Why Re-Engineering And Software Testing Are Essential For An Organization

Testing of software is important as a few errors and faults are unavoidable. Software is tested to find as many faults as possible to make sure that a standardized product with least number of errors is delivered. The software testing team has two primary responsibilities

  1. To identify the defects and ensure that the software is error free
  2. To make sure the software would be able to successfully meet the user’s requirements

To sum it up it is the important goals of the testing team are to recognize errors, non-conformance, and threats associated with the product and communicate the same to the development team so that all the issues discovered are taken care of and a high quality product can be delivered to the customer.

Testing is not a one-time activity. It needs to be done over the entire life cycle of the software. There are multiple reasons for which software would need to be tested again. Any modifications big or small like version upgrade, module addition, or enhancement, deployment at a new site, and increase in the number of users require the software to be re-tested to make sure that it is bug free.

Why re-engineering

As mentioned before as the software keeps on changing there is a need for adapting the software applications and products as well as they need to be re-tuned to adapt to the changing requirements. As the software firms continuously strive to meet the customers’ demand they also need to ensure that the software applications are often and continuously updated to keep pace with the challenging and competitive business world. In the simplest words re-engineering could be described as renovation. For e.g. If a program is written in an outdated language this would limit its functionalities. Now, if the same program is re-written in a language more relevant in today’s time it would enhance the functionality. Below are some of the reasons why re-engineering is required in an organization

  1. Cost – Old software systems’ cost of maintenance is high
  2. Performance – Better performance of the re-engineered software acts as a huge incentive
  3. Usability and flexibility – New and revised software system would be more agile and easier to use
  4. Data storage requirements – As the organization grows the data also grows. Increasing quantity of data requires the organization to revamp its existing systems and software
  5. Changing technology trends – It is important for a business to stay in tune with the changing technology trends and update its software accordingly.

Re-engineering or migration can be a little challenging as the company’s information and data can get hampered in the process.

The organization needs to come up with a solid testing strategy to ensure conformance, inclusiveness and agreement.

In the next part I will talk about testing considerations and strategies.

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Social Media Marketing to Lead Generation – Four Challenges for Companies

Marketing is the set of activities that connect a company’s business goals to the creation of the sales that achieve those objectives. Most business owners and managers agree that social media will be (if it is not already) an inevitable part of their marketing mix – what they are not sure of is how this will work for them.

The challenges in companies we talk to centre round these four areas;

1. The Customer.

Understanding the voice of the customer tends to be an internal viewpoint (usually sales) rather than any research carried out online (e.g. ‘listening’ to customer segments in the social channels).

The customer is becoming more powerful through their increased knowledge and the influence of others in their online communities; there is also an increase in the rate of customer disloyalty – always more evident in times of recession. Yet for most companies, there is a real resistance to changing the way they market to their target audience.

A perennial marketing challenge for companies is to effectively segment their customer database and aim targeted and relevant information to them.

2. The Social Media Strategy.

Often developed in isolation to other marketing activities with little integration shown. Often a strategy is non-existent and social media has been started in a company as a reactive or tactical measure because the feel they ought to be doing it.

Little thought is given to building the foundation of the content generation strategy – yet this is the first consideration when looking to use this as a marketing tool. Depending on the company this can range from being be a fairly simple task to a complex approach involving many people.

3. Social Media Distribution.

Which platforms to distribute social media content to, and how to lever that content through enabling the technologies that exist, is a function of several considerations. Where are your prospective customers? What processes and budgets are available? What reach do we want for our content distribution? What skill sets are available within the company? And so on

4. Contribution to Sales Revenue.

What needs to be measured and how can social media contribute to sales? Part of this answer lies with managing the sales and marketing funnel, understanding all the interactions and touch points that take place with prospective customers.

Does the social media strategy interact and engage with customers and follow them though their buying decision journey – or in reality is the social media carried out geared towards ‘shouting one way’ about the company’s products and services?

The answer to these challenges is ‘one-step-at-a-time’. Look at the overall picture and understand why you are using social media and what you want from it. See how social media fits within the company’s marketing and sales approach and the target market and then plan for how it will contribute to lead generation.

The key, as always, is planning and a clear picture of what you want to achieve.

