Are You Using Data Analytics The Right Way?

In today’s tech-led era, there is hardly anything that you can accomplish without using data. In this scenario, are you able to fully utilize the value presented by data? Is your data analytics helping you turn data into a revenue generation engine? Are you using data analytics the right way?

Today we look at solving these questions at how this can be done

• Is Your Data Purpose Driven?

The first question that you need to ask yourself is whether the data you’re using is purpose driven or not. The easiest way to find an answer is by analyzing it based on four important dimensions – accuracy, relevance, usability and cost involved in the analytics. Based on these elements, you can determine whether your data is purpose driven or not.

• Are You Asking The Right Questions?

The another important aspect of data analytics is whether you’re using it to ask the right set of questions or not. Questions like “how can we reduce costs? ” “how to increase revenues? ” “how to improve the productivity of all the team members? ” “how can we better manage the time dedicated towards product development? ” etc. should be addressed without any failure. It’s great if your data analytics practices address these question, but if not, then ensure that you make the necessary changes as soon as possible.

• Have You Built A Data Provenance Model?

Valuable data may come in all forms and shapes, and you need to be ready to capture it at any given point of time. Building a strong data provenance model can help you do that in a hassle-free manner. It enables any business owner or team leader to identify the actual source of information and check its reliability to know whether it can be used or not.

In today’s time when differentiating useful data from scrape information has become one of the toughest tasks for businesses, data provenance model can help you achieve desired results over and over again. If you have not already built a data provenance model for your business, do so without any further delay.

• Can You Connect The Dots

No matter how intelligent or experienced you are in a particular field, you cannot get hold of everything at once. Ask yourself whether you can connect the dots in the raw data that comes to you from different people and departments. If the answer is no, hire someone who can. Knowing how to connect the dots can take your business to whole new heights; therefore, learn this process or hire someone who possesses necessary data skills to do the job.

Data analytics can make a real difference only if you are willing to convert your insights into action. So, take a close look at the points mentioned above and start using data analytics in the right way.

Have you been exploring data analytics field for a long time and have an expert opinion on this topic to share with everyone? Please comment below and help others learn the usefulness of data analytics.

UX Design Challenges

What is it that will help app developers deliver a tailored and intuitive experience on the mobile?

How can developers satiate user demand for applications that are fast, deliver instant results, and can be customized to provide a personalized experience?  What is the one key that prevents app uninstalls and engages better with customers?

It is UX or User Experience around the mobile app.

Because of the problems UX tries to address, it becomes a complex field strewn with challenges at every step. If you are looking to make a mark in the field of UX design then it is worth your time reading about the top 5 challenges that every web app developer requires overcoming while designing UX:

1.     Follow the Concept of KISS

Keeping It Short and Simple (KISS) is the essential rule to attract users to an application. Using technical jargon, complex terminologies, and jazzy words ruin user experience as they may fail to understand what exactly does the app wants to convey.

Incorporating features like accepting users’ comments, feedbacks or ratings, and even options to share the content with others can help in enhancing the overall experience.

2.     Make Possible Efforts to Bridge the Gap

Since a web designer is responsible for delivering an output that can ensure engaging user experience, it doesn’t mean that everything in the development should be at par with his/her interests.

Studying target audience, understanding their behaviors, and determining their requirements plays a major role in laying out the entire roadmap for any web development project. Market experts suggest understanding user’s interests and expectations to ensure that the outcome connects with users on all levels.

3.     Always Keep User Security & Privacy on Priority

Keeping the emphasis on design and user experience, a web developer should never neglect web app security or treat it as a secondary factor. Nowadays, apps contain payment details, contact information, confidential data, and other sensitive details of a user. Therefore, application security features should be carefully coded to offer protection against threats and vulnerabilities.

4.     Make it Appealing and Impressive

Apart from focusing on fitting the app to today’s technological demands, it is important to offer impressive packaging to attract users and deliver a pleasant experience.

Adding transitions, animations, and responsive designs can help in boosting your app’s presence on the global front and can help in gaining ample downloads within a fraction of seconds.

5.     Create for One, But Aim for Universal

Today’s users may have multiple devices with different screen sizes; hence, it is important to design your app for multiple platforms. Ensuring its capability to run on as many devices as possible helps web developers in attracting as many users as possible. Develop an application for a single platform, but start testing its capabilities for other platforms using Beta versions.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, UX designers may face one or more of these challenges from most unexpected sources. But it is imperative to keep user’s expectations in mind while designing and delivering a streamlined and memorable mobile app experience to them.

