The Manifest Spotlights Krystosoft as the Most Reviewed B2B Partner for 2024

This year has been an incredibly fruitful year for us at Krystosoft because we recently unlocked another remarkable milestone with the support of our clients. We’re thrilled to announce that our team was once again honored during The Manifest Company Awards for Pakistan and the United Kingdom’s most reviewed B2B leaders!

Earlier this year, we shared our win as Dubai’s trusted leader, now we are celebrating again a win for our work in two of our major markets. In the latest B2B research on The Manifest, Krystosoft was spotlighted for our expertise in IT services, staff augmentation, eCommerce, web development, and mobile app development this 2024!

When we started this journey 2 years ago, we already aimed high, setting our goals to become the best partner for innovation and cutting-edge technologies. We are genuinely honored to receive this extraordinary award again in just our second year in the industry.

The Manifest is a B2B news resource designed to help browsers connect with reliable service providers. The site is known for its yearly awards cycle that celebrates outstanding leaders from different sectors and locations. The awardees are carefully chosen based on the quantity of honest testimonials they’ve accumulated over the preceding year. 

It is a tremendous privilege and honor for us to celebrate this phenomenal moment. Thank you so much to all of our wonderful partners. We dedicate this success to your support and trust. The projects you’ve entrusted us with allowed us to reach this feat. We assure you that we will continue to give it our all to help you succeed. Create customized, robust, and cutting-edge technologies with Krystosoft. Drop us a line and let us connect. We’re excited to hear more from you.

The Future of Mobile App Development: 8 Trends to Look for in 2024

Mobile app development has been one of the trendy and innovative things in town. And why shouldn’t it be? After all, even you’re probably also reading this blog on a web browser’s app. Statistics show that people spent 3.8 trillion hours in 2022 while browsing through mobile apps. 

Thus, we can see that the use of mobile apps is greatly increasing. However, the advancement of technology indicates the emergence of new trends in the field of mobile app development as consumer tastes and preferences continue to change. 

In today’s blog, we’ll delve into the 8 Trends in mobile development that you should be prepared for in 2024. 

Mobile App Development Trends in 2024- What Is the Future of Mobile App  Development? 

The top eight trends in the world of mobile app development are as follows:

  1. Machine Learning
  1. Internet of Things
  1. 5G Technology
  1. AR and VR 
  1. Cloud Computing
  1. Mobile Wallets
  1. Progressive Web Apps
  1. Chatbots
  1. Machine learning

Once a futuristic concept, machine learning is now a reality. It has changed the way how we interact with apps. Now apps provide us with customized suggestions based on the information we have provided. 

Now, you can expect apps to: 

Provide enhanced recommendations: 

For example, if a fitness app knows your routine and personality, it can provide you with workout and app recommendations based on this routine.  For instance, If you’re skinny fat, the fitness app can provide you with a customized diet plan that helps you gain weight and simultaneously lose fat in your body. It can also provide you with workout recommendations to complement your diet routine. 

Give improved replies through chatbots: 

ML-based chatbots can give excellent replies based on linguistic learning. Based on the tone and nature of your query, they can provide customized replies to respond exactly in the way intended. For example, if the tone of your query is aggressive, the chatbot will reply in a manner that is consolating and reassuring. 

2. Internet of things

The Internet of Things is another major trend to look out for in the world of mobile app development. Now, apps are not just prepared for mobile devices, but also for smart TVs and Wearables. Thus, when developing an app, developers must ensure that the app is fully functional for all IoT devices. 

For an app to function on the IoT, it should be: 

  • Easily connecting amongst various IoT devices.
  • Collect data from all connected devices.
  • Have good security protocols to ensure data privacy.
  • Have the ability to function offline to ensure peak performance.

Thus, when developing apps for IoT devices, developers must take care of these functionalities. 

  1. 5G technology

5G technology plays an important role in mobile app development. The 5G networks offer improved speed as compared to their predecessors. 

Now, developers can develop:

  • Console-quality games for mobile users.
  • Cloud-based servers to support multiplayer gaming experiences and support data storage.
  • Apps that support higher video streaming qualities, allowing users to watch better live streams and view ultra HD content on their cell phones.
  1. AR and VR

      AR(Augmented Reality) and VR(Virtual Reality) are a great innovation in the field of mobile app development. Now, developers can develop: 

  • Enhanced app experiences, such as encouraging virtual try-ons for e-commerce stores.
  • Interactive learning experiences for learning apps by helping users interact with tables and diagrams. 
  • Location-based gaming apps that allow users to encounter and interact with players in a virtual environment, rather than only on-screen. 
  1. Cloud computing

Cloud computing is another game-changing trend in the world of mobile application development. With cloud computing, developers can: 

  • Access the best code and information remotely with just an internet connection.
  • Eliminate the costs of buying software and maintaining large data servers.
  • Manage their budgets more efficiently because of the cloud’s pay-as-you-go model.
  • Integrate cloud platforms with CI/CD pipelines to boost efficiency. 

