Artificial Intelligence in Real Estate Industry

19 Aug 2018 Uncategorized

Artificial Intelligence is about to hit the real estate industry, hard. It will be almost a knock out blow! Either you embrace it or it will get you.

The real question is whether you’re going to be able to ride the wave and take advantage of new technologies or whether you’re going to get left behind. It’s up to you.

The most successful real estate companies are likely to be the ones which accept this reality and will embrace AI and use it to revolutionize the way they do business.

Salespeople will identify the client’s needs before they harvest real estate data from designated sources. They will also need to be able to convert what they learn into data that an algorithm can understand. Then AI will be used to find the ‘best fit’ for the client’s investment. The predictive analytics generated through AI based on trends analysis includes outliers that humans can miss. AI helps make smart decisions.

Here is the real deal. The web and AI and never sleep. That means you can use AI-based bots to provide 24/7 coverage to customers who visit your website. They can ‘chat’ with customers on your behalf and help you to make money even when you’re asleep, and the office is closed!

Further, real estate agencies can develop long-term relationships through AI-based CRM systems. AI can even predict whether people are likely to default on their loan or to fail a credit check. This allows real estate firms to function more profitably.

Cyber Gear is now offering an AI-based technology solution called sbot which can help real estate agencies increase their efficiency and profitability.

4 PILLARS OF SBOT

  1. VOLUME

sbot can collect terabytes of data from a variety of sources, including web portals, social media, and information from in-house data. Sbot has already harvested over 800,000 UAE properties data from the ‘Top 10’ regional portals.

  1. VELOCITY

Data streams in at an unprecedented speed and is dealt with in a timely manner. sbot deals with torrents of data in near-real time.

  1. VARIETY

Data comes in all types of formats – from structured, numeric data in traditional databases to unstructured text documents, email, video, audio, stock ticker data and financial transactions.

  1. VERACITY

We have achieved almost 99% accuracy of data based on our AI-based algorithm for cleaning data. sbot intelligently connects and correlates relationships, hierarchies and multiple data linkages.

For a no obligation, demo visit https://www.middleeastdirectory.com/blog/sbot

 

Blizzard Mass Bans Players Exploiting Layering In Classic WoW

14 Aug 2018 News

Blizzard’s ban hammer is in full swing at the moment as they ban players exploiting the in-game layering mechanic. Layering is when ‘mini-servers’ or layers, are created within a server. For example, if you’re playing on the Faerlina server, you may actually be playing on Faerlina layer 1, layer 2, and so on. As a player, it isn’t immediately obvious what layer you are playing on, but you may notice that you’re in the same area as a friend, but you can’t see them. That’s because they are on a different layer.

Why Layering Was Introduced
During Vanilla wow, players experienced huge wait times trying to log into the game. When a player finally got into the game, they were then faced with significant amounts of lag as the thousands of other players surrounding them pushed the hardware and software limits to the max. Blizzard wanted to avoid this with the launch of Classic WoW, so they announced their solution, layering. The idea is that one layer would fill-up with players until it hit a predefined limit, and then a new layer would be generated. Any players logging in after this point will be placed on the new layer.

What Players Thought of Layering
Layering was controversial from the outset. Many avid Vanilla fans felt that layering would degrade the original Vanilla experience. Some players argued that it would detract from the feeling of a full and immersive community that Classic WoW is all about. A major discussion point was also the potential for this mechanic to exploited.

The Exploit
The exploit works like this:
● Player 1 farms a mob, boss, or mat on Layer 1.
● Then, Player 1 will ask someone on another layer, let’s say Layer 2, to invite them into a group. This will transfer Player 1 over to Player 2’s layer, in this case, Layer 2.
● Now Player 1 can farm the exact same item or mob all over again without having to wait for respawns or resets.
● Rinse and repeat. Player 1 can now hop to a different layer again, or back to their previous layer, and farm indefinitely.

