11 Straightforward Ways to Improve Your Small Business with Technology

The world runs on technology these days. Nothing seems to move forward except it imbibes technology.

Do you want to make an impact in your industry? You will need technology to make this possible.  The strategic use of technology in your business can also give you an edge over competitors. 

You do not have to be a scientist to effectively apply technology to your business and bring about the desired growth. Just reduce the time you spend on frivolous things such as watching TV and spend your valuable time on things that can move the needle in your business.

The information in this write-up is put together to guide you on how to start making use of technology as a tool for business growth. Check below for 11 ways you can boost your small business with technology.

1. Communication can help

One of the many benefits of technology is that it boosts communication.  You can use this benefit to your advantage in that technology enables you to communicate via more easily with potential clients and partners.

For example, you can use some of the best email marketing software to engage your prospective clients.

No need to make the trip anymore since you can simply make the call.  Technology makes communication faster and more qualitative. You can opt for a video call since it enables you to see the other person face to face from your individual remote locations.

2. Boost marketing tactics

Technology, if used properly, can boost your marketing tactics. The traditional marketing strategies do work just fine, but they can never be as effective as the technology—based marketing strategies.

A very good example is social media marketing. A small business such as camper repair service can leverage the power of an effective social media strategy to reach potential customers faster via social media and direct clients to their website.

Technology can equally help you to prepare a business plan even if you do not have much knowledge or experience about it.

In fact, you can build great websites using special technology-based tools even if you have limited knowledge about website building.

3. Social media can be a viable tool

Social media opens up your business faster than ever. It gives you access to so many people from the comfort of your home. 

One of the best ways to harness the incomparable power of social media for business growth is via digital marketing. 

Working with a social media marketing agency enables you to get the words out about your products and services without physically advertising your business.

The internet reaches virtually every corner of the earth. So, things you post on social media can be seen globally.  What is more, you can choose your preferred target audience in social media marketing.

4. Save time via remote workplace

As a small business, you will need to save as much time, effort, and money as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by resorting to a remote workplace.

 A remote workplace enables your employees to work from home and also helps you to connect with them all without meeting at a physical office.  If the employee possessing a particular skill is unable to report at your physical office, such an employee can connect with you via remote workplace platforms.

5. Build a website

You will need a website to tell the world about what you have to offer. So, you should invest in a website if you want to grow your small business faster.

It is not enough to build a website; you must make it responsive and attractive so that the potential clients will be willing to do business with you.  

A functional, responsive website will give your business identity on the World Wide Web. It will also serve as a source of tenable information about your business to anyone searching for such information online.

6. Search engine optimization is essential

It is not enough to build a website, but you must make your website visible. Increased visibility will bring in more clients to patronize your business, leading to faster growth of your brand.

 This can only be possible if you carry out the search engine optimization of your web content.  You may have to hire SEO experts to do this for you if you do not have the required knowledge.

7. Secure your business

While technology can showcase your business to the world faster than the conventional way of doing things, it also has its risks and challenges.

For one, your website may get hacked and this can lead to data loss or theft, as well as, the possibility of financial loss.

 You can curtail this by securing your online business. This can be done by using an encrypted password and creating active firewalls for your website.

8. Cloud storage can help

You do not have to keep all your data stored on your computer; you can move some of the data to the cloud. Cloud storage frees space on your hard disk and can even help your system to run faster.

Additionally, it can make your data and files available if you have to access them outside your office or when you are in a remote location far away from your computer.  This way, you can obtain the necessary information at the tip of your finger.

9. Improve your customer service

Technology can help you to boost the quality of your customer service. One of the best ways to do this is to provide live chat services whereby your existing and potential customers can chat with you and get a response in an instant.

You can equally offer toll-free call service so that your callers will not have to pay for calls.

10. Automate your routine tasks

One other way to boost your small business is to automate tasks.  A good example of tasks you can automate is customer service. Automated messages can provide answers to a good percentage of the questions that customers ask. You can equally automate your social media posts. This way, you can focus on some other aspects of the business.       

11. Video marketing always gets the attention

One other way to get the words out is via video marketing. However, make sure that the videos you create are related to the products and services that you offer.

Search engines can rank your website higher if you have related videos uploaded on the website. You can also upload such videos on your social media platforms.

Bonus tips

Content marketing is one of the best ways to boost your brand popularity via technology. You can submit search engine optimized content on your website and popular websites like Ezine.

You can also build backlinks to your website so that you can connect with authority websites. If this is too technical for you, you can simply hire SEO experts to do it for you.       

In addition, it’s very essential that you sleep well, exercise enough and optimize your health so that you can effectively muster the needed positive energy to move your business to the next level. These little things do move a needle. Try them!

How to Upgrade Your PC System Memory

A computer in today’s world needs to have plenty of RAM to handle intricate applications. A computer purchased even a few years ago might need an update to its system memory to perform up to expectations. If you have the opportunity to increase memory capacity, it is worth the investment for most users.

The good news is that computer companies know their customers are more inclined to add additional RAM to their personal computers than ever before. There are ways to complete this task without the assistance of an expert.

What exactly is RAM, and what makes it so important for a computer?

The best way to look at RAM is to compare it to the computer itself. If the CPU is the brain, RAM is the oxygen necessary to keep everything running as it should. A computer needs RAM to ensure that every program runs as smoothly as possible. Most computers are fairly future-proof when  released, but there comes a time when there is not enough RAM to handle as many programs as a user needs to run.

Everyone is guilty of letting too many programs run in the background, but it can wear down the RAM significantly. Instead of constantly having to worry about closing programs and making other sacrifices, upgrading the RAM might be a better way to go instead.

A computer’s RAM is refreshed with each restart, but it doesn’t take long for it to get clogged up once again. As more and more processes are thrown its way, a computer can slow down and not perform the way users would like. This is why it’s so crucial to have the right amount and make necessary adjustments.

The top reasons why it is time for a RAM upgrade

Are you thinking about upgrading the RAM on a computer? Most of the time, there are a few distinct reasons why users will spend the money to make the upgrade.

The operating system needs upgrading

When a brand new operating system is released, it’s the perfect time to upgrade the RAM as well. This is especially true for computers that might be a little bit older because they might not handle the latest release so well in their current form.

Take Windows 10 as an example. If the computer has been running other operating systems in the past, it might not be fully capable of handling all of the features that come with Windows 10 with its current RAM set up. Upgrading the RAM can reduce demand for resources, allowing users to get more use out of their current computer.

Maxing out a new computer

Some users like to make a pretty sound investment with a brand new computer from the very beginning, cutting down the need to upgrade later on. There is usually a maximum amount of RAM that a new computer can take, and buying an aftermarket upgrade is a smart way to go. It is usually cheaper to upgrade the RAM with an aftermarket option instead of adding it to the computer’s price once it is ordered.

Unless the computer does not allow users to add RAM to their setup, it is a smart investment. It is easier to do it from the very beginning if a user can afford it, as it prevents needing to find assistance later on. Not only that, but it can make a brand new computer that much faster.

Performance slowdowns

Computers start to slow down gradually as they handle more and more programs. As a user opens more programs, browsers with more tabs, and several other applications, the computer starts to slow down as well.

If the computer is constantly fighting to perform as it should, updating the RAM could be a great solution.

How easy is it to upgrade RAM?

A user can upgrade the memory on their own if they want to give it a try, as it is much easier to make changes to a computer now than ever before. It is really as simple as removing old RAM modules and replacing them with new RAM once purchased. Shopping for the right RAM that is compatible with a computer is perhaps the toughest part since there are so many options. The RAM slots must be compatible with the computer to work properly, which means the right amount and the right size to fit.

For those who prefer to hire a professional, it shouldn’t cost a lot of money to hire someone. If it seems like too much is being charged for labor, go to another technician and get another quote.

What if a computer with upgraded RAM is still slow?

A computer with upgraded RAM should be able to perform at a pretty high level. However, if a computer is still suffering from slowdown, it might be best to look at some other solutions out there.

