development

Communication

Flexisource IT’s Success Story in Optimising Technical Performance and Communication

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Overview An Australian company offering an educational risk and compliance management system needed support with its business. It was grappling with an issue with a manual development process that threatened its ability to deliver timely solutions to its clients. Recognising the urgent need for a solution, the client turned to Flexisource IT to help streamline their development processes and enhance internal communication. In this case study, we will explore how we not only resolved their immediate challenges but also how we solved issues that arose during the implementation. About the Client The client is an educational technology company specialising in school risk and compliance management. Their platform is a secure online system that assists schools in managing the compliance of their providers of on-site goods or services (POGS), contractors, volunteers, and facility hirers.  Its primary purpose is to ensure that schools meet their workplace obligations, comply with current legislation, and maintain a comprehensive compliance register, ultimately protecting students and staff while upholding legal duties. Problem The client initially approached Flexisource IT to improve their development process. Apparently, their existing process involved manual steps in deploying code from the local environment to staging. This manual process required remote access to the server and manually adding code, which was both time-consuming and prone to errors. They want Flexisoource IT to help them streamline this process to avoid creating potential risks in meeting project deadlines and maintaining client satisfaction. Flexisource IT’s Solution To mitigate this issue, Flexisource IT took various approaches to address the client’s challenges. Flexisource IT proposed configuring a CI/CD pipeline using Azure Pipeline to automate the deployment process from local to staging. This automation would reduce the risk of errors, streamline the workflow, and ensure that code deployment was consistent and reliable. Likewise, Flexisource IT identified team members with expertise in Azure to lead the configuration. A series of discovery and testing sessions were conducted to ensure the CI/CD setup was effective. The final deployment was scheduled with the client’s approval, and training was provided to the development team for ongoing maintenance. Other Roadblocks During Implementation Aside from the development process, Feedback from the client highlighted concerns regarding the communication skills of one of their developers, Bryann. Issues included the lack of clear task estimates, insufficient updates on task progress, and the need for more proactive communication with the client. To solve this issue, Flexisource IT worked with Bryann to improve his communication process by introducing daily updates in the Admin Chat, including task numbers and statuses. This approach ensured that the client was kept informed about the progress of tasks and any potential delays. We also used a catch-up form to formalise the feedback process and document the client’s concerns. This helped structure the steps taken to address the issues and help track improvements and accountability. Result The implementation process was largely smooth, with no significant issues encountered during the CI/CD testing phase. The CI/CD  was implemented last 09 August 2024. The client will continue to monitor these changes to ensure they meet expectations. Likewise, communication improvements were implemented successfully, with Bryann adopting the new process for daily updates.  To this day, Flexisource IT remains available to provide further support as needed. Particularly, as the client continues to refine their development processes and communication strategies. So, if you are a company looking to improve your development process and communication strategies, contact Flexisource IT today! Let us help you streamline your workflow and enhance your team’s collaboration. Contact us now!

