What is a data warehouse?

A data warehouse known as DW or DWH is also known as enterprise data warehouse (EDW). DWS are mainly central repositories of structured data collected from multiple sources. Data is uploaded from existing operational systems like sales, ERP, marketing, etc. The operational data store performs several operations before integrated data is used in the DW for reporting.

There are several variants that work behind the mechanism of data warehouse, such as – time, subject, non-volatile and integrated. Here is a list of the variants:

Time

Data (current and old) is stored in a warehouse. People may retrieve old data by referring to time frames for data ranging from 3 months, 6 months or 12 months old. Having huge contrast with transactions systems (which are able to store most recent data) which can hold the most recent address of a client whereas a data warehouse will have all customer addresses stored in its system.

Subject

Subject fields can be analyzed by a data warehouse. Assessing the data structures available in the feeds, one can analyze a particular subject, like marketing or sales.

 Non-volatile

Data structures will not change once they have been placed in a data warehouse. Historical data must never be tampered or altered.

Integrated

Data is accumulated and from multiple data sources. These accumulations are integrated into categories which become the part of the data structure that identifies each of its elements/products by their sources. There can be only one way of identifying products inside a data warehouse.

Software Functions

There are a set of software tools that bring together all accumulated data under one roof. ETL or extract-transform-load based warehouses apply access, staging and data integration layers to form their central functions.

Data is collected from scattered sources of data systems and stored in staging layer or staging databases. Then the integration layer formulates scattered data types by transforming them from the staging layer. This transformed data is stored inside operational data store (ODS) database.

There are numerous steps of data allocation taking place in the entire process of data warehousing. Integrated data is placed inside another database. Hierarchical groups (created on the basis of facts) are formed to arrange the integrated data. Access layer helps users to retrieve data.

Data warehouse greatly focuses on data storage where main sources of collected data is catalogued, cleaned and transformed in order to make them available for management purposes. Business owners, professionals and managers depend on this fine-tuned data to pursue in their efforts of online analytical processing, decision support, data mining and market research.

Other essential areas managed by a data warehousing system are – manage, extract, analyze, transform, retrieve and load data.

When we broadly define data warehousing we include it as a massive business intelligence utility.

Why use data Warehouse?

Providing quality customer service depends greatly on having all information on your fingertips. As a business owner you must be aware of your clients’ pulse. You must be able to answer the most simple and unimportant questions like how many acquisitions you had or difference of yearly sales figures.

Business operations, transactions, results, solutions and consolidations improve only when data is managed and received well. Some of the major advantages of data warehousing are:

1. Equal distribution of data across the entire organization.
2. Categories and well-integrated data structures help in fast decision making. Management success forms the base of overall success in business.
3. Fact-based decisions help in improving marketing strategies which help bring changes in selling policies.
4. High quality effective and standardized data brings together departments and puts consistency in business efforts.
5. Businesses looking forward to have profit must implement a data warehouse in order to take sound business decisions.

Conclusion

Data warehousing provides trends, which can be analyzed to take decisions. Better information helps take better decisions which result in better revenues. If you need any help, just talk to us at www.radikal-labs.com/contact and let us tell you ways in which we can help you do better.

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Goods Order Inventory

Manage your purchase orders, stocks, sales leads, invoices, customers and estimates with this incredible inventory management app. Get introduced to this all in one smart inventory app that automates simplified accuracy for your growth.

Designed for easy usability across BlackBerry, iPhone and Android devices, ‘Goods Order Inventory’ app comes in free and pro versions.

Features

1. If you have multiple warehouses this is the right app that sends you availability updates of your current stock. It also sends you a projected stock status.
2. You can quickly recognize and easily analyze your stock by shuffling through your stock images (you can add product images).
3. Having multiple products is no more a hassle as you can assign barcodes for easy identification.
4. Add as many categories as you require along with their respective images. Categories can be customized according to one’s business requirements.
5. You can transfer stocks through your Smartphone or any of your mobile devices. Stocks can be transferred across multiple locations.
6. Allow this app to adjust your stock data and manage rejected, damaged or broken stock.

Get a 14 days’ trial on 5 different plans. Starter is available for $18.99/month, Basic can be availed for $39.99/month, Standard is available for $79.99/month. Advance and Premium plans are available for $159.99 and $319.99 per month respectively.

Inventory Now

Get all your required inventory details and summaries on your mobile device. Categories and lists combining of essential indicators like name, date, barcode, location, net profit, inventory sold, current inventory cost, profit margin, etc will make your life easier. You will have a life comprising of successful inventory management with options like import/export with dropbox, simple reporting and easy tracking. If you are a small/medium business owner you can see an overview of your items and their respective segments anytime and from anywhere.

Features

1. Get essential information on your inventory such as barcode, date, location, name and category. An additional field (freeform Notes) is included where you can put across anything you want.
2. Get access of your entire inventory on a single screen.
3. Easily filter, sort and search your items and categories.

This app is available for $4.99 and can be downloaded from iTunes.

Get all your required inventory details and summaries on your mobile device. Categories and lists combining of essential indicators like name, date, barcode, location, net profit, inventory sold, current inventory cost, profit margin, etc will make your life easier. You will have a life comprising of successful inventory management with options like import/export with dropbox, simple reporting and easy tracking. If you are a small/medium business owner you can see an overview of your items and their respective segments anytime and from anywhere.

Features

1. Get essential information on your inventory such as barcode, date, location, name and category. An additional field (freeform Notes) is included where you can put across anything you want.
2. Get access of your entire inventory on a single screen.
3. Easily filter, sort and search your items and categories.

This app is available for $4.99 and can be downloaded from iTunes.

