Our cyber security columnist, Davey Winder, explains why security conversations surrounding connected medical devices are not over yet. 
I’ve been warning about the Internet of Medical Things (IoT) from the threat-mapping perspective since I first started writing on cybersecurity for Digital Health six years ago.
A lot has changed since 2016 and, sadly, much has stayed the same. On the positive side of the connected-device security landscape fence sits the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Bill which, as of 23 March 2022, according to the parliamentary bill’s status site remains at the report stage. Assuming this passes into law before the end of the year, this would prohibit the use of factory set weak default passwords for IoT devices. That’s a really good move. Hop to the other side of the fence and you quickly learn that the PSTI Bill is consumer legislation and won’t cover medical devices. OK, let’s try and find some positives in that.
Is existing legislation enough?
At the end of last year, I interviewed David Rogers MBE for a Forbes article about the PSTI Bill. Rogers, as well as being CEO of IoT security outfit Copper Horse is also chair of the GSM Association (GSMA) Fraud and Security Group as well as sitting on the executive board of the Internet of Things Security Foundation. Most notably, however, he drafted a set of technical requirements that eventually became what is now the UK Code of Practice for Consumer IoT Security. In other words, he’s an IoT security expert of the highest calibre. So, why was he not too concerned about medical devices not being included in the proposed legislation? Rogers spoke to the clear “sectoral differences and already existing regulation,” particularly in the medical sector, which cover safety aspects and “go above and beyond where we are here, and it doesn’t seem to make sense to land grab those spaces”.
Indeed, the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 was granted Royal Assent last year and built upon the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 to “update the regulatory system for medical devices as and when required”, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. Whether this actually does ensure an “effective system for regulating medical devices” remains to be seen. I’m skeptical not least because while the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has oversight when it comes to the safety, quality and performance of medical devices, there’s a world of difference between measuring clinical effectiveness and potential cybersecurity vulnerability. I’m inclined to think that excluding these devices from the PSTI Bill is, actually, regrettable.
Research found 75% of medical IoT devices had known security gaps
As we all know how vulnerable medial IoT devices can be. 
Continue reading: https://www.digitalhealth.net/2022/04/the-security-conversation-on-connected-medical-devices-is-far-from-over/

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Luxury auto maker Audi is driving full-throttle toward Industry 4.0, using AI inference and computer vision on the factory floor with autonomous robot welders that can react in real time and fix issues that may arise when welding the frame of a car. That’s just one example of how the company is moving toward realizing its ultimate vision of creating smart factories with a scalable and flexible platform that will enable data analytics, communications and processing at the edge, powered by 5G.
In the past, welding required a lot of manual intervention and inspection to ensure sufficient quality, says Nick McKeown, senior vice president and general manager of the network and edge group at Intel, which is working with Audi. Now, with cameras reviewing the quality of the weld the need for human intervention has greatly decreased.
"If you want, or need to process data in real time, you actually have to bring the compute to the data, to the point of data creation and data consumption." - Sandra Rivera
"Edge computing is taking the technology resources we've been developing over many years for the computing industry and using them to analyze and process data at the edge", McKeown says. The concept of edge computing is storing data closer to where it is generated and used—like the factory floor--instead of in the cloud, which means it can be processed in real or near real time.
"If you want, or need to process data in real time, you actually have to bring the compute to the data, to the point of data creation and data consumption", explains Sandra Rivera, executive vice president and general manager of the datacenter and AI group at Intel. Not having to move large amounts of data enhances security, and increases reliability while reducing latency. And because data is kept more private there is an additional layer of data sovereignty available when needed, adds McKeown.
Continue reading: https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/04/13/1049529/with-5g-ai-at-the-edge-promises-a-compute-everywhere-future/

