The Power of IoT in Industrial Innovation

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Kopius

Industrial companies are prioritizing digital technologies to keep pace in a challenging market. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a common foundational technology powering this digital transformation, helping manufacturing companies connect, monitor, analyze, and make informed, data-driven decisions. Industrial IoT solutions enhance efficiency, maximize revenue growth, and reduce costs across your organization.

Explore how IoT technology works, its benefits, and how to leverage it for your manufacturing processes.

Introduction to IoT in Industrial Innovation

IoT is a network of interconnected devices with sensors, software, and connectivity that collect and exchange data. These devices communicate with each other and with centralized systems to perform tasks based on the data they receive.

Elements of IoT include:

Devices: IoT uses physical objects like actuators, sensors, and other gadgets that are connected to the internet.
Connectivity: Protocols like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are critical elements in IoT and manufacturing, as they facilitate communication between devices and central systems.
Data: IoT devices use the information they collect through sensors to transmit and process it for decision-making.
Cloud: The cloud provides storage, processing power, and analytics capabilities to handle large and complex volumes of IoT data.
Applications: These are the software applications that utilize IoT data for monitoring, control, automation, and optimization.
Security technologies: These include encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms to share data in a highly controlled and secured way.

There are endless possibilities for the Internet of Things in manufacturing. The digital technology is shaping the industry, allowing for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. Drive growth with IoT by using it to reduce your downtime, increase efficiency, and improve product quality — all critical in a rapidly evolving market.

Benefits of IoT Adoption

IoT optimizes your processes, enhances supply chain visibility, and drives operation excellence. Here are a few benefits of leveraging manufacturing IoT technologies.

Visualize Operations

IoT provides real-time data insights and identifies bottlenecks to make continuous improvements in your warehouse. Consider a warehouse that handles thousands of products for an e-commerce company. By leveraging data from IoT, the warehouse can automatically track the quality of each product and raise an alert or automatically place an order to replenish the stock when needed.

When you leverage IoT, you can measure real-time product output, adjust your production schedules and inventory levels accordingly, and maximize resource utilization. You can also enhance the efficiency of your operations by using IoT-powered predictive analytics to forecast demand patterns.

Easier Maintenance

Use IoT to remotely monitor your equipment’s health and performance. This way, you can come up with predictive maintenance strategies that reduce downtime, extend the life span of your equipment, and enhance its overall effectiveness. By remotely accessing equipment status and performance data in real time, your team detects issues early, schedules maintenance quickly, and prevents costly breakdowns that could impact your production schedule.

Cost Reduction

Manufacturing IoT reduces operation costs associated with maintenance, energy use, and inventory management by optimizing processes and tasks. Additionally, IoT insights into your equipment and energy use patterns allow you to implement energy-saving measures and resource-efficient practices that lead to long-term cost savings and sustainability goals.

Quality Assurance

IoT contributes to quality assurance in many ways. It can monitor your production processes in real time to detect defects early. It can also ensure compliance with quality standards so you deliver products that meet customer expectations for reliability and performance. Ultimately, IoT improves product consistency, reduces defects, and ensures customer satisfaction by delivering high-quality products.

Industrial IoT Applications

The uses for IoT are endless, and many companies have become more efficient because of it. Consider the various IoT applications and use cases.

Optimizing Supply Chains

Industrial Internet of Things solutions include greater supply chain visibility. Get real-time insights into each stage of the supply chain, from raw material sourcing to delivery. The digital technology collects and analyzes data from connected devices, helping you track inventory levels, monitor shipment status, and identify inefficiencies. Use IoT in supply chain operations to process data and gain insights into performance metrics, trends, and opportunities for optimization.

Amazon, Volvo, and Nissan are all examples of companies successfully leveraging IoT to manage and optimize their supply chains for greater efficiency. Volvo uses IoT to track and deliver products worldwide, Nissan uses it to link multiple industrial units, and Amazon uses an IoT event simulator that creates and transmits location telemetry to a centralized system.

Powering Additive Manufacturing

IoT also improves additive manufacturing technologies and processes. Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, involves building objects layer by layer with digital 3D models. Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printers reduce material waste and offer faster prototyping, production, and customization — without needing expensive tools.

IoT enhances additive manufacturing technologies by:

Enabling real-time monitoring of printers.
Optimizing machine performance.
Ensuring quality control through sensors that detect deviations.
Facilitating predictive maintenance to prevent downtime.
Streamlining production workflows for increased efficiency.

GE Aviation is successfully leveraging additive manufacturing and IoT technologies to optimize the performance of its jet engines. The company is also improving the efficiency of its jet engine production lines with machine learning. IoT allows them to efficiently and accurately analyze data for aircraft testing, improving aircraft models and performance.

Integrating With Cobots

Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are being used in manufacturing processes like picking, packing and palletizing products, welding, assembly, material handling, and quality control. When integrated with IoT, cobots can produce goods more quickly and efficiently while reducing costs associated with human labor. Cobots also offer better precision and repeatability, increasing production quality.

Cobots also promote workplace safety. For example, Ford uses cobots to support skilled workers with injuries or illnesses that limit their physical work capacity. Ford developed Robbie the Cobot to work with the assembly line employees to press in and attach covers for the engine block’s variable camshaft timing.

Enhancing the Role of Digital Twins

Digital twins provide a real-time virtual representation of a physical device or asset. Manufacturers might use digital twins to test product customizations and modifications. They can also recreate production lines with bottlenecks and simulate corrections digitally before executing the physical corrections.

Implementing IoT with digital twin capabilities in a factory or machine plant allows better visibility, accurate predictions, documentation, and communication. An example is the multinational aerospace and defense company Rolls-Royce, which uses IoT digital twin technology to monitor its engines, extending the time between maintenance for engines by up to 50%.

JumpStart Your Manufacturing Innovation

Industrial IoT solutions make many processes much more efficient, reducing costs and optimizing supply chains. While it can transform your business for the better, IoT can be challenging to implement without the right resources on your side. Kopius’ JumpStart program helps you successfully integrate manufacturing IoT into your processes and unlock opportunities for innovation.

Our program fast-tracks new manufacturing solutions so that you achieve faster business results. Connect with us today to meet your digital initiatives and gain a competitive edge.

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Understanding IoT Security and Its Importance in Retail

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Kopius

Digital technology is revolutionizing how retail businesses operate and interact with their customers. The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a key role in the industry’s evolution, helping stores gather valuable customer data to supercharge decision-making and deliver enhanced shopping experiences.

Internet of Things security is crucial to leveraging advanced digital technologies successfully. Understanding the importance of robust IoT security is key to ensuring your retail business is ready to innovate, adapt, and meet modern consumer demands without compromising confidential data.

Learn more about how IoT security works and why it’s so pivotal in the retail sector.

What Is IoT Security in Retail?

