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Archives for: March 2014

There were 15 posts published in March 2014.
31 Mar, 2014

Improve Your Management Standards and Surpass the Growing Economy

The UK economy is predicted to grow by 2.2% in 2014, and the Service sector looks like it will be the top performer. Good news perhaps, but now is certainly not the time for any business to be complacent. Whatever its market sector, all businesses need to raise their performance levels to ensure they are competitive, both nationally and globally. Of course having a stellar management team is a definite advantage. However, it’s often the basics, such as having efficient, robust systems in place, that are overlooked - a self-imposed barrier to raising your game. You may not even have proper systems; you just do it the way you’ve always done it.

Quality Standards have been around for well over 100 years. The British Standard Mark – the ‘Kitemark’ - was introduced way back in 1903 to reassure buyers that the product they were purchasing was quite simply “up to standard.” Today, it’s not just the quality of products that count but the quality of a business’s management systems. ISO 9001 is now the world’s most recognized standard with more than 1,000,000 organizations having certifications, with China at the top of the leader board.

ISO Standards now cover diverse areas such as environmental management, health and safety, energy performance, quality management specific to the aerospace industry, and the security of sensitive information and data, which certainly wasn’t on the agenda in 1903. Although ISO certification is not mandatory, there does appear to be a compelling business case, not least that many of the new Standards have been developed to ensure that businesses comply with current and new legislation. And complying with legislation is not voluntary.

 So what can an ISO certification bring?

 

  • Cost Savings by streamlining and optimizing processes and operations, improving profitability.
  • Customer Satisfaction, increased credibility and confidence, and better customer service, which increase sales.
  • A Toolkit to help you proactively manage your business effectively.
  • The Framework for continuous improvement.
  • Opening new markets by having preferred supplier status.
  • More efficient use of resources.
  • Improved risk management.
  • Access to global management expertise and examples of best practice.
  •  Reassurance that you are complying with all necessary legislation.

 

Unlike previous Standards loathed by many, ISO is simple to manage and maintain. No longer is there the need to destroy a small rainforest with a mountain of paper-based documentation – it can all be handled on a web-based secure interface.

If you’re looking for a significant ROI, ISO certification looks like a pretty safe bet.

 

Sebastian Beaton
2716
28 Mar, 2014

The Past, Present, and Future of Mobile Payments

Perhaps the earliest form of mobile payment can be found in the barter system, when wealth in many locations was tied to forms of currency that were inherently mobile, such as cattle. The advent of credit cards in the early- to mid-20th century, however, set the stage for mobile payments that would make any other form of currency acceptance seem inefficient and cumbersome. Today, mobile payments are still making headway. The IHL Group expects mobile POS payments to grow 95 percent worldwide and 108 percent nationally in 2014.

What is Mobile Payment?

Most people divide mobile payment into two functions. First, consumers can manage bill and retail payments via mobile browsers or apps. Functions generally include transferring money online through bank accounts or Paypal, making payments for online goods, and paying bills through company or banking websites. A growing number of physical businesses, including Starbucks, even have their own apps that let users pay in the store with their phone.

The second type of mobile payment is an individual POS transaction. The transaction works the same way a credit card swipe at a store register does, but the credit card is swiped or entered using a business’s mobile device. Mobile POS payments allow entrepreneurs the convenience of accepting transactions anywhere. Products can be easily purchased using credit at craft fairs. Field service techs can accept payments on the spot for jobs. Small retailers can avoid the capital expense of register systems by using mobile devices for payment.

Slow Adoption of Mobile Payment

Despite the IHL’s predictions, adoption of mobile systems has been slow over the past few years. The Federal Reserve says that only around 12 percent of users make mobile payments, and those most likely to use mobile payment functions are in younger age groups. When asked why they wouldn’t use mobile payments, 42 percent of consumers said they were concerned about security. Other reasons given for not using mobile payments included distrust in technology, feeling that mobile payments were more work or harder than using traditional methods, and not knowing where such payments are accepted.

