Business Tech

Technology is undoubtedly a boon for many businesses, whether you are a physical store or based online. Some businesses may even depend entirely on technology for the success of their company. Technology can help to streamline many processes for your store, help consumers have an easier experience, and protect your business store overall.

Here are some great ways you can use technology to your advantage when it comes to your brand store.

Security Systems

Physical stores need adequate security after all, and technology can help you to secure your building. You can link up smart technology for a streamlined security system that you can access from anywhere (such as checking on your store from your smartphone out of hours or while you are away from store). Technology also makes locking, security cameras and security access that much easier, especially if you have a large store with many employees who require different levels of access.

Faster Payment Processes

A key part of customer service in your store is going to be ensuring that customers do not have to wait too long in a queue, or that the payment process is not too complicated. Technology can help with that. Make payment as simple and quick as possible with software that allows payments to go through quickly, such as enabling contactless payment or at the very least ensuring you have a highly dependable card payment machine that is going to work every time.

Stock Check

If you have a store like a clothing or shoe store that holds stock in the back and different sizing options, you may be inundated by queries from customers asking if you have different sizes or styles in stock. To save you manpower, time and energy if you have to physically check, having an online stock check system (such as an iPad you can check on the floor for instant results) will make the whole process easier. Not only that, but it will make your store seem more efficient in front of customers.

Digital Signage

Physical stores should always have a focus on grabbing a customer’s attention, especially if you have large display windows and interesting products to show off. Digital signage is ideal for creating attention-grabbing displays and advertisements to put outside your store, in your store windows or in-store. Companies like https://mandoemedia.com can help with professional digital signage.

Click and Collect

It is important not to cancel out online shopping capabilities even if you are a physical store. Shopping online and being able to collect in-store is a key feature many consumers now expect to have an option for with brands they shop with. Enabling click and collect means you can draw in more sales and customers.

Email Receipts

Save the environment by reducing paper, as well as saving your customers the hassle of a pile of crumpled receipts in their bag. Digital receipts from in-store purchases can make everything a lot easier. Not only that, but taking the email of your customers can help you to also build a mailing list for marketing purposes.

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In recent years, the emergence of new technologies has vastly improved the opportunities for personalization in all company communications – but perhaps nowhere more so than in email marketing.

Where once marketing emails tended to be fairly bland and impersonal, recent advances in software are allowing firms to largely automate client communication and add a level of personalization that would have previously taken countless hours of manual labor to achieve.

Despite the rise of social media platforms, email marketing remains a relevant marketing tool for companies looking to reach out to potential and existing clients. Below are just a few more reasons why your firm should consider investing in email marketing.

Email marketing to improve branding

Bigger companies realize that effective branding goes far beyond just a logo or a sign outside their store. Rather, successful branding should carry through every aspect of a firm – from the shop floor right up to the board room. Brand loyalty is the holy grail of commerce and email marketing gives you the perfect vehicle to increase your company’s standing in the minds of your clients, effectively putting you front and center. Remember to use striking banner images and standardized layouts – both achievable using email signature software – to help solidify your brand, its image and its overall message.

The cost-effectiveness of email marketing

It’s worth remembering, communicating directly to clients via email doesn’t just offer highly targeted promotions – it can also do so at a fraction of the cost of other forms of advertising and marketing. No other media can address clients by name with content tailored directly to their known interests or previous buying habits – and no other media is quicker or more direct.

Email marketing complements other forms of advertising and promotions

In today’s cut-throat e-commerce environment, it’s becoming harder and harder for firms to stand out and attract new customers. Like so many other areas of life and business, the traditional marketing mix has been transformed by the internet and web technologies and it’s no longer the case that companies can simply sit back and expect customers to find them. We live in a world where there are more web pages than people and your clients now have easy access to a global marketplace – and often to companies that can offer products cheaper than you. Never before has marketing been such an essential component in the running of a firm. While it should only be considered one small part of your overall promotional strategy, email marketing still affords the chance for direct, personalized client communication and can be used to complement the more traditional promotions channels such as advertising, PR and real-world marketing.

Email marketing builds trust

With an array of global firms just a few keyboard strokes away in a Google search, nurturing relationships and building trust between clients and companies is now more important than ever. Receiving regular, informative and relevant emails from your firm can help show clients you’re in it for the long-term rather than just after a quick sale. Marketing emails can also demonstrate that your firm takes a proactive and dedicated approach to customer care by addressing a client’s needs or potential issues before they even have a chance to realize them themselves.

