporary survey markings, unknown/unidentified facilities
White proposed excavation limits or route
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communications Consultant
It probably wasn’t until I was in New York a few months ago that I started to take more notice of my urban surroundings. I shot a series of street markings around the rebuild of the World Trade Center for a possible book, including a few Survey plates. They are everywhere if you stop to take a look. What do they mean and why are they everywhere? The primary reason is that our cities are in a state of flux. Repairs, diggings, installations and upgrades means that the utility companies are constantly doing work to the infrastructure underneath or streets and sidewalks.
These water-based fluorescent taggings have a meaning and a color code of importance. Basically each colour represents a different utility and it assists the workers in knowing what work is needed to be done. It also insures that workers don’t accidently damage any infrastructure underneath the ground. How many times have we heard of a fibre cut and a the telecom network is down. Obviously someone while fixing a water pipe probably cut through the fibre duct with his industrial cutting saw by mistake. So as we hustle and bustle around looking straight ahead, it may pay to look down once in a while and see what is going on underneath your feet.
The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary marking of underground utilities are listed below:
Red electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables
Orange telecommunication, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduit
Yellow natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous or flammable material
Green sewers and drain lines
Blue drinking water
Violet reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines
Pink temporary survey markings, unknown/unidentified facilities
White proposed excavation limits or route
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communications Consultant
We need more Free Wireless Access Points
We need more Free Wireless Access Points
Obviously with the proliferation of smart phones, iphones, iPads and android tablets…the users need places to use their new found devices.
Kudos to Starbucks understanding that if they offer free WiFi in their 770 coffee shops then users will flock there for coffee and free access. But where are all the others following suit? Want to drive traffic to the bricks and mortars then offer the wireless nomad a place to connect and they may spend money at your store while surfing away.
>>> Ok listen up retailers. It is so easy to put up guest access for WiFi in your store. If you don’t want to because of PCI or ignorance then I am sure a $59 DSL connection with a $29 D-Link router that’s in its own network and not connected to anything in the store would be perfect and new models offer some ability to do some blocking and websense type profiles.<<< Think like Starbucks..........
Thankfully, Vex Corp. is hoping to light up over 5000 locations and this is a good thing for the consumer as they want it for free and wont pay for it anymore. www.Vex.com
Vex will be the integrator and use Cisco wireless access points and use an advertising model where the web access would have to see some advertising. This isn’t a big deal anymore as every website has some sort of advertising on it but if Vex plays their cards right it won’t be an annoyance but of value. Sitting near a Subway sandwich store checking on emails on the iPad and getting a click ad for a $1 off the next visit would be useful. Now if we can just print the darn thing easily then all will be good.
Let’s hope Vex gets the market share it deserves and other retailers catch on to the free Wi-Fi bandwagon.
In the meantime the smart retailers will do this on their own and ensure their customers spend more time in their stores or actually visit their store to shop and surf.
The day that I will be walking down an aisle in a store and a targeted pop up advert or coupon appears as I pass the product is here right now. Funny, I don’t see it any store I shop in?
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communications Consultant
I have no vested interest in these guys but appear to be the smartest knives in the drawer to give me the free access I deserve
Obviously with the proliferation of smart phones, iphones, iPads and android tablets…the users need places to use their new found devices.
Kudos to Starbucks understanding that if they offer free WiFi in their 770 coffee shops then users will flock there for coffee and free access. But where are all the others following suit? Want to drive traffic to the bricks and mortars then offer the wireless nomad a place to connect and they may spend money at your store while surfing away.
>>> Ok listen up retailers. It is so easy to put up guest access for WiFi in your store. If you don’t want to because of PCI or ignorance then I am sure a $59 DSL connection with a $29 D-Link router that’s in its own network and not connected to anything in the store would be perfect and new models offer some ability to do some blocking and websense type profiles.<<< Think like Starbucks..........
Thankfully, Vex Corp. is hoping to light up over 5000 locations and this is a good thing for the consumer as they want it for free and wont pay for it anymore. www.Vex.com
Vex will be the integrator and use Cisco wireless access points and use an advertising model where the web access would have to see some advertising. This isn’t a big deal anymore as every website has some sort of advertising on it but if Vex plays their cards right it won’t be an annoyance but of value. Sitting near a Subway sandwich store checking on emails on the iPad and getting a click ad for a $1 off the next visit would be useful. Now if we can just print the darn thing easily then all will be good.