IoT security’s key elements in the retail industry include:

Data protection: Customer and business data collected by IoT devices requires robust security solutions, like encryptions and advanced access controls to ensure compliance and privacy.
Device security: An important element of IoT security is protecting individual IoT devices with routine software updates and authentication mechanisms. This helps prevent unauthorized access and safeguard data integrity.
Network security: The network infrastructure used in connecting IoT devices requires firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and secure communication protocols to combat data breaches.
Physical security: IoT security also employs physical protections, like surveillance cameras, access control systems, and tamper seals, to combat theft and tampering.
Vendor management: Third-party vendors that retail businesses work with through IoT devices must meet strict security standards to mitigate potential risks.
Team education and training: Cybersecurity and physical security awareness training ensures your team keeps devices secure and responds to incidents effectively. Human error is to blame for at least 88% of data breaches, so education on IoT cybersecurity best practices is essential.

Any organization that leverages interconnected technologies that collect, store, share, and manage personal or payment information — especially from customers — must prioritize robust security measures. IoT-enabled retail businesses need strong protections for their networks and physical devices to combat potential threats that can wreak havoc on their operations, reputation, and bottom line.

Robust cybersecurity in the retail industry is essential in today’s high-risk digital landscape, especially as cyber threats grow rapidly and more companies rely on IoT than ever before.

IoT Security Examples for the Retail Industry

Some common IoT devices used for retail security include:

Surveillance cameras: IoT-enabled closed-circuit television security systems can enhance retail store security through round-the-clock surveillance.
Sensors: Specialized IoT sensors can monitor environmental changes, detect issues, and share alerts about potential intruders in a retail or digital space.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and readers: These digital technologies can enhance how retailers track and manage their inventory and assets. They can boost anti-theft measures through real-time location tracking and identification.
Smart locks: Smart locks and IoT-enabled access control solutions allow retail businesses to oversee entry into different areas of their store, including restricted zones.
Point-of-sale (POS) systems: Retailers also use IoT-enabled POS terminals to securely process customer transactions, track sales data, and improve accurate inventory management.

Why Is Retail IoT Security So Important?

Security in IoT is critical for keeping customer data protected and private. IoT systems in retail environments collect sensitive information about your shoppers, including personal insights, purchase histories, behavioral data, and payment details.

Without adequate security measures, the data from IoT devices, including surveillance cameras and sensors, may be vulnerable to cybercriminals looking to capitalize on system vulnerabilities.

Retailers need a deep understanding of their IoT and security issues. This ensures they take the necessary measures to combat unauthorized access and data breaches that can lead to theft, misuse, or fraud. Protecting customer privacy should always be a top priority.

In addition to safeguarding your customers’ information, IoT security is vital for supporting smooth business operations. Protecting your critical infrastructure against potential attacks helps prevent disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage due to incidents.

Establishing strong security measures helps retail businesses safeguard their daily workflows and processes. They can also use IoT insights to drive efficiency, reduce downtime, and ultimately improve performance.

Retailers need a secure, agile, and scalable IoT ecosystem to adapt to the ever-changing market. That way, they can maintain operational efficiency and deliver the most intuitive and satisfying customer experiences.

The Benefits of Robust IoT Data Security in Retail

Retail businesses can reap many benefits from prioritizing a strong security posture to safeguard their data and private information. Keeping your IoT systems secure is essential to your company’s longevity and bottom line. Explore some of the key advantages below.

1. Data Breach and Cyberattack Prevention

IoT networks in the retail industry store sensitive data that cybercriminals want to access and exploit. Businesses need strong monitoring mechanisms, encryption protocols, and access controls to effectively combat data breaches, theft, and cyberattacks. These incidents can devastate retail operations, so a proactive approach to IoT security is essential for identifying and mitigating potential risks.

Rigorous data security measures are also key to protecting your retail business’s intellectual property. IoT systems often store confidential data relating to products, services, and company operations. Guarding these insights with proper cybersecurity measures is key to maintaining a competitive edge and capitalizing on proprietary processes or solutions.

2. Brand Reputation Protection

Demonstrating your retail business’s commitment to data protection is essential for fostering customer trust. Robust IoT security is key to portraying your brand’s reputation as reliable and safe. If consumers feel confident that your company will protect their payment details and personal information, they will be more likely to engage with your business and make purchases. Your level of security directly impacts customer loyalty and satisfaction, and a good reputation supports greater retention and growth.

If a data breach or cyberattack occurs, a powerful response plan effectively minimizes the impact on your customers and brand. Keeping your customers’ private data safe through robust security measures is integral to managing your brand’s trustworthiness.

3. Operational Continuity

Another benefit of robust IoT security is ensuring continued operations. Cyberattacks and data breaches can result in significant disruptions, leading to:

Revenue loss.
System failures.
Downtime.
Data loss.
Reputational damage.
Customer dissatisfaction.

Everything from inventory management to POS transactions can encounter disturbances from a security incident, leading to friction and negative experiences for your shoppers. Consumers demand uninterrupted service and reliable operations. Secure IoT networks and devices are necessary to avoid these issues, supporting productivity, efficiency, and continued operations.

4. Competitive Advantage

Retail businesses can also enjoy a competitive advantage by implementing strong IoT security measures. By establishing a reputation for prioritizing data security, companies can enhance their brand credibility and attract security-conscious consumers.

Today’s shoppers want to know they can trust the retailers they buy from, and maintaining a secure digital environment is key to demonstrating your commitment to protecting customer data. Investing in IoT security can give you an edge over the competition by delivering seamless customer experiences and benefiting your brand reputation.

Secure IoT systems also support enhanced data-backed decision-making to grow your business.

5. Cost Savings

The consequences of a data breach or cyberattack can be expensive. Regulatory fines, legal fees, theft, and data recovery can add up quickly. In 2023, the average cost of a data breach in the United States was a whopping $9.48 million, which can put a retailer out of business. Robust IoT data security measures can save costs and protect a company’s bottom line.

Retail businesses need strong protections to support long-term operational efficiency and business growth. Fostering a reputation for strong security and avoiding security incidents can also help companies protect their brand value and equity, reducing the costs of customer acquisition, retention, and even marketing.

Internet of Things Security Challenges for Retailers

Explore the key challenges of IoT security for retail businesses:

Large attack surface: As companies introduce new digital technologies, Internet of Things device security is increasingly complicated by the growing attack surface. Cybercriminals have more entry points for potential attacks and data breaches, and retailers must implement greater defenses to combat the new vulnerabilities.
Legacy systems: Another common security hurdle for retail businesses is integrating IoT devices with legacy systems. Compatibility issues can pose a serious threat, as many older solutions do not feature adequate protections in today’s digital landscape. Finding ways to protect older systems with the latest security standards can be complicated, expensive, and time-consuming.
Supply chain risks: Third-party suppliers, partners, and vendors can introduce security risks throughout a retail business’s supply chain. Companies must find ways to secure their entire digital ecosystem and combat vulnerabilities, including devices, software, and services from outside organizations. Limited transparency and supply chain complexity can make tracking every component’s security posture difficult. Working with partners that prioritize robust IoT security is essential.
Standardization: There are no universal IoT security criteria for retailers to follow, making uniformity and standardization difficult. Ensuring consistent security practices across diverse IoT devices and networks can be challenging and lead to potential vulnerabilities.
Insider threats: Employee negligence or misconduct can be a huge IoT security challenge for retail businesses. Comprehensive training, education, and monitoring can help companies manage insider threats and ensure their team members do not intentionally or accidentally compromise IoT data.
Physical security: Safeguarding physical IoT devices and infrastructure from unauthorized access, theft, and vandalism can be another major challenge for retailers. Proper surveillance and access control systems are necessary for ensuring physical security.