Inventory Tracker

This app works on iPad. It has been designed keeping in mind the hectic schedules of retailers. With this app, retailers can breathe easy as tracking and managing high points of sales will become smooth with Inventory Tracker. There are free and pro versions of this app. Version: 4.5.6 requires is compatible with iOS 7.0 or later.

Features

1. The app will allow you to mark sold, delivered, received or shipped on your products.
2. You can view your entire inventory in snapshots.
3. When you purchase a new inventory you can inform the app about it. This will keep statuses of your items updated.
4. You can have an overview watch of your inventory anytime anywhere. This is required when an item needs to be tracked.
5. Summaries for everything can be generated in this app.
6. Profits and profit margins will be easily generated by this app.
7. Quick Filters to add and view statuses and categories.
8. Customer support is great as effective communication with the app users is possible.
9. Easy and simplified report generation.

The app is Free and is available on iTunes. For multi-user synchronization the price starts at $2.99 / month. You can easily opt for synchronized data across all your devices for as many users as you need. Change made on one device is automatically updated on all other devices.

Stock Controller

Worries about losing your inventory data are about to end forever.  This app is available for Android. It has several tutorials to let you easily continue with stock controlling and management. Your data is saved in the cloud.

Features

1. Video Tutorials
2. Data can be saved locally or on the cloud
3. Section wise segregation of statistics and charts.
4. Online and Offline work implementation.
5. Receive alerts and find inventories sorted by warehouse
6. Register providers and clients

It is freely available but includes in-app purchases. Download it from the Play store.

Canvas

There are several inventory management and tracking apps offered by Canvas. The website offers a comparison of various apps. Choose the best fit for your business. You can benefit greatly from Inventory Tracking Sheet with bar-coding facilities.

Features

1. Operates across multiple platforms such as Android, Windows desktop, iPhone, Windows mobile, iPad, PlayBook and Blackberry.
2. There are tools that allow you to have data collection forms for wide range of devices.
3. Track your inventory by items, department and location information.
4. Easy, accurate and fast access to information suitable for effective tracking and supplying of items.
5. Comprehensive data comprising of categories and numerous lists like last date, item number, current quantities, beginning and ending dates for items and description, for your inventory.

Get it for a free trial up to 30 days. Get your quote by contacting Canvas.

JumpStock

This is one of the smartest cloud-based inventory management apps available. Smart mobile devices receive real-time information on supplies, items, delivery dates, etc. Effective cost reduction will be made possible when you choose to manage your inventory with this app.

Features

1. Customize by department
2. Easy Navigation and Simple user interfaces
3. Flexibility in inventory management approach. Whether you are using a 2Bin approach for high-velocity or a limited access system for expensive items and devices or have to deal with a mobile-based PAR system or low cost supplies and low unit of measure this comprehensive app is suitable for any type of approach.
4. Barcode scanning with mobile devices or scanners eases up the process of inventory management automation.

This is Free but JumpStock license is required which can be taken from Jump Technologies. Download it from Google’s Play store and Apple iTunes.

Lettuce

This app has been developed solely for iPads. Besides being an excellent inventory management app Lettuce includes a wide range of related systems like customer relationship management, order capture, sales and order analysis, shipping and tracking, payment processing and various other actions.

Features

1. Fast and easy processes and actions
2. Huge data handling
3. Effective CRM functions for future reports and analyses.
4. Quick communication
5. Accuracy in records and custom experiences.

A cloud-based web app for laptop and desktop computers is offered by Lettuce. It makes way for a great experience in carrying out actions like integrating systems, setting up users, customizing UI and managing customer records and product listings.

The app is priced at $59 per month for single user. Additional user will include an additional cost of $25 per month.

SOS Inventory

If you are already using QuickBooks then this app will act as an additional force for your inventory management. You can use SOS Inventory anywhere, any time. You will have tremendous online help in managing order management, manufacturing and inventory.

Features

1. Items can be tracked by their serial number.
2. Cost history for specific items can be tracked.
3. Standards browsers like Safari, Internet Explorer and Firefox are supported.
4. Supports multiple locations
5. Integrates with QuickBooks Online by synchronizing lists and transactions
6. Integrate with QuickBooks Online to eliminate duplicate data entry
7. Manual Syncing and automatic syncing of SOS Inventory enabled.

It is available for a 30 day free trial. There are multiple plans – Companion: $29 – 2 users, basic inventory tracking, Plus: $59 – 3 users, all Companion plan features, serial number tracking, lot tracking, unlimited locations, bar-coding, and several other features, Pro: $99 – 5 users, all Plus plan features, plus multiple work centers, work-in-progress tracking, and other features.

If you want to include additional users outside the plan limits then an additional cost of $10/month/user will be levied.

CashierLive

CashierLive can be operated across Android, iPhone and iPad. It allows users to scan barcodes and also create unique codes to track and manage inventory.

Features

1. in-app support from the home screen
2. barcodes scanner
3. Unique codes can be created
4. Inventory management and tracking
5. Neatly sorted listings including price, pictures description, category and quality
6. Integrates with QuickBooks and local inventory marketing via Milo

Inventory Droid

This is an inventory app developed for Android devices.  Small business owners can have a great time operating this app. Stocks can be categorized into items and tracked accordingly.

Features

1. Export/import CSV item lists
2. Create multiple accounts
3. Clone accounts
4. Spreadsheet of total assets of accounts
5. Create custom item fields
6. Allows users to have password-protected accounts

Business Inventory

Now you can easily export your inventory to various platforms like email, etc. Developed for iPhone and iPad, Business Inventory has been specially designed to track sales, product levels, deliveries and orders. Whether you are shipping items from a warehouse or receiving certain items into warehouses or picking up items and packing them Business Inventory will be your transfer guide.

