Machine Learning

It seems information security programs are not keeping up with the pace of evolving cyber-threats.   As more companies support Internet of Things (IoT) and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs, they become bigger targets to savvy cyber-criminals. This threat grows more serious when 66% of IT security professionals aren't sure how many devices are even in their environment.  

Buying merchandise on Pinterest just got even easier.   On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the social media site rolled out a new service called “Shop the Look.” An extension of the company’s Buyable Pins program which enables “pinners” to buy a specific item directly on Pinterest, Shop the Look users can “click on and even buy products they find inside fashion and home decor Pins,” Tim Kendall, Pinterest’s president, explained in the company’s business blog.  

Like the principle of yoga, Lululemon Athletica knows the value of learning from a journey — in this case, its shoppers’ journeys.   In fact, this information will help the athletic apparel retailer hit its newest milestone: “touching one billion people and doubling our revenue over the next five years,” Miguel Almieda, Lululemon’s executive VP digital, said at last week’s NRF Convention and Expo in New York City.   

The trends featured at the annual NRF Convention & Expo never fail to get the tech juices flowing, and this year was no exception.    Sessions and the expo floor illustrated how retail technology has changed dramatically in a very short time. However, the event also relayed a sobering message: the industry needs to greatly evolve to keep up pace with customer expectations, and remain relevant in the long-term.  

Alibaba is championing the fight against counterfeit merchandise.   In a new alliance with international brands including Louis Vuitton, Samsung and Mars, Alibaba has created an anti-counterfeiting group. Called the Alibaba Big Data Anti-Alliance, the 20-member consortium of industry and technical leaders is working to keep pirated goods off of Alibaba’s e-commerce platform, according to the company’s website.  

Mike McNamara, chief information officer and digital office for Target Corp, was among the speakers this week at the National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show in New York City. McNamara described how Target’s technology team is leading the way on transformation.   In the blog post below, which is on Target’s website, McNamara discusses the change he is leading, and some of the exciting technologies he saw at the Big Show: 

Crate and Barrel is taking its omnichannel experience into its own hands.   The home furnishings chain is the latest retailer to join forces with Infor to co-develop the Infor CloudSuite Retail, a suite of application offerings that can be tailored to an individual retailer’s needs. The software prod-uct is designed to deliver superior interactions for store associates and consumers.   

Omnichannel is so 2016, with mPOS, staff handhelds/wearables, camera analytics, interactive mirrors with AI, chatbots, and VR already shaping up as this year’s overused retail tech buzzwords.   At least that's according to ABI Research, whose new report outlines important trends — including 3D sensing — that it believes, while still under the radar, should be top priorities on retailers' technology agendas as they move toward a “smart” retail future.    

Amazon is bolstering end-user cyber-security.   The online giant’s cloud services group quietly acquired cyber security firm harvest.ai, a San Diego-based startup that uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze online user behavior, according to TechCrunch.  

Voice-activated technology and connected devices are among the hot tech trends that caught the attention of Target executives at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.   Target posted the faves of some of its executives on a blog on its website. Here’s a sampling: