The Future Advocacy think tank recently announced that it anticipates roughly one fifth of jobs in the current workplace were at high risk of becoming fully automated. The study advised strongly that lessons be learned from the 1980's when the coal mining industry was allowed to collapse leaving thousands unemployed unnecessarily. Given the rate of advancement in modern technology though, how realistic is it that automation to this extent can be prevented?
From the perspective of a business owner and particularly in the current marketplace where uncertainty exists around the upcoming exit from the EU the importance of working smarter and streamlining business processes should be carefully considered. While opinion is somewhat divided on what the potential benefits of automation and advancements in technology may be there is no denying that the scale of the impact will be vast.
As technology evolves towards undertaking a broader range of business activities the potential for businesses to streamline their operations, minimise the risk of human error and save money on human resource is greater than ever. DDI Software, the sister company of Opos Limited have recently assisted a client with the implementation of our Ascent CRM system that allowed them to reduce their spend on their admin and business support functions significantly. Moreover, they have reported to us that the additional changes they have experienced have also been of material benefit. From detailed Management Information that can be extracted and tailored dependent on the requirement through to increased accuracy in costing and budgeting individual accounts they have seen the benefit of automating functions across a range of departments.
So, what can DDI Software do to assist other businesses moving forward? Financially, the low cost of acquisition and quick return on investment offers a low risk solution. That the system can be tailored to suit the client, regardless of sector provides flexibility, oversight and control. In addition, the software is completely scalable so can grow alongside the business as it develops. These three factors, combined with numerous others offer an effective and efficient way for businesses to both embrace the evolution of technology and more importantly take steps towards safeguarding their future.
For more information please contact me via smcallister@oposlimited.com
If you believe in the warnings from the Future of Life Institute (FLI) and its two, most arguably famous members, Stephen Hawking, the English theoretical physicist and Elon Musk the entrepreneur behind such innovative tech as Tesla, SpaceX and Hyperloop, then the end of humanity is nigh. And it’s not war or famine that will bring us to our knees but the ‘biggest existential threat’ to ever face humanity. Artificial Intelligence.
It would be specious for me to claim more than a layman’s understanding of this technology and the possible threats it presents, but the thought of a financial industry where AI is commonplace and relied upon to evidence compliance and customer service needs is becoming more fact and less science fiction.
More and more companies are switching over to ‘web based’ dashboard software, payment collection software and customer complaint tracking software in an attempt to streamline their processes. Typical human roles are being merged with AI already.
Just this week, the former CEO of CitiGroup, Vikram Pandit, stated that as many as 30% of current financial services roles could be lost to the advent of artificial intelligence within the next decade, and possibly within the next five years.
The Financial Services industry is at the cusp of AI fuelled services for a number of macro, yet key, reasons: financial institutions have, over the past decade or so, opened themselves more to the digital and cloud aspects of data storage and delivery and the mass amounts of data financial services firms hold on their customer base enables them to obtain a greater insight into their customers, assuming that they can tap into the rapid advancement of machine learning in data-driven technologies and algorithms.
Well, what does this mean for your average worker? Will machines be seen as ‘colleagues’ in this new world? The answer is probably.
Some of the largest players in the financial world have begun to adopt this technology and have started to reap the benefits. Whether it be UBS machine learning which develops trade strategies on behalf of their clients or the COIN Program operating at JP Morgan which parses financial deals that otherwise would have taken thousands of man hours all whilst eradicating the man-made errors that were previously commonplace.
Are we really that far away from having similar technology deployed within the Credit and Collections world?
Is it unbelievable to think that in five years we will be sharing offices with ‘machines’? Their roles have become so vital in automated decision making, trend and pattern analysis due to a faster-than-human processing speed and they are completely unaffected by emotional, political or interpersonal issues which otherwise affect human workers. Not only is it believable, but it is entirely within the realms of modern technology and is already being deployed, to an extent, by some of the largest firms in the industry.
Maybe the world will end with the advent of this technology. Perhaps we will usurp ourselves as the dominant species on this planet. Or, perchance do we embrace the vast benefits of this technology and mitigate against the risks of hacks, software glitches and malicious interference to provide a new paradigm of customer service, compliance monitoring and data driven decision making, truly bringing the industry to the forefront of technological advancements.
I don’t have the answers to any of the questions I have posed. I don’t believe anyone does. This is merely the dawn of this new technology, and what the day and night may bring is a mystery to us mere mortals.
DDI Software is delighted to announce the acquisition of yet another new client, based in Manchester and fully authorised by the FCA. Committed to delivering excellent levels of customer service, our client was keen to introduce new systems that would enable it to communicate more effectively with its large customer base and ensure that every single customer’s journey would be an entirely positive experience.
Operating in a highly-regulated environment, it also required new systems that could support best practice and provide complete oversight of its business operations. It was deemed essential that any new systems should not only help achieve compliance but also be capable of facilitating this being demonstrated to the relevant regulatory bodies such as the FCA. Other key items that formed part of the decision criteria included the need for structured data, and flexible access to very detailed management information on a real-time basis.
