Category Archives: Productivity Apps

Useful Tips to Help Improve the Way Your Business Works

Posted on by Allen Brown
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Running a business is no easy task, especially in this competitive commercial environment. There are many challenges that your company will be facing in the initial years of operation; some of these challenges are hard to tackle and are usually why a lot of startups end up shutting down after five years of operation. Multiple areas of your business need attention, and as its owner, it is your job to ensure that each part of your business is running smoothly and is able to effectively navigate any bumps in the road. Here are a few tips that can help you improve your business operations.

1. Better Management of Resources

You need to organize and manage your business to ensure it operates without difficulties. Organization of business tasks could include overseeing and managing your finances, corporate affairs, and how your employees behave in the work environment. Poor management usually results in a business shutting down after 2-3 years of operations. If you’re looking to stay afloat in this cutthroat market, you need to learn how to manage your entire company and get everyone on the same page.

There are tools available to aid business managers, such as company or team management software. The aim of this software is to boost your business’ productivity levels while aligning your company finances with your long-term plans and goals. Being a business manager can be exhausting, and these organizational skills and management tools will help relieve the burden of managing your company and delegating responsibility.

You can only organize and manage your business if you have a business plan that can help you work towards achieving a specific goal. Usually, a business plan should be realistic and achievable, allowing you to measure your employees’ and company’s progress. Identifying your target market and their needs and establishing your business values are a few stepping stones that help formulate a business plan to achieve your long-term goals.

2. Use Customer Experience Software

A customer experience software helps a company manage and track their customer’s feedback. This software designs and analyzes a customer’s experience while deriving ways a business could elevate its clients’ experience. If you decide to use a lead provider of customer experience software, it will allow you to assess your customers’ satisfaction levels, brand loyalty, and repurchase rate.

You can effortlessly gather customer feedback data about your company from social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. This data can then be grouped to measure the overall experience that your previous clients have had. You can then improve your customer retention rate by improving your services, offering them better quality products, providing them with after-sales services, and more. 

However, customer experience software will be valuable to your company if your previous clientele provides feedback about their experience. When dealing with your clients, try encouraging them to leave reviews on your website, preferably positive. According to a study done, more than 92% of potential customers will scour through online reviews before purchasing a specific brand’s product or acquiring a service from a particular company.

One way of making sure that your clients leave reviews on your website is to offer them incentives for leaving reviews, such as a 10% off on their next purchase. Companies can also request that their customers leave video testimonials, if possible; some potential clients can be skeptical about online reviews, believing that the reviews are biased and a form of paid promotion. Video testimonials will give them a sense of security and help them realize that the feedback in question is unbiased and a true reflection of the services provided by the company.

3. Automate Tasks

The level of business competition these days is cutthroat, which is why you must automate your business tasks as much as you can. Automating tasks can include emailing your employees their paychecks, or sending your vendors electronic receipts. Such duties are monotonous, boring, and can waste your employees’ time by distracting them from their work.

By automating your business tasks, you give your employees the chance to work in a more productive environment, allowing them to work with increasing efficiency. Although automating your business tasks might be a little costly in the initial stages, it will help benefit your business in the long run.

4. Train Your Employees

Training your employees will polish up their old skills and help them learn new ones they could utilize in their job. Research and studies have proven that on-the-job training leads to job satisfaction, which results in employees being motivated to work harder and be more productive. By staying up to date on the latest trends in the industry, your employees will have an upper hand and be able to tackle any problems on their own.

5. Have Daily Meetings

Everyone hates meetings; they’re long, boring, and tedious, and you often feel like falling asleep when you’re not even halfway through them. However, research has proven that keeping your daily meetings short and to the point (10 minutes to be exact) leads to efficient and productive meetings, with a generation of new ideas and the involvement of every member. Having company meetings is a necessity; however, your company does not need conferences that eat away the entire work day and distract both you and your employees from being their productive selves.

Having daily 10-minute meetings is an excellent way to keep your employees up to date on any new business developments. It also encourages them to present their ideas and contributions, engendering in them a sense of loyalty and belonging to the company. A streamlined meeting improves employee efficiency and eliminates valuable work time being wasted on unnecessary discussions.

6. Use Task Management Software

Communicating through fax and email is a thing of the past; if you want your business model to operate efficiently, you need to start using task management software. Task management software will streamline communication with your employees and have all your conversations and tasks in one place. 

Task management software has been proven to be especially useful for corporations whose employees work in groups and teams. This way, the group members’ individual assigned tasks and progress can be viewed by anyone. The ability to track and view each other’s progress will enable employees to reach out to their respective team members and help them out if need be. It also allows everyone to achieve their goals efficiently. Team leaders can encourage and motivate members who are slacking behind in terms of task completion.

7. Create an Email List

Most companies think of reaching out to their customers via email as something of the past, but corporations that tap into email marketing have been successful so far. You can expand your email marketing list by reaching out to your contacts and adding your previous clientele. You can also have a registration form on your website where interested people can fill in their details to get added to your email list.

When you’re marketing to potential customers through email, try not to clutter their inboxes with irrelevant information. The content you distribute via email needs to be relevant, gripping, and easy to read and understand. Sending out readable, relatable, and engaging content will give your potential customers a reason to open your email and read it. To pull in subscribers, you can give them special incentives or reward them with gifts such as coupons, shipping offers, or discount rates for signing up.

8. Openly Communicate With Employees

Establishing a culture that promotes openly communicating with your colleagues will help your employees easily find solutions to their problems. Your employees should not feel apprehensive about voicing their concerns or providing you or their colleagues with feedback on how they should be performing specific tasks. One of the main reasons a company grows is its ability to foster an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking out about how the company is run. Believe it or not, your employees might provide you with practical advice or tips that can help your company flourish in ways that even you might not have thought of. Encouraging your employees to think, be creative, provide feedback, and voice their opinions and ideas helps your business become more efficient.

9. Have Flexible Working Hours

Covid has completely changed the way employees work; with a team of hard-working and devoted employees, it’s easier for your employees to be more productive with more flexible working hours. Flexible working hours increase employees’ job satisfaction and loyalty to your company. This way, your employees will be working at hours that are more convenient for them, allowing them to be more productive. Your employees can work from home and be more diligent and dutiful towards their work. Flexible working hours and the ability to work remotely will be especially appreciated by workers with children and families.

Multiple aspects of a business need to come together and work harmoniously to ensure its success. A business manager needs to organize and manage these areas effectively for optimal productivity. Focusing on your customers, employees, and key business operations will help your business flourish. By keeping these tips in mind, you can prevent your business from becoming stagnant and allow it to grow and prosper.

Cloudpaging 101 – What Is It and What are Its Benefits?

Posted on by Charlene Brown
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Cloudpaging is a new technology that allows you to run applications from the cloud. It delivers applications to users faster and with fewer problems. This article will take a deeper dive to see what it is and what the benefits of cloudpaging are.

What Is Cloudpaging?

The purpose of this technology is to enable you to run apps on the cloud. Many companies are conducting cloudpaging and application virtualization as it helps them run any app on the cloud, regardless of its compatibility. It is a great solution for businesses that want to reduce their costs.

Benefits Of Cloudpaging

This process is already helping tons of companies out there in many ways. Taking advantage of it and jumping on a bandwagon can only help you advance your business further. Here are the main benefits of cloudpaging. 

Reducing Image Size 

One big reason many use cloudpaging is because it enables them to reduce the size of their images. This is especially important for those in the healthcare industry who have to deal with X-Rays and MRIs which can be quite large files. reducing the image size helps to speed up loading times and makes it easier for doctors and nurses to access them when they need to.

For example, you can take a Windows XP image that is resized for a 1024×768 display and use cloudpaging to make it automatically resize for displays that are 1920×1080. This can be a big time-saver, especially when you have users with different types of displays.  

Healthy Speed 

Thanks to this process, the app will run much faster and smoother, which is always a good thing. No more waiting for an app to load or update! And since cloudpaging doesn’t rely on the local hardware as much, it can also help preserve battery life. So there are two health benefits right there: faster apps and longer battery life. Can’t beat that.

Speed also makes apps more reliable. If it reacts quickly, it feels more responsive and polished, which gives users a better experience overall. And since apps that load quickly are less likely to crash, they’re also more stable.

Cost Reduction

There are a lot of costs already connected to running an app. These are the following:

  • The cost of the hardware
  • The cost of the software
  • The cost of the infrastructure
  • The cost of support

With cloudpaging, you can reduce all these costs by using a pay-per-use model. You only need to pay for what you use and nothing more. This makes it a very cost-effective solution for running your app. In addition, you don’t need to worry about buying new hardware or upgrading your infrastructure when you want to run a new app. All you need is an internet connection and you’re good to go!

Running The Apps Offline

You don’t even need an internet connection in order to use cloudpaged apps. As long as you have signed in once, the apps will continue to work offline without any issues. This is a great benefit for those who often find themselves in areas with poor or no internet connection. Whether you’re on a plane, in a rural area, or simply trying to conserve data, running your apps offline is not only possible with cloudpaging, but it’s also simple and effective.