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Raiser’s Edge NXT is the latest release of Blackbaud’s legacy constituent relationship management and fundraising software. A new web interface distinguishes Raiser’s Edge NXT from previous releases. The database view of Raiser’s Edge 7 is still integral to this software, which also still lacks built-in support for integrating external applications. Find out how an integrated constituent portal supports Raiser’s Edge integration with external CRM or fundraising applications or tools for driving engagement.

Raiser’s Edge NXT Database View Problems and Solutions

Raiser’s Edge NXT features a visibly streamlined web view to increase ease of use during fundraising campaigns. Users must use a database view to input information and access field controls. Many users report that the query creation tool in database view is difficult to use, but there is no other way to run searches or segment records in Raiser’s Edge NXT.

A Blackbaud integration is the best solution for challenges posed by this platform. Integration software can also make data stored in Raiser’s Edge NXT available to external applications and support imports into this database. Omatic Cloud is designed to work with Raiser’s Edge NXT and other Blackbaud software as well as the Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack and third-party applications for tasks such as email marketing or fundraising.

Omatic’s Cloud Based Integration Solution For Raiser’s Edge NXT

A cloud-based integration suite has the benefit of being accessible from anywhere. The ability to access data stored in Raiser’s Edge NXT outside of the database and web interfaces built into this platform is beneficial for a number of reasons. A centralized database makes it easier to do cross-platform data exports and imports as needed and also supports the formulation of queries, which can be more challenging in the Raiser’s Edge NXT database view.

While Raiser’s Edge NXT is marketed as the first cloud-based version of this legacy CRM and fundraising software, a client is still necessary to gain remote access to an installation. Omatic is a true cloud-based platform that is easy to access anywhere, which can simplify analytics and fundraising workflows for nonprofit staff.

Using Third-Party Software Alongside Raiser’s Edge NXT

Blackbaud software is notorious for being a closed system. This platform lacks the support for third-party application integrations available for Salesforce NPSP. Omatic integration software empowers nonprofits to overcome this obstacle by supporting secure exports of Raiser’s Edge NXT data to other platforms and imports of external donation or engagement records.

Not-for-profit organizations that want to use Raiser’s Edge NXT alongside specialized marketing tools for engagement or web-based fundraising platforms should plan ahead to integrate this software. Omatic Cloud is made with the needs of nonprofits in mind and supports the most popular software used in this sector.

Users who are not familiar with past Raiser’s Edge releases may experience challenges performing essential functions in the database view that undergirds Raiser’s Edge NXT. The ability to rely on a centralized database may resolve some challenges presented when creating or updating records or running queries. The best integration software also makes it easier to combine external software with Raiser’s Edge NXT.

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Recently, we have experienced unrelenting data breaches in companies. As technology advances, internet-related crimes also grow. Surprisingly, data fraud cases continue to rise years after the commencement of the internet revolution. And attackers are now devising new ways to locate victims.

What is cyber fraud?

This is the most threatening form of fraud affecting all parts of the globe. The expanding cyber world allows fraudsters to hack people’s personal information and use it for financial gains.

Cybercrime is an act committed using a computer or other tech devices to corrupt someone else’s information online. There are different types of cyber fraud, these range from fake websites, email scams, Malicious website pop-ups, Social media chats, text messages, and more.

What are the best cyber fraud prevention practices?

There are various ways to safeguard yourself from cyber fraud. Nonetheless, people are the best defense against such crimes. The more you and your colleagues get information on cyber fraud, the safer you become.

Here’s how to do it;

1. Keep your devices up to date.

It’s critical to update your computer software to reduce the risk of malware and security breaches. The regular software updates include bug fixes, security patches, and additional features. For instance, install operating systems and app updates.

Also, back up your data and scan your machines regularly for viruses and spyware. Ensure that you constantly updated your antivirus. If you’re planning significant changes in your tech devices and systems, contact it consulting experts to guide you on conducting a seamless process.

2. Shop carefully

Most fraudsters know that we all love shopping from renowned online stores and retailers. They usually send emails purporting to give special offers from such stores. The links use fake websites that can easily steal your personal information and cash or install ransomware. While shopping online, visit the retailer’s website by entering the URL directly. Also, resist and offers through emails or messages seeking your personal details.

3. Avoid using public Wi-Fi.

Sing public Wi-Fi to send emails or do transactions online exposes you to cybercriminals. An open network makes it easier for fraudsters to spy on you and steal your data and other transaction particulars. Therefore, secure your transaction details and use secure passwords.

4. Be cautious with personal information.

Most fraudsters use your personal information to access your bank account or credit cards and steal from you. They will send emails asking for your PIN, credit card numbers, tax information, Identification card number, and more. Don’t respond to such emails or open the links provided.

