Category Archives: Technology

Marketing, PR and SEO, Tech, Web Design

Improving Your Website: Tips for Enhancing User Experience

If you run an online business, you will know how important your website is. A good website will make a strong impression on people, and it will also showcase all of the reasons why they should trust you as well. It will highlight the value of your offering, and it will encourage them to sign up for any newsletters you might have. With that being said, if your website isn’t up to par, you might not be getting the results you want, and the money you’re spending on marketing will be wasted.

Take Note of High Bounce Rates

One of the most obvious signs that your website is confusing new visitors is if you have a very high bounce rate. A bounce rate is when a visitor lands on your website page and then leaves without any interaction. If this happens a lot, there’s a chance your site needs some work. If you need to have a lot of elements on your site, you may not think that there’s a way to simplify this, but that’s not the case.

For example, if you look at the page for Slingo Games at Paddy Power, you will see that there are a total of 34 games. You can see the bonus and free spins information at the top, along with a clear list of the available titles, making it easy for users to navigate. Pages like this help to show that it is possible for you to have a lot of different elements on a page, without confusing the user. All you need to do is create a visual hierarchy and use white space to separate each element.

Image Credit: Lisa Fotios, Pexels

Another example would be Amazon, whose website has everything clearly organised with daily deals listed in the top banner. You can access a range of categories with a single click, without having to scroll down the page, and with boxes for items you’ve bought before. It’s efficient, even with lots of different options to choose from. Again, Amazon sells thousands and thousands of products, so if you run an eCommerce site, you can take inspiration from what they’ve done to prevent your site from overwhelming your users.

Unclear Navigation

Simple menus, like the ones you can find on this page at Flux Academy, are one of the best ways for you to reduce visual clutter. Try and walk through your site from a visitor’s perspective or even ask one of your employees to do it. Can they easily find what they’re looking for? You also need to give some thought to the language and graphics you are using. It may be that your offers are not presented using compelling language, or that you don’t have a clear CTA. If you don’t give thought to things like this, then your users probably won’t have any idea what you want them to do, and they won’t be able to take advantage of the sales you’re putting on because your website isn’t facilitating it. No amount of marketing will fix this, as the issue lies with your site.

Make sure that your users can find everything they need, and that it’s clear and concise. You don’t need to cut down on the elements you have, but you do need to make sure that they are presented well. You also need to give thought to your pages that have the highest bounce rate so you can pinpoint the issue at the source and actively deal with it. If you can do this, you can make sure that your site isn’t confusing your users and giving them a negative experience.

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Header Image Credit: Christina Morillo on Pexels

Cybersecurity, News, Tech

Vice-Chair of Cyber Security APPG calls for dedicated Cyber Security Minister

Lord Brian Mackenzie OBE, Baron Mackenzie of Framwellgate, Member of the House of Lords and Vice Chair of the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) for Cyber Security, has today, during Cyber Security Awareness Month, called for the UK Government to create a dedicated cyber security minister.

There is currently no dedicated cyber security minister. Responsibilities for cyber security are currently a small portion of the responsibilities of the Minister of State for Security and Economic Crime.

According to Lord Mackenzie, the lack of a minister for cyber security is a glaring oversight. The risk landscape is rapidly evolving as our business, transport, and other critical infrastructure become increasingly digitalised. Cyber security is no longer just about protecting databases and email servers; it’s about defending entire infrastructures from cyberattack.

 

Lord Mackenzie commented:

“In an age where our lives are becoming increasingly digitised, the absence of a Cyber Security Minister within the UK Parliament is not just surprising—it’s a glaring oversight. As we embrace smart cities and smart buildings, operational technology (OT) is connecting more devices to the Internet than ever before. Yet, while IT cybersecurity dominates the headlines, the growing threat from these interconnected OT and IoT devices is flying under the radar.

