Category: Technology

As the name implies, a supply chain is made up of many links. To be successful, businesses must strive to ensure that each link in the chain is operating optimally. A business’s profits are maximized when resources, expertise, and technology are used to minimize the logistical costs associated with its supply chain.

Under normal circumstances, optimizing a supply chain is challenging. Although, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, circumstances related to supply chains have been anything but normal. The supply chain crisis that was initiated by the pandemic has left many companies desperate for tools that can help them to achieve supply chain efficiency.

Senpex is a logistics company that provides scalable solutions for same-day and on-demand delivery needs. The delivery expertise that it provides has made it the go-to solution for a wide variety of businesses across the US. It manages delivery and supply chain logistics for more than 2,000 companies, having made 500,000 successful deliveries while achieving a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate.

“Our belief is that businesses that want to scale effectively must be able to concentrate on and grow their core business,” explains Anar Mammadov, CEO of Senpex. “By trusting us to provide them with proven and professional logistical tools, they are freed up to focus on what they do best.”

The five main components of an efficient logistics system

At the heart of Senpex’s success is a smart logistics system that ensures each of the five main components of delivery logistics are optimized. It starts with using its AI-based route planning software to make sure that deliveries utilize the most efficient routes.

“This is a very important part of the puzzle for businesses that want to achieve supply chain efficiency,” Anar explains. “Optimizing routes allows companies to address fuel efficiency, time efficiency, and workforce efficiency. Many things can happen to introduce unexpected delays in delivery. By optimizing routes, those surprises can be managed in a way that allows customers’ expectations to still be met.”

The second component of Senpex’s proven logistics system is a dashboard that manages all aspects of the delivery process. This is where components like proof-of-delivery, delivery time stamps, and SMS delivery notifications are initiated and logged. It sets up the workflow and ensures that every item on the checklist is accomplished.

The third critical component is an app that can be used to communicate with the drivers who are making the deliveries. It allows drivers to sign in, see the list of routes that has been assigned to them, and access the details of each task. A driver app is also essential for providing any necessary updates on routes.

The fourth component is an analytics dashboard. “This is where you, as a business, can see, analyze, and understand your performance metrics,” Anar explains. “It provides data on things like the number of the routes that have been completed, which routes were completed on time, which individual deliveries were late, and how often drivers deviated from the optimized routes.”

Finally, API integration is the fifth component necessary for optimizing logistics. To be effective and efficient, delivery logistics must work together with existing e-commerce platforms, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, or other internal digital systems.

Leveraging Senpex’s system to increase efficiency

Senpex often partners with companies to provide delivery services. However, businesses with their own delivery fleets can also benefit from Senpex’s delivery expertise.

Senpex’s in-house logistics system was developed over a two- to three-year period, has been improved by feedback from its employees and clients, and continues to be updated with improvements empowered by the latest technology. In essence, it allows any business to bypass the arduous task of developing a state-of-the-art logistical system of its own and quickly gain access to proven tools for simplifying delivery operations, introducing new efficiencies, and addressing kinks in the supply chain.

As companies leverage the Senpex platform, they gain access to advanced route optimization tools, simple and intuitive apps for their drivers, and the power to keep customers continuously informed on the status of their deliveries.

“Senpex in-house logistics is a no-brainer for any serious delivery operation,” Anar says. “When you integrate your delivery management needs and restraints to our intuitive cloud-based platform, you give yourself the tools you need to seamlessly plan deliveries and assign them to drivers while providing a transparent end-to-end delivery experience. The Senpex platform handles the heavy lifting so businesses can focus on their customers and deliver successfully.”

According to CNBC, data from AAA reveals that 40 million Americans are considering going electric on their next car purchases. While electric vehicles (EVs) have always enjoyed a committed following, their popularity is undeniably on the rise as of late. 

“The long-term benefits of driving EVs are crystal-clear for the planet, but people are realizing the benefits also extend to their wallets,” says Judith Everett, President of Drivyn, a company committed to teaching the skills needed to operate self-driving vehicles. “With fuel prices hitting new highs each day, it’s no wonder the gas vs. electric debate is drawing increasing attention.”

