Technically Easy

Category: Technology

  • 4 Ways in Which Prototyping Saves Time

    4 Ways in Which Prototyping Saves Time

    Prototyping specifically for more complicated projects usually provides a great prospect to solve issues before web advancement starts.

    Prototypes are interactive, functional explanations of a web or a website application. Wireframes offer a time-saving, lower-cost technique to come up with complex business guidelines and design ideas.

    Here are four ways in which prototyping saves time:

    1. Consider using a disposable prototype as a prospective disposable artifact

    Rapid prototyping instruments usually give you an excellent level of independence. With adequate determination, you can create a whole product without the input of an engineer. However, reality kicks in when you are midway through the development of the standard prototype.

    Every adjustment usually generates a ripple outcome that gets in contact with two dozen unconnected screens and goes ahead to break other screens. Therefore, the primary goal of prototyping is generally to get a response that controls the final project design.

    Also, you can save time by spinning up particular prototypes because your team requires them. When you limit the general scope of individual prototypes, you will be at liberty to complete other tasks without stressing about current maintenance.

    2. Establish a valid purpose for every prototype

    Prototypes are specifically useful for:

    Collecting client’s feedback

    It would be best to use actual page animations and interactions to assist users in learning and understanding your perspective ideas.

    Attaining executive buy-in

    An administrative buy-in will enable you to convey plans succinctly and quickly.

    Account and sales management

    It will help you share new strategies and ideas with possible renewals, key accounts, and prospects. Getting to know your prototype’s fundamental purpose and drive will assist you in defining your project’s scope plus the degree of fidelity that you require.

    3. Define the prospective prototype’s requirements in advance

    In many design projects, fidelity and scope usually define a prototype’s development time and cost. A prototype’s degree of fidelity is measured in different dimensions such as:

    Scope

    You need to determine what kind of screens the prototype requires.

    Aesthetics

    You need to determine if you are prototyping with a full-color computer, mockups, sketchy or quick.

    Interaction

    Ensure you determine if other controls and buttons require actual mouse-over conditions. Also, will you have to use animated animations on tap, or can you reload the current page?

    Content

    Be in a position to determine if you will need to use a professional or lorem ipsum product-approved copy. Additionally, will you be required to paste demo data into your designs, or can you tie it into a particular back-end?

    Code

    Ensure to determine if you will develop in a code such as HTML or Objective-C.

    4. Stay in-plane design for a while

    Responsiveness to UI designs usually increases when the deadline approaches. So you should issue a last call for responses even before you begin developing. Afterward, you need to save the communications until the date of the actual deadline.

    Additionally, you can use prototyping software to help you save time by transforming static designs into clickable prototypes that look like the finished products. This will help your team feel recognized, plus you can use your time improving strategies rather than reconstructing the prospective prototype.

    In conclusion, ensure you use these tips to save time during prototyping. Therefore you can spend your extra time advancing the prospective prototype.

  • How can CMMS Help the Maintenance Officer

    How can CMMS Help the Maintenance Officer

    The role of a maintenance manager is extremely crucial. The success of a unit is dependent on the method adopted by the maintenance offices, to look after their equipment and facilities. This task can be even more overwhelming in big organisations, where the number of assets is uncountable; thus, tracking them can be an extremely challenging task. Therefore, to manage the humongous load of work, managers are today changing their methods from manual to the modern-day Computerised Maintenance Management System.

    What is a CMMS?

    CMMS stands for Computerised Maintenance Management System. The software comes with great features that automate processes and enable facility managers to track issues even before they become problems. The software is a storehouse of information and data; it holds every piece of information related to every asset, including their warranties, repair history, performance history and life expectancy. CMMS has replaced the traditional methods of using spreadsheets with a technologically enabled system.

    Benefits of using a CMMS

    Now, let’s look at the top benefits of using a CMMS:

    1. Reduce Downtime

    In any company, downtime is unavoidable, however, if downtime becomes a frequent affair, it can be harmful. The cost of such unplanned downtime can reach up to billions, so it is crucial to bring down these backlogs to an acceptable level.

    The CMMS helps in managing these unpredicted costs and ensures that equipment is regularly serviced. Through this process, defects are identified in the early stages and, downtimes can be brought under control. The software records even the minor fixes that would otherwise go unnoticed.

