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Stay Connected With Your Customers Even in a Physically Disconnected World

Stay Connected With Your Customers Even in a Physically Disconnected


In a world where customers are used to getting everything they need immediately, chatbots have already become a vital part of our daily lives. From paying utility bills to getting financial advice regarding important investments to interacting with favorite brands without browsing their websites — chatbots are at the vanguard of round-the-clock online customer service. 

This level of superior customer service can not only result in customer retention but also overall profitability. Satisfied customers tend to stay associated with a company and even expand their investment, refer others, and – generally – agree to pay premiums rather than switching to a brand with whom they’re neither familiar nor comfortable. Both customer support chatbot and IT support chatbots bank on this phenomenon to boost a company’s sales and market performance via user experiences.

While older versions of chatbots relied on identifying keywords and solving only static, repetitive queries – modern chatbots improve customer service by a lot more. Advanced conversational AI support bots can now contextually converse with the user, creating an enriched, personalized, and compelling experience. They are designed to understand the intent behind a user’s messages and even identify emotions. This has made it possible for chatbots to go from being just an additional support accessory to a powerful business tool that directly corresponds with end-customers across various touchpoints including web, mobile, WhatsApp, email, and virtual home assistants like Alexa. 

The modern way to support customers

Traditional customer support services are plagued with issues like technical inconsistencies, inefficient practices, and sometimes, human error. These have given rise to customer complaints such as –

  • Difficulties in communicating with agents from offshore call centers
  • Lengthy wait and hold times
  • Repetitive call transfers
  • Never-ending automated self-service menus 

Many of these issues can now be addressed with the help of conversational AI. This is of vital importance given the physical distancing norms imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Incorporating AI-powered personal assistants across customer touchpoints can ensure a seamless service delivery even with support centers operating at limited capacity.  

Gartner claimed long back that 25% of customer service and support operations would integrate chatbots across engagement channels by 2020. However, little was it expected that the adoption rate would grow so phenomenally. Today, experts forecast that over 53% of service organizations will adopt chatbots by the end of 2020, and these numbers are only increasing as the need for social distancing grows. In the new normal of the business landscape, augmented automation and remote workplaces are a testament to this growth. That said, the ultimate goal of chatbots in customer service is very fundamental—providing customers with instant and accurate responses.

Automate routine requests and outbound notifications to prioritize the things that matter

So how can chatbots improve customer service? What are the chatbot use cases applicable to business operations? Well, let’s begin with simple numbers. Advanced, well-trained chatbots can accurately and instantly respond to 80% of routine customer service questions. Their popularity has been soaring as the number of chatbot use cases increase day-by-day, and the millennials populate the customer base. 55% of respondents of a survey said that they want chatbots involved in the customer service process. And with chatbots becoming a critical stakeholder in the customer service game, repetitive questions become less of a hassle for human agents. Without the need to handle routine requests and send timely alerts/payment reminders/follow-ups, human agents can focus predominantly on handling complex problems effectively. Some popular chatbot uses include-

This is the era of conversational customer services

From automated messages to visual search, chatbots empower companies to better support customer needs along their journey.

  • Personalized experience: Chatbots can leverage conversation and transaction history of customers to provide hyper-personalized suggestions and interactive experiences. 
  • Instant gratification: Customer queries are responded to or redirected almost immediately, making them reliable during times of emergencies. According to a survey, over 37% of people prefer customer service bots during emergencies. The efficiency achieved by having a chatbot in place can cut the average handling time of queries by 50% and reduce support costs by over 30%.
  • 24/7 conversational support: With chatbots in place, customer service teams can provide not merely round-the-clock customer support, but also ensure high quality and consistency of responses. This ultimately leads to customer satisfaction and a reduction in the volume of repeat calls by as much as 40%.
  • Preference pattern recognition: Chatbot conversations have proven useful in gathering information from users and understanding a preference pattern. These insights can augment user data collected during their shopping and transactions. This allows the chatbots to provide intuitive suggestions. 
  • Omnichannel integration: By integrating conversational AI, organizations can help customers get consistent responses across different channels, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, e-mail, website, and mobile apps. Further, this also ensures better conversation continuity, thereby reducing the need for customers to repeat their queries over and over. 
  • Self-learning and building of databases: AI, in combination with machine learning, can teach itself and build databases on-top of the training data. It can learn, understand, improvise, and execute with a continually growing library of data. 

