In Depth
In Depth
Mobile technology
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Top trends in tech, and retail’s early adopters
Computer Weekly identifies the retail industry’s early adopters of what McKinsey & Co deems the top tech trends Continue Reading
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Online marketplace momentum ushers in new era for retailers
Superdrug is the latest in a growing list of retailers to launch its own online marketplace, joining B&Q, Boots and others in driving a new era for UK retail Continue Reading
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Morrisons joins the fast-growing retail media movement
More retailers are becoming publishers as they realise the potential of their online assets, helping to fuel a new fast-growth segment of digital marketing – and Morrisons is no exception Continue Reading
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How the pandemic accelerated tech adoption in hospitality
The pandemic led to technology adoption across several sectors, with hospitality being no exception Continue Reading
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New connectivity options driven by low Earth orbit satellites
Huge reductions in the cost of building and launching satellites has led to an explosion of interest in space-borne projects and services Continue Reading
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Peeking into the metaverse: Taking a look at VR headsets and AR smart glasses
Extended – augmented and virtual – reality is capturing the imagination of media and investors alike. Use cases abound, and market opportunities proliferate as more and more companies discover applications that might help their operations or serve ... Continue Reading
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IoT hits top gear with Extreme E in battling climate change
All-electric car racing series teams with Vodafone Business to combat growing threat from global warning, through long-life IoT solar-powered sensors connected to a mesh network to warn of environment dangers Continue Reading
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Mapping out the rise in checkout-free shopping
There has been a boom in the number of checkout-free stores globally, but will that growth continue and which retailers are interested? Continue Reading
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Retailers choose from menu of mobile apps to help reduce food waste
Supermarkets, convenience stores and coffee shops are among the retailers connecting with mobile apps and tech firms to drive down the wastage of food Continue Reading
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Pandemic turns e-commerce doubters into believers
Notable UK retail e-commerce avoiders Primark, B&M and Poundland are now online players. But what are their respective digital approaches? Continue Reading
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Olympique de Marseille scores with Orange 5G
Robust communications in football stadiums is key to delivering optimal fan experiences and leading French team Olympique de Marseille has achieved connectivity in consumer and enterprise 5G Continue Reading
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A new design for the new world of work
Widespread forecasts at the height of the pandemic about the death of the office have largely failed to come to pass, but its role is definitely changing as part of a wider, but as yet still mainly experimental, shift to hybrid working Continue Reading
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IT departments need holistic circular economies to fight climate change
With sustainability moving up the boardroom agenda, IT managers should revamp procurement strategies to align with the principles of the circular economy, but what does this mean for managing the IT lifecycle? Continue Reading
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Evolution of unified comms services
Post-pandemic ways of working are forcing organisations to rethink their comms – we look at the growth in cloud-based services to support hybrid working Continue Reading
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CPaaS – a technology for the future
There is a received wisdom that as businesses flock towards the cloud, they are looking for a single platform on which to manage all their communication needs, leading to boom times ahead for communications platform as a service Continue Reading
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The importance of mid-band 5G for European economic growth
The roll-out of 5G networks promises to revolutionise the role of high bandwidth wireless connectivity, but underestimating the role of mid-band spectrum could needlessly restrict its benefits Continue Reading
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Using technology to reinvent stores
Technology is becoming an important part of the shopping experience at home, in stores and in-between, so how are retailers using technology to advance the store experience? Continue Reading
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Has Wi-Fi 6 stalled before it even got started?
The need for wireless internet connectivity is more crucial than ever. Wi-Fi 6 and 6E were supposed to meet that need, but some say that uptake has stalled. We see what is happening in wireless Continue Reading
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Boots accelerates its digital accessibility journey
Boots is working with website accessibility software provider Recite Me to make its website more user-friendly and improve the customer experience Continue Reading
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Ship from store: A pandemic retail trend that’s here to stay?
