Reasons for Modern Property Management Systems at Hotels 2023

The hotel sector as a whole has taken a fresh approach to technology. As a result of manpower shortages and other factors, more property managers rely on technology to run their properties more efficiently. Yet, as digitalizing operations becomes more prevalent, more and more hotels are becoming aware of the limitations of their property-management system and how dependent they are on better service from their providers. Several of the most significant digital features need a PMS that can connect with many departments and can be accessed remotely via mobile devices. Older systems are just inadequate. These constraints have compelled hoteliers throughout the sector to make an extraordinarily difficult choice: overhauling their IT stack and purchasing a new PMS.

Often, the most difficult aspect of modernizing a hotel’s IT stack is allocating the necessary funds. Not any longer. As a result of their greater dependence on digital technologies, operators report dedicating a larger portion of their expenditures to technology. According to the 2023 Lodging Technology Survey conducted by Hotel Technology, IT professionals in the hospitality industry continue to struggle with integrating new mobile solutions and partnering connections with older systems. This issue continues to be a major concern for operators of all chain sizes, and many hotels have decided to address it head-on by upgrading their PMS for enhanced capabilities and vendor services.

Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported that they are adding, updating, or replacing property-management system vendors this year. This number is 15 percent higher than that of those seeking to replace their revenue-management system, indicating that hoteliers are now recognizing what they are lacking in terms of current PMS features. These advantages are even more important for independent operators that lack the endorsement of a major brand.

Notwithstanding these developments, many industry operators are ignorant of the capabilities and benefits of a contemporary PMS for their property. Some hoteliers are lagging behind their competitors as they increase their competitive edge by investing in new technology. Many hotel owners are unable to implement the numerous innovations that have enhanced guest service, employee and property efficiency, and overall profitability during the past three years due to legacy technology.

Among the benefits of the most recent PMS features are:

1. Mobile Reservation Systems
Hotels implementing a contemporary PMS are able to give their customers an enhanced mobile reservation system that is accompanied by online pre-check-in services and a dependable pre-payment site. These features have enhanced the room reservation experience on both sides of the front desk, with operators benefiting from more precise pre-check-in data. Guests receive the ability to reserve and manage their rooms according to their own preferences.

In addition, hotels can use digital registration cards to confirm and accept terms and conditions upon check-in, all of which can be seen instantly on a tablet by hotel workers anywhere on the site. Visitors utilising mobile registration cards may also update their personal data, such as email addresses and signatures, which are securely saved and immediately available.

In 2023, one hundred percent of hotels polled report offering or planning to introduce mobile reservation management.

2. Mobile Examine Mobile check-in was popular before the pandemic, and although it is no longer required for operations, it has remained a lure for guests who prefer to self-serve or at least have the opportunity to do so. Today, technology is nearly omnipresent in successful hotels.

Mobile check-in benefits operators because visitors who utilize the service are redirected away from the front desk, allowing hotels to focus on other activities and reducing congestion. A contemporary hotel PMS may give passengers a mobile key capable of changing their gadgets into guestroom keys, therefore streamlining check-in for all guests and ensuring a uniform experience across properties. This technology will continue to increase in popularity, necessitating a contemporary PMS capable of incorporating these digital keys swiftly.

In 2023, 100 percent of hotels polled report offering or planning to provide mobile check-in.

3. Mobile 2-Way Messaging Before to the pandemic, hotels faced with communication issues, and labour constraints have made it even more important for operators to transmit information swiftly and concisely. For years, operators have bootstrapped their internal communications using third-party devices, but this raises security risks and the platforms are sometimes not optimal for looking for historical data.

An efficient hotel PMS will be able to sustain interactions across many departments and store prior talks for training and clarifying reasons. These services may be utilised by hotels with robust internal communications technology to enhance consistency, answer guest problems quickly, and develop stronger communication standards from the bottom up. It is difficult for many hoteliers to envision operating without these features after having experienced them.

In 2023, 95 percent of hotels report offering or planning to offer two-way communications with guests.

4. Mobile Room Key Convenience is one of the primary advantages of a contactless mobile guest trip. As a result, PMS firms are collaborating with access control solution and kiosk suppliers to enable keyless entry in addition to online check-in and check-out. With a mobile key, customers no longer need to visit the front desk to obtain a key card; instead, they may use the hotel’s mobile app to open their rooms’ doors.

100 percent of hotels questioned report offering or intending to offer mobile key room access by 2023, with over two-thirds citing a shortage of skilled employees as the primary reason for pursuing self-service options.

