Cloud storage platform Box (which you no longer have to refer to as Box.net as it now owns Box.com!), has seen incredible growth over the past year, both on the consumer and on enterprise side. Much of the growth has been driven by mobile, with the company seeing a 140% increase in mobile customer implementations each month in 2011, leading the total number of new mobile users to jump up by 171% monthly.

By year end 2011, Box’s total mobile user count reached 1.9 million, up 9 times over 2010. But nowhere has mobile’s impact been more felt than in the enterprise, where iOS and Android especially have driven business adoption of not just mobile apps, but the cloud in general.

In terms of mobile platform adoption, there were more than 1.2 million iOS app downloads in 2011, 462,000 on Android, 200,000 webOS downloads and 51,000 on PlayBook. (Yes, PlayBook!) These numbers include both consumer and enterprise growth combined, however.

But when Box tracks its enterprise sales, it tracks the reason for buying, and this past year, the company found there was a 30x increase in the number of enterprise deployments that were mobile-driven. So while mobile user growth may be up 9x, the sheer need for mobile connectivity is what’s driving its business. The mobile needs of the enterprise is affecting the company’s bottom line with Box seeing 3x revenue growth over the past year, as large organizations, like Procter & Gamble, McAfeee and AAA for example, signed up for the service. The enterprise customer base, meanwhile, grew by 2x and now includes 82% of the Fortune 500.

In the enterprise, iOS (iPhone, iPad) saw the most adoption, with 5 times year-over-year growth from 2010. Interestingly, Android is growing at a faster rate: 7 times year-over-year growth, even though it isn’t the largest mobile platform Box supports (iOS is, and more so the iPad).

Specific industry verticals are adopting Box at a faster rate than others, too, with the biggest jump coming from the Food and Beverage industry (up 7x), where Box counts Red Bull, Dole, PBR and others as customers. Because of the workflow-based nature of many of the industry’s tasks – like tracking product from the field to processing – this group was also big on the building custom applications on top of Box’s platform. Box now has over 130 apps integrated with its service and 5,000 developers.

Meanwhile, more traditional use cases involving knowledge worker and document sharing led to greater adoption in Financial Services (up 3.5x) and Health Care (up 3x) in 2011.

What’s interesting about these mobile adoption trends is the impact they’re having on cloud adoption. Says Box’s VP of Mobile, Matthew Self, “one of the big drivers we see for mobile adoption – and one of the big reasons why mobile deployment growth was actually higher than the user growth – has to do with the fact that enterprises are adopting cloud services because of mobile.”

“Mobile adoption is actually driving cloud adoption,” he says, “which isn’t totally obvious. But when you get to mobile, it isn’t about Microsoft anymore. Less than half of the computing endpoints in the world are Microsoft now…They’ve forced CIO’s to defect from Microsoft’s own entrenched postion, which is sort of bizarre. But it’s not like a CIO can say, ‘oh, I’ll just wait a year or two on mobile.’”

Ouch! (But totally right).

This exit from the Microsoft era is all the more evident in smaller to medium-sized businesses, which by their very nature, have had to be scrappy, turning to low-cost, easy-to-manage cloud services as an alternative to a traditional I.T. infrastructure. But the tide is turning. More enterprises are arriving at Box, which often represents their first or second toe dipped into the water of cloud computing. Maybe they use Salesforce, or some small cloud service on the side, but many are still Microsoft-based organizations running Exchange and Office.

Box then slides into place as a supplement to traditional systems like SharePoint then becomes the system of choice, leaving businesses to wonder why they still need the old system at all. In 2012, Box plans to help those folks cut the cord even more by implementing a new feature that will allow mobile users the ability to not only access, but also edit and comment on documents via the Box mobile app without needing another app supporting that file type installed on their mobile device. (For example, edit a spreadsheet on iOS with Apple’s Numbers app).

Self says Box’s move here is reflective of the move to more “cloud-augmented” apps, which he points out is already a big trend in consumer’s mobile computing behavior.

“These are apps where the bulk of the interesting work is happening in the cloud, not the mobile device at all,” he explains. For example, Apple’s Siri, where the voice recognition and processing work is happening in the cloud, and the iPhone is just recording what you say then playing back the results. Or Amazon’s Silk browser, which runs in the cloud, where only the UI (the presentation) is taking place on the mobile device. This too, mirrors Box’s plan for mobile: use HTML5 and web services for the business logic, while the UI/presentation layer renders through native code.

Combined with an increasing acceptance of using secure mobile apps (versus securing the whole mobile platform, e.g. RIM/BlackBerry Server solutions), it’s going to be easier than ever for enterprise customers to cut legacy connections altogether.

Getting featured in the Android Market is starting to have a meaningful impact for mobile app developers. According to the recent news from fitness app maker RunKeeper, the company saw a 637% increase in downloads since November after just a few days of being a featured app in the Android Market “Health & Fitness” section.

But is RunKeeper seeing the boost because of the New Year’s resolution-making crowd? Or is being featured in the Android Market really bumping up download numbers in the extreme for anyone who makes it there?

RunKeeper’s success story is a great one. On January 1st, the app became featured in the Android Market, which led it to become the #3 “Health & Fitness” app, up from a previous ranking in the 20′s, and #288 in the entire Android Market, which, as we now know, is at 400,000 apps.

It’s certainly a hopeful tale, but one that left us with questions – how much is being featured really worth? Was being a “Health & Fitness” app the real story here?

Apparently not. Another popular Android application, Lightbox, a photo-sharing app that’s sort of like a mashup of Instagram and Tumblr, was also featured in the Android Market over the holidays, starting on Christmas Eve. Says CEO Thai Tran, in the week following its new highly visible status, Lightbox saw over 500,000 downloads to bring its total number of downloads to over 1.5 million.

For comparison purposes, it took Lightbox three months to reach its first 500,000 downloads. More importantly, getting “featured” didn’t always amount to this level of traction. In summer 2011, for example, as Lightbox was working on its first 500K, it was featured in the Android Market for nearly an entire month. And yet, it still took three months to reach 500K.

Lightbox’s growth also mirrors Android’s international growth, Tran notes.  Previously, the U.S. accounted for 55% of Lightbox’s usage, and the U.K. was its #2 country.  But now the U.S. is down to 33% of its usage, and India and Brazil have leapfrogged the U.K. to become its #2 and #3 countries respectively. Lightbox is also seeing traction in Mexico, Malaysia, and Indonesia, says Tran.

But Lightbox’s jump was during the holidays – a time when many people are getting brand-new mobile devices and downloading apps. In fact, Flurry said that 1.2 billion apps were downloaded during the 2011 holiday season.

What about the Android Market’s impact on growth outside of the Christmas/New Year’s rush? For a third example, let’s look at the intelligent, social to-do list Any.DO, which announced in mid-December that it had seen 500,000 downloads over the past thirty days. The increase, says CEO Omer Perchik, was in part due to the app’s featured status in the Android Market. Although he declined to share hard numbers, he did say that during the app’s featured period, Any.DO was seeing “tens of thousands” of downloads per day – something that’s “an order of magnitude” above its normal download numbers.

Other successes include Evernote’s Skitch, which reached 1 million downloads in November, also while it was being featured on the Market. It later hit 3 million by December. Going further back, in July, Point Inside Maps was featured in the Market for an increase of a more moderate 50,000 downloads per week.

So how does an app get featured in the Android Market, developers want to know? That’s easy: build a great app. Any.DO’s Perchik says that he’s never seen unstable, unusable apps getting featured – Google looks for quality. Android Market PM Fernando Delgado previously explained the process, saying that Google has a team of editors and category managers who proactively look at new apps being released on the Market.

“If an app is determined to have high potential, it is thoroughly reviewed to make sure it meets the high bar for being featured,” he says. In other words, it’s Google’s own curation process – not just raw download numbers that help an app make the cut.

Test management, as the name signifies, is the art of managing some tests in a testing process. For this purpose, a test management tool is used by the Quality assurance team for managing the tests – automated or manual, depending on the needs. This is generally associated with Automatic testing software.

Process

The process of test management involves consideration of the requirements or specification set forward by the customer, and analyzing if all the clauses have been fulfilled. For this purpose, the test management tool has a Requirement or Specification tool which generates the Requirement Test Matrix automatically. This essentially implies that the software is going to be tested for all the requirements. Therefore, this process can be understood as a means of testing and validation of the software.

The most common tools used are scrapbooks, word processors and spreadsheets for notes and checklists. The latest means of test management has witnessed the use of spreadsheets and databases for automated testing.

Different aspects of testing management

There are different stages of testing management, as is evident from the fact that it is a complex process. The first phase is organization where the various elements that are to be tested, along with their testing procedures are listed. The assets that need to be considered are test scripts, software and hardware. This also includes relationships and dependencies between various modules. It is followed by test planning phase, which addresses questions as to the reason and concept of testing. The reason for the test is called the motivator, while the “what” of testing are called the test cases. The time period associated with the test is termed iteration, commonly known as a cycle. The third phase is called authoring, which answers the question as to how the test is to be conducted. Execution of the test is the next phase in the testing management process, which entails the actual running of the test. This is a long process, because even a small program has to be taken through repeated test procedures. The final phase of the process is test reporting, where the results of the tests are detailed and documented for analysis and communication.

Challenges faced in the management process

As is the case with every other management process, testing management has its fair share of problems. There are problems associated with every step in the process. They can be detailed as:

o Time constraint in the testing process which requires speeding up of the process and therefore may not be complete.

o Lack of human and system resources

o Difficulty in communication because of the different geographic locations of the testing teams.

o Difficulty in validation of requirements and keeping in sync with the development process.

