Connect with us

Technology

AI and Open Commerce: RedCloud Unlocks the Door for SMBs to Enter the Global Marketplace

Published

on

Small businesses account for more than 90% of all U.S. businesses and contribute 43.5% of the nation’s GDP, playing a vital role in consumer purchases and services. (1) Justin Floyd, Founder and CEO of RedCloud®, explains how the democratization of data, new AI tools and Open Commerce allow SMBs to trade freely, inventively, innovatively, and instantly across global supply chains and scale their businesses in the most efficient way possible.

LONDON, Oct. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — McKinsey reports that 65% of organizations in 2024 have made generative AI a part of their daily operations, nearly twice the percentage reported in 2023. (2) Large enterprises have been in the AI game for a while, taking advantage of the massive amounts of data available to better understand their customers and dominate the eCommerce industry. Meanwhile, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) struggle with disorganized data and a lack of resources. Justin Floyd, Founder and CEO of RedCloud’s Intelligent Open Commerce Platform™, explains, “The Open Commerce initiative is about breaking down barriers and enabling companies to trade efficiently across the internet. The vast data infrastructure built over the last 20 years is finally becoming accessible to everyone. And AI is the first natural way in which all of that data can now serve small businesses.”

“Open Commerce enables small businesses to trade on the same terms as big players through the power of AI and Machine Learning, providing valuable insights into product opportunities and vulnerabilities.” – Justin Floyd, CEO of RedCloud®

Customer Retention and Fraud Prevention
The Global Artificial Intelligence in the eCommerce market is projected to reach $25.1 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1%, according to a report from Dimension Market Research. Businesses are gaining deeper insights into customer behavior, enabling personalized advertising, and enhancing content production with generative AI technology. (3) Omnichannel retargeting, predictive analytics for inventory management, and the personalization of marketing strategies decidedly improve customer retention and help reach and exceed sales objectives. (4)

Machine Learning (ML) is playing a more prominent role in financial fraud detection. Traditional systems are less effective at identifying new fraud patterns and often result in false positives. ML models learn from past data, adapt to new fraud techniques, and analyze vast datasets to detect subtle behavioral changes. (5) AI is proving to be invaluable in reducing non-scan incidents, which cost retailers $45 billion annually. By utilizing computer vision and AI algorithms, retailers can monitor video feeds to catch unscanned items, notify checkout staff in real time, and help detect fraud and errors during checkout. (6)

The Democratization of Data
When the internet first started, it was an open system that gradually became closed, building up barriers nearly impossible to scale. Global supply chain businesses can’t afford those kinds of walls between them. Open Commerce, the second generation of eCommerce, changes everything.

The amount of consumer data collected from Meta and Google over the last 25 years is now publicly available in business environments. Generative AI is transforming eCommerce by supercharging the customer experience. It supports hyper-personalized shopping, emotional intelligence integration, and enhanced interactions, increasing sales and consumer satisfaction.
Generative AI enables smart inventory management by forecasting demand and automating restocking. Dynamic pricing adjusts product price tags based on market conditions. AI tools like 24/7 chatbots, virtual try-ons, and virtual assistants upgrade customer service while advanced analytical intelligence forecasts sales and segments customers for more effective marketing optimization. (7)

AI and Machine Learning Promote Open Commerce
AI is revolutionizing Open Commerce for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), providing cutting-edge technology to optimize operations and decision-making. With AI-driven data analytics, businesses can identify market opportunities based on real-time transaction data.

AI-powered insights enhance competitiveness by enabling SMBs to make informed decisions about product offerings and marketing strategies. AI tools also coordinate targeted promotions, helping businesses increase visibility and engage customers effectively.
As Floyd states, “Small businesses are the backbone of the global economy. Open Commerce enables them to trade in exactly the same way and on the same terms as the big players through the power of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Together, they provide valuable insights into product vulnerabilities and opportunities.”

