AppRapids Conference: Sharing Insights in the Digital Field
February 23, 2012
We at Beyond Search are happy to announce that registration is now open for the first AppRapids conference March 28, 2012, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Apprapids is an enterprise information service that focuses on app-related issues and is sponsored by PolySpot. The one-day conference will focus on how apps are transforming the business and digital worlds. The conference will allow attendees and speakers to interact to share insights in the field.
The press release, “Apps are Where it’s at: Register Now for AppRapids Conference,” gives us more information on the collaborative event.
We learn:
“Apps have been integrated into every aspect of life on both personal and professional levels. However, a lack of knowledge, and consequently agency, exists among many app users and potential app creators. Apps have roots in the past, are impacting the present, and will construct the future. Conference sessions will range from planning and development to implementation and business implications. Speakers will provide details of real-life use cases, best practices and lessons learned.”
Keynote speakers include Craig James, a partner in CatStrat; Ric Manning, a technology columnist at the Louisville Courier-Journal; and Doyle Friskney, Associate Vice President of Information Technology at University of Kentucky. Conference sponsors include: Arnold IT, PolySpot, WorkShop, the Creative Workplace, and Interactive Media Lab.
To register and view the schedule and speaker information, head over to http://www.apprapids.com/
Andrea Hayden, February 23, 2012
Multicore: No Silver Bullet for Lousy Code
February 17, 2012
At one time engineers thought that throwing more cores at a bottleneck would solve the problem. They were wrong. ExtremeTech examines “The Death of CPU Scaling: from One Core to Many—and Why We’re Still Stuck.”
The very informative article traces computer processor development from the time CPU scaling ceased to be feasible and manufacturers began multiplying their cores in 2004. Writer Joel Hruska does a good job explaining Moore’s law, Dennard scaling, and Amdahl’s law and how each impacts the growth of processing power. It also details the reasons multiple cores cannot revive the exponential improvements processors enjoyed during the 1990s. (I like the term “dark silicon.” Sounds like a super villain.)
The write up quotes a recent report on dark silicon and multi-core devices:
Regardless of chip organization and topology, multicore scaling is power limited to a degree not widely appreciated by the computing community…. Given the low performance returns…adding more cores will not provide sufficient benefit to justify continued process scaling…. A new driver of transistor utility must be found, or the economics of process scaling will break and Moore’s Law will end well before we hit final manufacturing limits.
That sounds pretty dire, though Hruska predicts some slow scaling progress will continue for several years. After that, who knows? To run fast, do we now think assembler?
Cynthia Murrell, February 17, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Apps Replacing Middleware for Many Companies
February 17, 2012
Here’s the progression for information access. Ask someone. Use Dialog’s or SDC’s command line interface. Surf the Web. Use an app.
Information Management’s Jim Ericson recently reported on Middleware vendors moving into app development in the article “Apps Overtaking Middleware.”
According to the article, the predicted “suites of heterogeneous software assembling like Transformer robots to tackle the big adversaries of enterprise processing,” have not proven themselves to be accurate. Rather, modern day apps and analytics are beginning to court the data, rather than the other way around.
Vendors are beginning to snatch up the analytics apps like hot cakes. Andrew Bartels of Forrester Research elaborates:
IBM is a poster child for the classic Middleware vendor moving aggressively and heavily into applications because they see that is where the action is. Specifically, that means “analytical solutions” with a tighter focus on marketing, buying, selling and servicing activities.
While this is an interesting take on the issue, we believe that Ericson does not consider the issue of app fatigue or the inefficiency of providing limited functionality to professionals who have changing information requirements.
Are online customers making more informed decisions? I prefer not to comment on that.
Jasmine Ashton, February 12, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Chomp Takes App Search to the Next Level
January 31, 2012
As the app business is exploding in growth with over a billion app downloads a month a new service has been created by some of the Silicon Valley’s greatest minds and investors. The article, Chomp Leads in App Search During Move to ‘Appification’, on Infotech News, praises the young company for leading the masses in the ‘appification’ of the world.
Chomp, created in 2009, as an answer to the growing problem of app search provides an open source mobile app search for all the apps available to mobile customers on both the iOS and Android OS. Over the last few years as better developers have been incorporated into the company more precise searches are being conducted.
With this technology Chomp is pioneering in search app advertising. Of this new angle on app search the article says,
The new program, which is currently in private beta, allows developers for the first time, to bid on keywords or phrases which will deliver their ads when uses search on those terms within an app search engine. Chomp Search Ads is the only way to match app ads to the most relevant potential customer, resulting in quality ad matching for both the advertiser and the consumer.