One option is to look at certain PC mechanics and utilities out there. System Mechanic® offers tools necessary to upgrade performance . It’s a great way to maximize a computer’s performance overall and is pretty affordable for those on tight budgets.

Also, doing little things such as regularly cleaning your computer, shutting down and restarting every once a while, and more will make a difference. Upgrading RAM is a great fix that so many users have turned to in the past, but other smaller optimizations can make a big difference in performance as well.

Getting the most out of PC System Memory

As much as computers cost, upgrading PC system memory is a pretty affordable solution. It is without question one of those upgrades that can make a true difference in performance, which is why  All it takes is a few days operating with brand new RAM to notice how problems instantly fade away.

3 Tips for Scaling Your Independent Business

As an independent business owner, the very beginning of the road represents a daunting – though, admittedly, exciting – place to be. It is, of course, a tricky route to navigate, and plenty of people will grind to a halt long before they intended to. That said, however, plenty of people will go far beyond that initial horizon and break ground they never imagined themselves breaking.

When you begin to reach that point, and feel as though you have begun to outgrow the original scope of your business, the only option is to invest more of your time and energy into scaling it up to meet with the increasing demands of a rapidly expanding customer base. This is, of course, easier said than done. Even for hardened businesspersons, this period of transition can be tricky to manage – for the relatively new entrepreneur, however, it can seem like a veritable mountain to climb.

There’s no use skirting the issue: any trepidation you may be feeling is not entirely unfounded, and this point of growth will have its trying moments. There are, however, plenty of tools and techniques you can utilize in order to make the process as manageable, fruitful, and rewarding as it ought to be.

Read more below.

1. Utilize Scalable Customer Relationship Management Software

The case remains the same whether your business is at Day 1 or Day 1,000: your customers represent the very lifeblood of your venture, and ensuring that you are doing the very most to attract and retain prospects is integral to your day-to-day operations.

While, in the very beginning, communicating with and attracting new customers via your social media may have been sufficient, a scalable CRM software will prove to be an invaluable tool as you cultivate a more professional and industrious digital presence. Rather than manually collating leads and customers, for instance, you can automate this process and create a manageable workflow that ensures the best results for your business.

From following up on leads and customers to creating invoices, every aspect of maintaining the digital ‘front’ of your business can be streamlined with Customer Relationship Management.

2. Develop a Lasting Relationship with Your Accountant

Unless you’re a devout ‘numbers person’, keeping up with the mounting pressures of bookkeeping and scaling your administrative duties is, to put it mildly, incredibly challenging. And, even if you do dream in digits, the daily To Do list of a business owner is enough to consistently push your business accounting to the bottom of the pile – a fact which can have significant, long-term disadvantages for you and your business.

Accountancy software is incredibly useful, particularly in the early stages, but the mounting complexities inherent to growing businesses often mean that, at times, a ‘human touch’ is highly beneficial.

Keeping your accountant close to hand will take a larger investment, but it will also afford you much more peace of mind and confidence for the future.

3. Don’t Pursue Growth for Growth’s Sake

As your business begins to garner more attention, and you see your monthly sales count rise far beyond its original highpoint, it can be tempting to embrace this change with open arms and commit yourself to a long list of new products or services.

If you are a wedding photographer, for instance, it might be that you sign away more time than you ever have before, and find that every waking hour is suddenly committed to events, editing, creating invoices, and managing new requests and referrals. If you are an artist, you may commit to a much broader portfolio of products, or take on so many commissions that you never get a moment’s break from your craft.

In any instance, it is unsustainable to think that you can commit so many hours to keeping on top of demand. Even if it is something you love doing, a proper work-life balance remains essential.

So, while it is important that the goods or services you offer do get updated over time, this is a process that should be done incrementally – particularly in the early stages before you being to grow a full-time team to help you out.

Final Thoughts

Growing your business is the dream. In all likelihood, this point has been on the horizon since you first set out on the entrepreneurial road – but it is of course normal to feel overwhelmed once the opportunity does arrive. Ensuring that you understand how to manage (and stay on top of) your own development is essential, and taking the time to implement new processes and procedures at every stage cannot be skipped or postponed.

Yes, keeping on top of your customer’s demands should remain at the top of your list of priorities, but the only way to ensure that you will be able to continue doing that indefinitely is to ensure that your business rests on a reliable framework that can grow with you.

The Latest Science Lab Technologies That Will Definitely Impress You

Advanced scientific discoveries have moved far from being fictional. Scientists all over the world are working on impressive technologies to make life easier for everyone. You don’t hear about the latest technologies from science laboratories as easily you hear about the latest celebrity gossip. But here you have it, from the palm-sized tricorders to the million-dollar saving Oxgene Tessa.

1. Tricorders

Lab scientists must have figured out that people would love to diagnose themselves when they created this device. At some point in the past, a tricorder must have been referred to as fiction. Today, scientists in Pasco have made it a possibility. The tricorder is not a massive device. It is compact and easy to hold. Some of the functions of a tricorder are:

  • It diagnoses diseases
  • Shows heart rate
  • Monitors ongoing health
  • Summarises a person’s state of health
  • Detects overall state of health

The tricorders are just the size of the palm and are easy to handle. You can detect several health issues easily via the device. Basil leaf technologies released DxtER, a tricorder that can detect up to 34 health conditions like:

  • stroke
  • tuberculosis
  • pneumonia
  • diabetes

2. Advanced drug development

The pandemic era has seen the development of drugs become much better and faster. The quick discovery of drugs to counter the effect of the novel coronavirus is an impressive feat. There was a development of vaccines for covid19 in less than a year. The urgent need for a counter to the deadly virus has improved drug development. This is an impressive technology that would impact and speed up manufacturing drugs against other diseases. There are newer innovations to the way medical trials are conducted. For instance, virtual clinical trials became rampant during the most challenging stages of the coronavirus.

3. Nanomedicine

If you’ve ever heard that microscopic particles can take medicine to another level, the discussion must have been about nanoparticles. Nanomedicine is one of the medical breakthroughs that used to sound fictional at some point. But nanomedicine is real, and it’s working. Nanomedicine applies the knowledge of nanotechnology where atomic, molecular, or supramolecular particles are the active elements. Some of the aspects of science that have seen a breakthrough with nanomedicine are imaging, sensing, and diagnosis. Nanoparticles can also deliver medical services to ill patients. How?

There’s more research ongoing concerning Nanomedicine. Apparently, there’s still a long way to go. Recently, researchers are working on new ways of utilizing nanomedicine so that nanoparticles can target specific cells in the body. Some pharmaceutical companies have developed nanotech to fight viruses and bacteria.

4. Wearables

For some people, wearables can be considered a pure tech feat. Still, these wearables can also perform amazing scientific functions like measuring a heartbeat and deriving certain health information about its wearer. Wearables are becoming more specific in the medical environment. Rather than being mere fitness trackers, wearables can now monitor a patient’s conditions. For instance, diabetic patients can get wearables to continuously monitor their glucose levels. 

Wearables have become the smart devices of medicine. Without lab scientists, the wearable might not be anywhere to be found.

5. AbCellera Celium

This device has been indispensable in the discovery of weak points and the fight against the deadly coronavirus. Since trying to probe the virus to find possible weak points by hand would be tedious, scientists decided to feed AbCellera Celium with the necessary data. Celium is a data visualization tool that reveals which antibodies will work best in a patient. Without Celium, scientists had to sort through spreadsheets that were extremely difficult to navigate.

6. Seven Bridges GRAF

Who would ever think that any device could discover an accurate and comprehensive genetic variation in humans? This device is a genome analysis machine. That iterates all possible genetic sequences at a given locus. The seven bridges GRAF was first released in 2013. But there’s more work to be done, and scientists seem to be making progress. Considering the magnitude of the science behind this device, it’s an impressive scientific lab research and invention product.

7. Oxygene Tessa

Oxygene Tessa has solved a major problem facing scientists. This challenge involves delivering genetic therapies to patients’ cells. Producing the AAV (Adeno Associated Virus) required comes at a high cost. One dose of the AAV costs millions of dollars and reproducing for the amount a patient needs would be financially impossible. So the solution is to replicate the AAV. However, this meant that the replicates were contaminated by the adenoviruses replicating themselves. To tackle this issue, Oxygene was devised to help replicate the AAVs without contamination. This makes the treatment of patients with the AAV possible and less expensive. 

