WebProNews

Author: Brian Wallace

  • 5 Reasons Why You Should Use AP Automation System

    5 Reasons Why You Should Use AP Automation System

    Accounts payable automation is a powerful tool that you should use if your company is growing. It’s a great way to track costs and improve efficiency within your organization. This article will discuss why you should automate your accounts payable system and how it can help small business owners stay on top of their finances.

    1. Makes Life Simpler

    Accounts payable automation allows you to automate the entire process of paying your bills, from creating and sending invoices and even paying them. This reduces human error and provides more accurate reports in terms of the exact amount of funds you have. In addition, it also allows you to schedule regular payments, so they’re done at a time that works best for you.

    1. Accuracy

    Accuracy can be hard to achieve when managing your accounts payable process manually. This is why you need an automated system that helps you keep track of all the money flowing through your company.

    AP automation systems will help you increase efficiency and productivity while reducing costly errors and delays in the payment process. You can also use them to track how much money you’re spending on invoices, which will help you make informed decisions about where to allocate resources.

    1. Efficiency

    Automating the accounts payable system is the best way to make sure that you are staying on top of the finances of your business. It helps you to be able to track and control all funds that go in and out of your business, which enables you to manage your cash flow more effectively.

    AP automation software helps you receive payments from vendors on time, avoid late fees, and keep track of expenses. This will help you save money on interest charges, reduce paperwork and errors, increase efficiency, and ensure that all payments are accounted for properly.

    You can get a lot done when you’re not tied down due to human intervention, and that’s another thing this accounts payable automation software will help you do! You’ll be able to create different types of invoices on the fly, which means you can adjust things like payment terms and refunds as needed. This means fewer errors and happier customers!

    If you’re worried about how your current system will work with this one, check with the team before implementing it. Most companies offer free consultations and training on their accounts payable automation software, so you know how to use it the right way. 

    1. Streamlined Processes

    Implementing an accounts payable automation system is a great tool to reduce human error, improve efficiency, and increase profitability. It also helps you create a trustworthy relationship with your clients as they can easily track all of their payments.

    The most significant benefit of using AP automation solutions is that it streamlines the payment process. You can automate processes such as receiving payments from customers and sending invoices to them. This way, you can save time by not doing such things manually. 

    AP automation solutions also ensure that all payments are made accurately and on time. You no longer need to worry about missing payments or paying late fees because it will automatically notify you if a payment has yet to be received. 

    1. Recordkeeping

    Accounts payable is one of the most important departments in any business. Every company has to have a way to pay its bills, and without it, it would be chaos. The problem is that when you have a business to run and limited accounts payable staff, various issues will inevitably arise. For example, if you don’t have proper records on who owes what to whom, invoices stay pending, and services stop.

    Another problem with taking care of accounts payable manually is that it can be difficult to keep track of all invoices and statements. This is why it makes sense to automate this process, so you can save time and take human error out of the equation. The best part is every cent will be accounted for.

    Conclusion

    As you might guess, AP automation solutions can be used in any business that deals with orders or purchases that require quick action. You may not have considered this type of accounts payable automation software because you have so much capital invested in your inventory. However, it’s important to remember that if you implement an AP automation program as a way to streamline your business you can easily keep track of the accounts payable process. 

    AP automation solutions can help you increase the profitability of your company. Using this kind of system for various payment issues is much faster and much more accurate since everything is digitalized.

  • EV Automakers Bring A Range Of Exciting Developments In Q1

    EV Automakers Bring A Range Of Exciting Developments In Q1

    Despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges and supply chain obstacles, the global EV market is gearing itself for yet another banner year of performance and growth. Ongoing consumer demand, against the backdrop of government support and sustainable legislation, is helping to fuel the global industry, as household names in the automaker industry seize the opportunity to release their version of the battery electric vehicle. 

    Data revealed that global sales for EVs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) doubled in Q1 2022 compared to the same period a year before, and this year is looking no different. 

    Shipment for passenger battery electric vehicles grew 90% year-over-year, and by the end of 2022, global shipment saw more than 1.95 million units transported across the world. 

    With growing consumer demand, traditional automakers have seen a valuable opportunity to enter the market, with big-league names such as Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, and BMW, among others all releasing their own EV version. 

    Other household names in the EV industry, including Tesla, Rivian, Lucid Group, and BYD have been fighting to remain on top, as new contenders enter the market with more affordable options that give them better charging range, and value for money. 

    The first quarter of the year is already looking promising, as droves of new EVs are set to launch this year, with some already in production. 

    A range of new EVs is coming to the roads in the Americas, with a new Lucid Studio opening in Montreal, Canada. Transport Canada statistics show that 14,593 federal EV purchase rebates were issued nationally in Q4 2022, bringing the total for 2022 up to 58,000 rebates claimed. 

    Citroen, Hyundai, Kia, and Mercedes are launching new EVs in February, making it one of the exciting months in Q1 for electric car enthusiasts and buyers looking to enter the market. French automaker Peugeot is also giving its 208 a bit of an update, with an all-electric version being released in late February. The e-308 will have a range of 248 miles on a single charge and a larger 51kWh battery. 

    Chinese EV automaker BYD is also set to launch its premium luxury electric car brand within the first quarter of the year. Back in August 2022, the company announced that it will be launching a premium EV brand, only to reschedule the initial launch to this year. 

    There has yet to be news on the type of premium EVs buyers can expect, but the company is enthusiastic that it will be positively received, as it looks to compete with other high-end brands such as Mercedes, BMW, Tesla, and Audi. 

    Over in the United Kingdom, BYD has also announced several British-based car dealers that will be key representatives of the brand in and around the UK. This will open new doors for the EV company, as it looks to tap into western consumer markets. 

    Then there is the Mumbai-based automaker, Mahindra, which late last year announced that it will be launching its all-electric SUV in the first half of 2023. Mahindra has been steadily growing its sustainability mobility business, hoping to compete with other local big automakers such as MG and Tata Motors. 

    Citroen is also now throwing its hat in the ring after the company announced the launch of the Citroen C3 Electric, set to be released in Q1 2023. Though the C3 Electric will be manufactured in India, it’s set to be exported globally in the coming months. The move to go electric is part of the company’s C-cubed programme, which aims to launch several affordable and sustainable vehicles in the years to come. 

    European buyers and motorists can soon expect to see another EV automaker brand enter their market this spring. The Chinese-based BEV automaker, NIO is set to launch its new ET 5 mid-size sedan on the European market. The vehicle was released late last year in December, and NIO is already active in Norway but is now seeking ways to broaden its reach into other European countries. 

    A lot is happening and taking place in the early months of 2023, it only shows the exciting year that’s still lined up. Automakers, big and small are now rushing to get in on the action, hoping to scoop up would-be EV buyers, as demand continues to grow.

  • 6 Ways to Invest Successfully in an Unstable Economy

    6 Ways to Invest Successfully in an Unstable Economy

    Many economic and financial experts agree. There’s a good chance that the economy could become very unstable before long. It may be the result of inflation, global supply chain issues, or geopolitical strife worldwide. But regardless of the reason, all investors need to be prepared. There are some critical things to remember to prepare your portfolio for potential instability. Let’s take a closer look.

    1.   Pivot Away From Risky Industries and Asset Classes

    There’s a time for speculative investments and risky bets with your money. But an unstable economy isn’t that time. This means many investors will want to transition away from tech companies, crypto, highly leveraged investments, and similar products. As quickly as these assets grew when times were good, they can collapse when things turn around – even dropping to zero in some cases.

    Ideally, these risky investments should be replaced with stable companies with a long track record of financial success through past recessions and downturns. While these financial stalwarts may not look as attractive when the stock market is booming and the economy is great, their slow-but-steady returns are just what savvy investors look for as they weather the storm.

    2.   Diversify

    This is good advice in all economic situations, but it’s worth remembering as investors rebalance their portfolios for potential impending trouble. A diversified portfolio insures the investor against losing too much money should a particular company go belly-up or an industry faces specific headwinds. Investors should not only put their money to work in a variety of different sectors but also in various types of financial products as well. Overall, it’s one of the simplest and smartest things anyone can do to keep from losing more money than necessary should a recession strike.

    3.   Take Advantage of Commercial and Multifamily Real Estate

    Many think of real estate primarily as renting or flipping houses, but unstable economies also present a particular opportunity to invest in commercial real estate. Nervous owners may be looking to sell and cash out, often at a discount. Even those without significant financial resources can finance these types of deals using products like DSCR loans, which are approved based on whether a prospective property will produce enough income to cover the monthly payments. These can also be used for multifamily properties like apartment buildings, which can act as a mix of commercial and residential real estate.

    4.   Watch Your Fees and Investment Costs

    In general, investors should be wary of any funds, advisers, or other investments which take a significant portion of their returns. While a single percentage point or similar amounts may not sound like much, it can add up to thousands or tens of thousands of the life of an investment, draining you of money that should be compounding and growing your wealth. This can be incredibly frustrating when the investments aren’t performing as you’d hoped, as is often the case as an unstable economy approaches. Use impending economic headwinds to review your portfolio and see if there are ways you can cut fees. In some cases, investors can cut their fees to just fractions of a percent through the use of popular index funds and other stock and mutual fund investments that don’t require active management.

    5.   Explore Alternative Investments

    Those looking to preserve or grow their wealth when the traditional financial markets are looking uncertain may want to invest in alternatives. Sometimes, these could be alternative financial investments like options or commodity futures. For educated, disciplined investors, these can offer value when the economy is unstable. Precious metals like gold and silver have also traditionally been solid investments, either through physically held coins or bullion or financial investments that track the price of the metal. 

    Beyond these, sophisticated investors can also grow or preserve their money in investments like art or collectibles. These often require more knowledge but can provide a great option that also serves as a beautiful decoration at the same time. Some investors have even purchased royalty streams from artists, musicians, and others, securing a portion of their future earnings from released work in exchange for a current investment.