Some players have been sinking vast amounts of energy into this exploit, farming for the best gear, or farming for items to sell on the Auction House. This exploit has been shifting huge amounts of Classic WoW Gold into the hands of the exploiters and massively disrupting the budding Classic WoW economy which was growing and developing in much healthier way in comparison to mainstream WoW, where value of WoW Gold is steadily declining and inflation is on the rise. The effect has been that some players have managed to get way ahead of other players, both in terms of the amount of WoWC Gold they have, and it terms of their gear progression and experience.

In response, Blizzard has come down hard on these players, issuing a range of bans. It looks as though some players have been handed one-month bans, some got 6-month bans, and the serious exploiters have been handed permanent bans.

UAE retailers will increasingly use AI and VR technology to enhance retail store experience,

14 Aug 2018 Uncategorized

Almost half of UAE CEOs in the retail industry intend to start using artificial intelligence (AI) in the next two years, as they are increasingly influenced by technology to enhance the retail store experience for customers. This is according to the 2018 Global Consumer Executive Top of Mind survey, ‘No Normal is the New Normal’ jointly conducted by KPMG International and The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF).
Global CEOs however were less optimistic about the adoption of AI, with only 24 per cent expressing intent to start using AI over the next few years. They were also less confident about the prospects of technology in retail, with 48 per cent saying that brands would use technology to enhance the retail store experience. This is in stark contrast with UAE CEOs, who were confident of harnessing technology to transform the customer experience in-store.

Even when it comes to the overarching theme of business transformation, 80 percent of UAE CEOs said they planned to prioritize it over the next two years versus 57.5 per cent of CEOs globally.

As changing customer behaviors and shifting demographics contribute to sustained margin pressures, shorter strategy cycles and increased expectations from customers, companies are ramping up to embrace digital and AI technologies underpinned by data and analytics.

This shift is helping boost margins, customer centricity, agility and efficiency by replacing or augmenting some human activities with technology, and by shifting technology to the cloud.

Anurag Bajpai, Head of Retail, KPMG Lower Gulf, said: “We are envisaging a major push towards embracing technology to enhance the retail experience. The next few years in the UAE may see more brands adopt AI, VR and connected technology to transform the in-store experience and integrate online and offline experiences. The 2018 Top of Mind Survey finds an industry aggressively navigating a sea of change, where retailers and manufacturers appear to be radically rethinking their strategy, culture and processes and becoming more agile as they focus on growth.”

Globally, the Top of Mind survey found that some of the most significant variables that manufacturers and retailers may have to consider include how they reach the consumer, what technology they need, whether they want to do everything themselves and how they react to disruptive new competitors. The decline in brand loyalty was also identified by 29 percent of companies and was deemed to be driven by psychological, sociological and technological factors.

The survey also found that there is a direct correlation between how customer centric a company is and how fast it grows profits and revenues. In fact, 46 percent of customer-centric companies ranked connecting with consumers round-the-clock as a top priority.

“Today’s consumer and retail market is beyond disruption – we are disrupted – and CEOs need to listen to the market, look outward and focus on changing their business,” said Willy Kruh, KPMG Global Chair, Consumer & Retail. “It’s an increasingly difficult tightrope to walk between dealing with both internal and external continuous disruption, but both are key to creating customer centric organizations. Those companies that cannot authentically connect to customers will get left behind.”

Promoting Your E-Commerce Web Site In Middle East

11 Aug 2018 Uncategorized

Once you have launched your e-commerce web site, the challenge is to drive traffic from your intended audience. Other than running campaigns on Google Adwords and Facebook, you have the following options for targeted online campaigns.

Targeted Email and SMS Campaign
You can target Middle East subscribers through www.middleeastpostbox.com. You can select your specific audience based on age group, nationality, areas of interest and income group

Banner Advertising and Social Media Marketing You can reach local and regional audience by advertising in DubaiCityGuide.com, AbuDhabiCityGuide.com, SharjahCityGuide.com and UAEToday.com.

