Wednesday, October 15, 2025
search
Home Blog Page 85

Video Conference, The New Face-To-Face

4i-mag team
-
0
Video Conference, The New Face-To-Face

Video conferencing has become an important part of any small or large business. It is a cost-effective way to share goals and plans with your business partners. Employees no longer have to travel between sites to attend meetings and can save time. Additionally, it is a popular marketing tool for holding webinars and other online events.

In addition to face-to-face interactions, most platforms allow users to share their screens or remotely access each other desktops. This makes it easy to exchange files, communicate via digital whiteboard, or even broadcast conferences to large groups of passive viewers. Telecommuting is booming for IT workers in particular, who work from home at least half of the time. And since the COVID-19 outbreak, most employees are working from home as well.

Video communication services have become an effective, everyday tool for maintaining an organized and busy work schedule. According to Transparency Market Research forecast, the global conferencing market will be worth $8,958.7 million by 2025.

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of video communication services available to the public. Some are free, some are paid, but all of them have one common goal: allow quick, easy, and dynamic conference call at the touch of a button. Here are the most popular companies and their products in this field.

RingCentral

RingCentral is an American company that created one of the best video conferencing platforms in the world. The system allows meetings with up to 100 participants and includes simultaneous screen sharing, team messaging, and whiteboard options. Aside from this, they are geared with VoIP, or Voice-over-IP packages, which allows for dynamic changing voice calls to video calls and sharing meetings without the need for a new connection.

The platform works well with other work-related services like Microsoft Outlook. This allows people to schedule meetings with just one click and set appropriate notifications for upcoming events. RingCentral can be accessed via Mac or Windows, but also on iOS or Android device. It comes in three different service plans: Free, Essentials, Advanced.

• Free plan allows up to 100 participants, unlimited one-on-one meetings, and a 40-minute limit on group meetings.
• Essentials plan costs $14.99 per month per user and allows up to 100 participants, unlimited group meetings, 24/7 phone support, and 1,000 call minutes per license.
• Advanced plan costs $19.99 per month per user and allows up to 100 participants, real-time usage dashboard, and 2,500 call minutes.

The free plan is actually decent when you compare it to other platforms and companies on the market. Though it is limited to only 40 minutes in group meetings, it still allows for 100 participants. On the other hand, all service plans are limited to this amount, which is very low in the long run. However, there is a possibility to add larger meeting options for the extra cost.

GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting, created and marketed by LogMeIn, is definitely a top choice for video conferencing. The platform allows users to easily turn any video conference into a highly flexible and collaborative workspace. It comes with the ability to integrate with the system your business is using, making it very popular among sales managers, business owners, and IT teams.

GoToMeeting comes as an all-in-one hardware and software kit. This means it is more advanced than any regular camera, microphone, or speaker on your preferred device. Other top features and benefits include Cloud collaboration, automatic bandwidth adjustments, multi-channel support, and integrated scheduling. The platform comes with only two service plans, both of which are paid (sometimes they are on a discount):

• Professional at $14 per month.
• Business at $19 per month.

They are rather similar, and both offer unlimited meetings, meeting durations, Salesforce integration, Slack meeting launcher, and an admin center. The biggest difference is the number of participants that can attend the conference. The professional service plan allows for 150, while the Business plan allows up to 250 people in the same meeting. Additionally, the latter plan gives access to transcripts, unlimited cloud storage, and mobile cloud recording.

One of the unique abilities of GoToMeeting is the option to allow up to 3,000 participants. But this can only be acquired if you contact sales directly.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft designed a platform specifically for internal communication in the workplace. No other company comes near Microsoft Teams service regarding this domain. They offer chat, audio, and video capabilities to groups of 10 or 10,000 people. It is the ultimate in-house communication solution with superior technology and video conferencing features. However, all of this comes with a certain complexity, which may prove to be too difficult for some people.

The platform is best optimized when accessed from a desktop device or a web application. There is a mobile application, but the web version seems easier to navigate. There are three service plans:

• Microsoft Teams.
• Office 365 Business Premium at $12.50 per user per month.
• Office 365 E3 at $20 per user per month.

The free plan has a limit of 300 users, and most features will be available for use. Business Premium plan has a limit of 300 users as well but has more than 140 integral apps, 1 TB of storage, schedule meetings, and administrative support. The Office 365 E3 has unlimited user capabilities, and both paid plans are available only with an annual contract.

The biggest downside of this platform is its limitation to in-house meetings. It’s not the same video conferencing service like other platforms but is more oriented for one-on-one or smaller group meetings.

Zoom

Zoom quickly became one of the top video conferencing services and is the most popular “free” platform. It is simple, versatile, and offers the capability of meetings with up to 1,000 participants. It can stream 49 videos on the screen simultaneously and makes it easy to collaborate with interactive features like screen sharing.

It has a highly functional mobile application, enabling users to access meetings at any time and any place. There is a plan option for businesses of all sizes:

• Basic is free and offers a 40-minute limit on group meetings, up to 100 participants, unlimited one-on-one meetings, and an unlimited number of meetings.
• Pro costs $14.99 per month per host and offers all Basic features, 24-hour meeting limit, user management tools, admin feature controls, reporting tools, and 1GB of cloud recording.
• Business costs $19.99 per month per host and comes with all Pro features, a minimum of 10 hosts, up to 300 participants, dedicated phone support, company branding, cloud recording transcripts, and admin dashboard.
• Enterprise costs $19.99 per month per host and has all Business features, a minimum of 50 hosts, up to 1,000 participants, unlimited cloud storage, dedicated customer support manager, executive business reviews, and bundle discounts for webinars.

The Basic plan is an excellent choice for personal use or small and quick meetings. Beyond this, Pro or Business plan will give the most out of the platform. These packages also come with much better support, making the investment worth your money. Luckily, Zoom makes it easy to scale to a bigger package if need be.

The Top 5 Communication Apps for Businesses

4i-mag team
-
0
The Top 5 Communication Apps for Businesses

Communication is the key to success in every business and this pandemic has undoubtedly proved how accurate this advice truly is. Remote work has demonstrated that we need to learn how to communicate more clearly our messages and instructions, and that we can simplify and optimize our practices further using technology.

Email communication is outdated and now internal communication apps have become an invaluable solution for effective team conversation and productivity improvement. There are different options available online, free and paid, along with different features that adapt well for any diverse business’ requirements.

It’s essential that every company understand their internal communication needs first, before adopting software or use an app as their main communication channel. How many employees does your company have? How many teams? How often do you need to hold video meetings? Do you need a platform that allows you to keep track of everyone’s tasks? Do you need to discuss different topics with the same group?