    6.   When in Doubt, Get Help from an Expert

    You’ve worked hard to earn and grow your savings and investments. That’s why it’s critical to do everything you can to protect them when the economy gets rocky. This includes speaking with financial advisors and other professionals who can offer their experience for your benefit.

    Some may balk at paying for investment advice and guidance. But for many, it’s a small price in exchange for peace of mind – not to mention the real monetary savings they’ll experience relative to where they’d be otherwise.

    Opportunities for Investors in Unstable Economies Abound

    It can be easy to cash out all your investments, hide your money under the proverbial mattress, and wait for economic conditions to look better. But that’s precisely the wrong move, especially for those with an eye on the best returns over the long run. Instead, keep this list of investment tips and pieces of advice in mind, and you’ll be sure to weather even the most unstable economy.

  • The Growing Importance of Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) in Ecommerce

    The Growing Importance of Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) in Ecommerce

    Supply chain visibility (SCV) is the ability to track and monitor a product or shipment from its origin to its destination. This allows businesses to stay informed on their shipments’ progress, anticipate delays, and make adjustments if needed.

    With eCommerce growth continuing at an exponential rate, supply chain visibility has become increasingly important for companies looking to remain competitive in today’s digital marketplace. Not only do businesses need to meet customer demands for fast delivery times, but they also need to manage costs, minimize losses, and ensure security. 

    Be that as it may, only 65% of companies are able to report full visibility across their supply chains, and 43% of small businesses are not tracking inventory levels at all. With economic uncertainty on the horizon and customer expectations at an all-time high, now is the time to invest in supply chain visibility so you don’t find yourself falling behind while your competition sails away with their loyal customers.

    Benefits of Supply Chain Visibility for Ecommerce Businesses

    There are a multitude of benefits to be realized through the implementation of supply chain visibility in eCommerce. These include:

    Improved customer satisfaction and loyalty

    The more visibility you have into your own supply chain, the better equipped you are to anticipate customer needs and deliver products in a timely manner. With improved visibility, eCommerce businesses can increase customer satisfaction by reducing their response times, improving delivery accuracy, and providing customers with real-time updates about the status of their orders. This helps foster greater loyalty from customers, which in turn increases the likelihood of repeat business.

    Reduced costs associated with inventory management

    “Knowing inventory costs is extremely important because they affect the majority of decisions one makes as a retailer,” explains Abir Syed, co-founder of UpCounting, an eCommerce accounting firm.

    Unsurprisingly, inventory management is the single largest expense for eCommerce businesses. For every dollar a US retailer generates through revenue, they have $1.35 tied up in inventory. As such, being able to accurately track and monitor inventory levels is essential for minimizing losses and maximizing efficiency.

    By leveraging supply chain visibility technology, businesses can reduce the amount of inventory they need to keep in stock and their associated costs. This can be achieved through better forecasting and planning, more precise order fulfillment processes, and improved inventory accuracy.

    Increased efficiency and speed of delivery

    Knowing where products are throughout their journey allows businesses to better plan and adjust for delays, ensuring customers get their items as quickly as possible. Supply chain visibility also facilitates increased collaboration between all parties involved in the delivery process, allowing for a transparent and overall more efficient supply chain.

    Enhanced flexibility and scalability in supply chains

    As the demands of customers and markets shift, businesses need to be able to quickly adjust their supply chains accordingly. With supply chain visibility, businesses can quickly adapt to changing conditions, such as unexpected spikes in demand or supply disruptions. This increased flexibility and scalability of the supply chain is essential for businesses to remain competitive and responsive. This scalability also benefits businesses as they grow and expand into new markets. 

    Increased control over returns management 

    Returns are an unavoidable part of eCommerce and managing them can be difficult. Supply chain visibility gives businesses the ability to track a returned item as it moves through the supply chain and make adjustments to minimize losses. This includes tracking returned items on their journey back to the supplier, identifying potential issues and quickly resolving any discrepancies.

    Challenges of Implementing Supply Chain Visibility

    While the benefits of supply chain visibility are clear, there are still some challenges associated with its implementation. These include:

    Establishing and maintaining relationships with suppliers

    Before any supply chain visibility technology can be deployed, businesses need to build relationships with their suppliers. This requires open communication and collaboration between all parties involved, as well as a certain level of trust.

    “When it comes to choosing partners, it’s wise to do some research to ensure the best deal possible while emphasizing transparency and flexibility. This is invaluable during times of frequent supply chain disruption,” explains Roei Yellin, Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer of 8fig, a planning and funding platform for eCommerce companies. 

    “Sellers shouldn’t be afraid to negotiate for a better deal and they should make sure that communication is open and honest. This is true of suppliers, 3PLs (third-party logistics providers) and any other partners brought in to help manage the supply chain,” concludes Yellin.

    Complexity of the supply chain and data formats

    Securing buy-in from all parties and managing the data exchange between different organizations is challenging. Not only do various supply chain participants have differing needs and processes, they also use different systems. Unifying these systems and ensuring harmonious data exchange can be difficult.

    To overcome this, businesses need to create a single source of truth that all supply chain participants can work from. This means creating common protocols and standards that all parties are comfortable with and can adhere to, and potentially leveraging a third-party solution to manage the data exchange.

    Costs associated with technology and infrastructure

    The technology and infrastructure required for supply chain visibility can be costly. Businesses need to invest in the right hardware, software, and people to ensure that the system is secure and effective.

    Fortunately, there are solutions to this issue. RFID and code-based tracking solutions, in particular, are relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. Companies such as Scurri allow you to easily create a single bar code for all carriers, as well as a reporting dashboard that gives you full control over your operations with actionable insights. 

    Cybersecurity concerns

    Data is the lifeblood of supply chain visibility and ensuring its security is paramount. However, supply chains are coming under increasing attack from hackers and malicious actors, making them vulnerable to data theft and manipulation.

    In fact, 97% of organizations say they have experienced the negative consequences of a supply chain cyber breach within their operations, demonstrating just how prevalent these attacks have become.

    As such, businesses need to ensure that they have the appropriate protocols in place to protect their data from cyber-attacks. This includes using secure networks and encryption, as well as regularly auditing system access and usage. Multichannel cyber security solutions, such as VMware, can also be of great help in mitigating cyber risks.

    Conclusion

    Supply chain visibility is becoming increasingly important in today’s volatile and highly competitive marketplace. However, if businesses are to reap the full benefits of a visible supply chain, they must first overcome the various challenges associated with implementation.

    Ultimately, with careful planning, a comprehensive approach to risk management, and the right technology in place, businesses can ensure that their supply chain visibility efforts are successful and that they remain agile and competitive in the long run. 

  • An Easier Way to Edit PDFs Online for Free

    An Easier Way to Edit PDFs Online for Free

    PDFs can be a pain to edit if you don’t have the right tools. They can be large and cumbersome to work with, which can make editing them a time-consuming task. Fortunately, there’s an easier way to do this—and it’s free! With online PDF editors, you can edit PDFs without having to install any software or use any complicated commands. Here are four of the best online PDF editors that you can use today: 1. Adobe Acrobat Reader, 2. PDF.Live, 3. Apple’s Preview, and 4. Canva

    Adobe Acrobat Reader

    Adobe Reader is a free download that can be used to open, view, and print PDFs. It can also be used to make light edits to PDFs, although this feature is limited compared to other options. Adobe Reader supports document properties such as fonts, colors, and annotations, but it does not support embedded files or forms.

    PDF.Live Cloud-Based Editor

    Another option is PDF.Live, a web-based PDF editing and conversion tool. They offer limited free tasks every day, and then a subscription-based model for regular edits. The advantage of using a tool like PDF.Live is that you don’t need to download and install software. It works across many devices, including Windows PC and Mac.

    Apple Preview to Edit PDFs

    Today’s Apple laptop and desktop computers come with a program called Preview that’s easy for viewing, printing and making edits to PDFs. Preview’s PDF editor is best used for proofreading-type edits, annotations and markups.

    Canva to Create and Edit PDFs

    For creating PDF documents from scratch and then making edits, Canva is a go-to tool for creating logos, business cards, fliers, invitations, ebooks and more. It offers a number of features for free, and then a monthly plan for professionals and teams. They offer special pricing for teachers and schools.

    Editing PDFs on a Mobile Device

    For many people, editing PDFs on their desktop or laptop computers is the preferred way to go. But what about when you’re on the go and want to edit a PDF? Well, there are a few options for you.

    One option is to use a mobile app. There are several available, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some allow you to edit PDFs from your phone or tablet, while others require you to upload the PDF first and then edit it.

    ●  Get Adobe Acrobat Reader from Google Play

    ●  Get PDF Editor for iPad and iPhones

    Another option is to use a website that offers free online editing of PDFs. Many of these websites offer features that paid apps don’t, such as support for drag-and-drop editing and annotation tools. However, some websites have been known to have issues with security and stability, so be sure to read reviews before using them.

    The best option may be somewhere in between these two extremes: a website that allows free online editing but also offers paid subscriptions that give you extra features (like password protection). This type of website, including PDF.Live, will offer the most flexibility and power for editing PDFs, while still being easy enough for anyone to use.

  • 5 Best Tips To Improve eCommerce User Experience

    5 Best Tips To Improve eCommerce User Experience

    With the increasing competition in the eCommerce market, it has become challenging to keep the clients interested long enough to make the sale.

    Around two billion people purchase goods or services online. In fact, by 2025, world eCommerce sales are likely to exceed $7.3 trillion.

    Moreover, there are around 12-24 million online stores globally. However, only 6,50,000 generate annual sales over $1000.

    This shows that the market is huge, competition is high, and the number of eCommerce sites is increasing, but only a few are able to generate sales.

    Therefore, the best way to gain customer attention and drive sales is by improving user experience.

    Here are the reasons, why a seamless user experience is important to the success of your eCommerce business:

    ●  51% of customers switch to competitor brands if they have one negative experience.

    ●  68% of customers are ready to pay more for products and services from a brand that offers a good customer experience.

    ●  89% of consumers are more likely to make another purchase if they receive a positive customer experience.

    ●  Businesses can improve their revenue to 4% to 8% above their market by prioritizing better customer experience.

