Reducing ‘Month-End Stress’ by 50%: How Business Central’s 2026 Payables Agent Automates Your Accounting
The Bottleneck: Why Month-End is Traditionally So Stressful
The primary cause of month-end "crunch" isn't the volume of work—it's the friction of data.- Inbox Overload: Invoices arrive as PDF attachments scattered across various employee inboxes or a single "AP@" alias.
- Manual Transcription: An accounting clerk must manually type dates, invoice numbers, and line items into the system.
- Coding Errors: Deciding whether a new invoice from a vendor belongs to "Office Supplies" or "Hardware Maintenance" requires human judgment that is prone to fatigue.
- The Matching Game: Verifying that an invoice matches a Purchase Order (PO) and a warehouse receipt is a three-way puzzle that consumes hours.
Enter the Payables Agent: Your 2026 Digital Clerk
The Payables Agent is not just a software feature; it is an autonomous AI agent that operates within Business Central. Unlike standard OCR (Optical Character Recognition) of the past, which required rigid templates, the 2026 Payables Agent uses generative AI to "read" and "understand" documents like a human would.1. Autonomous Inbox Monitoring
You no longer need to download PDFs and upload them to your ERP. The Payables Agent monitors a designated shared mailbox (e.g., ap@yourcompany.com). When a vendor sends an invoice, the agent detects the PDF, pulls it into Business Central as an "Inbound E-Document," and begins processing it immediately. This transforms accounts payable from a "batch" process at the end of the month into a continuous close throughout the month.2. Intelligent Vendor Matching & Creation
The agent extracts the vendor's name, address, and tax ID from the invoice. It then matches this data against your existing records. If the vendor is new, the agent doesn't just stop; it can actually draft a new vendor card, pulling details directly from the invoice for your review. This level of smart workflow prevents the common "missing vendor" delays that plague month-end.3. AI-Driven G/L Coding
This is where the 50% time-saving truly happens. The Payables Agent analyzes the line items on an invoice and, based on historical patterns and your company's accounting policies, suggests the correct G/L accounts and dimensions. For example, it recognizes a recurring utility bill and automatically codes it to the "Utilities" expense account, even suggesting deferral templates if the service spans multiple months.Human-in-the-Loop: Maintaining Control
A common concern with "AI in accounting" is the loss of control. Microsoft has addressed this by building the Payables Agent with a "Human-in-the-Loop" philosophy. The agent does not post the invoice directly to your books. Instead, it creates a Purchase Invoice Draft. An "Agent Supervisor" (your AP Manager) receives a notification to review the draft. The agent even provides a "Confidence Score" and a "Reasoning" panel, explaining why it chose a specific G/L account or vendor. This transparency is a massive leap forward from the "black box" automation of the past. It allows your team to move from being "data entry clerks" to "data auditors," a shift we discussed in our exploration of how AI agents are replacing manual workflows in 2026.The Chicago Competitive Edge: Why Move Now?
For Chicago-based businesses—especially those in manufacturing, distribution, and clinics—margins are often tight, and administrative overhead can be the difference between profit and loss. We’ve seen how clinics in the U.S. use Business Central to save money, and the Payables Agent is the next logical step in that evolution. By implementing these 2026 features now, you aren't just making month-end easier; you are building a scalable foundation. As your business grows, your AP team won't need to grow at the same rate because your "Digital Clerk" can handle the increased volume of invoices without breaking a sweat.Conclusion: Ending "Month-End Hell" Forever
The stress of month-end is a symptom of an outdated system. In 2026, Business Central’s Payables Agent offers a cure by automating the most tedious, error-prone aspects of accounting. By the time the last day of the month arrives, most of your invoices are already captured, coded, and ready for a final click of the "Post" button. If you are currently using legacy ERP systems or entry-level software like QuickBooks, you are missing out on the efficiency gains that define modern business.Ready to reclaim your month-end?
Stop drowning in PDFs and start leading with data. Let our experts show you how to activate and configure the Business Central 2026 Payables Agent for your specific business needs. Book a Free AP Automation Assessment with Avion Technology Today757 adminFebruary 26, 2026
NAV & GP End of Life 2026: Survival Guide for Chicago SMBs
Understanding the 2026 Milestone: What Does ‘End of Life’ Really Mean?
When an ERP system reaches its end of life or end of support, it doesn't simply disappear from your server. Instead, it becomes a "legacy" system. While the software may still launch, the ecosystem supporting it vanishes. In 2026, we are seeing a significant squeeze:- Termination of Support for Key Versions: Versions like Dynamics NAV 2016 reach the end of their Extended Support in April 2026. This means zero security updates from Microsoft moving forward.
- Sales Restrictions: As of April 1, 2026, Microsoft is officially ending the sale of new subscription licenses for Dynamics GP to new customers. The door is closing on the ability to even start with these older frameworks.
- Lack of Compliance: Tax laws, payroll regulations, and GAAP standards change every year. Legacy systems eventually stop receiving these updates, forcing your accounting team into high-risk manual adjustments.
- The Talent Gap: It is becoming increasingly difficult to find IT professionals who specialize in C/AL (NAV’s coding language) or Dexterity (GP’s language). The new generation of talent is focused on the cloud.
Step 1: The Audit – Mapping Your Current Customizations
The biggest mistake Chicago businesses make during a migration is trying to "lift and shift." Your NAV or GP instance has likely been customized over 10 or 15 years. Some of those customizations are vital; others are obsolete. Before looking at new software, document every manual workaround your team currently uses. Are you exporting data to Excel just to run a basic report? That’s a sign that your current system is failing you. Modern solutions like Business Performance Analytics can now handle these tasks natively, eliminating the need for messy third-party add-ons.Step 2: Choose Your Destination (Hint: It’s Business Central)
For NAV and GP users, the logical successor is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC). Why? Because it offers a familiar logic but with 2026-grade technology. Unlike the static nature of GP, Business Central is an "evergreen" platform. This means you never have to perform a "big bang" upgrade again. The system updates itself in the background, much like your smartphone. Furthermore, for those in the local manufacturing sector, adopting Business Central in Chicago has become the standard for staying competitive in a high-cost market.Step 3: Data Clean-Up – The "Don’t Pack the Junk" Rule
When moving to a new house, you don’t pack the trash from the garage. The same applies to your ERP. Most GP and NAV databases are cluttered with ten-year-old vendor records and closed purchase orders.- Determine what to migrate: Most experts recommend two years of detailed history and opening balances.
- Archive the rest: Keep your old NAV/GP server as a read-only archive for compliance, but start your new journey in Business Central with a clean, fast database.
Step 4: Embrace the 2026 Advantage (AI & Automation)
The real reason to move now isn't just about avoiding a "sunset" date; it's about gaining a competitive edge. Business Central v26 and the 2026 release waves have introduced features that NAV and GP could never dream of. We are now seeing the rise of Agentic ERP, where autonomous AI agents handle bank reconciliations and collections. By staying on a legacy system, you are essentially asking your employees to work with one hand tied behind their backs while your competitors use AI to automate their approval workflows.Step 5: Partnering for a Smooth Landing
A migration of this scale is not a DIY project for your internal IT person. It requires a partner who understands the bridge between the old "On-Premise" world and the new "Cloud" world. The transition involves:- Permission Mapping: Redefining who can see what in a cloud environment.
- Integration: Ensuring your CRM, Shopify store, or proprietary warehouse software talks to the new system.
- Training: Helping your Chicago-based team overcome the "this isn't how we used to do it in GP" hurdle.
Conclusion: The Cost of Inaction
In the Chicago business community, we pride ourselves on resilience and "The City That Works" mentality. But working hard shouldn't mean working on broken systems. Every month you stay on a legacy NAV or GP platform, you incur "hidden costs", the cost of manual entry, the cost of server maintenance, and the opportunity cost of not having real-time data. With the 2026 deadlines approaching, Especially the end of NAV 2016 support and the new GP licensing restrictions. The window for a stress-free migration is narrowing. By acting now, you can turn a forced migration into a strategic upgrade that powers your business for the next decade.Ready to Secure Your Future?
Don't wait for the server to fail or the support to end. Let our Chicago-based experts help you map out a seamless transition from NAV/GP to the cloud. Contact Avion Technology for your ERP Migration Roadmap today.756 adminFebruary 26, 2026
Deployment Simplified: Taking Back Control with Kamal 2
The Growing Complexity of Modern Deployments
Over the last decade, deployment tooling has expanded dramatically. While powerful, many modern platforms introduce challenges such as:- Steep learning curves for engineering teams
- Heavy dependency on managed services
- High operational and infrastructure costs
- Limited transparency into deployment behavior
- Over-engineered pipelines for simple use cases
What Is Kamal 2 and Why It Matters?
Kamal 2 is a lightweight deployment tool designed to simplify application delivery, especially for containerized and Ruby on Rails–based applications, though its flexibility extends beyond Rails. At its core, Kamal 2 focuses on:- Direct server-based deployments
- Minimal configuration
- Predictable release workflows
- Clear ownership of infrastructure
Who Benefits Most from Kamal 2 in the USA
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Cloud Architects
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Platform Engineers
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IT & Digital Transformation Decision-Makers
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Business & Product Stakeholders
Industries That Align Strongly with Kamal 2
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Technology & Software
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Healthcare & Health Tech
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E-commerce & Retail Tech
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Enterprise IT Services & Consulting
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Financial Services & FinTech
Key Advantages of Kamal 2
- Simplicity by design : Minimal setup and configuration
- Infrastructure ownership : Full control over servers and environments
- Cost efficiency : Avoids heavy managed services and licensing fees
- Faster deployments : Reduced pipeline complexity improves release speed
- Operational clarity : Clear visibility into what is deployed and where
How Avion Technology Helps You Succeed with Kamal 2
At Avion Technology, we help organizations adopt simpler, smarter deployment strategies that align with their business goals. Our Kamal 2–focused services include:- Deployment strategy assessment and planning
- Kamal 2 setup and configuration
- Server and cloud infrastructure optimization
- Secure CI/CD pipeline integration
- Ongoing deployment support and optimization
Take Back Control of Your Deployments
Deployment should empower teams, not slow them down. Kamal 2 offers a practical path to simplified, controlled, and cost-effective application delivery. Avion Technology helps you implement Kamal 2 the right way, so your teams can focus on building, not managing complexity. If you’re exploring ways to streamline deployments and regain infrastructure control, we’re here to help you.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Kamal 2 suitable for enterprise environments? Yes. Kamal 2 works well for enterprise teams that want controlled, predictable deployments, especially for specific workloads or services.
Does Kamal 2 replace Kubernetes? Not necessarily. Kamal 2 is an alternative for teams that don’t require Kubernetes complexity and prefer simpler deployment workflows.
Is Kamal 2 only for Ruby on Rails? While popular in the Rails ecosystem, Kamal 2 supports containerized applications across different stacks.
How secure is Kamal 2? Kamal 2 leverages SSH, Docker, and infrastructure best practices. When implemented correctly, it supports strong security controls.
Can Avion Technology customize Kamal 2 for our use case? Absolutely. Avion Technology tailors Kamal 2 implementations based on your architecture, compliance needs, and growth plans.
785 adminFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Ready Rails: Integrating Smart Features into Your Existing App
How AI Integration Enhances(Importance) Your Rails Applications
Ruby on Rails has long been recognized for its speed, scalability, and developer-friendly architecture. However, modern businesses are increasingly demanding applications that are not just functional, but intelligent. Integrating AI into Rails applications allows organizations to:- Enhance user experiences with personalized recommendations, dynamic content, and predictive analytics.
- Automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry, reporting, and customer support.
- Make smarter business decisions through advanced data insights and predictive modeling.
- Future-proof applications by ensuring compatibility with emerging AI technologies and frameworks.
Top Industries Leveraging(Benefits) AI-Ready Rails Solutions
By integrating intelligent features, the sectors can streamline operations, enhance user experiences, and make faster, data-driven decisions. Industries that get benefit greatly from AI-ready Rails solutions :- Healthcare – AI can streamline patient management, predict health outcomes, and assist in diagnostics.
- Financial Services – Automated fraud detection, risk analysis, and intelligent reporting enhance operational efficiency.
- SaaS Products – Personalized user experiences and smart analytics provide competitive differentiation.
- Retail & eCommerce – Dynamic pricing, customer behavior analysis, and recommendation engines improve sales and engagement.
How to Prepare Your Rails App for AI Integration
Building AI-ready Rails applications doesn’t always require a complete overhaul. Businesses can integrate AI seamlessly into existing systems by following structured strategies:- Assess Your Current Architecture Begin by evaluating your Rails application’s current structure. Identify modules or workflows that can benefit from AI enhancements, such as user recommendation systems, predictive analytics dashboards, or automated notifications.
- Select the Right AI Tools & Frameworks Ruby developers can leverage a range of AI and machine learning libraries, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch (via Python integration), or Ruby gems like ruby-dnn. Selecting tools compatible with your Rails stack ensures smooth integration.
- Data Preparation & Management AI thrives on quality data. Organizations must centralize, clean, and structure their data to feed AI algorithms effectively. Rails’ Active Record and database management capabilities can streamline this process.
- Integration with Rails Modules Embed AI models within Rails controllers and background jobs. For example, predictive analytics can be run through background jobs while recommendation engines dynamically update the user interface.
- Continuous Monitoring & Model Improvement AI models evolve over time. Incorporate monitoring mechanisms to track model performance, user interactions, and system impact. Rails’ built-in logging and background processing tools make continuous evaluation efficient.
AI-Ready Rails Solutions Delivered by Avion Technology
At Avion Technology, we specialize in transforming existing Rails applications into AI-enhanced platforms tailored for U.S.-based businesses. Here’s how we approach AI integration:- Customized AI Solutions: We assess your unique business needs and identify the most impactful AI features to integrate.
- Seamless Rails Integration: Our developers leverage Rails’ modular architecture to incorporate AI models without disrupting your current workflow.
- Data-Driven Insights: Using advanced analytics and machine learning, we help businesses turn raw data into actionable intelligence.
- Scalable & Secure Deployment: All AI enhancements are implemented with scalability, performance, and security at the forefront, ensuring your application grows with your business.
Call to Action
Transform your Rails application into an AI-powered platform that drives efficiency, insights, and user engagement. Talk with our Expert today to explore how our Rails expertise and AI capabilities can elevate your business.Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is an AI-ready Rails application? An AI-ready Rails application is a Ruby on Rails app enhanced with AI features like predictive analytics, machine learning models, and intelligent automation to improve functionality and user experience.
Q2: Which industries benefit the most from AI integration in Rails? Healthcare, financial services, SaaS, retail, and eCommerce are the primary industries benefiting from AI-ready Rails applications due to their need for data-driven insights and process automation.
Q3: Can existing Rails applications be upgraded for AI integration? Yes, most existing Rails applications can be enhanced with AI capabilities without a complete rewrite. Proper architecture assessment and modular AI integration make this feasible.
Q4: How does Avion Technology ensure AI integration doesn’t disrupt existing apps? Our team leverages Rails’ modular design, background processing, and testing strategies to ensure smooth integration, minimal downtime, and optimized performance.
Q5: What AI tools work best with Rails? AI tools such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Ruby gems like ruby-dnn can be effectively integrated into Rails applications, often with API or background job support.
783 adminFebruary 26, 2026
Struggling to See Your Sales Performance? Salesforce Brings the Clarity SMBs Need
The Real Problem: No Clear Sales Picture
Many businesses can’t confidently answer:- Which deals are most likely to close?
- Who on the team is performing well?
- What revenue can we realistically expect this month?
How Salesforce Solves This Pain Point
When implemented properly, Salesforce CRM for B2B businesses becomes a powerful visibility tool not just a data storage system. With Salesforce dashboards and reports, business owners get real-time access to:- Live sales pipelines
- Individual and team performance
- Deal stage movement and bottlenecks
Why Avion Technology Makes Salesforce Work for You
Salesforce is only effective when it fits your actual sales process. As a trusted Salesforce implementation partner, Avion Technology focuses on understanding your business first then configuring Salesforce around your goals. Our Salesforce experts customize dashboards, automate reporting, and ensure your team actually uses the system with confidence. The result? Clear sales visibility and smarter decisions.
Still unsure what’s really happening in your sales pipeline?
Talk to Avion Technology today and let our Salesforce team turn your sales data into clear, confident decisions.
Contact Us: +1 (224) 209-9860
FAQs
Is Salesforce suitable for small businesses? Yes. Salesforce scales well for SMBs and delivers strong results when tailored to your sales process and reporting needs.
How does Salesforce improve sales visibility? It centralizes data into real-time dashboards, reports, and forecasts, giving business owners a clear view of pipeline and performance.
How long does Salesforce implementation take? Most SMB implementations take between two to six weeks, depending on customization and business complexity.
Will my sales team need technical training? No. Avion Technology configures Salesforce to be user-friendly and provides practical training for daily use.
Can dashboards be customized for my KPIs? Yes. Dashboards are fully customized to track the metrics that matter most to your business goals.
777 adminFebruary 24, 2026
Data Safety in the AI Age: Mastering Snowflake Horizon
Why Data Safety Matters in the AI Era?
The AI age brings incredible opportunities but also heightened data risks:- Cybersecurity Threats: AI systems rely on large datasets, making them a prime target for breaches and unauthorized access.
- Regulatory Compliance: Organizations must adhere to strict regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA, requiring secure data storage and processing.
- Business Continuity: Data loss or corruption can disrupt operations, leading to financial and reputational damage.
- Trust and Reputation: Customers increasingly value businesses that safeguard their personal and financial information.
Benefits of Mastering Snowflake Horizon
Organizations adopting Snowflake Horizon experience multiple advantages:- Enhanced Security: Advanced encryption, role-based access control, and continuous monitoring safeguard critical data.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Handle massive datasets seamlessly across cloud environments without compromising performance.
- AI-Ready Architecture: Integrates smoothly with AI and machine learning tools to generate real-time insights securely.
- Cost Efficiency: Pay-as-you-go model reduces infrastructure costs while ensuring enterprise-grade performance.
- Simplified Compliance: Built-in compliance features make adhering to regulations straightforward.
Audience and Industries Benefiting from Snowflake
Who in the USA benefits most from Snowflake Horizon?- CIOs and CTOs looking to modernize infrastructure.
- Data Engineers and Analysts requiring AI-ready, secure data warehouses.
- Marketing and Operations Teams aiming to leverage insights for customer engagement.
Industries that gain maximum advantage include:
- Healthcare: Securely manage patient records while using AI for predictive analytics.
- Financial Services: Protect sensitive customer and transaction data while enabling AI-powered risk assessment.
- SaaS and Technology: Ensure multi-cloud data safety for product analytics and AI-driven innovation.
- Retail and E-commerce: Harness customer behavior data safely for personalization and targeted campaigns.
Avion Technology’s Approach to Mastering Snowflake Horizon
At Avion Technology, we help U.S.-based businesses simplify secure data management and AI integration to achieve measurable results. We start with Expert Assessment and Planning, analyzing your infrastructure and creating a tailored Snowflake Horizon strategy. Through Implementation and Integration, we deploy Snowflake across cloud platforms, securely connecting AI and analytics tools. Our Optimization for Performance fine-tunes data pipelines for speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, while Training and Support empowers teams to maintain data safety and compliance. With Continuous Innovation, we keep businesses ahead with AI-enabled analytics and top-tier security. Ready to elevate your data safety strategy in the AI age? Partner with Avion Technology to implement Snowflake Horizon and unlock the full potential of your data. Safeguard sensitive information, harness AI insights, and gain a strategic edge in your industry. Explore our services today to future-proof your business.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Snowflake Horizon? Snowflake Horizon is an advanced data platform offering secure, scalable, and AI-ready cloud data management. It ensures businesses can store, process, and analyze data safely across multiple cloud environments.
Q2: How does Snowflake Horizon enhance data security? It provides end-to-end encryption, role-based access control, automated backups, and compliance tools, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring regulatory adherence.
Q3: Which industries benefit the most from Snowflake Horizon? Healthcare, financial services, SaaS, technology, retail, and e-commerce industries gain significant advantages from secure data management and AI integration.
Q4: How can Avion Technology help implement Snowflake Horizon? Avion Technology offers consulting, deployment, optimization, and training services to ensure organizations implement Snowflake securely and effectively.
Q5: Why is data safety critical in the AI era? AI relies on vast datasets to function effectively. Ensuring these datasets are secure prevents cyber threats, maintains compliance, and protects business reputation.
773 adminFebruary 24, 2026
ServiceNow + Anthropic Claude: The Future of Enterprise AI
The Multi-Model Strategy: Choice as a Strategic Asset
While many platforms force you into a single-model silo, ServiceNow has embraced a "Multi-Model" philosophy. In the Zurich release, Claude sits alongside ServiceNow’s proprietary Now LLMs and other partners like OpenAI, giving enterprises the "right tool for the right job". At Avion Technology, we see this as a game-changer for ServiceNow consulting and implementation. Claude’s unique strength lies in its massive "context window" and its "constitutional" approach to safety, which makes it particularly effective for the complex, highly regulated industries such as healthcare and finance that define the market.Key Pillars of the ServiceNow + Claude Integration
The integration of Claude into the core platform introduces three transformative capabilities that are redefining ServiceNow workflow transformation:
1. The Default Engine for "Vibe Coding" and Build Agent
Claude is now the default model powering the ServiceNow Build Agent, the platform’s revolutionary "vibe coding" technology.- Natural Language to Code: Developers of all skill levels can now use plain English prompts to generate complex data models and workflows.
- Autonomous App Development: Claude’s superior reasoning allows it to understand the intent behind a business request, creating applications that previously required months of specialized developer support.
- Quadrupled Productivity: ServiceNow expects usage of the Build Agent to quadruple in the next year as firms realize it can cut implementation times by roughly 50%.
2. Specialized Industry Performance: Healthcare and Life Sciences
ServiceNow and Anthropic are co-developing industry-specific solutions, with a heavy focus on the US healthcare sector.- Accelerated Claims Authorization: By using Claude Opus, which leads major medical benchmarks, the platform can reduce claims processing times from days to mere hours.
- Governed Research Analysis: AI-assisted agents can support complex research analysis while remaining strictly within the ServiceNow Vault to ensure data privacy and compliance.
3. Internal "Dogfooding" at Scale
ServiceNow is not just selling this technology; they are using it. Over 29,000 ServiceNow employees are already using Claude to drive internal productivity.- 95% Reduction in Sales Prep: Sales teams use Claude-powered tools to synthesize account data and web research, allowing them to focus on strategic conversations instead of manual research.
- Engineering Velocity with Claude Code: Internal engineers use Claude Code to debug, refactor, and implement new features, drastically reducing the gap between an idea and a production-ready feature.
Measuring the Impact: ROI and Operational Value
The partnership with Anthropic isn't just about "cooler" AI; it’s about tangible business results. In our ServiceNow consulting practice, we track ROI through several critical metrics:- Implementation Compression: By using Claude-powered configuration tools, the time-to-value for a new ServiceNow implementation is reduced by half.
- Autonomous Resolution Rates: Agentic workflows built on Claude can resolve up to 20% of tasks without any human turn, a 116% increase in autonomy compared to previous models.
- Developer Efficiency: Teams using Claude Code report a 50% productivity boost, allowing them to take on 27% more projects that wouldn't have been cost-effective before.
Strategic Governance: The AI Control Tower
As you scale your Claude implementations, governance remains the ultimate priority. The ServiceNow AI Control Tower serves as your centralized command center for these AI assets.- Usage Monitoring: Track exactly how Claude is being used across your ITSM, HRSD, and CSM workflows to ensure alignment with corporate policy.
- Access Controls: Use the Machine Identity Console to manage permissions for your AI agents, ensuring they only access the data they are authorized to see.
- Safety Guardrails: Every interaction is routed through the Generative AI Controller, which enforces Now Assist Guardian policies to prevent hallucinations and bias.
The Road to 2026: Why Now?
The "AI race" has moved from the laboratory to the enterprise infrastructure. For a Chicago-based firm, the combination of ServiceNow + Anthropic Claude offers a unique advantage: the world’s most secure enterprise platform paired with the world’s most "constitutional" AI. At Avion Technology, we help you bridge the gap between these two powerhouses. We don't just help you "buy the license"; we help you build the agentic playbooks that turn Claude’s intelligence into your company’s competitive edge.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Claude now the only model available in ServiceNow?
No, ServiceNow maintains a "model choice" strategy. While Claude is the default for Build Agent, you can still use ServiceNow’s Now LLMs, OpenAI, or Gemini through the Generative AI Controller.
How does Avion Technology help with a Claude-ServiceNow integration?
We provide the specialized data grounding and governance blueprints needed to ensure Claude understands your specific business jargon and stays within enterprise guardrails.
Does using Claude in ServiceNow cost extra?
It depends on your licensing. Many features are included in Now Assist packages, but custom use cases via the Generative AI Controller may involve different consumption-based charges.
Why is Avion Technology the right partner for this transition?
We combine deep ServiceNow implementation experience with a localized understanding of the market, ensuring your AI strategy is both technically sound and business-aligned.
Ready to Lead with Agentic AI?
The most successful AI implementations are those rooted in deep platform expertise and a clear understanding of business requirements. At Avion Technology, we specialize in ServiceNow consulting and implementation that turns complex technology into simple, scalable business outcomes. Schedule a Strategy Session with Avion Technology Discover how Anthropic Claude can Revolutionize Your ServiceNow Workflows Today.781 adminFebruary 24, 2026
How AI Agents in ServiceNow Are Transforming Enterprise Workflows, Real Use Cases & ROI
The Paradigm Shift: From Automation to Autonomy
Traditional workflow automation was always "brittle." If a process hit an exception a missing approval or a data mismatch the automation stopped, and a human had to intervene. In 2026, Agentic AI solves this by introducing goal-oriented execution. Instead of following a rigid script, an AI agent understands the objective (e.g., "Onboard this employee") and dynamically navigates the steps required, even when data is incomplete or priorities shift. For a US-based enterprise, this means your ServiceNow platform is no longer a "Librarian" that just tells you where a policy is; it is a "Digital Employee" that can carry the heavy boxes for you.High-Impact Use Cases Across the Enterprise
The true value of ServiceNow implementation in 2026 is found in the specific, high-density decision areas where humans are often the bottleneck.
1. Hyper-Automated IT Service Management (ITSM)
In the ITSM domain, agents have moved from simple triage to proactive remediation.- Self-Healing Infrastructure: Agents monitor system telemetry in real-time. If a surge in database connections is detected in your Chicago data center, the agent can automatically provision resources and apply a patch before an outage occurs.
- Intelligent Request Fulfillment: Instead of a human manually checking software licenses, an agent can verify availability, trigger the approval, and configure access rights across third-party systems like Azure or AWS instantly.
2. Advanced HR Service Delivery (HRSD)
HR departments are seeing the most significant "humanization" of AI through better employee experiences.- Autonomous Onboarding & Offboarding: Agents manage the entire lifecycle. For a new hire in Schaumburg, the agent automatically orders equipment, sets up email, enrolls them in benefits, and even schedules introductory meetings based on their specific role.
- Policy Advisory: Employees can ask complex, multi-part questions about leave balances and sabbatical eligibility. The agent doesn't just link to a PDF. it calculates the balance, checks the specific US labor policy, and starts the application process.
3. Proactive Customer Service Management (CSM)
In CSM, the focus is on Predictive Care.- IoT-Driven Support: Agents monitor product usage data and IoT telemetry to spot recurring error patterns. They can proactively create a support case, notify the customer, and initiate a remote firmware fix without the customer ever needing to pick up the phone.
- Multi-Faceted Inquiry Resolution: When a customer has a complex request involving a return, a reorder, and the application of loyalty points, a single agent can coordinate all three actions across different systems simultaneously.
The ROI Framework: Measuring the Value of 2026
At Avion Technology, we believe ROI should be defensible, not just a "guess." ServiceNow’s own AI Value Framework now measures success through three key lenses:- Productivity Time Value: We calculate the "hours saved" by multiplying successful AI resolutions by the average time a human agent would have spent. For instance, a successful AI Search resolution saves an average of 4.5 minutes per interaction.
- Operational Reliability: By reducing the Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR) through self-healing workflows, enterprises avoid the massive costs associated with unplanned downtime.
- Cost Takeout vs. Capability Expansion: While many focus on cost reduction, the real ROI is in capability expansion. AI agents allow for 24/7 global operations and instant scaling during demand spikes that human teams simply cannot match.
The "Vibe Coding" Revolution in the Chicago Market
A major trend we are seeing in ServiceNow consulting is the democratization of development through "Vibe Coding." This allows your domain experts in Chicago to build specialized agents using natural language prompts in the AI Agent Studio.- Reduced Backlogs: Non-technical managers can now create their own "micro-automations" for specific team tasks, clearing the massive development backlogs that once stifled IT growth.
- Rapid Iteration: You can "describe" a business problem, and the platform generates the underlying code, tables, and logic in minutes instead of weeks.
Why Local Expertise is Critical for US Implementation
For US-based firms, generic AI "out of the box" isn't enough. You need an implementation that understands the local landscape.- Regulatory Alignment: Agents must be configured to respect US-specific data privacy laws like HIPAA or SOC2.
- Security at Scale: Using ServiceNow Vault, we ensure your sensitive enterprise data is never used to train public models, keeping your proprietary knowledge safe within your own "ServiceNow bubble".
The Path Forward: From Experiment to Ecosystem
The experimentation phase of AI is officially over. By 2026, over 40% of enterprise applications will have embedded, task-specific AI agents. Organizations that fail to establish a robust ServiceNow AI Platform foundation today risk structural irrelevance by the end of the decade. Conclusion: Driving Measurable Outcomes The transformation of enterprise workflows through ServiceNow AI agents is not a "someday" vision it is happening now in the boardrooms of Chicago and the tech hubs of Schaumburg. By focusing on real use cases with clear ROI, and governing those agents with the AI Control Tower, you can turn your ServiceNow instance into a strategic powerhouse. Ready to Unlock Your AI ROI? The transition to an autonomous enterprise requires a partner who understands the bridge between business strategy and technical execution. At Avion Technology, we specialize in ServiceNow consulting and implementation that puts people at the center of the AI revolution. Contact Avion Technology Today for an AI Readiness Audit.775 adminFebruary 24, 2026
From Ideas to Apps: Building Faster with Snowflake and Vercel
Who Benefits from Snowflake and Vercel in the U.S.?
The combination of Snowflake’s cloud data warehouse capabilities and Vercel’s app deployment platform is particularly powerful for these audiences:- Technology & Software Development Teams – Build scalable apps faster by integrating Snowflake’s data with Vercel’s deployment pipelines.
- Startups & Digital Agencies – Rapidly prototype and launch MVPs or client-facing applications without heavy infrastructure investments.
- Business Analysts & Data Teams – Transform raw data into interactive dashboards or apps for decision-making.
- AI/ML Product Teams – Deploy AI-powered applications that rely on real-time or historical data.
Industries Gaining Maximum Impact
Businesses across industries are realizing tangible benefits:- Financial Services – Fraud detection dashboards, risk analytics, and compliance reporting become more efficient and accurate.
- Healthcare & Life Sciences – Patient data analytics, operational insights, and research tools improve patient outcomes and streamline workflows.
- Retail & eCommerce – Customer analytics, inventory tracking, and dynamic pricing apps boost operational efficiency and customer experience.
- Technology & SaaS – Usage analytics, product telemetry, and internal tools help teams innovate faster.
- Media & Entertainment – Real-time audience insights and content analytics enhance engagement strategies.
- Manufacturing & Logistics – Supply chain and IoT data apps improve production efficiency and reduce operational costs.
- Education & Research – Performance analytics and collaboration portals empower institutions with actionable insights.
Real-World Applications with Snowflake and Vercel
Companies are using Snowflake and Vercel to turn data into actionable solutions quickly:- Custom Dashboards & Analytics – Real-time insights for teams with fast, interactive apps.
- Customer-Facing Applications – Personalized experiences that boost engagement and retention.
- Operational Automation – Streamlined workflows and increased efficiency.
- AI-Powered Solutions – Predictive apps for smarter decisions in healthcare, finance, and more.
- Rapid MVP Development – Startups launch and test ideas faster without heavy infrastructure.
How Businesses Apply Snowflake and Vercel
Here’s how U.S. companies are leveraging these tools in real-world scenarios:- Rapid App Deployment Snowflake centralizes and organizes data, while Vercel allows teams to deploy apps with minimal coding. This combination reduces development time from months to weeks.
- Data-Driven Decision Making Business analysts use Snowflake to query large datasets and present insights via Vercel-hosted dashboards, enabling faster, smarter decisions.
- AI/ML Integration AI/ML teams can train models on Snowflake datasets and deploy predictive apps via Vercel, turning insights into actionable business solutions instantly.
- Operational Efficiency Startups and agencies prototype MVPs or client solutions quickly, validate ideas, and scale applications without heavy infrastructure overhead.
How Avion Technology Makes a Difference
At Avion Technology, we specialize in helping organizations harness Snowflake and Vercel to its fullest potential:- Custom Solutions: Tailored architectures and deployment strategies for your business needs.
- Faster Time-to-Market: Reduce app development cycles while ensuring reliability and scalability.
- Expert Guidance: Data modeling, pipeline optimization, and cloud integration best practices.
- Support Across Teams: From developers to business analysts, we ensure every team can extract value from data.
FAQs
Q1: Can small businesses benefit from Snowflake and Vercel, or is it only for enterprises? Ans: Absolutely! Startups and small teams can leverage these platforms to prototype, deploy, and scale apps efficiently without large infrastructure investments.
Q2: How does Snowflake help in building faster apps? Ans: Snowflake centralizes data and makes it easily queryable. Teams can access real-time or historical data instantly, enabling faster development of data-driven applications.
Q3: What makes Vercel ideal for app deployment? Ans: Vercel provides seamless deployment pipelines, automatic scaling, and minimal infrastructure management, allowing teams to focus on building features rather than server maintenance.
Q4: How does Avion Technology assist in integrating these platforms? Ans: Avion Technology offers end-to-end support, from data architecture and model optimization in Snowflake to deployment and scalability strategies with Vercel, ensuring maximum ROI.
Q5: Can AI/ML applications benefit from this integration? Ans: Yes! Teams can train models on Snowflake datasets and deploy AI-powered applications via Vercel, making insights actionable immediately.
766 mrunaliFebruary 24, 2026
Slow to Market Launches? Ruby on Rails Speeds Time-to-Market
The Core Challenge
Companies invest in design, strategy, and planning, but once development begins, progress becomes slow and unpredictable. Long coding hours, repeated testing, and complex integrations increase both cost and frustration. The true challenge is long development cycles and delayed time-to-market. When projects take too long:- Launch opportunities are missed
- Development costs rise
- Teams lose agility
- Businesses fall behind competitors
Who Is Most Affected by This Challenge?
This issue is commonly experienced by:- Startups trying to release MVPs quickly
- SaaS companies needing continuous feature updates
- Growing enterprises building scalable digital platforms
- B2B service providers aiming for faster client delivery
How Ruby on Rails Solves This Challenge
Ruby on Rails is designed for speed, efficiency, and scalability, making it one of the most preferred frameworks for rapid application development. Simple commands like rails s allow developers to quickly run servers and streamline testing workflows.-
Faster Development
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Cost Efficiency
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Scalability & Performance
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Strong Security
Transform Your Digital Vision Into Reality with Avion Technology
Ruby on Rails represents more than just code - it represents strategic acceleration. At Avion Technology, we don’t just build Ruby on Rails applications; we craft digital platforms that drive business value, outperform expectations, and scale with confidence. Ready to elevate your digital product with Ruby on Rails? Contact our expert team today for a consultation and start building smarter, faster, and more efficiently.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why is Ruby on Rails ideal for fast product launches?
A. It offers ready-to-use components, clean coding structures, and rapid development capabilities.2. Is Ruby on Rails suitable for large-scale B2B platforms?
A. Yes. Many enterprises rely on ruby on rails due to its scalability and performance.3. Does Ruby on Rails reduce development costs?
A. Absolutely. Reusable components and faster development cycles significantly lower both initial and long-term costs.4. Is Ruby on Rails secure for enterprise applications?
A. Yes. It includes built-in protection against common threats and supports secure coding practices.755 adminFebruary 13, 2026
How Salesforce Solves Sales Process Gaps for B2B Services & SaaS Startups
Why Salesforce Is the Right Solution
Salesforce sales process automation for small businesses brings clarity, consistency, and efficiency. With Salesforce guided selling, automated workflows, and standardized sales pipeline Salesforce, your sales team always knows what step comes next. From lead capture to deal closure, small business CRM Salesforce solutions reduce errors and increase conversions making Salesforce a perfect fit for SaaS and B2B companies.
How Avion Technology Helps You Scale with Confidence
At Avion Technology, we are a trusted Salesforce implementation partner in the USA, specializing in Salesforce services for SaaS and B2B. Our team delivers Salesforce consulting for B2B companies that identifies pain points like missed leads, slow conversions, and poor reporting and solves them. We design customized workflows and dashboards that make Salesforce a growth engine, not just a tool.Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Don’t let inconsistent processes slow your growth. Let Avion Technology transform Salesforce into a system that drives predictable sales and measurable revenue. >>>> Call us today at +1 (224) 209-9860 or visit our website www.aviontechnology.net/salesforce-services to schedule a free consultation. Take control of your sales process now your business deserves it.Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Salesforce help B2B SaaS startups scale sales?
A: Salesforce automates repetitive tasks, centralizes lead management, and provides a standardized sales pipeline to ensure no opportunity slips through the cracks.2. What is sales process automation in Salesforce?
A: It’s the use of Salesforce tools to guide leads, schedule follow-ups, and manage deals automatically, reducing manual effort and human error.3. Is Salesforce suitable for small B2B service businesses?
A: Absolutely. Salesforce sales process automation for small businesses improves efficiency, pipeline visibility, and revenue predictability.4. Why do SaaS startups need a standardized sales pipeline?
A: A structured pipeline ensures consistent follow-ups, accurate forecasting, and better team accountability, which is critical for scaling fast.5. How to choose the right Salesforce implementation partner in the USA?
A: Look for proven expertise in Salesforce consulting for B2B companies, industry-specific solutions, and a focus on solving real business pain points just like Avion Technology.757 adminFebruary 12, 2026
ServiceOps 2026: Preparing Your Workforce for the Human-Agent Partnership
The New Workforce Reality: Roles Are Changing
By 2026, the distinction between a "Service Desk Agent" and an "Operations Engineer" has blurred into a unified ServiceOps practitioner. In this new ecosystem, your workforce will transition from "firefighters" to "orchestrators."- From Manual Triage to AI Oversight: Instead of manually categorizing tickets, staff will oversee AI agents that handle 80% of routine incidents.
- The Rise of the "Platform Strategist": IT professionals are now spending more time in the AI Control Tower, monitoring agent performance and refining the reasoning models that drive autonomous resolution.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: With the introduction of RaptorDB, teams now have real-time access to massive datasets, requiring a shift in skill sets toward data literacy and proactive trend analysis.
Preparing Your Team for the "Human-Agent" Partnership
Success in 2026 is not about who has the best AI, but who has the best partnership between their people and their technology. This requires a deliberate strategy centered on upskilling and cultural change.
- Embrace "Vibe Coding" and Low-Code Mastery: ServiceNow has democratized development. Encourage your non-technical staff in departments like HR and Facilities to use the Build Agent to create their own workflow micro-apps.
- Focus on Emotional Intelligence (EQ): As AI agents take over repetitive technical tasks, the human workforce must double down on what AI cannot do: complex stakeholder management, empathetic communication during major outages, and high-level strategic planning.
- Governance as a Skill: Every member of your ServiceOps team needs to understand the guardrails. Using tools like ServiceNow Vault and the AI Control Tower, they must learn to manage "AI Ethics" and ensure that autonomous agents remain compliant with US regulations.
Operationalizing the Partnership in Chicago and Beyond
For businesses in Schaumburg and the greater Chicago area, the local talent market is shifting. We are seeing a high demand for "Full-Stack Administrators" professionals who understand both the ITIL framework and the nuances of agentic reasoning. As a ServiceNow Consulting and Implementation partner, Avion Technology doesn't just install the software. We build the "Skilling Roadmap" for your team. We ensure that your transition to the Zurich release includes comprehensive change management so your employees see AI as an assistant that gives them their time back, rather than a threat to their roles.The ServiceOps 2026 Tech Stack: What You Need
To support this human-agent partnership, your technology foundation must be robust. The 2026 ServiceOps model relies on:
- AI Agent Fabric: Allowing different agents (IT, HR, Security) to talk to each other and solve cross-departmental problems without human middle-men.
- Service Operations Workspace: A single pane of glass where human agents can see exactly what the AI agents are doing in real-time.
- Predictive AIOps: Using machine learning to identify "silent" failures before they impact the end-user experience in your Chicago branch offices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How does Avion Technology help our current staff adapt to AI agents?
A: We provide customized "RiseUp" training programs that bridge the gap between traditional IT skills and the new requirements of agentic AI management.2. Will my team need to learn complex coding to manage ServiceOps in 2026?
A: No, Avion Technology focuses on empowering your team with low-code tools and "vibe coding" techniques that allow them to direct AI using natural language.3. How does Avion Technology ensure our AI agents don't make mistakes?
A: We implement strict "Human-in-the-Loop" (HITL) guardrails and AI Control Tower dashboards that allow your human staff to review and approve AI actions.4. What is the biggest cultural hurdle in moving to a human-agent model?
A: The "Trust Gap" is the biggest challenge; we help solve this through transparent governance and demonstrating early "quick wins" where AI saves staff hours of manual work.5. Can Avion Technology support localized ServiceNow training in the Chicago area?
A: Yes, our consultants offer both remote and on-site workshops in Chicago and Schaumburg to ensure your local teams are fully prepared for the Zurich upgrade.Ready to Empower Your Workforce?
The shift to ServiceOps 2026 is a journey, not a destination. Avion Technology is the leading ServiceNow Consulting and Implementation expert in the Midwest, dedicated to making sure your people are ready for the future of work. Contact Avion Technology to Schedule Your ServiceOps Strategy Session730 adminFebruary 11, 2026
Beyond Automation: The Rise of “Agentic ERP” in Business Central for 2026
What is "Agentic ERP" (And Why Does It Matter)?
Traditional ERP automation is reactive. It requires a human to pre-define every possible scenario. If something unexpected happens a supplier changes their billing format or a customer request is slightly ambiguous the automation breaks, and a human has to step in. Agentic ERP is proactive. Driven by autonomous agents within the Business Central ecosystem, these digital team members don't just execute tasks; they "reason." They understand context. If a delivery is delayed, an autonomous agent doesn't just flag it; it evaluates the impact on production, checks alternative suppliers, and drafts a revised schedule for the floor manager. This isn't just about speed; it's about operational judgment. This evolution represents the next stage of the smart workflows redesigning operations we have been implementing for our clients.3 Pillars of Agency in Business Central 2026
Microsoft has embedded three core "agentic" capabilities into the latest 2026 release wave that are fundamentally changing the mid-market landscape:1. The Autonomous Finance Agent
The "monthly close" used to be a week-long marathon of manual reconciliations. In 2026, the Autonomous Payables Agent handles the heavy lifting. It learns your GL account mapping habits, detects subtle anomalies in vendor behavior, and handles the "Three-Way Match" (PO vs. Receipt vs. Invoice) independently. It only interrupts your Controller when it finds a genuine high-risk discrepancy.2. Goal-Oriented Supply Chain Orchestration
Managing inventory in a post-2025 world requires more than just "Min/Max" levels. Agentic ERP uses agents that monitor external signals shipping port congestion, weather patterns, and market demand to autonomously adjust procurement. This is the "brain" that prevents stockouts before they happen, a critical tool for manufacturing companies adopting Business Central.3. The Predictive Sales & Service Agent
Imagine an agent that lives inside your CRM and ERP simultaneously. When a customer asks for a status update on a complex order, the agent parses the request, checks real-time production status in Business Central, and provides a contextual, accurate response. It can even suggest substitute items if a specific part is delayed, keeping the revenue flowing without human intervention.Strategic Takeaways for Decision Makers
Transitioning to an agentic model requires a shift in leadership mindset. You are no longer managing "doers"; you are managing "outcomes."- Data Integrity is Your New Infrastructure: Agents learn from your data. If your master data is messy, your agents will be confused. Cleaning your data is the single most important step in modernizing your legacy software for the AI era.