We’re at the beginning of a new technology epoch.
The world has been migrating to the cloud – private, public, and hybrid – for nearly 20 years. In the last technological epoch, enterprises have utilized the cloud as a centralized repository where they can economically store and access their data. The cloud has taken over the world, replacing onsite servers and storage, and providing economies of scale. And yet, a fatal flaw with the cloud paradigm lurks.
For years, organizations have moved their data to the cloud while assuming “the cloud is the cloud.” In reality, the cloud is an earth-bound infrastructure, managed in locations around the globe, and made accessible by the internet. Accessible, however, is not the same as ubiquitous. When migrating to the cloud, considerations must be made for which data to send there, the distance between the cloud locations and the users that access them, and technologies that can mitigate some latency along the way.
The cloud tidal wave of the past 20 years has had enterprises believing that ‘the cloud will handle it’ without addressing the physical distance between cloud data centers and users, and the potential for performance, compliance, and productivity problems not only between the clouds but also between users and the cloud. These are some of the hitches that still and likely will always need to be addressed in some form with the cloud.
Fundamentally, when an organization’s data resides in the cloud, it gives up its independence for convenience and affordability. The organization’s data becomes a tenant, usually one of very many in one big cloud. A cloud that can and will occasionally fail, taking every organization’s enterprise data offline with it.
Recognizing that the cloud is a good start but not the final destination, the pendulum is swinging. We are here, on the precipice of the next technological epoch. Organizations are now shifting their focus from a centralized cloud, located out there somewhere, to a decentralized model – edge cloud. Edge cloud is the distributed computing and storage paradigm that includes the deployment of infrastructure and applications outside of centralized data centers, in multiple locations, as close as possible to where data is generated and consumed.
Continue reading: https://solutionsreview.com/cloud-platforms/edge-comouting-definition-and-roadmap-for-the-future/

Businesses’ transition to connected operations is inevitable, but so is the challenge of designing, planning, building and maintaining the technology capabilities necessary to support the evolution. These could range from lack of access to skilled individuals for implementation and maintenance, to concerns around managing edge infrastructure at scale, according to research from Schneider Electric.
The provider of solutions for digital transformation of energy management and automation says resilient, secure, sustainable resources, remote software and digital service solutions, and trusted partners are critical to overcome the challenges and succeed at the network edge.
The research paper, Succeeding at digital-first connected operations, carried out by IDC, highlights the power of edge computing in enabling the shift to a digital-first world. It took responses from more than 1,000 IT and operations professionals across industrial, healthcare, education and other verticals, as well as a series of in-depth interviews with industrial enterprises. Respondents were global, representing firms in the US, China, Japan, Germany, the UK, India and Ireland.
The organisations ranged in size from 100 employees to more than 1,000. Responses provided insights about the factors driving edge investments, the challenges firms face while deploying to the edge, obstacles to continued investment, and strategic recommendations to future-proof edge capabilities.
Schneider regards edge computing as one of the major enablers of a digital-first paradigm. In fact, the most common use cases of edge infrastructure include cyber security systems to monitor the operational network locally, as well as storing and processing operational data to bring it to the cloud.
“As organisations seek to create new or improved experiences for customers and to become more operationally efficient, improve safety and security and become more sustainable, they are leaning more on digital technologies,” said Chris Hanley, SVP, commercial operations and global channels, leading edge commercial strategy at Schneider Electric.
Continue reading: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252515950/Edge-computing-is-critical-enabler-of-transition-to-digital-first-connected-operations

Some bad news is in store for those irritated by the unmistakable buzzing of electric drones: they’re not going away anytime soon. In fact, they are set to become only more ubiquitous.
If estimates from SESAR - a European partnership tasked with overhauling European airspace and air traffic management - are to be believed, by 2050 there could be close to 7.5 million personal and commercial drones zipping through European skies.
To prepare for this new reality, researchers in Spain are testing out a new system that will, hopefully, keep these drones from crashing into each other.
The BUBBLES project has drawn together researchers from academia, industry and European institutions with the aim of developing a so-called separation management system for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Israel Quintanilla, professor of aerospace engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and communications lead for the BUBBLES project, explained the project to reporters.
Read more: https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/04/14/spain-hosts-mass-drone-flight-tests-to-prepare-for-a-future-where-unmanned-aircraft-rule-t