Features

1. Unlimited inventory entries
2. Barcode reader
3. Quality database
4. Product photo from native library or camera

This inventory management app is available for $0.99. It can be downloaded from iTunes.

On Shelf

Track your customer database, create and manage orders, check inventory levels and perform a wide range of activities with this classic inventory management app that targets small business owners. Built for iPad, On Shelf allows users to sync between iPads. Easy access to items alon with built-in barcode reader makes this app effective. You can utilize your time on business strategies as this app manages your time fabulously.

Features

1. Track product movement with the barcode scanner
2. Receive first hand analysis and sales reports
3. Select a product to see its sales and order history
4. Colour-coded current inventory
5. Easy display of items with the barcode reader

On Shelf is priced at $4.99. It is available on iTunes.

Rapid Inventory

This app is built to enable easy Smartphone enabled inventory control. Bluetooth support is an unique feature in this app.

Features

1. Simple, intuitive operation
2. Create, manage, and control item stock lists, equipment serial numbers, and more
3. Data import and export with the help of Google Docs, CSV and XML files for Google online spreadsheets.
4. High-end barcode scanner and integrated support for industry-grade Bluetooth scanners
5. Import existing stock lists.
6. Analyse and use collected data for further processing

It is free up to 100 items. There are two professional editions available – Business Edition: $13.99 – up to 500 items and Unlimited Edition: $39.99 – unlimited items.

On Hand

This is an inventory tracking app that has been developed for Android, iPhone, iPod Tocuh and iPad. Bluetooth scanners make it a modern day support system.

Features

1. Quick and easy counting
2. Perform inventory related actions like generate restocking orders, data collection, pack orders for shipment and track assets.
3. Each item’s information like barcode, location, quantity and note.

On Hand is priced at $29.95 and is available on Google Play.

Inventory management will always be an integral part of businesses. Being an important part of the mobile world you must have a mobile inventory management system. This will add to your business value and introduce you to the world of enterprise mobility.

The post Effortless Inventory Management with Effective Inventory Mobile Apps appeared first on Radikal Labs: Latest News on Web, Mobile App & Game Development Services.

Sales Enablement

47% percent of world class organizations have reported access to rich content by sales representatives. Content accessibility enhances prospects and capabilities of specific sales situations and strategies. This means providing fast and easy access to contextual and relevant content to sales reps. Providing information access makes individuals grow and engage themselves in boosting an organization’s sales capabilities.

Bridging of gaps between IT and business

Days of Software updates and delays are disappearing fast. With sales force mobile apps the business world is empowering itself. Stratix Mobile applications are significantly helping field sales companies to introduce workforce mobility that successfully positions cost savings, optimization of mobile workforce, field sales report generation and business agility. End-to-end mobility solutions for effective customer service, enhanced workflow and operational efficiency create the stepping stones of huge success for sales. Significant results in the areas of sales revenue, investment scalability, customer responsiveness and overall efficiency of sales units are achieved with help of mobility in sales force.

Complete Solution Integration

What differentiates an A-list company from an under achieving one is the huge gap between CRM and sales intelligence. This gap needs to be bridged.  The only solution lies in integration of sales intelligence and existing CRM platform. Once these two entities combine success in sales evaluation is achieved. All Transitions must be carried out easily in existing software platforms. Solution integration brings in sales enablement.

Comprehensive Sales Coaching

Sales coaching are persistent efforts. Companies that ride on success drives usually provide goal-specific and real-time sales coaching. Organizational sales coaching rely heavily on sales assets and marketing dynamics. Mobility in sales becomes successful on the basis of commercial landscape, in-depth knowledge of customers’ social, commercial and political backgrounds, data and context of client bases.

Enterprise mobility does not imply a sales team simply equipped with an iPad or an iPhone. Sales individuals’ jobs must be effectively channelized. The technology tools provided to them must fetch the right kind of information and business enablement.

In B2B mobile strategies must be implemented and acted upon rightly. Poor mobility support will make it difficult to ensure sales support resource engagement. Sales reps must have easy access to CRM data or else time will be wasted in updating data. This will reduce selling time and efficiency of sales forces.

With the emerging cloud based analytics platforms, sales individuals have started finding it easy to establish sales practices, sales processes and related sales content in the sales applications. This has given rise to predictability and rise in potential closing of businesses. Knowledge sharing, contextual data estimation, reasoning and setting up in-depth sales strategies are part of sales coaching. Smart industry related sales force apps will be a guiding light in setting up business efficacy.

Integration with back-office operations and systems for diversification of business processes

Sales force acts as the front end of a business entity while operations and back-office act as the back-end of the organization. There must be a fine line that connects the dots between these two ends. Seamless integration of back-office systems will make way for successful business processes. Mobility is the only way to achieve this. Processes that need integration (mobility) and overall diversification are:

1. Order Management
2. Account Management
3. Warehouse Inventory
4. Sales Analytics
5. Messaging
6. Product Catalog
7. Expense Management
8. Time Management
9. Payment Collection
10. Route Management
11. Performance Metrics

Making CRM more mobile and accessible

Key components of CRM data include leads, account information, sales forecasts, customer information, business calls’ information and leads. Implementing these data for enhancing sales mobility will introduced an effective sales-environment and a powerful integration of workplace operations. CRM mobility would invariably bring in success for sales mobility as they work hand in hand.