When challenges come up in the world of science, it’s up to the laboratories to come up with something mind-blowing. Even when the challenges seem impossible, lab scientists almost always come through something to impress the world.

Best Productivity App for Task Management

You definitely need to try nTask. Primarily an online task management software, designed and developed primarily for teams, this tool gives you all the options to live life as productive as it can be.

Loaded with a comprehensive and sophisticated feature set, this free productivity app presents itself with a simplified interface, easily learned and used by homemakers to freelancers and teams to enterprises to get more productive.

nTask is a simple all-in-one task and project management app that provides its users with comprehensive seven natively built modules including tasks, projects, risks, issues, and meeting management.

This means you don’t have to juggle between multiple apps for getting things done hence making you more productive. These modules facilitate the teams to avoid paying for third-party integrations or constant switching between multiple tools for numerous projects and multiple workspaces.

You can keep notes and use it as a simple to-do list app or create an idea or chore as a task. It helps you to create projects and assign multiple tasks to them. This helps you to easily track ideas, monitor task status, and project progress through Gantt charts.

Plus, with resource planning and budget allocation, you can keep your teams productive and project implementation effective throughout the project development cycle.

According to Lucid Agency – an award-winning agency specializing in digital marketing, advertising, and user-focused web & app design, “This is a great option for small development teams that have a need for free bug-tracking or task assignment.”

This top Productivity app also helps you stay in sync with updates and keeps you and your team on track through reminders and alerts.

#1 free productivity apps - nTask

Key Features:

With so many features nTask has to offer, here is a glimpse of its key features:

  • Two-Factor Authentication for extensive security
  • A simple user interface with access to a wide range of modules.
  • Team specific workspaces that can be managed and monitored simultaneously.
  • Create, assign, organize, prioritize and share tasks
  • Create and assign projects
  • Comment on and assign tasks to projects or structure them independently
  • Convert comments to tasks using Slack
  • Select from multiple statuses for a task
  • Extensive project management resources including project reports, Gantt charts, and project timelines to manage and monitor project progress
  • A dedicated timesheets management and time tracking module with the option of creating and managing team-specific sections for employee task efforts and payroll.
  • A detailed meeting management feature to help teams stay in sync. You can arrange and schedule meetings, be it one time or recurring meetings. Plus, it lets you send invites to attendees, add meeting details, and specify follow-up procedures.
  • Issue management module to facilitate the identification and listing down of issues related to multiple tasks. You can list the issue along with the Issue owner and relevant details to track issue maintenance.
  • Risk management helps you identify and keep track of potential risks. You can list down the risk and assign a risk owner in order to track risk management.
  • Powerful search and filter tools that help you search for tasks, projects, meetings, issues, and risks. You can even save more frequently used filters.
  • Alerts, notifications, and reminders to keep teams on track.
  • Third-party access
  • nTask is one of the best iPad Productivity Apps and Best Android Productivity Apps

Pricing Plans:

  • Free and Pro (starting at $1 per month per user with annual billing) plans.

nTask

Average User Rating:

Average rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 14 reviews.


Price $2.99

Notable mentions:

  • Skyrocket team productivity with nTask, it’s free! Manage all your tasks, projects, meetings, timesheets and more in one place. Sign up today!

Project Management and Collaboration Tools that You will Definitely Keep Using After Trying

It has already been more than a year since many people across the world left their offices and started working remotely. While employees have struggled since then to establish a ‘working from home’ routine and manage their time well, the executives have pondered a question on how to maintain the same level of productivity and efficiency when there is no direct contact with and between the employers.

In that regard, one of the solutions applied by many small and big companies is the use of project management and collaboration software. In fact, this is a worthy solution not only for remote work but also when you have the whole team in one place. Such software makes the working process easier, enhances productivity, and assists in solving other issues that can be encountered in project planning and implementation. Considering that, we have composed a list of project management and collaboration software, that you will definitely give a go once you try them. 

1. GanttPRO

GanttPRO is a project management and collaboration tool to create a Gantt chart online that helps handle personal as well as team tasks. Thanks to a Gantt diagram view, all the tasks, and their dates are plainly seen on a timeline. With GanttPRO, users have the ability to track responsibilities along with the whole progress. Staff members are always clued-up about the project’s state and also avoid risks and misconceptions in organizing.

Why can GanttPRO be your choice?

Collaboration opportunities in the cloud-based GanttPRO are noteworthy. Project participants can work together in real-time: comment tasks, affix documents, leave summaries to assignments, export their charts in PDF or PNG as well as share them through a public link. With the real-time notifications, project participants will certainly know all changes. In terms of project management functions, this Gantt chart app offers loads of possibilities to manage tasks, resources, costs, and also schedules what makes it outstanding project management and collaboration software.

2. ClickHelp

ClickHelp is a contemporary online documentation software. It’s used by businesses all over the world to create and publish different sorts of documents like manuals, customer guides, help documents, frequently asked questions, and so on.

ClickHelp is easy to use for doc teams. It is browser-based and supports multiple systems: Mac OS, Windows, and also Linux, so you don’t need to set up anything. This makes it easy to create and provide your documentation from any location in the world.

In this online project collaboration and documentation software, you can also work on your documents together with your staff members in one online portal. Absolutely nothing will be missed since notifications will certainly keep everybody from your team updated.

Why can ClickHelp be your choice?

  • Password-protected online assistance.
  • Easy importing and exporting.
  • Effective full-text search.
  • Branding features.
  • And many more.

3. Google Docs

This widely-known web-based project collaboration software needs no introduction. You could not know the applications from the project or time management category. However, if you have ever dealt with records online, it is 100% certain that at least you have heard of Google Docs.

This powerful software allows developing and editing documents any place you are as well as talking and commenting. These incredible collaboration functions make all word-related work a breeze. Google Docs provides lots of templates and add-ons. You just need to log in and that’s it. Everything else you need to do is to enjoy smooth online work with the documents.

Why can Google Docs be your choice?

  • No lost data — everything is immediately saved online.
  • Awesome web link sharing with various accessibility levels.

Rich functionality.

4. Wiredrive

Wiredrive makes media management and collaboration processes smooth and easy to handle. This project collaboration software can become a centralized place where creative teams can keep project-relevant files.

Shared workplaces for tasks and groups enable quick web-based collaboration between project participants: you can review, comment, and track all tasks. On top of that, shared work is encrypted so you do not have to fret about protection concerns.

Why can Wiredrive be your choice?

  • Notifications that keep everyone from a team updated.
  • Powerful search and filtering functions.
  • Presentations in secs.

5. Creativity 365

Even though this software is not as all-purpose as the above-mentioned one, Creativity 365 is a great option for creative industries. It offers Individual, Business, and also Education content production solutions. With the help of this software, groups can quickly collaborate online and implement their concepts across desktop and also mobile devices.

This software consists of 5 applications: Animation desk for producing your own animation, GIFs or storyboards; Write-on for making and editing movies; NoteLedge for taking notes, sketching suggestions or videotaping moments; Markup for making notes of Websites, ePub or PDF files, and sharing them; Pocket Scanner for scanning documentation and digitalizing it.

Why can Creativity 365 be your choice?

  • Great for creative groups.
  • Enormous storage space capacities.
  • Presentation feature.

6. Hightail

Hightail will certainly be your selection if you require working opportunities for file sharing, creative collaboration, as well as task management within your projects.

File sharing possibilities allow for sending out big multimedia data easily. For this, simply select, drag & drop or import your files from other services – Hightail will cover you. Creative online collaboration gives a single space for groups that eliminates miscommunication concerns. With project monitoring features, individuals can gather employees, set up to-do lists for them, discuss tasks, and also appoint follow-ups.

Why can Hightail be your choice?

  • Accessibility codes as well as expiry dates.
  • Lots of file formats accessible for previewing.
  • Data track delivery.
  • Version control.

