Development

Agile Development Tips to Supercharge Your Development Projects

on May 31, 2019

Agile is the way forward. More and more development teams and startups adopt Agile as a methodology. Paired with approaches like continuous delivery, Agile development is a project management method that will completely change the way you handle projects.

Agile as a method is also very flexible. It is a method that is primarily implemented in app or web development, but you can adopt Agile to manage other types of projects too. To supercharge your development projects from the start, you want to keep these next few tips in mind.

Get Management Support

One thing you cannot live without when implementing Agile is the support of top management. Agile is a very top-to-bottom project management approach, which means you will have to get approval of your superiors with every iteration of the development project. That approval process is a known bottleneck in many Agile workflows.

Getting the support of top-level management from the start is also beneficial for the projects you are managing using Agile. Projects can be completed faster and more accurately, which means iterations can be released to the market at an equally fast pace. You will be surprised by how many new features you can introduce once the ball is rolling.

Involve More People

The more your team members understand the Agile method and how it is best implemented, the more effective your implementation of Agile will be. According to the survey of agile adoption, 60% to 25% of the time has reduced operation management This is where bringing everyone up to speed and getting all stakeholders involved is highly beneficial.

Today, you can provide team members with Agile training sessions. The courses and different programs available on the market are designed for people of different backgrounds and understanding levels, so there is a training course for everyone (not just the project managers).

Eliminate Hardware Bottlenecks

Providing developers with capable hardware for both development and testing is a must. Investing in better development and testing devices will yield substantial results. For starters, you no longer have to worry about the development machine not powerful enough for the entire team.

At the same time, you can go through iterations faster thanks to faster deployment and testing. Rather than waiting for the right time to test new microservices, for instance, you can have them deployed in a local machine and tested immediately.

Once the pods – the microservices – are completely stable and bug-free, you can continue with deploying those pods to the cloud and updating your app or web service. The process also results in zero downtime and higher user satisfaction.

Implement Continuous Delivery

Continuous delivery is a crucial part of the Agile method. While there are different approaches to adopt when implementing Agile, CI/CD remains the most attractive one for teams of developers. Combined with the use of containers like Kubernetes, continuous delivery becomes the best way to go through multiple iterations quickly.

With Kubernetes and CI/CD, you always have the option to revert changes if needed. More importantly, you don’t have to alter the entire app for the update to be committed. You just need to update certain pods or microservices, and Kubernetes will handle everything else for you. There are also training programs on how to fully maximize the benefits of using Kubernetes in an Agile environment.

Put Emphasis on Results

Another thing to remember about Agile as a method for managing projects is its near absolute focus on results. When you use Agile to manage projects, you are expected to combine resources and come up with the right features to add. Executing the development of those features is something that needs to happen quickly as well.

Putting emphasis on results lowers the stress you put on your team. While quality is still a primary factor to take into account, getting great results becomes something that can be achieved without making the development project too complicated.

This is also where the support of top management matters. Every result needs to be checked and approved and having top managers who are involved in the decision-making process supporting your move towards Agile will be a huge plus as you work on more iterations in the future.

Adjust Your Cycle

You don’t have to stick with the conventional cycle of Agile development. In fact, there is no Agile rule that you cannot break if it means adapting the method for your own team. Seamless integration of the Agile method is far more important than following best practices.

For example, you can do a Go or No Go for every feature that passes the ideation stage. This means development can focus on individual features rather than a big update. As a result, those smaller features can reach the market (and the users) much faster.

Adjusting your cycle also works in reverse. When you see a drop in quality as you push for more iterations, perhaps it is time to extend deadlines and make adjustments to the way the project is managed. You are safeguarding the success of the whole project by doing so.

Integrate Automation

Automation is your best friend whenever you need to boost output without expanding the team. Automation comes in different forms these days, and integrating automation with existing workflows is very easy to do. You can, for instance, automate Git commits or organize notes into project documentation without doing it manually.

Automation is about to expand to more areas of the development project too. Automated testing and monitoring are already very popular on the market, so it is only a matter of time before more parts of the development tasks get automated and streamlined.

Speaking of streamlining tasks, automation also lets you focus on the more important tasks and understand the bigger picture clearly. Some teams even go as far as being able to spot errors before they have real impacts on the rest of the system.

Get Ready

One last thing you must never forget about implementing Agile is the people. Are your team members ready for Agile? Do they have what it takes to succeed in the new environment? Will your team members adapt to Agile as well as you did?