5. Wireless Payments
   Contactless payments are a part of the contactless technology revolution that has entrenched its place in consumer behaviour. It is envisaged that every hotel, regardless of chain size, brand affiliation, or management group, would accept contactless payments. As crucial, PMS providers must be able to accept payments in installments for future stays. The booking engine of the hotel may be adjusted to accommodate pay-for-stay-over-time models. The hotel will receive full payment for the reservation in advance, as per customary payment procedures. It will soon become an integral component of the reservation process, as customers seek conveniences to determine which hotel to select.

90% of hoteliers questioned believe that contactless payments have the most potential to improve operations and revenue over time, and 88% now accept or plan to accept contactless payments by 2023.

Thanks to technology, hotels are becoming more competitive, and the PMS provides the foundation for these enhancements. As they should, operators have lofty objectives for 2023, and to accomplish them, the sector will need to continue adopting the innovations that have contributed to its success.

Market Research Future Reports USD 38,976.2 Million Smart Indoor Lighting Market to Increase 21.7% by 2030. (MRFR) 2023

The need for interoperable devices drives the smart indoor lighting market

New York, United States, March 14 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to a comprehensive report by Market Research Future (MRFR), titled “Smart Indoor Lighting Market Research Report: By Component, By Communication Technology, By Light Source, and By Application – Forecast Till 2030,” the market is anticipated to reach a value of approximately USD 38,976,2 Million by the end of 2030. Moreover, the findings forecast that the market would expand at a robust CAGR of over 21.7% over the assessment period.

Globally, smart light technology is gaining immense appeal in both corporations and private residences. Smart indoor lighting solutions allow customers to modify illumination based on their needs due to their increased flexibility and minimum energy use.

Important figures

Major market participants in smart indoor lighting are

• Signify N V,
• Acuity Brands Inc. Lights,
• General Electric Company,
• Osram Licht AG,
• Legrand SA,
• Hubbell Company, Inc.
• Ideal Industries (CREE),
• Syska LED
• Lifx,
• Sengled,
• Lutron Electronics Co.,
• Lights, TCP
• The Levitron Manufacturing Co.
• The company Wipro Lighting,
• Zumtobel Lighting

Using effective automated controls that vary according to environmental circumstances, intelligent interior lighting technology delivers simple, convenient operation, efficiency, and security. Smart indoor lighting systems gain substantial market importance in the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors due to their benefits, which include lower energy consumption, increased security, long life term, and simple customization.

On the other hand, exorbitant installation prices and a dearth of qualified professionals are key obstacles to the development of the smart indoor lighting business. Smart indoor lighting fixtures cost more than conventional fluorescent or LED bulbs. Smart indoor lighting is a long-term money-saver due to the fact that its advantages outweigh its initial cost.

Market Trends

Growing customer desire driven by convenience and benefits generates excellent conditions for the market for smart indoor lighting. Market expansion is driven by the increasing number of smart home and smart city initiatives. In addition, the increasing demand for intelligent indoor lighting from government organisations, commercial sectors, automotive & transportation, and the construction industry drives the market growth.

Governments in several nations throughout the world are implementing numerous plans to construct smart cities, including the installation of intelligent interior lighting. Additionally, the growing awareness of energy efficiency’s positive effects on the environment, technological advancements, and rising and improving wireless communication technologies all contribute to the growth of smart lighting.

Smart Indoor Lighting Market Segments

Components, light sources, communication technologies, applications, and geographies are the market segments for intelligent indoor lighting. The component segment is divided into hardware, software, and services subsegments. Subsegments of the light source market include fluorescent lamps, light-emitting diodes (LED), high-density discharge lamps, and other light sources.

The segment of communication technologies is subdivided into wired and wireless subsegments. The application segment is divided into residential, commercial, and industrial subsegments. Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World comprise the subsegments of the regional segment.

Regional Analysis

The European area has continuously led the worldwide market for intelligent interior lighting, and this dominance is expected to continue in the future years. This region’s market expansion is bolstered by the rising usage of smart indoor lighting systems as an energy-efficient indoor lighting solution. The revival of the economy has contributed to the present market expansion in the region, hence improving consumer spending power.

In addition, substantial breakthroughs in sensing technology, changes in healthcare standards, and technological infrastructure fuel regional market expansion. In addition, the widespread adoption of smart interior lighting for linked streetlights in residential and industrial sectors contributes favourably to market expansion. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Norway are the leading national markets in the area.

In terms of revenue, North America has taken second place in the worldwide smart indoor lighting market. Increased use of intelligent indoor lighting systems and favourable government policies contribute to the expansion of the regional market. In addition, the increased demand for intelligent interior lighting systems from the automotive and transportation industries drives market expansion.

The region’s market share is supported by technological advancements and rising investments in wireless technologies. In addition, expanding application areas of smart interior lighting in linked streetlights, big commercial buildings, and the manufacturing sector drive market expansion. Given its increasing need for safety and comfort features in domestic applications, the United States dominates the North American smart indoor lighting industry.