Compliance Standards for IoT Security in Retail

These IoT and security compliance requirements help ensure ethical data handling practices:

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): The PCI DSS outlines requirements for how cardholder data is collected, stored, and transmitted by a company’s IoT devices, such as POS terminals.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework: Retailers must secure IoT devices and networks according to NIST guidelines to ensure the strongest cybersecurity posture.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines: The FTC outlines guidance for securing a business’s IoT system.

Retailers must also follow industry- and state-specific regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Compliance is necessary to avoid fines and reputational damage while demonstrating a company’s commitment to security to potential customers and partners. Meeting these standards helps retailers ensure they maintain a secure IoT environment.

Best Practices for Securing Retail IoT Devices

A few key strategies and best practices can help retail businesses maintain ongoing IoT security and protect their data:

1. Carry Out Regular Testing

Retailers should regularly test their IoT systems to identify possible vulnerabilities. Taking a proactive risk mitigation approach is key to maintaining the most secure network, and testing is an essential part of tackling potential dangers before they become larger and more serious threats.

2. Segment Your IoT Network

A top tip for ensuring optimal IoT network security is segmenting your network. By splitting up the system into smaller networks, you can gain greater insight into each segment, allowing your team to pinpoint security threats more efficiently than looking at the network as a whole.

3. Update Systems Often

Regularly patching and updating your network is essential for ongoing IoT device security. Cybercriminals and hackers are continuously searching for new vulnerabilities on your attack surface. Routine updates will help your systems remain protected against threats and ensure you have the latest security measures in place.

4. Implement Advanced Access Management

Retailers should prioritize unauthorized access prevention measures to ensure IoT data is safe from cybercriminals and hackers. Advanced controls and multifactor authentication can help businesses protect their systems, safeguarding confidential business insights and sensitive customer information.

5. Maintain Ongoing Monitoring

Monitoring every facet of your IoT network will help your business manage and mitigate security risks. Retailers need greater insight and visibility of their attack surface to ensure secure devices and uncompromised data.

6. Prioritize Comprehensive Team Training

Retail businesses can maximize IoT security by informing employees of potential threats and training them on the best practices. Continuous education and training update team members on securely using IoT devices, ensuring ongoing data protection.

Starting Your IoT Security Journey

The best way to ensure IoT security is to partner with an experienced provider who understands the best practices for protecting your environment against threats and vulnerabilities. With the JumpStart Retail partnership program from Kopius, your business can leverage IoT to foster tech-enabled innovation, elevate customer engagement, and create more satisfying digital and in-store experiences.

We designed our solution with robust IoT security to protect your business’s sensitive information and combat data breaches. Our experts will work with your team to determine the best measures for safeguarding your digital and physical environment from unauthorized access.

We make securing your data simple. Browse some of our case studies to see how we’ve empowered businesses to take a more innovative approach to data security.

JumpStart Your Retail IoT Security Strategy With Kopius

Innovating your retail business to keep up with the competition and ensuring a robust cybersecurity posture is essential. Kopius makes it easy to JumpStart digital technology and data success. Our data and AI ideation and prioritization program fast-tracks and enhances your company’s results.

We’ll help you boost customer satisfaction through an informed, data-driven approach. Our tech team’s extensive expertise allows us to supercharge IoT security solutions for retailers worldwide. We’ll tailor your program to your business’s unique needs and industry requirements, helping you improve customer experiences and benefiting your bottom line.

Contact our experts to partner with Kopius and JumpStart your business today.

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Benefits of Digital Twins in Manufacturing

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Kopius

The manufacturing industry can leverage digital twins to understand operations better and optimize processes. With greater insight into your systems and equipment from these cutting-edge digital technologies, your team can effectively drive efficiency and innovation to stay competitive.

Explore how digital twins can benefit your manufacturing operations and drive future growth.

What Is a Digital Twin in Manufacturing?

A digital twin in manufacturing refers to a virtual replica of physical assets, systems, or processes informed by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. This twin functions as a virtual representation of one of your machines, production lines, or products by mimicking its real-world behavior. You can use this digital technology to simulate different scenarios and analyze performance for more informed decision-making and monitoring.

Digital twin technology is commonly confused with simulations, but the two differ. A simulation typically relies on a computer-aided design system or similar solution to forecast how physical assets will work or behave. Digital models use IoT data collected from your specific equipment and systems.

The Role of Digital Twins in Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry’s use of these virtual models is among the most advanced of any sector. Some common digital twin applications for industrial production include:

Design and development: Manufacturers use these solutions to create digital prototypes of their production systems on products. Digital twins offer a low-stakes way to test configurations, identify potential hurdles, and optimize performance before production.
Performance monitoring: Digital models enable teams to monitor assets and system processes continuously. The data collected from IoT sensors can track key performance indicators, flag inefficiencies, and make proactive adjustments to support efficiency.
Quality control: Manufacturing plants leverage digital twins to compare real-time data with the virtual model to detect potential deviations and bottlenecks early, enabling early intervention to ensure consistent quality standards.
Training and simulations: Digital twins can also function as simulations for training manufacturing personnel on new equipment and production processes in a safe and risk-free virtual environment. Operators can use this digital technology to undergo training and practice to prepare for real-world scenarios.
Lifecycle management: Businesses can leverage these digital tools to gain insight into each stage of a product or system, from design to production. Manufacturers can use the insights from digital twins to optimize lifecycles and enhance overall quality.

7 Benefits of Digital Twin Technology

Explore the key digital twin benefits for manufacturing operations below.

1. Predictive Maintenance

Manufacturers can leverage digital models to enhance equipment and production reliability through data-driven predictive maintenance. Real-time data from the sensors can predict when a breakdown is likely to occur. By flagging issues and inefficiencies early, your team can stay on top of upkeep to ensure asset performance and productivity. Your personnel can use virtual replicas to proactively identify and address repair needs before they result in costly unplanned downtime or equipment replacements.

2. Process Optimization

Digital twins can facilitate manufacturing process optimization by giving your team a virtual representation of your operations to simulate different scenarios. You can use these insights to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.

Manufacturers use these solutions to refine their production processes at every level, ensuring optimal workflow design. Fine-tuning processes based on digital twin insights can help industrial production personnel reduce lead times, support better performance, and achieve higher productivity.

