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Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Embracing Innovation and Technology for Future Business Growth


Innovate, Adapt, and Thrive: The Future of Business Unfolds

Executive Summary:
  1. Office equipment dealers seek growth through ancillary products and services, focusing on cloud-based solutions, managed IT, workflow automation, and digital marketing.
  2. South African office technology company Nashua celebrates its 50th anniversary by adapting to market changes and prioritizing customer needs.
  3. Adobe Photoshop empowers users to add realistic signatures to digital documents, and the increasing use of AI in the workplace raises questions about its integration and potential implications.
Office equipment dealers and businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to grow and adapt to the rapidly evolving market. One way they achieve this is by expanding their offerings with ancillary products and services that complement their existing portfolio. As these dealers strive for success, they prioritize recurring revenue, high-profit margins, and leveraging other products and services.

Read the rest, here.


 
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Monday, May 8, 2023

OpenAI's ChatGPT Predicts Potential Apocalyptic Scenarios


In an interesting twist, OpenAI's ChatGPT, an AI language model, shared its own predictions on potential apocalyptic scenarios for humanity. 

Greg's Words

Everybody is talking about how AI is going to destroy humanity when it is more likely humanity will destroy humanity.

Heavy hitters in the realm of science, business and AI log in with views on our demise.  Even the AI Wonderboy-de-jour chips in.

Check out our quick take on the end of the world as we know it.
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Key highlights:
  • Tech leaders, including Elon Musk, express concerns over AI's rapid development and potential negative impacts.
  • Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson warns of the potential "nail in the coffin" for the internet due to AI-generated fakes.
  • ChatGPT shares four potential apocalyptic scenarios resulting from various threats to humanity.
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Tuesday, April 11, 2023

The ChatGPT Revolution: How AI is Transforming the Sales Profession


ChatGPT: Putting the 'Artificial' in 'Artificially Intelligent Salespeople

Greg' Words

I cannot stress enough how important AI, and specifically today, how important it is that you as a salesperson needs to get to know AI tools and start using each one that becomes available.  When used correctly, you will discover benefits beyond comprehension.  The one caution I have is to notice when your peers get to the same level as you in AI experience.  When they do, shift and pivot in another direction.

Today, we can use ChatGPT to compose emails based on our input, put together proposals with the data we supply, and research everything from a specific company, niche, industry, or economic region.  What had once taken us weeks, can be done in hours, the hourly task now finishes in seconds.  That is the reality today, who knows what is over the horizon.

We've put together a work that discusses the existing state of ChatGPT in the world of sales for you to digest.

Enjoy.

g

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Sunday, April 2, 2023

Fantastic Journey - is AI 2023 more like the Forbin Project or Forbidden Planet?




We've been here before, if not in reality, at least on the big screen.

Three-Point Executive Summary:
  1. AI in 2023 exhibits a dual nature, presenting both opportunities and challenges for humanity.
  2. Embracing the natural evolution of AI and engaging it responsibly can lead to higher levels of human advancement and elevate our civilization.
  3. Fostering a culture of transparency, ethical conduct, and collaboration is essential for guiding AI development toward a future that benefits all.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Lightning Strikes: How AI is Revolutionizing the Future of Work


Say goodbye to the old ways and embrace the power of AI in the future of work.

Three bullet point summary:
  1. AI is transforming the way we work, from cold calling to decision-making.
  2. Companies that embrace AI will have a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.
  3. The gamer culture has skills critical for success in today's fast-paced business environment.
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One never knows when lightning strikes, or where inspiration springs and so it happened to me this morning.  Each Wednesday, I click into a web session hosted by West and Ed (Level Up)on a plethora of different subjects and guests.  This week  Bob Johanson, who just wrote his 13th book, "Office Shock" was on to talk about the great changes we've been experiencing and the changes we are and will experience.  I can't recommend this 29-minute session enough - so good to hear somebody else on the same page.

After The Fire - what people want now.

