With the severe limitations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises have widely adopted virtualization across various domains and operations. By going virtual, businesses were able to empower resource sharing through multiple operating systems and reduce the costs, increase the flexibility of IT assets as well as reduce maintenance and management costs, increase scalability and load balancing for IT infrastructure.

This potential of virtualization promoted the idea of implementing cloud computing technology and resource sharing for software test automation services. Cloud computing has developed over years and is encouraged by the growth and expansion of technology which promotes the fundamentals of communication and information. In particular, cloud computing presents an online resilient ecosystem that encourages companies and individuals to control the enormous size of the data that has an impact on the framework execution.

Cloud computing means leveraging the internet and distributed servers by utilizing software applications to obtain data, maintain it and collect resources. Cloud enables the users, enterprises and businesses to handle these distributed services and applications without a need to install software and without internet access.

 

Cloud Based Software Testing

Cloud testing as TaaS can validate different products for individuals or organizations. Based on that, many IT organizations are using the licensing model of cloud to test software solutions and services for customers online instead of installing tests. For example, if an enterprise is looking to perform load testing then it can be leveraged from the cloud technology provider as service. Based on this ideology,we can split the testing into three main types, such as:

• Testing the infrastructures and competence: this type of testing is performed from the security side.

• Testing of a cloud: this type of testing can be done by the customers of the cloud. It will show the validation and the quality of the cloud from the external side.

• Testing over clouds: this type testing is performed by cloud based application providers. It will test the service application based on the system requirements and its specifications, here the testing is done through different types of cloud such as public, private and hybrid clouds.

 

The Different types of Cloud Services

1. Software as a Service (SaaS): it provides the cloud infrastructure specifications for users. The applications available on this infrastructure can be reached by an interface that can be accessed from different platforms and is available to any user via the internet. Users can access and use such applications without installing them. The application user interface is a web browser (Google doc, Photoshop). 
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): this model gives users the potential for deploying their own solutions by using the platforms of the cloud providers (ex: services of databases and application server) and enable the user to develop, use and manage some web applications (Google apps). 
3. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): where users obtain the services provided by computing plus that they can deploy systems of their own configurations. They can rent the infrastructures they need as building blocks of the cloud; it mainly deals with physical resources like storage, network devices. All these resources can be used on demand (i.e.,the user pay per use (Microsoft azure). 
4. Hardware as a service:: buying IT hardware or maybe hardware virtualization. Cloud can have three main models.

 

The models as described in:

1. Public clouds: this type means that the services of the cloud are available to everyone and the cloud is owned by the organization that provides the services. 
2. Private clouds: usually this type is used by government agencies or some companies that require a huge amount of security and data integrity, so they build their cloud or leverage a publicly available cloud that is secured by a firewall. This cloud is allocated to each enterprise and can be accessed only by authorized users or resources within the companies. 
3. Hybrid clouds: this type is a mix between public and private clouds. Some cloud services are available to any one (public) but some others are only available to authorized users.

 

The Need For Cloud In Software Testing

Enterprises need to perform different software testing tasks to guarantee that the quality of the application or software is absolutely perfect before deploying the application. QA teams must not only ensure that the software is error free but it should also be able to efficiently integrate cloud-based solutions, end-to-end system function testing, software performance and scalability over multiple platforms.

 

Cloud based software testing are as mentioned below:

A cloud-based business test environment, analysts can deploy the application on cloud infrastructure to validate the software quality. They will not have to spend huge amounts on buying these infrastructures as they are allocated based on “pay as you use” policy.

Cloud/SaaS-oriented testing – This kind of software testing is preferably conducted inside a cloud by QA analysts of cloud/SaaS vendors. The fundamental purpose is to ensure the quality of the presented service functions administered in a cloud (or a SaaS program). These QA analysts must go through system testing, application integration, system capacity validation and regression testing. The cloud also provides tools and resources to conduct performance as well as scalability evaluation.

Since clouds and Software as a Service (SaaS) normally present reliable service APIs and connectivity interfaces to users, it is expected responsibility for analysts to verify these APIs and connectivity in a cloud environment. Also, the applications security services, privacy features and functional features must be tested in the cloud environment by leveraging test generators and test labs. Moreover, performance testing and scalability testing of a software is critical to cloud/SaaS vendors because this guarantees the quality of cloud elasticity to sustain SaaS and cloud services within a cloud.

Online-based application testing on a cloud – This variety of testing is usually conducted to check the online software solution on a cloud by leveraging cloud-based traffic generators and realtime user conditions. This is a typical usage of cloud technology to improve existing online applications or software. It helps in conducting online-based system capacity testing and functionality evaluation on a cloud by taking the support of cloud computing resources without using any in-house test infrastructure. When newer apps are updated based on a legacy system, the condition of the attachment between the legacy systems and the under-test application deployed on a cloud must be verified.

Cloud-based application testing over clouds – This testing applies to the quality analysis activities implemented to guarantee the condition of a cloud-based application across multiple clouds. When a software is created to be deployed and administered over various clouds, new testing measures are implemented to assure its quality. Unlike the last two types, the principal testing purpose in this case is to guarantee the quality of the  application over clouds. This implies that the test automation services, function validation, execution validation, and scalability measurement must get along with various cloud technologies. This definitely obscures the responsibilities for checking system adaptability, interoperability, and connectivity between multiple clouds.

Conclusion

Software testing is one of the crucial activities in the software engineering or product life cycle. With the current work from home situation, performing a complete software test has been a challenge for various enterprises. The cloud based software testing has created a huge transformation in the traditional testing strategy and has helped several enterprises deploy efficient applications on time. Therefore, it is imperative that enterprises focus on more cloud based strategies and revolutionize their existing development/testing phase with more innovative solutions.

 What is Patch Management – A Guide

• Patch management is an integral part of IT operations management. It safeguards an organization’s IT infrastructure from ever-increasing security threats.
• Patch management is, in some ways, a “best practice” for maintaining the quality and stability of software components of an IT infrastructure.
• Patching is a non-discretionary response to a vulnerability or to minimize the negative impact of a security breach.
•  

Why do we need patch management?

