What is Data Science?

Data science refers to the multidisciplinary approach of extracting actionable insights from large volumes of data collected. Gravitate has been crafting award-winning experiences on the web for clients in nearly every industry. Unlike most web design agencies

Preparing data for analysis and processing, conducting advanced data analysis, and presenting the results to highlight trends and allow stakeholders to make informed choices are all part of data science. The analysis of data is done by using tools such as algorithms, analytics, and artificial intelligence models.

Data science has become incredibly popular over the years due to the abundance of benefits it offers. For instance, data science helps to transform problems into research, then it comes up with practical solutions. You can also perform sentiment analysis with data science, which is essential for businesses who want to increase customer brand loyalty.

Data Science Life Cycle

One mistake that is often made when embarking on data science projects is rushing to collect data and analysing it without properly understanding the business problem at hand.

Therefore, by closely following each phase of the data science life cycle, it will ensure that the project goes smoothly and produces optimal results.

1 – Discovery

It is crucial to note the various details, requirements, priorities, and budget constraints before you begin a project. You must also be able to ask the appropriate questions.

This is where you determine whether you have the necessary resources in terms of people, technology, time, and data to support the project. Additionally, you have to frame the business problem during this phase.

2 – Preparation of Data

In this second phase, your data will undergo cleaning. The cleaning process helps to remove errors from the dataset such as blank columns, missing values, and wrongly formatted data. With clean data, you will be able to make better predictions.

Also, prior to modelling, the data must first be studied, analysed, and conditioned. This allows you to spot outliers and establish a relationship between different variables.

3 – Model Planning

Model planning refers to the process where you need to identify the techniques and methods you will utilise to draw a relation between variables.

There are various statistical formulae and visualisation tools that can be used, and some of the common ones include R, SQL Analysis Services, and SAS/ACESS.

Once you have drawn insights from your data and determined which algorithm to use, you will proceed to apply the algorithm and build a model.

4 – Model Building

At this stage, data sets are equally distributed for training and testing purposes. Techniques such as classification, association, and clustering are applied to training data sets to build the model.

Once the model is prepared, it is then tested against the testing dataset.

5 – Operationalise

The final model is eventually delivered with technical documents, codes, and reports.

On top of that, the model is thoroughly tested. If it passes the test, it will be implemented in a real-time production environment. By doing so, it helps to provide a clearer picture of the performance and other constraints on a smaller scale before fully deploying it.  

6 – Results

In this last phase, it is important to assess if you have been able to find a solution to the business problem that you had framed in the first phase.

You will need to identify all the key findings, relay them to the stakeholders and finally, decide whether the results of the project are a success or a failure according to the criteria developed in stage one.

Careers Associated with Data Science

With businesses rapidly generating and collecting large volumes of data, their need for data scientists increases as well. In recent years, though the demand for data scientists is high and continuously growing, employers struggle to fill the job vacancies as the supply is low. This discrepancy has led to companies offering higher salaries than average to attract more applicants.

So, if you are keen on pursuing a career in data science, below is a list of jobs associated with the field.

1 – Data Scientist

Data scientists deal with big quantities of data to produce relevant and informed insights for the business using different sorts of algorithms, methods, and processes. They often use programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL.

2 – Data Engineer

Similarly, a data engineer works with large amounts of data. Their responsibility includes maintaining, building, developing, and testing structures such as large scale databases and processing systems. They also deal with programming languages like Python and Java.

3 – Business Analyst

Business analysts play an important role in improving business processes. They function as a bridge between the tech department and the business executive. Python, Tableau, and SQL are some of the programming languages they have to work with.

4 – Data Analyst

Data analysts have to mine extensive amounts of data. They then search for patterns, trends, and relationships in order to visualise compelling information and report it. The information is later used for further analysis to make business decisions. Like the previous few jobs, data analysts also deal with Python, SQL, and R. This is why learning advanced data analytics helps every analyst.

Conclusion

Data science jobs are not only limited to tech companies, but sectors like e-commerce, banking, and the health industry all make use of data science to continuously upgrade their systems.

With the proliferation of data and the vast number of job opportunities available, there has never been a better time to pick up skills in data science.

If you are keen on pursuing a career in data science, there are various ways to go about it. For instance, data science courses organised by companies such as Vertical Institute are a great way to earn a certification, if you have no prior educational qualifications related to the field.

Practicing popular programming languages such as Python and Java during your free time is also essential in continuously honing your knowledge and skills. 

Business accounting plays an essential role in determining the performance and success of a business. In addition, streamlined accounting operations can help manage cash flow and make the right financial decisions. This is why small companies invest in the right tools and resources to manage their accounting processes.

The 5 Best ACH Processing Companies · GoCardless · Dharma · Payment Cloud · Stripe · Stax.

