European Banks Need to Step Up Their Application Modernisation Agendas

October 11, 2021

By Alfred Escala Sisquellas, Vice President, Banking and Financial Markets, IBM

Most major banks will have had application modernisation as a strategic agenda for several years now, however the process has been challenging due to the high stakes involved. At the same time as transforming the core of their applications, banks need to continue to provide operational resilience, pervasive security, and comply with the sector’s inherently complex regulatory requirements.

Some banks have opted to persevere with many legacy applications as a result, leaving new technologies just to new applications and hence ending up with two worlds – the legacy and the new. These hybrid architectures are sometimes inefficient, complex to maintain and have made it difficult to introduce new products and services to adapt to COVID-19 uncertainty, or to identify new revenue streams to offset what are historically low interest rates.

In a survey this year, we found that 58% of Europe’s top 50 major banks consider total cost reduction as the top strategic driver for application modernisation, followed by technology strategy at 22% and reacting to competition at 20%. Application modernisation is now an urgent priority for banks and continued hesitation will see them drowning in what is an increasingly competitive and demanding sector.

The Race for New Revenue

Over the course of the pandemic, interest rates have been locked in at near to 0%, banking fees have decreased dramatically, and many banks posted their lowest returns in years. According to the European Central Bank (ECB) Banking Supervision, the profitability of European banks fell from an already mediocre 6% at the end of 2018 to around 1.5% at the end of 2020.

Many leading banks with a strong capital base were able to absorb the economic losses, while smaller banks relied on Government stimulus efforts to stay afloat. All share the common need to discover new revenue streams and increase profitability to survive in the coming years.

One approach will be launching a host of dedicated sector platforms for vertical customers. An example of this is the Cajamar Cooperative Group in Spain, which has rolled-out a platform called Tierra to provide analysis and monitoring tools for farmers in the agri-food sector and deliver services across the whole industry value chain.

By undergoing an application modernisation process and moving legacy systems to solutions built on cloud, banks can make it easier to access data sets and deliver real-time insights to customers as part of new platform offerings.

The Fintech Threat

As if the economic challenges of the pandemic weren’t enough, customers also spent more time using digital platforms and started to demand more from their online banking systems. According to McKinsey, digital engagement levels have climbed up to 20 percent, the use of cash has halved, and 30-40% of customers have expressed a greater need for advice.

This has resulted in banks coming under new attack from fast-moving technology firms including fintech and digital giants. These companies benefit from being able to innovate with a lower risk profile than incumbent banks – they are not present in the most regulated segments of the banking value chain, allowing them to quickly introduce new platforms and services to meet evolving consumer needs. European regulation, such as PSD2, is unbundling the banking value chain and allowing companies to take on the role of ‘financial product and service distributors’, which are also subject to less regulatory requirements.

Most banks suffer from the burden of legacy technology and inflexible applications that impede productivity gains and jeopardise their time-to-market for delivering new products and services to their clients. Existing core banking systems and applications are linked to past architectures and have not been optimised to take advantage of new technologies. Fintechs are more agile and are therefore getting their share in the most profitable pools of the banking value chain, such as international payments.

This is where application modernisation is so crucial for incumbent banks. By shifting on-premises systems to modern cloud-based solutions, changing their application and data architectures to fulfil their clients demands, and moving to a new micro-services architecture, banks will be able to achieve significant improvements in terms of flexibility, agility and cost reduction allowing them to keep pace with their nimbler counterparts.

The Ecosystem Innovation Opportunity

One rare positive trend of a difficult 18 months for the banking sector, has been increased collaboration between technology and financial services players. Organisations of different sizes, industries and geographies are being brought together on cloud platforms to identify transformative technologies, solve market challenges, and respond to regulatory requirements.

For example, we worked with UK retail and commercial bank TSB to integrate its chat service TSB Smart Agent into its mobile application and use the AI and the advanced natural language processing capabilities of IBM Watson Assistant to improve its conversations with customers. This was critical at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. We recently announced a milestone of 100 ecosystem partners on IBM Cloud for Financial Services

Over the coming years, we can expect ecosystems to bring a host of exciting new innovations to market that will transform traditional banking models and revitalise the relationship between customers and their financial services providers. However, banks operating on outdated legacy systems will struggle to take advantage of these new financial services innovations.

Application modernisation gives banks the flexibility and scalability to introduce new digital technologies and delivery models on their existing platforms. This will be crucial if these organisations are to maintain pace with agile competitors.

A Simplified Transition

Historically, organisations have avoided application modernisation due to the central position they occupy within banking architecture and concerns about how to maintain those systems in the future. It was a long, uncertain journey which most firms were reluctant to face. Other options such as a total replacement of their core banking systems with packaged solutions could allow for modernisation but risks and uncertainties were still there.

However, the emergence of new technology offerings and management tools has put banks in a better position than ever before to kick off their modernisation journeys. For example, the emergence of open hybrid cloud platforms allows organisations to leverage the most suitable applications for their transformation rather than being tied to the solutions of a specific vendor.