Shipping online orders from bricks and mortar stores looks set to be a pandemic trend that will stick around to form part of retail’s new normal Continue Reading
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Storage and 5G: Big impacts likely as wide-area topologies evolve
Enterprise 5G will boost the need for storage generally. It will also push capacity needs closer to the edge and create new locations for processing and storage Continue Reading
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It takes a village: Protecting kids online is everyone’s responsibility
The rapid uptake of smartphones among children has contributed to the increasing number of cases of cyber bullying and online grooming. Is this an educational issue or a cultural problem, and can modern enterprise help? Continue Reading
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Avoiding the two-tier workforce in the third workplace
The new world of hybrid working is sometimes referred to as the third workplace. Yet just as firms are having to deal with the ‘great resignation’, they are in danger of unwittingly creating a two-tier workforce Continue Reading
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How enterprise 5G is playing out in Australia
5G adoption is taking place in the industrial arena and other sectors, but telcos will need to transform themselves and overcome cost challenges to drive wider adoption Continue Reading
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How advanced comms can gain an edge in the post-pandemic world
Advanced communications not only connects the real world to the digital world, but also enables a hybrid and more environmentally friendly world of work Continue Reading
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How to get the most from 5G mobile networking
Forrester analysts present a guide to help technology organisations optimise the use of 5G in the business Continue Reading
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Arkwright’s till, Tesco GetGo and retail tech’s non-linear innovation journey
The checkout-free Tesco GetGo store shows that retail technology has come a long way since the faulty till draws in Open All Hours, but some of today’s innovation goes back to the future Continue Reading
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Digital surveillance of remote workers may increase enterprise risk
From productivity tools to security threats, we explore how digital surveillance is forcing remote workers towards shadow IT Continue Reading
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How to manage endpoint security in a hybrid work environment
The future of the workplace is clearly hybrid, but this has untold implications around endpoint security. How can businesses overcome these? Continue Reading
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How in-store technology is supporting retail’s sustainability agenda
Boots, Costa Coffee and the major grocers’ in-store technology focus is switching towards systems supporting sustainability goals Continue Reading
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Retail tech community reacts to BNPL regulatory proposals
Regulation is coming to the buy now, pay later market, but what does it mean for a retail tech community increasingly embracing these solutions? Continue Reading
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Back on the office network: What are the risks for mobile users?
Many people are returning to offices and bringing their mobile devices with them. What are the cyber security implications of this? Continue Reading
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Calling on communications to address humanitarian crises
Télécoms Sans Frontières responds to the growing number of natural disasters with advanced communications and provides protection and assistance, as well as bridging the digital divide Continue Reading
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How Estonia’s country-as-a-service scheme has attracted tens of thousands of foreign entrepreneurs
Estonia has created a country-as-a-service offering which is attracting entrepreneurs and businesses from across the world Continue Reading
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First priorities for the third workplace
Almost 18 months since Covid-19 caused an almost overnight pivot to home working for many firms, hybrid working seems here to stay for knowledge workers. But the role of the 'third workspace' is not yet entirely clear Continue Reading
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How mobile operators can cope with staycation boom and sport lockdowns lifting
The periods of lockdown implemented in response to the Covid-19 pandemic led to new mobile network traffic patterns. How can operators adapt to shifting consumer behaviours and continue delivering high-quality experiences? Continue Reading
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New thinking and systems required to tackle online fraud in retail
Online fraud is a growing problem for retail, but are merchants doing enough to update systems and how should they change their actions to address it? Continue Reading
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Five ways to ensure remote working security and compliance
A mix of on-site and remote working has become a fact of life for many organisations. We look at five key things you should consider to ensure compliance and security Continue Reading
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Windows 11: A first look at the first preview
Microsoft recently unveiled its plans for the next version of the Windows operating system. We give it a test drive Continue Reading
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Tips to minimise vulnerabilities in web and mobile apps
