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The term blockchain is often misinterpreted as a single-use for cryptocurrency and bitcoin transactions. However, the application has not been limited to these two and has numerous other uses in diverse sectors. This article will look into a few real uses of blockchain and how it can revolutionize technology benefiting different industries to enhance their work.

An Overview Of The Blockchain Technology

A blockchain is a type of a database that collects information or stores transactional records in groups or in other words “blocks”. When these storage capacities fill, they are chained into the previously filled block, forming a “chain”. With its most prominent usage in cryptocurrencies, the storage is often called a digital ledger. This information stored here is highly secured, and each transaction is authorized by a digital signature authenticating the transactions. The following characteristics of blockchain technology have made it immensely popular over time, diversifying and multiplying its uses.

Decentralized system  : Unlike the conventional methods, blockchain transaction takes place in mutual
                                                   agreement of users.

High Security                  : The digital signature feature has made fraud transactions and data corruption
                                                   impossible.

Automation Capability: The technology is programmable and can generate automatic system actions, events,
                                                   and payments.

Uses of Blockchain Technology In Different Industries

Applications in Financial Services

Embracing the blockchain industry in the financial sector has enabled us to lower the expensive mistakes that come with human errors, operational risks and streamline each process. The blockchain applications in financial trade allow recordkeeping, onboarding, security, privacy, data management, and trade processing secured and efficient. Features such as digital document authentication enable real-time verifications and collation of user activities. The tracking and enforcement of regulatory controls facilitate the collateralization of assets. Digitizing the lifecycle of finance with blockchain applications can enhance the overall security and efficiency of every subsidiary process.

User Identification Process / Digital Identity

The need for companies to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) policies has become crucial over time. The guidelines enable financial sectors to manage risks prudently and prevent activities like money laundering. In order to meet user identification standards, blockchain can facilitate a standardized network of identification information. The data can be stored and accessed securely and validated in record time. The digital identity applications through blockchain can be used in many sectors, including finance, health, education, travel, etc.

Blockchain-Based Cloud Storage

Cloud storages have numerous advantages, which include usability, easy access, automation, cost-efficiency, synchronization, convenience, etc. However, some may find cloud computing problematic with the risk of cyber-attacks. Integrating cloud storage with blockchain can carry off the problem with its extremely secured segments. The data of blockchain-based cloud storage is divided into many encrypted segments and are interlinked through a hashing function. The decentralized locations and security provisions assure reliable and robust security against hackers. Further, they do not hold the data on a node and hence help owners to retain their privacy.

Smart Contracts

With an objective of reduced intermediates, fraud losses, enforcement costs, arbitrations and other accidental exceptions, smart contracts are used to execute and control agreements. These contracts include legally relevant events and actions with the terms between the buyer and seller written into lines of code. The smart contracts are available as a computer program or a transaction protocol, and the codes control the execution while making traceable, transparent, and irreversible transactions. The self-executing contracts permit trusted contactors and transactions even among anonymous parties without the requirement of a centrally authorized legal system.

Blockchain For Logistics

Blockchain solutions for the logistics industry can provide extra transparency and clarity to all of its stakeholders. The applications can allow documentation and recording in a digital platform, making it incorruptible. The important paperwork can be stored in the form of digital copies and used for updates in the future. It can further track the financial transactions, record them, make POs, custom duties, and other work easy. Record of temperature zone is another key feature of blockchain for cold storage supply chain operations. This helps in improving safety movements and reducing disease spreading. Serial numbers, bar codes, RFID tags, and products are a few hardware tools that can be digitally linked with a blockchain tracking software.

Apart from these, blockchain is used in IoT, voting mechanisms, real estate, royalty tracking, and many other related industries. The improved security system using cryptography has enabled blockchain to mark its territory in many sectors.

If you are looking forward to using blockchain in your organization and strengthening your business’s core system, contact us at Fidenz Technologies for ultimate solutions. Our team of professionals is happy to help with all your software concerns.

Software Development (Dev) and information technology operations (Ops) have drawn together DevOps, helping the entire software development process from designs to production support. DevOps methodologies help fasten the development process, QA, and deployment where the companies can launch their products faster to the market.