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sports scoring

Enhancing Real-Time Sports Scoring Applications for Optimal Performance

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Overview Flexisource IT collaborated with a prominent sports scoring data provider to develop and refine sports applications for real-time scoring. The project involved the implementation of Agile methodologies to address issues stemming from outdated technology and a need for more structured QA processes. This case study outlines the client’s challenges, Flexisource IT’s approach, roadblocks encountered, and the project’s ongoing results. About the Client Our client is a sports data and analytics company based in Melbourne, Australia. Since 1999, they have been the official statistical data provider for leading sports scoring organisations in Australia, including football, netball, golf, the A-League, etc. In other words, they collect and analyse all the data generated during games and predict results. Commentators, journalists, and teams use this data to better understand the game. In other words, they act as the statistical backbone for many organisations seeking a deeper understanding of the games they follow. Problem As a leading provider of Australian sports scoring data and analytics, our client needs to upgrade its core infrastructure and database to maintain its position as an industry leader. They face limitations with their old infrastructure built on outdated technologies, such as .NET Framework 4.8 and Microsoft Silverlight. These legacy platforms hinder upgrades, bug fixes, and overall performance, making it difficult to adapt to evolving needs and maintain a competitive edge. That said, our client seeks to partner with Flexisource IT to outsource the expertise of a .NET developer specialising in modernising infrastructures and applications. Eventually, the client also tasked Flexisource IT talents with developing new applications, including a scoring app for capturing and storing match data and a voting system feature to create and predict the MVP of each game match. Approach The client and Flexisource IT leverage Agile development methodology throughout the process. This iterative approach ensures continuous improvement and client involvement throughout the project lifecycle. Here’s a breakdown of the proposed workflow: Task Management. The team used Jira, a popular project management tool, to manage tasks, track progress, and foster communication. Using this tool, they created tickets or epics to provide the project overview and detailed functionalities to be developed. All tasks are clearly outlined and assigned within the Jira system. Ticket Assignment and Development. Flexisource IT focused on backend development, modernising the applications and shared libraries by upgrading to newer .NET standards. This transition aimed to improve application performance, scalability, and maintainability. Development and Code Review. The Flexisource IT team undertook the development work, followed by thorough code reviews conducted by the client’s senior developers. QA and Testing. Despite lacking a dedicated QA team, Flexisource IT introduced backlog refinement and story point estimation to improve task management and quality assurance. Unit tests were also implemented to build quality by rigorously testing each component. Backlog Refinement. We also implemented a structured process for backlog refinement and estimation (Agile). This transition facilitated better task planning, prioritisation, and execution, leading to improved project outcomes. Roadblocks and Issues During Implementation Throughout the implementation process, Flexisource IT encountered several challenges that required strategic problem-solving and adaptive measures. These roadblocks, while initially posing significant hurdles, ultimately led to improvements in communication, process efficiency, and project outcomes. Here are some of the key issues faced and the solutions implemented to overcome them: Performance Feedback. Frequent updates and performance reviews were necessary to ensure the project’s alignment with the client’s expectations. With that said, Flexisource IT worked with the client to implement performance improvements and ensure the application met the required standards. Communication Gaps. The team also faced minimal communication issues. We understand that ensuring precise and consistent communication between teams is crucial. Thus, Flexisource IT mitigated this gap by establishing clear communication protocols such as providing daily updates, stand-ups, and regular progress trackers. Lack of QA Resources. The absence of a dedicated QA specialist has somehow affected the team’s process and code review. To mitigate this, Flexisource IT provided its developers with comprehensive documentation and introduced unit tests to ensure the quality of the application. ●  Low Ticket Descriptions. Initially, tickets were provided with low descriptions, which challenged our developers. Flexisource IT addressed this by working with the client to include detailed guidelines for ticket creation and ensuring all necessary information was included. Results Although the project is still ongoing, significant strides have been made. The client has observed continuous application improvement. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing improvements and the structured approach introduced by Flexisource IT. This partnership not only addresses the current needs but also lays a strong foundation for future advancements in sports scoring data applications. The project continues to evolve, with both teams committed to achieving the client’s goals and ensuring the highest performance and quality standards. Similarly, the project has fostered a deeper understanding of sports scoring data requirements among the development team, leading to more relevant and practical solutions. Other Solutions & Suggestions While the primary focus has been on developing real-time sports scoring applications, Flexisource IT suggests the following to enhance the client’s operations further: Dedicated QA Team. Establishing a dedicated QA team is an excellent addition to this project. This would ensure thorough testing and higher-quality deliverables. Continuous Training. Both Flexisource IT and client teams should receive ongoing training to stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies. This would ensure both teams can adapt to future trends and maintain high-performance standards. Are you facing challenges in developing real-time applications or upgrading outdated systems? Flexisource IT is here to help. With our expertise in Agile methodologies, robust development practices, and dedicated support, we can transform your project into a success story. Contact us today to discuss how we can tailor our solutions to meet your unique needs and drive your business forward. Let’s build the future together.  

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enterprise application development