As the app industry continues to grow and more and more app developers are making apps available on multiple operating systems the need for the regular Smartphone user to be able to search efficiently increases. Thanks to services like those offered by Chomp we will undoubtedly see an increase in the applications of such technology like the targeted advertising.
Catherine Lamsfuss, January 31, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Inforbix Offers Demo for New iPad App
January 20, 2012
Recently we reported on the company Inforbix and their upcoming new application for iPad users which will allow employees access to company documents and files from any i-device. This ingenious technological marvel is a result of a growing demand within the workforce to make company files more accessible and cloud technology. Inforbix, not satisfied with leaving good-enough alone has now introduced a demo for their new app. The article, How to test Inforbix on the web and on the iPad, on Inforbix’s website explains how companies considering the technology can experience the difference the cloud can make.
“The technology behind how Inforbix demos work is exactly the same as what our customers deploy. With one exception. We use our own data-set to emulate what a typical Inforbix customer would be using. That’s it. Everything else is precisely the same: 1. The Demo Data provided by Inforbix is scanned and the meta-data collected is sent to the Inforbix cloud. 2. In the cloud, the meta-data is processed. 3. Users access the demo data either via a web browser…or if they downloaded the new Inforbix iPad app on the App Store and use the demo facility on it.”
Catherine Lamsfuss, January 20, 2012
Inforbix: A New Mobile Search Service for CAD and Product Data
January 16, 2012
Beyond Search recognizes that mobile applications are on the rise and people are moving their business to devices that are as flexible as they are. However, our team notices that this trend leaves a lot of people confused about how to deal with the excess of data that is available in the world of mobile applications. Search systems that navigate the chaos are often difficult to use or are simply nonexistent.
Boston-based Inforbix is responding to the rising issue. The company develops intelligent apps for CAD and product data access and is rolling out an iPad mobile application that allows customers to search engineering data anywhere, anytime.
Inforbix is a software company founded in 2012 that addresses the excess of product data within manufacturing companies. The company strives to develop software solutions and apps to address specific data trends and improve productivity. Inforbix is currently a cloud service accessed by web browser and assists customers in finding and sharing product data companywide.
Inforbix products work together with Product Data Management systems that may already be in place at organizations and connect companywide product data. Smaller companies without PDM systems can find an affordable alternative with Inforbix.
The new iPad app is the first mobile application release by Inforbix. The app is powered by InforBix’s semantic technology, which connects structured and unstructured related product data. This link allows users to find and access product data quickly on-the-go, while still providing correct and thorough information that is crucial to efficiency and productivity.
The service is cloud-based and requires no data migration or maintenance. The app can also access multiple file types and addresses searching and accessing product data, as well as other product data tasks such as organizing and presenting data patterns. The app is easy to use and requires no training or prior experience to use.
Chief Executive Officer Oleg Shilovistsky speaks on the topic of the mobile app release in the PR News Release:
“There’s lots of data everywhere. Customers are asking ‘How can I access it all with a single solution?’ Enter Inforbix, and the new iPad app will take Inforbix, a fresh new approach to find, engage with, and administer product data in manufacturing companies, a giant step forward in accessibility.”
The software is simple for companies to employ and is an intelligent solution to sorting through the endless product data that is available. The app can be demoed by pointing to http://www.inforbix.com/demo. Current Inforbix customers can already begin using the iPad app, which is available for free on the Apple App Store. New users can register with Inforbix to enable the app and begin accessing company product data.
At Beyond Search, we applaud companies that are focusing on creatively solving the issue of excess data and are impressed with Inforbix’s move to mobile. The future of technology is going fluid and companies need to remain accessible in the transition.
Andrea Hayden, January 16, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Engineers Skeptical of Mobile Apps
January 13, 2012
The public is sold on mobile technology. They gobble up the latest tablets and download the greatest apps. But “Do Engineers Have an Appetite for Mobile Apps?” It might surprise you that CAD users are still a quite hesitant about going mobile.
Engineers are not convinced “that their day-to-day design tools can translate well to a tablet or smartphone platform.” It is up to vendors like Autodesk to change their minds. Engineers will likely use mobile apps differently than they do their traditional CAD software.
Rather than serving as a direct replacement for desktops or laptops for doing traditional CAD and modeling work, the mobile platforms are far better suited for specific tasks and workflows, and design tool apps have to follow suit.