5. Be attentive!

Due to busy schedules, most people never read the fine details in texts and emails. Most cybercriminals know this and use the opportunity to make you the next victim. Once you get text messages or emails, take time to countercheck all the details.

For instance, verify the sender’s email address, check for spelling and grammatical errors and any urgent requests. Also, check the link details, and verify whether the given websites are legitimate. If you get any suspicious emails, delete or ignore them.

In summary

Cyber fraud happens each day and affects millions of people and organizations worldwide. To prevent yourself from such crimes, consider the above tips and talk to a cybersecurity professional on more ways to do it. Always use strong passwords and avoid sharing personal information online.

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Whether you are a not-for-profit charity, a healthcare provider, or a traditional profit-seeking business, your enterprise’s success depends on how much revenue you can generate that can then be reinvested into your services. The key to increased revenue and business success is to manage a balance between long-term and short-term goals. There are many strategies that you can use to achieve this, whatever your business size and budget. Here are some ideas that you can use to increase your revenue as a business.

Use effective marketing strategies

Effective marketing means that more people are being exposed to your business and choosing to use your products or services. To maximize your marketing for increased revenue, obtain and analyze customer data through website metrics and customer questionnaires to assess exactly who your customer base is made up of. Using this, you can develop a marketing strategy designed to increase your company outreach to your desired customer base. For instance, you might decide to develop your digital content, such as blog posts and an active Twitter account, in order to provide your customer base with more opportunities to interact with you as a business.

Negotiate more beneficial contracts

Contracts with different parties are required in many businesses and are essential to that business’s success. In addition to employee contracts, you might be negotiating sales contracts with suppliers and clients or, in the case of healthcare providers, the need to negotiate insurance contracts with providers. To ensure that your contracts are as beneficial as possible for your company in terms of providing more revenue, learn key negotiation skills to bring to the table, such as assertiveness or rapport-building. Or, bring in an expert to carry out your business negotiations for guaranteed results and increased revenue.

Increase customer loyalty

The sales process is often seen as a funnel, taking the customer from initial awareness of your business or product to purchase and eventual loyalty. Customer loyalty is one of the key methods of increasing your revenue as your customers will not only continue to buy your products and services, they will advocate for your company by providing glowing testimonies and reviews both online and amongst their own friends and family. To keep customers returning and create a sense of loyalty for your business, provide them with incentives such as exclusive discount codes for returning customers and complimentary gifts. Also, be sure to provide a personalized experience in which the customer feels like an individual rather than simply a potential source of revenue.

Update your website

Your website acts as the headquarters of your business’s online presence, so make sure that it provides the information required for customers who have been directed there from your social media channels. Ensure that it is easy to navigate and attractively designed to provide professional reassurance. You could also set up an online shop on your website, giving your customers the option of buying directly from you.

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There is no way to overstate the significance of IT and technology in the modern business landscape. Business and IT simply go hand-in-hand at this point in time, and no business can hope to be fully successful without the right IT practices in place.

Part of every entrepreneur’s job is to ensure that the right technology is in place at a company and is being used in the right manner. Even the simplest of IT issues can wind up bringing your operations to a halt. Not only does this result in loss of business, but the resources that are wasted in the time that it takes to correct issues with IT can be difficult to deal with.

For this reason, it is important that you take the appropriate measures to keep your IT running smoothly. However, this is a task that tends to be easier said than done, especially if your business is rather IT-heavy.

Here are a few simple tips that any business owner should consider when it comes to the ever-important task of keeping the technology used at a company running smoothly.

Use the Right Technology

These days, there is an IT solution for practically every task out there. From communication to modern master data management, a company can essentially find any tool that it needs to be productive. Because of the sheer number of options out there, it is important that you take your time to find the right IT solutions for your company.

Firstly, implementing different IT at your company is an investment. You don’t want to waste your investment on technology that isn’t going to be a good fit for your business. Furthermore, the wrong technology can prove to be more complicated than is necessary and actually slow down your operations.

Do your research to identify what software solutions and other IT components will serve your business the best. Make sure that the tech that your workers will utilize is easy enough to learn and understand so that things can run smoothly for years to come.

Have Reliable IT Support

When you first were getting your company off the ground, you were likely working on a smaller scale with limited technology and IT. Any issues that arose were most likely the sort that you could essentially handle on your own. However, when a business grows and incorporates more IT and new employees, the job of taking care of IT issues becomes more of a full-time one.

Because of this, the best thing that you can do in your efforts to keep your IT running smoothly is to employ a reliable IT support team. You might decide to bring someone on full-time for this role if your needs are high enough, or you can opt to contract with a remote IT support group. Whatever option you choose should give you support that you can rely upon to make necessary corrections and come up with IT problems.

