Magnetic stripe readers or magnetic card readers are devices used in interpreting data found on the magnet stripe of a debit, credit or any other payment card that you might be using. The reader works by using magnets to scan code from different cards. To use the card reader you have to slide it through the slot. You can also hold the card near the reader.
There are many benefits that come with having the readers in your business. One of the benefits is that they save you time and effort. In the absence of the devices, you would have to manually put data into your computer but with the readers, in place you have to only slide the card into the reader and you are good to go. The card reader also increases efficiency as you are able to finish recording the financial information fast and continue working.
Types of magnetic readers
There are many types of these card readers that are ideal for different uses. There are those that are ideal for use in retail stores, restaurants, and other vending areas. These aid in processing debit, credit, and gift card payments. There are others that are effective in reading smartcards. These read information in both the smart chip and magnetic stripe. Regardless of the reader that you buy you should ensure that it's of high quality.
Factors to consider when buying a magnetic reader
For you to buy the right unit you need to consider a number of factors that include:
Readability: The units are designed for high or standard volume use. The high volume readers come equipped with components that allow them to live for a long time. They are known for their longer reading channel which ensures that they are able to scan the details in a card on the first pass. In most cases, they are made from metal. Due to these features, they are usually expensive to purchase. The standard volume readers, on the other hand, are not of high quality like the high volume readers. Due to this, they often require an additional pass for them to read your card.
Interface: The readers have three main interface options: serial, USB, and PS/2 keyboard wedge. USB and PS/2 interfaces send information back to the computer as if it was typed on the keyboard. Card readers connected using serial interfaces often require special software in order to interpret data.
The world has gone Mobile. The number of smart phone users globally has grown exponentially over the past 5 years. The number of Android & iOS devices sold globally has crossed a billion mark each. Hence, it is no longer sufficient to have only a website for your business. Any business, small or large must have a mobile app. Let us look at some of the most important reasons why you should opt for a mobile app for your business:
1. Branding - A mobile application is the best way to create brand awareness for your business. You can use your logo, your business's tag line or a message that you would like your customers to connect with your business to create a brand recall. Every time a customer who has downloaded your mobile apps sees your logo in the form of the mobile app icon on their screen, they will recall you.
2. Increased Reach - Because of the sheer penetration of mobile phones and other mobile devices like tablets and the improved Internet connectivity in most parts of the world, the number of people you can reach through a app has increased tremendously. It is easier for your existing as well as potential customers to find out the right information about your products or services through your mobile app.
3. Create Customer Database & Profile - It is easier to collect customer data in terms of phone number and email id through a mobile apps. You can also allow your app users to login via their social media accounts like Facebook or Google. This will give you access to other valuable data like their areas of interest, their lifestyle choice, their shopping preferences, etc. This data can then be used by your marketing team to send out the right communication.
4. Increased Engagement - By building the right features in your app you can utilize it as a powerful way to increase engagement with your existing and potential customers. You can include features like social sharing and a help desk (for sales and service queries) in the app to improve direct communication with your customers. This will in turn help your business to connect closely with your customers.
5. Push Notifications - This is one of the biggest advantages of having a mobile apps. You can ask your Mobile App Development Solution provider to integrate a push notification feature in your app which will help you with your on-the-go marketing. Through this feature, you can send bulk messages to all the app users or specific messages to a sub-set of your app users based on the message. You can also communicate about the latest offers or discounts you are offering to your customers regularly through push notifications. Best of all, it doesn't cost you a penny to send out these messages, unlike SMS or Email marketing.
With the above advantages of having a for your business in mind, it is imperative to identify the right Mobile App Development Solutions provider for your business app. Solution Analysts has been helping small businesses globally with their Mobile App Development Services to create great which will add value to their businesses. To get a free quote for your Mobile Application or to know more about us, please visit our website today.
I am Cris, A great artist, Love to develop mobile application. I am working with Solution Analysts as Mobile Application Developer and have expertise in developing iBeacon, iOS Swift, Android, ionic, PhoneGap. Solution Analysts- A premier mobile Application Development Company in India, delivering Hybrid & Native and Mobile App Development Services across the globe since 2011.
Have you ever thought as to how you can make money online?
Your answer to the question above could be in the affirmative or in the negative. But believe me, in neither case would you like to challenge me when I say that for sure, you would like to know someone who knows how to make money online. In fact, most of us would like to know many people around us are making money, big or small, through online sources.
Is it easy to make money online? What are the ways? How much money can I make? Can I become a millionaire overnight? Is it possible to be a successful home business owner? These are some of the questions which instantaneously come to mind when we think about this subject. We will try to look at the probable answers to some of the questions mentioned above.
At the outset, I would like to say that there is no easy money that can be made anywhere in this world. But I will add that there are endless financial possibilities that can be enjoyed by a home business owner through the endless ways to make money online. If I want to list all the ways to make money online here in this article, I run the following risks:
• I will either run out of words or
• I will run out of time or
• My patience will give way or
• By the time I finish writing, some new ways of building wealth online would have been found out.
So, I will just mention some of the popular and tried out ways in which you can build true income. These are:
1. Trade online in stocks and currencies.
2. Write and publish a Kindle eBook.
3. Sell your articles, stories and videos.
4. Review music, products or websites for money.
5. Start your own website and earn money through Affiliate marketing and Google AdSense.
6. Become an e-Tutor.
7. Sell your notes if you are a student.
8. Freelance in the field of your core competence or hobby.
9. Join the YouTube Partner Program by uploading videos.
10. Buy and sell domain names online.
I want to mention that there is no way known to me by which you can become a millionaire overnight. The amount of money you make will depend on the way chosen by you and the amount of time and effort put in to make it a successful venture.
'Mobile Device Management', aka MDM, is an essential corporate tool, which is used extensively in diverse business fields, facilitating significantly overall security provisions and management operations. In other words, at first, it is excellent for data-loss-mitigation cases, in order to notably reduce any unfortunate data breach or network security failure consequences. MDM is also quite fitting for custom productivity improvement, for it makes IT capable of sufficiently supervising mobile devices functions, with a view to assisting employees in defining and carrying out selected tasks and activities.
A more comprehensive look into the Mobile Device Management market data is possible through in-depth analysis of the market. The research has been conducted from a well known analyst company active in the field and it featured inputs from MDM industry experts. It is based on separate results from Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, as well as North America countries.
Several key vendors and their overall performance regarding 'Mobile Device Management' solutions were taken under consideration. More specifically, this research focuses mainly on MDM products and services of Citrix Systems, Good Technology, MobileIron and VMware (AirWatch), while FeedHenry, Kaseya International, Microsoft, SAP, Sophos, SOTI, Symantec and Zenprise cases are also included. The research does not only target key and other prominent MDM vendors in the particular market space, but also deals with the most important market opportunities and threats faced by these vendors, as well as their specific strengths and weaknesses, always in relation to the up-and-coming MDM market.
The report addresses a number of important issues regarding the 'Mobile Device Management' market, which is expected to grow considerably, at a CAGR of 25.40% over the period 2015-2019. In order to get proper estimations regarding future MDM market size, as well as a precise growth rate of the global 'Mobile Device Management' market for the period 2015-2019, the report examines all revenue generated from software licenses, technical support and maintenance costs, coming from both the on-premises and cloud deployment models.
The report segments the MDM market according to two major product types, i.e. products and services, and in regard to the end-users of the Communication, Financial services, Healthcare and Manufacturing industries. In a more and more BYOD environment, the increased adoption of BYOD policies is considered a significant MDM market driver. At the same time, as the BYOD trend drives the MDM market, data security concerns and loss of mobile devices consequences rise as the major challenges to market growth. What is more, as illustrated by this report, development of CRM mobile applications for the MDM market is valued as the major market trend.
The unquestionably stunning numbers of the Global MDM Market Research are relatively straightforward and in any case well received, for these accurately correspond to the apparent growth of the mobile market. As Mobile Device Management promises an all-inclusive amelioration of a dedicated, digital working environment, and supports not only all mobile devices (including smartphones, laptops, tablets and phablets), but also desktop devices, it is obviously here to stay.
A more comprehensive look into the Mobile Device Management market data is possible through in-depth analysis of the market. The research has been conducted from a well known analyst company active in the field and it featured inputs from MDM industry experts. It is based on separate results from Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, as well as North America countries.
Several key vendors and their overall performance regarding 'Mobile Device Management' solutions were taken under consideration. More specifically, this research focuses mainly on MDM products and services of Citrix Systems, Good Technology, MobileIron and VMware (AirWatch), while FeedHenry, Kaseya International, Microsoft, SAP, Sophos, SOTI, Symantec and Zenprise cases are also included. The research does not only target key and other prominent MDM vendors in the particular market space, but also deals with the most important market opportunities and threats faced by these vendors, as well as their specific strengths and weaknesses, always in relation to the up-and-coming MDM market.
The report addresses a number of important issues regarding the 'Mobile Device Management' market, which is expected to grow considerably, at a CAGR of 25.40% over the period 2015-2019. In order to get proper estimations regarding future MDM market size, as well as a precise growth rate of the global 'Mobile Device Management' market for the period 2015-2019, the report examines all revenue generated from software licenses, technical support and maintenance costs, coming from both the on-premises and cloud deployment models.
The report segments the MDM market according to two major product types, i.e. products and services, and in regard to the end-users of the Communication, Financial services, Healthcare and Manufacturing industries. In a more and more BYOD environment, the increased adoption of BYOD policies is considered a significant MDM market driver. At the same time, as the BYOD trend drives the MDM market, data security concerns and loss of mobile devices consequences rise as the major challenges to market growth. What is more, as illustrated by this report, development of CRM mobile applications for the MDM market is valued as the major market trend.