Apps must be easy to adopt

Sales mobility will help your sales team to produce more results by putting fewer efforts. Utilizing mobile apps (which have fullest potential to achieve sales targets) will lead you to an easy territory. Apps are easy to access and operate. In order to influence sales figures adopt the right app for your sales team. Some of the determining factors in choosing an appropriate sales app are:

1. An app must be built to provide exact information on sales history, customers, leads and provide useful insights.
2. User interface must be easy to operate and useful. A sales rep must be able to benefit from the interface while he/she is on the move.
3. Must be developed so that it is operable across multiple devices such as Smartphone, laptops, tablets and phablets.

Few Beneficial Apps for a Sales Rep

Sales reps are mostly on the move, making cold calls or paying client visits. Apps must enhance their time management. Useful apps must optimize their sales time spent on travelling. Achieving good sales figures will require effective sales forecasting and tracking which are provided by the following business/sales oriented apps:

Doc Scan

You can simply take shots of a document or an image and make a smart PDF or a JPEG out of them.

Evernote

Meetings and conferences call for jotting down of notes. You can create to-lists, take notes and tag them by location and place memos on reminder. Evernote does a wide array of tasks while you intently attend your business meetings.

eSignature app

Allow your prospective clients to sign (after committing to a contract between him/her and your organization) on your corresponding document. Organizations using Adobe EchoSign or DocuSign can benefit greatly. Sales reps can enable their business prospects anywhere and at anytime with eSignature app.

CamCard

Sales people often tend to lose their business prospects due to time constraints, unavailability of contact/business cards. CamCard comes as a saviour as it digitizes information (presents contact information) with a photo and saves the information to your phone’s contacts.

Mind Tools

This app allows users to develop their business skills by reading small articles on communication, leadership, problem solving, practical creativity, project management, team management, stress management, strategy tools and decision making.

Perseverance, effort and disappointment are a significant part of sales. Enabling sales mobility increases profit based metrics within an organization. Online meetings, presentations and reports will enhance sales rep’ engagement, thus driving business processes towards revenue growth.

Read Also: Enterprise Mobility Solutions for HR

The post Sales Mobility for Better Business Performance appeared first on Radikal Labs: Latest News on Web, Mobile App & Game Development Services.

While discussing enterprise mobility, we come across our very first question, does the HR department require an app to channelize its workplace demands? The answer lies in the following list of HR demands for mobility:

1. Carrying out HR workflow that includes approval for travel and leaves.
2. Empowerment of Employees through connectivity.
3. Increased productivity due to shared information and critical decisions.
4. Managing employee information such as departments, recruitment, timesheets, appraisals, projects handled by individuals and teams.
5. Assessing, Planning and Handling internal communication.
6. Managing and looking after learning and development cycle in employee engagement.

Enabling Employees to stay connected

It requires optimization of business operations to bring in growth. Organizations must leverage mobility to introduce employee enablement. Employees must be an integral part of business operations. To make them more efficient they must be able to access internal business applications. Employees travelling for business purposes or freelancers working from home must stay accessible and completely aligned with business operations of the organization. Mobility in a workplace includes mobile access in document sharing platforms, business newsletters, corporate alerts, SharePoint, instant messengers, corporate forms, social communication tools, employee directories, emails, timesheets and training materials. Easy to use mobile apps can be introduced for faster adoption even by new employees.

BYOD (bring your own device) can also be taken up. This will be a smart approach towards employee enablement. Security concerns for devices and accessibility issues can be handled by using advanced security policies and encryption methods. Shortened task cycles will gradually improve workplace productivity. Costs will be reduced and information will be centralized. Enhanced communication and collaboration will be ensured within the organization.

Easy access to information will enable heightened organizational development. If you are a first timer (implementing enterprise mobility for the first time in your professional world) then you must take note of the following points:

1. Communicate and involve local and global IT support organizations to get a first hand clear idea on the technical process (dos and don’ts of implementing mobility).
2. An app must be chosen on the basis of its scalability support. Additional requirements (extended support) must be met by the app.
3. Clearances from IT security organizations must be obtained prior hand in order to meet desired deadlines and goals.
4. Delays (due to lengthy processes in connecting with internal systems such as HRMS and Active Directory) must be anticipated. Alternate plans must be present.

Given below are a few benefits to HR functions provided by Enterprise mobility:

Improvement in Business Processes

Enterprise mobility involves employees to engage in faster marketing, operations and sales functions. This establishes better engagement with customers. With powerful mobility introduced in a workplace a company’s workforce has access to real-time data which effectively boosts their individual tasks.

Employee engagement

Engaged workplaces make way for higher satisfaction and retention rates. Enterprise mobility induces easier engagement of workforces.

Increased Employee Efficiency

A mobile app makes it easier for an employee to manage his/her daily chores, approvals, mails, task lists and make easy reports. HR professionals can look forward to use an app in planning for employee retention, recruitment, performance appraisals, manpower, resources and administrative functions.

Key HR functions within an organization will be greatly sorted with mobile apps. Convenience brought about by mobility will lead to growth of an organizational structure.

A globalised Workplace with Global Talent Resourcing

For multinational work environments wider challenges are put forward to the HR. Shifting market trends and rapid changes in business strategies lead to changes within the HR. With the advent of enterprise mobility HR roles become business driven. Following HR functions (more business driven) are a part of global mobility oriented programmes:

1. Encouraging specialized job roles and careers
2. Building more agile workplace structures with well-formed, flat and transparent talent strategies.
3. Better training for HR to enhance skills and opportunities.
4. Encouraging global mindsets.
5. Implementing global leadership strategies.
6. Continuous development along with transparent global talent mobility.
7. Use analytics to the maximum benefit of understanding global talent issues.
8. Integrating better approaches, practices and policies to meet global standards.
9. Investment in HR oriented technologies.

