Monthly Archives: July 2022

For all their advantages, EHRs aren't so good at detecting changes in patient status that separate those being observed and those who end up admitted. Nursing staff are often left to comb and click through records in an endless game of catch-up.

But at Doylestown Health, AI and algorithmic technology are delivering this in a more efficient manner.

The suburban Philadelphia healthcare network, centered around an independent 270-bed hospital, is using predictive analytics technology from XSOLIS to improve medical utilization management. In the first six months of use, officials say they've improved observation rates by 20% and observation to inpatient conversion rates by 37%. And three years later, the initial return on investment of 4.6x has now improved to 7.3x.

Mary Beth Mitchell, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CCM, SSBB, senior executive director of care transformation strategies at Doylestown Health, oversaw this transformation, as well as hospice/palliative care and clinical documentation improvement, while heading the hospital's case management department.

Mary Beth Mitchell, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CCM, SSBB, senior executive director of care transformation strategies at Doylestown Health. Photo courtesy Doylestown Health.

Mitchell says hospitals would like to be able to admit all presenting patients, but payers insist on observation status as a less-costly alternative based on how sick the patient is. That usually does not last more than 48 hours.

"We are required contractually to review and assure that we have the patient in the appropriate status, so that when we bill the insurer, we're billing appropriate," she says.

Utilization review (UR) nurses must review every patient who comes in and is placed in a bed, whether they're on observation status or inpatient status, to be sure they are in the right status, Mitchell says. These nurses create patient synopses that are sent to the payer, who then can agree or disagree with the status assigned to the patient by the hospital.

Prior to adopting the XSOLIS technology platform, those nurses would, on a daily basis, start at one end of the 270-patient roster, either by payer or by floor, and work their way through to the other end, one chart at a time, to look for changes in patient status that rise to the threshold of changing status from observation to inpatient or vice versa, Mitchell says.

"I could look at a chart in the morning, and the patient looks appropriate for observation," she says. "But during the course of the day, lots of stuff happens to patients. But [UR nurses] are not going to look at that chart again till the next day, because this is a manual process."

Some hospitals start with certain diagnoses, but they're still guessing what they will find in those particular charts, Mitchell says.

The technology platform "assigns a severity for us, and through their AI platform [we] are able to use that severity to predict that the patient should be inpatient or observation status," she says.

The technology continually combs through each chart, looking for events entered by clinicians and notifying UR nurses when those events rise to the level of suggesting a change in status, Mitchell says.

"It's almost like an assistant, re-reviewing your charts constantly," she says.

Since UR nurses typically work on a Monday-through-Friday schedule, the technology is particularly useful in catching changes in patient status late on Fridays, also alerting those nurses about changes over the weekend when they arrive Monday morning, she says.

Unlike the presentation of data in EHRs, where less relevant data is often a distracting presence for UR nurses, the technology highlights key measures.

"When I'm going through an EHR, I have to click in and out of every tab," Mitchell says. "I have to look at every medication the patient is on. I really don't want to sift through things that aren't meaningful. [The technology] boils that down. For the medication lists, we only see what's considered notable meds."

The XSOLIS platform presents synopses of the recommended status changes to UR nurses, who can snip them and send them to payers via electronic fax or other means, Mitchell says.

The technology also accounts for traditional Medicare's standards for admissions and the fact that most private payers use one of two criteria Milliman or Interqual.

One drawback is that this process can reduce the UR nurse's role to being a box-checker Mitchell says. But using the right technology can restore their ability to practice to the top of their license by allowing them to consider multiple diagnoses for a patient.

"The nursing staff loves this, because they're getting to use their clinical skills," she says. "It's more fulfilling to do their job."

Mitchell says healthcare organizations should thoroughly examine and test the technology platform before putting it into use. Different vendors and products offer different pathways and goals, making it vital to ensure that one platform can fit seamlessly into a health system's workflow and meet the needs of administrators and staff.

"We asked for data," she says. "We asked to speak with other hospitals. Were they actually seeing this make a difference? How are they utilizing it? By the time we made the decision, we felt pretty comfortable this was going to help us accomplish what we needed it to accomplish."

"It's really important in this day and age for hospitals to learn to leverage technology to their advantage," Mitchell adds. "Any time you do something manually, somebody's going to miss something. We leverage the technology to help us."

Scott Mace is a contributing writer for HealthLeaders.