New tools, such as IBM Financial Services Workbench and new industry models such as Banking Industry Architecture Network (BIAN) have become accelerators which reduce both the timeframe but also the risk of application modernisation. While market and business pressures are more acute than ever, banks now have the tools, the reference models, and the partners to successfully deliver this modernisation, de-coupling the client-facing distribution layer from the product manufacturing and transactional layer, enabling them to be more responsive to client needs.

Application modernisation should leverage the current system capabilities and assets and be aligned to the overall strategy of the organisation. It should consider the whole target operating model including products and services, people and culture, processes, partnership strategies and the capacity of the bank to absorb change and manage risk.

It is a process that will underpin the bank’s future operations and prosperity; one which they can no longer afford to delay.

Go to top

About the Author

Alfred Escala is VP Banking & Financial Markets EMEA Leader since January 2021. He joined IBM in October 2002 through the acquisition of PwC Consulting where he was partner-director of PwC Consulting Spanish Practice. After joining to IBM, Alfred Escala has had several positions in IBM Global Business Services such as Consulting Services Leader for Spain & Portugal, Strategy & Market Director Leader for South West Europe. In 2009 he moved to Global Markets organizations and he was FSS Sector Leader for SPGI (Spain, Portugal, Israel and Greece) and he was responsible for overall IBM business in Banking, Financial Markets & Insurance. In 2014 he became VP responsible for CaixaBank-IBM relationship and Chariman of ITnow (CaixaBank & IBM joint-venture). In 2018 he was appointed VP Cognitive Solutions Leader and Industry Business Development Leader in SPGI. Alfred Escala has deep experience in complex transformation projects in the banking industry, leading large multinational teams across different transformational areas, both at the busines re-engineering side as well as at the IT transformation. Previous to his banking experience, he led large Customer Service & Billing (BSS/OSS) projects at the Telecom Industry.

Everything You Need to Know About Smart Locks: Are They Really Safe?

October 11, 2021

In order to guarantee a higher level of security for commercial properties and businesses, it is important to invest in a high-tech system that builds confidence and peace of mind. Advances in the security technology sector have been impressive in recent years, presenting different types of locks, characterized by their wide variety of functions and advanced protection. Having secure locks and limiting who can enter the premises is a key component of commercial access control best practices, so it’s no surprise that locks are evolving to solve for the latest threats and needs.

Although we are used to robust locks with keys, deadbolts, or a huge padlock, it is a reality that criminals have become masters in violating these conventional security systems.

It is important, therefore, to know and explore other lock options to secure your business. Among the new types of security technology, a standout has arrived: smart locks. In this article we will address all the details you need to know before investing in smart locks for your business.

What is a smart lock?

Losing your keys will no longer be a problem. Smart locks are composed of a high-security mechanism that can be installed on just about any type of door, and guarantees that it can only be opened by the person authorized to do so.

Unlike conventional locks, these locks are equipped with alarms, digital panels, or sensors, which work through different verification methods to unlock the door. They are ideal for bolstering your space’s physical security, as smart locks tend to be more robust and more efficient than traditional locking mechanisms.

The smart lock system works through Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth, voice assistants or biometric devices, which turns the user’s mobile device, fingerprint or registered voice into the key that opens the door.

How do smart locks work?

Commonly, the smart lock mechanism integrates various technologies to grant access only to authorized individuals. For example, some smart locks use proximity keys, while others require an app installed on a mobile device.

Once configured and installed, when the smart locks detect an authorized smartphone or smartwatch, they authenticate the credential to allow access by reading encrypted data or tags. The smart lock then triggers a mechanism to release the locking hardware. There are also models that work through PIN codes, either entered on an integrated keyboard or via voice detection by a smart reader. Some smart lock devices provide access only through a biometric verification, such as a fingerprint or facial scan.

It is important to note that, for the most part, smart locks are powered by long-lasting batteries with alerts that indicate when the battery must be recharged or replaced. Thanks to this, the system can guarantee a long continuity in security, avoiding any interruption caused by the electrical system of the house. For commercial buildings, there are wired smart locks available for a more consistent power source.

Smart lock manufacturers are continuously improving their security systems. Although criminals are always finding new ways to penetrate security systems, this type of adaptable smart technology keeps you one step ahead.

Are smart locks really secure?

It depends on the situation you are in. If someone manages to steal your smartphone and access it, the smart lock is not really safe. Smartphones have extra security features, such as passcodes and facial recognition built-in to prevent this type of security breach. However, most smart locks also have a spare key and a special option to lock down access in case you can’t find your smartphone.

Another problem lies in the firmware. There are several cases where smart lock manufacturers have received complaints from customers regarding firmware defects. Damage to the firmware can leave you vulnerable to a break-in. It’s important to always source smart locks from a reputable manufacturer, and perform regular vulnerability testing to ensure your locks remain secure.

At a convention for hackers held in 2016, practitioners found that 75% of the smart locks on the market (at the time) could be hacked. Vulnerabilities usually lie in factors such as simple passwords, device spoofing, and decompiled APK files. Following best practices such as multi-factor authentication for passwords and only connecting to secured Wi-Fi networks will help protect your smart locks.

Of course, no security system is 100% fail safe. However, updating to smart locks and keyless entry systems can help improve security over traditional systems, and provide a greater peace of mind for businesses and individuals.

