Our everyday life involves fashion. Despite this, talking about fashion sometimes makes people uncomfortable. This may be due to a lack of a proper definition of what fashion is.
Simply put, fashion is the style of clothing that a certain group of people wears at any given time. The fashion industry is international and highly globalized.
People all over the world have seen how fashion rapidly changes over a short period. Nowadays, the trend is to avoid fast fashion and to opt for more sustainable fashion choices in dressing up.
Fashion and Technology
These days, there have been many technological advances made to push forward the global fashion industry. These innovations have been made to adapt to the worldwide changes in the economy and lifestyles. Consumers of fashion have evolved, especially with the advent of social media. This is why the fashion industry needs to keep up with the increase and changes in consumer demand.
Fashion and technology work together. They complement each other in developing innovations in their respective fields. Here are some technological innovations that have tapped into the realm of the fashion industry in recent years.
In the fashion industry, laser cutting has been used since the nineteenth century. Through this technology, the fashion industry has produced pieces such as reinventing the World War I trench coat design. With robot vision systems, laser cutting has been optimized and become more efficient for applications such as textile cutting, allowing more opportunities for innovation and production.
Though not directly related to clothing production, artificial intelligence has been an innovation that the fashion industry has been taking advantage of. This technology has been used to enhance the customers’ shopping experience and monitor the consumers’ preferences to inform the brand of its trends and sales.
Mobile commerce is rapidly becoming the next best alternative to brick-and-mortar shops. With the convenience of mobile phones, shopping online using a smartphone has never been more enjoyable. This branch of eCommerce has allowed consumers to make quick purchases that satisfy their impulsive tendencies.
3D printing is not only for toys and components. 3D printing has also penetrated the fashion industry. Despite requiring more hours to produce, 3D printing results in less waste and is less labor-intensive than other types of manufacturing. This process might be a sustainable option depending on the materials used.
While 3D printing is making the rounds in the fashion industry, novel fabrics have also been making a mark in this field. Fabrics such as lab-grown leather might shape the future of fashion as it pushes the boundaries of technology and sustainability.
As mentioned, sustainability has also been the new buzzword these days. Slow fashion is the trend given that consumers are becoming more aware of garments’ environmental and ethical impact.
Fashion and technology are intertwined as they both pave the way for a better lifestyle for each individual. While these are some technological innovations that have made a mark in the fashion industry, sustainability remains a big concern in fashion.
Sustainable Fashion
Fast fashion might be the culprit of a percentage of the world’s garbage pile nowadays. Still, sustainable fashion lies in how the materials have been used and the ethical aspects of production.
The whole supply chain of a fashion ecosystem should be considered when checking if a piece of garment is part of the slow fashion movement. It is best to choose materials that are made to last longer to avoid the quick disposal of clothing that is easily torn or worn out.
Although choosing the slow fashion route is a responsible step, it will not be easy to take. The important thing to remember is to take it one step at a time until you build up a healthy habit and a healthy relationship with clothing.
It might be easy to disregard your purchases’ impact, but every step counts towards a better environment and workspace for everyone. Sustainability is not about achieving a zero-waste lifestyle, but it’s about being conscious of your choices to minimize unnecessary items in your life.
Fashion might make some people uncomfortable, but fashion is ingrained in our everyday lives. This global industry is woven into our daily choices, so we have to be conscious of our decisions every time we buy a piece of clothing. Sustainability in fashion can be achieved by exerting a bit of effort in researching brands and materials that dominate the market today.
How These New Technology will Improve Logistics in the Future
Most consumers do not notice it, but there is a network of people and processes that enable goods to be transported from a source to a grocery shelf halfway around the world. The pandemic has been a challenge to the global supply chain. As borders were closed and movement between nations was strictly limited, the transfer of goods has also undergone restrictions.
Around the first half of 2020, there was a global shortage of food. Many supermarkets were emptied. Because of outbreaks, some major meat processing plants were forced to shut down. Meanwhile, some farms were forced to plow their crops because there were no buyers as restaurants around the world close down.
Later on, more and more items experienced shortages. By October, the United States and Europe were in short supply of more than half the drugs needed to treat patients infected with COVID-19. Even technology companies such as Apple found themselves dealing with a serious deficit in parts which affected the production of iPhones and iPads.
Now that economies have reopened and vaccination campaigns have started in the majority of the world, things are slowly but steadily gaining back a sense of normalcy. However, the past year has exposed the vulnerabilities of the global supply chain.
Logistics at Work
The logistics industry continued to work throughout the pandemic despite the threat of infections. Companies that not only transport but produce, store, and distribute goods strove to keep operating, sometimes with reduced capacity, to keep products that people need, including food, medicine, household products, and personal care products.
