DEV Community: ValentinKuzmenko

How Blockchain Can Improve Insurance: Enhanced Reliability and Speed

ValentinKuzmenko — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 19:19:28 +0000

Insurance is one of the industries actively introducing technology into its processes. In 2021, 59% of insurance firms increased their investment in innovation to show customers new and better ways to deliver services, collect data, and detect fraud. Currently, blockchain technology constitutes a small but significant part of InsurTech's innovations. And it has already proven itself a good solution to many of the industry's problems. Let’s consider three options for how blockchain affects insurance.

Is blockchain a silver bullet to solve the problems of the insurance industry?

As a distributed ledger technology, blockchain has properties that are valuable for businesses. It reliably protects data, records only verified information, and monitors and stops illegal actions of network members. Blockchain can be trusted to store any data (accounts, transactions, or medical records). Thus, you can conduct transactions with them promptly, honestly, and without intermediaries.

These blockchain attributes can be used to benefit insurance by improving the following operations:

claims processing;
underwriting and verification of payments;
customer retention.

The mechanism of blockchain operation in insurance can be described as follows. A client receives approval from an insurance company to issue a policy. Policy data is entered into a blockchain (the date and time of opening, the parties to the contract, and the cost of individual contributions). The information is placed in a block, encrypted, and stored unchanged. Blockchain technology guarantees that none of the network participants can illegally change or compromise user data.

Claims processing and blockchain

Imagine the following situation. A person bought a first-class air ticket along with insurance. But they had to cancel the trip for important reasons, and it is necessary to return the money paid to the insurance company. How long does it take to get a refund? About 7 days, no less.

As a rule, insurance companies process claims for weeks or even months. Consumers accustomed to fast service in commerce expect the same in other areas. But in insurance, the process is not so fast. A person needs to make a claim request by phone or through a mobile app. After that, they will wait until the application is completed and processed, and then payments will be credited to their account.

Claims processing is gradually accelerating, bringing the industry closer to the “insurance on the go” paradigm. The industry is already offering short-term insurance options for travel abroad or taxi rides. Why can't insurance claims be processed at the same pace so that funds are returned upon request?

With blockchain, it is possible to build a transparent and client-oriented model based on trust and security. Technology can provide direct communication between the applicant, the insurance agent, and third parties. All data is available for audit and insurance payments occur instantly.

For example, Sompo Japan Insurance uses blockchain for automatic train delay insurance payouts. If delays in railway transport are recorded within a month, the client will receive compensation.

Underwriting in blockchain

Underwriting in insurance involves the analysis and evaluation of various parameters: the reliability of a client, determining an insurance rate, the coordination of insurance conditions, and the formation of the insurance portfolio. The smallest details are taken into account: from the client's income to an alarm or fire system in the house. After all, if you are wrong with the candidacy, the insurance company will suffer regular losses.

Blockchain can reduce potential risk and select more reasonable insurance rates for customers. For example, insurance companies can optimize the price by the number of paid policies for car theft in the same area. Smart contracts turn paper agreements into programmable code that helps automate underwriting and claims processing.

AIG, Standard Chartered, and IBM practice blockchain-based underwriting for multinational insurance. Coordinating the management of insurance policies across multiple countries is difficult. The team converted the policies into a smart contract that provides a real-time shared view of policy data and documentation. In this way, insurance agents can easily track coverage and payments at the local and main levels, as well as automatically report payments to network members.

Blockchain for customer retention

The advantages of blockchain listed above (automation, high speed of claims processing, and low insurance fees) become the basis for attracting and retaining customers. This is what companies of all levels strive for in a competitive market, especially when they plan to develop new applications and when ordering BAAS.

With blockchain, insurers can improve loyalty programs. For example, bonus points for meeting certain conditions can be “transferred” to virtual loyalty platforms. There, users can exchange bonuses for gift cards and discounts or transfer points to loyalty programs of other firms valuable to users. In this way, customers can exchange their airline points for store, restaurant, or cinema points. This approach provides freedom of choice and guarantees customer involvement.

