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Microsoft Trustworthy AI: Unlocking Human Potential Starts with Trust

À medida que a IA avança, todos nós temos um papel a desempenhar para desbloquear o impacto positivo da IA para organizações e comunidades em todo o mundo. That is why we are focused on helping customers use and create AIreliable, that is, an AIsafeprotectedandprivate.  

Na Microsoft, temos compromissos em garantir uma IA confiável e estamos criando tecnologia de suporte de ponta. Nossos compromissos e recursos andam de mãos dadas para garantir que nossos clientes e desenvolvedores estejam protegidos em todas as camadas.

Building on our commitments, we are today announcing newresourcesof products to strengthen the safety, security and privacy of AI systems.

Security.Security is our top priority at Microsoft, and ourSecure Future Initiative(SFI) underscores our company-wide commitments and the responsibility we feel to make our customers moreinsurance. This week, we announced our firstSFI Progress Report, destacando atualizações que abrangem cultura, governança, tecnologia e operações. Isso cumpre nossa promessa de priorizar a segurança acima de tudo e é guiado por três princípios: seguro por design, seguro por padrão e operações seguras. Além de nossas ofertas primárias, Microsoft Defender e Purview, nossos serviços de IA possuem controles de segurança básicos, como funções internas para ajudar a evitar injeções imediatas e violações de direitos autorais. Com base neles, hoje estamos anunciando dois novos recursos: Além de nossas ofertas primárias, Microsoft Defender e Purview, nossos serviços de IA possuem controles de segurança básicos, como funções internas para ajudar a evitar injeções imediatas e violações de direitos autorais. Com base neles, hoje estamos anunciando dois novos recursos:

  • Reviews no Azure AI Studio to support proactive risk analysis.
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot will providetransparency in web queries para ajudar administradores e usuários a entender melhor como a pesquisa na Web aprimora a resposta do Copilot. Disponível em breve.

Nossos recursos de segurança já estão sendo usados pelos clientes.A Cummins, a 105-year-old company known for its engine manufacturing and development of clean energy technologies,turned to Microsoft Purview para fortalecer sua segurança e governança de dados, automatizando a classificação, marcação e rotulagem de dados.A EPAM Systems, a software engineering and business consulting company, implemented  o Microsoft 365 Copilot para 300 usuários por causa da proteção de dados que eles recebem da Microsoft. J.T. Sodano, Diretor Sênior de TI, compartilhou que “estávamos muito mais confiantes com o Copilot para Microsoft 365, em comparação com outros LLMs (grandes modelos de linguagem), porque sabemos que as mesmas políticas de proteção de dados e informações que configuramos no Microsoft Purview se aplicam ao Copilot.

Security.Including security and privacy, the broader principles ofMicrosoft Responsible AI, estabelecidos em 2018, continuam a orientar como criamos e implantamos IA com segurança em toda a empresa. Na prática, isso significa construir, testar e monitorar adequadamente sistemas para evitar comportamentos indesejáveis, como conteúdo prejudicial, viés, uso indevido e outros riscos não intencionais. Ao longo dos anos, fizemos investimentos significativos na construção da estrutura de governança, políticas, ferramentas e processos necessários para defender esses princípios e construir e implantar a IA com segurança. Na Microsoft, estamos comprometidos em compartilhar nossos aprendizados nesta jornada de defesa de nossos princípios de IA Responsável com nossos clientes. Usamos nossas próprias práticas recomendadas e aprendizados para fornecer às pessoas e organizações recursos e ferramentas para criar aplicativos de IA que compartilham os mesmos altos padrões pelos quais nos esforçamos.