The fear of Covid initiated many different movements; social, and political, especially in redefining how we view the importance of work and what environments we work in.  Bob talked about what the new work ethic involves, from the employee's vantage:
  • Purpose in work
  • Flexibility in how and where you work from and for
  • Gamer Culture is how we learn, communicate and grow
Here's a closer look at the three points,

Friday, March 17, 2023

The Rise of Digital Twins: Transforming Efficiency in Industries and Cities


How virtual replicas are helping companies reduce costs, conserve resources, and create more efficient cities.
Digital Twin is a cutting-edge technology that creates a real-time virtual replica of a physical asset, which is continuously updated with data from sensors and connected devices to improve efficiency and streamline operations.
Digital twins revolutionize the way we manage and consolidate assets in the office technology industry? 

I first heard of the 'digital twin' concept years ago when working with a water district and ESRI.  We were tying together data from ESRI, an output device-based data collection agent, and a simple network asset probe.  The project resulted in a virtual twin of assets via digital data collected from everything from water pumps, service vans, and Canon copiers. 

Quite the project.

Fast forward a decade or so, and the Digital Twin idea is mainstream.  For the Office Technology Realm, this is not foreign; we've been here since the day copiers moved from analog to digital.  Now, we help our clients evolve into more efficient and streamlined businesses by managing and consolidating assets.  We support users in the office, on the road, or in their kitchens at home.  And we view their world digitally.

The next step is to present their world in 3D.  Cool stuff.

I've digested the content and asked ChatGPT to put together an essay based on a bit of research.  Enjoy.

Digital Twins, 2023.  A summary:
  1. Digital twin technology is a three-dimensional virtual replica of a physical asset that is continuously updated with data gathered from embedded sensors or other connected devices throughout the asset.
  2. The technology is being used by various industries to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and conserve resources. For example, San Francisco International Airport uses it to manage service requests and renovation projects.
  3. Digital twins can combine all building and asset information in one place, making it easier for maintenance teams to locate and service specific areas. The technology also has the potential to predict when preventive maintenance will need to be done or suggest more efficient ways to direct passengers through the airport.
  4. The technology is being used in various industries, including retail, construction, and hydropower plants, and has the potential to stitch together to gain a better view of interconnected systems such as complex supply chains.
  5. However, technological updates, such as more data collection, and questions about equity need to be addressed to ensure that the technology is effective for all.
Inspiration, WSJ.  ChatGPT3.5.
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Monday, March 13, 2023

How the Adult Film Industry Helped Shape Technology as We Know It


Sex sells, but it also inspires: How the adult film industry shaped the tech landscape we know and love.

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Ok - here we go... a walk down memory lane and talk about the good old days of VHS and dial-up internet and porn. 


The adult film industry played a significant role in shaping the technology we use today. From the format wars to online streaming, porn was at the forefront of innovation. 


Today, as we enter the age of AI-based personal assistants, I'm left wondering: how will porn drive the evolution and standards? How'd porn impact tech in the past, and what it could mean for the future of AI.


First, we've been here before.  No matter how evolved one might think the human race is, base desires still drive progress in all things.  There's a coined phrase, "erotic technology impulse".  


John Tierney, a fellow at Columbia University studied the cultural impact of technology, traced the “erotic technological impulse” back at least 27,000 years—among the first clay-fired figures uncovered from that time were women with enhanced body parts. 


“Sometimes the erotic has been a force driving technological innovation,” Tierney wrote in The New York Times in 1994, “virtually always, from Stone Age sculpture to computer bulletin boards, it has been one of the first uses for a new medium.”


Fascinating.

Sunday, March 5, 2023

What Color is Your Loofa? - The Seven Colors of Asking (Prompting) Intelligently

Swimming in AI
A plethora of pleasures
Journey to the edge

Bing, ChatGPT, Watson...whatever. Like the days of Beta v VHS, there will be a standard, one day.  For now, it's time to swim within all the options, the lake of AI - feeding on what each has to offer.  

One Day there will be only one or two standard AI offerings, indeed, soon we'll have the option of employing our individual, unique, and personalized AI - like a Toy.  But for now, let's enjoy the plethora of pleasures through discovery.