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection is funding a new three-year research project on the use of passenger-grade air taxis and cargo drones to complement helicopter and ship deployments when servicing offshore wind farms. The idea is to fly technicians and materials out to sea using drones, and reduce the time and cost it takes to service a wind turbine.
The project is being spearheaded by electric utility company EnBW, wind farms and solar parks developer Energiekontor, and the German government’s research center for aeronautics and space DLR.
Offshore wind farms play a critical role in ensuring sustainable energy supply in Germany. However, their location far from the coast means long journeys for the maintenance teams. Moreover, accommodating service technicians at sea is also a costly affair.
The engineers working on the project envision using cargo drones to transport tools and materials directly to the top of a 100-meter wind turbine – eliminating the need for cranes. And if service technicians were to travel by air taxis, it would negate the need for logistically complex transfers to the turbines and two-week shifts with overnight stays at sea.
Continue reading: https://dronedj.com/2022/04/14/germany-drones-offshore-wind-farms/

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — If you currently fly a drone or ever thought about piloting a drone, you may want to make sure you’re following all rules and regulations to avoid a fine. In New York, there are certain local, state, and federal rules for flying a drone.
A drone is a remote-controlled pilotless aircraft. Drones can be used by government organizations, or for commercial, educational or recreational purposes. Each type of drone user has a different set of regulations.
Federal rules
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), recreational flyers must:

• Take the Recreational Unmanned Aircraft System Safety Test and carry proof that you passed
• Fly for strictly recreational purposes
• Keep your drone within your visual line of sight or use a visual observer physically next to and in direct communication with you
• Give way and do not interfere with manned aircrafts
• Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace
• Fly at or below 400 feet in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E) only with prior authorization
• Have a current registration, mark your drones with the registration number and carry proof of registration on you
• Don’t operate the drone in a dangerous manner, such as interfering with law enforcement activities or flying under the influence of drugs or alcohol

The FAA asks drone flyers to follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO). However, the FAA has not started officially recognizing CBOs. These rules serve as the guidelines until CBOs are recognized.
For commercial flyers, many rules are the same under the FAA. However, users need to become FAA-certified drone pilots by taking a different knowledge test.
Those who violate any of these rules or operate in a dangerous manner may be subject to FAA enforcement action.
State rules
As for state laws, there’s only one law regarding drone use in New York. The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has a law that went into effect in 2015 for regulating unmanned aircraft systems. Recreational flyers need a special permit to launch, land, and operate on land and water administered by OPRHP.
Lawmakers in New York have attempted to pass laws regarding drones in the past. Assembly Bill A01670 to criminalize the unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft was introduced in 2017 but failed in committee. Assembly Bill A417 to impose limitations on the use of drones was introduced in 2021 but lost its sponsor in 2022.
Continue reading: https://www.news10.com/news/ny-news/rules-for-flying-a-drone-in-new-york-state/

This year, I missed Equal Pay Day. It’s hard for me to admit this, especially since it’s often my job to pay attention to issues of gender equity in the workplace. But, in 2022, Equal Pay Day — the day that marks how far into the new year the average woman must work to match what her male counterparts made the year before — fell earlier than usual, on March 15.
This should have been a good sign. Last year, women made 82 cents to the dollar, and this year they made 83 cents to the dollar. However, you won’t catch me celebrating. Especially once you dig deeper: Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, which landed in August in 2021, but will be pushed to September this year, and Latinx Women’s Equal Pay Day, which landed in September in 2021, now won’t happen until December.
This issue is weighing on me heavier than usual when reflecting on Women’s History Month, which gives those in power the opportunity to share empty platitudes about the importance of women’s contributions to society, and vague promises for a more equitable future, instead of meaningful change.
Promises don’t pay our bills. The numbers on the wage gap are proof that we still have a long way to go — and for Black and Latinx women, things are getting worse. 
Continue reading: https://blavity.com/equal-pay-women-of-color-tech-opportunity?category1=opinion

