Briefing Notes are summary pieces that outline the CIC viewpoint on a given topic.
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In today’s IT infrastructure landscape and operating climate there are key technology and processing trends that established runtime platforms must evolve to meet the new digital demands. This report summarises the main trends and practices impacting the application server estate. We recommend this briefing note as a companion to CIC’s report on Galvanising and supporting hybrid cloud delivery. -
Battle lines drawn between IBM and Intel processors
Battle lines are being drawn between IBM and Intel as their processors – POWER and Xeon respectively fight it out to deliver the system interfaces and performance speed to support the next generation operational workloads. Where does each stand and how will their respective footprint in the wider ecosystem influence their hand? Find out what are the new speed differentiators and versatile workhorses powering the compute engines. As a buyer, what choices can and should you make? -
With IBM’s launch of its POWER9 server, targeting cognitive and Artificial Intelligence (AI), on 5th December 2017, CIC’s briefing note looks at the core features being promoted to support cognitive workloads. Has the launch been worth the wait? Readers will find out what choices it offers customers. -
Having visited several healthcare IT events over the first half of 2016 in the US and Europe, Creative Intellect has noticed that, by and large, discussions among stakeholders circle around a number of similar topics such as connecting healthcare experience for better patient outcomes. More connecting topics are covered in our briefing note. However, the debates on both sides of the Atlantic reflect the different levels of maturity of IT adoption within the different national healthcare markets. In CIC’s Healthcare Update Briefing Note we outline a number of important insights and steps for the European Healthcare industry. Specifically we shine a spotlight on:- The common discussion points amongst Healthcare stakeholders
- Where the US is showing leadership
- The leadership required for digital healthcare transformation
- A three point master class for European Healthcare.
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Guidance for People, Processes and Tools
Banks are, in many respects, like any other enterprise and so the need for change is driven by the same requirements, such as speed and experiences that can drive down costs and improve productivity and competitiveness. Specifically, this report looks to provide insights into:- How DevOps can close the gap between new entrants and the incumbents in the financial industry
- What needs to be achieved that will allow banks to be successful in the digital economy
- The strategies that financial services organisations are pursuing along with the capabilities that will be enabled
- What it takes to establish an environment for DevOps
- A framework foundation for enterprise DevOps and 10 rules of engagement for DevOps in practice
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In this second interview with Tessa Souhoka, a healthcare designer, CIC identifies the practices and strategies that will shape and deliver good UX in healthcare. This report is bundled with ‘CIC Healthcare: UX in healthcare - a CIC Journey Planner’ for those looking for guidance on what to look out for when looking to incorporate UX thinking in the design of a healthcare offering. -
Harnessing AI engagement effectively for business and operational gain
IBM, through the capabilities of its Watson cognitive technology services, is enabling a powerful and more effective and productive Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that can be easily implemented with existing investments in software development skillsets. In this briefing report, CIC explores the business and operational advantages that IBM Voice Gateway offers, particularly in addressing the skills challenge faced by organisation looking to support some of the latest technological advances impacting the digital landscape. We draw from research studies conducted into the support for key digital technologies across various industry sectors and the opportunities, goals and challenges expected from their use. With insights into proof of concepts conducted by independent software vendors (ISVs) and the market dynamics of contact/call centres, this report will identify vital differentiators to current IVR systems, showcase established use case scenarios and outline important usage considerations. Other points highlighted:- Getting to grips with the Artificial Intelligence hubris underpinning the digital economy with a spotlight on the cognitive reboot for telephony.
- CIC Journey Planner for IBM Voice Gateway and an ISV user profile
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Sale!
The primary success of DevOps has been in helping to break down the barriers between development and operations. In and of itself, this is a significant bonus. In reality though, DevOps is a collective term and home for several foundational changes and a broader set of characteristics that have helped this happen. This CIC report outlines what they are and offers insights into the trajectory for DevOps: NoOps or Product teams? While DevOps signifies a much welcomed need for change, CIC’s attendance at Jenkins World 2017 offers a perspective on its maturity. Readers will learn the potential of a broader role for DevOps within the rest of the organisation. -
There is no doubt that User Experience (UX) has become a critical concern for those that procure and develop software. BMC, a leading global IT vendor, began its UX journey almost 5 years ago. Its journey has lesson for all enterprises. This report specifically highlights a number of important considerations:- Driving Business Value
- Driving Broader Business Modernisation
- UX for managing risks
- Design and development
- Industrialising UX for scale
- A path for enterprise to follow
- A UX checklist to guide others in their journey.