7. Quip

Quip arranges online collaboration on documents and task lists in a very fluid way as it helps teams work faster and be more productive.

This online document collaboration software serves well for making collective meeting notes as well as handling tasks. Quip will be the place where you as well as your group will keep all documentation to get work done.

Why can Quip be your choice?

  • Opportunities to add project trackers, calendars, as well as numerous other tools right into a Quip document.
  • Combines group conversations, lists, documents, as well as spreadsheets in one place.

Why you should pick the proper construction scheduling software

Construction scheduling software is offered by vendors and refers to various programs that professionals utilize to organize, assign, and even forecast tasks on construction projects. These programs have been around for years and can come in many forms. Some of these forms can be free and simple tools to highly and sophisticated multi-user systems. 

They can also vary significantly in the functionalities. For instance, large construction companies may need solutions that include a construction scheduling software element. Because construction scheduling software  provides precise planning and increases the pace of projects, there are usually cost savings and shorter completion times. This article explains how you can pick the proper construction scheduling software. 

Understanding a construction scheduling software

If you decide to work on anything that appears to be a complex construction project, then you can benefit from using a construction scheduling software. Regardless of whether you intend to do a simple construction project or a large one, you can suffer if the project doesn’t go as planned. 

The schedule and cost overruns usually happen in many construction projects. These miscalculations can increase and even lead to lawsuits, disputes, or arbitration. Unfortunately, the cost of settling these disputes can cost your company tons of money.

There are various causes that contribute to the inaccuracies like scope creep, change orders, and weather. The big culprit is perhaps the slow adoption of digital technology. As a result, project planning that happens between the office and the field can be uncoordinated and people use paper to do it. 

You need to know that behind-schedule projects can create problems for the owners of the construction companies. Worse still, ahead of schedule can also sometimes create some problems since the funds set aside for these projects may not be invested in other projects. This is the reason why you need to use construction scheduling software to manage the timing and sequencing of the work. 

Increasing scheduling demands for residential and commercial projects

Building projects are usually categorized as either commercial or residential. In most cases, commercial construction projects are usually larger than residential projects. These projects can also need many code requirements like wheelchair access and some fire safety measures. These commercial projects include government facilities, office buildings, factories, and retail complexes.

When it comes to residential projects, these can include development of multi-family residences, such as apartments, individual homes, and single-family homes. Therefore, builders can construct commercial projects utilizing steel and concrete while residential projects can usually have wood frames. 

Commercial projects have a more complex and sophisticated infrastructure. They may need escalators, elevators, parking, and many more. As such, there is also a high level of redundancy build into their internal systems.

Hence, commercial construction projects need more expensive equipment and specialized construction professionals. Commercial contractors can subcontract the work more than residential contractors do. 

There is also an inter-dependency in construction, so a delay in one task can affect all subsequent tasks. This is why you need to buy a construction scheduling software that can be useful to you as a project manager or scheduler.

Everything You Should Know About AngularJS

There are tons of great frameworks available on the market. Some of them are used to build full-blown native solutions, while others are ideal for web apps. Today’s article is concerned with AngularJS, a well-known JavaScript framework.

AngularJS development is a great way to build interactive elements. That is why the AngularJS framework can be the best fit for custom website development. What’s more, AngularJS can go a long way in developing robust and responsive apps. So, if you are interested specifically in this solution, make sure to read this article to the end.  

Some History

AngularJS was created in 2010 by famous Google developers. They called the new framework Angular because it works in an HTML file, and HTML has angular brackets. Six years later, it was completely rewritten so much so that you couldn’t simply update to the new one. You had to rewrite your whole application. This created a reasonable divide between the users. Some couldn’t justify the long and costly migration, while others became fans of the improved version. The older one bears the classic naming, the new Angular removed the ending in the minimalistic fashion. Still, AngularJS is supported and used on some current Google platforms.

What is Special About AngularJS?

AngularJS appeared at the same time other classic JavaScript frameworks like Knockout and Backbone were born. How exactly was it special then?

Let’s talk about the three pillars of AngularJS. They are two-way data binding, dependency injection, and directives. Let’s tackle these complex phrases one by one.

Frameworks basically define what architecture the app will have. The original AngularJS implemented an architecture called Model View Controller or MVC. It means that the application is separated into three layers. The first model layer is responsible for the core logic of the app, its rules. The view layer is basically an interface, while the controller acts as a part accepting user inputs and sending responses back from the model.

The model and view layers are synchronized, meaning whatever is happening within the model layer is instantly displayed on view and vice versa. And this spares developers the bother of writing code for that exact purpose. 

Dependencies, as their name suggests, are responsible for maintaining relations between different pieces of code. As any experienced developer knows, each object in the code needs to construct a dependent object. Therefore, every time there is the need to incorporate any changes to the existing dependency, you have to change the object, as well. That’s where AngularDS comes in and saves the day. The point is AngularJS doesn’t attach dependencies to objects. Instead, it attaches injectors to objects and makes sure they link with dependencies. This enables developers to reuse code and quickly copy dependencies when creating unit tests.

Directives are the most used part of the framework in question, and for good reason. They act as extensions to HTML and take the role of markers on a DOM element. That way, they can dictate AngularJS what behavior to attach to a particular element. Thus, directives enable HTML to create dynamic content.

So, all of this established AngularJS is a perfect tool for crafting single-page applications with multiple elements to interact with. This has gone a long way towards helping engineers solve lots of problems that used to slow down the development process. But this is not the only reason why you should set your sight on AngularJS for your next project. Check out other benefits of using AngularJS.

More Benefits

We have already briefly mentioned some pros of AngularJS. As you already know, this framework comes in handy when there is a need for a robust single-page solution. What’s more, developing apps with AngularJS allows saving time and thus reducing development costs. No wonder, lots of people that cannot afford to spend a bundle on sophisticated full-blown solutions opt exactly for Angular JS. Hire Angular developers to build a secure, scalable, and reliable web app.

An angular development company will use the most recent Angular developer tools and skill sets and create front ends that are extremely scalable, interactive, and dynamic. Another reason why AngularJS can be your best fit is massive Google support. As you know, the Big ‘G’ currently takes care to pack its creation with the most advanced features that can be subsequently utilized by developers for creating clean, high-quality code for their apps. 

In contrast to other frameworks that require additional tools like plug-ins for launching the app building process, AngularJS comes as an out-of-the-box solution you can use from the get-go. 

AngularJS is one of the most popular frameworks among those who desire to create a visually appealing, easily navigable, and fast business application. With AngularJS your online store or business app will have the look and feel of a full-fledged native app but with less coding and for less money. So, don’t you think AngularJS can be the best fit for your project?

7 Ways to Make Your Memory Sharper

If you find yourself struggling with an occasional memory lapse from time to time, you should know that you are not alone. In a survey conducted and published by PLOS One, a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal, about 14 percent of respondents age 18 to 39 said they sometimes experienced these same short-lived memory issues. And many of the same respondents reported that these issues did not significantly interfere with their day-to-day life. Of course, everyone is not so fortunate. In some cases, those seemingly innocuous memory lapses can signal a severe cognitive disorder is on the horizon.

For reference, multiple studies show that people with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, will experience only mild memory problems at first, such as forgetting where they put their keys. Eventually, the level of forgetfulness gets to a point where they forget things that are critically important in their life. That said, whether or not things spiral this far out of control comes down to what is happening in the brain when someone has a memory lapse.

How the Brain Works and Why We Forget Things

To better understand memory lapses, it helps to know more about how the brain stores memories. This same understanding will also shed light on how they can morph into severe cognitive impairment. According to a study published by Germany-based Friedrich–Alexander University Erlangen–Nürnberg, memories related to nearly all life events are captured in the cortex, the part of the brain densely packed with nerve cells. From there, they move to the central switching point of the brain, which is known as the hippocampus. The same flow of information moves in the opposite direction when recalling those memories. Unfortunately, many things can interfere with both of these processes, and when they do, it can make remembering things especially difficult.

