Patents: A tool for technological intelligence

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Patents are the largest source of technological information. Patent are given to the inventor as a reward for its innovation in the form of the exclusive right of the monopoly for a period of 20 years from the priority date of the invention. Due to advancement in the IT sector and internet, now these valuable documents are in the reach of the general public. Any person skilled in the art can go through various patent databases and after a search can get the patent document of their need. There are different patent databases viz, USPTO, EPO, JPO, etc freely open for the public access. If we go through the patents related to a specific technological area, we will be able to find the lots of information about the life cycle of the technological innovation viz.,
o evolutionary path of a specific technology,
o technological development,
o technological diversification,
o technology merges,
o major players in specific technological area,
o key points of the specific technology,
"The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) revealed that 90% to 95% of all the world's inventions can be found in patented documents."
Patent analysis can reveals very valuable informations, which is not available anywhere. After patent search the crucial part is the patent analysis, and one have to be very concise about their objective of the study. The information in the patent documents can be utilized in different form according to the need and mapped accordingly to get the picture of the entire analysis in snapshots.
Patent data can be used for the preparation of technological landscapes. Logistic mathematics and circle mathematics can be very useful in the plotting of the technological landscape. It can reveal the evolutionary trend of a technology, how it is evolved from a basic technology, along with the period of the technological diversification and its nature. These maps will also give the detailed overview of the merging of the different technologies to give rise to break-through technologies. These types of maps will be very useful for the R&D personals to evaluate the position of their research and technology, and also they will find way to more innovate more advanced and valuable technology.
In the today's global context firms need to know what technologies can competitors choke easily, and may be attempting to. They also need to know the spaces in technologies where competition is intense, and the areas where competitors are concentrating their IP development and their R&D efforts. They need to be able to track patent acquisition and development strategies and chart out the competitive landscape. To evaluate technology before making any investment decision, firms need to know the pace of patenting activity in the technology, which patents embody fundamental ideas in the technology and how vulnerable the firm's technologies are to patent infringements. This will give them much needed information in deciding between technology development and technology acquisition.
The ability to extract relevant information from patent literature is a crucial success factor for anyone involved in technological innovation. The technology mapping technique's that can be used to transform patent information into knowledge that can influence decision-making.
Patents are an important source of technological intelligence that companies can use to gain strategic advantage. Technology Intelligence is a can be used for gathering, analyzing, forecasting, and managing external technology related information, including patent information. Computational patent mapping is a methodology for the development and application of a technology knowledgebase for technology and competitive intelligence. The primary deliverables of patent mapping is in the form of knowledge visualization through landscape and maps. These maps provide valuable intelligence on technology evolution/revolution, nature of various types of pioneering; big; pure; and emerging players, state-of-the-art assessment, etc.
These types of technological maps will prove to be a valuable multiplier in R&D and commercialization activities, in various ways including the following:
o Developing further insights in response to strategic requirements and policy formulation in the organization
o Forecasting and identifying technological activities and trends in the industry
o Aiding in the visualization of alternative development and growth paths available to the organization
o Enabling pre-emptive recognition and action on potential licensing opportunities
o Identifying prospective partners and clients
o Identify technology discontinuities and areas of opportunities in their chosen technologies
o Monitor and evaluate the technological process of competitors and potential competitors
o Support decisions on foray and investment into particular technologies and sub-technologies
o Surveillance of technological progress of competitors as well as to alert oneself to new entrants to the field
o Spotting of white spaces or opportunity areas within a dense technological domain
o Creative tool to simulate new ideas and create new IP
o Complementing corporate IP filing strategies
o Support technology proposals for large scale national and international level projects
o Support investment and technology due diligence on companies
Patent mapping can be an integral part of IP management. It can uncover valuable information hidden in patents and can provide useful indicators for technical trends, market trends, competitors changes and technological profile and innovation potential of a company. Patent maps are visual representations of patent information that has been mined and aggregated or clustered to highlight specific features. There is a high degree of flexibility in visualization, which may be in the form of time-series or as spatial maps. We provide a more market and technology oriented analysis of the complete set of patent portfolio assets via our patent mapping services. Patent mapping can be used to ascertain the quality of patents with respect to prevailing technology and the extent to which patents affect the technology. This is a valuable input in technology sourcing/development and R&D decisions. Patent mapping can be indispensable for both firms that have an under-utilized patent profile and are looking to license/assign it at the most favorable terms, as well as to firms that are looking at developing patent portfolio strength in a particular technological field.
Mere subject specialization is not enough for this, but analytical thinking and innovations are very essential. Today lots of software resources are available for mapping the patent data, but almost all are confined to bibliographic informations. The machine work cannot be compared with that of human intelligence. Patent mapping requires many skills. First and foremost among these is an ability to understand the complex scientific ideas protected by the patents themselves. Although it is possible to create a patent map by analyzing the relationships between patents without understanding the subject matter, such a map is often useless and needs to be refined by someone who understands the intricacies of the particular scientific discipline that is the basis of the invention. Thus, I expect that the need for people with scientific (and engineering) expertise in the field of patent mapping is on the increase. That's why today lots of KPO firm are looking for the right individual and there is a huge demand today, which will certainly increase in the near future.

High technology and human development

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Some basic premises - often fashioned by leaders and supported by the led - exercise the collective conscience of the led in so far as they stimulate a willed development. The development is usually superior but not necessarily civilized. The premises in question are of this form: "Our level of technological advancement is second to none. Upon reaching this level, we also have to prepare our society for peace, and to guarantee the peace, technology must be revised to foster the policy of war." Technological advancement that is pushed in this direction sets a dangerous precedent for other societies that fear a threat to their respective sovereignties. They are pushed to also foster a war technology.
In the domain of civilization, this mode of development is not praiseworthy, nor is it morally justifiable. Since it is not morally justifiable, it is socially irresponsible. An inspection of the premises will reveal that it is the last one that poses a problem. The last premise is the conclusion of two preceding premises but is not in any way logically deduced. What it shows is a passionately deduced conclusion, and being so, it fails to be reckoned as a conclusion from a rationally prepared mind, at least at the time at which it was deduced.
A society that advances according to the above presuppositions - and especially according to the illogical conclusion - has transmitted the psyche of non-negotiable superiority to its people. All along, the power of passion dictates the pace of human conduct. Whether in constructive engagements or willed partnerships, the principle of equality fails to work precisely because of the superiority syndrome that grips the leader and the led. And a different society that refuses to share in the collective sensibilities or passion of such society has, by the expected logic, become a potential or actual enemy and faces confrontation on all possible fronts.
Most of what we learn about the present world, of course, via the media, is dominated by state-of-the-art technology. Societies that have the most of such technology are also, time and again, claimed to be the most advanced. It is not only their advancement that lifts them to the pinnacle of power, superiority, and fame. They can also use technology to simplify and move forward an understanding of life and nature in a different direction, a direction that tends to eliminate, as much as possible, a prior connection between life and nature that was, in many respects, mystical and unsafe. This last point does not necessarily mean that technological advancement is a mark of a superior civilization.
What we need to know is that civilization and technology are not conjugal terms. Civilized people may have an advanced technology or they may not have it. Civilization is not just a matter of science and technology or technical infrastructure, or, again, the marvel of buildings; it also has to do with the moral and mental reflexes of people as well as their level of social connectedness within their own society and beyond. It is from the general behaviour makeup of people that all forms of physical structures could be created, so too the question of science and technology. Thus, the kind of bridges, roads, buildings, heavy machinery, among others, that we can see in a society could tell, in a general way, the behavioural pattern of the people. Behavioural pattern could also tell a lot about the extent to which the natural environment has been utilized for infrastructural activities, science and technology. Above all, behavioural pattern could tell a lot about the perceptions and understanding of the people about other people.
I do believe - and, I think, most people do believe - that upon accelerating the rate of infrastructural activities and technology, the environment has to recede in its naturalness. Once advancing technology (and its attendant structures or ideas) competes with the green environment for space, this environment that houses trees, grass, flowers, all kinds of animals and fish has to shrink in size. Yet the growth of population, the relentless human craving for quality life, the need to control life without depending on the unpredictable condition of the natural environment prompt the use of technology. Technology need not pose unwarranted danger to the natural environment. It is the misuse of technology that is in question. While a society may justly utilize technology to improve quality of life, its people also have to ask: "how much technology do we need to safeguard the natural environment?" Suppose society Y blends the moderate use of technology with the natural environment in order to offset the reckless destruction of the latter, then this kind of positioning prompts the point that society Y is a lover of the principle of balance. From this principle, one can boldly conclude that society Y favours stability more than chaos, and has, therefore, the sense of moral and social responsibility. Any state-of-the-art technology points to the sophistication of the human mind, and it indicates that the natural environment has been cavalierly tamed.
If humans do not want to live at the mercy of the natural environment - which, of course, is an uncertain way of life - but according to their own predicted pace, then the use of technology is a matter of course. It would seem that the principle of balance that society Y has chosen could only be for a short while or that this is more of a make-believe position than a real one. For when the power of the human mind gratifies itself following a momentous achievement in technology, retreat, or, at best, a slow-down is quite unusual. It is as if the human mind is telling itself: "technological advancement has to accelerate without any obstruction. A retreat or a gradual process is an insult to the inquiring mind." This kind of thought process only points out the enigma of the mind, its dark side, not its finest area. And in seeking to interrogate the present mode of a certain technology according to the instructions of the mind, the role of ethics is indispensable.
Is it morally right to use this kind of technology for this kind of product? And is it morally right to use this kind of product? Both questions hint that the product or products in question are either harmful or not, environmentally friendly or not, or that they do not only cause harm directly to humans but directly to the environment too. And if, as I have stated, the purpose of technology is to improve the quality of life, then to use technology to produce products that harm both humans and the natural environment contradicts the purpose of technology, and it also falsifies an assertion that humans are rational. Furthermore, it suggests that the sophisticated level that the human mind has reached is unable to grasp the essence or rationale of quality life. In this regard, a peaceful coexistence with the natural environment would have been deserted for the sake of an unrestrained, inquiring human mind. The human mind would, as it were, become corrupted with beliefs or ideas that are untenable in any number of ways.
The advocacy that is done by environmentalists relate to the question of environmental degradation and its negative consequences on humans. They insist that there is no justification for producing high-tech products that harm both humans and the natural environment. This contention sounds persuasive. High technology may demonstrate the height of human accomplishment, but it may not point to moral and social responsibility. And to this point, the question may be asked: "In what ways can humans close the chasm between unrestrained high technology and environmental degradation?"
Too often, most modern humans tend to think that a sophisticated lifestyle is preferable to a simple one. The former is supported by the weight of high technology, the latter is mostly not. The former eases the burden of depending too much on the dictates of the natural environment, the latter does not. The latter tends to seek a symbiotic relationship with the natural environment, the former does not. Whether human comfort should come largely from an advanced technology or the natural environment is not a matter that could be easily answered. If the natural environment is shrinking due to population growth and other unavoidable causes, then advanced technology is required to alleviate the pressures to human comfort that arise. It is the irresponsible proliferation of, say, war technology, high-tech products, among others, that are in need of criticism and have to stop.