Definitive Guide to Enterprise Application Development

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Over time, business grows, and you cannot handle it alone. There will be a time when you cannot control the number of tasks on your own, and thus could result in error or revenue loss. In such cases, a tool could be helpful for you to realign your business process and workflow. And one tool that would be really helpful is an enterprise application. Yet, enterprise application development could be more challenging than a regular app. Various steps and extensive features, like databases, security, and integration, must be included. And to help you with that, this article will tackle the fundamentals, benefits, and steps of enterprise application development. What is an Enterprise Application? An enterprise application is an application that a company or organization uses to carry out its daily tasks. It is an application usually designed for a specific industry with many features specific to that industry’s needs. They also typically have more robust security features than other types of applications. What are the types of Enterprise Applications? Enterprise Applications can take various forms, depending on their purposes, functionality, and architecture. Here’s a list of enterprise applications that most developers make for a company. 1.   Management enterprise apps One of the most famous enterprise applications is management enterprise. A company generally uses this type of enterprise application to automate department processes or operations that need extensive cooperation and coordination across the business. The most common type of management enterprise application is an ERP system. This app tracks the flow of goods and services through a company or organization. Other enterprise applications include CRM systems, which are used to track customer information, and HR systems, which are used to track employee information. 2.   Team collaboration software Another common type of enterprise application is collaboration software. Team collaboration software helps in easing communication between team members and also helps in project management. This software facilitates the process of sharing and updating information among team members. Team collaboration software is one of the best ways to increase employee productivity and efficiency. 3.   Data collection and analytics application Another popular enterprise application is analytic software. It is an application that processes data to conclude business decisions. This enterprise application is crucial for a company as it helps the management make better business decisions, spot opportunities, and avoid pitfalls. 4.   Storage enterprise application Storage is a critical component for companies. As such, storage application is necessary for companies because it provides space for storing data and information generated by the applications. Storage is also used to store data generated by users of the application, such as documents, images, videos, and other types of data. The storage infrastructure can be local or remote, depending on the type of application and how it is used. The storage infrastructure may be private or public, depending on the data that needs to be stored and how it will be accessed in the future.   Pros and Cons of Enterprise application development Many companies use enterprise applications for various reasons and many other benefits. For example, they can help the company keep track of their employees’ time and tasks, which allows them to manage their workforce more effectively. And while enterprise application development undoubtedly has benefits, it also has some drawbacks. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of an enterprise application to a business. Benefits of Enterprise Application Development 1. Optimise Business Processes The key benefit of enterprise application development is its ability to optimize business processes. Enterprise applications are used for customer service, sales and marketing, human resources, finance and accounting, supply chain management, and many more. 2. Automates Business Workflow Several enterprise applications automate business workflow. This can be done through AI, machine learning, and automation. The increased use of AI in enterprise applications can help businesses save time and money by automating customer support, marketing, and sales tasks. 3. Higher Efficiency and Productivity Enterprise applications can increase productivity in some ways. They can help you organize your work and make it easier to find what you need. They make it easy to collaborate with others and share files that you need for your projects. Drawbacks of Enterprise Application Development 1. Security of data can be an issue Security is probably one of the biggest challenges of enterprise application development. According to a study conducted by Cybersecurity Insider, about 44% of respondents said that protecting their data is one of the most extensive application security concerns. In this age where everyone uses the internet, application attacks are common, especially with businesses, as most applications hold essential business information or customer data. Likewise, organizations should continuously strengthen their security protocol when building enterprise applications. 2. Maintenance costs a lot The company needs to maintain the enterprise application in many different environments. It must be available for all the other users running it on different devices. The company should invest in data analytics and monitoring tools to help them identify and fix issues quickly. 3. Return on Investment (ROI) can be low Most advanced enterprise applications are dedicated to a company and its employees. Likewise, low to no ROI is common in enterprise application development. Applications take months and cost a lot to develop. As such, it’s important that when building an enterprise application, all essential data and requirements are thoroughly included. This is so the development team can create clear timelines and set priorities.   5 Steps in developing Enterprise application Many companies like having an in-house development team to build an enterprise application. However, the enterprise application development process is extensive. Developers should have adequate experience and knowledge to develop and maintain their infrastructure. So, if you want to ensure they are doing it right, here are some steps in developing an enterprise application. 1.   Collect business processes and cross-functional teams The first step in developing an enterprise application is collecting business processes. A business process is a set of actions that are carried out to achieve an objective. It is the sequence of tasks to

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desktop application vs web application

Desktop Application Vs. Web Application: What’s the difference?