    But how will you improve the eCommerce user experience?

    Well, this guide explains the top five ways that you can use to offer a great customer experience.

    Let’s start!

    1- Provide Personalized Customer Experience   

    Around 80% of shoppers are more likely to purchase from an eCommerce business that offers a personalized experience.

    Here are the best personalization strategies that you can try:

    ●  Build personalized homepages: If you are collecting cookies on your eCommerce website, then you can use that information to understand your customers better. Use this information to remember your customer’s interests and preferences and create personalized homepages for them.

    ●  Offer personalized guide: Provide on-site assistance to your visitors with quizzes and size, style, and budget guides. This will help you to offer personalized product recommendations. 

    ●  Display recently viewed product: Create a recently viewed section that allows customers to see what products they checked the last time. Add strong call-to-action, such as ‘Pick up where you left off’ to remind your customers about the products from their last session.

    ●  Personalize product pages based on location: Customize your product page based on location. Provide options to your customers to choose their country. You can also use geo-targeting to display relevant campaigns based on the customer’s location.

    ●  Make more personal recommendations: 31% of eCommerce revenue is generated from personalized product recommendations. Suggest similar or complementary items on the product page to your customers. One of the best tactics is by using product recommendations on abandoned cart emails.

    You can also think of using third-party tools, such as Barilliance, Monetate, and Evergage to personalize your visitors’ shopping experience.

    2- Choose Faster Hosting Service Provider

    No doubts, slow websites kill conversions.

    Around 47% of customers expect websites to load in two seconds. In fact, 40% leave a website if it takes three or more seconds to load.

    A one-second delay in page load time can result into:

    ●  Decrease of 11% in page views

    ●  25% decrease in conversions rates

    One of the major factors that affect your site speed is hosting service and infrastructure. 

    Therefore, when you choose a hosting plan, check:

    ●  Memory or bandwidth limits for scaling and seasonal promotion.

    ●  Expected traffic and peak user load to avoid crashes from a sudden spike in visitors

    ●  Compare the top hosting providers based on starting cost, money back, load time, uptime, and customer support services. For instance, BlueHost offers an uptime of 99.96% while Siteground has an uptime of greater than 99.99%.

    3- Utilize Third-Party Online Ecommerce Platforms

    It is better to go for third-party online eCommerce platforms if you do not have the time or resources to build your own websites. They help you in setting up a website, offering pre-made templates, ensuring necessary security features, and scalability potential.

    The top three most popular hosting solutions are:

    ●  Shopify: It is quite easy to set up a store and start selling products on Shopify. Also, it is inexpensive to build your shop on Shopify. You can sell unlimited products and have unlimited bandwidth. However, you have to pay for features such as abandoned shopping cart recovery. Brands such as GE, Tesla, and Red Bull use Shopify as their online shop. The starting price at which Shopify offers its services is $14/month.

    ●  BigCommerce: It is another great option for small to midsize businesses. It offers inventory management tools, boosts SEO strategies with customizable URLs and robot.txt access, provides plug-in POS integrations to leading providers like Square and Clover, and sells more with channel integrations like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. You can create your own store on BigCommerce at $29.95/month.

    ●  Magento: Magento is an open-source platform, which is great for those who want to develop a long-term professional eCommerce site. The basic features provided by Magento are product, category, and inventory management, client account, customer service, order management, different payment options, and promotional and marketing tools.

    4- Hire Skilled Customer Management Team

    Focus on improving your customer support service. One of the best ways is by hiring the right members. Select candidates with a master’s degree in business administration.

    Look for candidates who can grow customer loyalty, build a competitive edge in the market with their communication skills, and develop real brand ambassadors for your organization.

    To fast track the hiring process and get the skilled customer support team faster, you can use the following ways:

    ●  Tap into your professional networks, such as network referrals or staff referrals.

    ●  Search LinkedIn and LinkedIn groups.

    ●  Search in specialist customer support job boards, such as Support Driven Jobs, Slack at Work, Remote OK, We Work Remotely, and AngelList Jobs.

    5- Create an Omnichannel Experience for Your Users

    Customers are present across all channels on the internet. Therefore, it is crucial that you deliver an omnichannel customer experience.

    Using three or more channels in an automated and linked way leads to an engagement rate of 18.96%.

    Here are the ways to create an omnichannel experience for your users:

    ●  Develop your mobile capabilities. Create a website which is mobile-friendly. Consider having a mobile app

    ●  Incorporate live chat

    ●  Integrate social content into your website

    ●  Add your product listings into social media posts

    For example, Starbucks uses an effective omnichannel strategy. Customers can use their app for information and ordering. They also provide a newsletter to engage across touchpoints.

    Final Thoughts

    As the number of customers interacting with online businesses is increasing, eCommerce sites need to prioritize the customer experience to stay ahead in the competition. Ensure that your website is simple, responsive, user-friendly with clear images, videos, engaging content, and a smooth checkout process.

    Therefore, designing your eCommerce stores that match customers’ expectations makes it way easier for you to increase conversions and stand out.

  • Three Safety Precautions You Must Make When Sending Money Online

    Three Safety Precautions You Must Make When Sending Money Online

    Sending somebody an online payment has become easier than ever these days. Whether you need to pay for a product or service, repay a friend for lunch, or pay your mom back some money that you borrowed, there are now more apps and services available that you can use to do this in a couple of clicks.

    Online money transfer apps and services are also very popular among people who have moved to another country for work, as they will often use them to send some money back to help out family back home. However, with the growing popularity of online money transfer services, there are also lots of scams and risks. Here are some of the best things that you can do to keep yourself safe when transferring money online. 

    Use a Trusted Payment Provider

    The best way to stay safe when sending payments online is to use your online banking app to only make transfers to verified accounts. Make sure that you know the person that you are sending money to and have received the account information from them personally. However, if you are unable to use your online banking to make the transfer, for example, if you are sending money abroad to family back home, then it’s important to use a reputable and trusted international money transfer app such as Ria Money Transfer 

    Make Sure You Know Who You Are Sending Money To

    Only send money to people that you can verify as real. Make sure that you know the person that you are sending money to. It’s best to speak to them in-person wherever possible to get their account details to transfer to. If using a payment app, you may be able to add an additional layer of security by sending it via their email address, which you can verify first. Be wary of any emails or text messages requesting money, even if it appears to be from somebody that you know. A video call or phone call to confirm the information is a good idea, and will enable to you to make sure that it’s actually your relative or friend who has requested the money, and the details you have are correct. 

    Use An Anti-Virus Program

    Whether you are using an app on your smartphone or another device such as a laptop or tablet to send money to friends and family, it’s a good idea to ensure that you are protected with a strong anti-virus software program. This will scan your device and any software on it to keep a look out for any malicious software or viruses like spyware that might be attempting to get access to your financial accounts or the login details for the payment apps you use. Ideally, you should have the program running in the background at all times so that it can immediately alert you to anything that isn’t right. 

    Sending money online has become a common occurrence in today’s world with most of us doing it. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved with sending money online each time you make a transfer. 

  • Sole Proprietorship or an LLC: Which One is Best for You?

    Sole Proprietorship or an LLC: Which One is Best for You?

    You have worked hard to get your new business to the point where you are ready to launch it. While you are understandably anxious to get things started, you still have an important task to complete before you start serving customers. You need to decide whether you should work as a sole proprietor or register your business as a limited liability company (LLC) with the state.

    What is a Sole Proprietor?

    Sole proprietorship is the simplest type of business structure. The term refers to one person who works for themselves, with or without employees. Freelance graphic artists and a person who operates a small online shop are just two common examples of sole proprietors. Most people who choose sole proprietorship operate their business under their own name, but they do have the option of registering a trade or brand name.

    When you work as a sole proprietor, there is no legal distinction between yourself and the business. You file taxes under your own name and include your business income there rather than file a separate return for your company. You are also personally responsible for the debt you incur to operate your business.

    To illustrate how this works, assume that you buy wholesale merchandise on credit and then cannot repay the debt because you didn’t sell the items. The creditor can initiate collection activities against you personally, and any action taken by the creditor would appear on your individual credit file.

    Sole proprietorship is a popular choice among self-employed individuals due to its simplicity. Unless you state otherwise, federal and state taxing authorities consider anyone who makes a profit working on their own as a sole proprietor. Choosing to operate as a sole proprietor makes sense for independent contractors who work in a low-risk industry. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 87 percent of self-employed people with no employees choose to operate as a sole proprietor.

    What is a Limited Liability Company?

    As the owner of an LLC, your business and personal finances remain separate under state laws. People like this business structure because it offers them flexibility while offering the best features of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Creditors cannot sue you personally for debts you took on for your business.

    A common misconception among new business owners is that you cannot register as an LLC if you have no employees. The reality is that a single-person LLC is the most common type of registration under this business structure. You own 100 percent of the business in this instance, which means you are free to spend profits however you would like.

    When it comes time to file your annual income tax return, you report your business income and expenses on your personal tax return just as sole proprietors do. Once you add employees, you may find that the LLC structure works best for you.

    Formation Expenses

    Knowing the expenses of each type of business formation is essential to help you make the best decision for your new company. For example, you do not pay any fees to start working as a sole proprietor unless you choose to register a Doing Business As (DBA) name with your Secretary of State. If you do not register a DBA, your name and the business name are the same by default.

    LLC registration fees vary considerably by state and can be as high as $800 and or as low as $50 as of December 2022. For people who choose to form an LLC, registration fees will be their biggest expense. Below are several other costs that are unique to the LLC business structure.

    ●  Operating Agreement: LLC members typically write an operating agreement that outlines the responsibilities of each member, the division of profits and debts, and the process to follow when a member leaves the LLC or a new member joins. Your LLC has the option of preparing its own Operating Agreement, but most people who choose this structure prefer to pay up to a few hundred dollars for an LLC formation service to do it for them.

    ●  Publication: Some states require new LLC owners to publish a notice of the formation in the local newspaper, and costs vary by jurisdiction and how many days or weeks you must publish the same information.

