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Today’s topics include Amazon’s introduction of a new no-checkout grocery store, Google’s last Android security update of the year that fixes 11 critical flaws, the release of Box’s new updates that will allow for easier Office 365 integration and how SAP SuccessFactors is modernizing workplace mentoring programs.
Point-of-sale retail employees may not want to hear this news. Amazon.com has announced a new app that shoppers can use to simply go into a store, take whatever they want, and leave—without going through a checkout line.
It’s called Amazon Go, and that’s exactly what users will do with it—shop and go fast right out the door. Users with the Amazon Go app on their phones simply check in at a store equipped for the system, put their phones away, shop to their hearts’ content, then leave when they’re finished. No waiting to pay.
Google announced its last regularly scheduled security patch update for Android in 2016 on Dec. 5, patching no less than 74 different vulnerabilities in the mobile operating system.
The December patch count is an improvement over the 83 vulnerabilities patched by Google in the November Android security update. As has been the case in recent months, Google is splitting out the Android update into two different patch levels to help vendors deliver updates quickly.
The 2016-12-01 level is a partial security patch string, while 2016-12-015 is the complete security patch level. In total across all patch levels, there are 11 vulnerabilities that are rated by Google as critical, which is the highest severity level in Google’s vulnerability ranking system.
Enterprise cloud storage and collaboration tool provider Box, which is partnering with just about anybody who’s anybody in the IT world, released three new product updates on Dec. 1 as part of its deal with Microsoft.
These new functions include a new Box integration with Office for Android, the ability to save new files to Box without leaving Office Online and a better way to preview, search and sort Excel files.
Users who have Box and Office 365 can start using the new Android integration and begin working with files saved to Box without leaving Office.com. In coming months, all users on the latest version of Box will be able to utilize the new Excel search and preview feature set.
SAP has added new capabilities to its SuccessFactors Succession and Development product that gives customers an automated and more modern approach to running corporate mentorship programs.
The company unveiled new intelligent mentoring capabilities that build on the SuccessFactors suite of machine learning-based services.
The solution turns what has been an inexact, weeks-long employee-development process into a data-driven launch pad for productive, career-building programs by employing automation and using a wealth of employee data and company metrics.