Go to top

How VAT Software Can Benefit Your Growing Business

October 11, 2021

As a small business owner, keeping your business running efficiently requires persistence and almost limitless energy. You’re expected to manage multiple facets of your enterprise, with reams of urgent paperwork taking up the majority of your ever-growing to-do list.

Managing your tax obligations as a small business is another plate you need to keep spinning, and due to its apparent complexity and importance; many small businesses are left feeling completely perplexed and overwhelmed by their VAT responsibilities. Thankfully, more business owners than ever before are turning to software to help them remain compliant with Making Tax Digital (MTD) obligations and keeping their business aligned with the requirements of HMRC. In this post, we’ll examine how VAT software can benefit your growing business and why using VAT software is the approach of choice, for businesses just like yours.

There’s Less Paperwork

Working through mountains of paperwork, receipts and invoices is a dreaded time of year for any business owner. The sheer volume of documents brings confusion and pressure to the situation and makes errors more likely to occur. When you implement VAT software, you can maintain a digital paper trail instead, where all your actions, invoices, reports and other documents are recorded digitally, helping you keep track of every document and effectively streamlining the entire process.

Compliance is Guaranteed

It’s hard to keep up with the rules and regulations of VAT and tax. And the prospect of getting it wrong can have serious repercussions on your business, your finances and your reputation as a business owner. No matter how much time you spend sifting through your paper documents, once your return is submitted, there’s no going back and no guarantee that your submission was accurate.

This is where using VAT software can help. Once you make the switch to this software, you’ll get monthly snapshots of your VAT records, and have all the calculations completed for you – so no matter how complex your VAT return is, you can have a compliant and accurate submission with just a few clicks.

You’re Kept Up to Date

With VAT software, you’ll never miss a deadline. Because the process is streamlined and simplified, business owners don’t run the risk of submitting their VAT returns late or incurring hefty fines for their delay. Helpful reminders will keep you aware of looming deadlines and thanks to its digital paper trail and automated calculations, you can get back to focusing on your business, knowing your VAT obligations are all in hand.

Real-Time Data

Knowing where your business is fiscally at any point in the financial year is essential. Implementing VAT software means that you can be. Having access to real-time tax data for your enterprise means you can have everything you need in place even before your return is due. It’s this data that can help you make better business-led decisions, putting you in a stronger position and giving you a competitive edge.

Final Thoughts…

With the right VAT software, taxes and MTD doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Put your business ahead, and implement it today.

Go to top

Guide For Your Dream Home in Orlando-An Overview of Real Estate Trends 2021

October 11, 2021

Home to a warm climate, sunny beaches, Walt Disneyland, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, Orlando is the largest city in the state of Florida and 73rd largest city in the US. With job seekers, students, and retirees flocking to Orlando, the housing supply is dwindling compared to its demand.

The high quality of life at a reasonable cost has been profitable for investors with the trend forecasted to continue into 2021. Dubbed the “City Beautiful,” Orlando is steadily climbing its way into post-pandemic recovery. Here we talk about the market trends for real estate in Orlando and what makes it a great place if you are looking to buy your dream house or your luxury vacation homes Florida.

Orlando Real Estate Market Trends 2021

The Orlando housing market is remarkably competitive, with homes selling within only 13 days as compared to 21 days last year. Moreover, the average selling price is $311K, which is up by 13.1 percent over last year as per the national real estate brokerage, Redfin. A staggering 1,351 houses sold this year, up by 8.3 percent from last year with hot homes pending within 4 days and selling for 3 percent above listing price.

Orlando Housing Affordability 2021

Following the trends of low supply and high demands for housing, the first-time homebuyer affordability index fell from 90.37 to 88.99 percent last month. To give you an idea of what this means, an affordability index of 90 percent means that buyers are 10 percent short of the state-reported median income to purchase a median-priced home, whereas if it is over 100 percent, you make more than the required amount to purchase a house.

Orlando Home Listing Prices

Now let’s briefly discuss home prices in Orlando. The May 2021 report from Realtor.com states that more people are buying homes in Orlando than are available, making it a seller’s market.

The median list price of homes in Orlando, FL was $305K, trending up 9.6 percent year-over-year.
The median listing price per square foot was $184.
The median sale price was $300K.
Sale-to-list price ratio: 100 percent—a seller would always prefer scenarios that can yield a ratio of 100 percent or higher while a buyer would prefer a sale to ask price ratio that’s closer to 90 percent.
With a median listing price of $130K, South Semoran is the most affordable neighborhood.
With a median listing price of $599K, Lake Nona South is the most expensive neighborhood.

As already mentioned, Orlando is a hot seller’s real estate market and will likely remain so for another 12 months, if data from Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA) is to be believed.

Housing Supply & Inventory

Orlando housing supply indicators show high rental vacancy rates and excessive multi-unit housing permits, which should be taken into consideration before you invest.

There is a national inventory shortage, with Orlando showing a 61 percent fall year-over-year. The average time to sell all of the inventory in Orlando as of July 2021 is just three weeks, whereas the national average was 1.24 months. This is an indication of high demand for property from buyers without enough inventory.

Additionally, the record low mortgage with the 30-year fixed rate being 2.98 percent (3.16 percent in 2020 and 3.80 percent in 2019) also adds to the attraction of the property. Nonetheless, it is still quite difficult to buy homes in this strong seller’s market. On the contrary, initiatives like We buy houses in Orlando by SP Homes LLC are helping owners sell houses quickly in any condition with no hidden costs.