Understanding the Different Types of Memory

Now that we are a little more up to speed when it comes to the process involved in storing and ultimately recalling memories, let’s take a moment to go over the kinds of memory human beings have and how they work. Although memory lapses are associated with short-term memory, which is the information we are consciously aware of and are actively thinking about, there are other memory types in the human brain. And they include the following:

Sensory memory – All forms of memory initially start with sensory memory before moving on to other memory types. It is also further subcategorized by the following:

  • Visual memory
  • Auditory memory
  • Touch memory

Long-term memory – This memory type is often referred to as the final stage when it comes to processing memories, and, as the name might suggest, it is how human beings store information for an extended length of time. A few examples of long-term memory include remembering wedding anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and the like.

Working memory – This memory type enables individuals to recall the steps involved in completing a given task. Examples of working memory include remembering the steps necessary to solve a mathematic equation, structure an essay for a class assignment, or how to complete specific work-related tasks at one’s job.

What Causes Memory Problems in the First Place?

Many things can contribute to memory problems, and they impact the lives of those young and old alike. Along with aging, some of the most common ones, according to an article published by the Mayo Clinic, a renowned academic medical center based in Rochester, MN, include the following:

  • Certain medications
  • Head trauma
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • A vitamin B-12 deficiency
  • Brain diseases
  • Substance abuse, namely an alcohol use disorder (AUD)

Hormonal Imbalances and Memory Problems

For many people, a hormonal imbalance is the cause of their memory problems. And this is generally the case for those struggling with hypothyroidism, which refers to an underactive thyroid gland. Among many others, the hallmark symptoms of hypothyroidism include impaired reasoning and critical thinking. Additionally, it can trigger memory loss and even depression. It can also adversely affect reasoning and critical thinking.

Of course, none of this is too surprising when you consider that the thyroid gland sits at the base of the brain. Low human growth hormone (HGH) levels can also put individuals on a fast track to memory problems. Multiple studies, including one published by the National Institutes of Health, have revealed a correlation between adult-onset human growth hormone deficiency and impaired memory. Many studies have also noted a nexus between low HGH levels and impaired concentration, not to mention a higher risk of suffering from anxiety and depression. For males who have more queries there are gathered best Growth hormone for men and more information.

7 Ways to Improve Your Memory

Having detailed the different memory types as well as factors that can lead to memory problems, let’s turn our attention to seven things individuals can do to improve their memory starting today:

Getting enough sleep – One of the easiest ways to improve memory is to get enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, men and women should aim for getting between 7 to 9 hours of deep, restorative sleep each night. Getting enough sleep has two benefits when it comes to improving memory. Firstly, it makes it easier to consolidate memories. Second, it makes recalling them much easier when the time comes to do so.

Consuming a brain-boosting diet – A healthy, well-balanced diet can benefit brain health just as much as it can benefit physical health, say many nutritionists, dieticians, and physicians. And this is further backed by a study published by Harvard Health Publishing, which noted that consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, namely fatty fish, helps improve overall brain function. The same was also said of foods rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, and foods that contain plenty of vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene, which includes spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens.

Learning – Most will agree that continuing to learn as much as possible, regardless of age, contributes to personal growth and development. However, doing so also improves brain health, memory recall, and the ability to retain information. In short, learning is an exercise for the brain, and the more you train it, the stronger and healthier it becomes.

Exercise – Along with improving cardiovascular health and making it easier to maintain a healthy weight, exercising for 20 to 30 minutes each day can lead to a sharper memory. In a study published by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), researchers noted that exercising or even playing sports increases the level of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial-derived growth factor (VEGF) in the brain. In turn, this facilitates the growth of new neuronal connections that protect against memory problems.

Laughter – Chronic stress can take just as much of a toll on physical health as it can on psychological health. Many studies show that individuals who lead a stressful life are more likely to struggle with memory problems. The same applies to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Learning to laugh and smile more can make it easier to cope with stress, which, in turn, minimizes the risk of developing a mental illness or suffering from memory problems.

Communication – The act of speaking requires a fair amount of forethought to effectively express one’s thoughts, ideas, and opinions. That said, it stands to reason that conversing more frequently with friends and loved ones can keep the mind sharp and memory problems at bay.

Healthy lifestyle habits – Along with getting more sleep, finding ways to cope with stress, and exercising regularly, minimizing alcohol consumption can keep one’s memory sharp. And for those who smoke, quitting cigarettes or switching to nicotine pouches can also help in this regard, as it reduces the negative impact of smoking on cognitive function.

Additional Ways to Boost Your Memory

Another way to improve memory is to take dietary supplements that contain brain-boosting ingredients. Some of the best ones, according to most naturopathic physicians, include the following:

  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Acetyl-L-carnitine
  • Phosphatidylserine
  • Creatine
  • Fish oil

Bottom Line

In summary, many things can adversely affect memory. And while many of them are synonymous with getting older, some are related to hormone imbalances, poor dietary habits, and other non-age-related things. Fortunately, there are plenty of all-natural remedies that can help keep the mind sharp and may even reverse some memory problems. Further, many can lower the chances of developing some of the more severe cognitive issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

7 Ways Speech Recognition Technology Supports Physicians and Their Patients

Speech recognition software is helpful in just about any industry, but it’s especially helpful in the medical field. Here are 7 reasons doctors and patients both benefit when medical personnel use this technology.

1. Speech recognition generates accurate documentation

Doctors are human and subject to error when documenting patient information and adding notes to their files. Sometimes errors occur when transferring written information into the computer.

When physicians can capture and record notes regarding a patient’s care just by speaking, the accuracy increases, which ultimately helps the patient receive better care.

2. Physicians can get HIPAA-compliant speech-to-text technology

While there are plenty of speech-to-text applications on the market, clinicians are bound by HIPAA regulations to keep patient data private and secure. Good speech-to-text applications send the content through their servers in order to generate high accuracy. This means medical staff can’t just use any application.

Most medical providers use Dragon dictation software. Dragon is a leader in the speech-to-text industry and now offers a cutting-edge, cloud-based speech recognition solution called Nuance Dragon Medical One. This dictation software fully supports HIPAA requirements and uses state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption to keep all patient data secure.

3. Speech recognition technology is more accurate than ever

When you think about speech recognition software, you might recall a time when you had to speak slowly if you wanted the computer to recognize just 20% of what you were saying. Thanks to Google’s efforts, speech recognition technology has made exponential improvements and is now more accurate than it’s ever been.

A brief history of speech recognition technology’s accuracy

Speech-to-text technology was first invented back in the 1950s. The first version of this technology recognized only numbers when spoken. It took ten years for speech-to-text to recognize words, but was limited to understanding just 16 English words.

DARPA’s Speech understanding Research (SUR) program stepped in around 1971 and created a system called Harpy that could recognize 1,011 English words. By 1985 there were two main text-to-speech software programs: Kurzweil, which understood 1,000 words and IBM’s software, which understood 5,000 words.

Although a 5,000-word vocabulary was considered exceptional at the time, people had to speak slowly, clearly, and enunciate each word carefully or the programs couldn’t understand the dictation.

Speech recognition technology became available to the masses in 1990 when Dragon launched Dragon Dictate. The price tag? $9,000. In 1997, Dragon brought their price point down to $695 with a program called NaturallySpeaking. Although the price had dropped and the program was improved, it still wasn’t reliable enough to use in a professional setting. That’s when Google stepped in and changed everything.

Accurate technology creates better patient care

As previously discussed, accurate dictation results produce better patient care. As the technology is improved with machine learning systems, it will only become more accurate with time.

4. Speech recognition helps patients with complex medical histories

For most patients, physicians can use standard EHR templates to document notes about their condition. However, when patients have a more complex medical history, it’s not that simple. Most physicians aren’t going to be excellent typists and they’re likely going to miss a lot of the nuance involved in a patient’s story.

With dictation software, physicians can simply use their voice to create more complete problem lists that are created instantly.

5. Speech-to-text avoids dictation services

Traditionally, physicians have used tape recorders or mobile phone apps to record information that needs to be typed up by a transcriptionist. With software like Dragon Medical dictation, the transcript is created instantly, bypassing the fees and delays that come with traditional transcription.