For example, let’s say you’re a salesperson who needs to access your CRM software while on the go. With cloudpaging, you can simply sign in to your account, download the app, and use it offline without any problems. And when you’re back in an area with an internet connection, all of your data will automatically sync so that you’re always up-to-date.

Virtualizing Windows Apps 

Cloudpaging will help you virtualize your Windows apps and make them available on any device. You can use Cloudpaging to virtualize your apps so they can be used on thin clients, zero clients, desktops, laptops, and even smartphones. With Cloudpaging, you can virtualize your app so it doesn’t need to be installed on each individual device. 

Improving User Experience 

All the aforementioned benefits culminate when you realize how much it improves the user experience. The fact that you can package an application in such a way that it doesn’t have to be installed, and users don’t even have to be local administrators, is amazing. It’s a game-changer for how enterprises can provide their employees with the applications they need to do their jobs. 

For example, let’s say you’re a Graphic Designer who needs Adobe Photoshop CC. With cloudpaging, all you need to do is open up the application and start using it right away. 

Cloudpaging is a great leap forward for any business as it can help reduce image sizes making everything run much smoother. The speed of your app will be much faster and you can even run them offline. You can also virtualize all the Windows apps like this making everything easier on you.  All these benefits together improve user experience by a lot making the whole thing even better!

4 Types Of Productivity Tools Your SMB Can’t Do Without

Posted on by Nora Sbalckiero
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Today, many people consider starting their own companies instead of looking for white-collar jobs. This has brought about high competition among business owners with identical products or services. If you’re a business owner, finding effective ways to help your company stand out is key to overcoming intense market competition. One of them is enhancing business productivity. 

Increased productivity leads to greater revenue generation, better customer service, adequate employee fulfillment, reduced operational costs, and enhanced profitability. All these help you gain a competitive edge.  However, you must utilize the right productivity tools.  

That said, here are some types of productivity tools you can employ for your business. 

1. E-signature Software 

Signing physical documents can hurt the productivity of your business. This is true since workers must keep printing and scanning documents, thus wasting time. As a result, they won’t be productive in other essential business tasks. For that reason, it’d be a good idea to invest in e-signature technology. 

With e-signature, you won’t need to handle physical documents. Workers can sign them over the internet. This ensures your business saves a lot of time. 

Employees can utilize the time saved to attend to other essential business tasks like engaging with customers, collecting debts, merchandising your store, etc. This goes a long way towards enhancing the productivity of your company.  

You might think that shifting to e-signature technology is expensive. But that’s not true. Some vendors allow you to use their e-signature apps to sign documents online free of charge. Make sure you select a secure e-signature tool from a reliable service provider.  

2. Communication Tools

You can’t ignore the power of communication in enhancing business productivity. It enables workers to share important information and ideas to solve business problems.  

Besides, communication enables workers to get clear instructions to help them complete tasks as required. This goes a long way in enhancing business productivity. However, you must install effective communication tools in your business systems.  

There are various modern communication apps you can have in your business. These include audio, chat, messaging, and video conferencing tools.  

Any tool you purchase should enable employees to communicate or engage in real-time. This is important because you can’t expect an increase in productivity if communication delays occur.  

3. Staff Recruitment Software

The human resources department forms an integral part of any business enterprise. It helps find new workers and orient them to the business system. 

Besides, the human resources department is essential for employees’ continuous training and development. Your company might not grow without an effective and predictive human resources department. That’s why you need to install staff recruitment software. 

Staff recruitment app lets your business increase productivity in various ways. For instance, it enables the human resources department team to complete the recruitment process quickly. Therefore, they can attend to other productive activities of your company like payroll preparation as soon as possible.  

Additionally, staff recruitment software helps you scan candidates during the job application and interview process. This ensures you pick the most suitable candidates for your business regarding qualifications and experience.  Only by working with the right team can you enhance productivity for your business.  

4. Bookkeeping And Accounting App

The bookkeeping and accounting process is the backbone of your business. It forms the basis for developing final accounts like the income statement, balance sheet, cash flows, and statements of changes in equity.  

You need to prepare final business accounts for various reasons. For instance, they let you understand your company’s performance and position regarding assets and liabilities. As a result, you can make strategic decisions to help run your firm.  

While that’s the case, bookkeeping and accounting are complex processes with many steps to follow. And if you aren’t careful enough, your accounting department team will spend a lot of time on a single task. For that reason, you need to invest in bookkeeping and accounting software. 

Bookkeeping and accounting software helps automate tasks in your finance department. Therefore, any task that could have taken ages to complete can now be done within seconds. This enables your accounting team to complete several tasks within a day, thus boosting the productivity of your business. 

5. Signwell

Signwell is a tool that allows businesses and individuals to sign documents online for free. It’s perfect for startups, freelancers, or small businesses looking for an affordable and efficient solution to obtain legally binding signatures without incurring costs.

You can create, send, and track contracts while ensuring compliance with legal standards. Signwell offers a simple and intuitive platform that’s especially suited for those who need a straightforward way to manage signatures.

Takeaway

As detailed in this article, there are several types of productivity tools your company can’t do without them. However, you must find the best tools in the market. Some factors to consider when selecting any business productivity tool include its compatibility with other applications, scalability, ease of use, and security features. You must also ensure you’re working with reputable tools service providers. 

4 Tech Best Practices for Property Managers

Posted on by Alex Sanders
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Managing rental and investment properties is easier with technology, but it’s not easy choosing which applications to use. There are so many software applications on the market that it’s hard to know which ones are the most helpful. Also, software alone won’t necessarily be enough. If you’re not following certain best practices, you won’t get the full benefits from your technology.

If you’re a property manager using technology to assist with your duties, here are four best practices that will make your efforts more fruitful.

1. Work with a property management company

The easiest way to get the most out of technology is to hand your responsibilities over to a professional property management company. They’ll have all the latest and greatest applications already, and will know what is currently standard in the industry. For instance, they’ll have apps for managing rent payments, applications, tenant issues, and even tracking profitability.

Using property management services will achieve several things:

  • You won’t need to figure out what apps to use
  • You won’t need to learn new applications
  • You won’t have to fuss with logging into multiple software accounts every day
  • You won’t have monthly bills for multiple apps
  • You won’t have to worry about data privacy – a professional company will have that covered

You’ll pay one easy monthly fee for property management services, and it will be much easier than trying to manage and keep track of a handful of applications.

2. Condense your software applications

If you’re going to manage your own properties, it’s important to condense the number of apps you use. The more apps you need to use, the harder your job will be.

Consolidate your apps by first making a list of all the features you need. Then, make a list of all the apps you currently use and document which features each app provides.

Identify feature overlaps

Look at your list for overlaps. For instance, if you have three apps that have four of the same features, see if you can eliminate all but one and use only the app that has all of those shared features.

Do you really need unique features?

If you use apps with unique features, ask yourself if you really need those features. Are they necessary or just convenient? Convenience is nice but it can come at a price. For instance, if your apps aren’t connected by a single database, you’ll be dealing with two separate databases.

If an app with a convenient feature requires copying over large amounts of information from other apps on a regular basis, it may not be worth keeping. You don’t want to have to update multiple apps when information changes or you may forget to make updates in every database.

Identify missing features

Check your feature list to see what features aren’t supported by your existing apps. This will tell you what to look for in additional apps. However, your best bet will be to look for a single app that offers all the features you need.

3. Do not pay for software you can get for free

You can find paid software to perform just about any task, but there are also free options floating around. If you can get free software to meet your needs, make that your first choice. However, free software isn’t always better than paid.

For example, most free applications are extremely basic and sometimes don’t come with support. If you need support and more than basic features, go with the paid app. However, if your needs are simple and you don’t need support for certain features, you’ll be fine using the free application.

4. Do not use software when it is not needed

Software is great, but it’s not always needed. It’s easy to complicate things by using an application when it’s not necessary. For instance, some people can’t live without receipt tracking software, but if you don’t have many receipts to track, it’s cumbersome to scan everything and verify each entry.

Make sure every app you use is needed. Does it make your life easier? Does it free up your time? Does it help you access information more easily? If so, keep using that application. If not, consider ditching the app.

Use technology to your advantage

No matter what apps you use to manage your properties, use technology to your advantage whenever possible. If you’re still collecting rent manually, start using software to accept rent payments online. Little by little, technology can help you better manage your properties.

HEIC vs JPG: What’s the Difference and Which Is Better?

Posted on by Edward Brown
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A whopping 1,43 trillion photos were taken using mobile devices in 2020. High-resolution phones and high-quality digital cameras have people taking and storing tons of images. With so much content available, it’s essential to stand out.

Using a photo-editing app can give your images the edge they need. However, not everyone is familiar with all the different editing file types. If you’re unsure of the difference between HEIC and JPG, you’re in the right place.

Check out this guide to learn all about HEIC vs JPG.

Operating Systems Supporting HEIC and JPG

With iOS 11, Apple made HEIC the new default photo format for iPhone users. HEIC, or High-Efficiency Image Format, is a unique file format that improves the JPG standard. 

But in some instances, we have to convert these into jpg files. There are ways to change heic to jpg on specific operating systems like Mac.