Orlando Median Home Sales Price

In accordance with national trends, the median home price in Orlando has risen a staggering 18.8 percent in the last year. Still, with a median price of just $335,000 as of July 2021, price points in Orlando are still far below the national average, which measured $386,000 in July. Here are a few other relevant stats for housing property trends in Orlando:

The median price for single-family homes rose by 23 percent year-over-year.
Condos also saw a significant change in price from year to year (+14 percent).
For duplexes, townhomes, and villas, the median price was up 21 percent from last year.

Now before you are discouraged by these stats, house owners can still make profit through property in Orlando. The renting price in Orlando is also on the rise (14 percent) although not as high as the sales price (18 percent). With a rent price of $1,758 and optimum location, houses in Orlando are an ideal deal for buyers.

Yearly Housing Sales Comparison

Real estate in Orlando has seen a slow but steady post-pandemic recovery with rising home sales by 19 percent this May compared to last year and a 16 percent year-over-year rise in the number of new houses for sale. Let’s go through some stats of housing sales primarily in the Orange and Seminole counties:

A total of 3,872 properties were sold in May 2021 compared to 2,127 last year, a 15.43 percent
Townhome/villa sales showed a 131 percent
Single-family home sales showed a 63 percent
Condo sales were a staggering 206 percent higher than last year.

Orlando Real Estate Market Focus 2021-2022

Why You Should Invest in Orlando

Population Growth

As the housing inventory hints, the population growth in Orlando and neighboring suburbs is at an all-time high and expected to keep this trend. These stats only prove why Orlando is one of the fastest growing cities in the US:

The population of Orlando has seen a rise of 48,600 people since 2010
Last year recorded over 2.5 percent population growth in the Orlando metro area, i.e. Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Osceola, where already 2.6 million residents live.
An estimated population of 5.2 million is expected by 2030 as per Orlando Economic Partnership.

Job Market

Given the high availability of service and hospitality jobs primarily at Disneyland, AdventHealth, and Universal Studios, it is no wonder the rental property demand is high.

The thriving tourism industry is also responsible for a large number of jobs in Orlando. Now with all businesses cautiously opening again, the unemployment rate in Orlando is at 6 percent.

The employment rate is expected to grow by 19 percent with 500,000 new jobs to be added by 2030. Manufacturing and construction, home and healthcare services, computer systems design, and engineering and transportation are some of the top sectors projected to create employment opportunities. Here is a list of companies under respected sectors:

Engineering, manufacturing, and aerospace: Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Mitsubishi Power Systems, Siemens, AT&T, and Boeing
Defense: United States Army Research, National Center for Simulation, Patrick Air Force Base, and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Entertainment: Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studio, SeaWorld Orlando, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Epcot Center
Residential areas and parks: Creative Village Innovation District and Central Florida Research Park are large areas with opportunities for education, business, and employment.

Profitable Renter’s Market

Considering the growing population, job opportunities, educational institutions, and affordable property prices, it is no wonder that Orlando is a rental property heaven. The sunny weather and no state income tax protocol only sweetens the deal.

Some key stats about rental property

Rents went up by 2 percent over the past year in the metropolitan area.
About 45 percent of houses are rented.
Rents less than $1,000 monthly account for only 11 percent housing units.
About 53 percent of renters pay between $1,001 and $1,500 monthly, whereas 36 percent pay higher than $1,501.
Even the average rent of the most expensive neighborhoods like Lake Shore Village, Palomar, and Spring Lake is $1,943 monthly.

The average rent being less than national average ensures low rental vacancies, so property owners are more likely to have their properties rented. This creates a win-win situation for both tenants and landlords.

Flexible Tax Laws

Having no state income tax, as we have previously mentioned, has made Florida a hub of booming businesses and eager investors. The 5.5 percent corporate income tax has attracted small businesses and startups, which is further good news for rental property owners looking to rent out places for showrooms and offices.

Tourism Opportunities

Thanks to its warm, sunny beaches, Disneyland, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios, making it the “theme park capital of the world,” Orlando has no shortage of visitors, and this is only expected to go up once the world returns to normal.

A good cash flow is key to a profitable rental property. If you are thinking about investing in Orlando, your best bet is a booming neighbourhood with high job rates and population density. The rule of thumb to purchase property is one that will give a minimum 1 percent profit on your investment.

Here are top 13 neighbourhoods with high appreciation rates:

Kissimmee
Winter Park
Thornton Park
Shiloh / Dummit Grove
S Semoran Blvd / Curry Ford Rd
Boggy Creek Rd / Dowden Rd
Manatee St / Hoffner Ave
Omara Ct / S Goldenrod Rd
E Colonial Dr / Barton Dr
S Goldenrod Rd / Curry Ford Rd
Dorado Ave / San Juan Blvd
Stonecastle Rd / Thrippence Ln
U of Central Florida / N Tanner Rd

Student Housing Opportunities

Home to renowned colleges like the University of Central Florida, Valencia College, and Seminole State College of Florida, educating over 64,000 students yearly, there is plenty of potential for student housing, and investors can look into rental properties for short-term rentals.