The first step is learning how to ask; which is just as important as 'what' to ask. We interface with AI with more than questions, we use 'prompts'. 

In AI, a prompt is an input given to a language model to generate text, providing context and direction for the output, and its use has become a topic of ethical concern.

Friday, March 3, 2023

The Singularity of Remote Work: The End Of Generation Gaps


When boomers and zoomers unite over Zoom, you know the Singularity is here.

The fear of Covid, remote work, and artificial intelligence is destroying the Generation Gap.  

We are the Last Generation.  No really, it is. Hear me out.
  1. The fear of Covid affected the entire Globe, regardless of age.
  2. Remote work helped us realize what's important, regardless of age.
  3. ChatGPT(AI) is a linguistic program that is changing the way everything gets done, regardless of age.
I do not like defining individuals as a 'generation'.  The new work environment promotes more deliverables, and less judgment on the adherence to a process - regardless of color, age, or gender.  Interesting, right?

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Work from Anywhere and the Transience of Existence: Lessons from Blade Runner in the Age of Remote Work




The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we work, communicate, and live. With many businesses forced to close their offices and switch to remote work, the "work from anywhere" movement has gained momentum. However, this trend was already on the rise before the pandemic, fueled by advances in technology that make it possible to work and collaborate from anywhere in the world.

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.

As the article "Remote Work Is Here to Stay. Manhattan May Never Be the Same" by Matthew Haag highlights,

Sunday, January 22, 2023

The Evolution of Office Technology: From Typewriters to AI Assistants

Office Technology Takes a Giant Leap Forward with the Introduction of AI Assistants

It's hard to believe that just a few decades ago, office technology was limited to manual typewriters and filing cabinets. But fast forward to today, and we find ourselves in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) assistants are becoming an integral part of the modern workplace.
 
 "...the evolution of office technology has been nothing short of remarkable. From manual typewriters to AI assistants, technology has transformed the way we work and communicate..."

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 The introduction of personal computers in the 1980s marked the beginning of a new era in office technology. With the ability to store and process large amounts of data, computers revolutionized the way we work and communicate. However, it wasn't until the advent of the internet and the development of sophisticated software that the true potential of office technology was realized.

One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the rise of AI assistants. These intelligent software programs are designed to assist with a wide range of tasks, from scheduling meetings and managing emails to conducting research and analyzing data. AI assistants are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and many are now able to understand and respond to natural language, making them more intuitive and user-friendly.

One of the most popular AI assistants is Google Assistant, which is integrated into a range of devices, including smartphones, smart speakers, and smart displays. Google Assistant can help users with everything from setting reminders and playing music to providing weather updates and answering questions. A popular AI assistant is Amazon's Alexa, which is available on a range of devices, including the Echo Dot and Echo Show. Alexa can help users with everything from controlling their smart home devices to ordering groceries.

"...there is a concern that technology is making us more isolated and disconnected from our colleagues and the world around us..."

Another exciting development in office technology is the rise of virtual and augmented reality. Virtual reality (VR) allows users to immerse themselves in a computer-generated environment, while augmented reality (AR) enhances the user's real-world environment with digital information. These technologies have enormous potential in the workplace, particularly in industries such as architecture and engineering, where they can be used to create virtual models of buildings and structures.

As you know, telecommuting is raging with the advent and acceptance of remote working. With the advent of high-speed internet and cloud-based software, it is now possible for employees to work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. This has led to a significant increase in the number of remote workers and has changed the way we think about the traditional office.

However, as with any technological advancement, there are also some downsides to consider. One of the main concerns is the impact of technology on our privacy and security. As we rely more and more on technology, we are also generating vast amounts of data, which can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Additionally, there is also the concern that technology is making us more isolated and disconnected from our colleagues and the world around us.

The evolution of office technology has been nothing short of remarkable. From manual typewriters to AI assistants, technology has transformed the way we work and communicate. 

