There
are several reasons why organizations should record text messages or SMS, and
capture other mobile content, including voice calls and emails. The main
purpose is to stay compliant with data preservation regulations imposed by the
government. Archiving in advance using sophisticated tools and software can
save your time and money in eDiscovery to recover data in its original form and
context.
eDiscovery
or electronic discovery is the process by which electronically stored
information (ESI) gets requested, located, and produced with the primary intent
of being used in a lawsuit as evidence. It can also be used as part of a
Freedom of Information Act request or for government investigations.
Prevent Evidence Spoliation with
Text Message Record
Electronic
data is believed to be very specific. This is not just because it is in an
intangible form and of transient quality, but also because it is accompanied
with highly useful metadata. This refers to the device that was used to send
the text message, the time and date sent, and the contents of the message.
Such a text message record can play a vital role in evidence. It is not viable to take screenshots of every single SMS sent. It requires archiving software to preserve document metadata and to make it available through a vast volume of organizational information.
Remember,
electronic data is easily susceptible to spoliation because of its intangible
nature. You cannot expect all your employees to have the same phone they do now
after a year or so. In addition, there is always the risk of losing data when a
particular mobile device gets damaged or messages get accidentally deleted.
You
could lose vast amounts of information that could have a major impact on the
outcome of your litigation case and eDiscovery process. Many organizations have
improved the way they deal with eDiscovery requests by establishing best
practices. You can better cope with an ESI request by investing
in a tried and tested litigation preparedness archiving software.
In
fact, the right kind of tool could cut down your time to respond by one-third.
Text Archiving Allows for Better
Organization
There
is a reason why successful lawyers come prepared with organized files. This is
to reduce the risk of missing something that could be vital to the legal
proceedings. Without archiving your organizational text messages, you risk
leaving everything unorganized. No internal, incoming, or outgoing text
messages will be captured.
However, with the right text message archiving solution, you could ensure that every text message is not only captured but indexed and made searchable. There are various software solutions that could pack the archived information into long-term storage and allow for easy access whenever you require.
You
can have access to a well-indexed and searchable archive when you receive an EIS
request. Depending on the software you choose, you may also gain access to the
metadata of those message records in addition to the information contained
within them.
This
way you can easily search for all relevant records on the basis of context and
retrieve whatever is required at a fraction of the time.
Agile is a procedure by which a team can deal with a project by separating it into a few stages and including steady coordinated effort with stakeholders and consistent improvement and emphasis at each phase of the task. It starts with clients laying out how the finished result will be utilized and what issue it will resolve.
What is Scrum???
Scrum is a subset of Agile. It is a lightweight process framework for agile development, and one of the most widely used one.
It’s not a process or methodology.
Easy to understand.
Based on Empiricism which means that scrum artifacts should be transparent to everyone in the team.
Principles of Agile
To fulfil the client through right on time and continuous use of important software.
To cater to changing requirements, even late in app development.
Delivering working software frequently.
Stakeholders work with the scrum team together throughout the project so as to avoid any communication gaps.
The most efficient way of communicating information within the team is face-to-face conversation.
The progress of work is measured by working software.
Continuous attention is paid to technical excellence.
Due to the self-organizational team structure, the best architectures, designs, and ideas come up.
Empiricism
Transparency:- All artifacts of the process should be visible to the stakeholders and the scrum team. Due to transparency, they can inspect the current state of the project and take necessary action if needed.
Inspection:- Having regular inspections of artifacts will help the stakeholders to incorporate changes in order to achieve the goal.
Adaptation:- Improvements can be made by adjusting the process based on the inspection results.
Scrum is Iterative and Incremental
First one – Incremental
Second one – Iterative
Incremental:- This type of development is to build small increments of the entire product. Each increment adds more features to the product. After multiple increments, you will get the complete product.
Iterative:- This development is to build something, take some feedback, and then refining to make it better. This will keep happening until we receive the product of good quality.
The Scrum Team
The Product Owner.
The Development Team.
The Scrum Master.
The Product Owner
The product owner is liable for augmenting the estimation of the product and work of the development group.
Clearly describing the Product backlog items.
Responsible for managing the product backlog.
To ensure the PBI is visible and clear to all.
To ensure the requirement is understood by all to the level it is required.
Accountable for building high-value products.
Ordering of Product backlog items to achieve the best goals.
Responsible for understanding and answering all questions pertaining to the product domain.
Responsible for tracking the release progress.
Liable for making and dealing with the release plans.
Liable for making and building up the product vision.
Enhancing the estimation of work done by the development team.
The Development Team
The Development Team comprises experts who accomplish crafted by conveying a conceivably releasable Increment of “Done” product at the end of each Sprint.
Cross-functional and self-organizing.
Participates in all scrum events.
Responsible for creating the product increment.
Collaborates with the Product Owner for optimal value.
Responsible for identifying and eliminating technical debts.
Liable for creating and coordinating the sprint backlog.
Responsible for implementing good engineering practices.
Helps product owners in backlog management by explaining the technical constraints.
Answerable for learning all the functions required to convey a product increment.
Answerable for following the advancement of the sprint.
The Scrum Master
The scrum master is responsible for ensuring that Scrum is understood and enacted by all. He ensures that the scrum team adheres to Scrum practices and rules.
He is a servant- leader to the scrum team.
Responsible for building the product fast by eliminating impediments.
Goes about as a change agent that builds the productivity of the scrum team.
Mentors the development team for self-organization and cross-functionality.
Helps the product owners prioritize the work and teaches stakeholders value-based prioritization.
Facilitates Scrum events as requested or required.
Finds and teaches techniques for effective product backlog management to the product owners.
Enables workers and partners of the association to comprehend and institute Scrum and experimental product development.
Assists with streamlining the outside connection with the scrum group to amplify the value created.
Scrum Events
All occasions are time-boxed occasions, with the end goal that each occasion has a maximum duration. When a Sprint starts, its span is fixed and can’t be abbreviated or extended.
The remainder of the events may end at whatever point the explanation behind the event is accomplished, ensuring an appropriate proportion of time is spent without allowing waste at the same time.
The Sprint
The core of Scrum is a Sprint, a time-box of one month or less during which a “Done”, usable, and possibly releasable product Increment is made.
Sprint Planning:- A time-boxed event that occurs at the beginning of every sprint where the team determines the product backlog items they will work on during the sprint.
Daily Scrum:- It’s a brief time-boxed occasion for the development group to synchronize exercises and make an arrangement for the following 24 hours.
Sprint Review:- This is again a time-boxed event that occurs at the end of every sprint to inspect the increment and adapt the product backlog if needed.
Sprint Retrospective:- This occasion gives a chance to the team to review itself and make an arrangement for enhancements to be done in the following sprint
Scrum Artifacts
Scrum Artifacts speak to work or incentive to give transparency and chances to investigation and transformation. Artifacts have been planned with a reason that everyone has a similar comprehension of the artifact.
Product Backlog:- An arranged rundown of everything that may be required in the product which is the single wellspring of necessities for any progressions to be made to the item. The Product Owner is liable for the Product Backlog, including its content, accessibility, and ordering.
Sprint Backlog:- The arrangement of Product Backlog things chose for the Sprint alongside an arrangement for conveying the item increase and understanding the run objective.
Product Increment:- The whole of all the Product Backlog things finished during a Sprint and the estimation of the additions of every past Sprint is called item increase.
Product Backlog Refinement:- The ongoing product backlog refinement takes place within each sprint to refine items to be ready for future sprints.
Scrum Values
Commitment:- It is a team activity where you and your team are accountable to work together and confirm your team commitments. The scrum teams must be committed to progress and stick to the goal of the project.
Focus:- Once the requirements are clear and the target is set, one should be goal-oriented which motivates you for delivering faster and better.
Openness:- Colleagues ought to be open about their work, progress, what they realized and the issues they are confronting. Additionally, you ought to be available to work with partners, perceiving people to be people, and not resources, robots, or replaceable bits of equipment.
Respect:- As a piece of the Scrum group, you should regard partners, their choices, and their experience. You should regard your partners by not building anything in which individuals are not intrigued. You have to similarly regard your clients by settling their issues.
Courage:- Flexibility to change shapes the bedrock of any Scrum project and to acknowledge a change, fearlessness is required. Scrum is tied in with facing challenges and discovering an improved arrangement. The Scrum group is permitted to consider various ways to deal with the workshop the best and most proper arrangements. So as to execute new things to the undertaking, we have to disclose these new plans to the group for which you would require fearlessness.
Author bio
Radhika Sethi is a tech enthusiast with specialization in Digital Marketing. She is passionate about technology, internet marketing, big data, and writing. Currently working in Affle Enterprise, a chatbot development company. Reading novels, traveling, researching new online marketing trends are some of her areas of interest that keep her rejuvenated.