“The risk landscape has evolved dramatically. It’s no longer just about protecting databases and email servers; it’s about securing entire infrastructures. From heating systems in smart buildings to the traffic management in smart cities, the potential for cyberattacks on these essential systems has grown exponentially. Yet, there remains no central governmental figure to steer the UK’s response to this escalating threat.

“Operational Technology is already entrenched in our daily lives. In a not-so-distant future, everything from our lighting systems to public transport networks could be susceptible to cyberattack. With this shift, the stakes are higher than ever, and yet responsibility for cybersecurity remains fragmented across various departments. A dedicated minister would help unify efforts, ensure coherent policies, and push for stronger regulatory frameworks that prioritise both IT and OT security.

“Moreover, businesses are now realising that cyber threats are not a “future problem”; they are very much a reality. A central figure, serving as a Cyber Security Minister, could champion the strategic importance of cybersecurity to the UK’s economy, ensure investment in national resilience, and, crucially, work directly with industry leaders, like CEOs of banks, to mitigate threats to corporate real estate and beyond.

“In short, as we continue to expand our digital capabilities, it is time the government reflects this urgency by appointing a dedicated minister to oversee and secure our digital future.”

 

About Lord Brian Mackenzie OBE

Lord Brian Mackenzie OBE, following a career in the police in which he rose to the Presidency of the Police Superintendent’s Association, is a non-affiliated life peer. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyber Security and Ambassador for the Juberi Group, a leading technology in the smart building sector.

Picture Credit:

By Roger Harris – https://members-api.parliament.uk/api/Members/1881/Portrait?cropType=ThreeFourGallery: https://members.parliament.uk/member/1881/portrait, CC BY 3.0,

Technology

The Five Critical Pillars of Customer Identity and Access Management

By Malithi Edirisinghe, Director, Architect – IAM at WSO2

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, effective management of customer identities is not just a technical requirement but a strategic asset. Customer identity and access management (CIAM) systems are at the heart of this, ensuring secure and seamless user experiences across numerous digital interfaces. Whether for individual consumers or business clients, CIAM facilitates personalised interactions while safeguarding sensitive data, complying with global regulations, and improving business enablement and operational efficiency.

For those less familiar, CIAM is a specialised application of identity management focused on managing and securing customer identities. At its core, CIAM is designed to facilitate seamless, secure customer interactions across various digital platforms (web apps, mobile apps, kiosks, etc.) while enhancing user experience and maintaining compliance with privacy regulations. Think of CIAM as the gatekeeper and guide within a digital amusement park. It not only ensures that customers can enter through the gates by authenticating through methods such as username/password and two-factor authentication, but it also directs them to the appropriate rides (services) based on their access privileges and preferences. This ensures a smooth and enjoyable visit that’s both secure and personalised.

A robust CIAM strategy is built upon five key pillars, each representing a critical competency for effective customer identity and access management. Let’s examine each of these pillars more closely:

User Onboarding and Registration

The first step in a CIAM process is user registration, which converts anonymous, casual website visitors into known, active, registered users. In consumer-facing applications, user onboarding can be streamlined with Bring Your Own Identity (BYOID) using social identifiers or email, mobile, and username identifiers for basic identity verification. This approach is particularly common in scenarios like online shopping carts, food delivery services, streaming services, and e-commerce platforms. However, for more sensitive applications such as banking, financial services, airline systems, and government services, the verification process can include validating legal documents like passports, national IDs, and driving licences. These processes may even incorporate Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols and integrate with device fingerprint services and biometric verification to prevent fraud.

For B2B companies, registration often involves the onboarding of entire organisations. This can be initiated through a sales-led approach, where an account manager facilitates interactions and negotiations, eventually triggering the provisioning of the organisation once the service agreement is finalised. This often includes invitation-based registration flows. The registration process must be user-friendly and straightforward while also ensuring security. When collecting valuable customer identity data, the onboarding process must be designed to avoid identity fraud, such as registration with synthetic or stolen identities. These factors must be carefully balanced, ensuring that the registration process aligns with security requirements and user experience expectations.