In the distribution of vaccines, there are still logistics at work. Most vaccines need to be stored in the cold. Moderna and Pfizer, for example, require to be frozen at -20 degrees Celsius and -70 degrees Celsius respectively. It is a difficult undertaking and these products need to be delivered to their destination in the safest way possible. These vaccines are precious and fragile and there is a very limited supply but a high demand.
Luckily, the technology to enable a smooth storage and distribution exists. There are refrigeration data loggers that will enable manufacturers to monitor cargo to ensure that no perishable goods are wasted while in transit or in a warehouse. There are software applications that design a blueprint that will make the whole process smooth-sailing from start to finish.
While COVID-19 has led to the global supply chain disruption, in future pandemics, the industry might be more ready. There is currently technology that is improving logistics so that, despite crises, goods can move seamlessly from production to the hands of consumers.
Robotics
The pandemic made employing robots convenient. When outbreaks happened in factories and warehouses, robots enabled work to continue. Places that long ago automated could continue production while maintaining physical distancing and other health measures.
Amazon, one of the few big winners of the pandemic, received increased demand in the past year as people locked themselves indoors. Consumers were purchasing their groceries, school and work supplies, and other goods online. The e-commerce giant was able to respond to the demand so easily by hiring new staff to work alongside robots.
Drones
Drones can potentially ease delivery, especially at the last mile when the package will be handed to the consumer, in future pandemics. People who deliver goods are at a higher risk of infections through close contact. Drones allow them to deliver packages to their respective owners without fear of becoming ill. They only need to operate the machine from a safe distance.
Amazon, Google, and other companies have already begun testing the use of drones in logistics. In the past year, CVS partnered with UPS to utilize drones to deliver prescription drugs to patients in a massive retirement community in Florida. Seniors were at a higher risk of becoming sick and being hospitalized due to COVID-19. Drones would be lifesavers in case the world once again succumb to another pandemic.
Self-Driving Vehicles
Truckers were at a higher risk of catching COVID-19. The nature of the job involves coming in and out of places, interacting with other truckers and logistics people, and, sometimes, dealing with little sleep, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise.
The technology is not ready yet, but self-driving vehicles can take some load that human truck drivers have to transport from state to state. Right now, the technology is only used across short distances such as in warehouses.
The pandemic was exacerbated by these shortages in the global supply chain. The past year should be treated as a test to see what else can be improved in the entire process. One day, if the world experiences another pandemic or crisis, the same issues will not be present.
A number of small businesses are looking at developing some new technology that can help aspects of healthcare, and the provision that healthcare providers will be able to offer. With a population that isn’t getting any younger, the current global COVID-19 health crisis, we are seeing just how much technology can help to boost healthcare, and also just how much it is needed.
For example, being able to communicate simply and easily with others in the healthcare provision, can really improve the day to day of things with a medical professional. So when there are things like secure and instant messaging that are available, it can be a big benefit as a workflow tool for medical and healthcare professionals. In fact, there is one instant messaging tool called Forward that was created by a junior doctor. They know how the job works, and how a tool like that could be a real benefit. Gone are the days of needing to call a pager, for them to have to get to a phone to call you back. Instant, quick, and in real-time is what medical professionals really need.
Many will use a messaging tool like WhatsApp. However, because of the confidential and sensitive nature of a lot of the information that would be shared around an app like this, and to be able to adhere to legal requirements, having some bespoke for doctors is a must. So there is a need for technology and software in the medical industry to change, upgrade, and become more functional. When medical professionals and practitioners can work more efficiently, isn’t it going to be worth all of the time and money?
So with that in mind, here are some of the latest upgrades in technology in the medical sector, and why it is worth looking into, for your medical practice or care facility.
Manage work schedules
When you have a large team, there is a lot of juggling going on. People may be swapping shifts, and there are a lot of different needs and requirements to rearrange and organize. In an effort to combat this, there was an app created in 2016 called Florence (in a nod to Florence Nightingale), that uses technology to help to deal with the care sector’s crisis in nursing.
Again, designed by a doctor, it was created in order to combat a lot of inefficiencies with how they dealt with staffing and temporary staffing. Using the app, you can fill any shift vacancies much more efficiently, and it also allows nurses to have much greater control over the work that they do. So it is a benefit all round, and makes sure that nurses are in place in care homes, as and when they need to be. Patients are still number one, and it helps them to be cared for more efficiently. Small changes can make the day to day life of medical practitioners much simple and much more efficient. Of course staff schedules need to be done, but not at the detriment of patients. So this is a really positive move.
At the end of the day, medical practitioners are there for their patients, and so if they can do their job more efficiently, but help patients in a better way, then it is going to see a huge improvement in the industry. Something that could be a big benefit for medical practitioners is getting a new and improved EEG, to help with problems in the electrical activity of the brain, which can occur because of a brain disorder. An EEG reading is used to confirm, or to rule out, a variety of conditions, including things like epilepsy or other seizure disorders, as well as head injuries. If medical practitioners have an updated EEG, then it allows for readings in real-time. This helps medical practitioners to be able to make much quicker decisions for their patient, helping their overall patient management. Using technology to improve how they can help patients is something that is so important.