3. Cost Reduction

A huge advantage of digital twins is reducing costs by informing optimized maintenance schedules, minimizing unplanned downtime, and reducing the time and expenses associated with operator training. Your manufacturing operation can use the insights from digital models to use resources more efficiently and reduce waste. These technologies can also improve profitability for manufacturers by informing decision-making.

4. Real-Time Monitoring

Live data tracking capabilities from IoT sensors inform virtual models and enable businesses to quickly identify trends and problematic operations. These robust insights are integral to timely interventions and quality assurance measures.

The continuous stream of real-time data is key to efficiently responding to anomalies before failures occur, helping manufacturers support the smoothest operations.

5. Product Innovation

Digital twin technology can help businesses drive product innovation. Virtual prototyping and simulation can help manufacturers test different configurations, materials, and features to explore new ideas more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Digital models can help you bring innovative products to market or implement optimized processes faster, giving your operation a competitive edge.

6. Data-Driven Planning

Another advantage of using these virtual models is having access to real-time data to drive decision-making and support accurate predictions regarding manufacturing operations. Digital twins can guide the following:

Resource allocation
Production planning
Quality control
Supply chain management
Opportunities for improvement

Strategic, data-driven planning helps manufacturers mitigate risks and make smarter decisions to drive profitability, sustainability, and longevity.

7. Scalability

The manufacturing industry can also leverage digital twins to swiftly adapt to changing market demands and scale. These tools can easily accommodate increased data volumes as your business introduces new products, production lines, and facilities into its operations. Your team can make informed, data-backed decisions thanks to these tools’ predictive and monitoring capabilities.

Overcoming the Challenges of Adopting Digital Twin Solutions

While utilizing digital twins can be highly advantageous for manufacturers, a few key challenges can impact adoption and implementation:

Data integration: IoT systems collect data from multiple sources, and differing data formats can complicate integration and interoperability.
Data quality: The insights that inform digital twins must be accurate, consistent, and reliable. Issues with data quality can result in misleading behavior and negatively impact decision-making.
Security and privacy: Robust data security measures are necessary for safeguarding intellectual property and combatting cyberthreats.
Skill gaps: Your team may lack expertise in IoT systems and digital twin technologies, which can slow implementation. Training and ongoing education may be necessary to maximize the benefits of these solutions for your manufacturing business.

Future Trends for Digital Twins in Manufacturing

Digital technology is constantly evolving, and digital twins are no exception. The following are a few future digital twin trends to watch out for in the manufacturing industry.

Edge Computing Adoption

Edge computing can process data locally and in real time, close to the data source, for incredible accuracy. It can offer several benefits to digital twin systems, including reducing latency, improving reliability, and optimizing bandwidth usage.

Extended Reality

Businesses are using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to enhance their use of digital twins. AR and VR allow businesses to provide users with a more immersive and engaging experience when interacting with virtual models. Manufacturers can use AR and VR to assess product viability and enhance testing.

Best Practices for Implementing Digital Twins With IoT

Following a few best practices will help your manufacturing operation maximize the benefits of digital twins and IoT solutions:

Prioritize data quality: Monitoring and verifying data quality is key to ensuring that the insights from your IoT sensors deliver the most accurate and relevant data for your digital models.
Implement robust security and privacy measures: Strong data security solutions are essential to protect private information transmitted between your digital twin platform and IoT devices.
Establish a feedback loop: Encourage users to share feedback about your manufacturing operation’s digital twins to support continuous improvement and inform newer, more accurate virtual model iterations.

JumpStart Your Manufacturing Transformation With Kopius

If you’re ready to enhance your manufacturing operations, turn to Kopius. We’ll help you transform your business with tech-enabled innovation.

With our JumpStart program, you will streamline new manufacturing solutions and fast-track business results to drive long-term growth. Our experts will assist you in tackling your digital manufacturing initiatives and overcoming common challenges through our data-driven approach. We’ll help your operation gain a competitive edge through the latest digital technologies and solutions.

Are you interested in learning more about elevating your business and unlocking your potential? Contact Kopius to JumpStart your smart manufacturing success today.

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What To Look For In a Tech Partner

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Jim Darrin

To Address Growing Technology Needs, You Need a Partner to Meet You Where You Are. Here’s What to Look for.

We live in a world where organizational technology needs grow greater every day. Companies are racing to take advantage of emerging technology like generative AI, and to do that they have to make decisions about where to store it, how to structure it, and how to visualize it that will impact them for years to come. And emerging tech is only part of the equation. You still have your existing technology needs, like building products and applications and creating engaging user experiences for your customers.

No company can do it all. At some point, you will likely need to partner with an external company to supplement your internal team. But finding the right partner isn’t always straightforward—you need one to meet you where you are with the right technology, the right people, and the right delivery model.

Here are three important things to consider.

A Problem First, Technology Second Approach

Behind every technology solution is a business challenge, or at least there should be. And while the challenge may be clear, finding the right solution isn’t always straightforward. It’s important to not be too prescriptive about the technology solution before you fully understand the problem. If you choose a partner who only does one thing, that’s always going to be the answer to your problem. That specific technology or even technology in general may only be part of the solution. Sometimes people and processes are what matter most.

Look for a partner who will take the time to truly understand your business challenge, then bring the right technology and wrap around services to bear to solve the problem.

Blocks with downward arrows on the left one block on the right with an arrow pointing up

The Ability to Assemble the Right Team

By 2026, more than 90% of organizations globally will experience impact from the IT skills crisis, amounting to some $5.5 trillion in losses due to product delays, impaired competitiveness, and loss of business, according to IDC. It’s a startling statistic that underscores just how complex the IT labor market is. Part of the complexity stems from how quickly technology is evolving—there are just so many emerging areas of expertise. But as the world becomes increasingly software and data centric, the broader IT labor market is becoming increasingly compressed, too. It’s hard to find people with the right skill set when and where you need them.

Look for a partner with proven, repeatable process in place and an established recruiting engine for bringing skilled experts to the table, ideally people they have long-term working relationships with.

A Flexible Delivery Model

Every organization is unique, as is every technology initiative. Sometimes the best solution is to completely outsource an initiative and ask your partner to own it from beginning to end, but it’s certainly not the only approach. In other instances, you may need your partner to manage a project side-by-side with your team or to augment your staff during peak periods. Flexibility extends to where the team is located, too. If you’re augmenting your team, do you need them to be onshore or can you take advantage of nearshore economies of scale?

Look for a partner who is flexible and offers a range of delivery approaches tailored to your business needs.

Meeting You Where You Are

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics currently projects that IT-related jobs will continue to grow at a much faster pace than average through 2032. Companies that strategically align themselves with a technology partner that can meet you where you are will be better positioned to navigate the advancing technology landscape and the increasing demand for expertise. When evaluating a partner, look for one who will take the time to understand your underlying business challenge, bring the right people together and the right technology to bear, and deliver in whatever way works best for you.