These are some of the questions that will guide you in choosing the best communication app for businesses. Here are the 5 most popular in 2020:

Skype

Skype was born 16 years ago, in 2003, and is one of the most commonly-used communication applications worldwide. The company recently reported 200 million active users in the past 6 months and a 70% increase in active daily users after the coronavirus pandemic started.

This Estonian app—acquired by Microsoft in 2011— was originally created for online voice and video calls, but later expanded its features to include video conferencing, further developed chat functions, video messages, and more. It remains simple—compared to other modern business apps— but effective and widely adopted.

For small teams, Skype can be a great internal communication alternative. Best yet, it is free, unless the team needs to make landlines and cell phone calls.

Slack

This project management, communication, and collaboration tool quickly gained popularity after its debut in 2013. What started as an internal solution for the Canadian company Tiny Speck, soon became a popular software solution for thousands of companies worldwide. As of 2015, this messaging platform was valued at $2.3 billion, and by June 2019 it was worth $20 billion.

Everything indicates that this platform will continue to grow and satisfy diverse team needs. Slack offers a simple platform where teams have a connected interface with chat rooms, topic channels, conference options, polls, and the possibility to automate or customize each user’s experience through using simple commands with the help of the Slackbot. It also includes useful features such as file sharing and smooth integration of external tools like Dropbox and Google Drive.

Slack currently offers a freemium service. The free version has a storage limit of 10K messages per month restriction, only supports 1-on-1 video calls, and up to 10 apps and integrations. Their paid plans start at $6.67 per month and offers extended space, supports up to 15 users on video calls, unlimited integrations and more. Slack’s Enterprise Grid—which costs around $15 per month— provides 24/7 support and boasts “unlimited” users and channels.

Microsoft Teams

Realizing that Skype lacked many features that modern businesses need, in March 2017, Microsoft launched Microsoft Teams: a powerful hub that integrates Skype, Office 360, a virtual office workspace, and facilitates integration with external platforms extensions.

In light of Slack’s success, Microsoft focused on developing a user-friendly platform where employees can easily communicate, share files and schedules, hold meetings, and even edit documents simultaneously during  group video calls. It can support up to 20 users in group-calls started from chat, 250 users in per meeting, 5,000 members within a team and 10,000 attendees in a live event.

In consideration of the pandemic, Microsoft Teams’ paid version is currently free. Nonetheless, their paid plans stand out in the market with competitive pricing, starting at $5 a month and $12.50 a year per user.

Zoom

The group video chat app that got trendy this 2020. This software has been adopted by many countries throughout the world to host business meetings, classes, live conferences and even official government meetings.

Zoom proved to be one of the best technologies available for video-conferencing allowing up to 100 users on its free version take advantage of high-quality image, sound and even have fun with special virtual backgrounds. Among its most popular features, options such as recording, screen sharing, and availability across different devices stand out. Their paid plans start at $14.99 including up to 9 hosts and sessions lasting up to 24 hours!

Despite the reported security and privacy issues, the software is a resounding success. The company has continued improving their service —they recently partnered with a security enterprise specialized in encryption— as well as updating their system to cope with high demand. Businesses with remote team members who need to schedule meetings every week will quickly discover the benefits of this platform.

Whatsapp Business

Whatsapp reached 2 billion active users this 2020, so it’s not surprising to learn that businesses have been consistently using this platform for internal communication. Besides, most employees are already familiar with the interface and use it frequently; bottom-line: your messages will be seen by your team.

In addition, their Business API has allowed many companies to maintain a direct line of conversation with both their customers and team members. According to landbot.io, among the most important features, users can have the possibility to create a Whatsapp bot that manages direct chats with employees and customers. The free version allows businesses to initially interact with customers for up to 24hrs., but charges a fee for use beyond this period of time.

On the other hand, the interface isn’t as complete and adapted for work as other platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams, and some business could have difficulty in separating professional chats and groups from personal conversations—they both appear very similar. Whatsapp Business has proven to be more valuable for external communications.

Takeaway

The advantages these technologies are providing to businesses this decade could lead anyone to the conclusion that emails will eventually become obsolete. At least confusing email threads will be history soon for internal communications within modern businesses. Messaging apps and platforms bring efficiency, simplicity, and even fun to work environments, but it’s up to the teams and companies to decide which software can best meet their needs.

Wi-Fi 6E – What’s New

4i-mag team
-
0
Wi-Fi 6E – What’s New

When it comes to the Internet, it is all about wireless speed. For years, people were using 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. But in 2019, the public was introduced with a brand new, faster version of Wi-Fi 6. The development didn’t stop there, and in April 2020, the Federal Communication Commission decided to open up an entirely new band of spectrum to accommodate next-gen devices designed to tap into it.

An industry group that manages Wi-Fi nomenclature, called Wi-Fi Alliance, branded this new spectrum Wi-Fi 6E. It is safe to say that the last few years were very busy for Wi-Fi, and the technology keeps on improving every day. What is the new Wi-Fi technology, and how does it differ from previous versions?

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is a wireless networking name introduced by Wi-Fi Alliance as industry designation for products and networks that support the next generation of Wi-Fi. The number reveals it is the sixth generation of Wi-Fi technology and was meant to make it easier for users to understand when it arrives on the market.

Wi-Fi 6 is faster, more capable, more power-efficient, and backward compatible with Wi-Fi 5. This means you can use a combination of routers and devices, and the technology will still work. However, vendors always recommend getting the latest devices to fully benefit and take advantage of this remarkable new technology.

According to Wi-Fi Alliance, one of the key capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 is increased network efficiency and lower latency for uplink and downlink traffic. This is especially the case in high demand environments. In other words, if users need a quick internet response, Wi-Fi 6 will provide enough speed and latent-free connection. The network allows the router to serve multiple clients at once within a single channel. This means more users will be able to use more network resources at higher speeds.

The maximum speed of Wi-Fi 6 is 9.6 Gbs thanks to the 6 GHz band. This speed boost puts Wi-Fi performance quite close to the fastest Ethernet connections. Of course, this requires devices that are able to take advantage of that speed and servers that will be able to deliver it. As of recently, two or three 160 MHz channels are available for Wi-Fi 6 users. Unfortunately, they are all shared with older generations. This co-sharing is slowing down the overall transmission in the available 160 MHz channels. Moreover, Wi-Fi 6 has to share channels with Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) used by radar devices. Routers are programmed to switch off when they detect radar signals, or just switch to another channel.