• We need patch management because it is essential to protect the computers and devices of an organization from cybercriminals who exploit vulnerabilities.
• When a vulnerability is exploited, cybercriminals could gain access to confidential information, destroy our data, or use our computer system with administrator privileges.
• With a patch management system, we can constantly update every system in an organization, making it a lot harder for a cybercriminal to exploit vulnerabilities. Patches can also be delivered by an intelligent download program to make sure we are protected.
• The world is also getting more and more threats, with over 600 new malware items detected every day. We need to make sure we are protecting ourselves from these major threats.
•  

What are some best practices for patch management?

• Patch management is implemented to ensure that critical operating system and application updates are installed on systems. It is a process of evaluating, testing, and installing software updates to fix any bugs or vulnerabilities discovered since the last update.
• There are many different types of patches. Some patches fix bugs in an application, while others might add new features. Security patches are one type of patch that is usually very important because they fix security vulnerabilities that can be used by hackers to invade your system and steal data.
• Patch management practices depend on the type of organization or individual doing the managing; some people will use patch management tools while others will follow manual practices.
• Organizations such as Microsoft have a set of guidelines for how their products should be patched, which includes how often they should be updated and if they require certain criteria before updating.

Here are some best practices around patch management:

1. Create a proper patch management strategy.
2. Verify the integrity of the patches before applying them.
3. Keep your company up to date with the latest patches and updates for operating systems and applications.
4. Set a standard for your company that everyone should follow.
5. Make sure your employees know how to find and apply updates or patches.
6. Encourage the use of patch management software.

What is patch management software?

• Patch management software is an application that helps IT departments keep up to date with the latest security and software updates.
• One of the most common issues IT departments face today is keeping track of all the patches and software updates their system needs. This can be a very time-consuming process, as there are usually many different types of systems that need various updates.

How to choose the right patch management software for your organization?

• There are several factors that an organization needs to consider when choosing a patch management solution for their IT infrastructure.
• Firstly, the organization must identify its patch management requirements. This will require a survey of the organization’s assets and vulnerabilities. It will also need to be communicated to the IT infrastructure, and therefore any vendor of the chosen solution.
• Secondly, the costs of the solution need to be assessed. This includes the capital expense of the solution, as well as the ongoing OPEX to manage it.
• Thirdly, the compatibility needs to be analyzed. The organization needs to ensure that the chosen solution is compatible with all of its assets, as well as any vendor software in use.

Top free patch management software

Here is some popular patch management software that organizations can use to safeguard their endpoints.

• Motadata ServiceOps Patch Manager
• SentinelOne
• GFI LanGuard
• ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus
• JetPatch
•  Atera
• PDQ Deploy

Different companies have varying needs for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. With ERP solutions, they can streamline various processes like human resource management, sales, inventory, marketing, finance and resources. ERP is also important to promote communication and transparency between various departments and exchange information more efficiently.

Despite all aforementioned benefits of using an ERP software, not every company can afford it. Not to mention, the cost of an ERP software depends on the requirements of a company, which means that a business owner can go for a cheaper software but he might have to compromise on some functionality.

In this blog, we will be focusing on who needs an ERP software and what are its different types available in the market. By the end, you will have a more precise idea about how much the software is going to cost you and why you need it.

Who Needs an ERP Software?

The requirement for an ERP software cannot be decided by the size of a company. In various scenarios, the software would be more beneficial for a startup than a large-scale business and vice-versa. The following factors will help you decide whether you are in need of an ERP software or are good without it.

1. You Value Business Data

From human resources to sales, all important information can be stored and accessed from an ERP software. The business owner can access this data at will and use it for processes like performance evaluation, resource planning and team management.

2. Organizational Problems Reflect in your Customer Experience

Slow communication, inefficient transfer of files and poor coordination amongst departments slows down the overall workflow of a company. To keep the business on track, it is essential to improve this coordination. ERP software performs various functions to smoothen the intra business discrepancies and ensure business problems have the minimum impact on the customer experience.

3. You Want to Reduce the Overhead Costs

Centralizing and integrating various functions on a single software reduces the overhead costs. Different software requires a different and long overboarding process, some might even be really expensive. By using ERP software, you can keep all your employees on the same pace and reduce overhead training costs.

4. You Want to Eliminate Human Error

Manual execution of important processes like inventory tracking and preparing purchase orders leaves scope for human error, which is often only detected after the damage has been done. When automated with an ERP software, the chances for human error decrease significantly.

Different Types of ERP Software

If you fall under the category who finds itself requiring an ERP software, you’d also like to know which ERP serves your purpose the best. While the ERP software types that we are going to discuss below do differ in price and deployment time, they both have their specific benefits:

Readymade ERP Software

Readymade ERP software is the off-the-shelf software that comes with all essential features. Some ready-made software are also customizable, however, their scope of customization often depends on the terms and conditions of the vendor. They are more recommended to the entrepreneurs who require minimum to no customizations. A strong downside to ready-made ERP software is that they may fail to resolve your certain problems.

Pros of Readymade ERP Software

• Fastest to deployment
• Come with all necessary features
• Available as both one-time software and SaaS
• Save time on planning and development
• Come with proper guides and documentation
• Software updates are available in future
• Available at a fixed price

Cons of Readymade ERP Software

• Are developed to meet the general requirements of all entrepreneur
• Less scope of customization
• Can be only integrated with selected third party software
• Can fail to meet resolve certain problems
• Updates can be expensive
• Give no competitive advantage to the business. They are an ERP software used by thousands of brands

Custom ERP Software

Custom ERP software is tailored to meet the unique requirements of a business. Sometimes, the custom ERP solution is developed from a minimum viable product (MVP) or scratch developed. Custom ERP gives business owners the choice to select the technology stack and set of features. The cost of custom ERP software mainly depends on these features and the level of customization you require.