The story of the manufacturing industry has been one of progress. Few manufacturers continue to produce the same products as they did in their infancy years. In order to remain competitive, manufacturers must continue to evolve their products to meet the demands of the marketplace. But meeting consumer demand is only half the battle — the other half is staying up to speed with industry advancements.
New technology brings a host of changes that manufacturers must recognize. For example, increasing dependence on automation leads to the need for more skilled workers who understand these advanced systems. If workers cannot adapt successfully, organizations could find themselves struggling to keep up with the rest of the industry.
To remain competitive in this dynamic environment, organizations should have several tools at their disposal that go beyond the physical equipment and technology innovations used in their facilities. These tools are ideas manufacturers can keep in their toolbox and use to produce next-level productivity. For example, one tool can be an investment in regular maintenance, which can ensure that machinery stays in service for as long as possible. This results in higher productivity and fewer costly downtime periods.
For more ideas manufacturing companies should keep in their toolboxes, check out this infographic containing important concepts manufacturers can use to boost their production and become more efficient overall.
There’s more than one kind of tool necessary for success in manufacturing. Here are some concepts and ideas you should have in your toolbox to yield higher productivity
Financial transactions have become easier than ever with the many digital payment options available today. However, this is a bit of a double-edged sword. Where does one begin to make sense of all the possibilities? We hear all this new jargon, from the option to sell bitcoins online to innovative tech that allows customers to tap their transactions. It all seems somewhat daunting, and we instinctively know that a lot of it has to be a fad or at least rather niche.
This doesn’t mean that there aren’t some feasible and efficient payment options you can implement to improve customer convenience. While there are several ways to turn site visitors into loyal buyers, payment options are important. The trick lies in understanding how these options work, and what degree of market adoption they enjoy. There is no point in investing in a technology that only a fragment of the market uses.
NFC Payment
One must then look for the options that have a broader market adoption, and there are a number of them that stand out. The possibility that is garnering the most significant market share is NFC payment, and it is prudent to understand why. Most new technologies fail because they rely on the implementation and adoption of entirely new tech. NFC, or near field communication, owes its success to the fact that it utilizes a technology that most people carry around in their pocket in any case.
The technology was initially developed to share media and documents between personal devices instantly. It just so happened that it is the same technology your bank card uses to make single-tap payments. Using readily accessible payment services that act as an intermediary between the banks and your client, a simple tap of their device is all it takes to complete a transaction.
QR Code Payments
Unfortunately, not all smartphones have NFC capabilities. This doesn’t exclude users without the facility to use their smartphones to make transactions. Companies like Zapper have stepped in with an alternative solution. QR codes made their debut as a novelty method of directing internet traffic in an engaging and fun way. You may remember a few years ago when scanning QR codes were all the rage, and every brand was coming up with ways to get you to scan a code to get more exposure.
That trend has died down, but the technology has found a new purpose by way of payment option. Zapper links to your bank account and allows a simple method of transaction. You simply scan the code and follow the on-screen prompts and bob’s your uncle. It turns out that this is also a very secure method of payment. Although it was initially a fifty-fifty bet on whether it would see significant adoption, the number of options and ways for QR payments has made it accessible enough to see a decent market share.
PayPal Payment
Speaking of market share, PayPal is one of the most broadly used payment methods for international transactions. For the legion of freelance workers across the globe who get paid in USD, there is a bit of a challenge and process of freeing funds into local currency. It is because of this rather notable demographic that it is strange to see how few companies offer payment options for PayPal accounts.
Successfully managing a business is
a daunting errand because of the challenges you face amidst the journey. Cyber-attacks
have been exponentially increasing; alone, in 2019, it is reported that breach
of data exposed 4.1
billion records. And with that, the need to secure
your business is becoming of enormous importance.
Business information serves as a
critical asset for any company and makes it of the utmost worth. Therefore, in
this post, I will be sharing 05 hand-picked ways to minimize and eradicate the
risk of getting your information stolen by hackers.
Let’s dive right into how you can protect your information online from cyber thefts.
1. Use a Secure Network
Surfing on the websites using public
Wi-Fi makes your information exposed to cybercriminals. That further leads to increased
chances of getting your vital information stolen. Thereby, it would be best if
you used a secured network that is end-to-end encrypted.
One of the best ways is to incorporate a virtual private network connection on all your devices to get full-fledged security. On top of that, using multiple devices VPN makes it easier for you to protect information sharing on all systems. Besides top-notch security, it will also enable you to have online anonymity on all networks.