Answer these questions and you will be able to set an effective team ratio based on functions required in your project. You will always have the right UI designers, capable UX designers, and smart programmers, making getting closer to your dream app – and development workflow – easier.

One last thing you will need is perseverance. There will be challenges to face along the way. Some team members may complain about the complexity of Agile as a system. Agile is also not the easiest method to master, but mastering it is well worth the time, money, and effort spent. Mastering Agile will transform the way you work. Soon, more startups will adopt this method and start rolling out updates on a regular basis. You and your company can too. Once you adopt the Agile method, you will not want to return to conventional project management.

Products

6 Unique Industries That Use Creative Packaging

on May 30, 2019

In the early days of product labeling and packaging, product package was a container and the label was only for explaining the details of a product. With time, the packaging and labeling industry has changed a lot. Now, the packages along with labels have become crucial and are meant for drawing customers’ attention. Packaging and labeling have to lure the consumers so that they can pick up a particular product from the store shelf.  With the changes in the responsibility of product labeling and packaging, the importance of graphics designers has increased. The designers have to use their creativity in the design of product package and labels.

A custom designer works with a large number of companies and corporations to fulfill their labeling and packaging need. With the support of its team members, such a firm supports its existing and upcoming businesses to promote their brand with its personalized labels and stickers. The post has mentioned six industries that are using stickers and labels to advertise their business brands. The unique industries are as follows:

1. Water Labels

Like air, water is essential to living life. People of all ethnic and age groups use a bottle to carry water with them when they are out of their home. Due to which, many players, from small to big, are in the business of packaged drinking water. Bottled water is used for business, social events, and tour & travel. It can be for personal or promotional use.

Whatever your purpose is, you need to label your water bottle. Your label can include a business logo and details if you are in a trade or you want to promote your business via water bottle labels. Further, the label carries a text message. Whether it is a message or logo, everything should be fine to leave a good impact. Custom water bottle labels will work great for your social or business purposes.

2. Wine Labels

Whether you are a wine manufacturer or you are a consumer, you need to customize your alcoholic drinks. As a manufacturer, you need to label your wine bottles with their names, tastes, and quality. You, a consumer/party organizer, want to label wine bottles as per the choice of your guests/invitees. Here you need a professional designer who can carry out the associated tasks very well. You can contact a reputable company like iCustomlabel, for your need for custom wine labels. With the support of such a firm, you will be successful in fulfilling your needs.

3. Beer Labels

In America, beer has a special place in drinks served at parties. People love serving it whether they are throwing a party for their birthday, graduation, wedding, success or any achievement in their personal as well as professional life.

To give a personal touch to your party, you want to label your beer bottles. Your beer label has a design along with provoking message. With custom beer labels, you can easily carry out such a task. A company engaged in designing custom labels can offer you unlimited pre-designed labels and stickers to choose from. You can easily select the best and unique one for your need.

4. Canning Labels

Containers are essential utensil for people from the kitchen to varied product manufacturers. They are useful for keeping oil, spice powder, pickles, sugar, and several other household and commercial goods in a good condition for a certain period. When you talk about your spices and food items, you need containers in a large number, and you need to label them for easy recognition of goods kept inside. Most of you love personalizing this too. With custom canning labels, you can easily do it. A custom label designing company offers labels in various sizes – 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 inches – that can fit any jar. Further, the company can customize the design and print the item name on your request.

5. Cigar Labels

Cigars have a profuse impact on occasions like birthdays, bachelorette parties, weddings, corporate events, golf tournaments. People like you love adding special or funny messages to cigar bands. You do it to draw the attention of others or want to make the event unforgettable. The use of custom cigar stickers and labels is the best way to personalize your pals. The organization engaged in designing the finest quality of custom cigar bands and stickers offers numerous choices. It can design and print every cigar sticker as per your offered specifications. From the personal or corporate event, the agency uses the correct branding approach to light up your occasion.

6. Champagne Labels

Champagne is one of the most prominent elements in your occasions like birthday, ring/wedding ceremony, bachelor party or corporate event. As an organizer, you want to make it unique by giving a heart-touching feeling. In this, you keep your style and elegance in your mind. The company involved in designing labels and stickers can help you maintain your elegance and style in the event with its custom champagne labels. You will have numerous options to choose the best one.

Conclusion

You can contact a company engaged in designing custom labels and stickers. It can serve you as per your exact need whether you come from any industry or business sector. You will have complete satisfaction from the work done for you.

Insights

Real Estate Is Investment You Won’t Regret – it Is For Everyone Who Sells and Buys

on May 24, 2019

Real estate is a term used to describe the process of buying of a property, building a house or a building in it, and selling it at a higher price to another. Real estate is very popular in the US, and a few millionaires made their money through this. Real estate means the whole process of buying land, selling land, and building on the land. Real estate has gained a lot of importance because people are very interested in buying new land, building a house on it, and selling it at a higher rate to someone else. In certain countries, you can obtain residency or citizenship by investment, after buying real estate in the required conditions. 

If you are in the business of real estate you must know that you need specific measures to promote your business. It is a crowded market so you need to make sure that you reach to the right people. T some point you will need to promote your business or site at relevant platforms. Here you can take the help of professionals to aid you.

There are different kinds of real estate. Let’s take a look at them

Residential real estate

The residential estate is one in which the property is solely used for residential purposes, these buildings are built keeping in mind for a single family, or the families can live together in an owned property but live in different flats, or they can be built to accommodate only one family. It depends on the wish of the client. Residential real estate helps in getting the people with money their ideal place to live in.

Commercial real estate

Another kind of real estate is the commercial estate this includes shopping malls, hospitals, educational center, hotels, and even apartment buildings can be called commercial real estate’s because they generate income. The commercial estate is the estate which is used to generate income, and people who own these properties are either millionaires or billionaires. Those who are interested in this trade set to gain a lot of money through these estates. It’s to be mentioned that commercial estate also benefits those who have a share in the building.

Industrial real estate

The industrial real estate includes property that deals with manufacturing; it also includes warehouse any property used for the distribution of goods is known as an industrial estate. These estates are generally very big, and they generate a lot of money. These kinds of estate are generally used for the distribution of goods, research, and production. Industrial real estate could be owned by a single person or by multi persons.

Land

The land is a great asset. If someone decides to buy land, they are investing in the right place because the value of land increases every year. Land can essentially mean just vacant land or ranches and working farms. It’s the best asset to own. Barren land or ranches, they generate a lot of income. A real estate developer would always advise his clients to buy land over anything else.

What the agents do

The real estate agents are those who specialize in real estate they are the ones who advise businesses, homeowners and investors on what to buy when to buy and when to sell they know the market flow so well that they know who stands to lose and who stands to gain. To know more about optimizing your real estate site you can check Clicks Geek. There are two types of real estate agents –

Sellers

The seller agents are those agents who will help buyers buy their best property, these sellers have contacts, and through their contacts, they help the buyer buy their best deal, although going through an agent will cost you a few, but you’ll get the best deal. Seller agents will help renovate your homes so they are perfect for the customers and you get a well round check for your property. Seller agents compare your property through the comparative listing of recently sold, also known as comps, the agents are skilled in negotiation too so they can help you sell the place at the best rates.

Buyers

The buyer agents are skilled in helping you buy the properties at the best prices. Knowing the competitive markets, these agents are skilled at getting you a place of your dream with a price to match. They are avid negotiators too so they can help you get the best deals. They will assist you with everything in the buying process from the legal procedures to the inspection. Although you might have to spend a few dollars to pay them, you get the best-priced home because they have done their research and they compare the prices of the different houses you’re willing to buy.

How to invest in real estate

Real estate is a growing industry, and anyone who is either selling or buying property is directly or indirectly associated with real estate. If you are an investor, you’ll want to invest in real estate because it helps you earn a fortune. If with the help of an agent or your research you will know the prices of the properties, they can be industrial property, commercial or residential property the goal is to gain, therefore investing in the right property is important.

Many realtors became successful millionaires through real estate. It is a known the fact that barren land will cost less than a residential property and the residential property will cost less than commercial property and so on so forth. So if you don’t have big bucks then investing in the barren land is advisable, and the land will cost more within a year or two, and you can sell the property then and buy a residential property. So knowing when and where to invest is very important.

Briefly

Therefore real estate agents or realtors stand to gain a lot from real estate because they’re aware of the fluctuating market they know when and where to invest and help others too in the process for a few bucks’ .therefore realtors have become millionaires and billionaires and the US market gains a lot from real estate.

Finally

Finally, it is to be seen that the US economy stands to gain a lot from the real estate. As shown in some studies, they profit a lot from real estates, and the real estate companies are flourishing.