Accounting management was done manually in the past, with every minute detail and task written on paper. However, the traditional accounting systems did not last long with the technological revolution and have lost their value to advanced accounting software. As a result, various accounting software is available to simplify accounting management for small businesses.

While you might have heard people using different accounting applications for businesses, not everyone knows about cloud accounting. Here, we will help you understand the concept of cloud accounting in detail.

What is Cloud Accounting?

Cloud accounting refers to installing or hosting your preferred accounting software on a cloud server. Traditionally, this software requires on-premise installation after purchasing its license. But with cloud accounting, the software is hosted on dedicated servers managed and maintained by the chosen cloud solution provider.

One of the striking characteristics of cloud-hosted accounting software is that its software does not change at all. Whether accounts payable, accounts receivable, or ledgers, you can use all the software features from any compatible Internet-connected device. Here, the accounting software does not need local set-up installation and allows users to perform various tasks remotely.

Why Do Small Businesses Switch to Cloud Accounting?

Per statistics, the global accounting software market, which was valued at US$ 11,071 million in 2018, is expected to reach US$ 20,408 million by 2026. On the other hand, the global cloud computing market is projected to grow towards the mark of US$947 billion by 2026.

As you can see here, the numbers also showcase the growing reliance of small businesses using accounting software on cloud technology. Over the years, most SMBs have been turning towards cloud-based accounting software to achieve higher productivity and profitability. If you want to know what makes cloud accounting suitable for your business, read the following detailed reasons:

Remote software accessibility

In a traditional local-hosted environment, users need to stay within the office premise to use the accounting software installed in a computer system. Therefore, it limits software access, mainly when the users are away from the office. Cloud accounting addresses this need significantly by allowing you to work on accounting tasks remotely.

Considering the global pandemic situation, hosting accounting software on the cloud has helped many SMBs stay in business. As a result, they could not only manage the accounting operations while working from home but have also sustained their business for the foreseeable future.

Top-rated data security

Like most small business owners, you would only think of installing antivirus software on your computer to save data and protect the system. But in the case of unfortunate incidents like cyber-attacks, the chances are that you lose business-related data because of security flaws in the system. A cloud service provider like Verito Inc. can act as a savior in hard times.

By having your accounting software hosted on their servers, you can rest assured that the data will be safe and protected under uneven circumstances. In addition, they deploy multiple security measures, including firewalls, two-factor authentication, and intrusion detection systems, to name a few, to ensure 360-degree protection.

Cost savings

If you have invested money in setting up a local IT infrastructure for your SMB, you might have a good idea of the amount needed to scale it further. The bigger your team and the more clients you handle, the more storage space you need to keep the data. Besides this, there are overhead costs associated with hiring maintenance personnel.

Cloud accounting can help you save a considerable amount as the hosting plans are available per user/per month basis. You can select the plan that best suits your business needs without worrying about local IT setup or maintenance. You can choose from cloud solutions for solo practitioners, small teams, and large teams.

Centralized team collaboration

Cloud accounting is meant for you if you want to get rid of the to-and-fro sharing of the same accounting data files over emails. Consider this example to understand how it works –

You want the team members to work on different aspects of the same accounting file for a client. The traditional method involves passing the same file from one team member to another, each revising until the task is completed. However, with cloud accounting, all your team members can work on the same file simultaneously. Therefore, you do not need to send the data file to different team members individually.

The bottom line

As detailed above, the cloud-based approach to the accounting needs of an SMB can considerably reduce operational costs and challenges. Remote accessibility, cost savings, and data backup are vital benefits that make small businesses switch to cloud accounting. You can do that too by joining hands with a trusted cloud solution provider.

There are many different types of cybersecurity threats these days, but one that is especially prevalent and causes millions of dollars of losses for people and organizations every year is ransomware.

This issue continues to grow and is one of the most popular options cybercriminals use to cause havoc and make money. Read on for the lowdown you need to know today.

What Ransomware Is and How It Works

The word ransomware refers to a particular type of hack that cybercriminals use to extort money from people and create havoc. It involves breaking into computer systems and then locking people out of their devices or threatening to release the information found on the machines and linked accounts to the public. Hackers don’t let computer owners back into their networks, or they say they will take data public unless a ransom gets paid. Unfortunately, though, even if people do pay the requested ransom, this doesn’t mean that cybercriminals will do what they promised.

Ransomware targets both individuals and organizations and comes in various forms. Hackers develop and update ransomware approaches all the time, too. Some of the varieties of ransomware that people have been stung by over recent years include RYUK, WannaCry, Bad Rabbit, and Jigsaw. To get ransomware onto victim computers, hackers either break into the physical computers or the digital systems or connected networks to plant malware and then gain access. Sometimes, they send people virus-laden emails or documents or set up links with malware embedded in them and get into systems that way.