Pros of Custom ERP Software

• Tailored as per your business requirements
• Made to resolve specific and unique business problems
• Basic functions, such as accounting and inventory are enhanced to suit your business
• Are more secure than readymade ERP software
• On-boarding becomes easy as the business owner is often an active participant of the development
• Price depends on the selected set of features
• Can be integrated with a wide range of software

Cons of Custom ERP Software

• Development requires proper planning and is also time consuming
• There are no software updates
• Isn’t available as SaaS
• Help and support options are limited to the software developer

Determining the Cost of ERP Software

Readymade  ERP Software Cost Estimation

The cost of readymade solutions is fixed. This means you can easily browse the internet to find a solution that fits under your budget. The average cost of readymade ERP software ranges between $1,000 – $10,000. SaaS readymade solutions are cheaper but as they come with recurrent costs, they are not so cost effective.

Some SaaS ERP providers also charge business owners as per the number of employees. For example, $50 per month per employee. If you have 20 employees, this means your ERP software will cost you $1000 per month. For this reason, readymade solutions are mostly used by small and mid-size businesses.

Custom ERP Software Cost Estimation

The cost for custom ERP development depends on the selected technology and features. This is because difficult programming languages and complex features require expert developers, who cost more to the software development company. However, you can either get a fixed ballwork for the custom ERP solution or pay at hourly rates. The price formula for the later is (hourly rate * number of developers) + taxes.

Via the quotation based pricing, custom ERP solution should cost you around $3,000-15,000. By hourly development, a junior developer will cost you $25-40 per hour, a senior will cost $40-80 and a dedicated project manager will be approx $50-$100 per hour.

Note: The aforementioned figures are fair estimates based on current market rates and the actual development cost may vary.

How to Build a Custom ERP?

There are two methods to build a custom ERP. One is waterfall development and the other is agile development.

In waterfall development, all requirements are gathered before the actual development process and any changes during the development process require the team to begin the entire development process from square one. On the other hand, agile development focuses on iterative development. It includes various development sprints that allow for regathering of requirements and leave scope for mid-development changes.

For ERP development, we advise you to opt  for agile methodologies, which resolve the problem of feature selection. The development team can begin the development process with base requirements and add on features at a later stage.

Each sprint of agile development process includes the following stages:

Preparation of the Scope of Work

Scope of work is the initial planning of every sprint. It defines the problem and features required to solve them. The scope of work developed by the development team after gathering requirements from the business owner and thoroughly analysing them.

Planning

The planning stage involves the preparation of the backlog and distribution of responsibilities. The turnaround time for the completion of the first sprint is also decided in this stage. A proper timeline and chart showing every member’s workload and bandwidth is made.

Development

In the development stage, the programming of the source code takes place according to the accepted terms. In the first iteration, only the bare minimum features are developed and tested. In later stages, incremental progress takes place till the software becomes fully functional to meet the business owner’s requirements.

Testing and QA

Final testing and quality assurance rounds ensure that all bugs and defects that were undetected in the previous testing stages are removed from the software. There can be multiple rounds of testing and QA depending on required changes.

Documentation

The documentation of the software and other handovers are prepared once the end-product is ready for deployment. 

Deployment

In the deployment stage, the end-product is finally deployed on the company’s server and initial support is provided to help the company keep the software useful.

What are the Key Features of an ERP Software?

Entrepreneurs interested in custom ERP software are required to select a feature set. Below is the list of most demanded features in an ERP software:

Accounting: Accurate and detailed accounting via ERP software provides greater control to companies over their resources. It helps them track expenditure and execute processes like invoicing, general ledger, accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR). Some ERP software are also integrated with budgeting and forecasting features.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Features like a common contact center, lead management, contact management and campaign management assist in CRM. With ERP software, businesses can also keep a track on order history and send important reminders.

Project Management: Project management features that are common in most ERP software are risk management, project reporting, project budgeting, task allocation, correspondence tracking and design.

Asset Management: Features like asset planning, realization, maintenance scheduling, contracting, GIS location tracking and more help a company monitor their assets’ performance.

Supply Chain Management: (SCM): ERP software can also keep tabs on the company’s inventory, demands, distributors, suppliers and purchase orders.  It can also automate several of these processes for enhanced supply chain management.

Reporting: Employee reporting is required to update the stakeholders of their respective projects. They help in decision making and evaluating work performance.

Manufacturing: Features like sourcing of raw materials, visual planning, production monitoring, workload scheduling, product configuration and quality management assist companies in streamlining their manufacturing process.

Human Resource Management: HR tools and features like attendance, payroll, expense management, policy management, compensation management and timekeeping are also in high-demand in ERPs.

Sales and Marketing: An ERP software can have different marketing modules and integrations. To reach more customers, businesses can also schedule and execute campaigns on ERP software. They can also keep an account of all customers, automate monthly sales reports, send sales invoices, management return requests and track expenses on every lead.

Data Analysis: For business growth, ERP software can convert real-time collected data into actionable insights, such as sales reports, marketing reports, expenses reports,  performance reports, comparison reports and more.

How to Choose the Right ERP Company for Your Business?

For getting a quality ERP software, you will need to hire experts who can understand your requirements and execute them efficiently. Without understanding and carrying out strategic development, a company is highly unlikely to meet your expectations or even deliver the software within the turnaround time.

To find an ERP company who can actually develop a reliable software for your company, check out the following points:

1.  Search on Critic Websites

Several entrepreneurs do the mistake of finding experts on freelancing marketplaces. Those marketplaces are so easy to enter that inexperienced firms can also portray them as industrial experts. However, if you do want an affordable ERP software development company, then begin your search on websites like Clutch and GoodFirms. These websites regularly evaluate software development companies to save you the job.

2.  Discuss your Requirements with the Company

You may like several companies while conducting your search. To sort them out, contact their sales experts one by one and discuss your business requirements. Ask for a ballpark estimate and clear your doubts. If they can provide you with a case study or portfolio, you can evaluate their work quality more efficiently.