    2. Increase asset lifespan

    Financially it is not viable to replace expensive equipment before they reach their optimum performance period. Small issues can be fixed with repairs but if the issue becomes critical, then the replacement will be the only option. Thus, to avoid these untimed expenditures the role of maintenance is crucial.

    The CMMS can help in keeping the equipment in good condition. You can integrate the CMMS with the machine sensors and the MES systems and track the status of their health in real-time. This will allow facility officers to perform preventive maintenance. This way, technical issues can be addressed in their initial stages.

    3. Eliminating rework

    Defects in manufacturing can be a problem. Rework on these defective pieces, involve time, money, and energy. Additionally, to fulfil the order on time, labours need to work overtime and all this require a huge cost. Thus, to avoid rework, assets must be maintained in the best possible way. When machines are healthy, they will produce good stuff.

    Thus, with the help of the CMMS software, maintenance teams can schedule regular asset inspection to optimise the performance of the pieces of equipment.

    4. Save energy

    With the help of CMMs, the facility managers can take care of their assets and reduce over time. When downtimes have reduced, the need for working overtime can also be controlled. This will not only save on labour cost but also save the overall energy expenses.

    5. Better safety standards

    The CMMS can facilitate managers to enhance the safety standards of their unit by maintaining a reliable database on the maintenance and repair history of assets. Most accidents occur due to unplanned breakdown or the presence of unattended explosive materials; the CMMS can take care of all the sick assets and reduce such accidents; further, it can also track the presence of dangerous materials present in the unit and alert the managers about the same.

    Conclusion

    Maintenance is a daunting task and, if you do not have a good team and the support of technology, it might be challenging to run the unit smoothly. Over the last few years, managers have realised the importance of the CMMS and have adapted it to improve their processes and optimise performance. CMMS is valuable software that can transform your maintenance processes and help you achieve profits in the long run.

  • How to Check if Your Mac Hardware is Working Properly

    How to Check if Your Mac Hardware is Working Properly

    Mac’s hardware is cited as one of the best, fashioned with great speed, capacity, and enhanced reliability. As machines are unpredictable, you will encounter an issue at one point with your Mac’s hardware. This is the case with even the most powerful systems, you can’t avoid issues.

    It is common for many Mac users to raise concerns about hardware failure and have no idea where the problem is. To avoid the expensive costs of repairs, you should perform some hardware checks from time to time to make sure everything is working properly. Here’s how to verify your Mac hardware is functioning as it’s supposed to.

    Run a general Apple diagnostic test

    There is so much going on in your Mac device, from multiple moving parts to a couple of sensors and components that get heated. Running the Apple Diagnostic test begins with turning off your Mac. Disconnect all devices connected to the Mac, including printers, external storage devices, speakers, etc.

    Turn the power button on, and hold press the D key until you get an option to choose the language. Select the language you wish to apply by using the arrow keys. The test takes 2 to three minutes and Apple will show whether there are issues or not.

    Running a diagnostic test will help you identify issues that need to be addressed. This helps you understand, for instance, why your MacBook charger stopped working and will offer a solution. Try fixing the identified problems by following the specific instructions provided by Apple. After fixing the problems, you can run another test just to make sure everything is set.

    Here are more things you can do at home to check on the hardware issues.

    Check the status of RAM (Memory)

    It is not easy to test on RAM because you don’t need much of it during the diagnostic process. If you run a test on the RAM from the Operating System, there is a sizable amount of memory being used by the OS to function during the test itself. This RAM may not be subjected to a test but it is better still to perform the diagnostic than not doing it at all.

    If you want some peace of mind with your Mac’s RAM in addition to the diagnostic test, there are other memory testing tools like Mac’s Disk utility, MemTest86, EtreCheck, and Onyx. To get the best of these memory testers, minimize as many applications so that more RAM is available for testing.

    Hard drives tests

    It is good to check the health of your Mac hard drives periodically. This is because internal storage is one of the most important components of a computer and where all the software and operating system is located. Any hard drive crashes will result in the failure of your Mac and the loss of critical data, which you cannot afford to lose.

    Fortunately, Apple has included an in-built tool that can detect and repair minor damage to the hard drive. Besides the general diagnostic checkup, the quickest way to check the status of the hard drive is by running the Disk Utility.

