Technology has been a key player in the gamut of the payment world for the last few decades. The evolutionary mechanism has duly reshaped the payment industry from time- to- time. Following the first Industrial Revolution that brought about a major transformation in economies worldwide, the payment scenario equally underwent the transition cycle. It’s for the last fifty years or so that the need for a more convenient, secure, regulated mode of monetary transactions catapulted a significant shift in the manner we pay for goods & services now.

From cash payment to check payment, then to plastic cards like debit/credit card payments, the payment industry has seen it all. A solo swipe method did the trick! It’s indeed interesting to find out how technology has impacted payments and finally arrived at the present stage of digital payments. Let’s discuss it!

• EMV Technology

It is the power of Smart Card technology that has challenged a rather precarious counterfeit fraud leading to an alarming situation in the payment domain globally. EMV – Europay, MasterCard, Visa – the names of original creators of the very technology stand for the abbreviation, has come as a big solace to us.

Also known as the Chip Card or IC Card, its data are stored on the IC chips (Integrated Circuits) .The transaction is done by physically inserting a card onto a reader or by just tapping over a distance(contactless) using a Near-FieldCommunication Technology.It is the authentication method that categorizes cards into a Chip &Pin card or Chip &Signature Card.

• Mobile Point of Sale (MPOS)

Mobile POSis the technology that facilitates a flexible payment process in areas like retail, hotel, parking lots, etc.For instance, in a departmental store, customers don’t need to stand in a queue at billing counters to pay bills.Mobile POS enables sales-staff to receive payment from customers just from any location they are present inside the store. Similarly, a hotel staff can check you in or check you out ata lobby itself (or any convenient point).No need to do the formality in the usual front desk corner of hotel.MPOSis widely being used across industries not only in hotel or retail but SMBs and even the bigger enterprises.

• Mobile Wallets

The arrival of digital technology has smoothened the process of payment methods viz., Mobile Wallet is the e-version of a Real Wallet in physical form. Under the technology, consumers use mobile phones to pay for goods & services instead of hard cash, swiping/inserting credit cards or debit cards. Take for instance, Google Pay, Apple Pay, where the entire payment card information is stored on a mobile phone.

• Peer-To-Peer Payments

P2P Money transfer is the electronic transfer of money done by one person to another through an intermediary in the form of a Peer-to-Peer payment application. Paypal, ApplePAyCash, Venmo, Zelle are a few examples of the P2P applications.It is the process of transferring funds between two people through their respective personal bank accounts or credit cards using an online medium or app.In short, it is an effortless money transfer process with a  mere few taps! So, next time when you go outing with family or friends, don’t carry cash but a smart digital payment app on your mobile.

• AI based Voice Payments

Has it not been a common scenario by now- “Alexa, pay my water bill,”a scene you can connect to so often! After mobile shopping, you can now resort to your Android apps that can do you favor towards paying bills through an integrated system of Voice Assistant. This is termed as an AI technology backed Smart Speaker! You speak, and the AI obeys to your command! Many renowned names rule the picture – Amazon, Apple, and Google. Not only at the present but Smart Speaker has a bright future with a Business Insider report suggesting its usage to grow up to 77.9 million users by 2022!

• Biometric Authentication

You can consider Biometric Authentication as a significant addition to various digital modes that the payment industry has witnessed so far. It is a verification system incorporating measurable physical attributes like your handprints, fingerprints, your irises, and even voice. These attributes are unique from person to person. Biometric technology does scanning and then verifying the given attributes to authenticate a user to a particular service. It gives ample scope of combating security threats in the entire system!

• Internet-of-Payments

  A disruptive technology like the Internet- of- Things (IoT) has introduced Internet-of-Payment (IOP) that enables financial transactions over IoT devices like wearable gadgets, appliances, and automobiles. MASTERCARD, VISA are the pioneers in this segment that are helping financial institutions with the seamless method of card payments over connected devices.

How would you rate the technologies that let you pay with just a wave of the hand (FitBit), or some In-Car APPfor seamless payments(HONDA or GM cars), shopping groceries using your Samsung Refrigerators? Thus, the Payment Industry has reached to a point where digital payments are the core of businesses across industries.

Would you like to develop some modern technologies to accelerate your business payment systems, reach out to us for a free demo today!