The long hours in queues waiting to get healthcare needs are now over with the revolutionized web and mobile solutions provided in the health industry. The need for online medicare solutions has been gradually increased with the Covid-19 pandemic, where people can safely consult their doctors without getting exposed to the general public.

The increasing number of healthcare applications for devices like smartphones, tablets, and other wearable devices has enabled people to use them and take care of their health in an advanced and effective manner. These applications often include health management, healthy living and wellness, clinical reference, and diagnostic applications.

Significance of eHealth Solutions

According to the World Health Organization, digital health solutions can upscale people worldwide to achieve a higher standard of health and protect well-being. The organization has implemented a three-tier approach to digital health delivery in terms of policymakers, practitioners, and populations.

These seamless and secure technologies can provide effective clinical and public health solutions to the public while accelerating the achievement of the health and well-being related sustainable development growth (SGDs)

Advantages Of Using The Mobile Application In The Healthcare Industry

Seamless Data Flow

Healthcare domains usually consist of complex network web. Apart from the data flow between patients and healthcare personnel, it also needs to be administrated for accounting purposes. Mobile applications can cut off this complex network web allowing the data to move efficiently and faster. It further helps in eliminating extensive paperwork and not to worry about physical document misplacement and damages.

Real-time And Easy Communication Methods

The communication between each party is more streamlined to connect with each other from any place. It helps people in remote areas to get in touch with their doctors without the need for travel. The eHealth modes constitute a significant boom for disabled and older people with chronic conditions who need constant support.

Reduced Risks Of Diagnosis Errors

Numerous types of clinical resources are required to make accurate diagnostic decisions. Mobile health applications can help medical professionals to reference drug guides, medical calculators, clinical guidelines, and other required references. The all-inclusive details in one application can enhance disease diagnosis and treatment decisions with high accuracy.

Encourages A Healthy Lifestyle

Healthcare apps can track and monitor the irregularities in an individual’s health and help them become conscious and motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Digital accessories such as smartwatches, fitness, and health tracking apps enable people to constantly monitor their diet, weight, heart rate, pressure, stress levels, etc., and set goals to achieve fitness and health plans.

The increased leverage in eHealth and mobile application development outlines the need of having custom-made mobile applications catering to your customers. Fidenz technologies has the skills and expertise to make your idea a reality and develop a mobile application that matches your requirements. We also have hands-on experience in developing applications while complying with industry standards like HIPAA (Health Insurance Probability And Accountability Act) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

Fidenz’s all-inclusive software solutions can benefit every user, such as doctors, patients, medical staff, and other administrators. If you are looking forward to making the right decision in developing a healthcare app that can outsmart the competition, contact our team of engineers for further consultation.

The interaction of humans and computers has rapidly increased over time, where most of the day is spent in front of a computer, and the work needs to be done with technological assistance. Apart from desktop work we further use mobiles, tablets, and other digital devices to do our routine work. The need has highlighted the significance of creating an interface that lets people interact in novel ways and design systems to enhance the everyday work activities for a broad group of people with different skill levels. 

What is Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)?

HCI is the science of identifying the interface between people and machines and designing an interface or a computer technology to match those uses. The flow of information between humans and computers can be visual or audio-based. It can also consist of other aspects such as task environment, machine environment, input or output flow, feedback, or a fit to accomplish a task.

HCI can be disciplined in the fields of computer science, behavioral science, design, media, and other areas of studies. It involves identifying the interaction between humans and computers and studying the extent to which computers are developed and designed to have successful interactions. 

The multidisciplinary nature of HCI has given it another set of terms, such as human-machine interaction (HMI), computer-human interaction (CHI), and man-machine interaction (MMI). These terminologies have been used in many cases to describe and analyze the uses and goals of HCI in different situations. This further highlights that HCI does not limit to computers, and is inclusive of mobile devices, televisions, vehicles, robotics, surveillance systems, traffic controls, etc.

Main Components of HCI

Poorly designed HCI can cause problems and end up not providing the expected outcome. Hence, it is essential to look into several key factors when developing an HCI system.