DevelopmentInsightsStartups

Starting an Online Retail Business (The Road to Success)

on May 22, 2019

The competition in the retail business of today is more than fiery and the biggest rivalries can be found online. Even websites that had been trading for years are running into difficulties and they are forced to shut down so a newbie on the scene will have to have their work cut out for them. Any enthusiastic entrepreneur needs to acknowledge the main features his online shopping platform must have in order to succeed in the online retail business. The road to success is by no means easy but if you stick to the following guidelines you stand a huge chance of coming out on top in a relatively short period.

The importance of a good product description

Posting and advertising thousands if items for sale can tedious at times, so people are tempted to cut corners by simplifying the description and the name of the product. For instance, if you are selling an office swivel chair with an adjustable backrest, you could just write “office chair” in the description box. Such a move will significantly decrease the chances of anyone finding the chair either by browsing the office “furniture category” or typing in the type of chair he or she needs in the search box.

You are probably aware of the importance of SEO on Google by now but you ought to know that search optimization is important on online retail websites as well. Let your hand go and imagine you are writing a novel because you are not setting down mere words, but keywords that will help people find your merchandise. Have a talk with the webmaster in order to improve the search box as much as possible.

A picture is worth a thousand words

You can have the longest and the most exhaustive product description possible but it’s not accompanied with great pictures, then you’re products are less likely to sell fast. Human are visual learners and often it is enough for us to the shape of an item like a teapot or a car and we will instantly know what the object in the image is. By posting clear images that are large enough and not blurred, you are ensuring that your marketing message is put across fast. That is why hiring a professional photographer will help a lot not just when it comes to image quality but you will benefit from the uniformity of all images on your website, thus establishing an unmistakable visual identity.


Image source

The call-to-action button in the dead center

An online shopping platform needs to have a well-chosen and a well-positioned call-to-action button or buttons. In most cases, you are going to place the search bar in the center of the page because that is going to be the feature that visitors are immediately going to go for. In addition, you can have an outline of the most popular categories on either side of the homepage so your website can be browsed by desired categories as well.

Proper storage space

A major advantage of online trading is the fact that you don’t need to have a physical location of the store. Of course, you should list all the contact details on the website, including the exact address, phone number, and an e-mail even if you don’t sell offline. This is done for reasons of credibility to assure potential clients that you are not running a scam but that you merely wish to avoid tete-a-tete contact with your clientele (and the tax inspectors).

The fact that you don’t have an actual store doesn’t imply that you are selling mist but items that, by all means, needs to be stored somewhere. Unless you are willing to pay high rental fees, running your own warehouse will require a lot of work that you have to be prepared for. Transporting fragile boxes and crates would be impossible without the right materials handling equipment that you have to own from day one. Even if your beginnings are humble and you are running the online retail operation from your garage or basement, you are still going to have to take great care about logistics.

Simplifying the ordering process

Once a customer settles on a particular item he or she likes and they click “order” or “buy,” you need to ensure that it is all smooth sailing from there.  The button should be large enough to notice immediately and the number of pages that subsequently open should be decreased to a bare minimum. Firstly take the address of shipping and contact info and then allow the client to fill out the necessary information regarding the credit card payment. Any additional info should not be mandatory but optional, such as polls, quizzes or personal preferences. People visiting your online shopping platform need to leave the website happy they have made the purchase in the shortest time possible.

“You might like as well…”

Not burdening your clients with additional shopping options doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t exist. Just take a look at how people passionately collect coupons they receive at supermarkets and you will realize that there are many fervent shoppers out there. For those people who want more from an online shopping experience include links to other product and product categories they might like. You, something like that pop-up: “people who bought this product also liked …” The content on the website should be interlinked and each product should have links leading to similar items. By including these features on the website, customers will get the impression that you care about their preferences and shopping habits.

The final piece of advice we can give you is to update your online presence. If you are passionate about starting your online retail business then you will have no trouble logging in every day to add new items or improve the description of the existing ones. Also, try to be in vogue by starting seasonal sales or offering holiday decorations. In other words, the person opening pages on our shopping platform needs to recognize the dedication and hard work you have put in the success of your enterprise.

Uncategorized

5 Reasons the Midwest Boasts Some of the Best Tech Jobs in the U.S.

on May 20, 2019

If you are a tech professional and you’re looking for a new position, we’d like to dispel some misconceptions. Yes, San Francisco, New York and now Austin, Texas are tech job hotbeds, but if you don’t want expensive housing, horrible traffic, and crowded downtown areas, you might want to consider the Midwest, because some of the nation’s best tech jobs are there and here’s why:

Climate

You don’t get the full four-season treatment in San Francisco. Sure, the weather is mostly temperate even in the winter, but it’s tough to get an 80-degree summer day, and you really have to like 60 degrees to be happy there. Contrast that with Chicago and Milwaukee. While admittedly, summer seasons there are a lot shorter than Austin, for example, there’s nothing quite like the stillness after the first substantial snowfall, and fall can be a beautiful and colorful time of year. And, after a long Midwestern winter, you can be treated to a great spring.