Tailor new connections with chatbots

The apparent benefits that customer support chatbots bring to the table cannot be overestimated. By responding to most standard questions, conversational chatbots reduce overall costs and expedite response time. Owing to the faster and more accurate responses, organizations can benefit from lower customer bounce rate and increased retention.

By proactively educating customers with targeted messaging, preemptively answering their questions, and providing visual tours, they reduce the support volume and improve customer experiences across several customer-facing industries. 
Expand your audience outreach, boost your brand image, and augment customer satisfaction with zero-coding chatbot platforms. Reduce the training period and time-to-launch of your chatbot with pre-trained industry models that require minimal information input!

Business

8 Essential Benefits of Having a Data Catalog in a Data Drive World

8 Essential Benefits of Having a Data Catalog in a


8 Essential Benefits of Having a Data Catalog in a Data Drive World

Big data is all the talk in business these days, and it doesn’t look like it’s just a fad. An estimated 97.2% of companies are starting to invest in big data technology.

The question is, how can you take advantage of data for your business? After all, it’s hard to find a way to store and access all the information out there.

That’s where a data catalog comes into play. It’s your single point of reference when you need to make data-driven decisions for your business.

So what are the ways a data catalog can help? Keep reading to learn eight benefits of having a data catalog.

1. Convenience

Of all the benefits of a data catalog, convenience is the most significant benefit. After all, maintaining large amounts of data sources on your own is a lot of work.

With a data catalog, you can automate this process. Instead of having your staff input data manually, your data catalog can connect to your data source to import data on its own. This automation frees up time for your workforce to concentrate on more critical tasks.

You also have the convenience of having all your data in one place. Instead of putting together reports from different websites, you can log into your data catalog and immediately find what you’re looking for.

2. Security

Internet security is a hot topic today. While technology has made things more accessible, it’s also created more risk. The 2018 FBI internet crime report found that cybercrime is at an all-time high.

If your data isn’t protected, then you’re opening yourself up to trouble. A data catalog will help you protect your data.

Reputable data catalog providers work with government and regulatory agencies to ensure their technology will stand up to attacks. By trusting your data to them, you’ll be able to protect sensitive data.

With the regulatory changes happening today, this is more important than ever. Europe has the GDPR, and the United States has numerous healthcare and financial regulations that you need to follow. Working with a company can save you time and money that would be spent doing everything yourself.

3. Source Verification

Your data is only as good as where you get it from. If you have a lot of unknown sources in your data, how do you know if you can trust the reports you get from your catalog?

Luckily, you can track this with data catalogs. You can track the source of data and how old it is. You won’t be asking yourself if data is trustworthy and current anymore.

4. Human and Machine Collaboration

Information isn’t worth anything if you don’t know how to use it. This is where machine learning comes into play.

For example, what would your business decisions be like if you could better predict user behavior? Instead of guessing, track what your users do and store it in your data catalog.

Your AI algorithms will analyze this data and begin predicting how users will behave in the future. You can use this data to make better business decisions, which will increase the profitability of your company.

5. Easier Data Consumption

It isn’t easy to create a system that’s easy to use for people who aren’t good at tech. Traditionally, you would need a staff of people to fulfill the requests of users.

You can’t overlook the importance of a data catalog in this case. Instead of waiting for your support staff to generate the data and reports you need, you can log into a data catalog and search for what you’re looking for.

The first benefit is through the use of saved queries. If there is a search that comes up often, a data catalog can store it to pull the data up instantly. If you’re pulling up a complex query, this can save a lot of time.

The second is through search. In traditional databases, this involves writing database queries to find what you’re looking for. Most people don’t know how to do that.

A data catalog search engine can perform plain text searches to find the data you need. You won’t need to be technical to search for data.

6. Maintainability

Have you ever taken a close look at all the places you store data?