- Focus on Exception Management: Your team’s new "KPI" should be how quickly they can resolve the 1% of tasks the AI couldn't handle, rather than how many invoices they processed manually.
- Scale Without Headcount: Agentic ERP allows you to double your transaction volume without doubling your administrative staff.
How Avion Technology Facilitates the Shift
At Avion Technology, we don't just install software; we build the logic that makes autonomy possible. Implementing Agentic ERP is a delicate balance of technical configuration and business consulting. We help you:- Define Agent Guardrails: We set the limits on what your autonomous agents can do independently and where they must seek human approval.
- Logic Mapping: We ensure the "reasoning" used by the AI aligns with your specific industry regulations and company culture.
- Future-Proofing: We ensure your Business Central environment is structured to ingest the continuous updates Microsoft releases, so you never fall behind the "Agentic curve."
Ready to stop "doing" and start "leading"? The move to Agentic ERP is not a "someday" project it is the standard for 2026.
Contact Avion Technology today for an AI Readiness Audit and let's put your ERP to work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is "Agentic ERP" different from Microsoft Copilot?
A: Yes. Copilot is an assistant that waits for your prompt. Agentic ERP is autonomous; it observes data, identifies a need, and takes action based on a goal you have pre-defined.Q: Can I trust an AI agent with my financial approvals?
A: You have total control. You can set "Confidence Scores" for example, an agent can approve invoices under $1,000 with a 95% confidence match, but anything higher or less certain requires a human eyes.Q: How do I know if my business is ready for this?
A: If you are already on the cloud version of Business Central, you have the foundation. The next step is a "Process Map" to identify where manual friction is slowing your growth.Q: Will this replace my accounting and operations team?
A: It replaces the repetitive tasks they dislike. This allows your team to move into "Analyst" roles where they use the data generated by the ERP to find new ways to grow the business.749 adminFebruary 11, 2026
Losing Revenue? Sales and Marketing Misalignment Is the Real Problem
The real pain
Marketing teams put in serious effort to generate leads through digital ads, websites, and marketing campaigns. Yet sales teams often push back with the same concern: “These leads aren’t good quality.” The real problem is the missing feedback loop between sales and marketing. Marketing has no visibility into which leads convert, while sales lacks insight into which campaigns generate quality inquiries. This sales and marketing misalignment leads to delayed follow-ups, unclear accountability, lower conversion rates, and ongoing revenue leakage.Who faces this problem most?
This disconnect is common in:- Digital agencies managing multiple lead sources.
- B2B companies with long sales cycles.
- Education providers handling high inquiry volumes.
How Salesforce fixes the gap.
Salesforce creates one shared system where marketing and sales work together.- Lead source tracking shows exactly where every lead comes from
- Campaign attribution reveals which campaigns generate real revenue
- Marketing–sales handoff visibility ensures no lead is ignored or delayed
At Avion Technology, we help small and mid-sized businesses implement Salesforce in a way that is practical, scalable, and aligned with real sales goals. Our Salesforce services are designed to improve visibility, accountability, and conversions not just dashboards.
You’re tired of wasted leads and missed revenue? for more contact us.
Contact No. : +1 (224) 209-9860
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do we ensure marketing leads are aligned with the sales process?
A. By defining shared lead criteria, tracking behavior, and maintaining continuous feedback between teams.2. When should a lead be passed from marketing to sales?
A. When the lead meets qualification rules, shows intent, and is ready for direct sales follow-up.3. How can we use Salesforce to track the ROI of our marketing campaigns?
A. By connecting campaigns to leads, opportunities, and closed revenue within Salesforce reports.4. How do we ensure data quality in Salesforce?
A. By enforcing validation rules, regular data cleanups, and consistent user data entry practices.747 adminFebruary 9, 2026
The Rise of “AIERP”: How Autonomous Agents are Replacing Manual Workflows in 2026
What is AIERP? (And Why "Automation" is No Longer the Right Word)
Standard automation is reactive. You set a rule: "If X happens, do Y." If the data is slightly messy or a vendor changes their invoice format, the rule breaks. AIERP is proactive. Driven by autonomous agents within the Dynamics 365 ecosystem, these systems possess "reasoning" capabilities. They understand context. If a vendor sends an invoice that looks different than usual, an autonomous agent doesn't just reject it; it compares it against purchase orders, verifies the tax logic, and prepares the entry for payment, flagging only the genuine anomalies for human eyes. This is the natural evolution from the smart workflows redesigning operations we’ve discussed previously. We are moving from "smart" to "autonomous."The Shift in Professional Services and Manufacturing
In Chicago’s competitive industrial and service landscape, the "manual tax" is becoming too expensive to pay. AIERP allows your most expensive assets your people to stop acting like data entry clerks and start acting like strategists.The New Digital Workforce: 3 Agents Changing Business Central
Microsoft has embedded several specialized agents into Business Central that are redefining daily operations:1. The Autonomous Payables Agent
Accounts Payable (AP) has traditionally been a bottleneck of manual verification. In 2026, the Payables Agent handles the "Three-Way Match" (Invoice vs. Receipt vs. PO) autonomously. It learns your specific GL account mapping over time, significantly reducing the "Days Payable Outstanding" without adding a single headcount. This is the next level of automating approvals in Business Central.2. The Sales Order Agent
Imagine an agent that monitors your "Sales" inbox. When a customer emails a complex request for a quote, the agent parses the intent, checks real-time inventory levels in Business Central, calculates custom pricing based on the customer’s history, and drafts the sales order. Your sales rep simply hits "approve."3. The Inventory & Forecasting Agent
Moving beyond simple "Min/Max" levels, this agent looks at external signals shipping delays, weather patterns, and historical seasonal surges to suggest procurement actions. It prevents the two biggest profit-killers: stockouts and overstock.Strategic Takeaways for Decision Makers
If you are overseeing a transition or looking to optimize your current Business Central instance, keep these three points in mind:
- Data Integrity is the New Currency: AI agents are only as good as the data they consume. Cleaning up your master data (Customer, Vendor, and Item cards) is the most important "pre-work" you can do.
- Trust, then Verify: Move toward an "Exception-Based" management style. Don't look at every transaction; only look at the ones your AIERP agent flags as high-risk.
- The Skills Gap is Real: Your team needs to move from "doing the work" to "auditing the AI's work." Training should focus on analytical oversight rather than software navigation.
How Avion Technology Can Help You Navigate the AIERP Era
Transitioning to an AI-driven ERP isn't a "plug-and-play" process. It requires a deep understanding of your unique business logic to ensure autonomous agents are helping, not hindering. At Avion Technology, we specialize in:- Agent Configuration: We don't just turn on the software; we "train" your agents to follow your specific business rules.
- Data Clean-up & Migration: We ensure your move to the cloud or an upgraded version of Business Central is built on a foundation of clean, reliable data.
- Custom Copilot Development: When out-of-the-box agents aren't enough, we build custom AI solutions tailored to your industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is AIERP secure?
A: Yes. When using Microsoft Dynamics 365, your data stays within the "Trust Boundary." Microsoft does not use your proprietary business data to train its public AI models.Q: Will autonomous agents replace my employees?
A: They replace tasks, not people. The goal is to shift your staff from low-value data entry to high-value analysis and customer relationship management.Q: Do I need a specific version of Business Central for this?
A: Most autonomous agent features are being rolled out in the 2025 and 2026 Wave releases. We recommend being on the latest Cloud version to access these tools.767 adminFebruary 9, 2026
How to Build Your First “Custom AI Agent” in the New Build Program
Understanding the Shift: From Chatbots to Agents
Before we dive into the "how-to," let’s clarify what we are building. A traditional chatbot follows a decision tree. If a user says "A," the bot does "B." In the new ServiceNow Build Program, an AI Agent uses reasoning. Using the Apriel Nemotron-15B model (developed in partnership with NVIDIA), these agents don't just follow scripts; they understand context. They use "Chain of Thought" reasoning to decide which tools to use to solve a problem.Step 1: Setting the Foundation in AI Agent Studio
To build your first agent, you must navigate to the AI Agent Studio. This is the command center for the "Agentic Enterprise."- Define the Agentic Workflow: Think of this as the "Project Manager." It defines the scope (e.g., "Auto-Resolve Network Latency Issues").
- Name and Role: Give your agent a clear persona. In a professional USA corporate setting, clarity is king. Use a name like IT Triage Specialist or Procurement Guide.
- Instructional Prompting: This is where you "program" the agent using natural language. Instead of code, you provide intent: "You are an expert IT analyst. Your goal is to analyze incoming incidents, search the knowledge base, and only escalate if a solution isn't found within 3 reasoning steps."
Step 2: Equipping Your Agent with "Tools"
An agent without tools is just a talker. In the ServiceNow ecosystem, Tools are the "hands" of your AI. These are typically:- Flow Designer Actions: To update records or send emails.
- Knowledge Base Access: To ground the AI in your company’s specific data.
- RaptorDB Integrations: For ultra-fast data retrieval from external sources.
Step 3: Implementing Guardrails and Governance
For our clients in highly regulated industries like Finance and Healthcare in Chicago, security is the top priority. The Zurich release introduces the AI Control Tower and ServiceNow Vault.- Data Masking: Ensure the agent never sees or stores PII (Personally Identifiable Information).
- Human-in-the-Loop: Configure "Agentic Playbooks" so that the AI can perform 90% of the work but must ask for a human "thumbs-up" before performing a high-risk action.
Why Chicago Businesses are Choosing Agentic AI
Whether you are a mid-sized firm in Schaumburg or a global enterprise headquartered in the Midwest, the "Build Program" allows for rapid prototyping. The Build Agent feature actually lets you use "vibe coding",describing an app in plain English,and watching ServiceNow generate the underlying artifacts, stories, and tests automatically. As a ServiceNow Consulting & Implementation partner, Avion Technology specializes in taking these custom agents from the "sandbox" to full-scale production. We ensure that your AI initiatives aren't just "cool tech" but are driving measurable ROI by reducing Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR) and increasing employee productivity.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How does Avion Technology speed up AI Agent deployment?
A: Avion uses pre-built templates and expert Chicago-based consultants to reduce deployment time by up to 40%. We handle the technical heavy lifting so your team can focus on core business goals.2. Can Avion help migrate my existing legacy workflows into the New Build Program?
A: Yes, our experts specialize in auditing legacy systems and seamlessly transitioning them into the AI Agent Studio. We ensure zero data loss and immediate functional improvements during the migration.3. What specific support does Avion offer for the ServiceNow Zurich upgrade?
A: We provide a comprehensive "Zurich Readiness Audit" to ensure your infrastructure is compatible with new AI features. Our team manages the entire upgrade lifecycle, from sandbox testing to final production go-live.4. Is deep coding knowledge required to maintain these agents?
A: No, the new Build Program is low-code, allowing your staff to manage agents through natural language instructions. Avion also provides training to ensure your internal team is fully comfortable with the interface.5. How does Avion ensure our AI agents stay secure and compliant?
A: We implement ServiceNow Vault and strict "Human-in-the-Loop" guardrails to protect your sensitive corporate data. Our Chicago consultants ensure every agent follows your specific industry compliance standards.Ready to Build Your Autonomous Future?
Don’t let the complexity of AI stall your progress. Avion Technology is the leading ServiceNow Consulting and Implementation expert in the Chicago and Schaumburg area, helping businesses navigate the Zurich upgrade and AI Agent implementation. Contact Us for a Free AI Readiness Assessment742 adminFebruary 9, 2026
Why Chicago Startups Prefer Salesforce for Scalable Growth
1. The Chicago Startup Scene: Built for Smart Growth
Unlike the high-risk, quick-exit culture of Silicon Valley, Chicago startups are focused on sustainable, scalable growth. They prioritize operational efficiency, long-term profitability, and customer satisfaction which aligns perfectly with Salesforce’s design philosophy. Salesforce provides a modular, cloud-based CRM ecosystem that can grow alongside a startup. Whether you’re managing leads, automating marketing, or scaling support operations, Salesforce adapts to your evolving needs. Chicago’s strongest industries healthcare, real estate, finance, and logistics rely heavily on customer insights and relationship management. Salesforce centralizes data and fosters collaboration, helping teams make faster, data-driven decisions.2. Cloud-Based Flexibility for a Remote-Driven Market
In the post-pandemic era, remote work and hybrid teams are the new normal across Chicagoland. Salesforce’s cloud-first architecture enables startups to access data securely anytime, anywhere. Instead of building expensive IT infrastructure, startups can start small with Salesforce licenses and scale as their team grows. Avion Technology helps Chicago startups migrate to Salesforce Cloud while ensuring top-notch performance, security, and compliance. This flexibility helps founders stay focused on what matters innovation, customer acquisition, and business growth.3. Data-Driven Decision Making: Chicago’s Competitive Advantage
In today’s data-driven economy, real-time insights equal growth. Salesforce transforms how startups interpret and act on customer data.- Sales Cloud streamlines lead tracking and sales performance.
- Marketing Cloud automates campaigns and personalizes engagement.
- Service Cloud enhances customer support with AI chatbots and smart workflows.
- Einstein Analytics (AI) turns raw data into predictive insights.
4. Seamless Integration with Business Tools
Modern startups rely on tools like QuickBooks, Slack, Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Google Workspace. Salesforce acts as a centralized integration hub, syncing all these systems for smooth operations. Avion Technology’s experts integrate Salesforce with clients’ existing tools, eliminating manual data entry, reducing errors, and boosting overall productivity. This unified digital ecosystem ensures every department from sales to finance stays aligned.5. Automation That Saves Time and Resources
For startups, time is money. Salesforce automation simplifies repetitive tasks such as lead assignment, follow-ups, and customer outreach. Chicago startups using automation experience:- Faster conversions
- Shorter sales cycles
- Reduced costs
- Improved team efficiency
6. Scalable Pricing and Growth-Friendly Architecture
Salesforce offers flexible, modular plans ideal for startups with evolving budgets. Chicago entrepreneurs can start with Sales Cloud Essentials and gradually expand to include Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, or Experience Cloud. With Avion Technology’s guidance, businesses can choose the most cost-effective edition and avoid unnecessary overheads. Salesforce grows with your business not against it.7. Local Support & Salesforce Expertise in Schaumburg, IL
Technology alone doesn’t guarantee success strategic implementation does. That’s where Avion Technology comes in. Based in Schaumburg, Illinois, we’ve become a trusted Salesforce partner for Chicago startups. Our services include:- End-to-end Salesforce implementation
- Data migration & custom integrations
- Automation & AI configuration
- Ongoing CRM optimization & support
8. Enhancing Customer Experience The Chicago Way
Customer experience (CX) defines success in Chicago’s competitive market. Salesforce helps startups create personalized, consistent, and engaging interactions across every touchpoint. With unified customer profiles, businesses can:- Understand behavior and preferences
- Deliver targeted campaigns
- Offer instant, personalized support
- Build long-term loyalty
9. AI, Automation & The Future of Chicago Startups
The future of startup growth in Chicago is AI-powered. Salesforce’s Einstein GPT and predictive analytics empower businesses to automate smarter, forecast better, and innovate faster. Avion Technology integrates AI features into Salesforce to help Chicago startups stay competitive, agile, and data-informed all while maintaining cost efficiency.10. Final Thoughts: Partnering for Scalable Growth
The reason Chicago startups prefer Salesforce is simple it’s built for scalable growth. From automation and AI to cloud scalability and analytics, Salesforce empowers entrepreneurs to build efficient, customer-focused businesses. And with Avion Technology as your implementation partner, you’re not just adopting CRM technology you’re transforming how your business operates. At Avion Technology, we help Chicago startups and small businesses unlock their full growth potential through Salesforce customization, automation, and integration. Our Salesforce-certified experts ensure your CRM works the way your business does efficiently, intelligently, and at scale. Located in Schaumburg, Illinois, Avion Technology proudly serves Chicago and the Greater Midwest region, helping organizations accelerate digital transformation through Salesforce and other advanced technologies. Visit www.aviontechnology.net or book a free consultation today to explore how Salesforce can transform your startup’s growth journey.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why should Chicago startups choose Salesforce over other CRM platforms?
Salesforce offers unmatched scalability, automation, and integration capabilities. For Chicago startups focused on growth, it provides a unified platform to manage sales, marketing, and customer service efficiently without heavy IT investments.2. How can Avion Technology help with Salesforce implementation?
Avion Technology provides end-to-end Salesforce consulting, from setup and migration to automation and integrations. We customize solutions to fit your processes and ensure seamless adoption with measurable ROI.3. What industries in Chicago benefit most from Salesforce solutions?
Industries such as real estate, healthcare, logistics, finance, and manufacturing benefit greatly from Salesforce, as it enhances relationship management and data analytics across customer touchpoints.4. Can small startups afford Salesforce implementation?
Yes. Salesforce offers flexible, modular pricing. Startups can begin small and scale as they grow. Avion Technology helps optimize cost efficiency and feature utilization for maximum value.5. How long does Salesforce implementation take?
Most Chicago startups can expect a 4–8 week Salesforce setup timeline, depending on complexity, integrations, and team size. Avion Technology ensures an agile, milestone-based deployment process.672 adminOctober 13, 2025
Case Study: How Avion Technology Built Bestee’s Social Discovery Website for Meaningful Connections
The Challenge: Creating a Digital Home for a New Brand
Bestee came to us with a clear vision: they wanted to stand out in the crowded social networking space by offering interest-based profiles, event discovery, and chat-driven networking. The challenge was how to introduce these features in a way that would instantly resonate with potential users. Their goals were straightforward but ambitious:- Tell a compelling story that communicated Bestee’s unique approach to social discovery.
- Highlight app features without overwhelming the audience.
- Build a mobile-first design, ensuring accessibility on every device.
- Capture early adopters with a waitlist sign-up mechanism.
Our Approach: Web Development Strategy Meets Execution
At Avion Technology, we believe great web development starts with strategy. For Bestee, we asked: What story needs to be told, and how do we guide users from curiosity to action? The process unfolded in three key stages:- Discovery & Strategy – We worked with Bestee to understand their brand voice, goals, and audience. This helped us identify what mattered most: clarity, anticipation, and trust.
- Design & Development – Our design team created a clean, mobile-first interface that would communicate value quickly while encouraging exploration.
- Optimization & Launch – Before going live, we ensured the website was fast, secure, and analytics-ready to provide insights from day one.
What We Delivered: A Platform with Purpose
The result was a sleek, responsive, and conversion-focused website designed to bring Bestee’s mission to life. Some of the standout elements included:- A mobile-first, responsive design so the site looked and worked flawlessly across devices.
- Feature-driven storytelling, highlighting interest-based profiles, event discovery, and community networking.
- A clear waitlist sign-up flow, powered by Contact Form 7, making it easy for users to join in seconds.
- Fast performance, thanks to LiteSpeed Cache, database cleanup, and image optimization.
- Future-ready functionality, with Stripe integration for secure payments and Ultimate Blogs for content management.
- Analytics integration, using GA4 + Google Tag Manager, enabling Bestee to track user behavior and improve over time.
Tech Stack That Powered the Build
Behind the scenes, the project relied on a carefully chosen web development tech stack designed for scalability and reliability:- Platform: WordPress
- Theme: Inspiro Theme
- Forms / Sign-ups: Contact Form 7
- Content Management: Ultimate Blogs Plugin
- Payments: Stripe
- Performance Optimization: LiteSpeed Cache, Image Optimization, Database Cleanup
- UI / Design: Custom Responsive Layout, Google Fonts
- Hosting: GoDaddy
- Analytics: Google Analytics (GA4) + Google Tag Manager
The Results: Building Anticipation and Trust
The new website did exactly what Bestee needed it to do:- It built anticipation by clearly explaining the app’s vision and features.
- It encouraged sign-ups through simple and clear calls-to-action.
- It created trust by offering a smooth, secure, and responsive experience.
- It established a foundation for growth, with scalable tools and analytics for future optimization.
Lessons for Startups and Brands
Bestee’s success offers some important takeaways for other startups considering custom web development in the USA:- Clarity comes first. Your website should communicate your mission within seconds.
- Mobile-first design is non-negotiable. Today’s users expect flawless performance on any device.
- Early adoption starts with simplicity. A clear sign-up form can kickstart your community even before launch.
- Performance builds credibility. A fast, secure site makes users trust your brand.
- Think long-term. Choose a tech stack that scales as your business grows.
Why Partner with Avion Technology for Web Development in Chicago, USA?
At Avion Technology, we don’t just build websites we create digital platforms that drive measurable impact. Our approach combines strategic thinking, creative design, and advanced web development expertise to deliver solutions that grow with your business. Whether you’re a startup preparing for launch or an established business seeking digital transformation, our Chicago-based team brings the experience and skills to help you stand out, scale, and succeed nationwide.Final Thoughts
Bestee’s promotional website is more than just a case study it’s proof that a well-executed digital platform can set the tone for a brand’s entire journey. By blending clarity, performance, and conversion-focused design, we helped Bestee take its first step toward redefining how people discover meaningful connections. Your website is often the first impression your audience has of your brand so make it count. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and let’s build a powerful online home for your brand together.524 adminOctober 7, 2025
Why More Chicago Companies Are Migrating from JD Edwards to Oracle Fusion Cloud
What’s Driving the Move from JD Edwards
- Reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Running JD Edwards on-premises often involves high capital expense (servers, data centers, hardware maintenance), plus staffing and support cost. Oracle’s cloud model shifts many of those costs into predictable operational expenses. Studies show migrating to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) can yield 30-40% cost savings vs on-prem or traditional hosting.
- Scalability & Flexibility Chicago companies face fluctuating demand seasonal retail, spikes in educational needs, or unpredictable service demand. Oracle Fusion Cloud allows rapid scaling of compute, storage, and application modules. Rather than planning for peak capacity hardware, firms can scale resources up/down as needed.
- Modernization, Innovation & Automation Oracle Fusion Cloud brings in-built innovations: modern UI, embedded AI/ML, automated workflows, mobile access, more frequent releases/updates. That means Chicago businesses can adopt new features faster without long upgrade cycles.
- Improved Security, Compliance & Reliability Legacy ERP systems like JD Edwards may lag in terms of modern security threats, patching, disaster recovery, and compliance. Cloud platforms especially Oracle’s offer encryption, frequent security updates, reliable backups, high availability, and disaster recovery features. These are crucial for companies in Chicago in regulated sectors (healthcare, education, manufacturing) or those that want to avoid downtime.
- Better Data & Insights Oracle Fusion Cloud provides real-time dashboards, unified data across finance, HR, supply chain etc., enabling better decision making. With AI & predictive analytics, companies gain visibility into demand forecasting, financial planning, and can respond more quickly to market changes.
Why It Matters Specifically for Chicago Companies
- Local Education & Healthcare Bodies Are Already Moving For instance, Chicago Public Schools has chosen Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications for finance, HR, and supply chain to replace sufficiently outdated systems, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and better serve students and employees. Similarly, University of Chicago Medicine has adopted Oracle Fusion Cloud Apps to consolidate many business systems across HR, supply chain, and finance.
- Regulatory & Compliance Pressure Illinois and Chicago have strict requirements for data privacy, particularly in healthcare & education. Cloud platforms with strong security, audit trails, and regular compliance updates are a safer bet than aging on-prem systems.
- Need for Remote, Anywhere Access As hybrid work becomes permanent in many Chicago organizations, access to ERP modules from remote locations (home, satellite offices) with security is essential. Cloud deployments facilitate that.
- Competitive Edge Businesses that can adopt innovations faster (AI/ML, predictive analytics, automation) gain an advantage over those stuck maintaining older infrastructure. If your competitor in Naperville, Aurora, or Schaumburg moves to Fusion Cloud, you might risk falling behind.
What to Consider Before Migrating
Migrating from JD Edwards to Oracle Fusion Cloud isn’t just about flipping a switch. It requires careful planning and execution. Here are some of the most important factors Chicago businesses should keep in mind:- Current Customizations and Integrations Many companies have heavily customized JD Edwards instances. Not every module or customization will map directly to Oracle Fusion Cloud. It’s critical to evaluate existing workflows, identify what can be migrated, and plan how integrations with other systems such as CRM, inventory, or payroll will continue to function.
- Change Management and Training Employees who have worked with JD Edwards for years may find the new interface and processes unfamiliar. Without proper training and change management, adoption can lag. Chicago firms should allocate time and budget for onboarding, documentation, and support to help teams embrace the new system.
- Data Governance and Security Illinois businesses, especially those in healthcare, education, and finance, must comply with strict regulations such as HIPAA and state privacy laws. Migrating to the cloud is an opportunity to reassess how sensitive data is handled, enforce encryption, and set up role-based access to protect critical business information.
- Infrastructure and Migration Partner Choosing the right migration partner can make or break your project. An experienced partner with Oracle Fusion and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) expertise ensures a smoother process from testing in sandbox environments to performance validation, disaster recovery planning, and phased rollouts.
- Cost and ROI Planning Migration comes with upfront costs, including data transfer, consulting fees, and possible downtime. However, these are often offset by long-term savings in infrastructure and operational efficiency. Businesses should clearly map out their ROI, build realistic timelines, and understand when the investment will begin delivering value.
Common Alternatives and Why Fusion Cloud Is Gaining Edge
Some Chicago firms consider improving their JD Edwards setups instead of migrating upgrading versions, adding hardware, or expanding support. But those options often provide diminishing returns: incremental improvements at high cost, inflexible architecture, and continued patching & maintenance burdens. Fusion Cloud’s unified platform approach (ERP, HCM, SCM, CX etc.), regular automatic updates, and built-in automation give a more future-proof foundation. Plus, Oracle’s roadmap shows clear investment in cloud and in Fusion suite.Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will Oracle continue to support JD Edwards? Yes. Oracle supports JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, but with many customers looking ahead, Fusion Cloud is where newer features, innovations, and long-term investment are focused. The lifecycle for support may be long, but feature development for legacy systems tends to lag. Q2: How long does a migration from JD Edwards to Fusion Cloud typically take for a mid-sized Chicago firm? It depends on the scale of customizations, number of modules, data volume, integrations, and internal readiness. Generally, it can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Smaller deployments or phased migrations can accelerate this. Q3: What kind of cost might be involved, and what savings can be expected? Costs include partner consulting, data migration, training, possible temporary dual operations. On the savings side: reduced infrastructure/hardware costs, lower maintenance, reduced downtime, better productivity. Many reports show 30-40% reduction in TCO when moving from on-premises JD Edwards to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. Q4: Is Oracle Fusion Cloud secure for regulated industries (healthcare, education, manufacturing)? Yes. Oracle offers enterprise-grade security: encryption in transit & at rest, identity management, frequent security patches, audit logs, compliance with data privacy standards. Companies like University of Chicago Medicine and Chicago Public Schools are adopting it in those sectors. Q5: What about performance and availability can it match what on-premises infrastructure offered? Yes, often it can exceed on-premises in performance due to modern infrastructure, high availability setups, elastic resource provisioning, and optimized cloud networks. Downtime risks due to hardware failure are reduced, and disaster recovery is easier.Is Fusion Cloud Right for Your Chicago Business?
If your business is running JD Edwards and you are experiencing:- High cost of infrastructure, upgrades, and maintenance
- Lots of custom development holding you back
- Issues with scalability (e.g. seasonal overloads, remote access)
- Challenges in reporting, analytics, or combining data across departments
- Pressure to improve security, compliance, or reduce risk
Chicago Case Snapshot
- Chicago Public Schools (CPS): Replacing on-prem finance, HR, supply chain systems with Oracle Fusion Applications to modernize operations and reinvest savings into educational outcomes.
- University of Chicago Medicine: Consolidating business systems, automating operations, and improving patient/customer/employee experience via Oracle Fusion Cloud.
Conclusion
For Chicago businesses ready to move from maintenance to innovation, migration from JD Edwards to Oracle Fusion Cloud is more than an IT project it’s a strategic move. The rewards: cost savings, flexibility, improved performance, and future-readiness. If you’re considering this transition, Avion Technology can help guide you from assessment to deployment. We’ll help you build a migration plan that minimizes risk, maximizes ROI, and ensures your business operations are modern, secure, and scalable. → Ready to explore whether Oracle Fusion Cloud is right for you? Contact Avion Technology today for a free consultation. Let’s design a roadmap together for your cloud-enabled future.707 adminOctober 1, 2025
How Avion Technology Helped Faith Feeds Build a Digital Platform to Fight Food Insecurity
The Challenge: A Digital Gap That Limited Impact
Faith Feeds needed a website that could do more than simply display information. Their team wanted a digital home that:- Guided families to food resources instantly without confusing menus or outdated links.
- Encouraged donations and volunteer sign-ups with clear calls-to-action.
- Worked seamlessly on mobile devices, since many families rely on smartphones.
- Allowed easy content management for a small, non-technical team.
The Avion Technology Approach
At Avion Technology, we believe in listening first. Our team collaborated closely with Faith Feeds to understand their workflows, challenges, and community needs. This informed a tailored strategy that combined technical expertise with a deep respect for their mission.Key Deliverables
- User-Centered Navigation We restructured the site into five intuitive categories: Get Food, Volunteer, Donate, Blog, and Events. Families can now find food resources within seconds, while supporters can easily take action.
- Mobile-First Design Designed with smartphones in mind, the site is fully responsive. Critical CTAs such as “Donate Now” remain visible across all devices.
- Volunteer & Donation Pathways Integrated forms, scheduling tools, and secure donation links make it simple for supporters to engage.
- SEO & Performance Optimization Using Yoast SEO, optimized metadata, and WP-Optimize caching, the site is built to rank better on Google while loading quickly for users.
- Empowering Content Management Built on WordPress with Elementor, the Faith Feeds team can update content, publish blogs, and manage events without technical assistance.
The Tech Stack Behind the Solution
To ensure long-term performance and reliability, we deployed a carefully selected stack:- CMS/Platform: WordPress
- Theme / Page Builder: Inspiro + Elementor
- SEO: Yoast SEO
- Performance: WP-Optimize (caching, database cleanup, image compression)
- Forms & Scheduling: Contact Form 7, Formidable Pro, Calendly Integration
- Analytics: Google Analytics
Results: A Digital Home That Drives Impact
The transformation delivered measurable outcomes:- Faster access to resources: Families now find food assistance in a few clicks.
- Higher donor and volunteer engagement: Streamlined forms boosted sign-ups and contributions.
- Improved visibility online: SEO enhancements help Faith Feeds reach more families and supporters.
- Community trust: The professional, secure site strengthens credibility with donors.
Why This Partnership Matters
For Avion Technology, this project wasn’t just about delivering a website it was about contributing to a cause that saves lives. Our expertise in nonprofit web development, digital strategy, and SEO optimization allowed us to create a solution that aligned technology with mission-driven impact. Faith Feeds now has a platform that:- Amplifies their message
- Strengthens community trust
- Drives donations and volunteer support
- Improves accessibility for families in need
Conclusion
Faith Feeds came to Avion Technology with a digital challenge rooted in a very human need: helping families put food on the table. By combining user-centered design, performance optimization, and mission-driven strategy, we delivered more than just a website, we delivered a digital platform for change. At Avion Technology, we’re proud to support nonprofits and businesses alike in building digital solutions that scale, engage, and drive measurable impact. Is your organization ready to upgrade its digital presence? Let’s build a platform that empowers your mission. Contact Avion Technology.593 adminSeptember 29, 2025
Business Central vs. QuickBooks: Which Fits Mid-Size Businesses Better?
Why This Comparison Matters for Mid-Size Businesses in Chicago & the USA
Chicago’s mid-market sector is booming from manufacturing to professional services to healthcare. Many of these companies started small with QuickBooks because it’s simple, affordable, and easy to deploy. But as businesses grow, new challenges emerge:- Complex financial reporting requirements
- Multi-entity operations across states or countries
- Integration with sales, service, or supply chain systems
- Industry compliance (especially in healthcare and finance)
QuickBooks: Strengths & Limitations
QuickBooks is often the go-to starting point for small businesses. It provides the essentials:Strengths
- Ease of Use: User-friendly, with minimal training required.
- Affordable: Lower upfront cost compared to ERP solutions.
- Popular in the USA: Large ecosystem of accountants and bookkeepers familiar with it.
- Suitable for Startups/Small Firms: Great for businesses with straightforward accounting needs.
Limitations for Mid-Size Businesses
- Scalability Issues: Struggles to handle complex operations.
- Lack of Integration: Limited ability to connect finance with other departments like sales, HR, or supply chain.
- Reporting Gaps: Basic financial reporting may not meet compliance or audit needs for larger organizations.
- Data Silos: As businesses add other tools, QuickBooks doesn’t always sync seamlessly.
Business Central: Strengths & Limitations
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud-based ERP solution built for growing businesses. Unlike QuickBooks, it’s not just accounting software it connects finance, operations, supply chain, sales, and customer service into one ecosystem.Strengths
- Scalable ERP: Handles multi-entity, multi-currency, and multi-location operations.
- Deep Integration: Connects with Microsoft 365, Power BI, and third-party tools.
- Advanced Reporting: Rich financial analytics, dashboards, and compliance-ready reports.
- Industry Flexibility: Used across healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and service industries.
- Automation: AI and workflow automation for repetitive tasks.
- Security & Compliance: Enterprise-grade data security crucial for sensitive industries in the USA.
Limitations for Mid-Size Businesses
- Higher Cost: More expensive than QuickBooks, especially for smaller firms.
- Implementation Time: Requires expert setup, migration, and training.
- Learning Curve: More advanced functionality means more complexity.
Feature Comparison: Business Central vs. QuickBooks
When comparing QuickBooks and Business Central, the differences become clear:- Core Focus: QuickBooks is primarily an accounting and bookkeeping tool, while Business Central is a full ERP system covering finance, operations, supply chain, and even CRM.
- Scalability: QuickBooks works best for small businesses with straightforward needs, whereas Business Central is designed for small-to-mid-size companies that plan to grow.
- Integration: QuickBooks offers limited integrations, while Business Central integrates deeply with Microsoft 365, Power BI, and a wide range of third-party apps.
- Reporting: QuickBooks provides basic reporting, while Business Central enables advanced, compliance-ready financial and operational insights.
- Automation: Business Central offers AI-driven workflows and automation, while QuickBooks has minimal automation capabilities.
- Multi-Entity Support: QuickBooks struggles with multi-company or multi-currency setups, while Business Central excels in managing complex, multi-entity operations.
- Cost: QuickBooks comes with a lower upfront price tag, but Business Central delivers higher long-term ROI by eliminating inefficiencies and scaling with your business.
Which One Fits Mid-Size Businesses in Chicago Better?
If your business is still small, QuickBooks can serve you well. But for mid-size businesses in Chicago and across the USA, the choice often shifts toward Business Central. Why? Because once you’re managing multiple locations, serving diverse customer bases, or dealing with compliance-heavy industries, QuickBooks becomes a roadblock. Business Central, on the other hand:- Supports growth without re-platforming every few years
- Provides end-to-end visibility across finance, operations, and sales
- Improves decision-making with AI-driven insights
- Strengthens data security and compliance for industries like healthcare and finance
The Avion Technology Advantage
At Avion Technology (Schaumburg/Chicago, IL), we don’t just implement Business Central we help you:- Assess whether your business has outgrown QuickBooks
- Create a roadmap for migration without disrupting operations
- Customize Business Central to fit your industry and workflows
- Provide ongoing support, training, and optimization
FAQs
Q1: Is Business Central only for large enterprises? No. Business Central is designed for small and mid-size businesses that have outgrown tools like QuickBooks. It scales with you. Q2: How long does it take to migrate from QuickBooks to Business Central? It depends on your data complexity. Many mid-size businesses can migrate within a few weeks to a few months with the right partner. Q3: Is Business Central too expensive for mid-size businesses? While upfront costs are higher than QuickBooks, Business Central often saves money long term by eliminating inefficiencies, silos, and the need for multiple software tools. Q4: Can Avion Technology support businesses outside Chicago? Yes. While we’re based in Chicago, we work with clients across the U.S., offering remote implementation, support, and consultation. Q5: How secure is Business Central? It uses Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security, including encryption, compliance certifications, and cloud reliability making it far more secure than many standalone accounting platforms. QuickBooks is a strong starting point, but it’s not always the finish line. For mid-size businesses in Chicago and across the U.S., Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central delivers scalability, security, and integration that QuickBooks simply can’t match. If you’re at the crossroads of growth and need a technology partner who understands mid-market challenges, Avion Technology is here to help. Contact Avion Technology today to explore how Business Central can transform your business operations in Chicago and beyond.643 adminSeptember 24, 2025
How Zoho CRM’s July 2025 Updates Empower Businesses and How Avion Technology Chicago Helps You Harness Them
For businesses in Chicago and across the USA, staying ahead of technology trends is critical to building customer relationships and sustainable growth. Zoho CRM’s Q2 release introduced features that make customer management faster, smarter, and more collaborative than ever.
At Avion Technology Chicago, we specialize in helping organizations leverage tools like Zoho CRM alongside custom software, ERP, and digital marketing solutions. By combining the newest CRM capabilities with our end-to-end services, we enable companies to boost productivity, enhance customer experiences, and scale securely.Understanding Zoho CRM’s July 2025 Update
Zoho’s Q2 release focuses on usability, collaboration, and intelligence, three pillars every growing business needs.- CRM for Everyone: This new workspace model unites sales, marketing, support, legal, and finance teams on a single platform. No more silos; departments can collaborate directly inside Zoho CRM while maintaining secure data boundaries.
- AI-Powered Smart Prompts & In-House LLM: Zoho introduced its proprietary large language model to power Zia’s smart prompts, allowing sales teams to write contextual emails, craft follow-up messages, and analyze opportunities without leaving the app.
- Enhanced CPQ (Configure-Price-Quote): Businesses that quote complex products can now clone price and configurator rules, add multiple base products, and create dynamic actions for faster, error-free pricing.
- Rich Text Notes: Sales reps can now use formatting tools, such as bold, bullets, colors, and links, to capture deal details clearly and make collaboration easier.
- Omnichannel & Email Features for Standard Users: POP3/IMAP/Gmail integrations, shared inboxes, and thread views in the Cases module are now accessible even on Standard edition plans, giving small and mid-size businesses robust communication tools without premium costs.
Why These Updates Matter to U.S. & Chicago Businesses
Companies in Chicago’s tech corridor, retail sector, healthcare, finance, and logistics share one priority: delivering exceptional service while managing growing customer data.- Cross-Team Visibility: With “CRM for Everyone,” teams in the same Chicago office or distributed nationwide can collaborate in real time, cutting hand-off delays and improving customer response times.
- Better Lead Nurturing: AI prompts and Zia scores help sales teams in the USA predict conversion likelihood, automate follow-ups, and personalize outreach, leading to higher win rates.
- Efficient Quoting for SMBs: Manufacturers and service providers around Illinois can now configure pricing options more quickly, improving turnaround times and reducing quoting errors.
- Affordable Communication Tools: Standard-tier omnichannel features let smaller Chicago firms manage email, WhatsApp, and case communications inside one interface, a game-changer for startups and nonprofits.
How Avion Technology Chicago Maximizes Zoho CRM for You
Avion Technology is more than a software vendor; we’re a digital transformation partner for organizations throughout the USA. Our Chicago-based team helps companies make the most of Zoho CRM’s new capabilities by offering:- CRM Implementation & Customization We tailor Zoho CRM to your unique processes, from sales pipelines to service cases. Our engineers configure “CRM for Everyone” workspaces, build custom modules, and integrate them with your ERP or accounting systems.
- Workflow Automation & AI Integration Leveraging Zia’s smart prompts, scoring, and automation tools, we design cadences, alerts, and predictive dashboards that save time and improve customer engagement.
- Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) Solutions For businesses quoting complex services or products, we implement the new CPQ enhancements, dynamic actions, cloned rules, and price validation to eliminate bottlenecks.
- Omnichannel & Support Desk Setup We connect Zoho CRM with Gmail, Microsoft 365, WhatsApp, and helpdesk modules so your Chicago-area teams can manage every inquiry in one place.
- Training & Change Management Technology adoption only works when teams embrace it. We provide hands-on workshops in Chicago or virtually across the USA to ensure your staff gains confidence and ROI from day one.
- Scalable Hosting & Security As part of our broader service catalog, web development, ERP migration, and cybersecurity, we design infrastructure that keeps CRM data secure and compliant while scaling effortlessly.
Why Trust Avion Technology Chicago
- Avion Technology Chicago is dedicated to helping U.S. businesses thrive in the digital era. Our certified specialists bring expertise in Zoho CRM, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle Fusion, and ServiceNow, allowing us to design solutions tailored to your organization’s goals. As partners with leading technology providers, we’ve supported many Chicago-area companies in streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, and achieving measurable growth. Every project is built on transparent planning, secure hosting, and dependable ongoing support, giving you confidence that your systems are optimized, protected, and prepared to scale with your business.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Zoho CRM’s July 2025 release gives businesses in Chicago and across the USA powerful tools to collaborate, automate, and delight customers. But unlocking that value requires thoughtful planning, integration, and training. At Avion Technology Chicago, we combine deep CRM expertise with a full suite of services from web and app development to ERP and security to help your organization achieve measurable results. Ready to make Zoho CRM work harder for your business? Contact Avion Technology Chicago today, and let’s design a solution that scales with you.548 adminSeptember 22, 2025
Big Moves from Shopify in the U.S. Market: What They Mean for Your Business
1) AI-first store creation: faster launches, lower costs, but think strategy not just speed
In May 2025 Shopify launched an AI Store Builder that can generate full storefronts (layouts, copy, images) from descriptive prompts producing multiple store options in minutes. This is intended to shrink the time and cost to launch new D2C brands and spin-up seasonal or landing pages quickly. Impact for U.S. merchants- Rapid prototyping: test new SKUs, verticals, or branding concepts with less upfront cost.
- Lower barrier for non-technical founders, but generated content often needs tailoring for SEO, legal disclosures, and conversion optimization.
- Risk of undifferentiated stores if everyone uses canned AI output, standing out requires custom UX, brand voice, and integrations.
- Use AI Builder to accelerate proofs of concept, but pair it with expert optimization for SEO, conversion copy, and accessibility.
- Have a migration and extension plan: once a store proves product-market fit, you should professionalize the storefront, analytics, and integrations to scale profitably.
2) Shopify’s stronger AI and search capabilities better discovery, higher conversion potential
Shopify has been investing in AI search and personalized discovery both via product updates and M&A. In 2025 Shopify acquired Vantage Discovery, an AI search company, to lift result relevance and personalization for retailers. Better on-site search increases conversion rates and average order value if implemented correctly. Impact for U.S. merchants- Smarter search can surface higher-margin SKUs and conversions for repeat buyers.
- Requires quality metadata, consistent product taxonomy, and data pipelines to work well.
- Audit your product data: titles, variants, tags, metaproperties, and images. Clean data multiplies the value of Shopify’s AI enhancements.
- Add advanced search & merchandising rules and A/B test search-driven merchandising to measure lift.
3) Marketplace integrations are moving from “nice-to-have” to strategic growth channels
Shopify’s Marketplace Connect and native marketplace integrations (Amazon, Walmart, Target Plus, Etsy, etc.) let U.S. sellers manage listings, inventory, and orders from a single dashboard. For many brands, marketplaces are no longer an afterthought they’re the fastest path to scale. Impact for U.S. merchants- One backend, multiple storefronts: reduces operational complexity and risk of overselling.
- Access to massive audiences, but pricing, fees, and buy-box strategies differ per marketplace.
- Prioritize marketplaces by unit economics: CAC, fees, fulfillment cost, and brand control.
- Implement central inventory & order orchestration and marketplace-specific pricing rules.
- Consider hybrid fulfillment (fulfillment by merchant + marketplace) and a returns strategy that protects margin and reputation.
4) Developer economics and support changes factor vendor costs into your roadmap
Shopify announced policy shifts that affect app developers and support staffing changes, including changes to the developer revenue-share exemption. These moves can change costs of certain apps and the availability of personalized support for large merchants. Impact for U.S. merchants- App licensing and total cost of ownership may rise for custom or high-volume usage.