Aruna Pattam is a seasoned AI leader with over 22 years of experience. She is currently the head of AI and data science at HCL Technologies for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Japan.
Aruna has completed her master’s in data science and has extensive experience in delivering solutions using data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Earlier, she has held many technical and executive leadership roles in Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, AMP financial services, and SAS Australia. In an interaction with Analytics India Magazine, she discussed her journey in analytics and AI.
AIM: What made you pursue a STEM career?
Aruna Pattam: Just like many girls, after finishing high school, I took the non-technical stream and pursued business administration and then went on to do an MBA. I had an interest in computers, but I was afraid it was too complex, so I stayed away. When I migrated to Australia and got an opportunity to study, my interest in computers sparked again. I entered a postgraduate computer and information science program. I was so inexperienced that I didn’t know how to insert a floppy disk into the computer. 
Initially, it was a little hard coming from a non-technical stream but my sheer interest and passion in the subject kept me going, and that helped me to complete my postgraduation.
AIM: How did you get into AI and analytics?
Aruna Pattam: When I was doing my last year of postgraduation, my university organized the campus interview, and I was fortunate enough to be offered a role – one was in networks, and the other one was with SAS, a global analytics company. Without much idea about analytics, but impressed by the flexibility and how supportive they were during the interview process, I took up the role in SAS. And, as they say, the rest is history!
Continue reading: https://analyticsindiamag.com/we-need-to-increase-visibility-of-women-in-stem-fields-aruna-pattam-hcl-technologies/

For sectors mired in stodgy, conventional paper-based systems brimming with red tape, bureaucracy and protracted approval processes, meaningful change requires actually moving mountains. Government agencies own some of the most sclerotic processes and systems, but legislators and the public are demanding better.
Last year, Gartner predicted that around 5% of government entities would adopt blockchain technology as part of digitization or improvement efforts. As transparent, secure solutions for digital interactions, smart contracts and distributed ledgers enable government entities to elegantly synchronize data across systems and produce immutable records for businesses, property, goods and services.
In 2022, we are already seeing more government entities announcing blockchain initiatives—including state-sponsored cryptocurrencies—to solve big issues and in efforts to guarantee data security and integrity.
(New) News
Recent headlines tout the deployment of an Indian government-backed blockchain platform to issue financial contracts and guarantee payments between domestic businesses. Another effort seeks to ensure secure and seamless documentation to streamline the logistics space. Likewise, the United Nations is looking to blockchain, calling out the need for "multilateral solutions" and regulatory capabilities of the digital technology, particularly in its cross-border functionalities as the world moves to a new era of digital transformation.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/04/13/governments-are-testing-the-state-backed-blockchain-water/?sh=3fafc6b364cd

The artificial intelligence (AI) market is growing fast. One powerful subset of AI is machine learning (ML), which involves not predefined instructions and fixed algorithms but learned patterns over artificial neural networks. Developers have used ML to solve mission-critical problems with high speed and accuracy in a wide range of domains, including agriculture, e-commerce, education, finance, manufacturing, medicine, networking, transportation and more.
For many IT practitioners and consultants, ML is a matter of not if but when and how. They are asking themselves questions such as, "What's my use case, design and scale? Which ML techniques will I deploy (language processing, classification, anomaly detection, etc.)? How will I deploy—DIY or with external help—and train the model?"
Recently, however, another set of questions have arisen concerning the external costs and environmental impact of ML. That applies especially to deep learning—neural networks with several layers of interconnected nodes.
Recent Studies
One of the early alerts on this topic was a 2019 paper by three scientists from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, who estimated that the training alone of one natural language processing (NLP) deep learning model emitted five times more CO2 than an average car consumes across its entire lifetime. (Overall, in commercial deployments to date, the energy consumed while training ML is small compared to the energy required for inference, so the total carbon impact of a single model can be very large.) More studies followed.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/04/13/ai-and-ml-think-green/?sh=2bcdf79341a9

• Artificial empathy allows brands to target individual consumer needs.
• AI can be used to analyze customer behavior at scale for personalized insights.
• But artificial empathy still needs human input and interpretation to work most effectively.

In a proliferated, multi-channel world, every brand needs to win the heart and mind of the consumer to acquire and retain them. They need to set up a foundation of empathy and connectedness.
Artificial intelligence combined with a human-centric approach to marketing might seem like a contrarian model. But the truth is that machine learning, AI and automation are vital for brands today to transform data into empathetic, customer-centric experiences. For marketers, AI-based solutions serve as a scalable and customizable tool capable of understanding the motive behind consumer interactions. This is the power of artificial empathy: When brands target individual consumer needs and connect with them at a deeper level than mere transactional exchanges. When it comes to empathetic machines, Hollywood may have made us think of the likes of Wall-E: robots with emotions. But artificial empathy is fundamentally about giving technology the ability to discover and respond to human emotions.
Artificial empathy and data application
Technology provides us with insights about what the customer has done, but also nuggets and nuances that help anticipate future needs. But to mine them means analyzing reams of data to detect wider patterns or evolving preferences. Businesses cannot just rely on research and data teams to glean what customers are throwing back at them. The need right now is to be active listeners with ears on the ground and an ability to respond in real time.
Continue reading: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/04/artificial-empathy-artificial-intelligence/

Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) helps an organization align its information technology with business objectives while managing risk and meeting regulatory compliance requirements. GRC as a discipline aims to cooperate and synchronize information and processes. In today's business environment, where executives are under enormous pressure to perform, a strong and integrated GRC program can make all the difference.
In a world where business risks increase daily, reducing waste of time is essential. AI in GRC offers a faster way to identify, classify and analyze risks as they unfold. AI provides a holistic view of all departments, fosters collaborative thinking and draws attention to evidence-based decision-making by breaking down these barriers. With the help of AI security, legal functions, analytics and audits create a powerful mechanism for organizations to protect themselves.
Future of AI-based GRC
Most companies want to enhance their GRC initiatives with better technology. Artificial intelligence has the potential to provide the most innovative solution. However, AI is not perfect and it is important to consider the limitations of these solutions. Using AI in GRC is not without its challenges. The technique has to be trained, which takes time and money. However, AI's ability to detect and respond to threats before they occur will help organizations reduce the risk of data breaches, cyberattacks and other risks. Employees can be given extensive training on how the technology works so they can better prepare for potential pitfalls. Employees who understand how AI works can strategize how it can impact their job roles and responsibilities. Ultimately, the experience of designing and implementing AI in GRC will be a real test of creativity and innovation for GRC professionals.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/naveenjoshi/2022/04/14/how-ai-optimizes-your-organizations-grc-functioning/?sh=e7c385e51798

Combining a human and machine approach will change the efficiency, revenue and productivity of your business.
When looking to Hollywood for our data on AI — out-of-control robots taking over the world or coming back from the future to alter history — it’s no wonder we might fear it. But I saw an image the other day that illustrates the problem with this thinking perfectly: 
A robot tries to pass a slice of bread to a prisoner, pressing it up flat against the prison bars. A human trains the robot to turn the slice sideways so it fits, and it successfully passes the prisoner their bread. Then, when the robot is unable to fit a bowl of water through the bars, they attempt the same solution: turning it sideways. The bowl passes through fine, but the water spills onto the floor. 
There is no need to worry about AI making our decisions or taking our jobs. AI can present data, but it needs humans to provide the data. While that may sound like a simple, one-off task that could then spiral out of control, humans are needed not only to train and explain, but also sustain AI operation long-term. These three roles are vital to a healthy relationship between AI and humans. By balancing the speed and accuracy of AI with the human ability to identify right from wrong, you can create a powerful blend that will radically alter the trajectory of your business.
Continue reading: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/422921

Remember when everyone swore Amazon’s zillions of products would soon be delivered via drone? (Everyone including Jeff Bezos himself?) Well, it isn’t just you who hasn’t been receiving their discounted merchandise by drone over the last few years. Amazon has apparently been struggling with the delivery program of its dreams, despite the significant amount of time, money, and manpower it’s already sunk into the project. 
Amazon’s drone delivery program has reportedly been “beset by technical challenges, high turnover, and safety concerns.” That’s according to a new investigation by Bloomberg. Internal company documents reveal several safety features failed and caused a brush fire when Amazon took its delivery drones for a test drive last year. Amazon responded by pressuring its employees to resolve the safety failings and get the program back on good terms with regulators, which in turn influenced employees to cut corners, risking their personal safety on the job. This echoes a common criticism of Amazon in other contexts—namely, that the company prioritizes speed over all other factors, including personal safety.
Amazon denies that its drone tests have resulted in any injury or harm, but interviews with 13 current and former employees say otherwise. “Someone is going to have to get killed or maimed for them to take these safety issues seriously,” one former drone project manager told Bloomberg after he was fired for flagging safety issues to his manager. David Carbon, a former Boeing employee who was hired in 2020 to run Amazon’s drone program, is said to have continuously put “speed over safety” and retaliated against employees who voiced safety concerns.
The drone delivery program has eaten more than $2 billion in development costs since its origination. Even so, Amazon customers are far from having their purchases dropped on their doorsteps via drone. The FAA requires companies with commercial drone delivery plans to conduct test flights in variously-populated areas to prove their programs’ safety and real-life viability. With five crashes within a single four-month period last year, however, things aren’t looking great for Amazon’s program. 
Once approved, Amazon drones should be able to deliver packages up to weighing up to 5 pounds within half an hour of purchase. Each drone will have a reach of up to 7 miles from an Amazon delivery station, of which there are over a thousand across the country. 
Continue reading: https://www.extremetech.com/internet/333972-amazon-hit-by-drone-crash-problems

