The general manager of IBM's Global Business Partners, John Teltsch guides the firm's business around the world. John Teltsch collaborates with IBM's ecosystem of partners to realize emerging channel opportunities via analytics, mobile, systems, security, cloud, and artificial intelligence (AI). One area where IBM is using AI to improve business opportunities is in weather-based business forecasting.
In May 2019, IBM and The Weather Company, an IBM Business launched IBM Weather Signals. Through this AI-based solution, companies can forecast, even months ahead, how weather changes can influence business activities. With Watson AI combined with company operational and weather data, IBM Weather Signals can create a model that can predict how likely seasonal weather conditions, or even minor changes in humidity, temperature, etc., can impact business performance, including sales of specific products at exact locations.
An example of how IBM Weather Signals can help businesses become resilient is by using humidity projections to evaluate a visitor's eagerness to stand in line at a tourist attraction. With this information, companies can make readjustments to price and staffing to control the impact of weather changes on their business operation. These insights can improve productivity and lessen waste, thereby increasing the companies’ earning potential.
