OrangeLoops https://orangeloops.com Turning ideas into software products Tue, 05 Dec 2023 18:24:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.8 Tech Game Changer: Why Companies Are Outsourcing https://orangeloops.com/2023/10/tech-game-changer-why-companies-are-outsourcing-2/ Fri, 06 Oct 2023 18:46:56 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6972

In our ever-connected global landscape, businesses have witnessed a shift like never before. With the push towards more open, borderless commerce, companies—irrespective of their scale—are broadening their horizons and exploring newer ways of maximizing efficiency and growth. Among these myriad strategies, outsourcing and staff augmentation have emerged as revolutionary trends in the technology world. But what is it about outsourcing and staff augmentation that has companies rushing to delegate specific tasks and operations to external entities?

“Outsourcing and staff augmentation offer businesses the agility needed to adapt in a rapidly evolving tech landscape—an agility often difficult to achieve with purely in-house teams. Whether it’s scaling as per business demands, filling talent gaps, or innovating via fresh perspectives, these strategies hold the answer.”
  • Scalability and Flexibility: External teams facilitate easier scaling, catering to changing business demands.
  • Core Competencies and Talent Gaps: Outsourcing allows companies to focus on their unique strengths while addressing potential skill shortages.
  • Innovation: Bringing in external perspectives can often spark groundbreaking ideas and solutions.
  • Cost Efficiency: Tapping into global talent pools can offer significant cost savings.

This article aims to delve into the specifics of why businesses are so eager to delegate tasks and functions to external entities, how these strategies benefit them, and what challenges might lie ahead. Let’s dive in to understand better.

Have you heard that? : 80% of companies believe outsourcing gives them a competitive advantage

 

Why Companies are Embracing Outsourcing and Staff Augmentation

 

Scalability and Flexibility

Staff augmentation and outsourcing provide companies with a degree of agility that is challenging to achieve with only in-house teams. As business demands change, scaling up or down with an external team becomes more manageable. If a project needs more professionals, an outsourcing partner can often provide the necessary staff more rapidly than traditional hiring processes allow.

Focus on Core Competencies and Bridging the Talent Gap

Every business possesses its distinct strengths. Outsourcing and staff augmentation enable companies to hone in on their core specialties, entrusting supportive tasks to specialized firms. Such an approach ensures the best use of a company’s vital resources: time, talent, and finances. Concurrently, with industries like tech facing talent shortages and not always having adequate professionals, these strategies offer a solution. They ensure businesses always have access to top-tier expertise, complementing their specialized focus without compromise.

Driving Innovation

Outsourcing isn’t just about delegating tasks—it’s about introducing fresh perspectives that can spark innovation. Companies expose themselves to diverse experiences and unique problem-solving approaches by outsourcing and incorporating external perspectives.

Cost Efficiency

The primary motivation for many companies is the potential for significant cost savings. By outsourcing or using local external staffing, businesses can tap into regional talent pools where the cost structure might differ. For instance, an IT professional in one nearby region might command a different salary than one in a metropolitan hub. The savings can then be redirected into core business activities or other initiatives.

Did you know that?: Companies of all sizes are expanding their horizons, turning to outsourced solutions to find top-tier talent, services, and technologies.

Types of outsourcing

 

Staff Augmentation:

It is a strategy where companies temporarily hire specific skill sets or resources to complement their existing team. It’s essentially plugging a few individuals into the current organizational structure.

With staff augmentation, also known as ‘body leasing,’ companies can infuse their workforce with just the right expertise they need.

  • Flexibility: This strategy avails companies of a quick way to adjust their workforce based on project requirements. They can swiftly onboard experts when demands spike, and scale down when no longer needed, sans the constraints of long-term commitments.
  • Cost-effective: Compared to permanent hiring, which may involve benefits, long-term salaries, and other committments, staff augmentation is a more budget-friendly option.
  • Access to expertise: With staff augmentation, companies can hire specialists for specific projects. It’s a strategic way to access top-tier knowledge without having to invest in long-term training or professional development.

Advantages:

  • Flexibility: Companies can quickly ramp up or down based on project requirements without long-term commitments.
  • Cost-effective: No need for permanent hiring, which entails benefits, long-term salaries, and other expenses.
  • Access to expertise: Companies can hire specialists for specific projects without investing in long-term training.

Challenges:

  • Integration: Temporary staff may not always blend seamlessly with the existing team culture and dynamics.
  • Short-term solution: It’s a tactical rather than a strategic approach, which might not be suitable for long-term projects.

Statistics say that: Staff augmentation can reduce hiring time by up to 40%.

Team Augmentation:

Goes a step further than staff augmentation. Instead of just individuals, companies hire a fully managed team that integrates with the existing workforce. This team has its own management and is equipped to handle a segment of the project or even the entire project.

Advantages:

  • Synergy: A fully managed team can often bring better synergy and team dynamics since they’re used to working together.
  • Less management overhead: The augmented team usually comes with its own management, reducing the burden on the hiring company.
  • Comprehensive solutions: A team might bring a combination of skills covering all project aspects.

Challenges:

  • Cultural fit: Ensuring the external team aligns with the company’s values and work culture can be challenging.
  • Communication: More layers may mean potential communication hurdles, mainly if they’re located in different time zones.

For all these reasons: Team augmentation involves hiring a fully managed team that integrates with the existing workforce.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Outsourcing:

Involves delegating entire business processes or functions to an external service provider. It’s not just about augmenting teams but often consists of handing over complete responsibility for a specific operation or service, like IT services, customer support, or manufacturing.

Advantages:

  • Cost savings: Outsourcing locally can be more economical, especially when tapping into nearby regions with different cost structures.
  • Focus on core competencies: Allows companies to concentrate on their core strengths and offload non-core functions.
  • Expertise: Service providers often bring specialized knowledge and state-of-the-art technology to the table.

Challenges:

  • Loss of control: Handing over an entire function can mean less direct control over processes and quality.
  • Security concerns: Sharing sensitive data with third parties can pose risks.
  • Dependency: Over-reliance on an external provider can be risky if the partnership sours or the vendor faces unforeseen challenges.

Choosing between staff augmentation, team augmentation, and outsourcing depends on the company’s needs, the nature of the project, and long-term objectives. While all three offer solutions to resource and expertise constraints, weighing the pros and cons to select the best fit is essential.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Outsourcing Model

 

You might wonder, “With all these options, which is the best solution for my company?” The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. What’s crucial is aligning your needs and goals with the right model out of the three—staff augmentation, team augmentation, or business process outsourcing. Each has its strengths and challenges; understanding these can guide you towards the right decision.

Consider When:

Below we’ve listed some factors to consider when deciding the best approach:

Choosing Staff Augmentation Choosing Team Augmentation Choosing Outsourcing
When specific expertise is needed for a short-term project. If you need to execute a comprehensive project that requires a holistic skillset and team dynamics. When you wish to delegate complete business processes that aren’t at the core of the company’s operations.
If you wish to maintain project control and management. When you prefer maintaining project oversight but want relief from individual team member management. When you’re comfortable giving up control to benefit from external specialized knowledge and possibly significant cost savings.
When you can quickly integrate external staff into existing teams. When you need a team that can work together seamlessly but still aligns with your company culture. If you have robust security measures and can manage vendor dependencies.

Flexible to Your Business Needs

Remember that the right choice may change over time. As your business evolves, so will your needs and goals. You might begin with staff augmentation for a specific project; then, as you scale up operations, switch to business process outsourcing. Don’t be surprised if your outsourcing journey involves experimentation and realignments along the way. The key is to stay flexible and responsive, continuously assessing your business needs.

Walking the Outsourcing Journey Together

Walking this journey doesn’t mean you’re alone. A reliable tech partner like OrangeLoops can be a valuable ally. We understand that the choice between staff augmentation, team augmentation, and outsourcing can be daunting, but we’re here to shape the right strategy with you.