3.  Compare your Options

After receiving price quotations, you can compare different ERP development companies with each other. Consider their work experience, turnaround times, number of allocated developers and payment options for an objective comparison. Feel free to reach back to a company to ask a question or clear any doubts.

4.  Customer Support

Lastly, if you get stuck between two or more companies, review their available customer support options to make a trustworthy decision. Some companies provide free technical support for a limited time of period and also offer omni-channel customer support options. These are the companies you’d want to select for the development of your ERP software.

Conclusion

ERP software has become a backbone powering various functions in hundreds of companies. They help you reduce costs and track resources. If you truly require ERP software for your business, evaluate quality with the price. Otherwise, custom ERP software is always a more reliable option than readymade. With the information provided above, you can confidently opt for custom ERP development.

Cloud computing is a revolutionary technology that is transforming every aspect of business in each industry. The retail sector also can make the most out of implementing cloud technology in their process; to make operations efficient and increase productivity. Not only the business is embracing technology, but the customers are also becoming more tech-savvy. As a result, it is crucial to embrace the latest in your business process to adapt to the market trends and demands. All the giant corporations in the retail industry are using cloud-based software in their process and making the most out of it. The small and medium enterprises in the retail sector are still planning or reluctant to embrace this technology. 

The market size of the cloud-based software in the retail sector.

The global market size of the cloud retail software globally was approximately $11.9 billion in 2018. Also, the experts predict that the size will expand to reach around $39 billion by the end of 2026. The market size of this technology in the retail sector will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3% during these years. This technology has a strong base in the retail businesses in North America and is growing exponentially in the Asian Pacific market. Let’s discuss the future of cloud-based software in the retail sector in this blog.

Reduce operational cost:

Retail businesses have a stricter profit margin that they have to work on because the retail business sells the products on a fewer profit margin. As a result, they sell more quantities to make more money and keep the business running. Finance is a crucial asset for any industry, size, and type of business that they need to spend efficiently. The retail business has enough of the operational cost already which needs to be addressed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Adding the cost of IT infrastructure and the team will drain their profits and possibly bankrupt. The cloud-based software will reduce the operational cost because you do not have to invest in the infrastructure or teams. Because The Point of Salesoftware vendors allow you to pay on a subscription basis and also increase and decrease the number of users according to business needs. Furthermore, they also provide excellent customer service that is friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to help when a client has queries or grievances. The cloud vendors also take care of the upgradation and the maintenance; of the system so that your teams are working; on updated systems. 

Enrich and enhance collaboration:

Retail businesses have to manage multiple aspects of the organization to make a successful organization. Because they have various products, outlets, teams, departments, vendors, and suppliers. It will be a challenge for your team to manage, collaborate and communicate between the retail teams. The retails businesses that do not have transparent and efficient communication; will result in mistakes and increase team frustration. The cloud-based software will help to centralize the entire operations on a single platform. As a result, all the teams and resources can have real-time access to the data so they can efficiently manage. As everything is on a single platform, they can communicate; with all the teams, departments, vendors, and manufacturers easily. Increased transparency and easy communication help enhance the customer experience and make more profits.

Delivers reliability, scalability, and flexibility:

Cloud-based software is a perfect tool for small and medium-sized retail businesses that have a great potential for expansion. As a result, they need a software solution that is reliable, scalable, and flexible because it should adapt to your business needs and demands. This technology will help to make a higher return on investment that will help in business expansion. Additionally, it enables your team to complete the operations from anywhere and at any time. 

Minimize operational time:

Operations cost your business time, money, and effort that is why it is crucial to use them efficiently. Additionally, the less time you use to complete the operations, it will positively impact the customers and create a brand image. As a result, your retail business will get more referrals and repeat business from your existing customers. As discussed above, the cloud-based software will centralize the operation, which will help your retail team to navigate easily. Furthermore, the online POS system will help your team to have a real-time update about your stock availability and merchandising policy so that your customers do not have to wait for a long time. 

Efficient data handling:

The retail team generates a large volume of data which is impossible to manage manually. Needless to say, that inaccuracies in data management will impact your business in all aspects of retail. Additionally, it will increase customer and team dissatisfaction because nothing will be in its place. The cloud-based software will provide real-time, accurate, and detailed analysis of your data; which will be tracked automatically. As a result, organizations will make lesser mistakes and better strategic decisions that are data-driven.

Contactless shopping experience:

The recent pandemic that shook the world and its population has transformed businesses drastically. The retailers can use cloud-based POS solutions with mobile deployment so that the customers can shop; through their phones. This software will help the customer check; the product availability, explore the options, and pay for them; through the phone. Additionally, they can also track the real-time status of the delivery and process easy exchange and returns. As a result of convenience shopping, cloud-based retail software is going to be the future of the industry. This software will help the retail team members and their customers safe from contracting the deadly virus and continue to make revenue. 

Conclusion:

Cloud-based software has numerous benefits for retail organizations; that is the reason behind this technology gaining popularity. More retail businesses will adapt to cloud computing because of the cost savings, real-time updates, and contactless deliveries. 

It may seem like almost everyone in the IT industry is raving about cloud-based software, recommending it regardless of industry or specific business objectives. Cloud-based software, they say, is the way of the future, offering unparalleled benefits and greater digital security in a single package.

Yet many businesses are still hesitant to undergo dramatic renovations of their software or technology departments, and for good reason. Changing to new technology or applications might be costly, particularly if a given business already runs well on existing devices or software. It’s very important that business leaders ask themselves some questions before digitally transforming their business processes to cloud-based.

What exactly is cloud-based software and why is it becoming more popular than ever? The answer to both questions is simpler than you might expect.

Cloud-Based Software in a Nutshell

Cloud-based software comes from cloud computing, which essentially means accessing, developing or storing programs and data on the Internet instead of storing them on a physical hard drive.

Under a classic computing model, any software your computer accesses must be installed on your device’s physical hard drive.

With cloud computing, all your computer needs to do is access the Internet, then it can use a program installed on a cloud server. That software can be accessed by other computers who have the same privileges and permissions, as well.