Amazon – The e-commerce behemoth recently started Amazon Prime Air – a drone-based goods delivery mechanism to deliver packages to customers in 30 minutes or less. This step marked the first step of putting drones in front of the eyes of the general public. While substantial R&D action was happening behind the scenes for many years now, drone are a business enabler has recently gone mainstream.

A quick intro to drone technology

Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles that have the capability to deliver lightweight packages from source to destination. With amazon stating that 86% of its deliveries weigh less than 5 pounds, it becomes a good target candidate for testing drone delivery system.

Its current status

Drone technology has seen limited adoption in the commercial market meant for the masses. FAA approvals, regulatory framework, and government sanctions are one end of the barriers present. The other end is the advanced technology and cost of development that makes the technology out of reach for smaller or inexperienced players in the market.

However, we have seen an increasing number of enthusiastic entrepreneurs and researchers work towards a more sensible civilian drone technology. Such technology will not only provide a low barrier to entry but also have a wider reach than just e-commerce delivery. One such existing example is SkyCall from MIT’s Senseable Labs that can build a quadcopter in a couple of hundred dollars. There are multiple other developments happening around drone technology from Australia to Switzerland. Some of these include

1. Flirtey – An Australian based company that delivers books via drones to students instead of taking days for the delivery.
2. SenseFly – This Swiss company is out with commercial UAVs that take high altitude photos and work well in terrains unsuitable for man.
3. 3D Robotics – The company provides tools, knowledge, and resources to accomplish personalized drones as a DIY project

How is the business world impacted?

There is a sustained level of interest on the on-going action happening around drone technology. FAA and DOT have come up with rules to fly UAVs in commercial airspace. But there seems to be a lot of ambiguity around the technology even today. The widespread open source drone development community too, is fueling the fire to come up with innovative and practical drone-based business applications for the common public. Analysts say that precision agriculture and public safety will comprise of 90% of the market sectors where commercial and civilian drones will make its impact felt.

Its future

It is estimated that a whopping $89 billion will be spent around Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones). Though commercial applications will form only 10% of the total, it is still a major boost to a fairly nascent technology.

While the commercial drone delivery system is nowhere close to its military counterparts in size or volume of adoption, it is certainly poised to grow in the right direction in 2017 and beyond. What are your thoughts about this exciting new system to deliver packages safely to consumers? Do write to us and let us know.

User Engagement is important for your Mobile App

Mobile app developers put in a lot of focused energy on design, development, and testing of a new mobile app.

However, what comes next is often ignored. Right from deployment to cranking up the visibility of the app, there are several crucial steps that can drive your app’s success on the app stores. And this is an area that cannot be ignored by any business.

Why?

Because stats have shown that app user engagement forms a big chunk of digital sales and any dip in user engagement over a mobile app has the power to diminish the revenue potential of your business. Flurry says that users spend 90% of their time on apps rather than mobile web. Also with 8.8 downloads per month on average, the popularity of mobile apps will only increase as we move to 2017.

This is why it becomes absolutely vital to keep a high level of user engagement and sustain it throughout the customer’s journey on the mobile app.

How to increase User Engagement on your App?

1. App store listing 

While most of the action around user engagement happens within the app, the user’s first interaction happens outside i.e. on the app store when he/ she downloads the app. This is the first stage where you have to get it right. This can be done by answering a few important questions like

• Why will users download your app
• What problems will your app solve for them
• What is different on the app that will not be present on your website.

2. App user on-boarding 

Once the initial handshake is done, you need to ensure a smooth on-boarding. So instead of showing screenshots of the app interface, it will be better to have a step by step guide on getting the maximum benefit out your app.

3. The power of gamification 

By gamifying your app, you are making sure to take user engagement to the next level. The sense of competition, rewards, and incentives will only ensure that the user comes repeatedly to the app.

4. Push notification 

With push notifications, you app enjoys memory continuity even though the app access rates may go down. While this works naturally for apps like Whatsapp, it takes some ingenuity to incorporate into other types of apps. So, Musx sends out a weekly compilation of top 10 songs as notification to users.

5. User feedback 

An engaged user will know that he/ she can give feedback easily and it will be heard by the developer agency. Giving easy access to a ‘contact Us’ button, or FAQ will ensure that users do not go on the app store page and post their poor feedback there. To enhance user engagement further, you can set up automated response mentioning the expected turnaround of resolution too.

Which of these points will form a part of your next mobile app user engagement boost campaigns?

Do write to us and let us know your comments.

Technology Trends of 2017

Latest developments in the tech landscape and current growth of disruptive technologies have created quite a buzz. It’s highly surprising and amazing to find such innovative technologies and tech integrations around us. With a little device in your handbags or pocket, you gain the opportunity to communicate and retrieve crucial information in a hundred different ways.