Today, we’re sharing new capabilities to help customers realize the benefits of AI while mitigating the risks:

  • A resourceof correction na funcionalidade de detecção de grounding do Microsoft Azure AI Content Safety que ajuda a corrigir problemas de alucinação em tempo real antes que os usuários os vejam.   
  • Embedded Content Security, que permite que os clientes insiram o Azure AI Content Safety em dispositivos. Isso é importante para cenários no dispositivo em que a conectividade de nuvem pode ser intermitente ou indisponível.   
  • New reviews no Azure AI Studio para ajudar os clientes a avaliar a qualidade e a relevância das saídas e a frequência com que seu aplicativo de IA gera material protegido.  
  • Detection of protected material for programming agora está em versão prévia no Azure AI Content Safety para ajudar a detectar conteúdo e código preexistentes. Esse recurso ajuda os desenvolvedores a explorar o código-fonte público em repositórios do GitHub, promovendo colaboração e transparência, ao mesmo tempo em que permite decisões de codificação mais informadas.

É incrível ver como os clientes de todos os setores já estão usando as soluções da Microsoft para criar aplicativos de IA mais seguros e confiáveis. Por exemplo,  a Unity, uma plataforma para jogos 3D, usou o Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service para criar o Muse Chat, um assistente de IA que facilita o desenvolvimento de jogos. Muse Chat uses content filtering models inAzure AI Content Safety para garantir o uso responsável do software. Furthermore, theASOS,a UK-based fashion retailer with nearly 900 brand partners, used the same built-in content filters in Azure AI Content Safety to support high-quality interactions through an AI application that helps customers find new looks.

Também estamos vendo o impacto no espaço educacional.New York City Public Schools fizeram parceria com a Microsoft para desenvolver um sistema de bate-papo seguro e apropriado para o contexto educacional, que agora estão testando nas escolas.The South Australian Department of Educationalso brought generative AI to the classroom with EdChat, relying on the same infrastructure to ensure safe use for students and teachers.

Privacidade.Data is at the heart of AI, and Microsoft's priority is to help ensure that customer data is protected and compliant through ourprivacy principles de longa data, que incluem controle do usuário, transparência e proteções legais e regulatórias. Para desenvolver isso, hoje estamos anunciando:

  • Confidential inferencein preview versionem nosso modelo Azure OpenAI Service Whisper, para que os clientes possam desenvolver aplicativos de IA generativa que dão suporte à privacidade verificável de ponta a ponta.The confidential inference garante que os dados confidenciais do cliente permaneçam seguros e privados durante o processo de inferência, que é quando um modelo de IA treinado faz previsões ou decisões com base em novos dados. Isso é especialmente importante para setores altamente regulamentados, como saúde, serviços financeiros, varejo, manufatura e energia.   
  • General availability of Azure Confidential VMscom GPUs NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core, que permitem que os clientes protejam dados diretamente na GPU. Isso se baseia em nossas soluções de computação confidencial, que garantem que os dados do cliente permaneçam criptografados e protegidos em um ambiente seguro para que ninguém tenha acesso às informações ou ao sistema sem permissão.
  • Azure OpenAI Data Zones para a União Europeia e os Estados Unidos estão chegando em breve e se baseiam na residência de dados existente fornecida pelo Azure OpenAI Service, facilitando o gerenciamento do processamento e armazenamento de dados de aplicativos de IA generativa. Essa nova funcionalidade oferece aos clientes a flexibilidade de dimensionar aplicativos de IA generativa em todas as regiões do Azure dentro de uma geografia, ao mesmo tempo em que lhes dá o controle do processamento e armazenamento de dados dentro da UE ou dos EUA.

We have seen growing customer interest in confidential computing and enthusiasm for confidential GPUs, including from application security providerF5, que está usando VMs confidenciais do Azure com GPUs NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core para criar soluções avançadas de segurança baseadas em IA, garantindo a confidencialidade dos dados que seus modelos estão analisando. And the multinational banking corporationRoyal Bank of Canada (RBC) integrou a computação confidencial do Azure em sua própria plataforma para analisar dados criptografados, preservando a privacidade do cliente. Com a disponibilidade geral de VMs confidenciais do Azure com GPUs NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core, o RBC agora pode usar essas ferramentas avançadas de IA para trabalhar com mais eficiência e desenvolver modelos de IA mais poderosos.