Wi-Fi 6E explained

Wi-Fi 6E is Wi-Fi extended specifically to the 6 GHz band. In other words, Wi-Fi 6E is the same thing as Wi-Fi 6 that appeared on the market in 2019. But the difference is, it has access to greater bandwidth as it doesn’t share the channels with previous generations. The idea behind it is to have more simultaneous connections and to use available bands in a more efficient manner. Over-congestion in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrum has resulted in Wi-Fi 6 failure to reach its full potential.

By opening a completely new band with 1,200 MHz of space available, there is a lot more room for the Wi-Fi without overlap. The massive bandwidth is split into fourteen 80 MHz channels or seven 160 MHz channels at once. This means that even if you live in an area with a lot of Wi-Fi connection, there is still more than enough bandwidth to keep your­ connection fast and consistent. Users will not experience interference, and their devices will not be plagued by slow Internet or instability like with older versions.

Wi-Fi 6E requires a new router that differs from the Wi-Fi 6. However, these routers aren’t available just yet and probably won’t see widespread consumer adoption for the next few years. Additionally, regulatory restrictions further disallow mobile devices to use the 160 MHz bands while they act as an access point. To resolve this, Wi-Fi Alliance is asking regulators to free up the 6 GHz spectrum for unlicensed use.

How does it differ from 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands?

Wi-Fi today is working over two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. With the development of Wi-Fi 6E, there will be an addition of the third band, 6 GHz. The numbers make a difference. The lower 2.4 GHz frequency signal can travel farther without degrading but has less available bandwidth. It maxes out at 40 MHz per channel. In the United States, there are only 11 available channels, which means most people end up sharing their Wi-Fi with neighbors.

The introduction of 5 GHz band helped quite a bit, as it had many more channels available and typically at 80 MHz In some special cases, it is available at 160 MHz. In comparison, the 6 GHz band delivers data faster and opens up new airwaves. It basically quadruples the total space available to traditional Wi-Fi. More importantly, the new spectrum doesn’t have any DFS channels to worry about.

One of the key technology and advantage Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E have over older generations is the addition of Target Wake Time. The router and all devices are regularly checking in with each other. This could lead to a lot of devices checking in with the router at the same time, which can result in massive battery drainage and connection instability. Target Wake Time allows the router to signal the devices when it is not busy.

Wi-Fi 6E and 5G

The performance improvements made with Wi-Fi 6E could be so good that most people believe it would be a direct competition to the 5G network. For years, these two different types of wireless technology have coexisted. Wi-Fi was primarily used for indoor purposes, while cellular networks were used mostly outdoors and generally over long distances.

5G developers state the network will provide 50x more speed, 10x less latency, and 1,000x more capacity than the previous generation. It means 5G will be able to connect more devices and transmit more data at once. And with the announcement of 3G being shut down by 2024, all available 3G spectrum will be repurposed for 5G, giving it extra connectivity and enhanced user experience.

On the other hand, technicians argue that this new generation of Wi-Fi will also be excellent in large public venues such as stadiums, concert halls, and college campuses. These places have a large concentration of people, and they will want to use the available network. The 6 GHz band will not be shared with older technology and will give users more speed and less latency. Additionally, Wi-Fi has a lower cost to deploy and maintain.

Regardless if 5G and Wi-Fi 6E continue to coexist or become more competitive technologies, it is the people that will stand to benefit the most. The sheer speed and amount of data transfer on both networks are outstanding, and the world will be connected more than ever before.

What The Future Holds For Instant Messaging (IM) Platforms – Overview

4i-mag team
-
0
What The Future Holds For Instant Messaging (IM) Platforms – Overview

The world has never been more connected thanks to advanced technology and social media apps. Previous generations have used paper and ink as their main method of communication. Today, news and messages can be exchanged in a few clicks. Smartphones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices are being developed with the sole purpose of making our lives easier.

But how did online messaging came to be? Most of us remember the old messaging platforms like mIRC and MSN. And while these days may be over, new apps are being developed as we speak. What are the most popular messaging platforms today, and is there a way of knowing what the future holds?

Historical Overview of IM Platforms

The term instant messaging dates back to the 1990s, but the technology itself predates the Internet. In the 1960s, multi-user operating systems like Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS) and Multiplex Information and Computing Service (Multics) used instant messaging as a notification system for services like printing. It quickly evolved to facilitate communication between users logged into the same machine. As networks developed, so did the messaging platforms. Some used peer-to-peer protocol, meaning users could connect using different machines.

These were chat programs like talk, ntalk, and ytalk. Other platforms required users to be connected to the same server, like talker and IRC. In the 1980s, Project Athena was launched, and scientists at MIT, Digital Equipment Corporation, and IBM produced Zephyr Notification Service. It allowed providers to locate and send messages to users.

Parallel to instant messaging platforms were the online chat facilities, like Talkomatic on the PLATO system. It allowed up to 5 people to chat simultaneously. However, the technology was severely limited as users could only type 5 lines of text and 1 status line per person. The first dedicated online chat service that was widely available to the public was the CompuServe CB Simulator developed by Alexander Trevor. The initial product was very basic, but gradually developed over the years. It started a trend of incorporating chat systems on all available online platforms.

Instant messaging peaked during the 1990s with the emergence of PowWow, ICQ, and AOL Instant Messenger. These platforms allowed users to send text messages or to communicate via audio/video chat link. ICQ revolutionized online chatting and instant messaging, receiving two patents by the U.S. patent office. Meanwhile, other companies developed their own software like Excite, MSN, Ubique, and Yahoo!. They used their own proprietary protocols and clients, meaning users had to run multiple applications if they wished to use more than one of these networks. Everything changed with the development and introduction of Jabber in 2000. It used an open-source application and open standards-based protocols that were standardized under the name Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). It served as a gateway to the development of modern-day instant messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, Skype, and many more.

Most Popular IM Platforms Today

In this era of technological advancement, there are plenty of instant messaging platforms to choose from. A large number of apps are used for private and personal communication, but some companies have developed business-related apps that can help with everyday work. Most apps can be installed on smartphones and desktop, regardless if it is Android, Mac, iOS, or Windows. Linux is probably the only exception, but there are more than enough apps that support this operating system.

It is important to note that different apps have different characteristics, but most share common features like the ability to make voice and video calls; instant messaging; photo and link sharing; they are free and easy to use.

There are more than 100 IM apps and platforms used globally. The most popular ones are:

  • WhatsApp with 2000 million users;
  • Facebook Messenger with 1300 million users;
  • WeChat with 1112 million users;
  • Tencent QQ with 823 million users;
  • Telegram with 300 million users;
  • Skype with 300 million users;
  • Snapchat with 294 million users;
  • Viber with 260 million users;
  • Discord with 250 million users;
  • Line with 203 million users.