Tips for Staying as Safe as Possible from Ransomware

While you can never guarantee you won’t fall victim to a ransomware attack, you can take steps to protect yourself as well as possible. For example, start by ensuring you use quality, comprehensive ransomware protection that guards against this specific type of threat. Plus, use a firewall on your devices. Your computer likely already has one pre-installed, but you can purchase an option if not. Firewalls are helpful because they act as an additional layer of defense against hackers who try to use an internet connection to break into systems.

Another tip is to pay attention to the pop-ups that show on your screen, alerting you that software updates are available. While it’s tempting to ignore these when you’re busy, get into the habit of paying close attention to them. Developers release program updates when they not only make changes to their creations but plug security gaps, too. Thus, if you’re not running the newest editions, you’re leaving yourself more open to a hacker attack. It’s wise to set up programs to update automatically when new versions release, so you don’t have to remember to run them manually yourself.

Also, take the time to learn about the most common strategies cybercriminals use to break-in. This way, you can be more prepared and understand how to stay safer. For example, hackers often use phishing tactics these days. They send emails or other communications pretending to be from real people or organizations and ask recipients to click on links to update their details, provide information, or download a document. The problem is that targets think they’re receiving real messages and then, when they follow the instructions, unwittingly give sensitive data to cybercriminals.

You also need to be careful about which links you click on when on social media sites and other websites since cybercriminals often create attention-grabbing, salacious headlines to lure people in. Your computers can get infected with malware when you click on the “clickbait” links to read the gossip.

You can help protect yourself further by steering clear of public Wi-Fi wherever possible. It’s much safer to use password-protected internet connections instead. You don’t know who owns public services or who is monitoring them, so hackers can perhaps see more information than you’d realize when you’re connected this way.

It’s essential to be strategic about your passwords on your computer and your various accounts, too. Don’t make codes so easy to guess that cybercriminals have an easy “in” as a result. Your passwords should contain a mixture of numbers, letters (both upper-case and lower-case), and symbols and contain at least eight characters.

Avoid using codes that relate to any details that people could read publicly, too, such as your child or pet names, email address, birthday, and the like.

Understanding ransomware and taking steps ASAP to protect your devices and information will help you avoid having to deal with this annoying and often costly scenario.

Chrome Browser – Almost everyone uses Google as it is one of the most popular search engines. Some use it on their mobile, laptop, or PC, and some use it on their TV. 

The reason behind this popularity is pretty simple. Google provides simple and better results in approximately no time. Nowadays, people don’t even think about choosing a search engine. They Google it. 

However, sometimes there can be an error, even on Google. And today, I will assist you in solving the This Site Can’t Be Reached error.

What Does this Error mean Exactly?

This error tells you that you can not access the website address you are trying. It can be possible because of a spelling mistake or an underlying issue with your DNS server. 

 Most common reasons for getting this error

1) Your Google Chrome browser’s cookies are corrupted,

2) The browser’s settings are out-of-date,

3) Your wireless network connection either requires repair or the adapters are out of date,

4) Your Domain Name System (DNS) cache is invalid, 

4) Your antivirus is blocking the website you are trying to reach,

5) The website you are trying to reach is banned for your IP address.

How to Fix the “This Site Can’t Be Reached Error” on Windows?

1) The website you are searching for can be down for everyone. It can be down because of scheduled maintenance, traffic overload, or unexpected server failure. If it is down for everyone, there is nothing you can do except waiting. 

You can check the availability of a website with free online tools such as WebsitePlanet. If the website is down for only you, move on to the next solution. 

2) Clear your Browser Cache and Cookies

If the problem is because of corrupted cookie files, it is the best method to use. To do this, please follow the given path below, and perform the steps:

Open your Chrome Browser->click on the three dots in the top right corner-> click on More Tools->then click on Clear Browsing Data. 

Once you have done this, try to reload the webpage to see if the issue has cleared up.

3) Try running the built-in Windows Network Troubleshooter

To do this, 

1. a) Type run in the search bar and open the run program module,
2. b) Enter cpl to open the network connections box,
3. c) Find your active internet connection, which should be in the network connections window. Right-click it, and choose the Diagnose
4. d) If the problem is something related to DHCP, try repairing it as an administrator,
5. e) Reboot your device to see if the issue is gone.

4) Reset your Internet by restarting Router And Modem

To do this, 

1. a) Unplug the power cables from both the router and the modem,
2. b) Now, wait for 2-3 minutes before plugging the power cables back,
3. c) Let your modem and router boot up before visiting your target website again.

5) Try disabling your firewall/antivirus or use a VPN

The steps to disabling your antivirus may vary as per your software. You can do it by following the respective guide or manual.