Generally, HCI consist of three components, They are;

User – An individual or a group that comes from different conceptions and abilities in learning skills. This further involves cultural and national differences.

Computer – From a desktop to large-scale computer systems, and VCRs to mobile phones can be considered to be equivalent to the term “computer.”

Interaction – With the differences between humans and machines, HCI involves getting a successful interaction with realistic and feasible functions.

Goals And Best Practices

With the ultimate goal of developing usable, safe, and functional systems with conceptual frameworks, developers attempt to implement HCI systems. The theme further involves understanding the factors that put people first and determining how people use technology and develop tools and techniques to deliver efficient, effective, safe systems.

During the development process, researchers may consider existing socio-cultural practices and values or align computer interfaces with a mental model that humans have of their activities. The use of new design methodologies, experimenting with new devices, developing models and theories of interaction,  exploring new interaction paradigms, and prototyping new software and hardware systems are some other practices taken into account when developing an HCI system.

Here are some of the best practices that are used during the development of the HCI system.

• Focusing early on tasks and users to determine the appropriate users
• Empirical measurement with quantitative usability
• Creating an iterative design until a sensible, user-friendly interface is created
• Use of multiple resources
• Replacing memory with visual interpretation
• Reducing similar features and highlighting dissimilar ones

These factors enable researchers and developers to create more usable and enhanced HCI systems and develop task-based computer technologies.

A good interface can make the work easy for users and get work done more effectively. Implementing HCI systems that are matched to a specific requirement can upscale the speed and produce more successful, safe, useful, and functional outputs delivering better technological solutions to the future world.

Amazon’s new pet Astro is a part of its Day 1 Editions program, with limited availability. Astro is a $1000 worth invasion-only program with a robust system and numerous use cases. While many of these are related to security, remote care and easy access, the robot also plays a role in entertainment. It carries a little carrying tray, a USB port for extensions, and a periscope that can pop out to see the counters. Astro working with Alexa together is another plus point for all the existing Alexa users to try out a combo and enhance their user experience.

The first-generation tech piece is an impressive feat that has tremendous potential. Given below are the prominent highlighted use cases of Astro that can help to improve the day-to-day life of its users.

1. Home Monitoring - Astro can be an autonomous home-security system that can wander around the house. The robot has the ability to patrol a home, detect unidentified people, and send alerts. When you turn on the ‘away mode’, Astro can take care of your premises, ensuring its safety, and send alerts when it hears sounds like glass breaking or similar.  
2. Reminders & Updates - Astro can check on behalf of you whether the back door is open, whether you have left the stove on, or to check why the dog is barking at midnight without you having to leave your bed.
3. Remote Care - For anyone who needs remote care can ask Astri to set and deliver reminders. There is a ‘Drop In’ option to stay connected. Together with Alexa, Astro can make work easy for those who are differently-abled or have mobility challenges.
4. Entertainment - “Astro beatbox” or “what’s your favorite animal?” are top items that Amazon suggests as potential use cases that Amazon indicates in terms of fun things that Astro can provide and be closer to users as a pet than a machine.

Anthony Robson, the principal product manager for robotic technologies and consumer robotics at Amazon, insisted on having some level of extensibility. He further states, ‘We’re going to learn so much about every home — and every home is going to be different and have different needs. We have customers working in their home offices on either side of the house, sending things to each other using their Astro. We are learning, we are listening, and we are adapting. We will extend Astro’s capabilities as we learn from customers’.

When it comes to the drawback or the things the team wasn’t able to prioritize for launch, Astro not being able to climb stairs and its speed can be taken as the most significant. However, this is because of the need to keep the product simple and handy from a practical perspective. Also, adding the features such as climbing stairs can make it more complex, thus increasing the costs.

Moreover, the developer toolkit for the Astro robot is on its way and has not been launched yet. Nevertheless, the comms team for Astro is excited about the potential of the robot as a comms and monitoring tool.

The ability to build incredibly capable robotics with cute, expressive faces and high user-friendliness as first-generation tech gives us the hope to experience more refined Astro robots in the future.