Businesses can use instant messaging apps to communicate with each other in real-time. This provides a cost-effective and convenient way for executives and workers to share their ideas and goals. Some of the most widely used apps for business are:

  • Slack
  • HipChat
  • Stride
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Flowdock
  • Google Hangouts Chat
  • Facebook Workplace
  • Amazon Chime

The Top 3

WhatsApp is an American freeware service created in 2009 by WhatsApp, Inc. It was bought by Facebook, Inc. in 2014 and since then became the world’s most popular messaging application. It is used in more than 110 countries worldwide and is primary electronic communication in Latin America, India, Pakistan, and Europe. WhatsApp allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, share images, documents, user location, and other media. It requires a standard cellular mobile number for registering.

Facebook Messenger was developed by Facebook, Inc., and initially served as Facebook Chat in 2008. Three years later, in 2011, a standalone version was released. Messenger’s functionality is separated from the main Facebook app. Users can send messages, exchange photos, videos, stickers, audio, and other files. Messenger is among the first platforms to introduce the ability to interact with bots and react to other users’ messages. The app supports playing games and using multiple accounts and conversations.

Developed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., WeChat is the most popular platform in China and Asia. The app is used for social media, mobile payment, and multi-purpose messaging. It was released in 2011 and became one of the largest and most used mobile apps in 2020. Often described as China’s “super app for everything,” it is used for making voice and video calls, instant messaging, digital payment services, business conferences, marketing, sharing documents, photos and other files, and even creating mini apps within the app. Most smartphones come with a pre-installed WeChat app.

What The Future Holds?

Experts believe that messaging apps will continue to play a key role throughout our life cycle. Current platforms and software will be improved additionally, combining three key elements to a powerful relationship in any digital environment: frequency of use, emotional connection, and convenience. Most developers are already working hard to broaden and deepen conversation between the software and the customer (e.g., Cortana, Alexa, and Siri).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in the upcoming years. It will power a new type of conversation and engage people with the app even more. The AI will most likely memorize our preferences, locations, frequently used words, and even automatically reply to someone’s message. Since there will be an increase in the usage of instant messaging apps, security will become a top priority. One of the main issues with IM platforms is accessibility to view information from personal devices. This puts businesses at risk, something which will most likely be addressed as technology progresses.

Lastly, a new computing interface will be introduced. Texting will become obsolete and replaced by a more sophisticated and intelligent design. Scientists around the world have come up with new and inventive ways to use lasers, modern digital processors, and motion sensing technologies to create different types of holograms that could change the way we interact with media, messaging apps, and each other.

The Worlds of Payment Solution for E-Commerce

4i-mag team
-
0
The Worlds of Payment Solution for E-Commerce

There has been a steady increase in online shopping in recent years. Retailers have started selling more products online to grow their
business. However, to have the best service, it is important to make the website capable of handling online transactions. Connecting the site
to a certain payment processing provider (or providers) often requires advanced technical knowledge.

Luckily, third-party payment service providers give access to this capability without much complexity. They deliver the solution to process transactions and create a better shopping experience for both the retailer and the customer. There is a large number of payment solutions available, and all of them have different features, capabilities, and rates.

Online payment solution terms

When comparing payment solutions, there are several things you should know about:

  • Merchant Account is an online bank account that allows businesses to accept online payments by payment cards. It will temporarily hold the payment, until the funds are moved to the actual bank account.
  • Payment Gateway is an e-commerce application service provider that will authorize credit card payments and process transaction for retailers.
  • Payment Service Provider (PSP) will offer service to online stores for accepting electronic payments without a merchant account.

Key attributes for online payment solution

To narrow down the search for a “perfect” payment solution, look for key attributes such as:

  • Fees which can vary depending on the third-party provider. All transactions and services will be charged either on usage, on monthly or annual basis. Different pricing structures can impact profitability of the online store in different ways.
  • Transaction processing is one of the most important aspects of online payment. The fewer days it takes to process funds, the more effective your online store will be.
  • Integration with the website is equally crucial, because some online payment solutions may bring unnecessary complexity.
  • Customers are an important component of any online shop. Considering their preferences is a must.
  • PCI compliance will ensure safe transactions for customers and retailers.

Best online payment solutions for e-commerce

PayPal
With over 450,000 websites and more than 220 million users, PayPal is the most widely used payment platform in the world. Its current market share is 58.85%, which makes it an indisputable giant in the world of online payment solutions. It provides payment processing services for e-commerce vendors, auction sites, and numerous other commercial entities.
PayPal comes with 250+ integrations, plenty of customization options, online invoicing, and facilitates credit card payments over the phone. Pricing is competitive and comes at 2.9% per transaction with no additional monthly fees. It has a three-tiered plan: PayPal Express Checkout, PayPal Payments Standard and PayPal Payments Pro. The biggest complaint about this platform is that the company may limit the account or freeze funds for no reason.

Stripe
The company claims it handles billions of dollars’ worth of transactions annually, which makes them one of the largest platforms in the world. The biggest difference between this service and PayPal, or other payment solutions, is that users are provided with a range of flexible tools to customize their own payment process. It doesn’t allow to go outside of the box, so it is designed for larger businesses in mind. There is a plethora of APIs that allow the creation of own subscription service, on-demand marketplaces, or crowdfunding platforms. With all this, Stripe demands a lot more technical knowledge than most providers.
The platform charges 2.9% per transaction and currently covers more than 150,000 websites. Stripe holds 16.38% of market shares and supports more than hundred currencies. It comes with features such as mobile payments, one-click checkout, and subscription billing. Fees for European cards are 1.4% plus an additional 20p per transaction. For non-European cards, the standard is 2.9% plus $0.30 per charge.

Amazon Pay
Amazon Pay was launched in 2007 as a direct competition to PayPal and Google Pay. It allows people to make an online purchase via the Amazon account and comes with two options: Checkout by Amazon and Amazon Simple Pay. The biggest advantage of Checkout by Amazon is that users don’t have to leave the retailer’s website to complete the process. The transaction can be completed when users log in to their Amazon account.
Amazon Pay aims to be a big provider and is currently covering more than 35,000 websites worldwide. Charging 2.9% per transaction plus an additional $0.30 per charge, the pricing is moderate and similar to other platforms. It comes with 30+ integrations. The downside to this platform is the need to have an Amazon account.

Authorize.net
Founded in 1996, Authorize.net is one of the oldest and most reputable online payment solutions. The main aim of this platform is to streamline the payment process and is developed for companies of all shapes and sizes. The company will provide the necessary tools to sell items and complete online transactions. It supports all major credit cards and has almost all currencies available.
Authorize.net comes with 50+ integrations and charges 2.9% per transaction. Additionally, they charge a monthly gateway fee of $25, a transaction fee of $0.10 and a daily batch fee of $0.10. It is a pricey provider designed with maximum security measures for larger business owners. A very good feature is the ability to set up multiple accounts with permissions to control access for each user.