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Using Technology to Improve Observation Rates and Drive Appropriate Admissions - HealthLeaders Media

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Many restaurants have faced staffing shortages during the pandemic, whether they are trying to staff back up after layoffs forced by pandemic shutdowns or seeking to replace staffers who left the industry amid the Great Resignation. As of April 2022, restaurants and bars were still 6.4% below their pre-pandemic employment levels which the Bureau of Labor Statistics has called the industrys most severe labor shortage on record.

Three experts from the industry spoke about the role technology tools can play in restaurant recruitment and retention during SmartBriefs July 21 SmartSummit webinar, The role of technology in restaurant recruitment and retention sponsored by HourWork.

Nine in 10 operators said being understaffed is having a significant or moderate impact on their restaurants ability to grow and succeed, according to the National Restaurant Associations 2022 State of the Restaurant Industry report.

The need to hire and retain staffers has driven restaurant operators to try new methods for recruitment and management appealing to prospective employees in new ways and shaking up staffing models.

For Bartaco, paying employees weekly and promoting its higher pay rates which fall between $19-30 an hour, including tips has helped the 22-unit chain increase staffing levels to about 95%, according to Director of Talent Acquisition Jamie Starner, who noted that the restaurant receives about 30,000 applications a month.

Washington, D.C.-based restaurant group Destination Unknown Restaurants has also seen success with a new staffing model that gives full-time front-of-house employees a yearly salary, while back-of-house employees get competitive hourly pay.

We need to make our restaurants places where people want to come back to work, said Kelly Phillips, co-founder and hospitality director for Destination Unknown.

That has worked out well for usMost of our restaurants are fully staffed at this point, Phillips said.

While pay and benefits are certainly key to attracting and retaining employees, panelists also underscored the importance of tech tools that make it easier to connect with prospective employees and improve employees experience once they come on board.

About three-quarters of webinar attendees who responded to a live poll said they have invested in recruitment and/or retention technology solutions in the past two years. More than half of respondents (55.6%) said those investments have made a difference, while 22.2% said they havent seen a difference yet.

One tool that is simple to implement and has made a difference for many restaurants is QR codes. Many eateries turned to QR codes early in the pandemic to allow customers to order and pay from their mobile devices, but the codes can also help restaurants connect with potential new hires.

PJW Restaurant Group, which owns and operates 26 restaurants across six brands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, uses QR codes on flyers and social media postings to connect applicants with the companys career site.

You dont need a lot of bells and whistles in your technology to be able to set that up, said Jen McGonigle, director of people and talent development for PJW, who is also chairperson of the National Restaurant Associations HR, Safety & Risk Executive Study Group.

Bartaco, which offers QR code ordering and payment for diners, also added QR codes that connect to its career site to all of its recruiting materials, including business cards.

Simplifying dining room operations with QR codes has also allowed Bartaco to expand its recruiting pool beyond applicants with restaurant experience to include people with retail or customer service backgrounds.

Were able to broaden that pool and really look at the soft skills that will enable them to come in and throw a party with us, said Starner, who is also the founder and president of the Restaurant Recruitment Roundtable.

Using tech tools to offer staffers a simpler and more streamlined work experience from seeing their schedule to waiting on customers can create an environment that makes them feel valued and supported.

Were using the latest technology so thats really eliminated a lot of headaches, so its an easy restaurant for them to work in, said Phillips, who cited Destination Unknowns use of the Toast POS system for tableside payments. It all comes down to making sure our team is happy, and technology is playing a really big role in that.

When considering tech tools to add to the mix, McGonigle cautioned that new solutions shouldnt be overly complicated. Its really easy to get caught up in the technology and it can be overwhelming when youre trying to train people and teach some new aspect that theyre going to be incorporating into their day-to-day life. So I always look at that and what the user experience is going to be like, she said.

To keep pace with the projected growth of the restaurant industry, operators will need to consider how technology factors into creating a company culture that aligns with what matters most to workers.

McGonigle said PJW tries to poll employees as frequently as possible to get insights into what matters most to them. Weve been reevaluating our benefits package and seeing how we can offer more based on what were hearing, she said, noting that work-life balance, flexible hours and access to schedules are all top-of-mind for staffers.

Phillips pointed out that tech tools can help managers reduce the amount of time they spend on scheduling, payroll and inventory so they can spend more time working directly with their team members. Management matters, she said. A lot of people stay and go because of a manager.

Bartaco offers mentorship opportunities for employees, as well as dining discounts and flexible schedules that allow for at least two days off each week. Were just trying to stay really nimble and open minded when it comes to the needs of our employees and how do we retain them, which is important because people can leave and go get a job next door, Starner said. Taking care of your employees is as important as hiring themits the whole employee life cycle.