The unquestionably stunning numbers of the Global MDM Market Research are relatively straightforward and in any case well received, for these accurately correspond to the apparent growth of the mobile market. As Mobile Device Management promises an all-inclusive amelioration of a dedicated, digital working environment, and supports not only all mobile devices (including smartphones, laptops, tablets and phablets), but also desktop devices, it is obviously here to stay.
A USB charging station is a convenient device which can benefit you at the office and at home. It is a high powered desktop device that will make your life easier in a digital world where you have multiple items that need charging at the same time.
Most people these days have a mobile phone, a tablet computer and maybe even other items that require charging via USB. In most instances a family of our can have up to eight devices that all require USB to charge, as you can imagine this results in a lot of USB adapters and wall plugs to keep everything fully charged and operating at all times.
With a USB charging station you have the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously. They come with up to four USB ports, all ready to take on your device and charge it to full as and when needed. The station can be used to charge one single device or more devices, all at the same time and with complete convenience and ease.
The main benefit of the USB charging station is that it is neat and compact. You can place it on your desk or on a table in the home and it can help hide unwelcome cables and a volume of wall adapters. When needed, you simply plug the device into the unit to enjoy a charging effect.
Another benefit you will find with these devices is that each of your products that require a USB to charge will have different amp requirements. The USB charging station should recognize what amps are required for each device and then allocate the correct amount to ensure the best charging experience at all times.
Further it should provide you with the ability to save time and energy. With so many devices in the office or home relying on USB to charge, it's easy to lose cables or wall adapters, it can leave you frustrated and spending countless hours searching for cables. With the USB charging station, you can leave it on your desk as it looks neat and smart, it is always there when you need it, simply plug in and allow to charge.
It is quick and easy to use. In addition to it being neat and tidy and giving you the ability to use it in the office or at home, you will find that the simplicity of using this device can save you time on a daily basis without having to read through detailed manuals or trying to find the right charger for the right product.
Always ensure when you purchase an item such as a USB charging station that you only purchase from a reputable supplier that provides quality products from top manufacturers. You need peace of mind when it comes to charging the items you rely on daily, you need to know that they will charge without any damage and to the highest standard.
Shop around for products and compare them against each other to find the ones that are going to meet your particular charging requirements. Whether you have one mobile phone or a number of devices, you need to know that the USB charging station you use is going to provide you with years of use, convenience and ease moving forward.
Focus on quality over price to ensure that you purchase the best of the best. High quality products should come with a good warranty to provide you with peace of mind and give you years of use and enjoyment in the future.
Avantree is a leading supplier of Bluetooth products from car kits to music accessories and adapters to Bluetooth headphones and so much more. The company designs, develops and manufactures the highest quality products with a worldwide customer base. They use their knowledge and experience in the industry, building up a solid reputation for the best quality, stylish design and competitive prices. Avantree offers superior customer's service at all times and adhere to very strict RoHS standards. They focus on the environment, using natural and recycled products wherever possible, including all their packaging. To find out more, visit http://www.avantree.com
It does not matter whether you are running a small designing company of garments or having a huge fabric designing and production company, an effective tool or software will surely be beneficial for you to create the unique and attractive design to the garments or accessories that you manufacture in the production unit. With the help of an effective software, you can design the image of the product and then upload them on the official website of your company. This will also help you to reduce the costing of advertising your products with ease.
You just need to know your requirements and select the best and effective tool and software for your use. Some of the most common benefits of selecting the best T-Shirt Designer Software are described here:
1. Minimize the Designing Cost: By using the software for the needed designing work, you will surely be able to minimize the designing cost in an easier way. You can select and design the perfect images for the products that you are going to introduce to the customers. Simply design the best image by your own and minimize the costing with ease.
2. Create Attractive Design: The software is effective and will help you to create the attractive design for the apparel that you are going to launch in the market. You can create the best and unique design for the apparel and the accessories that you are going to launch in the market for the customers. This will help you to attract the customers and get them aware of your products in a convenient way.
3. Ease of Use: The software is specially designed and developed by the professionals of the IT industry. This is why you will surely feel convenient in using them for the needed application. You just need to select the software according to your need and avail the premium benefits of their easy and convenient use. You will never face any kinds of difficulty in using them for the needed application.
4. Simple Installation: This is the best part of using the software for the needed designing work. They can be installed with different devices and also support a multi user interface. Simply install them to the needed devices and avail the premium benefits with ease.
In order to avail all these benefits and several others, you need to select the best T-Shirt Designer Software. For getting the best and effective software for your use, it is required for you to approach a trusted company. With a simple online research, you will get the list of available companies and approach the best one for your requirements.
Irshad Alam is Digital Marketing Manager at Mind Digital Group. He is having more than 8 years of experience in SEO & Digital Marketing. He is a contributor on EzineArticles.
You just need to know your requirements and select the best and effective tool and software for your use. Some of the most common benefits of selecting the best T-Shirt Designer Software are described here:
2. Create Attractive Design: The software is effective and will help you to create the attractive design for the apparel that you are going to launch in the market. You can create the best and unique design for the apparel and the accessories that you are going to launch in the market for the customers. This will help you to attract the customers and get them aware of your products in a convenient way.
3. Ease of Use: The software is specially designed and developed by the professionals of the IT industry. This is why you will surely feel convenient in using them for the needed application. You just need to select the software according to your need and avail the premium benefits of their easy and convenient use. You will never face any kinds of difficulty in using them for the needed application.
4. Simple Installation: This is the best part of using the software for the needed designing work. They can be installed with different devices and also support a multi user interface. Simply install them to the needed devices and avail the premium benefits with ease.
In order to avail all these benefits and several others, you need to select the best T-Shirt Designer Software. For getting the best and effective software for your use, it is required for you to approach a trusted company. With a simple online research, you will get the list of available companies and approach the best one for your requirements.
If you're looking to stretch your business' budget this year, outsourcing some of your day-to-day tasks to one of the many managed services companies is a great way to kick start the savings. Managed Service Providers (MSP's) are still a best kept secret in modern business strategies; they promote efficiency and extend the resources of companies who utilize them, but many small to mid-level business owners are not aware of their existence.
Lighten Your Employees' Load
Have your employees ever raised concerns about being overwhelmed by their workload? The answer is likely "no," but that may only mean that they hesitate to complain, not that they aren't overworked or stretched too thin with tasks that aren't outlined in their job descriptions. When you outsource tasks such as IT management, virtual booking, and transportation, the people you hired for their individual talents can truly shine once again. Your web designer can spend her workdays enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your site instead of troubleshooting technical errors, for instance. When your employees come to work to do the jobs they applied for in the first place, they are happier and more motivated. They are also able to focus only on the work they do best, and thus, they are capable of high-quality output.
Benefit from Fewer Hours per Week
When you choose to outsource some of your administrative tasks to managed services companies, you eliminate them and get back a chunk of your workday. You can utilize that time to further develop your business' strategy or you can decide to treat yourself to a break once in a while. In addition to providing daily task management services, some of these companies offer time saving tools that can expedite the tasks you want to perform yourself.
For example, a cloud storage service allows you to file and locate all your data in one virtual place. This ensures efficiency and prevents you from having to search for your documents through numerous filing cabinets, which is a drastic time drain.
Benefit from the Knowledge of Experts
When you outsource work to managed services companies, you are ensuring that the tasks you entrust them with are carried out with expertise. This is a major benefit to your business, especially if you are not as familiar with the task at hand. Perhaps you are not familiar with marketing tactics but you know a successful business must utilize them to their full potential. In this instance, you can hire a marketing analytics team to monitor and compile your data. It is their business to perform this task well, which leaves you to take advantage of your own strong points to cultivate your business.
Keep in mind that hiring a managed services company does not mean that you relinquish control of some aspect of your own business. As a paying client, you are still very much in control of how tasks are carried out. More importantly, you reserve the right to switch services if you aren't satisfied with what you pay for. The outsourced work will still be done on your terms, but you aren't the one who has to do it. This tactic can certainly save you money and gain you valuable expertise, allowing you to tighten your budget and reap greater profits as well
For many of us clouds still remain the fluffy white things that float in the sky or the darker fluffy things that bring thunderstorms and rain. Well, today there is more to clouds than being fluffy and to float in the sky. Cloud computing has given us a new way to perceive clouds. There was an era when we relied on portable drives, hardware and pen drives to very large extent and how we used to almost have stroke if we misplaced these precious data holders. Cloud computing reduces the stroke rate that one might get on losing a portable hardware. It is a service that one can subscribe to and get a network storage space and computer resources.
Cloud computing is similar to your e-mail account which you can access from any corner of the world as long as you are connected to the internet. The only difference is that with cloud computing you can choose from the information that is accessible within the cloud. The essentials that you need to get information from cloud computing is an internet connection on any device ranging from a personal computer to a tablet. Just like your email is not housed on your device physically, the information on cloud computing is also not housed on your device physically.
The convenience that cloud computing brings to the users is immense. To start with it's the best deal for upcoming businesses and start up organizations. It helps these budding ventures to make the best out of the limited resources have and give them a chance to stand up well established organizations that have a stock of hardware and software. It also serves well for people seeking to use it for their personal work. With the number of devices that one person owns today it might get a little messy to keep a track of the data one might have saved on either the phone or the laptop. Cloud computing helps one to cut through the clutter and becomes a kind of data bank.
There are different types of clouds that can suffice you needs. There is the Public, Private, Community and Hybrid cloud, each with its own specifications so to cater to the needs of different people. Public clouds are accessible to all the subscribers with an internet connection and access to cloud space. Private clouds are set up for specific groups or organizations. Community clouds are set up between two or more organizations that have similar cloud requirements. Lastly, hybrid clouds have the qualities of two types of clouds at the least. The combinations depend on requirements of the people or the organizations.
Cloud computing certainly is futuristic as long as you know that your service provider has taken all the necessary precautions and safety measures.