Part 1: how music editor steam engines be used disruptive technologies-

I'm not in technologies, who as always fast and always change. But I observe technological trends along, which is developing scientific applications.
And all trends, perhaps disruptive technologies defining path of industrial impact, a linear passage technological progress follows almost without exception. Although the concept of "disruptive technologies" is popular in 1997 from Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen in his bestselling book "the innovator's dilemma", the phenomenon was back to 1663, already proven when Edward Somerset published designs for and might have installed a steam engine.
As put forth by Clayton Christensen disruptive technologies profit margins initially low performers of poor, targeting a one minute sector of the market. However, they often faster than industry established operators to develop and eventually surpass the Giants to grasp how their technology, cheaper and more efficient and better prevailing consumers could meet needs significant market share.
Horse power effectively overrides the steam engines in this case. Demand for steam engines was not originally high unfamiliarity of the invention and the ease of use and availability of horses, due to the then. However, once intensified economic activities and societies flourished, modernity and faster transportation people wanted to a niche market for steam engines soon as designed.
Napster is an epitome of the modern disruptive technologies, a free and easy music sharing program, that allows users to distribute each recording online. The Disruptee is conventional music producers. Napster identifies relevant "non market", the few who wanted to share little commercial purpose their own recordings, and so gave you what you wanted most. Napster soon flourished and even transformed the way that use of the Internet.
There are other concerns in an attempt to disruptive technologies as easy to define the definition itself.
A most wrong feature for disruptive technologies is technology. While the former new technological innovation brings, the latter refers to "subsequent incremental improvements of performance" market incumbents integrated existing products. Sustaining technologies could radically, too; the new improvements could the decline of the current States of production, how, how adaptation, and Exchange, Sting herald music editor software's convenience Napster users music thereby of traditional whole file transfers. Music editors are part of a sustainable technological to Napster, no new disruptor. Therefore, disruption and maintaining could thrive technologies together, until the next wave of disruption.
See how music editors are linked to steam engines? Not too close, but each represents an aspect of twin engines, the progressive technologies; Disruptors breed Sustainers and feeder feeding disruptors.
This character of sustainable technologies makes us a different perspective of disruptive technologies: not only the way people change business, but also initiate a new wave of follow-up technology to drive the disruptive technology to success. Manage a niche market for their own sometimes, sustaining technologies carve out, even if the disruptive initiator was shut down. Music Editor and Maker software still healthy thrive despite Napster's breakdown (although many other file sharing services work this time), with products like the AV Music Morpher gold and sound forge 8.
A breakthrough technology is different than a paradigm shift, Thomas Kuhn used to describe "The process and result of a change in the key assumptions used within the prevailing theory of science". The disruptive technologies are no assumptions, but only the rules of the game that the change by the behaviors the market incumbents and new entrants will lead. Add the different markets, which finally merge. Clayton Christensen's words crush "Newcomers to the industry almost invariably the established operator".
While researching on disruptive technologies, I came across this simple row-wise that could adequately capture what these technologies are round, "a technology that the nobody in business but that will goes on to be a trillion dollar industry." Interesting, like a brand new technology that is seemingly little value an entire industry could shake, isn't it?
You probably wondering why, then, that nobody wants it? Or how it is entitled to this disruptive technologies money? And if true, what are the implications for business practice? How behavior market incumbent operators and new entrants?
The scope of this article could only take the first question let me. Well, isn't it, that dominant companies are not visionary to see a break. You may not. A breakthrough technology is first basically unattractive; No one could see how Napster boom and could lead to the thriving market audio software such as the music editor and mixer, except the disruptors. Even if one manages foresee it is the "Innovator's dilemma" you think of acting.
And the books show that technology has evolved always in waves of the disorder.

What is Bluetooth technology?