    You can also try third-party apps like Drive Genius. Simply open the Disk Utility from the application on Mac and hit the verify button. All the problems on the hard drive will be displayed in the main window.

    Physical hardware components

    These are pretty much overlooked when checking the status of the Mac. Some of the basic physical hardware components you can test on the Mac include USB ports, a keyboard, and optical drives. For ports, simply insert cables on the headphone, firewires, or USB ports and you will be set.

    For the keyboard, on your Mac, go to System Preferences, > Keyboard, and check the box next to the Show keyboard and emoji viewers in the menu bar. From here, you will find the keyboard viewer, which will let you know if all the keys are functioning properly.

    Graphics hardware (GPU)

    Your graphics card is important whether you are a gamer or not because without it, you will be staring at a blank screen. The GPU, just like the CPU, runs first and consumes a lot of energy, so there can be problems at one point and you will need to check if it’s working properly. One of the best ways to tell if your GPU is working is a quick benchmarking test.

    Some of the benchmarking applications include Geekbench, LuxMark, or Cinebench. You can also conduct stress testing using another benchmark application called Heaven to configure the GPU by applying maximum pressure.

    Conclusion

    This is how you can verify if your Mac hardware components are properly functioning. The steps are simple and you don’t have to be tech-savvy to run a diagnostic test. Follow through the steps as provided and you will be good to go.

  • Top Three Communication Trends Businesses Will Witness in 2021 and Beyond

    Top Three Communication Trends Businesses Will Witness in 2021 and Beyond

    2020 didn’t only instigate serious life changes, such as social distancing and remote-working, but it also affected the way we communicate and interact with each other. Secure voice communications have become essential more than before. With remote working has become the new norm, increased demand in voice and video communication has spiked in demand.

    While entire organizations and business companies shifted to remote-working overnight, the adaptation of technology to meet the new demands accelerated as well. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that the globe witnessed two years of technological and digital transformation within a period of a few months.

    As we pass through 2021, there are still loads of things we aren’t sure about. However, the only thing we seem to be certain about is that remote working is here to stay. Even if companies initiate returning to the office premises, they will have to face a few challenges regarding communication (in hybrid work environments) and keep the entire team connected. Read on to learn more about the top three communication trends that we will witness in 2021 and beyond.

    1. Collaboration & communication solutions for remote work

    Many business owners are still skeptical about the future of remote working and allowing their employees to return to the office premises. Nonetheless, business owners have also witnessed numerous benefits of remote working, such as more productivity, fewer costs related to office maintenance, and no commute expenses for employees.

    While remote working provides employees with flexible time, it also calls for collaboration and communication solutions. It is speculated that remote working will remain a popular option for the upcoming years and keep attracting good talent.

    Resultantly, global companies are planning to offer part-time and full-time telecommunication options for potential clients long after the pandemic is over. To keep their distributed workforce connected, businesses will keep investing in collaboration and communication solutions along with migrating to cloud-based communications platforms.

    2. Meeting the demands of a hybrid team of employees

    It is speculated that the future will revolve around remote work, or a hybrid system will be integrated into companies, where half of the workforce will work from home. In contrast, the remaining half will work from the office premises. In order to gap the communication bridge between in-house workers and home-based workers, newly acquired communication technology will be integrated to connect all employees and keep them on the same page.

    It is speculated that conferencing technology will take the core place of business models, especially during staff meetings, to ensure that all employees can be active participants. That said, we will see an emerging trend of businesses investing in screen-sharing solutions, good-quality video, and audio equipment.

    3. A Well-Integrated Communication System

    Many businesses invest in effective unified communication and collaboration apps to replace their single enterprise communication, including fax, voicemail, instant voice messages, video, audio conferencing, team collaboration, etc.

    By investing in a well-integrated communication and collaboration system, businesses can stay on top of their games, help their employees stay on the same page while enabling effective and secure communication as all businesses survive and thrive in an era of Digital Darwinism.