This decentralized computing style is affecting every aspect of the IT industry, from computer security to software development and business. But its increasing ubiquity and apparent ease of access don’t fully explain why it is so much more popular now than it was just a few short years ago.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Software

Cloud-based software provides a number of advantages to enterprises that adopt it fully. Let’s break down some of the most insightful ones.

Lower Costs Across the Board

For starters, cloud-based software usually comes with lower costs for businesses that leverage it. Businesses no longer have to purchase individual software licenses to install software on dozens of computers for their company. Now they can rent software for their entire staff by paying a single monthly fee.

Furthermore, cloud-based software means you don’t have to rely on many IT support services. Most IT support for a given software type or brand can be handled by their associated data centers.

Even the costs of supporting or maintaining various applications are lower since cloud vendors handle updates and upgrades for any software they provide.

On a more technical level, cloud-based software only requires businesses to pay for the computing resources they need. Businesses also don’t have to spend time purchasing, building, and/or maintaining hardware to store their programs and data. Fees for renting data storage space are usually much cheaper.

Business leaders can easily justify the cost of transitioning the cloud-based software due to the long-term savings they’ll likely see after adjusting.

Faster Access to Hardware and Software

One other advantage of cloud-based software is faster installation. Since a company’s computers can simply download any software or computing resources they need, they no longer have to wait for software licenses to be delivered or for hardware to be constructed.

Instead, all that’s required is for an enterprise to contact a cloud-based software company, sign a licensing or rental agreement, and immediately gain access to what they require for their objectives.

This fast access allows companies to grow at much speedier rates than they used to, as well as handle many more visitors or users during high-traffic times.

Are your servers being overloaded by the number of visitors to your website thanks to a new promotion? Simply requisition more server resources from your cloud-based software vendor.

More Reliable Data Security and Backups

Furthermore, cloud software provides much more reliable data security and backup functionality compared to traditional counterparts.

This kind of software can be updated and improved straight from the cloud, allowing any new updates to be disseminated to individual software versions throughout the network in a flash.

Thus, a cloud services company that finds a minor security breach can patch the breach with their version of the software, then roll out the fix to all affected companies much more quickly than otherwise.

Companies are less likely to have their data stolen or their servers compromised if they use cloud-based software overall. This even extends to physical breaches – disgruntled employees can no longer steal company secrets directly from local hard drives as all valuable data is instead stored behind password-protected cloud servers.

Backups can also be scheduled quite frequently using cloud-based software. This prevents valuable data from being lost due to a power outage or a security breach.

Ultimately, there’s no wonder why cloud contact centers, digital marketing agencies, remote software developers and many other industries are becoming the new normal in contrast to their predecessors.

Any enterprise concerned with greater IT security should transition to a cloud-based software use model ASAP.

Easy Access from Anywhere with Internet

Perhaps most important of all, cloud-based software allows company employees and executives to access crucial data or applications from anywhere they can connect to the Internet.

No longer do they need to make sure they have their “work computer” with them – they can find the files they need or access a company dashboard in a few minutes after logging in with the appropriate credentials.

This will likely provide even greater benefits later down the road as internet marketing for small business and big enterprises becomes more of a necessity.

The Final Word: Cloud-Based Computing and Software is the Future

In the end, any business that wants to survive – and thrive! – in the modern economic environment will need to leverage cloud-based software as much as possible.

Many surveys already suggest that a majority of industry leaders are looking to adapt their business models moving forward, focusing on agility and flexibility. Cloud computing, and the software that comes along with it, is the best way to accomplish these goals in the technology department.

Cloud computing is here to stay, and it’s only going to become more ubiquitous in a few years. Make the leap now, while the shift is still happening, to using cloud-based software sooner rather than later. Before long, your company will see bigger benefits and greater security!

With everyone adjusting to the new normal, E-Learning or Remote Learning is something that’s now become normal for students. As teachers move up to online teaching methods, it can be challenging for students to keep the same interaction level as there would typically be in a physical classroom. That’s why it’s crucial to find ways of allowing students to interact with teachers and with each other, even in a virtual classroom. This can be done through collaboration tools available online.

What are collaborative tools?

Teachers are responsible for guiding students and shaping their learning experience. In order to achieve that, it is necessary for teachers to make sure that students should be as attentive as they were in a physical classroom before the new normal came into existence.

Collaborative tools are used for different types of online services that allow people to work together on common projects and assignments, regardless of their physical location. It can be used with something as easy as email or something as complicated as a project management software. The scope of these tools is not limited to the academic use only. In businesses, these tools are used to discuss the integration of essential topics like cloud based payroll process, timesheet management, etc.

How do collaborative tools work?

Even the students who are new to any online learning platform will have some knowledge about communicating through digital means in their everyday lives. Since it is inappropriate for students to communicate with their teachers on social media apps, these collaboration tools can create a space for them to communicate through direct messages, video conferences, and online group tasks.

To say that kids in today’s generation won’t be familiar with technology would be a wrong statement. Kids these days know their way with smartphones better than we adults do. With technology developing at such a fast pace, kids have become tech-savvy.

To ensure that students get the best E-learning experience, it is important for teachers to pick the best collaborative tools.

Some of the most commonly used collaborative tools are-

1. Zoom

Zoom is a video-calling software program developed by Zoom Video Communications. The free version of the application comes with a video chatting service that allows up to 100 participants at once with a 40-minute time restraint. This video-chatting tool provides users to attend a meeting from their desktops, laptops, or mobile devices. 

Zoom comes loaded with features like

• Personal Meeting ID- Zoom provides its users with a private meeting ID anytime they create an account on Zoom. This ID number helps them attend or launch meetings.
• Zoom is accessible on all devices; Windows, MAC, Linux, Chromebook, Android as well as iOS.
• Screen sharing- Zoom lets its users share screens on other devices they want to use. Users can switch from mobile to web or vice-versa on their devices.
  