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With the tech revolution now in full swing, it was not long before most people’s careers would soon be influenced, and even helped, by the technology available to them. To make sure that you can utilize technology to be able to further your career and secure opportunities in the future, read on.

Take a Degree

Right from the start of your career, you will be able to use technology to further your career by looking for courses that include IT and technology units. This will enable you to get up to date with the latest technology, which could enable you to open you up to a range of new opportunities at modern businesses, which could even help you lead your own business to success in 2021. At Alliant International University, they offer an MBA San Diego where you can choose to focus on an IT management pathway. Not only should you look for degrees that focus on technology, but you may also look for degrees that offer an online learning option, such as those at Alliant, where you can learn either on-campus or anywhere in the world.

Use Online Networking Platforms

Once you have taken a degree, it is then time to secure a job. One of the best ways to get your foot in the door from the comfort of your own home is to join an online networking platform. Online networking platforms can allow you to contact and build a working relationship with other professionals in your field on a global scale. You may then be able to hear about enviable job opportunities that are currently open in your field by harnessing these connections.

Apply for Jobs Online

The one way that the majority of working-age people currently use technology to benefit their career, though, is to apply for jobs online. There are many job websites and mobile apps that can allow you to upload your resume and apply for various jobs with a single click. They can also help you browse the types of available jobs, as well as company reviews, and pay scales for the roles you might be thinking of applying for.

Use Career Apps

Many apps could also help you at every stage of your career. For instance, calendar and organization apps can help you keep track of interviews and project deadlines, while productivity apps can help you work harder, impress your boss, and even apply for more jobs one day. There are also many tailor-made career apps, such as digital career quiz applications and career information apps.

Hone Your Tech Skills

Many companies are now looking for people with tech skills when they advertise job roles, and the need for tech skills is likely to grow in the future. Then, to harness tech for your own ends, you should consider honing basic tech skills, such as creating a spreadsheet, coding, and using design and word processing software. You can do this by taking a course, reading online guides, or planning your own side project.

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Making your business as environmentally friendly as possible is important, but it can be difficult to know where to start! If you are wondering what changes you can make to your business to become more eco-friendly, here are five suggestions.

1. Recycle as Much as Possible

No list of eco-friendly tips would be complete without mentioning recycling! Although some types of business, such as manufacturing, produce a lot more waste than others, every business produces at least some degree of waste. Whatever the size and structure of your business, make sure that any refuse produced by working operations is sorted into recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

2. Replace Old Appliances with Energy Efficient Ones

As technology advances, appliances often become more energy efficient. Whether it is a small appliance like a kettle, a larger piece of equipment like a photocopier, or even a heavy-duty piece of highly specific machinery, you may be able to replace it with something more energy-efficient.

You may be thinking, “isn’t it expensive and wasteful to replace appliances?” Of course, there are upfront costs of buying new equipment; however, doing so can actually save you money in the long term as energy efficiency reduces your monthly bills and is good for the environment. Even if you are running a manufacturing business that uses a lot of energy every day, companies like Fluent Conveyors can offer highly efficient appliances.

3. Only Use Eco-Friendly Suppliers

There isn’t much point in making your own business as eco-friendly as possible if other businesses are not doing the same. After all, saving the planet is a team effort! Using the services of suppliers who have environmentally destructive practices is only enabling and financially supporting future destruction. If you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your business, why not do some research and carry out an audit of your suppliers?

If you find that a supplier is not meeting your requirements for eco-friendly practices, why not let them know that this is a cause of concern? They may even decide to change their practices in order to keep your custom and that of other environmentally conscious customers!

4. Set Up a Carpool

Transport makes up one-fifth of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, and a huge chunk of transport is due to people commuting to and from workplaces. Just imagine how much carbon is being emitted from a busy highway during rush hour!

Encouraging your employees to share transport via carpools is one way to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion as a result of your business. You could even start a carpooling scheme where fuel expenses are covered by the company in order to incentivize workers to share cars.

5. Consider Adopting a Home Working Model

Another way to cut down on cars on the roads is to eliminate the need for commuting at all! Of course, not every business can do this; if you are in hospitality, manufacturing, construction, etc., this may not be possible. However, if your daily working processes are largely based around using computers or phones, it may be possible to have your employees work from home. Although transitioning to a fully working-from-home model is difficult, why not try setting certain days a week where employees work from home?

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As more and more of our lives go online, the amount of damage that can be done to us through cyberattacks increases. This is particularly true for businesses whose customer data and other sensitive information are at risk.