Authentication

Authentication is the second pillar of CIAM, ensuring that users possess the required credentials to access customer-facing applications. Strong authentication prevents account takeovers, password snooping, and password stuffing, keeping unauthorised users out through robust authentication policies. In consumer-facing applications, providing single sign-on (SSO) and passwordless login options such as email links, and mobile OTPs enhance the authentication experience.

Adaptive authentication, which steps up security based on situational risk factors such as attempting access from a new device, logging in from an unusual geographical location, or after a prolonged period of inactivity, balances user experience with security needs. For high-value services like financial applications or government services, additional layers like biometric verification and liveness checks provide higher levels of assurance and meet regulatory demands for more stringent measures.

Authorisation and Access Management

Authorisation and access management define the available rights and entitlements for any authenticated user, application, or device. Traditionally, authorisation has relied on role-based access control (RBAC). To address more fine-grained authorisation requirements, attribute-based access control (ABAC) models were developed. With modern requirements demanding even more fine-grained approaches, relationship-based access control (ReBAC) emerged, evaluating access based on the relationships between entities, with Google Docs being a prime example.

Regardless of the underlying model, authorisation in CIAM involves evaluating access rights and granting appropriate permissions to users, applications, and devices. In consumer-facing applications, access rights often vary based on the user’s loyalty level. In B2B SaaS applications, they depend on roles and service subscription tiers. Additionally, access may be dynamically adjusted based on the user’s assurance level when accessing data or performing actions. For instance, an online banking application might prompt for 2FA again during a transaction to ensure security.

Self-Service

Self-service capabilities are crucial for enhancing user experience and reducing operational costs. The efficiency with which users can recover lost or forgotten credentials is significantly influenced by the ease of access provided by self-service options. These options empower users to undertake actions faster or outside regular business hours. Operationally, these options automate common customer service and support tasks, saving businesses substantial contact centre and chat-based labour costs. Essential self-service features include simple password resets, recovery of forgotten user IDs, and the ability to manage MFA options like authenticator apps, passkeys, and security keys.

Additionally, users need to have access to their activity logs, which show when and from which devices they accessed their accounts. This transparency allows users to audit their activity and take necessary actions based on this information. Compliance with privacy regulations, such as GDPR, requires facilitating self-service features that allow users to view accepted terms and conditions, download their data, and opt out of services.

Integration with Systems of Record and Business Insight Tools

This competency involves embedding identity into the organisation’s business processes and tools, facilitating seamless interactions across various applications and workflows. Businesses often evolve to have multiple siloed identity repositories serving different lines of business (LOBs) and their respective applications. To achieve a centralised CIAM system, unifying identity management across all business properties, including various external-facing websites, is essential. This unification may require migrating siloed user data repositories or their bidirectional integration to synchronise user profiles.

Similarly, integrating CIAM with other customer data repositories, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, is vital to achieving a more unified customer experience by improving data consistency and enhancing customer insights and operational efficiency. Integrating CIAM with business insight tools such as cyber/web fraud management systems, incorporating risk-based authentication and behavioural biometrics, and transaction monitoring systems help identify and mitigate fraud effectively.

Striking the right balance across these five pillars is crucial. Together, they enable frictionless, personalised customer experiences, ensure robust security and compliance, and enhance operational efficiency. This means organisations can drive higher adoption rates and foster business growth, ensuring they remain competitive in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

AI

Ultima Recognised for AI Innovation at 2024 Canalys EMEA Forum

Reading, Berkshire – October 11, 2024 – Canalys, a leading global technology market analyst firm with a distinct channel focus, has announced Ultima as one of three IT technology service providers that have fully embraced artificial intelligence (AI) within their operations and customer propositions. This statement was made at the Canalys EMEA Forum, held in Berlin from October 8-10, 2024.

Alastair Edwards, Chief Analyst at Canalys, characterised Ultima as “a new breed of AI-powered technology providers,” and noted, “They’re extending AI and Automation into many of their offerings to really enhance their services. But what they’re also doing is driving an organisational change, top to bottom—educating everyone internally about how AI can be deployed.”