Cloud computing is similar to your e-mail account which you can access from any corner of the world as long as you are connected to the internet. The only difference is that with cloud computing you can choose from the information that is accessible within the cloud. The essentials that you need to get information from cloud computing is an internet connection on any device ranging from a personal computer to a tablet. Just like your email is not housed on your device physically, the information on cloud computing is also not housed on your device physically.
The convenience that cloud computing brings to the users is immense. To start with it's the best deal for upcoming businesses and start up organizations. It helps these budding ventures to make the best out of the limited resources have and give them a chance to stand up well established organizations that have a stock of hardware and software. It also serves well for people seeking to use it for their personal work. With the number of devices that one person owns today it might get a little messy to keep a track of the data one might have saved on either the phone or the laptop. Cloud computing helps one to cut through the clutter and becomes a kind of data bank.
There are different types of clouds that can suffice you needs. There is the Public, Private, Community and Hybrid cloud, each with its own specifications so to cater to the needs of different people. Public clouds are accessible to all the subscribers with an internet connection and access to cloud space. Private clouds are set up for specific groups or organizations. Community clouds are set up between two or more organizations that have similar cloud requirements. Lastly, hybrid clouds have the qualities of two types of clouds at the least. The combinations depend on requirements of the people or the organizations.
Cloud computing certainly is futuristic as long as you know that your service provider has taken all the necessary precautions and safety measures.
Information Technology Projects within large organizations are frequently started in response to some business need or business failing. There is a tendency in organizations to seek funding and approval for project implementation through proposals based on high-level business needs. Usually proposals are attractive, inviting in appearance and are laid out in the form of a statement of work. They focus on the needs and objectives to be met and put emphasis on the persuasive factor of getting the project approved with the intent of "selling the project."
A common approach is to proceed with the project implementation based on "the solution only" by defining the required resources, plan of action, deliverables, timelines, and estimated costs. The critical part of documenting business requirements is omitted and a brief list of very high level requirements is inserted to obtain funding and approval.
"The three major reasons that a project will succeed are user involvement, executive management support, and a clear statement of requirements." "Opinions about why projects are impaired and ultimately cancelled ranked incomplete requirements and lack of user involvement at the top of the list." Source the Sandish Group report: Chaos.
The main goals of documented requirements should be to deliver value, reduce time and cost, increase satisfaction and achieve success. In my experience, the three integral aspects that are necessary for the success of projects, but that are often missed out or not detailed enough, are:
1. Benefits and business value:
People lose focus of the project's benefits and sponsors do not commit to measuring and achieving the defined benefits. It is very difficult to achieve business value if there is lack of commitment to attain the defined benefits. The benefit statements should be clear, concise, and quantified.
2. Detailed business requirements:
Documented requirements are Important!!! In order to align the solutions for delivery of business value, the business requirements must be captured and the solution must be managed to meet them. In my opinion business requirements should be S.M.A.R.T., namely Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-focused and Time-bound. Furthermore the solution should be designed to satisfy and comply with organizations enterprise architecture.
3. Documented quality assurance processes:
The lack of detailed requirements creates a huge problem for the Quality assurance team that is expected to ensure the quality of the project as a whole. The quality assurance team needs to have the means to compare what was delivered, to what was required. The more detailed the requirements are, including what is the proof of success, the more likely quality could be achieved.
Findings from surveys of over 100 companies in Keith Ellis's report: "The Impact of Business Requirements on the Success of Technology Projects" determined that "Companies with poor business analysis capability will have three times as many project failures as successes. 68% of companies are more likely to have a marginal project or outright failure than a success due to the way they approach business analysis. In fact, 50% of this group's projects were "runaways" which had any 2 of: Taking over 180% of target time to deliver; Consuming in excess of 160% of estimated budget; Delivering under 70% of the target required functionality. Companies pay a premium of as much as 60% on time and budget when they use poor requirements practices on their projects. Over 40% of the IT development budget for software, staff and external professional services will be consumed by poor requirements at the average company using average analysts versus the optimal organization. The vast majority of projects surveyed did not utilize sufficient business analysis skill to consistently bring projects in on time and budget. The level of competency required is higher than that employed within projects for 70% of the companies surveyed."
One must always remember that people in different roles will view the project from their own perspective and will not always see the bigger picture. A consolidation phase of requirements analysis needs to be done to look at these different perspectives and present an overall holistic best solution.
In FAO gathering business requirements is performed through brainstorming sessions with the business units and/or defining phased deliverables to be used as prototypes. The Information Technology Division in FAO has put in place mechanisms for ensuring Quality Assurance involvement in all phases of project implementation, from the project inception to project closure phases. In addition, emphasis for all IT projects to measure benefits and liaise with our business units to develop detailed business document requirements has become a prerequisite to project approval. In 2015 the IT division will measure the rate of improved project delivery due to increased business requirements definition.
In Karl E. Wiegers presentation, the "Cosmic Truths about Software Requirements" the following points are some key points to remember:
If you don't get the requirements right, it doesn't matter how well you execute the rest of the project; Requirements development is a discovery and invention process, not just a collection process; The interests of all the project stakeholders intersect in the requirements process; The first question an analyst should ask about a proposed new requirement is "Is this requirement in scope?"; The requirements might be vague, but the product will be specific.
On a final note, as considerable resources in terms of people and money are used to deliver what is actually needed for the realization of the expected business value and objectives, good business requirements are instrumental to avoid failures and complete successful projects.
A common approach is to proceed with the project implementation based on "the solution only" by defining the required resources, plan of action, deliverables, timelines, and estimated costs. The critical part of documenting business requirements is omitted and a brief list of very high level requirements is inserted to obtain funding and approval.
"The three major reasons that a project will succeed are user involvement, executive management support, and a clear statement of requirements." "Opinions about why projects are impaired and ultimately cancelled ranked incomplete requirements and lack of user involvement at the top of the list." Source the Sandish Group report: Chaos.
The main goals of documented requirements should be to deliver value, reduce time and cost, increase satisfaction and achieve success. In my experience, the three integral aspects that are necessary for the success of projects, but that are often missed out or not detailed enough, are:
1. Benefits and business value:
People lose focus of the project's benefits and sponsors do not commit to measuring and achieving the defined benefits. It is very difficult to achieve business value if there is lack of commitment to attain the defined benefits. The benefit statements should be clear, concise, and quantified.
2. Detailed business requirements:
Documented requirements are Important!!! In order to align the solutions for delivery of business value, the business requirements must be captured and the solution must be managed to meet them. In my opinion business requirements should be S.M.A.R.T., namely Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-focused and Time-bound. Furthermore the solution should be designed to satisfy and comply with organizations enterprise architecture.
3. Documented quality assurance processes:
The lack of detailed requirements creates a huge problem for the Quality assurance team that is expected to ensure the quality of the project as a whole. The quality assurance team needs to have the means to compare what was delivered, to what was required. The more detailed the requirements are, including what is the proof of success, the more likely quality could be achieved.
Findings from surveys of over 100 companies in Keith Ellis's report: "The Impact of Business Requirements on the Success of Technology Projects" determined that "Companies with poor business analysis capability will have three times as many project failures as successes. 68% of companies are more likely to have a marginal project or outright failure than a success due to the way they approach business analysis. In fact, 50% of this group's projects were "runaways" which had any 2 of: Taking over 180% of target time to deliver; Consuming in excess of 160% of estimated budget; Delivering under 70% of the target required functionality. Companies pay a premium of as much as 60% on time and budget when they use poor requirements practices on their projects. Over 40% of the IT development budget for software, staff and external professional services will be consumed by poor requirements at the average company using average analysts versus the optimal organization. The vast majority of projects surveyed did not utilize sufficient business analysis skill to consistently bring projects in on time and budget. The level of competency required is higher than that employed within projects for 70% of the companies surveyed."
One must always remember that people in different roles will view the project from their own perspective and will not always see the bigger picture. A consolidation phase of requirements analysis needs to be done to look at these different perspectives and present an overall holistic best solution.
In FAO gathering business requirements is performed through brainstorming sessions with the business units and/or defining phased deliverables to be used as prototypes. The Information Technology Division in FAO has put in place mechanisms for ensuring Quality Assurance involvement in all phases of project implementation, from the project inception to project closure phases. In addition, emphasis for all IT projects to measure benefits and liaise with our business units to develop detailed business document requirements has become a prerequisite to project approval. In 2015 the IT division will measure the rate of improved project delivery due to increased business requirements definition.
In Karl E. Wiegers presentation, the "Cosmic Truths about Software Requirements" the following points are some key points to remember:
If you don't get the requirements right, it doesn't matter how well you execute the rest of the project; Requirements development is a discovery and invention process, not just a collection process; The interests of all the project stakeholders intersect in the requirements process; The first question an analyst should ask about a proposed new requirement is "Is this requirement in scope?"; The requirements might be vague, but the product will be specific.
On a final note, as considerable resources in terms of people and money are used to deliver what is actually needed for the realization of the expected business value and objectives, good business requirements are instrumental to avoid failures and complete successful projects.
Sometime last year, a cousin of mine came hurriedly claiming that a single missed call could help Anna Hazare in his anti-corruption drive. The idea was to garner enough support from the people so that they could pressurize the government to accept the Lokpall Bill. Having spent donkeys years in the field of mobile marketing, I could do nothing but smile at his naiveté. Missed call marketing is one of the many strategies used by marketing to gather attention among the public.
SMS marketing is one of the best ways to promote products and services that are provided by any business. Today businesses no longer rely on traditional media for the sale of their services. Sending bulk SMSes is a cost efficient marketing tool for present day businesses. Mobile marketing is available in various forms and applications which simplifies the sending and receiving of promotional messages. The whole process is rendered quick and convenient. In the world of marketing, it is advisable not to be slow as if you miss a chance once, you miss it forever.