- Larger merchants may need more reliance on implementation partners or in-house engineering for mission-critical features.
- Recalculate TCO (platform fees + app subscriptions + development/maintenance).
- Audit critical third-party apps and identify candidates for replacement with owned functionality (if justified economically).
- Lock in SLAs with implementation partners to ensure fast remediation when platform-level support changes.
5) Product releases, quality-of-life updates, and the evolution of Shopify Plus
Shopify’s 2025 Editions and feature drops deliver hundreds of incremental improvements Many of these items are targeted at growth merchants who need automation, reliable checkout flows, and multi-channel coordination. Impact for U.S. merchants- A steady cadence of improvements reduces the need for bespoke engineering for many use cases.
- However, merchants who rely on advanced workflows (B2B, subscriptions, marketplaces) still gain the most from partner-enabled customizations.
- Stay on top of changelogs and test new features in a staging environment before rolling them into production.
- Use feature drops to replace fragile custom work where appropriate but validate that the native feature fits your exact process.
Why this matters to buyers in the U.S. market (the bottom line)
Shopify’s moves make it cheaper and faster to start selling, expand into marketplaces, and use AI to personalize customer journeys. But that speed brings new operational complexity: data quality, developer economics, marketplace rules, and conversion optimization all become levers that determine whether a new store is profitable in the U.S. market. If you’re buying technology or services to grow online sales, evaluate vendors and partners on three things:- Commercial sense — Do the costs (platform + apps + implementation) preserve margin at scale?
- Technical fit — Can the partner integrate marketplaces, ERPs, and payment/fulfillment systems?
- Operational resilience — Will you be able to recover quickly from outages, chargebacks, or compliance issues?
How Avion Technology helps U.S. merchants act on these Shopify changes
Avion Technology partners with U.S. brands to translate platform innovation into measurable revenue. If you’re evaluating Shopify or already on Shopify and want to convert recent product changes into advantage, here’s what Avion delivers:- AI-accelerated store launches + professionalization: Use Shopify’s AI Store Builder for rapid prototypes, then Avion refines UX, SEO, analytics, and compliance so you convert at scale.
- Search & personalization engineering: We operationalize Shopify’s AI search improvements by cleaning product data, building custom ranking rules, and A/B testing merchandising strategies.
- Marketplace orchestration: Connect, optimize, and automate Amazon/Walmart/Target/Etsy flows so your marketplace channels grow without inventory headaches.
- TCO & app rationalization audits: We run an actionable audit of your app stack vs. build options to reduce recurring fees and risk from policy shifts.
- Shopify Plus & operations automation: For brands scaling in the U.S., we implement Launchpad, Flow automations, and staged rollouts that make campaigns predictable and repeatable.
Final thought act with speed, but design for longevity
Shopify’s 2025 moves give merchants in the U.S. a powerful toolkit: AI to accelerate launches, smarter search, and deeper marketplace reach. But speed without structure risks margin erosion and brand dilution. Evaluate buyer decisions on both near-term ROI and long-term operational resilience. If you want to convert Shopify’s innovation into profitable growth without the trial-and-error Avion Technology can design and execute a clear migration, build, or optimization plan tailored to your U.S. market goals. Ready to turn Shopify’s moves into revenue? Contact Avion Technology for a complimentary platform audit and a 90-day action plan tailored to your business goals.594 adminSeptember 18, 2025
Meet the Zurich Release: Turning ServiceNow’s Newest Innovations into Business Value
What’s New in the Zurich Release
The Zurich release blends AI, automation, and governance into a single, future-ready platform. Key innovations include:- AI Agents & Predictive Analytics
- Smarter virtual agents that automatically resolve tickets, forecast demand, and highlight process bottlenecks.
- Predictive analytics to help managers act on insights in real time.
- Flow Designer Enhancements
- A redesigned, low-code workspace that makes it easier for non-technical teams to automate routine processes.
- Drag-and-drop simplicity accelerates adoption across departments.
- Data Governance & Compliance Upgrades
- Stronger controls for data accuracy, security, and retention.
- Critical for regulated sectors such as finance, logistics, and healthcare in Chicago and nationwide.
- Next-Generation Employee Experience Tools
- Unified portals and self-service dashboards that improve productivity while reducing IT workload.
Why Zurich Matters for Chicago and U.S. Businesses
Chicago’s diverse economy from logistics and banking to manufacturing and healthcare relies on streamlined digital workflows. Across Illinois and the U.S., organizations are under pressure to deliver seamless customer and employee experiences while controlling costs. The Zurich release addresses these needs holistically. By cutting manual work, it allows employees to focus on strategic goals. Its scalability supports businesses of every size, even as data volumes expand. Enhanced governance capabilities keep operations aligned with GDPR, HIPAA, and other U.S. data-privacy rules, while AI-powered analytics help leaders make faster, evidence-based decisions. As Avion Technology’s ServiceNow Practice Lead explains:“Upgrading to Zurich isn’t just about new features it’s about aligning technology with the outcomes Chicago-area organizations care about: growth, speed, and resilience.”
Turning Innovation into Business Value with Avion Technology
Adopting Zurich is only the beginning. To unlock its full potential, you need a partner that understands both the technology and your business priorities. That’s where Avion Technology comes in. Here’s how we help companies across Chicago and the U.S. get results from ServiceNow upgrades:- Implementation & Upgrade Planning We design tailored roadmaps so your Zurich deployment aligns with budget, goals, and timelines.
- Custom Development & Integration Our experts connect ServiceNow with ERP, CRM, and cloud platforms, ensuring a seamless tech ecosystem.
- Change Management & Training We prepare your workforce for new tools and processes, driving adoption and productivity.
- Performance Tracking & ROI Analysis Avion provides measurable insights into how Zurich improves cost efficiency, employee satisfaction, and service quality.
Real-World Impact: Industries Leading with Zurich
Zurich’s capabilities resonate across sectors where Avion Technology is actively engaged:- Manufacturing & Logistics – Automate maintenance requests, improve supply chain visibility, and keep operations moving efficiently in Chicago’s industrial corridors.
- Healthcare – Use predictive analytics to manage patient support requests and compliance, improving care delivery in hospitals and clinics.
- Banking & Financial Services – Enhance security workflows, track regulatory tasks, and deliver faster customer support.
- Public Sector & Education – Simplify citizen services, automate approvals, and optimize resource allocation for government and schools.
Best Practices for a Smooth Zurich Upgrade
To ensure your transition to Zurich is seamless, consider these tips:- Assess Your Current Environment Audit existing workflows and integrations before starting the upgrade.
- Prioritize High-Value Use Cases Identify processes where AI or automation can deliver quick wins.
- Invest in User Training Equip teams with hands-on guidance to maximize adoption.
- Partner with Experienced Implementers Collaborate with a certified ServiceNow partner, such as Avion Technology, to handle complexities and compliance requirements.
- Measure Success Continuously Track performance metrics post-upgrade to refine and optimize over time.
Expert Insight: Zurich and the Future of Digital Workflows
Zurich marks a pivotal moment in the ServiceNow journey. It shows how AI is no longer a futuristic idea but an immediate lever for operational excellence. Organizations that act quickly will outpace competitors, delivering service faster while keeping costs under control. Avion Technology’s consultants bring a local perspective to this transformation. We understand the regulatory, cultural, and competitive pressures that Chicago-area businesses face and we tailor Zurich’s capabilities to fit those realities.FAQs About the ServiceNow Zurich Release
1️. What is the ServiceNow Zurich release?
The Zurich release is ServiceNow’s latest platform upgrade (Fall 2025) that introduces advanced AI, automation, data governance, and employee experience tools. It’s designed to make digital workflows faster, smarter, and more secure.2️. Who should upgrade to Zurich?
Organizations of all sizes from Chicago startups to nationwide enterprises can benefit. If your business depends on service delivery, compliance, or process automation, Zurich provides immediate value.3️. How can Avion Technology support the upgrade?
We offer end-to-end services: planning, implementation, custom app development, integrations, employee training, and post-upgrade optimization to ensure ROI.4️. Is Zurich suitable for regulated industries like finance or healthcare?
Yes. The release includes enhanced governance and data privacy features that align with standards such as GDPR and HIPAA, making it ideal for regulated environments.5️. How quickly can my team start seeing results?
With a clear roadmap and proper training, many businesses begin experiencing measurable improvements such as reduced ticket volumes and faster service delivery within weeks of going live. If you’re ready to see how ServiceNow’s Zurich release can streamline operations and drive measurable ROI, Avion Technology is here to guide you. Book a complimentary Zurich strategy session with our ServiceNow experts. Let’s explore your goals, map your upgrade path, and translate Zurich’s innovations into lasting value for your organization.Final Thoughts
The ServiceNow Zurich release isn’t just an update; it’s an opportunity to reshape how your teams deliver service, manage compliance, and leverage data intelligence. With the right partner, you can turn these innovations into business outcomes that matter faster, smarter, and more securely. At Avion Technology, we’re proud to help companies across Chicago and the U.S. transform every ServiceNow release into a competitive advantage.1479 adminSeptember 16, 2025
The Long Tail Of Good Companies
2406 adminAugust 30, 2023
When Should You Begin Looking For Funding?
1587 adminJune 28, 2023
Do You Have A Testing Process?
Software Testing checks that software or application does what it is supposed to do. The advantages of testing include avoiding defects, reducing development costs, and improving the performance of your software.
Why is Software Testing Necessary?
Software testing is an essential aspect of the software development life process. It involves verifying and validating the functionality, performance, and security of a software application or system to ensure that it qualifies the requirements and specifications of the intended user.
What is the Importance of Testing?
Let's look at the benefits of software testing in the software development life cycle:
Testing should be started in the early stages of the SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle), if testing is not done in the early stages, then the cost of defect resolution is high, and defects are found in the later stages.
In today's competitive market, only a quality product survives for a long time, so application testing is essential in the SDLC to ensure they produce a good quality product.
Testing is essential as its software application cannot be debugged.
The most important thing about testing is that the development environment is different from the test environment, and the testing done in the test environment is similar to the production environment.
Risks of Not Doing Software Testing:
Here are some common pitfalls of not correctly testing software before deployment.
Excessive Expenses:
Fixing software bugs requires immediate attention. This process is easy during pre-launch testing with software development.
An important consideration is the cost of eliminating defects or defects associated with improper software testing. These costs include long work hours, lost productivity, and lost profits during software downtime.
Delayed Product Launches:
For a product to be launched quickly without any error, it must be tested throughout the development process or before it goes to market. While in-house software testing can help catch many bugs before product launch, without third-party software testing, many defects risk detection until it's too late.
Dissatisfied Users:
Software users have certain presuppositions about their products; they expect Software to run fast, work correctly, and protect their private info. If software bugs hamper them from having a positive user experience, they will churn and probably not return.
Finally, it is crucial to have a testing process to ensure the quality and reliability of software products. A well-designed testing process can help identify and fix defects and problems early in the development cycle, saving time and resources in the long run. Implementing a testing process can also improve customer satisfaction and product confidence.
Resource:
https://www.ibm.com/in-en/topics/software-testing
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/software_testing/software_testing_quick_guide.htm#:~:text=Testing%20is%20the%20process%20of,contrary%20to%20the%20actual%20requirements.
https://www.softwaretestingclass.com/importance-of-testing/
https://www.ibeta.com/risks-of-not-testing-software-properly/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1014 adminMarch 31, 2023
Your Best Friends To Help Scale Up Your Agency
Your Clients: Client Relationships Are the Heart of your Business. Your clients are your most important asset. Building solid relationships with your clients and providing exceptional service will help you retain and attract new ones. Be sure to listen to their needs, communicate regularly, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations.
Employees: Your employees are the backbone of your agency. Hiring and retaining talented and passionate employees who share your vision is critical to success. Create a positive and supportive work environment, provide opportunities for professional development, and recognize and reward employee contributions. Considering your employee as a friend can help to build growth, enhance engagement, and make the workplace more productive.
Technology: Technology gives you unlimited access to information. The Internet opens up every one of the details that can help you succeed in your business. Technology can help you streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve efficiency. Choose the right tools and platforms to help you manage projects, communicate with clients, track progress, and analyze data.
Networking: Networking is about collaborating and engaging with people for mutual benefit. Building a solid network of contacts and partners can help you expand your reach and gain new opportunities. Attend industry events, join relevant associations, and collaborate with other agencies and professionals to build your network.
Mentor: Mentorship is a mutually favorable professional relationship in which an experienced person (mentor) imparts knowledge, skills, and wisdom. A mentor or advisor can provide valuable insight, guidance, and support. Look for mentors who have experience in your industry and can offer advice on growing your agency.
In Conclusion:
Growing your agency requires hard work, dedication, and a robust support system. Build strong relationships with your clients, employees, and network, leverage technology, and seek guidance from mentors to help you achieve your goals. You can take your agency to the next level with the right friends.
Resource:
https://www.business.com/articles/8-tips-for-scaling-your-business/
https://99designs.com/blog/marketing-advertising/start-digital-marketing-agency/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1025 adminFebruary 21, 2023
Usually, Pain Points While Scaling A Small Digital Agency
Every agency owner wants to work with the biggest clients, build the most prominent team, win the most significant awards, and land the biggest procurement deals.
Unfortunately, the path to sustainable growth is lined with potential pitfalls that threaten your ability to scale and your agency's entire operation.
After reading this blog post, you can find solutions to what is holding your agency back and power through those pain points.
1. You Scale Beyond Your Skills: Your clients refer you to others as you complete projects. These new clients refer you to others; in theory, the whole process snowballs until you're working with the top names in your vertical. Before saying yes, to a big project, take a closer look at what is required to execute the project. Do you need to bring in other talents? Can you partner with another agency that specializes in a new area? It's better to turn down an opportunity you don't deserve — no matter how good it sounds — than to accept it and blow away your carefully crafted brand reputation.
2. Your system is not scalable: Measuring services as an agency is complex. Because it requires a lot of manual effort and skill, you will always need help if you want to scale, but your systems and processes still require significant manual effort. Take the time to get your house in order with more scalable solutions before investing heavily in growth.
3. You Don’t Give Your Past Clients A Graceful Exit: As your agency grows, your service offerings are likely to change. Your price points will vary. How you build your packages will change for the new, possibly more significant, customers you're targeting. As a result, you may have clients on your roster who are not a good fit for your changing agency.
Here's what you don't want to do: keep them limping along with your agency because you're too afraid to tell them your growth means you're not a good fit for their needs.
Growth may be the holy grail of most agencies, but it can be a double-edged sword. By planning to avoid the pitfalls described above, you can improve your agency's ability to scale without compromising performance or integrity.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/01/21/four-pitfalls-most-digital-marketing-agencies-encounter-when-scaling/?sh=46e1105f3440
https://www.autogrow.co/agency-growth-secrets/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/scale-small-agency-brand/306157/#close
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1034 adminFebruary 20, 2023 Youtube Video
How To Scale Your Agency In The New VUCA World
Even on the ground, change needs to happen faster. Enterprises are plagued with concerns about the effectiveness of their digital efforts. Despite significant investments in new technologies, success in high performance and business impact usually fail to live up to expectations. Companies must find ways to bridge this gap between digital's enormous potential and the current reality of its sub-par impact.
What does VUCA mean?
VUCA defines volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity -- qualities make it challenging to analyze, respond to, or plan for a situation or condition.
Minimizing these traits can significantly improve a leader's strategic abilities and produce better results.
Volatility is the quality of being subject to frequent, rapid, and significant changes. Small triggers can lead to big changes.
Uncertainty occurs when events and outcomes are unpredictable. Cause and effect be better understood, and experience may not apply to the situation. It needs to be made clear which direction events will take.
Complexity involves many issues and factors, some of which may be intricately interconnected. The relationship between things and people is challenging to understand. A change in one place can cause unexpected changes in other things. Multiple layers obscure cause and effect, and it is unclear which factors are important in decision-making.
Ambiguity is a need for clarity and difficulty in understanding a situation. Information can be misread or misinterpreted. In ambiguous cases, not all facts are clear. The goal or intended outcome may only be apparent to some parties involved.
Digital Strategy in a VUCA World:
A digital strategy lays the foundation for delivering the right experience based on real-time intelligence.
There are three impact areas around which companies can align their digital strategy and get the best results:
Customer Experience: Digital transformation allows enterprises to move from creating disparate customer experiences to an integrated, customer-centric approach. With the growing number of options available to do this and the accompanying digital clutter, enterprises need to provide a frictionless and intuitive customer experience. Ensuring a seamless, well-integrated, omnichannel communication strategy enhances the customer experience. Often, customer experiences are determined by how your brand interacts with the customer.
A company's response system can make or break the relationship when customers call, email, or use social media to interact with enterprises.
Acceleration: One of the most significant opportunities in digital technology and accompanying business models is scalability. They can allow you to create and grow new businesses faster. However, you need to find the right product-market fit, develop a suitable business model, make intelligent technology choices, and leverage the ecosystem smartly, where a dynamic strategy, broken down into micro levels, becomes critical to success. Keep in mind that It's a continual change process.
Insight: The speed, volume, and variety of data that is now possible present enormous opportunities for our customers, such as one-to-one personalization on a level, And helping enterprises improve the quality of their decision-making to another level. AI and machine learning bring tremendous opportunities. The opportunities provided by data are unprecedented. It is fair to suggest that digital strategy is data strategy!
A digital strategy stipulation a change in mindset as organizations move from legacy to digital. It is an overall strategy, not just a strategy related to a particular performance or peculiar this is a complete shake-up of the status quo. It is cross-functional. While the system needs to be holistic in a VUCA world, fundamentally, the approach to the process needs to be rethought.
In short, VUCA is accurate, and we're already during massive digital transformation and disruption. Enterprises can step up and leapfrog the competition by adopting ambitious digital strategies.
Resource:
https://www.cioaxis.com/cio-insights/building-scalable-models-in-the-vuca-world-the-cio-view
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1140 adminJanuary 17, 2023 Youtube Video
The Power of Having A Team Vs. Doing It On Your Own
Working as a group can be very beneficial. For instance, if you're working on a single project, you might miss out on some great ideas that someone else could share with the group when you see what you've already done. After years of experience in corporate, we decided to share our knowledge with you.
Power of Having a Team:
Productivity increases: The extra people work together, the more they can achieve every day, and the result, the quality of the final product, is usually good.
Profit: By working together as a team, you can do things that would have been incredibly difficult if you had worked alone.
Better decisions: When more people are permitted to have input into the decision-making process, you incorporate more viewpoints and skill sets, often resulting in better decisions.
Improved Customer Service: A team approach works well when it comes to providing customer service. A team environment can facilitate sharing of ideas, knowledge, challenges, and solutions to customer problems, all of which help everyone build better customer relationships.
Knowledge Shared: Working in a company environment allows everyone to learn from each other, which can be especially favorable for those who have worked on the same project for a long time. A better assessment of your success when you work alone can be challenging to assess your success accurately. However, if you work in a team, you will be able to see the impact of your efforts on the overall project.
Doing It on Your Own:
Yes, teams produce great results. Group members recompense for each other's weaknesses and share a broader perspective. Teamwork is organizational strength at work – but it's not the only way.
Working alone has many clear advantages – both to the worker and to the organizations and clients they serve. Many people dream of being their boss.
Less distraction. Focusing on your ultimate goals is easier when you're not distracted by other people's concerns.
More opportunities for personal creativity. With no one telling you what you must or should do, you have a better time being creative and bringing your unique vision to a project.
Specific hours require your attention and dedication when working on a long-term project with others. However, if you are working alone on the same project, you can control when you are working and when you can spend time with your friends and family.
More flexibility, working with others sometimes need you to show flexibility you wouldn't be able to if you were working alone.
Final Words:
Competent managers know their team members. They know who "plays well" with whom. They understand when certain people need a break from the group to work single and when everyone needs to come together.
Independent workers lose the benefits of teamwork. Group workers compromise with others and often tend toward "group think." Fortunately, the individual/team debate is not black-and-white.
Resource:
https://toggl.com/blog/teamwork-vs-individual-work
https://www.hugo.team/blog/team-collaboration-vs-working-alone
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1366 adminDecember 22, 2022
Connecting With Industry Experts
If you're looking for experts in your industry, here is something worth a read.
When it comes to identifying experts in your industry, some resources make it incredibly easy. Many tools are available to help you find the ones making waves in your industry.
In today's world, fellow industry connections may seek you out online to learn more about your professional background and interests. Like you, put your best and most professional foot forward. When networking through social media, stay on professional sites like LinkedIn and Twitter and keep your profile accurate, up-to-date, and complete.
Include professional photos, a personal summary, and an evaluation of your skills to give potential connections a better sense of your nature, abilities, goals, and how you can add utility to their network.
Stay in touch with your connections by sharing relevant content such as informative blog posts, inspiring TED talks, provocative industry white papers, or local networking events. In your note, tell them why it made you think of them and how it can provide value.
Monitor Social Media Hashtags: You can reach more audiences using social media hashtags. Trending industry hashtags will help you identify what your industry—and, more importantly, your industry experts—are communicating. You can join the conversation by using the same trending hashtag.
If you're looking to connect with experts in your industry offline, an easy way to communicate with them is through industry organizations and associations. With a quick search, especially on LinkedIn, you'll see what organizations your experts belong to and how they interact personally with their peers. You can also become a member of those organizations and participate in their events and networking socials. Meeting people face-to-face can significantly affect their engagement with you. Since most of our lives are online, building relationships online and offline with industry experts is essential.
Reaching out and engaging with experts in your industry is an integral part of your brand strategy. Experts can help grow your business and interacting professionally with them can help build your brand and industry credibility.
Resource:
https://seapoint.digital/how-to-identify-and-engage-with-industry-experts-2/
https://joe-escobedo.com/6-ways-connect-industry-experts-content/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1243 adminDecember 15, 2022
Top 5 Product Definition Tools
Then, investing in improving and making product definition processes more effective can help. These days, a wide range of tools can help you save money, work more efficiently and deliver better products.
This article will highlight the five best product definition tools to help you identify the right one.
1. Monday.com
Monday.com is an online product definition platform that enables teams of all sizes to plan, track and manage their daily work. From product roadmaps to weekly iterations, monday.com helps teams define clear ownership, analyze and track their position, manage sprints, and collaborate. monday.com's easy-to-use platform makes it easy for the crew to work together from anywhere.
It lets you convert all data into attractive charts and Graphs and efficiently track projects. In addition, it facilitates effective real-time collaboration among your team; Your staff will be able to quickly and easily update the tool and import and export data.
2. Airfocus
Airfocus is the first and only modular product management platform on the market, built specifically for product teams to manage products to market, internal developments, IT portfolios, and more. The flexible platform helps product teams manage strategy, understand user needs, prioritize and align their teams on clear roadmaps.
3. Trello
Trello project management tool that helps product teams collaborate and organize.
Trello’s Key Features include the following:
• Kanban boards and checklists for easy task management
• Automate workflows with Trello's Butler bot
• A mobile app for Android and iOS devices for Product Management, Productivity, Team Management, etc.
4. Jira
Jira Software is a product definition tool that helps teams of all types manage work. Jira was initially designed for bug and issue tracking. Now, Jira has evolved into a versatile work management tool that can handle all kinds of work, including necessary management and testing.
Jira’s Key features include the following:
• Scrum and Kanban Boards for Agile Teams
• Create a roadmap to communicate the product strategy clearly
• Detailed analysis of team performance
• Built-in workflow automation
5. ProdPad
Another excellent product management tool, ProdPad, provides product definition with an easy-to-use way to develop a strategy. Using a drag-and-drop tool, you can create a lean product roadmap and communicate and define your product strategy without getting bogged down in the build process. Prod Pad Key features include:
• Road Mapping,
• Task Scheduling/Tracking
• Customer Management
• Project Management
• Prioritization
• Notifications
Product management can take time and effort. However, using the right product management tools, such as those described in this article, can help you manage, distribute, and track work more quickly, ensuring that you follow all steps and deadlines correctly.
Resource:
https://theenterpriseworld.com/top-5-product-management-tools/
https://theproductmanager.com/tools/best-product-management-tools/
https://clickup.com/blog/product-management-tools/#53-9-figma
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1368 adminDecember 1, 2022
When To Look For Funding
Most successful businesses don't live in the moment. They are forever crunching the numbers to determine how they are growing; This number is likely to change over months, years, and decades, including being honest about how much you think you will earn and what you need to spend to reach your goal.
By forecasting regularly, you'll take the first step toward establishing capital, not just when you think you need it, but when you feel you need it.
When to seek funding?
If you run out of cash before the end of your forecasting period or your margins are so tight that any drop in customers could put you in trouble, you need funding. A good general principle is to have at least six months' benefit of fixed costs in your pocket.
It's also worth getting funding when your ambitions require networks and knowledge you don't have. Remember to underestimate the value of having like-minded investors buy into your vision, and never be afraid to turn down a high number from an investor you don't think is a good fit.
If you've already got a buffer, or you're in an industry where growth is notoriously slow, but the value of this growth is high, you can postpone fundraising - sometimes for years. You should never seek or accept funding if you are doing it to tick a box.
Remember that it is always early enough to get funding. So for every early-stage investor, a seed investor is sitting on the other border of the coin.
You need funding; what next?
Remember that funding is not a gift. It's an investment that your backers need a return on—asking too much or being blindsided by recommendations that sound too good to be true can be just as detrimental to your business as not raising enough.
You can always add more later if you need. If you have a track record of forecasting accurately and using capital as efficiently as possible, you will always be an attractive bet for investors.
Resource:
https://www.eu-startups.com/2021/07/when-to-seek-funding-and-more-importantly-when-to-stay-clear/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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960 adminOctober 31, 2022
5 Tips to Scale up your Agency Painlessly
Once they hit the ceiling, some agencies can bloat rather than grow into more prominent brands. You will need more people to meet your Agency's growing demands effectively. With the proper steps and ready to grow your business, even a small agency can become a reputable brand. Here we list the essential steps you'll need to follow when scaling your small Agency up Painlessly.
Step 1: Optimize Your Process & Workflow
While trying to grow their business, they often fail to address the most critical step of optimizing their existing processes, which can be costly as some smaller agencies are still developing and changing their workflow. Outline each process step, from accession and onboarding to campaign tracking. The aim is to make the businesses trackable and repeatable, so you don't have to create a whole new process every time. You can break down each campaign or project into outputs and further down into a list of tasks, making it easier for each co-worker to stay on track with their specific tasks to fulfill their responsibilities.
Step 2: Scale Your Service Offering
Scaling your service contribution is another crucial step in scaling your small Agency into a brand. You will provide your clients with services that complement each other instead of going to multiple agencies for a single campaign, saving them time, effort, and resources as they can do everything in one place.
Step 3: Develop Great Relationships
To grow your small Agency into a brand, you need to create a brand perception that differentiates you from other agencies. For this, you must develop a good relationship with your clients. There are many ways to build great relationships for your brand. With industry experts and peers, you can connect with them on social media, interact with their content, ask them the right questions and interview them. It proves how valuable relationships can be to growing your small Agency painlessly.
Step 4: Expand Your Team
When scaling up your Agency, you will naturally need more people. You'll have more time to focal point on other features of the operation if you delegate talent acquisition. Moreover, an expert recruiter will find it easier to narrow down the most viable candidates for different job roles.
Don't hesitate to invest some time and money in training; this will help strengthen your team with highly-qualified professionals who have received the proper training to perform their duties.
Step 5: Remember the Long-Term
Your focus on the bigger picture is essential when growing your company; This is true even if your sights are set on experiencing rapid expansion in the future. Focus on growing your customer base while simultaneously working to improve your company's internal structure. You'll have a better possibility of successfully growing your business and planning for long-term success. Preparation is required, and organization is vital if you want to succeed; so use these tips to continue on track and successfully brand your Agency.
Resources:
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/scale-small-agency-brand/306157/#close
https://www.bookkept.com.au/5-tips-for-quickly-scaling-your-business-and-achieving-repeatable-growth/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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981 adminSeptember 30, 2022
How to Define your Product Idea in 5 Easy Steps
1. What Kind of Idea is it?
Until you know your idea could be the next Tetrapak or Post-it, an objective opinion will help confirm what chance it has of getting it off the drawing board. Find someone whose opinion you value (preferably an experienced product designer or business-minded person) and ask them.
Following are the types of questions you may want to challenge.
What is the problem?
Starting with the problem it solves:
• How did the idea come about?
• What provoked or motivated it?
• Is it rooted in a situation you encountered or noticed?
• Is it because of something you do?
• Is it technology-led? See something inspiring and want to use it in a different application?
• Have you researched your market? What is its price?
• What benefits does your idea bring to people?
• How would you describe its key features?
Study your competition
• What's already out there and its success
Differentiation
• How is your solution different from others?
• Why choose your brand or product?
• Does it use better materials?
Managers with sufficient experience and a strategic vision of the company, competition, clients, and suppliers are critical to this process.
2. Measuring the Opportunity:
Once you have gathered information about market trends and your strategic objectives, the next step is to analyse the product-ready segments and predict future buying habits as closely as possible.
3. Develop the Concept:
In this phase, the new product concept is refined to meet the needs of potential customers and stand out from the competition. How can this be achieved? Get opinions from leading users who can feel the market's future needs. Also, rely on a team with proficiency in various disciplines: design and production people for technical requirements, marketing experts to reach customers, and finance and management departments to determine the funds available.
4. Testing, Product:
You need to build your prototype and evaluate how well it works. Is your product:
• Offer a series of features that meet customer needs?
• Reach the market at the right time?
• Work efficiently concerning development and production costs?
• Maintain a healthy balance between launch cost and product profitability?
5. Position and Launch:
After designing an in-depth study of the product, the next step is to decide on its strategic position. How do you want potential customers to observe the product? At this stage, one must consider financial, functional, and emotional factors.
Traditionally, functional innovations were a highlight in new products. But this has become less defensible in the current environment, as technological advances allow competitors to respond and innovations to enter the market quickly. When competing products have the same price and features, the difference is mainly due to an emotional factor. It is at the heart of the relevance of brand image, communication, and the so-called intangible attributes of a service or product.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/iese/2016/06/01/five-steps-to-develop-a-new-product/?sh=51fc6b492eef
https://www.imaginationfactory.co.uk/blog/post/3968/Idea-to-Product-in-5-Steps/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1217 adminSeptember 27, 2022 Youtube Video
Filing For A Patent
Step 1: Create your invention
The invention is the initial step for an innovator who wants to proceed with their creation, getting critical to get as much information as possible. Some essential questions that the inventor should consider are: what is the field of the alteration, what is the profit, and how will it aid improve currently existing solutions? Not all inventions qualify for patent protection. Section 3 of the Patents Act identifies the subject matter.
Step 2: Patent Investigation and Drafting
Following clarification of the invention, the inventor must do a patentability search which is the better half since it will aid in resolving whether the vision is new or not. The Patents Act requires that all innovations fulfill the novelty requirement. After a thorough search and preparation, one must consider a patentability report and opinion. The patentability search determines the nearest potential previous arts.
Step 3: Submitting a Patent Application
The actual procedure begins with submitting a Patent Application. After preparing the patent application may be filed with the government patent office using the Form 1 application form, creating a receipt with the patent application number. Under Form 2, one can also file a provisional patent application if the innovation is still in its early stages. The advantage of filing a transitional application is that it allows you to obtain a previous date of filing, which is essential in the patent industry. In addition, one has 12 months to file the entire specification. One must utilize the Form 28 application to file for patents for start-ups and small businesses.
Step 4: Application Publication
From filing the whole specification, the application is published 18 months after the filing date. There are no particular essentials for posting from the applicant. If the competitor does not wish to wait 18 months, they can file Form 9 with the specified costs to request early publication. The patent exercise is published one month after the request for an early announcement.
Step 5: Submit a Request for Examination
Unlike publication, the examination is not automatic, and the applicant must request that the patent office study the patent application. Under Form 18, one must file a typical request 48 months after applying. Upon receiving such a request, the regulator assigns the application to a patent examiner, who examines it using various patentability criteria, such as novelty, non-obviousness, inventive step, and suitability for industrial application, and provides the applicant with the First Examination Report (FER).
Step 6: Respond to the Objections
The applicant must react to the patent office's complaint through the First Examination Report. The applicant is required to respond in writing to the objection expressed in the examination report. The applicant can demonstrate the invention's patentability and attempt to dismiss the whole complaint cited. Depending on the circumstances, one may even require physical hearings or video conferencing.
Step 7: Patent Grant
After resolving any objections, the application is submitted for a grant once it is determined to fulfill all patentability conditions, and lastly, the applicant would be given the patent. The issuance of a patent is announced in the patent journal, which is published regularly.
Resource:
https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/patent-process-overview#step1
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/how-to/how-to-go-about-patent-filing-in-india-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/86417211.cms
https://iptse.com/how-to-file-patents-understanding-the-patent-process-in-india/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1108 adminSeptember 8, 2022
Testing – Digital Agency
The testing strategy aids in the creation of a baseline for digital marketing efforts. It aids in discovering the appropriate consumers, marketing channels, providers, and creativity, resulting in highly optimized marketing campaigns that increase revenue while saving money.
When building your business, it can be challenging to determine which marketing methods are most effective with your target demographic. A/B testing and other conversion optimization tactics allow you to experiment with different approaches. This process will enhance your content, deliver the most satisfactory customer experiences, and achieve your conversion goals faster. This AB testing primer will teach you the principles of the technique.
What is A/B Testing?
A/B testing is also known as split testing. A/B testing is a randomized experimentation process where multiple versions of variables (web page, page element, etc.) are shown to different segments of website visitors simultaneously. This will determine which version has the most significant impact and drives business metrics.
At its most basic, A/B testing compares two versions of something to see which works better. Consider the experiments you carried performed in elementary school. You will witness different results if you plant two seeds in two cups of earth and place one in the closet and the other by the window. A/B testing is a type of experimental setting.
Running an A/B test compares a variant to the existing experience allowing you to ask specific questions about changing your website or app and then gather statistics on the impact of that change.
Testing removes the uncertainty from website optimization and allows for data-driven decisions that alter company dialogues from "we believe" to "we know." You can verify that every change provides positive outcomes by evaluating the impact of changes on your metrics.
How Does A/B Testing Work?
To conduct an A/B test, you must produce two distinct versions of the same piece of content. Each content will have a single variable changed, showing these two versions to two similar-sized audiences. The audience will evaluate which one fared better over a set period (long enough to make accurate conclusions about your results). A/B testing allows marketers to see how one version of marketing content compares to another. Here are two sorts of A/B tests you might run to improve the conversion rate of your website:
Example 1: User Experience Test
Perhaps you want to test whether placing a specific call-to-action (CTA) button at the top of your site rather than the sidebar would increase its click-through rate.
To A/B test this concept, construct a second web page that employs the revised CTA positioning. Version A is the current design with the sidebar CTA — or "control." The "challenger" is Version B, with the CTA at the top. Then you'd put these two versions to the test by presenting them to a predefined percentage of site visitors. Ideally, the rate of visitors who view each version should be the same.
Example 2: Design Test
Maybe you'd want to see if altering the color of your call-to-action (CTA) button increases its click-through rate.
To A/B test this concept, create a second CTA button with a different button color that goes to the same landing page as the control. Use the green call to action button variation in your marketing material to obtain more clicks after your A/B test.
Process of A/B Testing
You may begin running tests with the A/B testing framework listed below:
Gather Information: Your analytics frequently reveal areas where you may begin optimizing. Start with high-traffic parts of your website or app to collect data more quickly. Look for pages with low conversion or a high drop-off rate that may be improved.
Identify Objectives: Conversion goals are the metrics you use to judge whether the variant is more effective than the original version. Goals might range from clicking on a link to purchasing or signing up for an email list.
Create Hypotheses: Once you've decided on a goal, you can start brainstorming A/B testing concepts and hypotheses for why you believe they'll be better than the present version. Once you compile a list of ideas, rank them in terms of predicted impact and implementation difficulties.
Create Variations: Make adjustments to an area of your website or mobile app experience using A/B testing tools (such as Optimizely). This may be altering the color of a button, rearranging the pieces on the page, concealing navigation elements, or something completely unique. Many popular A/B testing programs provide a visual editor that makes modifications simple. Ensure that your experiment is tested to ensure that it works as planned.
Run Experiment: Start your experiment and wait for visitors to join in! Visitors visiting your website or app will be randomly allocated to either the control or variant of your experience. This will result in assessing how everyone performs; their involvement with each event is monitored, tallied, and compared.
Analyze the Results: Once your experiment is finished, it's time to examine the findings. Your A/B testing program will display the experiment data and show you the difference in performance between the two versions of your website and whether there is a statistically significant difference.
It does not disrupt your consumers' experience or send out disruptive feedback questionnaires. A/B testing is an efficient approach to measuring your audience's response to a design or content proposal. Simply experiment with something new and let the outcomes speak for themselves. A/B testing reduces the risks involved when undertaking an optimization program. This helps you to significantly improve your website's UX by eliminating all weak links and finding the most optimized version of your website.
Resource:
https://support.google.com/optimize/answer/6211930?hl=en
https://www.optimizely.com/optimization-glossary/ab-testing/
https://hbr.org/2017/06/a-refresher-on-ab-testing?registration=success
https://mailchimp.com/marketing-glossary/ab-tests/
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-do-a-b-testing
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1107 adminSeptember 6, 2022
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a type of hosting that is becoming increasingly popular owing to its easy and useful capabilities. This service hosts websites, manages domain names, and manages databases. The utilization of offshore server resources that can readily expand to accommodate peak demands is what makes cloud hosting more appealing than in-house hosting.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud-hosting is a means of hosting a website or internet service using a remote server rather than hosting the service on your server. The benefit of this is that you no longer have to maintain the server yourself, and you can access your website from anywhere in the world.
This is the process of storing data on the Internet. You can use your computer to access your files and programs at a time when you need them This simply means that your website makes use of the virtual resources of multiple servers to accommodate all aspects of hosting your site. The load is balanced, security is ensured, and hardware resources are virtualized and ready to use as needed. The cloud is a server cluster
How does cloud hosting work?
At its most basic, cloud hosting is classified as both Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Users are provided with the virtualized hardware resources required to deploy their own software environment while developing a Web application under the IaaS umbrella. On the PaaS side, consumers are already given a software environment in which to deploy and create Web applications more rapidly.
Each server in a cloud environment performs a certain set of duties. In the case that one server fails, other servers act as backups to supply the necessary resources to ensure the continued availability of web hosting services. When you keep your website in a cloud hosting environment, the information is distributed among many redundancy to guarantee that the website is always accessible to both you and your web visitors.
Cloud hosting often includes all aspects of website maintenance, such as cloud storage and database management tools. Many services are created with non-technical users in mind, providing a type of control panel with various features that make establishing and administering a website easier than ever before. Cloud hosting allows you to manage your domains, set up FTP accounts for remote file transfers, modify databases directly, and do a range of other tasks.
Benefits of Cloud Hosting:
• Scalability
Cloud hosting is capable of easily handling massive server loads. This is accomplished by new upgrades, hardware additions, and the application of load balancing technology. There is no need to be concerned about your website being down due to a server crash, since other servers will always pick up the slack at the appropriate moment. It indicates that a website hosted on cloud infrastructure is extremely unlikely to collapse.
• Simple Administration
Cloud hosting takes use of centralized administration of network services and servers, which simplifies management and assures flawless operation without sacrificing quality.
• Storage and size options are both Customization:
Because there is such a large network of servers, the user has practically endless hosting options if the need arises... In other words, you may establish servers with unlimited capacity; they can also be accessed via internet management panels, such as API services.
• Increased Effectiveness:
The utilisation of virtual pooling of available resources improves overall system efficiency, and the performance of individual resources such as software, servers, and networks also contributes to overall system performance.
• Multi-location Capabilities:
Another significant benefit of cloud disaster recovery is its ability to provide multi-site availability. SAN replication enables very quick fail-over as well as the ability to return to the production site following a catastrophic occurrence or disaster recovery test.
Cloud Hosting Solutions:
There are several cloud hosting companies throughout the world, each with its unique set of features and functions to appeal to both non-technical and technical consumers. Just Host, Go Daddy, and iPage are among the most popular. Each provides low monthly costs as well as a variety of options to enhance the value of their service.
Future of Cloud Hosting:
Cloud hosting is frequently used by websites that have surpassed the capacities of their current shared hosting provider. If a website is particularly popular and puts a burden on the resources provided by a shared server, you may need to find an alternative option. Dedicated hosting, in which your site is hosted on its server, is a common solution. The issue with dedicated hosting is that it is substantially more expensive and necessitates a certain level of IT expertise. Many of the benefits of dedicated hosting can be obtained through cloud hosting while avoiding the majority of the issues. To host a single site, cloud web hosting uses a virtual network of cloud servers. It differs from standard hosting in that it stores one or more sites on a single server.
The fundamental advantage of cloud hosting is dependability. When one cloud server fails, other servers might step in to keep the website operational. It is also less prone to hardware failure, and webmasters may scale their hosting resources to accommodate traffic spikes as needed.
As a result, it is the preferred platform for large-scale projects such as enterprise websites, eCommerce stores, online marketplaces, and search engines.
An Overview of Cloud Hosting
To host a single site, cloud web hosting uses a virtual network of cloud servers. It differs from a standard hosting in that it stores one or more sites on a single server. The fundamental advantage of cloud hosting is dependability. When one cloud server fails, other servers might step in to keep the website operational.
It is also less prone to hardware failure, and webmasters may scale their hosting resources to accommodate traffic spikes as needed.As a result, it is the preferred platform for large-scale projects such as enterprise websites, eCommerce stores, online marketplaces, and search
Resource:
https://www.milesweb.com/blog/hosting/what-is-cloud-hosting-how-does-it-exactly-work/
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5030-what-is-cloud-hosting.html
https://www.hostinger.in/tutorials/what-is-cloud-hosting
https://www.itproportal.com/features/benefits-of-cloud-website-hosting/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1328 adminSeptember 5, 2022
Product Development
What exactly is Product Development?
The process of bringing a plan from concept through delivery is referred to as product development. Whether launching a new product or improving an old one, the product development cycle begins long before anything is developed. Everything from conceiving the first concept to carefully planning, developing, and putting it to market — and then analyzing its performance — is covered.
Product development has traditionally been associated with the construction phase of the product lifecycle. Requirements were set beforehand and implemented in successive stages for teams following tight waterfall techniques. Most product teams are now adopting a more iterative approach based on agile methods. Customer input is solicited early and frequently, work is distributed in stages, and change is expected and welcomed.
How to Make a Product Development Strategy
A product development plan should encompass the path from concept to market, including as many stakeholders as possible to guarantee their requirements and concerns. These concerns are met and involve the need to ensure the finished product has a market value.
A product team's development stages may be divided into the following categories:
1. Determine Market Demand
The first step in developing a product is establishing if there is a market demand for it. You should be able to identify interest in your product and problems to solve by conversing with consumers and conducting additional research activities such as test marketing and surveys.
2. Calculate the Opportunity
A product should not be established just because there is a need to be solved or a sign of market interest. Not every problem requires a product-based solution, and the consumer must be prepared to pay the right price for the answer.
3. Visualize the Product:
Your team may start getting creative and brainstorming ideas to build solutions that solve the problem while also meeting market demands. This process might result in developing various viable solutions that need evaluation.
4. Test the Solution:
Because prototype design and development can be costly, it is essential to take the time to examine and validate your thoughts. One must evaluate to clear out concepts that aren't worth pursuing further.
5. Create a Product Roadmap:
Once the submitted concepts have been agreed upon, the product management team will develop a roadmap for your project. This team will determine what themes and goals to establish to address the most critical aspects of your situation. This process should result in the development of an early version of the product that can be tested and assessed by market segments. One may also find more information regarding product roadmaps here.
6. Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Following your product roadmap should result in constructing a product with sufficient capacity for your client base. It may not be the complete product, but it should be enough to test the market and get preliminary feedback.
7. Distribute the MVP to beta Testers:
The MVP should be issued to market segments to gauge interest and gather input. The MVP allows you to start determining marketing messaging, channels, and sales force strategies, extending beyond the product to include package design concepts and price. This critical step establishes a feedback loop between you and your consumer base, allowing them to submit ideas, complaints, and suggestions to help enhance your final product.