Adyen
Adyen is mostly used by big companies like Uber, Spotify, Microsoft, and eBay to handle business and customer transactions. The software allows payments to be made from a single platform, giving the necessary tools to manage risk and track results. The platform accepts more than 250 payment methods and covers over 150 global currencies.
A special feature allows transaction data analisis to have a better insight into customer’s behavior. You can identify the buyer’s pattern and tweak the products and services accordingly. Risk-management tools will allow identifying and fighting against fraud. However, the company has a complex pricing structure and needs a merchant bank account to take advantage of interchange pricing.

Google Pay
Google Pay is the direct result of the merger of Google Wallet and old Android Pay. The platform is not the most popular payment solution, but it offers much-needed reliability, security and branding. It enables users to make online transactions using phones, tablets, and even watches. Customers can use the specifically encrypted number to pay in stores.
After the merger, the company provided all users with the new API. This allows merchants to add payment service to websites and applications. The most recent addition is the unique support for boarding passes and event tickets. Google Pay only charges a 2.9% fee on a credit card transaction, while everything else is free of charge.

A quick Startup Dictionary

4i-mag team
-
0
A quick Startup Dictionary

Every new startup or entrepreneur entering the business world in 2020 must understand the most important and popular terms in the industry. This will not only provide leverage when networking or discussing new partnerships, but it could also spark ideas and grant a
better comprehension of current trends.

In this complete startup dictionary 2020 you will find the most important terms every entrepreneur or startup member needs to know:

Angel: Like a celestial guardian, an “angel” —also known as “angel investor”, “informal investor”, and “business angel”— is a person who is willing to invest their own capital, into a new business. This wealthy individual usually gets something in exchange: financial return, participation, or a leading role. Probably fair, considering that they usually invest in the early stages and at high personal risk.

Bridge loan: As the name suggests, a bridge loan refers to short-term financial loans of money to help a business reach a milestone or keep developing. Usually, these loans replace other types of financing that might be taking longer than expected. A bridge loan should be quickly approved and repaid in less than a year, more or less.

Burn rate: How fast is a startup spending their money? This rate refers to the period when a new business invests —or loses— large sums of money before making any profit.

Data Scientist: This is an expert who translates data into valuable and useful information for startups, and not just tech companies. A data scientist is usually a programmer who can create tools and use software —including artificial intelligence— to crunch data and
develop a system that helps the startup make sense of their information, users, and business data.

FMA (First Mover Advantage): When a startup is the first to implement a new business model or a disruptive idea in the market, it can use the FMA label to attract investors. It is a risky move, considering that, when a new technology comes out, there’s an education
process or learning curve that takes time and money to master. On the other hand, some venture capitalists hunt for these risky businesses.

Gamify: To add features and elements, inspired by games and videogames, on websites or software to increase engagement with their audience and add more “fun” to the business model. Usually, these features are rewards, scoring, competition, challenges, badges, etc.
It’s also a popular marketing strategy.

Growth Hacking: A trending topic in the marketing industry. The term was first implemented by the entrepreneur Sean Ellis in 2010 and it refers to the application of different techniques to grow a business in the fastest and most inexpensive way possible. It can involve non-traditional marketing campaigns, the implementation of systems, processes, designs, and almost any effective tactic; but is heavily centered on quickly testing hypotheses before big decision making or spending.

IPO (Initial Public Offering): The official debut of a startup on the stock market and transition to a more open, publicly traded company, accountable to shareholders. It usually represents a long-awaited milestone for founders and capitalists.

LTV (Lifetime Value of a Customer): A simple equation used to determine how much profit a business can expect from a single customer over a long-term period. This prediction considers the relationship between a service, a customer and its lifespan. For example, the value of a customer’s monthly subscription for a software plan that is estimated to last three years.

MVP (Minimum Viable Product): it refers to a marketing approach where a startup launches a functional but early version of their product —it can be a website, the beta version of software or just a landing page— to study their audience behavior and test whether they might buy or use the product, and quickly determine how it can be improved.

Pivot: Considering the current worldwide situation, this term will gain a lot of popularity in 2020. When a business pivots, this can mean a change in strategic direction, or can refer to a company addressing a new market or application for their technology.

Ramen profitable: This instant Japanese dish has gained so much popularity in Silicon Valley in the past few years that it is now used as a metaphor. When a startup becomes “ramen profitable” it means that it is making enough profit to cover the essential living expenses of its workers.

Traction: Term used in the business industry to refer to the proof or metrics that demonstrates that a startup is profitable and has
potential to grow. Demonstrating traction proves to investors that they should contribute capital to the startup.

Vanity metrics: After investigative reporting proved that many companies and celebrities can simply buy followers on social media or alter download metrics, investors have learned to be wary of these numbers. Instagram followers, page views, and registered users can be
considered vanity metrics. Startups shouldn’t refer to them as traction in 2020.

Vaporware: It refers to a product that is already being sold or advertised, but hasn’t been created yet. Even though it sounds dishonest, it is a common practice in the computer industry, where many technologies started this way, and developed later, such as 3G, Bluetooth, Windows Vista, and the video game The Last Guardian.

VC (Venture Capital): Venture Capital is a private equity investor —usually representing a pool of investors— that is willing to invest large sums of money into promising startups. What do VCs want in exchange? A very high rate of return, probably stock ownership, and a seat on the startup’s board of directors.

Startup business jargon can be extensive, and there’s an absurd amount of buzzwords in the field, but these terms can help any entrepreneur succeed in their next networking event or business meeting. It will be interesting to see what new terms will emerge by the end of this year.

The Next Big Step In Smartphones Security

4i-mag team
-
0
The Next Big Step In Smartphones Security

Smartphone users are accustomed to unlocking their phones using their fingerprints and some already have access to features like face recognition to automate access. Using passwords is
still a valuable safety measure, but biometric technology is quickly giving way to more sophisticated weapons in fighting security attacks and privacy violations. Not only for mobile
devices, these emerging technologies are also being considered a potential solution for troublesome IoT industry security concerns.

According to the report Biometrics – Global Market Outlook (2018-2027), the biometrics market is expected to be worth $76.64 billion by 2027. This prediction isn’t hard to believe. Most mobile app users have probably noticed how banks recommend security measures such as fingerprint authentication to log-in. And as recently as 2016, HSBC announced the incorporation of mobile voice recognition into its UK services, assuring that it has saved the company over $300 million in fraud prevention.

