Demand for SaaS To Surge in 2016: Critical Things Businesses Should Know Before Adopting SaaS Apps

Enterprises, the customer-driven ones, are moving beyond cost reduction. In their pursuit of redefining their businesses along customer-centric dimensions, they are adopting technologies that help them deliver greater time-to-market, accuracy, and scalability advantages. SaaS and cloud computing is enabling them to do that and that acts a catalyst of competitive strength for the companies who adopt them. Furthermore, vendors/providers, in trying to retain market share in this highly competitive environment, are not raising prices. 
                            
                                      

·      As per Gartner Inc. reports - global IT spending shrank 5.5% to $3.5 trillion but CIOs and business houses continued to embrace software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings.

·     Software-as-a-Service market is projected to be around $32.8B in 2016 if it continues to grow at a steady CAGR of 19.5%.

·    If this growth continues for another 3 years as the predictions indicate, by 2018, 27.8% of the worldwide enterprise software market will be delivered on the SaaS platform, generating $50.8B in revenue.

Consequently, we are sure to witness, through 2016 and by the end of 2015 that over half of all CRM deployment will be cloud-based SaaS. Similarly, there will be rise in the demand for other on-demand SaaS-based business applications systems such as Human Resource Management, Business Intelligence (BI), Analytics and Data Mining, E-commerce, Database systems, ERP systems, corporate portals etc. SaaS is a service consumed over the Internet and so it works very differently from an on-premise model. So all/any organization(s) planning a transition to this service should make careful technical and design decisions for a successful migration to SaaS. 

1.     Data Access

Business should have a copy of their data or direct access to database and tables within.

2.     Data Security

Data in transit should be encrypted, preferably with an encryption known only to the business to which data belongs.

3.     Data Storage

It is recommended that vendor uses NoSQL databases that scale automatically and have in-built features like data backup, resilience, Disaster Recovery etc.

4.     Scalability

It’s an important element to focus on. So session information should be shared or encoded in the URLs and databases used should be scalable too, for e.g. MongoDB and Cassandra.

5.     Licensing

You can share licenses or explore open source software (OSS) options for software infrastructure, frameworks, components, or tools.

6.     User-experience

For good user-experience, SaaS application should be simple to administer, have self-service sign up process, managed user profiles, easy subscription and billing procedures.

Make an informed decision as you embark on your SaaS journey.

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Mobile Apps: Things You Need to Know Before You Make One for Your Business!

Mobile apps are trending in a big way. Research studies by the Forrester Research indicate that mobile app development is in a nascent stage and will continue to grow and generate business. Accordingly, there is a huge and lucrative opportunity for app and software development, however businesses - both enterprises and startups - should first make an informed decision whether they really need an app or not. Mobile users spend 86% of mobile web time on apps and it seems like some people just prefer apps over mobile sites. Yet, it is a crucial question that a mobile website that is responsive, adaptive or an .m site serve your purpose or you need it alongside a mobile app!
Here’s our best advice for you: First, build a mobile website for your brand, your business and your users. Next, build a mobile app. And when you are attempting, you should aim for an app that achieves one or all of the following.

• The app should be atypical, with the capability to do something that your mobile site can't do, for instance, barcode scanning.

• There should be something unique and special on offering: your app should give discounts, exclusive offers and loyalty rewards so as to entice and engage users in the long term; precisely it should increase conversions.

• The app should give the best customer experience and valuable customer data too, if possible.

• App should connect you to users directly and immediately. You can use push notifications to inform users of information, updates or other relevant news.

• It should align with your vision for future. In case you wish to utilize the smartphone’s inbuilt technology (camera, beacon, NFC) to facilitate in-store payments, your app should be able to accomplish that for you.

• Above all, when you have been given this hint by a segment of users that an app is something that they would prefer over anything else.
Now that we have come to an understanding that what kind of apps one should opt for, let us also explore what drives an app’s success or failure.

1. Engagement & Re-engagement

It is critical for an app’s long-lasting success. We say that based on the findings of a 2015 survey that was completed by mobile analytics and attribution platform Appsflyer wherein they studied over 450 million installs across ecommerce, travel and utility apps.

Findings

• App retention rates vary by operating system, but not much. The engagement significantly decreases in just about 24 hours after the initial install. Over a span of 30 days, apps (both Android & iOS) are able to keep only 3.3% and 3.2% of their users engrossed, respectively.