Globally, the smart interior lighting industry in Asia-Pacific has become lucrative. Advantages in raw materials and the availability of cost-competitive labour forces are the most significant variables influencing the smart interior lighting sector in the area. The use of smart led lighting and government measures to enhance infrastructure also contribute to the growth of the regional market.

Significant breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and comparable technologies drive industry expansion. Increasing applications of smart connected indoor lighting systems in the commercial and industrial sectors also contribute to the expansion of the regional market. In addition, the fast expanding economy in this region expands the market for smart interior lighting, hence increasing consumer purchasing power. In this area, Japan, China, South Korea, and India are significant markets for smart interior lighting systems.

Surgical Instrument Tracking Technology Advances: Industry estimated to expand 14.2% from 2023 to 2033. 2023

Introduction:

A Surgical Instrument Tracking System is a device that allows for the tracking of surgical instruments in real time during a surgical procedure. Using tracking devices and software, medical professionals may monitor the whereabouts of surgical tools to ensure that they are accounted for during the surgery. This technology has various advantages, such as greater patient safety, decreased expenses, and increased efficiency, making it a worthwhile investment for healthcare providers.

In recent years, surgical tool monitoring systems have gained popularity due to the multiple advantages they provide. These technologies enable the real-time tracking of surgical tools, therefore enhancing patient safety, reducing expenses, and boosting productivity. Nonetheless, creating such a system might bring a number of obstacles. This article will discuss the advantages and difficulties of deploying a surgical tool-tracking system in a hospital context.

Surgical Instrument Tracking System Advantages:

Surgical tool monitoring systems offer several advantages, such as:

• By tracking surgical tools in real time, healthcare practitioners may assure that none are left within the patient following surgery. This can decrease the likelihood of postoperative complications and enhance patient outcomes.
• Losing or misplacing surgical tools can be expensive since they must be replaced. By tracking instruments, healthcare professionals may lessen the risk of losing them, which can result in long-term cost savings.
• Monitoring surgical tools can increase the efficiency of surgical procedures by allowing healthcare personnel to rapidly find the necessary devices. This can conserve time and shorten surgical procedures.
• A Surgical Instrument Tracking System functions by affixing a tracking device to every surgical tool, which can then be recognized and found via a tracking system. The tracking system is generally comprised of software, hardware, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, which enables real-time monitoring of the position of surgical tools throughout an operation. The tracking devices can be included in the surgical equipment themselves or connected using adhesive labels or other means. The device warns medical professionals if tools are lost or left inside a patient’s body, therefore enhancing patient safety and minimizing the chance of consequences. The Surgical Instrument Tracking System provides a dependable and effective method for tracking and managing surgical tools during surgical procedures.

Conclusion:

Notwithstanding the difficulties connected with adopting a surgical tool monitoring system, the benefits they give make them an investment worth making for healthcare providers. Using these solutions can result in enhanced patient safety, decreased expenses, and higher productivity. However, before making a decision, healthcare providers should carefully assess the costs and difficulties connected with adopting a tracking system.

Concerning Persistent Market Research:

Persistent Market Research is a full-service market intelligence organization located in the United States that specializes in syndicated research, bespoke research, and consulting services. Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductors and Electronics, Consumer Products, and Shipping and Transportation are all areas in which Persistent Market Research has market research experience. The organization utilizes its multidisciplinary talents and an elite team of analysts to provide clients with data that perfectly meets their business requirements.

Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co. bought Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) 2023

The most recent 13F filing provided by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co to the Securities and Exchange Commission shows that the business boosted its holdings in Micron Technologies, INC (NASDAQ: MU) by 16.5% during the third quarter of 2018.

The institutional investor now owns 18,598 shares of the business after acquiring 2,630 more shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock during the period.

This raises their total holdings of shares to 18,598.

In its most recent disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co indicated that the value of the company’s Micron Technology holdings was $932,000.

The opinions of research experts from various firms have been collated and presented on the stock.

In a research note released on December 7, Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Micron Technologies from “overweight” to “neutral” and dropped their price target from $75.00 to $70.00.

The recommendation for Micron Technologies was lowered from “buy” to “hold” in a research report published by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft on December 12. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft kept the “buy” rating.

Moreover, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased its price estimate for the stock from $60 to $55. In a study on the company’s investment strategy issued on November 16, Needham & Company LLC upgraded its earlier “buy” recommendation for Micron Technology to “strong buy.”
In addition, they boosted their stock price target to $60 per share.

In a research report released on Friday, December 30th, Argus altered their “buy” recommendation for Micron Technology to a “hold” recommendation.