Choosing between staff augmentation, team augmentation, and outsourcing depends on the company’s needs, the nature of the project, and long-term objectives.

Conclusion

The narrative surrounding outsourcing and local external staffing has evolved over the years. While cost savings remain a primary factor, the advantages now encompass strategic growth, adaptability, and innovation. By aligning with th6e right outsourcing and staff augmentation firms, companies can attain efficiency and distinguish themselves in today’s dynamic tech landscape. As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s achievable, strategic outsourcing will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the tech industry’s ongoing transformation.

At OrangeLoops, we assist companies that need that extra helping hand when it comes to staff augmentation or building web and mobile apps. We understand that the factors mentioned above are crucial for a company’s efficiency and performance, and that’s why we have become a trusted tech partner for Boston companies.

Want to know more?

 

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Boston’s AI Pioneers: How These Startups are Transforming Industries with Artificial Intelligence https://orangeloops.com/2023/07/boston-ai-pioneers-how-these-startups-are-transforming-industries-with-artificial-intelligence/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 16:19:50 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6933 Boston, a thriving innovation and technology hub, has become a hotbed for artificial intelligence (AI) startups. In 2023, AI is the top trend, with groundbreaking tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney transforming industries across the board. As AI continues to evolve and reshape how we live and work, Boston’s vibrant ecosystem fosters cutting-edge technology and collaboration among its AI startups

In this article, we spotlight some of Boston’s most promising AI startups and delve into their unique contributions to the AI revolution, showcasing their impact on fields such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and cybersecurity.

Let’s get started!

 

PathAI

PathAI is a Boston startup working to improve patient outcomes using AI-powered technology. By combining machine learning, deep learning, and a vast library of archived data, PathAI offers comprehensive biopharma and clinical solutions. Their platform leverages over 15 million annotations from a network of more than 450 pathologists, enabling the development of accurate AI-driven models.

These models promise substantial improvements in disease diagnosis and treatment, with applications ranging from more precise cancer detection to accelerated drug approval processes. Furthermore, PathAI’s dedication to transforming the field of pathology through AI ensures continuous innovation and growth, keeping them at the forefront of medical advancements.

 

Acrisure Technology Group

Acrisure Technology Group (ATG) is shaking up the industry with AI-driven innovations. By harnessing artificial intelligence to drive smarter risk-sharing and foster a more vibrant economy, ATG aims to revolutionize insurance distribution and underwriting.

Their premier AI Factory for risk combines the latest technology with a diverse team of high-caliber engineers, transforming data into predictions, insights, and choices. Acrisure Technology Group is trying to break down the industry’s traditional scale, scope, and learning constraints. Additionally, ATG’s relentless pursuit of innovation ensures that the company remains at the cutting edge of the AI-driven insurance landscape as they work to redefine the way the world shares its risk.

 

DataRobot

As a leader in Value-Driven AI, DataRobot is an AI Boston startup offering a comprehensive full-lifecycle AI platform. With broad ecosystem interoperability and a team of applied AI experts, envisions a future where all organizations adopt Value-Driven AI as a core competency. 

Their platform empowers businesses to improve operations, from decision-making to customer engagement. DataRobot’s employees are dedicated to finding robust solutions, continually pushing the boundaries of AI technology, and delivering unrivaled customer value. Moreover, DataRobot’s commitment to driving AI adoption across industries ensures that they remain at the forefront of technological advancements, shaping the future of business and society.

 

ValoHealth

ValoHealt is revolutionizing drug discovery and development with its AI-enabled platform. By using machine learning technology to predict the success or failure of drug discovery and patient treatment, Valo is fostering a culture of knowledge, collaboration, and innovation. 

Their platform combines data from various sources to enhance drug development analysis and decision-making process, paving the way for groundbreaking therapeutics and better patient outcomes. Beyond their current accomplishments, their dedication to continuous improvement and exploration of new AI applications in the pharmaceutical industry positions them as a leading innovator and essential player in developing life-saving treatments.

 

Cybereason

Cybereason, a prominent AI Boston startup, specializes in AI-based endpoint threat detection and response solutions. The company addresses unknown and advanced threats in near real-time by utilizing machine learning and behavioral analytics, extending future-ready attack protection from the endpoint to the enterprise and beyond.

Dedicated to reversing the adversary advantage, Cybereason works tirelessly to innovate and collaborate with other cybersecurity experts, ensuring they stay at the forefront of emerging threats. This steadfast commitment guarantees their clients the most advanced and effective protection, shielding businesses and individuals from potential harm.


 

Gradient AI

A standout in the AI Boston startup scene, Gradient AI, launched in 2018, has quickly made its mark on the insurance industry.

Their software-as-a-service platform equips insurance companies with bias-free, data-driven insights, facilitating enhanced profitability and expanded reach. Gradient AI is revolutionizing insurance practices by improving underwriting results, minimizing claim costs, and streamlining operations.

Used by globally recognized insurance carriers, MGAs, TPAs, and more, their platform is crafted by a team of expert data scientists and insurance technology veterans. Gradient AI’s exclusive focus on delivering tangible results for underwriting and claims operations underscores its commitment to the transformative power of AI in the insurance industry.

 

 

Final thoughts

The AI Boston startups featured in this article are at the forefront of the AI revolution in 2023, pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and technology. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and driving progress in their respective fields, these startups are reshaping their industries and shaping the future of AI. 

As the world continues to embrace the potential of AI, the groundbreaking work of these Boston startups serves as a testament to the transformative power of artificial intelligence.

Whether you’re a budding startup with breakthrough ideas, or keen on integrating AI-driven solutions into your business, OrangeLoops is your ideal partner for transforming your conceptual vision into a reality. Don’t hesitate to reach out and book a complimentary consultation with our team of industry experts!

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Announcing DrillRoom v2.0 and v2.1: Harness the Power of AI for Your Cue Sports Training https://orangeloops.com/2023/06/announcing-drillroom-v2-0-and-v2-1-harness-the-power-of-ai-for-your-cue-sports-training/ Wed, 28 Jun 2023 01:55:44 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6923 We’re excited to announce the release of two updates to our DrillRoom app – your AI-powered assistant for training in cue sports. Launched in January, version 2.0 brought innovative features and improvements, and now, version 2.1 is available, taking your training to a new level.

DrillRoom v2.0: Personalize Your Training with Custom Drills and a New Coach

The 2.0 update introduced the Drill Editor, a game-changing feature that lets you create custom drills tailored to your needs. Whether you’re working on speed control, shotmaking, or positional play, you can now design drills that target your specific areas for improvement.

In v2.0, we also welcomed a new coach voice from Stefano Dellino, an accomplished Italian cue sports professional. Stefano was kind enough to lend his expertise and become one of the virtual coaches for DrillRoom, providing instructions and feedback in Italian. We also squashed a few bugs along the way to make your user experience as smooth as possible.

DrillRoom v2.1: Capture Real Table Layouts and Share Drills with Ease

Just released today, version 2.1 takes the DrillRoom experience to new heights. The headline feature, Live Capture, allows you to use AI to capture the initial positions of balls on your table when creating custom drills. All you need is your iOS device’s camera – no tripod or rig required. Capture complex layouts just by framing the table with your device and taking a couple of steps at the head of your table. For best results make sure you capture different angles.

In the same way as when in chess you are facing a challenging position that you may want to capture to replay, and analyze later is that we are introducing Live Capture for billiard. It’s a great tool in your belt to study and practice tough spots later at your pool table of choice. At present, Live Capture supports 9-ball layouts, but we’re open to expanding this feature to support more balls, or even snooker balls in the future based on user feedback.

We’ve also enhanced drill sharing. Now, you can share drills as PDF files, with individual pages for each shot in the drill, making it easier than ever to collaborate and compete with friends or teammates. Plus, we’ve fixed some crashes to ensure a seamless training experience.

Join us in celebrating these milestones!