    Thus, cloud computing makes development more efficient, and saves developer costs. 

  1. Mobile Wallets

Mobile wallets are becoming increasingly popular and play a key role in the future of mobile app development. In 2022, almost half of the world’s ecommerce transactions were done through mobile wallets. Thus, we can see that they have a growing influence and are a preferred mode of payment.

Mobile wallets provide features such as: 

  • P2P payments: Make payments and pay bills through your cellphone.
  • Enhanced security: Through measures such as two-factor authentication and biometric verification. 
  • Integration:  Mobile wallets can  integrate into loyalty programs and rewards to encourage more customers to buy products.
  1. Progressive Web Apps

Whereas Native apps rely on app store discovery, PWAs are available on the internet. PWAs provide numerous benefits for developers, such as:

  • Developing apps through a single codebase for the browser, Android, and IOS platforms.
  • No need for an app store download as they are available directly on the browser.
  • Improved chances for search engine optimization (SEO) as they can be indexed directly from the browser.

     Hence, PWAs are the future of mobile app development.

  1. Chatbots

      Chatbots are another amazing trend in the world of mobile app development.

      Chatbots offer numerous benefits, such as: 

  • 24/7 availability and response to customer queries.
  • Ability to react to customer queries appropriately by identifying the tone of language.
  • Automating repetitive tasks such as scheduling appointments and sending automated replies to repeat customer queries.

Thus, chatbots make answering customer queries very easy and are an essential part of shaping the future of mobile app development.

Now that we know about the 8 trends in mobile app development to look for in 2024, let us recap what we learned throughout the blog. 

Conclusion

The mobile app landscape is constantly evolving, and developers need to stay ahead of the curve to create successful apps. This blog post explored eight key trends that are poised to shape the future of mobile app development in 2024. By understanding and embracing these trends, mobile app developers can create apps that are not only functional but also engaging, secure, and personalized to meet the ever-changing needs of users in 2024.

20 Must-Have Features for Your ERP HR Software

In today’s modern era, having ERP HR software greatly reduces the HR department’s burden and automates multiple tasks, leading to fewer errors and quick results. 

The success of ERP HR software can be seen through data from softwarepath.com, which shows us that as of 2021, 73.45% of companies in the United States used HRIS software. Thus, we can see that the concept of ERP HR software is highly successful. 

But, how do we create such software? What features must be part of such software? In this blog, we’ll discuss the 20 must-have features to have as part of your ERP software in 2024.

The Crucial Features of ERP HR Software

  1.  Employee Self-Service (ESS)

One of the best features of ERP HR software is the ability for employee self-service. This feature empowers employees by enabling them to apply for leave, read company policies, and update their personal information. This function reduces the burden on HR staff, allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities.

  1.  Time Tracking and Attendance

Another must-have feature in an ERP HR software is time tracking and attendance. Gone are the days of employees opening up a register to write down their attendance. The time tracking and attendance feature automatically addresses this concern. 

  1.  Managing Payroll

This software like Flow HCM provides the ability to manage payroll. This software automatically records the hours that an employee has worked, as well as daily attendance. As a result, now HR doesn’t need to manually compute employee payroll, leading to fewer mistakes, and accurate results.

  1.  Recruitment and Applicant Tracking

Recruitment and applicant tracking easily helps HR officers identify and filter the relevant candidates. Thus, as an HR officer, you don’t need to sit with a stack of CVs and search for the best ones. This HR software does the work for you. 

  1.   Performance Management

A good ERP software has robust features for performance management. It has options to provide feedback and track performance through various metrics which eliminates the need to hold tedious meetings. 

  1.  Learning and Development System 

To keep HR personnel aware of the latest trends and insights about HR, customized HR software should also have a learning and development system. This allows learning options to be extremely accessible to HR employees. 

  1.  Benefits Administration Dashboard

Another important feature to have in an this software is the “benefits administration dashboard.” This feature eliminates the need for employees to fill up large forms to avail of certain benefits such as health insurance. 

  1.  Compliance and Reporting

Compliance management/adhering to the local rules and regulations requires strict monitoring to ensure that every standard is being adhered to. Moreover, this software monitors these compliance measures and also generates reports, which allows HR to easily analyze the situation and take corrective action, as needed. 

  1.   Leave Management System

A robust leave management system allows employees to automatically request leaves from their line managers. Now, they don’t need to continuously remind their boss, or book an appointment to discuss their leaves. A leave management system also helps them check how many leaves they have in store. 

10. Employee Onboarding and Offboarding

Remember the days when employee onboarding meant making employees wait for hours in the meeting room just to make them fill up the paperwork for their onboarding? Now, that’s not the case, as this software automates both the onboarding and off-boarding process. 

11. Records Management

The robust integration of this top-notch software allows the organization to easily update and delete employee records as required, eliminating the need for extra paperwork. 