Conclusion

According to a survey, 86 percent of residents answered positively with comments like “excellent” or “very good place to live” when describing Orlando. And it’s no wonder, given that Orlando is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the US, with rich history, entertainment opportunities, and booming education and job sectors. Investors and homeowners alike are looking into buying and renting property in Orlando given its immense growth potential. We hope that through these pointers we can present to you a comprehensive guide to help you make a well-informed decision before investing your money in Orlando real estate.

Go to top

Champions League Prize Money Breakdown

October 11, 2021

The UEFA Champions League is often regarded as the world’s richest club competition, and the enormous sums at stake attest to this.

According to UEFA, nearly €2 billion was given to the teams that competed in the 2019-20 competition, with the winning team eligible for a total prize pool of up to €82,400,000. It’s no surprise that clubs set such a high value on qualifying for — and winning — the annual continental championship.

The prize money is awarded to every club that competes in the Champions League, but only a few teams earn the large sums connected with the knockout rounds.

Prize money for winners and participating teams

With each round that a club advances in the Champions League, the prize money increases.

Reaching the group stage is the first profitable feat, with each club receiving €15.64 million.

If you keep going, you’ll get more reward money as you go through the rounds.

Winning the tournament may earn you up to €85.1 million in prize money, which is a significant sum. In addition to the round-by-round statistics shown in the table below, it’s a total that incorporates match victory bonuses.

When broadcast revenue is taken into account, the victors will receive much more. There’s also money to be won if you make it to the UEFA Super Cup the following year, with €4.5 million going to the ultimate champion and €3.5 million going to the runners-up.

What is the value of a Champions League win?

In addition to the monies given out every round, the group stages provide even more riches. Every win nets a team €2.8 million, and even a draw nets them €930,000. As a result, a side that qualifies for the Champions League group stages and wins all six matches will have already earned €42 million in round-by-round and match bonuses before ever playing in the knockout round. Fans have their own share of the spoil as betting with Betway for all qualifying and round matches can be extremely rewarding.

This includes the €15.64 million guaranteed as a group member, as well as €16.8 million in victory bonuses and €9.6 million for reaching the final 16.

Winning a Champions League semi-final is extremely significant in one-off matches. It offers you an additional €15.5 million, or €20 million if you win the tournament.

How does the market pool influence Champions League earnings?

The amount of victories you have and the round you reach are both important factors in determining your Champions League fortunes.

However, those aren’t the only elements that influence a club’s total Champions League revenues.

Bayern Munich, for example, received a total of €130 million (including television money) for winning the title in 2020. Liverpool’s previous year’s total was about €111 million.

The market pool is a system that guarantees that teams from countries with the most lucrative broadcast contracts are rewarded handsomely for helping UEFA raise cash.

A percentage of each country’s prize money is then distributed to all of that country’s teams competing in the competition. As a result, if five Premier League teams qualify, the slices available to those English clubs will be lower than in years when only four teams qualify.

The 2021/22 season is currently underway, and you can bet on the favourites with Betway to see who emerges victorious come May 2022.

Go to top

Efficient Guidelines Helpful in iOS App Development Process

October 11, 2021

Want to create an iOS app but are not sure if your skills are enough? Before you rush to partner with an iOS app development company or hire an iOS developer, wait a minute cause we have something that might come in handy: some handy guidelines to help you in the development process.

Yes, we know that mobile app development can get pretty tough sometimes, but it’s not worth giving up. So without further adieu, let’s jump straight into our:

Efficient Guidelines for iOS App Development

1. Sketch your idea.

First things first: before you get into the actual development process, you need to sketch the idea of your app. Don’t worry if you don’t have good painting skills; you can still create an approximate outline of the app.

The critical point here is to plan the functionality and appearance of your app before you actually get your hands on it. To do this, you need to research the overall market and understand what your competitors did before you. In addition, consider seeking professional iOS app development services to help bring your vision to life and ensure your app stands out in the competitive market.

Try to find some similar applications and figure out what solutions they offer. Only after analyzing your competitors and finding their strong and weak sides can you start to think about your own app. Some of the questions you should ask yourself when sketching the initial idea are:

What is the main problem that my competitors are addressing, and how do they solve it?
How can I make my app different from those of my competitors, making it unique?
What should I avoid or beware of when developing my app?

2. Make App Store guidelines your Bible.

If you’re an iOS developer, then Apple’s App Store guidelines should be your Holy Book. No, seriously, you should know all the recommendations and rules because if you do not keep them, the chances are high that your app will simply not be approved. And overall, if you want to get the best results and reach maximum downloads, following guidelines is certainly recommendable.

But what are those guidelines all about? Well, here, you can find detailed instructions regarding the design, legal formalities, and safety of your app. It also provides some basic information about the overall development process as well as the submission requirements.

So, if you know about all of this right from the beginning, you’ll have an easier time creating and publishing your iOS app, and the entire process will be way more efficient. It will help you offer your app to the public much quicker because you will not have to wait too long to get it approved. In other words, there won’t be a need for too many modifications.