However, biometric technology can also be controversial —not only because identical twins can easily hack their brother or sister’s phone. Some experts are also skeptical and recognize potential flaws that can easily be exploited. Is mobile biometric technology the best alternative for protecting our cellphones? First, let’s understand how this technology works.

Biometric technology in mobile devices

What is biometric technology? Simply put, it is technology that scans, analyzes and identifies biological features of a human being. With the help of complex sensors and in-depth data analysis, biometric technology can identify a person by their unique characteristics, converting them into a biometric pattern. We all know that our DNA is one of a kind, and now tech companies are capitalizing on it to improve customer safety and privacy.

Emerging as a practical solution among tech and communication companies a few years ago, biotech has become an industry standard to reduce common password breaches and hacks in a digitally-friendly way. And who hasn’t forgotten a password? Remembering passwords is hard, particularly those that require special characters. Despite the array of password management tools available online, only 24% of Americans use them and 52% reuse the same password for multiple accounts, according to recent Google surveys.

Through different methods, biometric technology can alleviate the agony of memorizing passwords. Within the smartphone industry, various types of physiological measurements have already been implemented, such as:

Fingerprint recognition
This popular biometric technology has been on the mobile market since 2004 when Pantech launched the model GI100, the first cell phone to implement fingerprint recognition. However, it wasn’t until 2007 that Toshiba really caught user attention, when it started selling its models G500 and G900. Later on, this feature became mainstream in 2013 when Apple launched the iPhone 5S and introduced the Touch ID. Now, most modern smartphones include an in-screen scanner for fingerprint recognition.

There are different techniques being used by smartphone manufacturers to provide “touch ID.” The oldest one is an optical scanner, which uses light projection to “read” patterns on the skin. Capacitive fingerprint sensors represent the main scanning method used in technology today. However, both have shown difficulties in recognizing fingerprints in certain situations, such as when the skin is wet or moisturized. This is one of the reasons why engineers developed an even newer method: ultrasound scanners, a touchless technology that utilizes sound waves to create  virtual 3D maps with complete details of skin peculiarities.

Voice recognition
Alexa and Siri are the most popular voice recognition software in the tech industry. Users have typically experienced ‘commanding’ their smartphones to google information and asking Siri awkward questions just for fun. However, as mentioned earlier, voice recognition technology has evolved to provide efficient solutions for identity recognition and as a shield against financial fraud.

Speed, accent, and vocal cords are now easily analyzed through our smartphones and compared to a company’s database in order to access personal bank accounts or unlock devices. However, there are still major concerns and evidence that this security strategy isn’t bulletproof. A BBC reporter was able to cheat HSBC’s voice recognition security system and got access to his non-identical twin account just by mimicking his voice.

Deepfake voice algorithms also continue to worry users and experts for their startling results. Artificial intelligence can make you speak like Barack Obama or readily learn to imitate voices within seconds. Officially, It has not been proven that this technique can violate biometric technology, but the possibility exists.

Facial recognition
Integrated face scanning for smartphones is relatively new. Modern biometric software can study the distinctive features of our faces, compare “markers” to stored data, to identify a particular human being. Facial recognition algorithms have been perfected over the past five years, primarily by efforts from companies like Facebook and Google, and can be easily linked to digital cameras—it’s been revolutionary. In China, it is now mandatory for smartphone users to submit facial recognition scans.

Apple’s Face ID was introduced in November 2017 with the iPhone X and is now included on every new device. Their sophisticated technology works by projecting infrared dots onto the user’s face and then using its infrared camera to read patterns, allowing users to unlock their screens, as well as make payments through Apple Pay without touching their phones.

Apple is the leading company in facial recognition technology, but others have also developed their own biometric software and sensors. Samsung has included fingerprint, facial and iris recognition on their Galaxy Note 9. And LG’s G7 ThinQ model includes an AI camera with facial recognition, while Huawei has also joined the competition in launching their own affordable devices with this technology.

Takeaways

Without a doubt, biometric technology is a more convenient alternative when compared to memorizing  passwords. Optimization of security technology is allowing users and companies to trust one another and connect in ways that we had only seen in sci-fi films. But can we blindly rely on fingerprint, voice, and facial recognition?

It is probably too soon to understand the eventual consequences of these technologies developments on our smartphones, and users should remain attentive to how private companies are using their personal information. But one thing is certain: mobile biometric technology is here to stay and it will be increasingly integrated into our everyday lives, whether we approve of it or not.

The Private Race To Space

4i-mag team
-
0
The Private Race To Space

The space race started 60 years ago between the USA and the Soviet Union. The two superpowers were going head to head for almost two decades, before ending their rivalry with a handshake in space. This marked the start of international collaboration, where governments reserved the sole right to the great beyond.

But over the past decade, the world witnessed a huge change. The space environment is no longer exclusive to government agencies. Private companies have entered the exploration domain and are propelling the sector forward more vigorously and swiftly. The entry of the private sector into space exploration brings numerous
benefits. These high-tech companies can develop technology faster and with fewer regulations than government-owned agencies. The funding can be used exclusively for the space race. And lastly, they gained recognition for contributing to economic growth due to being valuable targets for investment.

With dozens of privately-owned companies, it seems a new space race has begun. But who are the main actors, and what is their technology?

SpaceX

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, is a private American aerospace manufacturer founded by Elon Musk in 2002. The goal of this company is to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate ambition to reduce space transportation costs and eventually enable the colonization of other planets. As part of this quest, SpaceX specialized in the design, manufacture, and launch of rockets.

SpaceX is considered to be the most high-profile commercial spaceflight company in the world. They continue to demonstrate technological superiority, and their success has been spectacular so far. They developed a series of Falcon rockets, with the latest one having 50% more powerful engine than its predecessors. In 2008, these rockets
were the first privately funded liquid-propellant rockets in orbit. Furthermore, SpaceX is the first company to successfully launch and send a spacecraft to International Space Station in 2012.

This solar-powered spacecraft, known as Dragon, is designed to be grappled by the space station’s robotic arm. The Dragon has flown 20 resupply missions between Earth and ISS under a partnership with NASA. The launching of Dragon 2, the first crewed spacecraft, is scheduled for May 16, 2020. Recently, Musk unveiled the design of its new interplanetary transport system called Starship. It will be the largest rocket ever made on its debut voyage to space and is planned to be fully reusable.

The future of this company is highly dependent on its charismatic and ambitious CEO Elon Musk and external investors. The space race is incredibly expensive, but SpaceX is one step closer to making space colonies a reality.


Blue Origin

The recent few years can be considered successful for Blue Origin, a company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000. Much like SpaceX, one of their goals is to lower the cost of space transportation and increase its reliability. Additionally, their ambition extends to achieve commercially available suborbital human spaceflights. In short, they are targeting the space tourism industry.