  • Benefits of Cloud-Based Residential Phone Service for People Who Work From Home

    Benefits of Cloud-Based Residential Phone Service for People Who Work From Home

    Many people have discontinued their home phone service in recent years, but people who work from home should consider getting residential phone service from a VOIP provider. Doing so would offer numerous benefits, such as better call audio quality, access to hardware designed for business use, and the ability to separate work calls and personal calls. Read on to learn more about the benefits of VOIP-based residential phone service for people who work from home.

    Better Audio Quality

    One of the most important benefits that people who work from home will see with a VOIP service is better audio quality. If you’ve ever taken an important business call on your cell phone and dealt with a poor connection, you’ll understand why this benefit is so important. Not only will it make communication easier, but it will also leave a more professional impression.

    Business-Quality Hardware

    A top-notch residential phone service that is designed for home workers will also include a phone. This phone should look much like the business landlines that can be seen in offices around the world. It should offer features like speed dial, a headphone jack, conference calling, and call holding. Your business phone should also be able to forward calls to your mobile phone to ensure that you do not miss any vital communications.

    Keeping Work & Life Separate

    Perhaps the biggest reason that home workers get a business-focused residential phone system is to keep their work and their personal lives separate. This is impossible if you are making and receiving personal calls from the same number that you use to make and receive business calls. If you have a separate system for your business and personal calls, you also do not have to worry about getting business calls outside work hours.

    Finding the Right Service

    There are so many VOIP services out there that finding the right service may seem like a tall order. However, there are a few criteria that you can use to narrow down your list of possible services. First, you want to get a residential VOIP service that is specifically designed for home office use. This will narrow down your list greatly, as relatively few services offer home office systems. Secondly, you want to go with a service that includes high-quality hardware as part of the package. Once you have narrowed your list of potential services using these criteria, you should have a much easier time making a decision.

  • Cryptos And DeFi Applications Development: Advantages And Prospects As Viewed By Boosty Labs Experts

    Cryptos And DeFi Applications Development: Advantages And Prospects As Viewed By Boosty Labs Experts

    Today, one of the most promising and rapidly growing segments of the crypto industry is DeFi, or decentralized finance. They are becoming the most affordable alternative to most financial services that people use regularly: lending, insurance, escrow, investment and risk management.

    The development of decentralized finance leads to the destruction of the traditional model of the financial system, to which everyone is accustomed, despite the shortcomings. But now financial processes can work more efficiently due to automation using smart contracts. Intermediaries are no longer needed, scammers are not afraid – transactions are transparent, verified and carried out independently.

    This is the next step in the financial technology revolution that began 12 years ago with the advent of Bitcoin and blockchain.

    Decentralized finance has been gaining attention since the market crash in March 2020, but few understand the essence of the phenomenon. At first, it was a common name for analogs of traditional financial instruments that are implemented in a decentralized architecture. They have now grown into a public ecosystem of decentralized services and applications based on public blockchains, predominantly on Ethereum.

    The goal of decentralized finance is to create a financial system that is open to everyone and does not require user trust, and to promote the principle of self-sufficiency. This aspect seems like a disadvantage to conservatives, but it teaches us to take responsibility for DeFi investments.

    At first glance, decentralized finance appears to be similar to financial technology (FinTech), which is also aimed at modernizing financial services. However, they differ in that FinTech simply relies on traditional financial infrastructure, while decentralized finance already includes new components.

    Since decentralized finance is an affordable alternative to many traditional financial services, anyone with the Internet and little knowledge of cryptocurrencies can interact with the DeFi ecosystem and manage the assets added there. To this end, blockchain developers have created hundreds of new DeFi projects with their own protocols, peer-to-peer networks, decentralized applications (dApps) and services.

    The first widespread use of DeFi was in stablecoin projects. This is a cryptocurrency, the rate of which is tied to the price of the underlying financial instrument (fiat currency, exchange commodity, raw materials). Accordingly, all issued stablecoin units are backed by a reserve located in a reliable storage. The value of dollar-pegged stablecoins is provided by the issuer itself, and their purchase and sale is associated with AML / KYC procedures.

    There is also another type of crypto projects, among which a striking example is MakerDAO – a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) and a protocol on Ethereum. It has both the native DAI stablecoin and the ability for everyone to issue their own stablecoins via the DeFi protocol. Their emission can be compared to the emission of money backed by gold, only here ether is used instead of gold. The user sends a certain amount of ETH or approved ERC-20 tokens to a smart contract that creates a new stablecoin. This is called “collateralized debt positions,” meaning the DeFi tokens generated represent a collateralized debt to MakerDAO.