Bluetooth technology is a type of wireless technology, which eliminates the need for the number of inconvenient cable and devices to connect the computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, handheld devices and new digital devices. Bluetooth enables connecting users with a variety of telecommunications and computing devices easily, without cables.
It provides fast ad hoc connections, automatic subconscious connection between two or more digital devices. Bluetooth enables the use of mobile data in different applications. Bluetooth makes very easy wireless communication between the two devices in a localized area of the room of the Office or at home. Bluetooth technology uses radio-based links and all connections between the devices and invisibly and instantly.
Bluetooth technology can be your laptop print job to a printer in your next room by. Bluetooth is actually a standard for wireless communications between devices in a relatively small area, and is therefore works fine in the personal area network (Pan) with high frequency.
Two devices following the Bluetooth standard to communicate. A number of Bluetooth devices such as digital camera, mobile phone or handheld pc can form a network. You can email send to your mobile phones from your laptop without any physical between your laptop and connect your mobile phones.
Features of Bluetooth technology
o Bluetooth technology radio waves used for communication in the 2.4 GHz
o it support multi communication not only point to point.
o Bluetooth works a small portion of 10-15 meters.
o Bluetooth offers speed of 1-2 of Mbps.
o Bluetooth chipsets are less expensive but more expensive than IrDA.
How of Bluetooth technology
Bluetooth is a high speed-wireless-link technology, which uses radio waves. To mobile phones, laptops, hand held devices and mobile devices with almost no work connect end users. Unlike infrared Bluetooth requires no line of sight between the connecting units. Bluetooth wireless technology is a modified form of the current wireless LAN technology, and it is acceptable for its relatively small size and low cost.
The circuits are located on a Board of 0.9 cm square and a much smaller single chip version is in development and soon it will be in use. The cost of the Bluetooth device is expected to decline rapidly. Bluetooth chip has equipped in many devices are. Small and low-cost transceiver in the digital devices were placed in Bluetooth technology. The radio waves work at 2.45 GHZ band on the Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth supports the speed up to 721 kbit / S and 3 language channels. The Bluetooth chip can be installed either the device or it can uses an adapter. In computer it can be used with the USB port. Each Bluetooth device has a 48-bit address from the IEEE 802 standards and Bluetooth connections can either point or multi-point. Bluetooth range is 10 meters, but it may be extended up to 100 meters by increasing performance.
Bluetooth devices are protected against interference from outside because you change your frequency up to 1600 times in one second. Bluetooth radio technology provides the bridge between the existing data network. Bluetooth guarantees security at bit level and authentication key is controlled by the end-user using 128-bit. One important face of Bluetooth technology is that it immediately makes a network closer to two or more devices in the range of each other.
Benefits of Bluetooth technology
Bluetooth technology is a comfortable choice of communication in an environment with wire free, short range. Bluetooth is a global available standard for connecting devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, laptops, mp3 players, cars, stereo headsets, etc. Bluetooth enable devices need to install any drivers. The main advantages of Bluetooth wireless technology are its built-in security, low cost, ease of use, robustness and ad hoc networking capabilities.
The Bluetooth wireless technology is available worldwide. Many manufacturers of different companies are busy implementing the technology into your products. Bluetooth technology is one which unlicensed in the 2.4 GHZ, industrial and scientific radio bands. Bluetooth wireless technology is a free service, but your mobile phone set should support the GSM and CDMA technology.
Today, mobile phones have built in capabilities and Bluetooth functionality in you. Bluetooth technology is available in the other field of devices such as mobile phones, automobile, medical devices, industries and businesses, etc. Because of the key features of Bluetooth technology such as low power consumption, low-cost and wireless features they make it more popular. Bluetooth technology does not require any fixed infrastructure and it is very easy to install and set up.
No wires are needed to connect Bluetooth devices. You can always connect to other Bluetooth enabled devices coming in your program. Bluetooth wireless technology is widely supported and secure wireless standard is today. Bluetooth devices has built-in security features such as 128-bit encryption and PIN code authentication, if to identify Bluetooth devices, even the PIN code to use when you first create a connection.

Improve ROI technology: Focus on people

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Buzzwords are great. They give us an excuse to nod our heads, act like we are paying attention, and then completely ignore issues without giving them a second thought. As long as we use buzzwords we appear (if only to ourselves) to know what's going on and we are on top of the challenge at hand. Perhaps the greatest part of working in technology is that we are never at a loss for buzzwords, or for meetings in which to use them.
Three of the greatest buzzwords in the tech arena are "People, Process, and Technology". Throw in a few other favorites, such as "alignment," "change," "culture," and... well, you get the idea. While these words are more ubiquitous in a technology discussion than fish are in the sea, they are often overlooked, misunderstood, and generally ignored. This is dangerous.
Looking over the landscape of a typical IT implementation we notice that the majority of activities are focused on process and technology. We spend tremendous amounts of time and effort defining business processes and specifying functional system requirements. We focus a large amount of time building and testing the technology. Consequently most of the people involved in IT projects are specialists in strategy, process, and technology.
So what is missing? Look closely. Did you notice the vast majority of our activities, and the majority of our team's skills, are focused on aligning process and technology? What happened to our first buzzword, "People"? Do we just nod our heads and forget to consider our people - how we can move them (that is, align them) with the process and technology? What does it mean to align people with process and technology?
Aligning People
For some, aligning people means providing training so employees know how to use the system. Others say you need to include communications to align their people. Some advanced organizations even extend their efforts to include mapping out changes to job descriptions and responsibilities.
While these are all important activities to help achieve alignment of people, process and technology, they don't actually help us understand what alignment is. And if you don't know what it is, how do you know when you have achieved it?
Alignment only occurs when your people, process and technology all perform together in a symbiotic relationship that delivers the desired results. The people use the technology. The people follow the process. They key here is that the people must actually use the technology and the people must actually follow the process. This requires people, ALL of the people, change their behavior to achieve the desired results.
Focus on Behavior Change to Improve ROI
"Did he just say our technology project needs to focus on changing people's behavior? I thought we were implementing technology, not disciplining children or providing group therapy. What is all this behavior talk anyway?"
Consider the relationship between user behavior and return on investment (ROI). When do we actually realize ROI from our technology projects? Is it when the technology is delivered? Sadly, no. We only realize our ROI when the people actually use the technology. If a system is delivered, but not used, it does not return any value to the organization. So, while successfully deploying the technology is on the critical path (pardon the gratuitous use of the buzzword) to achieving ROI, the critical path is only completed when the system is used effectively by our people.
Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Wrong. This simple idea has tremendous implications that require advanced thought. It means we need to rethink how we structure technology projects, who we involve in the process, and how we define success. Looking back over the landscape of a typical IT implementation we notice activities focusing on behavior change are conspicuously missing. Worse still, people with skills and expertise in behavior change are typically not even part of the implementation team. This is the problem.
Example: User Behaviors' Impact on ROI and on the Customer Experience
I worked with a client who did very little to drive desired behavior when implementing a new CRM system. As expected, they had numerous behavior problems that reduced their ROI and degraded the customer experience. Sales reps did not see "what's in it for me", so they would often not use the system at all or they would only enter partial, inaccurate customer data. Customer service reps would not reliably create problem tickets, nor would they regularly update their progress on resolving customer issues. Managers would not use the system to track progress or to analyze department performance.
The impact to the organization and to the customers experience was severe. The organization wasted vast amounts of time and effort performing unnecessary tasks, such as tracking down information that was not entered by one individual but was required by others to perform their jobs. The lack of complete and accurate data made it impossible for management to utilize the system reports to make reliable, informed decisions. Executives and sales reps were unable to review vital customer activity data to prepare for additional sales meetings. The customers experience was degraded by delays resulting from having to repeat conversations that were not properly logged in the system.
It was only after the client had experienced these problems for quite some time that management decided to address user behavior. After users changed and demonstrated desired behavior, the system delivered significant value and the customer experienced improved. Had management proactively focused on driving desired behavior earlier they would have avoided the period of poor performance and significantly increased their overall ROI from the start.