To watch the event in its entirety and hear more insights about restaurant recruitment and retention from Starner, Phillips and McGonigle, access the SmartSummit on demand.

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SmartSummit: The role of technology in restaurant recruitment and retention - Smartbrief

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)Science and Technology Directorate(S&T) and itsNational Urban Security Technology Laboratory(NUSTL) hosted Urban OpEx 2022, an Operational Experimentation (OpEx) where first responders evaluated new and emerging technology solutions in realistic, urban settings throughout the New York Metropolitan area during the week of July 18 22.

Operating environments and emergency response capability needs are always evolving and that makes innovation so importantfor today, tomorrow, next year, and beyond, said Kathryn Coulter Mitchell, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology. First responders have to tackle evolving threats in their day-to-day operations and during larger-scale emergency incidents. Urban OpEx paves the way for innovation because were putting technology developers and first responders in the same room to understand what they need from one another.

Building on the successes of past Urban OpEx events, DHS S&T partnered with federal, state and local first responder agencies to test leading-edge technologies that address high-priority capability gaps. The weeklong experiment showcased seven technologies including handheld sensors, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), AI-enabled gun detection, incident management and situational awareness platforms, deployable communications and deployable robotics. First responder evaluators assessed the viability of these technologies for urban search and rescue missions, post disaster assessments, chemical detection at large events, anomaly and threat detection, perimeter surveillance, critical infrastructure inspections, transporting blood and medical supplies, and communicating in remote and degraded environments.

First responders operate under truly unique and challenging conditions. Understanding how new technologies might affect their operations, if they will add value or create distractions can be a challenge, said Bhargav Patel, NUSTLs Senior Technologist. Urban OpEx is an attempt to address this challenge by creating structured experiments contextualized around realistic scenarios.

Urban OpEx maximized opportunities to gather end-user feedback and perspectives from a broad spectrum of participants. More than 150 participants attended the event from public safety agencies around the nation. First responders from the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Fire Department, New York City Emergency Management Department, New York City Police Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Lubbock (Texas) Fire Rescue, and San Diego Fire and Rescue evaluated the technologies alongside representatives from federal, state and local agencies including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Defense, Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office, North Carolina Department of Information Technology, New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, New York City Mayors Office, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, among others. Industry participants from Ghost Robotics, Parsons Corporation, Pendar Technologies, Persistent Systems, Skydio, TDCOMM, and ZeroEyes participated under Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with DHS S&T.

Information and feedback collected during Urban OpEx 2022 will be published in a series of technology reports in theDHS publications library. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial first responders can access the reports to inform their decision-making and guide future technology investments.

Read theUrban OpEx 2022 Fact Sheetto learn more.

Read more at DHS S&T

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DHS Concludes Innovative Technology OpEx to Strengthen Urban First Responder Operations - HS Today - HSToday

1. Carbon sinks

Natural forms of CCS are called carbon sinks and they are vast spaces where the natural habitats capture CO2 from the atmosphere these include forests, oceans, grasslands and wetlands.

Scientists, as well as environmental and conservation experts, recognise that the preservation and cultivation of carbon sinks could increase the amount of carbon taken from our atmosphere in the shortest space of time.

Grasslands and wetlands in particular have a much quicker turnaround for carbon storage, with coastal wetlands storing more carbon per hectare than other habitats like forests.1

Where woodland is used, experts believe certain types of tree - such as birch or willow are optimal for land-based carbon capture as they absorb more CO2 comparatively than other tree species.

One way were working to biologically capture carbon is by preserving and rehabilitating an ancient peat bog located close to one of our substations in South Wales.

The 15-hectare bog stores the equivalent of 32,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is equal to the average annual emissions of 22,000 petrol cars. Restoring it has also provided conditions for rare butterflies and vegetation to flourish.

Deep saline aquifers are underground geological formations; vast expanses of porous, sedimentary rock, which are filled with salt water. CO2 can be injected into these and stored permanently in fact, saline aquifers have the largest identified storage potential among all other forms of engineered CCS.

The Endurance aquifer, located in the North Sea off the coast of the UK, is one such formation, which sits approximately 1 mile (1.6km) below the sea bed. Roughly the size of Manhattan Island and the height of The Shard or the Empire State Building, its porous composition allows for carbon dioxide to be injected into it and stored safely for potentially thousands of years.

In the US, multiple large-scale saline aquifers are now being used for CCS purposes, such as the Citronelle Project in Alabama. During its three-year trial period, it was successful in storing more than 150,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, which was captured from a nearby pilot facility.