Following a comprehensive systems analysis and selection exercise, DDI Software and its Ascent CRM and callCent Telephony systems emerged as the preferred solution due to a client-focused ‘can-do’ attitude and an inherent ability to satisfy all the key business requirements. More details to follow soon in our formal Press Release.
In December 2016, Ofcom released its much anticipated and revised policy on the persistent misuse of an electronic communications network (ECN) or service. The policy changes were open for consultation between December 15 and February 16 with the new guidance coming into force, across all industries that utilise an ECN, on March 1st 2017.
With not long to go until the key deadline it is of paramount importance from a fiscal, an ethical and a compliance perspective that you conduct a review of the ways in which your organisation utilises its own ECN. You must determine as a matter of some urgency and certainly prior to the commencement date whether you are in the fortunate position that you already comply, or whether you have identified an action plan to ensure that you will comply, or otherwise.
We all know how important Compliance is to sustaining a successful business model. One look around your organisation will confirm just how pervasive Compliance has become and will reveal a multitude of compliance roles that may have seemed excessive only a few years ago. From Heads of Compliance, to Internal and External Auditors, from your entire Legal and Regulatory departments all the way to the front line staff performing Quality Assurance tasks. Everywhere, in every business, compliance is now the keystone to how that organisation proves to its customer base, its regulators and its clients that it is a modern business with a clear and demonstrable focus on improving internal adherence and external relationships.
With the introduction of the new policy also combining increased powers to seek reparation, the maximum fine that Ofcom can issue to non-complying businesses is £2,000,000.00 and it is with that figure in mind that will drive most businesses to make fundamental changes to their contact strategies prior to March 1st.
The policy changes, whilst perhaps appearing slight, introduce significant change to the landscape for firms utilising ECNs in their every day practices.
Gone is the previous 'safe-harbour' limit of 3% and with it a statement from Ofcom clarifying that it was never their intention to create a safety net. All organisations must now strive for, if not completely achieve, a 0% rate of abandoned calls and for many that will drastically change the manner in which they deploy their ECN. To mitigate what some may consider a drastic change by Ofcom they have also clarified how they will seek to bring action against firms and they will focus on prioritising cases where there is demonstrable evidence of neglect to the new policy as well as the type of misuse and the 'level of likely consumer harm'. We can expect the regulator to act both reasonably and proportionally when looking to bring enforcement action against a firm and we would further expect to see focus remaining geared towards those that are likely to produce extreme levels of misuse.
There has also been a clear definition drawn between silent and abandoned calls and how each type must be considered within the operation of a business. Ofcom do not expect any compliant, ethical business to be making or causing to be made calls which are deemed as 'silent'. There is no doubt that these types of calls can and do cause increased levels of consumer detriment and that experiencing one or more of these calls can cause serious harm to those in a vulnerable condition. Indeed, when considering how to best advise our clients on how to remodel their dialling strategies we took advice from the Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS) to see if there were any additional steps we could take to safeguard those individuals not just from silent or abandoned calls, but from the overarching impact a multiple channel contact strategy can have. It is this type of external consultation that will help to evidence to Ofcom that appropriate steps, systems and controls are in place that encourage compliance not only with the written word of the policy but also with the spirit of eliminating all detriment to consumers, where possible.
There can be no excuses, ifs, or buts. From March 1st, the Ofcom message is clear. No level of silent calls will be tolerated, whether manually dialled or not. Immediate steps must be taken to ensure your ECN cannot and will not make a single, solitary silent call. The impact on consumers is too large and ensuring compliance will be Ofcom’s 'highest priority'.
The spotlight addition to the policy is the warning that misuse can come from outside your deployed ECN and can come straight from your consumer facing staff. The inclusion of Agent Behaviour to the policy for the first time is yet another indicator that Ofcom are looking for more than simple dialling compliance, they are looking for an overarching compliant approach to how any and all contact is made with your customer or client base.
Many firms will already employ auditors and quality assurance staff to ensure their agent behaviour is of an acceptable and ethical standard and many technology packages come equipped with management information, controls and audit tools to further strengthen your commitment in this area. It would not be far-fetched to accept that when investigating potential cases of misuse, Ofcom will pay close attention to the level and type of training, supervision and discipline utilised to minimise the exposure of consumers to behaviour which is below the levels expected.
When one considers the above changes to the abandon rate, the zero-tolerance approach to silent calls and the inclusion of agent behaviour as a potential area of misuse it is of no real surprise that further changes are on the horizon.
In April 2017, new legislation and enforcement powers from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) come into effect which for the first time will render directors of companies liable for fines of up to £500,000.00 each, which can be further enforced with custodial sentencing.
As the ICO can already issue fines related to nuisance calling it is especially important to act on these changes now, and to mitigate as much risk and exposure as possible.
Naturally, companies will seek to rely upon their current staff, their technology and their management procedures to ensure compliance pre and post the new policy and hopefully for many this approach should prove sufficient. Alternatively, DDI Software can reduce your risk by offering a Compliance Health-check to all interested parties, providing an ideal opportunity to take advantage of expert advice and assistance in achieving and demonstrating compliance.