We are excited about the capabilities these versions introduced, and we are looking forward to seeing how the community makes use of them. They represent a significant step forward for the product. We also know that we can always do better, and your feedback is essential in guiding our future updates. Whether you have suggestions for new features, improvements to existing ones, or just want to share your DrillRoom success story, we’re all ears.

As always, thank you for being a part of the DrillRoom community! You can download DrillRoom and get these updates on the App Store.

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Boston Most Innovative Startups: Who to Watch in the Local Tech Industry https://orangeloops.com/2023/05/boston-most-innovative-startups-who-to-watch-in-the-local-tech-industry/ Mon, 29 May 2023 14:01:32 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6894 Boston is known for its thriving tech industry, with numerous startups constantly emerging and making waves. In this article, we will explore some of the most innovative startups in the local scene that are redefining their respective industries, pushing boundaries, and offering groundbreaking solutions. From performance optimization to diamond security tags and AI-driven marketing, these companies are ones to watch out for this 2023.

As we unveil each of these startups, you’ll discover the ingenuity and vision driving their success. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the exciting world of the most innovative Boston startups and explore what makes them stand out in the local tech industry.

 

WHOOP

Boston is home to a multitude of innovative startups, and among the most remarkable is WHOOP. Established in 2012, WHOOP has revolutionized the world of fitness wearables with its holistic approach to optimizing health and performance. Their advanced technology continuously monitors sleep, recovery, and daily exertion, providing users with actionable insights to maximize their workouts. It’s like having a personal coach by your side, guiding and motivating you every step of the way.

WHOOP sets itself apart by offering a comprehensive understanding of the human body. The platform not only tracks sleep quality and strain levels during physical activities but also calculates a daily recovery score by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) and resting heart rate (RHR), among other metrics. This comprehensive approach empowers users to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and training habits, fostering a more efficient and balanced approach to fitness.

Always striving for improvement, the company consistently introduces new features to every generation of its wearable device — currently WHOOP 4.0 — such as blood oxygen level monitoring, skin temperature measurement, advanced heart rate tracking, and most recently, Stress Monitor and Strength Trainer. These innovations ensure users are well-equipped to conquer their health goals, making WHOOP a standout in Boston’s thriving startup scene.

 

DUST Identity

Founded in 2018, DUST Identity is a notable player in the security sector. The company utilizes nanoengineered diamonds to develop unique Diamond Unclonable Security Tags (DUST) that can be attached to various objects, offering enhanced protection against fraud and counterfeiting.

DUST Identity specializes in securely linking physical objects to digital records. As high-value assets move through supply chains, stakeholders authenticate them at each stage, generating a comprehensive digital record that includes the “5Ws” (who, what, where, when, why). This process provides essential context for asset usage and strengthens defenses against fraudulent activities.

DUST Identity’s technology is particularly beneficial for industries handling sensitive or valuable items, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. By streamlining asset security and supply chain management, the company is making a tangible impact in the fight against fraud and counterfeiting on a global scale.

 

Ellevation Education

Launched in 2011, Ellevation Education has significantly impacted the field of English Language Learners (ELL). The platform provides a comprehensive suite of web-based tools and resources designed to empower students to reach their full potential. By enhancing instruction and collaboration, Ellevation positively impacts both students and educators.

Central to Ellevation’s mission is the aspiration to help students achieve their highest goals. The platform addresses the unique challenges faced by ELL students and educators by providing solutions to improve instruction, foster collaboration, and amplify impact. These tools include tailored curriculum materials, data tracking, and professional development resources for educators.

Committed to the continuous improvement of its platform, Ellevation learns from educators’ insights and incorporates them into its offerings. With a focus on innovation and an understanding of the ELL community’s needs, Ellevation Education has become an essential resource in the ELL education landscape.

 

 

Offerfit

OfferFit, emerging in 2020, has quickly become a trailblazer in the realm of marketing experimentation with its AI-powered Automated Experimentation Platform. The platform empowers businesses to identify the optimal blend of message, creativity, incentive, channel, and timing tailored for each customer. By automating the experimentation process, companies can make data-driven decisions that boost customer engagement and deliver meaningful results.

OfferFit accelerates the testing and learning process, enabling businesses to adapt to customer needs and preferences rapidly. In addition, automation allows marketers to concentrate on strategy and optimization, ensuring customers receive customized experiences that enhance satisfaction and loyalty.

As a pioneer in the marketing industry, OfferFit leverages AI and automation to reshape how businesses interact with customers and refine their marketing strategies. This innovative approach positions OfferFit as a key player in the evolution of marketing, helping companies drive growth and success.

 

HourWork

Founded in 2017, HourWork presents a novel approach to hiring and retaining hourly workers in an increasingly competitive job market. The platform’s innovative recruitment and retention solutions assist employers in finding the right hourly talent and uncovering the factors that truly matter to their employees. It helps prevent early attrition and cultivate a positive work environment by checking in at crucial milestones.

HourWork demonstrates its commitment to fostering strong relationships between employers and employees by partnering with clients who value their hourly workers as essential to their business’s success. The company recognizes the importance of hourly employees and aims to create a better experience for both parties.

HourWork also enables businesses to comprehend employee preferences, motivations, and concerns through in-depth data analysis and employee feedback. By addressing these factors, employers can make more informed decisions on retaining their top talent and establishing a positive work environment.

 

Robin

Launched in 2014, Robin aims to transform workplaces into more efficient and enjoyable environments. This cutting-edge workplace experience software enables businesses to manage and optimize their office spaces by streamlining room scheduling, desk booking, and workplace analytics.

Robin recognizes that a well-organized workspace is crucial to employee satisfaction and productivity. By offering tools that facilitate seamless room bookings, desk assignments, and more, Robin creates a smooth and stress-free environment, elevating the overall workplace experience.

Moreover, Robin’s analytics feature empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions about their office spaces. This allows companies to utilize their resources better and design an optimal working environment that benefits both employees and the organization.

Thanks to Robin, businesses can harness the tools needed to create a harmonious workplace that fosters collaboration, innovation, and productivity.

 

Lose It!

Established in 2008, Lose It! offers a supportive and user-friendly solution for individuals striving to achieve their wellness goals. This app-based program, compatible with iOS and Android devices, delivers motivation, challenges, coaching, and health management tools to guide you toward success.

Lose It! creates a personalized experience by monitoring your daily calorie intake, physical activity, and nutrition. These tools equip you with everything you need to make informed choices, take control of your health, and enhance your well-being.

An innovator in the wellness app industry, Lose It! has empowered millions of users to reach their goals. The app’s remarkable success attests to its effectiveness, and its intuitive, easy-to-use interface ensures that users feel encouraged and motivated throughout their wellness journey.

 

Conclusion

These Boston-based startups are revolutionizing their respective industries, transforming the world through relentless innovation. From health and security to education, marketing, and workplace management, they are redefining boundaries and enhancing the lives of numerous individuals. Keep an eye on these game-changers as they captivate the local tech scene and create a global impact.

If you’re inspired by these startups and have a brilliant idea of your own, we’re here to help! Our team of experts is ready to transform your vision into a reality, crafting the perfect product to kickstart your startup journey. Don’t let your ideas linger in the background – reach out to us, and let’s turn your dream into a success story!

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Integrating AI into Mobile Apps: Top 10 Lessons Learned https://orangeloops.com/2023/04/integrating-ai-into-mobile-apps-top-10-lessons-learned/ Mon, 17 Apr 2023 20:51:56 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6878 At OrangeLoops, we’ve worked on several AI-powered mobile apps, gaining experience in Mobile ML and Mobile AR projects such as the magic mirror feature for the Loog guitar apps (btw, buy a Loog Guitar, they are really cool) and DrillRoom. The lessons learned, and shared in this article, were gained in scenarios where the AI execution needed to take place client-side, executing the machine learning models on edge computing devices, mainly smart phones. Relying on server-side execution of the machine learning models may yield other best practices. Our experience is tackling computer-vision-intensive problems rather than in generative AI, or ChatGPT-like experiences.

