Does copyright protect images generated via Midjourney? We want to get to the bottom of this question.

Midjourney: For whom AI is worthwhile + legal situation

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2 Min.

Generative AI has been the talk of the town since early 2023. With the development of ChatGPT, other applications have been established that open up new avenues in content creation. One of them is
Midjourney
.

In the following, we will go into more detail about Midjourney, for whom the application is suitable and what the current legal situation is with regard to copyright. We also present helpful tips for practical implementation.

Digression: What is Midjourney?

Midjourney is a text-to-image tool. Content creators give the AI a description (“prompt”) and the application develops an image in response. The tool was only developed in July 2022 and is currently still undergoing a test phase.

Who is Midjourney suitable for?

Midjourney is suitable for all content creators who want to emphasize their messages on social media with appealing images. Midjourney is also a handy tool for blog visualization.

Images created via AI are also a good alternative to expensive stock photos.
There are alternatives for this like Canva, but Midjourney images are more individual and abstract – which makes them more eye-catching.

Midjourney does not replace professional photo shoots, but the images are suitable as templates. Ideally, content creators combine the strengths of AI with the creative impulses of professionals.

Does copyright protect images generated via Midjourney?

No, images generated via Midjourney are not protected by copyright.
This only applies to the author’s own intellectual creations (Art. 2 II UrhG). In the case of Midjourney, however, images are created using AI algorithms. Therefore, there is no own performance that establishes the intellectual property.

Users have only limited control over the outcome. If several people enter the same command at Midjourney, different designs are created. Due to this circumstance, Midjourney images are not subject to copyright.

Conclusion

Midjourney offers a good alternative to stock photos. Within no time, the AI provides appealing photos that can be used for blogs or social media. However, it is not a substitute for photo shoots or professional designs.

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Kathrin Hasseler
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 54
hasseler@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Katharina Zauner

Katharina Zauner
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 53
zauner@twobe.de
LinkedIn


Sources:

Matomo vs. Google Analytics 4: Which is better?

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4 Min.

Online marketing without measurable data? Unimaginable! Whether insights into buying behavior, visitor numbers or dwell times – web analytics tools provide all the important information for process optimization in marketing. And as of July 2023, Google is setting a new standard with GA4, which offers contemporary solutions. Artificial intelligence is at the heart of the new version, but the focus is also on user experience.
Besides the “big player”, however, there is another solution in the field of web analytics: Matomo. Many have never heard of the application, but it offers a promising alternative. Below we compare the two applications and answer the question whether either Google Analytics or Matomo is the better web analytics tool. We also contrast the strengths of both tools.

A duel at eye level

Both Matomo and Google Analytics essentially fulfill the purpose of a web analysis tool: Evaluate user data. Matomo is more practical here because everything happens within the application. To evaluate media, for example videos, with GA4, on the other hand, the link to the Search Console is required. However, this is not an elaborate process.

Google Analytics is completely free, while the use of Matomo costs from 19 € / month. While there is a free plan, it severely limits usage. The good news: for the price, your company gets a lot. One of the most interesting features is the heatmap – it shows where users spend the most time on the website. And the Session Recording even reproduces users’ stay in video form.

Furthermore, Matomo promises more independence, because the application runs on its own servers and data is stored indefinitely. In addition, Matomo attaches great importance to privacy, data protection and security. The display in your own branding is also a nice feature.

With Google Analytics 4, the focus is primarily on sustainability, user experience, and the use of AI to analyze relevant data. The latter is particularly interesting because machine learning creates a better understanding of users’ buying behavior. In terms of AI analysis, Matomo does not yet offer an in-house solution.

Google Analytics 4: The problem with data protection

“What about data privacy?” – it’s probably one of the first questions you ask yourself before using a web analytics tool. And with Google Analytics 4, there is no satisfactory answer. Tracking is permitted via the user’s explicit consent, but this is not always granted.

The use of Matomo is theoretically possible even without consent, because the tool works with reach analysis through log file analysis, whereby stored data remains only with the provider. In addition, Matomo does not store IP addresses and offers tracking without cookies.

The Google universe is a power

Google is the undisputed number 1 in the world of search engines and the evaluation of user activities. And this position promises advantages. Google Analytics 4 can be easily linked with other Google applications. Among them the Search Console, Search Ads and the own cloud storage. Matomo offers regular linking with Google Ads.