2. Beware of Phishing Emails
To avoid information breach, you
need to be vigilant about the emails you entertain in your daily routine.
Phishing emails are increasing enormously and are one of the apparent reasons
behind security vulnerabilities. Make sure you do not click any of the emails
that seem like a spamming activity.
Also, companies must provide adequate security training to the staff, administering the emails to know the parameter to recognize a fraudulent email. Based on a recent report conducted by Mimecast State of Email Security, almost 60 percent of companies are likely to bear email attacks if not appropriately secured. Therefore, you need to ensure to keep intense monitoring before you open any email.
3. Encrypt Confidential Information
Access to sensitive information
must be in the hands of critical stakeholders only. Company owners need to make
their employees well-versed in handling cyber-security. It is essential to
encrypt all the data you have stored in your business systems.
Never share any of your details using the collaboration tools as the risk of information theft is considerably high. For instance, it has been reported that the Zoom app has some serious privacy concerns that make your shared data vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Therefore, it is best to encrypt your data on all the platforms and restrict access to trusted people only.
4. Create a Strong Password
If you are operating multiple
business accounts, you must be concerned about making it secure from cyber-attacks.
One way is to make your account password sturdy enough to provide security
defense to your accounts. That means you have to create a strong password to
secure your sensitive information on online platforms.
People who use easy-to-remember
passwords are more vulnerable to security breaches. Thus, you need to ensure
you follow the standard security policies while creating your password on business
accounts. Ensure you modify your password after 6 months so as to avoid the
risk of code-cracking.
Moreover, it is recommended to use a blend of unique lower and upper case letters, symbols, and numbers. Make use of two-factor authentication in your password to fortify security. This way, you can create an impenetrable password that will make it hard for hackers to attack. And eventually, your information will be safe from unwanted malware.
5. Regulate Vulnerability Assessments
To make sure you are following all
the standard security practices on your business systems, you must use an
information security management system (ISMS). That has all the power to manage
your business security in one place. This way, you can be assured that all your
organization data is safe from any security threat or possible vulnerabilities.
Try doing security audits every after some time to ensure business systems are
well-equipped to combat threats.
Key Takeaways
The risk of an information breach is
getting high, and with that, the need to upgrade your security practices is a
must to consider. The online world is a cut-throat medium for hackers and other
spammers. And to restrain them from harming your business, it is better you
keep in practice the above shared 5 ways to avoid the risk of an information
breach. Although there are other practices, too, the ones I have shared are
imperative for your security.
Author Bio
Amtul Rafay is a Cybersecurity enthusiast who loves to write on topics pertaining to online privacy, internet security, and web privacy. She believes in the influential power of research-backed opinions to stay updated with the futuristic technology trends.
The 5th generation of wireless network technology, known as 5G, promises to dramatically increase data transfer speeds, decrease latency, and improve network reliability. These and other enhancements will result in more efficient internet access, and the ability to connect more devices within a given area at one time.
Such advancements are particularly important as the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow. Expansion of the IoT supported by 5G will be enriched by innovative IoT products for both consumers and businesses with built-in security features and software validated by QA & testing services. Here we explore exactly how the IoT will benefit from 5G.
What Is the IoT?
The IoT is the collection of internet-enabled devices that are an increasingly major part of human activity. The number of active IoT devices is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2020 and to 22 billion by 2025. A robust IoT enables new services, such as self-regulating electrical grid equipment that sends signals to utility operators when it needs replacement or repair.
IoT devices include everything from our familiar smartphones to smartwatches, internet-enabled video cameras, streetlights, motor vehicles, retail beacons, store inventory, shipping containers, manufacturing equipment, and robots. These devices add a high level of convenience to everyday tasks for individuals (such as shopping) and companies (such as inventory control).
In an example described by the World Economic Forum, we see just how integrated the IoT will become, even in things as commonplace as clothes: “Maybe you’ve heard about the Commuter x Jacquard, a jacket that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth – the result of a collaboration between Google and Levi’s. With a haptic buzz on your cuff, you are reminded about the phone you left behind; by swiping your sleeve, you can skip a song; while a tap on the shoulder strap takes a picture.”
How 5G Supports the IoT
Naturally, the more of these connected devices there are, the more bandwidth they require. While the current generation of wireless technology, 4G, has the capacity to handle many of them, 5G can support many more. Cognizant VP Randal Kenworthy, a Forbes Technology Council member, states, “5G can send data to and from as many as a million devices per square kilometer, compared to 100,000 devices per square kilometer using today’s 4G networks.”