The report was regarding the shares of the firm.

In a research note released on December 22, Cowen downgraded Micron Technology from “outperform” to “market perform” and cut their price target for the company from $70.00 to $66.60.

Twenty-three research analysts have recommended buyers acquire the company, six have recommended investors retain their present holdings, and two have recommended investors sell their shares.

The rating for Micron Technology has been modified to “Moderate Buy,” and the price target for the business has been set at $67.25, according to Bloomberg.com.
Many funds have altered the proportion of a hedge fund’s total assets that are invested in MU during the previous few months.

During the third quarter, Renaissance Technologies LLC added roughly $374,140,000 worth of securities to its existing stake in Micron Technology.

The percentage of Micron Technologies shares owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd Canada increased by 399.3% during the third quarter.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd now holds 3,462,049 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,768,649 shares during the most recent fiscal quarter.

The current value of these shares is $173,483,000.

Pacer Advisors INC grew the percentage of its holdings in Micron Technologies by 3,953.3% during the third quarter.

Pacer Advisors INC now owns a direct stake in 2,665,173 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock.

After purchasing an additional 2,599,420 shares throughout the quarter, the value of these shares is now $133,525,000.

The proportion of Micron Technologies ownership owned by FIFTHDELTA Ltd increased by 288.7% during the second quarter. Having acquired an additional 2,508,600 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock during the most recent quarter, FIFTHDELTA Ltd now has a total of 3,377,400 shares.

The market value of these shares is $186,703,000.

And lastly, during the third quarter, Two Sigma Investments LP increased the value of its Micron Technologies assets by 111,372,000 dollars. The company’s shares are owned by institutional investors and hedge funds to the extent of 78.02 percent.
In related developments, the executive vice president of operations, April S.

On January 30, Arnzen exercised her option to sell 24,000 shares of company stock.

The shares were sold for a total of $1,485,840, or an average price of $61.91.

The transaction has successfully completed. Upon the conclusion of the transaction, the senior vice president will own a total of 118,885 shares of the firm, which at the time of this writing are estimated to be worth $7,360,170.35. On the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website, you may examine the publicly accessible information provided to the SEC regarding the transaction.

Moreover, Executive Vice President Robert P.

Beard sold 3,000 shares of company stock on January 23.

This is due to the recent financial performance of the firm.

The senior vice president holds direct ownership of 42,840 shares of the company’s stock following the conclusion of the sale.

These shares have a total value of about $2,623,950.

The total number of shares sold was $183,750.00, and the average price obtained per share was $61.25.

It is possible to discover the documents describing the transaction on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.
In addition, Senior Vice President April S.

The sale of 24,000 shares of the company’s equity by Arnzen.

The shares were sold for a total of $1,485,840, or an average price of $61.91.

The transaction has successfully completed.

The senior vice president now owns 118,895 company shares with a total value of about $7,360,170.35 after the conclusion of the transaction.

This area of the website may include disclosures connected to the sale.

Throughout the last ninety days, corporate insiders sold a total of 47,000 shares of company stock, resulting in the firm realizing a total of $2,914,190.

32% of the company’s shares are held privately by the company’s employees.

Monday marked the debut of NASDAQ: MU trading at $54.30.

The current beta value of the company is 1.39, and its market capitalization is $59.25 billion.

The ratio of price to earnings is 9.97.

On its 200-day simple moving average, the price of the stock has hit $55.86, while on its 50-day simple moving average, the price has reached $58.41.

The price of a share of Micron Technology, INC has ranged between $48.43 and $86.24 during the last year, reaching a low of $48.43 and a high of $86.24.

The debt-to-equity ratio is 0.20, the quick ratio measures 2.23, the current ratio measures 3.51, and the quick ratio measures 3.51 as well.
A report on Micron Technologies (NASDAQ: MU) performance was made available to the public on December 21.

The semiconductor business announced quarterly earnings per share of $0.15, which was $0.02 less than the experts’ consensus estimate of $0.13.

Analysts had projected that the business will announce earnings of $0.13 per share.

Micron Technologies’ return on equity and net margin were decent at 13.26% and 22.78%, respectively.

The revenue for the quarter was $4.09 billion, which was less than the $4.14 billion that had been predicted by analysts at the same time.

During the same quarter in the previous fiscal year, the firm earned a profit of $2.07 per share.

The overall revenue for the quarter decreased by 46.9% compared to the same time in the prior year.

Micron Technology, Inc. is predicted to announce earnings of $2.71 per share for the current fiscal year, according to forecasts made by experts who track the stock market.