The bulk SMS software targets thousands of thousands of customers and it can be installed in the systems for streamlining the process. If you are to target so many customers with a single business message, it is not easy to manage things. The SMS software sends out SMSes in bulk to multiple audiences within a short span of time. This is why it is important for a business to know its clients who can be accessed through the database and receive the message with a single click. This would have otherwise been a complicated task.
Through this form of SMS marketing, companies can save huge costs which they would have otherwise had to pay the marketing and advertising agencies.The SMS software makes use of a short code which is also known as a short number. Short codes are special telephone numbers which are comparatively shorter than the full telephone numbers and are used for addressing MMS and SMS messages from the fixed phones or mobile phones of a certain provider. By sending bulk SMSes, you can simplify the marketing procedure of businesses across the world.
Marketers need to go for innovation in their techniques and the SMS marketing process is simply successful. People carry their mobile phones wherever they go and this growing trend has attracted the attention of marketers who want to cash in using bulk SMS services. With the software, you can send unlimited SMSes to the targeted audience which bridges the gap between the end user and the business providing these services. It takes the business to a new high. Consequently, the operations are improved and this translates into better revenues.
In the increasingly competitive world, businesses can thrive only by adopting competitive marketing strategies. Do not ignore the bulk SMS software which offers instant feedback.
SMS marketing is one of the best ways to promote products and services that are provided by any business. Today businesses no longer rely on traditional media for the sale of their services. Sending bulk SMSes is a cost efficient marketing tool for present day businesses. Mobile marketing is available in various forms and applications which simplifies the sending and receiving of promotional messages. The whole process is rendered quick and convenient. In the world of marketing, it is advisable not to be slow as if you miss a chance once, you miss it forever.
The bulk SMS software targets thousands of thousands of customers and it can be installed in the systems for streamlining the process. If you are to target so many customers with a single business message, it is not easy to manage things. The SMS software sends out SMSes in bulk to multiple audiences within a short span of time. This is why it is important for a business to know its clients who can be accessed through the database and receive the message with a single click. This would have otherwise been a complicated task.
Through this form of SMS marketing, companies can save huge costs which they would have otherwise had to pay the marketing and advertising agencies.The SMS software makes use of a short code which is also known as a short number. Short codes are special telephone numbers which are comparatively shorter than the full telephone numbers and are used for addressing MMS and SMS messages from the fixed phones or mobile phones of a certain provider. By sending bulk SMSes, you can simplify the marketing procedure of businesses across the world.
Marketers need to go for innovation in their techniques and the SMS marketing process is simply successful. People carry their mobile phones wherever they go and this growing trend has attracted the attention of marketers who want to cash in using bulk SMS services. With the software, you can send unlimited SMSes to the targeted audience which bridges the gap between the end user and the business providing these services. It takes the business to a new high. Consequently, the operations are improved and this translates into better revenues.
In the increasingly competitive world, businesses can thrive only by adopting competitive marketing strategies. Do not ignore the bulk SMS software which offers instant feedback.
There are lots of companies, which involve field work in their operations. These companies are not restricted to just one or two industries; companies related to several industries send their employees out for field work. It becomes chaos for these organizations to track the progress in the work of their employees in the field. But it isn't a problem for those companies, which are ready to embrace new technology. Such companies can make good use of mobile field service apps to carry out such tasks smoothly.
Along with keeping the records of all the activities done by the employees in field, these apps offer some other valuable benefits as well. Let's have a look: -
Updates in Real Time : These apps track and record the jobs done by the workforce in field with the exact information about time and location. The best thing is that such an app updates the information in real time. Company can also track the location of the employee at any particular point of time through this app. It helps companies in keeping the accurate records about the duration of the employees' visits to various customers and the work done by them over there. It also exerts an impression on the employees that they are being tracked that discourages them from spending unnecessary time anywhere and as a result, the overall productivity enhances.
Increases Revenue : When employees are aware that their work is being tracked, they try to complete the jobs in short time and do more work. Also, the app adds the entire amount charged to the customers to the invoice without leaving any chances for omission. Moreover, the app records short customer engagements without any failure, which again leads to higher revenues.
Convenience : Such an app can make the jobs of the organization involved in field work convenient in several ways. As mentioned earlier it adds all the charges to the invoice automatically which itself is a big convenience. Also, it includes all the products and services provided in a single invoice and make the invoicing even more convenient. If organizations have to assign some work to the employees who are in field at that point of time, it can be done conveniently through the app. Besides, it provides offline access to inventory, price lists and other important documents which make the work of the employees quite easier.
Good Impression on Customers : Companies can make a very good impression on the customers by providing such apps to their employees. It also allows customers to sign directly on the smartphones. These things make loyal customers and these loyal customers do the promotion for the companies by word-of-mouth.
In a nut shell, imagine a couple of scenarios:
If your business work also includes field work, you must go for a mobile field service app. Mobile app development services are being provided at very reasonable charges these days. You can get a suitable offer that fits in your budget specifications perfectly by spending just a few minutes on the Internet. Just define your needs and start searching for an appropriate offer.
Along with keeping the records of all the activities done by the employees in field, these apps offer some other valuable benefits as well. Let's have a look: -
Updates in Real Time : These apps track and record the jobs done by the workforce in field with the exact information about time and location. The best thing is that such an app updates the information in real time. Company can also track the location of the employee at any particular point of time through this app. It helps companies in keeping the accurate records about the duration of the employees' visits to various customers and the work done by them over there. It also exerts an impression on the employees that they are being tracked that discourages them from spending unnecessary time anywhere and as a result, the overall productivity enhances.
Increases Revenue : When employees are aware that their work is being tracked, they try to complete the jobs in short time and do more work. Also, the app adds the entire amount charged to the customers to the invoice without leaving any chances for omission. Moreover, the app records short customer engagements without any failure, which again leads to higher revenues.
Convenience : Such an app can make the jobs of the organization involved in field work convenient in several ways. As mentioned earlier it adds all the charges to the invoice automatically which itself is a big convenience. Also, it includes all the products and services provided in a single invoice and make the invoicing even more convenient. If organizations have to assign some work to the employees who are in field at that point of time, it can be done conveniently through the app. Besides, it provides offline access to inventory, price lists and other important documents which make the work of the employees quite easier.
Good Impression on Customers : Companies can make a very good impression on the customers by providing such apps to their employees. It also allows customers to sign directly on the smartphones. These things make loyal customers and these loyal customers do the promotion for the companies by word-of-mouth.
In a nut shell, imagine a couple of scenarios:
- Imagine yours as a manufacturing business and you do provide your customers' after sales service.
- Now, you have mobile apps for your customers as well and all your product packets contain the QR code, using which the customers can download your app.
- The customers can check other products; send service requests, complaints etc. using the app only. No need to call your customer support, being in long queue.
- Now once a service request/complaint is registered in your backend system, your support team assigns that to a service executive of yours, based on city/area etc.
- The service executive automatically gets notifications of new tasks, their locations and other details. They can check the inventory and price instantly from the app itself, if any parts need to be changed etc.
- Once the executive reaches the location, they punch in and their location gets reported in your system. Once the job is done, the executive signs the task off and a notification goes to the customer instantly. They can close the complaint right in front of your executive.
- Substance of this entire story: communication and information, instantly, seamlessly, convenience for your customers, your employees and most important for you: a loyal customer and real time information at every point of communication, thus increasing the ROI.
If your business work also includes field work, you must go for a mobile field service app. Mobile app development services are being provided at very reasonable charges these days. You can get a suitable offer that fits in your budget specifications perfectly by spending just a few minutes on the Internet. Just define your needs and start searching for an appropriate offer.
Tablets and smartphones have simplified our lives to a great extent. You can access the internet, click photographs, watch movies, listen to music and also complete last minute school work irrespective of the time of the day or place. You only require the right app. However, despite this, there have been complaints. The most common one with regard to Apple devices has been the inability to print documents from an iPad because neither the iPad nor the iPhone has USB connections. Thus, it was difficult to transfer documents directly from the iPad to a printer.
Apple was quick to realize this major design flaw and resolved it in the later versions of its operating system. iPads powered by the latest version of iOS can use the AirPrint technology to print documents directly from an iPad by enabling a transfer to an AirPrint-compatible printer.
The AirPrint feature was one of the major upgrades that shipped with the iOS 4.2 version. This Apple feature prints via Wi-Fi. It was developed in partnership by Apple Inc and HP. For this reason, most of the HP laser models are compatible with this printing technology. This is a wireless system. You do not have install any drivers or download any software. Another important advantage of this system is you can continue using the iPad to click pictures, surf the internet, play games and watch videos while it continues printing in the background.
How to print from iPad using AirPrint?
The procedure is easy. We have listed the steps below.
The AirPrint technology is one of the methods to print documents from your iPad. The use of third party applications is an alternate method. They can be downloaded for free or purchased at the Apple Store.
So now, you no longer have to wonder how to print from an iPad. AirPrint and various other third party applications help print pages directly without having to first transferring them to other devices.
Apple was quick to realize this major design flaw and resolved it in the later versions of its operating system. iPads powered by the latest version of iOS can use the AirPrint technology to print documents directly from an iPad by enabling a transfer to an AirPrint-compatible printer.
The AirPrint feature was one of the major upgrades that shipped with the iOS 4.2 version. This Apple feature prints via Wi-Fi. It was developed in partnership by Apple Inc and HP. For this reason, most of the HP laser models are compatible with this printing technology. This is a wireless system. You do not have install any drivers or download any software. Another important advantage of this system is you can continue using the iPad to click pictures, surf the internet, play games and watch videos while it continues printing in the background.
How to print from iPad using AirPrint?
The procedure is easy. We have listed the steps below.
- The first step involves connecting a wireless printer compatible with Air-print technology to your Wi-Fi network. Not all printers, especially the old models, are compatible with this printing technology. HP has a range of AirPrint-enabled printers. The procedure of setting up the entire system varies depending on the make and the model. You should read the instruction manual provided or the manufacturer's website for instructions.