Carbon capture technologies are still being developed globally, with individual countries creating strategies that respond to their own net zero goals. For example, in China companies have developed experimental commercial air filters huge towers that clean air of pollutants on a huge scale. These giant air towers purify air by drawing it into glass rooms, which are heated using solar power creating a greenhouse effect. This hot air up is pushed up the tower through a series of filters, before being released back into the atmosphere as clean air.

One such giant air-purifier tower in Xian has reportedly been cleaning more than 353 million cubic feet of air each day, dramatically improving local air quality. Manufacturers believe they are close to developing even larger towers, where just one could clean enough air on a daily basis for a small city.

The most recent advancements in CCS technology includes new types of liquids, which are highly effective at absorbing CO2. Two dimensional ionic liquids have a molecular structure that allow for higher rates of CO2 to be absorbed. Scientists believe editing liquids can offer more precise control in the chemical engineering process and are considered environmentally friendly.

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Carbon capture technology and how it works - National Grid

Washington, D.C. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Rostin Behnam today announced a reorganization of FinTech and customer protection efforts and changes to key roles as the agency evolves to address changing markets and market demographics. Chairman Behnam is bolstering the agencys FinTech efforts by creating the Office of Technology Innovation (OTI), formerly LabCFTC, and naming Jorge Herrada as its director. In addition, the chairman announced today that FinTech specialist Jason Somensatto, in addition to continuing his role in OTI, will be joining the Chairmans Office along with legal advisor David Felsenthal. Further, and responding to an unprecedented rise in retail futures, options and digital asset trading, Chairman Behnam today announced the realignment of the Office of Customer Education and Outreach (OCEO) within the Office of Public Affairs. Steve Adamske is the director of the Office of Public Affairs and will also serve as interim director of OCEO with additional personnel changes to be announced at a later date.

The new Office of Technology Innovation will continue the CFTCs efforts in incorporating innovation and technology into the agencys regulatory oversight and mission critical functions by supporting the operating divisions and the Commissions participation in domestic and international coordination. OTIs new structure provides greater flexibility, ensuring that it continues to serve internal and external stakeholders by, among other things, continuing to support outreach and providing rotational opportunities for CFTC employees to gain exposure and expertise.

This reorganization and staff additions bolster an already strong team of division directors and office leadership previously announced by Chairman Behnam including the agencys first Chief Diversity Officer.

The accelerated engagement with FinTech through LabCFTC fulfilled its mission as set forth by former Chairman Giancarlo, and the clear intersection between financial innovation and our markets now requires an updated strategy, said Chairman Behnam. Our resources will be better utilized through an Office of Technology Innovation, reporting directly to the Chairmans office and staffed by a Director, a FinTech Policy and Technology Specialist, a strategic Communications and Education leader, and rotational opportunities for all CFTC employees to gain exposure and expertise.

As new participants and infrastructure providers access and participate in our markets, the CFTC has a greater responsibility to provide trusted and verifiable information, education and outreach, said Chairman Behnam. Customers and market participants alike must act responsibly, and it is incumbent upon regulators to ensure that the investing public, including those in underserved communities, has the tools and information to make informed decisions that may impact their personal finances and the larger markets. OCEO is well equipped to do just that.

Jorge Herrada, Office of Technology Innovation Director

Jorge Herrada will serve as the new director of the Office of Technology Innovation after recently completing a one-year detail as the Senior Technology Advisor to the TechLab at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where he helped to guide the vision and experiments regarding Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Prior to joining the Federal Reserve Board, Jorge served for four years as the Senior Technology Advisor for LabCFTC, where he focused on innovation, advanced technology, analytics, finance, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), and cryptocurrencies. He led the CFTC Technology Advisory Committees Virtual Currencies Subcommittee, the DLT Subcommittee, and the High-Frequency Subcommittee. Prior to joining the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Mr. Herrada served as a Senior Principal at American Management Systems (AMS--now CGI). At AMS, he was a systems architect and software engineer. Mr. Herrada earned an MBA from the University of Chicago, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BS in Management Science from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

Jason Somensatto, FinTech Policy and Technology Advisor

Jason Somensatto will join Chairman Behnams office as FinTech Policy Specialist where he will advise the Chairman on the CFTCs oversight of the digital asset market. He joined the CFTC in February 2021 and previously served as the Acting Director of LabCFTC. Before joining the CFTC, Mr. Somensatto was the senior counsel for a startup developing exchange infrastructure for the digital asset market. Since 2014, he has published several articles and spoken publicly on the intersection of financial regulation and distributed ledger technology. Mr. Somensatto also spent over a decade as an attorney in private practice where he represented clients in government investigations and enforcement matters. He holds a JD from the George Washington University Law School and a BA from the University of Virginia.