You have spreadsheets, databases, online services, and third-party providers. Keeping all of this maintained can be a nightmare if you have a lot of data.

Keeping your data maintained is more straightforward with a data catalog. Your data is kept in one place and can be automatically updated on its own.

7. Collaboration

Having all your data in different locations isn’t only hard to maintain. It also makes it harder to collaborate.

A central database isn’t quite as bad, but what about documents? If you have people that maintain their own spreadsheets, then it can be hard keeping everyone up to date with the latest data.

A data catalog solves this problem by putting all data in a central location. This means everyone has access to the latest information and won’t have to track down the person who maintains the data to get an update.

8. More Metadata

Metadata is essential if you want to find the data you’re looking for quickly. It’s what categorizes and describes your data.

The good thing is that as your data catalog grows, metadata will be created automatically. Much of this information is tags that never existed before.

Your new metadata allows you to look at your data in new ways. This will give you new insights that will help your business.

Your metadata can also help you filter information that you don’t need. If you have a staff member that finds a set of data useful and can’t use all of it, metadata can allow you to filter out what you don’t need.

You only need to do this once. Then every person in your organization can take advantage of it.

Invest in a Data Catalog Today

Data is everything for business today. If you don’t invest in technology that makes it easy to use, then you’re going to fall behind. A data catalog can give this to your business, so invest in setting one up today.

Data catalogs aren’t the only technology available to you. Keep browsing our blog to learn more about how technology can help your business.

Entertainment

It’s a Whole New World! The Science Behind 3D Foam Modeling for Movie Sets

It's a Whole New World! The Science Behind 3D Foam


It’s a Whole New World! The Science Behind 3D Foam Modeling for Movie Sets

What compares to the magic of the movies? The darkened theater, the smell of popcorn in the air… there’s just nothing else like it. 

Movies can transport us, inspire us, entertain us, and allow us to see the humanity in ourselves and in others. But what goes into the work of making these magical marvels? It’s true that these days much of what see on the screen is made on computers. CGI has taken over the industry in a major way, and most major titles around the world are mostly CGI-generated. 

But there’s still something startling and fantastic about seeing something truly physical on the screen in front of you. The viewer can almost always tell the difference. If not computers, how do such amazing worlds come to life? 

Read on, and we’ll walk you through everything you should know about the amazing world of 3D foam modeling. 

The Marvel of Physicality 

CGI definitely isn’t going anywhere. But even the most average of movie-viewers can tell the difference between a CGI creation and a physical model. It’s why people online still talk of how the dinosaurs in the 1993 Jurassic Park look better than the ones in the modern incarnation. 

Foam models are used to create all sorts of things in movies. They are used frequently to design and build sets in films. Once painted and designed, they look amazing, almost like the real thing. They can be used to create castles, fantasy lands, ships, vehicles, creatures… really, almost anything. 

The physical nature allows actors and a camera to share the same real space with these creations. To move through them, touch them, and bring a sense of realism to the whole affair that’s often missing with CGI creations. 

Many of your favorite movies likely featured sets, props, and even characters that were designed with 3D foam modeling. A short list includes Alien, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, Blade Runner, The Matrix. But literally, thousands of movies have been made with the help of 3D foam printing. 

But how does such a process work? Let’s look into it. 

How Creating Foam Sculpture Works 

There a few steps involved in creating a high-level 3D foam model.

Making a Model by Hand

Creators first choose the right foam for the project at hand. Polystyrene foam, such as EPS, is the most common choice among printers. But some other foams, even styrofoam, will be used depending on the needs at hand. 

Large blocks of this foam are then purchased and prepared for the creation process.

Sculptors usually draw a grid pattern across a piece of foam. They use this as a precise guide as they begin the sculpting process. The grid pattern sometimes is printed on to the foam, or hand-drawn. Sometimes it’s even projected by light. 

Hot wire and band saws are used to cut the foam cleanly. For large and thick foam, an electric saw might be used. After the big pieces are cut, smaller tools like electric knives and grinders are used to sand and fine-tune the edges. Smaller pieces of foam may be sculpted and pasted back onto the main body as details. This allows for texture. 