- Once the setup is complete, turn on the printer. Wait for the printer to detect and connect to the Wi-Fi network. On most models a small light blinks as soon as the printer establishes connectivity with the Wi-Fi network.
- An "Action" button will be displayed on your iPad. Click this button.
- After this, tap the button that reads "Print".
- When prompted, select the "Select Printer" option. Select the printer you are using.
- A dialogue box will open up on your screen. Make the necessary changes such as the pages to be printed, double-side printing and number of copies. When you're done, hit the print option.
The AirPrint technology is one of the methods to print documents from your iPad. The use of third party applications is an alternate method. They can be downloaded for free or purchased at the Apple Store.
So now, you no longer have to wonder how to print from an iPad. AirPrint and various other third party applications help print pages directly without having to first transferring them to other devices.
I think we can all agree that computers and the internet have had a huge impact on pretty much every industry, and are the cornerstones of our modern civilization. It's amazing to think that people once thought of computers as a huge waste of space, and that they would never become popular. The past decade has taken these innovations and brought them into the mainstream with technologies like social networking, GPS, smartphones, and a whole lot more. It truly is mind-blowing to see how far we've come in the past decade alone.
We live in a unique and interesting time in human history, where the sharing of ideas and information is done at lightening speed, and innovative research is at an all-time high. The next 10 years are going to be one hell of a ride, with so many problems still left to solve - from overpopulation to finding alternative energy sources, from ending illness to exploring space - and we're only just starting to understand this basic fact: for all we know, we know almost nothing.
With all the innovation taking place in the world, from tiny steps in existing technologies to new, industry-changing ideas, it's getting pretty hard to keep up to date on the latest discoveries. If you're interested in a small glipse of what's in store for humanity in the near future (we limited our list to technologies we believe could be out in the next ten years), then this list is for you.
The Chemputer
This idea is still in the concept stage, but we foresee a bright, intoxicating future. Just as the 3D printer is able to take a 3D digital model, basically a file on your computer, and translate that into physical objects such as machine or gun parts, the Chemputer would take this concept to the molecular level and enable printing of pharmaceuticals. Instead of ink, this printer would use a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the basic building blocks of most drugs, as well as certain agents such as vegetable oil and parafin.
Imagine the uses: diabetics could print their own insulin at home, personal Chemputers could be used in third world countries to print out the exact needed drug at the right time to save lives. Obviously this would have a huge impact on the medical and pharmaceutical industry as well as drug research. With the chemputer, you would go online, download your medication and then print it out, all from the comfort of your home.
Next-generation biofuels
The world is coming to terms with the need to ween itself of fossil fuels, which are quickly getting depleted and becoming more expensive to extract from the earth. Biofuels can be used in the place of fossil fuels in certain cases as they're derived from biological matter like vegetable oils, animal fats and so on. Unfortunately current technology has created biofuels that rely mainly on food, causing an increase in global food prices.
Today scientists are focusing their research into next-generation biofuels which would be generated from non-edible sources such as corn stover, switchgrass, woodchips, and miscanthus. In 2010 biofuels provided around 2.7% of the world's fuels for road transport, mainly through ethanol and biodiesel. It is believed that biofuels could help meet up to a quarter of the world's fuel needs by 2050.
Graphene
Graphene is basically a substance which is 300 times stronger than steel and made of only a thin layer of pure carbon, making it literally as light as a feather. Each sheet of graphene is only one atom thick, and one square meter weighs just 0.77 milligrams. In 2010 the Nobel Prize for Physics went to scientists researching this super film, and in 2013 a 1 billion dollar grant was awarded by the EU to researchers in the field.
The uses of this technology could be revolutionary: Space exploration and the aviation industry would benefit from the extremely light and strong material that could be used in aircraft construction. Graphene could revolutionize electronic devices by enabling lightweight, thin, flexible, yet durable display screens, cellphones, and much more. Graphene would also revolutionize transistor componentry and solar pane construction.
Photovoltaic Glass
This highly durable, efficient optical grade glass will be used in the future to allow any flat surface, from the mirror in your bathroom, to a picture hanging from the wall in your bedroom, to be used as an integrated computer screen. Together with a household computer system you will be able to access the internet, control your "smart" house, and get instant information about your fridge temperature or anything else, at the touch of a surface/screen.
Imagine brushing your teeth in the morning and simultaneously getting your news from the bathroom mirror. Your refrigerator would have touch capabilities, enabling you to continue with the news, display favorite family photos or even video chat with grandma from your fridge door. Then move it all to the kitchen table with just a touch. Photovoltaic glass can also house solar cells laminated between glass layers, meaning that soon every window will become an energy generating solar panel.
DNA Data Storage
The discovery of DNA has led to humanity's deeper understanding of living organisms and viruses, as it's basically a set of instructions and information encoded into molecules. Just as mother nature uses DNA to store biological information, so too have scientists discovered a way to store and encode digital information into DNA, enabling storage of massive amounts of data in a very small space. In fact, one gram of DNA can store at least 2.2 million gigabits of information, which is over 450,000 DVDs worth of storage space.
Using this new method of storing data, it will now be possible to store all the data that has been accumulating during the digital age, and much more. Written, audio and visual information have all already been uploaded into DNA then retrieved by DNA sequencing. The future of bio-computing is here.
Driverless Cars
When you just start out, it's exciting and fresh. As the years go by, it becomes habit and loses its lustre. Driving is a part of life for millions around the world, enabling fast and east transportation of people and goods, but also leading to many yearly fatalities from wreckless driving. Imagine getting into your car, talking to the voice-activated computer and telling it where you'd like to go, then nodding off to sleep, secure in the idea that your car will be able to drive you to your destination without your help.
Well, not only is this going to be a reality in the coming years, Google is already deep into the advanced stages of research, and driverless cars have already logged thousands of miles, having traversed the windy hills of San Francisco, cruised over the Golden Gate Bridge and even run laps around Lake Tahoe. The cars navigate using advanced GPS technology as well as special laser sensors mounted on the roof to help "map out" the area around the vehicle. They know to stop when there's a pedestrian on the road, and to drive when the traffic light turns green. Say goodbye to your designated driver!
Visual prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Just as technology has advanced to the point where the cochlear implant is helping deaf people to hear, the idea behind the bionic eye is to help the blind, or those with very poor eyesight, to see. Researchers are making fast advances in developing artificial eyes that would give sight to the blind, and prototypes are already available that provide grainy images. However, the eye is much more complex than a regular camera and complex software, such as missile tracking technology, must be employed in perfecting the technology.
We believe there will come a time when everyone will be able to see with perfect eyesight. That future is closer then you imagine.
We live in a unique and interesting time in human history, where the sharing of ideas and information is done at lightening speed, and innovative research is at an all-time high. The next 10 years are going to be one hell of a ride, with so many problems still left to solve - from overpopulation to finding alternative energy sources, from ending illness to exploring space - and we're only just starting to understand this basic fact: for all we know, we know almost nothing.
With all the innovation taking place in the world, from tiny steps in existing technologies to new, industry-changing ideas, it's getting pretty hard to keep up to date on the latest discoveries. If you're interested in a small glipse of what's in store for humanity in the near future (we limited our list to technologies we believe could be out in the next ten years), then this list is for you.
The Chemputer
This idea is still in the concept stage, but we foresee a bright, intoxicating future. Just as the 3D printer is able to take a 3D digital model, basically a file on your computer, and translate that into physical objects such as machine or gun parts, the Chemputer would take this concept to the molecular level and enable printing of pharmaceuticals. Instead of ink, this printer would use a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the basic building blocks of most drugs, as well as certain agents such as vegetable oil and parafin.
Imagine the uses: diabetics could print their own insulin at home, personal Chemputers could be used in third world countries to print out the exact needed drug at the right time to save lives. Obviously this would have a huge impact on the medical and pharmaceutical industry as well as drug research. With the chemputer, you would go online, download your medication and then print it out, all from the comfort of your home.
Next-generation biofuels
The world is coming to terms with the need to ween itself of fossil fuels, which are quickly getting depleted and becoming more expensive to extract from the earth. Biofuels can be used in the place of fossil fuels in certain cases as they're derived from biological matter like vegetable oils, animal fats and so on. Unfortunately current technology has created biofuels that rely mainly on food, causing an increase in global food prices.
Today scientists are focusing their research into next-generation biofuels which would be generated from non-edible sources such as corn stover, switchgrass, woodchips, and miscanthus. In 2010 biofuels provided around 2.7% of the world's fuels for road transport, mainly through ethanol and biodiesel. It is believed that biofuels could help meet up to a quarter of the world's fuel needs by 2050.
Graphene
Graphene is basically a substance which is 300 times stronger than steel and made of only a thin layer of pure carbon, making it literally as light as a feather. Each sheet of graphene is only one atom thick, and one square meter weighs just 0.77 milligrams. In 2010 the Nobel Prize for Physics went to scientists researching this super film, and in 2013 a 1 billion dollar grant was awarded by the EU to researchers in the field.
The uses of this technology could be revolutionary: Space exploration and the aviation industry would benefit from the extremely light and strong material that could be used in aircraft construction. Graphene could revolutionize electronic devices by enabling lightweight, thin, flexible, yet durable display screens, cellphones, and much more. Graphene would also revolutionize transistor componentry and solar pane construction.
Photovoltaic Glass
This highly durable, efficient optical grade glass will be used in the future to allow any flat surface, from the mirror in your bathroom, to a picture hanging from the wall in your bedroom, to be used as an integrated computer screen. Together with a household computer system you will be able to access the internet, control your "smart" house, and get instant information about your fridge temperature or anything else, at the touch of a surface/screen.