Ultima’s progressive approach to integrating AI into their services and operations has marked them as a leader in the field. Significant achievements include established expertise in Business Process Automation, and being selected as one of three early start Microsoft 365 Copilot partners.

Matt Hudson, CTO at Ultima, who attended the Forum and was a speaker on a panel discussing AI and Datacentre alongside other leading technology providers such as Dell and HPE, remarked: “It was incredible to be recognised for the efforts which we have actively invested in and accelerated over the past 12 months. We have established not just an Office of the CTO but a Centre of Excellence for Data and AI with the intention to be recognised as the partner of choice for our clients looking to leverage the benefits of AI both operationally and as an accelerator for growth and new opportunity. It is a proud moment to be recognised for our efforts by such a prestigious channel analyst house such as Canalys.”

The recognition by Canalys underscores Ultima’s commitment to innovation and excellence, positioning them as a leading AI-driven technology provider in the industry. Canalys delivers channels and tech analysis, data, and events to ensure tech industry vendors and service providers overachieve, making this accolade particularly significant.

About Ultima:

Ultima is a pioneering IT technology managed service provider, dedicated to harnessing the power of AI to drive forward-thinking solutions and operational excellence for UK based private and public sector organisations.  With a strong emphasis on innovation, Ultima continues to set benchmarks in the technology services industry, aiming to be the partner of choice for clients seeking to leverage the transformative potential of AI and Automation across Cloud, Security and Digital Workspace

About Canalys:

Canalys is a globally leading technology market analyst firm that offers unparalleled insights and analysis in the tech industry. With a focus on the IT channel, Canalys provides data and events designed to help technology vendors and service providers achieve outstanding performance.

Canalys was established in September 1998 with a vision from its founders to bridge the gap for channel-focused IT research in the market. 25 years into this vision, the commitment to being channel-centric and providing accurate and timely data to the technology industry has remained steadfast.

AI, News, Tech

Minister for AI and Digital Government road tests AI bionic back technology

Game changing bionic technology designed to cut workplace accidents and improve safety, has been tested by the Minister for AI and Digital Government as part of a trip to the Hertfordshire headquarters of Health and Safety experts, Stanley. The visit was part of a fact finding mission by Minister Feryal Clark, looking at how AI is being used for good, in UK workplaces. Stanley, based near St Albans, is pioneering the use of AI wearable technology in the UK as a solution for cutting accidents and improving workplace safety.

Graham Sharp, Managing Director of Stanley said:

“We were honoured to be visited by the by the Minister,  who expressed a keen interest in learning more about the pioneering work we are conducting in the UK with AI technology to mitigate workplace accidents. During the visit, she had the opportunity to try on and test one of the exoskeleton suits we recommend for workers in sectors requiring additional support for tasks such as working at heights or lifting heavy loads. These suits have the potential to significantly reduce injury rates using  AI technology to assess the suitability of exoskeletons to the task as well as gather data from the wearer. This data enables both the individual and the management team to identify hazardous movement patterns and, if necessary, develop appropriate training plans to mitigate them.”

Minister for AI and Digital Government, Feryal Clark said:

“My visit to Stanley Handling was an eye-opener, allowing me to see for myself the benefits of this AI technology which will make a difference in sectors including hospitality, logistics, IT, retail, and construction.

“AI is not just making our workplaces safer – it’s making us more productive, by taking on those mundane tasks which allow us to focus on getting the most out of our jobs. The work of innovators at Stanley Handling and beyond will help us realise AI’s incredible potential to kickstart economic growth, delivering safer and more productive jobs for people across the UK.”