  

2. Skype

Skype is an established telecommunications application developed by Microsoft Corporation that specializes in providing audio and video chat services on computers, tablets, mobile phones, and smartwatches. Skype also provides users with Instant Messaging (IM) services through which users can exchange audio and video clips and images.

Some of the features that make Skype a collaboration tool

• Users can add multiple contacts and make Skype a conference calling tool. It allows up to 24 participants per video chat.
• Screen sharing.
• Skype lets users create groups on their application and access IM in group chats.
• Users can transfer files while already on a call, making it easier for teachers to share notes about what they are explaining.

3. Facebook for Education

Facebook is a social networking site that helps users connect with each other and their family members. Since Facebook was already famous and a commonly used app among kids and adults alike, Facebook decided to launch Facebook for Education, a platform for E-Learning. Of all the tools, Facebook seems to be the most effective because it’s commonly used by a wide range of people. Students can engage in classroom activities by being in their own space, therefore not shying away from their work and allowing them to share their opinions and information.

Facebook provides features like

• Workplace- Facebook provides Workplace as a tool to connect, communicate, and collaborate on desktops and mobile phones with features like audio and video calling, group chats, and individual chats. 
• Facebook Groups- Facebook groups help users connect with people who have similar interests as theirs.
• Messenger- Messenger allows users to connect with other users and talk to them one-on-one.

4. Hangouts by Google

Google Hangouts or Hangouts by Google, is a video messaging tool developed by Google that allows users to collaborate with features like instant messaging, video calling, image and file sharing, and screen sharing. Hangouts can be accessed on Google’s website or via their mobile application available for both Android and iOS. Hangouts is the best collaboration tool for teachers willing to engage their students in collaboration online. Hangouts allows users to interact with each other despite their geographical barriers.

Other than features like messaging, video calling, and screen sharing, Hangouts provides other unique characteristics like

• Ease of use- Hangouts’ user interface is easy to figure out, and users can learn how to use it without any instructions. Google also provides users with any help that they may need while accessing the app.
• Privacy- Hangouts respects your privacy by accessing chats to users only you invited or added. However, for security reasons, Google can access your conversations.
• Accessibility- Hangouts’ organized headings and landmarks make it easier for users to navigate everything.

5. Google Docs

Google Docs is a web-based word processor offered by Google within its Google Drive Service. Google Docs is accessible on the web, as a mobile application for Android and iOS, and as a desktop application on Chrome Operating System. Google Docs can be accessed by E-Learners to collaborate on their team projects. Users can have access to so many amazing document templates for free.

Some of Google Docs’ unique features include

• Talk instead of typing- Google Docs allows users to use their voice instead of typing with the help of their voice typing tool.
• Offline mode- Users don’t need the internet to access Google Docs(except for when you connect. You can set it up for offline use after that.).
• Google Docs’ unique sharing facility allows multiple users to review and edit a document simultaneously.

Final note-

Using collaborative tools is essential as it helps increase students’ interest while learning online. The tools listed above are all smart choices for smart learning.

The most valuable resource of any company is its customers!!

In today’s economic environment, it is important to minimize the churn of customers and increase their profitability. And, this cannot be achieved without building trust and loyalty.

The foundation of trust is an effective customer management and an individual approach to each of them.

Good customer knowledge allows you to fundamentally change the business model: from an ineffective strategy of finding new customers for the proposed solutions, to moving to develop solutions for existing customers, taking into account their needs. This personalized service is a direct path to building loyalty, which means increasing the value of the customer base and the company’s success.

With technological progress, many Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software came into existence. The main aim of these types of solutions is to streamline the daily chaos of the businesses so that the customers can be prioritized. Saying that- CRM is an effective solution to manage the customer’s relationship is right!!

Table of Contents

What is CRM?
Why is CRM important?
CRM benefits to building customer relationships better
Great customer retention
Better knowledge of customer’s needs
More active communication
More protection of data privacy
Combine all your data into one user-friendly location
Sell more quickly
Update the sales methods
How to choose a CRM?
Concluding Remarks

What is CRM?

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is translated as “customer relationship management”. Behind these words lies software that is designed to improve business processes in the company and make interaction with customers easier and more convenient for both parties.

In other words, the business gets the opportunity to keep customer data close at hand, thereby increasing the quality of service and the loyalty of its customers. Below are the benefits of CRM for your business:

• Improves contact management
• Improves customer retention and satisfaction
• Improves sales management
• Improves efficiency and productivity
• Creates organization and team collaboration
• Improves the accuracy of reporting and forecasting sales
• Improves understanding of data for marketing and product development
• Increases sales figures
• Promotes business growth

Why is CRM important?

For many companies, their CRM is not just important – it is absolutely essential! To get the most out of your business, you need to build CRM into your business strategy. This will create a structure and organization for your company that will enhance efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Although it was originally designed for sales teams, the benefits of using CRM for an entire organization can be immeasurable. However, it is becoming increasingly important for marketers and customer service teams managing after-sales communications.

The software allows you to better understand how your business is performing by using actual sales data to eliminate guesswork from business decisions. It provides a complete overview of your customers and their activities, allowing you to create a truly customer-centric approach that will guide your customer service strategy.

CRM benefits to building customer relationships better

Great customer retention

Despite being the better asset in knowing and pleasing the new or potential customers, Customer Relationship Management works as the best software for keeping the existing customers satisfied.

The management solution has several customer retention advantages; you can hold your promises by notifying about upcoming appointments and also, send the follow-ups at a suitable time.

However, what makes it the best solution is that it enables you to reach the customers who have not shown interest in a while and even felt ignored. Of course, retaining the existing customers is very much economical than securing the new one. 

For sustaining the customer’s interest, customer relationship management assists you to manage the marketing activities; you can send free trial offers, email campaigns and publish the customer’s surveys on an appropriate time. So, with CRM you can increase customers retention rate easily.

Better knowledge of customer’s needs

Generally, when we know what to expect, we feel more convinced. Same is true when it is about the business. It is simple yet easy to upsell or cross-sell the customer when you know their purchasing needs.