Rents

National rents are exorbitant in places like San Francisco and New Your City while you’ll find that living in St. Paul or Milwaukee can be quite affordable. A college town like Ames, Iowa can present even more cheap housing opportunities.

Home Prices

Owning a home in many California cities is next to impossible unless you can get used to $8500+ mortgage payments. Contrast that Minnesota where the median home price is around $235,000. Minnesota also officially sanctions a practice called contract for a deed where prospective homeowners with bad credit can eventually own homes.

Work Ethic

The Midwestern work ethic is not a myth. After World War II many veterans settled into jobs that they would hold for a full thirty years. They could then retire and enjoy a mortgage-free home. Stable midwestern family values and good parental examples have persisted, and companies are finding that midwestern workers are prized, and therefore many tech companies are opening offices in midwestern cities.

Retail Space

Office space in Duluth, MN, according to loopnet.com can be had for less than $2.00 per square foot. Contrast that with downtown office space in Austin, Texas that commonly goes for over $55.00 per square foot, and you can understand why many tech companies are embracing the Midwest.

And remember, if you are a business owner, it doesn’t matter where your business is located, because you can choose to work with remote Midwestern employees. That means that if you really love Miami and don’t want to move your business to Fargo, you don’t have to because there are quality employees throughout the Midwest that would love the opportunity to work remotely for you.

 

Also consider that because some midwestern cities have been given the “rustbelt” label, they have gone out of their way to attract tech companies through tax and other incentives. This of course then brings more tech jobs to these areas.

Whether you are a tech worker or a business owner, it behooves you to check out the great opportunities that the Midwest offers.

 

Insights

8 Bathroom Problems that Can Be Easily Fixed

on May 17, 2019

Bathrooms are supposed to help you to de-stress and relax after with cold showers and warm baths. But just like other elements of the house they too need proper maintenance and care. Here are a few common problems and solutions to deal with them in a smart way. You can also request and refer free catalogs like Ballard Designs or Pottery Barn for similar solutions and useful products to deal with the maintenance and cleaning issues.

1. Poor Ventilation

Poor ventilation retains moisture and humidity in washrooms. This leads to accumulation or dripping of moisture residue from walls and ceilings. In such cases, it is evident that your washroom has no or little ventilation. To address this problem you may have to repair the damaged fans and install proper ventilation with the assistance of professional. Cleaning ducts from time to time are also recommended and cost around $350.

2. Molds

With poor and improper ventilation molds and mildew is a natural occurrence. Sometimes mold can be toxic to our health and hence it is important that we deal with it as early as possible. To clean the mold, use white vinegar with a spray bottle. Vinegar is non-toxic and safe mold cleaner which does not need to be diluted with water. You can use a brush or cloth to clean the vinegar sprayed surface. Don’t forget to use protective gloves while cleaning. The other (easier) option is to hire a professional Phoenix house cleaning company, or a company wherever you are based, as they are easy to book and the results can be amazing!

3. Slow Drains

Slow drains are the result of debris and hairs getting stuck into the pipes. You can unclog drains by flushing them with drainage products or hot water. If it doesn’t work you may have to fish out stuck items with the help of a drain snake. If you don’t address this problem in time you may have to deal with clogged drains in the near future.

4. Dull Brass Fixtures

You don’t need to buy expensive brass polishers or cleaners to bring back lost shine of your brass fixtures. Make a light paste by mixing equal amounts of lemon juice and baking soda. Use a brush to clean the fixtures with this solution and your brass fixtures would appear new like.

5. Grungy Grouts

Grout tiles may become grungy due to mildew with the passage of time. The best way to deal with them is to clean them with a brush dipped in vinegar. You can also spray vinegar on the infected area and scrub it away after 10 minutes for better results. Bleach is a great alternative to vinegar. Chloride bleach along with an equal amount of water can aid you in cleaning mildew efficiently.

6. Filmy Glassdoors

Glass doors in bathroom showers become filmy with mineral buildup. To get rid of mineral residue spray the door with vinegar and leave it untouched for a few minutes. Next, rub and clean with a paste made from the same amounts of salt and baking soda and rinse the door.