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Using Mobile Devices to Support Improved Mobile Workforce Management

It is quite obvious that mobile working has integrated into all strata of the working community today. The easy accessibility and availability of mobiles encourages mobile working and highly-advanced mobile devices support the business operations and better mobile management.

With the latest mobile coupled with workforce scheduling software now in the market, businesses can enjoy a greater degree of connectivity and control over personal and work lives compared to a decade or more ago. Today’s technology has enabled modern businesses to better manage and schedule their mobile effectively and efficiently through mobile devices.

Innovative solutions

Progressive technology that produces better mobile is now applauded by businesses across the globe to enjoy innovative solutions that include improved mobile workforce scheduling software using HTML5 mobile app or threaded two-way SMS technology.

It is usually quite a challenge to manage a mobile workforce without the right workforce scheduling software which can simplify the booking of appointment process. Intrinsic solutions include built-in scheduling software that integrates mobile devices to generate the best of workforce scheduling and planning.

Such solutions bring on a host of benefits that include simplified appointment making through easy and user-friendly screens with drag and drop features. The confirmed scheduled appointments can be directed to the mobile devices of mobile workforce immediately for action. Intelligent workforce scheduling software is able to direct the best mobile worker for the best job at the best time with the right resources.

Scheduling software is further enhanced to minimize travel time for the mobile workforce with an optimization of route on each job. Such scheduling software is designed to reschedule jobs around holidays and sick mobile workforce to gain higher productivity and service standards with customers.

Increased productivity

As mobile workforce scheduling software continues to be improved, the same advanced technology would produce compatible mobile devices that would integrate fully for the best support and results. Further improved mobile scheduling and management software is constantly researched, designed and welcomed by all parties involved.

It is noted that business bottom lines and workforce productivity can increase as much as 25% through improved workforce management software. Such software is powered by state-of-the-art HTML5 mobile app that includes a wide range of mobile devices such as Androids, iPhones and iPads.

Improved mobile workforce software on scheduling tasks and workforce can be activated via appropriate mobile devices available in the market to ensure a confirmed appointment and improved productivity.

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Online Car Games Are Fun and Beneficial

Online games take you to a fantasy world where there is only fun and entertainment. The free online games can be enjoyed by anyone anytime. The popular online game, Car games are all about speed, timing and tactics. There is no doubt they have many advantages other than having fun.

Free online games are the newest rage in entertainment. Among the various games car games are very popular with all ages of people. The interesting and involving games keeps you at the edge of your seat from start to end. Once the vehicle is on move you have to encounter many obstacles and compete with excellent drivers to reach your destination.

Driving your vehicle amid speeding vehicles and unanticipated hurdles is no joke. You learn lessons from this game which will help you in life. Good concentration and eye-coordination are needed to win the game. Playing online games improve both. Your car will have to race through the streets at a great speed and take sharp corners. To keep the car on street you need to learn good steering control and be very observant. No distractions are tolerated in car games. A person who plays these games online learns rules and tactics necessary to make a good driver in real life.

Free online games are a good way to relax after a tedious day. Car games with their lively and energetic nature put the player in a pleasant mood. The involvement of your hands and eyes naturally leads to the involvement of your brain. These games are good exercise for your eyes, hands and brain. Driving calls for fast decisions. Car games make you capable to take appropriate and fast decisions in unexpected circumstances.

The amount of confidence you gain while playing free online games, especially car games is very high. The goal is set and the controls are in your hand. Nothing should stop you from reaching your goal. The obstacles are to be met with confidence, skill and right decisions. Hands, eyes and brain should work together to take you to the winning point. Finally, when you reach your goal, you feel like a real hero. You don’t feel it was just a game. The experience is so refreshing to body and mind; it fills you with positive energy.

Car games entertain you so much without causing harm to anyone or anything. There is no fear of getting hurt or hurting others. You can perform heroic feats which only heroes of films do. There are no speed limits, no checking from police or other rules to meet in an online car game. Speed and time are the only things that count.

Everyone in this world has problems to deal with on day to day basis. Like some famous person once said, every man fights a battle of his own! We need some fun to keep our cool and refresh our minds. Online games are harmless ways to give us a boost of energy without harming anyone. However, nothing should go beyond limit. The game should not make you addicted to it.

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