How Businesses Can Encourage Mobile Payment

Mobile POS and payment systems provide a number of benefits for businesses. Applications and devices such as Intuit’s Go Payment system make it easier than ever to take credit and debit payments, but businesses must take steps to earn customer trust. The National Criminal Justice Reference Service says that credit card theft is the second-most reported form of identity theft in the nation. By taking a few precautions, businesses can reduce the chance that customer credit information will be compromised through mobile POS systems. To build trust, let customers know that you:

  • Always secure mobile devices and keep access to a minimal number of employees.
  • Use malware on your computers and devices to protect against hackers.
  • Use complex passwords that change on a regular basis to secure sensitive information and applications.
  • Fully encrypt all storage and processing devices.
  • Update systems and devices regularly.
  • Don’t keep full credit card data or other unnecessary information after the transaction is complete.
Jennifer Stiles
2580
28 Mar, 2014

Death by PowerPoint: The Advantages of Interactive Presentations

We’ve all been there at some point in our lives. Feeling every ounce of energy slowly being sucked out by listening to somebody drone along to a PowerPoint presentation.

“How many slides are there?”

“Twenty. Wait…let me squint. Oh no, there are forty.”

This is the cue to pull out your phone and refresh Instagram thirty times or make several trips to the bathroom. In fact, a study by Indiana University revealed that the average adult pays attention for about 15 to 20 minutes before their mind begins to wander. This is when your audience starts to sport a glazed look. A study by MCI also showed that 39% of listeners at business presentations admitted to falling asleep at some point.  We’ve all witnessed someone take a quick nap.

The whole point of presenting is to make meaning and it’s true that passion leads to attention, which then leads to action. This cannot be achieved when your audience is severely disconnected because your slides are crammed full of texts and charts or because you are speaking at them. Audience interaction is key to success.

There is technology now available that enables audience interaction. They usually sport great visual aids to enrich what you are talking about. Business presentation software is designed to provide animated and exciting presentations with the aim to capture the audience’s attention. Use visual mind maps and ask questions to turn dull slides into a dynamic user experience.

With interactive presentation software, you can share what’s on your screen with other tablets and platforms which then allow your audience to filter out what they do not want to know and concentrate on what does interest them. You can back-up all your hard work on your cloud server. This not only provides instant security, but also easy access for your audience when they want it.

Why you should forward with interactive presenting

  • You are providing a hands-on approach. In fact, it’s been almost 25 years since PowerPoint was first launched. How much has technology advanced in 25 years? It may be time to move forward from PowerPoint too. You are now able to create real user experiences.
  • You can target other senses. You won’t just be talking at a brick wall. Interactive presentations are going to stimulate a whole bunch of other senses, enabling your audience to really get involved.
  • Time is money and you are going to be saving a lot of both. Interactive presentations will allow your audience to browse to the bits that interest them and come back to them when they need to.
  • You can embed your videos and Flash. Your audience is likely to become a little more attentive with a video. No more of that awkward waiting for your video to load up only to find it crashes and your audience promptly fall back into a slumber.
  • Live data from real-time feeds, you won’t have to lift a finger. Automatic updates will grace your screen. People are interested by the latest news and information.

Interactive presentations are vital. They are used for a range of purposes such as training, marketing, education and entertainment. They have to be great to create lasting impressions with clients and audiences. They are more effective in introducing new ideas, services and subjects. This isn’t to say you should forget the basics about presenting.

The rules you should always apply

 

Determine your message

Don’t’ spend so much time setting up the presentation so it includes every figure and every feature. Keep it simple but to the point.

 

 Analyze you audience

Think about whom you are presenting to. Every age group and every career will be made up of different people, so presenting with a focus on what your audience wants is key.

 

Organize you information

In a way that is going to cause impact. Visuals, multi-platforms, and a range of other features are at your fingertips; utilize them. Create a better experience face-to-face and on the web.

 

Practice makes perfect

It really does, so recite what you have to some friends or family. See if they fall asleep. If they do, change what you have done. If there’s no one around, then talk to some furniture. It works.

 

Bad presentations lead to bad communication. Bad communication leads to bad relationships and interaction. All of these then lead to a loss of sales or money or training. Keep your purpose alive by keeping your audience alive and use interactive presentations.