12. Promotion/Succession Planning

By leveraging AI, it can easily identify the pathway towards succession, and based on employee skills, choose the candidates that are most suitable for a promotion.

13.  Analytics and Reporting

This software can also gather data from activities that have taken place during a certain period. Based on this activity it can provide valuable information, such as employee turnover rates and workforce morale. This allows the HR  department to take quick action and correct whatever is going wrong. 

14. Mobile Accessibility

An ERP HR software should be available to mobile users, allowing employees to view the needed information from their cellphones, rather than requiring them to open the software on their desktops/laptops. 

15. Multilingual Support

Diversity is a part of organizations that have employees from various cultures. An Erp HR software can promote this culture of diversity by providing multilingual instructions for employees of different languages. 

16. Employee Engagement Instruments

Rather than HR spending time creating and mailing feedback surveys to employees, the Erp HR software should automatically do the trick, by generating AI-assisted surveys and mailing them to employee mailing lists. The software should automatically gather the results of these surveys and conduct them into relevant metrics needed for study by the HR department. 

17. Data Protection and Security

With Erp HR software having large amounts of employee data such as medical information, salary amounts, and bank accounts, it is important to have strong data protection and security measures. This ensures that employee data is not compromised and used for negative purposes. 

18. Capability to Integrate with Other Functionalities

Integration of Erp HR software with other functions such as project management helps measure employee progress. Thus, the ability to integrate easily is an important feature of any Erp HR Software. 

19.  Automating Workflows

An Erp HR software should streamline and automate workflows to allow for quicker responses to routine tasks such as recruitment and performance management. Automating workflows removes this burden from HR’s shoulders. 

20. Customization and Scalability

Just like any customized solution, ERP software for the HR department should have the room needed to upscale itself according to the changing needs of the organization. 

The Ending Note

Selecting the right ERP HR software with the essential features mentioned above is crucial for optimizing HR management, enhancing employee satisfaction, and driving organizational success.

By investing in a comprehensive ERP HR solution that aligns with your organization’s needs and objectives, you can streamline HR processes, improve data accuracy, facilitate informed decision-making, and create a positive and engaging work environment for your employees.

7 Top-notch Steps of ERP Software Development in 2024

ERP software has done numerous wonders for businesses by streamlining various functions and bringing the turn toward automation. This software provides solutions for numerous functions, such as inventory planning, and aligning resources. Erp software development comes in four major forms, such as on-premise, cloud-based, small business, and industry-specific ERP. Regardless, building ERP software from scratch can be a tedious task. 

In today’s blog, we’ll look at the seven essential steps to help you build ERP software from scratch. So stay tuned and keep reading. Without further ado, let’s dive into it. 

Hassle-free ERP Software Development: 7 Crucial Steps

Step 1: Consider Your Objectives 

Before diving into ERP software development, make sure to consider your objectives. Think carefully and brainstorm your business needs, such as what employees need, or where the business lacks in terms of providing efficiency. 

You can do this by surveying to gather feedback from employees and customers. The collective result of the response to those surveys helps you identify which needs of your business you need to address. 

Step 2: Get All Stakeholders On-Board

Once you have defined the needs of your business, make sure to get the relevant stakeholders in the loop. 

Tell them about your ERP software development idea, introduce your project, and ask them for their input. Their input will provide you with a beacon to help you navigate your project’s direction. 

For example, if your relevant stakeholders are your accountants, ask them what they feel should exactly be part of the accounting project. Their input will provide you with a roadmap about what functionalities you should include.

Step 3: Start Designing the System Architecture

Once you have all the information needed to begin the ERP software development, think about what essentials you need to begin designing your system architecture. In this scenario, choose the appropriate programming language, framework, and tools. 

For example, depending on what objectives you aim to achieve, you need to choose the relevant front-end and back-end technologies, such as React, Angular, Node.Js, and Django. 

You’ll also need Database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. So first, start identifying the relevant technologies needed to complete your project. 

Once you have all the technologies in hand, start identifying your software’s integration points with other applications, such as CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and payment gateways. Define the APIs, protocols, and data formats for seamless data exchange and integration.

Step 4: Develop Core Modules and Features 

Once you have collected the full tech stack and identified vital integration points, now is the time to start developing the core modules and features of your ERP software. This part of ERP software development involves writing code, implementing algorithms, and integrating components of the ERP software. 

So, start developing the core functionalities of your project. For example, if you’re developing accounting software, develop functionalities such as recording journal entries, preparing invoices, and generating financial statements and reports. 

But, only developing the input functionalities isn’t enough. You also need to implement a data-producing framework, such as reporting and dashboard features. These features help you do better reporting from your ERP software. 

Step 5: Conduct Testing

Once you have developed the core functionalities of your ERP software, now is the time to test for bugs and errors. So, conduct unit testing to evaluate the performance of individual components and functions. 

