The power of the ecosystem: Magic happens!
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Throughout the year, I've blogged about the power of the ecosystem. Whether it was a focus on the http://socialbusinesssandy.com/2014/02/27/pulse-cloud-ecosystem-announcements-a-summary-infographic, the http://socialbusinesssandy.com/2014/02/05/the-power-of-the-entrepreneur-and-the-ecosystem-ibm-entrepreneur-week/">entrepreneur ecosystem, or <a href="http://socialbusinesssandy.com/2014/01/07/social-business-is-all-about-people-in-2014-3-big-priorities/">empowering folks to create a digital ecosystem</a>, I'm a big believer that nurturing an ecosystem is essential to success.
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I'm always encouraging companies who have smarter, game-changing, industry-disrupting solutions to build and engage their ecosystem. As a result, I've seen tremendous opportunities come to life... magic happens!
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At the IBM Connect conference in January, two IBM Business Partners, <a href="http://www.isw.com.au/wps/portal/isw">ISW</a> and <a href="http://www.trustsphere.com/">TrustSphere</a>, met for the first time on the trade show floor. What makes this really special is that ISW and TrustSphere both have a presence in Australia, but met for the first time in Orlando, Florida. They quickly realized the value that could be gained for each company in collaborating with each other!
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Working together, these two companies developed a new social solution, called <b>Kudos Insights for IBM Connections</b>. According to the TrustSphere website, "Kudos Insights for IBM Connections can now leverage the power of Messaging Intelligence to deliver better collaboration insights when managing on line communities and accelerating social adoption."
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What a great business success story! And I can't think of a more powerful way to underscore the value of participating in an ecosystem, and, of course, on being an IBM Business Partner!
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How can you do the same? Attend our next conference: <a href="http://www-01.ibm.com/software/events/insight/">IBM Insight 2014</a>! Early registration discount is available.
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I hope you will attend. Magic can happen!
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Top 10 Announcements on Day 1 of #ibminterconnect
Day 1 of InterConnect 2016 at an end, but with it came so many beginnings: The beginning of a simpler Cloud, of new value in existing offerings, and a new chapter in the Watson story.
Cloud development is even easier thanks to the new 1. Bluemix Whisk, which drives the rapid creation of new apps and microservices fueled through an open ecosystem. Plus, our existing 2, Cloud Data services are now “open for data,” to speed the use of data sources for new apps.
We’ve brought billions in value to our existing offerings through Connect, extending enterprise apps and data to the Cloud. 3. WebSphere Connect and the Connect family of offerings have already cloud enabled 100K+ IBM Software clients, and with Bluemix services, they’ve connected to Cloud-based apps, data, and APIs.
Our new Cloud-based 4. Blockchain resources gives developers the ability to speed up DevOps and get Blockchain ready for their business. With video poised to exceed 80% of all Internet traffic by 2019, we’ve launched our new 5. IBM Cloud video platform, perfect for live-streaming and on-demand needs.
Finally, IBM has offered a number of robust as-a-Service solutions from Platform to Software. Now, we’re excited to announce 6. AI-as-a-service with IBM Watson. Get access to the most expansive portfolio of AI capabilities with vision, speech, language, and data. We’re equipping developers with SDKs, tooling, and more, and it’s only available on IBM Bluemix!
Yesterday we discussed the announcement of 7. GitHub Enterprise and I will blog in a bit on 8. bit.ly
In addition, 9. Swift and 10. VMware were incredible partnerships!
An astonishing day of astonishing news. Stay tuned for more as InterConnect kicks into high gear tomorrow!
Sunday – Kickoff, anticipation, and critical Ecosystem
Greetings from IBM InterConnect 2016!
The air feels electric here at the first day of InterConnect 2016, with the anticipation from developers, startups, entrepreneurs and more excited to learn, grow, and show with IBM Cloud and the Developer Ecosystem. We’ve made so many amazing, critical strides for the Ecosystem to make it the best it can be for you, and I’m excited to share all the news with you over the next several days.
I’ve talked with so many amazing devs who have experienced the Ecosystem firsthand and understand how now, more than ever, its critical place in developmental success and the future of how devs will create the next game changing apps, services, and more. Devs want cognitive, they want the future, and they want to be a part of an Ecosystem that can empower them to build for tomorrow, today. The InterConnect experience over the next 5 days is all that and so much more.