Practitest.com for test tool, ALM tool, QA management software and manual testing tools.

Author: Yaniv Iny
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital Camera News

Everything from the property location, to the soap in the showers, to the bed itself factor into the guest experience, and ultimately your brand.

So how do you maintain your brand to ensure it is consistent across all your properties while providing the right balance of local uniqueness?

There are a number of solutions that can help ensure that your standards are consistently followed across a multi-property portfolio. Over the past several years an explosion of web-based, industry specific software offerings has emerged and today there are a number of solutions aimed at the hospitality market that can help you manage the guest experience. Purchasing solutions and food cost/recipe management systems have been around for a long time, but today new enterprise-class versions of these solutions have emerged. The web has made geography a non-issue and the best of these new offerings have leveraged the web to provide a portfolio-wide footprint – with multi-property brand management in mind. They are packed with features designed to manage procurement, recipe development and capital improvement projects across an entire portfolio. In addition to the enterprise wide footprint, a key differentiator from earlier systems is the ability to configure in the right mix of central versus local control.

These hospitality focused solutions have the necessary features to cope with the rapid and special nature of food & beverage purchasing and come integrated with a full-feature recipe management solution – unlike generic solutions that assume all products come with barcodes and can’t deal with catch weight issues. eProcurement solutions are available with pre-wired interfaces to most hospitality industry suppliers providing near plug-and-play implementation. These systems allow corporate purchasing, working with brand management, to control the catalog from which all properties will buy. The same systems can be used to enforce IT standards to keep support costs down and to allow purchasing more visibility and control for better vendor negotiations.

Many of these solutions are Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) based. This means they are hosted by the software vendor and accessed via the user’s browser. By eliminating the need for heavy IT investment and long deployment cycles, these solutions are easily understood and deployed allowing hotels to stay focused on hospitality.

One global organization that is delivering money-making insights to their brand is Carlson Hotel Worldwide. An entire page was dedicated to their innovative initiatives in the March 21-April 6th issue of Hotel Business[R]. The advertorial highlights how this player has taken a forward thinking approach to revenue management by implementing a SaaS solution that ensures the usage of one common piece of software across multiple properties enabling them to shift from reactive to proactive planning. This acquisition is part of their strategy to gain market share by maintaining and expanding their worldwide brand.

Implementation of an e-procurement system can assist in maintaining control of the purchasing process by minimizing ‘rogue’ purchases. The ability to monitor adherence to approved vendor lists ensures that hotel properties reflect their established brand signature. As the hotel industry moves into a more global, technology-oriented arena, competitive advantages found in solutions such as automated e-procurement promise greater efficiencies, establish signature brand consistency and most importantly, ensure that guests keep coming back. One piece of advice – make sure the solution provider understands your industry. Make sure they offer single and multi-property solutions that help identify ways to leverage your buying power, control spend and automate your procure-to-pay process.

Author: Leslie McDonald
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

With the advancement in technology and the internet making huge inroads into the lives of people, customers have become more product savvy. They only expect the best from any business and even a small amount of complacency on the part of any business can lead to the loss of a customer. Hence, small businesses relied on software automation and data analysis to improve customer loyalty.

However, they had to rely on a patchwork of applications as CRM was only available for large scale enterprises. So CRM vendors started working on a far cheaper and flexible version of CRM that is best suited for SMBs. The result is on demand CRM.

On demand CRM has been carefully marketed as the perfect integration point for SMBs. The favorable cost factors, the convenience in setting it up and the hardware-free maintenance are some of the reasons why SaaS has really taken over.

But, as a SMB, you should be slightly more careful while choosing any CRM on demand. I will explain the reasons behind this.

1. Most CRM on demand software comes with a three to four year contract attached to it. This means, that you are stuck with it for that period. So you better be careful about what you choose.

2. Not all on demand CRM software is flexible enough to be integrated with existing software applications. If it cannot be done, then it will end up costing more in the long run.

If you are new to the concept of on demand CRM, then seek advice from a CRM consultant who can give you the right advice and help you choose the best hosted CRM.

For more info visit : CRM On demand

Author: Rama Krishna
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

In today’s changing software service marketplace, it is critical to focus on five key elements for a winning software proposal:

1. Timeliness!

Sales cycles are much shorter in the online services marketplace than for traditional software. It used to take 6-12 months or longer to sell software into an enterprise environment. Now business customers can make a software service buying decision in less than three months (often much less). You need to be able to very quickly identify enough requirements and client customization needed to put that proposal together as quickly as possible. One of the benefits of a service or subscription offering is that it can be more easily refined over time as needed.

2. Price your Product or Service Correctly

If you’re trying to sell the customer on a million-dollar perpetual server software license, and what they’re looking for is a hosted web service with a low monthly subscription fee on a per-user basis… you’re going to lose the deal, no matter how well your proposal is written. Make sure you’re on the same page as your customer on the type of service they need to meet their requirements, and price/position your product accordingly. You may want to provide a menu of separately-priced offerings, perhaps on a subscription basis, rather than the all-in-one traditional enterprise software license.

3. Speak to Your Customer’s Pain Point

Your software proposal should answer a question or address a concern that is top of your customer’s mind. Otherwise it will just gather dust on their “things I should read when I have time” pile (we all have them, don’t we?). Pick a pain point (if possible, put it in your customer’s own words) and specifically address how your software or service will solve their problem. Tie it into your value proposition below. Come back to the pain point when you close with tangible ROI and metrics/benefits at the end.

4. Include a Strong Value Proposition for All Stakeholders

What is the biggest benefit of your software or service to this customer? What is your main advantage against your competition? That is your value proposition. Keep it simple, and make sure it is prominent in the executive summary of your proposal (your proposal does include an executive summary, right?). If you can quantify it (eg, with some ROI messaging) then do so. The more hard benefits you can articulate in the beginning of the proposal, the more likely your customer will keep reading.

Your value proposition must clearly differentiate your software or service from your competition, whether they are a licensed software vendor, a SaaS provider, open source software, or consultancy. Each requires a different type of value proposition.

Finally, make sure you have a value proposition clearly articulated in that executive summary that speaks to each stakeholder in the purchase decision. Make a list of the stakeholders within the client company, and put yourself in each one of their shoes in turn. Read the proposal with them in mind. Have you included a benefit statement that speaks directly to them?

5. Reinforce your Value Proposition with ROI and Client Examples

So you’ve included a strong value proposition and benefits to each of your stakeholders in the executive summary of the proposal. Good! That means they will keep reading.

But that is not enough for them to take the next step and buy. Your proposal must clearly identify how each benefit is going to be achieved by your software or service, and how you will quantify or measure the outcome (metrics!).

Hopefully you can communicate a strong and convincing ROI, taking into account both hard ($) and soft benefits. A strong ROI methodology is critical to your software proposal’s success. Unless, of course, you have such a stunning value proposition that customers are willing to pay for it regardless. And you should include customer examples or case studies that reinforce your value proposition and ROI message also. Even better if you can include some client references that your customer can speak to directly if they wish to.

If you keep these five points in mind, you will be able to write a winning software proposal for your product. Without explicitly focusing on these five areas it is easy to waste your time putting together proposals that don’t get read. Always stand in your customer’s shoes, and lead them through the proposal thought process from beginning (their needs/pain, and value proposition) to end (tangible ROI and results).

http://www.software-marketing-advisor.com

Joanna Lees Castro is owner of Software Marketing Advisor.com, a resource for software vendors wanting to grow their business strategy, marketing and sales capability in a services-oriented world.

For additional tips to help increase your software sales and/or take advantage of the move to Software-as-a-Service go to http://www.software-marketing-advisor.com/software-sales.html

Author: Joanna Lees Castro
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

INTRANET – The term’s similarity with “internet” is likely to cause a little confusion. Unlike the internet, which is public network of computers across the globe, an intranet is a private network of computers which functions only within the boundaries of an organization. It also differs vastly from the internet in terms of its audience & strategic objectives. It is true however, that an intranet might sometimes use the internet as a vehicle to connect across facilities and locations. Even so, access is still restricted and not available to the general public.

Audience & Objectives of an Intranet

Audience – Employees

Objectives

- Information Repository

- Communication

- Automation of Processes

- Training

- Team Collaboration

During early days, the main purpose of an intranet was merely to act as a substitute to the back and forth medium of mails, and act as a central repository where employees could access company information and resources.

Some Practical Uses

- Company Policies

- Development & Training

- Employee Directories

- Project Management

- In-house Social Network

In the modern context however, intranets are a vital component of a company processes which enable real time communication across company levels, facilitate & make efficient information flows, and enable real time collaboration between groups spread across locations.

The audience of an intranet is primarily the staff. It facilitates and improves the efficiency of staff work, or it may act as a forum for social communication, mutual learning, or managers at the top echelons use it to communicate company objectives and policies to the lower levels.

EXTRANET – Like an Intranet, an extranet is a private network. But rather than being directed internally for staff needs, it is an outward facing network used to securely collaborate, share information or integrate operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers or other businesses.

Since the abovementioned parties are spread over diverse locations, extranets use the internet as a vehicle to connect to these parties. A company might have multiple dedicated extranets for different key partners or clients. It can sometimes also be seen as an extension of an “intranet” where external parties are brought into the fold of the company’s private network.

Audience & Objectives of an Extranet

Audience – Suppliers, Vendors, Partners, Clients

Objectives

- Share Information

- Communication

- Integration of Processes

- Training

- Collaboration

The possibilities created by information technology have spurred new approaches like the “supply chain” approach which have redefined attitudes towards businesses and their interrelations. The movement is towards greater information exchange and integration with external parties. Enter extranets.