Warehouse Management is a significant part of any Supply-Chain cycle. Managing & controlling operations of a warehouse, on day –to- day basis, is known as the Warehouse Management. Basically, from a layman’s point of view, how you are managing your warehouse depends on the three things – your inventory (types of goods lying in there), your business model, and the technologies you adopt in the supply-chain. Warehouse Management is not just how much space you got but how you use it! Definitely, technologies play a key role in shaping your business, managing your warehouse .What are the top technologies you should adopt to manage your warehouse? Let’s discuss!

Disruptive Technologies

Industries across the world are adopting modern technologies such as the Internet-of-things, Machine-Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, etc. in their day-to-day functioning of businesses. In the entire process, two major things occur – Innovation and Disruption. Thus, disruptive technology is actually the technological innovation that penetrates the existing market and causes disruption there. Smart Warehouses are the product of disruptive technologies such as Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML).

1.Smart Warehouse Management System & IoT

Warehouses play an important link in any kind of supply-chain facilitating storage of goods till they get dispatched at a target location. How to bring that global visibility to your supply chain in your business? The answer is WMS or the Smart Warehouse Management System, an IoT enabled technology product. You can get immense power-packed benefits from WMS that converts your traditional warehouse into a smart warehouse! Thus, managing your day-to-day logistic operations becomes easier now. They are done by the Automated-Guided-Vehicles (AGVs), Telematics system which help boost accuracy and speed of the logistic processes, minimizing human intervention.WMS helps optimize all the inventory tasks, procedures in the system.

2. Machine-To-Machine (M2M) Technology

The M2M technology helps streamline and monitor automation process of your warehouse. You don’t need to watch manually how the orders are processed. Combined with WMS, the latest M2M systems can now control all the equipment in your warehouse and this is quite important towards order fulfillment processes. M2M helps you provide actionable insights to take better decisions viz., accuracy in information leads to demand forecasting, which helps you predict when to deliver product!

3. Order Fulfillment Optimization Technology

In short, this technology can be described as an automated, efficient and cost-effective solution over picking methods that are done manually. It helps automate your warehouse processes as a whole.

• Pick- To- Light System – It helps direct your operators in warehouse to reach product location through the help of specific light displays. It has immense ability to organize big volumes of orders picked at a time, viz., Plan, Control and analyze the picked orders. It has a high-level of picking productivity.
• Put-To-Light System – It helps direct your operators how to allocate, where to allocate, various products in the warehouse for respective orders. It has immense ability to pick products from several bulk stocks. If you have a retail warehouse, this system could be an ideal choice. It facilitates high –speed order-sorting capability.

4. Voice Warehouse Management Systems

Voice technology is one of the most effective picking methods used in logistics management. The technology VWMS uses speech recognition as well as speech synthesis allowing workers to communicate within WMS. Spoken commands are given for picking, receiving, putting orders and other warehouse shipping functions.

5. Warehouse Robotics Technology

Smart Robots help in movement, sorting and storage of your inventory in warehouse. As a manger of your warehouse, you should pick that Robotics Technology that suits your requirement

The aforementioned description of technologies is not the end of technological intervention while dealing with multiple chores within the cycle of Warehouse Management. There are plenty of other technologies available in the market. Pick-By-Vision technology, use of Drones, specific Labor Management System software, and many more. You should consult experts to decide which technologies suit your requirement, your environment, facilitating smoother operations and supply chains of your Warehouse.

If you wish to uncover how your warehouse can be managed with simplicity – reach out to our technology experts today!

Going digital is a golden mantra to stay competitive in the global perspective. Digital Transformation of a Start-Up is definitely a big way to stay productive during the pandemic and beyond. Start-Ups need to be agile .Digital Transformation acts as a facilitator to bring about this agility in an organization aspiring success in the respective industries.

If you belong to a Start Up fraternity, if you are a budding entrepreneur with a ‘big goal ‘in mind, you need to transform your business pattern in a digital manner. How? Take a look

What is Digital Transformation?

Simply put, transforming your business using digital technology impacting your business to a new level is what the term Digital Transformation conveys. It is the digital technology that leads to digitalization of an industry. Digital Transformation is actually the process of strategically adopting digital technologies in your business.