About RedCloud
Based in London, UK, RedCloud Technology was founded in 2012 and stands as a “Rebel Alliance,” leading a bold, second-generation e-commerce transformation. Rejecting the high fees of tech giants, RedCloud leverages AI-enabled supply chain solutions to empower smaller businesses to compete with major corporations. Their democratized, platform provides financial visibility, offering a level playing field that breaks free from the dominance of conventional marketplaces. RedCloud embodies a fairer, more inclusive digital commerce future where Davids can stand tall against Goliaths. Visit https://redcloudtechnology.com/.

References:
1. Ferguson, Stephanie , et al. “Small Business Data Center.” http://www.uschamber.com, 25 May 2023, http://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-data-center. Accessed 27 Sept. 2024.
2. Mamnani, Parag. “Council Post: Get Your Edge with AI: Three Tips for e-Commerce Smbs.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024, forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/08/15/get-your-edge-with-ai-three-tips-for-e-commerce-smbs/.
3. “Artificial Intelligence in E-Commerce Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast 2032.” Dimensionmarketresearch.com, 2023, dimensionmarketresearch.com/report/artificial-intelligence-in-e-commerce-market/. Accessed 27 Sept. 2024.
4. “Artificial Intelligence Influence on Global E-Commerce Market Expected to Skyrocket to $25 Billion by 2032 .” GlobeNewswire News Room, FN Media Group LLC, 22 Aug. 2024, globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/08/22/2934218/0/en/Artificial-Intelligence-Influence-on-Global-E-Commerce-Market-Expected-to-Skyrocket-to-25-Billion-By-2032.html.
5. Srivastava, Sudeep. “An Analysis on Financial Fraud Detection Using Machine Learning.” Appinventiv, Appinventiv, 5 Sept. 2024, appinventiv.com/blog/role-of-machine-learning-in-financial-fraud-detection/.
6. Srivastava, Sudeep. “How AI in Retail Is Revolutionizing the Shopping Experiences.” Appinventiv, 10 Sept. 2024, appinventiv.com/blog/impact-of-ai-in-retail/.
7. Timonera, Kathryn. “Ai in E-Commerce: Navigating Benefits, Challenges, and Future Trends.” eWEEK, 1 Aug. 2024, eweek.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-in-ecommerce/.

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/ai-and-open-commerce-redcloud-unlocks-the-door-for-smbs-to-enter-the-global-marketplace-302268154.html

SOURCE RedCloud

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report: Consumers Demand SMS Notifications and Conversations

Published

on

By

Consumers embrace SMS Marketing like never before, with 86% opting in and expectations for instant, tailored communication soaring.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EZ Texting, the leading text marketing platform for businesses of all sizes, released the 2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report today. Now in its fourth year, the report underscores a remarkable trend: with a staggering 98% open rate, SMS has evolved from a communication tool to the cornerstone of audience engagement, driving immediate and meaningful interactions.

EZ Texting’s 2025 Consumer Survey results reveal consumers embrace SMS marketing like never before, with 86% opting in.

“Consumers are clear about their preferences: they want businesses to communicate with them through SMS,” said Punit Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “From promotional offers to providing customer support, customers now prefer SMS for its speed, delivery, and convenience above all other forms of communication, including social and email. Businesses that react to this trend will find themselves with positive customer engagement, and those that don’t are at risk of missing customer needs. Texting is no longer just a nice-to-have, it is now a must-have communication channel.”

Consumers Expect Texting for Every Business Need

The 2025 report reveals growing consumer reliance on SMS for appointment reminders, promotional updates, and customer support. Among the most striking findings:

86% of consumers now opt in for business texts, a 20% increase since 2021.79% of consumers are more likely to purchase when subscribed, increasing 21% from 2024.52% of consumers text businesses more often, a 31% increase over 2023.

SMS Marketing Drives Action & Builds Loyalty

Consumers are increasingly turning to SMS as their go-to communication channel with brands. Highlights include:

71% of consumers subscribe to texts without needing a prior purchase.47% share feedback via SMS, rising from 35% in 2024.63% of consumers text more overall, with 52% texting businesses, compared to 31% last year.