6. Speech can be analyzed

Some clinicians are using speech recognition software for more than just dictation. Some medical professionals use speech recognition with predictive technology for diagnostic purposes, for example, to identify Parkinson’s Disease.

7. Data retrieval

Just as speech recognition can digitally document verbal input, it can also pull up those same records. Some software allows clinicians to speak a patient’s name or other keywords to pull up relevant records and other information. This makes a clinician’s job much easier.

Speech recognition technology is only getting better

Despite its slow start, speech recognition software continues to improve and is on an upward trajectory.

Not everyone is convinced of the benefits yet. However, we can expect to see even more improvements in the coming years that will make speech-to-text an industry standard in the medical field.

What Are Good Employee Appreciation Gifts?

Over the last couple of years, a lot of trends have changed. One thing that has changed for good and the change comes highly appreciated, is the way companies used to treat their employees. Gone are the days where employees used to be considered laborers. They would come to the office, sit at their desk, take orders, get to work, report their progress at the end of the day, and go back home only to come to the office the next day and repeat the cycle again.

In the modern era, companies really put in an effort to maintain a great relationship with their employees. Employers wish for their employees to feel comfortable and at ease. The goal is to provide a welcoming environment for the employees so that they can easily reach out to the employers in case they need anything. Other than comfort, companies also wish to appreciate their employees for the work they do. Therefore, employers and companies are often searching for corporate gift ideas that they can send to their employees and tell them how much their effort and contribution is appreciated by the company.

There are several gift ideas in the market. But when picking employee appreciation gifts, one has to be careful. The gift should depict the intention and should also make the employee feel welcomed and loved.

Appreciation messages for employees motivates and strengthens the bond between employees and employers by showing them they are valued.

To help you in this regard, we have put together a list of some gift items from the best swag stores that would surely make your employees feel loved, welcomed, and appreciated by the company:

1. Chocolate

A bar of chocolate is a gift item that you can never go wrong with. It is a creamy delight that is loved and enjoyed by all. Plus, it is also a sweet gesture that means that one wishes to appreciate and applaud the recipient’s efforts and hard work. When the employees will enjoy their chocolate, it will remind them of their hard work and how the company values it and appreciates it.

If you truly wish to impress your employees, go for the Malted Milkshake Chocolate Bar. The flavored chocolate bar has a creamy and rich texture that literally melts as soon as it touches the tip of the tongue. Plus the malted flavor adds a hint of sweetness that compliments the bitterness of the chocolate and surely amplifies its taste. The employees would be delighted when they receive this bar of chocolate as a means of appreciation for all that they do.

2. Canvas Prints

Looking for a unique and lasting way to show your employees they’re appreciated? Custom Canvas Prints are the perfect gift! Welcome new team members or celebrate a job well done with a personalized touch. Online platforms such as Wallpics offer a wide range of design options, allowing you to create stunning visual keepsakes. Gift a custom canvas print featuring a team photo, a motivational quote with your brand name, or a design that reflects your workspace. It’s a thoughtful gesture they’ll treasure for years to come!

3. Tea

Tea is a lot more than just a drink. It is a great source of calming one down especially after a tough and long day at work. If you are looking for welcome gifts for new employees and want to send a message that they are appreciated but their calm and peace is also a priority for the company, getting them a pack of tea would be a great idea. The Art of Tea Chill is a top-rated product that is highly recommended in this category. The tea is easy to brew, simply let is steep in a cup of warm water. The flavor and aroma of the tea is just divine and it will calm down one’s nerves and lead to a refreshing feeling. The flavor, smell, impact – everything about this tea is just perfect.

4. Wireless Powerbank

The modern era is the age of tech and devices. We can barely even imagine having to live one day without our gadgets. And we do need to charge our devices to be able to use them. If you want to appreciate employees who are always on the go and need a way to keep their gadgets powered, why not get them a wireless power bank. The Lexon Bali Wireless Power Bank is a great pick. The power bank has a capacity of 5000 mAh which will keep it charged for longer. You can use it to charge multiple devices without running out of battery. And since it is a wireless power bank, the user will not have to carry cords and wires along with it. They will simply place the device on the dock and it will automatically start charging it.

5. Bluetooth Speaker

Who does not love music? And when you are in the mood for a little bit of a party, a Bluetooth speaker surely comes in handy. So why not get your employees the Sony XB01 Extra Bass Portable Compact Bluetooth Speaker as an appreciation gift. The speaker is small yet powerful therefore, the sound throw of the speaker is amazing. It is small so carrying it around will not be an issue at all. Plus the Bluetooth connection means that you can connect it to your device wirelessly and enjoy your music whenever you wish to and however you wish to.

Why 3D Printing is Creating a Buzz in Architecture Industry

3D printing technology is gaining traction in the fields of architecture, construction, and design due to its relatively affordable cost, fast speed, and high quality. Since constructing 3D models of architectural designs has always been a challenge, 3D printing is a boon for most architects and designers out there. In the architecture industry, detailed and accurate 3D models are key to showcasing and selling their concept to their investors and clients. Here are some strong reasons why 3D printing is gaining massive recognition in the architecture industry. 

1. Enables Architects to Envision Their Idea

Certain limitations like the lack of time, inability to model complicated designs, and lack of materials often restrict architects from preparing and presenting their models. In turn, their creative idea stays stuck in their minds and is never brought on paper. Before 3D printing became a common thing, several architects lost their brilliant ideas only because they were unable to showcase their idea and bring it to life. With 3D printing, every architect can freely explore new concepts without facing this limit. Irrespective of how complicated your design is, you can translate it into a model with 3D printing. 

In the past, architects feared adding complicated elements such as vaults, arches, and domes in their designs due to the inability to model them. While 3D software programs can easily create images and rendered pictures of any complicated design, preparing a solid 3D model was always a challenge. With 3D printing, modern-day designers and architects are crushing this barrier. 

2. Takes Less Time 

Architects need a few days to weeks to prepare a model from scratch, which is why traditional models hold a lot of value. However, since they are also complicated to make and take a lot of time, architects and designers need to adjust their schedules accordingly. With time, 3D printers are taking less and less time to prepare a model from scratch. While most models are ready within a few hours, some models take as little as 60 seconds to get printed. The next time you are running late for your jury, you can stop by a 3D printing shop and get your model ready in no time. 

This new technology is a boon for business owners with 3D printers. If a customer needs some changes or makes drastic changes in their designs, the operator can easily feed the data in the 3D printer and make the changes in the final model. 

3. A Cheaper Alternative

Compared to the traditional materials such as paper, mount board, scissors, glue, and other alternative tools, 3D printing can be much cheaper. It is believed that 3D printing can lower the cost of any project by 75%, thereby helping you create an affordable budget. This also lets you prepare conceptual models and visualize the design in three dimensions. This pushes the project to success. 

Even though they were a bit expensive in the beginning, 3D printers are gradually growing cheaper as the technology continues to evolve. With time, every architecture student will easily be able to afford the cost of 3D printing. Moreover, manufacturers are also producing cheap 3d printers that further lower the cost of the final product. This can give budding entrepreneurs an incentive and a new business idea that they can start with little capital. With cheaper machines and materials, you can reduce the cost by a great margin. 

4. Produces High-Quality Models 

3D models provide better finishing than handcrafted models and also last longer. You can create detailed models with the most complicated folds and achieve the best results. Not only are 3D models stronger and sturdier but also look better than handmade or traditional models. It also provides the freedom and flexibility to experiment with different finishes. Depending on the type of 3D printing you are getting, the materials and textures can vary. In turn, this can affect the quality and look of your final model. However, you always have the option of painting over your finished model to achieve your anticipated look. 

The different types of colors and materials used to make the models also provide a detailed and high-resolution finish to the final model. Since not all potential investors and buyers will get an idea about the design’s details and final look by looking at drawings, a 3D printed model can convey the idea and make a powerful impression. 

