Kaliop Canada

Online marketing, digital transformation & e-commerce

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Mark Brincat on his relationship with Kaliop Canada

In an interview with eZ Systems, our client Mark Brincat (CTO - The Economist) talks about the work Kaliop Canada has done over the last 2 years to support The Economist managing its digital transformation and the keys to success.

The Montreal agency Kaliop Canada has redesigned the global transactional digital platforms of the economic magazine The Economist.The two partners at the head of the Montreal office of the Kaliop network, Gauthier Garnier and Stéphane Grünenwald, underline that the mandate has been achieved in the perspective of ensuring that the readers of the magazine have greater fluidity in their transactions thanks to a renewed user experience and devices for customizing their purchasing experience. This platform supports currencies, means of payment, promotions by market, as well as the integration of external partners, particularly through loyalty programs.

Want to learn more about Kaliop Canada? Contact us!

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Developing the Internet of Things with open source software

The Internet of objects - also called IoT, or Internet of Things - is the result of the convergence of several technologies. On the internet, this concept makes it possible to gather and exchange information from palpable objects and converge it into one single source of information. This can be useful for companies who want a selection of information or data to be available at the click of a mouse to all their departmental employees at the same time, without the need for sharing files and links across a large volume of people.

The three layers that make up the IoT architecture

The internet of things is divided into several layers. Each layer allows the use of different types of open source software. Before discussing open source software in this area, here are the few layers of the IoT architecture.

Layer 1 is composed of terminal devices, also known as sensor nodes. They are typically powered by targets based on a microcontroller, wearables and sometimes Linux cards.

Layer 2 consists of gateway devices, usually target maps. They are powered by Linux or other portable gadgets. These interfaces allow you to interface terminals with cloud platforms and bridging protocols with their middleware support.

Layer 3 is formed by servers, usually deployed on cloud platforms. They provide services such as authentication, data collection, and processing, analysis, storage, visualization, web integration, mobile application connectivity.

Open source software that applies for each source

Let's look at some open source software needed to develop each layer. This list is not exhaustive:

For layer 1

The open source software used for layer 1:

Mbed OS, specifically designed for IoT needs with common C APIs for the Cortex-M architecture of different families. This software is licensed and running under Apache 2.0.

Zephyr OS, a Linux basic project that aims to become a scalable and real-time OS for connected devices. Its resources are limited and it runs under Apache 2.0.

For layer 2

The open source software used for layer 2:

Macchina.io, a toolkit for building integrated applications for IoT on POCO C libraries and the JavaScript V8 engine, licensed under Apache 2.0. The Macchina.io base is Open Service Platform (OSP), which allows modular extensible applications based on the powerful plug-in and a service model similar to OSGi in Java.

Iotivity, a project of the Linux Foundation, launched by the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF), formerly Open Interconenct Consortium (OIC). It brings together a group of large companies including Samsung and Intel.

For layer 3

The open source software used for layer 3:

SiteWhere, an open platform for IoT with good protocol support and powerful device and asset management services. SiteWhere is licensed under the Common Public Assignment License Version 1.0 (CPAL-1.0). It is designed as a multi-tenant system to host multiple applications in a single deployment instance.

Mosquitto, an Eclipse IoT project implementing an MQTT broker with support v3.1.1 and v3.1 for backward compatibility. It is licensed under Eclipse Public License - v1.0 and EDL 1.0.

Source : http://opensourceforu.com/2017/03/open-source-software-can-use-iot-development/

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Lush migrates its eCommerce platform to Google Cloud

As part of the development of free software, UK distributor of cosmetics, Lush, has decided to switch its e-commerce infrastructure to Google cloud. The move from Lush to Google Cloud aims to improve its data management system. Matthew Finnegan, the editor of Computerworld UK and an editor in cloud computing, wrote this article as part of his keen interest in everything related to major technology projects with companies across the Channel.

Cloud computing is explained

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cloud computing is a model that enables ubiquitous, convenient and on-demand access to a shared network and a set of configurable computing resources (such as networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that may be provisioned and released with minimal administration. The model is composed of five main characteristics, three are services models, and four are deployment models. 

The intention is to improve Lush data management system

Lush is based in Poole, England. It has customers in 51 countries, with 900 points of sale. Until 2016, the company used Acquia to configure and maintain its servers and networks to manage its online sales. Lush, however, was dissatisfied with Acquia’s services, which, according to them, had little control over its management system and was reluctant to use more modern applications.

Naturally, at the end of the contract Lush decided to turn to Google Cloud and switched its 17 international websites. The migration was rapid, as it lasted less than a month. Its whole e-Commerce system is now on open source and is hosted on the Google Compute Engine. The team is even considering launching Google Container Engine in order to make the most of its microservices for all its internal applications.