Guest Posts 

You can write product/e-commerce related articles and imbed links to your destination site. These articles will be posted on regional sites through www.guestposts.biz

Press Release Distribution and Media Monitoring Service

We recommend PR distribution to ME media and Global Media through www.pressreleasenetwork.com

For more information, contact Cyber Gear at info@cyber-gear.com

The Robots may be Watching you – But they’re Sometimes on your Side

10 Aug 2018 Uncategorized

Historically, remote tracking software such as RTUs and surveillance technology have been viewed with scepticism by the masses.

This is embodied by the controversy that surrounds extensive CCTV networks in the UK, while the revelations that governments have used software to access private emails has also raised concerns over the scope of ‘Big Brother’ in the digital age.

Like all types of technology, however, tracking software and sensors are vulnerable to the machinations of each individual user, meaning that they can be used for the good of society in many instances. We’ve listed some examples below, and asked why they have such a positive benefit for businesses and households.

  1. Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs) and Site Management

We start with RTUs, which are specialist tech products that collate and communicate real-time data from corporal objects.

Powered by the so-called Internet of Things (IoT), RTU units can be operated and accessed and operated remotely, enabling owners of multi-site corporations to optimise time and cost efficiencies across all of their locations.

Often used to reduce energy consumption and identify potential faults ahead of time, these products can also monitor remote sites and the harshest imaginable locations, while using any garnered data to optimise safety.

  1. Remote Patient Monitoring

Exciting technological advancements have been made in the field of medicine in recent times, including the creation of electronic patient records and the sharing of accurate data between healthcare professionals in real-time.

The NHS is also trialling technology aimed at empowering dementia patients and similarly afflicted individuals to live independently for longer. This will also see physical, household objects such as fridges fitted with smart sensors, which monitor patients remotely and collate data to ensure they’re eating, drinking and washing regularly.

This could save the UK’s public health services considerable sums of money, while also ensuring that patients can continue to enjoy their home comforts safely and securely. Wearable technology will also be deployed as part of this drive, to monitor health metrics remotely and identify potential issues.

  1. Fitness Tracker Apps

On a similar note, it’s impossible to escape the way in which fitness tracking apps have revolutionised our lives and empowered us in our efforts to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

From apps that track food calorie content to others that measure our heart-rate and physical performance during exercise, it has never been easier to cultivate effective dietary and fitness regimes.

This technology is certainly one of the more simplistic applications of remote tracking technology, but it has incredibly positive connotations and can certainly motivate us in our pursuit of higher living standards.

Confused between buying a used sedan and used SUV? Know these tips:

22 Jul 2018 News

We all have our type, even when it comes to cars. While there are umpteen numbers of models being launched by several car companies on a continuous basis, the basics remain the same. Unless you are an automotive enthusiast, and are looking for something very specific, you get to choose between a sedan, hatchback or SUV. There are quite a few points to be kept in mind when choosing your desired car based on your need.

You can find several online sites to do your research on. To top it off, you can also easily buy and sell your car online now. However, if you are looking for expert advice and guidance while buying a used car, it is recommended to go through a reputable car dealer. There are several car dealers such as Carswitch in the UAE, who not only help you pick the right car based on your needs, but also finds you the best deals in the market.

Here are a few tips that might help you in deciding the model of car you wish to buy:

1. How many pax?

This is the most important factor of all. How many people are regularly going to be using your car, helps you make the decision on the type of car to buy. An SUV without doubt fits in more people than a sedan. Thus, if you have a big family and make trips often together, an SUV would be the right pick. On the other hand, if it is just you and your partner or friend, a sedan will do the job just right. In terms of space, sedan and hatchbacks hold almost equal number of people, however, sedans are known to be more elite than a hatchback. They also have more leg room given the longer lengths of their cars.