It would be best to use tools to preserve your images’ quality after converting them. JPG is a popular imaging format that most platforms and operating systems support, making it compatible with many devices.

HEIC vs JPG: The Differences

When choosing between HEIC and JPG, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind:

File Size and Compatibility

The file size difference is due to the way each format compresses images. HEIC uses a more sophisticated compression method that is more efficient than the standard JPEG compression.

A typical HEIC file is about half the size of a JPEG file of the same image quality. It means you can store twice as many HEIC files on your device or reduce the amount of storage space used by half. This can be advantageous if you’re working with limited storage space or bandwidth.

However, JPG files are also more widely compatible with different devices and software than HEIC files, so you’re more likely to be able to open and view them without any issues. Or you can convert HEIC to JPG to fix the incompatibility issue.

Image Compression

JPEG is a lossy format that is compressed by discarding some image data. It can result in visible artifacts, especially at high compression ratios. HEIC is a lossless format, meaning it doesn’t lose any image data when compressed – resulting in better image quality, but the files are more extensive.

HEIC files offer better image compression than JPG files, so if image quality is your top priority, HEIC is the better option. Another key difference is that HEIC files can contain multiple images in a single file, known as HEIC sequences. The image type is ideal for burst photos or Live Photo sequences.

Color Differences and Quality

One advantage of HEIC is that it supports 16-bit color, while JPEG only supports 8-bit color. It means HEIC can represent a broader range of colors than JPEG and produce more accurate colors.

HEIC uses a more advanced color management system that produces more accurate and vibrant colors. JPG uses a more simplistic color management system that can often result in muted or less realistic colors. For those looking to enhance the colors of their JPEG images, a photo color correction service can be invaluable.

Finally, HEIC files support transparency, whereas JPEGs do not. You can create images with transparent backgrounds, which can be helpful for logos and other design elements.

HEIC vs JPG for Photography and Editing 

Since HEIC is a newer format, you can not easily edit the images on several devices. You need to look for an operating system where it is compatible, or you need to convert it to JPG. But editing HEIC images can ensure that their quality will not change or deteriorate.

There are a lot of JPG image editing tools that you can use. You can also convert it to HEIC if you need to have this kind of format in your images. Make sure to look for editing tools and retouching services that can maintain its image quality, especially if it is something you need for professional use.

The Drawbacks and Benefits

Not all devices and software can open HEIC files, so you may need to convert them to JPG before sharing them. Additionally, HEIC files are not as widely accepted as JPG files, so you may have difficulty finding someone who can open them.

Devices that are also using old operating systems can’t access HEIC files. It is something that you should consider before deciding on what kind of format to use.

But on a good note, HEIC files have much better compression technology in their images. You will not need to sacrifice the quality of your photos in using this kind of format, even if the file size is much smaller.

Its 16-bit color depth is also much preferred by professional photographers as they can access a much more comprehensive range of colors. You will be able to get more realistic photos using this kind of format.

When Should I Use HEIC vs JPG Files?

If you have an Apple device, you will be using HEIC as it is compatible with its operating system. You should also use the format if you are trying to save memory space or if the amount you have is limited. Suppose you are using your photos for professional purposes. In that case, HEIC is also more recommended to preserve the high quality of your images.

JPG files are much more accessible no matter what kind of device or operating system you use because of their compatibility. If you use several devices, you will not have problems using JPG format as you do not need to convert them every time you transfer your files.

Best HEIC & JPG File Viewer for Mac/Win

As mentioned earlier, not all devices and software can open or review HEIC files. Therefore, if you are drawn to the benefits of HEIC, you must choose suitable software to manage your HEIC files. Here introduce a useful tool that can manage both HEIC and JPG files: Eagle (https://eagle.cool).

Eagle is a powerful digital asset management tool that helps organize and manage HEIC and JPG files. With Eagle, you can easily sort and classify images by file type, color, keywords, dimensions, and dates, making it easier to find the images you need. You can also tag your digital assets, write notes on important points of the image, and even use smart folders to automatically categorize assets, allowing you to optimize and enhance your images regardless of the file format.

Whether you are a professional photographer or someone who loves taking photos, Eagle is a must-have tool for managing your image library.

Choosing The Best Format For Your Captured Moments

If you’re wondering whether to use HEIC or JPG format for your photos, here’s a quick rundown of the differences between the two. HEIC is a newer format with better compression than JPG, making it a good choice for saving storage space. JPG is a more widely compatible format, so it’s a better choice for sharing photos.

Ultimately, in choosing HEIC vs JPG, the best format depends on your needs.

For more interesting topics like this article, visit their website and check out our latest content!

How Can Changelog Improve Communication with Your Clients?

Posted on by Mike Khorev
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Clients today are more demanding than ever before. For businesses, it’s vital to ensure that communication is effective and efficient to maintain a good relationship with these clients. Changelog has released a new update that offers several features that can help improve this communication.

What is Changelog?

Changelog is a software development term for a document that records all changes made to a software product, typically including the date, its author or authors, and a description of the change. It is common for changelogs to be published alongside software releases to keep users informed about what has changed.

The purpose of a changelog is to provide transparency and accountability for changes made to a software product. By documenting every change and its rationale, developers can ensure that users know what features have been added, removed, or changed; if necessary, they can explain any unexpected behavior.

Changelogs also serve as valuable resources for developers who want to understand how a product has changed over time or identify the root cause of an issue.

How Can Changelogs Improve Communication?

When it comes to software development, communication is vital. But what happens when that communication breaks down? In a perfect world, developers would always be in sync, but the reality is that things happen. Missed deadlines, misunderstood requirements, and other miscommunications can lead to frustration and project delays.

One way to help improve communication is by using changelogs. Changelogs are a log of changes made to a piece of software. They can be as simple as a text file or as complex as a full-fledged website.

  • Keep Everyone on the Same Page: Changelogs can help keep everyone on the same page by documenting what was changed, why it was changed, and who made the change.
  • Helpful for Troubleshooting Problems: They can also be beneficial for troubleshooting problems. If something isn’t working the way it’s supposed to; a changelog can help pinpoint the problem by providing a history of changes.

In short, changelogs can help improve communication by providing transparency and accountability. They can also help identify problems and keep everyone on the same page.

Benefits of Using Changelogs

There are many benefits to using changelogs, but here are a few of the most important ones:

  • Use to Track Changes Made to a Software Project Overtime: Changelogs can help developers keep track of changes made to a software project over time. This is especially helpful for long-term projects where it can be difficult to remember every change.
  • Use to Identify the Root Cause of an Issue: If something isn’t working as it’s supposed to, a changelog can help developers identify the root cause of the problem. By providing a history of changes, changelogs can help developers troubleshoot issues and find the fix faster.
  • Use to Provide Accountability and Transparency: Changelogs can help improve communication by providing accountability and transparency. By documenting every change and its rationale, developers can ensure that users know what features have been added, removed, or changed.
  • Use to Keep Stakeholders Informed: Changelogs can also be used to keep stakeholders informed about changes made to a software product. This is especially helpful for businesses who must ensure that their clients are always up-to-date on the latest features and changes.

The Types of Changelogs

Changelogs are an essential part of any software development process, but what are they, and what do they do? A changelog is a document that lists the changes made to a software product, typically between releases.

They can be very simple or quite complex, but all changelogs have the same goal: to help developers understand how a product has changed over time.

There are many different changelogs, but some of the most common are listed below.

  • Feature Changelog: This type of changelog lists new features and enhancements added to a product. It can be beneficial for understanding how a product has evolved.
  • Bugfix Changelog: As you might expect, this type of changelog lists bug fixes and other changes made to address issues discovered in previous releases. This can be very helpful for troubleshooting problems.
  • Security Changelog: This type of changelog lists changes to address security vulnerabilities. Keeping track of these changes is essential to ensure that your software is always up-to-date.
  • API Changelog: This type of changelog documents changes made to an application programming interface (API). It can be beneficial for developers who are working with an API.

Creating and Updating Changelog

A changelog is a log of changes made to a software project. Developers often use them to track what changes have been made and when to help with debugging and troubleshooting. Changelogs can also be helpful for users, who can use them to keep track of new features and bug fixes.

There are a few different ways to create a changelog. One approach is to create a text file and add one entry per line, noting the date, the change type (e.g., added, removed, changed), and a brief description of the change.

A more sophisticated option is to use a reputable changelog tool by ReleasePad, which can automatically generate a changelog based on the commit messages in your Git repository.

Keeping it up-to-date is essential once you’ve decided how to create your changelog. Add an entry to the changelog whenever a change is made to your software. This will help ensure that it is always accurate and up-to-date.

The Future of Changelogs

As the world of software development evolves, so too do the tools and processes we use. Changelogs have been around for many years, but they are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of developers.

One area where changelogs are evolving is how they are used. In the past, changelogs were typically used to document changes between releases. However, with the rise of continuous delivery and deployment, changelogs are now being used to document changes made daily. This is especially helpful for developers who need to track fast-moving projects.

Another area where changelogs are evolving is how they are presented. In the past, changelogs were often simply lists of changes with no context or explanation.