When I was a kid I knew a couple guys that had a remote control airplane. Not everyone was fortunate to have one, but if you did you were always open to show off your flying skills. Through the years, the prices have come down a bit, but still pricey for a quality one.
Then drones came onto the scene and anyone can afford them and have them. Still people enjoy showing off their flying skills and can do that by just showing the video they created.
Did you know that if you have a drone, there are certain rules you must follow? Because drones have become so popular and advanced, you have to make sure to follow the rules or you could cause harm or damage to others and face charges.
A quick YouTube search and you can see drone footage from all over Wyoming, so you know it's legal...but when, where, why and how you fly them is important. There is also a difference in rules when you're using a drone for recreational use or commercial use and the difference could cost you. Here's what the FAA says about the difference between the two.

Non-recreational purposes include things like taking photos to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, or taking pictures of a high school football game for the school's website. Goodwill or other non-monetary value can also be considered indirect compensation. This would include things like volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization. Recreational flight is simply flying for fun or personal enjoyment.

Click to expand...

If you're looking to advance from recreational to commercial drone user, Know Before You Fly.org is a great source for information and resources for your advancement. Read More: In Wyoming It's Legal To Fly Drones And The Rules Are Simple | https://k2radio.com/in-wyoming-its-legal-to-fly-drones-and-the-rules-are-simple/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Many leaders would be surprised to discover that their organization is lacking in data maturity. They might see that they have data professionals on staff and that different data resources are being used, and they could think that the organization is getting a lot of value from the data being collected, but this is not always the case. This is why a data maturity assessment can be so important.
In a basic sense, data maturity is a measure of an organization's ability to use data, along with how well the organization leverages those capabilities. When an organization is data mature, it means that it can deploy its data resources to achieve a range of goals. In many cases, this not only means making data-driven decisions but also making data resources more accessible throughout the organization.
What Is A Data Maturity Assessment?
A data maturity assessment (DMA) is a framework for determining how data mature an organization is. There are different models for performing a DMA, but most of them will define different stages of data maturity to represent an organization's data capabilities and the effectiveness with which the organization deploys those capabilities.
In essence, a DMA is like an audit of an organization's data resources, data governance practices and the processes that go into the use of data at the organization. The purpose is to define the data maturity of the organization while also developing plans to advance that data maturity.
Identifying a lack of data maturity is the first step in making an organization more data-driven. But what are some of the issues that might come up during a data maturity assessment?
Unclear Goals Or Vision
One of the most common issues uncovered during a DMA is the lack of a data strategy or a strategy that does not have clear goals. Data should be seen as a guiding force in the organization, but you need to have goals and a clear vision of where you want the data to take you.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/04/12/data-maturity-finding-a-path-to-a-data-driven-future/?sh=14cc369a7d16