After the final shape is created, there are a number of finishing steps. Paint, weather-proofing, strength, and flexibility will all be added. Much is done in this step, and you can read more about coatings and finishes to understand the details. 

3D Printing A Foam Model 

New technology exists that makes the foam model creation process even easier. Companies have cutting-edge 3D printers that can print foam models to exact specifications. 

Professional designers and artists design these models on the computer instead of in person but print out their creations into physical form. No project is too large or too small for a 3D printer: anything from a two-inch badge to a twenty-foot dinosaur could be created with the right printer on hand. 

The printing process is fairly quick and turnaround can be surprisingly efficient once a design is in place. Many 3D printers are able to print in color now, which also keeps the finishing work needed to a minimum. In a way, 3D printing is the perfect blend of computer technology and physical, really-there results. 

Common Uses in Cinema 

While 3D foam printed models are used for a variety of functions in movies, it’s most common use is likely in architectural design. Foam allows realistic set creation on a tiny budget. In addition, the lightweight nature makes it easy to set up and take down sets without hours of construction. 

Since 3D printers can create just about anything, the form also allows for a lot of imagination and creativity on the part of designers. This is especially helpful when creating fantasy sets for worlds different than our own. Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, and Star Wars are great examples of this. 

Entire cities and large buildings have been made via foam structure in the past. But it also has been used to add on to or expand existing structures. 

Another common use of 3d foam printing in the movies? Props. Guns and futuristic weapons of all sorts are usually made from foam and made to look real. This helps keep the safety on movie sets up to code since the weapons are all make-believe. 

For fictional ray guns and so forth, foam design helps to create new devices that still feel and look real. 

Foam Modeling at the Movies 

Without foam modeling, some of our favorite on-screen creations wouldn’t exist. Understanding the science and work behind such creations can add to the fun of watching. 

Looking for more information about movies or music? Check out our blog for more.

Entertainment

The Best Motorcycle Travel Routes in The World

The Best Motorcycle Travel Routes in The World


The Best Motorcycle Travel Routes in The World

Are you a motorcyclist with a passion for traveling the road on your bike?

People throughout the world enjoy riding motorcycles and having the experience with friends or family.

There are more than 4.12 million miles of roadway in the United States alone. This makes for a lot of opportunities to enjoy riding your motorcycle in different places. But when you look abroad, you will find some of the best rides in the world.

Read on to learn about the best motorcycle travel routes on Earth.

Ideal Motorcycle Travel Routes

Tail of the Dragon – North Carolina/Tennessee

Deals Gap is a mountain pass that runs along the Great Smoky Mountains.

It is at the North Carolina and Tennessee state lines where you will find the Tail of the Dragon. This winding portion of U.S. Route 129, takes you through the mountains and around some of the best scenery the country has to offer.

This 11-mile stretch of highway boasts 318 looping curves and is an exciting ride for motorcyclists.

Mae Hong Son Loop – Thailand

If you are looking for an international adventure for motorcycle travel, Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Loop is worth the trip.

The loop boasts more than 1,000 turns and motorcycle enthusiasts travel from all over to experience its unique bends. The roadway takes you past a lot of what makes Thailand such a popular tourist destination.

You will maneuver your way through the mountains, traveling past waterfalls, villages, and temples.

The Trail of Tears – Tennessee to Alabama

If you are a motorcycle rider who has an appreciation for historic rides, the Trail of Tears is one of the ride adventures for you.

The Trail of Tears is known in American history for being the path Native Americans traveled as they were forced west in the 1800s.

But today, motorcyclists and Native Americans gather to ride along this stretch of roadway as a way to honor those who were forced from their land.

If you want to ride on a particularly historic day, go on the third Saturday of September. Besides being great weather for a ride, thousands gather to make the trip down Highway 72 from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Waterloo, Alabama.

The Transalpine Route – France to Italy

How does a ride from Grenoble, France, to Venice, Italy, sound?

The Transalpine Route will take you from France to Italy, through the Alps, making it one of the most popular roadways in Europe, especially during the summer. If you have a lot of time on your trip, consider traveling the whole route – over 2,400 km. It will also take you through Switzerland and Austria along the way.