Buffer between appointments
Technology, when used in the right way, really can help to save time, and to help patients choose the right kind of healthcare that they need, the support that they need, and also plays a part in early intervention for some patients. Many medical practices are using video technology to talk with patients in-between consultations, and even for appointments. An app called LIVI has been used and trialed in the UK, and it allows people to have an appointment in the comfort of their own home, or on their travels, just using their smartphones. Connected to a medical practice it means that they can get prescriptions, and the doctor on the end of the phone can see the patient’s information, to best provide and advise.
Not only can it help patients, but having some electronic notes can actually be of benefit to the practice, as they are much more convenient to store. Of course, there are a variety of video call software that you can use, with many of them recording calls and consultation, which means that clinical governance or audits won’t be a problem. Although this shouldn’t fully replace having a face-to-face consultation between doctors and patients, it can be a big benefit for some immediate peace of mind, relief, or quick access to a particular prescription.
Technology impacts our lives in so many ways, and if you are a medical professional, then you really need to think about the technology that you use to make life simpler, and more efficient, for yourselves. Being able to take care of patients better, and make your daily life better, makes complete sense, and it is great that we live in such a time when we do have access to such technologies. Who knows what the future will bring, and how much more access we will have to improved technology, to help to improve our jobs. Have you any thoughts on this? It would be great to hear what you think.
Companies need to provide their customers with quality customer service. It is a necessary cost of doing business – and something people have come to expect.
Technology, however, is fundamentally reshaping the interaction between firms and their clients. The old days of just calling a customer service rep seem to be coming to an end. We’re entering a radically different era.
The changes are proud when you consider them in full. Just a few years ago, the idea that a chatbot could solve your problems online seemed hopelessly futuristic. Now, though, major banks and eCommerce companies routinely use them to deal with customer inquiries. It’s a massive time-saving device.
Blockchain also has the potential to reshape company-client interactions radically. Creating a permanent ledger removes the need for financial intermediaries (or even lawyers to enforce contracts). It allows economic agents to engage with each other unilaterally, without the involvement of costly third parties.
So how is technology reshaping customer service and communications? And what can we expect to change over the coming decade?
Email Will Die And Be Replaced By Real-Time Chat Apps
A few years ago, several companies began experimenting with the idea of using Facebook Messenger to talk to customers, instead of their regular email channels. Interestingly, they discovered that clients preferred it to email exchanges. It was quicker and similar to texting – most people’s preferred method of engagement.
It is likely, therefore, that email will slowly die a death over the coming years. Companies will begin providing cheap, easy-to-use, integrated messaging solutions that allow customers to communicate directly with reps.
The challenge for firms will be to ensure that these messaging conversations are authentic and consistent with the brand. Reps will require additional training to ensure that they don’t say anything via text that could cause the company to fall into disrepute.
Blockchain Is Going To Change Customer Support
When people hear the buzzword “blockchain,” they immediately think of cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin. But the truth is that blockchain is much bigger than this specific application. It is a technology that allows people who don’t know each other to interact without first building trust.
The applications of blockchain in customer service are still being thrashed out, but there are several areas you’ll want to follow. The first idea is to use blockchain to set up recurring payments. Instead of bickering over fees, customers and companies could enshrine them in a blockchain-based contract and let the thing tick over automatically month after month.
The second use could be for things like downpayments and credit. Customers can’t always stump up the money for goods and services upfront. Instead, they require a lender to provide them with cash. Companies could come to agreements with banks and creditors to use blockchain to enshrine contracts. The process would effectively eliminate fraud and ensure that all parties are paid on time.
For years, companies have been looking for ways to step into their customers’ shoes so that they can better meet their needs. Hiring naturally empathetic people is a longstanding strategy. Hiring managers would typically look for people who are comfortable with meeting the needs of others.
Now, though, that’s all changing. Technology is taking up the slack – and making a substantial difference.
Take the concept behind Drop Cowboy, for example. The idea here is to avoid cold calling by going straight through to customer voicemail. People are then able to listen to messages when convenient and call back if they need to.
Software developers are also investigating whether they can automate more of the rote tasks of customer service reps, freeing them up to listen to customers’ concerns. Ultimately, clients aren’t interested in procedures of systems. They want reps willing to listen to their problems and deal with them.
Automation software, therefore, is going to make a big difference in how companies do customer service. Human reps are going to have tools that take care of all the background admin, allowing them to focus more on their patrons’ emotional concerns.