Partner with Kopius to JumpStart Success

Innovating technology is crucial, or your business will be left behind. Our expertise in technology and business helps our clients deliver tangible outcomes and accelerate growth. At Kopius, we’ve designed a program to JumpStart your customer, technology, and data success.

Kopius has an expert emerging tech team. We bring this expertise to your JumpStart program and help uncover innovative ideas and technologies supporting your business goals. We bring fresh perspectives while focusing on your current operations to ensure the greatest success.

Partner with Kopius and JumpStart your future success.

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Beyond the Sensor—IoT as a Starting Point for Solving Your Organization’s Most Pressing Tech Challenges

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Jim Darrin

Man in a hard hat reviewing data on a tablet

Across virtually every industry, in healthcare, industrial, retail and other settings, IoT is a go-to way of monitoring everything from user behavior, to equipment to the environment. It can even be used to keep track of what’s happening within our bodies. But the bigger question is why? Why are you monitoring those endpoints, and what problem are you trying to solve? Fundamentally, IoT is about data, and it’s often just a starting point. It is part of a large ecosystem of other data sources and technologies that you can bring to bear to solve your organization’s—and in some cases, the world’s—most pressing challenges.

And in fact, long-term, sustainable solutions often extend beyond technology. People and processes may be at the root of your challenges, and you will need to look beyond the sensor to effect change.

From When to Why: How IoT Brought a People and Practices Issue to the Forefront

Case in point: a leading lumber company’s door manufacturing business was among its most profitable segments. They were looking to increase their return on investment by making their machines more productive. That meant finding ways to make them run faster and reduce idle time. They reached out to Kopius, and as a first step, we worked with them to put sensors on their machines so we could pull data to better understand when they were idle and for how long. It was valuable information, but to increase productivity, we needed to understand why they were idle.

It wasn’t because of mechanical issues. Instead, the answer had to do with the way orders are processed and initiated for manufacturing, which is a people and process issue. The company’s order fulfillment process was largely manual. When an order came in, a physical bill of material was created, then someone walked it over to the area of the facility dedicated to door manufacturing. Often, they were pulled away, distracted by a more time sensitive task or by a coworker. In other cases, materials for the doors would get delivered to the wrong area. So, to solve the problem of humans being prone to error, we recommended a change management process and leveraged automation to support better tracking of materials. The expected impact was a 40% increase in production and $50M increase in annual revenue for the door division.

For this company, the initial request for IoT sensors was just the starting point for long term efficiency, agility, and sustainability. It sparked ongoing discussions that have opened a world of possibilities for what other insights could be gleaned from their data. What kinds of sensors would generate data that would help them predict when their equipment needed servicing? How could they lay a foundation for storing and structuring their data so when the time is right, they can leverage AI to gain insights into their business that humans can’t see?

A Problem-First, Technology Second Approach

This experience underscores my initial point. IoT is just one element of a larger ecosystem of technology, data, and process improvements that can be brought to bear to solve your business challenges. If you stay focused on the why—your underlying business problem—and let that guide your technology approach, you can take your business farther, faster.

JumpStart IoT Success

Innovating technology is crucial, or your business will be left behind. Our expertise in IoT technology and business helps our clients deliver tangible outcomes and accelerate growth. At Kopius, we’ve designed a program to JumpStart your customer, technology, and data success.

Partner with Kopius and JumpStart your future success.

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How IoT Is Reshaping the Retail Experience

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Kopius

Retail technology, or retail tech, has transformed the industry for both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retailers. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one example of technology set to revolutionize how businesses interact with consumers forever.

Learning more about the current state of IoT in retail and where experts predict it will go can help your business determine how best to incorporate this technology in your everyday operations.

Understanding the IoT Revolution in Retail

Although IoT and retail are still a fairly new combination for most retailers, it’s a promising technology that is set to transform retail as we know it.

IoT is the concept behind smart retail, which is an evolving practice that uses connected technology to create a seamless shopping experience designed to meet today’s increasingly advanced customer expectations. Whether people are visiting your stores in person or shopping online, an IoT experience is significantly more memorable and convenient than a conventional one.

What Is the Internet of Things in Retail?

The Internet of Things in the retail industry is a comprehensive network that collects, monitors, and analyzes customer data in real time using a range of internet-connected devices:

RFID tags: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags use radio frequencies to continuously transmit signals for location tracking and identification. Unlike traditional barcodes, you can receive RFID signals over long distances, which is ideal for maximum efficiency in retail and shipping purposes.
Cameras: Internet-connected CCTV cameras with video analytics capabilities can capture behavioral and operational data in brick-and-mortar stores for valuable insights into potential areas for process optimization.
Sensors: Various internet-connected sensors, such as pressure sensors, accelerometers, and temperature sensors, can provide data on customer behavior, foot traffic, and store conditions to streamline operations.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth connectivity enables you to build wireless networks of connected devices, creating seamless communication paths between each system component.
Beacons: One of the most popular examples of IoT devices, a beacon is a device that detects when people are nearby and automatically triggers a preset action. For example, a beacon may deliver personalized marketing messages on a screen when a returning customer walks by.

The specific devices you should use in your IoT retail system depend on your specific business, the products you sell, and your preferences.

IoT Use Cases Driving Retail Experiences

While many believe brick-and-mortar business is outdated, combining IoT and the retail industry can bring in-person shopping experiences back in a new, exciting way. It can also enhance online shopping experiences through a greater potential for data collection and personalization than conventional e-commerce practices.

Here are some examples of real Internet of Things use cases:

In-Store Operations and Analytics

Using IoT data for research and analysis can help businesses make strategic decisions about operational enhancements that generate real results. Plus, automated devices free up store employees from handling time-consuming tasks like manual inventory counts and equipment checks so they can focus on value-added tasks.

Here are a few examples:

Staffing levels: IoT cameras and sensors near store entrances and exits can track customer foot traffic over the course of a typical day, providing valuable insights for scheduling staff.
Physical security: CCTV systems equipped with IoT capabilities can continuously monitor your store for suspicious behavior, automating surveillance and reducing your overall risk.
Store setup: Strategically placed cameras equipped with video analytics technology can also track customer movement patterns, helping you make strategic decisions about where to place products and displays.
Inventory: IoT-enabled devices can save your employees valuable time in manually scanning and counting items during peak hours. RFID tags and sensors attached to products can track customer purchases in real time, and an integrated notification system can alert you as soon as stock levels dip below a predetermined number.
Self-checkout automation: RFID tags and cameras can track when items leave the store, automatically charging customers for their purchase, as in the case of Amazon Go.
Predictive maintenance: Attaching IoT sensors to store equipment can help you save valuable time and money on preventive maintenance by monitoring equipment conditions in real time. When the sensor detects abnormalities in the equipment, it can flag your employees to perform maintenance.

Every retailer has a unique objective. That said, the “unique” aspect is exactly why IoT is so interesting. Understanding the various challenges and goals faced by customers, then developing and applying the best solution to meet said challenges and goals is what makes it fun.
Matt Wright, Principal Software Architect at Kopius

The applications for this information go well beyond managing your store in the current moment — you can also effectively prepare your business for the future using this data.