Defining Project "Success"
How is "success" typically defined for a technology project? Projects are often judged successful if they are delivered on time and on budget. While delivering on time and on budget are indeed causes for celebration, do they fully define success? How often do we actually go back and measure our results, our realized ROI, against the forecasted return defined in the business case that justified the project? If we deliver on time but never achieve the forecasted ROI are we really successful?
This reveals several important questions. Who actually owns ROI? Who is responsible for ensuring we actually change user behavior and realize our anticipated ROI? What are the consequences for not achieving forecasted ROI? We need to stop defining success at the midpoint of the critical path (delivering technology) and shift our focus to the end of the critical path, achieving effective system use that delivers ROI.
How do we Change User Behavior?
So, how do we do we change user behavior?
First, we realize people are unpredictable. Unlike process flows or lines of code (which are linear, logical and controllable), people are wildcards. They do not always act rationally or predictably. They can be influenced and encouraged, but they cannot be controlled. Is it any wonder that even though we define a very clear logical process and system that it is not always used as intended? So, how do we compensate for the unpredictable and uncontrollable? Who can help us do this?
To address these challenges, we need to learn more about people and how to influence their behavior. Expanding our knowledge of individuals to include an understanding of personality types, communication processes, conflict styles, individual motivation and learning styles gives us many tools for improving our ability to change behavior.
Of course, we do not work in isolation. We work in small and large groups, which have their own unique characteristics and processes. People behave differently in groups than they do alone. We need to understand more about interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, and creating and managing high performing groups. We need to understand how trust, honesty and ethics impact group behavior and how we can use this knowledge to create an environment that drives desired behavior.
Moreover, individuals and groups do not operate in a vacuum; they operate in the context of a larger organizational system. We need to understand the impact organizational forces have on individual and group behavior, and then align these forces to drive desired behavior. Can we realistically expect people to behave in one way (like, use our system as designed) if there are major organizational forces that drive them to behave in another way?
Who Can Help?
This may all sound exhausting and impossible but there are people who can help: Human Resource (HR) and Organization Development (OD) professionals.
These two groups have complimentary skill sets that are perfect for helping us align organizational forces and drive desired user behavior. HR professionals have the skills necessary to put together appropriate performance evaluation, feedback and development plans. OD professionals are trained in conducting holistic organizational analysis and in designing appropriate interventions to facilitate the desired change.
Do we really need OD and HR people? Can't we use our current project team? No! IT people do not have the required skills - their expertise lies in technology. Strategy people typically are not qualified either. The knowledge and skills they possess to develop business cases, process flows, and ROI forecasts are very different from that required to change user behavior.
To align "people" with process and technology we actually need to rely on professionals with expertise in "people" issues - HR and OD experts. But how do they fit within the development lifecycle and when do we include them in the development process?
A Better Approach to IT Projects
We often assume that if we teach people what to do then they will act as instructed. But, what if the problem is not just that they don't know how to use the system? What if they can't or won't use the system for other reasons?
Imagine you are sick and you go to the doctor. He doesn't just say hello, shake your hand and then give you an operation. Instead the doctor asks you some questions, runs some test, gets x-rays and inspects your body. Only after he has gathered data and made an informed diagnosis does he develop treatment plans. A (somewhat) similar approach is appropriate for IT implementations.
Current efforts to promote user adoption that only include delivering training and communication are akin to the doctor skipping the data gathering and just reaching for the scalpel when you walk in the door. Wouldn't it be better if we gather some data, diagnose what drives user behavior in our organization and then put together an appropriate treatment plan? That is exactly what we should do.
We begin by gathering data from multiple sources, at multiple levels in the organization, in order to triangulate and identify the major forces driving user behavior. Once this is done and our diagnosis complete, we put together a treatment plan, that is, determine appropriate actions (called OD "interventions") to promote user adoption. Interventions may be conducted at multiple points in time: project start-up, during development, at go-live and at multiple intervals following system deployment.
Example: Structuring a Project to Drive User Behavior
So, how will this work? At the start of the project an OD consultant leads the project team (IT and business SMEs) in group development work and helps them mature into a highly productive work team. The consultant also helps IT and business agree on a definition of project success and a plan for sharing responsibility for measuring and achieving ROI at various points after go-live.
The consultant then gathers data to identify the organizational factors that drive user adoption. He conducts interviews across all levels of the organization, conducts focus groups with representatives from several user departments, surveys employees, and reviews various documents such as strategic plans and job descriptions. The consultant then facilitates leaders and business representatives in reviewing the data, diagnosing the situation, and developing an intervention strategy. Finally, interventions are held prior to go live (to prepare users for the change), during the first few weeks of the deployment (to assist users during the change) and at multiple scheduled review points (to help users continue to grow by identifying lessons learned and by sharing best practices across the organization).
Including HR and OD professionals in IT projects is critical for aligning people, process and technology. Conducting an organizational analysis, and more importantly, involving people in the process, helps drive desired behavior. It allows us to make sure we are investing our efforts in conducting appropriate interventions and in addressing the "right" issues. The time and effort required to drive desired user behavior delivers significant value through improved system use, faster realization of ROI and an improved customer experience.
Final Thoughts
The next time you are planning an IT project, ask yourself if you are doing enough to address the "people" issues. Are you focusing on promoting user adoption and achieving ROI or are you just focusing on delivering the technology? How much would you increase ROI if you improved user adoption of the system? Do you have skilled HR and OD people helping you drive success? Do you have the right skills and understanding of individual behavior and group development processes to effectively address the "people" issues?
Is there anything you COULD and SHOULD be doing to align people, process and technology?

How can instructional technology, teaching and learning more effectively in schools?

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In the past few years of research on instructional technology has resulted in a clearer vision of how technology can affect teaching and learning. Today, almost every school in the United States of America uses technology as a part of teaching and learning and with each state having its own customized technology program. In most of those schools, teachers use the technology through integrated activities that are a part of their daily school curriculum. For instance, instructional technology creates an active environment in which students not only inquire, but also define problems of interest to them. Such an activity would integrate the subjects of technology, social studies, math, science, and language arts with the opportunity to create student-centered activity. Most educational technology experts agree, however, that technology should be integrated, not as a separate subject or as a once-in-a-while project, but as a tool to promote and extend student learning on a daily basis.
Today, classroom teachers may lack personal experience with technology and present an additional challenge. In order to incorporate technology-based activities and projects into their curriculum, those teachers first must find the time to learn to use the tools and understand the terminology necessary for participation in projects or activities. They must have the ability to employ technology to improve student learning as well as to further personal professional development.
Instructional technology empowers students by improving skills and concepts through multiple representations and enhanced visualization. Its benefits include increased accuracy and speed in data collection and graphing, real-time visualization, the ability to collect and analyze large volumes of data and collaboration of data collection and interpretation, and more varied presentation of results. Technology also engages students in higher-order thinking, builds strong problem-solving skills, and develops deep understanding of concepts and procedures when used appropriately.
Technology should play a critical role in academic content standards and their successful implementation. Expectations reflecting the appropriate use of technology should be woven into the standards, benchmarks and grade-level indicators. For example, the standards should include expectations for students to compute fluently using paper and pencil, technology-supported and mental methods and to use graphing calculators or computers to graph and analyze mathematical relationships. These expectations should be intended to support a curriculum rich in the use of technology rather than limit the use of technology to specific skills or grade levels. Technology makes subjects accessible to all students, including those with special needs. Options for assisting students to maximize their strengths and progress in a standards-based curriculum are expanded through the use of technology-based support and interventions. For example, specialized technologies enhance opportunities for students with physical challenges to develop and demonstrate mathematics concepts and skills. Technology influences how we work, how we play and how we live our lives. The influence technology in the classroom should have on math and science teachers' efforts to provide every student with "the opportunity and resources to develop the language skills they need to pursue life's goals and to participate fully as informed, productive members of society," cannot be overestimated.
Technology provides teachers with the instructional technology tools they need to operate more efficiently and to be more responsive to the individual needs of their students. Selecting appropriate technology tools give teachers an opportunity to build students' conceptual knowledge and connect their learning to problem found in the world. The technology tools such as Inspiration® technology, Starry Night, A WebQuest and Portaportal allow students to employ a variety of strategies such as inquiry, problem-solving, creative thinking, visual imagery, critical thinking, and hands-on activity.
Benefits of the use of these technology tools include increased accuracy and speed in data collection and graphing, real-time visualization, interactive modeling of invisible science processes and structures, the ability to collect and analyze large volumes of data, collaboration for data collection and interpretation, and more varied presentations of results.
Technology integration strategies for content instructions. Beginning in kindergarten and extending through grade 12, various technologies can be made a part of everyday teaching and learning, where, for example, the use of meter sticks, hand lenses, temperature probes and computers becomes a seamless part of what teachers and students are learning and doing. Contents teachers should use technology in ways that enable students to conduct inquiries and engage in collaborative activities. In traditional or teacher-centered approaches, computer technology is used more for drill, practice and mastery of basic skills.
The instructional strategies employed in such classrooms are teacher centered because of the way they supplement teacher-controlled activities and because the software used to provide the drill and practice is teacher selected and teacher assigned. The relevancy of technology in the lives of young learners and the capacity of technology to enhance teachers' efficiency are helping to raise students' achievement in new and exciting ways.
As students move through grade levels, they can engage in increasingly sophisticated hands-on, inquiry-based, personally relevant activities where they investigate, research, measure, compile and analyze information to reach conclusions, solve problems, make predictions and/or seek alternatives. They can explain how science often advances with the introduction of new technologies and how solving technological problems often results in new scientific knowledge. They should describe how new technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and introduce new areas of research. They should explain why basic concepts and principles of science and technology should be a part of active debate about the economics, policies, politics and ethics of various science-related and technology-related challenges.
Students need grade-level appropriate classroom experiences, enabling them to learn and to be able to do science in an active, inquiry-based fashion where technological tools, resources, methods and processes are readily available and extensively used. As students integrate technology into learning about and doing science, emphasis should be placed on how to think through problems and projects, not just what to think.
Technological tools and resources may range from hand lenses and pendulums, to electronic balances and up-to-date online computers (with software), to methods and processes for planning and doing a project. Students can learn by observing, designing, communicating, calculating, researching, building, testing, assessing risks and benefits, and modifying structures, devices and processes - while applying their developing knowledge of science and technology.

