Watch Out For These Enterprise Software Development Trends In 2017

Enterprise software development in Florida and other US states is now fast evolving. But for quite some years, it followed a fixed and rigid model, leading to a fixed set of activities which mostly included requirement assembling, requisitioning, writing code, testing, and the final delivery of the product. So long, many organizations that are averse to taking risks stuck to the traditional methods of application development. But customer demands are fast changing with the change in developing technologies. This is the reason IT solution providers in Tampa are shaking off the dust and doing away with older technologies. In fact, they are reinventing themselves and watching out for some of these latest trends in enterprise software development in 2017.

Functional Programming Gaining Center Stage

Functional programming is the latest buzzword. It involves the design and development of applications for performing specific tasks. More and more developers are adopting the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach, a lighter version of a full-blown app. MVP lets software developers use the ‘abridged’ version as a sample for testing an app’s specific features, collect user feedback, and integrate the changes before launching the final product.

Enterprise Software is Leveraging Simplicity

Enterprises have now become more agile and flexible to grab opportunities as they come. They are always striving to exceed customer expectations and reinventing themselves to stay relevant in competitions. Therefore, enterprise applications, on which most workflows and business processes operate, need to be simpler, flawless, and agile. In fact, enterprise software should make the most out of simplicity and deliver a user- friendly interface while integrating the most powerful features of the application.  With so many options available in the market, it is only natural that users today have a low tolerance for errors or bugs in apps, and so developers should implement fast and efficient updates.

Cloud is Taking the Development World by Storm

Though a few businesses are still reliant on in-house servers, most enterprises are switching to the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model to ensure greater flexibility, accessibility, and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO). The SaaS model also incorporates mobility to help businesses stay connected anywhere, anytime.

To stay safe, relevant, and in competition, businesses in Tampa and other fast developing regions should choose IT solutions that offer a gamut of software development services to deliver custom enterprise apps. Enterprise software development is now a real game changer and is evolving as a continuous process. 

Responsive Web Design Allows For Better Conversions

You can access the Internet from numerous devices with different browsers, resolutions, and screen widths. All web design companies in the US may not have the time to create multiple versions of the same website for different devices. But if they don’t, they might lose out on valuable web presence. Responsive web design agencies in Florida, for instance, are trying their level best to enhance user experience and help clients get more leads or conversions through mobile-optimized design. That’s because if users come across a site which is not mobile-friendly, they leave quickly it for another that provides an enhanced experience. This is why savvy marketers and designers have encouraged responsive web design in Florida and other US places due to its capacity for a seamless browsing experience. Let’s find out how responsive web design is responsible for more conversions.

Converting Digital Buyers

According to comScore, a global media measurement and analytics firm based out of US, mobile now is the primary growth driver, representing a whopping 65 percent of digital media time, while the desktop is fast being reduced to a secondary touch point for many digital users in the US. In fact, 71 percent of customers now use mobile devices for searching various products on the Internet, while 27 percent have used their smartphones at some point to buy products, and will continue to do so in future. Thus, it is no longer an option whether a company has a design that caters to this new and fast-growing mobile audience; it is a must.

Role of Responsive Design in User Conversion

Mobile shopping used to be a pain experience for users as it took a long time for the pages to load. Responsive design changed all of this really fast. It is no longer problematic for businesses to transform the shopping experience into a quick and efficient one. Various companies have found success after they shifted to a responsive web design. This is mainly due to the simple premise – if a company lacks a design that easily adapts to the requirements of different devices, the conversion rate from mobile users is going to remain mostly stagnant.

Speed

What sets responsive web design apart from other alternatives available to businesses is the capacity to seamlessly and easily adapt to any device. This allows for the optimization of the user experience and ensures that buyers get a great browsing experience, irrespective of the kind of device they are using, such as tablets, smartphones, or laptops. Responsive web design does not require redirection, which leads to reduced page load times. Thus, users who search for items online will be able to locate it easily.

Design

Responsive web design allows small business owners a chance to use various resources for transforming their old, boring web design into something that is trendy, eye-catching and provides a mobile-ready solution to the visitors. There is no need to spend your marketing dollars for a complete redesign. Instead, you can choose a responsive theme without breaking your bank.

If you do not want to lose out on your web presence against a more progressive competitor, then it is time that you start providing your buyers with an excellent mobile experience. Places like Florida have already embraced responsive web design, and you should too. Responsive design should be your mantra if you want more conversions from your website.

Why Should Law Firms Avail IT Services?

In 2010, CompTIA, a non-profit trade organization for the IT industry, conducted a study named IT Opportunities in the Legal Services Market that revealed that one out of every five surveyed law firms indicated an interest to increase their IT budget. Fast forward to 2017, and you will see that from Philadelphia to Florida, more and more law firms are hiring IT companies to handle their specific needs. If you want your practice to stand out in a competitive market, IT managed services can help you in the following four ways:

1.    Improved Productivity

Cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing and virtualization will allow your employees to work remotely, access client data securely, and communicate with one another on the go. This round-the-clock service will enhance your firm’s brand image. In addition, a proper backup plan will enable you to protect and retrieve your clients’ sensitive data.