    Thanks to DeFi, decentralized exchanges (DEX) have returned in popularity in 2021. They operate on the blockchain and do not store cryptocurrency and user data on their servers. That is, these cryptocurrency exchanges act exclusively as a platform that connects buy and sell orders. This trading model allows you to do without passing KYC and does not depend on a narrow circle of large traders.

    Peer-to-peer prediction markets have firmly occupied their niche – these are platforms that allow you to place bets on various events, events, elections, and more. There is a parallel here with the usual bets, for example, on sports, so the principle of operation does not need a detailed explanation.

    In addition to stablecoins, DeFi exchanges and prediction markets, there are at least 8 other areas that are included in decentralized finance:

    • Decentralized Autonomous Organizations.
    • Cryptocurrency loans, or DeFi lending.
    • Decentralized insurance.
    • Storage and management of DeFi assets.
    • Supply of liquidity.
    • Banking and payments.
    • Marketplaces.
    • Entertainment platforms (lotteries, online betting).

    DeFi benefits and prospects

    In 2021, DeFi projects grab attention in much the same way as ICOs in 2017 and IEOs in 2019. But why is there a stir around them? What are the prospects and benefits of DeFi in general?

    Accessibility for everyone

    DeFi allows people who were previously unable to use financial services to participate in the global economy. In the world, about 1.5 billion people do not have access to banking services, that is, they do not have a bank account, or a debit or credit card. There are many reasons for this injustice, but the main one is that many people who are not covered by banking services do not have all the documents that financial institutions usually ask for. Also, in certain countries, it is difficult to collect the required credit points. And somewhere there are no bank branches outside the capital at all.

    Decentralization

    One of the main benefits of DeFi is true decentralization. The very fact of managing a crypto project using smart contracts by all participants, and not by managers, means a lot.

    Earning opportunity

    In addition to maintaining a stable value for money, the use of decentralized finance allows you to passively earn on the available cryptocurrency. There are many options: savings accounts with high interest rates, asset allocation, and more.

    Finance control

    At DeFi, only you have control over your assets. With decentralized services and organizations like MakerDAO, you are in control of your finances around the clock. No official can suddenly ban you from the dApp, freeze your account or withdraw your funds.

    Transparency

    In DeFi, all information is open and available for review, it allows you to choose safe projects and services while sitting at home. In real life, if you need a loan, you have to go to lenders, compare interest rates to make sure the information is true and there are no hidden fees. This is not the case with DeFi – all the information you need to know about lending protocols like Compound is easily accessible and transparent.

    DeFi offers businesses the following benefits:

    • global availability;
    • reliable smart contracts;
    • programmable digital assets;
    • high security;
    • attractiveness to potential investors;
    • widespread attention.

    Do you need to develop a DeFi solution? Boosty Labs (https://boostylabs.com/blockchain/defi) will create a solution of any complexity for you – from stablecoin to DeFi application or DeFi platform.

    Cryptocurrency Development

    Digital currency is electronic money (or coins) that does not have a centralized emission center and paper equivalent, so it does not depend on the decisions of government and regulatory bodies. Each unit of such money has its own digital code, reliably protected using cryptographic algorithms.

    The main features of digital coins include the following:

    • Decentralization. No one can independently influence the value of coins, their price is determined exclusively by the market way: by trading on specialized exchanges. Decisions about the fate of a crypt are most often made by members of the community.
    • Non-attachment of funds to any account, due to which they cannot be destroyed or blocked.
    • Intolerance to devaluation or inflation. The number of units is determined and announced by the developers in advance, which excludes their depreciation and promises growth in the long term.
    • Reliability of code protection using constantly improving encryption methods.
    • Anonymity and reliability of transactions. Blockchain technology reveals only some data (wallet number and transfer amount) to a third-party view and does not allow fraudsters to make any changes to the transaction. Also, there is no need to provide your personal data, as in a regular bank. Transactions are made between counterparties directly, without the presence of a third party and, accordingly, commissions for intermediation.