• Organic apps are most interacted with & used by smartphone users and their retention rates on Android devices after 30 days are 156% greater than for paid app installs.

2. Another crucial factor is the pattern of how users download and delete apps. A Survey by Millward Brown Digital revealed that 43% of US smartphone owners install about 40 to 70 apps everyday but use just about 4-6 apps. App usage is fairly small. This is further reinstated by the finding that 72% of smartphone owners delete an app because they rarely use it and rest of them because the app was draining the device’s battery.

Mobile app discovery and engagement are challenging. Moreover, paid apps are dying off and account for less than 10% of app downloads, as indicated by statistics. Free apps are also seeing slowed growth. Henceforth, opting for an app that’s just trendy and not useful is a strict no-no. Also, if it doesn’t facilitate a purchase or some other value added functionality and simply directs you to a mobile site, there is no point having it because in that case it’s doing nothing just draining your data and phone memory. Put simply, “you should always opt for a mobile app that is technically and functionally sound and best serves the purpose that you want it to fulfill.”
Aequor has gained significant expertise in developing mobile applications for various enterprise and consumer’s needs. We are amongst “Top 100 Mobile Apps Development Vendors.”

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20 Inspiring Customer Service Quotes

If you are a successful service provider, you probably know what a customer wants. And this knowledge you need to persevere every day.

We bring to you the 20 most inspiring customer service quotes and wish you best of luck in all your endeavors.

1.    "Every great business is built on friendship" ~ JC Penny

 

2.    “You’ll never have a product or price advantage again. They can be easily duplicated, but a strong customer service culture can’t be copied.” ~ Jerry Fritz

3.    “The more you engage with customers the clearer things become and the easier it is to determine what you should be doing.”  ~ John Russell

 

4.    “Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game. Service wins the game.” ~ Tony Allesandra

 

5.    “Good service is good business.” ~ Siebel Ad

 

6.    If you’re not serving the customer, your job is to be serving someone who is. ~ Jan Carlzon

 

7.    Make a customer, not a sale. ~ Katherine Barcheti

 

 

8.    In the world of Internet Customer Service, it’s important to remember your competitor is only one mouse click away.  ~ Doug Warner

 

 

9.    Know what your customers want most and what your company does best. Focus on where those two meet. ~ Kevin Stirtz

 

10.    Loyal customers, they don’t just come back, they don’t simply recommend you, they insist that their friends do business with you. ~ Chip Bell

 

11.    The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary. ~ Sam Walton

 

12.    You are serving a customer, not a life sentence. Learn how to enjoy your work. ~ Laurie McIntosh

 

13.    Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. ~ Bill Gates

 

14.    Spend a lot of time talking to customers face to face. You’d be amazed how many companies don’t listen to their customers. ~ Ross Perot

 

15.    The customer experience is the next competitive battleground. ~ Jerry Gregoire

 

16.    Your customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. ~ Damon Richards

 

17.    Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong. ~ Donald Porter

 

18.    If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful. ~ Jeff Bezos

 

19. If we can keep our competitors focused on us while we stay focused on the customer, ultimately we’ll turn out all right ~ Jeff Bezos 

 

20.    Customer service is not a department, it’s everyone’s job ~ Anonymous

 

 

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Top 5 Things to Look For When Outsourcing Managed Infrastructure Services

Cost- and value-driven nature of IT infrastructure dictates that your outsource partner gives you the most flexible and custom solution that fits well into your requirements. Not just that, but add value through the expertise and process improvements that support your business goals and above all reduce overhead cost via better resource utilization or support coverage. In a nutshell, what you need from an IT infrastructure services outsource partner when it comes to infrastructure services, is the following:

1.    Cost reduction
2.    Access to state-of-the-art tools and technologies
3.    Continuous improvement capabilities
4.    Highly skilled technical resources

We need not divulge into details but infrastructure services should cover at least some of these: network operations, e-Commerce system management, application support, problem & incident management, change & release management to name a few. Basically, it should manage, maintain and optimize (form start to finish) all the hardware, software, network resources and services of an enterprise’s IT environment.

That’s not a delusion! Aequor technologies have the expertise and the resources most suitable to provide best-in-class managed infrastructure services that not only ensures predictable and consistent results, but the following:

1.   Business value
We are always focused on continuous improvements, not filling billable hours. Moreover, we let you take and have control over your IT projects whilst we take care of day-to-day BAU (business as usual) operations and providing end-to-end ITIL-cycle service delivery.