 

Pareeta Nayee
3095
19 Mar, 2014

3 Ways to Reduce Crowdfunding Campaign Duration

Aren’t crowdfunding campaigns used to spark enthusiasm, create more customers, get in touch with the media, and bring in some money? Then why would you want to reduce the time your campaign takes? Let me name a couple; you have to run a company, the campaign requires energy and you need the money before a certain deadline before your network is exhausted. Before I continue to list more reasons that inspire a “crowdfunding crisis,” let me assure you that preparing and running a campaign are fantastic things to do for a maximum of approximately four weeks.

Here’s how to stay on top of your campaign’s duration:

 

Prepare your network

An often-recurring mistake in crowdfunding campaigns is to first go online or “live,” and activate your networks later on. The campaign doesn’t start until you do, and you should start preparing your campaign before it’s live.

You’ll need to gather, develop, and process required information; like a business plan, financial information, and a pitch video. This takes somewhere between 1-4 weeks, if you’re a motivated entrepreneur; and I’m assuming you are. In the meanwhile, don’t be shy and tell the people around you! You’d be telling them about your marathon training before you actually ran it, and there are very few who won’t respond positively.

Why tell them before your pitch is live? Because by the time you’re ready to go online they’ll be informed, even if it’s just a little bit. You need the “incubation” time per network. Your friends need to be able to update each other about it (“Did you hear, John is planning a crowdfunding campaign!”), your sports buddies need to be able to encourage you (“We can’t wait to contribute”), et cetera. The more you tell them about your campaign, the more it creates an expecting and enthusiastic atmosphere surrounding you pitch. By the time you go live they might already be asking you about investment opportunities.

 

Create a single launch date

You have several enthusiastic groups of people willing to invest. How to get them to invest as soon as possible? Create a kick off date. Communicate to your network that “event X” will take place, or that you’ve set a deadline that must be reached. Make sure you network knows the date and time, and why they should invest then and there. Make sure they also know who is going to invest too, so they won’t hesitate due to cold feet.

It’s very important to make sure you have a certain percentage of funding committed before you start. 10-15% is usually a good start, that’ll convince your network to jump in. Yes, even your best friends might have second thoughts when they see nobody’s investing. This is not a problem; just make sure they see people are investing.

A good reason to finish the campaign as soon as possible and therefore to invest as soon as possible is so you’ll be able to make the headlines or break a new record. Another option is to create a noteworthy event for you network. Invite a part of your network, officially start the campaign with a short pitch to your network (which will also let you practice your pitching skills for a later stage,) and send them home with a thrilled feeling and a great story to tell.

Last but not least, follow up. Immediately. They promised to invest on Saturday evening and didn’t do so? Call them on Sunday. Make sure they understand everything (your plan, their return, and the platform on which your pitch is hosted) and ask if they have any other considerations. Focus is critical in order to create momentum, and without it, your campaign won’t take off.

 

Strategically use your bigger investors

You might already have some bigger investors of whom you’ll know that they’ll invest. Make sure they break up their investments in smaller bits, especially after the 30% funding. After the phase of 30% funding, your network is usually depleted and it’ll be harder to hold on to the momentum generated in the first phase of the campaign.

That’s where your larger investors come in. By strategically planning their investment(s), you’ll be able to continuously showcase progress. You want to prevent your campaign from stopping so any luxury you have in terms of money to come; use it wisely.

 

In short

Plan, communicate, and energize you network and your campaign. Success doesn’t require luck; success requires organization and persistence.

 

Ludwine Dekker
2379
18 Mar, 2014

6 Tips to Prepare for Enterprise Mobility

Application portfolio managers and business analysts in an IT environment are being asked to redesign business processes to take advantage of the capabilities provided by mobile applications and devices. However, despite pressure from line-of-business managers for new strategies and approaches to traditional business issues, projects leveraging mobile capabilities can become overly complex, lengthy, and expensive.  Many IT departments resist change due to risk aversion, financial restraints, and short-term thinking.

Here are 6 tips to overcoming the most common obstacles to redesigning for mobile computing:

 

1. Recruit an Executive Sponsor

Every project needs a champion – someone who will advocate for the project, understands its benefits, and can corral cooperation from change-weary managers and employees. An executive sponsor brings the vision and energy necessary to effectively instill corporate change. Fortunately, the enthusiasm level for mobile strategies and tactics remains high unlike IT initiatives aimed at mundane shifts in a technical approach, such as service-oriented architecture. Your executive sponsor or champion is your key partner and getting their input from the outset and utilizing their clout within the organization will get you the cooperation you need.

