Even if you do not work in IT, you have probably heard the term ‘Big Data’. These days, Big Data can cause big problems. If you do not have a plan to manage all that data and to make it easily accessible to your users, the data may as well not exist. If you cannot use that data for predictive analytics, you cannot accurately forecast your business results, plan for growth or compete in the market.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love a good deal. I really like to save money but not at the expense of quality or value. So, whether I am considering dinner with a friend, a new wardrobe item or a software services provider, I am always on the hunt for the best, most cost effective answer to my problem. Those who know me also know that I work in the software industry so, if I want services from another software business, I am always going to look for a partner who understands what it takes to succeed in my business. That means partnering with someone that can provide support for my customers, my products and my industry, not just someone who spouts tech speak!
These days it seems like everyone has an iPhone, and wise businesses are capitalizing on this ubiquitous device by creating apps that will draw in and hold consumers and apps that will make it easier for their employees and team members to accomplish tasks while they are on the road.
Technology is tough! How do you do it all? Even if you are a technology company or a technology consulting firm, you will find that you have to focus on one or a few core competencies if you want to ensure that you have the latest skills and knowledge in that one area or in a few areas or about a few products or services (if you are lucky).
Every business faces the challenge of managing and using data in a way that is meaningful, accurate and easy for users. To meet objectives, plan strategies and analyze information, the average enterprise must juggle best-of-breed, legacy systems, and many other data repositories that sometimes seem to hide data from even the most gifted analysts and IT staff members.
Every enterprise has best-of-breed, enterprise and out-of-the-box software products to help them run the business and organize users and team members. But, when it comes to custom software solutions, the average organization is hard-pressed to get the work done.
Features and functionality are important to software applications and software products but, without a great user experience designer, the solution is apt to fail. Today’s users (whether they are business users or consumers who use a software product to buy products or get information), are more sophisticated and demanding.
I HATE disorganization. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you have a particular item and searching everywhere to find it, only to come up empty. I have a friend, Jenny, who collects thimbles and she has everything catalogued! From the date of purchase to the locale where the thimble was made, the age of the piece and in which display cabinet that thimble resides. SO…if she wants to know how many thimbles she has from the U.K., she can get a count. If she wants to know which thimble is the oldest, she can find that information too! Jenny created her own little database to capture and manage this information.
If you manage or own a software company, you know that it is a constant balancing act to create, support and manage products for the business world. You understand your products and services. You know the strengths and unique qualities of your business and you can attract and retain customers. You know your market, technology landscape and your competition, and you know how to use technology solutions and software products to satisfy your customer and market needs.
We all hate those products and services that are designed as ‘cookie cutter’ with the assumption that the service provider just KNOWS what you need and will deliver that to you without any consideration for your actual requirements or the fact that your requirements may differ depending on the day, situation or location.