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Today, an application runs our lives. Apps run the market from simple ordering pizza to paying bills. Therefore, businesses use apps to cater to their customer’s needs and connect with them. Application is the future, and many will continue to use it. However, when building an application, the inevitable question “what type of application should we build?” comes up. You can choose from mobile, desktop, web, or database. Likewise, this article will discuss the two most popular application types- desktop and web applications. Read on and learn the difference between the two and their pros and cons. What is a Desktop Application? Desktop applications are a type of software that is in a computer to perform specific tasks for the end users. Unlike web applications, desktop applications must be installed on your hard before use. What are the Pros and Cons of Desktop Application? Both application variants have pros and cons. Companies have used the desktop application for years to achieve their project goals and objectives. While some might find desktop applications a little bit inconvenient, they certainly have advantages. Here are eight advantages and disadvantages of desktop applications. Advantages of Desktop Application 1. Fast and reliable Unlike a web application, there is usually less loading time when using a desktop application. This is because most assets of a desktop app were loaded after startup. All elements available on your personal computer are loaded. The only chance there will be loading time is during an update or when it’s fetching a massive amount of data. Likewise, desktop application has better response time than web applications. 2. More secured Desktop applications are more secure than web apps as they provide more flexibility and scalability regarding security. Most desktop applications are not exposed to the internet and therefore have a lower chance of getting hacked. Moreover, you can create your firewall, security measures, and other efforts to secure your application. You can add an authentication setting or protect your app with a password on each launch. In a desktop application, security measures lie in the user’s protection. 3. Cost efficient Desktop applications are cost-effective, more convenient, and offer more features than a web-based application. It is cheaper than web-based applications because a desktop application requires less infrastructure and maintenance. 4. Can be accessed without an internet connection A desktop application is often more convenient for the user because it is always available on the system and does not require a connection to the internet. This makes it accessible to most, especially those in some remote locations. Disadvantages of Desktop Application 1. Needs to be manually updated Unlike web applications, desktop applications must be updated and sometimes manually on each release. This can provide issues for the end user, especially those who are not technologically adept. 2. Platform limited Regarding platform compatibility, desktop application vs. web application comes with challenges. As mentioned earlier, desktop applications are installed on a computer. And some desktop application requires a particular processor, operating systems, and other parameters. This could be a nuance for both users and the development team.   3. Requires ample storage space Desktop applications can sometimes require significant storage space, which is usually hard to find on a laptop. This is because many of them are designed for use on a desktop or even a server. A desktop application is a computer program that runs on the user’s computer rather than being hosted by a web server. Desktop applications are generally larger and have more features than browser-based applications or mobile apps. Still, they usually require more storage space and system resources due to their size. 4. Needs to be downloaded and installed Desktop applications are programs that run on a personal computer. They are not web-based and must be downloaded and installed on the computer. Desktop applications are used in many different industries. For example, they can be found in the design industry, where they can help with the design process by providing various tools for designers.   What is a Web Application? Web applications are a type of software that is used via web browsers and the internet. Unlike a desktop application, a web application does not need to be installed. It runs all the scripts and content through a web browser. What are the Pros and Cons of Web Application? Like desktop application, web application comes with their advantages and drawbacks. Below are some of its pros and cons. Advantages of Web Application 1. Access the apps anywhere Web apps are a great way to work on the go without having to carry around heavy laptops and other devices with you. They can also easily access your work from anywhere worldwide as long as you have an internet connection. 2. Cross-platform compatibility Most web applications are accessible to any platform and device as long as they have a web browser and internet access. They are reliant and do not require specific hardware or operating system to run. This means that you can cater to customers with different types of devices – whether a desktop that runs on windows, mac, or Linux or mobile that runs on android or iOS. 3. No downloading and installation As mentioned earlier, web apps are accessed through web browsers. All web apps can simply be launched by going right to the URL. No need to download big files and install them on your device. Web apps are quick, easy, and accessible as long as you have internet and a device, making them easier for your customers to use.   4. Less load time Since web application does not require to be installed, opening it is easy and quick. As long as you have a fast internet connection and a device with a great processor, opening a web app comes with no problem. Disadvantages of Web Application 1. Needs internet to access One disadvantage of a web application is that it heavily relies on the internet to be accessed. Web apps are not accessible if there

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Reasons Why You Should Implement Agile Methodology