2. Budget

It is of no doubt, that an SUV is more likely to be more expensive than a sedan in most cases within the same companies. However, we also need to keep in mind he brand that we are going for. This is due to the fact that an SUV is a much bigger vehicle and the body of the car is of bigger make, of course.

3. Car usage

If you are someone who goes on long trips with your friends or family, an SUV is the perfect pick for you. It’s high road clearance and off-road capabilities make your long drives much more comfortable as opposed to a smaller car such as sedan or hatchback. SUV’s give you more space in more than one way. Not only do they hold more people, they also provide more leg space. Their boot is also big enough to carry more luggage than any other car model. On the other hand, sedans and hatchbacks are more suitable for city driving. They are also more convenient to drive and easier to park. Given the size and make of the car, SUV’s are obviously more expensive than sedans and their maintenance cost are also high. If you are looking to not spend much, they might not be your most feasible option.

Apart from your likes and interests, these are few basic tips that might help you choose the kind of car you want to buy. If you are looking to buy an SUV, but do not have the budget, going for a second-hand car is a very good option. Going for a used car is no more a taboo or matter of pride. It is the most convenient and feasible option available. You can research and buy used cars online through several sites now. However, ensure the trustworthiness of the site and dealer before making a move. Good car dealers can help you find great deals as well, when it comes to buying a used car.

Rewards of Guest Posting

20 Jul 2018 Uncategorized

Guest Posting is an extremely popular method of expanding your digital footprint.

By posting your story on another person’s website/blog, not only will a company’s followers see its content, but anyone who follows the host website will see your content as well, thus reaching an audience that might be unaware of your brand.

A business can reach new audiences by increasing the amount of people reading the content. Accumulating guest posts can help a company build online authority by having their content published on other sites. The more sites that allow a company to guest post, the higher authority the company has. Search engines will recognize that other sites consider the posting company knowledgeable, and will adjust that company’s search result rankings accordingly.

Another advantage for companies that guest post is that they create relationships with other influential people.

By creating great content to feature on someone else’s blog or website, a company is establishing a positive relationship with other companies that could be important in the industry. A company that has influential personalities advocating for it will be much more efficient with building a brand online.

For more information, visit www.guestposts.biz

What are the Benefits of Online Banking?

20 Jul 2018 Uncategorized

Thanks to the rapid developments in tech and the internet that we’ve seen in the last decade, people all over the world have access to different forms of online banking. This can be via visiting a bank’s webpage from a home laptop or device, or through various different apps and software.

If you’ve ever used online banking, you’ll probably agree that it beats having to head to your local branch to sort out any financial matters, but the benefits also stretch far beyond this.

Below you can find a number of examples of the advantages of online banking which might just convince you to make the switch if you’ve yet to do so.

Speed and Convenience

Firstly, by using online banking you can make the most of faster and more convenient services. These can include:

  • Moving money between accounts
  • Setting up standing orders and direct debits
  • Paying contacts the money they are owed
  • Receiving payments
  • Speaking directly to account managers at your bank
  • Ordering new cards
  • Reporting any issues and resolving them

A Range of Payment Options

Different banks and lenders can also offer different payment options. For example, Ocean Finance have an app that can link to your credit card and allow you to make payments, however other providers can also allow you to pay for items contactless via the app on your smartphone.

Easy Financial Management

Another benefit that many online banking providers offer is to send out text alerts to make managing your accounts easier. These can be for aspects such as:

  • Reminders to make payments
  • Details about the status of your balance
  • If you have missed any payments or you don’t have enough funds
  • Warnings about security issues
  • Confirmation of any actions you might have taken using online banking

Added Security

On the subject of security, you might think that online banking isn’t as safe as heading a branch in person, but the reality is that all of your accounts or apps will often have plenty of safety measures in place.

This can be in the form of multiple passwords, the abovementioned text confirmations, call back confirmations, secret questions and of course the passwords and measures you may already have on your smartphone or computer.