Agile software development can sometimes be at odds with secure by design principles. We look at how organisations are balancing security with coding Continue Reading
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Tech and new experiences tackling trouble at t’mall
UK shopping centres are under pressure, but new concepts, tech-infused spaces, and fresh approaches to consumer engagement are revitalising the sector Continue Reading
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Video commerce and livestreaming make waves in retail
The growth in e-commerce during the pandemic is well documented, but the fragmented retail environment has also helped video commerce and livestreaming rise to prominence Continue Reading
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What the Telecommunications (Security) Bill means for UK industry
The Telecommunications (Security) Bill is intended to reinforce the security of the UK telecommunications infrastructure, but what are the implications for industry? Continue Reading
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Revolutionising communication and collaboration for the hybrid world
As hybrid working looks set to become the norm in the post-Covid world, the lessons learned during lockdown will need to be applied. However, firms will have to overcome the limitations of current communication and collaboration tools Continue Reading
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Getting ready for the new normal of hybrid working
Many companies are preparing to return to offices for the first time since the UK’s first lockdown began, but the office environment will look very different to a year ago. With some workers looking forward to returning to the office and others ... Continue Reading
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Ecolabels and data sanitisation key to recycling and reusing IT assets
Ecolabels on hardware and data sanitisation of devices are key to recycling and reusing old IT equipment respectively, helping enterprises avoid unnecessary asset destruction and contributing to increasingly high levels of electronic waste globally Continue Reading
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Amazon Go – is now the right time?
In the beginning of 2021, Amazon launched a physical store in London, but is it the right time to be investing in offline? Continue Reading
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Interview: Uber driver Yaseen Aslam on his Supreme Court battle and what’s next for gig workers
Private hire driver and union organiser Yaseen Aslam speaks to Computer Weekly about his legal battle with Uber and what the UK Supreme Court ruling means to workers in the gig economy Continue Reading
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Five not the only magic number for Three in 2021
With a new CEO beginning to put into practice its plan, mainly a pivot towards business, mobile operator Three UK has been eyeing up new opportunities in 2021. We see what is on the agenda Continue Reading
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Innovation at the shelf edge
It’s been a challenging year for stores due to Covid-19, but some retailers have found time to innovate at the shelf edge with noteworthy technology deployments Continue Reading
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Digital donations: retailers using technology to offer something back
Some charities require corporate support like never before, and retailers are finding new ways to use technology to facilitate donations Continue Reading
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How retailers are using tech to cope with changing footfall
Customer behaviour was shifting long before the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the online shopping boom, so what technology are retailers using to keep stores relevant? Continue Reading
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How retailers are using digital to engage with Covid Christmas shoppers
Christmas is likely to be different this year because of the pandemic, and there is likely to be an altered shopping experience. So how are retailers using digital to cope with this shift in festive shopping? Continue Reading
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Lush’s 25-year journey to digital excellence
Retailers are increasingly focused on using technology to better serve customers, but for high street cosmetic brand Lush, tech has always been part of the picture Continue Reading
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Covid-19: How retailers are using technology to respond to changing shopping habits
As the coronavirus outbreak accelerates the shift in consumer behaviour, how are retailers using technology to keep customers engaged? Continue Reading
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Cloud RANs offer promise in APAC, but not in near future
While there is growing interest in cloud-based radio access networks, experts argue that telcos will still cautiously approach the technology in a phased manner Continue Reading
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Robots delivering the goods for retailers
Amazon is investing in autonomous robot delivery in the UK, adding to pioneering work undertaken by Co-op and Starship Technologies Continue Reading
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Morrisons and Pret join UK retail’s growing subscription economy
Morrisons and Pret A Manger join growing UK retail movement towards subscription models – a space frequented by technology-led players such as Gousto Continue Reading
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The UK switches on to mobile contact tracing