Digital Platform – An Advantage to Scale up Your Start-Ups

• Digital platform gives way to a digital marketplace where you can spread, expand wings globally and that, too, at a minimum cost and in a faster pace .Just following the traditional brick-and-mortar approach limits your success in today’s environment.
• Once you adopt digital mode, you have the right engagement of your Content (product/service), Community (customers), Commerce (trade/business).Yes, you can now build your own community of loyal customers within hours, not in years!

DIGITAL is Central to Your Business

While the word DIGITAL may have a myriad definitions to relate with, for a Start-Up it is conveyed as a set of concepts. What are they and how they are impacting you, let’s discuss

• Social Media – Helping you to bond with your prospects

Scenario 1 –   Before the onset of digital age, you had to go to shops and buy things.

Word -of-Mouth helped you to choose a particular shop. Shopkeepers used to remember your tastes or likings for a product. Once your location got changed, shops & shopkeepers both changed and all knowledge about your preferences got lost, too.

Scenario2- The Digital age has arrived. Social Media helps connect you to shops and shopkeepers for life. Knowledge about your tastes, likings or preferences are not lost. They save your data and help you become part of their communities. Location does not matter. Hash-tags control the pulse!

• Capitalizing the Power of Cloud

Getting digitally transformed means you are conducting business in the online mode. The inevitable online processes are collecting and storing data of your prospects, customers or clients, in fact, data of all the stakeholders you keep them safe forever. Not only storing, but you can access them whenever required facilitating a smoother business process.

• Remote-Working – Helping you save costs

The digital age is slowly reducing the scope of an office workplace. Yes, you don’t have to book or own an individual office space.  You don’t have to build local workforce rather depute a single person who can manage your business from the place he is residing, just anywhere in the world.

Cloud based CRM tools like or Virtual Meeting tools like Skype, Google MEET, or data repository like Drop box offer great flexibility in conducting business as a whole.

• Artificial Intelligence enabled search

AI is everywhere now. Voice enabled search technology like Google Assistant, SIRI, ALEXA etc. use voice based algorithm intelligence to deliver search results. When you utilize these modern technologies you can get leading edge in terms of offerings to your customer experience.

• Online sales – Boosting your selling capacity

E-commerce and web based platforms allows you to expand your business. Online media has given wider outreach capability for marketing & advertising, thus enabling you to target local or global audience. The online campaigns powered with intelligent automated configurations can help you in driving new leads

• Digital Payment –  The fastest form of financial transactions

Various payment transaction apps are available that amounts to the digital transformation process. E-Wallet like PAYTM, GOOGLEPAY, are a few convenient modes of financial transaction.

•  Connecting to talents at the global platform

As your business starts growing, you need more people on board, onsite or offsite. Recruitment portals coupled with automated algorithm help you hire suitable people for your projects at pace.

Digital Transformation- Creating Innovative Disruptors Aka Modern Start-Ups

Digital Transformation has created a big shift from the traditional outlets to modern, digital ones. If you want to succeed, you got to follow the trending business models that are disruptive to the traditional ones. Thus, the Disruptive Business Models for your Start–Ups are actually the force behind creating opportunities for you. You don’t’ need to visit a bank for financial transactions. You can opt for an E-Banking or E-Wallet system.

 Digital Transformation Helps Your Start-Up in 3 Ways

• Increased mobility
• Complete data security
• Enhanced user/customer experience.

To sum up, it is the fusion of ideas, strategies and technologies properly placed in timely manner

Are you a Startup, looking to capitalize on digital transformation and make your start-up dream a success Speak to one of our expert and get started today!

The ongoing digital transformation of companies around the world has attracted one thing in common – CYBER SECURITY .It is imperative on the part of Small & Medium Businesses (SMBs) to devise strategies to combat the so-called deadly Cyber Threats that have the capacity to throw many stakeholders out of business. Undoubtedly, the malicious Malware, Ransomware, Phishing attacks, etc. are a few terminologies that should be taken cognizance of .Cyber Security measures duly adopted, in timely manner, is the need of the hour to stay safe and sound from the business perspective.

Cyber Attack & SMBs

As an owner of a small start-up or as a founding partner of some medium enterprises, the one significant thing that can put you in a vulnerable state is the CYBER SECURITY. In fact, SMBs are the ones to have been a favourite target of cyber fraudulent because of the lack of sophisticated protections in place. If you have not incorporated a multi-layered approach to data security, you are at a higher risk. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report – 2019, half of the cyber victims have been Small Businesses.

