Many factors influence the way we use our devices – such as the time of year, work schedules, world events, school calendars, and holidays. Device type also influences a users behavior and content consumption. Some services such as Netflix, YouTube, and Facebook apps are popular across devices - while some other services can be very specific, such as work software on laptops.
Sometimes the device itself is less important than the choice of app or service being used. The demands of running an application such as Netflix, Zoom or games do not necessarily change between devices. Part of what makes a managed WiFi service successful is going beyond simply identifying the device and making real-time decisions on traffic based on how the device is being used. Knowing that a packet of data from Zoom should be prioritized, as opposed to a routine app update, improves the user experience.
Based on our analysis of available data, one event that changes user behavior is the back-to-school season. Plume IQ looked at a period of two weeks in July and compared it to the period over Labor Day in the US to see how the start of school impacted behavior. A big change we identified is the use of laptops - 14% more laptops were identified after the return to school. Laptop use greatly outpaced the use of streaming boxes and TVs – use of these entertainment devices only increased by roughly 4%. Smartphone use remained generally even between the periods - and gaming consoles decreased almost 2%.
The applications being used before school started compared to after did not change significantly. Of widely available applications, Plume saw YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime lead the way in data transmitted both before and after school started. We also saw that TikTok usage was down about 4% - time to focus on homework!
Haystack
We’re excited to announce the release of the newly improved Haystack suite, Plume’s latest upgrade to our customer experience management platform.
As a reader of Plume IQ, you are familiar with the fact that data is at the heart of our offerings. Plume uses the signals that come from operating networks around the world to improve our products. Whether that is to increase how well our algorithms work for everyone or make sure that a support agent at a CSP has the information they need, data informs our products and how we operate. One of the best expressions of that is Haystack, our platform for CSP network diagnostics, support, and management.
The new version of Haystack comes with significant improvements, replacing the existing infrastructure with a more robust solution.
Here’s what’s new:
- Seamless Native Visualizations: All controls and data visualizations are now powered by Plume’s universal UI/UX component library, offering a cohesive and intuitive experience.
- Role-Based Information Architecture: Panorama 3.0 is tailored to meet the unique needs of two key business roles:
- Support and Network Operations
- Sales and Marketing
- Performance Boost: A new semantic layer that leverages caching and data pre-aggregations, Panorama 3.0 is at least 3X faster than before, providing CSP with insights at lightning speed.
If you’d like to explore the newly improved Haystack in greater detail, please request a demo here.
News Roundup
“Technology has evolved on both sides of the equation—in the home and for the service provider. As Plume has matured, we have deepened the platforms that we give individuals, families, support center technicians and CSP executives to manage networks intelligently.” - Jasna Mihelj Coustaury
Plume’s Sean Robertson joined Darcy Richard from Bell to talk about the collaboration between the companies on small business products and what the future holds for SMEs.
Check out CanadianSME Small Business Podcast here.
“Managing culture in a rapidly changing business is not easy, particularly when it’s home to offices across the US, Canada, Switzerland, Slovenia, Poland, Taiwan, Japan, and India. But this is the task of Plume’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Iman Abbasi, the latest guest on the HR Grapevine podcast.”
Listen to the HR Grapevine podcast.
#Plumestrong
#PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge 2024 Media Coverage.
Cyclist Magazine: ‘Riding on Tadej Pogačar’s wheel was amazing, even though I was redlining’: Q&A with Fahri Diner from PlumeStrong
Cyclist Magazine Podcast: Cyclist Magazine Podcast episode 114: Tadej Pogačar on the Tour, Vingegaard, hating being in yellow, and his work with PlumeStrong
Cycling News: Tadej Pogačar returns racing to target World Championships and triple crown
Sunday Times: Cycling over the Alps for a good cause
#PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge 2024 Surpasses Goal by Raising over €610.000 for Street Child to Develop Secondary Schools in Sierra Leone
Together, #PSCC24 and its supporters raised over €610,000 surpassing the initiative’s original target of €550,000. Recently, #PlumeStrong and its charity partner Street Child announced that the money raised during the #PSCC24 will be used to benefit Street Child’s work in Sierra Leone. The initial goal was to develop 15 rural secondary schools, providing quality education to over 1,500 children annually, teacher training, and the establishment of a community agriculture project to help sustain the school. Due to the excess funds already raised, #PlumeStrong and Street Child are now expanding the project to develop an additional 5 schools bringing the total number to 20.
#PlumeStrong Gala Philanthropic Dinner
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, #PlumeStrong will be hosting a Gala Philanthropic Dinner to celebrate the launch of the Ron Brown Venture Lab.
Ron Brown Venture Lab (RBVL) aims to address the significant challenges Black founders often face in securing the resources needed to bring their business ideas to life. By providing social, human, and financial capital, RBVL supports developing and scaling ventures within our community.
RBVL isn’t just about funding; it’s about creating a comprehensive business development hub. This initiative will offer services, networks, and support to help founders transform their brilliant ideas into impactful enterprises. By doing so, we aim to foster a new generation of socially-minded innovators who can drive transformative change in their communities and beyond. We would love to have you join us for the inaugural event in support of RBVL. The evening will take place at Cyrus, a Michelin-starred restaurant, featuring a four-course dinner, rare wine pairings, as well as both live and silent auctions offering luxury items and experiences.
Thank you to all of our partners including Liberty Global, Dodge & Cox, Bentley, Skipstone, Cyrus, Daniel George, Fil Rouge Capital, Journeyman Meat Co., ACME Fine Wines, Amlés Wines, ADAMVS, Davis Estates, Moone-Tsai Wines, Stones Wine, The Vineyard House, Zakin Family Estate, Le Belge Chocolatier, Kendra Scott, Flight Roasting Company, Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, Bike Monkey, Silvercrest Asset Management Group, and the Montage Healdsburg.
Ticket & Sponsorship information can be found here.