However, modern changelogs are often much more user-friendly, with clear explanations of why each change was made. This can be very helpful for developers who need to understand how a product has changed quickly.

As the world of software development continues to change, so will the way we use changelogs. They are an essential part of any software development process, and they will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of developers.

The Main Benefits of Using Enterprise Data Backup Tools

Posted on by Allen Brown
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When it comes to the loss of business data, it is not a question of if and when. Instead, you should be asking yourself, “How will my company cope with this?” For most businesses today, their answer will likely fall in the range from “not very well” to “it is going to be a complete disaster.” If you belong to this category, it is time you use Enterprise Data Backup Tools.

What Are Enterprise Data Backup Tools?

In case of an unexpected event, enterprise data backup tools will provide your organization with data protection and quick recovery by storing your data on remote servers. Additionally, you will receive access to shared cloud storage. It is achieved by synchronizing a remote storage facility with local storage. 

Often enterprise data backup tools are offered as a subscription-based service. It will allow you to access backups in cloud storage and archive easily, and usually, they come with a ton of benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Enterprise Data Backup Tools?

Security 

Over the past few years, the cyberattacks on industries worldwide have skyrocketed. The resources at Bacula Systems’ Nuantix backup solution suggest adopting efficient data privacy practices. By incorporating a reliable data backup service, you can add an additional layer of security. 

Your business will constantly need to reassure the customer that their data is safeguarded. Its protection is their fundamental right. 

Reliable Replication

One of the key benefits of backup tools is that they offer Data replication functionality. You can use this feature to generate real-time copies of your data and store them on a remote server. If you lose data or cannot access it from typical servers, you can extract it from the copies stored in the remote server. 

Replication functionality does not cause any backlog in your daily business tasks. It is the quickest and easiest way to make your data disaster-proof.

It Offers Scalability 

You never know how big your business will be in the coming years. You could have millions of visitors after a video goes viral, or your company’s website gets ranked on the first page of the search engine. You cannot make an accurate prediction, but you can include flexible data centers in your enterprise plan.

Data backup tools can allow you to grow and manage the increasing demands of the software, infrastructure, processing, and networking. You will have access to migrated business data as per your needs. 

Maintenance of Compliance Standards

By scheduling regular backup processes, you will be able to store and preserve your enterprise’s data. In the event there is a request from the legal department or an auditor, the IT division can swiftly respond to the request by extracting data from the remote servers. Moreover, backup tools allow your organization to measure data daily, weekly and monthly.

Competitive Advantage 

A data backup and recovery option gives you an advantage over your competition. Enterprises worldwide suffer massive losses, and reputation damage after their sensitive data is leaked. These data breaches lead to the loss of customers’ trust, and they no longer wish to associate themselves with the affected organization. By guaranteeing your customers that their data is safe, you will be ensuring that they stay with you for a long time.

Automatic Reporting 

Tracking your data usage as an enterprise is essential. However, if done manually, it can be troublesome and take a ton of time. Data backup tools allow your enterprise to track data usage and activity on the cloud efficiently. 

The automated system builds reports simultaneously and sends them your way. These reports contain the health of all devices and data in use. The system identifies any potential issues before they transition into a significant problem. Instead of continuously monitoring the data, the IT department and engineers can tend to other tasks. It increases productivity by reducing business downtime and ensuring that there is minimal impact on daily operations. 

Centralized System

Simplifying the management is a vital goal for any enterprise. Data backup tools offer your company a user-friendly interface that can control cloud infrastructure. It increases productivity by decreasing the workload of operating systems. Even if there is only a handful of system administrators, your data backup will be fully operational. 

Cloud computing has come a long way since its inception. It offers a number of benefits for a business regardless of its size. Your enterprise will have the flexibility to access sensitive data securely from anywhere at any time. If you have been considering adding enterprise data backup tools to your business model, now is an excellent time! 

5 Advantages of Using Online Surveys for Your Customers

Posted on by Amalia Razky
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Importance of Surveys for Business

Surveys are research types based on questions regarding the product to know the customer’s opinion. Different types of questionnaires are used to dig out the opinion of the customers. People usually hesitate to express their thoughts and feelings regarding services and products, but it is dangerous for the companies as it leads them to a dead end. So, frequent online surveys are necessary for the companies to touch the clients. This phenomenon was once used through a door-to-door campaign, and it was a lengthy, time taking, and difficult process. It also required a lot of resources and effort while it was not so reliable.

Online Surveys

Online surveys are the latest form of survey that uses information and communication technology through the effective platforms of websites. It is the easiest and most effective way to collect data from customers.

The use of online surveys is easy as it helps the organizations to know the customer behavior regarding the product and services being provided by the organization. This facilitates the companies to save efforts and sources while better results can be achieved as compared to conventional methods of data collection. The survey is carried out through the use of software applications.

Top Survey Tools

  • SurveyMonkey: It is considered to be the best tool for managing the survey questionnaires. The tool helps to design and analyze data collection for decision-making.
  • SurveySparrow: This application helps to get and manage the feedback from the customers about the brands of the organizations.
  • IntouchSurvey: This application is helpful to maintain the system of survey, its designing, distribution, and analysis of the data from the customers.
  • Zonka Feedback: Get customer feedback with NPS surveys and survey app tool.

5 Benefits of Survey

Following are the five prominent benefits that a business can achieve from online surveys.

  • Fast results: The data can be obtained easily and it takes much less time as compared to other methods of data collection from the customers.
  • Accuracy: Automation enables the companies to get more accurate results as questions are designed through predesigned templates, more questions can be made according to the demand of the product.
  • Brand awareness: It also helps to promote the brands through easy and cost-effective publicity of the brands. Two birds can be killed with the help of one stone.
  • Attractive and enchanting: The questionnaires are visually engaging as they are designed with the help of specially designed tools.
  • Cost-effective: Online survey method is a more reliable, authentic, and fast mode of data collection at the same time it is cost-effective. It requires no man force and other items for conventional methods of getting feedback from the customers.

Conclusion

Feedback from the customers is necessary for decision-making about the products and services. This data collection is easy for the companies as it engages no lengthy and time taking process. Survey tools make the designing of the questionnaires easy, fast, reliable, attractive, and more fruitful in this age of information and communication technology.

6 Tips On How To Improve A Video Streaming Service

Posted on by Charlene Brown
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In this day and age, video streaming is a staple in many households. They offer an affordable and convenient way to watch TV shows, movies, and other content without having to leave the comfort of your home. But like with anything else, there is always room for improvement. Here are 6 tips on how to improve your video streaming service for a better viewing experience.

1. Improving Storage and Quality

The first way to improve your video streaming service is by increasing the storage space and quality of your videos. This will ensure that you can watch HD content without any buffering or lag issues. You can do this by upgrading your internet package to a higher speed, or by investing in a better quality streaming device. This is where video encoding and compression come in handy because they can help to reduce the file size of your content without compromising quality. Additionally, you should make sure that your videos are hosted on a reliable server to avoid any interruptions in service.

2. Creating Better Video Playlists

Another way to improve your video streaming experience is by creating better video playlists. This means including a variety of content that is both entertaining and informative. You can do this by including a mix of movies, TV shows, educational videos, and other content that appeals to your target audience. Additionally, you should make sure that your playlists are well-organized and easy to navigate.

This will help viewers find the content they’re looking for quickly and without any hassle. Also, consider adding features such as trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and bonus content to keep viewers engaged. Top streaming services like Netflix, Dish TV, Amazon Prime Video,and Disney+ have these features already. 

3. Adding Interactive Features

Adding interactive features to your video streaming service can also help to improve the overall experience. This could include anything from chatbots and quizzes to polls and surveys. These features can not only make your service more fun and engaging but also help you to gather valuable feedback from your viewers. With a quiz builder, you can easily create interactive quizzes to engage your customers and enhance user experience.

To effectively implement these features, planning and discussing your desired functionalities with a custom Over the Top (OTT) platform provider is crucial. For instance, Inorain.com specializes in the field of custom OTT solutions, working with clients to integrate any desired features into their interfaces. This collaborative approach will help creators develop an interface that they believe is best for their audience, enhancing the overall user experience. 

This information can then be used to improve your video streaming services content and ensure that you are meeting the needs of your audience. Some other features like closed captioning and subtitles can also be beneficial, especially for those who are hard of hearing or have difficulty understanding spoken English.

4. Enhancing Video Recommendations

Another way to improve your video streaming service is by enhancing the recommendations that you offer to viewers. This could involve using algorithms to better match viewers with the content they are likely to enjoy. Alternatively, you could allow viewers to custom-tailor their recommendations by genre, actor, or other criteria. This would give them more control over the content they see and help to ensure that they are only presented with options that are of interest to them. Additionally, you could offer viewers the ability to save certain content for later viewing. This would allow them to build up a personal library of content that they can watch at their leisure. Also, consider including a “continue watching” feature that would remind viewers of the last content they watched and give them the option to pick up where they left off.