David Felsenthal, Counsel to the Chairman

David Felsenthal has been appointed counsel to the Chairman. He will work on issues related to digital assets, climate and other matters. Previously, he was a partner and head of the derivatives practice at Clifford Chance US LLP. Prior to that, Mr. Felsenthal was a lawyer at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He has spoken and written extensively on issues related to derivatives, regulation and finance. He holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA from Princeton University.

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Chairman Behnam Announces Technology and Customer Outreach Reorganization | CFTC - Commodity Futures Trading Commission

NEW YORK, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --ActionIQ, the leader in customer experience (CX) solutions, today announced that the Business Intelligence Group named the AIQ CX Hub Product of the Year in the 2022 Sales and Marketing Technology Awards program, also known as The Sammys. The Sammys honor products helping to solve the challenges organizations have connecting and collaborating with prospects and customers. The AIQ CX Hub received the Product of the Year Award in the Insights & Analysis category.

ActionIQ helps enterprises pull together fragmented customer insights and putting impactful CX in motion with an extensible AIQ CX Hub powered by a CDP.

"We are proud to receive the 2022 Product of the Year Sales & Marketing Technology Award in the Insights and Analysis category," said Tasso Argyros, Co-Founder and CEO at ActionIQ. "Customer data is the foundation of CX, and a great CX solution requires lots of data processing horsepower, ability to handle many different data types and data access and usability for non-technical users. The AIQ CX Hub is the only solution that can combine the full historical customer profile with real-time events leveraging both known and anonymous customer and account data to decision and orchestrate the next best experience or customer journey."

"We are proud to reward and recognize ActionIQ for their innovation and dedication to helping both the organization using their technology and the ultimate consumer," said Maria Jimenez, Chief Nominations Officer, Business Intelligence Group. "It was clear to our judges that their efforts will improve how we all connect with the brands we love for years to come."

To learn more about ActionIQ, please visit here.

About ActionIQ

AIQ brings order to CX chaos. Our Customer Experience Hub empowers everyone to be a CX champion by giving business teams the freedom to explore and action on customer data while helping technical teams extend and enhance existing technology investments to manage data governance, costs and performance. Enterprise brands such as Autodesk, M&T Bank, The New York Times, Neiman Marcus, Hertz and many more use our CX Hub to drive growth through extraordinary customer experiences. Learn more at actioniq.com.

About Business Intelligence Group

The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, business executivesthose with experience and knowledgejudge the programs. The organization's proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers.

Media ContactsMaria JimenezChief Nominations OfficerBusiness Intelligence Group1 909-529-2737[emailprotected]

Dusya BroytmanDirector, Corporate CommunicationsActionIQ[emailprotected]+1-201-707-2334

SOURCE ActionIQ

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ActionIQ CX Hub Receives Product of the Year Award for Innovation Technology - PR Newswire

ATLANTA, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion Connect, a leading provider of managed security and collaboration services, announced today that it has been named a gold winner in the Customer Service and Support Team-Department of the Year category in the 17th Annual 2022 Information Technology World Awards.

Fusion Connect's team strives to excel at every point in the client journey to impact client loyalty and satisfaction. The success of Fusion Connect's revamped frictionless approach to client experience can be quantified by the 25% increase in client satisfaction scores achieved over the last year. The Gold Globee Award is validation of the company's new approach to client service, whose foundation is a five-point client service guarantee, that has driven the team to eliminate long waits, deliver timely service installations, all while guaranteeing overall satisfaction.

"Our clients are at the heart of everything we do," said Rod Brownridge, SVP of Customer Experience at Fusion Connect. "We use client feedback to drive real-time changes in our approach. By listening to our clients and utilizing tools and data to monitor the client journey, we ensure a flexible, intelligent, and personal experience across any channel. The journey to perfect the client experience is impossible without the team's integrity, care, and dedication to provide frictionless experience. This award shows that we're on the right path, and we'll keep focused on our mission to further improve the client experience."

More than 170 judges from around the world representing a wide spectrum of industry experts participated in the judging process for the 2022 Information Technology World Awards. The program is open to all IT and cybersecurity organizations from all over the world and their end users of products and services.