Reasons Why You Should Implement Agile Methodology

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The Agile methodology is a project management method that promotes flexibility and collaboration among team members. It emphasizes the need for quick responses to changes in requirements and feedback from users. Agile methods help organize projects by breaking them up into small, manageable tasks that can be done in a short amount of time. This methodology works best with a software development process because it encourages collaboration, feedback, and quick decision-making. The goal of Agile is to create software that is reliable, efficient, and effective. The Agile methodology emphasizes how important it is to get feedback from users and change requirements quickly. Essentially, this framework focuses on feedback and feedback cycles, which helps to create a better product. Agile methods allow for short, frequent iterations that help to improve the quality of the product quickly. Benefits of Agile There are several reasons why you might want to implement the Agile methodology in your organization. Let’s take a look at some of them. Better product delivery In today’s fast-paced business environment, it is essential for companies to be able to quickly adapt and respond to changes in the market. This is the part where the Agile methodology kicks in. The Agile methodology enables companies to respond quickly and efficiently to changes in customer needs and market conditions. One of the main advantages of using the Agile methodology is that it leads to better product delivery. With Agile, products are delivered in small increments, which allows for quick feedback from customers and stakeholders. This helps ensure that the final product meets customer needs and expectations. Reduce the cost of software development The Agile methodology allows for incremental, iterative changes to the code. This can reduce the overall cost of software development as well as improve the quality of the final product.  The methodology takes into account the fact that requirements and specifications can change during the software development process. This allows for changes to be made more easily and quickly without having to go back to square one.  In addition, by breaking down the project into smaller increments, it is easier to identify and correct errors. This can help to avoid costly rework later on in the project. Speed up the development process Agile is based on the philosophy that change is constant and that it is better to respond to change quickly than to try to predict it. This allows businesses to be more responsive to customer needs and changes in the marketplace. The Agile methodology consists of five basic principles:  People and their interactions are more essential than tools and processes Working software is more vital than detailed documentation Customer collaboration is more important than negotiating contracts Adapting to change is more crucial than sticking to a plan A sustainable pace is more important than finishing tasks quickly. These principles make it possible to develop in a flexible, iterative way, which can speed up the process. Improve communication between team members When a team is able to communicate openly and frequently, they are able to work more efficiently together. The Agile methodology has revolutionized the way teams communicate by emphasizing face-to-face communication, timely and concise feedback loops, and a commitment to transparency. This has resulted in teams that are more efficient and cohesive. The Agile methodology focuses on short sprints with regular communication between team members. This allows the team to quickly identify any potential issues and address them before they become bigger headaches. Also, regular communication makes it easier for team members to trust each other, which can be very helpful when working on complicated projects. Avoid problems before they occur The Agile methodology is based on the concept of “inspect and adapt.” This means that teams constantly review their work and make changes as needed. Issues can be identified and dealt with quickly since new features are continuously released to users in small batches. Teams can get feedback from users early and often, which helps to ensure that the product meets user needs. How to Get Started with Agile Getting started with Agile is a process that takes time and effort. Here are some surefire tips to help you get started:  Learn about Agile and what it entails. There are many resources available on the internet, including articles, videos, and books.  Identify key members of your team who will be dedicated to the Agile process. This includes both developers and stakeholders.  Create a safe environment for experimentation. It’s important to be willing to try new things and fail fast in order to learn and improve.  Set up some basic rituals such as stand-ups, retrospectives, and demos. These help keep the team focused and on track.  Create or find existing templates for user stories, sprints, and releases that fit your team’s needs. Implementing Agile: How to Make the Switch Making the switch to Agile can be difficult, but with these tips, it can be a little bit easier.  Start small – Don’t try to change everything overnight. Start by implementing one or two Agile practices and see how it goes. Be flexible – Agile is all about being flexible and adapting to change, so don’t be afraid to change your plans as needed.  Communicate effectively – This is key in any type of project, but especially when using Agile methods.  Get help from others – There are plenty of resources available online and in books, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.  Be patient – It takes time to get used to new ways of working, so give yourself and your team some time and don’t expect perfection right away. The Agile Process: How it Works and What to Expect Agile projects are typically completed in shorter timeframes than traditional projects. This is because Agile projects are broken down into smaller tasks that can be completed in a short period of time. The Agile process is broken down into four phases: sprint planning, daily scrum, review, and retrospective.  The sprint planning phase includes