Most students in the schools, at all age levels, might have some expertise in the use of technology, however K-12 they should recognize that science and technology are interconnected and that using technology involves assessment of the benefits, risks and costs. Students should build scientific and technological knowledge, as well as the skill required to design and construct devices. In addition, they should develop the processes to solve problems and understand that problems may be solved in several ways.
Rapid developments in the design and uses of technology, particularly in electronic tools, will change how students learn. For example, graphing calculators and computer-based tools provide powerful mechanisms for communicating, applying, and learning mathematics in the workplace, in everyday tasks, and in school mathematics. Technology, such as calculators and computers, help students learn mathematics and support effective mathematics teaching. Rather than replacing the learning of basic concepts and skills, technology can connect skills and procedures to deeper mathematical understanding. For example, geometry software allows experimentation with families of geometric objects, and graphing utilities facilitate learning about the characteristics of classes of functions.
Learning and applying mathematics requires students to become adept in using a variety of techniques and tools for computing, measuring, analyzing data and solving problems. Computers, calculators, physical models, and measuring devices are examples of the wide variety of technologies, or tools, used to teach, learn, and do mathematics. These tools complement, rather than replace, more traditional ways of doing mathematics, such as using symbols and hand-drawn diagrams.
Technology, used appropriately, helps students learn mathematics. Electronic tools, such as spreadsheets and dynamic geometry software, extend the range of problems and develop understanding of key mathematical relationships. A strong foundation in number and operation concepts and skills is required to use calculators effectively as a tool for solving problems involving computations. Appropriate uses of those and other technologies in the mathematics classroom enhance learning, support effective instruction, and impact the levels of emphasis and ways certain mathematics concepts and skills are learned. For instance, graphing calculators allow students to quickly and easily produce multiple graphs for a set of data, determine appropriate ways to display and interpret the data, and test conjectures about the impact of changes in the data.
Technology is a tool for learning and doing mathematics rather than an end in itself. As with any instructional tool or aid, it is only effective when used well. Teachers must make critical decisions about when and how to use technology to focus instruction on learning mathematics.

Acceptance technology model

Advances in computer and technology are changing the way people meet and communicate. People can meet, talk and collaborate outside of the traditional Conference and office space. For example with the introduction of software designed to help people, meetings, plan and facilitate decision or learning processes, geographical restrictions and weakens interpersonal communication dynamics. Also dramatically influence how people teach and learn information that is technology.
As new information technology jobs infiltrate, much attention of professionals and academic researchers to get started home and classrooms, research on new technologies, user acceptance. Developers and software industry start to realize that lack of acceptance of the user of technology can lead to loss of money and resources.
The TAM of one of the most cited models is studying user adoption and use of technology. The technology acceptance model (TAM) evolved from Davis computing behavior to explain. The theoretical basis of the model was Fishbein and autonomous Youth Centre's theory of reasoned action (TRA).
Technology acceptance model (TAM) is an information systems (system consisting of the net all communication within an organization uses) theory, models, like users to come to accept and use technology, the model proposes that if users with a new software package, a number of factors influence your decision about how and when you use it, in particular:
Perceived usefulness (PU) - this defined by Fred Davis as "the hat", which a person believes that with a particular system would improve his or your work.
Ease-of-use perceived (PEOU)-Davis defined as "The degree to which a person believes that with a particular system would be free of cost" (Davis, 1989).
Will the TAM "an explanation of the determinants of the computer provide adoption education, capable wide user behavior in a range of end-user computing technologies and user populations, while at the same time both economy than to explain theoretically grounded".
According to the TAM if a user sees a particular technology useful, you believe in a positive money of use of. Since effort is a finite resource, a user is likely to accept an application if you it perceives it as easier to use than others.As a result, educational technology with a high degree of PU and PEOU is likely more positive perceptions to induce. PU-PEOU relationship is PU provides the effect of the PEOU attitude and intended use. In other words, while PU direct impact on the attitude and use PEOU has attitude and indirectly affected by PU.
User adoption is defined as "Proven willingness within a group of users, information and technology tasks to deal with it is to support" (Dillon and Morris). Although this definition will focus on planned and intended uses technology, studies report that individual perceptions are likely to be affected by information technologies by the objective characteristics of technology and interaction with other users. For example, the extent to which a new technology than useful, is likely to use it. At the same time is her his perception of the system of influences the way how people around him to evaluate and use the system.
Studies on information technology report continuous, that user attitudes are important factors for the success of the system. For decades many definitions proposed by attitude. However, all theories should approach a relationship between a person and an object (Wölfel, 1995).
In its information technologies is an approach to the study of attitude - the technology acceptance model (TAM). Will TAM users formulate a positive attitude towards the technology when you, the technology useful and easy to use (Davis, 1989).
A review of scientific research to IS acceptance and use suggests that TAM has developed, as one of the most influential models in this stream of research the TAM is an important theoretical contribution towards usage IS and IS to understand acceptance behavior. This model-with its original emphasis on the design of the system features - however taken into account for social influence in the adoption and use of new information systems.

The importance of information technology training grounds management

Information technology training for managers and system analysts like superfluous – these people are usually grlehrte in their areas of expertise. But understand how does a company's technology into the big picture from a business perspective? This is where management training is important. Every Manager play select a role in researching, or implementing enterprise technology needs a firm grip on the basics of emerging technologies as also how a larger business purpose, so that the technology of of company's most strategic use of, is used.
Power on the revolutionary stay emerging technology applications
A program of continuous information technology training is vital to the success of any IT team. Technology is constantly evolving, and it seems that it a new application published every day, which is meant to simplify business relations. This can be overwhelming if you don't stay current on the high-level trends of technology and their corresponding impact on business. Management training is a useful tool for executives with the online trends such as such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, or RSS familiar feeds go as well as the trends change, the opportunities we see each other on the Internet and communicate with the Web 2.0 revolution underway. It is estimated that business impact important these technologies, in the coming years and companies everywhere must immediately above think have as it affects their business strategies.
Information technology training helps managers that adjust to determine the impact of new technologies and business processes. Try to imagine traditional business models is difficult, how Web 2.0 changes if you have no knowledge of how these new technical applications business uses. First of all, executives must take even proactive to by to keep current, emerging trends and understand you but in view of the higher level, strategic evaluation not only from a technical perspective. Management training on technology focus specifically on the ways that emerging technologies affect organizations at a high level. This is the kind of know aware had to make and informed decisions on which aspects of new technologies will impact your thoughts in strategic action and implementation to your organization in the coming years and transition.
Cooperation and exchange of information within and outside the company are two areas, the tremendous progress that management training have made can help your organization harness, business strategies to improve. The advent of user created content sharing has the kind and changed to communicate business. Provide collaborative problem solving to participate in, and then the results available enterprise-class blogs and wikis, boost productivity and innovation by enabling ad hoc teams in complex, the rest of the organization with ease. Information technology training provides managers need general information about these technologies, you effectively get you in your organization.
Large companies will often fight, mostly with adoption of new business strategies based on new technologies due to organizational inertia and the delay that comes from each change integrated system. Not only the right people of the value of a new application must be convinced, but often the infrastructure must be developed or adapted to implement the technology. This is where the importance of management information technology education understand the potential impact of technology from a business perspective on it.
Management training for appropriate technology selection and recommendation
Management training typically deal with logistics and personnel management but not managers to come, when it comes to decisions about technology. As a Manager in the world today what is really important, not only your ability and maintain technology infrastructure - it's your ability to deliver positive business results. Reduce IT costs and management infrastructure are only part of the equation. Technology must also reduce business risks and opportunities to generate growth. Information technology training helps managers their views of technology as an isolated island off the coast of a business transition and think of it as a working part the whole machine that is the organization.
Find a cool application that all shiny bells and whistles has dreamt and recommended implementation based no longer sufficient on the sheer innovation technology, to make a good business plan. Before you submit a recommendation, you must understand each step with the successful implementation of the technology involved. A thorough investigation must be conducted to determine what will be departments, processes and functions, from the new technology benefit have changed. Management training focus offers information technology determining do managers need tools that you.
If you want to make an impact on decision makers a business need to get at their level. When it comes to make a decision for many businessmen figures revolves around. That is, why it is necessary to participate in information technology training courses that help you perform your due diligence and collect the data that you need to compile hard numbers around your referral. What is the true return on investment, which the company can expect to achieve through technology implementation? It's much easier to convince an associate of the merits of your idea if profit based based on opinion only to see a real increase in proven research instead of trying to vary.
Conclusion
Technology changed rapidly to communicate business and function every day. It is important for managers to take a proactive role in understanding emerging technology trends and how you can affect a company's business model, by investing in an ongoing program of information technology training for all levels of staff. Management training is particularly important to ensure the right technologies are tracked to ensure business success. View technology as a direct influencer to the company as a whole guarantees consistent alignment of objectives across the enterprise.