These are five questions we posed to Beck Besecker, CEO & Co-Founder of 3D Cloud by Marxent, on retail technology 2023

Which of the trendiest retail innovations, such as free shops, speedy delivery services, the metaverse and non-fungible tokens, automation and robots, and blockchain technology, stands out to you, and why?

Self-service (facilitated by automation and AI) is dominating our engagements with customers and prospects.

Self-service tools enable retailers to offer services that were previously only available in-store.

Common use cases include product configuration (changing materials and finishes), room planning for complicated product categories such as furniture, kitchen, and bath, and augmented reality, in which consumers evaluate whether a product would fit in their area.

Which retail technology trend, in your opinion, is overrated?

BB: Conversations on the metaverse have cooled tremendously, despite the fact that it had a brief period of popularity and sparked a great deal of curiosity. The majority of implementations we observed on the market were more focused on marketing and public relations than on sustainable use cases.

What are the top five social media accounts for retail technology that you cannot live without, and why?

BB: Of course, RTIH.

The Remarkable Retail podcast, presented by Steve Dennis, and the Omnitalk podcast, hosted by Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga, are also available.

If you could have dinner with any five retail pioneers, living or dead, who would you invite and why?

BB: Jeff Bezos – We have inherited Jeff’s unwavering commitment to helping customers, rather than worrying about what other merchants or rivals are doing, and it has served us well.

I would appreciate the chance to discuss our purpose with Jeff and get his unique perspective on our company.

Suresh Kumar, Walmart’s CTO, has witnessed everything. He began his career at IBM, rose through the ranks at Amazon, spent time at Microsoft and Google, and is currently in charge of Walmart’s digital and innovation initiatives.

Unlike working for a digital native, working for a conventional merchant requires the ability to handle relationships and create trust. His ability to filter out distractions concentrate talent, and scale invention is remarkable.

RTIH: What does it mean to you to be a 2022 RTIH Innovation Award winner?

The award acknowledged the hard work and dedication of our partners and the 3D Cloud by the Marxent team in executing a genuinely breakthrough retail technology initiative at scale.

There is a significant difference between purchasing software and successfully distributing it throughout a business.

The B&Q crew is always deliberate and intentional in their actions. Their dedication to the project’s success remains unwavering, and we have been with them every step of the way.

Across Europe, Biometric Payment Cards Reappear 2023

From tap-to-pay debit and credit cards to mobile smartphone wallets, contactless technologies have propelled new waves of innovation in payments post-pandemic, spurred by a rising consumer desire for flexible, quick, and touchless transactions.

Biometric payment cards, which Michel Roig refers to as contactless 2.0, are expected to improve the card user experience by allowing users to confirm any payment transaction with a single finger touch.

Roig, head of payment and access at the Swedish biometrics business Fingerprint Cards, stated that the ability to eliminate payment transaction limits and standardize payment criteria regardless of a user’s location is fundamental to biometrics’ attractiveness.

“Depending on where you are today if you exceed the [payment] limit, the user experience is not uniform,” he told PYMNTS. It varies according to area, country, and bank.

Adding biometrics eliminates this issue: “You just place your finger on the sensor, tap to pay, and you’re on your way… We refer to it as contactless 2.0 since it is an enhancement over ordinary contactless cards,” he stated.

And it may not need much more to persuade customers. Roig cited data indicating that consumers have a significant desire for biometric technology, with a rising percentage of them prepared to pay for fingerprint-enabled cards or transfer banks to obtain one.

He observed that existing customer demand exists. Roig believes that the combination of consumer-centric demand and acceptance by FinTechs and challenger banks will accelerate the deployment of biometric technologies in the future.

Toward an Effortless, ‘Nearly Free’ Enrollment Process

In contrast to the reluctance of banks to invest in biometric payment systems, Roig stated that an increasing number of financial institutions (FIs) are beginning to see the actual value of cards with fingerprint scanners, resulting in a large uptake over the past few years.

“The fact that we’ve gone from essentially no launches before 2022 to 13 institutions that have launched is a significant indicator of [the potential of] our technology. And I believe that same upward trajectory will continue this year,” Roig stated.

In spite of the increasing potential for biometric card usage, he admitted that the high-cost barrier must be addressed for biometric payments to truly ignite and reach critical mass, especially among FIs that do not yet view biometrics as a “revenue generator.”

To boost the penetration rate of these revolutionary cards, it is also necessary to eliminate friction during the enrolling procedure.

Compared to a contactless card, which can be used immediately with a PIN number after activation, a biometric card requires an additional step to properly record user data via the fingerprint sensor.

Roig stated that a transition to home registration would make the process faster and more smooth while keeping costs low for FIs. The majority of the first banks to launch are now doing this enrollment procedure in-branch.