Calculating the price of electricity vs. gasoline

Prices at the pump are indeed skyrocketing. Drivers in every state are paying over $4.00 per gallon, and experts warn the national average may soon surpass $5.00. Overall, gas prices have jumped nearly 60% over the last year and are unlikely to fall any time soon. 

Today’s soaring fuel prices means that filling a gas tank costs three times more than charging an EV at home, according to a March report from the Zero Emission Transportation Association. Even when gas prices seemed manageable, electricity was still more affordable. A 2018 study demonstrates that the average yearly cost of operating an EV at that time was $485, while the average cost of operating a gas-powered car was $1,117. A more recent Consumer Reports study reveals that 2020 drivers of EVs spent approximately 60 percent less on electricity than drivers of gas-powered cars spent on fuel.

Determining how much EV drivers save by charging vs. fueling up

Clearly, electricity is cheaper than gas, but the exact amount each driver saves is tricky to determine as different makes and models of EVs vary in efficiency. Just as car buyers compare how many miles a car can go on one gallon of gas, buyers shopping for EVs compare how many kilowatt-hours (KWh) each vehicle uses over a hundred miles. “As a rule, most EVs can go somewhere between three to four miles for every KWh,” explains Everett. “For example, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 RWD’s efficiency is rated at 25 KWh/100 miles.” 

Regional price variations also make it challenging to compare the operating costs of electric and gas-powered vehicles across the board. Both the price of gas and electricity fluctuate depending on location. A 2020 study compared the costs of charging a battery-powered electric car and fueling a gas-powered vehicle from state to state, with varied results throughout the country.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, the average household in the US pays around 14 cents for every KWh, but exact charges for each area can be found on a person’s monthly electricity bill. Charges are reported as cents per KWh. Dividing the total monthly fee by the number of kilowatt-hours on the bill allows people to determine how much they pay for every KWh. 

To translate that amount into charging costs for an EV, car shoppers can multiply the cents paid for each kilowatt-hour by the KWh/100 miles efficiency rating of their EV model of choice. This calculates the cost of driving 100 miles, although this number is still a rough estimate. Being smart about when and where EV owners charge their cars enables them to reduce that cost dramatically. Most peak electricity usage occurs during the day. This comes as good news for EV owners because experts find that as much as 90% of charging is done overnight and at home, whereas charging at public stations can increase the cost.

Comparing the cost of maintenance for gas-powered vs. electric vehicles 

“When totaling up lifetime maintenance costs, electric cars again come out on top,” Everett says. “An EV’s motor has approximately 20 moving parts as compared to approximately 2,000 for gas-powered engines, so replacing spark plugs, topping off transmission fluid, swapping air filters, and changing oil are entirely unnecessary.” 

Of course, basic maintenance such as service checks and tire rotations are still recommended for EVs. According to AAA’s data, the cost of maintaining EVs is $330 less per year than the average maintenance cost of gas-powered cars.

Comparing initial sticker prices of gas and electric cars

In 2021, the average price of new electric vehicles was approximately $10,000 higher than the sticker price for gas-powered cars. “The market for EVs is expanding quickly,” remarks Everett. “A wider range of electric car models and improved battery technology is bound to shrink price margins in upcoming years.” 

Until then, car buyers are mitigating the initial purchase price by taking advantage of tax incentives. Currently, the federal government offers a tax credit of $7,500 to offset the purchase price of a new electric vehicle, and some individual states are offering additional tax incentives, as well. When car buyers research their eligibility for incentives, they can more accurately compare sticker prices. 

The initial out-of-pocket expense is undeniably greater for EVs, but several studies attempt to shed light on whether or not going electric is more affordable over the lifetime of the vehicles. For example, a 2020 Consumer Reports study compares nine electric vehicles with their bestselling and most efficient gas-powered competitors. In every case, total ownership costs for EVs were thousands of dollars more affordable than gas-powered cars.