3. Focus highly on the design.

Remember, Apple cares a lot about the design. It has always been a priority and will most probably stay one. The look and feel of your app should be such that your visitors do not want to leave it. And iOS has guidelines for the UI/UX design, too, so you better follow them if you want to match their standards.

Basically, they give you a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” along with some tips and tricks to make it all more simple for you. Make sure you also make your app intuitive so that your users navigate through it effortlessly. At the same time, don’t be afraid to go a little extra with your visuals, animations, and icons, creating an eye-catching UI.

4. Test and publish!

Once you create your app and take care of all the guidelines, it’s time to get it out there! But before you actually submit it to Apple, make sure you test it yourself. Sometimes, even with the flawless app, it is possible to find some hidden bugs or malfunctions which you wouldn’t notice if you didn’t do the testing. So to avoid getting bad feedback or angry customers, test and debug your app.

Only then, when you’re sure all problems are solved, can you make it public. But there’s still one more step to do, and a pretty important one too, by the way.

Simply lay down on the couch and enjoy the results of your hard work!

Creating an iOS app is a pretty challenging task, but if you keep all the guidelines, we promise you’ll get the best results, and there will be nothing more rewarding than to watch the number of your downloads grow!

Go to top

The Benefits of Hiring a Call Answering Service

October 11, 2021

There are a lot of reasons why you might be considering hiring a call answering service. The first may be that your company is experiencing a high volume of calls. The benefits of staying afloat are too valuable to lose out on because you can’t keep up with customer inquiries.

Maybe your business is seasonal and you don’t want to have someone on payroll during the slower months, or maybe you just need to outsource so that you can focus on other responsibilities. Whatever the reason, it’s time to take control of your phone line! Here are some compelling reasons for hiring an answering service:

It Will Save You Money

One of the main benefits of hiring a call answering service, besides maintaining your reputation as accessible and well-informed, is that it can save you money. These services take the burden off all those little things that eat away at an employee’s productivity or morale such as updating voicemail messages or texts, manually transferring calls to different departments, and much more.

Staffing is one of the costliest expenses for any business. By outsourcing these routine tasks, you are freeing up valuable time that you can use to grow your company. As an employer, you can provide excellent customer service without ever picking up the phone. This can prove to be very valuable in terms of increasing customer satisfaction and improving your business’s bottom line.

24/7 Services

Many businesses are open long hours – even around the clock. If you don’t have a service in place to pick up those calls, they may very well go unanswered. 24/7 service means that your customers are sure of live call handling at any time of day or night. Whether your customers want to know what time you’ll close for holiday hours or if you have a price match guarantee, not having someone on staff at all times can be detrimental to your business.

Not only will this reflect poorly on your company, but it could mean losing out on opportunities when your competitors are open. A call answering service is there for you 24/7 and does its best to answer every incoming call as quickly as possible, no matter how trivial. Hire an answering service and they will make sure to answer your calls every time, taking the pressure off of you!

You Have More Time to Grow Your Business

Another benefit of hiring an answering service is that you will have more time to generate revenue and grow your business. This is because your employees will be relieved of their phone responsibilities and able to focus more on the work they were hired for.

Less time spent answering calls means more time to brainstorm new ways to reach customers, improve existing processes, and maintain a professional appearance. Instead of spending time on the phone, you can focus on other areas like scaling, marketing, or product development.

Personalized Customer Services

You can also take pride in knowing that your customers will receive personalized services from a professional staff. With a call answering service, you won’t have to worry about hiring new employees for this specific position. This can allow you to expand your workforce. You will also have access to certified professionals who are trained to handle calls with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

Additionally, if your customers are not immediately satisfied with the work of one employee, they won’t have to deal with them again since it is usually an outside company coordinating these services.

You Won’t Have Conduct Training

If you hire an answering service, they will train their employees to handle your calls using the exact way you want them handled. This means you won’t have to worry about conducting hours of training, or having a learning curve for new hires. Every service will be tailored to your company’s needs and you won’t have to teach everyone how to handle calls.

Instead, they will provide an excellent level of service from the start so that your customers leave satisfied every time. You can then concentrate on more pressing issues that require your attention, rather than having to micromanage every single employee.

This is equally an important benefit of hiring an answering service for your small business. Let them do the work so you have more time to grow your company! This is especially helpful if your company has a unique culture or set of values that are important for customers to understand.

If you’re an employer looking to provide excellent customer service without ever picking up the phone, then hiring a call answering service may be your best option. Hire an answering service and they will make sure to answer your calls every time so you can grow your business without being under pressure.

Go to top

Reasons Why You Need a Case Erector for Your Packaging Line

October 10, 2021

It may be that your company packages products on a daily basis, and someone has said you should invest in a case erector. Whilst there are many things you need to know before you start a business, this is something you may never have heard of.

There’s a lot of discussion about the power of using automation and modern technology to help companies become more productive. If you are wondering whether you need to buy a case erector, this article will provide several reasons why it could be a smart move.

What Is A Case Erector?

It’s a machine that stacks boxes on top of each other and forms what we call a “case”. There are different types of cases such as cardboard, corrugated (cardboard) or plastic. These machines come in all shapes and sizes depending on what your packaging line needs to accomplish. A case erector, whether used on an automated packaging line or a semi-automatic one (where the operator has to place each box manually, according to each specific product), is an essential component of packaging equipment in Melbourne.