Consumers Demand Speed & Personalization

Consumer expectations for responsiveness are higher than ever:

57% expect businesses to respond within 15 minutes.67% show increased interest in products after receiving a text, an increase of 21% from 2024.49% purchase more often after receiving a text, underscoring the power of timely communication.

Survey Methodology

EZ Texting conducted the 2025 Consumer Texting Behavior Report to analyze consumer attitudes and behaviors related to SMS marketing.

Survey Timeframe: Nov. 1–Nov. 15, 2024Participants: 1,074 qualified respondents with personal mobile phones

About EZ Texting
Since 2004, EZ Texting has provided 230,000+ growing businesses and organizations with an effortless way to start text marketing—and powerful features and integrations to keep conversations going.

CONTACT:
Marco Raye
Content Marketing Manager
Email: mraye@eztexting.com

Journalists & Media
pr@eztexting.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2025-consumer-texting-behavior-report-consumers-demand-sms-notifications-and-conversations-302346459.html

SOURCE EZ Texting

Continue Reading

Technology

Kotak Life launches ‘Kavya’: AI-powered HR Assistant aimed at enhancing Employee Engagement and Experience

Published

on

By

MUMBAI, India, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Ltd (“Kotak Life”) has unveiled Kavya, an advanced HR virtual assistant powered by generative AI, designed to enhance employee experience and engagement.

Kavya serves as a trusted companion to Kotak Life’s strong workforce, ensuring that employees are heard confidentially while fostering open communication and connection throughout their professional journey. By engaging in meaningful conversations, Kavya aims to support individual growth and strengthen Kotak Life’s commitment to creating a progressive and supportive work environment.

Ruchira Bhardwaja, Chief Human Resources Officer, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Limited, said, “Kavya marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to employee development and satisfaction. With this AI-powered solution, we’re not just modernising HR services – we’re building a more empathetic, accessible and responsive workplace where every employee feels valued and heard.”

Key Features of Kavya 

Confidentiality: Kavya ensures that all interactions and shared information are kept strictly confidential, prioritising employee privacy at all times.Dedicated Support: For new joiners to seasoned professionals, Kavya is there at every milestone in the journey at Kotak Life, offering assistance and guidance.Action: Employees can share feedback and concerns with Kavya, who actively works to implement meaningful changes.Open Communication: Kavya encourages employees to communicate freely, without hesitation, providing a judgment-free space for open dialogue.

About Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Ltd.

Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Limited (Kotak Life) is a 100% owned subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (Kotak). Kotak Life provides world-class insurance products with high customer empathy. Its product suite leverages the combined prowess of protection and long term savings. Kotak Life is one of the fastest growing insurance companies in India with 322 branches across 152 cities and has covered more than 5 crore active lives as on 31st December 2024.

For further information, please contact:
Shazin Motorwala, 
Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Ltd.,
+91 98332 40021, 
Shazin.Motorwala@kotak.com

Jimit Harde,
Kotak Mahindra Bank,
+91 99300 29645,
Jimit.Harde@kotak.com

Meenakshi Verma, 
The Good Edge,
+91 99875 68227, 
meenakshi@thegoodedge.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/kotak-life-launches-kavya-ai-powered-hr-assistant-aimed-at-enhancing-employee-engagement-and-experience-302346904.html

Continue Reading

Technology

FusionIQ Celebrates a Breakthrough Year in 2024, Wins Trifecta of Industry Awards

Published

on

By

Wealthtech provider also appoints Sloan Shanahan as Chief Revenue Officer to drive further growth and innovation

WOBURN, Mass., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FusionIQ, a leader in the delivery of cloud-based wealth management solutions, announced today that it achieved significant milestones in 2024, further establishing itself as a key innovator in wealthtech. This marks a pivotal moment in the company’s mission to make digital wealth transformation easy for financial advisors and institutions.

From industry awards to new partnerships and thought leadership to significant product advances, FusionIQ has emerged as a leader in the democratization of wealth as financial advisors and institutions look to fintechs to keep pace with the rapid acceleration of digital transformation in financial services.