5. Improving Search Functionality

The search functionality of your video streaming service is also important and should be given attention. This feature should be easy to use and allow viewers to find the content they’re looking for quickly and easily. To do this, you can use keyword tags, descriptions, and other metadata to help improve the accuracy of your search results. Additionally, you should consider offering a search bar on your homepage so that viewers can immediately start looking for the content they want. This also implies that your navigation should be well-organized so that viewers can easily find their way around your site.

6. Optimizing for Different Devices

Finally, you should also make sure that your OTT platform service is optimized for different devices. This includes everything from smart TVs and streaming boxes to smartphones and tablets. This is important because it ensures that your service can be accessed by as many people as possible. Additionally, it helps to ensure that your content is displayed correctly on each device and that users have a consistent experience regardless of how they are accessing your service. Also, be sure to test your service on a variety of devices before making it available to the public to ensure that there are no technical issues.

7. Use a Bonded Internet Connection to Stream Your Video

Professional video live-streaming services don’t rely on a single internet connection to broadcast their productions. Instead, they use sophisticated so-called ‘bonded’ connections. A bonded internet connection consists of at least two (but often a lot more) internet connections at the same time. A clever algorithm running either on a computer or on dedicated hardware distributes the incoming data packages among the available connections. Should one connection become weaker, the amount of data being pushed through that specific connection is automatically lowered. A server at the other end of these connections receives all packets, reorders them if necessary and sends them off to your video streaming platform of choice. Such a system would work with wired LAN, 4G/5G modems, WIFI, a mobile hotspot or any combination of these.

By following these tips, you can improve your video streaming service and provide a better experience for your viewers. In turn, this can help to increase viewership and boost your business. So, if you’re looking to take your service to the next level, be sure to keep these tips in mind.

The 7 Best SEO Trends Ecommerce Marketers You Should Keep An Eye On

Posted on by Nicholas Rubright
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The algorithms underpinning how a search engine works are constantly evolving. To make your content rank in the search engines, you need to stay on top of the evolving SEO trends. After all, you can guarantee that your competitors will be trying to gain a competitive advantage over your business.

Business people in a video call meeting

This guide will discuss the trends that you should stay on top of. We’ll discuss factors like the increasing popularity of AI for content creation, SEO tools that will help you optimize your content, and more. Let’s dive right into this guide.

1. Using AI to Optimize Your Content

For most of the last decade, keyword optimization involved selecting a word or phrase and repeatedly including it in the article, alongside your meta description and URL slug. Most of us would use a tool like Yoast, which had a simple traffic light system, to optimize content.

I’m sure many companies still rely on the Yoast traffic light system for content optimization. Companies that are getting ahead in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) are increasingly turning to a suite of advanced keyword optimization tools.

Arguably the two market leaders in this space are Surfer SEO and Clearscope. Though, the number of new entrants is increasing fast.

Utilizing any tool can be extremely beneficial for your company. Businesses from all over Lion City are often advised by their trusted SEO marketing agency in Singapore to use AI-based content optimization tools to increase their SERP rankings. This gives them peace of mind leaving them ahead of the competition.

The new range of keyword optimization tools relies on AI to help them understand what keywords to include in a keyword-optimized article. Here’s a basic overview of how they work:

  • You enter the keyword that you want to target.
  • The software does an API call to an AI platform.
  • The AI analyzes the first 30 or so search results for the phrase. It then identifies the most important keywords and headings.
  • You get the results for this via a browser extension or a writing dashboard.
  • You create a piece of content that includes the necessary keywords and headings.

The most commonly used AI platforms for the API call are Google Natural Language Processing AI, OpenAI, or IBM Watson. These are the big three AI platforms in the US.

Google Natural Processing AI is the algorithm Google uses to determine what content means and where it should rank. OpenAI is a platform part-funded by Tesla. Meanwhile, IBM Watson is the AI platform that became a world champion Go and won Jeopardy.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like for one of these keyword optimization tools.

Most tools either use a traffic light or grading system to reveal if the content is SEO optimized. If you’re serious about content marketing, you need to invest in an advanced keyword optimization tool.

2. The SEO FAQ Sales Page

One trend that seems to be working well at the moment is the SEO-optimized FAQ sales page. These types of sales pages often target definitions. Here’s Shopify’s sales page. The content above the fold seeks to generate a conversion. In this sense, it follows the classic outline of a sales page and is designed to generate click-throughs to the free trial.

A large portion of the content below the fold answers frequently asked questions. In the image below, you can see a definition for the term “What does Shopify POS do?”

Sales pages that include definitions and address frequently asked questions related to a key phrase seem to be doing well in the search results. If you’re creating sales pages that you want to rank, try taking this approach. Invest some time in creating valuable content for your visitors and make sure you run it through a grammar checker.

3. AI Produced Content Is Improving

In the last two years, companies have started to use AI to create content. Initially, AI content was being used to create simple things like meta descriptions. Then, we’ve seen that broaden out, with AI used to create sales copy for Pay Per Click ads.

I’d argue that we’re on the cusp of seeing AI used for creating blog posts and sales pages at a quality that is as good as, if not better, than what many writers can produce. When that happens, it will result in a seismic shift in how we approach SEO.

We’re not there yet, though.

At the moment, you can use AI to speed up the content creation process. Here’s an example paragraph of content created using the SEO tool Writer.

Source

It took just a second to change the headline from title case to sentence case. It may not seem like much, but those seconds shaved from your editing time all add up to a substantial amount of time.

The AI writer understands the context and quickly creates the content. It doesn’t get it right every time, though. And you do need an editor to review and improve the content.

4. Incorporate Video Marketing

The second most used search engine on the planet is YouTube. Given that fact, it makes sense to incorporate video within your marketing efforts. These statistics from Wyzol highlight why this is important:

  • 87% of marketers report increased traffic to their website as a result of videos
  • 96% of people have watched explainer videos about products or services
  • 84% of people cite video as part of what convinced them to buy something

To establish your brand’s YouTube presence, you need to create a channel where you post a mixture of short and long-form videos. Those videos should address common issues that your product or service can resolve.

For instance, Zoho’s YouTube channel has hundreds of videos, including case studies and how-tos, that answer audience questions. The channel also contains snippets from webinars were Zoho executives and other industry experts discuss common questions related to tech and business.

The video content you produce on Google can also appear in the video carousel on the SERP page. Google introduced displaying video carousels to its SERPs back in 2018. You should also add videos to your email marketing campaigns and client prospecting. Use them to embed videos or add links to your YouTube channels. Use your subscriber list and email finder tools to reach out to your target audience.

5. Optimize Your Site for Mobile

Mobile SEO for e-commerce sites continues to be a hot trend in 2021. For over 2-3 years now, global mobile traffic has overtaken desktop computer traffic. Over 40% of transactions also occur on mobile.

It’s important, therefore, to ensure that your site is optimized for mobile.

You can check if your website has issues on mobile using the Mobile-Friendly Test tool created by Google. The tool will identify any mobile issues you need to address and provide suggestions for fixes.

One of the biggest challenges many businesses face when it comes to mobile is page speed. We’ll discuss that in more depth in the next section.

6. Consider Your Core Web Vitals

In May 2020, Google launched three new metrics, called Core Web Vitals, to measure user experience on a website. These metrics focus on three key aspects of the user experience – loading, interactivity, and visual stability. Those metrics are expressed as Largest Contentful Paint, First Input Delay, and Cumulative Layout Shift.

  • LCP: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures the time to load the largest content element on a page.
  • First Input Delay: First input delay (FID) measures the time it takes for your site to become responsive. That means a person can click on a link, for example.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift: CLS measures the visual stability of a page. A page with a low CLS score should provide a good user experience.

If you’re managing a website, you need to focus on these three metrics. You can use a tool like Google PageSpeed Insights to review how your site is performing.

As mentioned earlier, you need to review how your site performs on desktop and mobile.

7. Adapt Content For Voice Search

Another SEO trend that runs parallel to the growth of mobile devices is voice search. More people switch to voice search because it is quicker and more convenient than typing in your queries. Millions of people worldwide are already using Voice Assistants such as Siri, Alexa, Cortana, and Google assistant.

Voice search is no longer a novelty, with around 20% of searches being done through voice commands. You should be optimizing your site for voice search.

Here are three tips to help you optimize your website for voice searches:

  • Choose long-tail keywords: When users type a search, they tend to use short and disconnected phrases. However, with voice search, they will usually speak a complete sentence or long phrases. Hence you need to optimize your website to these long-tail keywords. It will increase the visibility of your website in voice searches.
  • Optimize for questions: Voice searches are mostly in the form of questions. Instead of searching for “frozen pipe fix”, voice search users will probably search for “how to fix a frozen pipe”. Therefore, you should structure your website content so that it answers your potential customers’ questions.
  • Create content for user reference: Many voice searches are made by people who need answers to commonly-asked questions. Publishing evergreen content or updating old articles can help your site attract traffic that is searchable through voice searches.

Voice search is not a gimmick. It is here to stay. If you want your e-commerce website to remain visible, you need to optimize it for voice commands and searches.

Wrapping Up

SEO is constantly evolving, and you need to keep on top of the latest trends. This guide discussed seven such trends for you to look at in greater detail. We discussed topics like using AI to optimize your content, using AI to create content, FAQ sales pages, and more.