Their technology is focused on rocket-powered vertical takeoff and vertical landing vehicles. In 2015, they launched their first spacecraft called New Shepard. With its engines capable of reaching a top speed of 2,284 mph, the spacecraft could reach 100km altitude and be back on Earth in just 10 minutes. The company continues to conduct unmanned test flights for the time being, with several crewed flights being postponed until further notice.

Blue Origin is known for employing an incremental approach in the development of their technologies. They started with suborbital flights and are gradually moving on to orbital, with each development being built upon previous achievements. In 2019, Jeff Bezos unveiled and announced a moon lander known as Blue Boon. It is set to be ready by 2024.

Virgin Galactic


A direct competitor to Blue Origins, Virgin Galactic described itself as the world’s first commercial space line. Founded in 2004 by Richard Branson, this company plans to carry six passengers at a time into suborbital space. Each flight would last two and a half hours, and the lucky few would experience about six minutes of weightlessness.

The technology of Virgin Galactic differs heavily from the rest of the competition. Their spacecraft, SpaceShip Two, is not launched from the ground. Instead, it is released into space from a jet airplane. This is no ordinary plane, but a mothership that can reach an altitude of 18km before releasing the rocket-powered spacecraft.
SpaceShip Two can reach an altitude of about 100km and has been successfully tested for the first time in 2013. In 2016, the company developed a second spacecraft named VSS Unity that successfully launched to outer space in 2018. The maximum speed of the spacecraft is 2,500 mph, and the company expects to start transporting first passengers in the following years.

Since Virgin Galactic focuses heavily on the future space tourism industry, they have already accepted bookings for theseflights. The tickets cost $250,000, and there are currently over 500 individuals who already made deposits.

Sierra Nevada Corporation

This privately held aerospace corporation specializes in electronic systems and integrators for microsatellites and commercial orbital transportation services. It is one of the biggest NASA’s contractors and has 34 locations across the US, Great Britain, Germany, and Turkey. It was founded as a small business in 1963 by John Chisholm.
In 1994, it was purchased and expanded by Fatih and Eren Ozmen, who currently act as CEO and President of the company.

In early 2000, the company started the development of Dream Chaser orbital spacecraft. It was originally supposed to be propelled by twin hybrid rocket engines. But when they were awarded their first NASA contract in 2010, it was quickly dropped in favor of Orbitec’s Vortex engines, which use propane and nitrous oxide as propellants. Along with two other companies, Sierra Nevada Corporation was tasked with designing and developing the next generation of human spacecraft.
The Dream Chaser will resupply International Space Station with both pressurized and unpressurized cargo.

The spacecraft would be launched from Atlas V and Vulcan-Centaur rockets; both being developed by United Launch Alliance. The first mission is scheduled for 2021. Along with several NASA contracts, this company attracted the attention of the United Nations Office for Outer Space. They have selected Dream Chaser to represent United Nations member states that have no space program of their own.
The proposed mission carrying up to 35 payloads, would launch in 2024.

Sustainable Construction Technologies – The Way You Build Your Future Home

4i-mag team
-
0
Sustainable Construction Technologies – The Way You Build Your Future Home

Sustainable construction technology, also known as “green technology,” makes efficient use of resources and energy. It has a lower carbon footprint, meaning less impact on the environment. The overriding principle in sustainable construction technologies is to ensure a better quality of life with lower life-cycle environmental impacts and more re-use.

The sustainability context implies site design, maintenance, repair, demolition, and building operations that will cause a minimal amount of harm to the surroundings. The process requires an elaborate collaboration of the construction engineers, the client, and the architects. The aim is to ensure that the final product is reliable, durable, and reduces pollution.

Take a look at some of the top edge companies and technologies for home builders.

Solar power

Solar power is the present and the future of green construction. It is increasingly exploited today and can be utilized in two ways. One pertains to active and the other to passive solar power. The active solar power is the use of a functional solar system that absorbs the sun’s radiation and converts it to energy. It reduces the need for electricity or gas. The passive solar power uses sun’s rays to warm homes through the strategic placement of windows and other heat-absorbing surfaces.

The upfront installation of the solar power system is much higher, but numerous tests have shown it saves on energy bills in the long run. It also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from non-renewable energy sources.

Biodegradable materials

One of the best eco-friendly means of making construction sustainable is the use of biodegradable materials. Unfortunately, traditional construction methods lead to the accumulation of waste and toxic chemicals. Some of these take hundreds of years to decompose and have a massive impact on the environment. And once it eventually degrades, it may contaminate nature.

Biodegradable materials, such as organic paints, breakdown more quickly, and do not release toxins. This helps limit the negative impacts on the environment.

Green insulation

When it comes to the construction of homes, insulation is among the greatest concerns for everyone involved. However, insulators are simply wall filters and don’t need to be made from harmful materials.

Green insulation has proven to be a sustainable construction technology that eliminated the need for high-end finishes, which are often made from non-renewable and toxic materials. It offers a solution by making use of old and used materials, such as denim and newspaper. Simply put, it utilizes recycled material.

Cool roofs

Cool roofs aim to reflect heat and sunlight away. This helps keep the home at standard room temperature by lowering heat absorption and thermal emittance. The design makes use of reflective paints, special tiles, clay, and even plants to absorb less heat and reflect most of the solar radiation. During summer, these roofs can reduce the temperature by 50 degrees. As part of green technology, cool roofs reduce energy use and dependency on air conditioning.

Electrochromic Smart Glass

Considered the most recent invention in sustainable construction technology, Electrochromic Smart Glass works particularly during the summer period to shut out the harsh heat of solar radiation. The smart glass uses tiny electric signals to ‘inform’ windows to change the amount of solar radiation it reflects. This design s incorporated into the building’s control system, so users can manually choose the amount of solar radiation they want to block.

With this technology, buildings can save a lot of energy on heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. Smart glass is still being perfected, but many predict it will be one of the biggest energy-saving technology.

Water-efficient technologies

There are several water-efficient technologies today. Examples include the use of dual plumbing, greywater re-use, rainwater harvesting, and water conservation fixtures. These methods ensure adequate water management for non-portable purposes like washing cars and flushing toilets. It can decrease sewer traffic, provide for multi-purpose usage, enhance potential re-using of water, and help in water conservation. In more desolate places, technology can help address frequent water shortages.

Green construction is definitely booming and is revolutionizing every type of material, product, and technology related to home building, design, and renovation. So which companies lead the way with eco-friendly building materials?

Renewed Materials, Inc.