AI Will Mean That Humans Solve Fewer Problems
Artificial intelligence is still some way off achieving human levels of cognition, but it isn’t far off in some areas. We’re likely to see an increase in the number of companies forwarding customers to AI bots to solve their problems over the coming years. This software will primarily deal with all the easy tasks, allowing human reps to help customers solve the most challenging issues. Thus, there will be less of a rush to process customers, and everyone will feel happier as a result.
Social Media Will Become The Predominant Customer Service Tool
Social media is already massively popular among customers. In the coming years, though, it could become the predominant customer service tool.
We already see massive changes coming down the pike. Customers, for instance, are using Facebook and Twitter to leave real-time feedback on their experiences of restaurant meals. And social media is fast becoming a public forum where people can talk about their experiences of particular businesses.
In the future, though, things are likely to change again. Companies are going to have to handle social media like a Roman crowd. They’re going to have to work it and get the mob onside. Part of customer service, therefore, will be to promote how companies have helped their clients. Firms will need to develop a game plan for how they’re going to massage public opinion and keep relations cordial. When things go wrong, they need a strategy to help them get the situation back on course.
Customer Success Will Become A Differentiator
Companies are going to have to start talking about their customer successes more too. Prospects want to see that a firm can actually help the people that it serves.
Technology, therefore, will need to develop further to facilitate this level of functionality. Reps will need tools that allow them not only to advise but also to troubleshoot their customers’ problems. It will become a far more active and real-time role.
Camera technology is always a hot topic as everyone likes to take great photos. We know that a general trend in the industry is that photos get better and clearer year after year. You only have to compare a photo from a modern camera to one back in the year 2000 to see how far we’ve come.
This begs the question: what does the future hold for camera technology?
Specifically, what can we look forward to as consumers? Are there any technologies or features that will become more prominent in the next five or ten years? To answer this, we can look at some of the current trends while mixing in a few predictions of our own.
Enhanced technology in smaller packages
Much like the future of gaming, camera technology seems to be focused on delivering big hits in small packages. What we mean is that you see better quality photos in much smaller devices. Smartphones are a prime example of this. Unless you’re buying a proper DSLR camera, you’re unlikely to find a digital camera with as much photo-power as a modern smartphone. The cameras on these things are tiny, yet they’re capable of producing crystal-clear imagery. We’re bound to see this trend continue as professional photo-power will soon be available through smaller mobile devices.
Low-light technology
There’s been a huge trend in the photography world around low-light technology. Nobody likes taking photos in a dimly lit area as the quality deteriorates. Not only that, but adding a flash to proceedings can mess up the image you wish to create. Therefore, many cameras are being built with low-light features to take better photos in darkness. This enables you to capture things as a more accurate representation of what you see with your eyes. How often have you seen an image or looked through a camera and seen something that looks clear and awesome? Then, you take the photo and it just looks dark and blurry. Low-light technology corrects this, making night-time photos more appealing.
Drones fit into the first point about big tech in small packages. However, they deserve a spot on their own as drone cameras are a huge trend. It mentions on DrDrone that some drones already have HDR capabilities and up to 48mp sensors. This is already a dramatic improvement on the first drone cameras we ever saw. However, things are bound to get even better. Drone cameras are receiving significant attention from some of the biggest camera giants in the photography world. The aim is to create something that delivers DSLR levels of quality in something that flies up high. Of course, this demands a great balance between camera technology and drone weight. So, it will be interesting to see how close these cameras get to rivaling handheld professional ones.
Better selfies
Selfies are probably the strangest trend in the world of photography. Who’d have thought they would become this popular? We’ve mentioned smartphones already, and selfie cameras have become a key selling point of these devices. People want clear and HD images of themselves! But, this will translate into the wider camera world as well. Many handheld cameras come with screens that can be flipped around to let the user see themselves. This makes selfies a lot easier to do as you remove the guesswork. So, expect to see more cameras adopt an emphasis on selfies. This could come in the form of flippable screens, or it could be through accessories. Either way, DSLR cameras will become more capable of rivaling smartphones for top-quality selfies.
One battery cameras
Typically, a DSLR or handheld camera will come with a place to put a battery. When the battery runs out of charge, you swap it for a charged one and re-charge the old one. It’s a good system, but it can be improved. In the future, you can expect to see cameras that require one battery. They will work like smartphones in that you simply charge the camera when the battery is low. However, things can be taken to another level by implementing solar power. A camera will usually be out in the sunlight, so it makes sense to take advantage of this? Some manufacturers are already toying with the idea of adding solar technology that charges the camera while you use it. Or, it stores the energy generated into a reserve battery, calling upon it when required. The idea is that your camera will never run out of charge when you’re out and about! Funnily enough, many security cameras already implement this technology.
Which one of these trends do you think is more likely to take off? Better yet, which one are you most excited for? Regardless, the future of camera technology certainly looks very intriguing.
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