Remote Work and the Related Risks

As you see, the work scenario has drastically shifted from a usual physical office to work-from-home mode. Your workforce has completely undergone remote! Virtual meetings, virtual collaborations, virtual conferences have now become the primary modes of communication. So, have you really done the ground work? Have you identified the gaps in your remote infrastructure? If ‘Yes’, then well, if ‘No’, then you are at risk. You got to fix the gaps right away else the repercussion might harm your business more than you could imagine.

The Challenges Before You

• Phishing & Spear Phishing Threats

These are a major form of Cyber attack. Both are designed to embroil you into performing specific actions like clicking malicious links, email, or attachment. Doing this, you may end up downloading malware on to your device, or you are redirected to a fraudulent website where you are asked to give your personal data such as name, address, phone number, social security number that could be misused by hackers.

                        Phishing emails are those emails sent to a large, random number of recipients. It means, not only you are the recipient of this email but many people like you. Whatever, if any of you click it, malware enters your system and you know the consequences!

                           Spear Phishing is an individual target, just like you! Only you are the recipient here. You may get an email from someone familiar to you, your colleague, your friend, family members, but it is a fake address. You trust, open it and LO, you have allowed a dangerous  Ransomware  to  spread across your company’s network  eventually stealing and locking your  data .Unless you pay a ransom, you cannot unlock or restore access.

• Its’ The Humans, Not The Machines

Without any malicious intent, your employees may mistakenly end up with some kind of data breach, as they have a privilege access to your company’s data. This leads to cyber attacks. Yes, it’s the humans and not the machines, who pose the biggest cyber security threat o your business.

• IOT & BYOD system

You provide a Wi-Fi enabled coffee machines, people wearing smart watches and this makes you vulnerable in terms of laxity wherein cyber criminals can enter your main network. You have a common network for all! Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) system can lead to data theft. Sharing company’s data using unsecure mobile devices or laptop is risky because they may contain malicious applications which can bypass security and access your company’s network.

• SQL Injection

Does your web application use an SQL database like Oracle, MySQL, SQL servers, or any other? If you are vulnerable, attackers can use SQL injection to attack your webpage/application and retrieve the content of your SQL database and execute their own malicious SQL statements there by adding, modifying, deleting records.

• Malware threat

Malware is just any malicious software that has the ability to destroy your business by posing threat to data security. Ransomware, Adware, Spyware, are a few names you should be aware of.

• Adopting Cloud -Based Infrastructures

You have a choice between on-premises & Cloud based solutions viz., software, storage, server, security, ERPs and backups. Cloud may help you access high-end technologies and other resources without paying the premium prices. However, you rely on the servers which are thousands of miles away from your business set up. What would happen if internet crashes? Service disruptions are there and your data may not be available 24*7. Also, you are trusting an outsider with your private data. Unless you bank on high players in this industry who have strict security protocols, you may end up losing your crucial data to cyber criminals.

How to Tackle Cyber Threats

If you think you can protect your business from cyber threat by just installing a single software, you are wrong.  The three major security layers from macro perspective are the Policy, Technology and Training.

• Your policy layer may read as ‘Be careful to open phishing emails’. Allow only specific URLs in your Whitelist.
• The policy layer is supported by technology layer like configuring Firewall entry, exit filtering rules. Also, sub layer like reverse proxy, allowing specific ports, etc. should be properly undertaken.
• Adopt the appropriate Anti-Virus tools and keep upgrading frequently.
• Database access must be restricted as per role basis.
• Application development must be cyber compliant.
• Educate your employees by giving them training in the basic Cyber Securities knowhow- the

Cyber security should be taken as a shared responsibility. It is now a mandatory requirement to sustain your business. Cyber criminals are constantly trying to steal your data – sensitive details like the IP address, Usernames, passwords, credit card number, telephone number, are in hackers’ wish lists. Be alert, be safe!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, banks’ clients have changed their behavior overnight reflecting adaptations to restrictions and health and safety requirements. As a result, a rapid surge is been observed in the digital opening of new relationships, registration & usage of mobile payment applications, and usage of contactless payments accompanied by the reduction in physical client meetings. This has also urged the banks to evolve and transform their digital business models rapidly, with new circumstances. Now the banks are required to make the provision for a large number of credit facilities, adapt offerings in support of clients’ needs, introduce fast, flexible, and effective measures to keep operations and services stable.