    To create a cryptocurrency, it is necessary to clearly understand all the features of its development and further functioning, otherwise efforts, time and money will be wasted.

    Cryptocurrency

    Why are new coins issued?

    Basically, any digital currency is created in order to make a profit in the end. Therefore, before making your own cryptocurrency, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons.

    Most often, a person is prompted to launch his crypt for the following reasons:

    • the desire to bring your development to the exchange and make a profit on trade transactions;
    • the need to develop an internal payment system for clients on their own game server;
    • introduction of new Internet services for businesses and individuals;
    • personal interest in encryption technologies, programming and everything else, which leads to the answer to the question of how to create a cryptocurrency.

    In addition, it is desirable that the new coin carry some improvements in relation to other currencies or, which is not so often, be based on a fundamentally new platform offering a unique product. Considering the duration of all processes (the development of a unique code itself takes at least a year, plus the time to promote the project), it is necessary to foresee the development of the interests of potential users.

    The process of launching a new crypto

    Many people want to repeat the success of Bitcoin, while not putting in the appropriate effort. People most often confuse the cause and effect of the success of projects, since they believe that you just need to issue a cryptocurrency, and then it will find its users, appear on exchanges, and its rate will skyrocket. However, in order to create your own cryptocurrency, the following steps are necessary:

    • Find out what Bitcoin is as a technology and why it continues to exist, regardless of government pressure, exchange rates and other difficulties. This can take over a year.
    • Create a fundamental improvement in Bitcoin. Without this, the new cryptocurrency is unlikely to interest anyone.
    • Allow at least a year for the launch and several years for the development of the project.
    • With all this in mind, try to guess what will be of interest to the community in a year or two in this area.

    It is almost impossible to carry out all processes independently. As a rule, a team of professionals is recruited, you have to pay for this. At the same time, it is desirable that the attracted specialists not only work for money, but be like-minded people who share the project ideas. They don’t have to be just performers. It is desirable that these were ideological people, theoretically and technically savvy.

  • Top 3 Best Advice for Startup Project Management in 2021

    Top 3 Best Advice for Startup Project Management in 2021

    Running a startup is not easy, and as a founder there will undoubtedly be tons of things that you need to focus on. One of the most important however is definitely project management, as it will play a huge role in determining the success or failure of your endeavor.

    The good news is that although project management may seem complicated, you can get a lot done as long as you know the basics. To be more specific there are three pieces of excellent advice for startup project management that you need to know.

    1. Decide on the Project Management Methodology

    Did you know that there are lots of project management methodologies out there? One of the first things you should do is decide which one you want to implement in your startup, as it will help provide some structure.

    It should be noted that there is no methodology that is ‘best’. Instead, it is up to you to find one that fits your startup based on the size of your team, complexity of the projects, expected growth, and other relevant factors.

    Some of the more popular types of project management styles are:

    • Agile which is a very flexible project management methodology that focuses on finishing a project quickly and then iterating on the design to improve it. Although it is highly adaptable, the lack of structure can be an issue.
    • Scrum is a very structured approach where each day ‘standups’ are hosted where the team communicates and stays connected, while ‘sprints’ are held to focus on specific goals. While this style is great at helping startup teams become self-sufficient, it requires someone experienced to run it.
    • Kanban is a lean project management style that focuses on efficiency and eliminating waste. Its boards will let you visualize workflows and identify bottlenecks. Despite being powerful, this style is not great for making big changes in a short span of time.

    2. Come Up with a Project Plan

    If you want to manage projects effectively, you first need to have a solid project plan. The plan you come up with must include:

    • An agreed-upon end goal that is determined after consulting any stakeholders and getting opinions from employees.
    • Clearly-defined roles that outline each team member’s responsibilities and the part that they play.
    • Complete project timeline which maps out project milestones, sets due dates and deadlines, and organizes tasks based on priority.
    • Detailed budget that encompasses not only external expenditure but also labor costs to figure out what areas are worth the investment.

    By carefully planning out your project, you’ll find that it is far easier to manage – regardless of the system you choose.

    3. Move to a Project Management System Step-by-Step

    Moving to a project management system for the first time can be intimidating – but it’ll be much easier if you go about it step-by-step.

    The first few steps are relatively straightforward. All you need to do is take an inventory of the tasks that are on your teams to-do list, organize them by project, and then map out a workflow.