8. Ongoing Evaluation and Development:
You can start working on product additions and adjustments using the MVP release's input. You can ensure that your design meets your clients' demands by listening to their input. You can necessitate strategic goal formulation and may require numerous revisions before you have a market-ready final product.
The problematic aspect is product development. It's where brilliant ideas meet reality when utopian visions of the future collide with the technological and human resource constraints that separates dreamers from doers.
To prevent a good product vision from being delayed amid challenging work and obstacles, one must strategize a roadmap to be firmly integrated with Agile planning and maximize the result.
Resource:
https://www.aha.io/roadmapping/guide/what-is-product-development
https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/product-development
https://www.productplan.com/learn/what-is-product-development/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1274 adminJuly 12, 2022 Youtube Video
Scaling Up – Small Businesses
If you know what you're doing, scaling the sale of actual items isn't even that difficult. Again, raise your marketing investment, and as demand rises, expand your stock and adapt your fulfillment logistics correspondingly. But what about growing an agency? That's a whole other tale.
Signs That It's Time to Expand and Scale Your Agency:
It's not always evident that you're ready to expand your web marketing firm. However, you might be afraid to scale things up; this is reasonable, especially given how many small firms fail because they grow too rapidly.
By keeping an eye out for you're getting inquiries from other markets, Leads Are Skyrocketing; You're Turning People Away these indicators, you may avoid scaling before you're ready. These are all excellent signs that it is time to learn how to expand your agency and take it to the next level.
How to Scale Your Digital Marketing Company:
Make an Entry-Level Positioning System:
Finding people to fill new entry-level roles will be a significant element of expanding your organization. When you begin to prepare to grow, make sure you have a strategy for evaluating entry-level candidates and identifying people who appear to be a good match for the role.
Hire topic experts:
The digital marketing industry teaches you a lot about developing and operating a marketing business. You've also probably discovered that you're not an expert on specific subjects.
Consult with a Recruiter:
Don't think you have to tackle the recruiting process alone if you're having trouble finding the right personnel to help you expand your firm. Consider hiring a recruiter. They can assist you in finding the best people to fill specific jobs and identifying those who provide the most value to your company.
Accurately Track Time:
Along with raising your rates, you should figure out where you're losing money and which clients, staff, or tasks aren't as profitable as they should be because overly demanding customers and incompetent personnel consistently cost agencies money. It's partly so because those losses might quickly go under the radar.
It might be challenging to determine whether clients are squandering your time or when an employee isn't pulling their weight or working too slowly. Determine where you're losing money by tracking time to the minute and adjusting procedures as needed.
Simplify the Client Onboarding Process:
If you don't already have a procedure to make customer onboarding easier, now is the time to start. When you start growing your business, additional clients will always come in. Ensure your system allows you to quickly onboard them so that consumers aren't left waiting for someone to contact them about their order.
Form Beneficial Collaborations:
Begin working on building productive ties with other professions. It is easy to recruit new clients if you collaborate with industry experts and people who operate firms that complement yours, making it easier to address the demands of your current clientele. Look for colleagues who offer services that your organization does not. Consider what you can offer them to make your collaboration as mutually beneficial as feasible.
Take A Step Back:
Last but not least, after your agency has effectively scaled, it is generally advisable to withdraw oneself from the front lines. Avoid micromanagement. You hired the people you did for a purpose. Either work to your strengths or take a step back and allow your team takes over.
Resource:
https://www.outbrain.com/blog/scale-your-marketing-agency/
https://mention.com/en/blog/scale-digital-marketing-agency
https://digitalagencynetwork.com/how-to-scale-your-digital-marketing-agency-to-the-next-level/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1014 adminJuly 8, 2022
Ideation
Ideation is a creative process where designers explore ideas in sessions (e.g., brainstorming, worst possible idea). It is the third level of the Design Thinking methodology. Participants gather with open minds to generate ideas in response to a problem statement in a supported, judgment-free environment. Ideation is a third stage of the design thinking process that encourages open thinking and risk-taking to generate solid and distinct ideas. Ideation differs from a typical concept planning session because it allows for independent thinking and teamwork. In most idea brainstorming sessions, team members become weighed down by listening to a superior's strategy. Their thoughts become focused in one direction on hearing from the superior, and their strengths and inventiveness are lost. As a result, the team generates pet ideas that support one significant idea while overlooking the capabilities of each member that should be utilized.
Finding New Perspectives is the Goal of Ideation Sessions:
It isn't easy to obtain the perspective needed to identify design solutions. You'll need a dedicated location for standing back and seeking and seeing every view to conducting good ideation sessions. But first, your team must identify the appropriate problem to treat. After "Empathize" (gaining user insights via research/observation) and "Define" (identifying links/patterns within those insights to produce a meaningful and feasible issue statement or point of view), Ideation is the third phase of the design thinking process.
Before looking for ideas, your team requires a clearly defined challenge to a focused problem statement or point of view (POV) to motivate and guide everyone. "How might we...?" queries, such as "How might we build an app that searches for affordable hotels in safe neighborhoods?"
Assist in reframing difficulties and encouraging effective collaboration toward potential solutions to bring people together to generate ideas and break down barriers. It would be best to have a trained facilitator and a creative environment, which includes a ready room with posters of personas, relevant information, etc. Your team will also need guidelines, such as a 2-hour time limit, quantity-over-quality concentration, a ban on distractions like phones, and a "There is no bad ideas" mindset.
Ideation Techniques:
Because of the nature of Ideation, it is critical to adopt appropriate strategies for the type of thoughts you are attempting to develop. The plan you select must also meet the needs of the ideation team, their levels of creative output, and their previous experience with ideation sessions. Here's a rundown of the essential ideation techniques:
Brainstorm:
Brainstorming is a well-known approach that uses group interaction to generate solutions by building on one another's ideas. Use this strategy with a group of five to seven people for more effective brainstorming. Limiting your brainstorming session to 20 minutes and having a minor group helps keep the topic focused. To develop more diverse ideas, try to include participants from various backgrounds or perspectives.
As the tagline "1+1=3" suggests, ideas are combined to form one good idea. Participants should be able to discuss their thoughts without fear of being criticized freely.
Brain Dump:
A brain dump is similar to Brainstorm; however, it is completed independently. The participants jot down their thoughts on post-it notes and then share them with the group.
Storyboarding:
When designing or optimizing processes, storyboarding is a valuable tool. Participants build a visual tale that illustrates their ideas and potential outcomes, allowing them to understand areas of improvement. Follow your consumer through the process, including the effects of your solutions.
Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a visual technique that develops linkages between the problem and alternative solutions your team is attempting to address. Write your problem statement or a high-level term linked to the situation in the center of a piece of paper or whiteboard. You will detail any related solutions or ideas raised by the team in the area surrounding that statement and use lines to connect them to the central theme. Next, add a layer that outlines how you will implement the recommended solutions, tying it to the preceding layer.
Worst Possible Idea:
The worst idea technique challenges participants to think of their worst possible solutions to a problem. While a brainstorming session supports all ideas, some people may be concerned about potential criticism; this strategy alleviates that concern by welcoming terrible ideas. It frequently creates a more enjoyable environment as people try to entertain one another and use their ingenuity to develop outrageous ideas.
Questioning Assumptions:
Many sectors have preconceived notions about accomplishing things, but this technique challenges those assumptions to generate more innovative ideas. As a result, you might choose to apply this strategy to improve an existing product or create a new one. Consider what you want to solve or develop, then brainstorm 20 to 30 assumptions about that product, service, or idea. These assumptions can be both optimistic and wrong, and they should apply to all elements of your company.
Final Thoughts
Ideation is frequently the most exciting step of a Design Thinking project since it allows for practically available free-thinking within the specified subject. The goal of the Ideation stage is to produce a vast number of ideas — ideas that may inspire newer, better ideas — that the team can then filter and narrow down to the best, most practical, or most original ones. Numerous excellent ways can assist the design team during the Ideation sessions.
Resource:
https://www.interaction-design.org/courses/design-thinking-the-beginner-s-guide
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/ideation
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/ideation-techniques
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ideation-in-practice/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1106 adminJune 14, 2022
Top Tools of the Trade
1] Perl:
Perl has a more malleable and straightforward language. It has a shell language, a simple database, Interfaces, surprises, and a sound expression engine. It is an essential tool for building other devices.
2] HP Jet Admin:
There is no better tool than the hp’s jet admin. Management software jet admin 7.5 is running as a secure web application accessible from any browser.
3] Symantec Ghost:
Symantec Ghost is a disk that cloning and backup tool developed by Murray Haszard for binary research. This technology was acquired in 1998 by Symantec.
Symantec Ghost is an award-winning software solution for imaging and deploying desktops, tablets, and laptops servers.
Resource:
https://www.infoworld.com/article/2665101/top-10-tools-of-the-trade.html
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
965 adminJanuary 19, 2022
4 Ways to Protect Your Customer’s Data
Considering that hacks are on the rise, and security incidents are not uncommon, it’s important that your company continues to explore methods to shield your customer’s data from malicious actors. Here are four tips when it comes to protecting your customer’s data.
1. Choose the Right Tools
Businesses are collaborating and sharing information with team members, vendors, and various partners on a daily basis. This is a necessity for businesses with remote staff members, which have increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to safeguard against this as a security flaw, companies must choose collaboration and communication tools that are secure. When choosing a cloud storage provider or deploying project management tools, companies should be prioritizing security.
Any digital tool that allows employees or clients to access documents or request information from databases should be analyzed for potential risk. A major component here is also the training around these tools. When team members understand the technology you’re using, the company as a whole is better protected.
2. Replacing FTP Scripts
There are many organizations that are still exchanging information using custom programs or scripts. Being that this methodology is now considered outdated, this process presents a security risk.
The architecture of FTP scripts is typically very vulnerable, and offers limited control of data. As a result, they are not accepted by the primary compliance regulations, and their use should be stopped immediately. As a replacement, consider secure FTP solutions that guarantee confidentiality. Using an alternative will improve security while providing total control and traceability of data movements, which ensures compliance with regulations.
3. Locate Compromised Devices
The prowess of modern hackers should not be overlooked, which is why any device with an internet connection should be considered “at risk”. Whether it is a work computer, personal smartphone, or even a connected smart device, hackers are looking to exploit the technology to acquire valuable data from businesses and their customers.
Businesses must remain proactive, and work to locate any compromised devices in your internal network. Additionally, it is important to consider the deployment of solutions that focus on network traffic inspection and threat detection. There are a number of options on the market available, and they provide advice on what is needed in order to avoid the threat of a data breach.
4. Data Encryption
Data that is being stored or shared should always be encrypted, as this ensures its confidentiality. The major benefit being that encrypted data is unreadable should it be accessed by someone without permission. This is why data encryption is so powerful.
File transfer software encrypts data in transit, and rights management solutions help control access to documents and information, despite the location of the data. There are a number of options available when it comes to encryption software. Always make a decision based on your specific needs and the desired outcome.
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and no intention to claim it as our own.
We suggest that businesses look at their vulnerabilities and constantly work to improve their data protection. Avion Technology specializes in assisting throughout this search for improved data security solutions. To learn more about our unique approach to programming, click here
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1083 adminJune 28, 2021
6 Project Management Tools for Agencies
Every agency is different and necessitates different solutions. Luckily, there are a myriad of options available, each with its own user interface, user experience, and set of tools. We advise all agencies to consider the following questions before selecting and deploying a project management tool.
- Are you concerned with scalability?
- Do you need a tool with flexibility?
- What features are most important to you?
- How will your clients use the tool?
- What integrations are required?
- Do you have a training process?
- What is your goal for the tool?
Approaching the decision-making process with the right questions in mind will ensure that you choose the tool that is best for you and your team. Being that there are so many options on the market, we want to take a little time to look at the top six tools. If any of these tools seem helpful, we implore you to do some more research and really dig into the features and reviews of each option.
Basecamp
Basecamp has solidified itself as one of the most common choices among agencies that seek a simple management and communication tool. It allows for users to assign tasks to individuals or groups, discuss projects on message boards, generate reports for a team’s capacity, and provide an outward facing screen for clients.
Asana
Asana, like most project management tools, allows for teams to manage projects, store files, and collaborate on the platform. Project planning is fairly simple, allowing for instructions to be added, deadlines to be set, and assignments to be made. Asana’s visual kanban option makes it easy for tasks to be moved from stage to stage, as Asana’s visual elements bring clarity to project tracking.
Features include the assignment of users to tasks, communication organized by task (outside of email), customizable calendars, customizable fields for team members to capture information and track status.
Teamwork
This project management tool was built for both in-house and remote agency teams. It has become known for its ability to simplify collaboration through customizable workflows and easy to use project templates. Many cherish this tool for how intuitive it is for users when it comes to visualizing deliverables and creating lists of tasks.
Features include, customizable templates, task tracking, visualized milestones, real-time status updates, and in-app communication.
Trello
Many people consider Trello a combination of a digital whiteboard and pinboard. Users can create tasks that are pinned to custom “boards”, which can then be worked on individually or as a group. The tasks can be commented on, shared, assigned, and attachments can be added. Boards can then be placed in different areas so that projects are transparent and team members are accountable for their deadlines.
Features include, creation of custom boards and tasks, checklists within tasks, task assignments with attachments and deadlines, commenting on tasks, and the creation of public or private links for shareability.
ProofHub
When an organization like NASA is using your project management tool...it must be effective. Proofhub combines many features and aims to eliminate the need for too many tools within your business. It allows for project planning, collaboration, organization, and makes it easier to deliver projects on time.
Features include, online proofing to cut back on feedback time, de-stressing the task management process, Gantt chart visualizations, and an effective mobile app for both Android and iOS users.
Scoro
Scoro has built a name for itself around how comprehensive of a tool it is. It is being deployed by both professional and creative services companies in order to bring structure to workflows. This goes beyond project management and into a business management solution, which includes tools for automated quoting and billing.
Features include, one platform for team members and clients, seamless workflows that organize all silos within a business, real-time overviews and reports, and integrations with platforms such as Outlook, Mailchimp, Dropbox, and more.
In Conclusion
As a programming partner, we understand the monumental importance of strong project management. The tools that you choose will help provide a structure that can elevate your operations. Start by asking yourself the right questions in order to properly gauge your organization’s needs. The answers to these questions will set you on the path to uncover the project management tool that is best for your agency.
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and no intention to claim it as our own.
We’ve successfully completed over 700 projects for our clients over the last 12 years. A number of these clients have gone on to become successful VC funded ventures. If you’d like to learn more about our unique approach to programming, click here.
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1072 adminJune 22, 2021 Youtube Video
THE FINE ART OF FINISHING A PROJECT
Finishing a project means a specific date decided by the client and the executors when operations of the project are initiated or are capable of being started.
The initial step is finishing the task no matter what, complete a lingering task or project at any cost. Make a plan since you want to get the job completed. Start the project on time and make deadlines to complete the project in parts. You will have to not only finish the project but complete it fully with precision.
Here are some ways to cut through the barriers and get to the finish line with content:
To deliver the project successfully, take the project, and divide it into smaller parts. Stay focussed and concentrate on a very set goal; do not get distracted. Evaluate and keep a constant check on the thoughts often. Check if your daily goals are on track with the long-term goals. Break it down into manageable and achievable segments. Micro goals are all about what you can manage in a micro amount of time.
2. Eliminate distractions:
To eliminate distractions put yourself in a distraction-free mode, this means isolating yourself from trivial things. Set a time at 90 minutes without any break in between. Begin building habits that help you stay focused. Work to create patterns that signal to you and those around you that you're in distraction-free mode. Keep your phone away from you to avoid distractions.
3. Call in the folks:
Sometimes it is impossible to do the whole task all by yourself. Ask for some help whenever you are unable to do a difficult task. It might get someone on board who has been out of action for weeks; in such cases, they may have ideas to complete the project better and faster.
4. Keep moving past the mistakes:
Slow down every time you hit a small roadblock, and this can add a lot of extra time to the project work. Continue moving through initially; you can best mark problems as you proceed. Revisit the issues and clean up small errors at the end, that will help you keep the rhythm going. If a crucial problem hits, solve it now, so it doesn't send you way off course.
5. Get rid of your judgment:
Second-guessing and having multiple solutions to a problem at every step can cause delays. Self-judgment could be crippling when trying to solve a problem. Try to brainstorming to get tons of answers to come out of stuck gears. Express all your judgment-free ideas and solutions. Go back to decide what sections and solutions would help the project.
6. Pause and Review:
If you keep on pushing forward, you might be getting lost. Take a break after some time, then go back and review the work done from the start. Revisiting the project work from the beginning will remind you of the intentions during the launch.
7. Keep your eye on the Benefits:
When your brain has already switched off and is looking forward to the weekend, it's hard to concentrate. In such cases, look at lots of procrastinating techniques to get to the finish line. That's when you must take a few minutes to visualize a finished project. Then push hard to power through and get it done.
1284 adminApril 29, 2020 Youtube Video
What Works In Lead Gen In Chicagoland
1305 adminSeptember 7, 2023
What Does Not Work In Lead Gen In Chicagoland
1350 adminSeptember 6, 2023
DIY SMM Strategies For Your Chicagoland Small Business
1028 adminApril 13, 2023
Firing Your Worst Agency Clients
When you ignore bad client behavior, you are sending a clear message to your team - that revenue from one client is more important than the happiness of your employees. You are creating a vast employee retention risk.
Let's see how to decide and then how to proceed.
How do you decide to Fire your worst agency clients?
Here are some of the problems you might face with your worst agency clients:
Broken client communications: You work on client projects but need more support or interest from them.
Unrealistic demands: This is a common situation. Some clients need to pay more attention to the original scope of work. They become aggressive to get their way.
They threaten you and your employees, Block payments.
No project support: You find yourself running in circles with this client. They veto all your ideas. But they never provide insight to move the project forward. Poor anger management: Misbehaviour with you or your team member, bad temper attitude, None of these make a great client. Late payments: No one likes constantly chasing invoices. Not to mention struggling with cash flow as a result. Although you can often overcome this challenge, some clients need better payers. And sometimes, it might make more sense to replace them.
Firing a Client While Practicing Warmth & Competence:
Once you've decided that firing the worst agency client is correct, you want it to go as smoothly as possible, follow these steps:
Pick up the phone: Don't dismiss agency clients via email—a call conveys warmth and is more personal than an email.
Consider transit time: Ideally, give at least 30 days' notice so the customer is safe.
Send a recap email: Reiterating what you discussed on the call. Remember to include the next step. Unless the client is unethical or abusive, we recommend helping them find a new agency. At the very least, this includes offering them some names to contact.
Stand firm: Once you decide to fire a client for a reason, stick to the decision. Flip-flopping shows your team that you lack courage—and that's not good for employee retention.
Conclusion:
Firing a client takes work. Such a business decision can carry heavy emotional weight. But at the same time, toxic customer relationships can affect your agency's growth. Good luck!
Resource:
https://sakasandcompany.com/how-to-fire-bad-clients/
https://agencyanalytics.com/blog/how-to-fire-client
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1136 adminFebruary 17, 2023
5 SMM-Based Reputation Management Strategies For Your Chicagoland-Based Small Businesses
According to sources majority of marketers use social media to promote their business. Social media is only getting big. If you're not marketing on it, you're missing out on a massive chunk of your target customers.
Here are five critical social media marketing strategies to give them a much-needed facelift this year.
Create a Plan & Stick to It: With a strategy, your content is likely to stay on track. Set a limit for published tweets daily and adjust daily numbers, but you have to hit a number, even as small as four tweets per day gives you a benchmark and at least a goal.
Tip: Check how often your competitors post and do industry research to find the right content to publish daily on each channel.
Treat each channel as an Individual Entity: Treat each channel as a separate entity. Content can be spread across all channels. LinkedIn has a more business-focused audience looking for in-depth, educational content. Instagram has an audience likely looking for engaging visual content. Please pay attention to your follower demographics on each channel and publish social media copy and content that appeals to them.
Customer Service: Trust is lost if a visitor tweets to your handle or posts on your Facebook page and has yet to receive a response. Because of your need for more communication, disgruntled potential leads are now turning to your competitors to find answers to their questions.
Negative feedback also needs to be addressed, preferably with patience and respect. But think of your social channels as an opportunity to show how great you are to your customers.
Find distribution channels and critical times to post: You must post on social media when most of your audience is online. The research will show all the social media platforms on which your audience is most active and engaged with your niche and brand.
Your marketing strategy should note your brand's purpose on each social media platform. You can then adapt your content and actions accordingly on each platform.
It would help if you studied your audience and when they are most active on social. Integrating these findings will enable you to identify precisely when your brand should post on each channel to ensure you connect with your target audience.
Track your social media metrics: Tracking is often considered tedious and time-consuming. It can be, but it will only take a few hours per month. Set aside time every month (preferably on the first day of the month) to review essential metrics for your business. Here are some stats to focus on: number of posts, follower growth, clicks to your site/products, page views, post impressions, likes or shares, etc.
Resource:
https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2014/01/09/social-media-marketing-strategies
https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/the-5-step-social-media-marketing-strategy/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1068 adminFebruary 10, 2023 Youtube Video
Strategies To Improve Your Agencies Margins
Even without adding more clients, there is much room for improvement.
Today, we’re sharing strategies to improve your bottom line and make you more money.
Offer High Value, Low-Cost Upsells, and Cross-Sells:
Getting a prospect to become a client is the hardest part, but offering upsells and cross-selling is accessible once they cross that line. Think about how much extra cash is lost in the grocery store checkout line. You've already bought everything you need, but additional offerings of chocolate, gum, and magazines add to the total purchase price and consistency. The same can happen in your business. We've tested it and made hundreds of thousands of dollars by offering small upsells.
Outsource Manufacturing to Reduce Overhead:
Instead of paying overhead, you need to hire employees, taxes, rent, coffee, or Friday lunch, and you can outsource deliverables for a fixed price and pay your employees to manage the process. It's probably not worth your time to bring anything that isn't your core service in-house (at least not at first), and you may be able to improve your margins by outsourcing dramatically.
Offer Premium Packages:
A certain percentage of your clients will always be willing to pay more for the better service you offer. Time and again, we have been experiencing this in our own business.
When we started our business, our 1st product was $100, and someone bought it. Then we made a version that cost $600"¦ and someone bought it. Then we combined several products and offered a high-end package at $500, and someone bought it. But it would never have happened if we didn’t have the offer. It was relatively easy to execute, but we had to offer it.
Try offering a more Costly, premium package and watch your revenue and margins grow!
Productize Your Services and Create SOPs:
When you customize every product, running a scalable operation that hurts margins becomes increasingly challenging. But if you can productize your services, you can define your processes and scale. It allows you to make more sales, reduce costs and ensure you get what you promised to the client.
For example:
If you run an email marketing organization, you can sell a package of several emails per month.
If you run a web design agency, you can sell websites through multiple pages.
When you manufacture and package your services, you can eliminate all the margin wasted from customization.
If you follow these tips, your margins will increase, and your business will run more smoothly.
Resource:
https://www.woorank.com/en/blog/increase-agency-margins
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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974 adminFebruary 8, 2023
Is The Agency Market Saturated?
In this blog, we are talking about Digital Marketing agencies:
A digital marketing agency is not saturated, but it is highly competitive. With the growing number of online businesses vying for customers' attention, it can be challenging for digital marketing agencies to differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition. However, it also allows digital marketing agencies to be creative and innovative in reaching consumers. Many businesses still need to start using digital marketing effectively to reach their target audience, leaving ample room for the industry to grow.
One way for a digital marketing agency to stay ahead of the competition is to practice in a specific niche or industry. For example, an agency may focus on serving the needs of small businesses or specifically serve the dental industry. By focusing on a specific sector, an agency can understand the unique challenges and opportunities in that market and offer more effective solutions to clients.
Another way to stay competitive is constantly adapt to technological and consumer behavior changes. The digital marketing landscape is continually evolving, and agencies must be proactive in keeping up with the latest trends and best practices. It could include investing in new tools like AI and machine learning or incorporating new channels like voice search optimization or chatbots.
Finally, the digital marketing industry is not saturated but highly competitive. By keeping up with or constantly adapting to changes in technology and consumer behavior, digital marketing agencies can stay ahead of the competition and continue to grow their business.
Resource:
https://www.adlibweb.com/is-the-digital-marketing-field-saturated-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.rightlydigital.com/digital-marketing-is-a-saturated-field/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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2025 adminFebruary 7, 2023
Margin Killers To Watch Out For While Running A Small Digital Agency
Generally, the higher your net profit, the better your business is doing. If your profit margin is higher than the industry average, your Agency has a competitive advantage. In other words, your Agency is doing well compared to others running similar operations to yours.
With that knowledge, it's clear why business owners need to create a plan to increase their Small Digital Agency net profit margin.
Here are three tips to improve your Agency's profit margin:
1. Market to your Existing Customers: Did you know that marketing to your existing customers costs much less when attracting new customers? It is because existing customers are already converted, making it easier to upsell and cross-sell them. Maintaining their positive experience and effectively targeting their needs is essential to keep them returning and recommending your brand to others. They are creating an effective loyalty program for your existing customers to encourage them to return or spread the word about your Agency to their circles. Loyalty programs can come from cashback, discounts, or exclusive sales. Offering this to existing customers will increase their chances of converting them into your brand evangelists.
2. Remove Unprofitable Products from The Shelves: Review the performance of your products and determine which ones are generating less profit. It is only possible to continue to produce a particular product if it sells well in the first place. As much as possible, ensure all your products contribute to your profits. Doing so will help you eliminate some costs and improve profitability.
3. Streamline to Reduce Overhead Costs: Streamlining operations is one of Small Digital Agency's most significant drivers of profitability. Review your agency operations and identify areas where you can cut costs.
You can also streamline your digital agency operations by automating tasks. For instance, using a CRM solution to automate sales processes could save your staff time and avoid human errors. Automating aspects of your customer service process can also speed up issue resolution and reveal patterns that inform better services going forward. Marketing teams can use automation to time promotions based on customer engagement, targeting customers more likely to purchase based on their recent actions.
In Summary, having a solid profit margin is a pre-requisite: Whether your goal is to sell your Agency for the maximum amount possible – or to build a business that can provide long-term cash flow and sustainable employment for your team. It's important to remember that measuring performance is a process - not an event. We encourage you to establish a cadence by which you measure these essential agency metrics, thus ensuring that the business is moving in the right direction.
Resource:
https://parakeeto.com/blog/digital-marketing-agency-profit-margin/
https://www.techadv.com/blog/5-strategies-improve-your-small-business-profit-margins
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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983 adminFebruary 6, 2023
5 Tools To Increase Productivity, Improve Margins, Finish Projects, And Slay Your Competition.
Think about it; the marketing team generates to go to the sales team. The sales team draws attention to leads and closes them as customers. The finance team takes care of invoicing and ensures that the client pays the bills promptly.
Then the creative work begins. Account managers ask clients to complete briefs, and marketing/digital experts collaborate on the project. Throughout the process, account managers interact with customers and make sure everyone is happy.
It's a lot of workflows going on at once, which means a lot of things can go wrong. Here are the top 5 tools to increase productivity, improve margins, finish projects, and slay your competition.
HubSpot: HubSpot is a comprehensive platform that takes care of your marketing, sales, and service needs. HubSpot CRM gives you a real-time view of your entire sales pipeline on a visual, easy-to-understand dashboard. HubSpot provides detailed reports, making it very easy to check your team's sales productivity and individual performance.
Buffer: Buffer is a social media control platform that allows you to plan and publish your content to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn from a single dashboard. Buffer also comes with a social media calendar to quickly overview all the posts you have lined up and identify and fill any gaps.
Trello: Trello is another project management tool that makes it easy for you to collaborate on projects with your team members. You can start by creating different cards for each project, then slot your cards under other columns.
You can add due dates and checklists within each card, assign and tag team members, add attachments, etc.
Slack: Slack is used to communicate effectively with customers daily. Client-facing channels provide access to business resources at any time of the day.
This tool allows you to set up multiple channels for team members to discuss specific projects or topics, making it easier for everyone to collaborate.
Ahrefs: Ahrefs is one of the most sought-after tools in the SEO space. This tool allows you to uncover your competitor's keywords and increase your website's search traffic. Using Ahrefs to fine-tune your SEO strategy, you can gain visibility and drive more organic traffic to your website.
Resource:
https://www.cloudways.com/blog/agency-tools/
https://www.powtoon.com/blog/5-tools-for-growing-your-business/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1001 adminFebruary 3, 2023
What Are Your Agency Competitors Doing? Use These 5 Tips To Find Out
Below are our top 5 tips and tricks to find out What are your agency competitors doing?
1. Analyze your competitor’s website and SEO strategy:
For competitor's websites you can use:
• SpyFu: This will give you information on the keywords and AdWords your competitors are buying.
• Google Trends: You can stay on top of industry trends and compare your company to others.
• Google Alerts: You can set up alerts for your company and set up alerts for your competitors to find out who is talking about you.
For SEO:
You will need to look at in terms of your site and your competitors:
• Keyword ranking using the (SERP Checker tool)
• Site traffic using the (SiteWorthTraffic tool)
• Website authority using (Website Authority Checker)
2. Look at competitor's social media marketing strengths:
With the rise of social media becoming a powerful tool for business marketing, you'll be able to stay abreast of any exciting updates your competitors share online. By building a list and examining their tweets, Facebook, and LinkedIn posts, you can begin to identify their use of tone and content strategy.
3. Survey your competitor's customers and suppliers:
It may seem obvious, but the most efficient and inexpensive way to gather accurate information is to talk to customers. Once you've won over a new customer, ask whom they used before and why they switched - that way, you can identify what benefits your business.
4. Hire your competitor:
You can hire employees from competing companies and work with competitors' partners. You can then find out how these companies operate and what they are up to next.
5. Analyze Their Rankings Against Keywords:
Once you've determined the keywords your opponent is targeting, use an SEO ranking tool like [AccuRanker] to track your progress against them. You can use this tool to see how your competitors perform against your target keywords if they differ from the above.
If competitors are outranking you, check their website for any supporting material that may help them rank. If so, can you do better?
Resource:
https://articles.bplans.com/10-ways-to-find-out-what-your-competitors-are-doing/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-tips-how-find-out-what-your-competition-doing-beat-mekelenkamp
https://www.convinceandconvert.com/digital-marketing/monitoring-competitors/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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977 adminJanuary 26, 2023
How Small Businesses In Chicago Can Keep The Marketing Funnel Updated
The Benefits of Having a Marketing Funnel:
• Streamline the customer journey.
• Help to Make analytics easy to track.
• Help to Identify areas that need improvement.
• Help define a sales methodology.
• Reduce costs.
• Increase revenues.
Steps When Updating Your small businesses Marketing Funnel :
There are a few essential things a business should look out for when deciding to update its dated marketing funnel to stay relevant in the modern setting.
1. Your Research: The world is changing fast. More is needed to look at quarterly research. Brands need consistent audits to help inform decisions across all marketing channels.
2. Double Down Your Efforts: There is often a tendency to pull back on marketing during tough economic or uncertain times when, in fact, the opposite should be happening. Refining the marketing funnel process and messaging should be an ongoing process.
3. Look At Changes In Customer Needs: Continuously monitor performance to evaluate success and failure, focusing first on your pain points or problem areas. Evaluate your interactions with your clients to ensure their experience is excellent.
4. Consider Your Key Performance Indicators (KPI): Look at your key performance indicators. KPIs typically help determine a company's strategic, financial, and operational achievements relative to other businesses in the same sector.
5. Make Sure It Reflects The User Journey: Marketing funnels should reflect the user journey rather than being driven by sales cycles, target closing times, and the brand's preferred communication tactics.
6. Look At The Bottom Of The Funnel: Look at the bottom of the funnel. If you can't convert people into customers, provide a great experience, and retain them over time, it doesn't matter how much work you do at the top of the funnel.
7. Focus On-High Potential Audiences: Focus on high-potential audiences who have already shown interest in your brand. Be more specific with your ads and target them based on their audience demographics.
8. Look At Your Competitors: Look at what your competitors are doing. Where are they operating paid traffic? Your competitors may have a better process and system than yours. Go through each of their marketing funnels. Select their content. Check out their Facebook ad library of active running ads. As you improve your process, leverage their strengths because they already carry your customers.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/09/25/16-critical-steps-when-updating-your-companys-marketing-funnel/?sh=7ac617de1e3a
https://www.crowdspring.com/blog/marketing-funnels/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
915 adminJanuary 18, 2023
Outdo Your Competitors By Using These Customer Engagement Tricks
What is a Customer Engagement Strategy?
A customer engagement plan of action organizes interactions and activities into a well-structured plan to create the ultimate customer experience, including pre-and post-purchase. This process includes a variety of communication channels to build relationships, improve satisfaction, and actively nurture your customer base.
The Benefits of Implementing Customer Engagement Tricks:
When customers have a satisfying experience, they are more likely to buy, but it doesn't always happen immediately. Your customer experience is how customers perceive your brand or how it is perceived and received from their perspective. Customer engagement is how the customer experiences and interacts with the brand, including their decisions and how they interact and react to your products and services.
Keep a Customer-Centric Mindset:
The only way to ensure customers are satisfied with the experience is to provide what they want. From data collection (through your CRM, sales engagement platform, etc.) to customer feedback and forums, creating an engagement strategy involves social listening and research, just like brand promotion. The more you know about your customer, the better you can target your message and experience.
6 Proven Customer Engagement Tricks:
1. Share Your Company's Story, Mission, and Vision:
The stories are memorable, and people get to relate to your account. They give customers a reason to trust your company. Humanize your brand with a message highlighting your mission, vision, and story. Help customers understand you're 'why' for business.
2. Practice Active Listening:
Customers are very vocal about what they want, so listen. What are they saying and not saying about your business? How do they contrast you to your competitors? Make it easy for customers to give a reaction, share their experiences, record responses and follow up.
3. Provide Some Free Benefits to Users:
Reward users for being loyal customers with something free: things your customers need. Give them free information on how to get the most out of your product or a resource on cost/benefit analysis. Freebies are a way to attract new customers.
4. Take a Social Approach:
Be active on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This platform is used for people who want to express their problems with the business or praise them.
5. Address Feedback:
User feedback is one way to measure your customer satisfaction. Collect a mix of technical, quantitative data (through your CRM, sales engagement platform, etc.) and anecdotal, qualitative feedback to understand your customer experience fully.
6. Create a Customer Success Centre:
Set your customers up to win. The Customer Success Centre helps customers access resources and get answers to their questions. The goal is to ensure customers have everything they need to make the right purchase decision or use your products to their fullest potential. With the proper support, communication, systems, and information, your customers may be able to act.
Resource:
https://www.outreach.io/blog/customer-engagement-strategies-for-increasing-conversions
https://www.openpathdigital.com/blog/customer-engagement
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1110 adminJanuary 11, 2023
Remembering 80-20 And How It Applies To Your Agency Business
How Does the 80-20 Rule Work?
This rule often indicates that 80% of a company's revenue is given rise to 20% of its customers.
This way, it can be profitable for a company to focus on the 20% of clients that account for 80% of revenue and market to them. By doing so, the company can retain those customers and acquire new customers with similar characteristics.
How To Appeal the 80/20 Rule in Business:
It will help if you get maximum output from minimum input when running an agency business. Here are how intelligent companies work. So, work on the three things that will provide you with the best results.
1. Be Clear on What You Are Doing: As a business proprietor, you need to understand your job thoroughly. Once you understand each aspect of your service offering and your business, you can identify problem areas and work on these problems will increase your business efficiency.
2. Measure: Everything must be measured using analytical tools. Here is the only method to find out what works and doesn't. Many analytical tools are available online. For web analytics, you can use Google Analytics to set up goals and check your performance.
3. Think Boldly and Work Smart: Working smart requires you to think outside the box. Be brave and take some chances. Remember, take calculated risks only when the odds are in your favor.
How to Use the 80/20 Principle?
1. Look at Social Media Results: Social media is prevalent these days. Businesses use social media for better business leads. It also helps in building brand loyalty. Using social media analytics, you can find out which social media strategy works for you on which platforms. You can use this insight to focus on methods that deliver 80% of the results.
2. Know Your Customers and How They Order: Understanding your customer is very important. So studying how they order and how much they order. This information is essential to find the people who contribute the most to your revenue. Finding this information is accessible using analytics.
3. Budget Efficiency: Both over-budget and under-budget are detrimental to a business. Studies show that most new and small businesses spend 7% of their revenue on marketing. Using the 80/20 rule, you need to figure out the marketing spend that will get the best results.
4. Time Management: Being a business owner, you probably think that you need to work 24/7 to be successful. Streamlining your processes is another way to increase your productivity. The 80/20 rule is everywhere. 20% of the activities undertaken cause 80% of the time wasted. To manage time better, take steps to analyze, understand, and reduce just 20% of activities.
5. Leave That Which Does Not Sell: You may make many products or offer a mix of services in your business. However, you may have noticed that these earn you a different amount. It means that only some of your lines are equally profitable.
It's a good idea to leave behind what doesn't sell. You will get 80% of your high-profit services and 20% of lost revenue. It's a process that constantly needs review and refinement.
As a business owner, it's up to you to use the 80/20 rule to your advantage. This rule is not something pulled out of thin air but a strategic, simple way to see the path to continued growth and success.
Resource:
https://dorksdelivered.com.au/business-tips/how-to-use-80-20-rule-to-your-advantage-as-a-business-owner
https://rockcontent.com/blog/pareto-principle-in-business/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1042 adminJanuary 5, 2023
Keywords Which Will Get You The Best Results In The Chicagoland Area
What are Local base Keywords?
Local keywords contain location-specific phrases (Chicagoland Area, Chicago, Etc) that generate results related to the exact geographic location.
Understanding the Chicagoland Area
Chicago is one of the few cities in the world that offers everything under the sun – Chicagoland Area has a sports team in every league, over 7,000+ restaurants, places to drink on every corner, 40 museums, and dozens of universities. The city and suburbs represent every nationality, age group, income level, and industry.
Standing out as a Chicago business can be challenging when there is so much competition. And that's why we're here to be your Sherpa through the competitive landscape of Chicago and Google Search and provide the insights you need to start ranking and pulling organic traffic from your Chicago neighbours.
How do I find local keywords? (Base On the Chicagoland area)
How do you find suitable keywords to type in the results to rank at the top of local searches?
To find the right keywords for local search, you need to do local SEO keyword research. With the help of available keyword research tools like Keywords, Keyword Planner, etc. It will help you to generate a list of local business-related keywords.
For example: if you have a dental clinic in Chicago, you may start by searching "best dental clinic in Chicago."
Phrases for local search:
• [business type/product/service] in Chicago
• [business type/product/service] Chicago
• Chicago [business type/product/service]
• Best [business type/product/service] in Chicago
Example: 1. Root Canal Treatment in Chicago
2. Best Orthodontist near Chicago
How do I choose the best local keywords and rank for them?
1. Specify Your Location
The first and most crucial step in finding local SEO keywords is to specify your location (like Arlington Heights, Chicago). It would help to establish what area you want to target for local search. You can target location keywords near your occupation.
2. Focus on Industry-Related Keywords
Some organizations will try to rank for keywords unrelated to their business because they have high search volume and drive traffic. The problem with this approach is that those keywords won't bring qualified leads to your page. It will high the bounce rate of your website. So, target the relevant products and services you offer. So, if you are a dentist, you can focus on terms such as:
• Dental clinic in Chicago
• Chicago's best dental clinic
• Dental hospital in Chicago
3. Include Keyword Modifiers:
Keyword alternate adds more to your core keyword and help expand your reach and enables you to grab the audience's attention.
• Quality modifiers: "Best" and "Top" An example key phrase is "best dentist in Arlington Heights."
• Occasion: "birthday" or "Christmas."
• Type: The keyword alternative focuses on something your business offers. Popular services.
"Orthodontist in Chicago"
If you're not using keywords for local search, you're missing out on a significant moment to grow your organization. Using local keywords will help you reach out to more people in your region and get them to visit your company, which will help you get new leads and grow. Start using local keywords today.
Resource:
https://www.webfx.com/blog/seo/local-keywords/
https://www.digitalthirdcoast.com/blog/the-ultimate-local-seo-guide-for-chicago-businesses
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1038 adminJanuary 2, 2023
UI/UX Trends For 2022 Which Your Small Digital Agency Should Contemplate
In this article side, we are looking at the top UI UX Trends for 2022 that your small digital agency should contemplate:
3D And Animations:
The three-dimensional art of 3D design will enhance your interface as one of the top UI UX trends of 2022, which is what your business needs.
Online technologies like WebGL can create interactive 3D designs and animations that engage and wow the user. With the introduction of 5G networks, these effects will soon be visible on the go.
Collaboration Across Disciplines:
Cooperation in various disciplines. As a designer - With the rise of tools like Figma, adobe xd that bring designers and developers together in a more efficient and file-less design workflow, sharing work has become more manageable. Gathering feedback in real-time from business stakeholders, developers, and users means we can create better and more intentional work faster.
Simplicity for UI/UX:
In UI and UX, designs need to become less cluttered to cut through the visual noise. Users need to absorb information and access what they need before they lose interest or move to an alternative that can give them what they need.
Dark Themes:
After software companies start creating dark instead of light UI mode, we are sure that the interface design trend will go even further.
AR & VR expanding into B2B:
When we think of AR and VR, IKEA's furniture app or gaming comes to mind. In 2022, we will see the expansion of AR VR for B2B purposes.
The remote working trend has created enormous opportunities for remote AR-based or VR-based training and virtual programs.
Mobile app or mobile-friendly browser version:
A Days nearly 60% of all Online surveys are now on a mobile, which is not new, but in most companies, designers first define the user experience from the desktop version. The first reason is habits that are changing slowly, especially for corporate companies. You don't need to be sure about the sales funnel; you can figure it out. Designing a great mobile experience requires more confidence in what to do.
Resource:
https://uxplanet.org/ui-ux-design-trends-of-2022-you-need-to-%D1%81atch-up-to-d02ff6623d5a
https://uiuxtrend.com/top-ui-ux-trends-2022-to-follow/
https://digitalagencynetwork.com/ux-ui-design-trends-for-predicted-by-web-design-agencies/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1003 adminDecember 23, 2022
Google Analytics Indicators You Should Watch Out For
Some standard website KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) include the number of visits, bounce rate, dwell time, conversion actions, geography, and more.
In this Blog, we'll cover the 10 Google Analytics indicators you should watch out for.
The most important Google Analytics metrics to track:
1. The number of visitors: A place to start is looking at how many people visited your website for a given timeframe (for example, 7 days) and how that compares to a different timeframe (for example, the same period last week), giving you an idea of how popular your website is and whether it is increasing or decreasing.
2. Bounce Rate: Bounce rate is a metric that shows what percentage of visitors come to your site and then leaves without visiting another page. They are "bouncing out," so to speak.
A bounce rate ranges from:
26 to 40 percent is excellent
41 to 55 percent is roughly average
56 o 70 percent being above average
3. Session Duration: The next Google Analytics metric one must track the session duration, telling you the time an average visitor stays on your website; this helps you understand engagement levels.
4. Number of Users from Organic SERPs: Who are your site visitors? How is this changing from time to time? For any website you have, organic search traffic is an essential channel for you. These are often your most engaged visitors and are the fruits of your SEO efforts.
5. Conversion Rate: Google Analytics enables you to configure specific "events" as targets. Your conversion rate for that goal measures the percentage of users who complete a sale. There are many other ways to track conversions, especially if you're using WordPress. For example, WooCommerce automatically monitors sales.
6. Average Page Speed: Average Page Speed is a KPI that helps you understand the load times on your website. Of course, there are other tools from Universal Analytics to help measure this in more detail at scale, such as Google Lighthouse and, of course, the "Load Times" report from Ryte Web Performance.
7. User Location: User location is one of most sites' most important Google Analytics metrics. If you show ads, networks often pay different rates for views and clicks depending on where users are. Additionally, if you sell products and services, you may want to focus on customers in a specific area.
8. Percentage of Return Visitors: Help to identify our regular website visitors and our followers. The most valuable visitors to any website are those who keep coming back to our website. Google Analytics shows you what percentage of your traffic is one-off and how many of those visitors are repeat visitors. On average, a reasonable return visitor rate is around 30%.