7. Crusty white faucets

To deal with mineral deposits on fixtures you will need white vinegar and three paper towels to get started. Let the paper towels soak in white vinegar and wrap them around the faucets. Let them stay there overnight.

Remove wrapped paper towels the next morning and scrub the faucets with warm water, dishwashing liquid, and a toothbrush. Your faucets will now shine bright enough to reflect the light.

8. Consistently running toilet

Constantly running toilets can be annoying and can bring with them increased water bills. To tackle continuously running toilet all you need to do is peep in the flush tank and simply unstuck the flapper chain that may be stuck and you are good to go.

Conclusion

Most of the issues mentioned above can be dealt with a little amount of expenditure. You may need to buy to utilize simple ingredients like salt, bleach, lemon juice, vinegar or tools like drain snake and plungers to tackle these problems. But ignoring them for long durations may result in bigger issues which will come with extra expenses. Hence, it’s recommended to solve these problems as early as possible. In complicated scenarios, you may have to take the aid of professionals like plumbers and certified cleaners to ensure safe, clean and tidy washrooms.

MartechProductsSaaS

Immense Development of Fintech to Support the Digital Currency Dealings

on May 17, 2019

With the digitization of almost all the sectors in our life, the way we see and use money has also changed drastically. People today are comfortable with carrying out online money transactions, making online purchases and payments, sending money across virtual platforms and also lending, borrowing and investing online. Online banking has become popular among many and transactions that are based on API have become a new way to handle money.

1. A major Shift in Financial Services

With the introduction of FinTech companies that provide virtual financial service, the manner in which people utilized and handled money has undergone drastic changes in the past two decades. Developed and technologically advanced systems of software and hardware have allowed FinTech companies to provide much more user-friendly and secured financial transactions.

To offer such lucid and flexible platforms for quick and secure financial transactions, internal infrastructure has to be overwhelmingly complex. To make this process simple for common-man, digital currencies and cryptocurrencies were introduced while the regulatory framework had to be more rigid and sophisticated. No wonder modern fintech companies have to upgrade and develop technologies in order to be able to produce extremely complex yet easy to use, safe and highly secured financial services so as to exist, thrive and function in today’s immensely volatile environment.

2. Reasons for the Growth of the FinTech Sector

Utilization of fintech tools and services can be attributed to many aspects. It promotes cashless transactions, ensures quick and safer money transactions, lets you connect with banks and other platforms seamlessly with a mere hand-held device, facilitates online shopping along with easy processing of loans and payments. The emergence of e-commerce is another factor that has brought about immense advancement in financial technology. Apart from this boom in the use of digital currencies that have grabbed the attention of investors is another significant reason for the ultimate sophistication of fintech industry.

3. Investment in Cryptocurrencies

Investors are always watching out for investment options that are safe and provide lucrative returns in a short time. Gone are the days when equity, property or forex was considered as some of the best investment options. It’s time and age of cryptocurrencies that have immense potential to multiply money in a short time frame than any other cash investment can ever do. Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Bitcoin are limited in nature and therefore have a tremendous value attached to them and can be traded for large amounts of local currency. Hence it becomes necessary to minimize the dangers of prying programs and internet connections that can launder your money and hack your personal accounts. This arises the need for secured technology which can be achieved by immense development in the field of safety and security in current Fintech.

4. Better Exchange Rates

Previously individuals and small businesses had to accept undesirable exchange rates and only banks and large organizations had access to near-market exchange rates. But today, many FinTech companies provide competitive near-market exchange rates.

5. Little to Zero Transfer Fee

Just like exchange rates, transfer fees adversely affected the cost-effectiveness of the transactions. Banks collect high transfer fees while FinTech companies charge little to no transfer fees. For instance, FinTech organizations such as OFX and Currencies Direct offer fee-free transfers to almost all the countries.

6. Multiple Payment Options

Most of the FinTech that facilitate overseas money transfers provide their clients with multiple payment methods to choose from. Bank account transfers are the most secure and cost-effective in nature. All FinTech companies don’t accept payments through credit and debit cards and organization that allow card payments tend to charge extra fees for the same. Other methods that you can opt for payments are SOFORT, POLi, iDeal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, ACH, etc.