The IT World Award is not the only client-centric award earned by Fusion Connect this year. The company was also recently awarded a bronze Stevie Awardin 20th Annual American Business Awards.

Organized by the Globee Awards, the IT World Awards recognize information technology and cybersecurity vendors with advanced, ground-breaking products, solutions, and services that are helping set the bar higher for others in all areas of technology and cyber security.

About the Globee Awards

Globee Awards are conferred in nine programs and competitions: the American Best in Business Awards, Business Excellence Awards, CEO World Awards, Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards, Disruptor Company Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, Information Technology World Awards, Sales, Marketing, Service, & Operations Excellence Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com

About Fusion Connect

Fusion Connect manages, orchestrates, and secures the critical technology infrastructure that enables the connected enterprise. We tailor our highly available and secure cloud communication, collaboration, security, and network management platforms to meet the unique needs of our mid-market and enterprise customers. Our AI-based management systems, along with our highly skilled technicians, dynamically ensure world-class application performance under any conditions. For more information, go to http://www.fusionconnect.comor call us at +1-866-829-4318.

Press Contact:Ruzanna TantushyanDirector of Corporate CommunicationsFusion Connect[emailprotected]

SOURCE Fusion Connect

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Fusion Connect's Customer Support Team Wins Gold in 2022 Information Technology World Awards - PR Newswire

Photo credit: Weiquan Lin/Getty Images

Our annual partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, just concluded. The conversations I had with Microsofts partner community echo those I have had recently with leaders from both established organizations and earlier-stage enterprises. Leaders across industries share a commitment to innovation as the only path forward through uncertainty in global markets, especially as they continue to strengthen their security posture, reduce their carbon footprint, inject more visibility into their supply chains, and promote more inclusive prosperity in the communities where they operate.

I see this shared commitment as part of a trend I call digital perseverance. It is the ability oforganizations to thrive despite risk when they harness and wield digital technology to achieve their business goals and do more with less. Here are examples of organizations that have embraced digital capabilities to persevere in collaboration with Microsoft.

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Last week, Oracle and Microsoft announced the availability of Oracle Database Service for Microsoft Azure. Earlier this month, we completed the acquisition of Miburo to boost threat intelligence research into new foreign cyber threats, and Netflix announced Microsoft as technology and sales partner for its new consumer subscription plan. P&G has selected Microsoft as its preferred cloud provider to enable scalable predictive maintenance, controlled release, touchless operations and manufacturing sustainability optimization from diapers to paper towels. American Airlines has chosen Microsoft Azure as its preferred cloud platform, applying AI, machine learning and data analytics to reduce time waiting on the runway, saving thousands of gallons of jet fuel per year and giving connecting customers extra time to make their next flights.

The industrial metaverse has the potential to simultaneously improve supply chain resiliency, business efficiency and sustainability.When organizations make or move goods, they leave a carbon footprint.With the industrial metaverse, they can simulate manufacturing processes and supply chain scenarios infinitely in the cloud before a product is made or moved. The result: less waste, water consumption and carbon emissions all while creating better products more efficiently and sustainably.

Manufacturers set new quality standards with digital twins and mixed realityBelgium-based AB Inbev, the worlds largest brewery, is creating a digital model of their breweries and supply chain with Azure Digital Twins, enabling brew masters to make the highest quality beer and front-line operators to remotely monitor quality and traceability data. Bosch is using an Integrated Asset Performance Management (IAPM) solution powered by a digital twin on Azure that enables rotating machines, like turbines and electric motors, to indicate when they need maintenance to run with optimal costs and maximum efficiency. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a global leader in industrial robots, is building a digital environment for robotics, which enables collaboration in the industrial metaverse and remote operations of robots utilizing Microsoft technologies like Azure IoT and Azure Digital Twins. Hyundai Motor Group is establishing an electric vehicle battery asset management platform with Azure Digital Twins to increase battery management efficiency. Denmark-based Novo Nordisk, a leader in the global production of diabetes medicine, is using technologies like HoloLens 2 and Dynamics 365 to make production processes more efficient while maintaining the highest quality standards and complying with authority requirements and regulations.

