Smart Software: In the Race Are…
February 18, 2016
I read “How the Rest of Tech Is Playing Catch-Up to Facebook and Google in Artificial Intelligence.” I would summarize the article in one word: “Scrambling.” Alphabet Google and Facebook are leaders in smart software; others must catch up.
I thought about this idea when I read “Intelligent Assistant Landscape Shows Slow Growth but Huge Potential.” Of particular interest was a graphic composed of the logos of companies competing in the smart software revolution.
I noted the grouping for conversational technologies which seem to be nudging into functions which I follow from my redoubt in a hollow in rural Kentucky.
Here are the companies in this “talk to computers” cluster:
- Aivo
- Anboto
- Artificial Solutions
- Aspect Software
- Avaya Ava
- Bot Ego
- Botgenes
- CodeBaby
- Creative Virtual
- CX Company
- Denise Systems
- Do You Dream Up
- Existor
- Fetch
- Genee
- GetAbby
- Google Now
- Here
- IBM Watson
- Inbenta
- Inteliwise
- Intelliresponse
- LinguaSys
- Microsoft
- MindMeld
- Next IT
- NoHold
- Nuance Nina
- Speaktoit
- SRI International
- Synthetix
- Viclone
An interesting and eclectic list. The conversational cluster is very similar to the Virtual Agents and Customer Assistant cluster. My thought is that some specialists have been overlooked.
If you like these logo clusters, check this one out. Perhaps the next Facebook is on the list?
My reaction is that more precision in the groupings would have been helpful to me. Overall most of these outfits are in search and content processing businesses. A few have embraced smart software as the with-it way to generate leads and sales.
Stephen E Arnold, February 18, 2016
I Left My NoSQL Heart at the MarkLogic Conference
February 18, 2016
MarkLogic is a headlining company in the field of NoSQL enterprise databases, allowing companies to process, search, scale through massive data stores as well as build Web applications to handle the onslaught. As a respected enterprise leader, MarkLogic occasionally holds a conference to teach IT professionals as well as potential customers about its software benefits. This year MarkLogic will host the MarkLogic World 2016 US in San Francisco, California from May 9-12 at the Park Central Hotel.
The conference is described as:
“We kick the week off on Monday with three different hands-on workshops to choose from and end our week Thursday afternoon with our traditional closing keynote with our Founder and Chief Architect, Christopher Lindblad. New this year, we are including a special Partner Track, exclusive to MarkLogic partners and those interested in becoming one. If you are developing with MarkLogic, transitioning from RDBMS to MarkLogic, building apps on MarkLogic, or if you are just starting out on MarkLogic, this is the event for you. Sessions span from MarkLogic basics to technical deep dives covering data modeling, semantics, much & more.”
A Partner Track? That is a new feature at the MarkLogic convention, but what is its purpose? Will it be a daylong event where MarkLogic partners advertise their services or wares otherwise known as a commercial seminar without a free lunch? Will it be an informative explanation about how MarkLogic partners are shaping the NoSQL enterprise industry and combining their talents to advance the field? Maybe it is just a mix and mingle for networking?
The only way to know is to sign up for the conference and if you use the promo code “MLEMJAN” you can get in for free. It is also an excuse to visit San Francisco and ride the cable cars.
Whitney Grace, February 18, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
Google 20% Time Policy Projects Take Users Around the World
February 18, 2016
The article on StumbleUpon titled 12 Lesser-Known Google Projects That Are Absolutely Amazing describes how certain Google employees took advantage of their creative time, or “20% time polcy” that dictates one day a week should be used experimentally. Hence some of these whimsical concepts like Google Sky, which functions similarly to Google Earth but in the far-out setting of space. Another idea is the game Ingress,
“Ingress transforms the real world into the landscape for a global game of mystery, intrigue, and competition. Our future is at stake. You must choose a side. A mysterious energy has been unearthed by a team of scientists in Europe. The origin and purpose of this force is unknown, but some researchers believe it is influencing the way we think. We must control it or it will control us.”
Other projects offer outlets to explore global culture and history, such as the World Wonders Project, which enables users to view high-res photos and 3D views of distant places like the Pyramids of Giza and Angor Wat. The Google Art Project contains quality images of important artworks from 400 art museums all over the world and allows users to build their own collections for take audio tours to learn more about famous pieces. Overall, the projects encourage increased engagement with technology, culture, and creativity.