Since Google does not want to push other search engines, integration with Bing and Yahoo, quite unlike Matomo, is not possible. A disadvantage? Hardly. Yahoo is currently pushing its return, but the search engine lost its importance years ago. And Bing has yet to prove itself competitive either – while the hype around ChatGPT enabled a stronger competitive position, Google’s market share remained at nearly 88% as of May 2023.

Matomo and Google Analytics 4 in comparison

Matomo Google Analytics 4
DSGVO compliant Yes No
Location Own server Own server or cloud
Price 19 € / month Use free of charge
Duration data storage unlimited 24 months
Machine Learning No Yes
Campaign & Website Tracking Yes Yes
Media tracking (e.g. video) Yes Only when linked to Search Console
E-commerce tracking Yes Yes
Bing & Yahoo Integration Yes No
A/B Testing Yes Yes
Heatmaps Yes No
Integration Google Marketing Platform No Yes
Support Yes Yes

 

Conclusion

Google Analytics 4 and Matomo are among the best web analytics tools and offer companies sustainable solutions for process optimization in marketing. Matomo is much more compact and also offers solutions for keyword research or video tracking. For these functions, you have to use Google’s (free) Keyword Planner or link Google Analytics with Search Console. Matomo is also ahead in terms of data protection and storage.

However, Google Analytics offers a cost advantage and GA4 takes into account metrics relevant to marketing such as user experience and sustainability. GA4 is also pushing the use of AI to deliver efficient solutions. So there are advantages on both sides.

Are you looking for a contact person who is very familiar with web analytics tools? Someone who provides clear direction and collects data that sustainably exploits optimization potential?

Then contact us!
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Kathrin Hasseler
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 54
hasseler@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Katharina Zauner

Katharina Zauner
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 53
zauner@twobe.de
LinkedIn


Sources:
Matomo Analytics vs Google Analytics
Matomo vs. Google Analytics 4 – webbrand GmbH

Gründungsfeier Club 41 Bukarest 1 – ein Start internationaler Freundschaft.

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2 Min.

The history of the “Tabler” is now almost a hundred years old – and more lively than ever. Mit weltweit 35.000 Mitgliedern, davon allein 3.500 in Deutschland, wächst und gedeiht das Club-Netzwerk mit seinen Sektionen: Round Table (Männer im Alter von 18 – 40 Jahren), Old Tablers (Männer über 40), Ladies Circle (Frauen im Alter von 18 – 40 Jahren und Tangent (Frauen über 40) site by site.

Wie international und dennoch unkompliziert das Netzwerk funktioniert, zeigte sich einmal mehr bei einem Besuch der Nürnberger Old Tablers 4 und ihren Partnerinnen in der rumänischen Hauptstadt Bukarest über das verlängerte Pfingstwochenende. The occasion was the foundation, the charter of the table “Club 41 Bucharest 1”, to which the Nuremberg table was cordially invited to the metropolis as a future international partner table, including Maren Brinkmann and Matthias Brinkmann.

The program and hospitality of the Romanians were almost world champions. It started with a rock party a la “Rolling Stone”, which was quite something 🙂 On the following Saturday, the obligatory tour through the city of Bucharest was followed by the charter party with table foundation and certificate signing; the conclusion here was a gala dinner. The city exploration continued on Pentecost Sunday with a visit to Bucharest Castle and an art exhibition.

Bei der Abreise am Montag hatte man sich längst auf einen Gegenbesuch im kommenden Jahr geeinigt, ein toller Start einer langen Freundschaft.

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 51
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

 

Our partner experts will be happy to assist you.

Digital transformation: What is the real benefit

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2 Min.
  • What can digitization do within an organization, and in which areas can it really be used profitably?
  • How can the concrete benefits of digitized processes be determined at all?
  • And most importantly, does this benefit actually exceed the investment required to implement it?

We have noticed time and again that our medium-sized companies in particular approach this topic with skepticism. A question that comes up regularly:

Are the costs that need to be invested in proportionate to the promise of digital transformation?