9. Search Queries: Depending on which version of Google Analytics you're using, you can see the keywords that send visitors to your website from search engine results. These visits fall under the organic traffic category as they come from SERPs.
10. Top Landing Pages: This metric identifies the pages on your website that most users see first. Our website's top landing pages help us understand our most popular products or services. Typically, the top landing pages will be your home page and some of your content pages.
Final Thoughts:
It would help if you defined the right macro and micro goals for your website, and from this, you can derive the parameters, and KPIs one needs to monitor the improvement of the website's performance. Start monitoring these Google Analytics metrics today.
Resource:
https://themeisle.com/blog/most-important-google-analytics-metrics/
https://en.ryte.com/magazine/google-analytics-these-are-the-10-most-important-kpis-for-your-website
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1016 adminDecember 21, 2022 Youtube Video
What’s Trending in the Lead Gen Space in Chicagoland
For that, Lead generation experts in Chicago have the best tools and technology to grow your business' market. Industry professionals research, develop, and refine best practices to generate the most accurate leads for their client's needs.
So, in this article, we're looking at lead generation trends that work in Chicagoland. The thing about trends is that they come and go, and the life cycle of these things is getting shorter every year.
We're left with lead-generation strategies that will positively impact the volume and quality of leads you can capture. Here are the ten best examples:
1. Account-based marketing is the new normal for B2B brands.
2. Hyper-personalization
3. On-Page Lead Qualification.
4. Automated marketing and sales integration.
5. Community-Based Marketing.
6. Multimedia thought leadership.
7. Featured snippets
8. Page experience makes UX even more important as a ranking signal.
9. Making GDPR Compliance Usable.
10. Maximize customer lifetime value.
The basic formula for evaluating marketing trends is looking at the current technology, how users have used technology, and what problems this combination could solve.
Lead generation marketing trends come and go. Your ability to go with the flow, innovate, update and always thoughtfully work to optimize the experience will keep you ahead of the game.
Resource:
https://www.ventureharbour.com/lead-generation-trends/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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907 adminDecember 6, 2022
Easy DIY SEO Strategies you can use for your Chicagoland Small Business
DIY SEO for small businesses in Chicago has become more important than ever. Whether you're running a local shop or offering services online, search engine optimization (SEO) helps your business get found by people who are actively searching for what you offer.
At Avion Technology in Schaumburg, Illinois, we know how overwhelming digital marketing can be. That’s why we’ve compiled these DIY SEO strategies that are simple, effective, and designed specifically for Chicagoland small businesses.
1. Start with Google My Business (Now Google Business Profile)
If you haven’t claimed your Google Business Profile, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to rank in local search results.
Here’s what you can manage through Google Business:
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Business description
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Hours of operation
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Contact and location details
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Direct link to your website
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Customer reviews
2. DIY SEO Starts with On-Page Keyword Optimization
Your website’s content should naturally include targeted keywords. Start with a focus keyword like “Chicago SEO for small businesses” and make sure it appears in the following key areas:
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Title tag
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Meta description
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Header tags (H1, H2)
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Image alt text
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Throughout the page content
Useful Keyword Tools:
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Keyword Surfer (free Chrome extension)
3. Mobile Optimization Is a Must
Did you know that most of users search for services from their phones? Whether you’re using WordPress, Shopify, or a custom platform, mobile responsiveness is critical.
Here's what to do:
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Use a responsive theme
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Avoid pop-ups that block content
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Optimize font size and button spacing
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Test your site on Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
A mobile-friendly website not only improves user experience but also boosts your Google search rankings, especially in mobile searches.
4. Measure Your SEO Efforts with Google Analytics
Google Analytics is your best friend when doing DIY SEO. It helps you understand:
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Which pages bring the most traffic
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Where your users are coming from (organic, social, direct)
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How long they stay on your site
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What pages have high bounce rates
5. Improve Page Speed to Reduce Bounce Rate
Site speed isn’t just about convenience—it’s a Google ranking factor. More than 50% of users abandon a site if it takes more than three seconds to load. Slow websites result in lost leads and lower search rankings.
Speed Up Your Site By:
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Using a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
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Installing caching plugins (like WP Rocket for WordPress)
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Compressing images and minimizing code
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Running a Google PageSpeed Insights report
Scale with Confidence—Start with a Free Strategy Session
You don’t need a massive marketing budget to start seeing meaningful results. These DIY SEO strategies are a great first step—but if you're ready to accelerate your growth, it's time to bring in a partner who understands your goals. At Avion Technology, we help small to mid-sized businesses turn traffic into leads and leads into loyal customers. Whether you need a fully optimized website, advanced SEO, or custom digital solutions, our team is here to help you scale with confidence.
Ready to grow? Contact Avion Technology today for a free strategy session and see how we can elevate your online presence.
3045 adminNovember 11, 2022 Youtube Video
How Much Should Agency Margins Really Be
Setting a goal, on the other hand, is insufficient. You must also keep track of it every month, allowing you to identify problems and patterns in your business. A shift in gross margin might signal various issues, including difficulty with a specific client or cost overruns for the organization. It can also display profitability patterns and how your company compares to industry norms.
What is the true profitability of your advertising agency?
The average marketing agency makes a net margin of 6 to 10%, with digital agencies reporting significantly higher margins of approximately 20%. In rare circumstances, corporate advertising companies declare profit margins up to 40%.
There are many possibilities for improvement in the marketing profession. If your agency is in the lower range — between 6 and 15% — a few strategic improvements could significantly enhance your profits.
What exactly is a decent profit margin?
According to an NYU analysis of US margins, the average net profit margin across industries is 7.71%. However, this does not imply that your superlative profit margin will be the same as this figure.
As a general guideline, 5% is considered a low margin, 10% is regarded as a good margin, and 20% is considered a significant margin. However, a one-size-fits-all strategy is not the most excellent method to define profitability targets for your organization.
On the other hand, consulting firms and software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies typically have substantial gross margins. These companies have lower operational costs, little inventory, and require less cash to get started. Companies that offer high-priced items, such as jewellery stores, may also fall under this category.
Profit margins are also affected by a company's age and size. Profit margins in new enterprises are frequently higher than in large or established businesses. There are fewer sales, fewer employees, and hence lower overhead expenditures. Margins typically shrink as businesses expand.
Margins for enterprises in the same industry can also be affected by geography. For example, a tech company in San Francisco will have vastly different rent and payroll expenditures than a tech company in Dallas.
Finally, a healthy profit margin is determined by your growth objectives. If you want to attract investors, significant finance equipment buys this quarter, or grow your services, and you'll need to boost your margins.
Resource:
https://www.brex.com/blog/what-is-a-good-profit-margin/#:~:text=As%20a%20rule%20of%20thumb,and%20retailers%20are%20low%2Dmargin
https://www.askcody.com/blog/advertising-agency-profitability-field-guide#:~:text=The%20average%20marketing%20agency%20earns,as%20high%20as%2040%20percent
https://agencyanalytics.com/blog/agency-margins
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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2352 adminSeptember 15, 2022
Tips for Slaying Your Agency Competition
In today's economic situation, freelancers and small studios will have to fight harder than ever to stay afloat. How do you overcome such tough competition? How do you stay a notch up from the crowd and ensure you receive the business?
There are numerous strategies to outperform your competitors. You may employ many tactics to be the greatest, from focusing on customer service to making the most of search engines. The following pointers will assist you in standing out from the crowd.
1. Identify the clients' pain areas:
One possible approach to outperform your competitors is to answer the needs of your shared target audience better than they can. Ask open-ended inquiries to determine what your clients want while utilizing your products or services. After identifying a customer's pain spots, you can try to remedy them by expressing their problems in the customer's language. Once you've determined who at their firm can solve those pain points and who is authorized to acquire your products and services, you can move on to the next phase. (This person is not always the same person who can solve the problem.)
2. Establish your brand:
When you first start, or if you're in the process of rebranding, make an excellent first impression on potential clients. Examine competing websites to see how they portray themselves. Consider the aesthetics of their logos and web designs. Are they business-like? Fun? Approachable?
Examine their branding to see if there are any flaws. Look for areas where you can improve. Define your branding by thinking about your USP and attempting to represent what your firm stands for - not just through your visual identity but through the tone and language you use in your writing.
3. Establish competitive pricing:
One of the simplest methods to outperform your competitors is to provide lower prices. To find the optimum pricing point, you must first understand your competitors' goods or services costs. Investigate which competitors give the best value, helping you decide what you are selling adds more value to the table and, as a result, should be priced higher.
If beating your competitors is your top pricing issue, use a pricing strategy based on competition. This method disregards product prices and consumer demands and focuses on the current market rate for your goods or services. You then set your price to be within the range of prices offered by your competitors.
4. Keep ahead of the competition:
Change is an unavoidable part of running a business.
Because it engaged artists to operate its stores rather than businesspeople, Urban Outfitters became a major disruptive force. They had complete control over the interior design of their stores, and the results were stunning. Every Urban Outfitters location was distinct, whereas the competitors' sites were all the same. The company's sales have increased by 500% in the last decade to over $3 billion.
5. Give excellent client service:
Providing excellent and memorable customer service is an excellent method to establish customer loyalty and distinguish yourself from the competition.
Prioritize recruiting people who understand your products and services and your brand. Don't hurry in recruiting customer service representatives. It is more vital to find the right people for the job than it is to fill those roles.
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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997 adminSeptember 8, 2022
Ways to Make A Website A Lead Gen Magnet
Enter the lead magnet by delivering a resource in exchange for the prospect's email address or any other sort of contact information, these small packages of delight work as incentives that entice website users to become prospective purchases. And the good news is that lead magnets take less time to make than you think.
What is a Lead Magnet?
The lead magnet is free assets that entice potential clients to click on your link, and visitors are more likely to connect to your email list and, in the end, become paying users if you use this free material.
Here are the three ways to make your website a lead generation magnet:
Create PDF files of High-Performing Blog Posts:
If so, you're only a few footsteps away from converting your most good blog article into a valuable PDF booklet that you can use to expand your company's email list.
First, review your site statistics to identify high-traffic blog entries. When you've found the relevant post, include additional material so that the PDF is more valuable than the original blog post. You could even spice it up by incorporating other images.
Finally, provide a form field so subscribers can enter identifiers like their name, email, and phone number, and you're done.
Parts of your Product or Service should be given away.
When you offer a lead magnet to build your email list, remember that your ultimate aim is to sell your product or service.
Your lead magnet should ideally serve to pre-sell whatever product or service you will eventually want your subscriber to purchase.
What better approach to entice subscribers to buy your product than to give it away for free? It might be a website template design for a graphic designer. Potency must be the first module of your online course as a business consultant. It might also be a short list of properties for a real estate agent.
Handout / Cheat Sheet
Cheat sheets and handouts are practical because they often give highly tactical information that saves the prospect a significant amount of time. While frequently supplied in PDF format, cheat sheets take a different approach than reports and guidelines.
Cheat sheets are one or two pages long and to the point. These are frequently presented as checklists, plans, and mind maps.
Resource:
https://www.impactplus.com/blog/how-to-create-a-lead-magnet
https://www.leadpages.com/blog/15-ways-to-create-a-high-value-lead-magnet/
https://optinmonster.com/9-lead-magnets-to-increase-subscribers/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1041 adminAugust 2, 2022
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Social Media Marketing (SMM)
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, whereas SMM stands for Social Media Marketing, the most recent of the three. Let's learn more about SEO and SMM.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization):
SEO is a term for search engine optimization, a collection of strategies aimed at improving the visibility and positioning of web pages in organic search results. Because organic search is the most commonly used method for people to discover and access online information, a robust SEO plan is critical for increasing the quality and number of visitors to your website.
How does SEO work?
Search Engines use BOTS to maneuver through websites collecting information about the web pages and indexing them. An index is like a library where the librarian can retrieve a book (in this case, a web page) you want.
Following that, algorithms analyze pages in the index by taking hundreds of ranking variables or signals into consideration to determine how pages appear in search results for a given query. In the analogy stated above, the librarian has read every book to know the best answers to your questions.
SEO's Importance in Marketing
The definition of SEO can be divided into three parts to understand its importance:
- Organic Search Results: Unpaid listings on a search engine results page (SERP) are selected by the search engine to be most relevant to the user's query. Ads (often known as PPC or pay-per-click ads in this context) dominate SERPs. Organic search results differ from these adverts in that they are positioned based on the organic ranking algorithms of the search engine rather than by advertiser bids. You cannot pay to rank better in organic search results.
- Organic Traffic Quantity: The traffic quantity states the number of individuals arriving at your site through organic search results. Users are likely to click on search results near the top of the SERP, so utilize your SEO approach to rank the relevant pages high. With more high-quality visitors, more worthwhile conversions will increase.
- Organic Traffic Quality: You can attract all the traffic, but it is only relevant if they come because Google tells them. For instance, if you're a resource for Apple laptops when you're selling apples, the visitors are likely to depart without converting. Visitors interested in the products, information, or other resources the site provides constitute high-quality traffic. High-quality SEO takes advantage of a search engine's efforts to match a user's search intent to the web pages listed in the SERP.
SMM (Social Media Marketing):
Social Media Marketing (SMM) sells a company's products and services on social networks. SMM allows businesses to communicate with existing consumers to promote their desired culture and mission. Marketers can track the success of their efforts using data analytics tools designed specifically for social media marketing.
There are also a variety of social media management solutions available to assist businesses in making the most of the social media networks described above. Buffer, for example, is a platform of social media management tools that can assist in achieving success with social media marketing; this helps success in developing a brand or growing the business.
Social media has transformed, with approximately 4.1 billion internet users and about 3.1 billion social media users.
According to a survey of over 600 social media users conducted by 'The Manifest,' people regularly visit a range of social media networks through a mobile app or PC web browser.
Importance of Social Media Marketing:
Social media is usually used for increasing brand exposure. According to Hootsuite, public social feeds account for 52% of online brand discovery. In other words, most individuals find out about new brands through social media.
Every day in 2019, people spent 2 hours and 24 minutes. And this statistic has increased as well: time spent on social media has climbed by 1.4 percent resulting in excellent means to not only contact your target audience but also interact with them over time.
Every year, social networks become more critical in terms of increasing sales. In 2019, for example, 43 percent of internet users utilized social media to investigate products before purchasing. Although only 12% of people are ready to click a "purchase" button on Facebook or Instagram, social media plays an extensive role in the early phases of the buyer's journey.
Resource:
https://moz.com/learn/seo/what-is-seo
https://sendpulse.com/support/glossary/social-media-marketing
https://www.techfunnel.com/martech/social-media-marketing-guide/
https://www.tzisolutions.com/blog/what-are-seo-sem-and-smm-what-are-the-main-differences#:~:text=SEO%2C%20SEM%20and%20SMM%20are,these%20three%20online%20marketing%20platforms
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
2682 adminJune 16, 2022
Margins – Digital Transformation Leads to Revenue Growth
Digital transformation may help your firm save money and stand out from the crowd. Revenue growth is greatly aided by digital transformation. And as the 2020 pandemic showed, it was not just a growth element but also a lifeline for enterprises to survive.
The Pandemic Booster:
The COVID-19 dilemma appears to present a startling look into a future society where digital has become crucial to every encounter, driving businesses and individuals to move quickly up the adoption curve. A future in which digital channels are the primary (and, in some cases, exclusive) method of consumer contact and automated processes are the primary engine of productivity—and the foundation of flexible, transparent, and reliable supply chains. A future in which agile working methods are required to meet daily changes in client behavior.
According to a survey, within six months after the pandemic's onset, the values of digitally mature enterprises increased by 23%. The importance of the least digitally advanced enterprises increased by only 7%. Companies are doing more online commerce as customers do. The crisis hastened the adoption of digital transformation by three years. Organizations are now three times more likely to claim that at least 80% of their consumer contacts are digital.
Digital Maturity and Transformation:
Not all digital transformations are the same. As seen by the shops in the preceding example, a level of digital maturity is critical to revenue growth and business survival. Digital maturity is a long process that equips organizations with the tools to navigate the future. In other words, digital transformation is reactive, but digital maturity is proactive.
That is not to imply that digital change is blind. The cornerstone of digital transformation is technology (although it takes much more than tech). Consider the following example of digital transformation in the absence of digital maturity:
Moving beyond the CRM, your marketing department may utilize a marketing automation platform, while your sales department may use a CRM. If each forum is categorized and not connected, you'll have more challenges than efficiencies. Both are critical components of digital transformation and customer-centricity, but as silos, they hamper essential cooperation in the absence of an integration strategy.
A Fresh Perspective on Profit Margins and Growth:
Traditional margin improvement approaches, including operating model transformation, outsourcing, and external expenditure reduction, are soon becoming table stakes that are unlikely to produce the requisite margin and performance improvement.
Businesses should consider a new approach to margin and business improvement that can assist them in identifying, prioritizing, and pursuing new growth opportunities. Processes like generating cost savings, freeing up cash, and supporting the development of capabilities and talent required to achieve their strategic vision to help them thrive in an uncertain environment. This innovative technique includes several crucial components:
- A clear idea of the surroundings
- Understanding the value lever trade-offs
- Using many tactics at the same time
- Using modern technology to their full potential
- Organizational alignment
A Comprehensive Approach to Revenue Growth
Sustaining growth is challenging for any business, but the benefits are enormous: organizations that exceed their rivals in revenue growth and economic profit generate more returns to shareholders every year.
Several reasons contribute to growth transitions being a long-term task. Successful growth initiatives need cross-functional collaboration, but businesses frequently fail to identify an end-to-end owner accountable for results. Attractive end markets constantly shift and create new possibilities, but few firms can effectively reallocate resources. Digital technology and analytics have the potential to accelerate growth. Many businesses lack the essential expertise and competencies in analytics and general management tasks.
A comprehensive approach to increasing portfolio and market performance, commercial excellence and innovation, and business development may compound the top-line gains. Firms that successfully grasp one area have attained yearly growth rates one percentage point greater than the sector average. On the other hand, mastering two or all three categories may improve annual growth by 3.6 percentage points higher than peers.
Companies that efficiently use big data might create more income and produce more unique ideas and competencies. They develop new income streams, company divisions, and stand-alone enterprises.
Many organizations have large volumes of data that have the potential to be utilized to reduce costs or improve customer experience. Having data is not enough. Using it efficiently will make informed judgments. Understanding the impact of that information on the firm's profit margin is critical for developing a plan that maintains the company's profitability. Obtaining the correct information entails determining whether data is pertinent to the company's decision-making process.
Digital transformation is a challenging task. Each organization must assess its prospects, needs, and resources to prioritize its activities and achieve its objectives.
Resource:
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/operations/articles/global-cost-management-survey.html
https://www.pedowitzgroup.com/digital-transformation-revenue-growth/
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/advanced-electronics/our-insights/accelerating-revenue-growth-through-tech-enabled-commercial-excellence
https://datascope.io/en/blog/leverage-digital-technology-to-increase-revenue/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
2458 adminJune 16, 2022
Lead Generation
A person interested in a company's product or service in any way, shape, or form is a Lead.
Leads are usually heard from a business or organization after communicating (by submitting personal information for an offer, test, or membership) rather than receiving random calls from the person purchasing their contact information.
Suppose you survey online to learn more about taking care of your car. A day or so later, you will receive an email from an auto company that has created a survey on how they can help you take care of your car. This process would be much less inconvenient than if they called you when you didn't know you cared about car maintenance, right? This act is that of a leader.
And from a business perspective, the information that the auto company collects about you from your survey responses helps them personalize open communication to solve your existing problems - and don't waste time calling leads who have no interest in auto services.
Stages of An Effective Lead Generation Process:
Lead Awareness:
This stage is about how Leads become aware of an organization and its offerings. Significant activities in the Lead Awareness Stage include networking, public relations, advertising, and content; these are some goal-setting shareware you can use. Also, in most businesses, referrals or search results are the first exposure an organization receives.
Lead Education:
Once lead awareness is created, you must build trust in your products, services, solutions, and skills. A relevant newsletter, event, or seminar can be an excellent tool for lead education as it allows you to showcase your skills, knowledge, resources, and experience over time. What the lead education offer teaches is essential here.
Lead Sampling:
Today's shift in a lead generation now incorporates lead sampling.
Lead Conversion:
Lead conversion, or what most businesses still refer to as sales, is a seriously altered action. If the lead generation process described above is followed to date, very few deals are left. The task here is to ensure the prospect sees the desired results achieved through a solution. It's still a drama of learning and content, but now it's time to show all the evidence and predict the outcome of your process.
Resource:
https://www.verizon.com/business/small-business-essentials/resources/generating-and-converting-leads-is-mostly-what/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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998 adminMay 17, 2022
Dwell Time-Why is it Important for SEO
What Is Dwell Time?
Dwell Time is the Time spent by a Google searcher (users) on a page in search results before returning to the SERPs. Many SEO professionals consider dowel time to be an important Google ranking signal.
For Example:
If you search"how to lose weight" on Google, the first result looks like a good fit. So you click on it. But when you get there and the content isn't helpful, after 5 seconds, you click back on the results. Your Dwell Time was 5 seconds. And google algorithm understands that you weren't happy with that result. Page visitors opt-out of your website for several reasons.
These can be:
- The site is spammy
- Content is misleading
- Content has many grammatical errors
- Slow page loading speed
- The website is not mobile-friendly
- Too many pop-up windows
- Other
Why Is Dwell Time Important for SEO?
One can use Dwell Time to determine how long a particular web page caters to visitors. It indicates the quality and relevance of your page content. The more time visitors spend on your web page before returning to the SERPs, the more valuable your page distributes to online users.
For content-oriented websites, the longer Dwell time is when your page content captures the online user's search intent. It is a valuable insight as search engines consider optimized content one of the most important ranking signals.
Resources:
https://thriveagency.com/news/what-is-dwell-time-and-why-it-is-important-for-seo/
https://backlinko.com/hub/seo/dwell-time
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/dwell-time-seo/294471/#close
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1156 adminMarch 29, 2022
Top 5 SEO Strategies for 2022
Keep updating yourself on the latest developments in SEO and make sure you see the positive results of your SEO strategy; look at the SEO trends that will have the most significant impact in 2022.
1] Create quality content: Google sets its priorities to high-quality, relevant content over everything else when ranking websites in search results—creating quality content with keyword optimization. Use advanced SEO keyword research tools like Semrush and Ahrefs to zero in on your ideal target keywords. Also, include keywords in title tags, meta descriptions, and URL slugs to make it easier for search engines to find them and understand your content.
2] Leverage ethical link-building practices: Link building is an old SEO technique that is still relevant today. Using guest blogging helps share your content with the world, build quality backlinks, and improve your search rankings. Also, create a social media strategy to promote each of your articles through various channels. Track and reclaim your website broken links.
3] Optimize all images: Images optimization is essential for website speed. Using TinyPNG helps achieve good-quality images. To search engines better understand your content, you need to optimize your images with keywords relevant to that image.
4] Improve the user experience: Optimizing your site architecture, improving your site speed, and increasing your site security ranks you high on the SERPs.
5] Repurpose your content: You can repost your content in different ways. Create a slide deck from a blog post and post it on a slideshow owned by LinkedIn. Turn your blog posts into podcasts and post them on iTunes or SoundCloud.Create a video tutorial from your blog post and post it on YouTube.
SEO will thus be an integral part of digital marketing in 2022.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2022/01/21/seo-strategies-for-2022-how-to-maintain-strong-rankings/?sh=1bc426777c92
https://www.godelta.com/blog/important-seo-techniques
https://fastersolutions.com/top-5-seo-trends-of-2022/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1217 adminMarch 21, 2022
10 DIY Off-Page Optimization Tips
SEO has three essential techniques:
1] On-Page Search Engine Optimization
2] Off-Page Search Engine Optimization
3] Technical SEO
1] On-Page Search Engine Optimization (On-Page SEO):
We do all this within a website, such as a keyword-optimized to attract searchers & engines, title, description, content, image, etc.
2] Off-Page Search Engine Optimization (Off-Page SEO):
All the work that you did outside of the website is Off-page SEO. Like link building, help improve your website position in SERP, etc.
3] Technical SEO:
We are doing one-time work like domain name, hosting, robots.txt optimization, etc.
Top 10 Off-Page SEO Techniques:
1] Social Media Engagement:
Social Media Engagement Is the best Off-page SEO technique. It will help improve brand value and help to grow your business and help in backlinking.
2] Question and Answer:
Question & Answer is one of the best techniques. From this technique, you can increase your website traffic. Quora is the best platform for generating backlinks.
3] Creating Shareable Content:
Great content is the best factor in search engine optimization. We have to create the best and most shareable content. It will increase your website session duration.
4] Video Submission:
If you want to make your video desired to submit your video content, that will help in backlinking.
5] Image Submission:
Share your photos on popular snap submission websites. Before submitting an image, check the title tag, URL, etc.
6] Use Google My Business:
Google My Business is helpful for local SEO ranking.
7] Build Relationship:
The best way is to build relationships by showing worth and becoming an asset for the company from which you want to get a link. Nowadays, you can use LinkedIn, Facebook, and many other social channels for relationship building.
8] Competitive Research:
There are many tools out there for identifying where your competitors get links.
9] Document Sharing:
Create attractive documents related to your website or blog that will help build your audience's trust.
10] Quality Content Is King:
All the SEO activities only work when your content is user-friendly. It will provide quality information to your crowd. It will be to get quality, long-lasting backlinks to your site.
Resource:
https://echovme.in/blog/off-page-seo-strategies/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/07/26/13-tips-to-build-off-page-seo-and-boost-your-brands-visibility/?sh=4c2499a074b5
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1038 adminFebruary 2, 2022
Basic Yoast SEO
This plugin has five million+ active installations and has been downloaded more than 350 million times.
Last Updated: 7 days ago
Requires WordPress Version: 5.6 or higher
Requires PHP Version: 5.6.20 or higher
How to use Yoast SEO on WordPress?
Yoast SEO help in taking care of your WordPress SEO, taking the website ahead of the competition, write the best content with Yoast SEO.
The first thing you Log in to your WordPress website. Then install the Yoast SEO plugin, activate it.
You can do readability analysis to help you write easy-to-read and understand the content.
The SEO analysis:
If you want to create a search engine-friendly page, that's why the SEO analysis tool is there for you. The SEO analysis focuses on the page's title, headline, URL, meta description, and image alt tags.
A Google preview: shows you how your website page looks in search engine result pages and mobile phones.
If you analyze all the topics, you publish or schedule your content with Yoast SEO.
Resource:
https://yoast.com/beginners-guide-yoast-seo/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1145 adminDecember 27, 2021 Youtube Video
Investment Rounds Explained: Seed, Series A, B, & C
Most successful startups actively seek external funding at various stages of their development and growth. Outside investment processes are commonly broken down into specific rounds of funding. These rounds include Seed, Series A, Series B, and Series C. Each round allows for investors to obtain equity or partial ownership of the company in exchange for capital.
A fundamental understanding of each investment round is critical for both company owners and those interested in evaluating entrepreneurial prospects. Each round of funding aims to bring ideas to life, empower entrepreneurs to drive growth, and ultimately sustain a successful business that generates substantial long term revenue.
Let’s take a look at each unique investment round...
SeedThe first official investment round that a business partakes in is called ‘Seed funding”. This initial financial support is meant to assist in the early growth of a business venture. The goal is to fuel revenue generation and strategic initiatives during the infant stages of operations. Often, this funding is allocated by the new business for product development or initial expenses like staffing and market research.
The types of investors that assist with Seed funding vary. Sometimes these investors are the founders themselves or their friends and family. Beyond personal relationships, VC firms, incubators, and Angel investors are common contributors in the Seed round of funding. Angel investors are arguably the most common early investors, and they require equity in the company in exchange for their investment. Being that many of these initial investments contain some degree of risk, equity requests have become common.
The specific amount raised during the Seed round can vary from $7,000 to $2.5 million, as it depends on the startup being considered. While many startups eventually move on to other rounds of funding, some decide that Seed investment is all that they need and never engage in further rounds. On average, companies in the Seed round are valued between $3 - $6 million.
Series ASeries A funding is often sought by businesses that have already proven their ability and demonstrated that they are successful to some degree. This demonstration of success can be in the existence of a strong user base, or consistent revenue over an extended amount of time. The objective of Series A funding is to truly scale products, users, and operations.
One of the primary differences between Seed round and Series A is the existence of a solid business model that will lead to sustainable success and an ability to monetize. While many startups successfully raise Seed money, they struggle to monetize. This round of investment has a significant range, as it is not uncommon for Series A rounds to obtain anywhere from $3 - $20 million. If the business in question is within the tech industry or is considered a ‘unicorn’, then Series A funding can average $15 million.
Investors are looking for much more from businesses at this stage than in the Seed round. While the Seed round is focused on powerful ideas, Series A companies must possess a strategy that positions a strong idea for success. These investors are often working at VC firms, and the process is much more nuanced. VC firms are looking for companies that have already received a single investor at this stage, known as an “anchor”. This first investor helps attract the attention of other competitive investors.
An emerging trend within Series A funding rounds is the presence of equity crowdfunding. This provides an alternative for businesses that are unable to create buzz or interest within the VC space. This is a common issue, as less than 50% of businesses that received Seed funding go on to secure Series A funding. Businesses in the midst of Series A funding can be valued at around $25 million.
Series BWhen a business moves into the Series B round of funding, they are well past the development stage. At this point in operations, investment is meant to expand the market potential and reach of a business, as the user base is already established. In order to obtain Series B funding, a company must demonstrate to investors that it is ready to scale sustainably and successfully.
In order to achieve this scale, businesses often bring in additional talent with a track record for business development. Often these professionals are in sales, tech, or advertising. The cost of acquiring this level of talent is a hefty one, which is why the average Series B raise is $33 million. At this point, the company is established and its valuation is reflective of its success to date (between $30-$60 million).
The investors in this round possess the same professional profile as those in Series A. Often an anchor investor at a VC firm gets the ball rolling and inspires others to invest. The primary difference here is the presence of a few select VC firms that specialize in funding later-stage companies.
Series CEvery business that goes through Series C funding is already a success. Because of this, the funds raised in this round usually go towards product development or the acquisition of new companies. Series C investors are looking to more than double the amount that they inject. The idea is to scale as quickly and smoothly as possible, as the business is already successful to some degree.
Being that rapid scale is often the goal here, acquisition of another company is a common use of funds. Since the primary company is successful, it becomes much more conceivable that the same team would be able to acquire a similar or related company and integrate it. This is especially effective if the company being acquired is a competitor with a slightly different offering or market. This allows the Series C company to immediately expand.
Another common approach is to broaden the target market. If a company is a huge success in America, Series C can help expand operations overseas where a similar approach can be used to scale quickly.
Due to the demonstrated success of companies that make it to Series C, the investment is viewed as much less risky. A less risky investment increases the presence of potential investors. This is why investment banks, hedge funds, and private equity firms all appear during this round. These investors are looking to secure their own positioning as leaders, which is why they are inclined to invest in a company that is already doing very well.
Series C businesses often secure hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, as they are often valued at around $120 million. This valuation is common of companies that are looking towards an IPO, and Series C only increases this valuation. The primary difference in valuation at this stage is the fact that it is based on real data and not expectations for success.
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and no intention to claim it as our own.
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2873 adminApril 14, 2021
Tattoo This On Your Forearm – Data Is The New Gold
1202 adminJune 15, 2023 Youtube Video
The Best Cyber Security Software Used By Chicago-Based Companies
In this blog, we are going to provide the best cybersecurity software used by Chicago-based companies:
1. SiteLock: SiteLock is a leading web security and cyber security software with over 12 million websites under the protection of this solution. From delivering 360-degree security to vulnerability detection, from automatic malware removal to WordPress database scanning, features include web threat management, two-factor authentication, etc. It also enhances security testing for websites and accelerates performance.
2. Log360: Log360 is a log management and cybersecurity device that supports enterprises in keeping their networks and data free from malicious activity. With real-time analysis, correlation, and archiving proficiency, this solution monitors critical changes within groups and tracks suspicious user behavior.
Features: Behavioral analysis, AI/machine learning, incident, management, vulnerability scanning
3. Cyber Control: Cyber security project plan design and framework, fraud detection describing suite, and file security review for data privacy and GDPR. Datplan's cyber control software allows organizations to introduce a robust cyber security risk framework while red-flagging potentially high-risk transactions using anti-fraud detection tools and file security tests to support data privacy and GDPR requirements.
4. Acunetix: Acunetix is one of the leading automated cybersecurity systems designed to combat the alarming growth in web attacks. With a wide range of automatic and manual penetration testing tools, it enables users to gain insight into vulnerability assessments and remediate discovered threats.
Features: IOC Verification, Vulnerability Scanning...
5. AppTrana: AppTrana identifies application risk status, instantly patches vulnerabilities, improves website performance through full site acceleration, and ensures proactive remediation of DDOS/emerging threats through continuous monitoring in one place. This application also helps businesses continue to identify the security status of applications through automated security scans and manual pen testing.
Features: Tokenization, AI / Machine Learning, Behavioral Analytics, Vulnerability Scanning, Allowlisting / Blocklisting.
Resource:
https://www.softwareworld.co/top-cybersecurity-software/
https://www.guru99.com/cybersecurity-software-tools.html
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1292 adminJanuary 27, 2023
The Cost Of Hiring A Part Time Cyber Security Officer In Chicago
The Importance of Cyber Security:
The importance of cyber security degenerates to the need and requirement to keep particulars and data safe. Today, people store large amounts of data on computers, servers, and other connected devices. Much of this is sensitive, including personally identifiable information, passwords, or financial data. And then, there is intellectual property (IP).
If a cybercriminal gains access to this data, they can wreak havoc. They can share sensitive information and use passwords to steal your funds. Organizations must have security measures in place that enable them to comply.
In the case of public services or government agencies, cyber security helps ensure that the community can rely on its services.
Benefits of cyber security
By implementing security measures, businesses and individuals (such as MSSPs) can protect themselves and others from a full range of cyber security threats.
With cyber security, companies know that unauthorized access to their network or data is protected. Both end users, organizations, and their employees benefit.
It's not just detection that strengthens cybersecurity but also mitigation and response.
The cost of hiring a part-time cyber security officer in Chicago:
The average annual Part-Time Cyber Security salary in Chicago is $78700. Most pay between $43210 to $113108 per year. According to glassdoor.com, cyber security officer part-time cost in Chicago is- $49.27 - $52.35 Per Hour (Employer est.)
Cyber Security Salary by Position, Low & High
| Position | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Manager | $150,000 | $225,000 |
| Cyber Security Engineer | $126,000 | $213,000 |
| Application Security Engineer | $130,000 | $200,000 |
| Network Security Engineer | $120,000 | $208,000 |
| Cyber Security Analyst | $114,000 | $160,000 |
| Penetration Tester “Ethical Hacker” | $114,000 | $160,000 |
Resource:
https://mondo.com/blog-highest-paid-cybersecurity-jobs/
https://www.logpoint.com/en/blog/what-is-cyber-security/#:~:text=With%20cyber%20security%2C%20companies%20have,it's%20also%20mitigation%20and%20response
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1174 adminJanuary 23, 2023
Top 5 Cyber Threats You Need To Make Your Agency Clients Aware Of
As attackers automate more and more attacks, it's easier for them to target hundreds, if not thousands, of small businesses at once. Small businesses often have less stringent technical defenses, less consciousness of threats, and less time and resources for cyber security. It makes them easy targets for hackers than larger businesses.
For these reasons, agency clients need to be aware of threats and how to stop them. This article will cover the Top 5 cyber threats you need to make your agency clients aware of.
Phishing Attacks: Phishing is one of the most prominent and widespread types of cyber-attacks. The social engineering attack is where the attacker impersonates a trusted contact and sends fake mail to the victim. The victim opens the mail and clicks on the malicious link or opens the attachment of the mail. Phishing attackers gain access to confidential information and account credentials by doing so.
Malware Attack: It is one of the most common cyber-attacks. “Malware” refers to malicious software viruses, including worms, spyware, ransomware, adware, and Trojans. A Trojan virus disguises itself as legitimate software. Ransomware blocks access to critical components of a network, while spyware is software that steals all your confidential data without your knowledge. Malware breaches networks through vulnerabilities. When a user clicks on a dangerous link, downloads an email attachment, or when a contaminated pen drive is used.
Weak Passwords: Another significant threat small businesses face is employees using weak or easily guessed passwords. Many Agencies Clients use multiple cloud-based services, which require different accounts. These cloud-based services can often contain sensitive data and financial records. Using easily guessed passwords, or using the same password for multiple accounts, can compromise or hack this data.
Man in the Middle: A man-in-the-middle attack is also known as an eavesdropping attack. In this attack, the attacker comes in between the two-party communication, i.e., hijacks the session between the client and the host. By doing this, hackers steal and manipulate your data. The client-server communication is cut off; the communication line goes through the hacker.
Denial-of-Service Attack: Denial of service is a significant risk for companies. In this attack, Attackers target systems, networks, or servers and flood them with traffic to exhaust their resources and bandwidth. When this happens, it becomes overwhelming for the server to keep up with incoming requests, resulting in the website it hosts either shutting down or slowing down. The leaves legal service requests need to be addressed. It is also known as a DDoS attack when attackers use multiple compromised systems to launch this Denial-of-Service attack.
Resource:
https://expertinsights.com/insights/the-top-5-biggest-cyber-security-threats-that-small-businesses-face-and-how-to-stop-them/
https://onlinedegrees.und.edu/blog/types-of-cyber-security-threats/
https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/cyber-security-tutorial/types-of-cyber-attacks
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1137 adminJanuary 19, 2023
5 Reports You Should Monitor On Your Cybersecurity Dashboard?
In an ever-evolving threat space, there are ways to optimize security postures and plans with better, more effective reporting.
A good dashboard is key to summarizing data from a monitoring solution, and here are five reports you should be monitoring on your cybersecurity dashboard.
1. Mean-Time-to-Detect (MTTD) and Mean-Time-to-Resolve (MTTR): How long do security threats go unnoticed? Mean-Time-to-Detect (MTTD) measures how long your team is aware of indicators of understanding and other security threats. What is the average response time for your team to acknowledge a cyber-attack once it becomes aware of it? A better measure of the quality of implementation of your incident response plan.
2. Number of systems with known vulnerabilities: Knowing the number of endangered assets in your environment is a crucial cybersecurity metric for determining the risk to your business. Managing updates and patches is a complex process, but very important to avoid errors in your environment. A vulnerability scan that covers all assets will indicate what needs to be done to improve your company's security posture.
3. SSL certificates: An SSL certificate is a small-scale file that certifies the ownership of the cryptographic keys of the website or company with which the data is being exchanged, guaranteeing the transaction's authenticity. Monitoring the security requirements for each certificate and ensuring that they are correctly configured on the server prevents them from falling into the wrong hands and that your company's digital identity is not used to steal user information.
4. Unidentified Devices on Internal Networks: When employees bring their own devices, they can introduce malware and other cyber risks, as can poorly configured Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which is why a network intrusion detection system is an essential part of organization security.
5. No "Superuser" access level: Best practices in information security management include complete control of user access levels to company resources, requiring employees to access only the data, systems, and assets necessary for their work. Identifying the access levels of all network users allows you to adjust as needed by blocking any superuser or administrator that doesn't make sense.
Resource:
https://valerity.com/2020/10/20/the-5-aspects-your-cybersecurity-dashboard-should-provide/
https://cipher.com/blog/10-cybersecurity-metrics-you-should-be-monitoring/
https://www.upguard.com/blog/cybersecurity-metrics
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1620 adminJanuary 16, 2023
What Should Be The Cyber Security Spent In Your Clients’ Maintenance Contract?
Everything is digital these days, both on-premises and in the cloud. So cyber security personnel and security measures are something you will have to spend money on. But how should your company decide how much money to budget for security? And how should your company decide how to spend it?
Creating a Cybersecurity Budget Breakdown:
All organizations should consider five main categories when allocating their cyber security maintenance contracts.
Compliance: Some compliance ordinances dictate security budgets distribute in the healthcare sector. For example, HIPAA defines data privacy and security obligation to protect individuals' medical records and other personal health information. To meet these obligations and avoid potentially significant fines, CISOs must budget for specific tools and technologies.
Ongoing existing risk assessments: Proactive CISOs must continuously monitor the effectiveness of security controls in their environment and calibrate against prevailing attack vectors. Suppose the risk rises above a previously agreed-upon threshold. In that case, the CISO needs to assess the risk and discuss the risk with management to find another budget or reallocate the budget -- or agree to accept a higher risk level. Tools and services for budgets in this category include cyber insurance, bug bounty initiatives, penetration testing, and incident response.
Ongoing security training: Security training is no longer an event on the annual mandatory compliance checklist. Every employee and contractor must be involved in this ongoing effort. Using public shame or fear to motivate employees is not adequate. Instead, cybersecurity training needs to be memorable.
New business initiatives: A CISO must evaluate any new business initiative adopted within the company and implement a security budget to ensure that the company and its new customers remain secure. For example, marketing departments may outsource content creation to an overseas third-party provider or decide to store all customer support cases in a cloud storage platform. Both of these scenarios have additional risks, which CISOs and security teams should address before implementing.
Business priority shifts: It can be related to people, technology, or revenue. From a public perspective, an example of a business priority shift is the hybrid, or, in some cases, permanent work-from-home model and the adaptation required to maintain cybersecurity best practices. From employee onboarding -- and offboarding -- to employee use of a shared home router, local offline data storage, home privacy needs to personal devices, and video conferencing, all require security adaptation and budget realignment.
What is a typical cybersecurity budget?
While there is no versatile answer when determining what a "typical budget" looks like for cybersecurity operations, some studies can provide some sensitivity.
Recent research by Deloitte and the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Centre found that financial services spend an average of 10% of their IT budgets on cybersecurity. It costs approximately 0.2% to 0.9% of company revenue or $1,300 to $3,000 per full-time employee. For a more significant picture specification, consider that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently disclosed in a statement that the tech behemoth would "invest more than $1 billion annually in cybersecurity for the foreseeable future". Finally, it is worth noting that the US President's 2019 budget allocated $15 billion to spend on cybersecurity, which is about 0.3% of the entire economic budget ($4.746 trillion).
Resource:
https://www.mstech.com/client-contract-includes-cybersecurity-restrictions/
https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/Cybersecurity-budget-breakdown-and-best-practices
https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/security-essentials/how-to-justify-your-cybersecurity-budget
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1083 adminJanuary 6, 2023
Do You Have A CCSO?
What does a Cloud Security Officer (CCSO) Do?
Cloud security is a set of policies, technologies, and controls used to protect cloud-based virtual data and services.
Many more companies are moving to cloud-based virtual networks and cloud-based storage solutions that provide a lot of flexibility but have security challenges.
Cloud security officers (CCSO) understand that a virtual environment must be protected from threats with adequate security controls to prevent, control, detect and remediate intrusions and vulnerabilities. They plan, implement and report on their cloud security controls, focusing on 'hardening' the environment through identity management, physical security, employee security, privacy, access testing, access control, data integrity, and encryption….
Job Responsibilities of Cloud Security Officer:
Cloud security officers are involved in various practices related to designing, implementing, and configuring cloud security systems. You will be responsible for the onboard security of the cloud technology and the data contained within these systems.
This job also entails that professionals must work back-to-back with their team of employees. So, the assignment asks the professional to collaborate with the rest of the workforce. In this way, the issue is resolved spectacularly, and the various perceptions jumping on the table from different perspectives can be used well.
Resource:
https://www.cloudinstitute.io/blog/cloud-security-engineer-job-role-and-responsibilities/
https://mile2.com/cloud-security-officer/#:~:text=They%20plan%2C%20implement%2C%20and%20report,%2C%20data%20integrity%2C%20and%20encryption
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
965 adminJanuary 3, 2023
Top 5 Cyber Strategies Your Startup Should Know
Did you know that over 40% of cyber-attacks are on startups, while less than 15% are prepared to handle them?
Most startups fail to acknowledge that protecting businesses from cyber fraud is more than antivirus software and firewalls. Another thing that prevents them from investing in good cyber security is the need for more funding.
Still, cyber security should be the first thing on your mind outside of your day-to-day business.