Since 3D printing is relatively cheap and provides maximum freedom to creative thinkers, it is gaining a lot of popularity in the design, architecture, and construction world. Some 3D models allow the users to interact with the original design to fully envision the concept. As you can see, there are endless benefits and opportunities that come with 3D printing. Whether you are an aspiring architect or a business owner, you can utilize 3D printing technology to fulfill your needs. 

6 Ways to Easily Find the Software You Need

With the number of applications out there, getting the most out of your computer can be difficult. Fortunately, you can use a few tips to help you find the programs you need. This article is going to walk you through a few different ways to find the software that meets your needs so that you can get more done.

How Do You Find the Best Software That Suits Your Needs?

1. Review Your Current Processes, and Identify Areas for Improvement

Before you start looking for software, you need to pinpoint the areas of your business where productivity can be improved. Wherever possible, entrepreneurs will try and use software to make their business processes more efficient. One way you do this is by comparing where your business is now, and where you want it to be in the future. By reviewing these processes, you can easily identify any software that you need to remove friction or simplify overly complex processes.

2. Define Your Software Requirements

Getting the right product is easy when you know what you want. It can be more tough finding a product if you are unsure of what’s best for your specific requirement, and have not looked into it yet.  If you define your software requirements correctly, you can cut down the time spent searching for software. 

It is worth explaining that your requirements should be well-defined but flexible. It should also account for all the use cases you may encounter. Over some time, your needs will evolve and this is where flexibility comes in handy.

3. Identify Options and Make Your Shortlist

It’s not always easy to find the best software for your needs. Especially when you are looking for the first time. The market is saturated and it’s hard to know where to start looking or what to compare. To find the best software you need, you must start by making a list of all possible options. 

It may be tempting to just start researching the first software you find, but that may not be productive in the end. Techies at Filehorse have advised that making a shortlist will help you achieve two things; it gives you an advantage in finding the best software and it saves time. By making a shortlist, you get to explore the features before deciding which one you will go for.

4. Select Your Top Choice

Once you’ve found a few software solutions, pick the one that suits your needs the best. This could involve reading reviews or following the development of a product for a couple of months to see how it works for other people. There’s no right way to go about this. Pick what feels comfortable for you and always follow your gut!

5. Check If You Have Further Requirements

While looking for software, you will need to analyze your requirements in detail. By determining the needs of your applications, you can decide whether the existing software will suffice or if it needs to be custom developed. If you’re trying to make something simple then you will most likely find what you are looking for in one of the many software tools. 

However, if you are looking for something more complex that there’s no existing plugin for, and you won’t find what you’re looking for in a simple program with a few clicking, then you’ll need to hire custom software developers.

Consider How Much You are Willing to Spend

The software can vary in price and while you want it to feel like you got a bargain, you also want it to be high quality. To find software that suits your needs you have to consider how much you are willing to spend. If you just need something simple and cheap for one-time use, search for freeware. 

You could also try online auction sites like eBay or Amazon Marketplace, which offer cheap software. If you plan on using the software regularly, slightly more expensive shareware is ideal. Make sure any shareware that you choose has a money-back guarantee so that if the software doesn’t work out for you, you can get your money back.

Software Installation Safety Tips

In the technological age, you’re bound to be faced with a lot of software installations, whether it’s for new computers, smartphones, or just about anything else. Each time you get a new device or software application, you need to get it up and running. 

Some people find this daunting, while others find it easy to do. Regardless of where you belong, you need to consider these tips before or during installation.

  • Consider If you Have Enough Disk Space or Resources to Run the Software: The first thing to consider is whether you have enough disk space or resources (RAM, CPU, etc.) on your computer to run the software. Many programs take up a lot of disk space, so it’s important to make sure that you have enough room for it.
  • Is there Any Conflicting Software on Your Computer? Software conflicts happen when you install multiple software programs that try to access the same files and resources. Software conflicts can be a big drain on your computer’s performance, and it becomes hard to figure out which one is causing the problem. 
  • Check Out Removal Options Before Installing: When you install software, it is important to know whether you need to remove it when the time comes. Often, it is easy to download software that doesn’t provide clear instructions on whether it can be uninstalled or if you will lose data if you uninstall it.
  • Always Uncheck Installation of Extras: Installing software can be fun! Whether you’re installing a new system or downloading something for your Mac, you usually get a few extra things along with it. Look very carefully at the boxes of information before you click “next” and always uncheck anything that sounds like extra because it might just become a problem for your computer performance.

Finding the best software that suits your needs is such a chore these days. There’s too much information to wade through and it’s hard to sort the real value from the false promises. Fortunately, these few pointers should help you along the way, and hopefully, make it easier for you to find the software you can use.

Record Any Area of your Screen for Free with IObit Screen Recorder

Looking for a screen recorder that can catch every detail of your screen while no lagging when HD recording? Follow this post to get the best screen recorder free of charge without a watermark.

Why Do You Need IObit Screen Recorder

There is no doubt that videos are becoming more and more popular than texts or images. After all, texts are plain. Meanwhile, image delivery limit information. But videos can contain rich elements including words, icons, animations, as well as audios. It takes less time for anyone to get a lot, learn a lot from a video than an article or an image. No matter you are a teacher who wants to record a tutorial, or you are a student who wants to learn skills and review all lessons you have learned, you can finish the task with a nice video.

Therefore, you need a screen recorder. But what makes people disappointed is that you always need to pay for a screen recorder, monthly or yearly. And what makes things worse is that most software limits the record time and adds the watermark by default. If you want to a long video or remove the watermark, no problem, just pay more. On the other hand, people always want an HD video so that they can clearly see what happened during each frame, but only to find large videos with a lot of lag.

Thus, the FREE IObit Screen Recorder comes into being, with all of your needs covered, such as recording any area of your screen, unlimited recording time, no watermark, recording the screen with audio, no lagging while HD recording, taking screenshots while recording, multiple outputs/convert formats, edit after recording. The most interesting thing is the IObit team also provides an online version, which means you don’t need to install any extra software to get a high-quality WebM video. If you are hurry for a tutorial, just enjoy this free online screen recorder now.

How to Use IObit Screen Recorder

Let’s see how to use IObit Screen Recorder to record your screen and make a fantastic video.

Step 1: Head to recorder.iobit.com and download this free software, and install it on your computer.  Vista, Win7, Win8, Win8.1, and Win10 – all supported.

Step 2: Run IObit Screen Recorder and select the area you want to record. By default, it will record all areas of your screen. You can select one specific window to only capture everything within that window. Or you can select any area you want to get started.

Step 3: Directly start or change the default settings before starting. Actually, you can now click the “REC” button to begin recording. All default settings are optimized according to the hardware of your computer, to make sure you have the best experience. In case you want to change something such as the output directory, the video and audio format, the frame rate, the hotkeys, or the watermark.

Step 4: Use F9, F10, and F11 to control the recording process. Press F9 to start or end recording. Use F10 to pause or resume. Sse F11 to take screenshots while recording, which may be the most useful feature as the IObit team broke through technical barriers between video & audio recording and screen capture taking simultaneously.

Step 5: Preview and edit your video. If you want to cut some parts off from the original video, just click the edit icon from the video list. Then you can drag the progress bar to only save the parts you want to keep.

Conclusion

This post gives you a simple introduction to IObit Screen Recorder and clearly displays the steps to use it. Hope your life could be more interesting with this free recorder online or offline.

What is SaaS Hosting? Who’s The Best For Your Site

SaaS Hosting is a specific type of web hosting service where your SaaS software and files are stored on the hosting provider’s servers instead of your own servers. So, your customers and users can access your software solution (your SaaS product) via the cloud.

The Benefits of SaaS Hosting

With a proper SaaS hosting, your customers wouldn’t need to have a copy of your software on their devices, while the hosting service will also provide maintenance and updates at the server level. So, the customers won’t need to update or patch the software.

Hosting for WP SaaS will also provide various benefits to the software developers. For instance, the developer wouldn’t need to host the software in-house, which may require certain infrastructures and management. Some companies also opt for Iaas hosting that maintains the infrastructures.