Some Practical Uses

- Client Support

- Product Demos

- On-Line Catalogues

- Joint Project Management

Like intranets, extranets enable communication, information sharing & collaboration. But the information in this case is very different from intranets and specific to the needs of the vendors, partners, or clients it is created for. One example of an extranet would be one created for a key client of a software services provider. This would serve as a space for managing project timelines, communicating specifications, sharing project resources, providing deliverables etc.

Another valuable application of extranets is to provide support to key customers. Online knowledge bases, training materials, discussion forums and an interactive help desk are a few examples of ways to serve an important client using an extranet.

A study conducted by Highbeam Research in 2001, with top Times companies showed that 38% of respondents now give customers online access to information and reports. A further 23% plan to implement extranets by the end of 2002.

Uses

- Share Information

- Joint Projects

- Product Training

- Customer Support

- Cross Selling

- Feedback Mechanism

CUSTOMER PORTAL – A “Customer portal” is an extranet built specifically for an important customer. Hence it is a subset of the term “extranet”. It is a unique environment created specifically for the needs of a particular client. The purposes may be as varied as collaboration needs of working jointly on a project for a client, to providing dedicated support and training materials to an important client, to merely a shared information area where product specification documents, contracts, reports etc are shared with a client leading to finalization of a contract.

Customer portals in addition to enhancing efficiency of customer service, also lead to more satisfied customers and offer a good opportunity for cross selling and getting feedback. A company can use its customer portal to regularly supply information on related and new products to customers, and present it in a manner appealing to that particular client.

Broad Benefits of Intranets/Extranets/Customer Portals

1. Increased Productivity: Intranets/extranets enable instant access to important internal and external information; hence the lag between those who have the information and those who need it is next to nil. With just a few clicks, users can access data held in any database the organization. This allows employees to perform their jobs faster, and more accurately.

2. Communication: Intranets/Extranets are powerful tools for communication within an organization, vertically and horizontally and across organizational boundaries. This could mean anything from company policies being communicated across the organization to working together with a client of a project.

3. Auditing: Intranets/Extranets allow a clear visibility into information flows and business processes. Details of projects & files are captured at each step and responsibilities, time & changes can easily be ascertained and retraced at any stage.

4. Operations & Management: Intranet/Extranet project management tools allow companies to move to a “project based” system, where cross functional and cross organizational teams can quickly be convened irrespective of location for different tasks. It also allows managers to spend less time “being there” to personally supervise & monitor progress of activities. They need to simply log in to create projects, assign responsibilities and track progress.

5. Enhanced Collaboration: Because distance is not a constraint, teams can quickly get together and work jointly in real time in a virtual environment without actually being there.

6. Capture & Share Knowledge: Intranets & Extranets also act as forums where different people can get together, share their expertise and learn from each other in the process.

Are they a Big Business Thing?

According to a study by Modalis Research Technologies, 70 percent of small and medium-sized U.S. businesses feel that an intranet is important.

The Hosted, SAAS Model – Going by the massive investment needed to develop a customized intranet/extranet system a few years back, it might not have made sense for a small to mid sized company to get the system then from a cost-benefit perspective.

But in recent times, the hosted, SAAS, approach to application delivery has made available these technologies even to the smallest business at a minimal price.

Changing Environment – Moreover, the changing business landscape, even small businesses have to manage distributed teams and increasing client expectations. May it be traveling sales persons, an outsourced development team based in Asia, work-from-home executives, or a key client with special support needs – it makes sense to have an intranet/extranet portal where they can log in, and share information and work together.

Possible Uses – It can be put to a multitude of uses, like displaying announcements, uploading policy documents, sharing employee directories or managing projects. Modalis Research found that one of the ways companies used their intranet was to put up their daily lunch menu!

Beats Email! – Considering the fact that an intranet solution costs little more than setting up business email, it’s a logical next step compared to the cumbersome and confusing method of sharing information through mail.

(Former?) Disadvantages

1. Expensive – Intranets/Extranets used to be very expensive to implement and maintain. This included software development costs, costs of hardware, training costs, costs of specialized technical staff etc. But the new hosted model allows companies to have a ready made solution for a reasonable number-of-users based monthly fee.

2. Security – Security of intranets and especially extranets can be a big concern since sensitive business information is transferred over the public medium of internet. But there are many hosted intranet/extranet solution companies which have an impeccable record where it comes to safeguarding client information. The importance of security only underlines the need to be very careful when choosing a solution provider.

Introduction to Selection Criteria

KEY FACTORS

- Features/Customizability

- Company Background

- Cost

- User Friendliness

- Security

Implementing any software in the organization involves a commitment, and especially intranet/extranet software because of its organization wide implications. It is therefore important to make an informed and well researched choice while choosing between different solutions. Companies looking to set up an intranet for the first time may not even have a clear idea of what tools might be necessary to facilitate operations.

The decision needs to be very broad based, depending upon specific factors – the feature set & costs of the solution being the most immediate; as well as general factors, such as a company’s security record, background etc.

A comprehensive list of factors to be considered for buying intranet/extranet/ software is listed below and will be elaborated in other sections of the site.

- What features are on offer as part of the solution? Does it allow customization according to my needs?

- What are the costs? How do the costs behave as the organization scaled up?

- What is the company background?

- Is the solution user friendly? How steep is the learning curve? Will it require technical staff?

- Is my data safe?

Resource Site – http://www.intranetresearch.com
http://www.hyperoffice.com – Online Intranet Solution

Author: Pankaj Taneja
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

And he swallowed them with very little apparent corporate indigestion.

Now Larry has set his sight on the king of SaaS and arguably of CRM, pointing both barrels on SalesForce.com. Given my first encounter with SalesForce tech support this morning, I find myself on the verge of urging Ellison on.

Aside from being a hosted offering based upon the bones of Seibel CRM, there is little newsworthy about the product itself except for the integration of some social media flavored features. For example, any object in the data (a contact’s name for example) can have a “sticky note” slapped on it, and anyone with access to the data can add to the note and monitor the resulting conversation.

I have not seen this in action, and cannot comment on the viability, but it and the way the release was promoted show a few realities and long-term trends about technology marketing.

Consumer to enterprise: The roles of consumers and enterprise technology consumers is now reversed, with the consumer market leading in innovation. Smart enterprise technology vendors will spend more time paying attention to the Darwinistic nature of the World Weird Web and exploit resulting mutations that have applicability inside of corporations. Getting employees talking to one another about specific issues is on the top of that “social networking” list, and thus the “sticky note’ concept appears to be a good idea.

Enterprises are communities: Any organization, including enterprises, are by nature social entities – groups of people voluntarily banded together to achieve a common objective … namely earning a paycheck. Online social networking will become a larger part of what enterprise IT will enable because there are real, tangible benefits to getting employees working together in ad hoc ways. FedEx’s Fred Smith has long said this.

Blogers are buzz: The most note worthy marketing aspect of Oracle’s announcement is that they fed the news to bloggers before anyone else. We know from various studies that peer-level news is considered more reliable and valuable by the receiver. Oracle fed bloggers the details about the product first … and under embargo … to assure that buzz about the launch would occur on day one. Buzz marketing is now the lead, with analysts and trade press being left behind. Learn to leverage it.

SaaS is Enterprise: Amazon, Google and SalesForce ironically have proven that the cloud is more than “good enough” for enterprise use. For non-process and non-transaction applications, more and more enterprises will adopt services as opposed to software. For marketing people this complicates the product mixture, almost ensuring that you will have to consider a services model as part of your product mix.

Larry remains dangerous: Oracle has the market might, cash, and smarts to change the rules of most any game. Ellison has always been a dangerous competitor, and his rather ruthless nature is only getting uglier. If you are anywhere close to his core markets, keep looking over your shoulder and keep innovating to stay ahead. Short of the ever-more-likely anti-trust intervention, Oracle will grow to be the new Microsoft.

Guy Smith is the chief consultant for Silicon Strategies . Guy brings a combination of technical, managerial and marketing experience to Silicon Strategies projects. Directly and as a consultant, Guy has worked with a variety of technology-producing organizations. A partial list of these technology firms include ORBiT Group (high-availability backup software), Telamon (wireless middleware), Wink Communications (interactive television), VA Software (enterprise software), SUSE (Linux distributions and applications) and Novell. http://www.SiliconStrat.com

Author: Guy Smith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

New initiatives paved the way for a shared technology approach in which all business processes were funneled through a single technology platform. For example, numerous companies implemented ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems to manage processes such as inventory monitoring, purchasing, and production. While this may have increased efficiencies, companies still faced the rising costs resulting from the purchase and maintenance of an in-house system.

The next breakthrough emerged as a result of the desire to achieve economies of scale while also shifting the focus back to a company’s core competencies. Instead of hosting an IT infrastructure internally, non-core business functions were outsourced. Two approaches were developed that followed different methodologies. One was to utilize business process outsourcing (BPO) to contract out a specific process to a third party. The other was to use a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that enabled a company to control the processes internally while outsourcing the infrastructure and software requirements.

Now there is a new approach that takes advantage of the strengths of BPO and SaaS while eliminating the weaknesses. Business Virtualization is taking shape and it provides dramatic results when implemented in an AP environment. The following example shows how a wholesale distributor was able to increase efficiencies while streamlining costs by implementing this new approach.

The company was receiving approximately 50,000 invoices per month and completed all manual processing internally with a staff of 40 AP processors. The invoices were all paper-based and required signatures, coding and verification. The manual process was too time-consuming so the company searched for a more innovative solution. After extensive research, the company decided to implement ASPEN 360 Accounts Payable Edition from Archive Systems. ASPEN 360 integrates document receipt, document imaging and data capture, Web-based image hosting, and workflow management services for a complete services-based document management solution.