The choice is also based on the use of free software

Lush executives also motivated their decision to switch to Google Cloud in order to adopt open source or open source software and invest the savings in internal technical staff. Indeed, according to Jack Constantine, head of digital services whose parents founded the company 21 years ago, the licensed software is declining. Although the company relies on a variety of software vendors like Sage or QAD, it plans to create its own tools in the future, using Google tools like Kubernetes and Hadoop. 

Google favors renewable energies

The other factor that tipped the scales in favor of Google is its use of renewable energies, a very important battle horse for Lush. With 13 data centers, offices around the world and billions of users, the Internet giant consumes an incredible amount of energy. 

However, Google has promised to use 100 percent renewable energy in 2017. It is the world’s largest purchaser of renewable energy and has already invested in solar and wind farms.

Google’s network is much faster

According to tests conducted by Lush, the Google network is technically much faster. As a result, Google Cloud provides optimum performance and efficiency, enabling the company to focus time and ressources on new challenges.

Source : http://www.computerworlduk.com/cloud-computing/lush-migrates-ecommerce-platform-google-cloud-as-part-of-open-source-push-3655771/

Read also this post in french : http://blog.kaliop.ca/post/160013984521/lush-migre-son-site-de-commerce-vers-google-cloud

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Errors not to be committed in 2017 while doing e-commerce

E-commerce has become a must. It can reveal itself to be particularly profitable for companies able to implement the best practices in this field.

E-commerce is a booming sector

In some niches, the Internet can be a good way to start a business. Online commerce is booming in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Decorative objects, clothing, and fashion accessories have the wind in their sails. Sales also rose to 63.1 billion US dollars in the United States, a 12 percent growth compared to 2015! However, for those who run an online sales platform, there are precautions to take as errors can be detrimental.

Pitfalls to avoid while setting up an online store

Your success on the web depends on the marketing solutions adopted to promote your online store. However, as the digital world is constantly evolving, the methods you are using have to evolve as well. To outrun competitors, you must always have a head start and make regular updates on both your online store and your overall marketing strategy. Vigilance is required, and the traps are numerous.

A rapid and simple purchase process

Online shopping should be easy, convenient and rapid. Consumers want to be able to place orders in just a few clicks. One-Click technology, introduced by Amazon in 2000, revolutionized e-commerce.

This seems obvious, but it is worth remembering that an e-commerce site is not responsive by default. It must be specifically coded to display optimally on all media platforms.

If you do not know if your e-commerce is responsive, visit it from your smartphone and you will be quickly set. If it turns out that the navigation is difficult, then do not be surprised that the users are scared.

Have the right software

There are several platforms Shopify, Magento, LemonStand but you will have to find what suits you best. The applications have a cost (design, referencing, maintenance ...) A price that is not necessarily worth paying, especially if you just launch your e-commerce site. So it is essential to go to the basics and offer only a limited number of features. Mobile shopping is fast and fluid: your customers do not want to spend hours finding what they are looking for. A concise and clear menu, well-identified functions: this is what you need to focus on.

A good guide is important

The virtual assistant or chat online is generally a chat present on a site and allowing to dialogue with a physical and very real person. This tool can be configured according to user behaviors, or according to your own availability according to the chosen solution:

The chat bot: It also offers a chat online, however, it will be automated according to well-defined customer interactions. Many professional or advanced online messaging solutions offer chats that allow users to interact at any time. These online chats are managed by robots in artificial intelligence and generally offer basic discussions initiated with the help of "keywords". This makes it possible, for example, to send certain points of FAQs in case of customer question.

The FAQ: The Frequently Asked Questions will answer the questions in detail. It contains not only product information, but also delivery policies, price, warranty and promotional codes. This option allows customers to save time.

Advanced search function: It automatically displays suggestions to customers, making it easier for them to search. Internet users can find the products they are looking for more quickly and even expand their orders if these suggestions wisely capture their attention.

Provide appropriate safeguards

Many customers are still reluctant to carry out online transactions, especially if they do not have the guarantee that the connection is secure. Therefore, each page of the website must contain:

An SSL security certificate, to guarantee a visitor protected by a reliable encryption.

Links to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thus, customers can know their rights, as well as the use of the information they share with the site

Avoid regular pop-ups

You must keep away from pop-ups that offer complementary products. If they open (and close) easily on a computer, it is much more annoying on the phone or tablet. Use analytical tools to track purchasing trends and incorporate this information into your message.

E-commerce is an extremely profitable sector because customers demand an efficient and convenient service. Having little time to go to physical outlets, they can place orders from home or from the office. For an e-commerce site to be profitable, it must combine transaction speed and optimized use of software for secure navigation. If your competitors have made mistakes, study them to make your own online store sustainable and prosperous.

Sources : http://www.toptenz.net/e-commerce-mistakes-avoid-costs-2017.php

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Tonight, we are partying to celebrate the release of the new content creation and management platform for Editions Protégez-vous : http://pv.ca

Congratulations to the team!