Achieve more with trusted AI

Todos nós precisamos e esperamos por uma IA em que possamos confiar. Vimos o que é possível quando as pessoas são capacitadas para usar a IA de maneira confiável, desde enrich employee experiencesandremodel business processesuntilreinventing customer engagementandreimagine our livescotidianas. Withnew featuresque melhoram a segurança, a proteção e a privacidade, continuamos a permitir que os clientes usem e criem soluções de IA confiáveis que ajudam todas as pessoas e organizações do planeta a alcançar mais.  Em última análise, a IA confiável abrange tudo o que fazemos na Microsoft e é essencial para nossa missão, pois trabalhamos para expandir oportunidades, ganhar confiança, proteger direitos fundamentais e promover a sustentabilidade em tudo o que fazemos.

With the migration of import operations to the Single Foreign Trade Portal, companies invest in new technologies

Com o objetivo de simplificar e agregar eficiência aos processos de comércio exterior, reduzindo o tempo, a burocracia e os custos nas operações de importação, o governo e a Receita Federal anunciaram a substituição do antigo Siscomex LI/DI pelo Portal Único de Comércio Exterior. A primeira etapa da migração começa dia 1º de outubro por meio da Declaração Única de Importação (Duimp), que já deve ser feita no novo sistema. Diante dessa iniciativa, empresas como a Asia Shipping, the largest logistics integrator in Latin America, is already investing in technologies that integrate with the government's new platform.

Para garantir a agilidade demandada por essas operações, principalmente neste novo cenário de crescente digitalização, a empresa adquiriu recentemente a aquisição da startup Dati, passando a oferecer uma plataforma em nuvem e baseada em inteligência artificial (IA). A solução automatiza toda a rotina de importação e realiza de forma autônoma quase 87% das rotinas dessa frente de negócios, desde o acompanhamento do pedido até a entrega da carga, possibilitando ao importador e exportador a visibilidade da sua operação em uma única tela.

De acordo com Rafael Dantas, diretor comercial da Asia Shipping, sistemas como o antigo Siscomex, que está em vigor desde 1993, passaram por poucas atualizações nos últimos anos, o que estimulou a busca por plataformas paralelas, que pudessem otimizar as rotinas e fluxos de trabalho.

“We are noticing a greater interest from customers in this solution that we have adopted, especially with the beginning of this migration that will begin now in October. With this new version and change to Duimp, there will be a completely different format, where the information will be forwarded in advance to the Federal Revenue Service. And in this sense, through the integration with our Dati platform, we will have an even more automated and user-friendly journey, with advanced data intelligence capable of providing valuable insights during foreign trade operations”, explains the executive.

In addition to automating import routines and providing flexible integration with other systems, such as the new Single Foreign Trade Portal, the Dati platform allows real-time monitoring of processes and provides customizable reports, adapted to the needs of each business and which assist in strategic decision-making.

“With the new federal platform combined with solutions such as Dati, integrations and validations will be much faster, in addition to having a single channel for standardizing import and export processes. This initiative will help minimize possible product interpretation errors and unnecessary fines. Without a doubt, this is a path aligned with global trends in terms of the flow of goods, capable of making Brazil more competitive and attractive for attracting new foreign investments,” concludes Rafael Dantas.

Como driblar o abandono de carrinho? See 5 fundamental tips to avoid

Em um mercado cada vez mais desafiador e competitivo, trazer um cliente para o ecossistema de uma empresa é o principal desafio dos empreendedores. No entanto, a real garantia de sucesso dos negócios depende do desenvolvimento de uma estratégia eficaz para lidar com os episódios de abandono de carrinho. Uma pesquisa realizada pela consultoria Forrester Research identificou que o comércio eletrônico pode perder cerca de US$ 18 bilhões em vendas anuais por conta de casos como esse. Fato é que além de desperdiçar uma venda, esse contexto também impacta de forma negativa em questões como retorno de investimento em marketing, dificuldade em analisar o desempenho das campanhas online e até mesmo na própria reputação da marca.