Long overdue and attracting descriptions ranging from ‘essential’ to ‘cherry on the cake’, the UK’s contact-tracing app is now widely available – but where will further developments lead? Continue Reading
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Hangar 51 supports startups taking off in travel tech
International Airlines Group’s accelerator programme aims to give travel technology companies a flying start in the sector Continue Reading
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How Malaysia’s industries are tapping IoT
Computer Weekly speaks to four industries that claim to have benefited from various IoT deployments and how it has changed their businesses Continue Reading
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APT groups’ mobile momentum finally faces resistance
State-backed APT groups are increasingly targeting mobile devices as Covid-19 puts the spotlight on remote working infrastructure security. We explore how the industry is fighting back Continue Reading
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Coronavirus: How to go back to the office safely and securely
Security teams should be used to supporting remote workers effectively by now, but what’s going to happen when people start returning to their offices? We look at the risks and how to address them. Continue Reading
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2B or not 2C? That is the question for 5G
A flurry of 5G network launches in all major markets in Asia, North America and Europe, focused on consumer applications and services. This looks set to change in 2020 as the operators get down to business Continue Reading
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Coronavirus: Retailers reach for tech to keep staff connected in the crisis
From fast-tracking home-working strategy, to conducting training and board meetings virtually, read about how retailers are keeping staff connected during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis Continue Reading
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Contact tracing: The privacy vs protection debate
The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated extreme measures not seen in peacetime for over 100 years. Contact-tracing apps are being developed as a tool for managing the pandemic, but are they a step too far? Continue Reading
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Unified communications: The key to prospering in the new working reality of Covid-19
Covid-19 lockdowns are causing a collective rethink in the way companies operate, with unified communications transformed from a nice-to-have to a business essential as remote working becomes the new normal Continue Reading
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Australian firms soldier on amid Covid-19 outbreak
From the largest financial institutions to small companies, Aussie firms have been dialling up their use of technology tools to keep their businesses humming during the coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading
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Coronavirus: Contactless limit rises as retailers make point-of-sale changes
The spending limit for contactless card payments is increasing to £45 today (1 April), which is just one of several ways that retail point-of-sale is evolving in response to the coronavirus Continue Reading
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Malaysia’s business continuity planning readiness a mixed bag
Larger Malaysian enterprises have BCP in place, but SMEs lag behind and will find it harder to weather the Covid-19 storm Continue Reading
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Coronavirus: Grocers scrambling to update online and delivery propositions
The supermarkets have effectively become the fourth emergency service as the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis takes hold, aided by significant online and delivery changes Continue Reading
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Coronavirus: How to implement safe and secure remote working
Find out what CIOs and CISOs need to know to enable their end-users to work remotely and stay secure during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis, and learn how users can help themselves Continue Reading
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Shirts and suits retailers using tech to stay smart
Enhanced personalisation, increased visualisation and much more customisation with a digital twist comprise the to-do lists of several UK formalwear retailers Continue Reading
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Upcoming conflict minerals regulation does not cover major technology companies
A forthcoming regulation designed to stem the flow of conflict minerals is unlikely to change the behaviour of technology companies because loopholes in the new rules mean they are not covered Continue Reading
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The big retail tech themes from Retail’s Big Show
The National Retail Federation’s Big Show signals the kick-off of the retail events calendar. We look over the themes promised for retail tech over the next year Continue Reading
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How Halfords is using tech to rev up its customer service
Live chat, virtual contact centres and a new unifying web platform are set to enhance Halfords’ customer service proposition in the year ahead Continue Reading
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Future fashion: does that dress come in digital?
A visit to a technology-fuelled fashion pop-up paints a picture of a world where retailers and brands sell virtual clothes for usage solely in consumers’ digital lives Continue Reading
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What’s new in UK retail’s online-to-offline movement?