    ●  Registered Agent: LLC owners can appoint a registered agent to receive correspondence on behalf of the business, including legal documents. You can either appoint your own Registered Agent or hire registered agent service to act in this role for a few hundred dollars a year.

    As you can see, operating your business as an LLC increases your start-up fees compared to working as a sole proprietor. However, business formation fees are just one aspect to consider. Paying the start-up costs in exchange for legal protection and the other benefits of an LLC are worth it for many business owners.

    Business Taxes

    The default tax reporting status for both sole proprietors and LLC owners is pass-through taxation. The term pass-through taxation means that business professionals pay individual income taxes, rather than the company itself paying corporate taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires people involved with each type of entity to report their income and expenses on Schedule C and then taxes them at an individual level.

    LLC members can choose to pay taxes as a corporation, and multi-member LLCs must include Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income with their individual tax return. The IRS also requires those involved in a multi-member LLC to include Schedule K-1, which shows how much of the company’s income went to each member.

    Compliance and Paperwork Requirements

    Sole proprietors only have a few compliance and paperwork requirements they must meet, such as keeping up with taxes and renewing any necessary permits. Most states require LLC owners to file an annual report indicating profit or loss and major business activities.

    Multi-member LLCs usually hold membership meetings, record ownership transfers, and issue membership units. State governments require additional paperwork when an LLC dissolves.

    Legal Protection

    Only LLC members receive legal protection when it comes to business debts, which is one of its biggest advantages. Creditors and customers can sue you as a sole proprietor, and you cannot prevent them from going after your personal assets. Should your business fail, and you need to declare bankruptcy, your petition will include both business and personal debts.

    Because LLC members are separate legal entities from their business, creditors and others who might sue cannot try to obtain personal assets from them. In the case of business failure, the LLC members only need to file bankruptcy on behalf of the business while their personal assets and credit score remain unaffected.

    Suing individual members of an LLC is possible when one or more of them has committed fraud, negligence, or gave a personal guarantee of repayment as a condition of business financing.

    Management

    Sole proprietors operate under a simple management structure, since they make all decisions for the company even after they hire employees. The primary responsibilities of a sole proprietor are to operate the business legally and turn enough of a profit to cover business debt.

    LLC members typically choose to outline the company’s management structure in an Operating Agreement because it is much more complex. Members earn profits and share expenses based on the percentage of the company that they own.

    Additional Considerations

    The business structure you choose ultimately depends on the size of your company, whether you plan to expand, and your business model. People who start out working as a self-employed consultant or freelancer usually choose the sole proprietor status. The structure is simple and does not require much in terms of start-up costs.

    Once a business starts growing, continuing to operate as a sole proprietor is often not practical. The legal protection from personal lawsuits the LLC status grants, along with greater flexibility in paying taxes, appeal to people who want to expand their operations.

    The governments of all 50 states recognize LLCs and encourage entrepreneurs to form them because these businesses generate more taxable revenue. If you still cannot decide which company structure is right for you, consider hiring a business lawyer to help you better understand the pros and cons of operating as a sole proprietor or forming an LLC.

  • How To Increase Sales and Traffic With eCommerce Mobile App Development

    How To Increase Sales and Traffic With eCommerce Mobile App Development

    There is no doubt that the popularity of online shopping keeps increasing year by year. Customers prefer to use their PCs or smartphones for making purchases of everything from drinks to apartments. That’s so simple, efficient, and profitable that no buyer can stay aside from such an attractive offer.

    As a result, the popularity of eCommerce apps has also grown. According to the latest statistics, more than 90% of the time mobile users spend on mobile software. And almost 80% of people have an experience with online shopping. So developing an app does really make sense. This is your opportunity to increase traffic, sales, and revenue in the end. 

    If you haven’t launched a mobile app for your project yet then hurry up to do it. While you doubt your rivals attract customers, sell their goods, and get insane profits. And if you have already developed mobile software for your company then take care of its promotion. Make people want to install and use your app. Try these tips to make your eCommerce mobile apps truly popular and efficient.  

    Follow the Requirements of ASO

    The basic principles of App Store Optimization are called to promote your application in the App Store and Google Play. By using proper keywords, adding informative descriptions, placing relevant screenshots, and so on you will allow users to find your software among thousands of other apps.  By increasing your recognition, you’ll notice a higher amount of downloads.

    In general, ASO is powerful enough to guarantee the following benefits:

    – increase retention rate. It demonstrates that the number of active users installing your app is much higher than the number of those customers who have uninstalled it;

    – scale the loyalty of users. Paid ads also boost your mobile app traffic but organic search forms a loyal community of people truly interested in using your software for a long time;

    – further app improvement. By getting feedback from your users you will be able to detect bugs and get rid of them efficiently. 

    Take Advantage of Email Marketing

    Newsletters and promotional emails aren’t dead in marketing meaning, as you may think. No matter new and original advertising tools, email marketing is still known as one of the most efficient and low-cost tools to reach desired goals. By sending regular emails and newsletters you are able to share with subscribers new information about your sales, promote special offers, gift them with personal discounts, and so on.

    Many companies use email marketing to announce the launch of their apps. You can propose users download the app and get special benefits, for instance, a coupon or early access to a new collection of your products. 

    Use a Landing Page

    A customized landing page is a great mobile eCommerce platform to promote your shopping offers. It helps in brand recognition so potential buyers can find out more about your company. In addition, powerful CTA elements will intrigue users and motivate them to try your software for a better shopping experience. 

    All you need is to create a one-page website with a detailed description of your app’s features and advantages. Don’t forget to add downloading links so the visitors of your landing page can easily reach your software. 

    Promote Your Apps on Social Media

    Depending on the type of your business, you may be interested in investing more funds in SMM marketing. It means you need to grow the number of subscribers and share with them viral content. Such an approach is powerful because an average user spends approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes on social media every day. 

    If you have a successful account on social media platforms you should definitely promote your app. There are many ideas on how to encourage your subscribers to do it. For instance, you can explain the beneficial eCommerce app features and customers’ benefits. Launch a relevant hashtag and let people share their opinions about your offer. Thanks to using the power of your social media accounts, you can make your app popular too.

    Launch Referral Marketing

    Have your friends ever shared with you any link, product, or app? This is an example of referral marketing. It means the recommendation of something to other people for a bonus. Person A only needs to have a unique affiliate link or code to share it with user B. After user B installs your app, user A will receive a reward. 

    As you can see, the mechanism of referral marketing is very simple. No need to invest funds in software ads – your users will be your ambassadors for free. As a result, you can reach your planned goals: increase the number of app installs, save money on advertising campaigns, scale your loyal community, etc. 

    Try to Work with Influencers 

    Influencer marketing isn’t a new thing. You can contact social media personalities with great bases of subscribers for cooperation. Such influencers may advertise your mobile eCommerce app without noticeable signs of traditional advertisement. That’s the point of native marketing: by working with influencers you’ll make your ads look like friendly recommendations. 

    As a result, online buyers will be much more excited to purchase your products using your mobile software. Once the social media personality shares a recommendation with them, they may rely on it and give your offer a chance. 

    Develop Your Business with a Mobile App

    A mobile app is a key to massive sales nowadays. It allows you to reach new target audiences, motivate your loyal customers to make orders, improve conversation rate, increase brand recognition, build better relationships with customers and, finally, reach your business goals. 

    It seems you can generate mobile app sales. It’s possible that your app isn’t good enough to bring you desired results. Then you must improve it to make its features and interface user-friendly. But if your software is great but traffic and sales leave much to be desired then rely on the listed above tips. Make a step forward in your eCommerce success now and your business will demonstrate better results soon.

  • What is important to know about the ELT and ETL processes?

    What is important to know about the ELT and ETL processes?

    Nowadays, it is common for companies to use ELT and ETL processes in working with Big Data. This allows running documentation from the different sources of information used in the data lake and data warehouse. 

    Moreover, ELT and ETL processes are quite affordable for every interested company or institution. So, as you may have already guessed, we are going to discuss ETL data modeling practices today. We believe that this will have a positive impact on your business growth.

    First of all, you need to know the differences and similarities between ETL and ELT. What’s more, it is recommended to understand the most used words on this topic, like data lakes and data warehouses. Let’s start! 

    How do ELT and ETL processes work? 

    The ELT (extract, load, transform) is the process in which the data is modified after having been transferred to the receiving database, without making any changes. The first stage of this operation is to extract the data. The maneuver of loading the data to the database it receives is the intermediate stage where the ELT admits that the target system executes the respective transformations.

    For this reason, we recommend you apply ELT and ETL processes while working with large amounts of data. In addition, unstructured data, the source, and the target database use the same technology when the amount of converted data is massive. 

    The transformations made on the data are improved by the database that receives them. Usually, it can be NoSQL databases or Hadoop clusters. As we can see, in the ETL process, the data circulates from the origin to its final destination. So, the whole responsibility for the success lies in the ETL and the chosen database technology. 

    What is more, ELT and ETL processes are responsible for:

    • mobilizing large amounts of data;
    • integrating them;
    • introducing them into a common site. 

    What are the main differences between ETL and ELT?

    ETL and ELT are very similar. Yet, the most obvious difference is in the order in which the ETL and ELT processes in Big data execute the various required operations. These methods are best handled in different situations.

    So, here are to your attention some of the most crucial differences between ETL and ELT:  

    1. ETL is the process of extracting, transforming, and loading data. 
    1. ELT is the process of extracting, loading, and transforming data. 
    1. Within ETL, data is moved from a data source to an intermediate data store. 
    1. ELT uses a data warehouse to perform basic transformations. There is no need for data staging. 
    1. ETL can help ensure privacy and compliance by cleaning sensitive and secure data before it is loaded into the data warehouse.
    1. ETL can perform complex data transformations and can be more cost-effective than ELT. 

    The difference between ETL and ELT can be explained quite easily. However, realizing the whole picture and the cool benefits of ETL over ELT requires some time. Plus, a deeper understanding of how ETL works with data warehouses and how ELT works with data lakes is also necessary.