    Next you should look into finding a project management tool that will help you to manage the system more effectively. It will also be a good idea to try an employee monitoring tool such as WorkExaminer that will let you keep track of what your team members are working on.

    If you do use WorkExaminer, you’ll be able to see what apps are being used, websites visited, or even use employee screenshot monitoring. It is an important tool to track how your employees spend their time, identify distractions or bottlenecks, and improve productivity.

    The data in WorkExaminer’s reports can help you to review exactly how effective your project management system is, and make improvements accordingly. It’ll also be a source of objective and unbiased data that you can use to reward or talk to employees based on their productivity.

    Just remember that WorkExaminer does have different versions, so you should compare pro versions.

    With the right tools in place, the final step is to brief your employees on the new system. Explain clearly how things will be done, and let them know the reason why the system is being implemented.

    At the same time you should also introduce them to the new tools, and in the case of WorkExaminer explain how it will be deployed.

    Final Words

    By following these three pieces of advice, you should be able to manage your startup’s projects far more effectively. It may take a bit of time to familiarize yourself with the new system (and tools), but before you know it things will be running smoothly.

    In fact as time goes by you may want to improve upon your system further. The data from WorkExaminer and the project management tools you use can help pinpoint issues in your system so that you can work on them.

    Make no mistake there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ system, but your goal should be to find a project management style that is the best fit for your startup – even if it is a hybridization of several other styles.

  • 4 Ways Businesses Have Changed in 2020

    4 Ways Businesses Have Changed in 2020

    The disasters of COVID-19 consists of the repeated lockdowns, ever-changing safety measures and the resulting politico-social repercussions, and, last but not least, the devastating impact on the business world. For every business emerging from 2020 barely hanging on by their fingertips, there’s one that’ll never be seen again.

    Even now, as a possible vaccine seems to be emerging, the business world’s recovery is years away. And according to McKinsey & Company, a management consultant, somehow there’s optimism. The company reports most businesses see a bright ahead.

    Let’s take a look at four ways business has changed in 2020 and where they’ll probably go in the coming years.

    1. The auto industry

    The auto industry will end the year with $100 billion going down the tubes. Sales will have dropped near 30%. COVID-19 only hastened disruptions started before the coronavirus. The industry was already struggling with ridesharing, factory automation and autonomous cars.

    The industry plans to return to glory. The rise of services based on software subscription and the shift towards online shopping has given all commerce new opportunities. The industry sees how people are paying for unlocking features like self-driving or heated seating. There is still a great interest in buying vehicles. They hope to find ways to drive consumers to sales through smart and integrated tech.

    2. The restaurant industry

    It might be said no industry was hit like hospitality and especially the restaurant industry. Thousands of eateries have shuttered. And many are wondering how the rest will survive. Only a new long-term economic model can change what happens next.

    Restaurateurs have to develop new ways to keep customers. That’s optimizing drive-through and pick-up operations. It’s rethinking pricing and menus. This could include varying discounts, special delivery services and high-margin menu items like desserts, appetizers, sides and beverages.

    3. The banking industry

    The banks have doubled down to catch up with credit risk, downsizing and less interest in brick-and-mortar. Risk management teams are doing everything to circumvent what the pandemic is changing. Underwriting automation will come full force as small business and retail customers come back. Software will enhance calculating creditworthiness by a margin of 5%–10%. Banks will come out of the pandemic leveraging transactional data to reduce credit-risk losses and to boost monitoring.

    4. The education industry

    Educational systems have amplified their efforts to meet pandemic challenges. They’ve had to meet issues of not just COVID but inclusion, drop-out rates and inequalities. A study shows 55% of lower-income students are planning to delay graduating due to the coronavirus compared to high-income students.

    Both online and remote learning isn’t likely going anywhere after COVID, and education will continue to reconfigure itself virtually and physically. They’ll reimagine the academic calendar, perhaps making instruction a year-round opportunity.

    Main takeaway

    Digital transformation will be instrumental from educators to innovative leaders and entrepreneurs to the elderly. Industries across the globe will develop and share and inspire and build meaningful connections. We’re leaving 2020 maintaining the connection but we will grow it, initiating a reset across regions and industries.