Organizations implementing global mobility programs that include the points stated above revolutionize HR functions. Aligning global mobility to talent and business strategies (which form the superstructure for HR functions) require the following steps:

1. Increase the use of mobility data analytics.
2. Agreeing upon strategic purposes of global mobility.
3. Deep understanding of global; deployments and their value propositions.

Enabling HR professionals with suitable skills and providing them with enhanced training in mobility concepts will help them to engage in business driven mobility conversations. This will bridge the gaps in mobility of a business organization and allow them to focus on expanded business objectives and initiatives.

The post Enterprise Mobility Solutions for HR appeared first on Radikal Labs: Latest News on Web, Mobile App & Game Development Services.

We have discussed some of the best apps that are effectively priced and offer a wide range of actions. With our following list of apps you can easily compare tools and techniques to pick the best according to your requirements and business size.

LoopSurvey

This is one of the best survey apps for teams. It is available for Free Trial. When you set up LoopSurvey you will be asked to prepare a questionnaire and available devices. You can easily collect real-time responses from users, customers and your employees using the questionnaire. The app allows you to analyze, receive and manage automated reports and alerts. There are more than 50000 organizations availing LoopSurvey. UI is flexible and the app can be run on multiple devices, auto-synced to cloud and can work offline. Numerous questions can be put in and you can perform your brand survey with your company’s logo.

Reports, individual responses, summaries, and other real-time data can be instantly generated. You can export data to Excel anytime. MailChimp Integration is also allowed in this app. Criteria based real time alerts in the form of texts and emails are received here. It uses robust data security and is also HIPAA Compliant.

Valuable customer information like email addresses can be used for lead generation. Employee performances can be assessed here which can be utilized in future Quality Control. LoopSurvey can be availed for $25/month after a free trial.

QuickTapSurvey

It is free up to 50 responses. This app works offline. You can build your surveys which may turn out to be far better than your online surveys. Answer option is available which comes with other options like scan QR codes, grab locations and image capture. Your survey cab be deployed to iOS and Android devices where they can be filled out offline with your data being synced back for your use when you come back online.

Basic Plan is priced at $19/month offering unlimited surveys and responses.

SurveyMonkey

This app arranges your questions and answers. It acts as more than just a tool offering. There are readymade templates and pre-written questions available here to support users in getting accurate answers. You will get accurate results. You can also check other survey stats from the same industries available in the app’s database.

There are options that will allow you to purchase survey responses. It is free for unlimited surveys and 100 responses. However it has been priced at $26/month for 1000 responses and above. There are other plans provided by the app that has additional tools and features.

Polldaddy

You can get unlimited free responses and surveys. Polldaddy is considered an affordable. Its survey editor is good. There are tools that will let you embed media collected from Google Maps, YouTube, Flickr and various other platforms. Responses can be received via RSS feeds or emails. Polldaddy is developed by Automattic, the organization associated with WordPress. The app is integrated with WordPress. Your surveys can be displayed on your blog which is a great way to display and publicize your brand. Many of its tools and features are free to avail. For custom CSS, report filtering, custom redirects and other additional features Polldaddy Pro account will be required which has been priced at $29/month.

SurveyPlanet

You can automatically add answers to your survey questions. There is no need to repeatedly tap on the  + button. You can also duplicate your questions and reword them for detailed surveys. You can have a preview of your survey before launching or making changes. This feature makes SurveyPlanet a clear winner.

You can choose from varying displays of your survey. The quick and easy survey tool will help you to get answers quickly.

SurveyPlanet is provides all base features, unlimited responses and surveys in its free plan. Its pro plan is available for $20/month if you require added features such as branching questions, CSV exports, custom branding and printable surveys.

There are various other survey and poll apps available in the marketplace. We have chosen the best of the lot to provide an overview as to how they function and produce effective results.

 Custom surveys 

Businesses may often require custom built survey systems. Organizations often come up with requirements that are off the hook. Unavailability of tools and functions in existing apps urge companies to build their own apps to carry out their desired survey functions.

Apps available in the marketplace might have security issues due to its easy access and availability. Database security is a sacred thing for business owners. Creating a custom app using one’s own DB is desirable as leading a secured business life is all important.

Why do we use mobile surveys?

Growth in mobile devices and users has led to the diversification of industries and work sectors. Businesses around the world have started simplifying workplaces and field works like sales, customer handling and surveys. Mobile devices and Smartphone have made it easy to produce mobile optimized surveys. With each passing day it is becoming difficult to reach people when they are on a laptop or desktop. By using mobile devices easy to take smart surveys are quickly delivered to targeted customer bases. There remains no need for additional configuration, system requirements or set up to carry on with surveys.

A brand’s success is highly dependent on market research and customer feedback. Online surveys are faster and cheaper ways to collect feedback and relevant information from users.

Mobile surveys can be carried out anywhere and anytime as modern mobile browsers are compatible with latest survey apps that are carried out across Windows Phone, iPads, tablets iPhones, Blackberry and Android devices.

Mobile surveys are smart and easy as they can be created quite simply. They can be sent to your respondents using Facebook, QR codes, email, pop ups and web links. Users will find it easy to complete surveys as look and feel of the mobile surveys are designed keeping in mind users’ ease of use.

The post How Important are Mobile Surveys? appeared first on Radikal Labs: Latest News on Web, Mobile App & Game Development Services.

Daily sales tasks such as opening and sharing files, accessing leads, opportunities and contact, carrying out meetings, sales force, dashboard access and sharing files carried out by a salesperson are freed from the clutches of desktop operations. All thanks to synchronizing information on the move.