US menswear retailer Untuckit used to be an online pureplay, but by the end of 2019 it will have 80-plus stores, including its two new UK shops, as the online-to-offline trend continues Continue Reading
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How retailers are using social to reach Gen Z and beyond
The younger generation of shoppers are all using social media, so how are retailers using influencers to reach these potential customers and their spending power? Continue Reading
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Disabled consumers left logged out of retail’s digital revolution
Retailers are being urged to make their digital assets more accessible to disabled consumers, not just for moral and social reasons, but because of the commercial opportunity Continue Reading
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The emergence of the shopping centre-as-a-service model
Shopping centres have been morphing into wider entertainment, leisure and hospitality venues for some time, but their role is set to evolve yet further Continue Reading
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Samsung KX gives consumers and retailers a glimpse of the future
Samsung puts its Galaxy range, the internet of things and community events at the heart of its new central London consumer space – but don’t call it a store... Continue Reading
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From cleaners to architects – lessons learnt by a serial entrepreneur
After the emotional sale of her first company, Alex Depledge, co-founder of and CEO of Resi, explains the lessons she has learnt and what she will and will not do again Continue Reading
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Building a 5G city: Bristol’s valuable lessons for the UK’s digital future
West of England Combined Authority is taking part in DCMS’s 5G Testbeds and Trials programme, exploring applications for tourism and entertainment. We find out how it is applying its learnings to life in Bristol and Bath Continue Reading
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Private 5G networks: Are they the right choice for you?
The concept of dedicated private mobile networks for large enterprises is not a new one, but with the advent of ultrafast 5G networks, they are starting to attract more interest Continue Reading
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What 5G applications will transform your business?
The UK’s mobile network operators have started work on their 5G roll-outs, but what applications are most likely to gain enterprise traction for the new standard? Continue Reading
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APAC buyer’s guide to human capital management software
More Asia-Pacific organisations are turning to HCM software to recruit, engage and retain a new breed of employees who increasingly expect personalised services from HR teams Continue Reading
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Securing your mobile estate – best practice for CIOs
The prevalence of mobile devices in every part of daily life is shaping how enterprises make choices about software and network infrastructure, but how do businesses go about securing these vast new endpoint estates? Continue Reading
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Facebook’s privacy game – how Zuckerberg backtracked on promises to protect personal data
Facebook promised its users privacy then quietly abandoned its promises in pursuit of profits. Now it faces antitrust regulation Continue Reading
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How to get the basics of mobile device management right the first time
When adopting mobile device management, there are often fears around implementation and whether or not the strategy is even required Continue Reading
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Convenience, digitisation and the impact on the physical store
Digital technologies and the need for convenience have changed the way consumers shop, but what will this mean for the purpose and size of physical stores? Continue Reading
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How retail store technology is filling the ‘imagination gap’
Retailers are using in-store technology to reduce the time between shoppers’ consideration phase and purchase, but how is it engaging them and triggering conversions? Continue Reading
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Cutting employees some Slack: The rise of messaging apps in retail
Slack’s 2019 stock market debut raises the profile of enterprise collaboration software, but what options do retailers have in this space and how are they using the technology? Continue Reading
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Rehumanising healthcare through technology
Tech companies internationally are offering innovative ways to access niche healthcare services that promise to ease patients’ fears about the use of technology over humans Continue Reading
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Mobile phones and health: is 5G being rolled out too fast?
European countries are rolling out 5G mobile communications at breakneck speed as they seek to gain a competitive edge over the US and Asia. But some scientists have raised questions about the effects of 5G mobile phone radiation on public health ... Continue Reading
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5G in ASEAN still a way off despite optimism
Spectrum is yet to be assigned in many ASEAN nations, while applications and services are still being tested in pilot projects across the region Continue Reading
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The nightmare driving test: How to make sure self-driving cars are safe
Simulating realistic environments using deep learning to enable self-driving cars to learn the rules of the road will prove more useful than any amount of real-world practice. We find out why, and meet the people doing something about it Continue Reading
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Security without borders
Perimeterless security offers a way to secure each point of connectivity and every device, rather than relying on perimeter protection Continue Reading
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Interview: Andy Berks, digital product director, Asos
Asos’s digital product director Andy Berks talks about how the online retailer has used AI and machine learning technologies – and why the needs of the customer have to come first Continue Reading
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Ready, headset, go: Retailers racing ahead with VR for staff training
Has virtual reality found its prime retail user case as a staff training tool? Recent moves from Costa Coffee and Walmart suggest it has Continue Reading