In this article, we share a glimpse of the challenges we faced and some of the lessons we learned hoping to provide value to teams addressing similar projects.

The top 10 lessons we learned in our journey to implement AI-powered apps are the following:

1. Validate feasibility with a Proof of Concept

These types of projects have a research and development quality. It’s not always obvious that the solution envisioned is technically feasible, and can be implemented providing a reasonable user experience for the target audience’s devices. Before making any hard commitments, we recommend going through a proof of concept to evaluate the state of the art in mobile chipsets, ML models, and other factors before investing significant resources.

2. Be ready for an iterative process

AI-powered mobile app development is an iterative process that naturally loops through four main stages:

  1. Data collection, curation and annotation
  2. Model training
  3. App development and integration
  4. Testing

Each stage involves different environments, skills, and maybe even whole teams. Prepare for frequent adjustments and improvements at each stage and use version control and automation tools to streamline the workflow. For data management in the first stage, you will need to rely on different practices and tools than for source code, given the unique challenges of handling large volumes of data.

Evaluate automating as much as possible the different steps in the workflow of each phase – in the long run this will save you time. As usual, this may make sense or not depending on the available budget and expected life cycle for the project.

3. Data is king

Get a hold of a good dataset; not being able to can be a showstopper. Data annotation workload can be split and tackled in parallel by multiple people or outsourced. Double-checking for human errors in the annotation process is important: beware of the adage in tech known as”when garbage in, garbage out”. It never applied better than in ML projects.

Leverage all the data augmentation techniques that fit your scenario to make the most out of your dataset in training the model.

4. Be ready for a wild spread in skills and environments

When embarking on a mobile AI or machine learning project, it’s essential to prepare for the diverse range of skills, tasks, environments, and programming languages involved. This can be particularly challenging for small teams, as the project may encompass several distinct stages, each with its unique requirements. To be fair this may be common to all machine learning projects, and not just mobile first ones.

Among the challenges faced are the following:

  • Data Capture: Acquiring the necessary data may require access to specific hardware, such as a guitar, or necessitate traveling to particular locations like a billiard table or soccer field. This stage may demand diverse expertise and equipment to gather the data needed for training. Moving between locations can be taxing. Plan for all the data scenarios you need to collect beforehand. Make the most of each trip.
  • Data Annotation: This phase involves labeling the data with appropriate tags and categories, which may require a different set of skills and tools. Some data annotation tasks can be terribly repetitive and low-skill (to be fair others may demand more specialized knowledge). Don’t expect everyone in your team to do everything. If there’s a high mismatch between skill levels sustained over time, this may lead to attrition in your team.
  • App Integration: Model Conversion: Transforming the model into CoreML and TensorFlow Lite formats for iOS and Android, respectively. Model conversion can be complex, especially when fine-tuning the architecture of layers in the models used.Model Integration: Integrating the machine learning models into the mobile app, which may involve processing the output of the models. This step can be particularly challenging for custom models.
  • Testing: Depending on the use case, testing may require, not only moving to a specific location or hardware, but also domain-specific skills to reproduce edge case scenarios, such as playing the guitar or being a reasonably skilled billiard or soccer player.

In a nutshell, when it comes to team conformation, make sure you have access to talent that can navigate all of the tasks that will be part of the project. Be ready from going from the python math-savvy model trainer, or mobile app developer, to the business domain expert. Don’t expect one profile to be able to cruise through all activities.

5. Model size matters

The size of a model can have a significant impact on various aspects of the performance of an app. For instance, when it comes to app loading times, larger model sizes can result in slower loading times, especially in Android. Similarly, execution times of the model, which directly affect the frames per second (FPS) and ultimately the user experience (UX) when processing video streams, can also be affected by the size of the model. The total app size is also influenced by the size of the model, which can affect the download time of the app for users.

It is probably a good idea to start with an off-the-shelf model architecture. However, it can pay off to fine tune models to get an extra mile of accuracy in lightweight architectures of layers.

Evaluate implementing lazy downloading of the model in your application, as this can yield UX benefits, particularly reducing the initial download size and improving app loading times. This capacity is supported in both iOS and Android.

6. Device chipset matters

When developing AI-driven mobile apps, it is crucial to consider the device chipset, as it directly impacts the user experience. This is particularly true for machine learning models that run on the mobile device’s chipset, and that require real-time or near-real-time processing. Some of the insights we’ve gained are:

  • iOS Chipsets Stand Out. iOS chipsets are known for their ability to handle model execution in almost real-time. Developers can run multiple CoreML models on iOS devices for object detection and classification tasks several times per second. Having said this, know that different iPhone generations have different chipsets, leading to varying execution times, frames per second (FPS) processed, and user experiences. This disparity makes it challenging to provide a uniform experience across all devices.
  • Segment Target Devices. The spread out there in mobile device chipsets is way too wide. Specially on the Android side. Some older generation devices just do not have the horse power to run some of the models your application may need. In some cases it’s better to prevent your app from being installed in those devices, than to offer a very poor user experience. To approximate this segmentation in iOS you can enable Info.plist keys such as MinimumOSVersion, and UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities.
  • Dynamic Model Selection. Consider using different models with varying input sizes that can be dynamically instantiated depending on the device’s chipset capabilities. More performant yet less accurate models may provide a satisfactory user experience on slower chipsets, while more powerful and computationally expensive models can offer an optimal experience on the latest devices.
  • Android Device Spread The Android device ecosystem is notoriously diverse, making it difficult for developers to create AI-powered mobile apps that work seamlessly across various devices. This diversity has proven to be a challenge for developers, and is one of the main reasons many AI-powered app titles are available only on iOS.

7. Model input size matters

Incorporating AI into mobile applications at some point becomes a quest to find all the possible ways in which you can make things run more efficiently on a mobile device. In this quest, one of the levers available to make models more performant so that they can run in close to real time on edge devices is to reduce their input size. This is specially true for computer vision tasks, where the model takes an image as input, and then usually convolutional networks take it from there.

At the application level it’s possible to configure the captured video stream, so that smaller images are feed into the model. Reducing the input size of a model can significantly improve its performance, and therefore the number of frames processed by second. However, it is essential to consider the trade-off between model performance and accuracy. Decreasing the input size too much may result in a loss of critical information, ultimately affecting the model’s ability to perform its intended task properly.

To find the optimal input size for your AI model, it is recommended to experiment with different input sizes and observe the resulting effects on performance and accuracy. By carefully adjusting the model’s input size, you can achieve a balance that allows for efficient real-time processing on mobile devices without sacrificing the quality of the AI’s output.

8. Implement a smart debugging workflow

Integrating AI into mobile applications introduces unique challenges to the debugging process. Reproducing specific scenarios in AI-powered mobile apps can be difficult, as it requires capturing and reproducing all the necessary sensory data for the models to run. This becomes even more complex when dealing with multiple sensors and unique hardware or stage conditions. Moreover, debugging can be a time-consuming and expensive process. For example, when processing video feeds in real-time, debugging workflows can become inefficient as the test suite grows to encompass hours of footage. To overcome these challenges and optimize the debugging workflow, it is crucial to implement smart strategies that can significantly reduce the time and resources required for testing.

One effective approach is to get the execution of AI models out of the way whenever possible. By leveraging dynamic programming, developers can store and reuse the results of previously computed test cases, thus avoiding the need for redundant processing by the AI models. This can lead to substantial increases in test suite execution speeds. In our case this allowed for a x10 increase in execution times of our test suits.

9. Not everything needs to be a Machine Learning Model

Not everything that can be implemented using a machine learning model should be implemented using a machine learning model. There are cases where a rules-based approach can be more effective, providing substantial performance benefits. Some functions that were candidate to be implemented as a ML model we were able to implement with a rules engine achieving reasonable results, while executing in a fraction of the time it would have taken a complex model to do it.