Final Conclusion

Introduction of Fintech has revolutionized the way in which financial transactions were carried out. Today transactions have become easier with user-friendly software, faster with improved connectivity, cost-effective with reduced transfer fees and exchange rates, safe and secure with decentralized technologies like blockchain and flexible due to availability of various modes of payment. These are major shifts that are sure to disrupt traditional banking and financial institutions in coming days.

DevelopmentInsightsProductsSaaS

Ways to Make Your Smart Home Work for You

on May 17, 2019

Over the last few years, smart devices have managed to get everywhere — in your television, your refrigerator, your speakers and even your door locks — but you might not have paid them much mind. You, like 63 percent of the population, might find smart tools “creepy,” or like 55 percent of the population, you might believe the tech to be totally untrustworthy.

In truth, smart technology is in its infancy; compared to another tech, which has developed over decades or centuries, smart tools are brand-new, which means they still have many of the kinks that untested inventions typically have. However, just because smart devices aren’t perfect doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them. In fact, there are many ways that smart tools can make your life better in major ways. Here are a few ideas to help you make smart technology work for you, so you can enjoy a better-functioning home.

Consider Your Home Troubles

It’s tempting to buy the exact same smart tools that everyone else is buying, but blindly jumping into smart home tech is a near guarantee that you’ll waste your money and be dissatisfied with smart devices. Instead, you should take time to consider exactly what ways you wish your home worked better; muse on what struggles you consistently have with your home and how smart technology could improve it.

A good example of a common home issue is getting locked out of the house. Many people tend to be forgetful with their keys or the locks on their doors, and homes with children might need a way to let their kids get inside without entrusting them with a key. Smart locks allow recognized users to gain access to a property without a key but instead with their smartphones. Users can lock and unlock their homes from anywhere using a mobile phone app, which can be exceedingly useful and anxiety-reducing.

Because there are a near-unlimited number of smart home tools on the market, you can find a device to solve nearly any problem around your home. You should make a list of common problems or else a list of home features you think could better suit your lifestyle and search for smart tech to fit.

Investigate Your Smart Options

It still isn’t time to make any purchases. Once you have a good idea of the tools available to you, specifically those that would enhance your home and life, you will have a good foundation for making a few key decisions about your smart home. In particular, you need to choose which smart home ecosystem is right for you.

Currently, there are three major smart home players: Amazon, Google, and Apple. A handful of smaller players are easy to find as well, to include Samsung, Wink, Hive, Logitech, and Yonomi. Generally, the larger, better-known smart home systems have more devices available, but those devices might come at a steeper price, and, perhaps more importantly, you might not prefer their interface. Because every smart tool that you acquire should be able to integrate with the ones currently in your home, it is imperative not only that you remain consistent in the smart system you use but also that you understand and enjoy using the system.

You can read reviews online to get a sense of how homeowners like you are reacting to various systems, and you can also sample a few systems out at big-box tech stores like Best Buy. After you determine which system is right for your home, you can start purchasing smart tech — but you should make absolutely sure that the devices integrate with your desired system.

Bolster Your Smart Network

Even after you have a cadre of smart tools throughout your home, your job of setting up your smart home isn’t done. That’s because you need to keep your home safe from digital attackers, who utilize relatively insecure smart devices to infiltrate your network and steal your data.

Fortunately, it is rather easy to guard against this type of attack. First, you should acquire a smart device manager, which makes it easier to see all the smart tools on your network and keep them safe. You might also consider setting up your smart tech on a separate network from the one you connect to your computers, so any data saved on your computers is completely inaccessible from your smart devices.

Even with these protections, you need to be diligent about keeping your smart tech up to date in patches for software and firmware. Most cybercriminals use known vulnerabilities in outdated firmware to infiltrate home networks, so with simple updates, you can trust your smart tools to do their job and keep you safe.

Smart technology might seem like a trend now, but it’s unlikely to go away. The sooner you accept some smart tools into your life, the sooner you can benefit from a fully functioning smart home.

InsightsMartech

Reasons Why You Should Give Importance to Video Marketing

on May 15, 2019

It’s the 21st century, and the nature of content marketing has changed manifold. We all know that an image can speak in many ways. When you add a good quality image to a social media post, it increases its popularity manifold.  It is one of the tried and tested tactics of content marketing. And here it is important to mention about video marketing that helps to promote and market your videos. Videos have increased reach and can promote your content in unique ways. It is one of the best marketing methods today that most corporate brands are opting in. Some of the important facts that establish the importance of video marketing include the following:

  • Videos can claim over 80% of web traffic.
  • By embedding videos in your landing page, you can maximize the conversion rate by almost 80%.
  • When you add impressive videos to your email marketing campaigns, the click-through rates can increase between 200% and 300%.
  • More than 90% of the customers find videos helpful when they have to make a buying decision.