Among the Notable Achievements in 2024:

Pre-Integrated Platforms: Leveraging the power of the cloud-native FusionIQ One platform, FusionIQ launched a suite of pre-integrated platforms to make digital wealth transformation easy, fast, and cost-effective for financial advisors and institutions. These platforms included FIQ Journey, the first dual journey platform for financial institutions integrating hybrid digital advice and self-directed investing in a single seamless investor experience, and the groundbreaking FIQ Wallet, the first digital wealth management solution for wallet companies, a significant leap forward in the convergence of wealth management and payment.Strategic Partnerships: The company announced key partnerships with leading financial institutions, including groundbreaking collaborations with OnPoint Community Credit Union and Kinecta Federal Credit Union, expanding access to digital investment services for OnPoint’s 581,000-plus members in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and Kinecta’s more than 270,000 members in California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida.Recognition in Banking Innovation: FusionIQ set the standard for innovation among wealthtech providers in 2024, winning Best-as-a-Service Solution for Wealth Management at the prestigious 2024 Banking Tech Awards USA in May, Best Wealth Management Solution by Vendor (Overall) at the Global BankTech Awards 2024 in September, and Best Digital Solution Provider – WealthTech – Personalization and User Experience at the Banking Tech Awards 2024 in December.SOC 2 Type II Compliance: FusionIQ successfully achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance, demonstrating its commitment to cybersecurity leadership and reinforcing trust with its growing client base.Thought Leadership: On topics ranging from cybersecurity to digital transformation in wealth management, FusionIQ advanced industry knowledge by contributing to 20 thought leadership articles, op-eds, and industry roundtables, establishing the company as a trusted voice in wealth management innovation.

With these achievements, FusionIQ continues to redefine the wealth management experience for institutions and investors across the industry.

Strengthening the C-Suite For Future Growth

In the second half of the year, FusionIQ made strategic leadership appointments to drive its continued growth trajectory. Eric Noll was appointed Chief Executive Officer after successfully completing a significant new fundraising round in October. That same month, Pete Chiccino was named Chief Operating Officer.

In December, Sloan Shanahan joined the executive team as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), bringing a wealth of expertise in strategic partnerships, sales enablement, and market expansion. Ms. Shanahan has a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams across top-tier consulting and technology organizations. Her vision aligns perfectly with FusionIQ’s goal of scaling operations and delivering innovative solutions to empower financial institutions in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“I’m thrilled to join FusionIQ at this pivotal time,” she said. “The company’s dedication to redefining wealth management through innovation and collaboration is inspiring. I look forward to working with the team to drive measurable business outcomes and forge enduring partnerships across the industry.”

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on its momentum, FusionIQ is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory in 2025. With its strengthened leadership team and proven track record of success, FusionIQ is well-positioned to lead the next wave of digital transformation in wealth management.

About FusionIQ

FusionIQ makes it easy for financial advisors and institutions to be digital wealth leaders. The cloud-native all-in-one FusionIQ One platform has four modules – Hybrid Digital Advice, Self-Directed Investing, Digital Marketplace, and finTAMP – making digital transformation hassle-free. FusionIQ One powers a range of easy-to-implement products, including FIQ Freedom, FIQ Journey, FIQ Market One, FIQ TAMP+, and FIQ Wallet, making it easy for credit unions, banks, broker-dealers, family offices, RIAs, wallet providers, and asset managers to scale, delivering the digital experience clients and advisors want and the seamless workflows and process automations they need for organic growth. With white-label integrations complete in as little as six weeks, it’s easy to see why FusionIQ One’s integrated multi-custodian platform is quickly becoming the digital solution of choice for advisors and institutions. To learn more, please visit: https://fusioniq.io

Media Contact
Elizabeth Shim
Haven Tower Group
424 317 4861
eshim@haventower.com 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fusioniq-celebrates-a-breakthrough-year-in-2024-wins-trifecta-of-industry-awards-302345687.html

SOURCE FusionIQ

Continue Reading

Trending