An integrated, AI-powered analytics solution can extract powerful insights from historical data, identifying trends and shifts in consumer behavior over time. Monitoring these trends will help inform your decisions about future-proofing your business, allowing you to create a retail experience that stays relevant for years to come.

Retail CDP and Personalized Marketing

When it comes to marketing, taking a one-size-fits-all approach is a surefire way to reach no one. Personalization, or tailoring your messaging to your customers’ individual preferences, is essential for connecting with them in a way that inspires loyalty and enhances your reputation.

Tapping into retail IoT capabilities can help you create hyper-personalized omnichannel advertising and marketing campaigns for maximum effectiveness. For example, the data your in-store IoT devices collect can provide valuable insight into customer behaviors such as:

How often someone visits your store
Which items a customer typically purchases
What time of day customers are most likely to make a purchase

While in-store IoT devices can efficiently capture massive amounts of customer data, you need some way to activate that data to ensure a strong return on investment.

An integrated customer data platform (CDP) provides a centralized database for all the behavioral and demographic data your IoT devices collect. You can also combine your in-store data with information from your e-commerce channels for a 360-degree view of all your customers and their preferences.

Data analytics software can then extract valuable insights from that information for:

Better market segmentation
More accurate targeting
Enhanced messaging

These insights will help you identify where the best potential growth areas are in your business. For example, the audience you typically target in marketing may not be the same audience that shops from you — and good data collection and analytics will help you determine whether this is the case so you can adjust your strategy.

Enhancing Customer Experiences Through IoT

When properly implemented, IoT networks can significantly improve both in-person and online shopping experiences with capabilities such as:

Better inventory management: Attaching RFID tags to products or product packaging helps you accurately track stock movement and quantities in your warehouses, making it easier to ensure you always have enough product to meet customer demand without the risk of dead stock.
Memorable product demos: Connected systems create more memorable in-person product demonstrations by bridging the gap between the real and the digital. Customers can interact with your products in new and exciting ways, significantly boosting your chances of making a sale.
In-store marketing: IoT solutions like beacon technology enable retailers to offer customers tailored promotions and real-time discounts based on their preferences and previous purchasing behavior. It is important to seize opportunities that present a more pleasant experience through technology. The companies that utilize IoT and other retail technologies to improve the accessibility of their customers or their employees are the ones pathing a new way within their industries.
Eye-catching displays: Internet-connected lights, screens, and smart shelves come together to create memorable displays that capture customers’ attention — and change in real time to keep them looking.
Order tracking: When customers purchase products online, they want to ensure their order arrives on time and in good condition. RFID tags and sensors, combined with integrated shipping management software, give customers greater visibility into the status of their orders, providing peace of mind.

Ultimately, the best approach your business can take to IoT and the customer experience is understanding your customers first. Knowing who they are and what they look for in a shopping experience is critical for designing experiences they will love.

Addressing Data and Security in IoT-Enabled Retail

As with any technology that captures personal data, customers have concerns over whether companies that use IoT devices to collect their data will take the proper measures to protect it.

Safeguarding Customer Data

This is always an important topic with customers when implementing IoT solutions. Often times, the “edge” devices generating data are field deployed and outside physical boundaries controlled by the customer. Sometimes the devices have no way to prevent anyone from physically accessing the devices, which poses an obvious risk to data security and integrity. Luckily, there are numerous mechanisms within IoT to address some of these concerns – things like Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), data encryption, and physical mechanisms such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) can all be implemented to mitigate data risks.
Matt Wright, Principal Software Architect at Kopius

Before and throughout implementation, your business should follow best practices for protecting customer information within an IoT framework:

Segment your IoT network: Network segmentation breaks up your primary IoT network into multiple smaller networks, which enables you to quarantine and resolve security threats as soon as one appears.
Run frequent updates: Hackers often take advantage of known system vulnerabilities, and regularly updating and patching your network helps protect against these risks by remediating them.
Use advanced authentication technologies: Identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, and similar technologies prevent unauthorized users from accessing your data by requiring additional forms of authentication at login.
Test regularly: Regularly testing your system is essential for discovering potential vulnerabilities, helping you determine the best course of action to eliminate them.
Monitor all endpoints: The more devices you add to your IoT network, the larger your attack surface — and the greater your risk. A centralized software system that provides comprehensive visibility into each device in your network is critical for effectively protecting your customer data.
Train your employees: Over 70% of all data breaches involve the human element, and uninformed employees are often the reason why. Effective training is necessary to ensure everyone in your business knows how to securely use your IoT devices.

For retailers without extensive IT departments, developing an IoT cybersecurity solution in partnership with a reliable technology consulting firm is a cost-effective way to create a comprehensive solution that complies with all relevant cybersecurity standards. Your consultant will work closely with you to determine your business’s specific security needs so you can address all the potential gaps in your system.

The Future of IoT Security in Retail

One of the biggest developments in IoT security across all industries is the need for standardization and regulation.

The federal IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 bars the United States federal government from purchasing and/or using IoT devices that do not comply with standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology after December 2022.

Although the law only affects the public sector, stricter regulations for IoT devices are likely to impact the private sector in the coming years. The state of California, for example, has taken steps to legislate IoT security with the passing of Senate Bill 327 — also known as the California IoT Security Act — in late 2018. This law requires IoT device manufacturers to equip their products with unique first-time passwords as well as other appropriate security features, such as:

Data encryption
Regular software updates or patches
Secure APIs

Because SB-327 is a state law, it only applies to device manufacturers selling their products in California. However, as IoT implementation expands, other states may follow suit.

The Benefits of IoT in Retail

Some of the most significant benefits of implementing IoT solutions in a retail business include:

Cost savings: Automated IoT devices can help you reduce your operational expenses by identifying issues and adjusting your conditions to keep costs low. For example, smart lighting networks connected to motion sensors can raise store lights during peak hours and dim them when the store is quiet, lowering your energy usage.
Greater customer loyalty: Hyper-personalized marketing and memorable experiences improve customer satisfaction, inspiring customers to return frequently.
More accurate inventory: Tracking inventory movement in real time helps you ensure you have enough product available when customers want it.
Better customer service: Automating routine, time-consuming tasks like inventory counting and maintenance frees up your employees to handle more pressing tasks on the floor, such as assisting customers in finding products.
Gaining a competitive edge: Although many companies are starting to see the value in IoT for the retail industry, this technology is still in its early stages. Investing now can help you get a leg up over your competitors and plan a future strategy.
Data-driven decision-making: The data you collect from your IoT devices provides invaluable information about your customers’ preferences, purchasing habits, and shopping behaviors, which can help you make more informed decisions to grow your business.

It’s important to note that simply purchasing and deploying IoT devices is not the end of the story. Your IoT network should be seamlessly integrated with a robust digital infrastructure to support the high volumes of incoming data your devices will collect daily.