According to the latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive, 473,000 workers in the UK were suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2022/23 with 6.6 million working days lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders including back injuries, in 2022/23.  Stanley’s push to introduce AI wearable technology into UK aims to reduce those statistics as it works with clients across a range of sectors to help keep workplaces safe.  The wearable technology is most suitable for physically demanding sectors like construction and the automotive industry, where workers have to lift, reach, stretch and bend on a constant basis throughout the day, making the risk of injury greater.

 

News, Technology

Commvault Accelerates Cyber Resilience Capabilities for AWS with Acquisition of Clumio

Commvault, a leading provider of cyber resilience and data protection solutions for the hybrid cloud, announced it will acquire Clumio, a technology leader in data protection for critical cloud data in AWS.

This transaction enables Commvault to leverage Clumio’s AWS offerings to provide cyber resilience to next generation applications built on AWS. Clumio serves a wide range of customers including Atlassian, Cox Automotive, Duolingo, and LexisNexis.

More and more organisations are relying on Amazon S3 as their de facto storage offering, including for AI development in the cloud. Clumio has brought groundbreaking innovations to market in this area, including technologies that enable customers to have near-instant access to their Amazon S3 data during a time-critical recovery operation.

“In the event of an outage or cyberattack, rapidly getting back to business is paramount to our customers,” said Commvault CEO Sanjay Mirchandani. “Combining Commvault’s industry-leading cyber resilience capabilities with Clumio’s exceptional talent, technology, and AWS expertise advances our recovery offerings, strengthens our platform, and reinforces our position as a leading SaaS provider for cyber resilience.”

“At Clumio, our vision was to build a platform that could scale quickly to protect the world’s largest and most complex data sets, including data lakes, warehouses, and other business-critical data,” said Poojan Kumar, co-founder of Clumio. “Joining hands with Commvault allows us to get our cloud-native offerings to AWS customers on a global scale.”

The asset acquisition is expected to close in early October 2024, and be immediately accretive to ARR and revenue, and accretive to free cash flow within the next three quarters. The purchase price is not material to Commvault and will be funded with cash on hand. Commvault reiterates the fiscal second quarter 2025 earnings guidance previously announced on July 30, 2024.

BofA Securities served as a financial advisor and Hogan Lovells LLP served as legal counsel to Commvault in connection with the transaction.

AI, Business News, Business Tech, Data, Digital Transformation, Tech, Technology

Guide highlights the power of advanced technologies in audit, and the dangers of over-reliance on them

Playbook for auditors provides a roadmap for audit professionals as AI and other advanced technologies transform the sector – and warns that human factor remains critical

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) have released the Audit and technology playbook: A practitioner’s guide, a comprehensive guide aimed at helping audit professionals adapt to the rapidly advancing technological landscape.

The development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and blockchain is reshaping the audit profession. For example, Generative AI alongside increasingly sophisticated data analytics allows auditors to analyse huge amounts of data in just a few seconds, uncovering patterns that were previously invisible and providing greater confidence than traditional methods.

The playbook provides actionable strategies to equip auditors with the skills and tools necessary to navigate this digital transformation. It addresses the opportunities and risks it presents, identifies key trends and provides a framework for audit practices – particularly small and medium-sized practitioners (SMPs) – to adapt.

It also emphasises the importance of balancing technological advances with professional ethics, judgement and human oversight, and highlights the risks of over-reliance on technology.

 

Simon Grant, CA ANZ Group Executive – Advocacy and International, emphasised the importance of embracing new technologies while maintaining the core principles of the profession. He said: “Technology is opening up new possibilities in auditing that were out of reach only a decade ago. However, the human element remains as important as ever. Our professional scepticism, judgement, and ethics must remain at the forefront as we integrate these new tools into our practices.”

Mike Suffield, Director of Policy and Insights at ACCA, said: “Advanced technologies can allow auditors to gain deeper insights into the businesses they audit. But there’s a very real danger of relying too heavily on technology, such as through automation bias where technology subtly influences an auditor’s judgement.”

Key sections of the playbook include guidance on developing a digital strategy, investing in staff skill development, and implementing governance structures to maintain audit integrity.