As one of the advantages of CRM software is to assist the salespeople to sell faster and sell more, it is the access to the customer communication history via the entire customer journey that permits the sales reps to know the customer requirements.

When you understand the contact’s purchase history- when they purchase and when what contracts they were provided, what purchasing habits they explained, and how they convert them to the customers, you have to be proactive and have better or new offers at the suitable time.

The CRM system is also essential in offering the best customer service. Access to communication history makes it simple to provide on-time customer service. In just some clicks, you understand if the contact had some problems with the product, how the service requests were managed, and if they were pleased or not. Also, when they have issues of something in the past- it is your chance to restore the reputation and provide better customer experience.

More active communication

Don’t let your customers wait by immediately responding to their requests, which is a symbol of professionalism. Saving you and your customer’s time is the CRM system that provides you ready-to-use email and customizable templates, documents, letters, quotes, proposals, newsletters, etc.

It is being found that there are 90% of the businesses that do not leverage autoresponders for confirming they have got the customer service email.

The other benefit is that Customer Relationship Software also assists you to enlist email or SMS and schedule their dispatch months or weeks in advance. And, when it is about the customer service requests, best speed is a must.

Finding the contact information in just a click, the CRM software permits you to personalize the interaction, send replies and provide quick solutions to recurrent problems, send links to videos and FAQs, etc.

More protection of data privacy

Data privacy cannot be ignored in any case when you are handling a large amount of data. To fulfil the data privacy needs of the new EU regulations, it is more essential to secure the CRM software with the default GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) related functionality

The major advantage of CRM is that it saves more effort and time as being GDPR compliant is a task in itself. Never forget the repulsive legal consequences when the privacy laws got violated.

The management software assists you to get and draft the contact’s permission to save and use personal information, sending the automatic alerts to every contact notifying that you like to store the data, email communication preferences to manage the customer’s subscription and also, setting up the rules for updating the personal information for several contacts- at one time.

Executing everything manually takes a lot of time and you can also even make several mistakes. However, CRM software for the same assures reliable, quicker and safer data processing. Additionally, it makes all communications GDPR complaints. All these efforts generate trust as you are now managing the customers’ data with total respect.

Combine all your data into one user-friendly location

Customer relationship management software centralizes the customer’s information. It makes all access to the information they require from one platform.

• Customer’s contact details

Check out the customer’s phone numbers, email addresses, websites, mailing addresses, social media accounts and websites.

• Over-all interaction history

Tracking of communication history from phone calls, email, customer support tickets and online chats, etc.

• Customer history

Reference the buying history, length of customer relationships, and how the customers know the business.

●     Sell more quickly

One of the most productivity killers is handling data manually. From CRM software, you can automate the repetitive admin tasks to make the team spend more time selling and less time typing. It, also, assists you create the general sales process that provides the team the proper roadmap for securing deals and assists to lessen the length of the sales cycle. From the sales process, you can:

Update the sales methods

The sales methods offer the data you have to find out the main cause of delayed deals. Follow the steps to solve the issues and assure that the staff focuses on those efforts/activities that offer higher revenue.

• Correctly analyze the sales

With the more precise sense of the win rate permits the sales manager to examine how many sales are closed by the team from the set realistic revenue goals and given a number of leads.

• Hire new to speed quickly

The general process assures the training sales reps simple, fast, and almost foolproof, by showing salespeople what they require to do at each stage of the sale. Also, the rookie sellers make an instant impact once they learn the general steps in the sales process.

• Offer more satisfying customer experience

When sales representatives drove potential customers to the sales stage, they did not expect that this might kill the transaction and destroy the relationship with the buyer. The sales process assures the seller does not promote the sale till the buyer is ready to move ahead.

How to choose a CRM?

When choosing a CRM, be realistic about your IT competency and your needs, as well as how much you want to spend. You need a balance between ease of use and the features included.

Typically, the price is determined by the number of users, the number of customer records, storage requirements, and complexity of features.

Most vendors offer a free trial of CRM so that you can examine how the system will work for you and how customer support is done!

Concluding Remarks

The major priority of businesses is customer relationships. Always remember- the customers are more responsible for generating sales.

 You have more powerful products to provide, however, if you do not consider your customers the best, then, you will not sell!!

Hence, generating better relationships with customers is very much important.  And, this is what the management solution provides. It assists you to manage the best relationship with the customers by treating everyone separately, not ignoring them, and accompanying them when you need them.

All you have to do now is to get the best customer relationship management software as per your business needs.  We hope you will find the best one!!

Hopefully, this article has given you the best of the knowledge. If there are some queries or suggestions then let us know in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading!!

The year 2020 has brought in waves of changes to software development industry. New innovations have surfaced, which have helped developers to build better software solutions for their clients. The year 2021 is expected to be even better for bespoke software development. Newer trends and technologies will again ensure the development of products that ready for the future.

This has been a unique year in every way you look at it. And it is now drawing closer to an end. The experts in the software industry have made their predictions about which trends will rule the bespoke software development market in 2021 and which one will not get toomuch attention. Our focus will be on the top trends that are expected to take the software development industry by storm.

Native Apps Will Rule The Market

The development of native apps has already seen a significant surge in recent years but this trend will gain more popularity than ever in 2021. Native apps are going to be the talk of every software development circle. And businesses will start looking for a custom software development company that has the required expertise in native app development. Companies that possess this expertise will be the most sought after ones.

Native apps are those that are developed to work on a particular device or platform. They can be designed to work specifically on a smartphone or a platform like iOS or Android. Being developed for a particular device or platform, these software programs are known to deliver powerful performance and improved user experience. This is why more and more businesses have already started moving from hybrid apps to native apps. A compromise in performance or user experience, especially in these times, could cost businesses dear. And this trend is expected to be there even beyond 2021.