All of the company’s invoices are now sent to a PO Box managed daily by Archive Systems. The invoices are sorted and batched, then prepped for imaging. Once the invoices are scanned and indexed, the image files are uploaded into the ASPEN 360 online repository and routed electronically to the appropriate person for approval based on client-driven business rules. These rules can incorporate notifications of duplicate invoices, route invoices above a certain dollar amount to particular staff, and perform workload balancing. Workflow alarms and notices speed approval times by alerting users as invoices arrive and when time limits for review and approval are exceeded.

In this example, the company’s AP processor reviews the invoice information and enters the account allocation details online. The business approver can also enter the account allocation information. The invoice is then automatically routed to the next approval level for verification. After final review, the information is interfaced into the company’s in-house financial system and payments are completed.

Throughout the whole process, the company never touches a paper invoice. After scanning, the hard copies are stored in Archive Systems’ full service records center facilities where they can be retrieved and delivered to the company at any time. All processing is handled online using ASPEN 360. Staff productivity has also increased and invoice processing costs are expected to be reduced by as much as 50%. The company maintains complete control over their business processes while gaining advanced reporting features to help ensure compliance guidelines are followed.

By implementing Business Virtualization, companies are able to strategically focus on their core business initiatives rather than on integrating and managing an internal infrastructure. They still maintain control over business information but eliminate the friction points that can stall a critical process. The end result is the ability to streamline business processes, reduce risk, drive down costs and increase efficiencies.

Craig Abramson is the online marketing manager at Archive Systems.

Author: Craig N Abramson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

While this may be a stop gap approach, having a compliant, fully configured document management and work flow solution is key to ensuring the security, auditability, availability, and manageability of records. Including documents and email.

Notwithstanding, most companies are very hesitant to shell out $200,000 for a new enterprise class system. Those who do spend $200,000 or more usually put the vendors through a frustratingly long sales cycle, validation process, procurement process and final approval process before the project is even undertaken. Once the project commences, turnover, staff departure, layoffs, project implementation snags usually further convolute the process.

In comes Saas (software as a Service)! For a fraction of the cost, any company can implement an enterprise class version of an ECM / Workflow / Document management system at a fraction of the cost. This is the same software, but now over a secure internet connection, and usually browser based. That is the difference between financing a $200,000 system upfront, and paying $2,000 monthly for the very same product, same SLA (service level agreement), better support infrastructure, automatic upgrades and additional value added services.

This is where companies can really negotiate their SLA (service Level Agreement). Most companies tend to forget that thick enterprise class systems installed on site come with a “checklist” of SLA options, but in the Saas world, you can really negotiate the language of the SLA.

A web based system will ensure auditability and tight user access controls over a reliable connection. This is because the Vendors, fully understanding the implications of loosing clients data will utilize the best, most secure and advanced data centers, coupled with Department of Defense grade security and backups.

This automatically eliminates the pressure on the client to maintain, staff, upgrade, train, retrain and manage an in – house system. Which usually runs at an additional 85% of the system cost itself, plus overhead.

Alani Kuye is Managing President of Phantom Data Systems Inc.

A Connecticut based Online Document Imaging, Management, Data Recovery, Data Storage and E Mail Security Solutions Provider. He has consulted and designed enterprise data storage, recovery, records management and security solutions for large corporations, government agencies and small businesses alike. Featured in CRN, Infoweek, and various publications alike.

He resides in Connecticut and can be reached at 1-203-809-2465 or alani@phantomdatasystems.com Online document imaging – Phantom Data systems Inc. Norwalk, CT.

Author: Alani Kuye
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Global competition is making it more difficult for American manufacturing companies to make a profit. Manufacturers need to become more agile to compete globally with economies where the cost of labor is an almost insignificant part of the cost of goods and they have access to the same high tech manufacturing equipment. It is time for forward thinking, competitively focused comanies to move to the next generation of IT tools, and strengthen their manufacturing and management information systems. Technology providers need to provide manufacturers with cost effective, highly mobile, highly adaptable, thin-client competitive capabilities. These capabilities will come in the form of software which is web-based (or web-native), object-oriented, model-driven, thin-client, configurable and offered as a service (SaaS).

Old ERP technology – the first generation

The truth is that first generation ERP applications lack the flexibility to add or change functionality and they just aren’t capable of full web funtionality. Because of their age and code foundations, most existing ERP vendors just can’t provide the full range of functionality made possible by the internet-native technologies. The ability of the native browser-based applications to interact with any device that can run a browser i.e. PDAs, cell phones and various data capture devices makes them intrinsically more valuable than the old ERP systems. These old legacy systems are difficult to expand and modify to make use of these wireless devices, or to change and add any new functionality to the system. It is also costly and laborious. Some vendors try to present the old systems in a browser and call the applications “web-enabled”, using a technique known as “screen-scraping”. But don’t be fooled. Web-enabled does not mean web-browser native. These applications lack all of the abilities and advantages of a truly browser-native application. These first generation ERP vendors are racing to convert their aging, first generation offerings to the new, object-oriented, browser- based model of software. This is a difficult task, since the internal source code for these older packages is fundamentally unsuited for the web and cannot make use of the native functionality of the web browser. The total cost of owernship (TCO) for first generation systems is high, due to the legacy code burden, thick-client server setup and heavy support infrastructure. Much more IT workforce is needed to support a first generation ERP application.

A new vision for information technology – next generation software

The ultimate goal for any manufacturing organization is graphic, actionable, timely information when ever and where ever it’s needed to support performance. Next generation software makes that goal attainable. Every manufacturer wants supply side and finished goods inventory reductions, energy use reductions, operational efficiency improvements and increased overall efficiency. Browser-based software applications which are easily configured are allowing manufacturers to become lean. A lean organization is one which can quickly and effectively adapt and make changes which lead to better productivity. The success of any software implementation needs to be measured by the achievement of benefits such as a reduction in manufacturing operational costs, a reduction of administrative costs, improved complete and on-time shipments, improved customer satisfaction and improved manufacturing schedule compliance. Next generation software, which is fundamentally different in design, function and form from legacy applications, is the beginning of the software revolution. Although the first generation systems have had their place and time, business practices of the new millennia, wireless technology, and the need for flexible systems is more than these aging systems were designed to deliver. The time has come to move on to a new generation of browser-based, object-oriented, model-driven toolsets which have the flexibility and functionality needed to carry us to the next level. The ultimate goal, real-time availability of information, is now attainable.

How does next generation software technology make an organization better able to adapt?

Adding functionality to software systems is a historical problem for first generation ERP vendors. This is because of the legacy code it is built upon. A next generation ERP provider does not have that problem, due to the use of an object-oriented software architecture. Making changes to or even adding functionality to an existing software system already in use is more easily and quickly done. Tuppas has also developed a set of rapid application development tools to which make modifications even faster. An application which might take a man year to develop using traditional methods such as asp.net, would take a matter of weeks with our development tools. Due to the relative ease with which they can be configured and changed, object-oriented software tools have brought drastic price reductions to normally high priced integrated management support software. Now not only can the largest organizations afford these software applications, small and medium sized businesses can too. The ease with which these applications can be reconfigured allows a vendor to collaborate with clients to quickly build customized software. This is extremely beneficial to corporations with a number of diverse plants. Tuppas can even help the customer learn to use their development tools so that they can modify the software themselves at their discretion. New business practices can be readily incorporated into an existing system. Our toolset gives us the kind of flexibility which allows us to create highly configured solutions for the corporate level and the plant level. Having the ability to modify the software that helps run the company as their needs change is a huge advantage in a highly competitive market. The system becomes more that just a software purchase. It is an adaptable tool to help them grow and innovate now and in the future.

Wireless adaptability accelerates decision making with real-time or just-in-time information

The faster that mission critical information can be recognized and made available, the faster the reaction time can be. The wireless capabilities of next generation software are providing unprecedented opportunities to accelerate the decision making process due to the decrease in time to acquire critical information. Wireless technology can be used to connect corporate entities, mobilize a sales force, track warehouse inventory, trace products and jobs, empower field personnel and more. The applications are really limitless. Having the ability to collect and organize timely information in a global environment, whether it be a field service technician, a sales person or a CXO, extends the power of any organization.

SaaS-Software-as-a-Service

The idea of software delivered over the web and hosted by a vendor has been around for a while, but it is just now beginning to come into it’s own as a viable option for software buyers. The benefits are numerous. Making monthly or quarterly payments for a system allows many more buyers into the market for high end software applications than traditional licensing purchases. Other benefits include lwer cost of entry, quicker start up, faster return on investment, decreased internal support costs, reduced risk (initial investment is small), and better service and support since customers must be happy to be retained. Typically, the vendor or a third party host provide the maintenance, upgrades and security for the system relieving the customer of these burdens too. The absence of on-site servers, software, security and IT professionals means significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for buyers.

The advantages of the thin-client system

A thin client strategy allows for the use of inexpensive work stations along with various other devices, such as palm computers, cell phones and more. It means anywhere, anytime access to information within the system from any browser capable device. It has made complete connectivity very cost effective. Thin-client software is browser-based software which resides on a dedicated server. The server may belong to the client, the vendor or a host. Users have full access the system via “thin client terminals”, which really only require access through a browser to the dedicated server. This differs from traditional software installations, which require that a copy of the application be installed locally on each computer where it is to be used. This makes software upgrades infinitely easier, since only the program on the dedicated server needs to be upgraded, and not numerous client computers. This also saves time and disruption of work flow. Another advantage is the reduction in hardware needed at individual work stations to operate the software.