So your engineers get their off-hours back for focusing on high-value projects, and giving better IT support coverage to the business.  In short, you set a good example of how IT management should be done.

2.  Flexibility
Whether it is high-volume service requests or high-level support for core hours, or 24×7 problem and incident management, we let you design your own service workflow design and enjoy the flexibility of working on your own terms. Our approach is simple- consultative and analytic and the outcome is a flexible, scalable IT setting that is regularly evolved to meet your changing needs.

3.  Program management team’s engagement & accessibility
Our program management team remains highly engaged and not just connects with you during SOW, PO, or MSA renewal and/or renegotiation. Furthermore, you may even change the scope (no matter how miniscule it is) without having to worry about any pricing implication.

4.  Rapid Pace
We let you direct the speed with which the IT infrastructure support offshoring engagement grows - considering your comfort level in handing over control. Recruitment delays don’t hamper or impede the speed at which we move or your pace as we set it right at the time when we sign the contract for services with any of our clients.

5.  Cost Factor
IT infrastructure support is best given when the service provider knows how to balance the technical criticality of the services given and business value of the enterprise it is serving. So while we know all of that, we use best practices and processes that reduce cost too.

For more details, check out our service page here.

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CPQ Adoption Continues To Surge & Benefit Businesses in 2015

CRM technology continues to be one of the hot technologies in 2015. As per reports - by 2018, 62% of all CRM software will be delivered via the cloud and Salesforce will emerge as the market leader. So we wish to focus on one of the hottest CRM technologies i.e. Configure, Price and Quote (CPQ) from the perspective that how adopting its cloud-based version shall bring greater business value. Before that, a quick intro of what CPQ is & who are its leading providers.

What is CPQ & How It Helps?

CPQ software simplifies three complicated processes of businesses and streamline them in a single solution so that companies can bridge the gap between front and back-end systems, elevate accuracy of quotes that are sent to customers, and keep pricing and discounting up-to-date.

Configure, price and quote (CPQ) Leading Providers - Apttus, CallidusCloud, Cincom, FPX, Oracle CPQ (formerly Big Machines), PROS Cameleon CPQ, SteelBrick etc.

CPQ Software Requirement

•    To keep sales staff updated
Out-of-date & inaccurate info is a big concern. You’re headed into trouble if your sales reps are offering incorrect pricing, expired discounts or promotions, or applying them to the wrong products. Often the gravity of the situation multiplies manifolds when you are a global enterprise/business firm having branches and geographies across the world using different channels for selling.

•    To avoid losing customers
Businesses can’t afford to lose their costing time and revenue for it might mean losing customers. However, if CPQ processes are riddled with errors, they must be reworked. Henceforth, it is recommended that if you are dealing with complex quotes, you adopt this software to produce accurate results.

Top Benefits of CPQ for Businesses
CPQ is a powerful technology that goes beyond the homegrown systems and/or spreadsheets of businesses. Moreover, they are scalable, for instance, Cloud-based CPQ systems of Salesforce is scalable across industries, channels, selling strategies and pricing scenarios. Additionally, it helps overcome all sorts of discrepancies in data and completion of processes optimally. Accordingly, its adoption continues to accelerate.

Herein also the Cloud-based CPQ systems offer dashboards that track quoting accuracy, lead-to-sale analytics thereby reducing order cycle times and increase up-sells and cross-sells, manufacturing utilization rate, perfect order performance, order completion cost, special pricing request (SPR) performance along with many other metrics.

Some quick benefits of cloud-based CPQ adoption
•    Empowers enterprises to scale their selling, pricing and service strategies much quickly than on-premise applications.
•    Improve user interface navigation and customization.
•    Generate quotes on smartphones and tablets from anywhere, anytime (giving flexibility) and deliver them to prospects immediately (via mobile device running CPQ apps) thereby shortening sales cycles.
•    Improve deal size, cross-sell & up-sell while reducing order errors.
•    For insights of how proposed discounts, contract conditions and revenue schedules impact profitability (via quoting and deal intelligence apps).
•    Helps in launching customizable products and services across multiple channels and geographies by quickly configuring to reflect individual market preferences and supporting many different languages.