It is important to get professional help when you want to make high-quality marketing videos. To know more on this, you can get in touch with Austin SEO agency. Not sure if you want to say yes to video marketing? Refer to the benefits discussed below:

1. Video content helps in maximum brand recall

Based on a HubSpot research about 80% of the consumers will remember a video that they have liked. In fact, if they have watched any influential video in the past 15 days, chances are they will remember it. Video marketing has a visual impact which helps to promote a marketing message better, as you learn if you know more about connectivity for marketers. When an online user remembers video content, he/she also learns about your brand. It automatically translates to lead generation and sales better as well. Also, if an online user has liked a video, chances are he/she will share it as well. And this helps to maximize the online reach.

2. Video marketing can enhance your website SEO

Almost 65% of the business decision-makers choose to visit a website, once they have seen video footage by the brand. Hence, quality content when used through video marketing can significantly enhance your website SEO, by making people curious about your site. It directs people to visit your homepage and learn more about your brand.

3. Video content can perform well on most devices

Responsive design is what impacts online marketing. If your content fails to perform optimally in a chosen browser system or device, it affects the business. There’s less online traffic, and the conversions are also minimal. Video content is apt for all mobile and computing devices. Hence, the reach of the video is much more. And that’s what makes it consumer-driven and user-friendly. If you have added video as a part of your online marketing strategy, you have the best chance to improve your brand message. That aside, you can add a persona to your brand as well! By implementing simple features such as branding and design, to advanced aspects like content and voice, video marketing can boost brand identity. Once you refer to the pointers mentioned above, you can decide better whether you want to resort to video marketing.

DevelopmentInsightsStartups

Business Strategies that Give Your Restaurant an Edge over Others

on May 15, 2019

Every restaurant owner wants to earn profits by providing the best service to their customers. From elegant decor to the chef-curated menu, they want to cater to every customer requirement. Today, the food industry is flourishing at a fast pace. People love to visit themed restaurants for fine dining with their friends and family. They expect complete value for money. Hence, it is important to incorporate a few strategies that can earn profit and consumer goodwill.

Are you planning to open-up a multi-cuisine restaurant? Do you want your customers to revisit your restaurant? Do you want maximum recall value for your brand? If yes, then you can consider the following business strategies:

1. Update your customers on the new menu

For a restaurant, it’s the menu that is the core product. So, whenever you have a new line- up of the best cuisine delicacies, it is essential to inform your loyal customers. If there’s a menu update, occasional discounts or a food festival over a weekend, ensure that you inform your customers through SMS marketing or email marketing. Customers use their Smartphone to check messages as well as emails. Hence, they can check the message and email and visit your restaurant accordingly. It will enhance your brand awareness and also increase the recall value.

2. Implement a food labeling software

People today are making better lifestyle choices. And many people who love food are also health-conscious. They want to know the food ingredients and the nutrient quotient of each platter. It helps them to keep a count on their calories and carbohydrate intake. It is here that you can opt-in for food labeling software, which lets the customers know the ingredient and the nutrient content in a platter. It helps customers to order for their best dishes and maintain a food balance. Another thing to consider is to use a restaurant bookkeeping expert to maintain your accounting system to ensure accurate financial reporting and maximum profitability. 

3. Work on the ambiance

Your restaurant ambiance needs to be thoughtful. Today, customers are not just attracted to the menu, but also the ambiance and the theme. You can have a distinct theme in your eatery or restaurant. For instance, if you are keen to position yourself as a Tibetan restaurant, then you need to implement the required aesthetics that will create the correct backdrop. Your ambiance will complement the food platter as well and result in an immersive experience. Check out some rooftop bars that have amazing ambiance here.

4. Include a suggestion box

Every business wants to generate happy customers. And when you listen to your customer, it makes them happy. Every customer has suggestions they want to share. If you listen to these suggestions, it might carry valuable perspectives that will help you to enhance your business. Hence, you can keep a suggestion box in your restaurant. Alternatively, you can also request your clients to email your suggestions.

Going forward you can arrange for freebies or promo codes for customers who share the best suggestions that you decide to implement. It will help you bond with your customers better, increase sales and customer goodwill. These are some of the essential business strategies that will help you flourish your restaurant business manifold. You can also add another strategy that you deem fit.

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