Coca Cola and its Mobile CRM

Mobile CRM platforms are able to perform numerous tasks that frees up time for sales teams. Custom apps can load information in CRM back ends. Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) has started using mobile CRM to bring efficient initiatives throughout its sales, operations and administrative services. Increased efficiency and improvements in customer service and beverage sales have been witnessed by CCE as pulling customers on board has become easier and administration offerings broader. An app has been launched by CCE on Sales Cloud and the Salesforce Platform. Currently the app is being used by a few hundred people in Great Britain and 300 more in the Netherlands. The aim is to help field sales representatives to spend more time with customers. Increased information flow, customer-focused approach, channelized deployment, multi-contact and improved development cycle has been CCE’s vision. More exchanges on mobile devices have led to more customers. CCE plans to open up more apps around the world to open up more customer contact channels.

Huge Shift to Personalized Customer Experience

You can integrate your existing CRM system with mobile devices and have social media access. This will lead to superior personalized customer experiences. Shift to mobility will involve numerous platforms as there are tablet-based browsers, location services, mobile apps, emails and social networks used by customers. Combining CRM with mobile and social networks will add new dimensions to your business capabilities and reach.

Information, Query and Response on the Move

A mobile CRM platform can be accessed by customers as well as your subject matter experts, sales executives and managers. This will lead to immediate access to queries and round-the-clock implementation of response and problem solving from anywhere and from any device. Customers will easily contact you and you can track each and every case with ease, benefiting greatly from your CRM platform.

Mobile CRM Apps

Customer relationship management is currently a hotspot as suggested by Gartner – ‘Global CRM spending hit $23.2 billion in 2014, up 13.3 percent from $20.4 billion in 2013.’

Other Software surveys (carried out by Software Advice) indicate – half of all existing CRM users reportedly access CRM systems using Smartphone, while 45 percent use tablets.

Users are increasingly becoming fond of mobile CRM apps which will implement growth of CRM apps and a growing mobile CRM marketplace. Here is a list of few Mobile CRM apps that are huge favourites in the marketplace:

Box.net Mobile

This app will allow you to view all your content online in the format of files and folders. Widgets can be developed to share your files across blogs and web pages. This app is available for Android, iPad, iPhone and BlackBerry. Files can also be viewed full-screen presentation modes. They can also be viewed in more than 100 formats. Folders can be transformed into a webpage.

Zoho Mobile CRM

This app has numerous mobile CRM features operable across iOS and Android. Users can leverage their devices’ geolocation capabilities to make sales calls. Managers and colleagues can check in besides geotagging sales calls. Nearby customers or colleagues can be located using “near me” option.

Sugar Mobile

Sugar mobile is a popular mobile CRM app that operates on Apple iPad, Android and iPhone. Users can log calls on their mobile devices via the app. Simplified interaction and information access is an inherent quality of this app. Changes made in the system data is updated in real time. Google map location can be used in tracking any location/address. Syncing of devices is not necessary in carrying out all actions within the app. Daily activity screens can be personalised in order to receive updates on upcoming events and sales calls.

HubSpot

This app focuses on inbound marketing which helps companies “get found” across the web. Leads are converted to businesses. Available for Android and iPhone, HubSpot greatly helps in businesses to improve their marketing investments by offering analytics. Users can track leads, visitors, customers and progress in generating new visitors with the help of HubSpot Analytics. Multiple accounts can be managed in the app. Users can analyse performance of their email campaigns.

Salesforce Chatter

This app has been announced as the most successful product launch ever, by Robin Daniels, director of product marketing at Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM). Currently the app is reportedly used by more than 80,000 companies worldwide. This is the company’s first cloud based social enterprise that has Facebook and other social networking site leverages. Individuals, employees and sales teams follow recent data, activities and people. All information gets stored in the cloud and can be accessed through mobile devices. Chatter has successfully reduced meetings and emails as employees have become more productive.

ForceManager

Users can manage deals, check account details, view calls, access all previous interactions with customers, track visits and emails on a single screen. ForceManager is a CRM app that is operable on BlackBerry, Android, Windows and iOS. This is an efficient app that is beneficial in tracking and accessing sales data in pipelines.

Oracle Mobile Sales Assistant and Oracle Mobile Sales Forecast

These two apps effectively connect sales individuals using their respective Oracle CRM on Demand applications. A cloud customer service, RightNow Technologies was acquired by Oracle to improve the app’s overall mobile CRM capabilities.

Batchbook

This is social CRM program that is suited for small sized business. The app provides mobile access to social networking contacts. CRM functionality is basic where users can create forms and feeds directly into the Batchbook database. Changes are synced with the core Batchbook account.

Sybase Mobile Sales for SAP CRM

The app has been developed to provide easy accessibility data to sales individuals. Data can be accessed from any mobile device.

Resco MobileCRM

Doron Eskinasi, owner of Professional Software Development Corp claims, “The MobileCRM iPhone app is the first one I have been able to use and get access to all my features except for email.” He being a developer of CRM applications states how, “The app synched all my data to the iPhone and I am able to access it at ease.”

This is a sales force app that helps people in field services to access data from Oracle Siebel, Microsoft Dynamics CRM or from other platforms through Windows, iPhone and Android powered devices.

Users preferring mobile CRM will let mobile CRM app marketplace to grow substantially. Productivity, heightened interactive qualities in business operations and boost in sales figures are inherent qualities of mobility in CRM. This will usher growth in mobile CRM territories.