    The result of using both ETL and ELT 

    Organizations, companies, and institutions always need to make the most of the advantages of these two computer methodologies. They use ELT and ETL processes in Big Data, where ELT is responsible for quick introductions of unstructured data. As for ETL, it is helpful to make them more flexible and secure. 

    For this reason, the vision has expanded towards ETLT, which executes the following steps that you need to know:

    • Extraction. Data from the different sources are collected and transferred to the development area for preparation.
    • Loading. At this stage, data is uploaded to the Data Warehouses.
    • Transformation. It is the last stage, but not the least. It is where operations are executed to transform and integrate data from various sources.

    This result of the operations carried out on the existing data. It allows adjusting the times and technologies used to improve the amount of work. Therefore, the first group of changes is faster and more effective in providing the data with the necessary preparation and greater security.

    Can the ETLT bring any benefits to the ETL and ELT processes?

    The ETLT in Big Data provides us with the advantages of both – ETL and ELT processes. In this way, it manages to lighten the introduction of data. At the same time, the ETLT provides the security and quality required in modern companies, organizations, and institutions that use such technologies.

    ETLT processes are commonly used when it is necessary to filter, anonymize or mask data for regulatory reasons, before capturing it in the data warehouse.

    How to choose the best solution 

    As we have already mentioned, the ELT and ETL process in Big Data have become fundamental and essential for numerous organizations. The ETL can brag about many years of popularity. As well, it has a sufficiently high maturity and flexibility. This is really impressive, as it was not designed to work correctly with structured data and relational databases.

    As for ELT, it was created to execute activities with NoSQL solutions. For this reason, the difficulty of the operations it performs is less. Still, the size of the data it can process is greater than those processed by ETL.

    In this order of ideas in the execution of the two processes, it is possible to observe the accuracy, in terms of the type and structure of the data in the ETL processes. This hinders future transformations. At the same time, in ELT processes it is normal to make movements of unstructured and structured data with equal procedures.

    In summary, the data lake is unlimited, but you should have deep knowledge and comprehensive documentation about the ETL and ELT processes. This will help you achieve the required transformations and maximum quality for the use of the stored data. 

    Luckily, you can choose an option to work with professional IT services, like Visual Flow, to save your time and energy. This way, your team, and customers will get a better experience with data analytics. Moreover, obtaining a data warehouse is a reasonable investment that can raise your profits.

  • Getting the Most Out of Outsourcing SEO

    Getting the Most Out of Outsourcing SEO

    In the digital age, online visibility is more important than ever for businesses. That’s why search engine optimization (SEO) is an important tool for businesses that want to increase their online visibility and drive more traffic to their websites.  But SEO tasks are complex and time-consuming. That is the reason why outsourcing SEO tasks to experts can be a great option, especially when you use a reliable and experienced partner.

    What Kind of Digital Marketing Company Should You Choose

    You should decide on a digital marketing company that specializes in providing comprehensive services to help businesses achieve their goals. The company’s team has over several years of experience in SEO, social media, Email Marketing, Content Writing and more. They also offer web design and development services. With their holistic approach to digital marketing, they aim to help businesses increase their visibility and traffic, drive leads and sales conversions, and ultimately build a successful long-term strategy.

    Benefits of Outsourcing SEO Tasks

    Let’s take a look at five of the key benefits of using this company for your SEO needs.

    SEO Expertise

    Your team should have years of experience in SEO marketing services and digital marketing as a whole. They are familiar with the latest trends and techniques used by successful companies around the world, allowing them to provide tailored solutions for any type of business looking for improved visibility online. This expertise can be invaluable when trying to achieve success in search engines like Google and Bing, as well as other platforms such as social media sites and web directories. Moreover, by having access to experienced professionals on hand all the time, you won’t have to worry about letting any important details slip through the cracks or making costly mistakes that could hurt your rankings or waste valuable resources.

    Wide Range of Digital Marketing Services

    With your provider, you gain access to a wide range of services including keyword research & analysis, link building campaigns, content creation & optimization services as well as various other related activities such as competitor analysis & reporting etc. This versatility allows businesses to find the right solution for their needs without having to look elsewhere or invest in different providers offering specialized services individually.

    High-Quality Work

    Your provider is run by an experienced team who understand the ins and outs of search engine optimization. They draw from their knowledge to create tailor-made solutions that will help your business rank higher on Google and other search engines. Plus, they offer comprehensive reporting so you can track your progress over time. All these factors combine to make sure that you get the highest quality work from them every time.

    White Hat SEO 

    Your provider offers white hat SEO services that are specifically designed to help businesses get their websites ranking better in organic search results. The team creates a customized SEO strategy for each client, taking into account factors such as the target audience, industry standards, and competitive landscape. To ensure ethical SEO practices, they use only proven and compliant search engine optimization tactics that comply with Google’s guidelines. By implementing keyword optimization, link building, and content writing, they can help clients achieve long-term success in organic search rankings. This helps you rank higher in search engines without facing any penalties or problems. 

    Cost-Effectiveness

    The cost savings associated with outsourcing SEO tasks are one of the primary reasons why so many businesses choose to go this route. When you outsource your SEO tasks, it eliminates the need for hiring in-house staff or paying high wages for search engine optimization professionals. This means you can keep costs down while still getting access to quality services. The company offers competitive pricing and has various packages suitable for businesses of all sizes, budgets, and goals. Plus, you don’t need to worry about paying extra costs associated with onboarding new staff members or training them on their tasks.

    Time Savings

    Another major benefit of outsourcing SEO tasks is that it can save you a significant amount of time. Instead of having to manage your own SEO campaigns, you can let marketing experts handle it for you, freeing up more time for other aspects of your business. This frees up valuable resources which can then be utilized elsewhere in your organization. Plus, because these experts specialize in SEO, they should be able to complete tasks faster than someone who isn’t as knowledgeable on the subject.

    Conclusion

    Outsourcing SEO tasks offers many benefits for businesses looking for increased online visibility through organic search results ranking higher on Google and other search engines. From cost efficiency and expert guidance through high-quality work delivered quickly; there are plenty of reasons why working with this company is an excellent choice if you are looking for improved online presence through organic traffic increase due to better rankings on major search engines like Google or Bing. By taking advantage of these benefits and opting for an outsourced service, businesses will be able get better results from their campaigns without having to invest too heavily into them upfront or worrying about wasting valuable resources on ineffective tactics or strategies.

  • Office Tech Trends that Will Dominate the Business World in 2023

    Office Tech Trends that Will Dominate the Business World in 2023

    It’s no secret that modern technology has been changing and reshaping the business world as we (used to) know it for quite some time now. New gadgets, hardware and software solutions are entering the scene seemingly on a daily basis, and what was considered “hot” just a few months ago may as well be rendered obsolete by now. 

    That’s why companies who are constantly looking to gain an upper hand keep their eyes peeled on up and coming technology solutions that will help them advance. Notably, while it is virtually impossible to stay on top of them all, and implement them all in your business operations, identifying the ones that will bring you the most value is where it’s at. 

    So, with that in mind, let’s take a peek at some of the most prominent office tech trends that are bound to dominate the business world in 2023 and beyond.

    Increased use of smart office gadgets and furniture

    To start off on arguably the most easily-applicable office tech trends, we’ll first discuss the implementation and use of smart office gadgets and furniture. More and more companies are starting to realize the importance of a comfortable working environment and they are now seeking smart solutions that will help them improve upon this.

    That’s why offices nowadays are somewhat moving away from open office floor plans which, although aesthetically pleasing, didn’t really work for everyone. So, companies that have embraced this approach in the past are now looking to install wooden panels and similar dividers that will not only bring more privacy, but will also significantly reduce noise pollution.

    What’s more, businesses are increasingly investing in equipment such as ergonomic office furniture, noise-canceling headphones and blue light blocking glasses, to name a few. 

    Greater emphasis on user-first data governance

    Believe it or not, recent studies suggest that only about 21% of users trust established global brands to keep their personal information secure. However, if you consider the way in which data is currently being collected by the majority of businesses, this really doesn’t come off as such a big surprise. 

    That’s why more and more companies are now trying to improve this level of trust by implementing and offering user-first data governance. In short, this approach allows consumers to be fully in charge of the type and volume of their personal data that will be available to businesses to collect. 

    Not only that, but with this user-first approach, the users will also be in charge of who their data is being shared with, in which manner and how is it being deposed of once it stops bringing value. Needless to say, this approach will bring very positive results to businesses that choose to use it, as trust is still arguably one of the key factors of a successful relationship.

    Greater implementation of adaptive AI

    Of course, we simply can’t talk about innovative tech trends in the business world without mentioning artificial intelligence (AI) and the massive impact it already left on businesses of all structures and sizes. However, as you may already guessed, things have only continued to evolve from what the majority of us knew about AI so far.

    Namely, one of the hottest new office trends is actually implementing adaptive AI to business operations. As the name suggests, adaptive AI has the ability to learn faster and in a more independent way. As such, it has the ability to basically learn on the go, which allows businesses to faster improve their operations. This, in turn, will allow them to offer far better customer experience, which is yet another key aspect of customer satisfaction and overall business growth. 

    Greater use of industry cloud platforms

    Industry cloud platforms allow businesses to manage, connect and automate their processes far more efficiently than traditional cloud platforms. To put it simply, these platforms turn regular cloud platforms into business platforms, which not only greatly improves overall operations but leaves more room for faster and smoother scalability.

    Since these platforms are a collection of software solutions they can take care of more industry-specific tasks instead of focusing on a single one. Therefore, it’s like basically having access to a business specific software solution that’s entirely customized according to your organization’s unique needs.  

    It’s no secret that businesses that stay on top of the latest tech trends and are quick to embrace them and adapt to them are the ones that are leading the race. That said, it’s crucial to recognize the trends that will bring the most value to your business and implement them first, to avoid overwhelming both their employees and their entire business structure. So, make sure you stay on a lookout but also recognize the areas of your business that will benefit the most from implementing some of the latest tech trends in your industry.