The experience has helped organizations in identifying the transformational capabilities of digital channels and operational setups, as well as the need for new value creation from data and analytics. Let’s explore some of the digital innovations that can lead the banks through the current crisis.

1. Fraud Prevention

COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in cyber frauds; however, with the help of powerful technologies, it can be minimized. Artificial intelligence (AI) with its real-time data analytics, can act as an early warning system to prevent credit card frauds. It has the capability to evaluate the probability of fraud, and upon the suspicion, enables to take immediate request for client feedback to clarify the legitimacy. Not just that to minimize the loss from fraud cases, Adaptive analytics through machine learning can be applied by continuously reintroducing client feedback into the data model.

2. Core Banking Services

Banks invest heavily to add value for clients, by applying advanced analytics to their portfolios and offering related tailored products, investments, and advisory services. To ensure better customer service, banks can evaluate a client’s feedback with the help of digital solutions. On top of that, digital solutions and data analytics can also be used to increase the relevance and efficiency of client communications and personalize financial services as per the clients’ needs.

3. Operational Efficiency

The surge in new relationships and the use of contactless payments during the pandemic had also increased the need for operational efficiency. In banking a large number of documentation packages are prepared for client meetings, so with the blend of the distinct data element and robotics process automation, the client documentation can be generated from management tools and archives at a high frequency. The operational efficiency can also be enhanced with the help of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) which allows intelligent classification of incoming emails along with embedded meta-data and delivery to a digital mailbox.

4. Regulatory Compliance

The rising frauds during pandemic had made it difficult for banks to comply with regulations. However, when it comes to compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, data analysis can be very helpful. Machine learning can detect deviations in client and transaction profiles. Additionally, when the needs of the client are large and complex, it involves a high level of operational risk like Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, in such cases ML tools can be applied to identify issues and enhanced interactivity/visualization to translate data into insights. It also helps an organization in reducing risks and ensuring compliance with the regulations.

Apart from helping the banking system in serving customers efficiently, preventing fraud, and driving operational efficiency, digital innovation is essential to address the issue of remote working too. The pandemic has forced the banks to set up themselves to be digitally amended to reflect remote working, communication, and client service, which is leading to an increase in the number of remote working arrangements. Technology no doubt will assist the banks in the best possible way.

Banking is a metaphor for trust in society, now is the time for banks to demonstrate its stewardship, digital innovation can lead the banks efficiently though this unexpected disruption of a pandemic and post-pandemic economy. You can also reach out to us for exploring digital applications that can help in your banking business.

Good news for travellers! On your next airport visit you might experience a complete different check-in process thereby reducing your time spent in security processes. It will help you to reach your boarding gate much faster than you think. You might be wondering, really? Yes, your face is becoming your Identity.

Facial recognition has already become a big norm, technology advancement in this area has been observed from unlocking phones to Smart Advertising, identifying people on social media, facilitating the secure transaction and now in airports too.

US authorities and Airlines have already started using facial recognition technology from check-in to onboarding. According to the reports, in US by 2021 facial recognition is expected to be deployed at the top 20 airports for all international passengers including American citizens.

How is the facial scanning process at the airport’s works ?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is working along with airlines to implement biometric face scanners in airports for better security measures. Facial recognition in airports is mainly used for verifying the identity of the traveller.  

The camera placed will take your photo and it is then CBP’s Traveler Verification Service matches it with a photo of your Department of Homeland Security. It may be your photo in your passport or any other ID proof submitted. This process replaces the traditional way of checking passports nationwide. Facial recognition technology security verification systems promise to improve the airport experience fast and easy boarding.

Along with the government, Private companies also started using facial recognition in the airport. By the end of the last year, Delta announced its terminals in Atlanta’s airport was the “first biometric terminal” in the country. JetBlue became the first airline to partner with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to launch a one-step biometric boarding experience for customers flying to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS). American Airlines, United Airlines have also expanded their use of facial recognition technology to replace boarding passes.