Every year, there’s something new and innovative round the corner which leaves you amazed. You might wonder what’s coming next and marvel at the way how tech advancements can make your life easier than ever!

As we head towards the end of 2016 and look forward to the arrival of 2017, it’s high time to catch a glimpse of the latest technology trends of 2017.

Here is what the entire world is expecting!

1. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

With the discovery of Oculus Rift and numerous VR apps, VR and AR technologies have become highly popular in the business arena. Pokemon Go recorded a whopping 100 million downloads thus reflecting the unmatched popularity of AR technologies. If 2016 marked the emergence of VR and AR, the following year would witness its growth and development. 2017 is expected to bring some great news for both Virtual and Augmented Reality.

2. Machine Learning

When it boils down to tracking the growth of Machine learning, you will come across numerous instances. From enhancing Google’s search algorithm to ensuring successful customer retention, machine learning has delivered impactful performances. In 2017, potential users might witness the widespread use of this technology in consumer application development.

3. IoT and smart homes

With market giants like Amazon, Google, and Apple trying their best to create uniform user experiences, the amalgamation of Internet-of-Things and smart home technology is inevitable. The time isn’t far when you will be living in a connected world. Innumerable products, millions of devices, and thousands of appliances will come together to offer seamless experiences to users. IoT has been one of the top tech trends in 2016, and the following year seems to ensure a bright future for it!

4. Big data analytics

Large volumes of unused business data can turn out to be highly crucial resources for your dream venture. Big data analytics emerges as the key to understanding consumer behaviors and better business planning. From business marketing campaigns to medical treatments, big data analytics will ensure effective execution of business processes.

Big data and Business Intelligence have been there for a long time. In the following year, you will witness the use of big data analytics in the qualitative growth of business.

5. Business automation

By 2017, business process automation will turn into the biggest mainstay. From product development stages to consumer interactions, business automation will revolutionize various processes across diverse business environments.

Looks like 2017 is going to be a great year in terms of technology trends! But the list of innovations don’t stop with just these. We are hopeful and excited to see new technologies unfold as the new year sets in!

Lean UX Design is the way to go

What is the one key design differentiator that helps to enhance overall user experience?

What aspect help in bring the user closer to your brand over the digital ecosystem?

Yes, it is UX design that we are referring to!

Lean UX design helps to power up a range of digital products – from simple business websites to dynamic applications. Today we explore the different ways in which lean UX can propel your business past your competition.

The truth about ‘Lean’

The term ‘Lean UX’ has a unique connotation. If we take a look at the origin of this term, we will come across the concept of ‘lean ideas’ and ‘lean thinking’. The term ‘lean’ refers to streamlined business objectives and laser-like focus on identifying true business value.

Lean UX design principles aim at identifying consumer preferences. These practices will identify what appeals to your target audience thus helping you ensure unsurpassed User Experiences.

On that note, lets take a look at how lean UX design practices can add significant value additions to your business.

.1. Uncovering the crucial business requirements

Lean UX design practices will help you identify the pain points in your project. You can delve deep into the nuances of these specific problems thus solving them with lean design principles. With ‘lean’ design principles, you will have the opportunity to discover crucial business requirements. It will help you understand what works for your business and what doesn’t.

2. Customize business needs as per industry standards

No two organizations are similar in nature. Quite naturally, their processes and operations will also differ from each other. When big companies and enterprises work on application development projects, they are often unable to identify crucial requirements. Lean UX will help them identify these needs thus showing them what will work for target users. That’s a huge benefit when it comes to seeking funds for your project.

3. Breaking ideas for hypotheses

While developing a product or application with lean UX design principles, you will have the opportunity to break your ideas into small units of testable hypotheses. That’s a great way of identifying whether the product is marketable or not. Results of the hypotheses will determine the product or application development processes.

4. Determining the UI

At times, product developers have crystal clear ideas of their target users, product needs, and user stories. However, the problem lies with the UI designs. The perfect combination of Lean UX and Agile will help you identify the right User Interface designs. Quite naturally, compelling and attractive UI designs will lead to improved customer engagement.

5. Direct exposure for products

Lean UX ensures fast and swift product deliveries. Most importantly, it helps you take your products directly to your target users. Lean UX design principles show a remarkable upward movement through the ‘think-make-check’ loop. Business owners and product developers can create highly scalable products and applications.

So, if you have been wondering on how to add the “WOW” factor to your software, Lean UX design is the way to go! Nothing beats a crisp design and a fulfilling User experience to scale up your business.