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Data mining is a way of discovering vast knowledge in databases. Comprehensive data patterns are achieved by business houses working on vast data related to statistics, artificial intelligence, database systems and machine learning. Ultimate goal of data mining is extracting relevant information and transforming them into a commonly understandable structure. Discussed here are a few powerful open source data mining tools that promise to be of great help in information extraction.

RapidMiner

This is known as one of the most popular open-source tool for data mining. The system has been developed on Java Programming language. The tool is a bonus for users who hardly need to write codes here. This tool gives advanced analytics through template-based frameworks. You can think of this software as a service provider than just a local tool set-up. Besides allowing users to have the basic set of data mining, RapidMiner provides other functionalities such as predictive analytics, data preprocessing, deployment, statistical modeling, visualization and evaluation. If you belong to industries like education, application development, research, training or rapid prototyping this is your ultimate data mining friend. You can look forward to have a power packed experience with RapidMiner’s algorithms, learning schemes and models. It is an open source software that is distributed by AGPL open source license. It has earned its name for being the most popular business analytics software.

NLTK

This is wonderfully suited for language-based data processing tasks. You can straighten out your raw text strings and put them into sentence segments, detect entities and relation between tagged and chunked sentences. There is a pool of language processing tools such as machine learning, sentiment analysis, data mining, data scraping and various other tasks performed by NLTK. In order to have a hassle-free language processing you can start simply by installing the NLTK package and you are ready to continue. Backend has been developed on Python which makes it easy for you to start building customized applications along with additional task inclusions.

jHepWork

Tailor-made for science and engineering-based data analysis and visualization jHepWork will be of maximum value for your scientific computation and related data needs. It works as an interface where several open-source software packages can be incorporated. Bulk data comprising of large mathematical and numerical evaluations, analysis and volumes are analyzed comfortably by jHepWork which can be used anywhere. If you belong to financial markets or engineering and science related fields then you might experience good data structuring with jHepWork.

WEKA

WEKA has had recent Java based sophistication included in its tool which allows users to have various algorithm and visual applications working for predictive modeling and comprehensive data analysis. You can look forward to have customization comfort. Standard data mining tasks like regression, data preprocessing, visualization, clustering, feature selection and classification is supported by WEKA.

KNIME

This is arguably the best tool for data preprocessing which requires completion of three major tasks such as loading, extraction and transformation. KNIME completes all of them and provides you with the graphical user interface that lets the nodes to assemble or data processing. KNIME is an open source platform where various data related components get integrated to form solid business and financial data indices. It has been written on Java which will allow you to have a fabulous experience of adding plugins and extending data integration support.

R-Programming

This is also known as Project R and is primarily written in C and Fortran. It is a GNU project which is free. It is best suited for statistical computing and graphics. Miners around the world use R language to develop statistical software and data analysis. R has become popular for its smooth running and effective time-testing, clustering and statistical test abilities.

Apache Mahout

As the name suggests this is an Apache project that intensifies machine learning implementation processes. There are four active supports provided by Apache Mahout – Frequent item set mining, Clustering, Recommendation mining and classification. User related categories and actions are identified with this mining tool.

PSPP

This is a perfectly suited program for statistically analyzing sampled data. It uses GNU Scientific Library to perform mathematical routines in bringing out graphical representations. Developed in C this mining tool has command-line and graphical user interfaces.

Orange

This is another open source mining tool that can be used by amateurs and experts. Mining is done here by using Python scripting and visual programming. Add-ons for text and bioinformatics mining is available here.

RapidAnalytics

Developed in the lines of RapidMiner, RapidAnalytics is a key component in business data analysis. With predictive reporting, analytical ETL (Extract, Transform and Load) and critical data analysis abilities RapidAnalytics is the new milestone for business analytics.

Intelligent focus on data research and analysis is the key to great success for most businesses. As long as data provides a strong platform for development there will be an ever-growing need for effective data mining tools.

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Important Elements of Data Mining

1. Storing and Managing data in a multi-level database setup.
2. Presenting accumulated data in a handy format such as through table or a graph.
3. Data warehouse is the place where all data is extracted, transformed and loaded.
4. Application software analyses the data collected.
5. Details of all data access are provided to business analysts and IT industry professionals.

Techniques of Data Mining

There are some major techniques involved in bringing out the best of data mining which include prediction, preparation, association, clustering, Deployment, decision tree, classification, Drill-Down Analysis and sequential patterns. We have provided a brief overview of each technique for better understanding.

Prediction

Predictive data mining is applied to identify a set of models such as a statistical or neural network model. This technique is used to predict response of interest. This technique is different from all other mining techniques as this is not explorative in nature but works on probability models and variable factors. Predictions are made on the basis of an assessment of relation between dependent and independent variables. These analysis help sales departments to predict future profit. However sale can be regarded as an independent or a dependent variable. Related results can be perceived on the basis of historical data on profit and sales.

Boosting is a concept that is applied in predictive form of data mining in order to bring out multiple models, derive weights (required in combining predictions) and generate classifiers. Boosting is done by starting a method and learning the data structure acquired by it. A series and sequence of classifiers is derived to predict the classifications. This is known as a boosting process.

Preparation

Preparing data classes and structures is a very important technique of data mining procedure. The bulk process of selecting and rejecting applicable and inapplicable data respectively serves as the basis of analysis. Acquired Data can contain bulk (and often impossible combinations) and out of rage values. Uncontrolled data acquiring leads to massive errors. To avoid errors, preparation of well-accumulated data is done to achieve crispness or clean data in data mining.

Association

This is a well-known data mining technique that forms patterns from relationships between items in similar transactions. Association technique is also popularly known as relation technique. This technique is applied to identify a range of products frequently purchased by consumers.