Implementing or acting on the tips shared in this guide should provide you with a competitive advantage over your competitors. Use that edge to your advantage and dominate those search results for the terms that matter for your business.

Author Bio

Nicholas Rubright is the communications specialist for Writer, an AI writing assistant designed for teams. Nicholas has previously worked to develop content marketing strategies for brands like Webex, Havenly, and Fictiv.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Supply Chain Management – What Should You Know

Posted on by Preston White
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Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (D365 SCM) is one of the modules of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 system which can be added to your suite depending on the needs of your company. In this article, you will find some of the crucial facts about D365 SCM and how it can provide you with complex solutions for various business tasks.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 SCM for production control

If you are a manufacturer, you can benefit from the D365 SCM while keeping a track of the goods under production, finished goods as well as the overall capacity for meeting the demanded level and quality of manufacturing. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management makes job prioritization and monitoring efficient and possible to perform remotely through portable devices, with the process enhanced by IoT integration and mixed reality technology.

Additionally, D365 SCM has Personalized Production Floor Management Workspace which is keeping a track of all the production materials available, pending orders as well as releases for a clear view of the operation and efficient customizable scheduling.

Power BI and Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Supply Chain

The Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management app is powered by BI, which is applied to almost any part of the supply chain. With this ERP solution, you can use analytical tools as well as artificial intelligence for transportation and warehousing, which is also supported by a separate Warehouse extension. These features help companies to adapt to the diversity of the ever-changing market and optimize the costs of production and transport.

Understanding the financial aspect is crucial while leveraging these advanced solutions. Many businesses often inquire about “how much Power BI costs” as part of their planning and budgeting process. Depending on your specific business requirements and scale, the cost of Power BI can vary greatly. But when balanced against the actionable insights it provides, it can indeed be a valuable investment for optimizing supply chain operations and overall business productivity. This cost-effectiveness further solidifies the appeal of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Supply Chain Management, particularly when integrated with Power BI.

In addition to it, Power BI techniques are also used for financial forecasting and budget planning within the accounting procedures.

D365 SCM enhances customer and vendor support

Apart from basic tools for communication with customers and tracking their orders, Microsoft Dynamics 365SCM can build in-depth reports for customer analysis and learning trends. Furthermore, a tracking function for returned products will help companies to be proactive, minimize returns and develop an effective reverse logistics strategy.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 SCM tool has been designed not only for customer communication but also for streamlined cooperation of multiple vendors with the functionality of automated data updating. The software is also equipped into The Vendor Collaboration Interface for requests and orders, offering them necessary information and protecting any data you want to keep secure.

Which companies will benefit from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management?

D365 SCM is a customizable tool offering features crucial for any supply chain regardless of its size. With D365 SCM, not only medium companies but also global organizations operating in numerous markets will be able to manage all the necessary parts of their supply chains. D365 SCM connects all the parts of a business through its centralized dashboard, advanced databases and the interface supporting a number of languages and localizations.

Is HVAC Software Suitable for Small Businesses?

Posted on by Jamesh B
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Small businesses struggle to manage their limited resources. Before investing in any solution, you must determine the value it adds to your business. Software solutions are a big thing in the modern arena, and as a business, you need to ensure you are picking valuable options, not just going with whatever pops up and seems trendy. If you’ve been considering HVAC software, it is a great addition to your business. The right HVAC software can take a significant load off your shoulders and enhance efficiency.

Managing a few technicians and clients might not be overwhelming. Nonetheless, as your small business starts to grow, the spreadsheets can get quite messy. A process as undemanding as onboarding a new technician can knock you off balance. You can automate most of your daily activities with HVAC software and easily manage technicians, customers, and inventory. HVAC software is suitable for small businesses, but the answer I not that straightforward. The bottom line is picking software in line with your needs. Among the pointers to help you choose the right HVAC software includes:

Ease of Use

You might be tempted by sophisticated software. However, such a solution, including flashy features, can overwhelm your processes. This beats the logic you are considering the software in the first place. You want software that makes the processes more manageable, not a hassle. If navigating the software takes considerable skills, your team will take time to get used to it, affecting productivity. Easy-to-use software is the go-to. This allows you to integrate the software and get going with little or no downtime. Since you can easily navigate the solution, you’ll be better positioned to get the most out of it, realizing the many potential benefits it has to offer.

Features

The best HVAC software providers offer a free demo. Don’t shy away from running a trial run, especially if you are not certain about the features your HVAC business needs the most. Most solutions include standard features such as billing and invoicing, customer management, and scheduling and dispatching. Such inclusive software means you don’t need multiple solutions for your business. Nonetheless, don’t assume that each offers such features. A robust HVAC CRM solution, for instance, can significantly streamline customer interactions, manage leads, and even automate marketing campaigns, freeing up valuable time for your team to focus on core service delivery.

Some excel in certain areas, and with a demo, you can establish if the HVAC software is the right fit for your business. Establishing areas you are struggling with and picking software to address them improves your productivity, making it a suitable option.

Scalability

Will the HVAC software grow with your business? Hopping from one solution to the next is inconvenient and can be costly. Nonetheless, you don’t have to be stuck with an option that hardly meets your growing needs. Looking beyond your current situation as you pick a solution is essential. A growing technicians’ team, more customers, and inventory, among other considerations, can easily be managed if you pick salable HVAC software, keeping your operation running with less or no friction.

Integration Ease

Will the HVAC software integrate with your existing solutions? If you have to scrap your existing software, perhaps even hardware, you are in for a tough ride. Considering your existing infrastructure allows you to pick HVAC software that’ll cause little or no pain during and after integration. This means that you won’t have to waste valuable time, downtime that can cost your business customers or more costs to bring in the additional hardware.

Look beyond the price tag while weighing HVAC software’s suitability for your small business. Go for value, allowing your business to realize the many benefits the best HVAC software delivers as you tap into the lucrative industry.

What is ERP Software And How It’s Useful

Posted on by Allen Brown
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For those of you who haven’t heard of the term ERP before, below we will provide you with some essential information. So what does it represent, or What is Enterprise Resource Planning? ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning is the process of collecting and handling business data from numerous sectors by utilizing particular software.

Namely, this software provides institutions with an integrated, real-time perception of their main business processes, easily accessible through a single centralized system. All in all, ERPs can be defined as tools employed by numerous organizations to simplify their business operations, such as accounting, supply chain, human resources, customer relationship management, e-commerce, and risk management.

These are just the basic information regarding the ERP software. If you’re interested to learn more about it, including its advantages, then just keep reading and you’ll gather all the crucial information.

Huge Benefits Of ERP Software

Enhanced Productivity

According to many ERP software connoisseurs, one of its key benefits is automation, ranging from marketing automation to invoice generation. This allows workers to be a lot more effective and productive and focus on different areas, and at the same time, makes sure no process is being neglected.

Additionally, by having a central repository attainable by all sectors, an ERP eliminates the need for tiring and overwhelming manual processes, for example, repetitive data entry across several systems. You’ll quickly notice that the precision of your data will enhance as well!

Decreases Expenses

Of course, this highly depends on the solution. Generally speaking, ERP software can cost somewhere between a few hundred dollars, up to $100,000. What matters is the fact that this software is truly worth every penny.

Now, on the market, you can stumble upon a variety of different ERP software, one is the NetSuite ERP software. But what is so great about it? Namely, it enables companies to focus on their business without worrying about how they will operate their ERP.

Besides that, NetSuite helps consumers enhance their flexibility and efficiency and encourages entrepreneurs to work on their functionality and prioritize real-time business insight with this software. Bear in mind, that the faster you get the desired insight, the better.

Why did we mention NetSuite in particular? Well, because not only it’s currently one of the best software on the market, but it is also very affordable which is something that every business owner appreciates. This type of software will save you money in the long run. 

Now, let us return to the subject. Generally speaking, with practically every ERP software, you’ll be able to reduce your costs, due to the fact that this program lets you input it only once and then carry it over to other sectors in real-time. 

Furthermore, you can also simplify tiresome tasks, for instance, invoice allocation, report drafting, employ payroll, which can definitely save you lots of time and allow you to focus on more important obligations. 

It’s worth mentioning that if you spend more on different systems, than you normally would on centralized ERP, you might even be able to save on IT expenses overall. Keep in mind that utilizing one system also decreases training requirements for end-users since they’re supposed to be learning only one system.

Enhanced Planning & Resource Management

This software really does effectively enable planning across your company so you know exactly how to predict your expenses, sales, and the resources you need, whether that includes people, materials, equipment, or anything else.

Moreover, it offers a thorough insight that allows you to efficiently plan production schedules and simultaneously, foresee resource needs, which is extremely important, because when you’re able to predict numerous crucial things, such as equipment maintenance, then you can decrease production delays or unplanned downtime.

What Are Other Major Advantages Of ERP System?

Enhanced Collaboration

Another very important trait that can certainly positively impact every company is the fact that this software effectively connects teams, and enhances communication and overall employee engagement.

Furthermore, with this software, every approved worker has on-demand access to all operational data, which enables them to comprehend all of the business’s moving parts and the role they have.