Not entirely unfounded, because not in every case does a“transformation of analog to digital processes” deliver what is promised, especially when the latter have functioned smoothly for years and decades. But where exactly are the advantages that can help you answer the question of whether digitization is worthwhile for you?

Through digitization, companies can, for example, partially or even fully automate their production processes and thus produce faster and more cost-effectively. Communication with customers, business partners and internally can also be made more efficient through digital channels such as e-mail, ERP systems or social media. The use of cloud services and online tools for collaborative work can also not only facilitate but also enormously accelerate collaboration within the company.

Apart from internal benefits and optimizations, digitization may also open up completely new business opportunities for you and enable medium-sized companies to tap into new markets. By using e-commerce platforms or developing your own online stores, you can also offer your products and services internationally.

However, when introducing digital technologies, SMEs should always make sure that they do not overextend themselves and that they always use their resources wisely. Good planning and a step-by-step approach can help to make the best possible use of the opportunities offered by digitization. In addition, there are grants from the government that provide financial assistance for these very steps. We are at your side with our partner experts when it comes to supporting you in this audit. Together, we find out where exactly and to what extent digitization makes sense for you, your employees and your company.

If you yourself have case studies of the environment in which you were able to profitably implement digital transformation in your company:

Get in touch!

We are ready to incorporate your example into a sophisticated Success Story!

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 51
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

A height-adjustable desk alone not only helps to prevent back problems but also increases performance, concentration and motivation

Working more mobile means living healthier!

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2 Min.

Collateral damage from pandemic restrictions and lockdowns included the immobilization of broad segments of the population. Sitting became – almost unnoticed – the preferred (one’s) position in life, the newly created home office options contributed the rest to more immobility, and the associated health problems were not long in coming.

The fact that “back” is not only detrimental to the person suffering from it, but also to their employer, is increasingly becoming a matter of public awareness. This goes hand in hand with initiatives that aim to strengthen the health and well-being of employees at their workplace. We at 2be_die markenmacher expressly support this and have ourselves initiated a small circle of companies and institutions that are concerned – especially around the digital routine – with more health in their own workplaces.

Accordingly, our tip is to carry out a workplace check together with your employees. Are there possibilities to make this more mobile or at least more ergonomically adaptable by means of a height-adjustable work table, a standing desk or, for example, a connectable treadmill?

If so, take the opportunity to make an investment or two: It will certainly pay off!

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 51
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Kathrin Hasseler
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 54
hasseler@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Calls can be answered conveniently from anywhere via the headset, which

Telefonieren mit Microsoft Teams, Knopf im Ohr und Festnetznummer im Display des Kunden

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2 Min.

Usability, flexibility, speed: these are all factors that also apply to the process of making phone calls: After all, we spend several hours a week making calls – both at work and in our private lives. Instead of the still widely used analog stationary telephone systems and the more modern cloud telephony, we have drawn a third option this year: namely “Microsoft Teams Phone“.

Our conclusion: Enthusiasm! Not only can we retrieve calls that go to one of our numbers directly from the PC or from our smartphones, but we also benefit from the enhanced service that Teams makes available to callers. This includes, for example, automatic forwarding to the next “free” employee in our team if the call recipient is currently unavailable.

The fact that calls do not simply fall by the wayside is also ensured by the fact that the Teams answering machine converts the message via speech recognition (not perfect, but still understandable in most details) into a text file and forwards this directly via Outlook if an e-mail address is stored. It could hardly be more convenient in terms of implementation and more secure in terms of communication.

Our predicate therefore: absolutely recommendable!

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 51
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Kathrin Hasseler
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 54
hasseler@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Employee is sitting in the home office and talking on the computer via his headset

ChatGPT – Be sure to check it out!

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2 Min.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been the talk of the town not just since the development of robots, chess computers and autonomous vehicle control systems. While some astonishing progress was made in these and other technical disciplines, but also some bitter disappointments had to be accepted, the creation of texts, graphics and videos via ChatGPT (OpenAI) is a relatively new development.

The claim of the artificial intelligence of ChatGPT makes you speechless at first: With sufficient input, you would like to be able to produce full-fledged content for websites, brochures or podcasts with it.

Our chat log with ChatGPT

Kathrin has already tested ChatGPT and has drawn a first conclusion.
Click here for her contribution

The open question: Can ChatGPT really do what the developers and various content generators expect of it? Is (partial) full automation of content really a measure that has real potential for the future, even in the field of marketing and communication?