So as aforementioned, if you’ve yet to make the switch or you’ve just started online banking then why not give some of the above a try? You’ll quickly begin to realise the above benefits and will wonder how you ever lived without such convenient online options and services.

5 Steps to Finding the Best Internet Service Provider for Your Business

3 May 2018 Blog

A strong internet connection is important for any kind of business wanting to succeed in today’s competitive market arena. But searching for the best plan is a challenge, especially when you are just starting out in your field.

Once you start a business, there are plenty of things to organize. Whether your business is located in an office or at home, you have to make sure that everything is operating smoothly. And since your business will most likely depend on uninterrupted internet service to function, you must make finding the best internet service provider a priority.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you find the right internet service provider:

Step 1: Understand the Different Business Internet Packages

Although all plans will enable internet connection for a certain price, not all of them will work the same way. Cable, digital subscriber line (DSL) and fiber optic providers are common in urban areas and cities, but most businesses rely on satellite service in less populated areas.

Understanding the differences among these internet options will help you identify which type will best meet your internet needs.

●   DSL

DSL makes use of local phone lines to provide high-speed internet. As compared to a dial-up service, DSL makes use of separate frequencies for internet and phone. Therefore, you can use both of them at the same time.

Of all the broadband options, DSL is considered the most affordable yet the slowest. The actual download speeds are often slower than the speeds that most providers advertise, which is not the case with fiber optic or cable.

●   Cable

Cable internet service makes use of cable wires to deliver internet. It tends to be more reliable than DSL. Depending on the package you get, it may be faster than fiber optic. But cable internet might not be available in your area – if there is, there might only be one provider.

●   Fiber Optic

Fiber optic is the fastest internet option. It trumps other broadband options when it comes to upload speed. But this option is not as widely available as the other internet service options since it does not use existing telephone or cable lines.

Instead, new fiber optic cables must be installed for it to deliver high-speed internet. These cables make use of tiny and light glass fibers to receive and send data.

●   Satellite

Satellite internet service can be slower and more expensive than other options. However, it can only be your choice if your business is in a rural area. It usually performs better than dial-up.

Also, it does not use a phone line, so you can freely use your landline even when you are connected to the internet.

 

Step 2: Determine What You Need in a Plan to Successfully Run Your Business

Determining what your business needs will have a direct impact on the amount of bandwidth your business data plan should have. Some of the important considerations include:

  • Will you be uploading or downloading files into the cloud?
  • Will you be sending and receiving emails regularly?
  • How often will you need to open Skype or stream videos?
  • What is the size of the files you will be dealing with?

You can use usage calculators online to determine your bandwidth needs. You may also get the services of an IT or telecommunications professional to help you out with this.

 

Step 3: Ask Questions

Most internet service providers will present perfect-world situations where nothing falters or breaks down. But in reality, things won’t always run smoothly. Outages and drop-offs in service will occur at some point. So it is crucial for you to know how the service providers will handle such situations before you commit.

Here are some questions you must ask a provider:

  • Do they employ local service technicians?
  • How many subscribers are sharing a connection?
  • How many hours do they lose to downtime every year?
  • Will the customer service centers be open 24/7?
  • What is the average hold time for clients who need help?

 

Step 4: Discuss the Data Cap

Data caps refer to the threshold at which the provider may start charging you if you go over your maximum in a billing cycle. Some providers have data caps while others don’t, so be sure to find out before working with any provider.

 

Step 5: Know What You’re Paying For

Apart from the data cap, you should also consider added expenses like equipment and hardware. Some internet providers offer these as part of the package while others don’t. So make sure that you understand what is included in the quote they’ve given you.

Reputable providers are upfront with such information. Also, they usually have a feedback form that allows their clients to send reviews so they can improve their services.

Once you have chosen the best plan and have it in place, you can look forward to reliable, speedy internet. The last thing you want, especially when your business is starting out, is to let your customers down because this will tarnish your reputation. By working with the right internet service provider and choosing the right package, the risk of this happening will significantly be minimized.