Other benefits:

The erector can fold and seal cardboard boxes
It can create a box for each product to go into, or pack multiple products together
It can store boxes of finished goods so they are ready when needed
It transforms case blanks into bottom-sealed cases that are fully erected

An Example

Let’s say you need to package what we call a B-Flute cardboard box. Your operator will place the flaps of this box in between rubber belts that are on the bottom and top. Then, teeth underneath these rubber belts grip onto both sides securely.

The bottom belt then slams shut, forming what’s called a “skid mark” or indentation at either end. A case erector grips each side separately so there is more accuracy and control over what is being done.

It Can Match Your Company’s Specific Needs

There are many different types of case erectors available on the market today, so you can find one that suits your company’s requirements. When choosing a machine, make sure it will work with your current equipment and will meet the size requirements for your product(s).

There are lots of really helpful web pages you can read on the subject, be they related to industry specialists or company websites. You can learn from case erector manufacturers details of the safety and ergonomics, and their product durability and sanitary frame design. There are often helpful FAQs you can access as well as product videos and extra resources.

It Harnesses The Space You Have Available

A case erector can be used in conjunction with your current packing line, or as a stand-alone system. You should consider beforehand how much space you’ll need in order to install and use the case erector properly – so make sure there’s enough room!

Once it’s been installed your warehouse will be more organized because each item will have its own place in the correct box. These boxes will be easier to stack when they’ve been folded by the machine, saving you warehouse space.

It Can Save You Time

Case erectors are quite easy to set up and operate, once people have received the necessary training. The ongoing maintenance is not often complex or time-consuming either.

The machine will help speed up your packaging line and increase production, especially if it’s used in tandem with conveyor belts. It won’t require as much manual labor, which can slow down productivity. The case erector will be able to automatically insert dividers into your boxes for easy assembly, stacking, and packing. It will also save time by reducing the need to manually tape or glue your boxes together.

It Improves Efficiency

Because your case erector will be an all-in-one system it will improve efficiency and reduce errors. It will never make a mistake like a human, so it will protect your financial investment by reducing downtime (such as breakages or spills caused by human error).

Case erectors don’t get tired like humans, so they can work all day long without slowing down. Automated case handlers can cope with small orders as well as large ones without interruption. In turn, this streamlines the flow of the packaging line.

It’s Versatile

Case erectors are versatile and they can be used for all types of packaging material, including paperboard, corrugated cardboard, and plastic. It can be used to pack products of all shapes and sizes.

It can also be configured to meet your specific needs – including height, width, length, and speed requirements.

It Can Save You Money

When you are increasing productivity and efficiency at your company, this will be the literal payoff. Case erectors reduce labor costs which in turn will increase your profit margins. It’s been said that a case erector can help you reduce your packaging costs by up to 50%.

You’ll be reducing waste while you do this, for instance by not having boxes falling over or getting crushed accidentally. This means you can minimize costs for lost products, wasted material, or cleanup operations.

It Improves Customer Satisfaction And Safety

Customers are more satisfied when they receive their product in perfect condition due to less handling of items during shipping or storage. Case erectors also protect your products from contamination. It’s not just for food – a case erector is perfect for any product that needs protection during shipping or storage.

The automation process makes it safer for your employees because it reduces the risk of injury from lifting heavy boxes or crates. They will be better stacked without human involvement, once again safeguarding staff safety. Your employees will be less vulnerable to the risk of injury from repetitive motions like bending over to pick things up or reaching high places on shelves. In addition, you’ll never need to deal with breakages, cuts and broken glass again.

This article has no doubt convinced you of the many benefits of purchasing a case erector for your business. It would be an investment into your future success, so why not do some research now and take some active steps towards getting one soon.

Go to top

How To Boost Your Traffic With Good Web Design Agency

October 10, 2021

Having a good web design can boost your traffic. How do you know what constitutes a good web design? Well, it’s all about the simplicity of the site and whether or not it looks “lived-in”. A good website designed by professionals like Swift Business Solutions is easy to navigate and contains posts that are easy to read. It should also be mobile-friendly so that visitors can easily access your content no matter what device they’re on! Let’s see what the top 6 components of good web design are for boosting traffic!

1. Navigation

Navigation is very important because you need to make it easy for visitors to go back and forth between your pages. If the navigation bar has too many options, it can overwhelm your visitors, which is why if you’re new to web design, White Label Web Design Services can help a lot. You should also be able to let them search through your content, but not leaving this option out there (people should know that they could search if they wanted to).

2. Fonts and Colors

Fonts and colors can make or break a website, especially for businesses that target a certain clientele based on their preferences. For example, if you’re designing something aimed at children, you should use kid-friendly fonts and bright colors! If it’s an “adult” product line, then you can use more professional fonts and colors. Basically, colors are what make your site look lived in because the right layout with no content won’t really pop out much. That’s why people seek out good website design from Los Angeles in the first place! Be sure to choose bold fonts that aren’t too big otherwise they will also overwhelm your visitors. The font color should contrast well with the background so that visitors can easily read your articles.