Additionally, 5G offers super-fast speeds that are 100 times greater than 4G’s and that enable devices to make split-second calculations with optimal performance. For example, self-driving cars must be able to transfer data within milliseconds to receive instructions for how to safely perform – with 5G, they are able to do precisely that.
In addition to expanded capability and speed, 5G is more reliable than previous wireless generations, meaning essential connected objects like locks, security cameras, and other safety devices will operate more effectively. In fact, according to Intel, 5G wireless networks will be “so reliable they can replace physical connections.”
5G also enables easier setup for the IoT. According to IoT For All, rather than connecting each device to a Wi-Fi router, “5G connectivity will let each device connect wirelessly, individually and directly to your internet service provider.” In this way, “You can think of 5G as a kind of next-generation Wi-Fi.”
Industry IoT
With 5G, many industries will be able to make ever-greater use of the IoT. Here are just a few examples:
Agriculture. IoT sensors embedded in the soil can help farmers determine how much water or nutrients are needed and, in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI), deliver them at the right time. These processes enable farmers to spend more time on higher-level tasks.
Automotive. As mentioned above, self-driving vehicles require fast processing to operate as safely as possible. Additionally, maintenance shops can use sensors within cars to send reminders when it’s time to have them serviced.
Healthcare. With 5G and the IoT, telehealth will become more ubiquitous, enabling doctors and robots to treat — and even perform surgery on — patients remotely. Wearable health monitors can help patients and healthcare providers closely monitor symptoms.
Manufacturing. Manufacturers will have the opportunity to respond to consumer and business demands for new IoT products. They will also use IoT devices in the manufacturing and transportation processes, such as monitoring equipment and tracking packages.
Smart Cities. The possibilities for smart city technology involving the IoT are nearly limitless. One example is connected parking lots that send real-time information to smartphones about parking availability. Another is using technology to make automotive and pedestrian traffic flow more efficiently.
In Summary
The World Economic Forum states, “Coupled with an array of other new technological solutions like IoT, edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, 5G is powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the same way that steam, electricity, and silicon powered the previous three.”
Given how the IoT can evolve with the support of 5G, both consumers and businesses are likely to see great technological leaps in the coming years. Both will benefit from greater efficiency, convenience, and flexibility in their daily activities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unpredictable business environment where even the most established companies are shifting their focus from growth to survival. For start-ups, the challenges are even more significant.
Thousands of start-ups enter the corporate race every year. However, only a little over half actually survive to their fourth year, and the startup failure rate at four years is approximately 44 percent. These are daunting numbers even in a normal economy.
Now consider an economic downturn. Investments dry up as venture capitalists become risk-averse and seek more reliable investments. Most start-ups work with slim cash margins so a slow sales cycle can create a major cash flow crisis. Also, start-ups thrive in an environment of close in-person collaboration. However, in these times of social distancing, that’s not an option.
Navigating an economic downturn is a daunting task for organizations in the early stages of development. However, it can also be taken up as an opportunity to innovate and implement new ideas that will help organizations come out stronger in the long run.
Here are five strategies that can help start-ups weather this economic downturn.
1. Cut costs
Start-ups track expenses carefully in a regular economy but during a downturn, it is important to actively cut costs. Eliminate low performing projects, trim employee perks, and carefully consider whether you need a brick-and-mortar location. Enable effective remote work conditions for your team or consider getting a coworking space to save on rent and utilities.
Even small budget cuts make a difference so eliminate overheads such as underutilized software licenses, free office lunches, and take careful stock of your inventory. If it’s not completely essential to the business, delay or don’t buy. Conversely, negotiate with suppliers on better deals and prices for essentials items.
2. Go digital
Optimize operations by going digital wherever possible. As an example, you can improve employee productivity and cut costs by automating the management of your software and hardware assets via a cloud-based IT asset management software. Get real-time information on the location of your IT assets, and ensure that the equipment is in top-shape with automated servicing and maintenance alerts.
Automating this function also enables employees to easily collaborate both on-premise or remotely while you receive real-time updates.
3. Hire freelancers
Start-ups thrive on highly motivated teams and downturn or not, you should not skimp on quality talent. If you cannot afford to hire full-time employees, consider freelancers, contractors, or part-time workers.