Adding experience into the equation

Everyone knows a vehicle’s value transcends numbers. Experience remains a vital factor in the electric vs. gasoline debate. Do EVs have enough advanced techoology to satisfy shoppers in the market for high-performance cars? Do they have the seating and cargo space needed for shoppers who want a family car? Do the claims about ease of charging and battery life hold up under everyday use? 

A recent survey conducted by AAA reveals the vast majority of EV owners are extremely pleased with their decisions to go electric. In fact, 96% of those surveyed say they intend to buy or lease another electric vehicle. The 78% of those surveyed who also own gas-powered cars claim they prefer their EVs, driving them 87% of the time. Satisfied customers, thousands in savings, and the ability to lessen the spread of carbon pollution are tipping the scales in favor of EVs for more and more drivers.

By Dr. Krishna Bhatta

The higher the inner energy, the more peaceful you will be. Similarly, the lower the inner energy, the more irritable you become. This may sound counter-intuitive, as many of us tend to associate higher energy with being “amped up” on coffee or adrenalin, or otherwise frantic. But “nervous energy” is one thing, and inner energy, quite another.

Indeed, energy is needed for us to sleep, relax, prevent stress and burnout, stay calm, and become more in tune with nature. When I created an app to help patients tend to their inner selves, what I sometimes call their inner flames, I named it Relaxx — not because they needed to take a nap, but because they needed to relax their minds. Being relaxed is very different from being “low energy.” This explains why athletes and artists perform at their best when they feel truly relaxed — and why they choose to do so deliberately.

The trick is that one must remain present while the mind is allowed to take a break, which enables connection with the inner self. The Relaxx App teaches a number of techniques designed to stoke our inner flame this way, including mindfulness, intermittent silence, and meditation.

Understanding our mind is absolutely crucial to achieving mindfulness. Mind, in the Relaxx context, is made up of both minding and mindfulness. Of the two, minding is by far the most familiar, though not the most important. Minding is intellectual work, essential to our learning, work, and self-esteem. It deserves credit for all of the great innovations in science and technology that we associate with our advanced civilization and creature comforts, everything from antibiotics to iPhones. Minding can take place in the past, the present, and even the future. It is limited only by our imagination, though this hardly makes it limitless. There are plenty of things that the intellect cannot do, and issues that cannot be solved by thinking alone.

Simply put, there are also issues of the heart. To address these, we need to practice mindfulness.

Unlike minding, mindfulness can only be practiced in the present. In essence, being mindful is synonymous with being present. It is not unlike a camcorder or a camera that we focus upon ourselves. It starts recording once you turn it on. This is the process of self-awareness.  Mindfulness and awareness together unlock self-knowledge. They are the means of exploring the inner self, like two keys that together open a safety deposit box full of valuables. 

Socrates famously said that the unexamined life is not worth living. A life without mindfulness is similarly wasted. Yet, not everyone knows how to get there, and like everything in life, being mindful requires practice and patience. This is the idea behind the Relaxx App — using a technology that is with most of us every hour of every day to foster self-awareness.

Any time you spend time with yourself is a meditation, but meditation is a long journey. It begins with the practice of mindfulness and can be deepened further by being mindful in silence. I call this technique intermittent silence. It is one of the foundations of the Relaxx App, and a perfect place to begin your journey to higher inner energy and, ultimately, to greater inner peace. 

Maybe you will begin that journey today.

The technology industry is one of the biggest earning ventures in the world today, with companies like Apple, Samsung Electronics, Alphabet, Foxconn, and Microsoft leading in the whole world. These companies rake in billions of dollars in annual revenues. As of 2021, the global tech industry is estimated to be worth $5.2 trillion, with 35% of the total money in North America, 32% in Asia, and 22% in Europe. Undeniably, the United States has the biggest share of the global pie with an approximate $1.6 trillion. ITech, a non-profit organization focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), sees that the future will be heavily driven by the tech industry, and it is for this reason that it endeavors to educate as many young Americans as possible for free to prepare them for the exciting opportunities ahead of them. 

ITech has a special mission as a non-profit organization. It specializes in career and job placement for recent college graduates and professionals who aspire to build a promising career in the tech industry. To create awareness among young learners aged seven to 18 years old, the organization hosts computer drives, coding, and software camps. 