Search technologies

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Each of us has been faced with the problem of searching for information more than once. Irregardless of the data source we are using (Internet, file system on our hard drive, data base or a global information system of a big company) the problems can be multiple and include the physical volume of the data base searched, the information being unstructured, different file types and also the complexity of accurately wording the search query. We have already reached the stage when the amount of data on one single PC is comparable to the amount of text data stored in a proper library. And as to the unstructured data flows, in future they are only going to increase, and at a very rapid tempo. If for an average user this might be just a minor misfortune, for a big company absence of control over information can mean significant problems. So the necessity to create search systems and technologies simplifying and accelerating access to the necessary information, originated long ago. Such systems are numerous and moreover not every one of them is based on a unique technology. And the task of choosing the right one depends directly on the specific tasks to be solved in the future. While the demand for the perfect data searching and processing tools is steadily growing let's consider the state of affairs with the supply side.
Not going deeply into the various peculiarities of the technology, all the searching programs and systems can be divided into three groups. These are: global Internet systems, turnkey business solutions (corporate data searching and processing technologies) and simple phrasal or file search on a local computer. Different directions presumably mean different solutions.
Local search
Everything is clear about search on a local PC. It's not remarkable for any particular functionality features accept for the choice of file type (media, text etc.) and the search destination. Just enter the name of the searched file (or part of text, for example in the Word format) and that's it. The speed and result depend fully on the text entered into the query line. There is zero intellectuality in this: simply looking through the available files to define their relevance. This is in its sense explicable: what's the use of creating a sophisticated system for such uncomplicated needs.
Global search technologies
Matters stand totally different with the search systems operating in the global network. One can't rely simply on looking through the available data. Huge volume (Yandex for instance can boast the indexing capacity of more than 11 terabyte of data) of the global chaos of unstructured information will make the simple search not only ineffective but also long and labor-consuming. That's why lately the focus has shifted towards optimizing and improving quality characteristics of search. But the scheme is still very simple (except for the secret innovations of every separate system) - the phrasal search through the indexed data base with proper consideration for morphology and synonyms. Undoubtedly, such an approach works but doesn't solve the problem completely. Reading dozens of various articles dedicated to improving search with the help of Google or Yandex, one can drive at the conclusion that without knowing the hidden opportunities of these systems finding a relevant document by the query is a matter of more than a minute, and sometimes more than an hour. The problem is that such a realization of search is very dependent on the query word or phrase, entered by the user. The more indistinct the query the worse is the search. This has become an axiom, or dogma, whichever you prefer.
Of course, intelligently using the key functions of the search systems and properly defining the phrase by which the documents and sites are searched, it is possible to get acceptable results. But this would be the result of painstaking mental work and time wasted on looking through irrelevant information with a hope to at least find some clues on how to upgrade the search query. In general, the scheme is the following: enter the phrase, look through several results, making sure that the query was not the right one, enter a new phrase and the stages are repeated till the relevancy of results achieves the highest possible level. But even in that case the chances to find the right document are still few. No average user will voluntary go for the sophistication of "advanced search" (although it is equipped with a number of very useful functions such as the choice of language, file format etc.). The best would be to simply insert the word or phrase and get a ready answer, without particular concern for the means of getting it. Let the horse think - it has a big head. Maybe this is not exactly up to the point, but one of the Google search functions is called "I am feeling lucky!" characterizes very well the existent searching technologies. Nevertheless, the technology works, not ideally and not always justifying the hopes, but if you allow for the complexity of searching through the chaos of Internet data volume, it could be acceptable.
Corporate systems
The third on the list are the turnkey solutions based on the searching technologies. They are meant for serious companies and corporations, possessing really large data bases and staffed with all sorts of information systems and documents. In principle, the technologies themselves can also be used for home needs. For example, a programmer working remotely from the office will make good use of the search to access randomly located on his hard drive program source codes. But these are particulars. The main application of the technology is still solving the problem of quickly and accurately searching through large data volumes and working with various information sources. Such systems usually operate by a very simple scheme (although there are undoubtedly numerous unique methods of indexing and processing queries underneath the surface): phrasal search, with proper consideration for all the stem forms, synonyms etc. which once again leads us to the problem of human resource. When using such technology the user should first word the query phrases which are going to be the search criteria and presumably met in the necessary documents to be retrieved. But there is no guarantee that the user will be able to independently choose or remember the correct phrase and furthermore, that the search by this phrase will be satisfactory.
One more key moment is the speed of processing a query. Of course, when using the whole document instead of a couple of words, the accuracy of search increases manifold. But up to date, such an opportunity has not been used because of the high capacity drain of such a process. The point is that search by words or phrases will not provide us with a highly relevant similarity of results. And the search by phrase equal in its length the whole document consumes much time and computer resources. Here is an example: while processing the query by one word there is no considerable difference in speed: whether it's 0,1 or 0,001 second is not of crucial importance to the user. But when you take an average size document which contains about 2000 unique words, then the search with consideration for morphology (stem forms) and thesaurus (synonyms), as well as generating a relevant list of results in case of search by key words will take several dozens of minutes (which is unacceptable for a user).
The interim summary
As we can see, currently existing systems and search technologies, although properly functioning, don't solve the problem of search completely. Where speed is acceptable the relevancy leaves more to be desired. If the search is accurate and adequate, it consumes lots of time and resources. It is of course possible to solve the problem by a very obvious manner - by increasing the computer capacity. But equipping the office with dozens of ultra-fast computers which will continuously process phrasal queries consisting of thousands of unique words, struggling through gigabytes of incoming correspondence, technical literature, final reports and other information is more than irrational and disadvantageous. There is a better way.
The unique similar content search
At present many companies are intensively working on developing full text search. The calculation speeds allow creating technologies that enable queries in different exponents and wide array of supplementary conditions. The experience in creating phrasal search provides these companies with an expertise to further develop and perfect the search technology. In particular, one of the most popular searches is the Google, and namely one of its functions called the "similar pages". Using this function enables the user to view the pages of maximum similarity in their content to the sample one. Functioning in principle, this function does not yet allow getting relevant results - they are mostly vague and of low relevancy and furthermore, sometimes utilizing this function shows complete absence of similar pages as a result. Most probably, this is the result of the chaotic and unstructured nature of information in the Internet. But once the precedent has been created, the advent of the perfect search without a hitch is just a matter of time.
What concerns the corporate data processing and knowledge retrieval systems, here the matters stand much worse. The functioning (not existing on paper) technologies are very few. And no giant or the so called search technology guru has so far succeeded in creating a real similar content search. Maybe, the reason is that it's not desperately needed, maybe - too hard to implement. But there is a functioning one though.
SoftInform Search Technology, developed by SoftInform, is the technology of searching for documents similar in their content to the sample. It enables fast and accurate search for documents of similar content in any volume of data. The technology is based on the mathematical model of analyzing the document structure and selecting the words, word combinations and text arrays, which results in forming a list of documents of maximum similarity the sample text abstract with the relevancy percent defined. In contrast to the standard phrasal search by the similar content search there is no need to determine the key words beforehand - the search is conducted through the whole document. The technology works with several sources of information that can be stored both in text files of txt, doc, rtf, pdf, htm, html formats, and the information systems of the most popular data bases (Access, MS SQL, Oracle, as well as any SQL-supporting data bases). It also additionally supports the synonyms and important words functions that enable to carry out a more specific search.
The similar search technology enables to significantly cut time wasted on searching and reviewing the same or very similar documents, diminish the processing time at the stage of entering data into the archive by avoiding the duplicate documents and forming sets of data by a certain subject. Another advantage of the SoftInform technology is that it's not so sensitive to the computer capacity and allows processing data at a very high speed even on ordinary office computers.
This technology is not just a theoretic development. It has been tested and successfully implemented in a project of giving legal advice via phone, where the speed of information retrieval is of crucial importance. And it will undoubtedly be more than useful in any knowledge base, analytical service and support department of any large firm. Universality and effectiveness of the SoftInform Search Technology allows solving a wide spectrum of problems, arising while processing information. These include the fuzziness of information (at the document entering stage it is possible to immediately define whether such a document already belongs to the data base or not) and the similarity analysis of the documents which are already entered into the data base, and the search for semantically similar documents which saves time spent on selecting the appropriate key words and viewing the irrelevant documents.
Perspectives
Besides its primary assignment (fast and high quality search for information in huge volume such as texts, archives, data bases) an Internet direction could also be defined. For example, it is possible to work out an expert system to process incoming correspondence and news which will become an important tool for analysts from different companies. Mainly, this will be possible due to the unique similar content search technology, absent from any of the existent systems so far except for the SearchInform. The problem of spamming search engines with the so called doorways (hidden pages with key words redirecting to the site's main pages and used to increase the page rating with the search engines) and the e-mail spam problem (a more intellectual analysis would ensure higher level of security) would also be solved with the help of this technology. But the most interesting perspective of the SoftInform Search technology is creating a new Internet search engine, the main competitive advantage of which would be ability to search not just by key words, but also for similar web pages, which will add to the flexibility of search making it more comfortable and efficient.
To draw a conclusion, it could be stated with confidence that the future belongs to the full text search technologies, both in the Internet and the corporate search systems. Unlimited development potential, adequacy of the results and processing speed of any size of query make this technology much more comfortable and in high demand. SoftInform Search technology might not be the pioneer, but it's a functioning, stable and unique one with no existent analogues (which can be proved by the active Eurasian patent). To my mind, even with the help of the "similar search" it will be difficult to find a similar technology.