We’ve gathered an assortment of sessions, lightning talks, labs, AMAs (Ask Me Anything) and so much more to give you every opportunity to learn HOW to use the wide array of options available to you on the IBM Cloud. It’s far too much to write here and just barely fits into 5 days; you have to experience it all for yourself!
Welcome to change. Welcome to the future. Welcome to InterConnect 2016.
Just for developers - a Quickie Guide to Why these partnerships matter! Box, Docker, and Apple
I am here in London at the Cloud Forum! I had a great set of roundtables yesterday and got asked from many developers what do these announcements do for me!
So I took a stab at a high level view of the value!
Box
- Existing Bluemix developers can now leverage the world class Box cloud storage API and services for their mobile and web apps! (Box API will join the rest of 100+ Enterprise developer service tile on our Bluemix service specifically made for develoeprs)
- And existing Box developers can now enjoy the speed of creating new mobile and web apps integrating Box API on Bluemix developer cloud
- What’s more, IBM has built an extensive Enterprise Content Management capabilities
- content capture, extraction, analytics, case management and governance, that are complentary
- these solutions were already deployed in many large enterprises,
- now Box developers will be able to tap into these rich enterprise content
This is particularly interesting for developers want to get into a few specific high barrier-of-entry industries including healthcare and financial industry, because in the past, the data of these enterprises are held in a vault that is difficult to get.
For example, startups can create apps using IBM ECM API to extract contents data to feed into Watson, and then allow researchers to collaborate on Box platform using the insights generated from Watson.
Docker
By helping making Docker as the standard of "write code once, and take it anywhere", it removes the lock in that many developers had to spent lots of time when they start their development on the cloud. (for example, it usually takes a couple of days to redeploy an app from developer's own machine to AWS cloud)
Through this new partnership, IBM offers "IBM containers" for developers deploying their apps onto Bluemix (public cloud) and PureApp (private cloud) and the tools managing the containers,
For the large companies that are very picky on how/where apps get deployed, this new container eliminate the extra work developer need to spend to figure out how to deploy their apps into large enterprise's private cloud.
Apple
To the iOS developers who wish to create enterprise apps which require server side data integration - the new IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions extends IBM’s strengths of providing services and middleware with back-end support.
For many iOS apps that requiring backend services, regardless it is nodejs, Ruby on Rails or Java, Bluemix on the other hand provides composable service side app creation and deployment capabilities in an open and common environment.
For Developers who live and work with Xcode (the standard iOS app development tool made by Apple), the Mobile first and Bluemix provides common services such as Enterprise Cloud storage (include Box), backend integration, and Analytics (Watson) right inside Xcode. (btw, this is how IBM created 100+ native iOS apps for IBM enterprise clients)!!
The key here is Bluemix bring enterprise level integrity to the apps created on open source platform such as Cloud Foundry and Docker.
Infographic The Millennial Experience! Why it is important!
The Millennial Experience
themillennialexperience.weebly.com/
IBM Cloud
ibm.com/cloud
IBM and Xamarin: Value for the Mobile Developer Ecosystem
I just love it when we can help developer with their Mobile Development!
What was announced!
Today, Xamarin is announcing a partnership with IBM that expands Xamarin's enterprise mobile developer ecosystem by simplifying the development of native mobile apps for iOS, Android and Windows devices to easily connect to enterprise data and systems through the IBM MobileFirst Platform. More than 750,000 developers use Xamarin to accelerate native app development for multiple platforms; with IBM's backend capabilities now those developers will have enterprise grade scale, security and management at their fingertips.
This collaboration will expand IBM's reach to C# and .NET developer communities. This will help close the skills gap for software application developers by giving them the tools to quickly develop mobile apps. With this collaboration, 6 million+ C# and .NET developers will now have the tools at their fingertips to create both engaging user experiences and deliver secure mobile apps with speed and at enterprise scale.
The Facts:
According to Gartner, 70% of the mobile workforce will have a smartphone by 2016 and 90% of enterprises will have two or more device platforms to support. That's why it is so important for a mobile app solution to be able to scale!
Consider the challenge for today's developer; they have to meet the ever-increasing demand for secure, connected and sophisticated mobile apps. The relationship with Xamarin expands IBM's support for first class native development that allows millions of developers to focus more on innovation and driving business value through mobile!
This is GREAT for Developers!