As the economy slows down, there is typically a large pool of talent to choose from due to lay-offs and cut-backs on hiring. You save money by paying them a fixed price or an hourly rate without the added cost of benefits such as healthcare, sick leaves, holidays, and other perks.
4. Don’t be afraid to pivot
An agile company is not afraid to pivot with a changing market. Consider multiple businesses that changed course from what they originally planned to do and found success with a different plan. For example, YouTube was originally a sort of video-based dating service, and Yelp was not always the go-to source for reviews — it started as an automated system to ask friends for direct recommendations.
An economic downturn changes consumer budgets and priorities which is why it is important to consider the new market reality and pivot your business accordingly. This could mean adding more products to your portfolio, changing your product, offering a discount on pricing, or targeting a whole new demographic. A downturn may require an overhaul of your plan but it could be the path to long-term survival and success.
5. Use government stimulus offers
Finally, it is important to avail financial assistance offered via government loans or stimulus packages. For example, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a Paycheck Protection Program to eligible businesses. This loan is designed to provide a direct incentive for businesses to keep their employees on the payroll.
Likewise, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation to health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. If you’re not familiar with this, there is an EIDL guide on the Zenefits website that can clear some doubts and answer your questions.
About the author
Rabia Mughal works as a Communications Manager at AssetSonar, a leading cloud based IT asset management solution. An experienced marketing communications professional, she is interested in the impact of digital transformation on modern business operations.
A fleet of vehicles is at the heart of any company. If these vehicles feature the latest technology, they’ll stand out from the crowd. For 2020 and beyond, let us take a very close look at how having a state of the art fleet of company vehicles is in your best interest.
All-electric
An all-electric fleet of vehicles is a great way to associate your brand with the future. Electric cars have taken off as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional cars. Mileage on these vehicles increases every year, and you get more distance out of every charge than ever before. Some drivers are concerned about a lack of chargers, but this isn’t too concerning. Have a series of level 2 charger units installed in the company lot or garage. These chargers work incredibly quickly and at a minimal energy cost. Electric vehicles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so there’s no limit to the type of vehicle you can acquire.
Onboard navigation
Another impressive piece of tech is onboard navigation. With a reliable GPS, employees can get their jobs done without worrying about getting lost. While most people rely on their phones for directions, they aren’t ideal for dedicated navigation purposes. Not to mention, this is a dangerous practice when operating a moving vehicle. You’re much better off with an onboard navigation system. It’s easy to program these systems with common destinations for your drivers. They’ll know exactly where to go, and if they run into any trouble, they can easily report this to your headquarters.
GPS tracking
Tracking devices installed on company cars might sound Orwellian, but there are many reasons why such tech is essential for business fleet vehicles. For one, most insurance companies require them for vehicles used for business purposes. Secondly, they help with stolen vehicle recovery. Trackers can also provide data that helps companies optimize their routes and make recommendations to drivers in the future.
Company customization
Last but not least, company customization shows that you are invested and committed to transportation. Featuring your company logo on the side of a vehicle is a powerful move. You can even acquire custom license plates and banners that let other drivers know that it is a company vehicle. This display isn’t to assert your dominance on the road but rather to establish an industry standard at all times. When you have a fleet of hundreds of these identical vehicles, you know that the job is getting done every time.
Parking scheme
A fleet of vehicles needs to be backed by an efficient parking scheme. There’s nothing worse than a congested parking lot full of vehicles. It’s nearly impossible to take out a vehicle in the back, and there might not be enough space during off-peak hours. Look for tiered parking structures or even rotating platforms to make it easy to park and retrieve vehicles. You’ll save so much time when handling the fleet.
At the moment, having a state of the art fleet of company vehicles is a fantastic asset. You’ll be able to conduct transportation efficiently and in style. Look for the latest technology to propel you forward!
At a very trying time of COVID-19, times are quite tough for businesses, especially startups and entrepreneurs. However, what if there was a way to get funding by putting your project, idea, or invention online?
For people who have been living under a rock, Kickstarter is a funding platform where creators can share and gather interest on a particular creative project they will like to launch.
Every project is created and independently crafted while the general public offers to fund them in return for rewards or the finished product itself. They are the ones that ultimately send the projects into production.
Kickstarter is split into two types of users: creators and backers. Creators are of course the ones who present their project ideas and the backers are the ones who fund them. To establish a great Kickstarter project, creators need to step up a page to display all the details of their project using text, video, and photos to tell viewers about their project. From there, creators set a funding goal and a deadline, and also need to include different levels of rewards backers can receive by pledging a specific amount because the more the higher the amount they pledge, the bigger the reward.