  • Lessons From the Latest Cyber Incidents

    Lessons From the Latest Cyber Incidents

    The LastPass data breach. Ransomware on The Guardian and Royal Mail. Hackers exploiting the platform CircleCI with zero-day malware.

    January is not even over and major hacking incidents or the aftermath of last year’s exploits have already been headlining the news.

    Some malicious cyber activity took place in December that has been discovered now or not yet remedied. Other major cases such as Royal Mail are still ongoing.

    What can others learn from these major incidents and how can endpoint security, anti-ransomware solutions, and phishing prevention aid companies to secure their most valuable assets?

    Royal Mail: Long Road to Recovery After Nightmare Ransomware

    The type of malware that encrypts files to demand ransom (mostly in crypto) in exchange for regaining access to documents is known as ransomware.

    Behind these major cases are malicious ransomware groups such as LockBit, Black Cat, and Hive. Most of them operate from Russia due to a lack of sanctions for this type of criminal activity in the country.

    On January 10, Royal Mail, the major British distribution service, was targeted with ransomware.

    A member of the ransomware gang LockBit has confirmed that they are behind this damaging cyber attack.

    The aftermath of the hack is still ongoing and sending or receiving international parcels has been disabled for a week. The company is working on restoring its services.

    Businesses that rely on the shipments via Royal Mail have already said that they’re been losing their ratings, customers, and lack of service is already causing major financial losses.

    The Guardian: Phishing Is Not Going Anywhere Anytime Soon

    Social engineering techniques are often the first step for cybercriminals because it’s easier to “hack” people than systems that are protected with all types of security measures and solutions.

    The most common type of social engineering is phishing.

    Hackers use emails, social media, or phone calls to target their victims and pressure them to either click the infected link that leads to the infected link, download malware hidden in the attachment, or reveal their passwords.

    To prevent it, companies invest in advanced tools that filter emails and phishing awareness training that teaches teams to recognize the most common phishing attempts.

    On December 20, The Guardian Media Group discovered the cyber incident within their network. It was identified as ransomware and they said that the malware infected their system following the successful phishing campaign.

    Luckily, workers could continue their work and publish digitally and via the app.

    The bad news was that private information of the UK staff has been obtained by the threat actor. The data of readers and subscribers haven’t been accessed by the malicious actor.

    However, their IT systems have been disrupted (internal WiFi was taken down) and until that is remedied completely workers have to telecommute until February.

    CircleCI: Mind Your Endpoint Security

    With the rise of remote work, the security of all of the devices workers use to connect to the company’s network (AKA endpoint devices) is essential for preventing cyberattacks.

    Employees connect to the company’s network from various home devices and maybe even bring their own laptops to work. If all those devices aren’t protected, the companies that rely on global teams have a major vulnerability that can be exploited for hacking.

    Endpoint security is the term that refers to a solution that is designed for protecting data, preventing threats, and identifying advanced zero-day attacks (which are difficult to detect because hackers rely on previously unknown flaws).

    On December 16, the DevOp platform known as CircleCI was the victim of a zero-day attack.

    The company was notified of the suspicious activity on December 29 and started investigating the issue and securing the platform.

    They identified the exact scope and what kind of hacking took place on January 4. Also, they notified all customers of the security incident and advised them to rotate all secrets within CircleCI and review internal logs.

    The sophisticated hackers exploited a device one engineer has been using for work. They managed to infect it with malware that bypassed the antivirus software. Once they gained unauthorized access, they could impersonate the employee.

    LastPass: How You Handle Data Breaches Matters

    Data breaches affect both the business that has been breached and the individual whose information has been leaked.

    They can occur after a successful phishing incident in which another person revealed their credentials, unauthorized access after exploiting a vulnerability, and other methods.

    On December 22, LastPass, a well-known password manager, made an update on the data breach they experienced on November 30. They revealed that the incident had worse repercussions than they initially claimed.

    Namely, the threat actor managed to access password vaults as well as user data.

    The company hasn’t provided their customers with more information for a week after that update and security experts have suggested that users switch to something else.

    The lack of transparency has caused many users to change to another service.

    Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned

    Let’s start with Royal Mail. This ransomware shows how the cyber attack on critical infrastructure affects businesses and prompts consumers to question whether they could have been better protected against possible hacking threats.

    It takes a lot of time for companies to stand back on their feet following an incident. During that time, they lose money on the remediation and fall behind on their tasks.

    Regardless of how prepared your company might be for hacking activity, zero-day attacks can still wreak havoc on systems.

    Cyber incidents are often interlinked – as is evident from The Guardian hacking where the hacker was able to deploy ransomware following a successful phishing attack.

    At the end of the day, there is no ideal security measure because security incidents can occur even within well-protected and managed infrastructures.

    Once the attack or data breach occurs, it’s important how the news is communicated to those that are affected by the incident – that is, to be transparent and not leave worried users in the dark.

  • Using Corporate Gifting to Advance Your Branding

    Using Corporate Gifting to Advance Your Branding

    A good gift isn’t just something the recipient can use. It’s also something they were unlikely to buy for themselves. On top of both those things, the best gifts reflect well on the person who sent them. 

    It’s for that last reason that companies sometimes send gifts to their customers. Corporate gifting provides a measurable return on investment for the companies who engage in the practice. Customers who receive gifts feel valued by the company who sent them. This leads to positive word of mouth and strengthened touchpoints, which drive repeat sales. Meaningful and memorable corporate gifting can lead to 40% higher ROI for the company.

    If your company decides to send gifts to customers, it needs to make a number of decisions. First, what gift will it give? The best gifts fit the conventions described above while fitting with the company’s brand. 

    Brand Archetypes Matter

    Before deciding on gift ideas, ask yourself: does your company have a strong, identifiable brand? If you aren’t sure, consider the major brand archetypes. According to renowned psychologists Carl Jung, there are 12 major personality archetypes seen throughout history. Find the archetype that fits best with your company’s offering and style and embrace it. 

    After all, 90% of customers want brands that feel real to them. Aligning your brand with an archetype humanizes the company and makes it relatable to customers. Brands that use well-defined archetypes to personify themselves rise in value by 97%. 

    How does this relate to gifting, though? A brand’s “personality” guides every interaction it has with customers. The brand image drives advertising and marketing decisions. It controls how social media accounts engage with the public. It can influence how stores are laid out, how websites are designed, and even how employees speak to customers. Naturally, a company’s brand informs the gifts it gives as well. The idea is that the “personality” of the brand will draw in customers who share that archetype.

    Consider the Magician archetype. According to Jung, this archetype values mastery and uniqueness. The best gifts for this type are unconventional novelty items. One possible gift is a kaleidoscope. With a kaleidoscope, you can turn reality into a spellbinding possibility that changes with every angle.

    Another archetype on Jung’s list is the Everyman. This type values belonging to a group and appreciates more classic gifts. A courant classic catch enables clients to make happy memories with your brand in mind. With these examples, you can see how having a brand archetype can guide gift selection for your customers. 

    In Conclusion

    Once you decide on gifts for customers, you also need to decide on the occasion for them. Some companies send gifts to loyal customers who have spent a certain amount of money with them. Others send gifts on customer birthdays to add a personal touch to the relationship.

    The most important part of corporate gifting is making the customers who receive their gifts feel special. Even standardized gifts should feel personal in some way. Connect with clients beyond the close of a sale.

    Choosing the right gifts for your brand archetype
  • Visualizing Earth’s Population of 8 Billion People

    Visualizing Earth’s Population of 8 Billion People

    There are many pieces to our ever-growing world, as the world population growth has hit 8 billion people at a growth rate oof 0.83% per year. On all six habitable continents live billions of people, with China, India, and the United States holding the largest populations. However, not every country is growing at the same rate. Countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh currently have the highest growth rates, ranging from 1% to 2.4%. By fertility rate, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Indonesia have the highest, ranging from 2.15 to 5.14. Finally, in terms of migration rate (per 1000 people), the United States, Russia, and Brazil are the only countries that have seen an increase. Nations like China, Mexico, and India are actually seeing a decrease in their migration rate.

    Since 1800, global life expectancy has grown from 29 to 73 years, indicating better health of the population and a generally older population. World health is an important factor that researchers and experts focus on when studying the population. The five healthiest countries on the planet are Spain, Italy, Iceland, Japan, and Switzerland. Such a title is determined by two factors: life expectancy and health index score. Spain has an average life expectancy of 83.98 years and an incredibly high health index score of 92.75. In contrast, the five unhealthiest countries on Earth are South Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone. South Sudan has a life expectancy of 49.90 years and a health index score of 0. 

    How We Have Grown

    The growth of the world population also has had a notable impact on business across the globe. Since this uptick in population growth, global GDP has slowed, as the current population is expected to push it by less than 10%. Also, the potential for labor shortages is much greater. In fact, by 2030, surpluses are set to become shortfalls, risking $10 trillion. There has also been a growing demand for many industries to be able to serve an aging population, with assisted living facilities, pharmaceuticals and hospitals set to boom.

    On the other hand, a growing population has the potential to increase our productivity, as longer lives lead to increased capital. Also, as countries get larger, there is an increase in multinational corporations. In 2016, MNCs and affiliates contributed nearly 40% of global output alone. Finally, much of the GDP is shifting towards sub-Saharan Africa. This means that effective labor growth rates, currently sitting at 2.22%, are predicted to outpace Europe and the Americas between 2020 and 2060.

    Experts present both new opportunities and potential pitfalls that may arise due to the growth of the Earth’s population. “The milestone is an occasion to celebrate diversity and advancements,” says United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, “while considering humanity’s shared responsibility for the planet.” The general consensus from most experts like Guterres is that this population milestone is one to be celebrated with caution, keeping in mind the heavy environmental implications that a feat of this may bring. 

    In Conclusion

    It only took 12 years for us to jump from 7 billion to 8 billion, and experts say that the 9 billionth baby is just 15 years away. The bottom line remains that the road to get there is unknown, and the only constant is change in our ever-growing world.