A Fortune 500 company worked with Kopius to develop a Sound Pressure Level proof-of-concept, which is a terrific example of a company gaining a competitive edge in the market by blending accessibility initiatives with IoT technology. Using microphones and real-time SPL data, we were able to better understand the soundscape of the store environment, while isolating specific sound sources that may cause discomfort to hearing aid users. This, in turn, provided usable insights for layout designers to make decisions about sound insulation and improve the accessibility of their stores for individuals with hearing disabilities.
Spencer McCluskey, Director of Delivery of Kopius

Preparing for What’s Next: IoT in Retail

The economic future for IoT technology is bright. Projections estimate that the global IoT retail market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 28.4% from 2023 to 2030.

That said, new technologies come and go at an overwhelming pace. Companies need to adopt a forward-thinking mindset when adopting the latest IoT tech. Working with an experienced, knowledgeable team of consultants can help you develop a streamlined IoT system that will help your business adapt to rapid changes in retail technology.

Contact Us to JumpStart Your Retail Technology Success

Investing in IoT and other emerging retail technologies helps your business stay competitive and resilient amid the constant shifts in the retail tech landscape — and partnering with the right organization is key to getting the most out of your investment.

With 600 expert team members dedicated to delivering excellence in digital strategy, development, and future growth, Kopius can provide our clients with custom, industry-leading solutions tailored to their unique requirements.

Thanks to our extensive experience designing solutions for retailers in various countries, you can count on the team at Kopius to unlock flexible, scalable digital possibilities for your business. Contact us today to learn more about our retail technology services or schedule a consultation.

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Digital Transformation Trends that Future-Proof Your Business

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Kopius

The core of future-proofing your business lies in the incorporation of cutting-edge technological trends and strategic digitization of your business operations. Combining new, transformative solutions with tried-and-true business methods is not only a practical approach but an essential one when competing in this digital age. Using the latest digital transformation trends as your guide, start envisioning the journey of future-proofing your business in order to unlock the opportunities of tomorrow.

#1 Personalization

The importance of personalized customer experiences should not be understated. More than ever, consumers are faced with endless options. To stand out from competitors, businesses must use data and customer behavior insights to curate tailored and dynamic customer journeys that both delight and command their audience. Analyze purchasing history, demographics, web activity, and other data to understand your customer, as well as their likes and dislikes. Use these insights to design customized customer experiences that increase conversion, retention, and ultimately, satisfaction.

#2 Artificial Intelligence

AI is everywhere. From autonomous vehicles and smart homes to digital assistants and chatbots, artificial intelligence is being used in a wide array of applications to improve, simplify, and speed up the tasks of everyday life. For businesses, AI and machine learning have the power to extract and decipher large amounts of data that can help predict trends and forecasts, deliver interactive personalized customer experiences, and streamline operational processes. Companies that lean on AI-driven decisions are propelled into a world of efficiency, precision, automation, and competitiveness.

#3 Sustainability

Enterprises, particularly those in the manufacturing industry, face increasing pressure to act more responsibly and consider environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals when making business decisions. Digital transformations are one way to support internal sustainable development because they lead to reduced waste, optimized resource use, and improved transparency. With sustainability in mind, businesses can build their data and technology infrastructures to reduce impact. For example, companies can switch to more energy-efficient hardware or decrease electricity consumption by migrating to the cloud.

#4 Cloud Migration

More and more companies are migrating their data from on-premises to the cloud. In fact, by 2027, it is estimated that 50% of all enterprises will use cloud services¹. What is the reason behind this massive transition? Cost saving is one of the biggest factors. Leveraging cloud storage platforms eliminates the need for expensive data centers and server hardware, thereby reducing major infrastructure expenditures. And while navigating a cloud migration project can seem challenging, many turn to cloud computing partners to lead the data migration and ensure a painless shift.

Future-Proof Your Business Through Digital Transformation with Kopius

Partner with Kopius and JumpStart your future success.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Customer Experience Personalization

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Kopius

Winning the interest and loyalty of customers means more than just offering a superior product or service. The secret lies in a powerful strategy called personalization – a dynamic approach that tailors the customer experience to meet individual needs and preferences. As businesses across industries strive to create lasting connections with their customers and meet their evolving expectations, the importance of personalization in the customer experience should not be overstated. Read on to explore the compelling case for customer personalization and a step-by-step guide on how your business can embark on this journey to elevate the customer experience.

Let’s face it, generic offerings are outdated. Today, customers yearn for something more; they want an experience that resonates with their unique tastes. Personalization is the magic ingredient that taps into this desire. By tailoring products, services, and interactions to individual preferences, businesses create a sense of connection that fosters lasting loyalty. And beyond that, research from McKinsey found that companies who implemented a personalization strategy generated 40% more revenue than their counterparts who placed less emphasis on this approach. All signs point to tailored customer journeys.

Data lies at the heart of personalization, offering insights into customer behaviors. More than ever, companies have access to a wealth of customer information, such as past purchases and browsing habits, that act as the building blocks to these insights. Leveraging advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, businesses can uncover valuable patterns and trends, guiding them to craft personalized experiences for their customers.

Building a successful personalization strategy requires thoughtful consideration and calculated execution. If you are just getting started, follow these steps to build an improved and tailored customer experience that will drive remarkable results for your business:

Step 1: Gather as Much Customer Data as Possible.

At the core of every successful personalization strategy lies a deep understanding of your customers. To lay this solid foundation, start by gathering valuable data from multiple touchpoints along their journey, including website interactions, purchase history, and customer feedback. Take advantage of powerful tools like customer relationship management (CRM) software, website analytics, and social media insights to gain a holistic view of your customers’ preferences, behaviors, and pain points.

Step 2: Divide Your Customers Into Audience Segments.

With an abundance of data at your fingertips, it is time to move on to segmentation. Divide your customers into distinct groups based on shared traits like demographics, purchase behavior, and interests. Audience segmentation empowers you to personalize your messaging or offerings, address individual customer needs with accuracy, and create a sense of relevance.

Step 3: Get Personal With Your Messaging.

Now that you have completed the segmentation process, it’s time to get personal! Start by creating interesting content with tailored product recommendations, and design exclusive offers that cater specifically to the unique preferences of each of your audience segments. By doing so, you will create truly personalized experiences that captivate your audience and leave an impression.

Step 4: Automate Dynamic Content Delivery.

Offer real-time digital experiences that resonate with your customers’ interests and past interactions. Embracing innovative technologies like artificial intelligence allows you to analyze customer data, predict behavior, and implement an effective personalization strategy that delivers tailored experiences on the fly. AI-powered chatbots take personalized support a step further, offering instant assistance to resolve customer concerns and boost overall customer satisfaction levels.

Step 5: Track Your Personalization Campaigns.

Monitor the impact of your personalization strategy on customer engagement, satisfaction, and business performance. Evaluate key metrics like conversion rates and customer retention to assess their effectiveness. Utilize any insights gained to identify areas for improvement and modify your approach accordingly.