Three emerging technologies that will change the world

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I was speaking with a friend the other night about his great grandfather. His great grandfather was born in 1875. He lived until 1965. Can you imagine the technology that this man saw come online? Let me name a few: the typewriter, the electric dental drill, the telephone, the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, the hearing aid, the electric fan, the dishwasher, the escalator, the airplane, the Model T automobile, the air conditioner, the defibrillator, the atomic bomb, the electric guitar, the nuclear submarine, nylon, the polio vaccine, and the laser. He died right when the first minicomputer was coming to fruition. All of that in the span of his lifetime. Which leads me to the topic of this article. Technology has completely changed the way we live. And technological advances have accelerated at unbelievable speeds. Technology is converging in ways no one could have foreseen. I want to highlight some of the most interesting technologies out there. These are technologies that will change the world, for good and bad.
Nano Technology
Probably the most interesting and frightening of the emerging technologies is nano technology. Nano technology is a cross disciplinary field that deals with building and synthesizing materials at scales of 100nm or less. Nano technology usually works in one of two ways. It either pulls smaller parts together to build or it breaks bigger parts down. The parts are then used to form smaller, new materials. But why is nano technology so important?
Nano technology is important because it will have massive effects across every area of life. As I write this, researchers are working on a nano particle to target cancer cells in lungs. In 2004, Rice University tested gold nano particle cancer treatment. In this treatment, these 150 nanometer gold particles were injected into the blood stream of cancerous mice. Gold particles at this size pass into tumors, but not healthy tissue. The researchers then passed infrared through the mice. The tumorous cells absorbed the infrared, heated up, and were destroyed. They are also working on quantum dots that allow doctors to easily identify multiple diseases quickly and accurately. But the uses don't stop there. Nanotechnology will drive down the scale of electronics. This will lead incredibly small devices. The applications are limitless. And you can bet that the military will be clamoring for nano technology. The military is looking to have numerous nanotechnologies online by the year 2015. Such advances include performance enhancing nanotechnology that aids bodily functions. These will include response times, oxygen use, and heightened senses. But nanotechnology can also be used for reconnaissance and combat. Nanobots could scout areas without being seen. They could also enter into enemies for espionage. They could kill targets from within the host's body. The possibilities are frightening.
Alternative Energy & Fuels
When gas prices skyrocketed this past year, many people suddenly took an interest in alternative energy and fuels. And because demand rose, companies suddenly found themselves forced to take interest. Most of the common arguments for alternative energy and fuels center around issues of pollution, cost, dependence, and jobs.
What most people don't realize is that alternative energy and fuels always have environmental effects. This can be in the form of heat generation, air pollutants, waste by-products, land usage, extraction, etc. Instead, we have to talk about pros and cons around each type of energy and fuel. There is no silver bullet. Costs, dependence, and jobs also vary depending on the energy type.
There are a host of alternative energies being tested. Wind powered energy plants are already in place in many parts of the world. Solar energy production has taken huge steps forward with the help of nano technology. One such company is Nanosolar. Nanosolar is producing solar cells that are 100 times thinner than conventional cells. Not only are the cells cheaper to produce, but they also convert the solar energy much more efficiently. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) uses the temperature differences in the ocean layers to produce energy. And OTEC can utilize this colder water (36 degree F cooler) in other things like on shore agriculture and refrigeration. And the list goes on.
Massive interest was generated in alternative fuels this past year when gas prices hit record levels. New developments in battery technology could help. One such development is Millennium Cell's hydrogen battery technology. This technology differs greatly from traditional rechargeable batteries in that it's instantly rechargeable. It also has a much great efficiency for energy conversion, so it is much smaller and lighter. There is also greater reuse efficiency since you don't need to replace the entire battery. You only need to replace the energy module. Developments are continuing in biodiesel, electric, hydrogen, methanol, etc. I think there could be some serious future synergy between nano technology and alternative energy.
"Bionetics"
This is my name for the incorporation of technology into the body. The dermal display is a great indication of things to come. Though I have yet to find a working demo version of this concept, I have no doubt that it will become a reality. The display would be driven by millions of nanobots. These nanobots would display light when touched. This would print a display onto your hand, or wherever the nanobot display would be housed. And this is where it gets really interesting. The display nanobots would be connected to millions of other fixed and mobile nanobots throughout the patient's body. This would give instant readings on hundreds of vital statistics. Again, nanotechnology plays a strong role here.
The bionics revolution is already underway. There have been four major cases of robotic limbs recently, the latest being a woman. The robotic limbs take advantage of the functional nerve endings in the limb stump. These nerve endings are used to actuate the robotic limb and to provide feedback to the brain. More money is being poured into robotic limbs every year.
"Functional bionetics" are implants that enhance our lives. And you may be surprised to know that people are actively doing this as I write. People are inserting tiny electronics in their bodies that will unlock their front doors and their cars. The same technology is being used to unlock computers. But it doesn't stop there. There is talk of implanting devices that will carry health information. You could be carted into a hospital totally unconscious and they would be able to access all of your past medical history. Most of this is done through RFID technology.
"Bionetic networks" will be networks of connected bionetic devices. This would allow people to share sensation, feelings, and communication. If this sounds completely fictional, I invite you to consider the work of Kevin Warwick, Professor of Cybernetics at the University of Reading, England. He has implanted an extra-sensory device that interfaces with one put in his wife. They were implanted in their arms. The first experiments are aimed at exchanging sensory inputs, like pain. The hope is to extend that to other, more complicated neurological processes like thoughts and emotion. Obviously, that would drastically change relationships and indeed the world. Forget about your teens text messaging, maybe they will be brain linking in the future. Now that's really scary!
What will we be able to say came online in our lifetimes? I'm sure we could already list a lot of important technologies. But keep your eyes out for these emerging technologies. They are set to change the rules of our world. These technologies will upset economies, change military tactics, empower people, and be used to control others. Keep an eye on them.