For example, Metromile uses blockchain to pay premiums to drivers who cover a certain number of miles at the end of the year. The company believes that in this way it will ensure fair insurance and consumer involvement. The firm is also considering converting payments into digital currency.

Conclusion

Blockchain will help the insurance industry build business models that will solve industry challenges and help interact with customers most efficiently. The technology simplifies the procedure for approval of a candidate for an insurance policy, automates the processing of claims and insurance payments, and increases customer retention. It helps the industry become mobile and advanced. Former CEO of AIG's commercial department, Mr. Rob Schimek said that blockchain can play an important role in the future of insurance. His company is excited to offer innovations that matter to customers and to co-develop the key components of this new technology.

Top 7 Python Apps Everyone Should Know

ValentinKuzmenko — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 21:01:22 +0000

According to the TIOBE index, Python is the number one programming language as of August 2022. In many ways, its prevalence is explained by the fact that almost any app can be written in it, from simple web platforms to complex machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions. Python allowed people to discover such excellent platforms as Instagram, Netflix, and Spotify. Let's talk about seven interesting Python apps that every user should know about.

Vega Strike interactive game

Python is actively used in the development of interactive games. The internal scripts of the space combat simulator Vega Strike are written in Python and XML. The game is free open-source software developed for Microsoft Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS operating systems.

Vega Strike places players in a limitless universe divided into factions. There, trading, combat, and exploration can be lucrative. A player begins to explore space on a used universe ship. The ship owner earns money and upgrades their transport by improving it or completely replacing it with a new one. The cooler the spacecraft, the more dangerous and profitable missions the player can take.

Heroes earn money by selling cargo or completing missions. There is a universal currency for factions. Market participants can openly trade items and technologies with each other. After completing one mission, the participant continues the game, receiving the next task.

AIND AI-powered medical app

Python also helps developers build AI apps to analyze large amounts of data and predict results. A European healthcare software development company used the power of Python to create a tool for early diagnosis of neurological diseases and predicting the rate of cognitive decline.

The app collects data from electronic medical records, IoT devices, and medical examination results (MRI, PET, CT, and X-ray). This is followed by a multimodal AI-powered analysis of the collected information. Thus, doctors can predict the development of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological disorders.

Scientists around the world are using this analytical tool by uploading DICOM scans of brain tissue along with non-imaging data. A smart algorithm processes the information and helps to detect devastating diseases at an early stage.

Udemy educational platform

The benefits of Python can be used to implement educational projects like Udemy.

Udemy is a large-scale learning platform where everyone can hone different skills, from marketing and personal growth to programming and SaaS development services. The platform supports 17 languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian, and others. The Python app contains a database of 204,000 online video courses, with new lessons and training programs added to the site every month.

The portal offers discounts on programs. According to the training results, a participant receives a certificate of completion of a course. A rating system helps students to choose a course from a list of similar ones. There is a function for viewing test videos so that users know what they pay for and don’t risk buying content they won’t like. Education on the platform is suitable for school children, narrow-profile specialists, and everyone who has a hobby.

Disqus networked community platform

With Python, you can create commenting web services like Disqus. It is a platform from which a site owner sets up discussions and comments without a CMS. Disqus uses 750 thousand resources and blogs to increase traffic, grow audience loyalty and keep pages active. With it, users discuss articles or products, ask questions, or communicate with other site visitors.

Disqus works with different types of websites. To install it on a resource, you need to embed a code snippet or one of the plug-ins that are placed on the installation page. About 1 billion unique users work with the platform every month because Disqus supports dozens of languages.

Dropbox cloud workspace

Python is suitable for creating cloud storage of user files, such as Dropbox. The service is available on smartphones, in browsers, and as a desktop app.

The cloud allows you to store, view, and download files of different formats. You can share them with your colleagues and friends by link or invitation. With Dropbox, you can organize remote teamwork with files through shared directories. When given access, employees get the right to work with documents, view version history, and restore deleted files.

About 500,000 workgroups use Dropbox because it includes productivity and task management tools.