Chelsea Kerwin, February 18, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
Omnity Search: Yep, You May Have to Have to Pay
February 17, 2016
I read “Google Search Engine Face New Competitor : Omnity Semantic Search.” I had not heard about Omnity. I navigated to the firm’s Web page at https://www.omnity.io. I plugged in one of the names I use to test systems. The site then presented me with terms and conditions:
I noted section 8 “Payment Terms.” Here’s the passage I highlighted:
8.1 Payment. Unless otherwise expressly set forth in the Proposal, Omnity will invoice Customer in advance for the license Fees for the Initial Term and for any Renewal Term, and Omnity will automatically charge Customer’s credit card on file for the License Fees applicable to such initial Term and any Renewal Term.
My reaction was, “No way.”
Did the write up explain the fees for using Omnity? Nah.
Did the write up get beyond buzzwords and a reference to the Consumer Electronic Show? Nah.
Will Omnity be a threat to Google? Probably not, but I interpreted the sign up terms as a threat to moi.
I think this outfit suggested that Google was a cooked goose.
Nah.
Stephen E Arnold, February 17, 2016
DirectEDGAR plus DtSearch Equals Superior Search for Analysts and Researchers
February 17, 2016
The article on PRNewswire titled directEDGAR SEC Edgar Database Research Platform Now Embeds The dtSearch® Engine for Enhanced Search and Retrieval discusses the partnership between dtSearch, AcademicEDGAR+, and AppsPlus. The merger is meant to improve advanced search for analysts and academic researchers who rely on search to enable them to wade through tens of millions of documents. Why did Dr. Kealey, CEO of AcademicEDGAR+ choose dtsearch? He explains in the article,
“We have over two terabytes of SEC filings and there was no other vendor whose offering allowed immediate access to any document in the results set no matter how many documents are returned.” Dr. Kealey also notes that search granularity is critically important, and dtSearch’s unique operators extend far beyond the standard Boolean operators…To complete the implementation, AcademicEDGAR+ chose AppsPlus.”
AppsPlus has been around for over 15 years aiding in a huge range of development projects across industries. The article explains that with directEDGAR, users get more than just search. The product allows for extraction and normalization in one stop. That capability, paired with dtSearch’s instant search of terabytes, makes this partnership very exciting. Those academic researchers must be drooling into their elbow patches to get their hands on the new service.
Chelsea Kerwin, February 17, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
Expedia: Objective Hotel Search Results? Not Likely
February 16, 2016
I read “Expedia’s New Bidding Program Lets Hotels Buy Better Placement in Search Results.” The write up states:
The exact details on the program aren’t public, but it allows hotel properties to bid for placement in select slots on search result pages. But hotels won’t be able to just buy their way to the top of every search result. They’ll still have to match other needs the consumer is looking for.
In my experience, locating a hotel in an unfamiliar city is a difficult task. The idea that a hotel search engine might return objective results was an expectation I had and have long since abandoned. For example, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, there was a hotel with Potomac in its name. The problem was that Potomac was miles from Gaithersburg. Navigating the interstate for a morning meeting was a thrill some executives did not want to experience. I have also stayed in airport hotels at BWI which were miles from the airport.
Now it is clear that objectivity is not on the radar of Expedia. I doubt if it ever was. It is nice to have my hunch confirmed that delivering on point results is irrelevant.
Great news for everyone except the person looking for a hotel near a meeting location in an unfamiliar city.
Stephen E Arnold, February 16, 2016
Coveo Lauds Itself for Growth, Innovation, and Industry Awards
February 16, 2016
The article on EIN News titled Coveo Achieves Another Record-Breaking Quarter and Calendar Year of Rapid Growth discusses the search companies growth and recognition in a nakedly self-congratulating post. In 2015, Coveo released both Coveo Cloud, a streamlined search-as-a-service, and Coveo Reveal, a self-learning search service aimed at understanding intent to ensure improved accuracy and relevance in search results. The article states,
“The company expanded its SI ecosystem with several leading CRM and Customer Community system integrators, including Appirio, Bluewolf, Cloud Sherpas, Etherios, NTT Data Cloud Services and Vertiba. Exiting 2015, Coveo had in excess of 100 certified SI partners… Coveo for Sitecore was named as a 2015 CUSTOMER Magazine Product of the Year Award winner, marking the fourth consecutive year that Coveo has won this award (In January of 2015 Coveo received its fifth consecutive CUSTOMER Magazine product of the year award…)”
So just how big was that fish Coveo caught? The private company reports a “record breaking quarter” lists any number of current projects and industry recognitions. According to the article, the company now has a total amount of financing of $75 million. 2015 was clearly a very good year, particularly in the financial services market. What company can resist patting itself on the back?