Change is almost always met with some type of resistance. CAD users will eventually integrate mobile apps into their everyday professional life. But apps have to win their trust by becoming more reliable. Inforbix is doing just that. Their product data apps help users, like engineers and product managers, quickly and easily find, re-use, and share product data from disparate sources and file types. Inforbix’s revolutionary product data apps will quickly change the mind of any skeptical engineer.
Jennifer Wensink, January 13, 2012
iPad Apps Offer Manufacturing On-The-Go
January 9, 2012
Product life cycle (PLM) apps are on the rise and it is paying off for manufacturers. Last spring, Teamcenter Mobility from Siemens developed an iPad application that offers engineers product data and more at the touch of a fingertip. Automation World highlighted this new technology in its article “iPad App Empowers the Mobile Manufacturing Workforce.”
This iPad application is very practical. It allows people to “digitally review the most current version of information immediately, rather than working with cumbersome paper documents or trying to find a computer.” It benefits a wide range of employees – from an executive on plane to field personnel walking the shop floor. Siemens Teamcenter software President, Chuck Grindstaff says:
“By making up-to-the-minute Teamcenter data available at the necessary point of activity, our customers can act immediately on accurate information and further reduce the design and production cycle times.”
Several companies are developing manufacturing apps. Inforbix is previewing their new iPad app on their web site. (see: Inforbix iPad App – First Preview). Their customers requested “a mobile solution that gives them access to their product data while out of the office or away from their computers” and they developed a fantastic new app. Though it is not available yet, it is coming soon to the Apple store. Keep an eye out for its release because we believe it will be everything that their customers wanted and more!
Jennifer Wensink, January 9, 2012
SharePoint Troubleshooting Videos for the Enterprise Weary
January 4, 2012
The GetThePoint Blog is highlighting a series of troubleshooting videos being offered by Microsoft regarding SharePoint and its well-publicized list of common pain points.
As the write-up expresses:
Microsoft’s Technical Readiness team has been building a collection of what they call ‘Break/Fix’ videos that address specific technical issues when using Office 365 . . . The Microsoft SharePoint End-user Content team is investigating creating similar quick videos that address specific pain points for SharePoint, and would apply to both O365 online and on-premises versions.
While we understand the need for online assistance, especially in terms of quick fixes, the real issue lies in the fact that so many of these fixes are needed in the first place. SharePoint has never promised to be a complete solution, an out-of-the-box application that needs no further tweaking. However, the extent to which SharePoint has to be customized and manipulated leads us to believe that a third-party solution might be a less painful enterprise option.
A third party solution worth a second look is Fabasoft Mindbreeze and its suite of solutions. Receiving the KM World Trendsetting Product Award for the fourth consecutive year in 2011, Mindbreeze is often lauded for its ability to be customized, but also extremely efficient out-of-the-box.
“Fabasoft Mindbreeze Appliance as a pre-packaged solution (hardware and software) offers a quick and easy way to enjoy a high-end enterprise search solution out-of-the-box. The product is ready to use within in a very short timeframe. ‘We make it easy for our customers. We deliver the ready-to-run appliance and configure it together with the customer via an online meeting. Fabasoft Mindbreeze Enterprise is then ready for use.’ – Daniel Fallmann describes some of the advantages of the solution.”
Fabasoft Mindbreeze works as a standalone enterprise solution, or can be used to enhance an existing SharePoint infrastructure through the Mindbreeze Connectors offerings.
Emily Rae Aldridge, January 4, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
YaSabe Creates iPhone App For Hispanic Users
December 23, 2011
Hispanic immigrants are the fastest growing minority group living in the United States today and 25 percent of them are iPhone users. With these two facts in mind, it is not surprising that a new iPhone application has been released that is specifically designed meet the needs of this demographic.
According to the recent YaSabe news release YaSabe Unveils Location-Aware iPhone App for U.S. Hispanics, the Hispanic local search company has created a new bilingual search application that helps users discover their options and find local businesses nearby. Users can search and browse in Spanish or English and change the distance to find out what is available around them.
The article states:
The YaSabe iPhone application lets users search in Spanish or English by name, product, service, or category for any of the 15,000,000 local businesses in the US. YaSabe highlights those businesses that speak Spanish and that particularly appreciate and welcome Hispanic customers and you can get one-click directions to any business right from your current GPS location.
By offering unique bilingual content and innovative technology to help consumers search and browse for local businesses, YaSabe is the first business that is making it a priority to address the search related needs Spanish speakers living in our country.
Jasmine Ashton, December 15, 2011
Sponsored by Pandia.com
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