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Tweet: Office technology has taken a giant leap forward with the introduction of AI assistants. From scheduling meetings to analyzing data, AI is becoming an integral part of the modern workplace. #AIassistants #office #technology

Intro paragraph: The world of office technology has come a long way from manual typewriters and filing cabinets. With the advent of personal computers and the internet, office technology has transformed the way we work and communicate. And now, with the introduction of AI assistants, we are taking another giant leap forward. These intelligent software programs are designed to assist with a wide range of tasks, from scheduling meetings and managing emails to conducting research and analyzing data.

Image prompt suggestion: An image of a person using an AI assistant on their smartphone or a smart speaker, with a busy office environment in the background.

Song matching theme: "High Hopes" by Panic! At The Disco. The song's uplifting and hopeful lyrics match the idea of technology advancing and opening up new possibilities for the workplace.

Keyword list: office technology, AI assistants, personal computers, internet, virtual reality, augmented reality, telecommuting, remote working, privacy, security, cyberattacks.

Search question: What are the potential benefits and downsides of using AI assistants in the workplace?

Click For More Information

Friday, December 9, 2022

The Greg Walters Show With Mike Stramaglio

Fly Me Too The Moon

New to the copier industry?  You want to hear the three things you should be doing to thrive in this world (of selling) and the next(of selling).

Monday, April 18, 2022

Six Predictive Points of #WFH

Castor. 
Six-star system. Castor is a multiple star system made up of six individual stars; there are three visual components, all of which are spectroscopic binaries.

From Cubicles to Constellations: The Future of Work in Six Shining Points

The future of working from home (WFH) is outlined through six key insights, signaling a shift in the modern working paradigm. The article portrays a landscape where traditional models are fading, and a new virtual frontier is emerging.

  1. The Hybrid Work Trap: Oscillating between home and office is highlighted as a stressful and inefficient process, questioning the logic behind maintaining two working environments.
  2. The Unleashed Worker: This concept illustrates the newfound freedom to work for multiple companies, enabling a diversified and dynamic professional life.
  3. Remote Workers as Urban Saviors: By embracing WFH, cities can transform into hubs that support remote work, with amenities like fast internet and affordable living spaces, thus sparking urban revitalization.
Together, these points sketch a future where work is not confined to a physical place but is an adaptable, flexible, and innovative way of living and contributing.
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1. The #HybridWork model is a trap.

It is more stressful and less productive to switch back and forth from working at home to working in a cube.  Why commute only to sit in on another Zoom meeting? Why support TWO sets of technology and if you're still paper-bound, why lug files and 3-rings back and forth between offices?

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Half of YOU will Be A #Freelancer - And Won't Print #paperless


Getting up early to fight the traffic.  Fast food lunches, office politics, 'walk around management', empty Monday morning meetings, and equally nauseating, re-cap meetings Friday at 4:00 PM.

Ah, the modern, cube-rat life. Sick of it? You're not the only one.

There is good news - studies suggest by 2020, 50% of us will be freelancers.  All of us, not just writers and out-of-work salespeople will either be or know somebody who is an independent, hired gun, freelancer.  Everyone from CEO to Controller will have the opportunity to work 24/7, from anywhere in the solar system.

Before you say, "I couldn't concentrate at home..." I'm not just talking physically at home.  Besides, you can concentrate anywhere.    Consider the monthly costs your employer carries to put a roof over your head, phone in your hand, and connect you to the interweb.

Friday, August 29, 2014

#AppL & #IBM: Keep Em Separated?

8/2014
"...IBM and Apple sittin in a tree...K-I-S-S-I-N-G...first comes love, then comes marriage, then little Siri-Watson in a baby carriage..."
The last #APPLE announcement was revealing in terms of technology because of the A7 chipset and the deal with Beats.  The upcoming #APPL announcement this September , has much in store, here are just a few:
  1. New iPHONE 6
  2. The A8
  3. New wearable(s)
  4. Yosemite 
  5. IBM

iPhone 6
By now, we know the new iphone is always awesome. This time, the new phone will set extend Apple's lead in the market, all others will begin to look old-fashioned.  The timing is right for upgrades but some who bought the 5 last year will be slamming phones on Ebay looking to replace with a 6.