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type of automation testing

9 Types of Test Automation: A Beginner’s Guide

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With the rise of technology comes to rising need to develop quality-driven software. However, due to demand, developers cannot catch up with the quality. Often, developer forgets to ensure the quality of their software, which is one of the requirements to compete in the market. Moreover, manual testing can no longer serve its purpose due to speed. And this is where automation testing can help. In this article, we will discourse on automation testing and its type. So whether you are dwelling on getting a career in QA or just simply curious about test automation, this article can help you! What Is Automation Testing? Automation Testing is a software testing technique conducted by quality assurance with the help of a computer program or Test automation tools. It is a process of executing a set of predefined tests to validate the functionality of a software product. This testing is conducted with a set of predefined tests to validate the functionality of a software product. It helps in finding bugs and glitches in the application at an early stage, thus saving time and money. Likewise, the process includes running test scripts written by developers or testers on an application and using automation tools to execute these scripts against the application under test. 9 Must Use Type of Test Automation Generally, there are only two main types of automation testing, functional and non-function. But due to the increasing need to automate and the different requirements of businesses, more specific types of automation testing were born. These types of testing provide a more effective way to ensure quality and accuracy by using a program that mimics the actions of a human. Likewise, here are some of the nine well-known types of automation testing. They are: 1. Functional Testing Functional testing is a type of automation testing that verifies an application’s behavior by examining how it interacts with its environment. A business analyst or quality assurance specialist often creates it to validate that a system performs as required and will behave expectedly. 2. Non-functional Testing Non-functional testing is a type of automation testing that analyses the non-functional aspects of software such as a database, APIs, Server, communication, etc. This type of automation testing is also known as performance, load, and volume testing. QA Tester usually uses non-functional tests after the functional tests are completed. They are used to verify that the non-functional requirement of an application is working correctly, such as performance, usability, etc. 3. Unit Testing Unit Testing is a type of automation testing used to check the quality of the code. It tests whether an application’s particular unit or module works as expected. This automation testing is often done using test cases written in advance and executed by a computer program. Unit Automation Testing checks for two things: If the software behaves as expected (correct logic, no error messages) Or if the software acts as desired with different input values (different data sets). 4. Smoke Testing Smoke Testing is a type of automation testing focused on testing a program to see the strength and capability of the deployed build of the software.   The primary purpose of smoke testing is to identify any errors in the system and see if some features of the program are functional or not. Furthermore, QA Testers use smoke testing to decide whether an application should be shelved due to a lack of functionality and features. It also helps the tester determine if they should send the software back to continue the development and other phases of testing. QA analysts usually conduct smoke testing once the developers integrate all of the software’s features and functions. Suppose the QA tester faces failure on this testing. In that case, they generally send the application back to developers for further modifications. 5. Integration Testing Integration testing is when a system is tested from end-to-end to see if all of its components work together. It’s often the last stage before deploying a system into production as it ensures everything works as expected. The main goal of integration testing is to ensure that all functions interact seamlessly with other parts to facilitate the smooth functioning of the software. 6. Performance Testing Performance testing is the process of measuring a system’s performance under a particular workload. This type of automation testing is necessary to ensure that your application can handle the load in production. Moreover, it is one of the essential parts of any QA strategy because it ensures that your application can meet user expectations in production. This testing can help identify any possible issues or performance hurdles that developers could face. Through this, developers can remove the problematic case and optimize the software to deliver better end-user results. Likewise, performance tests are performed by executing a test script with different input parameters and measuring the response time, throughput, and resource utilization. 7. Keyword-driven Testing Keyword-driven testing is a type of test automation that uses keywords in the test data to control the execution of the test. The keywords are typically used as input parameters for a function or object. Each keyword represents an action to be carried out by the program. For example, keyword-driven test for calculating the distance between two points on a map. The keywords are “lat1” and “lon1” for the latitude and longitude coordinates of Point A and “lat2” and “lon2” for Point B. This type of automation testing 8. Data-driven Testing Data-driven testing is a type of automation testing that involves loading or using external data to automate a test case. The data are usually stored in a separate spreadsheet table to feed into the automation test tool. Many QA testers use this type of automation testing to help them save time and work efficiently. Using data-driven testing, QA testers can conduct multiple sets of tests using the same test scripts for a different combination of input test data.   9. Regression Testing Regression testing is a type of software testing used by QA experts, mainly for maintenance testing.