Event detection problems may fall in this category. In the implementation of the event engine to achieve multi object tracking in real time for DrillRoom we ended up defining several threshold variables to trigger events. Given some time we found out that we would benefit from applying optimization techniques to find the optimal values for our trigger threshold variables, using our test suite as ground truth. This code became a middle ground between the black box of neural network models and the structured code of our application.
If you come across similar scenarios do checkout Differentiable Programming. It’s a promising research paradigm that proposes applying optimization techniques, such as gradient descent to structured code, so that it “learns” how to behave best from some ground truth.

10. It works well 90+% of the time

When starting a mobile AI project it is important to recognize that machine learning models approximate a function based on a given ground truth, improving fitness in the training process. Achieving 100% accuracy is not always feasible or even possible, especially when dealing with lightweight versions of the models meant for edge computing devices. There’s also the case of achieving almost perfect accuracy against a testing dataset only to find out that the reality out there includes many more scenarios underrepresented in the training data.

Be prepared to deploy models with less than perfect accuracy, understanding that the Pareto principle often applies: 20% of the effort usually goes to achieving 80% accuracy, while it may take 80% of the effort to push accuracy from 80% to the 90+% range.

If the model’s accuracy is far from what’s required by your target scenario, it could make sense to consider alternative approaches, such as running the models on a server, leveraging more computing power, running larger more accurate models for the problem.

Closing thoughts

AI can be leveraged in the implementation of mobile applications to drive innovation, helping create smarter mobile experiences. ML models are valuable tools for creating cutting-edge mobile applications. The state of the art in mobile chipsets makes it possible to do close to real time execution of ML models, specially on the iOS side of things.

In this article we did not cover many challenges in data handling, model training, and ML Ops, which are crucial in delivering successful AI-driven mobile solutions. We may expand on those in future posts.

If you need a team to implement a mobile application involving artificial intelligence feel free to reach out for a consultation.

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Mastering the Dark Art of Effort Estimation in Software Projects: Best Practices for Engineers https://orangeloops.com/2023/04/mastering-the-dark-art-of-effort-estimation-in-software-projects-best-practices-for-engineers/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:38:51 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6863 Effort estimation is a critical aspect of any software project. Depending on the context it may be a binding commitment with the client, it sets expectations, influences budgets, and can make or break deals. The risks and challenges associated with inaccurate estimation include scope creep, missed deadlines, budget overruns, and reduced team morale.

As engineers, understanding the best practices for estimating effort in software projects is essential for delivering value to clients and maintaining a competitive edge in the industry.

The following are a list of thoughts and reflections around this topic that I hope may provide insight and help engineers with a desire to get started with this practice.

It’s a hard problem; avoid it when possible!

“A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.” Joshua – War Games

Estimating the effort of software projects is a game of predicting the future with incomplete information. It’s a hard problem. Individual productivity varies significantly, ranging from 1x to 20x per person, which complicates the assessment of overall team productivity. Technology stacks and tools are constantly evolving, often changing on approximately five-year cycles. This rapid pace of change means that experience may not always be directly applicable, further challenging the estimation process.

It’s expensive timewise, and the potential for error remains high. Depending on the business context, this may not be a huge deal (pun intended). Sometimes landing on a reasonable neighborhood of total cost, and sizing the order of magnitude is enough. In other cases, it can potentially lead a company to bankruptcy. As such, the importance of accurately estimating effort in software development should not be underestimated.

Given this context, you need to ascertain first if you have enough information and context to proceed with the estimation exercise to determine if it even makes sense. In some cases, where the requirements are just too vague, context is rapidly changing; it just doesn’t make sense. Sometimes too little information is just not enough. Estimating effort without sufficient information is a recipe for disappointment.

In these cases, If crucial details are lacking, it’s better to either suggest a product discovery phase to gather the necessary data before committing to an estimate or propose to move forward with a purely agile approach, where planning is carried out on a sprint by sprint basis, adjusting for sprint velocity and there’s no hard commitment to a total budget. These options allow advancing while preventing setting unrealistic expectations.

Product Discoveries can be thought of as mini projects whose goal is to gather information, elicit requirements, get a good grasp on the scope of a project provide a much better foundation for an estimation of the effort required, and minimize risk for all parties involved.

Understanding Business Context

Whether it may be for an external client or in-house product development, there’s always a business context that frames the possibilities of the project. This context involves available budgets, organizational risk tolerance, quality and timeframe expectations, possible team compositions and their productivity, etc.

It’s often the case that estimations are required in bidding rounds that foster price-based competition scenarios. In these cases, clients tend to focus on low price when selecting the winning bid generating an incentive for underestimating efforts.

It’s key to understand as early as possible the game being played. What are the expectations for the estimation? Ballpark? Ceiling? Competitive bid? How much risk can the organization tolerate with each estimation? Understanding this context, typically through fluid communication with the organization’s business side, is vital. Understand what game you are playing when entering the estimation exercise!

Should the estimations be done in a vacuum without introducing any bias in the engineers doing them? Maybe in a first iteration, but then ideally, a two-way conversation or negotiation should occur between what’s expected, typically framed by the business side, and what’s realistically possible, according to the engineering team.

Gathering Scope and Requirements

Obtaining accurate scope and requirements is crucial for a successful estimation. Get all the information available about requirements, both functional and non-functional. Make sure you get briefed and read whatever documentation available there is.

The name of this game is good communication. When essential information is lacking, raise your hand and relay that to the appropriate stakeholder (typically sales, product owner, or client), so they have a chance to evacuate any doubts.

Maybe a business analyst already went through the process of defining a tech specification, or maybe you need to play that role. Bridging needs and wants into more coherent technical requirements before diving into the estimation. If this is the case, you may need to schedule meetings to walk through the hazy aspects of the requirements.

Ask the right questions to optimize the disambiguation of requirements. If templates or checklists are available in the organization, capturing experience, use them. Go through them, and make sure all the critical information has been gathered.

Make Assumptions

Few things are certain. Among them: is knowing that there will be gaps in the information available. There will be uncertainty involved. In some cases, the gaps may be too big and the uncertainty too high, but even then, because of reasons (usually business reasons), your hand may be forced to come up with an estimation. This may be sugarcoated with phrases such as: “don’t worry, this is of no consequence, it just to have a rough idea” [Narrator´s voice: “This was a lie. It would determine the budget for the whole project”].

On the other hand, in defense of impatient sales reps, there’s value in not forcing the customer to spec every little detail to get the estimation out of the door. If a client says he needs, for instance, “a wheel,” then being acquainted with the standard business practice of what typically represents “a wheel” saves a lot of back and forth in communications and time for everyone involved.

In these scenarios, which are most where you need to fill in the gaps, do make assumptions. Be explicit about them. Scope what “a wheel” means in the context of your estimation, what it includes, and, equally importantly, what it won’t. Just don’t get analysis paralysis.

Assumptions should be provided along the effort estimation, as metadata is required to give context to the estimation exercise. This should be documented as clearly as possible, not in some hidden excel cell comment.

The Dual Nature of Estimation

Estimating effort is also about setting and managing expectations for all sides of the equation (customer, team, management).

It’s not the same to be told to build “a wheel” as to be told to build “a wheel” in X amount of hours using Y set of materials. The latter scenario forces the universe of possible options to collapse into the ones whose quality and characteristics match the available resources.

In this sense, effort estimation serves a dual purpose—it describes the anticipated work involved and prescribes a framework for how the project will unfold. It’s essential to be aware Engineers must strike a balance between creativity and practicality, ensuring they deliver the desired product within the allotted time and budget.

Once again, it is vital to document and communicate in a clear fashion the projected scenario of what will be possible given the existing constraints to avoid disappointments. For instance, being clear about what type of “wheel” the estimation is envisioning will be vital to avoid issues when it’s expected to perform under a specific load.