Imagine brushing your teeth in the morning and simultaneously getting your news from the bathroom mirror. Your refrigerator would have touch capabilities, enabling you to continue with the news, display favorite family photos or even video chat with grandma from your fridge door. Then move it all to the kitchen table with just a touch. Photovoltaic glass can also house solar cells laminated between glass layers, meaning that soon every window will become an energy generating solar panel.
DNA Data Storage
The discovery of DNA has led to humanity's deeper understanding of living organisms and viruses, as it's basically a set of instructions and information encoded into molecules. Just as mother nature uses DNA to store biological information, so too have scientists discovered a way to store and encode digital information into DNA, enabling storage of massive amounts of data in a very small space. In fact, one gram of DNA can store at least 2.2 million gigabits of information, which is over 450,000 DVDs worth of storage space.
Using this new method of storing data, it will now be possible to store all the data that has been accumulating during the digital age, and much more. Written, audio and visual information have all already been uploaded into DNA then retrieved by DNA sequencing. The future of bio-computing is here.
Driverless Cars
When you just start out, it's exciting and fresh. As the years go by, it becomes habit and loses its lustre. Driving is a part of life for millions around the world, enabling fast and east transportation of people and goods, but also leading to many yearly fatalities from wreckless driving. Imagine getting into your car, talking to the voice-activated computer and telling it where you'd like to go, then nodding off to sleep, secure in the idea that your car will be able to drive you to your destination without your help.
Well, not only is this going to be a reality in the coming years, Google is already deep into the advanced stages of research, and driverless cars have already logged thousands of miles, having traversed the windy hills of San Francisco, cruised over the Golden Gate Bridge and even run laps around Lake Tahoe. The cars navigate using advanced GPS technology as well as special laser sensors mounted on the roof to help "map out" the area around the vehicle. They know to stop when there's a pedestrian on the road, and to drive when the traffic light turns green. Say goodbye to your designated driver!
Visual prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Just as technology has advanced to the point where the cochlear implant is helping deaf people to hear, the idea behind the bionic eye is to help the blind, or those with very poor eyesight, to see. Researchers are making fast advances in developing artificial eyes that would give sight to the blind, and prototypes are already available that provide grainy images. However, the eye is much more complex than a regular camera and complex software, such as missile tracking technology, must be employed in perfecting the technology.
We believe there will come a time when everyone will be able to see with perfect eyesight. That future is closer then you imagine.
Telecommute is fast becoming a buzzword nowadays. The routine 8-5 office jobs are fast becoming a thing of the past as the work environment, job descriptions, and methods of doing work are evolving. People who work these days are no longer confined to physical offices because technological innovations have enabled the phenomenon that we now call telecommuting -- which means, in the simplest terms, working remotely.
Of course, there are certain things we have now that make telecommuting possible, and if it weren't for these innovations, we would all still be stuck in the caveman days of work. Here are some of the technological innovations of recent history that makes collaboration possible.
- The Internet: Of course the Internet. This particular invention was recently named the top innovation in the last 30 years, and for good reason. The Internet has made possible so many things that we now find ourselves in a position of being almost debilitated when we find ourselves disconnected. Being connected via the Internet has given us access to a vast storehouse of knowledge, and it has enabled us to share our own knowledge, too. It has certainly made a giant leap forward for the proponents of globalization, because through it, the world certainly became a much smaller place now that everyone, everywhere is connected.
- Laptops, tablets, and mobile devices: More and more people are choosing to take their work with them, and not just be stuck with a heavy desktop computer. While there are those who still prefer working on a good old trusty desktop, mobility is now becoming an important issue for many as they want to be free to pursue their own activities in their own time without having to compromise their work in the process. And because laptops are now getting lighter, carrying your work with you wherever you go is not as hard as it used to be. Along with the release of the tablet and other similar mobile devices, more and more working people are choosing to go mobile as it gives them more flexibility.
- Email: Where would we all be without email? Just by clicking the Send button, you get your message delivered right away to anyone anywhere (well, as long as they have Internet access, that is). Before email came into the picture, we had to rely on snail mail (those born and raised in the digital age are probably scratching their heads now and asking, "What?"), express mail, LBC/ FedEx/ and other similar courier services to have our messages delivered. Then we had to wait for days (sometimes weeks) for the much-awaited response. Can you really imagine doing business like that now?
- Webinars/ Video Conferencing: Attending seminars, workshops, and other similar activities in the past used to cost a fortune, so companies would most likely select a few delegates only and then spend for transportation, seminar fees, etc. Now, however, thanks to webinars, anyone interested can join, at much less cost. Employers no longer have to send their workers out because they can attend webinars right at work, or even in their own homes, and the cost is much less than going to actual location seminars. The learning and take-home experience is still pretty much the same, but it is not as much of hassle as it used to be.
The same concept applies with video conferencing. It used to be difficult to gather team members or stakeholders (especially in multi-nationals where some members are in other countries) located in various provinces/countries, and it was even harder to coordinate communication. But now, thanks to video conferencing, virtual meetings can be set up without having to worry about the logistics of having to get everyone to the office.
- Cloud Computing Technology: File cabinets? Boxes and boxes of documents? Directories full of business contacts? Sounds like any other typical office. The trouble with files like this, however, is that they run the risk of getting ruined -- whether by natural disasters, accidents, or some other mishap, physical documents are at risk of getting lost, stolen, or destroyed. Now imagine if you can put all that pertinent data in one place where you know it can't be harmed in any way. That is what cloud computing does for you -- it allows you to store everything you need all up there in the cloud, and as long as you have access to the Internet, then you can access your files, too. Any changes made to files found in the cloud will be automatically synced, saving you the trouble of having to go through so many files and doing a manual update. So if anyone from the team makes some edits on that presentation, you don't have to worry anymore about updating your copy, because it's already there.
These are just some of the innovations that have revolutionized the way we view work. These technologies have certainly brought people together and made collaboration not just possible, but now a normal way of life. Because of these technological innovations, working together has become so much easier, and work has certainly taken on a brand new perspective.
Of course, there are certain things we have now that make telecommuting possible, and if it weren't for these innovations, we would all still be stuck in the caveman days of work. Here are some of the technological innovations of recent history that makes collaboration possible.
- The Internet: Of course the Internet. This particular invention was recently named the top innovation in the last 30 years, and for good reason. The Internet has made possible so many things that we now find ourselves in a position of being almost debilitated when we find ourselves disconnected. Being connected via the Internet has given us access to a vast storehouse of knowledge, and it has enabled us to share our own knowledge, too. It has certainly made a giant leap forward for the proponents of globalization, because through it, the world certainly became a much smaller place now that everyone, everywhere is connected.
- Laptops, tablets, and mobile devices: More and more people are choosing to take their work with them, and not just be stuck with a heavy desktop computer. While there are those who still prefer working on a good old trusty desktop, mobility is now becoming an important issue for many as they want to be free to pursue their own activities in their own time without having to compromise their work in the process. And because laptops are now getting lighter, carrying your work with you wherever you go is not as hard as it used to be. Along with the release of the tablet and other similar mobile devices, more and more working people are choosing to go mobile as it gives them more flexibility.
- Email: Where would we all be without email? Just by clicking the Send button, you get your message delivered right away to anyone anywhere (well, as long as they have Internet access, that is). Before email came into the picture, we had to rely on snail mail (those born and raised in the digital age are probably scratching their heads now and asking, "What?"), express mail, LBC/ FedEx/ and other similar courier services to have our messages delivered. Then we had to wait for days (sometimes weeks) for the much-awaited response. Can you really imagine doing business like that now?
- Webinars/ Video Conferencing: Attending seminars, workshops, and other similar activities in the past used to cost a fortune, so companies would most likely select a few delegates only and then spend for transportation, seminar fees, etc. Now, however, thanks to webinars, anyone interested can join, at much less cost. Employers no longer have to send their workers out because they can attend webinars right at work, or even in their own homes, and the cost is much less than going to actual location seminars. The learning and take-home experience is still pretty much the same, but it is not as much of hassle as it used to be.
The same concept applies with video conferencing. It used to be difficult to gather team members or stakeholders (especially in multi-nationals where some members are in other countries) located in various provinces/countries, and it was even harder to coordinate communication. But now, thanks to video conferencing, virtual meetings can be set up without having to worry about the logistics of having to get everyone to the office.
These are just some of the innovations that have revolutionized the way we view work. These technologies have certainly brought people together and made collaboration not just possible, but now a normal way of life. Because of these technological innovations, working together has become so much easier, and work has certainly taken on a brand new perspective.
Whether you're a small business looking to install a better phone system or computer network, or a large business needing an entire revamp of your existing phone or computer network system, there's bound to be wiring involved. And who should savvy businesses trust to wire their building or buildings with new or additional wiring? Well, an expert, of course. But what does "expert" in the IT & communications world actually mean when it comes to voice and data wiring?
Cabling Installer's Past Performance
Certainly a business looking to upgrade their phone and/or computer network cabling will want to choose an IT/communications company that has several years, if not decades of past experience installing cabling for internet-protocol phone systems and computer networks. Just as important as years of experience is type of experience though. An IT/communications company with a number of experienced professionals that install network cabling on a regular basis is certainly going to trump one that has, say, a licensed electrician who is permitted to install communications wire but doesn't have the expertise to design a highly functional network. In other words, the benefits of a professional cabling installation by a qualified IT/communications company is more about the expertise of the person or persons actually designing and doing the install.
Building Evaluation and Costs
When comparing IT/communications companies to hire, cost of install is obviously going to be a determining factor in decision-making. One way to know if an IT/communications company is evaluating cost efficiently is to not only request a proposal of their costs, but to meticulously evaluate that proposal in order to determine what each of the costs actually are and if they're really necessary.
