(This article originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 —GoToWebinar now has live streaming.
GoToWebinar recently announced that users will now have the capability to live stream webinars on platforms such as YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and soon on LinkedInLive, along with other virtual platforms. Event organizers will be able to share their live feed to any compatible platform, maximizing content views by allowing followers to instantly have access to the streams. Users will be able to choose a single or several sites to stream on in order to broadcast and reach a greater audience. All GoToWebinar customers will have access to this new feature at no extra cost. (Source: GoToWebinar)
Why this is important for your business:
Despite the rise in popularity of apps like Zoom and Teams, my company has stuck by GoToWebinar this year, mainly because the platform has many more features targeted at businesses (like mine) that do lots of webinars. So far that’s been a good decision and, with GTW’s latest announcement, it seems to be an even better one. Yes, I would like to expand my company’s webinars to reach audiences on different social platforms, so live-streaming my events using GTW’s latest functionality could help drive more attendance and hopefully more business.
2 — Here’s how the Army will use 120,000 Microsoft HoloLens headsets in battle.
Microsoft revealed this past March that it had acquired a contract to distribute 120,000 of its HoloLens AR headsets to the United States Army. Last week, military experts revealed that Microsoft continues to work with soldiers in order to develop a headset that is now ready to be produced and provided in the field. While developers and military personnel are still discussing ways in which the technology can be used in the field, some options include using external sensors to collect information to send to the headset, helping soldiers identify enemies, and providing thermal imaging and night vision capabilities, to name a few. (Source: Fast Company)
Why this is important for your business:
Augmented Reality devices like the HoloLens isn’t just for military use. At about $3,500 per unit it’s an affordable tool that can significantly increase the productivity of employees in the field and on the manufacturing floor. I have clients in many industries – from healthcare to real estate – testing out different ways to use this technology and I expect to see expanded use in the coming years.
3 —HoneyBook has raised $155M at a $1B+ valuation to help small businesses and freelancers manage their businesses.
HoneyBook— a financial management and client experience platform geared toward freelancers and small businesses— recently raised $155 million. HoneyBook has booked over $3 billion in clients and businesses since its start and plans to use the newly raised funds to continue developing its products in order to make features more customizable and to hire more employees in its Tel Aviv and San Francisco locations. (Source: TechCrunch)
Why this is important for your business:
HoneyBook’s platform combines tools such as client communication, contracts, and billing in order to assist business owners in staying organized. It’s a simple combination of customer relationship management, project management and accounting and worth a look, particularly if you’re a very small business or freelancer.
4 — These are the best free video conferencing tools in 2021 according to ZDNet.
Editors at ZDNet—a news and analysis website focusing on technologies geared toward IT professionals—have revealed their picks for the best free video conferencing tools for this year. The qualifications to make the list—according to the editors—included the service having to be entirely free, without any sort of free trials to rope users into purchasing, no hidden fees, and no expiration dates. (Source: ZDNet)
Why this is important for your business:
Big name conferencing tools on the list include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco WebEx, while lesser known tools such as Lifesize free, FreeConferenceCall.com, and FreeConference.com also made the list. It’s always good to have a few alternatives, right?
5—SafetyCulture boosted its workplace safety tools and hit a $1.6B valuation.
Workplace safety and quality management software startup SafetyCulture announced this past week that it recently raised $73 million in funding. SafetyCulture provides a web and mobile app to help monitor quality standards and workplace safety through collecting data, identifying problems, and streamlining operations. According to the company’s CEO, the newly raised funding will go toward supporting company growth as the model shifts from a checklist app into a more sophisticated platform that focuses on operations for teams. (Source: Venture Beat)
Why this is important for your business:
Safety is a big issue in 2021 and not just because of COVID. The Biden administration plans more money for OSHA and the Department of Labor is planning on re-visiting its safety enforcement and rule making. Apps like SafetyCulture could help your business stay ahead of these potential regulations.