Para driblar situações assim, especialistas indicam entender os motivos que levaram os consumidores a abandonarem as compras e desenvolver abordagens personalizadas focadas em incentivar a conclusão das vendas. “Seja por método de pagamento, dúvida sobre o produto, frete ou valor total da compra, a verdade é que não existe uma fórmula mágica para atender a todos os consumidores, mas é importante buscar estratégias diversificadas a fim de trazer de volta alguém que saiu da plataforma ou que teve que interromper a sua jornada de compra”, afirma Thatiany Almeron, gerente de E-commerce da Sestini, referência em malas, bolsas, mochilas e acessórios.

Ainda de acordo com a executiva, ferramentas como e-mail, WhatsApp e SMS são aliados nessa missão se usados com cautela. “A comunicação deve ser personalizada e oportuna, evitando sobrecarregar o cliente, porém garantindo que ele se sinta visto e incentivado a concluir a compra”, explica Thatiany. Pensando em auxiliar empreendedores a lidarem melhor com o abandono de carrinho, a gerente separou algumas dicas fundamentais. Check below

Simplify the checkout process

Reduza o número de etapas necessárias para a finalização da compra. “Um processo de pagamento rápido e intuitivo diminui as chances de abandono. Uma sugestão é oferecer a opção de checkout como visitante, sem a necessidade de ter que criar uma conta”, diz a especialista.

Keep it transparent

Surpresas no preço final da compra são uma das principais razões para o abandono de carrinho. “O ideal é informar com clareza logo no início da jornada todos os custos envolvidos, incluindo taxas de envio e impostos”, esclarece Thatiany.

Diversify payments

É fundamental disponibilizar diferentes métodos de pagamento para o cliente, como cartões de crédito, débito, pix e afins. “Essa diversificação garante que o cliente possa escolher a forma mais conveniente para ele”, pontua a gerente.

Use reminders

Ferramentas como e-mails, SMS ou WhatsApp podem ser utilizadas para lembrar os consumidores sobre os seus carrinhos abandonados. “Não deixe de oferecer incentivos. Desconto ou frete grátis auxiliam na conclusão de qualquer compra”, detalha a especialista.

Invest in after-sales

Estratégias de pós-venda não só ajudam a construir um relacionamento de longo prazo com o consumidor, mas também os incentiva a completar futuras compras, reduzindo a probabilidade de um abandono no futuro. “Mantenha o contato por meio de e-mails personalizados ou mensagens que ofereçam suporte adicional com atualizações sobre o status do pedido e recomendações de produtos relacionados. Outra possibilidade dessa iniciativa é pedir um feedback sobre a experiência a fim de identificar possíveis áreas de melhoria e mostrar que a marca valoriza a opinião do seu cliente”, finaliza Thatiany.

The impact of artificial intelligence on the growth of digital fraud in Brazil

Imagine receiving a perfect voice message from a celebrity asking for financial help for a social cause or finding a website identical to a renowned store offering unbeatable deals. These are just some of the sophisticated tactics that criminals are adopting through artificial intelligence (AI) to deceive millions of Brazilians daily.

According to a survey conducted on the BrandMonitor platform between March and May of this year, it was identified that 529 out of 628 tracked brands suffered domain attacks and in 405 cases, fake websites emerged applying scams. The 50 most impacted brands registered an average of 86 fake domains created within just 90 days. The technology that promises to transform the future is now being used to sophisticate frauds, creating a digital epidemic that puts consumers and companies on high alert.

One of the main reasons for the growth of AI-driven digital fraud is its versatility, with no limits to the sectors and uses that can adopt it. Despite the versatility of digital attacks, all follow common steps:

  1. Data collection:Criminals obtain personal and financial data from consumers and businesses through breaches, phishing and malware.
  2. AI Training:With the data collected, AI is trained to identify patterns of behavior and imitate human language convincingly.
  3. Execution:AI automates the scam, creating fake profiles, sending personalized messages, and simulating online activities to trick victims.

According to the 2023 global survey on Omnichannel Digital Fraud Trends conducted by TransUnion, attempts at digital fraud have increased by 80% worldwide since 2019. When combined with AI, these frauds become even more sophisticated and convincing to users. In Brazil, the first half of 2024 recorded 800,000 scam attempts.