 

2. Calculate the ROI

Understanding and justifying revenues and costs are essential to a project’s success. IT projects can deliver almost instant ROI to an organization by opening up new sales channels while reducing infrastructure costs simultaneously.

Techniques like Value Stream Mapping allow you to document the business flow while at the same time annotate the added value or cost inherent in each constituent step of a process.  This approach helps document the cost advantages of implementing new technologies.  For example, enabling sales people to track delivery schedules or the status of trouble tickets on their mobiles improves customer service and saves time that can be redirected toward closing business.

It is also easier to justify projects where infrastructure and labor costs are clearly controlled from the outset. Overly complex middleware involving multiple middleware layers can become extremely expensive. Look for a single-stack integration and mobile platform from which you can manage your project.

 

3. Have Early and Frequent Successes

“Baby steps are the royal road to skill,” says Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code. Regardless of whether you use agile or scrum project management methodologies, early and frequent results are essential. Too many projects are cancelled midstream simply because their progress is shrouded in mystery. You may want to have an initial proof-of-concept project that shows the viability of your underlying integration approach, so that you can keep the project moving forward to the final result without suffering waning enthusiasm. Plan for a series of small successes that put reasonable results in front of all the interested parties to keep up the momentum.

 

4. Keep Your Eye on Security

While it will be tempting to strike quickly and beat the competition in delivering new customer experiences based on social, mobile, and cloud computing, never put you or your customers’ data, privacy, or security at risk. Never. There are several smart decisions you can take to improve your chances of secure system integration projects; keeping the integration server behind the firewall, encrypting all transport layers, and leveraging a strong mobile data management (MDM) platform are among some of the more obvious approaches. Follow the requirements of your security plan and adjust it as needed to anticipate new threats.

 

5.  Automate Integration Wherever Possible

Mobile applications typically tap into disparate information systems and require systems integration.  Too many enterprises rely on manual programming to connect point-to-point integration of enterprise systems today. While this is manageable in the short-term with small numbers of systems involved, it becomes virtually impossible in the context of mobile integration. For one thing, the discrete nature of mobile business processes is leading to an explosion in the number of apps. This is compounded by an equivalent explosion in the number of APIs, all of which must be disambiguated through data transformation and messaging approaches. Choose an integration platform with a good balance of application adapters and technology adapters that can manage the communications needed between all of the APIs in your enterprise IT environment.

 

6. Listen to the “Voice of the Process”

The role of the IT Business Analyst is to help his or her organization envision business processes and implement the best automation of those business processes using technology. This means that the business analyst is involved in a communication process that helps them to best understand business users, extract the “voice of the process,” and clearly document current and future state processes in a way that demonstrates value. Listening to the voice of the process is essential in governance of a successful systems integration project. Use case diagrams and specifications to document current and future state processes that are critical to project success and a reasonable setting of expectations.

 

Regardless of whether you decide to outsource your integration project or manage it yourself, these 6 tips for redesigning for enterprise mobility will help ensure project success.

 

Glenn Johnson
2555
17 Mar, 2014

Advancements and Predictions in E-Commerce

Chances are if you’re like most people you use your phone for a lot more than making calls. Between smartphones and tablets, the wireless industry is changing the way we live, work, and play, thanks to turbo-charged mobile devices that have more computing power than the laptops of a decade ago. Analysts at the American information technology research firm Gartner have even predicted that tablets and smartphones will outsell both laptops and desktops PCs worldwide by 2017. There may still be three years to go until that happens, but we’re already living in a transformative time where e-commerce is concerned.

 

Did you know that mobile sales in the US drive more than 20% of total online revenue? It’s less than surprising when you consider that mobile traffic now accounts for 25% of total traffic to all retail sites. In response, retail websites are evolving to find their place in the mobile-first movement so that there is a more integrated experience across mobile sites, full sites and apps. Today, you’re not just logging on to make a purchase – you’re researching and interacting with brand-driven content long before you become a customer.

