It goes without saying that technology keeps advancing at an exponential rate. It’s mind-blowing to think of how far we’ve progressed, even with everyday tools like smartphones, in such a short time. The same goes for business technologies. People now apply digital and software solutions like artificial intelligence and machine learning in more innovative ways more than ever.
Technology we once could only dream of is now commonplace in many organizations. People with little to no coding experience are building their own apps in very short times. Here, we delve into some top business software solutions that prove the future is now.
The rise of low to no-code application building
Software developers can attest to the time-intensive nature of building applications. Microsoft’s Power Platform contains Power Apps, which makes app-building more accessible. It lets non-developers create apps and solutions with no code. This gives your business’ developers more time to focus on highly complex, value-adding solutions.
The apps that you can build using Power Apps range from simple to mid-complexity apps. The Red Cross created a codeless app that let its employees order essential training supplies, which included imitation lungs for test dummies. Training Specialist Nick Gill was able to create a shopping-style interface with no need for coding. This would ordinarily take months of development work. He created this interface because it’s an experience everyone is familiar with. The app replaced a lengthy process that involved unmanageable paper forms, which had a much longer turnaround time.
It’s amazing to think that a few short years ago, this is a project that would likely take months to code from scratch. It would have gone through multiple rounds of user acceptance testing.
Crowd and pedestrian simulation
In the era of COVID-19, understanding the capacity of a venue has never been more important. Social distancing measures limited the capacity of shops, entertainment venues, and even office workplaces. Even now, as we re-enter the world of live events, understanding how pedestrians will interact with spaces is critical.
Oasys’ MassMotion is an advanced crowd simulation software that lets you import a 3D simulation of your venue or space. You then create a number of virtual pedestrians. These “people” intelligently move around the simulation using facilities including doors, escalators, and more. You can model a small number of pedestrians or even huge crowds, offering endless possibilities.
Equally innovative businesses now use this innovative software. Frontgrid produces ParadropVR, a virtual reality attraction designed for usage at conferences and events. The business has a number of options when it comes to presenting its solution in person – the tool can be laid out in circles, individual units, or in a multi-storey configuration. This depends on the traffic flow, so the business uses this software to understand the best way of putting its exhibition together.
This type of software has many other uses for a range of sectors and businesses. Fire safety is still a pressing issue, and these solutions will allow you to simulate your evacuation plan in your shopping centre, hotel, or block of flats to test its effectiveness.
Analyzing the carbon reduction of trees
Climate change is a pressing issue that affects all of us. We’re seeing efforts to reduce CO2 emissions across the globe, from banning gas boilers and petrol cars to initiatives to plant more trees. Now, AI start-up Pachama is offering the ability to accurately measure how trees are absorbing carbon.
By combining satellite images, lidar, and artificial intelligence, Pachama is able to build a pretty precise estimation of how much carbon is being absorbed by trees. This futuristic technology is replacing the lengthy and inaccurate process of recording the number of trees in a forest and their carbon-absorbing properties.
This technology allows the company to identify areas where tree numbers have been reduced, whether this is through fires or illegal deforestation. Through this work, areas for planting new trees can be prioritised based on need. Now, leading global businesses that partake in carbon offsetting initiatives, including Shopify and Microsoft, are using this technology to accurately measure how much carbon their efforts are removing.
The possibilities offered to businesses by technology are endless. Not only can they help businesses create applications that would once have taken months, but they can also provide futuristic simulations that can improve event planning and save lives. We might not have flying cars, but the future is definitely now.
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