Model-driven design makes integration and upgrades easier

In conclusion

When you combine all of the features of the next generation software applications, what you end up with is a new class of software. Together, model driven development tools, object-oriented design, browser-based development, rapid development tools and wireless possibilities have created a revolution in software design and development. These applications mean greater flexibility at a significantly lower cost than first generation systems offered. U.S. manufacturers need to become more able to quickly react, move and respond to changing markets, regulations, finances and the competition in order to survive. This adaptability will soon become a necessary trait for any manufacturer who wants to survive in our new global marketplace.

Model-driven software applications allow users to focus on functionality and core business processes without having to worry about technology platforms, technology upgrades and integration issues. Model-driven applications separate the business, or application logic from the underlying platform. It means that the software is created with two layers, so that one can change and upgrade the user side independently of the technical under-layer, and vice-versa. Software based on model-driven development eases platform integration issues and is a wise IT investment in the uncertain world of changing platform technology. It means reduced cost of ownership, reduced development time for new applications, rapid inclusion of emerging technology into systems and an increased return on technology investments. Model-driven design provides the framework which frees users to evolve their software and practices independently of the underlying technology or platform. It enables better, faster and less expensive system integration.

Dawn Tupciauskas, Tuppas Inc.
Tuppas offers manufacturing and ERP modules which were developed as browser-based, thin client applications. Their easily configurable modules gives manufacturers the ability to make changes to or even add functionality to the software. Tuppas software is web-based, object-oriented, model-driven, thin-client, configurable and available as a service (SaaS). Applications offered include: Production Scheduling, Advanced Planning and Scheduling, Production Reporting, Inventory Management, Warehouse Management, SPC, SQC, SCM, CRM, Accounting, Procurement, Job Tracking, Capacity Planning, Quality Assurance, Materials Requirements Planning, Process Control, Training Solutions, CMMS (Preventive Maintenance), Business Intelligence and Performance Dashboards.

Author: Dawn Tupciauskas
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Yesterday afternoon a CFO submitted financials for the Quarterly Board report. This morning his admin found out the most current HR data was on HRversion5.xls, not on HRversion4.xls that he used.
The National Sales Manager finally received monthly forecast spreadsheets from six Regional Managers, who each collected spreadsheets from their respective sales teams. Even though it took two hours to painstakingly combine all the data, cut & paste errors produced an overage of more than $1 million in forecast revenue.

Business Transformation 101

How can events like these keep recurring? Don’t companies spend billions of dollars each year in IT infrastructure to coordinate such things? Don’t core business systems include applications to control manufacturing, inventories, sales activity, and finance?

Of course they do. And the open secret is this: they don’t work. They can’t.

The makers of ERP, Supply Chain Management, CRM systems and the like have focused on management of the internal functions of the enterprise. In many cases, they’re just not applicable to the way business is done today. Tom Friedman helped describe a new borderless globe in The World is Flat. There is now little dispute that the primary locale of business conduct is outside the four walls of the mother corporation and disconnected from the infrastructure meant to manage it.

Employees in home offices, vendors based overseas, and field sales teams scattered over five continents must function and interact while disconnected from their respective corporate IT assets. By necessity, they improvise. They use the tools they know and the tools they have in common.
What began as stop-gap workarounds have now become de facto standards for intra-company and intercontinental business. Outlook and Excel have become the functional core applications for 21st century collaboration and productivity.

So what’s the problem?

Excel was designed as a personal productivity tool, but is now relied on as an enterprise-class application performing as the lynchpin to the “flat world”. Every week, millions of Excel spreadsheets circle the globe launched from Starbucks, airline lounges, and office cubicles. For internal applications and data, Corporate IT enforces security, version control, user rights, backup and permissions. But Excel is out there. It’s on nearly every computer worldwide and can be created, edited – and thanks to email -exchanged wherever, and whenever, there’s a WiFi connection.

Email can be a double-edged sword. Over the past 15 years, it has become an indispensable, universal communications tool. It’s the number one method for file transfers – whether a daily cartoon, pdf, YouTube movie, or Excel file. It’s convenient, universal, and instantaneous. And although it’s a key component of the Excel workaround, while helping solve one problem, it creates a host of others.

Control: Once you click send, the file is no longer under your control. What could be (and probably is) sensitive corporate data is in the hands of people you can only hope are trustworthy.
Time Email is sequential. If you need input from multiple people, you are dependent on them opening, contributing, and resending the document in a timely manner. Which person in the chain has it now? How are they progressing? When will I get the file back?

Responsibility: So who changed what, why, and when? Are you working with the latest version or is someone else out there making further edits? And with the looming presence of Sarbanes Oxley, tracking the formation of the work product is now a corporate imperative.

Safety: There are good reasons a company spends millions of dollars on security for its servers and its data. In the wrong hands, company secrets can be divulged or employee information can be compromised.

Email and Office applications have come a long way in the last 20 years. But business imperative notwithstanding and despite the dependence on these technologies, by themselves in their current state, they represent a band-aid, not a breakthrough.

Community

The concept of “community” is not new. The idea of two or more people bound by a common interest can be traced to man’s earliest endeavors. More recently, and thanks to the growth of the Web, thousands of “communities” have sprung up to serve people with specific hobbies, interests, or political leanings.

The advent of Web 2.0 technology has led to hosted communities where members can interact with people of mutual interests. Sites like My Space and Facebook were among the first to exploit the Internet community concept. For the most part, these sites are geared toward consumers and individuals who interact in their personal time. But what about business? Is the concept of community relevant to them? Absolutely – in spades!

The supplier in Singapore that ships product to the factory manager in Omaha is, along with the COO at New York headquarters, members of a community. Their common bond is the mission of producing a product on time and on budget. Their communication link includes telephone, fax, and email. These kinds of ad hoc relationships may not feature the formal label, but they are communities none the less. By necessity and custom, communities are a fact of business life. As they continue to proliferate, the challenge of exerting control and maximizing productivity becomes a primary pursuit.

Managing Communities

Managing the concept of community is emerging as the Holy Grail for taking command of the new business paradigm. The billions of dollars invested in traditional IT infrastructure – the sophisticated application suites, bullet-proof security, and armies of IT professionals – are impotent in extending benefit and control to the dispersed workforce and communities.

The prescription for a breakthrough in online business community management must focus on several key issues.

Security: Once you email a file / document, you no longer control its distribution. It is permanently in the possession of the receiver who can do with it what they will; today, tomorrow, or next year. Your company’s intellectual property is now one click away from being in the public domain.

Collaboration: Often, many people are needed to contribute to a given project. This is especially true for spreadsheets. Waiting for a response from a sequentially forwarded email to 12 people is not collaboration; it’s more of a chain letter.

Conformance: Collaboration, communication, and productivity are unlikely results if a community works from different tools or applications. Microsoft Office products are on more than 400 million computers around the globe. Excel is the gold standard of spreadsheets and is used by 9 of every 10 businesspeople in the world.

Innovation: Today’s communities have different needs than their cubicle-based predecessors. Ideally, the community structure would not only accommodate, it would provide productivity features not currently available either in native Excel or in corporate applications.

Defensive Proactivity: On the surface, an oxymoron; but regulations and accountability are realities to be faced head-on. Where is the documentation of who changed which cells, and when? A solid, auditable paper trail is an absolute necessity.

SaaS Why do people need Software As a Service? Because they want instant real-time applications. The SaaS concept is the keystone to delivering online communities. Security and always-available information are managed for community members with centralized control.

Online Secure Storage: The only way to have one current version of the truth is to have one current document everyone accesses. And without the file residing on any one personal computer, the data will never be compromised or lost.

eXpresso

eXpresso is software infrastructure that adds a shareable dimension. It is a Web 2.0 hosted workspace for Microsoft Office applications. The first offering is for Excel spreadsheet management and collaboration in secure, structured business communities. eXpresso was developed on the principles and criteria mentioned earlier in this document.

eXpresso users include small workgroups, cross-enterprise project members, and dispersed sales teams. Corporate financial departments and compliance experts use eXpresso to control the gathering and reporting of accounting documents.

There is no attempt here to detail all eXpresso features or contrast it with alternatives. An interactive product tour is available at eXpressoCorp.com and interested parties can try eXpresso for free. Sample highlights:

­ Create or edit Excel spreadsheets online in real time
­ Store Excel spreadsheets in a secure, encrypted central repository
­ Collaborate & share spreadsheets with individuals & groups
­ Assign or revoke View, Edit, Download, or Copy privileges
­ Compare cell & formula differences between spreadsheets with one-click

Why Excel?

One of the conspicuous differences between eXpresso spreadsheet management and online alternatives is the eXpresso support for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Many of these other products promote an online alternative to Excel. Competing with Microsoft for a share of the office application market is certainly ambitious. But there’s little evidence people want a new spreadsheet; what they want is a shareable dimension to the one they already use.

Today’s mobile, dispersed workforce faces communication and productivity challenges (as described earlier) that have little to do with merits of specific spreadsheet applications. The real problem is a lack of structure to serve the millions of communities that already have a spreadsheet they like: Excel. Offering a generic spreadsheet with reduced functionality does nothing to improve collaboration or support business communities.

The commitment to support Excel users is grounded in three tenets at the forefront of eXpresso philosophy.

1. There’s nothing wrong with Excel. In fact, it is arguably one of the most reliable applications in the world. And, a spreadsheet application can’t be instant if it isn’t Excel – if you have to learn something new, it isn’t instant.

2. The second reason can be described with a number: 150 million. That’s the global estimate of Excel business users who are prime candidates to become immediate eXpresso users.