 

Part of what is driving the mobile e-commerce revolution is cheaper tech, but cell phone service providers, such as T-Mobile, are also making, buying, and selling virtually without a laptop or desktop easier. Cheaper data plans, contract-free service agreements, and anytime upgrades like those offered by T-Mobile and a handful of other providers, have put mobile devices into the hands of more people who are using them where they once might have been using a traditional computer. The retail sector is scrambling to catch up, and then keep up, as a result.

 

What’s changed?

First, the in-store experience is shifting, as brick-and-mortar stores become showrooms where customers can kick the tires before pulling the trigger online. The challenge of getting people into the store has meant some retailers are offering incentives like special in-store coupons or games that can only be accessed via mobile apps. Eddie Machaalani & Mitchell Harper, Co-CEOs of BigCommerce, have even predicted that with new apps consumers will be able to quickly scan items to purchase in store and have them automatically delivered – possibly within hours.

 

Second, the mobile shopping experience is becoming more personalized. Behavior tracking technology already lets retailers make product and price suggestions based on your mobile online activity. Soon you’ll save sizing information, color preferences, lifestyle, habits, and more for an automatically curated online product selection and automatic in-store discounts that accurately anticipate your needs. Consumers are driving personalization too, by doing more research (often with consumer apps) immediately before making in-store and online purchases to find exactly what they need and want.

 

Third, businesses that aren’t keeping pace with advancements in mobile computing are slowly losing out to those that have made an effort to stay ahead of the game. Mobile can no longer be an afterthought because customers are coming to expect an engaging online experience no matter how they’re viewing a site. Juicy 360 degree views of products, video reviews, blog posts, whitepapers, and other original content optimized for mobile; plus innovations like virtual fitting room apps are fast becoming a critical part of that experience for web savvy consumers.

 

E-commerce success has always been a moving target, but it could be that none of us expected the target to start shifting so quickly. Right now retailers and businesses are in a race against time and the natural inclination to stick with what’s always worked may be the downfall of many. It’s vital to remember that in this period of transition from desktop to mobile, what worked for decades may no longer work as of tomorrow.

 

[email protected]
2460
17 Mar, 2014

The Importance of Maintaining Web Security in a World of Hackers

The vast majority of Internet users have shared personal information such as credit card numbers and routing numbers at some point in their online lives. These sales account for a large portion of profits in nearly every industry imaginable, with eMarketer estimating total online sales of $259 billion in 2013. Despite the prominence of e-commerce in today’s society, online shoppers continue to worry about security breaches. This worry is understandable. After all, identity theft is a real problem that can have a devastating impact on consumers’ finances. Thanks to prominent breaches through such corporate leaders as Target, shoppers are beginning to think twice before sharing personal information. As a business maintaining an online presence, it’s in your best interest to ensure that all customer information is kept secure at all times.

 

The Implications of Security Breaches

A security breach can be devastating for your company, particularly if customers or clients have entrusted you with private information, such as their phone numbers, addresses, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. Not only could you be liable for financial damages resulting from this security breach, you may lose the goodwill and trust you’ve worked so hard to build over the years. The poor reputation resulting from a hacked website may result in the loss of your loyal customer base, plus a greater degree of difficulty in attracting new business.

 

Data Breaches Hit In Spite of Internet Upgrades

Hackers excel at their craft. In other words, no organization is truly safe from their reign of terror. Even seemingly tech-forward firms can prove susceptible. In early 2014, a prominent French aerospace firm suffered attacks through Internet Explorer 10, according to Reuters. Although Microsoft executives used this incident as a reminder for users to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11, this alone may not be enough to keep information safe. Computer World reports that researchers easily hacked Internet Explorer 11 at the 2014 “PwntoOwn” contest, as well as updates for Firefox and Chrome. Thus, while regular upgrades remain advisable, they alone do not prove sufficient for warding off Internet attacks. Rather, multifaceted approaches regarding identity theft protection prove most successful in terms of keeping hackers at bay.

 

Preventing Website Security Breaches

Unfortunately, for every security provision you put in place, there exists a hacker capable of breaking through; given a sufficient level of time and effort. However, by engaging in a multifaceted approach to website protection, you can minimize the chances of a severe security breach. If you utilize a shared web host, you’ll want to look into the details of its security provisions. Depending on the nature of your website, a transition to a virtual private server (VPS) may be worth your consideration. CIO.com also recommends using Secure Sockets Layer authentication (SSL) if online checkout is provided through your website. This will encrypt all data shared on your site, not to mention, reassure customers that your online platform is secure.

