What are Chatbots?
Chatbot are simple text based services powered with artificial intelligence designed to interact via a chat interface. This can be used as for functional or fun purposes like virtual assistant siri, Cortana etc.
Why are chatbots better than apps?
No downloads are required, they reside in the messaging apps. They are easy to build and upgrade. They can be used instantly. This helps in faster user activation which helps them to grow fast. Also one more major advantage is that they don’t choke up on mobile space.
Why chatbots are such a big opportunity
You must be wondering, why there is so much noise about chatbots..
“People are now spending more time in messaging apps than in social media and that is a huge turning point. Messaging apps are the platforms of the future and bots will be how their users access all sorts of services.” — Peter Rojas, Entrepreneur in Residence at Betaworks
In the first quarter of 2015, the four biggest messaging apps surpassed the four biggest social networks in terms of monthly active users.
How chatbots can help enterprise?
As the adoption of voice and messaging technologies continue to grow in the enterprise, so does the potential for chatbot solutions. However, in order to be adopted in the enterprise, chatbot platforms will need to provide capabilities in areas such as Customer relationship management, integration, security, management, or monitoring, which are essential elements of enterprise solutions. However Enterprise chatbots should have a natural language learning system to provide a strong user experience. Specifically, enterprise-ready chatbot platforms should include some of the following capabilities:
• Integration with messaging platforms
• Natural language learning systems
• Chatbot store
• Monitoring
• Integration with enterprise systems
• Testing
• Security
Enterprise Chatbot platform
Messaging platform vendors:
Slack, Facebook, Skype, HipChat, etc. are all platforms that actively support the implementation of chatbots.
Voice platform vendors:
Platforms such as Amazon Echo, Cortana, Siri, or Google Now are some of the main catalysts for the emergence of chatbots.
Chatbot platform startups:
Many startups trying to become the chatbot platform by offering AI on saas model.
Industries adapting chatbots
• Healthcare
• E-commerce
• Travel
• Hospitality
Future of Chatbots
For the first time bots will let us communicate with the world of information instantly. This is the new beginning of internet, mobile and user interface.
References
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/how-a-bunch-of-indian-startups-have-taken-an-early-lead-in-chatbots/articleshow/52592715.cms
https://chatbotsmagazine.com/the-complete-beginner-s-guide-to-chatbots-8280b7b906ca#.rk3c185yd
https://medium.com/@tedlivingston/the-future-of-chat-isn-t-ai-b07f65bc252#.5sh8cefz2
http://www.cio.com/article/3053603/mobile/what-do-chatbots-mean-for-the-enterprise.html