SaaS hosting can also provide the following benefits:

  • Security: the more widespread your SaaS software is and the more popular it gets, the more exposed your business is to cyber criminals and other threats. A good SaaS hosting service will also offer dedicated protection against various cyber threats like DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, malware and ransomware, hacking, and other threats.
  • Content delivery network (CDN): a CDN is a network of servers that distribute the content, so users can receive the content (and SaaS service) from a server that is located closer to them, allowing better latency and faster processes
  • Scalability: you can easily add more web hosting service with virtual SaaS hosting as your company grows, which is more cost-effective and would save more time rather than investing in more physical hosting and servers.

Who’s The Best For Your Site?

1. SiteGround

Key features:

  • cPanel access
  • Included SSL certification (HTTPS)
  • Free website transfer
  • Unlimited data transfer
  • Free website backup
  • WB-CLI

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Very fast servers with the latest technologies and software
  • Excellent customer support with 24/7 live chat, phone, and support ticket
  • Free CDN (by Cloudflare)
  • Free SSL certification
  • Multiple data centers in three continents, so you can choose according to your needs

Cons:

  • Limited/fixed storage, although the initial storage is quite large
  • Extra fee if you choose monthly billing

SiteGround is our top recommendation for a SaaS hosting for several reasons. First, its VPS cloud servers are based on super-fast SSD architecture, allowing very low latency and excellent reliability.

SiteGround also offers a very powerful CDN service to allow better deliverability of your content and SaaS software, and you can choose between five data centers. Also, SiteGrould will perform automatic daily backups of your site.

Arguably, however, the best reason to choose SiteGround is their excellent customer service: very fast, responsive, and reliable with almost no hold time on live chat and phone. 

2. Liquid Web

Key features:

  • Fully managed VPS and dedicated hosting service (all updates and security fixes are handled by Liquid Web
  • 100% uptime
  • For WordPress websites, Liquid Web automatically updates your plugins
  • PHP 7 and Nginx to boost your site’s speed and performance
  • Manage all your sites from a single location via iThemes Sync Pro

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Fast and secure technologies (SSD, PHP 7, Nginx, HTTP/2, and more)
  • Fully managed hosting infrastructure for various platforms (WordPress, VPS, dedicated servers)
  • Automatic daily backups and updates
  • 100% uptime money-back guarantee
  • Free SSL certification and CDN
  • Free site migration and DDoS protection
  • Premium tools included (iThemes Sync Pro, BeaverBuilder, Jilt, and more)

Cons:

  • Expensive option
  • Need to pay more for an email hosting
  • US and Europe data centers only

Liquid Web is definitely one of the best managed hosting services out there, and actually offers more features than SiteGround. Also, a very attractive selling point is its 100% uptime money-back guarantee (they will credit you 10x the amount when you were down).

However, LiquidWeb is relatively expensive (it is not a shared hosting service) and doesn’t automatically include email hosting. If you do have the budget, however, Liquid Web is a very interesting choice.

3. Heroku

Key features:

  • Fully managed runtime environment
  • Reliable and secure PostgreSQL
  • GitHub integration
  • Various add-ons like New Relic, MongoDB, SendGrid, Searchify, Fastly, Papertrail, ClearDB MySQL, Treasure Data, and more
  • Heroku CLI for interacting with the cloud environment

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Very easy deployment and environment configuration, very fast to launch
  • Very affordable especially for smaller-scale SaaS apps
  • A great free option, where you can deploy demo or test applications
  • Great interface with the Heroku CLI
  • Excellent mobile-responsiveness

Cons:

  • Does not offer static IP addresses, which can make Heroku limited in some applications
  • Pricing can be high for larger SaaS apps
  • Not very versatile for advanced developers

Heroku is a great choice due to its ease of use, allowing us to deploy apps to the cloud very easily. With Heroku, you don’t really need to manage your servers at all and you’ll also get extremely fast software launch times and intuitiveness. You can use Heroku’s Git push feature which will automatically detect your stack and automatically deploy your app.

Not as versatile as other options on this list, but one of the easiest to use.

4. Digital Ocean

Key Features:

  • Various data center locations across many different continents
  • Managed Kubernetes cluster in just a few clicks
  • Real-time alerts
  • Various resource metrics and summary stats with time-series graphs
  • Flexible compute options with various infrastructure options for your workload

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Easy to use, developer-friendly tools and APIs
  • Great documentation features
  • Great user interface allowing easy cloud management
  • Excellent customer service and support

Cons:

  • No South American servers
  • Don’t offer enterprise-level options (no MS SQL, Oracle, Windows Server).

Digital Ocean is another great hosting company for SaaS projects, especially for smaller SaaS businesses with their great pricing versatility and a very easy-to-use hosting environment. Fast, reliable, and secure SaaS hosting at a fairly reasonable price.

While it is not the most versatile hosting service, you get a great load time, decent server uptime, and excellent customer service.

5. Cloudways

Key features:

  • Choice of 5 IaaS providers
  • Fully managed cloud hosting platform
  • Optimized stack for fast load times
  • Auto-healing servers

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • 1-click installation for apps like WordPress
  • Free SSL integration
  • First site migration is free
  • Fantastic support
  • Pay as you go pricing

Cons:

  • No root access
  • Add-ons cost extra
  • No support for cPanel or Plesk

Cloudways is one of the best companies that offers SaaS hosting solutions right now. They have a fantastic, highly optimized stack for fast speeds, and the company is known for its range of support options. Their pricing varies depending upon the provider you choose, making them an ideal choice for most companies big or small.
However, you don’t get root access to your web apps, and since they provide their own platform, you can’t use Plesk or cPanel.

End Words

A proper SaaS hosting can significantly improve your SaaS product’s deliverability and usability, by allowing a faster, managed cloud service from the hosting service instead of your own server.

Above, we have also discussed four of the best SaaS hosting options available today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

How Jungle Scout Can Make Your Amazon Shopping Easier

Jungle Scout is an Amazon research tool that is designed to help businesses reach success in an easy and efficient way when selling or buying products. Small businesses, in particular, can benefit from this tool to find suitable equipment and supplies with a huge bang for their buck. In other words, Jungle Scout helps entrepreneurs get their businesses up and running. On that note, here’s exactly how Jungle Scout can make your Amazon shopping easier. 

Helps You Research Keywords

No business or startup can survive without the essentials. Having products on hand that helps you get organized and get to work with ease will allow you to progress. For instance, the latest office equipment can prevent a lot of hindrances; however, searching through the many products Amazon offers can be overwhelming. With Jungle Scout, you’ll be able to research keywords that are relevant to your needs, saving you the hassle of having to do extensive research about a product’s quality yourself. Shopping is much easier when you can immediately find what you specifically need for your office or small business. 

Allows You to Estimate Sales

Small businesses don’t have the resources that big enterprises have. For this reason, it can be quite overwhelming for small businesses to manually search products and create spreadsheets to analyze all the data. Moreover, most startups and entrepreneurs cannot afford to hire a big IT company to handle the analytics for them. That’s where Jungle Scout comes in. Since product research is crucial to your business’s success, you can’t overlook it. Therefore, Jungle Scout will help you estimate your sales which helps you evaluate your finances and marketing strategies better.

Allows You to Spy on Competitors

Another major part of a business’s success is being able to stay ahead of the competition. Small businesses don’t have the budget to put towards standing out and getting their brand out there. As such, use Jungle Scout to stay up to date on what is and isn’t working for competitors, and adjust your strategies accordingly. In other words, it makes competitive analysis much easier for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners alike. Amazon Agency will show you how to stand out among your competitors and effectively promote your listings.

Offers the Best Products to Grow Your Business

It’s one thing to make a list of all the products you need to shop for to grow your business; it’s another thing to ensure you’re actually getting quality products. Shopping on Amazon becomes much easier when you can turn to Jungle Scout to provide you with the best products that will benefit your business. 

The competition is growing exponentially in the e-commerce market, so staying on top of the latest trends and conducting regular market research is vital. Amazon has a lot to offer, and most small businesses just don’t have the resources to ensure that they don’t miss any valuable products or information. So, refer back to this guide the next time you are shopping on Amazon to grow your business. With Jungle Scout at your service, you have the perfect business partner you could ask for.