In order for the IT/communications company to evaluate cost, they will surely need to survey your actual building. Determining proper pathways and capacities are critical to performance. What type of building you're in and the available places for wiring to be routed are also crucial. For example, an old Victorian converted into a business may need to have its walls opened up in order to install conduit tubing that wiring can fed through. A modern building is usually already equipped with conduit tubing. In addition, conduit tubing may not even be an option in a building that has concrete walls. In this case, running wiring along the girders of the building's frame may be an option or routing cabling along a surface raceway system. Some buildings will have such wiring exposed (in which case the professionalism of the wiring installation makes an aesthetic difference). Others will have ceiling panels that hide the wiring, in which case the installer would then focus more on functionality and performance.
Experts at Structured Cabling Bids.com note that, "Contractors who look around, nod their heads and say they will be in touch are not what you need. Focus your attention on structured cabling contractors who assess the physical aspects of the facility, ask questions about how your company uses voice and data communications and then really listen to the responses." Therefore, your cost proposal should include not only obvious price considerations like the cost of labor and materials, but also considerations about the building itself and about best practices. Beyond that, new VoIP phone systems and computer networks have a plethora of options and requirements. Therefore, it's important to be sure that the IT/communications company isn't just selling you "the whole package," but is instead able to sell you only what you need (without compromising performance)-with the option to add-on later if upgrades become necessary due to business expansion.
Cabling Installer's Certifications
This one is a "no-brainer." Only licensed cabling installers should be working on your cabling installation, and the IT/communications companies your business is evaluating should be able to show what licensing they truly have. A "low-voltage" electrician is licensed to install phone and network cabling, but will oftentimes have no clue about the technology itself, being that they're not an IT professional. That's when having someone on the IT team with an RCDD license is extremely valuable. A Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) has licensed expertise in designing, integrating, and applying IT systems and their related infrastructure components. This means that the professional harbors the expertise to think ahead about your IT system in its entirety and create the best cabling design and computer network hardware design for your business. The RCDD licensee can make your IT system work, and make it work well, while maintaining it into the future of your business.
Location of Cabling Installer
Maintaining your VoIP phone system and computer network system going forward is best done by an IT/communications company that is at least relatively local to your business. This is because not everything in the IT world can be done remotely-especially when it comes to cabling or hardware. Your business needs someone who can, when remote access just isn't solving the problem, be there in a jiffy to keep your business running with minimal downtime. As tempting as it may be to go with a cheaper IT company that's farther away, perhaps in the nearest big city, going with a more local, licensed IT company is going to be the best decision for your business simply due to their ability to be on-site when it really counts.
Greg Wilkoff is the owner of Adept Networks who's specialty is business communication networks including voice and data cabling. He's seen many business owners spend far too much money on business phone systems that ultimately fail them due too incompatible equipment and network capabilities.
Certainly a business looking to upgrade their phone and/or computer network cabling will want to choose an IT/communications company that has several years, if not decades of past experience installing cabling for internet-protocol phone systems and computer networks. Just as important as years of experience is type of experience though. An IT/communications company with a number of experienced professionals that install network cabling on a regular basis is certainly going to trump one that has, say, a licensed electrician who is permitted to install communications wire but doesn't have the expertise to design a highly functional network. In other words, the benefits of a professional cabling installation by a qualified IT/communications company is more about the expertise of the person or persons actually designing and doing the install.
Building Evaluation and Costs
When comparing IT/communications companies to hire, cost of install is obviously going to be a determining factor in decision-making. One way to know if an IT/communications company is evaluating cost efficiently is to not only request a proposal of their costs, but to meticulously evaluate that proposal in order to determine what each of the costs actually are and if they're really necessary.
In order for the IT/communications company to evaluate cost, they will surely need to survey your actual building. Determining proper pathways and capacities are critical to performance. What type of building you're in and the available places for wiring to be routed are also crucial. For example, an old Victorian converted into a business may need to have its walls opened up in order to install conduit tubing that wiring can fed through. A modern building is usually already equipped with conduit tubing. In addition, conduit tubing may not even be an option in a building that has concrete walls. In this case, running wiring along the girders of the building's frame may be an option or routing cabling along a surface raceway system. Some buildings will have such wiring exposed (in which case the professionalism of the wiring installation makes an aesthetic difference). Others will have ceiling panels that hide the wiring, in which case the installer would then focus more on functionality and performance.
Experts at Structured Cabling Bids.com note that, "Contractors who look around, nod their heads and say they will be in touch are not what you need. Focus your attention on structured cabling contractors who assess the physical aspects of the facility, ask questions about how your company uses voice and data communications and then really listen to the responses." Therefore, your cost proposal should include not only obvious price considerations like the cost of labor and materials, but also considerations about the building itself and about best practices. Beyond that, new VoIP phone systems and computer networks have a plethora of options and requirements. Therefore, it's important to be sure that the IT/communications company isn't just selling you "the whole package," but is instead able to sell you only what you need (without compromising performance)-with the option to add-on later if upgrades become necessary due to business expansion.
Cabling Installer's Certifications
This one is a "no-brainer." Only licensed cabling installers should be working on your cabling installation, and the IT/communications companies your business is evaluating should be able to show what licensing they truly have. A "low-voltage" electrician is licensed to install phone and network cabling, but will oftentimes have no clue about the technology itself, being that they're not an IT professional. That's when having someone on the IT team with an RCDD license is extremely valuable. A Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) has licensed expertise in designing, integrating, and applying IT systems and their related infrastructure components. This means that the professional harbors the expertise to think ahead about your IT system in its entirety and create the best cabling design and computer network hardware design for your business. The RCDD licensee can make your IT system work, and make it work well, while maintaining it into the future of your business.
Location of Cabling Installer
Maintaining your VoIP phone system and computer network system going forward is best done by an IT/communications company that is at least relatively local to your business. This is because not everything in the IT world can be done remotely-especially when it comes to cabling or hardware. Your business needs someone who can, when remote access just isn't solving the problem, be there in a jiffy to keep your business running with minimal downtime. As tempting as it may be to go with a cheaper IT company that's farther away, perhaps in the nearest big city, going with a more local, licensed IT company is going to be the best decision for your business simply due to their ability to be on-site when it really counts.
Greg Wilkoff is the owner of Adept Networks who's specialty is business communication networks including voice and data cabling. He's seen many business owners spend far too much money on business phone systems that ultimately fail them due too incompatible equipment and network capabilities.
Overhauling a communication platform can be really expensive; usually the biggest expense comes from replacing the handsets and the PBX. For businesses running on a budget you might want to look into SIP trunk. The protocol works on most new model PBX whilst older ones may need a slight upgrade using a SIP card. But generally the set up is far less expensive than completely replacing all your phone system components and you will be saving precious time in training your staff with new phones.
SIP trunk is a communication protocol that uses VoIP technologies; basically the system is a far superior and cost effective protocol that what traditional telephony platforms are using. The beauty of the SIP trunk is that it can be connected to almost all kinds PBX hardware without major and costly set up fees. On top of that SIP trunk is also known for better call rates compared to traditional analog lines and small business can save by as much as 70% on calling charges. There are just quite a few considerations that small businesses need to bear in mind for a successful deployment. However these requirements are basic business infrastructure components that are likely to be present in your office already.
Internet connection - The protocol is completely dependent on the internet and it is a must to have a reliable connection with reasonable levels of jitter and packet loss. 10 years ago this may be a problem but with the quality of broadband available in the market today is very easy to secure such connection especially with fibers and ADSL2 gaining popularity.
IP PBX - Like mentioned above a SIP enabled PBX is needed to run the protocol. Check with your chosen provider whether what you currently have will support SIP or if a SIP card is needed.
Border element - This will establish the connection between your local area network (LAN) and the Internet Telephony Service Provider's network (ISTP). Usually these are just LAN firewalls or an edge device that connects to the LAN. Your IT department or the ISTP should be able to discuss this with you in depth.
SIP line - The actual line provided by your ISTP will establish the connection between your network and public switched telephones. This enables your PBX to call or connect outside the network at business grade quality. The quality of the service provider's network is also important so be sure to assess it before signing up with them.
Lisa Harper is a SIP Trunking Engineer that that aims to help small to medium size businesses to take part in bigger markets and ultimately be an industry leader through effective communication stream.
SIP trunk is a communication protocol that uses VoIP technologies; basically the system is a far superior and cost effective protocol that what traditional telephony platforms are using. The beauty of the SIP trunk is that it can be connected to almost all kinds PBX hardware without major and costly set up fees. On top of that SIP trunk is also known for better call rates compared to traditional analog lines and small business can save by as much as 70% on calling charges. There are just quite a few considerations that small businesses need to bear in mind for a successful deployment. However these requirements are basic business infrastructure components that are likely to be present in your office already.
Internet connection - The protocol is completely dependent on the internet and it is a must to have a reliable connection with reasonable levels of jitter and packet loss. 10 years ago this may be a problem but with the quality of broadband available in the market today is very easy to secure such connection especially with fibers and ADSL2 gaining popularity.
IP PBX - Like mentioned above a SIP enabled PBX is needed to run the protocol. Check with your chosen provider whether what you currently have will support SIP or if a SIP card is needed.
Border element - This will establish the connection between your local area network (LAN) and the Internet Telephony Service Provider's network (ISTP). Usually these are just LAN firewalls or an edge device that connects to the LAN. Your IT department or the ISTP should be able to discuss this with you in depth.
SIP line - The actual line provided by your ISTP will establish the connection between your network and public switched telephones. This enables your PBX to call or connect outside the network at business grade quality. The quality of the service provider's network is also important so be sure to assess it before signing up with them.
Lisa Harper is a SIP Trunking Engineer that that aims to help small to medium size businesses to take part in bigger markets and ultimately be an industry leader through effective communication stream.
There is nothing more frustrating as a webmaster then waking up in the morning, firing up your browser to check your website only to find a message saying “This site has exceeded it’s bandwidth limits for the month”
It’s embarrassing, time consuming and not to mention costly if you are missing out on sales.