    8 billion people visualized
  • The Power of Color Psychology in Marketing

    The Power of Color Psychology in Marketing

    Color has quickly become one of the most important factors that modern shoppers consider when purchasing a product or service. In fact, color accounts for between 62% and 90% of the decision to purchase. The psychology of power of color in marketing is overwhelming, and it can be used to evoke a number of emotional and physical responses in humans. In some cases, the use of color can change one’s appetite, enhance their mood, increase their memory, or boost their attention span. In addition, colors can calm down customers, reduce the perception of wait times, and even encourage sales and conversions. 

    Color’s Impact on Your Brain

    Color has a direct effect on the human brain and the responses that it stimulates in the body. For example, red increases pulse rates by 0.356 points and increases systolic blood pressure. Orange stimulates circulation, increasing oxygen to the brain and boosts productivity. Yellow increases metabolism and can actually trigger a hunger response in humans. Walking in a green environment can reduce one’s heart rate by 11 points in comparison to red or white environments. Blue is encouraged for bedrooms, as studies show that 60% of people who sleep in blue painted rooms wake up happy. Purple is a children’s color, with 75% preferring it to any other color. White has the power to make rooms look larger than they are by reflecting sunlight, and the color pink reduces juvenile aggression by 45%.

    It is because of these responses in humans that color is an important factor in many different settings and industries. Real estate, for example, is one that can be heavily influenced by color as it relates to home design. High performing colors in a home are light blue, gray, and black. These colors are popular and comfortable, seen as neutral and clean, and can even denote a feeling of luxury or high value. On the other hand, low performing colors like brown, red, and cream yellow sell for less, are associated with unfavorable emotions, and are not popular colors amongst the general population.

    Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde once said “Mere color, unspoiled by meaning and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” It is from this idea that color theory and color in marketing was born. Experts were able to grasp which colors maximize marketing value and put those facts into motion. 

    Brands and Their Use of Color

    Brands like Target, Ikea, Sesame Street, Roku, Prada, and The Home Depot use the most popular marketing colors to elevate their business. More specifically, Target’s red leads to more conversions and sales than any other color. Ikea’s yellow and blue combination is the most readable to audiences and quells feelings of buyer’s remorse. Sesame Street’s iconic green makes wearers and recipients more creative and encourages action. Roku’s purple denotes power and luxury, and is one of the colors that caters most to women. Prada’s black is a favorite amongst men and denotes strength and sophistication. Finally, The Home Depot’s orange is an extremely rare brand color that stands out against other competition and speaks for itself. 

    Bringing it All Together

    Using color in marketing is the new age of business. Those who learn to harness this power will be exponentially more successful in their endeavors, winning over both the hearts and the brains of their loyal customers.

    Learn about the psychology of color in marketing, what color does to the brain, and colors that maximize your marketing value
    Source:LUXURYSOCALREALTY
  • The Booming Market of Smart Devices

    The Booming Market of Smart Devices

    Looking at old novels, cartoons, and stories, the image of a fully smart home, automated and aware, is pervasive. It’s a natural extension of progression, eventually the home will just take care of itself, independent of humans. Although that image is still one of the distant future, smart devices have begun to fill in the gaps.

    The Rise of Smart Homes

    Smart homes, homes filled with smart devices, are now becoming common. Today 69% of households own a smart device. This equates to 349 million smart devices being shipped in a year, a number that is projected to hit 1.7 billion in 2025. What exactly are these smart devices though, and what purposes do they serve?

    The most common and pervasive example is the one most commonly thought of. Alexa, Amazon Echo, the countless alternatives, smart speakers and hubs that connect a house digitally. Most smart devices are found in the living room and represent convenience and luxury. Although this isn’t the case for all smart devices.

    Smart security, for example, is one of the longest standing markets. Smart security today is the third most popular category, with 17% of consumers utilizing it. These devices can be smart doorbells, cameras, or various other security measures. Today homeowners can watch their home on vacation, see who’s outside, and be alerted to specific dangers.

    Cost Savings?

    A slightly less obvious set of smart devices are those that affect the bills. Smart devices are expensive, price being one of the biggest barriers to entry. Although some smart devices actually save money over time. For example, smart water heaters save $4,500 over 10 years. Smart thermostats can cut costs 10% even yearly. And smart light bulbs save around $35 per bulb yearly.

    These devices are more akin to a practical investment. Although there are certainly many niche and obscure devices to accompany them. Things like smart mirrors, showerheads, dishwashers, ovens, window shades, and sprinklers. These devices tend to solve much more niche issues, and are a greater mark of luxury.

    Gen Z and Millennials are Leading the Way

    Overall consumers today see smart devices and their implementation as a positive. 94% of Gen Z value convenience, and 80% of Gen Z and Millennials say their adoption is positive. While 51% of smart device owners think that prices are too high, 51% also still want to buy another.

    There’s something intrinsically appealing about the idea of smart devices, at least, to younger generations. Baby boomers have a less favorable perception to them, as they can have a high barrier to entry. Undoubtedly though price is what is stopping these devices from booming in popularity. Subscription models and cheaper alternatives are being developed, but it is ultimately a luxury good.

    Conclusion

    Looking forward, it’s hard to see where smart homes will lie. Will they drop in price and continue to invade the average home? Or will they become more complete in scope and move closer to the smart homes seen in the media? Only time will tell, but for now smart devices are here and they’re here to stay.

    Smart Devices and Homes of the Future
  • British PM Rishi Sunak Pressure MPs As The Country Moves To Keep Media Bosses Criminally Liable

    British PM Rishi Sunak Pressure MPs As The Country Moves To Keep Media Bosses Criminally Liable

    It’s been nearly a year since the British Parliament introduced the Online Safety Bill which seeks to hold top tech executives and social media big bosses accountable for repeated breaches of their duty to keep younger users safe and protect children against harmful online content. 

    After some major back and forth since the bill was first introduced back in March 2022, and seeing three new prime ministers taking the seat, current PM Rishi Sunak has now managed to pressure a group of 50 Conservative MPs to approve the Online Safety Bill. 

    New amendments to the bill would see that those held liable will face up to two years in jail if social media platforms are found to repeatedly fail the protection of children and underage users. 

    The Online Safety Bill aims to make the UK one of the safest places in the world for online users. With the announcement of new amendments, new offenses have been added that make it even more justifiable to hold top tech executives accountable for destroying evidence and failing to attend or provide false information in one-on-one interviews with the country’s internet provider, Ofcom. 

    In a statement given to CNBC last year by the former U.K. Digital Minister Nadine Dorries says “Tech firms haven’t been held to account when harm, abuse, and criminal behavior have run riot on their platforms [..] Instead they have been left to mark their homework.”

    Since the statement, Paul Scully has been sworn in as the new Digital Minister and is expected to deliver a statement on the final outcomes of the new amendments. 

    With parliament now striking a deal, and Sunak continuing his fight for improving the online space and social media networks within the UK. The argument over online safety and child protection has come a long way, as government entities around the world and private organizations have criticized social media platforms for allowing harmful content to be shared on their platforms. 

    It’s not just Conservatives that have been backing the introduction of the bill, the Labour Party has also shown its support in recent weeks. 

    According to an interview with shadow culture secretary, Lucy Powell, “Labour has been calling for stronger criminal sanctions for months, however, the enforcement is now over a narrower set of measures after the government gutted much of the bill before Christmas.”

    While there has been some divide over the outcomes of criminal offenses, the Labour Party has vowed its backing to make social media executives face jail time for not being able to comply with new regulations. 

    Unfortunately, not everyone is on board with the introduction of the new bill and its legal proceedings. Rebecca MacKinnon, Vice President and Global Advocacy for The Wikimedia Foundation, a not-for-profit online organization said in an interview with the BBC that the adjusted amendments in the Online Safety Bill will infringe and limit the “freedom of expression.” 

    MacKinnon continued to say that new changes to the Online Safety Bill would not only be a threat to big corporations but public interest websites such as Wikipedia.

    The not-for-profit encyclopedia which is written and edited by thousands of volunteers around the world is looking to corner the new adjustments of the bill, as MacKinnon says that the UK Parliament should align itself with the EU Digital Service Act. MacKinnon is arguing that the Digital Services Act helps to differentiate between centralized content carried out by employees, and content moderated by community volunteers. 

    MacKinnon’s argument isn’t alone, as cybersecurity and economic experts suggest that the introduction of the new bill would limit investment from foreign companies, and restrict the access of online content to millions of online users. 

    While Sunak is powering forward to introduce new legislation within the coming months, some are worried that the decision to introduce the Online Safety Bill too fast could have greater repercussions in the long term. 

  • 5 SaaS Development Solutions to Improve Your Processes

    5 SaaS Development Solutions to Improve Your Processes

    When it comes to something as inherently fluid as SaaS (software-as-a-service) development, it’s important to acknowledge that you’re talking about designing and coding applications in multiple stages and cycles. For this to be successful, it requires a foundation of processes to be put in place to make the project run efficiently, all while reducing error as much as possible.

    Thankfully, there are a number of solutions that can help make this process far easier to that end. What follows is a list of some of the best SaaS development solutions that will assist software development teams with improving their processes across the board.

    Preview Environments

    One of the key SaaS development solutions that can help improve a team’s processes has to do with preview environments. These are on-demand, cloud-based environments that allow for the testing of new features before they’re merged together into the larger solution.

    They’re designed to be short-lived and used for a single purpose – indeed, they only exist as long as they’re needed to test a new feature, address a bug, and perform similar tasks. Not only can they dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes for troubleshooting, but they also speed up the process of merging new features together as well.

    The Power of Dashboards

    Because of the very nature of SaaS development, it’s always important to maintain a “bird’s eye view” of what is going on. But with so many different people working simultaneously on disparate tasks, doing so via the “old school” method of constant emails and progress meetings can only delay the proceedings, not help speed them up.

    That’s why custom dashboards are so good for this particular use case. Not only can they help you keep track of every task someone is working on, but they can let you see as much as possible at a glance about the project as a whole. You can see if people are on task with the deliverables they’ve been assigned and, if they’re not, you can easily check in to see if any assistance is needed before things get delayed too much.