3. Beyond the raw numbers, Excel has been entrenched as the spreadsheet business standard for many years. People know it, like it, and use it.

Conclusion

The traditional structure of business is rapidly becoming obsolete – driven by fundamental shifts in the way people work, the way organizations interact, and the disappearance of conventional constraints of borders and time zones.

One of the ways to accommodate change is to formalize and apply structure to naturally occurring communities of like-minded businesspeople. The Web 2.0 concept is a vital foundation and enabler for using the Internet to deliver community management and specialized application services.
Offerings in the online services arena will continue to grow. In the spreadsheet market specifically, potential users will gravitate toward the service that delivers universally valuable features.

Outlook and Excel are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

For more information about eXpresso Spreadsheet Communities or eXpresso Corp, visit http://www.eXpressoCorp.com or email at info@eXpressoCorp.com

For more than 25 years, Scott Conway has run his own marketing communications firm that helps companies align products strategically with market forces and demands. In recent years he has focused on companies who use emerging technologies to cater to evolving market segments. sconway@conwayusa.com

Author: Scott Conway
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

“The next sea change” in computing — software as a service — has arrived, Gates writes, and Microsoft must embrace it or lose ground to the advertising-supported Internet businesses being developed by Google, Yahoo and Salesforce.com.

In the Web 1.0 Dotcom days, a concept had emerged called B-to-B-to-C, as a successor to B-to-B and B-to-C. As consumer marketeers were looking for more efficient ways to reach their consumer audiences, the idea of reaching them through their employers seemed cost-efficient and attractive.

Now, at the height of Web 2.0, Microsoft seems to be in the absolute best spot to capitalize on the B-to-B-to-C advertising opportunity.

Imagine, you are BMW, and you want to advertise to a very targeted audience of consumers with a certain household income level. Who else is in a better position to give you access to this super precisely segmented data about people’s income levels than major corporations?

Let’s say, GE cuts a deal with BMW, and lets them advertise to the 10,000 employees in the annual income range $100,000 – $500,000. What form would this advertising take?

It could be, that for this set of employees, as soon as they open up Microsoft Office or Outlook, BMWs AD is placed on their desktop. As a result, instead of GE paying Microsoft for the corporate license of MS Office, BMW ends up subsidizing the application.

As Microsoft thinks through their response to the Sea Change that Gates discusses above, it would be good to remember that Microsoft is still in a position of strength within the enterprise, large and small, and not try to follow Google blindly into the pure SaaS zone.

Microsoft should re-define the rules of this war, instead of chalking out a blow-by-blow response to Google.

Implementation:

I would keep Microsoft’s revenue line intact, but make changes in the software plans. In the new system, Microsoft still sells MS Office, etc. as is, or may be with some more integrated architectural view with a better SaaS feel.

However, as you know, Microsoft has discontinued its relationship with Overture as their AD Management system, which means they are developing their own. So, now, I would play to Microsoft’s strengths, and design this system so that a version of it can also be sold to / used by corporations to manage Ads on the desktops of their employees.

So, in this new order, Microsoft continues to get paid for the software they provide to enterprises, but they also sell additional software which adds an Advertising Revenue line to every corporate P&L.

I submit, that Microsoft sits in a uniquely attractive position in the food chain to broker this flow of funds via advertising dollars trickling online, by empowering enterprises to monetize their employees.

And take a cut.

Silicon Valley Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant Sramana Mitra writes about Entrepreneurship, Business Strategy, Emerging Technology, Market Moves, and sundry other topics in her Blog “Sramana Mitra on Strategy”. Read more of her writings at http://www.sramanamitra.com

Author: Sramana Mitra
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Myth 1: Electronic Quality Systems are only for big companies

This prevalent myth asserts that an electronic QMS is designed and meant only for large organizations with multiple sites. The fact is, that in such a competitive environment, it is mandatory for every organization to track and control documents, manage non-conformances, and adhere to regulatory requirements – whatever the company size, amount of locations, or number of employees. All companies must demonstrate the highest standards and quality to auditors if they are to be certified to a standard that meets industry regulations, as well as customer demands. Achieving these goals can be easy with an electronic QMS that ensures continuous improvement, critical information security, issue visibility, quick problem resolution, and fast regulatory approvals

in order to effectively and efficiently market new products.

Myth 2: Deploying an Electronic Quality System can cost companies huge sums of money

The demand for quality management software has increased the competition amongst vendors. Companies can select an electronic QMS at an affordable price. Many vendors now offer less-expensive, cost effective quality management software through services such as on demand / SaaS, where the software is hosted on the

vendor’s server. Additionally, this reduces the cost of ownership by over 60% and makes the implementation possible in days, rather than weeks, all for a small monthly fee.

Myth 3: Only Technical Personnel can use Quality Management Software

It is a common misconception that anything relating to software is in the realm of an organization’s technical team. It gives rise to this myth that only IT departments / technical personnel of companies can handle and use electronic quality systems. The fact is, there are quality management programs which are designed for everyday users who are familiar with internet usage – programs designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. In essence, anyone who can surf the internet can easily use a well-designed electronic QMS system. Further, quality management software is far easier to use than a paper-based system, as the QMS software will typically include help manuals and technical support. Moreover, deploying software through an on demand service doesn’t even require an IT department, as the vendor has a support team that installs and implements the software.

Myth 4: Poor to no return on investment on Quality Management Software

When considering the use of a QMS, senior management will usually question the QMS’s potential return on investment. Various studies show that using software for quality management can save administrative time, reduce printing costs, improve production cycles, speed up change control processes, and improve speed of response – all of which adds up to a considerable return on investment. One of the biggest costs relates to risk; a good QMS will substantially reduce the risk of incorrect documentation like specifications or inspections being used and can thus provide a difficult to quantify, yet significant savings. Depending on the scope of implementation, a QMS can offer return on investment in as little as 12 months.

Myth 5: Risk of losing data with an Electronic Quality Management System

One of the more persistent myths associated with QMS systems involves the perception that the electronic storage of data is somehow riskier than retaining paper versions of the data. In fact, electronic documents are far safer than any other methods of documentation. Ask yourself a question: Do you back up the files in your cabinet every day? Probably not, but with an electronic QMS, you can create a backup of all your data every night, therefore ensuring that your data is always safe and secure. Do you have a copy of your paper system off site? With an electronic QMS, this is normal – or at least it should be.

When you are looking for ways to save administrative costs, increase employee productivity, improve business performance, and speed up the customer response process, an electronic QMS is a must-have. Deploying a QMS through on-demand / SaaS solution is a hassle-free and cost-effective route for small and medium sized enterprises.

Kanupriya is a copywriter for Proquis. Proquis offers web-based compliance management and process mapping & analysis software. Proquis software provides enterprise-wide automation of processes, complete audit trail and an efficient document change management with the affordable Proquis On Demand software solution. Visit http://www.proquis.com to request a live demonstration of Proquis software.

Author: Kanupriya Bhatli
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

That’s why a growing number of spa operators from coast to coast are turning to online reservation software to help them automate and improve their appointment-scheduling processes.

WHAT IS ONLINE SPA SCHEDULING SOFTWARE?

Online spa scheduling software programs are what are commonly known as Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, whereby users access online services through a Web site or online portal. In layman’s terms, these programs function just like online banking or checking e-mail. All that’s required from the user is an Internet connection.

Pricing can vary among scheduling providers, but many programs are cost-effective and fit into any spa operating budget. Some providers, like Appointment-Plus, offer free trials of their product, which is a great way for a spa operator and staff members to get a feel for the software and determine if it will meet their specific scheduling requirements.

Once the spa operator creates an account, the spa operator typically has the ability to customize the scheduler to best fit his or her appointment needs. This includes settings-such as days and hours of operation, services offered, and adding staff members that customers can choose from for specific services-and tailoring the look and feel of scheduler, such as incorporating your spa colors and adding a logo or other images.

Spas that use online reservation systems often experience both time and monetary savings. Since it can automate the entire scheduling process, it relieves staff of the burdensome task of managing appointments and client information. This frees them up for other responsibilities. It also reduces the number of errors and scheduling mistakes encountered at many spas that can affect an operation’s bottom line.

Although functionality can vary among spa scheduling software providers, standard features found in many applications include:

Online customer self-scheduling. Customers with Internet access can view available days and times and book their appointments online and at their own convenience. This allows individuals to schedule appointments even during non-business hours and closed days.

Automated e-mail and text message reminders. Schedulers will automatically send these to scheduled customers prior to their appointments. Not only do customers appreciate receiving these, the reminders can also reduce the number of “no-shows” who don’t make their appointments. In fact, survey results have shown they can decrease the number of no-shows by over 50 percent.

Online payment options. Many individuals prefer to pay for services when making a reservation or booking an appointment. Some applications provide spa operators with payment options they can incorporate into their schedulers.

Record-keeping and report-generating capabilities. Spas, like most businesses, must accurately track their appointments, customer information and transactions. Spa scheduling software generally stores these details securely in a centralized location, making it easy to gather. Additionally, some applications offer pre-set reports,

E-marketing opportunities. Many spas e-mail their customers to inform them of discounts, specials, events and other pertinent information. Online scheduling systems can make this important task easy, as spa operators can quickly access and pull a list of client e-mails. Additionally, they can incorporate a link or button in their newsletter that directs them right to their online scheduler.