The guide was informed by extensive research and roundtable discussions with members across several markets.

The Audit and technology playbook: A practitioner’s guide is now available for download on the CA ANZ and ACCA websites.

Appointments, Digital Transformation, Newport, News

de Novo Solutions Welcomes ex Oracle Leader, Rob Gibney as New Brand Ambassador to drive Strategic Growth

Award-winning digital transformation consultancy, de Novo Solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of former Oracle leader, Rob Gibney, as its new Brand Ambassador. With over 30 years of experience in digital transformation, cloud adoption, and public sector solutions, Rob’s arrival marks the next phase of de Novo’s ambitious growth.

Over the last 12 months, de Novo has doubled its revenue and expanded its team to 100 employees.  Positioned for continued success in both public and private sectors, Rob’s expertise will be crucial in propelling the company forward.

 

Rob joins de Novo Solutions with extensive experience from his senior role at Oracle, positioning him to help navigate market challenges and drive strategic growth.  His proven track record in the industry will be invaluable as de Novo continues to build momentum. As Brand Ambassador, Rob will represent de Novo Solutions at key industry events, forge strategic partnerships, and strengthen joint engagement with both new and existing customers. By working closely with Oracle and its user community, he will play a crucial role in driving new business, increasing brand visibility, and expanding de Novo’s market presence.

Mark Sweeny, Founder and Chief Executive of de Novo Solutions, confirmed:

“This is a transformative time for de Novo, as we continue to scale and we are thrilled to have someone of Rob’s calibre onboard. His experience in driving digital change within the public sector, coupled with his leadership at Oracle, will significantly enhance our ability to seize new opportunities and accelerate our growth. I’m excited to be working with him again and see the impact he will make.”

 

Rob Gibney, new Brand Ambassador of de Novo Solutions, added:

“I am incredibly excited to join de Novo Solutions at such a pivotal moment in their journey. Their innovative approach to digital transformation, along with their industry cloud solutions, Odyssea™, and value-driven managed services offering, Value as a Service™, are exactly what organisations today need. I look forward to advancing their vision and building stronger relationships with Oracle and our clients.”

 

Headquartered in Langstone, South Wales, de Novo Solutions is at the forefront of digital innovation in the experience economy.  Since its launch in 2021, the company has introduced market-leading solutions that are setting new standards. including its industry cloud solutions, ‘Odyssea™’ and next generation managed services offering, ‘Value as a Service™ [VaaS™]’ for Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow applications.

For more information, visit: https://www.de-novo-solutions.com.

 

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Image:

Rob Gibney, Brand Ambassador of de Novo Solutions

News, Technology

Panasonic KAIROS Live Production Platform Debuts at Camper Calling 2024

IP-based KAIROS platform used at live music festival for the first time, reducing intermediary kit and increasing flexibility for Panasonic partners, CPL.

October 2024 – Panasonic Connect Europe’s IP-based live production platform, KAIROS, has made its global live music festival debut at Camper Calling 2024. Full-service AV rental, production, and virtual event company, CPL, has deployed KAIROS to streamline its technology infrastructure and minimise the intermediary kit and cabling required, as part of its migration to the SMPTE ST 2110 IP-based transmission standard.

Ideal for broadcast productions, remote production and streaming of live sporting and music events, KAIROS virtualises traditional switcher functions and eliminates many legacy switcher hardware constraints. It features innovative CPU/GPU architecture, and removes the one-to-one input constraints of SDI-only switchers.

Unprecedented scalability, flexibility, and control
CPL opted for Panasonic’s most powerful KAIROS mainframe, the AT-KC2000S1. The KC2000 is fully supportive of baseband signals and IP-based transmissions, and is perfectly suited to large-scale, complex events such as Camper Calling 2024.

The KC2000’s Smart Routing feature enables the KAIROS platform to virtually handle a larger number of input sources by automatically switching the video input to the network switch – giving CPL peace of mind on the bandwidth limitations of the video that KAIROS can receive simultaneously.