Examples of scams in Brazil

No Free MarketFor example, criminals create fake profiles with photos and positive reviews generated by bots, misleading buyers into making fraudulent transactions. Already in ride-hailing companies, such as theUberand99 Taxi, AI is used to simulate phantom trips, generating undue charges for customers and illicit profits for scammers.

Although the possibilities are varied, some formats of digital scams are more recognized by users, including:

  1. Personalizing Phishing MessagesAI analyzes data about the victim, such as purchase history, interests, and online behavior, to create highly targeted messages. This customization makes it difficult to identify frauds, as the messages appear legitimate and relevant to the recipient;
  2. Fake Virtual Assistants:Fake chatbots induce people to provide sensitive information, such as bank details or passwords. Artificial intelligence allows these assistants to respond naturally and adapt to users' questions, making them more convincing;
  3. Deepfakes and voice manipulationAI is used to create deepfakes, which are fake videos or audios that appear authentic. This technology is a growing concern, especially in contexts like elections, where the spread of false information can have significant impacts. In February of this year, the Superior Electoral Court decided to restrict the use of AI in campaigns.

Information and education are essential for protection against digital fraud. Users need to be more aware of how these fraudsters operate so that they can have greater control over their decisions, thereby avoiding the scam and all the trouble that comes with it.

Furthermore, to better understand the scope of AI-driven digital frauds, it is crucial to analyze concrete cases that demonstrate the impacts of these practices. Some emblematic examples involving large companies in Brazil reveal how these organizations were targeted by sophisticated scams, exploiting vulnerabilities of both consumers and the brands themselves:

  1. Free Market:Criminals use AI to create fake profiles with photos and positive reviews generated by bots, misleading buyers into transacting with non-existent sellers. Additionally, they use AI to create fake product ads, attracting buyers and collecting personal and financial data.
  2. Vans:Criminals create fake websites selling Vans products at unrealistic discounts, using AI to personalize these sites and deceive consumers.
  3. Fleury:Phishing scams using AI tricked Fleury Group employees, resulting in the leak of sensitive data.
  4. ENEM 2024:A fake website imitating the Enem Participant Page led several users to pay the registration fee for the exam, estimated at 85 reais per person.
  5. Starlink:SpaceX's satellite internet company, owned by Elon Musk, is constantly victimized by scams and fraud. In our daily monitoring ranking, we found 523 suspicious domains related to Starlink, 152 of which are active. About 44% of complaints about the company are related to fake websites.

AI is also a defense tool

Just as artificial intelligence can be used for scams, it is also a powerful ally in fighting them. It is essential to recognize the importance not only of possessing advanced technology but also of knowing how to apply it effectively through sophisticated pattern detection techniques and behavior analysis.

The digital fraud epidemic in Brazil, driven by artificial intelligence, is a growing challenge that requires constant attention and coordinated action among companies, the government, and consumers. Only with information, education, and the intelligent use of technology can we curb this wave of digital crime and protect our data and our future.

Mecanizou launches business unit aimed at rental companies, fleet owners and insurance companies

Mechanized, a marketplace that connects auto repair shops to auto parts suppliers, announced its new business unit, Mecanizou Select, aimed at large accounts, such as rental companies, fleet operators and insurance companies.

The company wants to ensure that insurance companies see them as an indispensable partner, especially with Mecanizou's ability to provide original parts through dealerships. "We conducted some tests and now we see that insurance companies truly need our ecosystem to manage vehicle claims. We want to position Mecanizou Select as a premium service, offering benefits such as competitive prices, express logistics (delivery in less than 3 hours, and in some cases up to 55 minutes), and high-level customer service," says Ian Faria, co-founder and CEO of Mecanizou.

This new business unit is related to the expansion plan for the entire São Paulo region and the city of Guarulhos, announced by the company in May of this year.