The company’s trademark is Alkemi. It is a recycled surface material that comes in three different lines. The ALKEMI-acrylic line is made with materials like pre-consumer waste aluminum, recycled acrylic, and copper flake. The ALKEMI-polyester is made from post-industrial scrap waste and has some interesting and popular color choices.

The newest line is ALKEMI-copper, made with 84% recycled content and offers that shiny and metallic look.

LiveRoof

LiveRoof offers a green and living roof with their special plant installation system. In the beginning, an experience horticultural professional will help you pick out the best plants for the local climate. The company will then design a completely unique and green roof that will cover the entire home. The installation comes with a smart filtration system, high-quality soil, and 100% recycled construction materials.

In addition to keeping the house cool, saving energy and preserving the environment, the green roof will also protect the home from elements.

Bark House

Bark House specializes in creating unique indoor and outdoor looks, using nothing but a tree bark. The company is among the first ones to utilize this unexpected eco-friendly construction material.

They have been awarded a Platinum Certification for meeting high standards in environmental-safe materials, having efficient water and energy use, and making a design fit for recycling. Bark shingles and split wood fencing are just some of the outdoor designs, while indoors, they make use of 3D textures, bark veneer laminates, and many more.

RavenWindow

This company uses transition technology to keep the home warm or cool, depending on the season. A thermochromic filter is joined to the inside of an exterior glass pane, and an air chamber separates it from the coated interior pane. When the exterior glass reaches a certain temperature, the windows automatically tint to block solar heat. In the winter, they remain free and clear to let the warmth in and keep the house warm.

The whole process is completely automated, as the windows are smart and require no controls or switches. This will help reduce energy consumption in any season, and it can be incredibly efficient if coupled with other sustainable construction technologies.

Solar Activated Façade

The company just recently arrived from Europe and is making an eye-catching change in the US. The concept revolves around creating a high-performance insulation system by using wood and glass to capture passive solar energy. Because this energy is absorbed and stored, it reduces the need for additional insulation, heating, or cooling systems.

The building materials are eco-friendly, recyclable, and can be incorporated into an already existing structure.

Remote Medicine and How It Is Applied Globally

4i-mag team
-
0
Remote Medicine and How It Is Applied Globally

The Internet and smartphone is a powerful combination. With more people getting access to the internet and easy ways to communicate across the globe, remote medicine is gearing up for a worldwide strong presence and growth. This is all because remote medicine makes things simpler, easier, and efficient.

A quick consultation with a doctor when you are traveling, specialized consultation in a remote hospital with expert physicians, patient monitoring and ICU-care from patient’s home itself – this and more can be made possible with the help of remote medicine technologies.

What Is Remote Medicine, Anyway?

Remote medicine is any type of medical care, learning or consultation that is made possible without the physical presence of the doctor. It is implemented under different concept names like telemedicine, virtual healthcare, telehealth and many more.

Is Remote Medicine Effective?

In a survey taken by a medical research firm called Parks Associates, it was shown that about 60% of Americans with broadband access were interested in getting remote health care. This does not come as a surprise because most rural hospitals do not necessarily have the expertise required to provide proper consultation and in some cases, there are very few hospitals available for patients to seek quick help. Remote medicine becomes a useful go-to choice in these cases and is quite effective in providing timely health care.

Remote medicine also provides a way for patients to get a second opinion online. It covers a broad range of services ranging from simple store forward telemedicine solutions to real-time remote patient monitoring.

Some real-life case studies have proven how effective remote medicine can be in providing satisfactory healthcare.

Real-Life Remote Medicine Case Studies

Telemedicine

A 25-year-old suffering from flu-like symptoms was accurately diagnosed by doctors from the University of Maryland while the patient was at a rural hospital in Cecil County. The doctors were able to diagnose the condition by observing his vital signs and oxygen intake even though they were 60 miles apart thanks to telemedicine technology.  As you can see, telemedicine acts as a critical way to provide expert health care to rural populations.

The state of New Mexico in the US has its telemedicine program called the ECHO which focuses on treating mental health and diabetes. What’s more, a telemedicine system put in place by the Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin has seen that about 26% of ICU Patients are more likely to survive since then.

Virtual Visits

Virtual visits offer a way for physicians to monitor ICU patients around the clock without having to be physically present at the premises of the hospitals where remote ICU services are installed. This technology used by the University of Maryland can help remotely monitor about 110 ICU patients.

In-Home Care

A great blessing remote medicine can bring forth is the ability for the patient to receive medical care from the comfort of their home. Traveling and hospital stays can add up to treatment costs and remote medicine can help save these costs. Besides, getting care at home is much more comfortable and non-disruptive to the patient as they feel safe at home and recuperate easily.

Several studies have shown that in-home care, especially in diabetes treatments, has found to have improved results.

What Technologies Are Used?

Most virtual healthcare visits and telemedicine systems depend on video conferences and similar communication technologies to connect the patient with the consulting doctors.

In-home monitoring of patients is also made possible by making use of Bluetooth devices and internet connectivity that sends and receives data to and from a central monitoring server.

Some distance monitoring technologies used to assist remote medicine are:

· Electronic monitoring devices for home use like Electronic stethoscope, Electronic blood pressure monitor, Pulse oximeter, Electronic contact skin surface microscope, Glucometer, and Electrocardiograph

· Communication systems like interactive telephone systems, video conferencing tools, monitors and broadband connectivity

· Specialized devices like nocturnal hemodialysis can be monitored remotely.

· Cloud-based video conferencing and platforms are also gaining priority so that telemedicine services could be made available around the clock without any connectivity issues.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Medicine

Here is a quick rundown on the possible pros and cons of remote medicine

Pros

· Helps save health care expenses

· Helps get access to specialist consultation from any remote location

· Increased patient engagement

· Quality patient care made available to in-home patients and rural populations.

Cons

· Requires readiness to adopt newer technology and a learning curve will be involved.

· Expensive communication platforms, monitoring tools need to be set up. Related Electronic instruments will also have to be procured by hospitals.

· In-person, doctor-patient interactions may get reduced.

· Policies and regulations need to be drawn up to standardize the remote medicine industry.

Global Applications of Remote Medicine

Every country has its focus on implementing remote medicine systems. For instance, Singapore works in the context of saving health care costs and provides store and forward telemedicine services.

The system in place in Hong Kong is more inclined to provide accurate health information to both patients and doctors.

Canada has been a world leader in applying remote medicine technology and since 1998 more than 100 hospitals have been part of a remote medicine initiative.

The global application of telemedicine systems will have to consider the local laws, jurisdictional reach and healthcare regulations. Patient privacy and health care information are all highly sensitive information, hence these systems must also ensure security and data privacy.

1...848586Page 85 of 86