5 Proven Cyber Security Strategies for your Startup:
1. Train and educate employees: Studies show that internal employees cause 43% of data loss. Most of these incidents are accidental. They can lose systems, share login credentials, or open fraudulent emails that trigger virus attacks in the network.
2. Protect the Network, System, and Data: Conduct risk assessments, assess potential risks, identify and analyze potential threats, and devise strategies to bridge all gaps. Access all information about who owns data and what data is stored. Install a good antivirus with a firewall, a threat prevention tool, and ransomware encryption.
3. Back-Up Your Data Regularly: It is critical for businesses to back up data regularly, which is essential to maintain business continuity in the event of data loss.
4. Updating The Software: To improve the company's cyber security, update the software regularly and upgrade to a better technical solution tool whenever necessary. Failure to update the software can lead to an attack on the business.
5. Cloud Security: Small businesses are turning to cloud solutions. While cloud-based systems make businesses highly efficient, accessible, and cost-effective, companies need to adopt appropriate cloud security measures to mitigate cyber vulnerabilities.
Resource:
https://beststartup.us/5-proven-cyber-security-strategies-to-protect-your-startup/
https://margadvisory.com/top-5-cyber-security-strategies-for-small-businesses/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1105 adminDecember 20, 2022
Threat Vectors Most Often Noticed by Chicagoland-Based IT Companies
Below are the top 5 types of information security threats that Chicagoland-based IT companies often notice:
1. Phishing
Phishing involves fraudulent communications intended to steal sensitive data, deploy malware, commit financial fraud, or practically any other nefarious effort you can imagine. Phishing attempts often occur over email with instructions to get the beneficiary to click a link, open an accessory, send money to a bank account, or provide sensitive information. Such sensitive information includes credentials, a common entry point for malware deployment, including ransomware, one of the most expensive cyber threats to address.
2. Vulnerability Exploit
Researchers identify new vulnerabilities daily in software, hardware, and firmware. One needs to stay on top of these searches, so threats don't surprise you.
How to keep systems updated and patched?
Vulnerability scans help identify systems that need patches. And the NIST Cybersecurity Framework recommends using a risk-management process to address vulnerabilities based on priorities.
3. Misconfigurations
Security misconfiguration results from failure to properly apply security controls to devices, networks, cloud applications, firewalls, and other systems. It can include non-payment admin credentials and open ports to unutilized web pages and unsecured files.
This passive attack vector is the organization's problem and can lead to data breaches, uncertified access, and other major security incidents.
4. Compromised Credentials
Cybercriminals use this attack vector because it is straightforward to get sensitive and valuable information through an account once established within an organization, but al., These massive destructions before they are discovered.
5. Supply Chain Vendors
No matter how robust your cybersecurity solutions are, you're only as strong as your anaemic partner, the vendor.
In today's interconnected digital world, the third-party risk is growing exponentially. Numerous high-profile data breaches in recent years have highlighted the consequences of vendor breaches, demonstrating that cybercriminals target suppliers with weak security postures as an entry point into another organization.
Preventing Malvertising
One must prevent malvertising by ad networks by adding authentication; This reduces the possibility of user compromise. Validation may include: vetting potential customers by requiring legal business documentation, two-factor authentication, and Scanning possible ads for malicious content before publishing the ad.
To minimize malware attacks, web hosts should periodically test their websites from unpatched systems and monitor those systems for any malicious activity.
Enterprise security teams must ensure that software and patches are kept up-to-date, and network antimalware tools are installed. This activity helps to reduce the risk of malvertising attacks.
Resource:
https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/Top-10-types-of-information-security-threats-for-IT-teams
https://www.dig8ital.com/post/the-most-common-cyber-attack-vectors-of-2022
https://arcticwolf.com/resources/blog/top-five-cyberattack-vectors/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1230 adminDecember 2, 2022
Cyber Security for Small Business
Due to technological advancements, individuals and companies are now more interconnected than ever. However, the networks that keep people linked are also rife with cyber risks. Companies today rely on these networks to execute financial transactions, sell products, and offer online services; therefore, cybersecurity is critical.
These cybersecurity solutions come in a variety of flavors and prices. And some small and medium-sized firms may lack the cash or money to cover most of them. There is no lack of cyber threats aimed at small businesses, whether ransomware, DDoS (distributed denial of service), phishing, or another danger.
Importance of cybersecurity for small businesses
While major corporations, such as multinational corporations, have the resources to invest in complete cybersecurity systems, small firms may not have the same luxury. Nonetheless, cybersecurity is an integral component of small business operations. Even the most basic security measures can prevent a wide range of dangers, making investing in expensive security solutions useless if your company is tiny. Instead, consider examining your goals and budget to evaluate whether cybersecurity solutions are enough to secure your company's critical assets. So how does cybersecurity benefit you and your business? The following points are some of the ways that cybersecurity helps small businesses.
1. Inform employees of security principles.
Establish fundamental security practices and regulations for employees, such as mandating secure passwords, and develop acceptable Internet use guidelines that specify penalties for breaking firm cybersecurity policy. Establish ground rules for managing and securing consumer information and other essential data.
2. Prevent cyber assaults on information, computers, and networks.
Maintain clean machines: the most effective defense against viruses, malware, and other online risks is to use the most recent security software, web browser, and operating system. Configure your antivirus program to scan after each update. Install any additional critical software updates as soon as they become available.
3. Create an action plan for mobile devices.
Mobile devices can provide substantial security and management difficulties, especially if they contain sensitive data or have access to the corporate network. Users must password-protect their devices, encrypt their data, and install security software to prevent thieves from stealing information. Establish processes for reporting missing or stolen equipment.
4. Create backups of critical corporate data and information.
Back up the data on all PCs regularly. Word processing papers, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files are all examples of critical data. Back up data automatically, or at least monthly, and save backup copies elsewhere or in the cloud.
Takeaways:
Cybersecurity is critical for every firm that relies on IT resources and the internet to function, whether large, medium, or small. Various security strategies and methods need varying amounts of money. Without adequately analyzing your company's needs, you may invest too much or too little in cybersecurity, leaving you susceptible to cyber assaults.
Consult with an IT specialist or a business consultant to discover the best cybersecurity solutions for your company and budget.
Resource:
https://www.wired.com/sponsored/story/why-small-businesses-need-to-take-cybersecurity-seriously/
https://www.fcc.gov/communications-business-opportunities/cybersecurity-small-businesses#:~:text=Broadband%20and%20information%20technology%20are,data%20from%20growing%20cybersecurity%20threats
https://www.businesstechweekly.com/cybersecurity/application-security/why-is-cybersecurity-important/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1043 adminAugust 22, 2022 Youtube Video
Cyber Security And Data Security
This article will define both words and explain how they might be applied in your organization.
What is Data Security?
When people talk about information security, they usually mean data security. This sort of security protects data from unauthorized accidental, or intentional modifications. Physical safety, logical controls, cyber security, administrative controls, and other protocols are also used to protect your data. Let's discuss more of these techniques.
Types of Data Security
• Encryption: Encryption keys scramble data using an algorithm to convert standard text characters into an unreadable format that only authorized users can read. File and databases use encryption/tokenization solutions to protect sensitive volumes by disguising their contents. The majority of systems also incorporate security key management features.
• Erasure Data: Data erasure is safer than ordinary data wiping. One must use software to overwrite data on any storage device. Data recovery is close to impossible if not done.
• Data Masking: Organizations can allow teams to develop applications or train individuals using accurate data by masking data. It conceals personally identifiable information (PII) as appropriate so that development can occur in compliant contexts.
• Data Resilience: The ability of an organization to withstand any failure – from hardware issues to power outages affecting data availability – determines its resilience.
What is Cyber Security?
Cyber security is the activity of protecting computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from hostile attacks. It is often referred to as information technology security or electronic information security. The word is used in various contexts, ranging from business to mobile computing.
Types of Cyber Security:
• Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems usually depend on older software. Critical infrastructure organizations are frequently more vulnerable to attack than most.
• Network Security: Addressing vulnerabilities in one's operating systems and network architecture is part of network security, e.g., servers and hosts, wireless access points, network protocols, etc.
• Cloud Security: Cloud security is a set of security safeguards meant to safeguard cloud-based infrastructure, applications, and data. These safeguards cover user and device authentication, data and resource access management, and data privacy.
• Application Security: Application security is all about addressing vulnerabilities caused by insecure development processes in the design, coding, and publication of software or a website.
Difference between Cyber Security and Data Security:
To summarize, data security is concerned with securing the data itself. On the other hand, cyber security comprises all forms of digital security, including digital data and digital systems. Contact the experts at SSI today if you're ready to improve your data security and cyber security protocols.
Resource:
https://insider.ssi-net.com/insights/what-is-the-difference-between-data-security-and-cyber-security
https://www.ibm.com/topics/data-security
https://www.itgovernance.co.uk/what-is-cybersecurity#:~:text=Cyber%20security%20is%20the%20application,of%20systems%2C%20networks%20and%20technologies
https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/what-is-cyber-security
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1053 adminJune 6, 2022 Youtube Video
Securing Mobile Apps
Following are some steps to implement a mobile trial and obtain a hacker-free application:
1] Source Code Encryption:
A major part of the code in native mobile apps is on the client-side. Cybercriminals can easily detect the bug vulnerabilities in the design and source code of mobile applications using mobile malware. Then, using reverse engineering techniques, authentic apps are repackaged into malicious apps and uploaded to third-party app stores to attract suspicious users. Recent reports suggest that malicious code affects more than 12 million mobile devices at any given time. Therefore, developers should ensure that the apps are protected from tampering-proof and reverse engineering attacks. So you need to encrypt your source code, and the encrypted source code will ensure that no one else can access that source code.
2] Platform-specific Limitations:
If you are developing multiple mobile apps, it is better to understand the security features as well as the limitations of the platform and code accordingly. You should also consider different user case scenarios, encryption support, password support, and geo-location.
3] Secure the data in transit:
When a mobile application accesses an enterprise or other confidential data, unstructured information is usually stored in the device storage. In order to protect data from data theft, it is advisable to use a VPN or SSL tunnel.
4] Secure the Backend:
Mobile applications communicate with each other through the API, which is vulnerable to attacks. The backend server should have security measures in place to protect against malicious attacks. Ways to strengthen API security include embedding API gateways, using official APIs in code, conducting code reviews, adding firewalls, using API keys, and using 2-factor authentication and tokens.
5] Cryptography :
Use advanced encryption techniques such as AES and SHA-256 with 256-bit and 512-bit encryption for hashing.
6] Prevent unexpected data pilferage:
When a user interacts with your app, they agree to specific permissions, which allow brands and businesses to collect important personal customer information. By enforcing ethical advertising and using secure analytics providers, you can be sure that your user data will never be inadvertently leaked to hackers or malicious commercial vendors.
7] Complete Dynamic and Static Verification:
Dynamic and static verification techniques are still not prominently designed. Little is it made available for the dynamic versions of mobile apps.
Following these steps can simply help enhance mobile app security.
Resource:
https://huddle.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/8-things-to-ensure-mobile-app-security/
https://www.flatworldsolutions.com/IT-services/articles/mobile-app-security-tips.php
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
2136 adminMarch 7, 2022 Youtube Video
Cyber Security
Cyber security or computer security or information technology security (IT security) is a practice of protecting servers, computers, mobile devices, and electronic systems, networks, etc., from malicious attacks.
Since the internet's arrival & with the digital transformation initiated in recent years, the nation of cyber security has become a familiar subject both in our professional and personal lives.
Cyber security and cyber threats have been constant for the last 50 years of technological change. The expansion of viruses in the 1990s to 2000s marked the institutionalization of cyber threats and cybersecurity.
Threats come from malicious insiders who gain unauthorized access to sensitive documents and files.
Callowness about cyber security measures is one of the top reasons many industries and individuals get affected. Cyber security is one of the significant challenges in the world. Many reports say that cybercrime is up 600% after the covid-19 pandemic.
The NETSCOUT treat intelligence report saw 4.83 million attacks in the year's first half. That equates to 26,000 attacks per day and 18 per min; this is a very huge no. Everyone to become more alert about mobile security, computer security, etc.
Type of cyber security:
- Network security: it is the process of securing a computer network.
- Cloud security: cloud security means securing data, applications, and infrastructure in the Cloud.
- IoT (Internet of Things) security: the internet and wireless network standards such as WiFi and Bluetooth, etc., due to the growth of small devices like smartphones, televisions, etc., that constitute the. "internet of things."
- Information security: protection of data
Type of cyber-attacks / threats:
- Malware includes ransomware, botnet software, RATs, rootkits and boot-kits, viruses, and worms.
- Backdoors
- DDoS attacks flood servers, systems, and networks with traffic to knock them offline.
- DNS poisoning attacks.
- Formjacking, which inserts malicious code into online forms.
- Cryptojacking, which installs illicit cryptocurrency software.
Cyber security measures:
- Immediately Update your software and operating systems: it will benefit from the latest security patches when you update your software and operating system.
- Use anti-virus software: anti-virus software help you to detect and remove threats. Also, keep your software updated for the best level of protection.
- Use strong passwords: strong passwords always helps.
- Avoid spam emails: don't click on links or buy anything from spam emails.
- Safe and secure WiFi: Avoid using unsecured WiFi networks in public places.
- Protect your sensitive personal identifiable information: personally identifiable information(PII) is any information that a cybercriminal can use to identify your personal information.
- Use your mobile device securely: strong password, install apps from a trusted source, keep the device updated it helps.
- Online account checking: review your online account regularly check the credit report. Don't share OTP.
- Backup your data: back up your information regularly follow the 3-2-1 backup rule.
Resource:
https://www.itgovernance.co.uk/what-is-cybersecurity#:~:text=Cyber%20security%20is%20the%20application,of%20systems%2C%20networks%20and%20technologies.
https://www.kaspersky.co.in/resource-center/definitions/what-is-cyber-security
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_security
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
938 adminJanuary 24, 2022 Youtube Video
What Venture Capital Firms Look for When Funding Startups
2033 adminAugust 23, 2023
Networking: How Much and Where?
1178 adminMay 12, 2023 Youtube Video
How much time should I spend as a CEO of a small agency in getting new business from old clients?
According to the Harvard Business Review, most business owners spend a small portion of their time with their customers. As little as 3% of their working hours. This means there are many weeks when business owners only spend a couple of hours with the people who are the essential part of their business.
This raises an important question. How much time should I spend as a CEO of a small agency in getting new business from old clients?
First, it is crucial to maintain a good relationship with your old customers. This means staying in touch with them, understanding their needs, and providing excellent customer service. This can help you retain their business and generate new business through referrals.
In actively seeking new business from old clients, you should dedicate a certain amount of time each week or month to this task. This could include reaching out to them with new offers or promotions, providing updates on your services, or simply checking in to see how they're doing.
It is also essential to balance your efforts between seeking new business from old clients and acquiring new clients. While your old clients can be a valuable source of business, it's crucial to keep expanding your client base to ensure your agency's long-term growth.
Staying in touch with old clients is extremely important. Your communication doesn't have to be frequent or profound, but these relationships need maintenance to stay alive.
Resource:
https://www.morefloods.com/how-much-time-should-small-business-owners-spend-with-customers/
https://customerthink.com/how-much-time-should-ceos-spend-with-customers/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1108 adminApril 5, 2023
How Much Time Should I Spend AS A CEO of A Small Agency In Getting New Business From New Clients
As a CEO of a small agency, you should spend a significant amount of time on new business development, including at least 20-30% of your time on sales and marketing activities. This time must include attending networking events, reaching out to potential clients, creating proposals, and nurturing leads. As your agency grows, you may be able to dedicate less time to new business development, but it should always be a priority.
While starting first, you may need to spend even more time on new business development. In the early stages of your agency, you need to build a solid client base to establish your reputation and generate revenue; this may mean dedicating 50% or more of your time to sales and marketing activities.
It's also important to consider your goals when determining how much time to spend on new business development. You may need more time on sales and marketing activities if you have aggressive growth targets. On the other hand, if you are happy with slow and steady growth, you can spend less time on new business development and focus more on servicing your existing clients.
One crucial factor to consider is the size of your agency. If you are a one-person shop, you will need to spend more time on new business development than if you have a team of employees. As your agency grows, you can delegate sales and marketing activities to your team, freeing up your time to focus on other business areas.
In summary, as a CEO of a small agency, you should be spending a significant amount of time on new business development, depending on several factors, including the size of your agency, the stage of your business, and your goals.
Resource:
https://www.morefloods.com/how-much-time-should-small-business-owners-spend-with-customers/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/get-new-clients/216661/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1023 adminMarch 16, 2023
5 Sales Transformation Tools For Your Chicago-Based Small Business
Many free and paid sales tools are launched in the market every day. Here are the top 5 sales tools that are useful for small businesses.
1. Content Management: When selling, you need content to attract an audience — your sales and marketing teams will work together to create this content for your site. It would help if you run campaigns, create videos, blog posts, and more. These tools will help your team.
Top content management tools include:
• Allbound
• Brainshark
• Consensus
2. Sales Enablement: Sales enablement provides your entire sales force with everything they need to close a deal.
Popular sales enablement tools include:
• Seismic
• Highspot
3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Software for CRM lets you better manage the relationship with your customers. You can improve existing customer relationships by driving sales and marketing communications.
Some options to consider include the following:
• Salesforce
• Pipedrive
• Nutshell
4. Sales Automation: Sales automation tools cover a vast online marketing field. You can automate many processes with this software. Automation in sales includes sending emails, personalizing interactions with customers, scheduling, data entry, and many more.
Sales automation tools include:
• RollWorks
• Winmo
5. Sales analytics: Analytics is a significant factor in understanding whether your business is growing or declining. Sales analytics tools allow you to track and manage how your sales process is performing. Sales analytics tools enable you to see individual parts of your sales process to see what's working and areas for improvement.
Some sales analytics tool choices are:
• Looker Sales Analytics
• Insight Squared
Resource:
https://www.webfx.com/blog/marketing/sales-tools/
https://www.highspot.com/sales-enablement/best-sales-enablement-tools-and-software/
https://salesmateio.medium.com/9-best-sales-tools-for-small-businesses-f47389641532
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1051 adminFebruary 16, 2023
5 Productivity Transformation Tools For Your Chicago-Based Small Business
Productivity tools can be a game-changer for today's highly demanding work culture in businesses.
Here are the top 5 productivity transformation tools for your Chicago-based small business that successful organizations ensure their workforce has access to:
1. Email Management Tools: Email is still the number one communication channel in formal environments for peers to communicate with each other and in Teams. An intelligent email management tool will enable employees to filter important emails more effectively and prioritize responses based on the severity of the content in each email.
2. Task Management: A task management tool is one of the essential tools for an employee to be productive. From recording things as a 'to-do' list to assigning responsibilities and roles to individuals collaborating on a project, task management tools facilitate various activities in the office environment.
They have a highly flexible task management platform that enables organizations to bring out the best results from teamwork and reward performers for their extra efforts when necessary.
3. HR tools: You would need a spreadsheet to manage your accounting, receivables, or taxes, so why should your HR workflow rely on antiquated media and messy documents?
Just Value is like a short book for HR and benefits. It becomes your single management point for all HR needs.
4. Collaboration Channels: In a fast-paced business environment, people from different streams or with other skills must come together and create solutions for challenging customer situations. It requires powerful collaboration channels that offer various features such as innovative meeting schedulers, video or audio conferencing and call answers, access-controlled storage, remote file and media exchange facilities, and virtual workspaces.
5. Engaging Intranet Platforms: There is a need to bring in a social infrastructure where everyone in your organization can connect, learn about workplace events and developments, conduct team building or interactive sessions, and collaborate effectively in your work environment. It is precisely what modern-day intranet solutions offer for enterprises.
You need to develop a social media-inspired platform for intra-organization interaction. An intranet facilitates the creation of a community among your employees where people interact and gain knowledge about everything related to or outside of work.
Resource:
https://www.infince.com/blog/top-5-productivity-tools-every-small-business-needs-today/
https://www.inc.com/drew-hendricks/top-5-business-tools-to-boost-your-productivity-in-2017.html
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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962 adminFebruary 9, 2023
To Cloud or Not To Cloud
Finding the right fit can be confusing. Last year GitLab decided to go all bare metal and get off the Cloud entirely. Then, in response to their community, they chose to stay in the Cloud and improve the experience. Their decision was more in response to their customer base. And in B2B, keeping the client happy is paramount.
What is best for your business?
Clients must know that you have their interests first, securing their data and providing the best customer experience. The original customer considerations should answer the question of whether to live in the Cloud.
Reasons for getting out of the Cloud:
An undercurrent among large companies is causing them to question their cloud services. Bill Schock is at the top of the list. Building your own internal Cloud is tempting as storage and server costs come down. Other problems companies cite are delay issues, project failures, and lack of efficiency in cloud services. Exodus is increasing.
What about the little guy?
Startups quickly join the Cloud to save money and keep things simple. But as they get out of the bootstrapping phase, they realize that managing their servers can be less expensive and more constructive than putting everything on the Cloud. And then, service industries handle sensitive information, such as law firms, medical practices, and accountants. Their main concern is security.
Every business owner has to decide whether to use the Cloud or not. Fortunately, more options will provide greater security, enhanced customer experience, and increased sales.
Resource:
https://www.wired.com/insights/2013/05/to-cloud-or-not-to-cloud-where-does-your-data-warehouse-belong/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1050 adminOctober 27, 2022
Hunting or Farming?
How the Hunter vs. Farmer model works:
When you operate a synchronized hunter-farmer sales model, you'll see significant growth with new customers while retaining the customers you've already closed.
You can't keep deals that aren't closed, and you can't close deals if your best customers are walking out the back door. So, both these roles are essential for the success of your company.
Here's how hunters and farmers work jointly to close and maintain deals in a typical sales process.
Lead Generation and Prospecting | Hunter:
New leads are generated through either inbound or outbound strategies. Hunter sales representatives begin the sales process by researching potential leads and conducting cold outreach.
Qualification | Hunter:
At this point, the alliance has shown some interest in the product. It is the marketer's job to determine if the lead is a good fit and if their product can successfully solve the challenges the information is currently facing.
Sales Pitch and Product Demo | Hunter:
A well-grow sales pitch at this stage is individualized to the prospect's needs and highlights how they will benefit from the purchase. Rather than a monologue, it's a moment to engage prospects and prove your product's value.
Negotiation and Close | Hunter:
Negotiation is usually the hunter's final stage and is where their sales skills are tested. Negotiations can be complex. Hunters must work with their POC to convince stakeholders with budget control that this purchase is worth the money they invested.
Customer Onboarding | Farmer:
Customer Onboarding is usually the final stage for the hunter, and this is where their sales skills are truly tested. Negotiations can be complex. Hunters must work with their POC to convince stakeholders with budget control that this purchase is worth the money they invested.
Retention | Farmer:
Like a real farmer in the field, the role of a sales farmer requires a lot of hard work to cultivate the growing plants and turn them into valuable fruits and vegetables for the company.
Upsell and renew | Farmer:
Hunter and Farmer's sales model is shiny and aligned with your target market and team. Hunter and Farmer contribute to increased sales and a high-value customer base, leading to solid long-term results.
Resource:
https://blog.close.com/hunter-farmer-sales/
https://aircall.io/blog/sales/hunting-farming-customers/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1449 adminOctober 6, 2022 Youtube Video
Azure
Microsoft Azure:
Azure is an online portal allowing you to access and manage Microsoft's cloud services and resources. These services and tools include storing and converting your data according to your needs. All you need to access these resources and services is an active internet connection and the ability to log on to the Azure portal.
Azure should be known for the following:
• It was released on February 1, 2010, much later than its primary competition, AWS.
• It's free to start and operates on a pay-per-use approach, which means you only pay for the services you utilize.
• Surprisingly, 80 percent of Fortune 500 organizations employ Azure services for cloud computing.
• Java, Node Js, and C# are the programming languages Azure supports.
• Another advantage of Azure is its global network of data centers. 42 Azure data centers are located worldwide, making it the cloud platform with the most data centers. In addition, Azure plans to add 12 more data centers, bringing the total number of data centers to 54 shortly.
What are the Different Azure Services, and How Does Azure Work?
Azure offers over 200 services organized into 18 categories. These include computing, networking, storage, IoT, migration, mobile, analytics, containers, artificial intelligence, machine learning, integration, management tools, developer tools, security, databases, DevOps, media identification, and web services.
Some of the essential Azure services by category are:
Computer Services:
The term compute here refers to the computing resource hosting model on which our program operates. Azure compute services are roughly classified into three types.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Platform as a service (PaaS)
Ineffective services
The Azure virtual machine is the essential building block. We can deploy multiple services, such as Windows and Linux, within the Azure cloud using Azure virtual machines. When we implement a virtual machine, each virtual machine will have its operating system and data disc.
Virtual Machine:
This service lets you quickly establish a virtual computer in Windows, Linux, or any other configuration.
Cloud Computing:
This service allows you to build scalable cloud apps. Azure handles everything after the application is deployed, including provisioning, load balancing, and health monitoring.
Service Fabric:
Service fabric dramatically simplifies the process of establishing a microservice. A microservice is a programmer that incorporates additional smaller apps that are packaged together.
Azure for disaster recovery and backup:
Certain businesses use Azure for data backup and disaster recovery. Azure may also be used as a substitute for a company's data center.
Many businesses operate most of their business apps in Azure than investing in local servers and storage.
Microsoft has Azure data centers placed all around the world to assure availability. Microsoft Azure services are offered in 55 regions and 140 countries as of January 2020. Regrettably, not all services are accessible in every location. As a result, Azure customers must ensure that their workloads and data storage locations adhere to applicable compliance standards or other regulations.
Resource:
https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/azure-tutorial/what-is-azure
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-azure/?&ef_id=Cj0KCQjwuaiXBhCCARIsAKZLt3muuRvCcUJ_BuC9V6CesTnwDBHdWupsO7kzUzuj6qekSfPC2S54gpoaAqXKEALw_wcB:G:s&OCID=AIDcmmf1elj9v5_SEM_Cj0KCQjwuaiXBhCCARIsAKZLt3muuRvCcUJ_BuC9V6CesTnwDBHdWupsO7kzUzuj6qekSfPC2S54gpoaAqXKEALw_wcB:G:s&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuaiXBhCCARIsAKZLt3muuRvCcUJ_BuC9V6CesTnwDBHdWupsO7kzUzuj6qekSfPC2S54gpoaAqXKEALw_wcB
https://www.techtarget.com/searchcloudcomputing/definition/Windows-Azure
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1111 adminSeptember 9, 2022
Google Cloud
It offers various modular cloud services, including computing, data storage, data analytics, and machine learning, in addition to a set of management tools. Registration necessitates the use of credit card or bank account information.
Google unveiled App Engine, a platform for creating and hosting web applications in Google-managed data centers, in April 2008, as the company's first cloud computing offering. In November 2011, the service was made widely available. Since the launch of App Engine, Google has introduced several cloud services to the platform.
An Overview of Google Cloud Services:
Google Cloud provides computing, storage, networking, big data, machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) services, as well as cloud management, security, and other developer tools. Google Cloud's cloud computing offerings include the following:
- Google Compute Engine is an infrastructure service (IaaS) provider that offers VM instances for workload hosting.
- Google App Engine is a platform as a service (PaaS) product that provides software developers with scalable hosting from Google. Developers may also use an SDK to create software products that operate on App Engine.
- Google Cloud Storage is a cloud storage technology designed to store massive amounts of unstructured data. Google also provides database storage choices, such as Cloud Datastore for non-relational NoSQL storage, Cloud SQL for fully relational MySQL storage, and Google's native Cloud Bigtable database.
- Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is a management and orchestration solution for Docker containers and clusters running in Google's public cloud services. Kubernetes, Google's open-source container management solution, is the foundation for Google Kubernetes Engine.
- Google Cloud's operations suite, Stackdriver, is a collection of integrated tools for monitoring, logging, and reporting on the managed services that power Google Cloud applications and systems.
- Serverless computing includes event-based task execution tools and services such as Cloud Functions for building functions that handle cloud events, Cloud Run for managing and executing containerized applications, and Workflows for orchestrating serverless products and APIs.
- The database is a collection of technologies supplied as fully managed services, including Cloud Bigtable for large-scale, low-latency applications, Firestore for documents, Cloud Spanner for a highly scalable, highly reliable relational database, and CloudSQL for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.
What exactly is the distinction between Google Cloud and Google Cloud Platform?
Google Cloud is a collection of internet-based services that can assist businesses in going digital. Google Cloud Platform, the subject of this blog article, is a component of Google Cloud that provides public cloud infrastructure for hosting web-based applications.
How did Google Cloud Platform come to be?
GCP debuted in 2008 with the release of App Engine, a developer tool that lets users run their web apps on Google infrastructure. By late 2011, Google had removed App Engine from its preview state and made it a fully supported Google product. In the decade afterward, Google produced and acquired additional services and products to improve its cloud platform user experience.
What exactly are the Google Cloud Platform services?
GCP provides several services, but here are a few examples: Computing and hosting, storage and database management, networking, big data, and machine learning are all areas of expertise.
Resource:
https://cloud.google.com/
https://acloudguru.com/blog/engineering/what-is-google-cloud-platform-gcp
https://www.techtarget.com/searchcloudcomputing/definition/Google-Cloud-Platform
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Cloud_Platform
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1452 adminAugust 4, 2022
New Technologies
Technologies might take a while to reign over marketers when the globe reopened in 2021. We're unsure if they'll be long-term components of a new routine or temporary adaptations to lockdown life. Nobody can predict with certainty what the future of marketing will look like. However, experts may offer their thoughts and projections on opportunities that may become available in the following years.
4 Impacts of New Technologies on Marketing:
At a high level, we can see that new technologies affect marketing in four broad, linked ways. New technology, in particular,
- VR/AR Content Smart Bidding
- Chatbots
- Voice search
Remembering that different technologies may perform these numerous jobs concurrently and to differing degrees is vital.
AR/ VR Content:
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are technologies that connect the digital and physical worlds. They enable you to visually absorb information and material like the rest of the world. AR significantly increases the ways our gadgets can assist us in daily tasks such as looking for information, purchasing and expressing ourselves. Virtual reality allows you to feel what it's like to be anywhere, from the front row of a concert to faraway planets in space.
VR campaigns have been making headlines in marketing technology for quite some time. Adidas, for example, developed one in 2017 that allows users to track two mountain climbers in real-time. Incorporating augmented and virtual reality into advertising campaigns appeals to people's desire to value the shopping experience over the price of the goods.
Smart Bidding:
Smart Bidding is a part of automated bid techniques that employ machine learning to optimize conversion value in every auction—this is referred to as "auction-time bidding." Innovative Bidding tactics include target CPA, target ROAS, maximize conversions, and maximize conversion value.
Smart Bidding provides three Major Advantages in Addition to Machine Learning Capabilities:
- Various signals are used to adjust bids to a person's specific situation. Device, location, time of day, remarketing lists, browser, language, and other factors are among them. Find out more about bidding signals.
- You may define performance objectives using flexible controls to drive bidding performance and optimize search bids to your preferred attribution model.
- Transparent data and status update to assist you in testing how effectively Smart Bidding works for you and understanding what's going on behind the scenes of your bid strategy.
The idea of automatic Bidding on Google Ads eliminates any conjecture and guesswork, allowing advertisers to achieve their goals more efficiently. Google analyses all data and adjusts bids to increase efficiency and campaign effectiveness.
While automated Bidding is not new, Google has recently made significant progress.
Chatbots:
Chatbots are software programs that employ artificial intelligence and natural language processing to comprehend what a human wants and direct them to their intended goal with as little effort as possible from the end-user. As if you had a virtual assistant for your consumer touchpoints.
There's no disputing the hype surrounding automated chatbots in recent years. Whether you think chatbots are a fleeting trend or believe they will change how people communicate and engage, their impact on online experiences is significant. And it is quantifiable.
Today, when we use technology, we demand answers immediately and expect them to be correct with humans until a certain threshold is reached. Thus forward-thinking companies have turned to chatbots for assistance:
- Increase their website conversion rate
- Increase the number of qualifying leads.
- Reduce Customer Loyalty
Voice Search:
With the development of voice search and Google's new mobile-first index, which bases ranks on the mobile version of a site rather than the desktop one, businesses must adapt to the shifting digital world. Exact match domains and other black hat SEO methods will no longer suffice. Voice search enhances the search engine user experience faster and more conveniently. It also provides more accurate results to imply that if your website content is adequately optimized (especially for mobile use), your company may be the first a digital personal assistant advises.
Voice search is now more mobile than ever. Google's voice search is constantly extending its language support. It is currently available on mobile devices in over 100 languages.
Advantages of Optimizing your Website for Voice Search:
- Higher rankings: Voice search results often rank in the first three spots on search engine results pages (SERPs). Optimizing your content for voice searches gets more visitors.
- Higher revenue: More visits equal more conversions, and more conversions equal more income. It's just basic math.
- Higher authority: When you start ranking for voice searches and expand your audience, you raise your website's authority.
However, for it to perform correctly, you'll need optimized content and voice search SEO. As always, keywords are crucial.
Conclusion:
New marketing technology developments influence how managers plan, execute and monitor campaigns. They help you define your target group more accurately, identify a means to connect with a prospective consumer, and spend advertising dollars more efficiently by utilizing new platforms and benefits.
Resource:
https://www.unboundb2b.com/blog/b2b-marketing-trends-blog/flourishing-technologies-for-marketing/#
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00222429211061636
https://www.drift.com/learn/chatbot/
https://blog.searchmetrics.com/us/seo-strategy-voice-search-and-its-impact-in-2021/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1136 adminJuly 14, 2022
Digital Transformation And Its Benefits
According to sources, digital transformation is about creating a digital enterprise. This company uses technology to continuously improve all parts of its business models (what it offers, how it interacts with consumers, and functions." There is no need for small enterprises to start to set up their business procedures and then transform them later. You can future-proof your company from the start. Building a 21st-century firm on sticky notes and handwritten ledgers is not feasible. Digital thinking, planning, and building positions you to be agile, versatile, and ready to develop.
The Main Drivers of Digital Transformation
Many businesses prioritize digital transformation, but it is critical to understand the causes driving the need for digital change. The ability of technology to swiftly collect, create, analyze, and send data is the primary driving force behind digital transformation. Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, mobile technologies, social media platforms, and next-generation technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), edge computing, and robotic process automation (RPA) have transformed how quickly we obtain information.
Implementing these technologies in the marketplace by digital titans such as Amazon, Airbnb, Uber, and others has altered the types of products and services that customers expect. Consumers, for example, want businesses to respond fast and provide products and services that are suited to their specific demands. They have also learned to anticipate intuitive, simple interfaces, and they prefer digital interactions that can occur at any time and from any device.
Importance of Digital Transformation
The overall goal of any digital transformation is to better your current operations. Companies must remain competitive in their industries, which necessitates digital transformation. No evolution, no promotion.
According to sources, "just 8% of worldwide organizations have achieved their planned business outcomes from their digital technology investments." One technique that distinguishes leaders is investing more in transforming their businesses rather than just running them. Most organizations amass mounds of client data, but the true benefit comes from utilizing this data for analysis leading to the company's growth. Digital transformation offers a process for acquiring the relevant data and completely using it for higher-level business insight. It enables various functional divisions within an organization to translate raw data into insights across several touchpoints.
Examples of Digital Transformation:
Digital transformation can take many shapes, but it typically falls into one or more categories: digitizing the customer experience, creating new market opportunities, enabling innovation, and boosting operational efficiency.
There are numerous examples of corporate success with digital transformation. Let's take a look at some of them:
Nespresso - Nespresso, a manufacturer of specialty coffee machines and an operating subsidiary of the Swiss-based Nestlé Group, implemented a cloud-based CRM system that provided customers with omnichannel access to purchasing and customer care. Customers can contact the company via the internet, mobile device, or in-store visits. Having a 360-degree view of each of its customers has enabled Nespresso to expand into new regions and increase sales.
Netflix - Netflix began as a mail-based digital video disc (DVD) rental service in 1997. It has remade itself as an online video streaming service that provides personalized choices depending on each customer's tastes.
Desktop Metal – Desktop Metal is reshaping the manufacturing landscape with unique digital technology for 3D-printed metal. Automobile manufacturers have already made significant investments in this new technology. Aside from automotive uses, there are further applications in the medical, dentistry, aerospace, and luxury markets.
Benefits of Digital Transformation:
Time and Cost Reduction: The improved productivity in labor leads to significant savings in time and costs in all company departments.
Geographical Border Expansion: Digitization helps companies internationalize their product or services. It generates essential benefits such as increased turnover, reduced risk, and increased competitiveness.
Analytics: Digitalization work helps a company to combine all the customer data in one place due to excellent business insight. So, the company can make correct decisions at the right time.
Extends the Life of the Company: The use of new technology and some specialized software helps the company keep up to date.
Increased Revenue: With the help of digital transformation, many companies can generate more ROI.
Resource:
https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/digital-transformation
https://enterprisersproject.com/what-is-digital-transformation
https://whatfix.com/digital-transformation/
https://terakeet.com/blog/digital-transformation-examples/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1049 adminJune 6, 2022
Technologies En-Vogue with Boutique Agencies in The Midwest
Technology PR is very subtle and highly targeted and usually involves an in-depth understanding of how the newsroom in a tech publication works.
Many large and small agencies are primarily generalists, which means they have customers serving many different industries. For example, an agency's customers may list packaged goods, healthcare, finance, retail, and many other industries, which means they are targeting different media types without the audience having room to understand. They do not have the time or the space to focus on the media they are targeting.
In addition, when you look at IT and tech outlets, many experienced editors have been in the industry for at least 25 years, making it difficult to reach out to senior people on the agency's side. Still, those who continue to get their hands on the role mean they regularly pitch to the media.
It is difficult to reach out to senior executives in a large, multi-industry agency because they are busily expanding their own business. They have a large budget, which allows them to delegate daily tasks to others, removing several steps from the PR discipline and destroying their hope of being connected to real journalists.
As an essential part of the marketing and PR mix, all agencies will talk to their client contacts and executives about thought leadership. Small tech boutique agencies can provide their thought leadership in both technology and marketing and PR circles.
Active blogging leads to great things, including impressive SEO rankings and exposure to new clients and projects. It also strengthens our position in the marketing world in terms of insights and advice and makes us more relevant to our clients. For example, when we advise our clients on a speaking platform, how and what they post on their Twitter account, or what their executives blog about — we can only focus on our specific actions and outcomes. Depending on the work of the previous client.
After all, boutique agencies are not just "agencies." They are a partner. They are not a red-tape load and give you more energy and resources to accomplish your goals. When you choose a boutique, you select a team with in-depth skills, high integration, and a desire to provide the best results and in-depth insights.
Resource:
https://www.ideagrove.com/blog/why-your-b2b-tech-company-needs-a-boutique-agency
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1020 adminMay 17, 2022
Embedding Google Reviews on Website Sites
Steps to add Google reviews:
1] Create your new Tagembed account or log in to your existing account.
2] A pop-up will appear from which you can select "Google Reviews" as a source from different platforms.
3] A pop-up will appear again. Here you need to select My Location and enter the location you want to collect Google Reviews.
4] Now click on the "Create feed" option. But make sure you provide all relevant information and access so that you can access Google reviews.
5] Once that is done, the Google reviews are aggregated into a combined feed.
6] Once you're done, you'll be redirected to the Widget Editor page, where there are options. Select accordingly.
#Display Google Reviews On Website.
7] In the lower-left corner of the Widget Editor page, click the "Embed Widget" button.
8] Click on the "Copy Code" button and copy it on the clipboard.
9] Paste the code into the backend of your website, where you want to display Google reviews.
End the process by clicking on 'Apply' changes. The Google reviews are then successfully added.
Resource:
https://tagembed.com/blog/embed-google-reviews-on-website/
https://kinsta.com/blog/embed-google-reviews/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1227 adminMay 4, 2022
Invent A Digital Enterprise Successfully
Consumers want quick solutions to their problems. Digital transformation enables businesses to improve the customer experience and conveniently get customers what they want.
Four ways to Transform a traditional business into a digital enterprise successfully
1] Process Transformation:
The critical focus of corporate activities is on the business process. Technologies offer corporations valuable new ways to rediscover methods across corporations to reduce costs, cycle time, or increase quality (e.g., Data, analytics, APIs, machine learning, etc.). Processes on the shop floor have been changing where companies like Airbus have adopted a high-end technology to improve the quality of human inspection of the aircraft. We also see process changes in the customer experience, where companies like Domino's Pizza have entirely redesigned the food ordering process; Dominos' AnyWare allows customers to order from any device.
2] Business Model Transformation:
Some companies are adopting digital technology to transform traditional business models. While process transformation focuses on limited business areas, the goal of business model transformation is to distribute value across the industry.
3] Domain Transformation:
New technologies redefine products and services, blurring industry boundaries and creating entirely new sets of non-traditional competitors. Many executives do not appreciate that this new technology is a real opportunity for their companies to open new businesses beyond the existing market altogether. Thus, it is beneficial to spend on these processes.
A prominent example of how domain transformation works might be the online retailer Amazon. With Amazon Web Services (AWS) launch, Amazon has now expanded into a new market domain as the largest cloud computing/ infrastructure service.
4] Cultural/Organizational Transformation:
A complete, long-term digital transformation requires redefining the organizational mindset, processes and talents, and capabilities for the digital world. The best-in-class corporations recognize that digital requires agile workflow, bias towards testing and learning, decentralized decision-making, and greater reliance on the business ecosystem. And they take proactive steps to bring about change in their organizations. Experian, a customer credit agency and one of the most successful digital transformations, transformed its organization by embedding agile development and collaboration into its workflows and fundamentally changing the team member focus from company-wide equipment to data.
Similarly, Pitney Bowes, a 100-year-old postage equipment company, successfully transitioned to become a "technology company" by promoting a "culture of innovation" and changing company values to focus on the customer, according to its head of innovation. -Concentration.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/12/28/10-ways-to-lead-traditional-business-to-digital-first/?sh=3b1e710434e4
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/4-types-digital-transformation-andrew-annacone/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1059 adminMarch 22, 2022
Benefits of Data Visualization
Following are the main business benefits of data visualization technology.
1] Condensing an ocean of information:
According to an IDC report, the world will create 180 trillion gigabytes of data in 2025. Data visualization helps companies compress and control their growing data stores, transforming passive raw data into useful, actionable information.
2] Provides clearer understanding:
A large amount of information can be processed through visuals, giving you in-depth and accurate insights into important aspects of your business. In addition, it helps you to convey all this information clearly and effectively to your audience.
3] Helps decision-makers react to the market:
When a company's KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are accurately tracked and displayed on a functional real-time dashboard, analysts and decision-makers can respond quickly to any drastic changes and avoid avoidable errors.
4] Unifying the Business Vision:
Data visualization can help business professionals - from sales and marketing to IT - gain a shared perspective on key trends and issues. To achieve this, however, the business needs to integrate its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and other data management systems to remove any data silos. The data can then be aggregated and made uniformly visible.
This is especially important for CEOs, directors, and other senior executives who need an overview of how the business is run. In today's highly competitive business environment, finding the data correlation - and working on it - is the key to success.
Resource:
https://blog.datumize.com/top-five-advantages-of-data-visualization
https://www.dataversity.net/three-business-benefits-data-visualization/
https://www.grepsr.com/blog/why-data-visualization-is-critical-to-your-business/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1069 adminMarch 11, 2022
Business Intelligence for Retail Industry
BIB BI tool provides vital data that help to understand better customer behavior, customer need, attitudes, and pain points. These statistics are essential for the success of your retail organization.
Various BI (Business intelligence) tools are available, like Microsoft's Power BI, Oracle Analytics Cloud, and TIBCO Spotfire. These BI tools record data points and generate actionable insights via graphical representation of customer trends. A retailer can use this data to effectively target customers through personalization.
The Benefits of Retail Business Intelligence Solutions
Deeper Understanding of Customer Behavior:
With the help of the BI tool, retailers can discover who their customers are, how they behave & what they want. This information helps to boost conversion & enhance marketing initiatives. The analytics can even help marketers craft data-driven customer journey maps by providing insights into how customers interact with products, websites, or businesses.