Artificial Intelligence Will Continue Marching Forward

Whether you are looking for software outsourcing companies in the UK or anywhere else, you can expect them to suggest the use of AI in your project. AI has been the go-to technology for software developers for a couple of years and it will get even popular amongst developers in the future. It is a dream technology to work with and it has everything that can help businesses to refine the way they do business. Machine learning and AI are the two most preferred innovations for developers worldwide. However, 2021 is expected to see a change in the way AI is used. We will have to wait and see how this trend manifests itself but you can rest assured that it is going to be exciting.

Progressive Web Apps Will Gain More Popularity

One of the hottest trends in the software development industry right now is progressive web apps. These are web apps that run on smartphones and other mobile devices. What makes them different from your typical mobile apps is that they don’t need to be downloaded from app stores and neither do they require storage space on the mobile device. These come with accessibility of websites and function like your usual native apps. You can expect them to provide the user experience and performance that you get from native apps.

Progressive web apps are also similar to native apps in how they can .use the device camera and other device hardware for performing different functions. What makes them different from native apps is how easily they can be developed and maintained. You just need to install these apps on your desktop, laptop, or smartphone to start using them. You don’t need a browser to use them.

5G Technology Will Get Bigger

5G technology made a lot of headlines at the start of this year. However, most of the attention that it was able to grab was for all the wrong reasons. But it was later found out that it had nothing to do with the spread of the virus. So now it is expected to back big time amongst the biggest software development for 2021. The difference now is that it will take that spot because of the right reasons.

We all know that 5G technology is a lot better than 4G technology. It is a lot faster than its previous version and this why experts believe that it will becomes the technology of choice for data transmission more than a billion device across the world in the next few years. 5G technology is great for apps virtual reality apps and augmented reality apps amongst others. This technology will be useful for developers who want to build solutions that can enhance business performance. Software development is also very important to the growth and success of a company. Paying attention to the new trends in the industry is key to making the most of what different technologies have to offer.

2020 is getting over, and tech-savvy experts are predicting new technology trends in development for business growth. Software development is a must need of today’s highly competitive tech arena, and developers work as a valuable asset to businesses to enable them to grow, evolve, and innovate.

Everything from decision making to problem-solving relies upon the expertise and skills of developers.

The tech world is rapidly changing and evolving the way businesses work and perform. Web and mobile apps, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cross-platform development, low code development and other tech trends are being adopted by businesses to encounter present-day challenges.

Offering multiple benefits, such trends and dedicated developers support businesses to reduce costs and meet their customer-centric needs.

As a result, web and mobile application development has become vital to the growth, profit, and success of any business. Cutting-edge software technologies are enabling businesses to get win-win situation ever.

Here in this writing, we will describe the top 5 software development trends for 2021:

1. Internet of Things (IoT)

As technology is evolving, the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as one of the widely used technology not just to increase your tech range but also to increase your business growth.

IoT is a big network of multiple physical elements such as appliances, devices, gadgets, vehicles etc., all these devices incorporate sensors. Devices using such technology utilize Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to exchange data on the web.

According to Forbes, “In 2017, the worldwide spent on IoT was valued at $235 billion.” The market is expected to reach $520 billion in 2021.

Additionally, the emergence of IoT will increase more in 2021. The demand for Bluetooth speakers, Point of Sale (POS) devices, smart home systems, IoT will be in top 5 software development trends of 2021.

With this, there will be more functional opportunities that will improve your quality of life and ease of doing business. More effective and affordable IoT devices will capture more market.

For IoT software development, its developers across the globe should enhance their programming knowledge to frame standard codes for different devices.

IoT offers lots of other advantages, enabling businesses to prevent equipment breakdown, reduce operational costs, accelerate multiple processes, ensure inventory management and gather a large amount of data.

• Artificial intelligence (AI)

The year 2020 has proved itself a buzzword for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Businesses across the globe are investing in building powerful, cost-effective and reliable AI-technologies. Speech processing, machine leading and others have a huge demand for AI. The trend will speed up more in 2021.

As per MarketsAndMarkets “the global market of AI was $16.06 billion in 2017 and will reach $190.61 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 36.62% during the 2018-2025 period.”

AI tends to develop machines to perform tasks better like human beings. It is a big field and globally used technology. It has created various dimensions in research, development, and commercialization.

AI incorporates different functional capabilities such as speech, machine learning, vision, natural language processing (NLP), deep learning, etc.

• Low-code development

For any software development, a big team of software developers, architects, designers, and engineers is required. However, the trend is changing now.

Low-code development frameworks have a huge demand in the software development industry. Companies are seeking to create software with low-code platforms.

Developing software was typical for medium-scale businesses but not now as low-code development frameworks are available to help them required software at less cost, time resources. Low-code development has solved lots of complex programming issues.

It speeds up the work of software development. Low-code platforms offer simple interfaces, avoid lots of manual work and offer high potential to enable businesses to create new apps with less programming skills, time, and money.

• Hybrid and cross-platform development

Cross-platform technologies are a big time-saver for the industries planning to develop an app for their business. Companies that need to capture all customers using different devices, web browsers and OS must go with cross-platform development.

Hybrid frameworks allow developers to code ones and run the app on different platforms without compromising its delivery and functionality. It is a wise investment option in 2021 if you go with hybrid and cross-platform development.

• Continuous Integration And Deployment

It is one of the top 5 software development trends in 2021 as it allows more experiments and flexibility, less need for bug fixing, and frequent delivery of software.

Continuous integration and deployment tend software to get into development for thorough testing, while deployment automatically updates them. A shared repository is used here where the code is added; now, it is tested to speed up the delivery.

It assists developers to improve quality, functionality, and deliver software quickly. There will be no surprise that more software development companies will get into this approach.

Therefore, continuous integration and continuous deployment assist development teams to deliver apps much faster to the market. In this way, it also assists companies in saving a lot of time required in software development.

Final Words

Technology is an ever-changing process. Every year we see new development trends in the software industry. No doubt, the software industry is one of the fast-changing and highly competitive industries today, as new technologies are striking the market every year. In this writing, we have described the top 5 software development trends of 2021 that will dominate the market.