Let’s hope Vex gets the market share it deserves and other retailers catch on to the free Wi-Fi bandwagon.
In the meantime the smart retailers will do this on their own and ensure their customers spend more time in their stores or actually visit their store to shop and surf.
The day that I will be walking down an aisle in a store and a targeted pop up advert or coupon appears as I pass the product is here right now. Funny, I don’t see it any store I shop in?
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communications Consultant
I have no vested interest in these guys but appear to be the smartest knives in the drawer to give me the free access I deserve
Cloud Communications
Cloud Communications
Everyday goes by without another cloud story, although the Microsoft Cloud commercial on TV is my favorite. “Yeeehhhhhh Cloud”
One of the cloud services that maybe hasn’t gathered a lot of attention lately is Cloud Communications.
Cloud Communication is internet based voice, data and video communications that’s hosted by a third party. The Cloud Communication technology sits in the 3rd party’s data center and is accessible via the internet or MPLS based connections.
This solution eliminates any up-front capital costs, is easily scalable, can offer a multitude of features and is location independent.
Customers can pay for what they need on a monthly rate and pick and choose for each user what features they really need. This is an attractive business proposition as one does not need to have any technology on their premise or have to worry about any maintenance. The Hosted VOIP provider provides all those services.
These hosted services typically were just DID extensions and voice mail but now include collaboration tools such as Instant Messaging, CRM and Video.
These services now are called the sexy Cloud Communications model in order to tag along all the hype.
Today, one can take their current system depending on platform technology and put it into their private cloud or you can use as VOIP providers system.
Cloud/Hosted Communications does have some risks:
• Business customers rely on internet connections that have no quality of service. Thus calls can become disconnected or become distorted The Steve Jobs keynote last week announcing iPad 2 basically slowed down the internet for the day. Your business wouldn’t be having the greatest success if calls drop all day.
• Advanced needs such as paging, music on hold, desktop or telephone based applications specific to a certain vendor may not work
• CTI applications maybe difficult if you have a small call center
• Long Term contracts could you lock you into a poor provider
• You don’t control the telephony environment – they do
• 911 may be an issue depending on the configuration
Cloud Communications can be a very cost effective solution and a definite consideration when shopping around for a new telephone system.
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communication Consultant
Everyday goes by without another cloud story, although the Microsoft Cloud commercial on TV is my favorite. “Yeeehhhhhh Cloud”
One of the cloud services that maybe hasn’t gathered a lot of attention lately is Cloud Communications.
Cloud Communication is internet based voice, data and video communications that’s hosted by a third party. The Cloud Communication technology sits in the 3rd party’s data center and is accessible via the internet or MPLS based connections.
This solution eliminates any up-front capital costs, is easily scalable, can offer a multitude of features and is location independent.
Customers can pay for what they need on a monthly rate and pick and choose for each user what features they really need. This is an attractive business proposition as one does not need to have any technology on their premise or have to worry about any maintenance. The Hosted VOIP provider provides all those services.
These hosted services typically were just DID extensions and voice mail but now include collaboration tools such as Instant Messaging, CRM and Video.
These services now are called the sexy Cloud Communications model in order to tag along all the hype.
Today, one can take their current system depending on platform technology and put it into their private cloud or you can use as VOIP providers system.
Cloud/Hosted Communications does have some risks:
• Business customers rely on internet connections that have no quality of service. Thus calls can become disconnected or become distorted The Steve Jobs keynote last week announcing iPad 2 basically slowed down the internet for the day. Your business wouldn’t be having the greatest success if calls drop all day.
• Advanced needs such as paging, music on hold, desktop or telephone based applications specific to a certain vendor may not work
• CTI applications maybe difficult if you have a small call center
• Long Term contracts could you lock you into a poor provider
• You don’t control the telephony environment – they do
• 911 may be an issue depending on the configuration
Cloud Communications can be a very cost effective solution and a definite consideration when shopping around for a new telephone system.
John Leonardelli
Senior Unified Communication Consultant
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