Optimize Store Floor Plans:
BI software can help a retailer understand and design the floor plan that allows the customer to shop anything without hassle. It can analyze data sets like many stops, visits' duration, etc.
Improved Inventory Management:
Many retail companies facing stocks encounter inventory challenges from inefficient tracking to overstocking issues and more. It also helps predict overstocking scenarios before they become a significant problem.
Supply Chain Efficiency:
Today's supply chains have become more and more complex. The BI software can give critical insights gained from day-to-day operations. It allows businesses to create a logical forecast model as well as identify & eliminate logistical bottlenecks that the supply team could address.
Real-World Examples of BI in Retail:
Amazon: Amazon uses BI technology to understand customer behavior and needs to be based on search and surfing trends.
Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola used Automating manual reporting processes by utilizing BI; the company saved around 260 hours yearly.
Future of Business Intelligence in Retail Industry
The future of BIs in the retail sector is promising, and the implementation of products, functions, customer, and performance measures should be structured and aligned in a group to make critical decisions for retailers.
BI uses behavioral data to select enhanced products or promotions consistent with voucher release systems, sales contract systems, domestic finance systems, indexes, and Internet client data systems.
Resource:
https://www.rishabhsoft.com/blog/business-intelligence-in-retail-industry
https://business.mapsofindia.com/business-intelligence/for-retail-industry.html
https://synoptek.com/insights/it-blogs/business-intelligence-solutions-for-retail-success/#:~:text=A%20retail%20BI%20solution%20lets,%2C%20seasonal%20promotions%2C%20and%20competition
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1640 adminMarch 2, 2022
The Benefit of Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is a action by which companies or organizations can organize their strategies and improve their working methods for obtaining more significant benefits.
Adopting digital technology by a company improves efficiency, value, or innovation. It can bring benefits to the business.
As internet usage has increased since the 1990s, digitization has also increased.
The covid-19 pandemic opened up new opportunities for digital technologies.
Consumer digitizes much faster than businesses. That is why digitally transformed companies obtain more benefits than companies that use the traditional business model.
Here are some benefits of digital transformation your enterprise can expect:
1] Time and cost reduction:
The improved labor productivity leads to significant savings in time and costs in all company departments.
2] Expansion of geographical border:
With the help of digitization, the company can internationalize the product or their services and generate essential benefits such as increased turnover, reduced risk increased competitiveness.
3] Analytics:
Digitalization work help company to combine all the customer data in one place due to very good business insight. So, the company can make correct decisions at the right time.
4] Extends the life of the company :
The use of new technology and some specialized software helps the company keep up to date.
5] Increased revenue:
With the help of digital transformation, many companies can generate more ROI.
Resource:
https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/tip/Top-10-digital-transformation-benefits-for-business
https://www.auraquantic.com/digital-transformation-8-benefits-of-digitizing-your-company/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_transformation
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1118 adminFebruary 9, 2022
Data Science
Data science collects all the available data and extracts valuable data from it, implementing that data to grow business.
Big data is becoming a booming tool for businesses of all sizes. Data scientists (data scientist who creates programming code and combine it with statistical knowledge to develop insights from data.) are responsible for breaking down big data into usable information and creating software that helps organizations and companies determine optimal operations.
It uses techniques and theories drawn from many fields within mathematics, computer science, information science, statistics, and domain knowledge.
Techniques used in data science:
There is various type of technologies used in data science.
- Linear regression
- Logistic regression
- Machine learning
- Naive Bayes classifiers
- Dimensionality reduction
- Cluster analysis
- Support-vector machine
- Decision trees
Data Science Uses
Data science helps us achieve some important goals for businesses and companies.
Examples:
Healthcare:
The healthcare industry used data science for EMRs to clinical databases to personal fitness trackers, practiced preventive medicine, diagnosed diseases faster, and explored new treatment options.
Entertainment:
The entertainment industry is like Netflix, Hotstar, and much more. Use data science for audience engagement.
Finance:
Data science and Machine learning have saved the financial industry unquantifiable amounts of time and millions of dollars.
Cybersecurity:
Data science is used in many industries sectors, but the most critical use of data science is in cybersecurity—data science and machine learning to detect over 360,000 new malware samples daily.
Resource:
https://builtin.com/data-science
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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924 adminJanuary 10, 2022
Why Golang is a Game Changer for AI Development
The Rise of Golang in AI Development
Golang was originally created for system-level programming, but this powerful programming language can do so much more. AI development requires complex calculations, massive datasets, and powerful processing — the sweet spots for Golang. So here’s why Golang is the preferred choice for all AI developers: 1. High Performance and Speed- AI uses, in general, big computational and time-sensitive processes. Because of Golang’s compiled nature, it is much faster than interpreted languages like Python.
- This means no runtime interpretation is required and AI models run even better.
- Many AI systems must process many requests at once while processing data, training models, or executing neural networks.
- Golang’s Goroutines support efficient lightweight concurrency, which provides easy-to-use multitasking with minimal thread/resources overhead.
- Using AI applications means dealing with lots of data. Golang is easy to use and has garbage collection which optimizes memory.
- Its garbage collector is also designed for low latency which works great with AI models that benefit from fast ingestion and processing of data.
- A lot of logic goes into AI development, but Golang has a simple syntax that makes the code much easier to do.
- Developers can focus on AI logic rather than debugging complicated syntax errors.
- AI solutions are often run cross-platform. Golang provides the advantage of cross-platform development, which reduces the deployment effort.
- Businesses can develop AI applications that work seamlessly across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
How Golang Powers AI Applications
Its powerful features make Golang an amazing programming language for AI and machine learning applications. Let us discuss a few real-world use cases where Golang excels in AI development: 1. Data Processing and Analysis Data-tons at a time is required by AI-driven technologies. Golang is performance-oriented, so it can efficiently process data, especially useful for analytics and NLP, image recognition stuff. 2. Machine Learning Frameworks Python leads the way when it comes to the usage of languages for machine learning, but Golang is making strides with frameworks like Gorgonia and Gonum. These libraries provide the analytical and numerical foundations that will help you construct deep learning models and perform mathematical operations and linear algebra computations. 3. AI-Powered Chatbots and Virtual Assistants Customer service automation is on the rise, with AI-powered chatbots playing a significant role. Using Golang, businesses can build lightweight and efficient chatbots, improving user experiences with low latency. 4. Real-Time AI Applications Real-time AI applications that range from fraud detection systems to recommendation engines need to process data in a timely manner. Golang’s capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and process data efficiently makes it a favorite for time-critical AI systems. 5. Edge AI and IoT Integration The lightweight nature of Golang is one of the most significant reasons for its ideal use in AI applications that run on edge devices and IoT networks. From AI-powered smart cameras to predictive maintenance in manufacturing, Golang is enabling efficient processing in real-time, at the edge. 6. Cloud-Based AI Solutions For AI applications, many businesses have turned to the cloud. Golang's concurrency and microservices architecture designed for cloud-based apps is ideal for cloud-based AI systems. Why Businesses Should Choose Golang for AI Development In fact, if you want to build AI-powered solutions, partnering with a professional Golang development company is a smart step. Reasons why businesses must choose Golang AI:- Speed and Efficiency: The high performance of Golang guarantees the smooth and efficient execution of AI models.
- Scalability: Golang suits your AI application scale-up needs, whether you are a startup or an enterprise.
- Reliability: Error handling and garbage collection are built into Golang, ensuring reliable AI systems.
- Cost-Effective Development: Golang reduces development time, lowering overall costs while maintaining quality.
- Robust Community Support: Golang has an emerging community of AI developers, providing a wealth of resources, tools, and best practices.
- Security and Stability: Security is a priority in AI applications. Golang offers strong security features, reducing vulnerabilities.
- Integration Capabilities: Golang has great ease of integration with other programming languages, databases, and cloud environments, which makes it a flexible choice for AI projects.
How to Get Started with Golang for AI Development
If you’re interested in leveraging Golang for AI, follow these steps:- Define Your AI Goals: Determine what kind of project you want to build. Is your project an AI-powered chatbot, an analytics tool for data, or even a prediction engine that gives instant results.
- Choose the Right Frameworks: This will lead you to Golang’s AI and ML libraries, Gorgonia (for deep learning), Gonum (numerical computing), etc.
- Build a Skilled Team: Work with experienced Golang developers who understand AI algorithms and data processing.
- Utilize Cloud and Edge Computing: Depending on your AI solution, consider deploying Golang-based AI applications on cloud platforms or edge devices.
- Test and Optimize: AI applications require continuous testing and optimization for better accuracy and efficiency.
Conclusion
AI can say for sure that Golang is a game changer. It is a great pick for AI-based solutions due to its fast, concurrency-friendly, and simple-to-use features. However, if you want to develop robust AI applications, you should consult professional Golang development services. We are Avion Technology and we develop AI in Golang. We only hire experienced developers to ensure your AI solutions are efficient, scalable, and future-ready. Contact us today to discuss your AI project and hire a Golang developer for state-of-the-art AI solutions.1960 adminFebruary 14, 2025
Ruby on Rails Development Services USA: The Best Choice for Your Business
What is Ruby on Rails?
Ruby on Rails (RoR) is an open-source web application framework written in Ruby programming language. Unlike many other Lightweight frameworks, it is based on an MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern that makes it easier for developers to quickly writing and maintain their applications. This construction is often used to create websites, e-commerce, and CMS. Benefits of Choosing Ruby on Rails for Web Development 1. Rapid Development Process RoR offers several built-in tools, libraries, and modules that help make the development faster. Developers can build feature-rich applications within a short span of time as compared to other frameworks. 2. Cost-Effective Solution As Ruby on Rails is an open-source-based framework, it reduces licensing costs for businesses. Its depreciation also reduces development time, which further cuts costs. 3. Scalability and Performance Ruby on Rails is highly scalable and can handle large amounts of traffic. Many top companies, including Airbnb, GitHub, and Shopify, have built their platforms using RoR due to its scalability and reliability. 4. Security Features The framework is highly scalable and can handle a large volume of traffic. Due to scalability and reliability, some of the famous companies like Airbnb, GitHub, and Shopify are building their platforms with RoR. 5. Strong Community Support Security is essential when it comes to web development. Ruby on Rails includes built-in security tools to safeguard applications against common vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). 6. Easy Maintenance and Updates Ruby on Rails codebase is very clean and structured and can be maintained easily as business needs evolve over time.Why Choose a Ruby on Rails Development Company?
1. Expertise and Experience A professional Ruby on Rails development company has skilled developers who understand the framework in-depth. Their expertise ensures high-quality applications that meet business goals. 2. Custom Solutions A development company will offer customized solutions according to your business requirements. Whatever you need (marketplace, SaaS product, or enterprise application), they build customized solutions with RoR. 3. Agile Development Approach Another advantage of Ruby on Rails is that development companies adapt and adopt agile methodologies that further provide provisions for adaptability, shorter development cycles, and better results. 4. Full-Stack Development The majority of Ruby on Rails companies specialize in full-stack development, which includes frontend development, backend programming, database design, and optimization. 5. Post-Launch Support A good RoR development company will offer consistent support, maintenance, and updates, ensuring that your application runs smoothly.Industries That Benefit from Ruby on Rails Development
1. E-Commerce –RoR's scalability and flexibility make it the backbone of a multitude of successful e-commerce platforms. 2. Healthcare – Secure and reliable applications for managing patient records and healthcare services. 3. Finance – Data on financial solutions with high security. 4. Education – e-learning platforms and or LMS 5. Social Media – Social networks with attractive features and scalability. Future of Ruby on Rails Development in 2025 Although there are other technologies gaining ground, Ruby on Rails is still one of the best ways to create a web application — it is powerful, flexible, secure, and well-supported by the community. it will continue to improve and become even more powerful for web development. Conclusion Hiring Ruby on Rails development services in USA for your next project starting 2025. The speed of development, scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness of RoR are some of the reasons it is still one of the best frameworks available for building web applications. Hire Ruby on Rails developers from us, contact us now for an experienced Ruby on Rails development team that can develop a quality web app for your organization.804 adminFebruary 12, 2025
The Best Cheap Website Builder of 2024
1. Wix – The Most Versatile Cheap Website Builder
Price: Free plan available; paid plans start at $16/month Features : Wix is one of the most popular and versatile website builders. Known for its drag-and-drop editor, Wix allows users to design highly customizable websites without coding skills. With over 500 templates and an intuitive interface, it’s ideal for beginners and small businesses. Pros : - Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder - A huge variety of templates - Advanced features such as SEO tools and mobile optimization - Free SSL certificate for security Cons : - The free version has Wix branding - Paid plans can get expensive for larger websites It is best for Small businesses, freelancers, and individuals who need flexibility and ease of use without paying high upfront costs.2. Squarespace – Best for Stunning Designs
Price: Paid plans start at $23/month Features : Squarespace is the go-to website builder if you’re looking for a beautiful, modern, and aesthetically pleasing website. With its premium design templates, it is favored by creatives, artists, and small businesses wanting to showcase their portfolio or product in style. Pros : - High-quality, professional design templates - Great for e-commerce - Built-in SEO tools and analytics - Mobile responsive templates Cons : - No free plan (only a 14-day trial) - Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners Best for: Photographers, designers, and creatives looking for a highly polished, design-forward website builder.3. Weebly – Affordable and User-Friendly
Price: Free plan available; paid plans start at $10/month Features : Weebly is known for its simplicity and affordability. It offers a free plan and some of the most affordable paid options among the top website builders. Its drag-and-drop builder is straightforward and a great choice for small businesses or personal projects. Pros : - Extremely easy to use - Built-in e-commerce tools - Free plan includes basic features - Excellent customer support Cons : - Limited customization compared to Wix or Squarespace - Basic templates Best for: Beginners or small businesses on a tight budget that need a simple, professional website without too many frills.4. GoDaddy – Best for Quick Setup
Price: Paid plans start at $9.99/month Features : GoDaddy is one of the largest domain name providers, and its website builder is perfect for users who want a quick, straightforward solution. With GoDaddy’s website builder, you can have a basic website up and running in minutes, thanks to its simple drag-and-drop interface. Pros : - Very fast setup - Integrated with GoDaddy’s domain registration services - Mobile-friendly websites - Excellent customer support and security features Cons : - Limited customization options - Less flexibility for advanced users Best for Individuals or small businesses that prioritize speed and ease of setup, especially those who already have a domain with GoDaddy.5. WordPress.com – Best for Blogging
Price : Free plan available; paid plans start at $4/month Features : WordPress.com remains the top choice for bloggers and content-driven websites. Unlike the self-hosted WordPress.org, WordPress.com offers a simple, hosted website builder ideal for bloggers and small websites. It’s also one of the cheapest website builders available. Pros : - Ideal for blogging and content management - Free plan available - Built-in SEO and social sharing features - Thousands of themes and plugins Cons : - Not as user-friendly for beginners compared to Wix or Weebly - Free plan includes ads and limited features It is best for Bloggers, content creators, and small websites looking for a cheap solution designed for content-heavy sites.Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cheap Website Builder
Pricing: Look beyond the base price. Some builders offer low initial rates but may charge more for essential features like e-commerce, security, or custom domains. Ease of Use: Opt for a builder with drag-and-drop functionality if you're not a tech expert. It saves time and reduces the learning curve. Customization: Ensure the platform allows for enough customization. Some builders are more rigid, while others give more flexibility in design and functionality. SEO Tools: The best website builder should include built-in SEO features to help your site rank on search engines. Customer Support: Especially for beginners, strong customer support is essential for troubleshooting issues.Why Avion Technology Is Your Trusted Web Design Partner
While cheap website builders can get you started, many businesses reach a point where they need more advanced capabilities and customization. This is where Avion Technology steps in. With over 25 years of experience in web design and development, Avion has the expertise to create a website that grows with your business.Here’s why Avion Technology stands out:
- Customized Solutions: Unlike cookie-cutter templates, Avion Technology creates fully customized websites tailored to your business needs and goals. - Expert SEO Integration: Our team ensures your website is optimized for search engines, driving traffic and increasing online visibility. - E-commerce Expertise: Whether you’re selling products or services, we have the experience to build secure, scalable e-commerce solutions. - Ongoing Support: We don’t just build your website and disappear. Avion offers ongoing support and maintenance to ensure your website stays up-to-date and functional. Building a website on a budget is easier than ever in 2024, thanks to the variety of affordable website builders available. However, as your business grows, you may need a more advanced, customized website to meet your evolving needs. That’s where Avion Technology can help. With over 25 years of experience in web design, we specialize in creating custom, SEO-friendly websites that drive traffic and convert visitors into customers. Whether you’re a small business, an entrepreneur, or a large enterprise, we’re here to support your online growth. Contact us today at Avion Technology to discuss how we can take your website to the next level!2786 adminOctober 17, 2024
What activities does your Chicago-based small business need within website maintenance?
1146 adminMay 18, 2023
Checklist To Ask Your WP Hosting Provider
Below is a checklist you can discuss and questions you should ask any provider you are considering.
• What uptime guarantee do you offer?
• What types of hosting are available?
• Is it free to upgrade to a new hosting package?
• What kind of security do you have in place to protect websites?
• Do you offer a free SSL certificate?
• What kind of backup policies do you offer?
• How responsive is your technical support?
Once you have a good idea of the hosting you need for your website, make sure you ask the following questions. In most cases, you can find the answers to these questions on the hosting company's website.
In some situations, you may need to contact the hosting provider's sales team to get an answer. Once you have the answers to this interrogation, you can decide which company offers you the best web hosting services. Let's go through each question one by one.
1. What uptime guarantee do you offer?
Regarding web hosting, nothing is more important than uptime and reliability. Most good web hosting providers offer an uptime guarantee of 99.9%, although some go as high as 99.99%.
2. What types of hosting are available?
There are many types of web hosting available. The following are the familiar types of hosting that companies should offer:
• Shared Hosting
• Virtual Private Server (VPS)
• Cloud hosting
• Dedicated server
3. Is it free to upgrade to a new hosting package?
Most small businesses need simple shared hosting. If you start generating a lot of traffic, you may need to upgrade to a VPS or a dedicated server. If your website reaches that point, you want to be sure that the hosting company can upgrade you to a new type of hosting easily and without downtime.
4. What kind of security do you have in place to protect websites?
Cyber security is critical, and for many companies, it starts with protecting the website. Some standard security features offered by good hosting companies include:
• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Mitigation
• Virus and malware scanning
• Email scanning
5. Do you offer a free SSL certificate?
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a basic form of security that protects your site and helps keep the users who visit your site safe. Having an SSL certificate is also essential for SEO.
6. What kind of backup policies do you offer?
You always want to keep your website files safe and protected. While website problems are rare, a good backup policy helps ensure you never lose any valuable information.
7. How responsive is your technical support?
If something goes wrong with your website, you want to affix it as soon as possible. Whether the problem is caused by you or your hosting company, contacting the technical support team will be the first step in resolving it. You’ll want to make sure your hosting provider offers 24/7 support.
Resource:
https://digital.com/best-web-hosting/questions-to-ask-to-help-find-your-best-web-hosting-services/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
936 adminFebruary 15, 2023
5 Hosting Addons Which Will Save Your Agency, and Clients, A Lot Of Heartache
To help you find web hosting that suits your needs, we compared popular web hosting services on essential criteria like security, uptime, and more.
Hostinger– Best Overall
Hostinger offers reliable web hosting at incredible prices. Split hosting plans start at $1.99 per month. Hostinger offers 24/7/365 support baked into the price of every project. The most popular option is the exceptional shared hosting plan which costs $2.99 monthly. You also get a free domain for a year, and a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate to secure your website. Hostinger uses its control panel - CPanel. It Has eye-catching and well-organized navigation icons and is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
DreamHost- DreamHost is home to over 1.5 million websites. People trust Dreamhost because they provide fast websites at great prices and plain words.
The company provides a 100% uptime guarantee and compensation if your site goes down. With the Shared Starter, you get 50 GB of storage for one website, up to 5 subdomains, WordPress pre-loaded and ready for you, and a domain, SSL certificate, and WordPress builder included for free.
HostGator- HostGator offers all the hosting essentials you need at a great price, plus it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee. HostGator provides a substantial list of how-to guides for technical support. You can turn to phone, live chat, and email support if you are still waiting for the answers.
In addition to Linux, HostGator offers a variety of options for upgrading, including Windows hosting, cloud hosting, VPS hosting, managed WordPress, and dedicated servers.
Bluehost- Bluehost is one of the finest web hosting enterprises in the world, for the most part among people launching their new WordPress websites.
They offer great rates and a beginner-friendly platform that simplifies every aspect of running a WordPress website.
If you get stuck or need help, Bluehost has 24/7 support via phone or live chat.
Bluehost also offers great analytics and SEO tools to track how well your website is doing for specific keywords.
WP Engine- WP Engine is the best WordPress hosting among many. They provide a great product, which is highly optimized for WordPress websites. If you want all the storage and speed you can get for your WP blog or online store, and this is the host for you.
Resource:
https://www.quicksprout.com/best-web-hosting
https://neilpatel.com/blog/best-web-hosting-services/
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1103 adminFebruary 2, 2023
Top 5 WP Plugins Your Chicagoland Small Business Should Consider
One can choose from over 50,000+ WordPress plugins, making it extremely good for a new competitor to find a suitable plugin for their website.
No matter what industry you're in, enabling WordPress with plugins is a tried-and-true strategy. It allows any entrepreneur to balance low investment and efficient results.
With all this in mind, we have set up the top 5 WordPress plugins that are useful for any small business.
WP Forms: Every website needs an exposure form because it makes it easy for visitors to contact you. WP Forms is the most user-friendly contact form plugin for WordPress (WP). This drag & drop online form builder allows you to create contact forms easily, online order forms, payment forms, email subscription forms, and all other online forms.
Yoast SEO: Yoast SEO is one of the powerful plugins for WordPress, which makes it easy to optimize your pages and posts to rank higher on search engines. With Yoast SEO, you get titles and meta description templates, so you can learn how to create this information according to SEO best practices.
Jetpack: Jetpack is a collection of unique tools and features that supercharge your site with tons of proper functionality. Jetpack offers the ability to have multiple plugins in one. The Automattic team behind WordPress also develops it, so you'll get exceptional developers behind the tool. From improving site security to optimizing user engagement, Jetpack provides many features to keep your site running smoothly.
Elementor: Elementor is the leading page builder for WordPress - it allows you to place various page elements with a drag-and-drop interface. That way, building your ideal website is as easy as clicking and dragging the features you want into the builder area — no coding is required.
W3 Total Cache: W3 Total Cache is a useful caching plugin for WordPress. Caching stores website content in a user's browser to provide that data faster the next time they access your website.
Resource:
https://blog.hubspot.com/website/must-have-wordpress-plugins
https://www.leadboxer.com/blog/16-best-wordpress-plugins-for-business
Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1008 adminFebruary 1, 2023 Youtube Video
In-House Vs. outsourced CTO
To implement new technologies in Your Company, you need a large talent pool, scalable infrastructure, and a strategy for continuous improvement. Therefore, your company needs a CTO.
Chief Technology Officer, or CTO, plays an essential role in the business. A CTO is a C-level executive responsible for all technology within a company, from hardware to software to teams and vendors.
In-House Vs. Outsourced CTO
| In House CTO | Outsourced CTO |
|---|---|
| Carry out day-to-day issues in the company | Review and analyze your IT department on a high level & advice on productivity |
| Aware of the functioning of resources in the company on a day-to-day basis | Handle delivery of technology initiatives and ensure risk-reducing operations |
| Costs around 150k | Cost can vary depending on the commitment |
| Suitable for midsized or large companies | Suitable for start-ups and small businesses |
Pros and Cons of In-House CTO:
Pros:
• They are available daily
• They follow the business objectives from the beginning
• An in-house CTO will understand the unique needs of the company
• There is a good relationship between the team members
• Technical issues are resolved quickly
Cons:
• Local tech talents are getting scarce
• Bonus is required
• Sometimes, the technology front can need more multi-domain expertise.
Pros and Cons of Outsourced CTO:
Pros:
• With an Outsourced CTO, it's easy to get started quickly without making a long-term commitment.
• They contribute new perspectives to the business.
• Offers effective tech solutions as they have expertise in a wide range of domains
• They stay on top of emerging trends and best practices
• Choosing an Outsourced CTO allows stakeholders to perform essential business functions.
Cons:
• Finding the right outsourced CTO requires a trust-based relationship
• Difficulty controlling an activity or task
• There is a possibility of a schedule mismatch
• Other schedules may make them less focused on the project.
Resource:
https://www.mindbowser.com/outsourced-cto-vs-inhouse-cto/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1251 adminDecember 14, 2022
Top 5 Product Definition Tools
Then, investing in improving and making product definition processes more effective can help. These days, a wide range of tools can help you save money, work more efficiently and deliver better products.
This article will highlight the five best product definition tools to help you identify the right one.
1. Monday.com
Monday.com is an online product definition platform that enables teams of all sizes to plan, track and manage their daily work. From product roadmaps to weekly iterations, monday.com helps teams define clear ownership, analyze and track their position, manage sprints, and collaborate. monday.com's easy-to-use platform makes it easy for the crew to work together from anywhere.
It lets you convert all data into attractive charts and Graphs and efficiently track projects. In addition, it facilitates effective real-time collaboration among your team; Your staff will be able to quickly and easily update the tool and import and export data.
2. Airfocus
Airfocus is the first and only modular product management platform on the market, built specifically for product teams to manage products to market, internal developments, IT portfolios, and more. The flexible platform helps product teams manage strategy, understand user needs, prioritize and align their teams on clear roadmaps.
3. Trello
Trello project management tool that helps product teams collaborate and organize.
Trello’s Key Features include the following:
• Kanban boards and checklists for easy task management
• Automate workflows with Trello's Butler bot
• A mobile app for Android and iOS devices for Product Management, Productivity, Team Management, etc.
4. Jira
Jira Software is a product definition tool that helps teams of all types manage work. Jira was initially designed for bug and issue tracking. Now, Jira has evolved into a versatile work management tool that can handle all kinds of work, including necessary management and testing.
Jira’s Key features include the following:
• Scrum and Kanban Boards for Agile Teams
• Create a roadmap to communicate the product strategy clearly
• Detailed analysis of team performance
• Built-in workflow automation
5. ProdPad
Another excellent product management tool, ProdPad, provides product definition with an easy-to-use way to develop a strategy. Using a drag-and-drop tool, you can create a lean product roadmap and communicate and define your product strategy without getting bogged down in the build process. Prod Pad Key features include:
• Road Mapping,
• Task Scheduling/Tracking
• Customer Management
• Project Management
• Prioritization
• Notifications
Product management can take time and effort. However, using the right product management tools, such as those described in this article, can help you manage, distribute, and track work more quickly, ensuring that you follow all steps and deadlines correctly.
Resource:
https://theenterpriseworld.com/top-5-product-management-tools/
https://theproductmanager.com/tools/best-product-management-tools/
https://clickup.com/blog/product-management-tools/#53-9-figma
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1368 adminDecember 1, 2022
How much should Small Businesses Pay for a Monthly Website Maintenance in Chicagoland?
Why Should You Maintain Your Website Consistently?
No matter how long you've been in business, your website should always look updated with the latest features and meet customer expectations. With yearly maintenance, you can protect your website from bugs and downtime. If you want your website to stay up and running smoothly, you should patch and upgrade any software you use on your site. And many more things to get updated on time.
How much should small business pay for website maintenance in Chicagoland?
You have to pay no fixed price to maintain your website. To recreate your domain and host your website, you must pay approximately $25 per month in the Chicagoland area.
A large business may have a dedicated service and may decide to spend on SEO and website development services. To avail of these services, you must pay up to $5000 per month.
Here is a list of website maintenance fees that you need to pay in the Chicagoland area:
Web Hosting: $3 to $1,000
Domain Name Renewal: $1 to $3
Tech Support: $50 to $3000
Ongoing development: $200 to $5000
Ecommerce system maintenance: $15 to $25
Analysis and reporting: $5 to $15
Site Backup: $3 to $10
Security Scan: Free or up to $100
CMS patches and upgrades: $20 to $200
SSL Certificate: Free or up to $100
SEO: $400 to $1000
The Frequency of Website Maintenance:
Web Hosting: You need a congruous web hosting service for which you pay a monthly or yearly fee.
Ongoing development: To continuously maintain and upgrade your website, you must pay hourly or monthly packages.
Domain Name Renewal: You must renew your domain annually.
Security: A daily scan is required, but you should scan at least once per month.
CMS Patches and Updates: You should upgrade your CMS monthly or at least once a year.
SSL Certificate: Depending on your certificate.
Tech Support: This is a monthly investment for website maintenance.
Analytics and Reporting: You need congruous monthly reports to maintain your website.
Site Backup: Regular backup can be best for website maintenance.
Resource:
https://www.pagetraffic.com/blog/website-maintenance-cost/
https://seodesignchicago.com/website-development-tips/how-much-does-website-maintenance-cost/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1045 adminOctober 21, 2022
Choosing The Right Development Company
How to Select the Best Custom Software Development Firm:
The most crucial factor in selecting a custom software development business should be that the partner complements and enhances an organization's existing capabilities and knowledge.
Regarding product development, coordinators and project leaders will rely on a multi-disciplinary team to design and produce the most refined product feasible for the enterprise's demands. A staff with a comprehensive set of skills will provide the most transparent and seamless experience. They have spent numerous hours honing talents beyond the basics and learning what it takes to go above and beyond. When looking to outsource software development, company leaders should consider the following essential skill areas:
1. Obtain Referrals from Others:
Speak with others in your network to get recommendations for custom software developers. It will expedite the process of picking possible custom software developers and assist you in gathering honest comments about them.
2. Speak about Coding:
The standard of the coding will have a direct collision with the quality of the appeal produced. Discuss the level to be maintained when coding with the bespoke software developers.
Mark your guidelines as -
• No buggy or resource-intensive code
• More Lean coding, for example.
3. Examine the Company Portfolio:
Examine a handful of the previous projects to get a sense of the types of applications on which the software engineers worked. Do you know why? The cause is as follows:
Custom software development organizations that have worked on numerous projects have a proven and tested process for project completion. On the contradictory, because of their lack of expertise, new software development firms are still in the process of building techniques. As a result, they are unknown of the issues that may arise during the software development lifecycle.
Consider the scope of your software development project. Most custom software development firms prefer taking on projects of a specific size, such as multi-year or multi-enterprise initiatives.
4. Comprehend Various Software Systems:
Learn about several software development technologies, such as Windows and UNIX. Choose the technology you want to build based on its qualities.
Examine the company's development technology experience; this is important if you create your project on a specific software system.
5. Concentrate on Delivery Time:
Choose a custom software development business with a track record of meeting deadlines. This software will not only give you and your team ample time to test the program and report any defects (if any), but it will also allow your personnel to train and orient themselves to better use the application.
Resource:
https://www.netsolutions.com/insights/choosing-the-right-software-development-company/
https://www.corelynx.com/blog/10-tips-choose-right-custom-software-development-company/
https://www.dewsolutions.in/tips-choosing-software-development-company/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1226 adminSeptember 20, 2022 Youtube Video
5 Best Recommendations for WP Hosting
Bluehost:
Bluehost, one of the oldest web providers founded in 1996, has grown to become the most prominent brand name in WordPress hosting. They are an authorized 'WordPress' hosting service. Your website will not slow with Bluehost, even when there is a lot of traffic. Their skilled support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via phone, email, or live chat. They are the best web hosting provider for small enterprises. In addition, WPBeginner users will receive a 63% discount, a free domain, free SSL, and a free site builder with templates.
SiteGround:
SiteGround is a well-known and highly rated hosting company in the WordPress community. They offer one-of-a-kind in-house WordPress speed and security solutions to ensure your site is as quickly and securely. They are regarded in the market for providing the best round-the-clock assistance, being an official hosting provider for 'WordPress.', which results in hosting the WPBeginner website with SiteGround. Automatic updates, daily backups, built-in WP caching, free CDN, free SSL, one-click staging, and GIT version control are among the SiteGround services, among the very few firms providing location-specific hosting, with 6 data centers in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
DreamHost:
DreamHost has been in business for 18 years and is well-known for making web hosting simple. You get a bespoke dashboard, 1-click WordPress installation, automatic WordPress updates, unlimited space, unlimited bandwidth, and complimentary SSDs that speed up your site by 200%. Over 1.5 million WordPress blogs and websites are hosted with DreamHost. They are also an official WordPress hosting provider. WPBeginner customers receive an exceptional 72% discount and a free domain and SSL certificate.
Hostinger:
Hostinger is quickly becoming a household name in the WordPress hosting sector. They provide:
• Low-cost hosting.
• Live chat assistance 24 hours a day.
• A solid website hosting platform.
Hostinger includes:
• A one-click WordPress installation.
• Managed automatic updates.
• Increased security.
• A free CDN.
• WordPress speed acceleration.
• Free site migration.
They also provide geolocation hosting, with a choice of 7 data centers in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Hostinger has 29 million customers in 178 countries. In addition, they have a special 80% discount for WPBeginner readers, free SSL, and a free domain name.
HostGator:
HostGator is thus far the best web provider, hosting over 10 million domains. In our opinion, every website owner must use WordPress for the following reasons:
One-click installation
99.9% uptime guarantee
24/7 hour support
They are the best web hosting for businesses, in our opinion.
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1251 adminSeptember 19, 2022
Top 5 Plugins for your Agency’s Small Business Clients
Web designers and digital marketers are constantly confronted with websites that host dozens of plugins incompatible with one another. These plugins are no longer supported by WordPress or are so intricately customized that touching them imperils the website.
How do you decide which plugins are worth it if you're constructing or maintaining WordPress sites for clients?
Let's take a peek at some of our favorites down below:
Atari: Atari's WordPress integration is one of the most excellent options for firms that work with clients.
Atari was initially designed as a visual feedback tool to assist agencies and developers in communicating more effectively and handling clients' demands more quickly and efficiently.
Atari evolved until we decided to transition to a complete SaaS model. Atari makes website management exceedingly simple for agency owners. There are two critical components:
ManageWP
According to Sucuri's newest hacked website report, WordPress websites remain the most popular targets for hackers. When you think about it, it makes dialectic. WordPress is the most popular CMS, and its flaws are well-known. So, why wouldn't hackers choose the simple path?
Just because WordPress has a target on its back doesn't imply your clients' websites should be vulnerable to hackers. What you can do is as follows:
A site's comprehensive security should always include server-side safeguards such as a firewall and SSL certificate. That is your first line of defense.
Contact Form by WPForms
Every website must have specific pages and functionalities. The Contact page and contact form for a case are non-negotiable.
The contact form is a quick, straightforward, and convenient way for visitors to contact individuals on the other side of a website.
Because of its critical function in online communication, you must be cautious about whatever contact form plugin you pick.
InfiniteWP
Managing a large number of websites can be difficult. Managing backups, changes, and databases for various customers might be challenging.
It's a lot easier with InfiniteWP.
This free plugin enables users to administer an unlimited number of WordPress domains from their server, easing their tasks and eliminating some of the difficulties above. InfiniteWP is a time-saving solution for all those "busy" jobs that are vital but time-consuming.
UpdraftPlus 3
Backups and security are inextricably linked. One cannot exist without the other.
And, while I've heard the brawl that you don't need a backup plugin if your web server does it for you, I disagree.
I insist on using a WordPress backup plugin because I believe in failover. You should consistently have a backup plan or system in place for everything you do (including backups for backups) because you never know when one aspect of your business will fail or be lost.
You have complete control over how all the time your website is backed up and where those backups are saved using Updraft Plus.
Resource:
https://mediatemple.net/blog/web-development-tech/7-essential-wordpress-plugins-for-a-new-clients-website/
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/top-wordpress-plugins-for-agencies/263137/
https://atarim.io/blog/wordpress-plugins-for-agencies/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1015 adminSeptember 12, 2022 Youtube Video
Filing For A Patent
Step 1: Create your invention
The invention is the initial step for an innovator who wants to proceed with their creation, getting critical to get as much information as possible. Some essential questions that the inventor should consider are: what is the field of the alteration, what is the profit, and how will it aid improve currently existing solutions? Not all inventions qualify for patent protection. Section 3 of the Patents Act identifies the subject matter.
Step 2: Patent Investigation and Drafting
Following clarification of the invention, the inventor must do a patentability search which is the better half since it will aid in resolving whether the vision is new or not. The Patents Act requires that all innovations fulfill the novelty requirement. After a thorough search and preparation, one must consider a patentability report and opinion. The patentability search determines the nearest potential previous arts.
Step 3: Submitting a Patent Application
The actual procedure begins with submitting a Patent Application. After preparing the patent application may be filed with the government patent office using the Form 1 application form, creating a receipt with the patent application number. Under Form 2, one can also file a provisional patent application if the innovation is still in its early stages. The advantage of filing a transitional application is that it allows you to obtain a previous date of filing, which is essential in the patent industry. In addition, one has 12 months to file the entire specification. One must utilize the Form 28 application to file for patents for start-ups and small businesses.
Step 4: Application Publication
From filing the whole specification, the application is published 18 months after the filing date. There are no particular essentials for posting from the applicant. If the competitor does not wish to wait 18 months, they can file Form 9 with the specified costs to request early publication. The patent exercise is published one month after the request for an early announcement.
Step 5: Submit a Request for Examination
Unlike publication, the examination is not automatic, and the applicant must request that the patent office study the patent application. Under Form 18, one must file a typical request 48 months after applying. Upon receiving such a request, the regulator assigns the application to a patent examiner, who examines it using various patentability criteria, such as novelty, non-obviousness, inventive step, and suitability for industrial application, and provides the applicant with the First Examination Report (FER).
Step 6: Respond to the Objections
The applicant must react to the patent office's complaint through the First Examination Report. The applicant is required to respond in writing to the objection expressed in the examination report. The applicant can demonstrate the invention's patentability and attempt to dismiss the whole complaint cited. Depending on the circumstances, one may even require physical hearings or video conferencing.
Step 7: Patent Grant
After resolving any objections, the application is submitted for a grant once it is determined to fulfill all patentability conditions, and lastly, the applicant would be given the patent. The issuance of a patent is announced in the patent journal, which is published regularly.
Resource:
https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/patent-process-overview#step1
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/how-to/how-to-go-about-patent-filing-in-india-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/86417211.cms
https://iptse.com/how-to-file-patents-understanding-the-patent-process-in-india/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1108 adminSeptember 8, 2022
Cloud or Not
Everything old has become new again.
Let us first dispel some common misconceptions about cloud data storage.
The debate over the merits of data in the cloud appears to stem from the perception that the concept is new and unproven, so people are unsure whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
The cloud was not new as early as the 1970s because many large companies could not afford their mainframe computers. Instead, businesses would "dial in" to remote computers managed by time-sharing services in what was then known as "time-sharing." Users of such services would send their data and analyze it on managed computers. Does this sound familiar?
Furthermore, because many companies were using a shared environment, users could easily access data of common interest. The time-sharing service would keep demographic and econometric data databases, which users could use in their analyses.
Reasons for leaving the cloud
An undercurrent among more giant corporations is making them reconsider their cloud services. The most common is bill shock. The temptation to build their internal cloud is growing as the cost of storage and servers falls. Other issues raised by businesses include latency issues, project failures, and a lack of functionality in cloud services. The departure is intensifying. While most cloud defectors are giant corporations, small businesses look to large corporations for philosophical guidance. Companies are constructing their clouds with all of the hassles associated with the cloud, not to mention security concerns. However, it comes at a cost that cannot measure solely in terms of hardware.
Data Monetization: Cloud Data Sharing
The fact that the cloud is neutral ground is one of the least discussed aspects of cloud computing. People can access and use data stored in the cloud via the Internet. While this idea is not new, today's technology provides unprecedented data collaboration and monetization opportunities. There is no reason a business partner cannot have access to information, albeit limited and controlled access, the inverse of the security issue. In non-cloud environments, data sharing is significantly more difficult.
Data monetization is a critical business benefit of data sharing, which is especially appealing for any business with high-volume customer data, such as retail or telecom.
Advantages of the Cloud
At the starting point of this article, it was advanced that the main benefit of the cloud can also be seen as a primary concern in using it because someone else is doing the work for you.
You can use the cloud to access expertise that your organization may not have. Working with a cloud provider has cost and operational advantages over doing it yourself. The typical acquisition and purchase order process takes time, making it difficult for a company to obtain computer systems when needed. It is frequently more accessible for the cloud provider to acquire new hardware than for your company to purchase what you require.
Is it better to cloud or not to cloud? You have a choice. Ultimately, companies should not make decisions based on organizational comfort; what is most valid from an operational standpoint will create the most significant business benefit. And make sure to ask the appropriate questions.
Resource:
https://www.wired.com/insights/2013/05/to-cloud-or-not-to-cloud-where-does-your-data-warehouse-belong/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrymyler/2018/01/11/to-cloud-or-not-to-cloud/?sh=408ac46a627c
https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/cloud-computing/public-cloud-vs-private-cloud-and-hybrid-cloud
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1217 adminAugust 30, 2022
Top Three PHP Frameworks
Top 3 PHP Frameworks:
- Laravel: Laravel can be given massive popularity due to its ability to handle complex web applications with extra security and speed compared to other frameworks. It simplifies the development process by reducing the complexity of everyday tasks like sessions, routing, queuing, and authentication. Laravel has excellent speed and commendable safety features with the flexibility to evolve with the latest web development trends.
- Symfony: Symfony is considered the best choice for web applications that needs scalability. It has many features. Its modular component system is exceptionally flexible and allows developers to select and select components for their projects.
- CodeIgniter: It is well known for its speed and footprint (about 2 MB in size with documentation). CodeIgniter is perfect for developing dynamic websites. It offers several modules that help create robust and reusable components.
Resource:
https://rollbar.com/blog/10-best-php-frameworks/
https://hackr.io/blog/best-php-frameworks
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1040 adminJune 17, 2022
Technology – A Competitive Advantage
Information and communication technology (ICT) can have a wide range of effects on competitive advantage. ICT enables the firm to respond effectively to change or business possibilities by making large amounts of information available to all personnel. It promotes team collaboration, allowing them to deliver strategic projects that swiftly lead to growth. Technology also boosts supply chain efficiency by facilitating communication and information sharing.
Regularly, new technologies enter the market. In many situations, they present chances for firms to redesign their business models and significantly improve the efficiency of existing operational methods. Companies that are better prepared and skilled at using these technologies will have a considerable competitive edge. To get this edge and surpass competitors, firms must adapt in ways that place humans at the heart of any organizational shift, deploy technology quickly, and create at scale through ecosystem collaboration.
What Makes a Competitive Advantage Last?
There are several forms of competitive advantages. They are not confined to a few procedures in which you may outperform the competition. For example, it might be operational excellence or product leadership. Alternatively, your solution may provide higher client personalization.
Your competitive edge is what you, your organization, or your department do better than anybody else. The term "durable" relates to your capacity to continue performing those tasks in the long run. And, indeed, you may have several advantages and build new ones. You don't have to have them all right now. Sustainable competitive advantages are organizational strengths that are specific to your company. These qualities differentiate you from your competitors. It's what you specialize in and is clearly valuable for your market. Skills or strengths that are significant to your clients are called competitive advantages. If the power you've found it essential to you but not to your customer, it's not a long-term competitive advantage. A competitive advantage is a benefit or reason customers choose you over your competitors. It has to be valuable to your consumer!
Use Data to Improve Agility and Power Innovation:
Use data to improve agility and power innovation, not just to understand the world but to make decisions and drive action. Data can show you where, when and what to focus on next. It can help you make faster and better decisions. It can help you predict and prevent problems before they happen. Data can help you in getting an advantage over your competitors. Data-driven organizations are more agile and better positioned to power innovation.
Companies that want to use their data more effectively to innovate at scale must first understand and recognize the value data can provide. They must also ensure that the data is clean, of high quality, compliant, secure, and entrenched at the heart of the business. Companies must link the "brain" of the business (the data) to the "body" of the business (operations). Data and analytics may assist firms in responding to market developments more quickly. Businesses may gain a competitive edge by leveraging data analytics to forecast future trends, analyze customer habits, and uncover new business prospects more rapidly.