On the other side of the scale, it can be very costly to be on a larger web hosting plan or dedicated server and hardly even use the services it offers.
Good quality web hosting is not cheap, but you need to balance your business needs with what you can really afford to pay.
So what web hosting service should you be using? Good question!
In this article I’m going to be talking about the pro’s and con’s of both shared web hosting and dedicated web hosting packages. By the end of the article you should have some idea what your online business needs now and what it will need when it expands.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is what most small online businesses use. Shared hosting means that your site is on one server that also holds other peoples websites as well. Your website will not be the only one on that server. Very few small online businesses need the power of a dedicated server.
Most companies offer a few different types of shared web hosting services. The only difference usually being how much disk space you want or how much transfer allowance you need.
The major differences between each package really is how many domain names you can host, how much transfer (how many megabytes that are downloading from your website) you can have and how much disk space (how many files you can store) you need.
If you’re just starting out online and haven’t got a website up yet and not sure what you are doing exactly, start off with the small plan. That’s more then enough for a small site or blog for that matter.
Now if you run a larger website and you offer a lot of downloads, say for example you’re selling a rather large ebook, you might need the large service. Let’s say you have a 10mb ebook for sale, the large service this company offers would allow you to have roughly 2000 downloads of that package before you ran out of bandwidth (transfer).
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is for the big boys. It’s for medium to big business looking to do a lot of work online. A dedicated server is just that, you’re own server. You get your own server just for your website which is unlike shared hosting as you have to share a server.
There are many different packages available with dedicated hosting depending on how much you want to spend. The more resources a server has, IE, RAM, Hard drive space, processor speed, the more it will cost.
You can see that a dedicated server allows you a lot more disk space and transfer allowance. It also allows you unlimited domain names. Dedicated servers are also known to be a lot more stable and allow you more control over your website and are perfect for a professional image.
There are two types of dedicated servers….
Managed hosting
Managed hosting offers you the support of a technical team looking after your server. They do all the updates and technical side of things for you. They will perform routine maintenance without you even asking. Managed hosting how ever does cost quite a lot more then un-managed usually.
Un-managed hosting
Un-managed hosting isn’t as support less as it sounds. Most dedicated servers do come with technical assistance and routine maintenance, but any support questions will more then likely cost you extra. If you need something added to your server, it will cost you a in maintenance fee’s. Rebooting your server should also come free with un-managed dedicated hosting.
Multiple Domain Name Hosting
Another thing you should look at is whether or not you want to host multiple domain names with your one hosting package. Both shared hosting and dedicated hosting can allow you to do this. A lot of share hosting services now allow this.
I recommend always using a web host that allows you to have multiple domain names with your one account. It really does solve the problem of having multiple hosting accounts for different domain names.
Other Things To Look For
Other things to think about when searching for a web hosting company is what you intend to do with your website.
Do you need a lot of technical assistance? If so, look for a hosting company with live 24/7 support. Do you want to create a blog, or lot’s of blogs? Then you will need to see if your web hosting company allows you to setup multiple MYSQL databases.
It’s embarrassing, time consuming and not to mention costly if you are missing out on sales.
On the other side of the scale, it can be very costly to be on a larger web hosting plan or dedicated server and hardly even use the services it offers.
Good quality web hosting is not cheap, but you need to balance your business needs with what you can really afford to pay.
So what web hosting service should you be using? Good question!
In this article I’m going to be talking about the pro’s and con’s of both shared web hosting and dedicated web hosting packages. By the end of the article you should have some idea what your online business needs now and what it will need when it expands.
Shared Hosting
Shared hosting is what most small online businesses use. Shared hosting means that your site is on one server that also holds other peoples websites as well. Your website will not be the only one on that server. Very few small online businesses need the power of a dedicated server.
Most companies offer a few different types of shared web hosting services. The only difference usually being how much disk space you want or how much transfer allowance you need.
The major differences between each package really is how many domain names you can host, how much transfer (how many megabytes that are downloading from your website) you can have and how much disk space (how many files you can store) you need.
If you’re just starting out online and haven’t got a website up yet and not sure what you are doing exactly, start off with the small plan. That’s more then enough for a small site or blog for that matter.
Now if you run a larger website and you offer a lot of downloads, say for example you’re selling a rather large ebook, you might need the large service. Let’s say you have a 10mb ebook for sale, the large service this company offers would allow you to have roughly 2000 downloads of that package before you ran out of bandwidth (transfer).
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is for the big boys. It’s for medium to big business looking to do a lot of work online. A dedicated server is just that, you’re own server. You get your own server just for your website which is unlike shared hosting as you have to share a server.
There are many different packages available with dedicated hosting depending on how much you want to spend. The more resources a server has, IE, RAM, Hard drive space, processor speed, the more it will cost.
You can see that a dedicated server allows you a lot more disk space and transfer allowance. It also allows you unlimited domain names. Dedicated servers are also known to be a lot more stable and allow you more control over your website and are perfect for a professional image.
There are two types of dedicated servers….
Managed hosting
Managed hosting offers you the support of a technical team looking after your server. They do all the updates and technical side of things for you. They will perform routine maintenance without you even asking. Managed hosting how ever does cost quite a lot more then un-managed usually.
Un-managed hosting
Un-managed hosting isn’t as support less as it sounds. Most dedicated servers do come with technical assistance and routine maintenance, but any support questions will more then likely cost you extra. If you need something added to your server, it will cost you a in maintenance fee’s. Rebooting your server should also come free with un-managed dedicated hosting.
Another thing you should look at is whether or not you want to host multiple domain names with your one hosting package. Both shared hosting and dedicated hosting can allow you to do this. A lot of share hosting services now allow this.
I recommend always using a web host that allows you to have multiple domain names with your one account. It really does solve the problem of having multiple hosting accounts for different domain names.
Other Things To Look For
Other things to think about when searching for a web hosting company is what you intend to do with your website.
Do you need a lot of technical assistance? If so, look for a hosting company with live 24/7 support. Do you want to create a blog, or lot’s of blogs? Then you will need to see if your web hosting company allows you to setup multiple MYSQL databases.
No matter how large or small, 2013 is set to be a year in which all businesses need to make sure that they are as cost efficient as possible.
As the uncertain global economic situation continues, there are several ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. From the first weeks of the year, you will see real savings accumulate over the next twelve months. Here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling:
1. Adopt flexible working practices
By cutting the need to travel, instant savings can be made; not least by cutting expenditure on rising fuel costs. Moving to conference calls rather than face to face meetings saves time and money without compromising efficiency.
Flexible working can help you to manage your workforce more efficiently, reduce costs and improve morale. With innovative use of remote office applications, workers can work flexibly in terms of hours and location, meaning savings across the business.
2. Consolidate to control costs
If you're going to shift operations to telecoms and IT, then it is imperative that you can be confident that you are doing so efficiently. 62 per cent of UK businesses have more than four suppliers for telecoms and IT alone. By switching to a unified communications package you can integrate applications on a single platform or device which results in real savings.
3. Make Sure Your Business is Energy Efficient
According to the Confederation of British Industry, businesses in the UK waste on average 10-20 per cent of the energy they buy. That translates to a great deal of money wasted and a comprehensive review of the ways in which your company uses energy can result in great savings.
Reducing the heating by a single degree can save 10 per cent of the annual heating budget. Consider Start by addressing out of hours consumption; this is where businesses waste thousands.
Simple things like turning computers and monitors off, ensuring that water consumption is kept within reason or reducing printing waste can save fortunes. Consider getting vehicle tracking devices on your company cars (here you can find fleet management on Expert Market, a B2B website).
4. Sub-let Space
Many offices operate within their physical means and leave space lying empty. Identify whether you are maximising the potential of your business suite. By sub-letting that space wisely, you can not only generate vital revenue rather than paying for space you're not utilising, but also build your business network. This is done by ensuring that a potential client or contractor sets up their office on your territory. The potential benefits are huge if you can snare the right tenant.
5. Review The Company Postage Spend
There is huge waste on postage. A shift to second from first class can mean at best 24 hours difference in delivery times, but very often makes no difference. Many companies send everything by second class, and watch how much that can save.
Even more cost effective is the leasing a franking machine, in spite of lease costs. Apart from removing the need to buy stamps, each frank also carries a 1p saving. This adds up to an average saving of 5 per cent, with many machines also providing free credit.
6. Content Marketing
Simply "advertising" your business is not enough in the competitive online market. Harnessing inbound marketing techniques will help you to attract the greatest number of people interested in your products and services.
It is far more cost effective and therefore profitable to find a targeted group of consumers or businesses, rather than scatter gun the entire market. Rewrite your website to exactly what it is you're selling and the type of customers you want to attract. In doing so, ensure that you meet higher SEO and page rank standards.
7. Harness Human Resources
Increased productivity and job satisfaction will always result in raise profits and this will come from ensuring your existing workforce is efficient and motivated. Frequently, the best money-saving initiatives and cost-saving improvements come from a skilled team of efficient workers.
The key is to instill a sense of ownership in the enterprise and keep workplace motivation high. By encouraging the cross-training of employees across the business workloads in different departments can be more effectively managed, in-house skill sets built and proliferated, and training costs that come with new hires and temps reduced or eradicated.
8. Switch to Open Source Software
Open-source software costs a fraction of the price of most of the major commercial products while still offering all, if not more, of the features. Adoption of open source solutions can drive down your IT budget but doesn't need to mean that you are sacrificing functionality in the name of saving money.
Aside from the attraction of saving money the open source option provides benefits in terms of security, the lack of vendor 'lock in' and, arguably, better quality.
These are just 8 ideas to get you started but throughout every business a simple review of working methods, allied with a bit of creative thinking, can transform your working methods and make a more efficient business far more profitable.
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