Free VPNs are another alternative. There are a lot of free VPNs available for different devices like windows, android, or even firesticks. You can install them from the play store or install their APKs. 

There are also a lot of free and reliable VPNs available for Firestick. You can install and set up these VPNs easily. But it’s not easy to decide which free VPN is reliable? So make your choice carefully after reading their features and policies.

6) Reset Google Chrome

If the error is because of a browser settings issue, this step can solve the error for you. Follow the given path for resetting Chrome:

Open up your Chrome browser-> Click on the three dots in the top right-hand corner->Choose the settings option-> go to the advanced tab-> and find the reset and clean up section.

Pick the option to restore your settings to their defaults, and hit Reset settings.

7) Reinstall Google Chrome

If nothing has worked in your favor, then I am afraid that this might be the last step. To reinstall it, 

Open Control Panel-> Click on Programs And Features->Find Google Chrome->and then Uninstall it.

Now, open another browser on your computer and install Google Chrome again.

Conclusion

I hope that by this point, you have managed to fix the “This site can’t be reached error”. If you still haven’t found any solution, try all other available fixes present on the Internet. Hopefully, you will find the ideal solution for your error.

Can machines detect emotions by simply scanning the face? The good news is that they can. And the bad news is that the market still has a long way to go before turning mainstream. Yet, the roadblocks and adoption challenges aren’t stopping the AI evangelists from putting ‘Emotion Detection’ on the AI map—quite aggressively.

As per a research report released by Markets and Markets, the arena with Emotion Recognition as the major driver is expected to be valued at over $37.1 Billion by the end of 2026.

Simply put, facial emotion detection is a more niched implementation of AI and Machine Learning— focusing on the analysis of facial expression via facial codes using specialized algorithms. From detecting and analyzing a simple brow furrow to a lip curl, facial emotion detection aims to make AI a more proactive tool for future developers.

Use Cases of Facial Emotion Detection and Recognization

The emotion detection overview tells us one thing with certainty: AI tools do not need voice inputs to be proactive. The right model can scan through sundry facial expressions to determine perspective and sentiments. And with the right facial annotators to rely on, the models meant to detect facial emotions can slowly become ubiquitous.

But then, before everything goes mainstream, let is scan through the probable use-cases that are expected to make the best use of facial emotion detection in years to come:

• Safer Vehicles

With top-notch personalization coming to cars, it is a matter of time before emotion detection finds its way into the mix, allowing the vehicles to make modifications and send out alarms if and when the driver is feeling drowsy or is in an inebriated state.

Training AI models like these shouldn’t be difficult if the right face datasets are fed into the perceptive training data system. Intelligent facial emotion detection algorithms adept at object detection will come in handy— detecting even the micro-expressions to perfection, issuing alerts to the drivers, or changing the driving conditions, proactively.

• Better Interview Experiences

Companies can use emotion detection and recognition as the basis for new and improved AI models to better understand candidate personalities. With the right annotation of the face datasets and proper usage of sentiment analysis, while designing algorithms, organizations can assess specific role-specific personality traits and confidence using just the facial expressions.

• Targeted Market Research

Companies, especially startups that are looking to conduct on-field research, can rely on facial emotion recognition and detection to better understand customer preferences. This approach allows the surveying analysts to rely more on the behavioral approach, making more sense of the video analysis at their disposal.

• Perceptive Virtual Assistants

It is common for virtual assistants like Alexa to respond to voice commands. Yet, it is possible to train them to detect facial emotions with accuracy over time. However, large-scale implementation will be in phases and might take a lot of time to be effectively incorporated into the intuitive assistants.

• Properly-Tested Video Games

Gaming consoles are meant to evoke emotions. And what could be better to detect the extent of those emotions than a technology that can capture facial expressions while the person is gaming? Improved game testing is, therefore, one of the more impactful use-cases of facial emotion detection and recognition as it allows the game manufacturers to get highly critical and expression-driven feedback—in real-time.

Conclusion

And while facial emotion detection and recognition can help with the use-cases mentioned above, the technology also has several broader market effects. From healthcare to travel to manufacturing to marketing, an emotion detection is a powerful tool at any business’s disposal.

However, the technology is still nascent, with a lack of expert annotators, reliable expression detection tools, and implementation resources being the more obvious roadblocks. Yet, the adoption rate, coupled with other AI and Machine learning technologies, is looking up, and it is a matter of time before facial emotion detection becomes an intelligent commonplace in the real and even virtual world.

Author Bio

Vatsal Ghiya is a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare AI software and services. He is the CEO and co-founder of Shaip, which enables the on-demand scaling of our platform, processes, and people for companies with the most demanding machine learning and artificial intelligence initiatives.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vatsal-ghiya-4191855/