Pinterest social bookmarking site

Python allows you to implement large-scale aesthetically pleasing projects like Pinterest. We think that one of the most popular social networks in 2022 needs no introduction. However, we will briefly talk about the features of the platform.

The Pinterest interface is presented as digital theme boards. Users design them according to their tastes. Network members post graphic images and videos in a certain category. Visitors like “pins”, comment, and pin the content they find interesting on their board. Brands use this resource for promotion because the most popular categories are “Food”, “Media”, “Beauty and Style”, “Travel”, and “Clothes”.

EZPARK parking booking platform

Python can also be the basis for an all-in-one parking enforcement, toll collection, and maintenance solution. The EZPARK software product from a European developer is an example of such an app.

Custom Logistics in USA correctly visualizes map data and performs intelligent pricing based on the collected information. The platform issues digital and paper parking permits. With their help, a parking attendant checks whether a car with a certain number plate is allowed to be in the parking lot. If the car owner needs to stay late and the parking period expires, the registration is extended online.

The platform gathers analytic data: attendance monitoring, parking occupancy, the duration of stay of each car in the parking lot, and other data. Based on statistics, a business owner can evaluate parking performance, plan to load, and monitor compliance with established rules.

Conclusion

As you can see from the examples above, you can implement any Python app in terms of complexity and functionality. The language contains an extensive library that solves many coding problems. Python has demonstrated that you can build amazing products with simple proven tools.

Top 10 Online Learning Apps

ValentinKuzmenko — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 19:52:16 +0000

Information technology is amazingly transforming education, providing students and teachers with a variety of methods and ways to arrange learning activities. Participants in the educational process have a digital set of tools (smartphones, laptops, and the Internet) that allows them to study anytime and anywhere. Due to the pandemic, online learning has become a top priority for schools, colleges, and universities. The eLearning market is predicted to reach $400 billion by 2026. This is twice as many apps and platforms as there were in 2019. This means that people need useful and functional online learning apps, which will make the transfer and assimilation of new knowledge easy and fast. Let’s consider 10 popular online learning solutions.

PRE-A remote learning platform

A European software development company created the PRE-A learning platform to enable educators to share knowledge online. They record personal lessons or presentations in PowerPoint, adapt the material to different requirements, and post it on the resource. The platform is used by various firms to train and improve the skills of their employees.

A course manager monitors the status of previously downloaded learning materials, manages access rights, and monitors student progress. Course participants have access to a dashboard with detailed analytics: the names of current courses, the number of completed lessons and homework assignments, the time spent on learning, and their progress. For additional information, an employee can refer to the “Courses”, “Library”, and “Helps” sections.

The developers implemented an interesting motivation mechanism in the app. This is a rating of successful employees. Using it, a student can track which of their colleagues is leading in the study of a particular subject. This encourages this person to revise the material more often to complete the mission they have begun and not be worse than their colleagues.

KIWA online learning app

The KIWA platform is a source of information on highly specialized subjects with the opportunity to obtain recognized certificates. The web resource hosts one-day courses and comprehensive training programs on food safety, internal market audit, medical standards, legionellosis prevention, and other industry knowledge.

KIWA remotely provides the knowledge needed to grow organizations and keep employees or consumers safe. Seminars and pieces of training help specialists develop. Through the platform, you can communicate with your colleagues from other industries and companies, share your experience, and learn about important innovations.

Kahoot service for interactive learning

According to a Statista survey, 85% of teachers use digital learning elements to help students apply what they have learned in practice and carry out exercises. The kahoot.com web service is one of those places where students practice by playing or taking interactive quizzes.

Kahoot is a perfect example of a service where smartphones do not interfere with learning but involve students in the educational process. A teacher only needs to create a questionnaire from scratch or based on ready-made questions. Then they provide students with access to the game by code through the web app. Quiz questions are displayed on a shared screen, and students need to answer them on their smartphones. Their responses are evaluated, and the rating of students is built in real time.

We have given only one example of how one can use Kahoot. The functionality of the mobile app project is much richer, and it can be used for studying at a university or any private courses.