3. Call to Action

You should always have a “call to action” because it means exactly that – ask your visitors what you want them to do! This is an important aspect of web design because if you don’t tell people what you want, they won’t know whether or not they can look around and leave or if they need to sign up for something. For example, if you’re using the site as a landing page for a sale, make sure there’s a big button at the bottom of the page asking people to sign up for your newsletter because it will increase traffic. You could also use freebies like eBooks or guidebooks as incentives because people love free things!

4. Form and Function

Form and function go hand in hand because you can’t have one without the other. You should know who your target market is so that you know what works best for them. For example, if your site targets children, then putting different sizing options for fonts on there isn’t very necessary. It’s best to keep it simple with one size option so as not to overwhelm young visitors! Just like navigation, if the buttons don’t do anything or they’re too small (or too big), then it defeats the purpose of having them there at all. The form also needs function; otherwise, it won’t work properly without causing errors!

5. Images and Videos

People respond well to images and videos because it stimulates the visual senses. You already know that having a good font is important, but it’s also important to not go overboard with them either. Because of the large emphasis on media today, you need to make sure that your site can support it! Some sites choose not to include any visuals at all because they don’t think it will add anything – even though sometimes seeing a video or image without sound can be very powerful when done right!

6. Social Media Integration

In today’s day and age, social media integration is critical in web design because everyone wants their visitors to share content from their site on Facebook, Twitter, etc… That means giving visitors an easy way so they don’t have to search for it! You can’t force them to do it, obviously, but you should include a Facebook “like” or Twitter “follow” button at the very least. There are also other ways that social media is important in web design, such as when visitors have to sign up for your email list before they’re redirected from a certain page. Not only does this encourage sharing on social media platforms, but it also builds a stronger community and gets more people involved with your company!

If you want to boost your traffic, then it’s important to have a good web design. Of course, other factors come into play when increasing traffic – such as giving visitors a reason to come back and sticking with SEO practices – but having ease of navigation is one of the most important ones! Try using these tips if you haven’t already done so because it could increase your traffic in no time!

Go to top

Why Do Businesses Close Down? Insights from Michael Osland

October 10, 2021

Businesses close down for varied reasons. The intention to close the company might be because there is a lack of profitability and cannot keep up with costs and expenses, or maybe because the owners want to do something else productive with their time. Another reason why businesses can close down is due to bankruptcy or natural disasters such as floods, fires, financial crises, and earthquakes.

Businesses also close down if they cannot meet specific licensing requirements such as legal paperwork such as tax returns and business licenses. Businesses might shut down temporarily if it needs repairs like structural damages resulting from hurricanes or floods, broken water pipes that need repairing, electrical issues that require attention, etc. Sometimes businesses will close down permanently because it no longer serves their purpose (for example, a restaurant closes down if its owner decides to do something else with his life). A business might close due to personal reasons such as illness or the death of the owner.

Financial reasons – Michael Osland

Businesses often face financial limits as a result of operating at a loss. In general, companies are not expected to profit year after year but instead should break even and maintain consistent profits over a long time. When businesses lose money for too long, they begin closing down because it becomes unsustainable and close to impossible for them to operate and meet costs and expenses.

Companies must comply with tax legislation to stay afloat financially by making sure they pay their taxes correctly to claim any business related deductions on the same tax returns. Businesses need to keep track of the financial transactions between them and their business partners.

Licensing Issues

If a company cannot meet certain licensing requirements, it may close down temporarily or permanently. For instance, if an insurance broker fails to maintain up-to-date accounts for any reason, the relevant authorities may revoke its license until this is rectified.

A business can close down due to failure to follow legal documents such as tax returns and licenses. If a business does not pay all taxes owed or cannot produce official documentation required by law (such as licenses), it will most likely be shut down indefinitely.

The main reason for shutting down because of bankruptcy is when there are more debts than assets; this might happen when a business has been operating at a loss for some time and cannot return to profitability. In this case, creditors may force the company into bankruptcy or voluntarily apply if it cannot afford to pay its debts on time says Michael Osland.

Natural Disasters

A natural disaster can also lead a business to close down because of floods, fire, earthquakes, etc. It happens when a business cannot meet certain requirements, such as having up-to-date insurance coverage or building permits not to be shut down due to damage.

Businesses often face personal issues which result in closing down temporarily or permanently. Some of these reasons include employers quitting their jobs, the death of an owner, illness, etc. These are sometimes beyond control, so there is little that you can do to prevent this from happening.

Some businesses close down due to external factors such as competition, industry conditions, and the economy. It is especially true for small businesses which do not have enough resources and capital to compete with larger companies. Similarly, if the company operates in an economic sector that is declining or has little potential for growth, it will present a strong case for closing down the business. The decision of a business owner to close their business may also stem from personal reasons such as wanting to pursue another career path or making use of their time elsewhere.

Go to top

1...820821822...1,130 Page 821 of 1,130

FOLLOW US!

EDITOR'S PICK OF THE WEEK

CFO's new mandate. CFO explaining the presentation

The Performance and Transformation Orchestrator: The CFO’s New Mandate in the Age of AI

Anglea 0

By Terence Tse CFOs are evolving into AI-driven transformation orchestrators, balancing finance, technology, and strategy while upskilling teams, managing risks, and driving measurable business value. A key insight from this year’s AI for CFOs event, organized...