Next, conduct integration testing to ensure that all modules of your software work together effectively without any hindrances. Lastly, conduct user acceptance testing by bringing in real-time users to try the software and give their feedback. 

Step 6: Deploy the Software

Once you have conducted testing of your project, now comes the last part of custom ERP software development,  which involves deploying the software and making it live for all users. Carefully plan the deployment strategy step-by-step to ensure that the users can gradually adapt to the new software. 

Besides deploying the software, continuously train your workforce to work on it. This will speed up the time they take to adapt to the new software, and also quickly address any concerns that they may have. 

Step 7: Monitor and Update 

The final step in ERP software development is to continuously monitor the software for any glitches and areas for improvement. Continuous monitoring ensures that any defects are addressed on the spot, leading to the smooth functioning of the software.

Monitoring also helps you identify any shortcomings in the software. As a result, you can update the software regularly to add new features and remove glitches and bugs. 

Continuous monitoring and system upgradation are important to keep the software aligned with the evolving business needs. 

The Ending Note

Developing ERP software from scratch is a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. By following the seven-step process outlined in this blog post, you can create a robust, scalable, and user-friendly ERP software that meets the specific needs and objectives of your business.

Remember, developing an ERP software is not a one-time project but an ongoing process. It requires continuous collaboration, communication, and commitment from all stakeholders to ensure the success of the ERP implementation and the long-term value it provides to the organization.

So, roll up your sleeves, gather your team, and embark on the exciting journey of developing ERP software from scratch. With the right approach, dedication, and effort, you can create a powerful and efficient ERP system that transforms your business operations and drives growth and success.

The Manifest Hails Krystosoft as one of the Most-Reviewed App Developers in the United Arab Emirates

A lot of successful companies and enterprises in the world are utilizing some form of mobile or web application. These new technologies have been gaining popularity thanks to their incredible solutions and other useful features. Learn how an app can revolutionize your business and take it to its full potential today by partnering with our team at Krystosoft! 

At Krystosoft, we’re experts at transforming creative concepts into superior digital goods. Our committed teams thrive at providing customized solutions across a spectrum of essential digital services with a client-centric approach. We are aware of how the industry is changing and combine innovation and tried-and-true methods to provide practical, affordable solutions that enable the expansion and scalability of your company.

We are proud to announce that our team has been recently named as one of the most-reviewed app developers in the United Arab Emirates by none other than The Manifest. It is a huge accomplishment for us to be listed on The Manifest as one of the best in our space. This is also proof of our passion for developing and delivering innovative and high-quality solutions in the market.

In case you didn’t know, The Manifest is a business blog website that aims to gather and verify the hard data, expert insights, and actionable advice that you need to build your brand and grow your business – to provide the practical business wisdom that manifests in your success.

Lastly, we would like to express our gratitude to our clients and partners who have supported us throughout the years. You guys are the reason why we are able to bag these awards and accolades in the industry.

Transform your business with our industry-leading Android and iOS app development services. Connect with our team today! 

Top 4 Custom Software Development Methodologies in 2024

So, you’ve finally decided to build customized software for your company. You’ve aligned all the resources and have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Now you need to know which software development methodologies you want to choose for developing your software. 

In today’s blog, we’ll help you choose the right software development methodology for customized software. Keep reading, as we’ll explore four customized software development methodologies in 2024.

But first, let’s study what software development methodologies exactly are, and why choosing the right one is necessary for development. 

What is a Software Development Methodology?

Software development methodology is a synonym to describe a structured approach to building software. It’s like a recipe that outlines the project deliverables and also decides on a suitable strategy for coordination among team members for the completion of tasks.

A software development methodology can be broken down into the following parts. 

  1. Planning and defining requirements

The first part is to identify exactly what you want from your custom software. So, identify who your stakeholders will be, and what is the criteria for success. For example, do you want to create a structured database that provides centralized access to all your employees?

Once you have a roadmap, you have set measurable targets for your teams. Thus, it is easy for you to evaluate your development team’s productivity. 

2. Breaking down work into smaller tasks

Once you have decided what your requirements are, it’s time to break your work into smaller tasks and assign them to the relevant team members according to each methodology. 

Breaking down the workload into smaller tasks reduces the responsibility of each member, and allows for a concentrated effort that yields productive results. 

3. Ensuring communication among team members

Once you have divided the tasks among team members, it’s your responsibility to ensure that there are no barriers to communication. You can do this by regularly holding sprint meetings to discuss project progress with all your team members. 

4. Testing and quality assurance

Once the software is complete, it is tested to ensure that it is bug-free and fully functional. The process involves the implementation of the CI/CD pipeline to ensure rigorous testing and functionality of each deliverable of the software. It makes software development beneficial for ERP systems.

Now, let’s look at the four software development methodologies that you can use in 2024.