Users in every category have an ever-expanding need to consume and contribute data via mobile devices. Enterprises must build and manage high-performance apps with a device-optimized user experience that securely integrates into the enterprise environment. The companies have created an enterprise mobile solution for C# developers that combines Xamarin’s fully native mobile development platform for iOS, Android and Windows Phone with the IBM Worklight platform for highly secure cloud-based data services.
The IBM MobileFirst Platform SDK and IBM MobileFirst Platform studio add-ons are available immediately at http://xamarin.com/ibm for the thousands of partners and millions of developers in the combined ecosystems of Xamarin and IBM.
Here's what Nat Friedman, CEO and co-founder of Xamarin, had to say:
"Together, Xamarin and IBM are creating an end-to-end foundation for developers to more effectively mobilize mission-critical enterprise data in their apps. The combined Xamarin and IBM solution gives millions of app developers a powerful enterprise mobile opportunity they have never had before."
I couldn't agree more! Xamarin and IBM developers will now have the tools to create engaging user experiences and deliver secure mobile apps with speed at enterprise scale!
To find out more about Xamarin, and to download the IBM MobileFirst Platform SDK and IBM MobileFirst Platform studio add-ons, go to http://xamarin.com/ibm
The Watson Ecosystem Expansion on Bluemix and in multi Industries!
We (IBM) announced 7 new Watson API services available on BlueMix, enabling developers to use a wide variety of Watson capabilities. The first wave of Watson-powered apps is debuting in industries such as travel, retail, healthcare, and more. One example is a new company launched by Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity and Kayak.com, aimed at reinventing the travel experience with Watson.
Transforming Travel
WayBlazer (Austin, TX), a new company led by travel visionary and entrepreneur Terry Jones -- founder of Travelocity and founding chairman of Kayak.com, is looking to redefine the travel experience. Researching travel alternatives can be a near impossible chore. Even for travelers that know their destination and dates, the sheer breadth of options and overwhelming amount of data requires visiting 20 or more website to research, compare, and book a leisure holiday. Powered by the cognitive intellect of Watson, WayBlazer knows, engages, advises, and learns about a consumer with each interaction, using a visual and natural language interface to make sure optimal travel choices are made. The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is using a version of the new WayBlazer app. With the app, the organization hopes to improve convention bookings, increase hotel bookings and provide additional revenue streams from Ecosystem Partner and affiliate marketing opportunities. Watch WayBlazer "Unbox" their app here.
Transforming Retail
Red Ant (London, UK) is helping retailers, including Three, a UK-based mobile company, ensure sales associates exceed customers' expectations with its Sell Smart app built using Watson's cognitive computing technology. The mobile app is a retail sales trainer that lets employees easily identify individual customers’ buying preferences by analyzing demographics, purchase history and wish lists, as well as product information, local pricing, customer reviews and tech specs. It uses voice or text input to enable a simple question-and-answer interface against the wealth of information available within a retail business, including product information, copybooks, manuals, customer reviews, and more. Red Ant is a Watson Mobile Developer Challenge winner.
Reflexis (Dedham, MA) is working with Watson to enable retailers, Quick Serve Restaurants, hospitality, and other companies to uncover hidden demand triggers and provide the best possible customer experience. The company’s Watson interconnect module for the Reflexis StorePulse real-time execution application enables companies to drive best-practice actions in response to local events, social media buzz, news, weather, and other influences that affect customer demand. . Watch Reflexis "Unbox" their app here.
Sellpoints (Emeryville, CA), an e-commerce technology provider, is unveiling its Watson powered app called Natural Selection, which uses natural language to put the right products in front of the right shoppers at the exact moment they’re ready to buy. For example, when a shopper searches for a product using natural language, such as “My second grader needs help learning science basics,” the cognitive app returns product results sorted by relevance, which subsequently increases conversion rates for the retailer.
Transforming Non-Profit
Findability Sciences (Waltham, MA) is bringing a Watson app to the non-profit sector to enable funders and donors to ask questions using natural language and receive answers instantaneously. This enables funders to make smarter investing decisions and better work to maximize existing investments to deliver the most impact. Watch Findability Sciences "Unbox" their app here.
Transforming Veterinary Care
LifeLearn (Guelph, Canada) is changing the way veterinarians practice medicine by empowering them with the new LifeLearn Sofie™ mobile app, which helps doctors research different treatment options for animals. LifeLearn's beta client Animal Medical Center in New York is just one of the leading industry partners using LifeLearn Sofie™ to help improve patient outcomes. The Sofie app, built from scratch with Watson, crowdsources the expertise from the entire profession by analyzing data from text books, knowledge from doctors and teaching hospitals, and uses natural language Q&A to provide veterinarians immediate possibilities that equate to third and fourth professional opinions. Watch LifeLearn "Unbox" their app here.