“We’re aiming to create a frictionless, nearly cost-free registration path… and once this final barrier is removed, there will be no more obstacles [to adoption],” said Roig.

In the future, instead of focusing on raising the number of biometric cards in circulation, he suggested that additional banks in other locations should introduce the cards commercially.

This will result in a snowball effect, according to Roig, because “if one bank in one nation adopts, the rest will normally follow”

Modern technology aids in the understanding of historical wonders. 2023

Archaeological sites and cultural treasures of the globe are still shrouded in many mysteries. These historical marvels can be elucidated using Japan’s cutting-edge technology.

Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Ministry has revealed the discovery of a new hole within the Great Pyramid of Khufu near Cairo.

Since 2015, an international team comprised of experts from Nagoya University and the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization has been studying the pyramid. In 2017, the possibility of a second enormous vacuum was hypothesised, and the current finding is anticipated to increase our knowledge of the pyramid’s underlying structure.

Prior to 4,500 years ago, pyramids were constructed, but their construction and interior structure remains unknown. It was hypothesised that undiscovered holes may exist within the pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu, which stands roughly 150 metres tall.

Because pyramids are valued cultural artefacts, it is difficult to do excavation surveys on them. Hence, researchers at Nagoya University have devised a way to examine the inside structure using muons that fall from the sky.

Although muons penetrate through matter well, they are slightly obstructed in dense regions. This feature may be utilised to infer the existence of a big vacuum within the pyramid by analysing the direction and amount of muons that pass through in great detail.

The international team discovered a corridor-shaped space 2 metres wide and 9 metres deep above the entrance on the north side of the pyramid, and they installed a scope to examine the inside. The effectiveness of the new procedure has been demonstrated.

According to the researchers, there is nothing in the emptiness, and its purpose or function is unknown. Others say that it serves to spread the stones’ weight, but it is also claimed that there may be an additional path beyond the stone-blocked hole. Let’s hope the investigation continues and the corridor’s purpose is clarified.

Exploration using muons is useful for studying huge structures. Exploration of the subsurface of volcanoes and estimation of the dispersion of melted fuel at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power facility has utilised comparable techniques.

With the advancement of this technology, it is anticipated that it will be applicable to inspections of public infrastructure like tunnels and geological surveys.

The such scholarly study contributes to the preservation of cultural goods and boosts Japan’s standing in this sector. This is a significant endeavour that might be regarded as part of science and technology-based diplomacy.

The Japanese government should assist in the development of innovative exploration methods. Moreover, the government should contemplate providing comprehensive support for the operations of international research teams in partnership with other institutions such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

5 technological forecasts for the public sector for the year 2023

In the past several years, public sector clients from around the globe have rapidly adopted cloud computing to drive innovation in government, education, non-profits, space, and healthcare. Cloud technology enabled them to digitally adapt fast and securely in order to better serve residents.

As 2023 begins, we examine the future of public sector technology and how public sector organizations may continue to adapt and innovate in order to effectively traverse the ever-changing global landscape and the shifting demands of its end users and constituents.

AWS: Cybersecurity will be the focal point of digital operations.
UNO Digital Bank collaborates with AWS to construct a platform.

Increased use of AI and ML to improve mission results

When AWS launched its public sector business in 2010, customers were primarily drawn to the cloud for two reasons: to save money and to increase efficiency by hosting websites and storing data in the cloud. During the past decade, AWS’s public sector clients have become increasingly sophisticated in their cloud utilization, and are now experiencing new benefits and possibilities. They are seeing enhanced business agility and scalability, which has allowed them to rapidly design and execute new services for people, such as releasing applications to combat disinformation during the epidemic and building statewide vaccination systems in a matter of weeks. Moreover, they are updating its infrastructure to save time and enhance performance, allowing them to divert its resources to provide more value to its clients. Nowadays, clients in the public sector seek to harness the cloud for more advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, in order to promote more innovation and efficiency.

In South Korea, for instance, the Zero Waste Zero Hunger (ZWZH) initiative uses data and artificial intelligence (AI) to decrease food waste. The core of the software is a three-dimensional (3D) food scanner powered by artificial intelligence that monitors food consumption and delivers insights to cafeteria management and consumers. The scanner employs artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to analyze leftover food, detect food waste by kind and cost, and collect quantitative data that helps cafeteria management improve food inventory, amount, and menus.

Amazon anticipates that practically every application will be infused with AI and ML in the future to help achieve mission results, save costs, save precious time, and more. To obtain the full benefits of machine learning, it is essential to have relevant and high-quality data to feed ML models. Amazon advises businesses to develop data management plans that constantly enhance the data’s integrity, accessibility, and security.