Our answer to this is:
Let’s just test it out!

We offer to provide us with your input for an appropriate review to answer the question whether the creation of fully automated content is worthwhile for your requirements, or to what extent the output still needs to be revised to generate appropriately relevant and consumable content?

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 51
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Kathrin Hasseler
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 54
hasseler@twobe.de
LinkedIn

 

Simplifying further training

Further simplifying continuing education

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2 Min.

Knowledge and know-how have always been the foundations that make up the real value of companies. Continuing education is what can transport this growth of companies further into the future. In order to create useful content and make it available to those who need it, we offer our customers, partners and other interested parties the opportunity to collaborate on an e-learning platform. There, they not only have the opportunity to post their written, cinematic or auditory learning content, but also to subsequently check it and document the corresponding learning success – e.g. by issuing certificates.

This communication portal is ideal for companies that want to organize their onboarding activities better and, above all, more cost-effectively. This can be done by entering internal media content, but also by using existing, external content, for which the external authors then receive appropriate remuneration. In this way, newly hired employees in particular can benefit maximally from it and master the upcoming learning tasks in a short time.

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 49
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Kathrin Hasseler
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 54
hasseler@twobe.de
LinkedIn

 

You snooze, you lose 😊 We're switching gears and trying something new

From Newsletter to LinkedIn

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2 Min.

For many industries and companies, the classic newsletter is a supporting medium for their own successful sales. Especially announcements, possible discounts and exclusive offers can be sent to all interested parties quite excellently on this channel.

We have also used this tool for many years and have always kept our partners and customers informed in this way. But as the saying goes –

A rolling stone gathers no moss 😊 So we saddle up and try something new:

Get the fire extinguishers out, because we’ll be posting our hottest fires, most interesting news and info on a wide variety of topics on LinkedIn from now on! Personal, focused, up close and direct to the network – a team effort where everyone can share their style and favorite topics with their network. We hope you will continue to follow our topics on LinkedIn and look forward to exchanging ideas with you directly.

 

Curious now?
Our contact persons will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 49
brinkmann@twobe.de
LinkedIn

Kathrin Hasseler
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 54
hasseler@twobe.de
LinkedIn

 

Choosing the merchandise management software that suits you best is crucial

ERP – enterprise resource planning – ally wanted

/in /by
2 Min.
  1. Planning – what is the best enterprise resource planning software for your business?
  2. The introduction – how do you ensure that employees adopt the software and use it properly?
  3. The benefits – what advantages does a good enterprise resource planning system bring?

Planning is the first and probably also the most important phase when it comes to introducing a new enterprise resource planning software into your company. During this phase, the team may look at which vendor software best fits the needs of the business. This can be an Odoo16 instance, but it may also be another solution. Choosing the right software is critical to the success of the implementation and to the future of the business. Once you know what type of system you need, you can start looking for the best enterprise resource planning software for your business.

In doing so, you should pay attention to a few points. First of all, the system must be able to interface with your existing infrastructure. It must also meet your requirements and allow you to customize it to your needs. Finally, it must be affordable and meet their monthly and one-time budget. If you take all these points into consideration, you should be able to choose the best enterprise resource planning software for your business.

Customer Management – CRM: The software should be able to manage all your customer data and help you manage your relationships. This allows you to communicate effectively with your customers and ensure that you are always aware of their needs. After you have thought about what features your enterprise resource planning software should have, you can start comparing different options. Take time to thoroughly test different programs to make sure you find the one that best fits your business. Even if it takes time and effort, it’s important to make the right decision for your business.

Inventory management: the software should be able to manage all your inventories and inform you of any changes in real time. This allows you to effectively manage your inventory and ensure that you always have enough products in stock.

Order management: the software should be able to manage all your orders and keep you informed at every step of the process. This makes it easier to monitor your suppliers and ensure that you never miss an order.

A system is nothing without the team of implementers – owners, management, sales, HR , IT, …… , implementers, implementers, external allies. Start your Digital Routine today.

Curious now?

Our contact person will be pleased to help you:

Matthias Brinkmann
+49 (0)911 / 47 49 49 51
brinkmann@twobe.de