The technology adoption of these projects had a high success rate of 99%. Its fast, it’s friendly and it’s flexible along with cost-effectiveness point of view. In McAleenan’s report, airport employees were able to facilitate the boarding of 350 passengers onto an Airbus A380 in 20 minutes. Mineta San Jose International Airport has managed to facilitate technology to reduce processing times for arriving international travellers by 16 percent, and Delta reports say technology implementation has reduced their boarding times by nearly 10 minutes

Facial recognition is a powerful tool. Early adoption and global application of these technologies can provide better user experience and also save manual efforts of resources utilized at airport on other business priorities. The applied technology impact has much lasting impact on the years to come. Time will come soon when we see this technology is applied across airports at global level and providing a new dimension of customer service

The pandemic has changed the business community with additional guidelines and mandates on remote working and social distancing. Hence for many it has become difficult to continue their operations smoothly. This situation demands deep dive into a digital transformation rather than baby steps to ensure sustainability. The prime examples of the insufficiencies of legacy systems buckling under the pressure of increased demand are financial institutions, government organizations, healthcare, insurance systems, retail, and many more.

Let’s have a look on Couple of the examples:

• Accounting:

The traditional accounting system involved manual and paper processes; however, when employees are working remotely, it becomes difficult for an organization to process the paper paychecks unless and until the employee have access to such payroll and accounting software and printing machine. Also, an employer will have to mail those paper checks to employees and the employees will have to deposit them all while complying with shelter-in-place rules.

• Retail

Perhaps your physical business can be functional, however, if you primarily deal in cash, in-store credits, or debit card payments, your customers will find it difficult to step outside, stand in a queue, unnecessarily touch the currency/card and are most likely to go to a different business that lets them use an order and payment app. Thus, it is difficult to continue catering to your customers without migrating to a digital ordering and payment process.

Top Reasons to Adopt Digital during the Crisis

• Acceptance

In normal times, the primary barrier to innovation was resistance to change; however, the pandemic has shown conclusively that workers can be highly adaptive and accepting the change when it’s demonstrated to be in their best interest. This has helped an organization to allow employees in their team to work from home, which in the future will also help them in reducing various costs and driving employee efficiency.

• Staying connected

Remote work is the future of the workplace to stay connected and the companies that do not learn to manage a remote workforce will lose their valuable employees. It became the must-have trend which is more likely to be continued after COVID -19. Not just in the IT industry, infrastructure, engineering, and retail too have moved thousands of people offsite in seven to 10 days and their business has not suffered from any kind of dislocation. The businesses were trying to do such shift for years and due to pandemic, they have managed to do it in just 10 days.

• Engagement

The social distancing norms have made people isolated and are raising the issues related to their productivity. Many mental health issues too have evolved. The technology is helping to resolve these issues by engaging the people in the best possible ways and providing opportunities for various industries to go digital in engaging the larger audience.

• Investment

A research reveals the cloud usage will increase due to COVID and so does the technology budgets, so the current situation is ideal for future investments on digital technologies. Also, the businesses or companies that earlier postponed their digital transformation have the best chance to help out potential customers and simultaneously attract a wider audience for their digital solutions. The companies have reduced the prices of their offering of digital tools, apps, and platforms, which makes it promising for businesses to invest.  

• Testing

When the time was usual, you must have hesitated in implementing new tools and technologies with the fear that something may go wrong; however, during this crisis, you can grab this opportunity to test various digital tools and take the digital plunge.  Many companies that offer digital tools, apps, and platforms are attracting their customers with free trial periods, which makes it easier for you to join the digital bandwagon.

The corona virus crisis has set the reset button with a significant impact on several industries. To be successful, businesses will have to speed up their digital transformation journey and cope up with the sudden shift in customer’s buying behaviour and pattern. We have a host of digital solutions which can help you in sustaining your business during these uncertain times as well as maintain revenue and be productive.

Digital technologies have transformed consumer habits by allowing them to get what they want almost at the moment they need it. Research shows, initially customers often rate an organization based on its digital customer experience. Moreover, digital transformation not only offers an organization an opportunity to understand its customers but also the ways of engaging with them and delivering on their expectations.

Traditionally, companies were deploying their communication channels in silos, which is why agents were lacking the knowledge of customer’s prior digital interactions and were failing to understand the customer’s prior actions on their website before they address the customer’s queries. This resulted in the customer’s frustration as they have to keep repeating the information that is already communicated. This issue could be well-addressed by multi-channel digital customer experience.