Cyber attacks can mean that your companies financial solvency is at risk, as well as your reputation and your intellectual property. It’s essential that you take steps to avoid cyber attacks wherever possible.

Patch management

The methods that cybercriminals use to make their attacks are being updated and refined all of the time, and they are getting more and more sophisticated. Most software providers will regularly carry out analysis of the latest threats and create updates to their software to minimize the risk of attack. These updates are known as patches.

As a business running software, it’s essential that you regularly download and install patches from your software providers regularly to ensure that you are protected against attacks.

Businesses can find patch management difficult to manage because patches may impact how the software operates, which can have impacts in unexpected areas of your business if you don’t carry out due diligence and proper testing.

A good strategy is to ensure that you have a qualified IT support team to carry out patch management and also advise you on other Cybersecurity strategies.

Social engineering

Social engineering can be a difficult security risk for businesses to manage. Social engineering is the term used for a hacker to obtain the information that they need to compromise your business systems by utilizing social media or other methods to speak with your staff members to get the information they need.

The best way to protect yourself from social engineering is through education. Teach your employees what kinds of interactions might be suspicious, and teach them about which information should never be shared.

Third parties

A lot of businesses outsource some of their functions to third-party providers. For example, you might outsource your payments to a specially designed platform.

The problem is, if your third-party provider has a data breach and your customers are impacted, you are still liable.

When appraising potential third-party providers, it’s important that you pay close attention to their cybersecurity policies and ensure that you are happy that they are going to keep your customer data safe.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious piece of software that a user inadvertently downloads onto their computer, often through an email attachment.

The ransomware works by encrypting files on the computer to no longer be accessed without entering a mathematical key known only to the orchestrator of the attack. Usually, they will demand payment from you before they will agree to remove the encryption.

To protect yourself against ransomware attacks, you should:

• Only allow download privileges to trusted people within an organization.
• Educate staff regularly about not downloading any unexpected attachments.
• Keep anti-virus software up to date.
• Regularly back up all of your data. This won’t stop the attack, but it can help to mitigate the damage.

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Manufacturing might be one of the oldest industries known to man, but that doesn’t mean that it’s behind the times. Quite the opposite, in fact. A whole host of modern tools and trends are currently disrupting this field and having a profound positive impact on it to boot! Currently, four solutions, in particular, are changing the manufacturing industry for the better. Read on to find out what they are.

1. Recycling balers

The manufacturing industry hasn’t always had the best reputation when it comes to eco-friendliness. For centuries, industrial companies have been known to forgo carbon neutrality in favor of quick, easy manufacturing solutions. Fortunately, thanks to the inception of cutting-edge baling equipment, this worrying trend is now very much on the decline.

Recycling balers are quickly becoming a must-have tool for the world’s leading manufacturing companies, and for good reason. Once they invest in this type of equipment, manufacturers have the capacity to compact all of their recyclable waste materials (plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum, etc.) into bulk loads. This allows them to stay on top of their sustainability demands in a quick and efficient fashion, which in turn makes it easier for them to lower their carbon footprint. If you want to find out more about recycling equipment and the baling process in general, be sure to check out recyclingbalers.com.

2. 3D printing

3D printing has enjoyed a period of vast proliferation over the past decade. A number of different industries now take advantage of this design process on a daily basis, manufacturing being one of them.

Once they invest in a 3D printer, professional manufacturers are afforded the opportunity to create physical beta tests for their upcoming product releases. This helps them to visualize the end result of their projects, which in turn allows them to forecast potential problems that they may encounter going forward. Ultimately, this stops manufacturers from wasting their time, effort, and money on tasks that aren’t likely to prove fruitful.

3. The IoT

The Internet of Things, commonly referred to as the IoT, is currently proving itself to be a major disrupter in the manufacturing sector. This tech solution has the capacity to optimize a plethora of different industrial processes, three of which include:

1. Supply chain management

2. Self-dependent machinery

3. Workshop mirroring

It has the potential to transform your manufacturing business if you choose to embrace it.

4. Nanotech

Nanotech is another tech solution that is having a profound positive impact on the manufacturing industry. Once embraced, this field of innovation can be used to streamline a whole host of industrial projects and workflows. In turn, this aids manufacturers in their attempt to produce more work, at a much quicker pace, over a far more sustained period of time. The question that remains is, is nanotech worth investing in? The simple answer is yes. There are several benefits that manufacturers stand to reap once they embrace nanotechnology, including optimized processing times and having the capacity for smaller data storage cards and temperature-controlled protective equipment.

Are you determined to take your manufacturing business to the next level? If so, be sure to take full advantage of the four solutions listed above.