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Enterprise Mobility Apps & Business Solutions That Help You Overcome New Challenges

The innovations in the mobile industry - the new platforms, the new devices and a plethora of new applications are presenting all the new challenges for business enterprises. We are standing on the verge of a new age of computing – an age in which professionals will be interacting with their enterprises from anywhere and at any time. However, when data will be stored in the cloud, commands will be given via touch and speech, results will be displayed on multiple screens – all that will only add to the complexity of the enterprise environment.

In such an environment, where the number of web-connected users and mobile devices is quickly approaching billions, enterprises don’t have a choice. They are truly faced with a "live or die" scenario wherein if they don’t adopt or move with the change, they will be either out of business or will be outpaced by competing players.

That's why enterprise mobility continues to be a top priority for businesses and investment in all aspects of mobility is set to rise. Also, it is certain that enterprises will be rapidly embracing new technology and change the way they do business.

In all the aforementioned endeavors of enterprises, enterprise mobile apps solutions of Aequor could greatly help. We can render expert help with multiple smartphone and tablet platforms, innumerable development and middle ware environment and countless new applications along with mobile device management and risk management.

We can even help - whether you are thinking of Salesforce or adopting Oracle and Sybase and enterprise platforms such as SAP and Lawson. We have a managed mobility service platform that helps companies to create, launch and scale mobile apps and other offerings quickly and cost-effectively.

For a deeper understanding, take a glance at Aequor’s one week rapid prototype development program that has been designed with just one objective in mind - quickly bring your “dream” app to life. We work really quickly to capture your ideas and concepts and transform them into a UI prototype and ensure you have all the tools necessary to make informed decisions.

We are ready with an exciting range of Aequor business solutions to help you. As an enterprise, you may start with critical functions first. You may choose sales and customer service first to get a taste of the new technology and the refreshed business process.

Come and embark on the journey with us.

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Top 5 Critical Things To Look for When Choosing An Outsourcing Partner

One must make an informed decision when choosing and/or appointing an outsourcing partner for IT/ BPO services. It am be time-taking but pays in the long-term - when you clearly define what you want, it assures best results and that your expectations are met. You might ask the following questions:

# Does the chosen outsource partner have past experience in providing the service that you want to outsource?
# How your selected outsourcing service provider will ensure quality?
# Is best technology, software and infrastructure being used and does your partner has experienced, trained and qualified professionals that can efficiently handle your projects?

No matter what your specific concern is, here are some #tips for choosing the best outsource partner for your business.

 Check for good credentials, financial stability & business goals

Well…financial security of your outsource partner is a critical factor. And so is the detailed information about the outsourcing service provider's directors and managers, their experience and their qualification. Once you are geared with these details, you will be able to analyze if a particular outsourcing service provider can match up to your expectations.

Check the concerned (outsourcing) company’s track record

Is your outsource partner experienced enough to support you in dealing with the different kinds of customers? Have they done it before? If yes, what is the number of projects that they have completed and no. of clients they have served? Also, find out their years of experience in delivering the required services at the scale of your business needs.

Ask for work samples, references

Try and develop an understanding of your outsource partner's technical capabilities, expertise and quality of work. Asking for work samples and verifying these samples is a good idea if you have doubts. You may even ask your outsourcing partner for a prototype.

Similarly, prior to finalizing on an outsource partner ask for references. From references you can find out more about their work quality, timeliness and customer support services. Contact their customers to find out more and get more information about issues such as, responsibility and turnaround time. That gives you firsthand information about whether the outsourcing relationship between you and the selected outsourcing partner would work.

Communication & accessibility is key to the success of an outsourcing relationship along with cultural compatibility

Your business outsourcing partner should be accessible on a 24x7, all round the year on instant messenger, phone and email amongst others to be able to constantly communicate with you. Good communication can assure you about the outsourcing relationship and help your partner to understand the business objectives you have in mind. Alongside, you and your outsource partner should be culturally compatible. Make sure that your business partner understands your organization and your employees.

Choose an outsourcing partner that has best-in-class infrastructure and technology, provides post development support

Visit your outsourcing partner's workplace and find out if your outsourcing partner uses best-of-breed infrastructure and high-end technology including - their processes, methodologies and team work amongst others. It helps you analyze if they have the capability to handle your project. Equally important rather more important is to be offered support services after the completion of a project. It helps you resolve issues that you might be having after your project has been implemented.

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