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As 2018 comes to a close, businesses are evaluating the year and planning for an even better 2019. Technology continued to march on and evolve as fast as ever this year, with multiple advancements in industries like education, manufacturing, and healthcare.
At Twin States Technical Services, our business saw some evolutions of our own, as we added to our suite of digital marketing services. Clients enjoyed working with us to produce their own professional marketing videos at an affordable price, that integrated beautifully into their website and social media.
What’s been happening in the world of tech this year that caught our eye and made us think? We’ve got our favorite news stories that focus on manufacturing, healthcare, and education, and exciting advances that will help these industries grow in the coming years
2018 Tech News Review: What’s Been Happening in Tech?
Technology is changing the world of business at a rapid pace, enabling things we only dreamed of a few years ago. Tech has already transformed the way companies sell and interact with customers.
75% of small businesses are using technology platforms for sales, and 84% use them to keep customers informed. (Chamber of Commerce)
So, keeping an eye on up and coming technologies is not only interesting, it can be good for business too! Here are some of the top tech stories from this year.
Implementation of GDPR in the EU
Do you remember back in May receiving tons of emails with privacy policy updates from just about everyone? That’s because of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which took effect on May 25, 2018. While this is a European Union regulation, with the international nature of the web, it really impacted businesses of all types around the world.
The main goal of the GDPR is to protect the personal data collected by companies about their customers and website visitors and implement regulations relating to the transparency of privacy policies (no more “lawyer speak”), and rights that people have regarding their own personal data.
Researchers Develop the First Example of Bioelectronic Medicine
Bioelectronic medicine brings together molecular medicine, bioengineering, and neuroscience. This year, researchers at Northwestern University and Washington University School of Medicine created the first example of this discipline by developing a biodegradable implant provides electrical stimulation that speeds nerve regeneration and improves the healing of damaged nerves.
Ford’s Autonomous Cars Will Bring Walmart Deliveries to Your Door
While everyone is envisioning taxis being replaced by driverless cars, Ford Motor Co. has its eye on grocery delivery. They announced that they are teaming up with Walmart to develop and test the concept of using autonomous vehicles to deliver groceries, allowing the consumer to grab their things from the car without any human assistance.
Ford has already been testing this concept with companies like Domino’s Pizza and Postmates.
Rural Georgia Residents Benefit from Telehealth
Technology can do great things for many when it’s used to bring health services to those in need, and that’s just what Plains Medical Center in rural plains, Georgia is doing. Telehealth allows patients in isolated areas to “virtually” access medical professionals for mental health services and other medical specialties.
New Field in Nanotechnology: Electron Quantum Metamaterials
Nanotechnology offers some exciting frontiers for manufacturers as new materials are able to be created with attributes that haven’t been possible working at larger scales. An offshoot of nanomaterials science, Electron Quantum Metamaterials, is the ability to stack thin two-dimensional layers of materials and have one rotate against the other to produce unique patterns that neither could do on their own. This opens up a whole new world of potential products in the future.
High-Resolution MRI Imaging Inspired by the Antenna
MRIs are used daily at hospitals and health clinics around the world, but technology advancements promise imaging improvements in this familiar device. It’s recently been found that radio frequency probes shaped like antennas can provide a better, more uniform signal than the bird cage shaped coils being used today. They also show smaller losses of radiation, another bonus.
Students Stay Safe with School Bus Electronic Badges
The Houston School District started a badge system this year as a pilot to help track students during transport and keep parents and educators in the loop. The students swipe a badge as they get on and off their bus and the data also can be used to help optimize the transportation system as well as keep students safe.
Glow-in-the-Dark Paper as a Rapid Test for Infectious Diseases
The time it takes to test for infectious diseases can often mean the difference between containing an outbreak or allowing it to spread farther. Researchers have developed a quick an easy way to test for infectious diseases using nothing more than a special glowing strip of paper, a drop of blood, and a digital camera.
Google to Offer On-Campus Machine Learning Classes
Machine learning is one of the fastest growing fields and one that Google says there are neither enough workers or teachers for. They announced this year that they’re offering a 10-week intensive machine learning course at five colleges beginning in 2019 to help bridge the gap in this field of AI. Google picks up the tuition cost and students can earn 9 credits for successfully completing the course.
Need Some Help Getting Your Tech Ready for 2019?
Start the year off right knowing your technology infrastructure is tuned-up, optimized, and ready to support your business goals for 2019.
Twin States Technical Services is here to help your business thrive. Contact us today and book your year-end appointment now before they’re filled up. Just call 563-441-1504 or reach out online.