KAIROS significantly increases flexibility for CPL. Creators on the network, using a variety of Panasonic control panels, can share workload and incorporate VT playback, keying, clips, sponsor loops, band logos, and the festival schedule to screens. Panasonic’s MultiViewers and AV-HS410 live switcher can also deploy output across all stages instead of using a separate media server. Furthermore, all graphics, videos, and still images shared by bands’ tour managers prior to the festival can be seamlessly selected by operators.

PTZ and studio cameras deliver 4K visuals

CPL has also selected three Panasonic AK-UC4000 4K studio cameras for use in front of the stages, and two of its AW-UE160 4K PTZ cameras for audience and on-stage shots. These are paired with Panasonic’s AK-UCU600 Camera Control Unit, and AK-HRP1010 Remote Operation Panel, delivering uncompressed, long-distance transmission of stunning 4K images. CPL has also adopted Panasonic’s SQ1 series of 55-inch 4K professional displays for use throughout the festival site.

Lee Gruszeckyj, Production Director at CPL, comments: “Our long-standing relationship with Panasonic meant it was only natural that we utilised its KAIROS live video production platform as part of our overall investment in ST 2110 – and we can already see the benefits. This was the first time we had used KAIROS in a live festival setting, and it worked seamlessly. Whereas some of our contemporaries are adopting ST 2110 converters, KAIROS offers instant, uncompressed 4K visuals straight out of the box – and delivers the flexibility, scalability, and ease-of-use we need for Camper Calling in the future. Regardless of what the festival threw at us, we knew we had it covered with Panasonic.”

AI, Digital Healthcare, Healthcare Tech, Training News

Vivanti Unveils COSMART AVA at the 14th Annual Sales Force Effectiveness and Digital Marketing in Pharma Summit

Berlin, 16th October 2024

A leading digital agency is launching its cutting-edge AI-powered training simulator, COSMART AVA, at the 14th Annual Sales Force Effectiveness and Digital Marketing in Pharma Summit in Berlin. COSMART AVA is designed to address a major challenge in the pharmaceutical industry: enhancing the effectiveness of medical representatives (MRs) in a highly competitive and regulated environment.

Medical representatives face challenges such as delivering complex medical information and overcoming objections during brief interactions with busy healthcare professionals (HCPs). These challenges can significantly affect sales performance and revenue.

AVA: The AI-Powered Solution for Commercial Excellence
COSMART AVA is part of Vivanti’s COSMART suite, a collection of AI-driven tools designed to drive commercial excellence.

AVA equips medical representatives with essential skills, including the ability to communicate critical product knowledge, handle objections, and deliver key messages effectively during their limited time with healthcare professionals. Using COSMART AVA, MRs will be better prepared to engage HCPs, build stronger relationships, and ultimately, drive improved sales performance.

Benefits for Commercial Excellence Managers:

  • Pharma-Driven Training Library: Ensures simulations aligns with the company’s protocols and product knowledge, leading to more consistent messaging and strategy execution across the team.
  • Customisable Training Scenarios: Managers can tailor scenarios to target specific training needs, as well as levels of difficulty – ensuring that the simulation is relevant and effective for their team’s development.
  • Product Portfolio Management: Allows managers to keep field force materials up-to-date with the latest product information, ensuring MRs are always prepared with accurate details.
  • Performance Transparency: AVA’s robust analytics provide Commercial Excellence Managers with real-time insights into MR performance, enabling data-driven decisions to enhance training and field effectiveness.

Benefits for Medical Representatives (MRs):

  • Dynamic Interaction: AVA’s ability to adjust its behaviour based on MR performance creates an engaging, real-world training environment that enhances learning.
  • Customisable Scenarios: Tailored training scenarios allow MRs to practice in situations that are directly relevant to their specific field, making the training highly applicable and effective.
  • Emotional Intelligence Training: Developing emotional intelligence helps MRs improve their interactions with healthcare professionals, leading to more successful engagements.
  • Impactful Communication Feedback: Immediate, actionable feedback on communication techniques empowers MRs to refine their approach and improve their persuasive skills.