Utilizing cloud computing to enhance citizen experiences

Citizens of today anticipate smooth interactions with the government. Their banks, stores, and hotels do an excellent job of understanding them, anticipating their wants, and gratifying them in unexpected ways; they now demand the same from the public sector.

Moreover, many are rising to the occasion. From unemployment insurance to human services, more governments and public sector enterprises are relying on the cloud to offer the appropriate resources at the right time.

As we continue to progress in analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning, and as governments gain experience using these technologies, a commitment to improving and customizing citizen experiences will become more prevalent in the coming years.

Quantum Computer Experimentation

Quantum computers have the potential to accelerate computing operations that are inaccessible to conventional computers. Now with cloud computing, businesses no longer need to be among the world’s largest corporations or most sophisticated research institutes to utilize this potent technology.

A few years back, AWS introduced Amazon Bracket, a platform that enables users to experiment with various forms of quantum technology. Amazon Bracket makes it feasible for the first time to compare quantum technologies side by side and switch between them with a single line of code change. AWS also recently established the AWS Center for Quantum Computing at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a pioneer in the fields of quantum computation and quantum information; the AWS Center for Quantum Networking, with a mission to address these fundamental scientific and engineering challenges and develop new hardware, software, and applications for quantum networks; and the Amazon Quantum Solutions Lab, where we are assisting customers in accelerating the adoption of quantum technologies.

Quantum computing is still in its infancy, but AWS believes it has enormous promise and will continue to invest in it. As it becomes easier for companies to experiment with quantum computing, we urge our clients in the public sector to investigate what quantum computing can accomplish for their purpose.

Access to more digital twins and large-scale simulations

A digital twin is a live digital representation of an entire system’s digital and physical components. It is dynamically updated with data to simulate the real system’s structure, status, and behavior.

While the notion of digital twins is not new and extends back to the early days of the space program, the cloud is making the technology far more accessible so that any of our clients may construct and run simulations at scale. To realize the benefits, organizations no longer require specialized gear or in-house knowledge.

Amazon IoT TwinMaker, for instance, is a service that enables clients to create operational digital twins of physical and digital systems. The service generates digital representations based on measurements and analyses from a wide range of real-world sensors, cameras, and corporate applications. Amazon has just unveiled, at re: Invent 2022, AWS SimSpace Weaver, a fully managed computing service that enables users to construct, operate, and run large-scale geographic simulations.

Amazon is already observing clients in the public sector, such as the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, using these technologies. Earlier this year, the university unveiled a research project aimed at creating the “digital twin” of an individual utilizing health and environmental data collected from in-home and on-body sensors. Once developed, healthcare practitioners utilize the digital twin to visually test and assess various treatment choices and potential results prior to implementing them in the real world. This is a significant development that can facilitate the delivery of precise, tailored treatment based on data acquired directly from the patient and their surrounding environment.

As entrance barriers continue to decline, we anticipate that an increasing number of public sector organizations will employ digital twins to address their particular mission difficulties.

Space commercialization

The unprecedented expansion of the global space sector presents an amazing potential for innovation. The space sector expanded at its strongest rate in years in 2021. The bulk (958) of the 1,022 spacecraft sent into orbit during the first six months of 2022 were commercial.

AWS reduces the entrance obstacles that firms in the space sector encounter, such as excessive latency, limited bandwidth networks, and infrastructure. AWS provides the infrastructure, speed, and security that enterprises of all sizes require to be successful. Even modest enterprises may have a significant effect on future space missions by embracing the cloud.

For instance, the business Lunar Outpost is utilizing Amazon digital engineering tools, such as AWS RoboMaker, to design and test a new rover that will autonomously cruise the Moon’s surface and aid scientists in their initial exploration of the lunar south pole. In preparation for the imminent launch of the first rover, it is essential to test the robots in a range of difficult operational environments using Amazon digital engineering tools.

Innovation in space may come from everywhere, and both government and commercial clients will continue to develop novel methods for space operations.

Looking ahead

Companies with solid digital foundations have shown to be in a better position to react swiftly and retain continuity for their clients. Putting the proper tools in place will assist firms in preparing for and responding to any future conditions, while also driving the next wave of innovation. At Amazon, we are committed to assisting our global public sector clients in realizing the promise of cloud computing and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies so they can address issues and better serve their constituents.

Sanctuary AI installs “the world’s first human-like robot” at Langley Mark’s. 2023

The Vancouver startup collaborated with Canadian Tire to accomplish over 100 jobs with its technology.
Artificial intelligence is always an effective tool to separate a group. While some appreciate its transformational powers in terms of efficiency, decision-making, and development opportunities, others are alarmed by the hazards it poses to employment, privacy, security, and ethics. Nonetheless, regardless matter where you stand on the continuum, it is difficult to dispute that robotics businesses like Sanctuary AI are making great progress.