Easy accessibility. Because they’re Web-based, online scheduling programs are accessible from any Internet connection. Staff members stationed at different locations, desks and offices throughout the spa facility can easily view and manage appointments. And customers can book and manage their appointments from their laptops and mobile devices.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN ONLINE SPA SCHEDULING SOFTWARE

Spa operators will find numerous software providers when searching for scheduling applications. Although they may seem similar, they can be quite different, especially when it comes to functionality. It is, therefore, important to properly research scheduling software programs and their specific features before choosing.
Areas of consideration include:

Web-based software. If a spa operator determines that Web-based scheduling software is their best bet, make sure that the software is indeed Web-based. These Internet applications typically do not require any installation or downloads. They also do not require expensive hardware to properly utilize.

Security. Security is important, considering the flow of customer information into the online scheduler. Most SaaS businesses incorporate the latest security measures to ensure their customer’s data is safe, as well as schedule regular back-ups. Inquiring on safety precautions can give spa operators the peace of mind that their customers’ information will be safe.

Reliability. Since appointment-scheduling is such an important component of a spa’s operating procedure, it’s imperative that spa operators choose a program that will be dependable for its daily transactions. As mentioned above, some providers offer a free trial of the product. Take advantage of this to learn whether the scheduling software being considered is reliable and can handle the spa’s scheduling needs.

Payment options. No business like long-term contracts. Spa operations are no exception. Luckily, some online providers offer their customers flexible payment options, such as month-to-month.

Incorporating an online scheduling application into a spa’s operations can have a positive impact on the way both staff and clients book appointments. It’s cost effective, generally easy to customize and use, and simplifies appointment-setting procedures. And it can help take your spa processes to the next level!

Eric Richard is the public relations specialist for Appointment-Plus, an online scheduling system that has booked over 45 million appointments and reservations since its launch in 2001. Over 3,500 businesses throughout the United States, Canada and 10 other countries rely on the software for such tasks as scheduling customer reservation and appointment times, booking rooms, facilities and equipment, accepting online payments, sending reminders, and e-marketing. Its developer is StormSource Software, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based technology firm specializing in the development of online appointment software for a wide variety of applications and industries.

Author: Eric Richard
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Although the choices are endless, one important area often overlooked is appointment scheduling. It’s a vital part of most salon operations, and one that businesses can easily automate with online scheduling software.

THE CHALLENGES OF ACCURATE APPOINTMENT-SETTING

Salons rely on accurate appointment scheduling to ensure smooth operations for their stylists and customers. Think of the mayhem that could ensue if this didn’t happen: Incorrect appointment times, double-bookings for the same stylist, clients not showing up for their scheduled appointments. Most salon operators are keenly aware of this and take appointment scheduling seriously. However, the manner in which they book appointments and manage client information may not be the most efficient.

The traditional manner of scheduling appointments-and one that some salon operators still rely upon-involves taking appointments by phone and writing them into a paper appointment book. Some may substitute the appointment book for an electronic calendar such as Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar. In either case, the process involves a receptionist or stylist answering the phone, checking an appointment book or calendar for availability, and then manually entering the information.

Not only is this method inefficient and time-consuming, it can also require stylists to take time away from their clients to answer the phone and take appointments, especially at salons that do not employ a receptionist. It also does not give clients an option of booking their appointments online and at their convenience, especially during non-business hours when the salon is closed.

Additionally, this scheduling process can also make it difficult to easily and accurately conduct other related tasks, such as record-keeping, creating reports and communicating with clients.

A growing number of salon operators recognize the challenges this manner of booking appointments and managing client information can create, which is why many are turning to online scheduling

THE BASICS OF ONLINE APPOINTMENT-SCHEDULING SOFTWARE

Most online reservation systems are Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, whereby salon operators access the software through a Web site or other online portal. The concept is similar to online banking or e-mail: A user navigates to a Web page, logs in, and then manages his or her account. Once a salon operator or staffer establishes an account, he or she can then customize the online scheduler to best meet the needs of the salon.

Although features differ from provider to provider, most offer such standard functionality as:

• Online Self-Scheduling. Considered the most beneficial feature by many users, this functionality allows salon clients to securely access an online scheduler, view available dates, times and services, and then book their appointment. Because it’s Web-based, clientele can access it at any time of day and not just during salon business hours.

• Automated E-mail and Text Message Reminders. A major disruption for many salon operators and stylists are “no-shows” who fail to appear for their appointments. These not only affect the appointment schedule, but can also cut into a salon’s bottom line, as “no-shows” take up spots that other clients could schedule appointments for. Surveys results show that proper use of reminders can reduce the “no-show” rate by over 50 percent. Clients will also appreciate receiving them prior to their scheduled appointment.

• Online Payment Options. If permitted by the salon, some online scheduling software providers give users the option of allowing clients to pay for services online at the time they book their appointments.

• E-marketing. As the system collects and manages all entered client information, online schedulers offer a perfect tool for a salon’s e-marketing campaign. Users can effortlessly pull e-mail and contact information for communicating updates, discounts, specials and other relevant information to clients.

• Record-Keeping and Reports.Accurate record-keeping is important to business operations, but collecting, managing and analyzing client data can be a tedious process, especially when pulling information from different files, folders and other sources. Most scheduling software programs offer report-generating capabilities, allowing salons to get an accurate analysis of their appointments and clients.

WEB-BASED VERSUS TRADITIONAL SOFTWARE

As mentioned above, salon operators can choose from a variety of online scheduling programs. Although each salon operates differently and has its specific needs, Web-based software is usually an operator’s best bet for automating their appointment processes. Here are the reasons why:

• Accessibility. Probably the most important difference between the two, online appointment-scheduling software offers salon operators and stylists the ability to access their accounts and schedules from any Internet location. More traditional software installed on an individual typically restricts user access to that computer. Although it may provide access from outside the home, office or other place where it’s located, it usually requires additional steps to accomplish this.

• The Self-Scheduling Feature. A popular feature among users that’s essential for automating the scheduling process, self-scheduling is a natural fit for a SaaS application. More traditional software programs may offer this functionality, but it would most likely be an expensive alternative to Web-based technology, given the extensive programming and set-up procedures necessary to permit this service on existing computer networks and systems. Online reservation systems also make it easier to automate e-mail and text message reminders.

• Cost. As with any new purchase, cost will be an issue at most salons. Prices can vary, from free to thousands of dollars. Web-based software is usually the more affordable choice and offers the best functionality. Some service providers offer month-to-month payments options as well as longer contracts.

The economic conditions of the past few years have shown that businesses must be willing to do more with less to stay afloat. Technological advancements such as online appointment-scheduling software make this transition easy for owners, operators and staff. Not only does it provide tremendous benefit to the overall business activities of salon operators, it also provides a much-appreciated benefit to customers. Give online scheduling software a try and watch as it “untangles” your appointment-setting processes.

Eric Richard is the public relations specialist for Appointment-Plus, an online scheduling system that has booked over 45 million appointments and reservations since its launch in 2001. Over 3,500 businesses throughout the United States, Canada and 10 other countries rely on the software for such tasks as scheduling customer reservation and appointment times, booking rooms, facilities and equipment, accepting online payments, sending reminders, and e-marketing. Its developer is StormSource Software, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based technology firm specializing in the development of online appointment software for a wide variety of applications and industries.

Author: Eric Richard
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The SaaS or service software usually deploys software over the internet for customer’s use. The exclusive feature of this application is that instead of installing the software on a website or database, the customers can access the application from anywhere while using internet. The objective of deploying service software is to let users access their data with a pass code while reducing their investments on server hardware and also for reducing hiring costs. The benefits of these services are:

Saving money as customers can save by not buying servers or additional software to support use as everything is functional with the help of internet

These services are easy to use

Flexibility and customizable options to suit particular needs

Smart work scheduling for focusing budgets on competitive advantage instead of infrastructure etc.

With the help of these programs it has become easy to streamline operations by providing CRM, job management, scheduling, equipment tracking, employee and vendor management, reporting, accounting and inventory management etc. All these operations can now be processed and accessed from any computer, laptop or PDA with the use of an internet connection. The concept of service software is best suited for cutting costs on scheduling and operating by a cost effective method for medium to large sized businesses. In addition these services are also customizable at fraction of costs to suit various business needs according to individual portfolios.

The software can also be branded to the precise specifications and is hosted and maintained in a very secure environment. Bella Solutions is a recognized provider of web based applications like Field Service Management Software or SaaS. The company promises to infuse cutting edge technology with creative visions to deliver expert high tech web based solutions for managing any kind of field based business operations. To know more, please browse through www.bellasolutions.com.

Bella provides easy-to-use web based Field Service Software uniquely designed to streamline Scheduling, Dispatch, Customer Management, Work Orders, Employees, Subcontractors, Inventory, Estimates, Invoicing, and Accounting entirely online.

Author: Maria Casinova
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Cash crunch
Expensive, and mostly unavailable human resources
Aging population of senior cadre of technology experts, due to retire
Difficulty in scaling up, scaling down due to immigration laws, union policies, business cultural attitudes
Among other pain points

In today’s networked world, companies that are not operating from the Internet, or from desktops are at a clear disadvantage.

The offshore software development company is in the forefront of the new wave of solutions that address these issues, which are most acutely felt in the West. Professional research groups, such as Gartner, point to offshore software development in India as a hub of growth for offshore software companies, and product development companies. Other centers include Ireland, Canada and Israel, and to an extent, South Africa and Brazil.

The need for an offshore software development company is felt primarily by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Software As A Service (SAAS) enterprises, Software Enabled Companies, and non IT companies. ISVs are either entrepreneurs or established companies, whose business is to spot a market opportunity for software, and develop and market the software. SAAS enterprises are companies such as salesforce.com, whose software provides muscle to sales teams around the world. Software enabled companies are those whose business is enabled by, especially web based software, such as travel and hospitality portals. And, there are non IT companies whose offerings include some form of customized software as a value added service for their customers.