Impactful Results from Pilot

Vivanti’s pilot of COSMART AVA has yielded impressive results including:

  • Memorisation of Visit Scenarios: MRs demonstrated a 58% improvement in their ability to remember details of their visit scenarios.
  • Enhanced Product Knowledge: There was a 60% increase in MRs’ product knowledge, ensuring they are well-prepared to discuss and promote their products effectively.
  • Improved Communication Skills: MRs experienced a 65% improvement in communication skills, enabling them to engage more persuasively and confidently with HCPs.

Market Debut and Welcoming Early Adopters

COSMART AVA will be debuted at the 14th Annual Sales Force Effectiveness and Digital Marketing in Pharma Summit in Berlin on 16th October 2024 – where the team will be showcasing the solution to industry leaders.

Vivanti is welcoming early adopters who wish to elevate their medical representatives’ training programmes. This opportunity allows industry leaders to integrate cutting-edge technology into their training programmes and set a new standard in MR preparedness within the COSMART framework.

Marina Hickson, Managing Director of Vivanti comments, ” As healthcare evolves, clear communication of complex medical information is more vital than ever. AVA, integrated with our COSMART suite, revolutionizes medical sales training by fostering meaningful interactions. It equips reps with both product knowledge and emotional intelligence to build insightful connections with healthcare professionals, leading to better outcomes. With AVA, we’re not just upgrading a tool – we’re transforming reps into trusted partners in healthcare, shaping the future of patient care.”

Vivanti has a speaker platform at the 14th Annual Sales Force Effectiveness and Digital Marketing in Pharma Summit, Berlin, at 10.10am on 16th October 2024. The team will unveil COSMART AVA and illustrate how this invaluable tool enhances sales force effectiveness and maximises training ROI through impactful healthcare interactions. Vivanti looks forward to introducing pharmaceutical colleagues to the advantages of COSMART AVA.

For more information please visit our website – https://vivanti.eu/, email – info@vivanti.eu or call +44 (0) 7471 179-024.

ENDS

For more information on Vivanti or to interview Managing Director, Marina Hickson or meet the team at the conference, please contact Caroline Beswick or Kathryn Hughes at Trinity PR on 0770 948 7960 or email caroline.beswick@trinitypr.co.uk.

About Vivanti
Vivanti is a leading provider of AI-powered commercial tools designed to improve pharmaceutical sales performance. Through its COSMART suite, Vivanti empowers medical representatives and their companies to achieve commercial excellence by optimizing training, customer engagement, and sales force effectiveness.

Offering innovative marketing and efficiency solutions, Vivanti’s integrated approach helps pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare organisations achieve tailored outcomes by enhancing engagement, streamlining operations, and elevating industry standards. With in-house proficiency in medical science, digital and AI innovations, and regulatory insights, Vivanti ensures that scientific excellence is effectively communicated and aligned with business objectives, driving impactful results.

Citations:

[1] https://intellek.io/blog/knowledge-retention/

[2] https://www.bizlibrary.com/blog/learning-methods/learning-retention-key-employee-training/

[3] https://www.educate-me.co/blog/knowledge-retention-strategies

[4] https://www.getbridge.com/blog/learning-analytics/10-stats-about-learning-retention-youll-want-forget/

[5] https://knowledgeanywhere.com/articles/seventy-percent-of-your-training-is-forgotten-learn-the-science-of-knowledge-retention-and-how-it-affects-online-training/

[6] https://trainingindustry.com/articles/strategy-alignment-and-planning/4-methods-for-boosting-post-training-knowledge-retention/

[7] https://www.indegene.com/what-we-think/reports/understanding-science-behind-learning-retention

[8] https://blog.hettshow.co.uk/research-reveals-clinicians-spend-a-third-of-working-hours-on-clinical-documentation