Effort Estimation Technique

This section will discuss various effort estimation techniques, including WBS, top-down, bottom-up, analogous, three-point, PERT, parametric, and Agile approaches.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical representation of a project’s various tasks and subtasks. By breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable pieces in a tree-like structure, engineers can more effectively assess the time and resources required to complete each task in a project.

Each level of the WBS represents a further breakdown of the project’s deliverables or objectives. The WBS enables project teams to identify and understand the relationships between different tasks, estimate the effort required for each task, and monitor progress throughout the project lifecycle.

The following is the WBS for a straightforward Company Picnic project.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Company Picnic Venue Selection Research Possible Locations
Book Venue
Food Arrangements Choose Menu
Order Food
Activities Plan Games
Arrange Equipment
Invitations Create Invitations List
Send Invitations

Top-down

This technique involves starting from high-level constraints, such as time and team size, and breaking down the work into smaller stages and components to fit these constraints. By considering the overall scope and resource limitations, top-down estimation allows project managers to allocate resources efficiently and manage expectations effectively.

Bottom-up

In contrast to top-down estimation, the bottom-up approach breaks down the work into more granular modules and tasks using a tree-like structure called the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Effort is estimated for each task (the leaves of the tree), and the total effort is calculated by summing up the estimates for all tasks. One downside of this method is the potential to overlook auxiliary or logistical tasks.

Analogous

This technique relies on past experiences and historical data from projects with similar characteristics. Project managers can make informed estimations for the current project by extrapolating the effort required for comparable projects.

Three-point

For each task, three values are estimated, representing the most optimistic, pessimistic, and likely scenarios. These values are then aggregated into an average per work package or module, providing a range of possible effort estimates.

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)

Like three-point estimation, PERT uses a weighted average, where the likely estimate carries more weight than the optimistic and pessimistic estimates.

Parametric

This technique involves breaking down the project structure into known building blocks and estimating the effort for each block type. For example, a software project could be divided into: Views, Endpoints, and CRUDs (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) with varying complexities. The total effort is then calculated by multiplying the estimated effort for each building block by the number of occurrences in the project.

Agile Techniques

Agile methodologies offer several effort estimation techniques, including:

  • a. Planning Poker: Team members use cards representing effort levels to estimate tasks collaboratively, promoting team consensus and reducing estimation biases.
  • b. T-shirt Sizes: Tasks are categorized into t-shirt sizes (e.g., small, medium, large) as a simple way to represent their relative effort.
  • c. Fibonacci Sequence for Story Point Estimation: The Fibonacci sequence assigns story points, reflecting the increasing uncertainty associated with estimating larger tasks.

Selecting the most appropriate effort estimation technique depends on project size, complexity, and available historical data.

Best Practices in Effort Estimation

Assigning Hour Values to Tasks

Assigning discrete hour values to tasks (1, 4, 8, 16, 24) helps maintain consistency in estimates. If a task requires more than say … 40 hours, it may need to be broken down further to ensure accurate estimation.

Finding the Right Balance

Engineers should aim for a middle ground when estimating, avoiding overly optimistic or pessimistic assumptions. Striking a balance between best and worst-case scenarios leads to more realistic expectations and better project outcomes.

Accounting for all phases, roles, and types of tasks

Make sure in your effort estimation to consider all stages in a project lifecycle, such as setup, stabilization, and publishing. Roles beyond development include business analysts, project managers, developers, designers, quality assurance, and other specialists. And support tasks such as review of PRs, writing unit tests, creating builds, publishing, etc.

Combining Bottom-Up and Top-Down Approaches

A combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches provides a more comprehensive estimation. While the bottom-up approach focuses on detailed task estimation, the top-down approach considers calendar-based timeframes to ensure alignment with project deadlines.

The more, the merrier

When possible, involve multiple experts in the estimation process. This collaborative approach leads to a more accurate and well-rounded estimation curve, accounting for potential blind spots and uncertainties.

Using Historical Data

Leveraging historical data from past projects can significantly improve effort estimation accuracy. Cross-referencing previous experiences helps identify trends and patterns that can inform the current project’s estimates.

Be ready to justify your estimation

It’s common for estimations to be shared with the interested parties and for review rounds to take place where each item in the estimation is analyzed. If you participate in the estimation process, keep notes of your thought process. They may come in handy when you justify your estimation for a task.

Leveraging AI

A new generation of AI tools, including Large Language Models like ChatGPT, is emerging to revolutionize various aspects of software development. At the time of writing this article, these tools can assist in creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) based on a project’s requirements. Moreover, AI can also aid in estimating the hours required for project completion, streamlining the overall estimation process.

Conclusion

Effort estimation is a crucial skill for engineers working on software projects. By adopting best practices, understanding the project’s context, and collaborating with experts and stakeholders, engineers can provide accurate estimates contributing to project success and client satisfaction.

I hope this essay may have brought your attention to some of the challenges and standard practices required when approaching this discipline, ultimately equipping you with the necessary knowledge and insight to do well in this critical and often underestimated task.

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Boston’s Most Exciting Tech Events in 2023 https://orangeloops.com/2023/03/boston-most-exciting-tech-events-in-2023/ Thu, 16 Mar 2023 18:09:30 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6840 Boston, Massachusettsa cradle of innovation and cutting-edge technology — draws tech aficionados and experts from around the globe. The city has been home to numerous influential tech conferences, and 2023 is shaping up to continue that trend. With a jam-packed calendar featuring conferences, workshops, and exhibitions, Boston is ready to roll out some of this year’s most engaging and insightful tech events.

These conferences provide a fantastic chance to stay in the know with the latest trends and connect with fellow tech enthusiasts. Get ready to learn, mingle, and enjoy yourself at Boston’s tech conferences throughout 2023!

If you’re aware of a tech event not listed here and think it should be included, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

 

MIT Energy Conference

 

If you’re fired up about energy and climate issues, you won’t want to miss the 2023 MIT Energy Conference – the largest student-led energy and climate event in the US. This must-attend gathering for industry pros and students will take place on April 11th and 12th at the Westin Copley Place in Boston.

Since its debut in 2006, the MIT Energy Conference has been at the forefront of conversations about tackling the world’s most urgent energy challenges. This year’s theme, “Transition under Crisis: Technology, Investment, and Geopolitics,” will delve into the pressing global energy crisis exacerbated by the economic recovery from the pandemic and the War in Ukraine.

The conference will assemble experts from vital sectors, such as technology, finance, and global policy, to discuss pivotal solutions that will influence the future of the energy landscape. It will be an opportunity to explore innovative ideas and strategies for navigating these tumultuous times marked by uncertainty, urgency, and adversity.

 

AI EXPO & Demo Hall

 

Stay updated about the latest AI trends and innovations; check out the Virtual and In-person AI Expo & Demo @ODSC East 2023. This dynamic event taking place on May 9-10, offers a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders from all around the globe.

No matter your level of AI expertise, you’ll discover valuable insights and inspiration. Seasoned professionals and AI newcomers can benefit from expert speakers sharing their knowledge and experiences, providing an inside look at how AI is revolutionizing businesses and industries.

Immerse yourself in two days of cutting-edge demonstrations, thought-provoking discussions, and networking possibilities that could propel your career to new heights!

PTC-Livework 2023

 

PTC LiveWorx 2023 is heading to Boston from May 15-18, 2023 — an ideal event for business leaders and eager learners. This connection-rich forum offers practical guidance and answers to all your questions about emerging tech, business strategy, digital threads, and advanced technologies such as augmented reality, IIoT, SaaS, PLM, CAD, and beyond.

Take advantage of the opportunity to discover how digital transformation can drive enterprise value, boost workforce productivity, and contribute to a better world. You’ll acquire valuable insights and actionable knowledge to help you tackle today’s challenges while gearing up for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Techspo Boston

 

TECHSPO Boston returns on June 12-13, 2023, at The Westin Copley Place Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, where you can experience the forefront of tech innovation.