Top 4 Software Development Methodologies in 2024

The Top 4 methodologies that you should include in your software development life cycle are as follows. 

  1. The Waterfall Development Methodology

Imagine yourself as the leader of a team of software developers. You follow the traditional development approach where you separately complete each deliverable of the project before going on to the next. Doesn’t this resemble a waterfall?

That’s precisely why it is known as the waterfall approach. Now how does this translate into the methodology? As part of the waterfall approach, you’ll be creating focus teams that focus on each aspect of the project sequentially, such as requirements, design, implementation, verification, deployment, and maintenance. 

Once each stage is completed, the team cannot move back to that stage. It’s similar to a waterfall that fills pools. 

So, what are the pros and cons of this methodology? 

Pros

  • The model is easy to understand because of the upward-going linear approach that it provides. One milestone is completed at a time, which makes it easier for teams to understand each step. 
  • Because the model is easy to understand, it is a great choice for smaller projects, as their requirements can be determined upfront, creating an organized workflow that results in the quick completion of tasks. 
  • Adopting this model is a good starting point for less experienced/rookie project managers who need a launchpad to hone their skills. 

Cons

  • The waterfall model is rigid. As a result, there is no room to revisit and make changes to prior stages. The model may work well for smaller projects but doesn’t sit well for larger, more complex projects. 
  • Due to the model’s nature of requirement gathering, teams may spend too much of their time on documentation rather than providing meaningful solutions. As a result, we may see jerks in the development process. 
  1. Agile Development Model

The agile development model is perhaps one of the most common approaches in the field of software development. In comparison to the traditional waterfall approach, this software development methodology takes a rather unconventional approach. 

In the agile methodology, your goal is to deliver quick solutions for the user. As a result, there is less focus on documentation and more focus on getting things done. 

Progress is monitored with the help of sprint meetings, and customers are always kept in the loop with the project’s progress. 

Any changes suggested by the customer after the completion of one stage are implemented before advancing to the next stage. Regular testing is also carried out at intervals to ensure that the software is free from bugs and glitches. 

    Now, let’s evaluate the positives and negatives of using the agile methodology.

    Pros

  • The software has minimal defects because of the rigorous testing that takes place at each stage of the model. 
  • You don’t need to scrap off the entire product and rework it from scratch. Any changes in a particular deliverable are made during development. 
  • Holding weekly sprint meetings allows uninterrupted communication among team members, which promotes clarity and outlines clear expectations. 

   Cons

  • The agile development methodology allows for customer feedback, which is a welcoming prospect but leads to issues as well because of overwhelming requests from the customer, resulting in a haphazard workflow which may lead to job burnout.
  • Since the agile methodology has an unstructured approach, meaning that anything can strike at any time, it requires a more experienced project manager who can handle high-pressure situations. 
  1. The Lean Methodology

The lean software development methodology is focused on Toyota’s lean manufacturing principles that focus on eliminating wastage. The core values of the lean methodology are to encourage continuous learning and only make decisions once all the pros and cons have been evaluated. Developers also identify the potential bottlenecks in a project and make a workaround to eliminate them before starting work. 

The pros and cons of the lean methodology are as follows: 

Pros

  • It cuts down unnecessary wastage in the product, such as redundant code, unnecessary documentation, and repetitive tasks. Thus, the developers can focus on productive tasks which provide value to the final product. 
  • Because of less wastage of resources and efforts being incurred, the cost of the final product is low, which further improves the profitability of the work done. 
  • Implementation of the lean software methodology also decreases the time in marketing the software because of its efficiency. 

Cons

  • For the lean methodology to be a success, your developers should be highly skilled, because if that’s not the case, then they won’t know how to reduce wastage, and which decisions to not take to promote efficiency. Thus, implementing a lean development approach is impossible. 
  • Lean methodology requires enormous amounts of documentation, which puts a burden on developers and business analysts, overwhelming the team. 
  1. Prototype Model

The Prototype Methodology is an iterative approach to software development that prioritizes early user feedback and continuous refinement.  

Inspired by the concept of building physical prototypes, this methodology emphasizes creating simplified, working models of the software to gather feedback and validate requirements before full-scale development begins.

Pros

  • Prototypes allow users to interact with a basic version of the software early in the development process. This enables gathering valuable feedback on usability, functionality, and overall user experience, leading to a more user-centric final product.
  • By identifying and addressing issues early through the testing of prototypes, the risk of major rework later in development is significantly reduced. This saves time and resources.
  • The process of building and refining prototypes helps solidify and clarify software requirements. Ambiguous or incomplete requirements become apparent during user testing, leading to a more focused and efficient development process.

Cons

  • Working on the prototype software development methodology requires additional time and resources upfront. This needs to be factored into the overall project timeline and budget.
  • User feedback and prototype iterations can lead to feature creep, where additional functionalities are continuously added, potentially pushing the project beyond its initial scope.
  • Prototypes are typically not fully functional versions of the final software. This can make it difficult for users to envision the complete product and provide comprehensive feedback.