Currently, Mecanizou has over 300 suppliers and 1 million parts in its database, and the platform registration is quick and 100% online. In addition to the mechanic, rental companies, fleet owners, and insurers will benefit from discounts, various installment options, and optimized delivery receipt processes.Mecanizou launches a business unit focused on rental companies, fleet owners, and insurance companies

The key to strengthening CRM

Email marketing is one of the oldest tools in digital marketing, but undoubtedly still one of the most effective. In recent years, a debate about relevance in the current digital landscape has led to the argument that email marketing is dead; however, considering the nuances of the segment and the constant transformations in consumer behavior, the method is alive and more relevant than ever, especially when considering its crucial role in relationship and customer engagement strategies.

The myth needs to be demystified. The truth is that email marketing, like the entire industry, has evolved. There have been significant changes in the way it is used and necessarily so, since 11 years ago – when email marketing was one of the main communication channels – smartphone penetration in Brazil was only 30%. During this period, the demand for omnichannel communication has increased, and although it remains a challenge for many companies, it is essential to reach customers.

The power of personalization

Email marketing allows for direct and personalized communication with customers, significantly increasing engagement. With segmentation, it is possible to send highly relevant messages at the right time, increasing the likelihood of conversion and loyalty.

A study published by E-commerce Brasil in 2021, for example, revealed that the strategy, when applied in cases of birthdays, generates 481% more transactions than common promotional campaigns. This demonstrates the power of personalized initiatives and affirms that, when well executed, the channel can be extremely effective in boosting sales and customer engagement.

In addition to being a powerful tool on its own, email marketing can also complement other marketing strategies. It can be integrated into social media campaigns, content strategies, and even SEO initiatives.

For example, newsletters can promote new blog posts or videos, and email campaigns can be used for retargeting customers who interacted with social media ads. The result is reaching clients at different touchpoints, increasing the overall effectiveness of the planning.

The role of automation

Another fundamental aspect of email marketing is automations. They allow the creation of workflows that send notifications based on specific customer behaviors, such as cart abandonment and website browsing.This not only saves time but also increases the relevance of messages, improving open and click-through rates. Additionally, automations allow nurturing leads throughout the sales funnel by providing relevant content at each stage of the purchasing process.

Ensuring success

To ensure the effectiveness of email marketing campaigns, it is essential to monitor and analyze performance metrics including open rate, click rate, conversion rate, and unsubscribe rate. These measurements help understand campaign performance and make adjustments to optimize results. The use of A/B testing is also a recommended practice, allowing different elements of campaigns to be tested to identify the best approaches.

Adaptability to consumer preferences

Email marketing is highly adaptable and can adjust to changes in consumer preferences. With effective analysis and customer feedback, campaigns can be continuously adjusted to better meet the discovered preferences. As consumer behavior evolves, email marketing can keep up with these changes, remaining an effective channel for engagement and communication.

The relevance of any marketing tool depends on its ability to adapt to the actions of those who matter most: the customer. In this case, it is no different. Email marketing can fulfill its role in defining the success of a campaign, but to keep it alive, you need to play your cards right.

Payface debuts facial recognition payments for Private Labels with FestCard and Grupo Oscar

Payface, the pioneering company in facial recognition payment solutions, takes a significant step by expanding its services with a solution that integrates biometric technology with Private Label card systems. This innovation allows consumers from various sectors to make payments using only their face, for the first time, without the need for passwords or physical cards.

Oscar's network is the first to adopt this technology, implementing it in 10 stores in the city of São José dos Campos (SP), where customers have been enjoying the convenience of paying with FestCard, the network's own card, through facial recognition, since July 12th. The partnership aims to expand the solution to around 100 stores in the group by October 2024, with the expectation of reaching tens of thousands of consumers who pay with the store's card every month.

For Eládio Isoppo, CEO of Payface, this launch represents two important milestones in Payface's strategy. First, Payface's entry into the private label card issuer ecosystem—a strategy devised in late 2023, following the acquisition of Smile&Go—with a product specifically built to connect the base of faces captured by issuers at the time of credit approval with the respective payment methods.Second, the expansion of the company's solutions into new segments, with great acceptance.