Chelsea Kerwin, February 16, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
USA.gov Not Enough? Now GovInfo.gov Tries to Mind the Gap
February 15, 2016
I love it when US government indexes proliferate. The consultants enjoy the fruits of their duplicative labor. The folks looking for information have another choice. I thought that USA.gov, produced by the ever reliable GSA outfit, was the portal to US government information. There are some caveats; for example, classified information is not on USA.gov and there may be some servers’ content which is either not indexed or scrubbed. Where are the public documents related to health care contractors who assist the various agencies in rooting out fraudulent medical claims? Good question.
I learned that I can “discover US government information” at www.govinfo.gov. I did a quick check of the site, ran a couple of queries, and browsed documents in alphabetical order. I like alphabetical ordering.
Several observations:
- The query “CIA budget” returned an eclectic list of documents. The top hit was a privacy act. I expected no less.
- The browse list revealed a category approach. Clicking the “plus” sign allows drill down. Lots of drill down.
- A number of links directed me to another Web site so I could order documents.
- I ran the federal budget query on USA.gov and was directed to yet another US government Web site, not the GPO Web sites.
When I browsed the site, response time seemed a bit sluggish. A small banner reminded me that the site was in beta. At some point the GovInfo.gov site will replace the Government Printing Office site.
I have no strong opinion about these government “find information” sites. There are a number of them. Redundancy is good for jobs, good for contractors, good for consultants, and good for those who know which US government site to consult for which specific document.
Now about those vendors supplementing investigations of medical fraud? I know the documents were available. I downloaded them from www.cms.gov a couple of years ago. Poof.
Stephen E Arnold, February 15, 2016
The UK Government Invests in Secure Startups
February 15, 2016
The UK has been criticized as being one of the most invasive countries when it comes to monitoring individuals and having security cameras everywhere, even on garbage cans. While the question, “how much is too much?” runs around people’s heads, there is also a concern about the lax of security developments. The UK is much like its former colony the United States in that is interested in beefing up security technology InfoSecurity says in the article, “Government Start-up Support Creates A ‘Very Exciting Time.’”
Government support for UK security tech start-ups is one of the main driving forces in the industry. It demonstrates that the UK government is invested in advancing new ideas and help new companies get the leg up they need to develop the best possibly product before it is delivered to a bigger market. It also proves that the government is taking cybersecurity as a very serious risk that needs bolstering to counteract actions taken by terrorists and rogue nations.
“This week, the UK government announced a £250,000 Early Stage Accelerator Programme to help start-ups in the space get advice, support and funding to develop their products and services and bring them to market. It will be run by Cyber London—described as “Europe’s first cybersecurity accelerator and incubator space”—and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen’s University Belfast.”
While venture corporations are usually the first place start-ups turn to for investments, the government plays a crucial role in regulating the technology and helping companies grow beyond their initial roots. It also allows the new security start-ups to make important connections with the right government officials to build strategic relationships.
It is wonderful that western governments are taking cyber threats more seriously and take preemptive action against dangerous threats. It would be even better if smaller law enforcement agencies at the city and state level in the US were more capable of handling cyber attacks.
Whitney Grace, February 15, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
EasyAsk Unveils Mobile Shopping Solution Through Semantic Search
February 15, 2016
The announcement on PRWeb titled EasyAsk Introduces EasyAsk Voice Shopper Uniting Voice and Mobile for a Revolutionary Shopping Experience pairs shopping with semantic technology. According to the article, users will be able to hold a conversation with the EasyAsk search engine that will lead to the relevant and ideal product for the user. The article says,
“EasyAsk Voice Shopper creates a new paradigm for mobile shopping by allowing customers to have a conversation with a mobile commerce site or app, just like speaking with a sales associate. Having evolved from over 15 years of natural language research and development, the EasyAsk conversational search engine powers the conversation with the customer, combining an understanding of the shopper’s intent with the deep knowledge of retailer’s products and merchandising objectives to deliver the right products.”
The emphasis on mobile shopping is due to the research showing the low mobile shopping conversion rate of only 0.80%, most likely due to the pain-in-the-neck that is mobile shopping! Who hasn’t switched from their phone to their computer after clicking an email link for a cute pair of sneakers? In a perfect world, this new service would be like speaking to a real person. But unless I am mistaken, it will probably feel more like any number of voice menus that people find themselves shouting at to be understood.
Chelsea Kerwin, February 15, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
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