Technology often follows a familiar progression. First, it's used by a small core of scientists, then the user base expands to engineers who can navigate technical nuance and jargon until finally it's made user-friendly enough that almost anyone can use it. Right now, the process for building software is making that final leap. Just as the clickable icons of Windows and Mac OS replaced obscure DOS commands, new "no-code" platforms are replacing programming languages with simple drag and drop interfaces. The implications are huge: Where it used to require a team of engineers to build a piece of software, now users with a web browser and an idea have the power to bring that idea to life themselves.

Few topics are being discussed as intensely as artificial intelligence (AI). Whether they know it or not, companies are increasingly using the technology. But what exactly is AI? To answer these questions and more, check out this quick FAQ. In our definition, AI is a combination of algorithms, data, neural networks, and machine learning.

Employee turnover is a costly problem, especially for small and midsize businesses. For every position left vacant, the time and cost associated with identifying, acquiring, and training the right person can lessen a business' impact on what's truly critical to its survival – revenue growth and brand expansion. To reverse the downward spiral of poor employee retention, businesses must first automate processes and streamline everyday tasks, according to the IDC report, "HR Transformation and the Digital Journey: How Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Can Deliver Strategic HR," sponsored by SAP SuccessFactors. Doing so improves retention by allowing employees to feel more fulfilled at work as they spend less time on mundane tasks to focus on using their strengths for more strategic tasks and building up their skill sets. For decades, an overwhelming flood of technologies, tools, and processes have promised these fundamental capabilities. While some of them may have their merits, a vast majority are not supported by a level of intelligence that addresses the needs (and expectations) of an increasingly digitally empowered workforce.

The endless parade of emerging technology is gaining the attention of large enterprises and startups alike. The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, robotic process automation, and cognitive computing – all of these digital innovations and more are generating a range of disruptive innovation that is bridging gaps of unfulfilled customer demand. Does it make sense to spend limited resources to take advantage of these same technologies? According to the IDC Analyst Connection, "Analytics for SMBs: Sharpen Operations, Capitalize on Business Opportunities," such investments can bring a level of automation, electronic monitoring, and sensor-enabled insight not seen anywhere outside of the SMB segment. While the largest firms are busy refining processes in response to market dynamics, SMBs are close enough to customers and the competitive environment to effectuate change with tremendous speed and agility.

The endless parade of emerging technology is gaining the attention of large enterprises and digital startups alike. The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, robotic process automation, and cognitive computing – all of these digital innovations and more – are creating an environment of disruptive innovation that are bridging the gaps of unfulfilled customer demand. Does it even make sense to spend already limited resources to take advantage of these same technologies? According to the IDC Analyst Connection whitepaper "Analytics for SMBs: Sharpen Operations, Capitalize on Business Opportunities," sponsored by SAP, such investments can bring a level of automation, electronic monitoring, and sensor-enabled insight not seen anywhere outside of the SMB segment. Ray Boggs, vice president of small and medium business research at IDC, mentioned that the most successful small and midsize firms have the flexibility and adaptability to face competitive challenges.