 

Cherie Nelson
3256
17 Mar, 2014

5 Trends Driving Business Communications

The intersection of mobility, cloud, and increasingly fast network speeds will continue to shape communications this year. As businesses seek to better compete, integrate decentralized workforces, and enhance client satisfaction, advanced cloud technologies will become a key enabler of business development.

The following is a list of the top trends in business communications that will shape the year ahead, in no particular order:

 

  1. The demand for managed Internet will increase significantly: As cloud-based phone service becomes the norm and usurps traditional landlines, the intersection between voice and data traffic becomes of critical importance. Businesses will come to demand managed Internet service to truly separate the two streams and deliver optimal performance. Private Internet will also see a sharp spike in demand as companies move to tighten security and protect data.

 

  1. BYOD will shift to JOC – Join Our Cloud: Despite devices growing ever more powerful, the world is becoming less device-centric. Companies will focus primarily on application, network, and content environments that drive and enable a truly connected workforce, and less on asserting control over specific device choices. Workers will find it increasingly simple to understand and follow expected company procedures, get up to speed on internal systems, and access shared resources.

 

  1. Working entirely via smartphone or tablet will become a viable option: Smartphones are capable of incredible feats, but depending on one as a primary workstation hasn’t been a real possibility for most workers. That may be changing. As LTE networks cover more of the globe, traditional barriers such as handling large files, quickly accessing needed resources, and tying into CRM systems are breaking down. For smartphone users making and receiving calls via hosted PBX apps, voice quality, and service availability are improving dramatically as 4G data networks spread. Even business software suites such as OpenOffice, traditionally the realm of desktop or laptop computers, are now available in mobile versions.

 

  1. Outsourcing will shift to decentralizing: More businesses will embrace geographically remote staffing solutions. However, a distinction will occur between the traditional concepts of “outsourcing” versus integrating staff that just happen to be physically distant. Remote workers, even those on different continents, will become truly and tightly integrated into company staff and empowered to deliver an identical customer experience. Talent knows no borders in this decentralized work environment.

 

  1. The cloud will make SMBs global and drive greater customer satisfaction: Related to #4, time zones will become nearly irrelevant. Cloud technologies will enable SMBs to become truly global operations, able to service clients 24/7 and offer a local presence in numerous countries with minimal capital expenditure.

 

Cloud technology has driven the idea of a more connected world for years, but it hasn’t yet been able to fully deliver on that exciting premise. The necessary supporting technologies are just around the corner, and the cloud, rather than being a vaguely understood concept, will become a core business process across nearly all industries. The results will be transformative for both businesses and the customers they serve.

 

Adam Simpson
2620
17 Mar, 2014

Traditional Industries Are Being Upended by Apps

It isn’t news to anyone that we live in a mobile world now. Over half of adult Americans own smartphones, and the desktop business has been steadily declining as tablets and phones continue their ascent. As consumers, we have spoken: Our world is on the go, and we want technology that can keep up with us.

But it’s more than just the size and convenience of these products that make them so revolutionary; they mark a shift in how we interact with our devices and through them, with products and services in the outside world. The app economy doesn’t exist to simply occupy people’s time with games and to-do lists — it’s a way to disrupt traditional ways of doing business.

 

3 Traditional Industries that Apps Have Disrupted

 

Whole volumes can be written on the various businesses and services that have benefited, and suffered from, the smartphone revolution, but here are three key examples of how apps have managed to revolutionize whole industries.

 

1. Travel: While the traditional travel agent’s way of doing things was on the decline before smartphones, thanks to websites like Expedia and Travelocity, we still printed our boarding passes, booked hotels and flights way in advance, and manually kept track of our travel itineraries.

With mobile phones, this changed almost completely. Most airline apps allow us to check in and present our tickets from within the app and, more importantly, they continuously update us with current flight ETAs and gate change information that can make the difference between a successful trip and a disastrous one.