2.  Guaranteed Confidentiality

Protecting your client’s sensitive information is your core duty as an attorney. Failure to maintain confidentiality can shatter your reputation in the market. Therefore, it is essential for you to store your client’s data in the most secure location. IT companies can help you develop multi-layered cyber security strategies to keep your database, IT assets, mobile devices, and all online endpoints protected from malicious intrusion.

3.    Enhanced Flexibility

Walk into any law firm and one of the first things you will probably notice are piles of documents. Legal business involves a lot of paperwork and record maintenance. And often the law firms cannot afford to part with any of the documents for good. Even if you digitize all your papers, your growing company will need large server spaces to backup these files safely. Cloud computing technology not only allows you to store extra-large files but also to share and sync them without investing in storage servers and without having to hire a maintenance provider. Above all, it will enable you to access your confidential files remotely from any mobile device, allowing you to work with greater flexibility.

4.    Protection of Data Through Disaster Recovery

      You don’t have to be a lawyer to guess the extent of hard work that’s needed to build up a case. Just imagine losing all your research to a natural catastrophe, system crash, or a malicious attack. You will never have to endure this blow if you have a disaster recovery plan in place. This is one IT service which is vital not only for law firms but for business of all sizes and types.

      A law firm’s IT needs can be grouped into two broad categories – the data it creates and the scalable systems it requires to manage them efficiently. Several IT companies in Florida and other parts of the US offer customized services for the billion-dollar legal industry. If you feel that your growing practice can benefit from these services, hire a provider who can help you out.

The Three Basics to a Successful MSP Business

Medium or small-scale enterprises in Florida or the other states in the US know how challenging it is to build a flourishing MSP business.  When it comes to a successful transition to an MSP model, the risks are high, especially when you’re moving from one point to the next, and adopting evolving technologies. But with more commoditization of hardware and software, the motivation for developing a managed service provider business in Tampa, the Sunshine State’s leading IT hub is greater than ever. But what are the key elements to consider that help you to build a successful MSP business? Read on to get answers to your questions.

1. Employees

People are one of the most important pillars to help you in the growth of your business. Your employees can make a lasting impression on your prospective clients and, so you must hire only the best IT talent in the industry, who have the knowledge and expertise to deliver the services. MSPs are service-oriented organizations, and therefore you cannot hire people just to fill up chairs. Hiring the best people for the job and retaining them will eventually increase your business’s efficiency and customer satisfaction, which in turn will lead to growth and success.

2. Business Process

By adopting a dependable business processes, you can improve your operations, maximize profit margins and grow your business. Not only the IT helpdesk, but processes should also cover all the segments of your business, especially sales and marketing. Through strong sales processes, you will be able to improve your lead generation, management, and closing strategy. This will also help you figure out the factors affecting your conversion ratio.

3. Technological Innovations

You should apply technological innovations to every aspect of your business to thrive. You can introduce integrated platforms in your organization that will help your employees to access information from a single place, and whenever required.

If you are not sure, consult a reputed managed IT service provider in Tampa. They know how to leverage the three key elements to the best interest of customers.

How Will AI Affect The Future Of Web App Development?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that deals with the creation of software and machines that emulate the human mind, can understand and react to different situations, and are capable of developing themselves. Sounds kind of like the robots in Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence, doesn’t it? Well, in reality, AI hasn’t progressed to that level yet, but it has become powerful enough to make its impact felt in the IT industry. Today AI primarily exists in web-based applications to help us with tasks such as doing little intellectual tasks like when the Cold War began or where is the nearest pizza outlet located. Using AI in web applications allows us to create programs capable of handling complex problems and figuring out solutions in a more human-like manner. That’s why small and medium-sized businesses in the US are leveraging AI to enhance app performance. Web application development in Florida, for example, shows a promising picture, and artificially intelligent tools help you build websites and improve their functionality accordingly. This produces results to offer an outstanding experience to users online. Let’s take a look at what this means for the future of web application development in the Sunshine State.

Evolving Role of AI in Web App Development

Earlier, most AI innovations were designed with the sole intention of making things simpler for consumers. However, the current trends are more focused towards app development, at least when it comes to the early stages. Instead of introducing a separate AI layer to assist users in operating a specific application, these AI programs now operate in the background, and strive to make these web apps better. The thing about these programs is that they’re not as appealing or sophisticated as human-like interactions programs. Think Siri. Apple’s personal assistant has won users over with its efficiency, wit, and silky-smooth voice. Contemporary AI may not imitate the patterns of human speech to such an extent, but they’re a lot more useful, even if they aren’t visible on the forefront.