The Ending Note

Software development is a highly complex process that requires a carefully orchestrated approach to ensure optimal results. Before going on board with the software development process, it’s important to choose a suitable software development methodology. 

A good software development methodology clearly defines resource requirements, helps break down work into smaller tasks, and ensures continuous communication among team members. 

There are four main types of software development methodology, which include the waterfall method, the agile method, the lean development method, and lastly, the prototype approach. 

A Comprehensive Guide to IOT Application Development

Did you know that by 2030, Statista predicts 29.42 billion IoT devices to be connected worldwide? As of now, the number of connected IoT devices currently stands at 17.08 billion. 

IoT( Internet of Things) has played a major role in bringing the world closer than it already was. Because of IoT devices, we continuously see new developments. 

In today’s blog, we’ll stick with apps only. This is a comprehensive guide to help you develop apps for IoT devices. So stick till the end to find out more. 

First, let’s study what IoT devices are exactly, and how they function.

What is IoT ( Internet of Things) 

The IoT (Internet of Things) is a network of physical devices that include sensors, software, and other technologies. These sensors connect to exchange data with each other and on the internet. 

Examples of IoT devices are Smartphones, Smart TVs, wearables, lights, doorbells, and cars. 

These devices communicate with each other to exchange data and make decisions, such as automating and controlling certain functions. 

Now that we know everything about IoT devices, let’s discuss the development of IoT applications.

Development of IoT Applications- Functions and Requirements

In this part, we’ll explore the core functions of IoT devices in detail, and also look at the essentials needed for the perfect IoT development.

First, let’s start with the functions.

Functions of an IoT App

The three major functions of an IoT device are to:

  • Monitor: Viewing real-time data from sensors and devices.
  • Control: Adjusting settings, triggering actions, and managing connected devices remotely.
  • Analyze: Gaining insights from collected data to optimize performance, identify trends, and predict future events.

Now, let’s look at the essentials needed to build the perfect IoT app. 


Essentials to Build the Perfect IoT App

The following things are required to create a good IoT app: 

  • Hardware: The exact device for which the IoT app is being built.
  • Connectivity: The instruments needed for communication, such as Wi-fi, Bluetooth, or any other instrument that facilitates the change of data.
  • Firmware: The code that controls the functionality of the individual devices.
  • Cloud platform: The platform that stores the data and facilitates communication and exchange between different devices.
  • Mobile app: This is an optional feature, but allows the user to control all devices from a single hub.

Now that we know all the things needed to create an IoT app, let’s look at the approach that you should follow to turn your idea into a reality. 

Steps for Successful IoT Application Development

The following are the steps for the successful development of an IoT application.

  1. Define your objective

Before you begin developing an IoT application, ask yourself the following questions: 

  • What need will your app address? Does it improve home security, automate tasks, or minimize energy consumption? 
  • What data will you collect from devices and how will it be used? Will it be personal data about tastes or preferences, or sensitive and confidential data such as bank account numbers?
  • What level of user interaction will you require? Will users only monitor the data being collected, or will they also be able to control the functions of the app according to their needs?

Once you answer these questions, you’ll know exactly what you aim to achieve from your IoT application development. 

  1. Select the hardware and mode of connectivity

The hardware and mode of connection that you choose will greatly influence how your application functions. So, before choosing, consider factors such as: 

  • Power consumption: Battery life is important for many IoT devices, so make sure that your application is light, and doesn’t consume too much power. 
  • Processing power: The device should be able to handle data collection and communication efficiently.
  • Sensor capabilities: Select sensors based on the type of data that you want to collect, such as motion sensors, temperature, and light sensors, etc. 
  1. Select the right firmware

Once you have selected the hardware, now is the time to choose the right firmware. The firmware is a low-level code that indicates how the sensors and actuators respond to commands. While developing the firmware for your app, make sure to consider the following factors: 

  • Resource constraints: Your code needs to be efficient because many IoT devices have limited processing power and memory.
  • Security: The code should be foolproof and have no room for anyone to hack into.
  • Over-the-air updates: Your firmware should be updatable remotely. Doing this ensures that your devices are up-to-date and secure. 
  1. Choose the right cloud platform

The cloud platform is the hub for your IoT app. It is responsible for facilitating communication among multiple devices. When choosing a cloud platform, make sure to consider: 

  • Security: The platform should offer robust security measures to prevent attacks. 
  • Scalability: The platform should be able to handle the increased number of users on your application.
  • Integrational capabilities: The platform should be able to integrate with different hardware and software tools. 
  1. Create an easy-to-navigate user experience

Make sure that your app provides an unparalleled user experience, allowing the user to move easily from one point to the other throughout the app. User experience is very important. Stats show that every 1$ invested in UX results in a $100 return on investment. Thus, investing in a good UX is very important for the success of your IoT development. 