Real-time project updates, along with decreased silos further enhance the efficacy which leads to cost savings, as well as better workflows. Remember that the collaboration capabilities expand outside the wall of a particular company in order to connect with some of the most crucial partners.

Regulatory Compliance

In every single industry, especially the one that revolves around food & beverage, there are various legislations and requirements that are continuously changing. If a certain firm fails to comply with them, it can seriously jeopardize many aspects of it.

On top of IFRS and GAAP compliance, enhanced solutions, such as Sage Intacct and Acumatica, can also help with training, reporting, paperwork, accuracy, security, and process control, which all play a major role when it comes to meeting regulations. 

Furthermore, with the help of the ERP systems, you can tackle various types of regulatory compliance, such as:

  1. Government Regulations
  2. Trade Regulations
  3. Business and Finance
  4. Labor Regulations
  5. Information Technology
  6. Industry Compliance

Improved Accuracy And Availability Of Information

This is an advantage that must definitely be mentioned since it is one of the most important ones because it affects various aspects of enterprise resource planning. Namely, high-quality ERP software allows efficient and centralized collection, storage, and processing of information regarding sales, production, consumers, sales, and many other things.

That’s precisely why a single data system is utilized and maintained instead of using a variety of separate databases that require regular checks and synchronization to eliminate duplicate or outdated records.

Moreover, the enhanced quality of all types of internal data, mixed with its availability to the employees in all crucial sectors, is a precious feat that leads to performance optimization in all areas of the company. Especially inventory management and supply chain is the activity that experiences the most benefits from the ERP software.

Enhanced Data Security

Another great benefit that the ERP system offers is data security. Namely, this system has control over who can view and alter sensitive data. Merging info into a single repository shore up security in comparison with scattered sources on different systems.

Unfortunately, these days, a lot of companies are experiencing issues with security breaches that can cause some serious expenses, which is why it’s of huge importance to implement ERP software if you want to make sure your data is being secured. 

Most importantly, enhanced data security is going to help your firm with regulatory compliance and built-in reporting functions that can help you decrease auditing expenses.

Complete Visibility 

This advantage of ERP is for sure one of the most crucial selling points for this software. Namely, it enables total access to every single essential process within your company by developing data from every sector easily accessible to both your senior management and you.

For instance, with the help of ERP software, you can easily supervise inventory levels on a daily basis, including future deliveries that you’ll be receiving in the near future. By knowing exactly where you stand when it comes to inventory levels, you can efficiently control the working capital on a more accurate level. 

Furthermore, the availability of all important information about your business in a centralized location leads to enhanced collaboration and simplifies the completion of all duties and tasks. Additionally, this visibility offers more coherent workflows.

All of this helps you make much smarter decisions, as you won’t have any doubts that you are seeing a crystal clear picture at any moment. 

Improved Customer Relationships

Employing an ERP system on Salesforce enables integration with the Salesforce Customer Relationship Management platform, significantly extending the visibility you have over every single operation that occurs within your company.

What’s great about it is the fact that every consumer information from personal data, to purchase history is stored in a single place and goes straight to the ERP system with the goal to improve the customer experience.

If you decide to use both CRM and ERP, you’ll be able to automate consumer services, such as payment notifications for current customers. Besides that, you can also supply the marketing and sales team with much more useful information to help them close a sale. Below, we’ll enumerate the major benefits of the ERP system when it comes to this:

  • Simplifies invoicing and accounts receivable
  • Close the books quicker at the end of every month
  • Decreases invoicing errors and billing with the goal to accomplish a better consumer experience
  • Puts consumers in the driver’s seat with customized portals and dashboards
  • Connects sales, product, and finance teams for alignment on product offering and accessible income streams
  • Provides easily digestible data to every member of your team by using real-time dashboards
  • Produces global financial reports by employing embedded analytics

Gives You A Competitive Advantage

Business owners who decide to start implementing this software will quickly realize that it gives them relevance among other businesses. When you enhance productivity, use automation, acquire real-time information on finances and eliminate bottlenecks from the workflows, you will get more money, and at the same time, gain more recognition from your employees, colleagues, clients, partners, and stakeholders. 

And all of this leads to making more informed business decisions and also having a company that truly runs like a properly-oiled machine.

Implementing An ERP Software In Your Company

How To Properly Implement The ERP System?

Now that you’ve realized how essential an ERP system is, it’s also crucial to understand different ways you can implement it in your company. Remember that just like with many other things, there are right and wrong ways you can do it. Below, we will talk about some steps that must be taken into account to be sure you are doing everything perfectly:

  • Map out various divisions of your business – This can be defined as the most important step when it comes to implementing the ERP software in your company. First, you must figure out which department of your business is going to employ it. Bear in mind that every firm works differently and that ERP that you can find on the market can vary, depending on the type of company you have. Therefore, it’s of huge importance to map out numerous sectors of your organization, so you can figure out which ERP system is most suitable for you.
  • Opt for the ERP program that comes with the best features- During this step you must be extremely careful. As it was mentioned above, this program can vary depending on the organization it’s intended for, hence, there’s no such a thing as the best ERP software for every single company. Instead, you should opt for one that perfectly matches the demands and needs of your firm. In order to make the smartest decision, acquire software that is loaded with high-quality features that can hugely benefit your organization. 
  • Seeking professional help is always recommendable – Even if you think that this is something that you can do all on your own, it’s always advisable to talk to someone who has way more experience when it comes to this. Just keep in mind that if you talk to a professional you will streamline everything regarding setting up and training your employees to employ the ERP program. Namely, these experts have a plethora of experience in this field and know exactly what you’re supposed to do if you want to properly implement this system for your company. In these types of situations, having a professional by your side is always welcome because you can never predict whether you’ll be experiencing any problems or obstacles on this journey. As was mentioned multiple times above, ERP systems cannot be defined as “one size fits” tools, which is why you must consult someone who is familiar with every single feature that it offers so you can take advantage of it the right way.

There’s no denying that ERP software is more than beneficial for every company out there, but just like with any other software, you must first get yourself familiar with everything it offers in order to use it correctly. 

What Makes Your Windows 10 Insanely Slow

Posted on by Allison Young
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If your Windows 10 is getting slower, you’re obviously looking for ways to fix the problem. Fortunately, not only IT specialists or tech-savvy people know how to speed up Windows 10. In fact, anyone can do it so you can get your PC or laptop to run as quickly as it should be. 

Besides, you should not suffer from a slow computer. Here are 5 possible reasons why your Windows 10 runs slow (plus solutions, yep):

Old Drivers

There’s a reason why Windows 10 always requires updates – it is to make your PC faster. Installing the latest version of Windows 10 will improve your desktop’s performance. During the update, the PC will search for the latest drivers to speed up everything. 

If you want to check for updates, here’s what you should do according to Microsoft: 

  1. Click the Start button. 
  2. Select Settings. When the window pops up, choose Update & Security, then Windows Update.
  3. Select Check for Updates.
  4. If you see “You’re up to date,” you don’t need to update your windows. If the status shows as “Updates are available,” click Install now.
  5. Choose all updates available for installation. 
  6. Select Install. 
  7. After the update, you need to restart the PC to see if everything’s going smoothly. After all, Windows 10 will prompt you to restart it once the installation finishes. 

Your PC has been running for a long time

The reason to restart your PC is that many of us keep it running for several days or weeks. In fact, Windows 10 will automatically set the display to sleeping mode once the PC runs for several days. However, the previously open apps will continue to run, which eventually slows your computer. 

You can shut down your computer by clicking the Power button when it comes to this point. Note that before turning off your computer, close all running programs. Also, save any work you have been doing before shutting down your computer. Afterward, you can turn on your PC again. It should be running smoothly by now. 

Unnecessary programs

In point of fact, if your computer takes time to start, several programs are slowing down the process. These unnecessary programs continue to run in the background, consuming your PC’s RAM storage. Here’s what you can do to fix the problem:

  1. Type Task Manager on the Search Button
  2. Then, choose Startup.
  3. If you see several programs, you don’t want to run during the startup, right-click them, and select Disable. 

Programs running automatically at startup

Some programs start automatically as soon as you open your computer. You immediately see them in the notification area located at the right of the taskbar. These programs might be slowing your computer, especially if you don’t use them often. 

To prevent slowing down of your computer, choose Show Hidden icons when clicking the icon to see all start-up programs. 

However, some programs might run automatically even after you click the Show hidden icons in the notification area. Here’s how to find other programs and stop them from starting automatically. 

  1. Click Start.
  2. Choose Settings, then Apps > Startup. 
  3. In the Startup Apps, choose the program you want to start automatically. Set it Off. 
  4. Finally, run system maintenance. 

System maintenance will allow Windows 10 to scan updates and check for malware through its built-in utility. This system maintenance runs in the background while your computer is idle. However, if there’s a problem with the system maintenance, you may conduct it manually. 

When running maintenance manually, access the Control Panel. However, save the files you’re currently working on and close them before doing it. Once you’re in the Control Panel window, choose System and Security > Security and Maintenance. Then, click the arrow icon to show more maintenance options. Then, click Start Maintenance. 