Retailing giants tend to use this technique in researching customers’ buying habits. For example by assessing historical data a retailer may find a trend where customers tend to buy chips along with beer. Going by this trend the retailer can choose to place beer and chips in the same place to save time for consumers and pull up sales figures.

Clustering

Meaningful clusters of objects are created with this technique. Objects having similar characteristics are defined into classes. The setting of classes and placing objects into each of them defines the clustering technique. We can take the example of categorizing books (book management in a store or a library) according to their genres in a library. Readers find it easy to scan and buy books as each shelf is separated with meaningful labels.

Deployment

Predictive data mining utilizes the process of deployment. Deployment technique includes putting up a model for prediction or classifying them into a new data. After a model is chosen or a set of models has been identified there is a need to deploy these models. After deployment the aim of achieving predicted classifications for further obtaining of new data is completed. This technique is often used in tracking types of transaction done through credit cards.

Decision tree

A predictive model is generally viewed as a decision tree. Taking an example of the mobile phone industry the tree includes customer classifications. Each branch of a decision tree includes classification questions. Data is divided into various parts in the tree. For data related to mobile phone industry the data point include number of churners and non-churners. This gives a brief about how the data model is built. Marketing departments find it easy to trace the flow of customers and target them accordingly. An intuitive path on customer base is drawn with the help of this technique.

Classification

Data mining involves setting up classes and groups in order to classify data into these predefined groups. Classification technique is a different form of data mining that involves mathematical representations such as neural network, decision trees, statistical data and linear programming. A software is developed in this process that does all the task of classifying data items into groups. This technique is best suited for keeping up employee records by classifying them into separate groups. Project wise upkeep of employee records can help organization to figure out which employee would remain available or unavailable for ongoing and future projects.

Drill-Down Analysis

Large databases require drill-down analysis of data mining. Explored data are broken down on the basis of interest-related variables like geographic region, age, gender, etc. Each group is aligned with histograms, statistics, graphical overviews and tables. Drill down technique is made to expose (analyze in details) these categorizations. We can take the example of service providers who may think of reviewing addresses of particular gender of customers according to their income groups. This is utilized in offering them future services according their group classification.

Sequential Patterns

Discovering regular events, trends and identifying similar patterns in transaction data is the basis of ‘Sequential Patterns’ technique. Customer acquisition is greatly boosted with the help of this technique. Businesses can track customer buying trends and offer better deals by using significant sales data.

Clubbing one or two techniques together and forming an effective business process is the sole intent of data mining. There are related testing and computational designs that go on to make successful data mining processes.

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Reports from Cowen and Company’s Mid-Year 2015 IT Spending Survey show how cloud computing features among the list of highest spending priorities for enterprises in 2015. The fact that 53% of enterprises intend to purchase Iaas (Infrastructure as a Service) from an IT service provider prove that cloud application development is becoming crucial for different organizations.

Even though cloud application development may come up with its unique set of challenges for developers, calling for different skill sets, the technology definitely offers distinct advantages.

Advantages of application development in cloud benefits an organization in multiple ways.

Less time consuming

Given the cloud platform’s efficiency in streamlining the entire development process, time required to develop any cloud-based app is significantly less. The traditional way of developing a custom application would be a long-time process as different additional components were needed for creating an app. The cloud platform has made it way easier for developers to gather the development assets online. Developers no more have to worry about infrastructure provisioning. As a result, they can now work their way out smoothly and deploy apps faster to enhance overall productivity.

Gone are the days when buying and installing equipments would take several weeks or months. Equipment in the cloud technology can get ready within hours. Ric Telford, VP of IBM Cloud Services noted “Rapid provisioning and also being able to be highly elastic- to have lots of processing power for a short period of time – are two ways that you get time to value.”

Reduced Costs

A major benefit of adopting the cloud application development approach lies in its ability to reduce a significant amount of cost. Earlier most small-scale businesses would be faced with budget issues when it came to setting up the infrastructure for developing, testing and deploying custom-based applications. But in cloud, the application development components are readily available online; coming in various types of subscription models for everyone to use.

According to the Citigroup, in the last three years, prices have gone down by around a quarter. With cloud providers building more data centres and fighting for market share, the cost for cloud application development is getting cheaper. In fact, Microsoft started offering free Azure cloud services to startups as a part of their customer retention strategy.

Scalability

Traditional application development used to make businesses walk a fine line between creating the right set of provision and under-provisioning; both of them resulting in performance issues. With cloud computing bursting into the scenario, organizations no longer have to worry about laying the provision for the right kind of infrastructure.
Both big, medium and small organizations can scale their assets whenever they deem it necessary. They can do it by either adding or compressing their required resources, i.e they do not need to pay for assets they are not using. While big organizations typically prefer the private cloud model, midsize businesses find public cloud models feasible.

Multi-device compatibility

No matter what the operating system of a device is, cloud-based apps are capable of running on multiple devices. Thus, this mode of application development allows mobile application development companies to design apps that are compatible with a host of devices.

To increase availability of apps, developers are left with no choice but build apps with multi-device compatibility. Integration of cross-platform ability in mobile apps definitely creates a lot of work for app developers. However, they can always overcome such issues by choosing to store the apps and their data in server running in mobile cloud, and not storing it on a mobile device. In this way, users can access the apps and its content through browsers running of various mobile devices.

Keeping in mind the economic benefits cloud technology has reaped, it has definitely become a prime support for the app developers. However, the development mode cannot be selected solely on the basis of price flexibility and must also take into consideration factors like agile development and business objectives. Still it cannot be ignored that the advantages of cloud app development have been so conspicuous that it has become an integral part of corporate strategy.

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