UX Design is a Competitive Advantage:
In the quest to differentiate and compete in your markets, great design and user experience may make a potent combination. Over ten years, the Design Management Institute (DMI) evaluated S&P corporations and discovered that design-led enterprises outperformed their rivals by 228 percent, a truly astounding amount. It is no longer enough for your goods and services to be functional; they must also be holistic, linked, and enjoyable to use. Despite some being relatively mature, many organizations have spent developing user experience and design teams that have not seen this type of return. So, how are these fantastic organizations utilizing design and user experience to leapfrog their competitors? And how will they maintain their competitive advantage in the long run?
Here are a few reasons why UX and design help organizations:
- Enhances the Offerings' Market Fit
- Promotes an Innovation Bias
- Creates Experience Systems rather than Products
- Resonates Emotionally with Customers
Achieving a Competitive Edge with Automation:
Automation streamlines corporate processes, giving staff more time to focus on product creation and process improvement. This means that businesses may speed development or bring goods and services to customers faster than the competition.
Robotic process automation (RPA) reduces human data input and physical storage expenses by replacing manual paper-based operations. Companies may reinvest this money in crucial technical initiatives, putting them miles ahead of the competition. Although costly, RPA software is a long-term investment that may assist businesses in meeting these goals by aligning business operations with the requirements of people both within and outside the organization.
Businesses need to be more strategic in their business decisions to outperform their fast-moving and tech-savvy competition and become a household brand in their field. Automation solutions guarantee that a company's structured and unstructured information is automatically received, organized, and indexed properly, allowing it to make informed decisions for future growth. This involves extending the RPA solution to other organizational areas such as accounts receivable, legal, and human resources. These are all areas where automation may help businesses become more inventive and efficient, providing them a competitive advantage.
Summary:
As new technologies develop rapidly, firms that are proficient at spotting the opportunities they bring will gain a considerable competitive edge. Data will also play a significant role in enhancing agility, enabling innovation, propelling development, and opening new opportunities through ecosystems and collaborations. Businesses must think outside the box to become best-in-class, and RPA software provides them with the competitive advantage they require to become the go-to source for products and services in their industrial sector.
Resource:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2020/10/06/how-to-use-technology-to-gain-a-sustainable-competitive-advantage/?sh=1ac2c328328c
https://www.ey.com/en_in/consulting/how-can-technology-at-speed-create-competitive-advantage
https://www.dmi.org/page/DesignValue/The-Value-of-Design-.htm
https://madeintandem.com/blog/design-ux-sustainable-competitive-advantage/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1386 adminJune 17, 2022
Ideation
Ideation is a creative process where designers explore ideas in sessions (e.g., brainstorming, worst possible idea). It is the third level of the Design Thinking methodology. Participants gather with open minds to generate ideas in response to a problem statement in a supported, judgment-free environment. Ideation is a third stage of the design thinking process that encourages open thinking and risk-taking to generate solid and distinct ideas. Ideation differs from a typical concept planning session because it allows for independent thinking and teamwork. In most idea brainstorming sessions, team members become weighed down by listening to a superior's strategy. Their thoughts become focused in one direction on hearing from the superior, and their strengths and inventiveness are lost. As a result, the team generates pet ideas that support one significant idea while overlooking the capabilities of each member that should be utilized.
Finding New Perspectives is the Goal of Ideation Sessions:
It isn't easy to obtain the perspective needed to identify design solutions. You'll need a dedicated location for standing back and seeking and seeing every view to conducting good ideation sessions. But first, your team must identify the appropriate problem to treat. After "Empathize" (gaining user insights via research/observation) and "Define" (identifying links/patterns within those insights to produce a meaningful and feasible issue statement or point of view), Ideation is the third phase of the design thinking process.
Before looking for ideas, your team requires a clearly defined challenge to a focused problem statement or point of view (POV) to motivate and guide everyone. "How might we...?" queries, such as "How might we build an app that searches for affordable hotels in safe neighborhoods?"
Assist in reframing difficulties and encouraging effective collaboration toward potential solutions to bring people together to generate ideas and break down barriers. It would be best to have a trained facilitator and a creative environment, which includes a ready room with posters of personas, relevant information, etc. Your team will also need guidelines, such as a 2-hour time limit, quantity-over-quality concentration, a ban on distractions like phones, and a "There is no bad ideas" mindset.
Ideation Techniques:
Because of the nature of Ideation, it is critical to adopt appropriate strategies for the type of thoughts you are attempting to develop. The plan you select must also meet the needs of the ideation team, their levels of creative output, and their previous experience with ideation sessions. Here's a rundown of the essential ideation techniques:
Brainstorm:
Brainstorming is a well-known approach that uses group interaction to generate solutions by building on one another's ideas. Use this strategy with a group of five to seven people for more effective brainstorming. Limiting your brainstorming session to 20 minutes and having a minor group helps keep the topic focused. To develop more diverse ideas, try to include participants from various backgrounds or perspectives.
As the tagline "1+1=3" suggests, ideas are combined to form one good idea. Participants should be able to discuss their thoughts without fear of being criticized freely.
Brain Dump:
A brain dump is similar to Brainstorm; however, it is completed independently. The participants jot down their thoughts on post-it notes and then share them with the group.
Storyboarding:
When designing or optimizing processes, storyboarding is a valuable tool. Participants build a visual tale that illustrates their ideas and potential outcomes, allowing them to understand areas of improvement. Follow your consumer through the process, including the effects of your solutions.
Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a visual technique that develops linkages between the problem and alternative solutions your team is attempting to address. Write your problem statement or a high-level term linked to the situation in the center of a piece of paper or whiteboard. You will detail any related solutions or ideas raised by the team in the area surrounding that statement and use lines to connect them to the central theme. Next, add a layer that outlines how you will implement the recommended solutions, tying it to the preceding layer.
Worst Possible Idea:
The worst idea technique challenges participants to think of their worst possible solutions to a problem. While a brainstorming session supports all ideas, some people may be concerned about potential criticism; this strategy alleviates that concern by welcoming terrible ideas. It frequently creates a more enjoyable environment as people try to entertain one another and use their ingenuity to develop outrageous ideas.
Questioning Assumptions:
Many sectors have preconceived notions about accomplishing things, but this technique challenges those assumptions to generate more innovative ideas. As a result, you might choose to apply this strategy to improve an existing product or create a new one. Consider what you want to solve or develop, then brainstorm 20 to 30 assumptions about that product, service, or idea. These assumptions can be both optimistic and wrong, and they should apply to all elements of your company.
Final Thoughts
Ideation is frequently the most exciting step of a Design Thinking project since it allows for practically available free-thinking within the specified subject. The goal of the Ideation stage is to produce a vast number of ideas — ideas that may inspire newer, better ideas — that the team can then filter and narrow down to the best, most practical, or most original ones. Numerous excellent ways can assist the design team during the Ideation sessions.
Resource:
https://www.interaction-design.org/courses/design-thinking-the-beginner-s-guide
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/ideation
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/ideation-techniques
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ideation-in-practice/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1106 adminJune 14, 2022
WordPress Hosting
WordPress hosting is just hosting optimized to meet the performance and security needs. It also often provides a one-click WordPress install to simplify getting started with WordPress is possible.
WordPress hosting is classified into two types:
Shared WordPress hosting:
Shared hosting is a low-cost service where you share server space with other websites. WordPress hosting (whether shared or not) implies that the server is optimized for the specific platform.
WordPress hosting is inexpensive and simple to operate; shared hosting is ideal for new bloggers. When using this type of hosting, you share server space with other websites, which means you'll have to make sacrifices when installing many unique applications and upload large files. However, shared hosting eliminates the requirement for a dedicated server, which is advantageous if you are just starting.
Managed WordPress hosting
Managed hosting is an IT provisioning model. The service provider rents dedicated servers and associated hardware to a single customer and administer those systems on their behalf. Managed hosting is usually more expensive than shared hosting, but it includes additional features such as skilled system administration, 24-hour emergency support, and assured server availability.
The majority of managed hosting providers use the shared hosting model. Some, such as Amazon Web Services, employ a paradigm known as utility computing, which provides consumers with access to a utility computing cloud network but no system administration.
Shared or Managed WordPress Hosting?
Shared hosting is beneficial for small businesses that don't want to spend much money on web hosting. You'll share one or more servers with other websites while using shared hosting, which means you'll have to compete for resources like processing power and database access. However, shared hosting is not as expensive as you may believe, and it is an excellent method to create your brand and grow your business. Managed WordPress hosting, on the other hand, is a preferable option for organizations that want to host their website in the best possible conditions.
Resource:
https://themeisle.com/blog/what-is-wordpress-hosting
https://www.techtarget.com/searchitchannel/definition/managed-hosting
https://www.a2hosting.com/blog/shared-hosting-vs-wordpress-hosting/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1213 adminMay 20, 2022
Benefits of Building A Native App
Best Performance: The native mobile app development is built and optimized for a specific platform. As a result, the app displays exceptionally high levels of performance. These apps are fast and responsive because they are built for that platform and compiled using platform core programming languages and APIs. As a result, the app is more efficient. The device app stores the software, allowing it to maximize its processing speed. As users navigate the native mobile app, content and visual elements are already stored on their phones, which means load times are faster.
More Secure: Developing a native mobile app guarantees users reliable data protection.
Interactive And Intuitive: Native mobile apps run smoothly in user input and output. These types of apps inherit the OS interface of their device, making them look like an integral part of the device.
Resource:
https://clearbridgemobile.com/benefits-of-native-mobile-app-development/
https://decode.agency/article/native-app-development-benefits/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
874 adminMay 18, 2022
Types of SSL Certificates
An SSL Certificate is a code that provides security for online communications. It is just like a sealed letter in an envelope before mailing it. It enables an encrypted connection when the browser contacts a secured website.
There are three types of SSL certificates available today: single-domain SSL certificates, wildcard SSL certificates, and multi-domain SSL certificates (MDC). What is the difference between the verification process and the verification process required to get the certificate?
1] Single Domain SSL Certificates:
Single-domain SSL certificates apply to only one domain. One cannot use these certificates to authenticate any other part, not even the subdomain of the domain for which it is issued. The certificate protects all pages on this domain; For example, if cloudflare.com has a single-domain certificate, then cloudflare.com/learning (the homepage of the learning center) is also included in that certificate.
2] Wildcard SSL Certificates:
Wildcard SSL certificates are for a single domain and all its subdomains. The subdomain is under the umbrella of the main field. Usually, the subdomain address starts with something other than 'www.'
3] Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (MDC):
A multi-domain SSL certificate, or MDC, lists multiple different domains on a single certificate. With MDC, non-subdomains can share domain certificates.
Resource:
https://www.globalsign.com/en-in/ssl-information-center/types-of-ssl-certificate
https://www.cloudflare.com/en-in/learning/ssl/types-of-ssl-certificates/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
964 adminMay 10, 2022
Mobile SDK
What Is A Mobile SDK?
SDKs are essential tools used in app development projects. Let's explore the mobile SDK. We will explain SDK and why it is so important when developing mobile apps.
Every mobile vendor has heard the acronym "SDK" in discussions with their product and customer support teams. SDK is a software development kit, or Devkit for short. It is a set of software tools and programs used by developers to create applications for specific platforms.
SDK tools will include libraries, documents, code patterns, processes, and many more that developers can use and integrate into their apps. SDKs are designed to use for specific platforms or programming languages.
An easy way to imagine what an SDK is like is to consider it a first aid kit. In the first aid kit, you have various resources, including bandages, cotton, aspirin, etc. A software development kit is very similar. In the SDK, you will usually have:
- API
- Code Library
- Documentation
- Teaching
- Debugging
All of these personal tools help developers create software products. In fact, on any development project, your project management team lead may decide that using more than one SDK is in the project's best interest.
Importance of SDK for Mobile App Development:
Coding every tool and feature in your mobile app from scratch will take developers longer. There is no reason to code standard features already created for your developer. For instance, you want to share photos taken in your Android app directly on any social media platform. Instead of writing code for this feature, your developers can use the Instagram Android SDK toolkit to get the code needed.
Using mobile SDKs in development is a no-brainer when considering all the standard features your app needs. There is no reason to rediscover the wheel. Suppose you do not use SDK in development. In that case, you will lose valuable time in the market and spend more money on development costs. So using a mobile DSK is a wise option.
Resource:
https://www.redfoundry.com/what-is-a-mobile-sdk/
https://clevertap.com/blog/what-is-an-sdk/
https://appfigures.com/support/kb/626/whats-a-mobile-sdk
https://www.koombea.com/blog/what-is-mobile-sdk/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1185 adminApril 8, 2022
Loading Speed of your Website – Does it Matter?
Website performance means how quickly a browser can load fully functional web pages from a given site. Slow site speed can lead to poor search engine rankings, low overall site traffic, and negative user experience.
Why is website loading speed critical?
Conversion rate:
Many companies have found that a decrease in page load time of a few milliseconds increases conversions:
- Mobify found that reducing its home load time by 100 milliseconds increased session-based conversions by 1.11%
- Retailer AutoAnything's sales increase 12-13% when page load time is halved.
- As a result, improving site performance is a big part of conversion rate optimization.
Bounce Rate:
Bounce rate refers to the percentage of users leaving the website after seeing only one page. If the page cannot load in a few seconds, users will close the window or click away.
For SEO:
A site's performance on a mobile device is significant for SEO.
User Experience:
Long page load times and low response times to user actions create a terrible user experience.
Final Words
Websites with low loading speeds may force visitors to leave the website, return to the search results, and then visit your competitor's website. You need to make sure you have good website hosting and good website speed so that potential customers don't lose interest and keep browsing your website.
Resource
https://www.cloudflare.com/en-in/learning/performance/why-site-speed-matters/#:~:text=Website%20speed%2C%20or%20website%20performance,and%20have%20better%20conversion%20rates
https://www.velocityconsultancy.com/why-website-speed-is-important/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1056 adminApril 5, 2022 Youtube Video
The Best (ASO) App Store Optimization Tools
The following App Store Optimization (ASO) tools can help you grow your business by driving more traffic to your app pages in the App Store or Google Play, increasing keyword rankings, and increasing downloads:
1] App Radar: Successful app store optimization (ASO) involves using relevant keywords to attract users with high quality. One can easily find the right keywords for one's app or mobile game. One can also see which keywords the app is ranking for and compare them to the competitors.
Some of their trusted clients are iTranslate, Wargaming.net, Meister, Arise, Kolibri, and Mixvibes.
Key features:
- Keyword analysis
- Keyword optimization
- App store ranking tracking
- Ratings and reviews management
- Competitive research
- Large keyword database
- Real-time app store rankings
- App analysis
- App Localization Management
2] Apptweak: Apptweak is one of the best ASO tools for apps and Mobile games. Apptweak's keyword research and notification tool allows developers to find relevant keywords for their app. As you may know, ASO requires an intelligent keyword strategy and helps your app to the top of the search results. The Apptweak tool also helps in the competitor's research.
Apptweak's clients are PayPal, Amazon, Adobe, Jam City, Yelp, Big Fish, Udemy, LinkedIn, and Electronic Arts.
Key features:
- Keyword research
- Keyword ranking history
- Organic install per keyword
- Visibility score
- ASO update history
- Competitive Keyword Spy
- Category sorting
- Keyword volume and search popularity
- Keyword Impact Analysis
- ASO timeline
- Featured app list
- Keyword translations
- Establish keyword rankings and growth
- App download and earnings forecast
3] Storemaven: If you want to increase the App Store conversion rate, Storemaven is an excellent tool for you. Storemaven has a very scientific approach to organic users. Their app store testing platform guides you through creating A / B testing. Companies like Yahoo, Electronic Arts, Zynga, Kabam, Postmates, Warner Brothers, TikTok, and Uber use this tool frequently, from creating a strategic hypothesis to creating different variants, increasing test accuracy, and analyzing results.
Key features:
- Test result analysis
- Competitive research
- Data-driven approach
- A / B testing
- Personalized ASO policy plan
Resource:
https://www.blog.udonis.co/mobile-marketing/mobile-apps/aso-tools
https://www.velvetech.com/blog/mobile-app-store-optimization-tools/
https://digitalagencynetwork.com/tools/app-store-optimization/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
1688 adminApril 5, 2022
Can Website Redesign Boost Traffic?
Let's look at why redesigning your website is a good idea:
1] Improved Search Engine Rankings:
SEO is essential as the foundation of the Google ranking system. Older sites may not include optimal search engine methods. As you can guess, this will do more harm than good. Lastly, a lot can be done for old websites when it comes to SEO. On the other hand, a redesigned website is guaranteed to increase website traffic. And that's because it optimizes search engine optimization.
2] People Expect Changes and Improvements:
Your customers love your website because it looks innovative and professional. After a while, your clients will see the change or another revision of your website. They want to know the latest information about your company.
3] Better Information System:
Your website is an information center for your brand. It provides potential customers with valuable and relevant information about your business, products, and services. Lastly, this information helps close the deal and increase your website traffic. After all, search engines prefer quality content.
You can make the information on your site more potent by redesigning website services. Think of your website as your leading seller. So it makes sense to start with this. With the website redesign, you can organize the information you need and present it so users can find it easily. It is also essential to have an easy follow-up flow from one page to another.
Providing the best possible experience for your target audience will improve your success rate in gaining more customers. The ever-changing online world sees trends come and go, but your business can survive and evolve online for many years to come with a successful redesign.
Resource:
https://www.cyberoptik.net/blog/why-a-website-redesign-can-boost-your-traffic/
https://blog.hubspot.com/website/why-redesign-a-website#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20reasons%20are,scale%20of%20your%20website%20redesign
https://digitalhubaustralia.com.au/how-a-website-redesign-can-boost-your-website-traffic/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
Image Source: www.freepik.com
986 adminMarch 30, 2022
Mobile App Marketing – THE BASICS
Mobile app marketing involves user interaction, from learning about the product to becoming a loyal user. It also involves defining the target audience, learning how to reach them, how to interact with them, and analyzing the behavior in their app to constantly improve as users move through the editing funnel. A mobile app marketing strategy gets users to increase repeat engagement and become loyal advocates for the product.
1] Conducting Market Research To Understand Customers:
One must do thorough market research before launching the app. Before starting any development work, you need to identify the key players in your particular app category.
2] Tackle App Store Optimization (ASO):
Search engines are not the only source to find content. If you want your app to be found organically in the App Store, you need to optimize its descriptive content for app store searches.
3] Social media marketing:
Researchers say that people spend daily more than 1hr on social media. You need to optimize social media channels for branding. If you start promoting your app on social media channels, it helps raise awareness about your product. For example, social media is a great way to build community and get feedback from users who will not be encouraged to contact you through the app or your website.
4] Create A Website Or Landing Page:
Mobile websites are the leading source of app installs. It has become common to create a pre-launch landing page or a teaser video for your product. Once you have the video for your website, you can recycle it by posting it in the App Store, on social platforms, or in paid ads. In addition to creating hype around your app, having a pre-launch website is a great way to get started with building your domain authority and doing some quick search engine optimization (SEO).
Resource:
https://creadits.com/blog/6-fundamentals-of-a-successful-mobile-app-marketing/
https://clearbridgemobile.com/step-by-step-guide-marketing-mobile-app/
https://www.adjust.com/blog/your-guide-to-app-marketing-strategies/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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975 adminMarch 21, 2022
Uploading Mobile Apps on Google Play Store
Almost all businesses have mobile apps to engage their audience. If you are planning to launch your mobile app, the Google Play Store is the best platform to reach billions of users. Now, if you're wondering how to upload your mobile app to the google play store, end your search here. We've covered end-to-end information about the Google Play upload process.
A step-by-step process for uploading an app to the Google Play Store:
1] Creating a developer account: A developer account is required to upload a Mobile app on the Google Play Store.
1. First, Sign in with your Google Account
2. Accept the developer agreement
3. Pay the registration fee, which is $25.
4. Complete your account details
2] Link developer account with Google Wallet merchant account: A merchant account is required to either download the app or receive payment made by users for in-app purchases. All payments will be received in the merchant account.
1. Sign in with your developer account.
2. Go to the menu and click on Report
3. Select financial Report
4. You can set up a Merchant Account by clicking on Set Up Now
5. Mention business details.
6. Hit the Submit button.
7. The merchant account will then be linked to your developer account.
3] Upload the app on the play store: After registering a merchant account, you can now upload the Mobile app to the Play Store.
1. From the menu, select All Applications.
2. Click on Add a New Application.
3. Select language from the drop-down menu.
4. Add titles to your app
5. To upload your app, you can either upload the APK or create a store list.
4] Upload the android package kit (APK): An Android Package Kit is a file format for Android to store, distribute, and install apps on Android devices.
1. From the menu, click Publish Management.
2. Select App Release.
3. Select the type of release for the first release from internal testing, closed testing, open trial.
4. Tap Create Release.
5. Follow the instructions to upload the APK files.
5] Store Listing: In this step, you need to fill in the information about your app to upload your app to Play Store.
1. Add an app title, a short description, and a full description.
2. Add screenshots, images, icons, videos, and other graphic content.
3. Add translations of your app to other languages.
4. Categorize your app into related types and categories.
5. Add contact details.
6. Add a link to your privacy policy to access sensitive data.
6] Content Rating: Rating is important to build trust in your lead. If the app is not rated, it is highly likely to be removed from the Google Play Store.
1. Select the app in the Play Console
2. Click on Store Presence from the menu
7] Choose a pricing and distribution model: You can choose your app for free or for pay. The Google Play Store lets you switch from a paid app to a free app later but does not allow you to switch from a free app to a paid app.
8] Publish your app: Once you are convinced that everything is OK, take the last step to upload the Android app on Play Store.
Resource:
https://www.cubix.co/blog/how-to-upload-app-to-google-play-store
https://appinventiv.com/blog/how-to-submit-app-to-google-play-store/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1353 adminMarch 16, 2022
Why Website Maintenance?
It is essential to update and maintain your site regularly to ensure that your site is running at full capacity. Proper maintenance of your site helps to increase site security, increase the number of new visitors, drive back traffic, and more.
Invest in website maintenance for your website development, and here are the reasons why:
1] It Improves Security:
Many modern websites are based on open-source CMS like Drupal or WordPress. Although WordPress and other systems frequently release security patches, they are vulnerable to hackers trying to take advantage of outdated software. A professional website maintenance service will help keep your website safe and up to date.
2] It Enables Scheduled Backups:
By maintaining and adhering to a regular website maintenance schedule, it allows you to get reliable backups if your system crashes or anything else happens in your website's source program. Recovering with a working backup is easier than starting to rebuild your website from scratch.
3] It Boosts Site Traffic:
SEO increases your site visitors. For top ranking on SERP, you need to update your website regularly. Google does a great job at raising rankings for websites that are updated regularly.
4] Improved User Experience:
Your website must meet the expectations of visitors. This means that strategies to improve the user experience, and ultimately conversion, should be put on your website regularly.
5] Compatibility with Latest Algorithms and Tools:
Websites are rated high in rank if they are fast, error-free, maintained regularly, and contain fresh content. So, in order to climb up in the search result, you must regularly update and maintain your website.
Resource:
https://www.forumone.com/ideas/why-is-website-maintenance-important/#:~:text=Regularly%20updating%20and%20maintaining%20your,boost%20returning%20traffic%2C%20and%20more
https://bochiweb.com/10-reasons-why-website-maintenance-is-important/
https://wirebox.co.uk/the-importance-of-website-maintenance-and-support/
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1074 adminMarch 10, 2022 Youtube Video
Securing Mobile Apps
Following are some steps to implement a mobile trial and obtain a hacker-free application:
1] Source Code Encryption:
A major part of the code in native mobile apps is on the client-side. Cybercriminals can easily detect the bug vulnerabilities in the design and source code of mobile applications using mobile malware. Then, using reverse engineering techniques, authentic apps are repackaged into malicious apps and uploaded to third-party app stores to attract suspicious users. Recent reports suggest that malicious code affects more than 12 million mobile devices at any given time. Therefore, developers should ensure that the apps are protected from tampering-proof and reverse engineering attacks. So you need to encrypt your source code, and the encrypted source code will ensure that no one else can access that source code.
2] Platform-specific Limitations:
If you are developing multiple mobile apps, it is better to understand the security features as well as the limitations of the platform and code accordingly. You should also consider different user case scenarios, encryption support, password support, and geo-location.
3] Secure the data in transit:
When a mobile application accesses an enterprise or other confidential data, unstructured information is usually stored in the device storage. In order to protect data from data theft, it is advisable to use a VPN or SSL tunnel.
4] Secure the Backend:
Mobile applications communicate with each other through the API, which is vulnerable to attacks. The backend server should have security measures in place to protect against malicious attacks. Ways to strengthen API security include embedding API gateways, using official APIs in code, conducting code reviews, adding firewalls, using API keys, and using 2-factor authentication and tokens.
5] Cryptography :
Use advanced encryption techniques such as AES and SHA-256 with 256-bit and 512-bit encryption for hashing.
6] Prevent unexpected data pilferage:
When a user interacts with your app, they agree to specific permissions, which allow brands and businesses to collect important personal customer information. By enforcing ethical advertising and using secure analytics providers, you can be sure that your user data will never be inadvertently leaked to hackers or malicious commercial vendors.
7] Complete Dynamic and Static Verification:
Dynamic and static verification techniques are still not prominently designed. Little is it made available for the dynamic versions of mobile apps.
Following these steps can simply help enhance mobile app security.
Resource:
https://huddle.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/8-things-to-ensure-mobile-app-security/
https://www.flatworldsolutions.com/IT-services/articles/mobile-app-security-tips.php
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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2136 adminMarch 7, 2022 Youtube Video
Top DevOps Tools for Web Development
The DevOps tool helps DevOps developers to maintain efficient and seamless solutions. DevOps tools provide smooth communication between team members.
Here are the top 6 DevOps tools for web development in 2022.
1) JIRA.
2) Kubernetes.
3) Azure DevOps.
4) Ansible.
5) GitHub.
6) Slack.
1] JIRA:
Jira is one of the most essential and helpful software. It helps the web development team efficiently track, plan, and launch the software.
Jira is also used for issue tracking and project management by over 180,000 customers in many countries. Some organizations that use Jira for bug-tracking and project management include Fedora Commons, Hibernate, and the Apache Software Foundation, which uses both Jira and Bugzilla. Jira has tools allowing migration from competitor Bugzilla.
2] Kubernetes:
Kubernetes is abbreviated as K8s and is an open-source container orchestration platform for automating software deployment, scaling, and management. Google originally designed Kubernetes, but now the Cloud Native Computing Foundation maintains the project.
Amazon, Oracle, Red Hat, Google, IBM, Microsoft, SUSE, and VMware offer Kubernetes-based platforms or infrastructure as a service that deploys Kubernetes.
3] Azure DevOps Server:
Azure DevOps Server is a Microsoft product. Azure services such as Azure Artifacts, Azure Repos Azure Boards, Azure Pipelines, Azure Test Plans can help users access it from a browser. Azure DevOps provides developer services for allowing teams to plan work, collaborate on code development, and build and deploy applications. It can be used as a back-end to numerous integrated development environments but is tailored for Microsoft Visual Studio and Eclipse on all platforms.
4] Ansible:
Ansible is open-source software provisioning, application deployment, and configuration management, a tool enabling infrastructure as code. It provides the infrastructure to minimize the configuration time. Streamline the process of provisioning systems syntax that is more accurate than Puppet and Chef.
5] GitHub:
For web development, we use Github. It is used mainly to host open-source projects. Github provider of Internet hosting for software development and version control using Git.
6] Slack:
You are looking for DevOps tool slack for remote work as your best option. The Slack functionalities include public and private channels, messages, voice, and video chats to improve the remote working environment.
Resource:
https://www.hyperlinkinfosystem.com/blog/top-devops-tools-for-web-development
https://softuvosolutions.medium.com/5-devops-tools-you-must-use-in-2022-6e830a7db7ba
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1289 adminMarch 4, 2022
AI Platforms for Content
The creative aspect can be enjoyable, but the scientific element is far more challenging. In addition, creating content is a labor-intensive process that takes time, effort, and input.
So wouldn't it be magnificent if there was a way to still take pleasure in the enjoyable aspects of content creation without having to worry about slavishly producing content every day?
You can, due to tools for creating AI content. In addition to your regular content creation efforts, using artificial intelligence can help you increase your output without sacrificing the quality of your production.
What exactly is the generation of AI content?
Everyone is asking this question, but the answer is far from the image of a room full of robots obdurately banging away at keyboards that come to mind. AI content production essentially entails having software do the material building for you. It writes everything from blog posts to digital media text to ebooks, landing sites, emails, product listings, etc., and things in between. There is even a move on the way to creating audio and video content, and the tools in question provide a wide range of abilities. Others excel at writing email subject lines that get opened, while some can make blog entries in the majority with the press of a button.
Content AI and Machine Learning Application Types:
Content production (automation) A few keywords and some tools can generate a complete collection of articles. An AI tool will be better able to write any content that needs to fit inside SEO parameters.
Modern AI systems can update and modify any number of articles at a considerably faster rate than a human content producer, thanks to dynamically changing SEO rules and algorithms.
Personalization of Content
Most online businesses get a wealth of helpful information about their customers. Content customization uses visitor information (such as geographic location, demographics, and shopping preferences) to provide pertinent content based on audience preferences and motivations.
It can be anything from a particular call to action to a dynamic landing page that alters depending on consumer segments based on location or industry! The introduction of intelligent chatbots that choose material for consumers based on their prior interactions may further personalization.
Text mining and keyword research
Some programs can examine the best keywords for improving your website's organic ranking. These programs scour your text-based material for the presence of high-performing keywords that will bring visitors to your website.
Best Artificial Intelligence Content Creation Tools in 2022
- Articoolo: Article Generator Automatic
- Automated Insights' Wordsmith: BI Meets Content Creation
- Grammarly: A Free Online Writing Aid
- Content Spinner by WordAi
- Article Forge: High-Quality Content in 60 Seconds or Less
Resource:
https://mydukaan.io/blog/ai-content-creation-tools/
https://www.jasper.ai/blog/ai-content-creation
https://www.predictiveanalyticstoday.com/artificial-intelligence-platforms/#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20Top%20Artificial,the%20top%20Artificial%20Intelligence%20Platforms
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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957 adminSeptember 2, 2022 Youtube Video
How do Companies Benefit from AI
Revenue generated by AI has grown over the years in most business operations using AI technology. The use of AI in businesses has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses should focus on using a range of intelligent technologies for the most significant benefit, from machine learning to natural language processing.
AI can meet three essential business needs:
- Automating business processes
- Gaining insights through data analysis
- Engaging with customers and employees
How can AI benefit a company?
1] Efficiency and Productivity Gains:
Efficiency and productivity gains are the most important benefits of implementing AI within the enterprise. AI technology helps to increase productivity and operational efficiencies. AI technologies are great at driving or even replacing lower-level, repetitive tasks. The technology handles functions at a speed and scale that humans cannot match. AI allows workers to move to higher-value tasks that technology cannot do.
2] Improved speed of business:
The most crucial function of AI is to help companies save time and money by automating and optimizing routine processes and tasks. AI makes quick business decisions based on the output of cognitive technology.
3] Better customer service:
Machines can work 24/7; they don’t sleep, don’t need breaks, don’t get bored. We can Use insights to predict customer preferences and give them a great, personalized experience using AI technology.
4] Increase revenue:
We can increase revenue by identifying and maximizing sales opportunities. All it takes to start is an open-minded attitude and a willingness to embrace new opportunities wherever possible.
Resource:
https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/6-key-benefits-of-AI-for-business
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/business-benefits-artificial-intelligence
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1201 adminMarch 9, 2022
Chatbots
You can arrange food, plan flights, and get proposals for essentially anything you can consider. Keeping in mind that we're in the good 'old days, the most recent numbers, both as accessible bots and utilization, all highlight a specific something. Selection is developing
If you like it, chatbots and menial helpers are the fate of advertising and client assistance, and that implies they may introduce new open doors for your business moreover.
What Are Chatbots?
Chatbots – otherwise called "conversational specialists" – are programming applications that copy composed or spoken human discourse for the reasons for recreating a discussion or collaboration with a genuine individual. There are two crucial ways chatbots are offered to guests: online or independent applications. Today, chatbots are utilized most ordinarily in the client care space, expecting jobs customarily performed by living, breathing human beings, for example, Level 1 help agents and consumer loyalty reps.
These services of a chatbot can deliver diverse and important life-saving health messages to check the weather forecast or purchase a new pair of shoes and anything else in between.
The chatbot can communicate with you through different social media platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, Siri, WeChat, Telegram, SMS, Slack, Skype, Okay Google many others.
Feature of chatbots are as follow-:
Allowed to investigate: Current conversations can be accessed on the web and in the intranet by seeking customer questions. As the client's knowledge base grows, so do chatbot responses improve, and they can identify which articles were essential and which ones were not.
Logical: An incredible chatbot will have the option to propose and suggest items and administrations for client management based on current or past organizations.
KCS: Short for knowledge-centered service, KCS is a strategy and rules for building and saving hierarchical knowledge. It's extraordinary for making intelligent machines, as it gives bot makers a guide to follow to ensure chatbots are moral, practical, and improve over the long haul.
Privacy: In the wake of ongoing information penetrating, bots are safer than any time in recent memory. Many are currently altogether straightforward about what information they gather and what they use it. Clients regularly have the choice to quit information assortment whenever wanted.
Customized: Along with recalling things like a client's name and purpose behind looking for help, chatbots would now show more compassion and change their language and tone depending on the setting. For instance, they recognize that a flight crossing out is awkward instead of treating it with a lack of concern.
The three best examples of chatbots are as follows-:
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut clients can undoubtedly arrange pizza for conveyance or carryout from Facebook Messenger or Twitter. Clients can likewise reorder their #1 pizzas, pose inquiries, and see current arrangements.
It should be obvious there's a store of approaches to using chatbots, and the user numbers don't lie. They probably won't have taken over at this time. However, more individuals are getting more mindful of their uses - and more brands are taking advantage of that chance.
Mastercard
Mastercard's Facebook Messenger bot makes it simple for clients to beware of record exchanges (for example, ask, "what amount did I spend on eateries in May?"). With Masterpass, clients can likewise now purchase from Mastercard accomplices like FreshDirect, Subway, and The Cheesecake Factory.
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal chatbot makes it simple to keep steady over huge news and stock statements with Facebook Messenger. You can likewise modify alarms type in some essential orders, and you can get organization data, key monetary measurements, and animal cites, alongside the most recent news posts.
Conclusion -:
Chatbot innovation will adjust to us, and making individual chatbots will be as simple as changing the settings on your Fb account or adding an inbox channel to your email. It will know your environmental factors, your own set of experiences, your way of life, and your language. We cannot yet understand or envision it will get help in proper manners.
Resource:
https://kinsta.com/blog/chatbot/
https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/10/04/chatbots
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/9-great-examples-of-how-brands-are-using-chatbots/524138/
https://blog.ubisend.com/discover-chatbots/what-is-a-chatbot-introduction#:~:text=A%20chatbot%20is%20a%20program,this%2C%20respond%20with%20that)
https://www.conversocial.com/blog/11-characteristics-of-a-super-useful-chatbot
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1139 adminFebruary 24, 2022 Youtube Video
Artificial Intelligence is Changing Healthcare and Pharma Fast
The primary goal of health-related AI applications is to analyze tie-up between prevention or treatment techniques and patient outcomes.
Medical science has improved rapidly, but the healthcare system is facing increasing demand for its services, and staff are struggling to meet the needs of patients.
A joint report with the EU's EIT Health explores how AI can improve patient experience, access to healthcare, and pharma services.
Artificial intelligence is used to develop new drugs, fight disease, and more in the pharma and biotech industries. Pharma businesses are utilized AI to increase the success rate of new medicines.
Artificial intelligence is a broad term used in healthcare to describe the use of machine-learning algorithms and software (AI), which mimics human comprehension in the analysis, presentation, and understanding of complex medical and healthcare data. In particular, AI is the ability of computer algorithms to draw approximate conclusions based on input data.
Here are some of the ways that show how artificial intelligence is helping the healthcare and pharma sector:
- Disease diagnosis
- Medical processing
- Data storage
- Manage appointments
- Medical advice and consultation
- Drug interactions and discovery
- Reduces time
- Other applications
1] Disease diagnosis:
Artificial intelligence help in detecting decrease faster, and it helps diagnose it. Al also used to find cures for known diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and rare diseases. With the help of Al, the cost of medical treatment will automatically decrease, and the doctors can remotely monitor patients.
2] Data storage:
AI helps to store and monitor patients' data. Doctors can monitor patients' old medical history. It allows doctors to study and cure diseases. Numerous companies are now exploring the possibility of incorporating big data in the healthcare industry through advanced data analytics.
3] Medical processing:
Al is capable of examing the thousands of electronic medical reports.
4] Manage appointments:
An AI-based patient management system improves to automate the work. With an AI system, we can book an appointment with doctors remotely. It is thoroughly Scheduling patients' appointments simplifies the process, thus helping both the doctors and the patients.
5] Medical advice and consultation:
Nowadays, most hospitals have their apps. With the help of these mobile apps, people can read and connect with the doctor and take medical advice or consultation.
6] Reduces time:
With the help of this AI-based application, a patient can connect with doctors remotely. It also helps in data entry and lab test analyses. It reduces routine tasks, which means doctors can focus more on complicated cases and interact with patients.
7] Drug interactions and discovery:
Drug interactions may sometimes become a menace for people taking numerous medications. The machine learning algorithms extracting information about specific drugs and their harmful side effects become easy.
Artificial intelligence and pharma industry.
Examples:
- Novartis pharmaceutical corporation company uses AI to predict untested components researchers should explore to find new cures.
- Tencent Holdings leverages AI to monitor patients remotely.
- To help multinational biotech companies find treatments for rare diseases and Healx uses AI.
- IBM Watson helps match patients with the proper drug trials
- Apple company uses AI to Screen children for autism.
Resource :
https://ehealth.eletsonline.com/2020/01/how-is-artificial-intelligence-shaping-the-healthcare-and-pharma-industry/
https://www.digitalauthority.me/resources/artificial-intelligence-pharma/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence_in_healthcare
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1202 adminFebruary 17, 2022 Youtube Video
AI – Applications of AI
Administrative Tasks Automated to Aid Educators:- Non-educational tasks such as task-related duties such as facilitating and automating personalized messages to students, back-office tasks such as grading paperwork, arranging and encouraging parent and guardian interactions, regular issue feedback facilitating, managing enrollment, courses, and HR-related topics can all be assisted by artificial intelligence.
Voice Assistants:- A student can use Voice Assistants to acquire supplementary learning material or support without the involvement of a lecturer or teacher. This reduces the cost of producing temporary handbooks while also making it simple to get answers to frequently asked topics.
Spam Filters:- The email we use every day features artificial intelligence (AI) that filters out spam emails and sends them to spam or trash folders, allowing us to see only the filtered content. Gmail, a popular email service, has achieved a filtration capacity of around 99.9%.
Facial Recognition:- Face recognition algorithms are used by our favorite devices, such as phones, laptops, and PCs, to detect and identify users to enable safe access. Apart from personal use, facial Recognition is a commonly utilized Artificial Intelligence application across various businesses, including in high-security settings.
AI Applications in Gaming:- The gaming industry is another area where Artificial Intelligence applications have gained traction. AI can be employed to generate intelligent, human-like NPCs to interact with the players. It can also predict human behavior, which can help with game design and testing. AI stalks the player throughout the Alien Isolation games, launched in 2014. The game employs two Artificial Intelligence systems: the 'Director AI,' which is constantly aware of your whereabouts, and the 'Alien AI,' which is guided by sensors and behaviors and is always on the lookout for the player.
AI Applications in Automobiles:- Self-driving automobiles are built using artificial intelligence. AI can be combined with the camera, radar, cloud services, GPS, and control signals to drive the vehicle. AI can enhance the in-vehicle experience by adding features like emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and steering aid.
AI Applications in Agriculture:- To detect flaws and nutrient deficits in the soil, Artificial Intelligence is applied. AI can analyze growing weeds by utilizing computer vision, robotics, and machine learning techniques. Artificial intelligence bots can assist in the harvesting of crops at a more significant volume and faster rate than human labor.
AI Applications in Social Media:- In social media, AI technology offers a variety of applications, including customer experience management, sales, and marketing management, performance monitoring, and workforce management, all of which give businesses a competitive advantage.
AI Applications in Marketing:- This use of behavioral analysis, pattern recognition, and other AI tools, users can deliver highly targeted and personalized ads. It also aids in retargeting viewers at the appropriate time, ensuring more remarkable outcomes, and reducing emotions of distrust and frustration.
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and has no intention to claim it as our own.
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1531 adminJanuary 11, 2022
Augmented Reality (A.R.) Vs. Virtual Reality(V.R.)
Augmented reality and virtual reality technology generate interest in their possibilities for marketing, gaming, entertainment, e-commerce business, and brand development. It sounds similar, but they are two very different concepts.
What is Virtual Reality (V.R.):
Virtual reality is a computer-generated technology to take you in the alternate world or reality. This technology is used in 3D movies and video games. It is also used in training, education, and science. V.R. headsets consist of a head-mounted display with a small screen in front of the eyes and a specially designed room with multiple large screens.
What is Augmented Reality (A.R.):
A.R. can be defined as a system that incorporates three basic features a combination of natural and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and natural objects. Augmented reality means putting a digital product in the environment.
Augmented reality technology is designed for unrestricted movement. This technology projects 3D aspect over whatever you were looking at. This concept extends to smartphones with apps and games like Snapchat and pokemon go game, hololens holograms, etc.
Difference between A.R. and V.R.:
A.R. and V.R. are two different things, and each has its weaknesses and strengths. The difference between A.R. and V.R. is that AR uses 25% virtual and 75% natural while V.R. is 75% virtual and 25% real. A.R. does not need a headset, but some V.R. headset device is required. These are some differences between A.R. and V.R.
Resource:
https://in.pcmag.com/vr/109911/augmented-reality-ar-vs-virtual-reality-vr-whats-the-difference
Disclaimer:
Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a pure quotation and no intention to claim it as our own.
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1384 adminDecember 27, 2021
Visual Recognition using IBM Watson
How does IBM Watson Visual Recognition work?
Visual Recognition understands visual data. It can turn plenty of images into organized information using deep learning algorithms. Visual recognition can analyze any visual data (images and videos) like objects, scenes, colors, food, faces, and other content. It then displays the results containing keywords and information about the content.
IBM Watson visual recognition has some built-in models which help you to recognize people, food, animals, plants, and many more. If you want to use these built-in models, then you need to gather the images that you want to analyze and test them against the built-in models to gain insights. IBM Watson also provides an option to create a custom model to use your own images. For the custom model, you need to prepare the images as the training data and organize them into positive and negative images. After that, you need to upload the examples to create and train a custom model then analyze images using your own model.
As mentioned earlier,we (Avion Technology, Inc) has also worked on the integration and customization of IBM Watson Visual service API in a few of our projects. In one of the projects, the user can upload or capture an image of the tools placed in a tray with his phone. Each tray has pre-defined QR code to identify which tool it contains. When the user captures the image or uploads it, the image is sent to the API. The API analyzes the image and sends the response. The results include the total number of tools placed in the tray, and it also identifies if any tool is missing in the tray along with tool names.
Why should you choose Avion?
We have a team of experienced developers who have worked on the projects involving both integration and customizations of IBM Watson API. Please do not hesitate to Contact Us, and you will be able to make your vision a reality and a dream come true. Disclaimer: Wherever any material is quoted as sourced from the published text with publishing rights vested in an individual, it is stated that it is a genuine quotation and no intention to claim it as our own. Resources: https://www.ibm.com/watson https://www.ibm.com/watson/services/visual-recognition/ https://blog.gnshealthcare.com/why-ai-is-all-the-buzz#_ftnref1 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Block-Diagram-Representing-the-Algorithmic-Process-Used-by-the-Visual-Recognition-Based_fig9_325885099 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-artificial-intelligence-market https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325885099_A_Novel_Visual_Recognition-basedAuthentication_Model_Using_a_Hybrid_TrustTheme_to_Verify_Provider_Profilesfor_Enhancing_Information_Assurancein_Online_Healthcare2472 adminJanuary 29, 2020
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