Besides the amazing scenery along the way and sharp turns, you will be treated to being in Venice, Italy when you reach the end of the route.

Wrapping Up: The World’s Best Motorcycle Travel Routes

Regardless of where you are in the world, there are unique roads to travel on your motorcycle.

Besides being outside and taking in the sights and sounds of nature, you also have the opportunity to see amazing buildings and historic landmarks.

Have you traveled through some of these destinations on your motorcycle? Have another spot that has been memorable for you that’s not on this list?

Comment below to tell others about your motorcycle adventures.

Entertainment

The 8 Best Ski Resorts in the World You Need to Try

The 8 Best Ski Resorts in the World You Need


The 8 Best Ski Resorts in the World You Need to Try

Skiing is one of the ultimate forms of getting an adrenaline rush.

The thrill of being in the middle of the great outdoors is priceless. Between shredding the slopes and taking in the scenery, there’s no such thing as a bad day skiing.

However, there is such a thing as a top-notch ski resort and a mediocre one. If you are planning on chasing thrills in the near future, be sure to go all out.

Here’s a list of the best ski resorts in the world to help you start your travel plans.

The Best Ski Resorts In The World

1. Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is America’s oldest ski resort.

For over 70 years, it has been welcoming skiers to this beautiful mountain. Yet, many Americans jump to well-known skiing towns without even realizing the beauty of Sun Valley in Idaho’s backyard.

This means more space to ski and enjoy the ride for the locals at this resort. It is easily one of the best-kept secrets in the skiing world.

2. Park City, Utah

If you’re looking for ample space to play and different areas to ski, head to Park City.

This is the largest resort in the States, with big thrills for the whole family. At 7,300 acres, there is sure to be the perfect easy route for the beginner in the group to try.

For the more experienced skier, there’s plenty of fresh powder and big bowls to enjoy.

3. Telluride, Colorado

Telluride offers everything a skier can ask for.

Enjoy tough terrain to test your skills or take the skids on a simple cruise through the mountain.

At the end of the day, enjoy a quick ride right into town on your skis. You can literally finish a slope and walk into the nearest coffee shop or pub in just a few minutes!

4. Vail and Whistler-Blackcomb, Colorado

This American destination is not just one of the best ski resorts in the world, but arguably one of the most popular.

Every year, Vail welcomes over 5 million locals and international ski enthusiasts alike. With the pristine beauty and perfect conditions of the back bowls and the excellent reporting standards, it’s no surprise Vail is a favorite.

Whistler-Blackcomb recently joined Vail resorts, meaning more space and chances to ride your favorite slopes with the Epic Pass. Click here for the best gear in town to ski in style and ultimate comfort.

5. Are, Sweden

This is the largest snow resort in all of Northern Europe.

Skiers can enjoy their favorite kinds of runs and try their hand at other snow sports, too. For those looking to really up their skills, this is an ideal opportunity to try heli-skiing.

6. Alpe d’Huez, France

Alpe d’Huez is a skier’s paradise.

The peak of the mountain offers one of the best panoramas out there, with a view of one-fifth of French terrain. You can expect for the sun to shine for most of your visit and guide your path on the slopes.

The village is also known for cultural events and many other snow sports, meaning there is always something to do.

7. Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria

Austria’s largest ski resort is waiting to welcome you on over 70 lifts to fun and adventure.

The mountain is equipped with everything from challenging runs to thrill-filled fun parks. To catch your breath, enjoy one of 50 huts on the mountain serving traditional Austrian treats.

8. Gstaad, Switzerland

For a little bit of everything and a whole lot of luxury, head straight to Gstaad.

This is a gem of the snow world, offering everything from skiing, hiking, ice skating, and tobogganing. No matter what sport you choose, make sure to stop and enjoy the views.

Discover One Of The Best Ski Resorts In The World

Ready to pack your skis and hit the slopes?

Some of the biggest thrills and most memorable moments are waiting, no matter your destination of choice.

Join our travel community for the ultimate adventure tips and tricks.