This report from development tool vendor OutSystems argues that development backlogs are a big obstacle to digital transformation success. OutSystems sells tools to make development more efficient but they’re unintentionally making a case for packaged software. You know, like Customer Data Platforms. Unlike Avaya, they find companies are giving highest priority to customer experience applications.
Autonomous marketing campaign builder Albert Technologies has raised an $18 million funding round. Albert uses artificial intelligence to select optimal campaign channels, segments, and contents from feeds provided by its clients. The firm had already raised $42 million in 2015 when it was called Adgorithms.
Privacy aside, email is still the marketer’s best friend. But email vendor Return Path and Demand Metric found that marketers aren’t taking full advantage: only 68% do personalization, 39% do a/b testing, and 36% optimize for deliverability. Companies that do those things report vastly better results. Lots of good detail in this 51 page report.
Procrastinators of the world can throw a party whenever they get around to it: Google has once more pushed back complete third-party cookie deprecation. The new target is “early next year.” Reasons for the delay include concerns expressed by U.K. data regulator Information Commissioner’s Office, an ongoing inquiry by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority, and widespread discontent in the advertising ecosystem.