Transforming Healthcare
GenieMD (Pleasanton, CA) is using Watson's cognitive intellect and data analysis to understand an individual's personal health profile and asks Watson questions for the user so they don't have to in times of concern. For example, the GenieMD mobile app analyzes a persons profile and sends push notifications to the user with information on how to manage their diabetes or how to prevent hypertension. GenieMD is a Watson Mobile Developer Challenge winner.
Welltok (Denver, CO) is calling upon Watson’s unique ability to process massive volumes of health data and content within seconds. Building on Welltok’s health optimization platform, CaféWell Concierge dialogues with consumers and provides dynamic, personalized guidance to optimize their health. Watch Welltok "Unbox" their app here.
@Point of Care (Livingston, NJ), a service provider for the health care industry, is using Watson to help physicians support patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The physician-facing mobile app is helping the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America enable MS patients to better track and manage their symptoms easily from any device and will be rolled out across @Point of Care’s 15 other therapeutic areas.
Transforming Information IT
SparkCognition (Dallas, TX), the first cognitive security analytics company, has created a Cognitive Security Insights (CSI) app with Watson to process data to deliver advanced cyber threat defense. Unlike existing security solutions, the Watson powered CSI app thinks like a security expert and can help stop threats for an enterprise. Client ExamSoft, and early adopter, is currently using CSI to reduce the costs associated with false positives, incorporate automated learning systems in the organization that retain critical knowledge, and enable intelligent detection and remediation that can keep up with a rapidly growing number of threats.
CHIPS Technology Group (Syosset, NY), an IT help desk provider for small-to-mid-sized businesses, is using Watson to help their engineers revolutionize the way IT support service is delivered. Watson enables CHIPS engineers to quickly source and provide clients like IT Solutions, Inc. with a high level of customer service, whether working with a mainstream or proprietary app. By rapidly processing an extensive collection of disparate resources, including articles, white papers and manuals, Watson delivers the right tech support response to end users on the first try.
This announcement reinforces IBM's strategy to fuel an ecosystem of innovators that are helping make cognitive computing the new standard of computing.
Helping Developers Create a New Class of Cognitive Apps
We also extended the reach of cognitive computing by introducing new cognitive services that will be available on IBM Bluemix, As you know, Bluemix runs on SoftLayer, IBM's global cloud infrastructure. Now with little to no barrier to entry to cognitive tools, Bluemix users can access an evolving set of APIs and content to build apps, powered by Watson, that help accelerate, enhance, and scale human expertise for confident decision making.
The new services available through Bluemix include:
- User Modeling: Uses linguistic analytics to extract a set of personality and social traits from the way a person communicates. The service can analyze any public communication the user makes available such as their text messages, tweets, posts, email, and more. Users of the service can understand, connect, and communicate with people on a more personally tailored level by analyzing personality and social traits.
- Machine Translation: Converts text input in one language into a destination language for the end user. Translation is available among English, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and French.
- Language Identification: detects the language in which text is written. This helps inform next steps such as translation, voice to text, or direct analysis. Today, the service can identify 15 languages.
- Concept Expansion: Analyses text and interprets its meaning based on usage in other similar contexts. For example, it could interpret “The Big Apple” as meaning “New York City.” It can be used to create a dictionary of related words and concepts so that euphemisms, colloquialisms, or otherwise unclear phrases can be better understood and analyzed.
- Message Resonance: Analyzes draft content and scores how well it is likely to be received by a specific target audience. Today, analysis can be done against people active in cloud computing or big data discussions but future versions will let users provide their own community data.
- Relationship Extraction: Parses sentences into their various components and detects relationships between the components. The service maps the relationships between the components so that users or analytics engines can more easily understand the meaning of individual sentences and documents.
- Question & Answer: Interprets and answers user questions directly based on primary data sources that have been selected and gathered into a body of data or “corpus.” The service returns candidate responses with associated confidence levels and links to supporting evidence. The current data corpora on Bluemix focus on the Travel and Healthcare industries.
- Visualization Rendering: Takes input data and graphically renders it as an interactive visualization that can range from a common business chart to more advanced layouts. The visualizations can be easily modified to match user needs, visual styling, and types of data being analyzed.