 AUTHOR BIO

Azhar Abulhamayel is the Head of Marketing – National Segment and High Value at Zain KSA. The company was the first operator in the Middle East to commercially launch the 4G/LTE network. Zain serves +10M customers, has extended its network coverage to 94% of the population, and attracts thousands of new customers daily.

 

‘Maharat min Google’ launches to grow digital skills of the Arab world

16 Apr 2018 Blog

Google’s first digital skills program in Arabic designed to help youth find jobs, grow their careers or start their own businesses.

 Online learning platform offers 100 lessons across 26 core topics, all in Arabic and free of charge

  • org to award $1 million grant to INJAZ Al-Arab, a regional nonprofit organization, which will offer in-person trainings to students in rural areas and underprivileged communities
  • Google signs agreement with MiSK Foundation to roll out in-person trainings to students across Saudi Arabia in one year
  • Total of 200,000 people to be trained by INJAZ Al-Arab and MISK Foundation, with a target of 50% female participation

 Monday, April 16 (Dubai) — Google announced today the launch of ‘Maharat min Google’, a free digital skills-building program in Arabic, in an effort to help people in MENA find jobs, advance their careers or grow their businesses. Based on a blended learning model, ‘Maharat min Google’ provides free courses, tools, and in-person digital skills training to students, educators, job seekers and businesses.

The online platform — g.co/Maharat — has 100 lessons across 26 core topics in digital marketing that include search engine marketing, social media, video, e-Commerce, geo-targeting, and data analytics, among others. Google will provide a certificate upon completion of the full course, which takes about nine hours to complete.

“We’re delighted to be bringing ‘Maharat Min Google’ to the Middle East and North Africa — our contribution to the future of the workforce in MENA. This program is free of charge, available in Arabic and accessible on any platform. ‘Maharat Min Google’ draws on our 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that connect people and businesses, helping them grow and succeed online. We know how valuable digital tools are to MENA’s future and we at Google are proud to be an engine supporting their growth,” said Matt Brittin, Google’s president of business operations across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Google also signed an agreement with Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MiSK) which will conduct in-person trainings to more than 100,000 students across Saudi Arabia. Both collaborations with Injaz and MISK will target 50 percent female participation. Google is looking for further local partnerships across the region with governments, universities, private-sector businesses and nonprofits to expand the reach of its ‘Maharat min Google’ program.

“At the Misk Foundation, we emphasize the importance of this initiative as it is an extension to the our commitment to develop the Saudi youth’s skills, focusing in particular on 21st century skills which will result in a ready-to-market generation as well as prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovator. And since obtaining digital skills is the cornerstone to achieve this, the Misk Foundation partnered on this initiative with Google and the other participating and sponsoring organizations,” said Deema Al Yahya, Adviser and CEO of MiSK Innovation.

Google also announced at the launch event that Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, is granting $1 million USD to INJAZ Al-Arab, a regional nonprofit organization, which will roll out in-person trainings to 100,000 students across 14 countries in MENA focusing on youth in underprivileged and  rural areas.

Akef Aqrabawi, CEO of INJAZ Al-Arab, said: “We are very happy with Google’s support to offer digital literacy skills across the MENA region and to expand the reach of a program like ‘Maharat min Google’. We share a common vision with Google and want to support the Arab youth, especially those in rural areas and underprivileged communities, in preparing them for future job opportunities and in empowering them to become successful entrepreneurs.”

In a recent study by the World Economic Forum, 1 in 5 jobs in the Arab world will require digital skills that aren’t widely available today. 51% of youth consider unemployment their biggest concern and only 38% believe their education gives them the skills they need to enter the workforce. In MENA, there are 30 million women educated, connected and of working age, which represents the largest economic opportunity in the region today.  More than 50% of university graduates are females, yet only 25% participate in the workforce.

Courses are available on g.co/Maharat and new lessons will be added in the future.

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