Sanctuary, created in 2018 by former BCBusiness 30 Under 30 recipient Olivia Norton, D-co-founder Wave’s Geordie Rose, and others, has been attempting to develop the world’s first general-purpose robots with human-like intelligence. Ben Reed, the company’s chief marketing officer, claims that the majority of robots are developed with a specific function in mind. (Imagine AI that does predictive writing while you send text messages or AI that provides restaurant suggestions based on the restaurants you’ve already visited.) Sanctuary, however, has been struggling with the issue, “Is it conceivable to develop technology that can reproduce, in the same form and function as a human, the manner in which a human does tasks?”

The answer turns out to be “yes.”

Last week, Sanctuary successfully implemented their technology (a humanoid general-purpose robot) in a Langley Mark’s shop. Reed, who has been with the firm since 2021, said, “We’ve been able to demonstrate that our technology has the physical capacity to perform hundreds and hundreds of various activities that people are generally capable of performing.”

During the week-long experiment, which was conducted in conjunction with Canadian Tire Company, the robot completed 110 activities, including packaging items, stacking shelves, cleaning, labeling, and folding. Sanctuary has previously replicated the business environment in its labs, where, as Reed explains, robots go about every day, in order to get the desired result.

This is the first time the 100-person business has deployed robots externally, or “the first time that technology of this type has been deployed anywhere in the world, at a commercial client facility,” according to Reed. This was accomplished by mimicking the limited number of ways in which a human hand may function: “We’ve duplicated what we think to be the world’s best hands,” he asserts.

Despite the fact that the robot in this deployment was controlled by a human, ensuring that the hardware can emulate the dexterity and manipulation skills of human hands is a crucial aspect of developing general-purpose intelligence. As a result, enterprises do not need to rethink their operations in order to implement this sort of technology; they can continue business as normal. This is because these robots are designed to perform in human-designed surroundings.

Reed adds that Sanctuary’s technology is helping to fill “millions of unfilled job vacancies.” “The point is not that our technology is designed specifically for the retail sector, but rather across almost all industries,” he says, noting that Sanctuary’s technology is helping to fill “millions of unfilled job vacancies.” In other words, he is referring to occupations that firms struggle to fill (or retain employees in) because they are “boring, unclean, or hazardous.”

In reality, Sanctuary received a $30 million boost from the federal government’s Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) in order to solve “labor-related difficulties in the economy” last year. The Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) supports such large-scale initiatives. By 2018, the firm has garnered more than $100 million in investment and had collaborated with an “ecosystem of companies” including Bell, Canadian Tire, Verizon Ventures, and others to reach its current state.

So, is this situation somewhat unsettling? Maybe. Uncertainty is unpleasant, yet it is a component of change, innovation, evolution, etc. This is a great moment to be working in the sector, especially in British Columbia.

Epec displays cutting-edge electronic control modules at ConExpo. 2023

Epec’s stand (N12347) at this week’s ConExpo is showcasing its entire range of sophisticated electronic control units to suit the OEM’s increased need for high-performance systems.

The company’s new products enable highly advanced control systems, electrification systems, assistance and autonomous systems, edge computing and real-time capable applications, steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems, and functional safety and mixed-criticality implementations by providing design flexibility and the latest technologies. The three brand-new items are as follows:

Core Unit

Developed control systems with the most stringent real-time control, functional safety, and flexible interface requirements.

It provides a flexible 32-bit functional safety controller with many programming and communication choices, as well as a vast array of programming options for centralized and distributed system architectures: CODESYS, C/C++, CANopen responder, and Ethernet Gateway. It also offers connection for real-time data exchange: CAN, CAN FD, ISOBUS, Ethernet, and safety-critical communication, as well as a broad and versatile I/O interface, I/O up to 54/46, implemented in a housing created in-house that meets essential environmental testing requirements of the client. IP69K ​

SL8X control unit

Designed for control systems with the most stringent requirements for real-time control, functional safety, and flexible interfaces, the SL8X offers a versatile 32-bit functional safety controller with a variety of programming and communication options, as well as a vast array of programming options for centralized and distributed system architectures: CODESYS, C/C++, CANopen responder, Ethernet Gateway, as well as a connection for real-time data exchange: CAN, CAN FD, ISOBUS, Ethernet, and safety-critical communication. ​

GC44 Response Unit

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Intended for centralized intelligence systems, the FC44 has a generic CANopen responder unit compliant with CiA standards, I/O: 32 (16/16), 2 x CAN, IP69K, and Epec SW & Solution compatibility.

The core unit and control unit will be commercially available in 2024, with samples made accessible in 2023.