How Machine Learning Can Help Your Business

Some of the most successful companies in the world are utilizing machine learning, and its artificially intelligent capabilities to upgrade their offering or effectiveness. Below we explain what machine learning is and how it is beginning to work for organizations just like yours.

Machine learning is just a tiny aspect of what A.I. is. Basically, machine learning is a method of getting a computer to analyze large amounts of data by having them learn. Essentially, the computer will automatically analyze data sets different ways and find the most effective answer to the problem presented to it. The significance is modern businesses take in an incredible amount of data and being able to properly analyze all of it is nearly impossible for organizations to afford without the use of powerful automation software.

Machine learning takes automation a step further by using the speed and reliability of the computer to do the heavy lifting. This system has allowed for expansions to business analysis, from business intelligence to predictive analysis. With more knowledge available, people can do a better job, promoting exceptional profitability.

Machine Learning for Small Businesses
Up until now most of the organizations utilizing this strategy have been enterprises and larger businesses. Think Google’s search engine or Amazon’s ability to give you solid product recommendations. This is due to the cost associated with the development of A.I. and machine learning constructs. Today, however, developers are beginning to use this technology in new and interesting ways; and, best yet, making it commercially available for use by smaller businesses for the first time.

One consideration a small business’ IT administrator has to make when making the decision to move to a strategy that includes machine learning is where it fits for the business. Other questions linger as well. They include:

• What is the capital and operational investment of deploying this technology?
• How it will have to be used to provide a competitive advantage?
• What systems can be improved via the use of machine learning?
• How much time do you have until you would be at a competitive disadvantage if you didn’t invest in the technology?

If any risk assessment doesn’t deter you, utilizing the technology can accomplish some very particular and powerful tasks.

What are the Advantages of Machine Learning?
Constructs that make use of machine learning carry with them very specific benefits. Some of them include:

• Forecasting business - Predictive analysis offers you with a reasonable roadmap of how situations will unfold, based on analyzed data.
• Customer service - Chatbot technology automates customer service with solutions to the numerous queries made by current and prospective customers.
• E-commerce - Helping customers locate what they are looking for, and suggesting the right products and services makes the sales process faster.
• Reputation management - By analyzing internal and external data sources to monitor brand popularity, a business can manage both positive and negative sentiment.

These are only four of the many processes that can really upgrade your business. As the technology improves, more A.I. and machine learning applications will be used to manage, maintain, and streamline a lot of your business’ slow-moving manual processes.

Rise of the Machines...?
While this technology is advanced, there’s no threat of sentience; nobody is going to take the technology and build a computer that will take over the world. In fact, if that is ever a point of contention about moving to a machine learning platform, you should put it out of your mind.

However, a machine learning construct is definitely harder to manage because not only does it require that you properly warehouse your organization’s data, it also requires you to trust that the findings are accurate, even if they produce unpredictable results. This is exacerbated if your data warehouse isn’t properly set up and portions of your empirical data are neglected.

Many small business owners have started to utilize machine learning, but with the general infancy of the technology, it’s not a surprise that many others are taking a wait and see approach. If you are interested in learning more about how this emerging technology can be utilized to improve your business, contact the professionals at Macro Systems today at 703-359-9211.