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crm feature

Top 15 Features to Look for Before Purchasing a CRM

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Customer relationship management (CRM) is probably one of the most crucial tools companies worldwide use. It offers various business advantages, including improving customer relations, streamlining processes and information, and effectively improving marketing and sales strategy. So, it’s not surprising that 91% of companies with more than 10 employees use CRM. However, using CRM doesn’t automatically mean success. Yes, it is an excellent tool for bridging your business and success. But you also need to have the right people, knowledge, and features in your CRM tool to ensure that it’s effective. Likewise, this article will help you understand what CRM is, its benefits, and what CRM features you should have. What is CRM? Companies use customer relationship management or CRM to manage all their business’ customer data, relationship, and interactions. This software can help business owners and employees easily track all transaction details from their customers or potential customers. It also helps them nurture relationships, create new opportunities, and generate leads. While the primary goal of CRM is the same, three types can accommodate different features and focuses of a business. These are 1. Collaborative CRM Collaborative CRM software helps a company collect, organise, and streamline essential customer information across the business. It gathers data such as sales, purchase history, contact number, and customer preference for future company use. The main goal of collaborative CRM systems is to have one integrated software that the whole company can use to serve a customer smoothly. It aims to remove the dreaded experience of a repetitive collection of information in each transaction they make.   2. Analytical CRM An analytical CRM is a systematic electronic software that collects customer data and analyses it to aid business decision-making. Most tools today can flawlessly and effortlessly manage a large quantity of data. However, most are having difficulty interpreting these data into feasible information that a company can use. With analytical CRM, you can learn to use these data and see different trends based on your customer’s purchase behavior. 3. Operational CRM Operational CRM is a CRM software that helps the company create a centralised system that supports sales, marketing, and customer service features. It stores a large quantity of information on leads, customers, and other important information that employees can share. Why do you need a CRM for your business? Using CRM software can provide endless benefits for your business. It can help you increase customer retention, enhance employee productivity, and amplify revenue. Likewise, here are some benefits of using CRM tools in your business: Modern CRM software can help you provide better customer service by streamlining customer data. With CRM software, you can streamline your sales process companywide. It will ensure that any marketing or sales initiative will be given to all your employees. With better customer service also comes improved customer retention. Having good customer service through CRM will encourage your customers to repeat purchases in your company. Most CRM tools offer a centralised data database to store all information gathered in a real-time database safely. CRM tools also offer automated reporting that can make reporting and analytics more effortless than ever! Top 15 Features to Look for Before Purchasing a CRM CRM solutions can do more than just gather data and organise contacts. With the right Free CRM Tools and features, you can maximise your company’s capability, boost sales, and nurture leads. It can also help you save time, money, and resources. Here are some great features of the perfect CRM: 1. Workflow automation Having a set workflow is essential in a business as it gives you and your employees an idea of what is happening in your operation at any given point. You will know what is happing in your company, the people involved, and a sense of how effective your organization is in reaching its goals and deadline. And one must-have CRM Feature you should look for is workflow automation. With this feature, your CRM tool can set up reminders for your managers and employees for essential matters such as payment due dates, service expiration, marketing blasts, etc. This saves them both time and resources. 2. Customizable Not all business is the same. So, your CRM software needs to be customizable and flexible to your needs. Likewise, one CRM feature you should look for is customization. Some CRM will let you choose which features you want to include in your software, such as custom reporting, plugins, system integration, etc. 3. Third-party integration Suppose your company has a system or software that is important in everyday business. In that case, having a third-party integration CRM feature is essential to you. For example, suppose you have a heavy need to use email servers to contact your customers. In that case, it’s necessary that a CRM tool can integrate this program. 4. Customer Service Automation The main point of using CRM software is to improve your customer service. So, if none of your CRM features include customer service automation, then it’s not CRM software. Customer Service Automation can help reduce human involvement in various tasks that a program can do. Tasks like storing customer issues, solving customer inquiries, proactive emailing, etc. With this CRM feature, you can create a knowledge base of information for your customers for quick access 24/7. 5. Email marketing Email marketing is probably one of the most effective marketing methods marketers use today. In fact, according to a study conducted by SmartInsights and GetResponse in 2018, 29% of marketers rate email marketing as the most effective marketing channel. However, using the old-style email marketing through the traditional inbox can be overwhelming. It can lead your email to be spammed. One must-have CRM feature you should include is the email feature. It can help you, and your sales rep be organised and productive. In addition, an email feature in CRM can help you automate and schedule all email marketing tasks, such as:         Client Newsletter Blast         Scheduling appointment         Email automatic

Top 15 Features to Look for Before Purchasing a CRM Read More »

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