When creating a UX, make sure to consider the following factors. 

  • Provide simplicity and clarity.
  • Present relevant data in a visually appealing manner.
  • Allow users to customize their experience by offering customization.
  • Present insights and recommendations based on the data that you have provided.
  1. Choose the right development tools

When you have got everything right, now is the time to choose the development tools to start creating your app. In the case of a mobile app, it’s better to use cross-platform frameworks so that your app may be developed at a lower cost for both Android and IOS devices. There are several cross-platform frameworks such as: 

  • Xamarin 
  • React Native
  • Flutter

Each of these tools provides a unique gallery of options for you to choose from. Moreover, they also have a very strong community which allows you to choose many creative options. 

So, keep these steps in mind when deciding to pursue development for IoT applications. Now, time to recap what we learned throughout the blog. 

The Takeaway

The blog post outlines the key aspects of the development of an IoT application. It starts by explaining what IoT devices are and gives examples of common devices we use today. It then dives into the functionalities of an IoT app, highlighting its ability to monitor, control, and analyze data. Following this, the blog explores the essentials needed to build a successful IoT application. This includes hardware, connectivity, firmware, a cloud platform, and optionally, a mobile app.

10 Benefits of Custom Software Development for Enterprise Businesses

In today’s extremely competitive business environment, efficiency, innovation, and a unique selling point are the key factors for success. With large amounts of information and extensive operations, businesses require customized software solutions to meet their unique needs.

Ready-made software solutions can address some basic needs, but they are often not customizable and lack the scalability needed for large-scale enterprises. This is where custom software development comes in.

Developing customized software is the process of creating applications specifically designed to meet the unique needs and workflows of a particular business. By opting for a customized solution, enterprises can unlock a wide range of benefits, propelling them towards long-term success.

In today’s blog, we’ll look at 10 compelling reasons why enterprise businesses should consider custom software development. So stay tuned and keep reading.

How to Choose a CRM Software: 7 Factors to Consider

CRM systems are a game-changer in today’s world. They make sales and customer relationships easy by automating the entire process, allowing for efficiency by eliminating needless tasks. 

CRMs are becoming a hot commodity by the day. So today, we’ll look at 7 factors that you should consider when choosing a CRM for your business. So stay tuned and keep reading.


What is a CRM? 

A CRM (Customer relationship management software) is a tool that companies use to help establish and foster long-term customer relationships. Modern CRMs automate the rigorous record-keeping process, which allows for a smooth execution of tasks. CRMs provide features such as:

Contact Management: To manage multiple contacts under one roof.
Lead Management: This provides you with tips and strategies about how to convert leads at each stage of the cycle.
Sales Pipeline Management: This helps you identify and eliminate bottlenecks from the sales process by identifying leads at each stage.
Reporting Analytics: CRMs also provide robust reporting tools to help you create dashboards according to your requirements.

Thus, CRMs are a complete sales solution to help your team focus on more efficient tasks and automate the customer relationship management process. 
Now, let’s look at seven things that influence how to choose a CRM in 2024.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a CRM software for your business:

-Your organization’s goals.
-CRMs that are available in the market.
-Your budget.
-Team consultation.
-Important tools and features.
-The deployment model.

1. Your organization’s goals

Your organization’s goals are highly important in determining which CRM suits you best. So, think about whether you want to convert more leads, streamline the sales process, or enhance customer service. Whichever option you choose will determine which CRM suits you best. But that’s not it. Choosing the CRM will also depend on which business you operate. There are CRMs for real estate, healthcare, and service sectors, so choose the one that is suitable for your sector.

2. CRMs  available in the market

There are many notable CRMs available in the market. How to choose a CRM from among them will depend on various factors. You’ll have to see the size of your business, and what your needs are. To get a better overview, you can also try the trial versions of the CRM. Doing this will give you a fair view of which solution suits you best. Some of the notable names in the CRM market include Hubspot, Zoho CRM, and Pipedrive. Each has its packages with varying rates and features. So choose according to your business needs.

3. Your budget

Which CRM software you choose will also depend on your budget. Your budget depends on whether you’re a small or large business. It also depends on how much you consider a CRM to be important for your business. For example, things will be different, if you’re looking for a CRM to help you cater to complaints and provide good customer support. The case would be different if you’re looking for a sales solution that provides elaborate workflows and a lead management framework. One case is that of the Hubspot CRM. Hubspot only provides two solutions, namely the professional, enterprise packages. The professional solution costs $800 per month, whereas the enterprise solution costs $3600 per month. These are some of the top CRM solutions. However, you will find some less costly ones as well.

4. Team consultation

Consider consultations with your team before going for a CRM for your business. So, ask your team what they are looking for, when it comes to CRM software, which features are important to them, and which tasks they want to be automated. 

Doing this helps you look for software that meets your needs, resulting in your team being more productive, and spending time converting prospects, rather than drafting emails for campaigns, or drawing mailing lists. 