Why?  The new processor.


Y O S E M I T E
The buzz and anticipation around the op-sys roll out would be enough of an accomplishment for any major, technology company.  Imagine how happy #MSFT and all those Windows users would be if their OS were 50% of what Apple brings.  Yosemite is going to set the bar so high, others will get nosebleeds contemplating the dire situation.

Why?

Yosemite will blow the doors off of every other operating system - EVER.

I've seen things - the square mouse that was DOS 4.0, the smooth, out of this world, not ready for prime-time, pre-emptive multitasking OS/2 from IBM and the shear marketing and social goliath called Windows 3.0(1).

When I look at all the Mac OS/X, the actual operational tasks melt into the background - which is exactly what you and I want.  Thoughtless operation.  Support me, no matter how many applications I open.  Don't make me learn about .TMP files and wait 20 minutes for my machine to start up.

Why in  the world do any of us know what the phrase, "blue screen of death" pertains too?  Why should I know this?

I want to be able to share my current app on my MacBookPro, iPad and iPhone automatically -handing off to each device as needed. Impossible? No. El Capitan? Yes.

I want to answer my phone on my MBPro - madness? Half Dome? Yes.

You know what else, I'd like the same op-sys on all my devices...jus saying.  Craziness? Well, yes and coming.

The transparency between apps and platforms, dare I say the "non-fragmented", congruent approach of Yosemite is one of the biggest shifts in technology, ever.  As with most Apple products, the device or operating system does not try to dictate our personal workflow - it pairs up and works with me.
Why do I need to tell Windows I don't want to upgrade in the middle of every Powerpoint presentation?

WeAReAbLeS

Healthkit, iWatch, whatever...love them or hate them, #Apple is about to crack the seal on the atrocious healthcare system.

How about I get to keep all my health records, secured in my iPhone?  And how about instead of going in for tests, or scans, my watch is monitoring all that 7x24, data ready to be shared when I want with whomever I want?

Yeah, that's coming.

GUESS Who's Coming to Dinner? IBM.

The very first rivalry in the personal technology realm was between IBM and Apple - it was more  of a feud, really.  If you wanted to add up numbers and create DBII applications(what?!!), you owned a PC.  A 'clone' if you couldn't afford an IBM Model 70.  On the other hand, if you considered yourself 'artsy' or academic, a MAC was your status symbol.

Back then, it seem the two would never meet.

It's different now.

The last two powerhouses standing are getting together; soon the accounting firms,  engineering companies and manufactures will all be sporting "iSomethings".  CRM's,  materials planners and project managers will be flicking charts all over the place, from iPAD to AppleTV, to the iMACs in accounting.

This is transactional communications transforming into BI - is a another vista, waiting out there for everyone.  But that is for another set of blogs.

Wow.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

013: Managed print Services And The Last Generation Gap




The Last Generation Gap- from 2013...

If you remember back to the '60s - riots, Viet Nam, Presidential and political assassinations, hippies at Woodstock, the Beatles, Stones, the Peace Movement, and a vaguely remembered issue called the "The Generation Gap".

This Gap referred to the difference between younger generations and their elders. Back then, teenagers regarded their parents' established social norms as outdated and restrictive - many rebelled:

At Transform2013, I attended Terrie Campbell's presentation, "GenY's Idiosyncrasies - Can your Business Survive Them?

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Managed Print Services: EatersOfTheDead


August 2010 -

I attended a webinar hosted by the MPSA. The subject matter included a quick synopsis of the MPS industry by InfoTrends and a future view of the MPSA and how our members can contribute to the growth of the Association.

Jim Fitzpatrick, MPSA President presented very well.

The "state of the industry" provided by InfoTrends was great and relevant - unfortunately for me, nothing new.

A re-occurring theme was exposed - the cannibalization of our industry.

Randy, from InfoTrends, observed the "eroding of the supplies market..." and that there is no "real expansion in the market..."

More poignantly, we are "cannibalizing the market".

Randy and others are half right.

Contact Me

Greg Walters, Incorporated
greg@grwalters.com
262.370.4193