Full storage

Once your computer is loaded with applications, programs, and files, it will slow down. Most computers have a traditional hard drive. If your computer has it, you need to upgrade to a solid-state drive (SSD). 

SSD can improve the speed of your computer in many ways you can imagine. It’s like a USB flash drive that is way faster. With an SSD, your Windows will start and boot faster in a fraction of time. 

Because of this, most tech-savvy individuals usually recommend buying an SSD to others since it’s the most important thing you can do to speed up your PC. In fact, it’s even better than buying a new computer with a faster processor. 

However, if you want to buy a new computer, avoid buying it with a RAM of less than 4GB. This amount of storage won’t help your computer to run efficiently. Use more than 4GB and add another memory to improve the performance of your PC.

Conclusion

There you go. These tips will surely make your PC even faster than you can imagine. Luckily, anyone can do it independently, as long as you conduct careful research.  Secure the latest updates, delete unnecessary programs, and buy SSD for faster performance. Finally, don’t forget the essential step – restart your PC. 

These 6 Useful Software Can Simplify Business Functions

Posted on by Charlene Brown
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In business, time is money. The faster you can complete a task, the more productive you and your team can be. That’s why using software to simplify common business functions can be so helpful. From invoicing to accounting to customer relations, there are programs out there that can make your life easier. Here are six of the best.

1. Software For Human Resources Management

Human resources management can be a time-consuming task, especially for larger businesses. The software can help by automating many of the most common HR functions, such as tracking employee vacations and sick days, managing payroll, and creating performance reviews. Such software will be providing HR support for businesses by automating different processes and functions. Additionally, a number of these software products offer additional features, such as online filing cabinets for storing employee records and tracking HR communications.

2. Invoicing and Accounting Software

Invoicing software can automate the process of creating invoices and issuing payments. This type of software can be especially helpful for businesses that do a lot of billing. It can save time by allowing you to create invoices quickly and easily, and it can help you keep track of payments received and outstanding invoices. Accounting software can make it easier to manage your finances by automating many of the tasks involved in bookkeeping. This type of software can help you track expenses, income, and bank balances, generate reports on your financial activity and prepare your taxes. Many accounting software programs also offer features such as online banking and bill payment, making it easier to manage your finances from one place.

3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

CRM software can help you manage your customer relationships by tracking customer contact information, sales history, and support requests. This type of software can be used to create and track marketing campaigns, send out automated email or direct mail communications, and generate reports on your customer interactions. Sales CRM software can also help you manage your sales pipeline and keep track of opportunities.

Consider a situation where a salesman needs to access your CRM software while on the go. Several CRM software programs offer features such as contact management and task tracking, which can help you better manage your customer relationships. Additionally, many CRM software products offer integration with third-party applications, such as accounting and invoicing software, which can make it easier to manage your customer data.

4. Project Management Software

Project management software can help you plan, track, and manage projects. This type of software can be used to create project plans, assign tasks to team members, track progress, and generate reports. Project management software can also help you manage resources, such as budget and materials. Additionally, many project management software programs offer features such as task lists and to-do items, which can help you stay organized and on track. The benefits include automated project management for the business by creating, assigning, and tracking tasks for team members. A project manager will use this software to more efficiently delegate tasks and monitor the performance of employees working on the project.

Free Project management software can help you plan, track, and manage projects.

5. Marketing Automation Software

Marketing automation software can help you automate the process of creating and managing marketing campaigns. This type of software can be used to create and track email campaigns, social media campaigns, and direct mail campaigns. Additionally, marketing automation software can help you generate leads and track their progress through the sales pipeline. Additionally, many marketing automation software programs offer features such as contact management and task tracking, which can help you better manage your customer relationships. The many benefits of such software include the ability to automate marketing tasks and better track the success of your marketing campaigns.

6. Business Intelligence Software

Business intelligence software can help you make better decisions by providing insights into your business data. This type of software can be used to generate reports on your sales, customers, employees, and finances. Additionally, business intelligence software can help you track key performance indicators (KPIs) and create dashboards to visualize your data.

Additionally, many business intelligence software programs offer features such as data mining and predictive analytics, which can help you analyze your data and make better decisions. The benefits of business intelligence software include the ability to make better decisions by analyzing your data. Use the Tableau to Excel integration to schedule exports of data from Tableau views to your workbooks. Extract Tableau data to Excel automatically at a set frequency to optimize your collaboration with stakeholders.

Using software to automate your business tasks can save you time and money. It can also help you be more efficient and organized. When choosing software for your business, it is important to consider your needs and budget. There are many different types of software available, so it is important to select the right one for your business. By using the right type of software, you can improve your efficiency and productivity, making your business run smoother and more efficiently.

3 Best Shopify Dropshipping Apps (All You Need in 2022)

Posted on by Sophia Loren
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The e-commerce industry is witnessing an unprecedented boom as customers increasingly invest in online shopping. In such a competitive market, it is difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to offer a variety of products to their customers. Dropshipping helps companies address the challenges involved in providing customers with a seamless online shopping experience without limiting the number of products available. Shopify dropshipping apps offer a number of features and options that make them stand out.

What Is Shopify Dropshipping

Shopify is one of the most popular shopping cart software applications in the e-commerce industry, especially for merchants in the U.S. and Canada. The main aim of Shopify is to create a ease of use and simple, stylish online store front for online businesses. Being a cloud-based platform, Shopify helps its users to maintain and run their online stores from the technical aspects, including hosting and site security. You are only responsible for designing your site, adding content, and fulfilling orders.

If you choose to use Shopify for delivery, your business operation will be further simplified. By following the dropshipping model, you essentially outsource the entire fulfillment process to your suppliers. When a customer places an order on your site, instead of picking, packaging and shipping the product yourself, you send the order to your supplier. The supplier will then deliver the product you ordered with the information of your customers’ directly to your customer. The product will never pass through your hand.

3 Best Shopify Dropshipping Apps

There are the 3 most-used dropshipping apps on Shopify and you can choose from the 3 to scale your dropshipping business in 2022.

1. DSers ‑ AliExpress Dropshipping

DSers – AliExpress Dropshipping is one of the top-rated dropshipping apps in Shopify’s app store. DSers offers revolutionary dropshipping solutions that allow you to process hundreds of products on AliExpress in seconds. This dropshipping tool helps you find new products and gives you exclusive access to special suppliers for better prices and higher product quality. It allows e-commerce companies to place unlimited orders to help them grow their business. DSers AliExpress Dropshipping also provides tutorials on how to effectively operate this Shopify Dropshipping application to help users better understand the platform and maximize sales.

1. DSers - AliExpress Dropshipping

Rating: 5.0 (6,000+ reviews)

Features:

  • Bulk order
  • Basic mapping
  • Supplier Optimizer
  • Manage 3 different stores & 3k products
  • Automated order status sync
  • Automated Tracking NO. sync
  • Sync Tracking NO. to PayPal

Pricing:

  • Basic – Free
  • Advanced – $19.90/month
  • Pro – $49.90/month

2. Fulfillbot-China Sourcing & Dropshipping Agent

It is a sourcing agent, Just like its name Fulfillbot is a one-stop sourcing solution site from china.

they take care of product sourcing in China, quality control, order fulfillment, warehousing, packing, and shipping to you or your buyer.

Features:

  • Product Sourcing
  • Fast Order Fulfillment
  • Real-time order tracking

Pricing:

  • Free

3. Oberlo ‑ Dropshipping App

Another of the best Shopify dropshipping apps is Oberlo, which was one of the first apps to feature an automatic product synchronization system on the Shopify platform. Oberlo is a toolkit to help you start and grow your dropshipping business, especially if you are new to the field, as this application helps you pick products, customize details, and pull them into your Shopify store with just a few clicks. Your supplier will then sort the inventory and send the order directly to the customer without your involvement.

2. Oberlo ‑ Dropshipping App

Rating: 4.3 (2,439+ reviews)

Features:

  • Inventory and prices are updated automatically
  • Real-time order tracking
  • Customize your list
  • Captcha solver

Pricing:

  • Explorer program – Free
  • Boss plan – $29.90 / month

4. Printful: Print on Demand

Unlike other Shopify Dropshipping apps, Printful is an on-demand Dropshipping tool that businesses use to sell custom printed and embroidered products. This is the free Shopify Dropshipping app available on the Shopify App Store. Companies can create personalized designs and add them to any available product, and Printful delivers the product to the customer. Printful customizes products once a customer makes a purchase, which helps reduce dead goods and extra inventory.

3. Printful - Print on Demand

Rating: 4.5 (3,689+ reviews)

Features:

  • Over 200 Products
  • Discounted Shipping
  • Fast Order Fulfillment
  • Design Options

Pricing:

  • Free Plan – Free
  • Plus Plan – $9/month
  • Pro Plan – $49/month

Final Words

Whether you’re just starting out looking for a trusted supplier, or you’ve sold thousands of dropshipping products, finding a good dropshipping Shopify app for your store is always essential. We hope our comprehensive list of different prices, features, and features will help you narrow your choices to find the best match.