Present estimates place the market opportunity for offshore software development companies at US$350 billion, and growing.

The services that are provided by a typical product development company in India include, but are not limited to:

New Product Development
Product Enhancement, Patches
Product Migration, Extensibility
Sustenance
Product integration
Testing and QA of products
Maintenance of existing products

This article is contributed by BrickRed Technologies, headquartered at a state-of-art offshore development center in a Tier I offshoring city, Noida, Delhi. Every day, some of the world’s most hardworking organizations rely on our software and engineering skills to serve their customers safely, securely and reliably. With offices in the US, UK and Dubai, BrickRed provides services for end-to-end development of commercial grade software products and applications to start ups, emerging and established technology companies and IT enabled organizations. Our work has been endorsed by leading industry experts: The Black Book of Outsourcing, Red Herring Asia, Deloitte Fast 500, and Microsoft, among them.

Adam George is a well known writer. He has written many articles on various topics including outsourcing, Presently writing on Software services, Offshore Software Development Company, Product Development Company and other Software testing services.

Author: Adam George
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

There are a number of solutions available today and the options are often changing, as the industry itself is very dynamic and in a state of flux as progress is made and new opportunities arise. A number of options are available, depending on the position of the purchaser and cloud computing information is available for those who seek access to platform as a service, software as a service or infrastructure as a service to help them. A number of major “players” exist in the marketplace, the cloud servers, applications, and storage services. As cloud computing becomes more mature, a number of different integrators will emerge and management entities, such as enStratus, occupy the position of advisor, overseer and manager.

For potential users looking for cloud computing information on software as a service, it is important to distinguish this option as it allows the ability to access complicated software without any upfront licensing, investment or server capacity. There is a proliferation of different applications and these are being targeted to users large and small, especially by the major players such as Google.

Platform as a service allows a more robust user to run an application on a provider’s infrastructure. This is a great place for development.

Infrastructure as a service is an all-encompassing option, where a user basically outsources and uses the provider’s servers, hardware, networking, support and storage capabilities.

The major organizations providing cloud computing information and facilities to users include Amazon Web Service, Rackspace, Terremark, Microsoft and a host of others, some smaller and more niche oriented. The leading cloud provider that is suitable for almost any kind of organization is probably Amazon. Rackspace offers on demand scalable website, storage hosting and application options. Windows Azure functions as an operating system in the cloud, where hosting, management and development of the Azure platform is coordinated.

There are many cloud computing information that is available for potential users, from the major organizations offering the service and it would come as confusing to some who are relatively new to this concept. This is where the selection of an impartial management entity should be considered, so that the organization’s best interests can be served and the entire system can be “watched over” by a third-party entity at the same time.

enStratus is a cloud infrastructure management solution for deploying and managing enterprise-class applications in the cloud. enStratus has a multi-cloud architecture that focuses on security and high availability for mission-critical web applications. Learn more at http://www.enstratus.com

Author: George Hadjiyanis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

WHAT IS ONLINE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING?

Online appointment scheduling is what’s typically known as Software as a Service (SaaS), an online program that users access through the Internet or a secured online portal. Geared primarily toward large and small businesses that have a need for an efficient appointment and reservation system, SaaS scheduling providers typically charge a fee for using the software, which the user can set up and manage by logging into his or her account. Think of e-mail and online banking or shopping. It’s the same principle.

Generally, online scheduling systems do a good job of pinpointing the specific needs of its clientele, and most providers offer functionality relevant to scheduling and managing appointments and customer, patient and student information. This includes:

• Online self-scheduling. Clients, customers, patients and students can book and manage their own appointments online. This can significantly reduce the number of phone calls and e-mails the business or organization receives.

• Automated e-mail and text message reminders. “No-shows” can have a dramatic negative impact on business operations. Surveys have shown that appointment reminders can help reduce these by 50 percent. However, many operators do not have the time or resources to call or e-mail clients, patients or students prior to their scheduled appointments. Automatic e-mail and text message reminders accomplish this without any effort on the part of the business or organization. Appointment-scheduling software typically sends these to both the owner/operator and the scheduled individual.

• Customizable templates. To help design a scheduling page that best fits their individual preferences and focus, some scheduling software allows users to incorporate specific color schemes, images, logos and other objects for that perfect look.

• Record-keeping and report-generating capabilities. Businesses and organizations typically depend on accurate, easy-to-create reports to examine the overall productivity of their operations. Managing multiple files and folders can be tedious. Some online schedulers give users the ability to manage and easily access this information from one central location.

• E-marketing capabilities. Many online appointment-scheduling software applications also provide excellent opportunities for e-marketing, as your current and past client information e-mails are readily available. It’s a great way to communicate specials, events and other information with them.

HOW IT’S DIFFERENT THAN A GOOGLE CALENDAR

When it comes down to it, online appointment-scheduling software and Google Calendar really are two different things.

Google Calendar is, well, a calendar. Designed primarily for individual users, it provides a free and efficient way to store and manage events, as well as receive event reminders. As a Web-based application, it, too, can be accessed from any Internet connection and can synchronize with many mobile devices, such the iPhone and Blackberry, as well as PC applications such as Microsoft Outlook. You can use Google Calendar to share your events with friends or the public, as well as invite guests to an event. You can also send reminders to those guests.

It serves its purpose, but does not provide most businesses with the functionality they need to adequately manage their appointments, reservation and bookings. Scheduling software companies like Appointment-Plus know what businesses and organizations need in appointment-setting solutions and continuously examine ways of improving functionality and creating new, beneficial features. Who better to develop and improve on small business scheduling solutions than appointment software providers, who typically are small businesses themselves and can better relate to the every-changing needs of their clientele?

Google Calendar lacks important functionality in several areas, which reinforces the notion that its primary purpose is that of a personal calendar rather than a small business tool. Limited or missing features include:

• Scheduling “rules.” These are important for successful scheduling, both internal and online self-scheduling. Not having the ability to properly manage days and times-when customers can schedule, blocking off days and times, limiting the number of registrations-can have a negative impact on business operations. In fact, a small business owner or staff may spend more time managing it than they would with a paper appointment book and phoned-in appointments.

• Sufficient database capability. A robust database is vital to small business operations. Not only does it accurately store customer information to access and review, owners and staff can use it to record notes and other details, as well as use it as a mailing list for e-marketing campaigns. Because it stores entire customer contact records and business-related information, it eliminates the need for maintaining separate files and folders. It’s a beneficial component of a proper scheduling application…and one that Google Calendar lacks.

• Credit card processing. Most small businesses charge for their services. And most who offer online payment of these services realize the benefit, both from their end and their customers. Some appointment-scheduling systems allow for “point-of-sale” functionality on their clients’ scheduler pages. Google Calendar and similar applications either do not provide this capability or require additional steps to incorporate it.

• Multiple Locations. Another advantage of online appointment-scheduling software is the ability to manage appointments and staff at multiple locations, a feature that’s not available in Google Calendar. A business or organization would have to create a separate calendar for each of its offices, sites and other locations. To centralize scheduling and client information, a merging of the calendar data would be necessary, which can be a difficult and time-consuming task.

For a business owner just starting out or making his or her first venture into online scheduling solutions, these inefficiencies may not appear to be a stumbling block to accepting and managing appointments and reservations. However, they can have a tremendous impact on a small business operation and may force the owner and staff to rethink the way they handle their appointments and reservations.

EXAMPLE

A good way to demonstrate how a business owner realizes the importance of online scheduling software is through a “real-life” scenario.

John Smith, a personal fitness trainer, left a position at a large health club to start his own personal-training business. He found a small office to conduct his sessions and began advertising his business. In a short amount of time, his clientele rose from a handful to several dozen. Business was good, but his scheduling procedure was not.

While employed at the health club, Smith used a Google Calendar to personally manage his appointments. A receptionist and support staff was responsible for client scheduling and management, which included online client self-scheduling and processing session fees. Additionally, they monitored the schedule to prevent double-bookings.

Unfortunately, Google Calendar does not offer the functionality Smith needed for his growing business. He tried using the application for online scheduling, only to find that client double-booking occurred. After discontinuing online scheduling, he got bombarded with phone calls from clients looking to schedule and cancel sessions, which interrupted his sessions. Because the calendar lacks adequate database capability, he was unable to use it for e-marketing and general communication with his clients. And it didn’t give him the ability to process credit-card transactions. Without a receptionist or support staff, he found himself spending long hours managing his calendar and clients.

Smith soon learned that a change was necessary, which came in the form of online appointment-scheduling software. With this technology, he’s been able to completely automate his scheduling procedures. His clients now book and manage their appointments and session information securely online. They also pay for their sessions through the point-of-sale feature available on the scheduler. Smith also receives e-mail notifications when clients schedule, change and cancel their sessions.

Thanks to online scheduling software, his focus is on his business and clients, not managing sessions.

Google Calendar can be a perfect tool for your own personal appointments. However, when it comes to managing appointments and reservations, as well as your clients, you just can’t beat Web-based scheduling software. Appointments are its business….it’s what it was designed to do.

Eric Richard is the public relations specialist for Appointment-Plus, an online scheduling system that has booked over 45 million appointments and reservations since its launch in 2001. Almost 4,000 businesses throughout the United States, Canada and 10 other countries rely on the software for such tasks as scheduling customer reservation and appointment times, booking rooms, facilities and equipment, accepting online payments, sending reminders, and e-marketing. Its developer is StormSource Software, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based technology firm specializing in the development of online appointment software for a wide variety of applications and industries.

Author: Eric Richard
Article Source: EzineArticles.com