5. Important tools and features

When we talk about how to choose a CRM, considering the features that the software has to offer is also important.  To do this, you can visit the CRM’s website, and go into the pricing section. This section will show you all the relevant packages with their prices, and the features outlined underneath. Some important features to consider in your CRM are:

-Pipeline management
-Customized landing pages
-Contact management
-Mailing Lists

These are core features that should be present in your CRM. Other than these, look for additional features which suit your goals. If you have a problem understanding particular features, you can opt for a free trial. This helps you understand all the features of your potential CRM software.

6. Decide on the deployment model

The next part about how to choose a CRM system involves choosing a deployment model. There are two major CRM deployment models. The on-premise model and the cloud model. Which model you choose depends on the facilities that you have available in your organization. For example, if you have enough servers to deploy the CRM on-site, you can go with the option, but if your organization is small, then it is better to go with a CRM solution on the cloud.

The Pros and Cons of the on-premise and cloud model are as follows:

Types of CRMs and How You Can Choose the Best One for Your Business

CRMs are a blessing in today’s world, they have automated the sales process, allowing organizations to free their resources for closing deals, and making the most of the business.

In 2021, about 62% of the total information and communication companies in France were recorded using a CRM, which shows how successful it is in managing customer relationships. 

Using CRM results in centralized contact management, auto-generated emails, push notifications, and much more. 

But, when it comes to CRMs, there are many types. In today’s blog, we’ll look at the different types of CRM, and how you can choose the best one for your business. So stay tuned and keep reading. 
Now, let us look at the different types of CRM  software available.


What is a CRM? 

CRM software helps businesses make informed decisions about sales, and keep a long-term track of customer relationships. CRMs record important information, such as customer contact details, locations, and email addresses. They also provide several features, such as helping create landing pages for a particular deal and sending automated emails. They also provide sales agents with advice on how to handle a lead and convert it into a long-term customer. 

There are three types of CRM software available in the market:
-Operational CRMs
-Analytical CRMs
-Collaborative CRMs

1. Operational CRM

An operational CRM is a type of CRM that automates tasks that pertain to sales, customer support, and after-sales. 

In-depth, an operational CRM helps with centralizing customer information to a single source. This information includes contact details, purchase history, and past interactions. Centralizing all available information ensures that the user can find it in one spot, showing them a holistic picture of the customer.

Operational types of CRM also automate workflows, which eliminates repetitive tasks such as lead scoring, email follow-ups, and appointment scheduling. This allows your team to focus on more strategic activities. 

An operational CRM also becomes a central platform of communication as it is connected to all communication channels within your organization, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Email. Thus, the platform helps ease communication with customers. 

By automating tasks and streamlining communication, an operational CRM helps greatly in improving efficiency within your organization. 

By using an operational CRM, your organization benefits by: 

-Better lead management.
-Enhanced sales forecasting
-Faster response times to customer forecasting
-Personalized customer interactions

2. Analytical CRM

An analytical CRM is a type of CRM  that goes above the tasks of only creating automation and efficiency. This type of CRM acts as a business intelligence tool, providing insights and actionable advice that can change the outcome of business decisions. 

The core role of an analytical CRM is to gather data from multiple sources, such as operational CRMs, website analytics, automation tools, and social media platforms. An analytical CRM also plays a major role in analyzing the data by using tools such as data mining, reporting, and forecasting. These tools uncover data patterns within the reports and provide insights for action. 

An analytical CRM also provides actionable insights such as those related to consumer behavior, purchase history, and preferences. These insights help businesses make decisions about how to position and market their products and services. 

The benefits of using an analytical CRM are:

-Better marketing campaigns.
-Improved customer service
-Increased sales opportunities
-Improved product development.

3. Collaborative CRM

Unlike analytical and operational CRMs, a collaborative CRM aims to provide a consistent information flow amongst all stakeholders within the organization. In a jist, a collaborative CRM ensures a smooth and consistent customer experience. It does this by firstly, encouraging cross-departmental communication between departments such as sales, marketing, and customer service. This allows for better interactions between the agents and the customers. 

Another feature of a collaborative CRM is the ability to share customer data because the CRM acts as a repository for customer data, which ensures that everyone has access to the same data. This makes it easier for cross-functional departments to collaborate and make essential decisions, which avoids misunderstandings. 

The CRM also offers further collaborative features such as chat tools, task management, and document sharing. These features ensure that all teams are on the same page. 

Collaborative CRMs provide numerous benefits, such as:

-Improved efficiency
-Better customer experiences
-Providing fast resolution for issues
-Improving the alignment between the sales and marketing departments

To sum up, a collaborative CRM plays a major role in blurring the boundaries between various departments, which helps them work together for better results. So, these are the three types of CRMs. 

Now that we know about the various CRMs, let’s look at some of the factors that you should consider before choosing a CRM type for your business.