Ideal for developers, brands, marketers, technology providers, designers, and innovators, this event offers a platform to showcase their expertise and products. The conference will cover various tech-related topics, including Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS Technology.

Exhibitors can introduce their companies to consumers, prominent investors, media representatives, skilled individuals, and tech enthusiasts eager to explore emerging products.

Discover how these rapidly-evolving technologies can influence your business for remarkable growth.


 

Sustainable Blockchain Summit (SBS)

 

The 4th International Sustainable Blockchain Summit (SBS) is an upcoming event uniting experts, pioneers, and enthusiasts from the realms of ReFi, Energy Systems, Carbon Markets, and cryptoeconomics. Scheduled for September 18-20, 2023, this gathering presents an opportunity to collaborate and explore projects that harmonize the world economy with the natural environment.

Attendees can anticipate a packed agenda featuring expert presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. The conference will serve as a platform for participants to learn from industry-leading minds, connect with peers and thought leaders, and explore practical solutions to urgent challenges.

Additionally, the event offers a chance to gain insights into the future of sustainable blockchain and engage in fruitful conversations with like-minded individuals.

Final thoughts 

In conclusion, Boston is set to be a vibrant hub for groundbreaking technology events in 2023. These conferences present a valuable opportunity for attendees to stay ahead of the curve by exploring cutting-edge trends and connecting with industry peers.

With a diverse lineup of events, including TECHSPO Boston, PTC LiveWorx 2023, MIT Energy Conference, and AI Expo & Demo Hall, a treasure trove of insights and inspiration awaits professionals and enthusiasts from all walks of the tech world.

Are you currently working on any innovative tech projects or seeking inspiration? We would love to hear from you and connect!

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Embrace the Future: Top 4 Game-Changing Tech Trends of 2023 https://orangeloops.com/2023/02/embrace-the-future-top-4-game-changing-tech-trends-of-2023/ Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:35:39 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6819 The world of technology is constantly evolving, and new trends are emerging daily. These trends can revolutionize how we live, work, and communicate, and it’s essential to stay updated and adapt to them to remain competitive.

We will explore several emerging technologies, including Adaptive AI, Superapps, Green technology, and Extended Reality, which have the potential to drive business growth.

From personalized systems to immersive experiences, these trends will pique your curiosity and provide fresh insights into the role of technology in shaping the future.

So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone who loves to stay on top of the latest tech trends, this blog post is definitely for you.

Let’s start and discover how these technology trends can help your business stay ahead of the curve!

 

Adaptive AI: The Future of Personalized Systems

Are you interested in discovering how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help your business? AI is a rapidly advancing technology that has the potential to transform a variety of industries. One of its key advantages is its ability to adapt and improve over time, known as Adaptive AI.

Adaptive AI can provide a more personalized experience by creating tailored product recommendations for e-commerce customers and customized investment portfolios in finance. Additionally, it can boost efficiency by optimizing retail inventory management and streamlining manufacturing production processes.

GPT-3 is considered one of the most advanced AI models, developed by OpenAI and currently used by several leading companies. Additionally, chatbot AI is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to improve customer service and enhance content marketing strategies.

But be careful: Adaptive AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on, and if the data is biased, the system will also be limited. This can lead to unfair outcomes and discriminatory practices. So keep that in mind when making use of these tools!

In summary, this technology trend can benefit various industries. Businesses that adopt it early on will likely have an edge in the future.

 

Super apps: The All-in-One Solution

Have you heard about super apps? These are like the one-stop shop for all your mobile needs! They offer a wide range of services, from messaging and social media to e-commerce and banking, all in one convenient place. They’re becoming increasingly popular, especially in Asia, and it’s expected that they’ll continue to grow in popularity in other markets too.

One of the most incredible benefits of using a super app is the ability to access all of your required services from a single platform, eliminating the need to switch between multiple apps. This saves time and makes it effortless to find what you need. The integration between services is seamless and user-friendly, providing a smoother and more enjoyable experience. As a bonus, when browsing products on a super app’s e-commerce platform, users can easily connect with a customer service representative through in-app chat.

The most popular example is WeChat, a messaging app in China, a super app that offers a range of services, including e-commerce and transportation booking. Its all-in-one approach provides convenience for users who can accomplish numerous tasks within the same app.

While Super App technology offers numerous benefits, there are also potential challenges and drawbacks to consider. One challenge is the risk of becoming overly reliant on a single app. If the app experiences downtime or technical difficulties could disrupt a user’s access to multiple services. Additionally, there may be concerns around privacy and data security, as users are entrusting a single app with a wealth of personal information.

Overall, it’s essential to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of Super apps technology when evaluating its potential use for your business.

 

Green technology: A Sustainable Choice

Green technology, also known as clean technology, refers to products and services that provide environmental benefits while being economically viable. It’s all about finding ways to reduce our impact on the environment while still getting the job done.

One of the most exciting and trendy developments in this area is green hydrogen production. This technology produces hydrogen fuel through electrolysis, where electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. It is a clean and sustainable way to produce hydrogen, which can be used as a fuel source for transportation and other industries.

Possible downsides and disadvantages of Green technology are essential to consider too. One issue that businesses may face is the higher cost associated with implementing and using green technology. This may present a significant hurdle, especially for smaller companies that may not have the resources to invest in new equipment or processes.

In conclusion, green tech is gaining momentum as we all become more aware of the need to reduce our carbon footprint. Embracing green technology helps the environment and enables a more sustainable future for all of us. So, let’s all do our part and embrace green tech!

 

Extended Reality: The Future of Immersive Experiences

Extended Reality technology, also known as XR, is a term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). This technology is used in various industries, such as gaming, education, and healthcare, to create more interactive and engaging experiences.

One of the benefits of this technology is that it can provide a more immersive experience for users. Imagine being fully immersed in a virtual world while playing a game or walking through a virtual building while learning about architecture. It’s like being in a different world entirely!

For example, In healthcare, this technology can be used to create virtual simulations for training and treatment purposes, which can be incredibly useful. Or in the architecture industry, it can be used to create virtual walkthroughs of buildings, allowing architects, clients, and contractors to work together and make changes in real-time.

The best example is Meta, formerly known as Facebook, which is building a Metaverse platform that utilizes XR technology to create a virtual world for users to explore and interact with each other. The platform will use a combination of VR, AR, and MR to create an immersive experience that feels like a real-world environment.

Users can customize their avatars, explore different areas of the virtual world, and interact with other users through voice and text chat.

While XR technology has come a long way in recent years, technical limitations must be overcome. For example, current XR devices can be heavy, uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, and may have limited battery life.

This technology is an exciting trend that can potentially change how we interact with the world. As the demand for immersive and interactive experiences continues to grow, companies.

To summarize, this technology has tremendous potential to revolutionize our interactions with digital content, providing heightened engagement and immersion across multiple industries.

Final thoughts 

In conclusion, these four technology trends are poised to make a significant impact on various industries, from e-commerce to healthcare. By understanding these trends and their potential benefits and drawbacks, you can stay ahead of the curve and position your business for success.

As you consider implementing these technologies, keep in mind that each one has unique challenges and considerations. We encourage you to keep an eye on emerging technologies and remain adaptable in this ever-changing landscape.

Don’t let the fast-paced world of technology leave you behind. Partner with our software development team to take the first step towards innovation and growth.

Contact us now to discuss your next project!

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5 UX/UI Design Trends You Need To Know in 2023 https://orangeloops.com/2023/01/5-ux-ui-design-trends-you-need-to-know-in-2023/ Tue, 31 Jan 2023 12:00:46 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6790 As we move into 2023, the field of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design is evolving and adapting to new technologies and trends. In this article, we will look at some of the key trends shaping how we design user experiences in this new year.

From the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning to the implementation of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, we’ll explore how these trends are helping to create more engaging, intuitive, and accessible digital products and services.

Without further ado, let’s dive into it!