“We have successfully launched facial biometric payment in a closed arrangement, marking our strategic entry into the promising footwear and fashion segment. This innovation has already resulted in the addition of thousands of new users to our base, exponentially driving Payface adoption. This significant advancement was catalyzed by the acquisition of Smile&Go, solidifying our position as a leader in facial recognition solutions. We are excited about the continued growth potential of our technology, which extends from physical checkouts to online authentication,” said Eládio Isoppo.

All Festcard customers are already pre-approved to pay with their face in stores using the technology, and new card customers, for example, can use it immediately after approval, without waiting for plastic customization, password setup, or app installation. Face capture replaces all of that at once, ensuring accuracy and security, as well as reducing disputes and fraud.

According to Nelson Cazarine, Director of Grupo Oscar, the partnership with Payface makes “the lives of the network’s customers even easier, reaffirming Grupo Oscar’s commitment to innovation and excellence in service.”

The Payface solution fully integrated into the private label card issuance and processing ecosystem makes the shopping experience simple, fast, and secure. As highlighted by Carlos Carvalho, Head of Credit Operations at Grupo Oscar:

“Facial biometrics has arrived on the FestCard to revolutionize the sales process. With a simple photograph, our customers can make their purchases more quickly, safely and conveniently. An innovation that transforms the shopping experience.”

Even with the recent launch, other networks have also adopted facial recognition to address common issues in the Private Label world, such as card sharing and high operational costs. Fort Atacadista, which operates the Vuon Card in its stores, and Nalin, a card of the same name, are already in the implementation phase to bring the Payface solution to their operations in the wholesale food and fashion segments, respectively.

Subscription clubs: allies of modern everyday life

Currently, we live in a time when practicality and time optimization are increasingly valued and demanded. With a busy routine, finding ways to simplify tasks and ensure that basic activities are completed efficiently becomes a differentiator.

Subscription clubs, in turn, emerge as an intelligent solution, offering not only convenience but also the opportunity to personalize the consumption experience. By eliminating the need for frequent shopping and continuous planning, these services provide more time for other important daily demands.

The growth of this sector is significant, as according to data from the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce, it increased by 1000% in the last decade in Brazil. Nowadays, there are 4,000 subscription clubs for services and products in operation.

The main advantage is the elimination of concerns about restocking and the significant reduction in time spent on purchasing activities. Instead of setting aside part of the day or week to plan trips to the supermarket, pharmacy, bookstore, or other establishments, the subscriber can rely on regular deliveries, ensuring that essential items are always available.

In addition to automation of refueling, personalization is another fundamental aspect of the model. When signing up for this type of service, the consumer has the opportunity to adjust their preferences, indicating, for example, the type of coffee they prefer most, the size of the clothes they wear, the literary genres they are most interested in, or the dietary restrictions they need to observe.

By receiving only what will truly be used and appreciated, one can avoid the accumulation of unnecessary items, which is especially relevant in a context of environmental concerns and sustainability. The chance to try new brands, flavors, and styles through subscriptions can also broaden the consumer's repertoire, presenting options that might not have been considered in a one-time purchase.

With different proposals, prices, and business models, subscription club services offer alternatives to cater to a wide range of interests and tastes. This means that, regardless of lifestyle or budget, it is possible to find an option that fits each profile.

By simplifying the management of essential items, reducing the time spent on shopping, and offering personalization, they meet the needs of diverse subscribers and reflect an innovative approach to retail and consumption. The sector has become an evolution of the traditional purchasing format, adapting to the demands of a constantly changing society.

Mercado Livre aims to optimize deliveries and uses 100% electric vans

With the exponential growth of e-commerce in Brazil, delivery logistics has become one of the main challenges for companies in the sector. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm), the Brazilian e-commerce industry recorded a total of 395 million orders and a revenue of R$ 185.7 billion in 2023, with an average ticket per customer of R$ 460. For 2024, the forecast is that the number of orders will increase to 418.6 million and the average ticket to R$ 490.