Furthermore, a whole industry of mobile apps has arisen around the concept of last-minute deals when it comes to hotel reservations and other travel accommodations. With their phones, users have the ability to make last-minute vacation plans that are often cheaper than ones made months in advance. This practice has become much more widespread in the days of mobile.

 

2. Transportation: You’ve most likely heard of new car services like Uber and Lyft. These companies have made names for themselves by creating an experience that allows you to order and pay for a car service with a few simple taps on your phone. The key thing to remember about these services is that mobile is not their business — it’s the tool through which people access their service. Mobile is the facilitator, not the endgame.

 

3. GPS: Remember when everyone had a TomTom or Garmin hooked to their dashboards? When was the last time you had one hooked to yours? Built-in apps, such as Google and Apple Maps, have all but replaced this once-burgeoning product category, offering the same features without the need for another clunky device.

Furthermore, smartphones have surpassed traditional GPS devices, with apps like Waze, which provides crowd sourced alerts about traffic, accidents, police information, and even red-light cameras. By providing points and rewards for adding information, Waze turned maps into a game and created something wholly new in the GPS industry. Its no wonder Google spent $1 billion to acquire it.

 

What to Keep in Mind When Designing Your App

These aren’t the only industries that have been disrupted by mobile, and they won’t be the last. With the widespread adoption of wearable tech just around the corner, we’re going to be presented with new and exciting ways to change how we do business. There are a few key things to keep in mind when looking to change the world with mobile.

 

  • Count the steps. How many steps does it take to provide your service? If you can find ways to cut down on the number of steps or make them easier with mobile, then you have a good start when developing an app.
  • Put the user experience first. Making your app a pleasure to use can make the difference between success and failure. Learn about the psychology and motivations behind people’s interactions, and design your app around that.
  • Capture feedback. Make it easy for users to provide feedback — and for you to track it. Seeing how people actually use your app and knowing what they’re looking for can give you a better picture of the place mobile has in your business.
  • Partner up. You don’t need to do everything. Look for ways to connect what you have to offer with other products and services so your users get a full experience. That means you won’t get bogged down in details irrelevant to your core business.

 

A key thing to keep in mind when looking toward the next wave of disruptive apps is how mobile fits into the way people live. Does your app empower people to do things they already want to do? Is it strategically positioned to be useful at certain crucial times (like when they need to find a hotel room at the last minute?)

 

The major reason apps have been so game changing is that they have improved upon the ways people go about already doing things by not forcing people to change their lives. As long as app makers continue to keep that in mind, we are only at the beginning of the app revolution.

Veer Gidwaney
2372
14 Mar, 2014

Cables vs. Wireless: Telecommunication Standoff

Telecommunications is the future; it enables millions of people to connect all over the world within seconds. It also offers development, improvement, and relatively inexpensive availability. People are looking out for what is better, what can offer me them the most, and what can offer them the future. Cables vs. wireless, here are the pros and cons of each:

 

The pros of cables:

  • A quick and ready connection, as it doesn’t require a phone line or dialing up.
  • Allows you to transfer the likes of photos, videos, and music at a greater speed.
  • Cables and hubs are pretty inexpensive as long as a router is not required.
  • They are fairly reliable, with the most common problem being loose cables.
  • Supports data sucking activities such as online gaming.

 

The cons of cables:

  • Highly depends on how many people are also connected in the area at the same time; this can significantly lower speed.
  • Quitting cable and watching Internet TV can be tricky.
  • Cable TV can incur in high monthly costs.
  • They can pile up and end up looking rather messy and difficult to keep tidy and neat.

 

The pros of wireless:

  • Enables communication whilst on the go.
  • No need to be dedicated to a specific computer.
  • Arguably easier and cheaper to install.
  • Constantly developing with offers of new services.

 

The cons of wireless:

  • Somewhat less reliable than cables, with interference from appliances like microwaves.
  • Performance is limited to distance.
  • Airborne signals can easily be intercepted.
  • Wireless transmission can be slower.

 

There is no right or wrong answer; it all comes down to preference. If the lack of mobility doesn’t bother you and you are after something more cost effective, then cable would be the way to go. If on the other hand, you like to be at the forefront of developing technology and are constantly on the go, then wireless would be the option to choose.

 

Akash Valand
2432