AI and supercomputing technologies unlock mobility innovations across the value chainCroatian automotive company Rimac Technology is combining its high-performance engineering with Azure high-performance computing to build powerful electric vehicles through virtual prototyping. Automotive supplier thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology is standardizing its complex customer relationship management with Dynamics 365, reducing the time-to-quote by 75 percent. U.K.-based Wayve is scaling the development of AI-based models for autonomous vehicles with Azure supercomputing technologies. Germany-based Volocopter is working with Microsoft to develop an aerospace cloud system on Azure to address the cloud computing requirements of urban air mobility and autonomous aviation. With Azure OpenAI Service, CarMax is imagining new ways to make the process of buying a pre-owned vehicle hassle-free, bringing integrity, trust and transparency to the used car industry. With HoloLens 2, Volkswagen and Microsoft are putting augmented reality glasses in motion, unlocking new entertainment experiences for passengers.

Sustainability is todays differentiator across industries for a better futureNorway-based energy company Equinor is establishing a Microsoft Power Platform Center for Enablement to nurture greater innovation through low-code development, helping the company achieve its sustainability goals as it transitions toward renewables. Czech Republics energy supply company innogy is using Microsoft Power Apps to create detailed proposals for custom home photovoltaic systems 25 percent faster. Grupo Bimbo, the Mexico-based producer of baked goods and snack foods, is rolling out Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability to all its global operations to collect, track and analyze strategic metrics of its sustainability strategy, working toward zero waste and zero carbon emissions. French start-up Metroscope is working with Azure Kubernetes Service and Microsoft security services to develop digital twin solutions for energy production plants which improve monitoring and efficiency with the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 900,000 tons per year. With Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability capabilities, the Las Vegas Raiders, a U.S. National Football League team, can monitor energy, water and waste metrics and usage and keep track of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) electrical usage. For example, its sustainability metrics dashboard helps analyze weather data and regulate the temperature within its stadium.

Cybersecurity solutions empower hybrid work and drive customer trustThe Food Standards Agency is overseeing food safety in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, keeping the U.K.s food supply safe and secure with Microsoft Purview. The City of Marion in Australia is also using Purview to provide residents with secure government services. Adobeis giving Acrobat users the ability to apply Purview Information Protection labels and policies to their most important documents. The global exam provider Pearson VUE aces data safety with Microsoft Sentinel across a multicloud and hybrid cloud environment. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is shaping the future of work for state employees eight years ahead of schedule, enabling its 40,000 employees to work securely from anywhere with the help of Defender for Office 365, Microsoft 365 and Surface tablets. With Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Sentinel, iHeartMedia is delivering a more streamlined user experience and lower licensing costs in the audio media world where security is non-negotiable. Tower in New Zealand is enhancing its employees remote work experience with Microsoft Endpoint Manager. With attack simulation training in Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Malaysia-based telecommunications company Celcom has reduced the time spent on creating attack simulations by 70 percent, improving awareness for its workers to recognize cyberthreats and phishing attempts.

Access to digital technology connects communities and helps people in needU.K.-based nonprofit Barnardos is connecting hundreds of thousands of families and children in need to valuable social services each year, deploying Microsoft Cloud services and Microsoft Surface devices to help employees be more effective. Part of the United Nations, Switzerland-based International Organization for Migration is moving to the Microsoft Cloud to focus on its humanitarian mission of supporting end-to-end migrant journeys, helping 30 million people every year with practical solutions to migration issues stemming from social, cultural, environmental and economic causes. The Housing and Urban Development Company of So Paulo in Brazil is working with Dynamics 365, Power Apps and Microsoft 365 to identify community needs and create housing projects through a centralized customer relationship management system. Singapore-based Nanyang Polytechnic is working with Microsoft to open the Centre for Applied AI to nurture AI talent for the workforce of the future and empower small- and medium-sized enterprises with the tools and expertise they need to embark on their digitalization journey. Thanks to broadband access provided through the Airband initiative and local broadcasting partner Telecaribe, 650 children from eight schools around Ovejas, Colombia have been able to experience internet connectivity for the first time.

With digital perseverance as an imperative, companies have continued to deliver outsize business value and outcomes, despite significant challenges in recent years. We remain incredibly inspired by what they have achieved and how they are positioned to navigate the landscape ahead. Further, we are committed to serving as their digital technology partner of choice on that journey.

Tags: AI, Azure, Digital Twins, Dynamics 365, HoloLens 2, metaverse, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Cloud, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Teams, Security, Surface, sustainability

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From resilience to digital perseverance: How organizations are using digital technology to turn the corner in unprecedented times - The Official...

Robotaxi safety operator is an occupation that exists only in our time, the result of an evolving technology thats advanced enough to get rid of a drivermost of the time, and in controlled environmentsbut not good enough to convince authorities that they can do away with human intervention altogether. Today, self-driving companies from the US, Europe, and China are racing to bring the technology to commercial application. Most of them, including Apollo, the self-driving arm of Baidu, have started on-demand robotaxi trials on public roads but still need to operate with various constraints.