One of the most exciting offerings from ITech is its more than 300,000 free learning resources that are available to interested individuals who see themselves creating a fruitful career in the tech industry. It has developed its own e-learning platform for kids with more than 20 coding languages through partnerships with Google, Microsoft, and TechSoup. Children can learn from the comforts of their homes, something rare for a lot of people today, most especially people of color. 

Founder Darrick Johnson established ITech in 2019 and has helped place more than 1,200 people in jobs or mentorship programs in Silicon Valley since then. Throughout the course of his decade-long career in the tech industry, he has received over a thousand rejection emails from companies in Silicon Valley. This motivated him to think about the plight of the younger generation in the future and opted to prepare them to be part of the growing industry. Since the establishment of ITech, Johnson has donated more than 500 computers, which he hopes will make a difference in the lives of so many individuals who will one day become tech leaders themselves. 

“We are here to help any and everyone looking to break into technology. Our goal is to help change the face of technology by providing a space for anyone, no matter their background, to succeed in the tech space,” Johnson shared. 

Despite the current success of ITech, Johnson still sees it doing so much for the community in the next couple of years. In the next five years, he envisions creating ten more STEM centers across the country to help more people. “By that time, I see our job placement numbers being close to seven figures, and we will have a partnership with every major tech company in Silicon Valley,” he explained.

Johnson is undoubtedly creating a worthwhile legacy, which he envisions will benefit generations 100 years from now. He believes that what he has started will impact underprivileged youth long-term and help drive diversity and inclusion in Silicon Valley. 

In this day and age where technology is ever-evolving and consumers have an unwavering fascination with anything new in the tech industry, plenty of corporations have come up with several ambitious projects to make it big in the industry. Although technology remains a billion-dollar industry, it still takes an absolutely beneficial idea to make a mark in a world where tech dominates several aspects of it. The reason why some forms of technologies remain notable is the fact that consumers deem them to be vital for everyday use.

One of the most distinguished forms of technology is the internet, with almost five billion people using it worldwide – almost 62% of the world’s total population – and the number continues to grow, with recent data showing that there are at least 200 million new users that came online over the past twelve months. For something so vast, it’s no surprise that traversing it can become complicated, risky, and slow – this is where companies like uCloudlink enter the picture.

uCloudlink is considered an innovative mobile technology company and was established to offer the world a remarkable mobile data traffic sharing marketplace based on the company’s Cloud SIM technology. The company provides one of the best global mobile data services to billions of users in over 140 countries and regions.

Queue in HyperConn, an advancement from uCloudlink’s Cloud SIM technology and is considered a universal solution for slow internet connection. This brilliant piece of technology was launched by uCloudlink’s Director and CEO, Chaohui Chen, along with Victor Xu, Chief Sales Officer and President of Marketing and Sales of uCloudlink HyperConn, to battle the adverse impact of sluggish or nonexistent internet connection.

With its easy and flexible ultra-high-speed connectivity for mobile, home, and office use, HyperConn will provide everyone with quality service that is unmatched and most undoubtedly affordable, no matter the environment and conditions. In addition, the company leverages an AI to determine the most effective network coverage based on the user’s present location, internet usage, and performance of all broadband networks.

This groundbreaking technological advancement is made possible by years of a collective effort from uCloudlink’s “hundred-strong” R&D team.

“Imagine a car being able to freely make use of all the lanes available on a highway without needing to stop for tolls and other barricades. This level of flexibility and freedom is what we offer with HyperConn. We believe that our forward-thinking solution will help the world prepare for whatever may come our way in the future and move us one step closer to sharing without limitations,” said Chen.

Alongside the innovative HyperConn, uCloudlink also announced the release of Numen, the world’s first-ever HyperConn-enabled 5G mobile Wi-Fi device. The Numen can fundamentally connect to all signals it picks up that are available, including but certainly not limited to fixed broadband Wi-Fi, 4G, and 5G mobile broadband, and will constantly link, measure, and monitor the connection for ultimate performance. 

With HyperConn, slow internet is a thing of the past. To learn more about the brand, check out their website.