Different Types of Methodology in Customer Care

• OmniChannel Digital Experience

Any company which deploys multiple customer channels to provide better customer experience leads in the digital ecosystem. Hence basis your audience you should step up to chart the customer’s journey through various channels like web, phone, emails, social media to identify their preferences and provide support on all channels

• Social Media

Social media has empowered the customers, the consumers prefer to trust their peer’s opinions on your products and services, so equipping your customer service team with a consistent and effective response plan could be your winning strategy. Offering support on Twitter, Facebook, and other social channels have become standard in recent times

• Chatbots and Self-service

Digital chatbots are the most demanding applications that can fulfil and play the role of customer service whether you wish to opt for completely automated AI-based Chatbot or Semi-automated service with human intervention. With the use of Machine learning the chatbots can be trained to handle complex queries and also drive a visitor to perform specific actions

• Chat and Co-Browsing

Co-browsing allows the customer support agent to collaborate with the customer’s browser in real-time. This helps an agent view the issue and navigate over the customer’s screen to guide the non-technical customers through the complex processes. For enhanced visibility, one can display such options next to contact details. Alternatively, one can change the script of a voice agent to help customers discover the digital engagement options available.

• Digital Voice

This feature will engage your customers via digital voice from your web or mobile application. One can allow its customers to select a time that is convenient for them to receive a callback and reach them at their convenience.

• Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and Chat

While customer queue up for an interactive voice response (IVR), one can offer them a link to start a chat by sending an SMS, clicking on the link can initiate a chat with the agent and the gap can be minimized by forwarding the IVR data to chat agent, which will allow the customer to restart the conversation where they left it.

• Blend Digital and Physical World

When digital experience is blended with the physical world, it creates impactful results. Let’s take an example of QR codes, the company can attach a QR code to its products, develop an application to allow its customers to scan such code, which can further help customers to understand the maintenance schedule and other such aspects of the product. This will not only help in providing quality customer service but also enhance customer satisfaction and reduce the strain on the customer service workforce.

Sounds good, isn’t it? We are here to make it true. If you are looking forward to digitizing your customer service, we would be happy to assist you in developing applications like chatbots, AI-guided self-service, Product maintenance, Virtual assistants, and much more that will empower your customers and drive business for you.

In today’s world, with the increased use of smartphones, mobile applications have unique features, and thus, selecting the right mobile application development company is important for the success of the application. Mobile apps have become a crucial tool for any company as they attract the attention of customers. According to a survey by Clutch, 42% of small businesses had a mobile application and 30% of them were planning to build it in the future. All SMEs wish to have an application but they need to do proper research before picking the Best Mobile Application Development company for their app development needs. 

Here are 8 factors that you should consider: 

1. Do thorough research

If you wish to develop an application that resonates with your audience, you need to do research on consumer demands, preferences, and the current and future expected trends. This detailed research and analysis of the market will enable you with all the insights on how apps are trending according to today’s requirements. You can go through all the customer reviews of the popular apps to get an insight into the interests and preferences of your target audience. 

2. Identify your Target Audience

This brings us to the second most important aspect you need to consider. Your target audience, i.e., the user base usually decides the success or failure of the application. It is imperative that you identify the right audience base for your application. Conducting surveys, deploying tools, and browsing through online forums help in understanding the market better. 

3. Select the Right Platform

Android, iOS, and Windows are the most popular platforms for Mobile Application Development. You can always begin with one platform and then later expand to the other platforms. While choosing a platform for your application it is necessary to look for your target audience, pricing strategy, and application features so that you can proceed to build an application that is either of the native or hybrid types. 

To make things clear, let us explain what are native and hybrid apps. Native Andriod applications usually use languages like Java or Kotlin and native iOS use Swift or Objective-C along with the guidelines of a specific platform. Whereas, hybrid applications are web applications built with languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

4. Consider the Design Aspect

Application development companies usually focus on creating designs that are intuitive and straightforward. You need to consider these pointers while you are designing your application:

• The flow of information: The flow of information should be seamless and natural. The interaction between the user and the app should appear as though they are conversing with a human being. 
• Avoid Unnecessary Elements: Try to omit any kind of unnecessary elements that will pose as a distraction for the users. 
• Limited Notifications: It is surely important to notify your users about any new offers or changes in your app, but you do not need to spam them with notifications. This may lead to any kind of drastic step by the user. 
• Minimum input fields: Try to keep only on user input. Providing multiple user input modes can be confusing for the user and they will end up being frustrated and may abandon the app. 

5. Decide the Technical Features

You need to decide on the technical features you wish to include in your app. You have the flexibility to offer either a simple version for your basic users or an advanced version that includes all the complex functions for your high-end users. 

6. Allocate Budget and Time Frame 

Application development can be impeded by several budgetary constraints. Therefore, it is important to estimate your total budget for developing an application and allocate it to the various stages of development. The complexity of your app determines the cost of the project. The second aspect you need to focus on is the time frame required for the development. You can set deadlines so that you deliver the project on time. 

7. Consider Maintenance and Security

This is one of the major aspects you need to consider when you are looking for a company that is developing your application. The application needs to be updated regularly and bugs should be removed as they appear, content should be refreshed timely and user analysis should be performed periodically to know how the app is performing. The second most important aspect is security where you need to collect, manage, and secure whatever data you possess from the beginning of the development process. 

8. Identify Monetization Potential of the App

Mobile applications play many roles for your company where it ranges from creating revenue directly to boosting your brand presence. They may also indirectly help you in the various stages of the sales funnel. 

To enable your brand/company to connect successfully with your users, it is important that you consider the aforementioned factors while developing a mobile application. If done right, you can convert your loyal customers into brand evangelists and get the maximum profits out of it. 

If you wish to develop an application for your company, visit here.

The COVID-19 situation doesn’t seem to end, and now we have to learn to live with it. Several states and cities in the US and India are going under lockdowns again to curb the disease. So, what is the most common problem that people are facing nowadays? It’s Grocery Shopping. Since the brick and mortar grocery shops are open for a few hours only, they do not allow you the flexibility to purchase anything. Also, let’s face this, people are skeptical about going out and buying the essential items they require daily. 

The Current Scenario in the USA

Apps like Amazon and Instacart are hiring people on a large scale to meet the online delivery requirements. Amazon hired 175,000 associates in April, amidst the COVID-19 crisis. 

On the other hand, Instacart, an American Grocery Delivery application, stated that their weekly sales were 20 times the usual during the pandemic’s early days. This seems right since customers wish to practice social distancing, come in contact with fewer people, and shop groceries in a contactless manner. 

Companies across the USA are now highly interested in developing Grocery Delivery Apps to put ingenious concepts into tests, and therefore meet consumer needs in a better way by keeping in mind their health and well-being. 

The Current Scenario in India

Online Grocery Delivery services are enabling all the B2B companies in India to cope with these trying times. Even though they are delivering the requirements, the issue that still persists is the delivery time. To deal with this, several companies like Uber, Swiggy, Zomato, Meesho, Paytm, Perpule, and NoBroker came up with the idea of delivering groceries. This was a massive relief for companies like Big Basket and Grofers, who faced difficulty in managing their delivery fleet due to the high requirements. 

Now, these companies got the opportunity to resolve these issues by hiring more executives and improving their supply chains. This may look like a red flag for all the new players that entered the market. But, no. It’s not. The latest grocery delivery platforms are also gaining traction across the country because of the unique features that they provide. 

Challenges that arise with Online Grocery Shopping during COVID-19

Grocery is one such essential need that we cannot ignore. Consumers face problems daily to cope with their needs during the pandemic. Even though there is a high rise in the number of companies that are coming up with the aid, there are numerous challenges they face in the grocery delivery business. 

A few of them are: 

• Lack of Supply Chain Management
• Change in Business Model from Traditional to Revenue 
• Limited Workforce/Employees
• Delayed Deliveries
• Changes in Customer Demands & Customer Behavior- Panic Buying

The Future of Grocery Delivery Apps- What can be done?

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global grocery and food market is expected to grow at 5% CAGR from 2020 to 2027. There are prospects where Grocery Delivery Apps are going to earn huge profits in the near future. Although there are some challenges, eventually, they can be resolved as per customer needs. It is evident that the COVID-19 situation has expedited the whole process, but at the end of this crisis, the grocery delivery segment will still reach 0.5% of the total retail market (via Albinder Dhindsa, Co-Founder, Grofers).

So are you curious how much does it cost to Develop On-Demand Grocery Delivery App? Hire us, for developing something similar here!