Kickstarter also has a number of general rules that creators must abide by for their projects. They must create something that can be shared with others; be honest and clearly presented; not be fundraising for charity; not be offering equity; and not involve prohibited items.
Marketing Tips for Kickstarter Campaign
The reality of any Kickstarter Campaign is that it takes a lot of time and energy o prepare, create, maintain, and manage a Kickstarter campaign. There are definitely certain steps that people as project creators can improve their chances of success on Kickstarter.
1. Do your research
Creators need to research their project before anything happens. The questions that they need to answer before starting their campaign is: how much does it actually cost to make their project? What is the minimum amount of funding they need? How many days do they want to run the campaign? Are there already similar projects?
You need to figure out how much it actually costs because it will help when it comes to creating rewards. They also need to research domestic and international shipping costs. Kickstarter is all or nothing, so companies need to remember and understand that if they don’t reach their funding goals, they do not get any money. If they set the money goal too high, they risk not hitting their goal and won’t get any money and reciprocally, if it is set too low, you may not be able to fulfill your obligations to backers.
Campaigns can last anywhere for one day to 2 months. Longer campaigns do not guarantee success because companies may have exhausted resources by the time the project wraps up and on the other hand, campaigns that are under 30 days risk not getting enough exposure and can result in less funding.
Companies also need to do their research to see if there are other similar campaigns because if there are, there really is no point in putting the campaign up because just because something similar that raised a lot of money will not translate into instant success for your project.
2. Spread the news about your upcoming launch
It is important to spread awareness for the upcoming launch. Having a website is very important because it drives traffic to it. Adding a banner at the top of your homepage with a call to action to sign up is very important so that people could learn more about your upcoming launch. The leads that you receive should be nurtured leading up to launch day with about one email a week. The emails that are sent out should educate subscribers on your product, tell them why they need your product, and explain how Kickstarter works and inform them of when and why you’re launching your project.
It is also important to build up social media presence and creating advertising campaigns. The more informed subscribers are about your product and upcoming launch, the more likely they are to convert into actual backers once your project goes live.
Sometimes it can be difficult to run everything and stay on it constantly, so employing companies like Pressfarm can help with public relations and creating everything needed to build a successful crowdfunding campaign.
3. Email existing and new contacts
Email marketing is a great way to spread awareness for your upcoming launch to new and existing contacts who have shown interest in your product. The main goal is to get subscribers on board with your project and have them ready to spread the word. However, don’t stop emailing when you are live, you can keep sending out emails with important campaign milestones too. But, during your campaign, do not bombard your family, friends, or other subscribers incessantly because it can lead to a large number of unsubscribers.
4. Make an engaging video
Your video that you create is the main point of your campaign and it is the first thing that people look at. You need to make sure that your video is easily understandable and gets your project’s point across. Longer videos tend to have a lower video completion rate and there is a correlation between a high video completion rate and overall funding.
5. Create an easy-to-read Kickstarter page
Digital content should be written for the people who tend to skim instead of reading in detail. When you do this, you are making your content more digestible and easier to understand. Campaigns should be very visual and get to the point without using too much content.
6. Make sure your rewards are easy to understand
Keep your rewards descriptions short and to the point. You need to let people know what they are getting, how much they are saving and when they will be getting them. Do not over do your rewards because a campaign with a lot of rewards rarely works and creating a small quantity gives you a chance to introduce new rewards like flash sales, during your campaign.
7. Include multiple images
You should use high resolution, high-quality images for your social networks, advertising efforts, press releases and blog posts. Also, if you will be using any print media, they should also be hi-res images.
8. Create a Bitly link
You can use Bitly to shorten your Kickstarter page URL and use that link when you are referencing your project. Bitly actually provides great stats because it includes how many clicks you link there and where they are coming from. This information will help decide where to spend the most time promoting your project.
9. Utilize updates and your backers
You should create periodic updates on Kickstarter to send to your backers. Write updates when you hit milestones to thank your backers and use them to pass on the message of new stretch goal rewards and drive backers to your social network.
Your backers already like your project, so they are the ones that will help you and be your biggest advocates. Ask them to help spread the word whether it be word-of-mouth or social media. Make it easy for them to share by including short messages they can copy and paste to share on social media outlets.
10. Social media is important
Create your profile on the top networks by starting a Facebook Advertising campaign to build an audience base, help build your email list and begin building buzz around the upcoming launch.