Current State of the Industry

Based report by Bloomberg Business reported by TechCrunch, 2015was a banner year for artificial intelligence. What’s surprising is that the types of developments coming out in the web application industry aren’t nearly as astounding as the pace of these developments. The speed at which new learning algorithms are being produced is at an all-time high, and new AI programs are being launched to counter new problems.

Impetus for AI-Focused Web App Development

There are numerous reasons for the renewed interest in AI-based web app development. For starters, cloud computing has become a lot more widespread, and it presents a cost-efficient model for companies and people to channel greater innovative power. More information on current data is now available to researchers, and this means people can get to know about new ideas related to the AI field better and faster.

The Future of Web Apps

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence has become more affordable, useful, and rapidly evolving. The major players in the tech industry have all begun to use AI as a substitute for the demand of human innovation. Instead of relying on humans to find and implement improvements, applications will theoretically be able to decipher and apply updates themselves, allowing the tech workforce to focus even further on AI web app development. It’s only a matter of time before AI algorithms start developing even better AI-based web app algorithms.

Webapp development in Florida and other places continues to grow andexpand, and it’s no surprise that artificial intelligence plays a major role in the process. The more powerful the AI, the more capable the program will be at tackling complex problems.

What To Learn From Holiday Shopping Trends?

How well did your ecommerce site brace the holiday shopping rush? Good, average, excellent, not that great? It’s time for looking back so that you can leap ahead. As you hand yourself a scorecard or get in touch with an e-commerce development solutions provider for an in-depth analysis, here are a few tips to make essential enhancement to your website when you get it ready for the next season. We are quite confident that your solutions provider would agree.

1. Create a Gift Guide

You can make it easy for your buyers by providing them with a gift guide mentioning several options. This handbook will help them decide what they should buy and this, in turn, will boost your sale. However, the gift guides should be targeted very specifically so that the buyers find the right things at the right place.

2. Promote Gift Cards

Promote gift cards on your e-commerce website. They make great last-minute presents especially for those who are in a hurry, and also for those who cannot decide what to buy.

3. Use Holiday-Specific Keywords

Work on your SEO campaign to include market-specific keywords in the campaigns for a certain region. This trick will bring your website to the notice of the buyers who are ready to add items to their cart.

4. Create Holiday-Specific Content

After identifying the effective holiday keywords for your e-commerce website, you should create culture-specific content using those keywords. This content will help to achieve positive ranking of your website for that location. Holiday-specific content may include blogs, landing pages, product descriptions and newsletters using special keywords.

5. Build Links Using Holiday Promotions

Links are one of the most important elements of any campaign. The more the number of links from reputable sources, the better the rank of your website in the search engines. So, focus on this extremely important aspect.

A competent e-commerce development solutions company can prepare your site for a runaway success. Besides incorporating the above-mentioned SEO and design tricks, it may add some festive elements to the website’s design to create a welcoming environment for shoppers, adding that extra appeal that may coax them to buy from you.

5 Questions To Ask Before Developing An iOS/Android App For Your Business

There is no denying the fact that in this era of smartphones, mobile apps are the new digital marketing platforms essential for all businesses. Not only global enterprises but start-ups too are adopting mobile apps as a part of their business strategy. But before investing in iOS or Android application services for your business, you must have a sound knowledge of all the factors that play a part in the development of a mobile app. You must also take into consideration whether your customers will download your business’s app or not.

As an entrepreneur, you must ask yourself these five questions to decide whether your business requires a mobile app or not:

      1. Do Your Products and Services Fit Into a Mobile App Design?

Although many B2C businesses in the e-commerce sector have successfully integrated mobile apps into their strategy, it does not guarantee an instant success for all enterprises. You must evaluate the possibilities of success of your business on the mobile platform before jumping into a conclusion that you need to launch a mobile app.

      2. How Will You Acquire Customers?

Whether you design a paid or a free mobile app, it may be difficult to convince the customers to download your application. You will have to make sure that the app solves particular problems that your customers face. If the app can connect to your customers and meet their requirements, they will most definitely download your app.

      3. Are You Aware of Your Customer’s Preferences?

Before your mobile app development team starts working on your business’s mobile application, you must get a clear idea about your customer’s expectations from the app. Even while the mobile app development is in progress, you must always consider your customer’s preferences.

      4. Should Design be Your Priority?

With the numerous applications competing in the mobile marketing platform, your business’s mobile app must stand out in its design to make a place in your customer’s smartphone. If your app has intuitive interface controls and smart transitions, it can catch your customer’s attention.

      5. Is Your Business Ready to Handle the Increased Traffic?

Before developing a mobile app, integration with pre-existing infrastructure and backend systems is important. You must also consider whether the existing systems of your business are capable of handling the increased traffic and additional transactions.

Once you answer all these questions, you can decide if your business is ready to step into the mobile world. You can build your mobile application in-house, or contact an iOS or Android application services provider for the purpose. Take a methodical approach, and you will be able to identify a successful mobile strategy.