Mar/Apr 19 - ChannelVision Magazine

EMERGENT For marketing execs that understand the concept of artificial intelligence, there are still some issues figuring out exactly how AI fits into their companies, suggests a BrightEdge Research survey. Limited budget, not surprisingly, keeps much of the rest away from considering AI’s benefits. Biggest Obstacles with Integrating AI among Marketing Execs Applying AI in current role and workflow 32.9% Confusion on what is/is not AI 30.6% Limited budget 28.5% Other 8.1% Source: BrightEdge Research Despite that we have yet to see many monetized products and services unveiled under several categories of “emerging tech,” IT partners say they feel rather proficient in many of the technologies. Perhaps that’s because these folks tinker around with some of these gadgets for fun (robotics, drones, VR, 3D printing), but as much as a third of IT partners appear ready to roll with most any new offerings from providers of all sorts of emerging tech, suggest CompTIA figures. Masergy Launches AI-Powered Virtual Agent Masergy recently launched its AI-powered Intelligent Virtual Agent, which powers virtual assistant and chatbot features for Masergy Global UCaaS solutions. It also serves as the queueing agent for Masergy Cloud Contact Center. Masergy says its Intelligent Virtual Agent provides more substan- tive outcomes than a standard automated advisor, bot or IVR system. The conversational AI also makes it easier to provide immediate response by augmenting the self-service features. “Our Intelligent Virtual Agent is directly integrated into Masergy’s soft- ware-defined platform for added security and resiliency,” said Terry Traina, senior vice president of engineering, Masergy. “Our private connectivity to the virtual customer assistant platform that powers the solution is assured. For risk-averse customers, Masergy Intelligent Virtual Agent guarantees greater service reliability, enhanced packet delivery and deeper protection than similar services from other providers.” Many of Masergy’s future innovations will be AI-based, said Traina. “Our behavioral analysis-based security algorithms, this new intelligent agent and our planned intelligent network advisor all aim to optimize resource efficiency, increase employee productivity and enhance customer experience.” Looking for AI’s Killer App IT Partners Ready to Emerge Source: CompTIA TOP 2 BOX (NET) BOTTOM 2 BOX (NET) Very Important Important Somewhat Important Not Important Don’t know Not applicable 40% 35% 20% 17% 3% 3% 2% Reasons for Specializing in a Vertical Industry by Job Role Source: CompTIA Customer demand Significant revenue opportunity Competitive differentiator Vendors pushing us in this direction In-house skills map to specific vertical Declining margins in other areas of the business Horizontal solutions not as lucrative IT Staff Busi ess Staff 64% 59% 58% 48% 41% 44% 24% 26% 20% 26% 20% 20% 17% 15% Current Familiarity with Individual Emerging Technologies Source: CompTIA 3D printing 5G Artificial intelligence/ Machine learning Augmented reality Biometrics Blockchain Drones (applications/analytics /managed services) Drones (hardware) Internet of Things (applications/ analyctics/managed services) Robotics Virtual reality 26% 27% 19% 47% 34% 27% 28% 42% 30% 30% 26% 43% 31% 29% 39% 32% 15% 39% 47% 26% 45% 29% 20% 44% 36% 42% 28% 42% 31% 44% 29% 44% 31% Insignificant or No Knowledge/Familiarity Some Knowledge/Familiarity Significant Knowledge/Familiarity The city of Phoenix entered into an agreement for MetTel to provide fleet management automation technology. Us- ing MetTel’s IoT Fleet Management tech- nology, the City of Phoenix is enabling its Public Works and Water departments to deliver more efficient and safer water resources and waste services in order to help meet the city’s goal of zero waste by 2050, said city leaders. The contract calls for MetTel to pro- vide automated vehicle location services, such as advanced location-based ser- vices, dispatch automation and monitor- ing vehicle diagnostics and driver safety data for advanced business decisions as well as other operations support efficien- cies and processes. The project will ini- tially focus on telematics hardware and software solutions for tracking vehicles and obtaining essential data for mainte- nance, routing and customer inquiries for the Phoenix Public Works and Water de- partments. MetTel will be responsible for collecting and maintaining data required for the continuity of operations for thou- sands of city vehicles. MetTel Transforms Phoenix Vehicles 8 Channel Vision | March - April, 2019