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A new partnership between IBM and Automation Anywhere, announced via press release on Thursday, will offer integrations of the two companies' technologies to more effectively automate data-intensive business processes.

Automation Anywhere uses its Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform to create specific software bots that handle repetitive work tasks. That platform will be integrated with automation software from IBM, such as the IBM Business Process Manager and Operational Decision Manager, to provide a more broad approach to automation, the release said.

Essentially, businesses that are managing certain business processes through IBM software will be able to create bots to streamline those processes with Automation Anywhere's RPA platform, the release said. The joint effort will be available to business systems running on-premises or in the cloud.

SEE: Research: Automation and the future of IT jobs (Tech Pro Research)

By automating and improving business processes, the pair aims to "free employees to focus their time on more creative and customer-facing aspects of their jobs," the release said. This fits the trend of other companies looking to AI to complement employee work, not necessarily replace it.

Industries like banking, financial services, and insurance, which typically require manual tasks for many processes, stand to benefit from the partnership, the release said. This is especially true when the processes are data-intensive as well.

"The ability to smartly process and manage data is fast-becoming a competitive advantage," Denis Kennelly, general manager of IBM Hybrid Cloud solutions, said in the release. "The combination of the Automation Anywhere and IBM process management platforms provides a powerful new way for companies to streamline business processes so employees can spend less time filling out forms and more time working with customers."

For example, a bank employee could use a bot to make it easier to process new loans or open new accounts, the press release noted. The bot could find and capture the necessary data from other documents and bring it into the required forms.

Insurance provider The Hanover Insurance Group uses bots available through the partnership to more efficiently handle some of its back-office processes. In addition to speeding their completion of the tasks, Ian Maher, vice president of strategic sourcing at The Hanover Group, said in the release that it "could be a starting point for adding more advanced cognitive capabilities into our business processes."

Image: iStockphoto/monsitj

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IBM, Automation Anywhere partner on software bot solution to replace manual tasks - TechRepublic

Q. Are those free PC antivirus programs safe to use?

A. The web is full of choices, but if you are looking for free protection for your computer, go with a program from an established security software company. You can find roundups and reviews online and the AV-Test.org site has a list of well-known software creators. Programs that pepper your screen with pop-ups or try to convince you that your computer is full of worms and viruses are often spyware or scams themselves.

Several companies offer free basic versions of their more complete security suites to home users including Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Sophos and ZoneAlarm. As the range of malicious software has expanded to other computing platforms, some companies now offer free tools for the Mac and mobile platforms as well; Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac is among the options. Free apps that specifically protect against ransomware (like Bitdefenders Anti-Ransomware Tool for Windows) can also be found.

When browsing for software, make sure you are actually getting a copy of the companys free antivirus tool and not just the free trial version of a more comprehensive paid program. Depending on the program, you may be asked to share user data for research or see ads and upgrade offers within the free software. Paid versions typically provide more comprehensive protections, like network or game scanning.

Microsoft makes its own antivirus software for its Windows systems. If it is not already installed, Windows 7 users can download the Microsoft Security Essentials program from the companys site. The current version of Windows 10 comes with the Windows Defender Security Center for blocking viruses and other threats; go to the Settings app and open the Update & Security icon to check your coverage. (Apple builds in protective features like app-screening and anti-phishing alerts into its Mac OS software, but a third-party program goes further.)

Security software can help block malicious code from invading your computer, but be on guard for more socially engineered attacks from email and other online sources. StaySafeOnline.org has a guide to spam and phishing lures, and other threats to avoid.

Personal Tech invites questions about computer-based technology to techtip@nytimes.com. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually.

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Protecting Your Computer with Free Software - New York Times

Jacksonville Business Journal

Finxact launches free software platform Jacksonville Business Journal Finxact's API is available through its sandbox, a safe software environment to isolate and run new programs. The company was the first core banking provider to join the Open API Initiative, an effort to standardize the systems on which applications ... and more »

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Finxact launches free software platform - Jacksonville Business Journal

Designed by Pierpaolo Lazzarini from Italian company Jet Capsule. The I.F.O. is fuelled by eight electric engines, which is able to push the flying object to an estimated top speed of about 120mph.

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A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore

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A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore

Getty Images

Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea

Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea

Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company

Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea

Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi

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Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session

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A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

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A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

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A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China

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A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China

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Japan's On-Art Corp's CEO Kazuya Kanemaru poses with his company's eight metre tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03' and other robots during a demonstration in Tokyo, Japan

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Japan's On-Art Corp's eight metre tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03'

Reuters

Japan's On-Art Corp's eight metre tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03' performs during its unveiling in Tokyo, Japan

Reuters

Singulato Motors co-founder and CEO Shen Haiyin poses in his company's concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China

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The interior of Singulato Motors' concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China

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Singulato Motors' concept car Tigercar P0

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A picture shows Singulato Motors' concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China

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Connected company president Shigeki Tomoyama addresses a press briefing as he elaborates on Toyota's "connected strategy" in Tokyo. The Connected company is a part of seven Toyota in-house companies that was created in April 2016

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A Toyota Motors employee demonstrates a smartphone app with the company's pocket plug-in hybrid (PHV) service on the cockpit of the latest Prius hybrid vehicle during Toyota's "connected strategy" press briefing in Tokyo

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A robot with a touch-screen information apps stroll down the pavillon at the Singapore International Robo Expo

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An exhibitor demonstrates the AnyWalker, an ultra-mobile chasis robot which is able to move in any kind of environment during Singapore International Robo Expo

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EPA

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EPA

The robot developed by Seed Solutions sings and dances to the music during the Japan Robot Week 2016 at Tokyo Big Sight. At this biennial event, the participating companies exhibit their latest service robotic technologies and components

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Government and industry are working together on a robot-like autopilot system that could eliminate the need for a second human pilot in the cockpit

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Mobdro: What is the 'new Kodi' that lets you stream TV, films and sport for free? - The Independent

Facebook is releasing the results from its FbStart Apps of the Year competition. Apps of the Year is an annual competition designed to recognize and showcase the most immersive apps from its global startup program.

Winners were chosen based on their current and projected growth, the customer experience, the apps design, and the way the apps leveraged Facebook products to drive engagement. We are honored to award this years winners with a combined $160,000 in prizes to help them continue to build and grow their products,Konstantinos Papamiltiadis, strategic partner manager at Facebook,wrote in a post.

The 2017 winners are:

Global App of the Year: SoloLearn, a free programming and coding education app designed to teach users the basics of software development. SoloLearn won the Global App of the Year award.

Social Good App of the Year: Golden, an application that connects people with volunteer opportunities. Golden won the Social Good App of the Year award.

Asia-Pacific App of the Year: Maya, an iOS/Android app for tracking menstrual cycles, monitor symptoms, and tracking pregnancy.

Europe, Middle East and Africa App of the Year: Mondly, a language education app with a virtual reality experience for learning langauges.

Latin America App of the Year: ReservaTurno, a on-the-go beauty appointment booking app.

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Free software programming education app wins Facebook's Global App of the Year - SDTimes.com