With an associate degree in human resources, Liu has no academic training related to this job, But he has always loved driving, and he acted as the driver for his boss in a previous role. When he heard about the self-driving technologies, his curiosity pushed him to look up related jobs online and apply. Today Liu, who has a buzz cut, a warm smile, and a distinctive Beijing accent, drives a robotaxi five days a week in Shougang Park, a 3.3-square-mile former power plant in Beijing that has been redeveloped into a tourist attraction after serving as a sports venue for the 2022 Winter Olympics. His car cant leave the park, which was designated as a trial area for robotaxis, so his passengers are usually employees who work there or tourists visiting on weekends.

But Liu also needs to think about his next steps, as his job will likely be eliminated within a few years. He has been through several robotaxi models and policy changes in his 19-month career as a safety operator. In April 2021, Baidu acquired the license to put the safety operator in the front passenger seat instead of the drivers seat (only within Shougang Park), and Liu subsequently switched his position and said goodbye to the steering wheel. On July 21 this year, Baidu revealed its new robotaxi model whose steering wheel can be removed. It is expected to be in operation in 2023.

MIT Technology Review talked to Liu Yang in June. We asked him about how he came to get this job, what his daily life is like, and what the future holds for an occupation designed to disappear soon.

The interview has been translated from Chinese and edited for clarity.

It was quite a coincidence. Back when I was parking the car for an old boss, I didnt know what self-driving was and saw that his car had a self-parking function. I was super, super curious. It was really interesting when we ordinary people try it for the first time. After that, I wanted to know more.

Twelve, 13 years.

I was extremely nervous when I went for the interview. We had two rounds, a face-to-face interview and a road test. I think the road test for self-driving [operators] is more difficult than the road test for getting a drivers license. When you are learning how to drive, you need to look at your left, your right, and the rearview mirror; but when we are taking the test [for Baidu], you need to pay attention to all the directions, as well as what every car in front of or behind you is doing. Maybe it will suddenly change lanes and impact you.

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A day in the life of a Chinese robotaxi driver - MIT Technology Review

FIFA 23 is on the way, and EA is not only looking to make it the most expansive title of the series to date but the most realistic as well. To do this, EA has upgraded its HyperMotion motion capture system to HyperMotion 2 and improved its machine learning algorithm. Both tools capture and put together data to make virtual football as authentic as possible. Said data even comes from actual football matches by the team in Zaragoza, Spain, shot on Xsens technology. All this works together to create the most visually authentic entry in the series thus far.

FIFA 23 utilizes Advanced 11-v-11 match capture, meaning that actual football players came together for full-on matches using Xsens suits. This years game draws from two matches featuring professional teams, including a womens match (a series first). That capture was then combined with EAs new machine learning algorithm to make players and the environments around them more lifelike.

Various visual and mechanical enhancements further amplify FIFA 23s faithfulness to the sport. Players limbs now react to the impact of the ball, and fully-3D nets even move when the ball or players make contact with them. Other extra touches like new animations and (over 500) chants for crowds liven up a matchs physical and emotional energy.

HyperMotion 2 and the new machine learning algorithm have a hand in various innovations coming to FIFA 23s gameplay. EA presented several features made possible thanks to this innovative technology. Full Team Authentic Motion ensures that no two plays are identical. Star-specific run styles, improved technical dribbling, female athlete-specific animations, and left-footed skill moves are now made possible with these advancements. Now more than ever, football matches look and feel more like they do in real life.

More detailed and more authentic animations lead to more depth and control in the game itself. For example, Power Shots are a new skill-based risk-reward mechanic that unlocks yet another layer of strategy. To use them, you must carve out the perfect space and aim precisely, pressing L1 and R1, then shoot to activate. If performed correctly, you can score goals with more power and accuracy. However, the longer animations and the need for precision introduce a higher risk.

Defensive areas of the game arent left out either. You can lie down behind the wall to block low shots. The new motion capture data also allows players to perform clearance slide, physical, and back heel tackles, which aggressively counter offensive abilities, such as added shooting types like chesting, backspins, and downward volleys. There are even more ways to pass, including the always smile-inducing bum bumping.

EA is aiming for authenticity with FIFA 23, and every piece of the game is building toward that goal. You can experience this true-to-life football title when it releases on PlayStation 4 and 5 on September 30.

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The realism of FIFA 23s new motion capture technology - PlayStation