In response to the expansion scenario, Mercado Livre, one of the largest e-commerce platforms in Latin America, has been investing in innovative solutions to optimize its logistics operations and ensure more efficient deliveries. Part of this strategy includes the partnership with Arrow Mobility, a Brazilian startup specializing in sustainable cargo vehicles, whose 100% electric vans are being integrated into the platform's delivery fleet.

Marcelo Simon, Head of New Business at the startup,It highlights that the partnership with Mercado Livre is an important step in promoting sustainable logistics solutions in the market. We are constantly developing vehicles that not only improve delivery efficiency but also significantly reduce operational costs and environmental impact. These models are a viable and promising solution to achieve these goals.

In addition to the lower cost per package delivered and a significant reduction in pollutant gas emissions, Arrow Mobility vehicles have a greater load capacity, with an internal organization optimized for transporting volumes, facilitating the boarding and unboarding of delivery personnel by providing access to the cargo compartment from inside the vehicle.

Another relevant point is the mitigation of maintenance costs for electric vans, which represents another source of savings for fleet operators. We are very satisfied with the performance of our vans in the Brazilian market. The partnership with Mercado Livre is an important milestone in our journey; we want to offer high-quality vehicles to not only meet our clients' logistical needs but also to boost their results.emphasizes Simon.

Arrow expects to quadruple the number of registrations in 2024, compared to last year – from 12 units to 48 this year – reinforcing the company's objective of becoming a reference in the national logistics sector.

Marketing and eSports: how brands are taking advantage of the gamer market

The electronic gaming industry is becoming increasingly competitive, as there has been an exponential growth in recent years of active users on online gaming platforms. eSports, as they are known, have increased in popularity due to live broadcasts simultaneously transmitted to various countries, with thousands of competitors worldwide.

This audience is known for beingtech-savvy- English term that refers to people who possess high knowledge and are skilled in the use of technology and digital devices – therefore, they are engaged and loyal to their favorite gaming brands and teams. The diversity of interests and international players makes the eSports audience an attractive and dynamic market.

According to the Game Brasil Research (PGB), 81.2% of respondents revealed that they usually play in the eSports universe, and 88.3% of people watch electronic game matches and tournaments. The time spent on the activity ranges from 1 to 3 hours for 50.8% of the gamers who responded to the survey.

With such expressiveness in the market, companies have recognized the potential that the sector brings to brands and are beginning to use marketing strategies to increase visibility, engage new audiences, and explore new business opportunities.

According to the PGB study, 55.5% of respondents say they use notebooks and computers to play electronic games. Therefore, the commercialization of hardware that improves game performance, as well as technological equipment and accessories for PCs, tends to have many enthusiasts in the gaming market.

High-quality storage devices and memories for PCs, such as internal and external HDDs and SSDs, directly influence the performance of electronic games, providing more dynamism, speed, data processing, and high performance during matches and tournaments. Innovative design cases and keyboards can also be appealing to the gaming audience, who desire more personalized items for the activity.

We cannot forget the importance of having a reliable power supply, such as those from XPG, for example, which ensure a continuous and optimized power flow, greater energy savings, and the security of gaming for hours uninterrupted, without surprises.

In addition to hardware sales strategies, advertising campaigns on gaming platforms, influencer content, and sponsorships are among the marketing options that companies can invest in within this scenario.

Brands can leverage the popularity of eSports by sponsoring events, teams, or streamers. Live stream ads, digital banners, and targeted campaigns within games are also effective ways to reach the electronic gaming audience. Furthermore, influencers have an intimate relationship with their audiences and can promote products and services in an authentic and convincing manner.

An important tip for those planning to do marketing actions in this area is to seek out organizations, teams, or players who are prepared to produce quality content and deliver professional and satisfying results for the client. In this way, it is possible to achieve the much-desired return on investment in the marketing world and establish a lasting and mutually beneficial partnership.

Therefore, entering the eSports market can be challenging due to the need to understand the culture and dynamics of the community. Companies need to invest time in research and establish authentic connections with the audience, whether for PC parts marketing strategies or brand visibility.

*Thiago Tieriis Marketing Manager at ADATA/XPG in Brazil.

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