 

1. Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to create personalized user experiences

Customizing the app based on a user’s browsing and purchase history can provide a more efficient, personalized, and accessible experience. Automating repetitive tasks and making the app more responsive to user input can improve the overall user experience. Additionally, making the app more accessible for users with disabilities, such as through text-to-speech or image recognition, is essential. The app’s adaptability can improve by monitoring usage patterns and adjusting the layout accordingly. Predictive algorithms can also anticipate users’ needs and wants, providing proactive information and suggestions.

The trend will likely continue as it can also be a helpful tool for UX/UI designers when creating user personas. For instance, an AI algorithm could analyze a large dataset of user behavior and demographics to identify patterns and trends that can be used to create user personas.
Here are a few websites that you might find helpful to explore AI:

  • OpenAI’s GPT-3 Playground allows you to try out the capabilities of the language models through a chat interface.
  • DeepDream (https://deepdreamgenerator.com/ ) offers a neural network-powered image generation tool that can create unique, dream-like versions of user-provided images.

2. Implementing Passwordless login not only increases security

Passwordless login utilizes biometric authentication, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, or single-use codes sent via SMS or email, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access to user accounts through phishing or brute-force attacks. It also improves the user experience by making the process of logging in quicker and more convenient. Users no longer have to remember a complex password, reducing friction and increasing user engagement and conversions.

Furthermore, passwordless login can be more accessible to users with disabilities. They may find using their fingerprints or facial recognition easier than entering a password using a keyboard. Lastly, it also helps organizations meet compliance requirements and avoid penalties for data breaches.

Passwordless

 

3. The incorporation of motion design and micro-interactions enhances the user experience

Micro-interactions are small, interactive elements within a UI that help to create a more engaging user experience. They can include things such as pull-to-refresh gestures, progress indicators, and notifications. They can be used to provide feedback to users, indicate the status of an action, or guide them through a task.

micro-interactions

4. Cross-app experiences, Apple App Clips, and Android Slices

These experiences offer a more seamless and efficient way for users to access and interact with apps and digital services. Apple App Clips, for example, are small parts of an app that can be quickly launched and used without downloading the entire app. They provide users with a quick and easy way to access app functionality and content without installing the whole app.

On the other hand, Cross-app experiences allow users to move seamlessly between different apps and digital environments while maintaining the context and continuity of their experience. These allow a more efficient and seamless user experience, reducing the need for users to manually search for and switch between different apps and reducing the time and effort required to complete a task.

 

5. The use of immersive and interactive design elements, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

AR superimposes computer-generated images in the real world, while VR creates a fully computer-generated environment. Both technologies can provide unique and engaging experiences, but implementation should be done carefully, as it could lead to disorientation if not well planned. The goal is to enhance the user experience by adding interactivity, immersion, and engagement.

These technologies can create personalized digital environments and experiences tailored to the individual, making digital interactions more natural, intuitive, and realistic by allowing users to interact with digital objects and settings like they would in the physical world. This can lead to greater user engagement and increased time spent in digital environments.

In addition, AR and VR can be used to create more accessible digital environments, particularly for users with disabilities. For instance, virtual environments can be designed to include visual and audio cues to help users navigate and interact with digital objects, or virtual assistants can be provided to assist users with voice commands or other forms of input.

 

 

Final thoughts

These trends will play a significant role in shaping the way we design user experiences and interfaces in 2023. They will help us to create more personalized, natural, engaging, secure, and accessible software products. Keep in mind that these trends are not mutually exclusive and can be combined to create unique user experiences.

Do you need a hand with designing a stunning user experience and interface? Let’s talk! Our seasoned UX/UI designers would love to help!

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The Top Product Discovery Questions https://orangeloops.com/2022/08/top-product-discovery-questions/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:06:42 +0000 https://orangeloops.com/?p=6756 In software development, Product Discovery phases are meant to establish a bridge between an entrepreneur’s vision of a digital product and a technical specification that may serve as blueprint for a team of developers to build such system. Building that bridge typically involves, among other things, a number of information-gathering sessions, ideally with a whiteboard, where key actors are interviewed to elicit the requirements and expectations around the piece of software to be built.

The following are a series of trigger questions for discovery sessions, meant to drive the conversation and make sure that all bases are covered. It’s not by any means complete, but it should provide a decent starting point if you are trying to go through a discovery phase, be it as a software consultant/contractor, or as a client (if your contractor is good, you should be asked these questions).

Context & Motivation

It’s key to gain as much context as possible and gain an understanding of the driving forces for a project. Always start with WHY.

  • Why does the client want to build this?
  • What change are they trying to drive with it?
  • What are they trying to achieve?
  • Who is the target audience?
  • Who are the champions of this initiative within the organization?
  • What’s the expected outcome?
  • Who benefits from driving this change? Who doesn’t?
  • What would success look like?

Functional

At this point, you should talk about features and priorities. We tend to rely on the MoSCoW prioritization method, which we find easy to understand and provides a good framework for sifting what’s really important from what’s not.

  • What must the system do?
  • What should be the main features it should provide?
  • What would be the core, absolute must-have features that have to ship in a first release of a v1? What are the shoulds and coulds that may wait for a v1.1 or v2?

Non-Functional

Auth & Security

  • Can the system be accessed/used anonymously? Will it require a sign-up?
  • Must it integrate with some Identity provider? Which protocol does it use? OAuth, SAML, LDAP?
  • Does it require multi-factor authentication?
  • Will all users be able to access all features? Are there gonna be roles with different permissions?

Aesthetics & User Experience

  • Any guidelines in terms of how it must look & feel?
  • Is there a color palette that must be respected?
  • What should be the priorities for the UX? For example, to do something fast after a training period, or to be easy to use with no training required at all? Engage the user and become a habit?
  • What will be the main channel and format the experience will take place? Desktop? Mobile? in portrait or landscape mode?
  • Do you know of another app that would serve as a reference for what should be built?

Accessibility & Localization

  • Should the user interface be available in different languages? Which ones?
  • Must the app implement any accessibility standards?
  • Is the app targeted to any population that may require special access features?

Availability

  • Will the system be mission critical?
  • What’s the impact of downtime? Can it be tolerated? To what degree?

Scalability

  • What’s the estimated volume of users that will be using the system? Average? Maximum?
  • How is it expected to fluctuate over time?

Integrations

  • Will the system need to integrate with any third party to function?
  • Would any of the information displayed have to be retrieved from any other system?
  • Would any action within the app trigger anything on another system?

Client Platform

This section makes sense as long as the architecture has a client component.

  • What device or platform will the user rely on to access the system? Desktop, Web, Mobile, Tablet, Apple TV App, Watch App? Something else?
  • In case it’s mobile, does the app have to be targeted or implemented for iOS, or Android specifically, or both?

Analytics

  • What information should the app track regarding the user’s interactions/behaviors?

Legal

  • Any considerations regarding the legal framework that rules these types of systems?
  • Any considerations regarding the terms of service the user must agree to?
  • Any restrictions regarding what licenses and software libraries to use?
  • Can the data be hosted in any cloud anywhere? Must it be stored on-premises?

Final Thoughts

The sweet spot for these questions is full-stack app development scenarios, like the ones we typically tackle at OrangeLoops. Other scenarios may require adjustments or a deep dive into some aspects.

The output of product discovery phases should include documentation related to:

  • Requirements. In the form of user stories, use cases, or a more formal requirements specification.
  • UX Specification. Low fidelity, or ideally high fidelity designs of the system’s user interface, or at least the key parts of it. For instance, in the form of Figma diagrams.
  • Software Architecture Documentation, such as a SAD or PRD.

This output can be used in the following ways:

  • As the set of instructions for a team of developers to build it.
  • As the basis for doing an effort estimation
  • As a Request For Proposal (RFP) so that different contractors may bid on the implementation of the system.

What do you think? Would you add any questions? Feel free to contact us for a free consultation if you have a software project in mind and need help getting started!

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