Conclusion
Creating a Kickstarter Campaign is very easy, but getting the right backing and the right amount of money is the hard part. Timing is everything because you want to be the project that people are wanting to back, so you need to see what your competition is. Your product needs to be something that people want and are willing to put money into. These tips are as simple as it comes and used correctly will maximize your Kickstarter Marketing strategy.
Hydrogen is the tenth most abundant element on the earth. In order for it to be used at scale, hydrogen has to be extracted from compounds. Blue hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, typically natural gas. One of the mainstream methods used to extract blue hydrogen is known as Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). A considerable amount of carbon dioxide and methane is produced during the production of blue hydrogen. However, around 80% to 90% of the total emission is captured and stored. This process is known as Carbon Capture and Store (CSS).
The potential for hydrogen to be used at a larger commercial scale is definitely promising and how it could positively impact the decarbonization of the energy sector is clear among industry operators, however, questions remain. Is it versatile enough to invest billions of dollars on?
Various Applications of Blue Hydrogen
Blue hydrogen is extremely versatile. It finds several applications across an array of energy-consuming industries. It is speculated that hydrogen fuel will eventually transform the energy industry, making it more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Considering that private companies are being incentivized to reduce greenhouse emissions, this makes it extremely important to take initiatives to start integrating hydrogen into mass-scale production.
Along with various energy consulting firms in the UKand all around the world, key members of the energy sector are also taking keen interest and making great investments in hydrogen, especially blue hydrogen.
Fuel Production
Hydrogen is used in the production of fuel in many ways. Typically, it is used to process crude oil. As a result, refined fuels such as gasoline and diesel are produced. It is also employed in the fuel production process to get rid of various contaminants from crude oil or refined fuels. For example, hydrogen is used to remove sulphur from refined fuels, especially diesel.
Over the years, the consumption of hydrogen in refineries has increased significantly. This is mainly due to the strict rules and regulations, such as the IMO 2020 sulfur regulation, regarding maintaining the quality of diesel by lowering the amount of sulphur in it.
Industrial Applications
Hydrogen has an exhaustive list of industrial applications. It is extremely versatile, which is why it is used abundantly in not only the energy industry but also other core industries around the world.
One major example is hydrogen’s application for energy production. Specifically, it can be injected into current grid pipelines so that it can be stored for later use. Examples include transport applications or power generation.
Some industrial applications of blue hydrogen outside of the energy industry include its use in the production of ammonia and flat glass. Blue hydrogen is used in metalworking, especially for metal alloying. It can also be used in the direct reduction of iron ore, which is an important process in steel manufacturing. It finds applications in the electronic industry as well.
Energy Generation
Blue hydrogen plays a vital role in generating electricity more efficiently. It can be used as an alternative to air-cooling methods for the cooling of power generators. However, the biggest contribution of blue hydrogen in regards to energy generation comes in the form of stationary fuel cells.
Blue hydrogen can be used in stationary fuel cells. These cells are often employed as backup energy sources in buildings and there are major implications for long haul transport and commercial fleets that rely on fuel cells to operate. It is speculated that stationary fuel cells possess the potential to revolutionize the transport industry if they are used for other vehicular options like trains, cars, and buses.
Blue Hydrogen or Green Hydrogen – Which is Better?
We cannot ignore the economic benefits of blue hydrogen. While it is true that blue hydrogen is not as eco-friendly as green hydrogen, its current production costs are significantly low compared to green hydrogen. Plus, advancements and growing support for CCS is making blue hydrogen one of the most viable sustainable energy solutions at the moment. Across Europe, many hydrogen-CCS projects are going ahead.
There’s one more factor that must be considered when it comes to the significance of hydrogen for the energy industry – the storage of excess electricity or surplus energy.
Storing Excess Energy
The energy industry is evolving and more sustainable, energy efficient solutions are being sought after. Unfortunately, certain technological advancements are required to ensure grid infrastructure is able to meet high demand and alleviate storage and demand imbalances. As a result, many energy companies still favor the use of fossil fuels to produce energy.
The good news is that hydrogen may be able to bridge this gap between energy production and consumption. There are electrolyzer technologies that are being used at scale today, which can draw hydrogen out of storage and place it into a fuel cell for subsequent electricity production or power-to-liquid schemes.
Author Bio
Pangea Strategic Intelligence’s on demand energy consulting platform facilitates engagements with market-embedded Experts so Clients make better business decisions, faster.
Miley on September 9, 2020 