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview Sharon Kratochvil, global data & analytics executive for Capri Holdings Limited. Capri Holdings is a global fashion luxury group, consisting of iconic brands (Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Versace) that cover the full spectrum of fashion luxury categories including women’s and men’s accessories, footwear and apparel as well as wearable technology, watches, jewelry, eyewear and a full line of fragrance products.
Kratochvil has an interesting background. Not only is she a chief data officer (CDO) who holds a PhD, she is a trained econometrician (someone who uses statistics and math to model and predict economic outcomes). I was impressed by her expertise when she spoke at a recent CDO Club event, where she advocated for two important new notions: There are data product managers and data products. She is truly on the vanguard of this trend and provides a valuable model for CDOs to follow. According to Kratochvil, the rise of data products and product managers has occurred because traditional business intelligence projects were too siloed.
What Is a Data Product?
Kratochvil’s perspective about data products contrasts with analyst firms. She argues that firms should have only a small number of data products. The goal for these products should be to support a strategic ecosystem, and each data product should include and integrate multiple data sources, with data enhancements (i.e. engineered features, algorithms, scores), and the platforms associated with the data product. One data product as an ecosystem is used across multiple functional areas to drive a set of business outcomes.
The move to data products makes data strategic. At Capri, their businesses consider data products to be strategic data assets. And this has led to a natural distinction between base data and data products. Base data is a single source. Whereas data products are always multi source and built for specific business function.
Continue reading: https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/what-does-a-data-product-manager-do/

In this episode of the IoT For All podcast, Head of Business Development IoT for Vodafone Business, Phil Skipper, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of IoT and the impact of 5G. The podcast kicks off with Phil providing insights on the evolution and increasing adoption of IoT. He then talks about how 5G will change IoT by creating a new dimension of use, control. Phil also talks about the role of quality of service for IoT adopters before wrapping up the podcast by discussing challenges and advice for companies looking to adopt IoT.
Phil joined Vodafone in 2013, having amassed a wealth of experience across various industries, including defense, FMCG, manufacturing, and media. A long-term exponent of telemetry, M2M, and IoT and having worked within many of the world’s leading enterprises, including Siemens, Landis & Gyr, and Mars in the US, UK, Switzerland, and New Zealand, Phil brings a highly strategic view of this rapidly changing and evolving market:
“IoT is central to the current wave of digitization, and as Head of Strategy, there are few other markets where there is so much opportunity to drive value for our customers. The potential for IoT to revolutionize the way we do business but also to have a positive social impact is a really exciting prospect, and I am particularly excited to play a key role in driving this future direction.”
Continue reading: https://www.iotforall.com/podcasts/e175-how-5g-will-change-iot

IoT can be used by digital enterprises also to cultivate stronger relationships with their business customers via B2B metrics. Customers in these channels may be internal/governmental or could be partners or suppliers.
Which Company Is Leading In Iot?

Is Saas Part Of Iot?
In order to reduce complexity and expense associated with the deployment of IoT, IoT SaaS companies offer platforms which include scalability, real-time data capture, and machine learning capabilities.
What Is Saas In Iot?
The term “SaaS” comes from the term’software as a service’, which describes a wide range of business opportunities. In addition to its security issues, SaaS has drawn a great deal of interest and dislike from users and service providers, both from both perspective and benefit sides.
Which Companies Are Investing In Iot?

How Iot Will Enable New Customer Service And B2B Interactions?
By implementing IoT, organizations have the opportunity to reach a wide market. Data can be shared in a channel that makes human interaction no longer required. Thus, predictive analysis facilitates decision making based on analysis of market behavior.
What Are Examples Of B2B Products?

• Through the testimonials customers write on their company’s product pages, Salesforce portrays their achievements in shining terms.
• Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Capital One.
• Hootsuite.
• Dropbox.
• Price API.

What Is Iot Based Company?
Software, hardware integration, and IoT applications are designed by some of the companies that develop Internet of Things systems. The consultants find ways of saving their clients money and overcoming obstacles to success. provide full-stack IoT services in the areas of manufacturing and distribution for various industries as well.
 
Continue reading: https://www.ictsd.org/b2b-saas-companies-and-iot/

The supply chain havoc caused by the coronavirus pandemic has left an indelible mark on the minds (and businesses) of manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and retailers. Lockdowns and restrictions hindered manufacturing and shipping, resulting in shortages in pharmaceuticals, electronics, food items and raw materials in just about every industry.
A McKinsey study on the impact of this extended disruption found something very interesting: while 75% of companies surveyed faced problems with their supplier base, production and distribution, 85% said they struggled with “insufficient digital technologies” in the supply chain.
The solution? Nine out of 10 leaders in the survey said they planned to focus on digitization of the supply chain to improve its resilience. Specifically, they’re looking at these areas:

• Centralized supply chain planning
• Advanced analytics
• Reskilling the labor force for digital planning and monitoring

In the never-ending hunt for maximum efficiency and cost savings, supply chain digitization correlates closely with smart manufacturing processes. And it has quite some catching up to do – the smart manufacturing industry is set to grow from $250 billion in 2021 to $658 billion in 2029.
Driving this parallel growth in smart manufacturing and supply chain technology are a handful of technologies:

• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT):devices that enable data collection from more interaction points, factory automation, shipment tracking via GPS and machine-to-machine (M2M) and machine-to-people (M2P) communications

Continue reading: https://www.cio.com/article/308406/how-data-from-iot-devices-is-changing-supply-chain-analytics.html

At The Rising 2022, the panel discussion on ‘Changing Narrative for Women in Tech’ resonated with the audience in a big way. The session embodied the struggles women face in the patriarchal society, alongside discussing gender discrimination at work and other challenges and how they overcame them – breaking the glass ceiling. 
Moderated by renowned journalist Barkha Dutt, the panelists included Manoj Madhusudanan, head of dunnhumby India; Shobha Bhagwat, data analyst manager at Gojek; Aashima Kumar, senior manager of data analytics at Publicis Sapient; Jaya Janardanan, COO at Indostar Capital Finance. 
A study shows how women continue to be underrepresented in the tech ecosystem. For instance, the tech giants – Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft – have only 34.4 per cent of women in their workforce. In this panel discussion, the panelist discussed how women could get into roles typically labelled as ‘not suitable for women’ and how individuals can change the narrative for women in tech. 
Dutt opened the panel discussion with a very interesting thought. She said we have heard a lot of pet phrases like diversity, inclusion, empowerment, and equality. But how do we go beyond these words as clichés, as workspace slogans? Most importantly, how do these things translate into real lives? “Because real lives are made up of real people, and real people are imperfect,” added Dutt and asked the audience how we can navigate a changing philosophy in the workspace and what that means in each of our lives. 
Continue reading: https://analyticsindiamag.com/changing-narrative-for-women-in-tech/

Today’s Woman in Tech: Elise Morse, Vibration Analyst at Augury
Elise Morse is a Vibration Analyst at Augury, the leading IoT and AI-driven Machine Health solution provider. Previously, she was a Project Engineer at Mechanical Solutions Inc. and Pump Improvement Engineer at an industry-leading pump company. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
When did you become interested in technology? What first got you interested in tech?
My father definitely triggered my interest in technology. He was an electrical engineer and regularly brought projects home with him – such as tool prototypes from when he worked for DeWalt or Black & Decker. I found it fascinating and I still do.
Let’s talk about your background. How did you end up in your career path? What obstacles did you have to overcome?
I used to be an Assistant Engineer in the Merchant Marines, where I learned a lot about maintenance and dealing with pumps and compressors. A challenge I faced was that there wasn’t a terribly large support system. For the most part, everyone was pretty respectful, but there are definitely no shoulders to cry on. You really had to be strong for yourself.
Continue reading: https://jaxenter.com/women-in-tech-morse-177129.html

March was Women's History Month. Even though it ended, let us not forget that it is now more important than ever to foster a culture of safety, not just physical but emotional, to ensure everyone feels heard and included. Women cannot be the only ones advocating for gender equity, and I firmly believe that men are a vital part of this effort; they need to be part of the solution.
According to the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), nearly 2.2 million women left the workforce in 2020 between February and October, and while women gained 188,000 jobs in January 2022, they are still short by more than 1.8 million jobs lost since February 2020.
Women in tech who share their experiences with me often feel isolated in their fight against prejudice because people around them are too afraid to speak up, especially men. It is time for all males to show up explicitly to make good on their promises to be allies to their female colleagues, especially in male-dominated industries such as tech.
The question now is, how can we retain our employees and support the women in our workplace as we continue to address the challenges presented by the pandemic? One way is for companies to address bias and update their hiring practices. Another is to foster a culture where men and nonbinary individuals become allies to the female and transgender women working alongside them.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/04/12/five-ways-men-in-tech-can-support-women-as-allies/?sh=4067c9807e6d