The possibilities for designing a personalized digital experience are limitless. AI-powered chatbots provide real-time personalized support, making customers feel valued and cared for. Dynamic content delivery ensures website experiences are based on individual preferences. Personalization will enrich the customer journey, increasing engagement and conversion rates. If you are ready to deliver personalized experiences, Kopius is here to help. Let’s team up to create extraordinary customer experiences for your business!

JumpStart Success with Kopius

At Kopius, we’ve designed a program to JumpStart your customer, technology, and data success.

Our JumpStart program fast-tracks business results and platform solutions. Connect with us today to enhance your customer satisfaction through a data-driven approach, drive innovation through emerging technologies, and achieve competitive advantage.

Add our brainpower to your operation by contacting our team to JumpStart your business.

Elevating Customer Experience Through Digital Transformation

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Kopius

With customers having countless options at their fingertips, the importance of delivering seamless customer experiences cannot be overstated. Offering a great product or service is no longer enough. In today’s fast-paced online world, businesses must go above and beyond to ensure each touchpoint in the customer journey is exceptional if they want to stand out from the competition. One key solution that has emerged to help companies stay relevant and meet growing customer expectations is digital transformation. IBM defines digital transformations as a customer-driven, digital-first strategy that uses “AI, automation… and other digital technologies to leverage data and drive intelligent workflows… that drive faster and smarter decision-making.” But why should companies who are looking to improve the customer experience invest in digital transformation? The benefits of shifting to a digital-first business model are plentiful, impacting those both inside and outside of the organization. Let’s delve deeper into how adopting a digital transformation strategy can supercharge the customer experience and benefit your business.

Offer Seamless Omni-Channel Experiences

Meeting and exceeding customer expectations requires delivering a consistent and continuous experience, regardless of which channel they choose to utilize. By integrating mobile applications, social media, websites, and other online platforms, digital transformations allow customers to interact with businesses through their preferred channels. Providing this level of convenience means customers can start their journey on one channel and easily continue to another without skipping a beat.

Deliver Personalization and Customization to Increase Customer Engagement

Research by Accenture showed that 91% of customers preferred brands that offered relevant offers and recommendations. Digital transformations help businesses unlock the power of customer data, by collecting and analyzing vast amounts of information to derive meaningful insights in a matter of seconds. By tapping into advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence, companies can gain valuable knowledge about buying behavior, preferences, and trends. This helps pave the way for targeted promotional campaigns, individualized interactions, and tailored product recommendations, cultivating elevated customer satisfaction.

Decrease Downtime, Increase Efficiency

Inquiries, requests, or the occasional complaint are inevitable, but how your business handles them can be a make or break for your customer. Swift and efficient customer service and support is a must. Digital transformations empower businesses to optimize processes and minimize response times, resulting in expedited customer interactions. Through automation technology, AI-powered chatbots, and self-service options, companies can deliver immediate support around the clock. Thus, customers are able to engage with brands at their desired time and place.

Digitally transforming the customer experience is a necessity for businesses wanting to thrive in the digital era and offer seamless, tailored experiences. Ensuring speed, customization, and convenience across multiple channels leads to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, driving tangible return on investment (ROI) for your brand. Are you ready to elevate your customer experience to new heights? Contact Kopius so we can create remarkable customer experiences that will drive your goals and revenue forward!

JumpStart Your Digital Transformation

Partner with Kopius and JumpStart your future success.

Valence Group and MajorKey’s Latin American Division Combine to Create Kopius, a Nearshore Technology Powerhouse

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Kopius

Rebrand to Kopius Launches New Full Service Nearshore Digital Transformation Partner to Commercial and Public Sector Clients

Seattle, March 20, 2023 – Today marks the launch of Kopius, a nearshore digital solutions business co-located in Seattle and Buenos Aires. Kopius has been formed through the combination of Valence, a Seattle-based digital consulting firm, and the Latin American division of MajorKey, a Chicago-based technology services business. Both companies are part of The Acacia Group, specialist investors in digital transformation companies. Acacia is backing the formation of Kopius to service rapidly growing client demand for the exceptional nearshore digital consulting and delivery teams the combined business offers. MajorKey’s U.S. business will remain focused on the Identity and Access Management market.

The launch of Kopius transforms the combined company’s value to its commercial and public sector clients. It brings together a highly skilled team drawn from the U.S. and Latin America, capable of working at scale and speed to tackle complex challenges across the array of digital technologies central to effective enterprise transformation. Today Kopius supports nearly 100 U.S. commercial and public sector clients with more than 600 consultants, designers, and engineers. Kopius delivers end-to-end capabilities across digital experience and strategy, technology solutions, and engineering and operational services.

“This is an exciting day for everyone at Kopius. It crowns the integration of two great companies to create a new digital powerhouse. The whole team is united around the mission to solve digital tech challenges creatively,” said Jim Darrin, Kopius CEO. “Our true value to clients lies in our ability to achieve strategic clarity, build practical solutions for today, and continuously plan for what’s next. That way, we help clients get more value from their technology investments and navigate the future with confidence.”

“Central to our strategy for Kopius is sustaining a challenging and rewarding home for the best technical talent in the business across the U.S. and Latin America,” said Matias Mazzuchelli, Kopius Chief Operating Officer. “Our work helping some of the world’s biggest brands retain their edge creates an exciting and diverse range of opportunities for consultants, designers, engineers, and developers to work at the cutting edge of technology and innovation. We’re excited to welcome new people to the Kopius family as we grow.”

“The launch of Kopius exemplifies our approach to building stronger businesses that achieve a greater impact for their clients and create new opportunities for their people,” said Tim Matthews, partner with Acacia. “Client demand is growing for the kind of agile, scalable, and high-value digital services that Kopius offers. With such an outstanding team, we know that they will make a major impact in their market.”

The leadership of Kopius combines industry-leading experience in technology strategy, solution design, engineering, and technical recruiting and team-building. Together, they will be relentlessly focused on designing quality solutions delivered by teams drawn from the best onshore and nearshore talent, technically skilled for the problems they solve, and culturally compatible with the clients they serve.

About Kopius

Kopius is a nearshore digital solutions company. We are resourceful and practical leaders of digital transformation. Kopius operates across all stages of the digital transformation journey with integrated consulting, design, and engineering services delivered by nearshore consulting and delivery teams. Applying creativity, curiosity, and resourcefulness to everything we do, we guide clients on their technology journey, helping them adapt to change and exploit new digital advances, driving continuous value from their technology investments. For more information, visit www.kopiustech.com.

About The Acacia Group

The Acacia Group is a specialist investment firm building stronger businesses by harnessing the power of digital transformation. We work closely with management teams as engaged and supportive partners, fostering resilient cultures of collaboration and innovation to make companies more valuable to their clients, employees and co-investors. By empowering skilful leaders, nurturing exceptional talent, investing in innovation and building distinctive brands, we create the qualities business need to achieve lasting success. For more information, please visit The Acacia Group or follow us on LinkedIn.