Seesaw digital learning environment

Methods that worked in education 10-20 years ago are not suitable for teaching today's students. They are accustomed to exciting content on TV, mobile games, or websites. This is what they expect from the educational process. Teachers should come up with ways to engage and interest students so that they learn the material and can use knowledge in practice. Educational platforms like Seesaw help a lot in this matter.

Seesaw creates a digital environment for schoolchildren that encourages them to learn and develop. Approximately 10 million teachers from 75% of US schools use the eLearning app to provide students with a familiar program in an unusual way (for example, in the form of research). Thus, the material is easier to remember, and the lessons are not boring.

Khan Academy public video course platform

Founded 16 years ago by Harvard and MIT graduate Salman Khan, Khan Academy set out to make education available everywhere. And it seems that this goal has been successfully achieved.

The resource offers about 10,000 lessons in history, medicine, finance, economics, programming, and other disciplines. The base of courses is regularly expanded and includes short videos grouped by subject and complexity. A user can revise theoretical issues by performing practical tasks and tests. Each student learns their subject at a comfortable pace because the service can personalize any program. The distance learning platform is available in 43 languages, enabling millions of students to receive their education online.

VioletLMS learning management system

VioletLMS is one of the leading online employee training platforms for ten industries, from energy and hospitality to insurance and manufacturing. This is a reliable digital platform for creating and hosting training courses for staff, customers, and distributors.

In the app, you can set up individual training schemes for specialists using motivation elements (badges, points, leader ratings, and so on). Employees can train at any convenient time by logging into the system through the mobile platform. Student progress is tracked through automatic reports in the form of tables and graphs. If you need to meet with your mentor, keep in mind that VioletLMS is integrated with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and BigBlueButton.

Prezi dynamic presentation platform

Prezi is an improved version of PowerPoint. The service is filled with unique features that allow you to create dynamic and exciting presentations for school lessons and university lectures.

This eLearning app is based on beautifully designed templates allowing you to build your own stunning presentation, video, or design. Easy-to-create interactive charts, reports, infographics, and maps enliven information and help students remember content easily. Teachers can share their work with colleagues so that they diversify lessons with visual quality content and save time preparing for classes.

EduBrite learning management system

EduBrite was created to help small and large companies train new employees, adapt them to work in a team, and support customers and partners. Based on the platform, managers can create and place corporate online courses in a special editor.

You can upload videos, audio files, presentations, and documents to EduBrite. Employees are trained through the EduBrite mobile app development services by Andersen. The platform can be connected as a module to your own Atlassian Confluence wiki. Such interaction ensures quick onboarding and team growth.

Qstream Microlearning App

Training in Qstream is organized in such a way as to help employees close gaps in their knowledge, obtain new skills, and increase productivity as quickly as possible. The app includes interval learning and repetition, gamification, a methodology for consolidating knowledge, and other effective ways of obtaining information.

In the Content Hub, managers create lessons based on a library of templates and a set of control questions. Instant feedback and interactivity increase employee engagement by 90%. Personalization helps people to hone their skills and improve qualifications. Science-based algorithms provide a 170% increase in memory retention time. The analytical panel reflects the progress of training and performance of employees.

WizIQ virtual classroom

The WizIQ educational platform is designed to organize learning in a virtual classroom. The online learning app provides a set of tools for creating and customizing interactive courses. You can use WizIQ's online test builder to assess student knowledge. The capabilities of the platform make it possible to arrange distance learning for schoolchildren and students, additional classes to prepare for exams, and corporate training.

Lessons are available around the clock, you can access them on computers, tablets, and smartphones. For each student, the platform gathers analytics to evaluate learning outcomes.

Conclusion

Online learning apps are becoming indispensable assistants to teachers. 35% of US educators use digital tools because they allow for personalized learning and quick insight into student performance. For corporations, this is an opportunity to quickly adapt new employees to work in a company. 41% of students believe that online education is better than traditional one. In any case, society has already entered an era where digital education either goes hand in hand with classical education or replaces it. Therefore, eLearning software by Andersen services have become an important direction in the development of many organizations.