Recruiter technology, why recruiters to embrace technology have

I have been in recruitment for over 15 years and am a true believer in the use of good technology within the recruitment process. This led me to make a mission to keep informed, what resources are developed and made available on the technology front within recruitment.
I have done so continuous and extensive research in this area and in the development of software and tools specifically contributed to our industry.
This brings me to an interesting topic and time back up came during my research and discussions with many recruiters, I am sure that this length discussed all recruiters to enlist and with much passion to a certain point in time. The replacement of the recruiters and selection process through technology!
I've heard some customers and recruiters that some modern-day feel are numbered as technology such as online job portals / boards, developed soon replace both the General and the in-house us.
Here are my thoughts and findings on this topic:
Technology is fantastic! A great resource for recruiters and should be accepted with open arms.
Many recruiters are afraid of technology, you rather work with flip cards and say that someone with the technology is not a "real recruiters"!
My experience is: technology to ignore and "Real recruiters" or not your business is doomed to failure, it will progress not far into the future as a viable entity. They are replaced.
Technology is no substitute for recruiters, but a powerful tool for us help make us more productive, give more contact us, make us more competitive. We should (indeed must) like many other industries and professions to do greet him. How many accounting packages could from their to do often "replace accountants in certain aspects", but is still high demand for accountants.
Why are we so insecure about our industry!
I am aware that recruiters and recruiting industry has one Rammender over a long period of time but one thing we can not doubt is that we are necessary, indeed essential! We're always asked - even if some people like to tell us something else.
I have clients that are trying only to realize how difficult the recruitment function really is success, especially their own portals more work and less recruitment pile responses bring many only as you, you be able to use who never, but you must still manage their own portal / online database.
Join generally back for help, even if it with their own portal as an additional instrument.
Recruiters should always be the first, start with the outstanding technology, will use recruitment technology experts and then this knowledge to your advantage, sell your knowledge of recruitment tools technology to your customers, make an extra edge to your customers.
If clients want to use technology in the recruiting we should be promoted and those involved in the decision-making process and decision-making which is best suited. Technologies, lead with your expertise. This may seem like a bad you are business approach for those who believe in danger of losing their jobs to technology but if to explain and demonstrate how a combination of the right technology with a knowledgeable recruiting professional to your clients the most leads desired outcomes, then retain control, lead the process, you are able to be an indispensable part of the recruitment process.
This is better, try to convince to use not recruitment technology or just waiting for your business with you, may decrease as you find appropriate technology itself or find a recruiting professional who is ready to guide you in this process.
The recruitment technologies are inevitable and very necessary to our industry and the market in General, thrives. We can try not archaic recruitment processes, to keep up with modern market demands human resources.
Way more promotion of research and use of tools and we do it technologies available to us only through the technology viable for the developers of these tools continue to improve and adjust tuning to our requirements and needs. After all, we are recruiting experts and therefore the main culprit, as these systems should work.
Technology will not replace us, it becomes another profession, if we it with violence to!

Need an audit board technology?

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What does FedEx, Pfizer, Wachovia, 3Com, Mellon Financial, Shurgard Storage, Sempra Energy and Proctor & Gamble have in common? What board committee exists for only 10% of publicly traded companies but generates 6.5% greater returns for those companies? What is the single largest budget item after salaries and manufacturing equipment?
Technology decisions will outlive the tenure of the management team making those decisions. While the current fast pace of technological change means that corporate technology decisions are frequent and far-reaching, the consequences of the decisions-both good and bad-will stay with the firm for a long time. Usually technology decisions are made unilaterally within the Information Technology (IT) group, over which senior management chose to have no input or oversight. For the Board of a business to perform its duty to exercise business judgment over key decisions, the Board must have a mechanism for reviewing and guiding technology decisions.
A recent example where this sort of oversight would have helped was the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) mania of the mid-1990's. At the time, many companies were investing tens of millions of dollars (and sometimes hundreds of millions) on ERP systems from SAP and Oracle. Often these purchases were justified by executives in Finance, HR, or Operations strongly advocating their purchase as a way of keeping up with their competitors, who were also installing such systems. CIO's and line executives often did not give enough thought to the problem of how to make a successful transition to these very complex systems. Alignment of corporate resources and management of organizational change brought by these new systems was overlooked, often resulting in a crisis. Many billions of dollars were spent on systems that either should not have been bought at all or were bought before the client companies were prepared.
Certainly, no successful medium or large business can be run today without computers and the software that makes them useful. Technology also represents one of the single largest capital and operating line item for business expenditures, outside of labor and manufacturing equipment. For both of these reasons, Board-level oversight of technology is appropriate at some level.
Can the Board of Directors continue to leave these fundamental decisions solely to the current management team? Most large technology decisions are inherently risky (studies have shown less than half deliver on promises), while poor decisions take years to be repaired or replaced. Over half of the technology investments are not returning anticipated gains in business performance; Boards are consequently becoming involved in technology decisions. It is surprising that only ten percent of the publicly traded corporations have IT Audit Committees as part of their boards. However, those companies enjoy a clear competitive advantage in the form of a compounded annual return 6.5% greater than their competitors.
Tectonic shifts are under way in how technology is being supplied, which the Board needs to understand. IT industry consolidation seriously decreases strategic flexibility by undercutting management's ability to consider competitive options, and it creates potentially dangerous reliance on only a few key suppliers.
The core asset of flourishing and lasting business is the ability to respond or even anticipate the impact of outside forces. Technology has become a barrier to organizational agility for a number of reasons:
o Core legacy systems have calcified

o IT infrastructure has failed to keep pace with changes in the business

o Inflexible IT architecture results in a high percentage of IT expenditure on maintenance of existing systems and not enough on new capabilities

o Short term operational decisions infringe on business's long term capability to remain competitive
Traditional Boards lack the skills to ask the right questions to ensure that technology is considered in the context of regulatory requirements, risk and agility. This is because technology is a relatively new and fast-growing profession. CEOs have been around since the beginning of time, and financial counselors have been evolving over the past century. But technology is so new, and its cost to deploy changes dramatically, that the technology profession is still maturing. Technologists have worked on how the systems are designed and used to solve problems facing the business. Recently, they recognized a need to understand and be involved in the business strategy. The business leader and the financial leader neither have history nor experience utilizing technology and making key technology decisions. The Board needs to be involved with the executives making technology decisions, just as the technology leader needs Board support and guidance in making those decisions.
Recent regulatory mandates such as Sarbanes-Oxley have changed the relationship of the business leader and financial leader. They in turn are asking for similar assurances from the technology leader. The business leader and financial leader have professional advisors to guide their decisions, such as lawyers, accountants and investment bankers. The technologist has relied upon the vendor community or consultants who have their own perspective, and who might not always be able to provide recommendations in the best interests of the company. The IT Audit Committee of the Board can and should fill this gap.
What role should the IT Audit Committee play in the organization? The IT Audit function in the Board should contribute toward:
1. Bringing technology strategy into alignment with business strategy.

2. Ensuring that technology decisions are in the best interests of shareholders.

3. Fostering organizational development and alignment between business units.

4. Increasing the Board's overall understanding of technological issues and consequences within the company. This type of understanding cannot come from financial analysis alone.

5. Effective communication between the technologist and the Committee members.
The IT Audit Committee does not require additional board members. Existing board members can be assigned the responsibility, and use consultants to help them understand the issues sufficiently to provide guidance to the technology leader. A review of existing IT Audit Committee Charters shows the following common characteristics:
1. Review, evaluate and make recommendations on technology-based issues of importance to the business.

o Appraise and critically review the financial, tactical and strategic benefits of proposed major technology related projects and technology architecture alternatives.

o Oversee and critically review the progress of major technology related projects and technology architecture decisions.

2. Advise the senior technology management team at the firm

3. Monitor the quality and effectiveness of technology systems and processes that relate to or affect the firm's internal control systems.
Fundamentally, the Board's role in IT Governance is to ensure alignment between IT initiatives and business objectives, monitor actions taken by the technology steering committee, and validate that technology processes and practices are delivering value to the business. Strategic alignment between IT and the business is fundamental to building a technology architectural foundation that creates agile organizations. Boards should be aware of technological risk exposures, management's assessment of those risks, and mitigation strategies considered and adopted.
There are no new principles here-only affirmation of existing governance charters. The execution of technology decisions falls upon the management of the organization. The oversight of management is the responsibility of the Board. The Board needs to take appropriate ownership and become proactive in governance of the technology.
Do Boards need a Technology Audit committee? Yes, a Technology Audit Committee within the Board is warranted because it will lead to technology/business alignment. It is more than simply the right thing to do; it is a best practice with real bottom-line benefits.