Search Results for: technology

Disruptive technology emerging markets in Africa could leverage to transform utilities

Editor

The entire installed generation capacity of Africa’s 48 Sub-Saharan countries is just 68 gigawatts, no more than Spain; this is according to the Africa’s Infrastructure report conducted by the World Bank. Up to one-quarter of that capacity is unavailable because of aging plants and poor maintenance. In Sub-Saharan Africa, just one person in five has access to electricity. If current trends continue, fewer than 40% of Sub-Saharan African countries will reach universal access to electricity by 2050. Per capita consumption of electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) averages only…

Blockchain technology may play a major role in equalizing American cities

Dianne Jacobs

The city of Austin is currently piloting a program in which its 2,000 homeless residents will be given a unique identifier that’s safely and securely recorded on the blockchain. This identifier will help individuals consolidate their records and seek out crucial services. Service providers will also be able to access the information. If successful, we’ll have a new, more efficient way to communicate and ensure that the right people are at the table to help the homeless. In Austin and around the country, it seems that blockchain technology is opening a range…

Firms warned on technology distractions

Dianne Jacobs

Technology can distract workers rather than make them more productive, suggests a survey carried out by software giant Microsoft. Many of the 20,000 European workers questioned said a steady stream of emails, messages and notifications kept them from concentrating. Others said the way their employer deployed technology also stopped them being more productive. One expert said many staff suffered high levels of technostress. The report, which sampled views in 21 European nations including the UK, found that only 11.4% of European workers said they felt highly productive. “Modern workers have…

The technology industry needs to think more seriously about device addictions

Dianne Jacobs
Parents

Mobile programmers have the ability to build software that provides deep layers of penetration to the end user through sophisticated targeted notifications. Consumers with their chosen apps, have hundreds of notifications turned on and thus are brought back to their phones at an alarming frequency. A recent study shows that many people consult their phone as much as 150 times a day. Everyone is screaming to the consumer and doing whatever they can to get their attention while not considering the long term ramifications of such excessive stimuli. With the…

Role of Technology in efficiencies and food waste

Dianne Jacobs
Food

The 10-year framework of 6 programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns (10YFP) is a global framework of action to enhance international cooperation and to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP), in both developed and developing countries. At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012, heads of state adopted the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on sustainable consumption and production patterns (10YFP), a global framework for action to accelerate the shift towards SCP in both developed and developing countries. One of the programmes within 10YFP…

One on One with Sendy Ltd: Using Technology to bring efficiency in business

Dianne Jacobs

Think back to how business was done a few decades ago. There was no email, Internet, mobile marketing, telecommuting or smartphones. Innovations in technology have improved operations at companies of all sizes. ITBusinessDirect spoke with Sendy Ltd, a tech platform in Kenya that connects businesses to Drivers to make delivery simple and transparent, on the tech ecosystem in Kenya. The session is majorly on the digital innovation trends and the set backs faced by Tech start ups in the industry. Question: Its true that Technology brings businesses closer to customers. How can…

Microsoft to target 1000 nonprofits for technology donations

Non-profits around the globe have limited resources, and often face the choice between investing in IT infrastructure and investing in programmes to support the communities that they serve. Microsoft created the Technology for Good programme to empower every non-profit to achieve more. The tech giant has restated its commitment to empowering them with the needed technology, and finding more creative ways to solve humanity’s greatest challenges to further technology adoption among Non-profits in Nigeria. According to the Guardian, the tech giant helps non-profits do more good with Microsoft’s cloud technology,…

The barrier to cloud security isn’t the technology

Dianne Jacobs

Cloud computing has been around long enough that IT leaders should be facing its weaknesses and well as its strengths. Competent cloud security technology is available, and most IT organizations’ cloud teams are good at finding and using it. But cloud IT doesn’t exist in a vacuum, so having the right approach and technology alone won’t secure cloud operations. To achieve solid cloud security, departments across IT need to come together, both those that focus on legacy and those that focus on cloud computing.While security remains the top barrier to…

Technology will revolutionise the retail experience

Kibanda Online

New technology is being developed everyday.The technological challenges involved in retailing include the planning of strategies to produce efficiency, effectiveness, advantage and profitability. How resources fit these strategies, the people involved etc. ultimately decide the successful implementation of technology. Tech has evolved into cheaper, more accessible applications. Many businesses across different sectors are being transformed by technology and its advancements ranging from improving productivity through increased efficiency and personalising promotional offers based on the increased surge of data generated from a variety of sources. Shoppers experience is now set to…

Nokia begins work with Airtel to Bring 5G Technology to the World

5G

A fast internet connection is a necessity in today’s world. Currently, the fastest available internet runs on what’s known as fourth generation  or 4G  technology. The fastest among 4G technology is called LTE, which is capable of delivering download speeds of 50mbps. However, a number of telecommunication companies (or telcos) all over the world are testing the next generation of internet technology; the so-called 5G. In India, telcos are working with Nokia to make 5G a reality. Nokia is planning on bringing 5G network to India in collaboration with Airtel and BSNL. According…