    Many dashboard solutions also allow you to create your own custom widgets so that you can have the metrics that matter most to you rise to the forefront. You can use pie charts, graphs, and more – all to visualize project data in a way that makes it easy (and instant) to see how far you’ve come and where you still need to go.

    Communication is King

    Another one of the keys to success in terms of SaaS development involves creating an environment where constant communication isn’t just a recommendation, but a requirement. That’s why, especially during an era when more people are working remotely than ever, companies regularly rely on communication tools like Slack to bring everyone together again – albeit virtually.

    A tool like Slack is a great way to constantly check in with one another via live chat. It can also be used as a file sharing solution as well. If you’re looking for robust video conferencing capabilities, you might also explore options like Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or even the ever-popular Zoom.

    Regardless, making sure that team members have access to the tools needed to communicate goes a long way towards improving collaboration as much as possible. This in and of itself can lead to more efficient processes (and a higher quality of work output) before you know it.

    Embracing Automation

    As is true with most types of software development, there are certain tasks and processes that – while important – can be time-consuming to say the least. There’s where automation via a tool like Quixy will absolutely come in handy.

    Quixy (or any other automation solution) can help streamline processes by automating a lot of those manual tasks that eat up a lot of a developer’s time. This in turn allows them to focus more of their attention on the matters that truly need them. Quixy in particular is also a highly customizable solution that includes advanced features like a rich text editor, e-signature capabilities for when it comes time to sign off on a deliverable, facial recognition, and more.

    Cloud-Based Code Management

    Finally, many SaaS development teams have found success in improving their processes with a tool like Cloud 9. This is a web-based platform that can be used for not only scripting, but also running and debugging code, all via the cloud. This also enables team members to work with Serverless applications, making the transition between local and remote activities as easy as possible. All told, it can be used to create a replica of the entire development environment – thus giving team members more control over what they’re working on and how they’re getting their critical work done every day. 

    In the end, these are just a few of the many SaaS development solutions that teams can use to help improve their processes. Having said that, note that it is entirely possible that not all of them will be equally valuable to all teams. You need to carefully consider not only the needs of the project, but the people who are working on it, when making a selection. Don’t select a SaaS development solution and hope it aligns with your requirements. Start with the requirements themselves and work your way backwards to the solution that checks as many of your critical boxes as possible.

  • The Advantages of Using Outlook for Collaboration and Teamwork

    The Advantages of Using Outlook for Collaboration and Teamwork

    Image Source

    There’s no denying that collaboration and teamwork are two of the most important drivers of business success. Having a well-oiled machine where team members communicate efficiently and are always on the same page can make a huge difference when it comes to productivity since it means you are getting the most out of your human resources.

    On top of this, the rise of remote work has made collaboration and teamwork even more important in the modern workplace. With team members now spread out across the world and face-to-face interaction becoming less frequent, it can be difficult to keep everyone in sync.

    Fortunately, with Microsoft Outlook, businesses can leverage the power of collaboration and teamwork while still staying secure, no matter where team members are located. On that note, here are the main advantages of using Outlook for collaboration and teamwork:

    Increased Productivity

    One of the most significant advantages of using Outlook for collaboration is its ability to help teams stay productive and organized. By harnessing Outlook’s powerful tools such as shared calendars, task reminders, and automated scheduling services, team members can not only keep track of their assigned tasks but also stay on top of deadlines, follow up with colleagues, and ensure that all projects move along smoothly.

    Moreover, by integrating with Office 365 suites like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, team members can collaborate on projects in real-time without the need for cumbersome email chains or other slow-moving systems. This helps keep everyone in sync while still allowing teams to work remotely or from different offices around the globe.

    Improved Communication

    Outlook makes it incredibly easy for teams to stay connected in real-time without the need for lengthy in-person meetings. Through its chat and messaging features, team members can quickly share ideas, updates, and questions – helping them to stay cohesive while working apart.

    Additionally, Outlook’s voice calling feature lets users make calls directly within its interface – allowing them to get answers faster no matter where they may be. And with the ability to create a custom Outlook email signature, team members can maintain a professional image and streamline communication with clients and colleagues alike.

    And perhaps most importantly, Outlook helps create a people-centric environment by making it easier for everyone to interact with each other regularly. This fosters stronger relationships between colleagues which can help increase morale and productivity, leading to more successful collaborations all around!

    Streamlined Collaboration

    When collaborating on projects or reports within Outlook users can easily share comments with one another within a shared document or project which makes gathering feedback simpler than ever before. When changes have been made they are synced automatically so there’s no need to copy/paste files back and forth between team members anymore.

    Additionally, tasks assigned within this shared environment are tracked in real-time meaning that everyone knows who is responsible for what at any given moment – helping increase overall efficiency.

    Enhanced Security

    One of the biggest concerns in today’s modern workplace is security – especially when dealing with sensitive data exchanged over multiple devices.

    Fortunately, Microsoft has taken steps to ensure that Outlook remains secure at all times by implementing TLS encryption (Transport Layer Security) as well as two-factor authentication methods. This requires users to enter both a username/password combination as well as another form of identification such as an SMS code sent directly from their mobile device before being allowed access to their account.

    Flexible Scheduling Tools

    Outlook also provides incredibly useful scheduling tools that make it easier for remote teams to adequately manage their workloads even if they are spread out over multiple time zones. Shared calendars allow team members from across the globe to view upcoming tasks and events together so no one misses out – ensuring efficient workflow throughout all operations regardless of physical location.

    Additionally, task reminders help keep everyone informed about deadlines and upcoming assignments – further simplifying project management.

    Integrations With Popular Business Tools

    Finally, Outlook integrates with some of the most popular business tools available today, making it easier than ever to collaborate with the tools you already know and love. This includes applications such as:

    With the integration of these tools, users can stay up-to-date with projects and calendar events without having to switch between multiple applications or tabs. As an example, if you have an important meeting today, you can sync your Outlook calendar with Slack so that everyone on your team receives the event invitation in real time.

    Conclusion

    Outlook remains one of the most versatile platforms available today due to its capabilities around facilitating collaboration and communication while still maintaining a high level of security throughout operations. With helpful scheduling tools such as shared calendars and task reminders, those using Outlook can effectively work together regardless of location while staying organized and productive along the way – ultimately resulting in greater efficiency during all stages of any given project.

  • The Challenges With Banning TikTok In The U.S. Remains Uncertain

    The Challenges With Banning TikTok In The U.S. Remains Uncertain

    The life expectancy of the popular short-form video platform and mobile application – TikTok – is again on shaky ground within the U.S. as lawmakers and government officials have initiated a state-by-state crackdown on the use of the app on government-issued devices including mobile phones and computers. 

    Back in mid-December 2022, several states, including Alabama, Maryland, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Texas outlawed the use of the app by employees on state-owned devices. This comes nearly two years after a similar crackdown in 2020, that saw the military’s ban of TikTok on government-issued smartphones. 

    These bans happened almost overnight. Within two weeks, 19 out of the 50 states restricted access to TikTok on all government-owned computers according to a Reuters article last month. In addition to the ban, certain school districts, and other public sectors have now also introduced individual restrictions for users.  

    This however isn’t the first time that the Chinese-owned social media app has taken center stage on the government’s agenda. 

    In 2020, former President Donald Trump and the Trump Administration highly questioned the integrity and privacy features of the mobile app. Back then Trump called to restrict nationwide access to users from downloading TikTok if the parent company, Bytedance, didn’t sell to a U.S.-based firm. 

    Now two years later, the Biden Administration overturned Trump’s efforts, yet this time state-level concerns could prompt further federal intervention in the coming year. 

    Yet, maybe Trump was right all along about TikTok and its dark underbelly. 

    TikTok grew to become a global sensation during the height of the COVID-pandemic in 2020. The app has roughly one billion active users and has become one of the most popular social media apps for sharing short-form videos. 

    The influence of the app has been felt across the spectrum, especially among younger users that see TikTok as a platform through which they can build a personal brand and generate income. Creators that can also be known as influencers in some circles have generated substantial cash from the videos they post and share online. 

    According to Zip Recruiter, creators and influencers can make up to an estimated $54,379 annually based on figures for 2022. 

    Small businesses have also gained massive support and following through the platform. In a report by CNN, business owner Callie Goodwin of Columbia, South Carolina told the network that roughly 90% of her current orders for her business come from people who discovered her content and business via TikTok. 

    From personal finance advice, make-up tutorials, and business sales, TikTok’s mammoth influence has made it increasingly hard for lawmakers to conclude whether it’s possible to introduce a full or partial ban on the application. 

    While there are several positives about the app, and its growing popularity, ongoing social debates over algorithm changes, and wary outrage cycles have led some users and creators to question the increasingly dark side of the app. 

    Then there are issues related to TikTok’s keystroke tracking methods which track users’ characters across the in-app browser. In August 2022, TikTok, alongside then publicly traded Twitter became the topic of controversial data handling practices. 

    At the height of the controversy, researchers were questioning how social media applications were tracking and handling consumer data, highlighting once again that consumers can’t trust social media companies and their lack of data transparency. 

    Allegations related to privacy and data issues have meant that lawmakers are now starting to seriously debate TikTok’s future within the US. While it’s uncertain what the outcomes will be, the Biden Administration has been trailing months’ worth of bans and restrictions on Chinese-based businesses and investments. 

    President Biden has in recent times been working to prevent China from developing advanced chips and has limited US investment in Chinese tech. Additionally, the administration has drawn up plans to restrict Chinese-based apps to collect information and data on Americans, which some experts claim is a direct retaliation towards Bytedance-owned TikTok.

    TikTok’s future in the U.S. is looking uncertain, yet many claim that the influence and market presence of the mobile app will prevent it from completely vanishing from American soil in the coming year. 

    The ongoing trials have in recent days led TikTok to halt all hiring for consultants that look to assist with the implementation of a proposed security agreement. This comes as opposition to the mobile app intensifies, and state-level restrictions start to place pressure on the future of the short-form video app.