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The promise of low-code, or even no-code, environments has been around for over three decades. While there have been challenges over that period on its adaption, the demand today for software from business units has outstripped the ability for IT departments to deliver. As a result Low-Code tools and strategies has broaden the development tool to meet the demands for new application quickly a backing vogue. This Briefing note highlights how OutSystems is proving and meeting market demands , specifically it covers:- OutSystems’ Low-code differentiation
- An integration strategy for speeding up app delivery
- Opportunities for embracing key future technology trends
- How to build a skilled community
- The key to sustainable business
- Plus point for customer choice
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It is widely acknowledged that the cloud market in 2018 is growing. Many indices point to this, but one in particular is from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, which held its annual European conference in Copenhagen in May. As is the practice, the Kubernetes Conference (KubeCon) was run alongside. It attracted more than 4,100 people from around Europe and marks a key watershed moment for cloud native applications that enterprise IT should take note of. In this article, we outline how three years on and acceleration in adoption is showing from all corners and what the coming of age for Cloud-native means for the market. -
Summary points
- Mobile Commerce is growing but numerous studies show challenges to mass market penetration. Primarily concerns about security and usability, the latter due to the difficulties of data entry on small devices.
- Mobile Wallets present opportunities to address the main customer concerns. Wallets, such as those by PayPal, Apple and Google, provide added security and make mobile transactions quick and easy.
- Customers do not trust many of the current Mobile Wallet providers as they are associated with questionable data policies or previous data loss stories. This presents an opportunity for the brands that people do trust such as banks.
- Customers are more demanding with respect to mobile commerce compared to ecommerce and so the success of any solution will come down to implementation. The one that customers find easiest and trust the most will most likely win.
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What makes a successful mobile app? Successful mobile app development requires the right support network, design approach, and tooling and processes arsenal. However, there are certain key elements that make a successful mobile app. User experience is critical and goes beyond purely focusing on the visual interface. It must:- Meet users’ needs and deliver services that leverage the convenience of mobile
- Deliver services securely and support secure and authorised interactions
- Prioritise high performance and usability
- Adapt to the user’s behaviour
- Keep the app simple, accessible and o er easy navigation
- Seamlessly incorporate relevant data held in other systems
- Adapt content and capabilities to mobile and for di erent types of devices
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What happens when a trained healthcare provider comes face to face with a life-threatening condition in her personal life? In the case of translational neuroscientist Mylea Charvat Ph.D., her husband’s near fatal motorbike accident changed everything, from her outlook on life, her perspective on healthcare delivery, to her career. The search for a cure and rehabilitation for her husband made her look at the way healthcare is administered with altered eyes. With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University and a Ph.D. fellowship at Stanford School of Medicine, she ultimately decided to give up her white coat for good, and put her expertise to use as an entrepreneur in the clinical domain instead. -
Overcoming the challenges of clinical trial using big data technology is achieved by Swiss software solutions vendor Clinerion. With a mission to improve the efficiency and quality of the traditional patient recruitment process, the company looks to deliver a viable and effective automated patient recruitment solution. Clinerion’s Patient Recruitment System (PRS) facilitates the electronic selection of trial sites and the recruitment of patients, by screening hospital patient data in real-time. This briefing note includes:- Making a case for PRS: the art of balancing clinical trials with business needs
- Clinerion’s PRS model explained, its features and how it will work for organisations
- Proven benefits for hospitals using PRS
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Identifying the impact and returns for all sectors
To remain viable, it is essential that organisations of all sizes and industries find a way to leverage the digital economy. This report outlines the key role that DevOps plays in enabling successful participation in the digital economy and what it offers to any business at three key levels:- the organisational level
- the business frontline
- those responsible for the IT function of software creation and running and management of the supporting IT infrastructure
- Key characteristics of market disruptors
- Defining DevOps value to Digital Transformation
- Practices that are paving the way for DevOps
- The futility facing organisations
- 3 important business gains that an IT organisation succeeding in DevOps can deliver
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We know that most organisations are either at the very start of their journey to cloud or have not begun. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has long been the leader in the cloud market. Its lead in terms of market share may differ, depending on how figures are calculated, but its lead in other key areas is unquestionable. These include heritage (10+ years makes it the oldest cloud vendor), number of services, high profile successful customers, and perhaps most importantly, thought leadership. With so many capabilities, the key for AWS and customers is in understanding where such breadth has value and where depth in capability is important. This report serves to help those looking to navigate the breadth of potential and value from the AWS cloud stack. -
Security – along with data privacy and protection – is sacrosanct in healthcare and is the basis of trust in administering clinical services. Much is at stake when a cyber-attack occurs: foremost patients’ lives and a hospital’s reputation, but also legal and financial repercussions. For healthcare organizations to take full advantage of digital technologies and services, and, to securely support the exponential growth of IoT devices, the right kind of ICT infrastructure is vital. In this report that is related to CIC’s insights into the network foundations for IoT and connected healthcare, we specifically look to:- Identifying how Cybercrime is the flip side of digitisation
- The implications of a security failure to healthcare
- The requirements of a secure, connected healthcare infrastructure
- The importance of encryption
- Cisco’s security strategy for connected healthcare
- The network foundation for IoT and connected healthcare
- Streamlining clinical experiences in IoT and connected healthcare
- Progressing the patient experience in IoT and connected healthcare